THE RED DOOR FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH – BIG FLATS, NY ----- NOVEMBER 2012

(607) 562-8048 ----- /www.bigflatsfirstpres.org/

Founded 1827 ------ “Pride In Our Past – Faith In Our Future”

"[Slavery] was established by decree of Almighty God...it is

sanctioned in the Bible, in both Testaments, from Genesis to

Revelation...it has existed in all ages, has been found among the

people of the highest civilization, and in nations of the highest

proficiency in the arts." Jefferson Davis, President of the

Confederate States of America. “History teaches everything including the future.” Lamartine

Through the year I have come to believe that the Bible contains the Word of God and we must interpret and discern God‟s Word and Will for our lives. At one time some Americans justified slavery, cursing a whole race

into slavery, by what was considered as acceptable interpretation of the Bible (Genesis 9:25-27). The American slave owner misguidedly felt he was carrying out God‟s plan by his purchase and use of slaves.

Christians must stand up when the bible is misused to mandate immoral acts. It is our spiritual and moral obligation to step up and do the right thing.

We just celebrated the 185th anniversary at Big Flats Presbyterian. While researching our history I found reference to a presentation that was made by Carole Knowlton at the Chemung Historical Society: “Friends and Neighbors: Abolitionists in Elmira.” In her presentation Knowlton spoke of one of our first Elders at the Big Flats Presbyterian – Nathan Reynolds. It is intimated that Reynolds was an abolitionist who played a part in the Underground Railroad. Knowlton shares that Reynolds was one of the wealthiest men in the Big Flats whose family had farms and lumber mills. He was known to his community as a kind and compassionate man. It is said that when Sylvester Andrus, another known „Lake Street‟ abolitionist, rode up the “River Road” to warn the slaves about slave catchers coming into the area, Reynolds and his family provided employment and shelter to the slaves until it was safe for the slaves to move on. Uncovering this fact about one of our founding Elders brought me to thankful tears.

It is Thanksgiving and I would like to thank Nathan Reynolds, all those who followed in his footsteps, and all those who continue to march for freedom, justice, and liberty, for inspiration and hope for our future.

Blessed Thanksgiving and Peace,

JOYS AND CONCERNS As we approach Thanksgiving time and the beginning of Advent, we are reminded of

all we have for which to be thankful in our church. We are surely blessed to be part of a warm, vibrant, and caring community of faith. As always, October was a very busy month in our little church. Some of the month's highlights included:

Our Fall Rummage Sale was very successful, raising over $2000! Thank you, Ann Hayes, Ann Slowik, all our volunteers, those who donated items, and those who patronized our sale. We are already looking forward to our spring sale in May, 2013!

Carolyn Gridley coordinated our efforts in this year's Crop Walk. Our walkers raised over $500 to help eradicate local and world hunger. Thank you to all those who walked and thanks to all who supported our walkers.

Our Capital Improvement Project is moving forward. Work has been completed on the Church House windows and siding, and the siding of the sanctuary is due to be finished in November.

Thanks to all who supported our recent outreach efforts -- 'Hygiene Kits' and the 'Empty Bowl' luncheon.

We were blessed to have Dave Stafford lead our worship service on October 28. His message dealt with the importance of sharing love, and it touched us all.

As we give thanks for our many blessings, let us take time to reach out to those in our community who need our help and support. In our concerns this month, we ask for prayers for: Betty McIntyre, Andy Gillette, Dorothy Bartlett, Lee West, Glen Bates, Lydia Middaugh, Dick and Peg Shockner, Marge Larocque (Gigi's mother), Ruth Price (Rev. Rick's mother) and others who are dealing with ill health, surgery, loss, or life changes. Please continue to pray for our servicemen and women and their families and for peace in our troubled world.

Do you have a special joy or concern that you would like to share with our Big Flats Presbyterian Church community? See Rev. Rick or Bill Howells, and we will include your news in our Joys/Concerns column.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST SET FOR NOVEMBER 3 Our church will be holding a series of fund-raising Pancake Breakfasts on Saturday mornings

during the next few months. The first breakfast is slated for Saturday, November 3, from 8:00 - 10:00 AM. Subsequent breakfast dates are December 18, January 12, February 9, March 9, and April 13. The cost for each meal has been set at $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children. There will be no charge for those under five years old. This series of meals is an ambitious project for our little church, and we are going to need a lot of help to ensure success. Sign-up sheets will be posted for each meal. Please do your part by pitching in to help and also with your patronage.

Questions?? Talk to Jenny Dean.

STEWARDSHIP DRIVE UPDATE We have received a little more than 50% of our expected pledges. So far the pledges amount to about 50% of our

projected budget for 2013. We are mindful of the fact that economic times are such that this pledge is truly a gift to our church and community. Thank you for your attention thus far. We would like all pledges submitted by November 4th so that the Finance Committee can begin work on the 2013 budget.

Thank you again and God Bless for your generosity and care. Gigi Price & The Stewardship Committee

PRAISING VOICES A CHOIR FOR OUR YOUTH

Thursdays -- 6:30 - 7:15 pm -- In our sanctuary

Questions ??? -- Contact Mary Ellen Rudnick -- 562-3757 -- merudnick@hotmail.com

RUMMAGE SALE A SUCCESS!

The sale was successful, with over $2000 made on the rummage that was brought in. The volunteer help was fantastic! The food provided by Ann Slowik was delicious! Thanks to everyone for the assistance! Our church will benefit from the rummage sale.

Ann Hayes, Chairperson

MEN TO FIX THANKSGIVING BREAKFAST Calling all breakfast gourmets! It's time for that once-a-year, super-delightful,

culinary experience! That‟s right ---- the men of our church are getting ready to prepare and serve our annual Thanksgiving Day breakfast (8:00 AM, November 22). We are looking for (more than) a few good men to help set-up, prepare, serve, and clean up after our annual feast. Sign-up sheets will be posted in early November, and we could really use your help. All are welcome to attend as good food, fine fellowship, and music will make for a special Thanksgiving morning. Please sign up to pitch in! All are welcome to attend. This is one event that you do not want to miss! Let's reach out to others on this special day --please bring an item (or more) of canned food for our Food Pantry when you come for breakfast.

TROOP #87 NEWS At press time this month, the boys were at Greek Peak for a day

of team building and fun on their zip lines, high ropes course, and alpine coaster. Earlier in the month they held a Court of Honor ceremony for awards and rank advancements (pictured here, at the National Guard Armory). The boys are gearing up in November for the 'Scouting for Food' project and a weekend of camping at Watson Homestead in Painted Post. Looking to December we are planning a day of indoor rock climbing at Rock Ventures in Rochester, and we are also looking forward to an annual tradition, making Christmas ornaments at the Corning Museum of Glass.

HYGIENE KITS TO HELP DISASTER VICTIMS Our recent Mission Project was a big success. One hundred

Hygiene Kits were assembled and packed to support Church World Service Outreach. Parishioners of all ages came to help. Nancy Pangia and Bev Miles were so kind in taking the boxes to a distribution center in Syracuse.

Thank you for making our church a giving, supportive presence in our world. ------- Gigi Price

BUTTON CLUB TO MEET NOVEMBER 7

The Elmira Button Club will meet the FIRST Wednesday in November, that's the 7th, from 11 AM until 2 PM in the church hall. Our program will be China Buttons presented by Bev Hesse, a member who comes to meetings from Roscoe in the Catskills. Next year Bev will take over as our NY State Button Society president. Bring a lunch, we will provide dessert. For more information, see Pat Silvernail or Barbara Rhodes.

AMISH QUILT RAFFLE TO KICK OFF NOVEMBER 3 Our Quilt Fundraiser officially kicks off Saturday November 3rd with the sale of tickets at

Minier‟s. Sales will continue into the first weekend of December at Minier‟s on Saturdays, as well as at our Pancake Breakfasts. Please support this fundraiser by purchasing a ticket or two – this beautiful Amish-made quilt would be a terrific Christmas present for someone or for YOU! If you would like to sell tickets at your workplace or in your travels please contact Gigi Price.

FOOD PANTRY NEEDS DECEMBER VOLUNTEERS

The Big Flats Community Food Pantry, housed in our church, relies on the generous support of our local community to help fulfill its mission of service to those in need. This December, we are once again asking for members of our church family to help in preparing fruit baskets and in "Ringing the Bell" at Miniers Supermarket. Please help our Big Flats Community Food Pantry. Sign-up sheets will be available in church in the near future.

SILENT AUCTION PLANNED FOR DECEMBER 2 Here's a chance to do some early holiday shopping and help our church budget. We will be

conducting our Annual Silent Auction on Sunday, December 2. Please prepare your baked goods, holiday treats, crafts, etc. for sale at our auction, which will follow our morning worship service. A special fellowship luncheon is also being planned to coincide with this event.

LIBRARY POLICY -- RESOURCE MANAGEMENT The Library Committee has established the following policy to clarify the way in which the library will grow and manage its collection.

Financial donations Unless direction is given (such as to purchase specific items or to indicate that the gift is "In Memory of" or "In Honor of" a particular person), the Library Committee will determine the most appropriate use for these funds within the library.

Donations of books and other circulating materials The Library Committee will determine how these donated items can best be utilized.

At the discretion of the committee, items may be placed in the library's circulating collection, may be held in storage until considerations of space and subject allow them to be circulated, or may be used in any other way that the committee determines.

In instances where donated materials are not felt to fit within the current content framework of the library collection, these materials may be disposed of in the manner described below.

Reducing the collection There are times when considerations such as space limitations for the shelving of new books, low circulation of particular books, etc. make it advisable to reduce the library's circulating collection. The following procedures will be used:

Books to be disposed of will be first offered to the congregation, most often by displaying them on a table in the Church House.

Books not taken may be placed in the next church rummage sale, may be given to another organization, or will be dealt with at the committee's discretion.

It should be noted that "Memorial" and "in Honor of" books are viewed as part of the library's permanent collection; if these materials are ever to be removed from the current circulating collection, they will be stored for use at a later date.

NOTE: This policy was approved by our Church Session during its October meeting.

FROM THE CHOIR LOFT Calling all carolers and those who just want to sing

during the Christmas season. There is something about the Thanksgiving and

Christmas season that makes all of us so grateful for all of our many blessings. Sometimes that gratitude is expressed in music far more easily than through other communication.

Perhaps you have thought about singing in the church choir but cannot make a long-term commitment. Please join us just for the holiday season. We will understand. Our hope is, of course, that you will get to know us and you may even find that you like us. We have a really good time together. We are planning our Christmas "get-together." The date is uncertain, but will be published as soon as it is set. Come and join us. Your only commitment would be for forty-five minutes each Sunday morning - at 9:30. No evening rehearsal. If you have to miss a rehearsal, we will even forgive you. We work far enough ahead that you would be comfortable even if you have to miss once in a while.

Please don't miss the blessing that singing with others of like mind and sharing your gift with the congregation can bring.

See you Sunday at 9:30 - or a little earlier if you would like coffee. The pot is always on. We'll save you a seat.. Remember: The woods would be quiet indeed if the only birds who sang there were those who sang best.

PROPERTY COMMITTEE REPORT Our Property Committee has been keeping busy this fall. We

are very appreciative of all the help given to the committee. Here's our latest news update:

Our committee worked to set up and take down tables and other equipment for our Rummage Sale.

We have begun our annual battle to control the numerous (but fortunately harmless) box elder beetles in and around our church.

We have been working to coordinate the efforts of the various contractors involved in our Capital Improvements Project. In addition to the scheduled work, we have had some unexpected issues crop up dealing with our electrical system and also with the gas line coming into our church. We were able to work to resolve these potential problems.

Thanks to Skip and Priscilla Smith for the trimming work done on the various plantings around our church. Special thanks to Skip for removing and hauling away a number of overgrown shrubs from the east side of our church building.

The Property Committee is always open to contributions of time, effort, and money to help further our work. Contributions made to the Building Fund are greatly appreciated!

The Property Committee would like to note that our older "brown" tables are always available for you to use for picnics, family gatherings, rummage sales, etc. We would prefer that the newer "white" tables not leave our church, as they really do not 'travel' as well as the older units. We would like to keep the newer tables in the best possible condition for use within our church. Thank you for your understanding of this policy. Please talk to Tom Rhodes, Property Chairman, if you have any questions.

BRING ON THE PANCAKE BREAKFASTS!

Join us at the First Presbyterian Church of Big Flats on the following Saturdays from 8:00 a.m.

to 10:00 a.m. throughout the winter months! The price is $6.00.

November 3, 2012 December 8, 2012 January 12, 2013 February 9, 2013 March 9, 2013 April 13, 2013

"SHOWER FOR MARY" & "GIFTS FOR JOSEPH" MISSION EFFORT ANNOUNCED

For the past eleven years, our congregation has generously supported our "Shower for Mary" local mission effort during the season of Advent. In this program we have collected a variety of items for personal care and other needs for women and children served by the Salvation Army Safehouse. The Salvation Army Safehouse provides a comprehensive program for victims of domestic violence. Services offered include emergency shelter, counseling, advocacy, information/referrals, hotline services, justice system information and accompaniments, support group, and community education. For information: call 732-1979.

Last year we expanded our outreach efforts through a "Gifts for Joseph" program to help men served by the Samaritan Center. The Samaritan Center has been assisting individuals and families in need with emergency food, clothing, and prescription drug assistance for over thirty years. This program also facilitates enrollment to Medicaid, Family Health Plus & Child Health Plus and provides referrals to other resources and support services for longer term solutions. The Samaritan Center is located at 380 Main St., Elmira.

We need your support! Your donated items (unwrapped please) can be placed in the collection bins located in the rear of our sanctuary and in the narthex each Sunday throughout the Advent season (December 2 - December 23).

Needs for the Safehouse ( "Shower for Mary"):

These donations are for women/children and include the following:

Gift sets for women (perfumes, soaps, lotions, etc) ~ Watches for women

Radio Alarm Clocks

Craft items for teenagers (water color paints, bead sets, etc.)

Family and children board games ~Activity books (children & adult)

Gift cards ($10-$20 recommended – grocery or general merchandise)

Paper towels, napkins, paper plates

Family oriented DVD‟s

Journals / pen sets ~Stationary gift sets / stamps

Personal items such as hair brushes ~ deodorant ~ hairspray

Towels ~ Twin sheet sets ~ pillows (new)

New (packaged) underwear, bras & socks (all sizes – women and children)

Disposable diapers (size 3/ 4/ 5 / 6) ~ baby wipes ~ sippie cups ~ pacifiers

Cash or check donations

Due to limited space we cannot accept used household items, clothing or furniture. Please be assured our residents' needs are being met in this area.

Needs for the Samaritan Center ("Gifts for Joseph"):

These donations are for men and include the following:

gloves hats jackets hooded sweatshirts (L & XL) socks underwear t-shirts/undershirts men's personal care items (razors, deodorant, shaving cream, etc.)

Thank you, in advance, for your generosity in supporting our Advent outreach mission. What a wonderful way to experience the true meaning of Christmas! The Rhodes family -- Tom, Barb, Ed, and Katie -- are coordinating our "Shower for Mary" and "Gifts for Joseph" programs and can answer any questions (739-9894).

WEEKLY EVENTS

SUNDAYS 9:30 AM Choir Rehearsal

10:30 AM Morning Worship with Sunday School and Nursery Care

TUESDAY 12:00 – 2:00 PM Food Pantry is open

6:30 PM Boy Scout Troop #87

THURSDAY 6:30 – 7:15 PM Praising Voices rehearsal

SPECIAL EVENTS

November 3 (Sat.) Pancake Breakfast – 8:00 - 10:00 AM

November 4 Daylight Savings Time ends

November 4 Holy Communion

November 7 (Wed.) Button Club – 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

November 10 (Sat.) "Scouting for Food" – benefits our Food Pantry

November 11 Veterans Day Flag Ceremony during morning worship

November 22 (Thurs.) Thanksgiving Breakfast – 8:00 AM

November 25 Information due for the December/January RED DOOR

November 25 “Pennies from Heaven”

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Membership Committee To Be Announced

Worship Committee November 11 – following morning worship

Property Committee November 14 (Wed.) – 6:00 PM (note time change)

Session November 14 (Wed.) – 7:00 PM (note time change)

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4. BE SURE TO SET YOUR CLOCK BACK BEFORE YOU GO TO BED ON

SATURDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 3.

Dear Friends of Catholic Charities:

On behalf of Catholic Charities' Samaritan Center, please accept our deep appreciation for your support of the 7th Annual Empty Bowls Luncheon. Your contribution of $240.00 will enable the Samaritan Center to continue to meet the most basic of needs in our community while establishing long-term solutions for those living in poverty.

Over the last six years, the Empty Bowls Luncheons have raised over $94,000 toward local anti-poverty efforts. Those funds serve children and families right here in Chemung County, providing nourishing food, a warm place to sleep and assistance in the development of self-sufficiency skills. Without contributions like yours, thousands of adults and children in our community would go without these absolute necessities.

Thank you again for your tremendous support and for joining in the partnership to end hunger.

Katie E. Rhodes Development Assistant, Catholic Charities of Chemung and Schuyler Counties