THE OPEN DOOR

The Briarcliff Congregational Church 30 South State Road, PO Box 290, Briarcliff Manor, New York 10510

914-941-4368 www.briarcliffchurch.org

“Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.” Revelation 3:8

Volume 65 Number 3 November 2012

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Commitment Sunday 2

Heim Concert 2

Coat Drive 3

Giving Tree 3

Youth Car Wash Report 4

Wheelbarrow Warriors 5

Moderator’s Report 5

Spiritual Spa 6

Women’s Society News 6

Celebrations 7

Prayers 7

November Calendar

Dear Good People of Briarcliff Church,

November is a wonderfully rich time in the church. It’s All Saints. It’s

harvest and ingathering and thanksgiving. It’s “Faith in Action” and

Stewardship. And, it’s the end of the liturgical year when the Biblical lessons

that focus us from week to week ask that we consider odd ideas like end time

and last things. As this issue of The Open Door is full of news about our life

together, I want to draw your attention to the texts that will be guiding it.

The readings for the Sundays of November are as follows:

November 4th Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Hebrews 9:11-14; Mark 12:28-34

November 11th I Kings 17:8-16; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44

November 18th Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrews 10:11-25; Mark 13:1-8

November 25th Daniel 7:9-14; Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37

While we do not usually use all three of the lessons suggested for any given

Sunday, they all inform our worship; and your experience of church will be

enhanced if you have reflected on them before coming to church.

Amidst everything else, amidst all the vitality and activity and blessing that’s

ours to enjoy, feast on the Word and follow where it leads your imagination

and your life in the Spirit. Your November, indeed, all your time, even end

time, will be enhanced if you do – I promise.

Cordially,

The Rev. Dr. Bonnie Rosborough, Pastor

SAVE THESE DATES

November 8 Women’s Society

9,10,11 Hudson River Potters

10 Heim Concert

17 W.S. Craft Workshop

W.S. Cookie packing

19 Church Council

December 1 Spiritual Spa

6 W.S. Greens Workshop

& Luncheon

7 Church Greening/Party

24 Christmas Eve worship

Contact Us At:

rosborough@

briarcliffchurch.org

AND

church-office

@briarcliffchurch.org

2

DEACONS’ RETREAT Saturday, 3 November

Our Deacons will be meeting in retreat on the first

Saturday of November. Gathering for the day at

the Congregational Church of Chappaqua, they’ll

be studying the Biblical account of the election of

the first deacons in the earliest church; and,

informed by Dorothy Butler Bass’s book, The

Practicing Congregation: Imagining a New Old

Church, they’ll be reflecting on their role in the life

of our church today. There will be good

fellowship and prayer time, as well. This is always

a very special day and it invariably generates all

sorts of good things in/for our parish.

LECTORS/READERS GATHERING

Are you one of the people who helps BCC worship

by reading the weekly lessons on Sunday

morning? OR, are you one of us who hasn’t done

that but may be feeling called in that direction? If

so, or if for any other reason you’re interested in

“being a lector,” then come, come, come to a

gathering on Sunday, 4 November, and meet for

some conversation with the Pastor and Deacons

(who, in our tradition, are given charge of all this).

We’ll be talking together about what it’s like to

read, how we prepare ourselves to do so, and look

at some of the upcoming texts.

THE BRIARCLIFF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

is proud to present

JOE CARTER SAMBA TRIO

JOE CARTER GUITAR

TIM MORAN WOODWINDS, GUEST ARTIST

JEFF FULLER BASS

NANNY ASSIS PERCUSSION

Works by A.C. Jobim, Baden Powell, Mauricio

Einhorn, Carlos Lyra, Joao Donato and others

PIANIST “DR. JOE”

UTTERBACK

Playing jazz standards from the

Great American Song Book,

Broadway, Blues, Spirituals and

Hymn Tune Improvisation

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10,

2012, 7:30 P.M.

ADMISSION FREE DONATIONS WELCOME

CONCERT MADE POSSIBLE BY THE HEIM MEMORIAL MUSIC FUND

SABBATICAL REPORT, PART # ???

Now that Pastor Bonnie is back from her

sabbatical, she’s been eager to share some of her

stories, discoveries and musings from that time.

Already, she’s reported briefly to Church Council

and shared some anecdotes with the Women’s

Society. Some of us have heard bits and pieces

about when she was sick; and we’ve caught up,

too, on how and where her rambunctious family

has been. Still, she’s eager to share SO MUCH

MORE and is looking forward, therefore, to

Sunday, 11 November, when she’ll debrief some

more, especially what she found in some other

churches – with anyone interested, in the Eastman

Commitment Sunday is November 18th.

2013 Stewardship Campaign theme:

"Faith in Action" During October, these reflections were heard:

October 21, 2012, Tom Vincent: The Power of Joyful

Hearts in Prayer, Praising God: BCC's Music Program

to Support the Liturgy for all Ages

October 28, 2012, Minister Josephine Tucker, BCC

Youth Director; Natalie Breuel, Porter Clements, Katie

Rink: Growing in Faith: Living A Purposeful Life

From Interfaith Leadership Development to "Helping

Hands" Volunteering in Ossining to Helping Restore

Home, Faith & Communities in NOLA

The following Moments of Concern

will be presented during worship in November:

November 4, 2012, Jan Aiello

Living In Faith: BCC, A Place to be Faithful

My Experiences with the Heifer Fair,

Bereavement Support Groups, Being a Deacon

November 11, 2012, Robyn Wild

Caring: Supporting Our Joys & Burdens

3

Room, following worship. Coffee Hour goodies

will be served.

3rd Annual Bring A Coat For Your

NeighborNovember 4th - 11th

Brrrrrrrr. The warm summer (and fall)

days are now a distant memory and winter is fast

approaching. Unfortunately, many in our

neighboring community will not have warm coats

for themselves or their children. The Benevolence

Committee is once again sponsoring a coat drive

to assist those in need. Gently used, no longer

needed or fitting coats will be gratefully accepted.

Men's, women's, children's coats - check your

closets for anything that hasn't been worn in a

while. And spread the word! Ask your friends and

coworkers. All donations will be given to IFCA in

Ossining for their "Spring Street Exchange" where

local residents can shop. In these tough times,

please help your neighbor stay warm. Bring a

Coat To BCC on either November 4th or

November 11th.

BCC CHRISTIAN ED COMMITTEE IS

HOSTING A FOOD DRIVE, November 1-18

Non-perishable food donations are welcome:

Thanksgiving food, stuffing, beans, rice, cranberry,

gravy, boxed mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes,

bread mixes and applesauce. Perishable food may

be donated on 11/18 only. Donation Boxes can be

found in Beebe Hall and the Sanctuary Foyer.

All donations will benefit St. Ann's, Ossining,

holiday basket deliveries to families in need.

Thank you for helping our church to reach out to

their table.

REPORT FROM YOUTH DIRECTOR,

JOSEPHINE TUCKER

The Youth Group met with new director Josephine

Tucker on October 11. Students discussed their

adjustments to their new grade or new school.

Many of the 8th graders are already looking

forward to high school. Yet the 9th graders are

feeling a little caught in between being on the top

and now on the bottom of the school social ladder.

The 10th graders are struggling with new

schedules and responsibilities to manage time. It's

never easy starting over...A new year and new

challenges. So, let's continue to support the youth

this academic year. BCC seniors are gearing up for

the college application process. Andrew Nichols is

applying to the following schools: Bucknell, Holy

Cross, Cornell, Colgate, William and Mary, North

Carolina (Chapel Hill), Wake Forest, UConn, and

SUNY Binghamton. We wish him many blessings

on his application process. Our "Youth Talk"

sessions will be every other Wednesdays at 6:30 in

the High School Classroom at the School House.

November sessions will be: 11/7 and 11/28 (due

to Thanksgiving on 11/21 we will not meet).

GIVING TREE 2012

It might only be November but the

Christmas Season is right around the corner.

Benevolence is organizing the BCC Giving Tree to

assist four agencies with either actual gifts or

giftcards. Last year, we heard from some BCC

members that they enjoyed providing giftcards

and others wished there were more opportunities

for purchasing actual gifts. As a result, giftcards

will be requested for Hope's Door and For All

Seasons. Physical gifts will be requested for the

Ossining Prison Ministry and for the Ossining

Food Pantry. Look for the different colored tags

representing each of the four agencies.

Additionally, a number of families and

individuals have enjoyed sponsoring individual

families and providing gifts chosen specifically for

them. This year we will provide additional

"Sponsorship Opportunities" for those who would

like to be "Angels". Ossining Children's Center

(OCC) will again provide us with several teen

moms and their children for sponsorship. The

Grandparents Coalition (a division of Westchester

County Senior Programs) is also looking for

"Secret Santas" to fulfill the dreams of

grandchildren being raised by their grandparents

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despite having limited incomes. We will request

specific families for sponsorship based on the

number of people who commit to being Angels

and Santas!! All requests must be made by

November 15th. Sponsorship Sign-Up sheets will be

available in Beebe Hall and the back of the

Sanctuary for those who would like to make this a

special Christmas for one of these families. Any

questions can be directed to Martha Yergeau (941-

5608, mcyer@aol.com).

Giving Tree 2012 Timetable:

November 15th - Sign up to be an Angel or Santa

November 25th - Giving Tree with tags arrives in

Beebe Hall

December 9th - Last Sunday to take tags

December 16th - ALL GIFTS/GIFTCARDS MUST

BE BROUGHT TO BCC

(note the early date; Xmas Sunday, December

23rd, is too close for delivery to agencies)

SPLISH, SPLASH…

…..all for a Mission!

Youth group teens and

parents (approximately

20-25) volunteered at the

car wash on October 13!

Having a good time, making new friends, and

working together, the youth group successfully

raised more than $1,200 (2011 raised $700) from

the car wash and bake sale. Proceeds will benefit

the 2013 Project Relief Mission trip to NOLA

helping to rebuild homes and neighborhoods

destroyed by Hurricanes Katrina and most

recently, Isaac. At most car washes, all you can

purchase is a car deodorizer. But at the youth

group's car wash, people had their car washed,

purchased a cup of coffee, had conversation about

our work in NOLA, purchased a fresh baked

good, and they heard about the upcoming pie sale

.... all for a good cause. Now that's multi-tasking!

A special THANK YOU to all our customers,

supporters, teens, parents and adults who worked,

baked and stayed from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm on

Saturday and again after worship on Sunday. The

Youth Group fundraising season is off with a Big

Splash!

FROM THE FLOWER

COMMITTEE

The flowers that add beauty to the sanctuary each

week are gifts from members of the congregation

as memorials or commemorations of special

events or blessings. We are thankful for these gifts

and occasionally post a reminder that there are

dates available if anyone wants to schedule an

acknowledgment. A donation of $35 pays for one

week’s flowers. It is also possible to set up a

recurring date each year. Drea has the calendar in

the church office. The flowers are arranged every

Saturday by volunteers –Marnie Martin, Helen

Buerger, Shannan Myers, Louisa Myers, Amy

Ludwig, Mary Alenstein, Karen Sharman, Janet

Moulton and Maria Fluturas. We are very thankful

for their efforts, and would welcome more help.

The congregation is a very appreciative audience.

Please let us know if you have any interest. We

would be very grateful .

Rosalie Matsuoka and Midge Bosak

LIBRARIAN’S NOTE

If you would like copies of your photos of church

events included in the historian's scrapbooks,

please send them to me at londalwilson@yahoo. If

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Savor the Flavor January 26, 2013 6 - 10:30 p.m. in Beebe Hall

Featuring "The VOODudes"

New Orleans Soul, Blue,

Boogie Woogie and Honky Tonk

Tickets on sale now! Last year we sold out

... so buy your tickets early!

A Fundraising Menu & Music for a Mission

to benefit our Youth Group's 2013 Project Relief:

New Orleans Mission Trip

www.briarcliffchurch.org

5

you have prints they can be left in the Historian's

mail slot in the church office. The scrapbooks are

kept in the church library and can be viewed

anytime the church is open. Maybe you are in

them!

Londa Wilson, BCC Librarian

WHEELBARROW WOMEN

WARRIORS AT BCC

It was exhilarating putting Pastor Bonnie’s

pastoral words from the Book of Proverbs into

action several weeks ago. Four strong women

(along with 2 strong men) met with their

wheelbarrows and shovels to tackle the big load of

woodchips along the parking lot near the Garden

House School entrance. In September we had

helped Sandy, the school director, re-chip her

playground but much mulch was left! In just 1-1/2

hours it was distributed to the beds around the

parking lot and along the Parish House. Some

unruly shrubs and trees were trimmed along the

Garden House School fence as well. Congrats and

thanks to BARRY BOSAK, JOHN MICKEL and

Women Warriors MIDGE BOSAK, HELEN

BUERGER, ROSALIE MATSOKA, and CAROL

MICKEL for a wonderful job well-done. The

Buildings and Grounds Committee welcomes

others who would like to do some clipping to help

put the gardens to bed for the winter. Call Carol at

914/417-5639 and we'll pick a date.

MODERATOR’S REPORT

The Church Council held its first meeting of the

new program year on September 24. It was a good

example of the variety of topics the Council

considers throughout the year. For example:

~ Pastor Bonnie reported on the time she spent on

sabbatical

~ We had an update on the Audit Committee

~ I reminded people to check the Church calendar

before scheduling events and to consult

with others if more than one event is going on

~The Chair of the Board of Deacons, Jill

Benzenberg, reported on new guidelines for fire

safety in both the church and Parish House

~ We discussed the new website

~ The Council approved the recommendation of

the Board of Trustees for the recipient of

the Thanksgiving offering.

~ The council approved expenditure from the

Heim Fund to replace the piano in the

Eastman Room

~ David Gasparik, Chair of the Board of Trustees,

informed us of the ongoing project to

replace the horrible floor in the basement of the

Parish House

~ Kristen Basil, Chair of Stewardship,

reported on plans for the Stewardship drive

~ The Investment Committee, in the person of

Tom Ruffing, reported on the status of our

Portfolio

~ Martha Yergeau told us that Benevolence will

sponsor a coat drive

~ Gail Rosselot from the Music Committee noted

that there will be a Heim Concert

featuring a jazz pianist on November 10

So, it was nothing very dramatic or unusual; just

the day to day tasks involved in keeping our

Church functioning. But, it started with an “An

Evening Liturgy” which Pastor Bonnie heard on

the island of Iona, and, as always, it ended in

prayer. That puts it in a different category. It’s not

“just another meeting.” It’s a group of dedicated

volunteers who give their time to represent the

church of Jesus Christ in our time and place, doing

their work quietly and cooperatively. God bless

them all.

The next meeting of the Church Council will be on

November 19. All Church members are invited to

attend.

Joan Austin, Moderator

A NOTE FROM CARING

If you know someone who could use a helping

hand, a thoughtful card, a visit, or someone who

deserves special recognition of an achievement, a

special milestone, or contribution to church life,

6

please let the Caring Committee know. We want to

acknowledge times of joy as well as to help lighten

the load of life’s burdens. Speak to any of us, call

the church office, or take a moment to fill out one

of the blue cards in the pew.

The Caring Committee

Joan Beicke, Helen Buerger,

Pat Martin, Shannan Myers, Karen Neel,

Cathy Nichols, Kim Ruffing, Robyn Wild

A QUIET TIME BEFORE

ADVENT BEGINS

This is one of those most excellent of years when

there is a week between Thanksgiving and the

beginning of Advent. And it’s occurred to your

pastor that this affords an excellent time for us to

be together and intentionally prepare for the

wonderful season ahead. So, she’s enlisted some

very able helpers (and still needs more) to offer

our congregation and anyone you might invite a

variety of resources for nourishment and

reflection. We’ve reserved Saturday, December 1st,

and are hoping lots of people will take advantage

of what we’ve dubbed “a Spiritual Spa” at some

point during that day. And what’s a “spiritual

spa?” you may be asking. It’s a sort of drop in and

drop out smorgasbord of opportunities offered to

help folk nurture their spiritual lives. For

example, there’ll be opportunity to sit (or lie) in

the sanctuary and just soak in the beauty of that

magnificent environment as some nice music

plays – to let its beauty and the sacred spirit of the

place infuse your being. Who knows? You may

end up just looking at the windows all day (or

taking a nap)! Or, you may want to join others in

the nourishment of some Bible study that will be

going on at the same time in Bonnie’s office. She’ll

be offering a mini-series of studies, intended to

encourage reflection on the women who are

identified in St. Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus as

being Jesus’ female ancestors. As no one probably

wants to go through all this material at once, those

interested might come for one or for a couple

sessions. Or not, because you might rather spend

time with David Aeillo, Jan and Mike’s son who

just graduated from the Swedish Institute of

Massage, who’ll be available to demonstrate and

teach us how rub hands, feet, maybe even

shoulders therapeutically! Yet another spa station

will include stationary and provide an

opportunity for participants to write to someone(s)

of their choosing – either someone known or

others unknown who’d welcome a pretty card and

kind word from a stranger. Still others may be

swapping survival stories and techniques about

how to get through Advent anchored in “the

reason for the season” instead of distracted by the

commercialism and hype it can bring.

So keep your eye out for a flyer announcement

that will be available soon and plan to get ready

for Advent, which begins the day after the spa on

Sunday, December 2nd. Flyers will provide more

details than what can be offered at this point.

WOMEN’S SOCIETY NEWS

The Women’s Society hopes you are all enjoying

the troughs outside the church which have been

changed over to fall color. Helen and Buerger and

Carol Mickel bought pumpkins and mums and

Rosalie Matsuoka contributed two big gourds. A

number of ladies kept the troughs watered over

the summer, a real labor of love, and we thank

them. At our October 11 meeting, Pastor Bonnie

shared several stories from her sabbatical. We

voted to donate $100 toward the youth group’s

CropWalk project and $6,000 to be sent to the

Trustees to be used to partially fund the new

flooring for the Parish House basement corridor.

Twenty-seven ladies attended the Fall Brunch on

Saturday, October 13. Joan Austin and Barbara

Brewster who have been working on the church

archives for over three years, sometimes

burrowing deep into the catacombs below the

sanctuary, shared descriptions of the work and the

interesting things they found. Samples of their

discoveries were laid out including preliminary

plans from 1929 of the proposed parish house on

the hill behind the church. It would have included

meeting rooms, offices and most surprisingly a

bowling alley and billiards room. Sadly (or

7

possibly not), the depression foiled those plans.

Saturday, November 17, we are holding our

annual Craft Workshop, led by our artist-in-

residence Jan Aiello. We’ll be making pendants

and pins from fused glass. The samples are

absolutely beautiful. We’ll also be preparing gift

tags for the Giving Tree and begin working on the

Heifer Fair afghan. You may also bring a project

of your own to work on or just come to socialize.

If you are planning to attend, please call Helen

Buerger at 914-552-3975 or email at

Coopbuerger@aol.com and indicate which project

you are planning to work on so that we can

prepare materials for you. It will be in Beebe Hall

in the Parish House from 10 a.m. to noon. As

always, everyone is welcome.

Save the Dates:

December 6---greens workshop and luncheon

December 7—greening of the sanctuary and party

at the manse

December 17—cookie packing.

CELEBRATIONS

We never need fear our thoughts,

because we are the ones who think them.

We are free to change our line of thought

our mental orientation, our reality

preference ~ anytime we choose.

It's as simple as gripping the wheel tightly

and looking down the road or gripping it easily and

looking out at the road.

The road remains the same,

but we can drive it hard or light.

Hugh Prather

Happy November birthday to our friend:

Ronald Flink November 19

THANKSGIVING OFFERING

The Trustees have recommended, and Church

Council has approved, the following allocation of

the 2012 Thanksgiving Offering: 50% to the

Church’s Benevolence program (with the specific

request that the funds go toward programs to feed

the hungry); 50% to the Church’s Capital Projects

Funds, which holds monies to cover emergency

repairs to our physical grounds and buildings.

We’ve been praying

for the following in October:

For those who are ill Dan Lucus

Shirley Johnson

Juan Jose

Uncle Charlie and Aunt Dory

Mary Frey

Grandpa Leon

Maida Basil

Everett Waterman, Kristin’s father

Ruth Dykstra, David’s mother

Zora Brown

Doris Anderson

Malala, who teaches courage and peace

Keith Austin

John Reese

Gerardo D’Antona

Connor Frost

For those who grieve, family and friends of:

Leslie London

Rolf Kip

Betty Shine

Gertrude Bush

For those who are caring for others

Donna Waterman

Joan Austin

In Celebration

of Monica’s first nursing job

Maida Basil’s 90th birthday

of Maria Fluturas’ becoming an

American citizen. Congratulations, Maria!

Please remember these people and concerns in

your personal devotions.

Happy Thanksgiving!

BRIARCLIFF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH TEL: 914-941-4368 FAX: 914-941-1513 EMAIL: church-office@briarcliffchurch.org

NOVEMBER 2012

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Childcare

available during

worship.

Sunday School

meets

simultaneously.

1

Senior Choir

rehearsal, 8 pm

2

3

Deacons’

Retreat

4

WORSHIP

10 am Teen choir rehearsal,

11:15 am

Lectors’ Group,

11:30 am

Youth Group, noon

5

6

ELECTION

DAY

7

Deacons,

7:30 pm

8

Women’s Society,

9:30 am

Senior Choir

rehearsal, 8 pm

9

Hudson River

Potters, 6-9 pm

10

Hudson River

Potters,

10:30 am –

4:30 pm

Heim Concert,

7:30 pm

11

WORSHIP

10 am Hudson River

Potters,

10:30 am – 5 pm

12

13

Benevolence,

8 pm

14

15

Senior Choir

rehearsal, 8 pm

16

17 W.S Craft

Workshop,

9:30-noon

18

WORSHIP

10 am Commitment

Sunday

Caring Committee,

11:15 am

Pick up

holiday pies

19

Open Door

Deadline

Church Council

Meeting, 8 pm

20

Trustees,

7:45 pm

21

22

THANKSGIVING

DAY

23

24

25

WORSHIP

10 am

26

27

28

29

Senior Choir

rehearsal, 8 pm

30

Dec 1

Spiritual

Spa

BRIARCLIFF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

CHRISTMAS MEMORIAL

FLOWERS 2012

IF YOU WISH TO HAVE LOVED ONES REMEMBERED

AT CHRISTMAS, OR GIVE THANKS TO GOD

FOR THE JOY OF LIFE, PLEASE FILL IN DETAILS BELOW.

Person(s) making the donation:

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

I wish to have the following person(s)

remembered at the Christmas services:

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

I would like:

______ Red poinsettias at $20 each ___________

______ White poinsettias at $20 each ___________

Total ___________

Please make checks payable to BCC Women’s Society

and return this form to the church office,

along with your payment, no later than December 9, 2012.

You may pick up your plant after Christmas.

BRIARCLIFF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

CHRISTMAS MEMORIAL

FLOWERS 2012

IF YOU WISH TO HAVE LOVED ONES REMEMBERED

AT CHRISTMAS, OR GIVE THANKS TO GOD

FOR THE JOY OF LIFE, PLEASE FILL IN DETAILS BELOW.

Person(s) making the donation:

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

I wish to have the following person(s)

remembered at the Christmas services:

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

I would like:

______ Red poinsettias at $20 each ___________

______ White poinsettias at $20 each ___________

Total ___________

Please make checks payable to BCC Women’s Society

and return this form to the church office,

along with your payment, no later than December 9, 2012.

You may pick up your plant after Christmas.