Vol. 29, No. 5 May 2020 FROM THE PASTOR The Easter hymn, “Now the Green Blade Rises,” begins with these words: “Now the green blade rises from the buried grain, wheat that in dark earth many days has lain; love lives again that with the dead has been; love is come again like wheat arising green.” I remember the story Jesus told of a sower scattering seeds and how those seeds need good soil in order to grow. Seeds packed together in a bag of grain, that are not planted in the ground, do not grow. They need the good earth; they need the rain and the sunshine to germinate and grow. I love this hymn because it reminds us that we are all like those seeds. Jesus, in all his humanity, was like a seed planted deep in the earth. “Forth he came at Easter,
Transcript
Vol. 29, No. 5 May 2020 FROM THE PASTOR
The Easter hymn, “Now the Green Blade Rises,” begins with these words: “Now the green blade rises from the buried grain, wheat that in dark earth many days has lain; love lives again that with the dead has been; love is come again like wheat arising green.”
I remember the story Jesus told of a sower scattering seeds and how those seeds need good soil in order to grow. Seeds packed together in a bag of grain, that are not planted in the ground, do not grow. They need the good earth; they need the rain and the sunshine to germinate and grow.
I love this hymn because it reminds us that we are all like those seeds. Jesus, in all his humanity, was like a seed planted deep in the earth. “Forth he came at Easter, like the risen grain, he that for three days in the grave had lain; raised from the dead, my living Lord is seen; love is come again like wheat arising green.”
The verse that speaks most clearly to me during this time of quarantine is the one that reminds us that human beings all go through those dark, grieving, painful periods, but that from the seed comes new life. “When our hearts are wintery, grieving or in pain, Your touch can call us back to life again, fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been; love is come again like wheat arising green.”
Seeds are scattered, buried in the ground. Wheat grows. Grains are gathered and taken to the mill. The wheat is ground and made into flour. We add leaven, the yeast of
the Spirit. A sprinkling of salt, the water of life, a touch of oil for blessing, all kneaded together and voila… we have the bread of life.
As we all sit at home, we may be going through dark or dormant periods waiting for the new life to grow within us. Some have questioned whether our world, our economy, our very lives, will every recover from this time of isolation. Think of yourself, and each of us, as seeds who are scattered in the ground. Yes, we are going through a time of planting, a time of laying in the dark rich earth. It may be a time of breaking open, for the seed itself must die for new life to emerge.
As we contemplate what new is springing forth because of this pandemic, I invite you to think about our interconnectedness and the importance of community. There may be only one individual sheltering in your home, but you are not alone. God is with each one of us. The church community also reminds us that we are not alone. We call one another, we write cards, we check-in via email. We zoom for meetings, or coffee hour, or Sunday school. There are new green sprouts rising. Sprouts we never envisioned and yet there is new life, there is growth, and there are surprises.
One of the most surprising things, about worshipping separately and yet together, has been the ability to spiritually cross those divides. We know deep within, that we are one, even though we are not together in body.
On the first Sunday of each month we celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion. We will continue to share that holy meal even in our own homes. We had our first virtual communion service on Maundy Thursday. The visceral connection to others was powerful. We shared together a holy meal in remembrance of the Last Supper.
Sunday May 3rd will be our first regular Sunday morning Communion service since we have moved to online worship. Each person will bring their own food and drink. You might have bread and grape juice, but you may not. And if you don’t, know that God will be present in whatever food and drink you can bring to the table. Maybe it will be graham crackers and orange juice. Maybe it will be coffee and biscotti. Maybe it will be a saltine and water, a rice cracker and tea…whatever you bring to the table will be the right thing. Christ will be present as we share together that holy meal.
Know that God will be with us as we break “bread” together in separate places. The body of Christ will be broken across the city, throughout the nation, and all across the globe. There are people who are staying at home and sharing in virtual communion
in just about every nation in the world. We are scattered, and yet gathered, in Jesus’ name. We are a part of this holy sacrament in a new and different way, and through it we find blessing. Come join us for communion on Sunday. Christ will be present with us as we eat and drink, separately and yet together. Alleluia, Amen.
Dawn
A MESSAGE FROM OUR MODERATOR
Celebrating While Alone
I hope this edition of the Weathervane finds you healthy and well.
What I’ve come to realize is just how important being around other people is, even for someone who is introverted like me.
I miss being at coffee hour and seeing many friendly and familiar faces all in one spot. I miss the buzz of conversations and the bursts of laughter.
But there’s something else I miss. It’s celebrations. Mother’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries, milestone achievements, holidays, concerts, sporting events…the list goes on.
We have to find new and creative ways to celebrate each other. And sometimes, what’s old is new again.
Whether it’s a card through the mail or a phone call, the message you are sending is that you care.
And that is what we need more than anything right now. Because none of us are truly alone. We may feel isolated or lonely, but we go through life with many who love us.
With love,
Hannah
THANK YOU!I just wanted to thank all of you who took the time to send nice little notes with your
pledges/donations and/or office communications! They truly made my day during this gloomy April we are experiencing and this lonely quarantine! This congregation always
continues to amaze me and I feel so lucky to work for you all! Looking forward to seeing you all when this is over! Until then, please stay safe and
brother); Keith Blaker; Brad Bliss; Ruth Bundy (Cheryl Bootes’ friend); Marjorie Case; Cathy Coots; Peggy & Bob DeSantis (Dorice & Don Raw, Sr.’s friends); Julie English (Janet & Kim Tenreiro’s friend); Brian Fuscaldo (Mara Huberlie’s nephew);
Jerry Gomez (Kathi Nacca’s friend); Gayle Henry; Carin Herren; Jeff Johnson (Jim & John Johnson’s brother); Carol Kober (Debbie Lyon’s neighbor); Jim Kolesar (George & Carin Herren’s friend); Sue Kotalik; Laura (Karen DeMay’s sister);
Michelle List (JoAnn Reed’s friend); Loren (Meg & Jack Radley’s friend); Lynn (Joan Ryan’s friend); Scott Lyon (Betty’s son); Eileen McCarthy (Carla DeMeco & Betsy Dresser’s friend); Sally Mueller; Liz Nelson (Kathy Ward’s friend); Chris Pritchard (Rick, Cindy Mullen & George Herren’s friend); Jack and Meg Radley; Sara (Meg &
Jack Radley’s granddaughter); Scott and Amanda (nephew and niece of Don & Marilyn DeSmith); John Paul and Pat Smith; Smith/Dworetsky Family (Okke & Kathy
(Amy Ogden’s friend); Josh Yeo (Barb Stahl’s friend); Jason Zeller (Kathy Ward’s son); Linda Zeller (Kathy Ward’s daughter in law)
In SympathyOur sincerest condolences to the family of Bill
Huberlie, who passed away Sat., April 11th. Our sympathy is extended to the family of Barb
Harradine, who died Sunday, April 19th.
Happy Birthday! May 1 Ian Schwab May 18 Ann Schwab, Madeline KogutMay 2 Bonnie Diver May 19 Ida Mae BeckerMay 3 Kathy Postma, Nancey Wilbur May 20 Carrin Herren, Eric Alden, Oliver NaccaMay 4 Marlin Potter, Barbara Miller May 21 Lu KrahlMay 5 Cathy Coots May 22 Carl Reed, Jeff ScheetzMay 6 Cheryl Bootes May 23 Rachel McFadden, Oscar LeasureMay 7 Cass Roberts May 25 Pat Smith, Barb Stahl, Joe Gilbert, Beth WeedenMay 8 Don Oakleaf, William Maxfield May 26 Elena Muscato
May 11 Janet Tenreiro May 27 Marie OakleafMay 12 Dolores Kruchten, Kay Muscato May 30 Mike Nyerges, Griffin BondMay 13 George Braddon, Cheryl LaRoach May 31 Abbie Dutcher, Josh Dutcher
Andy GajewskiMay 14 Lea BroscheMay 15 Jane WheelerMay 16 Kira CasellasMay 18 Ann Schwab, Madeline KogutMay 19 Ida Mae BeckerMay 20 Carrin Herren, Eric Alden, Oliver Nacca
New Member Spotlight: Jay Garrett-Larsen
Jay Garrett-Larsen moved with his wife, Reverend Dawn, to their new home in Canandaigua on August 26, 2019. Jay and Dawn were overwhelmed by the welcome and support they received from our church family. Once they were settled, they held a thank-you dinner at their new home to get better acquainted with everyone. On January 19, 2020 Jay officially joined our church family.
Jay grew up in Dayton, Ohio. When he was 16 years old, he volunteered at the Dayton Free Clinic and Counseling Service where he answered hot line calls from people in crisis. This was an “amazing experience” that would put him on a path of helping others. At 19 years old Jay dropped out of college to take a position as house manager in an emergency shelter for runaway kids. He worked there for a few years.
Jay’s next job opportunity came at an environmental education center in Yellow Springs, Ohio, after being inspired by his younger sister’s experience of spending a week at a summer camp in the woods. He spent the next four years teaching children at nature centers around the country.
During this time, Jay obtained his degree in psychology from Capitol University and his master’s degree in environmental studies and elementary education from Antioch New England. He held a job as a naturalist at the Harris Center for
Conservation Education and taught school for one year. At this point, he took a year off to spend time in Mexico and Guatemala.
In 1991 he returned to New Hampshire and moved in with a friend. He attended the New England Folk Festival to participate in Morris dancing. (Morris dancing is a form of English folk dancing that dates back to 1448.) There he met an attractive woman with auburn hair-Dawn, who was three years into her first pastorate-and “fell in love”. They were married one year later.
They started a family with daughter Annie and then son Jesse. Jay took a job in training and development at Eastern Mountain Sports while Dawn spent more time with their young children. Annie’s transition from pre-school to kindergarten was a difficult time: “the light in her eyes went out.” Jay and Dawn looked for a private school for her to attend, but were concerned about paying the tuition. They found The Well School in Peterborough, NH, where Jay was able to exchange part of Annie’s tuition with working two afternoons a week as their nature teacher. Then he started a summer program and finally joined the faculty as a third-grade teacher. He remained there for the next 18 years.
Jay was very supportive of Dawn taking on the full-time position as our church’s pastor. He welcomed the opportunity to try something new when he came to Canandaigua. He credits Hannah Morgan volunteering to be his career counselor and connecting him with Jennifer Brownell. He volunteered at Gleaner’s Kitchen and then took on a position as a caseworker for Family Promise helping parents find employment and permanent housing for their families. Barely into the job when COVID-19 struck, Jay admits this has added many new challenges to the job.
Jay’s hobbies are many. He enjoys being out in nature-hiking, kayaking, and bird watching. Reading, especially American history and science-fiction, is another favorite pastime. And, of course, he and Dawn still enjoy dancing and have joined a Morris dancing group in Pittsford.
Welcome, Jay, to our church family and our community.
Submitted by Jackie Lowe
CHRISTIAN EDAttention graduating seniors: You will soon be receiving in the mail a letter and questionnaire regarding your accomplishments and plans. Please fill out and return as soon as possible, so that you will be recognized in June. Best wishes to you as you wrap up your senior year in a most unusual way! Our prayers are with you. College Graduations: If you or someone in your family is graduating from college this year with an undergraduate or advanced degree, please send an e-mail to Debbie Lyon at [email protected] if they’d like to participate in the Graduation Sunday service on 6/21. We will also recognize those graduates in the June Weathervane. Thank you!
Sunday School is back in session! That’s right – we are meeting (virtually) at 11:00 on Sunday mornings! If you have not been getting the e-mails with the link to the Zoom meeting, please contact Debbie Lyon at [email protected]
Youth Group News:The Youth Group has their first “meeting” on Sunday, April 19 at 10:00 a.m. If you have not received a zoom link to this, please contact Jennifer Brownell.
And from Ontario County:We are so proud to pass along the following, from the Ontario County Youth Court! In a recent newsletter, they highlighted two of their graduating seniors. One of them was our very own Aidan Russell! Please see all the fine things they had to say about him!
Aidan Russell is not only a member of OCYC he is also the FIRST steering member to be highlighted. Aidan steps up to the plate anytime work needs to get done for steering. For those who don’t know what steering is, it is a committee of members who help steer the program in the direction the youth would like it to go.Aidan has been a part of OCYC four 4 ⃣ years and our time with him is coming to an end as he graduates this year & heads off to do amazing things. Aidan shared that he enjoys the people he has encountered from participating in youth court. He has been able to meet so many new and interesting people throughout the program and has created lasting relationships. He also shared that it has been a great learning experience and a fun opportunity for volunteering which helped him make it to the Ivy League. (You heard it hear ladies and gentleman, youth court gets you to the Ivy League 😛) #soproud
His favorite subjects in school are Math & English Favorite animal: Cats 🐈 Favorite Color: Blue 🔵 Favorite Sport: Track 🏃👟 In his free time, Aidan engages in soccer ⚽️, indoor track 🏃, outdoor track 🏃, Ontario Co. Youth Advisory Board, National Honor Society and he’s an IB Student. We are so lucky to have members like Aidan who participate in other programs, such as the Ontario Co Youth Advisory Board who provide funding for our program. If everything you’ve read so far doesn’t scream #incredible, Aidan has committed to the University of Pennsylvania (GO QUAKERS) to study economics and international relationships. Aidan hopes to study law after and possibly work as a sports agent in an NBA front office, or politics. If any of you know anyone is the NBA, put a good word in for Aidan 🏀 We are so proud of you Aidan, OCYC will not be the same without you.
Each year on Mother’s Day we have given roses to all of the women in worship at First Congregational Church. The Mother’s Fund, given in honor of all mothers, specifically provides for buying these roses. We wish to honor and celebrate all of the mothering that brings blessing to others. In an effort to continue this tradition of celebrating the gift of women in our congregation, we decided to bring roses to homes since we cannot gather in person. Those delivering roses will practice appropriate social distancing.
Our hope is to help each woman to feel appreciated and that a brief socially distant contact with another member of the church will bring blessing to both deliverer and recipient. We will be delivering one rose per household sometime on either Saturday May 9 or Sunday May 10.
FOOD DONATION SITESDuring these difficult times when many people are out of work and more and more people are going hungry, some of you have asked what you can do to help.
There are two neighborhood places to drop off food where you need not encounter anyone so social distancing is not an issue. You can bring canned or boxed food to donate to:Noah’s blessing box which is outside Jeff and Suzanne Marinelli’s home. This giving box is located at 99 Chapin St., about 2 blocks west of the bank main office. The box is well marked.
There is also a pop-up pantry outside Sarah’s house (from The Spot). In her words “We are getting multiple visitors every day-things like pasta and sauce, canned soups, rice, cereal, apples, etc.” You can drop food at 1790 Opal Drive Farmington – items can be put right in the “pop up” pantry by the road. If you have more question, Sarah can be reached at [email protected] Thank you for your generosity!
Here are some websites to keep us connected during this difficult time :
How to Prevent Loneliness in a Time of Social Distancing (Scientific Americanhttps://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-prevent-loneliness-in-a-time-of-social-distancing/How to Stay Connected While Social Distancing (WABE NPR Atlanta)
VIRTUAL MS WALK: SUNDAY, MAY 17 th For the past several years our Church has participated in the National Multiple Sclerosis
Society’s Walk MS to help fund the fight against MS. This year, we will be having a “Virtual” MS Walk! Please visit the MS website at
https://secure.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?fr_id=30974&pg=entryfor more information. You can participate in an online walk with your friends or make a
donation to the MS Society.
The Annual Trustee Clean-up Days:Trustee Clean-up day will not be held on Sat. April 25. Instead, we are looking for people interested in raking, cleaning up the grounds and weeding specific areas. This work can be done on your own, with your own tools and done when you feel comfortable and safe. We are hopeful that after the clean up has been completed, we will have people volunteer to plant the flowers. Sometime in May we will have mulch delivered and spread. We also need someone to supervise and recruit volunteers to oversee the maintenance of the flowers and flower beds, including watering and weeding throughout the summer. If you are interested in helping in any way please contact Lin Case at 590-1982 or email at [email protected]. Thank you and stay home and stay healthy!
Speaking of Trustees….re-sharing the article on Barbara Iglewski, long-time church member, past Trustee and friend to many:
Women Unlimited | Rochester Medicine | University of Rochester Medical Center
REMINDER: Don’t forget to keep saving your “pop tops” to help out the
Ronald McDonald House!
A MESSAGE FROM GUY BURNS:
I received this beautiful note from Guy Burns in response to the invitation to send in a photo of a place where you see or feel the presence of God. I asked him if I could share it in the newsletter and he agreed. May his story bring blessing to each of us. ~ Dawn
“Reverend Dawn,You asked in your last Sunday’s message that if one had a photo showing a personal experience of living faith if they would be willing to share it. Attached is my photo regarding a recent event in my life which had special meaning to me. My experience could have a doubting Saint Thomas as you spoke of in your message, or a “brave” Thomas, as you countered.
In February of this year I, along with Linda and Charles and my granddaughter and grandson-in-law living in Sweden were fortunate to be able to vacation together as a family on the small, but hilly Mediterranean island of Malta, or Melita as referred to in Acts 27:39-43 and 28:1-10. The location in Scripture where, as you know, St. Paul was shipwrecked off the coast and remained, preached and healed awhile on his journey to Rome. Likely we even walked where Apostle Paul did some hundreds of years ago. We did visit a St Paul’s “Shipwrecked Church” where the weary were finding respite.
On this adventure I had to keep up with four much younger and eager explorers. They were frequently checking on the old man - “are you doing ok --- need a rest”? “Doing fine, I’ll catch up”. One day, in such a situation, my experience I now share happened.
I was lagging behind going up the steps to visit inside of Fort St. Elmo where the siege of Valletta, the capitol of Malta by the Ottoman’s took place in the early 1500’s and which
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
one can read about on-line. This rich history also emerges the valor of the Knights of St. James and the value of what their lives meant at the time and still being preserved even in today’s Maltese culture.
Fort St. Elmo, Valletta, MaltaMy Maltese experience started when I walked up covered archway entrance steps to the Fort. I knew the steps I saw ahead posed a risk of tripping or falling without a railing on the right. A sense of relief came when I walked out of the archway, into bright sunlight and there was a railing to use the rest of the way. The moment I reached for the railing I received a message from Nancy telling me to hold on, it will support you. Her message triggered thoughts in my mind about our life two years ago. About this same time of year I was then assisting her therapist helping her to hold on to the support railing in the hallway of the Thompson Health Continuing Care Skilled Transition Unit. She was struggling to pick herself up and take sideway steps.
As the rest of the family still walked around the Fort, and I had finished my visit I decided to go back down the same steps and rest. I turned around at the bottom, looked up and saw where I had previously walked. The scene was unbelievable! One could hardly see the support railing on the other side peering through the portal opening, but there was no doubt it was there. As I looked at the scene I noticed relative darkness on the steps gradually giving way to increasing light as one stepped up toward the archway portal--- then the archway opens and one passes through into the light and seemingly into another world. It seemed as though the steps, themselves, represented one’s life journey up to the portal.
Am I a doubting Thomas? How could I be with reminders of Unconditional love, faith and hope, always there, even messaged now and then to us through the scenes of our life
journeys and through our loved ones who were believers with us on this side and now who have passed through the portal before us.
On the wall just as one ascends the stairs is an informally written message. “Jesus Forever.” Guy”
Fort Elmo, Malta photo attached taken Valentine’s Day, 2020.
Gift Card Thank You!A huge thank you to those who donation gift cards for families with children who normally receive breakfast and lunch at school. Many people from this congregation joined with other in the community to buy and donate OVER 600 Gift cards to hungry families. Many of these gift cards were for local restaurants to help support local businesses in light of the stay-at-home orders which required restaurants to move to take out and delivery only. Many of the restaurants did their part to feed hungry families by matching the gift card donations. This is an amazingly generous and caring community. Thank you for your initial response to this time of crisis. There will be greater needs the longer people are out of work, but I wanted to say a sincere thank you to each person who donated gift cards to help others during this difficult time. Bless you! Dawn
Healthy Families Diaper Drive – Remote Edition!It seems so long ago that we heard Teresa Deacon’s Healthy Families presentation at the March 5 soup supper. Now that May is upon us, Social Action hopes that you will participate in our month-long diaper drive, which we will handle a bit differently than planned. Here is a reminder of just some of the services provided by Healthy Families:
Pre- and post-natal supportChild development assessment and activities
Regular home visits for 5 yearsAn annual baby shower
A grandparent support groupA twice-monthly baby café
Car seatsBreastfeeding support
Positive parenting optionsThese services are free for 50 young families in the county, regardless of income or education. And they go through LOTS of diapers!So, the diaper drive: If you would like to purchase diapers (all sizes welcome, but the newborn size (N) is least needed), you can either drop them off on the Naccas’ porch at 109 Chapel Street or call Kathi at 394-7901 and she will get them from your doorstep. If you would like to donate money for diaper purchases, please send a check to the church with the word “Diapers” on the memo line. Difficult times demand creative solutions, and we hope this diaper drive, remote edition, will gain support. If you have any questions about Healthy Families or about the diaper drive, please call Kathi Nacca at 394-7901.THANK YOU.Social Action
A Note of Thanks From Sally Mueller:Dear Dawn,Not being sure how many people I’d like to thank and who all of them are, I’m writing you to say what a wonderful, thoughtful congregation we have at our church. The care and concern of so many who called to see if I have any needs, the flowers and love expressed mean so much to me in this time of trouble and chaos. I’m sure you have much to do with organizing and suggesting things member can do to help and that is greatly appreciated. I’m lucky to have a caring family relatively close by but knowing there are caring people close by willing to be here for me gives me a sense of security and warmth and helps my family too. They feel better knowing church and neighbors (some are both) are on call. Perhaps you could put a note in the Weathervane saying how much all of the volunteers are appreciated, especially by folks like me who can’t do much physically. Sincerely, Sally Mueller
April 10 – May 10, 2020
PRAYER IN ACTION IS LOVE. LOVE IN ACTION IS SERVICE.
A Word of Gratitude from Family Promise of Ontario County:
These are trying times for everyone, more so for those most vulnerable in our community. FPOC wanted to take a moment and thank all of you, our volunteers and community partners for the immense outpouring of love in action! We have been blessed with abundance in all things. We have been able to support and care for our guests and graduates BECAUSE you have given so much. Thank you!
Family Promise of Ontario CountyRELIEF FUND
This fund is money used to directly impact the lives of the families we serve. Whether through a security deposit, the fee to get a driver’s license or new clothes to wear for an interview, this money is goes to support our families in overcoming that last barrier to
independent living.Please consider making a donation today.
or mail a gift to 185 N Main St., Canandaigua NY 14424
National Day of PrayerMay 7th is the National Day of Prayer. The Canandaigua Kiwanis and Rotary clubs are presenting a Facebook live event from 7:00 to 8:00 in the morning. Visit “NDOP Canandaigua” on Facebook. Jim Hough will open and close and introduce the speakers. We will feature Dave Rhodes from Salvation Army, who will read the prayer for our nation. Mayor Bob Palumbo will bring a proclamation that May 7th is to be a “Day of Prayer in Canandaigua,” Bristol town Supervisor, Bob Green, will bring music, and our keynote speaker will be Scott Kesel from Canandaigua Motors.
CalendarThursday April 30: Choir Zoom meeting 7:30PM Month of May: Diaper DriveSunday May 3: Online WorshipThursday May 7: National Day of Prayer 7-8 am live Facebook eventFriday May 8: Zoom Staff 10:00AMSaturday May 9: Yellow Roses for Mother’s Day (delivery)Sunday May 10: Online Worship Monday May 11: Zoom Trustees 4:00 Sunday May 17: Online Worship; Virtual MS Walk: (see link) https://secure.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?fr_id=30974&pg=entryTuesday May 19: Zoom Church Council Meeting 7:00PMSaturday May 23: POSTPONED until a later date Memorial Service for Betty ChappellSunday May 24: Worship (possibly online)Monday May 25: Memorial Day, office closed Sunday May 31: Pentecost (Wear red, even if we are worshipping online!)Sunday June 7: CANCELLED Church Picnic
