Updated 6-09-10

programs at Keene Valley Congregational Church UCC

 

 

 Sunday school and nursery

 

Currently we are offering Sunday School every week for Kindergarten through Fifth Grade.  Nursery care is provided for those younger.   Nursery care is available for any meetings, classes and events if requested in advance. THIS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE SUMMER !!

 

Our Sunday School curriculum is Christian based and ecumenical in its material.  When want our children to know the great stories and teachings of the Christian faith while respecting people from other religions and beliefs.  Our teacher is Mimi Woltner and the Facilitator of our Education Interest Group is Carol Blakeslee-Collin.

 

keene valley neighborhood house ministry

 

Every Tuesday at 10:30 am we offer a worship service at the Keene Valley Neighborhood House.  The service includes singing four old favorite hymns, scripture, message and prayer.  Milton leads the service and is assisted by Ethel Webb and Emma Andrews.  You are welcome to attend or give us a hand any week.  We are also setting up a way to escort or transport KVNH residents to Sunday worship.  www.kvnh.org

 

The KVCC ChoirS and orchestra

 

SUMMER NOTE: The last Sunday of the year-round choir is June 13.  The choir will sing twice this summer on July 18 and August 15.  Rehearsals will be July 14 and August 11 at 7:00 pm and July 18 and August 15 at 9:00 am.

 

We take great pride in our choirs and are fortunate in this rural setting to have a thriving and talented group of singers and bell ringers.  Rob Hastings is one of the reasons.  As Music Director, Rob works with people of all abilities while shaping them into a joyous and spirited choir.  Maybe most important to choir members is that they are having fun!  There have been Sundays where our choir swells to twenty four  members and others where a group of twelve sings bravely.  They lead us in worship and enhance our experience of the Holy whenever they sing.  The choir meets on Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm and Sunday at 9:00 am for rehearsal.  Our Bell Choir practices and performs on an irregular schedule.  Please check our calendar to find out when it meets or performs next.  Everyone is welcome to be part of our choirs.  Childcare is offered when requested in advance .  Contact Rob Hastings for more information at rivermede1@aol.com  or (518) 576-4686.

 

KVCC and Friends Orchestra/Ensemble.  We have discovered a number of people who like to play music together.  They range in all abilities and ages.  Practices are now happening on Thursdays at 5:00 pm in the church.  If you play an instrument and would like to participate, contact Jim Huneycutt at 891-3135.

 

EMERGENCY FUNDS

 

This year has been financially challenging to all.  Yet, some people are suffering and may need food, fuel oil (all types), or clothing.  We have set aside a sum of money in our budget to try to address these needs.  If you know someone who is struggling and could use a little assistance (confidential) please contact our Minister or have the person contact him.

 

women’s Alcoholics anonymous

 

We are happy to offer the Van Santvoord Room on Thursdays at 1:00 pm for an A.A. meeting.  This is a women’s only open meeting.

 

Quarterly Meal Fundraisers 

 

We have wonderful remodeled kitchen and want to build fellowship and raise funds by putting on quarterly meals.  Funds raised at these meals go to an organization, agency or cause, chosen by the Mission and Social Action Interest Group. 

 

adult education

 

     Each Saturday morning from 9:00 – 10:00 am “Faith and Issues” meets in the Manse.  They choose a book, article or video and engage in lively discussion.  One goal of this group is to be welcoming to all opinions without judgment.  If you would like to attend or have questions contact Karen Glass at 576-2058 or kglass28@kvvi.net.

 

Summer 2010 Event - The Rev. John Webster (retired Presbyterian minister and summer resident) and Milton have secured a two day visit next summer for Serene Jones.  Serene was a tenured professor of theology at Yale (feminist theologian) and is the new President of Union Seminary.  She will be with us on July 8-9.  She also happens to have been one of Milton’s classmates. 

    

     On the 8th Serene will do an afternoon session designed for clergy (all welcome though) about the state of theological education in America.  That evening John and Penny Webster will host a cocktail party for Union alumnae and friends where Serene can share about the Seminary.

 

     On the 9th we will offer one or two sessions designed for laity.  The presentation and discussion will center around Serene’s latest book, Trauma and Grace: Theology in a Ruptured World.  The sub-topic will be to describe the role and vision of the Christian Church in America and throughout the world. 

 

     We can get the books at a steep discount for those who want to read it.  I have asked that her presentation be at a level that people did not have to read the book to understand her.

    

     This will be the first of what John and I hope is a yearly event in the summer that will be offered in conjunction with Union Theological Seminary.

 

Music and the arts

 

If you have a musical talent you would like to share, please contact Rob Hastings, our Music Director at rivermede1@aol.com or (518) 576-4686.

 

The KVCC Organist and Pianist

 

Betsy Stinson is our very talented organist and pianist.  She accompanies the choir, congregational singing and performs at special events.  Betsy leads us through a very moving Lenten meditation each year, is the host and facilitator of our fall “Special Music Evening” and has accompanied violin, flute, cello... and even the bagpipe in our church.  We have a good electronic organ and 32 note chime and are fortunate to have a Steinway Grand that was recently been refurbished.  Many artists, while in the area, come down to the church to use our piano for practice and performances.  If you have questions about our instrumental program or an idea please contact Betsy at kvcc@kvv.net of (518) 576-4711.

 

concerts and performances at KVCC

 

The acoustics of our sanctuary, seating for 120 and off street parking make KVCC an ideal venue for performances on all kinds.  Many of our concerts are brought to us through the East Branch Friends of the Arts (www.eastbrancharts.org).  We have enjoyed artists from the Meadowmount School (www.meadowmount.com),  Seagle Colony (www.seaglecolony.com), and renowned individuals like cellist Ovidiu Marinescu (www.marinescu.com), soloist Deborah Lynn Cole (www.deborah-cole.de/en),  Celtic harper Martha Gallagher (www.adkharper.com), soloist Atea Ring accompanied by Russell Ames, Ugandan Youth Dancers and many, many other fine artists. 

 

In addition to music we have presented and hosted a number of plays and readings.  These have included “Emmanuelle”, “Amahl”,  and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” to name a few.  We are currently remodeling our sanctuary to enhance our experience of worship and to provide a more usable space for performances.  If you would like to use our sanctuary please contact us at 576-4711 or kvcc@kvvi.net.

 

Quilters

 

Our quilters meet in the Van Santvoord Room every Monday morning.  If you would like to come or have questions, contact Pat Bigelow at 576-9908 or patbigelow@yahoo.com.