“Those who wait on God will renew their strength. They soar on eagles’ wings, they run and don’t get weary, they walk and never tire.” -Isaiah 40:31 |
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Message from Minister Margery Rossi |
Greetings!
After a festive and busy spring, our quieter worship services this summer have been a welcome rest. It was a joy to reflect on the poetic musings of Mark Nepo in July. I believe the focus on listening helped us open our ears and our hearts to “wait on God” in the beautiful, peaceful tradition of the Taizé community. If you were not able to join us this past Sunday, I invite you to participate in our Taizé worship through Labor Day to experience it for yourself.
While we have intentionally been “resting” during worship, that is not true for the rest of the week!
Committees are meeting and many decisions are being made. In the last month, I have met with Session, Deacons, Buildings & Grounds, Finance, Personnel, Church School/Faith & Justice Learning Lab, Roots & Wings, the Food Pantry and the Spirituality Group. Each group is taking stock of where we are after two years of the pandemic and putting plans into place for Fall so that we can continue to serve God and our neighbors effectively, and in partnership – in other words, we hope to be ready to soar like eagles come September. If you would like to lend your time and talent to any of these ministries, please reach out! There is plenty to do!
I’m particularly excited about the Faith & Justice Learning Lab starting up on October 2. If you can assist with teaching our youngest members, please reach out to Lenore Person.
There have also been a lot of repairs to the church properties in recent weeks, among them: the Manse got some repointing done to the exterior walls; the Wilde Building got some gutters repaired. (The expected upgrades to the playground, however, which the developer of Cedar Commons has agreed to provide, have been postponed due to delays in obtaining necessary permits.)
Please mark your calendar for our “Homecoming” worship service on September 11, when we will welcome all back and return to our usual worship format, with communion. We will also be forming a Future Focus committee in the fall to determine the best use of our campus – buildings and outdoor space – to support our commitment to “Faith, Justice and the Arts.”
If you are interested in participating in those conversations, please let me know.
In this time of transition, there is much to do. I pray that you take some time this summer to rest, replenish and relax, so that we can undertake the work ahead with energy, vision and renewed commitment.
In peace,
Minister, South Church
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Throughout August we will be worshipping in the tradition of the Taizé Community using prayers, song, meditations and silence to to enter into a time of reflection and rest. We look forward to being together in person and online.
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Masks are optional inside South's spaces, except in Sanctuary, where masks are required.
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*Choir Resumes: 9.11.22 at 8:30 am
Homecoming Sunday: 9.11.22 during worship
Stewardship Sunday: 9.18.22 during worship
**Spirituality Group: 9.18.22, 7 - 8:30 pm via Zoom
Congregational Meeting: 9.25.22 after worship
Church School Begins: 10.2.22 (see below)
New Member Class: 10.16.22 in the afternoon.
New Members Welcomed: 10.23.22 during worship
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South Church Choir returns on Sunday, September 11. We embrace many different styles of music -- from Handel to Schumann to spirituals to Dolly Parton to Peter Gabriel to Katy Perry. If you enjoy singing and making music as an ensemble, please join! Rehearsals are on Sunday mornings at 8:30am in the Sanctuary. To join the choir email list or to ask any music-related questions (like, what's a hemidemisemiquaver?), please email music director Amir Khosrowpour.
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**Spirituality Group News
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The Spirituality Group meets via Zoom from 7 to 8:30 pm on the third Sunday of each month. Contact Dorothy Muller to be added to the list or if you have questions. They will start the season by finishing Mirabai Starr's Wild Mercy, and then choose where to go next.
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Your support sustains our worship and service opportunities, music and arts programs, and more. |
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You've Got Mail - from the Deacons |
The Deacons are in the process of updating South's Directory. They've sent each person/family in our community (that we have contact information for) an email or phone call/message or written letter. Please respond or reach out so they know you received it.
We want to find out:
- Do you want to continue to hear from us and be included in our Directory?
- If you want to continue to hear from us, please provide your current contact information: name, postal address, phone number, email address.
Thanks for taking the time to assist us with this project. If you have any questions, please be in touch with Eric Greenberg, the moderator of the Deacons.
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Sunday children's program |
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The Church School Committee is thrilled to announce the return of Church School for children in grades K - 5! The Faith & Justice Learning Lab uses a vibrant curriculum that has been custom-made for our children. It includes sharing sacred stories, making art, singing and listening to one another. Read more. If you have children K - 5, register them here. All welcome - please also share this with families you know.
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Faith, Justice & the Arts |
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Volunteers run the pantry and make it all happen. This crew prepared SOS (School’s Out Supplement) bags for our young clients. Thanks to Jeff Glueck, Nolan Fader, Michelle Peluso, Amy Ziff and Auden Fader for pitching in. Again. MORE
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August 20, 1-4 PM: Storytelling Workshop for grades 4-8. MORE
September 9, 7-9 PM: Teen Rock Night Concert - produced by teens with teens for a wider audience. MORE
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Volunteer, learn, connect! Come to "Chat & Shred" on Thursday, Aug. 11, 5 - 6:30 pm. Manse Garden Manager describes the compost-prep activity as "fun and soothing!" MORE.
Four foraging workshops, beginning August 16. MORE.
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Go forth with the compassion of Jesus, the companionship of the Holy Spirit and the creative love and justice of God. |
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Submit news for the Miscellany, South's e-newsletter, here.
If someone forwarded you this e-newsletter and you don't want to miss any news, subscribe here.
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SESSION: Cirstin Conneely | Patricia Fischer-Donohue | Kris Kliemann | John Gunther-Mohr | Lenore Lelah Person | Linda Jo Platt
DEACONS: Peter Brenner | Maureen Buckley-Fox | Anilla Cherian | Eric Greenberg | Maria Harris | Marta Legan | Alex Orlowski | Molly Rodriguez | Andrew Smith
MINISTER: Margery Rossi
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC: Dr. Amir Khosrowpour
iNTERIM CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR: Robin Larkins
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY NURSERY SCHOOL: Linda Jo Platt
CO-DIRECTORS OF THE DOBBS FERRY FOOD PANTRY: Vera Halpenny, Gretchen Skaggs
DIRECTOR OF THE LAB: Marie-Louise Miller
LEADER OF STEERING COMMITTEE FOR ROOTS & WINGS: Lenore Lelah Person
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Our mission is to aid one another in the work of becoming more fully human, in the ways that God has given us. |
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