North Main Street United Methodist Church
316 North Main Street
Gloversville, NY 12078-2141
[email protected]
Church Office: (518) 725-7323
January 2017 Newsletter
___________________________________________________________________
Dear Friends:
My 2016 calendar is ragged and weary. The covers are coming off, and some of its pages
are falling out. It looks like it’s ready for the trash, but as I glance through it one last time I see
the treasures it contains.
Amid the myriad of notations about worship, meetings and appointments that define our
weeks at the church, there are also reminders of special events, such as the Free Lunch/Food
Pantry Christmas Party just a few short weeks ago. There are references to weddings and
funerals. And how I cherish the many indications of pastoral visits and private conversations that
have enabled us to grow closer together.
My 2017 calendar, shiny and new, lays enticingly on my desk. Its covers are intact, and
its pages are securely in place. I almost hate to begin writing in it. But just as ships are secure in
the harbor, but that’s not what ships are for, so my new calendar is pristine unused, but that’s not
what calendars are for. My 2016 calendar has become a precious record of our work and
fellowship together. The calendar for 2017 awaits notations of all our times of worship,
conversation, planning, study, and celebrating. May it prove to be a record of our faithfulness to
God, our outreach to the world, and out affection for each other.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Judi
Note of Thanks
My family and I wish to express our appreciation for your many Holiday expressions of
love and thoughtfulness from the members and friends at North Main UMC. In the cold of
winter, your generous spirits warm our hearts. May God bless you all.
Pastor Judi
Parsonage Holiday Open House
Everyone is invited to stop by the Lansingburgh Parsonage(824 6thAve, Troy, 12182) on
Sunday afternoon, January 15th, from 3-5, as Pastor Judi and her family host their annual
Parsonage Holiday Open House. Come taste Allen’s “interesting” punch and Judi’s “durable”
cookies.
It is a New Year and a time in which we look ahead with hopes and dreams and
well-meaning resolutions! For what can we pray regarding our worship in this
age? I hope you will join me in this prayer for our tasks this year:
Creator and Sustainer God, we celebrate your presence among us at the
threshold of a significant time. We know that you both wrap us in your loving
care and nudge us into the future. You comfort and inspire us, call us to
contemplation and to action. Grant us the patience and the passion to do your
work.
Inspire us to greater joy, O God. Free us from our fears when we feel the Spirit
moving within us. Let us dance, let us sing, let us shout, let us cry for the love of
you. Help us to find ways to bring your Word alive.
Inspire us to greater vision. Open our eyes to the gifts and ministries of all
people. Let our places of worship reflect the diversity of ways that you come to
us. May your Word be proclaimed through words, paint brushes, voices, bodies,
and instruments. Help us to see and celebrate all that you have created.
Inspire us to compassion. As we struggle with an ever-changing world, show us
the way to be with each other . . . even when we don’t agree. Help us to know
that you are there in our midst. Open our hearts wide to each other and to your
possibilities for time-honored and life-giving worship.
We worship you this year, with all that we are and all that we have. We praise
you for the great things you have done! We commit to the renewal of our spirits
in the awesome task of worship. In the name of Christ, our Savior. Amen.
(Author Unknown)
Food Pantry
December has been a very busy month for everyone involved in our Church missions and activities.
There was much preparation of food and fun with the party the Free Lunch had planned in Fellowship
Hall. The pantry volunteers have a new plan to keep the people who are utilizing the Food Pantry safe
from the very cold temperatures and wind. We added a number system to allow five at a time to be in
the food pantry. This offers them the time to stay warm and enjoy the party in Fellowship Hall or just
have lunch and socialize while waiting their turn. So far everyone has been cooperative with the system,
and we all worry less. This last month we served forty-eight families, including thirteen new families.
There were ninety-one adults, forty-four children and twelve seniors, for a total of one hundred fortyseven people. We never forget our furry family members either. We fed thirty-two dogs and forty-nine
cats.
I pray that we all had a wonderful Christmas as we celebrated the birth of our Savior. So Happy New
Year to everyone and may our New Year be full of hope, joy and blessings.
Judy Davis
Mission News
The Mission team would like to thank everyone who helped with our Christmas
projects through the Salvation Army and Toys for Tots programs again this year.
Because of your generosity, we were able to serve 11 individual children through
the Salvation Army and many others through the Toys for Tots program. By doing
so, these less fortunate children were able to have a joyful and happy Christmas.
The Mission team also sent in our $500 annual donation to our missionary in Japan,
Devorah Julian, for 2016. The puzzle books were also delivered to the area adult
homes. They are always well received by the residents in the homes.
The Mission Team
Sunday School News
On Sunday December 11th, the Sunday school presented a wonderful play called “Finding the Perfect
Gift” which was written by Tanya Mcllravy and the play is from the Sunday School Network. The
participants were Zachary Byrns as Mista Point, Aubrey Byrns as the delivery angel, Bella Calabrese as
the assistant delivery angel, Haylee Webb as the stage and prop manager, Ayssa Rocas as Mary,
narrator, and props, Zachary Rocas as Joseph and props, and Daniel Kwak and Steven Kwak who created
and assembled the stable. The congregation also participated in various nativity scene roles in the play.
Following the program, there was a special dessert gathering with Santa as the special guest. We want
to thank Santa for stopping during this busy time of year. Also a special thanks to Sharon Rogers for
decorating and organizing the gathering and also to Sally Kwak, Cheryl Bielli, and Trisha Byrns for helping
coordinate the play. A wonderful time was had by all and the children’s efforts helped to remind us of
what the true meaning of Christmas and the holiday season are all about.
Joseph Benton
John Pickard
Dorothy Holly
Madeline Miles
DiAnne Sanford
Sheila McDonald
Shirley Mormile
Robert Mabie
(No Anniversaries)
January 1
January 6
January 12
January 17
January 18
January 18
January 21
January 23
WICS
The women of North Main had their annual Christmas luncheon on Tuesday, December 20 at
the Johnstown Holiday Inn. The party was attended by women, spouses, fathers and mothers.
The food was good, the fellowship GREAT! It’s always nice to be able to get together and not
be working on something – just to be able to enjoy each other’s company.
The blessing was given by Judy Davis and, after the meal, Joyce Royal-Paul presented a story on
one hundred years of Christmas dinners. It was very interesting to hear about how traditions
have changed, but also how some remain the same.
Our adopted class of seven boys and two girls received holiday bags filled with gifts. They were
delivered on Wednesday, December 23 by Judy Davis and Nancy Marsh. The children were so
excited to see us. They told us all about their “elf on the shelf” and some of her shenanigans.
Then they opened their bags and were so excited to find mittens, books, crayons, bubbles,
coloring books, cars and balls for the boys, dolls and hairbands for the girls, treats, Play-Doh,
pencils, toothbrushes, tissues and much more! This is always an extremely rewarding project.
The teacher, Mrs Toscano, has said that for some of the children, this might be their Christmas.
Thank you to all who made donations for this worthwhile project.
There are no WIC meetings scheduled for January or February.
Fund Raising Team
Three Hundred Two Dollars ($302) was raised on the sale of the beautiful Christmas ornaments.
Thank you to all who participated in making them.
Terri Lynn Nuts and Candy are and will be available to purchase after Church most Sundays until
gone.
On January 21 the Fund Raising Team will be having a spaghetti
dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $10.00 (children under five
free). The meal will include spaghetti, meatballs, salad, bread, drink
and dessert. Tickets may be purchased in advance from the church office.
Free Lunch
Our end of the year report shows that we are averaging forty people every week. Donations of
food have helped to keep our costs under control.
On Monday, December 19, we had our annual free Christmas buffet. We served 71 people who
partook of sandwiches, a variety of salads, deviled eggs, pickles and olives, bean casserole and
numerous desserts. Punch, hot cocoa, coffee, tea and milk were offered. We were very happy
that Santa and Mrs. Claus could make it all the way from North Bush United Methodist Church,
and they brought elves who helped us set up and serve. They also brought toys for the children
and desserts for the buffet. Many thanks to them!
Pastor Judi played Christmas carols on the piano and some elves joined in singing. The LeaderHerald took pictures and two have made it into the paper. We are so blessed to be able to
continue this program into our sixth year.
The newsletter can be accessed online at NMSUMC.org/newsletter