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THE NEWSLETTER Vol 53, No. 25 June 17, 2020
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Please share your pictures with us on Realm and Facebook.
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PCHAS reacts to COVID 19
Ms. Sophia Montemayor, one of our PHCAS representatives, describes a typical situation of need in these times.
A single mother raising her 3 children lost her job in late March due to circumstances of COVID-19. She filed for unemployment and food stamps, but did not get immediate assistance, so PCHAS was able to help with groceries, toiletries, and other available community resources to help ease some financial stress. One benefit from not working was that she was able to be with her children and grow connections that she would never have been able to do otherwise. Due to restrictions lifted she is now able to go back to work part-time to try get back on track for her family.
PCHAS is helping people like Janet, a young girl who was frightened and hurt after being removed from her birth family because of abuse; a young man named Adam, aged out of foster care and nowhere to turn; and Tracy, a single mother scared about her family's future after losing her job.
Through PCHAS, Janet was matched with a caring foster family and is eating home-cooked meals, wearing clean clothes, and getting help with homework-all things she lacked before. Adam was admitted to PCHAS's Transitional Living Program and now has a safe place to live where he can focus on college while working part-time. Tracy was admitted to the Single Parent Family Program and knows her family is going to make it through this storm.
Please help these crisis situations have a good outcome. This Sunday, Parkway is receiving a special offering on Father's Day (June 21) for Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services. Your generosity will make a difference in the life of a child.
Please give generously to support the PCHAS Father's Day Offering.
Click here to give online.
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Two Worship Services-One Time
Beginning this Sunday, you have the opportunity to attend worship either in the sanctuary or in your home. As Parkway begins the transition back to in-person worship, the church will continue to provide an on-line worship experience on Facebook. Both services will begin at 11:00.
At the time of this writing, the number of positive tests for COVID-19 is increasing, something unforeseen when the Session decided to begin in-person worship. Should the situation change dramatically these plans may change at the last minute. If there is a change from what is currently planned, an e-mail blast will come from the church.
There will be two differences in the services this week. At the in-person worship the church will ordain and install James Carr, John Chesshir, Pat Clements, and Courtney Durham as Elders serving on the Session. The on-line service will feature a solo sung by Roxanne English.
Get dressed or stay in your jammies, but there is a worship service for you this Sunday at 11:00.
Please help us in our preparations by
letting us know if you are planning to attend the in-person worship or not this Sunday, June 21
clicking this link.
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Planning for In-Person Worship 
The Session has voted to begin in-person worship on Sunday, June 21. The Session also approved guidelines to help ensure safe social distancing. A full description of the plan has been sent to you separately, but here are the essential highlights:
- Two entries into the building will be open, the main entrance on Brawner Parkway and the entry through the Music Building from the alley.
- Masks will be required for entry but may be removed once you are seated in the sanctuary. Masks can be provided if you forget yours.
- Ushers will regulate the number of people entering from the narthex and the alley to ensure appropriate social distancing.
- Hand sanitizer will be available at both entrances.
- The Order of Worship will be sent by email to every member and you are encouraged to print the Order of Worship at home and bring it with you. A limited number of copies will be available at the church.
- Seating will be in every other row and blue tape designates each seat. Please leave three seats between your family and the next family unit.
- Offering baskets will be placed next to the entrance/exit and any donations may be dropped into the basket on arrival or leaving. Offering plates will not be passed.
- Iris Fielden will serve as the Cantor for the congregation. There will be no congregational singing.
- There will be no desks for sign-ups in the narthex.
- The Nursery will not be open.
- At the end of the service, ushers/ministers will direct dismissal to avoid over-crowding the narthex.
- Please do not assemble in the narthex, but stay around for conversations out on the lawn.
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Ordination of Elders 
One of the beautiful images of worship comes on those occasions when all of the Elders gather around those being newly ordained for a "Laying on of Hands." The symbolism is rich with images of a blessing, a confirmation, and the sharing of authority. Sunday, during the in-person service James Carr, John Chesshir, Pat Clements, and Courtney Durham will be ordained and installed.
How do you participate in the "Laying on of Hands" and maintain the social distancing recommended because of the coronavirus? The candidates will be asked to stand in place to hear and respond to the questions of ordination. Then those who are Ruling Elders in the congregation will be asked to stand in place as a sign of blessing, confirmation, and the sharing of authority. The symbolism will be the same, only the means of expression will be different.
One other difference is that this new class of Elders will not stand in the narthex to shake hands and say "Hello" as you leave the sanctuary. However, please do find some creative way to express your gratitude for their willingness to serve the church and Jesus Christ through this office.
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Did you know that the General Endowment Fund has generated $175,000?
The General Endowment was established in 1992 and since that time has awarded grants (including this year's awards) totaling almost $175,000, equally to education, benevolences, and capital projects outside of Parkway's operating budget.
This year's awards are as follows:
Properties
- $4,119.29 to replace the surface of the Nursery play area.
Education
- $500 to John Knox Ranch for scholarships
- $750 for chancel choir scholarships
- $2,869.28 to replace the surface of the Nursery play area
Benevolence
- $1,000 to Metro Ministries to help sponsor the Poor Man's Supper
- $1,000 to Coastal Bend Food Bank to serve colonias
- $500 to Medical Benevolence Foundation,
- $500 to John Knox
- $500 to PCHAS
- $500 to Good Samaritan Rescue Mission
- $119.29 to Tree 4 Hope.
Many gifts to the General Endowment have been memorial donations honoring Parkway members. Gifts can be made at any time in any amount and testamentary gifts are especially encouraged. If you have questions about endowment giving, please contact
Sue Jackson.
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Congratulations Laura & Jonathon! |
Update from Laura:
Lucia James Villarreal was born on June 13th at 12:52 pm. She joins us early at 28 weeks and 4 days. She is already bringing so much joy into our hearts. Since Lucia came so early she will be in NICU for a while. We have a long road ahead of us as a family. We are blessed with amazing friends and family who have provided their support, kind messages, and prayers. Even if you haven't heard back from us, know that Jonathon and I appreciate all of it. Keep the prayers coming!
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Parkway Ways to Give
We appreciate your support of Parkway! For your convenience, we offer several ways to give:
- Online: On our website www.parkwaypc.org, click the "Give Now" button at the top right of the home page and follow the prompts. Recurring gifts can be set up online. Click this link.
- Text: Simply text "parkwaypc" to 73256 and follow the prompts. You may also set up recurring gifts.
- Offering Plate or Mail: You can place cash/checks in the offering plate during worship or mail donations. For special funds giving, include a note or indicate on your check. You may also use your bank's bill payment service to send funds directly to Parkway.
- REALM Connect: This is Realm's mobile app. Use the Giving tab to make gifts via Connect. If you do not have a REALM account, contact Cheryl Jones.
Any questions on giving, or about a particular fund? Contact our bookkeeper,
Sue Jackson.
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Sunday
11:00 Online Worship
Monday
Tuesday
9:30 Staff Meeting
12:00 WOW Meeting via Zoom
6:00 Session Meeting
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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.
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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.
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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
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Judy Forbes
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June Baker |
Dallas Marek |
Billie Franklin |
| Elizabeth Falk |
Dick McCracken |
Tom Kimes |
John Brownlee
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| Sarah Elizabeth (daughter of Sarah and Walter Norris) |
Molly Mauldin
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Mary Jane Hamilton |
John Piatt
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| Lucia Villarreal |
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