the-steeple August/September 2017

Transcription

1 the-steeple August/September 2017 Williston Federated Church United Methodist Church and United Church of Christ Federated 1899 An Open and Affirming, Reconciling Congregation Mission Statement ~ Our church is a community which seeks, welcomes and gathers people to share the Gospel of God s love, enables people to find fullness of life through Jesus Christ, goes into the world to live lovingly and justly as servants of Christ, and responds actively to human need. Inside this issue: Message from Pastor Barb 1 Message from Pastor Eyer 2 September Book Club 3 Sundae Sunday 3 Heifer Project International 4 Corn Roast 5 Apple Pie Making 5 Chicken Pie Supper 5 Steeple Fundraiser WFC Directory 6 Symbolic Cross Ornament 7 Thank You to ALL 7 Trip to Costa Rica 8 Teamwork in Action 9 End of Life Journey 10 Clock Winder Needed 11 Poverty in an Unequal Economy 11 Recipes 12 Calendar 13 Grace and peace to you all! As I write this, I am beginning my last two months as your Interim Pastor. On Sunday, October 29, Williston Federated Church will celebrate the first worship service with your new Settled Pastor, Rev. Paul Eyer! In the coming weeks I ll be writing and speaking more about my transition out of the role of Interim Pastor at WFC. I believe this has been a fruitful year together, and I m grateful for your support and work over these past months. As I prepare to transition out of ministry at WFC, I invite you to participate in my Exit Interview process, in this way: 1. Before September 24, please submit your questions about Williston Federated Church and/or my year of ministry at WFC. You may your questions to barblemmel@mac.com, or fill out one of the Exit Interview Questions sheets that will be available at the sanctuary and in the fellowship hall, and put them in the Pastor slot in the church office mailboxes. 2. I ll write my answers to your questions and have copies ready by October 1. On October 8 I ll have a question and answer session after worship, for anyone who wants to discuss these topics further. When you submit your question(s) I encourage you to sign your name. I won t publicize the names, of course, but I may wish to be in touch with you directly about what you ve asked. Thanks in advance for your participation in this process. Please hold me and Paul Hoffmann, and Paul Eyer and the WFC community, in prayer as we make this transition together. May God s good will and purpose continue here at Williston Federated Church!

2 Page 2 YOUR DREAMS FOR A DAY OF NEW BEGINNINGS: An Invitation from Pastor Paul Eyer It is no accident that Rev. Paul Eyer s first Sunday as our pastor (October 29) coincides with worldwide celebrations of the 500 th anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Reformation Sunday is a time to remember that especially profound new beginning that was ushered in with the posting of Martin Luther s 95 Theses on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany in As we enter a time of new beginnings with a new pastor, we are invited to post our own New 95 Theses. Pastor Eyer suggests that we think about and write down our own hopes and dreams for the future of the church for Williston Federated Church and perhaps for the wider church. Submit your own theses (your hopes and dreams) to the church office at office@steeple.org. These New Theses will be compiled and then posted at entrances to the church on October 29, Pastor Eyer s first Sunday. From Rev. Paul Eyer: I look forward to hearing about your hopes and dreams for the church, I look forward to seeing the New 95 Theses, and I look forward to serving as your pastor!

3 Page 3 September Book Club and Pot Luck Dinner From a former Marine and Yale Law School Graduate, a poignant account of growing up in a poor Appalachian town, that offers a broader, probing look at the struggles of America s white working class. Part memoir, part historical and social analysis, J. D. Vance s Hillbilly Elegy is a fascinating consideration of class, culture, and the American dream. Delving into his own personal story and drawing on a wide array of sociological studies, Vance takes us deep into working class life in the Appalachian region. This demographic of our country has been slowly disintegrating over forty years, and Vance provides a searching and clear-eyed attempt to understand when and how hillbillies lost faith in any hope of upward mobility, and in opportunities to come. At times funny, disturbing, and deeply moving, this is a family history that is also a troubling meditation on the loss of the American dream for a large portion of this country. (Goodreads) The date of our group meeting is September 25, here in the church Fellowship Hall at 5:30pm. Bring a dish to pass! 10th Sundae Sunday September 10 Mark your calendars. Sunday School resumes September 10 th. In celebration of the beginning of a new school year, plan to join us after worship that day for our annual make your own ice cream Sundae event, sponsored by the Official

4 Page 4 Heifer Project International 3 Youth Group Works at Heifer Farm Rutland Massachusetts The Heifer Project Farm in Rutland Massachusetts is a place to visit to learn first hand how Heifer Project helps people around the world. They teach visitors with a bit of time in the classroom but mostly by visiting their 'global village' There are several mock villages set up around the farm to simulate living in various parts of the world. One of the more interesting is the Tibetan village with authentic animal skin tent, prayer flags and one or 2 yaks. In 2005 and (I don't know the other year) youth from Williston Federated Church spent a week at the farm. One year farmer Larry Pillsbury spent a week working at the farm. (Some of the photos are Larry's.) Their activities included feeding animals, learning about milking goats and spending about 18 hours taking on the roles of a family living in one of the villages. Heifer no longer ships animals to other countries; the animals are purchased within the designated country. The farm is for teaching and there are a variety of opportunities short and long to visit and learn about Heifer's projects around the world. For fun you might want to try Heifer project game for children of all ages. msource=siqzd17tw0006&sid= _ _ &adbid= &adbpl=tw&adbpr=

5 Page 5 Corn Roast September 23rd Save the date. Plan to join your WFC family for a corn roast and potluck supper Saturday, September. 23rd at 5:30 PM. Please bring your lawn chair, a dish to share and invite a friend. We will gather on the front lawn of the church, weather permitting. More details to follow in the weekly enews. To assist with planning, please sign up on the bulletin board. Sponsored by the Membership Committee. Apple Pie Making In preparation for the Chicken Pie Supper on Oct. 14 th, we will gather in the church kitchen September 18 th & October 2 nd. beginning at 4:30 PM, to make apple pies. Bring a bowl and your favorite peeler. Snacks provided. Chicken Pie Dinner Save the Date of October 14 for this year s chicken pie supper. Our customers are already calling for reservations so please be thinking about how you would like to contribute to make this dinner another sold out success. We ll need chicken pies, pumpkin pies, and lots of potatoes and squash. There are many ways to help and have fun, so watch for the sign up poster which will appear very soon. There will be two seatings again this year at 5:00 and 6:00 PM with takeout available. Call Carol Bouchard at to make a reservation for the dinner including take out. Be sure to call early. It is always a sold out event. Thank you, Lois Mason

6 Page 6 Steeple Fundraiser at the Chowder Challenge - Fruit Turnover Hand Pies In cooperation with the Trustees, we will be selling fruit turnover hand pies at the Chowder Challenge on Oct. 1 st. We will have a group turnover making event in the church kitchen Sept. 11 th beginning at 5:00 PM. Also, please consider baking a few turnovers at home. These are created using a 6 circle of basic pie crust and fruit filling from your favorite fruit pie recipe. The fruit is placed on ½ of the circle & the dough is then folded over and sealed. One double pie crust recipe should make six 6 turnovers. They can be made up, frozen and baked the day before. Turnovers should be brought to church Sunday morning, Oct. 1 st or to the Trustee's booth at the Chowder Challenge on the town green by 12:00 PM that day. Please contact Carol Bouchard WFC Directory Available An updated directory of church members including address, phone & is now available. There are a few copies on the table in the hall. Contact the church office if the supply is gone or you would like to have one mailed to you. Please check your information and if there are errors, contact the church office so that we might update our database.

7 Page 7 SYMBOLIC CROSS ORNAMENT As the congregation returns to the sanctuary please take a few minutes to notice the cross above the altar. Attached to the cross is a symbol created by Trudy Anderson. This was designed to depict rising fire and a descending dove. The symbol is traditionally placed on the cross on the Sunday of Pentecost as remembrance of when the followers of Jesus experienced the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit descended like a dove and small flames appeared on their heads. (See Acts chapter 2 in the Bible or Google Bible Gateway) Pentecost also is usually designated as the beginning of the Christian church. Traditionally the symbol remains on the cross until Advent. A Well Deserved Thank You to All!!! A big thank you to all who helped make the BBQ pulled pork and chicken sandwich event a success! We "pulled in" $1,388 after expenses! Several folks deserve special recognition. One goes to my husband Michael who did whatever I asked. He hauled tables and chairs from and back to the church. He helped set up the tent and later took it down. He ran errands, helped carry and set up heavy items, and even helped serve the food. Then there is Vickie Walker who figured out the number of sandwiches we could probably sell and how much meat we needed as well as providing recipes for cooking the meat and for the cookies. She also oriented Paul Bouchard and me to the school kitchen. Paul and Carol Bouchard were "totally awesome!" Paul was a great kitchen supervisor-and thanks to him, Carlos, Rebecca and Joe, all the sandwiches were wrapped and ready to go. Carol was up early making coffee in the church kitchen when we came for the tables. She helped set up the tent and stayed for the whole event and helped take it down. She also arranged for the WFC tee shirts which really gave us a team look! I want to recognize as well our wonderful church office administrator, Sally, who helped with all the signage. Again thanks to all of you who helped serve, bake, buy rolls, bought "pigs" and "chickens," and helped with donations to cover costs. Sara Moran

8 Page Nosara, Costa Rica Mission Trip Saturday February 24 Monday, March 5, 2018 Would you, or someone in your congregation/family be interested in participating in a Mission Trip to build homes for low income families in Nosara, Costa Rica from February 24-March 5, 2018? Richmond Congregational Church, UCC is organizing the trip and we are looking for people (high school aged and up) to join the team! We will be partnering with Mercy Home Ministries to build the houses. It will be a geographically diverse crew, organized by the pastor, Katelyn Macrae, and her father-in-law Rev. Neal Sadler, who has led several mission trips with Mercy Home Ministries to Nosara, Costa Rica with his previous congregations. Neal is recruiting folks from Ohio, and I m recruiting folks from the Northeast to build a team of people. The total cost of the trip is estimated at $1500 person depending on airfare, plus personal spending money for incidentals and recreation activities. The group will also be fundraising for the cost of the houses ($6,000 per house). Katelyn is happy to answer any questions folks might have; she can be reached at (office), (cell), or katelyn@rccucc.org <mailto:katelyn@rccucc.org>. Detailed information about the trip including costs, accommodations, etc. can be found online at < or are available at the WFC office. Please note that the completed medical release form (available from the WFC office) and a $500 airfare deposit are due August 31, 2017.

9 Page 9 Teamwork In Action!!! The progress which is being made on our new digs is really amazing. Windows and doors are in place, walls are up and taped, just waiting to be painted; Electric is in plumbing will soon be done. Looks like it will be ready for use by the end of this year. Lots of hard work from some really hard working members of our congregation. Thank You!

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11 Page 11 Steeple Clock Winder Needed. Since the Town clock was first placed in WFC steeple a member of the congregation has dutifully wound the clock, roughly once a week. Over the years many folks have done it including many Interim Pastor Rev. Barb Lemmel Minister of Pastoral Care Rev, Paul Hoffman Emeritus Pastor ~ Rev. Charlie Magill Lay Leader ~ Ashley Dubois Ministers ~ The People of the Church Church Office Administrator ~ Sally Nowotarski Music Director ~ Martin Hain Organist ~ Carolyn Pillsbury Choir Accompanist ~ Cindy Thurston Nursery Caregiver ~ Michelle Davis Sunday School Coordinator ~ Karen Allen Youth Ministry ~ Ashley Dubois Address: 44 North Williston Road Williston, VT Church Office: (802) e- mail address: office@steeple.org, Website: teenagers. (We have never had a woman so this would be a chance to be a "first") Bill White is retiring and we are looking for someone to take on this job. It comes with a stipend of $600 a year. It does not require technical expertise-the clock is wound peddling a bicycle to pull the dead weight up. We have volunteers who would be willing to act as substitutes. Please contact Tony Lamb or stolat36@gmail.com if you are interested or know of someone who might be. From the Peace and Justice Center Poverty in an Unequal Economy When-October 12 Thursday Where- Main Street Landing Gallery, 60 Lake Street 2nd floor Join Equity Solutions and PJC for a deeper understanding of the root causes of poverty and economic inequality, so that we are ready to implement innovative and equitable responses in our work and communities. Get ready for storytelling, interactive activities, light bulbs to go off, and a renewed energy towards a we are all in this together approach. For more information please contact program@pjcvt.org

12 Page 12 RECIPES FROM VEGETARIAN FAMILY NIGHT SUPPER FEBRUARY 23, 1976 DIP: Mayonnaise with spicey brown mustard added to taste; or for variation, add garlic salt, or 'Jane's Krazy Mixed-up Salt (found on those little shelves in supermarket where they put all the special sauces, snails, decorated toothpicks, also found at Walmart). DIPPERS: Raw Vegetables - cauliflower, cucumbers, carrots, mushrooms, broccoli, pepper strips, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, celery, even fresh green beans, snap peas, radishes, and so forth. LENTIL LOAF (6 servings) Cook 1 cup lentils (green) and 1/2 cup barley in 4 cups of boiling salted water for 40 minutes, until water is absorbed. Mix in rest of ingredients: 1 cup bread crumbs 1 T. soy sauce 1 Clove Garlic minced 1 chopped celery stalk 1 onion minced 2 beaten eggs Bake 35 minutes at 350 degrees in oiled pan 9 x 5 x 3 CURRIED RICE Heat oven to 400 degrees. Brown 4 cups uncooked rice in 1/2 cup butter. Stir in 2 T. curry powder and 4 medium onions minces. Pour on 2 quarts boiling water and place in covered casserole in oven for about thirty minutes or until tender. SOLID SALAD Fix a glass bowl in equal layers and 'frost' with mayonnaise with paprika: Spinach, bacon bits, red onions (sliced), eggs (hardboiled and chopped), parsley (fresh and chopped), peas (frozen and thawed, cheese (grated). MARINATED EGGPLANT Bring 3 qts water to boil. Drop in 6 cups unpeeled eggplant (1-1 1/2 lbs). Simmer uncovered for 10 min. until cubes offer only slight resistance when pierced with sharp knife. Drain cubes, then pat dry with paper towel. Mix in bowl: 1/4 cup wine vinegar 1/2 tsp garlic sale, basil, and oregano (1/2 tsp each) Add eggplant, toss gently, refrigerate 1-2 hours. Before serving, toss with 1/4 cup olive oil. RASPBERRY JELLO DELIGHT Dissolve 1 large box raspberry jello in 2 cups boiling water. Add box of frozen (10 oz) raspberries and 6-8 ice cubes. Stir until raspberries and cubes have melted. Chill until mixture has thickened slightly. Add 1 large Cool Whip and beat with mixer until mixture is well mixed and fluffy. Chill until set. Molds well. ZUCCHINI NUT BREAD Beat 4 eggs, gradually add 2 cups sugar. Mix well, and 1 cup vegetable oil. Beat and set aside. Mix 3 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 tsp baking powder and 2 cups grated unpared zucchini alternately to your mixture of eggs, sugar and oil. Add: 1 tsp salt, 1 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 cup chopped walnuts, 1 cup raisins, 1 1/2 tsp vanilla.

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