Board of Directors President: Rev.

Alan Dailey VP for Organization Robert Crystal VP for Social Justice William Wilkinson Officers at-large Rev. Dr. Wilfredo Baez Vanessa Hansen Sr. Beth LeValley SSJ Rev. Gordon V. Webster Treasurer Kenneth Anderson Secretary Tim Calkins Executive Director Marie E. Gibson Denominational Representatives American Baptist Churches Rochester-Genesee Region Rev. Richard N. Myers Lynne Stewart Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Kathleen Cook Vanessa Hansen Episcopal Diocese Robert Crystal Rev. Denise Yarbrough Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Genesee Finger Lakes Conference Rev. Imani Dodley Rev. Doug Stewart Presbytery of Genesee Valley Rev. Gordon Webster Rochester Society of Friends Carmel Merrill Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester Dr. Marvin Mich Deacon Larry Van Etten United Methodist Church, Rochester District, W N Y Rev. Dr. Wilfredo Baez Rev. James Lesch United Church of Christ, Genesee Valley Association Rev. Alan Dailey Members At-Large Rev. Dr. Jill Bradway Joanne Cala Tom McDade Clay Tunya Griffin Sue Murray Elizabeth Osta Lynn Ryder Dr. Michael Traylor Anita Steans Sr. Marlene Vigna RSM

the

Ecumenical Messenger
An Appeal for Love
The 2012 Membership Drive and Appeal

Autumn, 2012

There's this story of a Bible Baptist Church worship service where they had an offering in the middle of the service, and then just before they let the congregation leave, they passed the baskets around again. "And this time..." they said, "It's for LOVE!" I would guess most of our giving is for love, or out of our love for the circumstance, or justice issue we want to support. Such is the Annual Appeal of this agency. We love what we do individually and collectively as a faith community and so we continue to support it.

Here is what your love has enabled us to do this year:

The Walk for Solidarity and Justice on Good Friday had over 200 people walk the streets in our city northeast neighborhood with much of the leadership coming from the African American pastors. People of all ages, religions, and ethnicity walked and prayed together for a stop to violence, poverty, and for the future of children and families in our community.

The 21st Faith In Action Celebration dinner was larger than ever with over 500 people in attendance and 46 honorees representing 32 faith groups. Kathie Quinlan received the Metropolitan Award for her work in hospice care. Minister Franklin Florence was acknowledged with a Lifetime Achievement Award, and six area high school seniors were given the Alberta Moss Scholarship Award of $1,000 each.
Moss Scholarship Recipients for 2012: Left to right: Yamuna Dhakal, Tanisha Barr, Kimberly Hill, Nautica Graham, Ayan Mohammed, Luis Rivera-Cruz. Continued on page 3 -

GRCC/FAN, acting out of the core values of its Christian faith, gathers people from diverse communities to build relationships and support initiatives based on spiritual and community values that advocate, model, and celebrate basic human rights.

Ecumenical Messenger Autumn, 2012

____

Page 2

Meet the Rev. Alan Dailey Board President

The Rev. Alan Dailey was former pastor of Riga United Church of Christ. The day he accepted the elected position of President of the Board, he was called to be pastor at St. James UCC in Hamburg, NY. But Alan did not shrink from either of his calls. Blessed with the support of his loving wife, Susan, and a resourceful, committed Executive Team here at GRCC-FAN, he chose to stay the course! Alan's most recent public statement was on September 30, when he had a speaking-out essay published in the Democrat and Chronicle about dignified burials for the homeless and indigent, (a justice issue that the FAN has been addressing now for several years.) He wrote: "We in the faith community will continue to ask questions and advocate for dignified burials for all citizens... Our work includes advocacy to restore full funding [from the county] the establishment [and maintenance] of a Community Supplemental Burial Fund, and pastoral presence at the graveside of those who die with no family." Alan has served on the board of directors since 2005, is passionate about ecumenical work, faith networking, and addressing justice issues of all kinds, particularly race relations. He received his Master of Divinity from Colgate Rochester Crozier Divinity School and was ordained by the UCC in 2006. He and his wife Susan have five children, and twenty-three grandchildren... so far. He chuckles about the fact that one adult child "hasn't started yet!"

From Marie Gibson Executive Director

In her book, "Holy Listening," Margaret Guenther says, "The Annunciation is the story of ultimate surprise: God's messenger breaks into the routine of the ordinary and the predictable, and announces the divine presence among and within us. What would you do if an angel were waiting in the back seat of your car, or in your office, or at home in your kitchen -You, with a deadline to meet, or a spouse who is demanding a little space in your life, or a sick child, or a critical encounter with your boss looming up in the very near future? Or perhaps you are tired, at the edge of burnout, and plan to spend two or three glorious hours letting your mind go pleasantly numb before the TV. And you hear: "Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you. Have I got something for you!" I honestly don't want to hear "Have I got something for you!" Enough already, God! I have too much work to do and don't have time. But isn't it amazing how God's work becomes magnificently manifest in us, and often without our even being aware of it. Holy listening is what it's all about, and keeping our hearts and minds open to the idea that God could, at any time, send us an angel to shake up the ordinary and make evident the Divine presence among and within us. Listen... Did you hear that?! Libertys Vigil, the Occupy Anthology 99 Poets Among the 99%
is a beautifully printed book by Foot Hills Publishing and available at the Faith In Action Network office. Cost is $10 (postage included). This is a special one-time savings. Call or email to order your copy.

Ecumenical Messenger Autumn, 2012

Continued from page 1:

Page 3

There have been to date 18 families assisted with the burial of their loved one from the Supplemental Burial Fund, over twenty volunteers recruited to be present at the gravesite of those with no family, improvements made to Potter's Field in Scottsville, NY, and ongoing advocacy from the faith community to the County of Monroe's elected leaders to address the rising cost of burials and the cuts in funding.
< Rev. Dr. Wilfredo Baez, Dr. Marvin Mich, Rev. Michael Hopkins & Sr. Beth LeValley at a press conference, Monroe County Bldg.

Forty-four faith-based vendors exhibited their program and ministries at the Third Annual Community-Wide Ministry Fair this fall in the spacious Family Center of the Church of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints on Westfall Road. Circle Conversations were lively and energized on various topics of social justice, and the food (which was donated and free to attendees) was outof-this-world! Leftovers were graciously given to Cameron Community Ministries for their children's meal program the next day.
Brigit Hurley and the Children's Agenda

These events, and so many more, are made possible by the members and donors of the Faith In Action Network. Please use the enclosed envelope to mail your tax deductible contribution today and help us meet the challenges that lie ahead. Together we can say "Yes!" to the magnificent work God has in store for us. ( This is the only mailing you will receive this year, except for online digital emails. If you'd like to receive news and solicitation digitally please send us your email address.)

Mark Your Calendars...

A Donor Breakfast will be held January 3, 2013 9:00 a.m. at the Motherhouse on French Road. You will be notified by mail and email well in advance. Please send us your email if you want to be put on a digital list. grcc1@frontiernet.net The Annual Meeting is Monday, January 28, 2013. Place and time to be announced. Reports will be given, board members will be elected by the membership, and there will be a vote to revise the constitution. We hope to have the recipients of the Alberta Moss Scholarship with us, and have a lively discussion on a social justice theme. Sunday, February 10, 2013, will be the First Annual Memorial Service to remember those buried in Potter's Field. It is part of the ongoing work of the Burial Initiative and will be held at the Motherhouse on French Road, time to be announced. June 11, 2013 is the 22nd Annual Faith in Action Celebration to be held at the Burgandy Basin, 1361 Marsh Road, Pittsford, NY. The size of this event and the desire for better service encouraged the planning committee to move it to this location.

Ecumenical Messenger Autumn, 2012

Page 4

Rochester Supplemental Burial Fund

Since the burial fund began under the oversight of GRCC-FiAN, it has received nearly $9,000 in donations from congregations and individuals. We have spent about half of that amount on burial assistance to qualifying families. We have received generous donations from individuals, congregations, and community groups. The citizens of Monroe County continue to be very faithful to this cause. But we need ongoing support. Determination of the amount given to each family, and qualification parameters are set by the County of Monroe. Anyone wishing to apply for these funds should contact Ms. Shirl Clark at 585-753-6986. The Faith In Action Network has created a program whereby volunteers are available to be at the graveside of anyone interred without family or friends. If you are interested in volunteering, call the office at 254-2570 or send us an email: grcc1@frontiernet.net
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CLIP HERE AND MAIL TODAY

We need your continued support

Your financial support to the Faith in Action Network is very important. Wont you take a moment to send your contribution to: GRCC, 2 Riverside Street, Rochester, NY 14613. To find out more, call 585-254-2570 or fax 254-6551. We are online at www.faithinactionnetwork.org and our email is grcc1@frontiernet.net .

Name____________________________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________________ Email _______________________________________ Phone _______________ For general support ___ Burial Fund ___ Both ___ Other __________________ Enclosed $ __________________
All donations are tax deductible.

Mission & Vision

Acting out of the core values of our Christian faith, GRCC Faith In Action Network, gathers people from diverse communities to build relationships and support initiatives based on spiritual and community values that advocate, model, and celebrate basic human rights. We work toward the day when every child, youth and adult feels safe, experiences support and care, and can discover ways to use their gifts for the good of the beloved community. Contact GRCC at: (585) 254-2570 Fax: 254-6551 / Email: grcc1@frontiernet.net Online at www.faithinactionnetwork.org

Join the Faith In Action Network by visiting our website, emailing us, or calling the office M-Th / 9-4
GRCC Faith In Action Network 2 Riverside Street Rochester, NY 14613 Also on Facebook at GRCC Churches