Montauk Community Church THE MONTAUK WIND

"The Wind Blew Among the Bodies and They Came Back to Life!" Ezekiel 37:10

November 201 3 Volume XI Issue 2

Advent / Christmas

Light the Advent Wreath: Volunteers are needed to assist in worship during each Sunday of Advent and on Christmas Eve as we light the candles on the Advent wreath. Join with family or with a friend from the congregation and help take part in our Advent worship. See Pastor Bill if you are interested.

The annual Children’s Christmas Pageant will be held, Sunday, December 22 during our regular 1 0:00am Sunday worship service. Join us as our children and youth share with us the story of Christ’s coming.

The Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be held Tuesday, December 24 at 6:30pm. There will be carols, readings, candles, a homily, and communion. This is worship for the whole family.

There will be no formal Christmas Day worship this year. We hope you find time within your homes to give thanks for the gift of the Christ child along with all the other traditions of the day. The Montauk Wind page 2

A PARSONal Note As Susan alludes to in her letter to you this month, it has been a long time since you last heard from me in a Montauk Wind newsletter—too long. I apologize for that. Communication in a church is very important, particularly in a congregation that is growing and expanding its ministry, as we are. There are a lot of good things happening here. Worship attendance is strong and we continue to see new faces in our midst. We are blessed with many children in our Sunday School and we are starting a serious conversation about expanding our ministry with our Middle and Senior High kids. The elevator project is now becoming a reality, and our building is being used more by groups from the wider community. MCC is again an important resource for all of Montauk as well as for the people who worship here.

With growth comes the need to be more attentive to sharing what is happening. Our church is not simply a bunch of small, separate groups who have their own particular interests. It is a diverse community, which together, has a stake in all we do. In fact, the work of each group within MCC is here primarily to serve the overall ministry and mission of the church. We are all connected.

This newsletter is one way to keep those lines of communication open so we all can see what is happening in different corners of the church. That is one reason we are committing to bi- monthly issues of the Montauk Wind beginning in January. That is also why we are beginning to explore new ways to connect with people who want to connect with us. We may consider an electronic version of the newsletter that can greatly expand our ability to share photographs of life at MCC. And we may upgrade our website and our Facebook page (did you know we have a Facebook page?) and explore other forms of electronic media. We are considering creating a bulletin email list so you can receive the weekly announcements and the worship order even on those Sundays when you can’t be with us.

You can help us. If you have information that your group wants to share with the rest of the church, write a short article and send it to Susan Raymond or me. If you have ideas about how we can better share what is happening here at MCC, let me know. My favorite type of communication is when someone stops in my study and sits down for a chat. I know–pretty old school–but it still works. So stop in any time.

I’m sorry it’s been so long since you last heard from us in these pages. Since I know that I tend to work better under a deadline, I’m pretty confident in saying that I’ll see you again here in two months.

God’s peace,

Bill November 2013 page 3

Sunday School News by Editor Noelle Hear by Sunday School Superintendent Joy Hear Big News—there is a new This session we have been learning about the book of Sunday School teacher, Ms. Kings and we are currently studying Elijah. December Debbie Coen. She brings so 1 st the session moves into the New Testament and we much buzz to the room. She has will lead up to the birth of Christ. a lot of new tricks up her sleeve. She has been playing us great Eileen Devlin is running the Christmas pageant, and we music on her and taught are so thankful for her and all the volunteers that we us sign language too! have. The Christmas Pageant will be December 22, and there will be no Sunday school on December 29th.

Christmas Fair: Saturday, November 30 The Christmas Fair is coming. Soon! We are day, November 29 or on Saturday morning. collecting many wonderful gift certificates Once again, the women's and men's clothing from local businesses and new items from rooms will be open during regular rummage our church friends for our exciting and fun Si- times, 9 am to 1 2 noon. lent Auction. Donations will be accepted up to the time of the Fair. Bidding takes place from This fair is Montauk’s own start to the Christ- 9 am to 2:45 pm. Please try to be there at mas shopping season, so come out and see that time to see what you might have won what treasures you can find. And don’t forget and pick up your items. that Santa will arrive at 1 pm for photos and to listen to the children’s requests and hand As always, there will be handmade gifts and out candy. See you there! baked goods. You can add to the bounty by dropping baked goods at the church on Fri- The Montauk Wind page 4

Special Congregational Meeting Our Special Congregational Meeting to Deacons, Class of 201 4 elect new officers will be Sunday, Decem- Linda Norris succeeding herself ber 1 5 at 11 :1 5. Please grab a cup of cof- Deacons, Class of 201 6 fee and join us in the Sanctuary to elect Donna Etzel suceeding herself new officers. Edie Mancini succeeding Ed Sullivan Dorothy Sinclair succeeding Daz Winter The Nominating Committee met every Sunday after worship starting in early Oc- Session, Class of 201 5 tober. It was comprised of Nancy Pfund Edna Steck succeeding Nancy Pfund and Mayela Vargas from Session, Linda Session, Class of 201 6 Norris from the Deacons, and Jean Mas- Iris Mitchell succeeding herself in, Dorothy Sinclair, Rick White, and Iris Gail Webb succeeding herself Mitchell were at-large members, with Iris Evan Harrel succeeding Karen Rade. representing the Women's Guild. They are making the following recommenda- Nominating Committee Members at Large tions for service starting in February Jean Masin 201 4. Nominations will be accepted from Rick White the floor where you can nominate any Dorothy Sinclair active member of our church, including Chrissy Herbert yourself.

Building Improvements

New Roofs The Elevator is Coming Russell Nill Roofing completed You will soon notice some more changes. We have the replacement of the final contracted with All Island Elevator of Hampton Bays to two roofs in the Christian install an elevator! The entrance will be at the rear of Education Building last August, the Christian Education Building, where the Rummage finalizing the replacement of all shed used to be. The elevator will bring people down to roofs in the buildings owned by the Fellowship Room and up to the Sanctuary, via the MCC—the Sanctuary (done Guild Room. There will be extensive changes to those when the Tower was repaired), areas, so we ask for your patience as some regular the Manse, the Cottage and activities will be disrupted from time to time during the Christian Education construction. The end result will be a safe and Building. welcoming church building, accessible to all. Thanks to a donation from the estate of Barbara & Frank Borth, and contributions reflecting years of hard work from the Women's Guild, our goal of having a accessible building is finally becoming a reality. November 2013 page 5 Stewardship Questions:

Why should I pledge? only yourself and God. We also invite you to speak with the pastor or other congregation The simple answer is that it greatly helps the members about the concerns you may have. church leadership to budget for the coming In the end, it is your choice to make. year if we have an accurate idea of expected income. But making a pledge is about more What if I can't give as much as I said? Or than that. A pledge is a commitment we make what if I have extra to give? to God and to ourselves as well as to the church. It is an expression of gratitude and a We recognize that circumstances can way of saying that we intend to give out of change. For some that may mean the ablility what we have received more than out of what to give more than planned at the beginning of we have left over. This requires careful the year. For others, it may mean the need to thought and prayer to decide the right scale back. Every person or family who amount for an individual or a family to give makes a pledge will get a statement at least and the decision will be different for each of twice a year letting them know how much us. When you make a pledge, you are taking they have given, and also how much they the time to reflect on what God has first given pledged. There is no checking up. The only you and on the role this church plays in your person who knows how much you have given life. is the treasurer, Gail Murphy.

I'm really uncomfortable making a pledge You mean Rev. Hoffmann doesn't know how commitment. much I pledge or give?

We understand that and you are not alone. That's right. In fact, he doesn't even know if We do hope you still take the time to consider you pledge. His ministry is blind to giving what the church means to you, even if you habits. The only judge of your giving is your choose not to formally pledge. We encourage own sense of what is right. you to make a private commitment between

Philippines Disaster Relief CROP Hunger Walk When Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines on About 40 walkers of all ages and November 8, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance quite a few dogs made the walk from immediately responded with an initial grant of St. Therese to MCC by an indirect $50,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing funds. route around Fort Pond in support of Along with mission partner the National Council of the CROP Walk. There are still Churches in the Philippines and fellow members donations coming in, but at last count we have collected $1 354 for of the Action by Churches Together Alliance they hunger relief at local, national and worked to provide emergency food, water and international levels. Our 25% share other basic humanitarian needs to the affected ($338.50) will go to the Montauk families. Food Pantry. Another 25% will be If you would like to donate to the fund, you can go to combined with monies raised by the website at www.pcusa.org to make an online walkers around the nation to the donation. Just look for the red banner across the top neediest areas in this country. The of the page. Or you can mail a check to Presbyterian final 50% will be joined with monies Church USA, PO Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264- raised around the world to help 3700. people wherever hunger is found. The Montauk Wind page 6 Living Waters in Guines, Cuba

When Pastor Abel Mirabal of the Guines, That gesture filled my heart with joy and Cuba church came to visit with his wife Sara happiness and wishes for God. Ismael had they told of a church that is growing in size told us he had finished that morning shift and in deepening faith, a Bible School that literally starved on account of the heavy was overflowing with children, and a ministry morning at the water pump. I even saw a guy of clean water for the whole community. I first in that afternoon bringing him a tamale. learned of the water filtration program, that was installed thanks to money raised at First While waiting for tanks to fill he showed Presbyterian Church in East Hampton, from some of us how the system worked while the an email forwarded to me from Barbara crowd waited, listening to Pastor Abel and D'Andrea. The writer, Frank is a parishioner obviously grateful for the tremendous help in the Guines church and a professional the church was providing. translator and English teacher. “Living Waters for the World” is a ministry of the Most of our local water supply is completely Living Waters Synod of the Presbyterian polluted with sewage wastes. I saw folks Church USA that works to bring water from as far as la Micro and la Quinta, some 2 purifying systems to needy communities kms from the church, all of them very around the world. They train people to install relieved they were going to get pure water the systems and then train the local while saving fuel in boiling, confident that community in their use. What follows is they would get a healthy swig of the precious excerpts from the email from Frank to fluid. Barbara. I have been working hard spreading the word This week I went to the church for Living around in my neighborhood particularly Water and late at night I felt compelled to among young mothers with kids suffering report what I had seen and felt that from temporary diarrhea onsets and stomach afternoon. When I got there by three in the discomfort and now they can get their share afternoon, a heavy rain set in and to cap it and provide their children with such a all, there was a power failure. The amazing wonderful gift: good water. thing is when we all thought there would not be water, power was restored. Then another The local impact of the project is impressive problem: they ran out of water in tanks so and more and more people are coming down refilling was needed. for water on a daily basis, I have counted 30 guys waiting outside to get their water, all of The truly remarkable thing is that both them praising the service. Ismael and Pastor Abel asked us not to I’m not a reporter, my friend, but I felt the leave without our water and asked us into need to communicate this to all of you so you the church to take shelter from the rain and can have an idea of the far reaching effect of wait until tanks were refilled and water your commendable endeavor. We all thank ozonized. Later I learned that no matter the you many times over. hour, as long as there was someone waiting in line, water was served. With love and blessings Frank It was amazing to see Pastor Abel sharing with folks who had never been to the church. November 2013 page 7

Maureen's Haven MCC Serving the Homeless on November 30, December 7 & 28, February 1, March 1

Montauk Community Church is once again - Donate food for the pantry, such as: hosting Maureen's Haven, a ministry to - cases of small bottles of water provide hot meals and shelter to the home- - large cans of coffee, regular & decaf less on the East End. - bags of chips and dips - boxes of cookies There are many ways you can be part of this ministry: Perishables such as eggs, cheese, O.J., milk and cold cuts are also needed. If you leave - Volunteer for one of the evenings we host them in the refrigerator in our church base- Maureen's Haven at the Jewish Center of the ment kitchen labeled, “Maureen's Haven,” we Hamptons (11 /30, 1 2/7, 1 2/28, 2/1 , 3/1 ). will find them. - Prepare food for one of our evenings. - Donate supplies: Contact Eileen Devlin at (631 )875-1 451 to - Men's and women's LONG underwear coordinate how you can help. - Men's and women's regular underwear - Men's and women's socks

Session Notes by Susan Raymond Decided that the 25% share ($1 37) of the dealing with building repairs and upkeep, and $548 raised by the Peacemaking Offering will a motion to move the Steinway to the be used to pay for supplies for Maureen's Guild Room. Discussions have begun on the Haven. budget for 201 4 with final approval coming in December after the bulk of the Stewardship Decided that the 25% share ($31 4.75) of the campaign is over. $1 259 raised by the Crop Walk will be sent to the Montauk Food Pantry. We thought you should also know that we open each meeting with the lighting of the Learned of a donation of $80 to the Sunday Christ Candle, and a prayer. And we spend School fund in honor of Edna Steck's 80th the first twenty minutes or so with a faith birthday by Tom and Amy Ruhle. Tom has centered discussion. It has included reflec- fond memories of Edna as his 7th grade tions on our Vision Statement, the vows we Sunday School Teacher. took when we joined the church, the faith meaning behind our role as church leaders. Other actions taken by Session recently in- No one begrudges the time we spend this clude the approval of membership changes, way—it is the most engaging part of the baptisms and weddings and the Christmas meeting. Eve Service. There have been many motions The Montauk Wind page 8 Special Christmas Music Coffeehouses in The Guild Room The Choral Society of the Hamptons Coffeehouses have become a regular event at present its annual Christmas on Montauk Community Church. As we go to Sunday, December 9 at 3:00 and 5:30 pm press, musicians are working on “An Hour of at the Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church. Live Acoustic Music in a Warm Relaxing This year the theme is In Terra Pax with Space,” featuring our newly relocated Stein- music by English composers. You will re- way Piano, held on Friday, November 22 at 7 cognize many familiar Christmas tunes. As pm. Performers include Lydia Shaternik-Burns, always, the concert will end with an audi- Bill Gosman, Christine Cadarette, Cheryl Erb ence sing-along of well-known Christmas and Paul Melnyk. carols. Susan Raymond will be our choir representative in the larger chorus. See her Plans are to have music in the Guild Room for tickets and information or go to the web- one Friday most months. Jazz will be featured site at www.choralsocietyofthehamp- in January, with Jane Hastay, Peter Weiss and tons.org Bob Stern on . Plans for February are still being firmed up, but it is known that March will On Saturday, December 1 5 at 4:00 pm host a Celtic coffeehouse. there will be a Christmas concert at St. Therese. The featured performers are a Coffeehouses are free and open to the public. Handbell Choir. The choirs of both St. Ther- Freewill offerings are taken for the food pantry ese and the Montauk Community Church and other local causes. Tell your friends, the will join them in three Christmas carols. music is good.

Christmas Joy As we move through the waiting of Advent to The remaining half of the offering is used to the celebration of Christmas, we hear once assist pastors, missionaries, and church again the good news that turned fear into workers who find themselves in special need. rejoicing for Zechariah, Mary, and the Your gifts enable the church to support active shepherds in the fields. We live with the and retired church workers who suddenly find anticipation that once again the spirit of themselves in difficulty through life’s Christmas will be born in our hearts. Our challenging circumstances. It may be hope is that the love of God made known to assisting in retirement someone who has us in the child of Bethlehem will be a reality devoted their career to serving in small, rural, in our lives and our world. resource poor congregations. Or it may reach out to help a pastor and family recover from One way we at MCC experience that hope some catastrophic loss, such as fire, flood or made real is through the annual Christmas illness. Joy Offering. One half of this annual special offering helps support Presbyterian-related We will receive this special offering during racial ethnic school and colleges. Through worship on Sunday, December 22. Your your giving, these schools offer an generosity can touch the lives of others in opportunity to young adults to advance their ways that transforms fear into hope. education and escape the cycle of poverty and prejudice.

Mike Burns Graduates Mike sent in a copy of the speech he gave as Salutatorian at graduation from East Hampton High School. It has been edited slightly to fit, including omitting the suggestions from his friends about what he should say. As the arrow suggests, you will find it below. November 2013 page 9 The Montauk Wind page 1 0

“For all the saints who from their labors rest”

Ruth Zimmermann

September 1 5, 1 925—September 21 , 201 3

Over the last months of her life, Ruth became somewhat frail, yet remained determined. She and her husband, Detlev, came to Montauk first as campers, then trailer owners, finally saving enough to build their house. She connected with MCC early on, joining the choir and becoming a fixture at Saturday Rummage Sales in the Linens Room. Her presence here is missed.

Ruth had interesting stories to tell of Germany during and just after World War II. As a teenager, she and her family became refugees when new national borders were drawn at war's end. It was a difficult time for them, but we are blessed that out of that difficulty she found her way to Montauk and our church family.

Bill Mitchell

May 1 7, 1 930—October 6, 201 3

For many of us at MCC, Bill Mitchell was the friendly, dignified and quiet man who sat with Iris in worship each Sunday. When asked to describe him she replied, “Everything about Bill was special, take your pick!” He was a man who cherished his wife and children, and let them know it. A Marine aviator and captain of commercial jets, Bill lived an adventurous and giving life. He traveled the world, but home was always the favorite destination. A good man has passed and his church family will miss him.

We stand with the families of Ruth Zimmermann and Bill Mitchell in the hope of the resurrection that is in Christ Jesus. November 2013 page 11 From the Editor by Susan Raymond I am a little chagrined to realize that the last for hearing each other's stories. You will find newsletter went out in February. We have de- the first faith story, one from her own experi- cided to publish bi-monthly to force ourselves ence, on this page. to step up to the plate. And we have another editor: Suzette Harrel, a skilled writer and ed- Suzette has some great ideas and she, Bill itor, and will be adding her sharp eye and and I have been talking about the possibilities clear prose. We will be alternating the writing that an electronic version would bring. So ex- of this column from issue to issue. pect change to this newsletter. If you know of something that is going on, or have an idea of I know there are many members of this con- a topic we should explore, please share it gregation whose lives are shaped daily by with us. We hope to make this publication a their faith. I have offered in the past to print good reflection of this vibrant church com- any faith stories that you would like to share, munity. but have received only a few contributions. Suzette has a better idea—she is planning to I have a box in the church office and I am al- interview willing people. Don't be surprised if ways happy to talk after church. Or you can she approaches you. Or perhaps you will de- email me at [email protected] or cide to approach her. We are all a little richer [email protected].

Celebrating the Present Mile by Suzette Harrel me to where I am right now, where I need to I see the sign, "Mile 1 " as I round the corner be. I've learned the hard lessons of the long in my first half-marathon. I glance at my training runs—just take it a mile at a time, watch and think, "good." My legs have been otherwise it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Back terribly sore this week but they feel okay right in the present mile, I’m able to smile at the now and I'm on track. My mind immediately crowds lining the course, at the signs and races ahead to mile 1 3 and the finish line. A expectant looks for runners, at the perfect quiet voice within brings me back to the timing of the playlist on my iPod ("Step by present mile, and silently I begin chanting Step/Awesome God" comes on in Mile 11 , "Celebrate Mile 2, Celebrate Mile 2." just when I need it!). In the present mile, I’m Celebrate where I am right now. Not where I'll able to see and thank the people who have be in a couple of hours. I’m transported back made it possible for me to reach this place on to my yoga class where the teacher has been the journey. I see God everywhere. I see the encouraging us to be in the present moment. grace in this week’s sore legs that has led me "When you are having the soup course, enjoy to rely on God's power and strength, and not the soup. Don't be thinking about what's for my own. I remember other moments in the dessert." Before I know it, the Mile 2 marker past few years when I've stepped outside my is upon me, and I shift to "Celebrate Mile 3, comfort zone. And suddenly I see the mile 1 2 Celebrate Mile 3." sign. The buildings of downtown Houston gleam with the strong October sun, and then Mile after mile, I keep chanting, and my mind the finish line is within reach. occasionally wanders to my expected triumphant Facebook postings, my God’s still teaching me about celebrating right predictions on my final time, and my worries where I am in this very moment. It’s all I about how my legs will feel in the last few have. It’s all I need. God, you are an miles. Like a sacred word in centering prayer, awesome God! my Celebrations of the Present Mile return MONTAUK COMMUNITY CHURCH Vision Statement PO BOX 698 We envision the Montauk Presbyterian Community Church as a Christ- centered congregation serving the spiritual needs of those who live and MONTAUK, NY 11954 visit our hamlet at the eastern tip of Long Island. We are the Church on the Hill, nourished by the Holy Spirit in Word and Sacrament. We will 850 Montauk Highway focus on the formation of disciples and ministry with and among our (631) 668-2022 community to be a spiritual beacon for those who gather on our shores. Address Correction Requested We will honoor our name by remembering that we are a church that embraces a variety of styles, reflectiing worship traditions that were brought here by our members from other places. We will continue to welcome those who bring new ideas as we bear in mind our past and the rich history we treasure.

The Montauk Wind is a newsletter of the Montauk Community Church, a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Editor: Susan Raymond, Suzette Harrel email:[email protected] Website: www.MontaukCommunityChurch.org Pastor: Rev. William Hoffman Music Director: Lydia Shaternik Burns Secretary/Bookeeper: Susan McDonough Sexton: Paul Melnyk Treasurer: Gail Murphy Clerk of Session: Susan Raymond W. Guild President: Iris Mitchell Vice President: Aster Stein Treasurer: Christine Herbert Session Class of 2013 Iris Mitchell Nancy Pfund Karen Rade Gail Webb Class of 2014 George Hear Loretta Sullivan Susan Raymond Class of 2015 Gail Murphy Joe Nye May your Advent season be a time of fruitful Board of Deacons Class of 2013 preparation for the new thing God is doing. May Donna Etzel Linda Norris Ed Sullivan it be a time of reflection and expectation as you Daz Winter Class of 2014 wait upon the coming One. And, through the Kathy Havlik Lydia Shaternik waiting, may you find peace in the truth that the Class of 2015 Gail Gregorio Valerie Hoffmann Advent journey does, indeed, lead us to the Igor Solano promise of Christmas.