Issue 183 October 2011

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A FRIENDS’S FAREWELL

What’s left is ashes where fire once was,

Lingering embers

slowly dying;

Light that once was all transfixing

Gone to some

still-active hearth

That may provide yet one more source

For dancing shadows

on the walls—

Before the blinds are drawn,

The shutters closed

And all are bid ‘good night.’

George A. Tychsen

1922-2011

The Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC) enthusiastically took their nomination for our next Associate Minister for Congregation Life to Session on September 20th. Erin Keys was accepted by Session and will be giving her candidacy sermon at FPCG in October 16 before the Congregational Meeting. Erin has been the interim associate minister for education and discipleship at the Brick Church Presbyterian in New York City. In addition to her regular pastoral duties, she has been responsible for education programs for adults, youth and children. A native of Asheville, North Carolina, she studied Religion and Theology at Elon University and received her Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. Keep your eyes out for more information and be sure to attend the 10am or 5pm service on October 16 to hear the Reverend Keys speak. Members should plan to attend the congregational meeting following the 10am service to call the Reverend Erin M. Keys to her ministry at FPCG.

Meet the Reverend Erin Keys

Erin, pictured above, with her college sweetheart and now husband John Penniman.

CALL TO A CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

The congregation of the First Presbyterian Church, Greenwich, Connecticut, is called to a congrega-tional meeting on Sunday, October 16, 2011 at 11:00 a.m., following worship. The purpose of the meeting is to hear and act on the report of the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee regarding the candidate for the position of Associate Pastor for Congregational Life.

-Annette Goard, Clerk of Session

Impressions from the APNC: “Joy and enthusiasm are two qualities that immedi-ately come to mind when I think of Erin. Her drive, her ability to connect with people of all ages and her genuine personal warmth are attributes which will form the basis of her connection to our congre-gation and will serve to sustain and nourish those connections over time. Underlying all of this is her deep faith and her desire to be a part of our individ-ual and collective faith journeys.” “I listened to Erin preach at Brick - she had a won-derful message, a forceful delivery and succeeded in connecting with her parishioners. After the ser-vice, she abounded in warmth and compassion with those she greeted at the door - she will be such an asset to FPC!”

“Erin's maturity belies her age. We made it very clear to her how demanding this job would be - she overwhelmed us with her poise, preparedness, con-fidence and eagerness to accept the challenge. She comes with unanimous praise from the staff and congregants of Brick Presbyterian in NYC. “ “Her warm, friendly, peaceful disposition makes Erin approachable, a quality that is valued by eve-ryone in the congregation, young and old. Some-how you know Erin will be a good listener, a thoughtful advisor, walking beside you on your journey of faith. As she stands in front of the con-gregation with Bill, Josh and Judy, we believe that Erin complements our church leadership staff.”

FIRST PRESS

PUBLISHED BY FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF GREENWICH CONNECTICUT

First Presbyterian Church One West Putnam Avenue

Greenwich, CT 06830 Tel: (203) 869-8686 Fax: (203) 869-1745

www.fpcg.org

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Farewell to Our Favorite Priest When they tell you that every time God closes a door he opens a window, one so rarely laments the closing of that door as we will lament having to say goodbye to the Reverend Joan W. Priest. Waxing personal for a moment, as one of the many appreciative people who have had the blessed opportunity to work beside Joan, I cannot adequately express the contributions she has made to not only to our church through Mission, Stephen Ministry, Deacons, pastoral care and as an invaluable member of our staff, but also to my fledgling ministry as Director of Youth. Both her office door and front door in New Canaan have never been closed, and with the expectations and responsibilities I inherited with my position, I was thankful to be able to walk through them on several occasions. In trying to fill a void left, in part, by two ministers, her soothing and friendly presence has managed to encourage and revitalize our staff since her first day in the church offices. Without diminishing the spectacular job I am sure our newest team member will do, I say with a some amount of sadness that we will all dearly miss Joan, who has been as much of a minister to our church family as we could have ever hoped for, even in her interim status. She has put in the long hours, stayed the late nights, attended the plentiful meetings, made the tough visitations and done as well as any, past or present, to put the needs of this church and its congregation first. It is perhaps for this reason many will be surprised to learn that Joan has been “just an interim,” something she never seemed to fully embody herself based on her hard work and dedication. She leaves behind a position difficult to adequately fill, but more than that, she leaves behind her the admiration and adoration of her congregation, colleagues and me, someone whose definition of service has been expanded to include not only “doing lovingly for others,” but doing so with a genuine interest in them. She was not only Christ-like in her ‘service’ to others, but more accurately, Christ-like in her ‘friendship’ with others. Thank you Joan, for being a friend, to all of us. May the Lord bless you in your continued ministry to those lucky enough to call you their friend. -Josh Thomsen

BONFIRE PHOTOS:

Despite the less than ideal weather, this year’s bonfire yielded some great photos and fun. Thanks to all who participated! Photo credit: Lee Ganshaw

Little people fire...

...big people fire.

Bennett Pandolfino demonstrates his dunking technique

Jackson Walker and Coleman Pandolfino nearly manage to show

their cookies before eating them

Elliana Walker

sugar coats her adorable

face

Piper and Brittany Loveless pose for

the camera

Cocktail Party The Fellowship Committee will be hosting the first Twenties ‘n’ Thirties event with a kick-off party on Saturday, October 22 at 6:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. Come enjoy some light fare, drinks, music and dancing with fellow members. Childcare will be provided. Please RSVP by Saturday, October 8 to Hellen Kim (hellen.p.kim@gmail.com or 914-777-1294).

If you would like more information about TnT or are interested in helping organize future TnT events, please contact Hellen Kim at hellen.p.kim@gmail.com or 914-777-1294   

TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY: Be there at 11:00 a.m. Tuesdays in the Session Room for our ten-session series on the Gospel of John, led by the Reverend Susan DeGeorge, that explores the book in the context of the political environment and culture of the time. New members are always welcome.

Armchair Theologians: Aquinas Join our monthly book group as they review the book series Armchair Theologians Monday, November 7 at 7:30pm as they discuss Luther. Purchase books for $10 from the church office or at Fellowship Hour.

SUNDAY ACADEMY, OCTOBER 30: 400th ANNIVERSARY OF THE KING JAMES BIBLE

Please join us for FPCG Academy on October 30 at 11:15 in the Chapel immediately following the worship service. Iain R. Torrance, President of Princeton Theological Seminary, will speak to us about the formation and publication of the English Bible authorized by King James I in 1611. Prior to his service at Princeton, Dr. Torrance, an expert on the English Bible, was Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Divinity at Aberdeen University, Scotland, and is still a chaplain to Her Majesty the Queen. You will be able to greet Dr. Torrance after the class at lunch in Fellowship Hall. Please reserve your spot by contacting Carolyn Hahn-Re at 203-869-8686, x110; or carolyn.hahnre@fpcg.org.

PANCAKE PORTRAITS: Photos from our annual pancake breakfast, where the youth prepare and serve pancakes to our Sunday school classes. From left to right, Jack Mather, Josh Thomsen, batter up with Grace Kennedy and Ali & Emma Duryea; Chris Peisch, Gray Johnson and Cam Biondi lay sausages out for the oven. And Melissa Eng assists in the final stages of breakfast prep in a Sunday school class.

A Mission Opportunity: Reading Champions 

Looking for a volunteer opportunity which requires only one hour a week and is a richly rewarding experience? The Mission Committee highly recommends READING CHAMPIONS, a program conceived by retired teacher and GHS guidance counselor Joan Lowe and implemented by Greenwich Public School reading specialists. Volunteers, guided by school staff, meet with an elementary school student during school hours on a one-to-one basis for one-hour per week to work on specific reading needs, foster a love of reading and develop a caring relationship with that child. This highly successful program had 101 volunteers working with 367 youngsters last year, and additional tutors are needed this year at Cos Cob, Hamilton Avenue, Julian Curtiss and North Street schools, as well as at the after-school program at the Boys’ and Girls’ Club. There is a two hour training session on October 18—the program begins the following week. Call or email Joan Lowe at (203) 344-1028 or joanlowe18@gmail.com. This is an opportunity to make a real difference in a child’s life, and the volunteers who participate love the experience.

SAVE THE DATE Carols by Candlelight

Saturday, December 10, 2011 7:00 p.m.

Due to the perennial popularity of this service, we are employing a ticket system this year. Members should plan to purchase tickets at a discounted rate from Wednesday, October 19 through Sunday, November 13. Beginning Monday, November 14, tickets will be available for members and our community-at-large for the full price. Check your weekly church bulletin for ticket pricing and further details.

WINTER SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED (Come now, it isn’t all THAT scary, is it?)

Winter term: December 4 through March 4

Substitutes always available Younger classes have 2 teachers

Curriculum is easy to prepare and use

To sign up, please speak to Josh (203-869-8686x119/joshua.thomsen@fpcg.org)

or Lee Ganshaw (Ganshaw@optonline.net)

FPCG 

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