Board of Trustees
August Minutes

The Trustees met on August 5^th.  Those present were Jane Hannon, Mark Warner, Art Fitzwater, Don Umlauf, Dave Marr, Nancy Bogar and Mary Lu Mathis, representing the Music Comm.  The meeting opened with a prayer by Don Umlauf.  Secretary’s minutes were approved as presented.

Mary Lu came to the Trustees to discuss current budget items and to address future needs of their committee.  After some discussion on their current expenses, a motion was made and approved to utilize the money in the Music Committee Savings account to cover their expenses that come up from now and until the end of the fiscal year.  The motion also included that an annual budget be established for the Music Committee.  Motion was approved.  Other items of concern are humidifying the organ and installing railings on the altar stairs.  The Trustees thanked Mary Lu for her input.

The Financial Reports were approved as presented. 

Building and Grounds:  Stove Repair:  The Church received an estimate to repair stove; however, even after these repairs, the stove will still be lacking in many up-to-date features.  After additional discussion on the condition of the stove, a motion was made to replace the stove.  Motion was approved.  Vertical Lift:  After another meeting between the Church and Town Officials, additional changes have been made.  The lift provider will now be New England Lift, and the Town is requiring the doors of the lift comply with the look of the historic building.  Once all the costs are figured out, the Church and Town will set up a meeting with the Ward Fund.

Don Umlauf surprised many of us with his resignation from the Trustees.  He and Jan will be moving to Vermont.  With much regret we accepted his resignation and wish him well.

Dave Marr handed out his rewriting of the 1965 agreement, which the Trustees will be reviewing at our next meeting.  Next meeting is Tuesday, August 31 at 7:00^pm.

Respectively submitted,
Nancy Bogar

Diaconate

The Deacons met on Thursday August 12^th at 7:00^pm in the vestry.  Those in attendance were Stephen Chace, Penny Chace, Sue Chatwin, Kathy Fitzwater, Steve Henrikson and Lee Mailloux.  Steve C. called the meeting to order and opened with a prayer.

Deacon of the month for September is Sue Campbell.  Communion will be on September 5^th assisted by Stephen Chace, Penny Chace and Sue Chatwin. 

Ushers and Greeters for September will be;

       Usher                                             Greeter
  5   Jane Hannon & Sue Casey              Victoria Skowronek & Steve Henrikson 
12   Betty Chenausky & Bernice Martin  Art & Kathy Fitzwater 
19   Trudie Kalinen & Sue Campbell       Burt & Janet Goodrich 
26   Rick & Janet Kohlmorgen                Ernest & Marge St. Pierre

Next meeting will be Thursday September 9^th at 7:00^pm in the vestry.

Submitted by,
Steve Henrikson

Christian Education News!
August 8

Summer vacation is almost over and Sunday School will be starting in September with a "Rally Day Kick Off"!  This will be a fun first day of Sunday School, with a special Sunday Brunch put on by our children, the winners of our Children's Day "College of Knowledge" game show.  This should be an exciting day for us all, young and old alike!  Nursery will again have Colleen Keegan!  Lower Elementary Teacher will be Victoria Skowronek with Michael Piscinisco as Teacher Assistant.  Higher Elementary will be Steve and Penny Chase.  Bernice Ferwerda will teach Jr. High and High Elementary.  Sunday School Children will be getting a post-card reminder in the mail.  Christian Education hopes that all of our members had a fun-filled, wonderful summer!  We are looking forward to seeing all of you for another great year of learning and fun!!!!  Hope to see all of you, young and young at heart September 5^th for our big day!! 

Music Committee

• Since we have depleted our organ/piano repair fund, we plan to go before the board of trustees to request $1200 to get us through the rest of the year.

• We encourage people to attend a "Big Sing" led by John Bell from Scotland on October 5^th & 6^th at 7:00pm at the Union Congregational Church, 33 Concord Street, Peterborough

• We request that the sanctuary windows be closed after Sunday services due to humidity

• We are concerned about humidity regulation and wonder if something can be incorporated into the town's replacement of its heating system.

• We are creating a pro-forma budget for the coming year with the following items:
• Robes
• Organist salary
• Substitutes
• Organ maintenance/repair
• Piano maintenance/repair
• Music
• Concert seed money (to maintain our new fund)
Tony is to develop dollar figures for these line items by using history data and internet.

• Save October 24^th for organ concert given by George Bozeman.

• Next committee meeting scheduled for 6:30^pm on September 7^th at MaryLu's house.

September Worship Services

September 5 – Communion Sunday – We celebrate the Lord’s Supper and we remember those who work as our country celebrates Labor Day
Scripture Reading:Luke 14:15-24
Sermon: “The Early Bird Special”
Greeters: Victoria Skowronek and Steve Henrikson
Ushers: Jane Hannon and Sue Casey
Lay Reader: Steve Henrikson

September 12 – Rally Day – We begin our Sunday School program with the winners of last season’s “College of Biblical Knowledge” (our youth) serving breakfast to the adults, demonstrating that service to others is one of the rewards of our faith.  We will also have a dedication for our teachers and students.  Whether you are serving or being served, this promises to be a fun and spirit-filled service.
Scripture Reading: Luke 15:1-10
Sermon: “Parked in Dopey”
Greeters: Art and Kathy Fitzwater
Ushers: Betty Chenausky and Bernice Martin
Lay Reader: Anita Phillips

September 19 – We sing from our list of favorite Hymns, which includes some new praise songs as well as familiar old favorites.
Scripture Reading: Luke 16:1-13
Sermon: “Driving Ms. Dummy”
Greeters: Burt and Janet Goodrich
Ushers: Trudie Kalinen and Sue Campbell
Lay Reader: Sue Chatwin

September 26
Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15
Sermon: “Control Your Destiny”
Greeters: Ernest and Marge St. Pierre
Ushers: Rick and Janet Kohlmorgen
Lay Reader: Nancy Bogar

Computer Corner

Updates in August included the following;

• August Deaconer
• Announcements
• Men's Club Roast Beef Suppers
• Hymn Sing
• June 27, 2004 - Koinonia Award Winner
• Updates to the Week in Review (on a weekly basis).

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;windowsxpsp2

I think on the whole, the average user will be better off accepting the updates with one eye open (did something all of a sudden not work the same?).  Below is a link that outlines known conflicts.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=842242

Some corporations are hesitant to upgrade as they have special applications they want to test first (last thing they want is to have SP2 bring their business to its knees). 

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2aumng.mspx

Hopefully this information provides you with an increased awareness and not increased paranoia.  I think it is important the PC users have a heightened knowledge of their PC and its security.

Steve Henrikson – webspirit – henrikson@surfbest.net

Picture of the Month - August 22, 2004 Service

“NOT JUST FOR CHOIRS AND MUSICIANS!!!”

Come join the fun as 

John Bell

from the Iona Community in Scotland
leads us in a 

“BIG SING”

October 5^th & 6^th at 7:00pm

at Union Congregational Church, UCC
Peterborough, NH

FAQ

Who is John Bell?  Rev. John Bell is an ordained minister of the Church of Scotland and a member of the Iona Community.  After a period in the Netherlands and two posts in church youth work, he became employed full time in the areas of music and worship with the Wild Goose Resource Group.  He is a past convener of the Church of Scotland’s Panel on Worship and presently convenes the committee revising the Church Hymnary.

In 1999 he was honored by the Presbyterian Church of Canada and the Royal School of Church Music, which bestowed a Fellowship on him, and in 2002 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Glasgow.

John has produced (some in collaboration with Graham Maule) many collections of original hymns and songs and two collections of songs of the World Church. These are published by the Iona Community in Scotland and by G.I.A. Publications (Chicago) in North America. He is an occasional broadcaster, lectures in theological colleges in Britain and the U.S., but is primarily concerned with the renewal of congregational worship at the grass roots level.

What is a “Big Sing”?  It is a delightful blend of learning new songs from the World Church coupled with John’s superb sense of humor and insight into contemporary peace and justice issues.

What if I can’t read music?  Not to worry.  You won’t have to. John teaches by ear and we all sing together.  The fun is contagious.

Will both nights be alike?  Only in format.  Plan to come to both if you love to sing and long to be spiritually uplifted.

What is the fine print?  None!  Come as you are. This is an informal, no cost gift to the people of God.  We are trusting the Spirit.  No reservations needed.

Is this suitable for children?  Absolutely! Children and adults singing together becomes a gift for all ages and one that is increasingly rare in our culture.

What can I do to help?  Spread the word about the “Big Sings”. Invite your church, your neighbors and their churches. Car pool. Rent a bus. Put this information in your church newsletter and bulletin.

Where?   Union Congregational Church United Church of Christ, 
                 33 Concord Street, Peterborough, NH   603-924-3272

Marcus Borg
November 12 & 13, 2004
Union Congregational  Church
  33 Concord St. (Rt. 202) 
Peterborough, NH

All are warmly welcomed

Noted theologian, author and teacher, Marcus Borg has written many books including Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, Reading the Bible Again for the First Time and his most recent, The Heart of Christianity. “We have no better guide to the recovery of an authentic Christian faith for these difficult times than this articulate and prolific public  theologian,” says Peter J. Gomes of Harvard University.

Friday Evening, November 12

7:30-9:00^pm -“Christianity Today: A Time of Change and Conflict”

Saturday, November 13  -  With New Eyes: Seeing Christianity Again

  9:00 -10:30am -  “Seeing God and Jesus Again”
11:00 - Noon    -“Seeing Prayer, Worship and Practice Again”
  1:15 - 2:45pm  - “Seeing God’s Passion for Justice (Again?)”

Freewill donations accepted at the door.  No advanced registrations are needed unless you wish to guarantee a seat and/or order a box lunch.  If so, please provide the information below and send your donation and the cost of the lunch by November 8th to:

Union Congregational Church (Borg Event)
33 Concord Street 
Peterborough, NH 03452 

MISSIONWORKS! TOO!

A Global Event for Everyone 
Sponsored by Global Ministries
Share in workshops, panels, chats, keynote speech, 
networking, resources, worship and more!

DISCOVER! WITNESS! EMBRACE GOD’S WORLD!
OCTOBER 14-16, 2004, CLEVELAND, OHIO
For information and registration
Contact 1-866-822-8224, ext. 3204 or wcm@ucc.org
Program, meals, lodging - $199

NOTE: The Commission for Congregational Life is offering up to five scholarships of $100 each for persons attending “Missionworks! Too!” Individuals wishing to apply should write to Rev. Henry Beairsto at the NH Conference, 140 Sheep Davis Road, Pembroke, NH 03275. Apply by: September 24^th.

Prepared To Serve XI
An Annual Training Event

Saturday, February, 2005 
(exact date to be determined)
8:30^am – 3:30^pm

"Prepared to Serve" is designed for all persons – ordained and lay – who share leadership in the congregations and associations of the NH Conference of the United Church of Christ.  “Prepared 
to Serve” will again  be held at Merrimack Valley High School in Penacook, NH.  The schedule for the day includes:

Interactive and meaningful WORSHIP services.

40 different WORKSHOPS on a variety of topics including Christian education, diaconate responsibilities, stewardship, finances, youth ministry, outdoor ministries, worship resources, music, liturgical dance, committee leadership, and MORE!

EXHIBITS sponsored by NH Conference, UCC Commissions, committees, 
task forces, and working groups.

Monadnock Community Hospital Care Comes First

Our experienced facilitator, Jennifer Lee, will provide topics and reading materials (such as stories and poems) to guide our talks.  The conversations bring a diverse group of thinkers together in a friendly, voluntary effort to gain insight into the human aspects of health care.  The series will take place at the Monadnock Community Hospital, in room 3, on the evenings of the following dates from 5:30 to 7:30^pm.  A light supper will be provided.  There is no charge for participation but members are asked to commit to all four sessions.
 

If you would enjoy gathering to read and talk about health care questions and issues through the humanities, and your can commit to all of the above dates, please register by September 10.  Though all are welcome, space is limited, so contact Janet Brown at Janet.Brown@mch.crhc.org or 924-4699, ext. 1147 to register today.