THE EPISTLE

Volume 14 Issue 2 FEBRUARY 26, 2009

A LENTEN PRAYER
Eternal 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.
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 children’s 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 that’s a bit of slap “upside the head” if there ever was one. It kinds of
puts things in perspective, doesn’t 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 nation’s 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 found

out that he couldn’t, or at least he couldn’t 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 God’s will. When we are reminded of our
true purpose in life, to “enjoy God”, then we can have a full life. It
Continued
 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
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 and
polite. It was evident that weeks had been
spent preparing a real treat. Thank you so
much.
Barb Roscoe
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.
 Easter Flower Donations
A 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)."

MISSION TRIP UPDATE KEEPING UP TO

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 to
serve those in need and each one leaves a little
closer to the One who called them.
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 communication
for 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.

NEXT EPISTLE DEADLINE 3 PM MARCH 19, 2009

 Lenten Worship Schedule
Sunday Worship at 9:30 AM
Fellowship Time and Christian Education follow

March 22: Fourth Sunday in

Ash Wednesday, February 25 Lent
6:30 PM, Meager Meal followed “One Great Hour of Sharing”
by Holy Communion Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
March 1: First Sunday in Lent Ephesians 2:1-10
Holy Communion (pew) John 3:14-21
Genesis 9:8-17
Psalm 25:1-10 March 29:Fifth Sunday in
I Peter 3:18-22 Lent
Mark 1:9-15 Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:1-12
March 8: Second Sunday in Hebrews 5:5-10
Lent John 12:20-33

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 April 5: Sunday of the

Psalm 22:23-31 Passion/Palm Sunday
Romans 4:13-25
Mark 8:31-38 New Members Received
Special Choral Presentation
March 15: Third Sunday in
Lent April 9: Maundy Thursday
7:30 PM
Sacrament of Holy Baptism Holy Communion and Tenebrae
“One Great Hour of Sharing”
Exodus 20:1-17 April 10: Good Friday
Psalm 19 Noon
I Corinthians 1:18-25 “Way of the Cross”
John 2:13-22 (beginning here)
7:00 PM
Good Friday Liturgy

First Congregational United Church of Christ

26 East Church Street Fairport NY 14450
 40 DAYS OF DRIPS:
Lenten Project
How You Can Participate
You are invited to join us, as we embark on our Lenten journey 2009. The theme, this
year, is Forty 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 of Christianity 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 Water

During 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.
Continued
 40 DAYS OF DRIPS:
Lenten Project
(cont.)

Our goal is 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 sleeves
and 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!
C’mon! Let’s do something real. Something meaningful. Something that shows our
praise and gratitude for the Living Water. Are you with us? Let’s 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
 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

 Dear Friends,

Dave and I would like to thank you for

WELCOME TO THE NEW
ARRIVAL
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, Lisa’s mother, Sharon Irwin has
been cleaning the church! Best wishes to
all!
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! Our sympathy is extended to Ken

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
Harris 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.

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS:

Martha Bowman, St. John’s Home
Barbara Cobb, Fairport Baptist Home
Geraldine Stearns, Perinton Manor

In Memoriam
Mrs. Margaret Thomas
February 8, 2009
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.
John’s 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.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF
SHARING
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 God’s 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.
 GREATER ROCHESTER COMMUNITY OF
CHURCHES:
Celebrating 90 Years
of Ecumenical Work in Rochester
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. Mary’s 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. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center.
Sponsored by GRCC’s Interfaith Health Care
Coalition.
Strengthening Our Community’s 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 Action Celebration - June 2nd
RIT Inn and Conference Center 5:30
p.m. - 8:30 p.m. RSVP (254-2570)
The annual faith community volunteer
recognition 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.
Adult Education
What’s Coming Up in Adult Education
March 1 – Meeting Joseph Again…For the First Time
March 8 – Meeting Moses Again…For the First Time
March 15 – Meeting Elijah Again…For the First Time
March 22 – Meeting David Again…For 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 why
they 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 Knew
Come 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-
ticipant’s manual. Join us!
 Safe Journey Reopens
On January 26, 2009, Safe Journey of- tions. This program also needs administrative
ficially reopened following a 7-month suspen- support & coordination.
sion of services. The reopening would not Our friends at Clark Moving & Storage
have been possible without the amazing sup- have generously offered a “Go Mini” storage
port of the 13 member churches of the Ecu- unit for collection and storage of resettlement
menical Ministries of Perinton. On behalf of items. At present we need a location where we
our staff and clients, please accept our heartfelt can put the unit, dimensions are 8’w x 20’d x
thanks for believing in this important ministry 8”h. If you have land which is accessible by
and for coming forward to support the program truck and can donate the space, it would be
with your time, talent and treasure. greatly appreciated!
For those not familiar with the minis- Get involved with fundraising!
try, our mission is to support today’s survivors There are two big events underway to help keep
of domestic violence as they transition to lives Safe Journey’s operating!
free from abuse and to prevent domestic vio-
lence in future generations through outreach Join our Bowl-A-Thon Committee
and education. (tentative dates 8/15 or 8/16,
2009)
Anyone interested in getting involved This is a new Safe Journey event
with Safe Journey is invited call the office, and it will be fun for the whole
425-1580, or attend our next Volunteer Open family!
House on Saturday, March 28, 2009 from 2-4
PM at Mountain Rise UCC. Join our Safe Journey Scarecrow 5K
Committee (October 10, 2009)
We are specifically seeking the follow- This is our largest annual
ing support: fundraiser, generating roughly
Volunteers for our Resettlement Committee! 25% of our annual operating budget.
This vital and active committee coordinates the To make these critical events happen, we need
intake and delivery of gently used furniture, volunteers with many different skills – help con-
linens (sheets, blankets, towels), small kitchentact possible sponsors (organizations that will
appliances, kitchen items (pots, pans, cookie donate/underwrite the cost for alley rental, t-
sheets, mixing bowls, measuring cups, utensils, shirts, food, etc…), find or donate raffle prizes,
dishes, glassware), and baby furniture and bed- coordinate event logistics, market the event in
ding for our families in need. the community, man the registration table and
We people able to volunteer 1-2 days a
need other stations during the events, maintain the
month to drive a mid-size moving van and help event databases and more.
with furniture pick-ups and deliveries and peo-
ple willing to “man” our storage area on prear- To get involved, please contact Ellyn LaPietra at
ranged dates/times to accept incoming dona- Ellyn_safejourney@frontiernet.net or call 425-
1580, ext 2
 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 today’s 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

 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 ADVENT HOUSE

Organic Community We cordially invite you to attend our
Supported Agriculture Fifteenth Annual Advent House Dinner
Dance and Auction at the Casa Larga Vine-
(GVOCSA) sign-up meetings will be held on
yard on March 27, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. until
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 7:00 PM
midnight. This festive, fun-filled evening is
and Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 2:00 PM at
one of our major fundraisers and helps to
the James P.B. Duffy School 12, 999 South
meet the expenses of providing "no- cost"
Avenue in Rochester. New members attend
care to our Residents and their families.
a short orientation meeting then join returning
Your support would be greatly appreciated.
members to sign up for a season of weekly
If you are interested in attending or making a
shares of delicious, organic, farm-fresh vege-
donation of goods for the auction or placing
tables. Childcare provided. For more infor-
an advertisement for the booklet, please call
mation, call 442-5658 or 241-9680 or visit
Advent House at 223-6112 for further infor-
http://www.gvocsa.org
mation. Again, we thank you and look for-
ward to seeing you on the 27th of March.
 RECYCLING OF USED ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

Where: Temple B’rith Kodesh

2131 Elmwood Ave
When: 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, CRT’s 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, Computer Peripherals, 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

 JYF/SYF NEWS
JYF & SYF Girls:
REVOLVE TOUR Is Here
-- Feb. 27 & 28
Plan to meet in the church parking
lot at 5:45 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27! We’ll
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 haven’t 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.
UCC State Youth Event –
“God’s Rhythm”
– March 6 – 8
Don’t 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 for
more information.
“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
JYF & SYF Boys:
It’s A Guy Thing
– Feb. 27 & 28
Boys 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 (here’s 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.
It’s 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 and
small group discussions. Sign up in Fellow-
ship Hall or call the church office (223-0224).
30 Hour Famine
– March 20-21
Senior 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.
 Family News
Preschoolers & Elementary Students: Learning About
Christ’s 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 Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and the
good news of His resurrection on Easter morning.

Coming in April…..
Family Ice Cream Social
& Movie Night!
Watch the “Elementary
Kids” bulletin board for more in-
formation.

Come Family Bowling on

March 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.)

****THERE IS NO CHURCH SCHOOL ON

FEB. 22 CLASSES RESUME ON MARCH 1