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Inside this issue: Cover 1

Christian Ed. 2

Women’s Retreat 3

Presbyterian Women 3

Mission “Thanks!” 3

Hymnals 4

Angel Tree 4

Friends of the Night 4

Transportation 5

Nominating 5

Coffee Hour 5

Birthdays 5

Continued Prayers 5

Calendar 6

Income Report 7

Monetary Assets 8

Session Minutes 8-10

Newsletter Deadline 11

Worship Services 11

Contact info. 11

Hamburg Presbyterian Church

The Towel and Basin

January 2017, Issue 12

Mission: To be a spiritually passionate congregation that lives out Christ’s teachings; through love-filled relationship

building, we prayerfully seek to share our lives and resources with the community and the world

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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS

Live Nativity – What a great event we had on December 4! We estimate there were 100+

people that came to HPC to pet the animals, eat cookies, make crafts and play games. There

were a lot of familiar faces and some new ones. Thank you to everyone who helped make the

event a SUCCESS – those who donated items/money, baked cookies, staffed the event, and

brought friends/family to it. This is a great example of how when we work together, the body

of Christ can accomplish anything!

A special thanks goes to the New Beginnings Ministry Team – they partnered with the Chris-

tian Education Ministry Team and helped us plan and execute this year’s event. We hope to

make this an annual event. If you could not be with us this year, definitely plan on it for

2017!

A Charlie Brown Christmas play – A BIG THANK YOU goes to everyone who do-

nated their time and talents to the Christmas play. The kids did a great job learning their lines

and working together to make the play a great one! Any ideas for next year??

NO Sunday School or Children’s Church on January 1, 2017.

Classes resume January 8, 2017.

(No Sunday School on January 15 as well

due to MLK, Jr. holiday weekend.)

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Women's Mini-Retreat "Celebrate the Gifts of Women"

Women's Afternoon Retreat led by Rev. Rachel Brown "Celebrate the Gifts of Women" Luncheon & Tea $10 donation

Sunday March 5, 2017 Noon - 3: 30 p.m.

Call or email the Church office to register: 649-1970, hamburgpresbyterianchurch@verizon.net

Presbyterian Women Our January 2017 Calendar:

The PW Coordinating Team will meet January 3rd at 1:00 in the Amy Low Meeting Room.

We would like to extend a warm welcome to every woman to join our monthly Circle meetings for Bible Study and Fel-

lowship.

Hannah Circle Wednesday, January 11th , at 10:00am – Church Lounge

Elizabeth Circle Thursday, January 12th, at 9:30am – Church Lounge

Ruth Circle Wednesday, January 18th, at 7:00pm – Church Lounge

Mission Quilters will meet on Wednesdays, January 4th and 18th in Fellowship Hall. Join the Quilters - everyone is welcome – bring a sandwich and stay for lunch.

In the year 2016, The Quilters gave a total of 50 quilts: 2 lap quilts to church family members, 1 baby quilt at a bap-

tism and 41 lap quilts to Hospice at Mercy Hospital and 6 lap quilts to Veterans Hospital in Batavia.

Thank you to all those who contributed mittens, scarves, and hats to our Mitten Tree. Your gifts will warm the hearts and hands of many this winter through the Salvation Army.

The Mission Team Thanks You! There were 160 sandwiches delivered to St. Luke's on Sunday 12/18/16. Thank you to all who donated this month and every month. The men are very appreciative and thankful when we drop off the sandwiches.

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NEW Hymnals

The Worship Ministry Team along with the Music Dept. has purchased the new Glory to God: The Presbyterian

Hymnal (Purple Pew Edition) hymnals for the church this year to replace the old blue hymnals that we have used

for the past 25 years.

We are still accepting donations for special bookplates for the Hymnals. Members of the congregation can purchase a

hymnal in memory of a loved one, to honor a special family member, or to just thank God for all of his blessings. The

cost per hymnal is $20, and a special book plate will be inserted in the hymnal with the names that are requested by

the purchaser.

If you wish to purchase a hymnal, fill out the blue hymnal form on the table in the Narthex, put it in a pew envelope

along with the money and put it in the Sunday offering. If you have any questions, feel free to contact any member of

the Worship & Music Ministry Team before or after service on Sunday or contact Wayne Hines @ 992-3924. Thank

you and God Bless.

ANGEL TREE

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Angel Tree! We helped 17 fami-lies, a total of 44 children, within the local Hamburg community this year! And a big thank you to Katherine and Danner Leyonmark, Becca Gunning and Weston Ferro for helping organize and shop.

MISSION TEAM UPDATE

Changes to HPC’s Friends of the Night People Program

In 2017 HPC will be looking for volunteers to serve at Friends of the Night People on

the last Sunday of every other month (beginning in January) rather than every month as

we have done for many years. We will still be asking for volunteers to make casseroles

(which we will deliver) on a monthly basis.

The Mission Team has come to this difficult decision after

struggling (as Deacons did before us) to fill the volunteer slots

each month since taking over responsibility for this program in

2015.

Look for sign up sheets in the Narthex reflecting this new

schedule and please prayerfully consider whether you are able

to contribute either by going to FONP to serve or by making a

casserole to send.

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In Need Of Continued Prayers

Donna Burns

Shari Gallagher

Richard Monckton

Connie Crossan

Nancy Crossan

Bob Catalino

Jonah DeLang

Harry Mitchell

Emma Duggan

Dottie Smith

Jack & Betty Lynn Griffin

Grant Domogala

January Birthdays

Coffee Hour Schedule

A Message from the HPC Nominating Ministry Team

Your Nominating Ministry Team has been hard at work making contact and calls to members of the congregation to

secure a new slate of Elders and Deacons. We need you to prayerfully consider saying YES when asked to serve on

these Boards. Please don’t hesitate to come forward if you have not been approached yet. We are still in need of

Deacons. Thank you!

Your Nominating Committee: Russell Rich, Linda McAlpine, Jeff Leyonmark, Lamont Beers, and Cheryl Koelmel

Jan 1 - Christian Ed & Youth

Jan 8 - Buildings and Grounds

Jan 15 - Session

Jan 22 - Church Life

Jan 29 - Presbyterian Women (All Circles)

Diana Browning January 1

Katherine Leyonmark January 3

Andrew Mouw January 5

Jeffrey Leyonmark January 6

Gillian Tytka January 6

Linda Connelly January 7

Joanne Yoviene January 8

Jennifer Gorman January 9

Julie Cimorelli January 11

Helen Duryea January 12

Katherine Boehler January 13

Gina Browning January 13

Janie Smith January 17

Dennis Biela January 18

Benjamin Reagan January 18

James Beatty January 19

John Griffin January 19

Laura Martin January 22

Sharon Fisk January 24

Marilyn Wittmeyer January 24

Robert McKenzie January 26

Kristin Obenshain January 27

Lorraine Wilson January 27

Joseph Streamer January 28

Marcia Skuse January 29

Transportation Reminder

Deacons are available for transportation to and from church.

Contact Wendy Zimmerman 648-6285

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Hamburg Presbyterian Church

January 2017

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 No Sunday School

Musical Warm-up

9:45am

Worship Service

and Communion

10:30am

Happy New Year!

2 Office Closed

Church Life

10:00am Personnel

7:00pm Financial

Mgmt. 7:00pm

AlAnon (FH)

7:15pm

3 Worship Planning

10:00am Staff Meeting

11:00am

Presbyterian

Women 1:00pm

Church Life

7:00pm

4 Quilters 9:30am

Hospitality

7:00pm

AA (FH) 7:30pm

5 J. Coffey

Small Group

1:00pm Bell Rehearsal

6:30pm

Chancel Choir

Rehearsal

7:30pm

6 AA (FH)

9:00pm

Funeral -

Mark Igel

10:00am

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8 Sunday School

9:15am

Musical Warm-up

9:45am

Worship Service

10:30am Ordination/

Installation of New

Deacons and Elders

9 Session

7:00pm AlAnon (FH)

7:15pm

10 Worship Planning

10:00am Staff Meeting

11:00am

Annual Reports

Due

11 Hannah Circle

10:00am AA (FH) 7:30pm

12 Elizabeth Cir-

cle 9:30am

Bell Rehearsal

6:30pm

Chancel Choir

Rehearsal

7:30pm

13 AA (FH)

9:00pm

14 Women’s

Breakfast

Group at ZJs

Restaurant

9:30am

15 No Sunday School

Musical Warm-up

9:15am

Worship Service

10:30am

Bells of Praise

Sandwich Sunday

16 Worship and

Music 7:00pm

AlAnon (FH)

7:15pm

MLK Jr. Day

17 Worship Planning

10:00am Staff Meeting

11:00am Caregivers 6:30pm

Mission 7:00pm

Christian Ed.

7:00pm

Deacons 7:15pm

18 Quilters 9:30am

Ruth Circle

7:00pm AA (FH) 7:30pm

19 J. Coffey

Small Group

1:00pm Bell Rehearsal

6:30pm

Chancel Choir

Rehearsal

7:30pm

20 AA (FH)

9:00pm

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22 Sunday School

9:15am

Musical Warm-up

9:45am

Worship Service

10:30am Annual Congrega-

tional Meeting

23 Building and

Grounds

7:00pm

AlAnon (FH)

7:15pm

24 Worship Planning

10:00am Staff Meeting

11:00am

Christian Nurture

Service 7:15pm

25 AA (FH) 7:30pm

26 Bell Rehearsal

6:30pm

Chancel Choir

Rehearsal

7:30pm

27 AA (FH)

9:00pm

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29 Sunday School

9:15am

Musical Warm-up

9:45am

Worship Service

10:30am

Feast for Friends

4:30pm

30 AlAnon (FH)

7:15pm

31 Worship Planning

10:00am Staff Meeting

11:00am

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HPC Monetary Assets

Account Balances (as of November 30, 2016) :

Reserves Beginning $73,118.85

South Park Gift $19,426.63

Interest $2.31

Transfer From Checking $1,000.00

Ending Balance $93,547.79

Checking Account Beginning $43,121.78

Deposits $26,189.32

Debits $10,535.16

Checks $20,887.96

Transfer To Reserves $1,000.00

Ending Balance $36,887.98

Total Money Assets $130,435.77

Submitted by Jim Lewis, Treasurer

HPC November 2016

Income Report

Sunday 11/6 11/13 11/20 11/27

Pledged $5,050.00 $3,935.00 $4,375.00 $2,626.00

Non-Pledged $122.00 $395.00 $280.00 $152.00

Loose Cash $1.00 $31.00 $41.00 $11.00

Christian Education $100.00

Christian Nurture $10.90

Christmas In The Country $20.00 $191.00

Church Life $25.00

Hymnals $80.00 $100.00 $20.00

Live Nativity $10.00 $15.00

Memorial $1,000.00

Poinsettias $7.00 $7.00 $14.00 $50.00

Premier Promotions $2,878.00

Rentals $3,267.00

Totals $6,280.00 $8,051.00 $7,618.00 $2,864.90

November 2016 Income Grand Total : $24,813.90

Submitted by Jim Lewis, Treasurer

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MINUTES OF SESSION

HAMBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NOVEMBER 14, 2016

The Rev. Rachel Brown, Moderator, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. A quorum was present. The agenda was approved as written. Ruling Elders in attendance were: Russell Rich, Shawn Ferro, Jim Lew-is, Bill Brodie, Christel Beers, Joyce Huen, Carole Mitchell, Leanne Howe, Julie Cimorelli, and Cheryl Ko-elmel, Clerk. Deacon Katy Webster. Excused: Ken Martin and Steve Tothero. Pastor Rachel opened the meeting with prayer and Cheryl Koelmel read the devotion “Thanks Living” from The Daily Bread. SESSION MINUTES: The Session Meeting minutes of October 10, 2016 were approved as written. PASTOR’S REPORT: Pastor Rachel informed the elders that she has served home communion this year to all the shut-ins. CLERK REPORT: Cheryl discussed the December meeting will be at 6:00 on Monday, December the 12, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at the Villas at Brierwood Club House. Dinner will be served prior to the meeting, the new elected elders will be invited, and spouses/guests are also invited for dinner. DEACON REPORT: Katy Webster was in attendance. No written report was submitted prior to the meeting. TREASURER’S REPORT: Below is the church’s monthly financial status through October 31, 2016. Income: $20,738.30 Expenses: $18,735.44 Reserves: $92,545.48 Checking: $43,121.78 COMM PRESBYTERY REPORT: No one was able to attend the November 1, 2016 South Branch Meeting. MINISTRY TEAMS REQUIRING ACTION: Written reports were emailed to the elders prior to the meeting from the following committee/teams: Pres-byterian Women, Music & Worship, Financial Management, Church Life, Mission, Personnel, Building & Grounds, and Christian Education.

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Page 2 November 14, 2016 Personnel….A MOTION from committee “that Hamburg Presbyterian Church hire Amanda Eppolito to fill the vacant part time Administrative Secretary position with a start date of Monday, November 28, 2016.” The motion was seconded and approved. At this time, Pastor Rachel was excused from the meeting and Russell Rich was designated Moderator. Personnel…A MOTION from committee “that in response to the 2016 Congregational meeting discussion regarding a bonus for the Pastor, Personnel would like to make a motion to approve a $1,600.00 bonus for Pastor Rachel Brown.” The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Pastor Rachel returned as Moderator to the meeting at 7:45 p.m. OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: Nominating Committee made a MOTION to have Jeff Leyonmark serve as Treasurer for 2017. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Nominating Committee made a MOTION to have Cheryl Koelmel serve as Clerk of Session for 2017. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. DISCUSSION: Russell Rich stated that the external audit is complete and the financial management committee is review-ing the audit and will present the audit findings at the next session meeting and also have a copy available at the January Annual Meeting. Shawn Ferro volunteered to do devotions at the December 8, 2016 special session meeting and Christel Beers will do devotions at the December 12, 2016 session meeting. The Sacrament of Holy Communion was celebrated on November 6, 2016 at the 10:30 a.m. worship ser-vice and at Christmas in the Country on Sunday, November 6, 2016. The next Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated on December 4, 2016 at the 10:30 a.m. wor-ship service. A special session meeting will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2016 at 5:30 for final budget approval and the next scheduled session meeting is Monday, December 12, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. Pastor Rachel closed the meeting with prayer at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Cheryl L. Koelmel, Clerk of Session

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SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF SESSION MINUTES HAMBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

DECEMBER 8, 2016

A special session meeting was called by the Moderator, Pastor Rachel, for the purpose of reviewing the recommended 2017 budget presented by the Financial Management Team. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. with prayer by Pastor Rachel. A quorum was present. Ruling Elders in attendance were: Russell Rich, Shawn Ferro, Steve Tothero, Jim Lewis, Bill Brodie, Joyce Huen, Carole Mitchell, Ken Martin, Leanne Howe, Christel Beers, and Cheryl Koelmel, Clerk. Excused: Julie Cimorelli. Guest: Blair Webster, Financial Management Team. Russell Rich, Chair of the Financial Management Team, presented the recommended 2017 budget. Each category was re-viewed and questions addressed. A MOTION from committee to accept the recommended 2017 balanced budget of $235,870.00, passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned with prayer by Pastor Rachel at 6:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Cheryl L Koelmel Clerk of Session

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Worship Service Schedule

Worship Service: (September - Memorial Day, last Monday of May)

Sunday: 10:30 am - Worship Service

9:15 am - Education hour for all ages

Summer Worship Service: (June - Labor Day, the first Monday of September)

Sunday: 9:30 am - Worship Service

Christian Nurture: (The fourth Tuesday of each month)

Service for developmentally disabled individuals in area group homes

Fourth Tuesday: 7:15 pm

Newsletter Deadline

The deadine for the February issue of the Towel & Basin is January 18, 2017.

Please send in all the information you would like to include in the newsletter by this date.

You may submit your articles via e-mail to: hamburgpresbyterianchurch@verizon.net

Published Monthly (July/August combined)

Pastor - Rev. Rachel Brown

Christian Education Coordinator - Cally Miklasz

Minister of Music - George Davis

Organist/Keyboardist - Joanne Hollenbeck

Pastoral Care Assistant - Wendy Zimmerman

Treasurer - Jim Lewis

Financial Secretary - Jacki Knauss

Church Office Secretary - Mandy Eppolito

Sexton - Jessica Stang

Office Phone - (716) 649-1970

Office Fax - (716) 202-6931

Office Hours - 9am - 12pm Mon. & 9am - 2pm Tues.--Thurs.

E-mail - hamburgpresbyterianchurch@verizon.net

Web Page - www.hamburgchurch.org

Facebook page - www.facebook.com/hamburgpresbychurch