First Presbyterian Church

of Philipstown

(FPCP)

"The Church of the Open Door"

Knowing that all community is a gift of God,

we affirm there can be no exclusiveness about the body of Christ.

We welcome into our community and membership all people of God, regardless of ethnic heritage, national origin, age, gender,

marital status, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic standing;

and we encourage the full participation of all

in the life of our congregation.

Adopted by the session, March 9, 1995

With gratitude for

a life well lived...

we are saddened to report the passing of

our beloved Joan Crouch

Joan was a longtime church member, having joined FPCP in 2006. She was an ordained Deacon and a dedicated volunteer at the Philipstown Food Pantry. Joan always supported the life and work of our church, and showed kindness and generosity to everyone.

A Celebration of Life service for Joan is scheduled for Saturday, December 6, 2025 at noon.

And in the great circle of life...

Welcome Josie!

The newest addition to our church family, Josie, was born on Sunday, November 2, 2025 to Allison and Rich. She is also the granddaughter of Katie, and sibling to Rosie, Louisa, and Teddy.

This Sunday,

November 16, 2025

Join us for worship at 10:30 am

(in person or on zoom)

Rev. Rachel Thompson will be in the pulpit, Tom McCoy at the piano, our choir will be singing, Jackie Grant will be the reader, and our young people will be in class with Rachel Emig.

All are Welcome!

click here for the Sunday Worship Bulletin

In this season of Giving Thanks...

we take time to prepare our hearts and our lives for how we will contribute to "The Church of the Open Door" in 2026.

STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY is November 23, when our worship service will focus on the subject, forms will be distributed for you to consider how you will give your time, talents, and money to support the life and work of your church moving forward, and we will share a pot-luck luncheon meal and conversation after the service.

Speaking of Giving!

Our church's QR code to donate via PayPal had been malfunctioning and required us to set up a new one. The cards in the pews and the QR code on the back of the bulletin, as well as the one pictured here and on our website, are now up and running.

We're sorry for any inconvenience towards your opportunities to donate. (And thanks Andy Reid for many hours to fix this!)

Pastor's Page

Howdy folks!

I'm writing from the brisk banks of the Grand River in Michigan where I am attending the NEXT Church's annual gathering. NEXT is a parachurch movement that for the past almost decade has supported and walked alongside (mostly) PCUSA pastors and church leaders as they endeavor to do the work of leading the church. In addition to attending the gathering this year, I am also participating in a year-long preaching fellowship through NEXT that will support preachers of color who proclaim in predominantly white spaces. I look forward to this next year of learning and honing a preaching craft that feels good and regenerative as we endeavor to proclaim the word.

While I literally just started working with you all, I am grateful for time away to learn. One of the best parts of "work" conferences like this is that I get to see so many peers and colleagues that I know and love but only get to see every couple of years. Learning with and from my peers is such a gift. The track of learning that I'm participating in this week is called "Relentless Communing: Cultivating Communities of Resistance in the Face of Evil." I spent much of today on a environmental justice mural tour of Grand Rapids. Antiracism trainer Jessica Vazquez Torres and educator/writer Jennifer Harvey, both of whom I've worked with in the past, are our guides as we look to open up some of our work as storytellers and sharers. I look forward to dreaming through how to share my learnings with you all.

While the pastor is away, the work of the church still happens. That is my favorite thing about you all. When I return this weekend I'm looking forward to a Sunday "off" to reset and enjoy some time to play with my friends and family before we crash straight into stewardship season and Advent.

In this last months of the year I am excited for snow, twinklie lights, deep frying a turkey, the really big moon, children giggling, checking items off my spreadsheets and taking naps. I'm really excited to see and do many of these things with and next to you all.

In anticipation and extreme gratitude,

Ekama

(see you next week!)

Email Pastor Ekama here

Photos from last Sunday morning...

Sunday Evening's Lantern Walk... Thank you Jackie!

PHILIPSTOWN FOOD PANTRY

serving those in need in our local community

845-612-2040

Food Pantry Coordinator, Kirsti "Kiko" Lattu

The Food Pantry is now accepting food donations and doing set-up on Fridays

12:30- 2:00 pm

The Food Pantry is open on Saturdays

8:30 - 10 am

click here to contact the Food Pantry

Yoga with Leslie Leonard TONIGHT!

Thursdays, November 13 and 20, 2025 at 6:30 pm

in the social hall

All are Welcome!

November Book Group

This month we are discussing the Historical Fiction Book, The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict. The interesting story of Belle da Costa Greene, who was the Personal Librarian to J.P. Morgan and handled acquisitions and more for the Morgan Library in NYC.

Meeting Friday Nov. 21 at 7:00pm at the church

Here's how you can join the Presbyterian Disaster Response to those affected by Hurricane Melissa, and other disasters which arise.

Our Community Stands for Democracy!

Every Saturday from 10:30-11:30 am, some of our church family and many from the community gather at the corner of Main Street and 9D in support of Liberty and Justice for All.

All are welcome to stand with those gathered or to honk in support if you're driving by!

Email the church office

Our Session and Deacons 2025

Elders (L. to R.)

Mitch Dul, Lynn Brown, Carolyn Llewellyn, Cathy Carnevale, Laura Reid, Diana Geller, Ana Silverlinck

Deacons (L. to R.)

Dianne Waterman, Ron Sopyla, Rose Inman, Leslie Leonard, Rachel Emig, Bev Taylor, and

Glyn Nixon

Are there interests you would like to see addressed? Topics? Events?Bible Study? Other times and days? Or for more info about the ongoing groups, please contact us, using the link below:

Did you know that we have an email Prayer Chain?

Email your prayer requests and a group of people will be praying for your concern. Also email if you'd like to join the group and add your voice to the prayers!

Email the prayer chain