First Presbyterian Church of Potsdam, New York

A community gathering in Christ and ministering as God leads

Membership and Congregational Life News

Thank You Many thanks to the Membership Committee for providing the reception and gifts for the confirmation class. Congratulations to Our Own 2005 High School & College Graduates! Andrew Brouwer graduated from Potsdam Central School and was valedictorian in his class. His plans are to continue his studies at SUNY Potsdam, majoring in Math and Chemistry. As a result of the Advanced Placement courses he took while in high school, he will enter college in September as a junior. Shane Bisnett graduated from Potsdam Central School. His plans are to enter Fingerlakes Community College with a major in music recording technology. Gavin Theisen graduated from Potsdam Central School. His plans are to enter the University of Buffalo as a Pharmacy major. David Eno graduated from Clarkson University with a degree in Bio-Molecular Science. His plans for the future are uncertain. Carly Fenner graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in nutrition and food sciences. Her plans are to move to Atlanta, Georgia in August to complete a 10-month internship in Dietetics at Emory University Hospital. Elena Hobson graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Psychology. She is considering her options at this point. Cindy Runge graduated from SUNY Potsdam with a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Information Technology. Her plans are uncertain at this time. Christine Morrison graduated from Pepperdine University with a degree in Advertising. She hopoes to work in the arts field doing publicity. Ruth Hamberger received a Nursing degree from SUNY Canton. Andrew Whittet received a Master's Degree from the University of Buffalo with a major in English as a Second Language. He is considering many options, including the Peace Corps and working in South Korea. Adrienne Hartman received a Masters of Science degree from SUNY Potsdam with a major in Education. She has been substituting in local schools and hopes for employment in the area. Roberta Stillin-Dowman received a Masters of Science degree from St. Lawrence University with a major in Educational Administration. Since January she has been working as an administrator with St. Lawrence - Lewis BOCES. Her current project is a large math grant for professional development in mathematics. Joseph Randi III received a doctorate degree from the University of Rochester with a major in Mechanical Engineering. He has accepted a reserach engineer position at Pennsylvania State Univeristy in Pittsburgh.

Coffee Hour

Check the calendar to find out who the coffee hour hosts are this month. The entire 2005-2006 "Coffee Hosts" is now posted..

Equal Exchange Fair Trade Coffee

Thanks to the Session and the Membership and Congregational Life Committee, we now serve Equal Exchange Fair Trade coffee during coffee hour and at our community dinners. What is Fair Trade Coffee?
Fair Trade coffee provides a unique stewardship opportunity for people of faith. Coffee is grown in some of the poorest countries of the world, primarily by small scale, subsistence farm families. Because the large companies who purchase and distribute most of the world’s coffee pay so poorly, it keeps the farmers in abject poverty. Equal Exchange Fair Trade offers farmers and consumers another way. The coffee costs a little more, because farmers are guaranteed a living wage, are given an incentive to use earth friendly agricultural practices, and most of the profits are put into economic and community development projects where the coffee is grown. By purchasing Fair Trade coffee, we are promoting the well being of the people who grow it and the land in which it is grown.
Equal Exchange Fair Trade coffee - both regular and decaf - comes to us through a special arrangement with The Potsdam Food Coop. Scott Miller, Coop manager, has graciously offered to allow us to purchase coffee for our congregation at cost, thus allowing us use Fair Trade coffee at all church-sponsored events from now on. Many thanks to the Potsdam Co-Op and the others who will gift us with the coffee. Anyone wishing to purchase Equal Exchange Fair Trade Coffee can do so at the Potsdam Food Co-Op.

For more information, talk to Dawn Bartow, Bonnie Bruno, or Terry de la Vega.

Progressive Dinner

Felowship Activity Ideas Needed

Heritage Sunday

On June 5th Marcia Reutershan and Robin Wilkinson were honored for their 50 years of membership in Potsdam First Presbyterian Church. They were celebrated at a special coffee hour that honored all 50 Year (+) Members.

Milestones

There are many things we celebrate with our members. In the "Milestones section of the Church web page you can check to see who, besides Marcia and Robin, are 50-years-or-more members of our church and who has a birthday this month. (More...)

(left) Art and Mary Ellen Frackenpohl celebrating their 50th anniversary in the Church Center.

(below) Rich and Laurena Will celebrating their marriage.