2006-12-deaconer

The story of Christmas will be told through music, special readings and a shadow theater presentation from our children and youth.

In the Mexican tradition of ‘Las Posadas’ (the Inns), we’ll follow the Holy Family through the streets of Bethlehem, meeting some interesting strangers as we search for a place to stay for the night. We’re asking every person or family to bring one of their favorite nativity scenes along with them. Our search ends with a party that includes the breaking of the piñata, a Christmas tradition.

All the traditional sights and sounds of Christmas, including a special celebration of communion and ending in Silent Night and candle lighting. Appropriate for all ages.

In the twenty years since its publication, Celebration of Discipline, a book by Richard J. Foster, has helped over a million seekers discover a richer spiritual life infused with joy, peace, and a deeper understanding of God. Hailed by many as the best modern book on Christian spirituality, Celebration of Discipline explores the "classic Disciplines," or central spiritual practices, of the Christian faith. Along the way, Foster shows that it is only by and through these practices that the true path to spiritual growth can be found.

Pastor Jim will be leading a group of willing participants on a year-long spiritual journey, using Celebration of Discipline as a guide book. In a series of monthly meetings, beginning in January 2007, we will explore Foster's book and begin to integrate Spiritual practices into our daily lives.

Dividing the Disciplines into three movements of the Spirit, Foster shows how each of these areas contribute to a balanced spiritual life. The inward Disciplines of meditation, prayer, fasting, and study offer avenues of personal examination and change. The outward Disciplines of simplicity, solitude, submission, and service help prepare us to make the world a better place. The corporate Disciplines of confession, worship, guidance, and celebration bring us nearer to one another and to God.

Each gathering will include a conversation with Foster, recorded on DVD, as well as discussion, practical guides to implementing the Disciplines, and time for fellowship as we grow together spiritually and emotionally.

Foster provides a wealth of examples demonstrating how these Disciplines can become part of our daily activities--and how they can help us shed our superficial habits and "bring the abundance of God into our lives." He offers crucial new insights on simplicity, demonstrating how the biblical view of simplicity, properly understood and applied, brings joy and balance to our inward and outward lives and "sets us free to enjoy the provision of God as a gift that can be shared with others." The discussion of celebration, often the most neglected of the Disciplines, shows its critical importance, for it stands at the heart of the way to Christ. Celebration of Discipline will help Christians everywhere to embark on a journey of prayer and spiritual growth.

We are looking for at least six people willing to embark on this rewarding journey. We'll be reaching out to the community as well, advertising this opportunity for spiritual growth especially to those who might consider themselves 'Spiritual' without being 'Religious'. This will not be an attempt to convert or coerce anyone, but will simply be an opportunity to invite and engage with those who may not be reached by our regular Sunday morning worship, those people with a spiritual hunger who are wary of organized religion.

"If everybody in the country could read-and heed-this book, what a difference it would make to the planet."

"Foster has challenged us to see Christian faith. as a life of spiritual transformation."

"Foster has taught me more about prayer and living faithfully than just about any other living author."

Dallas Willard, author of The Spirit of the Disciplines and The Divine Conspiracy

"Celebration of Discipline has quietly asserted itself in the lives of multitudes around the globe, and has taken its place as a guide to the uplands of the spiritual life for the late twentieth century. Everywhere I go I meet those whose lives have been changed by encountering it. It places us on the path of life with those who have succeeded in walking with Jesus in every circumstance and shows us accessible patterns of action through which interaction with his Kingdom is assured to us. This is the secret of its power. If you wish to know in your self the reality of the gracious life of God seen in the Bible, you may find no better counselor than Richard Foster."

"The best modern book on Christian spirituality. . . No other book apart from the Bible has been so helpful to me in the nurturing of my inward journey of prayer and spiritual growth."

"Like a child exploring the attic of an old house on a rainy day, discovering a trunk full of treasure and then calling all his brothers and sisters to share the find, Richard J. Foster has 'found' the spiritual disciplines that the modern world stored away and forgot, and has excitedly called us to celebrate them. For they are, as he shows us, the instruments of joy, the way into mature Christian spirituality and abundant life."

Richard J. Foster, a Quaker, is the author of several bestselling books, including Freedom of Simplicity and Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home, which in 1993 was Christianity Today's Book of the Year and won the Gold Medallion Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers' Association. He is the founder of Renovare, an infra-church movement committed to the renewal of the church in all her multifaceted expressions. He lives with his wife, Carolynn, in Denver, Colorado.

Common Grounds Coffeehouse

This is something new for our church and new for the community of Rindge, so we encourage you to support and publicize this as much as possible.

Remember the details: The coffeehouse will be open the second Friday of each month. Doors open at 7:30, and the music starts around 8 pm. The music will be traditional, folk, bluegrass, Celtic, Americana, blues, and roots, all performed by talented professional and semi-professional musicians in the area. There will be a small cover charge and coffee and desserts will be for sale as well. All proceeds will go to the musicians and to the support of the Rindge Food Pantry or other local missions

April lives in Rindge and is an up and coming songwriter and folk musician. She sings with a clear, soulful voice, combining old country and bluegrass tunes with a little bit of the blues, and is able to fill up a room with her sound, even when appearing as a solo act with just her guitar and vocal chords. Her new CD, "Time to Travel," was released on April 22nd, 2006. She describes her style as "Country Blues. Some of the songs are Bluegrass, a few are pretty folky, there's some Alt-country in there and some Old-time Country as well. I like to think that I'd make Jimmie Rodgers or Patsy Cline take notice if they were still around. They rank high among my influences, along with Bill Monroe, Gillian Welch, Emmylou Harris, Hank Williams, Alison Krauss, Willie Nelson, Edie Brickell, Michelle Shocked, to name a few." From her sonicbids.com electronic press kit.

A rock solid mold of some of New England's finest musicians - The Marcy Hill Band's hard driving sound stems from their background in bluegrass, classical, rock and jazz. These seasoned veterans have combined talents to create an unmistakable sound. With driving instrumentals and tight harmonies, the band offers traditional and progressive bluegrass with a modern twist. Members of the band include: Gary Skillings, a native of Milford Connecticut, now residing in Peterborough, a renowned and award-winning banjo and guitar player, and Steve Abdu, who has played bass with Jonathan Edwards and Martin Mull. In the early seventies, he was a member of one of the most successful Boston bands, London Records recording artists "Orphan", an opening act for such bands as the Allman Brothers, The Byrds, BB King, Blood Sweat and Tears, and Hot Tuna to name a few.

This New Hampshire / Massachusetts based blue grass band, consisting of April Hobart on Guitar and Banjo, Bill Jubett on Fiddle and Banjo, Bob Sevigny on Guitar, and Andy Sicard on Mandolin, originally formed two years ago out of the friendships developed through local jams and festivals. Since coming together, The GTCs have performed at fundraisers, numerous weddings, dances, company parties, outdoor festivals, parties, pubs and even at a grocery store! "This group of Bluegrass players belies their youth. As their name implies, they provide a goodtime for all ages. Harmonies are great, pickin' and playin' are tight. Their exuberance is definitely catching and their performance at the Lakes Region Conservation Trust's 2nd Annual Afternoon of Bluegrass at Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough, NH was outstanding. They'll definitely be welcomed back next year!" Lisa Anderson, Owner of Santos Dumont Café

This show will feature four area performers and will be hosted by Nate Smith. Nate Smith, from Fitchburg, MA has been writing & singing his own songs since way back in the 60's. A frequent performer in the Boston and Worchester areas in the '70s, Nate has returned to the music scene after taking some time off for family. Nate currently hosts the Boulder Coffeehouse in Fitchburg and recently released his 2nd CD, Damage Control. He mixes his own songs with Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen material, and his influences include Woody Guthrie, Joni Mitchell, and Pete Seeger. Nate plays guitar, and he also sings some old time traditional songs with open back banjo accompaniment played claw-hammer style.

From this idea come the driving rhythms and agile percussion that rock the progressive folk songwriting and capture the audiences of “one-man band” songwriter ZO TOBI.

His playing may call to mind guitarists such as Ani DiFranco, Dave Matthews and Richie Havens. While transforming the guitar into an array of rich bass, lush open tunings, and signature pulsing beats, Zo Tobi’s act is also powerfully simple and accessible – his vocal tendencies are reminiscent of folk-leaning Ben Harper, Shawn Mullins, and Jack Johnson.

The kind of performance you can expect from Zo Tobi is somewhere between a tea-sipping, coffeehouse-style excursion and an all-out, one-man rock experience. His songs cycle from the political, spiritual, and emotional, and his stories range from the sublime to the worldly to the bizarre.

As a young man in many worlds, Zo Tobi has managed to rock the college and coffeehouse circuit while also campaigning for diverse causes (electoral reform, global warming, political elections), traveling (Nicaragua, Israel, Germany, Mexico), and pursuing a joint Bachelors / Masters degree in International Development from Clark University in Worcester, MA.

Introduced to the world of folk music at a young age, Laura recounts fond childhood memories of being the little tot in footie pajamas up past her bedtime to hear some good old folk music in the Unitarian church basements and local coffee shops. During her college years, Laura spent time perfecting her songwriting and performing around the Boston area. . In 2004, Laura decided to pursue her music in earnest with the release of her EP, in the everyday. In 2006, she appeared on Club Passim's Open Mike Compilation CD and released her debut full length CD, Points North. Laura is rapidly developing a loyal fan base throughout the Northeast and across the country.
Laura recognizes that the real stuff of life doesn't necessarily happen in the high peaks or the low valleys, but in that area in between, in the mundane and day-to-day. Her songwriting reflects a longing for redemption and a striving for significance in the very normal moments of daily life. With this in mind, she released her demo, entitled in the everyday. Whether a song is dealing with joys or sorrows, Laura weaves a subtle strand of hope throughout her lyrics. She strives to capture the intricacies of human experience in her songs, like moments captured with a Polaroid.
On stage, Laura connects with her audience like two friends over a cup of tea. Her songs combine her sweet and simple voice, beautiful guitar work, and lyrics filled with depth and history.

Laura continues to share her music within the folk community, performing throughout the Northeast and beyond.

An Invitation to Prepared to Serve
An Annual Training Event
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Pembroke Academy, Pembroke, NH
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

"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.
The schedule for the day includes: two WORSHIP services…40 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 and working groups...a buffet LUNCH, and conversation with over 400 church folks from all corners of the Granite State….

Look for registration materials on the NH Conference website at www.nhcucc.org by mid-November. Registration materials will also be sent to each church in the NH Conference, UCC. To receive materials via email or for further information, please contact Jean Clarke, NH Conference Center,
1-603-225-6647, ext. 108 or email: jmclarke@nhcucc.org

The Mission Ministries Team plans to sell organically grown Coffee, Tea, Cocoa and Chocolate on the last Sunday of each month at Fellowship Hour. There will be a variety of selections available. However, if you have a favorite product that you would like us to stock, please ask and we will try and make it available. Also, if you need a product in between scheduled sales, just ask Mission Team members and they will be glad to get it for you.

Equal Exchange provides these products. Their mission is “to provide a product that is economically just and environmentally sound through a mutually beneficial relationship between the farmers and the consumer.” Please help us support this worthwhile project.

There will be a Men’s Club breakfast on Sunday, December 3rd at 8 a.m. Also, volunteers are needed to help with preparation. Members should contact Dave Marr if they are able to help.

The LVA-EC wishes to thank all for making Saturday, Nov. 25th, a hugh success. A special "thank you" to Santa and his helpers.

The proceeds from this endeavor support our church and give scholarships to our kids in college. This year we have several who are eligible.

You are cordially invited to attend the LVA-EC annual Christmas Pot Luck dinner and Gift Exchange on Monday, December 11th, at 6PM. Please sign up on Sunday, December 3rd at Coffee Hour.

You can bring a casserole, salad or dessert and an exchange gift of up to $10.00 value.

Thanks to the walkers and the people who have supported Crop Walk with their donations!

Lachrimae is a select group of singers and players who perform, in period costume, the music and dance of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Students, faculty and staff are invited to sing or play any number of early instruments including recorder, cornamuse, sackbut, cornetto, harpsichord, Renaissance flute, rebec and harp. The group performs regularly on campus and throughout the Monadnock Region. Lachrimae has been delighting area audiences with its unique blend of early music, dance and humor since 1979.

Mail registration form and $50 non-refundable check payable to the NH Conference, UCC to: Jean M. Clarke, Service Trip Coordinator, NH Conference Office, UCC, 140 Sheep Davis Rd, Pembroke, NH 03275-3711, tel. 1-888-642-8229 X108, email: jmclarke@nhcucc.org. Registrations are accepted on a first come, first serve basis. The deadline to register is December 15, 2006. Designed for those ages

Mail registration form and $100 non-refundable check payable to the NH Conference, UCC to: Jean M. Clarke, Service Trip Coordinator, NH Conference Office, UCC, 140 Sheep Davis Rd, Pembroke, NH 03275-3711, tel. 1-888-642-8229 X108, email: jmclarke@nhcucc.org. Registrations are accepted on a first come, first serve basis. The deadline to register is February 15, 2007. Designed for those in 9th – 12th grades.

Church Council Minutes

November 16, 2006

Present: Chair Janet Kohlmorgen, Sue Campbell, Burt and Janet Goodrich, Mary Alice and Tony D’Ambrosio, Marcie Miller, Pastor Jim Melhorn, Steve Henrikson, Cynthia Childs

Following the opening prayer by Pastor Jim, the minutes of the October meeting were approved as presented.

Treasurer’s Report: There was an excellent offering plate response in October to the letter explaining our fiscal status. There are 53 pledging units for 2007.

Pastor’s Report:

Pastor Jim distributed flyers with the Common Grounds coffee house dates and performers. If you know of a place in the community where a flyer could be posted, please get a copy from Pastor Jim.
The next retreat, shoes theme will be “Talking Faith”, will be held May 18 and 19. Retreat leader will be Rev. Nancy Wood-Lycak, pastor and author of the book “Talking Faith”.
Rev. Gary Shulty of Missouri has been appointed the new Conference Minister. A search is now underway for an Associate Conference Minister.
The initial meeting for the monthly study of “Celebration of Discipline” will be Tuesday, January 23, 2007. The group will collectively decide on the future meeting schedule at that session.
Lachrimae, a musical group from FPC, will perform in the sanctuary on December 10 at 7 PM.
Morning worship on January 7 will include bluegrass music.

Old Business:

Retreat: See Pastor’s report for details. Janet Kohlmorgen will ask Christian Education to arrange a program at the retreat for youth ages 0-14.
Clean-up efforts: Several items placed in the foyer during the initial clean up have been reclaimed. Those materials that remain gathered in the foyer will be disposed of Sat. Nov. 18. At the last few council meetings we have discussed the characteristics of a growing church, one being first visual impressions. As a follow up to the initial de-cluttering, there will be a ‘painting party’ for the Sunday School room and possibly the entrance hall scheduled for after the holidays. Buildings and Grounds have been asked to give thought to the lighting in the entry area, the condition of the doors in the Sunday school room and having the S.S. room carpet cleaned.
Boston Trip: Currently 41 people have signed up for the December 17 Radio City Music Hall trip to the Wang. The maximum we can have is 48. Departure from the church will be a 1PM, show time is 4-6 PM, and arrival home will be about 8 PM. There is some discussion about having box lunches available.

New Business:

White Mountains Hike: Tony D’Ambrosio is gathering information for an inter-generational hike using the hut system. There would be choices offering varying degrees of difficulty. Tony will share information gathered.
Publicity: Just a reminder that publicity in the Deaconer for upcoming events needs to be given to Steve Henrikson a month in advance of the event.
E-mails: If you have e-mail, would you be interested in receiving your Deaconer or reminders of upcoming events electronically? The council discussed the value of having e-mail addresses of our membership in addition to their regular mailing addresses.

Deacons Report: See written report. A ‘backwards’ service will be held on December 17. Families are asked to bring a nativity scene to the regular church service on Dec. 24. Candlelight service on Christmas Eve will be held at 7 PM. A bluegrass band will participate in the January 7 morning worship.

Trustees Report: See written report. 1] Burt Goodrich updated us on the three Ward Fund projects: The parking area telephone pole will be replaced with two streetlights matching those on the common. The casing on the new electric box will be completed within two weeks. The timeline for insulating the foundation is uncertain. 2] There is an additional $800-$1000 worth of work to be done to the parsonage basement come spring. 3] The trustees will bring a draft budget to the council at the December meeting. Council discussed extensively a deficit / no deficit budget for 2007. Churches typically finance 30% of expenditures from endowments. We currently are financing 50% of our expenses from endowments. There was a decrease receipts for this year’s roast beef and turkey dinners.

Christian Education: The new chairman is Amy Lanza, council representative is Jennifer Skelton and Secretary is Lisa Gallante.

Membership and Evangelism: 1] Three new members will join the church on 11/19, which will be followed by a pot luck luncheon. 2] Marcie Miller graphed out Sunday attendance for the past thirty-five years. It was suggested we correlate the graph with significant events in the church’s recent history.

Missions: There will be a chili supper on February 3. On Sunday we will have an empty bowl collection to benefit the Keene Food Pantry. There is a need for two new Christmas trees for the sanctuary.

Music Committee: See written report

Men’s Club: The new officers are: Dave Marr – President, Jeff Sonnega - Vice President, Charlie Eicher – Secretary, Tony D’Ambrosio - Treasurer. There was an excellent turnout and a great deal of enthusiasm at their last meeting.

LVA/EC: The final preparations are being made for the Snowflake Fair on Nov. 25.

Nominating Committee: Dec. 14 is the target date for having all the contacts made for the upcoming slate of committee appointments.

Closing prayer was offered by Tony D’Ambrosio.

Respectfully submitted,

Janet Goodrich, Clerk

Diaconate

November 9, 2006

The Deacons met on November 9, 2006 at 7:00 P.M. in the vestry. Those in attendance were Sue Chatwin, Sue Campbell, Sandy Harding, Phyllis Groezinger, Jean Raymond, Barbara Wells and Rev. Jim Melhorn. Rev. Jim opened with prayer.

Phyllis will be the Deacon of the Month for December. Assisting her with communion will be Barbara Wells, Sue Chatwin and Sue Campbell.

Sandy Harding will be the Deacon of the Month for November. Assisting her with communion will be Jean Raymond, Phyllis Groezinger and Sue Campbell.

Marcie Miller gave a report on the church data base status. She explained that it contains information on 251 individuals and 67 families and includes such information as address, phone number, birthday, date joined, membership status, etc. Marcie is able to generate reports, lists and mailing labels as needed by church committees. An example is a list of families with Sunday School children used for sending a Rally Day letter. She emphasized that congregation members should give her changes in writing as the data has to be updated in three personal computers.

Standard Reports

Cards and Flowers - Thinking of you cards were sent to Laura Henrikson, Robert Popple and Ella Dale. Get well cards were sent to Jean Raymond, Phyllis Ames, Don Smith, Peg Brummer, Ella Dale and Marge St. Pierre.
Coffee Hour - Birthday Sunday will be November 26th for Bernice Martin and Barbara Rice.
Council Report - The Council discussed why churches grow. The treasurer said that the AG Edwards account is doing well, committees are keeping within their budgets and pledges are coming in slowly. The 2007 all church retreat is scheduled for May 18th and 19th at the Woodbound Inn and will be led by Nancy Wood Lycak of Winchester, NH.
Budget - The Deacon’s budget request for 2007 has been submitted.

Pastors Report

A baby girl will be baptized on November 19th.
Lachrimae from Franklin Pierce College will perform in the sanctuary at 7 P.M. on December 10th followed by refreshments.
On December 17th a backwards service will be held with the Sunday School’s involvement
On December 24th each family will be asked to bring a nativity scene to the regular church service.
A candlelight Christmas Eve service will be held on Dec. 24th at 7 P.M.
On January 7th a gospel bluegrass band will take part in the church service.

Unfinished Business

The Deacons requested advance information about the length of time wedding parties will use the church because a Deacon was present for 9 hours for one such event.
Sue Chatwin reported that the man who does church plaque engraving has had family illness so she will attempt to find another engraver. Still to be completed are plaques for Mary Williams for her donation of the altar rug and for Ella Dale for the framed Lord’s Prayer.

New Business

The Salt of the Earth Award will be presented at the March Annual Meeting.
The church computer was damaged during the last electrical storm and it is being sent out to be diagnosed.
It was learned that the church/town hall furnace was meant to be run on kerosene not on #2 fuel oil which has been used and which has caused many problems.

The meeting closed at 8:20 P.M. with prayer by Sue Chatwin. Jean Raymond will close with prayer at the next meeting which will be on December 7th at 7:00 P.M. in the vestry.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Wells, Secretary

Trustees

November 14, 2006

The meeting came to order at 7:05 pm with Burt Goodrich, Norman May, Frens Zwart, Rick Kohlmorgen, Jane Hannon, Jim Melhorn, Cynthia Childs, Dave Marr and Nancy Bogar present. Jim opened the meeting with a prayer. Secretary’s and Treasurer’s reports were accepted as presented.

Committee Reports:

Stewardship: Pledging has been very good. To date the Collector has received 53 pledges. If you have not returned your pledge, please do so at your earliest convenience.

Grounds and Building: Robert Forrest, The Highway Department Supervisor, is now in charge of maintaining the Town Meeting House. He has been made aware of several problems concerning the building and is in the process of correcting various items.

Old Business:

Parsonage – Repairs have been partially completed on the parsonage basement, however, additional work still needs to be finished in the Spring. Motion was made and approved to have the annual service done on the boiler.
Council approved of having the safe in the utility closet opened.
“Decluttering” of the Church was completed, and any unclaimed item in the downstairs hallway will be brought to the dump on Nov. 18th.

New Business:

The remainder of the meeting consisted on going over the 2007 Annual Budget.

Meeting adjourned at 9:20 pm. Next meeting will be Tuesday, December 12, 2006.

Respectfully submitted, Nancy Bogar, Secretary

Christian Education Committee

October 15, 2006

Attendance: Lisa Galante, Amy Lanza, Jim Melhorn, Jeff Sonnega

Since the committee had not met in some time, and several new members were present, the meeting focused on catching up and setting some priorities for the future. The following items were discussed:

Leadership: Amy Lanza graciously agreed to chair the committee. She will meet with Jim sometime in the near future for further discussion about what this position entails. Jennifer Skelton is currently the representative to Church Council, and those present stated a willingness to substitute on occasion as representative if needed, and as their schedule allows. Lisa Galante agreed to serve as secretary for the committee. It was agreed that Sunday after worship seems to be the most convenient time for most members to meet.

Sunday School: Although there is currently no one serving as coordinator of the program, things are running smoothly for now. Cindy Melhorn has resigned the position, but has agreed to help with the upcoming Christmas ‘pageant’ as needed. The committee welcomed her offer to help. Sunday School teachers are all in place, and the classes are operating smoothly. Paul Chace is currently serving as Nursery Attendant.

Curriculum: There are no major needs at this time. Stephen Chace has given Jim a list of several items he needs, and they will be ordered shortly. No adult curricula will be needed before the end of the year.

Outdoor Ministry: Jim briefly discussed what the church has been doing in the past, and the committee agreed that it would address the issue of planning for next year when the summer 2007 schedule comes out in February. While the focus has been on HS and MS youth, the committee will investigate the programs for all ages.

Confirmation: Having just completed a confirmation program last year, there will probably not need to be a program this year, although the committee will look at this issue later.

Adult Education: Jim stated that the morning Bible Study is running well, with an average attendance of around 10 people. He also talked about the success of after-church programs, and will look into more of these in the future.

Budget: There was some discussion about the current budget, as well as planning for next year. Next year’s numbers will be finalized at the next meeting, and the budget spending overall is running well under budget, with no major expenditures in the foreseeable future.

Special Events: Some ideas were discussed for the Christmas pageant, and Jim agreed to have some firm plans based on the suggestions made by the next meeting. The possibility of an upcoming “Come to the Table” event was also discussed.

FLOCK/Youth Group: Some general discussion centered around the history and challenges of getting these programs up and running. The committee agreed to continue this discussion at the next meeting.

The next meeting will be Sunday, November 12 at 11:30 am in the vestry.

Jim Melhorn - for the Committee

Christian Education Committee

November 11, 2006

In atten!dance were: Jim Melhorn, Amy Lanza and Lisa Galante

Budget: Went over the current budget numbers to project what should be presented for the 2007 budget. We decided that the numbers would remain the same as last year. Amy Lanza emailed budget to Cynthia Childs 11/14/06 to present to the committee.

Church Computer is currently out of order. Diversified Computers is looking at it now and will let us know if it can be fixed or if we should be looking for another one.

Christmas Pageants: We will be planning to have a “Shadow” play on the December 17th Lessons and Carols Service. Amy Lanza has asked her husband for help in constructing the sheet prop that we need. Lisa Galante will ask her husband for the use of his spotlights. Rev. Jim will begin to work out the different scenes and we will discuss at next meeting. Rehearsal for this is set for December 10th at 11:30 after service.

We have not decided on a Christmas Pageant yet for Christmas Eve. Rev. Jim will work on ideas to discuss at next meeting.

There was talk of doing a Hat/Mitten tree again this year as well as a tree for the food pantry to include either food or donations.

Next Meeting will be December 3rd at 11:30am

Amy Lanza - for the Committee

Mission Ministries Team

November 12, 2006

The Mission Ministries Team met Sunday November 12, 2006 at 11:30am. Present were Laura Henrikson, Mary Alice D’Ambrosio and Marie Marr.

Laura opened the meeting with a prayer and then the minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

Since there had not been a Council Meeting since our last meeting, there was no report.

Laura reported that more coffee, tea and chocolate had been ordered and would be here in time for the Snowflake Fair. She also is making the basket for the raffle.

On Sunday November 19, we will request donations from the Congregation for the Empty Bowl Project to benefit the Keene Community Kitchen. Since we couldn’t locate the wooden bowl, Mary Alice offered to bring one she has.

Marie reported that the Meeting House has been reserved for a Mission Ministries Chili Supper on Saturday February 3, 2007. Shelter from the Storm has been contacted about providing a speaker and we are awaiting the finalized details.

It was determined that a thank you note was overdue to Kimball’s Ice Cream and Mary Alice offered to send it.

The dispersement of the balance of this year’s budget was discussed and finalized. Mary Alice will purchase a few items for the Warming Families Tree.

Due to numerous conflicts, we were unable to decide on a December Meeting date. It was decided we would keep in touch by email and if events came up that warranted a meeting, we would find a mutually agreeable date at that time.

Marie closed the meeting with an inspirational reading.

Respectfully submitted,

Marie Marr, Secretary pro tem.

Music Committee

November 8, 2006

Following a brief closed session, a regular meeting was held 11/08/06, with Chair Mary Lu Mathis, Tony D’Ambrosio, Bob Popple and Mary Jane Sawyer in attendance.

Mary Lu suggested, and the group approved, an appraisal of our Mason Hamlin grand piano.

The appraisal will cost $40.00 and will identify a figure for insurance coverage for the instrument. The appraisal is scheduled for November 17.

The recent Organ Concert was discussed. Mary Lu expressed thanks for the kitchen help and for Tony’s comprehensive program write-up. The Concert was a great success, netting a profit of $256.50 after expenses.

Mary Lu outlined monthly committee expenses.

Regarding the Thanksgiving Eve service, choir practice that week will be held 11/20. Bob will ask Reverend Melhorn for a simplified music program.

Tony reported on Council activities, including Church Retreat schedule, pledge cards, Potluck Supper, and church member data base.

Our next meeting is scheduled for December 10.

Mary Jane Sawyer - for the Committee

Membership and Evangelism

October 26, 2006

The Membership and Evangelism Committee met on Thursday October 26th at 7:00pm in the Vestry. Those in attendance were Susan Casey, Steve Henrikson, Lois May, Marcie Miller and Rev. Melhorn. Jim opened with a prayer.

Marcie Miller will be our new council representative.

Membership Database – Marcie indicated that there have been 2 new entries, 7 changes and 4 status changes. She met with the Deacons and passed out the information sheet she gave to them. She also provided a database “status field” definition sheet for discussion – a couple of modifications were made.

New member classes were scheduled with New Member Sunday being November 19th.

Church Directory – Remaining directories were mailed. If you did not receive your directory, please let Marcie Miller know.

Attendance Trends – Marcie took a cut at plotting the attendance records to show any trends. A request was made to go further back and break it down further into adult/children.

Evangelism – Jim led a discussion on evangelism and ways it can work in our church. We will work on sharing our faith journey among ourselves as a way to broaden evangelism.

Our next meeting will be Thursday November 30th at 7:00pm.

Steve Henrikson, Secretary

Extras From the Editor

Special Articles

Bloopers from Sunday School Students

The Fifth Commandment is humor thy mother and father.
A Christian should have only one wife. This is called monotony.
The epistles were the wives of the apostles.
When Mary heard that she was the Mother of Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta.

Tony and Peggy Campolo have been working assiduously for more than a decade now to help the church talk about same-sex relationships in a civil and spiritual manner. Tony is an ordained Baptist minister, a popular speaker, the author of numerous books, and the founder of a ministry that reaches out to poor and hurting people worldwide in the name of Jesus. He believes that the Bible forbids all homosexual activity. Unlike many in the evangelical church, he does not support attempts to convert gays and lesbians into heterosexuals; instead, he advises celibacy. Peggy Campolo, his wife of some 40 years and a lifelong American Baptist, has expressed her views in the essay “In God’s House, There Are Many Closets,” which is part of Walter Wink’s Homosexuality and Christian Faith: Questions of Conscience for the Churches. Peggy supports monogamous, same-sex relationships, and believes that marriages should be recognized in the church for both heterosexual and homosexual couples. Though holding very different views on same-sex relationships, Tony and Peggy often appear together at meetings. They are able to engage in illuminating public dialogues, and continue to respect each other’s faith. How I wish that the church could be as open and accommodating in its dialogues.

Sadly, the Protestant church is profoundly divided on the question of homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Presbyterians and Methodists have engaged in deeply divisive debates at recent national meetings. The United Church of Christ, our Executive Minister reports, is steadily losing congregations and financial support in direct response to the Synod’s support of same-sex marriage. The Anglican Church is slowly losing its quest to remain a unified worldwide communion due in part to the ordination of an openly gay bishop in New Hampshire. It’s frustrating to see how difficult it is for the church to talk about these things, and frightening to see how easily divided the church has become over a single issue. There doesn’t seem to be any middle ground on which the divided church can stand together. Frederick Gaiser has written, “ . . . the hard truth is that Christians of good will – more, Christians of good faith – for whom the Bible remains the source and norm of faith and life sincerely disagree about whether or how biblical passages regarding homosexual behavior relate to the current situation.”

Because there are a multitude of Christians of good will and good faith who disagree, I want to give space in this letter to the arguments of those who believe that same-sex relationships and marriage are contrary to God’s revealed will. Their voices need to be heard if our discussion is to have any semblance of balance.

The Argument Against Same-Sex Relationships:

The reasoning used by those who find same-sex relationships and marriage contrary to God’s revealed will varies with the individual, but generally includes the following – severely abridged – arguments.

The Bible - Whenever the Bible speaks of same-sex relations it does so negatively;

Tradition - For more than 19 centuries the church has held that same-sex relations represent sinful behavior, and sinful behavior needs to be changed before one can truly be a Christian;

Nature – Human anatomy suggests that we are intended for heterosexual relations; and;

The Purpose of Marriage – Christian wedding services for centuries have included words similar to these from the Book of Worship: “The scriptures teach us that the bond and covenant of marriage is a gift of God, a holy mystery in which man and woman become one flesh, an image of the union of Christ and the church.” These words present marriage as part of God’s creative work, and as the divinely ordained bond that unites man and woman in an enduring family unit.

The above arguments have persuaded a majority of Christians to conclude that same-sex relationships are contrary to the will of God. Therefore, the line of reasoning continues, homosexual attraction should be treated as part of one’s ‘old sinful nature’ - something to be confronted, confessed, and changed. Writing in Christianity Today, Dennis Belkofer tells how he struggled with his attraction to men all of his life. For years he lived in a secretive marriage-like partnership with another man until one day his sister, on her deathbed, said to him, “Denny, the Lord told me you’re gay. You’ll never find true peace and love until you come back to Jesus.” Her words prompted in him a profound change. He writes, “I cried out to the Lord for forgiveness and came home to the one I should have never left in the first place, the Lord Jesus. To my great joy, he was waiting for me with open arms.” Many Christians see in Dennis’ repentance and determination to change his behavior a template for all those struggling with an attraction to members of the same sex. Dennis does not suggest that his orientation has changed but only that his behavior has been changed by the grace and power of God.

Clearly his church’s belief that God disapproves of same-sex relationships was a powerful force for change in Dennis’s life. Dennis wanted to be in a right relationship with God and so he was willing to forfeit a sexual relationship with another man if God demanded it.

Many evangelical leaders argue that this is precisely the reason that the church should hold firm to its historic belief that homosexuality is sinful. Without such a belief, men and woman like Dennis would have little incentive to change their ways. Encouraging changes in the laws that govern society to allow for civil unions or same-sex partnerships is absurd, from this point of view, for it simply encourages people to remain in a sinful state of rebellion against their creator. Instead, many evangelical churches have set up and continue to support specialized ministries to gay and lesbians that focus on turning them away from homosexuality and toward heterosexuality. With prayer, self-discipline, encouragement and the grace of God it is hoped that the attraction to members of the same sex will fade and, in time, completely go away. These ministries claim great success, although their claims are met with much skepticism not only by the gay and lesbian community, but by many within and outside the church who have experience working with gay and lesbian Christians.

Of course each of the arguments against same-sex marriage can be rebutted. For example, the witness of the Bible is weak and confusing. As to the 19 centuries of Tradition, we may say with Peggy Campolo, “I would remind these people that all those years of church tradition supported an interpretation of Timothy 2:11 and 12 that disallowed women from church leadership. We only know what the church fathers said because those who might have been the church mothers had no voice.” To the argument from Nature, we may reply (1) that there are abundant variations within the animal kingdom that preclude any conclusive argument from nature, and (2) that human anatomy doesn’t determine sexual orientation. Have we not all known a friend or classmate from childhood who though sexually immature was already displaying interests and affections that we would later recognize as homosexual? Finally, given all that we have learned in the last 25 years or so about the desire of gay and lesbian couples for the freedom to make lasting covenants, we may be the ones who will finally broaden The Meaning of Marriage to include them - though I doubt that the church as a whole will be ready for that any time soon.

A Place to Hang One’s Hat: Finding a Way to Talk Together and Stay Together

Curiously, in spite of gradually shifting attitudes in our culture, a greater awareness of the presence of gays and lesbians at all levels of society, and a more positive presence of gays and lesbians in movies and television shows, the church is managing to slowly split itself apart over its own Resolution. Much as the Red Sox year after year crumble into dust as the post-season approaches, the church is showing signs of self-destructing

over this issue even as society is starting to get the message. Historically, this has too often been true of our church. Whether the quest is focused on the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, or ‘The Resolution

in Support of Equal Marriage Rights For All’, it always seems to shrink the church. The growing gulf between conservative and liberal, between local church and judicatory, is a peril that threatens the vitality and viability of the United Church of Christ. Must we always shed members in our quest for justice? Can we no