June/July 2016 Newsletter

June/July 2016 Issue

Concerts on the Common

Very soon it will be time to load up the trailer and heat up the grill to cook hot dogs! The concert season begins on Wednesday July 6 and will continue through the August 24 (31 for rain postponements – 8 concerts total). Many helpers are needed for set up, food preparation, serving and clean up, and BAKERS to satisfy the hungry crowd. Squares, brownies, cookies, muffins, etc., packaged to sell for 50 cents or $l.00 works best. The concert goers come early to pick their favorites and are so disappointed if they miss out! We’re hoping for a season of great Wed. weather (fingers crossed), but please remember that if the concert is postponed because of bad weather, it will be held on Thursday evening. Concerts begin at 6:30 PM all season.

We begin to load the coolers and the trailer starting at 4PM (for those who can come early), then move over to the Unitarian Church lawn to set up and start the coffee pot and begin popping corn. Many concert goers arrive early to have their supper (or dessert) before the concert begins. We can never seem to be ready early enough! At least 4 or 5 servers are needed once the concert begins and especially at intermission. The grill and popcorn machine need constant attention, as well as 1 person to handle the money box. Once intermission is past we can gradually begin to put some things away, then load the trailer again and move back to the Congregational kitchen to pack up, restock and clean up.

If you are able to help in any way PLEASE let Cindy know what is the best time for you, AND be sure to leave your phone number so she can call you in case of bad weather. It looks like a really great season of concerts – so come, enjoy and have some fun with us as we help to support our church through the summer months. It’s such a great way to meet-and-greet those in our community and hopefully make some new friends in the process. THANK YOU sooooooo much!!

A Note From the Pastor

Grace and peace to you, friends. I want to thank all those who attended the meetings hosted by the Pastoral Relations Committee, and the members of the Church Council, for their thoughtful consideration of and input on my proposal to shift to a part-time pastorate. While it is still to be voted on by church members at Annual Meeting on June 26, I am trusting the integrity of the process. I believe it was a good and faithful process, one that remained open to the movement of the Spirit. Though I left the PRC-led gatherings to allow for freer discussion, I did hear back from Pastoral Relations about the concerns shared there. I want you to know that I hear you. I realize that this is scary, as most changes are. I was touched to hear of your strong attachment to me, and your belief that my presence in worship means a great deal to you. As much as I want to assure you that my more frequent absences will not have a negative impact on the church, it is not a promise that I can make. It’s an unknown. We are all stepping out in faith, trusting that if God wants this church to thrive, it will – regardless of my periodic absences. Faith, hospitality, and generosity are vital forces at work in our congregation, and I believe these are the things that do and will continue to attract people to First Congregational Church.

The proposal that will be presented at Annual Meeting is for me to work 40 weeks per year, with 3 weeks paid vacation and 9 weeks of unpaid time off. If the proposal is approved, I will be working with the deacons to determine the schedule of weeks away, with a little flexibility for vacation time. I hear that people would like some consistency in worship coverage, with guest preachers covering at least three consecutive times whenever possible. I will work with the deacons to this end. I will continue to be available for pastoral care – emergencies and non-urgent both. I will continue to do Faith Formation groups (bible and book studies, Christianity 201), resuming in the fall. I will continue to cover administrative needs (bulletins, newsletter, organizing rentals). My work weeks will run Wednesday through Tuesday, so even when I miss a Sunday, I will be working part of each week (except one 2-week vacation in July). Other than the deacons’ assistance in finding coverage, and doing the announcements on the Sundays I am out, there should be no extra work for other church members. Other than that approximately once-a-month absence, you might not even notice the change.

Some people have expressed sadness and even anger about this proposal, saying it feels like the church is giving up, letting itself go into a downward slide. I want to state clearly that this request was made because of my own wish to work less, to have more time with family, to spend the occasional weekend at our home in Conway; and not because I am giving up on this church. My hope is that the change will benefit the church financially, although it has never been said to me in any way that the church cannot afford a full-time pastor. It has always been made clear that FCC would prefer to have me serve full-time. I love this church. I am committed to it. I believe that Christ can be found in, among and between the people of this congregation and I feel blessed to be part of it. I am just at a stage in my life where time for family and time for rest and rejuvenation are more important to me than earning a full-time salary. I believe I can still be an effective pastor to you, with your prayers and the help of God. I remain open to your questions and feedback, and I am so very grateful that you heard my need and responded with such grace.

Blessings,

Pastor Doreen

Grounded Summer Worship by Pastor Doreen

Once again I will offer the opportunity for some pre-worship quiet time on the Common. Beginning on July 3, I will set up lawn chairs on the Common across from the church each Sunday by 9:35. I will join you when I can, but please feel free to gather without me. If you find a poem or reading to share, by all means, bring it, and share it sometime between 9:45 and 9:50. I ask all participants to please respect that this is a time of quiet, and refrain from chatting.

Worcester Fellowship

We are scheduled lunch providers for June 19. Please look for the food donation sign-up sheet beginning 6/5, and please, please come help assemble lunches on the 19th. Thanks so much for your support of this wonderful ministry. As always, people are welcome to join in lunch and worship on Worcester Common beginning at 1 p.m.

Annual Meeting Notice: June 26

To all members and officers of the First Congregational Church of Leicester: On Sunday, June 26, 2016, the annual meeting of the church will take place beginning at noon in Russell Hall.

Purpose: To hear the annual reports, to vote on the budget and the nominating slate, to hear and vote on a new contract for the pastor, and any other business that may come before the church.

There will be a pot-luck lunch before beginning the meeting. Please sign up in Russell Hall on or by June 19 to bring a dish (or call the church).

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.

We Are Blessed!

It’s hard to believe a whole year has gone by since I was first diagnosed. We are so very blessed and grateful to our church family for your outpouring of love and support. I am happy to report that I am in remission and pray that I stay there. Many of you came to the Benefit on April 23rd, donated, or sent prayers. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We are blessed. We especially would like to thank the Women’s Association for the two lovely raffle baskets that they donated. Everyone had a great time and it was good to see family and friends.