Board of Trustees
February 7, 2006

The meeting began at 7:10^pm with Burt Goodrich, Nancy Bogar, Norman May, Jane Hannon, Cynthia Childs, Frens Zwart, David Marr and Jim Melhorn present. Burt agreed to be the new chairman and the representative to the Council for the upcoming year and Nancy agreed to continue on as secretary.  Secretary’s minutes and financials for January were accepted as presented.  No changes in the A. G. Edwards account.

Endowment Policy – Trustees went over Draft D.  After making some additional changes, the policy was approved by the Trustees and will be presented to the Church Council for their approval. 

Altar Railings – We are hoping that Mike Ellis will start installing the railings during the month of February.

Ward Fund Committee – Burt Goodrich will be the new representative from the Board of Trustees to serve on this committee.

1965 Agreement – The town is not interested in changing the agreement; however, we are hoping that some adjustments can be made.  The Town Oversight Committee will be meeting with the Church in April. 

Copier – Because our old copier is no longer working, a motion was made and accepted to purchase a new Xerox copier.

Next meeting is Tuesday, March 7^th, at 7:00^pm.

Respectively submitted,
Nancy Bogar, Secretary

Membership and Evangelism Committee
January 26, 2006

The Membership and Evangelism Committee met on Thursday January 26^th at 7:00^pm in the sanctuary.  This was All Committee night.  Those in attendance were Susan Casey, Steve Henrikson and Lois May.

We elected our officers:

• Chair – Lois May
• Secretary – Steve Henrikson
• Council Rep – Susan Casey

Please be patient as we continue our work on the directory.

Next meeting will be Thursday February 23^rd at 7:00^pm in the vestry.

Submitted by,
Steve Henrikson

March Worship Services

March 1 – Ash Wednesday - 7:00^pm - We begin the season of Lent with a brief service which will begin with doughnuts and hot chocolate and will include time for reflection and meditation, some singing, and ending with the imposition of ashes for those who wish to receive them.  Lent is often a time when people feel they need to be sad and somber, or when we give something up.  This year, perhaps we might rethink Lent.  Maybe it could be for us a time of ‘taking something on’ rather than ‘giving something up’.  This Lent, Pastor Jim will preach a series of Lenten sermons, with the theme “A Christian Manifesto”  highlighting some of the elements we might ‘take on’ as we seek a deepening of our faith and a strengthening of our commitment to love and serve God as we follow Jesus from temptation to passion to victory.

March 5 – First Sunday in Lent – Communion Sunday 
Scripture Reading: Genesis 12:1-4, Mark 1:9-15
Sermon: “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish”
Lay Reader: Janet Kohlmorgen
Greeters: Bob & Cynthia Childs
Ushers: Steve Henrikson & Jeff Sonnega
Acolyte: Josh Warner

March 12 – Second Sunday in Lent
Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 8:9-12, Mark 3:20-35
Sermon: “Brew the glue”
Lay Reader: Lois May
Greeters: Peg Brummer & Nada Foster
Ushers: Nancy Bogar & Sue Casey
Acolyte: Blake Skelton

March 19 – Third Sunday in Lent
Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Mark 8: 27-33
Sermon: “Get your stories straight”
Lay Reader: Bernice Martin
Greeters: Marie & David Marr
Ushers: Jane Hannon & Maura Keegan
Acolyte: Nicole Flemming

March 26 – Fourth Sunday in Lent
Scripture Reading: Exodus 3:1-6, Mark 5:25-34
Sermon: “Now I lay me down to sleep”
Lay Reader: Mary Jane Sawyer
Greeters: Alice & Frens Zwart
Ushers: Trudie Kalinen & Sue Casey
Acolyte: Richard Keegan

Some other dates to put on your calendar:

• March 4 – Eagle Scout celebration for Devin Thayer - 1:00^pm
• March  5 & 12 – Discussion about Homosexuality and the Church (continued) - 11:30^am
• March 11 – Prepared to Serve
• March 12 – Horton Center Road Show, UCC in Keene 3:00-6:00^pm
• April 9 -- Palm Sunday
• April 13 – Maundy Thursday service – Passover Seder Meal
• April 14 -- Good Friday
• April 16 -- Easter
• April 28-29 – All Church Retreat – Woodbound Inn

Computer Corner

As I reported month, we now have a new web site address which is now live – www.rindgeucc.org.  I expect to get back to bringing the site current and as always, look for your inputs.

Steve Henrikson – webspirit – henrikson@surfbest.net

Picture of the Month

Acolyte Extraordinaire Sunday February 12th was very snowy and only a dozen brave souls ventured out for the service.  However, little Brian had an opportunity to be the Acolyte for the first time (with a little help from daddy) – what a great job he did!!!

New Members

8 new members joined our church on February 19^th – Lisa Gallante, Ed and Marti Gagnon, Amy Lanza, Margaretta Mellen, Marcie Miller, Margaret Morabito and Jean Raymond.  Below is a brief bio on a few of the new members.  Please look next month for the remaining bios and pictures.

Margaretta Mellen was born in Framingham MA and lived most of her adult life on Cape Cod in Orleans MA where she worked in banking.  She and her faithful greyhound Heather have moved to Rindge to be closer to her daughter.  Margaretta is looking forward to spring so she can start working in her flower gardens.  She is transferring her membership from the Orleans Congregation Church, UCC.

Margaret Morabito grew up in Rindge and lived in Rochester NY for many years.  Two years ago, she and her husband returned to Rindge and have purchased the West Rindge Basket Shop.  Presently, they are open by appointment or you can visit them on-line at www.westrindgebaskets.com.  Margaret enjoys water sports, cross-country skiing, and playing the guitar.  She is an English teacher and a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and has developed their website.  She and her husband have a son and a daughter.  Margaret is the daughter of church member Gladys Gorts.

Jean Raymond was born and raised in Rindge NH and is a former member of our church.  For the past 12 years she has lived in Jaffrey and has worked at Integra (formerly Data Graphics) in Jaffrey for over 20 years.  She enjoys entertaining her three nephews; she is an avid knitter and loves to play her favorite hymns on the piano.  One of her favorite vacation spots is Lake Champlain and hopes to vacation there soon.  Jean is transferring her membership from United Church of Jaffrey, UCC, back to the First Congregational Church & Society of Rindge.  Welcome back!

Marcy Miller was born in Holden MA, and has moved from Warwick RI to Rindge NH to be closer to family.  Before her retirement 2 years ago, she was employed at CIGNA Corporation, in the Corporate Offices as a Project Manager for the Systems Division.  She loves to sew, is an avid quilt maker and describes herself as a “want-to-be” gardener.  Marcy is transferring from the First Congregational Church of Warwick where she sang in the choir and served as Treasurer.  She looks forward to becoming active member of our church family.

Next month we will have more information about New Members Lisa Galante, Ed and Marti Gagnon, and Amy Lanza.

Men's Club Dinner

On Saturday February 11, the Rindge Men's Club hosted a social hour and Valentine's Dinner at the Woodbound Inn. Twenty seven ladies and gents enjoyed a social hour with delectable munchies and a sumptuous buffet of prime rib, chicken, and pasta, topped off by a dessert smorgasbord, including chocolate covered strawberries etc. A small carnation bouquet was given to each of the ladies and a good time was had by all.

New Copier

We have purchased a new copier. The repair costs on our old machine were not realistic We obtained several bids and were able to trade in our old machine. If you need to use this new machine for church work, please ask for help before using.  Thanks.

If anyone would like to contribute toward the cost of the new equipment, please see one of the trustees.

New Altar Railings

Come and see the new railings leading up the steps to the altar. These railings were designed and built to blend into our church setting -- they will be a big help to many of our choir members.

Reminder - Easter Memorial Flowers 

Don't forget to remember your loved ones with Easter Flowers.  These flowers add to our beautiful sanctuary and make for a special day.  A form is enclosed for your convenience. 

Again this year, an opportunity is available to place Memorial Flowers in the church on Easter Sunday.  Barbara Wells will be accepting orders for Lilies, Tulips and Daffodils.  For your convenience, please use the order form below (or the one in your hardcopy Deaconer) and return it to Barbara in an envelope or call her at 899-5460.

(  )  Yes, I would like to order___________ plants to be used in the Sanctuary on
       Easter Sunday

(  )  I am enclosing cash / check ($10 per plant)

(  )  I will bring a plant(s)

This plant is given (  ) in loving memory of:__________________________________.

                            (  ) in honor of: ________________________________________.

                            (  ) (your choice) ______________________________________.

                             ___________________________________________________.

                            ___________________________________________________.

                            ___________________________________________________.

Signed: ___________________________________________________________.

Phone: ___________________________________________________________.

(  )  I wish my plant(s) to Be Delivered to friends or members of our chuch family.

(  )  I will Pick Up my plant(s) after the Service on Easter Sunday

Please Return this form to: Barbara Wells
                                        PO Box 152
                                         Rindge, NH  03461

We Need You
(or someone you know)

Several opportunities for service currently exist in our church.  Are you the person we’re looking for?  Do you know someone who might be interested?

Church Secretary – someone is needed to assemble and print the weekly bulletins, develop the Deaconer each month, and compile the Annual Report, along with some other general secretarial duties.  See Pastor Jim or Jane Hannon for more details.

Coordinator of Youth Programs – someone to organize our Youth Groups and assist in the development of Youth programs.  See Pastor Jim or Burt Goodrich for details.

Bell Choir Director – someone with some musical knowledge to lead our current Bell Choir and possibly organize a Youth Bell Choir.  See Pastor Jim or MaryLu Mathis for more details.

Plus – several committees are in need of additional members.  Do you have a specific gift, interest,  or talent you are willing to share?  Do you want to bring something new?  We’ve got a place for you.  See Pastor Jim or Sue Campbell of the Nominating Committee.

News from around the NH Conference

Stewardship 201 Workshops
Stewardship workshops are being offered for congregations wanting to “dig deeper” into programs and resources for improving stewardship education and financial management in our churches. The workshops will be facilitated by Rev. David C. Williams, NHCUCC Stewardship and Planned Giving Associate. There are currently two workshops scheduled: Sunday, March 26 from 3 – 6 pm at Hampstead Congregational Church (603-328-6985), and Saturday, April 8 from 9 am – noon at First Congregational Church of Swanzey (603-352-6689).Interested parties are asked to register at the host church well in advance. Complete details are available on the NH Conference website at http://www.nhcucc.org/Stewie201.pdf, or by contacting Dave Williams at 603- 875-0363,or by email at revdcwms@metrocast.net.

“Whose Moral Values?”
The New Hampshire Women’s Fellowship Spring Forum will take place on Wednesday, April 19 at the Union Congregational Church, 33 Concord Street, Peterborough. The theme is “Whose Moral Values?” and features Rev. Dr. Timothy Wildman of Concord. Registration begins at 9:30 am and the day will conclude at 3:30 pm. Registration fee, which includes lunch, is $8. Send your name and local church, address and home telephone number, along with checks made payable to NH Women’s Fellowship, to: Dorothy Pitman, 12 Maple Knoll
Drive, Hollis, NH 03049. Registration deadline is April 7, 2006.

“In the Face of Creeping Privatization: Reconstructing a Theology Centered on the Common Good”
The 2006 New England Conference on Economic Justice will be held Friday and Saturday, May 19 & 20 at Geneva Point Conference Center on Lake Winnipesauke. Keynote speaker is Ched Myers, author of “The Biblical Vision of Sabbath Economics,” and Worship Leader is Rev. Maren Tirabassi. For complete details, including a daily schedule and workshop details, as well as registration materials, see the event flyer on the NH Conference website at
http://www.nhcucc.org/06%20NECEJ%20Brochure.pdf, or contact Rev. Roger Burkhart at 603-652-4324, or by email at rburkhart@metrocast.net.

NH Conference, UCC Annual Meeting
The NH Conference, UCC Annual Meeting will take place on June 16 and 17 at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro. You and your church members are invited to submit a resolution to the gathered delegates of the NH Conference. A letter of invitation, procedures and an application form can be found on the NH Conference’s website at http://www.nhcucc.org/NewsEvents.htm, or by contacting Jean Clarke at 603-225-6647, ext. 108, or by email at jmclarke@nhcucc.org. The deadline to submit a resolution is March 1. Any questions may be directed to Rev. Nancy Wood-Lyczak, Resolution Coordinator, at 603-239-4465, or by email at revnancy@adelphia.net.

Distance LEARNing with Andover Newton Theological School
The Local Education and Renewal Network (LEARN), a partnership initiated by Andover Newton Theological School, exists to deliver quality courses for both laity and clergy through an easy-to-access, easy-to-use computer link. For further information on Spring 2006 Seminars, visit http://www.ants.edu/learn, or contact Jeff Jones, Director of Distance Learning, Andover Newton Theological School at 1-800-964-2687, ext. 291, or by email at jjones@ants.edu.

“Where is Your Path Taking You? Have Faith. Follow Your Heart...”
…To Andover Newton Theological School, where you’ll meet a dynamic faculty and a creative community. Forge your own path through studies that integrate spirituality with health, global ministry with diversity, worship with art, theology with public life. We invite you to explore your own vocational goals at the annual Conference on Ministries on Friday and Saturday, March 24 & 25. To reserve ext. 272, or 1-617-964-1100, ext. 272, or email admissions@ants.edu. To learn more, visit the ANTS website at http://www.ants.edu/admissions/events/schedule.htm.

Seeking Annual Meeting Worship Booklet Designs!!!
The Annual Meeting Worship Committee invites you or one of your members to submit a design for the cover of the worship booklet. The theme for this year’s Annual Meeting 2006 is “For the Beauty of the Earth” and the scripture passage is found in Genesis 1:31a, “God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.” We are seeking designs that reflect this theme and the connection between spirituality and stewardship of the earth.
Please submit your camera-ready designs (final copy 8 ½ X 11) no later than April 1. Designs can be mailed to: Attn: Annual Meeting Worship Committee, NH Conference, UCC, 140 Sheep Davis Road, Pembroke, NH 03275. One design will be chosen for the front cover of the worship booklet, although several designs may be used in other Annual Meeting materials. Any questions? Please contact Rev. Betty French, Chair, Annual Meeting Worship Committee, tel. 603-648-2128 or email: prchrengr@tds.net

Investment Opportunities
If you are unhappy with the interest rate you are receiving from your own Certificate of Deposit (CD), how about investing some of your own funds, or some of your congregation’s endowment monies, in The Cornerstone Fund? Right now, interest rates are at 5.375% for a 60-month note. For more information, visit the UCC National website at www.ucc.org, then click on Financial Ministries, and then click on Cornerstone Fund. You can also call The Cornerstone Fund toll free at 1-888-822-3863, or call Rev. David Williams, NH Conference Stewardship and Planned Giving Associate at 603-875-0363.

News from the Rindge Food Pantry

We were able to supply 25 food baskets for those in need in November. During the last 6 months, our busiest time was in December when we served 154 families, a total of 510 people, with 3722 pounds of food needs. 

Our church alone has contributed 1549 pounds of food since August -- THANKS

However, our need for food continues to exist.  We have a collection box and a list of our most needed items as you enter the vestibule.