August/September 2019 Newsletter

August/September 2019 Issue

Summer Concert Bake Sales

We are in our second year of offering only sweet treats to concert goers three times over the season. Our first bake sale on July 10 raised almost $140 and was warmly welcomed by people who had been missing us. By the time you read this, we’ll have done another on July 31, and will close out the season on August 21.
If you can offer something to sell or your help with set up, sales and clean up, it would be greatly appreciated. And if you attend the concert any of those nights, please come by and see us!

“Busy Fingers” Help Needed

The supply of handmade knitted, crocheted and sewn goods for the church fair were quite depleted after last year’s Fair and “Give a Knit” events.
If you have the time and talent to work on some items, please contact Ann Orsi to find out what is needed. And perhaps if not you, there is a friend or family member who might be willing to contribute.

Children’s Ministry

With the sporadic attendance of children in worship, we have some discernment to do regarding our Mission commitment to “inspire our youth by teaching and example.” It was not clear that Children’s Church was meeting a need and so it was decided not to continue it this year. I know that so many of you treasure the way you were shaped by faith growing up in churches, and want your children and grandchildren to receive some of the fruits of such formation. I am thinking that some Sunday after worship, whoever is interested can gather to share our thoughts and hopes, and perhaps generate some ideas for special events we could host for intergenerational conversation. If you have other thoughts, or are interested in starting a children’s ministry, please speak to Pastor Doreen.

A Note from the Pastor

Grace and peace and happy summer to my friends and siblings in Christ. Several people in the congregation have been working on the 300th Anniversary Celebration, and it has been fascinating to read through old newspaper articles, programs for special events, hand-written sermon notes, capital campaign brochures and picture directories. An article in the Worcester Telegram in 1969 marks the 250th anniversary of the church. The article by Andrea Haynes gives the following history of notable occurrences through the years. The first called pastor, Rev. David Parsons, took issue with his compensation, which was paid by the town. In 1720 the agreement was to give him a 40-acre lot next to the meeting house, in addition to money for settlement and a salary. Rev. Parsons pushed for more settlement and salary money, and it was granted. However, the town was poor and fell 2 years behind in paying his salary! Imagine working without pay for 2 years! No wonder Rev. Parsons filed a series of lawsuits. In 1727, a town meeting was held to see if the town would raise his salary or remove him from the ministry. At that time the vote was to raise his salary and pay what they owed him, but when he filed another complaint in 1729, the town voted not to support him and to depose him. But he wouldn’t go. Finally, in 1735 he was relieved as minister, but refused to move out of the parsonage, where he lived until his death. His successor, Rev. David Goddard did not complain when the town fell behind in his salary and was rewarded with a salary raise.
The article continues with information about worship music, how there was no printed music for the first 60 years of the church. The deacon would read a line of a psalm or hymn, and the congregation would sing it in any or no key, based on individual interpretation. When a singing school for young men was started in 1767, there was opposition to the idea of a choir. When the choir was formed anyway, and sang for the first time in church, not waiting for the deacon to read each line, the deacon was scandalized and many of the congregation walked out. There was no musical accompaniment until the first organ was installed in 1827.
There is so much more to look at and read about, and I trust you will find it all as interesting as I have. I think what stood out for me were the ways things were so different and yet so much the same – managing relationships, discerning what is fair, and hearing how people react to new ideas and practices. It reminds me of the stories we read in the bible that tell us of common human foibles, struggles, and strengths. But what is made clear in scripture must be read between the lines of our historical church documents – the ways that God is active in calling and guiding these fallible, flawed humans that form the church. God was there in the discussions about Rev. Parson’s compensation. The Spirit was present as the congregation interpreted and sang out lines of scripture or hymns. Christ may have offered comfort to the scandalized deacon and beckoned the return of those who walked out. Were our church ancestor’s intentional about seeking God’s guidance? What spiritual practices did they engage in that allowed this body of Christ to not only survive, but thrive? How will our time together in worship, prayer and outreach open us to God’s guidance so that future generations continue to provide a vital conduit for faith? May we use the occasion of this anniversary to ponder these and other questions. I was struck by this line in our UCC literature: Remembering the past is an essential part of the life of every church while enslavement to the past is a primary indication of stagnation. We are free to remember, and free to move forward, discerning the new things God may be doing right here, right now.
There should be a display of historical documents and photos set up in time for the Harvest Festival, so be sure to look for it.
Blessings, Pastor Doreen

Worcester Fellowship Lunch Providers

August 25

The sign-up sheet for donations will be out in Russell Hall beginning August 11. Please join the lunch assembly line right after worship. All are welcome to join in lunch and worship behind Worcester City Hall beginning at 1 p.m.

Bible Study and Book Groups

Currently there are two book groups, but no bible study. One group typically meets in North Brookfield at various times, depending on the needs of the group. The other meets in Leicester on the first, third and fifth Monday each month at 7:00 p.m.
It is on summer hiatus, but will resume on September 15. Please contact the pastor if you are interested in either group, or in participating in bible study (guided independent study offered).

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 Martha, friend to Nancy Desautels, prayers for healing.
• For Joyce Tadgell and Kimberley Tadgell Marchand, prayers of comfort in their grief, and prayers for all who are mourning the loss of Rev. H. Allen Tadgell, pastor at Leicester Federated Church for 14 years.
• For FCC that it continues to listen and respond to God’s call, that people encounter Christ here, in worship, in service, in each other.
• All those suffering with depression
• All those suffering with addictions

Harvest Fair September 21 – Rain or shine!

We will be selling Apple Crisp and Ice Cream again this year on the Common. Friday afternoon / evening (9/20), we will be making the apple crisp in the church kitchen with the anticipation of that wonderful aroma that fill up the whole church on the day of the fair.
If you can help out either day (or both) or if you can spend just an hour or two at one of our sales/prep areas, we would be extremely grateful. If the weather is as wonderful as it has been for the past few years, we will need many hands to get through the day.
It is a great event – you don’t want to miss it!