Oct/Nov 2019 Newsletter

October/November 2019 Issue

Harvest Time

A Season of Plenty The calendar tells us it is fall and before you know it Thanksgiving will be upon us; time to start gathering items to fill the baskets for the food pantry. This year we will be collecting JAMS AND JELLIES. Beginning September 29th, there are 8 weeks to start stockpiling an assortment of 150 jars for our annual donation to support the food pantry at St. Joseph’s Church. Please join in the harvest and help our neighbors in their time of need. Thanks for giving!

Give a Knit! Thursday,

October 17 at 7:00 p.m.

Give A Knit

Did you know that right here in Worcester, there is a program that offers support to LGBTQ asylum seekers from all over the world who are being persecuted in their home countries for their sexual orientation? It is an amazing program that began as a mission for Hadwen Park Church, and has grown over the years.
Our organist, Annie Arsenault, had the chance to really get to know some of these people, and hear about their struggles prior to coming here, and their struggles since arriving. Many asylees are from Africa, Jamaica and other warm nations, so winter in New England can be quite a shock. Annie and some friends were moved to collect some warm things to enhance their comfort and want to give others an opportunity to contribute as well.
Last year we hosted the event for the first time, and it was such a wonderful experience, we will host again. On Thursday, October 17, there will be a service of music, poetry and prayer, as well as facts and statistics about people seeking asylum. Please come! Bring the types of things people need to stay warm and cozy or make a free-will offering. Refreshments to follow the service.

Women’s Association

Meetings at the church on Oct. 2 and Nov. 6 at noon. We will be working on items for the Fair in October. Please bring any unfinished work to the meeting, and a brown bag lunch if you like. Dessert will be provided. In November we will be setting up for the Fair.

Advent Readers Needed

The First Sunday in Advent is December 1st


Each Sunday during Advent we light a candle in the Advent wreath and reflect on a particular theme. I am looking for volunteers for each of the four weeks of Advent to come forward as a family, individual, or friends to light the candle and say a few words about a particular theme.
I warn you that it involves more than reading something pre-written, but I am excited to work with you in adding your own thoughts – a few sentences – to the ritual.
Please contact me, Pastor Doreen, if you are interested.

A Note from the Pastor

There’s a meme (an on-line poster-type thing) I’ve seen going around that has a gorgeous picture of a tree-scape with brilliant leaves, and it says, “Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.” The cynic in me says, “sure – it’s beautiful for a few weeks, then comes the stark, bitter landscape of winter for several months!” In my spiritual life, I have been working on letting go. I have a practice I do when I find myself getting worked up about a person or situation where I recite four statements of release. After calming the physical sensations of distress, I say to myself, “I let go my desire for power and control. I let go my desire for esteem and affection. I let go my desire for security. I let go my desire to change the outcome / situation.”* And soon after, my mind tries to convince me that I shouldn’t let go – that I should do something, say something, exercise some power to change things, find security, be admired, or just be in charge! Letting go is much easier said than done, at least for me. And yet I believe my efforts to let go of things I have no control over does lead to more peace and more effectiveness in my life. It can take a lot of energy to try to bend the world to my desires, and it is energy wasted because the world will never bend to my desires. That doesn’t mean I can’t try to persuade people to see things from my perspective, or that I have no power to change any circumstance. But it does mean acknowledging that such efforts will likely have limited results, and my peace of mind cannot depend on situations or people changing.
For me, letting go is not a passive process, where I just remain stony and self-contained no matter what happens, but is an active process of catching myself in the impulse to try to control things, and instead really consider what type of response brings the most peace and love to the most people. I often don’t catch myself until I have already tried to control things by arguing or other manipulations. But once I notice what I am doing, I do my “letting go” work. There are two versions of the Serenity Prayer that I find helpful. The most common is: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. The other version is: God, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the people I can, and the wisdom to know that that’s me (and only me). In other words, be as clear as you can be about what is under your control, which is not much beyond your own mind and heart and soul. But my response to things I am powerless over can be either hurtful or helpful, either unkind or loving. I strive for helpful and loving.
The changes come so fast in our lives, in our church, and in the Church universal, and it is natural to want to hold on, or slow things down. Who doesn’t want summer or autumn to last a little longer? But the leaves know, it is just not to be. There is a good and trustworthy rhythm to all of life. The release may be followed by a long stretch of hibernation, but new life and growth always comes around again. If this talk of letting go has made you think of an area where you struggle with changes, I would love to talk with you about it. Give me a call or send me an e-mail so we can get together.
Blessings, Pastor Doreen * from The Wisdom Jesus by Cynthia Bourgeault

Thank You!

Thank you for your love, prayers, and support through this very difficult time. Ken and I are very grateful for all the cards, calls, visits, meals, and most importantly prayers especially from my ‘God Squad’! Pastor Doreen, you have gone above and beyond the call of duty. I just had my two-week Post-Op with my surgeon and he assures me that the cancer is gone. I am happy to share that I only have to go back quarterly for testing to make sure the cancer doesn’t grow back. I am still in pain, some days better than others. I hope to be seeing you all soon. So, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I love my ‘God Squad’!
Peace, Love, & Blessings, Ellie

Strawberry Hill Fair
November 9, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Women’s Association is busy planning this year’s fair, to be held on November 9. Many hands are needed to complete this task. Set up will start after our regular Nov. 6 meeting. Help with table set ups is also needed the day before the fair, and of course, help is needed for all kinds of things on the day of the fair. Please let Marie, Judy, or Cindy know when you are available to help.
All tables are accepting donations. Don’t wait until the last minute: bring any finished items in as soon as they are completed. All donations except for Baked Goods are expected in by Nov. 8. Your talent and time are greatly appreciated. Working together, we can make this year’s fair exceptional!
Below are listed the tables, along with the person coordinating donations to that table.

Happy Raffle Winner – Charlene

• GIFT BASKETS (Marie Frascolla): Marie puts together themed gift baskets from donated new items. A completed basket is welcome and appreciated. Here are some ideas to inspire the creative shopper in you: Holiday, Special Dinner, Party, Sports, Children’s Toys, Baby Care, Pets, Coffee / Tea, Chocolate, Beauty, Cleaning, Car Needs, Winter Fun, Kitchen, Bath, Exercise, Home Décor, Games, Fishing, Tools, Sewing, Gardening, Family Entertainment, or something of your own creation.
• BUSY FINGERS (Cynthia Rizzo, Karen Doe, Ellen & Ann Orsi): Anything handmade: hats, mittens, scarves, head bands, afghans, table runners, potholders, placemats, dish towels, etc.
• HOLIDAY DECORATIONS (Cindy LaPointe, Nancy Desautels, June Kelley, Linda Mandella): Put your talent to work! Fall, Thanksgiving, Christmas – handmade ornaments, table decorations, centerpieces, door décor, and some creative surprises. Remember our Holiday Décor table – donate or purchase gently loved and used wonderful old treasures.
• SECOND-HAND TREASURES (Robyn Desautels): We invite donations of high-quality items such as antiques, sports memorabilia, luxury services, fine art and quality collectables. White elephant-type donations will benefit the Heifer Fund.
• RAFFLES (Sue Ann Morowski): Businesses are solicited for items or gift vouchers to be raffled the day of the fair.
• BAKED GOODS (Mary Simmons, Joyce Thebodo): Take out those old and new recipes and let’s get baking! We need cookies, cakes, pies, brownies, fudge, barks, breads and sweet surprises. Baked goods can be dropped off the evening before or the morning of the fair.
• HOT DOG STAND/CAFE (Ron LaPointe, Quentin Lewis and crew): Enjoy some great lunch specials! For dessert, see above!
For more information, please contact Marie Frascolla (508 892-0038) or Cindy LaPointe (508 885 9875)

In Our Prayers

Never underestimate the power of prayer. You are invited, as you read this, to add your prayers for those listed. Take a moment to breathe in God’s Spirit, and channel your good will and hopes to each person or situation named. You might imagine them surrounded by a healing light, or held in God’s hand. May this simple practice fill you with peace and hope.
– Continued prayers for the Lathams – Ellie, Ken and daughter Laurie
– Prayers for all those dealing with mental illness
– For the vitality of this beautiful church and its wonderful people

October / November 2019
The First Congregational Church of Leicester P. O. Box 122 1 Washburn Square Leicester, MA 01524-0122