CHURCH BRIEFS

A disciple is defined as “one who applies what they have learned.” This week our congregation welcomed two new disciples through confirmation. Evelyn Little and Lizzie Lilyea chose to affirm their faith and become members. We are blessed by their witnesses to God and the actions that are His. They each shared their faith creeds and favorite bible verses with us as they did the worship service. The verses are from Psalm and Philippians, each reminding us that we should look to the Lord in all ways always.

Congratulations Evelyn and Lizzie. We are proud of you and look forward to being a part of your faith journeys.

Birthday blessings this week to Karen Hallings. Prayers of comfort to the Beverly Hunt family after her recent passing.

Join us for worship Sundays at 9 a.m. All are welcome.

Branchport Methodist

During our service on March 5, our focus was on knowing that our God is stronger than any trouble this world can throw our way – our help is in God. Please join us in praying for our world and all who are suffering.

While this is an ongoing outreach partner that we support, we are encouraged to bring in pet supplies – food, toys, and supplies – for Pet Partner Connections this month. Also remember the Blessings Cupboard out front of the church which contains at this time, winter gloves, scarves, etc. along with paper goods and hygiene items. Pretty soon it will be warm enough to start putting out canned goods again! If you need something, take it; if you can, put something in.

We will be discussing our next free Community Dinner at our meeting on the 14th and will get the word out as soon as possible via this column, Facebook, and

our website.

St. Mark’s Episcopal

A name well-known and honored throughout this country is that of Harriet Tubman, often known by the nickname of Moses due to her fame in leading her people out of slavery. Born a Methodist, Harriet Tubman’s religious faith was a wide and sustaining force in her life. Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church is proud that Tubman is commemorated in our list of modern saints called “Lesser Feasts and Fasts” on March 10.

Harriet Tubman came into this world in 1822 as a slave. As a young woman, she escaped and subsequently made some 13 missions to rescue approximately 70 similarly-enslaved people, using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad. This area is associated with her through the historic support of the Underground Railroad and because she lived and worked for many years in Auburn, NY, where she spent her final days.

Harriet Tubman has been posthumously awarded many honors, and one that is being considered now is to put her countenance on the $20 bill. Supporters of this action believe that it would acknowledge that much of this country’s wealth was begun, literally, on the forced labor of people such as Harriet Tubman and the people she rescued.

Penn Yan First Baptist

There are three remaining meetings of our “Candlelight Conversations” on Wednesdays, March 15, 22, and 29, led by Pastor Rachel McGuire. Please join us for these Lenten inspired conversations contemplating our relationship to the spirituality of the earth alongside the poetry of Wendell Berry. Our meetings begin at 5:30 p.m. People of all faiths and those who may not have a faith commitment are warmly welcomed.

On Saturday, March 18, from 4 - 6 p.m. join us in our Great Room for “Conflict Resolution & Cupcakes,” led by Olivia Clinton.

Together we will learn techniques for resolving interpersonal conflicts. We will receive the America for Christ Offering on Sunday, March 19.

Bluff Point Methodist

Eric Deter used scripture from Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12 to share with us his thoughts on community. Beginning with the buddy system in school, and the military we learn that two is better than one. Two can encourage one another and can stand together. One who falls alone is in big trouble.

Three is even better, as a as a triple braided cord is even much stronger. There are 59 commands in the Bible about one another. Authentic community shows unity and common purpose. We are one in spirit, and like-minded. We are not all the same - we show unity but not uniformity. Everyone is needed and contributes. Thank you, Eric, for an inspiring message! Eric’s mission trip to Guatemala with Keuka students is March 16-23. We will keep them in our thoughts and prayers for a successful mission.

Music Sunday again will be on April 30.

Our 5th Sunday music services are always so very special. Contact Ron Miller if you can participate. Follow our website for other opportunities to participate or serve. www. bluffpointumc.com We will see you Sundays at 9 a.m. for fellowship!

First Presbyterian

It’s always a pleasure to highlight FPC members who have excelled in serving our community. Phil Rouin was recognized on March 10, at a community event, hosted at the Yates County Offices, for his retirement as Director of Veterans Services for Yates County. It was a position Phil said had been “a tremendous privilege” to hold for eight years.

This dedication “For God & Country” (American Legion Motto) may have been influenced by two parents who served with distinction during WWII. Phil spent a 30year career in the U.S.

Navy, with increasing levels of responsibility, much of it in Explosive Ordnance Disposal. This certainly prepared Phil for his post-military future.

Armed with important skills; active listening, meticulous preparation, patience, teamwork, ability to handle stress and uncertainty, developing alternative options and literally “diffusing” situations were a key to his, and others, survival. Phil wrote that “an assignment at Pearl Harbor changed everything.

That role defined my desire to coach, mentor and guide others to overcome obstacles, navigate difficult transitions and realize greater possibilities.”

After completing a LMSW Degree, Phil worked in various areas of mental health, many connected to serving Veterans’ needs.

A sampling of other volunteer positions has included: Scout Leader, Soccer Coach, Group/Mission Leader for various church youth ministries, FPC Session/Outreach, and advisory roles for other mental health services. Somehow, he also managed to find time to marry an equally compassionate woman and raise two children. For all of Phil and Jen’s many contributions to local agencies and FPC, thank-you and congratulations, as you both ease into semi-retirement.

St. Michael’s Catholic With our prayers, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis on March 13.

Climate justice is a topic that is near and dear to the Pope’s heart. We have many opportunities to care for God’s creation. Through the organization, Catholic Climate Covenant, we have access to calendars with environmental themes to guide us through Lent, as well as prayer services and action alerts. One such that needs to be acted upon has a deadline of March 17.

The EPA wants to use the Inflation Reduction Act to make “significant investments in the health, equity, and resilience of all communities,” but especially those in which minority, low-income, tribal, or indigenous populations or geographic locations in the United States that potentially experience disproportionate environmental harms and risks to “address past, current, and future environmental and climate justice challenges.” To share your ideas, visit www. regulations.gov.

The entire schedule of Lenten activities happening within the parish is found on the welcome page of our website: https://ourladyofthelakescc. org Enjoy that corned beef this Friday, St.

Patrick’s Day! Bishop Matano gives a dispensation of fasting from meat. He does ask that we choose another day to fast from meat and live simply so that others can live.

CHURCH BRIEFS

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