THE OPEN DOOR -...
Transcript of THE OPEN DOOR -...
THE OPEN DOOR
The Briarcliff Congregational Church 30 South State Road, PO Box 290, Briarcliff Manor, New York 10510
914-941-4368 www.briarcliffchurch.org
“Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.” Revelation 3:8
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Blessing of the Animals 2
Food Bank Trip 3
Benevolence News 3
Guest Preacher Oct 25 4
Derrick McQueen 4
Lector’s Workshop 4
Women’s Society News 5
Stewardship Report 5
Notes from Fimi 5
Celebrations 6
October Calendar 7
Dear Good People of Briarcliff Church,
The waves and waves of desperate people on the move – refugees of war in
Syria, Yemen, Ukraine, as well as conflicts in Africa – are astounding; and if
you’re like me, you’re feeling both an urge to somehow help and a
powerlessness about how to proceed. Politics aside, the human suffering
makes us want to DO SOMETHING to serve those in such overwhelming
circumstances.
Given this, I am happy to report the BCC Benevolence Committee has just
allocated gifts to Save the Children and Doctors Without Borders (in the
amount of $1000 each), ear-marked for refugee relief. These gifts represent
our first response. We’re seeking other opportunities to help, as well, and
will be glad to learn of how/where others in the congregation are involved.
SO, if there’s a way to help that you know about, please speak up and let
either me or those on Benevolence (Nancy Panagacos, Kristin Basil, Penny
Wolf, Janet Moulton or Maria Fluturas) know about it.
Corporate action, doing something good with others of like concern for those
in need and as an expression of our faith, is one of the great benefits of
belonging to a congregation. I, for one, don’t feel so alone or powerless in
the face of catastrophe when I know we share the concern and can be
effective as a church in ways that individuals cannot be. Bev Aisenbrey often
cites this as a compelling aspect of church life for her, and I know many of us
appreciate how strong we can be as ONE in Christ.
So, ironically, the crisis has become occasion for me to give thanks, in a
round-about way. While I mourn the suffering, I am grateful for the church
because an action response can be affected through it; and this is a good
thing. I’m grateful for others who share my concern. And I’m grateful for
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SAVE THESE DATES
OCTOBER
4 Blessing of the Animals
8 Women’s Society
25 Heim Concert
NOVEMBER
1 All Saints Sunday
6-8 Hudson River Potters
8 “The Subject is Islam”
14 W.S Crafts Workshop
15 Heim Organ Concert
22 Commitment Sunday
30 Church Council meeting
Contact Us At:
rosborough@
briarcliffchurch.org
AND
church-office@
briarcliffchurch.org
Volume 68 Number 2 October 2015
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the resources we have on hand, which, while a
little drop in a cavernous bucket, will help in
some way. May we be inspired and equipped to
do more. (It’s been suggested that we sponsor
and re-settle a family, for example! That would
be an “extraordinary” undertaking – as Paul
Nixon has suggested we do – and a fulfilling
witness, for sure.)
Autumn is here. A busy and blessed time. And
one I delight to share with you.
Yours in faith,
Pastor Bonnie
ST. FRANCIS, REMEMBERED
Mary Luti, a leader in our United Church of
Christ, has offered the following reflection on St.
Francis, whose feast day is October 4th.
Once upon a time, a dandy named Francis heard the
gospel. He gave away his own money, then stole his
father’s to help the poor. Dragged before the bishop
for judgment, he stripped off his clothes and, naked as
a jay, strode out of town, a newborn. He’d been
baptized as an infant, but this was the moment it took.
He became poor himself, suffering with the ragged on
the streets. He sang about Brother Sun and Sister
Water, preached to birds, did therapy with killer
wolves, and lured the cream of Assisi’s youth into the
evangelical madness of his mercy. To everyone’s
revulsion, including at first his own, he embraced
lepers, kissing their sores. Townspeople pelted him
with stones.
He hung out in a ruined chapel, the Portiuncula. One
day its crucifix spoke to him: “Repair my church.”
Stone by stone, he rebuilt the chapel. Some say Jesus
meant him to reform the Church, but Francis was
literal-minded, inclined to the concrete, doable things
in front of his nose.
Hungry for honor, he’d once gone to war. He
returned traumatized, a haunted peacemaker. Which
is why he’s the patron saint of stowaways, having
hidden on a boat headed for Egypt where he crossed
enemy lines, found the Sultan, commended the gospel
to him, and tried to end the fifth crusade. It didn’t
work, but the Sultan through he was a rare lovely
Christian and made sure he got home safely.
Francis love everybody, even the luxurious Pope down
in the holy cesspool of Rome (who’d surprised
everyone by approving the Franciscan Rule). But
most of all, Francis loved Jesus, following him with
unhinged joy down to the last detail of Christ’s
freedom and agony. One night, legend says, seraphim
lasered the wounds of Jesus onto his scrawny flesh.
Before Francis died, naked on the ground outside the
Portiuncula – dust to dust – he told his brothers, “I
have done my part. Christ teach you to do yours.”
He also said, “We have only begun to live the gospel.”
We, even dying Francis, have only begun.
Now he’s in Paradise with Jesus. It’s said that in the
morning mist, angels can’t tell them apart. His
heaven teems with talking birds, repentant wolves,
laughing water. The Pope’s there too, singing duets
with the Sultan. And lepers, thousands of lepers,
roses blooming on the skin where Francis kissed them.
We Protestants don’t have a tradition of
venerating the Saints. It’s too round-about-
Roman for us. But, I do love Francis, and I think
Luti’s poetic depiction of him is terrific, in part
because she describes more of his life and faith
than what we generally are aware, stopping at
“preaching to the birds,” as we tend to.
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For some years, we at BCC have acknowledged
The Feast of St. Francis with a Blessing of the
Animals in Francis’ name on or about October
4th. This year, Francis’ Feast falls on the first
Sunday in October; and we’ll again be blessing
the animals, at 1:00 that afternoon, on the parish
hall lawn. Bring Fido and Fifi, rabbits, turtles,
gerbils, chickens, the whole gang. Peter Frost
will be on hand to help us sing. It’s usually a
wonderful
experience of
holy mayhem
and lots of fun
(for the animal
lovers among
us, that is).
We’ll remember
the lepers and
the Sultan, the
Pope, too.
NEIGHBORS IN NEED,
received October 4th.
The annual, all-church Neighbors in Need
Offering is one of four special offerings received
in the United Church of Christ. Since its
creation, one-third of the proceeds have been
used by the UCC Council for American Indian
Ministry, which, in turn, prepares study and
action materials to guide the church in our
response to the genocide of the native peoples
and theft of their ancestral lands. Moreover, the
offering recalls the historically significant
partnerships between Congregationalists and
American Indians, intertwined through
missionary relationships. Educational materials
can be found at www.ucc.org/dod.
VOLUNTEER TRIP TO FOOD BANK
FOR WESTCHESTER
On Saturday, October 3, high school students
related to BCC are invited to volunteer at the
Food Bank for Westchester in Elmsford. From 9 -
10:30 a.m., we will be repacking bulk foods (such
as pasta), sorting donated food or packing senior
produce bags. We have room for up to fifteen
volunteers (including a few chaperones). We are
in need of both teenagers to volunteer and a few
adults to drive/chaperone. If you would like to
participate, please contact Debra Stewart at
[email protected]. There will also be a
sign up sheet in Beebe Hall. This promises to be a
fun and meaningful trip!
BENEVOLENCE NEWS
The Benevolence Committee is gearing up for the
second annual awarding of Jan and Wayne Byers
Memorial Fund special donations. The
nomination period is now open. Jan and Wayne
were long-time member of BCC who cared
deeply about bettering the lives of others. Please
consider proposing organizations whose purpose
and work honors their spirit and compassion.
Applications for nominating recipients of the Jan
and Wayne Byers Memorial Fund are available at
the back of the Sanctuary and in the Church
Office. The deadline for submission will be in
December and the awards will be announced
early in the new year.
Peanut Butter Sundays are continuing and are
greatly appreciated by the Ossining Food Pantry.
Last month we collected 25 jars! Please bring a
jar (or two) to help families in the Greater
Ossining community with their grocery needs.
Also accepted are non-perishables, such as tuna
and raisins, which are also appreciated.
Collection is in the wicker basket, specially
marked for PB, in the vestibule!
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COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING
DINNER – 2015
Watch for more information! We are gearing
up and getting organized for the Community
Thanksgiving Dinner at the Ossining
Presbyterian Church. We had our first
meeting last week: Scarborough Presbyterian
Church, Ossining Presbyterian and BCC. It
looks like we will be asked to bake pies and
roast turkeys as we did so beautifully last
Thanksgiving! I was overwhelmed by our
response last year and know we will do
ourselves proud again this year! I will keep
you informed. Carol Mickel
BRIARCLIFF LIBRARY BOOK SALE
IN BEEBE HALL Watch for information on this event, coming to BCC
on Thanksgiving weekend. Setup help will be gladly
accepted as well as your support of the sale.
Planning ahead, the Benevolence Committee will
once again be sponsoring a Coat Drive for clients
and friends of IFCA (Inter-Faith Council for
Action) in Ossining. Gently used coats of all
sizes and genders are needed as the weather
turns colder and are greatly appreciated. Start
checking your closets and asking your friends
and family for any coats that they no longer
wear. Coats will be collected the first two
Sundays in November.
GUEST PREACHER,
REFORMATION SUNDAY, 25 OCTOBER
The Rev’d Linda Tarry-Chard will be our guest
on Reformation Sunday this year. A graduate of
Union Theological Seminary and a UCC minister
in the Metropolitan Association, Ms. Tarry-
Chard has recently retired from her position on
the pastoral staff at The Riverside Church in
Manhattan. Her work as Founder and President
of Project People Foundation, however, keeps
her busy. PPF was organized in 1996, after Linda
first traveled to South Africa; and it continues to
serve impoverished women and children there,
providing opportunities for education,
employment and entrepreneurship. She is Pastor
Rosborough’s dear, long time friend and
colleague, someone who bears a powerful
Christian witness in our world.
BCC FRIEND, DERRICK MCQUEEN,
TO BE ORDAINED
Derrick McQueen, who often preaches at BCC
when Pastor Rosborough is away and who
stimulated us to reflect on the music and witness
of Paul Robeson in February 2014, is to be
ordained by the NYC Presbytery, at St. James
Presbyterian Church (409 West 141st Street, NYC)
on October 3rd; and BCC is invited! Some of our
Deacons are hoping to attend, so car pooling may
be possible. Let your interest be known if you’d
like to go. The service begins at 2 p.m.
LECTORS (READERS)
TO BE CONVENED, OCTOBER 4TH
Reading scripture for the worshipping
congregation on Sunday morning is both a great
honor and a great responsibility, one for which
preparation is important and support is
advantageous. Therefore, those who enjoy
reading in our worship, as well as those now just
contemplating it, are invited to a conversation
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about this oh-so-important ministry we share.
Let’s talk about the upcoming lessons, how they
fit into the liturgical year, what we think of them,
how we might enhance how they’re
heard/received. The conversation is meant to
build community and to encourage a deeper
engagement with the texts – also to share some
“tricks of the trade,” which will strengthen our
proclamation of God’s Word. We’ll gather in the
Pastor’s Study, following worship.
WOMEN’S SOCIETY NEWS
What a lovely brunch we had the last Saturday in
September. Hobbies and interests were the topic
of the day, how they connect us to others or help
us recall family memories. We loved seeing and
chatting with everyone and missed those who
couldn’t be there.
Our next chance to get together is for a meeting
with speaker on Thursday, October 8, at 9:30 in
the Eastman Room. After a business meeting,
the Director of Hope’s Door, a local shelter for
victims of domestic violence, will tell us about
their important work. This meeting is open to all
of the women of the church and the community.
Bring a friend.
The Fall Craft Workshop, led by Jan Aiello, will
be held on Saturday morning, November 14,
9:30 to noon; we’ll be making plump partridges.
For those not feeling crafty, there will be other
things to do like cutting out hang tags for the
Christmas giving trees. There will also be a brief
business meeting, accompanied by opportunities
for good fellowship and food.
Please mark your December calendars for the
Preparation of Greens and Christmas luncheon
on Thursday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to noon, and Cookie
Packing on Monday evening, December 14, 7:30-
9 p.m. We still need a hostess for this event.
Whew! The Fall calendar flies at the speed of a
toboggan.
Halloween is Coming… ….and so is the BCC Halloween Party, for the young and young at heart!
Sunday, 25 October, during Coffee
Hour. Games, food, high jinx and fun! Costumes are encouraged.
(AND HELP IS BEING SOUGHT)
STEWARDSHIP REPORT
Welcome to autumn—and to our annual drive to
encourage parishioners and friends to pledge
financial support for the church. “DARE TO
GROW” is our adopted theme for this year. It
underscores our rededication to new programs
for our children and youth, a focus on adult
spiritual education, a project to upgrade the
church’s communication within and beyond the
parish, and our continuing efforts to expand
BCC’s community. We welcome your help and
support for all these “growing places” and look
forward to sharing more information about the
theme during Moments of Concern in
November. Commitment Sunday will be
November 22. Thank you, in advance, for your
participation and for the ways you already give
to the church.
NOTES FROM FIMI
The Senior and Children's Choirs are rehearsing
weekly. For Reformation Sunday on Oct 25, the
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Teen Choir will sing with the Senior Choir and
we will have our jazz duo back.
On October 25, we are presenting a concert by
the four recipients of our first annual BCC Music
Scholarship. The four recipients are: pianists Jade
Jang and Priscilla Zhang, bassoonist Gabriela
Gonzalez, and violinist Gustavo Briceño.
Jade Jang, 11-year-old pianist of Hartsdale began
her piano studies at the age of six with great
enthusiasm and devotion. She has been a winner
of the Young Pianists Competition sponsored by
the tri-county chapter of the National Teachers
Music Association.
Priscilla Zhang, an 11-year-old pianist who
comes with tremendous talent for music. She is
the daughter of the new minister of WCCF, the
Chinese Fellowship which rented our space for
three years. She has won competitions in SF Bay
area prior to moving here.
Gabriela Gonzalez, a bassoonist from
Venezuela, is an accomplished musician who has
just won the Concerto Competition at SUNY
Purchase, and will be performing with the
Purchase Symphony Orchestra in the fall.
Gustavo Briceño, a violinist from Venezuela, is
currently a student in the Master’s program at
SUNY Purchase. H is the concert master for the
Purchase Symphony Orchestra, and was the
featured soloist with the Camerata last season.
He has played with orchestras such as Simon
Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, Miami Symphony
Orchestra and Teresa Carreño Youth Orchestra
of Venezuela. He won the third prize in a
Chamber Music Competition with his former
String Quartet sponsored by Venezuela and
Spain and he also played in the String Quartet
Festival 2014 in Esterhazy Palace (Austria).
They will play a very varied program and the
proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund for
next year.
Three of the recipients have played during
summer services, and they will continue to
contribute to our worship services throughout
the year. Please come and support these young
musicians, and to see how the music scholarship
that many of you have contributed is assisting
them.
Blessings, Fimi
CELEBRATIONS
Peace comes from within,
do not seek it without.
excerpt from 'Heart of a Buddha'
Happy October Birthday
wishes to our friends:
Calvin Reynolds October 2
Natalie Mackintosh October 31
BRIARCLIFF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH TEL: 914-941-4368 FAX: 914-941-1513 EMAIL: [email protected]
OCTOBER 2015
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
Childcare is available
during worship.
Sunday School meets
simultaneously.
1
Senior choir
rehearsal, 8 p.m.
2
3 Food Bank
food packing
Derrick McQueen
Ordination, 2 p.m.
4 WORSHIP, 10 am.
Peanut Butter Sunday
Neighbors In Need
Readers Workshop
Animal Blessing, 1 p.m.
5
6
7
Deacons
7:30 p.m.
8 Women’s Society
meeting, 9:30 a.m.
Senior choir
rehearsal, 8 p.m.
9
10
11 WORSHIP, 10 am.
NO Sunday School
12
13
Benevolence,
7:30 p.m.
14
15
Senior choir
rehearsal, 8 p.m.
16
Deadline for
November
Open Door
17
18 WORSHIP, 10 am.
Trustees, 11:30 am
19
20
21
22
Senior choir
rehearsal, 8 p.m.
23
24
25 WORSHIP, 10 am.
Reformation Sunday
Guest Preacher, Rev’d
Linda Tarry-Chard
Heim Concert, 4 p.m.
26
27
28
29
Senior choir
rehearsal, 8 p.m.
30
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COMING IN NOVEMBER
Nov 1 ~ All Saints Sunday Nov 14 ~ Women’s Society Crafts Workshop
Nov 6-7-8 ~ Hudson River Potters Nov 15 ~ Heim Organ Concert
Nov 8 ~ “The Subject is Islam” with John Batchelor Nov 22 ~ Commitment Sunday
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BRIARCLIFF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
ALL SAINTS SOULS REMEMBRANCE
The names of persons who have died in the last year, since
All Saints 2014, will be read aloud during the Commemoration
of All Souls, which is to be celebrated on November 1, 2015.
We’ll honor other persons, deceased in prior years, by printing
their names, In Memoriam, in the Order of Worship that day.
Please list those you’d like remembered
in worship on November 1st below,
indicating those deceased in the past year with an asterisk *.
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