Imagine having fun at a 150th anniversary church dedication - AND WE DID! Wow - What a blast! I've been asked by a number of you to publish my little history ditty, so here it is: Julia Jones Beecher's visit to The Park Church, Oct 12, 2025 Hello - can you all hear me? That nice Mr. Smith assured me that this tiny device would project my voice to the last pew! Please excuse my notes; I don't want to forget a thing. That Mr. Stermer dared me to return (a most powerful man - do

After a very hot and dry summer, some cool moist days feel good to me! Soon all the leaves will be turning and the school year will be in full swing. During our August Council meeting, we took a few minutes to "on-board" our newest councilperson, Bunny Alberts, by reflecting on what our church consultancy with Paul Nixon yielded in terms of our health and growth. Pastor Gary reminded us that Paul had recommended that we beef-up coffee hour and move the table of goodies front

I had the opportunity last week to give a tour of our building to a few Second Place East, Inc. board members. I never tire of this...

June 2025: Two weekends in a row of activities! The Elmira Pride Festival attracted even more that our first two years and created an...

Busy month ahead at our busy little church! Of course we're celebrating Pride Month, but we're als rosting a free OSFL Chorus Concert,...

Here's something I shared five years ago, but bears repeating: "There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always...

Do you know how much I treasure being your council president? I feel like I'm on the home stretch, one more year to go in my six-year...

Women's History & The Park Church Rachel Dworkin, archivist at the Booth Library of the Chemung County Historical Society, invited me...

And we’re off…...thanks for your participation in the Annual Meeting on Jan. 26th, we had over 50 members attend to vote in the 2025...

What a busy and delightful month of December we had! From the Hanging of the Greens, Near Westside Open House, Advent Organ Recitals,...

This month, Rev. Gary and I will merge our “columns” in Cross Currents – reflective of the partnership we share in the leading of our...

Adding them up! In preparation for the text on this year’s pledge brochure, I was asked how many events happened at the church in 2024,...

Summoned by Joy I love how we do church. Most of you know, I like to sit under the balcony steps at the back of the sanctuary where I can...

There’s been a huge crane blocking egress in our parking lot for most of the summer. If you come down very early some morning you can...

I had the opportunity to offer a Mission Moment on June 23 and repeat it here, hoping it will inspire you to action: The sign in the...

Proud – You Bet, and Grateful! Happy Pride Month as we kick off numerous weekend activities this month with our second annual Elmira...

Have you noticed the beautiful spring flowers all around the church? Memories of past Easter Sundays -- and like those perennials, here...

Spring is popping up all over! With an early Holy Week behind us, we roll quickly into spring with many exciting projects ahead. The name...

Thank you all for your attendance last week at our Chicken & Biscuits church lunch. We raised $350 to donate to our mission partner, the...

Thank you all for your attendance yesterday at our Annual Meeting! We had forty-six in attendance and passed the budget and our 2024...