Newsletter June/July 2021
Congregational Connections
First Congregational Church of Leicester June/July 2021 Issue
Annual Meeting Notice: June 27
To all members and officers of the First Congregational Church
of Leicester: On Sunday, June 27, 2021, the annual meeting of
the church will take place beginning at 11:30 in Russell Hall.
Purpose: To hear the annual reports, to vote on the budget and
the nominating slate, and any other business that may come
before the church.
The meeting will also be accessible by Zoom and /or phone for
those who prefer not to gather in person. A catered lunch will
be provided for those present. Everyone is welcome to attend
the meeting and participate in any discussion, but voting is
restricted to official members. If you would like to become a
member, please contact the pastor.
Pastoral Relations Committee
We have not been meeting due to the Covid virus; however we have been in touch with each other. We hope
that soon we will be able to meet as the Massachusetts numbers are getting better and the State seems to be
opening up more. Also in the last two months the Church has seen more parishioners coming to Worship
Service which is a good sign people are getting vaccinated.
If you have a concern or just want to talk, please feel free to reach out to one of us at the following:
• Bonnalee Bohlman 508-755-6743 or bonnalee20@charter.net
• Ellie Latham 508-885-6021 or elliemay2222@gmail.com
• Pastor Doreen 978-846-6498 or pastorfccleic
ester@verizon.net
MemberDues Requested ASAP
As we noted in last month’s newsletter and in the weekly bulletin, the church pays $21.65 to the UCC
Association and Conference Dues. We ask individual members to pay as they can towards these dues,
separate from the pledge to this church. We hope to send a check to the Association by the end of June and
receipts
by then would be most appreciated. Checks can be made out to First Cong. Church with notation
“UCC Dues,” put in the offering plate. Thanks so much.
Annual Reports
are due!
Please get non-financial reports to
Brielle by June 6, and financial reports
by June 13.
We’d like to have the completed Annual
Meeting Report ready for people to take
home on June 20. Doreen will also gladly
drop the completed report to people
who are not yet back to in-person
worship. An e-mail or phone request
would be helpful, but Doreen will also
reach out to you to offer one.
A Note From the Pastor
Grace and peace, dear friends. Let me start with gratitude – for your prayers, for all the ways you have been
faithful and supportive of the church, of me, and of each other during this challenging time. On May 9 I was
finally able to offer hugs as I was in the post-vaccination clear zone. It meant so much to begin to connect that
way again. I have heard so many others express gratitude for the ways we are coming back to life. Someone
said to me that they are experiencing Easter in a whole new way – really having a sense that they are being
resurrected after so much time in a tomb. The return to social activities coincides with the blossoming of
nature this spring, and the whole earth rejoices.
What activities have you returned to? What do you most look forward to? Have you developed any pandemic
coping strategies or activities that you would like to carry forward as restrictions are eased? I am so grateful
that the Trustees invested in a good camera and recording system so that we can continue to provide remote
access. It has been lovely to have friends and family who live far away join us for worship, as well as people
who have trouble getting out to 10 a.m. worship for various reasons. I am really looking forward to having
coffee hour – to be able to touch base with people as we linger in Russell Hall. I am looking forward to book
group resuming in the fall (always open to new members, so let me know if you are interested!). I have done
some sprucing up at the parsonage and would love to have some gatherings there.
The church is changing, and there are some things we may not want or be able to return to. You have all been
so amazing in taking care of this church. Everyone has contributed in some small way, and many have
contributed uncountable hours of service and incredibly generous amounts of financial support. You have
earned your rest. My wish is that no one take a position or role in the church reluctantly – only because no one
else will do it and there is a sense that it must be done. If you enjoy doing something, if you feel inspired and
nurtured in the activity, if you get to share a gift with joy or get creative, by all means sign on. But if you are
drained or weary or resentful, I feel quite confident in saying that God does not wish this for you. I wonder
how the church might change if people stopped doing things out of obligation or habit and instead listened for
the nudging of the Spirit, and acted in response to that. The things we end up doing may not fit neatly into our
understanding of church structure and governance, but I suspect God is not all that concerned with keeping
things the way they’ve always been. God calls us to a new thing. To embrace a new thing we have to let go of
other things, and letting go can bring anxiety and/or grief. We can walk together through those things. This is
a church that knows how to offer comfort and encouragement. We must not let fear stop us from responding
to God’s invitation.
That being said, there will be a Nominating Report included in the Annual Meeting Report. We do not have a
Nominating Committee, so there is no one responsible for recruitment or filling out the report. I have an
electronic copy of last year’s report which will be updated to show vacancies for offices and committees. If
you have some inkling of wanting to serve – either continuing in a position or trying something new, please let
me know if you would like to be added to the report. If you are interested in serving in some way that is not
listed on the nominating slate, call me and we can talk about where your passion and interests intersect with
the needs of the church. We will figure out a new thing and explore how the church can support you. At the
Annual Meeting we may or may not have many slots filled, and I’m going to ask you to step with me into a
place of trust that all shall be well, all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.* We are in the
loving hands of God.
Blessings, Pastor Doreen *Julian of Norwich
Women’s Association
The last meeting of the season will be held
Wednesday, June 2 at noon at the church. There
will be some special treats available – one more gift
from Ellen Orsi – and you are welcome to bring a
lunch.
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 our nation as it continues to address
long-standing racial inequalities
– For our church and all churches as they try
to move forward from the restrictions of
pandemic protocols. Let us always be loving
of one another.
Stewardship Committee
This past year has been a difficult year for
all of us. Our church is a significant part of
the lives of so many people, and our
ministries play such an important role in
our community.
We see pledging as a spiritual practice
where the monetary amount is not as
important as the commitment made. It is a
commitment to think about the place of
God and church in your life, to consider
how your spending reveals your values
and your faith.
Pledges are still coming in but as of now
we have 10 Pledges totaling $21,064.00
and $1,120.00 in Mission giving. It is not
too late to make that commitment to the
church, please mark it to the attention of
“Stewardship”. All donations are
confidential!* Please feel free to call me
or Pastor Doreen with any questions you
may have or if you would like to talk about
your decision. May God bless you for all
that you are and all that you do!
Ellie Latham 508-885-6021
Pastor Doreen 978-846-6498
*Amounts pledged are known only to Ellie.
Payments made are known by Ron, the
Collector. Doreen may be informed whether
you pledged or not, but not the amounts
June / July 2021
The First Congregational Church of Leicester
P. O. Box 122
1 Washburn Square
Leicester, MA 01524-0122
