The Geneva Pres

2012

The Presbyterian Church in Geneva 24 Park Place Geneva NY 14456 (315) 789-1343 Website: http://www.PresbyterianChurchInGenevaNewYork.org

W. James Gerling - Pastor Suzanne Otterbacher – Parish Associate L. Christine Wertman - Director of Music Sandy Campbell - Church Organist/ Bell Choir Lorraine Jones – Youth Bells Kathleen Breese - Dir. Christian Education Kate Komara – Children’s Choirs Edna May Langan – Secretary Mark Springmeier – Custodian Virginia Champlin - Chapel Organist Beth Nicholas – Parish Nurse Deb Drennen – Nursery care Diana Capron – Coordinator of Adult Ministries Paula Foote – Coordinator of Youth Ministries Alan Schenck – Financial Administrator Fritz Aude - Treasurer

A Rite of Spring

We are all glad that there are some things that know no season. We rejoice, for example, in the glorious realization that God’s love for us abounds in all the times and seasons of our lives. It knows no period of dormancy. It never hibernates. It doesn’t follow the sun to another hemisphere. We bask in it all we want, all the time. Unfortunately, there are other things that know no season – poverty, hunger, homelessness. These are forces that plague people day-in and day-out. They are the conditions that constantly shape and define the context of the lives of far too many people and often dictate the direction their lives will take in the future. We know that combating these forces is not a seasonal thing, either. Our compassion and care do not await a spring thaw in order to flow freely and plentifully. We try to address people’s needs all the time. However, we do choose the spring – the season of new life and renewed hope – to stage our most significant special giving campaign to help relieve these conditions. ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING is a “rite of spring” in the Presbyterian Church (USA). It has been for as long as I can remember. Although the need is not seasonal, through the years we have focused on the days leading up to Easter as the most appropriate time to offer hope to people whose lives need to be touched by the power of resurrection possibilities. OGHS targets three areas of need: The Presbyterian Hunger Program

Emergency and Disaster Relief Self Development of People

You will be hearing Moments for Mission in worship and there will be announcements about our Palm Sunday Brunch and Auction and a number of other ways in which to participate. This newsletter will contain an envelope for contributions. Come and celebrate this rite of spring that we might make love a force for all seasons. Faithfully, Jim

MAUNDY THURSDAY Evening Communion and Tenebrae Service Maundy Thursday is the evening when we remember Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples. As we move through the Scripture readings of Holy Week, candles will be extinguished, symbolizing the darkening shadows as Jesus moves closer to the Cross. THURSDAY, APRIL 5 at 7 pm at The Presbyterian Church

COMMUNION: We will come to the Communion Table in groups of 12. This is a joint service of the Presbyterian, Baptist and Methodist congregations. Participating in this service might just help you to discover new meaning in your celebration of EASTER!

ECUMENICAL GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

Friday, APRIL 6, 12:15 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church

Sunday, April 8

One Great Hour of Sharing Brunch and Auction

The OGHS event is almost here and we getting things made and collected. Please mark April 1st at 11:30 on your calendar as the day you’ll join in the fun. Enjoy a delicious meal with friends. Bid on the many exciting and interesting items in the live and silent auction! Many are hand-made and donated by our church members. The following is a list of items that will be up for bid:

Cleaning of a boiler or furnace Small wooden rocker Gift certificate to the William Smith Inn Complete vision exam Family portrait sitting with an 11x14 print 30 minute helicopter ride Sailing Musselman entry to the full or sprint event Architectural tour in Geneva Bog expedition Quilted wall hanging Sailing tour Gardening Large framed photograph Honey Framed oil painting of Ausable River Antique set of 8 dessert plates Counted cross stitch Music lessons Power washing of a house Photo sitting Quilted table runner Wine pairing with dinner for four, overlooking the vineyards

Rice steamer Essential oil gift box Embracing wellness massage Pairs of movie tickets to the Smith Opera House Surprise gift baskets Village Store Gift Certificate Large pink felted purse Gift basket of dental goodies Pancake breakfast gift basket Home canned pears Knitted seed stitch scarf YMCA exercise class punch cards Hand knit items Home-made jarred pickles Crocheted baby blanket Hand knitted child’s sweater Felted slippers Colorful scarf Beaded necklace Baked goods Historical Society afghan Origami earrings Framed photos

A large felted purse A basket full of dental supplies and products.

Sunday Adult Forum in the South Parlor

9:15 – 10:15

April 1: Lord Teach Us to Pray: “Crying For Help: How does a Christian respond to the enormity of evil in the world?” April 8: Easter – Not Meeting

Living The Questions : An Invitation to the Journey

This new study looks at the relevance of Christianity in the 21st Century and what meaningful faith can look like today. Each session will include a 20 minute video, guided discussion, spiritual exercises, and Bible study. The videos include conversation, sermon clips, lecture excerpts and spiritual exercises for practical applications, including different forms of prayer and meditation. April 15 An Invitation to Journey. Faith is not a destination but a journey. April 22 Taking the Bible Seriously. The authority one places in the Bible plays a critical role in one’s worldview and understanding of the Christian life. April 29 Thinking Theologically. While family, education, social class, and geography all contribute to how we think about God, our experiences and perceptions along life’s journey also shape our thinking.

TAKE NOTE

Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small:

Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.

These powerful words, penned by Isaac Watts in 1707, were used throughout lent as an Offertory response during our worship services. “Hamburg” is the name of the tune for this text and is the work of Lowell Mason. Mason created this tune in 1824, basing it on a five-note Gregorian chant. We now celebrate God’s amazing love as we move into the Easter season. Ruth Benedict will offer “Hodie” by Natalie Sleeth at the 8:15 Easter worship service. Trumpet, bells, and voices will enhance the 10:30 Easter service.

Risen Christ, triumphant now. Alleluia! Our Sacred Song Services this year will be on May 20 with the theme: “Sing and Ring for Joy.” There will be more details in the May newsletter. We would like to extend an invitation for additional singers to join the adult choir on one of our anthems – the familiar and joyful “With a Voice of Singing” by Martin Shaw. Please let me know if you are interested! chris.wertman@frontiernet.net

P R E S B Y T E R I A N W O M E N UPCOMING EVENTS: Sun. April 15 – PW Meeting – 11:30 am after church APRIL 21 – Spring Gathering – Geneva Presbytery 2012 Presbyterian Church in Geneva Hosted by Presbyterian Women Every woman is welcome. Cost is $1.00 and bring a bag lunch. 9:30am – Registration & Coffee Hour JUNE 20 – STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL JULY 18-22- Churchwide Gathering will be held this in Orlando. Time is ticking for the early bird registration deadline. The Gaylord Palms is a gorgeous setting for this event: all under one roof. You will feel like you are on the River of Hope. The delegates representing us will be Linda Wert from Newark and Marjorie McIntosh from Geneva. Both of these women have so much to offer. Linda goes with Mission as her passion and Marjorie with Justice and Peace. Let’s look forward to their return and their sharing of this event with all of us. Churchwide is another venue to be spiritually fed and reenergized; a place to be educated about events and folks in the life of our denomination, a place to find out about many mission projects, a place to explore many justice and peace issues, a place to have fun, a place to be surrounded by the Love of Christ and your fellow PW sisters. If you have any questions, and/or need registration booklets please contact Virginia Champlin. At this Gathering, Virginia Champlin will be elected and installed as the Churchwide Search Moderator and will sit on the Board of Directors for the 2012-2015 triennial.

SPRING GATHERING

of Presbyterian Women in our Presbytery

at

The Presbyterian Church

on

Saturday, April 21, 2012

9:00 Registration ($1.00) and Fellowship Worship with Communion, to be led by

the Rev. Suzanne Otterbacher Birthday Offering received and

dedicated Lucy Janjigian speaks about going on

the Global Exchange to India and what she observed

BRING: • A sandwich; soup and beverage

provided • Any completed CWS kits

FRIENDSHIP STUDY GROUP- Tuesday, April 10, 1:00 pm Dessert and Bible study. NEEDLES GROUP– Thursdays, April 5 & 19, 1:00 pm In the south parlor

SERRV As you are planning for spring events and activities, please remember our SERRV Shop as you need gifts for Mother’s and Father’s Day, hostess gifts when you are traveling and, of course, birthdays and anniversaries. We are open on Saturday mornings and after each service on Sundays. One of the most popular items is jewelry from all over the world. In the shop we presently have jewelry from India, Kenya, Peru, Nepal, Mexico, Swaziland, Indonesia, Chile, and Ecuador. The Trinity Jewelry Project is one of the great grassroots success stories of an industry started by Kenyan Joseph Muchina. Joseph was born in the sprawling slums of east Africa. Because of his great desire to learn, he received assistance from the National Christian Council of Kenya to attend high school and then technical school, where he learned the jewelry trade. Once on his own, Joseph realized he would need to find buyers in the export markets for his quality products and to help him with designs for the rapidly changing world market. Enter SERRV to assist this fine jewelry stylist with hands-on help and grants. Over the years Trinity Jewelry has been challenged with shortages of raw materials, political unrest, and lack of electricity and equipment. But, in spite of these challenges, Joseph and his colleagues have persevered and continue to provide employment and training to dozens of aspiring East African artisans. With the help of SERRV grants, his dream has grown. Joseph hopes in the future to acquire better tools to improve quality of his jewelry, lower his prices and increase its production. Please support his efforts and all the other artists by buying fair trade jewelry and other gifts at the SERRV Shop this spring.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR AND ORFF – participate in worship APRIL 1, 10:30 – PALM SUNDAY YOUTH BELLS- practice Apr. 22 & 29, 11:30 Play at worship May 6 CONFIRMATION ORIENTATION – ALL 7th-8th graders and their parents – APRIL 29, 9:00 in the classroom

CE –MAY 14, 7:00 pm With the help of SERRV the Sunday School bought 4 Goats for Good and trees for Heifer Project. It’s time to think SUMMER CAMP – CAMP WHITMAN THAT IS. FANTISTIC camps open to youth (beginning 3rd – 12th grade). There’s swimming, sailing, hiking, biking AND SO MUCH MORE!! If you need an application see Kathy Breese. Get them in early to secure a spot. The church pays a scholarship for each of our youth to help defray the cost. CAMP WHITMAN is in need of NEW, WHITE T-shirts for tie-dying. We’ll collect them in April in Fellowship Hall.

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP - GRADES 6-12

PALM SUNDAY BRUNCH

What: Palm Sunday Brunch When: Sunday, April 1st Where: Church Time: Setup is at 9:00 (8th Graders) and Serving & Cleanup (9th-12th Graders) clean up is at 11:30 Parents are welcome to help with the clean-up too it would go so much faster

BOWLING

What: Boys and Girls Club Bowl-a-thon When: Saturday, April 21st Where: Sunset Lanes Time: 10:45 (Meet at Sunset, Bowl at 11)

Upcoming Tentative Dates:

May 24th (Thursday): Sleepover at HWS, pool, gym, movie (If we have Friday off for the long weekend) June 16th (Saturday): White Water Rafting

FROM THE PARISH NURSE

Dear Church Family,

Do I have Spring Fever! Yesterday I carried the wicker lawn furniture out of the barn, cleaned it off and set it up on the front porch. (It is definitely bound to blizzard now. Yes, you can blame it all on me when it happens.) It is absolutely glorious out today (March 22), and I have a pair of bluebirds checking out my bluebird house! (I usually have bees or spiders as residents.) So, at the moment life is good! I wonder what the weather will be like when you receive your copy of the newsletter!!???

April is National Autism Awareness month. Most of us know individuals with some degree of autism. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke defines autism as “a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders, characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior.”

The CDC recognizes three different classifications of autism. The first, Autistic Disorder or “Classic” Autism, is most commonly characterized by significant language delay, intellectual disability, unusual behaviors and difficulty with social and communication exchanges. In the second, Asberger Syndrome, an individual may display social difficulties but does not struggle with language and can be very intelligent. The third, Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) or “Atypical Autism” falls in between the symptoms of the other two categories.

Mayo Clinic notes the following signs as reason for screening in a young child: baby does not coo by 12 months, no gesturing (pointing or waving) by 12 months, doesn’t say a single word by 16 months, doesn’t say 2-word phrases by 24 months, or loses language or social skills that had been used previously. Other signs noted by the CDC include: avoiding eye contact,

getting very upset over a minor break in routine, having obsessive interests, flapping hand, rocking back and forth, walking in circles, to name a few.

There is no known cause for Autism. Research is continuing. Present research indicates genetics and some environmental factors could trigger autism. There is no evidence to support the theory that childhood vaccines cause autism.

Treatment options include behavior and communication therapies. A very structured educational program tailored to a specific individual has helped children with autism excel. Medications are generally only used to control severe behavioral problems or depression. There are other non-proven alternative therapies, some of which are very dangerous. Always get as much information as possible when examining these possibilities.

I have a dear friend whose son is Autistic. He is a straight A student. He and his family have faced an uphill battle to achieve an educational plan that has allowed him to excel. If you have a loved one that has Autism and don’t know where to turn, please let me know and I will help you access people who can help.

My cell phone number is 315-759-9039. God Bless You All, Beth

Do you like to make things tidy? Are you good at sorting & matching? Can you cut and glue and tape things? Do you like making attractive displays?

Can you count from 200 to 300? Now for a hard one…do your fingers know their way around a keyboard? A bit harder…do you have a basic understanding of how books are shelved using the Dewey Decimal System? Don’t swoon, please; it isn’t hard, I promise. You just need to remember that .01 comes before .1. If you have that, it is a piece of cake. Most of the Church Library books are in the 200’s, which Melvil Dewey decided should be Religion. Melvil divided the 200 “Century” into ten “Decades”. Each contains books on the same topic. Now, stepping it up a bit, could you learn how to search for book, on the Internet? Deep breath! All you have to do is type…mostly numbers…then decide if the book you have in hand matches one of the ones that shows up on a list. Easy peasy! Now the topper! A couple of people are needed for an hour or two every week or so in the Church Library. There is regular tidying up to do. We would like to have displays of new books and brief descriptions written for the newsletter and website too. And, we would like to put the Church Library on LibraryThing. This is an Internet catalog. It is easy peasy! Check it out at http://www.librarything.com/catalog/PresbyterianGeneva to see the start. The Adult Education Committee would be very happy to have your skills applied to the Church Library. In fact, the Chair would be ecstatic! That is me, Ellen Reynolds. Please email me at ereynolds001@rochester.rr.com or call me after 5 p.m. at 781-0891. I have coached many people to do library work. The talents needed are modest. I am sure you can learn to do it too! It is not work if you love books, tidiness, websites, or, leading people to books.

Facilitator’s Post Retreat Report – an excerpt Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven… The season of “transition”, that the retreat invited people who are The Presbyterian Church In Geneva to embrace, will be a time of growth and grace. The timing of this retreat was perfect. Having a time for people to process in community, the news of the retirement of their beloved pastor says volumes about the health and care of this community. The word “transition” has begun to be a part of the consciousness and vocabulary of this church community. One of the clear messages was that there were things we could do and be attentive to in this season of “transition”, to honor, to appreciate, to engage, to not fear but embrace. The initial words about grieving and mourning in this season of “transition” were critical reminders of the reality of change. But also offered a grace that yes, this is “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance”. This change of leadership, of Jim’s retirement, is communal and it is individual. So we need to be kind and compassionate with each other in seasons of change. But what I hope that you will hear LOUD & CLEAR this day is that God is in the change! That God never wants us to be too satisfied with what is. Because God always has hope for something more for us, another season, another time. Jim’s leadership has prepared and positioned you for God’s next season for this church. Remember, God is in the change. But God is good with letting us pause in a season. Good with giving us a moment on a Mountain to see God’s glory. But then it is back down into the valley to move the Kingdom forward, to take the next steps, into the next time and season. As the poet states: So we have choices We can deny … We can fight We can accept … We can honor May we choose well for the Glory of God. Submitted with gratitude, Stephanie L. Sauvé

A full copy of the Facilitator’s Post Retreat Report is on the web.

Transitional Pastor Nominating Committee: Tim Merwarth Jennifer Morris Cathy Thurston

Chris Smart Donald Wertman

Look back and thank God. Look forward and trust God. Look around and serve God.

Look within and find God!

God closes doors no man can open and God opens doors no man can close.

If you need God to open some doors for you, tell Him.

The Deacons Invite YOU to a TALENT SHOW

Sunday May 6th Fellowship Hall 5:30 pm

Come as a performer or an audience participant!

ZITI DINNER Suggested donation: $6.00 ages 13 and over $3.00 up to age 12 $20 max for a family The dinner is provided by the Deacons to raise funds for the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund to help those in need. TALENT SHOW For all ages….. Solo and group participation, silly or serious….. Sing…..dance…..play an instrument…..read a poem…..Do a magic trick…..offer a comedy routine…..or anything your heart desires. Share YOUR talent and make this a fun-filled evening of fellowship.

PERFORMERS Contact Tom McClure (789-6283) RESERVATIONS

Call the church office by May 2nd OR put this form in the offering plate on Sunday.

Yes!! I (we) plan to attend the May 6th Dinner and Talent Show. Name………………………………………………………. _____ number of adults_____ number of children 12 and under

DEACONS

CHURCH FAMILY QUILT Have you noticed the church family quilt in Fellowship Hall? It was made in the 1990’s, so many of you newer members are missing (some of you long-time members forgot to make one so we want yours too). We’d like to have a square from you to add to it. Here’s what to do: 6 X 6 inch square Pick a medium – embroidery, crewel, cross-stitch, fabric pen, whatever you like. Include your family name and a symbol of your family (ex. The Lambs have lambs, the Newcombs have a paint brush). Please leave ½ inch around all the edges for hemming Hand into the church office when done. We need them by June 30. Any questions call Kathy Breese, 789-5667.

FUNNY!!!! Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about. The daughter answered, "Don't be scared, you'll get your quilt." Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed. Later in the day, they saw the pastor at Wegman’s and the Mom asked him what that morning's Sunday school lesson was about. He said "Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming."

THANK YOU ! ! ! To all the wonderful people of this church, I want to thank you for all the cards, flowers and everything else you have done for me. Norma Knowlton THANK YOU for your gift of $1394 to the Peacemaking Offering. Your gift supports peacemaking ministries in Christ’s name throughout the Presbyterian Church USA. General Assembly Mission Council

Presbytery Digest

On March 20th, 2012, a regular meeting of the Presbytery of Geneva was held at the Hornell United Presbyterian Church. I attended as Elder Commissioner for the Presbyterian Church in Geneva. My best attempts to create a brief report of the actions of that meeting and the information presented there have failed to make a digest that would fit in a reasonable space in The Geneva Press. I have decided to place a brief digest of the Presbytery meeting on our website www.presbyterianchurchingenevanewyork. It will be there in a few days. I will print up some hard copies of the document for anyone who does not have access to the internet. If you would like a paper copy, please call me at 789-1761 or speak to me in person. I will continue to do this for future Presbytery meetings. Edwin Frick, Elder Commissioner

SPRING CLEAN-UP Saturday, May 5th (9:00 – NOON)

(If you can, please bring rakes, shovels, brooms, and wheelbarrows.)

NEWSLETTER BY E-MAIL Have you want to receive the newsletter by email? It’s easy, open your computer’s web browser and navigate to the church’s home page at http://www.presbyterianchurchingenevanewyork.org In the second column of the webpage, underneath the picture of the picture of the church, find the heading labeled “Newsletter.” In the paragraph underneath “Newsletter,” with your mouse, click on the words “click here” to start the subscription process. When the Newsletter page is displayed enter your email address in the text box and then press the Subscribe button. You will receive an email from the church website asking you to confirm your subscription to the newsletter. Once you confirm your subscription, you will receive a second email confirming that your subscription is complete

THE MEMORIAL GARDEN & COLUMBARIUM This year, our church is excited about the construction of a memorial garden, located between the sanctuary and the ambulatory. The project was initiated by the Memorials and History Committee to better memorialize our members. It will add natural beauty to an unimproved area, provide an appropriate setting for services and committals, and with its columbarium, provide members with interment at our church. Sabrina Siebert designed the garden, featuring greenery, a walk through arbor, a fountain, created from a historical baptismal font of our church, and paved walkways, patterned after our sanctuary’s stained glass windows. Bricks will be engraved with the names of deceased members who pass away in 2012 and beyond from the Memorial Fund. The Memorials and History Committee is providing $30,000 in current funds to the $80,000 project. With the support of the session, additional funding to completion is assured by our financial security and generosity of our members. There are several ways we can support the completion of the memorial garden. For those wishing to be interred in the columbarium, niches will be available for individuals, couples, or family use. For those who wish to honor past members, bricks will be added with their names. And, for those members whose future plans are complete elsewhere, but feel the garden will be a wonderful addition, donations would be greatly appreciated in lessening the financial impact to the future Memorials fund. Following the April 29th services, a presentation will take place and applications for columbarium use and honorary bricks will be available, along with, additional information, and specifics on terms and costs. May our legacy of generosity through all our projects, including the memorial garden, make a real difference in the future of The Presbyterian Church in Geneva. The Memorials and History Committee, comprised of Tom Burrall, Jerry Rose, Bob Bailey, Beth Reiners, and Ellyn Colquhoun are eager to help all who want to know more.

LECTIONARY For the Lord’s Day - Palms: APR. 1 – Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:12-16; Ps 118:1-2, 19-29 Passion: Isa 50:4-9a; Ps 31:9-16; Phil 2:5-11; Mark 14:1--15:47 or Mark 15:1-39 (40-47) Easter: APR. 8 – Acts 10:34-43 or Isa 25:6-9; Ps 118:1-2, 14-24 1Cor 15:1-11 or Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8 evening: Isa 25:6-9; Ps 114; 1Cor 5:6b-8; Luke 24:13-49 APR. 15 – Acts 4:32-35; Ps 133; 1John 1:1--2:2; John 20:19-31 APR. 22 – Acts 3:12-19; Ps 4; 1John 3:1-7; Luke 24:36b-48 APR. 29 – Acts 4:5-12; Ps 23; 1John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 PASSAGES

The 4th session will be held April 22nd at 11:45 in the fellowship hall. The speaker will be Linda Equinozzi. Linda is a pharmacist. She will discuss medication safety and interactions. The Parish Nurse will have charts available to help you with organizing weekly medication set-ups.

The 5th session will be held June 3rd at 11:45 in the fellowship hall. The speaker will be our Pastor Jim Gerling. The topic will deal with a Christian’s perspective on death.

CAMPBELL’S SOUP UPC CODES Please save your UPC CODES BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION to benefit Geneva Head Start 2 CENTS – A - MEAL We will collect 2 cents offerings on APRIL 1. You can make a difference in the lives of hungry people!!!

RECORDED SERVICES Sunday services are recorded and available on CD to borrow from the church office.

JIM – wjg@rochester.rr.com SUZANNE – agosgo2@hotmail.com EDNA MAY – eml22@rochester.rr.com Website: http://www.presbyterianchurchingenevanewyork.org

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE - FRIDAY, APRIL 20, NOON VISION STATEMENT With Jesus Christ as our model and the Holy Spirit as inspiration, we boldly live our faith in God as disciples, serving each other, this church, our community and the world. MISSION STATEMENT

1. We welcome all, extending the hospitality of Christ by comforting those in need, and celebrating together the joys of life.

2. We worship God through music, prayer and Word,

celebrating the gifts of the Spirit, nurturing our faith, and challenging our complacency.

3. We study and teach the Gospel to prepare for discipleship,

enabling each of us – wherever we are in life’s journey – to grow in faith.

4. We commit to being generous stewards of our gifts – time,

talents, resources and, indeed, our lives.

5. We pray and work for peace, equality and well-being of the earth and all its peoples.

HELP!!! FOR 2012 MARCH /APRIL – FEINSTEIN FOUNDATION will AGAIN match the amount of food items or cash donations the Center of Concern receives. All non-perishable food donations and dollars given to the pantry in March and April will be counted and submitted to the Feinstein organization. They will extend YOUR generosity by adding funding to help us feed our neighbors in Geneva. We will be collecting food items here on APRIL 1. Please give generously. VOLUNTEER AT GENEVA GENERAL HOSPITAL’S RECEPTION DESK!! If you are friendly and enjoy interacting with people, then volunteering at Geneva General Hospital’s reception desk may be a great opportunity for you!! Help us direct our patients and guests. No prior experience is necessary. You will be trained by Geneva General staff. Various shifts are available. Contact Christen Smith (315) 787-4065.

CROSSWALK!! Walk daily... Definitely join us April 28 at 11 AM. We'll plan to walk as a

group along the lakefront.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!!!!!! Paula Foote is our new Coordinator of Youth Ministries. She comes to us by letter of transfer from the First Methodist Church in Sidney NY, where she was an active member of the youth group. Paula is an extended studies teacher at West Street School in Geneva. She is a graduate of William Smith College where she prepared for her teaching career and was a member of the basketball team. She is sponsored by Kathy Breese. Amanda Tourtellotte comes to us by letter of transfer from the Morris United Methodist Church in Morris NY, where she grew up and was baptized and confirmed. She is the significant other of Ethan Powell and the niece of Lorraine and David Millis. Amanda is a registered dietitian with Finger Lakes Health specializing in diabetes education. It was Ethan’s love for the Finger Lakes that brought Amanda west from Syracuse where she was completing her education. She is an active member of the choir and truly enjoys the church family she has been welcomed into. She is sponsored by Ethan Powell. Jan Loope comes to us by reaffirmation of faith. She was born and raised in Gates and lived in Kendall for over 25 years. She has two grown children; Megan, a teacher in Greece and Justin, who owns his own landscaping business. She has worked for Eastman Kodak, Macy’s and the American Red Cross and is currently seeking employment in the Human Resources field. She now lives in Penn Yan and enjoys her family, riding and training horses for eventing and dressage, gardening, reading, quilting photography and motocross. She is sponsored by David Phillips.

George Joseph comes to us by reaffirmation of faith. Has been teaching French and Francophone Studies as well as Africana Studies at HWS for 25 years and will retire as of July 1st. He has also taught at Yale, Brandeis and Wellesley for a total of 12 years. In connection with his teaching he has been going to Senegal in West Africa off and on since 1972. He spent most of his life in the Episcopal Church and did studies at Colgate Rochester Divinity School. A Fulbright Fellowship allowed him to study the translation of the Bible into Wolof, the major national language of Senegal. He has two daughters – Laura who lives in France and Christine in Britain. He has 5 grandchildren. For the last 10 years he has been married to Thelma Pinto. He is sponsored by Ann Warner. Thelma Pinto comes to us by reaffirmation of faith. She was born in Cape Town, South Africa and grew up in the Methodist Church. She left South Africa in 1967 and lived in the Netherlands as a political refugee for 27 years. While there, she worked with organizations focusing on the plight of black people living under apartheid. After the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990, she was allowed back into South Africa in 1993. Here in US, she has taught English, Comparative Literature and Africana Studies at Spelman College, Temple University and for the last 10 years at HWS. She and her former husband who died in 1994 have to adult sons who live in the Netherlands. After she married George Joseph in 2001, she moved to Geneva. She is also sponsored by Ann Warner

Dan and Mary Ellen Schreher come to us by letter of transfer from the First Presbyterian Church of Ulysses in Trumansburg. They moved here last summer to be closer to their daughter son-in-law and four grandchildren. They were active in the Trumansburg church and are both ordained elders. Dan is retired from photography at Cornell and Mary Ellen is retired from nursing. They are sponsored by Bob and Sandy Eberle. Ruth Martha Schultz comes to us by reaffirmation of faith. She lived on Long Island for 73 years and after her husband, Richard died in 2008, she came to live in Penn Yan with her daughter, Darlene. Since her childhood, Ruth has been part of the Presbyterian Church; she has served as an elder, deacon, Sunday school teacher, choir member and director of the youth choir. Ruth has a deep love for God, people and laughter. She is the mother of 3, grandmother of 5 and great-grandmother of 2. She is eager to get back to her roots within the church and become an active member of her new community. She is sponsored by Kathy Poole. Darlene Easton comes to us by reaffirmation of faith. She has been a teacher and student her entire life. Most of her early adulthood was spent traveling and studying language and culture in Spain, China, India and Israel. Her mission was to find the similarities among people and bridge the differences. Since 1998 she’s been a practitioner and teacher of acupuncture and oriental medicine and leads annual clinical study groups to China. In 2003, she moved to the Finger Lakes to take an Associate Professor position at the NY Chiropractic College in Seneca Falls to co-create the master’s programs of the Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Most recently, she earned a masters degree in clinical nutrition. She hopes to bring her passion for knowledge and wellness to her new church family. She is sponsored by Diantha Campbell

Jim Spates comes to us by reaffirmation of faith. Jim Spates is Professor of Sociology at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. He grew up in the arms of a fairly intense form of Massachusetts Congregationalism. That embrace loosened when he went to college and never after regained its grip. Nor did any other form of religion until he began attending this church. What attracts him most about the church and its congregation is their sincere commitment to helping others, in various ways, become stronger, its commitment, in other words, to putting Jesus’ teaching that we should love our neighbor as ourselves into action. He has been fortunate enough to travel, spending considerable amounts of time in Vietnam, Sri Lanka, England, Italy and Switzerland. His principal interest of research is on the life and work of the nineteenth century British art and social critic, John Ruskin. When he retires from HWS in 2014, he intends to keep traveling and write more than he already has about Ruskin and why his works remain so important to those of us living in the twenty-first century. He is sponsored by Jen Morris. Heather and Mat DeMoras come to us be reaffirmation of faith. Heather has been attending the Presbyterian Church in Geneva for more than four years- attending with Heather's parents Faith and Dexter Benedict. Heather is also the niece of Ruth Benedict and Jerry Rose. She and her husband own an Interior Design firm in Rochester Heather grew up attending the Presbyterian church in Penn Yan, then was married in the Catholic Church. Mat has a background as a Licensed Architect, Mat worked in several Rochester architectural firms prior to joining Heather at their firm in the city. Their son, Ben, a sixth grader in the Penn Yan Middle School, regularly attends Sunday school, has participated in the talent show playing piano, is an acolyte, and has enjoyed going to Vanderkamp. They are sponsored by Ruth Benedict and Jerry Rose.