the community church of high falls the high falls...

Have you made your New Year’s resolutions yet? I used to be too-cool-for-school when it came to New Year’s resolu-tions. The collec-tive wisdom seemed to be that no one ever keeps their resolutions, so why set your-self up for failure? For example, I had

a New Year’s resolution last year that I would be more proactive in training my dog – Ruthie – to be better behaved. However, Ruthie had a New Year’s resolution to train me to let her do what-ever she wanted without negatively impacting her daily treat intake. Tonight I tried taking a picture of her holding a white flag with “2017” on it – kind of a visual statement of surrender for 2017. The fact there is no picture of Ruthie holding a white flag in her mouth in this news-letter should demonstrate which one of us fol-lowed through on our resolution. In fact, the only new trick Ruthie learned in 2017 was lifting her paw – a trick it she learned at church, not from me.

So I’m bad at New Year’s resolutions. But I’m not giving up on them. In fact, I’ve have had a change of heart in general about them. The way I look at it now, New Year’s resolutions are nothing more than self-reflecting on what is not working in your life, and then making plans to change them. I figure, that kind of self-reflecting, if done kindly to one’s self, is worth the investment. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could simply figure out what is not working in our lives and make changes that fixed it? Figur-ing those things out is simple enough. Change

is actually much harder.

But change does come. I don’t think I even bothered with the thought about getting healthi-er as a New Year’s resolution last year – mainly because the idea of eating less, exercising more, and losing weight was nothing new to me on the list of potential New Year’s resolutions. Actually, such resolutions had been attempted, and failed at, so many times, why bother again? But change came anyway. Ruthie was apparently relentless with her New Year’s resolutions – the second one on her list (after getting her way all the time) was to get me to take her for more walks. Which she did. And I’ve got a lot health-ier. Everyone asked me how I did it. The an-swer always starts with two suggestions: (1) get a dog, and (2) get a fitbit (which is a watch that counts your steps each day).

You see, the one constant in life is change. Change will come. And maybe our better lives are just waiting for the next wave of change to ride in on. Some people fear change. But someone wise once said to me that we don’t ac-tually fear change, we fear loss. So change, that leads to growth, not loss, is worth welcom-ing into our lives. And since every change in the world is some-thing God or-dained (or so we confess), maybe embracing change is just a matter of trust. Shout, hav-ing the faith to

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A Word from Our Pastor...

January/February 2018

The High Falls Messenger

The Community Church of High Fal l s

Jan/Feb 2018: The High Fal ls Messenger ~ Community Church of High Fal ls ~

OFFICE HOURS

Pastor Aaron does not hold specific office hours at either church but is available by appointment. Please do not hesitate to call him if you would like an appointment at either church or if you would like a home visit.

845-594-2214

[email protected]

ride the wave a change actually sounds like a good time – and a lot less work than what we typ-ically come up with for New Year’s resolutions. So maybe that’s all our New Year’s resolutions need to be.

I resolve in 2018 to ride the wave of change that leads to a better life. You’re invited to join me.

God bless,

Pastor Aaron

Consistory & Church Happenings... Parish Nursing Program: J im Nerone, RN and Anne Marie Kitchen, RN There were 19 members of the congregation who had their blood pressure checked during the months of November and December. The number of blood pressure checks provided in 2017 totaled 142. The next dates for blood pressure checks will be held on January 14 and February 11, 2018. Happy New Year! Honey-Do List: The consistory received a "honey do" list from Pastor Aaron for repairs or upgrades to the parsonage. Some of these sug-gestions include plumbing and sheet rock re-placement or repairs. Some of these projects have already been taken care of but there will be an updated list posted on the bulletin board in the back of the sanctuary. As repairs are completed they will be crossed off the list. Any one interested in helping out can check with Pastor Aaron to schedule a time to invade his home. Any materials needed will be supplied by the church. If you are able to help, please bring your tools and talents. Classis dues: for 2018 w ill be $95 per

member. If you are able to contribute even a

portion of this amount, it would be much appre-

ciated.

2018 Budget: The Deacons have been working on the 2018 Budget which will be pre-sented at the January 28th Congregational Meeting. This is also the date for our annual Roller Luncheon, which will follow the congrega-tional meeting. Calendar for 2018: dates have been set for our various fundraisers and special activities in 2018. Remember that all dates are subject to change in view of the fact that they are set far in advance. 2018 Brochures went out to all in the High Falls and Cottekill zip codes...thanks to Pastor Aaron for taking them to the PO, and thanks to all who helped prepare the brochures for mailing. Fundraiser dinners & other events planned for 2018 include:

Mar 10th: Deacon’s Meatloaf Dinner

May 12th: Turkey Dinner

July ?: Chicken BBQ

Sept 15th: Lasagna Dinner

Oct 13th: Ham Dinner

Nov 10th: Guild Holiday Bazaar (Continued on page 6)

January 28th

Congregational Mtg

Roller Luncheon

Be There!!


Sunday School News: The Sunday School did a nice job on their Christmas pageant. Thank you, Riley Schoonmaker, for playing the flute for us at end of play.

Substitutes Needed! There are times when Amy and/ or I are unable to be at Church, or Amy needs to be in Church on 1st Sunday of month for Communion - if you would be willing to be a substitute now and then, please let us know. The children are a fun group and easy materials & lesson plans will be pro-vided. Thank you! ~ Gail Wikane

Youth Group News: A BIG thank you to the youth that showed up and helped decorate the Church and tree on December 1st! It saved us a lot of time on a Saturday when only a few adults were able to come. It was very much appreciated.

Our next meeting will be Jan 5th @ 7:00 - 8:00. Any student 6th - 12th grade is invited to join us. Regular meetings are the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month

On January 14th there is Youth Fusion (A Reformed Collaborative Youth Group) hosted by the Fair Street Reformed Church. 4 - 6 pm

On February 18th Youth

Fusion will be held at the

Port Ewen Reformed

Church 4 - 6pm

Sunday School & Youth Group


Flower Committee News Anyone interested in being a part of the flower committee (supplying flowers for the sanc-tuary for a month or for special occasions) or if you would like to change your month, I have openings...just give me a call. Thanks!

Maryann,

845-687-9409

Birthdays ... 1/5 Sean Letus 1/5 Florence Hornbeck 1/6 Chelsea Poole 1/8 Christopher Angyal 1/10 Richard Walbert 1/11 Bryan Del Valle 1/13 Stacey Letus-Del Valle 1/16 Zach Weig 1/17 Charles Kolodziejski 1/18 Gina Jones Avery 1/23 Franklyn Williams 1/24 Carol Kolodziejski 1/24 Cindy Angyal 1/25 Lois Gross 1/26 Adrianna Avery

2/2 Robert Wright 2/2 Christopher Avery 2/2 Marie Andersen 2/16 Sebastian Wittek 2/17 Luke & Madelyn Brown 2/22 Jessie Feth 2/26 Mary van Laer Anniversaries... 1/12 Bryan & Stacey Letus-Del Valle 2/27 Maryann & Robert Wright

Our Church Family

This recipe is from dear Pat Manley who travels all the way from Hurley to worship with us and we welcome her!

POPPYSEED CAKE

Bake @ 375° for 55 minutes

1 pkg Betty Crocker Yellow Cake Mix

4 eggs

1 large pkg Jello Instant Vanilla Pudding

1/4 cup poppy seeds

1 cup water

1/2 cup vegetable oil

Combine all ingredients—Beat 10 minutes. Grease & flour tube pan and bake @ 375° for 55 minutes.

SOUNDS GOOD ANYTIME!!

Jessie’s

Kitchen

When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them the kingdom of God is near you. ~ Luke 10: 8-9


Mission & Outreach

Our congregation “adopted” two families this Christmas. I had asked for 13 gifts for each child but they each received close to 20 gifts! The congregation was very generous...how wonderful to be able to lend a helping hand to people in need, especially at Christmas. ~ Anne Kitchen Our annual Roller Luncheon will be held on January 28th, following the congregational meeting. Bring a dish to share and after feasting we will count up all the change that has been collecting in the big glass jars over the past year. This money will go to help support the Rondout Valley Food Pantry. Be looking for the annual Missions Committee report on January 28th when we hold our congregational meeting.

Rondout Valley Food Pantry

We are one of several area churches that support the Rondout Valley Food Pantry. The Pantry is lo-cated behind Christ the King Episcopal Church on Rt 213 and is open on Tues & Thurs from 9-11 am or by appointment. If you are aware of anyone in need, please have them call the Pantry at 687-4013.

*According to information on the Rondout Valley Food Pantry website, the following items are always needed: cereal, tuna, juice and juice boxes, maca-roni & cheese, canned fruit/vegetables, vegetable oil, coffee and free garden vegetables, when in sea-son. Also welcome are: soap, shampoo, personal care items, dish detergent, and pet food.

If you wish to give a monetary donation to the Ron-dout Valley Food Pantry you can make the check out in their name and give it to Lorna or mail it to the Food Pantry. Please indicate that you are from CCHF so that they know we are not only supporting them with food items but also with money dona-tions.

Food Pantry News

All the pantry programs are going well: (Tuesday/Thursday distributions, Backpacks, & Up-coming summer program for 2018)

The Boy Scout Food drive brought in 4000 some items.

The Thanksgiving baskets were distributed. 149 baskets were given out, feeding 227 children, 324 adults, and 50 seniors. Baskets were also given to 24 families from the Rosendale pantry, and 7 fami-lies from Rochester pantry.

Information re the Christmas Turkey give away was not available.

A volunteer treasurer is needed for the day-to-day business of checking mailbox for bills, dona-tions, etc, depositing monies and paying bills. The treasurer will work along with the bookkeeper. Is anyone from our church willing to take this on or does anyone know of anybody suitable for this posi-tion?

There is a physical need for the Pantry to ex-pand as they are running out of room.

For the month of November, 120 households were fed (369 individuals including 137 children, 196 adults, & 37 elderly) and 98 backpacks were given out. Food distribution, Thanksgiving baskets, and Backpacks amounted to a total of 5,016 meals.

The Food Pantry wishes to thank the Community Church of High Falls for all the cash and food items donated this past year. These donations were greatly appreciated and went to feed a lot of hun-gry people. I think we should be proud of our church and its generous people. ~ Lorna Schimmrich, Food Pantry Representative


Dec 1st: Tree Lighting/Hot Choc. & Cookies

Dec 9th: Church Family Christmas Party Our beautiful Church Christmas tree was donated this year by Lynette Keator in memory of her hus-band, Don. The Elders will go over the Rolls in January. Pastor Aaron is now the contact person who anyone wanting to use the Church Building/Facilities. You may email him at [email protected]. IF you are not connected with the church and are making a request for use of our building and/or parking lot, please note that these requests must be approved by the consistory and should be submitted via email to Pastor Aaron no later than the 5th of each month for consistory consideration. Choir: We would welcome some new choir members, especially in the Alto/Soprano section. Interested? Come talk to us before or after church. Many thanks to Philliber Research Associates for printing our newsletters and to the Women’s Guild for paying the postage on all newsletters not picked up in church. Did you know that you can opt to receive this newsletter as well as “postcard” notifications of din-ners and special events via your email? Just send an email and let us know… [email protected]

Articles for the Newsletter or Photos for the Bulletin Board regarding Church Life & Church Fam-ily Events are always welcome!! Next due date is: Feb 25th. Card Ministry: I f you know of someone who should receive a get well card, a thinking of you card, etc. please let Anne Kitchen know. You can reach her via email at: [email protected] or phone: 845-687-9571 The Shared Ministry Group will be meeting at 10 am on January 13th, at RRC. Two combined Church event are thus far planned for 2018: April 15th...service & potluck luncheon at RRC and Sept 2nd...service & potluck luncheon at CCHF. Our current consistory members include: Merry Oakley, Amy Greene, Cindy Angyal, Melissa Styles-Neff (Elders) and Dan Boice, Kathy Walbert & Paul Wikane (Deacons). There are openings on Consisto-ry for both Elders and Deacons. Give it some seri-ous consideration and if you have any questions or if you are ready, talk to Pastor Aaron or Merry Oak-ley.

The Women’s Guild does not meet during the winter months; our next scheduled meeting will be March 18th. The Women’s Guild had traditionally been open to all women of the church and is basi-cally a service organization. The women are consid-ering a name change, perhaps to simply “The Guild,” and opening our group to include the men of the church as well. Any thoughts? This will be dis-

(Continued from page 2)


The North Marbletown Mission Thrift Shop is closed until Spring.

If you would like more information or to volun-teer, please call 687-7043 or email me [email protected]

~ Martha Lischinsky, Coordinator

Net proceeds go to the Rondout Valley Food Pantry and other missions. The Mission Shop is located on Route 209 north of Stone Ridge, Cross streets are Marcott Road and Wuchte Lane.

The North Marbletown Mission Thrift Shop is made possible by volunteers from the Commu-nity Church as well as others from the sur-rounding community.

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


A History Lesson...a series by Gary Kitchen

Adam Yaple Cabin – A Short Story, Part 2

The following short story was adapted from a narrative written by Norma D. Whittaker for the Twentieth Century Club of King-ston in 1976. It is based on facts about Adam Yaple, an early set-tler of this area who struggled hard for a living, yet served his country well. The location of the cabin is on Mohonk Mountain House property in a secluded ar-ea not easily accessible. This is Part 2 of a two part series.

In Part 1 of the two part series, we talked about how Adam Yaple, an earlier settler to the Shawangunk region, started his Clove Valley life with the building of a log cabin in the early 1770s. He stabilized his life through hard work and a crew of very eager children helping with chores and tending to the farm animals.

Life in the Clove Valley, however, had not been untouched by the ominous tones of the Revolution-ary War years between 1775 and 1783. Each of the growing number of homes on the mountainside and in the valley had been aware of it.

Adam Yaple at the very start offered his services in defense of the colonies, as a ranger under Colo-nel Cantine of the Third Regiment of the Ulster County Militia. His line of duty kept him in his home area of Pine Bush, Rochester and Napanoch where there was constant threat from Tories and Indians. Numerous attacks were made upon the settlers at Warwarsing and Fantinekill and Colonel Canine’s regiment stationed at the Pine Bush fort were called upon to assist these men in defending their lives and homes.

In 1798 inhabitants of Rochester petitioned Gov-ernor Clinton for more protection against the Indi-ans;

“Not only the lives of your petitioners are exposed, but the enemy seemed determined to destroy the grain and cattle. This must, your Excellency well knows, soon reduce the public as well as individuals to scarcity. Therefore, your humble petitioners do beg your Excellency to protect us with a larger number of men. The supplies sent by your Excellen-cy, if doubled and properly stationed, may under

God prevent impending dangers, and your petition-ers will ever pray.”

Still this area suffered much in loss of life and home. The militiamen, between the ages of 16 and 60 were the only army to protect the home front. They were an organization of private citizens who were required by law to keep firearms and powder in their homes and they could be called upon by the colonial governor whenever an emergency arose.

Each regiment had a leader who probably had had previous experience in the wars against the French. In this position Colonel Cantine did his best to protect the settlement from Indian attacks and marauding Tories. When the area was freed from immediate danger the men went back to planting grain or bringing in the hay.

Adam was always prepared to go but likewise ea-ger to return home to his family and homestead chores. Thus, although several hundred thousand men may have participated in the War, few took part continuously or for long periods of time.

Petrus now growing taller and stronger was doing a man’s work in the fields and forests with his fa-ther. For long now he had been entrusted with tak-ing the bags of wheat down the mountain to Schoonmaker’s mill on the Coxing Kill, to be ground into flour. Then the bags of flour slung across the horses back, and Peter riding atop them, the horse made his slow way back up the mountain to the fa-miliar log house on Mossy Brook.

By now too, a school had been built on Pleasant



Ridge [now called Rock Hill Road], across the val-ley to the west. Children from the Trapps way up in the mountain, and from the Clove and St. Jo-sen were now going to have an opportunity for an education.

Benjamin Low, from March 20 to May 6, 1798 would teach those children who could be spared from home. This was the season too, of least ac-tivity on the farm; and the end of winter when the snows were going out and the roads would be open once more.

Philip and Annantje Yaple trudged the rough stony road to join the other children at the one-room school house. Young Adam, about sixteen, was needed more than ever at home since Petrus had now married and left.

It is known however that young Adam did re-ceive the education his older brother and sisters were denied. Possibly he was taught by Philip and Annatje. It is likely Susanna was unable to attend school at it’s opening for now a new baby brother had arrived and she, although only thirteen, dis-played a capability beyond her years with baby Joseph, and John and Henry, a lively six and four year old respectively.

The days were filled with meaningful purpose, satisfaction and a well earned pride to each ac-complishment; joy and contentment were theirs as the years moved swiftly on.

Suddenly the children were no longer children! Peter, Maria and Elizabeth; Wyntie, Adam and Su-sanna, all gone from the log house on Mossy Brook to homes of their own. There only remained Philip, a strapping lad of 20 years and Annantje just turned eighteen working diligently on pillow cases for her dowry chest while fourteen-year-old John and Henry twelve and Joseph nine, revelled in the activity of farm life.

The barns were full. There were five horses now counting the gray two-year-old and the little bay colt. Eight cows, counting the three heifers and the old red cow; and two bulls in the stone enclo-sure behind the barn; and fourteen sheep and three new lambs, this past spring, to trod the heavy bridge and climb the hill to pasture.

The world was beautiful and life was satisfying this June of 1807.

Then suddenly, like a bolt from the blue, every-thing had changed. Nothing would be the same again.

Adam Yaple was dead.

It was Peter who suggested his father be buried on the south hill. He knew what pleasure his fa-ther had derived from clearing that hill and build-ing the stone walls that lined the lane to the

bridge. The bridge itself seemed a part of Adam.

The children stayed near when they made their own homes. Peter had; taking a portion to the south of this father’s land. Adam and Philip, all made their homes in the Clove and soon John and Henry.

More homes were being built now on the moun-tainside and in the valley. Other mills were being erected beside the streams. To the west of Fred-erick Schoonmaker’s mills were operating along the Coxing Kill, the Rondout at High Falls and on the Kripplebush at “Reust Plaus.” Sawmills were turning the trees into smooth, flat boards for building.

Log hauling kept the men of the Clove Valley busy during the long winter months of heavy snows when there was little to do at the farm ex-cept care for the stock. Logs were also needed to make charcoal which the blacksmith used in his fires to attain intense heat for his iron work.

Those early settlers made their own charcoal in either cross-laid or tee-pee arranged sticks of wood. With wet leaves and sod as covering and leaving a small hole for a draft and for watching, it took three days and nights for a mound to char completely. When finished the pile simply col-lapsed within the mound; then the sod covering was removed and the charcoal shoveled into wag-ons for delivery.

This was the only coal known in early days and it was needed not only for blacksmith work but sifted to a fine powder it was used to purify wa-ter, sweeten the breath, cure an upset stomach and to clean teeth. Also, it was an important in-gredient in gun powder, printer’s ink and black paint.

Shortly it was learned that mill stones made from native “Shawangunk grit” was equal, per-haps superior, to those stones imported from Eu-rope. Realizing the demand for more millstones, as new mills were constructed, soon was estab-lished one of the largest industries in the early days – that of making mill stones on the slopes of the Shawangunk mountains.

The expansion of these early industries gave the ambitious settlers work they could rely on to build their homes; provide themselves with food and clothing and any other meager necessities of life which was all they desired.

Since most of Adam’s children remained within a rather small area it soon became known as Yapletown, a small, self-supporting hamlet their descendants could look back upon with pride.

The hamlet had been steadily growing so that after the small businesses had become estab-lished by 1849 a school had been built; known for




miles around as “The Little Red School House.”

The first Sunday School and probably the first church services were also held here until the at-tendance so grew as to require the building of a chapel. These two buildings are standing yet to-day in the Clove.

Thus time had bled by and here we are two hundred years later still striving for a better life; and may this Bicentennial year make us more mindful of the greater hardships our ancestors encountered as we move forward in that same good faith and spirit.

If you have any further questions about the Ad-am Yaple family and cabin, the long gone hamlet of Yeapletown or how to hike to the cabin site, please contact me. ~ Gary Kitchen


cussed at our first meeting in March...join us! Current Guild officers include: Kathy Walbert, Lorna Schimmrich, Julie Boice & Merry Oakley. Our Christmas Eve service this year borrowed on tradition but also include some aspects of our Evening Psalms services. We plan to contin-ue the Evening Psalms in the new year...be look-ing for notice of these special services.

We served Hot Chocolate & Cookies after the an-nual Tree Lighting Ceremony in High Falls again this year. The Tree in High Falls is looking espe-cially beautiful this year.

A concert to support the Rondout Valley Food Pantry is being considered—details will be an-nounced. A new Church Directory is coming out—pick up yours at church or if you are from out of town or unable to get to the church for some reason, let me know and I will mail you a copy


Community Church of High Falls

PO Box 68

High Falls, NY 12440

[email protected]

http://churches.rca.org/highfalls/ www.facebook.com/communitychurchofhighfalls

Pastor Aaron Schulte

[email protected] 845-594-2214

Dates to Remember…

Jan 7: Communion Sunday

Jan 11: Consistory Mtg @ 6:30pm

Jan 13th: Shared Ministry Mtg @ RRC, 10am

Jan 14th: Second Sunday Coffee Hour

Jan 16th: Elder’s Mtg @ parsonage, 5:30pm

Jan 28th: Congregational Mtg & Roller Luncheon

Feb 4th: Communion Sunday

Feb 8th: Consistory Mtg @ 6:30pm

Feb 10th: Possible concert to support the Food Pan-try

Feb 11th: Second Sunday Coffee Hour

Feb 25th: Newsletter Deadline

Shawl Ministry meets Wednesdays from 10-12

the community church of high falls the high falls...

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