September 2013

HURLEY R EFORMED C HURCH THE S PIRE VOLUME 5, I SSUE 7 SEPTEMBER 2013 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Paul sponsored several reunions, adopting Sophia in ’97, Paul and Christ, but this was the first for Lily and Tricia became involved in working myself. Most of our daughters to improve hospitals and orphan- In early August my daughter and I were entering their Junior or Sen- ages in China. Because Tricia’s flew to California to meet the ior year in high school, and business takes her to that coun- couple who adopted their daugh- seemed excited to see one an- try she was able to connect with ter from China at the same time other again. Lily felt at home and other Americans who were mak- my youngest daughter, Lily, be- hugs were extended at the end ing a difference. Specifically she came ours. In fact Paul and Tricia of a meaningful afternoon. Pho- and Paul volunteered under the met Lily before Cathy and I ar- tos were taken of the daughters auspices of Half the Sky organiza- rived at the meeting center lo- in the same order in which pic- tion, a nonprofit founded by cated in the city of Changsha, the tures were snapped on the day of American Ginny Bowen. Half the fireworks capital of China— their adoption. Time fleets. Sky reaches out to improve the appropriate in light of Hong setting, and life of more than 50 Kong’s ceding to the mainland orphanages in China. On one oc- during our visit--and a bustling casion Paul and Tricia were intro- city in Hunan Province. Lily duced to a little girl who had greeted all the expectant parents spina bifida. They wanted to as they met their Chinese children adopt her, but couldn’t for a vari- for the first time. My daughter ety of reasons. Ginny mentioned waved and blew kisses, which that there was another little girl may indeed portend a move into who was disabled by a life threat- politics at some later date (let’s ening throat condition. Paul and hope not). Paul and Tricia photo- Tricia wanted to meet Suji, al- graphed, and videoed Lily as well though they wondered whether as some of the other children they could adopt another child— who were adopted, and also Paul and Tricia are my age! spent time gathering addresses Would they have the energy re- so that, in the future, we could quired for a second daughter? Of meet on occasion to celebrate course they did. our mutual joys in bringing our ‘Hunan Shrimps’ back to America. Our week long adventure seemed for me a God-given meditation on A whiz on the internet, Paul con- community and the nature and tacted the States to see if there On Sunday, August 11, six of the meaning of family. Indeed it were any physicians who were children who were adopted and seemed at every turn I was re- skilled in the girl’s disease, and their parents met in Paul’s back- minded as Jesus once mentioned, discovered that the leading spe- yard for a barbecue. Apart from that family extends far beyond cialist resided in Palo Alto, their Paul I hadn’t seen the other par- biological connection. After ents and their brood since ’97. (Continued on page 2) VOLUME 5, I SSUE 7 PAGE 2 (Continued from page 1) Our Mission backyard. They brought 6 year old Suji to the West Coast, and she was treated and healed. The only Project indication of a difficult medical past is that her During September, voice is soft and has a raspy edge which both Lily please use your mis- and I find charming, especially in our stridently loud sion envelope or one in the pew to support The talk-talk society. In her six year orphanage experi- Food Bank of the Hudson Valley. During 2012 the ence Suji only said four words—again and again: Food Bank was able to provide over 10 million “Where is My Mommy?” Emotional and spiritual pounds of food to more than 390 charitable organi- healing began when Tricia answered, ”Suji, I am zations in the Hudson Valley who provide nutritious your Mommy and Daddy and I love you dearly.” food to families in need. Tricia and Paul were not convinced that a second adoption was in store, but after they met this little The Food Bank of the Hudson Valley is a responsi- one, there was no hesitation. Suji joined her older ble steward of the funds that they receive and for sister, Sophia, the beautiful Chinese contingent of every dollar donated the value of seven (7) meals the Hancock clan. When we first met, Suji gave are given to a hungry neighbor through various lo- both Lily and myself the warmest hugs. cal food banks, soup kitchens, and shelters. Thanks for helping those less fortunate than our- During our week we came upon two more adoptive selves. ~Linda Dux, Missions Chair situations which caused me to do some theological thinking about the way God works. The first oc- curred when Suji and Lily visited Tricia’s dress shop laugh about the situation, and say, “What choice in Los Gatos. They were accompanied Suji’s best did I have? Amanda was meant to be mine.” friend Amanda. Lily’s eyes grew wide when Amanda announced that she, too, was an adoptee. The Hancock’s area is 60% Asian, and Amanda is Several days before Lily and I left, we were invited, Caucasian. I think Lily believed that only Chinese along with the Hancocks, to meet a young couple were adopted in that neck of the woods. Amanda who had just adopted a boy from Ethiopia. Abel is and Lily hit it off because both are tall, and love to a year old and possesses a shock of curly hair and a play volleyball. Amanda related that she had met new toothy smile accompanied by the requisite her mother when she was six. Christine has spent drool. His mother, Daniela, noted that being his what free time she has volunteering time and ef- mother creates joy beyond she and her husband’s fort to relieve the suffering in places like Haiti. Be- imagining. They continue to return to Ethiopia not cause she travels her life is hectic, and, since she is simply because it is their son’s place of birth, but single, she had no thought of ever having, or because, through his wide, reflective infant eyes, adopting a child. Her resolution disappeared, how- they have come to love the people there. They feel ever, when six year old Amanda wrapped her arms as much a part of Ethiopian society as they do on around her, and pleaded, “Will you be my the West Coast of America. Mommy?” Her new role was cemented when Amanda added, “Nobody wants me.” Christine can (Continued on page 5) eSpire: In order to save money and reduce our impact on the environment, you may receive The Spire by Email. Please request electronic distribution by sending your request to [email protected]. If you no longer wish to receive the Spire please let us know at the same email address and we will remove you from our mailing list. VOLUME 5, I SSUE 7 PAGE 3 Fellowship continues each week after our worship service in Schadewald Hall. We have enjoyed an array of goodies provided by our members. Please consider sponsoring our Coffee Hour one Sunday by providing refreshments. Why not ask someone to do it with you? See Terry Gaffken for more information or call the office. Sign up sheet is above the coffee pot. "Magnificent E’s" Bible Study will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 7:00pm and Wed., Sept. 11 at 7:30am. We will study the ministries of Elijah and Elisha as pre- sented in 1 and 2 Kings. We will pay attention to their contexts as well as their proclamation, and how their understanding of prophetic vocation is similar and dissimilar to later prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah. We will also discuss how their stance toward corruption in government and religion informs contem- porary understanding of our roles in society. We will then study the Book of Jeremiah paying attention to his psychological underpinnings as well as the context of his message. Dr. Bob has provided a written introduction to this study which is available in the church office. The ex- cerpts are from Abraham Heschel’s book, “The Proph- ets.” Prayer Chain: We did not meet for the months of July and August but this is September and we will be meeting on the 8th after service. Although not meeting, we were still busy doing God's work as we continued to pray for all we were and are duty bound to pray for. Hope all of you had a safe and won- derful summer! ~Deb Zuill VOLUME 5, I SSUE 7 PAGE 4 Handicapped Accessibility Project Update It's enrollment time for the 2013-2014 Bard College Lift/Bathroom Updates Clemente Course in the Humanities. Enrollment Dave Giles, Coordinator forms online or can be picked up at Kingston Library. All free and age does not matter. College level As you enter Schadewald Hall courses are held every Tues. and Thurs. night 6-8 at you can clearly see that much Kingston Library during the academic year. Exercise progress has been made. The your intellect with a very diverse student body and glass enclosure for the lift is the most amazing, talented, and non-judgmental almost complete and the lift PhD level instructors you'll ever meet.

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