July/August 2015

Ogden Presbyterian Church

2400 S. Union Street

Spencerport, NY 14559

(585) 352-6802

Oracle Volume XLIII - Issue L

Dear friends,

I am on my study leave and sabbatical for the next three months and two weeks. On the last week of September, I will be

back.

My study leave and sabbatical will be an opportunity for me to spend some time with my husband in Ohio, my family in

Thailand, and my son and his wife in California. I will be able to visit other churches that are trying, as we are, to em-

brace all people with God’s love and grace. I’ll learn from these congregations, and then come back and share my find-

ings. I want to look at the best practices of churches that do an excellent job of

welcoming people with true hospitality, and then return to OPC with some fresh ideas for ministry here.

I also want to take a break and enjoy some rest and renewal. Jesus knows I need it. The first followers of Jesus are an

awful lot like ourselves… working long hours, coming and going, with no chance to even sit down and grab a bite! So

Jesus said, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” (Mark 6:31) They accept the invitation of

Jesus, and escape by boat to a deserted place.

Jesus grasps something that today’s best thinkers are only beginning to understand: decomposition takes time. The mak-

ing of good, rich, life-giving compost, for example, takes time. You can’t hurry compost for the same reason you can’t

hurry love. In the same way, grandchildren take time, learning a foreign language takes a long time, the testing of new

drugs takes time, and vacations that truly enable us to rest, relax, and recreate take time. That’s why I’m taking a sabbati-

cal: decomposition takes time.

I need to decompose/decompress a bit if I’m going to come back here full of nutrients that the church needs for health

and growth. I am hoping that my sabbatical will help me to recover an important element of spiritual truth that I am valu-

able simply because I exist, as a child of God. My value doesn’t come from preaching

sermons, writing articles, or administrating or moderating the Session. I am valuable because I exist, as one of God’s

precious children. And so are you…

There is a lot that my sabbatical can teach me, and a lot that it can teach you as well. I am getting a break from serving as

your pastor, and you are getting a break from me! Good things can definitely happen in all our lives as we disengage and

decompose a bit.

This is an opportunity for you to grow closer to Jesus, the One who is the true Shepherd - the true pastor - of us all. In

the months ahead, I hope that you come to worship Jesus, our Lord, who is worthy of our corporate worship. Come to

the weekly gathering of the flock and let the Good Shepherd feed, water, and nurture you through His Word. I hope that

you will feel his deep love for you, and that you will let him teach you many things.

This is an opportunity for you to expand your own work as a disciple of Jesus Christ. One of the benefits of a sabbatical

to a congregation is that it pushes responsibility for problem-solving down and out - down from the pastor’s position and

out into the congregation. It allows the normal power structure to decompose a bit, and this allows for new growth to

occur.

During the sabbatical and study leave period, questions can be asked and can be solved by the elders, the

deacons, the trustees, and the various ministries of the church. Working together, I think you will have a lot of fun during

my absence, and you may discover some new ways to worship, learn, and serve.

I’ll miss you during this sabbatical period, but I know you’ll be in good hands. Jesus remains the head of this church, and

He will show compassion to you as He teaches you and calls on you to serve in new ways. (continued on p.2)

PAGE 2 JULY/AUGUST 2015

ORACLE DEADLINE

The September 2015 Oracle Deadline is Monday, August 17.

SPENCERPORT FOOD SHELF NEEDS…

Current needs: Paper Towels, Toothpaste, Jell-o,

Pudding, Canned Meat, Coffee. Cash and/or gift cards are

always welcome. There are 120 families on the active list

that benefit from your donations. See Jean Schult or Andy

Resch if you wish to donate cash.

GET RID OF YOUR LOOSE CHANGE

Once again, the Missions Committee will be

collecting loose change for the Spencerport

Human Needs Fund. Last year we raised $212.47.

The coin jar will be on the Mission table.

Thank you for your help!

OPC Pastoral Coverage during Pastor Sudi’s Sabbatical

The following is the schedule of pulpit supply for the duration of Pastor Sudi’s sabbatical:

July 5: The Rev. Virginia Brown (Communion Sunday)

July 12: Vacation Bible School presentation - Donna Metherell and Cindy Anderson

July 19: John Goehle

July 26: Canal Days Ecumenical Service (The Rev. Nancy Peebles and John Goehle)

August 2: The Rev. Amy Fowler (Communion Sunday)

August 9: The Rev. Michael Fry

August 16: The Rev. Robert Kaiser

August 23: The Rev. Carolyn Grohman

August 30: “The Scriptures and the Hymns”

September 6: Rev. Robert Kaiser (Communion Sunday)

September 13: The Rev. Gail Hill

September 20: The Rev. Encie Stevens

Pastor Sudi will return to the pulpit on September 27th.

(continued from p. 1)

May our time apart give us that time of decomposition, and when we are reconnected at the end of September,

may we be full of nutrients and new ideas.

Grace and peace, Sudi Layraman

**IN CASE OF EMERGENCY**

during Pastor Sudi’s sabbatical,

please contact:

Dennise Webster (352-5737) or

Dawn Sheffet (746-7666).

They will get you in touch with

the on-call pastor.

My dear friends, you know how to send someone off in style!

Thank you for all you did to make me feel loved and appreciated.

Of course my feelings are mixed. We’ve been a part of each other’s

lives for so long. A very special note of gratitude and appreciation

for that great team headed up by our Sandy Frieday, and our

Mary Saurini for putting out such a wonderful spread. I miss you

already. Much love to all. ~Dan Proper

Dan Proper (temporary address)

505 S. Sweetwater Hills Dr.

Moore, SC 29369

(585) 279-9691 or (585) 329-9107

thepropermove@gmail.com

PAGE 3 JULY/AUGUST 2015

June Prayers of Concern

Prayers for Betty Schroeder as she prepares for new

radiation treatment, and for her daughter, Pam, who

will be her caregiver.

Jean Foster’s sister, Judy, (facing major surgery)

The Palmers’ friend, Candy Starr (hip surgery)

The Palmers’ friend, Phoebe Earle (cancer)

Safe travels for Donna Gruendike’s niece, Alicia, and

her sons

Prayers of healing for Donna Gruendike’s friend and

co-worker, Sue, who is having brain surgery on 6/23

Kathy Spaulding (Jean Schult’s sister-in-law) was

diagnosed with bone cancer. Prayers for her and her

family.

Prayers for safe travels and a wonderful spiritual

adventure for Pastor Sudi during her sabbatical.

Prayers for Nicole Quinn’s friend Kerri Wald and her

family as they mourn the passing of her

grandmother, Elsie.

For the families and friends of the victims of the church

shootings in Charleston, SC, as well as for the

church community

Praise that DuWayne Paulick’s sister’s biopsy came

back negative.

Praise that Ben Palmer’s class safely returned home

from Italy.

Praise that Colin Palmer arrived safely in Brazil for his

internship.

Thank you from Dianne Voorhees for all their

expressions of care and concern after Don’s

passing, as well as to the Deacons and those who

helped in preparing for the Memorial Service.

Praise for a good report from Carol Newman’s eye

doctor

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

Each Sunday in our PowerPoint announcement, we

announce the birthdays of members of our church for that

coming week. Sometimes we have the birthday correct,

sometimes we don’t, and sometimes it’s missing all

together. Help us fix this! We want to celebrate with you!

Please take a minute to either email or call the church

office with the birthdays and anniversaries, as well as the

correct spellings of the names of members in your

household.

Email: ogdenpres@frontiernet.net or

Phone: 585-352-6802.

You do not need to give us the year, but by

having the dates, we can be sure to include

you in the birthday list.

Thanks!

EAGLE STAR VETERAN’S HOME

The Men’s Bible Group needs your help.

Throughout the year, we will be collecting donations

on the “Veterans’ Wish List”. The complete list is

posted on the Mission Bulletin Board and on the

special box on the Mission Table. Extra copies of the

list will be on the table for you to take home. If you

have any questions, contact any member of the Bible

Group. Your help is greatly appreciated.

One trustee is assigned per month to take care of any

building issues that may arise. Work Order Request forms

can be found on the office window ledge. Please call the

designated Trustee if you have something that needs to be

addressed or drop off a Work Order Request in the office.

Trustee of the Month:

July - Scott Gaskill (585) 395-1472

August - Tim Cassidy (585) 352-0442

NATIVE AMERICAN YOUTH

The Mission Committee is collecting school supplies,

backpacks, and/or tote bags for Mohawk Language

Renewal program for Native American children in

Rochester. Copies of the Wish List are on the Mission

Table. Please take one and put your donations in the

special bin by the Mission Table. Most items on the List

can be purchased in Dollar Stores.

Thank you for your help.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN NEWS

At this point, things are still up in the air for a

Harvest Festival Dinner. We will keep you posted if

something changes and someone steps up to chair a

committee this summer.

PAGE 4 JULY/AUGUST 2015

SUMMER CHURCH SCHOOL AND

NURSERY CARE—July & August 2015

Will you please consider teaching and/or

providing care in our Nursery Room one or two

Sundays, for our children and youth, in grades

Kindergarten through Grade 4, this coming

summer? Your time and help is greatly

appreciated! The sign-up sheets are posted on the

Christian Education bulletin board in the

Fellowship Hall, and on the door of the Nursery

Room. The suggested lesson and accompanying

activities will be provided for you for the

Sunday morning you sign up to teach.

**Please note: There will be no Church School

and/or Nursery Care on a Sunday morning when

no one is signed up to teach or provide care. We

sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.

~The CE Committee

MAY PRESBYTERY HIGHLIGHTS

The Presbytery of the Genesee Valley met Tuesday, May

26 at Twelve Corners Presbyterian Church.

* The Rev. Deborah Swift will be installed as pastor of

South Presbyterian Church.

* Committee on Preparation for Ministry approved six

members of Presbytery as ordination exam readers.

* The Presbytery voted to declare opposition to any

religious freedom bills based on marital status, sexual

orientation, ethnicity, religion, natural

origin, gender identity, genetic information, sex, or

disability.

* Approved the sale of the First Presbyterian Church of

East Rochester

* Approved the participation of five members of Presbytery

to the Synod assembly.

* Approved a motion to form a mission team to determine

the future direction of The People’s Ministry in Christ.

* Five congregations were awarded congregational grants.

OPC was awarded $1,000 for “Puppets at the Pavilion,” a

series of puppet shows for children and young families.

This will increase awareness of OPC as a community

resource.

* The dinner hour was a combination of a snack buffet and

four different discussion groups with 20-25 commissioners

and pastors in each group.

* We celebrated the retirement of Rev. Nancy Reinert, Rev.

Dr. Val Fowler, and Rev. Alfreda Morse.

~ Robert Wallace

OPC Representative to Presbytery

Upcoming Fellowship Events

Please mark your calendars now for these fun 2015

Fellowship Events and plan to join us:

July 26 – Ecumenical Sunday Fellowship Hour

August 23 – Road Rally / Sundae Bar (Lunch will be

provided; free will offering)

October 11 – Oktoberfest German Theme Fellowship

Hour (free will offering)

November 8 – Asian Theme Fellowship Hour (sign-up

sheet for contributions)

December 20 – OPC Christmas Party

In addition, a few other fun Fellowship Events will be

announced in the coming months. Many thanks to the

Fellowship Team and to all who volunteer to host Fel-

lowship Hour or help in any way.

We appreciate you! :)

SAVE THE DATE

Who? OPC Women and Friends

What? “From the Hive to Your Home”

Joanne Crossman, beekeeper from Caledonia

When? September 24 at 7pm

Where? OPC Fellowship Hall

Cost? $5.00 - make your own beeswax

candle and program

Watch the September Oracle

for more details.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

will meet after worship on July 12th.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE

will meet Tuesday, August 25, at 7pm.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY GROUP

will resume meeting in the Fall. More details will be

provided toward the end of August.

Deacon News

* The Deacon moderator for 2015 will be Dawn Sheffet; co-moderator will be Dennise Webster. Please

keep us informed of joys and concerns. We thank you for being the eyes, ears, and caring hearts for

those in need in our congregation, and for letting us know.

* Please continue to keep Deacons/church office informed of changes in address/telephone numbers so

that we can maintain up to date folders for each Deacon, & one office copy. This helps in our

combined care of YOU!

* Reminder there are upper room devotional books available in the front and back of church. These are

provided from the Deacons but donations are accepted.

* Great news, the deacons are now providing gluten free bread on communion Sundays so all may

partake in this sacrament.

* The Deacons put on a memorial service this past month for Donald Voorhees.

* The Deacons, along with the Women’s Bible Study, have been able to provide clothes, and money for

haircuts to Jane Schenk.

* The Deacons continue to visit the shut-ins, and people in our congregation that need spiritual

support.

Where love and caring are, there is God.

PAGE 5 JULY/AUGUST 2015

From the DEACONS…

Prayers and Concerns

If you would like a joy and/or concern placed on the prayer chain, please contact

Dawn Sheffet (746-7666) or Dennise Webster (352-5737) or your Deacon. Please

note that only Deacons and Session receive this request. It is important that the

person mentioned give permission for the information to be shared.

Those in care facilities/shut-ins to be remembered with prayers, cards, and visits!

Ginny (Hartman) Herrick

Jane Schenk

Jane Snell

Judy Pagel

Addresses/phone numbers for any of the above, or best times to visit,

may be obtained from the Deacons.

Flowers for the Worship Service

There is a sign up sheet on the Deacon bulletin board.

Those who wish to provide flowers for the worship service

in honor/memory of someone may sign up here.

The Deacons would like to

acknowledge those familiar to our church family

who are currently serving in the United States

Military. We encourage the

congregation to remember and pray for them in

honor of their service to our country.

Gary J. Mulford

7063A Han Circle

Ft Stewart, GA 31315

The work of the board of the Deacons is supported by your contributions to the Deacon offering, which is

taken on Communion Sunday. Offering envelopes are available in the pews for this collection. Thank you!

Be a lamp, a lifeboat, or a ladder

-Rumi

Mary

En

gelb

reit

PAGE 6 JULY/AUGUST 2015

JUNE SESSION HIGHLIGHTS

Rev. Encie Stevens began her OPC coverage as

Moderator. She prepared for and guided a

productive meeting.

The “Plant Project” was launched. This

Session-only project is designed to help OPC

Session grow together!

Updates to the Sexual Misconduct Policy, and

investigation of a Child Safety Policy will be

underway.

Congregational Retreat - our annual retreat

will be scheduled for either September 12th or

19th. Details to follow…

Motions were approved to:

a) Process payments for website

development

b) Donate to the Presbytery’s Pastor

Emergency Relief Fund

c) Pre-approve the Congregational Retreat

d) Donate the loose offering from the 7/26

Canal Days Ecumenical Service to the

Spencerport Food Shelf.

~John Caloritis

Clerk of Session

A JOY AND A SORROW

It is a joy to have shared so many years of our lives

together here at OPC. We had some laughs and some tears.

It was a real joy to have me welcomed into your homes

and into your hearts. I knew your joy and your pain. You

have taught me so much of what is important in our short

lives here on this planet with our Lord Jesus. You have

provided for me a loving family… this, my friends, is a

treasure to be embraced and contemplated for all the rest

of my years. It is a joy that I can venture off on yet another

adventure in our life’s path, and I carry with me all that

you have taught me, and have shared with me. This will

give me peace and repose knowing of the many ways you

have enriched my life.

I’d like to share with you two quotes. The first is from

an article dated March 22, 1981. Gary Beikirch, a Vietnam

Veteran from Rochester, said, “Surrounded by death, I

began to understand that life is both fragile and beautiful -

and that friendship and love are more powerful than life.”

The second quote is from the book The Prophet by Kahlil

Bibran. (First, just to clarify, which you probably already

know to be true - when using the term him or his it should

be known as a reference to both genders) “People of

Orphalese,”… (oh, let me modify that a little)… “People

of Ogden Presbyterian, ‘When you part from your friend,

you grieve not; for that which you love most in him may

be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is

clearer from the plain. And let there be no purpose in

friendship save the deepening of the spirit. For love that

seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not

love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is

caught. And let your best be for your friend. If he must

know the ebb of your tide, let him know it’s flood also.

For what is your friend that you should seek him with

hours to kill? Seek him always with hours to live. For it is

his to fill your need, but not your emptiness. And in the

sweetness of friendship, let there be laughter, and sharing

of pleasures. For in the dew of little things, the heart finds

its morning and is refreshed.”

You have given me my deeper thirsting after life. And

if this day is not a fulfillment of your needs and my love,

then let it be a promise till another day.

My love to you all,

Dan Proper

Godspeed, brother, and may our paths eventually cross again. You will be missed

here at OPC.

CANAL DAYS ECUMENICAL WORSHIP

Sunday, July 26th @ OPC

John Goehle and Rev. Nancy Peebles are

hard at work preparing for this special

ecumenical service. There will be a fellowship

hour after worship. We hope you will join us!

PAGE 7 JULY/AUGUST 2015

Congratulations again to all of our graduates,

and thank you to the Fellowship Team for a

wonderful Dad & Grad fellowship hour!

TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY

The women’s Tuesday morning Bible study

will not be meeting this summer. Our fall

study will begin on September 15 at 9:30 in

the Oak Room. We will be studying scouting

the divine - SEARCHING FOR GOD IN

WINE, WOOL, AND WILD HONEY

by Margaret Feinberg.

All OPC women and their friends are invited

to join us. We’d love to see new faces.

AURORA HOUSE PIG ROAST

Save the date. The 7th Annual Aurora House

Pig Roast will be held on September 19th at

the American Legion Post on Trimmer Road.

Sign-up sheets will be posted on the Mission

Bulletin Board for anyone who would like to

help clean potatoes and corn or serve.

Look for further information.

UPDATE FROM CHRISTIAN ED

Members of the Christian Education

committee and our congregation marched in

the Spencerport Firemen's Parade on the

evening of June 11th, to promote our VBS

program, "Everest!" We had a fun time

passing out brochures, enjoying the parade,

and seeing people in our community!

Special thanks to Quinn, Bryce, and Glenn

Ewell, Leah, Emma, and Jen Savino, Lulu,

Lily, Quattro, and Pam Gonnoud, Kelly

Bindert, and Donna Metherell!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

July 6—10

9am—Noon daily

Any questions? See Donna Metherell

The final totals are in for this year’s CROP

walk. Collectively we raised a total of $6,612

this year, with $1,115 coming from OPC!

25% of the overall total will come back to

benefit our local Food Shelf.

Thank you for your support!

PAGE 8 JULY/AUGUST 2015

Worship and Fellowship Assistants

GREETERS:

July 5 Norma Jones

12 Marlene Dyer

19 Don & Carol Clarke

26 Judy Rynne

USHERS:

July 5 Jean Schult & Mary Saurini

12 Vacation Bible School

19 Marlene Dyer & Norma Jones

26 Evelyn Bentley & Bob Hutchison

LITURGIST:

July 5 Dennis Dupree

12 Cindy Anderson

19 Bill Everett

26 John Goehle

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS:

July 5 TBD

12 VBS Sunday - Christian Ed

19 TBD

26 Fellowship Team w/ OPC help

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS:

July 5 NO SUNDAY SCHOOL

12 Vacation Bible School Sunday

19 Cindy Anderson

26 Nicole Quinn

COMMUNION SERVERS:

July 5 Norma Jones, Marlene Dyer,

Harry & Sharon Pittman

BIRTHDAYS THIS MONTH

Carol Newman 7/ 3

Lauren Ewell 7/ 4

Donna Metherell 7/ 6

Simon James Ryhal 7/ 7

Stephanie Cassidy 7/ 9

Maegan Alysse Rosipayla 7/ 10

Makenzie Rhea Rosipayla 7/ 10

Ronald Tucker 7/ 11

Dennise Webster 7/ 14

Bill Everett 7/ 14

Marilyn Malloy 7/ 15

Mary Lynn Watson 7/ 17

Suzie Ewell 7/ 17

Amy Webster 7/ 18

Lynne Knight 7/ 20

Patricia Rowe 7/ 20

Tom Mulford 7/ 21

Robert Hutchison 7/ 23

Nancy Barklund 7/ 26

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN NEWS:

At this point in time we are still up in

the air for a Harvest Festival Dinner.

We will keep you posted if something

changes and someone steps up to

chair a committee this summer.

PAGE 9 JULY/AUGUST 2015

PAGE 10 JULY/AUGUST 2015

Worship and Fellowship Assistants

GREETERS: August 2 Marlene Dyer

9 DuWayne & Barbara Paulick

16 Jean Schult

23 Bob Schmitt

30 Bill & Pat Everett

USHERS:

August 2 Cindy Anderson &

9 Marlene Dyer & Norma Jones

16 TBD

23 Roger & Bonnie Howlett

30 Evelyn Bentley & Bob Hutchison

LITURGIST:

August 2 Roger Howlett

9 TBD

16 TBD

23 TBD

30 Sandy Frieday, Cindy Anderson, Roger Howlett

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS:

August 2 TBD

9 Sandy & Jim Frieday

16 TBD

23 OPC Road Rally/Sundae Bar - Fellowship Team

30 TBD

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS:

August 2 TBD

9 TBD

16 TBD

23 TBD

30 TBD

COMMUNION SERVERS:

August 2 TBD

BIRTHDAYS THIS MONTH

Carol Ann Pittman 8/ 4

John Goehle 8/ 5

Pat Tripoli 8/ 6

Jane Schenk 8/ 6

Gloria Dennis 8/ 7

Douglas Dupree 8/ 9

Betty Parker 8/ 9

James Frieday 8/ 9

Cheryl Palmer 8/ 13

Dennis Dupree 8/ 14

Dick Malloy 8/ 15

Jean Schult 8/ 17

Brittany Metz 8/ 17

Dan Metherell 8/ 18

David Pittman 8/ 20

Julia Pittman 8/ 20

Donald Lodge 8/ 23

Eileen Smith 8/ 23

Alexandra Mandarano 8/ 25

Trevor Schumann 8/ 26

Jacqueline Ewell 8/ 27

Clara Reiber 8/ 29

Caroline Norma Resch 8/ 31

PAGE 11 JULY/AUGUST 2015

Newsletter Deadline: Articles for the September 2015 issue of The Oracle are due in the Church Office no later than Monday, August 17th by 10:00 a.m. All contributions are subject to editing with regard to the subject matter and space requirements.

The Oracle is the newsletter of the Ogden Presbyterian Church of Spencerport, New York, a member congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The newsletter is sent to members and friends of the congregation to keep them informed of events, activities, and people in the life of the congregation. Sunday worship is at 10:00a.m. Church school is offered for all ages. Coffee Fellowship immediately follows worship. All guests are welcome! Pastor: Rev. Sudi Layraman

Ogden Presbyterian Church

2400 S. Union Street

Spencerport, NY 14559

Telephone: (585) 352-6802

Pastor’s email: SudiLay@gmail.com

Office email: ogdenpres@frontiernet.net

Sunday Worship: 10:00 a.m.

Website: http://www.ogdenpresbyterian.org

July/August 2015

**DATED MATERIAL**

OPC Mission Statement: Our purpose is to equip ourselves and others to be Disciples of Christ as we seek God’s will for our church and beyond.

July/August 2015