Belleville Congregational Church

Transcription

1 Belleville Congregational Church An Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ MISSION OF BELLEVILLE CHURCH Centered in the inclusive love of Jesus Christ, we seek to be a welcoming, affirming, and healing congregation. Led by the Holy Spirit, we are inspired to grow and be renewed through our sharing of our gifts. Strengthened by God s love and guidance, we strive to serve with compassion those in need, both near and far. Calendar 2 Calendar 3 Roots 4 7 Women s Coffee & Conversation 8 Desert & Devotionals at the Parsonage 9 Happy Birthday 10 Adult and Youth Choir 11 Service Club, Thrift Shop Annual Budget Meeting 12 Chair Yoga & Tai Chi 13 Ushers & Scripture Readers 14 Coffee Fellowship & Bible Discussion 15 Contacts 1 16

2 PASTORAL PONDERINGS Dear Friends, March, 2018 News & Views I m at a loss of words. What a time we live in, such violence, and it is not just out there, but could happen in Anytown USA, any school, any church, etc. We ask ourselves, would we want to carry a gun, what would we do? I confess that I m a neophyte in studying the criminal justice system. But I listened carefully to an interview with the Boston Police commissioner recently. Bill Evans used words like ludicrous to think that more guns in circulation (for the good guys) will create a less violent society, and thought it was nonsense to arm teachers. He noted places like Finland and Australia, where access to guns is more restricted, and where gun violence has decreased. As a follower of Jesus, relevant words that come to mind are when Jesus told Peter to put away his sword, because if you live by the sword you will die by the sword. Seems like Jesus was saying something logical: if you live with more guns everywhere, there will be more gun violence. Sure, there is the black market and some killers will find a way to get their weapons.. but surely many would-be shooters and people with criminal records will think twice if there are serious consequences and imprisonment for possessing firearms. Their hesitation will lesson gun violence. Part of the solution (for surely it is a multifaceted approach needed) must be in the mental health arena.. which would involve PREVENTION. As with drug abuse (where treatment and counseling needs to get more support and money).. why not also with violent dispositions? Why not mandatory counseling and anger management classes for loner, wayward, school kids after incidents of violence or hate speech seen on social media. And as a church, we can continue to find every opportunity to include, involve, and love anyone on the margins of society, from teens to elders. Surely love is the strongest force to change hearts and minds, to rehabilitate etc. One news show had a young man give testimony that he was indeed a loner, a would-be shooter, but was invited to a gathering one evening, and the very invite, just being there, changed his direction in life. We've got to keep faith in the power of love to transform, starting with self. See you at Belleville, where we keep practicing and sharing Christ's spirit of transformation. Ross 2

3 2018 CALENDAR Sun Mon Tue Wed Thurs Fri Sat 1 2 8pm Roots Concert with Skipper s Alley Thrift Shop 4 10am Worship in the Chapel 11:15 Youth Choir rehearsal 5 7pm CODA 7:15pm NCS 6 7 6pm Men s Fellowship Dinner with guest speaker 8 6pm Bible discussion 7pm Choir rehearsal Thrift Shop 9am Women s Coffee & Conversation 11 10am Worship in the Chapel 11:15 Youth Choir rehearsal 7pm Desert & Devotionals Discussion at the Parsonage 18 10am Worship in the Chapel 11:15 Youth Choir rehearsal 12 7pm CODA 7:15pm NCS 19 7pm CODA 7:15pm NCS 13 1:30pm Service Club with guest speaker Thrift Shop 7:30 Stewardship & Finance pm Executive Board 15 6pm Bible discussion 7pm Choir rehearsal 22 2:30pm Chair yoga & tai chi 6pm Bible discussion 7pm Choir rehearsal Thrift Shop Thrift Shop 25 10am Worship in the Chapel 26 7pm CODA 7:15pm NCS :30pm Chair yoga & tai chi 6pm Bible discussion 7pm Choir rehearsal

4 SKIPPER S ALLEY FRIDAY, MARCH 3 RD 8PM A modern Irish folk band with an old-school approach, Skipper's Alley will bring their gritty, high-octane Irish tunes, along with occasional detours into the dark, somber melodies of the Irish song tradition, to the Belleville stage. Their dynamic take on traditional Irish music has received wide critical praise and featured on stages across four continents. They were once described as "a young Irish ensemble who look like a punk band and sound like the Chieftains". The Dublin-based group arranges and interprets traditional Irish folk music on uilleann pipes, fiddle, flute, whistles, bouzouki, bodhrán, banjo and more. Skipper's Alley first came to prominence in the summer of 2013 after winning the Loic Raison Trophy at Le Festival Interceltique de Lorient, an award previously won by established Irish bands, Danú and Clannad. Since then, the group has made high profile TV and radio appearances (The Late Late Show, Radio One's Céilí House) and has toured in Ireland, England, Scotland, France, Germany, Denmark, India and Zambia. In 2014, Skipper's Alley released their self-titled debut album which has received wide critical acclaim and sold out several repressings. 4

5 Skipper's Alley are currently touring regularly in North America and are hard at work on a second album. This concert is brought to you through the generosity of the Institution for Savings. Make an Irish Evening of it! In addition to wonderful traditional Irish music, enjoy step dancers from the Bracken School of Dance in Salisbury, beer from Newburyport Brewing Company, local artisans, free appetizers, door prizes and more! Come early to watch The Bracken Dancers perform at 7:15. DELLA MAE SATURDAY, APRIL 14 TH 8PM Since its formation in 2009, Della Mae, the Boston-bred, Nashville-based outfit, has established a reputation as a charismatic, hard-touring live act, building a large and enthusiastic fan base while racking up critical acclaim with its first two albums. The This World Oft Can Be album was nominated for a Grammy in 2013.Their most recent selftitled album honors the musicians' roots in bluegrass, folk and rock while staking out a distinctive, organic sound and style that are Della Mae's own. The album reflects the musicians' compelling new compositions and the raw immediacy of their vocal and instrumental performances. 5

6 Della Mae returns to Newburyport for their third appearance at the Belleville Roots Music Concert Series. Members of the band are Celia Woodsmith vocals, guitar, Kimber Ludiker fiddle, vocals, Jenni Lyn Gardner mandolin, vocals, Courtney Hartman guitar, banjo vocals, and Zoe Guigueno bass, vocals. Although Della Mae maintains a busy touring schedule, Della Mae serves as cultural ambassadors in the U.S. State Department's American Music Abroad program. In that capacity, they have undertaken a series of extended trips to Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, playing concerts for local audiences as well as collaborating with local musicians and participating in children's music education programs. CHERYL WHEELER FRIDAY, MAY 18 TH 8PM It has always seemed as if there were two Cheryl Wheelers, with fans of the New England songwriter relishing watching the two tussle for control of the mic. There is poet-cheryl, writer of some of the prettiest, most alluring and intelligent ballads on the modern folk scene. And there is her evil twin, comic-cheryl, a militant trend defier and savagely funny social critic. The result is a delightful contrast between poet and comic. Cheryl Wheeler has to be seen to be appreciated. Nothing you read and nothing you hear from her albums prepares you for how good a performer she is. You may not be familiar with Cheryl, but you have probably heard her music. She is very respected as a songwriter by her peers, which can be seen by how many of them record her songs. Cheryl's songs have been covered by artists as diverse as Dan Seals, Peter Paul and Mary, Kenny Loggins, Garth Brooks, Suzy Boggus, Melanie, Bette 6

7 Midler, Maura O'Connell, Sylvia, Kathy Mattea, and Holly Near. If they think she is great, then you owe it to yourself to learn more if you aren't familiar with her. From her albums you can tell that she is a gifted songwriter with a beautiful voice. From other people's comments about her you can learn that she is a natural story teller with a fantastic sense of humor. But until you see her in person, you never really believe what you've been told about her. Besides, almost half of the songs she does during her shows haven't been recorded! Purchase advance tickets Tickets to Belleville Roots concerts may be purchased in person or online. Tickets available at: Belleville Congregational Church 300 High Street, Newburyport, (Enter through door on Chapel Street) Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9 am to 1 pm Church Office Wednesday & Saturday 9 am to noon Thrift Shop Dyno Records 1 Middle Street, Newburyport, Buy Tickets Online at awww.browntpapertickets.com/event/ Skipper s Alley is /event/ Della Mae is /event/ Cheryl Wheeler is /event/ Ticket Prices: $10 Ages 18 and under $30 Tickets in advance $35 Day of Concert (Cash or Check) 7

8 . Women s Coffee and Conversation Saturday, March 10 th from 9 10:30am, in the parlor Wednesday, March 7 th Gather at 6pm, dinner at 6:30pm Guest Speaker John Feehan of the YWCA Topic: White Priviledge 8

9 Sunday, March 11 th from 7-8:30pm join us for Desert & Devotionals Discussion at the Parsonage, 285 High Street. This is an opportunity to share, learn and grow in this Lenten season. RSVP to Ross at or call

10 March April 9 Connie Golder 2 Lynn Varney 9 Catherine Gould 5 Kelly Burke-Anderson 13 Gail Gandolfi 9 Wyatt Allard 15 Hunter Anderson 12 Lynne Hangen 17 Carter Jay 15 Sue Heersink 19 Barbara Colten 15 Petey Conway 21 Diana Bondar 18 Nancy Canali 23 Steven Locke 20 James Gorman, Jr. 28 Diane Crofts 21 Donald Jay 23 Nancy Tsakirgis 26 Tim Conway 27 Nancy Lewis 30 Mel Woodman 10

11 Youth Choir rehearses Sunday mornings after the worship service. The adult choir rehearses Thursday evenings at 7pm 11

12 Service Club Next meeting is Tuesday, March 13 th at 1:30pm in the Bannister Room. Sue Heersink will speak about her recent trip to Kenya Come and join us! Come by and see what s new! The thrift shop is Open every Wednesday and Saturday 9am noon. MARCH MADNESS!! All month long fill a bag with clothing for $5!!! 12

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14 USHERS Communion is the first Sunday of each month March April 4 The Schmidt Family 1 Easter Sunday TBA 11 Sue & Ben Heersink 8 Peggy Utterback & Shirley Locke 18 Jean Kirkpatrick & Tracy Gorman 15 Jean Kirkpatrick & James Gorman 25 Joe DeGiovanni & Hans Erwich 22 Gail Gandolfi & Kelly Burke-Anderson 29 Kathy Raywood & Amy Schmidt March April 4 Rory Schmidt 1 Easter Sunday TBA 11 Ben Heersink 8 Peggy Utterback 18 Emery Rice 15 Gail Gandolfi 25 Joe DeGiovanni 22 Bill Silsby 29 Amy Schmidt 14

15 March 4 Mardee Beauparlant, Diana Bondar & Nancy Canali 11 Shirley Locke, Lori Wiswell & Marcia Samuelson 18 Peggy Utterback, Karen Conway & Sean Goguen 25 Palm Sunday - Lynn Varney, Bill Silsby & Diane Crofts April 1 Martha Kelleher, Kelly Burke-Anderson, Jean Kirkpatrick & Diana Bondar 8 Sue Heersink, Dorothy Williamson & Ryan Overbeek 15 Sue Wolfendale, Norma Dean & Kathy Raywood 22 Gail Gandolfi, Jean Kirkpatrick & Tracy Gorman 29 Deb Moore, Janet Woodman & Kelly Burke-Anderson Thursday evenings at 6pm. 15

16 Belleville Congregational Church An Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ 300 High Street Newburyport, MA bellevillechurch.org Newsletter Submissions Church Staff & Contact Information Pastor Ross Varney Office hours: Tuesday 11 AM 12:30 Wednesday & Thursday 10:30 AM - Noon; or by appointment. Do you have an article that you would like to include in the monthly newsletter? If so, please submit your article to the church office by the 25th of each month. Thank you! Church Office Valerie Gates, Office Administrator Office hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Church bcchurch@worldpath.net Website: Andrea DeGiovanni, Organist & Music Director James Gorman, Sexton Church Officers Moderator: Kelly Burke-Anderson Clerk: Kathy Raywood Treasurer: Jim Samuelson Collector: Norma Dean Memorial Fund Treasurer: Auditor: Members-at-Large (Ex. Board) Shirley Locke & Ben Heersink Contact Persons Board of Fellowship & Outreach: Martha Kelleher Board of Worship & Education: Gail Gandolfi Board of Stewardship & Finance: Hans Erwich UCC Delegate: 16 Sunday School Coordinator Flower Coordinator Hospitality Coordinator Audrey Clarkson