Good Evening First Presbyterian,

Over the next several weeks we will be sharing information with you in many different ways (weekly e-news on Friday, bulletin announcements, social media, announcements from the pulpit, Mid-Week Meet-Ups, and our Monthly Newsletter The Good News) about different changes happening around our church building.

Do you know the #1 and #2 things visitors to our building ask me at funerals, memorial services, concerts, and our Sunday worship services?

#1. Where are the bathrooms?
#2. Which door do I exit to find my car? I parked on (Locust/Church) Street.

To help alleviate these challenges that make it harder for new people to navigate our building, we have been slowly working on the lobby over the last two years.

While it may not have been as visible as some of the recent changes, the Membership and Evangelism Committee has been working on removing clutter and making the lobby more welcoming for all of you, little by little, for the last five years.

Last year the Lobby Task Force picked up the baton at the direction of the Session. They moved the coat racks into the Fellowship Hall, and cleaned out the coat closet off the lobby so it could be used for its stated purpose. These particular changes were partly in response to Kevin Ford mentioning that our lobby felt more like “walking into a coat check closet” than a church. Kevin is our consultant from Leighton Ford who has been here several times to facilitate our Faith Forward retreats.

Updated signage and other additions are being planned now, so that our guests will know where to find a bathroom, and how to get out of the building! If you have questions about changes in the lobby please reach out to any member of the Lobby Task Force. The current task force includes Jessica P., Elizabeth G., and Bob H.

Why are we bothering to do all of this? To welcome the people entering our church with our best foot forward. One of the days of the year we welcome the most non-church members to our building is coming up on December 1 and we would love to have you join us!

Last year on the Village of Pittsford’s Candlelight Night, we hosted a free community Soup Supper from 5:00pm - 8:00pm in the Fellowship Hall and Dr. Jared Chase led the Flower City Brass Ensemble in a beautiful Christmas Concert in our sanctuary. This year we will be hosting the soup supper from 5:00pm - 8:00pm (or until the soup is gone!) and the Flower City Brass Ensemble Concert at 6:00pm-7:00pm. New this year, we are going to have a shuttle bus running from the Christ Clarion Campus parking lot to our Locust Street entrance for those concerned about parking and mobility.

To sign up to help on Candlelight Night, or to make a crock pot of soup please visit this link - https://www.mealtrain.com/potlucks/3nzkmw

In Christ’s Peace,
Pastor Erin