Sunday January 6 at 10am we will have a great service of Epiphany in the fellowship hall at the Parish House followed by a light luncheon.

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1 The Bellman: January LET S BE FRANK As I am writing this I am thinking about how Jesus young family had to take a detour to stay out of danger in that first Epiphany story. The power of that day named Herod was jealous of anyone else having power and so he tried to trick the wise men of that day. This story seems almost too real in the 21st century as wise men and women of our day are still being tricked by the powers of our day to build walls, to turn people away that are looking for a safe place to lay their head. I believe that we like in that first story are being warned in a dream not to return to Herod s ways but to take a detour to take a better route than the exclusiveness that our powers that be seem to be promoting in our day. May 2019 be the year that North Church truly takes a new road. A road to continued expanding of our inclusiveness and an increased focus on one of our properties and how we can best be the church in the 21st century and beyond. The light is shining for us and for our world. May we open our hearts and minds to a new Epiphany that will light the way for years to come. Happy New Year! Frank Sunday January 6 at 10am we will have a great service of Epiphany in the fellowship hall at the Parish House followed by a light luncheon. Remember to come out to our first Jazz Mediations of 2019 at North Church in Market Square. Remember worship now is at the Parish House at 355 Spinney Road until April 14 when we will be back at MSQ.

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4 North Church Women News Thanks for everyone who worked hard to make the Holly Shoppe Fair a big success this year. Everyone in our church family seems to come together to make it happen!! Please note: There will be a meeting of the North Church Women on Tuesday, January 15th at 1:30pm to discuss this years fair and plan for Please try to attend to give us your input. The North Church Women made and delivered 16 holiday arrangements to our nursing home and homebound members. Thanks to the following people who made the deliveries: Bob Bach, Pete and Betsy Kinner, Priscilla Pettis, Mike Foye and Betty Gilman. Happy New Year to all, Priscilla Pettis

5 Stewardship Corner The New Year has begun and we continue to look to the future and the fresh possibilities a new year brings. Our emphasis on new directions in giving has been a wonderful start to our evolution for the future. The successful campaign this year exemplifies the spirit of team North Church. Now is the time for us build on that success and rejuvenate, re-energize and re-imagine our individual stewardship plans. As the Stewardship Committee begins looking to the future and our next campaign, we ask you to continue to re-invent your Stewardship journey and think about its importance to you, the future of North Church and the larger community in Christ. - Your Stewardship Committee Martha Labbe Betty Gilman PLAY SPACE and LITTLE ARTISTS at the Soul Café We are back by popular demand and ready to begin our second year at North Church! Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and their parents are invited to come and play in our Sunday school space downstairs in the Parish House and/or take a music and art class. We will be gathering on Wednesday mornings from January 9 to April 17, 2019, 10a.m. to 12noon. During this time, Jill Newsome will also be offering two drop-in classes featuring music and art for toddlers and preschoolers. Class 1 is from 10-10:40 and Class 2 follows from 11-11:40. The fee is $10 per class/family. Parents and children not participating in a class will have an opportunity to explore the play space in the infant/toddler and preschool rooms and enjoy time in our wonderful children s library. Volunteers are needed to welcome families into our Play Space each week. If you are interested in joining the fun, please contact Jill Newsome or Pam Woodward. We look forward to hearing from you!

6 Holly Shoppe Fair a Huge Success! As we looked around the Fellowship Hall on December 1, it was apparent that the atmosphere was joyous as many of our members had gathered to help in one way or another. Craft and knit items for the fair had been made, donations for the raffle/silent action were on display, greens were decorated and priced, homemade bakery goods had been delivered, drinks, both warm and cold drinks were in place, the take out and luncheon foods were prepared and Church School items ready for the children. In the entry, coffee with Frank and Soul Café clothing items were all set up. The hall was festive and even Santa was waiting nearby. Just think of the many hands that were involved in all this work! It truly is a whole church event! Thank you to each and every one for your time, talents and yes, money! The community supports us in so many ways with many attending the fair every year. We solicited many of our regular donors which produced an array of items for the raffle/silent auction. Many of our members donate gift baskets and other items. Thanks to: Linda Brightman Brackett, Ahdrah Moore, Sue Foye, Jean Crist, Paula Roberge, Marsha Leach, Pam Woodward, Ann Knox, Connie Warren, Janet Cushing, Judy Layton, Betty Gilman and all the members of the evening book group for donating a wide variety of items. The following businesses donated to the raffle/auction and thank you notes were sent out to: Classic Cutters, Café Expresso, Dogland, Hannafords, Ice House, Woodbury Florist, Dinner Horn, Ace Hardware, Ovington Produce of York, Bowl-O-Rama, Flowers by Leslie, Grill 28 and Rolling Green Nursery. The next time you are in one of these businesses, please thank them in person even though they have received a hand written note of appreciation. As of this writing it appears that the cost of the fair totals $ (although we have not received the advertising bill) with baked beans, and other luncheon ingredients donated. The greens reimbursement of $655 from a year ago was finally received and this year the order was donated by Ovington Produce of York. The earnings will come in at $ before costs. Thanks to all of you and our wonderful community members for raising these funds. The final numbers will be reported at the next North Church Women s meeting. Betty Gilman NCW Treasurer

7 M I S S I O N S N E W S It underscores a commitment to address food insecurity through gathering not only food, but also community support. The Mission Board of North Church is con nuing to support programs at Gather (formerly SFFP). The Board will suggest a food item(s) and a personal care item for dona on each month. As always, food and personal care items may be brought to the Parish House on Spinney Road at any me and placed in the bookcase in the foyer. The schedule of suggested dona ons is: Month Food Item Personal Care Item January Instant oatmeal & Instant Cream of Wheat, Facial Tissues Oatmeal February Whole grain crackers & low-sugar cereal Facial Tissues & Toilet paper Thank you for your December dona ons or canned and dried beans and facial ssues. These items and a variety of others were delivered to the food pantry. All dona ons are welcome and needed at the pantry. Gather s goal is to provide high protein, healthy foods low in sugar and sodium. The following list includes items that are currently on the pantry s wish list: White tuna in water Canned & dry beans Peanut bu er (18 oz.) Cooking oils Healthy snack bars Small pkgs. condiments Sugar / Flour (2 lb.) Canned tomatoes Whole grain rice Pasta sauce (in a can) Toilet paper Plas c Squeeze Jelly (no sugar) Canned fruit (no sugar added) Pasta / Spaghe Tomato sauce Broth Low sodium vegetables Low sodium soups Healthy bran cereal Baking items Shampoo, Deodorant, Toothpaste Healthy Foods Welcome! No Glass Containers, Please. Please check dates! Out-of-date items are not accepted!

8 M I S S I O N S N E W S Meatball Monday Your response to the Mission Board s request for donations of bags of frozen meatballs has been amazing!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!! We thank you for your generosity!! Be thinking about the ways you can support individuals and families in need in our community. Your generosity is always greatly appreciated! The Giving Tree Your generosity was overwhelming! The Mission Board collected more than 50 gifts and delivered them to the following organizations prior to Christmas: The Edgewood Centre and Cross Roads Inc. in Portsmouth, New Generation in Greenland, and Rockingham County Long Term Care in Brentwood. The representative of each organization which received our gifts expressed personal gratitude to the congregation of North Church for the kindness shown to those in need. The holidays were a little brighter for many in our community thanks to YOU! The Mitten Tree The Giving Tree has become The Mitten Tree! Throughout the month of January, the Mission Board will be collecting mittens and hats for children in Portsmouth s three elementary schools. We ask that you place these on or under the tree in the Parish House foyer. The school nurses have also indicated a need for children s size small (for 5 & 6 year olds) underwear, sweatpants, and sox. Time to start knitting and shopping for these much needed items!

9 All Worship services begin at 10 am Sunday, January 6 The Epiphany The Sacrament of Communion will be celebrated Worship at Parish House Sunday, January 13 First Sunday after the Epiphany Worship at Parish House Sunday, January 20 Second Sunday after the Epiphany Worship at Parish House Sunday, January 27 Third Sunday after the Epiphany Worship at Parish House Membership Committee Please look to sign up for coffee Hour at the Parish House. Our next meetings are set for January 9th, February 6th and March 6th at 6pm at the Parish House. We are looking for some suggestions for an activity for our congregation to do together. Please see Jenny Shaw, Pam Woodward or Deb Jones for suggestions! Wishing all a Happy and healthy 2019! Deb Jones

10 Birthdays Anniversaries 01-January 02-January 03-January 07-January 08-January 12-January 12-January 13-January 14-January 14-January 14-January 15-January 16-January 17-January 19-January 19-January 20-January 22-January 24-January 25-January 25-January 27-January 29-January 29-January Michael Foye Gene Jones Judy Ringer Cindy Gagnon Alexander Cushing Heidi Amsden Bette Ann Hirtle Lydia Burns Charlie Coleman Connor LaPointe Janet Taylor Loyal Wessling Ryan Corti Berit Sjuls Jim McDevitt Elizabeth Murphy Matthew Coleman Ahdrah Moore Marley Burns Christine Hodgson Ryan Watts Susan Diehl Danielle Cushing Elizabeth LaPage Beth & Richard Simpson January 9 MEN S BREAKFAST January 16th 8:00 am Café Espresso All Welcome! The deadline for Articles for the February Bellman is January 25th.

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12 Church Sanctuary Market Square, Portsmouth, NH Church Office Parish House 355 Spinney Road Portsmouth, NH phone fax Sunday Worship Reverend Frank Newsome, Sr. Pastor Worship is held at the Parish House at 10am. Select Sundays are held at the Market Square Bldg. A complete list is located on the website. Fellowship Time Following 10:00 am Parish House Service Church School 11:15 am Parish House (Sept - June) Office Hours Monday-Friday, 9am - 2pm North Church of Portsmouth is an Open and Affirming Church of the United Church of Christ Open and Affirming Covenant We, the members of North Church of Portsmouth welcome all people to be faithful followers of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We believe we should reach out and be open to all people. Therefore, this Open and Affirming statement expresses that which is accepted by our congregation. "The first [commandment] is... 'You shall love The Lord your God with all your soul, and with all your mind, with all your strength.' The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31). Therefore, we work together to support our members, the community and those seeking a place in God's family with the understanding that each is unique. We welcome people of any race, creed, color, age, gender identity and gender expression, sexual orientation, economic status, marital status, physical, emotional, mental capacity and those in relationships recognized under God's law. North Church of Portsmouth, UCC 355 Spinney Road Portsmouth, NH Return Service Requested