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September 2003 Newsletter for New Utrecht |
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September
2003 Newsletter for New Utrecht Welcome
Home! Welcome back!
I direct the above to Rev. Terry and to others in the congregation who have been absent from Services and who were on vacation. We gather for Communion and the Fall Season on Sunday, September 14th at 11 AM. (Please bring your church envelopes up to date.) New Utrecht needs you and your support physically, financially and spiritually. I would like to speak to the subject of "tithing" one day at church. Very important also is our Restoration Project at New Utrecht. There is structural damage to the Sanctuary that requires immediate attention. Susan Hanyen, Vice President of Consistory, and the Joint Restoration Commitee are working to oversee the construction needs. All our prayers and efforts now are geared toward the goal of addressing these immediate and long-term demands. The Friends of Historic New Utrecht organization is working with us on this project. We may start a capital campaign in the very near future. Details will be surely forthcoming. Some of us attended our summer services at New Utrecht and were blessed with diverse Ministers and Leaders. Our appreciation to the folk who lead us in Bible Study and Prayer - my own favorite way of worshipping our Lord God. It has been some time since I composed a Newsletter for New Utrecht so I have to go back in time. We lost four of our congregants in the first half of this year: our beloved Albert Hollenga, the poet John Soldo, dear Hank Erickson and precious Josephine Safay. Beautiful services were held at Church and many people came to pay tribute and to show respect for our departed ones. We shall miss and our missing them and their faithfulness to New Utrecht. Our love and sympathy to the families and we keep each one in prayer. Memorials were given in their names and were added to the Restoration Fund. Fran Erickson hosted a dinner and gathering in honor and reminiscence of Hank. Bill Nicotra and I attended and we were happy to have been part of the evening. Our Alice Hightower had a pacemaker inserted recently and, Lord bless her, she's back at Service. We wish all who have been ill a speedy recovery and I urge you to let us hear from you, so we can keep everyone in our prayers. The end of June brought three (3) confirmands into membership at New Utrecht. (Rev. Terry will expand on that special day.) We welcome them into our church family. Our Rev. Terry asked me to co-chair a Project Hospitality Journal for their September 29 Fundraising Dinner on Staten Island. Since it is difficult to refuse Terry, I accepted the task. I'm asking for a $20 donation, as a Greeting - and have received favorable responses. There is still time to let me know if you wish to join in. Thanks. Another undertaking I assumed, and which I'm glad to perform, is taking reservations for a Brunch on September 28, after our Divine Worship. The Federation of Italian American Organizations (FIAO) hosts the event, which honors special people and our own Robert Buonvino is one. So, see me or call me to say if you will join us that day. FIAO comes to New Utrecht Saturday, October 11, after the Columbus Day Parade on 18th Avenue. Bob Buonvino will be one of the Columbus Day Parade Marshals this year. Rita Hollenga is doing well and is on a splendid trip and vacation in the Netherlands and a tour in Italy. We are eager to hear all when Rita returns. New Utrecht was open from noon to 3 PM on September 11, for meditation and to light a candle of remembrance. Rev. Terry and Susan are preparing messages as well. To our dear friends out-of-town, please keep in touch with us at NURC. We enjoy hearing from all. Keep us in your prayers and give us your support. New Utrecht has a message for the community and for the world. May God continue to bless us and keep us all in His care. Rose G. Lood 76 Bay Ridge Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11209 (718) 745-1269
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