No minutes were available from the last Council Meeting.

Treasurer's Report: We are in good shape.  The new stove has been paid for by using the Racicot Kitchen Fund and the remainder from our Capital Account.

Budgets:  All committees should be thinking about budgets.  If a print out of expenses is needed, please request this from Jane Hannon.  Budgets should be ready before the end of October.

Pastor's Report:

• A Conference will be held by the UCC and NE Pastors on "Safety & Procedures for Churches" (financial, management, insurance, and dealing with children, young people and people in general).  The Conference will be on October 23^rd (8:30^am to 4:00^pm) in Concord.  The cost is $300 per church (5 people).  We should try to get 1 member from each committee to go.
• Laity Meeting at Star Island for the 2005 year -- a weekend retreat
• Confirmation Class will be held for 9^th graders and up.
• Neighborhood Meetings -- Informal agenda, think about stewardship, get to know people.  Perhaps in January or February -- Sunday afternoons -- 10 to 15 people per house -- different schedules.  Details later.
• September 18^th -- Youth Orientated Event, Rindge Common, Worship time 6:00 to 900^pm, Praise Groups will be there.

Trustees:

• The Audit cost may well exceed the projected $1500 cost.  This should be done just after the first of the year.
• Pledge cards and letter will go out soon.  Jim will have a special sermon (or 2).
• Elevator Lift: is still in the works and some progress has been made.
• 1965 Agreement -- 2 proposals have been proposed.

• Parents have been interviewed for ideas and opinions.
• A detailed job description and compensation need to be considered.  This would be a year-round position, if possible.
• If approved by the Council and the Congregation at the Annual Meeting, this could be implemented by next year -- still needs to be funded.
• Bernice has compiled a list of all children, youth, and babies.
• The Trustees are aware of Christian Ed's wishes to fund this position.
• A proposal was made: to establish and fund  "The position of Director of Children and Youth Program."  The Council voted in the affirmative.

• Baskets for newcomers. 
• Discussed the Director of Youth and Children. 
• Will continue the "12 Keys Program. 
• A Proposal made to expand from 3 to 5 members to accommodate their increased activity -- will be approved at the next Council Meeting.
• May do another Church Directory next year

Music:  Workshop for small Choirs on November 6^th in Pembroke.  Adult Choir has started.

Nominating Committee: Have been busy calling to fill any open positions.  Will contact all new members to see if they wish to take on any position.

Public Relations: We already have reservations for the Turkey Dinner in October.

EC / LVA: Busy working on the Fair

Men's Club: Finished with Roast Beef Suppers and have made our pledge to the church.

New Business: 

Turkey Dinner -- October 23^rd.

Next Meeting: October 21, 2004

                                     Happy Birthday
          October 3 - Barbara Wells       October 9  - Chris Pyer
          October 4 - Sandy Pyer          October 13 - Tyler Wunschel
          October 5 - Victoria L'Heureux  October 18 - Susan Casey
          October 5 - Lee Mailloux        October 19 - Judy Unger Clark
          October 8 - Owen Chace          October 21 - Shane O’Day

Diaconate

The Deacons met on Thursday September 9^th at 7:00^pm in the vestry.  Those in attendance were Sue Campbell, Penny Chace, Stephen Chace, Sue Chatwin, Kathy Fitzwater, Steve Henrikson, Trudie Kalinen and Rev. Jim Melhorn.  Steve C. called the meeting to order and Jim opened with a prayer.

Deacon of the month for October is Penny Chace.  Communion will be on October 3^rd assisted by Stephen Chace, Sue Chatwin and Kathy Fitzwater.

Ushers and Greeters for October will be;

       Usher                                            Greeter
  3   Norm & Lois May                          Kerry Yaceshyn & Sue Chatwin 
10   Lee Mailloux & Steve Henrikson     Phyllis & Harry Groezinger 
17   Michelle & Ethan Perry                   Betty Chenausky & Bernice Martin 
24   Marty Ferwerda & Don Umlauf      Larry & Joyce Kabat 
31   Frens & Alice Zwart                       Ernest & Marge St. Pierre

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

Submitted by,
Steve Henrikson

Mission Ministries Team
September 12, 2004

The Mission Committee met on Sunday, September 12, 2004 after the worship service.  Attending were Mary Alice D’Ambrosio, Alice Zwart, Marty Ferwerda and Laura Henrikson.  The meeting began with prayer given by Marty.

Sue Campbell of the Nominating Committee visited with us to ask for input for the next year’s committee members.  She also stated that everyone would be called to see if they want to remain on the committee.

Minutes of the last meeting in June were read by Laura and accepted.  Marty will post all new relevant items on the bulletin board.  He went over some of the correspondence he has received.

Alice announced the Crop Walk at today’s worship service.  She and Marty will attend a meeting in Hancock on Monday, September 13, 2004 about the planning of this year’s walk set for October 23 in Hancock.  The Mission Team will donate $100 to the Crop Walk.

We have received a brochure from Haiti and a letter from Josue.  He is now in the 7^th grade and would like to learn English.  Mary Alice will talk with our contact for items that are still listed and also do some searching for a dictionary or book relating French to English.

Last Sunday a collection was taken for the Horton Center and it totaled $188.00.  There will be a collection October 3 for Disaster Relief in Florida.

A Soup Supper is being planned for Friday, October 1 with a speaker, possibly from the Pregnancy Resource Center; a free will donation will be taken.  NOTE:  Date has been changed to Friday, November 5.

The next meeting will be held on Sunday, October 3, 2004 after the worship service.

Ending prayer was given by Mary Alice.

Respectfully submitted, 
Laura A. Henrikson, Secretary

Christian Education Committee
September 12, 2004

Present: Bernice Ferwerda, Phyllis Ames, Jim Melhorn, Robin Crowe, Cindy Melhorn and Victoria Skowronek.  Bernice opened with prayer.

Sue Campbell came to our meeting from the Nominating Committee.  She will be visiting all committees to see who will be continuing on in their present position and who will need to be replaced.

Teacher line-up:  Bernice will continue to teach the 7^th and 9^th grades (no 8^th grade children this year), but she will need a substitute from the end of February through March.  The nursery, lower elementary, and upper elementary have teachers (Steve Chace and Victoria Skowronek). 

We will begin to think about and plan for a Church School Christmas program.

Jim Melhorn will start a Confirmation Class this year for 8^th and 9^th grade age youth.  He has been planning activities he'd like to do with The Youth Group.

Adult Education: The summer Bible Study group was very successful.  The fall group will begin on September 13^th at 9:00^am.

We briefly touched on the possibility of a projector.  Bernice will contact a couple of people for more information/pricing, feasibility etc. (Steve Henrikson, Steve Chace) 

Bernice addressed the issue of having a Director of Youth and Children.  We will here more about this at the Council Meeting on 9/16/04.

Closing prayer given by Jim Melhorn.  Our next meeting will be held on October 10^th, after church.

Music Committee
September 7, 2004

• We will have a budget next year.
• Organ Recital by George Bozeman, Jr. On 10/24 celebrating his 50 years of playing and especially in honor of our beloved friend and fellow musician, Jim Campbell.
• Practice for Adult Choir to begin this week on Wednesday.  We may switch to another time if it fits people's schedules.
• New members are encouraged to join.  It is suggested that our teenagers participate as well.
• Since Katrina Fleming is unable to lead the Children's Choir, we are seeking a replacement.
• Organ Use Policy has been revised.
• Substitutes arranged to play for Bob on December 24^th.
• No choir on December 26^th or January 2^nd.
• Workshop available, "Make a Joyful Noise" in Pembrook on November 6^th.
• Next meeting for us will be after church on 10/17. 

Respectfully, 
Martha Thomas

October Worship Services

October 3 – Communion Sunday
Scripture Reading: Psalm 137,  Habakuk 3:17-19
Sermon: “Going Home”
Greeters: Kerry Yaceshyn and Sue Chatwin
Ushers: Lois and Norm May
Lay Reader: Phyllis Groezinger

October 10
Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 29: 1, 4-14
Sermon: “A Cautionary Tale”
Greeters: Phyllis and Harry Groezinger
Ushers: Lee Mailloux and Steve Henrikson
Lay Reader: Sue Campbell

October 17 – We kick off our Stewardship program
Scripture Reading: Luke 17:11-19
Sermon: “Turn Back”
Greeters: Betty Chenausky and Bernice Martin
Ushers: Michelle and Ethan Perry
Lay Reader: Lou Thomas

October 24
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 4:1-5, Luke 18:9-14
Sermon: “To Tell the Truth”
Greeters: Larry & Joyce Kabat
Ushers: Marty Ferwerda and Don Umlauf
Lay Reader: Mary-Jane Sawyer

October 31 – Reformation Sunday
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 1:10-18
Sermon: “Going Through the Motions”
Greeters: Ernest and Marge St. Pierre
Ushers: Frens and Alice Zwart
Lay Reader: Craig Clark

Computer Corner

Updates in September included the following;

• September Deaconer
• Announcements
• Hymn Sing
• Turkey Supper
• September 12, 2004 Rally Day – start of Sunday School.
• Added October, November and December calendars.
• Updates to the Week in Review (on a weekly basis).

The critical flaw has to do with how Microsoft's operating systems and other software process the widely used JPEG image format and could let attackers create an image file that would run a malicious program on a victim's computer as soon as the file is viewed.  Because the software giant's Internet Explorer browser is vulnerable, Windows users could fall prey to an attack just by visiting a web site that has affected images.

The flaw affects various versions of at least a dozen Microsoft software applications and operating systems, including Windows XP, Office XP, Office 2003, Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1, Project, Visio, Picture It, Digital Image Pro, etc.  Microsoft has a full list of affected applications in the advisory on its Web site.  Good News - Windows XP Service Pack 2, which is still being distributed to computers via updates, is not vulnerable to the flaw (I recommended SP2 in my last article).  Visit the link below to learn more about the advisory and update your PC.

http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/200409_jpeg.mspx

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.

Again, I hope 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 - Visitors

Visitors On September 12, 2004, Rev. Melhorn was surprised to see visitors from Pennsylvania attending the service.  Rev. Phyllis and Rev. Vernon Baum from York, PA were traveling through and stopped by.  Phyllis is the current pastor at Hayshire United Church of Christ in York, where Jim attended as a young person, and where his family still attends.  Phyllis is currently on sabbatical leave.  Vernon is now retired, and was the pastor of Zion UCC in York, the church Jim’s family attended before they moved out into the suburbs.  Vernon was also a Conference Minister for Penn Central Conference, UCC.  He was a good friend of Jim’s father.

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

...just a reminder that our annual Turkey Dinner will be on Saturday, October 23, the fourth Saturday of the month with only one seating at 6:00^pm.  Our kitchen will be ably covered by the team of Robin Crowe, Jennifer Skelton and Sue Chatwin with help from you.  On Friday morning the women of
the church are invited to help peal potatoes and butternut squash and prepare the dessert of apple crisp.  The men will set up the seventeen tables for our guests. Volunteers are needed to roast a turkey in their own oven at home and slice the meat.  And as always, waiters and a clean up crew are also needed. Sign up job sheets are displayed each Sunday at coffee time.

Reservations are doing very well.  As of September 10^th, about fifty of the one hundred and seventy seats are still available and the advertising hasn't gone out yet.
I
f you wish to be a guest, the cost is $9.00 for adults and $5.00 for children twelve and under.  The menu consists of turkey, stuffing, real mashed potatoes, homemade gravy, mashed butternut squash, green peas, cranberry sauce, apple crisp with whipped cream and coffee.  Reserving a seat now by
calling 899-6823 is definitely recommended.  If your plans change after you made a reservation, please have the courtesy of canceling immediately so someone on our waiting list can have that seat. Last year we had 12 "no-shows" multiplied by $9.00 a seat meant a lost of $108!!!  We thank you
for your cooperation...gobble, gobble, gobble.

Your Turkey Lady

Why Crop Walk

• You will make a difference locally.  25% of all money raised is distributed equally to 9 Monadnock area food banks.
• You will make a difference in the world.  Church World Service distributed money raised through Crop Walk wherever there are people in crisis because of disaster, famine, war, displacement, etc.  Crop Walk funds are also used to help people to help themselves through clean water projects, upgraded machinery and farming tools, and technical assistance.
• Church World Service is ecumenical and is dedicated to providing assistance to people worldwide regardless of race, color, creed, or nationality.
• Much of the distribution of Crop Walk funds goes to established agencies in each area with whom Church World Service has formed partnerships for assistance.  Many of these agencies utilize volunteers just as our Monadnock area food banks do.  This results in reduced staffing and a greater degree of Crop Walk funds going directly for assistance rather than administrative costs.
• Crop Walk is an enjoyable way for recruiters and walkers to join with friends throughout the Monadnock region in making a difference locally and worldwide.  By collecting sponsorship money and walking 5 miles, we are vicariously able, to some degree, to experience the daily hardships endured by those who benefit from our efforts.  Last year's Crop Walk raised over $15,300 with nearly $4,000 distributed to nine Monadnock region food banks.
• Please join us as a walker or a sponsor.  With your help, we can make a world of difference!  CWS Website (www.churchworldservice.org)
• Date of walk - October 23^rd 
• For more information see Alice Zwart or call (603)899-2247

 

Mission Soup Supper

When ---- Friday, November 5, at 6:30^pm

Where --- Rindge Congregational Church -- Town Meeting Room 

Why ----- To Promote Mission Awareness 

Program - Boisterous Singing, Super Supper, Superb Fellowship

Speaker - Pam Cheevers -- Pregnancy Resource Center
                 A very informative evening is in store for us. 

A freewill offering will be taken for the work of the very vital and caring work of the Resource Center

Please come and join us for an exciting and informative evening.  Children, young people and neighbors are all welcome.

The Mission Ministries Team will provide the home made soup and bread.  The congregation will provide dessert.

The Samaritans, Inc. Needs Hotline Volunteers

Are you:

• A caring Individual?
• A Good Listener?
• Willing to make a difference in your community?
• Willing to make a commitment?

Did You Know?

• That in the U.S., suicide is the third leading cause of death, among young people ages 15-29?
• That in NH and VT, suicide is the second Leading cause of death among young people ages 15-29?
• The Samaritans, Inc. operates a 24-hour confidential, anonymous, non-judgemental and non-religious hotline which provides support to those who are alone, anxious, depressed, grieving or suicidal?
• The Samaritans, Inc. recieves over 9,000 hotline calls per year from people who are in need of support?
• There are volunteer opportuinites in both Keene and Peterborough?

The Samaritans
103 Roxbury St. #304
Keene, NH 03431
(603)357-5510

George Bozeman Recital

George Bozeman, Jr. will present an organ recital at The First Congregational Church in Rindge center on October 24 at 3:00^pm.

George is celebrating 50 years of playing organ recitals and this program replicates the first one, performed at the First Methodist Church of Tulia, Texas on November 1953.

Mr. Bozeman will give his recital on our Stevens organ, purchased from the organ factory of George Stevens and installed in 1871.  Organ builder George Bozeman and company restored the organ in 1995 and the original stenciling on the front pipes was restored.

The recital will include works by Clerambault, J. S. Bach, Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, R. Purvis, P. Weaver and L. Boellman.

This recital is a memorial to Jim Campbell, a former member of the Music Committee and a much-loved member of the Senior Choir and the church family.

The community at-large is invited to attend.  There will be a freewill offering.  Following the recital there will be a reception for George Bozeman and the Campbell family in the Meetinghouse.

“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