South Congregational Church United Church of Christ. Words from our Minister

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1 South Congregational Church United Church of Christ Our Mission is to be an inclusive community of faith that preaches the word of God, teaches the love of Jesus Christ and reaches out to all through the Holy Spirit. An Open and Affirming Congregation Inside this issue: Words from Rev. Whiston Winter Storm Policy With Thanks Annual Meeting Invite Warrant You Should Know Sunday Worship 10:30 am (Nursery Care provided) Sunday School Classes 10:30 am January 2017 Words from our Minister A new month. A new year. A new chapter to begin recording what impact and difference the celebration of Christ' birth now has in our lives. Will this re-birth of ours be a mirror of the light we experienced in our Bethlehem journey? With the coming of our Annual Meeting on January 22, we mark the junction of where we have been and sharing a vision of what may lay ahead - our shared celebration of tomorrow's promises. Some of these we have planned (such as the Back Bay Mission trip, the Bon Appetite Soup Kitchen schedule) and some of these will reveal themselves unexpectedly (such as the further significant water damage discovered a few weeks ago with previously needed work at the rear of the church). What we do know is that God is the bridge between the known and unknown, between yesterday and tomorrow, between our differences and our common ground. Gathered in 1838, may God's light shine through us as we enter our 179th year. Charles Epiphany ~ ~ January 6 ~ twelve days after Christmas ~ the traditional arrival of the magi or wise men. The coming of light, the realization of God's presence. "We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us." Joseph Campbell Winter Storm Statement -It is our general practice not to cancel Sunday morning worship due to snow/ice storms, though the gathering may take a different form and perhaps take place as a small group downstairs in the library area. This is due primarily to the fact that our minister is a three minute walk from the church. However, when such conditions exist it is also our belief that NO ONE should travel if he/she is uncomfortable on the road regardless of staff position or other responsibilities. Specifically, this has been communicated to David, our choir director and organist (who in turn communicates this to the choir), to Megan Grassi and Beth Gachowski, Co-Church School Directors (who in turn communicates this to Church school teachers and nursery care provider) and is applicable to the Deacon in Charge, all ushers, coffee hosts, greeters and the like. Road conditions vary greatly in different parts of our community, snow plowing of driveways vary equally, and power outages hit different areas of our community for varying periods of time. Simply put, do not come if you do not feel safe. The key factor here is road conditions. If there were other overwhelming concerns that were life threatening, a decision to cancel may take place. In that case, an effort would be made to place notification with local television stations and if possible on our church answering machine.

2 Looking back, a season and spirit of gratitude fills South Church - To those who shared their nativity sets adorning our windowsills in the sanctuary. To those who erected the outdoor nativity set. To Tim Dunn for the restoration of two more outdoor nativity figures and to Katie Mooney who helped with the painting of them. To those of Women s Association and other volunteers for two very successful Craft Fairs last month. To our Biloxi Mission Team who made chili along with others who joined it and Atria who supplied/donated all the delicious chowder for the fund-raising Prelude luncheon. To Megan and Beth for a wonderful Live Nativity along with the The Huot family who provided two goats, a sheep and a llama! To David and our marvelous choir for the presentation of Christmas Cantata for Sunday worship leading us to Christmas. As well as to our new chime choir. To the MANY who brought over 85 hooded sweatshirts and $5 Dunkin Donut cards for the homeless of Portland to be distributed by Grace Street Ministry. To the generous response with hats and mittens for our area elementary schools. To Huntington Common who hosted the South Church residents, several of our Deacons and Rev. Charles for a luncheon together....and all of you who provided poinsettia plants, over two dozen of which made their way to homes and care facilities where many of our members now reside. Indeed, there is much for which to give thanks. Live Nativity Chime Choir playing at the Live Nativity Photos courtesy of Mike Jordan, King Montgomery and Rev. Whiston

3 New in Our Library After my husband s sudden and unexpected death early in 2016 I discovered that there are many books written about loss and grief. I read or tried to read more than a dozen. There were only two that truly helped me. I have donated copies of both books to our church library in the hope that they could be helpful to other members of our church.both books were unique in their eloquence and in speaking to deeper and wider issues for the grieving person. Here are my personal reactions to each. The best book I found for daily support, insight and comfort: Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations for Working Through Grief by Martha Whitmore Hickman. (The writer lost her teen aged daughter in a riding accident.) It always amazes me when I open this book each morning how comforting, deep and beautiful the author s words are. She heads each entry with a quote. This book has a Christian perspective and speaks at times but not exclusively about the spiritual issues surrounding death and loss. The best guide I found for dealing with the evolution of grief over time: Seven Choices: Finding Daylight After Loss Shatters Your World by Elizabeth Harper Neeld. (The writer lost her young husband suddenly to a heart attack) This has became my most important guide. I am grateful to have it. Again and again I was reassured that how I was dealing with my husband s death was normal. It also helped me anticipate future phases of adapting to my loss. The most important thing I have learned from this book is that it is possible to survive the pain and also that grief changes you in unexpected ways. Highly recommended. Stephanie Williams November 2016 Widow to Widow by Genevieve Davis Ginsburg A valuable resource for a challenging period of life, the book Widow to Widow provides its reader with gentle encouragement and practical strategies to help build a roadmap for a path to a new beginning. The book is really more like a handbook with mindful and intriguing chapter titles that address topics including; How long does it take? Dinner for one. Emptying the closets. The dumb things people say. To work, volunteer or play? From learning to travel and eat alone to creating new routines to surviving the holidays and anniversaries that reopen emotional wounds, Widow to Widow walks readers through the challenges of widowhood and encourages them on their path to building a new life. Todd Cesca

4 Portico column (pillar) renovation completed in November During the Fall of 2015, it was discovered that several sections of the four large wooden columns (pillars) that are part of the portico in the front of the church had extensive rot. The portico, added to the church in 1912, was designed by the famous Kennebunkport painter, Abbott Fuller Graves, and is of great historical interest to the community. Two immediate steps were taken to stall the rot 1) gutters and downspouts were added by a contractor to the roof above the pillars, and 2) the peeling paint was scraped off and epoxy was spread over the most rotten areas. Column on corner towards parking lot The columns have plinths at the bottom, which are square but are topped by large (30 inch in diameter) wooden rings that encircle the bottom of the pillars and require very special (and old) woodworking tools. The columns themselves are built like a wooden barrel, with vertical boards (staves) that are curved, and which also require special tooling. We spoke with Chris Closs of Maine Preservation, which provides advice to persons in Maine who are trying to restore historical structures. Chris pointed out that only a few contractors have the equipment and know-how to restore century-old wooden columns. He recommended Mid Maine Restoration Inc. (MMR) from Boothbay, ME, who had restored our steeple five years ago. Joe McSwain from MMR inspected the columns in February and advised that we did not need to repair all four of them. The two in the center are good for another decade. He said that we could solve most of the problems by replacing the bottom 8 feet or so of the two columns on the corners (they are more exposed to the weather and to water dripping off the roof). Mahogany would be used because of its strength and resistance to rot. The trustees approved MMR s cost estimate and we then waited for several months for MMR s schedule to clear. In September, MMR took detailed measurements and started the woodworking at their shop in Boothbay, where they have the large lathes. In November, the crew removed the old wood and installed the new plinths and staves. The two photos show the two corner columns with the new wood installed. Priming and finish painting were completed the day after the photos were taken. Now they are good for another 114 years! Prepared by Steve Hanna on 9 December 2016 Column on corner towards river

5 We invite you to attend our Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 22, in the Community House immediately following the worship service. Our snow date is January 29. Help us plan for lunch by signing up downstairs if you would. We will again share lunch together, this year prepared by Steve and Megan Ogden before the business meeting. Our meeting is an opportunity for fellowship with others as well as a chance to reflect upon the ministry we share together. Our officers, boards and committees have worked faithfully to strengthen our ministries and their reports reflect a strong spirit and program here at South Church. We will learn more of our church at work both locally and abroad, as well as vote on the proposed budget for (An information gathering regarding the budge is set aside for January 15 after the worship service for any questions) Annual Reports will be available that same day. We look forward to your presence and continued support as we gather for Annual Meeting. WARRANT FOR ANNUAL MEETING The Annual Meeting of South Congregational Church United Church of Christ of Kennebunkport, Maine is hereby called to take place following the worship service and lunch on Sunday, January 22, 2017 (snow date January 29) in the Community House, then and there to act on the following business, to wit: Article 1 Article 2 Article 3 Article 4 To receive the reports of the Minister, Officers, Boards and Committees of the Church. To see what action the Church will take on the proposed budget as prepared by the Board of Trustees and recommended and presented by Central Board, and to authorize the Treasurer to expend funds in accordance with the budget as adopted. To elect all the necessary Church Officers, Boards and Committees in accordance with the By-Laws. To hear and act upon any further business to legally come before this gathering. Given under my hand and seal of said Church of Kennebunkport this First day of January in the year of our Lord Two Thousand Seventeen. Sandra Nichols, Clerk of the Church

6 You Should Know. South Congregational Church United Church of Christ PO Box 414 Kennebunkport, ME Phone: 207/ Fax: 207/ The deadline for submitting newsletter articles is the 15th of each month by ing to: Life Journeys Death December 18 Rev. Ruth Becker Would you like to provide flowers some Sunday morning? The new calendar is just now posted on the bulletin board. You may bring from your home, your garden or order from a florist of your choice. And you are welcome to take them home after the worship service. Signup now let Sarah in the front office know how you would like the wording to read. Our music program has received generous gift of an electric keyboard to further enrich our worship gatherings. Now situated in the chancel, it will supplement the large piano located on the pew level. This donation is applauded by David Brandes as well as our choir and was formally accepted by Central Board, all working together with Rev. Charles and the donor who wishes to remain anonymous. "Thank you, so much for your thoughtfulness and offer." The gift of a prayer shawl is a quiet ministry that goes forth from our doors. We provide the yarn and instructions to anyone wishing to knit one (ask Sarah in the office). If you know of someone who might welcome this hand-made item for comfort and reminder of being held by God and this congregation; simply let Rev. Charles know or one of our Deacons. Rev. Whiston giving a blessing to the newly built boats at the Landing Boat School in Kennebunkport.