NEWS & VIEWS June 2008 V O L U M E 1 0 I S S U E 1 0 INDEX Mission of Belleville Church Centered in the inclusive love of Jesus Christ, we seek to be a welcoming, affirming, and healing congregation. Led by the Holy Spirit, we are inspired to grow and be renewed through our worship, fellowship, scripture study, and the sharing of our gifts. Strengthened by God s love and guidance, we strive to serve with compassion those in need, both near and far. Pastoral Ponderings 1 Prayer Chain Prayer Task Group Due date N & V Coffee Hour Church Picnic Antique Fair Service Club Bicentennial Sermon Bill Silsby 5 Sermon continued 6 Calendar 7 Executive Board Min. 8 Birthdays Thrift Shop Women s Discussion Contacts 10 2 3 4 9 Dear Friends, What a marvelous Spring we have had. Bicentennial Celebrations abounded, and I'm sure many are ready for a slower pace as summer draws near! "Small and mighty" is the slogan adopted by our Sunday School, and other groups can say the same. The Bicentennial Committee of 5-6 people celebrated a day that 100 years ago took about 10 committees of 9-10 people! Great to have former ministers back, yet I personally was pleased that this was the first anniversary worship that included lay preaching as well. The Building Connections Capital Campaign was in full swing as well, and while not yet reaching the proposed goal, so much was accomplished that it seems certain we can move ahead, even if in stages. Prayers accepted for the building committee that will continue most of the work. We continue to reap benefits from the concert by Ken Medema. People around town still speak of it, and the lasting impression is about smiles and uplifted spirits. The fashion show in May also drew people from around town, with a good time had by all. We can only hope that some who attended the above events will drop by soon for Sunday worship! We have rallied around "big" events and felt the camaraderie. Now it seems we can enjoy the fruit of simply gathering regularly for worship and fellowship. If you are in town on a summer Sunday, please make the effort to come. We never know when we might be the "angel unawares" who someone else might need. Some of our members speak of the blessing that invariably comes from some part of Sunday worship or fellowship. If we only take away one idea or one new resolve, or one moment of comfort on any given Sunday, then our effort and presence is worthwhile. We gladly welcomed two new members on the third Sunday of May, Ellen Sacco and Norma Dean. May the seeds of new faith and fellowship only multiply and deepen through our efforts! I have some time away this summer, but I hope to see you when in town. The Blessings of Summer Sabbath to you, Rev. Ross
NEWS & VIEWS Prayer Chain Prayer Chain: Anyone interested in being on the prayer chain call Catherine Gould 978-463-0507 and those who would like to request prayers, please call Pastor Ross and if he is away, call Catherine Gould. PRAYER CHAIN LIST Belleville Church, Ross Varney 978-465-773 or bellevillechurch@verizon.net Catherine Gould Louise McRae Diane Crofts Gail Gandolfi Carol Climo Page 2 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! Our church family here at Belleville Congregational Church (UCC) would like to welcome our two newest members, Norma Dean and Ellen Sacco. Our community spirit at Belleville will only grow stronger with these two wonderful people in our midst. Thank you for your commitment and promise to God! Kelly Burke-Anderson On behalf of the Worship and Education Board THANK YOU Dear Belleville friends, I d like to thank everyone for their cards, prayers, and warm thoughts during this difficult time. Jane Thomas COFFEE HOUR June 1 Sunday School Picnic June 8 Audrey Clarkson Diana Bondar Ben Heersink Cynthia Peirce June 15 Louise McRae Pam Ellis Mardee Beauparlant SUMMER NO COFFEE HOUR Due date for News and Views September Issue is August 20
NEWS & VIEWS VOLUME 10 Issue 10 Page 3 Dear Church Family, CHILDRENS SUNDAY AND ALL CHURCH PICNIC On June 1, 2008, our Church Family Children are being recognized for their Sunday School attendance during the year. We also applaud our parents and care- takers, for their tireless efforts, to bring the children to learn each Sunday, most especially in this "hectic" world. In addition to congratulating all our children for this accomplishment, we also wish to say a heartfelt "thank you" to all our teachers and volunteers, which includes our choir director David Morrow and his wife Cathy for the production of Babel at babel and Keri Penell for her help through the year. We invite and encourage ALL of the Belleville church family to attend that "special" day and show their support and gratefulness to those that have worked so hard all year with the Sunday School children. It is equally important that the children see this support as a tribute of that gratefulness. Once again we will be having the picnic after the service on the lawn of the church. If you have not joined in this event previously,you will never know how much fun and good food you are missing and another chance to get to know each other just a little better. Please mark you calendar and please be there. Show your support; after all, the children, teachers and parents are a big part of our "church family"! Thanking all of you in advance, Kelly Burke-Anderson on behalf of the WE Board Please note the change of date. The Sunday School provides the burgers, dogs buns condiments. We would like to ask members for salads and desserts. Please plan to invite your friends and neighbors to join us.
NEWS & VIEWS VOLUME 10 Issue 10 Page 4 Page 4 Summer Antique Fair Monday July 28, 2008! Please mark you calendar for the above captioned, our largest fund raiser! Please sign up and/or contact us for any Help you can offer! We will need furniture movers, porters and a cleaning crew before and after the fair. Kitchen help, ticket takers, baked goods, and a cashier. For helping out in relation to the luncheon ( making,chairing, baking, or helping), or any other help you are offering, please sign up ( sheets are on the Table in the Bannister Room) or contact committee members Gail Gandolfi, Steve or Christa Middler. We hope we can count on you! After all we are a " church family " and it is a benefit to the entire church! Thanking you again in advance, The Antique Fair Committee. Service Club The Service Club is going to hold a yard sale in front of the church on June 21 from 9-1. (Rain date - July 12). We really need help setting up and packing up. On Friday the 20th we are going to try to put everything in the Bannister room for easier access on Saturday morning. If you could help then - around 7 please just show up. If you want to give things for our sale please bring them Friday night or early Saturday morning. We are out of storage room at the church. Bicentennial News Belleville Congregational Church Bicentennial Celebrations On June 14 and 15 we will be part of the Newburyport Historical Society's Garden and House tour showing off our church Saturday 10-4 and Sunday 11-4. We really need help on both days. We are hoping the help can wear the long dresses and bonnets. Please call Sue Wolfendale or let her know at church if you can help. She will be setting up the schedule. We have also been given permission to sell lemonade and cookies, so if you can bake cookies or squares it would be appreciated. Again, please call or tell Sue. Several people have mentioned a desire to have a float in the Yankee homecoming Parade. We need a flat bed truck and lots of volunteers. Tell Sue if you are interested as soon as possible so we can set up a date to plan. We can use people and ideas.
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Page 8 NEWS & & VIEWS VOLUME 10 Issue 10 BELLEVILLE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH EXECUTIVE BOARD MINUTES April 22, 2008 7:10 p.m. meeting started with a prayer by Jim Marshall. Present were Jim Marshall, Bill Silsby, Ross Varney, Kelly Burke-Anderson, Audrey Clarkson, Brenda Marshall, Jon Pearson and Marion Spark Minutes of March 18, 2008, meeting were read and corrected. Bill Silsby motioned to accepted corrected minutes. Jim Marshall seconded. Jim Marshall submitted a document which he created to submit to the News and Views for comments from the Exec. Board. Committee Reports: Pastor Ross Confirmation class is on going. There are two students. There was discussion about continuing for another so as to add to class size. Ross has talked to Central Church about tying in. The youths seem to prefer larger groups. There was discussion about tying in youth groups. W/E Board will discuss also. Keri Pinnell will be at church 4/27 to discuss helping youth. Audrey Fellowship and Outreach - They discussed monthly mission donations. Jon Pearson Stewardship and Finance - New water pipe installed. Cost was $1,800. Heidi Somers replacement ad was placed in Daily News starting April 18. There has been no response yet. Bill Silsby Treasurer Has not talked to Mary Lou yet. He is still learning system. Handed out first quarter income and expense statement. Kelly Burke-Anderson Worship and Education - Ross will have Sunday, May 25, off. Bill Silsby will preach. New member orientatiotion is planned for 5/4/08. May Day celebration will be 5/4/08 with children bringing flowers to people on visitation list. There will also be a May pole and refreshments. Ushers are still needed. The Newburyport Masons asked to participate in our worship service on 6/15/08. Discussion regarding Meditation Sundays was tabled until August. The annual church picnic and Children s Sunday is scheduled for 6/8/08. On 5/18/08 all UCC pastors will be preaching about race. More information can be found on www.ucc.org\news. Pentecost Sunday is 5/11/08. Scriptures will be read in different languages. The congregation is asked to wear red for Pentecost Sunday. This is also Mother s Day. Building Committee No report. Jim Marshall suggested that the Building Committee section should be renamed the Capital Campaign Committee. Old Business A. Music committee - Bill Silsby, Emery Rice, Sue Heersink and Sue Wolfendale met. B. Board vacancies most boards have vacancies. Jim will email chairs of boards for nominees. C. Mary Lou Tyler will replace Trisha Bourke. All were in favor of paying Mary Lou. Monica Duncan had declined the job. D. Annual meeting scheduled for 5/18/08 in Chapel after coffee hour. Starting 4/27/08 all church services will be held in the meeting house. E. Mother s Day Fashion Show will be held 5/11/08. F. Frank Schaeffer will be coming to Belleville on on 5/18/08 at 1:30 p.m. to discuss his book, Crazy for God. Ben and Sue Heersink have arranged this. New Business A. Annual reports from all boards are due 4/27/08 for 5/18/08 annual meeting. B. Discussion was continued regarding manuals for boards. Some boards have completed manuals Compensation for David Morrow for Tower of Babel play was discussed. This was built into his pay through children s choir compensation. The music committee may discuss this further. Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. with a prayer from Ross. Respectfully submitted, Marion Spark Clerk
NEWS & VIEWS VOLUME 10 Issue 10 Page 9 B I R T H D A Y S June 3 Bill Silsby 3 Judy Moore 4 John Chmielewski 4 Taunya Beauparlant 5 Peg Swiss 7 Shirley Locke 9 Cynthia Lusher 10 Yvonne Cedras 13 Benjamin Tyler 14 Sherrill Pierce 15 Lindsay Howard 21 Karla Middler 25 Marcia Peirce July 1 Vincent Chmielewski 1 Daniel Wilson 3 Esther Thompson 9 Glenn Richards 11 William Webber Sr. 12 Alice Brown 16 Kelly Conway 18 Katelynn Gardiner 19 Jack Hurst 20 Jo Bode 23 Brynn Andrews 24 Susan La Bay 26 Polly Bishop August 1 Audrey Clarkson 8 Shant Mantarian 8 Larry Kamp 8 Christopher Tyler 9 Margaret Gagnon 13 Maureen Sullivan 13 Christa Middler 15 Harold Lester Kirkpatrick 16 Alec Hurst 16 Lindsay Hurst 17 Mary Lou Tyler 22 Betty Webber 22 Mardee Beauparlant 26 Michael Burgess 28 Steve Wiswell 25 Herman Earle 29 Hazen Brown 29 Marie Wilson 29 Russell Peirce 29 Hank Farmer 29 Kathaleen Webber 30 Herb Williamson 30 Louise McRae Thrift shop Thrift shop is open WOMEN S DISCUSSION GROUP Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The Thrift Shop is going to have its summer bag sale during July and August. We will be closed on July 5th. If anyone has any extra plastic containers we could really use them to put winter clothes in. Women s Discussion Group will be meeting at 4 p.m. on June 2nd at Margot Siegman s and on June 16th at Helen Hatcher s home All are welcome.
News & Views 300 High Street Newburyport, MA 300 High Street Newburyport, MA 01950 Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Newburyport, MA 01950 Permit No. 105 Rev. Ross Varney Home: 978-462-4899 Church Office: 978-465-7734 PUBLISHED NEWBUR YPORT, Email: bellevillechurch@verizon.net Pastor's office hours: Tues. 11 am 12:30pm Wed. and Thurs. 10:30 am to noon. Please call to assure the pastor is available 978-465-7734 News & Views Executive Board Moderator James Marshall Clerk Marion Spark Treasurer Bill Silsby Collector Shirley Locke Members-at-Large (Ex. Board) Bob Locke Brenda Marshall Board of Fellowship and Outreach Diane Crofts Board of Worship and Education Board of Stewardship and Finance Memorial Fund Treasurer Kelly Burke-Anderson Auditor Jim Samuelson BellevilleChurch Website is: http://mysite.verizon.net/belleville church/news.html ***** Sunday School Coordinator Nancy Tsakirgis Flower Coordinator Shirley Locke Hospitality Coordinator Audrey Clarkson Sexton Bob Locke Church Office 978-465-7734