News
From The First Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles
Welcome, Thanks, Congratulations & Transitions
Sincere Thanks to everyone who worked on Vacation Bible School. Over 140 children had a wonderful week aboard ship, coming to know the Lord from leaders in each of the churches, and developing lifelong friendships.
Baptized on 8/1 were Silas Williams, brother of Jake and Ben, Infant child of Kari & Eric Williams; Olivia Claire Teale, Infant twin of Karen & Stuart Teale, Grandchild to Frank Johnson and Braden Joseph Teale, Infant twin of Karen & Stuart Teale, Grandson to Frank Johnson.
Congratulationas and Best Wishes to Kerrie Nesbitt and Ben Wormer who were married here on 7/31. Ben is the grandson of Jean Benedict.
Class of 2010 H.S. Graduates who are part of this congregation include: Noah Allyn, Sean Cooney, Kelly Dove, Hilary Fenner, Tessa Green, Kate Tiedemann and Aaron Weiss. Congratulations to the graduates and their families!
Baptized on 7/25: is Kyle Matthew Shih, infant son of Grant and Emily Shih; and William Gelston, infant son of Christopher and Rebecca Gelston
Congratulationas and Best Wishes to Marianne Kixmiller and Eddy Brennan, married in the Sanctuary 07/17/2010.
Received into membership in the church and declaring his faith in Christ anew 07/11 is Frank Johnson.
Baptized on 7/11: cousins Ella Kimball Kresge daughter of Allie and Kurt Kresge, and Jack Holden Nicolet son of Stephanie and Mark Nicolet.
Congratulations and Best Wishes to Bethany Abbott and Parker Kelsey who were married 07/10/10.
The Bell Choirs thank the congregation for making our Bakeless Bake Sale a success. Thanks to your generosity we raised $603.00! We have just received our conference schedules and are looking forward to our upcoming adventures!
Dear Church Family - I would like to thank everyone for all of the thoughtful cards, visits, food, etc. while I was feeling under the weather. Your kindness is appreciated. Fondly, Marie Knox
PWC honored Judy Gelston on May 30th for her many years of church and community service, with an Honorarium in Presbyterian Women of Presbyterian Church (USA). Congratulations, Judy!
A Big Thank-You to all who helped with our Spring Housecleaning in the Sanctuary. An extra-large thanks to the High School students who offered their services.
MISSION STUDY 2010
Churches routinely respond to the pressing needs of the day, perpetuate programs from year to year, and harvest the presenting fruit. 2010 has been set aside by the Session as a year to discern and intentionally commit to what we want the Church to nurture for the future.
Historically, the First Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles has been a "Traditional, Village Church", an idyllic community of faith beside the waters of a lake of God's creation. However, at 610 members, we are also the largest congregation in this Presbytery and neighboring Presbyteries. Having developed and continuing to provide staff, medicines and direction to a Primary Health care Clinic in South Sudan; offering expertise and logistical support to Hand in Hand 4 Haiti; building Housing in the Near Westside of Syracuse through Habitat for Humanity; sponsoring the Skaneateles Ecumenical Food Pantry; and owning and operating Presbyterian Manor as a low-denisity affordable residence for well elders, this is a Church internationally and personally known for Mission Commitment. As home to the Skaneateles Festival each summer; having a new (2003) Casavant Pipe Organ, and new Kawai Piano, multiple Bell Choirs, 20 voice Chancel Choir, and Children's Choirs; as well as being a Church that sings the Psalms and Hymns with faith, gusto, and harmony, we are a Church making a Joyful noise of good music, and a patron of the Arts. As a Church with a permanent Labyrnith, Tai Chi and Yoga, and Exercise programs, we are a Church open to diverse means of people coming to God. While this body of Christ has balanced the juxtaposition of all this in ministry, we also desire to be intentional about roles and responsibilities and addressing what may be missing in the community.
The Session began with a timeline of the Church's full 209 year history, equated to events in our Nation and God's World. The Pastor then recreated the timeline of the last 50 years (people's memory) and invited the Session to label the timeline with which changes were simple transitions, and which were monumental cultural shifts, as well as which developments were faith events challenging/nurturing our souls. Next, bar graphs of the Church's demographics were posted, recognizing that despite the national trend of churches losing members, this Church has consistently posted net increase year after year for 15 years, in membership and giving.
All past studies were summarized and discussed to be certain we owned what had been done, and learned from earlier circumstances. Martin Saarinen's Lifecycle of a Congregation was explained, recognizing the paradigm of the Apostle Paul that The Church is The Body of Christ, and if a Body, then a living thing, with a birth, aging, and death, and as Christians' believing in Resurrection to new life. Naming a period in the early 1990s when the Church had been divided by abuse and conflict as Death, and the intentional work of Interim Ministry, followed by Transformational Ministry, Capital, Building and Mission programs, this is a new beginning and the Church is now wrestling with the issues of a 12-15 year old.
Statistical analysis from the Community and State and Nation were portrayed against the demographics of this congregation. Then the history behind Staffing and Personnel matters were openly discussed. All this, at the start of the summer. Then the Session was instructed to take time, to reflect and pray, knowing that we would be making decisions in the Fall.
Where this will go, the Session does not know, here are many options before the Church. But whatever is decided will be intentionally owned by the leadership of the Church.
Announcements
Nursery – child care is provided during worship every week for our littlest members, Birth – Toddlers.
Church School – for ages Preschool to Senior High, students leave for classes following the Children's Moment in worship; summer session runs July 11 - August 29.
Every Sunday after worship everyone is welcome to share in conversation and partake of coffee, juice, and snacks in the Sims Room adjacent to the Sanctuary. Please join us!
Middle School Youth Fellowship – Open to grades 6, 7 & 8. Bring your friends and join the fun. For more information, contact advisors: Todd Marshall, Stephanie Rudnick.
Brunch and Adult Fellowship - on the third Sunday of most months, the men of the church prepare and serve brunch in Dobson Hall, and we gather after worship for an adult presentation on a topic of current interest. A small donation is requested in exchange for great pancakes!
Chancel Choir rehearses Thursday evenings September through June at 7:30 upstairs in the Kellogg Room. Potential and past choir members are always welcome to join with the current singers for a service or a season. Feel free to contact Tom, Karen, or any choir member for more information.
Bible Books & Story Bags – Church School Lending Library. Have you borrowed a book or story-bag from the Church School Lending Library? If not... why not? Visit our display in the hallway outside the CE office and see what we have to offer. Story-bag contents include activities, books, games, and DVDs. Each one is unique and offers a family friendly way to learn a Bible story. We also offer a large selection of books. Check one out.
Honor a loved one on an anniversary or birthday, or give thanks for an important event in your life. - By donating Chancel flowers for the Sunday service you can choose the occasion you wish to celebrate. The cost is just $35. A sign-up sheet is posted in the back of the Church. Just choose the date, call Laxton's Florist to select the flowers, then call Peggy in the office to tell her what you'd like printed in the bulletin. Reminder notes with phone numbers are located by the sign-up sheet.
