V 27 N 2 October 2020

Message from the Minister Preaching Schedule INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ, Two Sunday worship
2
I recently had the privilege of officiating at the services: 8:30am
Up Front
interment service for a member of RCB. Her and 10:30am
name was Mary and she was just shy of her
103rd birthday. She was born in the year 1917. ______________
Think about that: 1917. Last year, there was a
movie with the title 1917 and it was about World War I! October 4
Three services today: 8:30am,
Mary had an extremely small family and had outlived most 10:30am, 5:00pm
of her family members. Due to geographical distance, many of
those still living were unable to attend her brief home-going Note: The Gathering will take 3
service. So I gathered in our beautiful Columbarium with her place on the first Sunday
nephew Jim and his son, Jamie. of each month. Music & Worship
As the three of us stood around her niche, I couldn’t help but The Reverend
be aware that this woman was born a year before the Spanish 4
Samuel T. Clover
Flu pandemic broke out. She was a year old when 500 million Serve
Compassion
people were infected and somewhere between 20-50 million
people died. Nearly 103 years later, at the tail end of her life, October 11 5
she would experience another pandemic. Her life was The Reverend Learning, Caring,
bookended by these two seemingly unimaginable tragedies. Dr. Matthew Waterstone Growing
Mary lived through the Great Depression, the Holocaust, Homecoming at Holland High
World War II, the Civil Rights Movement, 9/11, and the
Great Recession. Right before the Lord called her home, she October 18 6-7
experienced the Covid-19 pandemic. All in one lifetime. The Reverend Children & Youth
Just think about all the scary things Mary endured: all the Dr. Matthew Waterstone
sleepless nights she must have had wondering and worrying One of the Hardest Things
about the world she was living in, all the news broadcasts on We Need to Do
natural disasters and assassinations, all the wars and rumors
of war. As I recited Jesus’ famous words that are part of the October 25
liturgy at a Committal service, “Come to me all who are weary The Reverend
and carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest,” I Dr. Matthew Waterstone
couldn’t help but think that Mary must have had many weary Be Still and Know 8
nights and many days of carrying heavy burdens. Last Words
______________
I don’t know about you, but recently I’ve had more than a few
weary nights and days carrying heavy burdens. I’m weary of
reading letters containing the phrase, “Out of an abundance of
caution...” I’m weary of gross, hot breath on my face when I
wear a mask. I’m weary of trying to be an event coordinator
for my kids, who have had so many activities canceled. But
these aren’t even close to the heavy burdens that some other
folks are carrying: burdens like paying the bills, or keeping the
business open, or recovering their health.
So perhaps there is another word from Jesus—a word that
Mary must have held close throughout her nearly 103 years.
It’s a verse I know I need to hold on to as well. It goes like
Continued on page 8
 2 U P F R O N T
Consistory News much easier. Visit the “Give” tab on the homepage
(www.reformedchurch.org), and you can fill out a pledge
By Sam Clover card online and arrange for one-time or periodic giving
This year Consistory began a new meeting schedule. via credit card at the click of a button.
Rather than meet every month—an experiment we tried
last year—we discerned it’s more efficient and organized Comings and Goings
to meet as a body every other month. So, the boards of elders It’s with a mixture of joy and sorrow
and deacons will meet on the same night (though that we announce our head sexton, Pedro
separately) one month, and the next month the full Santana, has decided to retire after 10
Consistory will meet. Due to ongoing health conditions, years of service at RCB. With his
all meetings are being held via Zoom until further notice. winning personality, warm smile,
Here’s the remaining schedule this year; all meetings resourcefulness and devotion to God and
begin at 7:00pm: the congregation, Pedro has served with
distinction. Every square inch of the
Oct. 13 – Consistory
Nov. 10 – Elders and deacons meet separately Pedro Santana campus bears his fingerprints. Many of
us have a “Pedro story,” in which he saved
Dec. 8 – Consistory the day with a quick fix and a smile, often
Jan. 12 – Elders and deacons meet separately willingly taking care of things outside his
Feb. 9 – Consistory job description simply because he cares.
Mar. 9 – Elders and deacons meet separately We’ll miss him. And while Pedro can’t be
Apr. 13 – Consistory replaced, we’re pleased to let you know
May 11 – Elders and deacons meet separately that Nick Leff has been appointed
Jun. 8 – Consistory Facility Supervisor. He’ll be managing
New Consistory Members the sexton team as well as making sure
On September 27, Bill Ferguson was presented to the the buildings and grounds are in
Nick Leff tip-top shape.
congregation to serve as elder for an unfinished term in the
class of 2023. Also, we’re grateful to high school seniors
Connor Randall and Emma Van Ness, this year’s Ex-Officio The Gathering, Now Monthly,
Youth Members.
Resumes October 4
An Annual Report Sun., Oct. 4, 5:00pm, Congregational Hall
When the Standing Rules were reviewed two summers ago,
After much discussion, this summer the Worship Council
a requirement was added to publish an annual report every
and pastoral staff agreed that The Gathering will
year, starting with the 2019 year. We are in process of
continue on a monthly basis, meeting the first Sunday of
preparing that, and it should be ready by early November.
each month starting October 4. And we’re pleased to
Action Committee on Race and Justice report that the service will move back to the space where
This committee was appointed in June by Pastor Matt to it started: Congregational Hall! Over the next few months,
explore concrete steps RCB can take to work for racial we will be searching for a new worship leader, but until
justice, both in the church and the community. The then the gifted pianist and singer Chris Whittaker, who
discussions have been rich and have covered everything has substituted in the past, will serve as interim. He’ll be
from language and music in worship to education, leading an expanded band that will include our old friends
partnerships with other churches and simple hospitality. Sylvia Lee on drums and Eric Thompson on bass! Bring
A formal list of recommended action steps will be your masks and put your praise on for a rousing start to
presented at the October consistory meeting. The the re-invigorated service.
committee consists of Maureen Barton, Don Bringle,
Janet Dessart, Mary Mackintosh, Paul Muir, Sophia
Okeke, Gretchen Pingel, Richard Pink, and Michael Blessing of the Animals
Randall, along with Pastors Matt and Sam. In honor of St. Francis Sunday on October 4, our
clergy will pray for pets of all kinds. Noon to 1:00pm on
Stewardship Campaign Kicks Off November 15 the front lawn.
In previous years, we’ve launched the stewardship
campaign in October. Due to the extraordinary Have you seen our new website? Visit
circumstances surrounding Covid-19, we’ve decided to
push it back a few weeks. We’re pleased to report that the www.reformedchurch.org
new website will make pledging and fulfilling pledges for a complete calendar of upcoming events at RCB!
 M U S I C A N D W O R S H I P 3
Music News For October Music At RCB Concert Series
By Caitlin Dowling
Chancel Choir Announcements
In September, we had our first birthday social in the Cloister.
It was great to see members of the Chancel Choir in person!
Next up for October’s Chancel Choir gathering is a lecture on
“Music and the Plague,” with Dr. Chris Macklin, which will be
held via Zoom on September 30 at 7:15pm. One of my former
professors, Dr. Macklin has a doctorate in the music of the
bubonic plague era. If you’re interested in joining us, email me
at cdowling@reformedchurch.org. We’ve also begun sending
out the RCB Schola’s Sunday anthem music to choir members,
so they can stay fresh and engaged while we continue to pause
rehearsals. If you’ve ever been looking for a low-commitment
way to join choir, now is your chance! We’d love to welcome
you into the RCB Chancel Choir community this fall!
New Additions to Our Musical Staff
We’re delighted to let you know that our organist and pianist,
Dr. Slavina Zhelezova, has agreed to join our staff on a more
permanent basis as Assistant Organist and Assistant Director
of Children’s Music. Slavina will be playing in worship each
week as well as assisting with children’s choirs. Please join us
in welcoming her by email: szhelezova@reformedchurch.org.
We’ve also appointed an Interim Director for Youth
Handbells: Daniel Potter comes to us from Riverside Church
in NYC where he is Director of Handbells. He is also an
elementary and middle school music teacher. We’re thrilled
to have him, and we’ve already had some great rehearsals o Music in the Cloister, featuring
utdoors in the Cloister. To welcome Daniel—or to join a Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
youth handbell choir for the first time—contact him at Sunday, October 25, 5:00pm, Cloister, free.
dpotter@reformedchurch.org. A septet of Orpheus musicians will perform Richard
Children and Youth Choir Schedules Strauss’s Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Op. 28
Children and Youth choirs resumed on Wednesday, and Beethoven’s Septet in E-flat Major, Op. 20.
September 16, and we had a blast playing with rhythm sticks, Reservations will be taken for socially-distant circles
doing a little singing, and even using handchimes! If you’ve holding up to two people. Masks are required, and
been considering children’s choir or youth choir, come try it please bring your own lawn chair. Attendees will be
out! We’d love to meet you and play some fun musical games seated on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a
with you. The schedule of choirs is below. If you have two-ticket limit; reserve them at orpheusnyc.org.
questions, please don’t hesitate to email Upcoming Concerts, all at 5:00pm:
cdowling@reformedchurch.org.
Choral Evensong for All Saints, Sunday, November 8
Christmas Concert, Sunday, December 13
Children’s and Youth Vocal Choirs
Carol Choir (1st-3rd grade): Wed., 4:00-4:30pm
Cathedral Choir (4th & 5th grades): Wed., 4:45-5:15pm Wednesday Evening Prayers
Chapel Choir (6-8th grade): Wed., 5:30-6:00pm Wednesdays, 6:30-7:00pm, patio in front of Sanctuary
Doors.. (Fellowship 6:00-6:30pm)
Children’s and Youth Handbell Choirs In the tradition of a quiet compline service (evening
prayers), this service offers the chance to re-connect
Kirk Ringers (8-12 grades): Sun., 12:30-1:00pm with God and each other. Worship time features a
Whitechapel Ringers (6-7 grades): Sun., 1:15-1:45pm brief homily and communal and individual prayer.
 4 S E R V E
Where Is Your Mission Field? is a lifestyle. It acts from ingrained patterns of living. It
springs spontaneously to meet human need.”
By Mary Mackintosh
I am eager to hear where your mission field lies. Our RCB
When I hear Pastor Matt’s benediction, “Go forth into mission programs will only be strong, active and
your mission field,” I often think, “Where is my mission meaningful if they come from you—from all generations of
field going to be this week? This month? This year?” Do congregants in our beloved RCB community. Drop me a
you wonder where your mission field is? line at mmackintosh@reformedchurch.org.
Our mission fields change over the course of our lives.
As one congregant with three small children put it,
sometimes “family life is a mission field in itself!” Make a Difference this October with
I love that. To change the world, we may be most effective These Opportunities to Volunteer
by changing how we treat those closest to us—our Be on the lookout for our monthly Mission News E-blast,
families, our neighbors and our church community. In my or visit www.reformedchurch.org to learn how you can become
younger days, I thought my mission field had to be grand: involved in mission programs.
I would eliminate childhood poverty in Africa, protect the
educational rights of children with disabilities, or end For additional info about the opportunities below, contact
violence against women. These are worthy goals, but not Mary Mackintosh, mmackintosh@reformedchurch.org
goals that only one person’s mission is likely to change. YPIE Mentor Training
In his chapter on ministry in the book Life Together, October 7, 9:00am-12:00pm
Dietrich Bonhoeffer describes ways of serving that are not Serve as a mentor to a high school student in Yonkers.
grand, but which have a profound effect in creating a For those who cannot make the morning training, there
Christian community of service. “We must be ready to will be an evening session scheduled in early October.
allow ourselves to be interrupted by God.” He describes
simple ways to serve: listening closely to others, Coming Home Resource Network
performing active helpfulness even when the need we see Please refer to the Congregational letter on the RCB
takes us off our intended path (as in Luke 10:25-37, the website (www.reformedchurch.org): See “The Coming
parable of the good Samaritan), and bearing others’ Home Resource Network” on the Serve the Community
burdens. These mission fields may not bring glory, but page under the Outreach & Care tab.
they may change the world around you.
With Covid-19 restrictions, our mission fields look different. Broadway Manor Soup Kitchen
We meet screen-to-screen instead of face-to-face, but we October 28, 11:00am
can still listen, make eye contact and make the person Help deliver food to our homeless friends in Yonkers.
we’re talking to the most important person in our life.
Westhab Mobile Food Pantry
Your active helpfulness may be responding to the needs of
October 29, 11:30am
our local communities by donating food or mentoring
youth. You might interact with a young person in Kenya Westhab Playgroup
whose school has been closed by the government, or write
to a woman in prison who feels more isolated than ever Join with the High School Youth Council to provide play
without family visits or her usual programs. By listening and creative activities two Thursdays each month.
and by your acts of helpfulness, you will not only create
relationships, but also bear the burdens of others and The Fuller Center for Housing
together with them, seek God’s help in easing their pain. Tentative date: October 24, Time TBD
Help build a home for our neighbors in Westchester.
Whatever mission field you choose—making a meal for
the Community Service Associates Soup Kitchen in Mount Community Service Associates:
Vernon, donating non-perishable goods for Westhab Cook for Mount Vernon
families in Yonkers, mentoring with YPIE, building with
the Fuller Center, or just listening more closely to your “Grab and Go” weekday evening soup kitchen.
spouse, child or friend, invite Jesus to accompany you.
“Little Piece of Light” Pen Pal Program
In the chapter on service in Celebration of Discipline,
Richard Foster writes, “True service comes from a Correspond twice monthly by email with a woman
relationship with the divine Other deep inside. We serve incarcerated in New York State.
out of whispered promptings, divine urgings...True service
 LEARNING, CARING, GROWING 5
Keeping in Touch By Judi McCandless
For many of us, “Zoom-fatigue” has become all too real. But please consider joining one of our virtual discussions for a
sense of connection and growth…not only for yourself, but for others who may be longing for community.

Virtual Coffee Hour Tea Time

Sundays, immediately after livestream worship Thursday, October 22, 3:00-4:00pm. Via Zoom.
Refill your cup of coffee or tea after worship, and join us We miss our Tea Time friends, and hope you will join
on Zoom for a half hour of conversations with each other, our virtual attempt to re-connect. Bring your own tea
and a chance to reflect on the sermon or scripture of the or snacks, and join in conversations with a community
day. Link and passcode will be provided in the bulletin of friends. RSVP to jmccandless@reformedchurch.org by
each week. Questions? Contact Judi McCandless at October 19 to get the Zoom link. Not familiar with
jmccandless@reformedchurch.org. Zoom? Reach out to us in advance, and we will be happy
to help!
Praying Through the Pandemic
Tuesdays, through October 27, 9:00-10:00am. Via Zoom. Lectio Divina
Are you sensing an undercurrent of sadness, anxiety or Fridays, 10:30am-12:00pm, via Zoom
loneliness during these unsettling times? Are you Pastor Sam will lead this ancient form of Bible study that
wondering how to help your loved ones? Let’s gather invites all participants to offer insight on the passage to
virtually and deepen our ties with each other as a faith be preached the following Sunday. Go deeper in the
community through prayer, by listening to one another, Word and connect to a community of friends. Email
and by cultivating ways to draw closer to God in our sclover@reformedchurch.org to receive the Zoom link.
daily lives. We will touch on such themes as simplicity,
generosity, gratitude, and other inner disciplines. For
information, questions or to get the Zoom link, contact Something to Think About: Listening
Judi at jmccandless@reformedchurch.org. By Alexis Mastromarino
Weekly Parent Support Group: I just finished listening to the novel The Book of
Longings, by Sue Monk Kidd. (Highly recommended!)
Where’s Your Oxygen Mask? Audiobooks are a new experience for me. I love reading
Thursdays, 1:00-2:00pm. Via Zoom. and have loved it since I was a small child. My mother
Are you parenting a child of nursery school to middle would say to me on summer days, “Stop reading and go
school age? Caring for our souls is like putting on our out to play!” That is how much I read!
own oxygen mask first, so that we can best care for our
children. Psychology and neuroscience show that loving Something has been brought to the forefront of my
attachment is key to raising an emotionally mature child. mind as I now listen to novels. I must really pay
attention. I must stay focused on what is being said. If
The same can be said for the emotional and spiritual
my mind wanders off, I miss something important. I
maturity of parents—but here our own loving
have tried to listen to the book in bed before going to
attachment to God is what we must nourish. This group
sleep but I always find that I doze off. Then when I
will share, listen, pray, and consider how we can better
attach ourselves to our loving God. Come as you are and wake up, I have a hard time finding my place.
as you are able. For info and the Zoom link, contact This experience has led me to question my listening
Judi McCandless at jmccandless@reformedchurch.org. skills in general. First, how do I listen to connect with
God? Am I distracted when I pray, or do I stay present
Bibles, Books and Faith Conversations and in the moment? Do I try to multitask and miss
Wednesdays, 9:30-10:45am. Via Zoom something important? Do I pray when I am tired, so I
This women’s small group meets weekly and fall asleep and have a hard time reconnecting?
incorporates meditations, the Bible, books and our own How do I listen when others speak to me? How do I
stories into our conversations. We are currently listen when my spouse or children speak to me? Am I
discussing Drew Hart’s book, Trouble I’ve Seen: Ending the truly present to the conversation?
Way the Church Views Racism, which addresses racism and
Perhaps you can join me in honing your listening skills.
what we are called to do as Christians. If you’d like to
When you are listening for God’s soft voice (centering
join this wonderful community of women, please contact
prayer) or listening to family, friend, or colleague, give
Judi at jmccandless@reformedchurch.org.
your full attention! See what happens!
6 C H I L D R E N A N D Y O U T H
Student Ministry News
By Christian Verwys
We now have one week of Youth Group
programming in the books!
Our kick-off events for our Middle School and
High School youth groups were a great success,
featuring ice cream sandwiches from Cookies N
Cream, and amazing socially-distant sports like
“Human Foosball” and “Lawn Bowling.” We all
had a wonderful time getting to know each
other better.
Building relationships through great food and memorable
games builds the groundwork for transformative spiritual
learning, discussion, and invitation to put our faith into
action. Youth Groups at RCB are a place for belonging!
If you are a student-age person, or if someone you know is
looking for a place to call home, join us! All you need is an
appetite, a facial covering, and a sense of wonder!
Email cverwys@reformedchurch.org for more info.
High School Youth Group
Mondays, 6:00-7:00pm
Middle School Youth Group
Wednesdays, 6:00-7:00pm
 C H I L D R E N A N D Y O U T H 7
RCNS News
By Margaret Murtagh
This very different school year at RCNS
has gotten off to a wonderful start.
We’ve put our re-opening plan in place, following all
the CDC guidelines to keep our children and staff safe
and healthy. We were fortunate to receive a grant from
the app Fever Free, which provides daily remote health
check-ins for our families.
For each classroom, we have purchased HEPA filters,
additional fans (as we do not have air conditioning
units,) foggers for disinfecting, and dividers to provide
each child’s own personal space at the tables.
The children stay in their own pods, learning and
playing with only their classmates during the day.
The children are learning outdoors as much as possible,
and have been enjoying music and library time in the
Cloister.
Here’s to a happy and healthy year!

Church School News: A Survey Is Coming!

By Alexis Mastromarino
On Sunday, September 13, we began our Church School year. Amid the uncertainty of Covid-19 and with the
construction projects at the church still underway, we started remotely. The safety of our children, volunteers and
teachers is always at the forefront of our decision making.
While we are keeping an eye on construction, we also want to find out how our parents feel about sending their
children to on-site Church School. To address this topic, we will send an electronic survey to all the parents whose
children are in our program in early October.
I miss the beautiful faces and happy voices of our children around the church. I look forward to seeing them all
again soon! If you are not receiving the lessons either via email or through postal mail, or do not receive information
about the electronic Church School survey, please contact Alexis at alexis@reformedchurch.org or at (914) 337-6776,
ext. 118.
8 L A S T W O R D S
STAFF LISTING Consistory Council Chairs
Management: Rosanne Welshimer
The Rev. Dr. Matthew Waterstone, Senior Minister, ext. 131 Stewardship: Mark Liggitt
mwaterstone@reformedchurch.org
Fellowship: Laura Redican
The Rev. Samuel T. Clover, Associate Minister, ext. 134 Education: Don Bringle
sclover@reformedchurch.org Mission: Joe French
Caitlin Dowling, Director of Music & Liturgy, ext. 126 Congregational Care: Fran Harris
cdowling@reformedchurch.org Worship: Gary Reetz
Youth and Family: Amy Parsons
Christian Verwys, Student Pastor, ext. 124
cverwys@reformedchurch.org
Book of Life
Judith McCandless, Director of Member Engagement, ext. 120
jmccandless@reformedchurch.org Births
Brooke Lauren Scotti, daughter of Lindsay and Matthew
Mary Mackintosh, Director of Missional Engagement, Scotti, was born on August 8, 2020.
mmackintosh@reformedchurch.org

Alexis Mastromarino, Director of Children’s Ministries, ext. 118

alexis@reformedchurch.org Message from the Minister
Margaret Murtagh, Director, Reformed Church Nursery School, Continued from page 1
914-337-6332, ext. 143, margaret@reformedchurch.org
this: “Do not worry about tomorrow, for today has enough
P.J. DeGenaro, Communications Associate, ext. 112 trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34). Those words certainly
pdegenaro@reformedchurch.org don’t diminish all the reasons we have to be weary, nor do
Janice Sachtjen, Executive Administrative Assistant, ext. 132 they lighten our heavy burdens. But they do invite us into a
jsachtjen@reformedchurch.org more peaceful posture: one that is more present to the
simple beauties of each day. One that sees the long arc of
Carla Savage, Payroll and Benefits Administrator, ext. 116 God’s redemption plan. One that realizes there are seasons
csavage@reformedchurch.org for growth and seasons for pruning. And one that ultimately
Louanne Mitchell, Administrative Assistant, ext. 153 understands that our good and loving God has not
louanne@reformedchurch.org abandoned us to our weariness and burdens, but journeys
with us in tender love and mercy.
Alan Zanzano, Chief Operating Officer, ext. 117
azanzano@reformedchurch.org Grace & Peace,
Joseph DeBisceglie, Bookkeeper, ext. 155
joseph@reformedchurch.org

Pedro Santana, Head Sexton, ext. 125

pedro@reformedchurch.org

Nick Leff, Facility Supervisor, ext. 149

nleff@reformedchurch.org

Minister of Sacred Music Emeritus: Rodney D. Schuller

Save the Date: October 29, 2020

Please mark your calendars and join us for
The Counseling Center Annual Appeal
and Virtual Fundraiser
THE REFORMED CHURCH OF BRONXVILLE on October 29, 7:00-8:00 pm.
180 Pondfield Road, Bronxville, NY 10708 More than ever before, our broad community
914-337-6776, www.reformedchurch.org is in serious need of The Counseling Center’s services
The Reformed Church Nursery School due to the devastating effects on mental health
914-337-6332 caused by Covid-19.
The Counseling Center 914-793-3388 Invitation and details will follow separately.