The Carillon United Church of Christ, Congregational

(585) 492-4530

Editor: Kathy May

September 2016

Church! This one word musters in each of us a plethora of sentiments, emotions, and personal understandings that cover a gamut of definitions from “righteous formality” to “experiential fondness” that cannot be adequately expressed in words alone. For some 2000 years, church has been morphed (and continues to be morphed) by all factors of human existence into an entity that many times I think would be unrecognizable by the early “church fathers.” That being said, let me take a few moments and share with you my understanding of church from a personal level.

From the earliest days, church has been endowed, I believe, with two primary roles: first – to be the arena for communal worship of our one true and living God (guided by the Holy Spirit in celebration of the sacraments and in fueling ourselves and each other for life’s continuous journey) and second – to care for each other in practical and supportive ways, responding to needs as they present themselves. In both roles, we rely heavily (or perhaps better said, exclusively) on our interpretations of the teachings and example of our brother Jesus, the Christ – Son of the Living God - for styles and content of our worship, for areas of trying to right wrongs and bring justice to unjust acts, for empowering in our pursuit to live a more Christ-like life, and for striving to bring peace and love to what has become more and more a conflicted world.

Though many church leaders and adherents think of church as a perfect utopian entity, in reality it is not. That is because church is you and me - people – human, errant, flawed people. While by our inherent and basic nature as humans each of us is sinful, church is where we learn, where we hone, where we begin to implement the teachings and examples of Christ that are, for all who comprise church, transforming. If we are committed to being church; if we truly desire to be changed into more loving and peace-filled people; if we are willing to admit we are sinners and seek the forgiveness, mercy, grace and love of God which is ours through Jesus, the Christ; if we open ourselves to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in all aspects of

our lives – if we accept these basics of church, then church will be as it was created to be – a thing of transformative beauty, peace and love.

All these thoughts are a prelude to how I perceive our congregation at Arcade UCC, Congregational. On July 21 of this year, my life as I know it was changed forever as Cathy accepted her call from Jesus to her heavenly reward from life’s labors here on earth. Without you – the church – I would not be where I am today, trying to resume my duties as your pastor. Your love, strengthening support, encouragement and comforting prayers, words, cards and many more acts of kindnesses have been and continue to be for me God’s presence through you. You are, indeed, God’s voice, hands and feet for me in so many ways and I am forever thankful for each and every one of you!

But not just for me because of my office. As I see you at work each day, I see the same love and encouragement and strength and comfort being lived through your words and actions to all. You are truly a people of God – followers of Jesus, the Christ – doing your best to bring the good news to one and all in this community and far beyond. If you are like most folk, you probably don’t realize what you are doing or how. But know that your lives exude Christianity and your words and deeds DO make a difference.

So, to each and every one of you – thank you. Thank you for everything you have done, are doing and continue to do for me and for all your sisters and brothers in Christ. You ARE church in a most dramatic and significant way – as you should be – as church was intended to be. I love you all.

Shalom, Pastor Bob

If you or someone you know would like to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion at home, please let Kathy in the church office know. You may reach the church office at 585-492-4530 or via email at arc-

ucc@juno.com. Anyone from 9th grade up is invited to share with us in our music ministry. Rehearsal is at 8:45am on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings at 6:00pm.

September Greeters 4 Sharon Koch & 18 Tom & Deb Scott Molly Holland 25 Harv Roll & Penny 11 Jay & Kathy May Rutledge

September Readers 4 Penny Rutledge 18 Rich Vogt 11 Josh Taylor 25 Debi Lutz

September Nursery Schedule

4 No nursery 18 Deb Wood 11 Shannon King 25 Sheila Vrenna

September Worship Coordinators 4 Bev Giles 18 Wally Lowth 11 Shirley Kriedeman 25 Jo Sixt

September Birthdays

3 Doris Grenchon 17 Brody King 3 Donna Horning 19 Len Mason 7 Linda Korczak 22 Jaleesa Sledge 14 Wally Lowth 25 Vanessa Adams 16 Courtney (Taylor) Caldwell 29 Dona Roll

September Anniversaries

6 Justin & Denielle Romance – 13 yrs. 21 David & Karen Czesak – 31 yrs. 29 Geoff & Kimberly Mortstock – 3 yr.

September Bible Readings 4 Jer 18:1-11 18 Jer 8:18-9:1 Psalm 139:1-6 Psalm 79:1-9 Philem 1-21 1 Tim 2:1-7 Luke 14:25-33 Luke 16:1-13 11 Jer 4:11-12, 22-28 25 Jer 32:1-3a, 6-15 Psalm 14 Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 1 Tim 1:12-17 1 Tim 6:6-19 Luke 15:1-10 Luke 16:19-31

Worship in September: Sept. 4: 16th Sunday after Pentecost The Sacrament of Holy Communion Rev. amos acree – Guest Preacher Sept. 11: 17th Sunday after Pentecost Commitment Sunday Scripture: Luke 10: 25-37 (from The Message) Sermon: Go and Do the Same! Sept. 18: 18th Sunday after Pentecost Scripture: 1 Timothy 2: 1-7 Matthew 11: 25-30 Sermon: Ask The Pastor Sept. 25: 19th Sunday after Pentecost Budget Hearing Scripture: 1 Timothy 6: 6-19 Luke 16: 19-31 Sermon: What’s on Your Plate?

Pastor’s Fund

Donations received during the months of July and

August to the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund of UCC, Congregational have been given by Dale and Cindy Carlson and Ron and Amy Dievendorf in memory of Cathy, and by Bill Hall and Pastor Bob.

This fund is used at the Pastor’s discretion to help area folk in times of special need, of which there have been many this year. All contributions are greatly appreciated. If you would like to donate, just send your check to the church, designated for the Pastor’s Fund.

FINANCIAL NEWS

Our non-pass-through expenditures in July and August included $11,154.96 pastor’s salary and benefits; $4729.75 other salaries; $996.07 cleaning; $956.89 insurance; $562 village utilities; $460.98 copier; $319.74 maintenance and custodial supplies; $288 gas bills; $250 pulpit supply in July; $207.56 worship expenses; $171.88 phone bills; $136 mileage; $127.43 computer expenses; $75 elevator maintenance; $58.10 postage; $56.15 baptism expenses; and $48.06 office supplies.

The Church Council and committees have been working on developing a tentative 2016-17 budget, which will be discussed at the budget hearing after worship on September 25.

Rally Day You are cordially invited to

share with us on Sunday, September 18, as Arcade UCC, Congregational celebrates Rally Day! The day begins at

9:00am, when everyone participating and/or interested in Sunday School (children, youth, and adults) will gather in Wetzel Hall for registration and continental breakfast. Then we will gather in our sanctuary for worship at 10:30 am (summer hours are over!).

Spread the word - invite your family, friends and neighbors! Our Sunday School Program can only be a success with YOU! Come, join us for our fall “kick-off”, won’t you??

Our Wednesday evening Bible Study will re-gather

beginning on September 14 to resume our study of God’s Word.

Everyone is invited to join us as we begin again in September – Wednesday evenings at 7pm in the Great Room. It’s a great time for discussion, thinking, fellowshipping and learning.

Commitment Sunday Sunday, September 11, is Commitment Sunday at

Arcade UCC. During our worship service, everyone will have the opportunity to turn in a commitment card for our 2016-2017 financial campaign.

This is a VERY important Sunday in the life of our congregation, as it provides for our church leaders the foundation upon which to base next year’s budget.

Please plan on joining with us that day. If you are unable to be at worship this Sunday, please mail or bring your Pledge Card to the church Office by September 20.

2nd Sunday Pot Luck

Beginning on Sunday, September 11, we will renew our 2nd Sunday Pot Luck immediately following worship.

This is a time of fellowship and great food, so plan on joining us for dinner the 2nd Sunday of each month after worship. Please bring a dish to share. Drinks and table service will be provided.

This is a great way to get to know each other a little better!! See you there.

Budget Hearing

On Sunday, September 25, we will hold our annual Budget Hearing after worship. This meeting of our congregation is for the purpose of viewing and commenting on the tentative budget for 2016-2017.

Please plan on attending this hearing, as we cherish and need your input as the 2016-2017 tentative budget is presented for your approval.

$0.00 $20,000.00 $40,000.00 $60,000.00 $80,000.00

$100,000.00 $120,000.00 $140,000.00

Series1

Council Corner The August 23 meeting of the Arcade UCC Council

was called to order by Council Chair, Rich Vogt. Devotions were led by Pastor Bob. Rich Vogt will lead devotions for the September meeting. Minutes of the June 28 meeting were approved. The treasurer’s report and pastor’s report were reviewed and approved.

We are still in a holding pattern on the contract with Verizon to put a small antenna on the roof of the church. Approvals from the state are needed before we can proceed. Pastor Bob is scheduled to meet with Lifetouch to finalize plans for the new church directory. Photos will be scheduled for October 4 and 5 from 2-9pm. Plans for the Fall Festival on October 15 are being made. The Pork Dinner scheduled for September 17 has been canceled. It will be rescheduled in the spring. The report from the Visioning Committee will be revisited at the September meeting.

Worship/Music has scheduled the Christmas Cantata for December 18 at 3pm. We have been experiencing a problem with the toilets not shutting off and are using unusually high amounts of water. A motion was made to replace the three toilets downstairs and to make the needed repairs on the toilets in the upstairs bathrooms. Endowment reported that the monies set aside to complete the back parking lot will not be used this year, but will roll over and be used to complete the project next year.

The tentative proposed budget for 2016-17 was reviewed and several adjustments made.

Financial assistants for the month of September will be Bev Giles and Nathan Tillinghast. The next meeting of the church Council will be Tuesday, September 22 at 7pm.

Did You Know? Did you know we would be happy to mail your

Carillon electronically?? In our effort to be more environmentally friendly and more cost conscious, we are trying to increase the number of Carillons going out electronically rather than the traditional mailing method.

If you have not already signed up to receive your Carillon via email and would like to, please contact the church office at arc-ucc@juno.com with your email address.

Worship Time

Just a reminder that on Sunday, September 11 our worship time returns to 10:30am. Please note this time

change, which will remain in effect until July 2017.

Thoughts on Stewardship

The UCCNY Stewardship Committee reports that a

good number of churches do not want to use on-line credit card giving because of the fee involved. So instead, it was suggested that people who pay bills online pay the church the same way. If the church is added as a payee, the bank will print a check and mail it to the church. There are no fees involved for either the person sending the money or the church. The church can also be set up as a recurring payment. Our church employees at Arcade UCC are paid this way.

Just another way to make your life easier!

Quilt Tickets

Quilt tickets are available for the annual quilt raffle.

If you are interested in purchasing tickets or would like tickets to sell, please see Shirley Kriedeman or Margaret Homan.

The raffle will take place on Saturday, October 15 at the Fall Harvest Festival.

Ask the Pastor…

On Sunday, September 18, the message for the morning will be “Ask the Pastor” – a time when Pastor Bob will answer some questions from YOU about anything you want to know about!!

Blank 3 X 5 cards will be in your bulletins the next two weeks for you to submit your written questions. Pastor will receive them and choose several questions to address, fitting in the time frame of the sermon.

I hope you will avail yourselves of this special time of having your questions answered by Pastor.

Updated Pictorial Directory

The last directory undertaking being seven years

ago, the Church Council has decided to update our directory, using the expertise of the Lifetouch Company.

Photos will be scheduled for Tuesday, October 4 and Wednesday, October 5 from 2-9pm at the church. We DO need volunteers with planning this endeavor, so if you’d like to help, please see Pastor Bob.

More details will follow as we get closer to the event.

PLEASE! We Need YOUR Help

Have you ever walked past the front of our annex and noticed the beautifully arranged windows and the displays which adorn them? They are indeed a treasure for our church to have such a wonderful means of presenting ourselves to the community!!

But the windows don’t just happen. It takes dedication and time to create these masterpieces. That’s where YOU can help.

We are looking for people who would donate some time and energy as well as those who would assist in creative ideas for our front windows from time to time. If you can help us and would like to do so, PLEASE contact Pastor Bob. Thank you in advance for your much needed help!!

Membership Class: Pastor Bob would like to have a Membership Class this fall at Arcade UCC, Congregational. If you have interest in making our congregation your church home OR if you would just like to learn more about our UCC, please contact the church office and Pastor will get back to you.

Special Thanks: Perhaps you have noticed that it

is a little more comfortable to sit in and a lot more pleasant to see the pews in our sanctuary.

It is because of the dedicated work this summer of Kathy May and helpers (Debi Lutz, Lois Anneler and Vicki Hoffman). Each pew cushion has been replaced and re-covered for comfort and aesthetic beauty.

For all the hours of labor and effort put into this project and on your behalf, I say a hearty THANK YOU to everyone who helped make this transition possible!!

P.S. – I was told that now I can preach longer and not worry about your discomfort!! – Pastor Bob

PORK DINNER: Due to a variety of circumstances, our Roast Pork Dinner, originally scheduled for Saturday, September 17, has been CANCELLED. Please look for one in the winter/spring of 2017. Thank you to all who were scheduled to volunteer their time and effort in this dinner. We’ll catch you next year!!

LLOYD KNOSE AND CATHY DIEVENDORF Our church family suffered the loss of two valued

members this summer with the passing of Lloyd Knose on July 11 and Cathy Dievendorf on July 21.

Lloyd and Helen Knose became church members in 2005 and soon became actively involved in several aspects of church life. Lloyd is probably best remembered for his devoted service on the Buildings and Grounds Committee. If he saw a job that needed to be done or someone in need of assistance, he didn’t wait to be asked—he just went ahead and took care of it or provided the help, without looking for any public recognition. He made it possible for us to get several more years out of our old dishwasher than would otherwise have been possible. Rev. Suzanne Hodges officiated at Lloyd’s celebration of life in our church on July 23, with additional military honors and a tribute by the two fire departments he served.

Cathy and Bob Dievendorf became church members in the spring of 2009, shortly after Bob became our pastor. Cathy enjoyed accompanying Bob on many of his pastoral visits, and her friendly manner made her a natural for this role. Her perseverance in the face of her health problems was an inspiration to all who knew her. Cathy was an active member of our Women’s Fellowship and assisted at many dinners and other events. Most recently, she coordinated the That’s My Pan fundraiser for the church. Rev. Hodges and Rev. Dr. Robert Zimmerman officiated at Cathy’s funeral in our church on July 25, followed by another service a few days later at the Fort Plain Reformed Church, in Cathy and Bob’s hometown.

Many donations have been made to our Memorial Fund in memory of both Lloyd and Cathy. We will continue to keep Pastor Bob and Helen and their families in our thoughts and prayers in the weeks and months to come.

September Gatherings

5 Worship/Music – 6:30pm 5 Outreach – 7pm 11 Commitment Sunday 12 Women’s Fellowship – 1pm 7, 14, 21, 28 Choir Rehearsal – 6pm 14, 21, 28 – Bible Study – 7pm 18 Rally Day – Breakfast at 9am 24 Free Community Dinner – 4-6pm 25 Budget Hearing – following worship 27 Council – 7pm NOTE: Weight Watchers meets Wednesday evenings at 5:00pm in Wetzel Hall.

The Carillon is being compiled, printed and mailed by a committee of four – Audrey Erick, Margaret Homan, Kathy May and Sheila Vrenna. Please continue to watch for the deadline date for your articles and reports and give them to any of the above members. We hope to produce a quality newsletter. Any suggestions are welcomed. The deadline for the October issue is September 25, 2016.

The Carillon Published 10 times per year by the United Church of

Christ, Congregational, 297 Main St., Arcade, NY 14009. Pastor: Rev. Robert C. Dievendorf Office Phone: (585)492-4530 Office E-mail: arc-ucc@juno.com Website: arcadeucc.org Office Hours: 9:00am – 3:00pm (T-Th) Worship Schedule: 9:00am Choir Rehearsal 9:00am Sunday School 10:30am Worship

***************************************************************************** United Church of Christ, Congregational

297 Main St. Arcade, NY 14009