Welcome to our Interim Pastor, the Reverend Nancy Meehan Yao.
Nancy is a graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. She was co-pastor, with her husband, James Yao, at the Hector and Lodi Presbyterian Churches from 2009 to 2013. In 2013, she moved to a 1/4 time position with Hector Presbyterian Church leading and planning worship, youth, children and families activities, education and outreach. In 2013, she also became a stated supply pastor for the First Presbyterian Church in Hammondsport on a 1/2 time basis. Her responsibilities there included leading worship, pastoral care, moderating Session, leading new mission and outreach, education and renewal. Nancy has had interim training, which means she will be well equipped to lead us through the transition to an installed pastor.
Please join me in welcoming Nancy to our church and congregation starting November 16.
Thanks also to the pulpit supply pastors since Bev retired. They include Rev. Fred Magley, Rev. John Kotun, Priscilla Andrews, Bob Sell, and Rev. Wayne Gusafson.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Active and Vibrant Ministers, All !
We are beginning the month of October and signs of Fall are all around us. We had a wonderful celebration for Bev and we will miss her. She will be able to travel, relax, visit friends and family, and look forward to her next adventure. I know she will enjoy her retirement.
As our Pastor and Teaching Elder, Bev taught us all who were called to participate in the ministry of our church.
Ruling Elders are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life. Ruling Elders, together with teaching elders, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the whole church, including ecumenical relationships.
The ministry of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness, and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress.
The mission of our church is to bring people to Christ, witness Christ's love in our community, and equip our members to minister in the world with love and understanding for the glory of God. Our committees reflect our mission. The Worship & Music committee works closely with the minister to plan the best possible worship experience for the congregation. The Congregational Life Committee provides care, help and support to people in time of need and to provide opportunities to enjoy the fellowship of others. The Christian Education Committee provides the Sunday School program to nurture our youth and the adult bible study group which continues year round now. The Buildings & Grounds Committee continues the ongoing effort to maintain and preserve the integrity of the church property. The Mission Committee spreads God's love through mission giving locally, nationally, and world-wide. These, and more, are examples of our mission statement.
We are an active and vibrant congregation and will continue our ministry. Have faith and patience. We will go through the process of finding an interim minister first, and eventually, a full-time minister will be called. The Interim Pastor nominating committee is working hard and this month a Pastor Nominating Committee will be formed and approved by the congregation.
All elders, deacons, and members of all of our committees are active members and represent our congregation. We are a strong, vibrant, and active church and will continue to be such during this period of transition.
In Christ's Love,
Karen Rhodes, Clerk of Session
As our Pastor and Teaching Elder, Bev taught us all who were called to participate in the ministry of our church.
Ruling Elders are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life. Ruling Elders, together with teaching elders, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the whole church, including ecumenical relationships.
The ministry of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness, and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress.
The mission of our church is to bring people to Christ, witness Christ's love in our community, and equip our members to minister in the world with love and understanding for the glory of God. Our committees reflect our mission. The Worship & Music committee works closely with the minister to plan the best possible worship experience for the congregation. The Congregational Life Committee provides care, help and support to people in time of need and to provide opportunities to enjoy the fellowship of others. The Christian Education Committee provides the Sunday School program to nurture our youth and the adult bible study group which continues year round now. The Buildings & Grounds Committee continues the ongoing effort to maintain and preserve the integrity of the church property. The Mission Committee spreads God's love through mission giving locally, nationally, and world-wide. These, and more, are examples of our mission statement.
We are an active and vibrant congregation and will continue our ministry. Have faith and patience. We will go through the process of finding an interim minister first, and eventually, a full-time minister will be called. The Interim Pastor nominating committee is working hard and this month a Pastor Nominating Committee will be formed and approved by the congregation.
All elders, deacons, and members of all of our committees are active members and represent our congregation. We are a strong, vibrant, and active church and will continue to be such during this period of transition.
In Christ's Love,
Karen Rhodes, Clerk of Session
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Christian Education Update
SUNDAY SCHOOL
The Sunday School year has gotten off to a happy, boisterous, energetic start. Thank you to Dennis and Julie Morris for teaching the class in September and October. There is still room for more! Come, bring your children or grandchildren and join the fun. Sunday School, for children and adults, meets every Sunday at 9:45.
SOUP & STUDY
Soup and Study will continue to meet on Wednesdays through out October from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. We will be studying "The Fruits of the Spirit". Look for each week’s reading and questions on the back table in the sanctuary. Come to one or all of the sessions as your schedule allows.
The Sunday School year has gotten off to a happy, boisterous, energetic start. Thank you to Dennis and Julie Morris for teaching the class in September and October. There is still room for more! Come, bring your children or grandchildren and join the fun. Sunday School, for children and adults, meets every Sunday at 9:45.
SOUP & STUDY
Soup and Study will continue to meet on Wednesdays through out October from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. We will be studying "The Fruits of the Spirit". Look for each week’s reading and questions on the back table in the sanctuary. Come to one or all of the sessions as your schedule allows.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Thank You!
What a wonderful retirement celebration! There was so much work and love and grace that went into the preparations. Jeff and I had many happy times in the church and the manse and the beautiful painting of both will hang in the Arkport home as a constant reminder. The Steuben glass owl hand cooler will be cherished. It is a reminder of the wisdom I gained as we shared ministry together. And the contribution to Cobblestone Springs is appreciated. Cobblestone has been a place for me to go and find quiet and solitude.
Thank you to the Sunday School for the very special song, to the “enhanced choir” and musicians for the beautiful music, to the kitchen crew and table setters for a wonderful and delicious banquet, and to all who spoke. Thank you for the kind cards and notes and for the abundance of love you showered on both Jeff and me throughout the past eighteen years.
Much love,
Beverly
Thank you to the Sunday School for the very special song, to the “enhanced choir” and musicians for the beautiful music, to the kitchen crew and table setters for a wonderful and delicious banquet, and to all who spoke. Thank you for the kind cards and notes and for the abundance of love you showered on both Jeff and me throughout the past eighteen years.
Much love,
Beverly
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Beginnings
September is often seen as a time of "beginnings". Teachers and students return to school and there is a change from when they left in June. Teachers have new students and students have new teachers. This month, in the life of the Watkins Glen First Presbyterian Church, there will be a change. Five months ago I announced my plan to retire as of September 30. Time has gone by quickly and now September is here. There will be a change for all of us. The pastoral relationship we now share will end. But please be assured friendships continue.
We must walk by faith as we face this transition. Frederick Buechner is quoted: "Remember that faith is more of a process than a possession. Faith is not being sure where you're going, but going anyway. A journey without maps."
As you face the upcoming transition of pastoral leadership, you are called to walk in faith. By faith, the church will continue to be involved in a vibrant ministry. This church has been providing ministry for 197 years. That's a long time. And it will continue to do so. Have faith. Have faith in the pastoral call process. It can be frustrating because the process doesn't move as fast as you would like. But the process is not simply hiring a new employee for the church. It is realizing that it is God who calls and it is you who will listen. The process is guided by Jesus Christ, who is the head of the church, who provides you with all that you need to be the church.
Thank you for the privilege of being your pastor. I ask for your prayers as I move on to the next chapter of my life. Be assured that I hold you in my heart and in my prayers as you listen to God to lead you by faith. In deep gratitude for the ministry we have shared during the past eighteen and a half years.
We must walk by faith as we face this transition. Frederick Buechner is quoted: "Remember that faith is more of a process than a possession. Faith is not being sure where you're going, but going anyway. A journey without maps."
As you face the upcoming transition of pastoral leadership, you are called to walk in faith. By faith, the church will continue to be involved in a vibrant ministry. This church has been providing ministry for 197 years. That's a long time. And it will continue to do so. Have faith. Have faith in the pastoral call process. It can be frustrating because the process doesn't move as fast as you would like. But the process is not simply hiring a new employee for the church. It is realizing that it is God who calls and it is you who will listen. The process is guided by Jesus Christ, who is the head of the church, who provides you with all that you need to be the church.
Thank you for the privilege of being your pastor. I ask for your prayers as I move on to the next chapter of my life. Be assured that I hold you in my heart and in my prayers as you listen to God to lead you by faith. In deep gratitude for the ministry we have shared during the past eighteen and a half years.
In Christ,
Beverly
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Called to Love
Gracious God, we come before you today knowing that we often fall short of your call to love one another. We allow ourselves to be blinded by wealth and power. We ignore those around us who suffer injustice, poverty, and rejection. We tune out the cries of the poor and those on the edges of our communities. Forgive us, O God.
We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God.
May we understand the grace and forgiveness bestowed upon us by God, that others may find the Kingdom within us and among us.
We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God.
May we understand the grace and forgiveness bestowed upon us by God, that others may find the Kingdom within us and among us.
Sunday, August 23, 2015
An Affirmation of Faith
We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life.
The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church.
The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles rules our faith and live in Christ through Scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the waters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church.
In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of people long silenced, to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace.
In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying "Come, Lord Jesus!"
Excerpt from a Brief Statement of Faith, 1983
The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church.
The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles rules our faith and live in Christ through Scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the waters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church.
In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of people long silenced, to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace.
In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying "Come, Lord Jesus!"
Excerpt from a Brief Statement of Faith, 1983
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