Oct/Nov 2020 Newsletter

DRIVE-BY FOOD DRIVE – OCT 10

On October 10th, from 1-5, we will again be hosting a Drive-by Food Drive at First Congregational. Your donations will benefit the food pantry located at St. Joseph’s Church. The first one we did was VERY successful and the need for additional support in these stressful times is great.

You can drive up to the front of the church where helpers will be available to unload your donations. All safety precautions will be in place. All non-perishable food items will be accepted along with snack packs, condiments, feminine products, diapers, toilet paper and tissues, etc.

You can also contribute on Sunday if you plan to come to worship any time up to the day of the drive. If you’d like someone to pick up a donation at your home, please call Carol Mulrain at 508-344-2752 and we can get that scheduled anytime before the drive.

 

 

String Theory Music Series

When Anne took a position at another church we were in a panic to find a new organist – not an easy task! First we found Lois Toeppner and then Brooks Milgate who, along with the choir, bless this church with their music. We also had Nancy Cote filling in on the piano. While we were brainstorming we came up with the idea of guest musicians once a month. Thus was born the String Theory Music Series. The name came from a quote by Roy H Williams: In essence, String Theory describes space and time, matter and energy, gravity and light, indeed all of God’s creation… as music.

The feedback that we have received has been very positive, so much so that what started out as a temporary solution, we have decided to continue indefinitely.

To date our guests have been:
• John Short – Hill Blues music
• Kathryn Skudera Haddad – Violinist with the choir
• Tara Strong – Gospel Singer
• Mike and Beth Stanton – Guitar, vocals – contemporary
• Helen Sheldon, Rich Ad Leuftstat and Matt Machannon – Ukulele, stand-up bass, vocals/tambourine – Tent Revival music

Coming Up:
• Oct 4th – Cara Brindisi – guitar and vocals
• Nov 8th – Mike and Beth Stanton
• Dec 13 – Kathry Skudera Haddad /with choir

John Short

 

Tars Strong

 

 

Beth and Mike Stanton

 

 

Tent Revival – Helen, Rich and Matt

 

Kathryn Haddad

Cara Brindisi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We hope you have enjoyed all the music as much as I have. As always, please let the music committee know if you have thoughts and/or suggestions.

 


A Note from the Pastor     

Dear Friends,

I miss hearing from you. It was so easy to have casual conversations after worship, during coffee hour, or seeing you at the church as you attended to other business here. I miss hanging out with you on the Common selling baked goods, gabbing and snacking at our book groups, checking in with the pastoral relations committee and brainstorming with the deacons. This time of distancing has reminded me of how precious such simple connections are. So I ask, how ARE you? What has been happening in your life? How are you dealing with the distancing / masking protocols of life? Are you feeling more isolated? How is your health, and that of your family? And then there are the spiritual questions – where do you see God in all of this? Some wonder whether God brought about this virus as some sort of reckoning. My personal belief is that God does not cause harmful things, and certainly not as punishment. Sometimes things that seem harmful are working for our ultimate good, and/or the harmful things are a result of humankind’s difficulty understanding and following God’s plan for our good. The harm is a natural consequence of our straying off course, not a punishment. I believe even in these painful outcomes, God is working to produce good from what has been harmful. I trust that God is at work in this pandemic and all the losses and changes it has brought. I would love to hear from each and every one of you about how you are doing day-to-day, about your spiritual wonderings, about an unexpected delight. Do not ever think that I am too busy to take your call or to arrange a visit. I am your pastor and I am praying for you and wondering about you.

Before the next newsletter issue this country will have finished the presidential election. I have been grateful to serve in a church where the most obvious diversity (political) has been handled with mutual respect and consideration. We realize, as we did four and eight years ago, that some will be pleased with the result, and some disappointed and worried. I trust we will continue to model in this time of exacerbated divisiveness a way of sticking together even with differing ideas. You all seem to understand so well how that can happen – no gloating, no perseverating over doom and gloom scenarios. I think it might be our faith that allows us to behave in this way as we trust that the fate of our nation and all nations, of all people, is ultimately in God’s hands, and that nothing but nothing can separate us from the love of God. I miss you, I love you. Please call me!

Blessings, Pastor Doreen

And a Note about Stewardship: Pastor Doreen here again. I wanted to give you an update on the church’s stewardship and income situation. At the time of the annual meeting, we had received 8 pledges totaling $18,600 in contrast to last year’s 16 pledges totaling $29,370. We received 5 mission pledges totaling $1354, which is higher in total compared to last year’s $1312 pledged by 6 people. In addition to fewer pledges, our income from weekly offerings is down significantly. The total offerings received in June, July and August is $8,219, in contrast to the same time period last year in which $10,684 was received. If we continue at this lower rate of receipt and consider the loss in income through harvest fair, church fair and building rentals, it is projected that our income will be about $16,000 less than last year. We wonder about the impact on our ability to care for the building properly and to meet all our financial obligations. Our expenses have not decreased. The largest expenditures are for salaries and building maintenance, all of which continue through Covid.       As your pastor, I am more concerned about what this decrease means in terms of our spiritual well-being. We can’t help the loss of income from fairs, but I am concerned about decreased giving. For those who usually pledge but have not this year, what does that mean? Do you feel less connected to the church, more worried about your financial well-being, or something else? I care about all of that and would love to have a conversation about it. If you are someone who doesn’t typically pledge, but drops something into the plate, what gets in the way of your giving? If it has simply been an oversight, I urge you to take a little time to get back in the habit of giving. It is a concrete act of faith and trust, vital ingredients for getting through such a challenging time. Pledge cards or commitments can be given to Ellie Latham, 177 Charlton Road, Spencer, MA 01562 / 508-885-6021 / elliemay2222@gmail.com. If you would like to “drop something in the plate,” please mail your offerings to FCC Leicester, Attn. Collector, P.O. Box 122, Leicester, MA 01524.

Deacons Meeting

Meaningful Advent and Christmas worship may be more important than ever in this time of pandemic and through this challenging year. The deacons have been a wonderful source of inspiration, and the ideas really flow when we get together. So, let’s get together and start planning for the season. Please contact Carol or Doreen about your availability

Pastoral Relations Committee

The committee has not met in over six months due to the Covid-19 virus. However, that does not mean we aren’t concerned about everyone’s well-being. We’ve hear from Pastor Doreen that about ten people have been going to church in person, with pews divided off for social distancing and parishioners asked to wear masks according to the state guidelines. And we have about the same number of people joining worship on Facebook Live Streaming. We want to thank all those who make this possible for those who feel too vulnerable to worship in person. We also want to thank Pastor Doreen for her extraordinary work to make Sunday worship beautiful and inspiring.

 

We would like to ask you – all of you – to reach out to one parishioner a week, whether by phone, text, or email and don’t forget your Pastor!! We all miss each other and can’t wait to meet again in person. We can be reached at the following:

 

 

Worcester Fellowship Lunch Providers – Oct 25

Worcester Fellowship has resumed their in-person, outdoor gatherings and are seeking churches who are willing to provide lunches for 50 people. We have been invited to be lunch providers on October 25, and we would like to do it. Our assembly process will be different, but we still need the generous donations you have always provided. On Oct. 11 the list of provisions needed will be sent out by e-mail. You can respond with what you’d like to bring, and Doreen will check in with you about donation drop off or pick up. If you would like to opt out of receiving the provisions e-mail, please contact 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.