Prattsburgh First Presbyterian Church

Prattsburgh, New York

Rev. Lois Gillaspie, Pastor
Church (607) 522-3387
Manse (585) 393-4772
email: lgillaspie@earthlink.net

December 2002 Newsletter

Introduction
Pastor's Remarks
Congregational Meeting
Session
Deacons
Presbytery
Women's Circle
Stewardship
Monthly Dinners
Missions
Cookbooks
Website
Joys and Concerns

Introduction

Sunday Worship Services: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Children's Service following worship

• Communion was celebrated December 1st. Our next communion will be celebrated on January 5th. During December services for Advent season. Rev. Lois has led us in worship. Parents, grandparents and children have been participating in giving the scripture during the lighting of the Advent candles.

• During worship service December 22nd a Joy Offering will be collected. These donations help retired pastors in need of assistance, and they help with scholarships for the education of those who have given their lives to ministry.

• Christmas Eve Service this year will be at 7:30 PM. It will be a candle light service of lessons and carols. This year those in attendance will have the opportunity, if desired, to make a contribution toward missions. A collection plate will be placed on the back table near the doors. All contributions will be donated to local and Presbytery mission projects.

• Rev. Lois will be on vacation Sunday, December 29th. Lay Preacher Kitty Ormsby will lead us in worship.
  

• Remember if you have an emergency need of a pastor, or if you know of a church member who is hospitalized or needs a pastor, you may call Rev. Lois at the Manse, her home in Canandaigua. And for those of you who have a computer, her e-mail is: lgillaspie@earthlink.net.
  If you have other concerns about the church, please call Clark Davis, Clerk of Session.top

Pastor’s Remarks:

Well "Christmas is a comin" as the nursery rhyme chants, and with it all the busyness and excitement of the season. What I hope is that this season have found you in church somewhere--or at least wishing you could be.

As many of you know, I will be taking my last week of vacation on December 29th and so my own thoughts are rushing ahead to this new 2003 which is about to break in upon us. I hope this season is a grand one for you and that the year about to close has been a good one. But I want to share with you a well known poem that has always graced the cover of my 'end of the year--first of the year' bulletins. It goes like this:

I said to the man

who stood at the gate of the year,

"Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown." And he replied, "go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!"

So I went forth and finding the hand of God, trod gladly into the night. and he led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone east." Minnie Louise Haskins 1875-1957

Have a blessed holiday season and rich confidence for the times ahead.

I'll see you in Church,

Rev. G.

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Congregational Meeting:

November 3rd The Nominating Committee presented the names of Lynn Dinehart, Deacon for 2 years; Diane Breton, Deacon for 3 years, and Ruthel VanAmburg, Deacon for 3 years. For Elders the Nominating Committee presented the names of Harriete Anderson for 2 years, Clark Davis, Shirley Shaver and Louis Smith all for a 3 year term. All persons were elected by the congregation. Installation of the new officers will be held on January 19th 2003. The next Congregational Meeting will be held immediately following worship service on January 26th.

Session:

Session met November 10th. Rev. Sam Edwards, Executive Presbyter of our Geneva Presbytery, acted as Moderator for the purpose of Pastoral Review of Rev. Lois. Session unanimously approved the employment of Rev. Lois for the year 2003 once again as our pastor in a Stated Supply one third time relationship for 10 months. Rev. Lois assumed her role of Moderator when other items of business were discussed.

There was also a session meeting December 15th. Among much business discussed. Session approved of having Rev. Laura Buisch do all our worship services for the months of February and march while Rev. Lois is not with us. The next session meeting will be Sunday January 19th. Deacons and spouses will be invited to attend the meeting, which will be a brunch meeting at the Miller House in Penn Yan.

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Deacons:

Deacons decorated the sanctuary for Christmas and are planning things for Christmas. They have also been taking donations for Poinsettias to be bought in memory of, or in honor of loved ones, for the church sanctuary during Christmas.

Remember to contact Diane Breton also whenever you know of members or church friends who are in the hospital, or who are ill at home and would appreciate cards, a visit, or perhaps even a meal.top

Presbytery:

Our delegate, Clark Davis, attended the November 16the meeting at Elmira North Presbyterian Church. Several items were discussed for action but highlights of the meeting were:

Rev. Cynthia Harvey, pastor of Hector and Lodi, was elected to the position of Moderator of Presbytery for 2003.

Presbytery elected Rev. Laurena Wickham of Wolcott as Minister commissioner and Clark Davis as Elder commissioner to the general assembly to be held in Denver in May 2003.

Presbytery installed the new Stated Clerk, Rev. Laura Norris Buisch. (Laura will be doing our worship services during February and March.)

Some of the report given were:

Mission Projects Richard Hubbard from Crning community College spoke about the work of the campus ministry with the students, faculty and staff.

Synod commiss\ioner Todd haines gave a report about the work and activities of the Fall Synod Meeting.

the next meeting of Presbytery will be January 25h in Palmyra.
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Presbyterian Women’s Circle:

• The November meeting was held on Wednesday, november, 13th at the ho emof Harriette Anderson. they studied Lesson 6 in Journey Through the Bible; Luke. The next Circle meeting will be held at the home of Diane Davis on Wednesday, January 8th at 1PM. Lesson 7 will be studied.
• The Presbyterian women sponsored the Thank Offering on November 24th. $60 was collected and sent to United Presbyterian women of geneva Presbytery. All the donations support hospital and other health ministries throughout the world.
• Please remember the ladies prayer chain and if you know of any members or their families or church friends who are in need of prayers, please contact Harriette.

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Stewardship:

Thank you to all members who sent in your pledge to support your church for the year 2003. Your pledges and financial donations are very important as they help support the financial needs and obligations of your church, several missions, and your per capita we must pay to Presbytery for all members. Those of you who have not done so and still wish to let us know your intentions, please send your pledge card you received in the mail from the Stewardship Committee to Diane davis, Treasurer, at the church address.top

Monthly Dinners:

• The November 9th ham dinner profited $248.50. The December 14th dinner was canceled due to weather. The next dinner on Saturday, January 11th will be chaired by the VanAmburg's. It will be an "All you can eat Souper Dinner" with many varieties of homemade soups, chili, breads and homemade desserts. top

Missions:

• Prattsburgh Food Pantry: This year to date we have donated $398.54 and many items of food. During the month of December there has been a box in the back of the church into which you may donate cereal for the pantry. In January we will once again have Souper Bowl Sunday when you will have the opportunity to donate soup and or dollars. All donations will be donated to our local food pantry.
• 2 Cents a Meal: Thanks to all who support this worthy mission which in turn supports all the food pantries in our Presbytery. Prattsburgh received $500. Your donations of 2 cents a meal--or 6 cents a day--left in the jars at our dinners or the large jar in the back of church, all add up. Thus far this year our church has sent $162.42 to Presbytery from your donations.
• Camp Whitman: The “Wish List” for camp includes items such as: dish cloths and towels, flashlights and batteries, white tee shirts, and craft supplies such as markers, Rit Dye, and scissors. Items may be placed under the church Christmas tree and after Christmas in the box in the church office
• Mittens: Our church Christmas tree once again is being decorated with mittens. All mittens will be donated to the Prattsburgh School or Day Care facilities in town for children who need them.
• Mexico: Our Presbytery has a mission trip every year to Mexico to help build Presbyterian churches. In January 2003 many members of our Presbytery will be going again to help build a new sanctuary/conference center in the village of Bacalar, Quintana Roo, Mexico in the Caribe Presbytery. All work is done by volunteers except for a paid construction supervisor at approximately $300 a month. The Peacemaking Committee of Presbytery is asking for financial help this year, not for any of the volunteers, but for the wages of the supervisor. Donation for this project may be sent to Diane Davis, Treasurer, and they will be forwarded to Presbytery Peacemaking committee.top

Cookbooks:

Treasures From Heaven is still available for $10.00. We have made a profit so far of $960.88. The holidays are coming soon and the books make wonderful gifts. We have over 50 copies to still sell. Please consider selling some more or buying some for gifts. Contact Diane Davis for books. . top

Web site for Prattsburgh Presbyterian Church:

Diane Breton has been working on the web site for our church. If you have a computer, it is a wonderful way to read about our church, and view pictures. The new address of the site is: http://prattsburghpresbyterianchurch.org. If for any reason you would not want your picture in any of the website pictures, please let Diane Breton know.

Joys and Concerns:

Thoughts and prayers are with Jay and Dona Flint, Richie and Janice Seligman, Fred and Theresa Lewis, Ruth Smith, and their families, and Dick and Molly LaTour who have moved to Arizona to be with family.

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