Dec 2010 Newsletter
Congregational Connections
The First Congregational Church of Leicester
December 2010 Issue
Contact Info
Pastor Doreen Oughton: pastorfccleicester@verizon.net 508-892-3274
Christine Cathcart, Sunday School: Christine_cathcart@yahoo.com 508-434-0321
Reason for the Season
Come worship with us throughout the Christmas Season. Each Sunday in Advent, we light candles on the Advent Wreath and talk about the promises inherent in the incarnation, celebrating anew each year the miracle that God came to us as one of us to bring reconciliation and peace. If you have friends or family members who do not have a church, Christmas is a wonderful time to invite them to experience worship at First Congregation. In addition to our usual Sunday morning worship, there will be two services on Christmas Eve – a family-friendly service at 4:00 p.m. with lessons and Christmas carols, and an 11:00 p.m. service with beautiful music, readings, and candlelight. Readers and candle lighters are needed at both services, so please contact Pastor Doreen if you would like to participate in one or both of the services. Good readers of all ages are welcome
Leicester Historical Society Christmas Tree Lighting and Carol SingOn Saturday, December 4 you are warmly invited to attend the 13th annual lighting of the Christmas Tree at the gazebo on the town common right outside our church. The tree lighting is followed by a Christmas carol sing-a-long and refreshments in the church, upstairs next to the Sanctuary. The lighting begins at 6:00 p.m. It is a wonderful event for all ages, and we hope to see you there.
Props needed for Christmas Eve
Pastor Doreen needs some props for the story that will be told at the 4:00 p.m. service on Christmas eve. If anyone has stuffed animals or beanie babies or even hard toys of the following, she promises to take good care of them and return them promptly. She is looking for a goose, crane or some type of white bird, a mouse, buffalo, eagle, fox or wolf, beaver, bear, and turtle.
Please let Pastor Doreen know if you can help.
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Winter Retreat?
One of my goals this year was to provide a retreat for church members to learn some spiritual practices, refresh your faith, and grow in community. Planning a retreat just for FCC members and friends is still an option, but I wondered if anyone would be interested in attending a retreat put on by the Massachusetts Conference. Run by experienced retreat leaders, it runs from Friday evening, January 21 at 7:00 p.m. through 4:30 p.m. on the 22nd. It is at the Conference headquarters in Framingham. The cost for the retreat is $75, plus a nominal fee for overnight accommodations. The workshop is titled Filling Your Cup; Drawing From the Well, and is open to all adults. Please speak to Pastor Doreen if you are interested. Scholarship money is available, so please don’t let cost concerns keep you from attending.
The registration deadline is January 12.
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Worcester Fellowship Outreach
December 26
Our efforts helping the Worcester Fellowship reach out to the homeless have been a great success. Many in the congregation support the endeavor in so many ways, from donations of money, socks, and food, and the labor to pull it all together. What a timely opportunity to embody the giving spirit of the Christmas season by participating again in the lunch assembly on the Sunday after Christmas. There will be a sign up sheet for food donations on December 19, and after worship on the 26th there will be tables set up for preparing the food. We accept donations of socks, mittens, gloves, hats, scarves, and rain ponchos at any time. As always, people are most welcome to join the lunch and worship behind Worcester City Hall at 1:00 p.m. Worship starts around 1:30, but the lunch fellowship is lots of fun. If you would like to carpool or follow in your own car, please let Pastor Doreen know. This is our last scheduled lunch provision, but we will make plans for more and let you know. Thanks so much for your support. -Quentin Lewis
Pastoral Relations Committee
Just a reminder that FCC does have a Pastoral Relations Committee of 3 people: 
Marie Feeney, Jim Cathcart and Marie Frascola. This Committee is charged with providing support and accountability in the relationships between the pastor and the congregation. These are the go-to people if there is an issue about Doreen’s ministry that you don’t feel you can talk to her about, or that you don’t feel she heard or addressed in a satisfactory manner. They will also help Pastor Doreen understand the culture of First Congregational to help avoid problems. If you need contact information for any of the PRC members, please call the church.
But let justice flow like a river and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
These words were written by the prophet Amos almost 2800 years ago. Israel was in a period of great prosperity and expansion, but was rife with gross inequities between urban elites and the poor. He shared his visions and the outraged words he heard from the Lord, saying he’d had enough of rituals and offerings, and more than anything wanted his people to establish social equality and show more concern for the disadvantaged. The prophet Micah wrote some beautiful words that became a hymn called What Does the Lord Require of You? The answer – do justice, love kindness (or mercy), and walk humbly with your God. I can see how much FCC loves kindness. You are all so generous in providing relief for those suffering. There are food pantry donations, blankets, Worcester Fellowship donations of socks, gloves, etc., and whenever a need is voiced, people step up to help. But how much do we actually consider issues of justice? I may have said this before, but I love this explanation about the difference between outreach and justice. If you are near a river and see people struggling in the water, outreach means you do everything you can to get them out of the river and dried off. But if the people keep coming down the river, at some point you walk up the river to see why all these people are falling in. You find the cause and work to fix it. That is justice work. Given that the causes of suffering can be complex and multi-faceted, it is tricky work. It’s not about assigning blame, but about looking deeply at systems with a goal of finding something that works better for those being harmed. In most systems that harm some, there are others that benefit, and it can be difficult to work for or accept changes that might cost us something. But I think it is a crucial part of our call as Christians. I am very eager to have FCC embark on some justice work, but things tend not to go well when imposed by the pastor. Is there anyone out there who hears a call to justice work? Is there anyone interested in exploring systemic injustice and structural oppression? If so, please let me know. I would love to work with you and see what unfolds. Blessings, Pastor Doreen
UCC Connections: I wrote in last month’s newsletter about the workshop presented at the Massachusetts Conference Super Saturday Event on different ways of understanding church. It contrasted the “membership model” with the “discipleship model” of church. Here are three more items from the spectrum assessment tool. You are invited to think about where you see FCC on these continuums, where would you like to see us, and how could we get there. Consider, on a 5 point scale these aspects:
1. The pastor is a leader and visionary who creates meaningful change…. to… The pastor is a manager, maintaining the status quo.
2. The pastor serves as a spiritual catalyst through whom the Holy Spirit encourages, equips, directs, and strengthens the faith of those she serves … to …. The pastor serves as a spiritual intermediary and is expected to be the prayer, the scripture reader, and personal chaplain to church members.
3. Members are expected to take responsibility for their own spiritual growth and are encouraged to engage in spiritual practices… to …. When members become frustrated with the church and/or feel spiritually empty and unfed, it is considered the pastor’s fault.
Gosh, with the focus of these questions, please see the article in this newsletter about the Pastoral Relations Committee! But really, I hope anyone would be able to come to me directly with questions and concerns about the pastoral roles and goals. Peace, Pastor Doreen
Stormy Weather
We’re all hoping for a mild and gentle winter, but just in case it doesn’t go that way, you can check for church cancellations on radio stations WSRS and WTAG.
Bible Study
BThe Wednesday morning group (10:30) starts up Dec. 1 for a three session unit (Dec. 1, 8, and 15) on women of the bible. For the first week, please read the Book of Ruth in its entirety (4 chapters). We meet in the pastor’s office, and all are welcome, even if you’ve never come before. Call Pastor Doreen about the next readings.
The Monday evening group (7:00 p.m.) will restart on Jan. 10 and will be reading M. Scott Peck’s The Road Less Travelled. Speak to Pastor Doreen for location and schedule details.
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Merry Christmas to All
by Chris Cathcart
Last Sunday I had the joy of traveling with 16 kids to Antarctica to continue our lessons on Good Anger and Bad Anger! Jim had the pleasure of having 6 kids in the pre-school / Kindergarten class! It was fantastic! We also had Rick Spaulding and Tyler Burnor helping out with our little ones! This was the most wonderful sight! I hope you all continue to bring your children and grandchildren and friends each week!
During December the Boz kids are learning about Christmas. Jim was telling me about the first Christmas lesson that they did last Sunday and I thought I should share a part of our conversation: Jim explained to me that he had forgotton just how old they were and he asked them, “Who was the baby that was born on Christmas?” They of course looked at him with the blank stare we all have seen. He grilled them further asking, “What happens on Dec. 25th?” Again, that blank stare. “On Christmas Day?” Six blank faces. It then dawned on him that 3-6 year olds don’t know the answers to those questions and he looks forward this year to teaching them the wonder of Christmas and the joy of Baby Jesus. The High Pointers are finishing their lessons on Good Anger/Bad Anger in Antarctica on Nov. 28th and then will be flying off to Turkey to learn about Faithfulness. This will be a fun exploration of what faith is, why we should have it and how it can work in their lives.
I am still looking for a volunteer willing to give me a Sunday or more of their time to be my silly character “Bear Minimum” who is a very unfaithful security guard. This is an opportunity to help out with these wonderful kids without committing to be a teacher or spend more than 10 – 15 minutes in the classroom! (unless you are having fun and choose to stay of course!) If you have any question about how fun this is – just ask Ricky Spaulding, Deb Entwistle or Quentin!
I would like to take a moment to say Thank You to Quentin for playing Dr. Quirky in Antarctica! He did a fantastic job with his costume and character and entertained the kids like a pro. I really enjoyed working with him. He surely went the extra mile so when you see him thank him on behalf of our kids.
On Dec. 5th we will be honoring 2 of our Sunday School children during our Family Sunday service. Benjamin and Andrew Cathcart will be receiving their Religious Medals for Cub Scouts. This is an accomplishment that very few scouts earn. They worked very hard with Pastor Doreen and myself learning about their faith. Please join us to congratulate them. Don’t forget to welcome the scouts from Charlton Pack 165 and Troops 165 and 338 who come to this service. We will still be having our potluck and family games following the service.
Our Christmas play will be on Dec. 19th during the church service. It is called: “Hurry! Hurry! Have You Heard?” and is adapted from a children’s story book with the same title. There will be many little creatures bringing us joy so please join us for this wonderful service!
Just a reminder that there will be No Sunday School classes on Dec. 26 or Jan. 2. But the kids are still welcome at our intergenerational services!
Anyone who feels inspired to donate items to our Sunday School program, would like to volunteer or has questions can speak with or contact me. My contact information is as follows: Christine Cathcart – 774-318-8057 or email me at christine_cathcart@yahoo.com (I only check my e-mail periodically so call if it is urgent)
Thank You and Happy Holidays!
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Scholarship Application
It’s that time for the Dorothy Warren Scholarship. Applications may be obtained from Louise Doe. The first semester of school must be completed, and the application returned by December 31.
Communion Visits
Just a reminder that I will gladly bring Communion to people in their homes who have had trouble getting to church. Ideally this would be on the first Sunday of the month, when Communion is served in church, but I would also bring it at other times if people feel the need or desire. If you or someone you know might be served by this ministry, please contact me, Pastor Doreen by the Thursday before each Communion Sunday, or with a day’s notice Monday through Thursdays.
A Note from the Pastor
“So, what are you doing for the holidays?” I always feel a little bit uncomfortable when I am asked this question. Since my divorce about ten years ago, holidays have been tinged with sadness, and it is hard to give a hearty, happy answer to the question. I am grateful to have a large family, and I am warmly welcome to go any number of places. But when I’m not with my children, as is the case on Thanksgiving and on Christmas morning, there is an ache in my heart. I also feel badly that the holidays are fractured for my children, who spend half Christmas day with one family and half with another. And I am acutely aware of those who will be going through the first holiday season after the loss of a close family member, or even the second, third or tenth season without a loved one. And I think of those who experience the anniversary of a loss during the holiday season.
At Christmas we celebrate the incarnation of God through Jesus. It is a time of joy and wonder, and it is also a time when I feel especially grateful that because of this incarnation God knows deeply and intimately what it is like to feel grief and fear, sorrow and worry. He has truly shared in suffering, and so we never have to be alone with it. I learned some time ago that the only way out of pain is through it. Our attempts to sidestep it, stuff it down, or mask it over leads to terrible stress on our bodies, souls and relationships. There is a difference between acknowledging and sharing something, and wallowing in it. I find it helpful to ask for an extra hug from someone, mention briefly that I miss my children and just a look of understanding from someone helps me to move on and be fully present for the joy and wonder that the season brings. In the years that I felt particularly alone, it was incredibly helpful to attend a Blue Christmas service where I could be with others who wanted to acknowledge in community their feelings of loss or worry, and receive some spiritual TLC.
If you ever feel the blues coming on, at Christmas or any other time, and think it would help to share it, maybe have a prayer, or just have someone sit through it with you, I hope you will call me. It would be my privilege to do so. If the idea of a Blue Christmas Service appeals to you, there is one at the First Congregational Church of Spencer on Wednesday, December 8 at 7 p.m. Here is a description of the event: The service will feature worship, prayer, a litany of forgiveness, musical & guided meditations, and scripture. There will also be a variety of “healing stations” where ministries such as anointing, symbolic ministries such as anointing, symbolic washing & renewal, and one-on-one prayer will be offered. The service will conclude with Holy Communion, which is open to all who attend.
May all the joy and wonder of Christmas settle deeply in your souls.
Blessings of Peace, Pastor Doreen
Women’s Association
The Christmas party Wednesday, December 8 at Karen Doe’s house. There will be a $5.00 Gift Swap game for anyone who wants to participate. All women who are connected to FCC are welcome to attend any Women’s Association event. There is no meeting in January. Stay tuned for details of the February meeting.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Through the hard work and support of so many people, the Organ Dedication Service on November 21 was a huge success and a joyous occasion! We are especially grateful to Bob Shauris, our very own organist/choir director, for his months of planning, organizing, composing, rehearsing, (and some praying, too!) Visit our website, www.leicesterfcc.org, to hear one of the hymns.
Advent Offering
Enclosed in the newsletter is an envelope addressed to the church. This is for those who are interested in making an offering to the church in honor of Advent and Christmas. Blessings to all.
