The Lord is near to all who call on Him, 
to all who call on Him in truth.
Psalm 145:18
From the Executive Minister

Saying 'Yes' to Transformation
 
            A few months ago, we presented an alternative for the type of reports that region churches could submit as a part of their Annual ABCUSA Covenant Report.  We asked churches to submit stories about transformed lives because of their church's ministry instead of statistics.  A handful of churches responded by submitting stories.
 
            As you might know, our region's longstanding mission statement is: Supporting congregations in developing leaders who transform lives.  Click here to read some of the stories, and perhaps they will conjure up some stories that come out of your congregation, or out of your own spiritual journey.  

Articles in this Issue


Prayer List and Special Requests  Prayer

Special prayers for:
Rev. Dr. Jimmy Reader, Pastor of United Church Pittsford, who was recently hospitalized for an on-going health issue.
Kathy Taylor, wife of Rev. Dr. Larry Taylor, who had recent hospitalization for heart-related issues.

Week of Pray for
11/5
Retired Pastors and Missionaries
11/12
American Baptist Seminarians
11/19
CRCDS President Marvin McMickle, Faculty, Staff, and Students

Upcoming Region Events  Upcoming

Executive Board Meeting
Debbie Allen Ordination 
Tue., Nov. 7 at 5:15 p.m. Sun., Nov. 5 at 2 p.m.
The Baptist Temple FBC Ithaca ~ Reception Following

Rebuild, Restore, Renew Puerto Rico  PuertoRico

From  Rev. Paul Gibson ( Regional Executive Minister,  Great Rivers Region, American Baptist Churches):

Dear Friends, Our partners in Puerto Rico shared some of the latest numbers from the Hurricanes:
  • 90% are still without electric power.
  • 40 % still do not have water, and those that do are not sure if it is contaminated or not.
  • 22 Baptist churches were totally destroyed.
  • 26 churches had significant damage.
Read more.
ABHMS & Partners Send Aid to Puerto Rico  ABHMS

At ABHMS' request, Church World Service has funded and is shipping to Puerto Rico: 
  • 2,550 school kits
  • 1,800 tubes of toothpaste
  • 22,500 hygiene kits
In addition, A BHMS is shipping:
  • 500 tarps
  • 200 portable triple burners for cooking
  • 50 propane tanks
As of September 30, ABHMS has received $72,845 in donations (in addition to the $25,000 One Great Hour of Sharing Emergency Disaster-relief Grant and the $25,000 pledged to match the grant). Read more .
Opioid Recognition & Treatment Workshop  opioid

Good Shepherd Community of Faith
187 Southside Parkway, Buffalo
Tues., Nov. 14th from 6 - 8 p.m.

The Erie County Department of Health will offer a free community training opioid overdose recognition and naloxone use workshop in conjunction with the  Wellness Ministry of the  Good Shepherd Community of Faith in Buffalo.  Attendees will learn how to recognize symptoms of drug overdose and how to administer naloxone (Narcan) via nasal spray.  A free two-dose naloxone kit will be given to persons older then 16 upon completion of the two-hour workshop.

To register online click here .
Contact Sue Allen if you have any questions.  716-697-1657 /  [email protected]

Fall Preview Day  FallPreview


Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School
1100 South Goodman Street, Rochester
Tue., Nov. 14th ~ Two Sessions to Choose From!

Read more.

Breakfast to Benefit Veterans Outreach Center  Veterans


United Church of Pittsford
123 South Main Street (at Sunset Blvd.)
Sat., Nov. 11 from 8 - 10 a.m.

Two Ecumenical Opportunities  ecumenical

You are invited to a Joint Service of Prayer sponsored by the Roman Catholic
Diocese and Western New York Synod, to be held at  Sacred Heart Cathedral at 7 PM,  Oct. 29 to Commemorate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. Read more.
 
The Friends of Historic Two Saints Inc. (a nonprofit secular organization recently formed for the sole purpose of raising funds for the maintenance and ongoing restoration of a church building named St. Luke & St. Simon Cyrene (Two Saints)) invite you to a fundraiser for the Two Saints Episcopal Church at 17 S. Fitzhugh Street, the oldest public building still in use in Rochester (1824) to be held Wed., Nov. 8 from 7-9 PM. Read more.

Come and See Breakfast  ComeAndSee

SSJ Motherhouse
150 French Road, Pittsford
Thur., Nov. 9 at 8 a.m.

You and those from your faith community are invited to join us (GRCC) and members of the SSJ
Motherhouse for a "Come and See" breakfast.  

"Our Motherhouse has private space for personal quiet, reading, and writing and space for groups to meet and retreat.  We can host 70 people (fewer with tables) and our beautiful chapel holds approximately 150.  Meals, a library of theological and spiritual resources, and grounds for walking are available. 
Our time together will include a tour, more on the above information, and how you can join us." 


For additional information contact GRCC (256-2570) or Sister Beth (271-4918).  Read more.
Youth Trip to the UN  UN

Once again, the New York State Council of Churches will sponsor a trip for senior high youth to the United Nations in NYC  Feb. 20  -  22 .  The seminar is designed to equip youth to be advocates for change.  The leader for the seminar  will be Solomon Starr, a gifted speaker, lyricist/poet, scholar and music producer. 

Applications and a $50 deposit are due by  December 1.  For more information, call   518-423-4763 .

Flyer for 2018 Youth Trip to the UN
Application for 2018 Youth Trip to the UN