December Advent Calendar

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

There's a common misconception that the price of an artist's work always increases after their death. The idea behind it makes some basic economic sense, but it turns out it's not necessarily true. With some noteworthy exceptions, people whose work skyrockets in value after their death were already popular artists while alive. The works of those who lacked broad appeal in life often decrease in price in the wake of their death.

To me, this seems similar to the way we remember most people; for the most part (with obvious and sometimes significant exceptions), we hold on to the things about them we treasured, while letting the rest fade. 

As All Saints Day arrives once more, we are reminded of those we've lost in the past year, who have joined the "great cloud of witnesses" the author of Hebrews describes. None of these witnesses were perfect. They, like us, and all other humans, had flaws and failings. But the memories we hold onto are the times they loved us, cared for us, showed us grace, comforted us, and taught us to be a better version of ourselves. 

When we light their candles, let us be reminded of the way they lit up our lives. And let us do our best to honor their memories by offering that same light to others.

Blessings,

Pastor Shea 

Cold Season- By Tara Atherton

It’s that time of year again when my children are gross. And I say this with love. A couple of weeks ago, my son got Covid, this week my daughter is fighting a sinus cold, and this morning I woke up to my son having the tummy bug. Kids are gross. And as I am trapped in my house, with mister tummy bug, my first thought is usually, please God, don’t let me be next. And this is because, I am not a very good “sick” person. I have no problem keeping my cold to myself when I get sick. I’ll wear a mask or stay home from work, but do you think I will relax? If you answered No, you are correct. I’m probably worse than my kids, because when they are sick, they just want to lounge around in bed all day, being waited on hand and foot by me. Myself, on the other hand, is up, doing computer work, doing laundry, vacuuming the house, cleaning the bathroom, spreading my germs from room to room as my husband gets annoyed with me because “if you would just rest, your cold will go away faster.” Who has time for rest? I know I’m not the only mom in the world that has her children walk right past their healthy father, to the very sick mother and ask for a snack on the highest shelf in the cabinet. I just keep reminding myself that (and I don’t know why it works, it just does.), I don’t have time to get sick. 

When Cold Season starts, it’s almost as if God is saying “it’s time to take a break.” The animals all start to get ready to hibernate, the leaves are settling to the ground relaxing, and the sun is lounging back away from the earth (depending on where you live of course) and allowing the cold to come and take over. It’s all a part of God’s routine with us. God is giving everything the chance to relax and regain its strength and health. God makes sure that no matter what, there is always time to rest. Maybe the next time I get a cold, I can remind myself that, this might be God’s way of telling me to rest and take it easy, just for one day.

Hammond Food Pantry will be our next Mission for the Month. Our client numbers have increased and we now average over 100 families each month. That number of families equates to over 400 adults, over 200 children and many senior citizens served. We order most of our food from the Food Bank of Central New York in Syracuse. Our once-a-month delivery is stored in freezers and refrigerators in our Food Pantry building, with the dry good being held in the Fire Hall. We have received several donations of food and funding, which

we greatly appreciate. The Hammond Food Pantry is truly a community effort, and we are so thankful for the ongoing support we receive from our church and

the community. The next Hammond Food Pantry will be Thursday. Nov. 17th, from 9:30 to 11:00 at the Hammond Fire Hall. Everyone is asked to stay in their cars and line up behind the Fire Hall and in turn, sign in and the food will be brought out by the volunteers. Food Sense program is the same day at noon or after. Food Sense has no income requirements. A monthly listing of the food is available, and orders must be submitted and paid for ahead of time. Both programs provide a variety of meats, fresh produce, family meals and canned goods. Anyone interested in either program may contact Joan Hadlock at (315)324-5517.

  During the last year we have been sending monthly pleas in the newsletter for donations toward our planned memorial monument recognizing the original founding members of our church.

We have collected over $6000 in donations!! Thank you to all who have contributed. 

We now have a final target cost for the installation of our monument of $7900. This will include: the carved stone you have seen in the picture, the engraving, the delivery and setting, and the cement foundation installation. We are hoping that installation will take place this fall.

If you have not yet donated to the monument fund, now is the time. If you are a descendant of one or more of the founders, here is your chance to honor them.

Help us reach our goal!

Checks may be made out and mailed to Hammond Presbyterian Church with monument fund noted in the memo.

P O Box 193 Hammond, NY 13646.

This picture is now a rendering of what we hope the monument engraving will be. Please look and let us know if you feel any changes are needed before it is finalized for the engraving.

ST. JOSEPH’S INDIAN SCHOOL

St. Joseph’s Indian School, in Chamberlain, South Dakota, is the place where the gifts from our Mitten Tree are sent. In 1927, after purchasing a small

community college campus, St. Joseph’s Indian School was opened with 53 Lakota boys and girls. Since then, the school has provided a solid education and a safe, loving home for thousands of Native American children from families who seek their assistance. Over the years, many difficulties faced the facility. Diaries kept by the Sisters in those early years describe brutal winters,

milk and food shortages, fires, dust storms and grasshopper plagues. The Great Depression hit St. Joseph’s hard, as was the case across the country. One diary entry from 1937 talks about heavy snow and high winds, blocked roads, and no funds. "All we have left is a house full of children and faith". And faith is what

kept them going. Faith in the mission, faith in their donors, faith that God would provide. And now, 95 years later, St. Joseph’s continues to give education, life-changing services, homes, and cultural training for over 100 Lakota (Sioux) children through high school each year. They say, "Philamaye–thank you" for being such a blessing to these children and families.

Joan Hadlock 

On November 6, which is All Saints Sunday, we will light candles in honor of those who have died since All Saints Day 2021. If there is a name you would like included in our remembrance, please let Tara know by November 2.