June 2009

THE EPISTLE Volume 14 Issue 6

JUNE 25, 2009

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Congratulations to our 2009 graduates: High School: Todd Ciccarelli will be graduating from Penfield High School. Todd will be attending Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida. Todd will be in the Aviation Flight Program with a minor in business. Todd hopes to become a commercial pilot.

Evan Tieslink is graduating from Fairport High School will be attending Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.He will be majoring in History. Hillary Tieslink is also graduating from Fairport High School. She will be attending University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida will be majoring in Marine Biology. College:

Brian DeLong is graduating from Fairport High School and will be attending St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. He is planning on majoring in business/ marketing and will be rowing for the St. Joe's crew team. Courtney Goodrich graduates from Fairport High School, after which she will be attending John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. Justin Matz, graduating from Fairport High School, will then be attending Medaille College, Buffalo, NY. Loreal Prystaj will be graduating with honors from Fairport High School. She will continue her education at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan as photography major. Alex Reid, after graduating from Fairport High School, will attend Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY

Elizabeth “Libby” Donaldson received a Master of Education Degree with honors from Salem State College in Salem, MA on May 14, 2009. Libby’s area of concentration was in student counselling and student affairs at the college level. Eric Jackson received his bachelor’s degreen in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University on May 10, 2009. In the fall, he will start a mechanical engineering internship with the Disney Corporation. Tom Jackson received his master’s degree in applied physics from Cornell University on May 24, 2009. His plans for next year are not yet determined. Tyler Obenauf, son of Dedi and Gregg Obenauf graduated with his Juris Doctor degree on May 15, 2009 from the Pierce Law Center, Concord, NH. He will be begin work in August , 2009, as a defense attorney with Palm Beach County, FL Public Defender’s office.

NEXT EPISTLE DEADLINE 3 PM AUGUST 20, 2009 (The Epistle is not published in July.) 2

WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS Joining our congregation today, June 21, 2009 are: Kim Beach, 34 Keswich Way, Fairport, NY. Kim’s late husband, Rich Beach, was a long-time member of our choir. She is joining by reaffirmation of faith. Randall and Maureen Clark, 82 Waterford Way, Fairport. Randy is retired engineer from Xerox Corp and Maureen is a retired administrative assistant from the University of Rochester. Randy enjoys sports, golf, football and handyman and construction projects. Maureen likes travel, history and reading. They are joining by reaffirmation of faith. Alicia and Craig Hofmann, 7 Fifth Avenue, Fairport, New York. They are the parents of two young daughters, Sarah and Rachael. Alicia is a Sales Administrator and Craig is an Industrial Designer. They enjoy biking, walking, reading and art. They are transferring from St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Joseph Tally, 10 Highpoint Trail, Fairport, NY. He and his wife, Kathryn, have a daughter, Addison. Joe is joining our congregation by reaffirmation of faith. Joseph Thomas, 4 Benton Circle, Fairport, NY. Joe is an account representative for RTS Packaging, LLC. He and his wife, Sara, have a daughter Madelyn. In addition to playing with Madelyn, Joe enjoys running, DIY projects, travel, camping, visiting with neighbors and Grandma and Grandpa. He is joining by reaffirmation of faith. Christina Williams, 72 Hunters Run, Pittsford, NY 14534 is retired. She enjoys gardening, design, cooking, entertaining, interior decorating, reading and her grandchildren. Chris is currently serving on the Board of Missions and Outreach. She is joining by letter of transfer from Grace Episcopal Church in Scottsville, NY.

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SUMMER WORSHIP 9:30 AM Fellowship Time follows

June 28: “New Life”

August 9: “Imitators”

Lamentations 3:22-33 Psalm 30 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 Mark 5:21-43

I Kings 19:4-8 Psalm 34:1-8 Ephesians 4:25-5:2

July 5: “Rendering” Independence Day The Eucharist Isaiah 26:1-8 Mark 12:13-17

August 16: “Wisdom”

July 12,19,26 Kelly Weidman preaches

August 23: “Warfare”

August 2:“Unity and Diversity”

August 30: “Purity”

The Eucharist Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 Psalm 78:23-29 Ephesians 4:1-16

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 Psalm 15 Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Proverbs 9:1-6 Psalm 34:9-14 Ephesians 5:15-20

Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18 Psalm 34:15-22 Ephesians 6:10-20

Sunday Mornings– Summer Adult education classes will be on summer recess from May 17 – Sept. 13. Classes will resume on Sept. 20.

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First Congregational United Church of Christ 26 East Church Street Fairport NY 14450

PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE “Summer Musings” As I write this, summer is not yet officially here. It arrives on June 21, Father’s Day. We’ve had a “cool” spring for the most part. I can tell this because we haven’t used the airconditioning much either at church or at home. That is a good thing for the electric bill as well as for the environment. I’m sure, though that as the summer progresses things will get warmer. For those of you who are going on trips, be careful and have a good time wherever you are.

Even though things slow down for the summer, that doesn’t mean that there is nothing going on here at First Church. The most important thing that happens is that we continue to gather each Sunday at 9:30 AM to worship our God with heart and mind and strength. Even though Christian education classes are taking a break, Children’s Chapel will be available for those little ones too young for the worship service. I hope that many of our families with smaller children will continue to worship each Sunday when they are in town.

I’m delighted that Kelly Weidman will be preaching on July 12, 19 and 26, while I am attending the Craigville Colloquy. This annual gathering of United Church of Christ (and other) folks is in its 26th year. This year the topic is “Spirituality and the Holy Spirit: A New Awakening for the Church?” The conference consists of five days of interrelated Biblical reflection, worship, theological study and small group discussion. Jean will be going with me as a nonparticipating partner.

Following the colloquy we will take some vacation time in New England. I will be back on August to celebrate the Lord’s Supper with you.

As well as worship each Sunday, your council and boards will be working on fall planning. Already, Karen and I, along with Kelly, have met to look at our educational offerings for the fall. We are excited about the various areas of children, youth and adult education. RememContinued 5

PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE Continued ber that since Labor Day is late this year, our “Welcome Back Sunday” will take place on September 13. Church School classes will resume on September 20. However, there will be no Church School on September 27, our special anniversary Sunday.

Speaking of Anniversary Sunday, we are excited as we plan for our celebration. Although our church will not be 185 years old until December, we thought it better to have our celebration on a day when we were not worried about a blizzard! You can be sure that this will be a great service of worship and praise as we thank God for all the blessings of the past and as we look forward to our future. There will be special music, both choral and instrumental, guests and a festival Eucharist. Please mark your calendars now and don’t miss this significant Sunday. The date is September 27.

There are other anniversary plans including a pig roast and a special concert on November 1 at 5:00 PM by the African American Women’s Choir of Rochester (AKOMA). You may remember that this fine group was here for a concert a few years ago. This would be a wonderful opportunity to invite your friends and neighbors to come and hear them.

These are only a few of the things that we are planning for as the hazy, lazy days of summer move forward. Looking forward to seeing you at worship. Your Pastor,

John REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS: Martha Bowman, St. John’s Home Barbara Cobb, Fairport Baptist Home Louise Deller, Cherry Ridge Barbara Eaton, Perinton Park Manor 6

Our condolences are extended to Gordon Chapel and his family following the death of his wife, Carol Chapel on May 27, 2009. Pastor Cedarleaf officiated at her service on June 4, 2009. Carol joined our church in 1985.

THANK YOU! Thank you for the wonderful support we received following my father’s passing. Your cards, prayers and the time spent to attend his service were most appreciated. What a warm and loving congregation we have at First Church! Thank you again, Cathy & Tom Kinton and family

Our sympathy is extended to Joyce Cowden and her family on the recent death of her youngest brother, Frank Kesselring. He passed away on June 4, 2009. His funeral service was in Delaware.

Lorrie and I would like to thank everyone for their prayers. Prayers are answered as these have been. The medical problems of Lorrie's brother-in-law and my sister, have improved. Peace, Glenn and Lorrie Harris

THANK YOU TO ALL Our Step-By-Step Team that participated in the First Annual Fairport Relay For Life sponsored by the American Cancer Society on May 30th would like to thank everyone for their donations. Our team raised over $1,900 and the event raised over $72,000. Most of the monies raised will stay in the Rochester community. The evernt was held behind the Perinton Community Center and was held from 7 pm to 7 am. Church members who participated were: Crista Deniz, Deb Cutter, Chuck Wright, Maureen Campolieto, Sara Frook, Pat Bradford, Jim Campoliet, Sarah Frook, Past Bradford, Jim Bradford, the Mulley Family (Stacey, Phil, Ryan & Jared), Bernie Notar, and Team Cocaptains Nan Notar and Carol Moran. We are looking forward to participating in next year’s event and hope that you will continue to think of us when making a donation to a charitable cause.

NEXT EPISTLE DEADLINE 3 PM AUGUST 20, 2009 7

(The Epistle is not published in July.)

"ADVANCE NOTICE -- Mark your calendars now for our next sittings for our 185th Anniversary Picture Directory! LifeTouch will be taking pictures on the following dates at the Church: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 2:30pm - 9:00pm Thursday, October 1, 2009 2:30pm - 9:00pm Friday, October 2, 2009 2:30pm - 9:00pm Saturday, October 3, 2009 9:30am - 4:00pm If you would like to help coordinate this great opportunity to Celebrate our families from First Congregations United Church, please see Maureen Campolieto or Whetherly Gharzouzi for more information and find out ways you can help make this a success.'

Safe Journey Fundraiser: NYS 6-hour Defensive Driving Course The John Sargent Agency, a member of the Empire Safety Council, is offering a 6-hour defensive driving course to benefit Safe Journey. Participants in the course are eligible to receive up to 10% off auto insurance premiums – FOR THE NEXT 3 YEARS – and can reduce up to 4 points from their driving record immediately. Participation by multiple family members is encouraged – a great opportunity for families with young drivers. The course will run over two evenings, July 20th & 22nd, at First Congregational Church of Christ in Fairport, from 6:30 to 9:30pm. Attendance at both classes is required. Coffee & refreshments will be served. Participation is limited. Register today! To register: Mail a $35 check payable to Safe Journey (for each participant) to Safe Journey, PO Box 21, Fairport, NY 14450. Call Lyn at 425-1580 with questions.

NEXT EPISTLE DEADLINE 3 PM AUGUST 20, 2009 (The Epistle is not published in July.)

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August 10 – August 14 Fairport Community Vacation Bible School Don’t miss the fun of this multi-denominational, community-based Bible school! This program brings the message of God’s love to children age 4 – 7th grade. The daily program includes Bible lessons, crafts, music, mission projects, skits, snacks, recreation and more. The program is run entirely by volunteers from area churches, representing many different Christian denominations. Nursery care and a 3-year old class are available for children of our volunteer staff. Due to the size of the program, FCVBS cannot be housed by one church alone. The churches used are within walking distance of each other, centered around the four corners in Fairport. This year, classrooms are located at Fairport United Methodist Church, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, First Baptist Church and First Congregational United Church of Christ. The cost is $20 per participant ($50 max. per family). You can pick up a registration form off the easel at the back door of our church, or at other participating churches. Registration closes on June 30. For more information or to volunteer, contact director Heather Moore at 585-259-0122 or email at [email protected].

Job Readiness Training for Displaced Homemakers: Are you a homemaker who needs to

CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES

find a job? Have you been out of the workforce and need to update your job-seeking

If you are not currently receiving Church

skills? Have you lost your main source of in-

Council minutes and would like a copy e-

come due to widowhood, divorce, or loss of

mailed to you, please give John Hecker

your partner’s job? Call Lifespan’s Women

your e-mail address. John's e-mail address

in Transition Services at 585-244-8400 for

is [email protected]

help. We can help you on the road to selfsufficiency and self-confidence. Continuous enrollment. No fees charged. (Funding provided by NYS DOL Displaced Homemakers Program). 9

Mentoring Children of Prisoners Program A Cry for Volunteers! Currently I am employed as Coordinator of Youth Services for the Mentoring Children of Prisoners Program at Compeer Inc. We are looking for several responsible adults that are willing to be mentors for youth between the ages of 4 to 17. These youth have one or both parents incarcerated and due to current and past trends are at high risk of committing acts that will lead them to be incarcerated as well. Studies have shown that when these youth spend time with a dependable and responsible adult who will be a social support at least 1 hour a week for 12 months; the risks of incarceration are lowered drastically. I am asking for you and your congregation, family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors to step up to this challenge. By simply taking a young boy or girl to dinner, a movie, a compeer event or sporting event, or maybe a fun creative activity that the two of you may enjoy together; you can drastically change their lives. Background According to recent statistics, approximately 2 million children and youth in the United States have at least one parent in a Federal or State correctional facility. In addition to suffering disruption in the relationship with their parent, these young people often struggle with economic, social, and emotional burdens due to the incarceration of their parent. There is a 70% chance that they will also follow in their parents’ foot steps and commit violent crimes that will lead to incarceration at some point in their lifetime. Data indicates that mentoring programs can aid in reducing first-time drug and alcohol use for such young people, improving their relationships and academic performance, and reducing the likelihood that they will initiate violence. In addition, mentoring programs can provide these children with opportunities to develop a trusting relationship with a supportive, caring adult and a stable environment that can promote healthy values and strong families. To provide 100,000 new mentors to children and youth of incarcerated parents. Congress established the Mentoring Children of Prisoners Program, through the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001 (Public Law 107-133). Congress assigned administration of the Mentoring Children of Prisoners Program to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Within HHS, the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) began funding communities to operate mentoring projects through the Mentoring Children of Prisoners Program in 2003. In FY 2004, $45.6 million supported 221 Mentoring Children of Prisoners Program grants to community and faith10

Continued

Mentoring Children of Prisoners Program- A Cry for Volunteers! (Continued )

based organizations and state and local governments across the country. Purpose The mission of the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) is to provide national leadership on youth issues and to assist individuals and organizations in providing effective, comprehensive services for youth in at-risk situations and their families. The goals of FYSB programs are to provide positive alternatives for youth, ensure their safety, and maximize their potential to take advantage of available opportunities. Through the Mentoring Children of Prisoners Program, FYSB awards grants to community organizations that provide children and youth of incarcerated parents with mentors. Each mentoring program is designed to ensure that mentors provide young people with safe and trusting relationships; healthy messages about life and social behavior; appropriate guidance from a positive adult role model; and opportunities for increased participation in education, civic service, and community activities. Role in Rochester Since 2005 out of 51,351 cities and communities in the United States, the city of Rochester’s murder rate has ranked in the top 50. According to the numbers in 2007 we have had some slight improvements. Still, given the alarming high volume of crime here in Monroe County (see chart below), it is sadly becoming way too easy for our youth to find a way to get themselves mixed up in some type of criminal activity, especially those who have a rich legacy of criminal behavior. That is why The Mentoring Children and Youth Program is very important. We as a community need to support and create a new legacy that encompasses good morals and values by example living. Children of incarcerated parents need our help in this matter. Please, the community and its future need your help. For more information or if you would like to be a volunteer please contact: Donald Pines @:

Compeer Rochester

259 Monroe Avenue Rochester NY 14607 (585) 546 – 8280 x120 [email protected] THANK YOU! 11

46th Annual Meeting of the New York Conference United Church of Christ The annual meeting this year was held at the Silver Bay YMCA camp, a large open venue on the shore of Lake George. With many things to do, along with the business of the conference, one might find it difficult to get business done. But we did. The keynote speaker was Diana Butler Bass, author of the book “Christianity for the Rest of Us.” This book is about, how the neighborhood church is transforming the faith. Transforming was the theme of this year's meeting, based on information from Diana's book and Romans chapter twelve. The central thought of transformation is physically doing things, rather than some thing intellectual, and that it is brought about through three elements. Those are Tradition, Wisdom, and Practice. When we read chapter twelve of Paul's letter to the Romans he speaks of action that leads to our transformation. We also said farewell to three members of the NY Conference: Reverend Michael Caine: The conference minister of Metro Association. He will be leaving the end of July; he has accepted a call to be the pastor of Old First Congregational Church in Philadelphia. Reverend David Felton, our regional minister, has decided it is time for retirement. He will be with us till November. Reverend Geoffrey A. Black, his leaving is bittersweet. Geoffrey is the sole candidate for the General Minister and President of the UCC. He has been the leader of the NY Conference for eight years and has done many good things for us. This is pending a vote at the General Synod meeting this year, which is in Michigan, June 26th to the 30th. When approved he will then start his new position the 1st of October. So the bitterness of his leaving is greatly over come by the sweetness of knowing that he will be bringing his leadership to the entire church. There was also other business, to be done, the annual budget, election of new officers and other positions, and acceptance of the annual reports. There is no way that these items can be discussed in this report. For those that are interested I will make the information available to anyone as PDF files. The three items I just mentioned were passed. Sadly though, the budget was presented as a deficit budget, with the hopes of that being closed by the end of June with, careful spending and more churches submitting their OCWM monies in a more timely manner. There were workshops to enrich one's faith or improve your ability to tell others how God has blessed you and others. There was good food and time to catch up on how old friends 12

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46th Annual Meeting of the New York Conference-United Church of Christ p.2

are doing, make new friends or just have a simple conversation. There were also visitors from Germany, from our partnership with the Evangelical Church. The UCC has formed a partnership and the NY Conference has also formed one with the church from the area near Frankfort, Germany. We had some fun at a picnic lunch saying farewell and then at a more serious farewell Saturday evening, before enjoying music and some less formal time of questions and answers with Diana Butler Bass. If anyone has any particular question or comment please feel free to contact me by e-mail, or phone. This is not the best way for us, as delegates, to report the business of the conference so we ask your indulgence. Thank you for allowing Lorrie and I to be your delegates to the NY Conference annual meeting again this year.

HAVE FUN AT DARIEN LAKE AND HELP SAFE JOURNEY! Purchase a “Spring Spin” ticket to Darien Lake Theme Park Resort for only $19.95 (normal ticket price is $35.99) and get 2 visits to the park this season. That’s 2 visits to Darien for almost half the price of one normal ticket! Your first visit to Darien Lake has to be on May 29th, 30th or 31st, the second visit can be anytime between September 12th - October 18th. Check out Darien Lake’s rides and attractions at www.godarienlake.com! Safe Journey will earn $5 for each ticket sold, so get your friends and family and enjoy a great day out at Darien Lake. Call our office to purchase your tickets today, 585-425-1580!

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