the open door - clover sites
TRANSCRIPT
THE OPEN DOOR
The Briarcliff Congregational Church 30 South State Road, PO Box 290, Briarcliff Manor, New York 10510
914-941-4368 www.briarcliffchurch.org
“Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.” Revelation 3:8
Volume 65 Number 3 November 2012
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Commitment Sunday 2
Heim Concert 2
Coat Drive 3
Giving Tree 3
Youth Car Wash Report 4
Wheelbarrow Warriors 5
Moderator’s Report 5
Spiritual Spa 6
Women’s Society News 6
Celebrations 7
Prayers 7
November Calendar
Dear Good People of Briarcliff Church,
November is a wonderfully rich time in the church. It’s All Saints. It’s
harvest and ingathering and thanksgiving. It’s “Faith in Action” and
Stewardship. And, it’s the end of the liturgical year when the Biblical lessons
that focus us from week to week ask that we consider odd ideas like end time
and last things. As this issue of The Open Door is full of news about our life
together, I want to draw your attention to the texts that will be guiding it.
The readings for the Sundays of November are as follows:
November 4th Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Hebrews 9:11-14; Mark 12:28-34
November 11th I Kings 17:8-16; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44
November 18th Daniel 12:1-3; Hebrews 10:11-25; Mark 13:1-8
November 25th Daniel 7:9-14; Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37
While we do not usually use all three of the lessons suggested for any given
Sunday, they all inform our worship; and your experience of church will be
enhanced if you have reflected on them before coming to church.
Amidst everything else, amidst all the vitality and activity and blessing that’s
ours to enjoy, feast on the Word and follow where it leads your imagination
and your life in the Spirit. Your November, indeed, all your time, even end
time, will be enhanced if you do – I promise.
Cordially,
The Rev. Dr. Bonnie Rosborough, Pastor
SAVE THESE DATES
November 8 Women’s Society
9,10,11 Hudson River Potters
10 Heim Concert
17 W.S. Craft Workshop
W.S. Cookie packing
19 Church Council
December 1 Spiritual Spa
6 W.S. Greens Workshop
& Luncheon
7 Church Greening/Party
24 Christmas Eve worship
Contact Us At:
rosborough@
briarcliffchurch.org
AND
church-office
@briarcliffchurch.org
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DEACONS’ RETREAT Saturday, 3 November
Our Deacons will be meeting in retreat on the first
Saturday of November. Gathering for the day at
the Congregational Church of Chappaqua, they’ll
be studying the Biblical account of the election of
the first deacons in the earliest church; and,
informed by Dorothy Butler Bass’s book, The
Practicing Congregation: Imagining a New Old
Church, they’ll be reflecting on their role in the life
of our church today. There will be good
fellowship and prayer time, as well. This is always
a very special day and it invariably generates all
sorts of good things in/for our parish.
LECTORS/READERS GATHERING
Are you one of the people who helps BCC worship
by reading the weekly lessons on Sunday
morning? OR, are you one of us who hasn’t done
that but may be feeling called in that direction? If
so, or if for any other reason you’re interested in
“being a lector,” then come, come, come to a
gathering on Sunday, 4 November, and meet for
some conversation with the Pastor and Deacons
(who, in our tradition, are given charge of all this).
We’ll be talking together about what it’s like to
read, how we prepare ourselves to do so, and look
at some of the upcoming texts.
THE BRIARCLIFF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
is proud to present
JOE CARTER SAMBA TRIO
JOE CARTER GUITAR
TIM MORAN WOODWINDS, GUEST ARTIST
JEFF FULLER BASS
NANNY ASSIS PERCUSSION
Works by A.C. Jobim, Baden Powell, Mauricio
Einhorn, Carlos Lyra, Joao Donato and others
PIANIST “DR. JOE”
UTTERBACK
Playing jazz standards from the
Great American Song Book,
Broadway, Blues, Spirituals and
Hymn Tune Improvisation
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10,
2012, 7:30 P.M.
ADMISSION FREE DONATIONS WELCOME
CONCERT MADE POSSIBLE BY THE HEIM MEMORIAL MUSIC FUND
SABBATICAL REPORT, PART # ???
Now that Pastor Bonnie is back from her
sabbatical, she’s been eager to share some of her
stories, discoveries and musings from that time.
Already, she’s reported briefly to Church Council
and shared some anecdotes with the Women’s
Society. Some of us have heard bits and pieces
about when she was sick; and we’ve caught up,
too, on how and where her rambunctious family
has been. Still, she’s eager to share SO MUCH
MORE and is looking forward, therefore, to
Sunday, 11 November, when she’ll debrief some
more, especially what she found in some other
churches – with anyone interested, in the Eastman
Commitment Sunday is November 18th.
2013 Stewardship Campaign theme:
"Faith in Action" During October, these reflections were heard:
October 21, 2012, Tom Vincent: The Power of Joyful
Hearts in Prayer, Praising God: BCC's Music Program
to Support the Liturgy for all Ages
October 28, 2012, Minister Josephine Tucker, BCC
Youth Director; Natalie Breuel, Porter Clements, Katie
Rink: Growing in Faith: Living A Purposeful Life
From Interfaith Leadership Development to "Helping
Hands" Volunteering in Ossining to Helping Restore
Home, Faith & Communities in NOLA
The following Moments of Concern
will be presented during worship in November:
November 4, 2012, Jan Aiello
Living In Faith: BCC, A Place to be Faithful
My Experiences with the Heifer Fair,
Bereavement Support Groups, Being a Deacon
November 11, 2012, Robyn Wild
Caring: Supporting Our Joys & Burdens
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Room, following worship. Coffee Hour goodies
will be served.
3rd Annual Bring A Coat For Your
NeighborNovember 4th - 11th
Brrrrrrrr. The warm summer (and fall)
days are now a distant memory and winter is fast
approaching. Unfortunately, many in our
neighboring community will not have warm coats
for themselves or their children. The Benevolence
Committee is once again sponsoring a coat drive
to assist those in need. Gently used, no longer
needed or fitting coats will be gratefully accepted.
Men's, women's, children's coats - check your
closets for anything that hasn't been worn in a
while. And spread the word! Ask your friends and
coworkers. All donations will be given to IFCA in
Ossining for their "Spring Street Exchange" where
local residents can shop. In these tough times,
please help your neighbor stay warm. Bring a
Coat To BCC on either November 4th or
November 11th.
BCC CHRISTIAN ED COMMITTEE IS
HOSTING A FOOD DRIVE, November 1-18
Non-perishable food donations are welcome:
Thanksgiving food, stuffing, beans, rice, cranberry,
gravy, boxed mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes,
bread mixes and applesauce. Perishable food may
be donated on 11/18 only. Donation Boxes can be
found in Beebe Hall and the Sanctuary Foyer.
All donations will benefit St. Ann's, Ossining,
holiday basket deliveries to families in need.
Thank you for helping our church to reach out to
their table.
REPORT FROM YOUTH DIRECTOR,
JOSEPHINE TUCKER
The Youth Group met with new director Josephine
Tucker on October 11. Students discussed their
adjustments to their new grade or new school.
Many of the 8th graders are already looking
forward to high school. Yet the 9th graders are
feeling a little caught in between being on the top
and now on the bottom of the school social ladder.
The 10th graders are struggling with new
schedules and responsibilities to manage time. It's
never easy starting over...A new year and new
challenges. So, let's continue to support the youth
this academic year. BCC seniors are gearing up for
the college application process. Andrew Nichols is
applying to the following schools: Bucknell, Holy
Cross, Cornell, Colgate, William and Mary, North
Carolina (Chapel Hill), Wake Forest, UConn, and
SUNY Binghamton. We wish him many blessings
on his application process. Our "Youth Talk"
sessions will be every other Wednesdays at 6:30 in
the High School Classroom at the School House.
November sessions will be: 11/7 and 11/28 (due
to Thanksgiving on 11/21 we will not meet).
GIVING TREE 2012
It might only be November but the
Christmas Season is right around the corner.
Benevolence is organizing the BCC Giving Tree to
assist four agencies with either actual gifts or
giftcards. Last year, we heard from some BCC
members that they enjoyed providing giftcards
and others wished there were more opportunities
for purchasing actual gifts. As a result, giftcards
will be requested for Hope's Door and For All
Seasons. Physical gifts will be requested for the
Ossining Prison Ministry and for the Ossining
Food Pantry. Look for the different colored tags
representing each of the four agencies.
Additionally, a number of families and
individuals have enjoyed sponsoring individual
families and providing gifts chosen specifically for
them. This year we will provide additional
"Sponsorship Opportunities" for those who would
like to be "Angels". Ossining Children's Center
(OCC) will again provide us with several teen
moms and their children for sponsorship. The
Grandparents Coalition (a division of Westchester
County Senior Programs) is also looking for
"Secret Santas" to fulfill the dreams of
grandchildren being raised by their grandparents
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despite having limited incomes. We will request
specific families for sponsorship based on the
number of people who commit to being Angels
and Santas!! All requests must be made by
November 15th. Sponsorship Sign-Up sheets will be
available in Beebe Hall and the back of the
Sanctuary for those who would like to make this a
special Christmas for one of these families. Any
questions can be directed to Martha Yergeau (941-
5608, [email protected]).
Giving Tree 2012 Timetable:
November 15th - Sign up to be an Angel or Santa
November 25th - Giving Tree with tags arrives in
Beebe Hall
December 9th - Last Sunday to take tags
December 16th - ALL GIFTS/GIFTCARDS MUST
BE BROUGHT TO BCC
(note the early date; Xmas Sunday, December
23rd, is too close for delivery to agencies)
SPLISH, SPLASH…
…..all for a Mission!
Youth group teens and
parents (approximately
20-25) volunteered at the
car wash on October 13!
Having a good time, making new friends, and
working together, the youth group successfully
raised more than $1,200 (2011 raised $700) from
the car wash and bake sale. Proceeds will benefit
the 2013 Project Relief Mission trip to NOLA
helping to rebuild homes and neighborhoods
destroyed by Hurricanes Katrina and most
recently, Isaac. At most car washes, all you can
purchase is a car deodorizer. But at the youth
group's car wash, people had their car washed,
purchased a cup of coffee, had conversation about
our work in NOLA, purchased a fresh baked
good, and they heard about the upcoming pie sale
.... all for a good cause. Now that's multi-tasking!
A special THANK YOU to all our customers,
supporters, teens, parents and adults who worked,
baked and stayed from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm on
Saturday and again after worship on Sunday. The
Youth Group fundraising season is off with a Big
Splash!
FROM THE FLOWER
COMMITTEE
The flowers that add beauty to the sanctuary each
week are gifts from members of the congregation
as memorials or commemorations of special
events or blessings. We are thankful for these gifts
and occasionally post a reminder that there are
dates available if anyone wants to schedule an
acknowledgment. A donation of $35 pays for one
week’s flowers. It is also possible to set up a
recurring date each year. Drea has the calendar in
the church office. The flowers are arranged every
Saturday by volunteers –Marnie Martin, Helen
Buerger, Shannan Myers, Louisa Myers, Amy
Ludwig, Mary Alenstein, Karen Sharman, Janet
Moulton and Maria Fluturas. We are very thankful
for their efforts, and would welcome more help.
The congregation is a very appreciative audience.
Please let us know if you have any interest. We
would be very grateful .
Rosalie Matsuoka and Midge Bosak
LIBRARIAN’S NOTE
If you would like copies of your photos of church
events included in the historian's scrapbooks,
please send them to me at londalwilson@yahoo. If
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Savor the Flavor January 26, 2013 6 - 10:30 p.m. in Beebe Hall
Featuring "The VOODudes"
New Orleans Soul, Blue,
Boogie Woogie and Honky Tonk
Tickets on sale now! Last year we sold out
... so buy your tickets early!
A Fundraising Menu & Music for a Mission
to benefit our Youth Group's 2013 Project Relief:
New Orleans Mission Trip
www.briarcliffchurch.org
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you have prints they can be left in the Historian's
mail slot in the church office. The scrapbooks are
kept in the church library and can be viewed
anytime the church is open. Maybe you are in
them!
Londa Wilson, BCC Librarian
WHEELBARROW WOMEN
WARRIORS AT BCC
It was exhilarating putting Pastor Bonnie’s
pastoral words from the Book of Proverbs into
action several weeks ago. Four strong women
(along with 2 strong men) met with their
wheelbarrows and shovels to tackle the big load of
woodchips along the parking lot near the Garden
House School entrance. In September we had
helped Sandy, the school director, re-chip her
playground but much mulch was left! In just 1-1/2
hours it was distributed to the beds around the
parking lot and along the Parish House. Some
unruly shrubs and trees were trimmed along the
Garden House School fence as well. Congrats and
thanks to BARRY BOSAK, JOHN MICKEL and
Women Warriors MIDGE BOSAK, HELEN
BUERGER, ROSALIE MATSOKA, and CAROL
MICKEL for a wonderful job well-done. The
Buildings and Grounds Committee welcomes
others who would like to do some clipping to help
put the gardens to bed for the winter. Call Carol at
914/417-5639 and we'll pick a date.
MODERATOR’S REPORT
The Church Council held its first meeting of the
new program year on September 24. It was a good
example of the variety of topics the Council
considers throughout the year. For example:
~ Pastor Bonnie reported on the time she spent on
sabbatical
~ We had an update on the Audit Committee
~ I reminded people to check the Church calendar
before scheduling events and to consult
with others if more than one event is going on
~The Chair of the Board of Deacons, Jill
Benzenberg, reported on new guidelines for fire
safety in both the church and Parish House
~ We discussed the new website
~ The Council approved the recommendation of
the Board of Trustees for the recipient of
the Thanksgiving offering.
~ The council approved expenditure from the
Heim Fund to replace the piano in the
Eastman Room
~ David Gasparik, Chair of the Board of Trustees,
informed us of the ongoing project to
replace the horrible floor in the basement of the
Parish House
~ Kristen Basil, Chair of Stewardship,
reported on plans for the Stewardship drive
~ The Investment Committee, in the person of
Tom Ruffing, reported on the status of our
Portfolio
~ Martha Yergeau told us that Benevolence will
sponsor a coat drive
~ Gail Rosselot from the Music Committee noted
that there will be a Heim Concert
featuring a jazz pianist on November 10
So, it was nothing very dramatic or unusual; just
the day to day tasks involved in keeping our
Church functioning. But, it started with an “An
Evening Liturgy” which Pastor Bonnie heard on
the island of Iona, and, as always, it ended in
prayer. That puts it in a different category. It’s not
“just another meeting.” It’s a group of dedicated
volunteers who give their time to represent the
church of Jesus Christ in our time and place, doing
their work quietly and cooperatively. God bless
them all.
The next meeting of the Church Council will be on
November 19. All Church members are invited to
attend.
Joan Austin, Moderator
A NOTE FROM CARING
If you know someone who could use a helping
hand, a thoughtful card, a visit, or someone who
deserves special recognition of an achievement, a
special milestone, or contribution to church life,
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please let the Caring Committee know. We want to
acknowledge times of joy as well as to help lighten
the load of life’s burdens. Speak to any of us, call
the church office, or take a moment to fill out one
of the blue cards in the pew.
The Caring Committee
Joan Beicke, Helen Buerger,
Pat Martin, Shannan Myers, Karen Neel,
Cathy Nichols, Kim Ruffing, Robyn Wild
A QUIET TIME BEFORE
ADVENT BEGINS
This is one of those most excellent of years when
there is a week between Thanksgiving and the
beginning of Advent. And it’s occurred to your
pastor that this affords an excellent time for us to
be together and intentionally prepare for the
wonderful season ahead. So, she’s enlisted some
very able helpers (and still needs more) to offer
our congregation and anyone you might invite a
variety of resources for nourishment and
reflection. We’ve reserved Saturday, December 1st,
and are hoping lots of people will take advantage
of what we’ve dubbed “a Spiritual Spa” at some
point during that day. And what’s a “spiritual
spa?” you may be asking. It’s a sort of drop in and
drop out smorgasbord of opportunities offered to
help folk nurture their spiritual lives. For
example, there’ll be opportunity to sit (or lie) in
the sanctuary and just soak in the beauty of that
magnificent environment as some nice music
plays – to let its beauty and the sacred spirit of the
place infuse your being. Who knows? You may
end up just looking at the windows all day (or
taking a nap)! Or, you may want to join others in
the nourishment of some Bible study that will be
going on at the same time in Bonnie’s office. She’ll
be offering a mini-series of studies, intended to
encourage reflection on the women who are
identified in St. Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus as
being Jesus’ female ancestors. As no one probably
wants to go through all this material at once, those
interested might come for one or for a couple
sessions. Or not, because you might rather spend
time with David Aeillo, Jan and Mike’s son who
just graduated from the Swedish Institute of
Massage, who’ll be available to demonstrate and
teach us how rub hands, feet, maybe even
shoulders therapeutically! Yet another spa station
will include stationary and provide an
opportunity for participants to write to someone(s)
of their choosing – either someone known or
others unknown who’d welcome a pretty card and
kind word from a stranger. Still others may be
swapping survival stories and techniques about
how to get through Advent anchored in “the
reason for the season” instead of distracted by the
commercialism and hype it can bring.
So keep your eye out for a flyer announcement
that will be available soon and plan to get ready
for Advent, which begins the day after the spa on
Sunday, December 2nd. Flyers will provide more
details than what can be offered at this point.
WOMEN’S SOCIETY NEWS
The Women’s Society hopes you are all enjoying
the troughs outside the church which have been
changed over to fall color. Helen and Buerger and
Carol Mickel bought pumpkins and mums and
Rosalie Matsuoka contributed two big gourds. A
number of ladies kept the troughs watered over
the summer, a real labor of love, and we thank
them. At our October 11 meeting, Pastor Bonnie
shared several stories from her sabbatical. We
voted to donate $100 toward the youth group’s
CropWalk project and $6,000 to be sent to the
Trustees to be used to partially fund the new
flooring for the Parish House basement corridor.
Twenty-seven ladies attended the Fall Brunch on
Saturday, October 13. Joan Austin and Barbara
Brewster who have been working on the church
archives for over three years, sometimes
burrowing deep into the catacombs below the
sanctuary, shared descriptions of the work and the
interesting things they found. Samples of their
discoveries were laid out including preliminary
plans from 1929 of the proposed parish house on
the hill behind the church. It would have included
meeting rooms, offices and most surprisingly a
bowling alley and billiards room. Sadly (or
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possibly not), the depression foiled those plans.
Saturday, November 17, we are holding our
annual Craft Workshop, led by our artist-in-
residence Jan Aiello. We’ll be making pendants
and pins from fused glass. The samples are
absolutely beautiful. We’ll also be preparing gift
tags for the Giving Tree and begin working on the
Heifer Fair afghan. You may also bring a project
of your own to work on or just come to socialize.
If you are planning to attend, please call Helen
Buerger at 914-552-3975 or email at
[email protected] and indicate which project
you are planning to work on so that we can
prepare materials for you. It will be in Beebe Hall
in the Parish House from 10 a.m. to noon. As
always, everyone is welcome.
Save the Dates:
December 6---greens workshop and luncheon
December 7—greening of the sanctuary and party
at the manse
December 17—cookie packing.
CELEBRATIONS
We never need fear our thoughts,
because we are the ones who think them.
We are free to change our line of thought
our mental orientation, our reality
preference ~ anytime we choose.
It's as simple as gripping the wheel tightly
and looking down the road or gripping it easily and
looking out at the road.
The road remains the same,
but we can drive it hard or light.
Hugh Prather
Happy November birthday to our friend:
Ronald Flink November 19
THANKSGIVING OFFERING
The Trustees have recommended, and Church
Council has approved, the following allocation of
the 2012 Thanksgiving Offering: 50% to the
Church’s Benevolence program (with the specific
request that the funds go toward programs to feed
the hungry); 50% to the Church’s Capital Projects
Funds, which holds monies to cover emergency
repairs to our physical grounds and buildings.
We’ve been praying
for the following in October:
For those who are ill Dan Lucus
Shirley Johnson
Juan Jose
Uncle Charlie and Aunt Dory
Mary Frey
Grandpa Leon
Maida Basil
Everett Waterman, Kristin’s father
Ruth Dykstra, David’s mother
Zora Brown
Doris Anderson
Malala, who teaches courage and peace
Keith Austin
John Reese
Gerardo D’Antona
Connor Frost
For those who grieve, family and friends of:
Leslie London
Rolf Kip
Betty Shine
Gertrude Bush
For those who are caring for others
Donna Waterman
Joan Austin
In Celebration
of Monica’s first nursing job
Maida Basil’s 90th birthday
of Maria Fluturas’ becoming an
American citizen. Congratulations, Maria!
Please remember these people and concerns in
your personal devotions.
Happy Thanksgiving!
BRIARCLIFF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH TEL: 914-941-4368 FAX: 914-941-1513 EMAIL: [email protected]
NOVEMBER 2012
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
Childcare
available during
worship.
Sunday School
meets
simultaneously.
1
Senior Choir
rehearsal, 8 pm
2
3
Deacons’
Retreat
4
WORSHIP
10 am Teen choir rehearsal,
11:15 am
Lectors’ Group,
11:30 am
Youth Group, noon
5
6
ELECTION
DAY
7
Deacons,
7:30 pm
8
Women’s Society,
9:30 am
Senior Choir
rehearsal, 8 pm
9
Hudson River
Potters, 6-9 pm
10
Hudson River
Potters,
10:30 am –
4:30 pm
Heim Concert,
7:30 pm
11
WORSHIP
10 am Hudson River
Potters,
10:30 am – 5 pm
12
13
Benevolence,
8 pm
14
15
Senior Choir
rehearsal, 8 pm
16
17 W.S Craft
Workshop,
9:30-noon
18
WORSHIP
10 am Commitment
Sunday
Caring Committee,
11:15 am
Pick up
holiday pies
19
Open Door
Deadline
Church Council
Meeting, 8 pm
20
Trustees,
7:45 pm
21
22
THANKSGIVING
DAY
23
24
25
WORSHIP
10 am
26
27
28
29
Senior Choir
rehearsal, 8 pm
30
Dec 1
Spiritual
Spa
BRIARCLIFF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
CHRISTMAS MEMORIAL
FLOWERS 2012
IF YOU WISH TO HAVE LOVED ONES REMEMBERED
AT CHRISTMAS, OR GIVE THANKS TO GOD
FOR THE JOY OF LIFE, PLEASE FILL IN DETAILS BELOW.
Person(s) making the donation:
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
I wish to have the following person(s)
remembered at the Christmas services:
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
I would like:
______ Red poinsettias at $20 each ___________
______ White poinsettias at $20 each ___________
Total ___________
Please make checks payable to BCC Women’s Society
and return this form to the church office,
along with your payment, no later than December 9, 2012.
You may pick up your plant after Christmas.
BRIARCLIFF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
CHRISTMAS MEMORIAL
FLOWERS 2012
IF YOU WISH TO HAVE LOVED ONES REMEMBERED
AT CHRISTMAS, OR GIVE THANKS TO GOD
FOR THE JOY OF LIFE, PLEASE FILL IN DETAILS BELOW.
Person(s) making the donation:
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
I wish to have the following person(s)
remembered at the Christmas services:
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
I would like:
______ Red poinsettias at $20 each ___________
______ White poinsettias at $20 each ___________
Total ___________
Please make checks payable to BCC Women’s Society
and return this form to the church office,
along with your payment, no later than December 9, 2012.
You may pick up your plant after Christmas.