Elder Tom Van Tassell addressing the congregation.
Our church family gathers to listen to Elder Tom Van Tassell. Our worship services are open for prayer and praise, and words from anyone led by the Spirit, whether planned or not. We have a suggested order of worship, with the emphasis upon the word suggested. We have Communion twice a month, on the 1st and 3rd Sundays. Our church, certainly not perfect, is nevertheless a place where people can feel loved and accepted as they are, knowing that God will use our time together to help us grow in faith and fellowship.
Pastor Dan has been with CFCC since August, 1986. Originally from North Carolina, where he was reared as a Quaker, he has lived in Indiana and the Washington, D.C. area. In 1978 he came to New York State to work for the Quaker denominational body of which Clintondale Friends was a part. In 1992 Dan affiliated with Elim Fellowship, and is currently ordained through that Christian organization. He has a heart for the wider Body of Christ throughout the Hudson Valley and around the world. Dan is married to Cheryl and they have a son, Dan, age 27. Cheryl teaches Social Work at Marist College and both of the Dan’s are active in the local fire department.
Contact info for the pastor: Email: pastordan@clintondalefriends.org Cell phone: 845-399-2344
Presently three Elders serve with the pastor. These men are Fred DeMaio, Tom Van Tassell and Dave Clouser. The four meet weekly to pray for the church and listen to God’s direction for them and the entire fellowship. Their primary responsibility is to serve the congregation in its spiritual growth.
Our two Deacons are Arnold Hansen and David St. Jean. They work closely with the Elders to see that the physical aspects of the church, particularly the facilities, are in order. They also serve with the Elders in the celebration of Communion and other spiritual aspects of church life.
In reality, it is difficult to separate out spiritual, administrative and physical details of our life together as a church family. The Elders and Deacons are seeking for ways to blend their ministries to make sure that the membership is served and encouraged in their ministries wherever they live, work and play.
Tom, Susan, Cheryl, Cathy, Mark and Rusty leading worship on a Sunday morning
Eleanor Seeland, our faithful organist
We have a blended worship style. That is, we use hymns (with organ or piano) and contemporary Christian music with guitars and other instruments to help us come into the Presence of God. Our music team works together to pick, practice and perform music and songs that will lead us to a place of worship.
Shelley Reynolds (center) with two teachers, Cathe Porcelli and Sandra Cranswick
Kids Church is a place where our younger children can learn about Jesus and what it means to be a Christian. Our teachers share the responsibilities of teaching, with Shelley Reynolds coordinating the program and occasionally teaching herself. Older children help with Kids Church.
In addition to Kids Church, Shelley coordinates the Vacation Bible School. We hold VBS in the evening so that parents and other adults can take part.
Our Mission Group is currently chaired by Mark Fink. This group of folks see to the various mission organizations and individuals we support. We seek to have some kind of direct relationship with those whom we support. Whether local, national or international, our support helps to extend the Kingdom of God with the message of the Gospel and with direct aid to those in need. The mission group can be reached by email at missions@clintondalefriends.org.
Several women in the church help draw together the other women for study, prayer and outreach. Cheryl Whitley, Linda Orth, Lauren Young and Eleanor Seeland currently work together on behalf of the women. Here they are pictured following a mini-retreat of prayer and planning.
The Women's Ministry Team will be hosting a one-day retreat with Penny Banuchi on Saturday, October 29.
Busy Bees
Our church has had a sewing group (almost) continually since the 1920's. A few years ago the sewing group was laid down, and within a few months another one was started. The new group is called The Busy Bees. They make all kinds of items to give away to those in need: baby dolls for children in Haiti, prayer shawls that also keep people warm in winter and pouches that attach to walkers for those who need help getting around. There is a wonderful sense of bonding among these women who meet each Tuesday to sew, chat and have a lunch together.
Catskill (NY) Elementary offered its second annual coat swap...providing free coats to anyone who needed one. Families were encouraged to bring in good coats that children had outgrown, but it was not a requirement. In addition to coats, youngsters could acquire homemade knit hats provided by the ladies from the Busy Bees ladies club of Clintondale. From left, students Mya Lopez, Colin Ramos, Seth Ramos, Miguel Ramos and Emily Darling admire the hats while Eldeva Tofte and Susan Powers of the Busy Bees look on. - Daily Mail, November 24, 2010 (Photo Claude Haton/Hudson-Catskill Newspapers, used with permission.)
On the Sunday nearest to July 4 our church gathers at the Hurd’s farm for a picnic and baptisms in the Hurd’s pool. The only serious thing allowed is the baptismal service; otherwise we are to dispense with all but the “fun and games” side of life. Bring a dish to share and jump in the pool with us.
On the Saturday before Thanksgiving our church invites the community to our Fellowship Hall for a Thanksgiving dinner complete with turkey, stuffing, potatoes/gravy, cranberry sauce, and, of course, pies! This is a free dinner to show our love and concern for those who live in our community. It happens on opening day for deer season and hunters are welcome to come from their day out in the woods.
Toni and Arlene, librarians (with someone in the background using the computer)
The Highland (NY) Public Library has maintained a branch in our 1811 Meetinghouse since 1989. For a few hours on several days of the week a librarian from Highland opens the branch which offers books, movies, crafts, computer usage – most of the things one might find in a larger library. People from Clintondale are able to order books from the main library and pick them up in a matter of days at the branch. We provide this space as a service to the community.
