Feb Newsletter 2017
Congregational Connections
February is
Have a Heart Month
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 and shelter. Your $5.00 donation will provide that blanket to someone who needs one, here in the U.S. 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 given directly to Nancy Desautels.
Ash Wednesday Service:
March 1 at 7:00 p.m. Please join us for this time of quiet reflection and worship to start of the sacred season of Lent.
Includes Communion and Ashes.
Counting the God Moments
Have you ever been transported by the singing of the choir? Have you felt the Holy Spirit connecting the sandwich assembly line as we prepare lunches for Worcester Fellowship? Have you heard a sermon that made you want to jump up and say “Here I am, Lord!” Does what happens at FCC move people closer to God?
When Bonnalee Bohlman offered me a mason jar with a notebook attached titled “Happy Memories 2017” I was struck by the potential power of such a practice. I was invited to write down special moments throughout the year, then on New Year’s Eve 2017, take them out, read and relive them. I thought it could be a wonderful practice for the church as well, to note moments when FCC truly served as a spiritual channel. So I invite you to use the jar through the year. Make note of times something that happened at or through FCC that made your spirit blossom. Be as specific as possible – maybe include the date, the particular event or activity, and what it meant to you. On Sunday, December 31 as fate would have it, we will read through them as we bless the year and anticipate 2018.
A Note from the Pastor
Grace and peace, friends.
I wonder how many of you are familiar with the idea of “call.” It is something seminarians are asked constantly to reflect upon – “where is God calling you?” It wasn’t an easy question for me. I imagined a “call from God” would be a very intense and clear experience, and I never had any such thing. Being a pastor was just something I really wanted to do, and people around me affirmed my gifts. But because I was asked to reflect on the idea so much, I came to believe that God called me through my own desires. Now this is a tricky thing – I am not saying that any desire I have – anything I want to do – is a desire God put inside me. But when it comes to my vocation, I believe this is true. I also believe that the affirmation of others was crucial. I read a quote once that opened up the idea of call. Frederick Buechner said, “Call is where your deep desire meet the world’s deep need.” My desire was to use my gifts to serve God through the church, and I believe there is a deep need for such service.
I was worshipping with colleagues recently, and was asked to reflect on the call of the church I serve. Do you think of FCC as having a call? Where does its deep desire meet the world’s deep need? I will tell you what I thought, but since the church is its people, I suspect there are many ideas about what our call is. I offer my thought not as the “right” answer, but just my perception. I would love to hear yours.
I think FCC has a call to caretaking. I have seen amazing care offered here. When someone is ill, cards and flowers and food are sent. When a family or person faces a financial hardship, I have seen gift cards and cash anonymously slipped to them. There is a sense of purpose in providing collations for the grieving. I have witnessed and benefitted from an outpouring of practical, emotional and spiritual support from the saints of FCC. People give rides to others. And then there is the giving outside the church – Worcester Fellowship and Blankets and Food Pantry. There is certainly a need for such loving kindness and care.
As the numbers of people worshiping and our financial resources decrease, it may be helpful to hone in on our call, and let go of some other things. In some ways, discerning a personal call is easier than discerning a church’s call. But I believe that increased clarity about purpose, both as individuals and as a church, leads to a greater sense of joy and peace. It takes some thought and some conversation. Discernment is not problem solving. It requires prayerful listening rather than debate. It requires that we share our thoughts without trying to persuade. There are resources that can guide us.
With Lent approaching, I wonder if it is a good time to start a process of discernment about our call. Please let me know if you would like to be part of this, and if you have any ideas for a format, i.e., one big gathering, several smaller groups, written sharing, etc.
Blessings,
Pastor Doreen
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 or postponed 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 cancelled, all are urged to make their own decision based on their individual circumstances: safety is our first priority. By 8 am, information regarding the canceling or continuing of worship will be left on the outgoing voicemail. If the power is out, the answering machine won’t be activated, and worship is likely cancelled. 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, children’s church leader, and any individuals participating actively in the service (e.g. special guests and worship attendants).
Super Saturday Sat, March 18
Keynote Speaker Brian McLaren
This spring’s Super Saturday is featuring keynote speaker Brian McLaren, author, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity” – just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. In his new book, The Great Spiritual Migration: How the World’s Largest Religion is Seeking a Better Way to be Christian, Brian McLaren invites you to seize the moment and set out on the most significant spiritual pilgrimage of our time: to help Christianity become more Christian while joining in interfaith conversation about religious life in migration.
Join hundreds of delegates, pastors and lay leaders from all over Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island for a day of worship and workshops. Saturday, March 18 from 9 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. at Minnechaug Regional High School, Wilbraham, MA. See the Mass Conference website (www.macucc.org) for information about workshops offered and to register, or ask Pastor Doreen for a flyer.
Worcester Fellowship Lunch Providers Sun, Feb 26
Please look for the contribution signup sheet in Russell Hall beginning February 12 if you wish to donate lunch supplies. Many helping hands are needed to assemble the lunches on Feb. 26, 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.
Women’s Association Wed, Feb 1
Meets Wednesday, February 1 at noon at the church. After the business meeting, there will be a One-Pound Auction. Participants are asked to bring something wrapped that weighs one pound. All
1-pound items will be auctioned off then and there, with all proceeds going to the Heifer Project. The next meeting is March 1. Contact Cindy LaPointe or Marie Frascolla for details. All women connected with the church are welcome, whether members, visitors, or friends of members.
Be Good Neighbors with Norma
When Betsy Waters studied our congregation, her recommendation was to love your neighbors. Recently, Doreen put out the question: “How can we love our new neighbors?”, indicating the library and fire 
station which would be added to our neighborhood along with the town hall and nearby businesses and residents. Jesus told us to love our neighbors as ourselves. What is one of the best ways to show love? FOOD!! I suggest that we offer a soup and/or sandwich lunch once a week during lent. That would give us an opportunity to interact with our neighbors and let us show them how we love. Who else is willing to accept this challenge? Talk with me!! Norma Dodge
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 Fran Reynolds, prayers for rejuvenation and healing
-For Della and Audrey, friends of Mary Simmons facing serious health isssues
-For Bob Kelly’s recovery from heart surgery and blessings for Alice with assistance in managing his care and travels to and from doctor appointments
-For Megan, friend of Stephanie Orsi, who had a stroke 12 hours after giving birth to her first child. (If you wish to offer financial support, see https://www.godundme.com/MegStrong)
