Feb 2015 Newsletter
Congregational Connections
Where do we go from here?
A meeting with Church Consultant, Rev. Dr. Betsy Waters
January 25 after worship (11:30 a.m.)
The Council and others have noticed a decline in worship attendance and church participation over the past year, and we believe we are called by God to greater vitality in living out our faith. We have hired a consultant (Rev. Betsy Waters) to meet with us after worship on January 25 to brainstorm on how to move forward.
All are urged to attend – members and non-members, those who have been coming for years and those who are fairly new. The Spirit works through the church as a body, and discernment works best with many who will listen, ponder, pray and share. There will be food to tide you over. This is the beginning of a process, not a one-time event, but the meeting will be an important event in setting the course and tone of the process. Please come.
February is Blanket Month: Have a Heart- Give a Blanket
Church World Service says the $5.00 blanket is the basic concept of every disaster response program. When people are homeless, cold and alone, a warm woolen blanket provides both primary protection as well as shelter. Your $5.00 donation will provide that blanket to someone who needs one, here in the US and around the world.
Checks made payable to: First Congregational Church of Leicester Note: Blankets
Can be placed in the collection plate or checks/cash can be given directly to Nancy Desautels.
Ash Wednesday Service: February 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Begin the season of Lent with a time of quiet reflection and worship, including Communion and distribution of ashes.
Share the Spirit: Engaging Worship and Faith Formation:
Sunday’s at 5 p.m.
This alternative worship service is held on the 2nd and 4th Sundays each month. It was developed with busy families in mind, and all who would appreciate a briefer, less formal, and more active worship experience combined with creative expression or deeper faith discussions. Come check it out! Bring a friend!
The next gathering, on January 25, meets in Russell Hall and includes a meal and Communion.
A Note from the Pastor
Grace and peace to you, my friends. In a few weeks we enter the season of Lent, a period in which we symbolically go into the wilderness with Jesus. It is a solemn time; a time for prayer, fasting and simple living, perhaps service – all of which are meant to lead us closer to God. Like Advent, it is a time of waiting and preparation. It begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts until Easter (40 days, not counting Sundays).
I often think about what leads people closer to God. For me, prayer is certainly up there, but fasting from all food usually just makes me irritable. I have tried giving up things for Lent, like chocolate, and when the cravings strike I am reminded why I am fasting, and offer up thanks to God. There is a mindfulness to what had been habitual, as I take a moment to think about pleasure, gratification, discipline, and purpose, and I believe such mindfulness does draw me closer to God.
I was interested to read another take on mindfulness in the Thursday Book Group selection Learning to Fall: The Blessings of an Imperfect Life by Philip Simmons. The type of mindfulness he describes is one in which the focus is completely away from one’s own thoughts, opinions, feelings, etc. He talks about emptying oneself in mindful absorption, and refers to this process as “going into the cave.” It is solitary time, a way of just being, without any need to accomplish or produce. One might paint or draw or write, listen to music or stretch, walk or wash dishes. But these things are not done because you have a homework assignment, or are trying to build muscle or lose weight, or because there is a sink full of dirty dishes. “Going into the cave” is a spiritual practice (not the word practice, no goal of doing something perfectly). We let our minds focus only on what is right in front of us, letting go of evaluation and judgment. He says, “We enter the cave only when we are willing to empty ourselves of all that our ordinary, busy selves hold most dear: our plans, our ambitions, our intelligence, our precious opinions, our hard-won expertise, our reputations, everything within us that desire a reward, a purpose, an end. In this emptying, this letting go, we make room for something else. We become more deeply and consciously connected with what is highest and truest within us, and leave the cave replenished with this goodness.
I engage in lots of “purposeless” activity, but I’m not sure these things would qualify as going into the cave. I have my newspaper reading routine, which is purposeful in keeping me aware of what’s going on in the world. But my newspaper time also includes the Jumble Puzzle and Sudoku, Ken Ken and Word Search. I LOVE my “game time.” Sometimes I feel guilty about wasting time, but I wonder if I let go of that self-criticism, it might just be a way into the cave. As Simmons explains, it is not about the activity, it is about the mindset, about being in the present moment. And as I work out the numbers and letters into patterns and words, I am fully caught up in the moment – the night before holds no sway, nor do the hours ahead – I am thoroughly in the present moment. When the games are completed, or set aside ‘til later, I often feel peaceful, purposeful, ready to go forth – but only if I am not beating myself up for having spent the last hour or so on those silly puzzles. Even though I am not consciously thinking of God, perhaps I am meeting Her in the simple enjoyment, in letting my Self just be.
As I write this, a voice of caution runs in my head. I think about how compulsive gamblers are “in the moment” at the casino as they lose hours and days of time, thousands and thousands of dollars. Or how someone high on substances is “in the moment,” not thinking about the impact on their health, their relationships, or overall well-being. But it seems to me those addictive behaviors are about escape rather than presence. Perhaps that is the difference. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. What are the things that absorb your attention, that let you lose yourself in the moment to find your Self there? What are the ways you “go into the cave,” and come out as a blessing to those around you? They may seem small and insignificant, but perhaps they matter more than you can imagine. Knitting, cooking, home repairs? Puzzles, shoveling, folding laundry? May Jesus join you this Lent, not just in the wilderness, but “in the cave.”
Blessings, Pastor Doreen
Super Saturday: Saturday, March 21
Join hundreds of delegates, pastors and lay leaders from all over the Massachusetts Conference for a day of worship and workshops. Saturday, March 1 from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at Ludlow High School.
See the Mass Conference website (www.macucc.org) for information about workshops offered. Let Pastor Doreen know if you are interested in attending, and she will register everyone together for a discount.
Stop Hunger Now
Christ Episcopal Church in Rochdale will once again be hosting a food-packing event this spring, and would love for it to be an ecumenical effort once again. The date has not been set, but the fund-raising efforts have begun.
There is an anonymous donor willing to match FCC donations 2:1 up to $600, and the coin collector has been set out in the back of the Sanctuary. Paper money and/or checks should be put in a separate envelope and/or marked “Stop Hunger Now.”
Christ Episcopal Church is having a “Cookies by the Pound” fundraiser on Sunday February 8. Attendance at the event may be hampered by FCC worship and special event that day, but if you are interested in baking cookies for the event, please contact Sandy Dickinson at 508-852-8208 / e-mail edickins98@yahoo.com. And by all means recommend it to your friends and family who would be able to attend the event.
Worcester Fellowship Lunch Providers: Sunday, Feb 22
Please look for the contribution signup sheet in Russell Hall beginning February 9 if you wish to donate lunch supplies. Many helping hands are needed to assemble the lunches on Feb. 22, so please join in. All are welcome to join us for lunch and worship on the Common behind Worcester City Hall beginning at 1 p.m.
Adult Christian Spiritual Retreat
Feb. 20 – Feb. 21 (Fri 5 p.m. – Sat. 4:30 p.m.)
At Edwards House in Framingham, this retreat is intended for people in all stages on the spiritual path (clergy and lay). Whether you feel like a beginner, or a long-time traveler, you will find nourishment here for your soul. Come to worship, to “fill your cup” with spiritual practices, to sing, to discern God’s call in the midst of your life through “Clearness Committees”, to build community and to take Sabbath. This will be sacred time in community to make your heart sing and discern God’s will together! Led by Rev. Matt Cariker and Rev. Susie Allen.
Cost is $135 and includes overnight accommodations and three meals (dinner Friday, breakfast and lunch on Saturday). Financial assistance is available. Contact Doreen if you need financial assistance or for help registering for this event. For more information go to www.macucc.org.
Sacred Conversation on Race
Sunday, February 8
A few months ago the Pastoral Relations Committee conducted a survey regarding the use of the newsletter to talk about social justice issues. While many people were positive about this, several people indicated they would prefer face-to-face conversations on such issues. We are offering an exciting opportunity to participate in such a conversation. We will begin during worship, with gifted story-teller / preacher Rev. Cindy Maybeck sharing about her own awakening to racial injustice. After worship Rev. Cindy and Pastor Doreen will co-lead a discussion on race in Russell Hall.
The Rise of the “Dones”
Friends, I came across the following article, and couldn’t help but think of the individuals whose active presence was once such a blessing to this church, and who no longer come. Maybe they left for other churches, or maybe they just left, “done” with church. I think this article raises some important questions. I welcome your thoughts and questions. If there is enough interest, we could have a meeting around the questions raised in this article, by Thom Schultz:
John is every pastor’s dream member. He’s a life-long believer, well-studied in the Bible, gives generously, and leads others passionately. But last year he dropped out of church. He didn’t switch to the other church down the road. He dropped out completely. His departure wasn’t the result of an ugly encounter with a staff person or another member. It wasn’t triggered by any single event.
John had come to a long-considered, thoughtful decision. He said, “I’m just done. I’m done with church.”
John is one in a growing multitude of ex-members. They’re sometimes called the de-churched. They have not abandoned their faith. They have not joined the also-growing legion of those with no religious affiliation–often called the Nones. Rather, John has joined the Dones.
At Group’s recent Future of the Church conference, sociologist Josh Packard shared some of his groundbreaking research on the Dones. He explained these de-churched were among the most dedicated and active people in their congregations. To an increasing degree, the church is losing its best. For the church, this phenomenon sets up a growing danger. The very people on whom a church relies for lay leadership, service and financial support, are going away. And the problem is compounded by the fact that younger people in the next generation, the Millennials, are not lining up to refill the emptying pews.
Why are the Dones done? Packard describes several factors in his upcoming book, Church Refugees (Group). Among the reasons: After sitting through countless sermons and Bible studies, they feel they’ve heard it all. One of Packard’s interviewees said, “I’m tired of being lectured to. I’m just done with having some guy tell me what to do.” The Dones are fatigued with the Sunday routine of plop, pray and pay. They want to play. They want to participate. But they feel spurned at every turn.
Will the Dones return? Not likely, according to the research. They’re done. Packard says it would be more fruitful if churches would focus on not losing these people in the first place. Preventing an exodus is far easier than attempting to convince refugees to return.
Pastors and other ministry leaders would benefit from asking and listening to these long-time members, before they flee. This will require a change of habit. When it comes to listening, church leaders are too often in the habit of fawning over celebrity pastors for answers. It would be far more fruitful to take that time and spend it with real people nearby–existing members. Ask them some good questions, such as:
Why are you a part of this church?
What keeps you here?
Have you ever contemplated stepping away from church? Why or why not?
How would you describe your relationship with God right now?
How has your relationship with God changed over the past few years?
What effect, if any, has our church had on your relationship with God?
What would need to change here to help you grow more toward Jesus’ call to love God and love others?
It’s time to listen. Your church, even if it’s one of the rare growing ones, is sitting on a ticking time bomb. The exodus of the Dones, the rise of the Nones, and the disappearance of the Millennials do not look good for a church afraid to listen. It’s not too late to start.
Hope for Housing Shopping Cards
We have been invited to join with Christ Episcopal Church in supporting this worthy program. Hope for Housing is a non-profit program developed by the Interfaith Coalition to Prevent Family Homelessness. By simply purchasing cards for stores that you already frequent, you can make a difference. The stores donate a percentage of the purchase price to Hope for Housing, and it costs you nothing!
Here’s the process: You will receive an e-mail each Tuesday remind you of the available cards. If you wish to purchase cards that week, respond to the e-mail by Thursday. Bring or send a check for the cost of the card by Sunday, and pick up your card at church. If you can’t make it to church that week, the card will be held until the next Sunday, or contact Doreen to make other pick up arrangements. The following cards are available. Please check and see if this is something you can easily integrate into your shopping routine.
· Panera$10 and 25
· BigY $25 and $50
· CVS$20
· Shaws $25and $50
· Stop& Shop $25, $50, and $100
· Hannaford$25 and $50
· It is possible to get $100 cards forShaws, Big Y, and Hannaford
· It is possible to get $10 cards forCVS and Hannaford (with about 2 weeks’ notice)
Worship Cancellation Procedure
The pastor, deacon and trustee will consult by 7:30 am on the day of the worship service to determine if the worship service must be cancelled due to inclement weather. Consideration will be given to travel advisories, weather outlook, and the condition of the church itself (i.e. confirm there is heat and electricity and that the parking lot and walkways will be cleared).
Regardless of whether or not worship is officially canceled, all parishioners, staff and leaders are urged to make their own decision based on their individual circumstances: safety is our first priority.
Any worship or Sunday school leader unable to be present can notify Rev. Doreen via her cell (978-846-6498). By 8 am, information regarding the canceling or continuing of worship will be left on the outgoing voicemail. All staff and lay leaders are advised to check the outgoing voicemail for the information. If the power is out, the answering machine won’t be activated, and worship is likely canceled. People may also call the parsonage in that situation for confirmation (508-859-8060). If the decision is made to cancel or postpone the service, calls will be attempted to the following individuals, but they should also check church voicemail: Organist and Choir, the Deacons of the day, any individuals participating actively in the service (e.g. special guests and worship attendants).
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 Marie Gravina’s friend Peter who lost his mother last month, and recently suffered a major heart attack and was put into a coma.
• Prayers for guidance for Nancy Desautels’ sister-in law Beverly as she prepares to relocate back to Massachusetts from Pennsylvania.
• Prayers of thanksgiving from Cliff and Jan Albrecht who are doing well.
Collector’s Report
Loose Offerings Envelopes/Pledges Advent Christmas Fund Totals
11-23 $ 71.00 $ 633.00 $ 704.00
11-30 $ 43.25 $ 568.00 $ 611.25
12-07 $ 51.00 $ 833.00 $ 44.00 $ 928.00
12-14 $116.86 $ 533.00 $ 110.00 $ 60.00 $ 819.86
12-21 $ 75.00 $ 433.00 $ 190.00 $ 20.00 $ 718.00
12-28 $ 63.00 $ 463.00 $ 25.00 $ 551.00
01-04 $ 9.00 $ 797.00 $ 145.00 $ 951.00
01-11 $ 79.00 $ 709.00 $ 1.00* $ 789.00
Totals $ 508.11 $ 4,969.00 $ 490.00 $ 105.00 $ 6,072.11
*Initial
