Newsletter

"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: 

• the scripture of the upcoming week,
• mindfulness practice with awareness of the breath,
• devotional repetitive song,
• a period of silence (in approximately three 10 minute segments each).  
• We will conclude with prayer. 

Our Lenten meditations will last approximately 30 minutes. If you have any questions, please see Joanie or Evie.