St. John’s NewsRev. Gregory M. Zajac, Pastor

Church (518) 861-8862 fax 861-8068E-mail – secretary@stjohnsaltamont.org

‘19 - ‘20Running Down the Clock

By Pastor Greg Zajac

Some of the most memorable plays in NFL history have taken place in the fi nal seconds -desperate “hail Mary” passes, risky fourth down conversions, and fi eld goal attempts from near-impossible distances. On the other hand, if the team in possession is ahead, late in the fourthquarter offers no excitement at all. The object no longer is to gain yardage and score points.Rather, it is to “run down the clock.” Sometimes the quarterback just kneels.

As Mindy and I enter the fi nal weeks of our ministry here at St. John’s it would be a shame tojust run down the clock. There are opportunities in times of transition that are either not presentat other times, or are more diffi cult.

• The Ministry Site Profi le (MSP), is a multipage self-assessment required by the Upstate Synod before a new pastor can be called. It cannot be completed in an evening or two. Some have compared the MSP to a school accreditation survey. But, in the end, stepping back, compiling statistics, looking for trends, surveying the congregation about the future, and putting goals in writing is a helpful exercise. I’m pleased the Transition Study Group is taking this task seriously.

• St. John’s has an unusual arrangement regarding part-time employees. Our by-laws specify that a committee of the Council, the Staff Support Committee, is to supervise their work. This has turned out to be a less than ideal arrangement for several reasons. Just before a new pastor comes on board is the best time to make a change. Again, I’m pleased that the leadership is taking advantage of this opportunity. On another page is a proposed revision to the by-laws that designates the pastor as the line supervisor.

• St. John’s is a congregation of the Upstate New York Synod, and of the Hudson-Mohawk Conference. A transition period presents numerous opportunities to become better acquainted with the leaders and resources of the larger church. They want to be helpful.

Thank you for the love and support shown to Mindy and me over the last 14 years. Thesewords of St. Paul’s to the congregation in Philippi also apply here in Altamont, I believe. “I amconfi dent of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion bythe day of Jesus Christ.” ...continued on next page

....continued from page 1

Retirement - Some Questions for Pastor Greg and His Answers

Question: Tell us about your retirement home?Answer: It is a small ranch-style house in a suburban development east of Rochester, NY. Thehouse was built in 2002, and sits on a 1/3 acre lot.

Question: Why do you want to move to Rochester, NY?Answer: The big reason is that our new home is only a short distance from our children andgrandchildren. Another consideration is that the Upstate New York Synod highly recommendsthat retiring pastors move out of the community.

Question: Are you sure about this? I know a retired pastor who lives just around the cornerfrom the church he served.Answer: The Upstate New York Synod offers advice and guidance; not laws. Some retiredpastors have a good reason for staying in the area. Experience, however, has shown thattransitions are easier when retiring pastors leave the communities they served.

Question: When exactly are you retiring?Answer: As of this writing (November 26) we have not been approved for a mortgage, andconsequently do not have a fi rm closing date. The date of my last Sunday at St. John’s will beannounced just as soon as we know for sure that the home purchase has gone through.

Question: Will you be needing furniture?Answer: Just the opposite. We’ll have furniture and other possessions to give away. The newhouse is small, about 1/3 the size of the parsonage. But, thanks for asking.

Question: Will you will stay here long enough to help the new pastor “learn the ropes?”Answer: Although common in some occupations, overlap periods are seldom necessary ordesirable for parish pastor positions. Each pastor has his or her unique personality. Ministrystyles and priorities vary. I will best help the new pastor by leaving a clutter-free offi ce, andstaying out of the way.

Questions: Will you be returning to attend this year’s Pyramid Lake Retreat?Answer: No. Synod guidelines recommend that a retired pastor not return to his or her formercongregation for any reason for one year. This is to make it easier for church members to bondwith their new pastor.

Question: Does it violate Synod Policy to exchange Christmas cards?Answer: The Synod wants former pastors to avoid interfering with the ministries of successors.That’s all. There is no prohibition on Christmas cards or the exchange of family news.

St. John’s Weekly Schedule

Weekly Services●Informal Worship Service starts at 8:30am and is followed by some light refreshments.●Sunday School begins at 9:45am.(No Sunday School on December 1st or December 29th)●The Holy Communion (12/1, 12/15, 1/5 & 1/19) and the Worship Service (12/8, 12/22, 12/29,1/12, 1/26) begin at 11:00am.

Sunday

MondayChurch Choirs:

The Choir rehearse at 7:00pm

Tuesday●Tuesday night Bible Study meets at 7:15pm in the Lounge.●Prayer Group meets at 8:00pm in the Lounge.●St. John’s Singers rehearse at 8:30pm in the choir room

Wednesday●Wednesday morning Bible Study meets at 11:00am in the Lounge. All are welcome to attend. (No class on 12/11, 12/25, 1/1 & 1/8)Lutheran Church Women Christmas Party is on December 18th at 6:00pm at the Parsonage, thanksto Mindy. All women of the Church are invited. Christmas carols, good food & beverages. There will be agrab bag gift exchange - $5 suggested. Secret Sisters will be revealed and new names drawn for 2020.Everyone brings something to share for dinner. If you can attend, please call Linda Devenpeck.

Fellowship GroupWe hope you can join us on Wednesday, December 4th @ 6:00pm when we Decorate the Church.Dinner will be pizza, soda, dessert. Please call Ron and Flo Clough if you can attend at 518-861-5100.Then... we will meet on January 8th to Un-Decorate the Church. Many hands make light work! If youhave a winter idea, theme, quick game, - please contact Greg Lemmerman @ 518-491-5979

ThursdayThe Church Council will meet on December 12th & January 9th at 7:00pm.

SaturdayThe St. John’s Men’s Breakfast Group meets every Saturday at 8:00am for prayer and

breakfast. All men are welcome to attend!

LCW will also meet on January 15th at 6:30pm at the Church. Please bring a dish to pass and no need tobring your place setting, we utilize the new dishwasher. The program is TBA.

If you have a change of phone number/address/ email address or would like to beadded to the birthday or anniversary list(s),please call 518-861-8862.

December12/10/1982-Kevin & Pat Miller

12/20/1958-Ron & Flo Clough

12/31/1998- Kevin & Megan Connolly

December January

January1/5/1990-John & Jolene Haggard

1/15/2013-John & Margaret Chevalier

1 Carol Whalen 2 Nicholas Goodknight 2 Christopher Martratt 2 Donovin Reedy 3 Jim Gaige 3 Brenda Goodknight 3 Kara Goodknight 3 Rebecca Harris 4 Jonathan Koskey 4 Karen LeClair 4 Brendan Perlee 5 Johann Manss 5 Reed A. McCutcheon 8 John Telfeyan10 Heike Hyson10 Anne Snyder11 Suzanne Jacques11 Lydia Walrath12 Jessalyn Crusado19 Polly Lemmerman20 Flo Clough24 Steve LeClair25 Justin Lindemann25 Mark Peterson26 Dylan Gray28 Pastor David Almleaf29 Michelle Lindsay29 Lois Schroeder29 Debbie Spawn29 Denise Johnstone30 Zachary Haggard30 Josilyn Pechtel31 Jan Heacock

1 Jamey LeClair2 Chloe Adams3 Tim Rau6 Curtis LeClair7 Kimberly Tymchyn9 Amy Poole9 Dana Rose Goodknight13 Megan Gejay17 Griffi n Peck20 Ruth Dickinson21 Nicholas LeClair24 James Abelman24 Tom Johnstone25 Beryl Grant28 Linda Hitt30 Zoe Haggard31 Korey Rogotzke

Christmas Flower Orders -Orders due 12/8/19Poinsettias to decorate the altar for the Christmas services can beordered in Honor or in Memory of a special loved one. Order envelopesare located in a special basket at the back of the church. Pleasespecify the person’s name that you are ordering fl owers for, if thefl owers are “in memory” or “in honor” of that person, and give yourname and, if possible, your phone number on the envelope. The cost of eachfl ower is $15.50 and payment should be included with your order. All orders should beturned in ASAP.

Ugly Ornament Party Invitation

If you're in middle or high school, then you're invited to our annual UglyOrnament Party! It takes place Sunday, December 8th at 5:00pm.

We will provide pizza, soda, juice, some veggies, dessert, and gifts. If youcan supply one of these items or donate a few bucks, please see me.

This year, we even have our own ugly ornament tree! If you want to, you canhang the ones we trade this Sunday. Or if you have another treasure at home,bring that with you! I think everyone knows how this party works. However, ifyou want more info, please contact me.

I'm looking forward to a night of laughs! -Craig Armstrong

Victorian Stroll

Please save the date December 15 is this year’s VictorianStroll. Come out and make some crafts, buy some bakedgoods, get your face painted or get a balloon.

The Annual Meeting is on January 27 immediately following the11:00 service. In order to have your committee report printed in theAnnual Report booklet, the info must be to Pat by 2:00pm onTuesday, January 21st. Time is needed beforehand to allow time forduplication and assembly. Sending them typed up as e-mail

attachments to: secretary@stjohnsaltamont.org is preferred.

Proposed By-Law ChangeCurrent Bylaw 4.10Staff Supporta) Aim of this committee is to promote open communication with staff.

b) This committee will be the liaison between council and staff.

c) This committee will monitor staff morale, working conditions and effectiveness.

d) This committee has authority to write contracts, carry out contracts and discipline or dismiss employees as needed.

Proposed Bylaw 4.10Staff Supporta) Aim of this committee is to promote open communication with and among non-rostered em-ployees.

b) This committee will be the liaison between council and non-rostered employees.

c) This committee will monitor non-rostered employees morale, working conditions and effec-tiveness.

d) This committee will serve as a resource for the Pastor who will be the direct supervisor of allnon-rostered employees. He/she will have the authority, in consultation with the staff supportcommittee, to hire, fi re, reward or sanction all non-rostered employees.

A non-rostered employee is someone receiving compensation from St. John’s who is not on theClergy Roster of the E.L.C.A.

Clarity will be brought to the relationship of the pastor to the non-rostered staff.

It’s only fair to those interviewing to be our new pastor that they know whether or not theposition includes supervision of employees.

This change will provide consistency to the non-rostered employees because the supervisor willremain the same from year to year.

Transition Study Group Report

Thank you to everyone who completed and submitted the Ministry Tasks Survey. TheTransition Study Group compiled the results from the 38 surveys returned. Here iswhat is important to us:

Full or part-time? Overwhelmingly, survey respondents desired a full time pastor.

The top fi ve ministry tasks:

1. Preaching/ Worship – Is this pastor confi dent and competent leading thecongregation in worship? Is he or she open to new ways of telling the old, old story?

2. Chaplaincy – Will this pastor take the initiative in addressing spiritual needs intimes of sorrow, sickness, and adversity? Can we expect this pastor to regularlyleave the church building to visit in homes, and health care facilities?

3. Inter-personal Climate - Is this pastor a “people person” who enjoys interactingwith people of all ages?

4. Counseling – Is this pastor someone I can go to when I want to “talk things over”with a trained professional who will keep the conversation confi dential?

5. Youth and Family Ministry – Does this pastor value the gifts of young people andhave an appreciation of their challenges?

Thank you again for your participation!

St. John’s and community members are invited to support clientsof the Guilderland Food Pantry by choosing an angel from the “tree” onthe narthex bulletin board. Christmas gi s are due back at church bySunday, Dec. 15th. e GFP was started 40 years ago by Bertie Ward Armstrong, sister

of our late member Ella Armstrong and currently serves 90 families and over 300 individuals at Christ’sChurch, 4 Charles Park off New Karner Road from 9 -11:30 am Mon-Sat.Call Kirby Wilson 518-861-7166 with any questions. ank you!

Dear St. John’s Church Community, Thank you to the youths and adultswho spent much of Sunday making twodozen pits for the Altamont CommunityFood Pantry! We are so grateful to all ofyou and to Craig Armstrong fororganizing this and making it happen.This is not only a cost savings for the pantry but more importantly, thehomemade pies are looked forward to each year by many. They will bea wonderful addition to the Thansgiving food boxes distributed to ourpantry recipients. Thank you for your hard work. Hopefully it wasfun too! We also greatly appreciate the $212 collected and donated fromthe Ecumenical Service in the Park. This is a tremendous help with theextra costs incurred for the Thanksgiving food. You have definitelyhelped make this holiday a better one for the families in our communitywho need some extra support at this time. Hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving! With gratitude, Judy Seery Director

After much discussion, and in consideration ofincreasing expenditures we have decided to try andmove into the 21st century and stop mailing out asmany newsletters as we have been. Therefore, weneed everyone’s cooperation to send us an emailaddress or whether you don’t have that ability (inwhich case we can still mail or it can be picked upat church).

We will still be mailing the newsletter for anotherissue or two, but if you could get thatinformation to: secretary@stjohnsaltamont.org as

soon as possible, it will help make the transition easier.

Thank you in advance for your efforts!

Worship Volunteers for January 2020Please remember, if you are unable to serve, please fi nd a replacement and notify the

offi ce, 518-861-8862.

Offering Counters1/5 - James Catalfamo 1/12 - Brad Grant

1/19 - Joe Rusek 1/26 - Linda Zell

Greeters1/5 - Anna Marie Seiz 1/12 - Denise Johnstone

1/19 - Jana Grant 1/26 - Kate O'Donnell

Lay Readers

OPEN

Ushers

Men’s Breakfast

Communion Preparers

TBA

Altar GuildMindy Zajac

Acolytes

TBA

Worship Volunteers for December 2019Please remember, if you are unable to serve, please fi nd a replacement and notify the offi ce,

518-861-8862.Offering Counters

12/1 - Brad Grant 12/8 - Joe Rusek12/15 - Linda Zell 12/23 - Linda Garbellano12/29 - Judy Hansen

Greeters 12/2 - Linda Zell 12/8 - Greg Lemmerman12/15 - Tina Rusek 12/22 - Irene Peck12/29 - Linda Devenpeck

Lay Readers 12/1 - Dan Frinta 12/8 - Kate O’Donnell12/15 - OPEN 12/22 - OPEN12/29 - OPEN

Ushers 12/1 - Joe Rusek, Brad Grant 12/8 - Linda Devenpeck, Anne Patnode12/15 - Craig & Charity Armstrong 12/22 - Polly Lemmerman, Linda G.12/29 - Tom & Denise Johnstone

Communion Preparers 12/1 - Linda Devenpeck, Linda Hitt 12/15 - Cheryl & Phil Alban

Altar GuildPat Miller

As you all know these lists, with the exception of theCounters, Lay Readers, Acolytes and CommunionPreparers have simply been repeated from year to year. Youwill fi nd January volunteers listed the same way, but I wouldlike to change that this year so if there are any times that arebad/good for you, or holidays you would prefer to be leftoff, PLEASE let me know, and we will make a fresh, newschedule. Also, anyone not on the list that couldvolunteer, we would love to have you!! Contact Pat orPastor Greg.

Acolytes 12/1- Maddie Armstrong 12/15 - Sara Johnson

WELCOMEWelcome to St. John’s Lutheran Church, a faith community united in love,

fi lled with hope, and open to the power and gentleness of a holy spirit withinus. We invite you to be part of the St. John’s faith community. You are

welcome at worship, in Sunday church school, at Fellowship events, at biblestudy and prayer gatherings. Together we can share our faith stories and

continue on our spiritual journeys

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church140 Maple Avenue,P.O. Box 770Altamont, New York 12009Return Service Requested

NONPROFITORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO. 23ALTAMONT, NY

Thank you Lord For: