First Presbyterian Church October 2023
THE MIST AND ALL, by DIXIE WILLSON
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I like the fall, The mist and all. I like the night owl's Lonely call -- And wailing sound Of wind around.
I like the gray November day, And bare, dead boughs That coldly sway Against my pane. I like the rain.
I like to sit And laugh at it -- And tend My cozy fire a bit. I like the fall -- The mist and all |
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I once had a teacher that made my English class memorize and recite this poem, which was a terrifying public speaking exercise. I did not appreciate this assignment at the time, but I now I pleasantly recall The Mists and All during these autumn days. Sunday school classes, especially confirmation or catechism lessons, used to involve a great deal of memorization of scripture and church teachings. Perhaps you experienced this in your upbringing as well?
However this method of teaching has fallen out of favor in most churches, since a simple internet search will quickly find any Bible passage for you. I even ask my smartphone to find a scripture reading now and then, which is how most younger generations find any sort of information. Thus most of my Sunday School lessons focus on having a general knowledge of the Bible, especially the teachings of Jesus, so they can put a web search into meaningful context. Similarly, my wife often tells her patients not to trust “Doctor Google”, unless they also check with her about the validity of their sources.
What I do now for a confirmation, aka catechism, class is to ask the young people to write some kind of a faith statement in their own words. Hopefully, all the sermons and Sunday school lessons they know will inform their lived experience of God’s Holy Spirit. Memorization is still a useful tool, but it is no substitute for knowing the Word of God, i.e. Jesus Christ, in their own journey of faith.
Rev. Walter Stuber
First Presbyterian Church
11988 W. Main St., Wolcott, NY 14590
585-217-6030 stuberman1@yahoo.com
www.wolcottpresbyterian.com
Celebration of Life for Jerry LaDue
Sadly Jerry LaDue passed away on Tuesday, September 26. A Celebration of Life will be held at our church on Saturday, October 14, a 2 p.m. A reception will follow. Please keep his family in your prayers.
Fall Rummage Sale
REMINDER: The Women's Association Annual Fall Rummage Sale – October 5th, 6th, and 7th.
Times: Thursday: 9AM to 4PM
Friday: 9AM to 2PM and 5PM to 8PM
Saturday: 9AM to 12PM.
We have seasonal clothing, lots of housewares, small appliances, toys, furniture, and Holiday items. Please, come and support our Church and its missions
Financial Report
Contact Walter For Numbers
Golf Tournament – Wow
Thanks, Mike and Linda Douglass and Bob and Susan Lockwood for your special help. We had 22 teams. Thanks to everyone who helped, golfed, collected prizes, and fed the teams. Everything worked out great! The total for the Church was over $7,000!
October Anniversaries
Pastor Walter & Genevieve10/13
Henry & Andrea Felker10/19
Chris & Susan Gateley10/7
October Birthdays
Marilyn Burcroff10/12
Mike Douglass10/10
Levi Dowd10/10
Andrea Felker10/13
Brent Gingerich10/7
Peyton Gingerich10/13
Mike Johnson10/16
Kim Kilmer10/26
Todd Lupo10/13
Val Mills10/1
Jerry Oakley10/21
Betty Smith10/12
Reagan Smith10/16
Bob Stell10/25
Coby Stubbe10/3
Hanna Stubbe10/3
Marina Van Cuyck10/1
Myrna Voelker10/4