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Presbytery of Western New York
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University Presbyterian Church has created an innovative new way to fund projects in the local community. Their Community Soup grant is a grassroots model for funding small projects through community meals. A group of people come together to share a meal at an affordable price. All income from the meal is given as a grant to support a project to benefit the Buffalo community, that must be proposed by young people (ages 15-25). Everyone who purchases a meal has one vote to decide who gets the grant. A group of five Certified Nursing Assistant students from Buffalo East High School were selected as the recipients of the first grant in November. They used the funding to transport senior and disabled residents to their third annual health fair. Click here for an article about the students and their proposal.The next Community Soup date is scheduled for Sunday, March 29, 2015, and proposals are currently being solicited for projects seeking funding. Click here for a brochure with more information. |
On January 16, more than 20 young people gathered at the "Why Should I Believe" winter retreat at Duffield. It was another great opportunity to share in fellowship with young people from various churches in our Presbytery. Part of believing is worshipping, and facilitated by Peter Martin from North, Rich Lash from Deerhurst, and Mark Aquino from Westminster, we designed a worship service according to our traditional order of worship and actually used it Sunday morning, with all the parts being designed and read by the teens. Visit northchurchwilliamsville.org/videos to see more photos from the weekend and a copy of the order of worship.
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Discipleship and Nurture Ministry Team Presents:ENGAGE
Ignite-Inspire-Equip
PRESBYTERY DAY 2015
Saturday, April 25, 2015
North Presbyterian Church
300 North Forest Road, Williamsville, NY 14221 On Saturday, April 25, 2015, Presbytery Day will focus on the First Great End of the Church, "The proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind." While we tend to be anxious about it, Jesus calls us to share the good news. Yet, we wonder, "What do I say? What do I need to do to avoid being obnoxious? To what kind of a world are we bringing God's Word?"
Both Ray Jones and David Loleng, our keynote speakers, asked such questions when they began their work in Evangelism Ministries. Each of them had pastoral experience, but they wondered what it would take to equip congregations and their leaders to engage the good news and the culture in which we find ourselves. They created ENGAGE and many congregations throughout our denomination have used it to discover what it means to reach out to our neighbors with good news in word and deed.
Click here for the 2015 Presbytery Day booklet.
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Presbyterian Senior Care would like to relocate its offices which are currently located in the Key Bank building at 4455 Transit Road in Williamsville. With the sale of two nursing facilities, PSC's space needs are greatly reduced.
As was mentioned at the annual membership meeting, PSC is interested in the possibility of sharing space with a church or another not-for-profit in Western New York.
Please review the summary of PSC's needs and notify Karin Ziegler if your congregation has an interest in discussing this opportunity, or if you are aware of another church or another not-for-profit that might be interested. Karin can be reached at 716-631-0123 or kziegler@pscwny.org.
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The first Sunday in Lent (February 22, 2015) has been designated "Wear your blue t-shirt to church Sunday" as a testament of one of the ways One Great Hour of Sharing makes a difference.
King David sang, "You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy..." (Psalm 30:11)
Thousands of volunteers each year put on a blue t-shirt that says "Out of chaos, Hope." They bear not only ladders and drywall for rebuilding, but also the love of God. Many disaster survivors who see the love of God evident in the lives of these servants are able to take off their cloak of mourning and begin to find joy.
Many congregations have not had an opportunity to 'earn' blue t-shirts through volunteer work team efforts; but you are supporting the ministry of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance through your financial gifts, action and prayers. You are standing in the GAP for disaster survivors. Therefore, PDA is urging all congregations to participate in a "Blue-Out."
Be creative on February 22-
wear blue clothing, blue hats or blue flowers; pass out blue tissues or blue ink pens for use during the service; or place blue balloons by the entrance.
Will you be a part of this joyful manifestation of hope? Share this message on your personal Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media outlets. Help us remind others that gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing support disaster recovery efforts in the United States and around the world.
Please take a photo of your Blue Out creativity! Send it to newsletter@pbywny.org and pda@pcusa.org so it can be shared with others.
Together let's tell the story of hope out of chaos.
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April 19-24, 2015 Your opportunity to be involved in hands-on mission! We have a reservation for 10 volunteers at a PDA host site - Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church Volunteer Village. The cost is $120pp and includes room and board. Payment and volunteer registration forms are due by 03/01/15. Please contact Stephanie Hill for more information at (716) 933-6150 or gmamahill@gmail.com. Click here for the volunteer handbook and registration packet. |
Looking for a way to stay warm? Put your hearts and hands in action and put together Church World Service Kits. Kit drop off locations and dates are set! Click here for a full listing. Please help us run an efficient Spring Kit Drive: - Please bring your kits to drop off locations in boxes!
- Please only one type of kit per box, and have the type of kit marked on the outside of the box.
Please do not put money inside the packed boxes. Funds to help with shipping or donations for the purchase of kits should be mailed to: CWS, PO Box 968, Elkhart IN 46515-0968.Do you want to see where Church World Service Kits were sent last year? Click here for a 2014 Kit Shipping Report. |
| Please send your newsletter submissions to newsletter@pbywny.org in PDF or Microsoft Word format by Friday to ensure inclusion in the following Tuesday's newsletter.
- Brad Hahn, Presbytery Webmaster & Newsletter Editor
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