Greetings Church,
Today might be cool and overcast, but the birds are still chatting in the forest and the violets and the tulips are now in bloom!
Here’s the news for the week:
No Potluck this SundayDue to Julie Miller’s Funeral being Sunday afternoon we are canceling this month’s potluck.
Funeral for Julie Miller this Sunday, May 11th, at 1pmOur funeral for Julie will be held this Sunday at 1pm.
We’re expecting anywhere from 250-350 people, so please come early to get a good seat.
A reception will follow the service for the family– but this will include you and me, as Julie’s church family.
If you have flowers from your garden to share for the occasion, please feel free to bring them.
A big thanks to all who signed up to bring food and help organize for the event. And another big thanks to Crane for lending us extra chairs. This is a mammoth undertaking, and our whole little village is working together to make it happen.
Also….I know that some of you were concerned that this is Mother’s Day, but this was the only day for it to work for Julie’s Crane people. Thankfully, her kids’ comment was that this is the best thing they can think of to honor their mom for Mother’s Day.
Jeff Mitchell to Preach Sunday, May 18th
I will be away the week of May 12-16 for continuing education– participating in the Festival of Homiletics. And also, to take a very long nap! A big thanks to Jeff for filling the pulpit while I learn and rest.
Community Supper Need for Thursday, May 22
This month for community supper, we are doing something special. We’re ordering pizza! If you’re able, we’re in need of people to donate $18-$20 (or whatever you can give) to cover the cost of the meal. If you’re able to help, please let Sharon Pickard know.
Be the Change Benefit Concert and Postcard Writing Session, Thursday, May 22
Come down to the sanctuary on Thursday the 22nd at 7pm for some beautiful clarinet and piano duets, give a little money in return to purchase postage stamps, and then sit with us after the concert to write postcards to our elected representatives to encourage them to support our Christian values. Keilor Kastella and his colleague at Crane, Christine Hoerning, will be putting this event on.
The Sound System is Up and Running!
It’s only taken months to figure out, but this week we did it. We finally got the new sound system to function properly. A huge thanks to Dale Hobson and Crane’s sound engineer Douglas McKinnie for their efforts!
Rummage Sale Success
Huzzah! Last week’s rummage sale brought in around $1,300, as well as provided needed items to our HeadStart kids, Second Chance Scholars, and even a few immigrants and refugees here in town. A big thanks to Ling Zhang, Arthur Freeheart, Beth and Lynn Grace, Susan Dillon, the Pickards, Sue Waters, Renee Stauffer, and others for pitching in to help make it a success.
Second Chance Scholars Success
Two Sundays ago, when Bill Stradtman of Second Chance Scholars came to visit us, we raised $2,137 for this program, which helps men straight out of prison come to SUNY Potsdam to finish the college degrees they started inside of prison. This money will go directly to get them situated in an apartment — providing the first 2 month’s rent as well as their security deposit. It’s a fantastic program, and the ripple effects are huge– Brandon Rodriguez is now in law school, and both Bryan Eqquinozi and Bill Stradtman are on their way to becoming mental health therapists.
Thank You
The last couple of weeks our church has been in a whirl of activity– putting on the rummage sale and now preparing for Julie’s funeral. In all of this, I see you being the church– in both big and small ways. Dear Hearts, thank you for your giving spirits, your hospitality, and even for your grief. All of it is a sign of God’s love.
Your Tired but Grateful Pastor,
Katrina