May Southwick Congregational Church UCC. United Church of Christ. The Good Newsletter of the. Southwick Congregational Church

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1 Buildings & Grounds: Christian Education: Deacons: Craig Perras Brittany Perras Patty Banasik Diane Orson Finance: Patti Wood Flowers: Roxanne Cook Fundraising: Patti Wood Library: Sonya Murray Memorial Gifts: COMMITTEE CHAIRS Karen Brzezinski Missions: Donna Sullivan Music: Joe Sullivan May 2018 Southwick Congregational Church 488 College Highway P.O. Box 260 Southwick, MA Return Service Requested Nominating: Pastoral Relations: Roxanne Cook Church Office Hours: Monday thru Thursday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Friday 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM Pastor s Office Hours: Tues & Thurs 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Church Office Phone: Susanne s Office Phone: Website: Office Facebook: www. southwickucc.org southwickucc@gmail.com Southwick Congregational Church UCC Staff: Interim Minister Rev. Dr. Susanne Hayes Choir Director/Organist Roberta Kowal Bell Choir Director Patti P. Wood Office Administrator Lyn Casey Custodians Matthew Kowal & Maria Lempke Southwick Congregational Church United Church of Christ 488 College Highway; P.O. Box 260 Southwick, MA VOLUME MMXVIII No. 5 The Good Newsletter of the Southwick Congregational Church Rev. Dr. Susanne Hayes, Interim Minister Please join us Sundays for Worship Service 10:00 AM Mid-Week Service Thursdays 6:30 PM Website: www. SouthwickUCC.org United Church of Christ Southwick, MA DATED MATERIAL PAID Permit No. 309 Southwick, MA US Postage

2 2 Mission Statement Southwick Congregational Church is a faithful Christian presence in the community of Southwick since 1773, and we look to the future. We are a diverse and loving congregation, joyfully serving, teaching, and sharing with one another, according to the gifts we have been given. Worship Schedule Sunday Worship service at 10:00 AM Thursdays at 6:30 PM Ecumenical Service at The American Inn on the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM Office Hours The Church office is open Monday thru Thursday from 9:00 AM~1:00 PM & Friday from 9:00 AM~12:30 PM Rev. Susanne s Hours are Tuesday & Thursday 10~12 PM All Church Meetings Sunday, May 6; Thursday, June 14; Sunday, September 9 Church Refreshment Schedule May & June Sign up in Old Fellowship Hall 1st week If your last name begins with A - D, please bring something to share 2nd If your last name begins with E - H, please bring something to share rd 3 If your last name begins with I - R, please bring something to share 4th If your last name begins with S - Z, please bring something to share If there is a fifth week, the church committees will bring the refreshments. Pastoral Care: If a member of our church community knows of anyone who is ill, hospitalized, grieving, or moving to a senior living facility please be sure to advise the church office. We want to respond with caring support. Call the church office at or at southwickucc@gmail.com 3 We are an Easter People Here it is May already, with the flowers blooming and the birds singing so sweetly. And while Easter Sunday seems so long ago, the fact of the matter is that we Christians are still celebrating the season of Easter, otherwise known as Eastertide! As you know, Easter Sunday is the holiest of our Christian holidays. It was quite early this year, falling on April 1st. And we celebrated the resurrection of Christ with a beautiful Easter worship service, which included one of my favorite Southwick traditions, the Flowering of the Easter Cross. Easter is the celebration of Jesus resurrection. And white became our liturgical color, representing the angels who announced the resurrection of Christ. But Easter Sunday was far from the end of our Easter celebration. Photo by Dave Breton 4/1/18 Eastertide, and the celebration of Christ s resurrection, lasts a total of 50 days, and ends on May 20th this year, which is Pentecost Sunday. That is why we continue with white paraments until Pentecost Sunday, at which time we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Christian Church, with the liturgical color changing to red, signifying the work and the fire of the Holy Spirit! But we cannot forget one other extremely important Christian celebration, that being the day of the Ascension of the Lord, which is the departure of Christ from Earth, and His entrance into the presence of God. The Ascension is celebrated on the fortieth day of Eastertide, Thursday May 10th this year, which falls in between Easter Sunday and Pentecost Sunday.

3 (cont.) We are an Easter people, and Eastertide gives us all the time we need to rejoice, and to experience what it means when we say, Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! It is the season during which we remember our baptisms, and how, through this sacrament, we are incorporated into Christ s mighty acts of salvation. We also celebrate and ponder the birth of the Church and gifts of the Holy Spirit, and how we are to live as faithful disciples of Christ. So I pray that you will not forget that we are still celebrating Easter, and that you will let Eastertide be a time of celebration, joy, and remembrance of all things good. God did something so totally unbelievable, when Jesus was sent to attend to the needs of humankind. And as our need for God s help will always be with us, we can know, that through Jesus Christ, God will always be with us. Alleluia and Amen! ~Rev. Susanne, Interim Minister Member Spotlight Rev. Dr. Susanne U. Hayes Tell us a little about your background: I grew up in Branford, CT and received my undergraduate degree from Central CT State Univ. I received a Masters of Divinity at Yale Divinity School and a Doctor of Ministry at Hartford Seminary. Tell us a little about your family: I am married to Michael Hayes (AKA Peter Michael Hayes). I have two daughters, Lesley and Dana, and four beautiful grandchildren, Nathan, Brady, Molly and Dylan. Favorite movie: My latest favorite movie is Murder on the Orient Express. I enjoy dramas, tearjerkers, and mysteries. Favorite pastime/hobby: Reading; drawing greeting cards; basket weaving; quilting; crocheting. 4 5 Favorite sports team(s): I will root for any Massachusetts team! One thing people would be surprised to know about you: When God called me to ministry, I wrestled with God, as Jacob wrestled with God when God called him and named him Israel. I wrestled with God because I felt unworthy and unable. But God won and here I am for I trusted that if God really wanted me to be a minister, I would be made ready through my schooling, my experiences and by God s grace. What habit would you like to break? have no control over. Worrying about things I What s the best advice you ve ever received? When I first met with the Committee on Church and Ministry in my Association, one member s advice was Don t do it unless you HAVE to do it! And my reaction to him and to myself was Yes! I HAVE to do it! Because at that point I knew what I had to do. Fill in the blank: I m completely obsessed with... Investigation Discovery!! The latest movie that made you cry: Jesus Christ, Superstar! What do you like best about Southwick Congregational Church, UCC? The people of the church your openness and friendliness and acceptance. Also the traditions. I have been a Congregationalist since birth, and Southwick Congregational feels like home to me. Don t forget, you can read the weekly sermon on our website: on the page: From the Pastor

4 6 7 Committee Communications See back page for chair contact information Buildings & Grounds: Those of you with KEYS, could you please call or the church office and let Lyn know your key number, phone number and . Thank you. Christian Education: Our main responsibilities as a committee are staffing the nursery, running programs for the youth group, & working on youth outreach within our community to build a larger youth program within our church. Finance: Looking for an ad-hoc committee to help with the website. If interested please contact the church office. Flowers: If you sign up on the calendar in Old Fellowship Hall, please remember to also call the office and let Lyn know what you want to say in the bulletin by Wednesday of that week. Missions: Sonya Murray and others are walking in the Crop Walk this year. See Dennis Day if you would like to join them and need a packet. Music: Gearing up for the summer music schedule; looking at the organist s contract; will we do the raffle again? Nominating: Still looking for volunteers for this committee. May 6 ~ May 13 ~ May 20 ~ June 3 ~ June 10 ~ June 14 ~ June 16 ~ June 17 ~ June TBD ~ July TBD ~ August 18 ~ Sept 2 ~ Sept 15 ~ Coming Events All Church 11:00 AM (Mission Outreach) Mothers Day Plant Sale Children s Service Crop Walk Music Sunday All Church 7:00 PM (Thursday) Strawberry Supper Summer Schedule Begins (9:30 AM Service) Mattress Fundraiser Lobster Takeout Dinner Clothing Drive Fall Schedule Resumes (10 AM Service) Community Day VOLUNTEER NEEDED I will be on vacation during the June 14 th All-Church Committee Meeting and am looking for a volunteer to take the Minutes of that meeting (Thursday at 8 pm). I have a template that I can supply you with that you can use to type the notes up for Lyn Casey so she can publish them in the July Gold Dome. Please me at emnitsch@gmail.com or call me (# ). Thank you! ~ Melanie Nitsch Please Bring in a picture of your Mom and/or GrandMom for Mother s Day May 13th! Happy Birthday Caleb Ireland May 1 Elaina Lempke May 2 Ashley Halacoglu May 12 Rob Lempke May 12 Barbara Machietto May 12 Flo Pitoniak May 12 Sarah Cotto May 15 Marie Boyd May 22 Sally Merlo May 25 Connie Johnson May 31 If we ve missed a birthday, please let the church office know!

5 10 11 Thank you Many thanks for the Easter daffodils delivered to me today. They are a happy springly sign on my dining room table. Much appreciated, ~Connie Johnson Please accept my much belated thank-you for the beautiful plant that was delivered on Easter. ~Jeanne Stromgren Please accept our belated Thank You for the special service in honor of Susan Sanders. Thank you for the support, love, great food and to all who participated in the reception. To say that it has been difficult since her passing, is an understatement. We hang onto the mantra that Susan always told us, Be positive! She was always positive, even in the last days, telling everyone to be positive, even through the tears and laughter. We are grateful that we had an extra 10 years after her heart transplant. Her heart remained strong, until cancer took her from us. ~The Family of Susan Sanders NEW RUGS in the CHURCH OFFICE Thank you to Roberta Kowal who, like a rug, lays down her life in service to others. Be sure to come visit and check them out! ~Lyn Casey Lost & Found Found: Ladies gloves in Dickinsen Room. Size: Large. Color: Red with black palms. L.L. Bean. Call the office if they are yours. Executive Committee Meeting Minutes April 8, 2018 The meeting was called to order by David Breton, Moderator, at 1:06 p.m. Roxanne Cook informed the group about the agreed upon terms for The Rev. Dr. Susanne Hayes to serve as our interim pastor beginning immediately. Rev. Susanne will be working 25 hours per week and will hold office hours at the church on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 12 noon. Flo Pitoniak will conduct the weekly Thursday evening service and the monthly service at the American Inn. Rev. Susanne will perform all Sunday services and special services such as weddings (including 3 pre-marital sessions), funerals, and rites such as baptism and communion, and meet with families to plan these. She will perform visitations and pastoral care as time allows and ask the Deacons for assistance if necessary. She will attend the monthly All-Church Committee Meetings and fellowship events as she is able. On hold for now will be Rev. Susanne s participation in confirmation classes, Bible study, youth group, and association representation of our church. There is a possibility she will attend an Interim Training Program in the fall. Now that the terms are finalized, Roxanne said the Committee will be putting together a contract for Rev. Susanne to sign. Roxanne made a motion to compensate Rev. Susanne for the remainder of 2018 at the agreed upon rate. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 1:17 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~Melanie Nitsch, Clerk March 11, 2018 The meeting was called to order by Moderator David Breton at 12:52 p.m. Patti Wood from the Nominating Committee brought forth 2 names to be voted on: Sonya Murray Mission Outreach Committee David Howes Finance Committee A motion to accept these two new committee members was made, seconded, and passed unanimously. The negotiating team that will meet with Rev. Dr. Susanne Hayes very soon will consist of a representative from the Finance Committee, the Board of Deacons, the Pastoral Relations Committee, and the church s Moderator. The group plans to meet on Sunday, 3/18/18. Discussions were held about the process in selecting our interim minister and the process around the formation of a Search Committee to begin the process of finding and calling a new minister for our church. Also discussed was the need to take a look at our Church By-Laws for any updates that need to be made. The meeting was adjourned at 1:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~Melanie Nitsch, Clerk

6 All-Church Meeting Minutes April 8, 2018 The meeting was called to order by Moderate David Breton at 12:15 pm. David welcomed the Rev. Dr. Susanne Hayes to the meeting and she offered the opening prayer. David brought forth a motion to accept the Minutes of the March monthly meeting which was seconded and after discussion of two exceptions, they were passed unanimously. The two exceptions were: 1) Under the Missions report, Patti Wood will be gathering info on a new project (not Patty Banasik); 2) The March Executive Committee Minutes will be published in their entirety in the May Gold Dome. Minister s Report: As our new Interim Minister, The Rev. Dr. Susanne Hayes has been very busy, performing 3 funerals before her actual start date. She stated she has met with the Negotiating Committee. Pastoral Relations: Roxanne Cook reported the committee will meet with Reverend Susanne very shortly. Deacons: Patty Banasik reported 6 members present at their meeting on 4/5/18. They discussed Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday services which all went smoothly. They are still discussing the Deacon s Fund bank accounts. Eric Nitsch brought the Deacons up-to-date with the negotiations with Rev. Susanne. The Deacons want to be involved with shut-in and nursing home visits to help out Rev. Susanne if needed. They will be looking at our active membership list to see who should be removed which will affect the amount of our UCC dues. They are requesting that members of the congregation bring in pictures of their mothers to be displayed during the church service on Mother s Day in May and also the same for fathers pictures for Father s Day in June. Mission-Outreach: Donna Sullivan reported 4 members present. They will organize a Vendor Fair/Community Day to be held on 9/15/18. The Boy Scouts will be barbecuing and they hope to have raffle baskets and possibly a bounce house. They plan to help the Christian Ed Committee with VBS this summer. There is a home in the area for unwed mothers and the committee is considering having someone from the home come to speak to them about the home s needs. As an outreach project, they would like to send out postcards to new families in town telling them about our church and also hope to put new pics about the church on our church website. Finance: Patti Wood reported 5 members present. The office administrator s yearly review was completed and very favorable with a few issues to follow up on. Melanie Nitsch will be the Finance Committee liaison to Lyn in the church office. The administrators of the church website are now Lyn Casey and Joe Rovelli. Treasurer s Report: Ted Orson reported that now that the contract has been finalized with The Rev. Dr. Susanne Hayes, he will complete the 2018 budget. Ted hopes to have a Payroll Service hired to do the church s payroll by next month. This is at minimal cost to us. Buildings and Grounds: Mike Pitoniak reported the committee did not meet today but he did report the new fire extinguishers are now installed, a dead tree at the Parsonage will need to be removed, the church needs to add some Exit Signs throughout, and Pastor Bart s name needs to be removed from the church sign. They are hoping to have a Spring Clean-Up Day with the date TBD. Music: Joe Sullivan reported 5 members present. The organist s yearly contract needs to be signed and they have asked Roberta to forward her summer vacation to them so they can begin planning for summer music. They are working on updating the fee schedules for weddings and funerals. Library: Sonya Murray did not have a report this month. Christian Education: Kirsten Allhusen reported 5 members present. Children s Sunday will be held on 5/20/18 and on 4/22/18 they will have a planning day with the youth. The group hopes to get the youth involved in the CROP walk this year scheduled for 6/3/18 and to provide lunch for the youth. They will be talking to the youth and parents about their wants and desires for future planning for the Youth Group. They discussed having a Youth Lock-In for a future Saturday evening. They will hold a Mother s Day Plant sale. They discussed confirmation classes for the youth with Rev. Susanne. They will next meet on 5/6/18. Fundraising: Patti Wood stated the Clothing Drive is scheduled for 8/18/18. It will be through Savers and this year they will only accept clothing and soft goods. More info to follow. She is gathering information about a future Mattress Sale as a fundraiser. Ted and Diane Orson will be organizing a take-out lobster dinner fundraiser for late July. Nominating: No report. Memorial Gifts: No report. Flower: Roxanne Cook is looking for sign-ups for flowers for each Sunday. Please call the church office if you would like to provide flowers for the altar. New Business It was noted that Pastor Bart s keys have been passed on to Reverend Susanne. Patti Wood brought up a discussion about changing the way we do coffee hour to help share the responsibilities of coffee hour. After discussion, it was decided to do a trial for May and June of having people sign-up to bring food for coffee hour. The sign-up sheet will be in Old Fellowship Hall. A motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously for the following: The May All-Church Committee Meeting will be moved to May 6 th due to the 2 nd Sunday of the month being Mother s Day. The June All-Church Committee Meeting will be moved to Thursday, June 14 th, at 7 pm due to the 2 nd Sunday of the month being Music Sunday and the 3 rd Sunday being Father s Day. The meeting was adjourned at 1:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~Melanie Nitsch, Clerk

7 Easter has been celebrated, yet Winter is fast upon us and Spring refuses to appear. Migrating geese wing to northern lands while snowbirds and songbirds bedeck our Southwick waysides. A reminder that it s again time to remit our annual $20/member UCC Association Dues. And remember, please, to note UCC Dues on your check. Stewardship is off to a robust start for Our year through early April is 30% in the rear-view mirror yet nearly half of the pledged stewardship funds have already been received. Such outpouring of stewardship, principally via paid-up annual pledges, is typical at the beginning of each year and a tribute to our dedicated members and guests. Offsetting the rush of early paid-up pledges are the weekly and monthly stewardship pledges received throughout the remainder of the year. Your gift, no matter its size or when it arrives, is one for which we are ever grateful. ~Virgil Strawberry Supper Saturday, June 16, :00 PM Ham Baked Beans Coleslaw Potato Salad Strawberry Shortcake & Real Whipped Cream Adults: $14 Children (6-12): $7 (under 6): Free For reservations or to sign up to help, please call the Church Office Call ~ (413) Southwick Historical Corner Will return next month, sorry. ~Martha Johnson Office Info southwickucc@gmail.com The Office will be closed Monday, May 28 in observance of Memorial Day. Please plan accordingly. 4 Proof Readers are needed to check for accuracy of spelling, dates, and information for bulletins and Gold Dome before it is mailed. If you are interested please contact Lyn in the office. This service can be performed in the comfort of your own home; , however, is required. Thank you. Have you ever wondered what it is like to work in the Church Office? Now is your chance to find out! Coverage will be needed to answer the phones and some light computer work in July and other days. Please let Lyn Casey know if you would like to help out. URGENT HELP NEEDED: 2018 Church Directory: PLEASE look for your name and then (or call) the church office with corrections and updates. End Notes How can I become more willing to let God orchestrate my life? If I were in an orchestra (or handbell choir, or vocal choir,) I would choose to practice my instrument; to become and stay connected to God, I also have to practice. A member of an orchestra is not a solo performer; I need to use my friends, my minister, and look to the director God for direction and harmony. In an orchestra, everyone has a job to do; It is not my job to direct the orchestra or to try to be God. In an orchestra, every part is important from the timpani to the piccolo. I am important to the whole and all the parts of me are important to the whole of me. When I watch the director, I know when to come in, how long to hold a note, and when to cut off. I am also counting, but it is important to watch. Today I will watch God, my director. ~Evelyn Dean Casey

8 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 6 Communion Service 10 AM Coffee Hour All-Church 11:15 OA 3:30 7 Office open 9-1 Music Together 10 Guitar 7 PM 1 8 Girl Scout Leaders :30 10 Ascension Day 6:30 4 2:30 Henrietta s Open OA Meeting 6:00 AA Meeting 7: :30 Henrietta s Open OA Meeting 6:00 AA Meeting 7:30 5 Henrietta s Henrietta s 9-1 Mary Currier Burial New Cemetery Mother s Day 14 Worship Service Youth Group 10:15 Coffee Hour 11:00 ANNUAL PLANT SALE OA 3:30 20 Children s Service 10:00 Coffee Hour OA 3:30 PM Office open 9-1 Music Together 10 Guitar 7 PM 21 Office open 9-1 Music Together 10 Guitar 7 PM 15 Ramadan Begins American Inn 6: : Gold Dome Articles Due 2:30 Henrietta s Open OA Meeting 6:00 AA Meeting 7: :30 Henrietta s Open OA Meeting 6:00 AA Meeting 7:30 19 Henrietta s Henrietta s Worship Service 10 Youth Group 10:15 Coffee Hour OA 3:30 PM 28 Memorial Day Office Closed Music Together 10 Guitar 7 PM