The Springboard. Thoughts from the Pastor. May 2016 Monthly Newsletter

Transcription

1 The Springboard May 2016 Monthly Newsletter Spring Glen Church Whitney Ave. Hamden, CT Thoughts from the Pastor Many moons ago, I spent a winter driving around the United States. I had a little car, not much money and a great hunger to put many miles behind me. I carried with me my tent and camping gear, a box of books and a box of food. I had a great time. Eventually I arrived in southern California, right near the Mexican border. I worked my way up to San Diego, found a great campground overlooking the Pacific Ocean and settled in. One day, while I was on the beach, I began talking with one of the surfer boys. He wanted to know where I came from. New England, I replied. He was horrified. All that snow, and ice and cold. How very dreary and unappealing. I pointed out the more positive aspects of winter in our land. Sledding, skating, skiing, hot cocoa by a cozy fire. He was not convinced. Well, I finally told him, after all that winter, we get the joy of spring. So what, he replied. We get spring here too. He was wrong. He might have a calendar that says spring, but you can t really know spring, until you have known winter. There is no resurrection without death. The joy of Easter s Springtime is brought into focus only through the days of winter that preceded it. And Spring is here! The Bluebirds that nest in our yard have already hatched out their first clutch of chicks. Trees are budding out. The glory of God s creation is revealing itself all around us. Will you take a moment or two to notice? Will you take a bit of time each day to notice and wonder at the miracles and give praise to the Creator? The days of our lives are a precious, precious gift from God. Each one is unique. Each one is a treasure. The creation that we are a part of is a precious gift, a treasure. The psalmist writes that all of creation sings praises to God. We are a part of the creation. Let us sing! Let us praise! Let us live our days as God s beloved. New life is ours. New life is all around. Even within us. All praise and thanks to God! Pastor Ruth News From the Connecticut Conference of The United Church of Christ A SEASON OF DISCERNMENT FOR A FUTURE OF SHARED MINISTRY In August of 2015, the boards of the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences met to develop a proposal of shared ministry. The proposal comes as an extension of five years of ongoing cooperation between the three conferences. All three conferences are now in the process of seeking input from their member churches in regards to this proposal. Our Spring Glen Church calendar will allow us a time for conversation on this topic in the fall, should we so desire. A very good website to learn much more about the history and potential ramifications of this proposal is If you have any questions or comments about this Season of Discernment, please feel free to contact Pastor Ruth. 1

2 Confirmation During worship on Sunday May 22, the eight members of Confirmation Class will formally join Spring Glen Church through the rite of Confirmation. They are Will Barrett, Justin Bleickardt, Spencer McCleery, Zachary Munzner, Brynley Rainey, Evan O Connell, Anna Wootton, and Timothy Yang. This is a happy day for them, their parents and extended family, and for the whole Church. When a child is baptized, parents make promises to lead their child toward an understanding of the Christian gospel and into the service of Jesus Christ. They also agree to guide and instruct the child so he or she may be led to communion at the Lord s table and to confirm his or her own responsible membership in Christ s church. As a church we promise our love, support and care for newly baptized children, and their families, as they live and grow in Christ. At the moment of Confirmation, the child, now an adolescent, confirms these promises by reading a personal statement of faith and declaring why she or he wants to become members of our Church. Confirmation is a step on a journey that began years ago, and will continue into the future as our young people mature, question, wonder and renew their faith. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to guide them in this process and I thank Karlee Etter for continuing to share in the leadership of the class. The Confirmation worship service is a wonderful moment, when past promises are made firm and true by each Confirmand. Please join in the celebration of commitment of our young people to continue on their journey of faith. Peace, Pastor Clare The Spring Glen Community mourns the passing of Ernest Pete Peterson and Dick and Nancy Beals granddaughter Gabriella. We extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to their families. Thank you all for your great outpouring of love and support on the untimely death of our granddaughter. We are indeed a family. Dick and Nancy Beals 2

3 Bee Attitudes Blessed are the rich in spirit You are my Spring Glen Church- The hands and feet of Christ. You inspire me. Blessed are you whose numerous anonymous shoulders Take care of all the details to make our church work Are searching for our new pastor and Christian Ed. Coordinator Teach our children and adults, bring theater and music to our souls. You care for me. Blessed are you our Moderator, Pastors, Office Manager and Webmasters All who chair and staff committees and manage our budget And just show up to help one another During and after worship-and countless efforts after hours. You so support me. Blessed are you whose hearts embrace caregiving and welcoming fellowship And hands prepare meals, programs, gift bags for kids and families Build and repair homes for our neighbors in need and fund our outreach. You nourish my spirit. I am a better Christian because of you More committed, connected and anchored in what matters most. Feeling blessed by being grounded in Bee Attitudes Lived by all of you who work so hard And make our community hum. -Carolyn Cary 3

4 When you come to church on Sunday, chances are you know before you arrive where you'll sit. The same has been true for me all my life, even though my journey has brought me through many different churches, and even a few different denominations. My seat has always been with the music-makers. So when I joined Spring Glen Church a few years ago, I knew there would be a seat for me in the choir. What was new with this church was that I was finally a member of the choir by choice, not financial obligation. Being a voluntary member of the Spring Glen Adult Choir has enriched my faith journey greatly. There is magic that happens when you sing in a choir: you breathe as one, express as one, think as one. In a church choir, you also praise as one. Our goal is to enhance the spiritual experience for all who are present, but the members of the choir benefit even more through this shared experience. Singing God's word or singing songs of praise to God along with those around me deepens my spiritual experience, and I feel closer to the One Spirit that connects us all. The communion that we share on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings enriches my life, and I am grateful. And in case you're wondering, yes, there is a seat for YOU in the choir, too. Theresa Voss About six months ago Pastor Clare and I were chatting over coffee and she introduced me to a book called, The Artist s Way by Julia Cameron. The description on the cover says A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity. The first idea the book offers is Morning Pages. To be written each and every morning, ideally right when you wake up, still perhaps foggy, let them rip. And by rip I mean put pen to paper (literally, long hand) and write. Don t worry about what. If you don t know what, write that. Keep going. I did some doodles in the beginning and I think that s fair game, too. Three pages is the suggested length and may come faster than you expected on some days and lagging on others. It doesn t matter, no rules here except write every day. Julia Cameron inserts God in her ideas and likened these morning pages to a conversation with God. I loved that. I ve been showing up for this conversation mostly daily for the past six months and now cannot imagine life without this newfound connection. What a gift! Thanks, Clare, and here s to sharing with you all! -Alexandra Roman I am finishing up my first term of being a deacon and am going to start my second term this summer. It is also the first group I have been involved with at Spring Glen Church. My family and I have been members for a few years now. Being part of the deacons has been an enjoyable experience. Before becoming one I felt like a face in the pews, seeing familiar faces each week and eventually putting a name to them but not really knowing much about them. I would chat with a few people at fellowship hour but still kind of felt on the outside looking in. A lot of the congregation have been members for years and know each other fairly well so it is sometimes daunting to become part of the family. Being a deacon has allowed me to meet people I may not have had the opportunity to get to know otherwise. The different functions the deacons are involved in have also allowed me to get to know others in the church, as well. It has definitely made me feel more a part of our church family. I look forward to two more years of being a deacon and who knows what other group will be a part of my future at Spring Glen church. I am happy to be a part of this family and look forward to meeting more of you. See you in church. Brian Geddes 4

5 Let s Talk Benevolence As many of you know, the Benevolence Committee has been talking to the congregation about how and why we give money to charities and Our Church Wider Mission. On April 10 th and 24 th we held a 2 nd Hour with Ron Offutt of the Board of Trustees to start a conversation about giving and supporting the operations of our church. Your pledges are used for all of God s work! Faithful giving to provide a vibrant church program led by us and paid staff is part of what we need to do. Giving money to support the CT Conference and approved charities is also what we need to do. We may not always be able to give a certain percentage of your pledges to Benevolence. It may need to go up and down based on what we give. Coming together to discuss this issue is so very important. We may not always agree but we all care. Please take a moment of your valuable time to think about what is important to you as a member of Spring Glen Church. We value your opinion. Please contact any member of the Benevolence Committee with your thoughts. Bernadette Welsh, Marcia Hoffmann, Jean Davis, Angie Schriever, Beverly Harrison and Marianne Fontana are the members of our team. Blessings. The Spring Glen Church Directory is now available! The directory can be downloaded directly from our website ( by following the link sent out by recently, or logging in to our "Members' section and downloading it. If you would like a PDF sent directly to you, springg@snet.net to request one. A limited number of print copies are also available in the entryway of the church. If there are any changes or corrections to your directory information, please let Melissa know so that she can correct the records (springg@snet.net or ). CELEBRATING GRADUATES 2015 Graduates We d like to celebrate our graduates in the June Springboard if someone in your family is graduating this season (high school, college, technical school, graduate or professional school), please send info in to Melissa, springg@snet.net by Friday, May 22, so we may include the information in the Springboard. We d like to include name, where graduating from, degree if relevant, future plans if known, etc. Spring Glen Church Gators Softball! Root, Root, Root for the SGC Team! Come cheer on the Spring Glen Church Gators in Sunday night softball games! The first game will be May 1st. Coed team; anyone 15 or older can play; new team members are welcome and encouraged! Fans of ALL ages welcome in the bleachers! The season runs early May to late June; practice each Sunday at 5, game at 6. Questions? Contact Ted Lynn. If you want to be on the team list, Ted at jesta5@comcast.net (or call ) with your contact numbers and . Join Us for a Summer Book Read! It was wonderful to gather with friends of all ages last summer to discuss Katherine Applegate s The One and Only Ivan. This year we will discuss Sara Pennypacker s Pax. From bestselling and award-winning author Sara Pennypacker comes a beautifully wrought, utterly compelling novel about the powerful relationship between a boy and his fox. Pax and Peter have been inseparable ever since Peter rescued him as a kit. But one day, the unimaginable happens: Peter's dad enlists in the military and makes him return the fox to the wild. At his grandfather's house, three hundred miles away from home, Peter knows he isn't where he should be with Pax. He strikes out on his own despite the encroaching war, spurred by love, loyalty, and grief, to be reunited with his fox. Meanwhile Pax, steadfastly waiting for his boy, embarks on adventures and discoveries of his own.... Plan to join us for this book discussion on Thursday, July 21, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. (location TBA). Pax is suitable for those in 3rd grade and above. We extend a special invitation to the younger among us to join us for this book discussion. If you'd like to order a copy of the book, please contact Debra Tangarone, friend7434@yahoo.com, by Thursday, May 19. 5

6 Did you know that? May 1-29: Disposable Diaper Collection Drive For Christian Community Action The impact of not being able to afford disposable diapers is far more serious for low income families than we may realize Many daycare centers and laundry facilities don t allow cloth diapers If parents don t bring diapers, they may not be able to use a daycare facility so they can go to work Due to cost, some children are in one diaper all day, leading to potential health and abuse risks Folks may have to spend far more for diapers if they only have access to convenience stores The SNAP Program does not include diapers as an allowable expense- diapers can run $100/mo.. Larger sizes of disposable diaper and baby wipes are especially needed. *** The need for pantry items is also great. For May the Food Bin items in the narthex will also be dedicated to CCA For all who are able to help a child and their family, we thank you. Christian Action Committee News from the Jesus Squad (aka Youth Group) In these last weeks of the program year, the Squad has been busy with a wide range of activities. They were able to attend two Second Hour Programs. The first was the presentation by Chris George from IRIS and the second was Angie Schriever s talk on Gun Control. Some of us were able to attend and participate in the Good Friday Service. We had a game night in which we found out that playing Jenga on a tippy table gave us an extra challenge. And, with the help of Becca Stevens and Jay Hirsch, we had a successful overnight, and Pancake Breakfast to raise money for the summer mission trip. Many, many thanks to all who attended and helped out and put some money in the basket. We raised close to $800. Hurray! In August, Braxton and Laurel Laster will be the brave and fearless leaders taking the Squad to Ohio for a week of mission work. We ve had a very good year and are hoping that many of this year s confirmation class will be joining us in September. On behalf of the Squad, thanks and blessings to you, our church family. Ruth SAVE THE DATE : INTERFAITH BLOOD DRIVE AT TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM WEDNESDAY, JUNE, 22 Please plan to be there and be sure that you have not donated for 56 days (so your body is ready to donate again! ). If you have never donated, it could be your perfect first opportunity. See you there. Barbara Hobbs 6

7 Sunday Worship Schedule: May 1: Acts 16:9-15, PS 67, Rev 21:10, 22-22:5, John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9 May 8: Acts 16:16-34, Ps 97, Rev 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21, John 17:20-26 May 15: Acts 2:1-21 or Gen 11:1-19, Ps 104:24-34, 35b, Rom 8:14-17 or Act 2:1-21, John 14:8-17 May 22: Prov 8:1-4, 22-31, Ps 8, Rom 5:1-5, John 16:12-15 May 29: 1 Kings 18:20-21, (22-29), Ps 96 or 1 Kings 8:22-23, Ps 96:1-9, Gal 1:1-12, Luke 7:1-10 Fellowship Hour Hosting Schedule for April The following individuals are scheduled to serve Fellowship Hours in the next month. If you cannot serve on your assigned date, we appreciate you helping to identify a substitute host and notifying Debby Jagielow at djvl29@gmail.com or To learn more about hosting duties or to see the full year s schedule, visit: Date Fellowship Ambassador Family #1 Family #2 5/1/2016 Stefanie Summerer Scott Muirhead Laura and Marty Callinan 5/8/2016 Katharine Healy Laurie Bleickardt Charlie & Eunyoung Yang Mother s Day 5/15/2016 Congregational Meeting No Fellowship Hour 5/22/2016 Nancy Dittes Mary Cameron Sherry & John Nieman Confirmation 5/29/2016 Debby Jagielow Bethany and Nick Appleby Ellen & John Schowalter Memorial Day Weekend Call to Annual Meeting of The Spring Glen Church Sunday, May 15, 2016 Immediately following worship service. Childcare will be provided. Minutes of the January 2016 Annual Meeting - Presentation and Election of Board Members and Officers - Senior Pastor Search Committee Update -CE Coordinator Search Committee Update - Benevolence Committee Update --Solar Panel Update --Vision Committee Update: Use of Ministry and Building Endowment Income 7

8 MARCH FINANCIAL REPORT Once again I am pleased to be able to share a very positive financial report. The church s cash flow for March was positive with receipts exceeding expenses by $8, On the income side pledge payments are slightly ahead of pledge payments at the same point last year, and total income is also slightly higher. The primary reasons for the positive balance through the first quarter are 1) a part-time senior pastor rather than full-time, 2) the vacant position for a Director of Christian Education, and 3) a relatively mild winter, which means that there has been less need for snow removal. As a result total expenditures for the first three months of 2016 from the operating budget are $30,000 less than the first quarter last year. It is worth noting that the church received the first check from the electric company for the credits (ZRECs, as they are called) we earn for installing the solar panels. Starting with the this March s Treasurer s Report, at the end of the report you will find an evaluation each month of the cost benefit of the solar panels. The evaluation compares expenses for electricity since August 1, 2015 (that would be charges from the electric company plus the monthly repayment of what was borrowed from the Building Endowment Fund) minus any ZREC income received against the presumed cost of electricity since August 1, 2015 if the solar panels had not been installed (that is assumed as the average monthly electric bill in 2014 multiplied by the number of months since August 1, 2015). Using that method for the period from August 1, 2015 through March 31, 2016, the savings to date for going solar is $ March 2016 Income Pledges $ 20, All Other Income $ 6, Total Income $ 26, Expenses Ministry/Staff $ 7, Christian Education $ Music $ 1, Office $ 3, Building Maintenance $ 3, Deacons $ Church Organizations $ Other Expenses $ 1, Total Expenses $ 18, Net Income or (Loss) $ 8, A copy of the detailed Treasurer s Report is always available in the church office or with the Trustee Committee minutes on the Committee bulletin board for anyone to review; copies can also be ed by contacting Doug Hawthorne at or by at dougdhawthorne@gmail.com. If there are specific questions regarding the church s financial health, please contact Treasurer Doug Hawthorne or Senior Trustee Ron Offutt. 8

9 May 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat am Worship & Communion 1pm Soul Singers Rehearse 5:30 pm Young Adult Bible Study Confirmation Study Hall & Picnic (OS) 1pm Bible Study 7pm Deacons Mtg. 7pm House Comm. Mtg. CR 7:15 Contemplative Prayer S 7:30 Trustees Mtg. FR 11am Staff Mtg. 12pm Open Door FR 7:30 Adult Choir CR 7pm Pastoral Search Committee am Worship 1pm Soul Singers Rehearse 1pm Bible Study 7pm Council Mtg. 11am Staff Mtg. 7:30 Adult Choir CR 7pm Pastoral Search Committee 15 9am Bible Study FR 10am Worship & Baptism 11:30 ANNUAL MEETING 16 1pm Bible Study 7pm Christian Action 17 7pm Christian Education Mtg. FR 18 11am Staff Mtg. 7:30 Adult Choir CR 19 7pm Pastoral Search Committee pm Soul Singers Rehearse Committee Mtg am Bible Study 10am Worship CONFIRMATION SUNDAY 1pm Bible Study 7pm Benevolence Committee Mtg. FR 11am Staff Mtg. 7:30 Adult Choir CR 7pm Pastoral Search Committee 1pm Soul Singers Rehearse am Bible Study 10am Worship & 1pm Soul Singers Rehearse 9

10 The Springboard May 2016 The Springboard newsletter is published monthly, with one issue for July/August SPRING GLEN CHURCH, UCC An Open and Affirming Congregation 1825 Whitney Avenue, Hamden CT Worship and Sunday School 10:00 AM Holy Communion first Sunday of the month phone fax website Keep it Green! House committee would like to request the congregation's help in keeping interior and exterior doors closed and locked and lights turned off when leaving the building. Closing doors helps with heating and safeguards against potential fires, while turning off all lights helps reduce our electricity usage. During this period of transition, it falls on all of us to help keep our church safe and efficient. Thank you. 10