Present: Chairman Don Umlauf, Jim Melhorn, Janet Goodrich, Bernice Ferwerda, Marty Ferwerda, Steve Henrikson, Flossie Hastings, Jane Hannon, Cindy Melhorn [guest]

Reports: The June Council minutes were read and approved.  Committee reports were accepted as read and/or presented.

Pastor’s Report: As noted in his written report, in the absence of other volunteers Jim will be attending Horton Center camp with ten youth.  He continues to explore different opportunities for providing spiritual activities beyond the Sunday morning worship services, such as ‘Hashing It Out’ and ‘Gospel According to the Simpsons’.  Ideas for several small group ministries will be presented at a future date.  The council was updated on the green ‘Stewardship’ pew cards that will allow us to focus on the act of giving, including our time and talents.  Jim will be on vacation from August 4-20.  The deacons will be able to contact the minister during that time in the event of a pastoral emergency. 

Buildings and Grounds: No report

Trustees: No report

By-Laws: No report.  However, Jim indicated that they would be starting up soon.

Christian Education Committee: Bernice Ferwerda reviewed the written report, which prompted the council to discuss the relationship between youth programming and the growth of a church.  We are still in need of an additional youth group leader.

Deacons: Steve Henrikson reviewed the written report.  He noted that the greeters and ushers schedules have been arranged through December.  There will be a potluck meal on August 3^rd.  Our church will provide casseroles and the Jaffrey church will cover salads and deserts. 

Delegates: No report

Historian: No report

Long Range Planning Committee: No report.  Don Umlauf will meet with the pastor to discuss future steps to be taken by the Long-Range Planning Committee. 

Membership: Steve Henrikson reviewed the written report.  The membership committee will speak with the contractors as well as the realtors to identify families new to Rindge.  Currently there are fifty-five building permits granted and not all of the home purchases will involve a realtor.  Membership rolls are up to date.  Sunday School birthday data will be added.  No meeting in August.

Mission Ministries Team: Marty Ferwerda informed us that $207 was collected for the Food Pantry through our special offering envelopes.  New devotionals entitled “Today” are now available.

Music: No report

Nominating Committee: No report

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: This group has made a donation to the Converse Meadows Fund.  In addition, they will provide a children's basket for the silent auction.

Men’s Club: Preparation for the Roast Beef Suppers is going well – sign-ups are needed to fill all of the positions. 

Unfinished Business:

• July 19th Summer Fair Co-Chair – Cindy Melhorn updated the council on the fair.  This year there are no reservations needed by the vendors.  For future planning purposes, this needs to be reassessed. 

• Computer Purchase – The new computer has been purchased.  Steve Henrikson will coordinate getting it up and running.

• Church Use Policy – Flossie Hastings has the completed document.  Steve Henrikson will assist in designing a cover page to accompany it.

• Christian Education – Cindy Melhorn met with the council to review the roles and responsibilities of the Sunday School Superintendent.  The council members discussed in length the importance of a strong youth program and the role a youth minister or Christian Education coordinator plays in developing such a program.  The Christian Education committee will identify key related questions, research the details and bring it to council when they have the appropriate information. 

Next council meeting: August 21^st – 7:00^pm - Steve Henrikson will lead the closing prayer.

Repectfully submitted,
Janet Goodrich, Clerk

                                     Happy Birthday

          August  1 - Dennis Casey       August 21 - Peg Brummer
          August  3 - Charles Phillips               Jesslyn Thomas
          August  5 - Matthew Dauphinais August 22 - Susan Campbell
                      Jane Hannon        August 25 - Richard Keegan
          August  9 - Janet Umlauf                   Emily Melhorn
          August 14 - Lauren Kabat       August 28 - Richard Docekal
          August 17 - Andrea Popp        August 29 - Brian Halbedel
                                         August 30 - Kelly Halbedel

Diaconate

The Deacons met on July 10, 2003 at 7:00^pm in the Vestry. 

Deacon of the month for August is Kathy Fitzwater.  Communion will be on August 3^rd with Sue Chatwin (covering for Kathy) and Lee Mailloux serving.  The service will be at the Cathedral of the Pines with Jaffrey United.

As mentioned, August 3^rd will be a joint service with Jaffrey United at the Cathedral of the Pines.  There will be a time of fellowship and food following the service at Woodbound Inn.  Please mark your calendars!

The Ushers and Greeters lists are now completed through December.

Rev. Melhorn will be on vacation August 4^th through the 20^th.  You may contact Steve Chace if Jim needs to be reached.

Rev. Melhorn has been very busy in bringing special events to the church.  He has been conducting “Hashing it Out” sessions, special Contemplative Prayer and Healing services, a series of discussions entitled the “Gospel According to the Simpson’s” and another discussion called “A Faithful Look at the Movies” featuring Cool Hand Luke.  These are in response to requests for more spiritual events.  If there is some type of spiritual event you would like to see, please speak with Jim.

Reminder - August 17^th, Jaffrey United will come to Rindge (Rev. Beardslee will preach).

Next meeting will be August 14^th at 7:00^pm in the vestry.

Submitted by,
Steve Henrikson

Mission Ministries Team
July 20, 2003

Present: Marty Ferwerda, Alice D'Ambrosio, Penny Chace, Betty Chenausky

1. Discussion of camp (kid's) support.

2. Mary Alice - Brief report on African ministry brochure.

3. Update letters from Straight Ahead, Global Ministries, Operation Smile to be posted on bulletin board.

4. $207.00 was collected from the special offering last month for food pantry. Marty will keep in touch with Mary Lou as to whether the
food pantry needs more monetary assistance in the future.

5. Focus membership - haven't heard anything yet.

6. Marty reported on local meeting that was held (at Pizza Haven) to start a Campus Crusade group at Franklin Pierce.

Next meeting to be held in September.

Respectfully submitted,
Penny Chace

Christian Education Committee
July 13, 2003

Those present:  Robin Crowe, Bernice Ferwerda, Doug Popp, Cindy Melhorn, Phyllis Ames.

The June Christian Ed notes were read and accepted. 

Doug reported VBS plans are picking up and seem on track now. 

There is a definite need for a Youth Group leader.  Cindy Melhorn feels strongly about exploring hiring a youth minister for a part time salaried position.  There were unanimous agreements from the group.  A lengthy discussion ensued concerning the importance of youth in our church and also about volunteer needs.  Bernice and Cindy will attend the next Council meeting to express our concerns.

Doug and Robin are working on programs for VBS and recruiting teachers.  The Ashburnham church is also helping.

Bernice reports we have a volunteer to teach first and second grade; none yet for pre-school and kindergarten.  Nursery care will be reported on later.  Church School will resume on September 14^th. 

There will be a camp-out on September 6^th for the Youth group at the Ferwerda's.  A Family Fun Day will be held again this fall at Toah-Nipi.  More information on dates and times will come later.

Doug Popp closed the meeting at 12:30^pm with a prayer.  Our next meeting will be an August 10^th.

Respectfully submitted,
Phyllis Ames

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee met on July 2, 2003 at 7:00^pm in the vestry. 

• The Membership Committee is ready to supply Welcome Baskets.  If you know of a new family in town, please be sure to let a member of the committee of Rev. Melhorn know.

• Membership database project will start now that the folks involved are all available.

• Web site is progressing.

Submitted by,
Steve Henrikson

August Worship Services

August 3 – Joint Outdoor Communion Service with the United Church of Jaffrey 
                   at the Cathedral of the Pines
We will celebrate the Lord’s Supper in the midst of God’s creation as we join with our sisters and brothers in Christ from Jaffrey.  The United Church will provide special music, and both Rev Bill Beardslee and  Rev. Jim will deliver brief meditations on Scripture.  Immediately following the service, there will be a time of fellowship with a potluck lunch at the Woodbound Inn, graciously hosted by Janet and Rick Kohlmorgen.  Our Church will be responsible for main dishes, and Jaffrey will provide salads and desserts.  Go golfing or swimming after dinner, or simply relax and stroll the grounds.
Ushers: Phyllis and Harry Groezinger
Greeters: Jane Hannon and Bernice Martin
Lay Reader: Burt Goodrich
Acolyte: Kyle Sewell 

August 10 – Rev. Allen Humes (pulpit supply – Rev. Melhorn on vacation)
Ushers: Marty and Bernice Ferwerda
Greeters: Burt and Janet Goodrich
Lay Reader: Bernice Martin
Acolyte: Vanessa L'Heureux 

August 17 – Pulpit exchange – Jaffrey to Rindge – The United Church in Jaffrey will ‘bring church’ to us.  Rev Bill Beardslee and Brenda Romanello, music director will lead worship in our church.
Ushers: Art and Kathy Fitzwater
Greeters: Jennifer Skelton and Laura L'Heureux
Lay Reader: Marty Ferwerda
Acolyte: Micaela Crowe

August 24 – We Celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism as we welcome Brian Kohlmorgen into the family and fellowship of God.
Scripture Reading:  Colossians 3:12-17     Matthew 2:13-15
Sermon:  Me and my blanket
Ushers: Stephen and Penny Chace
Greeters: Phyllis and Harry Groezinger
Lay Reader: Doug Popp
Acolyte: Blake Skelton

August 31
Scripture Reading:  James 1:17-27     Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
Sermon:  Sticks and Stones
Ushers: Ethan and Michelle Perry
Greeters: Ernest and Marge St. Pierre
Lay Reader:
Acolyte: Melissa Melhorn

Pastor Jim will be on vacation from August 4^th through August 20^th.  During that time, pastoral calls may be directed to Head Deacon Stephen Chace (978)297-3404, who will be in contact with Rev. Jim for any emergencies.

Picture of the Month - Summer Fair

Summer Fair On July 19th, the church held its annual Summer Fair.  Folks from all around came to enjoy the great weather as the common was filled with treasures to buy and sell. Inside the church, various items were available including a number of hand crafted articles.  As always, refreshments were available from the kitchen.

Computer Corner

It’s been a light month for updates;

• July Deaconer

Steve Henrikson – webspirit – henrikson@surfbest.net

Neighborhood Watch

Do you know of a new family in town?  If so, please let a member of the Membership Committee or Rev. Melhorn know so that we can prepare a Welcome Basket.  If you are so inclined, you are encouraged to deliver the basket as a way to meet your new neighbors and extend a welcome from the church as well. Thank you, The Membership Committee

Ferwerda 50^th Anniversary Celebration

Please help us celebrate our 50^th wedding anniversary at an open house from 2 - 4^pm on Sunday, August 24^th at 64 Red Gate Lane. There will be light refreshments. Please, no gifts, but if you wish, you may make a donation to: 

Mississippi Christian Family Services 
806 Pine St., P.O. Box 487 
Rolling Fork, Ms. 39159

Praise Band

I would like to get a small "Praise Band" started.  My idea is that we would play once a month for about 15 minutes before church, perhaps the last Sunday of the month.  I'm looking for guitars, violins, keyboards, recorders, and what have you? We would use both contemporary music and favorite hymns.  Please let me know if you are interested.

Thank You, Bernice Ferwerda

Trinity Christian Academy

Trinity Christian Academy in Peterborough is looking for someone to volunteer (a small stipend is available) to teach Cooking Class as part of the school lunch program at the school. Each Wednesday the class prepares a meal for the student body of approximately 70 students. The teacher's duties are to plan a meal each week, purchase the food (the school pays for  this by charging students $2 per meal) and supervise approximately twelve students as they prepare it. This teacher's hours at the academy are from 8am to Noon on Wednesday. Anyone interested is encouraged to please call  the school principal, Marty Wright, at 924-5711.

Anne Graham Interview

In light of the many perversions and jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke, it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking. 

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this happen?" (regarding the attacks on September 11^th). 

Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. 

And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?" 

In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. 

Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school ... the Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK. 

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK. 

Then someone said teachers and principals better not discipline our children when they misbehave. The school administrators said no faculty member in this school better touch a student when they misbehave because we don't want any bad publicity, and we surely don't want to be sued (there's a big difference between disciplining, touching, beating, smacking, humiliating, kicking, etc.). And we said OK. 

Then someone said, let's let our daughters have abortions if they want, and they won't even have to tell their parents. And we said OK. 

Then some wise school board member said, since boys will be boys and they're going to do it anyway, let's give our sons all the condoms they want so they can have all the fun they desire, and we won't have to tell their parents they got them at school. And we said OK. 

Then some of our top elected officials said it doesn't matter what we do in private as long as we do our jobs. Agreeing with them, we said it doesn't matter to me what anyone, including the President, does in private as long as I have a job and the economy is good. 

Then someone said let's print magazines with pictures of nude women and call it wholesome, down-to-earth appreciation for the beauty of the female body. And we said OK. 

And then someone else took that appreciation a step further and published pictures of nude children and then further again by making them available on the Internet. And we said OK, they're entitled to free speech. 

Then the entertainment industry said, let's make TV shows and movies that promote profanity, violence, and illicit sex. Let's record music that encourages rape, drugs, murder, suicide, and satanic themes. And we said it's just entertainment, it has no adverse effect, nobody takes it seriously anyway, so go right ahead. 

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. 

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW." 

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. 

Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. 

Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace. 

Are you laughing? 

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they WILL think of you for sending it. Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.