May 2012 Newsletter

 

 

Congregational Connections – May 2012 Issue


 In honor of Mother’s Day, there will be no Sunday school on May 13th,
allowing teachers and children to all worship with their families.

 

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Outdoor Labyrinth Walk

We’ve been talking about doing this for over a year, so let’s try to set a date. If this is something you are interested in, please let Pastor Doreen know whether a Saturday or  afternoon is better for you. There is also an option to combine a labyrinth walk with a half-day retreat at Doreen’s home in Carlisle. Contact Doreen ASAP if interested.

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Each church in the United Church of Christ is asked to contribute to the support of the Associations and Conferences of the denomination. Churches benefit from these connections in numerous ways, which are often highlighted in our newsletter in the UCC Connections section.

This year local churches are asked to pay $18.60 per member. First Congregational Church asks that members pay these dues apart from their pledges to the church.

Please make checks payable to
“First Congregational Church of Leicester”.

Checks can be mailed to the church, attn: Ann Orsi, or dropped in the offering plate with note “membership dues.”

If this poses a hardship for anyone, please see Pastor Doreen. Perhaps you can make a partial contribution toward the dues, with the church subsidizing the rest. Also, people may want to contribute extra to help subsidize the dues for those who cannot pay. All contributions are tax deductible.

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A N0te from the Pastor

I never thought of myself as a patient person. I can’t stand to wait in lines and always look carefully for the shortest one at the grocery store, changing sometimes to one that seems to be moving more quickly. I find I drive more slowly when there is no one near me on the road – otherwise I feel hemmed in, as if I am being blocked somehow, and try to get ahead of other drivers. I don’t ever watch television in real time anymore, waiting at least 15 minutes into a show so that I can fast forward through commercial with my TiVo. But – it’s getting better.

I’m not sure why. Perhaps as I age and time seems to pass so quickly, I’m less inclined to want to hurry it along even more. With my children on the cusp of adulthood, I wonder if I spent enough time cherishing the moments of their youth, and those thoughts help me take a breath and try to relish even their adolescence before it too passes. But I have also come to realize that God’s time is not my time, that stressing out, rushing around, and manipulating have no impact on when things will happen, it only impacts my emotional (and physical) state. Waiting is not something I can opt out of. But I can (sometimes) choose to do it with some level of grace and peace.

I preached a sermon on the Aramaic understanding of the Lord’s Prayer. Aramaic was the language that Jesus and the disciples spoke, though the Gospels were written in Greek. There is some scholarly research that asserts that certain nuances of the Aramaic language were lost in the translation. Working from Aramaic manuscripts of the gospels, Neil Douglas-Klotz suggests some variations of meaning. I was struck by his ideas for alternatives to the line “and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” He suggests that the word translated as “evil” also holds a sense of unripeness. The production of good fruit, or right action, depends on right timing. Pick the fruit too soon and it is hard and tart; leave it hanging too long and it ismushy and spoiled. We cannot hurry the process, but it is important to be attuned to it, to have a sense of right timing.

There are lots of agricultural metaphors in the bible, and one significant theme is that growth is up to God. We can plant and tend, we can reap, but we cannot make anything grow. That is God’s work. Can we let ourselves trust God’s timing in all things, even in our own emotional and spiritual development? Can we trust that even when we are impatient it might be because we are not ready to embody patience, not because there is something wrong with us? We have many opportunities to practice this insight, whether at the grocery store, on the road, in parenting, in forgiving people, in forgiving ourselves, in moving on from a job or relationship. We might wish we were in a different place, we might wish we had seen or understood something sooner than we did. But that would just be entering an unwinnable argument with reality. We are where we are on life’s journey. We don’t know what we don’t know.

But I believe that God sees much more than we do. God holds a much bigger picture, and accompanies us on our journey through this world. If we feel impatient we can ask God, “Is it the right time for action, or is it fear and anxiety that is driving me?” We can ask, “If it is the right time, what is the right action?” Then comes the really hard part – trusting the answer that comes to us. It probably won’t involve cutting ahead in a line or speeding up to pass another driver. Often the answer is to wait a while longer, to take a breath, to be present in the moment, to find something to be grateful for right now. Other times it might be to move on or to recommit, to take that class or change careers, or see a counselor. It might be to offer your child or spouse unconditional love, to stop trying to change them. It might be to finally let yourself off the hook and live in the freedom of the unconditional love God has for you. May it be so.

Blessings,

Pastor Doreen

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Pick Up Choir: Sunday, May 13th


If you love to sing but can’t make a commitment to becoming a full-time choir member, then our Pick-Up Choir is perfect for you! All voices are welcome, both women and men. And knowing how to read music is not necessary! Give your name to Bob, Cindy or Jackie by Sunday, May6, and we will see you at rehearsal!!
Here’s how it works:

• Attend rehearsal Wednesday evening May 9 (specific time negotiable). Bob will teach an easier anthem as well as a simple introit and benediction.
• Attend the Sunday morning “warm up” at 9:00 on May 13. Choose a choir robe, and you’re ready to go!

It’s a small amount of time for

a HUGE amount of fun!   

 Please join us!

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Bible/Book Study

Mondays 7:00 p.m. and Wednesdays 10:30 a.m.  Contact Pastor Doreen or see worship bulletins for locations, schedule and reading assignments.

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Women’s Association Meeting:

Wed, May 2

Meet at the church at noon for a quick meeting,followed by planting of flowers on the church walkway.

Bring gardening gloves and tools.

Plants will be provided, along with delicious snacks.

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Important Dates

 

May 20 –    Council /Budget-Planning Meeting, at noon in Russell Hall. All are welcome.

June 3 –    Non-fiscal Annual Reports due.

June 10 –  All Annual Reports due.

June 24 –  Annual Meeting at noon in Russell Hall. Pot luck lunch from 11-12.  All are welcome.

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The Stewardship Challenge   (Will You Help?)

The Committee would like to thank everyone for participating in our Anonymous Survey on April 22nd.  We hoped to get some insight as to why only 30% of our membership made the commitment of pledging last year.

Please be assured, your pledge is confidential and all pledges both large and small make a difference and your pledge is no exception.  It’s the commitment that counts!  By establishing a pattern of giving money to the church, we recognize that God’s care is the paramount strength upon which we depend.

 

We have so much to be thankful for as a congregation.  Every year, we touch the lives of so many people; children, adults, members and friends, near and far providing spiritual nurturing, education, community fellowship and helpful services to our neighbors.  We are blessed with fulfilling sermons, an outstanding Sunday school program and a wonderful music program.  We have a beautiful church to worship in and the freedom to do so.

We have been so blessed that it is easy to take our riches for granted.  “What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?” (Psalm 116:12)  We believe, because God has showered us with blessings, we should

give because we are blessed.  Our Committee’s challenge this year is to see the percentage of pledges vs. membership significantly increase.  We need you to accomplish this!

So we invite everyone to make a pledge, regardless of the amount or length (weekly, monthly, etc.).  Again, the amount is not nearly as important as the commitment to your church – even $1.00 a week – it’s the commitment that counts.  It gives each of us not only concrete evidence of our faith but by stating our pledge, we have taken the uncertainty out of our blessings we will return to the Lord.

We hope you will help us accomplish our goal in our challenge and bring your pledge cards to worship service on Mother’s Day, May 13th, when these commitments will be blessed during worship or mail to the church, attention to the Stewardship Committee.  Our church depends on your commitment and we thank you for your continued support.

Faithfully,

Your Stewardship Committee

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Sunday School News              (Will You Help?)

I want to begin by thanking Darby Bashista, Ann Orsi, June Kelley, Quentin Lewis, Tom Shea and all of the people who stepped up to help out in my absence.  I tried to include everyone so if I missed you – I apologize!

I would also like to thank the whole congregation for your prayers.  I believe that they continually are helping us through these very difficult times.  You truly are my church “Family”

As to our Sunday School – the kids are as always a joy and a pleasure to teach.  I recently had a very long conversation with my friend and co-teacher, Angie Shea about how much these kids bring to our lives.  They certainly bring humor and a happiness that only a child can give you.  We both love to teach and plan to continue, however, we can’t do it alone . . .

I know . . . here it comes . . . she’s asking us to teach, well . . . yes I am – I am asking you to volunteer to receive a kind of love that can only be found in our Sunday School!  These kids need to learn from regular everyday people about God’s love.  I will give you lots and lots of assistance and a curriculum that is easy to teach and keeps the kids coming back.  I will place you with an age group that you are comfortable with and you will find that love overflowing!

If we have enough people who are willing to commit to just a few weeks then no one would have to teach every Sunday!  If we do not get volunteers we will be facing having to eliminate the preschool/kindergarten classroom.  We feel that the older kids need the lessons and the younger kids will have to be placed into the nursery.  We don’t want this to happen but with only two committed teachers we may not have a choice.  Please search your soul and trust me when I tell you that anyone, I mean anyone can teach!

Chris Cathcart,

Sunday School Director

Please contact me to volunteer:

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UCC Connections

Central Association Annual Meeting: May 6

At First Congregation Church in Milford at 4 p.m. It will be unlike any other Association meeting, with contemporary music and a presentation on bullying by Susan Tordella, featuring Mooey the Bullied Chicken. Families are welcome. There is a catered dinner (chicken? J) after the meeting available for $10 (discount for families).

 

Click Here for more information on Mooey the Bullied Chicken

Massachusetts Conference
Annual Meeting June 15 & 16 –
“Be Transformed!”

 

Join UCC members and clergy from across the Commonwealth as they gather for worship, plenary sessions, hearings and forums, and meals. The meeting will be held at the Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center. Speak to Pastor Doreen if you are interested in attending both or either day.

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 Moment for Missions  by: Norma Dodge

Imagine:

Entering the yard of a preschool and being swarmed by fifty precious smiling children who have one teacher, no food for lunch and bathrooms outside the fence.

Imagine:

Entering an elementary school classroom where the students immediately rise and say in unison “Good morning visitor!”  They wear uniforms in varying states of repair.  The only books belong to the teacher and the child with pencil and paper feels very special.

 

Imagine:

Entering a hospital where most patients are dying of AIDS or have wounds inflicted by their government’s army.  The medicines in the pharmacy have been donated.  The washing machines don’t work and there is only electricity for a few hours each evening. Watching a mother in labor on a bed with no linens over or under her.

Imagine:

Visiting an orphanage where the director must grow the food to feed his charges.  Daily water supplies must be carried from the bore hole.

The Nyadire Methodist mission in Zimbabwe, Africa, houses 5 – 7000 people, has an orphanage, schools from preschool to a nursing college and a teachers’ college, a hospital, and a church.  Since Robert Mugabe’s government took over, the Zimbabweans have lost their infrastructure – roads, running water, electricity, etc.  What was the breadbasket of Africa is now mostly desert.  Most families at Nyadire have gardens and chickens so they can eat, but sometimes the food is stolen by the soldiers.  In spite of horrendous conditions, these people are generous to a fault.  They made sure we had the best of food, they sang and danced for us and taught us how to join them.  They have no “problems” only “challenges”.  Visiting with them has changed my life and my attitude.  How can I help but support them financially?

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A Bunny Day Thank you

A wonderful day was held on March 31st with over 100 children and their parents and grandparents in attendance.  Except for the snow falling in the a.m. everything  went  smoothly and our hall was filled to capacity with everyone who came to enjoy our bunny party.  Children made bunny trail mix, created crafts, enjoyed face painting and tattoos,  had juice, donut holes and rabbit food (veggies & dip), and welcomed Peter Rabbit when he arrived.  Many pictures were taken and the beautiful baskets that were raffled along with money that was donated to the food bank means we will be donating $334.00 along with a large amount of food.

At 3:30 PM we ventured outdoors and Peter Rabbit led the children around the lawn to search for over 1300 eggs.

We extend a huge THANK YOU to everyone who donated candy & eggs, baskets, bunnies & toys, and helped to decorate, blow up balloons, spread hay and hide eggs, help the children with their crafts, fill baskets and work the raffle table and food collection area, help Peter Cottontail with the children outdoors and cleanup at the end of the day.

 

Everyone did such a GREAT job!!  Thank you all for bringing joy and laughter into the church and allowing us to support our local food bank in such a positive way.  We thank you so much for your time & generosity.  We are truly blessed!

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Blanket Drive Thank You

Thank You to everyone who helped to make our Blanket Drive for CWS a success again this year. Our total was $635 or 127 Blankets.

 

Since 2002 our Small Congregation of Huge Hearts has collected a total of $9,065  or 1,813 Blankets.  In 2010 alone CWS distributed 11,550 blankets Internationally with 8,950 going to Haiti for earthquake relief, and 6,755 domestic shipments throughout the US in response to devastating tornadoes, hurricanes, and winter storms.

 

It is an honor to be a part of this Congregation of caring people.