Newsletter of the Main Street Congregational Church, UCC Amesbury, Massachusetts Newsletter: suzispof@comcast.net No Matter Where You Are on Life s Journey, Come, experience God s love, Go, Serve God s World March 2019 Dear Friends, I was blessed to be in Haiti again last week. Sadly it was a time that was difficult for the Haitians and I ask for prayers and love to be sent to all that are caught in the unsettled time of protests and even more economic struggle. Our team left Pignon to travel to the airport in the wee hours of the morning. It was dark. Very dark. No street lights. No ambient light of any kind. As we left the town and traveled into more remote areas we observed people walking along the dark, dark roads. Some with goods to go to market. Some empty handed. None had a light of any kind. All I could see was dark. I thought about all the things that go bump in the dark. I thought about tripping over rough roads and uneven paths in the dark. The local folks just walked, with purpose and without hesitation in the dark. This image of folks walking purposefully in the dark seems to me like a Lenten journey. No extras to change what is. No light to glare in another s face. No distractions of phones. Present to what is. Simply journeying in the world, with all of its wonder and challenge. In the Christian tradition it is common to take on some kind of spiritual practice for Lent. Some give things up. Some take on acts of compassion or justice. Either of these are ways to disrupt doing what we have always done and thus be more able to be awake and attentive and responding to what is. And what is? What is is our God of love and grace, present, transforming, creating. What is is an invitation to let God matter. What is is a chance to discover the new life God offers to each of us and the world. What practice(s) might help you be more aware of the Holy who will not let you go? I d love to hear about your plans and journey. in peace - From Rev. Joan s Desk MONDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY STARTS 9-10 a.m. in the Parish House Join us to read the sacred story for the week to come and consider what God might be saying to you, to us, to the church. This is time of exploring and not dependent on scholarly biblical backgrounds. All are welcome. For more information talk to Rev. Joan or show up on Monday morning.
The Prophet March 2019 Page 2 LENT AT MAIN STREET CHURCH Lent begins on March 6 th Our Lenten schedule is as follows: Ash Wednesday March 6 th 7 p.m. Worship Palm Sunday April 14 th 9 a.m. Ecumenical Palm Sunday Service in the Mill Yard 10 a.m. Palm Sunday Worship at Main Street Maundy Thursday April 18 th 6 p.m. soup supper in the Vestry 7 p.m. Maundy Thursday Worship 8p.m.-8 a.m. Vigil Easter Sunday, April 21 st 10 a.m. joyous Easter Worship CONVERSATION ABOUT MEMBERSHIP SCHEDULED Sunday March 17 th 11:45 am There are many ways to be on a spiritual journey. There are many ways to be connected to a congregation. One of those ways includes covenanting in membership. Wondering what that is? Wanting to know more about this particular community of hope called Main Street Church? Come talk with others seeking, some current members and Rev Joan following worship on March 17 th - please let her or the office know if you are coming - or if you are interested but can t make that date. SANCTUARY CHURCH NETWORK FORMATION Sanctuary Team Network Gathering March 10 2 p.m. The Main Street Sanctuary Team continues its work to develop a network of local congregations. Our network will be modeled on the work already done by the Merrimack Valley Interfaith Sanctuary Network. Any Main Street folks, or people you know who would like to learn more, are invited to our next gathering to be held on March 10th at 2:00 p.m.. For more information or to RSVP please contact Betsy Shreve at betsyshreve@gmail.com PETTENGILL MEAL SCHEDULE The March Pettengill House meal will be on March 2 nd. Preparation is at the Methodist Church in Salisbury (right behind CVS. The meal will be Macaroni and Cheese and Ham. If you can make a casserole, donate milk, prepare or deliver meals, please contact Wendy Brennan (wbrennan65@gmail.com) or Cathy Young (ceyoung62@gmail.com). Prep work is done at the East Parish Methodist Church in Salisbury Square. Milk and casseroles may be dropped off there anytime from noon to 2:30. Come join the fun and be part of this important ministry. The Deadline for the April Prophet will be on Friday, March 29 th. Please send all articles to suzispof@comcast.net.
The Prophet March 2019 Page 3 WE PRAY FOR EACH OTHER..ON OUR PRAYER LIST IN FEBRUARY Family and Friends of Richard Marsh Family and Friends of Stella Chase Jonathan Cote's father Paul Cullity Family and Friends of Jim Daley Aunt Flossie Nancy Frick's sister Ann Family and Friends of Betty Gale Tulip Gould Tommy McLean Kevin McLaughlin NEWS OF OUR CHURCH FAMILY Lisa, Dick, Ann, John, Michelle, Andrew, Jan, Steve, Christine, Jeannie Steve Molinowski The Morris Family Family and Friends of Richard Morris (Midge Tabor's Companion) Family and Friends of Natalie Richardson Family and Friends of Roberta Dick Smith Sandy Smith Margie Stabile WITH SYMPATHY... Since the last issue of The Prophet, Main Street has lost two of our Grande Dames, Stella Chase and Betty Gale. Betty Gale passed away on February 3 rd at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, Born in Amesbury, she was a graduate of Amesbury High School, long-time supporter of the Amesbury Playhouse, member of the friends of the Amesbury Public Library, a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star, and until recently an active member of Main Street Church. She leaves behind a cousin, Raymond Reed, and his family of Seabrook and many close and very dear friends. Then on February 8 th Stella Chase, 95, longtime member of Main Street Church. For many years she had worked at the Amesbury Middle School cafeteria, as well as working with the Girl Scouts, PTA and serving as Grand Noble of the Rebekah Lodge. Stella is survived by a daughter, Paula Solari and her husband, James, son Stanley Chase and his wife Cheryl, three granddaughters and a great-granddaughter, as well as many extended family and dear friends. Our love, sympathy and prayers to the families of friends of these great ladies. SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR NEXT WOMEN'S RETREAT! When? October 4 th and 5 th 2019 With Laura Biddle Where? Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center In North Andover, MA
The Prophet March 2019 Page 4 PRAYER SHAWL KNITTERS TO MEET Hope to see all you Knitters and Crochetters on Monday, March 11 th at 12:30. We ll also be making preemie hats and blankets for Beth Israel Hospital, and any other church related items. If you have any questions or need a ride call Betsy @ 603-770- 7910. We are running very low on prayer shawls. If you are willing to put aside other projects, please come to this meeting and choose yarn for one or more shawls. Pocket Prayer Shawls We have pocket prayer shawls available on the table as you come into church. If you or someone you know might want one, please help yourself. It will make a nice gift for a shut-in over the holidays. Our repertoire has expanded to include hats, mittens and scarves for the homeless, through the Merrimack Valley Hope Mission. Even if you are not a part of our monthly group, you are welcome to use up some of your stash of yarn and create items for this project. To learn more about the Mission, Google Merrimack Valley Hope Mission. DATE DEACON GREETERS COFFEE HOUR 3 Evelyn Olson Korty and Jane Ansaldo Church 10 Lee Ford Betty V. and Pat Ruebel 17 Jen Moughan The Cressey Family Bill and Nina Buxton Sandy Jennings Steve and Sharlene Price Betsy Shreve The Olson Family Lori Belleville 24 Sharlene Price Cathy Young and Wendy Brennan Aaron and Page Ribaudo- Smith Norm and Liz Morris 31 Louise McRae Anne Bourbeau and Deb Rider Louise McRae Betsy Morin Butterfield STEEPLE LIGHTING IN MARCH The steeple of Main Street Church will be illuminated on March 3 rd in memory of Elinor and Donald Walden, (Donna Jones parents), and on March 10 th in memory of Donna Arthur (Nancy Noseworthy s daughter.) If you wish to have the steeple lighted in honor or memory of a loved one, please contact Stacy at the church office (978) 388-0982. or office@main-street-church.org.
Prophet Deadline
The Prophet March 2019 Page 6 MISSIONS NEWS The Salisbury Habitat project has begun and MSCC is taking part! It's all about helping to build a home for someone who has great need for one. Often stated: any and all kinds of talent is welcome to make this house a reality; people who know what to do with a hammer and people who do not. And, people who have a few hours and people who have many; ask Steve Horhota about his weekly attendance there. For the rest of us, several build dates have been offered - April 27 and June 1 to start with (fall dates will be announced soon). Gratefully, the April date is now fully staffed (to those who have signed up, stay tuned for further info from Jane Ansaldo Church). For those who missed the first time around, June 1 is right around the corner - see Anne Bourbeau for more info and signup. As with the April build, we'll need work-site workers as well as support workers; greeting and signing the team in or making lunches... See any Mission committee member for more info. Jane Ansaldo Church Anne Bourbeau Laurie Irwin Nancy Frick j.ansaldo@comcast.net abourbeau@gmail.com irwinljb@gmail.com nancyfrick@comcast.net We are also seeking interest in a fall trip outside of the local community. As with New Bern NC's hurricane damage, so too did the Florida Panhandle sustain damage - and has stayed well out of the headlines. We are proposing a mid-nov trip of 5-7 days duration with costs only in the several hundred range. Please see Laurie Irwin or Nancy Frick for more details. Our Journey You re our only God, good and creative, who spoke and formed this endless, starry realm. In your image, you planted us, native to spaceship earth to serve you at her helm. A fearsome task bestowed on earthly clay to tend this fragile vessel holding life! We strain to thrive within each mortal day, weak guides, all self-consumed in bitter strife, until by grace, we welcome love s pure gift, and are transformed into a worthy crew to work with you through loving acts to lift this groaning cosmos into life anew. In fellowship we now have found our role: to serve in love our good creator s goal. Les Weiner
THE PROPHET March 2019 Published 10 times per year by Main Street Congregational Church United Church of Christ 145 Main St. Amesbury, Massachusetts 01913 Phone: 978-388-0982 Website: main-street-church.org e-mail: Office@main-streetchurch.org Sunday Services 10:00 a.m. Church School 10:00 a.m. ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED