Resource Center

0504030201

Moderator’s moment

Fall Assembly

Inside the Issue

THETRUMPETGENESEE VALLEY ASSOCIATION

O c t o b e r 2 0 1 7 P.O. Box 67263 Rochester, NY 14617 - www.gvaucc.weebly.com

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Israel-Palestine Conflict/ Fall Assembly

Day of Reflection, Trumpet Deadline, Directory

Pancake Breakfast, RAIHN

NEW YORK CONFERENCE - UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Presbytery of Genesee Valley

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Mountain Rise UCC

GVA Colloquy, Honeoye UCC

Privilege of call, Craft Sale, Daily Devotion

Resource Center10-11

October 2017

Moderator’s Moment

When asked to write for publications like this, one wonders what could possibly be written that matters in light of hurricanes blowing property and lives apart, the possible dismantling of the Deferred Action for Children Arrivals (DACA) policy, and the rise of hate groups around the nation?! Well, this is what I’ve come up with: When the events of the world around us feel overwhelming, remember that we are connected.

First, we are connected to God: Look and listen for just a moment and experience God’s presence within and around you... see, you’re not alone and you are connected!

Second, we’re connected to a national body that is actively involved in disaster relief, that stands with immigrant youth, and opposes the rise of racism and white supremacy on the streets and in the pews. Your financial gifts to campaigns such as Our Churches Wider Mission and Special Missions make this happen.

And third, we’re connected to one another within the Genesee Valley Association. While we officially gather twice a year to worship, to join hands as friends, and to learn alongside one another; our connection is deeper than that. Our participation in the life of our church and Association extends to those in our region who are hungry, to those with accessibility challenges, and to University of Rochester students seeking spiritual support - all through our Program and Mission support.

Connection is important, no, it’s vital. I encourage you to continue to seek and find spiritual connection within and beyond your church home.

Peace,

Steven Price, moderator

2 Genesee Valley Association

GVA Assembly to Consider Israel-Palestine Conflict

In the summer of 2015, Martha and Randy Stone were invited to visit Israel-Palestine by an organization called Academic Exchange, whose mission is to deepen understanding of Israel and the Middle-East within the international academic community. For seven days we visited historical and cultural sites, meeting with Israeli officials, military personnel, professors, journalists, artists and historians along the way. We also spent one day in Ramallah, where we spoke with Palestinian officials, followed by a few days on our own, when we visited Christian religious sites and met with a missionary friend in Bethlehem. We came away with an appreciation for the beauty of the land and cultures in this area of the world, and for the gracious hospitality of Israelis and Palestinians alike. But we left with a profound sadness at the economic inequity, political injustice, social segregation and religious strife that are so prevalent there. We were stunned by the imposing and ever-growing wall between Israeli and Palestinian territories, by the increasing number of Israeli settlements that are taking up more and more Palestinian land, and by the discrimination against Palestinians.

At about the same time, the 30th General Synod of the United Church of Christ approved a resolution aimed at ending the decades-long violence in Israel-Palestine. The resolution asks UCC churches to study a document called Kairos Palestine, to advocate for accountability in Congress regarding US aid to the Israeli government, to engage in interfaith dialog among Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities, to divest from companies that profit from the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and to boycott goods produced by Israeli companies in the settlements.

This past summer, an additional resolution was adopted by the 31st General Synod. This Resolution calls attention to the plight of children suffering under Israel’s prolonged military occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, who live in constant fear of arrest, detention, and violence at the hands of Israeli forces. It calls the UCC to advocate for the human rights of the children of Palestine. It requests that the UCC’s General Minister and President petition the Prime Minister of Israel and the Israeli Ambassador, asking them to guarantee basic due process rights and exercise an absolute prohibition against torture and ill-treatment of children detained by Israeli authorities. It insists that, from the moment of arrest, all operations and procedures imposed on Palestinian children be carried out in accordance with international juvenile justice standards, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Israel ratified in 1991. It also calls on the United States government to adhere to U.S. laws concerning human rights violations and the disbursement of military aid and assistance to Israeli armed forces. Recognizing that establishing a just peace between Palestinians and Israelis is essential for creating and sustaining the conditions under which life can flourish for both Palestinian and Israeli children, this Resolution also urges all settings of the UCC to persist in efforts to end the Israeli military occupation of Palestinians living in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza.

A group of interested members of Mountain Rise UCC has taken up this issue and will be presenting a program about the situation in Israel-Palestine at the GVA Fall Assembly on October 22, 1-4 p.m. at Hall UCC. Together we will look at the history of this conflict and some of the current issues in the region, such as settlements, water restrictions, the destruction of trees, the reality of the wall, the situation in Gaza. How might our congregations respond to the General Synod Resolution? Come and start the conversation with us!

Moderator’s Moment

Upcoming Fall Assembly

3Genesee Valley Association

Come Shopping at the 3rd Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Sale

Saturday, October 21, 201710:00 am to 4:00 pm

Community Christian Church

2647 Chili Ave., Rochester, NY 14624[Adjacent to Westside Drive /

Next to Battisti’s Salon & Day Spa]

FREE ADMISSION PLENTY OF PARKING

QUALITY LOCAL VENDORS

Shirley Pudney-Eilers served to call at Union Congregational UCC in Churchville on Septemner 24, 2017 and will be begin October 9, 2017.

Rev. Duane Bartz, has been approved for "Privilege of Call" on October 15, 2017 @ 3pm at Henrietta UCC

Margot Markesteijn’s Ecclesiastical Council set for October 26, 2017 @ 7pm at Community Christian Church.

Rev. Kenneth McIntosh will be installed as Reverend of Honeoye UCC - November 12, 2017 @ 3pm at Honeoye UCC

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sign up for daily email devotional

from UCC at

http://www.ucc.org/daily_devotional

10:00am

The deadline for the November’s edition of the Trumpet’s is October 26th. Please submit all activities and news no later than that date to be included in this publication. Please sent to : <gvaucc@gmail.com> .

If you would like a current UCC Genesee Valley Association directory, please email your request to the Communications Coordinator, D’Shawna Wilson at gvaucc@gmail.com.

NEED TO CONNECT?

5Genesee Valley Association

Youth Lock-In, Pancake Breakfast, and Family Mission Day

GVA Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to a Lock-in at Henrietta UCCbeginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 13.

We’ll share some devotions and a project, then have general shenanigans until bedtime. On Saturday morning, we’ll host a Pancake Breakfast fundraiser from 8-10 a.m., to support GVA youth trips and the Bivona Child Advocacy Center in Rochester. The menu will include pancakes, bacon or sausage, fruit, tea, coffee, milk and orange juice, at $5.00 per person. All are welcome! Following the breakfast, youth and their families are invited to head out for a Family Mission Day at an agency in Rochester (location TBA), finishing up in the early afternoon on Saturday. Interested? Contact Rev. Martha Stone at PastorMartha@henriettaucc.org for details.

RAIHN has moved!

RAIHN, Roch Area Interfaith Hospitality Network's day center has moved to 142 Webster Avenue in the city. This is the former location of the Mercy Outreach Center. Please visit their website to view their updates and learn more about their services. They are hosting an Open House at their new location.

Thursday, October 19th, 5:30 - 7pm!

RAIHN's Day Center’s new address:142 Webster Avenue, Rochester, 14609

http://www.raihn.org/

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.

Mountain Rise UCC

hosts

Iglesia Cristiana Viviendo en Amor y Fe Mountain Rise United Church of Christ will be hosting a delegation of six members from their sister church, Viviendo en Amor y Fe (Living in Love & Faith), during the week of October 8th. In order to expand its role as a UCC Global Mission Church, Mountain Rise began forming a church-to-church relationship when a group of its members traveled to Tegucigalpa, Honduras in 2012 to visit this small, independent, social justice-oriented church. After another trip south in 2014, it was decided that Mountain Rise would extend an invitation to Viviendo en Amor y Fe to visit Rochester.

The primary reason for this October visit will be to create an opportunity for our two congregations to get to know each other better. Mountain Rise hopes that this event will — provide many ways to relate to one another, both as groups and as individuals; to listen and observe more closely and carefully — provide opportunities for each person to learn something new about a different culture — stimulate new thinking about how each church might do things differently or better — fully express our understanding about being equal partners in God’s world

Leading up to this unique event, these two congregations used modern technology to reach out to one another. Mountain Rise and Viviendo en Amor y Fe arranged two brief Skype worship moments between them in order to pray and sing together in nearly real time.

Now Mountain Rise members will have many opportunities to interact with their Honduran brother and sisters: serving at Salem Nutrition Center, visiting Teen Empowerment, eating meals together, visiting Mountain Rise members’ homes, engaging in Bible study, sharing life stories, visiting local museums, worshiping & singing together. We are excited and looking forward to this time together! Follow us on Facebook throughout the week’s activities: https://www.facebook.com/MtnRiseUCC/

With this endeavor Mountain Rise continues on its journey as a Global Mission Church that intentionally prays, gives, learns, receives and acts as partners with God’s people around the globe.

Genesee Valley Association of the New York Conference

2017 – 2018 GVA Colloquy ScheduleRev. Timothy Meyer – Convener

DATE LOCATION /TOPIC / PRESENTER or FACILITATOR10/19/17 Wellsville/ Community Organizing / Martha K. Stone11/16/17 Lakeville Gospel / Going live / Cassandra Granados12/14/17 Churchville Union/ Being in the Spirit of Christmas party / Shirley Pudney-Eilers1/18/18 Henrietta / Preparing for Lent / ALL

Water from an Ancient Well: Celtic Spirituality for Modern Life

A learning experience

What does “Celtic Spirituality” mean in today’s world? Based on the Celtic Spirituality bestseller “Water from an Ancient Well” and presented by author Kenneth McIntosh, join us for a learning experience about Celtic Spirituality and its relevance in the current challenges and events in our daily lives. Explore an ancient, earth-honoring way of living skillfully including topics such as Spiritual Romance, the Divine in the Everyday, Sacred Presence in Nature, Furred and Feathered Friends, Sacred Hospitality and more in a series of Thursday night sessions starting September 21st. Gatherings will include music, meditation, presentation, discussion and snacks and are free and open to the public.

Starts

September 21st

United Church of Christ 8758 Main Street Honeoye, NY 14471

Choose to come weekly or as you can-each session is self-contained. Sessions are held at the United Church of Christ in Honeoye every Thursday night from 7:00pm-8:00pm starting on September 21st. The last session will be held on November 16th. There will be no session on November 9. To learn more, please contact 585-371-8880 or email Honeoyeucc@gmail.com. Reservations are not necessary.

Opportunities Available to All Members of GVA

LifelongFaithAssociatesiscomingtothePresbyteryofGeneseeValley!!

LifelongFaith Associates is committed to helping congregations develop lifelong Christian faith formation for all ages and generations, increasing the capacity of leaders and communities

to nurture faith growth in everyone.

TwoOpportunitiesforLearning!

FaithFormationforEveryAdultintheCongregationFriday,November3,20171pm-8pmatTwelveCornersPresbyterian

It’spossibletodaytoprovidevibrantfaithformationforalladults—youngadults,midlifeadults,matureadults,andolderadultsinaparishcommunity.Churchescandevelopadultfaithformationthatengageseveryadultaroundtheirinterests,concerns,questions,andspiritualandfaithjourneys.Inthe21stcenturytheabundanceofhighqualitydigitalmediaandresourcesforadultsaswellasnewonlineanddigitaltoolsandtechnologiesmakeitpossibletoprovidefaithformationforeveryone.ThisAdultInnovationLabguidesparticipantsincreatinganadultfaithformationplanfortheirchurch,designingnewprogramming,andcreatingadigitalplatformforadultfaithformation.

ThisInnovationLabincludestheonedayworkshoponNov3rdplus:1. Onlinesupportandnetworkingtocommunicate,shareprojects,andaccessresourcesandtools.2. Aprojectlaunchwebinartoprepareforimplementingandinnovation.3. Aprojectevaluationwebinartosharetheimpactoftheproject.

Registration$25/personincludesdinner.

NurturingChildren’sFaithinthe21stCenturySaturday,November4,2017atCovingtonPresbyterian

Ifyou’veeverwonderedhowto…Encouragechildrentogrowinfaith

EmpowerteenstodeepentheirconnectionwithGodCreatesacredmomentsineverydaylife

PromotefaithfulspirituallivesinthenextgenerationStrengthenfamilylife

Joinus:

9am-12pm:Part1:Aworkshoptoequipparents,grandparents,andotheradultswithpracticalwaystonurturefaithindailylife.

12pm:Lunch1-2:30pm:Part2:Aworkshoptoguideandempowerchurchleaderstosupport

familyfaithdevelopment.(MustbepresentformorningworkshoptoparticipateinPart2.)Registration$10/personincludeslunch.

OnlineRegistrationat:

https://pbygenval.org/lifelongfaith-registration-100117/

Address: Stree Name, no:123, City, CountryPhone: 123 123 123 123Email: office@yourdomain.com

The Resource Center News These are some of the newest additions to the Resource Center. More information at: http://pbygenval.org/about-us/missions-ministries/resource-center/. The Center may also be reached by calling 585-242-0099.

(BKCB2004) COMPANIONS: Wasserman, Marney Ault WIPF and Stock Publishers 2016 ACCOMPANYING NEWCOMERS INTO CHURCH LIFE AND FAITHIs your “new member class” uninspiring? draining energy? Consider a different way of ministering to church newcomers. One that builds on the simple arts of friendship and conversation, instead of classes and presentations. One that invites transformation, rather than just imparting information. One that gives the whole congregation a role to play in the church’s ministry of spiritual hospitality.Companions is an outreach ministry that pairs newcomers in worship with church member companions for eight weeks of conversation about Christian faith and discipleship. One-page conversation guides, grounded in Scripture and prayer, help focus the dialogue on core themes of the life of faith, like gratitude, forgiveness, and community. Companions is designed to build friendships, invite honest sharing, encourage questions, meet newcomers wherever they are, and help them grow in their life with God—exercises that strengthen the faith of church members as well as the newcomers they befriend!

(BKCF5058) SAYING NO TO SAY YES: Olsen, David C. & Devor, Nancy G. Rowman and Littlefield 2015 EVERYDAY BOUNDARIES AND PASTORAL EXCELLENCEThis book explores the difficulties clergy face when they attempt to say “no” by setting effective boundaries in order to say “yes” to the life-giving call of ministry. It illustrates the benefits of good boundaries, even as it traces the legacy of denominational boundary trainings in the wake of the public clergy sexual misconduct crisis. Devor and Olsen supplement anecdotes from their experience leading boundary trainings with an examination of clergy/congregation dynamics through the lenses of both self-psychology and family systems theory—elucidating how some obstacles to effective boundary setting are caused by innate personality tendencies that are exacerbated by a stressful church environment. Readers will find both practice questions to assist them in a deeper assessment of personal and systemic obstacles as well as strategies for setting boundaries, creating the space needed to pursue excellence in ministry.

(BKCIX017) THE PRESBYTERIAN EXPERIENCE Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Westminster/John Knox Press 2017 IN THE UNITED STATESThis book introduces readers to the Presbyterian movement in the United States as told by those who lived through and contributed to its history. William Yoo has drawn together essential documents from the colonial period to the present that illustrate and illumine U.S. Presbyterianism across diversities of race, ethnicity, geography, gender, age, and theological position. Readers will follow the churches journey from modest origins as a Scots-Irish immigrant church to prominence on the national stage, from early revivals and tent meetings to large-scale theological debates, from defense of slavery and racial intolerance to the pursuit of social justice and racial reconciliation, and from retreat into theologically narrow enclaves to active engagement with national and international politics and culture. Yoo weaves together a coherent and compelling narrative using the voices of those who sought a faithfully Presbyterian witness to the gospel. Arranged both chronologically and thematically with historical maps and photos, this book provides a lively and accessible vista into the making and shaping of Presbyterianism in the United States.

(BKDBX029) CONSTRUING THE CROSS: Young, Frances M. Cascade Books 2015 TYPE, SIGN, SYMBOL, WORD, ACTION This book reconsiders ways in which the cross of Christ was construed before “atonement theories” narrowed the categories. The “typology” of Passover is explored as probably the very first way in which Christians came to understand the passion. The use of sacrificial imagery is re-examined. The significance of identifying the cross with the Tree of Life is traced across the centuries into medieval times, along with other surprising links with the Eden narrative. The validity of seeking imaginative insights to grasp what the cross signifies is given theological consideration in a chapter that moves into literary and liturgical reflections and is punctuated with cruciform poems. The overall outcome is a quite paradoxical focus, not on death, but on life.

(BKEEX071) SCRAMBLED STARTS: Youngman, Jennifer Upper Room Books 2015 FAMILY PRAYERS FOR MORNING, BEDTIME, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN Do you long to teach your children to pray? How do you build a prayerful family when everyone is running in different directions? In Scrambled Starts, Youngman shares honestly from her family’s journey as she tried to build prayer into their daily lives. This encouraging book for parents and families includes: •prayers for mealtime and bedtime •prayers for specific occasions and ordinary times •prayers for all ages •scriptures to memorize •help for starting a family devotion time Benefit from Youngman’s experiences with her family, and discover how to make prayer the heart of your own family!

Address: Stree Name, no:123, City, CountryPhone: 123 123 123 123Email: office@yourdomain.com

(ResCode) Title Author Publisher Pub Yr (BKGHX056) THE BOOK OF JOY: Gyatso, Tenzin (Dalai Lama), Tutu, Desmond & Abrams, Douglas Penquin RandomHouse 2016LASTING HAPPINESS IN A CHANGING WORLDNobel Peace Prize Laureates His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu have survived more than fifty years of exile and the soul-crushing violence of oppression. Despite their hardships—or, as they would say, because ofthem—they are two of the most joyful people on the planet. In April 2015, Archbishop Tutu traveled to the Dalai Lama’s home in Dharamsala, India, to celebrate His Holiness’s eightieth birthday and to create what they hoped would be a gift for others. They looked back on their long lives to answer a single burning question: How do we find joy in the face of life’s inevitable suffering? They traded intimate stories, teased each other continually, and shared their spiritual practices. By the end of a week filled with laughter and punctuated with tears, these two global heroes had stared into the abyss and despair of our time and revealed how to live a life brimming with joy.This book offers us a rare opportunity to experience their astonishing and unprecedented week together, from the first embrace to the final good-bye.

(BKGHX157) FINDING BEAUTY IN A BROKEN WORLD Tempest Williams, Terry Vintage Books 2009“Shards of glass can cut and wound or magnify a vision,” Terry Tempest Williams tells us. “Mosaic celebratesbrokenness and the beauty of being brought together.” Ranging from Ravenna, Italy, where she learns the ancient art of mosaic, to the American Southwest, where she observes prairie dogs on the brink of extinction, to a small village in Rwanda where she joins genocide survivors to build a memorial from the rubble of war, Williams searches for meaning and community in an era of physical and spiritual fragmentation. In her compassionate meditation on how nature and humans both collide and connect, Williams affirms a reverence for all life, and constructs a narrative of hopeful acts, taking that which is broken and creating something whole.

(BKGJX036) A WORLD OF FAITH: Pogue, Carolyn CopperHouse 2007INTRODUCING SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS TO TEENSThe teen years are often a time for searching and questioning many of the fundamental aspects of one’s culture andsociety. This traditional questioning of life by teens often includes the aspect of faith – their own and that of others. What would it be like to follow the Hindu faith? How would my life be shaped by this? What are the beliefs of those who follow that tradition? What guidelines would I adopt in my everyday journeying? Carolyn Pogue’s comprehensive book covers most of the world’s main religions in a way that provides insight to these and many other wonderings in an accessible and captivating way. Carolyn’s emphasis is not restricted to describing the unique practices of the various faith traditions included in the book; rather, she goes beyond institutional rites and beliefs to touch on the deeper truths common to humanity. Throughout, there is a strong message of caring for the earth and for each other, a message of connection and social justice.

(BKHAX163) HOW YOUR CONGREGATION LEARNS: Shapiro, Tim Rowman and Littlefield 2017THE LEARNING JOURNEY FROM CHALLENGE TO ACHIEVMENTChange isn’t always easy or intuitive. How Your Congregation Learns introduces churches and leaders—both lay andordained—to the process of the learning journey. By understanding learning dynamics and working to become alearning community, the congregation will be able to move more purposefully to achieve its goals.

(BKIAX018) PASSING IT ON: Oliver, Kara Lassen Upper Room Books 2015HOW TO NURTURE YOUR CHILDREN’S FAITH SEASON BY SEASONGive your children the greatest gift of all-pass on your faith. In Passing It On, Kara Lassen Oliver provides a practicalguide to help parents, grandparents, and other concerned adults nurture their children’s faith. For four weeks at a time, she offers easy-to-follow suggestions for families during the seasons of Advent, Lent, summer, and back to school.

This book features:•plans for weekly Family Gatherings with age-appropriate activities•symbols to remind family members of the week’s spiritual emphasis•a suggested daily practice and prayer for each week•a Leader’s Guide for parent groups studying this book togetherThe most valuable legacy we can pass to our children, grandchildren, and other children is a spiritual heritage. KaraOliver shows us how to do just that.