November 2005 - THE HERALD

THE HERALD

Freedom Plains Presbyterian Church

Founded 1827

From the Pastor’s Desk

These are the things you must insist on and teach.  Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.  1 Timothy 4: 11-12

Dear Friends,

A couple of weeks ago, the lottery jackpot was something like $260,000,000.  I indulged myself and thought, perhaps for more than a minute, about what my life might be like if I won that jackpot.  Maybe I’m not the only one.  About the same time, my son Daniel had a birthday and the presents he got were perhaps comparable to winning the lottery for a six year old.  He might not agree, but he lacks for nothing, and it concerns me.  No parent wants to spoil children so much that they cannot appreciate what they have.

I then started to wonder if that same thinking applied to my dreams about the lottery.  And do you know what I realized when I thought about winning the lottery, and my concerns for a spoiled son?  If I won the lottery, Daniel would never really see my financial priorities.  He would never see me not do something because I was saving for his college; he would never hear me say we can’t afford that, because we need to give to the Church and to a world in need.  If I won the lottery, it would be a real challenge to give my children a profound example of financial priorities as my parents gave me.

Now in truth, winning the lottery would give me some new challenges that I’m not turning my nose up at, but I’m not going to spend any more time thinking about the challenges that I do not have.  I really hope and pray that I spend enough time on the challenges God has set before me.

Friends, as we are right in the middle of our stewardship campaign, I invite you to consider prayerfully the challenges God has set before you and before this congregation.

Peace,

Paul

HEALTH MINISTRY

Office hours 10:00 – 11:00 AM and 12 –12:30 PM.   For appointments call 724-5631. 

B/P screening – Sundays, on ongoing basis.

Care Notes on emotional and spiritual health are available in the P.N. Office and Narthex.

Weight Reduction Program – Will continue in Parish Nurse Office this fall.  We have a new scale, which will make us seem thinner!!!!

Walking Group – At 9:30 AM, every Tuesday and Thursday morning we meet at Stringham Park.  Please contact Heather Peterson at 452-7974 for more information.

For your information:  Did you know that when it comes to your Living Will (Advance Directives) the decision to follow your wishes or not is up to your health care proxy.  They can follow your instructions or not depending upon the emotions of the moment.  E.g.:  Even though Lou’s mom had stated her wishes for her care, the hospital relied on our decision rather than her request.  Moral of story:  Impress upon your health care proxy person to abide by your wishes. .                                                  Bonnie Biskup, RN, BSN

Prayers for Comfort and Healing – Gail Arnold, Edith Beesmer, Jean Bernard, Jerry Boldrin’s sister, Jill Edmonds, Heather Finck’s mother Carol, Madeline Hanka, Diane (Betty and Don Budd’s  daughter), Devin Resler. Nicky Sebastiano, Sue Stuebner’s sister Fran, and Laurie Taylor.

Nicky Sebastiano’s address:  Room 122-Wedgewood Health Care, 4459 Bailey Ave.  Amherst, NY 14226

CONFIRMATION CLASS/MENTORS – The 2006 Confirmation Class had its first meeting, and it looks like the class size will be about 15. If you, or anyone that you know is in 9^th or 10^th grade, and is interested in joining the class, please contact the church office.  Each confirmand is assigned an adult and peer mentor.  The primary objective of the mentoring program is to develop special relationships within the church for the confirmands.  Mentors are encouraged to reach out to these young people in a variety of ways.  This may be talking after church, a phone call or e-mail just to say hi, going out for ice cream, breakfast, or some other activity.  Basically it is just becoming friends.  Mentors will also be invited to participate in some organized confirmations activities, but these will be very limited.  When making a decision to join any new group, it is always easier when members of the group reach out and help to make you feel welcome and important.  If you are interested in becoming a mentor, or just want to learn more about it, please call Kristin Fandl, 226-1327, or speak with Paul.

Junior Bell Choirs Starting Up This Month

The Youth and Children's Bell Choirs will be starting up in mid-November.  I
hope to see many former members who survived my first year directing the
bell choirs, and welcome any children and teens that want to give it a try.
It is a great way to contribute to the church community and worship service.
Rehearsals are once a week and we play in church every 4-6 weeks during the
season.

The Youth Bell Choir is for middle and high school grade boys and girls who
already sing or play an instrument, and know how to read music.  All
returning members may retain their bells from last year, or get first choice
at any unreserved bells, whichever they choose.  Older teens are
particularly welcome!  The season will be mid-November through the end of
May and rehearsal will be after Sunday School until 11:15 am.

The Children's Bell Choir is for 4th, 5th or 6th grade boys and girls who
can read music or have taken general music in school, or younger children
who already play an instrument.  The season will be mid-November through
Palm Sunday.  Rehearsal will be Thursday evenings, either at around 5:15 or
7:30, whichever is most convenient for the children's families.

Please note that attendance is very important at every rehearsal, so keep
that in mind when considering joining these groups.  Please call me at
635-1431 or e-mail me at dmlogan@hvc.rr.com to sign up, or else see me at
church.

Donna Logan
Director, Youth and Children's Bell Choirs

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE 

    Once again, the Scholarship Committee is sponsoring the annual wreath sale.  The beautiful 24" double-sided wreaths come from Sabellico's and they last long after the Christmas season has passed.  A bargain at $14!  Pre-sales will be Nov. 6, 13, and 20 and the wreaths will be distributed on Dec. 4.  You may also place an order by calling either Carol Weber (226-2906) or Debbie Armstrong (226-4856).  Please support your Scholarship Committee and purchase a wreath in November. 

JR. HIGH YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

The Jr. High Youth Fellowship raised $43.50 from the October 15 Bake Sale.  This amount will be sent to Presbyterian Disaster Relief.  Thanks to all who helped and/or supported this sale!

We are excited to begin having two meetings a month plus occasional extra events and activities.  Our first meeting of the month will be on the first Tuesday of the month from 5 PM to 6:30 PM.  Bring $3 for pizza on Tuesdays.  Our second meeting every month will be on the third Sunday of the month from 10:15 – 11:45 AM.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS – Tuesday, November 1^st – 5  PM

                        Sunday, November 20^th – 10:15 AM

                        Tuesday, December 6^th – 5  PM

                        Sunday, December 18^th – 10:15 AM

SR. HIGH YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

MEETING DATES: Monday, November 7, 7:00 – 8:00 PM

                        Tuesday, November 22 – 7:30 PM Cook for the Homeless

                        Sleepover till Nov. 23 – 8:00 AM

PICTORIAL DIRECTORY

Due to the overwhelming response, we’ve had to add another Olan Mills portrait appointment day on Monday, December 19 (3-9PM). There are only a few appointments in November left.  If you missed your scheduled appointment in October, we will be calling you to reschedule.  Also, please invite your neighbors and friends to help us reach our goal.  They get a free 8x10 portrait.  Please sign-up on Sunday in Fellowship Hall or call Julie Carmichael at 223-3134 or Kathy Newton at 473-2209.

MISSION

RURAL & MIGRANT MINISTRY LUNCHEONS – The luncheons will not always be the fourth Sunday after 11:00 morning worship because other church events will be scheduled.  The October 30^th luncheon will be held November 13^th - same time, same place.  The purpose is to raise money for summer church camp scholarships for migrant teens and to provide a reasonably priced, tasty meal with good fellowship.  The menu includes meatballs, ziti, Italian vegetable, ravioli, and ice-cream crepes for dessert.  The cost is $5.00 and take out is available unless 25 people are pre-registered on the Mission Bulletin Board or by calling 473-3998.

EARTH STEWARDS’ FORUM – Our annual forum will be held Wednesday, November 16, at 7:00 PM in the sanctuary.  Manna Jo Greene, Clearwater’s Environmental Director, will discuss Hudson Valley issues and how we can address them while working toward sustainability.  Peacemaking with the Environment is one of the goals we adopted in 1990 through PCUSA.  The event is co-sponsored by AAUW, so come early to get a good seat.  Refreshments will be served.

DCIC EVENTS - Dutchess Co. Interfaith Council is co-sponsoring an Alternative Gift Fair on Sat. Nov. 12th from 11AM to 7PM, and Sun. Nov. 13th from 11AM to 3 PM at The Manor at Woodside, 168 Academy St., Poughkeepsie.   A wide variety of unique and beautiful items handcrafted by skilled craftspeople from all over the world will be for sale.  All items are fairly traded and earth friendly. Gift items from local merchants, and non-profit agencies will also be available.  For more information, call 452-4013.   

DCIC's Annual Meeting will be held Sunday, Nov. 20th at 5PM, followed by healthy snacks at 6PM, and the Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Gathering at 7PM.  The venue will be St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 161 Mansion St., Poughkeepsie.  All are welcome!

PEACEMAKING OFFERING – thanks to all who support this PCUSA offering that specifically targets peacemaking efforts within the church and the world.  When we have a final figure we will be able to organize our local event with 25% of the funds raised. 

WORTH READING – (on the mission bulleting board by Fellowship Hall)

v     Check out the world map that shows where our support of Church World Service through CROPWalk and Blanket Sunday is being used.

v     The “Washington Report to Presbyterians” comes out six times a year to keep us informed on current issues before Congress.  Recent topics include rising poverty rates, the 2006 budget’s effect on housing, and choosing strong but unbiased judges.

CHURCH FAIR – FABULOUS FOOD – This year’s Holiday Craft Fair will again feature the Mission Committee’s café.  The money raised will support next summer’s Mission Trip to Appalachia.  We’re asking for donations of food:  chili, turkey, ham, cheese, and desserts.  Young and old are needed to volunteer time both days.  Please call Julie Carmichael (223-3134)

THANKSGIVING DINNER – The Peterson family has again volunteered to cook and host this dinner for our community.  They need lots of help from the congregation to welcome singles and couples to share in thankfulness and fellowship.  During the month of November they will have a sign up table in Fellowship Hall, but meanwhile you can call to volunteer (452-7974).

GRACE SMITH/BROOKHAVEN APTS. – Since 1988 the Brookhaven Apartment program has provided transitional housing for families that are victims of domestic violence.  In order to live at Brookhaven, residents must continually work on their career and parenting skills, financial goals, and plans for personal growth.  In December, our congregation will again collect new items that the residents need to help make their daily lives and holiday season more “normal.”  More specific information will follow in the December Herald and Sunday weekly bulletins.  Thank you for your continued support of this local mission project.                                                       Debbie Armstrong

BRIGHT NIGHTS

Our next Bright Night Run will be in January.  We are already planning collections.  If you are interested in organizing a collection in your school, work place, neighborhood, or just among your friends, please let us know.  We are especially in need of regular and thermal underwear, socks, toiletries (all of these items we ask to be new), blankets, hats, gloves, winter coats, and heavy pants.  We will have drop-off boxes for these items on the stage beginning November 20.  We will also be asking for volunteers to help sort and bag items (probably on Sunday evenings), as well as help prepare food to take on the run.  Please let us know if you can help organize a collection.  As always, we thank you for your help and commitment to this local mission project.  Tyler Fandl 226-1327 and Cait Frank 473-7117.

STEWARDSHIP

HERE’S SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT AT PLEDGE TIME

C. S. Lewis has pointed out that if our lifestyle reflects no different comforts, luxuries and amusements as everyone else with the same income as our own, then we are probably giving away too little.  There ought to be things we should like to do for ourselves but cannot do because of our Christian stewardship.  Unbridled consumption is neither healthy nor right, even if it is the American way.  Unrestrained giving, in obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ, is redemptive even when it requires sacrifice and correction.

Frederick Buechner is right when he says that we have to make “a crucial and extraordinary choice.”  Who are we going to follow?  Who are we going to be?  On stewardship Sunday we have the opportunity to take our stand with the One who gave all that he had, and then some.  On Stewardship Sunday, we have the opportunity to pledge ourselves anew to the church of Jesus Christ.  On stewardship Sunday, we have the opportunity to transform ourselves into the very image and likeness of God and to grow up into the full stature of Christ who is the head of the church and the Lord of life.  Amen.

The little card on which we write our estimate of giving for 2006 is more than just information for the Budget & Finance Committee.  It is information for us on who we are and who we hope to become.

LIBRARY NOTES:

The library committee is currently working on a new system of signs for the library collection. If you've ever found it a bit difficult to locate just what you want, we hope this system will make it much easier. Each category will be clearly marked in large letters at the beginning of every shelf.
The committee has been working on updating the entire collection and has added many valuable and timely new additions. I have recently finished Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life and found it to be a straightforward, clear plan for living a solidly Christian based life.  It has been highly praised by Franklin and Billy Graham, Bruce Wilkinson (author of The Prayer of Jabez), Lee Strobel and Max Lucado who describes it as "a masterpiece of wise counsel". This is only one of many I hope to read this year.
The sign-out system is simple and clearly posted so please feel free to come in and check out as many as you like.                         Pamela Woodward, Library Committee Member

Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church Report

The task force is a group of twenty Presbyterians with a wide range of backgrounds and views, chosen by the 2001 General Assembly.  They were asked to discern the church’s “Christian identity in and for the 21^st century,” and to devise ways to help the church deal with issues that are causing conflicts, including sexuality and ordination, interpretation of the Bible, questions about Jesus Christ and salvation, and the use of power in the church.  After four years of worshipping, studying and talking together, they came to recognize one another as faithful Christians whose views are grounded in the Bible and connected to Presbyterian theological traditions. 

Although they still do not agree on some controversial issues like sexuality and ordination, they concluded that as persons who can affirm the faith together and see that even views they disagree with have a biblical and theological basis, they are indeed in Christ together and should remain in one denomination.  The task force also reports that they found more than two sides or positions on many of the controversial issues they studied.  They looked for ways that groups can discern God’s will and set directions that do not always require yes/no or up/down votes.

The task force recommends that:

v     Presbyterians with diverse views form discernment groups that meet for worship, community building, study and theological reflection.

v     Governing bodies use methods of discernment, especially when facing difficult issues, before moving to debate and vote.

v     The 217^th General Assembly (2006) approve an “authoritative interpretation” of the PC(USA) Constitution that supports an approach to ordination that is both more flexible and more rigorous than current practice.  It reemphasizes principles that were adopted in 1729: the whole church sets standards, and the body that is ordaining or installing a minister, elder, or deacon applies those standards, deciding whether a candidate has departed from essentials of Reformed faith and practice.  The process is more rigorous because essentials of the faith will be part of every examination.  The process is more flexible because a governing body may determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether a particular candidate’s departure from standards is also a departure from essentials. 

v     The 217^th General Assembly create a climate for discernment by not making any constitutional changes in the areas covered by the task force report if the recommended authoritative interpretation passes.

v     All Presbyterians build up the church in love by seeking conciliation and mediation before taking formal action against another.

The task force recommends that the report and the methods used to produce it be studied by the congregations and to be part of the training for elders and deacons.  Copies of the report and the first two videotapes covering this have been placed in the church library.  More material will be added as it becomes available.  You are encouraged to look at the material and speak to Rev. Lent or members of the session of your interest.      

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

APPLE PIE BAKING – Save the date!   Sunday, November 6, 8:30 AM we will be baking apple pies for the Holiday Craft Fair.

WREATH DECORATING – Come join us for a Pot Luck Luncheon on December 4th after the second service.  Pick up your wreath from the Scholarship Committee and bring it.  Decorations for the wreath will be available.  Bring a dish to share.  For more information, call Cheryl Christensen at 724-5023. 

RUMMAGE SALE – Thanks to all who helped with this year’s Fall Rummage Sale.  We collected a total of $900 and donated leftover items to The Barn, Goodwill, LaGrange Firehouse, LaGrange Elementary Clothing Drive, LaGrange Association Library, Bright Nights, Grace Smith House, and the Auction. 

NOVEMBER 24, 2005

Freedom Plains members and friends, along with other folks from the county, are invited to join together for Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 24, at 1 o’clock, in Fellowship Hall. YOUR HELP IS NEEDED.  If you are interested in helping or contributing, please contact Heather and Vince Peterson at 452-7974. 

  People who plan to attend, should telephone reservations to the church office (452-0684) between the hours of 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM weekdays, or better yet, send your reservation using the form on this page.  RESERVATIONS ARE ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY AND SHOULD BE MADE NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 22.  We are more than confident that free-will contributions at the dinner will cover costs.

Alone as a single?  Or, as a couple?  Consider inviting your friends to come along.  Or, come by yourselves and enjoy a Thanksgiving Dinner together with others. 

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SEND TO:  FREEDOM PLAINS CHURCH, P.O. Box 400, LaGrangeville, NY 12540

Please reserve ______ places for the Freedom Plains Thanksgiving Day

Dinner at the Church Fellowship Hall, Route 55 and Stringham Road

          Name _______________________________________________

          Address ____________________________________________