First Presbyterian Church            November 2023

               Just Say No to Twinkie Theology

Recently I was in a gas station, and I pointed out a Twinkie to a young friend that was for sale on the shelf.  He had never had one before, and he marveled that Twinkies have a practically indefinite expiration date.  Whatever is put in this “food” will not spoil or go bad since bacteria will not eat it, thus it basically does not change.  This is actually not good from a nutritional perspective, and Twinkies have a long list of chemical ingredients that do not do anything good for your health.

I used to think Twinkies were the perfect food when I was a kid, though now I know better.  However, one understanding of perfection is that something is not subject to change or alteration, i.e. something is “as good as new”, like a Twinkie.  The ancient Greek culture of Jesus’ day particularly espoused this and other ideals of perfection, e.g. classical marble statues, stone buildings that last thousands of years, etc.  Just think of the statue of Venus that we have in the center of town, and how she supposedly came into being out of the sea in that perfect state.  Nor did that goddess grow older thereafter and always had perfect hair, just like all the celebrities in grocery store magazines. 

I recently saw the cover of a book that had a picture of a hand coming down from heaven, and it was clearly about to bop some poor person on the head.  The book was in the humor section, and it was sarcastically entitled “GOD is Disappointed in You”.  I would not personally advise reading it, though it did make a good point about religious guilt complexes.  If you are anything like me, then you think you have to be a perfect person, otherwise God will somehow condemn you. 

That kind of moral idealism is of course impossible, and it makes about as much sense as the story of Venus that I just mentioned.  Yet, somehow most of us think we should not make any mental or spiritual mistakes, otherwise we are sinners rather than saints, naughty rather than nice, etc.  Furthermore, if we have deviated from some original point of innocent goodness, then we are clearly lost, damaged goods.

Jesus never embraced this Greek ideal of perfection for you and me.  He was a part of the Jewish tradition that saw the world as “good” (Tove in Hebrew) when it was created, which is not the same thing as perfect.  Tove is an organic kind of goodness like a magnificent garden or the beauty of changing leafs in the fall.  The creation is subject to change, both positive and negative, and even our mistakes are a part of our growth and development.  That for me is the point of the first three chapters of Genesis, which detail the Creation and Garden of Eden stories in the Bible.  This is our birth story, and it tells us that in no way is God’s good Creation physically or spiritually like a Twinkie.

For example, most parents will tell you that the birth of their children was one of the happiest days of their lives.  If you ask them for details, they will probably relate many crazy, messy things that happened on the way to the hospital, mistakes made, etc.  

Birth itself is an inherently messy affair too, that I need not describe in detail to you in a church newsletter.  It’s risky, full of pain and danger, yet in the end a new person coming into the world brings unspeakable joy.  It is a goodness that comes from God, and it is better than perfection.

Rev. Walter Stuber 

First Presbyterian Church 

11988 W. Main St., Wolcott, NY   14590

585-217-6030  stuberman1@yahoo.com

www.wolcottpresbyterian.com   

                        Funeral for June Parton 

Sadly, June Parton passed away on Thursday, October 26.  Her funeral will be held at our church on Saturday, November 4, a 1 p.m., followed by interment at Huron Evergreen Cemetery.  There will be a reception in the church basement following the services.  Please keep her family in your prayers.

          Women’s Association 2023 Fall Rummage Sale

A “BIG THANK YOU” to all who contributed in any way to make our Fall Rummage Sale

a success.  We profited from sales of $2,182.10.

Before the sale we heard from Missy Gingerich (an aide in Pre-K) that the Red Creek School was in need of clothing for young needy children.  The workers decided to give some of our young children’s clothing to the school.

After the sale the leftover seasonal clothing, shoes and boots were given to the Catholic Charities on Main Street.

Our mission is to help support local and outside groups with the monies we earn from our sales.  We give monetary donations to the local Ambulance, local Fire Department, Food Pantry, Christmas Boxes for the needy, and Camperships.  When needed we help with the maintenance of the church.

Our next Rummage Sale will be the first full weekend in May.  Please save your seasonal clothing and other items until then.

I know that we are considered the Women’s Association, but we were fortunate to have several men helping.  Thanks, Fellows!!

– Mary Ann Sparnon

  2024  Stewardship Information   

November 19, 2023 is Stewardship Sunday.  A Stewardship letter/pledge card/return envelope will be mailed out soon.Your prayerful consideration and pledge will be most appreciated.  It would also be appreciated if you would return it on Stewardship Sunday or send it to the Treasurer, Susan Lockwood, as soon as you are able.  This would help us create the budget for 2024.  “No gift is too small.” 

As you know, your giving along with our fundraisers help maintain the church and support the needs of the members and the community (example, Food Pantry).

Thank you in advance for your consideration in helping the church better serve God.

            Community Thanksgiving Dinner      

A community Thanksgiving Dinner will be held at the Faith United Methodist Church,  12223 Oswego Street, Wolcott, on Thursday, November 23 from 12 noon to 2 p.m.   Take-outs will be available.  All are welcome.  Dinner is free!

For those interested in volunteering for this community event, please contact Faith UMC at 315-594-2755.

                                                                          Looking Ahead

Sunday, November 5:  Daylight Saving Time ends. Time to change your clocks back 

                                     1 hour before going to bed on Saturday night, November 4

Sunday, November 19:  Stewardship Sunday

Wednesday, November 22:  7 p.m.  Council of Churches Thanksgiving Eve service at     the Huron Presbyterian Church

Thursday, November 23:   12 – 2 p.m.  Community Thanksgiving dinner at the Faith              United Methodist Church in Wolcott.  Take-outs           available – all are welcome!  Dinner is free! 

Sunday, December 3:  First Sunday in Advent

Sunday, December 10:  3 p.m.  Christmas Concert at the Wolcott Presbyterian Church      

            November Anniversaries

    Bob and Mary Lou Lockwood11/30/68

    Verne & Valerie Mills11/29/97

    November  Birthdays     

Bessie Bishop11/9

Kelse Galek Eddy11/18

Bob Fitzmaurice11/12

Bill Gilbert11/29

Cheryl Gilbert11/30

Laurie Johnson11/6

Brian Lockwood11/4

Harrison Lockwood11/14

Pam Lockwood 11/13

Daniel Merrell11/3

David Merrell11/3

Bob Strong11/14

Henrietta Trine11/4

Val Tryon11/12

Jody Tyler11/2

Misty Wadsworth11/16