May 2016 Newsletter
Sharing in Faith
May is stewardship month. As we end one church year and begin the next, it is a good time to reflect upon how you want to be a good steward of this church. There are many ways to be a good steward. The nominating committee is looking for people to serve on committees and boards. Perhaps you would consider joining one of these. You might consider attending some of these board and committee meetings and add your voice as to how we carry out the “business” of the church. May is also budget month, a time when the council prepares the operating budget for the next year. Your pledges help us to decide how to prioritize our spending. Please help us to discern and spend wisely by returning your pledge card by May 8th so that we may move forward in wisdom, a gift from God.
1James 1:5 So, if any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep on asking God,
for he gives generously to all and without reproaching; and it will be given him.
With thanks from Deb Entwistle, Stewardship Committee
Worcester Fellowship Lunch Providers: May 29
We are finally back on the schedule after a few months off. The good news is that many other churches are stepping up to help with this ministry. The bad news is that our schedule is less regular than it 
used to be. We are on again for June 19. Please look for the sign-up sheet for supply contributions beginning May 15, and join the lunch assembly line on the 29th right after worship. All are welcome to join in lunch and worship on Worcester Common beginning at 1 p.m.
2016 UCC Membership Dues
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 $20.20 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 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. Round up to $21? All contributions are tax deductible.
A Note From the Pastor
Grace and peace to you, my friends. I’m very proud to be going to my daughter’s graduation from the University of Vermont this month, and it has got me thinking about my own graduations. There was high school and college, then my first graduate degree from Northeastern University (I skipped that ceremony), and finally (I believe), from seminary. I also got a call this week from a preschool teacher looking for a place to hold their graduation ceremony. It’s not just graduations from high school and above that are marked by special ceremony, but the transitions from pre-school, kindergarten, grade school and school. Graduation means not just that you have completed something, but that you are beginning something as well – if not another level of education, then the “doing” of whatever you were educated or trained or called to do. Graduation recognizes that growth and progression have occurred, knowledge has been gained, skills have been mastered. Such affirmation may help as the graduate moves on to the next place, the next role.
There are no graduations from church. Maybe that’s because we don’t typically move from one setting to another, but hopefully it is not because of a lack of growth or progression. I know we ought not compare apples to oranges – churches are different from schools in many ways – but I think it is worthwhile to consider what it means to grow and progress in a spiritual or religious sense. My role as pastor is not only to preach but to teach. One of my mentors also said it is the pastor’s duty to equip people for discipleship. Sometimes I feel like I am trying to work in a one-room schoolhouse with people at all different levels. Some have studied the bible, or have at least heard passages from it all their lives, while for others it is brand new. Some have had diverse spiritual experiences while others have no idea what I mean by that, don’t know the difference between spirituality and religion. There are some who are intimately familiar with all the behind-the-scenes work that goes on in a church – the administration, finances, building care, music, covenantal connections with other UCC settings, and ecumenical ties; while others know nothing beyond what happens on Sunday morning, or at the Fair.
If you were to mark points of transition or growth in your faith life, what would they be? I remember the first time I pledged to a church, and the first time I asked others to pledge. I know I grew when I first served on the governing board, and again when I taught Sunday school. What marks growth for you in connecting to the bible? Is it recognizing certain passages, or having a deeper understanding of them, or being able to recall or recite them? Is it being able to call to mind a passage for your own or another’s comfort? What about progress in outreach / missions? Have you “graduated” from simply packing lunches for Worcester Fellowship to eating and worshiping with them? Do you see growth in your prayer life, moving from making a prayer request on behalf of another to offering up your own prayer for them? Our spiritual growth is too diverse to mark with one ceremony, but I would love to honor your learning and progress (without having you move on to someplace else!). Let me take you out for lunch or a cuppa, let me affirm your growth and encourage you on your faith journey. Or / and maybe we can have a “graduation” recognition in the June newsletter. Write in to me about some way that you have grown in your faith, religious or spiritual life in the past year and we’ll publish it next month. It’s not about boasting, but showing that church matters in our lives. It shapes and transforms us. And that deserves recognition.
Blessings, Doreen
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.
– For all those impacted by the floods in Texas.
– Comfort and healing prayers for Ellie Latham’s brother-in-law, Stanley Rybicki, who is suffering with heart issues.
– Prayers for safe travels for Norma Dodge as she heads off on a Mission Project in S.Carolina May 6th.
– For Doreen’s parents, Paul and Geri
UCC Connections
Central Association Annual Meeting: May 1 at The First Parish of Bolton at 4 p.m. (registration begins 3:30). Featuring a presentation by the Islamic Center, and worship with “an election sermon.” Dinner follows at Zaytoons Mediterranean Restaurant in Clinton.
Racial Justice Training: From Tolerance to Unity: Sat., May 21, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham – FREE – The From Tolerance to Unity curriculum seeks to create a common language around racism, to unmask racism in our lives and in society, and to encourage long-term engagement in racial justice ministry. We will explore the four realms of racism and engage the Inclusivity Spectrum, discussing our intersection with racism from tolerance to solidarity and critique. See Doreen if interested.
Women’s Association News
• On May 4th, we will have Diana Provencher, Selectwoman, and owner of Little Bit Farm here in Leicester, as our guest speaker after the meeting. She will bring with her many of her wonderful items sold from the farm such as creams made from bee keeping, jams, jellies, relishes even perhaps some seedlings. Be prepared to purchase some of these delights on the 4th. Don’t forget to bring your lunch-coffee & desert will be provided.
• On June 1st, we will be going to Hartman’s Herb Farm, 1026 Old Dana Road, Barre for a luncheon and demonstration. There will be time to wander the gardens & the greenhouse after lunch. Cost of the luncheon will be $20.00 payable to Women’s Association– like last time. Please have your money in no later than May 22nd to Nancy Desautels – we must pay and order in advance. We will meet at the church and car pool to Barre. Please contact Judy Ivel at 508-892-3321 or June Kelley at 508-892-3795 to make a reservation. We do not as yet have the menu choices (it is Spring at the Herb Farm & they’ve been busy). We anticipate the menu will feature a chicken dish and a fish offering. Please let us know if you would like to attend but no longer drive we will find a ride for you. This I always a fun outing and always lovely to be at the Herb Farm.
Update from PRC
We have hosted and facilitated two discussion meetings; April 3rd and April 24th to hear Pastor Doreen’s proposal for reducing to a 3/4 or 4/5 pastorate. Either proposed scenario would be a savings to the church. Pulpit Supply would be used to fill in as time off (13 weeks or 16 weeks off) would include Sundays. She answered questions and then excused herself for us to discuss. Both meetings were well attended.
We would like to thank all of you that have given your opinions, suggestions, and input. There will be one more discussion in May before the budget meeting and will be announced in the bulletins. Thank you for your prayerful consideration in this matter.
We welcome anyone else that was unable to attend to feel free to call or email Pastor Doreen or the PRC members at:
Pastor Doreen 978-846-6498, pastorfccleicester@verizon.net
Norma Dodge 412-965-0301, normadodge@hotmail.com
Jackie Henderson 508-637-1040, jimandjackie.gordon1@gmail.com
Ellie Latham 508-885-6021, elliemay2222@gmail.com
To include an article in an upcoming newsletter, contact:
Brielle MacDonald at
508-353-3338 or briellemacd@gmail.com
