Present:  Chairman Don Umlauf, Janet Umlauf, Doug Popp, Steve Henrikson, Jane Hannon, Janet Kohlmorgen, Phyllis Ames, Janet Goodrich, Flossie Hastings, Pastor Jim Melhorn, Tony D’Ambrosio

Reports: The August council minutes were read and accepted with one correction.  Renovations to the parsonage are nearly done.

Collector:  Accepted as presented. 
Treasurer:  Accepted as presented. 

Pastor’s Report: See written report.  Jim is working on identifying an adult education / activity that would appeal to a wide number of people. 

Buildings and Grounds: No written report. Don Umlauf updated the council on the condition of the chairlift.  It is totally unusable and must be completely replaced.  Buildings and Grounds Committee is in the process of obtaining quotes for a new one in time for the next council meeting.  The trustees will make recommendations for funding the project.

By-laws:  Pastor Jim reported that they are drafting the changes proposed by the Trustees for the collector’s position.

Christian Education: See written report.  Pastor Jim’s name was added to the committee established to explore in more detail the position of Christian Education Director. They will also seek a representative from the trustees.

Deacons: See written report. Janet Kohlmorgen informed the council that there has been an steady, ongoing loss of items from the kitchen.  Items are replaced only to disappear again.  Security will be discussed with Buildings and Grounds.  It was questioned whether there is a need to increase the fee for kitchen usage to cover the replacement costs.  Should there be a two-tiered fee structure?  Buildings and Grounds will be asked for recommendations.

Long Range Planning: Jim will contact members and set a date for their next meeting.

Membership:  See written report. The committee continues to gather names of new residents from realtors.  Several welcome baskets have been distributed and some of the recipients have attended worship with us.  Anyone aware of a new resident in town is asked to contact a committee member so they can also receive a welcome basket from our church community.  A new member's class will begin in October.

Missions:  See written report.  The committee is planning a potluck supper, date to be announced shortly.

Music:  See written report.  All who are interested are invited to attend the Wed. evening and Sunday morning choir practices.   Tony informed the council of a recent piano repair and the upcoming need for the instrument to be tuned.

The above committee reports were accepted as presented.

LVA/EC: Jane reported that fair preparations continue.

Men’s Club: Doug will contact the members of the men’s club to help with the turkey dinner. The next men’s breakfast will be October 5 when those who received camp scholarships share their experiences.

Old Business:

1. Talent Auction: Janet Kohlmorgen will chair the event.  Jane Hannon, Steve Henrikson, and Tony D’Ambrosio have offered to assist. Others wishing to offer assistance should contact Janet as soon as possible.
2. Turkey Supper: To be held on October 25.  Jennifer Skelton, Sue Chatwin, and Robin Crowe are co-chairing the event.

1. The Snowflake Fair: To be held November 29.  Phyllis will confirm the date with the town calendar.
2. Church secretary: Dee has requested that all committees have written reports to her by the 19th of each month.  They can be e-mailed to her at hannon@surfbest.net.  Committees are also reminded to have copies of their minutes available for council meetings on the 3rd Thursday. 
3. Stewardship:  There is a serious need for a coordinator as we approach the budget planning stage.  Don and Jane will speak with the trustees. 
4. A Praise and Hymn Sing will be held on September 28 from 6:30-7:30^pm.  All are invited to participate.
5. The council approved a business card sized advertisement for our church be included in the police fundraising activity.

Repectfully submitted,
Janet Goodrich, Clerk

A Pastoral Letter

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.  But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed?  And how are they to believe in one in whom they have never heard?  And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?  And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent?  As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”  Romans 10:13-15  NRSV

     I am now into my third year as pastor of this church, and I must confess to you that I love you more and more each day that God gives us together.  You have given me more than I could ever hope to give to you, and for that I am exceedingly grateful.  The spark and spirit I first saw in you continues to grow, and I hope that I have had some small part in nurturing that flame.

     In our time together, I have grown to appreciate your strengths, which are many.  You are a living example of how people with differences can be united in their love of and service to Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.  You are an oasis of welcome and fellowship in a world that is too often characterized by ‘every man (sic) for himself’.  This is a small town church with the heart of a cathedral, always looking to reach out and invite others into fellowship. 

     I am also learning to challenge you to address areas in which God seems to be calling for growth and development.  For me this is particularly exciting, not because of any specific results that we may have achieved, although that has certainly been the case.  I enjoy meeting the challenges God has laid before us because of your willingness to address them.  Only jokingly have the words ‘but we’ve always done it that way’ been said to me.  As a church, you have been open to new ideas, new programs, indeed you seem to be ‘for’ anything that contributes to building up of the church and the further proclamation of the gospel.

     We are a busy church full of busy people who work hard in life and in the church.  While this allows us to do much more than might be expected from a church of our size, it can also make us a bit tired.  When we are tired, things can begin to fall through the cracks.  Perhaps some of you were aware that we did not produce a newsletter in the month of September.  This was not because of a lack of activity within the church, but because we were not intentional about getting out the message of the things we have been planning.  At ‘press time’, there was only one or two submissions to the Deaconer in addition to the monthly worship schedule.

     Proclaiming who we are, what we do, and what we hope to accomplish are essential to our life together.  For many people, our newsletter is a vital and essential tie that binds them to the life of the church.  The form and content of our newsletter says much about us, perhaps even as much as the form and content of our Sunday worship.  To paraphrase Paul in the above excerpt from his letter to the church in Rome, “How are people going to know about us unless we tell them who we are?  How can they participate in our life unless they know what’s going on?  How can they know we seek Christ’s presence and long to share the gospel if we don’t communicate that with one another?

     So many good things are happening at our church: worship, fellowship, mission, spirituality, fun, community, prayer, healing, and so much more.  It is good to be busy, but let’s not get so busy that we forget to stop and proclaim the good news that the Spirit of Christ is alive and moving in our church.  I urge you, brothers and sisters, to take some time and write down the exciting things that are happening here.  Show us that your committee does more than just hold a meeting once a month.  Tell us the exciting news, your dreams and plans for the future.  Let us know what happened, in case we weren’t there to see it first hand.  Let us celebrate the joys of our lives and comfort one another in sadness.  If you have something to tell, write it down.  Just a few sentences or a short paragraph will do.  Send an email to our Secretary, Dee Hannon, drop something in the mail, or slip it into her mailbox at church.  What a simple way to share the good news!

     The old hymn declares, “Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.”  Let’s all work together to make our newsletter reflect the blessings, the Spirit, the joy, and the power we experience ‘whenever two or three gather’ in Jesus’ name.

                                     Happy Birthday
          October 3 - Barbara Wells     October 18 - Susan Casey
          October 4 - Sandy Pyer        October 19 - Judy Unger Clark
          October 8 - Owen Chace        October 21 - Shane O’Day
          October 9 - Chris Pyer

Diaconate

The Deacons met on September 11, 2003 at 7:00^pm in the Vestry. 

Deacon of the month for October is Trudie Kalinen.  Communion will be on October 5^th assisted by Janet Kohlmorgen, Lee Mailloux and Penny Chace. 

A sanctuary cleaning date has tentatively been set for October 19^th (Sunday afternoon).  We will be inviting church members to a potluck luncheon followed by a cleaning session.  So as to facilitate having members dressed for cleaning, we will encourage a dress down Sunday service.  A sign-up sheet will be made available.  Stay tuned for more details as the date approaches – many hands make light work!

Next meeting will be October 9^th at 7:00^pm in the vestry

Submitted by,
Steve Henrikson

Mission Ministries Team
September 14, 2003

Heifer Project offering in conjunction with the Sunday school totaled $190.00. Animals purchased were: goat $120.00, bees $30.00, chicks $20.00, ducks/geese $20.00.

Habitat For Humanity special offering this month (to be used for the Monadnock region) totaled $134.00.

Many items of correspondence were discussed & several new letters will be posted on the bulletin board. Church members are encouraged to read them. A very touching letter was received from Josue St. Louis (the boy in Haiti that the church supports).

A potluck soup supper is being planned for sometime in October.  Marty is going to check with the chef at the Keene Community Kitchen to see if he can come & speak to us about his interesting endeavors there.

Next meeting to be held on October 12^th after church.

Respectfully submitted,
Penny Chace

Christian Education Committee
September 14, 2003

Present:  Victoria Skowronek, Jennifer Skelton, Bernice Ferwerda, Phyllis Ames, Doug Popp, and Robin Crowe.  Opening prayer by Bernice Ferwerda.

VBS:  Doug reports the VBS Program at Toah Nipi was well planned, well attended and all had a great time.

Adult Education: Monday morning Bible Studies have resumed with a study of Revelations.

Council:  It was requested we create a committee to study the possibility of hiring a part-time Christian Ed Director for Church School and Youth Groups.  Bernice Ferwerda and Cindy Melhorn will represent Christian Ed, Robin will represent Deacons and one member from Trustees will be needed to round out a committee.

Youth Group: The Youth Group had a camp-out at Ferwerda's with 8 attending and 4 staying overnight. 

Post Confirmation youths will meet once a month at the Melhorn's in the evening.

Nursery:  Next Sunday there will be care for the younger children.  Three teens are available for now.  Vicky Skowronek has donated some nursery toys.  Cindy Melhorn will continue as advisor to this group.

Church School: Four teachers are available.  Family-Fun Day has been postponed.

Christmas Program: Cindy Melhorn is working on a program to be organized in October. 

Other:  Also in October we will study our budget as to our needs.  Bernice Ferwerda will stay on Christian Ed, but not as Chairperson.  There is a definite need for a Youth Group Leader. 

Meeting closed with prayer by Cindy Melhorn at 12:10^pm. 

Next meeting - Sunday, October 5^th after church

Respectfully submitted,
Phyllis Ames

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee met on September 3, 2003 at 7:00^pm in the vestry.

6 Welcome Baskets were prepared and distributed.  These baskets are well appreciated by the families who receive them.  If you know of a new family in town, please be sure to let a member of the committee or Rev. Melhorn know so that we can arrange delivery of a Welcome Basket.

Looks like October will be slated for New Member classes.  Anyone interested in joining the church or even interested in learning more about the church, please contact a member of the committee or Rev. Melhorn.

Next Membership Committee meeting will be Thursday, October 2, 2003 at 7:00^pm in the Vestry.  We will be moving back to the first Thursday of the month for meeting dates.

Submitted by,
Steve Henrikson

Music Committee
September 18, 2003

No meeting was held; these notes reflect conversations with the Chair and the Music Director:

1. Chair (Martha Thomas) reports:

• Choir robes have all been dry cleaned and pressed.
• Choir practice has started up and the choir will be singing in service beginning Sept. 21.
• A committee meeting will be held shortly to review music program and get things back in “post-summer” gear.

2. Music Director (Robert Popple) reports:

• Some maintenance had to be done on the piano due to extremely damp weather (the G-key below middle C would not play … and it’s a critical note).  He had Knud Keller come in for this.
• The piano will need to be tuned very soon.
• Although he’s gotten most of what is needed, Rob will be buying some additional music, and also a supply of some 15 of the black choir music folders as the ones he sees are looking rather shoddy.  He’ll be reviewing this with Martha before proceeding.

October Worship Services

October 5 – World Communion Sunday – We celebrate the Lord’s Supper with Christian sisters and brothers all over the world and accept our Neighbors in Need Special Mission Offering.
Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 17:8-16
Sermon:  “Nation Building”
Greeters: Janet and Rick Kohlmorgen 
Ushers: Burt and Janet Goodrich
Lay Reader: Lou Thomas
Acolyte: Emily Thomas

October 12 – Our regular prayer time will include an opportunity to come forward and receive anointing with oil and prayers for healing.
Scripture Reading: Psalm 90, Hebrews 4:12-16
Sermon:  “The Man Behind the Curtain”
Greeters: Penny and Paul Chace
Ushers: Jane Hannon and Susan Casey
Lay Reader: Betty Chenausky
Acolyte: Kyle Sewell

October 19 – Dress Down Sunday – After our morning worship, the Deacons are sponsoring a potluck lunch as they invite everyone to participate in a much-needed cleaning and spruce-up of the Sanctuary.  Wear your work clothes, enjoy some fellowship and good food, and lend a hand as we add some sparkle to our worship setting!
Scripture Reading: Mark 10:35-45
Sermon:  “Dressing Down”
Greeters: Mark and Wendy Warner
Ushers: Lois May and Susan Campbell
Lay Reader: Phyllis Groezinger
Acolyte: Vanessa L'Hereux

October 26 – Reformation Sunday – We acknowledge the founders of our Protestant faith as we worship Jesus Christ, “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith”.   Worship will include ‘Hymns of Choice”, so bring your suggestions for both old and new favorites.
Scripture Readings: Mark 11:15-19, Ephesians 2:4-10
Sermon:  “Reformed and reforming”
Greeters: Ernest and Marge St. Pierre
Ushers: Alice and Frens Zwart
Lay Reader: Trudi Kalinen
Acolyte: Micaela Crowe

Picture of the Month - Ferwerda 50^th Anniversary

Ferwerda 50th Anniversary On Sunday, August 24th, folks were invited to the home of Bernice and Marty Ferwerda to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.  It was a beautiful day on Emerson Pond. We were treated to Bernice wearing her wedding gown – it still fits!! Gifts were specifically not requested, however, you can make a donation as follows; Mississippi Christian Family Services 806 Pine Street, PO Box 487 Rolling Fork, MS  39159

Computer Corner

August and September continued to be busy months for the webspirit and therefore had an impact on site updates.

• August Deaconer
• September Deaconer
• October Calendar
• Hymn Sing Announcement
• Updates to the Week in Review (on a weekly basis).

If you are the Chair and/or Secretary of a committee or group, please make me aware of your schedules so that I accurately have them reflected in the church calendar.  If you have an activity coming up let me know so I can post it in the Announcements page.  And lastly, if you could take pictures at your functions and provide some commentary that would be great!  As much as I’d like to think I could attend every event and every meeting, it’s not possible – not with two jobs.  However, if we all work together, we can make the site even more than it is today.  In fact, beyond the day-to-day stuff, if you have an idea for the site, please let me know.  I have ideas on the drawing board but I’m open to new ones as well.

Also, please insure you send information in a timely manner to the Church Secretary as well.  You’ll note that there was no Deaconer in September as were no reports sent

Steve Henrikson – webspirit – henrikson@surfbest.net

Crop Walk
October 25, 2003

Sponsored by Church World Service and local area churches, this event raises funds for hunger relief in over 80 countries worldwide.  Twenty five percent of the money raised stays right here in the Monadnock region and is distributed to local food pantries.  Alice Zwart is the coordinator from our church, which along with the United Church of Jaffrey were co-founders of the Monadnock area CROP walk 26 years ago.  Please consider walking or supporting a walker as we work to end hunger in our own neighborhood and around the world.

Turkey Dinner

Our Annual Turkey Dinner will be held on October 25^th at 6:00^pm.  We have only 3 seats available at this time.  If you would like a reservation call Trudie at 899-6823.  Also, if you have a reservation, but find you can not attend, please call Trudie for a cancellation, as she will have a waiting list.  We will need many people to help with this dinner - please sign up to help in the kitchen or wait on tables.

Damascas Road 
November 22, 2003

This contemporary Christian praise band will join us for an evening of fellowship and spirited worship.  Formed several years ago at the Ashburnham Community Church, UCC, Damascas Road leads the 8:30^am contemporary worship service, and travels to other churches, sharing their musical talents and their love of the gospel.  Recently, Damascas Road served as the ‘house band’ for our Vacation Bible School, held jointly with The Ashburnham church at Toah Nipi.  After a pot luck supper and fellowship, the band will lead us in worship much as they do each Sunday morning.  If you are a fan of Contemporary Christian music or just curious how electric guitars and drums might sound in our Sanctuary, plan to attend and see hoe God is ‘doing something new’.

Talent Auction