THE MESSENGER

A COMMUNICATION MINISTRY OF
CHRIST CHURCH, DUANESBURG, NEW YORK

JUNE/JULY 2017

Photo by Christine Chandler

HOW GOING TO CHURCH BENEFITS BRAIN

AND BODY
By Charles Stone

As a committed follower of Jesus, Ive gone to church literally INSIDE
my whole life. My parents took me when I was a kid. I wanted to
go as an adult. And in another sense, Id better go now. After Benefits of Going to Church 1
all, I am a pastor. Most believers understand that church
attendance does (or should) help us grow spiritually. But did you Church Picnic 2
know that God wired our bodies and brains to benefit from both
Parish Schedule 3
attending church and developing a healthy spiritual life?
Neuroscientist Andrew Newberg notes that since the year 2000 Calendar 4-5
over 400 papers have been published each year on this topic.
Consider these ways science shows us that church attendance Sunday School 6
benefits both brain and body.

How Going to Church Benefits Brain and Body

First, two caveats.

Im assuming your church is a Bible-based, grace-filled place. If your church atmosphere is

legalistic, harsh and overall condemning, it can actually harm your body and brain.

These studies dont necessarily show a causal relationship (attending church causes such
benefits). Rather, most of the studies show a correlation. That is, attending church and these
benefits are closely related. Nevertheless, science continues to discover more body and brain
benefits from walking with Christ and being with His people

1. It decreases stress. The stress hormone cortisol is released by the adrenal glands that lie on top
of our kidneys. Good stress (eustress) keeps us keep motivated and alert. So cortisol is not all bad.
But prolonged stress that keeps unhealthy high cortisol levels in our body damages both it and
our brains. Heart problems, a dampened immune system and diminished memory result from
prolonged stress. However, church attendance can decrease the stress response, thus
decreasing the amount of cortisol in your body.

CHRIST CHURCH
DUANESBURG
NEW YORK

2. It increases the trust hormone, oxytocin. Oxytocin is one of the feel-good brain chemicals
(called neurotransmitters). If the church you attend is filled with kind and caring people, your
brain will release this chemical helping you bond with others. Biblical community is really good for
you.

3. It may thicken your brain. One brain study discovered that those who place a high value on
spirituality (though not necessarily tied to church attendance) showed thickening in some brain
areas. Many other studies now show that reflective and contemplative spiritual practices grow
several parts of your brain.

4. It can help lessen depression. A group of Canadian researchers discovered that those who
attended church more regularly experienced less depression. They surmised that social support
made the difference resulting in people being more resilient. (See number 2 above.)

5. It may help you live longer. One study showed that attending church increased the lifespan for
whites by an average of seven years and potentially 14 years for African Americans. The more
people go to church, the less likely they are to die sooner than those who dont go to church.

6. Finally, church attenders commit suicide less often, deal with pain better, have less
cardiovascular problems and recover quicker from surgery.

A final word.

We follow Christ, not because of the pragmatic benefits, like taking aspirin for a headache. We
follow Him because he created us with a soul thirst that can only be quenched in Him. However,
when we do turn to Jesus and His Body, He gives us some nice brain and body benefits as well.

So the next time you are in church, thank God for these brain and body benefits.

What other practical benefits have you experienced from attending church?

http://churchplants.com/articles/10624-how-going-to-church-benefits-brain-and-body.html

ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC

The Annual Church Picnic will be held on Sunday, July 9th, immediately after Mass at the Van
Patten Mill Park (off Depot Road in Duanesburg).

The Vestry will provide hamburgers, hotdogs, condiments, paper goods, plastic forks and
knives. There are several picnic tables at the park. Bring a dish to pass as well as any drinks, ice,
and chairs you might want!

We hope to see you therefeel free to bring a friend.

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JUNE/JULY 2017


JUNE/JULY 2017

PARISH SCHEDULE

Date Celebrant Acolyte Greeters Lectors Joyful Journey

Sharon Mericle & Kyle & Tonya Marge Cummings &
06/04/2017 Deacon Debbie Jenna & Phil
CJ Rudolphsen Tonya Rudolphsen
Bryan Salisbury Bryan Salisbury &
06/11/2017 Fr. Eric Consentino Jane Weyers Nancy & April
& Drew Bart MacDougall
Fr. Alistair John Weiler & Cal Weyers & Doug
06/18/2017 Phil & Jenna Sayles Tonya & Amy
Morrison Zach Fortman
Fr. Alistair Sharon Mericle & Andrea & Bryan Steve & Sherry
06/25/2017 Jenna & Phil
Morrison Evie Salisbury Schrade
Fr. Alistair Sandra Weiler & Kyle, Tonya & Elizabeth Iseman &
07/02/2017
Morrison Ian Lydia Rudolphsen Sharon Mericle
Sandra Weiler & Linda & Bart
07/09/2017 Deacon Debbie Jane Weyers
Jayden MacDougall
Jane Weyers & Sandra & John
07/16/2017 Fr. Jerry Adinolfi Phil & Jenna Sayles
Nellie Weiler
Bryan Salisbury Andrea & Bryan Elizabeth Iseman &
07/23/2017 Fr. Eric Consentino
& Drew Salisbury Sharon Mericle
Sharon Mericle & Kyle, Tonya & Steve & Sherry
07/30/2017 Deacon Debbie
CJ Lydia Rudolphsen Schrade

DoK
Date Chalice Altar Guild Counters
Prayers of the People

06/04/2017 Elizabeth Iseman Elizabeth Iseman Deacon Debbie Sharon Mericle & Phil Sayles
Andrea Salisbury &
06/11/2017 Elizabeth Iseman Elizabeth Iseman Sharon Mericle
Cindy Creasy
06/18/2017 Elizabeth Iseman Sharon Mericle Elizabeth Iseman John Weiler & Steve Schrade
Judy Breitenstein &
06/25/2017 Elizabeth Iseman Sharon Mericle Deacon Debbie
Tonya Rudolphsen
Linda MacDougall & Andrea Salisbury &
07/02/2017 Sharon Mericle Deacon Debbie
Cheryl Lennox Cindy Creasy
Linda MacDougall & Judy Breitenstein &
07/09/2017 Sharon Mericle Sharon Mericle
Cheryl Lennox Tonya Rudolphsen
Marge Cummings &
07/16/2017 Sharon Mericle Elizabeth Iseman John Weiler & Steve Schrade
Cindy Creasy
Marge Cummings &
07/23/2017 Sharon Mericle Deacon Debbie Sharon Mericle & Phil Sayles
Cindy Creasy
Andrea Salisbury &
07/30/2017 Sharon Mericle Elizabeth Iseman Sharon Mericle
Cindy Creasy

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JUNE/JULY 2017


JUNE 2017

BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES & EVENTS

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

28 EASTER 7 29 Memorial Day 30 31 1 2 3
Bible Study 9am
Holy Eucharist 10am Brandon Lucia Analisa Bastiani, Jasmine Therrion John Chandler
Joyful Journey 10am June VanWie
Tonya & Kyle
Rudolphsen

4 DAY OF PENTECOST 5 6 7 8 9 10
WHITSUNDAY
Bible Study 9am Andrea Fortman Billy Lucia
Holy Eucharist 10am
Joyful Journey 10am

11 PENTECOST 2 12 13 14 15 16 17
Bible Study 9am
Holy Eucharist 10am Christopher Joan Langston,
Joyful Journey 10am Lenehan Deborah Van Zink

18 PENTECOST 3 19 20 21 22 23 24
Bible Study 9am Vestry Mtg 7pm
Holy Eucharist 10am Samantha Moses Benjamin
Joyful Journey 10am Adam & Dianne Lenehan
Acevedo
Ryan & Tricia
Moses
25 PENTECOST 4 26 27 28 29 30 1
Bible Study 9am
Holy Eucharist 10am John & Dan Menzies, John Michael
Joyful Journey 10am Elizabeth Iseman Eva Weyers Iseman
Sunday School
Recognition

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JUNE/JULY 2017


JULY 2017

BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES & EVENTS
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
25 PENTECOST 4 26 27 28 29 30 1
Bible Study 9am
Holy Eucharist 10am Dan Menzies, Eva John Michael
Joyful Journey 10am Weyers Iseman
Sunday School
Recognition
2 PENTECOST 5 3 4 Independence Day 5 6 7 8
Bible Study 9am
Holy Eucharist 10am Paul Munson IV, Carl Breitenstein Bonnie Kerr, Evie Molly Powers
Michael Kosier Kosier
Caitlin Menzies,
Tricia Moses
9 PENTECOST 6 10 11 12 13 14 15
Bible Study 9am
Holy Eucharist 10am Cal Weyers Bob & Brenda
Church Picnic Warner

16 PENTECOST 7 17 18 19 20 21 22
Bible Study 9am Vestry Mtg 7pm
Holy Eucharist 10am Jim & Barbara Tippe & Tony
Featherstonhaugh John Weiler, Miller
Alexander Rabideau, Michael Walsh
Terry Williams
23 PENTECOST 8 24 25 26 27 28 29
Bible Study 9am
Holy Eucharist 10am Camille
Crandall
Bobby & Allison
Chandler
30 PENTECOST 9 31 1 2 3 4 5
Bible Study 9am
Holy Eucharist 10am Ed McKinley

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JUNE/JULY 2017

 SUNDAY SCHOOL RECOGNITION

All Sunday School students will be recognized

during the June 25th service.

We look forward to celebrating the young

members of our congregation!

Christ Church is a worshiping community of friends, joyfully serving,

encouraging and healing others in Jesuss name.

The parish is located at:

132 Duanesburg Churches Rd, Christ Church
Duanesburg, NY, on the corner of Rt. P.O. Box 92
20 and Duanesburg Churches Rd. Duanesburg, New York 12056-0092

Wardens:
Judy Breitenstein
Phil Sayles
Vestry members:
Cindy Creasy
Sharon Mericle
Tonya Rudolphsen
Andrea Salisbury
Steven Schrade
John Weiler
Deacon:
Debbie Beach (518) 372-1352
or (518) 669-1898
dbeach21@verizon.net
Treasurer:
Sherry Schrade
Parish Hall Ph.: (518) 895-2383

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WWW.CHRISTCHURCHDUANESBURG.ORG
JUNE/JULY 2017