Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; 
old things have passed away; 
behold, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17
From the Executive Minister 

Don't Make Resolutions
 
Soon we will welcome in 2018.  Could this be our year?  The year we change whatever it is we have been thinking about for a while now?  If you have made or will make New Year's resolutions, you are not alone. Almost half of all people will make a New Year's resolution.  But the estimate is that less than 10% of New Year's resolutions are achieved. The truth is, psychological studies report that only about 8% of us are successful in making a change that sticks.
 
Studies also suggest that if we look back to resolutions we made in previous years, they will be very similar each year. The reason is that habits are hard to change.   What would happen if we didn't set any resolutions? Read more.
Articles in this Issue

Prayer List Prayer

Dec 31
Mt. Olivet Baptist Church
Jan 7
First United Church, Indiana
Jan 14
Hilton Baptist Church
Jan 21 The Baptist Temple
Jan 28
FBC Brockport
Upcoming Region Events RegionEvents
Executive Board Meeting Delegates Meeting
Tues., Jan. 2 at 5:15 p.m. Sun., Jan. 28 at 3 p.m.
The Baptist Temple, 1101 Clover Street The Baptist Temple, 1101 Clover Street

Our Church Story  ChurchStory

The United Church of Pittsford
The First Baptist Church of Pittsford (formerly called Northfield) was organized in 1809. For a number of years, members met in homes, barns and schoolhouses. In 1856, a small brick edifice was constructed at 11 State Street in Pittsford. It was razed in 1957.

The Methodist-Episcopal Church was organized in 1830. In 1831, the congregation voted to build a church, and it was erected on land near the Lincoln Avenue schoolhouse. The Village of Pittsford didn't grow in that direction, so the building was taken down and erected at the corner of Main and Church Streets. The building still stands and is now used as a commercial building. 

In 1949, these two churches joined together to form the United Church of Pittsford and built a new building at 123 South Main Street. We are an independently-governed church affiliated with both the United Methodist and American Baptist Churches. We blend elements of the two traditions in our worship services. 
  • The members choose a pastor in the American Baptist tradition. 
  • We sing from the United Methodist Hymnal. 
  • We alternate between serving communion at the rail (United Methodist tradition) and serving in the pews (American Baptist tradition). 
  • Parents may choose to have their infants baptized in the Methodist tradition, or they may dedicate their infants in the Baptist tradition. When youth become confirmed as full members of the church, they may choose to be baptized by full immersion. 
2018 Mileage Rate Mileage

For business use of a car, van, pickup truck, or panel truck, 
the rate for 2018 will be  54.5 cents per mile.

Note: This is up from 53.5 cents per mile  in 2017.
 
Friends of the Region Giving  Friends


Pal - Up to $100 -  Brooks, Carman, Loafmann, Fishbaugh
Friend - $100 - 149 -  Taber, Lockard, Sherwood, Williams, Thurman
Companion - $150 - 399 -  Turner, Lage, Sarbatt, Ewell, Heisig
Partner - $400 - 999 -  Ginkel
Golden Friend - $1,000 and greater - Anonymous

 
Palmer Grant Palmer

Ending Poverty Through Discipleship Grants

The request for proposals is available on the region website (www.abcrgr.org) on the Resources page for a new grant to encourage region churches to move from charity efforts to longer term sustained relationships.   Grant maximums will be $5,000.  

Participating churches must commit to participate in the on-line CRCDS Continuing Education learning platform.  This learning platform will provide for shared learning and mutual support.
Requests must be submitted before  January 31, 2018 .