THE EPISTLE
Volume 15 Issue 4
This is the season of Easter; what the church
has called “The Great Fifty Days” ending with
the festival of Pentecost. It is a time of hope
because we believe that God has had the last
word by raising Jesus from death to life.
During these fifty days we will celebrate
Jesus’ ascension and conclude on the festival
of Pentecost with the giving of the gift of the
Holy Spirit to the Church. It is a wonderful
season. Thanks be to God for the great gift of
new life in Christ!
Still, in this season of hope we hear voices
of despair. Our political life is harsh with
charges, counter charges and recriminations
all around. There are raised voices and shouts
that sometimes become hate speech. Lines are
drawn. Gauntlets are thrown down. Civil
tongues are often silenced. Rigidity seems to
be the order of the day. We see this not only in
the political realm but also in the realm of
faith. Radicals of all stripes seem to have the
microphone today and they want to make it
perfectly clear that it is their way or the
highway. Frankly this troubles me and makes
me sad. What especially troubles me are those
APRIL 22, 2010
Christians who seem to say that there is only
way to be a Christian and it is their way.
The Christian faith is not an “end sum
game” with winners and losers. The God
who is revealed in Jesus Christ is not the
God of just those who confess Jesus Christ
as Lord and Savior, but the God who is
Creator of all humanity, and who in Jesus
seeks out one and all. In John’s gospel
(10:14-16), Jesus says:
“I am the good shepherd. I know my
own and my own know me, just as the
Father knows me and I know the Father.
And I lay down my life for the sheep. I
have other sheep that do not belong to
this fold. I must bring them also, and they
will listen to my voice. So there will be
one flock, one shepherd.
Yes, there are those who say that there is
one way to be Christian; one way to be
church. I would respectfully disagree.
Sometimes it is hard to be a “Mainline
Protestant Christian”. We are told that we
are a dying breed and that what we have to
say and preach and teach is “out of fashion.”
Yes, we no longer hold the levers of power
in the world, and perhaps that is a good
thing, but let us not spend our time
whimpering about how things are not what
they used to be. We mainline folk have a
great tradition of faith which goes back to
the beginning of the undivided church and
which is as relevant today as it has always
been. It is a faith which has shaped and
formed countless millions of men and
women down through the ages; a faith
 2 THE EPISTLE
which takes seriously God’s call in Jesus to be
his disciples in the world.
This is a wondrous and great calling. Are
you up for it?
Blessings,
John
SUNDAY WORSHIP
SUNDAY WORSHIP DURING THE
MONTH OF MAY
May 2: Fifth Sunday of Easter-The
Sacrament of Holy Communion
Acts 11:1-18: God saves the Gentiles
Psalm 148: The splendor of the Lord is over
earth and heaven
Revelation 21:1-6: New heaven, new earth
John 13:31-35: Love one another
“New Heaven; New Earth”
May 9: Ascension Sunday
Acts 1:1-11: Jesus sends the apostles
Psalm 93: Ever since the world began, your
throne has been established
Ephesians: 1:15-23: Seeing the risen and
ascended Christ
Luke 24:44-53: Christ present in all times and
places
“Where are you looking?”
May 16: Seventh Sunday of Easter-Annual
Meeting Sunday
Acts 16:16-34: A jailer is baptized
Psalm 97: Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous
Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21: Blessed
are those who wash their robes
John 17:20-26: Christ’s prayer for his
disciples
“Unity and Diversity”
May 23: Day of Pentecost
Wear Red to Church!
Genesis 11:1-9: God destroys the tower of
Babel
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b: Send forth your
Spirit and renew the face of the earth
Act 2:1-21: Filled with the Spirit
John 14:8-17 (25-27): The Spirit of Truth
“God’s Family”
May 30: The Holy Trinity—First Sunday
after Pentecost
Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31: Wisdom rejoices in
the creation
Psalm 8: Your glory is chanted above the
heavens
Romans 5:1-5: God’s love poured into our
hearts
John 16:12-15: The Spirit will guide you
into the truth
“The Name of God”
WHAT’S COMING UP IN ADULT
EDUCATION
Sunday Mornings
May 2 – TBD
May 9 – Organizations We Support
Come learn about the various organizations
supported by our church! A Board of
Missions member will explain how we
decide who will receive our support in a
given year.
May 16 – Annual Meeting
No adult ed. classes today
May 23 – Joining Hearts & Hands
Foundation in Africa
Bill and Joanne Cala will catch us up on
the wonderful outreach efforts their non-
 3 THE EPISTLE
profit organization is currently working on in
Africa.
These classes/events will be held during
Christian Education time in the Snow Room
following the worship service.
NOTE: Sunday morning classes will
be suspended over the summer (May 30
– Sept. 5). Classes will resume on
Sept. 12.
Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Returns
Join us on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. in the Snow
Room. We will study the Bible passages
slated for the following Sunday’s lesson.
Pastor Cedarleaf will lead our discussion.
BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
UPDATES
MORNING CIRCLE
Morning Circle will hold its May 11 meeting
at Joyce Cowden’s home, at 10 AM. Since
there is VERY LIMITED parking there and
no on-street parking is permitted, we will
gather in the church parking lot at 9:30 AM
and depart by 9:40 AM in carpools.
These cars will be parking in Eileen
Slocum’s driveway at 23 Gentian Way, with a
five minute walk to Joyce’s. If you have any
questions, or if you are unable to attend,
please call Joyce at 223-0258.
MISSIONS CORNER
When we think of the term “Goodfellas”, we
conjure up images of gangsters and mobsters as
depicted in the book by the same name. The
Rochester version of Good Fellas, is hardly
that. Good Fellas is a brother organization to
Determined Divas, an organization we now
support that reaches out to inner city teenage
girls to discover alternatives to violent lifestyles.
Good Fellas was recently formed for teenage
boys so that they too will have an alternative to
street violence. Pathways For Peace a City of
Rochester funded program sponsors both
programs and which is headed by counselor,
Michael Brooks.
Good Fellas meets every other Wednesday at
the Danforth Community Center. The sessions
are structured to provide workshops and
activities on everything from increased self-
esteem: to job seeking skills and mentorships.
The organization is relatively new and has many
hurdles starting up. Participants are constantly
told that first impressions count, especially
when they seek their first job. Unfortunately,
many of these youth cannot afford the clothing
required to make that first impression. Director
Michael Brooks is hoping to establish a rack of
clothes and shoes appropriate for young men
that would include dress shirts, dress slacks and
dress shoes.
Starting this coming Sunday, we will begin a
clothing drive for Good Fellas specifically
targeted at providing the items mentioned
above. If you have any of these items that you
will no longer use, please bring them to
Fellowship Hall where we will establish a
clothing center for Good Fellas. We will
continue this drive through the end of June.
We wish Good Fellas much success as they
undertake this important endeavor.
 4 THE EPISTLE
Each month we focus on an organization that our
church supports. This month we honor probably FAMILY NEWS
one of the longest standing church supported
organizations; Boy Scout Troop 207. Missions
Board member Gary Maybee, wrote this month’s Elementary Students: Learning
article on Troop 207.
About Pentecost
Boy Scout Troop 207 has been affiliated with the During the month of May, our elementary
First Congregational Church since the troop was students will learn about the birthday of the
founded in 1937. We serve Fairport area boys church and what happened on that first
ages 11 through 17. The mission of the troop, like Pentecost.
that of the national Boy Scout organization, is to
prepare young people to make ethical and moral
choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them Junior High: Sacraments &
the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Our troop
currently has 45 Scouts. Confirmation!
During May, our Junior High students will
Boy Scouts are often learn about the
associated with camping sacraments of
and the outdoors, and our communion and
troop is no exception. baptism. They
Many people don't realize
will also spend
that Boy Scouts also
participate in community time discussing
service projects through what
out the year. Prior to confirmation
Memorial Day, our troop is proud to assist the means.
American Legion in installing a flag and planting
a geranium at the grave of each veteran buried in
Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. We also participate in the
annual Scouting for Food & Clothing drive. When Senior High: Bible Study
the church needs people to help move furniture or
set up for a sale, we're more than happy to help. Our Senior High students will complete
their study of the Book of James during
As we approach our 75th Anniversary in 2012, our May.
troop is grateful to the church for it's continuing
support. Please feel free to visit our web site,
www.troop207.org, for additional information
about the troop. Church school classes will be on summer
break from May 30 – September 5. Classes
will resume on September 12. Nursery care
will be offered all summer. Children’s
Respectfully Submitted
Chapel will also be offered all summer
Ted Avgerinos
except May 30, July 4, and September 5.
 5 THE EPISTLE
YOUTH GROUP EVENTS
May 3 – JYF to Join the CROP
Walk!
We’ll meet at noon, have some lunch and join
others in a walk to raise money to fight
hunger. The walk is approx. 5 miles on the
canal. When we’re done, we’ll treat ourselves
to ice cream at Lickety Splits! Don’t forget to
wear your t-shirts!! (And dress for the
weather.) Sign up in Fellowship Hall.
May 16 – JYF and SYF Year-End
Dinner & Celebration
This event will include a potluck dinner,
awards, end-of-year slide show and the return
of the REACH game! Come relax, enjoy
some delicious food and a lot of laughs with
friends as we celebrate a great year in youth
group! The evening’s activities will run from
6 – 8 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Everyone
should bring either a side dish or dessert to
share. Sign up in Fellowship Hall.
SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE
Each year the Board of Youth Ministry
awards a $500 scholarship to a graduating
High School student planning on attending
college. If you would like to be considered for
this scholarship please submit the following
information to Cathy Kinton by May 1, 2010.
Please read through the required information.
The scholarship will be award on Graduation
Sunday.
2010 Required Scholarship Information:
1) First Church Scholarship Form (See
Cathy Kinton for copies) 2) School Activity
Resume. 3) Essay- What it means to you to
be a Christian. How have your experiences
and involvement at First Church influenced
your Christian growth. 2010 Scholarship
Criteria: 75% Essay, 25% Church-Youth
Group Participation/Involvement, 80
Minimum Grade Pt Average
CALLING ALL GRADUATES!
If you are graduating from high school or
college, we would like
to include your
announcement in the
church’s newsletter
and bulletin. Please
submit your name,
where you are
graduating from and a
brief description of what your future plans are.
Please turn your write-ups into the church office
by June 7, 2010.
COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
2010 Fairport Relay For Life
May 22 – 23, 2010
Perinton Community Center
Again this year our church will participate in
this American Cancer Society’s Fundraiser.
Last year’s “Step By Step” team is being joined
this year with a team comprised of members of
our youth group.
Starting Sundays in May, please stop by our
table in Fellowship Hall. We’d welcome new
members to our team or………….if you would
like to sponsor the Team or an individual on the
team, donations will be gladly accepted. We’ll
have all of the details on the event you’ll need.
 6 THE EPISTLE
Last year over 600 people participated in
Fairport’s 1st Relay For Life and over $80,000 was
raised for ACS. Fairport’s Relay was the #1
fundraising Relay in the Northeast. This overnight
event celebrates cancer survivors, remembers
loved ones lost and helps the fight to cure cancer.
It is a community and family based activity.
PLEASE CONSIDER helping us with this event.
For more details, please contact Nan Notar at 377-
0607 or Stacey
Mulley at 388-
8995. Please
help us reach
our $100,000
goal.
ADVENT HOUSE & THE UNITED WAY
Please consider Advent House as your United
Way Donor Designated Option choice. We are
not a United Way agency and therefore we do not
receive their funding. Please note that Advent
House is listed as Perinton Edumenical Ministries
dba Advent House. Our donor option number is
1800. We are truly grateful for your continued
support.
Greater Rochester Community of Churches
Presents it 19th Annual Faith In Action
Celebration
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
RIT Inn & Conference Center
5257 West Henrietta Road
Conference Door 2
The Greater Rochester Community of Churches will
hold its 19th Annual Faith In Action Celebration on
June 1, at the RIT Inn & Conference Center, 5257 West
Henrietta Road, Henrietta, NY. Each year, GRCC is
proud to honor members of the community who
exemplify a life of faith and service. Individuals from a
broad cross-section of churches, mosques, temples and
religious organizations in the greater Rochester area
will be recognized for their important contributions to
our community. A reception and silent auction will
begin at 5:30 p.m., with dinner and program to
follow at 6:15 p.m.
This year’s Metropolitan Award recipient for faith
in action is Thomas Warfield. Musician, dancer,
teacher and creator of PeaceArt International,
Thomas has dedicated his life to serving others and
building bridges of peacemaking.
Also accepting recognition this year is Mrs. Jean
Bartlett for Lifetime Achievement and the Rochester
Area Interfaith Hospitality Network, which will
receive the Community Group Award for Faith in
Action.
The cost of this event is $60 at a patron level and
$40 for individuals; (includes dinner, program &
silent auction). Tables of 10 are available for groups
celebrating their special honorees. Sliding scale is
available upon request. Call the office for the
appropriate forms or go online at www.grcc.org for
more details.
Proceeds of the silent auction will benefit dinner
scholarships and other costs of this celebration.
Donations of new and gently used children’s books
will be collected for use in local literacy programs.
Deadline for honoree inclusion in the program is
May 10. Deadline for reservations is May 25th.
Checks may be sent to the office in advance (2
Riverside St., Rochester, NY 14613) or you may pay
the night of the event. The public is cordially invited
to attend. For more information, please contact the
GRCC office at 254-2570.
Greater Rochester Community of Churches
(GRCC) gathers people from diverse communities to
build relationships and support initiatives based on
spiritual and community values that advocate, model,
and celebrate basic human rights.
Online: www.grcc.org
Email: grcc1@frontiernet.net
Cameron Community Ministries
Sponsoring Two Fundraisers
Cameron Community Ministries serves the
Lyell-Otis neighborhood in northwest
Rochester with meals, clothing and youth
enrichment programs.
SAVE THE DATE
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2010
RAVENWOOD GOLF CLUB
VICTOR, NEW YORK
4– Person Scramble Format, Shotgun Start
at 12:30pm. Lunch, green fees, cart rental,
 7 THE EPISTLE
dinner and prizes. Honorary Chair, James
Mrva, PGA Master Professional, Monroe Golf Welcome to Griffin John
Club $150 per golfer. Sponsorships available. born April 5, 2010. He is
the son of Nicole and
Non-golfers welcome for dinner. For more
Karl Cedarleaf, and
information please contact Cindy Harper,
brother of Gunnar and
Executive Director, Ava Cedarleaf.
ccmexec@rochester.rr.com or visit Grandparents are Jean
http://www.cameronministries.org. and John Cedarleaf.

JOIN CAMERON COMMUNITY Amy and Tim Pasley are the happy parents of
MINISTRIES IN CELEBRATING THEIR 25 twin boys (fraternal) born on April 5, 2010.
ANNIVERSARY Timothy Jacob weighed-in at 6 lbs, 7oz and
Elijah Bruce was 4 lbs, 8oz. Proud family
Sample tastings from local restaurants, learn more members are grandparents Sharon and Bruce
about Cameron, bid on auction items and enjoy Barmore and aunt Heather Barmore.
ARTISANworks’ unique collection. Cash bar
available.
ARTISANworks
565 Blossom Road, Suite L
Rochester, NY 14610 REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
Thursday, April 29, 2010
5:30-9:00 PM, $25 per person Barbara Cobb, Fairport Baptist Home
RSVP to Karen Deyle by April 22
585-254-2697 Barbara Eaton, Perinton Park Manor
ccmprog@rochester.rr.com
Visit http://www.cameronministries.org for more Charlotte Jackson, Fairport Baptist Home
information
Les Warren, Fairport Baptist Home

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

Deborah and
Gregory
Kreskow and
their family are
the recent
death of
Deborah’s mother, Naomi Wier, on April 2, 2010.
Her memorial service was officiated by Pastor
Cedarleaf in the Snow Room on April 12, 2010.
8 THE EPISTLE