November ‘08 Forecaster
Monday, November 3rd, 2008THE “FRIENDLY FIRST”
F O R E C A S T E RFirst Baptist Church
124 Main Street
Brockport, NY 14420
Telephone: 585-637-9770
Church E-mail: brockportfirstbaptist@frontiernet.net
Church Web Add: brockportfirstbaptist.org
Rev. Joanne Gilbert-Cannon, Pastor
Dear Members and Friends:
I love autumn. I love it especially now that I have my beautiful granddaughter,
Autumn A. Janelle Cannon. She is so precious to
me and on her day of birth the sun rose in the morning sky big and
orange out the window and I watched it rise as I gave witness to
her entrance into this world. It makes me love the color orange
and the leaves turning shades of pink and red. It reminds me once
again that the seasons come and they go. Things change. Autumn
grows. She will be six soon. Where did it go?…The time that is.
Change is all around us especially this fall. And most of it is scary.
An election where the best and the worst in human behavior has
been plastered across the printed and broadcast media leaves us
divided. We have witnessed all the “isms” of a society entrenched
in fear; racism, sexism, ageism. We have seen how we like to
victimize those who are stuck in poverty, again and again. Job loss,
investment loss and our rising cynicism with our government has
fostered a growing lack of trust, a sense of desperation and anger.
And…it’s autumn, announcing change and the coming of winter
once again. Perhaps if we think of the cycle of birth and life and
death, we could see this time of change as a time of chaos before
creativity, an ending of one thing to give birth to a new thing.
Maybe it’s a brand new time for people of faith to be heard saying,
“no, war is not the only way for people to solve national problems”,
or maybe we need a year of Jubilee to remember that we are called
to SERVE the poor and the disenfranchised among us. Could God
be at work in the midst of all of this saying, remember me? Isn’t
Jesus the one who came to bring peace, not the world’s kind with
assurances of wealth, and an abundance of things, but a different
kind of peace that passes all human understanding? Could we
together this autumn give witness to the fact that God loves us and
invites us all to the table of our Lord Jesus Christ even in the midst
of fear and pain and loss?
Truth is, I never really loved the fall until the birth of my Autumn-
girl. She pointed me in a new direction. She brought joy with her
and showed me that beautiful life happens out of the darkest night
and that God is present in both. I don’t have faith because of
Autumn but God worked through the circumstances of her birth to
show me that no matter what, hope lives and God loves.
I hope that we can all discover anew that kind of peace and hope
and love that God brings. I pray that we can open our hearts to
share it with everyone we meet.
Thankfully yours,
I am,
Joanne, your new pastor
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AUTUMN
When Autumn blends her colors
In a panoramic view
Over fields, woods and hillsides
In variegated hue,
We stand and gaze in wonder
At the lavishness arrayed
In the beauty and the vastness
Of God’s handiwork displayed.
–Ottis Shirk
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INVITATION TO THE INAUGURATION
How would you like to receive an invitation to the upcoming
inauguration? Exciting? Intriguing? Well here it is!
Only we’re calling it an invitation to an installation - the
ceremonial appointment of the Rev. Joanne Gilbert-Cannon as our
pastor. Just like the President, she is called primarily to serve. And
just like the President, she went through a l-o-n-g review process to
get here. But she’s here, thankfully, and this service of installation
will put our final endorsement on her selection.
To cap it off, we’re also combining the service with a community-
wide service of Thanksgiving to celebrate the season. Lots of your
friends will be there too. There’s lots to celebrate.
The service will take place:
Sunday, November 23, at 3:30 PM.
A joyous reception will follow. Please plan to come and
participate!
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THANKSGIVING DINNER
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9th - 12 NOON
Please join us for a special time of thanksgiving, good company
and great food! Remember to sign up on the bulletin board in the
foyer, and let our cooks know how many will be attending. Please
bring your own table service. If you would like to help with a pie
for dessert, you may sign up on the sheet provided.
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BOARD OF MISSIONS
Thank you to all who supported the Cameron Community Dinner
with cookies and other items. It was appreciated!
“Matt’s Coats for Kids” program has provided a box for the
donation of hats, coats, mittens, and gloves to be distributed to area residents.
Please help if you can contribute any items for this
project. The box is in Shannon Hall and will be available until
11/14. Thank you.
Any donations for the Clothing Shelf can be placed in the big
Blue box near the Food Shelf donation area. This box is labeled
“Clothing Shelf Donations” for your convenience.
Angel Food Ministry menu is available on the Mission
Bulletin Board and by link from the church website.
Items of critical need from the Cameron Community wish list
Are as follows: -coffee & powdered creamer, -blankets, sheets,
pillows, comforters (full, queen & king sizes), -bath towels, -pots &
pans, silverware & dishes, -personal feminine hygiene items.
Cameron Community provides gifts to guests at Christmas lunch
and is looking for items such as: -small appliances, like toasters,
mixers, blenders, or coffeemakers, -small dish sets, silverware sets,
or pot & pan sets, -blankets, bed pillows, or sheet sets in full, queen,
or king size, -men’s & women’s bathrobes, and for men, especially
-tool sets, fleece or fleece lined gloves.
FOOD SHELF:
Thank you for your generous donations to the holiday food
baskets being prepared by the Food Shelf. You ongoing
contributions are also appreciated.
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Our sympathy is extended to the family
Of Elinor Berry who died October 8th.
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Our congratulations to:
Dick and Karen Avery on the birth of their grandson, Bryce Jakub Avery on
October 9th. The parents are David and Michelle Avery.
Ron and Barb McCauley on the birth of their grandson, Andrew Mark McCauley
in October. Parents are Mark and Tari McCauley.
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I would like to thank the church members for their prayers and cards while I was
recuperating from my recent surgery.
Barb Sherwood
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Please pray for the following people Betty Coopenberg, Donna Smith, Bob Griffiths,
Harry Beaver, Betty Bemis, and Allen Fahmer.
Please remember the Revive Alive Leadership Team in your prayers.
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NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
1 Danielle Lehman 15 Ed Daggs
2 Gretchen Beaver 16 Justin Holberton
3 Betty Daggs 17 Hannah Smith
4 Gary Simboli 20 Abby Spielman
6 Eunice Chesnut 21 Ariel Green
David Tobin 23 Cindy Lou Lee
7 Andy Lage Barb VanHerreweghe
8 Bill Emler Norm Wadman
Mary Way 24 Brad Smith
9 Greg Howland 25 Mike Lage
Logan O’Connor Thomas Colaprete
10 Whitney Sloan 26 Jacob O’Connor
13 Joyce McCullough 27 James Flinn
Harry Donahue Joey D’Angiolillo
14 Carol Bittles 30 Carl Hottmann
ANNIVERSARIES
20 Ed & Betty Daggs
26 Walt & Jennie Johnson
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CHURCH LIBRARY NEWS
New Books Added:
Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller wrote two historical fiction books
that take place in the 1,000 Islands and Rochester.
Book 1 A Daughter’s Inheritance
Book 2 An Unexpected Love
Bruce Feiler who wrote Walking the Bible has written Abraham - a
journey to the heart of three faiths.
New children’s book: Tomie dePaola
Book of the Old Testament
Please remember to sign items out of the library by putting your
name on the card and placing it in the file box. Please return to
the desk so that I can check them in.
Thank you,
Charlotte Wright
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It’s NEW
WHAT: A BOOK group is forming.
WHEN: Wednesday nights from 6-7 (you can still go to choir)
beginning Wednesday, October 29.
WHO: ANYONE WHO WANTS TO! No need to sign up,
just show up when you can.
WHERE: At First Baptist Church of Brockport
WHY: To learn new “stuff”, have lively discussion, fellowship
And have companionship while eating your supper.
(Which you need to bring with you in an appropriate
container, bag, box, etc.)
FIRST BOOK: THE SHACK, by William Paul Young
SECOND BOOK: Beginning November 19th
SAME KIND OF DIFFERENT AS ME, by
Ron Hall & Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent
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OUTREACH COMMITTEE NEWS
The November Gathering Table dinner will be held on Sunday,
November 16. Serving times will be 2:30-4:30 p.m., and the menu is
a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. We look forward to continuing to
have assistance from the congregation as we reach out to the greater
Brockport community in fellowship. Please watch the Outreach
bulletin Board for opportunities to help.
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TRUSTEE REPORT
The Trustees are looking at a number of projects the most pressing
of which is finishing Rev. Joanne’s office. We also would like to
look into the ladies room in the basement. If anyone has any ideas
on how it should be upgraded or would like to help please contact
one of the Trustees. It has been brought to our attention that items
belonging to other Boards or have been donated to the church by
someone have been removed from the church without permission.
Prior to moving or removing anything please bring it to the Trustees
so we can look into it and check with the appropriate Board prior to
its removal or relocation. We are going to be into the winter months
very soon. We are looking into a different service for the sidewalks.
If you are planning any event at the church please be sure to submit
a church use form so the event can be put on the calendar so the
sidewalks can be cleaned. If there are any questions on this please
contact Barbara Sherwood or Alan Way. If you see anything broken
or needing repair or replacement please contact one of the Trustees.
Also as a reminder there are tables and chairs in the garage available
for use by the members. Please sign them out in advance with a
Trustee. The Roofers will be coming very soon for the annual
inspection and to make repairs. Just as a reminder the Chairman of
Trustees is Alan Way, the Co-Chairperson is Barbara Sherwood
along with Bud Lage and Craig Raleigh.
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FAIRPORT HOMES
CHRISTMAS STOCKING NEEDS
A list of Christmas stocking needs is posted on the hall bulletin
Board and your donations to this project would be appreciated. They
need to be provided for the December 5 meeting at Fairport - a box
is in Shannon Hall for contributions, which will be picked up on
Nov. 30. The Christmas stocking needs are as follows: Knee Socks,
Thigh-Hi Socks, Knee-Hi Stockings, Men’s Socks, Comb & Brush
Set, All-Occasion Cards, Deodorant, After-Shave Lotion, Stamps,
Stationery, Jewelry, Lotions, Bath Powder, Nail Kit, Nail Polish,
Puzzles, Cologne, and Hair Decorations.
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TRUSTEES
The Chairperson of Trustees would like to remind the
members that there are old tables in the garage that can be borrowed
for events outside of church. There are chairs available also. The
Trustees and Church Council decided when the new tables and chairs
were purchased that they would not leave the church. This included
events on the front lawn for any church event such as sales. We do
hope old tables will be used there. The Board would also like people
to remember if anything is being borrowed from the church to please
speak with a Trustee. We would again wish to thank everyone for
their support on the many projects this past year and also everyone’s
patience while the new sound system was being fine-tuned. Training
will begin very soon for all interested.
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USHER SCHEDULE
By Alan C.Way, Usher Chairperson
The Head Usher for November will be Laurelynn Gurnett.
The following church members are scheduled for the following Sundays.
Nov. 2nd - Team F - Cindy Lage, Bud Lage,Craig Raleigh & Curt Raleigh.
Nov. 9th & 16th - Team G - Dick & Karen Avery, Alex & Nancy Bagoly.
Nov. 23rd & 30th - Team H - Donna Smith, Bryan Carter, Larry Carter & Ruth Bird.
Contact Laurelynn Gurnett if you cannot usher on your assigned Sunday/s or the
Usher Chairman if you are unable to contact Laurelynn. Laurelynn’s phone number is
637.3278.Laurelynn will be needing extra ushers for the special service Sunday
afternoon November 23rd. Please speak with Laurelynn if you can help.
The Head Usher for December will be Alan Way.
The following church members are scheduled for the following Sundays.
December 7th - Team A - Fran Fuller, Ann Hazen, Barb Hanf & Joan Martin.
December 14th -Team B - Dave & Mary Ann Knapp, Joan Raleigh & Lucille Raleigh
December 21st - Team C - Ron Allen, Laurie Gurnett, Charlie McCullough & Barbara Sherwood
December 28th - Team D - Alan Way, David Ryan, Bruce Spielman & John Leibe
Contact Alan Way if you cannot usher on your assigned Sunday. Alan’s phone number is
637.6127.
We will be hosting the late Christmas Eve Service this year. Alan will need ushers
for this service. Please contact him if you can help.
If anyone is unable to usher on his or her scheduled Sunday please call the scheduled Head Usher
for that month by Friday. If you cannot reach the scheduled Head Usher call Alan Way the
Usher Chairman at 637-6127.
We are still looking for someone that would like to train as a backup Head Usher to help if needed.
Please talk to me any Sunday at church for more information.
We are also going to need a number of new people this next year. If interested speak to me any
Sunday. If you are not presently an Usher and would like to help please see me.
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LIGHT
When Jesus said, “I am the light of the world,”
He spoke of the unseen power of God
Which would come to our spirits through Him,
Enabling us to do God’s will.
The Bible suggests that we, too, can be light,
When we become channels of God’s power,
To touch some area of human need.
God’s plan for the activity of love
Is to share it with all of mankind.
–Jeanne Birrell