The Connection News from

The United Church of Warsaw

Who We Are: The United Church of Warsaw is called by the

Holy Spirit to follow Jesus Christ through loving and serving God and all God’s people.

Volume 5, No. 10 – October 2015

Reflections from ‘The Rev’

Gospel According to Crayons

Crayons. Crayola crayons. Proper use of crayons seems to be a rite of passage from “toddler-hood” (when one- and two-year olds

want to eat crayons) to childhood (when three- to ten-year olds want to draw with crayons). Terri Guillemets, who collects quotations and who created the online anthology called The Quote Garden, reflects: “My childhood smells like a box of Crayola crayons.” Most of us can recall the distinct aroma of new Crayola crayons—whether those crayons were in our

hands, in our children's hands or in our grandchildren's hands. Crayons can do more than be souvenirs of childhood. Crayons can teach life lessons. Consider these rhyming verses, adapted from a poem originally penned by Shane DeRolf: “The Crayon Box That Talked” Wouldn't it be terrible? Wouldn't it be sad if just one single color were the only one we had?

If everything were purple? Or red? Or blue? Or green? If yellow, pink or orange were all that could be seen?

Can you just imagine how dull the world would be

if just one single color were all that we could see?

-Continued on Page 2-

Editors: Rev. Dr. Barbara Therese and Cindy Kiel

2

Reflections from ‘The Rev’ (continued from Page 1)

For as much as “God created humankind in God's own image and likeness” (Genesis 1:27), we

humans exhibit an array of hues from the palette of the Creator's colors. In the panorama of humankind,

we each have different hair color, eye color and skin color.

Crayons can teach the beauty of diversity.

Or consider the perspective of Robert Fulghum, author of All I Need to Know I Learned in

Kindergarten: “We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp. Some are pretty. Some are dull.

Others are bright. Some have weird names. But all the crayons have learned to live together in the same

box.”

Crayons can teach the power of acceptance.

Or consider the wisdom of Allen Klein, who promotes humor as therapy: “Your attitude is like a

box of crayons that color your world. If you constantly color your picture gray, then your picture will

consistently be bleak. If you add bright colors to your picture by including humor, then your picture

lightens up.”

Crayons can teach the health of humor.

Our Creator God invites us to use the whole symbolic box of crayons given to each of us at birth.

Our Divine Teacher calls us to learn the crayons' lessons of diversity, acceptance and humor.

What lessons from the “Gospel According to Crayons” have you learned?

Beside you in the journey of faith, Rev. Barbara

Leaving a Legacy

Please plant seeds for the future

through a bequest to The United Church of Warsaw

The generosity and foresight of you—the members of the family of faith of The United Church of

Warsaw—can ensure that your church will have financial means to carry out its missions in the future.

The Endowment Fund of The United Church of Warsaw can be supported through your planned gifts

(bequests, designated donations, etc.)

The power of planned gifts is that they grow over time and that they enable donors to serve the needs of

others in perpetuity.

Providing a planned gift to The United Church of Warsaw ensures your continuing gift or final gift of

generosity. A planned gift from you helps to ensure your church's ongoing financial strength and ability

to fulfill its missions.

How can you begin? Simply work with your financial adviser or your attorney to:

- Plan for your family's needs

- Plan for your own future needs

- Learn how you may use your remaining assets to create a lasting legacy

Please consider including The United Church of Warsaw in your estate plans.

* * * * *

If you would like to discuss further the possibility of a planned gift

for The United Church of Warsaw,

please contact Rev. Barbara at the Church Office: 585-786-3868.

3

Octoberfest of Faith Opportunities And Jesus said, “Your faith has made you whole; go in peace.”

Luke 8:48

Faith is a life-style.

Faith is not a magic potion or a one-a-day spiritual vitamin

or a pious expression on one's face.

Faith is an everyday, every-hour, every-moment choice.

At the United Church of Warsaw, our family of faith seeks to:

plant many “faith seeds,”

nurture many “faith plants,” and

harvest many “faith fruits.”

During this month, join us as we gather on Sunday morning, at 10 a.m. in our sanctuary,

for a time of faith-seeking and faith-sharing:

Sunday – October 4: Sacrament of the Lord's Supper

Sermon - The Gospel According to Bees

Sunday – October 11: The Lord's Prayer – Sermon #3

Sermon – What's in a Name?

Sunday – October 18: Living Testimony Sunday

Honoree: Mr. Edwin Fisher

Sermon – So, God Made a Farmer

Sunday – October 25: Sacrament of Baptism

Commitment Season – Week #1

The Lord's Prayer – Sermon #4

Sermon – God's Rules and God Rules * * * * *

Wherever you are in your journey of faith,

you are always welcome to join our family of faith!

Sunday Morning Ministries Sign-up Sheets for Sunday Ministry for

October are on the tables in the East Room.

Following Worship and during Fellowship

Time, please add your name to the lists for

Greeters, Scripture Readers, Ushers,

Communion Servers and Refreshment

Providers.

Our acolytes for October 2015 are:

October 4 Joe Fisher

October 11 Jyssica Fisher

October 18 Grace Kunze

October 25 Eman Garcia-Myers

Women’s Prayer Brunch at Castile United Church of Christ on October 17 Women from area churches and the community are invited to an ecumenical Women’s Prayer Brunch at 10

a.m. on Saturday, October 17, at Castile United Church of Christ, 4 Washington Street. The brunch will be

hosted by the Castile UCC Women’s Fellowship.

4

F.A.C.E. Group: Sowing and Reaping

You reap whatever you sow.

Galatians 6:7

It's October. It's harvest time. The farms and fields throughout Western

New York give evidence to the work of sowing and reaping.

Last month, members of the F.A.C.E. Group (i.e., Faith And Caring Encounter Group) witnessed

first-hand the “harvest” of sowing and reaping. On Sunday afternoon, September 20, three youth and two

adults visited the Gladiolus Farm owned by Jack and Norma Spencer. Mrs. Spencer gave an up-close-and-

personal tour of the expansive rows of gladiolus plants where corms (i.e., bulb-like underground plant stems)

had been “sown.” Then, she led the F.A.C.E. Group to the seasonal flower stand where the gladiolus plants,

which have been “reaped,” are put on display and sold to the public. Mrs. Spencer explained the yearly

process of “sowing” (or planting) the corms in early May and then “reaping” the gladiolus flower harvest in

August.

During September, F.A.C.E. Group members engaged in various faith-sowing and faith-reaping

activities: On September 6, Joe Fisher and Grace Kunze participated as Communion Servers. Throughout

September, F.A.C.E. Group members “sowed and reaped” light while serving as Acolytes: Joe Fisher,

Jyssica Fisher, Katie Fisher and Grace Miller. During the sermon message on September 20, Mel Perkins

“sowed and reaped” faith visions by describing her personal perspective of “heaven on earth.”

F.A.C.E. Group members, their families and Rev. Barbara thank the family of faith at The United

Church of Warsaw for their prayerful and material support. Furthermore, they appreciate the harvest of

choices which allow them to sow and reap faith in meaningful ways..

The United Church of Warsaw

invites you to membership!

If you are interested in learning

more about becoming a member

of our family of faith,

please contact Rev. Barbara at:

Church Office: 585-786-3868

Email: revdrbarbara@gmail.com

Next New Member/Inquirer Class:

Sunday, October 18, at 11:30 a.m.

in the Pastor’s Office.

F.A.C.E. Group II:

New Confirmation Class

ATTENTION:

All students,

ages 12 through 15

Beginning November,

Rev. Barbara will lead

a new five-month Confirmation Class,

from November, 2015, through March, 2016.

Information will be mailed to families of

eligible students.

Questions? Please contact Rev. Barbara:

Church Office: 585-786-3868

Email: revdrbarbara@gmail.com

5

Written by Donna Mager

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.

--Albert Camus

Here in Western New York, many (if not most) people would agree that October is the most beautiful month

of the year, thanks to the colorful fall foliage that blankets our hills and valleys. October can also be thought

of as the gateway to “Old Man Winter” as we prepare our homes and yards and wardrobes for his frosty

arrival. Whether we look forward to winter or not, let’s enjoy October: the beauty, the bounty from the

garden, and yes, even the yard work and raking of all of the leaves! Spring and summer will come again. God

has given us a reminder of that promise...in the rainbow of the leaves.

Congratulations to Valerie Marcheson and Shawn Richardson on the birth of their son, Levi Robert

Richardson!

Please remember the following people in your prayers:

For comfort, healing, peace and strength:

Jeannette and Willis Allen; Sandy Clark; Gale Cousins; Sarah Ford; Carolyn Klopfer;

Austin and Laura Saxton; Rich Saxton; Ruth Stevenson; Linda Thomas; the family of

Debra Boxler; the family of Marian Fisher; the family of Verna Schneckenburger, and

the family of Virginia Warren.

Residents at The Cloisters, 171 N. Maple St. Warsaw: Barb Conger, Flora Parmelee, Hope Rase

Residents at Eastside Nursing Home, 62 Prospect St., Warsaw: Arlene Baker, Lucille Carlson, Betty Mayle,

Judy Plowe

Resident at WCCH Skilled Nursing Facility, 400 N. Main Street, Warsaw: Jack Kibler

Resident at Batavia Nursing Home, 257 State St., Batavia, NY 14020: Jack Spencer

Dear Members

of United

Church of

Warsaw,

Thank you so

much for all the prayers and

support for my daughter, Debra

Boxler, during her illness and passing.

Thank you also for all the cards, hugs,

love and support shown to me during

and since this difficult time.

I’m very thankful for my church

family.

God bless you all.

Avis Wilcox

To our church family, friends

and Rev. Barbara,

Bill and I wish to thank you for

all the cards, prayers and phone

calls during his battle with

cancer. Right now he is in

remission. He goes back to his

doctor in January, 2016.

God’s prayer to everybody,

Bill and Jane Heubusch

A big “thank you” to my

church family for the

beautiful birthday cards for my

95th birthday and for the

telephone calls and gifts.

They were all very much

appreciated!

Thanks again,

Dorothy Slocum

6

Blessing of Teachers During the time of faith-sharing on Sunday morning, September 20, the “Children's Message”

transformed into the “Blessing of Teachers.” All teachers—whether Sunday School, public school, active or

retired—were invited to come to the front of the sanctuary. As the teachers stood or knelt on the chancel

steps, the children of our family of faith rested their hands on the heads of the teachers while the congregation

spoke aloud the blessing printed in the Sunday bulletin.

Recognition of “Quiet Candles”

“Quiet Candles” are God’s way of sharing God’s light.

Throughout the months of July, August and September, members of our family of faith and

staff members of The United Church of Warsaw have been honored for the quiet ways they serve

our faith community with energy, creativity and diligence.

Without advance notice, each honoree was identified, either

during a “Children’s Message” in our time of faith-sharing on

Sunday mornings, or in a Commission Meeting, or at a “flash mob” office

gathering.

Rev. Barbara presented each honoree with an official “Quiet Candle”

certificate which named ways that the honoree has quietly served our family

of faith and which affirmed that “we see God’s light shine from you.”

Finally, all honorees received a new “gift-wrapped” taper candle to

symbolize the divine Light that they consistently shine.

These “Quiet Candles” have quietly, but brightly, shown forth God’s Light within our family of faith:

Carol Barlow – Cleaning Personnel Cindy Kiel – Administrative Assistant

Lance Bush – Clerk of Commission Ted LaWall – Facility Manager

Gale Cousins – Sound Technician Barb Litz – Substitute Choir Director

Bob Cummins – Church Treasurer Larene McCabe – Starburst Director

Linda Demers – Food Pantry Volunteer Barb Neeley – Food Pantry Assistant

James Diver – Church Volunteer Joyce Neeley – Food Pantry Director

Jennifer Fisher – Chancel Bell Director Richard Neeley – Food Pantry Volunteer

Cindy Flint – Sunday School Director Lynn Saxton – Choir Director

Marilyn Kibler – Church Organist Virginia Winter – Starburst Teacher Our family of faith lovingly thanks those who quietly shine the Light of God in who they are and in what they do!

7

Homecoming Sunday – 2015

During the

time of faith-

sharing, the

homecoming

congregation

raised their

voices in song

and in prayer.

During the time of the

Children’s

Message,

the

homecoming

congregation

gathered in a

large circle

around the

sanctuary and

passed the

candlelight of

faith, one to

another.

During the time of

the meditation,

the

homecoming

congregation

described and

experienced

“Your God,

My God,

Our God.”

During the time

of Fellowship,

the homecoming

congregation

shared fruit and bagels.

They shared

friendship and

fellowship.

On September 13, our family of faith “came home” and shared their faith-filled spirit.

8

Warsaw Food Pantry

We helped 123 families in August. There were 204 adults, 111 children and 29 seniors, for a total of 344.

There were 16 new families.

Food donations were received from the following:

Our United Church of Warsaw congregation Immanuel United Methodist Church

Valley Chapel Free Methodist Church Hope Lutheran Church, Arcade

First United Methodist Church Walmart

Sherry Cousins Orah Andalora

Lisa Tangeman Jennifer Fisher (of Brockport, NY)

Monetary donations totaling $385 and $500 in Save-A-Lot gift certificates were received from the following:

Orah Andalora Fred Heller

Dennis and Lucy Krajewski Family Life Church

Warsaw Kiwanis/Salvation Army

Share Your Garden Harvest The Food Pantry welcomes donations of fresh fruits and vegetables. Our hours are Monday, Thursday and

Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. You may also bring your garden harvest donations

to church on Sunday mornings.

Thank you to everyone for your continuing support.

Sincerely,

Joyce Neeley, Director

Snackpak Time Has Returned! As part of our local mission and outreach, our family of faith participates in the local

“Snackpaks for Kids Program” to assist Warsaw Central School children.

Each week, backpacks are filled with snacks and items that can be prepared simply by

children for their weekend meals. These food items are delivered to the school and dispensed by school staff

to children enrolled in the Snackpak program. Children are selected by school officials, based on needs of

the child's family.

If you know of a child who may benefit from this program, please contact the school directly.

Once again, we ask for your generous donations.

Suggested food items: Juice boxes, fruit cups, puddings, cereals, peanut butter , jelly, macaroni and

cheese, spaghetti, granola bars. (NOTE: Plastic containers only, please. No glass containers.)

New or used backpacks are always needed. (Clean, sturdy, gender-neutral backpacks are preferred. Thank

you!) Monetary donations are always welcomed and allow the program to purchase specific items, as they are

needed.

Please place your donations in the Snackpak Collection container in the Connection at church.

United Church of Warsaw congregation: Thank you for your generous support! If you have any questions

or would like to help with the program, please call Lisa Johnson at 585-704-8358.

9

Clerk’s Corner Notes from Clerk of Commission, Lance Bush

Highlights from Commission Meeting of September 14, 2015.

The Commission approved the Baptisms of Abigail Mae Flint, daughter of

Matthew and Jonna (Babbitt) Flint, during the worship service on September 20, and of

Beau Michael Folse, son of Kayla and Noelle (Wetheral) Folse, during the worship

service of October 25.

Rev. Barbara was the third-place winner in the Masters' Division at the Wyoming County Fair 5K Race on

August 21. She finished third in her age group at the Ramon Rocha 5K Race in Geneseo on September 12.

The next Confirmation Class (to be called F.A.C.E. II Group) will begin November 8 with Confirmation

Sunday scheduled for Palm Sunday, March 20, 2016. Rev. Barbara will plan, organize and lead the

Confirmation program while the Education Committee of the Commission will provide oversight and

support. The five-month faith-seeking and faith-building program will include special speakers, attendance at

worship services of other faith communities and out-of-town mission projects. Open to students 12 to 15

years of age, the new Confirmation Class may attract 6 to 8 youth.

The annual Thanksgiving Community Meal is scheduled for Sunday, November 22.

The meeting concluded with a “Quiet Candle” presentation honoring Commissioner Linda Demers.

Ellie's and Bella's Second Annual Yard Sale Article written and photos taken by Rev. Barbara Therese

For the second year in a row, two young girls from our Warsaw community

held a yard sale to benefit local charities. On Saturday, August 22, 2015,

Ellie (full name: Elisabeth Marie Tangeman) and Bella (full name: Isabella

Rose Moon) conducted their Second Annual Yard Sale. Their goals? To

raise $1000 and to have 40 people attend. They intended the proceeds of the

yard sale to support the Warsaw Food Pantry and the Snackpak Program for

Kids. By the end of the day, the yard sale profits neared $2000. While an

exact count of people was not taken, more than double the hoped-for number of customers attended the event.

Ellie, age 8, and Bella, age 8 ½, are both in third grade at Warsaw Central School. According to the girls,

they began planning the second yard sale the day after they concluded their first yard sale in July, 2014. The

two explained, “We visited the Food Pantry and saw that they had so little food. And we listened to people

who work with Community Action. We really wanted to help.” Ellie and Bella were very excited by the

outcome of their second yard sale.

Ellie stated, “Grandma [i.e., Mrs. Barb Conger] made a BIG donation to the sale.” Mrs. Conger recently

sold her house, and she offered many of the contents and furnishings from her former home to be sold at the

yard sale. Bella remarked, “We sold a lot of stuff: chairs, couches, jewelry, a door...and a Jacuzzi!”

Not only did the girls exceed their monetary goal of $1000, but some customers brought food donations for

the Food Pantry. The unsold clothes were donated to the Community Clothes Closet housed at St. Michael's

Catholic Church. The girls were especially grateful to Jacob DeBadts, a school friend in fifth grade, who

helped them with setting up tables and items to be sold.

At 4:30 p.m. on August 22, as the yard sale

was coming to a close, Bella sighed, “I'm sad

it's over.”

But, as the two girls recounted the

highlights of the day, it appears Ellie's and

Bella's Third Annual Yard Sale is already in

the works.

10

October Birthdays

10 Flora Parmelee

Dave Bassett

16 Jyssica Fisher

18 MacKenna Flint

Pam Hess

22 Frank Broughton

23 Gabrielle Henry

25 Emily Howard

28 George Ann Carter

29 Katie Fisher

31 Cassie Fisher

October Anniversaries 3 Steven and Cassie Fisher 2009

6 David and Donna Mager 1985

22 Jack and Norma Spencer 1949

If your birthday or anniversary is not listed, please

accept our apologies. Kindly advise the Church Office

(in writing or by email) of your birthday or your

anniversary and wedding year, and we will add your

information to our data-base. Thank you!

A Walk to End Alzheimer’s

will be held on Saturday,

October 3, at the Perry

Village Park. Registration

begins at 9 a.m. All funds

raised will benefit the care, support and research efforts

of the Alzheimer's Association. Sherry Cousins, a

member of our family of faith, will accept donations for

The Cloisters’ Team. If you want to contribute, please

contact Sherry at 585-322-5128.

November Newsletter Deadline

The November 2015 Newsletter

deadline is Thursday,

October 15, 2015.

Thanksgiving Is Coming And so is our annual

Thanksgiving Community Meal!

Let's begin preparing our hearts

and our spirits, our cupboards and

our freezers.

The Thanksgiving Community Meal hosted by

our church for the greater community is:

Sunday, November 22, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

in Fellowship Hall of

The United Church of Warsaw As a family of faith, let us bring together our

energy and enthusiasm, our time and resources.

Add your name to the Thanksgiving Meal

Sign-Up Lists. In early October, sign-up lists for

food items, food preparations, food serving, room

set-up and room clean-up will be available the

Church Office (during regular office hours) as well

as in the East Room during the Time of

Fellowship. Add your heart and spirit to our

annual Thanksgiving Community Meal!

Receiving Jars and Donations

for Communion Jelly

'Tis the season for

“Communion Jelly”! To refresh

your taste buds, “Communion

Jelly” is the deep purple and

divinely sweet jelly made from

Communion grape juice, which is

not consumed on Communion Sundays. You might

say that “Communion Jelly” is a loving gift made

from lovely leftovers.

Ellen Chandler and Barb Litz, members of our

faith community, are amazingly creative “elves”

who skillfully transform leftover grape juice into

“Communion Jelly.”

Ellen and Barb need the following: 4-ounce or

8-ounce jelly-size canning jars and new lids and

bands for jelly-size canning jars. Please bring your

donations of jelly-size canning jars, plus new lids

and bands to the church and place them in the

specially designated “Communion Jelly” bin in the

East Room. Your jar donations and any monetary

donations are welcome throughout the month of

October. If you have any questions, please call the

Communion Jelly elves: Ellen Chandler

(cell: 585-330-4804) and Barb Litz

(cell: 585-519-3388).

11

2015

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Food Pantry 9-11 a.m. Weight Watchers 5:00-7:30 p.m.

2

Food Pantry 9-11 a.m.

3

4

Choir Practice 9 a.m. Worship, Communion, Sharing-the-Light

Food Collection 10 a.m.

5

Food Pantry 9-11 a.m.

Weight 6

Watchers 8:00-10:30

a.m. Food Pantry 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

7

Choir Practice 7 p.m.

8 Food Pantry 9-11 a.m. Weight Watchers 5:00-7:30 p.m.

9

Food Pantry 9-11 a.m.

10

11 Choir Practice 9 a.m. Worship 10 a.m.

12 Columbus Day-

Church Office

and Food Pantry closed Commission

Meeting 6:30 p.m.

Weight 13

Watchers 8:00-10:30

a.m. Food Pantry 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

14

Choir Practice 7 p.m.

15 Food Pantry 9-11 a.m. Weight Watchers 5:00-7:30 p.m.

16

Food Pantry 9-11 a.m. Free Class on Physical Activity 10 a.m.

17

18 Choir Practice 9 a.m. Worship 10 a.m. Living Testimony Sunday to honor Edwin Fisher New member/Inquirer

class 11:30 a.m.

19

Food Pantry 9-11 a.m.

Weight 20

Watchers 8:00-10:30

a.m. Food Pantry 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

21

Choir Practice 7 p.m.

22

Food Pantry 9-11 a.m. Weight Watchers 5:00-7:30 p.m.

23 Food Pantry 9-11 a.m. a.m.

24

25 Choir Practice 9 a.m. Worship 10 a.m. Sacrament of Baptism Confirmation Inquiry Class 11:30 a.m. Fellowship Hall

26

Food Pantry 9-11 a.m.

Weight 27

Watchers 8:00-10:30

a.m. Food Pantry 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

28

Choir Practice 7 p.m.

29

Food Pantry 9-11 a.m. Weight Watchers 5:00-7:30 p.m

30 Food Pantry 9-11 a.m. a.m.

31

12

The United Church of Warsaw

Presbyterian (U.S.A.) and

United Church of Christ (Congregational)

10-22 South Main Street

PO Box 205

Warsaw, NY 14569

Worship Service: Sundays at 10 a.m.

Sunday School 10:20 a.m.

Please join us! All are welcome!

585-786-3868

ucwarsaw@frontiernet.net

www.ucwarsaw.org

Octoberfest Faith Happenings

on

Sunday Mornings at 10 a.m.

in

The United Church of Warsaw * * * * *

October 4 – Gospel According to Bees and Holy Communion

October 11 – What's in a Name? (Lord's Prayer - Sermon #3)

October 18 – Living Testimony Sunday to Honor Mr. Edwin Fisher

October 25 – God's Rule and God Rules (Lord's Prayer Sermon #4)

and Sacrament of Baptism

Join your Family of Faith on Sunday mornings!