In the parable of Jesus we call ‘The Great Dinner’, a person invites guests to a great banquet and sends out invitations.  One by one, all those invited regretfully refuse to come, so the master of the house directs his servants to go out into the streets and invite ‘the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame’.  Seeing that there is still room after this is completed, he sends his servants out again to ‘compel’ people to come in.  Imagine being begged to attend a fancy dinner party in a nice house!

            Whenever we gather for meetings or get-togethers, we have at least an unwritten guest list in our mind.  We know who on a particular committee should be at a meeting.  We know whom we have invited to a party.  If we plan dinner for 6 people, we usually don’t start until all 6 are there.  As we gather, we usually ask ourselves the question, either aloud or in our minds, “Who’s not here?”

            Perhaps we should continue to ask that question of ourselves even after everyone on our list arrives.  The easiest thing for us to do is to accept the guest list as it currently stands.  We know who comes to worship on a regular basis; we know the all members of a particular committee; we know those who regularly attend bible study or social functions.  We are comfortable with the guest list as written.

            But as servants of the master, we are called to do more.  Rindge is a town of several thousand people.  The long range planning committee is working on developing a vision for our church that will make it stronger and healthier now and in the future.  After a series of calculations, the committee realized that in our community, the maximum mission potential of this church might be over 900 people.  That is, over 900 people might be reached in some way by the mission and evangelism efforts of our church.  That forces us to ask in a whole new way, “Who’s not here?”

            Even though our church has great age diversity (roughly 1/3 0-18 yrs. old, 1/3 19-50 yrs. old, and 1/3 51+ yrs. old), when we look at most church activities and many of our worship opportunities, it is predominated by those in the 51+ age bracket.  In fact, without the tremendous support of our older members, this church would be forced to close its doors.  Our bible study, both the morning and the evening classes is probably 90% retired folks.  This should again prompt us to ask, “Who’s not here?”

            This is not a call for either more kids in church or more working people at bible study, although both of those would be wonderful.  I suggest that we spend more time looking around when we gather as a church.  We need to check the guest list, certainly.  But we also need to expand our minds.  There are no wheelchair-bound people who regularly attend worship.  Nor are there any who are deaf.  How about people of color?  Poor people?  High School age children?  Young parents?  Who else is not here?  Like the servants in the parable, we are called to go out again and again, to offer an invitation, and to compel them to come in.

Church Council Minutes - 7/18/02

Present: Mary Sawyer, Doug Popp, Steve Henrikson, Martha Thomas, Jim Melhorn, Susan Casey, Jane Hannon, Bernice Ferwerda, Martin Ferwerda, Mark Warner, Janet Kolhmorgan.

Doug Popp, acting chairperson for Don Umlauf, opened the meeting at 7:05^pm.  Mary Sawyer gave the opening prayer.

Minutes of the June meeting were approved. 

Mark Warner, acting clerk for Janet Goodrich

Committee Reports:

Collector’s Report – No Report. Jane Hannon noted that she had spoken with the Collector and the financials do reflect June’s collections.

Treasurer’s Report – Jane Hannon passed the Treasurers report as of June 30, 2002.

Pastor’s Report – No written report.  Reverend Melhorn did remind Council of the crop walk scheduled for October 26, 2002.

The following Committee reports were given or distributed for review:

Buildings and Grounds, Mission Ministries Team, Christian Education, Diaconate, Music, By-laws, and Trustees.

Steve Henrikson reported that By-laws has met.  They will first focus on the overall mission of the Church and then adapt the by-laws accordingly.

As a member of Diaconate, Steve requested that the Council consider the purchase of recording equipment for $750.00.  Mary Sawyer motioned for the Council to approve the expenditure for the equipment and that the Trustees will be responsible for funding and accounting for accordingly.  Martin Ferwerda seconded.  Motion was approved and Steve will handle.

Jim Melhorn indicated that this is his one-year anniversary and inquired about an annual review process.  Council noted the request and will ask Pastoral Relations to handle.

Unfinished Business:

Land Sale: Mark Warner reported on the Parsonage land sale to the Town.  He passed around copies of the final draft of the Purchase and Sale drafted by the Church’s attorney for review and approval.  Key points were discussed and the Council approved.  A motion was made authorizing Mark Warner to sign the P&S as Council Member and for Janet Goodrich to sign as Clerk.  Seconded and approved.  Mark will handle, indicating that the closing would be soon.

Olin Mills: The Olin Mills pamphlet is complete.  Unfortunately there were a couple of errors that will have to be fixed manually. 

July Church Fair: The Country Fair was scheduled for July 27, 2002.

By-Law Proposal: A draft policy regarding Constitution and By-law changes was presented by Steve Henrikson, and included input from Don Umlauf.  Two options were passed around for review.  Steve asked the Council members to review the options further and bring comments for discussion at next months’ Council meeting.

Meeting House Reservation: The new Town policy for reserving the meeting house was passed around and discussed. 

Men's Club: Doug Popp noted that the next Roast Beef Supper is July 27, 2002.  He and Don Umlauf are overseeing and certainly would appreciate help.

New Business:

Next meeting is scheduled for August 15, 2002 at 7:00pm.  Closing prayer by Jim Melhorn.

Jane Hannon will offer closing prayer at the next Council meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30^pm

Respectfully submitted,
Mark Warner

Secretary Needed

Mission Ministries Team

The Mission Ministries Team met on July 7 after church, our discussion included:

1.  Partners With Haiti - Penny & Steve Chace had the Sunday school class write letters to Josue a few weeks ago.  Penny sent them out the following week.

2.  Food Pantry - We sent them $150 out of our budget. 

3.  Prayer Chain - We will be issuing an updated list in September.  NOTE:  Anyone desiring to be added/deleted please contact Marty Ferwerda or Betty Chenausky.

4.  Mission Moments - To be continued in September.

5.  Name change for our committee approved by Council & is official; we will now be called Mission Ministries Team.

6.  Mission Pot Luck Supper - The speaker has been obtained from Toah Nipi, an Inter-Varsity Christian Mission.  The supper will be held on Friday October 4th at 6:30, a freewill offering will be taken as part of the program.  Preparations will be made for advertising.  We will be preparing a sign-up sheet for dinner items.

7. Empty Bowls -  Marty received a notice from the Community Kitchen in Keene regarding the Empty Bowls Project on November 16.  We would like to participate in this by placing a bowl at the church for funds as well as having the Sunday School classes participate by decorating bowls to take home to collect change & bring back to church for this worthwhile project.  Penny to speak to Cindy regarding coordinating this.

8.  Alice Zwart has joined our committee, welcome Alice!

Submitted by,
Penny Chace

Mission Moment

Making a world fit for all of God’s children has been a guiding inspiration for the church for centuries.  Countless examples of mission throughout the history of the United Church of Christ have aspired to this goal.

Our church and its predecessors founded some of this country’s first children’s homes, many of which still serve thousands of children in the United States.  Our church has established schools overseas for children and youth who would otherwise receive little or no education. Our church works in public education today toward good schools for all children in our nation.  Our church has worked for decades to provide basic medical care, clean water, and enough food for children in impoverished areas of the world, including here in the U.S.  Our church has dedicated itself to helping children in need: whether they live in refugee camps, in families that cannot care for them, in remote villages, or on the streets of large cities.

Beyond this work that we do specifically with and on behalf of children, isn’t it true that the whole mission of the church, everything we do, is done for the sake of children?  For their future, for the world’s future?  The church exists to bring God more fully into the world, into the time and place where we live, and where our children will live after we’re gone.  The wise men were “warned in a dream” not to return to Herod and reveal the whereabouts of the child born in Bethlehem.  Their dream showed them how to protect this child.  Our “dream” is the church, and in a dream, as everyone knows, anything can  happen – things aren’t necessarily logical.  So it is with the church: we go ahead and dream of a world fit for children.  We trust that with God, this is possible.  We act on our hope to make it real: we support the church with our prayers, our participation, our time, our money – our selves.

Happy Birthday

          August 1  - Dennis Casey       August 17 - Andrea Popp
          August 3  - Charles Phillips   August 21 - Peg Brummer
          August 5  - Matthew Dauphinais             Jesslyn Thomas
                      Jane Hannon        August 22 - Susan Campbell
          August 9  - Janet Umlauf       August 25 - Richard Keegan
          August 14 - Lauren Kabat                   Emily Melhorn

Thank You

Diaconate

Deacon for the month of August is Trudie Kalinen.  Communion will be August 4^th assisted by Janet Kohlmorgen and Lois May and two Deacons from Jaffrey United.  We will be at the Cathedral of the Pines with United Church of Jaffrey.  A fellowship type event is being planned by Jaffrey.

We continue to look for donations for the purchase of a taping system that will enable us to reach folks who are not able to attend Sunday services.  Your support is greatly appreciated.

We are also looking for folks to sign up for Ushers and Greeters during the summer months.  You may send e-mail to the church (rindgeucc@netzero.net) or contact a Deacon or Jim by phone or in person.  If you’d like to try something different, go to the web site (http://rindge.nhcucc.org) and click on Online Pew Card.  Being an Usher or a Greeter is a simple way to help out and only involves an occasional Sunday.  Please help out.  Duties for Ushers and Greeters are outlined in this issue of the Deaconer.

We are also in need of Coffee Hour host/hostess.

If you know of anyone who is ill or needs a visit, or even just a card, please speak to a Deacon or Rev. Melhorn – we will insure they are contacted.  

Next Deacon’s meeting will be August 8th

Submitted by,
Steve Henrikson

Membership

The Membership Committee did not meet in June.  

Anyone wishing to join the church or get more information, please contact the church office or any member of the Membership Committee

The next meeting date is August 1^st.

Submitted by,
Steve Henrikson

Buildings and Grounds Committee

Chair Norman May called the meeting of July 11, 2002 to order at 7:10pm.

Present were: Norm, Arthur Fitzwater and Mary Sawyer.

Minutes of the May and June meetings were reviewed and approved.

The following items were discussed:

• Status of proposed parsonage renovation.  Mary expressed disappointment that bidders have not yet come forward with bid proposals.  Reminders have been issued, and we will continue to pursue the matter.
• Fans.  Norm has purchased one of the two approved fans – a window fan for the kitchen.  We will review where best to purchase and place a second unit. 
• Parsonage oil supplier quotes.  Norm has forwarded to Trustees bids from Allen & Matthewson, Red’s and Rymes for their consideration. 
• Meeting House renovation.  Work left to be done (vestibule floor and first floor combination storms and screens) will probably be completed during September. 
• Hold Harmless Insurance.  Norm will discuss with the Town whether or not we presently have such coverage, and if not, the feasibility of purchasing same. 
• Facilities Use Document.  We have received from the Music committee a draft of proposed organ use, and Mary will develop a Sanctuary use policy, including updated fee schedule, which the committee will then review. 

Submitted by,
Mary Sawyer

Christian Education
July 14, 2002

Those present: Mary Sawyer, Bernice Ferwerda, Phyllis Ames, and Rev. Melhorn.

Bernice Ferwerda opened the meeting with prayer.

Instead of having a Vacation Bible School this year we will have a “Rally Day”, a family fun day to be held at Toak Nipi Retreat Center in Rindge on September 9th.  This will be an all day affair with a christian drama [presented by the New Ipswich Community Church, another presentation developed by C.E.F. (Child Evangelism Fellowship) headed by Dale Moore from Rindge and a third event to be announced.  A cookout is also planned.

Church World Service acknowledged our kits, which were received with grateful thanks.

This is a short fall for the library cart expense of $300.00.  Our Christian Education budget is low.  Bernice will talk with council.

The issue of using Christian videos from Travarca was tabled for the moment.  This would be valuable tool for both church school and adult education, but is costly.

Cindy Melhorn is taking some time off from Christian Education.  She will evaluate her schedule in the fall.  Robin Crowe has volunteered to be our church school leader.

Adult Education: Summer attendance at bible study has been light.

Youth Group: Thirteen members of our youth group had an overnight at the Ferwerda’s with Doug Popp, Steve Chace, Marty Ferwerda and Michelle Cormier in attendance.  There were many fun activities as well as a bible study group for girls and one for boys.

This next week Jim Melhorn will be taking the youth group to the Horton Center for a weeks’ retreat.

Council Report: The issue of providing nursery childcare is still a problem with no solution as yet.

Our next meeting will be August 11, 2002.  Our meeting closed with prayer led by Rev. Jim.

Submitted by,
Phyllis H. Ames, Secretary

Curtain Call

Worship Schedule for August

August 4 – Joint communion service with United Church of Jaffrey at the Cathedral of the Pines, 10^am

We will worship in the beauty of God’s holiness at this outdoor service.  The combined church choirs will sing, and we will celebrate the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper in Christian unity.  After the service, we will share in a fellowship lunch and activities at the Woodbound Inn

Scripture readings: Genesis 32:22-31 and Matthew 14:13-21

August 11 – Regular worship service with the celebration of the sacrament of baptism

Scripture readings: 1 Kings 19:9-18  and  Romans 10:5-15

August 18 – We travel to United Church in Jaffrey to worship together

August 25 – In Rindge, with a guest preacher to be announced

Head Start Center Notice

Jaffrey Head Start Center is accepting applications for the school year 2002-2003.  If your child is three (3) years old by September 30th or not entering kindergarten, she/he may apply to Head Start. 

Jaffrey Head Start Center accepts children from Rindge, Jaffrey, Fitzwilliam and Peterborough.  Please contact Jan Wilkins at 532-4135 or Larry Colby at 532-7513 or 1-800-529-0005 ext. 160

Talent Auction

Mark Sunday, September 15 on your calendar for our second annual Talent Auction.  We had such a good time, so much laughter and raised so much money in the space of an hour, paying off our Conference Capital Campaign pledge, that we would like to try it again. 

Please be thinking about what talent or service you can contribute.  Some ideas suggested are catering  a meal for four, six, eight, a fancy dessert for one or more months, birthday cakes, a batch of cookies for one or more months, a pot of soup or a pot of beans, a ride around Monadnock followed by a barbecue, a custom quilted wall hanging, a handpainted nesting toy, photography, a flower arrangement, an outing for a non-driver, baby sitting, plant sitting, pet sitting, grandmother
sitting, window washing, leaf raking, hedge clipping, garden rotatilling, clumps of perennials from your garden, snow shoveling, use or your pickup truck, use of a log splitter, oil change and filter, sewing, hemming, knitting, basket of homemade jams, wash and waxing a car, kitchen help for your party, creation of a personal web site, computer lesson, calligraphy for invitations, use of a cottage for a weekend or longer, provide music for a gathering.  What are your talents?  Be creative!  Use your imagination.

Start thinking what you can do!  For more information talk to Trudie.

Fill out the form below if you already know what talent you can offer and put it into the Historian/Public Relations mailslot or hand to me.

Name________________________________

Phone________________________________

Talent or Service_______________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Please....If you have not completed the service you sold last year.....DO IT NOW!!!