first congregational church of greene, new york united ...4h all season ad-venturers 4:30 p.m. quilt...

First Congregational Church of Greene, New YorkUnited Church of Christ – Founded 1811

The CongregationThe Congregation is published monthly, except July and August, which are combined.

Volume LXXI November 2018 Number 61

Spirituality: The center of our Integrity: With honesty andDaily life is to continuously respect we support everyone’simprove our relationship with freedom to develop theirChrist and all God’s Creation. relationship with God.Compassion: Actions that Belonging: In sharing andwelcome and accept all people celebrating life, we supportand help them experience the our commitment to all othersgood feeling of God’s to nurture a family relationshipunconditional love. of belonging.

Harvesting the Past —Sowing the Future —Growing with God

The Congregation is published monthly, except for July and August, which are combined.OFFICE TELEPHONE: 607-656-4923 E-mail address: [email protected] Pastor’s Study: 607-656-7449

Website Address: http://www.uccgreene.org

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/uccgreeneAdult Sunday School 9:30 a.m. with Worship at 10:15 a.m. every Sunday

Church Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UCC28 N. CHENANGO STREETGREENE, NY 13778

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Pastor: Rev. Curtis WhitmanModerator: Stephen BentleyBoard of Deacons: Donna PossematoBoard of Property: George MarrBoard of Christian Ed.: Melissa NeudelMissions: Donna MoorheadChoir Director: Ken JonesOrganist: Margaret BuhlOffice Assistant/ Newsletter Coordinator: Linda TeterCustodian: Dave Anderson

Historical Society Quilt Show, November 3rd, 10-3

Budget informational meeting and luncheon November 4th after worship

Veterans Day Service, November 11th at 3:00 p.m.

Pumpkin Pie Sunday, November 18th

December Newsletter Deadline, Monday, November 19th

Address:

28 N. Chenango StreetGreene, NY 13778

Phone: 607-656-4923

Pastor’s Office: 607-656-7449

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.uccgreene.org

First Congregational Church, UCC

NOVEMBER 2018Harvesting the Past — Sowing the Future — Growing with God

S u n M o n T u e W e d T h u F r i S a t

1Prayer Team 10:00a.m.

Triangle Quilt Guild5:30-9

Choir 7:00 p.m.

2Exercise Class 9:00a.m.

4H All Season Ad-venturers 4:30 p.m.

Quilt Show set up6:00 p.m.

3Historical SocietyQuilt Show10:00-3:00

4 Daylight Saving Time ends

Adult Sunday School 9:30a.m.Worship 10:15 a.m.Communion/AllSaints DayFamilies in Need CollectionBudget informationmeeting after worship


Bible Study 12:00p.m.

6Piano Lesson 3:00p.m.

Confirmation Class5:00 p.m.

Zumba 6:00 p.m.

Property Board 6:30

7WIC 8:30-4:30

Choir 7:00 p.m.


ABC Support Group10:00 a.m.


10Train Club 9:00 a.m.

11 Veterans Day

Adult Sunday School 9:30a.m.Worship 10:15 a.m.with Sunday schoolVeteran’s DayService 3:00 p.m.



Deacons 6:30 p.m.



Zumba 6:00 p.m.


Choir 7:00 p.m.


GCNS board meeting7:00 p.m.


4H All Season Ad-venturers 4:30 p.m.

17

18Sunday School 9:30 a.m.Adult Sunday School 9:30a.m.Worship 10:15 a.m.Pumpkin Pie Sunday



NEWSLETTERDEADLINE



Zumba 6:00 p.m.


Choir 7:00 p.m.

22Thanksgiving Day


24

25Worship 10:15a.m.No Sunday schoolFood Pantry Collection





Zumba 6:00 p.m.


Choir 7:00 p.m.



MINISTER’S MUSINGS

It is that time of the year where people goout of their way to prepare for Halloween. We wantour children, grandchildren, youth and yes,sometimes even ourselves, to have a greatexperience in the days leading up to Halloween andon Halloween night itself. So, we put a lot of timeinto decorating our homes: skeletons, carvedpumpkins (which can sometimes have hideouscutouts to frighten people), witches, black cats,mummies, zombies, creatures of the night, spidersand spider webs, gravesite markings are but a few ofthe decorations inside and outside of homes.

Then there are the costumes, in my daymany times a bed sheet with eye holes cut in it wasa ghostly costume for many of us. Not so for today,super heroes, famous people, homemade costumes,dinosaurs, zombies, people with arms, legs or headscut off, every now and then a princess or prince. Butit's not just the costumes, make-up must be appliedto get the effect of blood from a severed limb, or anaxe buried in one’s head, eye make-up to simulate avery ghoulish appearance, or make-up that makesone appear to have come from the depths of hellitself.

All of this leads to candy, tons and tons of it.Candy of all types and treats of homemade sugarygoodies. Hard candy, chocolate bars, bubble gum,sour candies, apples, popcorn balls, and other thingsthat just make your mouth water. This is the payofffor weeks of planning and preparing and devising astrategy for which houses to visit first and last andthe right time and moment to arrive at those homes.So, Halloween is not just a simple night to hand outtreats to neighborhood children and have fun. It hasbecome a commercialized extravagant night ofplanning and getting the right kind of sugary loot asyou go from house to house.

So, all of this has me thinking about howwell planned our spiritual lives with God and JesusChrist are. Do we take the time to decorate ourhomes to show our love and devotion to JesusChrist? What are the clothes of a person whofollows the way of Jesus Christ? And what is thepayoff for years and years of planning and preparingand having a strategy of faith, love, dedication and

helping others to commit their lives to Christ andGod’s church?

The home that we decorate in the Christianlife is not a physical home to live in, but our souls,the spiritual place where Jesus Christ transforms usmoment by moment and day by day all of our lives.The apostle Paul writes, “Seek the things that areabove; set your minds on things that are above;walk by the Spirit.” Jesus said, “Love God with allyour heart soul, mind and strength, and love yourneighbor as you love yourself.” These are the thingsthat decorate our souls on our journey of faith.

The clothes that we wear are spiritualclothes that reflect that we have been called andchosen by God to be followers of Christ. Pau writesthat we are to “clothe ourselves with compassion,kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Bearwith one another, forgive one another, and above allclothe yourself with love, which binds everythingtogether.” These are the spiritual clothes that wewear every day of our lives as followers of Christ.The clothes we wear bear witness to our faith anddevotion to Christ.

And the payoff for all our years offaithfulness are the fruits of the Spirit – love, joy,peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control. Paul writes, “If we liveby the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.” Ofcourse, the biggest payoff for living the Christianlife is eternal life in God’s kingdom. I pray that wewill always put as much thought, energy, andplanning into our Christian walk as we do in theother events in our life. God and Jesus Christ willreward us for a life of love and faithfulness.

Blessings and Peace,Pastor Curtis

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

2 Ana Acunto3 Don Simmonds

Matthew DeJagerLeif Sayles

4 Wayne Basa5 Janie Fitzgerald11 Paula Basa

Paula BarnumPatty IzardCaden Izard

18 Martha Burrows25 Wayne Hartley

Cheryl Plahanski26 Greg Smiley29 Nancy Sloan

NOVEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

3 John & Phyllis Auwarter

(Any additions or changes, please contact the churchoffice at 656-4923)

FOOD PANTRY

A collection is held the last Sunday of every monthfor the Food Pantry. Boxes are provided in theNarthex and the Social Hall. Please help supportthose less fortunate. Boxes are always available ifyou forget to bring in your items on the last Sunday.

CLOTHING BANK

If you have clothes you no longer need or no longerfit, there is a Clothing Bank in the village. It islocated above the village office. Hours are 10:00a.m. to Noon every Tuesday, Thursday andSaturday. Items are free and they will acceptgently used clothing, shoes, boots, coats, etc.

FAMILIES IN NEED

On the first Sunday of every month theMission Committee collects 5 items for families inneed; Toothpaste 6 oz., Bath Soap 4 oz., Shampoo15 oz., Dish Soap 16 oz., and individually wrappedbathroom tissue. Boxes are provided in the SocialHall and Narthex.Thanks for your help in supporting this project.

UCC Coffee Hour 2018

If your name is listed first, please call the others tocoordinate for the day you are scheduled. If youcan't attend please contact the others on your team.If have any questions please feel free to contactDonna Possemato, coffee hour coordinator at656-7964, [email protected] for all your help!Nov. 4: Melissa Neudel

11: Peg & George Marr, Deb & Jordon Lilley18: Pumpkin Pie Sunday25: Barton’s

If there is a 5th Sunday in a month, the church willhave a pot luck luncheon after worship. UpcomingThankful Sundays will be September 30th, December30th

Just a reminder…

If you change your address please call the churchoffice at 656-4923. We need to keep our recordsup to date for mailings and the church directory.

THANKS!(Please also call the church if you change your e-mail address or phone number.)

Prayer Team

We are looking for individuals who would like tojoin Pastor Curtis on Thursday mornings at 10:00a.m. for a time of prayer. Prayers will be lifted upfor those who are mentioned on Sunday morningsduring our “Sharing of Joys and Concerns”. Inaddition we will be lifting up prayers for those listedfrom week to week in our “Remember in ourPrayers” section of the bulletin. Come and be apart of this prayer team as we lift our concerns toGod and join our spirits in prayer. There will be noPrayer Team on November 22nd.

COMMITTEES AND CHAIRS

Church Family Council - Steve Bentley, 656-8434Property Board - George Marr, Chair, 656-9452Deacons - Donna Possemato, Chair, 656-7964Board of Education - Melissa Neudel, 656-7009Mission Comm. - Donna Moorhead, 656-8325Women’s Fellowship - Nancy Root, 656-8990Head Usher - Russ Haberl, 656-9092Altar Flowers - Nancy Sloan, 656-8473Prayer Chain - Sharon Fowler, 656-9647

USHERS FOR 2018/2019

November 2018: Phil & Sharon BartonDecember 2018: Tom & Faith NealJanuary: David & Marlene Sherwood, Alta MartinFebruary: Jim & Cindy GagnonMarch: Peg & George MarrApril: Deb LilleyMay: Ron & Jean CompeauJune: Tom & Faith NealJuly: George & Kathy EsteyAugust: Bob & Nancy RootSeptember: Bill & Jenn FowlerOctober: Mike & Jeannie OrzellNovember: Phil & Sharon BartonDecember: Phil Whitman

SCRIPTURE READERS

November 4: Donna PossematoNovember 11: Theresa Schultheis

November 18: OPENNovember 25: OPEN

There is a signup sheet on the round table in thesocial hall .

Thank you to everyone who has signed up!

SUNDAY COLLECTION COUNTERS

November 4: Nancy Root & Carol DeJagerNovember 11: Carol DeJager & Ruth BennettNovember 18: Ruth Bennett & George MarrNovember 25: George Marr & Tom NealIf you are unable to count for the week you arescheduled, please find someone to take your placeand notify the church office with the new name.

DEACONS

Summer is gone, fall is here. There’s a lothappening at First Congregational Church.

We welcome Margaret Buhl as our full-timeorganist. She is very talented and we’re happy thatshe’s decided to remain with us in our church.

We hope that you are taking advantage of the adultand children Sunday school classes. What a greatway to learn more about your Faith. The adult classis an informal “read and learn” through questionsrelated to scripture reading. Pastor Curtis helps useach understand the scripture through our owninterpretation.

Some of the upcoming events include:

October 28th – Will be a Healing Service – moreinformation to follow.

October 31st – Once again Pastor Curtis and Donnawill be handing out Halloween candy in front of thechurch. This year they may be joined by one of ourDeacons. Rumor has it that costumes are arequirement.

November 4th is All Saints Day – We rememberand honor those members who passed away duringthe past year.

November 11th is Veteran’s Day - Our morningservice will pause at 11:00am for “The Bells ofPeace”. Be sure to read about this elsewhere in thenewsletter.

Our 3:00pm Veteran’s service is open to thecommunity and to all veterans. If you’ve neverattended this service please do, it’s a very emotionalexperience for all.

November 18th is Pumpkin Pie Sunday – TheDeacons have placed a signup sheet in the socialhall for anyone to volunteer to bring in a pie! Wethank you for your assistance.

We need all hands on deck to decorate the churchfor Christmas. No date has been set yet

Remember, we are always looking for volunteers tohelp make our church successful. Many hands makelight work. It’s not too early to start thinking ofsitting on a board, being an usher, teaching Sundayschool, sharing your musical talents, baking a pie,helping on church workday(s) etc.

We do however; thank everyone that is alreadyvolunteering their time to our church.

- Sharon Barton

BIBLE STUDY LUNCH

On Mondays at Noon, the members of our churchand friends are invited to join with pastor Curtis aswe study the Bible. You are asked to bring a bibleand a lunch to eat as we study the lectionaryreadings for the next Sunday service. Come with aspirit open to hearing and exploring God’s word aswe meet for study and fellowship.

CHURCH FAMILY COUNCILMEETING DATES

Council meeting dates are at 6:00 PM:12/6/182/28/19

Budget Informational meeting: November 4, 2018after worship.

Annual Meeting: January 20, 2019 after worshipservice.

DECEMBER NEWSLETTERDEADLINE:

Monday, November 19th.Please e-mail your article to [email protected]

Sympathy is extended to the family of

Joan Smith who died on

October 10, 2018.

Joan joined the church in 1960.

TREASURER NOTES

September 2018

Church giving, Building rents, & Fund raiser:$10,950.60

Expenses:$10,831.50

LOOK: Church giving, church facility rents, andApple Fest fund raiser helped us to fully pay ourexpenses with a little left to pay Year to Dateexpenses. It can be done. Let’s try to do the samefor November and December.

Please consider electronic giving. Setting up yourgiving is simple, please ask a Board of Financemember.

Submitted by Loretta Meister

Alaska CruisePrincess Cruise linesNumber: 1-(800)-774-6237Cruise tour DB3- on the Royal PrincessBooking number: HDGRCV

*Must mention 1st Congregational Church inGreene when booking!!!

Dates of Cruise:May 29, 2019 – June 8, 2019

Tour Details:- 1 night in Fairbanks, Alaska with a riverboat

tour- 2 nights in Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge

o Includes natural history tour- 7-night cruise with scenic cruising at Hubbard

Glacier and Glacier Bay National Parko Stops at Skagway, Juneau, and

Ketchikan- Cruise disembarks in Vancouver Canada- * Airfare and gratuities not included

o Can be booked through PrincessCruise lines after July 18, 2018

o Tell travel representative you areflying out of Syracuse

- Cruise is South bound for best viewo Ask for port side

- You will need a passport- Dining

o 6 pm, 8:15 pm or anytime

* Whitman’s are eating at 8:15

If you have booked already please contact PamWhitman at 875-4034 or see her after church to let herknow.

The Annual Report Deadline will be

Wednesday, January 2nd.

Don’t forget…Daylight Savings Time ends onSunday, November 4th. Set your clocks back anhour.

Lunch & Learning @First Congregational Church

When: November 4th, 2018 immediately followingservices

Presented by: Church Family Council with your help.What: 2019 Budget informational meeting.

Why: The Board of Finance and the Church FamilyCouncil need to learn from the congregation. We need

to understand your concerns, goals, and futureobjectives to develop the 2019 church operating

budget. This information is critical to allow the Boardof Finance to develop a proposal that is in alignment

with the congregations needs. As a thank you for yourtime and commitment we are offering to serve you a

delicious lunch.Please make plans to attend.

Sincerely,the Church Family Council and Board of Finance.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTADecember 8th, 8:00-10:00 a.m.

The Breakfast with Santa will be on Saturday,December 8, 2018 The church thanks Karen Bryantfor organizing this event. Sign-up sheets fordonations and workers are on the round table in thesocial hall. Thanks in advance for your help andmaking this an important part of the Christmasseason in Greene! If you have any questions pleasecontact Karen at 656-4390.

VETERANS DAY SERVICE

The First Congregational Church and the GreeneAmerican Legion Post 692 invite you to a VeteransDay concert and celebration on Sunday, November11th at 3:00 p.m. at the First CongregationalChurch. All veterans and their families are invitedto be a part of this service. Please join us as wehonor our veterans from all generations.

Sympathy is extended to the family of

Dorotha Church-Smith who died on

October 22, 2018.

Dorotha joined the church in 1964.

UPDATE YOUR DIRECTORY

Gary & Sharon Winston have moved in with theirdaughter until their home is ready. The address is:1126 Bateman Dr.Phoenixville, Pa 19460

Gary and Sharon’s new home address will be:5 Sandpiper Dr.Bechtelsville, Pa. 19505

Would you like to place a poinsettia inthe Sanctuary for Christmas services

2018?

If so, please complete the form below and returnto Kathy Estey or Nancy Sloan at the church bySunday, December 2nd.

-----------------------------------------------------

I would like to place a poinsettia in the Sanctuaryon Christmas Eve.

In memory of (deceased)__________________________________________

In honor of(living)____________________________________

Given by__________________________________

Please check one:

_____ I will purchase and bring to the church

_____ I would like the church to order (please completebelow and make checks payable to the First CongregationalChurch)

Please indicate which size and quantity andplease circle color (bows are not included thisyear):

4” Poinsettia $6.00/ea ___________Quantityred pink white

6” Poinsettia $10.00/ea ___________Quantityred pink white

8" Poinsettia $23.00/ea ___________Quantityred pink white

10" Poinsettia $30.00/ea ___________Quantityred pink white

PROPERTY BOARD

The following projects were completed for the fallworkday: Bill Fowler assembled a crew to perform

concrete repair on the front steps, kitchen steps,

and Pastor's Office steps.

Shelves were installed in the mechanical room.

Trash and debris from the mechanical room was

removed and taken to the landfill.

Branches were trimmed along the exit driveway

and the east edge of the parking lot.

Door sills were cleaned.

Sanctuary light bulbs were replaced and globes

were cleaned.

Key box was installed in the church office.

PASTOR APPRECIATION DAYTHANK YOU

I was very surprised and caught off guard whenDonna Possemato called Pam and myself to thepulpit on Sunday, October 28th. She then presentedus with the gift of a window with the beautifulwords of the song "Ten Thousand Angels", a coffeecup for the pastor's wife and numerous cards ofappreciation. Thank you all for this special day, thegifts, and your very kind and thoughtful words andcards. It is an honor to be your pastor here at FirstCongregational Church. I love all the members ofour congregation and I am inspired by the ministryGod enables us to do in our community of Greene.I look forward to the ministry God calls us to andthe ministries God challenges us to be doing in thefuture. Thank you again for this special day.

Pastor Curtis

UPCOMING WAYS TO PARTICIPATEIN MISSION WORK

As the holidays approach, you have several ways tohelp others here and around the world.

On Sunday, November 18th, we will collect

your Family Thank Boxes. Your thank you

gifts will be used by your mission committee

to help those in need.

In December we will adopt 20 children from

the Rotary Christmas Basket program.

o On December 2nd, you have the

opportunity to choose a child and

purchase an item they are requesting.

o After 2 weeks to shop for your child,

please bring your gift wrapped with

the angel attached along with a blank

gift tag.

We hope you are as excited as the MissionCommittee to be able to help our local children havea special Christmas because of our gifts!

Another way we support others is through ourOCWM (Our Church’s Wider Mission) giving thatis included in our church budget. The MissionCommittee is suggesting our giving for 2019 remainthe same as 2018, $8,600. These funds support theNew York Conference and the national UCC work– the office personnel and the mission of the church.

Thank you for being a mission church. Your caringfor others blesses both the receiver and the giver!

LIBRARY NEWS

Book Sunday will be November 4, the day after theGreene Historical Society hosts another quilt showin our church sanctuary, enhanced by a teapresented by our church ladies headed by NancyRoot. So, in celebration of quilts and quilters, thismonth will feature our quilt books by authorJennifer Chiaverini, as well as other titles with aquilting theme. And, as the holidays are fastapproaching, it’s time to think about reading some

cozy and inspiring Thanksgiving and Christmasbooks, so look for those as well.

Speaking of Christmas, if you like short, inspiringstories with a spiritual theme, then you’ll want toread Christmas Miracles, a lovely collection ofChristmas stories by Jamie Miller, Laura Lewis, andJennifer Basye Sander. Donated by Sharon Fowler,this book shares true accounts of Christmasmiracles—inspiring events that happened to realpeople at Christmastime. Thank you, Sharon, forthis delightful addition to our library.

“This book offers an open door to a world wheremiracles can and do happen every day, to even themost world-weary souls. Kick back your feet, throwa log on the fire, and prepare to be filled to the brimwith stories of God’s magic.” —Laurie Beth Jones,author of The Path and Jesus

Close to home, a member of our church family, PhilGagnon, has a brother who has just written aninspiring book titled Lifestyle Management: AnEver-Changing and Evolving Process. JeremiahGagnon’s book seeks to make us aware of the toolsbuilt into each of us—the components we need tolive a healthy, more productive, and enjoyable life.Jeremiah states: “This book will take you on a self-exploratory journey the likes of which you havenever experienced before. You will begin to learnmore about yourself than you ever cared to. Youwill want to share this information of self-exploration with everyone you care about.”

Thank you, Phil, for the generous donation of yourbrother’s book to our church library.

Happy reading, everyone!Peg Marr, Librarian

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

This year we decided to move Sunday School back to itsoriginal time before church. After a meeting yesterdaywith our Parents, Youth, Christian Education membersand Pastor Curtis it has been decided that SundaySchool will move back to its previous schedule duringchurch service with a few changes. This will be our newschedule.

Church Service will remain at 10:15 a.m., children willbe dismissed for their half hour Sunday School lessonafter the Children's Sermon or when released during aservice without one. Adult Sunday School will continueas scheduled at 9:30 a.m.

There will be no Sunday School on communion Sundaysso that the children and teachers can participate in thatservice.

We have had difficulty with everyone's busy schedulegetting children together for play rehearsals so it wasagreed that for the first three Sunday's in December allchildren would be at Sunday School at 9:30 to give usextra time to prepare for our Holiday Play. After lookingat the calendar here is our detailed schedule with onechange.

November 4th- No Sunday School Communion Sunday.

November 11th- Sunday School During Church Service.

November 18th- Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. for PlayRehearsal.

November 25th- No Sunday School Thanksgiving break.

December 2nd- Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. PlayRehearsal. (Children will not be attending Communionthis Sunday due to preparation for the play)

December 9th-Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. PlayRehearsal.

December 16th- Children's Sunday please arrive at 9a.m. to rehearse and prepare for Children SundayService.

I will update the changes to the Sunday School Calendarand get those out for the rest of the year.

We hope that these changes can accommodateeveryone's needs and make things progress moresmoothly.

Sincerely,

Melissa Neudel

Director of Christian Education

November 2018: Losing My VoiceBY MICHELLE MCKAY ON OCTOBER 16, 2018

Before moving to a Haiti, I studied a petit (little) bit ofKreyol before I arrived in country, enough to think I wasready to chat with the Nationals here. Umm… non. Bythe time it takes for me to put together a sentence, themoment has already passed.

Before moving to a Haiti, I studied a petit (little) bit ofKreyol before I arrived in country, enough to think I wasready to chat with the Nationals here. Umm… non. Bythe time it takes for me to put together a sentence, themoment has already passed.

I have been silenced, unable to contribute to theconversations around me. Getting a bank account andvisiting the doctor have become faith exercises in thegoodness and integrity of strangers. One enduringquality of Haitians is their generosity of patience andkindness. Not one person has shown any hint offrustration with me attempting to speak Kreyol.

In a typical Haitian classroom, students sit as close toeach other as possible, kids chat, teachers loudlyinstruct, there are no overhead lights, and chalkboardsstill show the previous lesson, unable to be completelyerased.

Placing me in the front of a classroom of 26 to 71teenagers to compete with the hundreds of voicesswirling around the room, I can’t out-shout anyone! I’mamazed how the students can see and hear, let alonecomprehend, in this setting, but it shows me their grit tobe successful. The Haitian culture of overcomingobstacles is inspiring, especially at such a young age.

I may have felt like I lost my voice, but God definitelyhas not! God speaks to me through the gentleness andhospitality of CONASPEH, through the students’ joyand smiles. Through God’s grace, the Holy Spiritis always with me, giving me back the voice I thought Ilost.

Bondye do ou, fe’ pa ou, M a fe’ pa M. God says, doyour part and I’ll do mine. (Haitian proverb)

Michelle McKay serves with the National SpiritualCouncil of Churches of Haiti (CONASPEH). Herappointment is made possible by your gifts to DisciplesMission Fund, Our Church’s Wider Mission, WOC,OGHS, and your special gifts.

On September 27 the Mission Committeehad recently returned to the United States after serving as a missionary teacher in Losotho, a smalllandlocked country surrounded by South Africa. A mountainous country, Losotho has the highest andlowest point in any country in the world. The government is parliamentaryfriendly, welcoming people, who are 80% Christian. Marpresentation on this unique country in Africa.

Worship service on October 7 was conducted by the deacons, as Pastor Curtis and Pam were on vacation.

Following the service during social houcountry of Georgia in eastern Europe

Historically Speaking

ommittee hosted a dinner program with guest speaker Mark Behle, whohad recently returned to the United States after serving as a missionary teacher in Losotho, a smalllandlocked country surrounded by South Africa. A mountainous country, Losotho has the highest andlowest point in any country in the world. The government is parliamentary. The population is Basotho, afriendly, welcoming people, who are 80% Christian. Mark gave an informative and enlighteningpresentation on this unique country in Africa.


Following the service during social hour, George Marr gave a PowerPoint presentation on his trip to thein eastern Europe, the birthplace of his father. George and his brother spent 10 days in

hosted a dinner program with guest speaker Mark Behle, whohad recently returned to the United States after serving as a missionary teacher in Losotho, a smalllandlocked country surrounded by South Africa. A mountainous country, Losotho has the highest and

. The population is Basotho, ak gave an informative and enlightening


r, George Marr gave a PowerPoint presentation on his trip to the, the birthplace of his father. George and his brother spent 10 days in

this small country, which is geographically about half the size of the state of Geo5 million. The brothers’ time was split between the cities of Tblisi (the capital), and Batumi, a resort cityon the Black Sea. Formerly part of the USSR, Georgia became an independent country in 1991 when theSoviet Union dissolved.

George remarked that the people are very friendly, and very religious. People attend church every dayThe country is mountainous. One day he and his brother took a trip into the mountains and visited aresort, where they met the Charge d’Affairs forcompany in Orzugeti, his father’s birthplace,grandfather had been a tea merchantunfortunately, all records from that time had been destroyed or lost.about the country and his visit with anyone who is interested.

On October 20, we said goodbye to Joan Smith with a lovely serviceincluded a musical tribute by her beloved pupil, Jamie Koerts. Joan’s favorite hymn, “Hymn of Promise,”was performed by Amy Root on flute,Buhl on piano. Rest in peace, dear friend.

geographically about half the size of the state of Georgia, with a population of5 million. The brothers’ time was split between the cities of Tblisi (the capital), and Batumi, a resort cityon the Black Sea. Formerly part of the USSR, Georgia became an independent country in 1991 when the

George remarked that the people are very friendly, and very religious. People attend church every dayThe country is mountainous. One day he and his brother took a trip into the mountains and visited a

Charge d’Affairs for the U. S Embassy, Elizabeth Rood. They also visited a teain Orzugeti, his father’s birthplace, where they were treated to a special luncheon. Their

grandfather had been a tea merchant back in the 1890s, and they had hoped to find some family roots, butunfortunately, all records from that time had been destroyed or lost. George will gladly share informationabout the country and his visit with anyone who is interested.

On October 20, we said goodbye to Joan Smith with a lovely service conducted by Pastor Curtis,included a musical tribute by her beloved pupil, Jamie Koerts. Joan’s favorite hymn, “Hymn of Promise,”was performed by Amy Root on flute, with Donna Possemato and Greg Smiley on vocals,

. Rest in peace, dear friend.

rgia, with a population of5 million. The brothers’ time was split between the cities of Tblisi (the capital), and Batumi, a resort cityon the Black Sea. Formerly part of the USSR, Georgia became an independent country in 1991 when the

George remarked that the people are very friendly, and very religious. People attend church every day.The country is mountainous. One day he and his brother took a trip into the mountains and visited a

the U. S Embassy, Elizabeth Rood. They also visited a teawhere they were treated to a special luncheon. Their

back in the 1890s, and they had hoped to find some family roots, butGeorge will gladly share information

conducted by Pastor Curtis, whichincluded a musical tribute by her beloved pupil, Jamie Koerts. Joan’s favorite hymn, “Hymn of Promise,”

na Possemato and Greg Smiley on vocals, and Margaret

Sunday, October 28, was our healing service. A candle was lighted in memory of the eleven people killedin the shooting in Pittsburgh at the Tree of Life Synagogue. The service began with Donna Possemato,chairperson of the deacons, recognizing Pam and Pastor Curtis on Pastor Recognition Sunday. PastorCurtis was treated to a card shower, and a gift of a beautiful hand-crafted window bearing the words ofthe song “10,000 Angels,” which he and Claus Evans had performed so beautifully for the congregationrecently:

He could have called ten thousand angels

To destroy the world and set Him free.

He could have called ten thousand angels,

But He died alone for you and me.

Thank you, Pastor Curtis and Pam, for your dedication to our church family. We look forward to anotheryear with your leadership in God’s service.

Peg Marr, Historian

first congregational church of greene, new york united ...4h all season ad-venturers 4:30 p.m. quilt...

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