The Herald September 2021 - Great Kills Moravian Church
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Great Kills Moravian Church
The Herald
2021 Volume 8
September 2021
A boundary between two ways of being, two rooms, or two options, is
known as a threshold. The one pictured here is the threshold between
outside and inside. If I were to stand on the threshold, I’d be neither in
nor out!
Great Kills Moravian Church is in threshold space—between the leaving
of Pastor Tracy and the coming of yet unknown leadership.
I’m working with Joyce Rupp’s book “Open the Door: A Journey to the
True Self,” a six-week journey of sitting with the metaphor of doors. This
week, as it happens, is the chapter “Standing on the Threshold!” In Celt-
ic spirituality this threshold is known as “liminal space,” or a thin veil be-
tween one realm and another. The passageway across a threshold,
through liminal space, can be a joyous transition, or one of discomfort
and unease.
This Photo by Unknown Author is
licensed under CC BY-SA
After my husband Keith’s death, I felt as if I were trapped in this liminal space, not wanting to cross over into
the new space of life without his physical presence. I wanted to continue to live out of the story that had
guided our lives---growing together into joint retirement, traveling, having fun, watching our grandchildren
grow. It was very painful to release that story and acknowledge that God offered a new story, one predicated
on my own transformation. Think of the transition from the caterpillar into the womb of chrysalis into flight as
a beautiful monarch butterfly, and that’s the kind of change we are talking about.
These transitions are significant for our spiritual journey, not only for us as individuals, but also for us as a
family or as a community of faith. The challenge is to take the time in the threshold and wait quietly and pa-
tiently for the path into the next chapter. It is a time to evaluate our beliefs, choices, and actions; a time to
clarify God’s leading and the movement of the Sprit.
This is a challenge because we aren’t really very comfortable to sit with and in the unknown. A congregation
is anxious to have pastoral leadership rather than figuring things out through our own prayer and listening to
one another, sharing our concerns and hope, confirming what God’s hopes might be. We like our old story
and want to continue to live there! God says, “Well, the old story just isn’t right for what I am, for where you
are right now. Relax here until you can leave the cocoon of the comfortable and let your wings dry and
grow!”
Rupp writes, “The power of a threshold resounds in the story of the resurrection. From the hollow deadness
of the tomb, Christ came forth transformed with unmistakable splendor. So in our threshold experiences, the
Holy One’s life-giving energy frees and gifts us with what enables us to express the beauty of our soul.” What
is the beauty of your soul here and now in 2021?
Pastor Maggie Wellert
PAGE 2 T HE HE R A LD 2 0 2 1 V O L U ME 8
Joint Board News
• Joint Board will meet on Wednesday, September 1st.
• The church office will be closed in observance of Labor Day on September 6th.
• A meeting with the President of the Eastern District Executive Board is scheduled for September 8th to
discuss a call for a full time pastor.
• Everyone Eats provides fresh produce and other food items to those in need on Staten Island. Food dis-
tribution dates are posted on their Facebook page, or you can contact Ariana Sanchez if you or someone
you know could benefit from this important ministry.
• Staff hours still remain limited. Please continue to leave a voicemail or email. All messages will be re
turned as soon as possible.
• Trustee/Bookkeeper Report for July
Total Income: $4,884.20
(offerings, building usage, church events)
Total Expenses: $6,570.73
Difference: -$1,686.53
From the Financial Secretary, please include your latest offering envelope or envelope number in memo
of check when making a donation to the church. Questions about envelope number or online giving
please contact our Financial Secretary, Claudia McGloin.
Virtual Services at GKMC
At the beginning of the pandemic, a small group of people made it possible for us to attend services through a
new application called Zoom. Pastor Tracy used her computer and a webcam to broadcast the service, Pam
ran Zoom from the church, Stan played a keyboard from home, Elizabeth mailed the bulletins and Ariana ran
the service from home when necessary. A virtual service was new to everyone. No one imagined that we
could attend church services using a computer or tablet or even a cell phone. We know now how important
this was to many of us as we all struggled to deal with lockdowns and the fear of getting sick from an un-
known virus. Many thanks to this group for their commitment to our church during an extremely difficult time.
Now a year has gone by and technology continues to change. You may have noticed that some things have
also changed at GKMC. There is a new Tech area in the overflow room and three new cameras and stream-
ing equipment were installed. The cameras have greatly improved the video quality of our virtual services and
several are posted on our website (greatkillsmoravian.org). These videos can be watched from anywhere at
any time. Other updates are planned, so please be patient as we learn how to improve our virtual and in per-
son services. All of this is possible because of a very generous grant from a member of the congregation who
wishes to remain anonymous. We are very grateful to be able to keep up with the newest technology and I
would like to thank them for their much-needed support.
Our boards agree that a virtual service should expand what the church offers but should not replace the
physical church and the human interaction that we all need. Virtual services allow any of us to participate in
services that we would have missed because of bad weather, illness or travel. Friends and family can also
join our services from anywhere. The early Moravian church sent out missionaries to spread God’s word to
people all over the world. Today, the virtual service simply continues the mission of the Moravian Church.
Liz Reres
T HE HE R A LD PAGE 3
2 0 2 1 V O L U ME 8
A Time to Resign
The time to resign is now! Many people hear the word “resign” and feel that resigning is for losers. The
wheels of history and of salvific history shows us that in order to follow Christ, we have to resign. A woman at
the well had to resign from a certain lifestyle and world view. A little man named Zaccheus up on a tree had to
resign from a pattern of taking advantage of others. Bartimaeus, a blind beggar threw off his cloak to obey the
voice of Jesus.
What is God asking you to resign from? Resigning is never easy and it is a complex decision. Resigning will
mean taking a new identity and listening to that inner voice which questions our core values. Resigning in-
volves loss but it also involves gain. In spiritual terms, resigning is a crisis of calling in life in which you
choose to follow God’s will and not your personal comfort zone.
Leo Tolstoy, a famous Russian writer took the decision of resigning and losing out in prestige, power and
popularity with the Aristocracy of his time. Ivan Turgenev, a novelist friend of Tolstoy asked him if he had got-
ten mad? Tolstoy had chosen a different path resigning from a life of luxury to live with the peasants of the
land. Leo Tolstoy chose to resign because he had an encounter with the Gospels in which Jesus spoke of the
Kingdom of God.
Tolstoy’s story is impressive and of greater importance is the story of Moses which is depicted in a few lines
in the 11th chapter of Hebrews verses 23-26. Moses, the child that was saved from Egyptian infanticide and
the crocodiles of the Nile has a message for all of us. He deliberately chose to abandon being called the son
of Pharaoh’s daughter in order to join his Hebrew people who were ill-treated. He abandoned the riches of
Egypt and preferred the reproach of Christ. The eyes of Moses were set on the prize which had eternal
weight.
Today, we have a choice. Do we resign from things that are not healthy to our body, mind and spirit? Do we
resign from feeding our passions that lead us to the seven deadly sins (and even more) or do we step into a
different path in which we long for the God that gives full meaning to our lives? Today, is the perfect time to
resign. Let us pray.
Rev. Jesus Laguerra
Ministries and Events
Sunday School: Will resume on September 19th at 9:30am. Due to Covid restrictions, we are preparing for
online as well as in-person class. Please contact Pam Bailey at eccep3@gmail.com to register for supplies.
Sunday Worship Services: We continue to hold in-person worship services on Sunday at 11am and via
Zoom. If you wish to attend on Zoom, please contact the church office for log in information. Worship aids are
available on our website, greatkillsmoravian.org
Prayer Shawl Ministry Prayer shawls are knit or crocheted for those who are in need of comfort or those
who are celebrating something new. If you are interested in volunteering to help make shawls or if you know
someone that would like a Prayer Shawl, please contact the church office.
Events Happening Beyond GKMC
Vanderbilt Community Dinner
Saturday, Saturday 18 4:30pm-6:30pm. GKMC will provide dessert for the upcoming community dinner. If
you would like to donate a dessert or help in any way please contact Muriel Timari.
PAGE 4 T HE HE R A LD 2 0 2 1 V O L U ME 8
GREAT KILLS MORAVIAN "In essentials, unity;
CHURCH in non-essentials, liberty;
62 Hillside Terrace in all things, love."
Staten Island, New York 10308 Website: www.greatkillsmoravian.org
Phone: 718-317-7788 We are also on:
Fax: 718-356-2826
Email: pastor@greatkillsmoravian.org Facebook
Email: office@greatkillsmoravian.org A Christian Church serving Staten Island since 1886
*Office: Mon- Thurs 9am - 1pm
(*office hours subject to change)
Prayers for: Adam, Katie, Desmond B, Carly B, Bilbao Family, Joseph B, Pam B, Scott and Marsha C, Meredith C,
Cascio Family, Rocky C, Pete C, Christopher, Condon Family, Julianna D, Joseph D, Diane, Jessica D, Harry E, Bar-
bara F, Anna Galicia, Matilde G, Thomas G, Janine H, Jason, Jen, Joe, Diane Gibbons, Bill & Sue G, Henry, Jackie,
Janice, Jimenez Family, Robert K, Kathy, Kelly, Linda, Giuliana L, Sam L, Juliana M, Mary M, Susan M, Donna M,
Morrison Family, Vincent M, Silvia N, Peter, Mary P, Barbara P, Betty P, Thomas P, Karen P, Tom P, Susan P, John
P, Mike R, Rob, Rosanna, Norma S, Muriel T, and all caretakers. (Use the Praise & Prayer Request cards to
add/remove names. A monthly update is helpful to keep our list current)
September Birthdays September Anniversaries
9/2 James Ruch, Jr.
9/6 Ellen Steele 9/16 Sonia & Al Schories
Sean Poole 9/17 Nancy & Jim Doran
9/7 Ryan Christie 9/23 Enduela & Besnik Korbeci 2021
9/14 Carmine Russo 9/26 Diane & Frank Gibbons Great Kills Moravian Church
Brian Korbeci 9/27 Susan & Benjamin Pulice
9/17 Joan Cutting
Sophia Scarpato See, I have taken your guilt away
Katie Rogers from you and I will clothe you in
9/18 Michael Crea, Jr. festal apparel. Zechariah 3:4
9/20 Andrew Russo
9/27 Stephen Nasta
9/29 Allison Gibbons
Tyler D’Avino
9/30 Mark Hertman Upcoming Communion Services: Pastors scheduled for
September 12th September:
September 5th - Hymn Sing
Communion cups can be delivered if
you plan to join a communion service September 12th - Rev Riddick Weber
on Zoom. Please contact the church Holy Communion
office if you would like to have one
delivered to you. September 19th - Rev Riddick Weber
Office phone 718-317-7788, September 26th - Rev. Riddick We-
office@greatkillsmoravian.org ber
The Herald Newsletter
We welcome the creative efforts of our congregation to produce a newsletter that we all want
to take the time to read. Do you love to write or do you know of a topic that would be inter-
esting to our members? Please call the office or email with your suggestions. All news, arti-
cles, and church information for the newsletter must be in to the Church office by the 15th of
the month. If you would like The Herald emailed to you, send an email to:
office@greatkillsmoravian.org
September 2021
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 7pm Joint Board 2 3 10am Craft Group 4
Meeting
5 6 Labor Day 7 8 9 10 10am Craft Group 11
11am In-Person Wor- (Office is Closed)
ship
12 13 14 15 16 17 10am Craft Group 18
11am In-Person Wor- 4:30pm Community
ship Dinner
Holy Communion
19 20 21 22 23 24 10am Craft Group 25
9:30am Sunday School
11am In-Person Wor-
ship
26 27 28 29 30 www.greatkillsmoravian.org
9:30am Sunday School Facebook
11am In-Person Wor-
ship
Staten Island, N Y 10308
62 Hillside Terrace
Great Kills Moravian Church
Great Kills Moravian Church Worship Weekly Scriptures
If you miss our In-Person worship service you may join in the recorded services available on our church
website 24/7.
September 5 - Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Isaiah 35:4-7a; Psalm 146; James 2:1-10,(11-13),14-17; Mark 7:24-37
September 12 - Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Communion
Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 116:1-9; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38
September 19 - Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Jeremiah 11:18-20; Psalm 54; James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a; Mark 9:30-37
September 26 - Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost—
Numbers 11:4-6,10-16,24-29; Psalm 19:7-14; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50
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