Important Announcement
Since the Covid average has again risen, in-person services were suspended August 1. Whenever services resume, we will be returning to some of the previous Covid restraints. We will not be taking temperatures or contact tracing. However, we ask that all people wear masks, not just the unvaccinated. Singing is again not permitted, and coffee hour has been suspended. All entering the church will need to come in through the south door and exit through the north door. Please maintain social distancing. We acknowledge that this continues to be a difficult time and appreciate everyone’s efforts and caring for one another.
Sunday Coffee Hour is on ZOOM or by Phone
With our new time for service, our coffee hours, both in person and virtual, had to be moved. Join us for the 9:00 am Sunday Coffee Fellowship on Zoom. Please meet by computer or phone by connecting with the following information:
In the Zoom app or by phone at 929-205-6099, you can use Meeting ID: 963 0143 0502 / Passcode: 956579. Or simply click here to join Zoom Meeting.
In-person Coffee Hour has been suspended until further notice.
News from Skye Farm
Skye Farm is cancelling their programs scheduled to begin after July 18, 2021. The effects of the pandemic have impacted Summer 2021 as well as Summer 2020 at Skye Farm.
Families who had registered for the cancelled programs are able to request a refund, transfer fees to next summer, or donate to support our ministry this summer. Our site will be open for cabin rentals and retreats for the remainder of the summer and into the fall.
With a full year to prepare and more determination to see camp full and thriving than ever, we expect to be back in full swing for Summer 2022. We hope you’ll join us.
Mission Update
Happy to announce that more socks were delivered directly to Four Corners Native American Ministry. They were pictured in a recent post.
More good news: A large bag of socks was picked up on Friday to go into the Scotia and Schenectady area for the City Mission and the Over the Bridge ministry.
You have made this possible, reaching out and sharing the love of Christ.
Upcoming Events
Prayer Group
Please consider joining our prayer group. This is an on-line way of praying for each other’s needs and praising God for what is happening in each other’s lives. If you would be interested in being involved, please either call or email the office and you can be set up.
This week's prayer concerns:
Please reach out to people who are alone during this time. A card or phone call will let them know they are not alone or forgotten.
Joyce Cook Has Gone to God
We are saddened by the passing of Joyce Cook on Saturday, July 24th. She attended church here for many years. Our prayers go out to her husband, Lou, and their family. Memorial contributions in memory of Joyce may be made to the church or the American Legion.
Caring for Creation
The Capital Region Interfaith Creation Care Coalition (CRICCC) was formed to bring together faith groups in the Capital Region of New York State to mitigate the climate emergency and to preserve and restore natural resources and biodiversity for present and future generations.
We accomplish this by educating ourselves and our faith communities, advocating for the environment, reducing our carbon and waste footprints, and adopting behaviors that will ensure the sustainability of life in all its diversity on Earth. We hold bi-monthly meetings, listen to a presenter and break into committees to plan for on-going action.
We feel that CRICCC has begun to be an influence on policies and practices in the community and in state government. We’d like to increase our membership so that we can have a greater impact in the work we do.
We currently have members from over 20 faith communities, including the Delmar and East Greenbush United Methodist Churches. We hope that someone from your church will join us. For more information, please contact Kevin Conley or Barbara Spink at CRICCCalbany@gmail.com.
Fair Trade
There are NO more chocolate bars left until fall thanks to all of you chocolate lovers (and the summer weather)!!! However, we still have coffee (decaf and regular) and tea available. Please contact Stan Lockwood at 518.885.1552 or stosh964@gmail.com to arrange for delivery or pick-up.
Vacation
Our office manager, Sue Cramer, will be on vacation during the week of August 1. The office will be closed but the answering machine will be monitored.
Pastor Kelly will be on vacation from August 14-21.
First Presbyterian Church of Ballston Spa Brooks Sizzling Summer Chicken BBQ
The First Presbyterian Church will be holding a Brooks Sizzling Summer Chicken BBQ, Tuesday August 17, 4:00 - 7:00 pm. Half Chicken, roll, coleslaw, potato, and dessert for only $14.00. TAKE OUT ONLY. No Reservations needed. First come, first serve. Summertime… and your dinner decision just got easy.
Burnt Hills UMC Community Lunch
The Community Lunches are back at the Burnt Hills United Methodist Church, at 816 Route 50, Burnt Hills. On August 19th from noon to 1:30, egg salad, PB&J, or turkey salad sandwiches, watermelon, carrots & celery, and cookies will be served. You can’t beat the price – no charge!
Backstretch Kids Volunteer Opportunity
Karen Chavez informed us about the need for volunteers. She states: "We have an invitation from Saratoga Springs YMCA to take the kids on their adventure course on Monday August 2nd, 9th or the 16th. We'll need volunteers to accompany them. Also, the Aquatics director there is inviting us for open swim time. We can choose a Sunday, Monday or Tuesday afternoon as an option, but we'll need volunteers for that as well." If you or anyone in your congregation would be interested, please contact Karen at karen@rtcany.org.
Celebrations!
Three birthdays over the next two weeks:
There are three anniversaries in the next two weeks:
If there is a birthday or anniversary that you would like shared, please send it to the church office by email. Happy celebrations are always a blessing!
Have a blessed week
Since the Covid average has again risen, in-person services were suspended August 1. Whenever services resume, we will be returning to some of the previous Covid restraints. We will not be taking temperatures or contact tracing. However, we ask that all people wear masks, not just the unvaccinated. Singing is again not permitted, and coffee hour has been suspended. All entering the church will need to come in through the south door and exit through the north door. Please maintain social distancing. We acknowledge that this continues to be a difficult time and appreciate everyone’s efforts and caring for one another.
Sunday Coffee Hour is on ZOOM or by Phone
With our new time for service, our coffee hours, both in person and virtual, had to be moved. Join us for the 9:00 am Sunday Coffee Fellowship on Zoom. Please meet by computer or phone by connecting with the following information:
In the Zoom app or by phone at 929-205-6099, you can use Meeting ID: 963 0143 0502 / Passcode: 956579. Or simply click here to join Zoom Meeting.
In-person Coffee Hour has been suspended until further notice.
News from Skye Farm
Skye Farm is cancelling their programs scheduled to begin after July 18, 2021. The effects of the pandemic have impacted Summer 2021 as well as Summer 2020 at Skye Farm.
Families who had registered for the cancelled programs are able to request a refund, transfer fees to next summer, or donate to support our ministry this summer. Our site will be open for cabin rentals and retreats for the remainder of the summer and into the fall.
With a full year to prepare and more determination to see camp full and thriving than ever, we expect to be back in full swing for Summer 2022. We hope you’ll join us.
Mission Update
Happy to announce that more socks were delivered directly to Four Corners Native American Ministry. They were pictured in a recent post.
More good news: A large bag of socks was picked up on Friday to go into the Scotia and Schenectady area for the City Mission and the Over the Bridge ministry.
You have made this possible, reaching out and sharing the love of Christ.
Upcoming Events
- Thrift Shop - each Tuesday, 9:30 to noon
- Food Pantry - each Wednesday, 9:30 to noon
- Trustee Meeting - Monday, August 9th, 7 pm
- Church Council - Tuesday, August 10, 7 pm via Zoom
Prayer Group
Please consider joining our prayer group. This is an on-line way of praying for each other’s needs and praising God for what is happening in each other’s lives. If you would be interested in being involved, please either call or email the office and you can be set up.
This week's prayer concerns:
- Please keep Richard Babcock in your prayers. He was recently hospitalized and has returned home.
- Carrie Adserias requests to add a prayer Kyle's Grandma Carleen who has been battling with spreading cancer and treatments for a while now and is currently suffering with complications. Lord, hear our prayers.
- Ilah Sisson Walser asks for prayers for a family friend who is going through another bout with cancer with specialized treatments. Please add her to your prayers. Thank you
- Ilah Sisson Walser asks for prayers for a little friend who was born two months early, weighing in at 3 pounds 4 ounces. Colton is holding his own and making progress at the moment. He’s almost back to birth weight. Keep those prayers going. The family appreciates them.
- Please keep family and friends of the Rev. Alan Rhodes in your prayers. Alan died July 24th. Alan had undergone surgery recently after suffering a stroke. Services will be held at the McKownville UMC. Cards of condolence can be sent to Alan's wife Nancy Rhodes at 3019 Spawn Rd., Schenectady, NY 12303.
- Alaina Greco moved last week, prayers for her as she begins orientation at her new school in Florida
- Please put Bill on our prayer list. He is an Elk member who monthly delivers many bags of groceries to our Food Pantry. He has cancer and will be going to Albany Med. for advice on treating it.
- A friend of Ruth Persons needs prayers for healing due to multiple health issues. Thank you for your care and concern for Tina.
- Please hold Marilynn Peterson in your prayers. She is on the path to getting stronger. You can send her cards at: 115 Saratoga Blvd., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
- Please continue to keep Bill Haege and Bob Elbertson in your prayers.
- Please be praying for those who are currently sick and hospitalized, and for the families burying their loved ones here in Saratoga County.
Please reach out to people who are alone during this time. A card or phone call will let them know they are not alone or forgotten.
Joyce Cook Has Gone to God
We are saddened by the passing of Joyce Cook on Saturday, July 24th. She attended church here for many years. Our prayers go out to her husband, Lou, and their family. Memorial contributions in memory of Joyce may be made to the church or the American Legion.
Caring for Creation
The Capital Region Interfaith Creation Care Coalition (CRICCC) was formed to bring together faith groups in the Capital Region of New York State to mitigate the climate emergency and to preserve and restore natural resources and biodiversity for present and future generations.
We accomplish this by educating ourselves and our faith communities, advocating for the environment, reducing our carbon and waste footprints, and adopting behaviors that will ensure the sustainability of life in all its diversity on Earth. We hold bi-monthly meetings, listen to a presenter and break into committees to plan for on-going action.
We feel that CRICCC has begun to be an influence on policies and practices in the community and in state government. We’d like to increase our membership so that we can have a greater impact in the work we do.
We currently have members from over 20 faith communities, including the Delmar and East Greenbush United Methodist Churches. We hope that someone from your church will join us. For more information, please contact Kevin Conley or Barbara Spink at CRICCCalbany@gmail.com.
Fair Trade
There are NO more chocolate bars left until fall thanks to all of you chocolate lovers (and the summer weather)!!! However, we still have coffee (decaf and regular) and tea available. Please contact Stan Lockwood at 518.885.1552 or stosh964@gmail.com to arrange for delivery or pick-up.
Vacation
Our office manager, Sue Cramer, will be on vacation during the week of August 1. The office will be closed but the answering machine will be monitored.
Pastor Kelly will be on vacation from August 14-21.
First Presbyterian Church of Ballston Spa Brooks Sizzling Summer Chicken BBQ
The First Presbyterian Church will be holding a Brooks Sizzling Summer Chicken BBQ, Tuesday August 17, 4:00 - 7:00 pm. Half Chicken, roll, coleslaw, potato, and dessert for only $14.00. TAKE OUT ONLY. No Reservations needed. First come, first serve. Summertime… and your dinner decision just got easy.
Burnt Hills UMC Community Lunch
The Community Lunches are back at the Burnt Hills United Methodist Church, at 816 Route 50, Burnt Hills. On August 19th from noon to 1:30, egg salad, PB&J, or turkey salad sandwiches, watermelon, carrots & celery, and cookies will be served. You can’t beat the price – no charge!
Backstretch Kids Volunteer Opportunity
Karen Chavez informed us about the need for volunteers. She states: "We have an invitation from Saratoga Springs YMCA to take the kids on their adventure course on Monday August 2nd, 9th or the 16th. We'll need volunteers to accompany them. Also, the Aquatics director there is inviting us for open swim time. We can choose a Sunday, Monday or Tuesday afternoon as an option, but we'll need volunteers for that as well." If you or anyone in your congregation would be interested, please contact Karen at karen@rtcany.org.
Celebrations!
Three birthdays over the next two weeks:
- Joshua Simmons (8/2)
- Albert Schmidt Sr. (8/6)
- Heather Thomas (8/10)
There are three anniversaries in the next two weeks:
- Pastor Kelly and Mark Warner (8/8)
- Joan and Ed Glossner (8/8)
- Marcia and Dave Edwards (8/12)
If there is a birthday or anniversary that you would like shared, please send it to the church office by email. Happy celebrations are always a blessing!
Have a blessed week