THE WEATHERVANE February 2017 - Old First Church · Family of Edward Burgess (Paul’s father), Caitlin Colbert (granddaughter of Jim and Kris Colbert), The Family of Rev. Patricia

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THE WEATHERVANE February 2017

Worship Services: Sundays at 10:00 a.m.

2

In Our Prayers

Family of Edward Burgess (Paul’s father), Caitlin Colbert (granddaughter of Jim

and Kris Colbert), The Family of Rev. Patricia Pat) Davies (former OFC staff mem-

ber), Bob Esser (member), Dave and Else Haddock (members), Joan Lobasso

(member), Bill Murphy (Vera Murphy's son), Our Pastor Nominating Committee

and your next pastor, the family of Les Park (former member), Cynde and Robert

Raynor (Brett's parents), Rebecca Raynor (Brett's sister), Gerry Schult (member),

Ed Williams (member), Grace Youngquist (member), and Diane Zamow (member)

and her father.

Names on our prayer list will remain for a month.

If you wish to have a name remain on the list, kindly contact the Church Office.

Prayer List Requests

If you would like to place someone on the Prayer List, please fill out forms located

in the Narthex, and return to the Church Office. Additional forms are located in the

hallway between Parish Hall and the Sanctuary and in the office.

19

Special Days to Celebrate

May you be showered with all God’s best blessings today and always.

February 2017

Birthdays

Anniversaries

2 Faith Youngquist 8 Heather & Tom Tucker

3 Tom Tucker 27 Holly & Louis Baptista

7 Kathy Porter

15 Elizabeth (Betsy) Mugharbil

24 Diane Walker

27 Chloe

To see your special days listed in the Weathervane, please submit them

to the Church office and they will be listed in the appropriate months.

Since we do not have a Weathervane for the Months of January, July,

and August, these special days will be listed in the previous months’

issues

18

WEATHERVANE DEADLINE

You are invited to contribute to the news and newsworthiness of our

congregation! The Weathervane is published by Old First Church and

distributed to members and friends of Old First Church.

The deadline for our next issue of the Weathervane in March is

February 11 @ noon. Please mail, hand deliver, or e-mail submissions to the Church office at: cheriecor-

[email protected] or

[email protected]

Weathervane assembly will be the last Wednesday of each month. Any one who is

available and would like to help out, please let the church office know. Thank you.

If you do not want to receive a paper copy of the Weathervane so we can reduce post-

age cost, please let the church office know. Thanks.

Keep in Touch … ...When going to Huntington Hospital, be sure you list “Old First Presbyterian

Church” as your church. Hospital workers provide lists of Protestants and

Presbyterians, but often do not know what “Old First’s” affiliation may be.

...If you are aware of a member in the hospital, please let us know. Many

people are admitted through emergency and will not appear on any church

lists. Your minister is there often and wants to call on you. Please help by informing the church. We care.

3

From the Interim Pastor’s Study

As we look to welcoming your bright future this year, we can also look

back on 2016 in wonderment and gratitude for both a faithful and mo-

mentous year as you went about checking off all of the necessary tasks

associated with a time of transition—as well as all of the “ongoing”

tasks associated with the life and ministry of this congregation:

Completion & Approval of your Mission Study.

Nomination & Election of your Pastor Nominating Committee.

Completion, Approval and Circulation of your “Ministry Information Form” (church

resume) around the denomination.

Vetting 204 Pastoral Information Forms (minister candidate resumes) by the Pastor

Nominating Committee.

An Announcement on Sunday, January 15 by the Pastor Nominating Committee that the

final Minister Candidate has accepted a call to ministry at Old First pending the

finalization of his Terms of Call,, approval by the Presbytery’s Committee on

Ministry and election by the congregation sometime in late March.

All of this points to his arrival, likely in May, with his family to follow in June.

Yes, we have all worked very hard to get Old First ready for your new pastor—for as I like

to tell people, our #1 job has been to set him up for success from Day 1 of his ministry here.

We don’t want to hand him a “plate of challenges” upon arrival! For example, worship is

very Presbyterian, with a new bulletin, a new hymnal and our growing Sanctuary Choir and

Kids/Youth choirs who sing to God’s glory each week. (Thank you, Ken and Diane). Our

Sunday School and Youth Club programs are expanding with the arrival of new families.

(Thank you, Tina, Pat, Bob, Kerry and Katie). Our office and building are humming.

(Thank you Cherie, Ellen and Bob). Our boards are working hard minding the ministry and

business of this congregation. (Thank you, PW, Deacons, Session and Trustees). And

what’s more, we are in Year 2 of a long-overdue Capital Campaign that has facilitated the

renovation of classrooms, the choir room, the kitchen, the Fiske Room and Parish Hall, as

well as our historic steeple. What’s not to love?

4

Well, one thing does come to mind. And that is in the area of faithful stewardship—of

gratefully returning a portion of God’s gifts to us for service in his kingdom. Let me explain:

The results of our Stewardship Campaign in the fall and continuing into the new year,

have been underwhelming in some respects, to say the least.

Since my arrival here in November 2014, I’ve participated, or at least observed, three

campaigns. For two of those years, the net pledged amount was about $20,000 less than the

previous year. This year’s campaign contains some good news and some bad. First, by two

or three times over, pledges were increased this year. (That says a lot about how members

feel about their church family). On the other hand, even with very prudent budgeting and a

faithful stewardship campaign, as of 12/31/16, we have received 17 (17%) fewer pledges

than last year—and are $56,000 (23%) behind last year in pledged income. What’s more,

other anticipated expenses, e.g., for insurance, will add additional expense line items to the

budget. Letters have been sent, telephone calls made and we are hopeful we will receive

those anticipated pledges soon.

What’s to be done? Well, a portion of the deficit this year can be covered by our endow-

ments; though a number of those endowments come with restrictions on how they can be

spent. The Trustees are looking into the legal details of our endowments to pin down those

numbers. In addition, the Trustees are also diligently working on tapping other sources of

income from individuals and organizations that would benefit from meeting in our beautiful-

ly restored building. If you know of an organization looking for meeting space, contact the

Trustees.

The other thing, obviously, is for those who haven’t pledged this year to do so, and right

away. Certainly, personal circumstances can change, we understand that, making pledging

difficult at this time. On the other hand, there may be some of you who have (or haven’t)

pledged in the past. This year would be a very good time to continue or begin the practice of

faithful stewardship. Why? So budgets can be established and finalized for 2017—a most

critical year in the life of this congregation as you welcome your new pastor! For yes, in the

end, there is so much to look forward to:

The arrival of your new pastor and family late this Spring.

The start-up of new energy and programs under his leadership.

The beginning of a new era of ministry in Huntington.

What’s not to love?

Nothing!

Faithfully,

Rev. Anne

Interim Pastor 17

Thank You

Dear Members of our Old First Church,

Many thanks for your support and kind wishes during these past months of

surgery and rehabilitation.

I’ve especially appreciated the beautiful flowers and get-well cards throughout

the holidays.

Bob Esser

Once every six years, February is the only month that has four, full seven-day weeks.

February starts on the same day of the week as March and November in common

years, and on the same day of the week as August on leap years.

February ends on the same day of the week as October every year.

In leap years, it is the only month that begins and ends on the same weekday.

No one really knows for certain why February was relegated to the shortest month.

However, despite its status as the shortest month, February is packed with many events,

including -

Valentine's Day,

Groundhog's Day,

Presidents’ Day, as Americans celebrate the birth of two presidents,

Black History Month

In addition, February is the month when Mexicans celebrate Flag Day and residents of St.

Lucia celebrate their Independence Day.

February is usually the coldest and snowiest winter month. Being the shortest month

brings hope as it quickly leads us in to March that ushers in the spring.

Source: (http://www.burlington-record.com/ci_25068729/fun-facts-about-february?source=most_viewed)

16

February Fun Facts and Trivia

The Romans developed a 10 month calendar that began with the spring equinox in

March and ended in December. There is belief that what is now February was overlooked

when this calendar was created, as winter weather had little to do with the harvest in the

northern hemisphere, where Rome is located. Romans essentially considered the winter a

period of time with no distinctive months.

When the second king of Rome, Numa Pompilius, took to the throne in 713 BC, he had

plans to make the calendar more accurate by synchronizing it with the actual lunar year,

which is roughly 354 days long. Thus, two new months, January and February, were add-

ed to the end of the calendar. Both January and February had 28 days. At the time, even

numbers were considered bad luck, and these months were not looked upon favorably by

the king. So he decided to make changes once more and added a day to January to make it

29 days long.

February was left untouched, remaining an "unlucky" month and one devoted to honor-

ing the dead and performing rites of purification, as the word February comes from feb-

ruare, which means "to purify."

February remained the last month of the year for roughly 200 years until the calendar

was reevaluated and February was reassigned as the second month, with January being the

start of the New Year. This new 355-day calendar simply could not stay in sync with the

seasons because it did not account for the amount of time it takes the Earth to orbit the sun.

Therefore, an extra "month" of 27 days was added after Feb. 23 each year to play catch-up.

Sometimes this extra month was overlooked or not scheduled in time, continuing the calen-

dar conundrum.

Julius Caesar was responsible for tackling calendar problems further when he was in

power. He wished to make the calendar solar-based, like the one Egyptians used, instead

of the older lunar-based calendar. This led to the creation of the Julian calendar. Ten days

were added to the calendar year in various months, and February was increased every four

years (leap year) to 29 days to coordinate the calendar year to the solar cycle of roughly

365.2425 days.

February remains the shortest month of the year. Through the years there has been no

widespread attempt to reorganize the calendar once more to even out the months and give

extra time to February. As a result of the shorter number of days, February has some

unique attributes. In common years, February can pass without a single full moon. The

next time this will happen is in 2018.

5

Worship Schedule

February 2017 Sunday, February 5 - 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

10:00 am: Communion Family Worship Service

Sunday, February 12 - 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

10:00 am: Worship w/Kids’ & Youth Choirs

Sunday, February 19 - 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

10:00 am: Family Worship Service

Sunday, January 26 - Transfiguration of the Lord

10:00 am: Family Worship Service

The Semi Annual meeting of the Congregation and the Annual meeting of the

Corporation of Old First Presbyterian Church, Huntington, New York, will be

held on Sunday, February 12, 2017 immediately following the worship service

(at approximately) 11 AM, for the following purposes;

1. To receive program reports from church officers and program leaders.

2. To receive financial statements for 2016 and the budget for 2017.

3. To transact any other business which rightly may be raised.

By Order of the Session

Thomas Bosch, Clerk

6

Lent & Holy Week

at Old First

Wednesday, March 1 at 7:30 pm Ash Wednesday Service

Imposition of Ashes and Communion

Sunday April 9, Palm Sunday at 10am Children’s Processional, Choirs, Palms

-One Great Hour of Sharing Offering Received-

Thursday, April 13 at 7:30pm Maundy Thursday Service

A new Cantata,

“Lamentations of the Lamb”

will be performed by the Sanctuary Choir

Friday, April 14 at 12 Noon Good Friday Service of Darkness

Saturday, March 26 at 6:30 pm Easter Vigil

Presbyterian Church of Sweet Hollow

95 Old Country Road, Melville

Easter Service at 10:00 am (New) Special Worship Bags for Children in Worship

He has risen! He has risen, indeed!

15

ARCHIVAL UPDATE

THE EFFECT OF THE 1929 DEPRESSION ON THE CHURCH

The members of the Archival Committee researched an interesting period

of Old First history “The Effect of the 1929 Depression on the Church”.

A four page article summarizes the result of the research which shows

that due to the economic downturn in the 1930s, the Church had only

modest public, artistic and social activity. This compares to the 1920s

period when in 1928 a vast building project was completed. The article

also provides an interesting account of the life of the Church in these

years as well as insight into the personality of the pastor, Rev. Edward J.

Humeston. The article is available at the Church office

.

(L-R Jan Pratt, Cheryl Grossman, Diana Griffith, Bernard Reverdin)

The Archival Committee is always looking for new members. The com-

mittee generally meets on the first and third Thursday of the month at

10:00 am. Starting this month they are moving to the first floor. Although

all records will continue to be stored in “The Vault”, the committee will

be meeting sometimes in the Library/Conference room 107 on the main

level of Old First. For more information, please call Bernard Reverdin at

631-427-3012.

14

RESTORATION & PRESERVATION

What busy months we had in December and January!

With the kitchen and Parish Hall completed, we saw an unprecedented amount of use of Old

First during December. A number of outside groups rented space at Old First for luncheons,

performances and auctions. We also had a wonderful press event announcing the grant we re-

ceived from the Sacred Sites division of the New York Landmarks Conservancy. Many of our

parishioners attended the announcement and the Q& A with John Collins, our Building Com-

mittee Chair, our steeple architect, Kurt Hirschberg, and our steeple contractor, Lars Lindbergh.

The event was followed by a lovely reception in Parish Hall.

During December and January we also received quite a bit of press, having coverage in

Newsday, the Long Islander, News12 and Fios1 among others. The press activity has given

some clarification to what is going on at Old First to those that drive by on a daily basis. We

are happy to report that we have a new category of Restoration and Preservation contributors,

let’s call them “Friends of Old First,” who have sent in checks to go towards the restoration of

Old First. Most come with sweet notes on their connection to Old First, from, “I drive by every

day on my way to work, “ to “my mom was a member many years ago”, to one from a descend-

ent from our first pastor, Reverend Leverich. Old First is part of our community likely more so

than any of us realize. Our congregation is charged with its preservation and although we have

come far in that regard, we still have a ways to go.

The steeple work continues. We look forward to reporting on its completion in the next

Weathervane. The replacement of light fixtures throughout the building with LED lighting is

close to completion as well. In 2017 we plan on moving forward with plans to repave the park-

ing lot and fix the walkways leading into Old First. We will also be prioritizing any remaining

projects we may have.

Please continue to send in your pledges and make your pledge payments to the Restoration and

Preservation Campaign. Without you we could not have gotten to where we are today.

Blessings,

The Trustees

The Capital Campaign Committee

7

Youth Ministry Update

Hello OFC family!

I want to take a moment to express my utmost pride and joy for

our OFC kids and your support. This holiday season was truly

busy for our church and I saw a side to your children that I’ve

never seen before…

They showed up for long rehearsals.

They showed up smiling.

They showed up for each other.

I think we are really growing something special here at OFC and I am so excited to see where

this journey in faith will take us together. With Youth Club, we studied advent, created our

own Christmas ornaments out of clay, prepared for caroling, and made baby Jesus in the cradle

out of acorns and clay. We also created a brief science experiment and made our own slime!

Our TUXIS teens studied the experience of veterans, soldiers, and PTSD and wrote a beautiful

letter to a young marine who was alone during the holiday season. The teens continued to gath-

er, weigh, and measure OFC recycling and will produce a short report in the next Weath-

ervane!

Thank you for all of your support and we look forward to our Youth activities this winter!

Tina

YOUTH CLUB:

5-7pm TUXIS:

6:30-8 pm

February 1 February 5

Girls Night! Since it is Superbowl Sunday,

we will have a “ladies only”

February 8 February 12

February 15

March 1

8

Church School News

Many thanks to everyone for your very generous donations to the Mitten

Tree. Because of you, many people will experience a much more comforta-

ble winter. There were so many hats, mittens, scarves, etc, that we filled

several large bags that were delivered to the Family Service League.

Thanks again for helping those in need and for starting 2017 on such a pos-

itive note.

Mark your calendars. It's time for "Soaper Bowl Sunday!"

During the month of January, the church school will be collecting items

such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper, etc. All donations will be

given to the Community Food Council. Please help us by placing your

items in the specially marked box by the Parish Hall entrance. Our collec-

tion will end on Sunday, February 12th. Thanks for helping us help those

in need.

Bob, Katie, Kerry and Pat

Community Food Council

The Community Food Council is in need of donations of non-perishable food items,

canned goods and items such as toilet paper (always needed)

which are not covered by food stamps.

Items needed for the month of February are: dry milk and rice

Thank you for your generous donations.

13

The Clothes Line

Old First Church Mission Thrift Store

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thrift Store Hours:

We are open Tues., Thurs., & Fri.

from 11am to 4pm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We accept clothing donations during hours of operation.

Please consider volunteering at the Clothes Line .

The following shifts are needed:

Tuesday AM (11-1:30 pm)

Tuesday PM (1:30-4 pm)

Friday AM and PM shifts

If you can only volunteer one week or want to be a “SUB”,

Please call/text Cynthia at 516-780-2185/[email protected]

12

Coordinating Team Meeting

Moderator: Susan Oehrig (718-499-6138)

email: [email protected]

PW Board meeting Tuesday, February 7th.

Refreshments at 9:30am, Meeting begins at 10:00am

Circle 1 (Evening Circle) Leaders: Heather Adams (516-624-6840) & Nancy Gittleman (516-978-6404 )

Meets the 3rd Tuesday each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Fiske Room.

The next meeting will be a on Tuesday, February 21st.

Chiropractor Scott Boege from Huntington will about pain management.

He will be discussing the benefits of laser therapy among other therapies.

Circle 3 Bible Study

Co-leaders: Gloria Burgess (631-424-5168) & Priscilla Jahier (631-351-4941)

Lucy Fetterolf (co-leader emeritus)

Our next Bible Study will meet on Wednesday, February 15th at

12:30 pm in room 101.

We continue our study, “Who is Jesus?” looking through the lens of

the Gospel of Paul. We ask you read lesson five in preparation.

Circle 4 Quilting

Leader: Asenath Fuchs (631-692-4139)

Thursday Mornings at 9:30am in Room 101

All are welcome. No experience necessary.

Will be working on the Quilt for this year

and shoulder covers for oncology patients at the Huntington Hospital.

Circle 6 Crafts—Holiday Shoppe

Leader: Kris Colbert (631-271-4072)

Fridays, 9:45am in the Craft Room.

All are welcome

Presbyterian Women Giving: If you would like to contribute to the missions that

Presbyterian Women support, you may use the envelopes in the pews. Please mark

“PW” on the envelope and on your check—make check payable to the “Presbyterian

Women”. With our blessings and thanks, PW of Old First Church.

9

Food 4 the Soul for TEENS

Youth Ministry invites teens in 7th -12th grades to

join the fun on the first Sunday evening of the month

from 6-8 pm in the Youth Room upstairs.

Enjoy food preparation, conversation, games, scripture, and more.

How will you identify and respond to God’s call on your life?

Find out what God has cooked up for you!!

Sign up each month in the Youth Room or

Email- Gretchen Hargis - [email protected] that you will be attending.

All teens are welcome! Friends are welcome!

The Dates for the remaining of the year is 3/5, 4/2, and 5/7.

***Due to various conflicts, there will not be a meeting in February or June ***

Mark this Sundays on the calendar

so you don’t miss out on the good cookin’ and MORE.

Youth Music Program

Choir has resumed its rehearsal schedule-Wednesday’s, grades 1-3 from 5:00-

5:30pm and grades 4-8 from 5:30-6:00pm in the choir room. New members

are welcome, come give us a try!

Any questions, see Diane Starost on Sundays or leave a message in the music

mailbox.

10

February 2017

SUN MOM TUES WED THURS FRI SAT

January 29 January 30 January 31 1 2 3 4

10-11a Worship Service w/Kids’& Youth

Chrs.

10:20-11a Church School/102

5-7:30p Family Potluck/Game Show Night/PH

6:15-8:45p AA/10

9:15-10:15a Gentle Bends/102

7:30-9p NA/10

11a-4p Thrift Store/10

1-2p AA/10

2:30-3p Staff Meeting/103


5-7p Youth Club/YR,Gym,PH

5-5:30p Kids’ Choir Reh/211

5:30-6p Youth Choir Reh/211

7-9:15p AA/10

7:30-9p B.S. Troop 32/Gym

9:30-11a PW-4/Quilting/101


5-9:30p Giant Steps/102

7-8p Confirmation Class/FR

8-9p Sr. Choir Rehearsal/211

9:30-11:30a Al Anon/101

9:45a-12p PW-Crafts/212


5 6 7 8 9 10 11

10-11a Communion Worship


11:30a Stephen Ministers Training

6:15-8:45p AA/10

6:30-8p TUXIS Girls Night/YR


7:30-9p NA/10

7:30-9p Trustees/101

9:30-11:30a PW Board/FR


1-2p AA/10

7-8p Deacons/101





7-9:15p AA/10






9:30-11:30a Al Anon/101



12 13 14 15 16 17 18

10-11a Worship W/Kids &Youth Choirs


11a Congregational Meeting

6:30-8p TUXIS/YR

6:15-8:45p AA/10


7:30-9p NA/10


1-2p AA/10



12:30-2p PW-C3/Bible Study/101




7-9p Session/101 7-9:15p AA/10







9:30-11:30a Al Anon/101



19 Presidents’ Day 20 21 22 23 24 25

10-11a Family Worship Service

6:15-8:45p AA/10

Staff Holiday CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED


1-2p AA/10

7:30-9p PW-C1/Evening/FR


5-7p Youth Club/YR, Gym, PH

5-5:30p Kids’ Choir Rehearsal/211

5:30-6p Youth Choir Rehearsal/211

7-9:15p AA/10






9:30-11:30a Al Anon/101



Transfiguration of the Lord 26 27 28 March 1 March 2 March 3 March 4


6:15-8:45p AA/10


7:30-9p NA/10


1-2p AA/10



7-9:15p AA/10



12-9p ABA Set-up/PH




9:30-11:30a Al Anon/101



11

February 2017

SUN MOM TUES WED THURS FRI SAT

January 29 January 30 January 31 1 2 3 4

10-11a Worship Service w/Kids’& Youth

Chrs.


5-7:30p Family Potluck/Game Show Night/PH

6:15-8:45p AA/10


7:30-9p NA/10


1-2p AA/10






7-9:15p AA/10







9:30-11:30a Al Anon/101



5 6 7 8 9 10 11

10-11a Communion Worship


11:30a Stephen Ministers Training

6:15-8:45p AA/10

6:30-8p TUXIS Girls Night/YR


7:30-9p NA/10

7:30-9p Trustees/101

9:30-11:30a PW Board/FR


1-2p AA/10

7-8p Deacons/101





7-9:15p AA/10






9:30-11:30a Al Anon/101



12 13 14 15 16 17 18

10-11a Worship W/Kids &Youth Choirs


11a Congregational Meeting

6:30-8p TUXIS/YR

6:15-8:45p AA/10


7:30-9p NA/10


1-2p AA/10



12:30-2p PW-C3/Bible Study/101




7-9p Session/101 7-9:15p AA/10







9:30-11:30a Al Anon/101



19 Presidents’ Day 20 21 22 23 24 25


6:15-8:45p AA/10

Staff Holiday CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED


1-2p AA/10

7:30-9p PW-C1/Evening/FR


5-7p Youth Club/YR, Gym, PH

5-5:30p Kids’ Choir Rehearsal/211

5:30-6p Youth Choir Rehearsal/211

7-9:15p AA/10






9:30-11:30a Al Anon/101



Transfiguration of the Lord 26 27 28 March 1 March 2 March 3 March 4


6:15-8:45p AA/10


7:30-9p NA/10


1-2p AA/10



7-9:15p AA/10



12-9p ABA Set-up/PH




9:30-11:30a Al Anon/101



Documents

THE WEATHERVANE February 2017 - Old First Church · Family of Edward Burgess (Paul’s father), Caitlin Colbert (granddaughter of Jim and Kris Colbert), The Family of Rev. Patricia