THE MESSENGER

A COMMUNICATION MINISTRY OF
CHRIST CHURCH, DUANESBURG, NEW YORK

NOVEMBER 2015

Photo by Christine Chandler

RECTORS REFLECTIONS

ear Friends in Christ,

Earlier this year I traveled with a team from Lake Placid and other
parts of our state to the Dominican Republic to bring medical care to the
people of the small village of Gautier in the Dominican Republic. While all
the team members travel at their own expense, we do rely on the support
of others to provide the medical supplies we take with us. Last year the
parish was very generous in supporting this mission.

INSIDE
Rectors Reflections

Operation Christmas

View from the Pew

Healing Christian Healing 3-4

Next February I will again be traveling to the Dominical Republic to serve
as priest and translator. If you would like to support our efforts, here are
some ideas of the items we will need. The items will be collected between
now and the end of January.
Canes/Walkers/Crutches: We do collect these items. They must be in
good shape of course.

News & Notes

Parish Schedule

Ladies Auxiliary Party

Calendar

The Discovery Series

Medicine: We do collect medicines such as antifungal creams, children's

vitamins, adult vitamins, hydrocortisone creams and antibiotic ointments.
We also collect Tylenol, Ibuprofen and aspirin. Any medicine that is collected for the 2016 mission CANNOT
OUTDATE BEFORE MARCH 2017. Our meds have to be a year out as far as outdates go.
Personal Care Items: We collect and make "personal care bags". Use a quart sized zip lock bag. We typically
put one of each of the following in each bag: Travel sized soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothbrush,
toothpaste and washcloth, or any combination of these items. They don't have to be exact.
Donations of $$: Yes we do need $$$ as well. Donation checks should be made out to "St. Eustace Church"
and mailed to St. Eustace Church 2450 Main St. Lake Placid, NY 12946.
Your prayers and support are appreciated.
Yours in Christ,

Bill

CHRIST CHURCH
DUANESBURG
NEW YORK

Operation Christmas Child

Collection Date: November 22, 2015
(Shoeboxes available in the Parish Hall.)
And the king will answer

Last year we sent 34 boxes to

them, 'Truly I tell you, just as

children throughout the world!

you did it to one of the least of

Lets see if we can beat that

these who are members of my

number this year!

family, you did it to me.'

(Matthew 25: 40)

Deacon Debbie

VIEW FROM THE PEW

Give Back

ovember is National Family Caregivers

Month, when we pay tribute to the more
than 65 million Americans who provide
care for those unable to care for themselves.
Some are adult children tending to aging parents.
Others are private nurses hired to lend a hand.
Parent raising kids with disabilities, loving neighbors
or close friends In They can be grandparents
raising grandchildren, parents raising kids with
disabilities, loving neighbors or close friends And
whether the caregivers you know come from
church groups, local charities or your own
backyard, they all deserve at least a months
worth of thanks. Without further ado heres a list of
ways to celebrate The National Caregivers
Association. (NFCA)
1. Offer caregiver a few hours of respite time
so he or she can relax or spend time with
friends. Enlist local community centers to
volunteer support, such as transportation help
to help free up a caregivers time.
2. Send a letter or card of appreciation or a
bouquet of flowers.
3. Encourage local business to offer a free
service to caregivers throughout a month.
4. Help decorate a caregivers home for the
holidays or offer to address envelopes for his or
her holiday cards.
5. Give a caregiver tickets to a local comedy
club, or your favorite funny movie or book.

6. Find 12 photos of the caregivers family and

friends. Make a special calendar he or she
can use to keep track of appointments and
events.
7. Offer to prepare Thanksgiving dinner.
8. Encourage decision makers at your place of
worship to ask for prayers for the ill and those
who care for them. See if they can create
certificates of appreciation to be filled out by
care recipients.
9. Start a caregiver support network or buddy
system. It would give caregivers in the area an
opportunity to meet and lend each other
support.
10. Identify the help caregivers need most.
Organize a volunteer network to respond to
those needs.
11. Encourage a community organization to
sponsor a healthcare equipment loan
program. Members may have canes,
wheelchairs, commodes and other expensive
equipment they no longer need.
12. Help a caregiver find new educational
materials and support through the NFCA
website, thefamilycaregiver.org
13. Honor caregivers with an event that
recognizes their contribution and provides
them with the opportunity to have some fun
(Your Retirement Advisor, Church Pension Fund)

You are all always in my prayers.

In His love and Peace,

Doris J. Weiler

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NOVEMBER 2015

HEALING CHRISTIAN HEALING

Moving beyond the cheap hope of miracle cures to a more honestand more biblical
by Katherine Willis Pershey
understanding of Christian healing.

hen I hear the word healing, I think of

it in medical terms. I think of doctors
who diagnose sickness, treat injuries,
research diseases, and work to prevent the
onset of pain and illness. I think of state-of-theart cardiac units and Doctors without Borders. I
think of amoxicillin (despite the fact that it gives
me hives).
When I hear the phrase Christian healing,
however, my mind switches channels to the
worst of what religious broadcasting has to
offer. A lot of hucksters out there dangle the
promise of miraculous cures to those who would
just summon the faith to buy them.
There is never a lack of suffering in
this world, and with the right
balance of illusion and charisma,
con artists can make big bucks by
exploiting it.
Likewise, I fret about the
theologies that have inculcated in
believers a distrust of traditional
medicine. As much as I want to
tolerateor better yet, honor
different faith traditions, I am
always saddened by stories of
people refusing basic health care interventions
because they believe their sicknesses are part
of Gods planthat God, not the physician,
should be the one to determine whether or not
they will be made well.
Healing as a practice of the Christian faith
well, it needs to be healed.
At the heart of the Christian story is this
conviction: God wants us to be whole. God
wants us to be restored, redeemed, reborn into
the fullness of who we were created to be.
God wants this for each of us, and God
wants this for all of us, for all of creation. We
know this for the same reason we know who
God is: because Gods Son, Jesus Christ,
revealed it through his life and ministry.
PAGE 3

Jesus was a preacher, a teacher, and a

healer. Jesus challenged demons to flee and
commanded wounds to close. He empowered
the eyes of blind men to open and leprous skin
to be restored. Though Jesus reputation as a
healer was like a magnet for the suffering
people of Galilee, he resisted easy fame. Jesus
had a God-given authority to heal through
words and touch, and for a very important
reason.
Over the years Ive heard several preachers
declare that Jesus healed for the same reason
he shared parables with the people: he was
showing the nature of Gods
kingdom. Just as the kingdom of
heaven is like the smallest seed
that grows into the largest tree, so
is the kingdom of heaven like a
woman who touched the hem of
Jesus garment.
The womans affliction (Luke
8:4248) affected much more than
her body; her culture had strict
guidelines for cleanliness, and a
bleeding woman was considered
unclean. She could not participate
in the religious life of her community. Whats
more, anyone who came into contact with her
would also be considered ritually unclean. She
had been living in the margins for 12 years.
Barred from religious expression, denied any
human touch, and always on the brink of
death, the chronic hemorrhage had
metaphoricallyand almost literallydrained
the life of out of the woman.
And then she was caught in a radical act:
her hand reached out, clutching the edge of
Jesus garment. Her bold move posed a threat
to Jesus. Because he had been touched by an
untouchable, the very Son of God could be
labeled unclean. But the healing power flowed
from him to her, and the womans life was
saved. Her body and her role in the community

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NOVEMBER 2015

were restored. Through her faith, Jesus healed

her. The blood that had flowed from her body
for 12 years slowed and stopped, freeing her
from a life of physical and social anemia.
It bears repeating: the kingdom of heaven is
like a woman who touched the hem of Jesus
garment.
Perhaps, then, the kingdom of heaven is
also like a psychiatrist who helps a patient find
the right combination of antidepressant
medication.
When theologians talk about the kingdom
of God, they often lament that it is already but
not yet. Through his life and ministry, Jesus
planted seeds of Gods reign and expected his
followers to nurture those seeds. We see
glimpses of the kingdom of God in the
Scriptures, as Jesus moved among the people.
We see glimpses of the kingdom of God when
faithful disciples embody the compassionate
wisdom of Christ. And we see glimpses of the
kingdom when we discern Gods work in the
world. Already, but not yet.
The promise of the gospel is that we will be
healed: body, mind, and spirit. The human
community will be made whole. Suffering will
cease, and sins will be wiped away. Creation
will be restored to a realm of justice and
beauty. This is the great work that God began
through the incarnation of Jesus Christ. And in
the fullness of time, this vision of shalom will be a
reality.
As Christian people endeavoring to live a
way of life shaped by our Savior, we have work
to do. We are called to participate in the
unfolding of Gods great plan. We are called to
be healers, even as we are still wounded by loss
and pain ourselves.
The practice of Christian healing is not
about magic, and it is certainly not about
trickery. Not every disease can be cured. Not
every life can be preserved. Healing is never
about cultivating false hope.
One of the most humble healers Ive ever
encountered was a pediatrician at a local
PAGE 4

hospital whose specialty was hospice care for

children. Every young patient he treated had
been diagnosed with a terminal illness. He never
saved a single life. His job was to find ways to
alleviate his patients physical pain. It was
grueling work that could easily scour away all
hope. Yet even in a context where physical
cures were out of the question, healing
happened.
Healing moments take place every day, in
ordinary and extraordinary ways. As John
Koenig says in the book Practicing our Faith: A
Way of Life for Searching People, When we
embody Gods healing presence to others
through touch, concern, or liturgy, we take part
in Gods activity of healing the world. Sharing a
plate of cookies with a grieving family. Listening
to a stranger in crisis. Comforting a feverish
grandchild. Praying for a friend fighting cancer.
This is all holy work, healing work. And these
healing ministries, woven with the power of the
Holy Spirit, invite the kingdom of heaven to take
root even in the soil of creation.
Mere moments after his encounter with the
hemorrhaging woman, Jesus was pulled into
another moment that cried out for healing; the
daughter of a synagogue leader had died
before Jesus could intervene (Luke 8:4956). Yet
when Jesus arrived, clearly too late but still
inexplicably offering healing, the mourners
gathered around the dead girls house
laughed. They laughed at Jesus. I can only think
of one other time in the gospels when Jesus was
so blatantly mockedwhen he himself was on
the edge of death, when his own body and
spirit seemed a million miles from wholeness.
And yet the wounds of the cross were healed.
Jesus was made whole again, restored,
resurrected into new life.
Our God is a lover of life. God will transform
every tear of grief into a tear of joy. God will
forge a new beginning out of every ending. The
good news of Jesus Christ is that we will be
redeemed, we will be saved, we will be healed.
In the meantime, we hope and pray and work
for Gods gracious will to be done on earth as it
is in the kingdom of heaven.

WWW.CHRISTCHURCHDUANESBURG.ORG

NOVEMBER 2015


Christmas Outreach

NEWS & NOTES

Rummage Sale Thank You
The Ladies Auxiliary thanks everyone
who volunteered at the fall rummage
sale - thanks to all your efforts $1,200
was cleared on the sale, many folks
received much needed items, and
neighbors enjoyed an unplanned visit.

Thanksgiving Baskets
Over the next few weeks, please sign
up to contribute food items to make
baskets to be delivered to those who
are too elderly or unwell to attend
church. Baskets will be prepared
Sunday, November 22 during coffee
hour and delivered in the following
days.

Please join the Vestry and the Ladies

Guild in our Christmas outreach. We
hope to reach several families in the
community by giving them gift cards
to provide for Christmas presents and
extra food. If you wish to help, please
add your contribution to your regular
Sunday giving and be sure to mark
the outside of your envelope with the
amount you wish to designate for this
outreach. Thank you, thank you,
thank you! Our joint efforts will help
those in need.

Christmas Caroling
We are planning a Christmas carol
event for Sunday night, December
20th in the Church. Look for more
information in the next issue of the
Messenger.

Our Lady of Fatima Food

Pantry:
The food pantry, which serves up to
80 area families, is in need of the
following nonperishable food items:

Canned fruit
Pasta
Canned sweet potatoes
Juice canned or plastic bottle
Cranberry sauce
Canned gravies
Ketchup
Mayonnaise
Monetary donations if you
wish to make a donation
please put a check in the
offering with Food Pantry in
the memo line.

NOVEMBER 2015

PARISH SCHEDULE
Date

Acolyte

Greeters

11/01/2015

Sharon Mericle

Andi & Bryan

Salisbury

11/08/2015

Sandra DePoalo

Barbara Hinrichs

11/15/2015

John Weiler

11/22/2015

Jane Weyers

11/29/2015

Sharon Mericle

Phil & Jenna Sayles

12/06/2015

Sandra DePoalo

Barbara Hinrichs

Kyle & Tonya

Rudolphsen
Carm Fusco &
Barbara Heimlich

Lectors
Steve & Sherry Schrade

Tony Miller

Sandra DePoalo &

John Weiler
Marge Cummings &
Tonya Rudolphsen
Cal Weyers &
Doug Fortman
Elizabeth Iseman &
Tippe Miller
Sharon Mericle &
Barbara Hinrichs

Bryan
Salisbury

Date

Chalice

Altar Guild

11/01/2015
11/08/2015
11/15/2015
11/22/2015
11/29/2015
12/06/2015

Sharon
Sharon
Sharon
Sharon
Sharon
Elizabeth

Elizabeth Iseman
Sharon Mericle
Sharon Mericle
Linda MacDougall & Cheryl Lennox
Linda MacDougall & Cheryl Lennox
Marge Cummings & Cindy Creasy

PAGE 5

Bell Ringer

DoK
Prayers of the
People
Debbie
Sharon
Elizabeth
Debbie
Sharon
Debbie

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Sunday School

Tony Miller
Bryan
Salisbury
Tony Miller
Bryan
Salisbury

Counters
Judy Breitenstein & Tippe Miller
Sharon Mericle & Phil Sayles
Jane Weyers & Steve Schrade
Andrea Salisbury & Cindy Creasy
Judy Breitenstein & Tippe Miller
Sharon Mericle & Phil Sayles

NOVEMBER 2015

PAGE 6

WWW.CHRISTCHURCHDUANESBURG.ORG

NOVEMBER 2015


NOVEMBER 2015

BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES & EVENTS
Sunday
1 ALL SAINTS
Bible Study 9am
Holy Eucharist 10am
Sunday School 10am

Monday
2

Tuesday
3

Wednesday
4

Thursday
5

Friday
6

Ryan Moses

Sarah Langston

Sharon & Bruce

Smith

Daniel Menzies, III

11

12

Saturday
7

13

Cheryl Lennox,
Zachary Therrion

8 PENTECOST 24
Bible Study 9am
Holy Eucharist 10am
Sunday School 10am

9
Discovery Series
7pm

10

14

15 PENTECOST 25
Bible Study 9am
Holy Eucharist 10am
Sunday School 10am

16
Discovery Series
7pm

17

18
Vestry Mtg 7pm

19

20

21

22 PENTECOST 26
Bible Study 9am
Holy Eucharist 10am
Sunday School 10am

23

24

25

26 THANKSGIVING

27

28

Jessie McDougall

Cindy Skala

Cindy Creasy

Barbara Munson,
Jenna Sayles
29 ADVENT 1
Bible Study 9am
Holy Eucharist 10am
Sunday School 10am

30

Billy Chandler,
Phil Sayles

Raul Bastiani,
Linda MacDougall,
Patrick McHugh,
Tony Miller

Jeffery Hunt
6 ADVENT 2
Bible Study 9am
Holy Eucharist 10am
Sunday School 10am

7
Discovery Series
7pm

Barbara Greer

10

11

Harold Schworm

12

Steve Schrade
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NOVEMBER 2015

THE DISCOVERY SERIES:

A Christian Journey

November 9 Path to Spiritual Maturity: Spiritual Maturity & Prayer

November 16 Bible Study & Action
December 7 Our Spiritual Gifts: What Does God Want From Me?
December 14 Getting in SHAPE for Ministry
January 3 The Great Commission: What is Mission? Spreading the Good News & My Lifes
Mission
All classes begin at 7pm in the Parish Hall.

Christ Church is a worshiping community of friends, joyfully serving,

encouraging and healing others in Jesuss name.

The parish is located at:

132 Duanesburg Churches Rd,
Duanesburg, NY, on the corner of Rt.
20 and Duanesburg Churches Rd.

Rector
Fr. Bill Hinrichs (518) 608-1139
or (518) 221-3425
WilliamRHinrichs@aol.com
Wardens:
Judy Breitenstein
Phil Sayles
Vestry members:
Cindy Creasy
Sharon Mericle
Tippe Miller
Andrea Salisbury
Steven Schrade
Jane Weyers
Deacon:
Debbie Beach (518) 372-1352
or (518) 669-1898
dbeach21@verizon.net
Treasurer:
Sherry Schrade
Parish Hall Ph.: (518) 895-2383
PAGE 8

Christ Church
P.O. Box 92
Duanesburg, New York 12056-0092

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NOVEMBER 2015