May Newsletter – 2010
Congregational Connections
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A Meeting Not To Be Missed!
May 20
Check your schedules and clear your calendars for Thursday night, May 20, at 6:00. “What’s going on?” you’re wondering. In short, an informational meeting important in its impact on the future of our church. Perhaps you’re thinking, “Wow. That’s great. I’ll be there. But 6:00 is not a very convenient time. What about my supper?” No problem! It’s a dinner meeting! Pizza, salad and dessert will be served in Russell Hall.
On March 27, Rev. Doreen, Kelli Mulrain, Len Ivel and Jackie Henderson traveled to Tewksbury for a day-long workshop sponsored by the UCC. The topic was one of crucial importance to most congregations: “How To Grow A Church.” The meeting on May 20 will be a summarized presentation of what our team learned and how we can apply it to our own church growth.
This meeting is open to everyone who attends our church, whether or not they have officially joined as a member. Make it a priority to be there. It promises to be an exciting night of brainstorming, sharing and discussion.
2010 Dues
$18.20 per person is due. Please make check payable to
First Congregational Church of Leicester
if financially able.
Memorial Day Service
On Sunday, May 30, local veterans will be invited to attend our worship service in honor of Memorial Day. If you have ideas about how to honor those who gave their lives in service to our country, please share them with Pastor Doreen. Memorial Day gives us an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifice that people have made, and to reflect on what we can do so that such sacrifice is no longer necessary.
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“…But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced…”
Abraham Lincoln – from the Gettysburg Address, 1863
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BBT Café
Wed., May 26
All are welcome to break bread together on the last Wednesday of each month at this free community dinner, an ecumenical effort started by Christ Episcopal Church. The dinner is held in our own Russell Hall.
Help with set up is appreciated, and you can reserve a spot at the dinner by calling Peggy Prynoski at 508-892-8684.
Worcester Fellowship Lunch Prep and Worship
May 30
FCC is on the WF schedule as second lunch providers. This means assembling lunches for approximately sixty people. Money has been donated for supplies from FCC Missions, but donations are still gratefully accepted, and helping hands are desperately needed. Please help during our fellowship time with food preparation. Donations of white athletic socks are also welcomed. And with the warmer weather, perhaps you would like to join us for the worship service behind Worcester City Hall at 1:00 p.m.
UCC Connections
If you have never been to one of our Association or Conference events, I encourage you to check them out. There is an opportunity right away as you get this newsletter, and more events next fall.
On Sunday, May 2, beginning at 4:00 p.m. at FCC in Auburn, the Association has its Spring meeting. The focus of this meeting is “Talking Across the Red/Blue Divide.” In addition to worship and Association business, there will be small-group facilitated conversations about our cherished values, and how the various political perspectives support our values or not. These conversations are not intended to be debates, no efforts to change people’s minds, but an opportunity to practice listening and sharing from the heart, with respect for your own views and those of others.
The Massachusetts Conference will hold its annual meeting on June 19. Our delegate, Gayle LeRoi, and I will attend and share with you what we learn. The Conference is changing from a 2-day format to just the one day. The plan is to offer workshops throughout the course of the year on different topics that may be helpful to congregations. I will keep you posted about the offerings. And please check out the Conference Website for information on other events and offerings: www.macucc.org.
A Note from the Pastor
Greetings of peace and joy to you. Here we are in the middle of Eastertide, which is also the season leading up to Pentecost. So we are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus and building up to his ascension, and the coming of the Holy Spirit to the disciples. The forty days of fasting or other spiritual disciplines, and time of reflection prepared us for this time of the embodiment of joy. If we fasted then, we feast now. If we dwelt on our shortcomings, we revel in the forgiveness and new life offered by the resurrection. If we noticed the ways we have wondered off path, we rejoice in our homecoming and the eternal welcome we receive from God. And all this rejoicing, celebration and gratitude make way for the Spirit, which then moves us out into the world to share the blessings of God.
And aren’t we at FCC right in sync with the season?! We just had a wonderful celebration of the covenant we share with one another and the larger denomination in the Service of Installation. So I am strongly identifying with the Eastertide theme of homecoming. I have found a church home and a church family that has embraced me and God’s call to lead us in ways we can’t fully imagine. The Spirit is always moving through us here, but I am also in joyful anticipation of where we are headed next, to see where the breath of Spirit that will lead us to grow. Movement has begun, again in partnership with the denomination, as we prepare to hear about the Growing Your Church Workshop attended by a team of four in March. We’ll listen for the spirit together, share all our voices, our thoughts as to where God is calling us. So please be there on May 20.
Blessings, Pastor Doreen
Thank You
A special thank you to everyone who made the Service of Installation so special. I was touched by the numbers of people who worked so hard and made the place look beautiful, the food taste delicious, the atmosphere feel welcoming and grace-filled, and the Service so rich. The Spirit was certainly moving among us. I was so proud to show off my church family and church home. I am grateful every day to be here, to be on this journey with you. May God bless all of us in our call to love and serve.
Calendar of Events
Worship
Sun 10-11am
Women’s Association
-May 5 at Bay Path at 11am. Meet at church at 10:30am.
-June 2 at Nancy Desautels home in Rutland.
Bible Study
Mondays at 7:00 p.m. and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. (except 5/5). We are studying the Gospels, beginning with Mark. All are welcome. Call Pastor Doreen for location details.
Council Meeting
Sunday, May 16, after fellowship in the administrative office. All are welcome.
Religious Education Meeting
Sunday, May 2 after Pot Luck/Games. Teachers and RE Committee members strongly urged to attend.
