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First Presbyterian Church of Avon
October
2015 T h e We a t h e r Va n e
From the Pastor
At our Annual Meeting on January 25th I announced my
retirement effective December 31, 2015. I can’t believe that nine
months have already passed. Feelings and thoughts I had nine
months ago are still with me.
I profoundly feel that I have been so blessed to be welcomed
into your community, your lives and your families. You have been
incredibly patient and gracious with me, especially as I grew into
the honor of being your pastor.
As I have contemplated my retirement I have had so many
feelings coursing through me – gratitude, sadness, expectations,
anxiety, a profound joy. People who have come and gone and
those who have stayed – all - appear in my mind’s eye and I am
filled with memories. And as I have remembered I am amazed at
the richness, variety, deepness and wonder of our times together.
Of course over these three decades Connie and I have made
our home here. We will be staying in our home for the foreseeable
future. (Our boys never want us to move!) And for now our house
is a great gathering place for our sons and grandchildren.
Since we will still be here I will certainly run into you after my
retirement. However there are some important changes we all will
need to honor. I will obviously no longer be your pastor and so I
will not be doing baptisms, funerals or weddings. When we meet
I will not comment on your church life, its leadership, worship or
programs. You will be working with presbytery and your
Committee on Ministry representative to find interim pastoral
service and eventually invite another lucky person to be your
pastor. There are steps in this process and your Session and you
will be guided through them.
We are in the final stretch now. December 31st is fast
approaching. Christmas is less than three months away! As we
wrap up and as the October 10th Open House approaches I am
(Continued on page 2)
The Session
Nancy Toland-
Clerk of Session/ Nominating 538-2519
Ken Hallett– Presby. Rep. 733-0623
Julie Mead—Fun Raisers/
Fellowship 230-1358
Sue Orman— Crisis Aid/
Nominating 734-8424
Kay Pfluke—Personnel/
Stewardship 226-2461
Jerry Rothrock– Trustees/Spec
Accounts/Rummage Sales 226-8602
Scott Schlesing– Fellowship/
Fun Raisers/Venture Crew 86 410-0969
Duane Staples– Rummage Sale 226-6498
Christian Trewer—Christ.Ed 748-7943
Chris Turk– Mem./Worship
Stewardship 624-1399
Board Of Deacons
Lisa Schillinger– Memorial 346-2789
Carl Hogan—Nom./Personnel 226-2951
Julie Witzel– Flowers 261-0421
Betty Taromino- Chair 226-2048
Ashley Schillinger– Youth
Helper
Sandy Chambers– Flowers/
Crisis Aid
226-6517
Elaine Neth– Candles/
Christmas Post Office
226-6366
Susie Rothrock– Crisis Aid 226-8602
Jackie Staples—Sun./Cheer 226-6498
The WeatherVane Page 2
C H U R C H S T A F F
Minister : The Rev. Dr. Thomas E. Taylor
Parish Associate: The Rev. Dr. S. Sauvé
Organist/Bell Choir: Joanne Cole
Choir Director: Isaac Hutton
Secretary: Debi Leinbach 226-3387
Email for WeatherVane articles:
Treasurer: Lori Cruz
Church: 226-6460
www.avonchurch.com
looking forward to celebrating with you our ministry
together. We have had a wonderful and amazing
journey of faith together. God has been so good to
all of us, and I feel especially to me. Each of you,
every single one of you, is a blessing to me that I
never deserved. I am so grateful for you all.
While after December 31, 2015 I will no longer
fill the pulpit or lead worship or Bible studies or
moderate the Session, all of you will always be
in my heart. You are my heart. Our Apostles’
Creed affirms that we are a communion of saints, a
communion of the faithful. While I am not claiming
to be a saint, I am claiming you as my communion
of the faithful. You have embraced me and my
family and in God’s grace we are a family, a family
of faith. My prayer and my faith is that you will
eventually welcome another servant of God to be
your pastoral leader, and that you will make him or
her a part of your wonderful family of faith.
I hope to see you soon. Tom
(Continued from page 1)
From Your Transition Team
We are looking for any pictures that you might
have of Tom either in digital or print form. Images that
are digital can be emailed to [email protected].
For images in print form, please put your name on the
back and give to any Transition Team Member.
These will be displayed at the Open House on
October 10th at the Avon Community Center (behind
MacDonald’s) from 1pm to 4pm. Please bring a
remembrance that you have of Tom. Any kind will do.
These items will be put into a book for Tom after the
reception. Thank you.
The WeatherVane Page 3
Page 4 The WeatherVane
Golf Tournament Statistics!
This year these were 77 golfers, an increase from the
23 golfers who attended last year.
First place team .... Superior walls.
Last place team.... The oldies
Other prizes…
Closest to the line
and longest drive.... Bob Toland
Shortest Drive.... Julie Strom
Closest to the pin.... Gene Welch
Winner of the 50/50 Don Piampiano
In Memory Of:
Dorothy McLaughlin
Mark Mayer
The Taylor & Mack Families
The Rothrock & Wilbur Families
Arthur Schlesing
Candy Chambers
Bob Webster
Larry Morey
Sandy Piampiano
Daniel Toland
David Whitney
Lawrence D. Stevens
Corporate Sponsorships:
NYS Process
Tompkins Bank of Castile
Liberty Underground
Smitty’s Auto Repair
Superior Walls
The date for next year is August 20, 2016.
The following dedications were made:
In Honor of:
Our Loved Ones
The Strom Family
Donations and Door Prizes given by the following:
PW Crafters
Tompkins Bank of Castile
Salvatore’s
Mark’s Pizzeria
Tops Friendly Markets
Wegmans
McDonald’s
Peppermints
Old Hickory Golf Club
The Village Restaurant
Paul and Hildegarde Turk
Carrie Gruschow
Buffalo Bills
Flaherty’s Restaurant
Penn Fair
Veronica’s
Avon Floral World
Les Cole
Bob & Sally Austin
Mike & Bev Hallett
Fratelli’s
FarView Country Club
Rainbow of Styles
by Linda
Kathy Gruschow
LeRoy Country Club
Lakeland Equipment
Lima Country Club
Texas Road House
Applebee’s
Done Right Cleaning
C & F Car Toys
Livingston Country Club
The Heeler Family
Barilla
Paula & Hoyt Mason
Chris Turk
Fairport Brewery
Davin’s Farm
John Butterazzi
Nancy Toland
Sprinkle’s
Dunkin Donuts
and the
Genesee Valley
PennySaver
Page 5 The WeatherVane
From the Church Family
Recently we have prayed for the families and friends
of: Norm Rogers; Jim Steele; Peggy Minekiem; Arthur
Cruikshank; John Paul Herman; Sarah Turner; Jim Co-
choran;
We have also included in our prayers the following:
Dorothy Stevens, Sue and George Rocklein, John
Mclaughlin, Clara Elkins, Dinah Mayer, Seldon Chase,
Sylvan Ryan, Hildegarde Turk, the Webster family and
Pat Budd, Madeline Perry, Ricky Voss, Dawn Hanna,
Millie Sackett, Jean Tummonds, Russell Toland, Marian
Marshall, Ron Rothrock, Bob Neth, Roger Morey,
Dylan Gruschow, Amanda Joy Mayer, Warren Brill,
Jeanette Ryan, Orris and Arvilla Staples, Mary Ford,
Warren Brill, Noble Staples, John Gorsage, Paul
Gorsage, Irene Klink, James Ayers, Georgia Robbins,
June Brown, Jon deChauny, Maryann Cooley, Marie
Versage, Anne Gerber, Carol Belic, Carl and Bev
Hogan, Dottie Benzee, Robert Chambers, Lisa Holtz,
Dottie Benzee, Corie Bloom, the Rev. Mark Stigler,
Bill Hockey, Kate Rothrock, Betina Johnson, Rob
LaFave, Helmud Smuk, Ed Minekiem, Carrie Pfluke,
Penny Miller, Don McFadden, Sandra Stella, Kelly
Morse, Carol Preston, Bowen Wies, Ken Freese, Darcy
Teed, Jim Leyhugh, Betty Mulvaney, Dorothy Brown,
and Beatrice Burley.
We prayed for safe travel for: Hoyt and Paula Mason
back to Florida; and Carole Stanley.
We continue to pray for all of our first responders
and their families.
We also have prayed for all those who serve our
nation at home and abroad, especially: Joshua Davidson,
Kyle Bilanic, Kyle Cameron, Derek Dumas, Ian Hall,
Marty Cole, Richard Darcy, Sean Thurston, Robbie
Webster, Dylan Smoot, Michael Cook, Adam Barrett,
Steven Jervis, Nelson Powell, Jr., Devon Schlesing,
Nelson Powell, Jr., Zack McGee, Serena Strozewski,
Tony Fusco, Anthony Ruscitto, Michael Tripp, Tom
Kasulke, Benjamin Mongeau, Jason Geddes,
Laura Gaxiola, Jeff Fox, Nicky Cole, Cody
Staudinger, Brennen Fusco.
Among the many things for which we are
grateful we have lifted prayers of thanks for:
The great tradition and vital contributions of
Labor to our great nation, its standard of living
and societal safe guards; our own Venture Crew
86 acting as escorts for a recent Honor Flight;
Joey Comstock doing better; Carole Stanley and
son visiting Carole Webster; the wedding of
James and Jessica Pfluke White; the slow but sure
progress of Pat Budd; the 5th wedding anniversary
of Sue and George Rocklein; Sue Rocklein’s
great medical news and progress; Ed Minekiem
and Paul Reese doing better; Carrie Pfluke passed
her Occupational Therapist license test; Ed
Chambers giving thanks for the support given
him in his recent loss; and we received beautiful
“thank you” notes from Jean Tummonds, Barbara
Stanley, and Sue Rocklein.
Mark Your Calendars!!!
The "10th" annual "Full Day"
Craft Bazaar, Luncheon and Bake sale
is coming up on Nov. 21.
Start digging out your wonderful recipes for
the bake sale and if you have crafts that you
have done we would gratefully accept them.
THANKS to all of you who have donated
jell jars, pint jars, quart jars, lids and rings for
them. We now have enough jell and quart jars.
Your PW Crafters
Page 6 The WeatherVane The WeatherVane
Our Rally Day activities were changed due to the
weather, but the pot luck lunch and inside activities
were enjoyed by many.
It was reported that the profit from our second golf
tournament was $2,000 +. A great day was enjoyed by
many members and friends.
The nominating committee will begin its work shortly,
and an effort will be made to fill the two vacant spots
on Session, as well as the other scheduled offices need-
ed.
We have hired Isaac Hutton to be our Choir Director.
Isaac is a Master’s student at Nazareth, and resides in
Henrietta with his family. We welcome Isaac to our
Choir.
The Transition Team has reached a Dissolution
Agreement with Tom, recognizing his retirement on
Dec. 31, 2015. The Session reviewed and approved
this agreement which will be voted on by the
congregation at Sept. 20th’s special congregation
meeting, reviewed by the Committee on Ministry and
Presbytery for approval.
The Sept. 26th rummage sale date was noted, and a
request for help issued.
The job descriptions of Session members have been
reviewed and will be shared with our new officers.
You will soon be hearing from the stewardship and
nominating committees. This is the time of year when
we are making plans for the new year by figuring out
our needs and funding, and asking for folks to step up
and fill the roster of workers needed in the future.
Please be open to the requests of these two important
committees.
We will be celebrating Tom’s retirement with the
community on Oct. 10th. The Transition Team is
working to make this a memorable day for him and his
family. Check the details elsewhere in this newsletter,
and help us recognize Tom’s time here with us.
We offer our Thank You to Paul Turk for his
restoring of the railings around the church build-
ing, and the restoration of the memorial bench
in the front park. Thanks, Paul.
Also, a Thank You to Jim Rogers for taking care
of the trimming of the bushes in the front.
Always appreciated, Jim.
SPECIAL CONGREGATONAL MEETING
The special congregational meeting held on
Sept. 20th was called to act on Rev. Taylor’s
request to retire on Dec. 31, 2015. 40 members
of the church voted to accept the dissolution of
the agreement between First Presbyterian
Church and Rev. Taylor due to his retirement.
We also reviewed and agreed to the Separation
Ethics Boundaries Covenant, a copy of which is
on page 7 of this newsletter.
This covenant is provided by the Genesee
Valley Presbytery to assure a right relationship
between the pastor, the session and the
congregation following his retirement.
News and Notes from Session:
Page 7 The WeatherVane The WeatherVane The WeatherVane
This Separation Ethics and Boundaries Covenant is provided by the Genesee Valley Presbytery to provide assurance
of a right relationship between the pastor, the session and the congregation following his retirement. It was reviewed by the Session,
and the congregation approved it at the meeting on Sept. 20, 2015.
PRESBYTERY OF GENESEE VALLEY
COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY
Policy Regarding Former Pastors:
Separation Ethics and Boundaries Covenant
Boundaries Covenant is a reminder of the importance of the relationship between the former pastor and congregation. To ensure a
healthy transition from the current called pastor to a transitional pastor and then to the newly installed pastor, the congregation and
departing pastor must exercise great self-restraint in order to allow time for the congregation to reflect on past ministry, dream about
future ministries and allow for a relationship with future pastors to grow. How pastors and congregations say “Goodbye” is just as
important as how they say “Hello” and “Welcome”. So we all (pastors, congregational leaders and members) need to model for one
another healthy boundaries as our roles and responsibilities change. To effectively and graciously maintain such boundaries requires
clarity and positive support of one another.
This Boundaries Covenant should be shared throughout the congregation so that others may understand the changes in the pastoral
role and responsibilities and can cooperate as the church and pastor move into another phase of their respective lives.
This covenant will guide the future relationship between The Rev. Dr. Thomas E. Taylor (hereafter referred to as “the pastor”) and
the First Presbyterian Church of Avon, NY (hereafter referred to as “the church”) effective on this date of dissolution December 31,
2015. Both understand and accept the terms of this Boundaries Covenant in order that all pastoral staff can develop in positive ways.
A. The Pastor agrees to communicate to the entire congregation, friends of the church, and staff prior to the departure, so that it
is clear that although the departing pastor has greatly valued their friendships, the pastor desires and has covenanted not to
be in communication regarding the congregation, its life, any pastoral care or discussion of future leadership, congregational
issues or events.
B. It is agreed that the Pastor will not ordinarily expect to have the freedom to use the services of the church office or support
staff after the dissolution date. It is also expected that all church property, including all church keys, will be returned to the
Clerk of Session on the last day of service.
C. It is agreed that the Pastor and the Church will hold one another in prayer for their emotional and spiritual well-being. It is
agreed that the Pastor and the Church will refrain from all intentional pastoral interaction online or in person until a suitable
period of time has passed.
D. The Pastor agrees that he will not provide pastoral services for weddings, baptisms or funerals in the former congregation or
with members of the former congregation. Planning and counseling are to be performed by the resident pastor, either inter-
im or installed, or the Moderator of the Session. Former pastors may be invited to share in the former congregation’s life
only by invitation of the current Moderator or in the absence of a moderator, the Session. The Pastor agrees to notify the
Moderator or the pastor of any requests received from members of the congregation with regards to pastoral services.
E. The Pastor and the congregation agree to eliminate all social media connections and contacts that maintain a formal pastoral
relationship that has been dissolved. Any social media contacts relating to normal friendships should be exercised with ex-
treme caution not to violate any boundaries regarding discussions of the church, the pastor, policies, programs, staff, etc.
F. The Pastor agrees that he will neither say nor listen to any uncomplimentary or critical remarks with members of the con-
gregation concerning transitional or installed clergy.
G. The Church and the Pastor agree that after a suitable period of time, if there is a desire on the part of any party to this
Boundaries Covenant to review it, they may do so with all parties involved.
Any additions and/or exceptions to this Boundaries Covenant must be agreed to prior to signing this covenant and attached
as an appendix and transmitted to the COM as part of the covenant.
In signing, the parties indicate a commitment to abide by the above Separation Ethics Policy and Boundaries Covenant and
that they have received and understand and will abide by the COM decisions relative to this policy.
Page 8 The WeatherVane
Rummage Sale a Success!
A profit of $1,218.00 was made from the
Fall Rummage Sale. Thanks to all who
donated, worked and shopped.
This event is an exercise in recycling as
well as a benefit to our community.
Thank you!
Seekers has begun! This Fall we will be
looking at topics such as being too busy; why God
doesn’t always give us what we want; the struggle to
forgive and the healing power of forgiveness; losing
someone in our life; and finding our true self.
As usual we will begin at 7:00pm in the
Fellowship Hall with prayer and meditation, and
then dessert! We then view a 5-8 minutes DVD on
the subject and discuss our thoughts and questions.
We will the first and third Tuesdays of the month.
Everyone is welcomed and the classes are structured
so that you can come to one or as many has you
have time and interest for. We hope to see you.
Seekers
Page 9 The WeatherVane
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
Each Mon.
PW Crafters
meet 9am
1 2 3 Each Sat.
12 Noon SIS
4 10:00am
Worship w/
World Wide
Communion
5 6 7:00pm
Seekers
7 8 9 10 1:00pm-
4:00pm
Open House
for Tom
11 10:00am
Worship
12 13 14 1:00pm
WeCare,
lesson 2
15 16 17
18 10:00am
Worship
19 7:00 pm.
Session
20 7:00pm
Seekers
21 22 23 24
25 10:00am
Worship
26 27 28 1:00pm.
WeCare
29 30 31
October 2015
Each Thurs
12:15AA
7:30pm AA
& Alanon
Nov. WV
Articles due
Oct 18
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID PERMIT NO.21
AVON, NY 14414
First Presbyterian Church
5605 E. Avon Lima Rd. PO Box 189
Avon, NY 14414
Oct. 2015
WeatherVane
Nov. 2015
WeatherVane Articles
Due Oct. 18 , or earlier if able
Or current resident
Come to an Open House
to Celebrate the retirement
of the
Rev. Dr. Tom Taylor
on October 10th
from 1pm to 4pm
at the Avon Community Center
located behind McDonald’s in Avon.
Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will
be provided.
Cards welcome with stories of Tom!