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First Presbyterian Church of Philipstown (FPCP)
The Church of the Open Door
Community News
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Show your neighbor a little love today . . .
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This morning, our neighbor was really upset with the local chipmunks.
"They're eating my tomatoes," he grumbled. "They're chewing through everything. They're ruining the whole garden!" We sympathized, of course; we know how hard he works to grow his beautiful fruit each year. And we talked about our own battles with chipmunks, as well as flea beetles, Japanese beetles, grubs, and stinkbugs. We compared notes and shared strategies, and then we all got on with the day's work.
Over the years, gardening helped us find common ground with all kinds of neighbors, from super shy to pretty prickly. That's also true of home ownership (how do I fix my leaky faucet?); car ownership (eek, what's that horrible knocking sound?); and dog ownership (why does she keep scratching that?). In fact, some of our best neighborly relationships have grown out of these over-the-fence or on-the-stoop consultations.
Everyone knows relationships with neighbors have their ups and downs. We may get careless, obstinate, or annoyed with one other. We may disagree over important issues, or tiny, ridiculous quirks. Sometimes tensions can build to the point where neighbors stop speaking to each other, and that is sad for everyone concerned.
But when trouble befalls our neighbor, we all know in our hearts what to do: We set aside our differences and we offer to help. In this community, we've supported each other through fires and floods, accidents and illnesses, and tragic losses. We are helping each other again, right now, through a serious health and economic crisis.
One of our
lectionary readings
this week includes the great commandment:
"Love your neighbor as yourself."
(Romans 13:9). Such a simple concept. Unfortunately, it's not a simple process. For one thing, we don't always agree with our neighbors on how to help each other, or the best way to make things better/safer for everyone. A perfect example of this is the ongoing controversy over mask-wearing in our country.
(Read a recent BBC article here: "Why Are Americans so Angry About Masks?")
This week, let's look for beautiful ways to love and help each other. Remember we are still together, even when we're apart. And the best news is that
all of us are loved, all the time.
Read on to discover how FPCP members and our friends are staying connected, comforting each other, serving
and loving
our neighbors in need.
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YOU helped our Midnight Run!
Thanks to a group of amazing donors and volunteers, we are ready to make our next
Midnight Run
on
Saturday, August 1
! This project takes food and critical supplies to people in NYC who are experiencing homelessness. We are truly grateful for food donations from these wonderful folks:
Paula Calimano, Ame Chiera, Sara Dulaney, Lisa Greene, Kerry Jordan, Carolyn Ross, Stephanie Skiptunis, Bev Taylor,
and
Nina Velez
. We also send out our heartfelt thanks to
Ron Sopyla
and
Rev. David Harkness
, who will make the late-night drive to NYC that Saturday night to bring food, comfort, and conversation to people in need. If you'd like more information about this project, please contact Ron at
rsopyla@verizon.net
or
v
isit our website right here.
Thank you!
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Please help the Santos family.
Our neighbors, the Santos family, need your support. On July 18,
Melissa Castro-Santos
(above)
passed away at Sloan Kettering Hospital after a nine-year battle with multiple myeloma. This loss is especially devastating because Melissa's husband Darrin Santos died just three months ago due to COVID-19. Melissa and Darrin leave behind three children -- Darrin, Daniel, and Mikayla -- who are all Haldane students. Their loving parents were well-known members of our Philipstown community, always cheering on kids at local sporting events and handing out candy on Halloween in front of their house on Parrott Street. If you can, please support the
#Santos Strong
GoFundMe campaign
to benefit the Santos children. You can read Melissa's obituary in the
Highlands Current
.
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Coming soon! Watch for an official announcement about an outdoor, in-person worship service Aug. 2!
An intrepid team of FPCP volunteers is hard at work, planning our
annual fresh-air service,
which will hopefully take place at Mayor's Park in Cold Spring on Aug. 2 at 10:30 am. All NYS guidelines and regulations will be followed. Masks and physical distancing will be required, and no one presenting symptoms of illness should attend. Save the date! Details are forthcoming.
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A pic from an FPCP outdoor services. This year we'll be in masks and 6+ feet apart!
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Take an Online Class in August
Learn about Structural Racism
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Loving ALL of our neighbors.
PC (USA) is offering a 4-part online course called
"Awakening to Structural Racism."
This course is for everyone who is interested in learning about structural racism, and discovering how to resist its destructive power in our own lives, in our congregations, and in our communities. Participants must register in advance. A modest fee is requested, but not required.
Click the photo at left for info!
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Our Green Team & Food Pantry salute Julie Geller and FPCP's new Blessing Box!
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FPCP's Green Team says: Loving our neighbors = loving our planet.
A recent Haldane graduate, Julie
(above)
is also a frequent volunteer at our Food Pantry mission that operates Saturdays from 9-10 am at 10 Academy Street. This spring, Julie and other volunteers saw the number of Pantry clients jump by 150% as more businesses closed and more jobs were lost due to COVID-19. "I realized that some people aren't able to come to the Pantry on Saturday mornings," Julie said. "I wanted to find a way to help."
Julie discovered the
Little Free Pantry
movement -- a grassroots, crowd-sourced strategy to fight hunger and nourish communities. Across the nation, mini food pantries have been established outside churches, schools, libraries, and other public spaces. At any time of day, neighbors can "give what they can" or "take what they need," as the sign on Julie's new Blessing Box says.
Julie took her idea to FPCP leaders and secured their approval for her Blessing Box project. She then raised the funds for construction materials, identified a design, and found skilled volunteers who were happy to build it. The Blessing Box was delivered today! (S
ee pictures above and below.)
Very
s
oon, after a few final touches, it will be fully operational and available to our neighbors.
We are grateful to Julie and to all of her Blessing Box supporters. Julie says: "Thanks to
Renee Cruikshank
for her generous donation and support. You helped me to network and create connections. And...you did it from 3,000 miles away! Thanks to
Julie and George Polich
and their friend
Mark
for building the Blessing Box, and their donation of time, support, generosity, and supplies. Thanks to the
Session
and
church
for allowing me to help the community through this Blessing Box. Thanks to
Mona Smith
for her dedication and encouragement. Thanks to
Kathy Gertson
for her generous donation and support. And: Thanks to
Diana and Bruce Geller
for their continued support, dedication of time, donations, and encouragement."
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Try our monthly Book Club!
Our Book Club is now reading
Weather
by
Jenny Offill.
NPR calls it "
darkly funny and urgent. . . fueled by a growing preoccupation with the scary prospect of a doomed earth
!"
The NY Times says:
"Offill takes subjects that could easily become pedantic and makes them thrilling and hilarious and terrifying and alive."
We'll discuss via Zoom at the end of the month. Join us! For more info,
email Susan here.
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Next Youth Group: Aug. 2!
Calling all teens: With all that's happening in our world, it's important to talk. Join our Youth Group online on
Sunday, Aug. 2, at 5:30 pm
for a lively conversation
with Rev. Dr. Doris on timely topics. Our Youth Group generally meets via Zoom for one hour every other Sunday. All teens are welcome to join us -- your family doesn't need to be FPCP members. To get the Zoom link,
email Rev. Dr. Doris.
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Kids: Thinking big thoughts
Sunday School is a great place to explore big ideas like peace, love, and justice. Carolyn, our Youth Ed Coordinator, sends a weekly email to families that's chock-full of creative activities and inspiring ways to talk about big ideas. Last week we learned that God knows us, loves us, understands us, and watches over us -- and how it's like a bit like being a flower in God's garden
(above)
! Join our e-list!
Email Carolyn here!
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Find comfort and caring on our Pastor's Porch.
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Rev. Dr. Doris Chandler
invites one and all to pull up a chair and sit with her on her "virtual porch." This is a great way to share news or concerns, pray together, or just enjoy quality time with the pastor.
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In the midst of this worldwide health crisis,
we are grateful we can serve our neighbors in need
through critical mission programs, including the
Food Pantry
and
Midnight Run
.
If you feel called to support FPCP's outreach, we warmly welcome your contributions. If you are a member of the FPCP family and can maintain your church giving at this difficult time, we humbly thank you.
Online donations can be made
right here
. Bless you!
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Visit our website and follow us on Facebook!
Call or email us today.
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