24 Circular Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

by Rev. Kate Forer

We haven’t had Easter in the church sanctuary since 2019. Last year, 2021, we did have a gathering outside at 8am on Easter morning. Later that day I drove to Utica to get my second COVID shot.

This year – we’ll have Easter in the church sanctuary!!! AND we will have an 8am gathering outside for those who like the early-morning Easter thing.

There will be Easter flowers! There will be glorious music as we together sing “alleluia”!

After the Good Friday that is prevalent in so much of our world and our lives, the suffering, the endings, the grief, it will be time to gather together to rejoice in the new life that God provides. And I can’t wait to see you there.

Blessings,

Our guest preacher on April 3 is Rev. Mark Montgomery, a pastor working in Intentional Interim Ministry in the New York metropolitan area. Based in Norwalk, CT, he most recently served as Interim Senior Minister for the First Presbyterian Church, Greenwich, CT. In addition, mark has served congregations in SC, TX, CA, NJ, NY, and CT through settled and interim ministry. Professionally his best days are ones when art, faith, and the community of God all come together to vision a creative and interactive experience of the Divine. Personally, a good day on Cape Cod or biking on a mountain trail is hard to beat.

We welcome Rev. Marsha Williams to our pulpit on Sunday, April 10th. Williams is the Associate Conference Minister for Clergy and Authorized Ministry Concerns for the United Church of Christ. She provides staff support to Committees on Ministry as well as search and call assistance to local church search committees based in the Essex, Hudson Mohawk, and Susquehanna Associations of the New York Conference. In addition to providing pastoral care to all clergy and authorized ministers in crisis, she interfaces with clergy groups and gatherings throughout the conference. You may remember facilitating our Anti-Racisim series last fall.

Our guest preacher on April 24th is our own Rev. Kathy Johnson. Johnson is a 25+ year member of the Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church, along with her husband Gary, and they raised their three children, Julia, Bobby and Chris, in our church. She has taught Sunday School, served on the Board of Deacons and the Governing Board as well as various committees, and participated in many worship services through readings and children's sermons. Lately she has been very active with the Interfaith Healing Garden behind the sanctuary. Johnson attended One Spirit Seminary in Manhattan for two years and since her ordination two years ago, she has completed a one year course for supply preaching through the UCC, and is very excited to preach to her church family.

Order before or after worship or

The Pot Luck Palm Sunday Breakfast is back! We are looking to have egg casseroles, a yogurt bar, cereals and sweets. Sign up here to let us know what your plan to bring. There will be crafts for kids and palms for all to try their hand at making our traditional palm crosses. Contact Elizabeth Meehan.

We will gather in the sanctuary for a discussion on our potential name change.

Middle School Youth Group continues to meet on Sundays afrom 4pm-5pm with Craig Forth, Rebecca and Anthony Vertucci and Pastor Kate leading. We are on the 2nd floor Youth Room in the Nolan House.

High School Youth Groupmeets on Sundays from 5:30pm-6:30pm under the leadership of Debbie Graves, Karen Wadsworth, Jamie Gamble and Pastor Kate. We are on the 2nd floor Youth Room in the Nolan House.

We are happy to forward any cards or letters you may have to Pastor Reilly. We wish her well in her next endeavor.

Skidmore Political Science Professor Kate Graney provides us with insights into the state of affairs involving the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Dr. Graney's specialization is Russia, the former Soviet Union and the ever changing balance between democratic and autocratic systems of governance and it will be interesting to have her thoughts about Putin and his thinking and where all of this may lead in terms of Russia and the West. Breakfast cost is $10 per person. Reservations required by Friday, April 1st. Contact Chuck at 518-727-3615 or Chuck@pnecchurch.org.

Mary Anne Fantauzzi shares with us "Dancing Through Time" which includes visual highlights of performances by four different and famous dance duos. Those who saw the program at Prestwick Chase gave it a strong recommendation. Fantauzzi serves as the President of the Dance Alliance of the Capital Region. Reservations are due by April 15th. If you don't think you are already on the call list, reach out to Chuck at Chuck@PNECChurch.org.

You are invited to drop off cookies, fruit, cheese and crackers, etc. in the kitchen before worship on Sunday. You are also invited to stay for some extended fellowship afterward.

Many of my junior high classmates are Facebook friends, and we all agree on two points: 1) he was a terrific teacher; and 2) his class changed our lives. Dr. Whitehurst is 90 years old now, and we still touch base to discuss our shared interests in religion, history and antiracism work. He and his wife Eunice attend First Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, along with my parents, their close friends for many years. 

Anti-Racism/Theology Book Group 

PNECC's Anti-Racism Task Force and the Theology Book Group is collaborating in reading and discussion of The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James H. Cone.  Our discussion will conclude with the book's "Conclusion" on Tuesday, April 5.  On Tuesday, April 19, we will hold a final meeting for the season, reading selection TBD.  Meetings are at 7pm on Zoom.  Contact Terry Diggory for the Zoom link.

Paul Phillips and Dr. Manny Cirenza will lead a mission tream of volunteers to AOET Uganda in May. The inclusive trip cost will be $1400-$1750, depending on airfare.If you are currently a AOET child sponsor, you should be able to meet you child. Several folks from PNECC have been on past trips and all found it to ba an amazing experience. For more information, contact Paul Phillips.

Every year (pre-pandemic) PNEC Church folks have joined the Rebuilding Together Saratoga County for spring workdays. We're back! Pick up a flyer in the lobby on Sunday and let us know your interest and skill level. We can find the perfect job for you! Dave Wood and Anne Diggory will lead on team on May 7th, but there are slots available on April 30th and May 14th as well. Contact Anne Diggory for details ( 518-225-9915). Find out more about Rebuilding Together here.

The little cabins at Pine Grove Family Camp (Rte 29 at Pine Road in Saratoga Springs) provide housing for couples and families that work on the backstretch at the race track each summer. (Children and spouses cannot stay at the NYRA housing on track grounds.) The goal of this project to tidy up the cabins and grounds so they are clean, safe and welcoming when the workers arrive in July.

You may pay your pledge by mail (PO Box 582, Saratoga Springs) or click the donate button on our website.