Dear PNECC Friends,

I’m Peter Carman, the “Sabbatical Supply” minister who is with you during the Sabbatical of Rev. Kate Forer. Pastor Kate will be returning at the beginning of November; I will be with you through Sunday November 6.

Having experienced a Sabbatical myself recently, I am honored to be with you in your pastor’s absence. The work of a pastor can be draining; even with a day off once a week, it is in many ways a 24/7 job. If one is to be a spiritual leader, a faithful servant, and a decent human being, having time out to grow spiritually and just “have a life” is crucial and life-giving. My hope is that while Pastor Kate is away, you and I will have a fun, prayerful, thoughtful time together. It will be over quickly! But in the fleeting moment we have together I look forward to sharing our journey of discovery and discipleship, on this lovely path we travel as a faith community.

As you will see from this September’s Newsletter, your congregation is already well in motion for a great start! As we begin the 2022-23 school year, coming back to church after what has been for some of us a very long time, I am excited by the extraordinary things planned for the weeks ahead. It begins on Sunday the 11^th, our “Welcome Back Sunday," with youth beginning to meet (at new times!) as well as Sunday Worship and an extended coffee hour to visit together after church. Also, on the 11^th the church will be hosting the Soup Kitchen at 3pm!

On Sunday the 18^th, following worship there will be a time to learn about all the various ministries of this congregation. If you have been thinking about bringing a friend or family member to find out more, it promises to be an informative opportunity.

Saturday September 24^th, as part of Saratoga’s Peace Week, we will be hosting a Gospel Drag Festival. And the following day, Sunday September 25^th, our preacher will be Ms. Penny Cost, who is the first drag queen to ever become a Certified Candidate for Ordained Ministry within the United Methodist Church. Again, more details are here….

That’s just the beginning. Our September schedule includes so much more. Please do check the rest of our newsletter and the church calendar for details.

All of us need to be attentive to the ongoing issues of safety around COVID-19. Your Moving Forward Team leader, Anne Diggory, has given us good, updated information to share. As of this writing, masks in church continue to be optional; however, the balance to that is an abundance of common sense: if you don’t feel well stay home! More details available here.

Amid the busy-ness, each of us has our own journey of discovery and growth. Sometimes it includes times of struggle, moments of loss. At others it’s new friendships, fresh learnings, and acceptance of things we cannot change. Feel free to reach out for a conversation!

In the Peace of Christ,

Peter JB Carman

585-406-5166 mobile  [email protected]

We welcome you back to worship, Youth Groups and Sunday School on Sunday, September 11th at 10:45am (masks optional.) We look forward to seeing each other and starting another program year. As is our custom, we will celebrate this "homecoming" with an extended fellowship time immediately after the worship service. Snacks, sandwiches, cake and coffee outside, weather permitting. If you would like to bring some food, please sign up here. Reminder: There is NO worship service on Labor Day weekend.

What we do and You can too!! (Welcome Back Sunday Part II: Sunday, September 18 at noon. New to our church or need a refresher course on all the many opportunities our church offers? Here's your opportunity! Representatives from our groups/committees/volunteer opportunities will display what they do and how you might get involved! Outside (weather permitting)

We had four beautiful evenings of outdoor worship of music and song. We welcomed harpist Elizabeth Huntley, the 14 member string ensemble Burning Bridges, guitarist Elizabeth Meehan and pianist Pam Lipkin to lead us in music. Rev. Kathy Johnson led two of the services and our new supply pastor Rev. Peter J. B. Carman led two (and taught us a few new songs, as well!) We are so grateful for this time to be together, meet new people and welcome so many of our four-legged friends.

Gospel Drag Festival is a radically welcoming celebration of creativity, spiritual vitality and individual self-expression, through the art of drag, gospel music and inclusive interpretations of sacred music. This holy partnership between More Light/Open & Affirming congregations and drag queens is where acceptance, redemption, equality and peace prevail in the face of adversity; AND WHERE OUR GOD, who loves ALL OF US, is still speaking. (Serenity Jones will be our guest preacher on September 25.) Learn more about our special guests here.

Contact Kathy Johnson for more information. Click here for a trail map.

Youth Group had our Kick-Off Pool Party for Middle and High School Youth Group! I would like to thank the entire French Family for being incredible hosts. We had beautiful weather, went swimming, played water balloon volleyball, had a water balloon fight, and shared some great food. To the youth that had the opportunity to attend I appreciate your courage and curiosity as meeting new faces is not always easy. And lastly, to the parents that were able to provide transportation or stay for the event, thank you for playing a large part in helping create these connections.

We reviewed at the pool party that we will begin Middle and High School Youth Group on Sunday September 11th. Middle School Youth Group will run before church from 9:30am-10:30am and High School Youth Group will begin after church from 12:00-1:15. On Sunday’s I will be making an effort to have youth groups sit together during church services so I welcome you to stay after Middle School Youth Group or come before High School Youth Group.

If you did not have a chance to make it to the pool party, I would invite you to email me at [email protected] as I am working to update all family contact information and would like to share the upcoming schedule with you!

I cannot wait to see how we grow together as collaborators and creators during this new year!

With love and light,

Bri Phillips

..........September 11 ..........Regular Meeting

..........September 18..........Regular Meeting

..........September 25..........Peace Week Event

..........October 1.................Lock In

..........October 9 ................No Meeting/Soup Kitchen

................September 11............Regular Meeting

................September 18............Regular Meeting

................September 25...........Peace Week Event

................October 2..................Extended Meeting

................October 8..................Skye Farm - TBD

If you would like to join the Care Team or have questions regarding the role of the volunteers, contact Chuck Kochheiser cell phone: 518-727-3615.

Pastor Kate was the guest preacher at Silver Bay on July 24. She has begun her sabbatical and we will welcome her back on November 6th.

Reading selections for the fall are from The Essential Reinhold Niebuhr, edited by Robert McAfee Brown.  For the first meeting, recommended selections are the Introduction by Brown, and Chapter 16, "Mystery and Meaning." All are welcome to participate! To join the email list for the group or to receive details for the Zoom option, contact Terry Diggory, 518-860-0262. 

Wednesday, September 21 at 7pm 

Saratoga City Music Hall (City Hall, 3^rd floor)

Panelists from Immigrant Advocates Response Collaborative, US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (Albany), Ukrainian American Cultural Center (Watervliet), Giving Circle (Saratoga Springs) and Adirondack Welcome Circle (Glens Falls).  For more information contact: [email protected]; 518-306-1313. Sponsored by Saratoga Immigration Coalition and Immigrant ARC. A Saratoga Peace Week event. 

As the celebration is outdoors, please come dressed for the weather and bring a chair or blanket to sit on. For more information, please contact Rev. Kathy.

Heather Toffel offers an hour of yoga perfect for beginners every Thursday. Please bring a matt, a strap or belt (optional) and a blanket (also optional.) This class is open to the public and all donations will be given to Shelters of Saratoga. Questions? Contact Heather or call 518-527-1803.

Masks are optional for church services, but are recommended under certain circumstances. If you don't feel well, please stay home. We are following CDC guidelines.  More details are available here.

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