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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 

COME TO OUR PILLOW CASE PARTY ––- pg. 2GO RED! JEAN DAY -– pg. 3CAPITAL REGION THEOLOGICAL CENTER NEWS -– pg. 4SHIRLEY’S SHAWLS MINISTRY ---– pg. 5BOOK GROUP NEWS --- pg. 6LENTEN WORSHIP SCHEDULE - pg. 7

701 Sand Creek Road, Colon

ie, New York 12205-2497  •  B

ruce K. Cornwell, Pastor  •  T

elephone (518) 869-5589  •  ww

w.coloniereformed.org 

  

Stoles Pay Tribute To LossLou Ann Connelly

 

The Stoles that havebeen displayed in oursanctuary during Feb-ruary are part of a

large collection of litur-gical items travelingthe country to increaseawareness of the hugeloss of leadership andtalent that has resulted

from the exclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gender people of faith. 

Each stole represents a person who has been ex-

cluded from leadership or service in a church orsynogogue because of his or her sexual identity ororientation. 

The national collection tops one thousand stoles, atestimony to the immensity of the loss.   The stolescome from people in six countries on three conti-nents, and include religious leaders from forty de-nominations and faith traditions. 

The stoles enable us to reflect on our daughters, sons,

brothers, sisters, parents and friends who have beenbarred from serving God because of who they are.

Shower of Stoles Project:www.welcomingresources.org/sosp.htm 

 

Pillow Case Project: www.conkerrcancer.org 

Community Reformed Church: www.coloniereformed.org 

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Community Reformed News2

March Prayer of the Month 

An Irish Prayer: 

May God give you...For every storm, a rainbow,For every tear, a smile,For every care, a promise,And a blessing in each trial.For every problem life sends,A faithful friend to share,For every sigh, a sweet song,And an answer for each prayer.

Come To Our Pillow Case Party 

Saturday, April 210:30 am to 2:00 pm

At Community Reformed 

It’s free to participate.  Just bring a sewing machine serger, some neutral thread, and a pair of scissors(Please label your belongings.) 

Pillow Case kits will be provided. 

Stay for fun, food, and prizes. 

Enjoy a few hours of constructing simple pillow cases for the children at Albany Medical Center and Ronald McDonald House. 

Go home knowing that you have given the gift of a smile to a sick child. 

All participants will receive a thank-you gift. 

To allow us to plan, please RSVP to Lou Ann Connelly at 356-3745 olajcon@aol.com. 

 

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Community Reformed News3

Go Red! Jean DayMarch 6th, 2011

 “Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women,”Center for Disease Control   

CRCC Youth Group will be sponsoring March’s Mission of the Month ~ Ameri-

can Heart Association.   On Sunday, March 6th, everyone is encouraged to

wear red and jeans to worship with a suggested $5 donation to the American

Heart Association.  Free blood pressure readings will also be taken durin

coffee hour that day. Each Sunday in March, the Youth Group will also be

providing a heart healthy treat at coffee hour.  Take control of your heal

and help others in need.

Caring For Creation 

March 2011 

Reduce Purchases: In general,think before you buy any prod-uct - do you really need it? How

did the production of this productimpact the environment andwhat further impacts will there be with thedisposal of the product (and associated packaging materials)? When you are thinkingabout buying something, try the 30-Day Rule-- wait 30 days after the first time you decideyou want a product to really make your decision. This will eliminate impulse buying – anmay add a little green to your wallet too! 

Happy March Birthdays to…  

Sarah Bottini           Earl ChamberlainNorm Davis              Linda EstabrookAlexander Huiest             Bill MathewsDon Smith                      Lauren SteinPat Ziegler

 

(If you haven’t told us the birthday months

of your family members and would like themincluded in this monthly feature, please con-tact Lou Ann Connelly at 356-3745 orlouannconne@nycap.rr.com) 

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Community Reformed News4

March 201

"Connecting With Calvin" March 26

 

"Sunday is Fun Day"   April 2    "Faith Power and Perspective: Women of the Old Testament"  

April 8  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Connecting with Calvin: Restoring Unity to the Church   Explorations in the Theology of John Calvin  

Calvin is usually associated with breaking apart the Western Church, but he was also

interested in restoring unity to the Church.  Ecumenism, unity and division are not

new topics -- hear one of today's leading Calvin scholars address issues from the Ref-

ormation that inform our lives today.   Instructor: Dr. Randall Zachman Professor, University of Notre Dame  When: Saturday, March 26,  2011 9 am - noon Where: Siena College - Key Auditorium 

515 Loudon Road Loudonville, NY 12211

  Fee: Covered by sponsors; Freewill offering will  

be taken to benefit CRTC programming.   Registration deadline: March 18, 2011  Sponsored by: Siena College, Franciscan Center for Catholic Studies, and West-

minster Presbyterian Church (Albany, NY)   REGISTER TODAY!  

 

(Continued on page

Quick Links 

Visit our Website!  

Register Now  

About Us  

View Our Other Courses! 

 CRTC's Mission is to:  

Equip with tools for developing

and expressing faith;

Connect people and resources,

creating community; and

Inspire a commitment to re-newed discipleship and spiritualgrowth. 

Join us!

Sincerely,

Martha Reisner

Capital Region Theological Center

 Beat the winter blues with good companions and inspiring instructors!   

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Community Reformed News5

Sunday is Fun Day!Church School Rotation Model

  

Explore the 'hows' and 'whys' of using the Rotation Workshop

model in your space: Why is it easier for teachers?  Why can

you reach a wider range of ages in a smaller space?  How can

you recruit teachers and train them for this model?  How can

you transform your space?  Lots of take-home resources!  See

it set up in a space where it's really used!   

Instructor: Rev. Dr. Miriam Lawrence Leopold  When: Saturday, April 2 9am - 4pm  Where: First Presbyterian Church 

362 State Street, Albany, NY 12210  Fee: $65 by March 3;     $75 thereafter   Registration deadline: March 17, 2011  

REGISTER TODAY!  

Faith, Power & Perspective: Women in the Old Testament   

  Women play powerful roles in th

Old Testament; their stories of radicfaith had the power to change th

course of history.  They still have

power to give new perspective an

inspire our living today.    How well do we know the women

and their stories?   Instructor:  

Dr. Katharine Doob Sakenfeld Princeton Theological Seminary

  

When: Friday, April 8, 2011 9 am - 4 pm  Where: Union Presbyterian Church 

1068 Park Place Schenectady, NY 12308  

Fee: $85 by March 4 $95 thereafter 

  Registration Deadline: March 23, 2011   

REGISTER TODAY!  

(Continued from page 4)

Shirley’s Shawls MinistryLinda Murphy

For centuries shawls and af-ghans have been created to

provide warmth and love. In

recent years, prayer shawlministries have begun in con-gregations to create shawls

to bring God’s comfort andlove to those in need. 

At Community Reformed, our prayer shawl ministry iscalled ―Shirley’ Shawls‖ in loving memory of ShirleyBeach. Shirley sparked the idea for a prayer shawl

ministry and  Maggie George brought it to reality. 

Members of Shirley’s Shawls create knitted, crocheted

or woven shawls, as well as lap robes, or throws.These items are presented to those in need of loving

support due to illness, bereavement or a difficult timein their lives. The shawls are also presented for joyful

occasions such as the birth of a child, wedding,

graduations or achievements. 

The ministry also creates ―pocket prayer shawls‖ that

can be tucked into a pocket or purse as a portable reminder of love and blessings. The ministry has pre

sented a basket of pocket prayer shawls to the New

York Oncology Hematology where clients are encouraged to take a pocket prayer shawl to have durintreatment, and then at home, as a source of comfort. 

Each shawl is created with thoughtful prayers in eacstitch. The members of ―Shirley’s Shawls‖ meet, typ

cally, the third Thursday of each month at 7 pm in thgathering room.  As we knit, crochet or weave we taabout our projects and those who may have recentl

received a shawl or requests that have been received. 

We are hoping to add new members to this ministry

Due to the generosity of the congregation we have aabundant supply of yarn, instructional materials an

other supplies. We will gladly assist anyone who doenot knit, crochet or use a hand held loom. 

All that is needed is an interest in this rewarding min

istry. For more details see Maggie George or LindMurphy.

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Community Reformed News6

Book Group News The Book Group book for March is The Shapeof Mercy , by Susan Meissner.

 One reader wrote on Ama-zon’s Customer Reviews:―Meissner had me on page

one, and the weekend flew by.Her expert weaving of twostories ties together, and anintriguing event in America'shistory linked with a modernday woman took me away into

both worlds. One of the best I've read inyears.‖   

Another called it ―Haunting and Introspec-tive.‖   

Everyone is welcome to attend the BookGroup’s monthly meetings on the fourth

Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM. 

The leader for March is Karen Reynolds. 

 

 

Service of Healing 

Filled with compassion, Jesus

reached out his hand and 

touched the man. 

Mark 1:41

 

Sunday, March 20 

7:00 PM   

This special Lenten worship ser-

vice calls upon Our Lord who is

the Great Physician, the Healer

of body, mind, spirit, and soul.

Through the laying on of hands,

the anointing with oil, song, and

prayer we humbly ask for resto-

ration and healing.

 

All Are Welcome 

Childcare will be available

 Community Reformed Church

701 Sand Creek RoadColonie, NY 12205

www. coloniereformed.org869-5589

 

 

Bible Verse forMarch

 

In each issue of Cross and Com-

ments we offer you a Bible verse to

contemplate, study and memorize. It is our hope that this will be one

more way you can connect withGod’s word .

“The gracious hand of our God is on everyone wholooks to him.”  Ezra8:22 

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 Community Reformed News7

Temporary-Editor: Lou Ann Connelly Layout Designer: Bob Becker

 

Articles are due by the 15th of the month and can be submitted to

louannconne@nycap.rr.com or given to Lou Ann Connelly.

Ash Wednesday WorshipMarch 97:30 PM

 You are dust, and to dust you will return.

 

This ancient formula will be heard by millionsof Christians all over the world this Ash

Wednesday as the sign of the cross is madewith ashes on their forehead.  This symbolic

act is both a solemn reminder and an invitationto renewal.  All are welcome as we begin to-

gether the sacred walk towards Easter.

On February 13 Bruce steppedout of his usual role of directorto perform.  His sermon was adramatic presentation: WhoseChurch is It?  

Lenten Worship Ash Wednesday

March 9 ~ 7:30 PM 

Service of HealingSunday, March 20 ~ 7 PM

 

R and R ~ Rest and Re-creation

Wednesday ~ April 13 ~ 7 PM

Passion (Palm) SundayApril 17 ~ 8 AM and 10:30 AM

 

Good Friday WorshipApril 22 ~ 7:30 PM

 

Easter April 24 ~ 8 AM and 10:30 AM  

All are Welcome 

Community Reformed Church

701 Sand Creek Road ~ Colonie869-5589 ~ www.coloniereformed.org