September 2021 Messenger : simplebooklet.com

THE MESSENGERGOOD SAMARITAN CHURCH NEWSLETTER • VOLUME 111 • ISSUE 9 • SEPTEMBER 2021Over the past month, I have had conversations with many of you. What am I hearing during this fourth wave of the Covid-19 virus? What am I am hearing as our community conversations boil around mask mandates and vaccines? What am I hearing as local hospitals fill to capacity, surgeries are delayed and ambulance response times increase? What am I hearing as we watch our world literally on fire with increased natural disasters and suering? What am I hearing as we watch Afghanistan fall yet again to the Taliban and halfway around the world our hearts are breaking with compassion, anxiety, fear and guilt? What am I hearing as the Black Lives Matter and anti-racism movements continue to simmer in hopes change is coming or is already starting?Well, I am hearing a lot rom all o you.I hear a lot of loneliness and a lot of grief at the disconnection or the divisions between friends, neighbors, and family members. One church member recently commented, “I feel so disconnected from the church both on zoom and when I sit alone in a seat in the sanctuary.” Several others have shared feeling a heavy grief and at a loss how to talk to friends and family members who have been sucked in by misinformation and conspiracy theories in ways that are now jeopardizing their own lives or other’s lives. Others are in despair that life still is not returning to “normal”–survival mode has gone on longer than feels tolerable. Still others are burnt out and exhausted whether they be parents, caregivers, church leaders or food pantry volunteers, because the superhero strength they summoned to meet the needs of thetimes is wearing thin. Some are feeling not only zoom fatigue, but compassion fatigue, struggling mightily to find even a drop of love and concern within them for people who aren’t taking common sense precautions. Others are finding transitions out of social isolation much, much harder and anxiety-filled than they anticipated. For my 7 years as Pastor of Good Samaritan Church our mission has been to build the beloved community: a dream of a world filled with spirit-knit connections, wholeness, love, justice and peace. It seems to me the world, and we ourselves, are more in need of beloved community than ever. Starting September 12th, this fall will be all about re-connection and re-building that community as we engage in a worship series entitled: I’ve Been Meaning to Ask… by A Sanctified Art. There are many ways to participate. 1. Come to Worship–Join us each week for art-inspired worship, music and reflections.2. Use a Study Journal on Your Own–Pick up the printed I’ve Been Meaning to Ask… study journal at Good Sam throughout the series or download the study journal to your tablet, so you can follow along with us and do your own study and reflection. Instructions for downloading the electronic version will come to you in an all-church email the second week of September.3. Attend Weekly Art Meditation Group–Join Pastor Jen, Wednesdays, 5pm, for a time of quite contemplation, group discussion, poetry and prayers as we meditate together on the inspired art pieces for the series. Zoom ID 727-544-85584. Attend Our Fellowship Conversation Times–Join us for 15-30 minutes aer worship each week for a time of conversation. For those with us in person, socially-distanced chairs will be set up around our courtyard for conversation. For those on zoom, stick around aer worship and we will break you into small groups. 5. Attend a Ministry Team or Committee Meeting–Check-in and closing questions for our ministry team meetings and committee meetings will be drawn from our worship series.6. Prayer/Conversation Partners–Want a prayer/conversation partner throughout the series? Contact our church oce and we will pair you up with someone. Throughout the series use the questions in your study journal to check-in with each other and pray for one another. Past JenFROM THE PASTOR'S DESK:I’VE BEEN MEANING TO ASK...1

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THE CONTEMPLATIVE FOODIE:LEARNING THE JESUS WAY ONE INGREDIENT AT A TIMEThis Month Look or the First Episode o Pastor Jen’s New Vlog!Pastor Jen says: “I’ve always found the kitchen and the table to be great teachers not only of the love of food, but the love of life. Foodie culture has become immensely popular in recent years. Done poorly it can become gluttonous and consumeristic, an extravagant lifestyle for the wealthy and privileged. Done with intentionality and contemplation, it can transform us mind, body and soul… and, it doesn’t need to cost a lot! As a practicing Contemplative Foodie and Jesus-following Pastor, I am committed to learning the Jesus-Way One Ingredient at a Time, and I invite you along on the journey with me.” DID YOU KNOW?• Did you know that when we re-opened our building, we installed an air purification system on our existing air-conditioning unit to make our sanctuary as safe as possible?• Did you know that we now have virtual Good Sam regulars and visitors joining us for worship from over 1,000 miles away?• Did you know that our Food Pantry receives 500 lbs of food from USDA each month or that each day the pantry is open we provide food for 30-60 households?• Did you know that many other churches including Oakhurst United Methodist, Trinity UCC, and Pass-a-Grill UCC continue to partner with us by providing food, money, volunteers, or all of the above?• Did you know that our Food Pantry is in desperate need of more volunteers, especially volunteers who can li 25-50 pounds? Interested? Contact Judy Friend, Kate Hall, Pastor Jen, or the church oce. • Did you know that our Justice Coalition FAST recently received a grant to explore and organize around environmental issues (like Red Tide) impacting our communities.• Did you know that a new roof will soon be installed on our sanctuary building because our 1980 constructed building still has the original roof and is over due to be replaced? • Did you know that we received a grant from the Presbytery to purchase all of our equipment for Hybrid worship?• Did you know that our New AV booth came to us as a generous, free, hand-me-down gi from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Dunedin?• Did you know that your church community still loves you and wants to connect with you? –Submitted by Pastor Jen 5

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7FAST NEWSFAST (Faith & Action for Strength Together) makes quite an impact on Pinellas County. And it obtains these successes, not with funds or lobbyists, but with people of faith like you and me. It is the number of people who support FAST and participate in this justice work that makes the dierence. We urge all of you to attend a house meeting in September. You’ll learn more about FAST and be given an opportunity to share a major concern that impacts your life or the life of someone close to you.Rachael Wells will lead a socially distanced house meeting at the church at noon on Sunday, September 19th. Jean Cooley will host a virtual Zoom house meeting Saturday, September 11 at 11:00 AM. Please contact Rachael, Jean or the church oce to reserve a place at either meeting. If you are unable to attend one of these meetings they will hold a third house meeting at a time and place to be determined by those interested.Here’s an update of what we have accomplished this year:AFFORDABLE HOUSING: We would like to keep celebrating that we pushed the county to go from 13% of the total units to be aordable, to 57%. This means a huge increase and almost 300 units for the families who need it the most. This has only been possible because we have been paying attention, because we have been present at every county commission meeting letting them know that we are watching their steps. Even though there were 3 projects that met the resolution this time, there was one project of 204 units, and only 41 will be aordable. We went to the county commission meeting first to celebrate the first three projects, but also to tell them that we did not agree with this last project. However, all the commissioners voted yes. Even though we are not 100% where we want to be with these projects, we can see that our presence and persistence is moving closer and closer 100%.BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: When we attended the county commission meeting in June, we were excited to hear the county vote to approve moving forward on the next phase of a central pathway. We were also frustrated that we were being asked to wait another year as the county spent another million dollars before we might see an actual central pathway. Aer we shared our concerns, however, we were pleased to hear all the commissioners agreeing with our vision for what a central pathway should look like. To hear them verbally express support for what we’re asking for–and even thank us for holding them accountable to it–is progress we should celebrate! This is why we don’t just ask our ocials to make commitments; we follow up to make sure they stick to them. The place we’re at today is the result of two years of holding the county accountable. And we’re not done. We also met with Lourdes Benedict and Barry Burton in June, and they told us they’re taking responsibility for getting everyone on board to ensure there is only ONE central pathway. In the meantime, we know there are people struggling who need immediate help. The Wellness Connection is a good place for people to get help connecting to the services they need in the short term, so continue sharing the phone number (727-791-3131) and sharing your feedback so we can pass it on.How do we stand? FAST TOGETHER! –Submitted by Bev KellyGRACE FORSYTHE CELEBRATES100 YEARS!qOn July 31, 2021, Grace Forsythe celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by loving family and friends! She said they all gathered at a restaurant connected to the place where she lives and had a wonderful meal together and then blessed her with gifts and hugs! Until recently she spent her winters in Florida, but has decided to stay close to her family at this point in Avon, CT. She enjoys walks and spending time with family when she can. She said she misses her Good Sam family and always enjoys hearing from them!The total of giving year-to-date through July in $10,424 under budget. Now that many of us are meeting in person on Sundays, there is now some loose oering and non-pledged income. With increased usage of our buildings by outside groups, the building use income will be increasing.July saw another payment for air conditioning repairs and increased expenses for general building maintenance supplies.Clarence Wilkinson met with several roofing companies that inspected the roof over the Worship Center and were asked to bid on replacing the current roof. Of the bids received, Clarence presented 2 bids to Session. The companies that bid on the job were American Roofing and Acoma Roofing. Aer reviewing the bids, session voted to accept the bid from Acoma Roofing for $25,850. The money to pay for the new roof will come from the investment account with United Church Funds. –Submitted by Kate HallTREASURER’S REPORT

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Colorado State University has issued their final forecast for the Atlantic basin hurricane season (including the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico). They stated that sea surface temperatures in the subtropical North Atlantic region are above normal. Usually above normal sea temperatures in these waters portends an active season is ahead of us in August and September. Elsa’s development and intensification so early in the season is suggestive of an upcoming active storm season. In modern history, only five hurricanes have developed in early July in the Caribbean---each one was followed by a very active major hurricane season! For example, Hurricane Emily developed in July 2005 which was followed by Katrina in September of 2005.The updated forecast for 2021 calls for 9 hurricanes of which 4 of these will be considered a major hurricane. They are calling for 20 named storms this season---five have already formed by July 7, 2021. The probability of at least one major hurricane making landfall are 43% for Florida and 43% for the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle westward to Brownsville. Forecasts are important in that they remind us of the reality of living on the Florida coast---every year there is a possibility that we will experience potentially dangerous storms including hurricanes. One storm can make for a very bad season! I urge you to have a plan and be prepared for the season. Please be sure to pick up the 2021 Hurricane Guide in the narthex of the church or at the food pantry. These guides are updated every year.Good Samaritan HurricaneInormation or 2021The Pinellas County Hurricane Preparation Guide for 2021 continues to be available in the narthex at Good Samaritan Church. The information is also available at https://www.pinellascounty.org/emergency/allhazardguide.htm. – Submitted by Clarence WilkinsonHURRICANE NAMES FOR THE 2021 ATLANTIC SEASONAna ✔ Henri ✔ OdetteBill ✔ Ida ✔ PeterClaudette ✔ Julian RoseDanny ✔ Kate SamElsa ✔ Larry TeresaFred ✔ Mindy VictorGrace ✔ Nicholas WandaIf there are more than 21 named storms there will be additional names provided by the World Meteorology Organization.FINAL 2021 HURRICANE FORECAST IS IN... EXPECT A VERY ACTIVE STORM SEASON!9When the pandemic first started, and we learned how serious it was going to be, Katie (my spouse) and I wondered who, of all the people we knew would be the first to get COVID-19. We worried that somebody we knew would die and we prayed that they wouldn’t. Little did we know that 18 months later I would be the first person we knew to get sick.Katie and I took all the precautions, we stayed home, we had our groceries and things we needed, or wanted, delivered. We stopped going out to eat and supported our favorite restaurants by ordering carry out. We cancelled dental and routine doctors appointments and for the first time in more than 10 years, we did not leave Florida for the summer. About the only place Katie went was to the food pantry twice a week but always wearing her mask, washing her hands and keeping her distance. There were several weeks when the only time I le the house was to walk the dog in the evening, all the while staying 6 to 10 feet away from others out walking. Like most people we were anxious to get the vaccinations, so anxious we drove to Ocala to get ours.When we understood that if you were vaccinated, and if you were careful, you could go out without masks, we did venture out. One of the places I ventured out to was to a gymnastics event one of my guardian ad litem children was taking part in. I must say Katie did tell me to wear my mask, and I must say I wish I had, because it was at this hour long performance by pre-teens, that I think I contracted the virus. I knew the foster family I was with had all been vaccinated, but I’m guessing that someone among the other parents had not been. The next day we went to church and out to lunch with some church members. Tuesday morning I went out to breakfast with a good friend, we ate and we ran some errands. Tuesday aernoon I started coughing and Wednesday morning I felt like I was getting a horrible cold. I slept most of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I was texting with my good friend in California, telling her about my cold, when she suggested that I better get tested for Covid. Up until that message, I had never even considered that I needed to do that. Saturday Katie drove me to Walgreens and an hour later I learned I was positive. On Sunday Katie tested positive, and on Monday my good friend tested positive.I’m telling you all this so that you know even people who pay attention and are taking precautions, still need to be careful. It happened to me, and it can happen to you. Please wear your masks. –Submitted by Gretchen AckersonGRETCHEN ACKERSON SHARES, “IT WAS ME!”

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10CURRENT FOOD PANTRY NEEDS:SOUPS OF ALL KINDS ANDUNSWEETENED CEREALPHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY JUDY FRIENDBIRTHDAY ANDANNIVERSARY CLUBSAs part of Stewardship, we ask that those celebrating birthdays and anniversariesdonate to Good Sam a dollar per year.The following are the names of those in the Birthday and Anniversary Club for 2021!The total collected so far this year is $667.BIRTHDAY CLUBJane GaylordBarb StegerJean CooleyKate HallJudy FriendMartha TaylorBev KellySuzie StegerANNIVERSARY CLUBDick and Kate HallThank you to all who participate!– Submitted by Kate Hall2021 FOOD PANTRY CLIENTS14001075750425100Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov DecFOOD PANTRY REPORT JULY 2021Number of days open to serve clients: 9Number of clients served: Adults 626, Children 156, Total 782Volunteers during July were Bev Kelly, Ginnie Thompson, Ginger Breitkreutz, Kate Hall, Carole Diehm, Tom Fauquet, Linda Rupp, Sarah Butz, Beryl Fruth, Judy Friend, Joni and John Melville, Lewis Hill, Robin Becker, Beverly Finn, Kay Snyder, Jacob Spencer and Jane Gaylord. The number o households served in July was 278. That means that 278 bags o groceries were given out in the 9 days we were open in July. For the irst 7 months o 2021 we have served 7,603 individuals.The Pantry Steering Committee has decided that our hours will be reduced for the summer. This meant that in July we were open 4 fewer days than in June. Deliveries from Hope Village, formerly RCS, have been occurring monthly since March. We are having diculty in finding able-bodied helpers to bring the cases of food from the wooden pallets where the truck driver unloads the food into the pantry for storage. The last 2 months our delivery has increased in the number of food items received. This requires more volunteer hours to pack the USDA bags.Oakhurst United Methodist Church in Seminole continues to hold monthly “Pop the Trunk” food drives for our pantry on the third Saturday of each month. Other outside groups and individuals have been bringing food to the “Donations” door. Some of the regular donors ask us what we most need and bring those items the next time they deliver to us.As always, thanks to all who keep this important mission running. – Submitted by Kate HallNEW SUMMER FOOD PANTRY HOURSIN EFFECT THROUGH SEPTEMBER!Monday & Thursday 9am Till NoonrVolunteers from Pass-A-Grill helped at the Food Pantry. Posing by the delivery truck that brought in a load of food, they are Jerry Williams, Scott and Casey Kirkpatrick, Isi Caruso, and Dane Petersen. Their hard work is much appreciated.

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GOOD SAMARITAN CHURCH STAFFRev. Jen Daysa ......................................................................................................................... PastorRev. Jean Cooley ....................................................................................................Parish AssociateMikal Mancini ......................................................................................Director of Music MinistriesRebecca Kessel ...............................................................................................Oce AdministratorPosition to be Filled ....................................................................................................... BookkeeperShelby Lamb (On furlough through Summer) ...............................................Nursery AssistantMirko Bratic ........................................................................................................................ Custodian GOOD SAMARITAN MINISTRY TEAMSResource Development Team ................................................ Clarence Wilkinson (Moderator), Gretchen Ackerson,Celeste Behret, Beverly Finn, Beryl Fruth, Kate Hall (Treasurer Liaison)Care Team .................................................................................... Ginger Breitkreutz (Moderator), Beverly Finn, Jane Gaylord, Jim Moore, Mickey Moore, Clarence Wilkinson (Disaster Preparedness Liaison), Justice and Mercy Team ............................................................ Rev. Jean Cooley (Moderator), Gretchen Ackerson, Sarah Butz, Judy Friend, Lewis Hill,Linda Rupp, Rachael Wells, Clarence Wilkinson, Kate Hall (Food Pantry Liaison), Bev Kelly (FAST Liaison)Spiritual Formation Team ...............................................Chance Martinez-Colon (Moderator), Jean Adams, Sarah Butz, Steve Crist, Rev. Bill Cooley,Judy Friend, Chris Osberg, Debbie Rasmussin, Carolyn WoodardFellowship and Outreach Team .........................................................Eric Johnson (Moderator), Sandy Badger, Robin Becker, Annie Gambino,Barb Steger, Suzie Steger, Martha TaylorPersonnel Committee .......................................................... Gretchen Ackerson, Robin Becker, Kate Hall, Clarence Wilkinson Pastor Relations Committee .................................................... Carolyn Woodard (Moderator), Ginger Breitkreutz, Bev Kelly, Chris Osberg,Lisa Ware, Clarence Wilkinson THE MESSENGER — Newsletter of Good Samaritan ChurchPresbyterian Church (USA) “More Light” and United Church of Christ “Open and Arming”Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. • Fellowship/Coee Hour Following WorshipTHE MESSENGER of Good Samaritan Church • 6085 Park Boulevard, Pinellas Park, FL 33781727-544-8558 • Email: oce@goodsam-church.org • Web Site: discovergoodsam.orgOurMissionTo Build TheBelovedCommunityA Ministry ofHospitality, Vision,and JusticeA Global MissionChurchJesus didn’t reject people. Neither do we!CELEBRATING OVER 100 YEARSRev. Dr. Harold M. Brockus – Pastor EmeritusCheck out Good Sam onFACEBOOK!SESSIONKatie Fullerton, ClerkKate Hall, TreasurerCLASS OF 2021Lisa WareCarolyn WoodardVacantCLASS OF 2022Beverly FinnLinda RuppClarence WilkinsonCLASS OF 2023Sarah ButzBeryl FruthChris OsbergST. JAMES LIST “Pray for one another that you may be healed.” James 5:16Let us remember those members and friends who have asked for our prayers and those who are unable to attend worship.Vicky VanDien (wife of Ferris VanDien), Dawn Johnson, Sophia Stringer, Shaddai Simmons, Drew Taylor and family (Martha Taylor’s son), Jo Jo and Amanda Byrd, the Brockus family, Dottie Boake, Nancy Rudasill, Eddie Kosinski, Sandy Badger, Donna Knight, Harry Miller all the families in our community aected by COVID-19 whether through sickness or financial stress,and Good Samaritan Church.