FROM THE PASTOR SEIZE THE QUARANTINED DAY

Today Nancy shared with me a blog post entitled “You’re Not Quarantined From Life Today” (written by a pastor named John Pavlovitz). His words are a beautiful reminder. In part he says,

It’s easy in days like these, so filled with worries about what’s coming, to believe that we’re all in some holding pattern right now: a massive waiting room where we’re busying ourselves and biding our time, until this nightmare fog clears and we can resume living again. It’s tempting to imagine everything is on hold right now until someone gives us the all clear to move.

But if we do that, if we keep all our attention on when this crisis will end, we’ll miss our lives currently unfolding, we’ll miss a million infinitesimal holy moments that we will never get again; the place where we are being invited to live right now. We will sacrifice the present we have in our hands, on the altar of the future that we’re waiting on.

In these days we can dwell so much on what is taken away, that we miss what we’ve been given: We’re getting time with our children that we’d never get any other way; time to sit with them and not be hurrying from task to task. . .We’re getting time with our spouses and partners and siblings. . . a chance to have conversations that sink deeper than the surface small talk we often default to . . .  We’re getting white space we’d never otherwise get, and we can fill that time with beautiful, joyous, life-affirming acts: we can pick up the guitar again or resume writing the book we’d shelved or break out the business we dreamed of launching. We can text friends who we’ve lost touch with, check on our neighbors, and connect with people on social media to make sure everyone feels a little less alone. . . .

There will be a day when you can do all the things you normally do, and there will a trade-off: you won’t be able to do what you can do today. You’ll have that day but you won’t ever get this one again, and it would be a tragedy if you wasted it, waiting to be released by someone else.

You are inconvenienced and redirected, but you aren’t stopped... You are frustrated and tired and worried, but you are alive and that’s a pretty important detail to miss… Do what you are able to do, cultivate gratitude, be present, show compassion. This day isn’t a place to wait, it’s still a place to live.

What we do with time matters. I pray that life now has disrupted you enough so you can begin to imagine ways in which life two months ago wasn’t as meaningful as it could have been. I hope you see other possibilities for your life that never would have been unearthed except through this monumental shift in time.

As you begin to think about yourself and your priorities in new ways, please do carve out time to look at your own life from beyond this earth. In a recent “Second Thoughts” I wrote that Mondays can be Thursdays can be Sundays can be Wednesdays. When all days are similar in content—or lack of content—they blend together. The sabbath was one way that people of faith recognized the importance of avoiding that kind of monotony in life. That sort of monotony robs joy and purpose. As part of your own life and discipline, please carve out time to be with us twice a week.

Second Life A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER MAY 2020

On Sundays join us in worship at 11 a.m.. And on Wednesdays join Catherine, Bob, and me at 6:30 p.m. as we reflect on a variety of kinds of issues. In addition, please read “Second Thoughts” each week and see other ways the church might speak into your life during this time. Maybe through the study of scripture each week (as we gather through Zoom). Or maybe through discussing Faith and Film. Please join us. Please invite friends also to join us on Facebook or on our website.

At the session meeting this last week I shared an article entitled "24 Questions Your Church Should Answer Before People Return." Right now of course we don't have an idea when that would be. Whatever process we eventually follow, it will be thoughtful, measured, and not rushed.

For some reason we have been given this time. Hopefully we are awake enough to recognize that and to grow from it.

This day isn’t a place to wait, it’s still a place to live.

Stay healthy, recognize your blessings, and be a blessing to others,Pastor Craig

WWJF (WHAT WOULD JESUS FEEL?): THE ANGER AND TEARS OF JESUSA SERMON SERIES

In Max Von Sydow’s portrayal of Jesus in the movie The Greatest Story Ever Told, frequently Jesus is seen as calm and stoic, a teacher who simply keeps teaching, unaffected emotionally by whatever comes his way. That is not the Jesus we see in the gospels: there he weeps and expresses anger. How are we to understand his anger and tears, and what might they say about the ways we express our own emotions? (This series is a biblical complement to a thoughtful book by Tim Harlow: What Made Jesus Mad?)

May 3 Tears: When Approaching Lazarus (John 11:28-44)May 10 When Rules and Power Get in the Way (Mark 3:1-6; Matthew 18:1-7)May 17 When Judgment and Hypocrisy Get in the Way (John 8; Matt. 23:27)May 24 When the Good News is Stifled (Mark 11:15-18; Matt. 23:13-15)

A DIFFERENT LOOK AT FAITH AND EMOTIONS: AN R&R PANEL DISCUSSION

WEDNESDAY EVENINGS 6:30-7:10 PM

On Wednesday evenings, Craig, Catherine, and Bob reflect on faith in an informal discussion/panel format. During the month of May these panels—like the Sunday sermon series—focus on the intersection of faith and emotions.

April 29 and May 6 will involve discussions on faith’s intersection with music and art: on April 29 Bob will lead us to reflect on how we receive music and act; on May 6 he will bring us to think about how we—in different ways—create.

Subsequent weeks—May 13 and 20—will involve professional counselors, friends of the church, reflecting on faith and emotions during this very unusual pandemic.

PENTECOST: HOW TO WORSHIP EVEN WITHOUT A DIXIELAND BANDA PROJECT TO INSPIRE THE COMMUNITY AND CHURCH

May 31 Dem Bones (Gonna Rise Again) (Ezekiel 37:1-14; Acts 2:1-12)

Pentecost is the day when we remember the power of the Holy Spirit as it shaped the first disciples and their mission. Acts 2 says that a mighty wind entered the room where the disciples gathered, and “tongues of fire” came among those present. In remembering the tongues of fire, the color red is associated with this day.

During the last years we have celebrated this holy day with a Dixieland band and we look forward to having them back, but not quite yet. However, we do invite all to help inspire our church and community! On Friday, May 29 (in physically distant shifts) the church will create chalk art—imagine elements of wind, fire, doves, the color red, and inspirational scripture gracing the parking lot—which in turn can give hope to those who pass by and meaning to the mission of our body of Christ! On Saturday, May 30 we encourage the congregation to drive through the parking lot to look at the art. Those who wish to participate in drawing the art, should email Katie White (kkerr12@spcnorfolk.org) or Amanda Besso (besso.amanda@spcnorfolk.org) for instructions. The rain date for this event is Friday June 5 - Saturday, June 6.

And then on Pentecost Sunday, as you are at home, please wear red as we remember the tongues of fire burning with the good news. During worship we gather for a look at a classic text from the book of Ezekiel; a reminder that—through the Holy Spirit—life comes from even the darkest of times.

WITH DEEP THANKS FOR HELEN PRIBESH

There are so many wonderful reasons to thank Helen. She gives blood whenever there is a blood drive. She sings in the choir. She joins in Bible studies. And she ministers to so many of us in so many ways.

Scripture calls us to “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). It reminds us that “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). For the last nine years Helen also has served as Parish Cook at Second Presbyterian. It has been a vocation—a calling—for her, and we have been so grateful. And so, as she has come to recognize that it is the right time to step away from those responsibilities, we fully recognize that we will miss her. And we absolutely know how blessed we have been by her cooking ministry over the years.

What we will do in our cooking ministry as we go forward, we don’t quite yet know (and Craig and the staff are very open to ideas). Before we think about that, however, it is wonderful to pause and reflect on Helen’s having started our Iron Chef competition, and our annual chili cook-off, and our Christmas Eve meal. She has made creative soups during Wednesdays in Lent, she has made thematic meals on other Wednesdays, she has experimented with new recipes on a group of people who were very grateful to be beneficiaries of her creativity. More than all of that she has generously loved those whom she served. We are grateful beyond words.

(Considering how many Maundy Thursday services, Christmas Eve services, and R&R programs she has not been able to take part in, we are looking forward to her worshiping with us. Welcome back to worship, Helen!)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Thank you so much for your financial support to the church during this time. Some of you have mailed in support and some have dropped it by the church. Thank you very much. Those ways of supporting Second Presbyterian don’t involve service fees, so they allow us to maximize your contributions. That said, it also is possible to give quickly and easily online (through the donation button on the website). Every contribution makes a difference, as we seek to minister together.

FINDING NEW RESONANCE: THOUGHTS FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

There is something specifically and uniquely vibrant and beautiful about making music in an ensemble setting: sharing physical space, learning together, inhaling together, exhaling together, experiencing the vibration of sound and the resonance of relationship. I have been fortunate to lead choirs and instrumental ensembles for more than 30 years, and never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined a scenario in which the act of ensemble music making could threaten health and safety of its members. That a life-giving, life-affirming, living art could take away life is an irony that breaks my heart.

I am grateful during these days of distance that I had a few weeks with our staff and musicians to get acquainted and begin to get my feet wet as a part of the ministry team here at SPC. I am thankful for the dedication and openness of our choir members and instrumentalists to go along with “the new guy” in our first rehearsals, when all of us started to discover and embrace the path forward in music ministry that would (will!) belong uniquely to us together. As weeks of separation have accumulated, it is not lost on me that we had only begun that process.

Even as we are torn from the specific ministry of ensemble music for a time, the purpose and possibility of music ministry goes on. As our staff works each week to learn new lessons about online worship, we find ourselves thinking a bit differently about music’s role. Our calling in this moment is to invention, creativity, and sensitivity to the experience we all share. We will continue to consider how to facilitate participation without threatening health or safe practices, and it has been inspiring to witness contributions of the past few weeks: singers, readers and speakers on Sunday and on Good Friday, participants in Wednesday evening discussions, and the extraordinary response of the congregation to recorded readings for the Easter postlude video (over 60 submissions!). I am grateful this congregation has such intentional care to be family to one another, and to journey in faith together.

I look forward to the day when we can gather without fear or caution; when a hug or handshake or fist bump are not a source of anxiety; when our choir can gather to inhale and exhale together in confidence and joy. Until that day, let us continue to worship, to serve, and grow, and to journey in whatever ways we discover—as the family of Christ.

In His Love, Bob

FAITH AND FILM DISCUSSION: THURSDAY, APRIL 30, MAKTUB

The Faith and Film discussion group will be discussing the Israeli movie Maktub, 6:30-7:10 p.m., on Thursday, April 30. It is a light drama/comedy that takes place in Jerusalem, and it has great reviews. We hope that you will join us for a fun and meaningful conversation.

If that works for you, please watch the movie ahead of time (available on Netflix), and just let Craig know (at either 412-7467 or cwansink@vwu.edu).

SPC VOLUNTEERS HELP WITH FOOD DISTRIBUTION IN PARK PLACE

Second Presbyterian Church has been supporting LAUNCH Community Services by helping distribute food and meals to Park Place residents during the coronavirus outbreak. SPC volunteers have been serving food on Thursday afternoons during this past month outside Park Place Methodist Church. Volunteers have distributed

soup, hot dogs, sandwiches and water. Special thanks to Joe Morgan for helping organize our participation in this outreach.

During this time, if you have snack bars or water or anything else that you would like us to share with St. Columba or other ministries of our church, feel free to drop them by the church office (the best times are Wednesdays, 5:30-6:15 p.m., or Sundays, 9-10:45 a.m.). If you are interested in helping or would like more information, please contact Joe or any of the Session Mission Committee members.

A NEW BIBLE STUDY: PLEASE JOIN THE BEMA DISCIPLESHIP GROUP ON MAY 7th

While the Governor will be opening up some nonessential businesses on May 8th, Second Presbyterian Church will be launching a podcast driven, deeply insightful, Biblical learning opportunity on Thursday, May 7th. The platform will be Zoom, the time frame will be weekly, (Thursday evenings 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.), the content will be “the text,” and the purpose will be to offer a systematic Biblical learning experience. I have been listening to this podcast for the past year. I listen as I drive to and from work, work out, walk, or travel to see family. This tool has opened my eyes to understanding the Word/my faith in ways I would have never thought possible. The perspective is Eastern, the content is research driven, and the teaching is clearly and masterfully presented. The idea is to listen to the pre-recorded weekly podcast, attend to the on-line programming when available—some of the episodes have an on-line presentation to “watch” as you listen to the content (maps, schematics, historical material), and then gather to discuss the content. Please join me in an amazing journey of discovery. Go to https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/ for more information.

If you are interested in joining this study, please contact Claire Ficker at 757-777-8648.

COVID 19 BUILDING PROJECTS

We’re finding new ways to stay involved at 2nd while practicing physical distancing in the era of covid-19. Families and small groups, practicing safe physical distancing, are working to clean up church areas on different days.

In April:The Stampfli family shoveled encroaching earth from the parking lot to expose the asphalt.

Jeff and Kathy Stark cleaned and reorganized the downstairs supply closet and identified items for removal in the utility closet.

Jeff Stark, Roger Phelps, Lynn Franklin, Tom Libbey, and Dave Horner removed and bagged years of built up leaves from the church’s flat roof.

Nell Armstrong and her sister, Mary Buckelew, continue to spruce up the flower beds.

Check out the new steel playground fence. Thanks, Tom Cherry, for overseeing this project.

Tom Libbey sanded and painted the handrails leading to the kitchen backdoor.

Update on playground equipment requiring replacement: the manufacturer has stopped production for now. Rob Courtois is following up on this.

Thank you to the Administrative Committee members and partners for completing these projects. We have lots more around the church that need to be done. If you’d like to help, please get in touch with Kathy Stark at 757 774-1897 or jstark25@cox.net. Administrative Committee members: Tom Cherry, Rob Courtois, Tom Libbey and Nick Stampfli.

Roger Phelps blowing leaves off the roof

Lynn Franklin, Tom Libbey, and Dave Horner ready to remove leaves from the church roof. Jeff Stark is the photographer. Go team, go!

The new playground fence

Beautiful landscaping at Second

There is definitely a place for YOU at Second Presbyterian!

CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRY

May 9th: Mother’s Day Flower Pens:Mother’s day is this month! Michelle and Amanda are planning an activity where the children can make flower pens they can give to their mom or to an important woman in their life. An email will be sent prior with instructions, but the supplies needed are pens, florist tape, and flowers. Also, these supplies can be delivered so please just ask Amanda if you need them! The group will meet via Zoom on Saturday, May 9th to make them together; and then on May 10th the children can gift them.

May 20: Social Distancing Thank You Signs:Social distancing is challenging. People are now ordering more things online, which means that delivery drivers and postal workers are working harder. Let’s take the time to thank them by creating a window thank you sign. We can lift their spirits during this time. On Wednesday, May 20th let’s share our signs with each other during a Zoom meeting!

Nursery & Children’s Sunday School:All nursery and elementary-aged children are welcome to join Amanda and Michelle via a closed Zoom meeting on Sundays at 12 p.m. for Sunday school! We will gather each week and learn different Bible lessons. Please contact Amanda for more information by email besso.amanda@spcnorfolk.org or by phone (757) 701-4668.

Youth Ministry Update:The youth group is continuing to communicate with each other several times a week in a cell phone texting group. On Mondays there is fellowship where a virtual game is played; on Wednesdays a devotional, prayer, and faith activity; and on Fridays the group tries to think of ways to reach out to others! This group has been fun and such a blessing, and it will continue during the month of May. If anyone has any questions about the group, please contact youth leader Katie White (kkerr12@spcnorfolk.org).

JOIN THE ESSENTRICS CLASS – BY ZOOM

All are invited to check out the Essentrics exercise class Tuesday and Thursday at 1:00 p.m. in the comfort and privacy of your own home! Zoom is free, so there is no cost to you!

On Zoom, you will see and hear Peggy going through the exercises. Most days you need a mat or towel, to keep carpet hairs from getting up your nose; some days the group will use a straight-back chair without arms. You’ll have time to go get one mid class. Some days we use a strap—it can be the strap that holds your yoga mat, a hand towel, a scarf, or a stretchy exercise band. Any will do, and if you don’t have one then the exercise can be done without it, so no worries.

Classes last about an hour with everyone’s favorite, neck relaxation, at the end. The stretches get rid of a lot of little aches, and are a great stress reliever. Please email Peggy Troyer (alkatoma@netzero.net) if you are interested in joining the class, and she can give you instructions on how to join Zoom. So give Essentrics a try!

SPC MAY CALENDAR

SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

7305 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23505

(757) 423-2822

www.spcnorfolk.org

Thursday, April 30 Essentric’s Exercise Class - 1:00PM [Zoom] Park Place Food Distribution - 5:00PM {Park Place] Faith and Film Group - 6:30PM [Zoom]

Friday, May 1 Everyn Morrisette’s Birthday

Saturday, May 2

Sunday, May 3 Online Worship - 11:00AM [Livestream] Nursery & Children’s Sunday school - 12:00PM [Zoom] Prayer Group - 12:00PM [Zoom] SAA - 7:00PM [Fellowship Hall]

Monday, May 4 Second Thoughts Email

Tuesday, May 5 SAA - 12:00PM [Fellowship Hall] Essentric’s Exercise Class - 1:00PM [Zoom]

Wednesday, May 6 Men’s Bible Study - 6:30AM [Fellowship Hall] Wednesday Evening Discussion - 6:30PM [Livestream/Facebook] SAA- 7:30PM [Library]

Thursday, May 7 Essentric’s Exercise Class - 1:00PM [Zoom] Park Place Food Distribution - 5:00PM [Park Place] BEMA Bible Study - 7:30PM [Zoom]

Friday, May 8 Elijah Wikoff & Joe Libbey’s Birthday Sandwich Making - 12:00PM [Fellowship Hall]

Saturday, May 9 Hassan Ndahi’s Birthday

Sunday, May 10 Worship - 11:00AM [Livestream] Online Nursery & Children’s Sunday school - 12:00PM [Zoom] Prayer Group - 12:00PM [Zoom}

Monday, May 11 Second Thoughts Email

Tuesday, May 12 SAA - 12:00PM [Fellowship Hall] Essentric’s Exercise Class - 1:00PM [Zoom]

Wednesday, May 13 Wednesday Evening Discussion - 6:30PM [Livestream/Facebook] SAA- 7:30PM [Library]

Thursday, May 14 Essentric’s Exercise Class - 1:00PM [Fellowship Hall] Park Place Food Distribution - 5:00PM [Park Place] BEMA Bible Study - 7:30PM [Zoom]

Friday, May 15

Saturday, May 16

Sunday, May 17 Clay Tinkham’s Birthday Online Worship - 11:00AM [Livestream] Nursery & Children’s Sunday school - 12:00PM [Zoom] Prayer Group - 12:00PM [Zoom}

Monday, May 18 Second Thoughts Email

Tuesday, May 19 SAA - 12:00PM [Fellowship Hall] Essentric’s Exercise Class - 1:00PM [Zoom] Session Meeting - 6:00PM [Zoom]

Wednesday, May 20 Will Grimes’ Birthday Men’s Bible Study - 6:30AM [Fellowship Hall] Wednesday Evening Discussion - 6:30PM [Livestream/Facebook] SAA- 7:30PM [Library]

Thursday, May 21 Essentric’s Exercise Class - 1:00PM [Zoom] Park Place Food Distribution - 5:00PM [Park Place] BEMA Bible Study - 7:30PM [Zoom]

Friday, May 22 Stephanie Sugioka’s Birthday

Saturday, May 23 John Klein’s Birthday

Sunday, May 24 Nancy Chapman & Elizabeth Stack’s Birthday Online Worship - 11:00AM [Livestream] Nursery & Children’s Sunday school - 12:00PM [Zoom] Prayer Group - 12:00PM [Zoom} SAA - 7:00PM [Fellowship Hall]

Monday, May 25 Second Thoughts Email

Tuesday, May 26 Jonathan Todd’s Birthday SAA - 12:00PM [Fellowship Hall] Essentric’s Exercise Class - 1:00PM [Zoom]

Wednesday, May 27 Men’s Bible Study - 6:30AM [Fellowship Hall] Wednesday Evening Discussion - 6:30PM [Livestream/Facebook] SAA- 7:30PM [Library]

Thursday, May 28 Essentric’s Exercise Class - 1:00PM [Zoom] Park Place Food Distribution - 5:00PM [Park Place] BEMA Bible Study - 7:30PM [Zoom]

Friday, May 29 Suzanne Heide & Margaret Siemer’s Birthday Pentecost Chalk Art Project - All Day in Shifts [SPC Parking Lot]

Saturday, May 30 Donna Millis & Dillon Courtois’ Birthday Chalk Art Drive-Thru - All Day [SPC Parking Lot]

Sunday, May 31 PENTECOST SUNDAY Online Pentecost Worship - 11:00AM [Livestream] Nursery & Children’s Sunday school - 12:00PM [Zoom] Prayer Group - 12:00PM [Zoom} SAA - 7:00PM [Fellowship Hall]

Rev. Catherine Hart Monroe

(757) 287-9897 [cell]

revcat@spcnorfolk.org

Dr. Craig Wansink

(757) 412-7467 [cell]

cwansink@vwu.edu