A monthly publication of Third Presbyterian Church

The MessengerFebruary 2020 • Vol. XLV, No. 2

Mardi GrasTuesday, February 25,

5:45-7:30pm in the

Celebration CenterJoin us for our Mardi Gras

Celebration—a long-standing Third Church Tradition! The Meigs Street Ramblers will get you in the Mardi Gras spirit with some Dixieland Jazz, the ‘Arnold Park Flippers’ will serve delicious pancakes and sausage, and you will even be entertained after dinner by some homegrown talent! Tickets are $5 each (max $25/family) and will be for sale in coffee hour on February 9, 16, 23 or by contacting Becky at rveitch@thirdpresbyterian.org.

The “Arnold Park Flippers” are always recruiting! Let Becky know if you’d like to join the fun in the kitchen to help prepare our meal!

Ash Wednesday Soup SupperWednesday, February 26,

6:00pm in Johnston HallAll are invited to this simple meal before the Ash Wednesday worship service. If you are willing and able to make a crock pot full of soup to bring, please contact Becky D'Angelo-Veitch at rveitch@thirdpresbyterian.org or

271-6537 ext. 108.

Guest Preacher February 16 On Sunday, February 16, we will welcome Dr. Angela D. Sims, President of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (CRCDS), as our guest preacher at both the 8:30am and 10:45am worship services. Dr. Sims joined CRCDS as its first female president on July 1, 2019.

Prior to that, she served as Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Robert B. and Kathleen Rogers Professor in Church and Society at Saint Paul School of Theology in Leawood, KS. She holds a Ph.D. in Christian Social Ethics from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA; an M.Div. from Howard University; and an AB from Trinity College, Washington, DC.

Dr. Sims’s research examines connections between faith, race, and violence with specific attention to historical and contemporary ethical implications of lynching and a culture of lynching in the United States. Principal investigator for an oral history project, “Remembering Lynching: Strategies of Resistance and Visions of Justice,” her research has been supported by the Ford Foundation, the Womanist Scholars Program at the Interdenominational Theological Center, the Louisville Institute, the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion, and the Institute for Oral

History at Baylor University. Dr. Sims is the author of Lynched: The Power of Memory

in a Culture of Terror; Ethical Complications of Lynching: Ida B. Wells’s Interrogation of American Terror; co-editor with Katie Geneva Cannon and Emilie M. Townes of Womanist Theological Ethics: A Reader; and lead author of Religio- Political Narratives in the United States: From Martin Luther King, Jr. through Jeremiah Wright.

A native of Louisiana, Dr. Sims grew up in the San Francisco Bay area. An ordained Baptist clergywoman who takes seriously the prophetic imperative “to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God,” Dr. Sims is an active member and contributor to several academic guilds and faith-based community organizations.

Dr. Angela D. Sims, President of Colgate

Rochester Crozer Divinity School

Congregational Forum to Discuss 2020 BudgetPlease join the Joint Budget and Finance Committee for an all-congregation forum in the Celebration Center immediately following worship, Sunday, February 9. The Committee will offer a report on Third Church’s financial picture for 2020 and how it will impact our programs. Bring your questions about our budget. A simple lunch will be provided with donations accepted to cover cost. Child care is available. Please RSVP to the church office.

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Lynette Sparks, Associate Pastor and Acting Head of Staff

Worship Schedule

FEBRUARY 2Fourth Sunday after EpiphanyCommunion

8:30am Worship in the ChapelMicah 6:1-8; Matthew 5:1-12“O My People, Remember”Lynette Sparks preaching10:45am Worship in the Sanctuary

Youth-led Worship

FEBRUARY 9Fifth Sunday after EpiphanyReception of New MembersSacrament of Baptism8:30am Worship with Communion in the Chapel10:45am Worship in the Sanctuary

1 Corinthians 2:1-12; Matthew 5:13-20“Hidden or Not?”Lynette Sparks preaching

FEBRUARY 16Sixth Sunday after Epiphany8:30am Worship with Communion in the Chapel10:45am Worship in the Sanctuary

Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Matthew 5:21-37“What Have You Heard?”Dr. Angela D. Sims, Guest Preacher

FEBRUARY 23Seventh Sunday after Epiphany8:30am Worship with Communion in the Chapel10:45am Worship in the Sanctuary

2 Peter 1: 16-21; Matthew 17: 1-9"A Lamp Shining in a Dark Place"

Ernest Krug preaching

“It’s All About Health”Transition Musings from Lynette“The route to thriving 21st-century Ministry is all about health,” wrote Jan Edmiston in her January 8th blog A Church for Starving Artists. This kind of health, she says, does not come about by following an exactly prescribed path or process. Instead, this kind of health is about:• Trust• Connectedness• Relationships

I think she’s on to something. Yes, who comes in as our next interim head pastor might matter...somewhat. And yes, how our church budget comes in might matter...somewhat. Which programs we offer might matter...somewhat. But ultimately, those are only supporting mechanisms for what thriving ministry is all about: trust, connectedness, and relationships. Trust in God and one another. Connectedness with God and one another. A relationship with God in Christ and relationships with one another.

Our ministry context is shifting right before our very eyes. In that regard, we’re no different than any other ministry context in this country. It’s shifting now, and it will continue to shift; these are the waters we swim in. But the beauty of these core elements of healthy ministry—trust, connectedness, and relationships—is that they have the ability to weather those shifts, because they are fundamentally rooted in how God has created us to live—trusting, connecting, and relating.

That thinking is also behind how we’ve designed our brand new website—still at the same address thirdpresbyterian.org. We’ve designed it to start building relationships with people we don’t yet know and who don’t yet know us.

So my question for you, whether you find yourself comfortable or distinctly uncomfortable with the shifts that are happening, is: Will you go all-in to build trust, connection, and authentic relationships here at Third Church? Will you go all-in to build those between yourself and God? Will you go all-in to build those between the church and our community? If so, and if Jan is right, we will be on the path toward thriving 21st-century ministry.

ASH WEDNESDAYWEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26• Sanctuary open all day for prayer and reflection• Ashes available from 11:00am to 1:00pm in the Sanctuary• Soup Supper, 6:00pm, Johnston HallAll are invited to this simple meal before the Ash Wednesday worship service. If you are willing to make a crockpot of soup to bring, please contact Becky D'Angelo-Veitch at rveitch@thirdpresbyterian.org or

271-653, ext. 108.• Service of Communion and Imposition of Ashes, 7:00pm in the

Chapel, Lynette Sparks preaching.

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A New Front DoorHave you been on our website lately? We have a brand new look! In this digital era, our website is our new front door. It’s our first point of contact with the public; virtually anyone who visits for the first time has checked us out online first. With that in mind, we’ve sought to make this new website as welcoming as we can. We’ve tried to quickly encapsulate what makes Third Church unique, as well as use accessible language that can be understood even by people with no church background. Our new website is easy to read on a mobile device as well as on a computer. It is also easy to maintain and update, so it remains fresh and current. Check it out! www.thirdpresbyterian.org.

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ADULT SPIRITUAL FORMATIONSunday Seminar, 9:30am in Johnston HallFebruary 2, 9 & 16—Anne Meredith, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Department of Religion and Classics at the University of Rochester will present “From House Churches to Basilicas.” The earliest Christians met in each other's homes for decades, even centuries. Christians had did not have the funds, real estate, or power to create their own spaces and places to congregate and learn. In this three-week series, we will examine the material realities of how the earliest Christians formed faith communities. Through a combination of examining texts and looking at archaeological remains, we will look at the history of the development of Christian churches -- from humble house churches to temple conversions to grand basilicas.

February 23—Tom Gillett, et al, Outreach overview: "I didn't know Third was involved in that!"

Living in the Word, Sunday mornings at 9:30 in the ParlorFebruary 2—Micah 6:1-8 “Justice is the grammar, Mercy is the poetry.” Led by Paul Gongloff

February 9—Isaiah 58:1-12 “Don’t hold back. Shout!” Led by Paul Gongloff

February 16—Deuteronomy 30:15-20. Matthew 5:21-37. “Choose Life!...Sounds easy”. Led by Ernest Krug

February 23—1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23. Matthew 5:38-48. “Loving extravagantly.” Led by Dianna Daunton

Thursday Voices, 12:00noon in Johnston HallFor the Month of February, Black History Month, we have chosen articles around themes of race and reconciliation

February 6—“Black Activism, Unchurched” Led By Lynette Sparks

February 13—“Lord Save Me! (A Sermon on Christianity and White Supremacy)” Led by Ernest Krug

February 20—“How to be a Better White Person in 2020” Led by Ernest Krug

February 27—“God’s Plan to Avoid Burnout” Led by Lynette Sparks

LUNCH AND LEARN: Winter/Spring Seminar Series

Bereavement Support Ministry The Bereavement Support Ministry is sponsoring three “Lunch and Learn” seminars following worship on February 23, March 15, and March 29, in Johnston Hall. Reservations may be made by contacting the Church Office Administrator (cmark@thirdpresbyterian.org or (585) 217-6513). There is a $5 charge per seminar to cover the cost of lunch.

• February 23: Theo Munson, former Director of Bereavement Services for Lifetime Care, and Ernest Krug, M.Div, M.D., Pastor for Congregational Care, will partner on the topic, “Considerations and Challenges of End-of-Life Issues Encountered by Patients, Families, and Physicians.”

• March 15: Thomas Caprio, M.D., Professor of Medicine/Gerontology, Medical Director of UR Geriatric Assessment Clinic, UR Medicine Home Care and Hospice, will focus on the topic, “Honoring Preferences at the End of Life - Advance Directives, HCPs, and Living Wills.”

• March 29: Timothy Quill M.D., Professor of Medicine/Palliative Care, Founding Director of URMC Palliative Care Program, will speak on “End-of-Life Care Choices and Symptom Management.”

Training Session For Bereavement SupportOn March 14, 2020 Dr. Ernest Krug will lead a training session for those interested in providing bereavement support to Third Church members who have experienced the death of a spouse. The training will address listening skills and the process of grieving, including "Do's and Don’ts" in providing bereavement support. The workshop will be from 9am to 11:30am on Saturday, March 14. For any questions, or to register for this free workshop, please contact Ernest Krug by email: ekrug@thirdpresbyterian.org.

Children’s Ministry NewsBecky D’Angelo-Veitch, Director of Faith Formation, (585) 271-6537, ext. 108, rveitch@thirdpresbyterian.org

Youth UpdateRebeka Fergusson-Lutz, Interim Coordinator of Youth Ministry, (585) 271-6537, ext. 113, rfergussonlutz@thirdpresbyterian.org

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FEBRUARY 2Youth-led Worship and the Annual Souper Bowl of Caring The middle and high school students of Third Church will be leading worship during the 10:45 service that day. Lydia Stratton-Smith and Natalie Vinton, both in their final year at Brighton High School, will be preaching that day. This is an excellent opportunity for the faithful of all ages to hear the Word from the lens of younger people. Please plan to attend in support of our young people, who have been working hard to prepare the music, prayers, and even Communion liturgy for that service!

The youth of Third Church will collect money and canned goods on Sunday, February 2, as part of the annual Souper Bowl of Caring event. This nationwide initiative, aligned with

the NFL's championship game, raises awareness and money for those facing food insecurity. Please come to morning worship on "Super Bowl Sunday" with donations of money and/or non-perishable goods, which will be put to use in our own Food Pantry and at the House of Mercy, a local homeless shelter.

Youth ScheduleFebruary 1—10:00am-12:00pmRehearsal for Youth-Led WorshipFebruary 2—9:30amWorship Run-ThroughFebruary 2—10:45amYouth-Led Worship and Souper Bowl of CaringFebruary 9—4:30pm Covenant Ringers5:15pm Covenant Singers6:00-7:45pm Dinner and FellowshipFebruary 16—No Music or Fellowship (February break)February 20—9:00am-2:00pmMission/Service Day at Cameron Community MinistriesFebruary 23—No Music or Fellowship (February break)

Sunday SchoolIn February, we will continue in Matthew’s gospel with some stories and parables of Jesus. Please make note of the schedule:

Sunday, February 2—No Sunday School. The Youth will be leading the service, and have specifically crafted the service to be appealing to children. Be sure to join us so that your whole family can experience the energy and faithfulness of our own youth in leadership! (**note: the nursery will be available for preschool students, and there will be the usual resources of the worship table available to children.

Sunday, February 9—“God Cares for All” (Matthew 6:25-33) Grades 5& 6 at the Worship Table

Sunday, February 16—No Sunday School; Winter Break (the nursery will be open, and the Children’s worship table will be staffed)

Sunday, February 23—“The Two Houses” (Matthew 7:24-29) Grades 1 & 2 at the Worship Table

Qabats

In February, Qabats will continue with full musical rehearsals, with music from 5:30-6:10pm, break for dinner from 6:15-6:45pm, and resume with staging in the sanctuary from 6:45-7:15pm. Please note, due to winter break, there will be no Qabats on February 19. On Ash Wednesday, February 26, there will be choir but no dinner or programming.

The Junior Choir will sing an anthem during 10:45 worship on Sunday, February 9. Because of winter break, the choir will not rehearse or sing in worship on Sunday, February 16.

Toddler Story and SongSession 3—February 3, 10, 24, March 2 & 9 (5 sessions)

This is a free class for children ages 18 months to four years and their caregivers. The class focuses on faith-based songs and storybooks. Please RSVP to Becky at rveitch@thirdpresbyterian.org to reserve your space.

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Gratitude ReportAs ever, you have been incredibly generous in your giving, above and beyond fulfilling your pledges. Third Church is always grateful for the way you share your resources with this church, this community, and the world.

In the month of December, you made donations in memory of beloved Third Church members Cornelia Labrum, Barbara Outterson, James McMillen, Mary Jean MacEwen, and Elizabeth Powell.

You helped support our neighbors in need with your donations to the Food Cupboard, Dining Room Ministry, Hunger Ministries, the Tutoring Program at School No. 3, Cameron Teen Center, and our People’s Emergency Fund. Through that fund we were able to give $1,276 worth of emergency housing and utilities assistance.

You gave over $3,000 to help support the musical experiences we enjoy during the seasons of Advent and Christmas: the Ceremony of Carols Advent special music, and the Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival.

You also donated more than $2,000 through the Christmas Joy Offering, which offers support to retired church workers and to emerging church leaders of color.

Thank you for helping these ministries to thrive.

Generosity and Gratitude: an Update on the 2020 CampaignThanks to all who have made a commitment to support Third Church during this time of transition. As you are likely aware, we are still quite far from our pledge goal for this year. And yet, those of you who have made a pledge have given generously; 89% of you pledged either the same amount as last year or increased your pledge. Those who increased did so at an average rate of 9%! We must recognize and celebrate that so many among us are willing to stretch further to support this place we love.

Your Generosity and Gratitude Committee as well as a selection of your Elders, Trustees, and Deacons have been working hard throughout January to follow up with members and friends that we haven’t yet heard from. If you’re one of those people, it’s not too late to make a pledge by filling out a pledge card (available in the pew racks or the church office), or by pledging online: https://www.thirdpresbyterian.org/give/make-a-pledge/

Exploring Membership LuncheonSunday, February 2, 12:00pm

in Johnston Hall Have you been feeling pulled to deepen your connection with Third Church? Whether you have been around for a while, or are new to Third Church and would like to know more about us; whether you are interested in exploring membership, or just have questions and want to learn more, we invite you to our next Exploring Membership Luncheon.

You can bring your questions, get to know members of our staff, and meet other folks curious about our congregation. The format of the lunch is conversational and informal, and emphasizes the many ways to connect. Childcare is available; please let us know a week in advance if you need it. Our luncheon conversation will conclude by 1:30pm.

For those that are ready to join in membership, the next step is a New Member Orientation offered that same afternoon following the luncheon from 1:30- 2:30pm, or can be arranged at another mutually convenient time. To RSVP

or learn more, contact Becky D’Angelo-Veitch at rveitch@thirdpresbyterian.org or

(585) 271-6537, ext. 108.

Third Church Library Wish List After a hiatus in which Amazon policies around wish lists were in flux, we are happy to share that our Third Church Library wish list is back up, with new books available for donation to our library.

Why not mark a special occasion or honor a special person with a book in our library?

Interim Pastor Search Committee UpdateThe Committee is happy to report that we have interviewed several wonderful candidates. Within the next few weeks we hope to have selected a finalist, who will then meet with the Transition Team as well as staff. We will keep you posted on our progress as you keep us in your prayers.

If you have questions or concerns, please direct them to Kathryn Thomas, Interim Pastor Search Committee Chair (kathrynthomas2@me.com).

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Congregational Learning DayThe Presbytery of Genesee Valley will have its annual Congregational Learning Day on Saturday, February 8

at Perinton Presbyterian Church. All church leaders and members are invited to register and choose two seminars from the 18 on offer. Several Third Church members and friends are among the presenters:

Essentials for Trustees, Finance, and Property EldersRon Hansen, Chair, Presbytery Board of Trustees

Rethinking Stewardship – New Strategies for Changing Times

Rachel Norton and Rev. Roula Alkhouri, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Batavia

Understanding White FragilityKaren and Don Pryor

Measuring Mission: Best Practices for Congregational Outreach in the CommunityRev. Roderic Frohman and Rev. James Evinger

Register here: https://pbygenval.org/congregational-learning-day/

Milestones

Lifting up our JoysFor new parents Mariah Sosnowski-Salerno and Brett Salerno, and grandmother Vicki Sosnowski on the birth of London Salerno, December 16.

For Pam and Steve Apt on the marriage of their son Cameron Apt to Eden Palmer on December 15.

For Rebeka Fergusson-Lutz as she begins seminary at Colgate Rochester Crozier Divinity School.

Praying for the BereavedFor Matt, Laura, and Mitchell Anderson, and Cassidy, Josh, Lilly and Jackson Barnum on the death of Matt’s uncle, John

For Darby, Steve, Andy, Ben and Connor Thompson on the death of Darby’s uncle, Charles ‘Charlie’ O’Connor

For Jeanne Fisher and family on the death of Jeanne’s mother, Doris Posey Fisher

For Kaara Reitzel and family on the death of her wife, Sandra Suskie

For Tina and Bill Jones, and Darcy Ormaechea and family

on the death of Tina's brother, Darcy’s uncle, Jim Swenson

For the family and friends of Judy Bednar

For Leanne Averill and Cori Averill on the death of Leanne’s father, Raymond Averill

For the family and friends of Janet Edwards

For Cindy Mark and her daughters on the death of their grandfather, Richard Weaver

For Judy Gordon and family on the death of her husband Dane Gordon

For Rusty and Jeanette Olson on the death of their daughter Heather Olson

CONGREGATIONAL FELLOWSHIPCalvin Guild, Wednesday, February 19, 2020,

12:00noon, Johnston Hall"Balance: a building block for better function" will be presented by Beth Tschorke, PT. Learn how balance can impact function, and which interventions can help to maximize balance. Please RSVP by February 14 to Tracy Beeler at t19jb@outlook.com or (585) 645-5131. The cost for the catered soup and sandwich lunch is $8.

Elvis to Elton group winter pitch-in dinner and social evening, Friday, February 21, 6:00-8:00pm in the Celebration CenterEveryone ages 60+ is invited to attend. Local songwriter and musician Brian Coughlin will be providing the evening's entertainment. Please bring a dish to pass based on your last name: A to G—Main Dish, H to O—Dessert, P to Z—Salad/Vegetable. RSVP to Becky D'Angelo-Veitch (rveitch@thirdpresbyterian.org), Jan Salzer (jsalzer99@juno.com) or Carrie Grinstead (carrie.grinstead407@gmail.com) by Wednesday, February 19.

THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH STAFF • Lynette K. Sparks, Associate Pastor and Acting

Head of Staff• Ernest F. Krug, Pastor for Congregational Care• Joey Becerril, Sexton• Jane S. Carden, Coordinator of Pastoral Care• Jean Coniber, Interim Director of Handbell Choirs• Lisa Cramer, Financial Assistant• Rebecca D'Angelo-Veitch, Director of Faith

Formation• Peter A. DuBois, Director of Music/Organist• Rebeka Fergusson-Lutz, Interim Coordinator of

Youth Ministry• Heather Holmquest, Interim Director of Junior

Choir

• Anna Lenti, Interim Director of Glorious Voices and Carol Choir

• Cindy Mark, Office Administrator• Rachel Norton, Director of Stewardship, Fund

Development, and Communications• Terdaryle Paige, Sexton• John Pilato, Lead Sexton• Alden Wright, Assistant Organist• Roderic P. Frohman, Pastor Emeritus

Strike Out Homelessness A fundraiser for RAIHNSunday, February 16,

12:30 - 4:00pm

BOWL-A-Roll Lanes1560 Jefferson Road

This afternoon of bowling to raise funds for RAIHN is fun for the whole family!

Registration includes two games, shoe rental, pizza, and a drink. Recruit your own team of six, or join someone else’s team. You can help support RAIHN’s mission even if you don’t play; just invite co-workers, friends and family to sponsor a team. Find full details at www.raihn.org/strike-out-homelessness.

DEACONS Need your HELP!Each week our deacons try to connect by phone or email with those congregation members who are being lifted up at Tuesday Morning Prayer either. Many times the contact information in our database is incorrect. We are asking you to please verify your phone numbers and emails for us.

Contact Cindy Mark, cmark@thirdpresbyterian.org, Rachel Norton, rnorton@thirdpresbyterian.org or Jane Carden, jcarden@thirdpresbyterian.org to update.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW…We’ve lost touch with some of our members. Have you seen . . . ??

Julio Ahmuda, David and Laraine Albers, Chris and Melissa Apple, Cheryl and Chris Arnold, Barry Bechtold, Vicki Bennett and Michele Ugino, Autumn Barry, Shawal Almaz Beyene, Michael and Maria Bell, Bonnie Bennis and Robert Pizzo, Katie Cowley, Jeffrey and Julia DeMaison, Amy Coleman, Wendy Coleman, Kenny Borchardt, Matthew Bradford, Lucy Bond, Kathry and Philip Burroughs, Chad and Carey Carta, Khamchanh and Aryni Chang, Joseph and Michelle Charles, Chuck and Anne Christ, David Cockcroft, Lyn Devlin, Margaret Drake, and LouAnna and Rodney Dugan. William and Jacquie Ewell, Donald and Brenda Ehinger, Charles and Angela Ennis, George and Laurie Ernest Jr.

If you have current contact information or pertinent details on anyone above, please contact: Cindy Mark, cmark@thirdpresbyterian.org; Rachel Norton, rnorton@thirdpresbyterian.org; or Jane Carden, jcarden@thirdpresbyterian.org.