knees and in lonely pain at a 'holy place' she felt engulfed by the arms of the Christ. In that experience, which she continues to experience, she has found the strength to continue on with her life. At this Wednesday night service we observed communion in a new way—a powerful way: we came forth and took the filled individual cup and, thinking of our own personal hurts or tragedies, we poured the contents into the chalice. After all had come forward, a prayer was offered indicating the community of shared hurts. Then we came forward again to receive through intinction. Yes, it was the Cup of Sorrows and the Christian community there gathered shared in it together.
We must never forget that Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane asked “If it be possible remove this cup from me.” We must never forget that Jesus on the cross cried out “My God, my God why have you forsaken me.” Surely he then must have felt engulfed by the 'everlasting arms' of God that allowed him to say in complete trust, “Into thy hands I commend my spirit.”
May the reality of the pain expressed by Jesus both in the Garden and on the Cross, coupled with the experience “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end,” not only give you the strength to continue on life's often painful road of loss and other tragedies, but lead to the glory of Easter morning, and the experience that death is not the end … for new life can spring forth. A most Glorious Easter to you all.
Pride in the Pulpit
Pastor Tom has joined 60 of his clergy and religious leader colleagues on Long Island (with the number growing) who have signed a statement of support to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender New Yorkers. Specifically the statement: (1)“urges the New York State Legislature to protect families in New York State by extending marriage to same-sex couples”; (2)“urge state lawmakers to protect all New Yorkers from discrimination in work, housing, education, credit, and public accommodations because of their gender identity”; and (3)“urge state lawmakers to proactively protect students in public schools from a pervasive and debilitating bias-based harassment and bullying, including on the basis of real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity and expression”.
Pastor Tom will be participating in LGBT Equality and Justice Day in Albany on Tuesday, April 28, joining others on a bus leaving from Suffolk. He invites others to join him. Cost is $40. In addition, he invites others to sign a letter to be sent to State Senator Brian Foley encouraging his 'yes' vote on this legislation. Recently a group met with Sen. Foley and he expressed tentative support if his constituents voice their support. A letter to that effect will be available at coffee hours.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Steve and Karen Welgoss on the birth of Claudia Dawn on February 10. Claudia joins her sisters Erika and Rebecca. She will be baptized at Old South Haven on Sunday, March 29. What a wonderful and welcome addition to our church family!
Session
The Session at its meeting on March 16th welcomed Elder Nancy Best as its newest member, elected by the congregation to active service at the Congregational Meeting on February 8th. She replaced Elder Linda Scott who was not eligible for reelection. Linda was elected to the Board of Deacons.
The Session renewed the contract of Pastor Philipp for an additional one year term. His contract was modified slightly, reducing his part time service to nineteen hours per week (from twenty hours) without any change in his salary or benefits. This seemingly minor change eliminated the requirement for the payment of post retirement dues to the Board of Pensions, and reduced our projected budget deficit for 2009 by $3600, to about $5400.