A Note from our Pastor...

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1 October 2018 No. 802 Wilbraham United Church I am the vine, you are the branches. Published Monthly * Yearly mail subscription $12 Submissions deadline: 15th of the month A Note from our Pastor... Fall has swiftly arrived, carried on a crisp breeze that can make summer seem long ago. Yet, many of us still have sand in our shoes from vacations, and we are still settling in to our new routines. Time does move swiftly, and for me even more so since Luke s arrival. Spring and summer have come and gone so quickly, but I am determined to hold onto these wonderful autumn moments: apple-picking with Alison and Luke, the explosion of color throughout the Pioneer Valley that I can t wait to see in person, the exploits of the Red Sox in the playoffs and the Michigan Wolverines in college football. And I am also determined to become more connected to our congregation and our community, in Wilbraham, the Greater Springfield area, and the Western Region of the MACUCC. This month, there will be several opportunities for me, and for friends and members of WUC, to become more involved and deepen those connections. First, on October 12 th, we will be hosting a Potluck dinner in Fellowship Hall. You can find more details elsewhere in the Branchline, but this is a great opportunity to gather with one 500 Main St. Wilbraham, MA Main office: Admin@WilbrahamUnitedChurch.org another around a table, to share stories and maybe swap recipes, and get to know another better. On the very next day, should we not be too full, St. Cecilia s is celebrating Oktoberfest, with food and drink and music, with proceeds going to benefit the Community Survival Center, a vital area mission that we support. I hope that I ll see many of you there, as well as at church on Sunday at which there will be another celebration! On October 20, Super Saturday an event that brings together the Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island conferences of the UCC, to explore new ideas and facilitate conversations will take place in Framingham. Super Saturday is a great way to not only see where the Conference is headed, but to shape that direction. In worship and during workshops, we can encounter new people and engage in new ways of thinking. If you would like to attend, please let me know: the more, the merrier! Lastly, on October 28 th, we will celebrate Reformation Sunday by welcoming new members (including me!), and affirming our membership in the Body of Christ, and as members of this congregation. We will be holding two information sessions: October 17 th at 7PM and following worship on October 21 st. If you are interested in joining our church, or attending either of those meetings, there are details elsewhere in the Branchline. Now that I look back at all that we have in store, this is another month that seems destined to fly right by! And there is even more that I haven t had time to mention! October promises to be a month full of events and opportunities that we ll long remember and will help us build toward our future. May this month bring us closer together and closer to God, encouraging us. strengthening us and Blessings, Pastor Chip 1

2 2018 MID-SEPTEMBER PLEDGE INCOME REPORT Annual Pledge Income Budget: $216,000 Pledge Income through September 16: $170,100 Thank you for your gifts. Pledge income includes $47,081 of full-year pledge donations. Considering these up-front payments, on September 16 pledge income is about $5600 short of expectations. The income and expense budgets voted at annual meeting had income that was $8460 short of a balanced budget. The appeal made at Annual Meeting to cover the forecasted deficit was met by additional pledges from those who had already pledged, bringing the pledge income expectation to $224,600. While we began the summer meeting these expectations, we have fallen behind over the summer. With summer vacations ended, attendance at Sunday worship has rebounded, but we have not yet seen the expected rebound in giving. We will be mailing reports in October which will provide the status of your giving through September. Again, thank you all for your gifts CHANDELIER BULB REPLACEMENT All light bulbs in the Sanctuary chandeliers have been replaced with 5-watt LED bulbs. Bulbs replaced were 40-watt incandescent. Total of 8 large chandeliers and 2 smaller ones in the balcony used 106 bulbs. Each of the large chandeliers was lowered by a winch located in the attic, bulbs replaced, chimneys washed, fixtures dusted, then wiched back into position. Each replacement job required about two hours of work by two people. The balcony chandeliers were reachable by ladder taking less time. Energy savings should cover the cost of the bulbs in about 2 years. Expected bulb life is over 20 years. 2

3 Choir, Bells and Music Commission News & Minutes We are always looking for new choir members. If you enjoy music and like singing; if you enjoy the community of fun loving people; if you love raising your voice in song to our Lord; why don t you come join us? The commitment is flexible but the blessings are many. They who sing pray twice. Rehearsals are Thursday evenings from 7:45-9: Junior Choir Rehearsals are on Saturdays from AM Balcony Bells rehearse on Tuesdays at 7:00 PM Minutes Worship/Music Commission The Worship/Music Commission meeting was held on September 11, 2018 at 7 p.m. In attendance were Patty Kolkos, Sharon McBride, Herb Viera, Bill McCloskey, Mark Jacobson, Candy Dearborn and Pastor Chip. Worship Service: Pastor Chip has made a minor change in the Order of Worship on Sundays. The announcements and passing of peace has been moved to right before Moments with Children. Worship Jobs: There was discussion of reaching out to the congregation for more ushers, greeters and liturgists. It was decided to put this in the bulletin, announce it in church, include it in the Branchline and also a personal approach during Fellowship Hour. Special Services: There will be a new member service in the fall. Pastor Chip will do an ecumenical All Saints evening service as well as a Sunday Service. Christ the King and the Epiphany Church will be invited to the Sunday Service. These services will be for those who have passed during Thanksgiving Service is held the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Congregation will be asked to bring in food for this special service. Pastor Chip would like to have a Blue Christmas for those who struggle with the Christ mas holidays. He will invite other churches as well as the Wilbraham community. Christmas Eve services will be held at 4 and 7 p.m. Pew pads have been replaced by guest cards in the pews for new people visiting the church. These will be placed in the Collection plates and given to the membership committee to acknowledge and welcome the visitors. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 9 th. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Candy Dearborn 3

4 New member Sunday will be held on Reformation Sunday, October 28, In preparation, Pastor Chip Hurd will be hosting two informational sessions. The first will be held on Wed, October 17 th and the other after worship on October 21 st. It is required that prospective new members attend one of these meetings. Any questions about membership or the service of membership, may be directed to me or Pastor Chip. Please RSVP to the church office for Wed evening by Oct 15 and Oct 19 for the Sunday meeting. We need to know how many information packets to have for each meeting. Light refreshments will be served at both meetings. Blessings, Joyce Pierangelo New Member Committee Update Greetings from your Membership Committee. We have recently branched off of Parish Life, in order to give Membership special attention. Connie Law, Judy Hoffman, Candy Dearborn, Alesia Peck and I have been working together to ensure every guest who comes through our doors feels welcomed and included in our church. Over the past few months, with input from Pastor Chip, we have developed an informational brochure about our church for visitors, reviewed parish membership lists and we have eliminated the outdated Pew Pads in favor of a pilot of Visitor Cards. So far, we have received positive feedback for our efforts. If anyone has questions or suggestions please feel free to contact one of us. Sincerely, Joyce Pierangelo 4

5 The NARCAN demonstration and discussion was well received at coffee hour on September 16. OUTREACH COMMISSION will be making a $200 contribution for outreach work that is being done by staff in the Addiction Treatment Program at Mercy Hospital. Outreach Minutes, September 10, 2018 Attendees: Ruth Karlson, Nanette Bernard, Monica Gubala and Phyllis Walsh Narcan Presentation: Carolyn Meuse RN from Mercy Medical Center will give a Narcan demo and offer information on opiod abuse in an informal setting at fellowship hour Sunday Sept 16. Flyers will be placed tonight, notices were given to St Cecilias, Grace Union and CTK Epiphany Churches,an article went in the Times, ad was placed in Branchline and a Facebook event was posted. Since we have funds set aside for Opiod education, we discussed donating $ to the Pathway to Care program for addiction at Mercy Medical Center. All in attendance approved this donation. We will be checking in with Pastor Chip for other ideas on Substance Abuse Education or possibly offering the building for Narcotics Anonymous meetings. Link to Library: Discussed the need to connect with our readers and volunteers. Ruth will contact Tammy Trudeau to get information and Phyllis offered to contact the Brunton School principal at a later date to establish a rapport and understand their potential needs. Ministry Teams: Survival Center-We will keep the grocery cart a few more months in hopes of encouraging more donations with this visual aid. The Knights of Columbus at St. Cecilia s will be hosting an Octoberfest dinner as a fundraiser for the Survival Center on Oct. 13, Phyllis will be selling tickets and an ad went in the Branchline. Pop Tops Program- Monica continues to collect the pop tops to be distributed to Ronald McDonald House or Shriners Hospital. Monica has also been supplying donation envelopes in the pews. Habitat for Humanity: Briefly discussed continued support of Habitat through various means or financial donations. We will discuss at future meetings. Neighbors in Need: The box of envelopes and information has arrived, so we will make a plan at the October meeting for the collection. Heifer International: Should we do the gift program this year? People seemed excited about it last year, so we will discuss a Christmas program at the October meeting. Crop Walk: Nanette was to contact CTK about the Crop Walk this year. However, during worship Sept 16, it was announced that Paul Nesbit will be leading the Crop Walk event this year and it will be held at Forest Park. Next Outreach meeting will be Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018 at 7 pm. 5

6 Shopping Card Ministry Top Ten Reasons to Buy WUC Shopping Cards 10. They are convenient and easy to redeem. No need to carry cash or a checkbook when shopping. 9. They are safer than using a credit card no risk of identity theft. 8. They make excellent gifts; for teens, -think cinema, music stores, sport outfitters, and clothing stores. For the tool guy, Lowes and Home Depot; for the family, LL Bean, Lands End, Walgreens, CVS, restaurants, and many more. 7. Most national merchants accept them as payment for phone and internet orders 6. Grocery cards (Big Y, Stop & Shop, Wal-Mart) are available after church service each Sunday, and in the church office during the week. 5. You receive full face value in merchandise for your card. It does not lose value as do some Visa and Master Card gift cards. 4. Hundreds of local and national merchants participate in this program. Order from the national list on Sunday: the cards are available the following Sunday 3. Buying cards has no negative effect on your family budget. It is money you were going to spend anyway. 2. The discount we receive from the merchant when we purchase the card, helps fund WUC activities. Every dollar makes a difference.... And the #1 reason for buying shopping cards -- The good feeling and satisfaction received knowing you are helping the church remain vital in the community. In a hurry? Print your own ecard, the fastest and easiest way to receive scrip! Plus, send egifts to your college bound friends and family! Contact Connie for details at cdstiefel@gmail.com or Thank you! Your shopping card ministry team Bob Law, Connie Stiefel, Lisa Fallon, Wendy O rourke and Candy Dearborn 6

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8 The Wilbraham United Players will present the hysterically funny PLAY ON! written by Rick Abbott This show is a play within a play about a group of community players attempting to present a play by a very hands-on local author who fancies herself the next Agatha Christie. Laughs abound the cast includes many WUP favorites including David Chivers, Carolyn Averill, Christine Arruda, Kevin Bechard, Catherine and Jim Martin, along with Meaghan Callahan and Casey Dion. Newcomers to WUP Theresa Allie and Carol Cisek join the group for this production. The show is directed by Joe Van Allen and will be presented November 2, 3, 9, 10 at 7:30 and November 4 and 11 at 2:30 in Fellowship Hall. Tickets may be purchased online at wilbrahamunitedplayers.com or by calling Karen Kielb at (413) Premium Reserved Seats are $25 and General Seating is $20 with a $5 discount available for Students and Seniors. Trunk or Treating! All are welcome, 2nd Annual Allergy Friendly Trunk or Treat will be held Wednesday, Oct. 31st from 3pm-4:30PM in the back parking lot of Wilbraham United Church. For more Information, and/or, if you are interested in volunteering, please contact Brielle (413) or Janet (413) Evening yoga classes! Looking for an Evening Gentle Yoga Class? Join us for a six week series beginning Tues, October 16th in the Youth Room at 7PM. For more information, please Ellen: efarq2006@gmail.com 8

9 Please join us for a Friday, October 12, 2018 Wilbraham United Church 6:00-7:30pm Fellowship Hall EVERYONE is welcome. Please bring a dish, salad or dessert to share. Contact Paul Nesbit, Director of Family Ministries/Christian Education, Wilbraham United Church, , ext 105, christianed@wilbrahamunitedchurch.org 9

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11 The date for the 2018 Wilbraham-Hampden CROP Walk is Sunday, October 14. We are trying something a bit different this year. We will be walking together with the Springfield CROP Walk, as they hold their walk on the same day. Here are the details: Registration begins at 1:00 pm at Trinity Church Sumner Ave, Springfield The Walk begins at 2:00 pm We leave from Trinity, do a loop through Forest Park and return to Trinity Water & Snacks will be provided We will have a designated Wilbraham/Hampden registration table at Trinity Church. We are keeping registrations separate and ask that you register under Wilbraham/Hampden CROP because 25% of what we raise stays local. Wilbraham/Hampden has in past years designated the Survival Center in Indian Orchard as our local charity and we would like to continue that support. (Springfield designates a different local organization.) Please see Paul Nesbit at Fellowship Hour for a brochure and registration information. This could be a great family activity!! 11

12 Halloween Party Sunday, October 28 4:30pm-6:30pm Wilbraham United Church Pumpkin Decorating Costume Parade Candy Face Painting Scavenger Hunt Kid-Friendly Dinner This event is FREE and children of ALL AGES are welcome! (Donations will be accepted for those who are able.) For more information, please contact: Paul Nesbit, Director of Family Ministries/Christian Ed., Wilbraham United Church, , ext

13 Best wishes to the following senior members of our congregation who are celebrating birthdays in October: Llewellyn Merrick October 5 Jim Trimble October 9 Jane Godfrey October 10 Cathy Labine October 11 Nancy Schenk October 18 Looking for an Evening Gentle Yoga Class? Join us for a six week series beginning Tues, October 16th in the Youth Room at 7PM. For more information, please Ellen: efarq2006@gmail.com The Old Meeting House Museum October Event Sunday, October 14th! The Old Meeting House Museum is sponsoring The Adams Cemetery Annual Candlelight Tour. The Cemetery is on Tinkham Road, west of Main St. Bring a flashlight. Listen to the re-enacted stories of some of those buried there. Event is open to the public. A free-will offering will be graciously accepted. 13

14 The Church Office is open weekly Tuesday Friday from 9:30am to 1:30pm. Main Phone: FAX: website: Rev. Wallace A. Hurd IV PASTOR Church Ext. 103 Suzanne Taylor, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Church Ext. 100 Mark Jacobson, MUSIC DIRECTOR Church Ext. 106 STAFF & Phone Extensions: Paul Nesbit, DIR. OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Church Ext. 105 Betsy Johnsen, BOOKKEEPER Through office Ext. 100 WILBRAHAM UNITED CHURCH NURSERY SCHOOL Church Ext. 108 Missed church? Watch the service on Wilbraham Public Access, Channel 191, 8 PM on Mondays and 8 AM on Tuesdays. Services are also available on-line. Go to On the left click Public Access Schedules - Channel 191. Find the service you d like to watch by selecting a date on the calendar and a time, 8pm Mondays or 8am on Tuesdays. Click Watch Now 14

15 Mon., Oct. 1 Psalm 140 Esther 4: Peter 1:3-9 Tues., Oct. 2 Psalm 140 Esther 5: John 2:18-25 Wed., Oct. 3 Psalm 140 Esther 8:1-17 Matthew 18:6-9 Thurs., Oct. 4 Psalm 26 Job 2:11-3:26 Galatians 3:23-29 Fri., Oct. 5 Psalm 26 Job 4:1-21 Romans 8:1-11 Sat., Oct. 6 Psalm 26 Job 7:1-21 Luke 16:14-18 Sun., Oct. 7 Job 1:1; 2:1-10 Psalm 26 Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 Mark 10:2-16 Mon., Oct. 8 Psalm 55:1-15 Job 8: Corinthians 7:1-9 Tues., Oct. 9 Psalm 55:1-15 Job 11: Corinthians 7:10-16 Wed., Oct. 10 Psalm 55:1-15 Job 15:1-35 Matthew 5:27-36 Daily Lectionary Scripture References Thurs., Oct. 11 Psalm 22:1-15 Job 17:1-16 Hebrews 3:7-1 Fri., Oct. 12 Psalm 22:1-15 Job 18:1-21 Hebrews 4:1-11 Sat., Oct. 13 Psalm 22:1-15 Job 20:1-29 Matthew 15:1-9 Sun., Oct. 14 October 2018 (Year B) Job 23:1-9, Psalm 22:1-15 Hebrews 4:12-16 Mark 10:17-31 Mon., Oct. 15 Psalm 39 Job 26:1-14 Revelation 7:9-17 Tues., Oct. 16 Psalm 39 Job 28:12-29:10 Revelation 8:1-5 Wed., Oct. 17 Psalm 39 Job 32:1-22 Luke 16:19-31 Thurs., Oct. 18 Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b Job 36:1-16 Romans 15:7-13 Fri., Oct. 19 Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b Job 37:1-24 Revelation 17:1-18 Sat., Oct. 20 Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b Job 39:1-30 Luke 22:24-30 Sun., Oct. 21 Job 38:1-7 [34-41] Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b Hebrews 5:1-10 Mark 10:35-45 Mon., Oct. 22 Psalm 75 Job 40:1-24 Hebrews 6:1-12 Tues., Oct. 23 Psalm 75 Job 41:1-11 Hebrews 6:13-20 Wed., Oct. 24 Psalm 75 Job 41:12-34 John 13:1-17 Thurs., Oct. 25 Psalm 34:1-8 [19-22] 2 Kings 20:12-19 Hebrews 7:1-10 Fri., Oct. 26 Psalm 34:1-8 [19-22] Nehemiah 1:1-11 Hebrews 7:11-22 Sat., Oct. 27 Psalm 34:1-8 [19-22] Job 42:7-9 Mark 8:22-26 Sun., Oct. 28 Job 42:1-6, Psalm 34:1-8 [19-22] Hebrews 7:23-28 Mark 10:46-52 Mon., Oct. 29 Psalm 28 Isaiah 59: Peter 2:1-10 Tues., Oct. 30 Psalm 28 Ezekiel 18:1-32 Acts 9:32-35 Wed., Oct. 31 Psalm 28 Ezekiel 14:12-23 Matthew 20:29-34 Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. commontexts.orq. Used by permission. This resource may be reproduced by congregations for their own worship and educational activities. Provided by the Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ - made possible by Our Church's Wider Mission Basic Support and Fellowship Dues. 15

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