THE OPEN DOOR

The Briarcliff Congregational Church 30 South State Road, PO Box 290, Briarcliff Manor, New York 10510

914-941-4368 www.briarcliffchurch.org

“Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.” Revelation 3:8

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Blessing of the Animals 2

Food Bank Trip 3

Benevolence News 3

Guest Preacher Oct 25 4

Derrick McQueen 4

Lector’s Workshop 4

Women’s Society News 5

Stewardship Report 5

Notes from Fimi 5

Celebrations 6

October Calendar 7

Dear Good People of Briarcliff Church,

The waves and waves of desperate people on the move – refugees of war in

Syria, Yemen, Ukraine, as well as conflicts in Africa – are astounding; and if

you’re like me, you’re feeling both an urge to somehow help and a

powerlessness about how to proceed. Politics aside, the human suffering

makes us want to DO SOMETHING to serve those in such overwhelming

circumstances.

Given this, I am happy to report the BCC Benevolence Committee has just

allocated gifts to Save the Children and Doctors Without Borders (in the

amount of $1000 each), ear-marked for refugee relief. These gifts represent

our first response. We’re seeking other opportunities to help, as well, and

will be glad to learn of how/where others in the congregation are involved.

SO, if there’s a way to help that you know about, please speak up and let

either me or those on Benevolence (Nancy Panagacos, Kristin Basil, Penny

Wolf, Janet Moulton or Maria Fluturas) know about it.

Corporate action, doing something good with others of like concern for those

in need and as an expression of our faith, is one of the great benefits of

belonging to a congregation. I, for one, don’t feel so alone or powerless in

the face of catastrophe when I know we share the concern and can be

effective as a church in ways that individuals cannot be. Bev Aisenbrey often

cites this as a compelling aspect of church life for her, and I know many of us

appreciate how strong we can be as ONE in Christ.

So, ironically, the crisis has become occasion for me to give thanks, in a

round-about way. While I mourn the suffering, I am grateful for the church

because an action response can be affected through it; and this is a good

thing. I’m grateful for others who share my concern. And I’m grateful for

continued page 2

SAVE THESE DATES

OCTOBER

4 Blessing of the Animals

8 Women’s Society

25 Heim Concert

NOVEMBER

1 All Saints Sunday

6-8 Hudson River Potters

8 “The Subject is Islam”

14 W.S Crafts Workshop

15 Heim Organ Concert

22 Commitment Sunday

30 Church Council meeting

Contact Us At:

rosborough@

briarcliffchurch.org

AND

church-office@

briarcliffchurch.org

Volume 68 Number 2 October 2015

2

the resources we have on hand, which, while a

little drop in a cavernous bucket, will help in

some way. May we be inspired and equipped to

do more. (It’s been suggested that we sponsor

and re-settle a family, for example! That would

be an “extraordinary” undertaking – as Paul

Nixon has suggested we do – and a fulfilling

witness, for sure.)

Autumn is here. A busy and blessed time. And

one I delight to share with you.

Yours in faith,

Pastor Bonnie

ST. FRANCIS, REMEMBERED

Mary Luti, a leader in our United Church of

Christ, has offered the following reflection on St.

Francis, whose feast day is October 4th.

Once upon a time, a dandy named Francis heard the

gospel. He gave away his own money, then stole his

father’s to help the poor. Dragged before the bishop

for judgment, he stripped off his clothes and, naked as

a jay, strode out of town, a newborn. He’d been

baptized as an infant, but this was the moment it took.

He became poor himself, suffering with the ragged on

the streets. He sang about Brother Sun and Sister

Water, preached to birds, did therapy with killer

wolves, and lured the cream of Assisi’s youth into the

evangelical madness of his mercy. To everyone’s

revulsion, including at first his own, he embraced

lepers, kissing their sores. Townspeople pelted him

with stones.

He hung out in a ruined chapel, the Portiuncula. One

day its crucifix spoke to him: “Repair my church.”

Stone by stone, he rebuilt the chapel. Some say Jesus

meant him to reform the Church, but Francis was

literal-minded, inclined to the concrete, doable things

in front of his nose.

Hungry for honor, he’d once gone to war. He

returned traumatized, a haunted peacemaker. Which

is why he’s the patron saint of stowaways, having

hidden on a boat headed for Egypt where he crossed

enemy lines, found the Sultan, commended the gospel

to him, and tried to end the fifth crusade. It didn’t

work, but the Sultan through he was a rare lovely

Christian and made sure he got home safely.

Francis love everybody, even the luxurious Pope down

in the holy cesspool of Rome (who’d surprised

everyone by approving the Franciscan Rule). But

most of all, Francis loved Jesus, following him with

unhinged joy down to the last detail of Christ’s

freedom and agony. One night, legend says, seraphim

lasered the wounds of Jesus onto his scrawny flesh.

Before Francis died, naked on the ground outside the

Portiuncula – dust to dust – he told his brothers, “I

have done my part. Christ teach you to do yours.”

He also said, “We have only begun to live the gospel.”

We, even dying Francis, have only begun.

Now he’s in Paradise with Jesus. It’s said that in the

morning mist, angels can’t tell them apart. His

heaven teems with talking birds, repentant wolves,

laughing water. The Pope’s there too, singing duets

with the Sultan. And lepers, thousands of lepers,

roses blooming on the skin where Francis kissed them.

We Protestants don’t have a tradition of

venerating the Saints. It’s too round-about-

Roman for us. But, I do love Francis, and I think

Luti’s poetic depiction of him is terrific, in part

because she describes more of his life and faith

than what we generally are aware, stopping at

“preaching to the birds,” as we tend to.

3

For some years, we at BCC have acknowledged

The Feast of St. Francis with a Blessing of the

Animals in Francis’ name on or about October

4th. This year, Francis’ Feast falls on the first

Sunday in October; and we’ll again be blessing

the animals, at 1:00 that afternoon, on the parish

hall lawn. Bring Fido and Fifi, rabbits, turtles,

gerbils, chickens, the whole gang. Peter Frost

will be on hand to help us sing. It’s usually a

wonderful

experience of

holy mayhem

and lots of fun

(for the animal

lovers among

us, that is).

We’ll remember

the lepers and

the Sultan, the

Pope, too.

NEIGHBORS IN NEED,

received October 4th.

The annual, all-church Neighbors in Need

Offering is one of four special offerings received

in the United Church of Christ. Since its

creation, one-third of the proceeds have been

used by the UCC Council for American Indian

Ministry, which, in turn, prepares study and

action materials to guide the church in our

response to the genocide of the native peoples

and theft of their ancestral lands. Moreover, the

offering recalls the historically significant

partnerships between Congregationalists and

American Indians, intertwined through

missionary relationships. Educational materials

can be found at www.ucc.org/dod.

VOLUNTEER TRIP TO FOOD BANK

FOR WESTCHESTER

On Saturday, October 3, high school students

related to BCC are invited to volunteer at the

Food Bank for Westchester in Elmsford. From 9 -

10:30 a.m., we will be repacking bulk foods (such

as pasta), sorting donated food or packing senior

produce bags. We have room for up to fifteen

volunteers (including a few chaperones). We are

in need of both teenagers to volunteer and a few

adults to drive/chaperone. If you would like to

participate, please contact Debra Stewart at

debrastewart03@gmail.com. There will also be a

sign up sheet in Beebe Hall. This promises to be a

fun and meaningful trip!

BENEVOLENCE NEWS

The Benevolence Committee is gearing up for the

second annual awarding of Jan and Wayne Byers

Memorial Fund special donations. The

nomination period is now open. Jan and Wayne

were long-time member of BCC who cared

deeply about bettering the lives of others. Please

consider proposing organizations whose purpose

and work honors their spirit and compassion.

Applications for nominating recipients of the Jan

and Wayne Byers Memorial Fund are available at

the back of the Sanctuary and in the Church

Office. The deadline for submission will be in

December and the awards will be announced

early in the new year.

Peanut Butter Sundays are continuing and are

greatly appreciated by the Ossining Food Pantry.

Last month we collected 25 jars! Please bring a

jar (or two) to help families in the Greater

Ossining community with their grocery needs.

Also accepted are non-perishables, such as tuna

and raisins, which are also appreciated.

Collection is in the wicker basket, specially

marked for PB, in the vestibule!

4

COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING

DINNER – 2015

Watch for more information! We are gearing

up and getting organized for the Community

Thanksgiving Dinner at the Ossining

Presbyterian Church. We had our first

meeting last week: Scarborough Presbyterian

Church, Ossining Presbyterian and BCC. It

looks like we will be asked to bake pies and

roast turkeys as we did so beautifully last

Thanksgiving! I was overwhelmed by our

response last year and know we will do

ourselves proud again this year! I will keep

you informed. Carol Mickel

BRIARCLIFF LIBRARY BOOK SALE

IN BEEBE HALL Watch for information on this event, coming to BCC

on Thanksgiving weekend. Setup help will be gladly

accepted as well as your support of the sale.

Planning ahead, the Benevolence Committee will

once again be sponsoring a Coat Drive for clients

and friends of IFCA (Inter-Faith Council for

Action) in Ossining. Gently used coats of all

sizes and genders are needed as the weather

turns colder and are greatly appreciated. Start

checking your closets and asking your friends

and family for any coats that they no longer

wear. Coats will be collected the first two

Sundays in November.

GUEST PREACHER,

REFORMATION SUNDAY, 25 OCTOBER

The Rev’d Linda Tarry-Chard will be our guest

on Reformation Sunday this year. A graduate of

Union Theological Seminary and a UCC minister

in the Metropolitan Association, Ms. Tarry-

Chard has recently retired from her position on

the pastoral staff at The Riverside Church in

Manhattan. Her work as Founder and President

of Project People Foundation, however, keeps

her busy. PPF was organized in 1996, after Linda

first traveled to South Africa; and it continues to

serve impoverished women and children there,

providing opportunities for education,

employment and entrepreneurship. She is Pastor

Rosborough’s dear, long time friend and

colleague, someone who bears a powerful

Christian witness in our world.

BCC FRIEND, DERRICK MCQUEEN,

TO BE ORDAINED

Derrick McQueen, who often preaches at BCC

when Pastor Rosborough is away and who

stimulated us to reflect on the music and witness

of Paul Robeson in February 2014, is to be

ordained by the NYC Presbytery, at St. James

Presbyterian Church (409 West 141st Street, NYC)

on October 3rd; and BCC is invited! Some of our

Deacons are hoping to attend, so car pooling may

be possible. Let your interest be known if you’d

like to go. The service begins at 2 p.m.

LECTORS (READERS)

TO BE CONVENED, OCTOBER 4TH

Reading scripture for the worshipping

congregation on Sunday morning is both a great

honor and a great responsibility, one for which

preparation is important and support is

advantageous. Therefore, those who enjoy

reading in our worship, as well as those now just

contemplating it, are invited to a conversation

5

about this oh-so-important ministry we share.

Let’s talk about the upcoming lessons, how they

fit into the liturgical year, what we think of them,

how we might enhance how they’re

heard/received. The conversation is meant to

build community and to encourage a deeper

engagement with the texts – also to share some

“tricks of the trade,” which will strengthen our

proclamation of God’s Word. We’ll gather in the

Pastor’s Study, following worship.

WOMEN’S SOCIETY NEWS

What a lovely brunch we had the last Saturday in

September. Hobbies and interests were the topic

of the day, how they connect us to others or help

us recall family memories. We loved seeing and

chatting with everyone and missed those who

couldn’t be there.

Our next chance to get together is for a meeting

with speaker on Thursday, October 8, at 9:30 in

the Eastman Room. After a business meeting,

the Director of Hope’s Door, a local shelter for

victims of domestic violence, will tell us about

their important work. This meeting is open to all

of the women of the church and the community.

Bring a friend.

The Fall Craft Workshop, led by Jan Aiello, will

be held on Saturday morning, November 14,

9:30 to noon; we’ll be making plump partridges.

For those not feeling crafty, there will be other

things to do like cutting out hang tags for the

Christmas giving trees. There will also be a brief

business meeting, accompanied by opportunities

for good fellowship and food.

Please mark your December calendars for the

Preparation of Greens and Christmas luncheon

on Thursday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to noon, and Cookie

Packing on Monday evening, December 14, 7:30-

9 p.m. We still need a hostess for this event.

Whew! The Fall calendar flies at the speed of a

toboggan.

Halloween is Coming… ….and so is the BCC Halloween Party, for the young and young at heart!

Sunday, 25 October, during Coffee

Hour. Games, food, high jinx and fun! Costumes are encouraged.

(AND HELP IS BEING SOUGHT)

STEWARDSHIP REPORT

Welcome to autumn—and to our annual drive to

encourage parishioners and friends to pledge

financial support for the church. “DARE TO

GROW” is our adopted theme for this year. It

underscores our rededication to new programs

for our children and youth, a focus on adult

spiritual education, a project to upgrade the

church’s communication within and beyond the

parish, and our continuing efforts to expand

BCC’s community. We welcome your help and

support for all these “growing places” and look

forward to sharing more information about the

theme during Moments of Concern in

November. Commitment Sunday will be

November 22. Thank you, in advance, for your

participation and for the ways you already give

to the church.

NOTES FROM FIMI

The Senior and Children's Choirs are rehearsing

weekly. For Reformation Sunday on Oct 25, the

6

Teen Choir will sing with the Senior Choir and

we will have our jazz duo back.

On October 25, we are presenting a concert by

the four recipients of our first annual BCC Music

Scholarship. The four recipients are: pianists Jade

Jang and Priscilla Zhang, bassoonist Gabriela

Gonzalez, and violinist Gustavo Briceño.

Jade Jang, 11-year-old pianist of Hartsdale began

her piano studies at the age of six with great

enthusiasm and devotion. She has been a winner

of the Young Pianists Competition sponsored by

the tri-county chapter of the National Teachers

Music Association.

Priscilla Zhang, an 11-year-old pianist who

comes with tremendous talent for music. She is

the daughter of the new minister of WCCF, the

Chinese Fellowship which rented our space for

three years. She has won competitions in SF Bay

area prior to moving here.

Gabriela Gonzalez, a bassoonist from

Venezuela, is an accomplished musician who has

just won the Concerto Competition at SUNY

Purchase, and will be performing with the

Purchase Symphony Orchestra in the fall.

Gustavo Briceño, a violinist from Venezuela, is

currently a student in the Master’s program at

SUNY Purchase. H is the concert master for the

Purchase Symphony Orchestra, and was the

featured soloist with the Camerata last season.

He has played with orchestras such as Simon

Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, Miami Symphony

Orchestra and Teresa Carreño Youth Orchestra

of Venezuela. He won the third prize in a

Chamber Music Competition with his former

String Quartet sponsored by Venezuela and

Spain and he also played in the String Quartet

Festival 2014 in Esterhazy Palace (Austria).

They will play a very varied program and the

proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund for

next year.

Three of the recipients have played during

summer services, and they will continue to

contribute to our worship services throughout

the year. Please come and support these young

musicians, and to see how the music scholarship

that many of you have contributed is assisting

them.

Blessings, Fimi

CELEBRATIONS

Peace comes from within,

do not seek it without.

excerpt from 'Heart of a Buddha'

Happy October Birthday

wishes to our friends:

Calvin Reynolds October 2

Natalie Mackintosh October 31

BRIARCLIFF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH TEL: 914-941-4368 FAX: 914-941-1513 EMAIL: church-office@briarcliffchurch.org

OCTOBER 2015

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

Childcare is available

during worship.

Sunday School meets

simultaneously.

1

Senior choir

rehearsal, 8 p.m.

2

3 Food Bank

food packing

Derrick McQueen

Ordination, 2 p.m.

4 WORSHIP, 10 am.

Peanut Butter Sunday

Neighbors In Need

Readers Workshop

Animal Blessing, 1 p.m.

5

6

7

Deacons

7:30 p.m.

8 Women’s Society

meeting, 9:30 a.m.

Senior choir

rehearsal, 8 p.m.

9

10

11 WORSHIP, 10 am.

NO Sunday School

12

13

Benevolence,

7:30 p.m.

14

15

Senior choir

rehearsal, 8 p.m.

16

Deadline for

November

Open Door

17

18 WORSHIP, 10 am.

Trustees, 11:30 am

19

20

21

22

Senior choir

rehearsal, 8 p.m.

23

24

25 WORSHIP, 10 am.

Reformation Sunday

Guest Preacher, Rev’d

Linda Tarry-Chard

Heim Concert, 4 p.m.

26

27

28

29

Senior choir

rehearsal, 8 p.m.

30

31

COMING IN NOVEMBER

Nov 1 ~ All Saints Sunday Nov 14 ~ Women’s Society Crafts Workshop

Nov 6-7-8 ~ Hudson River Potters Nov 15 ~ Heim Organ Concert

Nov 8 ~ “The Subject is Islam” with John Batchelor Nov 22 ~ Commitment Sunday

7

BRIARCLIFF CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

ALL SAINTS SOULS REMEMBRANCE

The names of persons who have died in the last year, since

All Saints 2014, will be read aloud during the Commemoration

of All Souls, which is to be celebrated on November 1, 2015.

We’ll honor other persons, deceased in prior years, by printing

their names, In Memoriam, in the Order of Worship that day.

Please list those you’d like remembered

in worship on November 1st below,

indicating those deceased in the past year with an asterisk *.

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________