GATES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

1049 Wegman Road

Rochester, New York 14624-1530 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Gates Presbyterian Church

October 2020

Harbinger

Email: office@gatespres.org Phone: 585-247-5292 Web: www.gatespres.org

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U. S. POSTAGE

PAID

Rochester, NY

Permit No. 1857

Worship with Us Please join us online every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. for worship. Go to our website at www.gatespres.org. Once there, click on the link on the home page for ‘Worship Services’, From there you can link directly to our YouTube channel and watch the service for that week. The bulletin, sermon and any inserts are posted there as well.

Giving for Others We invite you to continue your regular giving to Gates Presbyterian Church. You can send your contribution in the mail to:

Gates Presbyterian Church, 1049 Wegman Road, Rochester, NY 14624

Electronic Giving. If you currently utilize online banking or bill pay, add Gates Presbyterian Church, 1049 Wegman Rd, Rochester, NY 14624 as a vendor and include your pledge as you process your other online payments.

From the Mission Team Thank you for all your generosity to the "Undie Sundays" collection of underwear and socks for the children at Cameron Street Ministries. 83 packages (651 individual items) were delivered to them.

Weekly Fellowship Hour Join the weekly fellowship hour every Sunday right after online worship ends. The Zoom connection information is included in the “Worship with us Online” email that goes out on Saturday mornings and in the weekly “What’s Happening at GPC” email that goes out on Monday mornings. If you aren’t receiving either of these emails, please contact the office to make sure we have your correct email address.

Memorial Garden Recognition! On behalf of the GPC Memorial Garden Committee, I would like to recognize Ginny Barley for all her hard work in keeping the garden so beautiful!! I am sure all the families that go there appreciate that Ginny takes good care of it keeping it "weed free"! Thank you so much Ginny!! With great appreciation from GPC Congregation and Memorial Garden Committee!

From Rev. Laura Bachmann Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s spirit dwells in you?

1 Corinthians 3:16.

In this new age where we worship without our church building, we have a wonderful opportunity to remember that we ourselves are God’s temple and that God’s spirit dwelling in us creates our community, inspires our worship and leads our outward mission in the world. This weekend, about thirty of us gathered after worship to consider our GPC journey; to ponder where we were in the cycle of life from growing, to thriving, to declining, to struggling; to celebrate our strengths; and to share our ideas about where God is leading us moving forward. If you were not able to join us, and have some ideas to share, I would love to hear them, please feel free to be in touch. How wonderful it was to listen to the creativity, energy and enthusiasm expressed as we talked about how to reach out to our community, how to better communicate our mission, and how to be intentional about our spiritual growth. As we take up our work as part of the Vital Congregations Initiative, God invites all of us to engage in the intentional process of drawing closer to our creator, tuning our spiritual antennas to God’s leading, practicing our faith in our everyday lives and listening closely for God’s call directing us out into the world. Along the way, we will try new things, we will sometimes stumble and fall, we will not always agree and we will have opportunities to wrestle with conflict and restoration. Our pandemic life together, in forcing us into unexpected new patterns and practices, opens up opportunities we might otherwise have declined to explore. It offers the freedom to try and fail, to experiment and learn, to make mistakes and grow. At the root of this work will lie our relationships with God and with one another – relationships we must pay attention to, intentionally leaning into places where we disagree or don’t understand each other, nourishing the strong bonds through which we offer one another comfort and companionship during times of distress, and strengthening trust and appreciation for the contributions of each member of our faith community. Together, we are Christ’s body in the world, helping to create a new world in the shell of the old. I look forward to our journey together. Peace, Laura

Liturgist Schedule for October

October 4: Eric Vail October 11: Rick Howe October 18: Jan Brewer October 25: Evelyn Henderberg

November Harbinger articles are due in the office by Wednesday, October 21st.

Please join the GPC Family for a Parking Lot Parade When: Sunday, October 4, 11:15-12:15 (Rain or shine) Where: GPC Parking Lot Why: Because we miss seeing your faces!

As we begin our new program year, we cannot gather in our usual manner to kick-off our ministries and celebrate our life as a community, but we all long to be together. So, please join us in a community parade. (Don’t forget to get dressed before worship!) As you cruise around our parking lot, you can stop at three stations: to receive a small gift and say hello to Pastor Laura; to drop off food for our next ingathering of supplies for SWEM; and to pick up the Sunday School curriculum and a small snack from Jen and Anne. The hospitality team will be on hand to welcome you onto the property.

If you are unable to attend or uncomfortable with the parade format, please feel free to drop by later in the day to leave a SWEM donation in the bins under the portico, or let us know that you would like us to deliver your Sunday school curriculum.

Guidelines: to promote everyone’s comfort – masks are required at all times; hand sanitizer will be available at each station; there will be no parking and getting out; gloves will be worn for handing out all items. If you feel sick, please love us all by staying home. If cars need to wait on Wegman Rd, please turn around so that you can wait on the church side instead of blocking traffic trying to turn left.

From the Deacons Please keep in thought & prayer…

• JoAnn Vander now back at Hilton East Assisted Living

• Laura Nolan dealing with health issues

• Paul Nolan, Laura Nolan’s husband, recovering from eye surgery

• Angelika Alvarez dealing with health issues

• Aidan Bachmann recovering at home from an appendectomy

• Anne Tonery-DeMars brother, Jim, dealing with recurring cancer

• John & Hannah Walker’s daughter, Lori, recovering from surgery

• Mary Hadley’s cousin, Rosanna, diagnosed with spots on her liver

• Chuck Goodykoontz recovering nicely from back surgery

Continued prayers for…Eric Paquin, Elaine Owlett, Pearl Plummer, Gene & Amy Fowler, Peter Derry, Jean Sklair & Marilyn Kaiser

Our sympathy to…

• Fitzroy & Dorrett Crosdale and family on the death of Fitzroy’s father and long-time GPC member, Gladstone Crosdale

• Art & Mary Ellen Brooks and family on the recent death of their son, Kurt

• Anne Tonery-DeMars and family on the recent death of her brother, Gerry

• Ken Gillman and family on the death of his wife Jill

Prayers of joy to … Dan Charcholla & Susan John on the recent birth of a grandson, Fynn Thomas Lendway. Parents are Deni & Charlie Lendway.

Congregational Care Anyone wishing to let us know of someone needing our care and concern, please call Kay Harder at 721-7392 or the church office.

GPC Prayer Chain GPC has a wonderful group of people who make up the GPC prayer chain. If you have a prayer concern, please don't hesitate to give Ginny Smith (247-5563) a call to place your person and their concern on the prayer chain.

Attention families with Children and Youth Sunday School will be remote for the first half of the school year! Please join the “GPC Faith Together at Home” Facebook group if you haven’t already. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, October 4th for the parking lot parade at church (11:15-12:15) so we can pass a bag of supplies and the first two weeks of curriculum to you through your car window! See you soon! **A note about Sunday School specifically for our Jr and Sr High Students: We encourage you to

join in as a family using the curriculum we are sending home to all families. As the pandemic drags on, we want to focus our energies on worshipping together so we will not be having separate Zoom Sunday school. Rather, Jen and Pastor Laura will periodically be reaching out to you to offer different roles in sharing your gifts for our worship services. Our (virtual) doors are always open for feedback and/or if you need some individual support!

Youth Group News Hello to our awesome 7th-12th graders! Youth group is going to start on October 4th with a Welcome Bonfire! Events this Fall will be off-site and masked/socially distant, with drop-off & pick-up at the site event. Our fabulous advisors for this year are Tracy Burkovich, Kecia Binko, David Balsley, Nancy Hossenlopp, and Carol Balsley! Locations TBD so make sure you are still connected to the Remind App as details will be sent during the week before each event. October 4th: Welcome Bonfire, 6-8 p.m.

October 18th: Beach Combing & Kite Flying, 2-4 p.m

November 1st: Bundle up for Outdoor Movie Night, 6-8 p.m.

November 15th: Hike or Yoga, 2-4 p.m.

December 6th: Creative Photos & Ice Bubbles, 2-4 pm.

December 20th: TBD/Suggestions?

Mark those calendars- We are SOOO excited!

Confirmation Class Pastor Laura and Jen invite those in 8th and 9th grade to take part in our confirmation class this year. Our first meeting will take place Sunday, October 25 from 2-4 p.m. at the Wegman Road Shelter. If you know you are going to be in the class and have an adult in mind to be your sponsor, please feel free to ask them. If you need help in finding a sponsor please reach out to Jen. We are looking forward to learning and growing in our faith together!

VISIT our GPC Website! The Hospitality team has been working with Karen to update the GPC website. Although not all of the changes are in place yet, take a look at www.gatespres.org. See Rev. Bachmann’s biography and additions to the staff page. We have added information about the Churchview Commons development on the “What’s Happening > News” page. The Vital Congregations Initiative is explained on the “About Us” section and “Our Church” is now highlighted. View the many Missions we support, our Core Values and Mission statement. Information about worship, bulletins and how to join us for Sunday worship is here, too.

Second Hour Presentation Racism, Unconscious Bias, and Creating an Inclusive Environment Join us October 11, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. for a webinar presented by Dr. John Cullen on Racism. A Q&A session will follow. Dr. Cullen is the Acting Director of the University of Rochester Susan B. Anthony Center and Professor and Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the University of Rochester Medical Center Clinical and Translational Science Institute. He joined the University of Rochester Medical Center in 1999 and since then has spent a significant amount of time working on various diversity initiatives. Use the Zoom link below to join the webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88946926749?pwd=cnV3V05CN2xRRmd5SDZUVFRzY3VnQT09

Meeting ID: 889 4692 6749 Passcode: 591368 One tap mobile +19292056099,88946926749# US (New York)

Guatemala Partners

The Guatemala Partners annual coupon book is now available. For only $25.00 you can enjoy up to $5,000 worth of savings and support the mission work in Guatemala at the same time!! The SaveAround Rochester books feature discounts from Burger King and Dick’s Sporting Goods. There are many local restaurants and businesses

featured as well as nationwide companies offering you savings.

You can get your book now by calling or e-mailing Tom Ward at (585) 261-2175 or at: rtward73@outlook.com. It can also be ordered on line and shipped directly to you at no additional cost by using this link: http://www.supportourgroups.com/GN/85742

Proceeds will still go to Guatemala Partners if you choose this method. You can also purchase books for out of town friends and relatives through the “Destination Catalog” feature.

All proceeds will benefit our mission work with the Achi Mayans in Guatemala. Gracias!

Like to Knit or Crochet? Sue Mancini has yarn to donate to anyone that would like to knit or crochet items for those in need (hats, mittens, scarves, shawls, blankets). She is willing to collect the finished items and get them to those groups that can use them (St. Joe’s, Women’s Shelter, etc). Please contact her directly at 235-8099 (leave a message if she doesn’t answer, she will call you back).

Missing the "Old Days"? As we begin another month of virtual worship, we continue to miss our "old" ways of being church together. We are blessed to have a thoughtful and innovative group of volunteers working diligently on our behalf to determine how and when we may be able to reopen our building while assuring the care and safety of all who enter. There have been many conversations about what we're missing and we are grateful to all who have graciously and candidly shared their thoughts and feelings. The consensus seems to be that we're missing each other - the physical presence, the fellowship, the comfort in the routine of being in worship together. It is important that we realize that, once we are again able to worship in the sanctuary, in whatever number is determined to be manageable, worship will not be what we're accustomed to. For instance:

• Masks and social distancing will be required.

• No hugging or handshakes.

• It is expected that ushers will need to manage seating.

• Singing has been determined to be a "super spreader" of the virus and this may also be

the case for unison prayer.

• We don't know if or how communion can be offered.

• Hymnals and hospitality registers have been removed from the pews, and bulletins will

be shared on the screen rather than handed out.

Even with all of that, we truly want to hear from those of you who have a strong desire to experience worship in the sanctuary. If this is the case for you, please leave a message with the office with your name and phone number. We don't know how or when we may be able to accommodate this, but be assured that we will try to do so.

B-I-G Picture Update So far, we've received 48 photos for the B-I-G Picture directory. If yours isn't one of them, why not do it now? Since we're including members only, we're expecting 339 total photos so it's only 14% so far! Reminder: simply email any digital photo of yourself (such as a selfie from your phone) to office@gatespres.org . If you don't have the capability of taking it yourself, please call Whit Beckett at 585-247-2155 (leave a message if he doesn't answer) and we will make arrangements to get your picture. -the GPC Hospitality Team

Churchview Commons Update Due to the Corona Virus changing how we live, New York State did not have a call for funding this past Spring as we had anticipated. However, the call for funding proposals came in September and PathStone is working on completing their application for Churchview Commons, which needs to be submitted by Dec. 31, 2020. We should know by next May if they have been approved. PathStone would close on their funding by July or August. Construction would then begin in November 2021. The only detail left to work out is property easements. All other necessary plans, approvals, permits, and other legalities have been finalized. Session and Trustees have been kept apprised of progress at every stage in the process. Once funding is approved, we will be in the final pre-construction phase to see the beginning of Churchview Commons become a reality!

Patience….Prayer….Perseverance

Per Capita Per Capita is a set amount of money (apportionment) per member that our congregation pays to the larger Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as a religious and moral commitment. It establishes a minimum level of financial participation in the vital work of our church. With this year’s commitment of $34.68 per member, we work together with other Presbyterian Churches in our presbytery and across the country to further the mission of Jesus Christ around the world. We benefit from the gifts, skills, vision and ministry of each other when we come together. Your Per Capita pays for the programs, training and resources that help us work together to benefit all. If you haven’t yet contributed $34.68 per member, please consider doing so. You can use the enclosed Per Capita envelope and mail it in with your offering.

From the Generosity Team If we give eagerly according to our means, that is acceptable to God; he does not ask for what we do not have.

2 Corinthians 8:12 We've been blessed by God in ways both great and small - but it's often hard to remain conscious of that on a daily basis.

• When going through a time of difficulty and challenge, it's easy to lose contact

with the blessings of the past or the present. That's especially the case when

we've lost loved ones or find ourselves dealing with the illness of ourselves, a

family member, or a close friend.

• This year has been especially difficult due to the global pandemic and the

emotional, financial, and spiritual strains that go with it.

• We are so busy with the demands of life that we have difficulty finding the time

for the thought and contemplation that would keep us aware of our blessings.

• In our daily routines we overlook God's desire to delight us with grace and joy.

We see only what we should do, not the opportunities God sends our way.

When we began planning for this year's stewardship emphasis, we thought it would be worthwhile for all of us to focus more on the spiritual life and to become more aware of the abundance we have as individuals, families, and a church. Our theme for this year's stewardship emphasis is "Generosity as part of Faith: Celebrating God's Abundance." As a major part of this emphasis, we have prepared video devotionals by people in our congregation. We encourage you to watch the videos and to prayerfully reflect on your own intention of giving. Generosity is not just about money. It is about what you can give; whether it be your time, your talents, or your money. You will receive more information in the mail and your email. Please save the date for Celebration Sunday on November 8 th. More details will be forthcoming. For now, please prayerfully consider what gift of gratitude God is calling you to offer and plan to be part of a creative service as we celebrate God’s abundance! Celebration Sunday promises to be a fantastic day for our church! Larry Wakeman, For the Generosity Team

Mission Team Updates The Mission Team will be collecting non-perishable food items for SWEM at the Parking Lot Parade on October 4th from 11:15 – 1:15 p.m. We also need cardboard boxes to transport the food items. We delivered 922.5 pounds of food to SWEM in August – can we top that?

During the month of October, the Mission Team will be collecting non-food items for Cameron Community Ministries (www.cameronministries.org). Bins will be located outside of the church’s main doors, and will be checked regularly. The list of needs includes:

• Shampoo/conditioner

• Deodorant

• Paper towels

• Sponges

• Face masks

• Bar soap

• Diapers

• Garbage bags

• Gloves

• Hand soap

• Baby wipes

• Cleaning supplies

• Disposable coffee cups w/lids

• To-go containers for lunches Also, Cameron Community Ministries are looking for volunteer tutors with an education background to help in their Learning and Enrichment Center for children in K-6th grades and teens. If you would like more information, you can contact Elisabeth.Stojkovic@cameronministries.org. While this Mission team collection is focusing on non-food items, you can check the Cameron Community Ministries website for a list of food items they need to supply their to-go lunch program and ways to make a monetary donation. Contact Sally Christensen (585-703-6238) if you have questions.

Experience Peace and Hope 2020 Action to Cultivate Hope in a Troubled World

October 4 – 10, 2020 Meditate. Pray. Fast. Serve.

https://assisi-institute.org/experience-peace-and-hope-2020/

St. Francis tells us, “We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.” In the link

above from the Assisi Institute check out the way they will experience Peace and Hope in our Rochester community. Feel free to connect on Facebook Live to the events that are being offered by The Assisi Institute.

Vital Congregations Initiative

Mark 1

Lifelong Discipleship

Formation How we claim and

proclaim our Identity as

followers of Christ

Mark 2

Intentional, Authentic

Evangelism Sharing the “Good News”

With people in our daily lives

Mark 3

Outward Incarnational Focus

Focusing on neighbors

and neighborhood (The Church has

Left the Building)

Mark 4

Empowering Servant Leadership

Identify, nurture and

Support the use

of spiritual gifts

Mark 5

Spirit Inspired Worship Active participation

into the living

relationship with God

Mark 6

Caring Relationships True Agape love is a

sacrificial, self-emptying, perfect love we

can strive for

Mark 7

Ecclesial Health Are we who we say

we are and who

God calls us to be?