The Messenger

Westminster Presbyterian Church,

262 State Street, Albany, New York          

December 2001

PNC Reports Progress on Pastor Search

     The Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) has met 12 times since August, and the Church Information Form (CIF) has been completed. This is a multi-page document profiling Westminster’s people, programs and mission, and what we are searching for in a minister.

        The CIF is scheduled to be approved by our Session and the Albany Presbytery in December, and then filed with the Presbyterian Church (USA) in Louisville, KY.  At that point the document will  also  be available for review by the congregation.

            The PNC will continue to meet on a weekly basis to review candidate applications as they arrive. Questions may be directed to any committee member: John Bossung, Art Buell, Cindy Dwyer, Tim Gordon, Wilma Jenssen, Lawrie Lierheimer, Julie Mader, Tom McPheeters, Virginia Moore, Ben Wilhelm, and Sheila Wrede.

Lynne McKee and Anne Older

Co-Chairs

 2002 Pledge Drive Continues in December

“The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and all who dwell therein.”     – Psalm 24:1

             Westminster had a successful Pledge Sunday on November 11, and we thank all who have already made a pledge for financial support of the Church in 2002.  However, we need everyone’s help to raise enough money to carry out the plans we have for 2002, to help us live up to the vision created for us by Psalm 24. We encourage everyone who hasn’t yet submitted a pledge to do so by the end of December. 

Pledge cards are available in the Church office on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or you may request one by calling the church office at 436-8544.   They may also be found at the back of the Church and at the Chestnut Street entrance.

     We are grateful for all Westminster members  who annually sacrifice to give time and money to support the work of this church, and appreciate those who are increasing their support levels so we can continue to grow in faith and expand our mission.

Lois Wilson

Canvass Co-Chair

Special Advent Services Planned

      On Sunday, December 16, the morning worship service will consist of lessons and carols, led by the Westminster Choir, assisted by Monica Roach, cellist, and Beth Jacobs, liturgical dancer.

      The story of the Christ’s incarnation will be told through the Old Testament prophecy and gospel accounts of the nativity.  Carols old and new will be sung by the choir and the congregation.

      Our annual family Christmas pageant will take place on Sunday, December 23, during the morning worship service.  Susan Fedak is coordinating the event, and welcomes volunteers who would like to participate or assist in any way.

            On Christmas Eve, Westminster’s traditional candlelight communion service will begin at 7:30 p.m. with a half-hour of seasonal music provided by the Catskill Brass and Al Fedak at the organ.  The service itself will start at 8 p.m., and will include special anthems and holiday carols, the proclamation of the Word, the administration of the sacrament of Holy Communion, and the singing of Silent Night by candlelight.  

From the Church Records

Death: 11/3/2001  Carol T. Fischer

New members: 11/11/2001

Joan and Stephen Lewis

7 Fairlawn Lane

Troy, New York 12180

273-3375

Robert J. Bojdak

2200 Niskayuna Drive

Nisakyuna, New York 12309

370-0395

Directory change:

Virginia Russum Keefe

57 Mansion Blvd., Apt. F

Delmar, New York 12054

439-6754

Lectionary for Lord's Day

 December 2001

  2    1^st  Sunday of Advent

    Isa. 2:1-5; Ps. 122

    Rom. 13:11-14; Matt. 24:36-44

 9    2^nd Sunday of Advent

    Isa. 11:1-10; Ps. 72:1-7, 18-19

    Rom. 15:4-13; Matt. 3:1-12

 16   3^rd Sunday of Advent

    Isa. 35:1-10; Ps. 146:5-10 or

    Luke 1:47-55; James 5:7-10

    Matt. 11:2-11

 23   4^th Sunday of Advent

    Isa. 7:10-16; Ps. 80:1-7, 17-19

    Rom. 1:1-7; Matt. 1:18-25

 30   1^st Sunday after Christmas

    Isa. 63:7-9; Ps. 148

    Heb. 2:10-18; Matt. 2:13-23

Shop at Westminster

     This year, double the value of your Christmas gifts by buying well-crafted items.  On two Sundays, December 2 and 9, a SERRV boutique will be set up in the Assembly Room for your shopping convenience after morning worship.

      Because we sold out last year, we are doubling the number of articles for sale this year.  You can help SERRV continue to provide an outlet for craftspeople from other countries who sell their handmade products to earn a living.

 Deacons to Lead Caroling

    Share your holiday spirit by caroling in the Westminster neighborhood.  We will gather at church at 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 16. Song sheets and hot chocolate will be provided.  Call Diane Bossung, 475-0169, for more information.

Holiday Singers  

 Members of the Westminster Choir are available to provide Christmas music at private parties and holiday functions during the Christmas season.  All that is asked in return is a donation to Westminster’s Organ Restoration Fund.

      The size of the donation is up to you, but there are suggested minimums, based on the number of singers and the amount of singing involved.  And if you can provide the singers with food, so much the better!

      Call Al Fedak for more information, or to book some of our church’s fine musicians for your next holiday gathering.

Hanging of the Greens Set

      Everyone is invited to help decorate our church for Christmas on Saturday, December 15, from 10 a.m. to noon. Breakfast will be provided.  Put this on your calendar now.

     And if you've wondered how the church returns to normal after Christmas, you have an invitation to find out: after worship on December 30, you can help take down all those beautiful decorations.  Your reward will be a light lunch. Sign-up sheets are posted, but advance notice is not necessary.

New Officers Elected At Annual Meeting

     Westminster members elected to serve on church boards through 2004 include:

     Session, Kristine Herrick, Lawrie Lierheimer, Allan Tedrow, and Sarah Williams.

     Trustees, Arthur Buell, David Hershey, John Kinum, and Cheryl MacCulloch.

     Deacons, John Knighton, James McKee, Leslie McLaughlin, Carol Miller, Jean Waldron, and Kristine Wilhelm.

     David McClumpha, Robert Stone, and Kim Williams will serve on the Budget/Canvass Committee.

     On the Nominating Committee are Janet Frye, Ruth Russell, Susan Schell, Mary Jean Tedrow, MaryElizabeth Williams, and Virginia Moore as an alternate.

Staying Up-to-date in Computer Age

Westminster now has seven computers networked to each other and connected to the Internet (behind a security firewall) in the offices of the pastor, secretary, comptroller, arts and music directors, and the organ fund administrative assistant. A computer and printer have also been donated for use in the library. The library computer may be used by anyone to do word processing, access the Internet through our high-speed connection, check your e-mail from church, or just practice your computer skills.

     If you have any old computer gear and would like to donate it, we can fix it up to replace some of our older gear or pass it along to a needy charity.

     For three weeks last month I taught a class of 13 adults. Topics covered were basic use of a computer, how to use e-mail and the Internet, exploring the Christian Internet, and how to use the Westminster web site,

The web site contains  up-to-date information on church events. We had more than 1,000 visits to our web site during September. Our special section on the 9/11 terrorist emergency acted as a magnet to draw people to the site. The section was updated several times a day during the following weeks to inform people and let them know  how they could help.

     If you missed having your picture taken last year, you now have the chance to be added to the church’s pictorial directory. This is a great opportunity for new members, returning college students , or anyone who does not have a photo online. If there are family members missing from your current directory photo, a new shot can replace it. The online directory is secure. It may only be viewed by church members and not the general public. At the time your photograph is taken you will be asked to give written permission to use your photo. See me and my digital camera after worship throughout December. Anyone who cannot be in church in December may give me a photo and I will scan it in and return it.

Peter McKee

Tell-around Scheduled

     The Tell-around being organized by Jack Knighton will be presented at a ‘second hour’ on January 20.  Why not pick out your favorite story from the first three chapters of Mark and join us for an enriching experience?

     Already planning to take part are the Rev. Tim Coombs, pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Scotia and an experienced Biblical story-teller, and Westminster members  Chester Burch, Tom McPheeters, Eve Ryan, Gail Reynolds, Sue Almstead, Peter Leue, and Jack Knighton.

Snow Policy Reminder

     The Session has adopted a policy that worship services will be cancelled only if the Mayor of Albany has declared a snow emergency, or the Pastor and Director of Music can’t get to church.

            If a service is cancelled, you can find out from a message on the church answering machine, WGY, or the church web site.  The information will be made available all three ways as soon as a decision is made.

UN Course Offered

      From January 7 to 14, the Presbyterian United Nations Office and Eckerd College are offering “Global Studies:  The UN for a Better World.” Students can earn college credit for this study. Anyone interested may visit for detailed information.

Special Request

             During Advent people are asked to donate items which are not readily available through the Regional Food Bank.  The following items are needed and may be placed under the Christmas tree on the stage:  shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes,  bar soap, deodorant, razors and combs.

Focus on FOCUS

Our thanks to Doris McKee, a member of Westminster, for volunteering as the FOCUS Driver Coordinator.  Each month 10 or 12 food pickups and deliveries are arranged.

*****

    In October, the food pantry provided 281 families with a 4-day supply of groceries.  The total number of individuals served, times the average  number of meals per person, was 10,440.  These numbers are the highest we’ve seen in the last two years.

*****

            Deb Jameson, FOCUS Community Minister, and  Deb  Catozzi,  Pantry Administrator, took the lead role in organizing a press conference of representatives from statewide food pantries who called on Governor Pataki to restore funding to the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Programs.  The State’s bare-bones budget was prepared to cut food pantry funding by over 60 percent. Our collaborative advocacy helped influence the Governor to restore $12 million.

*****

     The breakfast program at Westminster will be open on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, and we need volunteers on those days from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.  Please call Deb Jameson at 465-5161 if you are able to help out on either holiday.

December 2001