NEWS & VIEWS. Belleville Congregational Church. News and Views. February 2010 MISSION OF BELLEVILLE CHURCH

Transcription

1 NEWS & VIEWS 1 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 worship, fellowship, Scripture study and the sharing of our gifts. Strengthened by God s love and guidance, we strive to serve with compassion those in need, both near and far. Ponderings 1 Coffee Hour 2 Book discussion Bowling 3 Calendar 4 Women s Discussion New address Service Club 5 Executive Board 6 Anna Guyette 8 Birthdays 9 Contacts 10 Dear Friends, Why do I still have my Christmas tree up?... Well, it may be down by the time you read this, but right now (1/22) it has been up about 6 weeks! Maybe it is because I had the good fortune to get one this year from Jane Thomas, freshly cut! Most of the needles are still on the tree, and still green! Or maybe it is because this is the first year in a while that I actually got a real one! And maybe it is because I love the lights on it during this time of long nights; they light up a whole room and have a mystical glow. Well, many reasons indeed, but the latter may get closer to the meaning it gives me. Yes, I know, it is from pagan holidays and from the idea of greenery lasting through the cold season. But there is something about candle lights or tree lights on a cold winter's night that makes me want to pause a bit more, linger in the morning or evening with this mystical glow. WINTER (except for those wonderful outings to sled or ski, with hot chocolate waiting afterwards!) is indeed often a time we spend more time inside.maybe we have a little of that "hibernation" thing going on that is so important to some of God's other creatures. I think doctors might agree that we need a bit more rest in the winter months, and certainly nutritionists speak of needing warmer food, and maybe even a few extra pounds to insulate ourselves! Spiritually, this winter hibernation tendency may give us the opportunity to do more waiting on God, listening for God, trusting in God! I wrote a song last winter sabbatical while driving to record with Ken in Michigan that went like this: Empty branches, trees are brown and bare. Snow is falling, on frozen ground. Night comes early, too soon the sun goes down. Can we learn from cold winter's way, Truly rest with the closing of the day? Can we postpone things to be done, Stay in tune with the rhythm of the sun? Nature calls us to wonder and pause: Calls us to let go, to put our trust in God. Blessings to all as we still "hunker down" a bit in February, waiting for new birth in the Spring. Ross

2 COFFEE HOUR Feb 7 th Janet Woodman, Anna Guyette, Brenda Marshall 14 th No Coffee School Vacation 21 st Diane Crofts, Pam Ellis, Nancy Canali 28 th Gail Gandolfi, Irene Bradford, Jean Kirkpatrick Mar 7 th Mardee Beauparlant, Diana Bondar, Helen Mantarian 14 th Nancy Tsakirgis, Karen Conway, Marcia Samuelson 21 st Peggy Utterback, Kelly Burke-Anderson, Kathy Brittan 28 th Shirley Locke, Jane Thomas, Cynthia Peirce, Norma Dean Easter Apr 4 th Diane Crofts, Anna Guyette, Marion Spark 11 th Gail Gandolfi, Bob Gould, Diana Bondar 18 th No Coffee School Vacation 25 th Audrey Clarkson, Emery Rice, Bill Silsby, Lori Wiswell May 2 nd Diane Crofts, Helen Hatcher, Christa Middler 9 th Janet Woodman, Helen Mantarian, Pam Ellis 16 th Peggy Utterback, Jean Kirkpatrick, Kathy Raywood 23 rd Audrey Clarkson, Maria Niswonger, Debra Moore 30 th No Coffee Holiday Weekend summer Sept 5 th No Coffee Holiday Weekend 12 th Audrey Clarkson, Nancy Lewis, Carolyn Kyle 19 th Nancy Tsakirgis, Gail Gandolfi, Helen Mantarian 26 th Lori Wiswell, Debra Moore, Dorothy Williamson Oct 3 rd Shirley Locke, Maria Niswonger, Ben Heersink 10 th Sue Wolfendale, Diane Crofts, Pam Ellis 17 th Marylou Tyler, Karen Conway, Bill Silsby 24 th Christa Middler, Brenda Marshall, Kathy Brittan 31 st Mardee Beauparlant, Janet Woodman, Jean Kirkpatrick Nov 7 th Gail Gandolfi, Anna Guyette, Betty Madden 14 th Nancy Canali, Kelly Burke-Anderson, Marcia Samuelson 21 st Audrey Clarkson, Cynthia Peirce, Sue Heersink 28 th Bob Locke, Nancy Tsakirgis, Jim Marshall Dec 5 th Peggy Utterback, Marge Killam, Debra Moore 12 th Christa Middler, Diana Bondar, Kathy Raywood 19 th Audrey Clarkson, Lori Wiswell, Irene Bradford, 26th No Coffee Jan nd No Coffee 9 th Sue Heersink, Dorothy Williamson, Marsha Kinnear 16 th Nancy Canali, Gail Gandolfi, Jane Thomas 23 rd Marion Spark, Shirley, Locke, Cynthia Peirce 30 th Marylou Tyler, Maria Niswonger, Betty Madden INSTRUCTIONS 2 The first person on the list is asked to please take charge of the coffee hour for that week and can notify the rest of the committee if needed. This schedule is included in the and is posted on the bulletin board. Please feel free to swap around with anyone if the assigned week is a conflict for you. The church will supply the napkins, cups, plates, coffee, cream, sugar and juice. Anyone can bring something for coffee hour even if it is not your week. You do not have to be listed to donate. All donations gratefully accepted. Audrey Clarkson Kathy Flaherty Diane Crofts Nancy Canali Carolyn Kyle

3 3 BOWLING NIGHT We have scheduled Bowling night for Feb, the 6th at 6pm. We will go to Leo s Super bowl in Amesbury and have pizza at Sal's right in the same building as the bowling alley. There will be a rendezvous at the Chapel so people can carpool if they wish. Please respond as late as the day before in case I should call to reserve a lane or two. I think another game night will be fun. Perhaps in February? Thanks for your interest and ideas Daryl Book Discussion Feb 2 Next book discussion will be "Kneeling in the End Zone" by Josh Tinley Held on Tuesday February 2, Kneeling in the End Zone takes the often overlapping worlds of sports and religion and turns them upside down. Athletes, coaches, fans and broadcasters often bring faith into the world of sports, whether through on-field prayers, post-game interviews, biblical bleacher signs or using faith language or scriptural metaphors to describe an incredible play or performance. Kneeling in the End Zone aims to do the exact opposite, using sports as a lens through which to look at the Christian faith. It uses sports as a metaphor, drawing parallels between scriptural stories and memorable tales from the field or court, and looks at those transcendent moments in sports history that reveal larger truths about life. Come join us for a lively discussion with some light refreshments. Great opportunity for fellowship. Worship and Education Board.

4 Belleville Church Calendar Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1Woman s Disc 4pm 2Book Discussion 7pm 3Thrift shop S/F 7 pm Bible Disc. 6:15 p Choir 7:30 pm Thrift shop Bowl 6pm 4 7 Worship 10a Chapel Annual Meeting 8 9W/E 7pm 10 Thrift shop Bible Disc. 6:15 p Choir 7:30 pm Thrift shop 14 Worship 10a Chapel 15Woman s Disc. 4 pm Thrift shop Bible Disc. 6:15 p Choir 7:30 pm Thrift shop Ash Wednesday 21 Worship 10a Chapel Thrift shop Bible Disc. 6:15 p Choir 7:30 pm Thrift shop 28 Worship 10a Chapel January S M T W T F S Notes: Daylight Savings time March 14 Palm Sunday March 28 March S M T W T F S

5 5 WOMEN S DISCUSSION GROUP Women s Discussion Group continues to meet each first and third Monday of every month at the home of Cathie Gould. The meetings take place at 4 p.m. and will be meeting this month on February 1 and February 15. Please call Cathie for further information NEW FOR BELLEVILLE Our new church address is: bcchurch@worldpath.net The service club needs your help on two occasions: Service Club News 1. We realize that everyone is stressed out and very busy so we decided to have a BAKELESS BAKE SALE. Instead of either buying something at our sale or spending money to make something delicious for us - we are hoping you could just figure out what you would usually spend and just give us the money. That makes everything much easier, us happier, and we can hopefully raise the money we need. Just put the money in an envelope and address it to the Service Club and either put it in our mailbox or give the envelope to either Sue Wolfendale or Irene Bradford. Thank you so much in advance. 2. On April 17th we will be having our annual rummage sale. Anything you want to donate can be put on the stage (behind the curtain) anytime Easter or after. There is another group having a sale on the 10th, so it is important to put items behind the curtain. SOOOO - Anytime you see anything you don't need, think of us, and start saving now. See Sue W. with any questions.

6 6 BELLEVILLE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH NEWBURYPORT, MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING December 15,2009 Present: Mary Lou Tyler, Bob Locke, Sue Heersink, Diane Crofts, Jim Marshall, Ross Varney, Kathleen Raywood, Helen Hatcher, Emory Rice Ross offered the opening prayer. The minutes of the previous meeting were distributed and read and were accepted with a couple of minor corrections. Pastor Ross: Emery will be writing an article for about living wills, etc. and may do a presentation in the future, possibly on a Sunday afternoon. Anna Smulowitz gave a good presentation at the church about the Holocaust and German-Jewish relations. Ross suggested possibly having a follow-up to this. Sue Heersink mentioned maybe a theatre piece. This would be good for the confirmation students. There will be a workshop on Saturday, 1/9, in Needham to help church leaders work on goal-setting, leadership, etc. The fee would be $100/3-5 persons. The time is 10:00 2:30. The Newburyport YWCA does not have enough interest in using our facilities to have an arrangement between them and Belleville. Ross met a comedian at the Y who offered to perform for a fundraiser (for the kitchen). (The content would be family-appropriate.) The person is sponsored by ScampsComedy.com. Mary Lou said fundraising would be welcome and suggested putting information in about a committee to look into this. There is no update information about Belleville s web site. Ross had the name of someone (Jim Lewis) who volunteered to do some plastering at the church. People were asking about his experience. Ross said he would give the information to Bob Locke and the building committee. Kelly Conway and Michelle Anderson are confirmation students. The classes will start in January. There was some discussion about a UCC retreat for the students in the spring. Fellowship and Outreach: There was nothing to report at this time. Stewardship and Finance: Mary Lou reported a $25,000 deficit for There is $99,000 left in the Tarbox Fund going into the beginning of the year. The S&F Committee will meet the first week in January to finalize the budget. Mary Lou is budgeting a $23,000 deficit for She is including in the budget $5,000 from an unknown fundraiser, $2,000 from the endowment fund and $4,000 from the Choral Society. (continued on Page 7)

7 The sexton and the secretary have agreed to go unpaid for July and August. This would save $3,000. They will have this unpaid period off. There were no raises factored in. Contributions for the year are $86,000 (67% of this goes to cover Ross full time position.) Loose collection earns $13,477. The copier in the church office costs $2,600/year to rent and there is a monthly copy cost. Jim asked about possibly buying our own copier as opposed to renting. Mary Lou asked about the budget for instrument tuning and whether it was still needed. Emory will ask David Morrow who he uses for piano repair so Mary Lou can figure it into the budget. The roof has been repaired with money from the Memorial Fund. The new phone system is in place. Mary Lou would get a new phone for Joyce which has extra handsets so one could go in the thrift shop and one in the Sunday school since there are no phone jacks in those rooms. John Pearson has offered to paint the floor in the dining room. 7 Worship and Education: Sue Heersink said that there are readers for the Christmas Eve. Service and the church was decorated on 12/6. Building Committee: Bob Locke reviewed a list of work that is going on right now in the buildings including updating some light fixtures, a timer to control 4 connector lights, vinyl balusters in place of lattice, installation of a thermostat in the Meeting House, etc. The construction on the connector will stop until after the holidays. Mary Lou brought up the antique fair in August and asked if construction will be going on because planning for the fair would start in April. Jim asked if there is enough money now to do Phase II. Jim announced that the annual meeting would take place on 2/7. Re: the Christian Science church Bob said someone from the church had come by today. Bob was at Lunt and Kelly s at the time but when he returned, the person had left. Jim asked about David s contract. There was also discussion about moving sheet music from the music room (off the stage room) upstairs to one of the closets in the office area. The purpose for the move is to clear the music room for kitchen construction. Thrift Shop $3 Bag Sale February 17 - March 31 Terrific bargains Don't miss it! Spread the Word

8 8

9 9 NEWS & VIEWS DEADLINE February 20 for March issue ANNUAL MEETING PLEASE SAVE THE DATE FEBRUARY 7 February 1 Rebecca Whitney 3 Peggy Utterback 4 Robert Gould 5 Jane Thomas 10 Carlton Brown 13 Emery Rice 16 Nancy Brown 22 George Beauparlant 27 Anna May Guyette 27 Peggy VanAmburg March 3 Patrick Harrison 3 Douglas Heine 5 Linda Farmer 5 Lily Delong 9 Cathie Gould 15 Hunter Anderson 19 Barbara Colten 19 Phoebe Lanham 21 Diana Bondar 23 Betty Bennett 23 Heather Brown 23 Steven Locke 26 Emily May 28 Diane Crofts 30 Alexandra Gould

10 Non-Profit Organization News U.S. POSTAGE and Views PAID Newburyport, MA Permit No Pastor's office hours: Tues. 11 am 12:30pm Wed. and Thurs. 10:30 am to noon. Please call to assure the pastor is available Church Office Office Administrator, Joyce Dumais Office hours : Tuesday through Friday 9a.m. 12 noon Church Officers: Moderator James Marshall Clerk Kathy Raywood Treasurer Mary Lou Tyler Collector Assistant Treasurer William Silsby Memorial Fund Treasurer Kelly Burke-Anderson Auditor Jim Samuelson Members-at-Large (Ex. Board) Bob Locke Helen Hatcher Contact Persons: Board of Fellowship and Outreach Diane Crofts Board of Worship and Education Kelly Burke-Anderson Board of Stewardship and Finance Mary Lou Tyler UCC Delegate Emery Rice Belleville Church Website is: ***** Sunday School Coordinator Nancy Tsakirgis Flower Coordinator Shirley Locke Hospitality Coordinator Audrey Clarkson Sexton Bob Locke