Grace Notes VOLUME 156 RYE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ▪ 882 BOSTON POST ROAD ▪ RYE ▪ NY ▪10580 JANUARY 2016

This past year, as we engaged in our Im-

agine Initiative, one of the questions we

invited folks to reflect upon was a

“defining moment” that you have had at

Rye Presbyterian Church. I was struck

that for more than a few that moment had

something to do with worship, especially

during the Christmas season. A child’s

involvement in the Christmas pageant. A

candlelight Christmas Eve service. That

season has now come and gone. These

are now but cherished memories.

In the year before us, we look forward to the things that we only

imagined in our initiative last year beginning to take shape. A new

prison ministry with returning citizens (formerly incarcerated)

called “Coming Home.” Manse kitchens being remodeled. Fuller

funding for the third pastor on our staff doing ministry with chil-

dren and youth. These are things we look forward to in the New

Year.

In the church calendar, following Epiphany, we move into a

brief period known as “ordinary time” prior to the start of Lent – \

days that are not filled with the special or spectacular. We would

do well to welcome these days—not only remembering the past, or

looking forward to the future, but living in the “today.”

Frederick Buechner defines “today” this way: “It is a moment of

light surrounded on all sides by darkness and oblivion. In the en-

tire history of the universe, let along in your own history, there has

never been another just like it and there will never be another just

like it again. It is the point to which all your yesterdays have been

leading since the hour of your birth. It is the point from which all

your tomorrows will proceed until the hour of your death. If you

were aware of how precious it is, you could hardly live through it.

Unless you are aware of how precious it is, you can hardly be said

to be living at all.

“This is the day which the Lord has made,” says the 118th

Psalm. “Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Or weep and be sad in it

for that matter. The point is to see it for what it is because it will be

gone before you know it. If you waste it, it is your life that you’re

wasting. If you look the other way, it may be the moment you’ve

been waiting for always that you’re missing.

All other days have either disappeared into darkness and oblivi-

on or not yet emerged from it. Today is the only day there

is.” (Whistling in the Dark, pp. 105-6.)

While we are thankful for memories past and are excited about

what the future will bring, as we move into the New Year may we

be attentive to “today” and be thankful for God’s gift of each new

day in this New Year.

Peace,

What’s Inside?

Page 2: Adult Education, Coming Home

Page 3: Caring Connections, Empty Bowls,

Greening of the Kirk Elves

Page 4-5: Christmas Pageant

Page 6: Christian Education, Confirmation,

Communion Workshop

Page 7: Musical Notes, Guys Night Out,

Stop Hunger Now

Page 8: Sundays in January, Bible Study

Page 9: January Calendar

Page 10: Rye Presbyterian Nursery School

rye presbyterian church • grace notes • january 2016 (2)

Adult Education, Coming Home

Click for brochure

“Coming Home”

Program Begins!

Any and all who are

interested in partici-

pating in the Coming

Home program which

is an 18 life skills

program for returning

citizens (formerly

incarcerated) are in-

vited to join us for

our Mentor Training

on Thursday January 7, from 7:00-8:30

p.m. We will have a professor from

Fordham University School of Social

Work assist with this. It is designed to

introduce ALL who are interested in the

Coming Home program to the specific

needs and challenges our participants’

experience. The evening will provide an

introduction to the Coming Home pro-

gram while providing training for those

who specifically want to engage in the

mentorship role.

Mentorship is just one facet of the

Coming Home program. There are other

ways to engage that are equally as im-

portant to the program’s success. The

cornerstone of the Coming Home pro-

gram is a shared meal provided weekly

from 6:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday eve-

nings. Participants in the Coming Home

program have often told us that this is

the first time in their lives that they have

experienced a sense of community, be-

longing and acceptance. Please consider

joining us for dinner on Thursday eve-

nings, beginning January 21, from 6:00-

7:00 p.m.

Please also consider providing a meal

for the Coming Home program. Since

we encourage congregants to join in the

dinner we expect to have approximately

25 people in attendance. You might

want to partner with a friend or group to

provide a meal. Of course providing a

meal also includes the wonderful experi-

ence of joining us for supper, and assis-

tance in clean up! Linda Otness

(otness.linda@gmail.com) has volun-

teered to help coordinate this essential

piece of the Coming Home program.

Perhaps you have a special talent or

area of expertise that might be useful to

our participants. We are looking for vol-

unteers with experience in the areas of

job readiness (resume writing, interview

skills, etc.) basic financial self-

sufficiency skills (creating a budget,

choosing the best credit card option,

opening a checking/savings account,

etc.), clinical expertise in recovery from

trauma, building healthy relation-

ships. We work with our participants to

bring them a well-rounded life skills

program and are looking forward to

drawing from the vast experience and

knowledge of our congregation!

For more information or to volunteer,

please contact our Program Coordinator,

Janet Donat (donatjanet@yahoo.com) or

at (914),645-8822.

Rye Presbyterian Adult Education Presents

Fear, Violence, and Prejudice: How It Feels From Where I Sit

Sundays, January 10, 17, 24, 31

9:00-9:45 a.m. in the Westminster Room

This four-week class will explore the issues of fear, violence, and

prejudice from four different perspectives. Guest Speakers include:

January 10 - Cliff Wolf, a Jewish leader who serves as the AJC

Westchester Interreligious Relations Co-chair

January 17 - Dr. Thomas Ryer, an African-American Christian

minister and Founder/President of Transitioning Into

Society Inc.

January 24 - Shu’aib Abdur Raheem, a Muslim who is Program

Coordinator for Jewish Child Care Association

January 31 - Dr. Dale Irvin, president of New York Theological

Seminary

rye presbyterian church • grace notes • January 2016 (3)

Caring Connections, Empty Bowls, Greening of the Kirk Elves

Caring Connections

Course Completed

Rye Presbyterian Church is pleased to

announce the completion of the fall Car-

ing Connections course by twelve

church members.

Caring Connections is a 12-session

training based on the well-known Ste-

phen Ministry curriculum. Focusing on

the art of listening and distinctively

Christian caregiving, graduates of the

course may go on to become a Stephen

Minister, Stephen Leader, Friend Visi-

tor, or other church leader.

New Stephen Ministers will be com-

missioned during the 10:00 a.m. service

on January 24.

Thank you to our

2015 Christmas Elves for

The Greening of the Kirk . . .

Daya Carunia

Philip Cicchiello

Nancy Collins

Sarah Collins-Napier

Karen Donovan

Mona Hirson

Kristin Jautz

Lora Katsikas

Lisa Keegan

Gail Langeloh

Elizabeth Lukes

Peter Mackenzie

Roger Moyer

Nathanael Napier

Dee O’Brien

Stefan Radtke

Rita Schubert

Allison Sellon

Ron Sizemore

Sarah Snell

Terry Ann Weil

Elizabeth Zahm

and, of course, a very special thank-you to

Juan Velasquez and Alonso Osorio!

Save the Date . . .

16th Annual Fundraiser

Sunday, February 28, following 10:00 a.m. Worship

Beautiful pottery . . . A simple meal . . . Helping those in need.

RPC Tree-Lighting, December 6, 2015

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rye presbyterian church • grace notes • January 2016

Sunday School

We will be focusing on Luke’s gospel

for most of January: learning about Je-

sus’ baptism, and how we can continue

his message of love and hope for all.

On January 17, there will be no Sun-

day School; children will be welcome in

the Westminster Room for Enrichment

activities.

On January 24, the children will join

Lisa Rawson for Singing Our Faith. The

older kids (3rd-8th grade) will also join

Rev. Huntley for Children’s Chapel.

The January Family Fellowship is the

return of the Stop Hunger Now program

on Sunday, January 24 from 11:30 a.m.-

1:30 p.m. Please join us for some fun

meal packaging!

Please contact Rachael Huntley for

further information.

Middle School Connection

Wednesday, January 6

5:30-6:45 p.m. at RPC

Wednesdays, January 20 and

February 3

Getting ready for “Empty Bowls”

fundraiser by making bowls at the

Clay Art Center, 5:30-6:45 p.m.

The CAC is at 40 Beech St. in Port

Chester—a right turn off Midland just

past Grace Church St. and the firehouse.

It is the first building on the right. Get

ready to get messy!

High School Youth

Happy New Year! All 9th–12th graders

are welcome at RPC’s High School

Youth Group.

Saturday January 16, 10:00 a.m.-noon Community Service at The Sharing Shelf

Sunday, January 24, 6:00 p.m.

Special Interfaith service honoring MLK

At Christ’s Church (meet at RPC)

Sunday, January 31, 6:00-7:15 p.m.:

Dinner & BINGO planning session

Contact Rachael Huntley with

any questions.

Confirmation 2016

Meetings this month

in the Westminster Room:

Sunday, January 10

4:00 (M-Z) and 5:00 p.m. (A-L)

Sunday, January 24

4:00 (A-L) and 5:00 p.m. (M-Z)

Sunday, January 31

4:00 (M-Z) and 5:00 p.m (A-L)

Christian Education, Confirmation , Communion Workshop

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High School Youth serve Dinner

at Noon at the Carver Center.

COMMUNION

WORKSHOP

SATURDAY, JANUARY 30

10:00-11:30 a.m.

The body of Christ? What is that all about?

And what exactly is in that cup??

If your child or children have been curious about the Lord’s

Supper, this is a great opportunity for children to learn more

about it, to be officially welcomed at the communion celebra-

tion of the church, and for you to grow in your faith together.

On Saturday, January 30, from 10:00–11:30 a.m., children in

the second through fifth grades are welcome to come with a

parent to this special workshop. Together we will explore the

meaning of the sacrament and how we celebrate it here at Rye

Presbyterian.

Space is limited, so please sign up by contacting

Rev. Love – dlove@ryepc.com. High School Youth Carolers

rye presbyterian church • grace notes • January 2016 (7)

From Jason Charneski

What Shall We Do (Musically)

in 2016?

That’s a very good question. RPC’s musical foundation is a

strong support on which to build (mind you, we mustn’t neglect

care of that foundation). Thus, with this is mind, I hope you can

imagine with me how you can support or participate in the fol-

lowing:

The introduction of the new hymnal, Glory to God, into the

church’s worship and community life. It is a resource filled with

things tried and true and neat and new: 853 hymns, psalms, spir-

itual songs, and settings of service music from many centuries

and places; orders of worship; and scriptural references and lec-

tionary aids.

The Chancel Choir offering its voice within worship on Maun-

dy Thursday (March 24), on Church and Justice Sunday, and on

“Jazz Sunday” – to be on Pentecost (May 15) this year. A dream

of mine is to offer Messiah, Handel’s master oratorio, in its en-

tirety through the course of a program year (perhaps structured

thus: Part I during Advent/Christmas; Part II during Lent; Part III

during Easter).

Tapping into the musical talents and abilities of church mem-

bers and friends for offerings in worship (especially during the

summer months, when the full choir is “on break”) and outside

of worship (a “musicale” some evening, or as means to introduce

music in the new hymnal that may be new to you).

What might a series of concerts (jazz, folk, Broadway, etc.) in

the summer, outdoors (on the Great Lawn?), do to raise the visi-

bility of RPC in the Rye and larger Westchester/Fairfield county

communities?

Celebrate the Jackson Memorial Organ, as come the end of

2016, it will enter its 36th year of service and inspiration to this

congregation.

Ever forward!

Jason

Musical Notes, Guys Night Out, Day of Service

Cantata Sunday, December 13, 2015

DAY OF

SERVICE

AT RPC

January 24

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

(A light lunch will be served.)

This program will be returning to RPC on Sunday, January

24. Stop Hunger Now is an international hunger relief agen-

cy. Everyone is encouraged to participate in this meal pack-

aging event; an immensely fun, hands-on, and rewarding

experience. A group of 40-50 volunteers can package

10,000 meals in just two hours! These meal packages are

then shipped around the world to support school feeding

programs and crisis relief. Please contact Rachael Huntley

at rhuntley@ryepc.com if you are interested in volunteer-

ing for this event.

Rye Pres Men's

Association invites

The Men of

Rye Presbyterian

Church

to YOUR VERY OWN WINTER BREAK!

Wednesday, January 13

Come join us for a classic Italian dinner,

to watch the Knicks beat the Nets,

and enjoy an evening of fellowship.

Please bring your own beverage to help us stay warm.

Festivities start at 7:30 p.m. in the Westminster Room.

Cost: $45 per head

Sign up at "church sign-up station" outside Assembly Room.

Checks can be left in the mailbox outside reception area --

payable to RPC, mark "Men's Event" on check memo line.

You may also sign up during coffee hour prior to January 13.

Payment may also be made online . . .

RPC website: www.ryepc.com / What’s Happening page

rye presbyterian church • grace notes • January 2016

January 3

January 10

January 17

January 24

8:30 a.m. Holy Communion in the Chapel 8:40 a.m. Prayer Gathering / Library 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship with Communion in the Sanctuary Sunday School -Children attend worship through children’s message.

8:30 a.m. Holy Communion in the Chapel 8:40 a.m. Prayer Gathering / Library 9:00 a.m. Adult Education / Westminster Room 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship in the Sanctuary Sunday School -Children attend worship through children’s message. 4:00 p.m. Confirmation Class: Names M-Z / Assembly Room 5:00 p.m. Confirmation Class: Names A-L / Assembly Room 8:00 p.m. Men’s Bible Study / Library

8:30 a.m. Holy Communion in the Chapel 8:40 a.m. Prayer Gathering / Library 9:00 a.m. Adult Education / Westminster Room 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship in the Sanctuary No Sunday School—Enrichment Activities -Children attend worship through children’s message.

8:30 a.m. Holy Communion in the Chapel 8:40 a.m. Prayer Gathering / Library 9:00 a.m. Adult Education / Westminster Room 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship in the Sanctuary Children’s Choir sings Stephen Ministry Commissioning Sunday School -Children attend worship through children’s message. 11:30 a.m. “Stop Hunger Now” Day of Service / Assembly Room 4:00 p.m. Confirmation Class: Names A-L / Assembly Room 5:00 p.m. Confirmation Class: Names M-Z / Assembly Room 6:00 p.m. High School Youth, Interfaith Svc., Christ’s Church 8:00 p.m. Men’s Bible Study / Library

8:30 a.m. Holy Communion in the Chapel 8:40 a.m. Prayer Gathering / Library 9:00 a.m. Adult Education / Westminster Room 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship in the Sanctuary Ordination and Installation of Officers Sunday School -Children attend worship through children’s message. 4:00 p.m. Confirmation Class: Names M-Z / Assembly Room 5:00 p.m. Confirmation Class: Names A-L / Assembly Room 6:00 p.m. High School Youth / Youth Rooms

Sundays in January, Bible Study

Men’s Bible Study

Sundays January 10 and 24,

8:00 p.m. in the Library

This month, the men of Sunday evenings will be continu-

ing their work through the Gospel of John. If you’d like

to join in and be a part of this ongoing, fellowship and

conversation, plan to gather on Sunday evenings January

10 and 24 at 8:00 p.m. in the church Library.

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

Wednesdays, January 6 and 20,

8:45 a.m. in the Library

A new chapter begins! With the Gospel of John under our belts, we move on in

2016 to the Epistles of John—three intriguing letters from

the gospel author to the community of faith. All are wel-

come to join in this ongoing reading and discussion .

Women’s Bible Study

Saturdays, January 9 and 30,

at 9:30 a.m. - January 9 in the Conference Room

January 30 in the Library

Please join Women’s Bible Study on Saturday mornings.

A warm welcome and hot coffee await! For further infor-

mation, contact Cynthia De Santis.

NEW OFFICER ORIENTATION Saturday, January 9, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Westminster Room

RPC OFFICER RETREAT Saturday, January 9, 12:00 noon-3:00 p.m.

Westminster Room

STEPHEN MINISTRY COMMISSIONING Sunday, January 24,

during 10:00 a.m. worship

ORDINATION AND INSTALLATION

OF OFFICERS Sunday, January 31,

during 10:00 a.m. worship

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Sunday, February 7,

following 10:00 a.m. worship

January 31

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CHURCH OFFICES AND BUILDINGS WILL BE CLOSED FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, IN OBSERVANCE OF NEW YEAR’S DAY AND

MONDAY, JANUARY 18, IN OBSERVANCE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

BOARD MEETINGS

Deacons: Wednesday, January 20, 7:30 p.m., Library

Trustees: Tuesday, January 26, 7:30 p.m., Westminster Room

Session: Wednesday, January 27, 7:30 p.m., Westminster Room

New Officer Orientation: Saturday, January 9, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Westminster Room RPC Officers Retreat: Saturday, January 9, 12:00 noon.-3:00 p.m., Westminster Room

WORSHIP AND STUDY

Worship on Sunday:

8:30 a.m. Holy Communion in the Chapel

10:00 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary

Prayer Gatherings: Sundays, 8:40 a.m., Library

Adult Education:

Sunday Morning Ministry “Fear, Violence, and Prejudice”: January 10, 17, 24, and 31

Sunday School: Regular Sunday School January 3, 10, 23; 31; no Sunday School January 17 - Enrichment Sunday Confirmation: January 10: 4:00 p.m., last names M-Z / 5:00 p.m., last names A-L / Westminster Room January 24: 4:00 p.m., last names A-L / 5:00 p.m., last names M-Z / Westminster Room January 31: 4:00 p.m., last names M-Z / 5:00 p.m., last names A-L / Westminster Room

Men’s Sunday Bible Study: January 10 & 24, 8:00 p.m., Library

Wednesday Morning Book Study: January 6 & 20, 8:45 a.m., Library

Women’s Bible Study: Saturdays, 9:30 a.m., January 9, Conference Room, & January 30., Library

Women’s Discipleship: Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m., various locations, contact Rachael Huntley for information.

Children’s Communion Workshop: Saturday, January 30, 10:00 a.m.

YOUTH

Boy Scout Troop #2: Every Tuesday, 7:00 p.m., Assembly Room

Connection: Wednesdays, January 6, 5:30 p.m., Youth Room, and January 20 & February 3, 5:30 p.m., Clay Arts Center

High School Youth Group: Saturday, January 16, 10:00 a.m., The Sharing Shelf, Port Chester;

Sunday, January 24, 6:00 p.m., Interfaith Service honoring MLK, Christ’s Church (meet at RPC); and

Sunday, January 31, 6:00 p.m., Dinner & BINGO planning session, Youth Rooms

Rye Girl Scouts: Monday, January 11, 7:00 p.m., Youth Rooms

MUSIC

Chancel Choir Rehearsal: Sundays, 9:15 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.

Children’s Choir Rehearsal: Thursdays, 3:45 p.m., Choir Room

Youth Choir Rehearsal: Thursdays, 4:30 p.m., Choir Room

OTHER CHURCH MEETINGS, EVENTS, AND PROGRAMS

3 T’s: Tuesday, January 19, 10:00 a.m., Westminster Room

Family Fellowship: “Stop Hunger Now,” Day of Service at RPC, Sunday, January 24, 11:30 a.m., Assembly Room

Men’s Night Out: Wednesday, January 13, 7:30 p.m., Westminster Room

Mission & Outreach: Wednesday, January 6, 7:30 p.m., Library

Stephen Ministry:

Stephen Leaders: Tuesday, January 5, 5:30 p.m., Library

Continuing Education and Supervision: Tuesday, January 5, 7:00 p.m., Library

Thrift Shop: Thursdays, 10:00 a.m.-l:00 p.m.

Women’s Association:

Monthly Meeting: Monday, January 11, 9:00 a.m., Library

Worship and Music: Wednesday, January 13, 8:00 p.m., Conference Room

OUTREACH AND SUPPORT GROUPS

AA Rye Harrison Group: Mondays, 7:30 p.m., Assembly Room

AA Group: Thursdays, 7:30 p.m., Westminster Room

Friendly Visitors: Tuesday, January 5, 7:00 p.m., Westminster Room

Mr. Westchester/Al-Anon Group: Mondays, 7:30 p.m., Library

Sandwichmakers: Thursday, January 21, 11:00 a.m., Kitchen & Assembly Room

PHONE: 914-967-0842

rye presbyterian church • grace notes • January 2016

January Schedule of Meetings, Events, and Programs

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rye presbyterian church • grace notes • January 2016

Rye Presbyterian Nursery School

Greetings to the RPC Community

from Kristin Bassett Kumar and

Emma Whitman

Rye Presbyterian Nursery School held its

annual Holiday Caroling Party on Satur-

day, December 5th. The event is funded

by sponsorships and all proceeds go to-

wards tuition scholarships for the up-

coming school year. Over 50 parents and

staff volunteered to organize and run the

event. The festivities for the party in-

cluded a sing-along with children’s mu-

sician Zev and Christmas caroling lead

by The Rye High School Choir. The

event took place on a sunny and unsea-

sonably warm day making the outdoor

petting zoo and horse-drawn hay ride

particularly enjoyable! Our studio teach-

er, Gail Walter, organized a unique art

project for the children. The children

were able to create their own canvas for

the season. Some of them made Christ-

mas trees out of beads, foam pieces, and

wrapping paper, while others built cas-

tles with the collage materials. This was

a perfect activity for preschoolers!

In addition, families enjoyed buying

delicious homemade treats from the

bake sale and getting their photo taken

with Santa. Beautiful themed baskets

for children were given away in our

annual raffle. During the week before

the party, the students in each class-

room made an ornament to adorn the

Christmas tree in the Church assembly

room.

RPNS has participated in a Holiday

Caring and Sharing Program with The

New Rochelle Children’s Center for

Learning for

many years.

New Rochelle

Children’s Cen-

ter is a head

start preschool

that serves low

income and

homeless chil-

dren in West-

chester County.

During the holi-

day season,

RPNS families

volunteer to sponsor a child and provide

him/her with a toy, book, and an article

of clothing. RPNS parents are encour-

aged to involve their children in the pro-

cess by having them participate in the

selection of gifts for their sponsor child

and by making a personalized holiday

card to go with their gifts. Both the

RPNS Caroling Party and the Holiday

Caring and Sharing Program are made

possible by our generous community!

The Rev. Daniel Love, Co-Pastor

The Rev. Dr. John Miller, Co-Pastor

The Rev. Rachael Huntley, Minister of Christian Education

Lisa Rawson, Director of Choirs for Children and Youth

Rachael Huntley, Director of Christian Education

Maida Robinson, Chief Administrative Officer

Rosemary Annunziato, Church Secretary

Denise LeVan, Pastoral Assistant

Juan Velasquez, Head Sexton/Building Manager

Rye Presbyterian Church 882 Boston Post Road

Rye, New York 10580

Tel: 914.967.0842

www.ryepc.com

This is a Stephen Ministry church.

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