The Fisherman - Reformed Dutch Church of Claverack

The Newsletter of the Reformed Dutch Church of Claverack
A Reformed Church in America Congregation
The Fisherman
2014 CONSISTORY
Elders
Bill Better
Glenn Holzhauer
Lloyd Lawrence
Steve Race
P-L Schroeppel
Julie Veronezi
Deacons
Mike Bowman
Mike Daly
John Dunham
Cheryl Halleran
Dianne Slusar
Cindy VanAlphen
Missionaries
Bruce & Laurie Hawley
Staff
Lloyd Lawrence
Director of Bell Choir
Andrea Mastrianni
Director of Music
Shelley Robinson
Administrative Assistant
Nelson Santiago
Sexton
Reformed Dutch Church of
Claverack
Drawer K
Claverack, NY 12513
518-851-3811
518-851-9790 (fax)
rdcc88@yahoo.com
claverackreformedchurch.org
Summer 2014
Dear Church Family
"Above all, hold unfailing your love for one another since love
covers a multitude of sins. Practice hospitality ungrudgingly to one
another. As each has received a gift, employ it for one another as
good stewards of God's varied grace". 1 Peter 4:8-10
Peter's first letter was written to provide guidance and
encouragement to Christians struggling against persecution. Rather
than focus on the hardships they face, Peter extols Christians to be
grateful for their blessings, to emulate Christ in their daily lives and
to be of service and hospitable to all.
Here at RDC, we have numerous opportunities to do God's work
through service and hospitality. I would like to share two
possibilities.
First, Dianne Slusar is seeking volunteers to help staff a nursery for
infants and toddlers. With this service available, young parents can
enjoy the worship service with a break from parenting while
knowing their children are in capable hands. What a support for
families and a way to bolster attendance.
Second, Glenn Holzhauer is chairing our Celebration Committee,
which has been formed to mark the 250th anniversary of our church
structure and the 300th anniversary of our founding. This committee
has just begun the planning process which provides numerous
events for our church and community. All who are interested in
helping are encouraged to attend the next meeting of the
Celebration Committee to be held after services on July 13, 2014.
These are two of many ways to demonstrate our commitment to the
growth and continuation of our church. In this difficult world filled
with many challenges, it is easy to be filled with self-pity. Rather
than focus on the negative, we should rejoice in the gifts we have
received from God and unselfishly share them with others.
In Christian Love,
Bill Better, Vice President.
Keep Up To Date With New Opportunities & Happenings!!
INFANT AND TODDLER CHILD CARE
With young families now present we need to restart our infant and toddler child care
during the regular service. For many years we were blessed, and spoiled, with Betty
Gold's child care.
Times have changed. It is now required that two adults over the age of 18 be present to
care for the children. Please consider volunteering for this important aspect of our
church life.
We also now have a form that must be completed and returned to the church office. You
can call the church office to have the form emailed to you. Forms will also be located at
the back of the church on each side. They can be returned to any consistory member,
or the church office. Feel free to call Dianne Slusar with any questions at 672-4709.
VACATION DAILY BIBLE SCHOOL
Are you willing to help with planning and working at a Vacation Daily Bible School for
mid August? If so, please contact Julie Veronezi at 392-4713.
Come join us for fellowship at Mac-Hayden Theatre this summer in
Chatham on Saturday August 16th at 4pm. We can car pool over and after the play eat
dinner at La Bella's in Chatham. The show is Guys and Dolls and is a story based on
the book by Damon Runyon's New York Characters. The matinee is only $28.
Reservations and payment need to be made by July 20th to Irene Holzhauer at 6727905 or the church office at 851-3811. Hope to see you there!
FINANCIALS: During the month of May, the Reformed Dutch Church of Claverack took
in $9,272.71 income and expended $7,728.18 in expenses respectively. In the month of
May the following seasonal/quarterly bills were paid: quarterly property & general
liability insurance, $1,531.00 and the Mission of the Month -Mercy Ships, $830.00. Fully
itemized reports are available at the church office upon request.
During our busy summer months full of vacations, home improvements, gardening, yard
work, kids in sports, summer camps, and other summer activities, your continued
support of the church to support its ongoing mission is appreciated.
Please note hours for the CHURCH OFFICE: Tues thru Thurs 9 am to 2 pm
Boy Scout Corner Troop 121
Troop 121 took first place overall at the recent District Boy Scout Camporee.
Congratulations! On Sunday, June 15th, they participated in Scout Sunday serving as
greeters, participating in the service and hosted "coffee hour" after the service. On
June14th, the Troop marched in the annual Flag Day Parade in Hudson, New York.
COFFEE HOUR signup sheet is located on the bulletin board on the right
just inside the front doors of the CEB. Signups are available through the
end of the year.
CORRESPONDENCE:
From Mercy Ships: "Thank you very much for your $830 gift to Mercy Ships. We truly
appreciate your support and commitment to our mission. Mercy Ships relies on donors
like you to continue to bring hope and healing, as well as education programs in Africa.
Your generosity is making it possible. Each act of mercy performed onboard the Africa
Mercy is the result of those who serve onboard.. .and you! Thank you for your
partnership in each changed life" Following the model of Jesus, Don Stephens
President/Founder.
\& * HELP SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS
We are creating a scrapbook and need your help. Please save any newspaper articles
that you see in our local papers relating to our congregation and drop them off in the
church office mail slot in the CE building.
The Reformed Dutch Church of Claverack
Consistory Meeting - Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Present - Lloyd Lawrence, Mike Daly, Bill Better, Rev. Dave Tipple, John Dunham, Dianne Slusar,
P-L Schroeppel, Julie Veronezi, Cindy VanAlphen, Cheryl Halleran, Steve Race and guests Nate
Winch, Louise Bliss and Donna Lynk.
Absent - Mike Bowman, Glenn Holzhauer
Opening Prayer: Scripture reading and prayer at 7:00pm by Rev. Tipple
Correspondence: We received:
a thank you note from the Philmont/Mellenville Pantry for our recent donation
a renewal notice for our contract with the music licensing co.
Steve Race made the motion to suspend the use of this company as they are no longer used by
our music ministry directors. John Dunham seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Minutes: Minutes of our April 9 consistory meeting (with revisions) and our April 27th special
consistory meeting were reviewed.
Mike Daly moved to accept both minutes, Lloyd Lawrence seconded. Motion passed
unanimously.
Deacon's Report: No report. Dianne Slusar and the sunshine committee were thanked for all
the work they do and in particular this very busy season which included Leon Cook and Ray
Tolke's memorial receptions.
Elder's Report: The elders prepared for the meeting with the Communicant's class for June 1st
at 8:30 AM. The logistics of the service were discussed with consistory.
Rev. Tipple Report: Rev. Tipple reported he has been to many meetings this past month, one
being the Regional Synod meeting in Syracuse. He shared that there are many staff changes
coming along for Synod and that he is most encouraged that new staffer Abby Norton-Levering
will be a great asset; as she is very creative and most capable of capturing the new vision.
Sign Dps: Usher list passed around.
Nelson update: Bill Better reported there are signs of progress with Nelson's healing and that
Nelson is thankful for our prayers, cards and our show to him of his importance to us. It was
also reported that Patrick is doing a good job in Nelson's absence.
Committee Reports: It was agreed to hold off on committee reports as our attention was
needed for discussion on the search committee progress.
John & Jan Dunham's offer: John has completed a new planter for around our sign and is
almost finished building a cabinet to store our new keyboard in the Fellowship Hall. Consistory
agreed with John that the cabinet should be secured to the wall and floor for safety and
security. Also, Jan has ordered new letters for our outdoor sign and new #'s for our sanctuary.
Consistory thanked John and Jan for their dedication to RDCC, and their time and talents.
Search Committee: Bill reported that he presented our search committee results, and our
interest in partnering with another church in the area, at the gathering of consistories last
week. There was interest from three churches immediately at the gathering. Since the
gathering one church has invited us to come to their consistory meeting to explain more about
the partnership and the candidate. And Nate reported that just recently a fourth church has
contacted him with interest in partnering.
Bill and other members who went to the gathering said they found the gathering to be a
wonderful experience, where people bonded and were very focused on the future of our
Classis' congregations.
Louise Bliss informed the consistory that she was in attendance to make a recommendation to
consistory as the chairperson of the RDCC Search Committee. She and Donna Lynk distributed
packets of information on the candidate.
Bill thanked the search committee for all their work and amazing efforts they have put into this
search. Cindy thanked Louise for her wonderful job in putting the search committee's
enthusiasm for the candidate in the one page cover letter of the packet. Mike Daly reiterated
the concise, accurate feeling presented in the letter and told consistory that this candidate rose
to the top and fits what we are trying to do in Claverack. Donna Lynk followed and told
consistory that there was no need to be concerned with a quorum for the search committee
vote on recommending this candidate because all committee members were in agreement with
bringing him forward.
Louise explained that there were many excellent candidates, but this candidate best fit our
needs. She further explained that all candidates were looking for a full time package and she
was very pleased that there are prospects of partnering congregations. Although Louise was
asking for an expedited response to the recommendation, she told consistory that the
candidate is patient, knows we need time to work things out with a partner and he would
entertain starting in September if he was called to Claverack.
Consistory took time to review the packet and much discussion was had on such topics as; the
incredible talents and virtues of the candidate, what a partnership would look like with another
classis church, the budget analysis for pastoral support from the finance committee, and the
general feeling that God was guiding us.
Rev. Tipple explained the next steps, starting with issuing the promise of a call with inclusion of
a statement about the terms are yet to be finalized d/t the discussion RDCC is having with other
congregations. This promise of a call goes to the Classis commission and then a letter is sent to
Rev. Vomer.
Nate Winch further explained the Budget Analysis for Pastoral Support to consistory, which
shows the levels of support of our church and a partnering church at different percentage time
splits of a shared ministers.
Julie Veronezi motioned to make the promise of a call to Rev. Zomer to be our full time minister
starting in September 2014 with the understanding that the terms are not yet finalized d/t our
ongoing discussions with a partnering congregation whom will share a 50% ministry with us.
Cheryl Halleran seconded the motion. Motion passed enthusiastically and unanimously.
Consistory asked Louise to call Rev. Zomer to tell him of our vote and to also ask if he is
considering another call.
A group of our consistory members, Rev. Tipple, Nate and Louise will attend the Stuyvesant
consistory meeting to present the partnership and share information on Rev. Zomer. Other
church's interest in partnering will be pursued as well.
Bill will tell the congregation about Rev. Zomer on Sunday and a survey will be handed out to
the congregation as well. The survey will serve as a first step in seeking advice from our
congregation as to what they prefer/envision in a shared ministry.
Finance: Nate presented the Treasurer's report. No questions entertained d/t prior discussion.
Lloyd Lawrence motioned to accept the treasurer's report/ Cheryl Halleran seconded. Motion
passed unanimously..
Meeting closed at 9:05 PM: With prayer by Louise Bliss.
Motion made by Mike Daly to adjourn/John Dunham seconded. Motion passed.
Next Consistory Meeting: June 11, 2014
Respectfully submitted,
P-L Schroeppel
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THIS
MONTH
Anniversaries
July Anniversaries
July Birthdays
Rob Schroeppel
John Wilber
Jill Theiss Dean
James McNameeJr
Jordon Moon
Craig Moon
Peggy Moon
Edna Card
Jay Case
Candace Alvarez
Jim Campion
Donna Lynk Campion
Kaitlyn Rose Krein
Kyle Brousseau
Ryan Brousseau
Wendy Warfield
August
7/1
7/2
7/3
7/3
7/3
7/4
7/4
7/7
7/8
7/9
7/13
7/14
7/14
7/16
7/16
7/18
Amara Steenburn
Charles Post
Barbara DeLamater
Mary Lou Knull
Una Lawrence
Sara Elizabeth Miller
Julie Veronezi
Gary Steenburn
Severin Bowman
Keith Niver
Scott Niver
Rick Schroeppel
Lois Niver
JimMcNameeSr
Sara Ann Gregory
7/18
7/21
7/21
7/22
7/23
7/23
7/24
7/24
7/24
7/25
7/25
7/27
7/27
7/28
7/29
Mary Ann Gregory
Sign Brousseau
Alison Schroeppel
Cheryl Halleran
Gig Barton
Jim Schoep
James Schoep
Cameron Holzhauer
Jay Mackerer
7/1
7/9
7/10
7/13
7/17
7/24
7/29
August Anniversaries
Birthdays
Irene Kitchie
8/1
Kathy Essig
8/3
Scott Holzhauer
8/7
Jane Case
8/11
Pauline Gowen
8/12
Glenn Holzhauer
8/14
Teresa Krein
8/15
John Dunham
8/18
Meredith Weinman 8/18
Mike & Vinessa Bowman
Dianne & Paul Slusar
Tom & Snookie Patterson
Barbara & John DeLamater
Douglas & Darcy Colwell
John & Carolyn Wilbur
Jim & Linda Mackerer
8/21
8/22
8/22
8/25
8/27
8/27
8/27
8/29
8/30
Frank & Jean Starkes
William & Nancy Rasweiler
Thea & Jim Schoep
Glenn & Irene Holzhauer
Teresa & William Krein
Jim & Donna Campion
Kim & Jeff Plass
Thomas & Tanya Hotalen
Peter & Virginia Ambrose
Sheila & Mark Krizar
8/2
8/6
8/15
8/19
8/22
8/23
8/24
8/24
8/28
8/29
Congratulations to the following graduates and their families!
Natalie Alvarez: laconic Hills High School graduate and will be going to Marist College in the
fall for Fashion Merchandising and Marketing.
Kaitlyn R. Krein: Hudson High School graduate and will be attending SUNY Binghamton for
Criminal Psychology
Amara Steenburn: Albany Academy for Girls graduate. Amara received a D1 Scholarship to
run track at the University of Hartford.
Abigail (Abby) Weinman: Hudson High School graduate. Abby will be enjoying her summer
working at the Greenport Town Park. In the fall, she will be attending Johnson and Wales
University in Providence, Rhode Island - her Mom, Judy's, alma mater.
The Hawes' granddaughter, Kendall Ann Clites, graduated from Wellesley College on May
30th. The preceding day, Kendall's husband, Tyler, graduated from Harvard.
Samuel Schoep: Columbia Greene Community College graduate and will be attending SUNY
Oneonta. GO RED DRAGONS!
Conor O'Neill: Columbia Green Community College graduate and will be attending SUNY
Cortland. GO RED DRAGONS!
Louise Bliss's granddaughter, Emily Faith Bliss, graduated from Colgate University and will be
working in Washington D.C
Louise Bliss's granddaughter, Rachel Sophia Bliss, graduated from Buckingham Browne and
Nichols in Cambridge, MA and will be attending Union College, Schenectady
Louise Bliss's granddaughter, Courtney Ann Bliss, graduated from Rutland High School and
will be attending University School of Nursing in Burlington, Vermont.
Dustin Kline: graduated from SUNY Albany in December 201 3 with a Bachelor's Degree in
Criminal Justice.
Timothy James Shumsky (TJ): graduated with honors from Monument Mountain High School,
Great Barrington, MA. He will be attending the School of Finance at Siena College. TJ is the son
of Jennifer and Timothy Shumsky and the grandson of Shirley and Stephen Shumsky.
Jameson Connor: graduated from Chatham High School. He will be attending St. Michael's
College in Vermont. Jameson is the son of Darcy and James Connor.
Andrew Mackerer: received the LL.M (Masters Degree in Law) with Distinction for Estate
Planning and Taxation from The Law School at Temple University
Ellen Bury: graduated from SUNY Purchase and is working at the Kinderhook Bank. She is
glad to be a graduate and not a senior.
TO BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY
Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones
RDC Historical Trivia Questions
PART
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
How much do you know of our history?
1: PRE-1776 (Answers are at the end of this page - NO CHEATING! )
Where was the site of the RDC's first sanctuary?
What was the period in RDC history between 1728 and 1756 called?
Who was the silversmith who crafted our silver communion cup?
Who donated the land to build the present sanctuary on?
What does the number on the Rte 9H side of the sanctuary indicate?
The life of the Reformed Dutch Church of Claverack is long, active and rich in
history - a history that is being added to every day. Each member was and is a part of
this history.
Have you contacted Lloyd Lawrence or Glenn Holzhauer arranging a
conversation about what you remember and how you participated in this history?
Have you identified any memorabilia that is a part of this history? Remember,
Walter Cronkite reminded us "You were there".
Look for ways you can participate in the planning of our upcoming church's
tricentennial.
Thank you! Glenn Holzhauer
The $20 and the $1 Joke
Two well worn bills arrived at the Federal Reserve Bank to be retired - a twenty and a
one. As they traveled down the conveyor belt, they struck up a conversation. The twenty
reminisced about the interesting life he had, traveling all over the country. "I've been to
the finest restaurants, Broadway shows, Las Vegas , Atlantic City ," he said. "I even
want on a Caribbean cruise. Where have you been?"
"Oh," said the one dollar bill, "I've been to the Methodist church, the Episcopal church,
the Lutheran church."
"What's a church?" asked the twenty.
RDC Historical Trivia answers: 1. Old Lane, near the Claverack Courthouse (site is uncertain) 2. "the dark ages
of the church" (there was no minister) 3. Pieter de Rimer (a contemporary of Paul Revere) 4. Johnnes Van
Rensselaer (descendant of Kikkian, founder of Rensselaerwyck 5. The year the sanctuary was dedicated.
If you would like to submit something for The Fisherman -IT IS SO EASY-just turn it in
to the church office by the 19th of August for our September Issue
PRAYER CONCERNS LIST
Please pray for:
Virginia Ambrose
Louise Bliss' family/friend... Geneva/
William
Joan Brown's family...Sister, niece
Campion Family friend...Robert
Mike Daly's friend...Tom
Dunhams' friends...Shaquanda,
Rory + family
Kathy Essig's loved ones
Lois Gorts + family...Carol, Donald
Preaching Elder John Moak's
wife (Karen), sister, cousin, friend
The Ryan Nivers' friends...Michelle,
Chris, Ricardo
O'Neills' family/friends...Fred,
Aunt Addie/Pat+family
Jean Orlich's friend...Mary
Kitty Osterhoudt's friends...Kevin, Shawna
Ostrander Family friend...Nancy
Jenny Post's friends...Marie, Corrie
Race Family...Aunt "Chucky"
Cheryl Halleran's son/friends...Michael/
Mikey, Peter
Shelley Robinson's friends...Duff + Anne
Russ Holze's friend...June
Schoep Family friends...Dan, Teresa, Gia,
Robert, Christine
Hotalens' friend...Karen
Bob Ihlenburg's friend...Jesse
Sue Ihlenburg's niece...Lisa
Irene Kitchie...Wayne + family
Pam Kline's family...Lisa, Sharon,
brother-in-law
Marylou Knull's father
Marie ("Delores") Leicht's loved ones
Jan Lynch's family/friends...Laira, Kayley
Lee/Anna, Nancy+Son
Ruth Manning's family...Chantal
Schroeppels' family...Tara + Devin
Denise Smith's friends...Mac's loved ones,
Susan
Jean Starkes
Theisses' family/friends...Mark/
a separated family
Frieda Van Deusen's nephew...Nick
Wilbers' family/friends...Kevin, Deena+
husband, Claire, Drew/Jim+wife,
Donna, Dru, Blake, friend's
granddaughter
Phyllis Mayo's friends...Kathy, Hope,
Tom Kane's loved ones
...and those who are housebound or in nursing/assisted-living homes:
HOME: Nelson Dickey (Virginia Ambrose's father, who is living with her)
PINE HAVEN: Margaret Mac Intyre, Hazel Ormerod, P-L Schroeppel's Mom
WHITTIER: Lois Gorts, Mary and Charles Hallenbeck,
Richard Siter (Tammy Rigos' father), Laura Cornell (former member)
July 2014
Sun
Wed
Tue
Mon
1
Fri
Thu
3
2
7
AA 8 pm DS
13
Worship 9:30 am
2ofUs-theatre
group Auditions
2-4pm F
14
AA 8 pm DS
20
21
Worship 9:30 am
A A 8 pm DS
27
Worship 9:30 am
AA 8 pm DS
C: Cemetery Rm
DS: Downstairs
classrooms
K: Kitchen
9
Lectionary Mtg 11 am L
Consistory mtg 7 pm
Elders/Deacons 6:45
pm
15
Lectionary Mtg 1 1 am L
16
22
23
29
Lectionary Mtg 1 1 am L
10
2oflls-theatre group
auditions - 7-1 Opm F
Yule Booth 7pm C
11
Peer Support 9
am L
5
19
25
26
Peer Support 9
am L
24
Peer Support 9
am L
Yule Booth 7pm C
31
30
Yule Booth 7pm C
12
2ofUs-theatre
group auditions
10-2pm F
2ofUs - DVD party
5-1 Opm
18
17
Yule Booth 7pm C
Lectionary Mtg 1 1 am L
Boy Scouts 7 pm F
28
F: Fellowship Hall
L: Library
S: Sanctuary
8
4
INDEPENDENCE
DAY
Lectionary Mtg 11am L
Search Com 7pm L
6
Worship 9:30 am
Sat
August 2014
Sun
Mon
Tue
Fri
Thu
Wed
Sat
1
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8
9
15
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22
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3
Worship 9:30 am
4
A A 8 pm
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AA 8 pm
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A A 8pm
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AA 8 pm
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Lectionary Mtg 1 1 am L
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Peer Support 9
am L
Yule Booth 7 pm
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Lectionary Mtg 1 1 am L
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Peer Support 9
am L
Yule Booth 7 pm
Lectionary Mtg 11 am L
18
7
6
Lectionary Mtg 1 1 am L
Search Com 7pm L
Peer Support 9
am L
Yule Booth 7 pm
28
27
Yule Booth 7 pm
29
Peer Support 0
am L
30