November The Congregational Church of Plainville, UCC STEEPLE. No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey... you are welcome here.

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1 The Congregational Church of Plainville, UCC STEEPLE No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey... you are welcome here. November 2013 Ministerial Musings ~ Witness, Foundation, Tradition and Future! Witness: [ no obj. ] (witness to) give or serve as evidence of; testify to: his writings witness to an inner toughness. 3 [ no obj. ] (of a person) openly profess one's religious faith: our duty is to witness to God. There a song, popular years ago, that begins Can I get a witness? We do not often use the word in the way the first definition reads. Every time our actions are consistent with what we say we believe, we are witnessing to our beliefs. And others observe, and learn about our innermost convictions - and whether or not we can walk our talk. When one person is able to say of another, yes, they are that way, they are as they seem, they are witnessing to the other s integrity. And finally, when we speak or act in accordance with our faith, we are witnessing to God. My favorite Bible story about this is that of Naomi and her daughter-in-law, Ruth. Foundation: (often foundations) the lowest load-bearing part of a building, typically below ground level. a body or ground on which other parts rest or are overlaid: he starts playing melody lines on the bass instead of laying the foundation down. * an underlying basis or principle for something: specific learning skills as a foundation for other subjects. And the first line of another song: How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid by your faith in God s excellent Word! Really, the hymn is great, and speaks volumes about how important a firm foundation of faith is, a source of support in all the trials, tribulations and triumphs of life! Tradition: the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation. InTheology a doctrine believed to have divine authority though not in the scriptures, in particular: (in Christianity) doctrine not explicit in the Bible but held to derive from the oral teaching of Jesus and the Apostles. (in Judaism) an ordinance of the oral law not in the Torah but held to have been given by God to Moses. (in Islam) a saying or act ascribed to the Prophet but not recorded in the Koran. By now, can you guess the song? Tradition, tradition! Proclaims the Fiddler on the Roof, in this poignant musical tale of love and loss, ignorance, hatred, greed - and faith. Our commitment to tradition is rampant! How do YOU carve turkey? What specials dishes HAVE to be on that table? What are the memories from our youth that inform the way we are, the stories we tell our children? Future: (usu. the future) the time or a period of time following the moment of speaking or writing; time regarded as still to come events that will or are likely to happen in the time to come. * used to refer to what will happen to someone or something in the time to come. * a prospect of success or happiness. There is no song that comes to mind here, but the realization that there are many yet to be written... by the generations yet to come. The stories they tell will be based on what they observe in and of life - of what they have learned from us. In this, our month of Thanksgiving, when many of us are preparing grand meals, and encouraged to reflect on all that we have, how about we look at all that we are and where we learned to be our best selves... at home, at church, and in some isolated instances, maybe some school experiences re-enforced those learnings? As I try to put all these together I come up with this kind of a sentence: I pray that the tradition of faith in which I have been raised, and the spiritual, moral and ethical foundation it gave me, bear witness to anyone watching my life to the God I seek to serve. If I/we all do that, then future generations will also worship here, with gratitude for the structure we have preserved and for which we have taken care. By contributing to the raise the roof fundraising efforts, we say thank you! in a big way, for all this building and the programs and ministries it shelters, holds and makes possible. Won t you join in a show of thanks?

2 The Congregational Church of Plainville, United Church of Christ 130 West Main St. Plainville, CT Website: CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 9:30 am 12:00 pm Inside this issue: People & Passages 3 This and that 4 Good things to know 5 In Our Prayers 6 Scrip 7 Community support 8 Thrift Shop 9 raise the roof Capital Campaign 10 Stewardship 11 Calendar SUNDAY SERVICE 10:00 AM Worship (Nursery & Sunday School) STAFF Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Claire W. Bamberg revclaire@uccplainville.org Church Secretary Barbara Steele Organist and Director of Choirs Dale Deckert Church School Superintendants Suzanne Colley & Kathie Marsan Are you up to date on your annual giving commitment? (the bills keep coming in) No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey... you are welcome here. Remember to set your clocks ahead 1 hour on Saturday, November 2nd!!

3 CELEBRATIONS Happy Birthday to: Spencer Pelletier (11/2), Claranne Parker (11/3), Deanna Hoxie (11/3), Suzanne Colley (11/4), Marianne Wright (11/4), Marta (Holly) Drachenberg (11/4), Justin Meyers (11/4), Matt Thomas (11/4), Wayne Adams (11/5), Annie Talarico (11/8), Jim Parker (11/9), Ruthe Boiczyk (11/13), Justin Manafort Sr. (11/14), Bert Michaud (11/15), Jordan Jusa (11/17), Dan Pater (11/18), Christian Mohr (11/20), Melissa Zareck (11/26), Jeff Mailhot (11/26), Ann Campbell (11/30), Paula Jusa (11/30), Dave Mazurek (11/30), and Cathy Thiem (11/30). Happy Anniversary to: Linda & Al Valeri (11/4), Kristen & Brian Beausoleil (11/4), Kelly & Denis Perrotti (11/5), Claranne & Jim Parker (11/17), Carla & George Fensick (11/19), Ruth & Al Seeds (11/21), and Karen & Ken Hodge (11/23). MILESTONES & HIGHPOINTS New Members None reported Inactive None reported Reactivated None reported Transfers None reported Deaths None reported Baptisms None reported Births None reported Weddings Bill Calder & Pamela Kowar (10/19)

4 Hospitals are no longer allowed to contact Churches to let us know that a Church member is there (because of HIPPA). If you know of a member that has been in or admitted to a hospital, would you please let the Church Office know? Thank you! Lawn Mowing It s time to keep the outside of our Church beautiful by taking turns mowing the grass on a weekly basis. There is a sign - up sheet outside the Music Room. Thanks in advance for your help! 4Hands4God Mission Project! Julie and Maria (4Hands 4 God ) are collecting toys for our local Marines Toys for Tots program from October 5th to November 3rd to be presented during the Plainville Wind Ensemble s veterans day concert November 10th, 2pm at Central CT State University s Welte Hall. Please help Marie and Julie meet their goal of filling two large boxes with new unwrapped toys. The boxes will be outside their classroom. The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to the growing need of children and families in the community in which the campaign is conducted. Through a new toy at Christmas, the Marines send a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens. Each toy, no matter how large or small, for infant to teen, is welcome!

5 Keeping you (electronically) posted... KYeP 'Keeping You e-posted' is a weekly, coordinated e-zine of news, featured items, resources, worship materials, and justice-action items ed each Tuesday. If anyone is interested in receiving these via - please contact the Church office to be included in the Tuesday distribution. Here is a sample KYeP: A Note From Dale and the Music Committee We are always looking for more singers and ringers for our choirs. Maybe you aren't able to make a full- time commitment at this time, but could consider a short term one for a few weeks in December. We invite anyone interested to join us for the Advent and Christmas season (teens as well as adults are welcome). For information regarding our planned music please see Dale or any member of the choirs. Rehearsal days and times are listed in the weekly calendar. EXCITING NEWS! You may have noticed a new sign on the Associate Minister s office?... Effective November 1, 2013, this church will be the home base for an outside group called The Essence of Serenity, LLC. This group is owned and operated by our own Barbara Steele, Church Secretary. She, along with her partners, Dave Petro and Pam Funk, will be using the Associate Minister s office. They will offer things like Reiki & other private healing sessions, Pastoral Counseling, spiritual book discussion groups as well as host public events. This will create a steady source of income for the church and also provide a warm and nurturing environment for their clients (AND them!).

6 In our prayers Charlene Archambault, Don Barrows, Brian Borry, Bill Braun, Otis Butler, Polly Camerato, Ann Campbell, Casiano family, Judy Collins, Dr. Nancy D Cruz, Bonnie DeCosta, Yamilee DeZuniga,John Dombroski, Sandy Dombroski, Jen Duprey, Mary Ann Ellis, Heather English & family, Marty Gephart, Fran Heap s mother and Fran s cat, Divina Hernandez, Marlene Hoerle, Hoerle family, Sarah Hogan, Diane Jobin, Eleanor Kordes family & friends, Avery Lacasse,Barbara Larsen, Alphonse Letendre, Beverly Levesque,Kristie Levesque & her son Zach, Steven Lewis, Carol Marchese, Barbara McBrea, Barb McClellan, Christopher Melillo, family of Blanca Mirando, Janis Murphy, Dan Pater, Pershken-Marshall families,eleanor Philpot, Bev & Bob Raymond, Marilyn Ronewicz, Silvernale family, Lisa Simone, Matt Simone s client, Dawn Slonski, Steve Swet s mom, Teddi Therkildsen, Carol Tooker, Chris Vadera, Judy Vicase, Shirley Vortisch, Dana Wallace s family, Ron Wright, Laura Zaleski & family, Diana s sister in law s brother in law, Paul & family, Laurie, Sharon, Wyatt, Diane, Audra, family of classmate of Kyle Wright, Michelle & Sharon, former husband of Charlene Archambault, Lynn, Kristina & family, friends & family of Ann Campbell, victims of the accident on Rt. 6, victims of East Haven plane crash, family & friends of Bobbie & Norm Turcotte, Samiha, Forcella & Tucilla families, Joann, Diane, Christie, Mercedes, Michelle & her family, family of Sharon Meyer, Faryn, friends of Brian Borry: Ron, Don, and Mike, Carol & Dan, Kathy & family, Robert Blake, Becky Lincavicks, Triputti family, Corey Proctor, Gordon McCann, Casey, Claire Collin, Anne LaRoux, Pam Palmer, Nancy Carlson, Henry Bremner, Karen Caves, Cecile Sylvia, Lisa Martin, Laura Zaleski and her family, Ned, Dorothy & her family, Marie Palaia, Jeremy, Joan Dante, Pam Collins, Shirlee, Laura Turcotte, Joanne Carlson, Audrey Posadas, Miriam Taylor, George & Jane Goodall, Peg Scanlon, Dorothy "Dot" Haley, and the families and friends of Russell Wentworth, cousin of Linda Hill, family of Lucy, Joan Kelsey, Clem Hitchcock, Elliott, Barb Walton, Randy Payne, Shirley Brown, as well as members and friends serving in the military: Renny Astolfi Sr., Justin Meyers, Spencer Pelletier, James Palmer, Tim Conklin, Tommy Daigle, Mark Terrill, Dalton Morehouse, David Sauer, Ryan Steikers, Shawn Ellis and Steve Boertmann. Mary Ann Ellis has a new address: 234 East St. Apt 52 Plainville, CT (860) Please update your Church directory.

7 UnitedScrip Ongoing Fundraiser A BIG thanks for shopping with UnitedScrip! This is our church s ongoing fundraiser for the general fund. Please plan purchases ahead of time. Throughout 2013, continue purchasing UnitedScrip gift cards Budget % of Monthly Budget Our Scrip Profit for 2013: Target: $4,760 ($396.66) Achieved Month of Jan: $ % (target 100%) Month of Feb: $ % (target 100%) Month of March: $ % (target 100%) Month of April: $ % (target 100%) Month of May: $ % (target 100%) Month of June: $ % (target 100%) Month of July: $ % (target 100%) Month of August: $ % (target 100%) Month of September: $ % (target 100%) Total Scrip Profit for 2013: $1, % (target 100% of $3,570 for 9 months) Or 37.5% (target 75% of $4,760 for 12 months) In 2013, please continue to pick up UnitedScrip order forms in the narthex or on the scrip table in Kelsey Hall. Simply check which national stores, restaurants, and gas stations that you frequent, then make a check out to our church and give the order form with a check to Carol after church. Be sure to purchase your store/gift cards for all your normal shopping needs. You will receive the full face value of the gift card and receive IRS recognition for a charitable donation, and our church will keep a percentage of the face value. It s win-win for all! For September 22, 2013 through October 20, 2013, we thank the following church families who participated: Armata-Wazorko, Astolfi, Bamberg, Binder, Boiczyk, Borry, Drachenberg, Edge, Flener, Fuller, Hoxie, Karabin, Kordes, Letendre, Lindenmuth, Mazurek, Michaud, Pershken, Peterson, Rose, Seeds, Yanez, and Zapatka.

8 Supporting Our Community Plainville Community Food Pantry ~ Please continue to remember the Plainville Community Food Pantry. When coming to church, please don t forget to bring canned goods, nonperishable foods, hygiene items, and cleaning products. Just drop your donations in the large basket in the narthex. Thank you! Church Usage ~ The Congregational Church of Plainville, UCC, supports many 12-step and community groups, by providing them a warm, clean and welcoming space in this building in which to have their meetings. FIT CLUB Feeling less than inspired at the gym lately? We've all been there! Come join us for a new fun way to workout. FIT club will be a place where all levels of fitness are welcome. Come and sweat to a variety of cutting edge Beachbody fitness programs. At FIT club there will be fun high energy music, and plenty of others sweating along with you to keep you motivated. We will use different video based workouts with varying intensity. The videos are a combination of cardio and strength training (using your own body weight). Please wear comfortable clothing & footwear. This FIT club is 100% FREE, and donations are welcome (all proceeds going to the Church). This is not exclusive to Church members. Everyone is welcome - bring a friend! If anyone is interested in any of the products, Sam & Heather will be able to answer any questions you may have. Hope to see you there! ~ Heather & Sam Wilson Classes will be held in Kelsey Hall on Sundays, beginning on November 1:30 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Heather at hwilson34@gmail.com As with any fitness program you should consult your physician if you have any underlying medical issues.

9 I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 (NRSV) A NEW THING is coming to a church near YOU!! (;-)) ~ Electronic Annual Giving Information and Opportunities: For this year s Surprising Gifts Annual Giving Campaign you will Receive your giving packet electronically Print out, complete and return your Time and Talent Commitment Card to the church Have the option of EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer) for monthly giving ~ Worship Change in Format and Focus, starting December 1 st We are pleased to be able to announce two very exciting changes, both of which will start on December 1 st which is, appropriately, the first Sunday in Advent and the beginning of the New Year in the Christian calendar. Announcements will be offered at 9:55 (or sooner, depending upon both length and the number of them). And worship will begin at ten, with the Prelude, which will lead right in to the Call to Worship. Thank you in advance for having Wow, it is so good to see you! and catching up conversations in the narthex before you enter worship OR during our scrumptious and well-attended coffee hours, following worship. (a reminder to parents that your children are not available for pick-up from classes until 11:15) Family Sundays will now be focused ahem! on the FAMILY, with worship centering around our youngest members in this family of faith. The first of these exciting new worship initiatives will be on December first, when we will, as a community of faith, prepare the worship space in a special Hanging of the Greens service, with carols and great joy! Please, mark your calendars now for this special event. Coffee hour will follow with hot chocolate and cookies, to mark the beginning of the Advent Season. ~ A Change in our way of being focused together. Starting with our November lives as church, we will have a new opportunity to grow together. On November 3 rd every committee member will receive an electronic mailing in which you will find a page from the liturgical materials Claire uses every Sunday to prepare our worship services. On it you will find noted the scripture passage that will be the focus of worship on the last Sunday of the month, and a brief commentary about that passage. There will be a prayer and some questions for reflection by the committee. It is our intention that we will, as church, use the prayer and take some time to start each committee meeting with a brief discussion about this passage, before turning to the busy-ness of work that each committee has before it. In turn, we will start our Council meeting with an opportunity to share response to the same passage together and around our centering candle, before moving into the body of the meeting.

10 Annual Fall Giving Campaign Has Begun!! May God, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you... 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 Our Stewardship Committee invites you to take a moment to reflect on this scripture. We all can recall times in our lives when we have been blessed by God s surprising gifts of help and confidence. Now is the time when we can Pay it Forward! This fall is a season of new beginnings.with a new building rebuilt and ready to use and an opportunity to bring forth a fresh heart in you. How do we say, Thank You? The Annual Fall Giving Campaign Surprising Gifts themed materials are in the mail~ both electronically and snail. They are listed below with accompanying instructions for completion. Ministerial letter A narrative budget brochure explaining the Church s mission and visions for 2014 A Weekly Giving if the Percentage is giving chart to aid you in increasing your giving incrementally this year. A Time and Talent Commitment Card- complete and return to the Church (Attn. Office). A Financial Commitment Card-complete and return to the Church (Attn. Financial Secretary). *New this year* For those of you who choose to give monthly you now have the option of enrolling in an Electronic Funds Transfer program. Basically you allow the Church to debit from your checking or savings account the same amount on the 30 th of the month each month and it is transferred into the Church s bank account. This will benefit both you and the church. You will no longer have to remember to write your check and bring it with you to church. Your giving will continue on while you are ill or away on vacation. You won t fall behind during those summer months when you are away and then wonder how will you ever catch up in the fall. You will be helping to save the environment by reducing your use of a written check and as well as the envelope to put it in. The Church will receive a steady income and will be better able to plan for the payment of its bills. The Church incurs a $.30 fee per transaction. Please consider including this fee in your gift. If you choose this method of payment complete and return the Authorization Form to the Church. Please return all commitment cards to the church no later than Nov. 24 for the In-Gathering and Thanksgiving worship service. Our Stewardship Committee invites you to join us for worship during the month of November to gain a better understanding of how God has surprised you with gifts and put a fresh heart in you.

11 Plainville Thrift Shop News! Telephone: and The Plainville Thrift can now be reached via at Stop by the Thrift Shop during business hours, or us, requesting to be added to our listing. We intend to notify our folks of sales and items which may be of interest. Fall is here!!! Visit your Thrift Shop! In addition to our regular items, we have gorgeous fall home decorations and Halloween costumes for all! Come to the Thrift Shop! Do you love a great bargain? Check out the Christmas Room which will open in early November! There is a wide variety of items something for everyone!!! Stock at the Thrift Shop is constantly changing So come often to locate the perfect bargain to fit your needs! Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon We need your gently used clothing and household items! When you add to your wardrobe, please consider donating your old clothing to the Thrift Shop. Someone s unwanted item is another s treasure! Recycling an item no longer needed is a very green thing to do.

12 We encourage members of our Church Family who have not yet pledged to mail their pledge directly to the church or place in the offering plate on Sunday morning. If you have questions regarding the raise the roof capital campaign please stop by our raise the roof table during coffee hour. Donna Zapatka, Chairperson 42 pledges to date totaling $146, Robin Anderson, Carl and Ellen Binder, Ruthe Boiczyk, Cliff Carlson & Edwin Mason, Lisa D'Urso, Russ & Diana Drachenberg, Barb Edge, Carla Fensick, Beth Fraychak, Mary Fuller, Francesca Heap/Sarah Heap-Crosby/Al Conklin, Linda Hill, Ken & Karen Hodge, Deanna & Frank Hoxie, Chris & Shelley Johnson, Charlotte Karabin, Sarah & Kaara Larsen, Herve & Bev Letendre, George & Audrey Lewis, Jaimie & Tom Lindenmuth, Paul & Kathie Marsan, Carol Mason, Gordon McCann, Jocelyn Michaud, Al Muller, Leslie Nuttall, Jim & Claranne Parker, Marilyn Pelletier, Denis & Kelly Perrotti, Carol & George Peterson, Audrey Posadas, Al & Ruth Seeds, Matt & Nancy Simone, Annie Talarico, Bobbie Turcotte, Al & Linda Valeri, Steve & Joanna Vastola, Shirley Vortisch, Chris Wazorko/Raegan Armata, Heather & Sam Wilson III, Rinette Yanez and Donna Zapatka

13 The Stewardship Committee presents for your consideration the following Stillspeaking Daily Devotional: Is There a Heart in the Treasury? by Rev. Kenneth L. Samuel "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:21 The Sunday School teacher said to the class: "According to the gospel, the love of money is the root of all evil." A student responded: "Well, it's not that I love money, I just love the things money can buy." What we love says a lot about who we are. And since we usually spend our money on the things we love, our financial statements are really statements of self-disclosure. They reveal our true priorities, our true values and our true delights. Talk is cheap. We can say that we are committed to being healthy and avoiding/controlling diabetes through a healthy diet and exercise, but if we are spending more on junk food and alcohol than we are on vegetables and exercise, we know what has really taken precedence in our hearts. We can say that we love the church and we are committed to the vitality and sustainability of its mission, but if our financial contributions to the church do not reflect the substantive consistency of God's faithfulness in our lives, we know what the priorities of our hearts really are. We can say that we value public education as the greatest agent of racial integration and economic uplift that America has ever produced, but if we allow the problems plaguing public education to make us abandon all efforts to adequately fund it and make it more efficient, our funding decisions will say a lot about what we really value at the heart of our nation. The price of a thing does not necessarily reveal its value. But the things we value are things that we are willing to pay any price to attain and to maintain. I understand the need for balanced budgets. But I have a problem with austerity measures in government which, while they may make the numbers look better, are too often undertaken without a heart for the people most impacted. If we are not making serious investments in the things we say that we really value, then we are not being true to our own heart's desires. If there is a continuous disconnect between what we say we value in our hearts and how we spend our dollars, then perhaps we're just not being true. Prayer Lord, you have told us that our treasures and our hearts are reflected in one another. Help us to rectify the incompatibilities and to spend our dollars on the things of real value. Amen.

14 Week of November 3, /3 Choir rehearsal 9 a Worship ~ Communion Sunday 10 a Confirmation 11:15 a Choristers choir rehearsal 11:30 a Adult Education 6 p 11/4 Building Committee 7 p 11/5 Diaconate & Stewardship 6 p Christian Education 6:30 p Committee Night 7:15 p 11/6 Amadeus Ringers rehearsal 6 p Chancel Choir rehearsal 7:15 p 11/8 Snowflake fair 7-9p 11/9 Snowflake fair 9-3 p Week of November 10, /10 Choir rehearsal 9 a Worship~ Covenant to Care renewal 10 a Choristers choir rehearsal 11:30 a Adult Education 6 p Mission Social - Action 11:15 a Adult Education 6 p 11/11 Building Committee 7 p 11/12 Men s Ministry meeting 7p Music Committee 7 p 11/13 Amadeus Ringer rehearsal 6 p Chancel Choir rehearsal 7:15 p 11/16 Fall Clean Up! 9 a

15 Week of November 17, /17 Choir rehearsal 9 a Worship~ Baptisms 10 a Confirmation 11:15 a Choristers choir rehearsal 11:30 a Adult Education 6 p 11/18 Building Committee 7 p 11/19 Church Council 7 p 11/20 Amadeus Ringers 6 p Chancel Choir rehearsal 7:15 p 11/21 Prayer Mary Fuller s 7 p Week of November 24, /24 Choir rehearsal 9 a Worship ~ In gathering 10 a Choristers choir rehearsal 11:30 a 2nd Hour - ONA 11:15 a Adult Education 6 p 11/25 Building Committee 7 p 11/27 Amadeus Ringers 6 p Chancel Choir 7:15 p * Please note that there are other groups that use our facility. If you would like to use the Church s space for a meeting or function, please complete a Church Usage form and submit to the Office for review and space allocation. Thank you..

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