Pastor
Rev. Youngstone Jhun
Minister of Music
Cathy King
Asst. Minister of Music
Kathy Haege
Office Assistant
Grace Paster
Sexton
Barbara Cope
Lay Leader
Glenn Harrison
Lay Member UNYAC
Christian Morrison
SPRC Chair
Ilah Sisson Walser
Treasurer
Ruth Persons
Finance Chairs
Lynne Blake
Heather Leggieri
Trustee Chair
Jeff Blake
Christian Education
Grace Paster
Church Council Chair
Gary Wilson
News Designer
Grace Paster
Copy Editor
Cynthia Chapman
Church Office
885-6886
Office Hours:
Mon., Tues. & Wed.
9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
E Mail
Web Site
ballstonspaumchurch.org
Sunday Worship
10:00 a.m.
December 2011
101 Milton Avenue, Ballston Spa, NY 12020
12-2 Orchestra/Crafts/Parade (S,P) beginning at 5:00 PM
12-3 Roast Beef Dinner(FR) 4:00- 6:30 PM
12-4 Sunday Worship with Communion 10:00 AM
12-4Children’s Choir and Christmas Programrehearsal after worship
12-5Choir Rehearsal (P) 6:30 PM
12-6Finance (P) 6:30 PM
12-8 Trustees (CH) 7:00 PM
12-9 FOGGS (4th & 5th Grade Youth) (FR) 6:00 PM
12-10 Christmas Program Rehearsal 9:00 AM
12-10High SchoolHoliday Childcare 9 AM - 3 PM
12-11 Worship with Sunday School 10:00 AM
12-11 GOLF (Middle School Youth Group) (FR) 5:30 PM
12-12 Choir Rehearsal (S) 6:30 PM
12-12 United Methodist Women (P) 6:30 PM
12-13 Church Council (P) 7:00 PM
12-17Free Lunch (FR) 11:30 AM
12-17 Christmas Program (S,P) 6:30 PM
12-18 Sunday Worship with Sunday School 10:00 AM
12-18 Fair Trade Sale after worship
12-18 GOLF Caroling 12:00 PM
12-19 Choir Rehearsal (S) 6:30 PM
12-19 United Methodist Women (P) 6:30 PM
12-20 SPRC (P) 7:00 PM
12-23 FOGGS (4th & 5th Grade Youth) (FR) 6:00 PM
12-25 Sunday Worship - no Sunday School 10:00 AM
12-26 Voice & Bell Choir Party (FR) 5:30 PM
12-31 GOLF lock-in 6:00 PM
S=Sanctuary, FR=Fellowship Room, P=Parlor, CH=Church House
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Birthdays
12-1 Marian Phillips
12-4 Louisa Heffernan
12-6 Cathy Cenzer
12-7 Michael Conley
12-10 Jean Keehan
12-14 Heather Leggieri
12-15 Dan Fenton; Glenn Harrison
12-16 Mark LeRoy
12-23 Kesandra Husselbeck
12-24 Mary Jane Hale
12-28 Doris Lee
12-29 Frank Duquette
12-31 Shelley Fenton
Anniversaries
12-13 Beverly & Merritt Westfall
12-14 Joelle & Gary Ziele
Please let the Church Office know if there are any additions and/or corrections.
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Library Corner
THE BOOK OF VIRTUES by William J. Bennett
This is a “Treasury of Great Moral Stories.” It is not meant to be read from cover to cover. It is made for browsing. There are stories, poems, and excerpts to illustrate the following virtues: Self Discipline, Compassion, Responsibility, Friendship, Work, Courage, Perseverance, Honesty, Loyalty, and Faith. The story of “Beauty and the Beast” is given as an example of compassion. Outside appearances are sometimes deceiving. The story of “Ruth and Naomi” from the Bible illustrates “Friendship.” Browse through and pick out stories or poems that interest you. The book will have a blue circle on the back, so look at the shelves which have books with blue circles on the spines. ENJOY!
There are many books available in the Library. Just sign the card in the back of the book and put it in the box on the top of the bookcase. Enjoy reading!
A Note from the Pastor
“The Totally Different Peace”
1) People, outside of the Church, fight with each other for the small piece of pie. That is what we have learned from our parents, teachers from our system. Our social system has been made on this principle, the principle of competition. How many times have we heard saying, “Go get it, tiger!”? To get it, whatever it is, we attack each other, push each other away, hate each other. Even when we got it, happiness is one moment. Right away, we are worried of losing it. We are always in attacking mode of lifestyle.
2) Have you ever given up this attacking mode lifestyle? When we do it, the peace is overflowing our heart. That is why the Bible calls Jesus “the King of Peace”. The lifestyle Jesus taught is totally different than what the world is teaching us. Jesus taught us the alternative lifestyle. Jesus showed us there are many, many, many pieces of slice of pie even to feed 5000 people. (John 6:1-13)
3) Faith in Jesus Christ is not knowledge. It is practice. Sometimes Satan lures some good Christians to worry too much about just a piece of pie, and makes them fight like a dog to get it or not to lose it. Then we became no more a Christian. All the goodness of teaching of Christ disappears. We will experience all kind of difficulties, all kind of misfortunes, and the worries for the future.
4) What Jesus taught us is to take that small piece of pie, break it and begin to give it away with a big smile.Then we will find that we can feed 5000 with that small piece.
5) That is what the people who do not have Holy Spirit can not understand. There are people who practice the lifestyle of giving up the attacking mode even though they do not understand it. They are called “the Christian.” They experience the strange peace “totally different PEACE.” That is why we say, “I wish you a Merry Christmas.”
6) Do you have anxiety or worries for the future? Welcome Jesus in our heart and experience the PEACE + JOY.
Rev. Youngstone Jhun
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Prayer Shawl Ministry
An unknown angel in the town of Providence, NY! Pat Brewster and I took a drive out to a town near Middle Grove to pick up a donation of yarn. The drive along winding and hilly country roads was interesting enough. The end destination was amazing! I drive a small compact car and we stuffed it full with finished blankets and yarn! The woman who gave us the donation was sharing her own mother’s goods. Her mother, years ago and later in life, had decided to become a nun. Her story is spiritually inspirational and our church, the Tree of Life, and Pat’s group are the recipients of this person’s love and generosity! As always, GOD’s hand was involved in all that transpired. Now, we can continue to pass along HIS love and comfort through such a large donation.
Our Prayer Shawl bucket is overflowing. Please remember to take what you need to give another person an extra hug in spirit and in warmth!
The Prayer Shawl ministry is taking a break from making shawls and blankets. We are now focused on knitting or crocheting scarves for a mission of the Special Olympics! This project ends in March. Blessings, Susan Thiem
Roast Beef Dinner & Bake Sale
Saturday, Dec. 3 4:00 to 6:30 pm.
All are welcome!!
The menu will include: Sirloin tip roast beef, mashed potatoes & gravy, peas & mushrooms, butternut squash, coleslaw, rolls, homemade pies, coffee, tea and juice. Sit down or Take out.
Cost for the dinner:
Adults $10; Children ages 5-12 $5.00
Please consider contributing specific food items, or making a monetary donation to help with the purchase of the food. See Jan or George Mallette for more information.
Fair Trade News
The Ballston Spa Fair Trade Coalition recently hosted the 3rd Annual Fair Trade Conference at BallstonSpaHigh School. Mary Jane Hale, Stan Lockwood and I attended the conference. The conference was attended by people from all over representing towns, high schools, colleges, churches and other places of worship. One of the most exciting things for me was seeing the many young high school and college students in attendance from all over that were interested, involved, and active in this movement. There were many students and staff from the EmmaWillardSchool in Troy that spoke about how and why they brought fair trade into their school making it the first Fair Trade high school in the nation. For more information: SienaCollege students were there to speak about how they became the third college in the country and the first Catholic college to be awarded Fair Trade status. The students and faculty had great advice for others on how to help bring fair trade to their schools. For more information : There were several workshops to attend including Fair Trade 101, Fair Trade Towns, High Schools, and Universities, Bringing Fair Trade Into Your Place of Worship, and Buying Fair Trade Products for your Retail Store, Café , or Restaurant. There were groups there seeking advice on how to help bring fair trade into their churches. I met a young woman from New Jersey that wanted to bring fair trade into her church but didn’t know how to go about it. I met another from CliftonPark that was having a difficult time convincing her church community that they should become a fair trade church. It was nice to represent the BallstonSpaUnitedMethodistChurch and be able to help others get their fair trade ministry started. So lots of good information was shared and exchanged. We had a fair trade chocolate tasting activity (Stan’s favorite!) and learned a lot about the chocolate industry and how the fair trade movement helps to eliminate forced child labor in farm cooperatives involved in cacao production.
Stan also attended a "meet and greet" at the Ballston Spa Presbyterian Churchjust prior to the conference. It was very interesting to meet Pedro Ascencio, a coffee farmer and marketing coordinator from El Salvador, who spoke about the history of his local cooperative (Las Colinas) and the positive impactthat the Fair Trade movement has had on their ability to educate their children and providehealth careand better housing for theirfamilies. Between 90 and 500 workers are in the Las Colinas cooperative depending on the time of year and each worker has an equal stake, an equalvote, and a voice in the key decisionsof the cooperative. Pedro personally thanked each of those attending, especially those who purchase and serve Fair Trade coffee and other FT products. You couldtell he was extremely thankful forbeing able to be in Ballston Spa to meet with usand to tell the story of his cooperative.
Remember: The Fair Trade Certified Label stands for:
♦Fair prices for farmers
♦Direct trade relationships & access to credit
♦Safe & healthy working & living conditions for farmers & their families
♦No Child Labor
♦Care for the environment
“…and what does God require of you but to do justice…”-Micah 6:8
submitted by:Terri McAuliffe
What’s New in Sunday School
We’ve done a little shifting around in Sunday School! Our first grade children are now in class with our 2nd and 3rd graders. We’ve been so blessed with so many younger children, our pre-K - 1st classroom was becoming too full. All of the first-grade students have made the transition beautifully!
We had a wonderful response to our Commitment Sunday mission project. Thank you for generously giving food to our food pantry - the shelves are now well-stocked! We’ve also had a great response to our “adopt -a- family mission”, and have provided several nice Christmas gifts and other necessities to our four children. As always, your generosity is so appreciated, and we hope that we are teaching our children the essential lesson of helping others.
Our Christmas Program is coming up on Saturday, December 17th at 6:30 pm. Each classroom is working hard to prepare something special for this evening. You won’t want to miss it!
Wishing you a blessed Holiday season,
Grace Paster
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Choir Notes
Voice Choir will be rehearsing on Monday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Handbell Choirrehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome!
Children’s choir has started up with rehearsals after worship. All children are invited to join. If there are any questions regarding this please see Kelly Schmidt.
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Highlights from November 8th
Church Council meeting.
- Due to possible allergic reactions, it was requested that scented candles and strong perfumes not be used during church services.
- Estimated profit from 5K is $2624. Donations were made to BACA ($1,250), Schoharie Relief ($500), the Food Pantry ($250), Shelters of Saratoga ($500), and the Ambulance Corps Toys for Tots collection ($124).
- 2012 Spending Plan was presented and will be recommended to Charge Conference on 11/18.
- “Keep the Heat” envelopes will begin in January.
- Food Pantry received several requests for Thanksgiving baskets, they will be distributed by Presbyterian Church on 11/21. Marian Phillips will be away for December, and Helen Senecal will take over during Marian’s absence.
- Karen Groff participated in communication training and would like to make a presentation in January/February.
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Part of our spiritual growth can be assisting in leading the worship services. Leading the service is a demonstration of our faith...even if we are reluctant to do it. Everyone in the pews is wanting you to do a good joband God is your biggest fan. Hopefully, everyone will offer or accept an invitation to minister by leading the readings when asked. The following are members of our congregation that have lead a service from July through November.Bless all of you who have served.
Glenn Harrison - July 17
Dick Traver - July 24
Diane Solotruck - July 31
Grace Paster - August 7
Carrie Sheeran - August 14
Walter Thiem - August 21
Mary Jane Hale - September 4
Marilynn Peterson - September 11
Frank Townley - September 18
Helen Senecal - September 25
Jennifer & Shawn Taylor - October 2
Christian Morrison - October 9
Kerri Preston - October 16
Jan Mallette - October 23
Thelma Armstrong - October 30
Stan Lockwood - November 6
Donna Lockwood - November 13
Ruth Persons - November 20
Helen Senecal - November 27
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Please join us in the Holiday Parade night happenings on Friday December 2nd right here at BSUMC! The talented BallstonSpaHigh School orchestra will entertain us with some holiday songs from 5:00 to 5:30. Children’s crafts tables will be manned by the high school youth group for any little ones who might be interested from 5:30 to 6:30. Hot cocoa and various baked goods will be offered by our younger youth groups as refreshments to the congregation and all visitors who come to enjoy the festivities. Remember we have the best entertainment, parking and parade view in town and we are just a block walk away from the tree lighting!
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UMW Update
Craft Fair Report
Before I report the final number for the Craft Fair and the Holiday Café, I would like to express my personal gratitude and thanks for anyone and everyone who helped out with Craft Fair and the Holiday Café. Our church family is amazing! Our family “steps ups to plate” when there is a need. I want to give the members of UMW a huge THANK YOU too for all of their hard work on the show and for the café. THANK YOU, to all, for making our event a success. The final profit for the day was $711! This will be split among BACA, UMW, Tree of Life, and our church.
December Holiday Gathering
UMW will be hosting a holiday gathering on December 12th. Our goal is to host a gathering for all women, no matter the age (no age minimum and no age maximum). This will be a joyous time for women to share in fellowship. We have exciting plans for the first of the year. Bowling, cake decorating, and a health program to start our new year of fellowship. If you have a program idea, please join us in December and share your thoughts with UMW.
From all members of UMW, may you have a blessed and joyful Holiday Season!
In spiritual fellowship, Susan Thiem
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Mission Notes
On Wednesday, November 9th, Ilah Sisson Walser and Breta Sisson went on a short mission trip to the SchoharieValley area. First stop was at the Carlisle Fire Department where we dropped of:
113 knitted hats (The knitters - Breta, Ilah, Pat Brewster, Estell Simmons, Helen Senecal, Sue Thiem)
68 pairs of mittens
2 shawls
5 baby blankets
4 new stuffed animals
a case of wipes
23 new children's books
table linens, salt and pepper set, candles, holiday candle holders, two new throws/afghans, and assorted other household items. These are distributed to people affected by the flooding, in many cases people who have lost their homes, possessions, and perhaps even their jobs. The gentlemen of the Carlisle Fire Dept. will offer this distribution as long as they can before winter sets in. At that point items will be moved to a central location near Cobleskill where a company is clearing warehouse space for it at this time.
Then, we went on to Cobleskill where we dropped off the congregation's donation to the flood victims of $1000. The funds will be administered by the Schoharie County Community Action Program.
All of the people we saw on our trip, send many thanks and deep appreciation for the donations for the people of the SchoharieValley.
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High School Youth Group
What We Did in November...
-held our 2nd Homework Help session, with some great team building activities and singing(thank you, Karen Groff and Pastor Jhun)
-transported 25 ThanksgivingBags to the Presbyterian Church (thank you, congregation)
-played a couple friendly games of Laser Tag
-helped young ones with crafts and served lunch for the Hanging of the Greens
Attention Parents with Young Ones....
Holiday ChildCare is coming...
Saturday, December 10, 2011
9am* - 3pm
(*or following their Christmas Program practice)
Fellowship Room and Parlor
Age 3 years through Grade 6
The High School YouthGroupof the congregationis offering their services to help give you busy parents a chance to get some holiday errands done without your kids around. Bring your child, or children, to the fellowship room at any time during the hours mentioned above and sign them in. We will provide games, activities, andsnacks. If they will be there for lunch, please bring that also and we will keep it in the kitchen. Feel free to pick them up at any time- they do not have to stay until 3 if you feel that is too long. This is a great opportunity for everyone, little and big kids,to have some fun together. Donations are welcome, with proceeds going towards our trip to UpWord!, the annual youth conference in Syracuse in April.