the old man s news - msucc.org · 05.04.2020 · hopefully we can wake it up soon. for now, find...
TRANSCRIPT
The Old Man’s News A Newsletter of Mt. Sinai Congregational Church, UCC - May 2020
Message from the Minister
Easter is not a day, it is a season. From Easter Sunday
through Pentecost, we celebrate the resurrection of Je-
sus Christ. Maybe we need a season for Easter because
there is more to this than can be learned or understood
in just one day. Perhaps we need more practice than
one Sunday allows.
Whatever the reason for it lasting 50 days instead of
just one, we are living in
Easter right now. We are
living in the resurrec-
tion. Bringing that
awareness to our days,
where do you see new
life? What is bringing
you peace? How have you found hope? Who do you
want to become in your life of faith?
May the joy of Easter, and our lives in it, surpass the
difficulty of our days.
Reverend Phil
Old Man’s News
Published by the Mt. Sinai Congregational United Church of Christ formerly
known as The Congregational Church in the Community of Old Man's, Mil-
ler’s Place & Rocky Point, established 1789.
If you would like something in the church’s monthly newsletter, the deadline
is the 15th of every month. Please, keep in mind that your submission may
be edited for content and for space. Email the OMN Editor with all submis-
sions and questions.
Contact Us
Mt. Sinai Congregational Church United Church of Christ 233 North Country Road
Mt. Sinai, NY 11766
Phone: 631-473-1582 Fax: 631-474-0556
Rev. Dr. Philip Hobson,
Minister [email protected]
Caroline Lavopa,
Christian Education Director [email protected]
Music Director
Roberta Walsh, Church Administrator [email protected]
Carol Wiebelt,
Old Man’s News Editor [email protected]
Find Us Online
Email [email protected]
Website www.msucc.org
Please visit our website if you would like to be added to our
email list.
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The 50 Days of Eastertide
Worship in the Time of COVID-19
Dear Friends and Members,
Worship will continue to be 100% on-line for the time being, as we continuing to monitor the COVID-19 situa-
tion. We stream the worship service from the church at 10 am Sunday mornings, on our church’s Facebook
page and on YouTube. I will send an email weekly with the links. Whether via Facebook or YouTube, you will be
able to watch and participate in the service.
A few more things to keep in mind:
We will be doing “Communion Where You Are”, so if you want to have some bread
and drink available, you can join in.
Prayer Requests - Because our services are broadcast publicly and saved on
YouTube, we are able to offer prayers by first name only or by a description of the
need without identifying the person. This is a very different way than our much
more personal way of offering prayers when we are together, but it seems the wis-
est way forward. Regardless of how we lift them up, we know that God hears the
prayers of our hearts. If you have a prayer request , email it to me
There will be an offering time. While we won’t be passing the plates, we will be reminding people that there
are ways to donate via the church website https://www.msucc.org/giving/, by mailing in a check, or by setting
up bill pay through your bank.
Take care of yourselves, wash your hands; check on your neighbors.
Grace and Peace, Phil
2
A Word about Our Calendar
As you know, all church events have
been canceled, including our Fellow-
ship groups and AA meetings; and all
Action Team meetings are being car-
ried out electronically. So what does
that mean for our website calendar?
For now, the calendar will go into slum-
ber-mode with the usual activities still
listed, but not reflecting the current
situation. Hopefully we can wake it up
soon.
For now, find ways to
keep in touch with oth-
ers! FaceTime, Skype or
just call someone; since
contact is so important to all of us.
Sunday School
While we miss you all we
hope you are enjoying the
activity packets we have been
sending to our four groups:
PreK-3rd grade
Children’s Bible Study
5th and Up and
Youth Group members.
If you know a child who would like to receive a pack-
et please email the information to Ms. Caroline
at [email protected]. We’ll be sure to include
them from now on.
Stay well, with love and thanks, the
Christian Ed Team - Rev. Phil, Ms.
Caroline, Ms. Stacey, Ms. Cheryl, Ms.
Jamie and Mr. Ray.
I’ve decided it’s really important to try to keep my church mind at work. So, here are a few things I’ve been trying to handle while keeping my distance, wearing my mask, and learning new technology...
Council met in April via Zoom and discussed the work on the church building, which con-tinues (see Page 4); worship services to be presented via YouTube and Facebook; and how to manage our staff work schedules dur-ing the mandated shutdown. Regarding the latter, Roberta Walsh will continue her regular part time hours in the office; Mike Dionisio will cut back to a four-hour week; Caroline LaVopa has been working from home developing Sun-day children’s messages and mailing home church school activities for children; and Rev. Phil is maintaining his schedule while working at home most of the time. Kudos to him for figuring out how to do our online worship ser-vices!
A Music Director Search Temporary Action Team has been formed. Members of that team are Mel Keister, Ira Apsel, Noelle Dun-lop, and Bob Sinclair. Rev. Phil and I will also participate, as needed. They will begin their work by imagining what our music program might look like as we go forward.
As one who generally pays my pledge with a check each Sunday, in the absence of in-person worship services, I have scheduled those contributions using the bill pay feature on my bank’s website. I would encourage you all to continue your financial support for the church with that banking feature or PayPal, using the “donate” link on our msucc.org website. Of course, you can always mail a check to the church at 233 North Country Road, Mt. Sinai, NY 11766.
I’m not so sure it’s safe or even sane to think, “Things will get back to normal once this is all over.” For one, I wasn’t all that pleased with what constituted “normal” in the before-times. And the pandemic is revealing serious systemic flaws in what had been “normal.” God is certain-ly doing a new thing! I urge everyone to take some time during this enforced hiatus from “normal” to envision what new things God is calling us to do—as individuals, as a nation, as a church. There will be a “new normal,” and, God willing, we can make it a better one.
~Sue Hoff
3
Message from the Moderator
Grief Support In this Time
The Grief Support Group is currently following the stay at home policy, but hopes to meet again once
the policy is lifted. In the meantime, if you or anyone has experienced a loss and would like to talk, you
can reach out to Diane Corson, Coordinator of the Grief Support Group, at 631-903-1660. She would
be happy to talk on the phone and add you to our email list to notify you when our group resumes.
Diane can also send out booklets we are using for our discussions that may be of help in processing
grief while staying home.
We know the difficulty of this time can be exacerbated by grief over the loss of a loved one. Reaching
out to those who are also processing grief, can be comforting and healing.
You may be gone from my sight, but you are never gone from my heart.
-Winnie the Pooh
Have you driven by the church and wondered
what is going on with the building? Barbara De-
Bree, Lead of the Building and Grounds Action
Team is here to update us:
Long Hill Carpentry was
chosen by Building and
Grounds and contracted to
begin the external restora-
tion of the Church. Since
that time through April 17,
John Schoendorf and his
professional carpenters
removed rotten wood
around the sides of the
church and restored the
areas. They also secured
the overhang roof with new columns in the
'Kitchen Courtyard'. They worked consistently
each day with a scaffold to complete the work.
This project has been a 2 year plus undertaking
for Finance Planning and Building and
Grounds. The intent is to restore the external
areas prior to painting the church. The steps
from the lower parking lot were also secured for
safety.
We lost another large
branch from the large
tree to the left of the
church, which fell during
one of the storms. The
branch was removed by
a landscaping compa-
ny. Then, there was a
plumbing problem which
has been resolved.
Building and Grounds
continues to be busy to maintain the Church with
care so that when we all return we can come to a
safe, clean, healthy area.
We wish you all safety and health.
Barbara DeBree, Lead
Buildings & Grounds Update
4
Adult Fellowship
Our next adult fel-
lowship activity, the
backyard hors
d'oeuvres & fire pit
conversation, has
been cancelled due
to... well, you
know.
We are all hoping
that we will be able
to enjoy the next planned activity on June 13th at the Bayard
Cutting Arboretum. More details will follow.
Greetings from the Island Heart Food Pantry! In
these crazy times, we continue to fulfill our mis-
sion to feed those in need. Although our practices
have significantly changed, we feel confident that
our clients are receiving a healthy supply of food
each week. We are all getting used to the "new
ways", and are continuously re-modifying to in-
crease efficiency and safety for both volunteers
and clients
Our Island Heart Food Pantry hours are still offi-
cially Wednesday and Thursday, 3-4:30 pm, how-
ever we start giving out food as soon as clients
arrive, usually by 12:30. Then, we are on a con-
sistent roll until closing. Aside from the deliverers,
the pantry crew is small; 3 to 4 people max, as
safety is number one.
We continue to pre-box food and add in meat,
fresh produce, eggs, milk, etc. when clients arrive.
Volunteers load all food into open car trunks, as
clients must stay in their cars. All volunteers must
wear gloves and masks, and practice social dis-
tancing as much as possible – easier said than
done.
A huge thank you goes out to those who are con-
tinuing to do pick-ups, deliveries, box packing,
shopping, giving boxes, and removing trash. We
are also blessed to have received many generous
food and monetary donations to keep us going; a
true testament to the human spirit. And thank
those of you whose job at this time is to stay safe
and well so you can return ASAP!
I look forward to seeing you again soon and, if
you need anything, please reach out. Patrick also
sends his well wishes and looks forward to seeing
you all again soon!
Sincerely, Kathy Lahey
Church Food Pantry
The church food pantry is also seeing more visitors.
We have pre-boxed supplies of food ready, with fro-
zen meat to be added and put outside when a client
calls. Thank you again, Roberta!
The Island Heart Food Pantry
Thank you to everyone who donated food this past Saturday, April 25th.
Your generosity was inspiring!
Throughout the month of May we will continue to need items such as jelly, rice,
cereal, oatmeal, beans, tuna, and juices. We have funds to purchase
but finding items in bulk is challenging. Boxes are also need.
We appreciate your support. Please leave your donations in the
church (buzz for help) or under the overhang if no one is at the
church.
5
Mission Ministry Board - Island Heart Food Pantry
Quietly Going Stir Crazy?
Feeling restless? Bored? Helpless? Well, the Mission Ministry Action Team would like to remind you
that there are some things you can do to help out with our current and future missions while you
while away the hours:
The Women’s Fellowship is encouraging those who sew to make (or continue to make) face
masks for those who need them now that we must all wear them out in public. If you are
able to help, please give Barbara Lyon a call at 631-928-4317.
The Women's Fellowship and Membership/Community Outreach Team will be joining hands
(figuratively speaking) to make lap blankets as part of a welcome package (including our
new church brochure) to be given to seniors living at the new Bristol assisted living facility in
Mt. Sinai. We plan to have a special day of blanket-making when we can gather again,
but in the meantime, if you would like to begin making lap blankets at home, please
do! All inquiries please contact Kathy Lahey.
Are you cleaning and organizing your closets, basements and attics? Finding some treas-
ures? The Mission Board asks that you consider putting aside new/barely used items for two
upcoming activities:
Hope Starter Kits - new/barely used household items for donation to our Starter Kit
Drive. All items will be gifted to women who are forced out of their homes and need
to begin again. For more information, contact Patrick Duffy.
Self-Help Library - We all go through difficulties in life, buy the self-help book, and
then thankfully get to the other side. Well, now we have a place to pass on that sup-
port and wisdom. Our new MSCUCC Self-help Library will be located on the down-
stairs big room bookshelves. Donations accepted; borrowing encouraged! Books
considered "self-help" only please.
Please hold on to everything until we are able to meet again. Thanks!
6
The Caring Ministry has continued to stay in
touch with our church community through cards,
phone calls, emails, Face-
book and video chats.
Some of our members have been making face-
masks (mentioned above) which
have gone to church members and community
nurses.
If you know of anyone who would benefit from
Caring Ministry contacts, please let us know by
calling the church office.
Peace ~ Barbara DeTurk
Caring Ministry
Mt. Sinai Congregational Church
We are a congregation committed to justice. All are welcome into our full life
and ministry regardless of age, race, abilities, economic or marital status, gen-
der, sexual orientation, or gender identification. We are a church that is open
and affirming of all people, as we are each made in the image of God.
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
7
I’m writing this in early spring on Earth Day in the midst of a pandemic during Eastertide. When I think about this convergence, I can see how each presents the opportunity for revolu-tion or repentance—choose either word, for both essentially mean “systemic change.” Spring was my mother’s favorite sea-son. She loved the almost neon yel-low of the forsythia and daffodils, the brilliant green of new leaves in the woods, and the pinks of every kind of blooming tree. And, of course, she loved being released from winter’s grip to es-cape the house to start her garden. From the earliest skunk cabbages to the sweet-est of roses, nature reassures us that the cycle will begin again. Rebirth! Earth Day celebrates its 50th anniversary this year during a terrifying pandemic. Yet
Earth Day finds us seeing the ex-traordinary image of a jelly fish swimming in the clear water of a Venetian canal. People in India can see the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas, and crystal blue skies have emerged from the smog banks of cities around the world. These are Earth Day lessons to be taken. Regeneration! Easter calls us to notice and act on these things. Easter assures us, “All things are possible!” Easter
reassures us, “Fear not.” And Easter urges us to “Go and tell the others.” Eastertide demands our attention to possibilities we have forgotten how to imagine. Resurrection! Bless you all,
Sue
Moderator Musings
In Passing…
It is unusual for the OMN to make this kind of announcement, but George Zois of George's Kitchen in Sound Beach has passed. He lost his battle with cancer on his favorite holiday, Greek Easter. George was a big part of the lives of our social groups: Men’s Breakfast, Women’s Breakfast and Lunch Bunch, as well as many other people. He will be missed.
A GoFundMe account has been set up in his name by a former worker to help family cover funeral costs. George’s wife, Mary, and family greatly appreciate your generosity.