TRINITY TIMES
April/May 2013
Trinity Church of Nunda
Affiliated with the American Baptist Churches, USA
and the Presbyterian Church, USA
“Thoughts from the Pastor”
This month I was thinking about the new pope.
Cardinal Dolan, having voted in the process of choosing the new pope was interviewed on ABC news. He said,
the church is not in the business of being “in touch” with popular opinion.
“Sometimes by nature, the Church has got to be out of touch with concerns, because we’re always supposed to be
thinking of the beyond, the eternal, the changeless,” Dolan said. “Our major challenge is to continue in a credible
way to present the eternal concerns to people in a timeless attractive way.”
Ed Morrisey in his April 1 posting noted that the world finds this hard to understand.
“This focus on issue-driven polling and religious teachings continues the kind of media approach that became very
apparent during the papal conclave. The pundits seem confused as to the purpose of religious faith in general, and
the Catholic Church and the papacy in particular.
They want to keep applying paradigms suited for popular governance to institutions that exist to teach eternal truth
— because whether or not one believes in the teachings of the Catholic Church or any other religious doctrine,
that’s what they claim to teach. That is why most of them missed what actually was at stake in the Vatican this
month, and what the outcome actually means.
The debate over legalizing SSM makes perfect sense in the popular governance/election paradigm. As people
change their minds on any question of government policy, the relative popularity of each position has great
significance for politicians and political parties. For religious institutions, though, that’s at best a secondary issue,
and only relevant to whether or not effective catechism (teaching of the faith) is taking place.”
The underlined sentence describes how our world often works. The Christian life and theology however, is defined
by God’s truth expressed in the Scriptures. God is not like the shifting sands upon which modern society is built.
God is steadfast in His holiness and in His faithfulness, and in His unfailing love.
Morrisey continues: A religion that changes doctrine based on popular opinion becomes a club with a high namerecognition value, and has no real long-term purpose.
The issue at the papal conclave was never about whether to change doctrine on marriage. It was about improving
how the church communicates the Gospel, whether or not one finds it “in touch” with current popular opinion.
Upon the constancy of God’s truth, we build our theology. In the face of an ever changing culture, we often
modify our methods of delivery (such as email instead of scrolls) to try to communicate God’s Truth in ways that
can be understood by those in our current time. But we don’t modify the revelation of God to fit the current whim.
We pray for God’s wisdom in expressing the depth of his unimaginable love in a world that struggles to accept such
a simple concept as right and wrong. My prayer is that each of us might be instruments of God’s love to those
around us.
Blessings of Peace,
Pastor Ron
Please remember our folks in prayer: Pat Budd, Sylvia Duttweiler, Bub Duttweiler, Meghan Lowell, Edie Krotz.
Our sympathies are with Doris Guenther and her family as they mourn Dick's passing. Let Pastor Ron know of
others who need to be added to our prayers!
Worship Committee
The Lenten season has finished with Easter Sunday and communion. Many of you shared lilies for the Easter
Sunday morning service, thus making the sanctuary look special and smell nice. We thank you for sharing. Two
Lenten services were held at Trinity. Mrs. Morgan and her Jr. Choir provided the music for the March 3rd service,
and as usual did a great job to a full house. A reception followed. Rob & Wendy Jacobson from Houghton
provided the music for the March 17th service. They have been with us many times, and it is always a delight to be
inspired by their music.
All of the choirs provided the special music for Psalm Sunday, with the Jr. Choir waving palms. A One Great Hour
of Sharing dinner was held following the service, with “stone” soup being the main part of the meal.
Many special services will be coming up – Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Graduation recognition and of course the
Sunday school picnic. Watch the bulletin for upcoming information.
As a matter of interest, there is an adult downstairs in the dining room during the morning worship service for the
safety of our children. Also, all outside doors are locked, except the front door) as the beginning of the service –
again for the safety of our children. If you would be willing to take a Sunday downstairs, please let Chad Snyder
know.
If you have concerns regarding anything in the Worship service, please let any member of the committee know or
the Pastor.
sds
…..................................................................................................................................................................
God Bless You
I asked the Lord to bless you
As I prayed for you today
To guide you and protect you
As you go along your way...
His love is always with you
His promises are true,
You know in all our struggles
He will see us through
So when the road you're traveling on
Seems difficult at best
Take a moment, say a prayer
And God will do the rest.
Women’s Association
Women’s Association is making preparations to begin the bazaar workshops. The first one will be held on April 8th
, from 9 to 11, and will be followed by the Association’s monthly meeting at 11:00. We invite all the ladies of the
church to join us for the workshop and/or the meeting.
Several receptions have been held lately as well as the One Great Hour of Sharing dinner. These events were
covered by the different committees within the association. We greatly appreciate this service in our church.
Women’s Association is once again participating in the preparation of Hygiene Kits for Church World Service.
These kits are sent around the world in times of disaster. Many were used during the storm in the New York area
and many spots around the world. Will you please consider putting together some of these kits? Items for these
kits can be found fairly cheap in the dollar stores. The following items make up a kit:
1.
2.
3.
4.
One hand towel, approx. 16”x28”
One washcloth
One wide-tooth comb
One nail clipper
5. One bar of soap (bath size left in wrapper)
6. One toothbrush (in original package, no
toothpaste)
7. Six standard size Band-Aids
A $2 shipping fee may be enclosed if you are so inclined. All items go in a one-gallon plastic bag with a zipper
enclosure (remove excess air from bag) and bring to church by April 14th.
There is much need in the world for these kits – your help will be appreciated.
Many thanks to all for helping when called upon for our various projects.
sds
…..................................................................................................................................................................
Life is a Gift
Today before you say an unkind word – Think of someone who cannot speak.
Before you complain about the taste of your food – Think of someone who has nothing to eat.
Before you complain about your husband or wife – Think of someone who's crying out to God for a companion
Today before you complain about your children – Think of someone who deserves children but are barren.
Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn't clean – Think of the people who are living in the street.
Before you think of pointing a finger or condemning another – Remember that not one of us is
without error and we all will answer the Divine.
And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down – Put a smile on your face and Thank God that
you are alive.
Email Addresses
Pastor:
The Rev. Ronald Duttweiler
(Pastor Ron)
PastorRon@nundatrinity.org
Youth Pastor:
Frank Simone
YouthPastor@nundatrinity.org
Clerk of Council:
Susan Zeh
Clerk@nundatrinity.org
Secretary:
Carol Pierce
Secretary@nundatrinity.org
Sunday School Superintendent:
Jackie Morgan
Superintendent@nundatrinity.org
Treasurers:
Jack Morgan, Treasurer
Ann Crandall, Assistant Treasurer
Treasurer@nundatrinity.org
AssistantTreasurer@nundatrinity.org
Music Director:
Jack Morgan
MusicDirector@nundatrinity.org
Junior, Youth & Bell Choir Director:
Jackie Morgan
ThreeChoirs@nundatrinity.org
Trinity News Letter Editor:
Wendy Downey
NewsLetter@nundatrinity.org
Prayer Chain Contact:
Reverend Duttweiler
PrayerChain@nundatrinity.org
Civil War Flag News
As you may know, we have sent letters to various organizations and informed the public through the Mt.
Morris Shopper. Response has been positive and about $1200 has been collected thus far from organizations and
individuals. The overall cost to preserve the flag is $7300 and Trinity Church of Nunda will retain the ownership,
while being able to share it with the community. We should be moving forward with fundraisers in the near future
as well as sharing the information in the local newspapers. Council has decided that the church will pay the balance
in anticipation of funds coming in through fundraisers and donations. Any thoughts from church members are
welcome, too.
We will continue to update. Thank you for your support!
Steve Rapp
Carol Pierce
Marge Foose
Sally Hall
Trinity Church Memorial Stained Glass Windows
“The Good Shepherd” Window Memorial
HSD
The first brick Baptist Church
Dedicated in 1842, burned September 23, 1917
There have been two sets of stained glass memorial windows. The first set was in the first brick building,
erected in 1841, but the windows were not installed until 1893. They had been in place only a short time when a
high wind blew in one of the west windows which struck a stove and was shattered. It was the window dedicated to
Rev. Whitman Metcalf and was to be replaced. A window opposite it on the east side was repaired.
One window was to be dedicated to A. Judson Barrett, who had been principal of the Nunda Literary
Institute which was housed in the first building of the Baptist Society – a frame building located at the NE corner of
Church and Mill Streets which burned in 1859. Barrett was the father of Helen Barrett Montgomery, who was well
known for her work in a Rochester church and elsewhere. A committee of his former students was to raise the
money for the window. This very likely was done.
In 1917 when extensive repairs and alterations had been made to the basement of the first brick building,
fire broke out at about 2:00 on the Sunday morning the basement was to be reopened, and completely gutted the
building destroying the windows. It has not been determined how many of the windows in the present building
bear the same names as the earlier ones. There are none in Barrett's memory.
The new building was erected in 1918-1919 and was dedicated with a 3-day ceremony in July 1919 which
also marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of the church.
Other memorials previous to 1967 include a bequest under the will of Mrs. Julia Hitchcox Paine. A
newspaper item published after her death stated that the Baptist Church was a beneficiary under her will but did not
specify in what way. She undoubtedly was responsible for the Hitchcox memorial window but may also have
contributed something of a monetary nature as did Thomas C. Bennett.
The late Fred L. Dake also was a generous contributor. The church is named as a residuary legatee of his
estate upon final settlement and he gave liberally for the construction of the beautiful dome in the ceiling of the
sanctuary.
The communion set is thought to have been a gift also but whether or not it was a memorial we cannot say.
There may have been other unrecorded memorials. At one time church membership exceeded 500.
The burned church was so quickly replaced, but how could the congregation manage to pay for such a large
stained glass window as “The Good Shepherd”? Clarence E. Koppe, in his autobiography Tink of Nunda tells that
when the church burned, “The heat melted the rim of the bell” which ruined it as a bell “...but enough of the metal
was salvaged to pay for the largest of the stained glass windows in the church.
“The Good Shepherd” window on the west wall of the sanctuary is dedicated to Norman and Timothy Stone.
Norman (1831-1917) and Timothy (d. 1908) were brothers. Their father, Herman Stone(1806-1891) was an
evangelist and came to this area from East Henrietta, settling on Oak Hill. He bequeathed his property to support
the gospel in foreign lands. His grandson, Norman Keyes, and his wife were foreign missionaries for a number of
years, going to Africa in 1896, soon after their marriage.
Norman and Timothy Stone married sisters. Norman's wife was Katherine Davy (1845-1904). Timothy's
wife was Sophronia Davy (1854/1855-1932). Another sister of Katherine and Sophronia Davy was Sophia Smith.
Mila A. Stone, a sister of Norman and Timothy, married Fayeette Keyes, Jan. 18, 1856. They were the
parents of Norman Keyes, the missionary. Their other children were Byron, who married Jennie Green (July 21,
1898) and Hattie, who married Charles M. Turner (Dec. 11, 1899). Byron and Jennie were the parents of Bernice
Keyes Tunningley who lived in the homestead on Oak Hill. An infant son died in 1902.
Mila's son, Rev. Norman Keyes (1863-1932), married Alice Howard in 1896, and died in Africa after
serving as a missionary most of his married life. Three children were born to Norman and Alice Keyes. One, a son,
died in South Africa in 1910 at the age of 6. The others were Howard and Ruth.
Timothy Stone, son of Herman, married Sophronia Davy in 1874. Their only child was Cora (1878-1970).
She and Roy J. Cudebec were married June 19, 1901. They were parents of four children – Clarence who died in
1961; Ruth (Mrs. Paul Griswold) who died in 1971; Louise (Mrs. Harold Hauser) and Sidney, neither of whom lives
in Nunda.
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Stone moved from their farm to the house at 13 Gibbs St. when they reached
“retirement age”. Their daughter Cora Cudebec and family first lived in the house recently owned by Miss Helen
Halstead at 10 Seward St., then moved next door to the Couture house (now owned by Heath and Kristie
Cartwright), which had been the home of two generations of Davidsons named on one of the Presbyterian Church
windows.
Mrs. Stone and her daughter, Cora, could both be classed as “pillars of the church”. Mrs. Cudebec, who was
possessed of a fine soprano voice, sang in the Baptist choir many years and was active in the Sunday School and
other church affairs a long time. Mrs. Stone, who is remembered as a very dignified white-haired lady, was an
influential member nearly all of her 77 years. She was born in 1854 and died Oct. 10, 1932.
Rev. J. J. Keyes, the Baptist pastor who followed Rev. Metcalf in 1863, was a relative of the Stones and
Keyes.
Compiled by Marjorie C. Frost & Nunda Town Historian, 1980
Youth Group Focus – MISSIONS
Some things we’ve learned about missions this semester:
 Missions can be done anywhere – across the globe or in my own
neighborhood
 I don’t have to give up things I’m passionate about to do missions. God
wants me to use my talents and interests to honor Him and to reach others!
 I don’t have to be perfect; God will equip me for the work He calls me to
do
 When I love people the way God wants me to, He can use me in amazing
ways
 We learned about Haiti H2O, Camp JOY, Ink 180, Fatherheart Maternity
Home, LOVE Buffalo, and Athletes in Action. Pastor Ron, Sarah Gray,
and Ben Beardsley have talked to us about their experiences with
missions. Over the next few weeks we’ll hear guest speakers tell about
disaster relief, living and working in Senegal and Tanzania, and growing
up as a missionary’s kid.
Coming SOON: LOVE Nunda, May 17-18 Fundraising for 30Hr Famine to
combat against childhood hunger around the world, and a Community Service day
where the 6th-12th grade students will perform various tasks in the Nunda-DaltonHunt-Portageville area. There will be a concert with Friday at 1, a guest speaker,
and a feast after the work is done. More details to come!
Teens Sunday School – Life lessons with Dr. Seuss
(Another interesting way to look for Biblical truth)

The Zax – Proverbs 18:2 “Fools find no pleasure in understanding
but delight in airing their own opinions.”

The Lorax – Proverbs 28:22 “The stingy are eager to get rich
and are unaware that poverty awaits them.”

The Sneetches –Psalm 139:14 “I praise you because I am fearfully and
wonderfully made.”

Bartholemew and the Oobleck- 1John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all
unrighteousness.”

Horton Hatches an Egg- 1Peter 1:4 “and into an inheritance that can never
perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you”

Yertle the Turtle -Proverbs 29:23 “Pride brings a person low,
but the lowly in spirit gain honor.”
Trini-Bits:

The guitar players of guitar Sunday are looking for an inexpensive banjo. Does
anyone happen to have one sitting in their attic or closet that we might experiment
with a bit to see if we want to make a larger investment? If so please contact
pastor Ron.

Many things are happening in the Presbyterian Church. Check out the Presbytery
of the Genesee Valley website at www.pbygenval.org . Please check with a
Council member for other news sites.

The number of folks attending the Free Suppers has grown! More food and/or
help are needed. Please help if you are able.

Trinity Times is published bi-monthly. Please have articles ready for Wendy
Downey or Carol Pierce by the end of May.

Rory Tamimie will be playing the part of Horton in Houghton Academy's
presentation of Horton Hears a Who this month!

Anyone with an interest in history is welcome to join the Historical Committee.
Free Supper Schedule
April:
10th
17th
24th
Trinity Church (Teachers)
Nunda United Methodist Church
Trinity Church
May:
1st
8th
15th
22nd
29th
Nunda United Methodist Church
Trinity Church (Teachers)
Nunda United Methodist Church
Trinity Church
Trinity Church (Dalton Assembly of God)