THE

Volume 14 Issue 9
EPISTLE OCTOBER 22, 2009
Brianna attends Johanna Perrin Middle School
GENESEE in Fairport. She has been swimming for FAST
VALLEY FALL (Fairport Area Swim Team) since 2003. She is
ASSEMBLY active in Girl Scouts and is in her 9th year of
Genesee Valley scouts. She plays the flute. Brianna is on
Fall Assembly, student council and yearbook club. Her hobby
will take place on is drawing.
Sunday October
25 at Parma Sarah and Brianna will be participating in the
United Church of Junior High church school class, periodic
Christ. The theme “breakfasts with the pastor,” service
is “In opportunities, and helping with a major class
Celebration” and will celebrate the 175th project. They are also co-presidents of our
anniversary of the Parma Church along with the Junior Youth Fellowship. Please keep our
celebrations of Rev. Geoffrey Black as our confirmands in your prayers throughout the
Conference Minister and the Rev. David Felton as year.
our regional Conference Minister. Geoffrey is now
the President of the United Church of Christ and
David retires from his position on October 31. The
day begins with an informal lunch at 1. The
It's Stewardship Time Again!!
meeting begins at 2 and concludes at 5. Glenn
and Lorrie are our delegates, but visitors are Lo
always encouraged to attend. See the pastor for
more information.
ok for
your

2009-2010 CONFIRMATION CLASS

We have two confirmation class students this year
– Sarah Hoover and Brianna Sherry, both 8th
graders. Sarah attends Bay Trail Middle School in
Penfield, where she participates in orchestra,
chorus, girls select choir and Science Oympiad.
She also enjoys checking out You Tube, dancing
at Fitzsimmons Dance Factory and acting in every
musical she can find. pledge card in late October.
2 THE EPISTLE
Pledge cards are due back to
church in November.
PASTORAL PERSPECITVE
Even though it is still October, the weather we’ve
been experiencing has been more like November
and the leaves haven’t turned to their normal fall
colors. It’s hard to believe that October is almost
over. It seems just like yesterday that we gathered
together for our annual “Welcome Back Sunday”
picnic. Now we are looking forward to
Thanksgiving.
We celebrated our 185th anniversary on
September 27, even though the actual date is not
until December 19. We were delighted to have the
choir from the First Congregational United Church
of Christ in Spencerport with us to celebrate the
occasion. Of course we were doubly delighted
because our own Heather Barmore directs that
choir. Our choir will join their choir on November 8
to return the favor.
It seems that this fall, it has been a bit slower
getting back to worship for some folks. It’s
important that we make worship a priority, as it is
the center of our life together. Whatever we do in
education, mission and fellowship comes from our
common worship of God. Unless we are nourished
by this time together in the presence of the Holy
One, our other work suffers.
During the next month or so, we will celebrate
some special occasions in our worship service.
Reformation Sunday happens on October 25.
This is one of those celebrations that may seem
outdated, as we strive to celebrate what brings
Christians together rather than what keeps them
apart. Some may say it comes from another era.
Frankly, some times, in the past, it has been an
occasion for “bashing” our Roman Catholic
brothers and sisters. Yet, it need not be that at all.
Rather, this day gives us an opportunity to look at
the contributions of the reformers to the whole
church. What happened in Europe in the 16th
century had consequences for the whole church,
and for that matter, for the whole world.
All Saints Day is November 1. This year the day
falls on a Sunday and that gives us an opportunity
to truly celebrate the “communion of saints” of
which we are a part. As Christians today, we
stand on the shoulders of all those who have
gone before us in the faith and are now part of
the church triumphant. On this day we will not
only remember them, but all those near and
dear to us who have been part of our lives and
are now with God. If you would like us to
remember a loved one, please call Cathy and
let he know, including the person’s name and
date of death. You can also e-mail this
information to her at
church1@choiceonemail.com.
Once again we will celebrate Heritage Sunday
on November 15. We will worship in the style of
our Congregational forebears. This will be
especially appropriate in this anniversary year.
Our beadle will be a part of our service and the
music will reflect the period.
Finally, the church year ends on November 22
in the celebration of Christ the King. This
occasion reminds us of the lordship of Jesus
Christ over the whole created order. concluding
the old church year and looks forward to the
new one, which will begin on the first Sunday
of Advent, November 29. On that Sunday we
begin once more our journey together as the
Body of Christ.
I hope that you will make a special effort to be
in worship during these coming weeks.
Faithfully yours
John
ALL SAINTS DAY REMEMBRANCES
As part of our worship service on All Saints
Day, November 1, we will remember church
members who have died since last All Saints
Day, as well as loved ones who have died over
the past years. If you have a name to be
remembered, please call the church office and
let Cathy know. You can also e-mail their name
and date of death to:
church1@choiceonemail.com.
LINCOLN’S LEGACY AT VA
The VHA History Office and the National
Cemetery Administration History Program have
created a special traveling exhibition entitled
3 THE EPISTLE
“Lincoln’s Legacy at VA,” as part of this historic
commemoration. The exhibit highlights legislation
and programs signed into law by Lincoln during
the Civil War that are now administered by the
Department of Veterans Affairs and continue to
benefit America’s Veterans. The exhibit has
received official endorsement from the Abraham
Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and will be
displayed at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center
in the Building 5 Auditorium, November 9 through
13, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The “Lincoln’s
Legacy at VA,” exhibition provides opportunity to
learn about Abraham Lincoln and what he can still
teach us about what it means to be an American.
For further details about this year-long national
celebration,visit:
http:// www.lincolnbicentennial.gov/.
WHAT IS COMING UP FOR ADULT
EDUCATION
Sunday Mornings
Oct. 25 – “The Ten Commandments”
On this day, Dr. Tim Dwyer, associate professor of
Bible and Ministry at Northeastern Seminary, will
conclude his series of classes on the topic of “The
10 Commandments.” These classes will be held
during Christian Education time in the Snow
Room.
Nov. 1 & 8 – God & Science
Steve Hoover and Jim Franzen will lead a
discussion on the relationship between religion
and science in today's world.
Wednesday Mornings
Bible Study
Need a mid-week pick-me-up? Every Wednesday
morning at 11 a.m. – noon, there will be a Bible
study class held in the Snow Room. We’ll
begin the fall by studying and discussing the
upcoming Sunday’s scheduled Bible readings.
Following the Bible study, participants are
invited to a brief communion service in the
sanctuary.
Wednesday Evenings
Nov. 4, 11 & 18 -- Christian Music Through
the Ages
If you missed these Sunday morning classes
last fall, here’s your chance to see
what you missed! For centuries,
Christians have used music to
worship God. Learn how this
tradition evolved in this 3-week
class. With a focus on music in the
Congregational tradition, the class
will explore how music has evolved
from the Old Testament to the
praise music of today. We will
discuss controversies about the role
of music in worship, the use of
instruments and the role of the
congregation. Participants will hear
examples of different musical styles
ranging from Gregorian chant to
Bach to traditional hymns, and will
learn how closely music is tied with
the history of the church. Led by
Jim Franzen, these classes will be
held in the Snow Room from 7 - 9
p.m. Bring a friend!
FAMILY NEWS
ADVENT DINNER
December 6, 2009
The Advent dinner sponsored by the Board of
Deacons will be held on December 6th, at 6:00
PM. It will be a pot-luck dinner, please bring
your food hot and ready to serve. Also bring
your table service. Pizza will be provided for
the children. Dessert and beverages for all will
4 THE EPISTLE
be provided by the Deacons. Sign up sheets will
be posted in Fellowship Hall on November 1,
2009.
There will not be a play this year but we will have
a mystery guest.
Beverly Gray
LOVING OUR NEIGHBOR IS OUR THEME
Besides the rotation topics being taught in
Sunday school the students will be introduced to
the “Loving Our Neighbors” program. Its purpose
is to guide the children to grow in compassion and
lead them to love and respect others in and out of
the classroom.
Our vision is to help raise compassionate,
mission minded children who follow one of Jesus’
greatest commandments: “You shall love your
neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30-31). Jesus
teaches that we see all people as neighbors.
To begin with we introduced a kindness chart
using the vocabulary of compassion to promote
optimal behavior in the classroom and within the
church. It is addressed each week in Sunday
school. We also had a scavenger hunt in which
the children went to various areas in the church
and learned about what some members do to
keep the church running smoothly each Sunday
and followed up by writing thank you notes to
them. During the next rotation the kids will be
making fleece blankets to give away in order to
practice loving our neighbors. We will continue to
promote this theme throughout the church school
year.
Preschool & Elementary School Happenings
October 23: Family Movie Night
Don’t miss our first family movie night of the
year! Bring the kids (in PJs, if desired), some
sleeping bags to sprawl out on, and come
enjoy a family movie in Upper Fellowship Hall
at 7 p.m. Sign up on the Elementary Kids
bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.
November Sundays: Learning About Life in
Bible Times & the Mary and Martha Story
During the month of November, our elementary
students will be learning the story of Mary and
Martha. Like Martha, they’ll learn how critical it
is to spend time focusing on the important
things first. They will also learn about what life
was like for people in Bible times.
Books & Blankets Mission Project
During church school classes in November, the
children will also be working on a “books &
blankets” project to benefit the kindergarteners
at School 33. They will be making special
packages of a cozy fleece lap blanket and a
few picture books. Please help by sending in
new or gently used books and fleece remnants
(at least baby blanket size).
Junior & Senior High Happenings
Junior High Church School To Travel
Through the Old Testament
During the month of November, our Junior High
class will continue working its way through the
major stories of the Old Testament. Join us for
some great discussion!
Senior High Church School Students to
Learn What It Means to Be A Disciple
What is a disciple of Jesus? What did it mean
back in Bible times, and what does it mean
today? This fall, our senior high students will
discuss these questions and more, as they
watch a DVD journey of six modern-day
followers of Christ who are making a big
difference in the world.
Senior High Sunday Night Bible Study
Continues
Senior High students are invited to join Mrs.
Hamill on Sunday nights from 7 – 8:30 p.m. for
a Bible study on the Book of James. Through
this study, we’ll see that faith without actions is
dead! These sessions will be held in the
Senior High classroom. Call Mrs. Hamill at
5 THE EPISTLE
746-9275 prior to each session to let her know that
you’re coming.
JYF Halloween Party on October 30
JYFers! Don’t miss our famously fun annual
Halloween Party on October 30! It will be held
from 7 – 9:30 p.m. in Upper Fellowship Hall. Bring
a friend and join us…..if you dare! Sign up in
Fellowship Hall.
SYF Halloween Event on October 30
Save this date for an exciting, scary and oh, so fun
haunted hayride and movie/bonfire at the Hoover’s
house. More details to come.
NOTE: There will be NO church school
classes on Sunday,
November 29.
VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
MY BROTHER’S KEEPER
A Socially- and Environmentally-
Conscious Gift Bazaar
November 20 and 21st is approaching and the
planning for the “My Brother’s Keeper Gift Bazaar”
is shifting into high gear. This is the first year for
this unique Gift Bazaar featuring only vendors who
are Eco-Friendly, Socially-Purposed, Fair Trade,
and/or Local Artisans. Vendors currently
scheduled to participate include Kingdom
Ventures, One World Goods, Healthy Sisters Soup
and Bean Works, Women’s Coffee Connection,
White Eagle Drums, Dounya-Kele, Organic
Momma, Around the World, Charlies Crafts,
Joining Hearts & Hands, Soaps by Julia, For
Claudias Sayke, Pine Crane Studios,
Afrikambas Curios and more. These vendors
will feature Native American, Fair trade goods
from Asia, Russia, Europe, Africa, South
America and more, Organical children’s
products, soaps and assorted food products,
Coffee, Soups, Recycled gifts and more. The
unique gifts offered at this bazaar will be
appreciated both by the recipient and the
creator.
This show will also offer a convenient
Electronics Recycling drop-off for individuals
wishing to recycle handheld electronics
responsibly. $1 will be taken off door
admission to encourage this recycling.
We Need Your Help! Sign up sheets are
located on the bulletin board in Fellowship
Hall. Individuals will be needed to help pack up
the church before and reset the church after the
show. We will also need individuals to help
during the show with the kitchen service (food
provided ready-to-serve from ABVI-Goodwill
catering). We will also need helpers to direct
parking, help at the bake sale, and more.
Coordinators are needed for all areas of the
show. Coordinators may also sign up on the
bulletin board.
*Special Need* Someone to help tape-off the
spaces for vendor booths.
*Special Need* Someone to sleep overnight at
the church on Thursday and Friday from 8pm –
8am to ensure the safety of the vendors’ items.
Baked Goods:
Past Church Antique Show Bake Shops during
our have raised more than $1,000 for our
Church. Since this is the first year for the MBK
show, we do not expect to equal the Antique
Show’s sales, but we sure would like to try!
The bakeshop is only possible through the
generous (and delicious) donations of baked
goods for sale by our church members. Cakes,
Pies are especially necessary since they may
be served both at dining room meals and sold
as whole pies in the bake shop. Cookies,
brownies and quick breads also sell well.
Please give care to the appearance of your
food packaging, as eye-appeal is very
6 THE EPISTLE
important to any sale. Baked goods can be
dropped off at the church on Thursday, Nov. 19 in
the afternoon, All day Friday, Nov. 20, and in the
morning on Saturday, Nov. 21st.
Spread the Word! Word of mouth is still one of
the best ways to let other’s know about an event.
Please feel free to distribute the flyers and
handouts to others. Flyers and Handouts will be
made available at the church or upon request.
If you have questions, please contact Crista Deniz
(denizca@frontiernet.net, 388-5952), Sondra
Franzan (sondraf@frontiernet.net, 223-8074),or
Bonney Bennet (bonneyb@frontiernet.net, 383-
1763)
HILLSIDE CHRISTMAS TREE
Beginning November 29th through December 13th,
the Hillside Christmas Tree will be located in
Fellowship Hall. Please remember to take an
ornament and in exchange provide a holiday gift to
one of Hillside’s troubled youth or family members.
Hopefully, everyone will take an ornament
(handmade by Janis Harper), give a gift and help
provide a bit of Christmas cheer. Gifts must be
returned by Sunday, December 13th.
CHICKEN BBQ FUNRAISER
Thank you to everyone who helped with the
Chicken BBQ in September! This fundraiser
netting a modest $360 profit, but has provided our
church with a large BBQ pit in the Church yard to
enable future fundraisers. We have also gained
great experience from the sale and will be able to
repeat it more easily in the future. Additional
complicating factors to this year’s sale included
another Church Chicken BBQ going on elsewhere
in the Village the same day and the rain that
started falling towards the end of the sale.
In total we prepared 300 Chicken Dinners for
sale. 220 dinners sold on Saturday, and another
65 sold at ½ price
during coffee hour
on Sunday.
The remaining
dinners were
donated to the
Salem Soup Kitchen for their meal ministries as
well as approx. 5 bags of baking potatoes.
Excess paper products were donated back to
our church to be used for the Community
Dinners.
Warm Regards,
Crista Deniz
ROCHESTER CITY SCHOOL #33
Items needed for the health office at School 33
include chapstick, unscented lotions,
toothpaste & toothbrushes. Please place items
in the box in Fellowship Hall.
I also want to thank everyone again, especially
Kelly Weidman and Karen Hamill for their
coordination of the clothing drive for School 33
that was September 20, 2009. Everything has
been distributed. I get many grateful
acknowledgments from teachers, school
nurses, administrators, but mostly the children
and families. Rebecca Ledwin
Additionally, our Sunday School classes are
collecting books appropriate for
kindergarteners. These books can also be
palced in the box in Fellowship Hall.
Questions? Contact Karen Hamill.
BOARD & COMMITTEE NEWS
Missions Corner
Focus on The Salem Nutrition
Center
Each month we plan on focusing on one charity
our church supports. This month the focus is on
The Salem Nutrition Center.
A quote from the 1984 Salem Church
Council Minutes - -
“Perhaps one of the most significant
happenings at Salem this year was the
beginning of The Salem Nutrition Center. When
the Council was first approached about the
idea of sponsoring a soup kitchen one day a
7 THE EPISTLE
week, there were many concerns: the cost, the Morning Circle will meet on November 10th at
security problems, the volunteers and so on. An 10 AM in Fellowship Hall. Rev. Cedarleaf will
investigation committee was formed and lead our discussion of the book, Amish Grace,
considered all the potential concerns and rewards. by Donald B. Krayvill, Steven M. Nolt and David
After their report was presented, Council voted to L. Weaver-Zercher. Anone who would like to
give the idea a trial. This trial period is now participate in the discussion is welcome to join
concluded and Council has voted to extend the us.
program another six months. I feel safe in saying,
the rewards have far outweighed the problems.
Volunteers have been plentiful, the costs have
been minimal and we are helping to feed
Rochester’s hungry.”

Twenty five years later The Salem Nutrition Center

celebrated its Silver Anniversary. John and Jean
Cedarleaf led a contingent of our church members
to a celebration dinner a few weeks ago at the
Green Lantern Inn. At that time, it also paid tribute
to Rev. Sue Forsyth who has served as Director of
The Center for the past 10 years. Tribute was also
paid to all volunteers including a special thank you
to those serving for all 25 years. Our own Marge
Meyer is a member of that 25 year group.

During its 25 year history, The Center has served

over 300,000 meals to the needy in downtown
Rochester. It operates a hot meal program on
Mondays and a soup and sandwich meal on
Tuesdays. All members of its board contribute
their time on a volunteer basis. All food is served
with the help of volunteers from area churches
including our own. The Salem Nutrition Center
accepts donations from local churches, local
restaurants, bakeries, and supermarkets. Food
Link is also a major source of discounted food
supplies. This past year our church sent in extra
volunteers to renovate the Salem Church’s
gymnasium which serves as the cafeteria for the
soup kitchen. Rev. Kay Merrifield now serves as
the new director and looks forward to working with
our church volunteers as well as those of all the
area churches.
Congratulations Salem Nutrition Center on your
anniversary!
EVENING CIRCLE
CHURCH WOMEN’S UNITED
Community Day 2009
“Piecing Earth Together”
A program of worship and challenge to action
toward protecting our local and global
environments with guest speaker Ms. Cheryl
Frank of Color Brighton Green
On Friday, November 6, 2009 – 9:30am to
1:00pm. Brown bag lunch. Please bring a can of
soup to share in a “Shower of Soup” for the
Community Food Cupboard.
Place: Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran
Church , 1000 Winton Road North, Rochester
14609. Cost: $3 registration at door. Open to
all women and men. Call: 342-2790 for details.
Please join us.

Our next meeting will be November 9 at 7pm. Our

speaker will be Toni Thompson, who will discuss
the history of our church. Please bring an item for
the food shelf, if you are able, as they are always REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS:
appreciated. See you then.
Martha Bowman, St. John’s Home
MORNING CIRCLE Barbara Cobb, Fairport Baptist Home
8 THE EPISTLE

Louise Deller, Cherry Ridge

Barbara Eaton, Perinton Park Manor

Welcome to Jacqueline Grace Reilly, daughter of

Gregory and Amy Reilly, Indianapolis, IN. She was
born on September 25, 2009 and she is the
granddaughter of Debbie Cutter.
NOVEMBER 12, 2009

Our sympathy is extended to Sue

and Dan Bickel and their family
on the death of Sue’s stepfather,
John M. Schwartz . A memorial Scripture Readings for
service was held for him at our
church on October 3, 2009. November
Pastor Cedarleaf officiated.
Our condolences are extended
to the Strong Family on the recent November 1: All Saints Day
death of Reed Wilbur, son-in-law of Frank and
Barbara, and brother-in-law of Doug and Jenny Isaiah 25:6-9
Strong. He passed away on October 7, 2009. A Psalm 24
service for him was held in Massachusetts on Revelation 21:1-6a
October 10, 2009. John 11:32-44

November 8

I Kings 17:8-16
REMINDER
Psalm 146
When you are buying something for a church Hebrews 9:24-28
function, please remember to pick up a tax- Mark 12:38-44
exempt certificate (located in the acylic holder
near the mailboxes.) The church will not
reimburse you, if you pay sales tax. November 15:
Heritage/Thanksgiving
Sunday

Matthew 6:25-33
NEXT EPISTLE DEADLINE 3 PM,
9 THE EPISTLE

November 22: Christ the King

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

Psalm 93
Revelation 1:4b-8
John 18:33-37

November 29: First Sunday of

Advent

Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25:1-10
I Thessalonians 3:9-13
Luke 21:25-36