A Blessing for Epiphany Jan Richardson

1 1 A Blessing for Epiphany Jan Richardson If you could see the journey whole, you might never undertake it, might never dare the first step that propels you from the place you have known toward the place you know not. Call it one of the mercies of the road: that we see it only by stages as it opens before us, as it comes into our keeping, step by single step . There is nothing for it but to go, and by our going take the vows the pilgrim takes: to be faithful to the next step ; to rely on more than the map; to heed the signposts of intuition and dream; to follow the star that only you will recognize; to keep an open eye for the wonders that attend the path; to press on beyond distractions, beyond fatigue, beyond what would tempt you from the way. There are vows that only you will know: the secret promises for your particular path and the new ones you will need to make when the road is revealed by turns you could not have foreseen. Keep them, break them, make them again; each promise becomes part of the path, each choice creates the road that will take you to the place where at last you will kneel to offer the gift most needed the gift that only you can give before turning to go home by another way.

2 2 KEEPING YOU INFORMED The council meeting on November 9th began at 7:04PM with 9 members present and 1 excused. Pastor led us in devotions. The Secretary s Report was accepted. Pastor s report: She had 10 pastoral visits and 1 couple for marriage in December. All Saints Sunday had very positive feedback. Sunday will be a Taize-like service to remind us who we are called to be and reconnect with each other. The Trunk or Treat was a great success and thank you to all who helped. The report was accepted. Financial Report: September wasn t as good (-$1,200) but YTD we are +$7,000 and have enough in our checking to cover all of our bills and are in good shape overall. The report was accepted. Parish Life: Thanksgiving Eve service will be 11/23 at 7PM and all are encouraged to bring non-perishable food for the food pantry that night and around the holidays to help those in need. December 3rd will be the hanging of the greens and cleaning the church at 9AM. Christmas Day service will be at 4PM.

3 Buffalo Night will be 1/28. The Adult Class has been reading and discussing Reclaiming the L Word by Kelly Fryer on what it means to be a Lutheran Christian. Parish Outreach: No meeting. Parish Support: Our Sexton needs have increased due to building usage and are looking into how to best fill our need with more hours etc. The one oven in the kitchen has a gas leak when being used, looking into the problem and fixing it (there is a sign on it not to use). We are still in the process of getting estimates on the roof as well. FoPoP: Potluck brunch 12/4 after service to share the work and mission statement the group has come up with. Unfinished business: Audits are in progress and have a few people helping to get them done. Fundraisers: The Meat Raffle raised a little over $800! A motion was made and passed to appoint Glenn Kraebel to the Board of Managers filling the vacancy due to the passing of Bob Felsman. The Board of Managers has also extended the current loan and terms to the congregation for another year.

4 A motion was made and passed to donate funds as recommended by the Board of Managers (Hurricane Matthew Relief, Cantalician Center, LCLC, and Tri Community Food Pantry). The Board also recommends considering taking a portion of the balance at the end of the year and putting it towards the roof. The organ replacement is being looked into with different options that will be presented to the Congregation. The roof replacement is more pressing than the organ and will be taken care of first. New business: A motion was made and passed to have one service at 10AM on 12/4 (FoPoP brunch after); one service at 10AM on 12/18 (pageant and budget meeting); and one service at 4PM on 12/25. The Budget meeting will be on 11/20 at 6:30PM and the Congregational Budget Meeting will be on 12/18 after the 10AM service. The meeting adjourned at 8:45PM with the Lord s Prayer. 3 IN OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS The family and friends of Peter Dutchess Those known to be ill or hospitalized: Don Fuerst (H) Barb Brandel (H) Velma Zink (H) Arlene Falgiano (BW) Dick Smith (MCY) Ruth Boehringer (H) Shirley Felsman (H) Janet Koch (H) Mary Kay Roesser (SHC) Hedy Bellomo (TC) Barb Dittenhauser (H) Selma Kullerkupp (H) Brianne Tulumello (H) Dona Grzybek (ACOP) John Elias (H) Jean Hess (H) Gisela Koehler (H) Shannon Livergood (H) Cheryl Hinkle (H) Makaela Day (H) Al Koch (GFSN) Ed Baumann (H) Conrad Walters, Jr.

5 (H) Grace Lichtenberger (H) Norma Roberts (H) Carol Hanes (EL) Doreen Brumbaugh (H) Velma Meyer (H) Donna Emser Jacobs (H) Other friends in our prayers: Karen Kovach Rev. Jeff Leeman Regina Rogers Amy Nash Bruce Downey Jr. Victor Perillo Amy Kloster Sally Mix Donna Beauchamp Steven Livergood Eddie Sponholz Alice Warren Martee Mentzer Marge Day Noah Schubbe Diane Widelski Tom Burns Donald LaBounty David Okel Joseph Killian Sr. Ann Gensler Jack Kling Sue Bluman Carol Zale George Espinosa Brian Fahey Kris Carter Nicole Hamilton Russell Neu Mary Lou Czajka Stephanie Maisch & family Rev. Kattermann Patricia Palys Bishops: The Rev. John Macholz (USNYS) The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton (Presiding, ELCA) Bishop Stephen Dube (ELCZ), Bishop N. Shava (ELCZA) Bishop R. William Franklin (Episcopal) In The Service of Our Country: Sr. Chief Gregory Krumholtz, USN TSGT Edward Hoak, SPC Daniel McBurney, Air Force Jeffrey Lelonek, USMC Andrew Parr USAF Adam McCormick, USAF Steven Kaun, USAF Iraq Suzanne Kingsbury, USAF Key: H = Home ACOP Absolut Care, Orchard Park BW Beechwood Continuing Care BGH Buffalo General Hospital ECMC Erie County Medical Center TC Tennyson Court GFSN Greenfield Skilled Nursing GFR Greenfield Rehab.

6 MCY Mercy Hospital GGN Garden Gate Nursing, Cheektowaga MFS Millard Fillmore Suburban NLH Niagara Lutheran Home SJ St. Joseph Hospital SHC Seneca Health Care Center SRS Sisters Hospital RPCI Roswell Park Cancer Institute EL Elderwood at Lakewood W&C Women & Children s 4 PARISH LIFE/ACTIVITIES SCS STUDENT WORSHIP SERVICE & ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING On December 18 at 10:00 , Sunday School students will take part in the Christmas service. Afterwards, we will have our Annual Budget Meeting for the approval of the proposed 2017 budget. All voting members of the congregation are asked to attend this meeting. Copies of the budget will be made available beforehand for you to view. At this meeting we will also be electing 2 representatives for the upcoming synod and conference assemblies. We need one male and one female lay representative. Youth are also invited to consider running this year (must be confirmed).

7 Let Pastor Rebecca know if you are interested. Please set aside the morning to participate in all these events. SPECIAL CHRISTMAS SERVICE Christmas Eve Family Service will take place on Saturday, December 24 at 7:30 , followed by the Festival Service at 11:00 On Sunday, December 25, we will have one service only at 4:00 All members and friends are welcome! SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL Classes resumed at 9:45 on September 18 with 13 children Sunday Church School meets on Sunday at 9:45. We have 13 children enrolled. Average attendance for October was 6. All children are encouraged to come who are 3 years old or older. In October we gave the children UNICEF boxes to help the poor children around the world. On Sunday, December 18th the children will take part in Christmas service at 10:00 ADULT EDUCATION Classes are once again taking place each Sunday at 9:45 in Reformation Hall.

8 This year we are exploring what it means to be a Lutheran kind of Christians. Together we are reading Reclaiming the L Word. All are welcome to join in the conversation and if you can t make it on Sunday, please pick up a copy of the book to read on your own! 5 PARISH LIFE/ACTIVITIES TAIZE WORSHIP Our Taize worship services are normally held on the first Thursday of the month at 7 pm. There will be a Taize service on December 1, but no service in January, resuming in February. These services are a quiet and peaceful way to relax for all ages in what can be a very hectic time. So consider joining us this year and bringing a friend. You won t be disappointed! GIFT (Generations in Faith Together) This is all-ages, cross-generational time for learning and conversation at Prince of Peace held on the first Sunday of each month during the SCS hour (9:45). Join us because faith and learning changes lives.

9 All kids, parents, adults and friends are welcome! CHURCH DECORATING AND CLEANING On Saturday, December 3 at 9:00 , all are invited to assist in decorating the church for Christmas and help clean the church in preparation for Christmas. Many hands make light work! WOMEN OF THE ELCA Remember our Dec. meeting is on Monday Dec. 12th at 6 pm. It will be a Pot Luck Supper for members, who are asked to bring a dish to share. Dessert and beverages will be furnished. Also please bring a pair of scissors and tacky-glue if you are able. Let Janet 668-0525 or Marion 634-1582 know by Dec. 4th if you are coming that night. There will be no meeting in the month of January!! GAME NIGHT POP s game nights continue. We will take a break from the event in December, but resume on Friday, January 20 at 7:00 Please join us for a fun, free evening of games and snacks (be sure to bring a snack to share).

10 6 PARISH LIFE/ACTIVITIES BLUE CHRISTMAS A Blue Christmas Service will be held on Wednesday, December 28 at 7:00 at POP. This special service is for those who have lost a loved one in the last year or for anyone who finds the holidays to be a hard time because of a past loss or other experience. Refreshments will be served following the service. All are welcome. CHELSEA SLAGOR OBOE CONCERT On Saturday, December 17 at 1:00 , Chelsea Slagor will present a concert for the enjoyment of our congregation. Please join us as she plays a variety of songs including songs of the season. CONGREGATIONAL DIRECTORY UPDATES Please make the following change in your directory: Marie Freund now resides at 16 Nottingham Ln., Lancaster, NY 14086. BUFFALO NIGHT Buffalo Night will take place on January 28th, 2017 this year. Admission is $ for adults, $ for children 6 12, and children 5 and under are free.