Scroll to the bottom for pictures taken 4-14-20
Hope this email finds you all healthy and safe, and if not my prayers go out to you for a speedy recovery.
This week work at Calvary has been put on hold by NYS PAUSE. Belfor has completed the entire gutting of fellowship hall from top to bottom. They have scaffolding throughout the sanctuary but the hoped for exemption to allow them to continue working to clean the ceiling area has not materialized. After visiting the building daily and seeing the full, active crew working so hard to move forward, when I went on Tuesday morning it was a lonely place. I will be posting photos on the website and video on YouTube showing how complete the clean up has been and just how deserted it feels tomorrow and will send links when they are uploaded.
Though the Belfor work has been put on hold, work for the fire committee continues. A number of us met with Charlie of American Eagle Electric on Tuesday morning and climbed back up to the dance floor. There we had a very informative conversation about required quotes for necessary rewiring of the electrical work in that area, including upgrading our light fixtures to use LED bulbs, both the flood lights on the sides and the chandeliers. John C, our super intelligent engineer, requested a quote on adding large fans to the ceiling that would break up the layers of temperatures that are present normally in our sanctuary. We all know hot air rises so we have been paying to keep the upper reaches of our building hot while we have to wear sweaters and jackets In the pews. These fans will break up this unequal heating and help keep the entire room equally warm. The end result will be a much more comfortable sanctuary and a savings on our heating bills. Seems like a win/win idea to me.
American Electric has continued working to permanently wire outdoor lighting to replace the temporary, generator run lighting that was installed after the fire as a security measure. Up until now John C and Damian D have been going to the church every evening and morning to turn on and off the temporary lighting. The new lighting will be on a timer and be automatic.
The committee has also continued to research the organ restoration and work with Foley Baker and the insurance company to be sure we get a fair settlement. The obvious goal here is to get our organ back up and working as it was before the fire. If you want to know more about our wonderful instrument, I strongly suggest you talk to Luke P. He is an expert on the Skinner Organ and has been invaluable in getting the correct information as we work on this portion of our claim.
We have also gotten 2 estimates on the value of the melted stained glass window (the Ward Window). One of the companies that were contacted found a lot of unknown information which I want to share with you. The window is not a Tiffany but was created Gorham Studios. Click here for a PDF file of the information provided by Julie Sloan, Consultant on Stained Glass. It is an interesting read.
We are also working to get a copy of the inventory completed by the insurance company but that has not yet arrived.
So even though work within the building has come to a halt, working to keep our claim moving forward has not. The fire committee continues to do our best to get the Calvary building back to where we can meet again, once we are allowed to meet.
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Now looking forward. Sunday’s special music will be Ain’t Got Time To Die, sung by the Calvary Singers at the Habitat for Humanity Talent show in 2018 and videoed by Wendy S. This will be available on our YouTube channel tomorrow after noon and remain there afterwards. So as last week be sure to visit and listen before or after Pastor J’s service Sunday at 9am on our Facebook page.
And don’t forget to come to Worship Service at 9AM on the Facebook page. Last week we had some technical difficulties but hoping all goes smoothly this week.
Wednesday Bible Study continues – 12:30 via zoom. Contact Peter S for more info.
In addition to adding a second Bible Study the Session and the Fire Committee are discussing how to provide opportunities for “virtual” coffee hour or other times of conversation to help keep us connected. Watch for opportunities. In fact, Peter S sent the following message regarding Bible Study earlier today. I am repeating it here in case you missed it.
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Calvary Friends:
If you are interested in joining a Bible Study of Calvary folks please respond to me, Peter Surgenor, or Rev. Lewis. We will work to find a time that will fit as many schedules as possible. We use a Zoom.us meeting as a platform – it is possible to join by video call or simply using your phone alone.
The Wednesday Bible Study has been going on so long and has reached a level of intimacy that new members are not being added at this time.
We hope that you have been reading Sue Young’s weekly updates about the church building (how ironic that while the building is not available to us we are not available to use the building! ). Work has stopped in response to the Governor’s Covid 19 safety order. In this hiatus time the Fire Committee continues to work to think ahead and take advantage of options. Watch for opportunities to voice your thoughts about next steps for Calvary Presbyterian Church.
Eastertide Greetings. May God be with you.
Rev. Peter S
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Love and hugs to you all. Hope to virtually see you Sunday at the service.
Sue