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I finally asked Norman yesterday to take down the "Reserved for Beth Einhorn" sign from the back parking lot. I hadn't been able to do it before. What helped was that I saw Renzo Luppinacci leaving the Memorial Garden and getting into his truck. That meant that Beth's plaque had gone up on the wall, so I didn't need that blue and white "Reserved" sign anymore.
As if I would/could forget Beth without a metal reminder.
Beth's daughter-in-law stopped in last week to pick up some things. Ann had found a file folder with some cards and letters that Beth had saved across the years. Also in that folder was her Performance Review for 1991.
"The ever present dimension of your presence at FPC is that what you do is not 'work' but ministry. From your relationships with the volunteers, to your pastoral instincts and abilities (which are significant), to your having fun with post and delivery persons, to your ability to treat each person as an individual - the human touch that you bring ties it all together. And this human touch is not contrived or strategized modus operandi, but a product of the fact that you are 'real.'"
"Related to the above is your ability to be flexible - to 'go with the flow' - to keep the larger picture in mind. 'One of two things will happen.' You appreciate that a church is a different breed and you are able to allow it to be so. 'Go with the flow' relates to being receptive to the constant flow of folk through the office who could be perceived as 'interruptions,' to adjusting to and forgiving the foibles of a mostly all volunteer organization, and to staying on top of the incredible number of 'pieces' of your job."
Ain't it the truth!
And here is what Beth wrote under "Comments by Employee:"
11 years ago, in this church, I publicly declared that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I have been growing in His acceptance ever since. The beauty of this is that the gifts I bring to this office - come from Him. Wow!
For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Blessings,
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GOOD JOB - LET'S DO IT AGAIN!
Thanks to the efforts of the entire Congregation and Session our budget shortfall for 2011 originally projected at $115,000 is on track to be reduced to about $20,000 or less. This is significantly down from our 2010 shortfall of $200,000.
Pledges and Extra Measure contributions (if they continue to be paid through the end of the year), together with earnings and contributions from Endowment Funds have made this budget shortfall reduction-THANKS and GOOD JOB!
For 2012 we need the same level of commitment from the Congregation plus a little more. With these Stewardship efforts, very careful monitoring of expenses and a few new fund raising activities planned for 2012 and beyond, we anticipate a break even budget for 2012 and we hope to increase our mission activities in the coming years. However, we continue to need everyone to participate - LET'S DO IT AGAIN!
Stewardship Sunday is November 20 - look for emails and letters. In the coming months you will also hear about our plans for 2012 for more community involvement and fund raising. This includes a Carnival in late June and the launching of the Highland Green Foundation (a non-religious foundation) to enable us to tap into grants and corporate and other giving from the community for Creative Learning@FPC, more music programs and preservation of our buildings and grounds.
For 2012 please enthusiastically embrace our Stewardship Campaign:
Let's do it again! Janna Bellwin Steve Gibbs Kwab Gyai-Twum Willard Hill Jane Love Kurt Nelson
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43 Years of Doves
This year marks the 43rd anniversary of the Person to Person Dove Program. Christmas Doves would never have been possible without the enthusiastic support of area churches. Basically, Dove boxes provide holiday food to families in need. But they also give individuals and families the opportunity to share their blessings with their neighbors at Christmas. This is a wonderful opportunity to help your children understand the joy of giving during the Christmas season. Participation may involve preparing a wrapped carton of food or can be as simple as making a direct donation to families/adults through Person to Person. I like to think of the Dove Box as one of those splendid gift hampers that are full of culinary treats you would never buy yourself, interspersed with the staples for sustaining a family.
Each year, FPC joins with other churches, to participate in Person-to-Person's Christmas Dove Program. Through this program, participants respond to the needs of families and seniors in our community, who might otherwise go without this holiday season. Parishioners wishing to participate need only select a White or Green Dove on Sunday, Dec 4th or 11th, follow the directions printed on it and bring joy into another home this Christmas.
White Dove: Fill a box with food and love for Christmas Day. All the necessary food items and directions are on the reverse side of the Dove. A $15.00 contribution is required so Person-to-Person can purchase a supermarket gift card for each family to buy their own choice of meat. The boxes will be collected at FPC on Saturday Dec 17th and then delivered to participating area agencies on Sunday 18th.
Green Dove: A financial contribution to Person-to-Person's Scholarship or Emergency Assistance Fund. The Scholarship Assistance will enable eager students to continue their education. Emergency Assistance Fund will help someone with a fuel bill, rent or a medical bill not covered by Medicaid.
Has anyone done a Dove for all 43 years?
The Doves will be displayed in the Narthex beginning on Sunday Dec 4th after the morning service. Come early, our doves fly off the tree rather fast!
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 Once again this year we are teaming up with St. Luke's LifeWorks in their effort to bring Christmas joy to 1,700 Fairfield County children affect by poverty, homelessness and AIDS. Their goal this year to provide two personalized gifts per child.
Here's your opportunity to help St. Luke's ensure that no child in need goes without gifts and hope during this holiday season.
We have received twenty "wish cards." Each card contains the name, age, gender and specific gift requests of an individual child. If you choose to take a card, you are asked to purchase the two gifts on the card and then attach the wish card to the bag holding the unwrapped gifts for your child. You then drop off the gifts off here at FPC no later than Sunday, December 3. The approximate cost of the two gifts is $50.
"Wish Cards" will be available at Coffee Hour beginning Sunday, November 13th.
This is a great opportunity to help spread the joy of Christmas with children far less fortunate than ours. Why not make it a family affair as well as a teaching expereince and let your children help you pick out the gifts?
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The Deacons Serve Up Christmas Brunch!
The plans for the annualChristmas Brunch have begun- With the deacons planning food and Jim- the songs to be sung! This year will feature several things quite unique- With a table especially for children to shop-- and a brand new Boutique! Gift baskets to bid on and handmade crafts on sale- Will enhance the kitchen reno plans without fail! And dessert will feature cupcakes galore- Sort of a "cupcakes war" imitation and more! Zone deacons from Zones 3, 4, 6, and 7 will make some calls To recruit some additional help before the date falls! The brunch will be held on the 4th of December- Put the date on your calendar so you will remember! Tickets will be sold on several Sundays as well as the day of the brunch-- Check outside the Lounge on Nov. 6, 13, 20, 27 before you go home for lunch! The tickets will cost the same as they have before- $2 for a child, $5 for adults and $12 for families of four or more! The Christmas Brunch is a time of good cheer- To celebrate this glorious time of the year!!
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Creativ e Learning @FPC
I remember when I was walking home from Roxbury School as a child, my friend introduced me to an elderly woman who treated us to freshly baked cookies and milk while we shared stories. Perhaps 45 years ago, but I remember the wonderful feeling of welcome in her home.
I invite you to become involved in the lives of children. Each has a special need. To be loved. To feel valued. Support to learn. Encouragement that they can do it. A friend.
We have a few precious volunteers who have set aside their fear that working with children is not in their comfort zone and have made all the difference in our lives. A story. A game. A project shared. Laughter together.
Let your heart and your life be changed. I invite you. Listen for God's call to you.
You can call me at 203 965-8390, email: jmcreativelearning@gmail.com or stop in between 3 and 6:30 pm any school day and feel what God is doing here. (We are in the classrooms under the church office.)
Please keep praying for God's leadership as we do this work together.
Joanie Merrell
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Hello you fellow
Knitters
and
Crotcheters!
I google'd to find out what a person whom knits or crotchets is called and came up with this question and answer! If a thespian is an actor, what's another name for a person who knits or crochets? I know they fall under needlecraft and some people just call them "crocheters" or "knitters" but I do not know the technical name for them. The answer is "darners".
If you would like to meet with some FPC "darners" our next meeting will be Saturday November 12th and we will meet in room 32 at 10am. We would love to have more people come to our meetings, we will be waiting for you to join us. Bring a neighbor with you too. We have lots of wool supplies, and Diane Dischino was given four bags of real wool which would be perfect for felting. Do you remember Nancy Klang's "everything" purse? It was knitted and then "felted" and given as the perfect gift. If anyone knows how to "felt", you have to come and share with those less fortunate souls who want to learn; otherwise we can all experiment together. I am sure Ellen Greene would like a few items to sell at the Christmas Bazaar.
Some of you may be wondering what the difference is between knitting and crotchet. Again Wikipedia to the rescue - crochet uses one hook while most knitting uses two needles. If you have always wanted to learn to knit or crotchet, drop in and one or other of us "darners" can show you how. In the end it is just practice that makes perfect. And do not be put off that we will make you knit a whole afghan on your own. You can start with one small square and together we can make something to warm another's day! And this is not a sole female practice, you men out there can come learn too!
Come join us, we need you.
God Bless, Bobby Anderson
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Sunday, November 27
Advent Wreath Making
Sunday, December 4
Christmas Brunch
Sunday, December 11
Moravian Feast
&
Ornament Making
Sunday, December 18
Organ & Brass Christmas Concert
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Meetings, Events & Notes in November
Christian Yoga
Thursdays, 6:15 p.m. in the Lounge
Soup Kitchen at Yerwood Center Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 10:30 a.m.
Pacific House Dinner Preparation
Saturday, Nov. 5 at 3:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
Deacon Zone Brunch Sunday, Nov. 6 at 11:15 a.m. in Room 32 The Gathering
Saturday, Nov. 12 at 10:00 a.m. in the Lounge
Deacon Meeting
Sunday, Nov. 13 at 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel
Teacher Training Sunday, Nov. 13 at 11:30 a.m. in Room 32 Session Meeting Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lounge Centering Prayer Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel Avent Wreath Making Sunday, Nov. 27 at 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall |
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Lectionary & Preaching Schedule
November 6, 2011 Mary Thies
All Saints' Day
Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-24; Psalm 78:1-7; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 25:1-13
November 13, 2011 David Van Dyke
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Judges 4:1-7; Psalm 123; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 25:14-30
November 20, 2011 Russell Powell
Christ the King
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24; Psalm 100; Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 25:31-46
November 27, 2011 David Van Dyke
1st Sunday of Advent Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37
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First Presbyterian Church
1101 Bedford Street
Stamford CT 06905
203-324-9522
www.fishchurch.org
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