Professional Documents
Culture Documents
These are difficult times. Our economy is not in good shape. There are foreign policy
decisions to be made that may move us toward war or away from war. The crisis of health care
continues to loom over the nation. At such a time, it seems to me, foolish, to waste valuable air
time on campaign ads which add nothing to the discussion of the real issues. We are all caught
up in pit bulls, pigs and lipstick. There is enough self-righteous rhetoric to go around for more
than one cycle of elections.
One of the concerns I continue to have is the role of faith in the election process. As
many of you already know we are talking about this in our Sunday adult church school class,
which we have entitled “Jesus for President”. This tongue in cheek title masks a serious con-
versation about faith and the political process. For a number of years if you said the word Chris-
tian and politics, what would come to mind would the “Religious Right” as represented at one
time or another by such folks as James Dobson, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell.Most of us know,
though, that Christian faith is not limited to members of one or another political party and that
both Republicans and Democrats share Christian faith and religious values.
When people take on the role of “spokesman for the faith” and then make foolish state-
ments it does no good for the reputation of the faith. One of the main issues in the discussion of
faith and politics seems to be the issue of abortion. You are either for it or against it. The reli-
gious right makes it a litmus test topic. If you support “a woman’s right to choose” you must be
defeated. On the other side, if you are “pro life” you must be defeated. This issue like so many
others like it is much more complex.
When discussing the issue of abortion, Roman Catholics should examine their own teach-
ing tradition and acknowledge “the principal of double effect” which states that a fetus
Is it too much to ask for a serious discussion of important issues and not waste our time
with pit bulls, pigs and lipstick? I certainly hope so.
Your Pastor,
John
TAIZE SERVICES RESUME ON OCTOBER 12
A number of folks have found spiritual refreshment in the service of Taize. This opportunity for
prayer, meditation and chant like music helps us to center our lives spiritually and open our
souls to God’s presence and power.
Once more we will seek to offer this service once a month. Sometimes we will gather in the
sanctuary and sometimes in the Snow Room. A musician sets the tone and the rest is up to us
and the Spirit.
We trust that this time of prayer will be an opportunity for you to “come home”. The Taize ser-
vices will be held on the following Sundays at 5:00 PM.
OCTOBER 12:
Today’s Theme: Banquets of one kind or another
Isaiah 25:1-9
Philippians 4:1-9
Matthew 22:1-14
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ELDERS DISCUSSION NEW MEMBERS
ON FREQUENCY RECEIVED OCTOBER 5
OF COMMUNION
On October 5, World Communion Sunday,
In the exhortation in the service for Holy new members will be received during the
Communion in the Book of Worship of the worship service. If you are interested in join-
Evangelical and Reformed Church it says: ing in the blessings of church membership and
would like to make it “official” please speak
“The celebration of the Lord’s Supper has to Pastor Cedarleaf as soon as possible, so that
ever been regarded by the church as the
innermost sanctuary of the whole Christian you can be part of that incoming class.
worship. We have to do here not with signs
merely, but with the realities that these REQUEST FROM DEACONS
signs represent.” The Board of Deacons wants to obtain addresses
for college students from our church. We would
Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper of the
like to send cards to them on their birthdays and
Eucharist is one of two Sacraments of the
other special occasions. Please give addresses to
Christian Church. We celebrate it once a
Cathy Kinton in the church office.
month, normally on the first Sunday of the
month and at other times such as Christmas
Eve, Maundy Thursday etc. There is now,
CASA LARGA
among many mainline churches, a movement
toward more frequent celebration of Holy TOUR AND WINE
Communion. The Board of Elders is looking
TASTING
into the possibility of increasing our fre-
First Church is sponsoring a winery
quency, perhaps even to a once weekly cele-
tour and tasting fundraiser/silent auction at
bration. This is now merely in the discussion
Casa Larga Vineyards on Sunday, September
stage. Any implementation is a ways down
28 from 2:30pm to 4:30pm. Join us for a great
the road and certainly would not take place
afternoon where we'll see the winery "in ac-
before a discussion involving the congrega-
tion" during the grape harvest and sample
tion. This is to let you know what is happen-
some of the Finger Lakes finest wines. Silent
ing and a request for your well thought out
auction items include music/entertainment
input to the Board of Elders.
devices and vacation get-aways. Casa Larga is
located at 2287 Turk Hill Road in Fair-
REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS:
port. Tickets are $25/person or $45/couple.
Martha Bowman, St. John’s Home Tickets will be available for purchase in Fel-
Barbara Cobb, Fairport Baptist Home lowship Hall following the church service for
Geraldine Stearns, Perinton Manor the next four weeks. For any questions please
see Tim Tindall, Dave Jones or Roger James.
5
NEIGHBORS IN NEED
OFFERING Celebrating the Rummage
Sale with a Pot Luck
Each fall the “Neighbors in Need” all church is
offering is received. This United Church of Christ A pot luck supper is set for Sun-
offering funds various advocacy projects which day, October 26, 2008 at 6:00 PM. Sign-
apply for grants. Over the years, any numbers of up sheets are on the rolling bulletin board
organizations have received funds through the in Fellowship Hall . Plan to bring a dish to
Neighbors in Need offering. pass and your own place settings. Bever-
ages will be provided.
This past year one of our members wrote a letter The purpose of the dinner will be
calling into question some of the projects that have to celebrate the conclusion of the Rum-
been funded in the past and suggested that there mage and Better Sale as a fund-raiser for
might be better uses for this offering. A discussion the church. You don't have to work on the
was held at the September meeting of the Board of Rummage Sale to be invited to the pot
Missions and Outreach and the decision was made luck, but we surely do hope that you will
not to receive this offering in October. This deci- find some time in your busy schedule the
sion does not mean that we will never again take week of October 19th to fill one of the
the NIN offering, but only that we will not this many time slots needed to make the sale a
year. success!
During the next year the Board of Missions and
hopefully other church members will have an op-
portunity to further study this offering, particularly EVENING CIRCLE
the difference between “charity” and “advocacy” The Evening Circle will meet on
and the roles of each in the life of the church. Monday October 13th at 7:00PM in the
Snow Room. Jennifer Turner from Pre-
There are many members who will still want to ferred Care will present a program "Life
donate to Neighbors in Need and this can be done is a Ball --- Humor and Health"
by simply making out a check to First Congrega- We invite all to join us.
tional United Church of Christ and mark “NIN” in If you have any questions, call
the memo portion. Judy Baxter or Beverly Gray
ATTENTION!! Monica Viljoen and Deirdre Eaton graciously presented materials and a lecture
to the Women’s Circles of our church. They were kind enough to loan out their books and maga-
zines to some of the attendees. Unfortunately these materials have not been returned to them. If
you have one of thir books or magazines about South Africa, please return it to them or Muriel
Gabbey as soon as possible. Thank you! 6
THANK YOU!!
I want to thank the Hoovers, and everyone in our congregation for the many school sup-
plies, backpacks and your ongoing support on behalf of the children at School 33. I gave one of
the donated backpacks today to a student in our health center who had been seriously burned at
age 5. As we return to school, we have all been re-connecting with students. When I called his
teacher to tell her I was sending a note home about the visit, she found out that he didn't have a
backpack to put the note in. Fortunately I had one of the backpacks that was given to me this
past Sunday at our church picnic.
People do make a difference. Thanks to all of you.
Rebecca Ledwin
Fairport Community Vacation Bible School is proud to announce the end of a highly suc-
cessful week! We were pleased to work with children from all across Fairport and from the
Community Lutheran Ministries Program. The week of fun was wrapped up with a wonder-
ful concert Friday evening, put on by all of the children, and well attended by all, including
our friends from the city! A special thank you to all of the FCVBS volunteers who made
this week possible:
Eileen Adams, Janie Agar, Carolyn Arbuckle, Amy Baumbach, Emily Baumbach, Cathy
Becker, Daniel Becker, Sue Bersani, Cyndi Besig, Ed Bonner, MaryAnn Bonner, Robert
Bonner, Alec Dulan, Dave Dunn, Mary Evans, Jessica Gerber, Chris Grimm, Mindy Fa-
rina, Amy Hamill, Adam, Helak, Dana Hogg, Chris Kathan, Melissa Kathan, Aynsley
Kendall, Maggie Kody, Katie Lowry, Nick Lowry, Cecelia Marini, Janie Marini, Nick
Marini, Chris Marini, Greg Moore, Heather Moore, Michelle Moore, Eric Phillips, Susan
Porteous, Amanda Rzadca, Erica Schmitz, Alexandra Sherry, Vicki Sherry, Brianna
Sherry, Mike Storonsky, Linda St. Phillips, Kate Thon, Dawson Toth, Kelly Weidman,
Seth Weidman, Barb Young, Colleen Young
If you would be interested in working with the FCVBS leadership team by publicizing
FCVBS at your church next spring, please email Heather Moore at
h.moore_fcvbs@yahoo.com!
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Commission on Christian Jewish Relations (CCJR)
8
For More information call: Isobel Goldman, Director, Rochester Jewish Coalition for Literacy
Jewish Community Federation of Greater Rochester 441 East Avenue Rochester, New York
14607
585 461 0490 fax 585 461 0912
Sun., Sept. 28, Oct. 5, & 12 –
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RUMMAGE SALE TOP 10 REASONS
SCHEDULE TO HELP WITH
THE RUMMAGE SALE
Sunday, October 19th - set-up for sale. Lots
10. You get a chance to clean out unused stuff
of help needed. Snacks provided.
from your attic, basement and closets
Monday, October 20th - unpacking and 9. You can continue a 50+ year tradition at First
sorting of items - 9AM to 2PM and 6PM to Congregational
8PM - no experience necessary - no age require- 8. You can contribute to the greater good of our
ment. church.
7. Your donations are tax deductible.
Tuesday, October 21st - more sorting, mark-
6. You can get a real bargain.
ing, pricing - 9AM to 2PM and 6PM to 8PM
Pay for "reserved items" 5. Your neighbors can get a good deal.
4. Less advantaged folks can get items and
Wednesday, October 22nd - finish pricing - clothing they need at a low cost.
9AM to 2PM. Final payment for "reserved 3. While working on the Rummage Sale you
items" share fellowship with other members of the
church.
Thursday, October 23rd - 1st day of the
2. You can contribute to the greater good of our
sale! Noon to 7PM. Need cashiers and floaters -
community
especially in the first two hours
1. By fully participating you get to feel good
Friday, October 24th - 2nd day of the sale about yourself and the works you do for the
10AM to 7PM church.
Thanks!
“Surviving Adolescence” Class “Romance Without Regret”
Teen Speaker Scheduled
Offered For Parents for Sept. 28
Strategies for parenting your teen, and understand-
ing the special challenges and issues of adolescents Junior High, Senior High stu-
will be offered in a 4-part class held at Minerva De- dents and/or parents are invited to at-
land School in Fairport. The class will meet in the tend this seminar at St. John of Roch-
school library on Oct. 2, 9, 16 & 23 from 7 – 8:30 ester Catholic Church on Sunday, Sept.
p.m. It is taught by Minerva Deland Principal Pat- 28. We’ll meet at St. John of Roches-
rick Moriarty and Fairport Asset Coordinator Debra ter at 7:30 (so we can sit together!) and
Tandoi. To register, call the Staff Development the seminar begins at 7:45 p.m. The
Office at 421-2052. seminar features national speaker and
author, Jason Evert. Evert is a staff
apologist with the non-profit organiza-
tion Catholic Answers. This 31-year
old is the author of many books, in-
cluding Pure Love, which challenges
young people to embrace the virtue of
chastity. Jason and his wife, Crysta-
lina, are on the Board of Advisors for
the National Abstinence Clearing-
JYF Halloween Party house, and are frequent guests on radio
Set For Friday, October 24 programs throughout the country.
Calling all 6th – 8th graders! Ready for some ghoul- Their television appearances include
ish fun??? Come to our annual Halloween party in Donahue, Fox News, BBC, WGN, and
Upper Fellowship Hall from 7 – 9:30 p.m. on Octo- EWTN.
ber 24. Be sure to wear your Halloween costume!
Friends are welcome. Sign up on the JYF bulletin
board in Fellowship Hall.
We will leave from the church at 5 p.m. on Friday and return at approximately 9 p.m. on Satur-
day. There will also be a late car going down on Friday to bring any girls who have sports and
other Friday afternoon commitments. The cost is $60 per person, which includes snacks and all
Saturday meals.
We’ll explore the topic of “friendship” and learn what the Bible has to say about it, all while
enjoying nearly 600 unspoiled acres of God’s beautiful creation. Think campfires and hayrides,
nature walks and roasting marshmallows. We’ll also have the opportunity to have fun in Wat-
son Homestead’s Olympic-size, heated, indoor swimming pool. To register, contact Karen
Hamill or Kelly Weidman at 223-0224.
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Children’s Chapel Students To Join Congregation
On World Communion Sunday – October 5
Every Sunday during September, our students in Children’s Chapel have been learning about
the sacrament of Holy Communion. On October 5, Kelly Weidman will bring the Children’s
Chapel students back into the sanctuary to join the rest of the congregation in celebrating World
Communion Sunday. The children are also making a special tablecloth to put on the commun-
ion table on this special day.
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The Epistle is printed once a month
By the First Congregational United
Church of Christ, 26 East Church St.,
Fairport, New York 14450
Dated Material