January The Good Newsletter of the. Southwick Congregational Church. United Church of Christ Southwick, MA. Return Service Requested

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1 January 2016 Southwick Congregational Church 488 College Highway P.O. Box 260 Southwick, MA Return Service Requested The Good Newsletter of the Southwick Congregational Church United Church of Christ Southwick, MA Minister: The Rev. Bart Cochran Please join us Sundays for Worship Service 10:00 AM Mid-Week Service Thursdays 6:30 PM DATED MATERIAL PAID Permit No. 309 Southwick, MA US Postage

2 Dear Friends, See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. - Isaiah 43:19 The calendar has rolled over once again and another year has clicked over! Good-bye 2015, Hello 2016! As always January is a time to look to the future and whether you consider 2015 to have been a good year or a bad year, the slate is now clean. Like a new sunrise, the New Year holds a plethora of new opportunities for all kinds of new starts. I personally have been thinking about my physical self and have been working hard to get into better shape (round is not the shape I want to be in). The point is, New Year is a time to think about new improvements in our lives and we usually focus on one or two areas to work on. I said one area of life that I have chosen to concentrate on is my over-all physical health. I m thinking of other areas as well, but no matter which areas I look at, I always want to include spiritual growth into the mix of all aspects of living. So, why do I say that we need to include our spiritual selves into all the other areas in which we seek improvement? Easy: priorities! As Christians our job first and foremost is to love God more deeply. Closely related to that: share that love with others in our lives, whether friends and family or complete strangers. Take for example my own desire for better physical health, how can I incorporate spiritual growth into physical health? I begin by asking myself WHY I want better physical health, to live longer? What is life without love and relationship? Maybe I am engaging in physical activity to avoid serious and chronic pain and disease, yes but with the understanding that many health issues are not completely in my hands but in God s hands. You can see what I am getting at which is to engage my spiritual self with my ideas of how I want my life to go. We can apply this idea of joining our spiritual growth to any area where we seek improvement: finances, career, social interaction and

so on. As we embark upon new journeys we are assured of God s presence and guidance: presence and guidance: I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

3 so on. As we embark upon new journeys we are assured of God s presence and guidance: presence and guidance: I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. - John 10:10 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17 The good news is that God says, I want to do something new in your life. I want to give you a fresh start, a new beginning. This news is a major element of our Christian faith to start fresh and have a new beginning with God. One of the issues with the Christian message is how to remain true to the Gospel of Jesus Christ while at the same time presenting this Good News in a culturally relevant and exciting way! So as we set out to improve our own lives, we partner with God and creatively break new ground for God s Kingdom! We do new things; we look for God to do new things and together God s blessings and God s very Kingdom blossoms in the midst of our families, friends, jobs, hobbies, travels and on and on and on! Start something new today God is doing the same! Yours in Christ, Pastor Bart

4 Confirmation Class of 2015 ~ Congratulations! Bottom Row: Sarah Cotto, Emily Pitoniak, Maria Lempke, Cecilia Winiarski Top Row: Lynn Coach, Elaina Lempke, Robert Lempke, Joyce Dudgeon, Virginia Orson, Susan Fox News From the Office Next month the 243rd Annual Meeting will be held. All reports from each Committee should be in the church office as soon as possible. As a reminder, each year the Nominating Committee asks each member of every committee if they wish to stay on their committee. The office will be closed Friday, January 1st in celebration of New Year s Day and on Monday, January 18th in remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr.

5 Stewardship News In 2015, Stewardship Pledges by 83 members amounted to $92,600; these pledges provide approximately 72% of our target 2015 revenue. Currently, seventy (70) Stewardship Pledges for 2016 totaling $76,800 have been received. We are pleased to acknowledge the following members who have submitted Stewardship Pledges for Andrade, Sally Arnold, Fred Arnold, Joyce Avato, Mary Alice Babinski, James Banasik, Patty Bates, Eleanor Beman, Herb & Dolores Bossonnault, Joan Bradford, Marian Brouillette, Rich & Linda Brown-Roy, Nancy Brzoska, Emilia Brzoska, Sue Carpenter, Donald & Faith Cazalet, Sandi Chase, Julianna Coach, Lynn Cook, Roxanne Currier, Mary Day, Dennis & Melissa Egerton, Matthew & Irene Fox, Russ & Sue Greco, Ashley Goodkin, Elethea Gunn, Dave & Barb Hall, Janice Hall-Cotto, Jennifer Hamilton, Shirl & Joyce Holmes, Joan Howes, David Hughes, Arlene Jennett, Diane Johnson, Constance Kellogg, Erma Kulik, Grace Lempke, Robert & Elaina Lewis, Nancy Noble Martin, Patricia Mason-Arnold, Diane McNulty, Nancy Merlo, Alexandria (Sally) Nelson, Gordon & Mary Nitsch, Eric & Melanie O Mara, Evelyn Orson, Ted & Diane Orson, Virginia Ottalagana, Joe & Ann Paggen, Virgil & Joyce Parent, James Pietruska, Mike Pilskaln, Harold & Isabelle Pitoniak, Michael & Flo Rathay, June Rising, Robert Rood, Charles Jr & Diane Sanders, William Sklarski, Robin Stevens, Bob & Sue Stewart, Richard & Shirley Stromgren, Jeanne Studer, Elizabeth Tagliavini, Louise Thompson, Jane Turgeon, Dawn Vincent, James & Penelope Warriner, Dan & Andrea Welch, Joann Wheeler, George & Judy Williams, Selwyn Zinnack, Karl & Lee

HAND BELL NEWS Thank you to those that attended the concert on Dec. 5th with the Hockanum Valley Ringers. If you missed it, we will be having them back again! Stay tuned!

6 HAND BELL NEWS Thank you to those that attended the concert on Dec. 5th with the Hockanum Valley Ringers. If you missed it, we will be having them back again! Stay tuned! This was a wonderful experience for our Bell ringers...as Larry spent an evening at one of our rehearsals to teach us many new things! The HVR also commented to me how lovely our Sanctuary is...always nice to hear that! and as Mike Pitoniak said to me the next morning at church..."they were CRAZY good!! Gold Dome Ringers then played on Dec. 13th at the Holyoke Senior Center as a prelude to a Dan Kane Christmas Concert...another fun afternoon! Thanks to ALL for the support to the Gold Dome Ringers! Wishing you all a happy and healthy Holiday Season! Patti P. Wood, Director ANNUAL HOLIDAY HAND BELL CONCERT January, 10th 1:30 PM Church Sanctuary Please join us to help ring in the New Year at our "Savor the Flavor" family pot luck supper on Sat eve, January, 16th at 5 PM... ~ Barb Gunn & Patti Wood

HENRIETTA S THRIFT SHOP Henrietta s is looking for donations. The store will take most anything (with the exception of clothing, computers, televisions and big furniture).

7 HENRIETTA S THRIFT SHOP Henrietta s is looking for donations. The store will take most anything (with the exception of clothing, computers, televisions and big furniture). Any toys or stuffed animals would be great. Also, starting in February the store will need volunteers to work on Fridays from 9-1 PM. NOMINATING COMMITTEE We have MANY openings that need to be filled for the coming year...the "time" commitment is truly minimal. One evening per month (the 2nd Thurs of each month), summers off. As Melissa Day mentioned from the pulpit one Sunday...this is just the best way to join in with us to have fun, build our programs, reach out to others, etc. Please chat with me, tell me your likes (and dislikes), strengths, where you might fit in to best serve our church life! Something New The Deacons Epiphany Sunday represents the arrival of the Three Wise men at the stable of Jesus birth. It took the Wise men 12 days of following the star before arriving to worship the Baby Jesus. On Sunday, January 17th we will acknowledge Epiphany Sunday with a special Service of Light. Please bring a candle in a holder with you that day to help welcome our New Born King. Any kind of candle, from a votive to a 12 taper will do. Thank you, The Deacons

8 JANUARY 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu 3 Communion Service 10 AM Coffee Hour 11 AM Boy & Girl Scouts 6-8:30 PM Office Open 9- Midweek Ser OA Meeting 3:30 PM Bell Choir 6:30 PM Choir Rehearsal 7 PM 6:30 PM 10 Worship Service 10 AM Sunday School/Youth Boy & Girl Scouts Office Open 9- Midweek Ser Coffee Hour 11 AM 6-8:30 PM Choir Rehearsal 7 PM 6:30 PM Handbell Concert 1:30 Bell Choir 6:30 PM All Church M OA Meeting 3:30 PM 7 PM (Ushers Worship Boy & Girl Scouts Office Open 9- Service 10 AM Coffee Hour 11 AM Office Closed 6-8:30 PM Bell Choir 6:30 PM Choir Rehearsal 7 PM Fair Share Deli Midweek Ser OA Meeting 3:30 PM American Inn 6:30 6:30 PM 24 Worship Service 10 AM Office Open 9- Sunday School/Youth Boy & Girl Scouts Midweek Ser Coffee Hour 11 AM 6-8:30 PM Choir Rehearsal 7 PM 6:30 PM Healing Service 3 PM Bell Choir 6:30 PM OA Meeting 3:30 PM 31 Worship & New Member Sunday Service 10 AM Coffee Hour 11 AM OA Meeting 3:30 PM

AA 12 Step 7:30 PM 15 OA Meeting 6 PM AA 12 Step 7:30 PM 22 OA Meeting 6 PM AA 12

9 Fri 1 Office/Thrift Closed Sat 2 Thrift Shop Closed 1 PM vice 1 PM vice eeting ) 1 PM ery vice 1 PM vice 8 Office/Thrift 9-1PM OA Meeting 6 PM Scout Reunion6:30-8:30 AA 12 Step 7:30 PM 15 OA Meeting 6 PM AA 12 Step 7:30 PM 22 OA Meeting 6 PM AA 12 Step 7:30 PM 29 OA Meeting 6 PM AA 12 Step 7:30 PM 9 16 Church Potluck 5 PM 23 30

10 Member Spotlight This month, the Gold Dome introduces a new feature Member Spotlight. We will profile a church member, family or group the goal is to share and learn more about each other. This feature is sponsored by the Missions and Outreach Committee contact Patty B, Andrea, Sally or Valerie if you d like to contribute a profile, or have suggestions! Our first featured member is Elaina Lempke, who is also our new Church Secretary! Tell us a little about your background? I grew up in Agawam, Massachusetts and graduated from Agawam High School. I then attended Westfield State College receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Finance. I worked at Merrill Lynch and most recently for LEGO, Systems Inc. located in Enfield, CT in their Business Intelligence and Demand Planning/Forecasting Departments. Tell us a little about your family? I met Rob at Westfield State College and we got married in We have 2 children Maria Lempke, she is 14 and a freshman at Southwick High School and Robert Lempke Jr, he is 9 and in 4 th grade at Powder Mill Middle School. Favorite Movie: The Devil Wears Prada and The Hunger Game Movies Favorite pastime/hobby: Gardening, reading and going to the beach. Tell us one thing most people would be surprised to know about you? I took years of both Spanish and Italian in high school but am not fluent in either. What habit would you like to break? I can be a bit of a control freak at times. What s the best advice you ve ever received? To take care of my own basic needs before I attend to the needs of others.

What achievements are you most proud of?

through college and actually graduating!

I grew up Catholic, so the more laid back style of the church and

Holiday Open House The food, drink and laughter were plentiful and

11 What achievements are you most proud of? Being the first in my family to attend college, putting myself through college and actually graduating! What do you like best about Southwick Congregational Church, UCC? I grew up Catholic, so the more laid back style of the church and pastor. Holiday Open House The food, drink and laughter were plentiful and a good time was had by those in attendance. A special thank you to Pastor Bart and Valerie for opening their home for a joyous afternoon of fellowship, food and fun! Christmas Pageant

of cookies and raised nearly $1200. We could have had more cookies for sale had the quality control unit not done such diligent taste testing.

12 Cookie Sale Fund-Raiser Our premier gastronomic and visual delight of Holiday Cookies was held in New Fellowship Hall on Saturday, Dec. 12. On display were pinwheel, Oreo truffle, glutenfree and dozens of other cookie varieties carefully handmade by 30 bakers and their assistants. The cookie extravaganza sold approximately 150 lbs. of cookies and raised nearly $1200. We could have had more cookies for sale had the quality control unit not done such diligent taste testing. A special note of thanks to the cookie bakers and cookie buyers for making this fundraiser a success. With your help we hope to make the annual Holiday Cookie Sale even more successful in coming years. Happy Birthday! Janice Hall January 1 Shirl Hamilton January 4 Ellie Bates January 20 Mike Wolak January 26 Buddy Vecchio January 30

13 All Church Committee Meeting December 10, 2015 The meeting was called to order by Patti Wood, Chairperson of Nominating Committee (in the absence of a moderator) at 8:10 p.m. The meeting was opened with a prayer by Pastor Bart. A motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously to accept the minutes of last month s All-Church Committee Meeting. Pastor s Report Confirmation was held this past Sunday, 12/6/15. A 3 generation baptism was held two weeks ago and another baptism will be this Sunday, 12/13/15. Advent Bible study has begun. Pastor Bart reminded everyone that he and Valerie will be hosting an open house at their home on 12/19/15 and all are welcome, starting at 2 p.m. Treasurer Ted Orson requested a correction to the Treasurer s Report that he handed out. He asked to adjust out $5,000 from 2015 Funds Received and move this amount over to 2016 pre-paid pledges. A motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously. Deacons Melissa Day reported 3 members present. The Xmas Tree was put up in the Sanctuary with the help of members of Buildings & Grounds. Their committee had refreshments tonight. They did the Deacon of the Month assignments. Poinsettias will be delivered to shut-ins on 12/13/15. There was a discussion to light a collection of candles on the altar on the 2 nd Sunday of Epiphany to celebrate the coming of the light of Jesus. Buildings and Grounds Eric Nitsch reported 4 members present. The group s 2016 budget will be level funded. They have the snow removal contract in place and are planning to replace the kitchen stove.

14 Finance Committee Ellie Bates reported 5 present at their meeting: 3 members, the treasurer and the assistant treasurer. They discussed the rental of the parsonage. It is a hard time of year to rent but they do have a solid commitment from one couple that Ted is recommending we accept. They discussed ways to improve pledging. The current pledges are 69 received with a commitment of $79,496 which is down from last year at this time by about $13,000. Music Committee Melanie Nitsch reported 3 members at their meeting which they held on Tuesday, 12/8/15. They finalized the committee s 2016 budget and submitted it to the Finance Committee. The Hockanum Valley Ringers Concert last weekend was very well received and we hope to have them back. The bell choir s annual concert will be held 1/10/16. Christian Education Ashley Greco reported 3 members present. The Advent Workshop was successfully held on 12/6/15. The Christmas Pageant will be 12/20/15. The Youth Group will be decorating the poinsettias to be delivered to the shut-ins. Ashley reminded everyone that the Nursery currently is not staffed but the ushers have names of those willing to go to the nursery should a family with a young child arrive at church. Mission-Outreach Patty Banasik reported 4 members present. The group will be adopting 8 families this year for Xmas. This January s Gold Dome will be the 1 st month they will profile a church member. They discussed having the church send birthday cards to members or to have a birthday calendar in the Old Fellowship Hall so we can be reminded who has a birthday that month. The white socks will be delivered to the Samaritan Inn on 12/21/15. The mitten tree will probably be left up until some time in January due to the milder weather we are experiencing.

15 Nominating Committee Patti Wood no new names to bring forward. Patti again discussed having the annual meeting in February following a Sunday service rather than the usual 2 nd Thursday of the month in the hopes of getting greater attendance. Pastoral Relations Committee No meeting this month but they are planning to meet in January. New Business 1) Roxanne Cook thanked everyone for all their help with the Holly Bazaar. It was wonderfully successful and they made approximately $2,000. 2) Roxanne is asking the congregation to re-think doing dinners again as fundraisers as they bring in a good deal of income for the church. 3) There will be a pot luck supper on 1/16/16, a Saturday evening. The theme will be Savor the Flavor of January. 4) Annual reports need to be turned into Elaina Lempke, church secretary, by 1/15/15 so the Annual Report can be compiled and completed on time. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Melanie Nitsch, Clerk Executive Board Meeting December 10, 2015 Rental of the parsonage discussed at length. A motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously to rent the parsonage to the prospective couple Diane Orson has been speaking with. The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Melanie Nitsch, Clerk

16 Southwick Congregational Church Committee Chairs Board of Deacons: Melissa Day, , Buildings & Grounds: Eric Nitsch, , Christian Education: Ashley Greco, , Finance: Ellie Bates, Library: Jodi Potts, Memorial Gifts: Karen Brzezinski, Mission Outreach: Patty Banasik, Music: Melanie Nitsch, Church Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Pastor s Office Hours: Tuesday through Friday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Church Office Phone & Fax: ; Pastor s Study: Website: southwickucc.org Office southwickucc@gmail.com Look for us on Facebook: Southwick Congregational Church UCC Staff: Minister Reverend Bart Cochran Choir Director/Organist Bell Choir Director Administrative Assistant Custodians Roberta Kowal Patti P. Wood Elaina Lempke Matthew Kowal VOLUME MMXV No. 1 Florence Pitoniak

Dear Friends, God has blessed our church and our congregation, together we celebrate that blessing with a gift of thanksgiving.

Dear Friends, God has blessed our church and our congregation, together we celebrate that blessing with a gift of thanksgiving. Dear Friends, We begin the year 2017 with a renewed spirit of hope and joy. Our joy is in knowing Christ as our Lord and Savior. Every obstacle we face, whether individually or as a church family, is met