Hi First Presbyterian Church,

It's time for our Mid-Week Meet-Up! Today, I'm sharing with you an update from our Clarion Call Task Force that you will also read in the upcoming church newsletter, in order give this news greater visibility within the congregation. Here is their update:

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In the fall, Pastor Neff shared with you that we were in ongoing discussions with the Presbytery of Genesee Valley Trustees about the possibility of renting the Christ Clarion Presbyterian Church building on Thornell Road for one dollar a year when their congregation dissolves in June 2026.

The Session and Trustees appointed a Clarion Call Task Force to research the feasibility of the space and its alignment with our vision and mission moving forward. Pastor Jacobson has been convening the task force a few times a month since January, with all the members doing extensive work and research outside of our meetings. The Clarion Call Task Force (CCTF) is made up of Heze Simmons, Cindy Becker, Sharon Martinez, Jim Weick, David Irwin, and Pastor Jacobson.

CCTF found, after working with our own treasurer Andy Ashworth, as well as Christ Clarion Presbyterian Church’s bookkeeper Rev. Steven Becker, that we can anticipate breaking even on expenses, and possibly making a few thousand dollars, with the Christ Clarion Preschool and an anchor tenant in the vacated church vacated church offices.

On the recommendation of the CCTF, the Trustees of FPC Pittsford approved moving forward with a one-year lease (for $1 for the year) at their meeting on Thursday, May 7. Session approved moving forward with the lease unanimously at their meeting on Tuesday, May 12.

The CCTF continues to meet and work out the details of using this space for mission and ministry. We are currently finalizing an agreement with Pittsford Youth Services (a mission partner of ours for many years) to rent two offices on the main floor. PYS’ leadership is thrilled that this counseling office location would allow students from Mendon High School to walk to Christ Clarion for counseling (even on their lunch breaks).

The movement of the Holy Spirit in the timing and connection with Pittsford Youth Services using the space in a mutually beneficial and missional way is an enormous gift from God.

Please join us in supporting the congregation at Christ Clarion Presbyterian Church as they celebrate the end of decades of mission and ministry on Thornell Road. Their final worship service will be at 2pm on Sunday, June 14. All are welcome. Executive Presbyter Rev. John Odom, noted at our Presbytery meeting in May that we do not close congregations, but rather dissolve congregations, and as they dissolve the work for Christ they have been doing for their entire existence enriches the community and churches around them. That is certainly true in this case, and we give thanks for the mission and ministry of Christ Clarion Presbyterian Church and the chance to continue the work of Jesus Christ on Thornell Road in Pittsford, New York.

All members of the Clarion Call Task Force are available to discuss questions or ideas with you!

With excitement and hope,

The Clarion Call Task Force and your pastors
Heze Simmons, Cindy Becker, Sharon Martinez, Jim Weick, David Irwin, Erin Jacobson, and Aaron Neff