April/May Newsletter 2017
Congregational Connections
Holy Week
• Maundy Thursday: Service of Communion and Tenebrae: Thursday, April 13, 7:00 p.m. Come hear the story of Jesus’ Passion – the events from his last supper through his crucifixion and burial. READERS NEEDED. Please contact Doreen if you are willing.
• Good Friday Stations for Reflection: Friday, April 14. The deacons are once again hosting a time of quiet reflection with seven stations to engage you in prayer, in thanksgiving, in reflection. The Sanctuary will be open from noon through 8 p.m. Drop by any time, stay as long as you like. I am confident you will find it moving, and will draw you into the gift of Jesus’ great love for us.
• Easter Sunday: April 16. Come celebrate the Good News of Christ’s resurrection. The Sanctuary will be adorned with spring flowers and it will be a joyful occasion. Please join us if you can, and invite a friend or family member. It’s a great season to share the good news.
Lent/Easter Offering
For those wishing to make a special contribution in honor of Lent/Easter, there is a donation envelope enclosed. May your sacrifice bring you many blessings, as it blesses First Congregational Church. Thank you.
Easter Food Pantry Donations
DEADLINE April 5 to bring 1-lb (or 12 oz) canned hams and/or goodies for children’s Easter baskets.
Easter Flowers
Each year we offer you the opportunity to order flowers at reasonable prices for Easter that will be used to decorate the Sanctuary on Easter morning, and then can be taken home to give away or enjoy. There is a wide selection, including lilies, mums, tulips, daffodils and hyacinths in several colors and sizes (except the lilies are white and the daffodils are what they are). You may dedicate the flowers in memory of someone or in honor of someone, and this will be noted on an insert in the order of worship on Easter morning.
Order forms will be available beginning April 2, either in the order of service or in Russell Hall.
Or you can contact Marie Frascolla at 508-892-0038.
A Note from the Pastor
Grace and peace and Happy Easter! The death and resurrection of Christ are such important events in the Christian faith – some would say they are the central or defining events. Jesus was put to death for the sins of humankind, and God refused to let death have the last word. God brought to life, and continues to bring to life, Jesus’ way of unconditional, self-giving love, and his message of God’s mercy and desire to be reconciled with us. My theology professor pointed out the paradox of the cross. It is shameful and saving. It was an act of sinful violence that opened us to new life. It was the best awful thing to happen.
I am struggling with this paradox as I try to figure out what Children’s Church ought to be saying about Easter. Do we want young children hearing the story of Jesus’ death? Does the celebration of the resurrection make any sense without it? I haven’t sorted it out yet, but I have considered what the Easter story means to me. It is not the only story in the bible with this theme – there are many others. But this one is powerful. The resurrection is the assurance that God never, ever gives up on us; never, ever turns away from us. Even our attempts to kill God, to put an end to love and mercy, will not cause God to abandon us. The resurrection is also an assurance that we cannot kill God, cannot put an end to God’s love and mercy. God will always work to bring new life out of any destruction we might orchestrate. God will redeem our lives whenever we seek redemption. That is the nature of God, and that is the stuff we are made from. May Christ’s light shine brightly in you.
Blessings,
Pastor Doreen
Discerning a Call,
Developing a Vision
Just a reminder that all Committees have been asked to meet at least once before our Annual Meeting in June. The hope is that you will review your purpose, and reflect on what feels rote or uninspiring, what feels joyful, and what has potential. It would be wonderful if each committee’s annual report contained a goal or vision for the next year.
Women’s Association
Meets April 5 at the church at noon. We will be making fleece hats for children being treated for cancer. Please bring Easter items for children’s baskets to donate to the Food Pantry. For our May gathering, we are planning a trip to the Cross in Barre in the afternoon on May 3. Carpools will leave from the church. The time and plans for eating TBD. May is also the time for nominations for officers to serve for the next two years.
Children’s Church is in full swing!
The children stay in the Sanctuary for the first 10-15 minutes of worship, then move just outside of it to the Ladies Parlor for worship and activities to engage them in faith.
We have three wonderful worship leaders, so all Sundays are covered (except Easter, when families will worship together). We would love to have more children join us. Parents / grandparents are welcome to sit in.
UCC Connections
A New Initiative from the Central Association Board of Directors
Cluster Meetings for Churches – In an effort to strengthen the covenant between churches, the association, and the Massachusetts Conference the Rev. Kelly Gallagher along with the Association Board of Directors will be starting a new initiative. The local churches will be invited to attend an area meeting; these will take place once a month geographically around the association. We would like to have churches attend one of the meetings each year.
Our vision is to have at least 2 to 3 church representatives attend these meetings. Ministers of the church are also welcome to attend. Those in attendance will be able to ask the Rev. Gallagher and the Board of Directors questions regarding church issues. The Board of Directors and Rev. Gallagher will also inform the church representatives how the association and the conference can help the churches with their mission.
The following churches have been scheduled for the Wed, May 17th meeting:
Holden, Chaffin Congregational; Holden, First Congregational; Leicester; Paxton (meeting held here. 6:30-8 p.m.); Princeton; Rutland; Spencer; Sterling; West Boylston
2017 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 $20.65 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.
Joint Conference Annual Meeting
On June 16-17, the Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut Conferences of the UCC will hold a joint Annual Meeting, at which delegates will be asked to endorse a resolution for the development of a proposal to form a new Conference. The meeting will be held in Hartford, and will include some wonderful worship and great speakers. For more information about the proposal, go to www.macucc.org/newsdetail/together-as-one-7542219
Free Concerts
Christian Community Chorus
Easter Cantata Concert Schedule
The Easter Cantata – “THE SACRIFICE” – created by Steve Moore and David T. Clydesdale will be performed on three occasions in April by the CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHOIR. Narration and stirring music will bring the dramatic story of the first-hand remembrances of the death and resurrection of Jesus to those in attendance.
The chorus includes choir members from more than a dozen area churches who come together to present this moving musical presentation.
Check your calendars now and save time in your busy schedules to take in this Easter experience.
Sunday, April 9th – 3:00 P.M……. East Brookfield Baptist Church
262 E Main St., E Brookfield, MA 01515
Saturday, April 15th – 3:00 P.M…. Overlook Masonic Home (Auditorium)
88 Masonic Home Rd., Charlton, MA 01507
Sunday, April 23rd – 3:00 P.M……. St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church
121 Blaine Ave., East Brookfield, MA 01515
For more information or added directions please speak with Cindy LaPointe or Judy Ivel. Carpooling is encouraged.
BRING YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS…… ALL ARE WELCOME !!!!
Missions Committee Report
On February 27, 2017, four checks were drawn totaling $2,500.00 and sent to the following recipients:
1: PROJECT NEW HOPE, INC. ………………………. $1,000.00
Supporting Veterans and their families throughout New England, addressing the challenges, fears and stigma that arise due to their military service. More than 1200 veterans and families are provided programs and support services at their Worcester office, as well as free, three day, woodland retreats. They provide a network of support and programs designed to help post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury – rebuilding lives with dignity.
2: HEARTS FOR HEAT – LEICESTER CHAPTER ………………… $1,000.00
Providing heat (oil, gas, pellets, etc.) for our neighbors who are experiencing difficulty affording the warmth necessary for them to remain in their homes in winter.
3: LEICESTER FOOD PANTRY ……………………… $300.00
Along with weekly, monthly and special holiday donations, continued financial support for our local Food Pantry helping nourish those in need in our community.
4: HEIFER PROJECT – RUTLAND, MA …………………………… $200.00
Enhancing the capacity of vulnerable small-scale farmers, especially women, to secure their livelihoods through small-scale livestock production with sheep, goats, beef/dairy, swine, chickens, alpacas & llamas, and bees, etc. Their work results in a sustainable solution to world hunger and poverty.
May these donations be a blessing to those who receive these funds and work so diligently to improve the lives of those in our neighborhood and around the world.
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 hands. May this simple practice fill you with peace and hope.
– For our church, that we may discover and embrace the direction in which God is steering us.
– For Carol Mulrain’s sister Sandy, prayers for strength and hope
– For Sue Morowski’s friend Judy, struggling with medical issues
– For Marie and Paul Gravina, who had to put down their cat
– For Owen B., who is dealing with the impact of seizures
Worcester Fellowship Lunch Providers – April 30
Please look for the sign-up sheet for supply contributions beginning April 9 and join the lunch assembly line on the 30th right after worship. All are welcome to join in lunch and worship behind Worcester City Hall beginning at 1 p.m.
Looking Ahead
Because we have reduced production of our newsletter to every other month, information sometimes comes out too early, and other times is right on us. In past years, we gave information about the church’s annual meeting and the necessary preparation in our May newsletter. But our next issue won’t come out until early June. So here are some dates to keep in mind:
May 21 – Council’s budget planning meeting. We will develop the church budget to be voted on at Annual Meeting. Changes can always be made at that time, but if you’d like to have input during the process, you are welcome to attend. In the administrative office at 11:45.
June 4 – Non-financial Committee Reports due to Brielle.
June 11 – Financial Reports due to Brielle.
June 18 – Completed Annual Meeting Report available. Please take it home and review.
June 25 – Annual Meeting and Pot Luck Lunch
P.S. Stewardship Letter and Pledge Card will be sent separately to church members and friends.
April / May 2017
