GRCC Faith in Action Network
Annual Meeting
January 27, 2014
Baber African Methodist Episcopal Church
Challenged to Meet Our Children's Needs
A Conversation with the Mayor of Rochester
Lovely Ann Warren
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.
Greater Rochester Community of Churches
2 Riverside Street, Rochester, NY 14613
grcc1@frontiernet.net (585) 254-2570
www.grcc-fian.org
Agenda:
Welcome from Church Pastor and opening prayer
Rev. James Simmons
Introductions and Opening Comments
Rev. Alan Dailey, President of the Board
Call Annual Meeting to Order
Receive and Approve minutes from January 28, 2013
Reports:
Finance -- Ken Anderson, Treasurer
Nominations -- Sr. Marlene Vigna, Chair
Reports from Vice Presidents:
Rev. Dr. Wilfred Baez, Diversity
Rev. Dr. William Wilkinson, Social Justice
Sister Beth LeValley, Officer at-Large
Rev. Gordon Webster, Interfaith & Development
Other Reports & Announcements
Words from Executive Director: Marie E. Gibson
A Conversation with Rochester's Mayor Lovely Ann Warren
Close meeting with prayer
Please feel free to help yourself to beverage and food throughout the meeting.
Mission & Vision Statement
Acting out of the core values of our Christian faith, (GRCC) Faith In Action Network gathers
congregations and 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 : (585) 254-2570Fax: 254-6551 / Email: grcc1@frontiernet.net
2 Riverside St., Rochester, NY 14613-1222
GRCC Faith In Action Network
Minutes of the Annual Meeting, Monday, January 28. 2013
First Baptist Church of Rochester
Attendance under separate file in office.
Meeting was called to order approximately 4:00 p.m. by board president, Rev. Alan Dailey.
A short worship time with prayer and song followed.
Business meeting:
Finance Report - Kenneth Anderson, Treasurer: Yearend finances showed the
organization in reasonable status. The 2013 Proposed Budget was presented;
a motion was taken and the budget passed.
Nominating Report - Sr. Marlene Vigna RSM: Thanks were offered to board members
completing their terms. They are:
Sue Murray, Rev. Debbie Grohman, Rev. Dr. Michael Traylor.
Completing term and accepting another term: Tom McDade-Clay (CRCDS)
Appointed by denomination: Rev. Douglas Stewart (ELCA)
New Nominations: Lynn Ryder (CWU), Rev. Marilyn Cunningham, Graves CME
A motion was made to accept the nominations and passed.
Amendment to the Constitution - Rev. Dr. Wilfredo Baez reported on changes to the
constitution, and a motion was made to accept changes and passed.
Other reports were given on topics of organizational development, burial initiative, worship and
discipleship, Moss Scholarship with recipient addressing the group, and interfaith work.
Keynote speakers: Larry Marx and Brigit Hurley reported on the work of the Children's Agenda
and how the faith community can work with them in the coming year to address issues of child
poverty, education, and quality of life. Congregations and people were encouraged to volunteer
with the Children's Agenda and to promote its work in their churches. It was hoped that this
year's Children's Interfaith Weekend (aka: Children's Sabbath) will bring more education and
collaboration within the faith community to work on these issues.
The meeting was adjourned approximately 5:40 p.m. with prayer. The next annual meeting will
be January 27, 2014, place to be announced.
Notes by: M. Gibson
Proposed Budget for 2014
2014
Budget
Income
Denomination Contributions
Donor Contributions
Membership Dues
Memorial Gifts
Total Contrib, Dues & Gifts
10,000
7,000
12,000
29,000
Faith in Action Banquet
Other Programs
Fundraising
Grants
Other
25,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
600
Total Income
66,600
Expenses
Employee Wages & Salary
Wages & Salary
Benefits/Payroll Taxes
Total
30,000
7,000
37,000
General & Administrative
Rent
Postage
Office Supplies
Legal/Prof
Telephone
Insurance
Marketing
Meetings
Office Equip Maint
Social Issues
Other Program Expenses
Total G&A
4,200
1,500
2,000
1,000
1,400
1,000
1,000
1,000
500
1,000
1,000
15,600
Faith in Action Banquet
14,000
Total Expenses
66,600
Expenses
Income
Net Income(Expense)
66,600
66,600
0
Contributing Members and Organizations for 2013
Contributing Members and Organizations for 2013
Atonement Lutheran Church
Baptist Temple
BEOC Brockport Ecumenical Outreach
Blessed Sacrament, Church of the
Brighton Reformed Church
Brockport Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran
Church of Ascension
Church of Assumption
Church of Divine Inspiration
Church of the Resurrection
Covenant UMC
Dewey Avenue Presb
Downtown United Presb
First Baptist Brockport
First Baptist E. Penfield
First Baptist Fairport
First Congregational Church of Spencerport
First Congregational UCC of Fairport
First Presbyterian Church Pittsford
First Presbyterian, Brockport
First Universalist Church
Friends of St. Bridget's (CONEA)
Genesee Baptist Church
Greece Baptist
Greece UMC
Henrietta UCC
Henrietta Interfaith League of Churches
Hilton Baptist Church
Honeoye UCC
Immanuel Baptist Church
Irondequoit Presbyterian
Irondequoit UCC
Lake Avenue Baptist Church
Lakeside Presbyterian Church
Mountain Rise UCC
Northeastern Seminary
Peace of Christ Parish
Reformation ELCA
Religious Society of Friends
Retrouvaille of Rochester
Rochester Interfaith Jail Ministry
Salem UCC
Sisters of Mercy
Sisters of St. Joseph
Spiritus Christi
St. Luke & St. Simon Cyrene
St. Luke's Epis. Brockport
St. Mark and St. John's Church
St. Mary's RC Church
St. Oscar Romero Inclusive Catholic Church
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Summerville PCUSA
Third Presbyterian Church
Trinity Emmanuel Pres. Church
Union Cong. UCC Churchville
Union Presbyterian, Scottsville
United Methodist Church, N. Chili
Webster Baptist Church
Webster Council of Churches
Webster Presbyterian Church
Webster UCC Congregational
West Henrietta Baptist
Thank you for your support!
Denominational Members for 2013
American Baptist Church, Rochester Genesee Region
Church of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints
Episcopal Diocese of Rochester
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Finger Lakes Region
Presbytery of Genesee Valley
Religious Society of Friends
Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester
United Church of Christ, Genesee Valley Association
United Methodist Church, Western NY Conference
Calendar of Upcoming Event
February 9 - Community Memorial Service: 2 PM - St. Ambrose Church, 25 Empire Blvd.
April 18 - Good Friday Walk for Solidarity & Justice: 9 AM - Trinity Emmanuel Church, 9 Shelter St.
June 10 - Faith In Action Celebration Dinner: 5:30 PM - Burgundy Basin, 1361 Marsh Road
October - Community Wide Ministry Fair: place and time to be announced
Other events will be shared as they arise via eMail and newsletter.
To share your faith community events with the wider community, sent them to:
grcc1@frontiernet.net
GRCC Faith In Action Network
2 Riverside St. Rochester, NY 14613
(585) 254-2570 - FAX: 254-6551
Donors -- 2013
Donors -- 2013
William Andrews
Jean Bartlett
Gail Bauerschmidt
Dayle Bird
Richard Bird
Judith Boyd
Gail E. Bauerschmidt
James Braker
Paul Brayer
Tim Calkins
Sharleen & Jeff Campbell
Robert Carlisle
John and Sue Carpenter
Marjorie Chapin & Jean Parker
Jane Coons
Alan & Suzanne Dailey
Patricia Della Pietra
Barbara Deming
Mary & Wendell Discher
Sally and Kenneth Dodgson
Jane Duerr
John & Barbara Englert
Kenneth Gerhard
Marie E. Gibson
Otto Muller-Girard
Jean Gloss
Rev. Paul and Esther Hammer
Katherine Heininger
John & Sharon Heister
Kenneth Hendel
John & Janice Howe
David Hoecker
Neva Hoffmeier
Brigit Hurley
Rev. Dave & Carolyn Inglis
Merilyn Israel
Steve Jarose
Doris Kerber
Ellen Kimbrough
Peter Knapp
Gene & Sarah Kohlenberg
John Kutolowski
Mr. Lyle Lehman
Dan & Ellen Lill
Vern & Joan Gray Lindberg
Elizabeth Webb
Mary Ellen Lopata
Rev. Gordon Webster
Dr. Deni Mack
Jean Whitney
Bill & Sally McCoy
Rev. Larry and Peg Witmer
Carmel Merrill
Robert Wood
Marvin Mich
William Yorks
Peter Mitchell
Margaret Lester
Sr. Marlene Vigna
Rev. Stuart Mitchell
Margaret Morris
Richard Moore
Gail & Peter Mott
If your name is missing,
Jean Murphy
please contact the office
Sue & John Murray
254-2570
Rev. Richard & Beth Myers
Donors to burial initiative
Ellie & Ray Newell
under separate report
Russell Olson
Elizabeth Osta
Rev. Hugh & Barbara Outterson
Fr. Ed. Palumbos
Pamela Pascale
Alain Perregaux
Rev. Peter Peters
Joanne & David Poland
Sue Porter
Lillian Price
Nancy Rice
Mary S. Romson
Peggy Rosenthal
Susan Schantz
Suzanne & Mike Schnittman
David Schraver
Mary Smith
Frederick A. Stahl
Anita Steans
Ann Stehle
Rev. J. Claud Stewart
Lynne Stewart
Norma Stoneham
Marilyle Sweet Page
Edith Thoburn
Marianne Timmons
Shirley and Stephen Townsend
Gloria Ulterino
Larry VanEtten
Thank you for your support!
Annual meeting
Nominating Committee report
From the Constitution:
Each member denomination may appoint up to two (2) representatives to sit on the Board.
General term of office is two (2) years and appointed representatives may serve as long as the
denomination requests.
1. The Board consists of:
A. 12-24 persons nominated and elected at the Annual Meeting
B. Up to 2 persons designated by each member denomination;
Responsibilities and Term for GRCC Board Members At-Large:
Board members at-large are nominated by member congregations/organizations or other
board members, are voted on at the Annual Meeting, and serve two years (one term), unless
completing another board member's partial term, or requesting to serve a limited term. Board
members may serve unlimited terms.
Completing term and accepting another term:
Rev. Dr. Jill Bradway
Joanne Cala
Tim Calkins
Tunya Griffin
Sr. Beth LeValley SSJ
Elizabeth Osta
Anita Steans
Sr. Marlene Vigna, RSM
Nominations from the floor accepted at this time –
Report by:
Sr. Marlene Vigna, Chair for the Nominating Committee
Report from Your Board President
As we move forward in 2014, we at GRCC Faith in Action Network will continue our
work supporting initiatives, both new and old, based on spiritual values that advocate,
model and celebrate basic human rights, especially for those whom Jesus referred to as
the least of these: namely, community children, the poor and others pushed to the margins
of society. Our work will continue to focus on building relationships, promoting cultural
diversity and interfaith dialogue, and working for justice and cooperation on projects of
mutual interest and the common good of all people.
Specifically, we will:
 Continue to provide a network for promoting existing and new urban ministry
partner organizations and their ministries such as: The Burial Initiative, the
Alberta Moss Scholarship Foundation, The Beloved Community, Rochester
ACTS, and The Children’s Agenda Interfaith Collaborative.

Continue to provide a network for our partner denominations, organizations, and
local congregations to lift up individuals who have exhibited, through their lives,
a willingness to put their faith into action and to promote ministries whose focus
is social change and justice such as our Ministry Fair and the Faith in Action
Banquet.

Continue work in encouraging and developing ecumenical and interfaith
ministries and dialogue, such as the annual Good Friday Walk in solidarity
against violence and holiday worship services at local correctional facilities.

Continue to provide a 501C-3 umbrella for appropriate non-for-profit member
organizations, such as Women at the Well, Brockport Interfaith Outreach Center
and Harvesting Hope for farm workers.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to thank our member denominations and local
congregations, partners and other supporters; and hope that you too, will continue to walk
with us in our quest to discover ways to use our gifts for the good of all as we work
toward the day when every child, youth and adult feels safe, experiences support and care
and can also use their gifts for the good of the beloved community.
In God’s service, I remain,
Alan Dailey
President, Board of Directors
Report from the Executive Director
This is my last Annual Meeting with GRCC Faith in Action Network. At the end of this year I will
retire after nearly 30 years of working for the organization. I want to take this opportunity to tell you a
little about what it has meant for me to do this work for nearly half of my life.
I didn’t choose this job, I just said yes! I’ll do it! It’s like what we do while we’re busy making other
plans. I never thought I would stay this long. Some people might think that social justice and
religious work is simple, but it's not. It's complex, it's never-ending and at times, it’s exhausting. So
when the board put its trust in me to help them run GRCC and later the Faith In Action Network, I was
reluctant, but I said yes. I said yes because I had faith in their leadership, as well as in all of you... the
faith community. I truly love what I'm doing, and most of all, I believe God wanted me to do it.
The work is important work. I can't point to any one thing and say… "Look! We built that house; or
we fed those people; or we helped these folks find shelter!" But I can tell you that we have worked
side by side with the people who have built those houses, with those who are feeding the hungry, and
with those who find shelter for the homeless. We have resettled refugees, we've stood in the streets
with people who rally against war, senseless homicides and violence in our neighborhoods. We
continue to work toward the civil rights of all people and to continually be in dialogue about ways we
can work together regardless of our religious diversity. We've done a ton of social justice and
educational events; finding people who could help us address issues of worker justice, immigration,
post-traumatic stress syndrome, peacemaking, ecology, mental health, community development
economic, financial assistance to low income families… the list goes on.
If it’s an issue of deep social importance, we ARE there.
I also stayed with GRCC, because it has been the voice of reason. This organization has been
courageous in the midst of criticism; it's been centered in the midst of chaos; and it has kept a
compassionate heart on the needs of our most vulnerable citizens. This is why we are centering our
talks today on the needs of our children.
And this is why we invited our Mayor, Lovely Ann Warren, to be with us today. I believe she has the
courage, the centeredness, and the compassion to lead this city and its people. If I would give her
any advice, I would tell her what I’ve told myself… be true to yourself. Don't make yourself into
someone you are not because others say you should. You were asked, like me, to lead because of who
you are and what you value. We are both women who are the first to take positions that have
historically been held by men. I'm on my way out, and Mayor Warren… you are just beginning. This
is a time of change and transition. It's an exciting time, a hopeful time, a time not to rest on what
we've done, but to keep ourselves focused on what still needs to be done.
A not so familiar quote from Martin Luther King Jr., but one of my favorites is: Take
the first step
in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
Faithfully,
Marie E. Gibson
GRCC-FAN
Diversity Report
January 27, 2014
Diversity is a deep concern of the GRCC-FAN Board. It is our hope to be as diverse
as the Greater Rochester Metropolitan area.
Four areas of diversity that have proven to be important are ethnic-cultural, gender,
sexual orientation and theological. Membership and partnerships have become
more diverse. Over the past two years we have succeeded in bringing more people
of color onto the Board, particularly Asian-American, African-American and
Hispanic. We have also entered into partnership with the African-American and
Latina/o communities with our Good Friday Walk and are moving to involve these
communities in its planning from the start.
Being visually more diverse is not enough. We would like to transform our
discourse so that we are a multi-vocal community, where all voices are equal. And
we would like to impact our membership and partnerships so that they are truly
multicultural organizations. This will demand a surrender of privilege by each party
holding privilege in relationship to other groups represented on the Board and its
membership and a good deal of flexibility and love on everyone’s part.
Hopefully, we can be a beacon to the bodies we represent and the community all
around and provide leadership that will enable this to happen.
Submitted by
The Reverend Dr. Wifredo Juan Baez
VP for Diversity
Worship & Discipleship Team Report
Gloria Ulterino, Chair
We are truly an ecumenical group: Roman Catholic, Baptist, UCC, and Methodist. We respect
one another and enjoy working together for GRCC and the wider community. Our two main
projects each year are the Annual Faith in Action Celebration and our Christmas services in
the jail. We also serve in any other capacity requested by GRCC.
Faith in Action Celebration
On Tuesday evening, June 10th, we will gather- as we did last year- at the Burgundy Basin Inn.
The staff of the Basin Inn resolved any problems from recent years and provided a superlative
setting for us to honor our guests. Doctor John Klofas received the Metropolitan Award,
Sister Grace Miller was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award, several young people
received an Alberta Moss scholarship, and nearly 40 others were honored by their faith
communities for putting their faith into action. This coming June will be our 23rd Annual Faith
in Action Celebration; you might wish to begin considering now the person or persons your
faith community might honor. It truly is an evening of celebration.
Christmas services at the
Downtown Jail and Monroe Correctional Facility
This past December was our 10th year of offering a Christmas service in both facilities. Our
contact, Ed Ignarri, has been most helpful in arranging the time and place for us. For the past
two years, we have led 4 services, 2 each evening, one for the men and one for the women.
We never fail to say: this is truly Christmas for us! Our services include Christmas carols, the
story of the birth of Jesus, other storytelling to help connect that great story to everyone’s
lives, and prayers of intercession. We often feel as though the ones we visit are the ones who
give us the greater gift.
Rochester Education Foundation and Church Women United would
like to invite the faith community to join them in a city wide book
drive for the elementary school children within the city school
districts. Our hope is for each and every congregation to collect
books appropriate for elementary aged children. Please share this
with your church and if someone within the congregation is
interested in being a representative, to contact Lynn Ryder,
Church Women United’s Community Relations Coordinator at 585-342-2790 or
cwulr@yahoo.com.
Report from the LDS Community, Toi Clawson
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) have 19 congregations from Batavia to
Lyons, including 7 congregations in Monroe County. For 2013, most congregations had the goal of doing
two or more community service projects. Some congregations chose a single non-profit organization to
partner with, other congregations selected groups to help as a one-time activity. These are some of the
projects from the Monroe County area.
One congregation held a Community “Emergency Preparedness” Fair January 19th bringing together
representatives from FEMA, Red Cross, volunteer Fireman as well as displays & handouts on: budgeting,
water storage, food storage, 72 hour kits, first aid, how to store important documents in disasters, etc. It
was free and open to the community, and Ch. 8 TV covered the event on the news.
Another congregation chose to partner with Focus Pregnancy on University Ave. This is the third year
they have gathered baby supplies/ quilts/ clothing/ diapers / adult clothing to donate monthly. The
Relief Society women (the LDS women’s group) also made over 200 infant kits for young mothers and
they also organized women to assist with classes on being a new mom, parenting helps, etc. at the
center.
Members from multiple congregations volunteered and/or gave donations to House of Mercy, Saints
Place, Battered Women’s Shelter, Catholic Refugee Center [helping to resettle 4 refugee families by
gathering donations, additional household furnishings were given to the CRC’s storage warehouse]. The
LDS Church is also a supporting sponsor for the 5K Run for Mercy each year.
A congregation gathered baby furniture/ clothing donations for Youth for Christ, (the only organization
that takes *used baby cribs). Relief Society women assisted with parenting classes taught for young
pregnant girls. The philosophy of this organization is that all the girls should be getting an education
(whether they are keeping their baby or not). Girls can earn “credits” to buy baby furniture/ supplieswhen they: stop using drugs, quit smoking, return to school full time, complete their GED, etc.
In June, members assisted at Camp Good Days and Special Times (for children with cancer). In Sept &
Oct members assisted elderly/ and “shut-ins” in their local neighborhoods with leaf raking/ yard work.
Neighborhood sweeps- to help youth connect with their community.
The Relief Society of the Rochester area on their “Day of Service” collected food donations, held a blood
drive, donated pillows for the Golisano Children’s Hospital, collected books and made blankets for the
Books & Blankets (Rochester City Schools) They also make and distribute handmade cards to nursing
homes.
In addition to these service projects, donations of commodities from the local LDS Bishop’s Storehouse
were made to various non-profits [all were certified 501c agencies]. Over $12,000 in commodities were
given to such groups as: Open Door Mission, House of Mercy, Camp Good Days, United Baptist Food
Pantry, Focus Pregnancy, Food Link as well as Food Pantries in Williamson, Macedon and Palmyra.
We Remember and We Respect
Report from Sr. Beth LeValley
Burial Services, a Work of
Greater Rochester Community of Churches
Faith In Action Network (GRCC-FIAN)
Greater Rochester Community of Churches – Faith In Action Network (GRCC_FIAN)
began the Burial Services Program in January, 2012. We assisted in the burials of 25
people in 2012 and 28 more people to date. Most burials take place at the Oatka
Cemetery in Scottsville. The board has put in a water line and planted shrubs and
bushes with a grant GRCC received. GRCC is now fund-raising for markers for the 300
unmarked graves. The cost is $62. We are planning a “marker planting” service in June.
We work closely with the Monroe County Public Administrator, the cemetery board, the
funeral directors involved, and over 50 volunteers who have presided at and attended
the services – for 25 people last year and 28 this year. You will see the beautiful
traveling memorial we now have through the excellent work of Matthew Bartlow’s
Eagle Scout project.
The link to the YNN segment below will help you understand our work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGgpUW-NOpw
You are invited to
A Community Memorial Service for
Our Neighbors Who Have Died
Over the Past Year with No Family or Resources
Sunday, February 9th, 2014 - 2:00 P.M.
Peace of Christ at St. Ambrose Church
25 Empire Blvd. Rochester, NY 14609
Corner of Empire, Culver and Clifford
Music, Readings & Refreshments
The following people and organizations have given to the
Burial Initiative & Marker Memorials
The following people and organizations have given to
the Burial Initiative & Marker Memorials
Phyllis Austin
Jane Ellen Bleeg
Fr. Bob Bradler
Mary Eileen & Joe Callan
Fr. Jim Callan
Lorraine Cappellino
Dan Casey
Webster Council of Churches
William D'Anza
Anne DeMare
Doreen Driscoll
Maureen Dugan
Kathleen Flynn
Theresa Gall
Ray & Ellen Grabb
Greece Grange 311
Suella C. Habbersett
Rev. Susan Hartley
Jeff & Karen Heckman
Doug Hess
James Hewes
Sharon Hoffman
Mary Ann Hrankowski
Immaculate Conception Church
Bob & Joanne Insull
Donna Keller
Mark & Mary Pat Keller
Winifred Kellner
Fr. Robert Kennedy
Ellen & Dan Lill
Sr. Brian Madigan
Alfred Marchetti
Sr. Anne Martin SSJ
Roseann Mayo
Carmel Merrill
Dan Meyers
Kathleen McCusker
Joan Mitchell
Joyce Mitchell
Margaret Morris
Y. C. Mruthyunjaya DDS
Patricia Nguti
Elizabeth & Dave Osta
Sr. Anne Pfrang
Stanley Pollock
Tom & Betty Richards
Anne Rodgers
Sr. Jean Rodmann
Tony Rosa
Susan Schantz
Tony Sciolino
Louise & Bob Slaughter
Mary Smith
SSJ Justice Ministry
St. Vincent DePaul Church
Lynne Stewart
Maryellen Sweeney
Marilyn & Vicki Tedeschi
Gloria Ulterino
Larry Van Etten
Sr. Marlene Vigna
Eleanor Volpe
Judith Walter
Dorothy Wiggins
John Wolfe
Michele Zuck
Report from Brockport Ecumenical Outreach Committee
My name is Bill Plews and I am the current Chair of Brockport Ecumenical Outreach Committee BEOC. We work
supporting legislative change that would give migrant farmworkers just treatment and an end to discrimination. At
the federal level we are working for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. We seek legal status for those who are
here with a path to citizenship for those who desire it. For future immigrants we support a system that fulfills our
need for agricultural labor without penalizing those who come to fill those needs. At the State level we seek an
end to discrimination against farmworkers. Specifically, they should get overtime pay, a day of rest, and the right
of collective bargaining. Much of the work that we do in this area involves supporting the larger efforts of the
Rural and Migrant Ministry headed by Richard Witt.
Highlights of BEOC for the past year:
-
There was a migrant farmworker named Janet who needed three nights lodging for herself and her
daughters before joining her husband who had found work in Georgia.
There was Anastasia who had four impacted wisdom teeth and no money. With the help of First
Presbyterian it was taken care of.
There was Marconi who needed two trips to the Mexican Consulate on Wheels in Geneva to get his
passport.
And Esperanza who needed a trip to Albion Family Court for an order of protection from her
American boyfriend who had abused her and her baby.
And what about Carl Wheat, who agreed to help us out with transportation, and is now teaching the
teenage son of a migrant farmworker family how to drive.
And there is Acasio who is sick with West Nile Virus and needed airfare to Mexico so he could be
cared for by his relatives. He is now in Mexico.
2013 BEOC Accomplishments
-
-
Led a letter-signing campaign across the major churches in Brockport that resulted in
632 individually signed letters supporting comprehensive immigration reform going to
US congress people
Co-hosted a Farmworker Day Rally that culminated a cross-state RMM tour supporting
reform of the State Fair Labor Practices
Developed a BEOC website (BEOCNY)
Provided significant support to Farmworker Day in Albany including visits to a number of
legislators
Provided financial and personnel support to the GRCC Faith in Action Dinner
Responded to urgent financial needs of several migrant farmworker families
Created a transportation ministry that provided farmworkers with transportation to
immigration, for medical purposes, and for legal assistance
Created and manned a booth at the Brockport Arts Festival
Supported the RMM Harvesting Justice Dinner
To know more or to volunteer contact: Bill Plews - 975-9738 wplews@rochester.rr.com
Action Proposal for GRCC Faith In Action Network for 2014
GRCC FAN Annual Meeting – Monday, January 27, 2014
In October of 2013, the faith communities, led by GRCC and the Interfaith Collaborative
celebrated the Children’s Sabbath. This is the third year we have worked with The Children’s
Agenda to pray and to work for our children. In conjunction with the Children’s Interfaith
Weekend, (aka: Children's Sabbath), members of the faith community delivered 2450 letters to
County Executive Maggie Brooks and contacted our County Legislators urging them to
appropriate another $1 million to subsidize Child Care for working families who cannot afford it.
The County Legislature, instead, cut $1.3 million from Child Care. The County estimates that
485 fewer children will receive quality Child Care.
Such a decision is both morally and fiscally irresponsible. Morally, because as members of a
Beloved Community, we know that “Every child is our own.” (From the Standards of the
Coalition for the Beloved Community.) GRCC FAN’s mission says, “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.” Our scriptures repeatedly lift up
the way we treat those who are poorest in our society as the ultimate test of our
“righteousness.”
The decision of the County Legislature is fiscally irresponsible because it is certain that children
who do not receive quality early childhood care will be more prone to violence, will fall behind
in school, will drop out at a greater rate, and are more likely to end up incarcerated. We know
that 75% of a child’s brain growth and 85% of intellect, personality and social skills are
developed before age 5. Poverty already contributes to inadequate brain stimulation. Children
whose families have little sustainable income hear on average 30 million fewer words than
other children.
Quoting from The Economic Promise of Investing in High-Quality Preschool: Using Early
Education to Improve Economic Growth and the Fiscal Sustainability of States and the Nation
sponsored by the Pew Charitable Trust, p. 3:
“Summing the economic benefits of better educational, employment, criminal, and social
outcomes suggests that preschool pays, many times over, for the cost of establishing these
programs. For example, the Chicago Child-Parent Centers Program is estimated to generate
more than $40,000 in net present-value benefits per program participant. The Perry Preschool
program is estimated to generate nearly $230,000 in benefits per student, much of which is
attributable to avoiding the tangible and intangible costs of crime. The long-term follow-ups of
these targeted model programs suggest that every dollar invested will return about $4 to $16,
with the public recouping one-half to three-quarters of the investment.”
Our Action Proposal
The Greater Rochester Community of Churches Faith in Action Network, at its Annual Meeting
on January 27, 2014, commits this year-- 2014, to addressing the needs of young children in
greater Rochester, New York. We will do this in some of the following ways:
1. Enlist local congregations and religious partners in this effort;
2. Educate ourselves and one another about early childhood education
3. Advocate for policies at the County and State level that will increase funding for work
that has been proven effective over time
4. Explore and expand our personal outreach to the children in our region
5. Pray for and welcome all the children who come into our circle of life and discern ways
in which those circles might expand and intersect
We look forward to strengthening our partnership with The Children’s Agenda and the
Interfaith Children’s Collaborative in our region. Poverty itself is the overriding problem. As we
pursue this critical issue, we will speak and act according to our faith to bring good news to the
poor.
The one who said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as
these that the kingdom of heaven belongs,” (Matthew 19:14 NRSV) is calling to us. As the Body
of Christ, we will be true to that call.
January 27, 2014
Baber AME Church, Rochester, NY
Report (Vice President for Social Issues-VPSI)
GRCC/Faith in Action Network
Areas of Concern and Action, 2013
On-Going Activities:
Children’s Sabbath
The VPSI continued to urge the extension of the concept of Children’s Sabbath to become a year-round
activity. The roots of this activity in the Fall in Monroe County are in the concept of the National
Children’s Defense Fund, and founder, Dr. Marian Wright Edelman. The VPSI has been an advocate of
broadening the multi-racial potential for community leadership in this activity.
This year saw the VPSI and GRCC/FiAN firmly involved with the struggle for the restoration of
sequestered early childhood education funds by the leadership of Monroe County. The GRCC/FiAN
Board joined several other community organizations and individuals in a Fall 2013 push for this
objective. It is part of an on-going commitment to support early childhood education in our area.
Rochester Area Communities for Transforming Society
The VPSI completed his service as the First (Interim) President of Rochester ACTS about one year ago.
His work since then has been to encourage the building of the multi-racial quality of the organization. In
addition to living into his commitment to serving in an advisory capacity as past president of Rochester
ACTS, the VPSI has been actively engaged 1} the building of congregation-based community organizingin
the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Presbytery of Genesee Valley, and 2) the exploration of new
interdenominational and faith community partnerships for Rochester ACTS. This work saw the building
of relationships with the East Main, Mustard, and Atlantic (EMMA) Community Association from the
East Side of Rochester; the United Christian Leadership Ministries, Rochester, NY; and several
predominantly African American Churches in South West Rochester.
Peacemaking Activity
The VPSI has been working to build a peacemaking leadership capacity in the Greater Rochester Area.
He has been part of building leadership relationships through convening the Peacemaking Working
Group, Mission & Advocacy Committee, Presbytery of Genesee Valley; the National Black Presbyterian
Caucus, through the Northeast USA Region, with the submission of a proposal for a Black Leadership
Peacemaking Leadership Initiative; and work with, and through the United Christian Leadership
Ministries’ Stop the Violence Initiative.
Activities: 1) led a workshop on The Peace Church Discernment Overture, Presbyterian Peace
Fellowship, at Trinity Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, March 2013; 2) participated in the Food Justice
Conference, “Turning Tables”, Louisville, KY, part of the Big Tent 2013, PC(USA); 3) participation in the
Fall Forum on Police Community Relations, at Faith Temple Apostolic Church, South West Rochester,
sponsored by the United Christian Leadership Ministries; 4) presentation of paper, “The Public Health
Approach to Violence Prevention,” December 2013, at the “Stop the Violence” Event, First Church of
God, Clarissa Street, sponsored by United Christian Leadership Ministries,
5) developed new partnership between Graves Institutional CME Church and Trinity Emmanuel
Presbyterian Church, known as the Jefferson Avenue Faith Communities. This new formation has joined
the Rochester ACTS as an organizational member. The VPSI will be enabled to continue the natural
support of Rochester ACTS development on the Board which will be established at its covenanting
event, planned for March 2014; 6) the VPSI served as reviewer and recommender of the Anti-Drone
Warfare Overture to be presented to the General Assembly of the PC(USA) in July 2014.
Race Relations and Counter-Racism Activities
The VPSI is an active participant in an urban-suburban project to build multi-racial and multi-cultural
cooperation for Missional Church initiated social change. With the Webster Presbyterian Church, and its
partner church in Webster, NY, The Webster Church of God By Faith, Trinity Emmanuel Presbyterian
Church has been engaged for the last year in a Collaboration which brings predominantly African
American and predominantly European Faith Communities into worship and retreat exchanges for
building multi-cultural, multi-generational and missional church partnerships.
The VPSI gave the opening/Kick-off sermon of the 2014 Membership Drive of the Urban League of
Rochester, December 2013, and continues to be an advocate for support of traditional multi-racial
organizations struggling for racial equality and human rights.
Relationships with Other GRCC/FiAN Ministry Areas
The VPSI continues to work in support of the Burial Ministries developing and established activities, the
Development Committee, the Vice President for Diversity, and the work of the Vice President for
Organization.
Recommendations for Board Consideration for 2014
1. That the Board consider playing a leading role in the extension of the world-wide work of
building love of neighbor, so strengthened by the 2009 Charter for Compassion, and the
work of Dr. Karen Armstrong and her collaborators: a) by proposing and working with
Mayor Lovely Ann Warren and the City of Rochester toward the City of Rochester
becoming a recognized Compassion City according to the Charter of Compassion
Network, building the beloved community with this as a building process.
2. That the Board consider playing a leading role in creating a Decade of the Child, 20142024, for the County of Monroe, working with the County Elected and Appointed
Leadership and its communities to build this extension of the Compassion Charter goals.
3. That the Board consider adding to its plans for Development by exploring, and possibly
expanding its programming and staffing activity with a Training and Education Unit
dedicated to strengthening ecumenical and interfaith ministry capacity for, not only its
members, but also for the wider community in order to build capacity for peace and
justice change across the communities of our area.
Submitted, January 27, 2014
Rev. Dr. William Huston Wilkinson
Vice President for Social Issues, GRCC/Faith in Action Network
GRCC Faith In Action Network
GREATER ROCHESTER COMMUNITY OF CHURCHES -- 2013
Board of Directors
Denomination Representatives –
Appointed by Denomination
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES-Rochester Genesee Region
Ms. Lynne Stewart- (W. Henrietta Baptist)
225 Viscount Drive
h-359-2587
Rochester, NY 14623
lynadl@rochester.rr.com
Rev. Dr. Richard Myers
10 Church Street
Scottsville, NY 14546
h - 889-3337
revrmyers@rochester.rr.com
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST LATTER DAY SAINTS (MORMON)
Vanessa Hansen
h: 359-0813
vanessahansen17@hotmail.com
87 Longton Place
West Henrietta, NY 14586
Toi Clawson
h: 223-7973
toi.clawson@gmail.com
14 Chesham Way
Fairport, NY 14450
EPISCOPAL-Rochester Diocese
Rev. Dr. Denise Yarbrough
Director of Religious & Spiritual Life
Interfaith Chapel @ U of R
14627
Cell: (315) 406-6016 w- 275-8422
Robert Crystal – VP Administration
386 Rockingham St.
h – 473-0279
Rochester, NY 14620
c – 615-6173
dyarbrough@admin.rochester.edu
dyarbrough1024@gmail.com
crys24634@aol.com
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA-Finger Lakes Conference
Rev. Imani Dodley
Reformation Lutheran Church
.
pastor@reformationinrochester.org
111 N Chestnut St
Rochester, NY 14604
Rev. Doug Stewart
w:224-6065
Church of the Incarnate Word
597 East Ave. Rochester, NY 14607
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA) Genesee Valley
 Rev. Gordon Webster-VP Interfaith Relations
36 Crescent Dr.
c-704-4277
Brockport, NY 14420
h-637-2974

dougstewart@frontiernet.net
revgvw@aol.com
Rev. Dr. William Wilkinson - VP Social Justice Concerns
278 Champlain St.
Cell: 202-4277
peacepathseeker@yahoo.com
Rochester, NY 14608
h: 507-3289
ROCHESTER SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS)

Wilma Campbell
209 Rockingham St.
h-24400821
Rochester, NY 14620
ROMAN CATHOLIC-Diocese of Rochester
Dr. Marvin Mich –
Catholic Family Center – Office of Social Policy
87 N. Clinton Ave.
h - 244-6165
Rochester, NY 14604
w - 546-7220 x7021
Larry Van Etten
437 Upper Valley Road
Rochester, NY 14624-
h: 426-1149
camprose209@gmail.com
mmich@cfcrochester.org
larrvanett@aol.com
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH WNY
 Rev. Dr. Wilfredo Baez -VP Diversity
United Methodist Church of North Chili
2200 Westside Dr., Rochester, NY 14624
Office # (585) 594-9111, Home # (585) 594-8393
Rev. Ann Kemper
c: 654-8115
Covenant United Methodist Church
1124 Culver Rd., Rochester, NY 14609
UNITED CHURCH of CHRIST; Genesee Valley Association
 Rev. Alan Dailey - President of the Board
117 Landing Park,
h- 654-9194
Rochester, NY 14625
c: 330-8744
revwillbaez@gmail.com
anncovenant@frontiernet.net
dailey2@rochester.rr.com
Elected Members At-Large (holding 2 year term)
(Term expires at Annual Meeting in Jan. 2014)
Rev. Dr. Jill Bradway
11 Bennington Hills Ct.
W. Henrietta, NY 14586
Joanne Cala
9 Fieldston Grove
Fairport, NY 14450
C: (585)506-8329
jbradway1@gmail.com
h: 377-8298
jcala@rochester.rr.com
Tim Calkins
5370 Willow Lake Drive W: 218-2060
Clarence, NY 14031
Tunya Griffin
(Northeastern Seminary)
56 Fifth Street
Rochester, NY 14605

C: 402-9786
Sr. Beth LeValley SSJ - VP at large
61 Waldo Avenue
h - 288-9149
Rochester, NY 14609
w - 244-4817
tcalkins@e-qci.com
tunyagriffin@yahoo.com
Griffin_Tunya@roberts.edu
srbeth@ssjrochester.org
Elizabeth Osta
7 Browning Lane
Pittsford, NY 14534
h: 586-9947
c: 451-5822
Anita Steans
51 Taylor Road
Honeoye Falls, NY 144572

H-624-5918
C-747-5547
Sr. Marlene Vigna, Sisters of Mercy - Secretary
109 Brockley Road
w: 288-5000
Rochester, NY 14609
ElizabethOsta@gmail.com
catlinsteans@yahoo.com
svigna@dor.org
(Term expires at Annual Meeting - January 2015)
Tom McDade Clay
wk: 340-9648
Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (CRCDS)
1100 S. Goodman St.
Rochester, NY 14620
TMcDadeClay@crcds.edu
Rev. Marilyn Cunningham
Graves Memorial CME
372 Flint Street, Rochester, NY 14611
revmrcunningham@yahoo.com
Lynn Ryder
w: 342-2790
Church Women United
644 Titus Avenue, Rochester, NY 14617
cwulr@yahoo.com
Staff:
Marie E. Gibson
(Downtown Presbyterian PCUSA)
2 Riverside Street
h - 647-9141
Rochester, NY 14613-1222 w - 254-2570
c – 472-3137
grcc1@frontiernet.net
mgibson@frontiernet.net

Kenneth Anderson-Treasurer
15 South Main St.
Pittsford, NY 14534
 Officers of the Board
– 28 members on the board Jan. 2013
h-248-0528
kenanderson@bluefrog.com