1. religion and spirituality
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T he B ell R inger
The Newsletter of Niccolls Memorial Presbyterian Church
June 2015
Niccolls Memorial
Presbyterian Church
PO Box 605, 228 Crosby Blvd.
Old Forge, NY 13420
Our Mission:
To Live Out Christ’s Love
By Nurturing Spiritual Growth
and Fellowship
and by Reaching Out
in Faith and Love
Pastor
Rev. Lawrence Bartel
Pastor Emeritus
Rev. James L. Ulrich
Organists
Judith Barker
Susann Rundell
Secretary / Editor
Mary Brophy-Moore
Sunday Schedule
Early Worship: 7:30 am
Worship Service: 10:00 am
Sunday School 10:00 am
Sunday Service Broadcast on
WBRV-900 AM, 101.3 FM
WLLG-FM 99.3
Online (live): themoose.net
Office Hours
Mon Fri: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Phone: 369-3475
Fax: 369-6172
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.niccolls.org:
Here you’ll find weekly worship
bulletins & audio recordings of
the sermon.
Mountain Meditation
by Rev. Lawrence Bartel
The right words were so close and yet just beyond reach as I walked
down Fern Avenue several years ago. I turned a conversation over and over
again in my mind from Confirmation Class earlier that afternoon.
Confirmation Class is an exciting time to engage the worthy questions
such as, why are we here? What is God’s purpose for our lives? How may I
live a meaningful life? What did Jesus mean when he proclaimed that he
came that we may “have life” and “have it abundantly”?
I kept striving for words of simplicity and gratitude that reflected my
perspective that all life is a gift. As I walked, these words settled around me
as if they had been present all along:
Life is a gift.
It is a gift that we didn’t ask for.
It is a gift that we can’t keep.
The more time that I walk with these simple phrases, the more
perspective they reveal about the very preciousness of this gift of life from
God.
Just as significantly, these words also remind me that I will not live
forever. I may not know the time or the manner when this earth bound life
will come to an end. Yet, I know that I will die. I must return the gift of life
as surely as I look forward to returning home into God’s presence.
Few conversations are more important, and yet more difficult, than
talking about our mortality with loved ones. In my role as pastor in this
congregation and community, I’ve officiated at over 100 funerals and
memorials. As I walk with families through the passing of a loved one, two
observations stand out. First, a significant number of families acknowledge
that their loved one passed away without a will, or survivors aren’t sure where
to find the will. Second, a clear majority of families confess that they never
talked about a celebration of life (i.e. a funeral or memorial service) with their
loved one.
Statistics support this first observation. According to a 2013 survey,
61% of Americans don’t have a will. Reasons include, “I haven’t gotten
around to it,” “It’s not urgent,” and “I don’t have a lawyer.”
Niccolls Church must be a gracious place where space is intentionally
made for these vital conversations. As Christians, we affirm with joy and
tears that life … is … a … gift!
We will begin with worship. Sunday, June 7 will be “Wills Emphasis
Sunday.”
Worship on the 7th will offer each one an opportunity to consider the
faithful legacy each one of us would like to leave in our families and the
Niccolls Church family. If you don’t have a will or haven’t considered
Niccolls Church in your legacy planning, we will have resources available
from the Presbyterian Foundation for you to take home and prayerfully read
such as “Guide to a Christian Will” and “Composing a Legacy.”
(continued on page 2)
June 2015
The BellRinger
Mountain Meditation (continued from page 1)
This conversation is not morbid and is really not about
death. It’s about a life affirming experience that celebrates the
people, values, and vision that we cherish most. Together, let’s
encourage one another to live forward and give forward.
Now, I’d like to add one more line…
Life is a gift.
It is a gift that we didn’t ask for.
It is a gift that we can’t keep.
By grace, life may be a gift that we share.
Page 2
Transitions
Each month we share “transitional experiences”
within the Niccolls family. Please call the church for
more information or if you have an individual to add.
Compassion
Marie Adams – home
Kitty Blind – summer home on 4th Lake
Dottie Hunkins – Sunset
Condolences
Larry Hogan
Don Kress
Per Capita
By design and practice, the Presbyterian Church (USA)
is a truly connectional body of Christ. To be connectional is a
strength as we join together with Presbyterians across the US
to support one another in ministry and mission.
Congregations work side by side on ministries that are too big
for any one congregation alone. Just a few of these joint
ministries include:
 launching new communities of Worship and Christian
Education communities across the nation,
 sending emergency response teams following natural
disasters, and
 commissioning national and global mission co-workers
to live out the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The connectional ministry of the Presbyterian Church
is financially supported by a contribution called Per Capita.
With our church membership presently at 244, the
impact of per capita (this year, $37.00) on our annual budget
totals over $9,000. Every year the Session at Niccolls Church
faithfully fulfills the per capita assessment for each member
whether that member has contributed toward that amount or
not. Again this year the Session has made the commitment to
fulfill the per capita assessment and this year we want to be
sure to ask every member to help.
Your contribution toward your per capita not only
connects you with the work of the church throughout the
world, it greatly benefits the ministry of Niccolls Church. Each
contribution toward the 2015 per capita assessment makes a real
difference in closing the projected gap between income and expenses in our
congregational budget.
Thank you to all of you who have already paid your
share of $37.00. By contributing your portion of per capita,
you have freed up dollars in our regular budget for the work of
our congregation in this community. If you haven’t yet
contributed, we hope you will do so in 2015. Simply send your
check to the church office with “Per Capita Apportionment”
on the memo line or bring it to worship on Sunday.
Stewardship Snapshot as of 04/15
April 2015 Actual Income & Expenses
Income $ 8,462.01
Expenses 18,572.34
($10,110.33)
Fiscal Year-to-Date
Actual
Budgeted
Income $134,665.82 $ 108,354 26
Expenses 119,610.84
123,314.52
$ 15,054.98 ($ 14,969.26)
Non-pledged offerings, tithes and
planned giving all help keep the ministry of
Niccolls Church vital and our fellowship a
sanctuary for so many in the Adirondacks and
around the world. Next time you think of our
church family, please consider how you may
share your blessings of time, talent and treasure
with our ministry.
Save These Dates
On Sunday, June 21st at 1:00 p.m. we
will gather among the gardens of Bette and
Joe Rintrona for a “Blessing of the Blooms.”
As flowers open to the light and reveal their
God given beauty to the world, this time will
invite us to open our senses to God’s grace
proclaimed by the “flowers of the field”.
On Sunday, July 19th at 1:00 p.m. Star
and Jeff Livingstone’s gardens will be the
setting of a “Blessing of the Field and Table.”
This cornucopia offers a wonderful location
to engage our senses once again as we give
thanks to the Lord for all who sow, cultivate,
harvest, and process tomorrow’s food for our
tables.
June 2015
The BellRinger
Page 3
A Mission Reflection by Trinity Liddle - Seventh Grader
The youth group goes to Hope House once a
year. Hope House is a place in Cornhill, Utica that
gives three fine meals a day to people who can’t get
enough. This year a group of the five kids including
myself went on this trip to help prepare, serve, and
clean-up at Hope House.
We were running late, so we rushed in to help
prepare the food. Before we can do anything we have
to put on hair net and plastic gloves. Then Jack, Liam,
and I (me being the only girl) set to work on cutting
up cake. Meanwhile Lawrence, Cullen, and Skyler were
cutting and buttering bread rolls. After my group was
done, I helped make the salad with Amy’s guidance.
We were done and now we had to pick what job we
wanted.
People were arriving a little early to get in line.
The clock turned to 4:00 p.m. and it was time to serve!
We took on the role of a lunch lady. Jack and Amy
would ask what the person wanted and so on down
the line. I was at the end of the line because I was in
charge of desserts. But there was an important rule
that had to be followed. It was that you could only
give a person one of everything unless it was obvious
they were getting it for someone.
Hazel Delavia, Joanne Strike, & Anne Garbarino
- Three Cooks from Old Forge who prepared the
meal served by our youth group.
I had a favorite moment when I was serving. A
very old African American lady with big thick glasses
was walking down the line with an ambiguous look on
her face. Her facial expression was neither smiling nor
frowning, but her deep dark brown eyes were taking in
everything.
She was now eying the desserts. I cheerfully
asked her “What dessert would you like?” She pointed
to a pumpkin pie slice. As I was putting it on her plate,
I told her that I would have picked that one given the
choice. Then I told her with a combination of
cheeriness, sincerity, kindness, and care, “Have a nice
meal.” And when she turned to get her drink, I saw
her cheeks rise up into a real smile.
That moment made my day and for the rest of
my time there at Hope House. I was determined, even
though life was rough, to hopefully make the people’s
day a little bit more bearable by letting them leave my
eye sight with a smile on their face. The smile that I
put on that lady’s face warmed me right up till I was
glowing with happiness!
Youth Group servers at Hope House along with
Charles, another Hope House volunteer.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2015
All children and adults are invited to Move, Act, Care,
Follow and Share at G-Force: God’s Love in Action Vacation
Bible School. Young people and adults will explore and
experience serving God and others with active love!
The fun starts on June 29th and ends July 1st beginning with a light dinner at 5:30 until 8:00 pm.
The adventure includes music that will energize your ears, super science projects, cool crafts, hands-on
mission work, delicious food, great games, interactive Bible fun and more! Pre-schoolers should be accompanied
by an adult. To be part of this G-FORCE intergenerational program, please call Mary at 369-3475, email:
[email protected] or stop by the church. We can’t wait to see you there!!
June 2015
The BellRinger
Niccolls Women’s Fellowship by Ruth Brussel
This month the group had a table for
donating to the “Healthy Women and Healthy
Families” of Africa sponsored by the Presbyterian
Church USA. And again this congregation was very
generous and we and the Mission Committee send
our sincere thanks to all who participated.
Some of us went to the Presbyterian
Women’s meeting at Boonville Presbyterian Church
and had a good time. Pastor Lawrence was the guest
speaker who spoke about his trip to the Holy Land.
We decided to wait for some of our
congregation to return from their travels to plan our
next meeting so it will be early in June and we will
keep you updated by the church bulletin.
We welcome all ladies in the church and we
hope you will join us for our meetings.
Page 4
Niccolls Elders and Deacons
Elders serving on Session:
Judy Barker
Lois Lowenberg
Letty Haynes
Sue Mahoney
Carol Hornick
Roger Pratt (winter)
Deb Langworthy
Cindy Rose
George Lapinsky
Sue Rundell
Shirley Lindsay (summer) Tom Ryan (summer)
Jeff Livingstone (winter)
Ken Strike
Deacons serving on the Board of Deacons:
Kelli Barcomb
Jean Kull (summer)
Debbie Brosemer
Ann Powley (winter)
Ellen Dreja (summer)
Barb Proper (summer)
Kristin Frymire
Linda Rodríguez (winter)
Paul Giessler (winter)
Linda Ryan (summer)
Cindy Hansen
Nancy Venetz (winter)
Vonnie Kinney (summer)
Miles for Mission
Please lift all of our church leaders up in prayer as they
1 mile, 2 miles, 20 miles, even 40 miles and more! We know
of the
Animals
cultivate grace-filledBlessing
ministry and
mission
throughout
that individuals and families travel from near and far to find
treasures
Images from Sunday, May 17th at
the entire Niccolls family.
at the Mission Boutique. We know that all of the donations to the
Moose River Farm
Mission Boutique support mission partners here in Old Forge and
around the world.
As mentioned in the Tag Sale article on the next page, we are
in the earliest stages of fundraising for the Mission Boutique addition.
This addition will certainly help us grow in mission and outreach here
in Old Forge and around the world.
On Saturday, June 13, Marcia Macdonald and Pastor
Lawrence aim to be among the 1,000 cyclists setting off in the “Black
Fly Challenge.” This forty-mile race winds through the wilderness
roads of the Moose River Plains from Indian Lake to Inlet.
In recognition of those who travel many miles to the Mission
Boutique, Marcia and Pastor Lawrence invite you to sponsor their
race through a fundraiser for the Mission Boutique Addition called
“Miles for Mission”. How about starting at a dollar a mile?!
This is a particularly meaningful adventure for Marcia to
bring her love of biking together with an opportunity to help the
Mission Boutique grow for generations to come. Thirty years ago,
Marcia’s mother, Helen Macdonald, was one of the founding team
members of what was then called the Thrift Shop and now the
Mission Boutique.
You’ll find pledge cards at church for anyone wishing to
make a donation or call the church office to have your donation
counted toward their goal of $2000.
Marcia and Lawrence assure us that every dollar pledged will
go toward the Mission Boutique Addition. No administrative
overhead will be taken out of the pledges. Oh, and they promise to
do their best to finish ahead of the black flies.
June 2015
The BellRinger
Page 5
Every Time I Feel the Spirit …
In the promise of a new day…outdoors under a large tent…with a passionate gospel choir leader and gifted
musicians…Every Time I Feel the Spirit Moving in My Heart… I Will Sing!
On September 20 at 8:30 a.m., Pastor Lawrence will lead a gospel service with the Rev. Shaun
Whitehead as part of View’s Adirondack Music Fest. Born and raised in Chicago, Shaun began singing at a
young age in the African American Church. As an adult, she worked in radio for many years before answering
God’s call to ministry where Shaun and Lawrence were classmates at McCormick Theological Seminary. She is
now a chaplain at St. Lawrence University, director of the community gospel choir, and pastor of the weekly
gospel worship service.
Not only is the gospel service at View on 9/20 absolutely free and open to the public, you are
specifically invited to participate through two wonderful avenues.
First, we need you to sing in our informal gospel choir. Youth through seniors who love to sing are
enthusiastically encouraged to join this choir. We will be singing from the heart so you don’t have to worry
about how many years have passed since you last sang in a choir or if you can’t read sheet music. We’ll also
have a rehearsal or two before the Sunday morning service so we get to know the music deep in our souls. Yet
these rehearsals aren’t required to sing in the chorus at View.
Second, everyone else in the community is invited to join us for this gospel worship service on
September 20th at 8:30 a.m. so mark your calendars now.
Our first casual gospel choir rehearsal will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 14 following the
Church Picnic and Ice Cream Social. If you would like sing in the gospel choir but are unable to join us for this
rehearsal, simply let Pastor Lawrence know.
Every Time I Feel the Spirit Moving in My Heart… I Will Sing!
Tag Sale Results & Thanks
The 2015 Tag Sale Team extends a huge
thank you to all who made this kick-off fundraising
campaign to build a new Mission Boutique wing a
success. From those who donated the wonderful
assortment of items, helped set up and organize the
items, worked “on the floor” during the sale, baked
for the Food Tent, patronized the sale, to those who
cleaned up afterwards, it took a village of volunteers
to make it work.
We were blessed to raise nearly $2,600 to
begin our building fund.
Sales were also brisk in the Food Tent, with
several hundred dollars raised for Leif Frymire’s
upcoming trip to Belfast, Ireland as a young adult
volunteer.
June 2015
The BellRinger
Page 6
Nickels for Niccolls, 2015
On June 21st, in the worship service, Niccolls will inaugurate
the third annual Nickels for Niccolls fund raiser. Nickels for
Niccolls was inspired by Cullen Rose who wanted to find a way to
help provide clean water for those who lack it. This year, as in the
past, Nickels for Niccolls will help support a joint mission trip of
people from Niccolls and from First Presbyterian Church of
Cooperstown to Honduras to install a Living Waters for the World
water purification system in a poor Honduras village. This year a
system will be installed in the village of Plan Grande. The team will
also visit Las Delicias and San Miguel, the sites of two prior installations, to see how their systems are doing.
Most Honduran villages have a local water supply. Typically it is
not from a clean source. Sometimes water comes from a contaminated
stream or spring. This water is often the source of water borne diseases,
and it is especially hazardous to the health of children. The Living Waters
system takes the water from such sources, purifies it, and bottles it. The
water is then sold to local people at a nominal cost. Proceeds are used to
provide such things as replacement filters and to provide free water to
those who cannot afford the nominal cost. The Living Water team also
provides instruction in hygiene to local mothers and children.
If you would like to join the team for this year’s trip to Honduras
and would like to work as an installer or teacher, please contact Ken or
Joanne Strike.
Here’s how Nickels for Niccolls works. On June 21st you may
pick up a bottle with a Living Waters for the World label. You take it
home and fill it with nickels. Other change, bills, and checks
are also more than welcomed. On July 12th, in conjunction with
the Alternative Fair, we will collect these bottles. (Or you can return them
to the church office at your leisure.) On July 19th we will dedicate this
offering along with the Bread for the World, Offering of Letters
produced at the Alternative
Marketplace.
This year we hope to reduce the use of non-recyclable bottles for
the Nickels for Niccolls program. It’s not too late to donate a bottle or
two. And, of course, you may use your own – BYOB is in order!
For the last two years the Nickels for Niccolls fund raiser has
raised around $1500 to support the Honduras Living Waters installation.
Hopefully, with your help, we can match that this year.
Strawberry Social
Niccolls Neighbors and the Christian Ed
Committee would like to invite everyone to a
Strawberry Social after the 10:00 worship service on
Sunday, June 14th. We will be serving a light lunch
with meat and cheese platters and veggies and dip
with strawberries, ice cream and watermelon for
dessert. There will be outside games for anyone
who’d like to participate, weather permitting. Please
come and help us celebrate the start of summer.
Mark your calendar!!
The date for the 2015 Summer Alternative
Marketplace is Sunday, July12th!
Come to the Fellowship Hall after either service
to write a letter for the Bread for the World Offering of
Letters, to purchase beautiful SERRV gifts from artisans
around the world, to donate to Church World Service
Tools and Blankets Fund, and to support our Hands of
Mercy Mission by purchasing African beads and signing
up to support the education of a poor African child.
~ June 2015 ~
Sun
Mon
1
Tue
2
3
7 pm Finance Task
Force
7
8
Wed
9
4
9:30 am Mission
Boutique Sorting
10-3 Senior Program
Food Sense
Orders due
6 pm Fellowship Wed.
10
11
9:30 am Mission
10 am Staff Meeting
Boutique Sorting
10-3 Senior Program
7:30 am Early Worship
10 am Worship ServiceWills Emphasis Sunday
Thu
7 pm Session Meeting
6 pm Fellowship Wed.
14
15
16
17
7:30 am Early Worship
10 am Worship Service
11:30 am Church Picnic
& Strawberry Social
1 pm Gospel Choir
Rehearsal
21
6 pm Fellowship Wed.
Celebration @ Barker’s
22
23
24
Living Waters Sunday
7:30 am Early Worship
10 am Worship Service
1 pm Blessing of the
Blooms @ Rintrona’s
28
18
9:30 am Mission
Boutique Sorting
10-3 Senior Program
6:30 pm Dessert
Gathering for MB
Volunteers
25
9:30 am Mission
Boutique Sorting
10-3 Senior Program
7 pm All Committee
Meeting Night
29
7:30 am Early Worship
10 am Worship Service
Fri
Sat
5
6
10am-12pm Mission
Boutique Open
2 pm Memorial Svc.
for Don Kress
7-8:30pm Mission
Boutique Open
10am-12pm Mission
Boutique Open
12
13
10am-12pm Mission
Boutique Open
7 pm Living the
Questions Group
7-8:30pm Mission
Boutique Open
10am-12pm Mission
Boutique Open
19
20
10am-12pm Mission
Boutique Open
12:30pm Food Sense
7-8:30pm Mission
Boutique Open
10am-12pm Mission
Boutique Open
26
27
10am-12pm Mission
Boutique Open
10am-12pm Mission
Boutique Open
1 pm Youth Group @
Livingstone’s
7-8:30pm Mission
Boutique Open
30
7:30 am Breakfast
& a Book @
Livingstone’s
DEACON OF THE MONTH:
Vonnie Kinney
5:30-8 pm Vacation
Bible School 5:30-8 pm Vacation
Bible School
AA meets in the Social Room: Sun. 5:30pm, Wed. 8pm, Fri. 9am & 8pm,
Sat. 8pm.
June
Birthdays
Ken Strike
6/3
Whitney Levi
6/18
Dane Daiker
6/14
Amanda Perkins
6/18
Jordan Levi
6/15
Kitty Blind
6/23
Katie Kelly
6/18
Anne Rundell
6/27
Niccolls Memorial
Presbyterian Church
P.O. Box 605
Old Forge, New York
13420
Niccolls Memorial Presbyterian Church
Our Mission:
To Live Out Christ’s Love
by Nurturing Spiritual Growth and Fellowship
and by Reaching Out in Faith and Love
Non-Prof
US Postage PAID
Old Forge, NY 13420
Permit No. 3