THE NEWSLETTER    Vol 53, No. 12                                        March 19, 2020
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SUSPENSION OF ALL FACE-TO-FACE GATHERINGS
 
The Session, in a meeting on Sunday, March 15, suspended indefinitely all face-to-face gatherings. This includes worship, Sunday school classes, fellowship groups, committee meetings, and special events.
 
Later on the same day, the Centers for Disease Control issued an "Interim Guidance" report that says, in part, "Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities. Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies. These events can be planned not only by organizations and communities but also by individuals.
 
"Therefore, CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States."
 
On Monday, the White House issued "The President's Coronavirus Guidelines for America." For the next 15 days, it is recommended to avoid groups of more than 10 people, and to avoid going to bars, restaurants, and food courts.
 
The Session's decision aligns with the CDC recommendation. The Session will meet again (by video conference) on March 24 and determine if any adjustments need to be made.

Alternative Worship Experience
 
The Staff is working on a variety of means by which Parkway can continue as a worshipping and caring community. These may include occasional video devotionals and, perhaps, a live video stream broadcast of a worship experience. This is new territory so it may take a little while to make this fully available.
 


Submit Your Applications
We are starting the process for receiving distribution requests from our endowment fund.  Income from last year can be spent with one third for education, one third for benevolence and one third for property.  These should be for projects that are not part of Parkway's normal budget expenditures.
 
If you have any questions, you can contact any member of our distribution task group-Sarah Norris, Laura Holmgreen, Lou Lambiotte or Norman Wilcox.  

Distribution request forms are available.  Submit a form online, print blank form by clicking here or pick up a form at the church office or from one of the distribution task group.

Recommendation for Session
The Elder Nominating Committee is asking for your suggestions for possible Elders who would begin serving a 3 year term leading the Church in June, 2020. If you have a suggestion, please email Lou Lambiotte at  Lou.geology@gmail.com


 
Church Office Hours
During this time when most of the church activities are suspended, the church building will be locked but Cheryl and Ben will be here working. Allen and Laura will be working from home per "The President's Corona Virus Guidelines." Allen and Laura can be reached by calling the church office and having Cheryl transfer the call to the appropriate person. The office will be open regular hours, Monday through Thursday from 9:00-4:30 and Friday from 9:00-12:00


Izzy's Food Pantry - Frequently Asked Questions


Q: Can I donate money?
A: Monetary donations can be made at  giving.tamucc.edu . Donations may be tax deductible as allowable by law. Click on Izzy's Food Panty as the area of the University you would like to support.
Q: Is it more helpful to donate money, gift cards or food?
A: While Izzy's Food Pantry accepts both food and monetary donations, monetary donations and gift cards enable us to purchase food items that the pantry may be low on or purchase food at wholesale prices.

Food will be collected until March 20. Drop off your non-perishable donations in the narthex. ** Please drop off any donations through the week, as the building will not be open on Sunday mornings."

Sara's Kids Sign-Up, Sunday 3/22 

Sign up to buy a birthday gift for a child in foster care.  There are three opportunities left this month:   1-year-old girl, 13-year-old boy and 13- year-old girl. 

Please contact Lessie to sign up to provide a gift for one of these children.



Border Ministry Project 
Urgent Need: Interfaith Welcome Coalition (founded by the late Rev. Kelly Allen of University Presbyterian in San Antonio.

IWC has asked for our help with the Border Ministry. With so many asylum seekers stranded in Mexico awaiting immigration hearings there is an urgent need for some items. These are:

1.Men's small and medium boxer underwear (boxers allow for some size
   variations.
2.Women's small & medium underwear
3. Socks for men, women and children

Pat Clements and I have received Session permission to head this drive. The church office will still be open normal hours from Monday - Friday for drop offs during the next three weeks. If you prefer to write a check please make it out to Interfaith Welcome Coalition with notation Border Ministry & drop at church office. If you do not want to go out please notify either Pat or myself and we will pick up. IWC is a 5013C charitable organization so your gifts are tax deductible. Items are being taken across the border daily in small batches with no problems by IWC workers and friends.

Thank you for any help,
Carlene Schleider, Point person for IWC


7 Marks of Vital Congregations Study
 
Parkway has been engaged in an all-church Bible study of the Seven Marks of Vital Congregations. Not only have the members and friends of the church been studying together, the Sunday morning worship experience has also been geared around the particular mark being studied that week.
 
With the suspension of face-to-face gatherings, we are also pausing the Vital Congregations study. We were nearly completed with Week #5, Spirit-Inspired Worship. When the Session gives the OK to begin worshiping and gathering again into study groups, we will pick back up with Mark #6, Caring Relationships.






Children and Youth Fellowship


Please be aware that we will not be meeting until we are cleared to do so. 
  

March 22 --  March 28
Sunday   Church Building will not be open
11:00 Online Worship 
           (More details to come)
  
Monday
12:00 Sweet Surrender Sisters 
             Reunion Group
 
Tuesday
  6:00 Session Meeting via ZOOM
  6:30 Darn Yarn Group
  6:30 Sweet Adelines/ Sparkling City
             Chorus      

Wednesday

 
Thursday
  9:00 Pyrography Class
  1:00 Bridge

 
Friday 
 4:45 Loaves and Fishes
 

 
 

 

Loaves and Fishes (Metro Ministries)
Loaves & Fishes is a free cafeteria that serves nutritious dine-in meals for the homeless, poor, working poor, disabled, and elderly. This program provides lunch and dinner Monday through Friday. Parkway has committed to serving in the soup kitchen every Friday, from 4:45 to 6 pm. A food handler's permit is required and quite easy to obtain. If you would like to participate in this ministry, contact Irene Jones.




All Parkway shifts have been cancelled until further notice. 

Still want to volunteer? Please call Loaves & Fishes at  887-0151, Ext. 242. to let them know you are coming.
Prayer Concerns
If you would like to place a prayer concern onto the prayer chain, please call or text Karen Wesson at 361-815-2099, or send an e-mail to klwesson@stx.rr.com. If you are not currently receiving the prayer chain emails (or your email address has changed) and wish to participate in lifting up concerns of the congregation, you may add yourself to the distribution list by going to your Realm account at  www.parkwaypc.org .
                                                                                      
Judy Forbes
June Baker Dallas Marek  Billie Franklin
Elizabeth Falk Dick McCracken Tom Kimes
John Piatt
Sarah Elizabeth (daughter of Sarah and Walter Norris)