Announcements

ANYONE can "do" coffee hour...it's not hard to do AND it is fun! (Need instructions on how to do coffee hour - including how to make coffee in our new coffee maker?...check the COFFEE HOUR HOST INSTRUCTIONS page.)

A Gentle Request to Kids & Parents.  We ask that kids eat their coffee hour goodies at the tables. We know that sitting on the sofas and chairs in the corners in the big room are tempting because they are cozy and private. However, spills and ground in food have caused stains and issues with ants. So, kids, please eat at the tables and then socialize in the corners. Parents, please remind them.

Coffee Hour Hosts Take Note. In order to facilitate the use of name tags, coffee hour hosts are asked to move the rolling bulletin board that holds the name tags so that it is positioned next to the entrance to the church center. And, please be sure to wear your name tags!  

GREET OUR RETURNING AND NEW AREA COLLEGE STUDENTS!  
We look forward to greeting our returning college students at the end of August. Be sure to say hi when you see them at worship. Late August and early September is a busy time in Potsdam, particularly on the college campuses. Both Clarkson and SUNY Potsdam host opportunities for community organizations and churches to reach out to students. Over the years, many college students have come to worship at Potsdam Presbyterian, joined our choir and other church activities, as a result of meeting us at these events. Traditionally, our pastor and music director and a few other church family members represent our church at these outreach events. If you would like attend a college event, you are encouraged to contact Rich, Laura, Eleanor Hopke, or Terry de la Vega. Look for dates and times during announcements before worship, in Parish Life inserts, in the email thought for the week, and on our website.

There are many opportunities to minister to our college students. We will continue our tradition of hosting home coked dinners on Sunday evenings. Connie Zelinski will schedule these dinners, so contact her if you are interested in hosting a dinner in your home. Last year we paired college students with people who are willing to drive students to worship on Sundays. Eleanor Hopke will organize this activity again. This is a wonderful way to get to know students individually and for them to feel more at home in a new place. As the weather gets cold, having a ride is a great blessing for the students! Contact Eleanor if you would like to offer a ride to a college student this fall.

If you do not already receive Thought for the Week, email Eleanor at ehopke@clarckson.edu and she will add you to the list. Feel free to send information about Potsdam church and community activities of interest to students to Eleanor to include in the weekly email.

If you are a person with time and talents who is enthusiastic about college students, consider volunteering to coordinate student activities. To explore the possibilities, contact Terry de la Vega or Eleanor Hopke.  

Meals for Moms is a program sponsored by the Deacons to help out new moms with new babies. If you can help cook a meal and bring it to a family, sign up on the bulletin board near the offices in the Center, or call Dianne Morrison 265-4890. (More...) 

Floral Tribute To Our Loved Ones
Do you remember the "good, old days" when flowers were given in memory of/or in honor of a loved one? The Sunday school children would like to rekindle this tradition. With your help, flowers could be purchased and given in memory of/honor of a loved one. The children could "arrange" them in the sanctuary. Following the worship service, the flowers could be taken home or given to a shut-in to brighten his or her day! Please sign up on the “Flower Chart” on the bulletin board outside the church offices or contact Danielle Grant or Robin Wilkinson if you'd like to participate in this very worthwhile project.

Prayer Calendar. The Congregational Life committee has created a prayer calendar to help us uphold one another in prayer. The full calendar is printed monthly in the Parish Paper. Please keep the calendar in a place where you will see it every day, and pray for the people listed on the given date each month.

Helping Hands Food Pantry If you would like to donate to the Helping Hands food pantry, the items needed for the month of September are: peanut butter and crackers - school supplies are also greatly appreciated. Please place your donations in the bin on the floor below the coat racks in the Church Center. Also as you do your spring cleaning, please remember that housewares and furniture are always needed.

Pastor's Office Hours. Pastor Rich will be in the office Mon. Wed. Thrs. mornings 10-12 Noon and Tues. afternoon 2-5pm.  If these times are not convenient for you, please call the office to set up a more convenient time.

College Student Dinners.  Anyone who would like to host college students for dinner during 2009-2010 please contact Eleanor Hopke. (More...)

Transportation Ministry. If you, or someone you know, is in need of transportation getting to church activities, please contact the church office.

Link to Bicentennial 2011 page

Upcoming (and Past) Events

Next Community Dinner - Thursday, September 16 (5:00-6:30pm - all are welcome to come!

The community dinner the second Thursday of each month is held at the Trihnity Episcopal Church on Fall Island in Potsdam.  On the third Thursday of each month, we host the community dinner at our church in the Church Center 5:00-6:30pm. 

Hosts are needed for each third Thursday community dinner - the one we are in charge of hosting - setting up, cooking, cleaning up.  CAN YOU HELP?  Please call the church office and leave your name and preferred date(s) if you can volunteer.  (Extra help is always needed, so please volunteer to help out.  Remember, this is part of our outreach to the community.)  We hope to see you at the dinners.  Feel free to bring a friend or neighbor. Please call Debbie Shipp if you can help: 268-0173

Rev. Rich Will with Will Willimon* at the
Festival of  Homiletics, May 2010

*"Will Willimon...is a bishop in the United Methodist Chruch in the US....  He is best known as a theologian, writer, former Dean of the Chapel at Duke University, and is one of America's best known preachers."  (quoted from "Wikipedia")

Former members Dick and Debbie Parsons
visit us in May, 2010

Dorothy Gordanier, our oldest church member,  enjoys a visit from her granddaughter (Katya), her grandson (in-law, Chad) and great granddaughter (Ella) - 06/10/07

Dorother turned 99 on November 24, 2009 and she was showered with greeting cards for her birthday.

(More Pictures from this year and past years...)