MARCH 2019 Dear Friends and Members of Green Street, In Lent we journey alongside Jesus on His long road to Jerusalem, a journey that we make each year. Yet, it still has the power to transform. This year, it will perhaps hold more significance for some of us, as I transition out of my role as pastor, begin something new, and you begin your journey towards a new minister and new future. At the end of Lent is Easter, and resurrection promises to spring forth at the end of our journey. Our Lenten journey begins on March 6th, where we will be having our Ashes to Go program again at Melrose Highlands Commuter Rail Station starting at 7am. For those not inclined to receive their ashes this way, we will have a short Ash Wednesday service at 7pm at Green Street. We will also be having after-church Lenten programming March 10th-24th upstairs in Starr Parlor with a coffee hour luncheon sponsored by our Mission Board, Trustees, and Diaconate. Our theme this year is Spiritual Practices and a schedule of offerings is as follows: March 10th Journaling: come and learn about how journaling can open up space in your spiritual life for reflection, self-knowledge, and discernment. March 17th Prayer, Meditation, and Silence: Unpack the way that silence can teach us to hear the voice of the Divine in our lives. March 24th Reading Scripture in New Ways: Learn together about different ways of reading scripture and how they can open new understandings of the Bible. In addition to our Lenten programming, don t forget that we will be having a Game Night on March 6th, as well as a Dockside Fundraiser on March 15th please sign up in the narthex if you can donate a raffle item or volunteer that evening. Come have dinner, buy raffle tickets, and help raise some funds for Green Street! My last day with you will be March 31st. If I haven t seen you in a bit, I hope that you ll drop by to say goodbye. Wherever my travels take me, I ll keep this community in prayer. Blessings and Peace, l e n t Rev. Michael Woolf
UPDATES FROM COMMITTEES BOARD OF TRUSTESS by Valerie Wolf, Chairperson The Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, Feb 19 in the Starr Parlor. Among the items discussed were our current financial situation and possible actions to balance the budget, a modest increase in rent which has been extended to our tenants (no adverse reactions were voiced), the upcoming Dockside fundraiser (some additional raffle items would be appreciated please contact Ann Barr), and building related topics. We have started investigating some fundraising opportunities to offer to the community at large as well as our own church family. We re hoping to create an annual event, perhaps held at Memorial Hall, that will be lots of fun, bring visibility to Green Street, and provide some additional income. Stay tuned! The Capital Campaign, first introduced in 2018 to replace the funds critically needed for the roof, will be postponed while Green Street is settling into our search first for an interim and then a settled pastor. However, contributions to the roof (and other capital improvements) are welcome now. Many thanks to Russ Barr and Bev Thompson who accepted the call to serve on trustees effective with the annual meeting held on Sunday, February 24. They will be excellent additions to the Board. BOARD OF DEACONS by Ann Barr, Chairperson This is my last Evangel report on behalf of The Board of Deacons for this year as I just finished my second term. I would like to thank the Board of Deacons who worked with care and compassion on behalf of the church family. The board met on February 11, 2019. Discussions included the Parish Committee s visitations, weekly Diaconate duties, worship service attendance, new visitors, board nominations, officers for the next business year, and the celebration for former Flower Committee chair, Marie Morrow. SOCIAL ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE By Ann Barr A fun crowd of Green Streeters and friends gathered at the Wakefield Bowladrome on Saturday, February 9th for some fun at the alleys, followed by some delicious noshing at Prince of Pizza in Saugus. Thank you to Gail Cocione for making the arrangements! Join us next time for Game Night and Pizza on Saturday, March 9th! Sign up in the narthex! Saturday, March 9th Saturday, April 6th Saturday, May18th Sunday, June 23rd Game Night at Green Street Baptist Church Italian Buffet Mini-Golf & Ice Cream Canobie Lake Park CHURCH NEWS AND NOTES March Social Activity: GAME NIGHT Saturday, March 9th 6PM Pull up a chair and roll up your sleeves for a fun GAME NIGHT! There will be a variety of games available and if you have a personal favorite, bring it along! Pizza and snacks will be served just be sure to sign up in the narthex so we have the right count. Game on!! DOCKSIDE FUNDRAISER - Thursday, March 14th It s our annual FUN-RAISER!! Bring the family and invite your friends to dine with us at The Dockside Restaurant on Main Street in Wakefield between 5pm- 9pm. Bring your coupon and GSBC gets 25% of the cost of your meal! We need raffle items and here are some ideas to get you going- a Lottery Tree, Amazon Fire Stick, afghans and gift baskets! Let your imagination go wild! Hope to see you there!
MOGS MOGS March Meeting Saturday, March 16th at 8AM in Church Kitchen The always delicious Omelet-in-a-bag breakfast meeting good food, good laughs, good time is schedule for Saturday, March 16th at 8AM. Please let Dave Hamilton (davidwardhamilton@comcast.net) know if you will be attending. 4TH ANNUAL ITALIAN BUFFET Saturday, April 6th How about a full plate of delicious with a side of FUN!? Yes, please! Don t let this event PASTA by you! We are hosting this extravaganza because it was so successful the PASTA three years! Sign up sheet will in the narthex soon. Beef Stew, Crackers, Granola Bars, Parmalat Milk, Peanut Butter Crackers, Dish Detergent *Please check expiration dates before donating items. Thank you!* L E N T Ashes to Go - March 3rd 7:00am Melrose Highland Commuter Rail Pastor Michael will be distributing Ashes to Go at the Melrose Highlands Commuter Rail station. You re welcome to join in this engaging community outreach. Ash Wednesday Service March 3rd 7:00pm Green Street Baptist Church A short Ash Wednesday Service will be held at Green Street Baptist Church in the evening. Lenten Series Spiritual Practices You are invited to deepen your faith walk as you learn more about these spiritual practices and how to implement them into your lives. This series will be held after Sunday worship and a Coffee Hour Luncheon provided. March 10th Journaling March 17th Prayer, Meditation, Silence March 24th Reading Scripture in New Ways Rev. Michael Woolf s Email: mcw415@mail.harvard.edu Church Office Contact: Florence Lee Email: secretarygsbc@comcast.net
APRIL 26 28, 2019 Camp Grotonwood, Groton, MA Led by: Rev. Janet Leighninger $150 includes: A weekend retreat led by Rev. Janet who has led previous retreats for Women of Green Street. Grotonwood s award winning chef will cater the meals: Friday dinner, Saturday s breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sunday breakfast. Lodging in the newly renovated Blanchard Hall. Linen service is not included, so please bring your own. See Susan Hamilton or Kathy Dixon if you have questions. FUN! Fun! Please join us!!
March 2019 LENT a season of renewal Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 3 11AM Communion & Worship And rend your heart and not your garments. Now return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness. Joel 2:13 4 5 6 7AM Ashes to Go Highland Commuter Station 7PM Ash Wednesday Green Street Baptist Church 1 7 8 2 9 6PM Social Activity- Game Night! 10 1st Sunday of Lent 17 2nd Sunday of Lent 24 3rd Sunday of Lent 31 *Pastor Michael s last day* 4th Sunday of Lent 11 12 18 7PM Diaconate Meeting 19 25 26 Birthdays 2 Russ Barr 3 Donna Swales 8 Bill Lang 10 Christine Davie 6:30PM Missions Meeting 7PM Trustees Meeting 6:30PM Christian Ed Meeting 13 20 27 12 Nicole Davie 13 Ann Barr 16 Nora Robinson 17 Alexandra Riccardi Ash Wednesday 14 19 J. J. Long 26 Roberta Johnson 28 David Henry 30 Carl Johnson 5PM 9PM Dockside Fundraiser 15 21 22 28 29 Anniversary 12 David & Susan Hamilton 16 8AM MOGS Kitchen Breakfast in a Bag 23 30 GREEN STREET BAPTIST CHURCH, MELROSE