Vision

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

A newsletter of the First United Presbyterian Church

December 2011

"'8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.'" "...And that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." From: A Charlie Brown Christmas / Luke 2:8-14

Merry Christmas from First United Presbyterian Church

A Pastoral Note

from Jacquelyn Pinkowski

Advent at times is difficult to fully understand. It is a time of preparing for the birth of the Christ Child, and yet we know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago. So why do we need to prepare for what has already happened. Cant we just sing the Christmas carols we all enjoy and begin celebrating Christmas right now? As the stores and radio stations are doing? It would be easier to follow the lead that the stores push. Some of us actually grew up with the idea that Christmas started the day after Thanksgiving. But as Christians we have always been called to a counter culture way of life. To Christians, Advent gives us time to breathe, ponder the real meaning of Christmas, and prepare our hearts and minds to be ready to actually receive (again) the gift that God gave the world in the Christ Child. Advent also reminds us that the Savior will come again and we are to live our lives as though Jesus will walk thru the door in a few minutes. It is a time of preparation, both as God made flesh to help us to relate more with God and with anticipation that Christ will return. Let us renew our commitment to a new way of life as well as to demonstrate to each other the love and grace that Jesus demonstrated in his earthly ministry. Being willing to ask for forgiveness as well as accept the forgiveness offered, we will be renewed in faith, hope and love. As the apostle Paul wrote to a troubled congregation, And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 May your Advent season by filled with joy and anticipation and your Christmas be overflowing with the realization that God loves us in ways we cant imagine. The staff and I wish you the most wonderful Advent and Christmas ever. Blessings, Jackie

Sermons and Scripture Readings for November

December 4 - Prepare Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8 December 11 - Who are you? Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28 December 18 - Childrens Pageant 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38 December 24th - Lessons and Carols God Moves in Mysterious Ways Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14 December 25 - Alternate Service Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12); John 1:1-14

Financial Update
Operating Income This Month Offerings $ 9,086.09 Rental Income $ 6,806.66 Endowment $ 10,636.00 Total Income $ 26,528.75 Expenses Personnel Facilities Mission Rental Program Total Expenses $ 16,194.87 $ 3,318.15 $ 3,036.50 $ 2,031.61 $ 2,154.93 $ 26,736.06 Year To Date $ 98,324.87 $ 48,613.12 $135,294.36 $282,232.35 $ 164,870.83 $ 64,948.80 $ 24,861.50 $ 17,051.46 $ 25,749.93 $ 297,482.52 Budgeted $ 96,937.40 $ 50,142.60 $116,339.10 $263,419.10 $174,700.80 $ 45,647.30 $ 26,886.60 $ 11,666.70 $ 32,026.60 $ 290,928.00 Difference 1,387.47 (over) 1,529.48 18,813.25 (over) $18,813.25 (over) 9,829.97 19,301.50 2,025.10 5,384.76 6,276.67 $6,554.52

Please think about an extra gift this Christmas Season. All donations made through December 31, 2011 are tax deductible on this years tax returns. Thank you.

Ministry of Music News

from Maury Castro
This month I will share with you a lovely 12th century French Carol that is somewhat rare: Jesus, our brother, kind and good. As you see, it is very simple and earthy, which is part of the loveliness of the Advent/Christmas season.

1. Jesus, our brother, kind and good, was humbly born in a stable rude, and the friendly beasts around him stood, Jesus, our brother, kind and good. 2. "I," said the donkey, shaggy and brown, "I carried His mother up hill and down; I carried her safely to Bethlehem town." "I," said the donkey, shaggy and brown.

3. "I," said the cow all white and red "I gave Him my manger for His bed; I gave him my hay to pillow his head." "I," said the cow all white and red. 4. "I," said the sheep with curly horn, "I gave Him my wool for His blanket warm; He wore my coat on Christmas morn." "I," said the sheep with curly horn.

Christmas Eve Festival Choir All singers are invited to join the Chancel Choir for this holy celebration. Rehearsals will be held Thursdays in the Rose Room from 7-7:45 pm. on Dec. 1, 8, 15, and 22. Victorian Stroll Concerts First United will host RPIs Concert Choir, Symphonic Band, Repertory Jazz Orchestra, and Contemporary Jazz Ensemble in concerts from 2-4 pm on Dec. 4. Also, the Troy Childrens Chorus will give a joint concert with the Heatly Elementary Chorus of Green Island (directed by Tif- fany Dzembo) at 2 pm at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. Selections include Carol of the Bells, Winter Wonderland, and the French Carol, Il Est Ne. Troy Childrens Chorus Sings at New York State Tree Lighting December 4th The chorus will sing four selections at the annual tree lighting at Empire State Plaza in Albany. 5 pm. Visit www.troychildrenschorus.org for more information. Christmas Eve Childrens Choir All children in the congregation (ages 2-17) are invited to sing in the Christmas Eve Childrens Choir. We will sing O Come, Little Children. Practice sheets and rehearsal cds are available. Rehearsals will be held: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 5:15-5:45 pm. Sunday, Dec. 18, 11:30-noon Tuesday, Dec. 20, 5:15-5:45 pm. Saturday, Dec. 24, 6:15 pm. If you would like to sign up a child to sing in this choir, please contact Maury at maury@unitedprestroy.org or 272.2771 xt. 14. Albany Symphonys Compose Yourself First United has been selected to host the Albanys Symponys Compose Yourself program. This is a series of Friday evening composition seminars with world-renowned composer, George Tsontakis. The dates are: Feb. 17, Mar. 16, Apr. 20, and May 18. The workshops will be held from 67:30 pm in the Rose Room. On May 19, there will be a composition recital. While there is ordinarily a fee to participate in this program, the fee has been waived for all First United members. This program is not only for accomplished musicians! Anyone is encouraged to participate. Reserve your seat by contacting Kate Gigliotti, Education Coordinator, at 465.4755 or KateG@AlbanySymphony.com

Faith Education News

from Leslie Kelly
Albany Presbytery Youth and Young Adult Trip to the Mam Presbytery, Guatemala

June 26-July 3, 2012. Youth entering 9th grade through college are eligible to participate. The cost of the trip is $1800, participants can apply for a Mission Grant opportunity up to $1000. All participants will need a passport. Deposit of $200 is due January 31, 2012, payment in full due April 1, 2012. Questions can be directed to Tim Coombs 518-6690123 or tcoombs@earthlink.net FAIR TRADE - why not buy fair trade chocolate this holiday season? WEB sites for information on Fair Trade chocolate www.globalexchange.org - this site has links to Raise the Bar Hershey Campaign and petition www.equalexchange.coop - lots of info on fair trade www.serrv.org order fair trade chocolate and other fair trade items The Littlest Star Christmas pageant will be presented Sunday, December 18 during worship. Dress rehearsal will take place Dec. 17 at 9am. Help a Family in Need this Christmas - This Christmas the Faith Ed committee invites you to help purchase gifts for a local family through Unity House. Information such as age, gender and a wish list will be available in fellowship hall on sticky notes. If you see something that you would like to purchase, please remove the sticky note and return the wrapped gift, with the childs name on it by December 6. This generous deed will bring joy to families that would otherwise face a bleak holiday. Something to Ponder This fall there have been opportunities in adult education to explore spirituality through disciplines and practices, sharing faith stories, and through prayer. Some people expressed the thought that it is hard to slow down and take time for these things in our busy, overscheduled lives. Id like to share a quote with you from The Journey, A Season of Reflections, by Adam Hamilton. Do you take the time, do you pay attention so that you dont miss Gods angels when they come speaking to you? Today many of us are so busy, so preoccupied, or in such a hurry that there is not time to listen to how God may be trying to speak to us. Imagine if Gabriel had approached Mary while she was fetching water and she had said, Im sorry, Im really busy right now. Do you think you could come back later? Or if she had dismissed him as a crackpot when he tried to tell her about Gods plans for her life. And yet this is precisely the response many of us would have in our busy and preoccupied lives today. A wonderful gift that you can give yourself is to take some time during Advent to slow down, and see how God is trying to get your attention this season. Using some of the spiritual disciplines of lectio divina, daily examen, entering scripture, and prayer (music as prayer, art as prayer , centering prayer, ) allow yourself the time to just be. Christmas Blessings, Leslie Faith Ed Schedule December 4 Children remain in worship/No Adult Ed class Victorian Stroll December 11 Faith Ed classes for children after the Childrens Message December 18 Children remain in worship to present Christmas Pageant/ Intergenerational Class after worship December 25 no classes Jan 1 Children remain in worship

Announcements
What Do Your Deacons Do?? Shirley Bowes - Co-Moderator of Deacons Your donations in the DEACONS ENVELOPE each week reach out to so many of our agencies that I am truly impressed when I see how they help so many folks in our area. I will list some of them so you are aware of where your goodness touches so many people in need. Your goodness allows the Deacons to support the Bethany Center, Habitat for Humanity, TRIP, Regional Food Bank, Josephs House, Unity House, and Oakwood Food Pantry.
Most of them receive $500 a year which helps them to continue their good work. Besides the agencies above, the Deacons provide the supplies for Communion, postage to mail the weekly bulletin to our homebound members, supplies for our coffee hour each Sunday, and Sunshine cards. As you can see, your support of the Deacons reaches out from our church to so many folks in our area. The Deacons are able to continue these Good Works only with your help and sup- port in our Deacons Envelope. God bless you for your support.

Remember Troy Larger Parish Food Pantry at Oakwood! From Margaret Stonera TLP Pantry Connector
We gather food basket packaged and canned foods for the folks who use TLP Food Pantry. We have been doing this a number of years and our contributions are both needed and much appreciated. The holidays and winter are arriving so let us find ways to remember to bring items or to give cash donations (use the containers in the worship space the contents are collected every Sunday). Congregational volunteers deliver our food donations weekly. Some suggested items follow, but please use your imagination and love beyond the list as well. Soups are always appreciated. Tuna. Mayonnaise or salad dressing. Canned veggies. Canned fruit. Boxed cookies. Granola bars. Items that go together such as pasta and sauce. Jelly. Peanut butter is OK too. And for the holidays: Stuffing. Cake mixes. Pie fillings. Something nice or special. The CSA Roxbury Farm has completed its season early due to Hurricane Irenes impact so our donations are needed even more. The TLP Food Pantry is doing One Pot Meal fundraising like chili, soup or stew with servings sold at $5 per bowl with bread or corn bread. The first one is planned for Friday evening December 2nd from 5:00 to 6:30 pm. This is one way the Pantry is working hard to keep the accounts flush. Come and enjoy, at the Oakwood Community Center, corner of 10th and Hoosick Streets. Monetary donations are needed as well. The Empty Bowls fundraiser that supported pantries and soup kitchens for a number of years wasnt held this year, eliminating a signifi- cant source of income. Checks may be made to FUPC with TLP Food Pantry in the memo line. Thanks for your continuing and renewed support of this generous-hearted outreach at First United.

WELCOME TO OUR CONGREGATION NEW MEMBERS!

Please say hello to your new family members: Rachel Schiewe: originally from Canada, would like being involved in music, crafts, helping the less fortunate, and being involved in community services. Benjamin Hallett: Originally from Hingham, MA, Would like to be involved in missions and music. Heather Hallett: Originally from Binghamton, NY, Would like to be involved in the choir, and the nursery.

CONGRATULATIONS TO MAURY AND KERN CASTRO FOR THE NEW ADDITION TO THEIR FAMILY, GABRIELLE CASTRO!

Announcements
Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

For most of 2011, the human family, all of Gods children have endured a seemingly endless series of devastations, both natural and man-made: earthquakes, tsunamis, drug wars, tornadoes, suicide bombings, floods, assorted uprisings. Three centuries ago John Donne wrote that no man is an island, entire of itself, by which I think he meant that we are all connectedinvolved with everyone else in the human family. Scripture tells us that we as Christians are the body of Christ, individual members functioning separately but together for the well-being of the whole. We as Presbyterians call ourselves a connectional church because we are intentional about sticking together. One dramatic way in which we connect is by giving gen- erously to special offerings such as Christmas Joy Offering. Money given by the Presbyterians across the country during the Christmas season has helped ministers of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and their families in times of unusual need through the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions. I know, for example, a pastor in a town less than an hour away who received aid in the form of special equipment for his wife, who had disabilities. Christmas Joy funds have also provided scholarship assistance to hundreds of minority students otherwise unable to access the educational benefits of the racial ethnic schools and colleges of the PC (USA). As the president of one of these schools, I will tell you that the drug violence in Mexico has severely affected many of our students to the point that some would not have been able to return to campus this year without additional scholarship aid. In order to continue providing this kind of direct and much needed assistance, the Christmas Joy Offering depends on continued and increased support from congregations like yours. If you are willing to lead your flock in sharing the joy of Christmas in this way, the staff in Louisville are eager to help. In the next two months, they will be sending emails to networks of supporters who will send them on to other Presbyterians...in the spirit of joyful connectedness. If you would like to receive such e-mail messages (which contain links to videos, stories, and ideas to promote the Offering), please send a message to margaret.boone@pcusa.org with the words CJO e-mail list on the subject line. What you do now will assure that what your congregation does will indeed share the joy of Christmas with those who are servants of God now and in the past, as well as those who have promise to become the servants of God in the future. It will also assure that we continue to stay connected. Thanks again for your support of this Offering in past years and for your willingness to be actively involved this year.

Connecting to God Together Joan Rogers Have you committed to FUPC yet for 2012? Our ministry needs your time, talent and financial resources to continue to do the work God calls us to do. Through that ministry we worship God, care for one another, and do mission work. If you havent already done so, please complete the pledge card and return it to the church by Gratitude Sunday, December 11th.

My 2012 Faith Commitment to God & First United Presbyterian Church

I commit to: My personal spiritual development __ Prayer __ Bible Study __ Attending worship __ Attending Faith Education __ Other _______________ Sharing my time and talent by: __ Leading readings during worship __ Leading adult education __ Teaching faith education __ Singing in the choir __ Participating on a FUPC committee __ Helping with a mission project __ Other _______________ __ Other _______________ PLEASE SUBMIT THIS CARD BY DECEMBER 11, 2011 ________________________________________ Name, Please Print __ Please assign me offering envelopes __ Please send me instructions on how to transfer stock to the church Pledging to support the work of First United in 2012 for a total of: $_________________ Contributions to be made: __ Weekly __ Monthly __ Quarterly

Report from the Roof Task Force

FUPCs Roof Task Force has been busy over the last year or so. An earlier application to the New York Land- marks Conservancys Sacred Sites Program was successful in obtaining $4,000 to be matched equally by the church for architectural services to survey our 17 different roofs and begin development of a repair/replacement plan. That work, together with the endorsement of the Landmarks Conservancy that included an additional $8,000 grant to be matched equally by the church for construction, positioned FUPC well to enter the competition for a grant from New York State for additional funds. The Task Force decided to dream BIG and submitted an application for a $540,000 project to include work on all of the roofs AND exterior painting AND brick and brownstone repair. (NYS grant funds may be used ONLY for exterior work on churches.) The application was submitted on October 31, 2011, but no grant designations are expected for at least 6 months. Our grant application is for the maximum amount allowed - $400,000, and the church will be required to provide matching funds equal to one-third of whatever amount is received from the granting agency. We intend to continue our practice of dealing with roof problems on a limited, as-needed basis until we learn from NYS about our grant application and have a better sense for what financial resources are available. The application highlights how the project promotes economic development of Troys downtown by enabling continued adaptive reuse of our historic buildings, contributes to education about Troys heritage, enriches public opportunity for cultural and recreational activities, and promotes economic development of the area. John G. Waite Associates Architects, PLLC, is acting as consultant for this project. Jack Waite is a member of the church and is a nationally recognized expert in preservation of historic buildings. Jack (who is donating all of his own time to the project) and his firm have surveyed the overall water penetration problems, recommended optional solutions, and provided valuable insights to preparation of the grant application. When funding is available, the firm will prepare construction documents for the work to support a competitive bidding process, with appropriate recognition of contractors experience in similar historic preservation projects. While all members of the Roof Task Force assisted in reviewing the NYS grant application and soliciting letters of support from many groups and individuals in the community, the bulk of the research and writing was done by Peggy Smith, and we are profoundly grateful for her dedication to this project and for the outstanding application that she prepared. Copies of the entire application are available at the church office for review. The following serve on the Roof Task Force: Pat Carlson, Peggy Drew, Chandlee Gill, Garrett Hamlin, Dan Rogers, Peggy Smith, and Sue Steele.

Presbyterians are ATTUNED to the TIMES

Our style for doing mission is biblically based and historically appropriate. It builds solidly on our past commitments and mission experience, but it also adapts to newly emerging needs and to changing relationships in a sensitive manner. Mission in the United States is decentralized as much as possible, determined by and administered at the appropriate level of the 16 regional synods, the 173 presbyteries and the more than 11,000 congregations. Beyond our borders, we engage in mission and relations in partnership with churches and ecumenical bodies in more than 70 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East and Europe, Central, South and Southeast Asia and East Asia and the Pacific. Our witness, corporately and individually, is rooted in the gospel ministries of preaching, teaching and healing and in Christs example of advocacy for the poor, the hungry and the oppressed.

10

December 2011
Sunday Mon Tue Wed
1
4:30 Worship Committee 7pm Choir Rehearsal

Thu
2

Fri
3

Sat
10 am AA Group

9 am Chancel Choir 10am Worship 11:30 Victorian Tea 2-4 Victorian Stroll 7:30 NA Group

6
3:45 Troy Childrens Chorus 5:15 Childrens Choir Rehearsal

10
10 am AA Group

6:30 Bible Study

7pm Choir Rehearsal

11

9 am Chancel Choir 10am Worship Faith Ed for Children 11:30 Adult Ed 7:30 NA Group

12

13

3:45 Troy Childrens Chorus 6:30 Appreciative Inquiry Dreaming 7:15 Faith Ed Meeting 6:30 Bible Study

14

15

2:00 Josephs House Christmas Party 4:00 Fa-Fin-Stew Meeting 7pm Choir Rehearsal

16

17

9am Pageant Rehearsal 10am AA Group 10am Labyrinth

5:00 Josephs House Christmas Party

18

9 am Chancel Choir 10am Worship 11:15 Childrens Choir 11:30 Adult Ed 12:30 Deacons Meet- ing 7:30 NA Group

19

20

21

22

23

24
10am AA Group

3:45 Troy Childrens Chorus 2:00 Services at 5:15 Childrens the Eddy Choir Rehearsal 6:30 Session 6:30 Bible Study 7pm Choir Rehearsal

6:45 Carol Sing around the piano 7:00 Christmas Eve Service

25 MERRY CHRISTMAS!
10am Worship 7:30 NA Group

26

27

28

29

30

10am AA Group

31

7pm Sustainable Living

11

Open Minds, Open Hearts, Open Doors: Where People with Differences Unite in Christ

First United Presbyterian Church 1915 Fifth Avenue Troy, New York 12180
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

In this issue: Notes from Jackie, Maury, and Leslie Whats happening in the community And more...

Vision
First United Presbyterian Church Officers for 2011, 2012 & 2013
The Session Moderator - The Reverend Jacquelyn Pinkowski Class of 2011: Sue Steele, Courtney Savaria, Karen Harpe Class of 2012: Pat Carlson, Peg Drew, Chandlee Gill Class of 2013: David Lanoue, Dan Rogers, Trudi Wybourn The Board of Deacons Class of 2011: Martha Juenger, Don Lutz, Marsha Mintz-Botsford, Pat Rudebush Class of 2012: Bob Harrington, Bonnie Kerr, Courtney Savaria, Claudia Schwendeman Class of 2013: Shirley Bowes, Steven Paul Bowes II, Dana Crobok, Shirley Street

Newsletter is published 11 times a year by

First United Presbyterian Church, Troy, New York Jacquelyn Pinkowski Maury A. Castro Leslie Kelly Carlie DAnnunzio Carla Fisk Shirley Hinkamp Interim Pastor Minister of Music Faith Education Director Financial Analyst Administrative Assistant Editor

To Contact Us: you may call 518-272-2771 you may write to us at 1915 Fifth Avenue Troy, New York 12180 or you may email us at info@unitedprestroy.org

For pastoral emergencies call (518) 279-7401 or (406)794-9360

Session Notes
Chandlee Gill - Clerk of Session

12

The session met on November 28 and took the following actions Received three new members Rachel Schiewe and Ben Hallett as active members and Heather Hallett as an affiliate member. (Watch for bios in other publications) Approved a request from the Troy Childrens chorus for a fundraising activity for a trip to Maine in March 2012. Approved building use requests from an AA group and a Boy Scout troop Referred a request from an outside group to use the fellowship hall and stage to FaFinStew. Received 8 letters from members and friends about the session action and congregational conversation related to the extension of the interim pastor contract. Received John Buckleys resignation from treasurer and membership. The session is seeking a new treasurer. Reviewed the technology areas that may need attention with John Buckleys resignation. David Lanoue is monitoring currently. (If you are interested in joining a GEEK squad, contact David.) Authorized a modified worship service of Sunday, December 25, if leadership can be found. Will invite the deacons to the December 19 meeting.

D e c e m b e r B i r t h d a ys
2 3 4 Mark Eadie Shirley Street Kelsey Jensen

13 Maxine Terpening 17 Timothy Steele 21 Ron Pinkowski 22 Abigail Parmelee Kern Castro 24 Heinrich Medicus 27 Kate Marbot 28 Ian Krumanocker 30 Don Bowes

Happy Birthday to you!