Deaconer - July 2003
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- Council Meeting - June 19, 2003
- Happy Birthday
- Diaconate
- Mission Ministries Team
- Christian Education Committee
- Membership Committee
- Music Committee
- July Worship Services
- Hashing It Out
- The Gospel According to the Simpsons
- A Faithful Look at the Movies
- Usher Schedule - through December 2003
- Picture of the Month - New Secretary
- Computer Corner
- Summer Fair
- Roast Beef Suppers
- Dance Like No One's Watching
- July 2003 Calendar
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Thursday, June 19, 2003 Present: Chairman Don Umlauf, Janet Umlauf, Jim Melhorn, Janet Kohlmorgen, Bernice Ferwerda, Marty Ferwerda, Flossie Hastings, Steve Henrikson, Jane Hannon, Doug Popp, Tony DiAmbrosio, Susan Casey and Mark Warner. Reports: The April Council minutes were read and approved. Committee reports were accepted as read and/or presented. Collector: The Collector balanced with the treasurer. Treasurer: All bills have been paid and we are about even to date with our budget. Pastor’s Report: Jim continues to be quite busy with visitations, counseling, weddings, funerals and committee meetings. He accompanied 9 youth and adults to the Nightwatch program at the Cathedral of St. John the Devine in New York. Jim continues to serve on the Cheshire Association Church and Ministry Committee. He has developed several adult programs for the summer months and is working on a monthly prayer service to be held once a month on Wednesday evenings. He has also coordinated the pulpit swap with Jaffrey United. There are many more other activities Jim attended to over the past month. Jim also attended the New Hampshire Conference Annual Meeting in Wolfeboro, NH. He shared some of the discussion that took place as a result of recent actions taken by the Conference and the departure of Rev. Ben Crosby. Susan Casey added to the discussion. A letter was drafted by that body to be sent to Rev. Crosby. Buildings and Grounds: Mark Warner reported that the parsonage work was almost complete. There was a slight disagreement with the contractor over completion criteria. It was decided to hold a sum of money back and contract another to complete the work. Trustees: The motion to restructure the Collector duties was brought back to the Council (was tabled at the May meeting). Discussion ensued relative to issues of confidentiality and accountability. The current process requires two people to be present every Sunday (count, document and deposit the collection). No one is willing to sign up for this position. Tony DiAmbrosio suggested a process that was used at a former church he attended. Basically it utilizes a ‘team’ of folks who would perform the necessary duties on a rotating basis as coordinated by the Collector. This seemed to generate a lot of positive response. To move the process forward, the existing motion was voted and defeated. Mark will bring a new motion to the next meeting. Mark will circulate the proposed alternative such that the motion presented at the next meeting can be voted. A permanent change will be included in the By-Law updates. Funds for a new church computer were approved. By-Laws: No report. However, Jim indicated that they would be starting up soon. Christian Education Committee: Bernice Ferwerda indicated that there were still openings for the Summer Children’s Activities. Jim mentioned the Jaffrey/Rindge pulpit swap and combined service that reduced some of the need. There is a need for additional Youth Group leaders. And a couple more teachers are needed for Sunday School in the fall. Deacons: Janet Kohlmorgen mentioned that the Deacons were over their budget. They will work with the Trustees and Treasurer to resolve. Delegates: Susan Casey elaborated further on the New Hampshire Conference Annual Meeting as a Delegate. Historian: A report was submitted by Trudie Kalinen. A possible candidate for Co-Historian was identified. Long Range Planning Committee: No report. Membership: 4 Welcome Baskets distributed. Web site catching up. Membership database project will get underway. Mission Ministries Team: No meeting yet. Music: Tony DiAmbrosio indicated that the Music Committee will have a table at the Summer Fair to raise funds for the music program. Would like to involve Franklin Pierce College music students in some way. There will be no more meetings until September – date to be announced. Nominating Committee: Susan will follow up on the Co-Historian suggestion. Pastoral Relations: They will meet monthly on the first Wednesday of the month. There will be no published reports but committee members are available for discussion. Working through information provided (Clergy Evaluation booklet). Public Relations: Annual Summer Fair & Fleamarket as well at the Roast beef Suppers have been advertised. Stewardship: No report. LVA/EC: Continue to meet Monday evenings. A scholarship was awarded. Men’s Club: Preparation for the Roast Beef Suppers is going well – sign-ups are needed to fill all of the positions. Funds for church and scout campers were expended. Several men helped to build 7 picnic tables at Toah Nipi. Unfinished Business:
Next council meeting: July 17th – 7:00pm Repectfully submitted,
July 4 - Marjorie St. Pierre
July 19 - Norman May
Diaconate The Deacons met on June 12, 2003 at 7:00pm in the Vestry. Deacon of the month for July is Robin Crowe. Communion will be on July 6th assisted by Kathy Fitzwater, Steve Henrikson and Trudie Kalinen We are in need of folks to sign up for Coffee Hour, please see Sue Chatwin. If anyone knows the whereabouts of the tablecloths, we would appreciate knowing where they are. There will be a Special Service (Contemplative Prayer and Healing) held on June 25th at 7:00pm for those who are looking for an alternative setting. During the month of July, Jim will be leading a Monday night discussion of the Gospel According to the Simpson’s. Also, on July 27th, Jim will lead a discussion group following the showing of the movie Cool Hand Luke. Hashing it Out will continue on July 8th and 22nd. The Rindge/Jaffrey pulpit swap schedule has been set. On July 13th, Rindge will go to Jaffrey (Jim will preach). On August 17th, Jaffrey will come to Rindge (Bill will preach). On August 3rd, we will have a combined service with Communion at the Cathedral of the Pines Next meeting will be July 10th at 7:00pm in the vestry. Submitted by,
Mission Ministries Team
Present: Marty Ferwerda, Penny Chace, Alice Zwart, Mary Alice D'ambrosio Special offerings - Next month's special offering
(on communion Sunday)
will be for the food pantry. Envelopes will be provided in the
bulletins
& an announcement will be made as well. Special (Communion
Sunday)
offerings will not be taken on the months that have other
Bulletin board - New letter from Straight Ahead posted, along with other new items as they come in. Rise to the Challenge (End World Hunger) brochures were passed out by Marty to Alice & Mary Alice to read & be passed onto the rest of us. Jim also mentioned Bread for the World as a possibility for future support. Heifer Project offering was totaled at $130.68. Discussion over how to keep in touch with Josue (the boy from Haiti that the church supports yearly). Marty mentioned that subscription to Focus was sent out on 5/19. Next meeting July 20, 2003 after church Respectfully submitted,
Christian Education Committee
The Christian Education Committee met at 7pm on Wednesday, June 4, in the vestry. In attendance were Bernice Ferwerda, Doug Popp, and Victoria Skowronek. Five people have signed up to do activities with the children during church school time in the summer, which leaves 7 Sundays which still need to be covered. We now have a notebook put together by Cindy and Bernice which includes games, songs, crafts, and other fun things for the children to do. Our library contains 27 Arch books with beautiful short Bible stories which can be read to the children. Our library also has a number of nice videos for the children to watch. We are hoping that more people will soon be signing up to help us out. We looked at the Ella Anderson Trust grant again,
but decided that we
are not eligible as this grant is targeted at low income, the
disadvantaged,
and those with other social concerns.
Doug reported on youth group activities. The younger youth group has not yet toured Mary Sawyer's house. There have been no meetings recently. The plans for the celebration of Children's Day are in the final stages and everything seems to be going well. Tory L'Heureux, Blake Skelton, Michaela Crowe and Meredith Yachesyn will receive their Bibles this year. Bernice reported that we have received a donation
of 38 books from Barbara
Webb, this in addition to the 28 books she donated to our library last
year. Bernice sent her a thank you note. We have also received about 30
books from Hope Church in Framingham, Ma., most of them are reference
books.
We have also received 330 adult Bible study books and
To date we have 3 of the 6 teachers that we need for church school classes beginning in September, a good start. If you can help us out, please speak to Cindy or Bernice. Our next meeting will be held on July 13 at 11:30am Respectfully submitted
Membership Committee The Membership Committee met on June 4, 2003 at 7:00pm in the vestry. • 4 Welcome Baskets have been distributed.Next Membership Committee meeting will be July 2, 2003 at 7:00pm in the Vestry. Submitted by,
Music Committee
Meeting place: Martha Thomas’ home Attending: Martha Thomas, Robert Popple, Jean Norwood, Rev. Jim Melhorn, Tony D’Ambrosio Meeting, with Martha presiding, opened with prayer. Rob points out 7/13 service will be at Jaffrey UCC church. Our church will be responsible for music program. Rob will make contacts and arrangements with an eye to involving both choirs in a musical offering; also to choose something relatively easy to put together. Rob will be taking days off on 8/3 (service at Cathedral that day) and on 8/17. Will also take 2 other dates as time permits. This year the service at Cathedral will be handled entirely by the Jaffrey UCC. Bob requested permission to move the music shelf (right now behind the organ) to behind the choir loft, beneath the window, thus making the various choir books, music for use, etc. more readily available to the choir. Agreed. It was reported that Bernice Ferwerda had donated a good deal of music; Rob will be organizing it this weekend. The Summer Fair program is to be held on 7/19. The Music Committee will have a (free) table at the flea market and proceeds are to go to the music program. Since this is for the music program’s benefit Martha requested we make ourselves available to give help in setting up (7/18) and minding the table (7/19). Agreed. Bob will keep an eye on the summer worship schedule for music offerings and, if it becomes problematic, will report to committee. Martha will check with Mary Lu Mathis regarding sending robes out for cleaning. If this is decided upon it should be done over the summer if at all possible. Rob expressed concerns re. need to get youngsters involved in the adult choir. No solutions put forward. Jim confirmed we have chimes available to the bell choir, which are appropriate for children. All agreed it is desirable to start a children’s bell choir. The need is for somebody to take the responsibility. No action suggested. Jim would like to involve Franklin Pierce College music students in our church in some way. In this vein, Jim will be in touch with David Brandes to discuss the possibility of the College using our church as a performance site. Jim will report to committee on progress in this effort. Also discussed these issues of interest: Bringing contemporary music to our worship service (Doug Popp has expressed specific music) Rob will make a book containing quite a selection available to Jim to look over. Jim will also keep an eye/ear out for such as he feels appropriate and then turn to Rob to implement. Development of a instrumental group (Bernice Ferwerda has indicated an interest). Jim pointed out that without someone to “own” this, it’s not likely to move forward. No action planned. Starting a regional/neighborhood once-a-month hymn sing program (Rob Popple would like to see this) Again, without an advocate to put this into action, we don’t see anything happening in the near future. Rob points out there is a bill for piano tuning (in the Music Committee’s box, Jim says); Martha will handle it. Agreed that no meeting required until September; date to be announced in advance. Rob will work with committee as regards startup of regular worship service program after summer. Meeting closed with a prayer. Respectfully submitted, Tony D’Ambrosio
July Worship Services July 6 –
Intergenerational
Service/Communion Sunday
July 13 –
Pulpit
exchange – Rindge to Jaffrey – Our whole
church, including Pastor Jim
and Bob Popple, will travel to the United Church in Jaffrey to provide
worship while Rev. Beardslee is on vacation.
July 20
July 27
Hashing It Out Summer is a great time to take a break from the normal routines of work and school. At the First Congregational Church in Rindge, we are offering some Summertime activities that will allow you to have some fun, learn something, and enjoy some fellowship in a relaxed, comfortable setting. If you’d like to flex your ‘faith’ muscles in a new and different way, why not drop by? Our Summer offerings include: Hashing It Out -This video series features discussions of real life issues, with two well-known and highly-regarded Christian commentators taking sides in each debate. On the left is Tony Campolo, Liberal author , speaker, and educator, and on the right is Steve Brown, Conservative radio broadcaster, educator, and ordained pastor. Unlike the many political shows that feature ‘spin doctors’ arguing and zapping one another with insults, Campolo and Brown model what it is like to disgree lovingly as Christian brothers. After each 15 minute topic, there will be time to continue the discussion and weigh in on the important issues of the day. Each session lasts about an hour, and the program is offered at two times, noon and 7:00pm at the church. Attendees are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch to the noontime sessions July 8 12:00pm
- 1:00pm and
7:00pm to 8:00pm -
“When is it OK to lie?”
The Gospel According to the Simpsons When the animated TV show, ‘The Simpsons’ first aired on Fox, it was skewered by the religious community as an example of everything that was wrong with society, and TV programming, and was blamed for the crumbling of the American family. However, a closer look at the antics of America’s most dysfunctional family have shown critics and fans alike that ‘The Simpsons’ may be one of the few shows on TV that really explores and deals with issues of faith. Using a different episode of the show each week, we will explore the sometimes hidden theology of the show and discuss our own understanding and the Biblical witness to these important issues. We will meet: Mondays at 7pm at the church July 7 – “What is important in life”
A Faithful Look at the Movies What could Hollywood possibly have to say about issues of faith? Quite a bit, when you begin digging a little deeper. In between the car chases and the special effects, Hollywood has produced a significant body of motion pictures filled with religious themes and imagery. A ‘faith’ful look at some of these films can be an eye-opening experience and a new way to make the message and stories of Scripture come alive for us in modern times. Whether you are movie buff or a novice, a person of deep faith or a seeker, you will find this new way to look at the movies interesting and enlightening. Bring your popcorn and an open mind as we explore and discuss each film. Sunday, July 27, 3pm -The Messiah Figure in Film “Cool Hand Luke”
Usher Schedule
August3 Phyllis & Harry GroezingerSeptember
Picture of the Month - New Secretary
Computer Corner I’ve finally had a bit more free time an am getting caught up. Recent additions to the site have been
Enjoy,
Summer Fair and Fleamarket Saturday, July 19 is the date for our annual Summer Fair and Fleamarket. The hours are 8am to 2pm. Fleamarket space will be available on both the common and the church lawn on a first come, first choice basis. There will be no reservations, just come and set up. A regular space will be $15 with a larger space costing more. Inside the Meeting House the Snack Bar will be selling hotdogs, sandwiches, coffee and cold beverages. The Baked Goods Table will be offering tasty treats. Donations of goodies for the table are needed and will be appreciated. Under the Attic Treasures sign all kinds of good bargains can be found. This is a great time to clean house and get rid of things you don't need or want any longer All donations appreciated. The Church Table will be selling the popular Rada cutlery, tote bags, tee and sweat shirts with our church logo, Meeting House medallions and the our own Church Cookbook. Now, if we could only have a little
Sunshine....
During the summer fair (July 19), we will again have an 'attic treasures' corner, which will benefit the Music Department. Saleable items may be dropped off in the Church vestibule. For assistance, contact Martha Thomas or Mary-Jane Sawyer.
Roast Beef Suppers The second of the Roast Beef Suppers will be on
Saturday, July 26. Only
$8 for adults and $4 for children twelve and under will guarantee a
delicious
all-you-can-eat meal of juicy roast beef, real mashed potatoes, gravy,
delicious buttered carrots, salad, bread, strawberry shortcake served
on
a homemade biscuit and topped with real whipped cream and that
bottomless
cup of coffee. And no tips or taxes! Reservations are recommended and
may
be made by calling 899-6823 or 899-6651.
Cancellations
should also be made by calling those numbers.
MANY THANKS to all who worked on the June supper. It takes many hands working together to put on a successful meal. Your help is needed again on July 25 and 26. On Friday morning at 8:30am the women of the church will be gathering to peel potatoes and carrots. Men are needed to set up the tables and chairs. Folks are needed for setting the tables. The chef could use help in the kitchen. Servers are needed to wait on our hungry guests. Help is needed cleaning up the kitchen afterwards. Male muscle power is again required to put the tables and chairs away. Can you lend a hand? Your help will be appreciated. If you own a green church tee shirt, please wear it. If you don't own one check out the big $5 tee shirt sale on Sunday, June 29. It looks good when the workers are dressed alike.
Dance Like No One's Watching
We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when they get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire. The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D. Souza. He said, "For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin-- real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life." This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have. So stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you are off welfare, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink, until you've sobered up, until you die, until you are born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy. . . .Happiness is a journey, not a destination. Thought for the day:
Author-- Crystal
Boyd
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Happy Birthday
