The Presbyterian Church of New Rochelle

Vol. IV June-July 2013

Goin’ to Big Tent

Folks sometimes make fun of us Presbyterians – for

being so cerebral and restrained. Have you heard

the term “Frozen Chosen”? I think it goes back to

John Knox and the Scots who valued education so

highly. As you may know ordained ministers in the

Presbyterian faith are required to learn Greek and

Hebrew. (not so Commissioned Lay Pastors!) Every

contract between a Presbyterian Church in its

pastor contains a provision for study leave and

generally provides some allowance to help defray

costs. And so you have with me. In the first few

days of August, I will be in Louisville, Kentucky at a

bi-annual event sponsored by the denomination

known as Big Tent.

About a decade ago, in a cost-cutting move, the PC

(USA) changed its General Assembly (Annual

Congress, if you will) schedule from annual to

semiannual. Big tent emerged in the intervening

years as an opportunity to gather some of the

leading lights in theology and church related issues

to share their wisdom. We will worship at least

every morning and there are one or two gatherings

of the entire body but it is largely smaller groups

being led by some of our most interesting

theologians and church leaders. Of course there

are three or four options for every time block so

we all have to make some difficult choices!

Here’s a listing of many of the seminars I will be

attending: How to Do Short-term Mission Well;

Theology, Worship and Education; Evangelism and

Church Growth; The Bible Heroes’ Communication

Guide for Today's Churches; Healthy Ministry;

Evangelism and Church Growth. There will also be

a conversation with the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA)

to talk about the big issues that confront all

mainline churches focusing on those specific to our

own denomination.

All in all it promises to be a jam-packed four or five

days and I plan to be sharing much of what I learn

with you as we turn our attention to the last

quarter of our first year together!

Pastor Buchanan

The Interreligious Council of New Rochelle offered

a tribute to Singlea Hall on June 11, 2013

anticipating her move to Duchess County. We at

the Presbyterian Church of New Rochelle wish her

all the best.

On June 23, 2013 at 4:00 a beautiful and very

spiritual service was held to celebrate the

commissioning of Thomas R. Buchanan as lay

pastor of the Presbyterian Church of New

Rochelle.

The Women’s Association sponsored the activity

that took place after the commissioning

ceremony. The members of the church gave

Pastor Buchanan a beautiful glass ornament in

form of a flame as a memento of the occasion

The following people participated: Rev. Bill

Crawford from Hudson River Presbytery; Mr.

Daniel Yang, Director of Youth Ministries KPCoW;

Rev. Chris Shelton, Pastor of the Broadway

Presbyterian Church; Rev. Ezequiel Herrera,

Pastor of Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church as

well as Norma Abele, Jean Tischler and Audrey

Mckenzie-Wallace.

Thanks from the Pastor

Will you allow me a moment to thank each of you

for the kindness, generosity and love that was so

palpable at my commissioning service last Sunday?

I felt it so fully and completely and many have

remarked on it in the days since. My only concern

is that it was over-focused on me.

I heard a cute abbreviated joke from this week’s

Princeton lecture about the donkey that carried

Christ into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. It thought all

those palm fronds and hosannas were quite

wonderful and was most admiring of how deserving

it must be!

So I hope we all heard the message from Rev. Chris

Shelton that this journey we are on is a lifetime

endeavor – there is no turning back to our former

lives as fishermen. I hope we all heard Jean

Tischler’s charge to me that since you and others

have cheered and loved me through my lap around

the track, my new role is in the stands to cheer

each of you on your journey, on your lap around

the track we call life.

And this leads rather nicely to Audrey’s Charge to

you, the Congregation – that you maintain and

build on the love you have for each other and

continue the warm welcome you give to all

newcomers – including and perhaps most

especially me! This is the hallmark and foundation

of your presence here in New Rochelle. I

understand that love to be your response to Jesus’s

summary of the law – to love God with all your

heart, mind and strength; and to love your

neighbor as yourself. As Jesus goes on to say “On

those two commandments hang all the law and the

prophets.” (Mt. 27:40)

From this foundation all things are possible.

Pastor Buchanan

Pastor Buchanan’s Commissioning Service

Other “Breaking” News

Children’s Center Moving up Ceremony

On June 13 the Children’s Center celebrated

the children’s moving up ceremony. Pastor

Buchanan attended and spoke to the children and

their parents. After the ceremony, refreshments

were served to the children and families. We wish

good luck to the children as they make their way

into life.

Classes begin on September 9th at The Children’s Center will an open house for registered students and their parents.

NOTE:

We are sorry that the sale day we had planned for

this summer has been delayed indefinitely. Thanks

to everyone who offered their support,

We nevertheless hope for a winter sale for early

November. Save your gently used, but in good

condition, sweaters, coats, gloves, etc. for the sale.

Children’s items are also most appreciated.

On Being Presbyterian….

What is a Deacon?

The position of deacon as stated in Scripture is one

of sympathy, witness and service following the

example of Jesus. [8] Deacons likewise must be

serious, not double-tongued, not addicted to much

wine, not greedy for gain; [9] they must hold the

mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 1Tim

3: 8-9

Deacons must be spiritual in character, have an

honest repute, live exemplary lives, be sympathetic

and have sound judgment.

Among their duties we have: ministering to the

needy, sick and friendless, and well as to anybody

on distress. Deacons may help in church with any

duties assigned by the session. They may help by

reading the Scriptures, leading prayers, assisting

with the Lord’s Supper, visiting the sick and

spreading the gospel.

The position of a Deacon is a very important one

and should be exercised with love, sympathy and

faith.

For Your Well-being…

The stress of caregiving

Many of us are or have been caregivers. We get to

care for a sick child, parent or beloved companion.

The task is not easy since many of us work while

caregiving, have children to care for, or are also

elderly or sick.

Caregiving might be very rewarding. We feel good

of performing our duty to our loved one but the

stress of caregiving can take a toll on our health,

finances, relationships, jobs, and can lead to

depression and burnout.

If you are caring for a chronically ill person it can be

more stressful because you can face years of

caregiving. This can be especially true caring for

people suffering of cancer, Alzheimer’s or heart

issues since many times there is no hope that the

person will get better. Family and traditional

expectations about not abandoning our loved one

by placing the person in a “home“ can also add to

the stress. So many times we end up getting

physically and emotionally ill due to the

overwhelming responsibility. When you get sick

you end up putting your health as well as the

health of the person you care for. You can get

angry, resentful, and depressed among other

things.

So, what can you do to take care of yourself while

being a caretaker? You can learn to identify signs

of stress and burnout. Some are:

Feeling tired

Difficulty sleeping

Angry and resentful, impatient with the

person you care for and with others

Trouble concentrating

Health problems of your own

Eating more or not eating at all

You get little satisfaction of life

Fell helpless and hopeless

You are in the obligation of taking care of yourself

to be able to care for your sick person because if

you burn you are not a good choice for caretaker.

So there are some things you can do to avoid burn

out.

Be willing to ask for help

Be willing to accept help

Involve other family members, if possible

Accept help from neighbors, church friends

and government agencies.

Get “me” time; at least 30 minutes

everyday

Watch television. Read a book. Listen to

music, go to a movie, visit relatives, friends,

get a hobby meditate, exercise, take good

care of yourself.

If necessary find a support group

To further help yourself the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services’ Family Caregiver Support Program offers free:

Caregiver consultations during which their

staff will meet with you to review your

caregiving situation and provide guidance

about your options.

A Guide for Caregivers: What You Need to

Know, a 30 page booklet filled with practical

advice for the caregiver.

Educational programs throughout the County

to educate caregivers in all aspects of the

caregiving role.

A Guide for Caregivers: Respite Services and Caregiver Support Groups, a 37 page support guide for services in Westchester County.

Do not do your caregiving alone, look for help.

Quotes:

I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in your

knowledge and understanding. Philipians1:9

Judge not according to appearance. John 7:24

The Presbyterian Church of New Rochelle

50 Pintard Avenue,

New Rochelle, NY 10801

914-636-2953

pcnr.org

Join Us for Worship

Sunday in the sanctuary- 10:00 a.m.

“Coffee hour”- after the service

Come worship with us!