So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul— then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.
-Deuteronomy 11:13-15
There is no doubt that the land described in Deuteronomy occupies a very different climate than the one in which we reside. Up here in hardiness zone 5, flourishing olive trees in nature would be cause for alarm, rather than a sign of God's favor. Still, we know a thing or two about the autumn and spring rains.
One of the things that's always intrigued me is how, despite their objective similarities in temperature, volume, and all those other weather indicators, spring and autumn rains feel different.
In the fall, the steady presence of rainy, 40° days is an indication that it's time to get our jackets and boots out of storage. In the spring, they're an excuse to brave t-shirts and sandals.
Autumn rains carry the promise that they'll eventually turn to snow and ice. Spring rains are nature's way of washing the ice and snow away (and then letting it come back a few times as a way to prank us).
Autumn rains say it's time to bring the livestock in so they don't ruin the fields. Spring rains announce we'll be grazing soon.
In the moment, they might be the same thing, but we experience them differently because of what they tell us is coming next, with many of us having a preference for the promise of one or the other. And with that, I think they offer us the gentle reminder that even when we go through shared experiences, our own outlooks on life cause us each to respond to them differently.
As we live through this spring's rains, and some of us delight in flowers while others look mournfully at their parked snowmobiles, let us be reminded to show one another grace on life's journey. For even when we walk the same path, we do not always see it through the same eyes.
Spring Blessings,
Pastor Shea
"So the disciples, each in accordance with his financial ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea."
-Acts 11:29
On two walls in the social hall, there are a total of 200 envelopes. Well, as of right now there are 195, but we started with 200.
These envelopes are a new effort we are engaging in for the next few months to demonstrate how much we can accomplish simply by each person contributing what they are able. The person who has already taken envelope number 1 will be returning it with one dollar inside. The person who has already taken envelope number 200 will return it with two hundred dollars inside. And the same goes for the remaining envelopes from 3-199 (with some exceptions) that are still available. If all 200 envelopes are filled and returned, we will have raised $20,100 in support of the work we as a church do.
This is an idea that's already manifested in many ways in our church. Many of you heard last month that our youth group have decided to contribute $50 each month from funds they've raised to that month's mission focus. Many of you are aware of the amazing generosity from givers large and small that enabled us to overhaul our heating system this winter. And now we have this new goal before us, and I believe we are equal to the task.
One person may look at the wall, see envelope #3 hanging there, realize they have three singles in their wallet, and fill it. Another may decide to take an entire column in the high 100s and fill them all. Yet another may have no funds to contribute but grab an envelope (or several envelopes) and convince others to help them fill to hit the goal. If each of us, according to our ability, decides to contribute to this effort, the outcome may very well be another year of financial security for our church, and the ability to expand the reach of our mission work even further.
Let's take on this challenge together, and let's see its impact spread.
Thank you to all who donated to the Easter Memorial. The following is a list of the memorial names:
In memory of Gary and Marilyn Hunters Parents, Maurice Malory and Paul Young given by Marilyn Hunter.
In loving Memory of Linda Gardner, Ed and Joan Hadlock given by the Gardner Family.
In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Decker, their son James P Decker and his son James P. Decker Jr.
In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Delosh and their daughter Linda (Kramer) Delosh given by Joan Delosh.
In memory of Victor and Ruth Regan, Victor M. Regan, John Regan and Mary Regan.
In memory of Jack and Gwen Scarlett, Christopher Scarlett, John Scarlett, and Rob Scarlett given by Elizabeth Scarlett
In memory of Alice and Joseph Kaselow, Lilian, Fred and Paul Saphier given by Evelyn Saphier
I think I had the flu last week. I started off the day with a bit of a sore throat, which isn’t a difficult thing for me to work through. I went to work, came home for lunch and felt my nose start to get stuffy. I had explained to my husband that, “I think I’m getting sick.” Which is always very annoying to me. I went back to work after lunch just to finish the project I was doing and then I could feel my body start to weaken. I knew I was getting sick, and I knew it was coming on fast. I quickly ran to the store, grabbed one of each medicines I could find with my symptoms on the packaging, and went home. When I got home, I asked my husband why everything was so cold and I went to bed early, in my thick fleece pajamas, a sweatshirt on, and all the blankets I could find in the house on top of me and I was still cold. I never checked my temperature, but I’m guessing I had a nice fever going on. I stayed in bed for 3 and a half days. Thankfully, my husband was home to care for me and the kids, since the kids were on spring break. He figured that a sick mom caring for healthy kids means disaster for the kids.
There are times when you can feel something happening. Whether it be a cold, a bad feeling, or even the holy spirit that moves inside you. Unlike a cold, can you feel when the holy spirit is working in you? It’s that feeling of doing something right or helpful for people who need it. It’s that feeling of stepping out of your comfort zone and supporting someone you didn’t think you could support. And when the day is over, you look back at it and think proudly, I can’t believe I did that. That’s the holy spirit moving you in the right direction.Find out how you can get involved in our church community, from volunteering to joining a small group. We welcome everyone to come as they are and get connected.
Hammond Food Pantry
Jen Gardner, Director 315 324 5940
Diane Ayotte, Emergency Food and Treasurer 315 775 3557
Judy Hays, Food Sense 315 528 9067
Donations can be made to:
Hammond Food Pantry
215 St. Lawrence Ave
PO Box 193
Hammond, New York 13646
OR
Hammondpresbyterian.org
Click on “Give Now”
Option to designate gift for the Hammond Food PantryHave a question or want to learn more about Hammond Presbyterian Church Church? Contact us today and we'll be happy to help you.
"The story you are about to see has been told before. A lot. And now we are going to tell it again. But different."
-Gnomeo and Juliet
The audio of the above quote has recently become a popular sound on social media apps, accompanied by captions like "me when my community theatre has the same four shows this season as everyone else in the region" and "my son when I ask him why his room isn't clean." The versatility of the sound and the number of situations to which people believe it applies speaks to a reality of the human condition: Many of our future experiences will be remarkably similar to many of our past experiences. And what will make those future experiences noteworthy is found both in the parts that are familiar and well-worn, and in the minute nuances that set them apart.
This month, we celebrate Resurrection Sunday. It will be my 37th Easter, and some reading this article have lived through more than twice that number. The story doesn't change much from year to year. Sure, we have four versions of it, but that just means I've probably heard each version nine times by now. I have a pretty good idea of how the story ends, and I suspect you do, too. The story we are about to tell has been told before. A lot. And there is comfort to be had in the familiarity of its repeating.
At the same time, the context in which we hear the story is never quite identical. The realities of my life are different than they were a year ago, and the same is true for you. We have gained another year of experiences we did not previously had. Our circumstances have changed - some have changed drastically, some have changed subtly, but all have changed somehow. Which means we will each be hearing this story from a different perspective than we ever have before, and it has the potential to speak to us this year in a new way, if we will open ourselves to seeing those subtle differences amid the familiar notes. We are going to tell it again. But different.
Easter Blessings,
Pastor Shea
Last month we had a week of beautifully warm weather. I always get super excited that this is the beginning of the warm weather and that it will stay around. I don’t know why I always do this to myself. I know that we are not out of the cold weather yet, but I get so excited thinking that this is it. So, my son and I started walking after supper every night. Now, as most of you know, my son is diagnosed with Severe Autism, so we don’t make many changes in our house, but when we change up a routine that my son really likes, such as walking after supper, we will be walking in the cold weather. The other day, I watched it snow for about a half hour. The grass was completely covered in snow. My son said to me, “After I’m done eating, can we walk?” It had just stopped snowing, so I said sure. We get bundled up and start walking, it starts snowing, the wind picks up, and I’m again annoyed at how excited I got the other week with the warm weather.
My son is the reason for the relationship that I have with God. When he was a little boy and we weren’t sure what was going on with him developmentally, I found that I was attacking myself and wondering if I would ever find answers. I had started talking to my husband about going back to church, about finding peace with God and trying to find answers, not realizing that I didn’t need answers, I needed help and healing. God gave me my son to help me grow as a person. And as I continue to grow spiritually, with God’s guidance, I look at my son with continued love that I am on the right path with his help, even if that path is walking when it’s still snowing outside.
For Easter anyone wishing to remember, and honor departed loved ones, please submit their names by April 14 to Tara or Liz Scarlett. Anyone wishing to donate money toward the purchase of Easter flowers to decorate the church sanctuary, please submit money or checks made out to Hammond Presbyterian church with “Easter flowers” in the memo to Marilyn.
The Hammond Food Pantry is looking for a new Director or Co-Directors. This fulfilling volunteer position involves 10-15 hours per month, with about 1/2 of those hours being on-site delivery, set-up, and food distribution. Director(s) of the Food Pantry will be responsible for ordering food, organizing monthly food distributions, managing volunteers, and working with volunteers to ensure smooth operations and financial sustainability. A background check will be completed through our parent organization, the Hammond Presbyterian Church. Candidates from our service area preferred (Hammond, Rossie, Brier Hill, Morristown, and Macomb). If interested or if you have questions, please contact Jen Gardner at 315-528-7303 or JenGardner1@gmail.com.
The March date for food distribution is Thursday April 17 from 9 to 11. This is a continuous thank you to the generous people who continue to support our food pantry. If you wish to donate, mail donations to
Hammond Food Pantry
P.O. Box 193
Hammond, NY 13646
or online Hammondpresbyterian.org
Click on Give Now
Option to designate gift for the Hammond Food Pantry
All are invited to Thursday morning Lenten meditations in the chapel beginning on March 6 at 11:00 am and continuing on Thursday mornings until Easter. This is a beautiful opportunity to contemplate in our hearts and deepen our understanding of the events leading up to Easter and the miracle of the Resurrection.
Thursday morning Lenten meditations will include:
Our Lenten meditations will last approximately 30 minutes. If you have any questions, please see Joanie or Evie.
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always with joy in every prayer for you, because of your fellowship in the gospel from the very first day until now, and I am confident that the one who began a good work in you will carry it through to completion at the day of Christ.
Philippians 1:3-6
As any maple producer will be happy to tell you later on this month, trees have a lot of water running through them. And when trees are cut down and turned into lumber, they continue to have a lot of water within them. So much water that the general rule of thumb is that a board needs to dry an average of 12 months per inch of thickness before it stops shrinking and moving, which can add up very quickly and leave some pieces having to dry for the better part of a decade.
There’s a process in woodturning, used mostly for large pieces like bowls and vases, called “twice turning,” which is a remedy for these long waiting times. In essence, you put a piece of wood on the lathe, and carve your piece to the point of being about 90% done. this is the first turn, and it leaves you with a bowl whose walls are at most an inch thick. Then you put that 90% complete piece on a shelf and let it dry (and shrink and warp) for just a few months before putting it back on the lathe and finishing the project with the second turn.
If you decide to just do the whole thing in one go before drying, that final bowl will warp and become lumpy and football shaped or worse, break apart while drying. If you leave the wood untouched and wait for it to dry naturally, you’ll be waiting a very long time and risk losing the whole thing to rot. By twice turning, you address both these problems and, in a fairly short time, find yourself with a finished, stable, functional bowl.
I think the work to which God has called the church requires the same kind of active patience as twice turning. When Christians seek to refashion the world according to God’s will all at once, history tells us the resulting image of the Divine Kingdom is ugly, warped, and broken. On the other hand, when we withdraw entirely from the world around us waiting for the perfect conditions to manifest on their own, we find ourselves waiting indefinitely.
When we follow the example of Christ, though, we find that we must first work to create the conditions in which it is possible for that kingdom to be built, and only then can we give ourselves to its building, just as is being done in each of us. Jesus “began a good work in you,” and is now waiting to “bring it to completion at the day of Christ.” This season, let us begin new good works, that they too might one day be brought to completion at their proper time.
Blessings,
Pastor Shea
Every morning, I have the same routine. Wake up and start breakfast for the kids, get their lunch packed up, and make sure that they haven’t forgotten anything before they head off to school. During the winter months, I am constantly keeping track of the weather. If I know there is going to be a storm, I tell the kids the night before to turn off their alarm clocks just in case there is a delay. If there isn’t a delay, then I will wake them up, but if there is a delay, I can easily fall back to sleep, and the house will stay quiet. This morning, just like any other morning, I get up and start getting breakfast done. I have everything ready; my son is eating his breakfast when I hear it. The plow is going by my house. My heart sinks. OH NO, I forgot to check the weather and if we have a delay, I’m going to scream into a pillow at myself for not checking my phone. My little fingers couldn’t type fast enough, the sweat was pouring from my forehead, and I was so annoyed with myself. Thankfully, there were no delays this morning and I was able to continue my day. Have I learned my lesson? Probably not, but I was definitely reminded that even though we have had some snow melting days, that winter is not over.
Today was one of those days where I feel like, God is a big jokester. Almost like He had a “gotcha” moment on me. No harm at all in the joke, but it does make me stop and realize, I’m not always in control of my day. And its those little things that happen in a day where you might stop and go, “well that’s not what I was expecting to have happen...” that I realize, God is behind what is going on every day. Even on quiet days, when nothing is out of the ordinary, its those quiet days where God is letting you rest. And on those crazy days, when God is joking around by sending the snowplow by the house and not knowing if there is school, God is always there, for a giggle, for support, for love and understanding.
The Hammond Food Pantry is looking for a new Director or Co-Directors. This fulfilling volunteer position involves 10-15 hours per month, with about 1/2 of those hours being on-site delivery, set-up, and food distribution. Director(s) of the Food Pantry will be responsible for ordering food, organizing monthly food distributions, managing volunteers, and working with volunteers to ensure smooth operations and financial sustainability. A background check will be completed through our parent organization, the Hammond Presbyterian Church. Candidates from our service area preferred (Hammond, Rossie, Brier Hill, Morristown, and Macomb). If interested or if you have questions, please contact Jen Gardner at 315-528-7303 or JenGardner1@gmail.com.
The March date for food distribution is Thursday March 27 from 9 to 11. This is a continuous thank you to the generous people who continue to support our food pantry. If you wish to donate, mail donations to
Hammond Food Pantry
P.O. Box 193
Hammond, NY 13646
or online Hammondpresbyterian.org
Click on Give Now
Option to designate gift for the Hammond Food Pantry
All are invited to Thursday morning Lenten meditations in the chapel beginning on March 6 at 11:00 am and continuing on Thursday mornings until Easter. This is a beautiful opportunity to contemplate in our hearts and deepen our understanding of the events leading up to Easter and the miracle of the Resurrection.
Thursday morning Lenten meditations will include:
Our Lenten meditations will last approximately 30 minutes. If you have any questions, please see Joanie or Evie.
So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.
-Galatians 6:9-10
Every year when I sit down to write this report, I take the opportunity to reflect on what's taken place since the last one. It's easy to lose track of progress when you're in the middle of it, but taking a bird's eye view of a longer period of time helps to demonstrate just how far along things have - or haven't - come. And my goodness, what a year this has been!
Coming in to 2024, I invited us all to consider the legacy this church currently has, and how we might add to it in the years to come. And add to it you did, one season after another.
In the spring, a generous donation made it possible to make significant steps forward in the quality and consistency of our live streaming, putting us at the forefront of mainline churches in our region in terms of digital ministry capability. These same improvements made possible an experimental Christmas pageant which excited our youth group and even got some of their parents interested in becoming more involved at church.
In the summer, the Session paid serious attention to our aging and inefficient heating system, and agreed to a significant overhaul if funds could be raised to pay for it. Within five weeks of that decision, enough people stepped up to pledge funds to cover the quoted cost of a brand new, more efficient, lower emission propane system which is due to be installed in the coming months. About 80% of funds pledged have already been received and I am confident the remaining 20% will come through with their commitments.
In the fall, we expected two new students to join our ecumenical youth group and wound up with six, as our youth invited their friends to come and participate. I've already heard this year's crop of fifth graders discussing who they're going to rope in when it's their turn to join next year.
In the winter, this congregation rose to the challenge of providing Christmas gift cards for every family that uses the food pantry. Then you rose to the challenge again when we were asked to provide disaster relief to North Carolina. In the middle of the holiday season, when money is shortest and the list of those asking for it is longest, this church spearheaded an effort that saw our little town send over $10,000 worth of money and in-kind donations to people in need.
Not even counting the North Carolina donations, which were substantial, mission giving appears to have gone up in 2024, with you all faithfully supporting the causes we have chosen to champion.
You might think all these extra expenditures caused problems elsewhere, but the opposite has proven to be true. Even with a technological overhaul, an impromptu capital campaign, and a surprise last minute mission drawing significantly on our resources, 2024 is the first non-Covid year in over a decade when the year-end books finished in the black. We did not draw on our endowments once all year. We received a sizable one-time bequest in memory of a departed member and haven't had to touch a penny of it. In the midst of more mission activity than ever, we are quite possibly in the best financial position we've ever seen.
There is, and always will be, more work to be done. One good year does not give us license to simply rest on our laurels and trust that all years to follow will be the same. We must continue to work together to reach new heights of mission.
Still, even as we acknowledge what has yet to be done, I believe we deserve to celebrate what we have achieved in so short a time. Let us begin this year with gratitude for what we have accomplished together, and may it inspire us to remain steadfast in our commitment to the mission to which we have been called.
Respectfully Submitted,
Rev. Dr. Shea Zellweger
Every year, my daughter and I get super excited to watch the cute furry groundhog come out of his stump and tell us if we are going to have a longer winter or early spring. Every year, my daughter and I take guesses on what we would like. Usually, we both look forward to a longer winter, but last year my daughter wanted an early spring. I asked her why she changed her mind, and she told me that she was looking forward to all of the fun summer activities that we would be doing and that she was ready for the snow to go away. Last year Phil (groundhog) informed us that we would be having a longer winter, which broke my daughter’s heart. She stopped thinking he was very cute when he didn’t give her the forecast she wanted. I told her that spring and summer would be coming, and that we just have to wait a bit for it, but in her mind, winter was here to stay for the rest of the year. My husband is a fan of finding other animals that can “predict” our future weather. His favorite is Lucy the Lobster from Nova Scotia. Unfortunately, Lucy also agreed with our cute furry groundhog that we would be having a longer winter. This did not help with my very annoyed child wanting an early spring.
I giggle thinking of my daughter thinking I’m lying to her when I say, “No matter what the ground hog says, spring will still come.” How often, as adults, do we feel this way with certain stresses in our life. “Give it up to God and He will sort it out.” was something I used to roll my eyes at. No one could help me with my problems, no one will understand what I’m going through, how can God help me with these issues? When finally, I stepped back from my struggles and looked at the people around me trying to help. God wouldn’t allow me to be alone, when I felt alone. He wouldn’t let me bottle up my problems as I would vent my issues to family and friends who were concerned about my mental health. I had to take a step back, look at the bigger picture and realize, God will make sure spring will come again in my life and that winter will not last forever.
All are invited to Thursday morning Lenten meditations in the chapel beginning on March 6 at 11:00 am and continuing on Thursday mornings until Easter. This is a beautiful opportunity to contemplate in our hearts and deepen our understanding of the events leading up to Easter and the miracle of the Resurrection.
Thursday morning Lenten meditations will include:
Our Lenten meditations will last approximately 30 minutes. If you have any questions, please see Joanie or Evie.
“All of us at some time or other, need help, each of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That’s one of the things that connects us as neighbors-in our own way each of us is a giver and a receiver.” Fred Rogers
This quote by Mr Rogers, an ordained Presbyterian minister who created and performed in the TV show “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”, got me thinking about our community and the ways we neighbors are giving and receiving.
A few examples are:
The Hammond school students donating money to our Food Pantry.
2 grants being written by Food Pantry staff-one for a new freezer and one for food to stock the shelves.
Neighbors donating enough money to purchase 55 $25 gift certificates for Christmas.
Stewart’s donating redeemable coupons for 1 gallon of milk.
Pepsi supplying juice and soda.
Neighbors joining together to be present after a friend’s last radiation treatment and being a part of the ringing of the bell ceremony.
Neighbors contributing items and money to go to Asheville, NC to help with hurricane recovery.
There are many other examples of neighbors giving and receiving. Can you bring to mind something you know has been given or received?
THANK YOU neighbor!
Our Hammond Hometown Heroes campaign is officially underway! The Hammond Historical Museum Banner Committee has set a goal to install the first group of honor banners by Memorial Day, 2025.
If you have a deceased family veteran or know a veteran who fits the project guidelines below, we need you! Grab an application by either copying from one of the online sites or a paper copy and gather the information needed so that we can hang a banner to honor our hometown heroes!
Paper applications will be available at the Hammond Historical Museum, the Town of
Hammond offices, and Hammond Central School. Online applications will be available on the following online locations: Town of Hammond website, Hammond Historical Museum website, Facebook pages for the town, the museum, Hammond Memories, and Citizen’s cable page, or you can request an application by mail at the address below.
Project Guidelines
* Any deceased honorably discharged veteran who has long term ties to the Hammond communities.
* Any deceased honorably discharged veteran who was born and raised in Hammond.
* Any deceased honorably discharged veteran who has been in the Hammond area as a seasonal resident for 30+ years
* Any deceased honorably discharged veteran who has long term connections (family) to the Hammond community
* Veteran banners will be displayed on designated NG poles in the village of Hammond, Chippewa Bay, Blind Bay, and Oak Point.
* Families who have multiple veteran members may have the option of placing two pictures per banner.
* Banners will be 24X48 inches in size at a cost of $225 which includes the banner, brackets, shipping, and installation.
* Banners are guaranteed for 3 years and after that time are returned to the family.
Applications will be open and available after January 1, 2025; banner orders deadline, including photos, and payment, will be March 1 st , 2025. The production process will take approximately one month.
Please contact us by email, hammondhometownheroes@gmail.com; or by mail at:
Veteran Banner Committee
c/o Hammond Historical Museum
P O Box 107
1A North Main Street
Hammond, NY 13646
Hammond hometown heroes
Banner project application Form
*Please complete and return to the Veteran Banner Committee, c/o Hammond Historical Museum. Sponsors/Families will be responsible for all information including accurate dates and correct spelling.
Rank:
First Name:
Last Name:
Branch of Service:
*Discharge papers, to include a DD214 or other separation papers. These papers may be obtained at archives.gov if unavailable
Era:
Eras include:
Sponsor/Family:
Photos: 150 dpi quality
Status (KIA/ POW/ MIA)
*Medals (Purple heart/ Silver Star/ Bronze Star/ Gold Star)
*We will need proof of those medals. If you require a different medal you will need to supply proof.
Other information:
Name and contact information (for any questions):
Banner price: $225 Paid: Check (payable to Hammond Hometown Heroes): Cash:
Please submit to: Veteran Banner Committee, C/o Hammond Historical Museum
P O Box 107,
1 A North Main Street
Hammond , NY 13646
Ted has arrived in North Carolina and delivered everything our community gathered to help provide relief to hurricane victims. Please watch the videos below to see the positive impact these gifts are already having on hurting communities. Thank you so much to everyone who made contributions toward this important relief effort - our town can accomplish great things when we work together toward a common cause!
For we are God's creative work, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we can do them.
-Ephesians 2:10
It's that time of year again: Guilt Season.
The process starts with resolutions; those commitments we make to be a better version of ourselves in the year to come. For the past two months the cultural message has been buy all the presents even if you need to borrow, eat all the food, go to all the parties, and bake all the holiday cookies. But now the calendar has flipped, and the message has too. Now we need to eat better, lose weight, stop smoking and drinking, get a better job, get organized, get smart with money, floss, and learn another language.
Studies show that most of these resolutions will be "broken" within 45 days of the New Year. I imagine that has something to do with the fact that many people resolve to give up chocolate, alcohol, eating out, and overspending, and the 45th day of the year is Valentine's Day. But whatever the reason, over the next month and a half many people will make resolutions, not follow through on them, then feel the guilt of having "failed."
There's nothing wrong with resolutions. Setting intentions for self care and self improvement is a positive thing, and sometimes our efforts bear fruit. The problem comes when we place negative moral value on the attempts which come up short, and the guilt which accompanies our perceived failures.
If you've fallen into the cycle of resolution, guilt, and feelings of failure, let me just offer this: Attempts at self-improvement may not always be successful, but they can never truly be called failures. You made an effort. Maybe it didn't get the results you wanted. Maybe you didn't follow through with the level of commitment and discipline you'd intended. But you gave it a try, and that should be a cause for celebration, not guilt.
So go for it. Make resolutions. Make them big and bold and borderline impossible if that's what motivates you. Or make them simple and achievable if that's what works. If you accomplish your goal, celebrate the achievement. If you come up short, celebrate the experience. If you decide it's not for you, give it up and celebrate the self-discovery. Don't let the season of guilt get in the way of your own journey of self care and personal growth.
Blessings,
Pastor Shea
It’s been a few years since I’ve had my hair cut. My hair is getting to the length that makes me frustrated. It’s too long for me to have cute up-dos, but not long enough for me to do anything creative with my hair. Not that I have the patience to do anything creative to my hair, but it’s always a nice thought in the back of my mind that maybe I’ll do something snazzy and surprise my husband, which he might not even notice anyways. So, in my eyes, I am extremely overdue for a haircut. My daughter has never gotten her haircut before, and surprisingly she has asked if we can cut her hair as well. She’s 9 years old and has never had her hair cut, so this is a big step for her. She has talked about donating her hair once it is cut, and I support her in this idea. When did my little girl start having such big people ideas? I am very proud of her decision.
As a parent, there have been certain situations that my kids have been put into, where I have to sit on the sidelines and watch which path they are going to take. If it’s a wrong path, of course I am there to correct it, but mostly, I’m hoping that they continue to be good people in this world. I know God has watched over me with certain situations I’ve been put into, and when I’ve taken the wrong path, He's always found a way to get me back where I need to be. These past few months, I’ve felt like God has been watching me constantly. I’ve struggled to continue to do the right thing, but that’s when He goes to work. As I struggle, I’ve had people randomly call me to talk, I’ve been checked on while I try to submerse myself into work, and I’ve been hugged and shown love when I’ve been stand offish. I was given amazing advice and pointed in the direction of happiness and love. I knew that my struggle wasn’t just mine, because God was right there, proud of my decisions and making sure I had everyone’s support. I only hope that if someone is out there struggling with something in their life, to know, God will bring you love and support, and I’m proud of you too.
The first date Jocie and I ever went on was to see the touring production of Spamalot in Boston. I scored $20 tickets, which turned out to be box seats, and that was pretty much enough for two theatre nerds to fall in love. And while we’ve never managed to get another steal on box seats, we’ve returned to many shows over the years, including me taking her to see Wicked at the Gershwin for her 21st birthday.
And now I’m torn. You see, Wicked is now a movie. Well, more accurately, half of Wicked is now a movie. The film playing right now is part 1, which is more or less act 1 of the show, with part/act 2 to follow in November of 2025. The ten minute intermission on Broadway was one thing, but a full year before finishing the story creates quite the dilemma… will the wait be easier if we hold off until we can see the whole story in one sitting? Or will act 1 be satisfying enough to tide us over until act 2 premiers?
Of course this had to happen just before the Advent season, when thoughts of anticipation and expectant waiting are already front of mind. Many people think of Advent as a sort of “countdown to Christmas.” And on its face, it is. But it’s so much more than that. When we sing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” we are recalling the struggles of the people of Israel, and the hope they placed in the longed-for arrival of their Messiah - their anointed savior. At the same time, we as Christians declare our belief that Jesus of Nazareth was and is the prophesied Messiah, whose return we are awaiting. Christmas might be the immediate object of our desire, but that’s just an easier to grasp symbol of the much greater thing that is to come.
And in this, I have no choice. Act 1 of the Jesus story took place long before I was born. I don’t get to decide whether to wait until act 2 is imminent. Instead I, along with all of you, exist in the intermission, relying on the hope of the first part of the story to sustain, satisfy, and inspire me, until the conclusion finally comes.
Come, thou long-expected Jesus
born to set thy people free.
From our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Advent Blessings,
Pastor Shea
For our Christmas mission this year we are participating in a North Carolina project to help residents around the Asheville area recover from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Ted Elk is part of a network of shed haulers and has started a project in Hammond to take aid to some of the devastated areas around Asheville. He will deliver 2 10’ by 20’ sheds donated by riverbay too and associates of Hammond. He is also reaching out to community members to help supply some needed items such as bottled water, nonperishable foods that require no prep such as canned strews, and some varieties of Chef Boyardee type foods, gently used mattresses and linens, and monetary donations to defray travel expenses to deliver the items. Ted wants to load donated items on December 6 so the last day to drop off donations is December 5. He plans to travel on December 9. The Hammond Presbyterian Church dining room has become a drop off place for donations. You will see donations already dropped off in the back of the room. If you have gently used mattresses, you can make arrangements with Ted to pick them up by calling 315 382 2909.
The December food distribution is December 19. We are still seeking donations to purchase Christmas gift cards for our Food Pantry families.
Donations:
Hammond Food Pantry
P.O. Box 193
Hammond, New York 13646
Indicate Christmas gift cards
Hammondpresbyterian.org
Click on “Give Now”
Option to designate gift for the Hammond Food Pantry
reminder to bring love gifts for our church family in nursing homes and shut-ins. We have 8 this year and the youth group will bring them around while caroling. Please bring your gifts by December 8th so we can prepare them before the deadline.
The other night my husband caught me watching one of those sappy Hallmark Movies that take place during Christmas time. Usually, it’s a guy and a girl that hate each other in the beginning of the movie, but something usually happens that brings them together, the fall in love either on Christmas eve or Christmas day and you’re left with this feeling of knowing, that will never be your life, but you wouldn’t change anything for the world. So, I’m watching one of these movies and the couple write articles for a magazine and they are talking about how they read each other’s articles, which makes me quickly whip around to my husband, who has walked into the room at the very wrong moment and I ask, “Hey, what’s your favorite newsletter article that I have ever written?” Panic has officially set into my poor husband as he scrambles to say, “Uhhh the one where you end the story talking about your relationship with God.” They always end that way. I start giggling as he continues to panic. We quickly start joking around about other things, to change the topic, but I would still sit there giggling to myself.
I know that life is not like a Hallmark Movie. If anything, I think God has been having a good chuckle on how I’ve been handling these last few months with all the chaos that has been coming my way. I wonder if He gets a giggle when I start to panic like the episode of, ‘I Love Lucy’ where she can’t keep up with wrapping the chocolate candies that are coming down the line to her. I’m okay with living the ‘I Love Lucy’ life though. I have a great family, I have a husband who loves me, I have a mouthful of chocolates, and I wouldn’t trade any of that to live the Hallmark Movie life. I will happily continue to be a source of giggles for God and of course, everyone else. Merry Christmas everyone. I hope you receive lots of giggles this holiday season.
The Hammond Historical Museum with the support of the Town and Village of Hammond is embarking on a Veteran Honor Banner Project. A committee has been organized and will be reaching out to family members of deceased veterans in our town to gather interest and information about our area's veterans. Our goal is to hang honor banners in the Village of Hammond, as well as in the hamlets of Chippewa Bay, Blind Bay, and Oak Point. Project Guidelines * Any deceased honorably discharged veteran who has long term ties to the Hammond communities. * Any deceased honorably discharged veteran who was born and raised in Hammond. * Any deceased honorably discharged veteran who has been in the Hammond area as a seasonal resident for 30+ years * Any deceased honorably discharged veteran who has long term connections (family) to the Hammond community * Veteran banners will be displayed on designated NG poles in the village of Hammond, Chippewa Bay, Blind Bay, and Oak Point. * Families who have multiple veteran members may have the option of placing two pictures per banner. * Banners will be 24X48 inches in size at a cost of $225 which includes the banner, brackets, shipping, and installation. * Banners are guaranteed for 3 years and after that time are returned to the family. Applications will be open and available after January 1, 2025; banner orders, including photos, and payment deadline will be March 1st, 2025. The production process will take approximately one month, and our goal is to install the first group of banners by Memorial Day, 2025. If you are interested in getting involved in this community project or know of families with veterans in the area who have ties to the Hammond communities, please contact us by email, or by mail at: Veteran Banner Committee c/o Hammond Historical Museum P O Box 107 IA North Main Street Hammond, NY 13646 Paper applicationswill be available at the Hammond Historical Museum and the Town of Hammond offices. Online applicationswill be available on the following online locations: Town of Hammond website, Hammond Historical Museum website, Facebook pages for the town and the museum, Citizen's cable page, or you can request an application by mail at the above address. The committee members Ted Elk Jennifer McGregor Linda Schnittger Marcia Thompson-Amyot