Council President – Donna M. Carey

Council Meeting:

Pastor Call

I want to thank everyone who stayed with us during the technical issues for our Special Congregational meeting. During these times, we are getting used to the virtual world and sometimes it is a “little bit cranky”. Eventually the job was completed as best we could. We miss each other and it was very nice to see everyone that could make it. By the time this comes out, the votes would have been counted on May 27 th from those who were

The Steeple Light

recorded on May 17th. The announcement of whether Pastor Stein will be our new Pastor here at St. Paul’s will be completed.

Corona Virus Updates

As we continue our virtual world, the council is now discussing options and directives to opening our church again although it will not look the same going forward. This will be a slow opening in phases or steps. An agreed decision was made to set up small adoc teams initially to discuss sections of the service (Music/worship, fellowship, cleaning, communion, video, Sunday school, confirmation, etc.). To have them discuss possible ways of moving forward and have designated adhoc committee chairs. Later to have the liaisons to discuss how to put the best ideas forward in steps/phases. These liaison/s will report to council for updates along the way. This will take some time as we will be following safety guidelines and information coming from the Synod as well. Members of council will be reaching out to specific members to meet up virtually to start the processes in a few weeks.

Love never fails…But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” From 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, 13

Thank you for being a gracious and loving God. We pray that your love will fill us so we can make a difference in the world, especially during these trying times. Give us the Love of patience and understanding. Most simple thing we can do is to simply love you God and love others with kindness. Lord please show us and fill us with your spirit so we can reach out to others with your love.

God’s Love and Healing,

Donna

Finance- Peter Dunham

The monthly Finance Team review of the Church’s finances continue to be better than budget through the first four months of 2020. While there has been loss of

income, there has been corresponding reduction in expenses which offset each other.

Numerous changes will be required as we adjust programs and facility use to allow resumption of essential church activities. Our currently solid financial situation provides a cushion to accommodate unexpected costs as we go through this process. Assuming a favorable vote by the congregation, the full (50%) cost of our calling Pastor Deb Stein has already been factored into our budget.

As always, the Finance Team would welcome new members, so if you are interested, please contact me or Pat Newton.

Outreach Committee – Rita Newton

Thanks to all who have been doing all they can to make the virtual worship services at home meaningful. It is so appreciated! I think you are doing a great job. Worshipping virtually is a new experience for many of us. For me, it

helps me feel connected while we can’t meet together. I think the online version is something we could use in the future, not to replace our Sunday worship, but for those folks who may not be able to attend church. PRAYER CHAIN: We thank everyone who prays for all the prayer requests we receive. This past month, I have called for updates for people on our prayer list and have worked with John Keating to get the list updated for our “prayer warriors”. Please remember, if you submit a request for the prayer chain, please call or email the church office with updates periodically. Those of us who are praying appreciate hearing and update on the person, family or situation. Our prayer partners/warriors pray weekly for every person on this list (including our list of shit-ins) which gets sent out by mail and e-mail weekly if there are new requests and/or updates. If you would like to be added to the list of persons who pray weekly for these requests, please contact John Keating in the office.

AS SOME RESTRICTIONS ARE BEING LIFTED, may I remind everyone of the importance of continuing to keep in touch with your friends/church family with notes, calls, and encouragement. This is a time when it feels like a “touchless” personal touch. Our shut-ins in nursing homes and senior living/assisted living still have not been able to have any family members visit and they can feel very out of touch with the outside world. A note or call can mean the world to them. It is an outreach that we can all do right now.

CNY MINISTRY ROUNDTABLE HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR MAY MEETING: 1) Facebook page: Pastor Hannah reports options other than Zoom are being worked on, including some

discussion with a small Christian radio station that may host a service.

2) Worship in the Park on 7/12/20: Discussion by group with consensus to postpone until next year (2021) at a similar time period.

3) Next meeting: June 28, 2020 at 6pm via zoom. Those wishing to join in on this meeting and discussion can contact Rita Newton for the Zoom invite information and password.

4) General topics/Check in/Preparing for returning to worship:

· We had discussion as to what the other churches are doing now during online worshipping and also what they are doing to prepare for re-opening with caution of their buildings and in-house worship. The ELCA document “Considerations for Returning to In-Person Worship” was recently distributed by the Synod from the ELCA. It is 7 pages with numerous considerations and recommendations.

· There is the potential for a steep load of funeral and remembrance services after restrictions are loosened for those families who have not had grieving/closure for the death of loved ones .PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) may impact families as well as clergy due to repressed grieving opportunities. We urge prayers for Clergy, Funeral Directors and other last support personnel.

· Community Service summer ideas: Engage in a positive socially distant gathering such as a “Chalk the Walk” day, providing options to have artwork on church driveways, sidewalks in a positive manner. Our churches can seek other ideas for social distancing community service.

· Red Cross Blood drives offer an option to provide a community supportive event where the Red Cross sets up, sanitizes, controls flow of people and then sanitizes at end while maintaining socially distance objectives with masks, gloves, etc. Some churches are set up well for this to work while providing a necessary service to our community.

We closed with prayer requests and prayer.

Music and Worship

Enid Cardinal

I hope everyone is continuing to practice safety measures. St Paul’s is beginning to look at how we can begin services as we deal with a new norm. Music and Worship is meeting June 1st, virtually, and we will be discussing different ways to proceed once we are given the OK to open our doors.

It will be very different from what we are use to and it will require cooperation on everyone’s part. I know dealing with change is not easy for many of us, but it is the only way to safeguard the health of all of us.

Each church committee will be working on this, then a representative from each committee will meet and share ideas, as we enter this new phase. We can learn and grow and be better and stronger when

we reach the other side of this.

I wish you all good health. With the warmer weather we can get out and enjoy God’s creation and be thankful for all we have!

Confirmation Class Report

The Confirmation Class has been meeting via Zoom meetings on Saturdays since April. We’ve almost completed the planned curriculum, and have decided to continue to meet

a few Saturdays a month through the summer so we can focus on the parts of the service and liturgy. This has been a great way for us to continue to keep in touch, and to include 2 new members! We welcome Zachary Winans from St. Stephen as a 1st year confirmation student. We’ve also had the opportunity to include Pastor Deb in our meetings! It’s been a great way for us all to get together and learn about the stories in the Bible. Emma Bonk, our 2nd year student, will be observing the rite of Confirmation in the fall. The date will be determined later.

Sandy McGillis

Call Committee

We would like to thank the council for interviewing with Pastor Deb Stein as part of the

call process. At this time, we are waiting on the votes from the congregation to find out if Pastor Deb will be our called 50% pastor. Thank you to everyone who has helped out, prayed, and given encouragement during this process.

Holy Trinity Lutheran ChurchHome Candle Lighting

Sunday, April 19 thru Sunday, June 21 8-8:30pm

You are invited to join with others from Holy Trinity on Sunday evenings for the next 10 weeks, from 8-8:30pm, as we light a candle on our porches or in our windows to represent the light of Christ shining in our communities and world.

In doing so, we are reminded that we are not isolated, but still connected through the Holy Spirit as God’s church in the world. At 8pm: After your candle is lighted and you take a moment for silence, read the following scriptures:The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

[Jesus says] “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 Then offer the prayer:Light-bringing and Light-giving God, at the beginning of Creation, you calmed the chaos and brought light into a darkened world. In the fullness of time, you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, to be the light of the world. Jesus is the light that no darkness—disease, instability, and uncertainty—can overcome. Continue to give healing to all diagnosed with disease; comfort and strength to all healthcare and essential workers, along with first responders; wisdom and guidance to our government leaders making hard decisions; and inspiration to all who are devoted to developing treatments and vaccines. We give you thanks that the light of your love blesses and guides us, calms and encourages us, and empowers and teaches us to live as your children in your beloved world. Use us to lighten the darkness, offering your grace, peace, and hope to others. Amen. At 8:30pm : Pray:O Lord, even as we extinguish this candle, we give thanks that your Light shines forever. In you there is no darkness at all, the night and the day are both alike. Give us all the strength and courage we need as we face whatever challenges in the coming week. Shine in our hearts, Lord Jesus, this night and always.

Amen.Extinguish the candle and store it, along with these scriptures and prayers, for next Sunday evening.

Two amazing opportunities to connect with our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe.

1. Faith Formation

Who: Lutheran Communion of Southern Africa (LUCSA) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe (ELCZ)

What: $5070 is needed for the translation and printing of Sunday School and Confirmation resources by and for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe.

Why: These materials have been developed within the cultural context of Southern Africa and have been translated from English into Shona, one of the main languages of the people of Zimbabwe.

How: Send your contributions to the office of the Upstate NY Synod clearly marked for Printing Zimbabwe.

Super Bonus! Congregations who donate $110 or more will receive a copy of the 190 page LUCSA Book 3 in English to have a glimpse into faith formation within our companions in Zambia and Zimbabwe!

Contact Beth Walker, UNY Synod Global Mission Chair at rbowsend@rochester.rr.com or (315) 945-5539 for more information. Learn more about the ELCZ at http://www.elcz.co.zw/

2. Share some love, or maybe a small portion of your stimulus checkOur friends in Zimbabwe are entering fall and winter with almost no food supplies due to drought. COVID 19 is also present there. Can your congregation share some love?

Who: Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe (ELCZ), which is one of our global companions

What: Funds to supply food and water

Why: Like many countries experiencing extreme weather, Zimbabwe has experienced too much water in the form of floods and high winds in the winter and too little water during the growing season.

Unlike the U.S., which has many ecosystems supplying food to our grocery stores, people in Zimbabwe rely on home gardens and local produce to survive.

How: Please send funds to the UNY Synod office clearly marked for Zimbabwe drought relief. Funds will be sent to Lutheran Development Services (the LWR arm in Zimbabwe).

Synod Goal: $10,000

See more about the food crisis in Zimbabwe at https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-12-27/zimbabwe-drought-hunger-likely-to-run-into-2020-fewsnet-says

Recently, one letter from Albert Einstein written to his daughter Lieserl caught the world’s attention and quickly went viral. In the letter, one of the greatest minds of all time shares his views of the universal force of love, the innate need of us humans to feel loved and accepted, and his belief that love has the ultimate power to conquer all.Rumors have it that the letter was donated by Lieserl, as one of the hundreds of letters written by Einsten to the Hebrew University around the late 1980’s. The letters were donated with strict instructions their content not to see the light of day until two decades after Einstein’s death.Interestingly enough, researchers did not even know Lieserl existed until the 1980’s when they came across a batch of letters between Einstein and his first wife Mileva Maric. The letters confirmed Lieserl as Einstein’s daughter.There are speculations that say Lieserl died at the age of 3 after becoming sick of scarlet fever, while other people believe she was put up for adoption at that age. All we know is that she is last mentioned in a letter dating September 19th, 1903. Beyond that is a mystery.‘The writings were not donated by Einstein himself, nor his daughter, Lieserl. The letters were donated by Margot Einstein, the scientist’s stepdaughter,’ claims Diana Kormos – Buchwald, editor – in – chief at the Einstein Papers Project.Below you have a copy of the letter Einstein wrote to his daughter Lieserl:

“Not many people understood me when I first came up with the theory of relativity. In this letter I will reveal something to you that you must transmit to all mankind. Beware, the message in this letter will collide with the popular prejudice and misunderstandings of our time.I must ask of you to guard these letters and their message as long as you deem necessary. Years or even decades until you see society is ready to listen and accept what I am about to share with you. There is a force so extremely power, that science has still not found a way to explain it.It is a power that engulfs and governs all other powers. I believe it is also in charge of all phenomena in the Universe, many of which we have not seen or explained yet. This universal force is LOVE.Scientists have not considered love in their efforts to present a unified theory of the Universe. They’ve neglected it even though it is the most powerful invisible force out there. Love represents Light, for it enlightens

those who give it and receive it. It is gravity, because it makes people attracted to one another.Love is power that brings out and multiplies the best of all life. Love keeps humanity from annihilating itself in its blind narrow mindedness and selfishness. We live and die for it. Love is God, and God is Love.

Through this force we can explain everything and find meaning in our lives. We have ignored love for such a long time, perhaps because we are afraid of it. Perhaps we ignore it because we cannot control it and quantify it. Explain it with our numbers and reason.I believe I have found a way to make love more visible, and it is through my famous formula E = MC2.If instead of this equation, we accept that the energy for universal healing can be obtained through love multiplied by the speed of light squared, we come at the conclusion that love is limitless, therefore it is truly the most powerful force in the Universe.Humanity has failed in its efforts to control the forces of the Universe, which have turned against us. In light of that, it is urgent that we heal and immerse ourselves in a different kind of energy…For the purpose of our survival, and in our quest to find meaning to our existence we must ensure the survival of every living soul on Earth by turning to love. It is the only true answer and solution.This force cannot be used through building a bomb of love, and use it to destroy all hate, greed and selfishness of our time. But never forget, each person has in them, a core made up of immense energy and love just waiting to be shared with the world.When we learn to grow and master this force within ourselves, my dear Lieserl, we will realize the full power of love, and its ability to conquer all, transcend everything and anything, for it is the very essence of our existence.I am forever sorry for not fully expressing the love I’ve always had for you in my heart. I realize I might be late with this apology, but please know I love you and it is thanks to you that I have reached the ultimate answer in life.”Your father, Albert Einstein.

Wow! Definitely something to remind yourself of from time to time. Share these powerful words with everyone you know.

They say, love is not an easy task. It takes the heart of a lion and the mind of a woman to get through it! Love comes with its set of difficulties and impossibilities. Difficulties at the time when you just cannot concentrate on anything because the thought of your loved one keeps coming in the way of your focus.Impossibilities when you need to get out of the soft embrace of the one you love, but somehow, can’t seem to manage it! Well, yes, love is a herculean task. But it is one that completes one’s life, and makes it so much more worthwhile!Coming below are some words of love and inspiration to keep you going on in this journey called ‘life’-

“Love is not an easy task. It takes the heart of a lion and the mind of a woman to get through it.”― Author“Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart.”― Washington Irving“Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.”―Kahlil Gibran“The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost.”― G.K. Chesterton“Love is like pi – natural, irrational, and very important.”― Lisa Hoffman“Love: The irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.”― Mark TwainPeople often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.”― Zig Ziglar“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”― T.S. Elliot

SPECIAL CARE ALWAYS IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERSPeg Bandy107 Marybelle RoadTully, NY 13159

Lorelei Cartner7622 Homestead DriveBaldwinsville, NY 13027

Ken Hurst1100 Tulip St. Liverpool, NY 13088

Marge KrieseCentral Park RehabilitationRm #205BMartin Luther King E.

Syracuse, NY 13205

Esther Norton700 E. Brighton AveRm # 1312Syracuse, NY, 13205

Lynn Reynolds Keepsake Village 138 Old Liverpool RoadLiverpool, NY 13088

Charles Shunck7251 Janus ParkLiverpool, NY 13088

Christine Smith704 Wadsworth StreetSyracuse, NY 13208

Patricia Sobotka103 Daniel DriveLiverpool, NY 13088

Sherry Pratt124 Sargent LaneLiverpool, NY 13088

Vivian Tillotsen150 Old Liverpool Road Liverpool, NY, 13088

June BirthdaysHappy birthday

to you!

6/1 Abigale Piscitell6/1 Glenn Rosenbarker III

6/4 Heather Myers6/7 Stephanie Jackson

6/9 Alena Matthews6/13 William Tibitts6/13 Lynn Reynolds

6/14 Donald Argus Sr.6/19 Lily Ann Squires6/20 Rachel Kraynak6/20 Jennifer Bonk6/21 Thomas Piron6/21 Esther Norton6/21 Lisa Blackwell6/30 Phyllis Siebert

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church210 Hazel StreetLiverpool, NY 13088-5188

June 2020 Change Service Requested Dated Material

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Sunday Worship Service

210 Hazel Street Sunday Church School: 9:30am (Sept-May) Liverpool, NY 13088 Nursery Care:10:00am 315.457.3210 Worship Service: 11:00am Office Hours: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m, Monday-Thursday To submit news for Steeple Light: Email: stpaulslivoffice@gmail.com Email: :stpaulslivsteeplelight@gmail.com Website:www.stpaulsliverpool.org

Congregation LeadersTransitional Pastor: Pastor Debora Stein Finance Committee: Peter Dunham (Ch)Church Secretary:  John Keating Christian Education: Linda Mattiaccio (Ch)Choirmaster/Organist: Mary Lohr  SCS Superintendent: Linda Mattiaccio (Ch)Custodian: John Keating Communications:  Cheryl Aupperle (Ch)Our Missionaries: Dr. Stephen & Becky Thorson Music & Worship: Enid Cardinal (Ch)

Pastor Emeritus: The Rev. William F. Seibert Outreach: Rita Newton (Ch)The Rev. Diane E. Wheatley Property: Steve Nickels/ Dean Newton( CoCh)

Congregational Deacons: Renee James, Sandy McGillis Social Ministry:Council Members at Large: Peter Dunham, Carol Plumpton, Mutual Ministry: Margit Backus (Ch)

Sue Collins Stewardship” Carol Plumpton (Ch)President:  Donna Carey Fellowship: Beth Stevener (Ch)

Vice President:  Philip Backus Men of St. Paul’s Dennis Schuelke Treasurer: Patrick Newton Women of the ELCA: Lois Ayer, Rita Kubert Secretary: Maureen Wallen Nominations: Joyce Olson, Robin Hillpot, Council Recorder John Keating Cathy Rosenbarker Financial Secretary: Sue Collins

Non-Profit Org.US Postage

PAIDLiverpool, NYPermit No. 2