Aug 2010 Newsletter
Congregational Connections
August 2010 Issue
CHURCH PICNIC AT STILES LAKE – ALL ARE WELCOME!
Come and share a fun afternoon at the lake. Spend a few hours visiting with your church family and take part in a very special event.
Date: Saturday August 28th – Noon until…?
Rain Date: Sunday August 29th following Coffee Hour
Please Bring:
Swimsuits, Towels, Swim Shoes (or old sneakers-for tender feet), Life Jackets for the children.
Something to share: Snacks, Salads, Casseroles, Veggies, Fruit, Desserts, etc.
Hamburgers and Hot Dogs will be provided
Please let Cindy know when you have decided what you would like to bring for menu planning, and about how many will be coming.
OH!!! … And that “Special Event” is the wedding of Marie Feeney & Paul Gravina.
They have asked to be married surrounded by their church family while sharing a beautiful
day at the lake.
For directions, or if you have questions, call Cindy & Ron LaPointe at 508-885-9875
Hope to see you there
SUNDAY SCHOOL UPDATE
HELLO ALL!
I know it is hard to believe but it’s that time of the year again. The time when we begin to prepare for Sunday School. I have lots of news to share. First, our new curriculum is here! I am very excited!
*The Preschool/Kindergarten class (the “Boz Kids”) will begin their year learning, “God Made Me Special.” This topic will be taught through eight lessons such as, “God Made All Of Me,” “Families Are For Love” and “Friends Help Each Other.”
*The 1st thru 4th graders (the “High Pointers”) will begin their year by learning about Self-Esteem for five weeks through lessons like “Who Cares About Me,” “What If I Don’t Like Myself” and “How Much Do I Matter To God.”
*The 5th thru 8th graders (the “Core Truths”) will start by learning about the Trinity over thirteen lessons. They begin with the subtopic “The Nature Of God,” with lessons such as “The Triune God” and “God’s Awesomeness.”
I am quite certain that all of the children will have a fun and interesting year!
The next bit of news I have to share is that our wonderful Mrs. Louise Doe has retired! Be sure to thank her for her many years of loving and nurturing our children and teachers!
I also would like to extend a very big THANK YOU to Anne & Kelli Mulrain. Anne has been instrumental in our Sunday school’s success for the past several years and I for one truly appreciated her help, advice, kindness and most of all her friendship. Anne has been doing some soul-searching and has come to the decision that for now she needs some time for herself…she does teach 1st graders five days a week. I am in full support of her decision and hope she gets the restora- tion time that she so truly deserves. Kelli also deserves our thanks as she taught our kids with love and kindness. She kept them interested and provided a fun, nurturing environment for them to learn in. Due to her very busy schedule she will be unable to teach again this year. Thanks to her as well for becoming my friend.
So, as you can probably guess, my next bit of news is really a plea. I will need people to step up and help teach our children, as Jim & I cannot do it alone. I will be taking on the High Pointers (1st thru 4th) and will need volunteer aids. Jim will teach the Core Truths (5th thru 8th). We need nursery helpers & teachers for the Boz Kids Preschool/Kindergarten), although if you would prefer to take on a class of older kids that can be arranged. We also need volunteers for these classes. The program depends on many helpers. We need you to make this happen. Offering to help does not commit you to the program indefinitely. You tell us what you can do.
Here is an example of a “Boz Kids” lesson:
10 min. together – this is when all of the kids get together before class begins for a prayer.
Bible Rhyme – this is a short rhyme with actions that reinforces the lesson.
Bible Time – this is when the children hear the bible story. It is written out for the teacher/helper so all he/she needs to do is read it, encourage the kids to do some actions along with the story and be fun and interesting.
Prayer – it is always a short prayer that is lesson related.
Exploration Station – this varies from week to week. It may be a story, craft, game or song but all are simple such as a collage
Pray ’n Praise – this is a time when the kids decorate a picture with stickers. They can color it or take it home to color. During this time music is played and the kids can sing along. They are lead in another prayer and encouraged to pray on their own.
Pass out Boz Bags – these are filled during class with projects, notices, take-homes as well as a home link.
As you can see the curriculum is quite simple and straight-forward. The order stays the same for consistency. It can be an enjoyable new way for you to worship and learn with our children. Please consider helping out.
Here is a list of volunteer roles needed for the month of September (in addition to teachers):
Boz Kids
Sept. 12th – someone to read
Sept. 19th – someone to help with a craft
Sept. 26th – someone to help with a craft
High Pointers
A volunteer willing to play “Snapper Mugg” – our wacky character. This requires a 10-15 minute appearance on four Sundays: Sept. 12, 19, 26 and Oct. 10 and 17. The character helps to teach the lesson by acting in a certain way. The children then go to “Hub Time” where they discuss the best or worst response of the Wacky Character.
It is especially important for parents or family members to volunteer in the Sunday School this year. Please bring your calendar on Rally Day to identify some dates that you are available to help. Or see me at church or send me an e-mail at christine_cathcart@yahoo.com to volunteer. A supply needs list will be posted at coffee hour for those generous donors.
Please keep an open mind about teaching, even if you have no experience or don’t think of yourself as a teacher. I will provide you with all of the resources and help that you need, and Pastor Doreen is available for support and ideas. The curriculum is made for any volunteer to teach and requires only your willingness to give the children your time – and maybe a bit of patience.
Rally Day this year is on Sept. 12th. We will begin classes on this day. Parents are required to pick up your children in the Sunday School after church. Please plan on spending a few minutes filling out registration forms as this information is very important for us to have as we need to know things such as allergies, medical issues and such. Thank you all for your support. I look forward to a fantastic Sunday School year.
Christine Cathcart
Sunday School Director
HOT DOG COMMITTIEE UPDATE
Ron & Cindy LaPointe
We are in full swing and now that August has arrived we find there is only one concert left in this season. Our hot dogs and baked goods are SO popular, not to mention POPCORN! The concerts start early (6:30pm) for the month of August and if you can come to help out we would be most grateful. So far we have turned in over $1,000.00 for the general expenses of the church and we’re hoping to match that before September arrives. Thank you to everyone who has pitched in to help on concert night and to those who have donated baked goods and other food items. YOU ARE WONDERFUL!!!
A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR
Grace and peace to you, dear friends. I returned from my vacation and realized that I was starting year two of my ministry here. It is the perfect time to reflect upon what happened and what didn’t happen, and what we might look for to in the next year. In beginning my first year ever of full-time settled ministry, I had some goals for myself, but was less clear on my ideas of what I wanted to happen in and for the congregation. I thought it made more sense to listen and observe, to start to understand what some of the needs are – what you want to see happen here. One basic goal for myself was to adapt to the routine of preparing worship services every week and to create services that helped people know Jesus and feel closer to God. I couldn’t ask for better worship co-creators than our organist and choir, and the deacons that serve. Some weeks it has definitely felt like there was a Divine producer/director that pulled it all together. It is hard for me to judge myself for success in this goal. I have only received positive comments on my sermons, but I’m not sure if that is just because you all are so nice you wouldn’t criticize, or if you have been truly fed by them. I also believe that sermons ought to challenge people sometimes, make them at least a little bit uncomfortable, as God’s will is not always easy.
The bible study session have really taken off, with two good-sized groups meeting regularly for weekly scripture study. The discussions have been rich, with a diversity of interpretations, questions and reactions.
I made a few suggestions for programs that got no response, such as a book discussion group, and a theological reflection group. I was delighted with the strong response to the Summer Buddy Program, with twelve people participating, and with the turnout for the forgiveness workshop.
I feel I’ve been able to spend some personal time with almost everyone in the congregation. If you feel I’ve missed you, please, please let me know.
I’ve noticed that very few men participate in the programs offered. I am not sure if we have just not found the right topic, the right mention or what. I would love some feedback on this. Men’s souls are just as deep and complex as women’s, and I’m sure need to be fed as well. I would like to bring more opportunities to go deep spiritually in the year ahead. I would like to bring a Labyrinth to the church, along with a workshop on how to use it. Stay tuned for more information on this. I would also like to see an overnight retreat happen this year, and already have one volunteer to help p lead it. If this is something you are interested in please let me know when in the year would or would not work for you. I imagine the retreat would be from dinnertime on a Friday through late afternoon or early evening on Saturday. Please share with me your thoughts on year one and your hopes for year two. Blessings, Pastor Doreen
Thanks to the worship leaders:
It was wonderful to be able to take two weeks of vacation knowing that you would be looking out for one another, committed to spiritual nurture of the community. Deacons Nancy Desautels, Ann Orsi, Neil Mulrain, Carol Mulrain & Bob Kelly did their usual duties as well as taking on important roles in the liturgy-readings, prayers, and offering. Neil led the Communion liturgy with deep care and honor. Bob Shauris and Jim Cathcart gave sermons that fed the mind and soul. Thank you all for sharing your gifts. And if you ever want more time in the pulpit, just let me know. I am willing to share any time. I could even get a chance to teach a Sunday School lesson and that would be Awesome! -Love, Pastor Doreen
Prayer Concerns
-Please keep Ellen Orsi and her family in prayer on the loss of her son, Gary Orsi on July 30th. Gary was the father of four lovely daughters and had several grandchildren as well. He will be sorely missed.
-Eleanor Skagerling has been experiencing some health issues and had surgery on August 5th. Please pray for a speedy and strong recovery.
-Alice Kelly had knee surgery on July 27th, which went very well. She is recuperating at home. Let us pray for a speedy and strong recovery, and that there will be no more surgeries necessary.
-Please hold in prayer all those who struggle with chronic pain and illnesses. May they encounter hope, compassion, and helping hands, and may we bear these things to them.
We sure know how to celebrate! How can we say how thrilled we were with the surprise wedding shower thrown for us on July 11th at the church. It was so much fun, and really, such a surprise, for Doreen anyway. We are touched by how many people worked to make this happen, and were so glad to celebrate with us. -Love, Pastor Doreen and Quentin
Staff Transitions: Brielle MacDonald found her hands full with two young children and a full-time job, so decided to step down from her work here at FCC. We have been blessed to have her so long, with her wonderful way with layout and design, and the great job she did contributing fun articles and picture to the newsletter. We wish her all the best, and will definitely see her around at Fair time if not sooner. And now we welcome Rosa Nieves to FCC, who will pick up where Brielle left off. Rosa impressed me with her enthusiasm, beautifully layed-out resume, delightful demeanor and rave recommendations. She works full-time with adults who have various disabilities, and is also pursuing a teaching degree. Rosa can be contacted at the church email address: firstcongch@verizon.net.
Harvest Fair –
Saturday, Sept 18, 2010
Rain or Shine
We will be selling Apple Crisp and Ice Cream again this year on the common; also popcorn and soda from the church lawn. Also, on the church lawn we will have a table of some of our Strawberry Hill items from last year for sale.
Friday afternoon/evening on the 17th we will be making the apple crisp in the church kitchen; anticipating that wonderful aroma that fills up the whole church the day of the fair. If you can help out either day (or both) or if you can spend even an hour or two we would be extremely grateful. If the weather is as wonderful as it was the last two years, we will need many hands to get through the day. It is a great event – don’t miss it!
Check out the new First Congregational Banners hanging at our booth. They look wonderful. Another big thanks to Cindy
Women’s Association Meeting
When: September 1st
Time: Noon
Where: Nancy Desautel’s home in Rutland
Carpool from the church at 11:30am
Congregational Connections Seeks to Be More Green
We at FCC would like to be more environmentally gracious and save money at the same time. With this newsletter issue and all those in the future, there is an option of receiving the newsletter electronically. There will be color graphics and photos, and something you can keep on your computer to refer to later. You may also choose to continue receiving a hard copy of the newsletter through the mail, or by picking it up at the church. Of course if you no longer wish to receive our newsletter, please let us know and we will take you off the mailing list. Please let Rosa know how you would like to receive your newsletter by
e-mailing her at firstcongch@verizon.net, or calling the church office at 508-892-3274.
