Around three years ago, the congregation of Niskayuna Reformed Church gathered together as part of the pastoral transition process to reflect on three questions: Where have we been? Where are we now? Where does God want us to go? This conversation helped the Pastoral Search Committee in the process of finding a new pastor. That search, of course, led us to call Pastor Jason. It has been two years since Jason became our pastor. Therefore, it seems a fitting time for us to come together again to have another conversation about where we are as a congregation. Using what was learned three years ago as a starting point, we will engage in a discussion about what God is up to now at NRC and where God might want us to go. We invite you to join this conversation on Sunday, March 4th, following the worship service. We will begin at 10:45am and aim to be finished by Noon. Childcare will be provided.  We invite and encourage you to attend, and ask that you sign up through the office by February 26th.

Women’s Book Group will meet this month at the home of Karen Goddard.  All are welcome to join!

WFG will meet in the Lounge for their monthly meeting.  All are welcome!

Do you think you’d like to improve your approach to prayer?  Do you feel guilt when you realize that you don’t pray often enough or at all?  How often is enough?  How do you pray?  When do you pray?  What do you pray about?  How do you know if God is listening?

The Congregational Care Committee, together with the Women’s Fellowship Group is planning a short Women’s Retreat on Prayer for Saturday, March 17, 2018 from 9:30 am until about 2:30 pm.  We hope you will consider joining us for a thoughtful and inspirational time of fellowship.

The theme of the retreat, The Art of Prayer,  will be based on the book “Help, Thanks, Wow – The Three Essential Prayers” by Anne Lamott.  The day will be filled with discussion, drama, singing, sharing, art, praying (of course!), and will include a delicious luncheon professionally prepared by our in-house chef (!!) and served by a few of our fantastic men.

Advance registration is requested and can be handled by contacting Sharon Jackson (sej832@aol.com) or Sue Felpel (lsfelpel@yahoo.com) or the church office (office@niskayunareformed.org).  There is a small fee of $8.00 to cover the cost of materials and lunch.  Please register as soon as possible, but not later than Monday, March 12.

It is not necessary to read the Anne Lamott’s book before the retreat, but for those who wish to do so, you can order a copy at https://www.amazon.com/Help-Thanks-Wow-Essential-Prayers/dp/1594631298/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1516992834&sr=8-1   It’s available in hardcover, Kindle edition, or as an audio book.  If you’d like us to order a copy for you, the cost would be about $12.50, so let us know ASAP if you would prefer this option.

WFG will meet in the Lounge for their monthly meeting.  All are welcome!

Brooks BBQ is here from 3- 6pm (or until sold out)

Prices are:

$12 (chicken dinner)

$8 (1/2 chicken)

Please come out and support NRC!

NRC is having a Bottle Drive to support our Nursery School & Preschool Program. You can help by donating your refundable bottles and cans. Drop off your items at Niskayuna Reformed Church. The drop off dates are:   Thursday, April 26th from 4-7 pm, Friday, April 27th from 4 -7 pm, Saturday, April 28th from 11-2 pm and Sunday, April 29th from 11-2.   Preschool staff will here to receive your donations. Start putting your donations aside NOW! Thank you for supporting our Preschool Program.

Women’s Book Group will meet this month at the home of Betty Engler.  All are welcome to join!

NRC is having a Bottle Drive to support our Nursery School & Preschool Program. You can help by donating your refundable bottles and cans. Drop off your items at Niskayuna Reformed Church. The drop off dates are:   Thursday, April 26th from 4-7 pm, Friday, April 27th from 4 -7 pm, Saturday, April 28th from 11-2 pm and Sunday, April 29th from 11-2.   Preschool staff will here to receive your donations. Start putting your donations aside NOW! Thank you for supporting our Preschool Program.

Sacred Sounds concert and reception

May 6, 5:00 PM

Niskayuna Reformed Church will again participate in the annual statewide Sacred Sites weekend open house organized by The New York State Landmarks Conservancy. The History & Archives committee and Music Ministries have collaborated to present “Sacred Sounds: The Historical Role of Music in Liturgy at Niskayuna Reformed Church”.

The concert will feature the senior and youth choirs, with orchestra, under the direction of Andrew Burger, NRC’s Director of Music.  “This is a very special concert as this is the first time our church has presented a special concert comprised only of the church’s own music ministry groups”, Mr. Burger explained at a recent church service.  The groups will perform selections from across the church’s musical history.   Christina Pizzino-Catalano, choral teacher at Niskayuna High School has been invited as a guest soloist as well as orchestral musicians from the community.

The concert will also include discussion by Scott Haefner, co-chair of the church’s History & Archives committee and historian. Rev. Jason Fulkerson, the church’s minister, will provide a welcoming introduction and explanation of why music is a vital part of the worship experience, and offered “Music has the ability to stir our souls in unique ways. We invite the community to join us as we celebrate the rich musical history of our church.”

The hour-long concert will take place on Sunday, May 6 at 5:00 PM inside the sanctuary. Although this event is free, tickets will be available to pick up at coffee hours on Sundays after worship services on 4/22, 4/29 and 5/6, as well as at the NRC office during office hours. Please invite your friends and family.

A reception will immediately follow in Fellowship Hall.  Coffee and tea will be served. Please bring cookies to share. Cookies may be dropped off at the kitchen on the morning of May 6.  Monetary donations to the History & Archives committee are also appreciated as they will be used to preserve historical church records in fragile condition. Some significant documents will be on display at the reception.

Niskayuna Reformed Church is recognized by the State and National Register of Historic Places. Since 1986 The New York Landmarks Conservancy’s Sacred Sites program has supported more than 700 religious institutions throughout the state which have received over $8.7 million in matching grants. Sacred Sites is the country’s oldest and largest statewide grant program to help landmark religious properties.  For additional information on the Sacred Sites Open House Weekend, contact The New York Landmarks Conservancy at 212-995-5260 or visit http://www.nylandmarks.org/events/sacred_sites_open_house/.