church

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** all photos by Elaine A. Russell


When I lived in Coudersport, I was an active member of the First United Presbyterian Church. Growing up in a small town... church was a very important part of daily life. I was fortunate to learn alot of self discipline... as well as the importance of helping out others as much as we are able to... whilst going there. I was in Sunday school as a child, and by the age of 12, was singing weekly in the choir. I helped with various roles, taking turns as a Deacon and helping with services. I sang for weddings... and I played my flute for many services and special events.... things like that. I was also very active in the church community.... helping elderly and/or sickly people with their cleaning and cooking and such.

The First United Presbyterian Church is the oldest church in Coudersport. The congregation originally met in houses and in a store front... until the church building as I know it... was built in 1850. It continues to be a very impressive structure today, as it no doubt was in the past.

While the congregation enrollment has fluctuated over the years... the enthusiasm of its members has not. They continue to be active in charitable works; both locally and worldwide.

The building is gorgeous. I have always admired the beauty of the church... from it's extensive woodworking and carved panels.... to the stunning stained glass windows... it is fabulously impressive. It is also well known for it's working pipe organ -- one a a select few left.
One of the things I really like.... is that they light up the sanctuary at night so that the glow from the windows looks out upon the town....
And, in 2007, there was an electronic musical system set up so that a few times each day; music is heard from the bell tower... "the chimes are part of the congregation's effort to sound a spiritual message of encouragement and hope."
So... the other day I had the opportunity to take some photos inside.
These are a few of the results.....





---------------> close up of the "Rose" window




-----> close up of the "Good Shepherd" window


-------> a reflection of one of the windows in a mirror


Links:

A short history of Potter County: here

A 2007 news article on the installment of a music system in the bell tower: here

Presbyterian Church USA link: here

Info on the connection between Ghost Ranch, NM and the Presbyterian Church: here

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Today was an odd day. I've been sicker than I thought... and not really getting much done. Makes me feel rather useless....and so I edited some older photos. ... this one is from Feb 2009, taken through the windows of Off Broadway on Central Ave.... I love the way the colors create a mood...


I contemplated this.... when I discovered this photo in my archives... taken 12-08. I love the weathered and worn church pew... and the contradictions it evokes with the book....



I spent alot of time on the phone today ... different family members & friends are not doing well.... and I was reminded of this photo, taken 7-09... somewhere in the midwest when I was traveling.....



And I thought about life and death issues as a very close family friend is passing. I took this photo last summer at Eulalia Cemetery in PA. I love the old look to this place... the feel... the colors... in what most people consider to be a dark place....


And got excited when I found this one.... a photo taken December 31st, 2009 on the first full/ Blue Moon. It makes me feel like there is still hope and a brightness to the future. A bit of majik.... a bit of sparkle....
And so... til tomorrow.....


(all photos by Elaine A. Russell)

7:365

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

Had and interesting day today... spent my morning in the doctor's office, then went for lunch in Old Towne at the Church Street Cafe and had the best fajitas, chips and queso. What can I say ... I like my queso and chips.


Church Street Cafe is a wonderful cafe in Old Towne, ABQ... quaint, historic... rumored to have ghosts....I first saw the place when my family went on the Ghost Tours of Old Towne about a year ago. But I digress. The food is awesome. Seriously. My waiter... Tony.. was fabulous. What more could I want? Oh ya.... a bag to take the rest of it home... which I relished over dinner.
To see more on the cafe: Church Street Cafe


But back to my posting...
Came home, did a few things that needed to be done; and took a nap. How wonderful is that?
Dinner was delightful; conversations with friends --awesome.... a good day.







Some days are perfect like that ... others ... are -- well... not. And that is OK. There is not always a reason for the sequence of events that make our days what they are... and yet, how we react to them can make a world of difference. For instance; yesterday I let a series of events completely throw me off... and it made me weary and frustrated and sad. A friend of mine sent me this quote today:

“Trials, temptations, disappointments -- all these are helps instead of hindrances, if one uses them rightly. They not only test the fiber of character but strengthen it...Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before.” —James Buckham



And so - - I must remind myself that no matter what happens.. I may not have control over the situation .. or the event itself per se... but I always have control over my response to it.


Living Simply tip for the day:
"The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak." --Hans Hofmann

I think this must also include our emotions. Take what you absolute must.. and try not to worry about the rest. Don't bring more into the situation than is actually there .... or actually necessary.

blessings from Old Towne





photos by Elaine A. Russell



We have lived in ABQ for almost 15yrs. We were able to afford this house because the previous owners had gone thru a major domestic battle... and had trashed the place. Since then, we have done mostly structural things....removed carpet, put in tile flooring ...new roof... new stucco... re-enforced walls around the property... new water treatment system...new furnace... new swamp cooler...stuff like that.

For the past several years though.... we have had barely functioning bathrooms and kitchen. Today is the end of that. Today I have 4 guys who are seriously demolishing the main doors to our house... tearing apart the bathrooms, and soon will be tearing apart the kitchen.

Buffy and Genghis are "holed up" in my daughter's room... breathing heavily on the windows where they can see people coming and going. Sabrina is at my feet... not liking the sound of reciprocating saws much at all.
But it is all good. I think the chaos in the house is reflective of the way my life has gone for a long time now... and the change is good. Soon the house... and I... will be "up to par."

Yesterday, I spent part of the afternoon strolling around Old Towne. It was wonderful. It was a beautiful day, and there were lots of people enjoying the area. There was a mariachi band playing near the gazebo. I got a few fabulous beads at NM Bead and Fetish. I stopped at the beautiful San Felipe de Neri chuch. http://www.sanfelipedeneri.org/
And I also stopped at a small grotto-like chapel in Old Towne called The Our Lady of Guadelupe Chapel. ... with thanks and prayers said for the work ahead.

Photos for today's post are from my visit yesterday afternoon.

For Wednesday

--------------------photos by Elaine A. Russell


So hey now.

I have been taking a series of photographs of the Factory on 5th --((http://www.factoryon5.com/)). It's a cool old building with a ton of local history attached.
I share a studio there with 3 other people, and the atmosphere of the place is fantastic.

We are hoping to garner a resurgence in the place. There will be upcoming shows and special events. The one end of the building is the home to The Church of Beethoven, ((http://churchofbeethoven.org/)) and they showcase special music events every Sunday.

The photos from today's blog are all ones I took at the factory. Enjoy......

Ice cream and the Virgin Mary



-------------photos by Elaine A. Russell



so-- took a leisurely stroll around Old Towne yesterday and it was fabulous. The weather was perfect, and I got to play with my almost dead camera. It was awesome.

Along the way we saw art, ate ice cream, and stopped at the famous San Felipe de Neri Church.

It was great to see all the cool shoppes open -- and there were some new ones ! And to see all the people selling their wares in the plaza. A great day. Relaxing and fun.... just what I needed.