Nunda Trinity Church
Newsletter Oct./Nov. 2014
This afternoon I was reading a book about the gospel account by Mark. In Mark, the emphasis
seems to be on telling the story of Jesus in a hurry. It is the shortest of the gospel accounts and focuses
more on what Jesus did than long teaching sections like the sermon on the mount that we find in
Matthew.
The Author Derek Tidball points out that a major emphasis of the book of Mark is liberation.
Being set free from health issues comes up several times, but more often the focus is on liberation from
spiritual oppression.
The word Shalom is often interpreted as “peace.” however, one could argue that translating
the word as “wholeness” in certain circumstances fits better. Perhaps Jesus came to earth to restore us
all to wholeness. As I look around there is a lot of brokenness. Our politics seem more angry and
derogatory than ever. The Middle East seems less and less able to agree about anything other than that
they will fight and fight and fight. We now face the possibilities of Ebola spreading via air transport in
terrifying scenarios. Ferguson is still not settled and we read about inequities of opportunity corruption
in all levels of government.
All the gospel accounts remind us that the twelve disciples had an invitation to follow Jesus,
to spend time with Him and learn from Him. We sometimes forget that the whole point was to then go
out and be his ambassadors to the world. We are invited into the fellowship of the church to be drawn
by God toward wholeness.
Jesus came to bring wholeness to a broken world, and we are supposed to model ourselves
after Jesus life. We are being sent out, as the disciples were, to be Jesus emissaries, carrying that
blessing of God’s healing. Your neighbor needs encouragement. Your friend needs to find hope in the
discouragement of the day. Don’t wait for a program of the church or the pastor to make it happen.
Each of us is called to be the hands and feet of God to the people around us.
As we move toward All saints day, I am reminded that we are connected to a long chain of
servants of Christ. Some had bigger responsibilities, like Martin Luther to spark a revival in the way
we perceive God’s love for us and the concept of faith. Some have seemingly smaller work to do, like
Mrs. Guerin who taught 2nd grade Sunday School to a whole raft of Duttweiler children and many,
many other kids at Millgrove Bible church. Some have a task that looks a lot more like labor than
management. Each of us is part of God’s cure for the evil in the world, that is the church acting in love.
Remember, you are God’s hands and feet to bring Shalom into the world.
Blessings,
Pastor Ron
Pastor Ron Duttweiler
Trinity Church of Nunda
PO Box 15 Nunda, NY 14517
(585) 468 – 2680
NundaTrinity.org
Worship Committee
Jack and Jackie Morgan were recognized on September 21st for their many years of musical
contributions to Trinity Church. Jack has been our church organist and choir director for forty-two
years and we look forward to another 42! After 25 years as Junior Choir Director, Jackie has retired
from that position. We are happy that she will still be the Youth Choir Director and the Hand Bell
Director. Trinity Church has been and continues to be most thankful and blessed for the musical
contributions these two people give to Trinity. They were honored with a gift certificate and a
reception following the service.
Cheryl Sanford has agreed to take over the position of Junior Choir Director. We look forward to
having her with us and hopefully for 25 years.
World Wide Communion Sunday was celebrated on October 5th, jointly with the Methodist
congregation. We met the Methodists in the street between the two churches for a meaningful
communion service. We thank both pastors for bringing these two congregations together for this
service.
Dr. Kingdon filled the pulpit on October 12th, while Pastor Ron was on vacation. It is always a joy to
have he and his wife join us.
Watch the bulletin for information regarding the community Thanksgiving service.
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Women’s Association
We are busy preparing for the annual bazaar, to be held on Saturday, November 8th.
If you are working on a project, please have it to us by the last week of October.
Sylvia Duttweiler will be working on sign-ups for the bake sale. We hope that you will be generous
with your contributions for this part of the bazaar. People REALLY love homemade pies. So start
planning on what kind you will make, along with other baked goods…..such as cookies, bread, etc.
Pickles, jams and jellies are also a big hit. We welcome men as well as ladies to bake, bake,
bake…………
Also, for the New-to-You room. If you have new or gently used items suitable for this room, please
bring them no later than the last week of October.
Thank you for all you do to help with this project….providing baked goods as well as supporting
financially.
sds
November Birthdays
11/10
11/19
11/23
11/28
11/29
Michael Severson
Judy Rakosa
Joyce Zeh
Timothy Jackson
Kathryn Gelser
November Anniversary
11/9 Sybil and Everett Strain
October Youth Schedule
Wed Oct 15 Youth Group (no free supper)
Wed. Oct. 22 Youth Group (Free supper clean-up)
Fri Oct. 24, Sat. Oct. 25 Don’t Try to Wake Him! Hand Me the Shovel KCS MS Drama Club play
Fri. Oct. 24-Sat Oct. 25 (10pm-7am) Wake the Dawn! Youth event at Houghton w/live music, sports,
games, food, & human foosball
Wed. Oct. 29 Youth Group (free supper clean-up)
October Youth News
On October 12 we are starting ch. 4 of The Story: Teen Edition, which “presents the Bible as one
continuing story of God and His People”. Anyone who doesn't have a copy and would like one, contact
Julie and we'll get you one by the following Sunday.
The teens decided they wanted to earn incentive points for the following:
Attendance, bringing a friend, Key Question from previous week, Review Game winner (by team),
Service Points, Fear Factor points, and completing “church notes”.
Service Points are earned for participating in the church service through choir, doing the second
scripture reading, ushering, or greeting. Fear Points are earned by performing a vocal or instrumental
solo, lectoring, or preaching the sermon. The list grows as the teen think of ideas. Those with the top 5
points, as well as the person with the best attendance receive $15 movie theater gift cards.
Youth Group
You may see our teens at free suppers, or working at fundraisers such as bake sale, car wash, and
church bazaar. Recently you may have seen them playing giant kickball in the yard by the manse, or
on the Trinity Facebook page kayaking (thanks to James Stoufer for the lesson, and Tim and Tina for
the use of the pond). On October 4 we took a group of 19 teens and 9 adults, including the Ohio
Duttweiler cousins, to see Tenth Avenue North and Matt Maher in concert at Houghton College.
As they participate in service-oriented activities, and fun events, our goal is that the teens would be
learning to give and receive the love of Christ in word and deed.
Honored to serve to and with the teens**Frank and Julie
Frank cell (585) 576-8272
Home/Julie cell (585) 576 4276
franksimone66@yahoo.com
jzoozoo@yahoo.com
A Venerable Picnic Basket
Rev. and Mrs. Lloyd Demcoe served the First Baptist Church of Nunda from 1959 to 1967. During
those years a summer picnic was celebrated annually. Robert and Barbara Conklin would get their
family of two girls and one boy up at 6:00a.m., put breakfast in their car and stop at the church for that
picnic basket too. The Demcoes and the Conklins would cross the Genesee River at Portageville , turn
at the sign for Letchworth Park and continue until reaching Tea Table Rock. This is a beautiful spot
high above the river valley with sufficient rock tables and seating for the congregation.
A table would be cleared and readied for breakfast together with both families. They would always
arrive early as no tables were reserved. So it was first there might have the picnic area to themselves.
Then they remained in place waiting for others to arrive.
When others arrived, tables had been prepared for seating and eating, picnic baskets had been
brought to the area and all was readied. A worship service would be held. The large picnic basket from
the church was made ready. It contained glass communion cups as well as two plates of squares of
bread. The cups were filled and communion was celebrated. After this service, the congregation
enjoyed church together, the beauty of their picnic area and their picnic lunches as well as their time
together.
When the picnic ended, all returned to Nunda. Undoubtedly, the Conklins washed and dried the
communion utensils, replaced them in the large picnic basket and returned the basket to its spot atop
the refrigerator in the church kitchen. Here it was in sight of everyone. However, because it was
above eye level, no one observed it there or moved it from its place. No one, that is, until July 2014
when the church kitchen was remodeled. The picnic basket was moved to the Nunda Historical Society
for a permanent home.
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ATTENTION PARENTS & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
The Northeast Christian College Fair is coming back to Rochester, NY! Over 20 Christian colleges
will be present. The fair will be held Tues., Oct. 21 from7-9pm at the Charles Finney School, 2070
Five Mile Line Road, Penfield, NY 14526. More information about the fair can be found at
www.NACCAP.ORG. Parents and students are encouraged to attend – bring a friend too. Questions
about the college fair should be directed to the Office of Admissions at Robert Wesleyan College. (585594-6400.
TOUCHING IN CHURCH
What is all this touching in church? It used to be that a person could come to church and sit in the
pew and not be bothered by all this friendliness and certainly not by touching.
I used to come to church and leave untouched. Now I have to be nervous about what is expected
of me. I have to worry about responding to the person sitting next to me.
Oh, I wish it could be the way it used to be: I could just ask the person next to me. “How are
you?” And the person could answer, “Oh just fine”. And we would both go home...strangers who have
known each other for 20 years.
But now the minister asks us to look at each other. I am worried about the hurt look I saw in that
woman's eyes.
Now I am upset because the lady next to me cried and then apologized and said cause I was so
kind and that she needed a friend right now. Now I have to get involved. Now I it was be have t suffer
when this community suffers. Now I have to be more than a person coming to observe a service.
That man last week told me I would never know how much I had touched his life. All I did was
smile and tell him I understood what it was to be lonely.
Lord, I am not big enough to touch and be touched. The stretching scares me. What if I
disappoint somebody? What if I am too pushy? What if I cling too much? What if somebody ignores
me?
Oh Lord, be here beside me. You touch me, Lord, so that I can touch and be touched. So that I
can care and be cared for. So that I can share my life with all these others that belong to you. All this
touching in church, Lord, it is changing me.