Niskayuna Reformed Church August 2019 · Birthdays 30 3 Bob Schlieman 4 Sharon Rice-Herbst 4 Emily Wood 6 Todd Stewart 7 Mary Gillespie 9 Emelia Pederson 11 Drew Henery 12 Mandie

What does it mean to “just be” in the presence of God? This continues to be a

question that I ponder every day, for what seems to be the last couple years. As

laid back as I can be, I still find it hard to be still, to be quiet, and to sit in the

presence of God. My interpretation of “just being” before God is the ability to

enter into God’s presence without pretense, without words, without a liturgy,

without work, without all that often gets between myself and God. This is an

incredibly difficult thing to do even when I am not distracted by the many

electronic gadgets that exist. After a few minutes of silence, my mind gets antsy:

“What are we doing? Wasting time?”

“What is for dinner? Hmmmm…pizza sounds good!”

“Shouldn’t you be answering emails? Planning an event? Writing that

sermon?”

“You really should start making a project list around the house.”

“See, wasting time again. Pretty soon people will realize you don’t do

enough.”

Our Christian Education Director, Sabrina Squires, preached a sermon from the

tenth chapter of Luke, where we find these words from Jesus:

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is

need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be

taken away from her.”

I needed to hear that sermon on that Sunday because I often get caught up in the

doing, that I forget about just being. Just being in the presence of God, just being

in the presence of friends, just being in the presence of my wife, and just being with

myself. I fall into the trap of thinking that my worth is found in what I do, and how I

perform in my various societal roles. Because of that kind of thinking, I end up

being a false version of myself. I put on masks and disguises in order for people to

see what I think they want to see.

This does not mean that I should stop doing, yet my doing should come out of my

being, instead of my being coming out of my doing. My actions are a direct result

of being present to God and to myself. This is contrary to how our civilization

operates. We place a lot of value to what people do, and how well they do it. I

am not insisting that we remove ourselves from the benefits of hard work and

perseverance. Yet, we cannot view our actions as the sole basis for self-worth. We

do what we do because we already know we have value.

May we all be able to take some moments to be in God’s presence, hearing the

voice of the divine, reminding us that we are valued just as we are. Then we shall

go out to be God’s presence to others.

Niskayuna Reformed Church August 2019

Birthdays

3 Bob Schlieman

4 Sharon Rice-Herbst

4 Emily Wood

6 Todd Stewart

7 Mary Gillespie

9 Emelia Pederson

11 Drew Henery

12 Mandie Stafford

18 Gabriel Hall

22 Gary Male

23 Robert Graves

24 Judy Battiste

27 David Wood

30 Lucas Counsell

30 Lorraine Wilson

30 Fay Levitto

Anniversaries

David & Tiffanie Wood 3

George & Jean Bursor 7

Matt & Paige Faddegon

10

Dug & Sharon Jackson 11

Alan & Carol Holmes 14

Stephen & Lauren Groudine

15

Joe & Christina Pustay 16

Everett & Mae Dillon 21

Norm & Nancy Tellier 24

John & Trudy Lehner 25

Michael & Lynda Dranichak

26

Les & Sally Perlee 28

David & Nancy Guest 31

ValleyCats Game Rescheduled

The ValleyCats game has been

rescheduled. We have 25 tickets

available for the Tri-City ValleyCats

game on Friday, August 16th at 7pm.

Tickets are $10.

Contact Pastor Jason to RSVP or for

more information.

Clergy Against Hate

On Sunday, August 25th, Schenectady

Clergy Against Hate will be hosting a

school supply giveaway. Several faith

communities in the area will be

supporting this event. We are in need

of 300 packs of index cards, preferably

lined. Please drop them off in the

narthex or the church office. If you

have questions, contact Pastor Jason.

Office News

Ellen will be out August 21st-23rd. There will be someone in the office to cover

the phones from 10 am-2 pm.

Rick will be on vacation until Sunday, August 11th.

Thank you to all the people that covered the phones and made sure

everything ran smoothly for me while I was on vacation. THANK YOU Pastor

Jason, Rick Wallace, Ron Ricard, Linda Gardner, Leo & Sue Lichtig, Barb

Valenti, Joan Peebles, Kim Cerone, Michele Kopp & Suzi O’Brien. I had a

wonderful, relaxing vacation and it was so nice to know everything was taken

care of while I was gone.

Mission and Service Committee

August 4th Communion Collection:

Our Communion Collection for August

will benefit World Central Kitchen.

Founder Chef Jose’ Andres founded the

organization in 2010 after Haiti’s

devastating earthquake with the belief

that food can be an agent of change.

WCK’s long-term programs are designed

to engender long-lasting changes and

improvements in livelihoods. They focus

on improving health, creating jobs

through educational offerings,

strengthening food economies, and

promoting sustainable social enterprises

by creating and implementing locally-led,

smart solutions to hunger and poverty.

WCK has also rehabilitated 150 school

and other community kitchens in Haiti

through their Food For Thought program.

And they are expanding this work to

Guatemala and beyond. For more

information please see www.wck.org

Thank you!

Looking ahead:

September 1st—Shelter Box

July Communion Collections

SICM $430 (collected)

Once again, we appreciate the

generosity of our congregation.

SICM Emergency Food Pantry

For the month of August, the food item we

will be collecting is canned beans. Please

consider making a donation to help

combat food insecurity in our

community. We will be collecting a

different food item each month.

Monetary donations are also welcome

and can often purchase more food per

dollar than we often realize. There is a

green collection box in the narthex.

Every donation impacts lives.

Eyewear/Hearing Aid Collection

There is a collection box in the Education

Building for your used eyeglasses and

hearing aids to benefit the Lions Club

International which will be distributed to

those in need. Please check your homes

for glasses or hearing aids that are no

longer needed and bless someone else

with the gift of sight or hearing. Several

full boxes have already been donated—

Thank You!

2019 Volunteer Opportunities

Schenectady City Mission-

September 9th Time: 4:45-6:15.

Please contact Michele Kopp at

[email protected] ,if you are

interested in volunteering. Sign-ups to

volunteer must be done on-line at https://

citymissionofschenec-

tady.volunteerhub.com/lp/allevents/

events/index

Salvation Army Soup Kitchen-

August 15th, September 17th, October

22nd & November 19th

Time: 10:30 am-1:30 pm

UPCOMING M & SC Events

Brooks BBQ August 21st

Please mark your calendars for August

21st, between 3-6pm for our second

Brooks BBQ. As usual, we are seeking

volunteers. Do you know a student or a

Scout who needs volunteer hours? This is

the perfect opportunity!

We also need dozens of Brownies!

Brownies should be plain chocolate (NO

NUTS PLEASE), cut into 3”x 3” squares and

individually wrapped. There will be

Sign-up sheets are available now

available in FH and the back of the

Narthex. Prices $12 for a chicken dinner and $8 for half a chicken.

Next Meeting:

August 12, 2019 @ 7pm All are welcome

Please remember the needy, the hungry

https://wck.org/food-for-thought

mailto:[email protected]

City Mission

Another great evening in Schenectady!

Many thanks to our NRC family (and friends) for their kindness and help serving a total

of 323 dinners (in house and to go) Monday evening at the City Mission.

Diners were treated to home made soup, salad and a choice of chicken or beef

tacos. Maureen Rizzi, Lynn Barnard-Avveduti, Michele Kopp, Bob Cantine, Nancy Hols-

berger and Cathy O’Connor donned aprons and gloves to help make this meal a re-

ality. A beautiful evening was had by all.

Salvation Army Soup Kitchen

The July 24th Salvation Army Soup Kitchen proved to be a busy day. With school being

out, we had many young diners join us. The final total was unofficially 137. However,

the counter admitted it was probably a bit higher than that.

We hit some new firsts for the day, in that we have

never been allowed to serve food past the 1:00 pm timeframe. The doors are usually

locked and serving windows closed by Salvation

Army employees. However, the line was constant and we served the last of the crowd

about 1:15 pm. We also served a record assortment of food. We depleted 180 eggs in

the form of egg salad sandwiches, a 12-pack of hot dogs and luckily, a BOGO pack

of 12 hot dogs, about a dozen PB&J sandwiches and we had to heat up some lefto-

ver kielbasa from the previous day. We also served fruit, vegetables with dipping

sauces, chips, and pudding and cookies for dessert.

Many thanks to the following volunteers for their service: Mary Ivey, Sue Lichtig, Alex Passino, Nicholas Passino, Debra Passino and Barbara Valenti.

The next soup kitchen is scheduled for Thursday, August 15th. Hours are usually from

about 10:15 am – 1:30 pm. If you are able to help or have questions, please contact

Sue Lichtig (518-785-4574), Barbara Valenti (518-280-4578) or call the NRC office.

City Mission School Supplies Drive

The Schenectady City Mission is collecting school supplies again this year to help

prepare students for a successful academic year. List of requested items is posted in

the education building. Drop off deadline is Thursday, August 8th. Supplies will be

delivered to them on Friday August 9. Please consider picking up extra items as you

do your school shopping with your family.

Niskayuna Senior Center

Upcoming Events:

Thursday, August 1

12:30 pm B-day Celebration;

12:45 pm Clowning Around Day

Tuesday, August 6

12:30 pm Neil Armstrong Day-

Discussion and Trivia; Walking Club

Wednesday, August 7

10:30 am Racetrack and Racino Trip

leaving from Town Hall

Thursday, August 8

10 am Walmart Vision Center;

12:30pm Celebrate Lucille Ball Day Trivia

Friday, August 9

10-11am Men’s Group

Tuesday, August 13

11 am Cornell Corporative Extension

Lecture; Walking Club

Thursday, August 15

12:30 pm Navajo Code Talker Day

Discussion and Trivia

Friday, August 16

6:30 – 8:30 pm

55 and Over Dance Party

Tuesday, August 20

10 am First Aid for Seniors—NFD1

Visit from Sophie—Therapy Dog;

Walking Club

Thursday, August 22

1 pm Putting Around Day– mini golfing

at Kingsway (weather permitting)

Friday, August 23

10-11am– Men’s Group

Tuesday, August 27

10 am Advanced Hearing Aid

Services; Walking Club

Thursday, August 29

1 pm Senior Driving Safety Presentation

by Sunnyview Rehabilitation

Flea Market

The 43rd Annual Flea Market is

scheduled for Saturday, September 28th

from 9 am– 4pm. There are still many

spots available. Outdoor spots are $25

and indoor spots are $40. Please contact

the church office if you have any

questions or if you are interested in

becoming a vendor.

As the date gets closer, volunteer sheets

will posted. Please consider helping in the

fundraising event for our church. This is a

volunteer heavy event and many “hands”

are needed. Contact the church office if

you are able to help.

Christian Educator’s Summit

On Saturday, September 14th, 2019 we will

be hosting the 2019 Christian Educator’s

Summit from 9am – 4pm. The theme of this

year’s event is Knowing You Are The

Beloved. Some of the seminars are:

• “Children and Worship"

Noreen Fargione

• "Embracing Belovedness through

Meditation"

Rev. Jason Fulkerson

• "Parenting in the Pew"

Rev. Megan Hodgin

• “Children at the Table and

Sacraments"

Rev. Lindsey DeKruif

• "Art and Spiritual Practices"

Rev. Abby Norton-Levering

• "Inclusion of Differently-Abled

People"

Rev. Terry DeYoung

The keynote speaker will be Rev. Maijke

Strong

Register online https://docs.google.com/

forms/d/

e/1FAIpQLScamwsynA1FMintkH9t1YwWqo

RXuVNhKkOXRb6JOp2E8Ds1zg/viewform

If you have questions, please contact

Rev. Nancy Ryan at

[email protected] or

Rev. Marcy Rudins at

[email protected]

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScamwsynA1FMintkH9t1YwWqoRXuVNhKkOXRb6JOp2E8Ds1zg/viewform






Women’s Book Group

(WBG)

The WBG had a perfect day to

visit the Berkshire

Botanical Garden in

Stockbridge, MA on July 12.

Though rain had been

predicted for days, it was the

perfect temperature and not a

drop was to be seen. After a

leisurely stroll through the various

gardens and walkways on both

sides of the road, the group

visited the art exhibition and the

gift shop, and then headed to the nearby Red Lion Inn for lunch in the main

dining room, followed by a walk down main street before heading back

home.

August 4

8th Sunday after Pentecost

Ushers- Bob & Tracy Sacca

John & Deborah Bennett

Counters- Paul Alois

Glenn Kreig

Judy Henery

Greeters- Ron & Barb Valenti

August 11


Ushers- Jeff Rivenburg

Dug Jackson

Brian Maclutsky

Scott Haefner

Counters- Lyle Eldred

Dominic Andriano

Greeters- Ellie Van Pelt

August 18


Ushers- Richard Mizenko

Bill McCann

Karen Moak

Norm Tellier

Counters- Jeff Rivenburg

Maureen Rizzi

Greeters- John & Karen Moak

August 25


Ushers- John & Lynn Del Signore

Harry & Cynthia Kuchera

Counters- Sue Felpel

Les Perlee

Greeters- Alice Harbour

The Niskayuna Reformed Church

3041 TROY-SCHENECTADY ROAD

NISKAYUNA, NEW YORK 12309

Founded in 1750

Sunday Service of Worship 9:30 am

Contact Information

Office: 518-785-5575

Emails:

[email protected] (Ellen-admin)

[email protected] (Pastor Jason)

Website: www.niskayunareformed.org

Summer Office Hours

Monday– Thursday 8 am - 3:30 pm

Friday 8 am -1 pm

Staff

Rev. Jason Fulkerson Pastor

Paul Alois Treasurer

Joyce Anderson Director of Youth Choir

Rebecca Benjamin Organist

Andrew Burger Director of Music

James Friderici Director of Bell Choir

Ellen Gauna Church Administrator

Sabrina Squires Director of Christian Education

Suzanne Mason Director of Cherubs Choir

Kathy Mausert Director of Nursery School

Lester Perlee Cemetery Superintendent

Rick Wallace Church Sexton

2019 CONSISTORY

Elders Deacons

Chad Pezzano, VP Lizbeth Amorelli

John Bennett Scott Haefner

Linda Gardner Alan Holmes

Dug Jackson Richard Mizenko

Trudy Lehner Ron Ricard

Suzi O’Brien Maureen Rizzi

Thursday, August 1

7:30-6 pm-TSL (FH/104)

6 pm-WA (104)

7 pm-SA (EO) Friday, August 2

7:30-6 pm-TSL (FH/104)

6-9:30 pm-KCPC (S)

7 pm-AA (104) Saturday, August 3

4-7 pm-

Family & Friends Video

Gaming Event (FH) Sunday, August 4

Communion

Mission-World Central

Kitchen

9:30 am-Worship Srvs (S)

9:45 am-Sunday Sch.(EB)

10:30 am-Coffee Hr (FH)

11:15-KCPC (S/FH) Monday, August 5

7:30-6 pm-TSL (FH/104)

6 pm-WA (104)

7 pm-SA (EO) Tuesday, August 6

7:30-6 pm-TSL (FH/104)

4 pm-Flute (101) Wednesday, August 7

7:30-6 pm-TSL (FH/104)

4 pm-Flute (101) Thursday, August 8

7:30-6 pm-TSL (FH/104) Friday, August 9

7:30-6 pm-TSL (FH/104)

6-9:30 pm-KCPC (S)


No events Sunday, August 11


9:45 am-Sunday Sch.(EB)


11:15-KCPC (S/FH)

Monday, August 12

7:30-6 pm-TSL (FH/104)

4 pm-Flute (101)

6 pm-WA (104)

7 pm-SA (EO)

7 pm-M & SC (L) Tuesday, August 13

7:30-6 pm-TSL (FH/104)

4 pm-Flute (101)

7 pm-CCC (L) Wednesday, August 14

7:30-6 pm-TSL (FH/104)

4 pm-Flute (101)

6 pm-Consistory (L) Thursday, August 15

7:30-6 pm-TSL (FH/104)

10 am-Soup Kitchen (SA) Friday, August 16

7:30-6 pm-TSL (FH/104)

6-9:30 pm-KCPC (S)

7 pm-AA (104)

7 pm-Valleycats Game

(rescheduled date) Saturday, August 17





7:30-6 pm-TSL (FH/104)

6 pm-WA (104)


7:30-6 pm-TSL (FH/104)


7:30-6 pm-TSL (FH/104)

3 pm-Brooks BBQ



7:30-6 pm-TSL (FH/104)

6-9:30 pm-KCPC (S)






7:30-6 pm-TSL (FH/104)

6 pm-WA (104)


7:30-6 pm-TSL (FH/104)


7:30-6 pm-TSL (FH/104)



6-9:30 pm-KCPC (S)


No events

CCC

Congregational Care

Committee

CM

City Mission

H & A

History & Archives

M & SC

Mission & Service Committee

SA

Salvation Army

WFG

Women’s Fellowship Group

WBG

Women’s Book Group

Niskayuna Reformed Church August 2019 · Birthdays 30 3 Bob Schlieman 4 Sharon Rice-Herbst 4 Emily Wood 6 Todd Stewart 7 Mary Gillespie 9 Emelia Pederson 11 Drew Henery 12 Mandie

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