West Congregational Church 499 North State Street, Concord, NH 03301 www.westcongr.org - facebook.com/westchurchucc West Church News March 1, 2017 Volume 2, Issue 2 Wayne Burdett The opportunity to help always brings joy to Wayne and those he is serving. Inside this issue Pastor s Page...2 News...3 Editorial...3 Our History.4 Boards...4 Calendar...5 Mission Report...6 Back Page 6 About West Church We meet every Sunday at 10 We are open to all and affirm everyone s right to share the joy of Christ with us.. Food Pantry hours: Friday: 10-12. All are welcome. Our Mission: To increase love and hope for all through growing faith in Christ Edited and Published by: Phil Lawrence http://www.westcongr.org/
Minister s Moment Rev. Amanda Wagner Supporting the Mission of the UCC through OCWM Our Church s Wider Mission (OCWM) is the primary way that ministry is funded in the United Church of Christ beyond the local church. OCWM is all about covenant. It is an expression of financial commitment to the relationships that we share in the United Church of Christ. As a church, we can be stronger in ministry by doing some things together with other local churches. West Church has covenanted with other local churches to be part of the Merrimack Association. The Merrimack Association has covenanted with other Associations to be part of the New Hampshire Conference (made up of 135 churches and 18,000 members). There are 38 Conferences which have come together in covenant as the United Church of Christ. Gifts to OCWM are often included as part of the church s budget. These contributions are sent to the New Hampshire Conference to provide financial support to the wider settings of the United Church of Christ here in New Hampshire, in the United States, and in our global mission settings around the world. Seeking to be faithful to our covenant with the national setting of the United Church of Christ, the New Hampshire Conference gives 45% of all OCWM support to the national setting of the UCC. providing support for pastors providing resources for local churches leadership training assistance to local churches in searching for new pastors involvement in and support of advocacy in our area sending conference delegates to General Synod While OCWM makes up approximately 60% of the New Hampshire Conference operating budget, about 15% comes from what is known as per capita dues or Fellowship Dues. This contribution is based on church membership, and each church is asked to give $10 per member. Instead of looking at OCWM as just another type of dues, we should view it as a tithe given by West Church. Just like we as individuals give our tithes and offerings to support God s work through our church, West Church should be giving our own tithe to support God s work through the UCC. Although we are nowhere near the level of biblical tithe, this year for the first time ever, we have put a gift to OCWM in our budget. It is important to remember that OCWM is not just another bill to be paid. Rather, it is our opportunity to say, We belong to something larger than ourselves. Count us in. Pictures from OCWM Brochure. The money sent to the National UCC is used for many things, including: sending missionaries to 85 countries around the world justice and peace ministries, advocacy for human rights refugee resettlement disaster preparedness and response starting new churches supporting educational ministries on campuses and seminaries The portion of OCWM that stays in the New Hampshire Conference is used for many things, including: supporting new congregations and congregations seeking new vitality 2
News Brian s Famous Fish Fry April 9th after service all are invited to a Lenten treat. The deep fryer will be sizzling with golden filets. Easter Sunrise at Eagle Square First Church has invited us to join them for a 7:00 AM sunrise service on Easter Sunday, April 16th. Eggs, Canadian bacon, cheese on an English muffin (Gluten free, meatless, cheese free or egg free versions available), muffins and fruit will follow at West Church. Below: Easter Sunrise 2016 jointly at West with First. Editorial One Year Ago! Game Night! Tuesday, March 14, 2017 6:30-8:00 PM Come and discover why game night is growing in attendance each month. Neighbors: Everyone is invited to enjoy an evening of fun and food! The kids of West church have been learning about God's creation. On day 1 God created light (we took kids in to the dark closet and had them turn on a flashlight) Day 2 the heavens And oceans (made jello snacks blue jello with a layer of whip cream ) Day 3. Was planets and vegetation (made are own planets as wooden hangers) Day 4 the sun moon and stars (mobile)... Ash Wednesday Services 3
Our History (taken from A History of Concord by James Lyford) At Sugar Ball, in East Concord, overlooking the interval, is a granite monument which bears these inscriptions : " On the intervale below this spot, a committee of the General Court of Massachusetts Bay, their surveyors and attendants there present to locate and survey the Plantation of Penny Cook, conducted the first religious service ever held in the central part of New Hampshire, on Sunday, May 15, 1726. Rev. Enoch Coffin, Preacher." Erected by the Congregational Societies of Concord, October, 1899. 11 This monument is the fruit of the action of the Congregational churches of Concord taken at their fifty-sixth annual meeting as a Congregational union, the year before. The committee having the matter in charge were John C. Thorne of the First church, Frank P. Andrews of the South church, Fred A. Eastman of the West church, Charles E. Staniels of the East church, and Charles H. Sanders of the Penacook society. October 26, 1899, the monument was dedicated with appropriate exercises in the presence of over one hundred people. The first public assembly in the town of Concord, thus commemorated, was one for public worship, and was attended by a chaplain, the Reverend Enoch Coffin, who conducted religious services in a camp at Sugar Ball plain both parts of the day. This was an assembly of people who had come to view and survey the township preparatory to its settlement, and this simple service in the open air was but the forerunner of the religious devotion of the first settlers and their immediate descendants. From the Boards Missions Chair Donna Scarsilloni reported 200 school kits assembled on Sunday, February 26th at which point they ran out of bags. More kits will be assembled before shipping in May. Trustees: Brian reporting the partial receipt of a new bequest from the estate of a friend of West Church. The trustees are currently using an if it breaks, fix it policy for repairs and maintenance. As our building turns 150 years old in June 2021, we may encounter unexpected major repairs. Council: With the vacancy in the moderator positions, the Pastor will chair the council until the vacant position( s) is filled. The council welcomed the new Financial Secretary, Ben Mooney. The need to plan for the future was discussed. Vacation: The Pastor will be on Vacation beginning March 4th for one week. The pastor noted that cell service was not reliable at her family s home. Open and Affirming (ONA): Most of the UCC churches in the area are ONA. There is a group investigating whether to recommend that West Church join with our brethren in becoming an ONA church. This reporter has sought out some information on the progress of this study. I learned that the investigation is expected to take years, not months. The group is in the process of conducting informational sessions for anyone who is interested. We will keep this on the radar and provide updates. Thank you for a great Job Carolyn! Well Done! 4
Please keep Amanda in your prayers. Our friend and child care worker is home from the hospital.
Food Pantry Ongoing Mission Cross created and donated by Colleen Luppold during her confirmation journey. Households Children January: YTD 411 299 Snacks for Kids Providing 120 snacks each week! The Treasurers discussing the bank balance?