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THE EPISTLEVolume 14 Issue 2 FEBRUARY 26, 2009

A LENTEN PRAYEREternal Spirit,

Who from nothing created this world and all things, and who, from the dust of the ground

formed man and woman and breathed into them the breath of life; we praise you for all

your good gifts to us and to all your children.

Give us the grace in this Lenten season to look inward to very depths of our being where

your spirit speaks to our spirit and where we are alone with you and ourselves. In this

journey inward might we not only lament our sins and shortcomings, but might we work

to correct what we see, but do not like.

Give us the grace also to not only look inward but also to look upward. Lift our spirits

from mere contemplative naval gazing to true communion with you. Save us from thinking

that we are alone, that there is no one to share our problems with. Remind us that you cre-

ated us and that you care for us on this journey of life. Strengthen our faith as we walk

this sometimes arduous, but always exciting pilgrimage.

And finally, O loving God, give us the grace we need to look not only inward and upward,

but also outward toward our sisters and brothers. How often we are guilty of being so in-

ward looking or so upward looking that we ignore the hurt and pain which surround us.How easy it is to be self-centered, to assume that we and we alone are filled with troubles

and that everyone else is just fine. Open our eyes, O God, to the hurt and the pain around

us. Sensitize our hearts to the sorrow which we so often ignore. Open our lips that we

might speak your word of mercy and peace to those who hunger and thirst for such a

word, and in so speaking it, might we also be strengthened by it for life where you have

called us to live it. We pray in Jesus name.Amen.

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PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE

Ashes, ashes, we all fall down

As children we played Ring around the Rosy and sang those words, not

probably knowing the somewhat somber meaning of them. For us, they were just

the words of a childrens game and we sang them with smiles on our faces.

Lent begins on February 25, Ash Wednesday, so called because Christians

are reminded of their humanity by wearing ashes on their foreheads. In the liturgy

for Ash Wednesday in the Book of Common Prayer, the ashes are imposed with

the following words: Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall re-turn.

Well thats a bit of slap upside the head if there ever was one. It kinds of

puts things in perspective, doesnt it? The season of Lent, when we prepare our

hearts, minds and spirits to celebrate the great festival of Easter, is a time for

stock taking; for looking deeply inward, even as we look outward in mission.

Sometimes we have a hard time putting things in perspective because we

are so consumed by all that there is and all that there is to do. On top of that, we

are living in a precarious time in our nations history. We are troubled by many

things, most of them having to do with the economy, and yet ashes remind us that

all of us have a limited amount of time to live the life that God calls us to. What

we do with that life is up to us.

Bernie Madoff thought he could lay up treasures on earth and he foundout that he couldnt, or at least he couldnt and not get caught. Lent is a good

time for spiritual soul searching, not in some kind of morbid way, but rather in

such a way as to seek to know and to do Gods will. When we are reminded of our

true purpose in life, to enjoy God, then we can have a full life. It

Continued

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PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE

(cont)takes some soul searching, and Lent is a

good time to do it.We are helped in this search by our

common worship together on Sunday

morning, by our time of learning in Chris-

tian education, by our sharing in our small

groups and in our work together to bring

water to the Sudan and paint to Salem Nu-

trition Center.

Lent can be a good time, even if our

foreheads are a bit soiled.

Your Pastor,

John

WORSHIP DURING

THE SEASON OF LENT

Lent is that period of forty

days, not including Sundays,

which precedes Easter and which

prepares us for the celebration of

the great Easter feast. Traditionally

our worship service has changed

somewhat during this time, certain

things eliminated, such as the alle-

luias. We remove the brass candle-sticks and substitute wooden ones.

We also use wooden or pottery

communion wear. The choir does

not process. This year we will also

make another change. During Lent

we will begin the service with a

Thanksgiving for Baptism which

will replace the confession and

pardon. As God provided water for

the people of Israel in the desert

and for our Lord in the wilderness

of temptation, so he provides liv-

ing water to us in Jesus Christ.

This is symbolized in the Sacra-

ment of Baptism. This year, par-

ticularly, as we work to provide

Water for Sudan, this reminder

that our Christian life begins in the

waters of baptism is appropriate.

THANK YOU!

A huge thank you to the youth of our church

and their support staff who all made the

Senior Valentine Lunch such a special event!

There were precious welcome cards, place-

mats and note cards. In addition, we were

treated to delicious soup, salad, dessert and

candy. The servers were so attentive andpolite. It was evident that weeks had been

spent preparing a real treat. Thank you so

much.

Barb Roscoe

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MISSION TRIP UPDATE

The Mission Trip participants/camper pays

$500 out of his or her own pocket to participate .

There is no cost to the church. The cost can be

lessened for each individual by working at the

spaghetti dinner and Canal Days parking and by

selling the Rochester coupon books. Fundraisers

such as coffee sales and collecting returnable

cans and bottles are used for miscellaneous

group expenses.

This year the work camp is in Hurricane,

West Virginia . Our youth will join hundreds of

other teens from all over the country to work

side by side repairing deteriorating homes. In

addition, a part of each work day is spent reading

scripture, praying and talking about their per-

sonal relations with Christ. Each one comes toserve those in need and each one leaves a little

closer to the One who called them.

Easter Flower DonationsA sign-up sheet for Easter flower donations will be put on the moveable Bulletin

Board in Fellowship Hall later in February. Donations can be made in memory of

a person or persons of your choosing. The Board of Elders will purchase flowers

to be placed in the Altar area and on the window sills. Checks can be made pay-

able to the church with the notation "for Easter flowers". If you have any ques-

tions, contact John Hecker (223-7584)."

NEXT EPISTLE DEADLINE 3 PM MARCH 19, 2009

KEEPING UP TO

DATE

Our revitalized web page is up and

running. Check things out to see what

is going on. If you have friends who

want to know about us, send them to

fairportucc.org. As time goes on more

and more information will be added

both for internal and external use. The

web page is a center of communicationfor our parish. Another way that we try

and keep people up to date is by using

e-mail to inform you of activities or

events of importance. We can only do

this if we have your up-to-date e-mail

address. If you have not already done

so, please give

Cathy Kinton

(church1@choiceonemail.com)

your e-mail address so that you can be

informed about the good works of our

church and church family. Thanks.

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Ash Wednesday, February 25

6:30 PM, Meager Meal followedby Holy Communion

March 1: First Sunday in Lent

Holy Communion (pew)

Genesis 9:8-17Psalm 25:1-10I Peter 3:18-22Mark 1:9-15

March 8: Second Sunday in

Lent

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

Psalm 22:23-31Romans 4:13-25

Mark 8:31-38

March 15: Third Sunday in

Lent

Sacrament of Holy BaptismOne Great Hour of Sharing

Exodus 20:1-17Psalm 19

I Corinthians 1:18-25John 2:13-22

March 22: Fourth Sunday in

Lent

One Great Hour of SharingNumbers 21:4-9

Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22Ephesians 2:1-10

John 3:14-21

March 29:Fifth Sunday in

Lent

Jeremiah 31:31-34Psalm 51:1-12

Hebrews 5:5-10John 12:20-33

April 5: Sunday of the

Passion/Palm Sunday

New Members ReceivedSpecial Choral Presentation

April 9: Maundy Thursday

7:30 PMHoly Communion and Tenebrae

April 10: Good FridayNoonWay of the Cross

(beginning here)7:00 PM

Good Friday Liturgy

Lenten Worship ScheduleSunday Worship at 9:30 AM

Fellowship Time and Christian Education follow

First Congregational United Church of Christ

26 East Church Street Fairport NY 14450

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How You Can Participate

You are invited to join us, as we embark on our Lenten journey 2009. The theme, this

year, isForty Days of Drips. The goal of this Lenten program is three-fold: First, it is de-

signed to help us find and draw closer to Jesus, the living water, through our six-week small

group study. Second, we hope to provide clean, safe drinking water to our brothers and sisters

in South Sudan and to brighten up a soup kitchen here in Rochester. Finally, we hope that par-

ticipating in this study and outreach effort will deepen the sense of community, fellowship and

unity within our church family.

Join A Small Group

We have five small groups meeting at various times and on various days. Please check

the rolling bulletin board in Fellowship Hall to see which day and time works best for you. Our

small groups will meet weekly for the six weeks of Lent (Feb. 25 Apr. 5). These study and

discussion groups will use the curriculum, The Jesus I Never Knew, based on book (with the

same title) by Philip Yancey, editor ofChristianity Today magazine. Each class will include

viewing a 15 minute video and group discussion. Participants guides will be available for $8 at

the first small group meetings (or you can purchase one from Kelly Weidman).

Help Make a REAL Difference: Give the Gift of Clean WaterDuring the six weeks of Lent, our church family will work to provide the most basic of

human needs clean drinking water for up to 3,000 people in South Sudan. Currently, villag-

ers (mainly women and children) walk hours each day to collect unsanitary drinking water,

which they and their families rely upon for their very survival. Ironically, drinking the contami-nated water results in pain, sickness and often death for these destitute people.

Water for Sudan is a Rochester-based not-for-profit organization founded by Salva Dut, once

a walking boy of Sudan who fled the war-torn country as a child. Water for Sudan drills

wells for clean, potable water for communities throughout the southern part of Sudan in Africa.

One well may serve up to 3,000 people.

40 DAYS OF DRIPS:

Lenten Project

Continued

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Ourgoalis to raise the $8,000 required to drill a well. We plan to hold one or two

major community fund-raisers toward which all of our members may participate (versus hav-

ing each small group hold their own fund-raiser). The first such fundraiser will be an Afri-

can-themed gourmet dinner and silent auction, held on Saturday, April 4. Church members

may participate by signing up to help with decorations, cooking, kitchen help, serving, ticket

sales and more. Watch the Lenten bulletin board for more details as they unfold.

Brighten A Soup Kitchen

Closer to home, our church members will have the opportunity to roll up their sleevesand provide sweat versus financial equity. First Congregational church member Ted Av-

gerinos will lead a team of interested workers in painting and refinishing the gymnasium floor

at the Salem Nutrition Center. The cost of supplies has already been covered. All we need is

your muscle to brighten this soup kitchen, which provides a hot meal to over 300 guests each

week.

Most of the work will take place Feb. 23-27 and March 16 20th. If you are interested

in helping with the labor, contact Ted Avgerinos directly (number below) or sign up for a

shift in Fellowship Hall.

Join Us!

Cmon! Lets do something real. Something meaningful. Something that shows our

praise and gratitude for the Living Water. Are you with us? Lets turn on the tap and let the

water flow!

Questions? Contact:

Pastor Cedarleaf 223-0224

KellyWeidman: 223-8978

Karen Hamill 425-1958

Jim Franzen 223-8074

Bill Harris 223-5617

Ted Avgerinos 388-1355

40 DAYS OF DRIPS:Lenten Project

(cont.)

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185th

Anniversary

This year First Congregational United Church of Christ in Fairport is planning a

year-long observance of our 185th anniversary. This observance includes a series of cele-

brations and events as well as a contemplative study of our roots and traditions and an hon-

est and thoughtful appraisal of what our community of faith truly means as we move into

our future.

As we study the earliest organization of our church in 1824, it is interesting to note

that the founders did not establish it with "articles of incorporation" or "corporate by-laws"

or even a "mission statement" - but rather with a "covenant" - a solemn, formal binding

agreement, or contract. The preamble of the agreement that was signed reads as follows;

"Whereas, we the subscribers, ordained ministers of the Gospel, having been called

by a number of professing Christians in the Town of Perinton, to meet on this

18th day of December 1824, at the house of Jesse Perrin, in Perinton, for the purpose

of taking into consideration the propriety of forming and organizing a Congregational

church, and, if on full examination of the subject, it shall appear to us that such a

church ought to be formed for the benefit of Christ's Kingdom and the promotion of

His cause, then to proceed to the organization of such a church."

Therefore, "membership" in this church was meant that we are bound together for

the purpose of furthering of God's Will and Christ's purpose in this world, and that active

participation in that work and endeavor is necessary in order to carry out that purpose.

Nothing less is needed today than it was 185 years ago to witness to the Work and

Word of Jesus Christ. In fact in a culture that is increasingly trending toward secular princi-

ples, effort and energy expended in support of the covenant is even more critical. Over the

next several months of this year, the Board of Elders will be endeavoring to connect - and

re-connect - with all those listed in our rosters to ask them how we can make the bonds of

our first covenant even stronger as we face the years before us.

Toni Thompson, Board of Elders Chairperson

NEXT EPISTLE DEADLINE 3 PM MARCH 19, 2009

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REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS:

Martha Bowman, St. Johns Home

Barbara Cobb, Fairport Baptist Home

Geraldine Stearns, Perinton Manor

Our sympathy is extended to KenHarris and his family on the recent

death of his wife, Rose Marie. She

passed away on January 18, 2009.

A service was held for her at the

chapel at White Haven on January

22, 2009.

Dear Friends,

Dave and I would like to thank you for

all your prayers and concerns for us during the

past three months when I have been dealing

with the discovery of cancer and my upcoming

surgery. I truly feel that God has been watching

over me during this time and will be with me

during the surgery on January 28th and in my

recovery period. I am thankful for my team of

excellent doctors and am hopeful that, with

God's help, all will be OK after the surgery.

Our church friends have been wonderful

to me and Dave. I thank you for your continued

support.

Fondly,

Barb Law

THANK YOU!Many, many thanks for all the cheer-

ful Get Well cards, followed by cards

of condolence upon the death of my

brother, John Allan Droste of Naper-

ville, Ill. They were all very, very

much appreciated.

Marjorie Takasawa

WELCOME TO THE NEWARRIVAL

Our sexton, Lisa Radford and her

husband, Steve, welcome the arrival of a

daughter, Sophia Lilcarmine Radford on

January 21, 2009. While on maternity

leave, Lisas mother, Sharon Irwin has

been cleaning the church! Best wishes to

all!

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Mrs. Margaret Thomas

Margaret Thomas, mother of The

Rev. John Thomas, General Minister and

President of the United Church of Christ,

died Sunday morning at her home in Balti-

more, MD. She was 94 years.

Johns mother loved the United

Church of Christ. She was a generous sup-

porter of mission throughout her life, made

frequent special gifts to disaster appeals,

and made a planned gift that will support

theological education for members of our

partner churches around the world through

Global Ministries. John included in his

remarks about her that, I know that she

was grateful to live long enough to vote for

Barack Obama and watch him inaugu-

rated.

A memorial service will be held for

Mrs. Thomas on Saturday, February 21st at

the First Congregational Church, UCC in

Stamford, CT where she has been a mem-

ber since 1928!

Cards and letters of condolence

may be sent to the Thomas family at

United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect

Avenue E, Cleveland, OH 44115-1100.

Rev. Thomas thanks you for your prayers

and concerns over the years.

In Memoriam

February 8, 2009

ONE GREAT HOUR OFSHARING

On March 15 and 22 donations will

be received for One Great Hour of Shar-

ing. This has been a great tradition in our

Church for five decades. Once a year our

denomination along with eight other de-

nominations collects money for use among

the poor and needy worldwide. This has

been one of the main ways our Church has

been able to reach out with Gods mission

beyond our local community.

Funds collected are used in 80 na-

tions in three general areas: sustaining

communities, disaster relief, and for refu-

gees. Sixty percent of the funds are used

for disease, illiteracy with healthcare, edu-

cation, and agricultural development. UCC

alone raises $3 million annually through

One Great Hour of Sharing. Please help

sustain this wonderful tradition with a gen-

erous gift. Checks should be made out to

First Congregation Church with a desig-

nation OGHS. They can be placed in the

offering plates or mailed to the Church.

Thank you for your support.

MORNING CIRCLE

Morning Circle will meet at 10 AM on

March 10th. A representative from One

World Goods will discuss their organiza-

tion which provides low-income artisans

from around the world with an outlet for

their work. One Word Goods has a shop at

Pittsford Plaza.

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GREATER ROCHESTER COMMU-

NITY OF CHURCHES announces a series of

events in social justice ministries that will focus

on quality of life issues in the greater Rochester,

Monroe County area. Dr. Marvin Mich, presi-

dent of the board, will introduce speakers and

talk briefly about the role GRCC has histori-

cally played and continues to address in eco-nomics, health care, education, and volunteer-

ism. Each event will be held from 7:00 p.m.

until 8:30 P.M., and is open to the public. A

free-will offering will be accepted to support

this ongoing work. For more information about

these programs call the GRCC office at (585)

254-2570.

The Faces of the Under and Uninsured -March 3

St. Marys Church, Downtown Community Fo-

rum at the Dugan Center. Conversations with

three community health outreach centers:

Mercy Outreach Center, Spiritus Christi Mental

Health, and St. Josephs Neighborhood Center.

Sponsored by GRCCs Interfaith Health Care

Coalition.

Strengthening Our Communitys Fabric

through Educational Partnerships - May 12

Jewish Community Federation, 441 East Ave-

nue. A conversation with Superintendent Jean

Claude Brizard on educational programs of the

City School District. Also highlighting The

Coalition for Literacy, Isobel Goldman.

Early history of tutoring, long term inter-

faith relations.

Faith in ActionCelebration -June 2nd

RIT Inn and Conference Center 5:30

p.m. - 8:30 p.m. RSVP (254-2570)

The annual faith community volunteerrecognition dinner and program.

grcc1@frontiernet.net

These events are posted on our web-

site at www.grcc.org

2 Riverside St., Rochester, NY 14613-

1222

Marie E. Gibson, Executive Director

Mission & Vision

Acting out of the core values of our

Christian faith, Greater Rochester Com-

munity of Churches (GRCC) gathers peo-

ple from diverse communities to build

relationships and support initiatives

based on spiritual and community values

that advocate, model, and celebrate basic

human rights. We work toward the day

when every child, youth and adult feels

safe, experiences support and care, and

can discovers ways to use their gifts for

the good of the beloved community.

GREATER ROCHESTER COMMUNITY OF

CHURCHES:

Celebrating 90 Years

of Ecumenical Work in Rochester

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AdtEd

on

AdtEd

on

Whats Coming Up in Adult Education

March 1 Meeting Joseph AgainFor the First Time

March 8 Meeting Moses AgainFor the First Time

March 15 Meeting Elijah AgainFor the First Time

March 22 Meeting David AgainFor the First Time

We learned about them in Sunday School as children, but

how much do we really know about these gentlemen?

Come, meet them again, learn about their lives and whythey are important to our faith. You might just learn

something new!

March 29 A Look At Holy Week presented by Dr.

Tim Dwyer

These classes/events will be held during Christian Educa-

tion time in the Snow Room following the worship ser-vice.

Mid-Week Daytime Class!

The Jesus I Never KnewCome join our study and discussion group as we travel through Lent

studying, The Jesus I Never Knew by Christianity Today Editor

Philip Yancey. In this DVD study, you will expand and very likely re-define your understanding of the person, teachings, and life of Jesus

Christ. Classes are held Wednesdays from 11 a.m. noon in the

Snow Room, beginning on Feb. 25. There will be an $8 fee per par-

ticipants manual. Join us!

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On January 26, 2009, Safe Journey of-

ficially reopened following a 7-month suspen-

sion of services. The reopening would not

have been possible without the amazing sup-

port of the 13 member churches of the Ecu-menical Ministries of Perinton. On behalf of

our staff and clients, please accept our heartfelt

thanks for believing in this important ministry

and for coming forward to support the program

with your time, talent and treasure.

For those not familiar with the minis-

try, our mission is to support todays survivors

of domestic violence as they transition to lives

free from abuse and to prevent domestic vio-

lence in future generations through outreach

and education.

Anyone interested in getting involved

with Safe Journey is invited call the office,

425-1580, or attend our next Volunteer Open

House on Saturday, March 28, 2009 from 2-4

PM at Mountain Rise UCC.

We are specifically seeking the follow-

ing support:

Volunteers for our Resettlement Committee!

This vital and active committee coordinates the

intake and delivery of gently used furniture,

linens (sheets, blankets, towels), small kitchen

appliances, kitchen items (pots, pans, cookie

sheets, mixing bowls, measuring cups, utensils,

dishes, glassware), and baby furniture and bed-ding for our families in need.

We need people able to volunteer 1-2 days a

month to drive a mid-size moving van and help

with furniture pick-ups and deliveries and peo-

ple willing to man our storage area on prear-

ranged dates/times to accept incoming dona-

tions. This program also needs administrative

support & coordination.

Our friends at Clark Moving & Storage

have generously offered a Go Mini storage

unit for collection and storage of resettlement

items. At present we need a location where we

can put the unit, dimensions are 8w x 20d x

8h. If you have land which is accessible by

truck and can donate the space, it would be

greatly appreciated!

Get involved with fundraising!

There are two big events underway to help keep

Safe Journeys operating!Join our Bowl-A-Thon Committee

(tentative dates 8/15 or 8/16,

2009)

This is a new Safe Journey event

and it will be fun for the whole

family!

Join our Safe Journey Scarecrow 5K

Committee (October 10, 2009)

This is our largest annual

fundraiser, generating roughly

25% of our annual operating budget.

To make these critical events happen, we need

volunteers with many different skills help con-

tact possible sponsors (organizations that will

donate/underwrite the cost for alley rental, t-

shirts, food, etc), find or donate raffle prizes,

coordinate event logistics, market the event inthe community, man the registration table and

other stations during the events, maintain the

event databases and more.

To get involved, please contact Ellyn LaPietra at

Ellyn_safejourney@frontiernet.net or call 425-

1580, ext 2

Safe Journey Reopens

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Safe Journey Fundraiser

Join us for a Doll Fashion Show & Tea Party

Get out your spring hats and fancy dresses!

When: Saturday, May 9th

Where: Perinton Presbyterian Church

Time: 2:00 4:00 PM

Who: Girls and their dolls may invite their mothers and other family members.

Tickets: $20 for dolly, her mommy & 1 adult (children must be accompanied by adult)

$5 for each additional adult (bring grandma, auntie, sisters, friends)

********************************

Don your best spring finery fancy dresses, hats & accessories and join us for the dolly event

of the season! Everyone is welcome. You don't need a daughter to attend, and you don't have to

be young to bring a doll. We would love to have some vintage dolls too!

The program will feature a blessing in the sanctuary, a greeting from Alli O'Malley of Safe

Journey, and a dolly fashion show where girls can parade their dolls on the runway to live mu-

sic and a tea party featuring pink lemonade, tea, fancy cookies and raffle prizes.

It will be a great time for a great cause! Please invite all your doll loving friends! Proceeds

benefit Safe Journey, an outreach ministry of the Ecumenical Ministries of Perinton, whose

mission is to support todays survivors of domestic violence as they transition to lives free from

abuse and to prevent domestic violence in future generations through outreach and education.

Limited seating available!

Please call Joanne Henderson at 421-9754 for tickets & information.

To volunteer during the event or donate items for the raffle, please call Becky Girouard at 381-2826.

NEXT EPISTLE DEADLINE 3 PM MARCH 19, 2009

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COLLEGE CHOIR CONCERT

Tuesday, March 17th

The Alice Lloyd College Choir, of Pippas Passes, Kentucky, is touring up-

state New York and our church will be hosting them on Tuesday, March 17, 2009.The thirty-seven member choir will present a concert at our church at 7 PM, di-

rected by Prof. Bryan Bolton. The Voices of Appalachia specialize in the

hymns and ballads of the Southern Appalachian highlands, songs as old as our

nation itself. The Voices sing with and without accompaniment, and through

their singing, they manage to convey the deep feelings mountain people have

about their homes and families. Please join us for this concert.

Members of our congregation are also needed to house the students over-night. If you are able to take a couple of students as overnight guests, please call

the church office and let us know, 223-0224, or email us at

church1@choiceonemail.com.

For more information on Alice Lloyd College, visit their website at www.alc.edu.

Genesee Valley

Organic CommunitySupported Agriculture

(GVOCSA) sign-up meetings will be held on

Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 7:00 PM

and Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 2:00 PM at

the James P.B. Duffy School 12, 999 South

Avenue in Rochester. New members attend

a short orientation meeting then join returning

members to sign up for a season of weeklyshares of delicious, organic, farm-fresh vege-

tables. Childcare provided. For more infor-

mation, call 442-5658 or 241-9680 or visit

http://www.gvocsa.org

ADVENT HOUSE

We cordially invite you to attend our

Fifteenth Annual Advent House Dinner

Dance and Auction at the Casa Larga Vine-

yard on March 27, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. until

midnight. This festive, fun-filled evening is

one of our major fundraisers and helps to

meet the expenses of providing "no- cost"

care to our Residents and their families.

Your support would be greatly appreciated.

If you are interested in attending or making a

donation of goods for the auction or placing

an advertisement for the booklet, please call

Advent House at 223-6112 for further infor-

mation. Again, we thank you and look for-

ward to seeing you on the 27th of March.

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RECYCLING OF USED ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

Where: Temple Brith Kodesh

2131 Elmwood AveWhen: Sunday 3/8 and 3/15

9 AM to 12:30 PM

Electronic waste is accumulating at an astronomical rate, almost three times faster than

ordinary household trash. Studies done by Carnegie Mellon University researchers estimate that

over 60 million PCs have been dumped into U.S. landfills. Furthermore, almost 200 million

computers will continue to become obsolete between 2004 and 2009 based on National Safety

Council findings. That equates to 136,000 machines per day.

Computers and other electronic equipment may contain hazardous waste elements such

as lead, mercury, cadmium and beryllium. Monitors, CRTs and televisions may have anywhere

from 4 to 8 pounds of lead. These types of equipment need to stay out of our landfills and be

recycled in an environmentally sound manner. Although consumers are currently exempt from

penalty for improper disposal, everyone is encouraged to be environmentally conscious.

Acceptable equipment would include:

Computers, ComputerPeripherals, Monitors, Televisions, Terminals, Wiring & Cabling, Elec-

tronic Scrap, Typewriters, Fax Machines, Batteries, Printers/Scanners, Telecommunications

Equipment, UPS units, Circuit Boards, Audio/Visual Equipment, Cell Phones and Video Game

Systems. Basically if it plugs into the wall and has a circuit board or a battery, we can recycle it.

Televisions have a recycling fee of $10.

DUNKIRK CONFERENCE CENTER

Dunkirk Camp schedules have arrived. If you or someone in your

family would like to add a Christian camping experience to your sum-mer schedule, check out the brochures on our literature table near the

library. There are discounts available for first time campers.

NEXT EPISTLE DEADLINE 3 PM MARCH 19, 2009

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JYF/SYF NEWSYF/SYF NEWS JYF & SYF Girls:

REVOLVE TOUR Is Here

-- Feb. 27 & 28Plan to meet in the church parking

lot at 5:45 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27! Well

give you your tickets and car pool to the

Blue Cross Arena for this fabulous teen girl

event! The program runs from 7 9 p.m.

on Friday and 9 4 p.m. on Saturday. If

you havent yet paid for your tickets,

please do so ASAP! Make checks payable

to: First Congregational UCC (and put

Revolve Tour on memo line). Cost is:

$47 and includes lunch.

JYF & SYF Boys:Its A Guy Thing

Feb. 27 & 28Boys in Grades 6 - 12! This event is for you!

Come to this awesome weekend just for the

guys! The focus will be on leadership (what

are your responsibilities in the world), influ-

ences (how should you respond to the stuff in

the world), and transitions (heres some help in

navigating the times from Jr. High to Sr. High,

and Sr. High to College. Small group discus-

sions will be split by age level. Presentation

and discussion will be age appropriate.

Its A Guy Thing will be held at St. John of

Rochester church on Fri., Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.

Sat., Feb. 28 at 4:30 p.m. Cost is $40 per per-

son. The event includes speakers, snacks,

movies, music, garbage plates, games andsmall group discussions. Sign up in Fellow-

ship Hall or call the church office (223-0224).

UCC State Youth Event Gods Rhythm

March 6 8Dont miss this great opportunity

to meet other youth and share in your

faith, fellowship and fun! This event is

for Senior High students and is held at the

beautiful Watson Homestead in Painted

Post, New York. See Mrs. Weidman formore information.

30 Hour Famine

March 20-21Senior High students are invited to participate

in this fast for food, as we strive to raise

money for World Vision, a Christian humanitar-

ian organization, dedicating to eradicating hun-ger in the world. For more information, see

Mrs. Hamill. Sign up in the Sr. High classroom

or in Fellowship Hall.

Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine

out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as

noon. Isaiah 59:10

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Family Newsamily News

****THERE IS NO CHURCH SCHOOL ON

FEB. 22 CLASSES RESUME ON MARCH 1

Preschoolers & Elementary Students: Learning AboutChrists Life and Journey To the Cross

During the month of March, our students in the rotation program will com-

plete their study on the life of Christ and begin walking with Him to the cross.

Through movies, drama, storytelling and art, they will learn what events took

place between Christs triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and the

good news of His resurrection on Easter morning.

Come Family Bowling onMarch 14!

Families of elementary school

children this is your chance to

show off your bowling skills! Come

join us for an afternoon of fun at

Fairview Lanes at 1 p.m. Sign up in

Fellowship Hall. (Confirm date

with church office as Mar. 14 draws

near.)

Coming in April..Family Ice Cream Social

& Movie Night!Watch the Elementary

Kids bulletin board for more in-formation.