This Week’s Program: Mark King – Greencroft and Retirement Services in the Times of Covid
Week of June 8, 2020
Notes from Friday’s meeting:
After ringing the bell to open the meeting, President Stickel referred the group to Casey Yerger for our opening prayer. This week’s rendition of “Smile” was provided by the Redlands, CA Rotary Club. Andy Myers introduced visiting Rotarians and guests. Our only guest was David Daugherty’s granddaughter, Alice Johnson.
Announcements:
- Invoices for dues and prepaid meals have been sent. Payment is requested by July 1. Please send your payment to the Goshen Rotary Club mailbox at the address provided with the invoice.
- David Birky announced an upcoming workday on June 20 at the Splash Pad at Pringle Park. Volunteers are needed to help do the plantings and complete landscaping. Donations for park benches were also contributed during the meeting. Bring your family members and shovels to help. Contact David Birky if you are able to volunteer.
- Lynn Morris indicated that the Splash Pad is expected to be completed by June 19. Plumbing, underground work, electrical work, and many of the features have been installed. Testing will be taking place shortly. Limestone will then be added and a concrete pad with a sidewalk installed surrounding the Splash Pad. Rotary wheels will be installed in the concrete, as well as signage. A dedication is being planned.
- President Stickel announced that we will continue with our Zoom meetings on June 12 and June 19. The meeting on June 26 is planned to be an outdoor meeting in-person at Pringle Park where we will recognize the transition of officers for the new year as well as have a ribbon-cutting for the Splash Pad. This will take place at Fidler Pavilion at Pringle Park. Mark your calendars accordingly.
- There will be no meeting on July 3 following Independence Day. Our first in-person meeting is now being planned for July 10 at Maplecrest Country Club.
Voting was conducted to fill open seats for the Board of Directors. Congratulations to those selected. Rick Yoder and Angie McKee will serve a one-year term through June 30, 2021. Marcia Yost will serve a 2-year term through June 30, 2022. Darryl Riegsecker, Andy Myers, and Rick Stiffney will serve 3-year terms through June 30, 2023. Thanks to those Rotarians willing to have their names put into the selection process.
President Stickel introduced our speaker. Our own Goshen Rotarian, Phil Waite, provided a look at how the Covid-19 virus has effected the church community. Phil is the pastoral team leader at College Mennonite Church. While noting that the pandemic has effected churches like other nonprofits and small businesses, he focused on five areas that are unique to churches.
Having funerals and other memorial services has been a challenge for area churches as well as families. Many residential communities have not allowed any people in or out during the pandemic, which has been difficult for all. Those dying as well as their family members have suffered, in most cases alone. Gathering together to pray, sing, read scripture, support each other, eat, and be close with others in the faith were activities that were prohibited or limited with the virus. Phil noted how a hybrid memorial service was able to be performed outdoors with social distancing.
A second area with a unique impact for churches is the normal process of weekly collections. Most churches survive with regular collections that are done in person. While some churches have electronic contributions, most still rely upon the offering plate. Phil noted that College Mennonite Church has very supportive followers who began to mail in their checks to help the church financially.
Another unique area for churches has been how to provide services. Most have gone to electronic services, which has now caused people to focus on production, organization, structure, and staging of how to provide an electronic service. Things are much different and require careful thought and planning to carry them out.
Another focus for churches has been how to fulfill the needs caused by the Covid virus. College Mennonite Church formed a Covid-19 Fund which has raised $50,000 to help support those with financial difficulties. A food pantry has been organized with food deliveries being made by volunteers who have contributed not only food and supplies but also their time. It is also expected that a Covid testing site will take place at the College Mennonite Church parking lot on the campus of Goshen College next week.
Finally, the question has been how to and when to reopen the churches. All of that is still requiring significant time and planning to keep people as safe as possible. Phil indicated that people are frustrated and reasonably question how long this can continue, as we are not made to live this way.
Prior to concluding the meeting, Doug Stanley announced that the Outstanding Senior Boy Award was given to Goshen senior, Joseph Narayan this past week. He will receive an engraved watch and a $100 gift certificate. Joseph participated on the Goshen High School golf team and tennis team. He is a member of the student council as well as the National Honor Society. He is a member of the Elkhart County 4-H Club and attended Hoosier Boys State. He will be attending IU Kelly School of Business next year.
We concluded the meeting with the 4-way test.
Quote for the week: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” -- Philippians 4:6
Until next time.
