November Newsletter
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
While Jay and I were enjoying five days in the AuSable region last week, I spent some time thinking back to February. I had just returned from Guatemala, had hooked up with a low vision specialist who promised to help me see better and we were starting to look forward to our visit to Alaska in the summer. And then. . . it all changed.
Our vocabulary suddenly increased by a single word… “Corona” (later morphing to “COVID”). And the journey began.
Eight months later, here we are. Still filtering most decisions through that crazy “C” word. Cancelling plans. Wrestling to accept the now, while longing for the “before”. Trying to keep dreaming, yet knowing holding everything loosely works best. Laying down expectations, while purposing to choose hope, joy and peace. Daring to blurt out “I’m so over this!!” while hearing God’s gentle whisper, “I am here. I know.”
Enjoying some porch-sitting quiet in the crisp morning fall air, I sighed with an “OK… here we go for another day… and ‘it’s’ still here!”. Immediately, I sensed a nudge to reframe my thinking. Do I want to live with a “COVID filter” each day or Your filter, Lord? I know the second is so much better. . . brings peace and freedom and even opportunity for fresh direction. Choosing His “filter” means a work of tweaking my thinking, asking for renewed perspective and fresh creative ideas. Work, but a process with promised satisfaction.
Not “what I can’t do”, but “what I can do!” Walking nearby trails in clean air and sunshine. Trading dinners out in a restaurant for sitting in my own home, in comfortable clothes and slippers.
Thinking not about what’s been taken away”, but “what’s been given”. We can’t “get up and go” like before, but we can walk the neighborhood often. We can call or write to a friend and connect. We can reach out to someone we haven’t seen or talked to in a while, or even someone we have been estranged from.
What if instead of saying “how long Lord???!!”, we said, “Lord, what do you have today?”. Working that “being present” muscle overtime. Learning deeper contentment in the day unfolding. Awareness growing in the seeming little matters of the day that actually hold deep significance.
Not “I’m tired of feeling trapped, anxious, frustrated, ________(fill in your own list),. . . ., but “Lord, show me where you want me to grow, what you want to uncover, where I need to let go”.
Not “what if this happens?”, but “Lord, I am trusting you for today and to get me through this.” Not “I can’t believe THEY are (saying, thinking, doing) that,” but “How do You want ME to walk in body, mind and spirit today, Lord?” Not “grumbling”, but “gratitude.”
As we approach Thanksgiving we can purposefully say, “I’m so thankful for ____.” And what if we did this several times a day from now to Thanksgiving. What kind of difference might that make?
My marching orders are clear. I may still feel “shut down” in various measures each day, with some not-so-great emotions along the way. But. . . I know God has fresh windows to open if I pay attention, listen, wait and trust for God’s unfolding ways.
This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Rejoice and be glad!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Bonnie
church email address is Mayfield preschurch@ gmail.com
church website is http://www.mayfieldpresbyterianchurch.org
Sunday School
We are hoping to start Sunday School before long but would like to hear from parents about how they feel. Children would have to wear masks and stay distanced.
November Bible Study
We continue our Bible study called “When Christians Get it Wrong: Politics, Judgment, Salvation, Sexuality, Tragedy, and Science.” If you wish to participate on Zoom call the church office and leave your name and email address to receive a Zoom invitation. It may also be viewed on facebook.
The Advent Bible study is entitled “The Light of the World: A Beginners Guide to Advent”.
November 7 Annual Harvest Ham Dinner
The Harvest Ham Dinner is an annual event occurring the first Saturday in November. This year will be the 28th year it has been offered. It was originally created to honor the wondrous harvest season and remind us to be thankful for the many blessings bestowed upon us. The harvest dinner is lovingly prepared by church members using produce from our local community or surrounding farms. The dinner includes baked ham, scalloped potatoes, squash, cabbage salad with onions and fresh parsley, homemade rolls, and gingerbread or apple crisp for dessert. The cost is $12.00 for adults and $4.00 for children ages 5-12. The Annual Harvest Ham Dinner is one of the larger fund raising events offered by the church. It is an enjoyable time where people from all over the community enjoy the blessings of God’s Harvest.
Due to COVID-19 and the need for the health and safety of our community, the dinner will be available for TAKE-OUT ONLY. THERE WILL BE NO PARKING IN THE CHURCH PARKING LOT THAT DAY FROM NOON ON . TO BUY YOUR TICKETS AND PICK UP YOUR MEALS YOU WILL ENTER THE PARKING LOT STAYING TO THE RIGHT AND GO TO THE BACK DOOR WHERE SOMEONE WILL BE SELLING TICKETS AND TAKING DESSERT ORDERS (APPLE CRISP OR GINGERBREAD). Then proceed to the main church door and pick up your meals.
Volunteers will be needed on Friday, November 6th at 1:00 PM to help with the cabbage and onions and on Saturday, November 7th at 9:00 AM to peel potatoes. Additional volunteers will be needed for baking gingerbread or apple crisp. To sign up to help or for further information, please contact either Colleen Ulrich (518-774-4627) or Janet Kucel (661-7682). Many thanks in advance for all of your help!!
November 14 Fall Cleanup Day
Fall Cleanup for outside raking of the leaves is set for Sat. Nov. 14th from 9:00 am. to noon, with a rain date on the following Saturday.
November 19 Parkinson’s Group
The Parkinson’s Group has begun to meet again at the church at 2:00 pm on the third Thursday.
November 22 and 23 Thanksgiving Baskets
Thanksgiving baskets/boxes will be made up after church on Sunday, November 22nd and picked up on Monday, November 23rd from 12:30 to 3:00pm.
November 23 Session Meeting
The next Session meeting will be held on Monday, November 23 at 6:00 pm. If you have anything that should come before the Session please contact Janis Frisch or Rev. Bonnie.
STEWARDSHIP
This year stewardship is even more important than ever. With church closed for so long, food pantry usage almost doubled, and all of our mission partners hurting, being the body of Christ becomes even more challenging. Our theme this year is “Piecing Us Together.” When you receive your stewardship letter, you will also receive a piece to a puzzle. We are asking that as you prayerfully consider your tithe for the year, that you also return your puzzle piece with or without your pledge. You are a piece of this church and without you we are not whole. We are hoping that we receive all of the pieces back so that we can complete the puzzle and frame it to hang on our wall. No matter what you decide, please send back your piece.
OFFERING ENVELOPES
Offering envelopes for 2021 will be available for pick up in Fellowship Hall in December. Envelopes will be given to those who used them last year and any who requested them with their pledge slips.
WORSHIP NOTES
Have you noticed the seasonal displays on the Communion Table during worship – live or on Facebook/Zoom? This committee is taking clues from Pastor Bonnie to add beauty to the worship services. For the recent baptism services, the pitcher “pouring water” into a bowl was added. Committee members are currently working on planning and creating meaningful decorations for Advent and Christmas that will go along with the sermon series. We are hopeful that you enjoy our efforts. Mary Seaman and Nancy Frank
BUILDING & GROUNDS NOTES
During the past few months, we had the driveway sealed and new lines painted. We also had the interior hallways and Fellowship Hall painted.
I will be sending the order for the commemorative bricks for the labyrinth the week of Nov. 9th. This order will include four bricks from the order sent in April and will be the last order for this year. If you want to order a brick for this year, please submit the order form to me or call me at 518-224-2081 ASAP.
FALL CLEANUP: We will schedule a Fall Cleanup for outside raking of the leaves on Sat. Nov. 14th from 9:00 am. to noon, with a rain date on the following Saturday. A special thanks to Dick and Vicki who cleaned all the windows earlier so we can concentrate on outside cleanup. Please bring a rake and a pair of gloves for a morning of fresh air and some good exercise! I will supply the coffee and donuts. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Thanks so much! Gary DiSanto-Rose
OUTREACH NOTES
CROP WALK FOR HUNGER
This year’s CROP WALK turned out to be a successful and fun event in spite of two date
changes, and concern over COVID. We raised just over $1700 with about 11 walkers. There were several generous donations which helped a great deal. The day was cool, but sunny and everyone seemed to enjoy the time together. A big thanks to all who helped make it a success. Hopefully next year we will be back to our beautiful Spring walk and there will be participants from other
churches in our area as well as the community.
Mary Seaman
FOOD PANTRY
Hello everyone, the Boy Scouts are doing their annual food drive. They will be putting out the bags on November 7th and collecting them on November 14th. If you don’t get a bag and want to donate, bring food to church. I’ll see to it that the Scouts get credit. You can call me for times to drop off food. We’re preparing for the holiday season and will be going through a lot of food. Thank you. We will take anything. Check for expiration dates and we can’t give out homemade food.
Miss you all, Crystal
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
Happy Birthday to these members and friends
Vicki Kucel November 2 Colleen Ulrich November 8
Noah Rafus November 2, 2017 Sandra Ann Sparks November 12
Mike Frank November 5 Judy Gieseler November 26
Jean Gifford November 8 Wilma Bant November 27
DID YOU KNOW?
…that the Presbyterian Women sent nine care packages to college students.
…that Joan Montgomery passed away in October. She will be missed and we send our prayers and sympathy to her family.
…that Macy Brower, daughter of Alaina and Mitchell Brower was baptized on October11. Macy is also the granddaughter of Mary Ann and Mark Brower. Welcome to the fold!
…that River Rose and Clementine Belle Wemple were baptized October 25. Their parents are Devon and Mariya Wemple, their grandparents are Bill and Darci Wemple and great-grandparents are Garth and Judy Wemple. Welcome!