March 2026 Pastor's Letter
Pastor Dustin blessing Pastor Deron at Schenectady Ashes to Go 2026.
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Dear siblings in faith,
As we continue our Lenten journey together, the coming weeks will give us an opportunity to slow down and recenter ourselves on Christ through Bible study, worship and prayer. Particularly in such difficult, divided times, the practice of Lenten devotionals and Holy Week can reconnect us to God and one another. Especially as we roll out an entire new, more sustainable staff structure for the Rotterdam Community Center in the coming weeks, there will be great change in the life of our parish, but its especially amidst such changing times that grounding yourself worship and prayer is so important! I'll level the same challenge to you all that I do every year... we do worship every night of the week during Holy Week... try joining us in-person every night that week. So many of Messiah members have in the past, and I know it is a practice deeply cherished by many. In hope, Pastor Dustin |
Albany Med Pediatric High Risk 0-2yr Children's Used Book Collection
Cassie Bratten is collecting books for Albany Med Pediatric High Risk Group. The group provides a free children's book to children who were treated in the NICU at each appointment from ages 0-2 years, but currently the books are paid for out of the program director's pocket. The Bratten family wants to collect at least 30 books for donation to express our gratitude and support for the program. Donated books should be in good condition and appropriate for patients of all faiths, statuses, and walks of life. Simply place books in our Generosity Center in the Narthex (it will be labeled). This collection ends after service on April 12th!
Honor Your Loved Ones with Flowers for Mass!
You can both beautify our worship space for Sunday Mass AND honor your loved ones by purchasing flowers in their honor! The cost is only $10 to be paid in cash or check directly to Judy Becker, who has been faithfully stewarding this program for many years. There is a Flower Chart to reserve a Sunday on the central pillar in the narthex, but at the time you sign up for flowers please write your dedication and enclose $10 in the provided envelopes. You can either put those envelopes in the Bread of Life Food Pantry mailbox, the offering plate or hand them directly to Judy Becker. Dedications will then be listed in the bulletin each Sunday. Thanks so much for helping make worship beautiful in Christ's name!
David and Lore Ellis Landscaping Fund
David and Lore Ellis supported our Spirit filled congregation in many ways throughout their lives, but in particularly, they spent decades caring for our landscaping around Messiah and provided so many beautiful shrubs, bushes and flowers. In April 2025, our Congregation Council voted to create a new David and Lore Ellis Landscaping Fund in their honor. If you'd like to contribute, simply put "Landscaping Fund" in the memo line of a check, select "Landscaping Fund" on tithely or speak with Pastor Dustin.
Newsletter Articles Due
Let's continue supporting Heather by getting newsletter articles in on time. Please send all newsletter articles to Heather at [email protected] by the following dates for the upcoming month: March 22nd, April 19th and May 24th.
Office Hours for Heather and Pastor Dustin
Both Heather and Pastor Dustin continue to hold expanded in-person office hours this winter. With Pryor starting Kindergarten this year, Heather is now in person at Messiah on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30am - 2:00pm. Pastor Dustin will be in person on Wednesdays at Messiah from 2:00pm - 4:00pm. You can also see any changes to normal office hours on the Parish calendar, found here.
Leadership News
As you can see from looking at our current Committee Roster (digitally linked with a paper copies in the Parish Administrator's Office) there are SO MANY of our members (and some non-member friends!) who have signed up for one of our 23 committees and one of our 6 volunteer lists.
There are now only nine committees remaining where we are looking for new leaders:
Faith Formation Ministry Team
Fellowship Ministry Team
Social Action Ministry Team
Stewardship Ministry Team
Worship & Music Ministry Team
If you are interested in serving in one of these roles in the coming year, please speak with Mission Support Chair Ann Marie Gray!
There are now only nine committees remaining where we are looking for new leaders:
Faith Formation Ministry Team
- Youth Committee Chair
Fellowship Ministry Team
- Lutheran Men in Mission Chair
- Young Families Chair
Social Action Ministry Team
- Community Service Committee Chair
- Social Justice Committee Chair
Stewardship Ministry Team
- Archives Committee Chair
- Personnel Committee Chair
- Property & Grounds Committee Chair
- Publicity Committee Chair
Worship & Music Ministry Team
- All set!
If you are interested in serving in one of these roles in the coming year, please speak with Mission Support Chair Ann Marie Gray!
The Rev. Jonathan Vanderbeck Mental Health Fund
In June 2021 as part of our commitment to prioritize mental health as a congregation our Congregation Council voted to create the Rev. Jonathan Vanderbeck Mental Health Fund. This fund is designed "to support members in paying for necessary mental health care" and as of the end of December 2024 has $1,039 in contributions but has not yet been used. If you are someone struggling to pay for mental health care, please contact Pastor Dustin for a confidential conversation. If you are someone who would like to contribute to this fund, please visit our Donate & Volunteer page, click "Give" and select "Mental Health Fund" in tithely's "Give To" box.
Messiah Youth Fund Bottle & Can Collection!
Want to help our youth attend the 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering in Minneapolis, Minnesota? We need to start saving now! One way you can support that important work is donating your bottles and cans to the Messiah Youth Fund account at Green Bottle Redemption Center! NOW located at 651 Consaulus Ave, the redemption center is open Tuesday - Friday from 9a - 4p & Saturday from 9a - 2:30p! Thanks so much and please help us spread the word!