Critter Encounter: Sat, June 25, 2022
One of our biggest joys in 2021 was seeing the churchyard filled with families and animals of all sizes at our Critter Encounter that we used as a fundraiser for the Animal Welfare League!
Many wonderful memories were made that day, especially for us as we worked alongside members of the recovery community to create an educational and entertaining experience that was affordable for families ($1 admission).
It was such a hit that, due to popular demand, we’re planning to do it again on Sat, June 25, and BARKer Farms and Paul’s Cool Scales (reptiles!) are already booked!
If you’d like to help plan, sponsor, or volunteer with this event, please contact Rebecca in the office: 740-353-4159 or secondpres@yahoo.com.
CAN OPENERS Galore!
Our initial goal was to collect 30 can openers for our neighbors who visit God’s Pantry in 31 days.
By day 18, we had already collected 34 can openers ... until one of our neighbors who lives in a tent came to the Pantry last Wednesday and mentioned he cut himself with a knife while trying to open a can of food. So a volunteer ran up, grabbed a newly donated can opener, and sent him on his way.
So, we revised the goal to 50 in 31 days.
But we ended up with 107! It is deeply humbling to be on the receiving end of such generosity.
06.08.22 UPDATE: 5 more can openers arrived at the church so we're up to 112 total!
Practicing the Sacred Rhythms of Silence and Solitude Together
Come in, light a candle, sit in a bit of silence, enjoy the late afternoon sun shining through the beautiful stained-glass windows, and pray, meditate using the provided sacred readings, or just be still and know that God is God (and you are not).
Come for 15 minutes or stay for the whole time – this is your time use to in whatever way nourishes your relationship with God.
NOTE: We're gathering on Weds, June 15 but not on June 22 or 29th.
Giving up the pursuit of perfection for the pursuit of good enough
Pastor Allison's blog on on Kate Bowler's book Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection has officially come to an end.
The blog was viewed 800+ times with 52 comments on 45 posts - numbers that continue to climb. And while this pleases her, what she appreciates most is the time people took to leave a comment and interact with her. Quantity is good, but quality is better in her book.
The blog will stay active, so if you’ve fallen behind in your reading or are new to the journey, rest assured that the book, the blog, and God will all be waiting to meet you in these words.
Food Justice Exhibit at museum Yields Harvest for God's Pantry
Help for Ukrainian Refugees
The motto of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance program is "Out of chaos, hope."
We are always glad to support their efforts but especially as they provide an emergency response for millions of people fleeing their homes in the Ukraine.
To date, we have collected over $2000 that has be donated to PDA. If you'd like to add to this donation, please mail or drop off a check at the church or use our online giving service, putting "Ukraine" in the note box.
OPEN OFFICE HOURS
Every MONDAY at 10:00a.m., a group of folks from Second Pres and friends from other churches and the community gather at Coffee at the Lofts to "spiritually loiter" at one of the crossroads of our community.
Everyone is welcome to drop in and say hi or to to linger for a while. (When the weather's nice, we like to meet under the "cabana" next to the coffeeshop!)
Location: Lofts Coffee Company & Roastery (842 Gallia St, Portsmouth, OH 45662)
god's pantry
A CHOICE-BASED FOOD PANTRY
We are grateful to all of our God's Pantry volunteers and donors for all their support during the COVID-19 pandemic!
God's Pantry is open on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Wednesdays of the month from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Look for the sign near the entrance.
There are no income requirements for our pantry, and "points" to spend on food, household and cleaning items are determined by household size.
The Pantry is also accessible from the ramp entrance (facing the PHS track) with a chairlift from the first floor to the basement. Contact the church office to use this alternate entrance.
Emergency food is also available by contacting the office (740-353-4159) when the Pantry is not open. Other community resources are available here.
covid-19 update (02.20.22)
A letter from Pastor Allison
Dear Members & Friends of Second Pres,
I am so grateful that while our building was closed from March until June 2020, the ministry and mission of Second Presbyterian Church never stopped! We have found new ways to love God and our neighbors even during the COVID-19 pandemic - it's exactly what I think Jesus would want us to do.
Each month, our board of elders (called the "Session") re-evaluates our COVID-protocols. At their February meeting, they decided to move from mandating masks to strongly encouraging them throughout the building and resuming small coffee hours following Sunday worship. As always, these changes are subject to review and revision depending on what's happening in our life together.
We continue to provide Worship on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in multiple ways:
- In-person at 9:30 a.m. (Prelude begins at 9:25 a.m.)
- Live radio broadcast simultaneously on WIOI (106.7FM 1010AM)
- Livestream on the church's Facebook page
In addition, bulletins can be mailed or emailed to any who would like to have a copy in their hands. (We normally drop them off at the post office by noon on Thursday.) Please call (740-353-4159) or email (secondpres@yahoo.com) to be added to our list!
Be of good courage & know that you are loved,
Pastor Allison
#wearamask #washyourhands #sayyourprayers