www.clarencepresby.org 9675 Main St., Clarence, NY 14031 716-759-8396

Dear Friends,

On August 14 I was back leading worship for the first time since April 24. It felt wonderful to be back. As I return I want to share my gratitude. This Clergy Renewal time was a time of growth and rest for me. It seems only yesterday that our Clerk of Session re-ceived a letter from the Lilly Foundation. This letter which arrived last August informed Bob that our congregation’s application for a Clergy renewal grant had been approved. A couple of weeks later the church received a check for $40,066. This money has fully covered both my activities during these past three months, several special activities for the congregation and increased compensation for Judith as she increased her time to cover for me.

I would like to share some thank yous. I would like to thank the entire congregation and the Lilly Foun-dation for making this renewal time possible. Kathleen and I have had so many meaningful experiences over the last three months that would not have been possible without the time and resources made available to me.

I was able to read some fifteen serious books. This would not have been possible without the extend-ed free time. I was able to spend several days at the libraries and book stores at Princeton Seminary and St. Vladimir’s Seminary. There is almost nothing I enjoy more than pursuing a topic in the stacks of a library. We had great trips in Russia, and to Scotland and England. We were able to experience something we have not had in thirty-six years, something called a “weekend”. This meant that when our daughter called and said that one of her clients had given her four tickets several rows behind home plate at a Sunday afternoon Phillies game and wondered if we would like to be there for our granddaughter, Emma’s first major league game? We could say yes. This renewal included my meeting with a spiritual director to talk about finding ways to better connect with God. I doubt I would have done this without this program. For these experiences and more I thank you all for your support.

I want to thank Judith and the rest of our capable staff for serving you while I was gone. You have a great group of employees who are skilled and work together for the good of this congregation. I have heard such great feedback on worship and the special experiences that you had while I was gone. Since things went so well I was worried that you would not want me to come back! Thanks to Judith and our staff.

Just as important as our staff are the committed volunteers in our congregation. We have so many capable, caring, and helpful members. We have so many active people who plan and hold receptions, care for the building and grounds and share in pastoral care and supporting our leaders. Thanks to you all for your support.

This fall our worship will focus on Mysteries of our faith. I am convinced that things I have experienced these last three months will shape what we learn together as we seek to grow in our contact with God.

Yours in Christ,

Clarence Presbyterian ChurchClarence Presbyterian Church Growing, Serving,

Celebrating Established 1817

Fall 2016 September, October, November

www.clarencepresby.org 9675 Main Street, Clarence, NY 14031 (716)759-8396

Rev. Greg Hall

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During Rev. Hall’s Clergy Renewal he explored the Orthodox Church’s focus on mystery. Thus our worship will center on several of the deep mysteries of the Christian Faith. We will ponder several teachings of our faith that appear to have no one answer. Some may seem to be paradoxical, others introduce tensions pulling in two directions, and others offer multiple answers. We hope this series can help re-introduce the concept of the unknowable into our understanding of the Christian faith.

September 11 Mysteries of the Faith Rev. Hall I Corinthians 4:1-5 September 18 Immanent Yet Transcendent Rev. Hall Jeremiah 23:23-32 September 25 Fallen Angels Rev. Hall Psalm 8 October 2 The Eucharist Rev. Hall I Corinthians 11:23 October 9 Grace and Works Rev. Bryan James 2:14-17 October 16 Already Not Yet Rev. Hall Luke 17:20-21 October 23 What is the Church? Rev. Hall Matthew 16:13-20 October 30 The Best Man Rev. Hall Matthew 12:30 November 6 The Mystery Which is Death Rev. Hall John 14

November 13 Atonement Rev. Bryan Job 19:23-29 November 20 Giving Thanks Rev. Hall Matthew 28:16-28 November 27 First Sunday in Advent Rev. Hall

Sunday, September 11:

10 am worship begins with the annual Kirkin’ of the Tartan.

Sunday School resumes following the Children’s Sermon at 10 am worship.

Nursery care is available during the 10 am service for infants through 36 months.

Sunday, September 18 the 8:30 am worship service with Communion resumes.

Sunday, October 2 our regular service of Communion at the 10 am worship resumes with the observance of World Communion. Note: Communion by intinction is served every week at the 8:30 am worship service.

Worship During the Fall

If you want to catch up on any sermons you may have missed during the summer or if you want to re-read a sermon go to www.clarencepresby.org at any time and browse our sermon archive.

www.clarencepresby.org 9675 Main St., Clarence, NY 14031 716-759-8396

Messages from the Church Library: During the summer months, I researched, read, and viewed a few items that are now part of our church library collection. As always, I try to add resources that will appeal to all con-gregants with a variety of interests. The Abbey of the Genesee: Monks Bread a Labor of Love by Third Strand Produc-

tions (2012) This 15-minute DVD offers a glimpse into monastic life at the Abbey of the Genesee. It features the pro-cess of bread making at the Abbey, the structure of the monk’s daily prayerful life, and the beautiful flora and fauna of the grounds. A “must see” for anyone planning a day trip to the Abbey of the Genesee.

Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande (2014)

Medicine has triumphed in modern times, transforming the dangers of childbirth, injury and disease from harrowing to manageable. But when it comes to the inescapable realities of aging and death, what medi-cine can do often runs counter to what it should.

Through eye-opening research and gripping stories of his own patients and family, Gawande reveals the suffering this dynamic has produced. Doctors, uncomfortable discussing patients’ anxieties about death, fall back on false hopes and treatments that are actually shortening lives instead of improving them. Atul Gawande, a practicing surgeon, has fearlessly revealed the struggles of his own profession. Riveting, honest, and humane, Being Mortal shows how the ultimate goal is not a good death but a good life—all the way to the very end.

The End of White Christian America by Robert P. Jones (2016) Drawing on findings from one of the largest troves of survey data on contemporary politics and religion, Robert Jones shows how today’s most heated controversies—the strident rise of white “politics of nostal-gia” following the election of the nation’s first black president; the apocalyptic tone of arguments over same-sex marriage and religious liberty; and stark disagreements between white and black Americans over the fairness of the justice system – can be fully understood only in the context of the anxieties that white Christians feel as the racial, religious, and cultural landscape has changed around them.

If you have not had the opportunity to visit our library, feel free to stop in anytime the church is open. The li-brary is located at the east end of the Upper Fellowship Hall. The library offers fiction for all ages, non-fiction, research materials, movies, study guides and current and back issues of magazines such as Consumer Re-ports, Real Simple, Newsweek and National Geographic. You can also stop in and read the current issue of the Clarence Bee. Come enjoy this great resource!

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On Sundays

K—6th Graders—We continue to follow our model of teaching the

same lesson each Sunday for a month, but presented in four to five differ-ent formats depending on the number of Sundays in the month. Presenta-tions can be in Tales of the Script (acting), David’s Palace Theatre (movie), Our Acts Café (kitchen), Creation Station (art), and/or PC Oasis (computer).

During the 10:00 am worship, children K-6 grade are excused from the sanctuary to Sunday School classrooms. All children remain in Sunday School until 11:30 am when they are dismissed to the Narthex to meet their family. The themes for fall are David’s Anointing (September), David & Goliath (October) and A Special Friendship (November).

Click here to see our Heroes Alley

Thanks to the Mustard Seed Trust, we are in the process of updating light fixtures and flooring in the Sunday School area. You are welcome to come have a look at our classrooms. If you are interested in teaching all materials are provided and set up for you to teach the same lesson to different age groups for 3-4 weeks. For more information about the Sunday School program, contact Sue Zografos at 759-8396 or 438-0791 or email sue@clarencepresby.org.

Middle & High School Youth Program (7th-12th Grade)—We have a

unique program for youth on Sundays. Each Sunday of the month has a separate agenda. On the first Sunday of the month, our youth help to lead worship by being an usher, greeter, lay reader or a musician under the music director’s guidance. Other Sundays of the month will include a speaker who will share their life experience; sermon feedback time with one of our ministers; or participation in a mission project. Each class meeting usually includes a snack as well.

This year we have planned some wonderful learning and fellowship outings. These will include a week-end retreat to Duffield. There will be a special meeting for youth and parents following worship on Sunday, September 11 at 11:15 am to outline our plans for the coming year. We will be providing more information about this year's program, including youth fellowship activities. Parents will be asked to complete or update family contact forms and general permis-sion slips. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend.

Adult Education, 8:30 am—Facilitated by class members, this group selects its

own study material as they seek to learn more about their faith and themselves. This fall the class will be reading and discussing Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster, a spiritual guidebook explaining the twelve Spiritual Disciplines and how they can bring a person closer to God. The disciplines are divided into three groups, Inward, Outward, and Corporate. The twelve disciplines are meditation, prayer, fasting, study, simplicity, soli-tude, submission, service, confession, worship, guidance, and celebration. The discussion of each discipline is supported with Scriptures and scholarly quotes that help readers grow closer to God. The class meets in the south end of the Lower Education Wing at 8:30 am on Sundays and welcome all who would like to join in the discussion. Steve and Margie Dale (634-8077) are the contacts for this group.

Growing, Serving, Celebrating

Sue Zografos

Melissa Bertrand

www.clarencepresby.org 9675 Main St., Clarence, NY 14031 716-759-8396

During the Week—Study with Pastors

Tuesday Mornings/Wednesday Evenings—One of the books that shaped

Greg’ Clergy Renewal grant application was Encounters with Orthodoxy: How Protestant Churches Can Reform Themselves Again by John Burgess. This October Judith and Greg will lead classes on this paradigm shifting book. There will be classes on Tuesday mornings (see next article). There will also be Wednesday evening classes at 7:00 pm on October 5,12,19 and 26. You can purchase the book on Kindle or contact the church office and we will order copies.

More on Tuesday mornings...Wellspring for Women, Two Studies!

Tuesdays 9:30-11 am, October 4, 11, 18, 25; November 1, 8, 15, 29—Wellspring returns this Fall with two studies. The first is a 4-week look at John Burgess’ book, Encounters with Orthodoxy. It will help us summarize our summer renewal activities and launch us forward into the new year’s sermon series. Greg will lead a parallel study on Wednesday evenings.

Then we begin the first 4 weeks* of the Horizons bible study entitled “Who Is Jesus? What a Difference a Lens Makes” by Judy Siker. The author explores the perspectives of the 4 gospel writers, Paul, and extra biblical literature. She also looks at how Jews and the Muslim Qur'an view Jesus. Finally, she exam-ines contemporary cultural interpretations and contemporary views about Jesus. It promises to be stimulating and challenging to our learning, conversation, and spiritual growth!

Wellspring is an ever-forming group. All are welcome to come as often as you are able. Over the years, Well-spring has been blessed by women of every age and stage, by friends and guests, and by an ever-deepening sense of community. The Holy Spirit continues to surprise and encourage us individually and as a group. Every woman of every decade is welcome. Do join us. Feel free to bring a friend or someone you would like to intro-duce to Clarence Presbyterian Church. Leadership is provided by Rev. Judith Brown Bryan, 832-8580. The Ho-rizons study will be available in the office for $8.

*We will complete the study in January and February of 2017.

Last Monday of the month, 6:30 pm—This is our men’s group formed to dis-

cuss theology. and modeled on the Inklings. If you recall, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien and friends created a group called the Inklings that focused on the life of the mind in a Christian context, in a pub, with no women. We will seek to follow this pattern by meeting on Monday, September 26 at The Cornerstone Bar and Grill, 10651 Main St., Clarence (corner of Main and Sawmill Rd., one block east of Ransom Rd.) If you want to join us for dinner we will meet at 6:30 pm. If you want to come just for the discussion come at 7:00 pm. An article for discussion will be available on the Narthex kiosk a couple of weeks prior to the meeting. Hope to see you there!

Growing, Serving, Celebrating

Please leave a forwarding address with the office or take electronic delivery so we do not have to pay additional post-age for returned newsletters. You can make the changes known by noting on the Friendship pad on Sundays.

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Help us with our bookkeeping! We appreciate the checks we get directly from financial institutions, however frequently there is no name on the check to indicate who the giver is. This often remains a mystery until you receive your giving statement and realize the gift was never credited to your giver number. Please make sure your financial institution lists your name as the remitter on the check they are sending. Thanks!

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Growing, Serving, Celebrating

Music Ministry

Chancel Choir rehearsal will start on Thursday,

September 8 at 7:00 pm and runs until 9:00 pm in the choir room. New singers are always welcome. Chancel Choir is open to anyone from the 9th grade+.

Youth Choir for the 7th grade and up will start its prac-

tice on Sunday, September 18 after church. Those who want to participate in the choir should come to the choir

room at 11:10 am. A practice will run till 11:30 am.

Instrumentalists: Please let me know if you play any musical instrument

and you think I don’t know it so that I can put you on my musicians’ list. Church Orchestra, small ensembles, and solos will participate in a worship service at 10:00 am occasionally. Kotoe “Koto” Shimojo, Director of Music Ministry skotoe@verizon.net, 716-908-8590

Haven’t you always thought it would be fun to get to know some of the women you see on Sunday morning –women with toddlers in tow or women serving cake? Let’s get together! Grab your friends – or the some-one you’d like to know better- for a night out!

Who? Women! Where? Rock Oak Community Center just east of the church –so that we can enjoy a soft drink or glass

of wine. How much? $5 covers our costs and a contribution to our Advent Fruit Baskets to

benefit the Clarence Food Pantry. What’s the plan? We will gather, help ourselves to refreshments, introduce our-

selves in a playful way and then settle in to knit for our Prayer Shawl Ministry or make greeting cards for the Deacons. Our Deacons sends cards to acknowledge birthdays, illness and surgeries, and losses.

What if I don’t want to knit or make cards? Come anyway and join in the conver-sation, companionship and laughter!

What shall I bring? Please bring a beverage or snack/dessert to pass. If you have card making supplies (stamps, markers, scissors, papers) please feel free to contribute to our stash.

Where do I sign up? A sign up sheet will be posted in mid-September! Who can answer my questions? Heather Reinard, Kim Story, Debbie

Swain, Tsengel Wadon, Maryalice Yaiko, Marilyn Price, Barb Moscati, Cheryl Corry, or Judith Brown Bryan.

Kotoe Shimojo

!!!!NEW FOR WOMEN!!!! Fun, Fellowship and Service

Wednesday, October 19, 2016, 7—9 pm Rock Oak Community Center

9925 Whitwick Terrace, Clarence, NY 14031

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www.clarencepresby.org 9675 Main St., Clarence, NY 14031 716-759-8396

Coming soon...you won't want to miss the new fellowship program!

This program is being designed to include social events for all ages and interests throughout the coming year. There will be a planning meeting after church in October for interested church members to share their ideas for future social events. These events might include a theater, a family outing such as the zoo, an athletic event like curling or tennis, a pot luck dinner at someone's home or any other ideas. Then we will select a few ideas, volunteers will make the arrangements, the events will be posted in the bulletin and there will be a sign up sheet prior to the event for those who would like to partici-pate. This will be a nice way to get to know other members of our church

of all ages and to enjoy a fun event. Please think about possible events you would like to sug-gest; the October meeting is scheduled for Sunday, October 16. Contact Julie Furminger (833-3899) or Ruth Shupe (634-3766) for information. Kids Night Out, K—5th Graders—The Cathedral

Kids Night Out is a FREE monthly (almost) fellowship pro-gram for children in Kindergarten to fifth grade. It is held in the lower Fellowship Hall from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Friends are always welcome and dinner of pizza is provid-ed. Its purpose is to provide parents with a night out and our children with an opportunity to get to know each other better. Each night we explore a theme with games, crafts, and fun.

This year, to honor our church’s bicentennial, our program will be based on David Macaulay's The Cathedral, the story of the building of a Gothic Cathe-dral by a mythical town. Dates include October 7, December 2, January 6, February 3, and March 10.

Youth Events for 2016—2017

6th—12th Graders—Camp Duffield, October 14-16, 2016 CPC is going to Duffield solo this year! So, mark your calendars for the weekend of Octo-ber 14-16, 2016. All 6th – 12th graders are welcome.

9th—12th Graders—New Wilmington, PA, July 22-29, 2017 We will be going to New Wilmington, PA next summer to experience their youth mission conference. There will be plenty of outdoor fun, hands-on mission work, and the chance to

meet youth from around the country. It’s going to be a great week! Save July 22-29, 2017 on your calendar to participate in this week of fun and mission. This conference is for 9th – 12th graders. In order for us to participate in trips to Camp Duffield and summer mission experi-ences, we do fund-raise throughout the year. All fund-raisers are for 8th – 12th graders. The following dates are the fund-raisers we will be having this year:

Lock-in/Pie making – Friday, Nov. 11 – Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016 Service of Light dinner – Sunday, January 29, 2017 Shrove Tuesday Potato Pancake Dinner – Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017

Growing, Serving, Celebrating—Mission

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Women’s Knitting Ministry—Our Prayer Shawl Ministry brings a sign of God’s healing, peace, and

hope. We deliver prayer shawls to members and friends of the congregation. ECMC’s breast surgery unit is eager for prayer shawls for their patients. We take colorful lap robes to homeless children and their mothers living at Cornerstone Manor. Newly baptized infants and children receive a special baptismal shawl. We receive heartfelt thank you notes regularly. We especially welcome you to contribute:

12” squares to be sewn into afghans Prayer shawls and lap robes Washable hats, mittens, socks or scarves for those served by the City Mission Washable worsted weight yarns (size 8-9 needles) to be knit into squares for our

Cornerstone afghans We will gather after 10 am worship on Sunday, October 2 to catch up, take inventory, offer yarn, patterns, and instruction. Newcomers are invited too! We will dedicate our knitted and crocheted items in Advent during the Children’s sermon on Sunday, December 4. If you participate in this quiet and generous ministry by your stitching or donations, will you please give your name and/or email address to the office (759-8396) or note on the Friendship Pad on Sunday. We are looking to keep a better record of participants so we can share the lovely thank you notes we receive. See Louise Metz for information and patterns, and Patti Gamin for expert help with your stitching. For more information, you may also contact Rosemarie Adams, Laurie Dentinger or Rev. Judith Brown Bryan. (Call the office for contact information.)

Fruit Baskets—This December we will again be making gift baskets of fruit to give

to the families served by the Clarence Community Food Pantry located in our church. We have a shortage of baskets this year, so if you have baskets appropriate for this use, would you please bring them to church prior to December? They may be left in the church office. Thanks for help with this project!

Thank Offering, Sunday, November 20—Continuing a tradition begun in 1888, the

Presbyterian Women’s Thank Offering will be held in our church on November 20. This offering gives women a tangible way to express their gratitude for the special blessings in their lives. The offering funds projects such as agricultural development, child care, community organization, criminal justice, drug counseling, economic justice, elderly care, employment training, homeless-ness, literacy, violence and women’s concerns. At least 40 percent of this offering supports

health ministries throughout the world. The remaining 60 percent funds new creative ideas for mission. A Thank Offering envelope designated for this cause will be available in the pew racks in early November. If you send in a donation without a special envelope, please be sure to mark the check as designated for the PW Thank Offering. Thank you!

Dash’s Receipts—We have earned $1250 so far this year. Thanks to everyone who contributes to this

collection!

Growing, Serving, Celebrating—Mission

Our Senior High Youth (8th

– 12th

graders) will once again be having their annual pie sale to

help fund their trip next summer. You may place your advance orders starting October 23 after worship in the narthex. You may also contact Trish in the office or call/text Lynne Baudanza at 440-4991. Pies may be picked up on Sunday, Nov. 13 after worship.

www.clarencepresby.org 9675 Main St., Clarence, NY 14031 716-759-8396

Updates on Mission Events:

Art Festival Update—The Art Festival team is feeling especially

blessed this year and are happy to report that we grossed $2,645.14 from this year’s festival in March 2016! As you may be aware, the proceeds from the festival have been ear-marked for the Northtowns Family Justice Center. After fulfilling our pledged amount of $1000 to the FJC, we were

able to give them an additional $1,634.14 this year! We would like to thank the congregation for your amazing support of this annual event and are eagerly looking forward to the March 2017 festival.

Dear friends of Stop Hunger Now, We are delighted to announce that the meals from your meal packaging event on 5/1/2016 have been shipped in a container totaling 285,120 meals from our Pittsburgh warehouse. The meals will be received in-country by our partner Salesian Missions in Swaziland (click to learn more about this mission)....Thank you for volunteering with Stop Hunger Now. We truly appreciate your dedication and commitment to the vision of a world without hunger. The complete letter is posted outside of the office. Andrew Moser, Program Manager | Stop Hunger Now Pittsburgh

The Clarence Christian Crusaders recently rode bicycles a combined total of 276

miles in the Ride For Roswell. There were over 10,000 riders and volunteers participating, 1,038 riders raised over $1000 each and 5 of them were from our church. There were 650 teams, and over $4.5 million was raised to support lifesaving cancer research studies and in-novative patient care programs at Roswell Park. It was the largest event of this type in the United States. Clarence Presbyterian Church raised over $14,000! Hopefully, this will bring Roswell one step closer to finding cancer cures and saving lives. On behalf of the Clarence Christian Crusaders and everyone who supported our success, we thank you from the bottom of our heart! Julie and Bob Furminger.

Report on Project Hospitality youth mission trip to Staten Island, NY: Our adventure

began very early on July 31, 2016 when Lynne Baudanza, Tom Scalzi, Christine Deal, Margaret Deahn, Tyler Nadrich, Claire Spears, and Khulangoo Wadon boarded the Amtrak train for Penn Station. After surviving the train, subway, Staten Island ferry, and the MTA bus, we finally arrived at our home for the week, the Faith

United Methodist Church on Staten Island. We were followed by Marnie Murray and her two sons, Noah and Cole, the next evening. The work at Project Hospi-tality is varied based upon the needs of the community that week, but most of our work revolved around the Community Center on Bay Street which houses their food pantry and soup kitchen. Our work included assisting clients to “shop” for items in the food pantry, re-stocking the food pantry, preparing food for soup kitchen meals, unloading the trucks with food, and assisting El Centro Neigh-borhood which helps local immigrants find work. Project Hospitality assists many people with varied needs such as people afflicted with HIV, or who suffer with drug addiction, are homeless, and/or who are immigrants in need of work

or housing. On Wednesday, we met a man who shared his story of becoming HIV positive. He shared his medical trials as well as the emotional impact of people’s ignorance when it comes to HIV. We also heard the story of a woman whose mother brought her to America when she was three years old. She shared the diffi-culties that she has experienced being an undocumented immigrant. At our home, the Faith United Methodist Church, we slept on the floor, ate food pantry food all week, and took public transportation everywhere we went. Our only shower was several blocks away in the basement of the Project Hospitality headquarters. We came back home tired and in need of showers but feeling fulfilled from our work that we had accomplished. We were touched deeply by Deacon Paul who shared his love of Jesus with us and inspired us to “learn to love.” Our youth learned what it truly means to be grateful for what you have and to make the most of what you have been given every day. I’d say it was a very successful trip. God bless you for all of your support this past year and for your continued prayers. (more photos at end of newsletter)

Growing, Serving, Celebrating—Upcoming

Group with 97 yr old WWII vet

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Others ways to serve:

Family Justice Center, http://www.fjcsafe.org—The Family Justice Center provides free services for do-

mestic violence victims and their children through an extensive collaboration with 13 partner agencies, all located at one secured, comfortable location, where victims can get all the services they need to safely es-cape abuse. The Williamsville location is one of CPC’s missions.

Birthday Squad of Buffalo, http://birthdaysquadofbuffalo.org/—First Tuesday of the month, 4:30 pm at

Cornerstone Manor. Assist with dinner and birthday party for children and their parents. PLEASE REMEM-BER: Cornerstone Manor is a safe house. You must sign up with Julie Schmit (741-0041 or julschmit@aol.com) a week in advance. Volunteers are not permitted into Cornerstone unless they are on the list. Also, anyone under 18 needs a parental permission slip.

Hearts and Hands: Faith in Action, www.heartsandhandsfia.org—In 2011, Hearts and Hands volun-teers provided 304 hours of service to our care receivers. Currently there are 42 care receivers and 56 vol-unteers who share their time, talents, hearts and hands. To volunteer, call Tracy Reed at 741-8100. Join other members of our congregation as a volunteer.

We are in need of adults interested in teaching the preschoolers’ (3 & 4 year

olds) Sunday School time once a month for the program year (September-May). Les-sons will be planned out and everything will be provided in the room where they meet. If you are interested, email or call office@clarencepresby.org/759-8396. If you have never volunteered in this area, don’t miss this opportunity. All of the preparation work is done for you and it is a great way to get to know our younger members!

Upcoming Events

Fall Festival & Corn Roast, Sunday, September 18—The Fall Festival will take

place Sunday, September 18, after the 10 am service. We will gather on the front lawn for lunch with the youth vs. adult football game to follow. There will also be a bounce house for the young-er kids. The church will provide hot dogs, roasted corn on the cob, beverages and place set-tings. Please plan to bring a dish to pass and sign up in the Narthex during coffee fellowship time or by contacting the church office (office@clarencepresby.org, 759-8396). Hope to see you there!

Informational Brunch for New Members Sunday, October 23 at 11:30 am—Anyone

who is considering joining our congregation is invited to attend a get acquainted brunch that will be held after the second service. Your whole family is invited!

All Saints’ Day, Sunday November 6—On Sunday, November 6 we will celebrate All Saints’ Sun-

day. All Saints’ Day is an ancient festival in the church when Christians (“saints”) who have died are remem-bered. At Clarence Presbyterian Church we believe this is an appropriate time to remember and honor those who have entered the resurrection life since the last All Saints’ Day. During the 10:00 worship service on No-vember 6, there will be a brief period of remembrance for them.

Thanksgiving Brunch Sunday, November 20—Our annual Thanksgiving Dinner will be held

Sunday, November 20 following the 10 am worship service. Watch Staying Connected and the bulletin for more information. Save the date!

All events found at :

http://calendar.churchart.com/calendar/calendar.aspx?ci=L6O9O9H2I3L6J4

Growing, Serving, Celebrating—Upcoming

Christmas Angel Project begins Sunday, November 8— Look for details in Staying Connected and bulletins.

www.clarencepresby.org 9675 Main St., Clarence, NY 14031 716-759-8396

Congratulations to: Kurt Knoell and Melinda Friel who where married on June 18. Sam Thompson who won the prestigious faculty award at his 8th grade graduation. Katy Smith who was named administrative vice president at M&T Bank. Karen Willyoung who was mentioned as the social studies teacher who was inspiring

to now Ambassador to Somalia, Stephen M. Schwartz and got him interested in for-eign affairs when he was a 9th grader at Williamsville South.

Erich Gamin and Amanda Jacobi who where married in our church on July 1.

Eleanor Scott who celebrated her 90th birthday on July 7. Michael and Katrina (Zografos) Hora on the birth of their first child, Aria Elizabeth Hora on August 3. Sue

Zografos is the proud grandmother and Sandy Kronmuller is the proud great grandmother!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! We would like to thank everyone who helped make the Presbytery Meeting a success this past Tuesday (May 24)! Grill masters, dining room crew, Kitchen Kut-ups, napkin angels, cookie bak-ers, church staff, and the congregation for their support. We couldn’t have done it without all of you!

Ruth Deal would like to thank everyone for the cards and condolences on the recent death of her sister, Betty Jane Strodel. A big "Thank You" to all my church family who offered prayers and support during the last few months of my husband, Kevan's illness and death. We both appreciated your efforts.

A special thanks to the choir members and the Deacons who provided meals, shopping, yard work services, hugs and hand-holding during this time, and to all those who offered help.

Thank you to Judith, who ministered to Kevan in his final days and who helped me plan a beautiful funeral service complemented by many current and past choir members, instrumentalists Kotoe and Mitsuko Shimo-jo, and piper Peggy Dennison. Kevan was very proud of his 27% Scottish as well as his 72% Native American (Mohawk) heritage. Thank you to all who helped give his funeral service that mix of flavors.

It was truly heartwarming to see so many of you at the wake and funeral and to receive your sympathy cards with letters of special memories, prayers and memorials in Kevan's honor.

Another special thank you to the kitchen crew for providing a wonderful reception after the service. Our many out-of-town friends and relatives commented on the beautiful, moving service and the wonderful food and fel-lowship afterward.

I feel blessed to have such a caring, church family. Diane Green Thanks to the Mustard Seed Trust the Sunday School and Pantry areas (Bodine Room) are getting some much needed updating. Beginning this week, new LED light fixtures will be installed. In the coming weeks new flooring will be put down as well. Take a peek next time you are in that area of the Education wing. We extend our deepest sympathy to the following families that have recently lost loved ones:

Betty Jane Strodel, sister of Ruth Deal, died on May 26.

Cleone Owen, mother of Marian Duerr, died on June 4.

Ralph Owen, father of Marian Duerr, died on June 22.

Kevan Green, husband of Diane Green, died on July 12.

Carolyn Mathias died on July 13. A service is planned for September 4 at 3:00 pm.

Mary Wick, mother of Jennifer Lynch, died on August 12.

Growing, Serving, Celebrating

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A gift from David Barnas, icon “writer” was given to the congregation recently.

You will remember that David shared his experience with icons following worship in mid June. This is the note Judith received after thanking David on the behalf of the congrega-tion: I did this at the icon retreat I was at a couple weeks ago. It was done in community which is a great way to paint an icon. We consisted of Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant painters. What a wonderful prayerful week. When I did the talk I wondered if I would get a whisper or a nudge about giving the con-gregation an icon and when you began to speak on the Holy Trinity icon and I saw the program ... there was a caress of affirmation that that was the icon to do. And then I found out the following week that my icon teacher was doing a variation of the Rublev's Holy Trinity ... so it was a slam dunk who was going to get the icon. It was painted with love and a bit-o-anxiety at one point as I was having a difficult time "being with imperfection" ... But then things settled as the Holy Spirit helped me detach from the outcome. I was pleased and grateful to be able to give this icon to you and your congregation. My teacher, an Episcopalian priest, liked it and blessed it as well. David’s gift is sitting on the counter in the Narthex. Be sure to see it!

Congratulations to Bob Sillars who was installed as Moderator of the Presbytery of WNY at the Presbytery Meeting held here on Tuesday, May 24! He shares this honor with his father, Rev. Rodger Sillars who served this congregation from 1970—1982. Bob is a long time member of this congregation and is currently serving as our Clerk of Session.

Get in the driver’s seat. Volunteer for Hearts and Hands, and help to enrich the lives of seniors by

providing free rides to medical appointments, social events, personal errands, worship services, and grocery shopping. Through the work of volunteers, Hearts and Hands provides over 14,000 rides per year, and we need your help. 16 new volunteers can eliminate our waiting list in Clarence. We offer flexible schedules, online scheduling software, comprehensive training, liability insurance, accident coverage, and mileage reim-bursement. Giving just two rides a month can make a difference in the life and independence of a senior in Clarence. Call today at (716) 406-8311 or visit our website at https://hnhcares.org.

Growing, Serving, Celebrating

Help us get to know each other...if you don’t have a name tag, fill out a form to be found by the name tag storage boxes. If you do have a name tag, please wear it on Sundays!

www.clarencepresby.org 9675 Main St., Clarence, NY 14031 716-759-8396

Winter Newsletter deadline is Sunday,

November 13. This newsletter will cover December, January and February.

Staying Connected….

Saturday, Nov. 5 set clocks BACK at bedtime!

Those who would like the Prayer Chain to pray for themselves or someone else may call

Lynn McConnell at 906-3440 or Ginger Lindner at 759-6318 or email office@clarencepresby.org. Prayer chain requests are not published. Please inform

the prayer chain when their special prayers are no longer needed.

Did you know you can:

receive a weekly update via email called Staying Connected

receive your newsletter electronically

check the church calendar anytime at http://926599.view-events.com

download the sermon each week from the website, Facebook or Twitter If you are a regular email user, give us your email address by adding it to the Friendship Pad on Sunday or contact the church office to take advantage of the timely, cost effective ways of communicating!

Growing, Serving, Celebrating

The sign-up form for sanctuary flowers is in the Narthex. Arrangements cost $40. Only one arrangement is available on the first Sunday of the month. A limit of two are available for all other weeks. Add your name to the date you want and the office will take care of the rest!

Sunday, September 18, 11:15 am

If you want to catch up on sermons you may have missed or if you want to re-read one that particularly

resonated with you, go to our website: www.clarencepresby.org.

Sermons are located under worship/sermons. Or contact the office for a printed copy.

Page 14

Growing, Serving, Celebrating

Trip to Ireland: Legacy of St. Patrick

July 30, 2017—August 9, 2017 Dublin, Belfast, Galway, Limerick

There will be a meeting in

September with more details.

Our columbarium was recently expanded. Brochures are available in the rack outside of the office in the hallway.

Columbarium and cenotaph—area on west side of the campus, south of the sanctuary

Cenotaph

Two sections added— one on each side of center

www.clarencepresby.org 9675 Main St., Clarence, NY 14031 716-759-8396

What We’ve Been Up To...

Page 16

CLARENCE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

9675 Main Street

Clarence, New York 14031

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Clarence, NY

Clarence Presbyterian Church

9675 Main Street, Clarence, NY 14031