Present:  Acting Chairman Doug Popp, Flossie Hastings, Phyllis Ames, Jim Melhorn, Steve Henrikson, Janet Goodrich, Alice Zwart, Jane Hannon, Mark Warner, Janet Kohlmorgen

Pastor Jim opened the meeting with prayer.

The September council minutes were accepted as presented.

Treasurer:  Report accepted as presented by Jane Hannon.
Collector:  Report accepted as presented by Mark Warner. 

Buildings and Grounds:  See Trustees Report.

By-laws:  Pastor Jim presented a draft of the revised constitution and by-laws.   Each committee is asked to read and study the portions that affect them and give the by-law committee the feedback.  The council commends the committee for the excellent work they have done in preparing this document, remaining true to our historical roots and yet contemporary.   We will discuss the document in greater detail at the November council meeting. 

Christian Education: See written report.  Phyllis Ames reported the committee has order two new books for the library to add to the 283 books we already have: The Purpose Driven Life and the children’s book, Hannah’s Suitcase. 

Deacons: See written report.  Pastor Jim requested the name of the Deacon of the Month be included in the weekly bulletin.  Steve Henrikson commented on the Deacons’ concern about non-member weddings. It is important for all to remember the sanctuary is a place of worship, not a ‘hall to rent out’.

Historian: no report

Long Range Planning: Pastor Jim reported the committee is currently working out a common meeting time.

Membership:  See written report.  New Members classes will be held during October and November.  November 23 will be New Members Sunday.  The budget preparations have been completed.

Missions Ministry: No written report; budget preparations are well underway.

Music:  See written report.  Significant progress has been made in locating a youth choir director. 

Nominating: No report.

Pastoral Relations: No report

Stewardship: See trustees

Trustees:  Mark Warner updated the council on the options for replacing the defunct chairlift.  The trustees anticipate making a recommendation at the next council meeting after they have had an opportunity to review one additional proposal expected shortly. 

Mark Warner will be in communication with the town administrator relative to the project.  Many thank yous to Franz and Alice Zwart for assuming the role of assistant collectors! 

Committee budget packets will be available Sunday from Mark Warner.  Completed requests are due November 6, will be reviewed by the Trustees on November 13, and presented to the council in November. 

The trustees have completed the draft letter for the stewardship drive.

The final insurance check for ice damage to the parsonage has been received.  The majority of the repair work has been completed. 

The trustees report that with three fourths of the year complete, we have expended 64% of the budget, and have received 78% of expected income.

LVA/EC: Flossie Hastings reports work on the Snowflake Fair is nearly complete.   Workers are needed for the day of the fair [the Saturday after Thanksgiving].  Any volunteers should speak to Flossie ASAP.

Men’s Club: The recent men’s breakfast celebrating the successful summer campership program was well attended.  The men will be assisting with the October Turkey Dinner. 

Doug closed the meeting with prayer at 9:00^pm. 

Next closing prayer: Janet Goodrich.

Repectfully submitted,
Janet Goodrich, Clerk

                                     Happy Birthday
          November  1 - Bernice Martin     November 20 - Donna Docekal
          November  8 - Doug Kabat         November 26 - Colin Bolduc
          November 13 - Craig Clark

Diaconate

The Deacons met on October 9, 2003 at 7:00^pm in the Vestry.

Deacon of the month for November is Janet Kohlmorgen.  Communion will be on November 2^nd assisted by Lee Mailloux, Penny Chace and Stephen Chace. 

October 26^th will be hymns of choice, November 2^nd is All Saint’s Day, November 23^rd is Thanksgiving Sunday and November 30^th is the first Sunday of Advent.  Jim will be away on December 28^th and January 4^th.  The Deacons will lead a service of Carols on December 28^th and a lay led service on January 4^th.  Communion will be on January 11^th.

Next meeting will be November 13^th at 7:00^pm in the vestry.

Submitted by,
Steve Henrikson

Mission Ministries Team
October 12, 2003

1. Correspondence items received were discussed, which included:  Straight Ahead Ministries, Global Ministries, Campus Crusade, Pregnancy Resource Center.
2. Potluck Soup Supper coming up on Friday November 7, at 6:30 pm, with Jim Shuel executive chef from the Keene Community Kitchen.  ALL are invited & encouraged to attend.
3. Total of various special collections taken throughout the year, total to date is $974.00.
4. Budget figures for the year.  Various ministries were discussed & dollar amounts decided on for each.
5. Marty desires a new Council Rep. for next year.  Penny is finishing the year (& her term) this year & will not continue next year.  New members for the Mission Ministries Team are needed, anyone knowing of interested parties please contact Marty Ferwerda.

Respectfully submitted,
Penny Chace

Christian Education Committee
October 5, 2003

Present:  Bernice Ferwerda, Doug Popp, Rev. Jim Melhorn, Victoria Skowronek, Cindy Melhorn, Phyllis Ames.  Opening Prayer by Bernice Ferwerda.

Adult Education: Bible study groups going well with a study of Revelations.

Youth Group: The Post-Confirmation group met recently at the parsonage for discussions led by Cindy and refreshments.  A book entitled "The Purpose-Driven Life: has been recommended for this age group and will be purchased for them.  The Ferwerda's have invited the Youth Group to come to their hose for fellowship and fun.  Date to be announced.  Rev. Jim Melhorn is planning events for middle school-aged youth, such as a trip to the Heifer Project Farm in Rutland, MA.

Nursery: Childcare schedule is filled through December.  A suggestion was made to give our Nursery caregivers a monthly stipend instead of weekly.

Library: Too Few people are availing themselves the pleasure of taking books from the cart.  There are 283 books and 50 videos available.  When space is found the cart will be moved to a better spot.  More books are being ordered for Church School use.

A committee to investigate hiring a Youth Minister has been formed.  Bernice and Cindy will represent Christian Ed., Robin Crowe for Deacons, Burt Goodrich for Trustees, and Rev. Jim Melhorn will also participate.  Our budget can pay for more curriculums if needed but at the moment only 1^st and 2^nd grade need additional material.  Cindy Melhorn suggested we give our Third graders their Bibles earlier in the year- perhaps Rally Day.  Also more study Bibles are needed for 4^th through 8^th grade.  Rev. Jim will take care of this purchase. 

Budget for Christian Ed, will be worked on at our next meeting on November 9^th.

Rev. Jim closed the meeting with prayer.

Respectfully submitted,
Phyllis Ames

Membership Committee

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

We continued to discuss the Welcome Baskets.  We have distributed 10 baskets so far.  Doug will contact the local newspapers to see if they could donate a few old issues that we could include in the basket.  Steve will write an article for the Rindge Reporter - will also send a copy to the Conference for their newsletter.  Lois will continue to work with other realtors to see if they can identify other new families in town.

New member classes are set for Sunday October 26^th, November 2^nd and 9^th following the service.  November 23^rd is set for New Member Sunday.  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.

The next meeting will be Thursday, November 6, 2003 at 7:00^pm in the Vestry. 

Submitted by,
Steve Henrikson

Music Committee
September 18, 2003

Meeting held at Martha Thomas’ House.

Present:  Robert Popple, Martha Thomas, Jim Melhorn, Tony D’Ambrosio
Absent: Jeanne Norwood

We opened with a prayer.

1. Robert asked what music needs will be for the Thanksgiving Eve. Joint service.  Pastor will check into it and let us know.
2. Pastor requested that we get all music information (name, author, arranger, etc.) into the Sunday bulletin.  Information is needed by Thursday (or later, possibly) to make it into the bulletin.  OK
3. Re. introits.  Pastor requests we keep them short, unless special reason.  Avoid multiple verses, too.  Perhaps just refrain/verse/refrain where this can be done.  OK
4. Pastor expressed appreciation of the choir music and musical selections.  Made some technical suggestions, which were agreed upon.
5. Robert passed along request from Dick Boutwell for use of the organ and sanctuary on the morning of Nov. 15 for the American Guild of Organists to use in a training-type workshop event (the PM part of the program will be in another church).  Agreed that if date is clear, Rob is free to reserve it for that purpose.  Robert will also be at the event since it will be helpful to him.
6. Martha suggested we record the music every week so Robert can review and learn how it sounds from the congregation.  The sound system is not OK for this purpose because the recording microphones are not positioned properly.  Tony volunteered to help with the recordings and will ask his wife to mind a small recorder he will take with him to church service.
7. Robert expressed concern about the Youth Choir not being in operation as yet.  Martha will see how the last year’s team is set to work on this.  It was suggested that a call be made to the congregation for volunteers to help.
8. Re. tuning piano and organ, Martha suggested the best timing would be March, before Easter, and November before Thanksgiving and the Holiday Season.  Rob agreed this would be OK, and he will put this into effect.
9. Robert is looking into the cost of purchasing a piece of hardware, called a “Keeper” for the foot pedals on the organ.  The function of this is to prevent disengagement of the linkage from the pipes which is an ever-present danger in the absence of such a device.  The problem does occur from time to time, and each time it does it poses a risk to the pipes themselves which can be damaged by the disengagement.  Robert will present the cost to the committee before proceeding.

Respectfully submitted, 
Tony D’Ambrosio

November Worship Services

November 2 – All Saints Sunday – We remember the saints of our church who have entered into God’s rest over this past year as we celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion.
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 25:6-9, Revelation 22: 1-5
Sermon:  “Fatty Foods”
Greeters: Dale and Sandy Pyer 
Ushers: Marty Ferwerda and Don Umlauf
Lay Reader: Kathy Fitzwater
Acolyte: Blake Skelton

November 9 – Stewardship Sunday – Our theme celebrates God’s goodness and celebrates the commitment and support provided by the members and friends of the church.
Scripture Reading: Ruth 1:1-18
Sermon:  “Up the creek without a paddle”
Greeters: Victoria Skowronek and Don Umlauf
Ushers: David and Marie Marr
Lay Reader: Craig Clark
Acolyte: Melissa Melhorn

November 16 – The Joyful Noise Bell Choir will play
Scripture Reading: Mark 13:1-8, 1 Peter 2:1-5
Sermon:  “My, what big stones you have!”
Greeters: Jean Benson and Peg Brummer
Ushers: Rick and Janet Kohlmorgen
Lay Reader: Elaine Pratt
Acolyte: Richard Keegan

November 23 – The last Sunday in the Pentecost season is known traditionally as “Christ the King” Sunday.  Our own church tradition marks this day as “Thanksgiving Sunday”.  We will celebrate the Lordship of Christ surrounded by beautiful decorations reminding us of God’s bounty and the beauty of the earth.
Scripture Readings: Psalm 103, Matthew 7:13-20
Sermon:  “And they’ll know we are Christians by our apples”
Greeters: Mary-Jane Sawyer and Kerry Yachesyn
Ushers: Phyllis and Harry Groezinger
Lay Reader: Emily Melhorn
Acolyte: Zach Cormier

November 30 – The first Sunday of Advent is the beginning of the church year, and the start of the period of prayer and contemplation leading up to the birth of Christ.  The Advent season is traditionally full of music and  beauty.  Each Sunday, we will light a candle on our Advent wreath as we await the King’s coming
Scripture Readings: Luke 21:25-36
Sermon:  “At the end of the world, please stand up”
Greeters: Ernest and Marge St. Pierre
Ushers: Betty Chenausky and Bernice Martin
Lay Reader: Arthur Fitzwater
Acolyte: Paul Chace

Computer Corner

The web site continues with updates.

• October Deaconer
• Announcements

o Crop Walk
o Turkey Dinner
o Damascus Road
o Talent Auction
• Hymn Sing Article
• Horton Center Article
• Updates to the Week in Review (on a weekly basis).

The other area is Windows Updates.  Unfortunately, Windows is not a perfect operating system and it is constantly be tested by unscrupulous hackers for holes.  Microsoft continuously sends out notifications that updates are available.  Please take the time to download and install these patches.

Installation of a firewall is also a good idea.

Failure to perform these steps puts your computer at risk.  Only you can protect your computer.  I’ve seen too many systems with severe problems to simply ignore the risk – and these folks did not protect themselves.

Thank you,

Steve Henrikson – webspirit – henrikson@surfbest.net

Mission Ministries Team Soup, Bread and Dessert Supper

• Friday, November 7^th at 6:30^pm
• Rindge Congregational Church-Town Meeting Room
• To Promote Awareness
• Boisterous Singing, Super Supper, Superb Fellowship
• Speaker: Jim Shuel, Executive Chef for the community kitchen in Keene, NH
• A freewill offering will be taken for the community kitchen.

Snowflake Fair

SATURDAY
NOVEMBER 29^th
9:00^am to 2:00^pm

Come and get into the Christmas Mode

Wreaths -- Decorations -- Vintage Linens -- Baked Goods -- Silent Auction
Lunch -- Cookbooks -- Rada Knives -- Quilt Raffle
Children's Room  --  SANTA

Help Wanted

Sign -up sheets will be available after church.

The EC / LVA needs help from every women to make our Snowflake Fair a success -- you don't have to be a member of the EC/LVA to contribute.

Bakers -- We are in need of the following -- pies, cookies, cakes, breads, fudge, other goodies.

Wreath Makers -- we will be making wreaths at the CATHEDRAL OF THE PINES on several mornings, beginning on October 31^st  (the other dates in November will probably be on either a Friday or Saturday).  We will begin at 9:00^am and should finish by noon.  You don't need any talent and we have many different jobs -- just dress warm and wear old clothing -- AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE FUN.  EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

Table Workers -- we need people to work at our various tables.  You don't have to be there for the entire time, but we always need people to relieve others. 

Shoppers -- hopefully everyone will come to the fair and begin their Christmas shopping.
 

Hat & Mitten Tree

Once again it is that time of year when we will be needing to get the cold weather gear out!!  I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their generous donations to the Hat & Mitten Tree last year.  The response was tremendous and I know the recipients were very thankful for the items!!
Once again we will be having the tree this year and I would like to ask that when you are out shopping that you consider purchasing a pair of mittens, a hat or whatever warm item you would like to donate.  Also, those that knit or crochet can get their needles out and make a handmade item, these are always appreciated as well!!! 

Thank you in advance.

Penny Chace
Mission Ministries

Damascas Road 
November 8, 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. 

We will meet for a pot luck supper at 5:30^pm in the Town Hall room of the church.  We will then move up to the sanctuary and begin our contemporary worship at 6:30.  The worship service should last about 45 minutes.

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’.

Thanksgiving Eve Service

Unfortunately, there will not be an ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve service in the same fashion as we have experienced it in years past.  However, we will still conduct a service at 7:00^pm, here at our church for all who are interested.  This brief service of prayer will include singing of old and new songs, scripture, the reading of the traditional proclamation, and a time for prayers of thanksgiving.  Let’s come together and give thanks to the God who provides all that we are and all that we need!

Attention Middle Schoolers

All Middle School students (grades 6-8) are invited for a pizza and game night on November 23^rd at 6:00^pm at the Parsonage.  In addition to hanging out, eating, and getting to know one another, we’ll plan some activities for the coming year and begin to think about the confirmation process.  Bring yourself, bring a friend, and be ready to have fun!

Congratulations to Philip Casey

Our own Philip Casey was recently honored for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout at a Court of Honor held in the church Sunday, October 26.  Phillip is a member of Boy Scout Troop 308.  His Eagle project was to map, measure, and place identification signs along the 10 mile Rail Trail from Winchendon MA, through Rindge to the Jaffrey town line.  These signs provide a safety feature that allows users to know where they are in relation to crossing roadways.  Phil joined Cub Scout Pack 308 as a Tiger Cub in 1991, and this Eagle Award represents Boy Scouting’s highest level of achievement.  Phil is currently a Senior at Conant High School

If you see Phil, please congratulate him on this significant achievement, or send him a card of congratulations to:

Philip Casey
960 Route 119
Rindge, NH 03461

New Hampshire Conference Newsletter

The December issue of the NH UC News will be "in process" in a month. 

We would like to have churches submit items that would help celebrate the season of Advent and Christmas. You might have some photos from last year that could be submitted - along with a short article explaining what will happen this year - traditional or special events. Be creative - nothing is too ordinary, this is about your church family. 

Suggestions: 

• individuals/youth/children helping in the community... 
• handbell/choir concernts - rehearsals too - focus on the anticipation of the event 
• "giving" trees 
• church school programs/projects 
• special gift projects for outreach 

Mail to Sandy Bradley - 230 harmony Rd, Northwood NH 03261 sbradley@metrocast.net 
or to me at the conference office.
 

This and That - Signs in front of churches

• God answers Knee Mail.
• To belittle is to be little.
• Soul food served here.
• A clear conscience makes a soft pillow.
• Under same management for over 2,000 years.