The Congregator. From the Pastor s Heart, through His Keyboard

Transcription

1 Falmouth Congregational Church United Church of Christ An Open and Affirming Church Falmouth, Maine The Congregator May Edition 2017 Volume 54 Issue 5 From the Pastor s Heart, through His Keyboard Inside this issue: Pastor Michael 1 Council Corner 2 Pastoral Search Committee 3 News Bytes 3 Christian Education 4 Ministry of Missions 5 Family Promise 7 Ministry of Community Life Ministry of Worship & Covenant Prayer Shawl Ministry May Worship Attendants Church Family News May Calendar Yesterday, I took a ride up through Poland and as I turned a corner, there was majestic Mount Washington covered in snow amidst the glistening blue sky and the green of the surrounding forest. I was struck by the beauty of God s creation spread out before me. It caused me to think and I pulled the car over and took in the beauty before me. The grass was starting to green-up. Spring flowers were poking up through the ground, all was right with the world, at least for that moment in time. When I returned back to Falmouth, I went to the Town Landing and watched the ocean and saw clearly God s beautiful creation. Now, as I sit behind my desk and write, I am reminded of a time many years ago. In the 1970 s I was living back in England for a number of years and was pursuing my calling to ministry. I traveled to the north Midlands and the city of Lincoln. I had an aunt and uncle and a cousin who were living there. My aunt and uncle lived in a very quaint cottage, several hundred years old in a tiny village on the outskirts of the city. Lincoln Cathedral has always been my favorite cathedral in the U.K. The main part was built between 1072 and I had arrived in Lincoln with the idea of speaking to the Warden of Lincoln Theological School. While in Lincoln, I attended a worship service on Sunday and was introduced to the Chancellor of the Cathedral during the coffee time which followed the service. We had such a good conversation that he invited me back to his house for more coffee with him and his wife. This was the first of many conversations we had during the week I was there. The priest I spoke to was The Rev. Victor De Vaal, who went on to be the Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, the mother church of the Anglican Worldwide Communion. His wife Esther de Vaal, a delightful and very gracious hostess, turned out to be no less than the preeminent scholar on Celtic Christianity. I have several of her books and find her outlook on Celtic Spirituality enlightening. As part of my meditation time, I reached out for one of her books, Lost in Wonder Rediscovering the Spiritual Art of Attentiveness and found these words which will help us remember how to focus in our prayer-time, originally written by St. Seraphim of Sarov, : When you pray, be like the mountain In stillness, in silence; thoughts rooted in eternity. Do nothing; just sit, just be; and you will harvest the fruit of your prayer. When you pray, be like the flower reaching up to the sun; straight stemmed like a column. (Continued on page 2)

2 Page 2 Congregator (Continued from page 1) Be open, ready to accept all things without fear and you will not lack light on your way. When you pray, be like the ocean with stillness in its depths the waves ebbing and flowing Have calm in your heart, and evil thoughts will flee of their own accord. When you pray, remember the breath that made us men living beings, from God it comes; to God it returns. Blend the Word and prayer with the flow of life and nothing will come between you and the Giver of Life. When you pray, be like the birds, endlessly singing before the Creator its song rising like incense. Pray like the turtle dove and you will never lose heart. May this time after Easter and Pentecost be a period of growth for us, as it is for all of nature around us. In God s love and peace, COUNCIL CORNER FOR MAY Special thanks are owed to Mark Horton and Heidi Gage as they led worship service for us during the two recent Sundays when Pastor Michael was out of town visiting his daughter. We all enjoyed their messages, and consider ourselves lucky to have such faith filled and talented individuals willing to step up and share of themselves in such a meaningful way. Many thanks, Mark and Heidi!! Speaking of special recognition, be sure to be in church on Sunday, April 30 th as we honor two of our long time former members, Dick and Bonnie Anderson. We will have a reception after church in which there will be an opportunity for a light lunch and recognition of their decades long ministry involving so many aspects of our church life. We are excited to see them among us one more time and look forward to some special fellowship time with Dick and Bonnie. A letter will be sent out at the end of April regarding church dues which we will be paying to the UCC Conference. We are assessed about $18.00 per church member. When each of us makes an effort to donate that membership dues to the church, it enables us to pay the required dues without using our normal operating expense fund. We appreciate all efforts from members to assist us in collecting these funds. Paul Davis - Moderator nevis56@gmail.com Marilee Pillsbury - Vice Moderator bigmarilee@yahoo.com

3 Volume 54 Issue 5 Page 3 SEARCH COMMITTEE UPDATE The Pastoral Search committee has been using the church surveys, as well as collected information from various committees, and the church office, to create a church profile that answers some key questions about who we are as a faith community including Who we are, Who is our neighbor and Who is God calling us to become. The Profile is what prospective ministers read to learn about our church. We d like to invite you to a Pastoral Search Progress Report and Invitation for Feedback on Wednesday, May 10th, from 6-7:30 PM. If you d like a copy of our church profile responses prior to the meeting, feel free to me at stevrunn@gmail.com and I can you a copy. We encourage people to come and share their opinions about what we have come up with so far. -Steve Hendry Upcoming at the Coffee House! The Coffee House will be hosting local musicians for your listening pleasure. Paul Davis is in charge of scheduling the groups to entertain you, your family, friends and neighbors. A schedule is listed below. May 12 Eric McDonald & Will Woodson Come enjoy a great cup of coffee; support the arts and your church! The doors open at 6:30 PM and ends around 9 PM. All Welcome! index.html June 9 Choro Louco chorolouco/ July 14 Porch Light PorchLightMaine/ WOMEN S SPIRITUAL BOOK GROUP FCC s Women s Spiritual Book Group will next gather on Wednesday, May 10 at 1 PM in the home of Maytha Southard located at 121 Woodville Rd. in Falmouth. The reading will be Through the Eyes of a Lion by Levi Lusko. Sound intrigued?! This is a diverse and dynamic group that enjoys rich dialogue, good laughs and new faces. Join us on May 10th. Contact Molly Mason or Cathy Bowden for more information.

4 Page 4 Ministry of Christian Education KIDS CHURCH Congregator The kids have had a great April. They put on a little skit for the congregation on April 2nd, showing all the amazing things they have learned about Jesus. They decorated almost 40 cookies on April 9th, for members of the church who aren't able to come to church. We also had a Youth Group meeting on April 9th, where the kids talked about what God means to them. We had a movie night on April 6th, where the kids watched Finding Nemo. We will be having another movie night on May 2nd, 5:00 to 7:00 PM. For the rest of April, until the kids finish Sunday school, we will be learning about the history of the Falmouth Congregational Church. We will also be talking about what makes up a church service. After the kids learn about how a church service is made, they will create their own church service to conclude Sunday school on June 11th. We are trying to acquire a new projector and or speakers for the theatre room for kids church. This would not only enhance the quality of movie night, but would allow me to teach the kids more effectively, by connecting my laptop to the projector, so all kids could see and participate in our lessons. If anyone has lightly used outdated equipment that they would like to donate to the Christian Education program, we would greatly appreciate it. We are looking for a projector that could connect with a DVD player and laptop and possibly a phone. The church has been looking at different models with a wide price range from the cheaper Pyle Pro Prig88 compact 1080p multimedia projector (which is fairly cheap), to the Optima HD 142X 3000lm HD home theatre projector (More pricey). If you would like to donate, you can me at kristen.coleman@maine.edu thank you. Kristen Coleman, Christian Education Coordinator ATTENTION GRADUATING SENIORS! We would like to add a formal congratulations to you in the June edition of the Congregator. Please me with your future plans, whether it is to attend college and where, go on to a technical school or pursue a job opportunity. Please me at ginifcc@maine.rr.com with the details. PILGRIM LODGE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Pilgrim Lodge, owned and operated by the Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ, is a seasonal retreat center and summer camp located on Lake Cobbosseecontee in West Gardiner, Maine. Campers come to Pilgrim Lodge for one week in the summer. Each week is geared toward a particular age group. The youngest campers have finished second grade and our oldest campers are in high school. Pilgrim Lodge offers fun and meaningful programming in addition to all the familiar camp activities such as arts and crafts, swimming, boating, nature education, music, and games. The Pilgrim Lodge experience is rich and rewarding for campers, volunteers and staff. We invite you to join us in Christian fellowship. Please click here ( for camp registration or you may obtain print material from Kristen Coleman.

5 Volume 54 Issue 5 Page 5 Ministry of Missions DONATIONS TO THIS YEAR S ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING So far, $282 has been raised in 2017 for One Great Hour of Sharing. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this mission. WELCOME NEW MAINERS! Please join parishioners at Saint Mary s Episcopal Church on May 3 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM for coffee and dessert to welcome and learn from several refugees -- how one might help all refugees in the Greater Portland area. Meet some of our newest neighbors; learn about their journeys, hopes, and dreams; and learn how you can help shed some light. STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH OFFERING ON JUNE 4 This 5 for 5 mission offering helps develop spiritual life in our youth and young adults, establish new churches, and awaken new ideas in existing churches. Strengthen the Church funds will also be used to award grants to help congregations communicate the "God is still speaking" message. Your donations will be collected on Pentecost Sunday, which is 50 days after Easter and falls this year on June 4. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RUN-AND-WALK ON MAY 6 Join the family-friendly 5K race along Foreside Road in Falmouth to support Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland! The Falmouth Habitat for Humanity 5K Run and Walk will be held this year on Saturday, May 6. Hosting this event is St. Mary s Episcopal Church (43 Foreside Road in Falmouth), where the race begins and ends. Registration begins at 8:00 AM, with the official start time for the Run and Walk at 9:00 AM. Individuals, families, children, and pets are invited to run or walk all or part of the distance from St. Mary s Episcopal Church to Foreside Community Church and back. Refreshments will be available at Foreside Community Church as well as a ride back to your car if one way is far enough. In addition, there will be homemade pies and cakes for sale! Falmouth Congregational Church has been supporting this annual event since its inception over 15 years ago. Walkers and runners can register online at Alternatively (or in addition!), please consider sponsoring a walker or runner or donating online or making a pie!

6 Page 6 Ministry of Missions (continued) THE FALMOUTH FOOD PANTRY The Falmouth Food Pantry currently needs the following items: Canned meats and fish (i.e., chicken, tuna fish) White rice (small bags of plain, non-instant white rice) Cold Cereal Congregator Thank you very much! Days Open in May: Monday, May 1, 9:00-11:00 AM Tuesday, May 9, 9:30-11:30 AM Thursday, May 11, 4:30-6:30 PM Monday, May 15, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Tuesday, May 16, 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM Thursday, May 18, 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Tuesday, May 23, 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM Thursday, May 25, 4:30-6:30 PM SOCKS FOR THE HOMELESS Thank you for continuing to replenish the box with white cotton socks in Fellowship Hall! The socks will be given to people who benefit from the Preble Street Resource Center and who would like to have dry feet and prevent infections. Socks in women s sizes are also helpful. Thank you! CAN YOU USE A HAND?... moving something heavy in your home? Fixing your bird feeder? Lifting something down from a high shelf? Installing a smoke detector? If you could use help with these projects or others, please contact Gini in the Church office, and she will get in touch with members of the Ministry of Missions, who are eager to offer help to members of our church family. To find out what s happening at Falmouth Congregational Church: The June Congregator deadline is Sunday, May 14, 2017 Please submit your articles, announcements, news items, pictures, etc. to: ginifcc@maine.rr.com. 1. Visit the website: falmouthcongregationalchurch.org 2. Follow us on Facebook at: Follow us on Twitter: Falmouth Church Thank you!

7 Volume 54 Issue 5 Page 7 FAMILY PROMISE - FCC TO BE A HOST CHURCH Family Promise provides a way for churches to work together to help homeless families. Already more than 6,000 congregations participate nationwide in 42 states. Greater Portland Family Promise is starting in Portland. As a church we ve been talking for many months about what we could do to help. Our church is going to sign up as a host church. What this means: The goal is to have 13 host churches in the Portland area. Four times a year, we will host up to 4 families (14 adults/children) for a week. We will provide dinner and breakfast and a place at church for each of the families to stay overnight at church. During the day, the families will be transported via van to a center in Portland. How will it work?: Volunteers will help with dinners, breakfasts, clean up, set up, etc. Along with our church, we ll get volunteers from the other Falmouth churches which will act as support. Why are we doing it?: Children make up the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. Family Promise enables us to meet important basic needs of homeless families. What do we need?: YOU! Volunteers are the foundation of Family Promise. Little gestures like making a hot meal, helping children with activities/homework, or maybe staying overnight, can make a big positive difference in the lives of families that have lost their homes and help them maintain some normalcy as they work to get settled. Stay tuned for more information. Look at for additional information. SPRING PLANT & YARD SALE SATURDAY, MAY 20 9 AM - NOON Accepting Yard Sale items now: please leave in stairwell below office entry. Summer entertaining supplies, kids outdoor games, bird feeders, vases, planters, garden tools and equipment are popular items at our May Sale. Plant donations - vegetables or flowers - please deliver the week of sale. Interested in volunteering a few hours? We need your help with set up Friday or sales on Saturday. Questions? Contact Eunice Wilcox. Thank You! "Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love." - Mother Teresa May 6 th through the 12 th is National Nurses Week. Let s remember to honor the nurses who have touched our lives. They are here for us 24/7. Carol I. Kauffman, MSN, RN Faith Community Nurse

8 Page 8 Ministry of Community Life Congregator The members of the Ministry of Community Life served breakfast to the choir members, guest musicians and other guests on Easter Sunday morning. This is an annual event with the breakfast served between the two Easter services on Sunday morning. The Ministry of Community Life members, along with other members of our church community, served a reception held following the memorial service for Charlotte Sinnett on April 19. On Sunday, April 30th, immediately following worship, members of Community Life, assisted by members of Called to Care, will serve a lunch reception to celebrate the many years of service that Dick and Bonnie Anderson have given to this church. Dick and Bonnie are now members of First Parish Congregational Church of Brunswick and this will be a wonderful opportunity for us to thank them for their dedication to Falmouth Congregational Church UCC. Everyone is invited to attend. Carol I. Kauffman Ministry of Community Life Ministry of Worship and Covenant The Ministry of Worship and Covenant has been busy with various Easter preparations. We prepared palms for Palm Sunday. Provided a light meal for the Maundy Thursday worship service. Assisted in delivering flowers to the homebound. We have scheduled a hymn sing for May 21 st. On April 5th, eight members of Called to Care met to write Easter cards to be delivered along with daffodils and decorated Easter cookies to members of our church community who are not able to attend church. The cookies were from children in Kids Church. The recipients of these Easter gifts were very pleased and appreciated being remembered by their church family. On Sunday, April 30th a reception will be held for Dick and Bonnie Anderson as a celebration and acknowledgement of their many years of service to Falmouth Congregational Church UCC. A lunch, planned by the members of Called to Care and the Ministry of Community Life will also be served and everyone is invited to attend. Falmouth Congregational Church is a fragrance-free environment. Please help us to accommodate our members and visitors who are chemically sensitive to fragrances and other scented products. Thank you for not wearing perfume, aftershave, scented hand lotion, fragranced hair products, and/or similar products.

9 Volume 54 Issue 5 Page 9 Prayer Shawl Ministry On a lovely spring afternoon three of us were able to take a break from busy Lenten Easter week to attend our April Prayer Shawl meeting. The Grant Room where we meet was decked out with all the preparations for the Easter Egg Hunt. After we shared A Prayer of Gathering, written by Susan S. Izard, one of the authors of the book Knitting Into the Mystery. I also shared with them the Jelly Bean Prayer, which I found on a green card hand-out we received from a contemporary church service we had in the past. One of the highlights of the meeting was to open the box of beautifully knitted prayer shawls Sally Emery had brought us after church one Sunday. She loves to knit in her spare time and we are so fortunate to have her as a member of our ministry. Special thanks to Sally for all her gifts. Pastor Michael stopped by and was surprised by all the shawls draped around the room to view. He reassured us what an important ministry we are fortunate to have at our church. Somehow the hour and a half flew by and we all realized it was time to close our meeting by blessing all the shawls. Our next meeting is May 11 at 1:30 PM in the Grant Room. We look forward to seeing you there. Enjoy spring! Judy Nilsen FALMOUTH S NEW SENIOR CITIZEN CENTER HAS OPENED! Do plan to make a visit to The Presumpscot Room at the Mason-Motz Community Activity Center. There you will find a welcoming place to attend programs planned just for our seniors. Watch for announcements of future programs, dates and time in the weekly issues of The Notes. Incidentally, Dolores Vail, Peggy Horton, John Wilcox and Carol Kauffman currently serve on the town s Senior Citizen Advisory Committee. They would be most willing to answer any questions you might have. In Southern Maine, Falmouth has the highest percentage of persons over the age of 75. The new center is not the committee s only focus. There are other goals to be met that can benefit Falmouth s senior population. CHANCEL FLOWERS 2017 Would you like to provide the chancel flowers for a Sunday? Please sign up on the poster in Fellowship Hall. Fill out the information on a Chancel Flower form and place it in the offering plate or leave it in the church office. The office will order the flowers from Skillins unless otherwise specified. You may also supply your own. Cost of chancel flowers from Skillins is $38.00.

10 Page 810 Worship Attendants Congregator Liturgists 7 - Barbara Fleming 14 - Judy Currier 21 - Judy Nilsen 28 - Nancy Lightbody LITURGISTS We are currently in need of liturgists for Please contact Jim Parr at jparr2@maine.rr.com or Larry Perry if you would like to serve the church by participating in the morning worship service. Thank you. Ushers 7 - Larry & Sue Perry; Tyler Henderson, Scott Walker 14 - Judy Currier, Pam Carroll, Judy Nilsen, Lorraine Bergen 21 - Jack Davis, Jim Parr, Ted & Dolores Vail 28 - Rodney & Anne Coleman; John Boothby, Michel Kanyambo Greeters 7 - Barry Hamilton 14 - Nancy Merrill 21 - Sally Emery 28 - Don & Marion Olen Job opening! Greeters, no long term commitment, once or twice per year! We are looking for a few good people or families to represent our warm and welcoming church on Sunday mornings! This could be you! Please contact a member of the Ministry of Community Life Carol Kaufman (chair) or the church office. Communion Preparers Sunday, May 7 Mollie Mason - Wafers/Bread Anne Coleman - Juice Barbara Fleming, Jo Blinick Communion given by Intinction Chancel Flowers 7 - Barry & Ginny Hamilton 14 - Carol Kauffman ACOLYTES Children in the second grade and older who would like to light the candles on Sunday morning, serving as an acolyte, please have your parents contact Pam Carroll at pcarroll4@maine.rr.com or at Your help on Sunday morning is needed and appreciated. Please find a substitute if you are not available on your scheduled Sunday. Contact the church office by Wednesday morning with the name of your replacement. Thanks!

11 Volume 54 Issue 5 Page 11 Church Family News... To My Church Friends, What a nice surprise to see Helen Tupper Southard and Judy Currier the other day. They came to present me with a card a plants and best wishes from all of you. It was so good to talk with them and bring back memories. I love seeing them. It makes me seem closer to you all. Love, Mary Lou Endicott The family of Charlotte M. Sinnett acknowledges with deep appreciation your kind expression of sympathy. Thanks to the church family for the donations of food for the reception. Jay C. Sinnett We lift Chan and Kathie Sinnett and family in thought and prayer as we remember and honor the life of Charlotte Sinnett. Her memorial service was held here on April 19. In life and in death we hold fast to the promises of the Gospel. We lift in prayer Robbie Coleman Charlie Grubb Maureen Grubb Myron Hager Adelaide Scheuchzer Arthur Wescott Joyce Harmon Bee O Brien Mimi Mahirwe The first Sunday of each month Pastor Michael and a member of the Ministry of Worship and Covenant take Communion to home-bound persons. Should you know of someone who would like communion in their home please contact Pam Carrol at pcarrol4@maine.rr.com or Pastor Michael at or pastormichaelfcc@maine.rr.com. 1 - Paul Han 1 - Anna Sauberlich 2 - Chan Sinnett 2 - Keller Gardner 3 - Andrew Poore 5 - Gary Scheuchzer 7 - Shane Allen 7 - Katherine Bender 7 - Terri Collins 7 - Jane Stegemann 8 - Barbara Wood 11 - Edie Boothby 11 - Marcy Kittredge 12 - Lori Mortensen 13 - Julia Fay 17 - Coleman Allen 17 - James Henderson 18 - Carol Kauffman 22 - Lana Pillsbury 25 - Allen Coffey Jr Myron Hager 27 - Tom Stegemann 27 - Ann Sanborn 30 - Chris Bender 31 - Mollie Mason 31 - Aren Strobel

12 7 Communion One Great Hour of Sharing 9 AM Choir Practice 10 AM Worship 10 AM Kids Church 11:15 Coffee Hour 11:30 Bible Study 2 PM Eagle Scout Ceremony 1 9 AM Falmouth Food Pantry 7 PM Ministry of Worship & Covenant 8 14 Mother s Day 15 9 AM Choir Practice 10 AM Worship 10 AM Kids Church 11:15 Coffee Hour 11:30 AM Council of Ministries Deadline for June Congregator Submissions 21 9 AM Choir Practice 10 AM Worship 10 AM Kids Church 11:15 Coffee Hour 11:30 AM Bible Study 3:00 PM Community Hymn Sing 6 PM Fiddle-icious 9 AM Food Pantry Open 6 PM Fiddle-icious Steering Committee 22 Falmouth Congregational Church Calendar Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 6 PM Fiddle-icious 2 10 AM Bible Study at OceanView 5 PM Kids Movie Night 9 9:30 AM Food Pantry Open 10 AM Bible Study at OceanView 6 PM Cub Scouts 16 9:30 AM Food Pantry Open 10 AM Bible Study at OceanView 23 9:30 AM Food Pantry Open 10 AM Bible Study at OceanView 3 8 AM Aerobics 7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal 10 8 AM Aerobics 1 PM Women s Spiritual Book Group 6 PM Pastoral Search Committee Presentation 7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal 17 8 AM Aerobics 7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal 24 8 AM Aerobics 2 PM Called to Care 4 6:30 PM Ministry of Missions 7 PM Ministry of Facilities 7 PM Boy Scouts 11 1:30 PM Prayer Shawl Ministry 4:30 PM Food Pantry Open 7 PM Boy Scouts 18 4:30 PM Food Pantry Open AM Collators 4:30 PM Food Pantry Open 7 PM Boy Scouts :30 PM Coffee House Music by Eric McDonald & Will Woodson AM Habitat for Humanity Walk/Run AM Spring Plant & Yard Sale AM Choir Practice 10 AM Worship 10 AM Kids Church 11:15 AM Coffee Hour 11:30 AM Ministry of Christian Education 29 Office Closed AM Bible Study at OceanView 31 8 AM Aerobics 7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal

13 Falmouth Congregational Church United Church of Christ 267 Falmouth Road Falmouth, ME Office phone: Office Web site: Non-profit Org U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 95 Portland ME Return Service Requested, God is Still Speaking! Falmouth Congregational Church United Church of Christ MINISTRIES Paul Davis Chair, Council of Ministries Heidi Gage Chair, Ministry of Christian Education Carol Kauffman Ministry of Community Life Jim Smith Ministry of Facility Stewardship Steve Hendry Chair, Ministry of Missions Larry Perry & Jim Parr Co-Chairs, Ministry of Worship & Covenant CHURCH STAFF Rev. Michael H. Richards Pastor and Teacher Doris Krueger Minister of Music Kristen Coleman Christian Education Coordinator Gini Medford Office Manager, Newsletter Editor Laurie Logan Office Assistant Matthew Strobel Sexton OFFICERS Paul Davis, Moderator Marilee Pillsbury, Vice Moderator Laurie Davis, Clerk Pam Carroll, Treasurer Meredith Mazur, Financial Secretary Carol Kauffman MSN, RN, Faith Community Nurse