by Jill Fandrich

Jesus taught by telling stories, or “parables”. One of the most well-known is the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

The term “Good Samaritan” is part of our language today, referring to someone who helps another person. There are Good Samaritan Hospitals and medical centers. There’s even a law, colloquially called the Good Samaritan Law, which limits liability to someone who provides assistance to another. Let’s look at the parable that Jesus told and see where this term comes from.  

The passage in Luke chapter 10 starts with a lawyer (an “expert in the law”) asking Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Although it sounds like an earnest question, the passage says the lawyer was testing Jesus. Jesus turned the question back on the man, saying, “You’ve read the law. What does it say?” The lawyer quoted the law, including the commandment to “Love your neighbor.” Jesus told him “Then follow the law,” but the lawyer kept pushing, asking “But who is my neighbor?” So, Jesus told this story:

A man was going from Jerusalem to Jericho when robbers attacked him, stole his belongings, and left him lying half dead in the road. A priest came down the road, crossed to the other side and kept walking, avoiding the beaten man. Then a Levite (a highly respected leader in the temple) did the same, ignoring the man and walking on. Next, a man from Samaria (a Samaritan) came down the road. He saw the wounded man and stopped to help him. He cleaned and bandaged his wounds, put him on his donkey and brought him to an inn, and paid the innkeeper to take care of him, promising to reimburse him for any further care. Jesus ended the story by asking, “Which of these three was a neighbor to the wounded man?”

The lawyer rightly answered, “The one who showed him mercy.” So, Jesus told him again, “Then you know what to do. Do it!”
One of the things I love about this parable is that it is not just simple story. In Sunday School, we tell it on a basic level to teach that Jesus wants us to help others. It’s a good lesson, but not the only one. There is way more to this than meets the eye.

Jesus was very intentional in how he told this story. The traveler was just “a man”; he could be anyone. But notice how specific Jesus was in identifying the three characters who encountered him. The first was a priest, a respected man of God, someone who would be expected to be compassionate. But he ignored the beaten man. The second was a Levite, also a man of power, and a leader in the temple. But he walked on by. The third was a Samaritan, someone whom the Jews considered an enemy.

There was long-standing hatred between Jews and Samaritans, rooted in centuries of political, cultural, and theological differences dating to when the Kingdom of Israel split into northern and southern regions, with Samaria in the north. In plain terms, the Jews hated Samaritans, and vice versa.

Yet, here, Jesus completely flips the narrative, making the hated Samaritan the “good guy” and the respected priest and Levite the ones who acted callously and uncaringly. What’s Jesus saying here, and what does it mean for us today?

In Jesus’ time and ours, it’s easiest to like people who are like us. The people we are closest to, proximally and socially, are usually similar in age, race, social class, religion, and culture. These are who we are most likely to call our “neighbors.” If this were the case, though, wouldn’t Jesus have told the story with either the priest or Levite helping the traveler? Wouldn’t we expect his friends and neighbors to help him?
That’s exactly the point. Jesus didn’t tell this story to say we should be “nice” to our friends. He told it to say that the people we don’t like, the people we disagree with, the people we want to keep out, are our neighbors. I imagine the lawyer didn’t like what he heard. Maybe we don’t either.

If there is one recurring theme in all of Jesus’ teachings, it is that we are to love one another. That means loving the outcasts, the foreigners, the long-standing enemies, the people on the opposite side of our politics. Everyone. Who are the Samaritans in our lives? And can we love them as our neighbors? It’s a tough lesson, but it’s what Jesus wanted the lawyer, and us, to hear.  

By Jill Fandrich

April 13 marks the beginning of Holy Week, a week of great significance to Christians, commemorating the final days of Jesus’ life, his death, and his resurrection. My church, and most Christian churches, will hold special services this week leading up to the celebration of Easter next Sunday.

Holy Week is hard. I struggle with Lent, Holy Week, and the Easter story. Easter is the highest holy day in the Christian tradition, but I personally find it the hardest to grasp and even harder to explain to others. Holy Week is a complex, painful sequence of events leading up to a miraculous ending. 

Christmas is easy. God came to earth as a human child to live among us and show us how to live and love. Pentecost is inspiring. God came to us as a spirit whose power is invisible. Jesus’ teachings, challenging and counter cultural as they are, are powerful lessons that we should love everyone, especially those who are hard to love. I can understand, appreciate, and celebrate these parts of the Christian story. 

But Holy Week? This week relives the story of Jesus’ final days. It begins with Palm Sunday, which recounts Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Jesus, who for most of his life was a wandering teacher and prophet, arrived in Jerusalem for Passover. The city was teaming with people there for this holy time. 

According to plan, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey. People shouted “Hosanna” (rough translation “save us”) and waved branches. Today we pass out palm fronds in remembrance of this procession. Theologians and historians interpret this story in several ways. Some, like Marcus Borg, suggest that Jesus’ mini-parade was a counter-procession to the Roman authorities who were entering the city through a different gate, riding grand horses and waving swords and banners. Borg opined that this was a political demonstration, drawing a distinction between Jesus and the Romans. Some think that the palm processional was a mockery, and that the crowds were jeering rather than cheering. Still others believe the crowds were sincere in their praise and enthusiasm. 

The next few days bring more disturbing moments in Jesus’ final days. He entered the temples and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, raling at the religious authorities and demonstrating a level of anger and violence that we don’t usually associate with the “Prince of Peace.” 

On “Maundy Thursday,” many churches, including Westminster, remember Jesus’ last meal with his disciples. “Maundy” is derived from the Latin word “mandamus”, meaning “commandment.” At the Last Supper, Jesus gave his disciples the commandment to “Love one another as I have loved you,” distilling Jesus’ teachings into one very simple, and very hard to follow, directive. 

Also on this night, Jesus pointed to Judas as the disciple who would betray him, then spent the night praying alone in the Garden of Gethsemane, pleading to God to “take this cup from me.” He was then arrested, and brought before the civil and religious authorities. 

On “Good Friday”, Jesus was tried and sentenced to death. He was crucified on a cross between two criminals. Many churches hold Good Friday services in darkness on this somber day. Catholic churches walk worshipers through the Stations of the Cross to remember the events of Jesus’ final hours. Saturday is a day for vigil; to mourn and observe Jesus’ time in the tomb. 

Easter Sunday tells of the women arriving at Jesus’ tomb and finding it empty. An angel tells them, “He is not here; he has risen.” Death had no power over Jesus; he was still alive! His followers responded with joy, but also with confusion, fright, wonder, and disbelief, all things I feel too. But over time, they and I have come to understand that death is not final for us either, that God’s love endures forever, and that love triumphs. As the writer Ann Lamott puts it, “You can bury the truth, but you can’t keep it there.”  

So, that’s what I’ve got--  an attempt by a simple Christian like me to explain the wondrous complexities of the Easter message. With all the egg hunts, chocolate rabbits, and new spring clothes, it’s easy to ignore the hard story—the strange sequence of events  in which an itinerate carpenter was considered a threat to the political and religious leaders of his time and put to death.  But God doesn’t die. Easter itself, the Day of Resurrection, brings hope to those who believe that God’s love is eternal and for everyone. For that that we say“Hallelujah!”

by Jill Fandrich

Westminster Church has good news to share; we have a new pastor! We welcome the Rev Adam Demetros to Westminster!
 
Westminster has been without a called pastor since June 2023, when Rev Patrick Heery returned to his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio with his family. Unlike some denominations which assign pastoral leadership to their churches, Presbyterian congregations are mostly autonomous in their search for new pastors. They don’t act entirely alone, however; they follow a process which involves the local Presbytery and denominational connections.
 
The work of seeking a new pastor is the responsibility of a Pastor Nominating Committee, made up of members elected by the congregation. The “PNC” is intentionally reflective of the congregation’s membership. Ours was nine people—me, Audrey McNally, Brian Teucke, Sarah Trapani, Eli Hernandez, Thomas Fessenden, George Fay, Amy Sargent, and Lilyana Thornton. The decision to call a pastor is ultimately the responsibility of the congregation, but it trusts the PNC to search for and recommend a candidate for its consideration.
 
Like most things Presbyterian, the process takes time. We were told to expect an interim period between 2-4 years. We were actually on the shorter end, closer to 18 months. During the interim, we had short term pastoral leadership from three wonderful temporary pastors- Rev Stacy Smith in the fall of 2023, Rev Pamela Masten in the winter of 2024, and Rev Joe Tagliaferre in the second half of 2024. We also were blessed with amazing church members and staff who faithfully did the work of the church.
 
Last August, we invited the Rev. Adam Demetros to apply to our church, after seeing his “resume” on the denomination’s matching site. He accepted our invitation to apply, and we had a great Zoom interview with him. We then invited Pastor Adam and his wife Amanda to visit Auburn, which they did in late September, spending two days with us exploring the area and seeing the church and community. After this visit, we extended a call to him to be our next pastor, and he enthusiastically accepted.
 
In December we introduced Pastor Adam to the congregation. After meeting him and hearing him preach, the congregation voted to call him as our pastor.
 
Pastor Adam and his wife Amanda have purchased a home in Owasco, and are settling into their new home, church, and community. Here is more about him:
 
The Reverend Adam Demetros earned a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. While there, Pastor Adam worked with the Children and Young Families Ministry of the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville, NJ. He also served as a hospice chaplain where he discovered that fulfilling the ministry of Christ means laughing and crying with those who are in need of grace and love. Pastor Adam has often said, “One of my greatest joys in ministry has been sitting next to hospital beds listening to people tell their life story”.
 
Prior to entering seminary, Pastor Adam attended East Stroudsburg University where he earned a Master of Management and Leadership in Public Administration with a focus on religious nonprofit organizations. Instead of writing a thesis paper, he opted to help establish a successful Presbyterian campus outreach program called “Church 4 U” for East Stroudsburg Presbyterian Church to help bridge the gap between campus and community.
 
During his time in ministry, Pastor Adam has served small rural churches and large urban churches in New York and Pennsylvania, where he learned that our collective history helps us find our common identity in Christ. He most recently served a church in Wilkes-Barre where he was active in the community feeding the hungry, building relationships, and caring for anxious clergy during the pandemic. Pastor Adam has also been actively involved in presbytery and national church leadership, serving on various committees, commissions, and as a commissioner to the 226th General Assembly.
 
As a native of the southern tier, Pastor Adam enjoys being in nature and loves the winter season. Most of his formative years were spent either on the Finger Lakes or in the woodlands of the Northeast. When not reading or writing, he enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife, Amanda, who is a passionate and dedicated educator, and their energetic dog, Argos. You will most likely run into them at cultural events, food festivals, and musical performances in the area.
 
Pastor Adam loves serving in congregational ministry and has found that the words of theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer ring true; “The person who loves their dream of community will destroy community, but the person who loves those around them will create community”.
 
We welcome Pastor Adam to Westminster and Auburn, and look forward to this next phase of Westminster’s journey.

by Rob Schemerhorn

On the Sunday after Epiphany, the scripture reading is always the familiar story of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. In the Presbyterian tradition, we generally baptize children, usually infants.  In other faith traditions, persons are baptized when they are old enough to understand for themselves what the sacrament means, that God is accepting them as one of his own. Baptism creates a deep tie for the baptized and their church. It is certainly a very important moment in anyone’s life, regardless of what age it happens.

All four of the gospels recount Jesus’ baptism. They begin with John saying he was not the Messiah but was merely preparing the way. John said he recognized Jesus as the Savior and felt unworthy to baptize him. After the baptism, the heavens opened and God confirmed that Jesus was indeed the chosen one. Three of the four gospels have Jesus going into the desert for 40 days and nights, being tempted by Satan, and then returning to choose his disciples and begin his ministry.

We know this familiar story, and we accept it, often without thinking much about it. But really, it is an outlandish thing to do! What would you think if your 30 year old brother, or son, or friend, suddenly up and said ‘Oh, by the way, tomorrow I’m quitting my job as a carpenter, going to see that weirdo out by the river Jordan people have been talking about, and then spend the rest of my time here on Earth wandering around trying to explain to people what God really wants them to do for the sake of their own salvation.” Perfectly normal, right?

No, that’s probably not what we would think. We would think, “Why? Why leave a quiet, comfortable life, at the rather advanced age of 30 or so [remember life spans were quite a bit shorter 2000 years ago] and go do this thing? Why?”

The answer, I think, is that God needed a change in the way he dealt with us. The prophets had prophesied, the judges and kings had ruled, the nation of Israel had risen and fallen and risen and fallen many times. But the people were stuck when it came to their faith. What are the 6 words of a failing institution? “We’ve always done it that way.” God chose Jesus to forge a new understanding of his intentions, towards his people and how they should interact with each other.

The baptism of Jesus marks the beginning of his ministry. We know that in his time he was considered a radical, someone who didn’t necessarily follow “the Rules”. He was all about change. Even our denomination is always changing. Ever hear the phrase ‘The reformed church, always reforming’? I think Jesus would like that phrase.

In some ways I regret not being able to recall my own baptism. For my little infant self, I couldn’t know how important a moment this was. God claimed me as an infant, and I have accepted his love. But I wonder, have I really changed?

This has been a time of change for our church. We have had 3 temporary pastors in the past 18 months, each of them with their own style. It was enjoyable; switching things up occasionally keeps the experience fresh. In February we will welcome our new pastor. There will be change. We’re all eager to see what they might be. Congregants have hopes and dreams they want to see come to fruition. Some of those hopes hearken back to our traditions, some are looking forward to innovative solutions to new challenges. Come what may, things will be different. We will change.

January is the time when many of us make resolutions aimed at improving our lives. Eat healthier, get regular sleep, clean out that closet in the back room. Here is mine- “Don’t be afraid”. I’m not going to be afraid of speaking up, or being kind, or saying no. One of the joys of getting older is being less afraid of what others think of you. There is no reason for being afraid of change.
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 The life and work of this church, this congregation will go on as long as we embrace, adopt and accept the idea that change is inevitable. Jesus knew it. He was called to be the voice that led to one of the greatest changes in history. While we may not remember our own baptism, there is no need for a ceremony for you to make a change in your life. When all else fails, try forgiveness. Be kind. Remember everyone seeks acceptance. Jesus showed us what love is. Resolve to be a person who changes with intent and the love of Christ in your heart.
 
Rob Schemerhorn is a lifelong member of Westminster Church, a Ruling Elder, and Clerk of Session. He is recently retired from Jordan Elbridge School District, after a long career as a Physics and Earth Science teacher, track coach and official. 

December 21 is the longest night of the year, the Winter Solstice, when darkness arrives in late afternoon and lasts into the next morning. Where we live, it’s not only dark but cold. The trees are barren. The ground is frozen (or muddy). And the long winter is just beginning to creep its way to spring.
 
We know the astrological and scientific significance of the Winter Solstice. It’s the time when earth’s rotation causes half of the earth to be tilted as far away from the sun as it can be. The earth gets the least amount of light and warmth at this point, making December 21 the shortest day and longest night of each year in the northern hemisphere. Then slowly, things change, with more light each day.
 
Long before “organized religion,” ancient people celebrated the solstice. They built monuments that were giant calendars, positioned so that the sun would rise in a specific point on them on the day of the solstice. We still marvel at Stonehenge in England, Newgrange in Ireland, Machu Picchu in Peru, the temple of Karnak in Egypt, and Chichen Itza in Mexico. These massive structures were intentionally and precisely built by ancient people to celebrate the sun thousands of years before the birth of Christ.
 
So what does the solstice have to do with Christmas, the Christian holiday on December 25 which celebrates the birth of Jesus? It’s an interesting relationship. Jesus’ birth story is told in the gospels, and includes the various details which we associate with nativity scenes— born in a manger to Mary with her betrothed husband Joseph by her side, surrounded by animals, visited by “lowly” shepherds, hailed as king by choirs of angels, and given gifts by visiting magi who followed a bright star to find him. One noticeable fact which is lacking in biblical accounts is a date, or even a season. No one knows when Jesus was born.
 
The early Christians didn’t celebrate the birth of Jesus; his death and resurrection at Easter were their main focus. In the fourth century, Pope Julius I added the Feast of the Nativity to the calendar as a holy day on December 25, the date probably chosen to piggy-back on solstice celebrations to increase the likelihood that people would celebrate the new holiday.
 
There were many reasons this was a good fit. Christianity, like many religions, uses the imagery of light a lot. Jesus told his followers, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Tying Jesus’ birth to the time of year when light was gradually reappearing in the darkest of times was a beautiful image which made sense to ancient people and still does to us today.
 
My church, Westminster Presbyterian, has for 20 years offered a Service of the Longest Night on December 21. It is a service which offers a message of hope and peace to people who may be in a dark place in their lives. We recognize that Christmas is not always a “holly, jolly” time for many people. Some are experiencing loss, pain, illness, loneliness, confusion, or despair. Some are just exhausted from the demands of work, family, and meeting the Hallmark movie expectations for a perfect home and holiday. Some want to hear a message that lifts up the countercultural side of the Christmas story, that Jesus was born to an unwed mother, surrounded by working animals and smelly shepherds, scorned by political leaders, and completely unlike what a “newborn king” was expected to be. Some come to support others who are in a dark place in their lives, knowing that we all go through dark valleys on our life journeys.
 
We invite everyone to come to the Longest Night Service, which will be led by Rev Joseph Tagliaferre on Saturday December 21 at 7pm. We hope it conveys the message of John 1:5 that “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness shall not overcome it.” Knowing that every day after this one will be just a little bit lighter brings hope and peace to those who need it.

by Jill Fandrich

​I’ve heard all the excuses why people don’t bring their children to church —“It’s boring”, “I don’t want them indoctrinated”, “We’re too busy”, “It’s just for old people”. I’d like to give you some of the reasons why children should be in church.
 
I’m speaking from first-hand experience here. I went to church as a kid, our three children came every Sunday, and now I bring my grandson with me. My church, Westminster Presbyterian, has a small but faithful core of young children who are there most Sundays. Families have a variety of options—the Children’s Worship Center, a “Prayground” in the sanctuary, and a nursery. My grandson loves church. If he were writing this article, his reasons would include “There are lots of cookies.”
 
Yes, cookies are important, but there are other good reasons for children to come to church. Here are a few.
 
Churches are intergenerational. There are few places these day where children can mingle with other kids (older and younger), teens, adults who aren’t their parents, and older folks. My grandson is greeted by name when he walks in the door, and has several good “friends” who are in their 70s and 80s. The children who come to Westminster are valued and loved members of the church family.
 
Churches are safe places for children to ask hard questions. In a recent Sunday School class I taught for older elementary children, the kids asked lots of questions about what happens when someone dies. It wasn’t the lesson we had planned, but several had lost grandparents in recent years, and once they started asking questions, they really wanted to talk! I didn’t have answers, but we wondered together. Their thoughts were beautiful and profound. There are few places where these kinds of conversations can happen.
 
Churches expose children to different kinds of music. Has your child ever heard a pipe organ? A bagpipe? A choir that sings in four-part harmony? Handbells? A chant? Besides music class in school, has your child ever sung with others? Churches are one of the few places where people sing together! It’s a beautiful thing when voices of all ages rise in song.
 
Churches introduce children to the concept of the divine. Even the youngest of children can begin to know God as an expression of unconditional love, awe, and mystery. They can understand at their own level. One of the things I love most about my church is that it welcomes questions more than it offers answers. No matter where any of us are in our faith journeys, we find something in church to help us along the way.
 
Churches help children respect others while also being themselves. I grew up in the “children should be seen but not heard” era. I’m glad to say that my church has moved beyond that. We welcome children in worship, and embrace their wiggles, whispers, dances, and loud amens. At the same time, children learn that church is a place where we walk slowly, speak softly, and respect that others need a quiet place to talk to God. In our fast-paced, screen-based world, church is a place where everyone, including children, can slow down and find peace and calm.
 
Churches teach, by word and example, about loving others. Westminster is a “Matthew 25 Church,” which means we actively embrace God’s command to care for the most vulnerable and hurting members of our society. Even the youngest members of our church learn to bring food for the food pantry, put coins in the offering plate or box, give away their outgrown coats, visit nursing homes, and help with service projects.
 
Churches let kids do very grown-up things. Our children participate in worship and service in meaningful ways. They read scripture, sing or play instruments, carry communion elements, and carry the light of Christ (a real candle!) into and out of worship.
 
Church sometimes gets a bad rap for being “boring” for kids. That couldn’t be further from the truth at Westminster. How can you not love a place with songs, stories, and endless cookies? A place where you’re valued and loved?  A place where everybody knows your name and is happy to see you?
 
I can’t think of a better expression of God’s love than being in a place where you feel welcome, safe, and cherished. That’s what children, and hopefully everyone else, will find at church.

By Shelley Pantoliano

         There is a saying that goes: “There is nothing to fear but fear itself.” I have to say that I don’t completely agree with this! There are many things we might be afraid of, but when faced with a specific fear, it’s easier said than done to try to convince ourselves that if we just weren’t afraid, the situation that is causing the fear would vanish.

         We all have fears, fears that change as we go through life, from childhood fears like the fear of the dark or going to kindergarten, or even the fear of imaginary monsters under the bed, to fears like loss of independence or failing health in our later years.

What fears are you struggling with right now? Do you feel alone as you are struggling with your fears?

         I want to share with you my most ironic fear: the fear of speaking in front of an audience. When I was in school and had a class that required an oral report, I would rather have taken a zero than get up in front of my classmates and give a presentation. And yet, I ended up becoming a Pastor.

         I entered the Lay Ministry Program through the United Church of Christ in the late 90’s. However, it took me a year to actually begin the program once I sensed a call to ministry. Can you guess why? Yup – I was afraid. What scared me the most was the preaching requirement.

         The pastor at my church was a wonderful mentor to me as I made my way through the program. At one point, she asked me to fill in for her for 2 Sundays when she would be on on vacation. I would be required to preach! 

         When I arrived at church that first Sunday, I found on the pulpit an angel ornament with a tag on it with the words from Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” My mother had left it there for me. I was comforted by her thoughtful gesture, and I made it through the service without throwing up or passing out!

         When I got home from church, sitting on my porch was a still-warm pan of apple crisp that my Aunt Jean had made. She worked nights at a nursing home and couldn’t be there to support me in person. She came home from a long night of work, baked the apple crisp, and left it for me with a note.

         You see, we are never alone on this journey through life. As people of faith, we believe that God is with us throughout our lives, in the good times and the fearful times, but there are times when we are struggling, and it seems as if God is silent. We pray and we pray, and God is silent…or so we think.

         In the Gospel of Mark, we can find the story of Jesus and his disciples crossing the Sea of Galilee in a boat when a ferocious storm comes upon them suddenly. The disciples, overcome with panic and fear, forgot two important things as the boat was battered about by the waves: first, that Jesus was with them; and second, that they had each other.

         How many times during struggles in life do we call to God for relief from our fears and it feels as if God hasn’t heard us? Think about a time when you were struggling, and then, someone unexpectedly reached out to you. Maybe they sent you a car, or brought you a plate of cookies, or invited you over for a cup of coffee and conversation. And it wasn’t until later that you suddenly realized that God DID hear you, and it was through that person that God acted.

         My community of faith, Westminster Presbyterian Church, is what is known as a Matthew 25 church, which means we reach out to the community by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick and imprisoned as Jesus commanded. It is at the very heart of this congregation to be the hands, voice, and feet of Jesus in this world.

         But one of the greatest blessings of this congregation is how we take care each another. We build one another up, step up in times of trouble, and celebrate times of joy. We reach out to each other through meal trains, cards, phone calls, and many other ways. We celebrate baptisms, graduations, weddings, anniversaries.

         We are a diverse group from many different backgrounds and life experiences, just as Jesus’ disciples were also a diverse group. Matthew was a tax collector; Luke was a doctor; Peter, James, and John were fishermen; Simon the Zealot was a political activist. Yet they learned from Jesus about the importance of loving each other through the lens of God’s unconditional love. They shared what is called an Agape love – a love not based on romantic feelings, but based on a kind of love that is selfless, unconditional, and sacrificial.

         Our faith community comes together each week to worship God and to experience with thankfulness what it’s like to be part of a vibrant faith community that loves one another with that same unconditional Agape love.

         When you are facing difficult times, who has stepped up for you? Who has been by your side through those times of fear and uncertainty? Who walks with you through your life journey, so you don’t feel alone? Take a moment to give thanks for the people God sends your way who travel with you, and be ready to offer a comforting presence for them when they are having their own struggles. 
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         Remember, my friends: we are all in the boat together, whether the waters are calm or the waters are rough. We are never alone because we have God and we have each other.

By Paul Dungey

At Westminster Presbyterian Church, the people of the church elect Elders and Deacons, who with the minister of word and sacrament, “exercise spiritual discernment” and “have responsibilities for the life of a congregation to serve the church in its many ministries.”
 
As an Elder, I had the opportunity to lead our Sunday worship service at Westminster recently. In the preceding days, I found myself lying in bed, wide awake, in the wee hours of the morning discerning the subject matter for the message I would give. I pondered the Psalm 19 reading and considered the many ways in which God reveals His glory to us.
 
The Psalmist writes: “The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.”
 
My mother nurtured in my siblings and I an appreciation for the beauty of flowers. Mom used her gifts and talents to create watercolor paintings of floral arrangements. Beyond seeing the beauty of a flower, one can see God’s divine plan revealed in its design. 
 
In an article titled Flowers & the Fibonacci Sequence, Cat Haglund explains that “each plant packs as many petals, leaves, and seeds into the available space” enabling the plant to “maximize their exposure to the sun.” Consider how this marvelous design pairs so efficiently with the plant’s capability to convert sunlight into nutrients for growth via the process of photosynthesis. Surely, God’s divine plan is evident in His handiwork!
 
Consider your life experiences and the ways that you have heard God’s voice or felt God’s presence. The Psalmist encourages us to look carefully for the ways that God reveals His glory to us in this reading from Psalm 46. God says: “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” The Psalmist also gives us this assurance: “The Lord Almighty is with us!
 
People, for generations, had been anticipating the coming of the Messiah with great expectations. In Jesus’s time, his cousin John, the Baptizer, went before him proclaiming what had been prophesized in the Old Testament reading from Isaiah 40. “A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
 
Jesus, God’s son, was sent by God to go out amongst the people to proclaim God’s glory and divine purpose. The people heard Jesus as he spoke about how each person should love God with all one’s heart, soul and mind. Jesus taught that we should love not only our neighbors, but we should also love our enemies. 
 
By his side, the disciples and the people would see Jesus lay his hands on people to heal their infirmities, drive out demons, and restore life. When people came to Jesus for healing, or to speak with him about God’s divine purposes, Jesus looked into their hearts and helped them to find true faith and trust in him as the Messiah, and in God, the one who sent him.
 
God’s divine plan, through the work of His son Jesus, is to save us from the penalty of death for our sinfulness. John 3: 16-17 explains it this way: “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.”
 
O God, bless us and help us to understand your divine purpose. Help us to use our eyes to see and our ears to hear. May your glory be revealed in our hearts so we may be healed.

Paul Dungey is a life-long member and Ruling Elder of Westminster, chairs the Worship Committee, sings in the choir, and is actively involved in service and mission, including prison ministry, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Meals on Wheels, scouting, and mission trips in other states and countries. 

I was saddened to read of the sudden closure of Holy Family Church earlier this summer. Faced with building problems that presented safety concerns, the church closed with very little notice. Although I am sure that the church’s leaders were diligently dealing with the property needs for a long time, the closure took many by surprise. It was Auburn’s oldest Catholic Church, a beautiful, historic place of worship and former school.
 
I can only imagine how I would feel if that were to happen to Westminster. Our church is just as old and just as massive as Holy Family, and we face many of the same issues—masonry repair, a very old slate roof, moisture damage, a mostly empty education building, and a shrinking population who attend church. We diligently maintain our property, but sometimes the needs are daunting.
 
Whenever Auburn loses another historic building, social media is full of outcries. “My parents were married there!” “I went to school there!” “How could ‘they’ let this happen?” While I understand these sentiments, I have to be blunt-- nostalgia doesn’t pay the bills.
 
Catholics and Presbyterians have different styles of administration, and I can’t comment on how these decisions were made at Holy Family. I can sympathize with those who had to make this difficult decision as well as with those who were affected by it. Big, old buildings, as much as we love them, are challenging.
 
Our church was built in 1869. The sanctuary seats 500. The 3-story education building was added in the 1930s to house the Sunday school classes for a congregation that at the time numbered in the thousands. Those were the years when “everyone” went to church. Churches were the hub of social life as well as religious life. Youth groups thrived. But over the years, church membership declined, not just at Westminster but in mainline churches everywhere. We now describe ourselves as “a small church in a big building.”
 
Our congregation now has a membership of 170 people. Our average worship attendance is about 75 people, including those who worship online. Our membership skews older. We have some young families, but we know many churches have no children at all. Our members represent a broad socio-economic range, and they support the church to the best of their abilities. The financial base is smaller than in years past, while expenses continue to rise. With careful planning and good stewardship, we hold our own and consider our church finances stable, if not thriving.
 
Do we need the huge building we have now? No. Could we be a church in a smaller space or no space at all? Yes. Are maintenance and repairs a major part of our budget? Yes. Would the money be better spent helping people in need? Maybe. Is our building a legacy or a burden? Honestly… both. But the reality is that we do have this building and it is both our identity and our ministry. So the real question, what should we do with it?
 
Our church serves God. The church’s value is not that it is beautiful or historic, although it is both. More importantly, it is a place that speaks of God’s presence in the very center of our city.  It opens its doors to the community and is a spiritual home to people who go out those doors to love and serve others.
 
One of our challenges (and opportunities!) is to find new ways to use our buildings both to further our mission and to provide income. We love to share our space with non-profit organizations and partner with them in service. We’d like to do that more.
 
We believe our building is worth preserving. Over the years, in addition to routine maintenance, we restored our Tiffany window, rebuilt and restored our historic pipe organ, repaired our bell cradle, and abated water damage by redirecting storm drainage and installing gutters. We conducted a facilities study to determine the top, medium, and lower priority projects to address over the next five years and we are working hard to address those needs, thanks to diligent and hard-working Property and Finance Committees. We are grateful that our small congregation “keeps the faith.”
 
When the cornerstone was laid in 1869, it was said, “This church will stand as a sermon in stone which will preach to those who tread these streets 500 years from now.” We are called to fulfill these words, and  we pray for God’s help and the help of the community to do so.

By the Rev. Joe Tagliaferre
April 29th of this year, I woke up early in the morning at my home in Jefferson City Missouri where I have been living for a couple years and have begun to take root. I was happily driving coach bus after having been a pastor for 40 years. Was I retired from ministry? Maybe? But God had other plans.

That morning at 7:33 CT I received the following message on Facebook messenger from Jill Fandrich at Westminster: “Hi Joe, I am reaching out to see if you are still doing any temporary/bridge/transitional pastor work in the summers when you are not driving teams around. And if so, would you be interested in talking to us about spending some time in Auburn as a temporary pastor while we continue to search for an installed pastor. I know that kind of comes out of the blue but I saw you were doing some temporary church work in previous summers in the Midwest.” 

Thanks Jill. So after I recovered this message from Jill a question came to mind. I asked, “Why me?” But not in the mindset of, “Woe is me, why me?”  Not “Why in the world would God send me to Auburn, NY?”  I actually lived in Auburn for a few years seventeen years ago.

It was more like, “God are you really going to do this good thing for me? Why me?What did I do to deserve something good?” You see, I planned on spending my summers in New York two years from now when I retire. My son and his family live in Rochester NY and I have grandchildren to spoil. And the added bonus is that I love bass fishing, and started tournament fishing when I was here seventeen years ago. So, bass fishing has been on the agenda as well. How did God know that?    

I ask that question tongue in cheek, because I believe God is all knowing. The older I get, the more I realize that I cannot predict Gods plan for my life. I try, and I whine when it does not go my way, but God’s plan always is the best plan!
For me, returning to Auburn, is like Groundhog Day! I’m reliving past experiences.  I’ve already tapped into some of my previous joys. Besides connecting with some old friends, I’ve been pleased to note that Reese’s Dairy is still open and still has my favorite cone, the Creansicle Twist.

I can still find fresh fruit at Morgan Half Acre Produce (and some really good Zucchini Bread). And I’ve also found some new things.  Heart and Hand Pie Shop and Bakery will be a new regular stop!
I have to admit returning to Auburn is like living a part of my life all over again, not unlike what happens in the movie, Groundhog Day.  The only difference is that it’s a much more pleasant experience for me! I am enjoying my return to Auburn, many things have not changed, and some have.

All in all, it’s a pleasant experience to be back and a blessing to join in the ministry of Westminster Presbyterian Church as their temporary pastor. Plus, being close to the family and good bass fishing are true bonuses! God’s plans often exceed our hopes and expectations! He knows! God is good! 

The Rev. Joe Tagliaferre is the Temporary Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church, providing pastoral leadership while the church searches for a permanent pastor. Joe has a BS from Geneva College, an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, and a M.Div from Pittsburgh Seminary. He has served 12 churches in an interim position as well as other churches in other capacities in his 40 year career as a pastor. In between churches, Joe drives coach buses for college sports teams in the midwest!