The IDEAL

JULY 9, 2020 ~ VOLUME 57, NO. 7

Re-gathering Update from Pastor Noel

Dear Church Family,

After much prayer, planning, and preparation, we are ready to re-gather for worship services at Second Baptist Church beginning Sunday, July 12. Our plans are subject to change due to the ever-evolving situation with the pandemic. But the plan right now is to resume in-person services on July 12, with the following schedule.

8:45 a.m.: The Well (FLC Gym) 10:00 a.m.: Sunday School (ONLINE ONLY) 10:30 a.m.: Portuguese Language Ministry (Spence Hall) 11:30 a.m.: Sanctuary Service (Sanctuary)

Please note that Sunday School will be online only for the time being, the Sanctuary Service will begin at 11:30 a.m. rather than the usual 11:00 a.m., and the Arabic Language Ministry will resume meeting on Saturday evenings in Spence Hall. Also, the livestream schedule will now be 8:45 a.m. for The Well and 11:30 a.m. for the Sanctuary Service.

For the safety of the congregation, the following policies and practices will be in place as we re-gather. Each is grounded in Christian love and intended for the health and wellbeing of our church.

Wearing face masks that cover the nose and the mouth will be required.

All worshippers are to bring and wear your own mask from the time you exit the car until the time you return to it to depart. In keeping with CDC guidelines, children under the age of two are not required to wear a mask. In case a worshipper inadvertently forgets to bring a mask, we will have some masks available. The reason for this requirement is not only that the state of Virginia has mandated the wearing of face masks in public buildings, but also because medical science indicates that wearing a face mask decreases the probability of spreading the virus to others. Since people with no symptoms can spread the virus unknowingly, it is important to wear a mask at church as a demonstration of love for others and as an essential safety measure. If for some reason you cannot wear a mask, we ask you to stay home and worship online for now. All who gather for in-person worship will be required to wear a face mask at all times while inside church facilities.

Strict social distancing will be required.

All worshippers will need to maintain at least six feet of distance between themselves and others (except members of their household) at all times while on the church campus, including while parking, entering the building, navigating hallways, being seated in the worship space, and exiting. The reason is not only that the state of Virginia currently mandates such distancing at church gatherings, but also because medical science indicates that the primary way the virus is transmitted is from person to person, and leaving at least six feet between people diminishes the risk of spreading contagion. When we greet one another, we will not shake hands, hug, fist bump, or elbow bump. Rather, we will nod, bow, or wave at a safe distance. Seating areas will be marked to show you where to sit in a socially distanced arrangement. In the interest of social distancing, there will be no gathering or greeting time before, during, or after worship services, nor will there be any coffee or snack stations.

(continued on page 3)

Ministering with you ...

Dr. Noel Schoonmaker Senior Pastor

Dr. Raymond L. Spence, Jr. Pastor Emeritus

Reverend Kathi M. Traficanti Minister of Senior Adults

Reverend Katie Vance Lucas Minister of Children Reverend Ben Brown Minister of Students

Reverend Nelson Taylor Interim Minister of Music

Mr. Tom Mitchell Director of Discipleship & Missions

Reverend Louis C. Orsatti Pastor,

Spanish Language Ministry Reverend Agayby Shehata

Pastor, Arabic Language Ministry Reverend André Amaral

Pastor, Portuguese Language Ministry

Reverend Joseph Pradhan Pastor,

Nepalese Language Ministry Mrs. Ainsleigh Gaskins

Director, Creative Learning Center

Mrs. Hilliary Larsen Music Associate

Mrs. Judy Mawyer Children’s Choir Coordinator

Dr. Mary Beth Bennett Church Organist

Mrs. Virginia Moore Director of Recreation Ministry

Mrs. Kathy Driver Office Manager

Mrs. Patty Dimowski Administrative Secretary

Mrs. Griendora “G” McDowell Financial Administrator

Miss Olivia Freeman Communication Admin. Asst.

Mrs. Joanna Landrum Communication Admin. Asst.

Ms. Beverly Stewart Financial Administrative Assistant

Mr. Danny Belanger Facilities Manager Mr. Billy Petruska

Lead Custodian Mrs. Maria Quinteros

Custodian Mr. Michael Bailey

Custodian Mr. Adam Schumm

Director of Food Services

Phone: (804) 740-7101 TIM Line: (804) 740-7049 www.secondbaptistrva.org

Recently, we honored our 5th graders and their transition to Student Ministry by delivering Bibles to their homes. It was a joyful occasion with their Sunday School teachers, Katie, and their families!

Second Baptist Students and their families participated in a Scavenger Hunt, where participants took photos of items on a list generated by Ben Brown!

CLC reopened on Monday, July 6, serving about 50 students for their 7-week summer program (l). The church has continued to provide sandwiches, protein shakes, protein bars, and goodies to front line health care workers, last week to another critical care unit at St. Mary’s Hospital (r).

Creative Learning Center (CLC) held a drive through parade on June 11, to celebrate the end of the school year.

Re-gathering Update (continued from front page)

We will have to limit the number of people that attend each worship service.

The reason is that our worship spaces can only accommodate a certain number of people safely and lawfully in light of social distancing requirements. In our congregational survey, only one third of the respondents indicated their intent to return to church at the first opportunity. Therefore, we do not expect to be overcrowded when we re-gather. However, it will help us to know in advance how many people plan to attend, so we have sent a separate email asking you to indicate if you are planning to attend in-person worship on July 12. There will be no nursery, childcare, or worship care available.

The reason is that it is unfeasible for us to maintain the current safety requirements and regulations for “drop-in childcare.” Alternatively, children are welcome to attend worship services with their parents. Each worship service will last approximately 40 minutes.

The reason for holding shorter services is threefold. First, spending less time in the same space will decrease the chances of transmission. Second, being at church for a shorter period of time should minimize the need for restroom use, which will decrease the chances of transmission. Third, having briefer worship services will be more hospitable to any children and parents that might attend. There will be no choral singing and no congregational singing.

The reason is that singing expels far more particles that can transmit contagion than speaking or breathing do. Even wearing a mask while singing does not make congregational singing safe. As much as it pains us to reach this conclusion, since congregational singing significantly increases the risk of transmission, it will be suspended for a time. Music at worship services will take the form of instrumental offerings and two to four singers spaced safely apart at the front of the worship space. These singers will do the singing until the time when choral and congregational singing become safe again. The church building will be thoroughly cleaned before, between, and after services.

The reason is that strong cleaning decreases the risk of transmission. Between services, cleaning will focus on high-touch surfaces and common areas. The building will be thoroughly cleaned during the week as well. We will not use pew rack items such as Bibles, hymnals, pencils, or offering envelopes, nor will we use friendship registers.

These items have been removed from the worship spaces because they are high-touch objects. Nor will we pass offering plates or offering baskets during worship, for these are high-touch objects as well. Rather, we will encourage continued online giving and offer stationary receptacles in the church building where worshippers can safely submit contributions. We will have special policies and procedures for the use of restrooms in order to ensure the highest levels of safety and health.

For example, we will prop all outer restroom doors open at all times to eliminate the need to touch door handles upon entry or exit. We will limit occupancy in most restrooms to two persons, except in smaller restrooms (such as in the main foyer and Spence Hall), where the occupancy will be limited to one person at a time. Everyone will be expected to thoroughly wash their hands before exiting the restroom. We will have three doors open for entry and exit.

These doors will be 1) the main door at the entrance to the commons area facing Gaskins Road, 2) the door beside the kitchen that leads into the FLC Gym, and 3) the door beside the large conference room (which is near the door to the staff office). As you enter each door, there will be a sanitation station where you can sanitize your hands. We will ask you to leave a space between your car and other cars in the parking lot, if you are able.

This will create more space for social distancing while getting in and out of vehicles. The following plans will also be in place.

We will email the order of worship to the congregation in advance, so that you can bring your own hardcopy to church or pull it up on your phone for access.

We will make alternate plans pertaining to the Lord’s Supper and baptism.

Our language ministries will follow the same policies and practices. The Arabic Language Ministry will resume meeting on Saturdays at 7:00 p.m. and The Portuguese Language Ministry will resume meeting on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. in Spence Hall.

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Back to School Celebration 2020

Due to Covid-19, your WMU is having to modify their annual “Back to School Celebration” collection of school supplies, backpacks, and toiletries to benefit the children at our three Baptist Centers. We ask that this year you simply write a check to Second Baptist Church (put WMU School Supplies in the memo) for the amount you would normally spend shopping for the requested items. You can also go to our website and click on the Give tab to donate through our new giving platform, Abundant (select Sec Bapt Msn), or our old giving platform (select Missions). In turn, the Mission Council will send checks to the three Baptist Centers for their community missionaries to purchase the needed supplies prior to the Back to School distri-bution events. This year we will NOT be collecting items here at church. Our goal is to provide the needed school supplies to the Centers by the safest possible method. Accept our thanks for your continued generosity in meeting the needs of the poorest in our city through this local mission project.

Congratulations

… to Ralph and Marsha Costen who will be celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary on July 11!

Emerge Book Club

Ladies, Summer is here and it is time to begin preparing for our annual Emerge Book Club! Although things are definitely different this year, we would love to have you join us. While we remain hopeful that we will be able to meet in person, we are currently envisioning that this may need to be a virtual, online event. Our book this year will be Nothing Wasted by Kasey Van Norman and it is available on Amazon here. Our event will be facilitated by Laura Poole and will be on Monday, August 24. As we firm up plans, we will alert you. Happy Reading!

In Memoriam

Jo Anne Paty Jones ~ June 22, 2020

James W. “Jim” McTighe ~ June 26, 2020

Jonathan David Ray ~ July 21, 2020

Alice “Cookie” Samuels ~ July 3, 2020

Our Sympathy

… to Ann Beane and family upon the death of her sister … to Teresa Bobinsky and family upon the death of her mother

… to Mike Duley and family upon the death of his father … to Marc Hallberg and family upon the death of his mother

… to the family of Jackie Mallory upon her death … to the family of Betty Merritt upon her death

Our Very Newest

Weston Hayes Wyatt Holzbach, born June 18, 2020, to Sarah and Wyatt Holzbach

Staff Anniversary - July

Patty Dimowski Twenty Years as Administrate Secretary

Re-gathering Update (continued from page 3)

It will be critical for everyone to heed the following requirements when we begin re-gathering.

Anyone who feels sick should stay home, especially if they are experiencing (or have recently experienced) symptoms including fever, cough, and shortness of breath; also, muscle pain, headache, chills, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell. Anyone observed as exhibiting these symptoms will be encouraged to go home.

Anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 will not be permitted to enter the church until they have been cleared by a doctor to return to church.

Anyone who has been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 will not be permitted to enter the church until at least 14 days after the contact occurred without symptoms.

Anyone who has been at church and tests positive for COVID-19 during the following week will be required to notify the church.

Both the Well and the Sanctuary Service will continue to be livestreamed so that you can continue worshipping from home.

We will fully and enthusiastically support all—including those who are “high risk”—who choose to stay home, worship online, and remain connected to the church through mailed materials and electronic resources. If there is a small crowd at church when we re-gather, it will be totally fine. In fact, that is exactly what we expect. We as church leaders are perfectly happy for you to continue worshipping online for the time being, if you so choose. We are not asking anyone to return to church on July 12. We are simply making the opportunity available for those who are ready to return to in-person services.

For now, please join us in praying that all will go well per our re-gathering efforts. We are looking forward to it. The Lord bless you and keep you!

In Christ, Pastor Noel Schoonmaker

(to see the eleven minute video of Pastor Noel sharing our re-gathering plans, click here )

Staff Update

We want to make you aware of a staff ministry adjustment in respon-sibilities. On July 1, Tom Mitchell’s job title will change from “Director of Missions and Outreach” to “Director of Discipleship and Missions.” Tom will transition from part-time to full-time and will begin leading our adult education ministry while continuing to head up our mission efforts. Also, on July 1, Reverend Kathi Traficanti’s job title will change from “Minister of Adult Education” to “Minister of Senior Adults.” Kathi will continue in a part-time capacity leading our ministry to seniors and the Emerge Women’s Ministry. We thank God for Kathi and Tom and the many gifts they bring to our staff.

Church

For opportunities to participate in our ongoing outreach to the community, go to www.secondbaptistrva.org/missions-update.

To make a financial contribution, please visit our website at www.secondbaptistrva.org/giving. You can also mail a check to: Second Baptist Church, 9614 River Road, Richmond, VA 23229.

Abundance Box by Ben Brown

At my previous call as the Minister to Youth at First Baptist Church in Waynesboro, I learned about several areas of responsibility after arriving at the church. I was amazed to find that there was a thriving Snack Food Ministry. Yes, Snack Foods. What in the world was I supposed to do with a Snack Food Ministry? Do we really need an entire ministry for potato chips, trail mix, and candy bars? The ministry was not about junk foods, but instead was a partnership with the school nurse at a local middle school. She knew that many of the students were food insecure, and she would disperse food in snack baskets to students in need. Food insecure means that these children were without regular access to affordable, nutritious foods, or their household was unable to get enough food to feed everyone in their home at some point during the year because of a lack of money. While in school, students received a free or reduced cost breakfast and lunch; however, many of these students struggle at times away from school. It’s not uncommon for school-aged children or younger to go hungry over the weekend, holiday breaks, and especially in summer time. In Virginia, 10% of the population struggles with hunger, and children are the most greatly affected. One in eight children in Virginia are food insecure. Many people that are food insecure are not recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and they don’t frequent the local food banks. Most families believe that these resources are not designed for them. The issues related to hunger are not limited exclusively to empty stomachs. Instead, hunger related issues can cause a myriad of other problems ranging from illness, weakened immune systems, dental problems, and behavioral issues. At Second Baptist we are blessed with an exceptional food ministry, Loaves and Fishes. During the spring of 2020, Loaves and Fishes expanded to serving nearly 100 families on a biweekly basis. There are also tremendous local food banks in our area, but there is still a population that is dealing with hunger that would not frequent these ministries. The idea for the Abundance Box was birthed late in 2019, and created by the wood-working and painting skills of Jerry Hill and Marty Cash. William Hobbs, Jacob Dawson, and Nick Dawson can be credited with digging the two-foot hole and mixing the concrete to “plant” the Abundance Box behind Spence Hall. Donations can be accepted at any time in the Abundance Box, and recipients can access this ministry anonymously and use whatever is available. Any and all nonperishable foods are welcome in the Abundance Box, and there are very few concerns about storing food. Canned goods are able to be stored in most conditions. During freezing temperatures and heat in excess of 95 degrees, all foods will be temporarily stored indoors. This new ministry will help to feed the hungry in our own backyard. We’re hopeful that this ministry will help persons that are food insecure and serve as another way that Second Baptist seeks to love our neighbors. Quick facts about the Abundance Box:

Built by Marty Cash and Jerry Hill

Designed to replicate a Church Sanctuary

Features the verse Romans 12:13 “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Appropriate foods (potatoes, carrots, etc.) from Grace Garden can be stored in the Abundance Box for distribution.

Canned goods and other non-perishables are able to be stored for months at a time at temperatures ranging from 32℉ to 95℉.

A thermometer is installed to monitor the temperature. 1 “Hunger in Virginia.” Feeding America, www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/virginia#:~:text=1%20in%208%20children%20struggles,to%20meet%20their%20food%20needs.

West Virginia Shoe Ministry by Bruce Hobart

Our first WV Mission trip to McDowell County was conducted in June 2015. This would be my first experience as a group leader, so I was uncertain how it would go. I prayed fervently leading up to our departure, but little did I know the plans God had in store for us. A few weeks before leaving I was wakened around 3:30 a.m. by a soft voice that whispered: “kids need shoes, kids need shoes.” I could not go back to sleep and by 7 a.m., had put together a message to all my social media friends simply asking them to send me $5-$10 or whatever they could spare so that we could raise $2,000 and buy new shoes for the 40 neediest children I could find.

LAST YEAR, WE RAISED OVER $18,000 AND PURCHASED 540 PAIR OF CHILDREN’S BACK TO SCHOOL SHOES! So here we are six years later, and He is still moving the hearts of so many who grew up in poverty in the coal communities of McDow-ell County, WV. Today McDowell County is the poorest county in the United States, and it is the children who suffer the most and live at the “bottom of the barrel.” Here below I have included an email I received yesterday from someone wanting to help much like the biblical “widow’s mite.” Dear Mr. Hobart, My name is Geraldine Sessa and I got your address from Kathy Deskins Wilford. I was raised up in the hollow where she lived above English, WV. Her momma and my grandmother delivered me back in 1952. I love the Deskins family so much, Kathy told me you buy shoes for the little ones who do not have shoes. I am sending you some shoe money to put a smile on those delightful children’s faces. I do not have much, but I will send as I can. I remember my brother and I did not have shoes when we were growing up and we would walk to the dump and forage for old shoes that the coal camp children threw away. We never did find any. I sewed our shoes together with fishing line until they were so rotted they wouldn’t sew anymore. Linda Welch would give me a hand me down dress once in a while and Kathy’s mother would give me food so I can feel the joy in those little kids faces when they get a brand-new pair of shoes. I want to help, and I will. Thank you and your church so much for what you do! May God bless you abundantly!

This year’s pandemic is impacting my ability to garner support from many prior donors; therefore, I need to ask the members at Second to help me once again in this 2020 WV Shoe Mission with any donations they might want to contribute. Simply making your check out to Second Baptist Church and putting WV Missions in the memo line will get the job done! I will work with the local elementary school guidance counselor to single out the needy children, provide me names and shoe sizes, then I will go and personally buy each pair of shoes. I will deliver them in August after their school reconvenes.

I am hoping that the membership at Second will once again lift up these children in His Name!