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• ELCA AT WORK IN TANZANIA
• DEAF COMMUNITY MINISTRY

A priest working in a large city was walking down an alley one evening on his way home when a young man came down the alley behind him and poked a knife against his back. "Give me your money," the young man said.

The priest opened his jacket and reached into an inner pocket to remove his wallet, exposing his clerical collar. "Oh, I'm sorry, Father," said the young man, "I didn't see your collar. I don't want YOUR money."

Trembling from the scare, the priest removed a cigar from his shirt pocket and offered it to the young man. "Here," he said. "Have a cigar." "Oh, no, I can't do that," the young man replied, "I gave them up for Lent."

Once again the season of Lent will soon be upon us, and once again we'll hear people talk about their intentions for Lent. Common is the practice of trying to change habits, attitudes, and certain behaviors for the better, at least for a certain amount of time. Some changes are more necessary than others. In the case of the young man and the priest, what could be more obvious? There was a more essential change needed for the young man before getting to the one he was currently offering. The prophet Joel would have said it this way, "Rend your heart and not your garments." (Joel 2:12) In other words, get to the heart of the matter.

Once again, we prepare to make our journey to the cross. We enter a season that invites us to go to the heart of the matter and to consider what leads to what. As we contemplate where our life is moving and how our life is going, needless to say, we could use some changes. However, never discount the most important change we make, a change of heart. Whatever else we might consider reforming, don't forget where it all begins... in the heart. To make that change, there is no better way to proceed than to remember Who has already given his own heart. How else do we change our hearts than to let the One who gave his heart, have our heart? It's the whole point of the cross. It's the beginning of understanding. It's the only way to change... truly change.

    Pastor Steve

Sick and Recuperating: Julia Cannon continues under Hospice Care at the Eddy Nursing Home. Lois Ambuhl has begun a schedule of chemotherapy and is responding well and feeling very comfortable. Dottie Polk has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and is awaiting further surgery. Don Zepf suffered a fall which resulted in some broken bones in his hand, foot, and ribs. He is currently receiving physical therapy in Glenville.

Significant Birthday: Eileen Thompson turned 99 on January 26th. Happy Birthday Eileen! Eileen resides at the Van Rensselaer Manor in North Greenbush.

Council members reviewed the proposal for a handicap accessible bathroom which will be presented to the congregation for approval at the Annual Congregational Meeting. Multiple contractors submitted estimates for completing the work based on a project scope statement prepared by members of the Property Committee. These estimates were also reviewed and discussed by Council members.

A final discussion was held on the 2012 proposed budget which will be presented to the congregation for approval. New Council members will also be elected at the upcoming Annual Congregational meeting.

A question has come up as to whether it would be financially advantageous to refinance the annex mortgage. The answer to this question is being researched. For any concerns or problem, please advise us. We will discuss and address issues at our next meeting on Monday January 30, 2012 at 7pm.

Our mission offerings for the month of February will be in support of the important work of Jeff and Sissie D’Jernes as Wycliffe Bible Translators. The D’Jernes have been working in Papua New Guinea for many years and count on the support they receive from congregations like ours to continue their work.

Among other things, Jeff and Sissie work to translate the Bible into the language used by the Arop-Lokep people of Papua, New Guinea.

Jeff and Sissie are also a voice to the Arop-Lokep people on issues of AIDS awareness, linguistic vitality, physical environment, education, matters of faith, and other topics crucial to better preparing them for the encroaching western world and global influences.

Quarterly journals from Jeff and Sissie can be found on the bulletin board in the Narthex.

Feb 5th: In celebration of Rebecca Truland.’s birthday. Given by The Trulands. In memory of Mark Trucotte. Given by his Parents.

Feb 12th: To the Glory of God.

Feb 19th: To the Glory of God.

Feb 26th: In memory of Andrew Frazer. Given by Mary Frazer

If you would like to place flowers on the altar in honor of or in loving memory of someone please sign your name next to the appropriate date. The price of each bouquet will continue to be the same as this past year. $19.00 You are asked to remit your payment in a timely manner to Donna Van Zandt. Thank you.

There is a very nice photo of the five young people confirmed recently at Faith.

If you have any photos (from any year, any church) or special memories of your Confirmation you could share with us, we’d like to receive them for our records.

Did your class take a trip? Were you confirmed in a language other than English? Were you confirmed during Lent? Let us know.

Feb 5th: Altar - Pat Brundige, Mary Frazer, Nadeen Thompson
            Assistant - Rebecca Truland
            Ushers - Donna Truland & Mike Moroskey
            Counters - Polly & Bob Hayward
            Coffee Hour – Merilyn Niles & Janet Walsh

Feb 12th: Altar - Polly Hayward, Donna St. John, Janet Walsh
             Assistant - Bob Gibson
            Ushers - Nadeen Thompson & Pauline Lupo
            Counters – Donna and Bob Gibson
            Coffee Hour – Tracie Maloney

Feb 19th: Altar – Polly Hayward, Donna St. John, Janet Walsh
             Assistant - Bill Maloney
             Ushers – Ron Moss & Bill Speanburg
             Counters - Carolyn Rouse & Irene Pagel
             Coffee Hour – Ricki Franklin

Feb 22nd: Altar – Donna Gibson, Pam Perras, Kay Young
             Assistant - Donna Gibson
             Ushers – Nadeen Thompson & Pauline Lupo

Feb 26th: Altar – Donna Gibson, Pam Perras, Kay Young
             Assistant - Fred Howard
             Ushers – Carol Perrott & Irene Pagel
             Counters - Michele and Fred Howard
             Coffee Hour – Donna & Bob Gibson

If you are unable to serve on your assigned Sunday, try to trade with another assistant. If you are unable to do that, please call me at 753-4557.

Several of our assistants are no longer able to serve. If you know of anyone who would like to serve, please let me know. Thank you - Joann Molesky.

The winter season is the perfect time to bring the kids to Sunday School. There is always so much to learn and lots of things to do. So far during this new year, we have had very good attendance, so we hope to keep it up. We are planning to follow the Gospel lessons, learn about God’s love for us and work on a special “love” themed bulletin board for Valentine’s Day.

The schedule for Sunday School teachers has been posted on the bulletin board in the church hallway, so you can double check there for teaching information. Soon, I will be looking for volunteers to teach in March and April, so you can look forward to hearing from me again soon.

As always, if you have any questions or would like to volunteer to help out with the children’s education, please contact me at 237-7124 or s.martin@hvcc.edu.

The January meeting was held at Pat Turcotte’s home at which time we continued the Bible Study “The People of God: Unity in the Midst of Diversity”’ The final session of this study will be at the February meeting. The group purchased Baptismal towels which are given to each child at their baptism.

Valentine’s cookies will be packed on Sunday, February 12 following the worship service. We once again would appreciate any contribution of homemade cookies for this project. The cookies will be delivered to the shut-ins.

Many thanks to all who made Christmas cookies and gave gifts for the residents of the Good Samaritan Home. We have received several cards of thanks which are posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Your gifts were greatly appreciated. Thanks again.

Our WELCA will host the Hudson-Mohawk WELCA Spring Assembly on Saturday, March 31. Mark your calendar—more information will be in the next newsletter regarding time and program.

Region 7 (New York, New Jersey, NE and SE Pennsylvania, New England Synods) Spiritual Retreat, “ANGELS AMONG US” will be the theme of the weekend retreat. Dates are April 27-29, 2012. Bishop Marie Jerge is the keynote speaker, Pastor Wendy Abrahamson from New Jersey is the Bible Study Leader, and Pastor Sandra Demmier D’Amico from Massachusetts is the Chaplain. All this will happen at Camp-of-the-Woods in Speculator. Donna Gibson has registration forms which are due by March 15. Speak to her if you have questions. Come join in a restful weekend in a lovely setting.

The February meeting will be at Donna Gibson’s home on Tuesday, February 21 at 7 PM.

The March newsletter deadline is Sunday, February 19th. Please place your articles in the box in the Church office by Sunday, or email them to the editor at DSGLVA@aol.com by Monday morning, February 20th.

In January the dinner club guests journeyed to China through a Chinese meal and pictures from the Gibson’s recent trip to China with Capital Region and Questar BOCES. Ruth Goerold shared Zodiac information and had some paper and pencil games while clean-up was being done. The hosts decorated the fellowship hall in Chinese red and served a delicious meal. Thanks to the Goerolds, Haywards, Bev Lateigne and Arlene Hunziker for all their work.

February 11 will be the annual banquet at McGreivey;s in Waterford. The cost is $25 per person and reservations (with payment) can be made with Evelyn Jarosz. Come enjoy a nice evening out with good food, fun and fellowship.

Evelyn Jarosz - President

Graduation is always a time of celebration for students, family and friends. But when the first class of assistant medical officers graduated from the Arusha Lutheran Medical Center in Tanzania, the entire country had something to celebrate.

The school, the first faith-based program of its kind in Tanzania, is directed by ELCA missionary Dr. Mark Jacobson.

The second largest country in East Africa, Tanzania has fewer than 2,000 medical doctors. The shortage is especially critical in rural areas. In response, Mark and his team train “assistant doctors” who come to the two-year program as clinical officers or physician’s assistants and leave with the lifesaving ability to perform basic surgery.

The impact on the lives of people in Tanzania is immediate. Dr. Wallace Sahana, a recent graduate, drove 14 hours after the ceremony to immediately assume his new duties at a 150-bed hospital on the western side of Lake Victoria. Until his arrival, there had only been one assistant medical officer at the facility.

“Overnight, the number of medical professionals at the site was doubled,” says Mark. “The quality of care improved and the people were filled with hope.”

Pastor Peter Williams, Grace Episcopal and Holy Spirit Lutheran in Cortland has been involved in ministry with the Deaf community for many years. He has served the Deaf community by leading worship, bible studies, visiting those who are homebound or hospitalized, and traveling far and wide to stay in contact with Deaf people all over Upstate New York. As a teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for 32 years, Denise Ballou also shares a common interest in the Deaf community. They are wondering if others have considered possible ways we might invite the Deaf into our worship communities.