The Dialogue
May 2017
FROM YOUR MINISTER JIMMY READER
Thank you for being such a supportive congregation for both Joy and me. In the winter, when I was in the
hospital twice and going through a long round of tests and doctor visits, many of you provided food and
personal encouragement. Then last Sunday, someone on behalf of the congregation provided a beautiful
bouquet of flowers for the sanctuary “in honor of Jimmy and Joy,” which now decorate our dining area at
home. So thank you. We look forward to many good years ahead with all of you.
Looking just to the coming month, here are some highlights:
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On May 7, our service will include infant baptism for Greyson Scott Horvath, born in January to
John Horvath and Jessica Yaeger. If you haven’t yet met the family, John and Jessica often sit in the
back with Greyson.
On May 21, we will have an all-music service. We are a multi-talented congregation, and I know
this will be an excellent service of worship and praise and wonderful music. If you would like to
sing, play, or participate in some way, please talk with Ashley Danyew. And if there are hymns
especially meaningful for you which you would like us to sing, you can email that to the church or
write it down and give it to Ashley. (If we get too many requests for one service, we will be sure to
include them soon in another service.)
This year we are combining Children’s Sunday, Youth Sunday, and Graduation Sunday all into one
service on June 11. So for kids, teens, parents, and adult volunteers, it will be a fun and busy month
in May getting ready for a wonderful service in June.
We are close to hiring someone for the Christian Education Director position (I think) and will let
you know more once the decision is final. Please pray for the Board of Christian Education as they
make this important decision together. (We designed the new position with summers off, and our
volunteer staff will finish out this Sunday School year in June. So the person we hire will begin in
late summer…..More details to come soon.)
Our new “dream team” is at work. We are taking the “dreams” for this church’s future ministry
which came from our process in the winter and expanding them, defining the details of what we
believe this church wants to be and do in the years ahead. Someone from the American Baptist
Foundation will meet with us later in the spring to complete this part of the process, and then it will
all go to their graphic designer to create a brochure and other materials to help us “see” it all. And
in the fall, we will have a “Strengthening Your Financial Future” campaign when we will begin to
seek the funding (for endowments and other investments) so the United Church will have the
finances necessary to fund the ministries we envision for our future. (Please pray for our team –
Verna Hazen, Michelle Hanson, Mike Broker, Sue Gaze, Steve Harrison, and Sue Miller.)
We had many positive comments about the Holy Week service on Maundy Thursday. Maybe that
will become our new tradition. And thanks to Ashley for working hard to plan, practice, and
prepare for all these services.
It’s spring! Beautiful, warm weather, green grass, beautiful flowers – and as always, renewed hope
and energized spirits. May this year continue to be a good year for us all!
MISSION MINUTE
By Cindy Merrifield
Our Missions group participated in RAIHN this month. Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network
(RAIHN) is a not-for-profit, interfaith, culturally-competent organization that assists homeless families to
achieve sustainable independence by supporting them with tailored services including shelter, food,
personalized case management, and a diverse network of caring volunteers. We provide a meal,
friendship and fellowship. Go to RAIHN.org for more info.
Many thanks to the following members:
Jen Cranch for coordinating, Donella and Richard Ashworth set-up and serving, Marie Bloom and Sue
Gaze for providing the pizza (FYI a very popular Saturday night dinner) and Marilyn Krager and Dave
Nellis the overnight chaperones. We could not provide this mission without your support.
Also, our Easter donation went to One Great Hour of Sharing Thank you for your continued support.
MUSIC NOTES
By Dot Borden
A round of applause and thanks should go to everyone who helped make our Lent and
Easter music very special. Particular thanks should be given to Ashley, Jimmy, and other
who worked in planning for the services. I felt that the Maundy Thursday service was
especially meaningful. For the Palm Sunday and Easter services, the United Choir was
outstanding! Dick Krager’s trumpet playing and the Trio of Kelsey, Audrey, and Kim were a
fine addition to the Palm Sunday anthem. The Easter music was sparkling! Thanks to the
Choir and the “extras” for ending the Easter service with a rousing “Hallelujah Chorus”.
In May, the Choir will shift to some more general anthems. We will sing “Amazing Grace” on May 14th
and on May 21st, which will be a Music Sunday, the Choir will sing “Pass Through the Waters” and
“How Can I Keep From Singing”? Feel free to join us for our 9 :00 AM rehearsals if you would like to
sing with the Choir for a month or two. I’m very proud of what our Choir does with relatively small
numbers and limited rehearsal time.
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CELEBRATING GOD’S GOOD GIFTS
By Ashley Danyew
This month, we celebrate the season of Easter—50 days of celebrating new life, the gifts of hope and assurance,
and the promise of eternal life some day.
Our worship these next few weeks will focus on God’s good gifts to us and what it means to use those gifts in
ministry to one another and to all the world.
On Sunday, May 21, we’ll share a special service called “When In Our Music God is Glorified,” celebrating the
gift of music and the ways we can bring praise and glory to God. Please join us as we sing some of our favorite
songs and hymns of praise, with special music by the United Choir, Alleluia Ringers, and others from our
congregation.
“When in our music God is glorified,
and adoration leaves no room for pride,
it is as though the whole creation cried, ‘Alleluia!’”
- Fred Pratt Green
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CHILDREN’S HANDBELL CHOIR
Children in K-6th Grade are invited to join us on Sunday, May 7 as we start a brand new children’s handbell
choir! We will practice together on Sunday mornings for a few minutes after church through May and part of
June as we prepare a few special pieces for worship. To sign up, please see Ashley Danyew or Mindy Kimball.
NOTES FOR THE ALLELUIA RINGERS
Thank you for sharing such beautiful music during Holy Week and on Easter morning!
We will play again in worship on Sunday, May 21 for our Music Sunday.
JOIN US FOR MUSIC SUNDAY!
Sunday, May 21, 2017, 10 a.m.
Join us for a joyful, music-filled service led by the United Choir,
Alleluia Ringers, and others from our congregation. You won’t want to miss it!
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BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
By Jen Cranch
Our new board is settling in to our new roles. We have decided to focus on four areas for this year:
1. Children's Mission or Outreach
2. Adult Education
3. Weekly Take Away (meaning: making sure we send the children home each Sunday with something
they learned in Sunday School)
4. Family Get-togethers/Intergenerational Activities.
We look forward to some changes next year: we are currently interviewing for our Director of Christian
Education position. So far, we have two applicants and hope to be moving to a decision soon. We would
like to be starting the next school year with the new Director in place and new plans going forward. Stay
tuned!
We will be combining the Children's Sunday, Youth Sunday and Senior Sermons all on one day: Sunday
June 11th. We will celebrate our children and youth that day, so please join us for a lively service.
We are happy to report another successful year of UCP youth going to the Flower City Work
Camp during the teens' Spring Break. This event is open for teens from 7th to 12th grade.
Many thanks to Scott Hanson for coordinating UCP's participation in FCWC and the UCP volunteers who
made this happen for our four students who attended. The students were: Kiana and Corina Lougie,
and Kelsey and Audrey Natale.
Thanks to:
Worksite Leaders:
Scott Hanson
Briana Hanson
Julie Natale
Joe Natale
Overnight Leaders:
Michelle Hanson
Briana Hanson
Lunch Coordinator:
Jimmy Reader (and all the people who made the lunches and delivered them).
Proverbs 22:6 Teach your children right from wrong,
and when they are grown they will still do right.
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DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE OR GRADUATE
SCHOOL? PLEASE LET THE OFFICE KNOW.
If it's Spring... it's time for BASEBALL!
Please join us for our annual Red Wings baseball outing on Saturday,
June 10th. This is an evening game with the Zooperstars (goofy
characters who put on a show during the game) and FIREWORKS after
the game. This is always a fun time and great fellowship (even if you
don't care all that much for baseball). Please let Jen Cranch know
by June 1st if you are interested in joining us. We already have about 30
people who are planning to go, which means we can get the group
discount for tickets! Carpooling will be available. Watch the weekly
email and bulletin for more details.
Many thanks to Karen White for creating and sewing our new “Spring” banner that
now adorns our Sanctuary. It looks beautiful!
COLLECTION CONTAINERS
We have the following containers in the office.
USED EYE WEAR & HEARING AIDS: These go to Lions Clubs International.
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION: These go to Pittsford School District.
LABELS FOR EDUCATION: These go to Hillside Children’s Center
CAN TABS: These go to St. Joseph’s School in Penfield for the Boston Burn Center. Most vegetable and soup
cans now have pull off tabs.
If you have any questions…..call Marilyn Krager at 586-8268.
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LEMONADE ON
THE LAWN
Summer’s almost here! On June 11th we switch from our coffee/tea/hot
chocolate in Howard Hall to our cold drinks and snacks on the lawn at the
front of the church.
Please consider volunteering to provide the snacks and host for one
Sunday. There’s a sign-up sheet in Howard Hall, and you could team up with someone else if you
like. Lemonade and iced tea powder is provided for you to make up at church; the supplies are all
on a cart in the kitchen together with full instructions. Just bring some cookies or cakes … or
whatever.
Questions? Please contact Donella (381-2189).
THANK YOU!
ALTAR FLOWERS
Our altar flower chart has a few open Sundays. Please consider signing up for one of those Sundays to
beautify our sanctuary. Check with Wenda Silco or Judy Wolfe if you have any questions.
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Join us for the 1st UCP Euchre Tournament
Saturday, May 6th at 6:00pm
Accepting Donations at the door. Proceeds to benefit a charity of
winner’s choice. Sign up with or without a partner. See Michelle or
Scott Hanson for details
SMART GIVING
T
EXT YOUR GIFT OR GIVE ONLINE
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Go to our website (www.ucpittsford.org) and click on the top-right button (“Smart
Giving”), and make a one-time or recurring gift online.
Text “GIVE” to (585)481-8441. Register the first time with a credit or debit card and save
the number in your phone. (You can always text EDIT to that number
and update your information, set up a recurring gift, and check the status
of a gift.)
DID YOU KNOW?
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Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868.
Memorial Day was originally called “Decoration Day.”
Memorial Day was originally created to honor Union soldiers who’d died while fighting in the Civil
War. Because of this, southern states did not observe Memorial Day until after World War I, when
the holiday was expanded to include soldiers from all wars.
The red poppy is a traditional symbol of Memorial Day (many veterans wear them to commemorate
the day).
In 1924, an artificial poppy factory was created in Pittsburgh, PA, and employed veterans who
needed work.
On the Thursday before Memorial Day, soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) place
small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery.
They patrol the cemetery 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains
standing. This tradition, called “Flags In”, has been in place since 1948.
In 1968, Memorial Day was moved from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May in
order to ensure a three-day weekend.
Happy Memorial Day to everyone…and thank you to all the troops and families
that sacrifice so much for us.
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FOOD CUPBOARDS
Motto
Feeding Hope One Family at a Time
PITTSFORD FOOD CUPBOARD
May 28th:
Items appreciated: Albacore tuna, whole grain cereals, low salt canned vegetables, low sugar canned
fruits, toiletries for men and women.
Items can be left in office basket throughout the month to be delivered.
ROCHESTER COMMUNITY FOOD CUPBOARD
May 7th: Low sodium canned vegetables
May 14th: Hand soap & bath soap
May 21st: Tuna
Thank you for your continued generosity.
Acts 20:35 ….”it is more blessed to give than to receive.“
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MAY
Sunday
Monday
1
2
PUNS Mother’s
Day luncheon
HH
7:00 pm Scouts
7
Tuesday
8
6:45-7:30 pm
Handbell Choir
rehearsal
9
Communion
Deacon’s Fund
6:00 –9:00 pm
PUNS Open
House
Baptism
6:45-7:30 pm
Handbell Choir
rehearsal
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
3
4
5
PUNS Mother’s
Day luncheon
HH (tables to
be taken down)
PUNS
Mother’s Day
luncheon HH
(tables to be
taken down)
PUNS
Mother’s Day
luncheon
HH
7:00-10:00 pm
Village Squares
7:00-8:00
AA Mtg.
12
13
7:00 pm Board
of Christian
Educ. Mtg.
9:00-3:00 pm
PUNS
Graduation
HH
9:00-3:00 pm
PUNS
Graduation
HH
7:00 pm
Trustee Mtg.
3:00 pm Set
up for
Pancake
Breakfast
8:00-10:00
am
Rise &
Shine
Pancake
Breakfast
14
15
16
17
18
19
9:00 am United
Choir Rehearsal
9:00-3:00 pm
PUNS
Graduation
HH
9:00-3:00 pm
PUNS
Graduation HH
9:00-3:00 pm
PUNS
Graduation HH
No PUNS
7:00 pm
Deacon's Mtg.
6:45-7:30 pm
Handbell Choir
rehearsal
7:00-10:00 pm
Village Squares
7:00-8:00
AA Mtg.
9:00-12:00
PUNS Closes
12:00-2:00 pm
PUNS Staff
Luncheon
and Mtg.
23
24
25
26
9:00-3:00 pm
PUNS June Bugs
9:00-3:00 pm
PUNS June
Bugs
9:00-3:00 pm
PUNS June
Bugs
9:00-3:00 pm
PUNS June
Bugs
7:00-10:00 pm
Village Squares
7:00-8:00
AA Mtg.
7:00 pm Scouts
7:00 pm Stamp
Club
21
22
9:00 am United
Choir Rehearsal
9:00-3:00 pm
PUNS June
Bugs
11:30 am
Children’s
Handbell Choir
7:00 pm
Council Mtg.
7:00 pm Scouts
6:45-7:30 pm
Handbell Choir
rehearsal
7:00-10:00 pm
Village Squares
28
29
30
31
Congregational
Meeting
Memorial Day
Office Closed
9:00-3:00 pm
PUNS June Bugs
9:00-3:00 pm
PUNS June
Bugs
6:45-7:30 pm
Handbell Choir
rehearsal
7:00-10:00
Village Squares
No Sunday
School
6:00 pm
Euchre
Tournament
11
7:00 pm Scouts
11:30 am
Children’s
Handbell Choir
6
10
11:30 am
Children’s
Handbell Choir
Mother’s Day
Saturday
7:00-8:00
AA Mtg.
11:00-1:00
pm Scouts
Spring
Clean up
20
7:00-10:00
pm
Village
Squares
27
DIALOGUE
DEADLINE
PLANNING AHEAD? CHECK OUT OUR CALENDAR ONLINE:
http://www.ucpittsford.org/ucp_inside/calendar.php
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NAMES AND NUMBERS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Office Phone Number:
586-6870
Rev. Dr. Jimmy Reader, Minister
315-9241
Terri DiFiore, Church Secretary
586-6870
Dot Borden, Choir Director
624-2284
Dr. Ashley Danyew, Director of Worship Arts
678-925-6302
Michelle Kwarta, Moderator
203-5205
Anne Passmore Chair, Trustees
586-9819
Richard Ashworth, Chair, Deacons
381-2189
Mike Broker, Chair, Board of Christian Education
MAY BIRTHDAYS
United Church of Pittsford
123 South Main Street
Pittsford, NY 14534
Phone: (585) 586-6870
We’re on the Web!
www.ucpittsford.org
Email us at:
[email protected]
5/2 Dave Nellis
5/8 Sally Stookey
5/10 Wanda Ashworth Duprey
5/10 Cindy Merrifield
5/11 Diane Strauf
5/11 Harry Carley
5/15 Hal Grunert
5/15 Jinny Howard
5/16 Heidi Knickerbocker
5/17 Sara Alfieri
5/18 Ruth Nellis
5/21 Joanne Bergen
5/23 Bonnie Shaffer
5/24 Cory Hyde
5/24 Jon Lazenby
5/27 Evelyn Silco
“Like” us on Facebook at United Church of Pittsford.
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