A thriving faith community engaged in compassionate service

Friday January 22

Dear Friends,

The poem that the gifted young poet Amanda Gorman offered at Wednesday’s inauguration was powerful and moving. She began by asking, “When day comes we ask ourselves/Where can we find light in this never-ending shade?” and then she said, “We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace./And the norms and notions of what just-is/isn’t always just-ice.”

Our texts this Sunday remind us of our call not to grow comfortable with the “just-is” and work instead for “just-ice”. In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses tells the children of Israel, “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” This is our calling as children of God and disciples of Christ. If a candidate for the pastor’s position were to ask us, “What is this body of Christ doing to pursue justice,” how would we respond? We’ll talk more about this in worship.

If you were not able to see and hear Amanda Gorman on Wednesday, click on this link to watch her deliver the poem in its entirety:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ055ilIiN4

Our PNC is already hard at work, meeting weekly. The Committee welcomes Dolores Battle after Jan Robinson found that she would not be able to serve on the Committee. The PNC is committed to communicating with the congregation as it goes about its work. They are working on creating a section our website where they plan to post updates regularly. They have much foundational work to do first, including preparing a Ministry Information Form for our denomination, so it will be a while yet before they begin to review applications for the position.

To register for your COVID vaccine, click on either of the links below and then find your way to the registration page. The supply of vaccines shipped to New York State is still limited, so be patient, but don’t hesitate to sign up now.

https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/
https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/

Even as the vaccine starts to roll out, the infection rate remains high, so please stay vigilant: keep wearing your mask, keep your distance, and wash your hands. Stay healthy.

Blessings,
Pastor Skip

The CE Ministry Team presents...

The Study of The Book of Job featuring

Archibald MacLeish's book, J.B.

Discussion led by Dave Brummer

Sunday mornings at 9:30 am via Zoom

Click here to join the discussion

For more information contact Dave Brummer:
email: dbrummer@opvmc.net

call: 716-662-2406

OPPC Zoom Coffee Hour

Click on the Coffee Cup to join the Coffee Hour
at 10:30 am Sunday mornings.