The Geneva Pres

April 2020

The Presbyterian Church in Geneva

24 Park Place Geneva NY 14456

(315) 789-1343 Website: https://www.PresbyterianChurchInGenevaNewYork.org Rev. Dr. Deborah Lind – Minister Rev. John Milne – Parish Associate Rev. W. James Gerling - Pastor Emeritus Fritz Aude - Treasurer Kathleen Breese - Director, Christian Education Virginia Champlin – Assistant Clerk of Session Linda Cox - Church Organist Richard Cox - Director of Music and Adult Bell Choir Deb Drennen - Nursery care Ben Duprey - Custodian Joe Iannopollo - Assistant Custodian Kate Komara, Lorraine Jones - Children’s Choirs Art Lewis – Information Technology Director Beth Nicholas - Parish Nurse Alan Schenck - Financial Administrator Fred Schühle - Clerk of Session Colleen VanAllan – Office Administrator

Pastor’s Newsletter to the Congregation:

The Presbyterian Church is not gathering for worship services until the quarantine is lifted.

Yesterday, Wednesday March 18, our noon Bible study and the evening session met using Zoom. Each meeting was uplifting. If you are interested in joining “It’s Greek to me” you can download Zoom free. (Zoom.us). We are discovering what it means to be connected via the internet, on the phone, or waving from our porches. It is a new way of being the church. Please check our website (www.pcgny.org) for updates, announcements, articles, Bible study groups, and worship services.

One wise person said, “We know what we can’t do”. The helpful question is , ”What can we do?”

We Can - Reach out in new ways:

Stay healthy both physically and spiritually

Pray for each other and all those around the world

Plan for the future - that when we come back together in our lovely church building we will celebrate Resurrection and new life

Deepen our faith and understanding

Throughout centuries, pilgrims sought God in the wilderness. Jesus led his disciples to quiet places for prayer and lessons. Why not use this season of isolation as a time of reflection.

Know that God is with us on this journey- Pastor Deb

Sunday Scriptures: for Reflection and discussion on Wednesday noon (Zoom.us)

April 5 Palm Sunday Palms: Matt. 21: 1-11 Passion: Matt 27: 11-54

April 12 Easter Acts 10: 34-43 Matt 28: 1-10

April 19 Acts 2: 14a, 22-32 John 20: 19-31

April 26 Acts 2: 14a, 36-41 Luke 24:13-3

From the church office . . . . . For the latest church cancellations, please check the new cancellation page on the church website. To view the latest cancellations, click the Cancellations Page button found in the upper right hand corner of the church's website.

Dear Church Family, Why is all the toilet paper gone?!!!! Now the dog food is gone too!! We are living through more craziness than I have ever experienced in my lifetime. I’m writing this on March 17, but everything could change by the time you get the newsletter. As of March 16, there are 3,487 cases of COVID-19 in the US. Compared to the flu statistics put out by the CDC, (36,000,000 flu illnesses and 22,000 flu deaths from Oct. 2019 to March 7, 2020), it seems quite small. However, we are presently 1 of 3 states that have the largest number of cases (950 at present). How did we get here, as we were a later state to acquire the virus? It was because people in NYC are in close proximity most of the time: at work, in subways, at theaters and museums, etc.. Some folks knew they might have the virus and went out to parties with many people, and infected many people! So here we are! If you were very worried about getting the flu, you should be very worried about getting COVID-19. Most at risk for serious illness per the CDC are: people over 60, people with heart disease, diabetes, or lung diseases, and people who are immunosuppressed. People who are younger than 60 and do not have chronic health issues tend to get milder cases and get well sooner. Symptoms are a fever, a cough, and shortness of breath. The CDC recommends several steps to avoid getting COVID-19. Wash your hands frequently after touching anything someone else has touched (doorknobs, shopping cart handles, money, faucet handles in public restrooms [use paper towel to turn them off] cell phones you lay on a counter, purses, chairs, keyboards etc.). Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60 % alcohol. Stay 6 feet away from others when out in public. Avoid touching your face, particularly eyes, nose and mouth. Stay home when you are sick or don’t feel well. If you have to go out, don’t linger. Talk to people over the phone. If someone is coughing/sneezing, LEAVE! I was in Wegmans looking for dog food (there was none). I did find a woman coming down the aisle coughing, not even covering her mouth. Be aware, there are those people out there who have no regard for others! NY State as of March 18 has closed all schools till April 1. Also, all bars, restaurants (with the exception of take out), gyms, theaters, and non-essential services are closed. We are not supposed to meet in groups larger than 50 (that number is a moving target as I have heard 25 and 10 also). Grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies and medical facilities are to stay open. There is still much we do not know about this virus. The incubation

period is 2-14 days for the virus. The plan is to keep people apart to stop the passing of the virus from person to person before it can get any worse. I’m not sure 2 weeks will do that, be prepared for our “quarantine” to last longer. Everything is changing from day to day and it is a little scary and frustrating. But there is one thing that does not ever change, the love of our Lord. Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present you requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” God is in control. That does not mean you won’t get sick. But through prayer you can achieve discernment and peace over the situation. Don’t go into panic mode. There is much misinformation out there. Look at the CDC and John Hopkins websites – www.cdc.gov or https://coronavirus.jhu.edu They are dealing with this on an intimate level. They do not seem to be panicked. Be discerning who and what you listen to and believe. Use prayer to send all your concerns to our Creator. Use this time to show God’s light to others by checking on others (by phone) and doing what is reasonable to help. Stay well! Call me with questions. 315-759-9039 God Bless, Beth

Progress Report from the Transitional Steering Committee For the past three months, the Transitional Steering Committee has been working on all the steps it takes to form a Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC). Our goal has been to get to this point as quickly as possible, and we are well on our way. Earlier this month, we petitioned the Presbytery of Geneva’s Committee on Ministry (COM), the body which will govern our search for a new Pastor. At the Committee on March 3, 2020 meeting: The COM VOTED to:

• Approve with caution to allow The Presbyterian Church in Geneva to move forward with the process of searching for their next installed pastor; and the COM recommends the session and congregation work with a PCUSA-affiliated coach (not from the Presbytery of Geneva), to help them see where they are now, express where they want to be in 5 years, understand the emotional dynamics in the congregation, and state how they hope to be instrumental in Christ’s work in the community.

• Ken Allen, Rev. Rob Mellgard, and Rev. Ellen Donnan will all serve as liaisons for The Presbyterian Church in Geneva; they will make it a practice to be sure that at least 2 of them will be present whenever they meet with the church - including when they work with the coach.

We see the ruling above as a positive step, and we look forward to working with our Coach and the Presbytery Liaisons. These team members will essentially provide help that would have been given by a Transitional Pastor, and we will use their knowledge and insights to aid our search process. At the Wednesday March 18 Session meeting, the Missions Study Report was approved. This document will be used to create the Mission Information Form that tells prospective Pastors who we are and what we do. It will help guide the PNC as they search for our new Pastor.

Session also approved a motion for the Steering Committee to present our Mission Study Report to the Presbytery of Geneva’s Committee on Ministry (COM), the body which will govern our search for a new Pastor.

Going forward, our next step after approval of the Mission Study Report by the COM is to call a Congregational Meeting to elect the Pastor Nominating Committee. At this time, we cannot meet as a large group at the Church, but we are committed to finding ways to collect congregational votes without Sunday Worship services and our typical Congregational Meetings. The Session meeting on Wednesday March 18 met entirely online, and was very successful. Reports were made, Motions were brought to the floor, and discussions moved the agenda along. This meeting tells us that we have several alternatives for non-contact group meetings, and we will explore all options.

Stay tuned – you will be hearing more from the Transitional Steering committee as we figure out the best way to have a Congregational Meeting, without actually meeting in Church!

Submitted by the Transitional Steering Committee

Beth Newell, Walt Gage, Gary Harmon, Victoria Champlin, Chris Gerling & Mat DeMoras

APRIL 1 – Confirmation Scripture/Faith papers due APRIL 19– FAMILIES sing/ring at 10:30 worship YOUTH GROUP (6th-12th grade) tentative activities APRIL 18 – HWS Day of Caring – Jackie Augustine HIKING – Betsy Binn BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION to benefit Geneva Head Start LOOK FOR THE BASKET

2 CENTS – A - MEAL We will collect 2 cents offerings on APRIL 5 You can make a difference in the lives of hungry people!!!

Session summary 3-19-20

The Session met as scheduled on March 19 – a first in that the meeting was held over the Zoom software, with members participating from home because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Treasurer Fritz Aude, Financial Administrator Alan Schenck and Clerk Fred Schühle participated from the church conference room.

Deaths: Josephine Marshall Strouse, a former member, died Feb. 22 in Waterloo. The Rev. John Milne led the funeral service Feb. 29 at DeVaney-Bennett, with interment in Glenwood Cemetery. The memorial service for former member Howard H. Johnson, who died Feb. 27 in Florida, is now scheduled for June 20 at the church.

Lisa Gage, reported for the Deacons, that in-home communion was being well received, although all nursing home and living center visits have been cancelled for the duration of the pandemic.

Motions: Finance Committee moved that $1,500 from the One Great Hour of Sharing and other designated offerings be allocated to the West Virginia rehabilitation project, which Fritz Aude regularly participates in. Motion approved. A member of the congregation has also proposed giving a piece of land to the church, so it can be sold to an interested neighbor with no capital gains tax for the seller, and the proceeds applied toward that member’s Ensuring Our Future pledge. Because this involves real property, Session approval is required, and was granted. Such transfers and sales have happened before, Alan said.

Worship Committee moved to spend $1,100 to buy New Revised Standard Version pew Bibles and a large-print lectern Bible, to be used in the sanctuary. Motion approved. Members and friends will be invited to make donations to replenish the Memorial Fund, from which the $1,100 will be taken. Motion approved.

The Transition Steering Committee moved that the draft Mission Study Report be approved, pending copyediting tweaks, and presented

to the Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry at its April 2 meeting. Motion approved. A congregational meeting was called for April 19 to elect a Pastor Nominating Committee. Beth Newell reported that the Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry approved our congregation’s request to proceed toward calling an installed pastor, rather than hiring an interim pastor, with guidance from coaches from outside the presbytery. That coaching will begin only after Pastor Deb’s departure.

Personnel Committee reported that all staff will be paid as scheduled while worship services are suspended and building use is reduced.

John Hovey reported for Property Committee that the Geneva Historical Society’s insurance will cover removal and replacement of the damaged carpet squares in the basement Scout Room; any unused funds will be returned to the society’s insurance company.

Some discussion followed on how long corporate worship will be suspended; while the current aim is to resume services on Easter, April 12, conditions are changing frequently and rapidly. Pastoral Associate John Milne noted that a celebration is in order when we can resume worship services, whether that’s on April 12 or later. Electronic platforms and the U.S. Mail may be used to get information about the slate of PNC members to the congregation before the April 19 congregational meeting. It was noted that Gov. Cuomo has suggested people not meet in large groups until May 10. The consensus was that worship will be suspended until further notice.

Pastor Deb reported that the Zoom software was used earlier in the day for Wednesday Bible study, and suggested that Session committees use it in lieu of in-person meetings. Jim Dickson will confer with Ethan Powell, who has offered to help people use the software.

Pastor Deb reminded the Session that this is wilderness for all of us, Lenten pre-Easter wilderness in any case, and that we will get through it.

SERRVINTERNATIONAL FAIR TRADE GIFT SHOP

The SERRV Shop supports fair trade artisans around the world. Purchases have a direct impact on our global market’s great injustices: the inequality in income and quality of life for people living in developing countries. Every purchase becomes a powerful tool for putting right the imbalance in the world.

As you all know, we are no longer allowed to use plastic for your purchases and we would greatly appreciate donations of handled bags that you may acquire from clothing stores, etc.

Also of major concern is the coronavirus. We will be closing the shop at least until the end of April and make a further determination at that time.

The SERRV Shop is in need of paper bags (any size), Amazon bags or cloth bags. If you have any to spare, please leave them in the shop. Thank you!

As many of my church friends know I've had to undergo (3) serious surgeries on my hip and leg since Dec. 2019. Visits by Pastor Deb and Beth Nicholas mean very much. Friends who have sent "well wishes" of cards, phone calls, and visits while in the hospital and recuperation are remembrances that mean so much. Sincerely, Nancy Taylor To the congregation, the Deacons, and Pastor Deb, I want to express a heartfelt thank you for the visits, cards, and calls. They made me smile during this medical journey. Most Sincerely, Mickey Peters

Have you seen our new church banners? We have music, Advent, Lent and Easter ones. A big THANK YOU to Chancel Guild for their donation. Also THANK YOU to those who donated to our Banner Fund. And a THANK YOU to the three anonymous donors who started us off with new banner donations.

Next Hosting Week: April 19-April 26

[Note: the FPOC board and Director are in discussion about how to handle hostings for our congregation and others considering the coronavirus situation (as this is written, March 18). Should the situation change, we will certainly let volunteers know.]

The Los Angeles Times recently posted an article with the heading, “An unexpected side effect of the coronavirus? A new urgency about helping homeless people.” Homeless individuals and families the world over are especially vulnerable to the effects of the coronavirus; many are unable to self-quarantine, receive medical attention, or access cleaning facilities and supplies. Moreover, they are often not covered in networks and policies for other vulnerable groups.

This is why now, more than ever, we need able, willing, and healthy volunteers to help with our next hosting week: April 19 (Sunday arrival) to April 26 (Sunday departure). Family Promise of Ontario County fulfills a mission of support for the county’s homeless families—one that is especially critical in light of recent events. .

You can sign up online at https://signup.com/go/kmsCbcC, by getting in touch with Barb Weinberg at 315-521-5958, or by emailing Barb at barbwine@me.com.

Other Family Promise News:

• Day Center Volunteers: Please take a short break to reduce exposure of families to as few new people as possible (host and support site volunteers still needed)

• Housing Needs: Know of a 3 or 4 bedroom apartment for rent? A couple of our FPOC families are looking. Please contact Brenda Spratt at 585-905-3988 or fpocdirector@fpocny.org

• Jobs Available: Applications are being receive for the following 1. PT DRIVER (split shift) Monday-Friday 15 hours per week to transport our guests to and from the Day Center; 6:30am-8:00am, and 4:30pm – 6:00pm. Ability to transport small children and adults, no lifting, clean driving record & drug test. No CDL required but driving experience preferred. 2. WEEKEND DRIVER & HOUSE MONITOR PT Sat. 8:00am-5:30pm, Sun. 7:00am-5:30pm. Some work experience in residential settings, clean DMV record & drug test. Able to multi-task and work with young children and adults. Send letter of interest, experience and hourly wage requirements to fpocdirector@fpocny.org.

• Save the Date—July 25—for the Annual Bed Race: Plan your chariot! Recruit your team! Get your cheerleaders in line! Be the team that takes home the trophy and get ready for a spectacularly fun time!

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Friendship Study Group –Everyone is encouraged to attend a Bible Study led by Pastor Deb each Wed. at Noon at the Church – Bring a bag lunch Needles/Crafts – They will meet 2nd Wed. April 8th at 6:30pm in the Sacred Art Classroom. The crafts will focus on 4 areas of Mission.

Upcoming Events: PW Meeting – Sun. April 19th – following the 10:30am service in the Church conference room. Every Presbyterian Women is welcome and invited to attend.

Save the Date: 66th Strawberry Festival will be Wed. June 17th.

TAKE NOTE I am writing to you at the beginning of our time apart. Whether it is three feet or six, whether it is every other row in the sanctuary (that, by the way, does not mean, “every other row but the first 4 or 5), or whether it is from our isolated places at home, being apart is not where we want to be. We are social animals, we are a team, we are a church, and that means coming together, working together, worshiping together, singing together. It will probably not surprise you that my recommendation for this time apart is that you spend some time each day “singing”. Of course, any music making is a good idea, but I came across an article that lists “6 Reasons to Sing Your Heart Out for Health.” While reason 4 says that singing will boost you immunity, something we can all use, the other 5 include soothing asthma symptoms, help for better heart health, increasing your positivity, bonding with others, and perhaps most important, reduces snoring. “Overall, the singers enjoyed positive boosts to their emotional and immune health,” and we can all use that. So sing in your shower, sing on your back porch, sing with your radio or sound system, sing to your pet, call your friends and sing to them, sing praises or pleas to God. Whether it’s “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice!”

or to “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody!

With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!”

Sing, play instruments, (or recordings), do music somehow, anyhow. Praise the Lord who came to give us Life and who lives.

One Great Hour of Sharing As you are all aware, the One Great Hour of Sharing auction and the request for direct giving is on hold. For those of you who wish, enclosed is an envelope for OGHS. Certainly, this is a difficult time and you may be unable to contribute. However, if you do wish to donate, please add your payment in the envelope and return it to the church office. Thanks—stay well.

GENEVA READS

Geneva Reads was founded in 2007 and has since grown from five programs to 16, each aimed at getting books into the hands of all Geneva children, especially those from low-income families. We are happy to be able to say that we have roughly 75 volunteers and more than 225 donors we can rely on to make sure these programs can continue to address Geneva’s literacy needs. Each year, we give away an estimated 25,000 books, including thousands of gently used books that are donated for our 12 Community Bookshelves. One of our furthest-reaching programs is Geneva Reads at WIC, which is housed at the Presbyterian Church in Geneva. We are extremely grateful for the space the church provides for book storage. Any one interested in volunteering can email Anne Schuhle at asgenevareads@gmail.com

April 1 Joanna Roelofs April 16 Donna Baxter April 3 Sandy McDonald Thomas Burrall Matt Reiners Connie VanGorden April 5 Joan Gage April 19 Michele Berta April 7 Marje Aude April 21 Sandy Eberle Robin Clark April 23 Bryna Daykin Jeanne Sjoblom April 24 Ann Warner April 8 Jean Harman April 25 Tyrone Collins Shannon Love John Oaks April 9 Sandra Wheeler Jenna Ritting April 11 Ruby Anderson April 26 Clinton Bates Lauren Champlin Allison Lamb Kevin Fahy April 27 Megan Barnes April 12 Larry Smart Ryan Kincaid April 13 Jane Knight Kate Komara April 14 Peter Brown Kathy Poole Beth Kinne Troy Snook April 15 Janet LaRocca April 30 Lois Pettinger Laverne Sessler James Spates