PastorMarraine s Musings ~

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1 The Caller 1 Our mission is to create and nurture a family of Faith to do God s work, modeling the gospel of Jesus Christ. Inside this issue: Trustee s Report 2 Committee Reports 3-5 Lent 6 Mailbag 7 Church Events 8 UCC News 8 Photo Gallery 9 Birthdays 9 Calendar 10 PastorMarraine s Musings ~ Sunday, January 31st marked the six year anniversary to the day of my candidating Sunday here at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Corning. What an appropriate Sunday for our Annual Meeting. During worship a band of six church leaders presented a skit called Here I am Send Claude which appears in a collection of skits and worship tools by David Steele called The Next Voice You Hear: Sermons We Preach Together. One of our biggest challenges over the last few years has been filling leadership roles during each nominating season. Our membership no longer offers the critical mass to sustain the governance system we have used for the last sixty years. Rather than mourn the loss of what was, I pray that we can look at this as an opportunity to reimagine our mission and ministry. More importantly, it is an opportunity for all of us to discern how God calls us to use our talents and skills to engage ministry through this church. The call to serve may transition from a request to serve on a committee with a three year term to participating in an ad hoc project with a shorter time commitment. Our continued discernment of the way we do church requires patience, perseverance, and the willingness to try new approaches. Overall, my hope as your pastor is that through this process there is a way each of you may be engaged in the church in such a manner that your passions deepen the mission and ministry of the church. One of the benedictions I have used recently is, May you love God so much that you love nothing else too much; May you fear God enough that you need fear nothing else at all. With that in mind be ready to respond, Here I am Lord, Send Me! Pastor Marraine

2 The Caller is published by the First Congregational United Church of Christ 171 West Pulteney Street Corning, NY No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey, you are welcome here!! Office hours: Tuesday Friday. 9:00 a.m. - noon Phone: (607) Fax: (607) ucc-corning@verizon.net Web: Facebook.com/FCUCCC Pastor: Rev. Marraine C. Kettell Secretary: Brenda Passmore Dates Inside this to issue: Remember: Souper Bowl Feb. 7 Children s Choir Feb. 7 Pancake Dinner Feb. 9 Women s Fellowship Feb. 10 News from Trustees BUDGET FOR Trustees will present a Budget for 2016 which reflects the wishes of each committee that participated in the process. We thank Deacons, the Music Committee, Pastoral Relations, Christian Education, and the input from our energy czar, Ed Lewis. With all your recommendations it made it easy for Trustees to complete the budgeting process. Special thanks to John Madison who has transformed our rather tedious line items into a more pleasing graphic format. As the saying goes a picture is worth a thousand words. We hope everyone will find these graphics that we will be using at the Annual Meeting on Jan. 31 st helpful in explaining how we use our resources. EVALUATIONOF ROLE OF TREASURER AND ASSISTANT TREASURER -At our January Trustee meeting Pam Walker and Jennifer Fais explained some of the challenges as well as some of the accomplishments they faced as they took over the role once held by our long time Treasurer, Margo Brown. While there may be some adjustment in their roles, Trustees are very appreciative of the time and energy and expertise they have brought to our financial system. Converting to a totally computerized system takes time and patience and we hope that the congregation will bear with us through the transition process. INVESTMENTS - Concern for the gradual decline in the value of some of our designated funds due to the lengthy decline in interest rates, has prompted the need for addressing how we invest our funds so that we still protect the funds, but at the same time manage these funds in a way that addresses future needs. A meeting scheduled for the end of January with a small group of interested Trustees will use the information from the UCC guidebook for church finances. We will be guided by this quote good stewardship requires investors to maximize their return on invested funds, while maintaining a prudent approach given the time frame for use of funds. We will keep the congregation informed regarding any action that Trustees take. 2 Ash Wednesday Service Feb. 10 Youth Service Feb. 14 Book Study Feb. 16,23 Lenten Study Feb. 18 Make Ahead Cooking Feb. 20 The deadline for submitting articles for The Caller is the 25th of each month. Office Hours: Church Office: Brenda is in the office Tues.-Fri. 9am-12pm. Pastor Marraine: Monday: quiet sermon, worship preparation. Tuesday-Thursday: Available for appointments and visits. Friday and Saturday: Days off unless there is a church event. Accessible by cell phone at Please avoid calling before 9am or after 9pm unless it is an emergency. (No home phone there is a phone number in the local phone book and on whitepages.com that is still listed from a cable package in 2010, but has never been connected.)

3 The Caller 3 The February Deacon s Offering will be collected for Habitat for Humanity. February Worship Themes February 7 Mark 8:27-9:8; Transfiguration Sunday February 14 Mark 10: 17-31; Youth Led Worship Disney and Me February 21 Luke 13:31-35, Psalm 27; Patricia Edgecomb Kapusta, Minister in Training February 28 Mark 12:28-44; Third Sunday in Lent Called to Care Class Do you enjoy visiting people? Want to learn a little more about visiting in the context of pastoral care? Pastor Marraine will be offering a daytime Called to Care class beginning Thursday, February 25th, 2-3pm. The class will last for six weeks. This class was offered in the evenings two years ago. The members of that class have helped Pastor Marraine with visitation since then. It would be wonderful to add more people to the team. Community Office Hours Pastor Marraine will be at Soulful Cup Tuesday, February 16 th 9-11a.m. and Wednesday, February 17 th, 3-5pm. Come by for a warm drink and a visit. Bring a friend or colleague to meet her! Security Make sure the door is latched when you leave. It does not close all the way unless you pull it shut If you have unlocked the door, please make sure to lock it behind you when you leave. If either Pastor Marraine or Brenda are in the building when you leave, please check in with them before you go to make sure the door is locked. The 2016 Flower Chart Please sign up to give Sunday altar flowers. The chart is posted in the Fellowship Hall on the North hallway wall. The cost of the flowers will remain at $ The flowers can be given to honor or in memory of a special person, celebrate a special event, wedding, birthday, anniversary, or any other occasion you wish. Many thanks to everyone who has signed up in the past and for signing up in Need for Prayer Shawls Our Prayer Shawl box is getting a little low. Winter is a perfect time to curl up in front of a movie or a radio show, take out the yarn, and knit or crochet a prayer shawl. Please see Pastor Marraine if you have any questions.

4 4 Join the Make-Ahead Meals Cooking Group! Saturday, February 20th, 9 am. Receipts through December 2015: $164,084 Expenses paid through Dec. 2015: Dishwasher 4,350 Windows (100%) 52,427 Sidewalk replacement 10,900 Paint/painting supplies 229 Painter (windows) 1,000 Back entrance door 6,960 Paint for back 64 Architect fees 1,031 Hale Roofing (1 st payment) 41,000 Hale Roofing (2 nd payment) 11,300 Total expenses: $129,261 Cash on hand that is available for other projects: $34,823 Thank you to everyone who has either completed their pledge, is continuing to pay on their pledge, and to those that have pledged to the 4 th year of the capital campaign. As a reminder the Capital Campaign began on January 1, 2014 and concludes on December 31, 2017 for those that have made a 4 th year pledge. It concludes on December 2016 for those making a 3 year pledge OTHER CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PROJECTS As we come to the end of our roof project, Trustees have discussed what projects to tackle next. We decided to work on Brisco Lounge over the winter. This is a project we can do on our own. It needs to be given a fresh coat of paint first and then a decision made about window treatments and furniture. Other projects to be tackled as we have the funds to do so include the parking lot (a fair weather project), flooring throughout the entrance area, hallway and Fellowship Hall and Music Room; pew cushion replacement; folding door replacement; kitchen updates, etc. If you would like to help paint Brisco Lounge, please contact Jim Nelson or Judy Garrett. The purpose of Make-Ahead Meals is to enjoy fellowship, to gain cooking skills, and to take home nutritious entrees to freeze and reheat. No cooking experience is required. We will prepare several entrees, like casseroles and stews. Your cost depends on the number of servings you order for the meal. Sign up in the Fellowship Hall or contact the church office. Specify the number of servings and any dietary restrictions. Registrants will be advised what storage containers to bring. Contact Patricia Kapusta at for more information. Children's Choir Starts February 7! Children of all ages are invited to sing, sign, drum, and dance during Children's Choir every Sunday at 9:30 am in the Fellowship Hall, starting February 7.

5 The Caller 5 christian education What Matters to You? Mark your calendar now for weekly gatherings during Lent - Tuesdays from 10 am to noon February 16 to March 22. Each week focuses on a core theme of the United Church of Christ from the book What Matters to You? Matters to Us by UCC minister Sidney Fowler. Whether you come weekly or come once, you're welcome! Winter Sunday School A new session starts at the beginning of March. You can see an example of the shine curriculum at Our youth, most of whom are confirmed, will be joining the congregation for worship. Please save and drop off egg cartons (dozen size only) to be used for Resurrection Eggs take-home devotion during Lent. The Youth Group thanks you for donating 6 pots and potting mix (please, no soil). Donations are still being accepted in the box in the hallway. Youth Worship Service February 14, 2016 Join us on Sunday, February 14 th for a worship service led by our phenomenal youth group. The theme for the service is Disney and Me to tie into their upcoming adventure to the National Youth Event of the United Church of Christ that will be held in Disney World this coming July.

6 Lent 6 LENTEN SERVICES February 10 ~ Ash Wednesday: First Congregational United Church of Christ, Corning 7:00pm, combined service with Emanuel Lutheran Church March 20 ~ Palm Sunday: First Congregational United Church of Christ Corning, 10:00am March 24 ~ Maundy Thursday: First Congregational United Church of Christ Corning 5:30pm dish to pass; 7:00pm worship March 25 ~ Good Friday: Christ Episcopal Church (community service) 12:00pm March 25 ~ Stations of the City: Good Friday, 1:00pm-3:00pm March 27 ~ Easter Sunday: First Congregational United Church of Christ Corning, 10:00am; Easter Egg hunt after worship AN IDEA TO PONDER FOR LENT Recently, I reread a book I had studied in seminary. As we step into Lent, a time when we often think of giving something up or taking on a new practice, I ask you to ponder the following selection. This is from Honoring the Body: Meditations on a Christian by Stephanie Paulsell. Fasting is another constraining practice that can offer freedom. As part of keeping the season of Lent, for example, Christians often fast from certain pleasures chocolate, caffeine, and alcohol are favorite renunciations in order to prepare an unencumbered space for receiving the good news of Easter. Like pregnant women who deny themselves small comforts a cup of coffee, a glass of wine in order to offer their developing child the most freedom possible in which to thrive, observers of Lenten renunciations give up certain bodily pleasures to sharpen their attention to the story of life and death that Lent and Easter embody. In a body newly attentive to its needs and hungers, the story of Lent and Easter has the freedom to unfurl as year after year the story yields new meanings. CORNING AREA CHURCHES INVITE YOU TO A 5 WEEK LENTEN STUDY! Emanuel Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall 149 West William Street, Corning Sessions will be led by clergy from Emanuel Lutheran Church, Christ Episcopal Church, First Congregational UCC, and First United Methodist Church. Thursdays Feb March 17th 6:00pm Soup & Bread, 6:30pm Study Embracing an Adult Faith by Marcus Borg is a 5-session study for those seeking a richer understanding of issues in contemporary Christian practice and theology: Who was Jesus? Who is God? What is salvation? How do we practice our faith? How do we live in community? Join us for a DVD video followed by thoughtful and heartfelt conversation. Suggested donation: $5 to cover materials.

7 The Caller 7 From the Mailbag... The Corning Community Food Pantry would like to thank you for your generous donation. Jean Crandell, Corresponding Secretary Women s Fellowship, Thank you so much for the gift of all the homemade cookies before Christmas. They were delicious! I must confess, I think I ate the majority of them mostly during midnight & 2am feedings. Although I did share a few with Lily & Joe they thought they were delicious as well. Thank you! Allison What a blessing you are for your donation of winter hats and gloves to us at the Corning Salvation Army Citadel. We thank all of you from First Congregational Church on behalf of those who will benefit from your generosity. May God bless you as you continue to bless others in our community. Sincerely, Terry Reade Social Services Manager Thank you so much for thinking of me! Beth Bevins Dear Cookie Bakers, Your delicious cookies! What a treat! I savored each one; great variety. I so enjoyed the visit of Jennifer and Noel, cookie deliverers! We talked about art, The Arts, Corning, church activities and more. Thanks again for the delicious tasty treats. Love, Barbara D. On behalf of the Winfield Street Elementary School community, I am writing this letter to thank you for the presentation of totes filled with hats and mittens for the children of our school. It is through gestures such as yours that children in need of warm winter clothing will have something to meet their basic needs during this wintry time of year. We will certainly distribute these items to those children and families in need. Thank you again for your continued support of our school community. Sincerely, Jennifer Batzing, Principal Dear First Congregational Church: The Salvation Army in Corning is certifying that we received from you a donation of $600 to keep Doing the Most Good. We want to thank you for the donation and we appreciated your care and generosity to The Salvation Army and the community of Corning and Steuben County. We are praying for many blessings for you. God bless you! Happy New Year 2016! Sincerely, Captain Wanda Rivera, The Salvation Army Corning Corps Dear Friends, Walt & I want to thank you so much for the cookies, also for the cards you send. It was very sweet of all of you. Walt & I both miss being in church. But he isn t able. Please keep us in your prayers. The cookies were very good. Thank you. Pat & Walt Iddings Dear UCC Church Family, Thank you so very much for the generous Christmas gift. I really appreciate all of your love and support in my contributions to this church s musical offering. Sincerely, Eleanor Perry

8 8 Church Events Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner Feb. 9, 4:30-7:30pm Emanuel Lutheran Church, Corning Pancakes, eggs, sausage $5 person/$15 family/under 6 free Proceeds benefit the Corning Community Food Pantry. Souper Bowl Sunday Join us Sunday, February 7th We will enjoy our second soup luncheon of the year after worship. There is a suggested $5.00 donation to help us cover costs. All additional proceeds will go to the Corning Community Food Pantry. Thank you to all who joined us for our January Soup Luncheon featuring Tomato Basil and Beef Vegetable Barley Soups. What a great team of cooks we have! The next Women s Fellowship meeting will be Wednesday, February 10th at 11:30 am. All women of the church are welcome. Please bring a dish-to-pass! We will be making our spring plans. UCC News 2016 UCC New York State Youth Event Once again it is time for another exciting UCC New York State Youth Event. This year s event theme is "Heart over Hype" and will look at the way we can hear God's Voice over the Hype of society. This will be a wonderful opportunity for youth and adults from all over the state of New York to get a chance to meet, learn, have fun, and worship together. The weekend is packed with many exciting as well as challenging workshops, and plenty of fun and free time! We will also have many workshops for you to choose from as well as the ever popular dance on Saturday night, Bible studies, and creative worship. Bring your musical instruments if you wish. If we have snow there will be plenty of outdoor activities, as well.

9 The Caller 9 Photo Gallery First Congregational United Church of Christ The Annual Meeting February Birthdays 6 th Ted Fellows 10 th Victoria Hogan 12 th Pam Walker 23 rd Pat Smith 27 th Bill Bigler 27 th Patrick McGrew 28 th Barbara Cooper 29 th Abigail Copp

10 10 February 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Deacon s Mtg. 7:00pm 6:00pm Bells 7:00 AA 7:15pm Choir 7:00pm AA :00am Worship & Communion Soups On! 4pm Ev Spir. Group 5-7pm Youth Group 5:30pm Strings 7:00pm Brassworks Pancakes 4:30-7:30pm At Emanuel Trustee s Mtg. 7:00pm Women s Fellowship 11:30 am 6:00pm Bells 7:00 AA 7:15pm Choir :00pm AA 10:00am Worship Youth Service Make Ahead Meals 9am 5-7pm Youth Group 5:30pm Strings Nami 7:00pm 10am - noon 6:00pm Bells 7:00 AA 7:15pm Choir 7:00pm AA :00am Worship Community Office Hours at Soulful Cup 9-11am Community Office Hours at Soulful Cup 3-5pm 5-7pm Youth Group 5:30pm Strings 7:00pm Brassworks 6:00pm Bells 7:00 AA 7:15pm Choir 7:00pm AA am - noon 10:00am Worship 5-7pm Youth Group 5:30pm Strings 7:00pm Brassworks

11 The Caller 11 First Congregational United Church of Christ 171 West Pulteney Street Corning, NY 14830