Dear Friends,
I am writing this on the day of the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Today is three minutes longer than yesterday was and three minutes longer than tomorrow will be. Three minutes by themselves don't seem like much, yet there is something about those extra three minutes that makes this day significant. It's the longest day of the year, so we make sure we watch the sunset. It's the longest day of the year, and we feel an urgency to use those three minutes wisely and productively.
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Thursday, June 1, 2017
Pastor's Message
Dear Friends,
Last June at the 222nd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) our Co-Moderators, Rev. Denise Anderson and Rev. Jan Edmiston challenged each presbytery to address the sin of racism in a more intentional way than it has in the past. Toward that end, the Presbytery of Geneva, of which we are a member congregation, has formed the Anti-Racism Work Group. One of the Group's first efforts is to support the Co-Moderators' suggestion that we all read Waking Up White: And Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving.
I have read the book and highly recommend it to you. The author is someone who has dared to look at how she unknowingly contributes to perpetuating racism and gently yet firmly challenges others to do the same. Her chapters are short – four to five pages – and each contains a thought-provoking description of a step she has taken toward becoming more aware of the role racism has played in her white, middle-class, New England life.
Last June at the 222nd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) our Co-Moderators, Rev. Denise Anderson and Rev. Jan Edmiston challenged each presbytery to address the sin of racism in a more intentional way than it has in the past. Toward that end, the Presbytery of Geneva, of which we are a member congregation, has formed the Anti-Racism Work Group. One of the Group's first efforts is to support the Co-Moderators' suggestion that we all read Waking Up White: And Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving.
I have read the book and highly recommend it to you. The author is someone who has dared to look at how she unknowingly contributes to perpetuating racism and gently yet firmly challenges others to do the same. Her chapters are short – four to five pages – and each contains a thought-provoking description of a step she has taken toward becoming more aware of the role racism has played in her white, middle-class, New England life.
Monday, May 1, 2017
Guest Message
When you are feeling stressed, remember: Moses started out as a basket case, and the Lord made something of him anyway! We have now been a year and a half without a permanent minister and some folks have expressed anxiety because of this. But we have been fortunate to have had and still do have excellent interim ministers who have guided our way through this period and have given us new insights and experiences.
Sometimes we have not had a full slate of minister office hours but it is important to remember that God's office hours are 24/7. He is looking out for us and also working with our PNC committee to find the right permanent leader for our congregation. Many thanks to those in the congregation that have volunteered to fill in when help is needed.
Sometimes we have not had a full slate of minister office hours but it is important to remember that God's office hours are 24/7. He is looking out for us and also working with our PNC committee to find the right permanent leader for our congregation. Many thanks to those in the congregation that have volunteered to fill in when help is needed.
Monday, April 3, 2017
Pastor's Farewell
Dear Friends and Members of Watkins Glen Presbyterian Church:
As you know, an Interim position is always a temporary position. I have been blessed in my ministry with you these past 15 months or so. My last day in the office will be March 31, and my last day of service will be April 7.
As you know, an Interim position is always a temporary position. I have been blessed in my ministry with you these past 15 months or so. My last day in the office will be March 31, and my last day of service will be April 7.
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Pastor's Message
"Things fall apart, the center cannot hold..."
William Butler Yeats, The Second Coming, 1919
"In life and in death we belong to God"
A Brief Statement of Faith, PC(USA), 1983
Sometimes in life, we feel as if nothing is holding us: not the arms of those who love us, not the world as we know it, not the foundations of our community life as a nation...
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Pastor's Message
February is the month of love, and valentines, of cupid and hearts, roses and chocolate.
Or so the advertisers and card companies would push us to believe. Christians understand love, any kind of love, as a gift from God:
Or so the advertisers and card companies would push us to believe. Christians understand love, any kind of love, as a gift from God:
"Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love." (1 John 4:7-8)
Monday, January 2, 2017
Pastor's Message
The month of January is named for the Greek god Janus, who is usually depicted with two faces: one looking back, and one looking ahead into the new year.
At the beginning of the new year, we stand in that in-between time: remembering the past year, and all the past, really, and looking ahead to what is in some ways an unknown future.
At the beginning of the new year, we stand in that in-between time: remembering the past year, and all the past, really, and looking ahead to what is in some ways an unknown future.
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