The Geneva Pres

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 Paula Breese - Coordinator of Youth Ministries 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 - Webmaster Beth Nicholas - Parish Nurse Alan Schenck - Financial Administrator Fred Schühle - Clerk of Session Colleen VanAllan - Secretary

Happy New Year 2020! A Prayer for God’s Blessing Today, Tomorrow and Always

One of my Christmas Cards that I sent out continues, “May the gifts of love and hope be yours at Christmas and bring you happiness all year long”. Theologically God’s blessings are understood as eternal. However, we are human, at times only able to think about one year at a time, or one day at a time. It might seem overwhelming to consider selection of a new pastor without anxiety. However, we have a Presbyterian system and church that will plan together. And, yes, God is with us. Have faith that this is a healthy congregation with a hopeful future. In this day and age when churches are declining and devoid of children, we are thriving with families and children seeking community and faith.

There are steps that we are about to take which need your support and involvement.

1. First we need your input and ideas about the church’s next pastor and the church’s mission focus and ministry. Elders of the session will facilitate these discussions after Sunday worship services in January and February. Table talks are scheduled for January 12 and 19 and February 2 and 9.

2. A Pastor Nominating Committee will be formed and they will write the Mission Study Report which will be available to the congregation and prospective candidates.

3. After approval from the Presbytery of Geneva’s Committee on Ministry we will begin the search.

The session and I promise to keep your informed and involved in the process. In the meantime, please pray for each other and remember this is a wonderful congregation.

Romans 15:13 “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Blessings of Peace, Pastor Deb

January: Season of Epiphany Jan. 5 Epiphany Sunday Isaiah 60:1-6, Matthew 2: 1-12 Aha! Jan. 12 Baptism of Jesus Isaiah 42: 1-9, Matthew 3:13-17 Commissioned for Mission Jan. 19 Epiphany I Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1: 20-42 Come and See Jan. 26 Epiphany Matthew 4:12-23 Evangelism 101

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

Friendship Study Group – Everyone is encouraged to attend a Bible Study led by Pastor Deb each Wednesday at noon at the Church. Bible Study will resume on January 8th. Bring a bag lunch.

Needles/Crafts – This group met recently and revamped their ideas. They will meet the 2nd Wednesday – Jan. 8th at 6:30 p.m. in the Sacred Arts Classroom. The crafts will focus on four areas of Mission.

Presbyterian Women have an account with the Linden Shop. If you take any items to the Linden you can request to have your proceeds sent to the church c/o Presbyterian Women.

KITCHEN ETIQUETTE

If you are working in the kitchen for any event, PLEASE wash all dishes you have used and return everything back in the cupboards where they belong. There are labels on each cupboard and drawer. Please wipe down all counters and launder the towels and dish cloths you have used. Recently one cupboard was found with so many items that did not belong we were concerned about the weight on the shelf.

Our next meeting will be Jan. 19th immediately following the 10:30 a.m. service in the Church Conference Room. All women are welcome and encouraged to attend.

To my New York extended family,

Your prayers, concerns, phone calls and emails during the time Ron was having a difficult time were much appreciated by both of us.

The Memorial Service for Ron showed how much we are cared for even though miles separate us now.

Words cannot tell you how much I appreciated seeing so many of you and for the many cards I have received. I do miss all of you and look forward to the day we can visit again soon.

God bless you all.

Bette

The annual meeting of The Presbyterian Church in Geneva, NY

will be held on Sunday, January 26 following the 10:30 worship service.

Please note that the deadline for annual reports to be submitted to the

church office is Friday, January 10.

Dear Church Family, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I hope this year is full of happy moments, health, and blessings for all of you! I am not going to do my usual write up about diet and exercise. That DOES NOT mean you don’t have to diet and exercise! I think you all know by now what you should be doing, and if not, call me and I’ll tell you!!! I wanted to talk about our latest “wonder drug” CBD. CBD (Cannabidiol) is a chemical found in marijuana. It is different from THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), the chemical that causes the “high” when smoking marijuana. There is a lot of hype that CBD cures everything from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease. After talking to a friend who had unpleasant results from using CBD, I decided to look on the Food and Drug Administration’s website. They are not encouraging people to take CBD until much more testing is done. The FDA has only approved one CBD product to treat rare forms of epilepsy. The FDA’s research presently shows that CBD can: cause liver damage, react with other drugs (particularly blood thinners), cause male reproductive toxicity, cause changes in mood with increased irritability and agitation, cause stomach pain and upset, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and decreased alertness. Not exactly what you would expect from a wonder drug!!! The FDA has also found some of the CBD preparations on the market not only give false claims of curing certain conditions, they have been found to contain pesticides, heavy metals, and THC. There is some research showing promise with chronic pain control for cancer. Research also has shown that CBD reacts in bad ways with some chemotherapeutic drugs. My advice would be to stay away from CBD until the FDA has come to a conclusion that it is safe, how much (what dosage) is safe, and what it legitimately is found to help/cure. CBD is marketed as a dietary supplement. The FDA does not presently regulate dietary supplements. As a result, a wide array of doses and additives can be in these supplements. Do not take CBD without discussing it with your doctor and doing a little research yourself. It may end up with some very legitimate uses, but having a proper dose and knowing potential harmful side effects is crucial. If you have any further input on this topic or would like further information, please call me! God Bless, Beth

Enhancing Our Future Appeal and Church Sustainability:

An Update

Thanks to the generosity of our congregation and to careful cost-cutting measures, we will be drawing nearly 50% less from investments in 2020 to cover church operating expenses than budgeted for 2019. This is a great step forward!

We ask that pledges to the Enhancing Our Future Endowment (EOF) Appeal be submitted by December 31, 2019. At this point in mid-December we have received 72 EOF pledges for a total of $954,148. Please prayerfully consider making a pledge to help bring us closer to our goal of $3 million for permanent endowment.

You may pick up an Appeal pledge card in the church office. If you have any questions, please contact one of the following:

Rick Bley: (315) 789-5300 Walter Gage: (315) 789-3397 Beth Newell: (315) 789-4665 Alan Schenck: (315) 789-1343

SERRV International Fair Trade Gift Shop Happy New Year! Our extended hours for the holidays have ended but we will remain open in January with our regular hours of 10:00 to 12:30 on Saturdays and after each church service on Sunday.

Our holiday season was quite successful and we would like to thank the many volunteers who helped us with our extended hours! Our advertising efforts are helping to inform others of our shop and we are hopeful that you too will continue to spread the word to friends, family and neighbors.

Through SERRV, marginalized artisans and farmers are empowered by sustainable employment, fair wages and safe working conditions and find security and dignity in their work. They create stronger and healthier communities. They send their children to school. They hand down traditions of cultural craft.

Dinner and Worship Sunday, January 5, 2020

5:00 p.m. Pot-luck dinner

so bring a dish to share

Adult Spiritual Formation Sunday morning 9:15 to 10:15 in the South

Parlor All welcome

January 5 Christmas and Epiphany – History and Around the World Celebrations. Twelve days of Christmas, then Epiphany. We have prepared, rejoiced and now experience the manifestation of Christ in Epiphany!

The remainder of January we will explore the Matthew 25 Initiative

Matthew 25:31–46 calls all of us to actively engage in the world around us, so our faith comes alive and we wake up to new possibilities. Convicted by this passage, the PC(USA) is charged to act boldly and compassionately to serve people who are hungry, oppressed, imprisoned or poor. By accepting the Matthew 25 invitation,

congregations can help our denomination become a more relevant presence in the world. We recognize Christ’s urgent call to be a church of action, where God’s love, justice and mercy shine forth and are contagious PC(USA)

Matthew 25 focuses on three areas

• Building congregational vitality • Dismantling structural racism • Eradicating system poverty These will be discussed in the January programs.

About the Matthew 25 mark The circular shape represents unity and equality. Like God, a circle has no beginning and no end, and it symbolizes our continuing effort to help one another. The shape also suggests a globe that points to our engagement with the world. The three interlocking figures represent the equality of all people without gender or race bias. They have their arms around each other, symbolizing friendship, protection and service. The number three suggests the three focus areas of congregational vitality, structural racism and systematic poverty, as well as the Trinity.

Happy New Year!!!!!!

PLUM PUDDING THANKS to all who donated cakes or cookies for Plum Pudding. YUMMY!!!! JAN. 5 – FAITH AND FAMILIES – 9:30 - 1st-5th graders and their families meet with Pastor Deb in the Chapel. JAN. 5 – 9:00 - CONFIRMATION youth and their sponsors meet upstairs JAN. 13 – 7:00 - CE BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION to benefit Geneva Head Start LOOK FOR THE BASKET

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

February 2, 2010

When: Friday, January 17th Where: Geneva Recreation Center Time: 7:30-9:30 Price: $4 residents, $6 nonresidents, $3 skate rentals There is a snack bar

Feel free to invite friends! Please RSVP by Monday, January 13th to pjfoote25@gmail.com

When: Sunday, January 26th Where: Church Time: 3:30-5:30 Please bring a dish to pass and your favorite game to share with families! Please RSVP by Tuesday, January 21st to pjfoote25@gmail.com

Youth Fellowship January

Grades 6-12

Art from the Heart

At The Presbyterian Church in Geneva

January Schedule Valentine Paint & Sip – Sat. Jan. 25th 10:30 – 12:30pm Ages 5-9 and 1-3pm Ages 10+ Come join us as we paint this Darling Picture celebrating Winter and Valentine's Day. No experience necessary because we will show you step by step. It will make a great present. Cost is $30 including supplies and refreshments.

War & the Art of War: Modeling Historical Conflict Sat. Jan. 18, Feb. 1,15,29 Mar. 7,21 10:30am – 12:30pm Could you have done better than Napoleon at Waterloo, or do you think you have a better plan for Lee at Gettysburg? This course provides you with everything you need to create conflict simulation board games. Don't just read history – make it. Cost is $60 includes supplies

Tai Chi – Tues. Jan 7,14,21,28,Feb 4-11 7-8pm If you're looking for a way to reduce stress and increase your overall health, consider Tai Chi. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art that, today in the U.S., is practiced as a graceful form of exercise. Yang style can be more vigorous but also easily adaptable for all ages and fitness levels. We will focus on deep breathing and muscle control. Cost is $5 per session or $25 for all 6

Beginning Crochet – Wed. Jan 8,15,22,29 7-8pm Crochet is cool! We will learn basic skills in an intensive 4 week class. Learn the stitches, reading patterns & charts, increases, decreases and much more. The classes build on each other so weekly attendance is very important. Join us for fun, laughter and crochet! Cost is $40 plus supplies

Drawing Studio –Fri. Jan 3,10,17,24,31 10am – 12pm Learn to draw, or refresh your skill! Loosen up your hand; work on aspects of line, shape, volume and perspective; plus discuss artists and their works. Draftsmanship is the foundation for nearly every creative endeavor and you CAN learn out to do it! Sign up for one or multiple sessions Cost is $22 per Session including supplies

Scrapbooking – Mon. Jan 6,13,20,27 5:30 – 7:30 pm Got Photos? Memorabilia? Learn about scrapbooking. We will learn the tools, matting, layouts, journaling and more. Cost is $13 per session

Check the calendar at pcgny.org for updates and new classes Class size is limited. Reservations are required. Call 315-789-1343 or stop by the church office

From the church office . . . . .

Have you moved, changed your email address or your phone number recently? If you have, help us keep your contact information accurate b calling the church office or by emailing the information to: secretary@pcgny.org

Please remember that submissions for Sunday bulletins nee to be in the office by 8:30 on Tuesday mornings, and submissions for the monthly newsletters need to be in the office by noon on the third Wednesday of each month. ANNUAL REPORTS ARE DUE IN THE CHURCH OFFICE ON/BEFORE JANUARY 10.

DEACONS

For the life that you have given, for the love

in Christ, made known, with these fruits of time and labor, with

these gifts that are your own: here we offer, Lord, our praises; heart and

mind and strength we bring; give us grace to love, and serve you, living

what we pray and sing. (Text commissioned in 1987 by Fourth

Presbyterian Church in Chicago.) Hymn 717

As we begin a new calendar year, we start by thanking three faithful Deacons for their service to our church. Faith Benedict, Steve Cottrell, and Jan Phillips are now going off the Board of Deacons after serving our church in this special ministry. We welcome Scott Butler as a new Deacon. There remain two openings for the new Deacon Class. Please consider this opportunity. Christmas bags were filled by the Deacons on Sunday, December 15, with fruit, candy, cookies, Chex mix, fuzzy socks, and poinsettias and were delivered to shut-in congregants.

A Touching Story Agnes Hoefler turned 102 on September 5, 2019. For many years Agnes sang in the Presbyterian Church Choir in Geneva. Knowing that, I thought she might enjoy hearing some Christmas carols. Her first choice was “O Holy Night.” Agnes joined right in remembering the tune very well and most of the words! We then sang a few other carols together. What a touching and memorable experience!

Blessings from the Deacons with warmest wishes for a joyous and faith-filled New Year!

Lenten Bible Study “Into the World”

The Acts of the Apostles

Friday Evenings: February 21 to April 3, 2020 6pm to 9pm

The Kerygma Curriculum

If the Book of Acts were merely a newspaper-style account of the actions of a few persons at the beginning of Christianity, there might not be much value in studying Acts. But Acts is something quite different quite special, quite unique in the Scriptures. Acts is Luke's extended description of the nature and purpose of the Christian church in all times and among all peoples. If we desire to know what the church is for, where its power and direction come from, and how to be the church today, Acts is the book to study!

There are those who feel that membership in the church is not necessary for the Christian life; that one can be a Christian without the community. Luke will vigorously challenge this thinking. Here is a place where your own thinking about the church and your role in it may be brought into a new perspective. Luke's doctrine of the church is as vital for the church of the twenty-first century as it was for the first.

Step into the past with Luke and with God and find your future.

The Friday Evening Study

Everyone is invited to the Lenten Bible Study. Dinner is provided by the class participants and provides a dinner fellowship experience throughout Lent. The dinner time provides an opportunity to hear about the weekly experiences of those with whom the study will be done. The Kerygma curriculum offers a broad experience for study of the Bible. Whether through acting out a parable, creating a poem to express an experience or discussing the historical aspect of the biblical passages, the study is interactive and creative. We learn by doing and a resource book is provided to assist in understanding the materials.

Add the Lenten Bible Study to your calendar. Talk to Diana Capron about getting a Resource Book for the study. And join us for seven weeks of fellowship and learning.

Take Note

In this New Year, come and join us in celebration of God and God’s marvelous works with song and instrument. Come to choir on Thursday evenings. Come for a season, come to try out a new way to praise. Or, come Monday evenings and learn to ring bells or offer your talent with instruments for special music. Learn a new skill or dust off an old one.

“When in our music God is glorified, and adoration leaves no room for pride, it is as though the whole creation cried:

Alleluia!

How often, making music, we have found a new dimension in the world of sound,

as worship moved us to a more profound Alleluia!

So has the church, in liturgy and song, in faith and love, through centuries of wrong,

borne witness to the truth in every tongue: Alleluia!

And did not Jesus sing a psalm that night when utmost evil strove against the Light?

Then let us sing, for whom he won the fight: Alleluia!

Let every instrument be tuned for praise! Let all rejoice who have a voice to raise!

And may God give us faith to sing always: Alleluia!”*

Be a part of the whole Creation singing Alleluia!*

*text by Fred Pratt Green

Jan 1 John Hovey Jan 15 Fred Cieri Jan 4 Beverly Burrall Joan McClure Jan 5 Amanda Tourtellotte Ti Siebert Jan 6 Rick Bley Jan 17 Mary Hausner Emme Cortelyou Jan 19 Bridget Saracino Jan 7 Sara Aliperti Jan 22 Edna May Langan Ben Aliperti Jan 24 Ben DeMoras Kim Leitner Jan 28 Declan McLaughlin Adam Robertson Jan 29 Stacey Baxter Jan 9 Fay Bley Jan 30 Steve Cottrell Jan 10 Bruce Butler Linda Cox Thelma Frick Chris Jennings Jan 12 Alexandra Berg-Pappert Donna Newcomb Christine Pohlig Jan 31 Dennis Bishop Jan 13 Bruce Baker Eleanor Stearns Jan 14 Susan Powell

Sunday worship services: 8:15 in chapel, 10:30 in sanctuary, 9:00 Sunday School, 9:15 Adult Spiritual Formation class

January 2020

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 NEW YEARS’S DAY

Church office closed

2 Choir rehearsal 7:00

3

4 SERRV SHOP 10:00-12:30

5 Communion – both services

Two-cents-a-meal offering

Food collection for Ctr. of Concern

Sponsors meet w/ Confirmation class

Epiphany dinner & worship – 5:00 SERRV Shop open

6 EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

Sared Arts class 5:30

Interpretation & Stewardship Committee meeting 7:00

7 Ontario/Yates Hospice Bereavement group 1:00 Adult Education Committee meeting 5:30

Property Committee mtg 7:00

Sacred Arts (TaiChi) 7:00

8 Pastor’s Bible study – noon

Sacred Arts class 7:00

Worship Committee mtg 7:00

Finance Committee mtg 7:30

9 Choir rehearsal 7:00 Sacred Arts class 7:00

10 Annual reports due today!!!

11 SERRV SHOP 10:00-12:30

12 Food collection for Ctr. of Concern

B.P. screenings after services

“Table Talks” following both services

SERRV Shop open

13

Sacred Arts class 5:30

Christian Education Committee meeting 7:00

14

Red Cross Blood Drive 1:00-7:00

Sacred Arts (TaiChi) 7:00

15 NEWSLETTER DEADLINE –NOON

Pastor’s Bible study – noon

SESSION meeting – 7:00

Sacred Arts class 7:00

16 Choir rehearsal 7:00 Sacred Arts class 7:00

17

Twilight support group 10:30

18 SERRV SHOP 10:00-12:30 Sacred Arts class 10:30

19 MLK Offering

“Table Talks” following both services

P.W. meeting – 11:30

SERRV Shop open

20 Martin Luth King Jr. Birthday

Church office closed

Sacred Arts class 5:30

21 Ontario/Yates Hospice Bereavement group 1:00

Communications Committee Meeting 7:00

Sacred Arts (TaiChi) 7:00

22

Pastor’s Bible study – noon

Sacred Arts class 7:00

23 Choir rehearsal 7:00 Sacred Arts class 7:00

24

25 SERRV SHOP 10:00-12:30 Sacred Arts class10:30

26 Annual meeting – 11:30 Installation of officers SERRV Shop open

Family Promise Host week begins

27

Sacred Arts class 5:30

Mission & Social Concerns Committee meeting 7:00 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

28 SERRV Committee meeting 7:00 Sacred Arts (TaiChi) 7:00 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

29

Pastor’s Bible study – noon

Sacred Arts class 7:00

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30 Choir rehearsal 7:00

Sacred Arts class 7:00

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31

Watson Homestead Weekend retreat begins >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Looking ahead: Tomorrow, 2/2 Souper Bowl Of Caring offering >>>>>>>>>>>>>>