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VisionA newsletter of the First United Presbyterian Church

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

January 2012

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A Pastoral Note from Jacquelyn PinkowskiHappy New Year! The beginning of each new year gives us the opportunity to stop and reflect on what has happened in the pyear. Then to look ahead at all of the possibilities that the new year brings.

As I look back one of the things that stand out in my memory has been the opportunity to get to know each of you. That has bwonderful experience and I appreciate the way you have all welcomed Ron and me. Its hard to believe that we have been he

over a year. One of the downsides of being an interim pastor is knowing that you will not stay very long at any church.

There is great wisdom in our polity by not allowing the interim pastor to become the next called pastor. There are specific ressibilities that need to be done during the interim period. Often, this causes hard feelings somewhere in the congregation, but inecessary work that needs to be done to have a healthy ministry with your called pastor.

Looking back then leads me to looking toward the future. As much as Ron and I would love to stay in Troy, we knew that wehere for only a short time. I wish I could tell you what that future looks like, both for First United Presbyterian Church and foand me but I cant.

My prayer is that as we move into the new year, that you will renew your commitment to FUPC. What does that mean? Rember the promises that you made when you became members. There were four questions that you were asked. They are:

- Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil and its power in the world?

- Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Lord and Savior, trusting in his grace and love?

- Will you be Christs faithful disciple, obeying his Word and showing his love?

- You have publicly professed your faith. Will you be a faithful member of this congregation, share in its worship and ministhrough your prayers and gifts, your study and service, and so fulfill your calling to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?

By making a recommitment of these vows, you will be preparing yourself individually and corporately as a congregation to wtogether, share in the ministry of this congregation, work through difficulties, despite the desire to leave. Leaving is never ahealthy option. Differences need to be worked through for the body to be able to function in the world and set the example ofwe live together.

Christ calls us to be the body of Christ. We are individually members of it. Please keep this body together, step up when thersomething that needs to be done, recommit to the financial welfare of this congregation and be willing to extend a hand to tho

less fortunate.

If everyone does this I know this congregation will become a congregation that will bring glory and honor to God.

Blessings, Jackie

cripture Readings for January

nuary 1 -aiah 61:10-62:3; Psalm 148; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:22-40

nuary 8 -

enesis 1:1-5; Psalm 29; Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11

nuary 15 -

Samuel 3:1-10; Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20;

hn 1:43-51

January 22 -Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 62:5-12; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31;

Mark 1:14-20

January 29 -

Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 8:1-1Mark 1:21-28

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Financial Update

We need your help!

Each year the Presbytery (with the help of General Assembly and the Synod) set a per capita assessment for eacchurch. The amount of the per capita is different presbytery by presbytery. Albanys per capita is $42.00 per

member. That means that in 2012 FUPC will be assessed $42.00 for each person that is currently on our roles.This year the session is asking each member to contribute an extra $42.00 over and above their annual pledge.

What is per capita?

Per capitafunding is how Presbyterians mutually share the costs of coming together to discern the Spirits lead

ing for the future.

It is how Presbyterians are trained to become better elders and ministers.

It is how Presbyterians discern Gods call in their lives.

It is how Presbyterians participate in the life of the wider church by serving on GA committees and commis-

sions.

It is how Presbyterians participate in the life of the Church universal as we commit ourselves to work and live infellowship with all persons in every nation (Book of Order, G-4.0101)

The Westminster Confession says, all believers, are therefore, under obligation to sustain the ordinances of theChristian religion where they are already established, and to contribute by their prayers, gifts, and personal ef-

forts to the extension of the Kingdom of God throughout the whole earth(6.058).

Per capita is a fundamental way in which all of the nearly 11,000 congregations and governing bodies of the

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are connected and participate in the work of the wider church.

Because it is rooted in the connectional and covenantal nature of the Presbyterian church, as affirmed by the or-dination vows taken by elders and ministers of the Word and Sacrament, per capita could be called the Presbyterian Covenant Community Fund.

Please help us close the widen deficit and contribute $42.00 for each member of your family that is a member.

Thank you! This is an important investment into the future of FUPC, the Presbytery of Albany and all of theministries that this money helps to equip.

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Ministry of Music Newsfrom Maury Castro

I read an article last spring that has made me think a great deal about music in the church. The title is We Are Singing the RigHymns.Arent We?and was written by David Bales and Herb Miller. The first major premise of the article is that most Protant congregations in the U.S. contain five types of worshipers, each of which prefers a different type of hymn. The article goon to outline the types of hymns meaningful to each of these types of worshipers:

Old Gospel Hymnsfavored by those born before 1927Examples include Blessed Assurance, In the Garden, and Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.

Great Classic Hymnsfavored by those born from 19271945Examples include A Mighty Fortress, Holy, Holy, Holy, and The Churchs One Foundation.

1st Generation Contemporary: Modern Praise Songsfavored during the 1960s through 1978.Examples include They Will Know We are Christians By Our Love, Our God Reigns, and Jesus, NameAbove All Names.

2nd Generation Contemporary: Restorational Praise and Worship Songsfavored during 1978 through 1990.Examples include I Love You, Lord, Shine, Jesus Shine, Change My Heart O God, and Sanctuary.

3rd Generation Contemporary: Missional Worship Songsfavored from 1990 to the presentExamples include We Fall Down, Here I Am to Worship, I Can Only Imagine, The Heart of Worship,Open the Eyes of My Heart, I Could Sing of Your Love Forever, and You are My All in All.

As a reader, please take a moment to honestly identify your own personal preference from the above five groups. It is okay tohave a preference (even a strong one!). It is also okay to enjoy more than one group. Also, is there a group for which you do nrecognize any of the song titles?

Next month, well continue to explore this topic as it relates to congregational worship.

Broadway Musical Sing-AlongBack by popular demand, this 3rd annual event (or is it our 4th year?) will feature your favorite Broadway songs, and will in-clude some from the silver screen as well. The event will also feature three young soloists from the studio of Lisa Franklin. TrNight Out, January 27, 6:30 pm, in the Fellowship Hal. Invite a friend to this free event!

Troy Childrens Chorus Dinner Dance!Save Saturday evening, February 11, on your calendar for a rousing 1950s fundraiser for the Childrens Chorus trip to Mainfor a Choral Festival in March. Tickets will include dinner, dancing, and a lot of great fun!

Albany Symphonys Compose Yourself

First United has been selected to host the Albanys Symphonys Compose Yourselfprogram. This is a series of Friday eveningcomposition seminars with world-renowned composer, George Tsontakis. The dates are: Feb. 17, Mar. 16, Apr. 20, and May The workshops will be held from 67:30 pm in the Rose Room. On May 19, there will be a composition recital. While there iordinarily a fee to participate in this program, the fee has been waived for all First United members. This program is not only accomplished musicians! Anyone is encouraged to participate. Reserve your seat by contacting Kate Gigliotti, Education Coo

nator, at 465.4755 or KateG@AlbanySymphony.com

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Faith Education Newsfrom Leslie Kelly

hank you to everyone who purchased gifts for the family that we helped out through Unity House

We are truly blessed to be a blessing.

aith Ed for Children

January children in grades 1 and up will be learning about Jesus Feeding Five Thousand, John 6:1his workshop curriculum focuses on hunger in our world today and how even the smallest gift wut in Gods hands, can make an extraordinary difference in the lives of others. Children will be praring dry soup mixes which will be available for purchase on Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday in Fary.

hildren ages 3- Kindergarten are invited to the Godly Play class to experience stories Jesus told.

anuary 1No classes, children remain in worship

anuary 8, 15, and 22Classes during worship, after the Childrens Message

anuary 29Children remain in worship, Intergenerational Activity after worship

dult Education

mid the flurry of activity that I anticipate the New Year bringing , we will focus on the problem of er in our community and the world at large, as time permits, during the Adult Ed hour. More inform

on will be available during January.

s we begin a New Year my prayer for all of us is that we will Hope with expectation, Love with ouhole heart, Live with abiding joy, and Be at Peace with ourselves and others. New Year Blessingseslie

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Born December 2nd, 2011

Mark David and Ruth Elizabeth Hallett.

Congratulations to Ben and Heather Hallett!

Born November 21st, 2011

Gabrielle Marie Kern Taves Castro

Congratulations to Maury, Kern, Delia, & Chiara

Castro!

FUPC Parking Lot

During business hours, the FUPC parking lot is RE-SERVED for tenants and FUPC staff. On weekends, theis OPEN to all FUPC visitors and members. Evenings aweekends parking is also available in the Gurley parking

AnnouncementsReaffirmation of Baptismal VowsJanuary 8

Sunday, January 8th will be a very special service. Theservice will include the service of reaffirming our baptis-mal vows. Many of us were baptized as infants and so donot remember being baptized. For others, the vows taken

at baptism have lost their meaning or are not remem-bered. Many of us need to be reminded of the gift ofbaptism and the promises that are made.

On Sunday, January 8th we will celebrate the Baptism ofour Lord. This is a perfect time for all of us to be able toreaffirm the vows that were taken for us, or that we tooksome time ago. This is not a rebaptism. As Presbyteri-ans, we believe that we are to be baptized only once. Thereal gift in baptism is the gift Jesus made for each of us.Romans 6:4 gives us a full picture of what our baptism

means. Therefore we were buried together with himthrough baptism into his death, so that just as Christ wasraised from the dead, through the glory of the Father, wetoo can walk in newness of life.

Lets begin the new year by celebrating and rejoicing inthe gift that gives each of us new life, renewed hope andGods great promise. Join us in worship, Sunday,

January 8, 2012.

Presbyterians are CARING PEOPLE

Besides annual receipts from congregations and incomefrom endowments, additional special funds are receivedeach year that make particular ministries possible. Theseinclude funds received through selected giving programsand the Special Gifts Program, through the Hunger Fund,Presbyterian Womens Birthday Offering (spring) andThank Offering (fall) and through four special church-wide offerings: One Great Hour of Sharing, divided

among Presbyterian Disaster Assistance,Self-Development of Peopleand the Presbyterian Hunger Pro-gram; the Christmas Joy Offering, which supports racialethnic schools and assistance programs of the Board ofPensions; the Peacemaking Offeringto support peaceeducation and peacemaking efforts throughout the de-nomination and the Pentecost Offeringto support minis-

tries with youth and young adults and children at risk.

http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/specialofferings/one-great-hour-sharing-offering/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/specialofferings/one-great-hour-sharing-offering/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/pda/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/pda/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/sdop/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/sdop/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/sdop/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/hunger/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/hunger/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/hunger/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/specialofferings/christmas-joy-offering/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/specialofferings/christmas-joy-offering/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/specialofferings/peacemaking-offering/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/specialofferings/peacemaking-offering/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/specialofferings/pentecost-offering/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/specialofferings/pentecost-offering/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/specialofferings/pentecost-offering/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/specialofferings/peacemaking-offering/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/specialofferings/christmas-joy-offering/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/hunger/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/hunger/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/sdop/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/sdop/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/pda/http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/specialofferings/one-great-hour-sharing-offering/

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Happy Birthday to you

ession Noteshandlee Gill - Clerk of Session

he session met on December 19 with the Board of Deacons toare information about the work of the deacons during the pastar. The session expresses great appreciation for the work ofe Board.

her actions are reported with little detail as the notes are duer the newsletter the morning after the session meeting.atch future emails and letters for further information.

cted to elect Bill Jaffarian as treasurer and appointed Danogers as the second signer on the church bank accounts.cted to thank John Buckley, David Lanoue, and Chandlee Gillr their service.

eviewed a proposed 2012 Budget. The session will go backthe committees, task forces, and teams as well as the congre-

tion with the information about losses of income and pro-sed increases in expenditures that have created a deficit. Thession will seek professional assistance in marketing the Car-age House space. (stay tuned)

greed to draw from the general endowment to cover fire re-ir costs that will be incurred before the final insurance settle-ent. It is customary practice for insurance to make initial pay-ents which the church has already received. Final settlementcurs when the project is complete and final bills can be sub-tted for reimbursement. Funds will be returned to the endow-

ent.

cted to call the Annual Meeting of the Congregation for Janu-y 29, 2012. Time to be announced. The nominating commit-e will be presenting additional names for election at the an-al meeting. Therefore, the examination and installation forofficers will occur after the annual meeting.

he Appreciative Inquiry team reported on the recent meetinghich created some themes for the work of the congregation.he session acted to begin the nomination process for a Pastorominating Committee. The session recommends a committeeseven, and asked the nominating committee to presentmes. The session will ask the Committee on Ministry forrmission to elect a PNC. (Stay tuned)

J a n u a r y Bi r t h d a ys1 Hope Zewou

3 Christina Eadie

Elaine Savaria

5 Kate Maguire

Sara & Nicole Scavone

7 Jacquelyn Pinkowski

8 Bonnie Kerr

10 Robin Krumanocker

Lauren Eadie

11 Tracy Husson

13 Rebecca Linzner

21 Debbie Brown

Joani Jameson

22 Joan Rogers

Zeta Padalino

24 Florie Parmelee

25 Rebecca Rector

27 Rachel Schiewe

29 Joseph Warman

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January 2012

Sunday Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Satam Worship

30 NA Group

2 3

3:45 Troy ChildrensChorus

4

6:30 Bible Study

54:30 Worship Com-

mittee

7pm Choir Rehearsal

6 710 amAA Gro

am Chancel Choiram Worship

ildrens Faith Ed

30 NA Group

9 103:45 Troy ChildrensChorus5:30 MLMT

7:15 Faith Ed Meet-ing

11

6:30 Bible Study

12

6pm Music Commit-tee Meeting7pm Choir Rehearsal

13 149:00am Troy drens ChorusCamp

10 amAA Gro

am Chancel Choir

am Worship

ildrens Faith Ed

:30 Adult Ed

:30Deacons Meeting30 NA Group

16 173:45 Troy ChildrensChorus

182:00 Worship atthe Eddy

6:30 Bible Study

19

4:00 Fa-Fin-StewMeeting7pm Choir Rehearsal

20 2110amAA Gro10am Labyrin

am Chancel Choiram Worship

ildrens Faith Ed

:30Adult Ed

30 NA Group

23

6:30 Session

243:45 Troy ChildrensChorus

7pm SustainableLiving

25

6:30 Bible Study

26

7pm Choir Rehearsal

27 2810amAA Gro

am Chancel Choiram Worship

:30 Intergenerational

tivity

30 NA Group

30 31

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VisionNewsletter is published 11 times a year byFirst United Presbyterian Church, Troy, New York

Jacquelyn Pinkowski Interim Pastor

Maury A. Castro Minister of Music

Leslie Kelly Faith Education Director

Carlie DAnnunzio Financial AnalystCarla Fisk Administrative Assistant

Shirley Hinkamp Editor

To Contact Us: you may call 518-272-2771

you may write to us at

1915 Fifth Avenue Troy, New York 12180

or you may email us at info@unitedprestroy.org

For pastoral emergencies call (518) 279-7401 or

(406)794-9360

In this issue:

Notes from Jackie, Maury, and Leslie

Whats happening in the community

And more...

First United Presbyterian Church Officers for 2011,

2012 & 2013

The Session

Moderator - The Reverend Jacquelyn Pinkowski

Class of 2011: Sue Steele, Courtney Savaria, Karen HarpeClass of 2012: Pat Carlson, Peg Drew, Chandlee Gill

Class of 2013: David Lanoue, Dan Rogers, Trudi Wybourn

The Board of Deacons

Class of 2011: Martha Juenger, Don Lutz,

Marsha Mintz-Botsford, Pat Rudebush

Class of 2012: Bob Harrington, Bonnie Kerr, Courtney Savaria,

Claudia Schwendeman

Class of 2013: Shirley Bowes, Steven Paul Bowes II, Dana

Crobok, Shirley Street

Open Minds, Open Hearts, Open Doors:

First United Presbyterian Church

1915 Fifth Avenue

Troy, New York 12180

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Where People with Differences Unite in Christ