Tower Tidings. From the Pastor s Desk

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1 Inside this edition Pastor s Desk Christmas Wishes Note from Paula Call To Annual Meeting 5th Annual Winter Potluck Peace Crane Project Early Edition January 1, 2019 From the Pastor s Desk Dear Friends, ods of darkness that we make what they see as Dates & Meetings Dec. 29 1:00 pm Dick Stuart Memorial Service Jan. 2 6:30 pm Outreach Jan. 8 6:30 pm Membership 7:00 pm Property & Finance Jan. 9 6:30 pm Deacons Mtg Jan. 11 1:00 pm Communications Team Mtg Jan. 13 Nomination Forms Due Jan. 15 7:00 pm Worship & Music Somewhere back in our school days perhaps like me you were taught that the month of January was named after the Roman god Janus. He was the god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways etc. Janus was often portrayed with two faces so that he could both look back and forward. experience here in the northern hemisphere that lends it to being a more pensive time of the year. After the rush of Advent and Christmas day (Not Christmas season which actually lasts well into January!) I am often in a reflective mood. Many people use this time of year to make improvements in their lives. I gave up on this long ago! I realized that resolutions while not bad things are most often an exercise in personal self-will power. Over the years I ve fared better when I didn t depend solely on myself instead put my trust more in divine guidance than wishful thinking! Mtg Jan. 16 6:30 pm Church Council Mtg Jan. 17 5:00 pm Stewardship Mtg Jan :45 am Annual Mtg A fitting symbol and name of for the first month of the year. Perhaps it s the longer peri- resolutions, promises to themselves hopefully with others holding them accountable to This time of year, I m reminded of the following portion of the poem God Knows written by Minnie Louise Haskins in Stitches of Love meets every Tuesday at 7 pm Choir practice is every Thursday 7 pm Bell Choir practices every Sunday 10:45 am Camille will be out of the office from Christmas Eve until January 22. Santa is bringing her a new shoulder! Pastor Neil will be on vacation from Christmas Day until January 2. And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown. And he replied: Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way. In whatever manner you approach the transition from one year to the next whether through resolutions or a sense of relief that 2018 is past, or reaching out in the darkness in hope, may we look forward to 2019 and the paths God will lead us down as pastor and congregation.

2 Page 2 Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas - from the girls in the office. Camille & Carolyn And the angel said to them Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Luke 2:10 Note From Paula The anticipation and buzz that happens during December is still merry and bright. As I write this note, the presents have not been opened (and too many still unwrapped), cookies are still warm in the oven and Christmas dinner still just an idea. Some are still doing their Advent devotions each day - pausing to prepare their hearts for the wonder of Jesus the baby, and Jesus the teacher. The carol; Come All You Faithful calls out to all of us. And yet, I am very aware that the world will soon be quickly moving on from the smiling faces of children playing with new toys, communities appearing to be in harmony and peace this time of goodwill to all will draw to a close and the sparkling lights will be put away. Why do does that feeling of goodwill get put away too? Our society moves so quickly from gazing at the promise and hope of baby Jesus in the manger to anticipating and preparing for Lent, and the dangers ahead for Jesus. In every newborn baby there is a promise of a wonderful future, yet too often we focus on fear and darkness instead of hope and light. This year, how will you hold onto the light? How will you reflect the light and love of Jesus to the world around you? Your daily actions of love to others will fuel the flame of hope and promise deep within don t let that light go out! Hallelujah Toffee Help send a OneLife Student to a year of High School and buy a box of Hallelujah Toffee! Linda Tunnicliffe has 6 lb. of candy left - $10 for 1/2 lb. and $20 1 lb. Stop by the church office to make your purchase. The money is used to pay for a year of school, books and Christian mentoring camp. Each student costs $1,000 per year so help support by buying a gift that keeps on giving and tastes GREEEAT!

3 Page 3 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF LACONIA, UCC NOTICE AND CALL TO ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION To Be Held On Sunday, January 27, 2019 At 10:45 a.m. Members and associate members of the Church are called to attend the Annual Meeting to be held in the Church Sanctuary on Sunday, January 27, 2019, commencing at approximately 10:45 a.m. (promptly following the conclusion of the 9:30 a.m. worship service.) The purposes of the meeting: Celebrate and recognize members; Elect those persons who have been nominated for leadership positions; To consider and act upon the proposed budget for 2019; and To conduct any other business which is proper to come before the meeting. All are cordially invited and encouraged to attend. Stitches of Love Donates to Santa Fund Submitted by Sandy Brailler Each fall, the Santa Fund distributes warm winter clothing to families in need. Throughout the year, the Stitches of Love group

4 Page 4 Congregational Church of Laconia, UCC 18 Veterans Square Laconia NH Phone: Church office is closing at noon on Christmas Eve and reopening on Dec. 26. And closed on Dec. 28. The office will also be closing at noon on New Year s Eve and reopening on Jan. 2 and closed on Jan. 21, MLK Senior Pastor: Rev. Neil Wilson neil@laconiaucc.org Associate Pastor: Rev. Paula B. Gile paula@laconiaucc.org Editor-in-Chief: Camille Gibson churchoffice@laconiaucc.org Reserve Your Spot at the 5th Annual Winter Celebration Who What Where When You! Potluck Dinner Church Hall Saturday, January 26 6 to 9 p.m. Bring something yummy to share and a wrapped gift for the Yankee Swap. The best part is the enjoyment of everyone trying to figure out exactly what it is that you just opened and how to hang onto it if you like it! This is a great opportunity to invite friends to join you in this very fun filled evening. Please leave a message on Sue Smith's cell phone ( ) so that you want to be part of the fun and what your potluck contribution will be - appetizer, main dish or dessert to share. Peace Crane Project - Sharing the Peace Submitted by Paula Gile Last January Outreach decided that the Congregational Church of Laconia should participate in the 125th Celebration of the City of Laconia (being a downtown church and all). Thus the Peace Crane project was born. 6,000 peace cranes were made by school children, men and women in jail, women at Taylor Community and lots of dedicated church women (the church women made most of the cranes). July 6th, 4,500 Peace Cranes were hung under the bridge that connects our two buildings. Outreach and Membership partnered to have a Community Picnic to launch the hanging of the peace cranes. The peace cranes were up for a month. You can still see what it looked like by going to the church website and watching the video of the event. After taking the peace cranes down and separating them - peace crane mobiles were made and given to several of the schools and to the jail. econfirmation In November, there was a violent shooting at the Tree of Life Temple in Pittsburgh Pa. This hateful act of anti-semitic violence resulted in heighten security and fear for the Jewish communities Update around the country. As a symbol of compassion and solidarity, members of the church were invited to sign pages of notes and prayers for the Tree of Life Temple and Temple B Nai Israel here in Laconia. Two peace crane mobiles, notes and prayers of support were given to Temple B Nai Israel. 1,000 peace cranes, the notes of prayers and the book about Sadako were mailed to Tree of Life Temple in Pittsburgh. At the UPS office the clerk was so supportive of the project that they helped out with the cost of shipping. At the end of November, church members walked in the Laconia City of Lights Christmas Parade and passed out the rest of the peace cranes. Adults and children alike were so happy to receive these delightful symbols of peace. Thank you to all who made this.

5 Congregational Church of Laconia, UCC Nomination Form for Church Service Award This award is presented each year at the church s annual meeting to honor and reward those persons or person whose service to the church is above the call of duty. Person(s) nominated: Reasons why you are making this nomination: Your Name (please print) Date Phone PLEASE RETURN BY January 13, to: neil@laconiaucc.org Mail to: Church Service Award Congregational Church of Laconia UCC, 18 Veterans Square, Laconia, NH Drop in box in sanctuary or moderator s box in church office