January 2026      Good Stuff

There’s so much good stuff happening at WFPC!  

Please continue to let us know of any “News” you have to share.  

 

 

News from your Session:  

If you need to contact Rev. Brian Copeland: rev.briancopeland@gmail.com, 850-524-4884.  Office hours Thursdays 1 pm – 5 pm. Be sure to stop in and visit while he is in the office.    

A Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, Jan. 25th immediately following worship. Committee reports and budget will be received. (Proposed budget attached)

You may view our worship service on the church Facebook page. (Weedsport First Presbyterian Church) **If you “like” the worship service, it will be shared via Facebook to others!

            

Deacons:

If you are interested in being a greeter, or providing refreshments for coffee hour, please sign up on the calendar in the Narthex. (Anyone can be a greeter.)  

 

Christian Education:

Reminder: Adult Bible study is held every Sunday before worship, 9:45a.m., in the second floor Sunday School room. 

Worship:  

If you can stay after worship Sunday, January 18th, we are going to put away the Christmas decorations from the sanctuary. Thank you in advance!

 

Mission:

 

2026 Special Offerings: This year there will be three rather than the usual four special offerings: One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS), World Communion Offering (WCO), Christmas Joy (CJO).

 

 

We will once again be participating in the SOUPer Bowl of Caring.  Sunday, February 8th.  We ask you to donate food or money in the soup pot for the team you think or hope will win the Super Bowl. 

 

 Thank you to all who contributed to the Christmas Joy offering.  The total was $205. Funds donated to Christmas Joy go to retired pastors, church workers and their families in critical financial need. Other funds help students of color learn leadership skills and pursue their education.

 

  We delivered 9 filled-to-the-brim shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child!

Eight of the boxes were sent to Tanzania and one to South Africa!            

 

 

 

The next blood drive will be held Thursday, March 5th, 1-6 pm at the Methodist Church,  

hosted by WFPC.  If you have time to volunteer, please contact Cyndy Rooker.  You can also make an appointment to donate blood at redcrossblood.org.    At the January blood drive we collected 29 units: our goal was 27! 

 

 Loose Change Offerings:

Quarter 1 - $155.50 each to One Great Hour of Sharing and Meals on Wheels (Jan.-March), Quarter 2 - $360 (April-June) went to the elementary school book fair, quarter 3 - $534 (July-Sept.) went to the Salvation Army Angel program, and quarter 4 - $438 (Oct.-Dec.) went to the Honor Flight program. 

Honor Flight is dedicated to transporting as many U.S. military veterans as possible to see the memorials of the respective war they fought in Washington, DC, at no cost to the veterans. 

Upcoming Dates:  

Jan. 25 – Congregational Meeting

Feb. 5 – Doug’s to Go to benefit the American Legion

Feb. 8 – SOUPer Bowl, Session and Committee meetings following worship

Feb. 22 – Ash Sunday

March 1 – Installation of officers

May 15th – Doug’s to Go to benefit WFPC

June 22 – Doug’s to Go to benefit Weedsport Fire Department Auxiliary

  

           

Laura Webb Granger’s, Richard Webb, was awarded the 2025 Veteran’s Recognition Program Honoree. NY State Senator Pamela Helming presented the award on behalf of the people of NY, “Thank you for your brave and courageous military service, as well as your many contributions to our community.”  Laura’s brother, Stephen, accepted the award on the family’s behalf.

                 

David Seitz has joined the air force.  He is presently stationed in Texas.  If you would like to send him encouragement and friendly helloes, his address is:

David Seitz

326TRS/FLT159

1320 Truemper Street

JBSA Lackland, TX 78236

THANK YOU!

       Much appreciation to the 200th Anniversary Committee for a year of celebration and activities.  We appreciated the bi-monthly tidbits shared in worship, the display of our history, and celebratory luncheon.  Thank you to Barbara Gray, Chere Ware, Linda Willis, Nancy Sweet, and Deb Dennis.

To all who generously donated to the family in Throop who lost their home to a fire.  We delivered $370 and several gift cards. 

 

To all who participated in the Reverse Advent Calendar.  The food pantry received several bags of food!

 

To the volunteers who helped at the Red Cross Blood Drive and the donors.

 

To the Deacons for sending Christmas cards to the congregation and friends.

 

To Dan Sperduti for putting the large outside Nativity figures away.

 

To The Praise Band/Choir for the beautiful music they provide on Sundays.  We especially enjoy the addition of the flute (Joanne Slauson), guitar (Dan Thomas), and percussion (James Marshall).  Of course, we always enjoy the weekly organ and piano (Laura Granger and Marian Smith).    

  

To all who volunteer at the Clothes Closet and to those who donate clothes.  

 

To Joanne Slauson for keeping the website up-to-date, and Rev. Copeland for recording and posting the church service on Facebook. 

  

 

 

Please pray for…   

The family of Elaine Ozolins.  Elaine passed January 9th at Matthew House. A celebration of life will be held at a future date.

The family of Ed Galka.  Ed passed January 8th.  His wife was a longtime teacher at Weedsport. 

Evelyn Sweet, Dale’s mother, has a blockage in her leg and continues to need prayers for her health.

Adam Sweet’s fiancé Marley’s mother, Kathy, recently had a serious operation and needs prayers for healing and recovery. 

Carol Harkness Burns as she battles aggressive skin cancer. She recently underwent surgery and is healing. 

Pearl Becker’s brother, Walter.  Walter has several months of recovery.  

Mat Grudzien.  Send positive thoughts for health, healing, and recovery from surgery, and pain relief.

  

 

 

 

 INFORMATION WORTH REPEATING:  

(This information will have been in previous newsletters, but it is worth reprinting.)  

 

The “Weedsport Presbyterian Church” has a Facebook page.  Feel free to follow.  There is a link to the webpage in the “Welcome” for an easy way to link back and forth.  Feel free to contact Joanne Slauson (joanneslauson@gmail.com) for any changes and additions on the Facebook page.  

  

Now that the church service starts at 11:15 a.m., Adult Sunday School starts at 9:45 a.m.  This may make it easier for you to join us in the upstairs Koinonia Room Sunday mornings before church to get some very interesting background of the day’s scripture.  Dan Thomas has a wealth of knowledge to share!   

  

Weedsport Good Samaritan Fund reminder: Do you know someone that might need our help?  We would like to offer this reminder.  The Weedsport Good Samaritan Fund is available to assist with emergency medical, utility, and other needs that may arise. Please contact Cyndy Rooker if you have any questions or know of someone who could use assistance.   (Must be a resident of WCSD, Weedsport, Cato.)  

 

 

Birthdays:

 

Jan. 15 – Dan Thomas                       Feb. 4 – James Marshall                        March 1 – Cindy Sears   

Jan. 16 – Aubrey Leonard                      Feb. 10 – Karen Seitz                             March 2 – Mark Pedersen

Jan. 25 – Michelle Stoecker                      Feb. 13 – Case Marshall             March 3 – Marti Stoecker

Jan. 27 – Heather Reed               Feb. 20 – Cyndy Rooker             March 3 – Libby Sperduti

Jan. 29 – Jenna Grudzien                     Feb. 22 – Wendy Pedersen                        March 4 – Jeff Hickok

Jan. 30 – Ed Rooker                                    Feb. 26 – Lori Anna                               March 7 – Nancy Gilfus

                                                                                                                        March 8 – Owen Gwinn

                                                                                                                        March 9 – Jason Gwinn

                                                                                                                        March 13 – Charles Grudzien

                                                                                                                        March 27 – Chere Ware

                                                                                                                        March 27 – Chele Conley

                                                                                                                        March 29 – David Seitz

                                                           

                                                                     

*If you would like to have someone added to the birthday list, please let us know, thanks. 

 

 

IMPORTANT REMINDER!        &      

Please be sure to turn off the lights and lock the doors to the church whenever you leave the building. 

 

 

 

What’s Going on at Church?  

Sunday:  

 

 

9:45 a.m.  

  

Adult Sunday School with Dan Thomas  

11:15 a.m.   

  

In-person worship    

1-3 p.m. 

Tuesday:  

  

Square Dancers in dining room  

10-noon   

  

All Things Creative meets in the former first floor office.  

10-1 p.m.  

  

Free Clothes Closet open  

7-9 p.m.   

 

 

Wednesday:  

  

Square Dancers in dining room

  

 

 

9 a.m.   Thursday:  

 

Join Rev. Brian at Finally Ours Restaurant for coffee hour.  

1-5 p.m. 

 

Rev. Copeland’s office hours   

3-5:30 p.m. 

 

Free Clothes Closet open  

11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.       Dog training classes  

6 - 7 p.m.                         Bible Study (Rev. Copeland) Advent study   

1 p.m.-6 p.m.                Red Cross Blood Drive at UMC, First Thursday of every odd month (Jan., March, May…)  

  

   REMINDER: We have several fire doors within the church.  For safety  

reasons, please be sure they are shut whenever possible.     

 

Thank you, Connie Horr, for being the best proofreader!  She makes sure our newsletters are easier to read and understand!