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Sundays in July & August will be laid back and casual. Please come as you are, shorts and sandals are ex-pected.

Rev. Mike will be on vacation July 31st and August 7th (Pastor Donna will lead worship those days).

For the months of July and Au-gust, we will be worshiping at 9:00 a.m. Nursery will continue to be pro-vided. There will be no communion served in the summer, but please re-member the Deacon’s offering the first Sunday of the month and Noisy Can offering on the third Sunday.

Pastor Donna (and others) will be filling the pulpit at Brick Chapel during the months of July and August. So if you miss our 9 a.m. service, you can still make Brick Chapel at 10:30 a.m.!

Enjoy your summer!

The View From The ParkA Newsletter of Faith & Community July/August 2016

1st Presbyterian Church on the Park 17 Park Street Canton, NY 13617

Phone (315) 386-2570 www.ChurchOnThePark.org

Office@ChurchOnThePark.org

Summer Sundays

Rev. Michael P. Catanzaro......................... Pastor Donna Doig, CLP......................... Associate Pastor

Claire Babich……………………..…Church Secretary Laura Toland…………..…..…Interim Choir Director Laura Toland…………..……………………….Organist

Michael Walters................Handbell Choir Director Kim Trombly………Director of Christian Education Diane Ladison........................................ Treasurer Patience Boswell……………….………Interim Sexton

Tom Dildine………………………………….Webmaster Linda Potter............................... Newsletter Editor

The Church Office Hours are Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

• Worship Begins At 9:00 a.m. •

Family News…..………………………….…….……2 Presbyterian Women……………….………………3 Afternoon & Evening Book Group………………3 Attendance & Treasurer’s Report .................. 4 Pastor’s Report………………………………………5 Birthdays & Anniversaries…..….…………….….6 Ghosts From The Past………………..……………7 Lectionary Readings………………..………………9 Church School News…….….….…………………10 Youth Group News……………..…………….……12

Table Of Contents

The Session would like to remind every-one to keep up with their church pledge as summer approaches. If possible, try paying ahead. Vacation, family visits and time in the sun means Sundays are missed and church in-come falls as bills continue to arrive. Help us to stay current by remembering your pledge!

Pledge Reminder

Summer Worship During June, our worship service will be held at its usual time of 10 a.m. In July and August, we will move worship to 9 a.m. to give you more time in your garden, on the water or just to relax on the porch on those lazy summer days. Please note this on your calendars!

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Congratulations to the following students for their efforts and talent on display at the recent Spring Concert: Luke Frazer (Senior Chorus and Vocal Jazz, All-County, All-Area), Kristine Ferguson (Senior Choir), Al-berta Nash (Senior Choir), Tucker Catan-zaro (Senior Chorus and Jazz Band, All-County, NYSMA Soloist), Liam Rodee (Music Alternatives) and Grace Franklin (Music Al-ternative; doing a very courageous vocal solo of Adele’s “Sky Fall” while playing piano).  Well done! 

Congratulations to Luke Frazer who has been named among the Academic Top 10 in the Hugh C. Williams High School Class of 2016!  Luke has been on the High Honor Roll for his entire high school academic career.  He is a member of the National Honor Soci-ety and the Thespian Troupe.  Along with his academic achievements, Luke has been ac-tively involved in the music and theater pro-grams.  He has been a member of multiple groups including Jazz Band, Senior Band, Select Choir, Vocal Jazz, and Senior Chorus.  Luke has participated in the NYS-SMA, achieving the honor to attend Area All-State and multiple All-County vocal perfor-mances.  During the past four years, Luke has performed in the high school fall and spring theater productions, and for three summers he volunteered in Community The-ater productions with the Grasse River Play-ers and The Sunday Rock Legacy.  Luke will attend the Rochester Institute of Technology this fall in the Golisano College of Comput-ing.

Student News Family News Prayers for Rich Grayson healing from pace-maker placement surgery, Tyke Miller convalescing at home, Jessie Manit-ta facing health concerns, 

A few folks would sure appreciate hear-ing from old friends: Carlene Baffaro Apt. 8 Elmcroft, 2985 Four Mile Drive, Moun-toursville, PA 17754 and Maggie Brizen-dine (recovering from a mini-stroke). 1095 Pinellas Point Drive, South #416, St. Pe-tersburg FL 33705.

Happy Birthday to Joyce Bell who turned 90 on June 15th!  Cards can be sent to her at: 35 Riverside Drive, Apt. 5D, Canton, NY 13617.

Prayers for Helen Jennison (Martha Cole’s mother) healing from a fractured leg, Nancy Lyon healing from a broken hip, and for Jane Hurlbutt, grandmother of Kim Trombly, healing from a broken hip as well.

Prayers for Barry Walch’s father facing health issues, Christa Lyon recovering from surgery on her knee, Tom Dildine having/recovering from a procedure on his heart June 24th in Burlington, and Greg Church pursuing new opportunities.

Thanks to Elizabeth Williams who un-dertook a garage sale at the home of her mother Mickey Williams with the proceeds ($639.20!) going to our church.  Thanks also to all those from the church who helped her set up, run and take down the sale.

Prayers for Ellen Janack in the death of her sister Alice. Prayers also for those liv-ing in the nursing home or assisted living: Neil Coir, Jack Klemens, Mickey Williams and Nellie Locy. Prayers for those facing difficult personal and family situations.

Awesome! A big thank you to our June newsletter assembly volunteers; Andy Loeffler, Karen Parker, Carolyn O’-Connor, Marilyn Rodee and Janet Stitt.  Your assistance is appreciated!

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Presbyterian Women• Postscript •

Postscript Club will not meet during July and August.  We will resume again in Sep-tember.  Enjoy the summer!

• Women’s Circle • Women’s Circle will take a break for the summer and resume in September with conversation and connection. If you would like to host in the fall, contact Linda Potter at 386-4364 or nautilus@twcny.rr.com.

Evening Book Group The evening book discussion group meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend for an evening of engaging conversation.

The 2016-2017 books are:

September 27th - Being Mortal by Atul Gawande; Host: Linda Potter

October 25th - The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker; Host: Arvilla Aldous with Vicki McLain as discussion leader

November 22nd - The Last Time I Was Me by Cathy Lamb; Host: Cati Hill

January 24th - The Boys In The Boat by Daniel James Brown; Host: Georgia Vose

February 28th- A Midwife’s Story by Penny Armstrong and Cheryl Feldman; Host: Pat Mace

March 28th - The Medici Boy by John L’Heureaux; Host: Wanda Renick

April 25th - The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro; Host: Donna Doig

May 23rd - The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah; Host: Ellen Grayson

Kaylee Maas is a member of the Rochester YMCA Tigers swim team.  She recently missed an individual free style qualification by 0.4 seconds and individ-ual breast stroke by 0.6 seconds.  Howev-er, at the Statewide YMCA annual swim meet at the University of Buffalo, Kaylee received the Eye of the Tiger Award which is the Tiger's version of MVP.  This award goes to one swimmer in each age group.  The coaches take into account not only the swimmer's performances, but also character, sportsmanship and teamwork. She is in the eight and under age group. Kaylee practiced an hour a day at least six days a week to prepare for the meet, and is only 7 years old.

Kaylee is the Granddaughter of Holly Miller and Great-Granddaughter of Tyke Miller.

Afternoon Book Group The Afternoon Book Club will resume in September. Questions - call Karen at 714-2312.

More Family News

New Plaque The church has a new plaque on the wall of the hallway outside the sanctuary. The plaque has a cross on the center top and says:  The American and Presbyterian Flags in the Sanctuary were given to the Glory of God by the Miller and Maas Fami-lies in loving memory of John "Jack" Miller, Jr., presented April 24th, 2016.

Thanks Ladies! All the Fathers and Families of our church would like to thank the wonder-ful women of our church for the terrific brunch prepared and served on Father’s Day prior to worship.  We are all thankful for your ef-forts.  It was delicious!

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At their May meeting, Pastor Donna and Rev. Mike stated that their pastoral duties have been keeping them both very busy.  A financial review is underway thanks to Brandon Bartley.  The stairway flooring on the fellowship hall side has been completed.  The sanctuary side will be completed soon.  Nursery staffing coverage was discussed. 

The Pentecost Offering raised $296.00 which sup-ports needy children.  Session Member Jane Cable reported that ten people visited our church during the NYS Landmarks Conservancy days.  A mold test was done in and around the church of-fices and Session Member Walsh reported that no new mold growth was detected but all our ducts need to be cleaned.  Estimates forthcoming. 

Prayers for those in hospitals, nursing home, and within our congregation were said.  The Crowell tree in the park is to be removed.  The family was contacted to in-sure agreement.  It was approved to replace this tree.  The next meeting is scheduled for June 27th.

Officers & CommitteesElders

To strengthen and nurture the faith and the life of the congregation.

Jane Cable Kristine Potter Georgia Vose Barry Walch Gordy Theisen Diane Ladison Lew Shepard Vicki McLain Lyles Trombly Bill Parker Armond Spencer Sarah Melville Clerk Of Session Wanda Renick, Assistant Clerk

Deacons Ministering to the sick, those in need, the friendless, and those in distress.

Ann Spencer Ray Erickson J.J. Jockel Patience Boswell Faye Bartley Marilyn Rodee Barbara Garrett Marcy Bennett Ellen Compeau Arvilla Aldous Michelle Theisen

Committees Chairs Resources Mark Brackett Responsible for managing and dispensing funds to fulfill the mission & ministry of our church.

Facilities Lew Shepard Responsible for the maintenance and use of all church property.

Fellowship Chair TBD Responsible for all fellowship events.

FUNdraising Beth Hayes Responsible for organizing fund & fun raising events.

Education Beth Hayes Responsible for growth, nurturing & learning.

Worship Kristine Potter With pastor, responsible for worship.

C.A.R.E. Arvilla Aldous Pastor Donna, Liaison Care, Attention, Renewal & Evangelism.

Stewardship Mark Erickson Responsible for securing resources and energy to fulfill the mission & ministry of our church.

Mission Mark Erickson Helping our church, community & world.

Treasurer Diane Ladison Assistant Treasurers - Bill & Lorna Webb

Financial Secretary Mike Frazer & Barry Walch

Church & Community Jane Cable & Janet Stitt Communion Vicki McLain & Jane Cable

Worship CS May 22 74 14 May 29 51 No CS June 5 55 3 June 12 60 6

Average Worship Attendance 60 Average CS Attendance 8

Treasurer’s Report May 22 $  976.00 $    60.00 May 29 $2,556.00 $   406.00 June $1,658.00 $   300.00 June 12 $4,310.00 $   241.00 Total $9,500.00 $1,007.00

Church Attendance

Session Report

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Howdy,

Well, summer is finally here folks. So enjoy it while you can. The Park is looking pretty, lawns are green and thick, the Farmers Market is in full swing, people are off on vacation, kids are frolicking, and many folks are off to “camp.”

Summer is the time of year when life slows down just a bit. We do things a little differently, see things from a slightly different perspective. This summer I would like to ask us all to use this van-tage point to take a good hard look at our blessings. Because, quite frankly, we have so much.

Humble isn’t too strong a word to describe what I’ve been feeling of late. Maybe it is the time in my life, or the age of my children, but it seems these days I can’t help but get this “full-heart feeling” as I move through my changes and see all that has been given to me and my family. For much of this I have many of you to thank. The past 18 years you’ve provided me and my family with so much love. Many a night Linda and I lay in bed and recount the day’s events, and the joy that is ours.

I know that for some of you, life isn’t so easy right now. You have suffered loss, or are facing hard decisions, or are losing the ability

to do all that you once could. So I don’t want to just paint the world with a big rose-colored brush. But before we all set off on our many different directions this summer, I’d like to ask each of you to use a little bit of the easy living summer affords us and take stock of your blessings.

Take a walk. Visit with a neighbor. Call an old friend. Visit an old haunt. Sit in the front of your house and watch the world go by. Go to bed early. Dig out the old photo albums and home movies/videos. Go dancing. Say thank you to some one who de-serves it but isn’t expecting it. En-joy your body. Sweat. Swim. Float. Ride a bike, borrow one if you have to. Buy some fresh berries. Throw a party. Go see your family. Read a book. Make music. Give away what you don’t need or aren’t using. Invite some-one over for dinner. Laugh. Sit around a campfire at least once this summer. Have a picnic. Be silly. Dress in what makes you comfortable. Invite someone to tell you their story. Many blessing upon you, Rev. Mike

“The whole earth is at rest and quiet; they break forth into singing.” - Isaiah 14:7

The Pastor’s Report

“The whole earth is at rest and quiet; they break forth into singing.” - Isaiah 14:7

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Birthdays This Summer July Birthdays

1  Karen Poole, Deb Smith 2  Andy Loeffler 6  Nancy Brown 8  Ella Morter 9  Kaitlyn Cryderman, Deborah Danehy  10  Arlo Catanzaro 11  Bronwyn O’Connor 12 Hunter DeSantis 14  Ellen O’Shaughnessy 16 Cole Ladison 17  Toby Walch 18  Glenn Pierce 23  Bill Webb 24  Micki Flores 25  Natasha Bell, Shirley Norton 26  Justin Brady 27    Kim Trombly 29  Chris Grant 30  Lew Shepard, Martha Billings, Ann Spencer 31 Blake Bennett

August Birthdays

1 Calvin Bourdette 2  Sven Syvertsen 4  Lynn Miller 9  Margaret Wylie 10  Cassondra Chase 12  Cody Ladison 13  Vicki McLain, Mary Kathryn Wylie 14  Stephen Cole, Nancy Hoffman-Lennon, Cameron Boswell 16 Whitney Smalling 18  Anne Goetze, Carolyn Leavitt 20 April Rossiter, Daphne LaPierre 22  Nathan Walch 23  Nellie Locey 24 Casey Basford, Julia Basford 25  Maxine Williams 26  Ashley Ross, Gerald Findley 27  Patrick Ames, Beth Hayes 30  Carolyn O’Connor 31  Larry Compeau, Paul (P.J.) Miller, Donna Doig

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Anniversaries This Summer July Anniversaries

14 Rich & Ellen Grayson, Bob & Corinne Duda 29 Mark & Nancey Brackett

August Anniversaries

7 Dale & Colleen Grant, Clifford & April Rossiter 13 David & Anne Patterson 16 Mark & Nancy Brown, Ann & Armond Spencer, Elliott & Mary Rodee 19 Kenneth & Carolyn Gibson 20 Neil & Marilyn Coir 21 Severn Brown & Sally Street 22 Carl & Mary Colton 31 Scott & Whitney Smalling

Prayers for Chris Melville and Nicole Potter as they make their way back east after spending several weeks camping, hiking and visiting National Parks in the Four Corners region of the southwest (Mesa Verde, Monument Valley, Painted Desert, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capital Reef).  They’ll be stopping along the way to visit friends and family, and expect to arrive back in Canton before the start of July.  Prayers, also, as they begin to piece together jobs, and new lives, in Syracuse where Nicole will begin gradu-ate studies in Library Science.  We offer congratulations to Chris who has been studying in England this past year and will be concluding his Master Degree in Script Writing at the end of the summer.

And More Family News!

Looking ahead… The Fall Rummage Sale will be

on September 16 & 17. Save the date & save your stuff!

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Prayer Warriors Would you like to help your neighbor, stretch spiritually and be a part of the mystical movement of the church? We are always looking for new prayer warriors to join the church Prayer Chain to offer prayers for folks who are ill, troubled or in need. If you want to learn more about the prayer chain, call Rev. Mike at 386-2570 or Wanda Renick at 386-3474.

To put yourself or any-one on the chain for prayers, contact Rev. Mike or any member: Wanda Renick 386-3474, Arvilla Aldous 386-8327, Ellen Grayson 323-0950, Janet Stitt 714-2253, Nona Fisher 386-3247, Marilyn Rodee 386-8447 (Jan-uary Snowbird), Joyce Bell 386-8789, Georgia Vose 386-8687, Ellen Compeau 386-8369, Bev Findley 323- 2064, Jane Cable 322-2441, Sandy Pollard 386-3916, Barb King 386-8304, Ellen Janack 386-3124, Toni Roller, Karen Parker 714-2312, Beth Hayes 265-8026, Betsy Robinson 386-2904, Pat Mace 585-350-9529, Donna Doig 386-3785 and Debby Nikkari 265-2983.

The July 1955 Newsletter is only one page long but is so loaded with news of ac-tivities it is difficult to pick and choose what items I should share with you.  Rev. Jack Wells’ first sentence says it all: "There is a possibility that this will be the busiest summer that our church has known for some years."  In order to report on more of the activities I am going to list items instead of quoting as I usually do:

Young people away at Conference, Sunday Worship moved up to 9:30 a.m., combining with other Protestant church-es in August, our sanctuary will undergo renovation in August.  The Redecoration Committee is recommending that walls and ceilings be painted, floors sanded, lighting improved and new carpets laid. Also, they will enlarge the platform at the front and make other changes on the plat-form.  WOW!

The work on the exterior of the church building is continuing: one of the chim-neys has been taken down and rebuilt from roof to cap, much of the flashing has been painted and also some exterior woodwork and trim.

He mentions the names of young peo-ple going to camp and conferences.  Some names that may be familiar to many are Janet Butterfield, Barbara Huddleston, and Herb Huddleston.

Mr. Wells and Mr. Houston plan to take the high school boys for a two or three day trip for traveling to and climbing Mt. Marcy.  We are also hoping to work out a couple of days at one of the nearby lakes for the high school girls.

During July after the Junior Sermon children may be excused from the

Ghosts From The Past by Tyke Miller

Ghosts From the Past - cont.sanctuary to go downstairs for movies and 20 children took advantage of doing this last Sunday.

Rev. Wells says "The opportunities which are ours in the name of Jesus Christ in this community will not permit us to simply suc-cumb to an ecclesiastical collapse two months of the year."

Of course, 61 years ago the membership was so much greater than now and for many people the church was much more the center of peoples lives than is now the case.  How sad that times have changed!

Continued

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Our Website is updated each month and is a great way to stay a part of the life of the church. If you have questions about, or contributions for the website please email our Webmaster Tom Dildine: dildine@stlawu.edu

The Church’s email address: Office@ChurchOnThePark.org Reverend Mike’s email address:

RevMike@ChurchOnThePark.org

Church Website Our B.A.D. Guys’ breakfast (Breakfast And Devotions) will take a summer break. We would like to thank all who attended this year’s breakfasts, those who provided the great food and those who gave meaningful devotions at our gather-ings. Special thanks to Andy Loeffler for organizing the breakfasts.

B.A.D. Guys

Congregational Resources Please remember that the monthly copies of “These Days” and “Alive” are available to you on the table outside of sanctuary in the Narthex. Please feel free to pick up a copy for yourself or family. Copies of the Revised Common Lectionary, on which we base our Liturgy are in the monthly news-letter. Also, the latest editions of “Hori-zons” and “Presbyterian Today” can at times be found in the Narthex. Please take a look and return them when you are done so others may enjoy them.

Presbyterian Worship Partridge Knoll services are on hiatus until the fall. We will resume in October, and continue through the winter on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 11:00 a.m.

Sermon PodcastsThe weekly sermon is posted by Thursday and is available for down load or listening. An archive of past sermons is also available.

http://churchonthepark.org/sermons/

Hello, my name is...Remember - Name Tag Sunday is July 17th & August 21st.

Come early to church and make your own name tag. Get to know your neighbor.

Newsletter Deadline Is The 15th Of The Month

Please submit articles (emailed preferably) to the church office, or directly to the News letter Editor, Linda Potter, at:

Nautilus@twcny.rr.com

To sign up as a greeter or to host coffee hour

for any Sunday, contact the church office at 386-2570.

We Need You!

The Church On The Park has a Face-book page which changes regularly - http://www.facebook.com/TheFirstPresby-terianChurchonthePark

Like Us On Facebook!

Deacon’s CD Ministry The Deacons CD ministry provides our homebound friends & members with a CD of each week’s worship service. CDs are then delivered to homes the following week, and CD players are provided if neces-sary.

If you’d like to receive a CD of the ser-vice, or help deliver CDs, please call the church office (386-2570).

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July 3 2 Kings 5:1–14 Psalm 30 Galatians 6:[1–6] 7–16 Luke 10:1–11, 16–20

July 10 Amos 7:7–17 Psalm 82 Colossians 1:1–14 Luke 10:25–37

July 17 Amos 8:1–12 Psalm 52 Colossians 1:15–28 Luke 10:38–42

July 24 Hosea 1:2–10 Psalm 85 Colossians 2:6–15 [16–19] Luke 11:1–13

July 31 Hosea 11:1–11 Psalm 107:1–9, 43 Colossians 3:1–11 Luke 12:13–21

August 7 Isaiah 1:1, 10–20 Psalm 50:1–8, 22–23 Hebrews 11:1–3, 8–16 Luke 12:32–40

August 14 Isaiah 5:1–7 Psalm 80:1–2, 8–19 Hebrews 11:29—12:2 Luke 12:49–56

August 21 August 28 Jeremiah 1:4–10 Jeremiah 2:4–13 Psalm 71:1–6 Psalm 81:1, 10–16 Hebrews 12:18–29 Hebrews 13:1–8, Luke 13:10–17 15–16 Luke 14:1, 7–14

Summer Lectionary Readings

We thank You for white daisies that float on slender stems

above the golden grass, star the summer field

with dazzling little poems from the universe

and will not let me pass. -Thelma J. Palmer

Goodbye To Andy Our church is greatly saddened by the news that Andy Loeffler will be moving south to be closer to family.  Andy has been a fixture and fixer (as Sexton) at our church for many years.  The model of a servant of Christ, Andy has ever been ready to help anyone in need and to offer his assistance in every situation.  He has kept our church clean, tidy, ready for use and looking great. 

Andy has provided leadership to our BAD Guys breakfasts, offered his voice to choir, and been a tremen-dous help to Rev. Mike over the years in ways both seen and unseen (for which Rev. Mike is profoundly grateful).  More than any-thing, though, Andy has become a dear friend to so many in our church.  He will be profound-ly missed by all of us at the church, and our heart-felt prayers go with him as he begins this new chapter in his life. 

On Sunday, June 19th the congrega-tion offered a blessing for Andy during the worship service and held a reception af-terward in his honor.  A new address for Andy will be included in a future news-letter.

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Prayers For Ellen We continue to hold Ellen Grayson in our prayers in her on-going Mission Trip to Malawi (Africa).  Ellen is teaching women sewing skills so that they may provide for their families.  Ellen will be returning in late June, and we ask God for traveling mercies as she does so.  Along with Ellen’s husband, Rich, we are excited for her to come home to hear of her experiences, and listen to her stories of the lives that have been touched and changed.  Tremendous thanks to everyone who helped facilitate this trip through your donation of materials and fi-nancial support.

Choir Hymnals Special thanks to choir directer Laura Toland, and assistant Bob Duda for their very generous gift of the new Presbyterian Hymnal to each choir member!  These new hymnals were dedicated and presented as a surprise to them on June 5th, Choir Sun-day.  We offer great thanks to each member of the choir, Bob and, especially, our terrific director Laura for all of their hard work and time offered throughout the year in benefit to our congregation and to God’s glory.

New Tree If you’ve driven by the Village Park re-cently, you may have noticed the original Robin Crowell Memorial Christmas Tree (planted in memory of Robin, the son of Bil-lie and Bob Crowell, who died tragically in an accident while riding his bike) has been removed and a new tree planted.  The origi-nal tree had come to the end of its life cycle and with the blessing of Janet Scheid and Curtis Crow-ell (Robin’s sister and brother) a new tree was purchased from our church’s Memorial Fund and planted by the village.

Church School News We ended May with a bang! The chil-dren did a fantastic job acting out the important lessons about being a Win-ner of God for the Church School Recognition Day celebration! I found it very rewarding as the Christian Education Director to see all the children work so hard to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of God's word to the con-gregation. Many thanks to our graduating 6th graders who will no longer be joining us next year. Each child received an ice cream cone certificate to Morgan's Ice House and the 6th graders also received a Gradua-tion cup filled with candy.

The first two weeks in June were spent learning about Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus did not have any friends because he was a tax collector. He not only collected the tax money, but he kept a lot of it for himself. The people of Jericho did not like Zaccha-eus because he was a sinner. One day Je-sus came to Jericho. Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, too, but he was too short to see over the people. He climbed a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus. When Jesus saw Zacchaeus, he told him to come down and he wanted to visit his house. Zaccha-eus was surprised about this news and quickly brought Jesus to his house. Zac-chaeus felt bad about his sinful choices and told Jesus that he would give all the money back plus four times the amount. Jesus was pleased and told Zacchaeus that salvation had come to his house.

The children learned this song about Zacchaeus: "Zacchaeus was a wee little man and a wee little man was he. He climbed up in a sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see. And as the Savior passed that way, he looked up in that tree. And he said, Zacchaeus, you come down. For I’m going to your house today. For I'm going to your house today.”

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A Man I Didn’t Know About a month ago during coffee hour, I was visiting with Fred Pollard about church finances, particularly the endowment, be-cause such matters are often on both our minds and Fred is a wealth of knowledge. In the process, Fred mentioned to me that he just had word that John Oliver had left a gift to the church in his estate. I expressed my gratitude and my hope that the rest of us might follow his example; I also asked if he was part of the Oliver Law Firm in Can-ton. Fred said no, he was in agriculture working at Agway until retiring to Florida. I remembered writing thank you notes to him at stewardship time, but now I realized that he was not the person I thought he was! I felt a bit silly, but after all, he had retired and moved from Canton before I joined the church, so I shouldn’t have. I wondered how many others of our church family I don’t re-ally know and realized it could be quite a number; many have left the community be-fore my arrival.

You have heard me speak of the impor-tance of the endowment to the future of the Church-on-the-Park. To me this is a shining example of one who, “long” ago, understood the truth of that discussion when it was made in the 1960’s or so. Fred mentioned that our church had been part of John’s es-tate planning for many years. As Steward-ship Chair, I can’t tell you how reassuring it is to know that our members feel strongly enough about the importance of this church to the life of this community to bequeath a part of their estate to our continued wellbe-ing. I will continue to point out the impor-tance of the simple act of including the church Endowment Fund in one’s estate planning.

This act is part of the process of “being intentional” about supporting the future. That intention should specify the Endow-ment Fund. One day that Fund will provide for the things that our church must do. Let me give a small example of what I mean by

this. The Session, and many in the con-gregation, hope to be able to create a solu-tion to the difficult access problem for members with handicaps. The costs for a satisfactory solution are very significant. How can we ever afford it short of winning the lottery? Well, if we build an endow-ment, it is an equity against which the church can borrow without spending the endowment itself. It provides a type of fi-nancial flexibility that we must have to solve some of the larger problems we may encounter. I am not enough of a financial person to list all the possibilities, but there are those among us who have that expertise; all we need are the resources.

Let me add that the Session strongly supports this endowment endeavor. At my last meeting it voted that 10% of each memorial gift that is unencumbered should be added to the endowment. It is Session’s responsibility to approve expen-diture of those funds. Session believes the best way to build the endowment is for Session to be intentional as it hopes oth-ers will be, so it has set an example for us.

There is another note to add. The Stewardship Campaign this fall will be my last as Chair. I mentioned this to the Session at my last meeting. I would like very much to involve at least two or three others in that campaign so that procedures can be explained to those who follow. Please let me, and/or the Session, know that you are interested in being on the Stewardship Committee. Our activi-ties usually begin in October. They are completed by Thanksgiving time and Session begins work on the budget short-ly thereafter. It is an amazing process of commitment and gratitude in the life of the church and I encourage you to try it!! You will have the support of the Session behind you. (continued on Page 12)

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A Man I Didn’t Know - cont. You have heard me say before that we as a congregation are entering a time of renew-al that will take several years. All of us are a part of that process. This includes many who I do not know from our past – and many who I don’t yet know in our future. If you wish to help, please let me or Mark Brackett or Session know that you are be-ing intentional in your will or estate plan-ning. I would be happy to know you!

Mark Erickson, Stewardship Chair

Thanks From Our Kids! This year’s Pentecost Offering raised $296 for the youth of Northern New York! 60% of that will go to the Presbytery and 40% will stay in our church to help one or more of our congregation’s children at-tend summer camp, take swimming lessons, or do something else he or she would not otherwise be able to do. The re-cipient(s) will be announced in church.  

Many thanks for your generous con-tributions in support of our children!

North Country Death Cafe A Death Cafe will be held on Thursday, September 8th from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Canton First Presbyterian Church. Death Cafes are a global movement to gather people to enjoy snacks and refreshments and have a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling sessions. The objec-tive is to increase our awareness of death to help us make the most of our (finite) lives.

The evening is free and open to all. RSVPs are appreciated. Contact the host, Linda Potter, at nautilus@twcny.rr.com or 386-4364 You can learn more at Death-Cafe.com.

Youth Group News On Tuesday, July 19th from 1 – 6 p.m., the Youth Group will have a kayak/water/beach day at Beth Hayes’s camp in Postwood Park, Hannawa Falls.  Bring a dish to share and par-ents/families are invited back to eat with us at 5 p.m.  Any parent/sibling wishing to spend the afternoon is welcome.  Wednesday, July 20th is the rain date for this event.   To get more de-tails and to make sure that you receive fu-ture emails about Youth Group activities, contact Beth Hayes at bhayes@jef-fordssteel.com.

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FREE Film Screening & Discussion

HOSPICE FOUNDATION OF AMERICA Underwritten by the John and Wauna Harman Foundation

Being Mortal

Dr. Atul GawandeJOIN US at for a free screening and discussion of the PBS Frontline documentary Being Mortal. Based on the best-selling book by Dr. Atul Gawande, this film explores the hopes of patients and families facing terminal illness and their relationships with the doctors, nurses and family members who care for them. See the film and be part of a national conversation taking place in our community that asks: “Have you and your family had these important conversations and planned ahead?”

lWHERE:

lDATE:

lTIME:

lFOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

This event is a program of

“Hope is not a plan.”

First Presbyterian Church, 17 Park Street in Canton

Thursday, September 29, 2016

7 - 9 p.m.Mary Jones at 265-3105 Linda Potter at 386-4364

Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley and the First Presbyterian Church of Canton Media Sponsor -

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The Mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Canton to reach out to all people and welcome them in celebrating truly the joys, freedoms and responsibilities

that come with our faith in God, Christ’s unconditional love for us, and the power of the Holy Spirit to transform our world.

Through this nurturing Christian Community we will fully recognize the value of each believer,

humbly forgive ourselves and others, and lovingly embrace God’s Grace.

Summer Worship @ 9 a.m. - July & August Youth Group Beach Day

Goodbye To Andy Family News

Church School News Death Cafe & Being Mortal Screening - September

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The 1st Presbyterian Church, on the Park 17 Park Street Canton, NY 13617

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