Moderator’s Letter: November 2020

Dear Friends of Geneva Presbytery,

It is appropriate, with this week's affirmation of Virginia Champlin and Deb Grohman as our new Moderator and Vice-Moderator elects, that I take a moment to express my heart-felt thanks to all of you for the privilege of serving as your Moderator during this tumultuous year of 2020. Although the COVID pandemic has kept me from achieving one of my deepest desires—that of visiting all churches of the Presbytery in person (a goal, God willing, I still hope to accomplish sometime during 2021, while I am serving as General Council Chair)—it has been my pleasure to get to know the people and workings of Presbytery in a deeper way from a Moderatorial perspective.

Thanks especially to Susan Orr, for her creative and very hands-on leadership during these difficult times. Kudos also to Rob Anderson in his role as General Council Chair and honorary “Resident Physician;” to Elena Delhagen as she has provided exceptional and flexible administrative services to us all; to Amy Loving Austin as our clearly-competent and involved Stated Clerk; to Virginia Champlin, who has so capably fulfilled her unique role as ViceModerator; to Lea Kone in shepherding Camp Whitman through a unique 2020 camping season; to all members of General Council and Presbytery committee leaders and members, and to all who in so many varied ways have kept the Presbytery “ticking” throughout 2020. A shout-out is also due to all who have so faithfully and in such trying circumstances, provided pastoral service to the churches of our presbytery. God alone knows the depths of your commitment and sacrifice!

Finally, may the grace and encouragement of our Lord follow the congregations—Lodi and Lake Street—which have taken the extraordinarily difficult steps of dissolving their congregations, while, at the same time, making plans to ensure that their legacy of service in Christ's name continues in their respective communities.

Blessings to all of you as we swiftly enter the Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas seasons of celebration—continuing to be “Christ in the Finger Lakes!”

Glenn Kennedy, POG Moderator

Letter from Chair of General Council: December 2020

Dear Friends in Christ,

I hope this letter finds you healthy and in good spirits. This Advent and Christmas season will undoubtedly look very different from any in our memory. The COVID-19 pandemic has upended traditions in all walks of life, and is certainly having a significant impact continuing. Our region has not escaped the rise in cases we have seen nationwide as the cold weather has set in. I would expect nearly all of us now know someone who has been infected with COVID-19. Many personally know of someone who has died. On a personal note, I’m aware of 2 doctors my age, with young children, who were both hospitalized with COVID-19 over Thanksgiving, and one of them was in the ICU. I’m aware of a Boston marathoner who didn’t require hospitalization but has been ill for weeks and is only slowly recovering energy. I’ve had people over 90 do well, and others hospitalized and severely ill. I have also been transparent that I signed up for a clinical trial of the Astra-Zeneca vaccine candidate, and have either had the vaccine or placebo, with another dose scheduled next week.

Regarding the news of the virus, most are aware of the increase in cases. Some of our areas are in orange zones. I’m receiving reports of increased hospitalizations and ICU utilization at local hospitals. Most transmission seems to be in small group private indoor gatherings, along with other indoor activities like worship services, dining in restaurants, and bars. The upside is that it’s looking likely that at least 2 vaccine candidates are effective and will be authorized for emergency use in the next month, and other candidates do still seem to be moving along. From sources I’m following, many experts are predicting that health care workers and nursing home residents will start being vaccinated in December. Millions of doses should continue to become available in the first quarter of 2021, and many people who have risks due to age, exposure, or health conditions should be able to get vaccinated. Younger, healthy people currently have predictions to have vaccines available by the spring, and many are predicting that life may be able to move much closer to normal by summer 2021. I’m hopeful for this timeline, although much will still need to be determined.

Last week, the director of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Francis Collins, had a conversation with Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. Collins, a church attending Christian who has spoken repeatedly about his faith, urged “Most churches really ought to be advised to go to remote services, if they’re not already doing so.” I endorse these recommendations, and encourage faithful worship in a remote manner at this point.

As I think about these things in the context of Advent, we are very much waiting with hope. Many of us are waiting for a vaccine, or waiting for the opportunity to see loved ones, travel, or resume preferred activities. We as Christians are waiting and anticipating the arrival of our Savior. But just as it will take time for the steps necessary to allow us to resume in person meetings, traditional worship, and the like, God’s plan was not what we expected. Jesus was not born with pomp and circumstance. He was born in a humble manger, with only shepherds in fields notified. His parents required guidance from angels encouraging them not to be afraid, and that their child would go on to do amazing things. Jesus entered into a small family unit, not a boisterous congregation. As we go through Advent, may we experience hope, find peace, recognize joy (even during times of sorrow), and feel the love of our God, our Savior, our families, and our friends (even when we can’t physically be together). We remain cognizant of the sacrifices Jesus made, and the sacrifices his followers he taught us to make. Our celebrations may be quieter, at home, and more intimate. They may remind us of a new family in a manger, and later of a small upper room. We wait in hope.

Wishing You Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love

Rob Anderson, MD

Chair, General Council

Letter from 2020 Presbytery Moderator, Rev. Glenn Kennedy

Dear Colleagues and Friends of Geneva Presbytery,

As we near the end of a most unusual and challenging year—including how we manage our various church and family Christmas celebrations, I want to take one more opportunity, as your out-going Presbytery Moderator, to wish you well and commend you to the grace of God. As we approach a New Year, we trust it will finally bring us out the other end of the Covid pandemic.

With the physical separation that Covid has imposed on all of us for so long, I can identify with the Apostle Paul's sentiment when he wrote his first letter to the Thessalonian Christians, among whom he had labored greatly during a time of great persecution while on his second missionary journey. That persecution had forced Paul prematurely out of Thessalonica and—some six months later, writing most likely from Corinth—Paul tells the Thessalonians that, “when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that . . . our efforts might have been useless.” (1 Thessalonians 3:5) In truth, despite much hardship, Paul discovered that the Thessalonians had faithfully persevered in their faith journey.

So, my friends, I trust that you also have experienced the reality of God's presence and courage even during the exceptional hardship and challenge of 2020.

I commend you to the capable hands of in-coming 2021 Moderator Virginia Champlin.

May your Christmas and New Year celebrations—though undoubtedly downsized this year—nonetheless bring many and deep blessings your way!

In Christ's service,

Glenn Kennedy, 2020 Presbytery Moderator

News from Presbytery

Dear Presbyterian Friends,

I hope this letter continues to find you well. A beautiful summer and early fall in our area have been a small comfort in this unprecedented year, and I hope you’ve all been able to find safe, socially distanced ways to enjoy the weather, possibly with loved ones in a safe manner. I think when we first heard of COVID-19, we wondered if it might affect us. When it came to the U.S. and we saw our lives changed, many wondered if it might affect the summer. I think the majority of people never imagined that it might linger into fall, and be likely to affect us well into 2021. Our lives have all changed, in different ways, and most of us have experienced losses, whether of loved ones (from COVID or other causes, but grieving has been altered), financial security, employment, or preferred activities and social engagements. There have been recent high profile cases, both in the President of the United States and in major sporting events. We pray for the health of all people affected, and that our leaders will promote the health of all peoples.

After the initial lockdown, there was much discussion of re-opening and safe measures. We have seen re-opening of most businesses in New York State, typically with significant safety measures. Many (but certainly not all) congregations have also chosen to meet in person with precautions. In most cases, these things have gone well. At the same time, there’s an inevitable weariness with the restrictions and limitations that have been suddenly thrust upon us.

There has been much discussion about a second wave of COVID-19 when cold weather resumes. On the one hand, I don’t think cold weather is the cause. COVID-19 has been active throughout summer in warm weather regions and countries, nearly undaunted. However, in regions such as ours, we have had some relative safety in outdoor activities during the summer. Dining, exercise, and recreation have been possible, and some distant socialization has been relatively safe. Now as the weather has gotten colder, I suspect many have gotten more comfortable or cavalier about socializing, but have moved back inside. Whether directly related or coincidental, many communities in our presbytery are seeing increased cases. Chemung, Steuben, and Ontario counties are seeing much higher numbers of cases. Yates County has had a major outbreak at a college and is seeing more cases as well. There were 85 confirmed cases yesterday. Experts are also suggesting that smaller family or friend gatherings may be the major driver of transmission in New York State at this time.

All of this is intended as a reminder that COVID-19 is not going away yet. It remains a significant risk to all of us. Obviously, our older community members are at greatest risk, but people with many other conditions have increased risk for severe illness. We’re also still not sure of long term effects. There are many reports of younger people who have had COVID suffering strokes (now including my own brother-in-law, who had one in his mid-40s this week in Illinois after recovering from COVID this summer). Some patients have long lasting symptoms, and others are demonstrating concerns about cardiac damage that could limit activities.

Until we have a widely available vaccine, precautions remain the key to protecting our health. Regarding congregation-specific precautions, I’d continue to advise avoiding singing. A review of literature has suggested that singing indoors remains a relatively high risk, even with masks, so I would discourage it (sadly, as I love to sing). When models in restaurants and other public spaces are shown, droplets circulate in less than an hour with unmasked people, so I would recommend wearing masks at all times even while distanced, with the possible exception of preaching at a safe distance. Continued provision for remote worship for those who feel most comfortable with this is recommended. Indoor social events that involve food or beverages (which prevent masks) would be strongly discouraged. As it gets colder and open windows for ventilation become difficult, limiting times meeting inside is also certainly recommended.

I do think it’s likely that at least one vaccine may be approved in the next couple of months. The experts are cautioning that this will not be the end of the pandemic. It may be the beginning of the end. It will take time to vaccinate enough people to slow the spread, and effort to develop safe and effective distribution. There’s a worldwide need, and competing pressures to provide for those who need this vaccine. Until there are enough doses available, and enough people willing to receive it, precautions will remain necessary to prevent serious illness.

I still long for the days when we can gather together again, sing in harmony, and celebrate laying on of hands in our traditions. Let us prepare in advance for what Advent and our celebration of Christ’s birthday will look like in 2020. Let us continue to show our love for one another with our care. I continue to pray that God will “Grant us Wisdom, Grant us Courage.”

For the Living of These Days,

Rob Anderson, MD

PCUSA – General Assembly news

If you are interested in learning about what is happening at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), you are welcome to go on their website at www.pcusa.org. Click on ‘News & Announcements’ then ‘General Assembly News’.

News from Presbytery

September 7th Letter from the Presbytery

IMPORTANT NEWS: It’s not just the kids returning to school this year – our multi-gifted Office Administrator, Elena Delhagen, has decided to return to her studies and has begun fulltime student status at Northeastern Seminary. As we surround Elena with our prayers and support, the Committee on Operations has been working hard on continuation of services to the Presbytery while reducing the number of hours Elena works so that she can concentrate on her school and family responsibilities. Elena will no longer be serving as our 28 hr/week Office Administrator. Here are the changes that have been made, effective August 17th, in which we are beginning to live (click on the position name for the full description):

Administrative Support Services: This position will provide administrative support to the Presbytery enabling effective and hospitable administrative support. This is a 12 hr/week position which Elena will provide for us, flexing her hours around her school work and her family. Elena’s email address will not change. You may still reach her at officeadmin@presbyteryofgeneva.org but please note that response times may vary.

Finance Support Services: This position will provide administrative support to the Presbytery in specified financial functions. This position works in collaboration with the Bookkeeper, the Treasurer and the Camp Director. The Committee on Operations has hired Cheryl Battaglia for this 12 hr/week position. Cheryl also serves as full-time Financial & Program Administrator for the Presbytery of Genesee Valley. Cheryl will also be flexing her hours of service with us, and will be primarily available evenings and weekends. You may contact Cheryl at finance@presbyteryofgeneva.org

Yes, it’s another big change, but one we believe will serve us well as we retain Elena’s experience and wisdom, and add Cheryl’s financial expertise to our staff. If you have a question and are not sure where to direct it, send it to your best guess and we promise to forward it along to the correct inbox. We will live into this – and thrive - together.

OUR MAILING ADDRESS IS CHANGING!!!! This new staffing structure combined with the continuation of staff working remotely from home has necessitated the purchase of a PO Box easily accessible to staff, especially to Cheryl for time sensitive financial matters. Beginning immediately, please change the address for all communications to Presbytery to:

Presbytery of Geneva / Camp Whitman
P.O. Box 24393
Rochester, NY 14624

The Committee on Operations and your dedicated Presbytery staff are grateful for your partnership in ministry as together we Live to support and equip congregations and leaders to be Christ in the Finger Lakes and the world.

PCUSA – General Assembly news

If you are interested in learning about what is happening at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), you are welcome to go on their website at www.pcusa.org. Click on ‘News & Announcements’ then ‘General Assembly News’.