February 2016 Issue
New members?
If you’ve been worshiping with us for a while, perhaps you would consider becoming an official member. I (Doreen) would love to meet with you to talk about what this means, and what’s involved. Please let me know.
Women’s Association, Wed Feb. 3 – Lunch at Livia’s Dish in Worcester
Car pools leaves the church at 11:45 for a noon reservation. Please let June Kelley know ASAP if you plan to go. And save the date for the March meeting (March 2) as we host the fabulous scripture story-teller Rev. Cynthia Maybeck in a special program designed for us. You won’t want to miss it! And please, invite a friend.
Ash Wednesday Service: February 10 at 7 p.m.
Begin the season of Lent with a time of quiet reflection and worship, including Communion and distribution of Ashes. The Sanctuary in the evening is just lovely. Please come.
An Afternoon Movie: February 28
Come watch War Room with your church friends at the parsonage on Sunday, February 28. It’s a wonderful movie about what happens to a family when they really let Jesus in. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided, and you are welcome to BYOB. Specific time TBD, but later afternoon. All are welcome, even last minute, but a heads up is appreciated so that snacks and seating can be arranged.
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Bible/Book Study Groups
Bible Study on the first and third Wednesdays each month at 10:30 a.m. at the church. Drop-ins are welcome. The West Side Book Group is reading Proof of Heaven by Eben Alexander and will meet to discuss it on Friday, Feb. 19 at 2:30 p.m. If you would like to join us and need help obtaining the book, please contact Doreen.
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Hope for Housing Shopping Cards
They are still available. Five percent of each card purchased is donated by the store to programs that help the homeless. It costs you nothing, and it can really add up to make a difference. Please e-mail Doreen whenever you would like to purchase a card, and she’ll make sure you get it. Cash is accepted, or checks made out to Hope for Housing. The following cards are available: Panera ($10, $25), Big Y ($25, $50), CVS ($20), Shaws ($25, $50), Stop & Shop ($25, $50, $100), Hannaford ($25, $50).
February Have a Heart Month
Church World Service says the $5.00 blanket is the basic concept of every disaster response program. When people are homeless, cold and alone, a warm woolen blanket provides both primary protection and shelter. Your $5.00 donation will provide that blanket to someone who needs one, here in the U.S. and around the world. Checks made payable to: First Congregational Church of Leicester Note: Blankets Can be placed in the collection plate or checks/cash given directly to Nancy Desautels.
Worship Cancellation Procedure
The pastor, deacon and trustee will consult by 7:30 am on the day of the worship service to determine if the worship service must be cancelled or postponed due to inclement weather. Consideration will be given to travel advisories, weather outlook, and the condition of the church itself (i.e. confirm there is heat and electricity and that the parking lot and walkways will be cleared). Regardless of whether or not worship is officially cancelled, all parishioners, staff and leaders are urged to make their own decision based on their individual circumstances: safety is our first priority. Any worship or Sunday school leader unable to be present can notify Rev. Doreen via her cell (978-846-6498). By 8 am, information regarding the canceling or continuing of worship will be left on the outgoing voicemail. All staff and lay leaders are advised to check the outgoing voicemail for the information. If the power is out, the answering machine won’t be activated, and worship is likely cancelled. People may also call the parsonage in that situation for confirmation (508-859-8060). If the decision is made to cancel or postpone the service, calls will be attempted to the following individuals, but they should also check church voicemail: Organist and Choir, the Deacons of the day, any individuals participating actively in the service (e.g. special guests and worship attendants).
A Note from the Pastor
Grace and peace to you, my friends. As I write, we have just missed a big winter storm that blew off to sea south of us. The weather is fairly mild for February, and I pray the trend continues. Still, it is a time when people tend to want to stay in. Of course it makes sense that this is the season of Lent – a time of going inward, a time of personal reflection. Many do some sort of fasting – giving something up – and others take on a spiritual discipline – perhaps reading scripture, prayer, meditating, joining a bible study or book group, doing anonymous acts of kindness. But I believe that all of those things can aid us in our inward reflection. We go inward, hoping it will lead us closer to Jesus, closer to God. But such closeness starts with knowing ourselves, hence the reflection. Fasting makes us more aware of our appetites and desires. Prayer and meditation opens us up to the spirit that connects us all. Reading and study helps us understand how God was active in the world all along, and continues to act in our own lives. Acts of kindness toward others helps us better understand that we become whole in community.
There are different levels of “self” to explore and know. There are our roles – who we are in the world – mother, father, worker, church member, etc. There are the thousands of thoughts per minute that we have – evaluating, judging, choosing, wishing. We are spiritual beings having a human experience. We straddle the world of humanity and the world of the divine. We have not just a physical body – which is dense energy – but parts that include higher-vibration energy; mental energy, emotional energy, and the energy that connects us all as one with God. There are the thoughts we have, and the observer of the thoughts we have. This “higher self” has insight into who we are physically, emotionally and mentally; insight that we cannot always access. Spiritual practices can help us tap in. When we reflect on ourselves, we are giving power to that “higher self.” There are other simple tools we can use to access the wisdom of this higher self. We have built in truth tellers, which can be accessed with help from another person, or with a simple pendulum, or with our thumb and little finger.
I’ve been using a pendulum. I hold it out about six inches from my chest. I asked the pendulum to show me the movement for “yes” and it moved in a counter-clockwise circle. I asked it to show me “no” and it moved side to side. I have used it to determine if the water I drink or the supplements I take are good for my body. (It agreed that it would be good for my body to give up sweets, but I’m not ready for that yet.) I have used it to help clarify my feelings about things, and to determine the timing for actions I considered. I believe this “higher self” is closer to the divine world, has a clearer perspective on who I really am and who I could be. I am excited and grateful to realize this part of me is there, so willing to lovingly help the part of me that struggles so in this world. If you are interested in learning more about this, please let me know. I would love to share about it. And if this is not the time for you to go inward, I trust that your higher self and God are still taking very good care of you. May the Lenten season be full of grace for you.
Blessings, Doreen
Looking Ahead To A New Church Year
Once a year, at the annual meeting of First Congregational Church of Leicester, members have the opportunity to elect and appoint officers and committee members to conduct the business of the church. Have you ever given any thought to serving your church through one of these positions? It doesn’t require much of your time, just your willingness to serve. A new member means a new perspective and can rejuvenate a group to explore new thoughts and ideas. We will begin seeking out candidates very shortly. The position of collector is at the top of the list to be filled this year. The recording of collections has been skillfully done by Ron LaPointe for the past year. Ron has laid all the groundwork on the church computer to make this job as easy as possible for his successor. He could show an interested candidate what the position involves. If you would like to just simply have a conversation about how you could best use your time or talents to serve the church and where the best fit is for you, please see Carol or Neil Mulrain or call us at 508-867-3741. We’d be happy to discuss that with you.
Notice of an Important Meeting!
At the annual meeting in June, 2015, Pastor Doreen presented an idea she asked us to consider during the upcoming months. Those of you who were present at that meeting may recall her proposal for reducing her position from full-time to three-quarter time pastor. She explained her reasons behind the proposal and possible benefits for our church as well as herself.
At Doreen’s request, the Pastoral Relations Committee is organizing an informational meeting on Sunday, April 3, at 12:00 in Russell Hall. Doreen will be there to answer questions (we know you will have many!) and to fully explain how this would work and when this reduction would begin. After her presentation, she will leave the meeting to allow us private discussion together. In the meantime, we members of the PR committee will be the “ears” listening to your opinions and will be available for those who want to talk to us. You are strongly urged to attend the April 3 meeting! It could very well be the most important meeting of 2016!
Pastoral Relations Committee: Norma Dodge, Ellie Latham, Jackie Henderson
Pick-Up Choir – Sunday, February 28
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! It’s a small amount of time for a HUGE amount of fun! Please join us! Give your name to Bob, Cindy or Jackie by Sunday, Feb 21, and we will see you at rehearsal!!
Here’s how it works:
1. Attend rehearsal Wednesday evening Feb 24 (specific time negotiable). Bob will teach an easier anthem as well as a simple introit and benediction.
2. Attend the Sunday morning “warm up” at 9:00 on Feb 28. Choose a choir robe, and you’re ready to go!
Neighboring Update
How has it been going? I finally took some steps in my neighboring goal. I wanted to contact my neighbors, and give them my phone number and invite them to get together for a cup of copy or something. I decided the Christmas season offered the perfect opportunity. I picked up some holiday cookie bags, and baked. I attached a card to each bag of cookies, saying hello and that I wanted to be a good neighbor. I included my phone number and offered a cup of sugar or a cup of coffee. I tucked the cookies and cards into doorways and foyers. I received one phone call of thanks from a woman saying she has lived here for over 10 years and didn’t know her neighbors. One woman was home when I dropped off the cookies, and she insisted I take some of the cookies she was baking. She is new to the neighborhood and has 3 small children. It was lovely to chat with her for a few minutes. My church buddy in neighboring goals also took steps toward his goal of praying for strangers. The first two days of the New Year he spoke to someone in the store and offered to pray for them. One person offered to pray for him as well. Keep up the good work, buddy! And please let me know if you have taken steps, or let me know what is keeping you from it. Blessings. Doreen
Super Saturday
Join hundreds of delegates, pastors and lay leaders from the Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island Conferences for a day of worship and workshops. Saturday, March 12 from 8:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. at Killingly High School, Killingly Connecticut. See the Mass Conference website (www.macucc.org) for information about workshops offered and to register, or ask Pastor Doreen for a flyer.
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. Please pray:
– For Steve Buonomo, a good friend of Sue Morowski, on his difficult recovery after being hit by a car.
– For Kim, a friend of Gloria Besse, who had surgery on January 27. We pray for a successful outcome and return to full health.
– For all children in foster care, that they be placed in nurturing homes with loving guardians while they await permanent placement.
– For Judi, friend of Carol Mulrain, who watches over everyone but herself. May she get the care she needs to deal with her medical issues and find a balance in her life between work and home.
– For Carol Mulrain’s sister Debby who is still suffering from the effects of a second head injury and experiencing ongoing vertigo and depression.
– For our faith community, prayers of gratitude from Carol.
– For Jan Albrecht who is having a long awaited hip replacement surgery. May the procedure and the recovery go smoothly and bring relief.
– For Rev. Warren Hicks, Worcester Fellowship, for a speedy recovery from hip surgery.
– For Ellie Latham as she struggles with more challenges with her cancer.
To include an article in an upcoming newsletter, contact:
Brielle MacDonald at
508-353-3338 or briellemacd@gmail.com
