June ~ July ~ August 2013 THE SPIRE The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth United Church of Christ Reverend Robert Naylor You Would Think We Would Have Figured It Out By Now The only thing that is constant is change! Nearly 2500 years ago Greek philosopher Heraclitus spoke those words. "Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved." Matthew 9:17. These are the words of Jesus as he spoke about the Gospel always being a fermenting, change agent in the world. I have been told that my hair is no longer auburn it s gray! It seems that I have to buy new ties I am a dying breed of tie lovers every ten years. Styles change. I was shocked several years ago to find out that the words to Silent Night were different in the 1931, 1935, and 1958 Pilgrim hymnals. Gretchen and I no longer own a dial telephone. In fact we don t even have a land line. I now use the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible I received a King James when I was a fifth-grader I never have spoken a thee or thou or begotten in my everyday speech. Can you believe it the Bible revisionists changed the Bible from it s original Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek? I can t believe that when I returned to one of more former churches I found the order of the worship service changed it actually was quite nice, but, it just wasn t the same. The only thing that is constant is change! In Jesus parable about the wineskins, he was reminding his followers that the faith he spoke of is something that is dynamic, not something that is static, and therefore a flexible and gracious spirit is at the heart of being a follower of Jesus, the change agent. During my ministry in various settings of the church I have seen many churches lose their vitality because they still haven t figured out the 2500 year old truth of Heraclitus or the 2000 year old wineskin wisdom of Jesus. However, this wonderful church in South Dartmouth has figured it out and lives with an elasticity of Spirit that promises it a blessed and wonderful future. Psalm 46 Take a moment to go to your Bibles and read that passage it is the promise that comes with change. Blessings, Bob
Page 2 Summer Worship Using the Arts and Child Friendly Jackie and I are looking forward to making our 9:00 a.m. worship a celebrative and renewing time. The services will include a children s meditation (So, worship as a family!) and a child friendly bulletin insert worksheet. The arts will be used to give deeper meaning to the Scripture lesson and sermon. Music from the historic classics to Christian contemporary to a special Jesus on Broadway Sunday will add energy to our worship life. And in most cases the service will be 50 minutes in duration. So before the boating, fishing, golfing, family picnic, etc. begin each Sunday with a time for the family of faith to start the day with God! Some of the themes of the worship are: June 2: June 9: June 16: June 23: June 30: July 7: July 14: July 21: July 28: Cain and Abel Lessons from Sibling Rivalry Baccalaureate Sunday Led by our graduates special music, art, and reflections. Jesus on Broadway A meditative sermon in song. Mr. Alexander Constantine, Bob s former colleague in the music ministry, will share in the leadership of our worship. The Rev. Ran Niehoff will be in the pulpit while Bob Naylor is officiating at a wedding for close family friends. Pastor Niehoff has been in our pulpit before, and his worship leadership has been well received! Learnings for Everyone from Close to 900 Weddings What better theme for the month of known for weddings. Jesus at Independence Hall? What is connection between church and state? Patriotic hymns will be sung. What About Prayer? Come and reflect upon what prayer is all about and its place in the life of a person of faith. Once Upon a Time a Jew Came Upon a Dying Palestinian The Parable of the Good Samaritan Retold Beginning of a Sermon Series on Parables from Dartmouth The four week series will include - The Orchid Diner and Other Thoughts on Food and Community / Lessons from the Hobie Ghost and an Inept Sailor / Jacob in Padanaram Winning at the Game of Shoots and Ladders / Fishing Tips from a Fishing Know It All Bob Naylor s Summer Schedule When the Council called Bob Naylor to be our bridge interim it was determined that with the summer slower pace he would go on a half-time schedule (20+ hrs) for June and July. While he will track his hours to help the Council discern if more hours are needed, he will be in the office approximately 1 ½ to 2 days a week and with us on Sundays. He will prepare for worship and write his sermon from his home office. He will attend any essential meetings and coordinate the summer Bible study program. If there are essential pastoral needs or crisis needs he can be reached either through the church office or by calling his cell (843-415-5644). While in Dartmouth he will try to continue to visit as many members as possible to help discern our future hopes for the ministry of our church.
Page 3 The Council met for their monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 21, 2013. Church Council News The Finance Ministry reported that they have been reviewing the Building Use Policy with ongoing work still needed to finalize the policy. The Church will be moving to a key-less security system in the very near future. Funding to be covered by the uncommitted Stewardship matching funds. The council asks that the Property Committee be consulted before any changes are made to the church or property. After much discussion at the Annual meeting, as well as discussions with two arborists, the nursery school, town officials, and our insurers, a decision was made to remove "the climbing tree" and find suitable ways to memorialize the tree. This was a difficult decision and the council worked hard to give the decision due process by listening to the many different opinions as well as doing the necessary research. The motion passed with 11 pro, 1 con and no abstentions. Next Council meeting will be Tuesday, June 18, 2013 Congregational Church of South Dartmouth Fellowship Committee is sponsoring Father s Day Weekend Lobster Roll Sale! It s Not Too Late TREAT DAD! Ties are OUT! Lobster is IN!! Pick up: Sat. June 15 10am-1pm During Bike Donation Day and Sun. June 16 after church 10am-11am Only $8 for a delicious, fresh Lobster Roll and a bag of chips! 2/$15, 3 for $23, 4 for $30
Page 4 Fellowship and Farming The Outreach sponsored work project at the Dartmouth YMCA Sharing the Harvest farm, saw 26 people volunteering under sunny skies. The fruits (actually vegetables) of our labor go to the Hunger Commission, which allocates the fresh produce among local food pantries. According to the Y s estimate, our efforts will yield over 500 pounds of produce! We were a productive group, planting: 1,000 squash 1,400 onions 150 tomatoes 500 zucchini. We worked up an appetite and shared pizza and fellowship afterwards. Thanks go to the youth who attended and provided beverages. For those of you who were unable to attend, the Y welcomes volunteers all week long, for as little as an hour of your time. We encourage you to stop in on your own, or get together with a small group of friends or family.
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Page 6 Dear members of the Congregational Church, I would like to thank you for the honor of being chosen to receive the Dr. Robert H. Goodwin award this year. It was such a wonderful surprise and I am humbled by this thoughtful gesture and your kind words. Each Sunday, when I slide into the pew, I am reminded once again of the blessing it is to belong to this church family. I am grateful for your support and your friendship and for the faith community that we have created together. With appreciation, Daphne PLAYBILL CHILDREN S CIRCLE NURSERY SCHOOL I am Kid s Theater PRESENTS Year With Frog and Toad Story by Arnold Lobel A literacy project performance Friday June 14, 2013 9:30 am Whimsical
Page 7 Class of 2013 Baccalaureate Sunday - June 9, 2013 Maddie Lynch, Sarah Lake & Stephanie Starrett Congratulations to this year's seniors on their high school graduation. We are grateful for the time you have spent as part of our church family. Best wishes to all of you!
Page 8 Rummage Sale Roundup Another very successful Rummage Sale in so many ways! The Women s Guild would like to thank all who contributed to its success..ladies, gentlemen, the youth of our Church and their leaders, Pastor Bob, PAACA and all our brothers and sisters who shopped Friday evening and Saturday. The proceeds set a new personal record but more importantly the community appreciates the event. We were thanked over and over again for offering items at a good price..a service to the community. We saw lots of repeat customers from previous rummage sales. One woman thanked us and said our sale allows her to outfit her children with nice clothes at a price she can afford. Thank you! Celebrating the Wonderful Memories of the Climbing Tree As you know a very difficult decision was made to cut down the severely storm damaged climbing tree at the entrance to the church office and nursery school. Many in the church and those who have attended The Children s Circle Nursery School have wonderful memories about the tree. The vote to take down the tree also included a caveat about memorializing the tree. It was felt that some members of the congregation might have some thoughts on the memorializing of the tree. If you wish to offer an idea, please send a note to the Council. The Council will then consider an appropriate way to remember the climbing tree. All suggestions even those that are not selected - will be noted in the Council minutes. Barbara Bedell has graciously offered to put a book together that will include stories and photographs of the tree. If you wish, please write a brief line or two about the tree and / or send a favorite photograph along. Fall Registration for Children s Circle Children's Circle Nursery School is a preschool program recognizing the "gifts" of children. The program, although structured, allows children to spread their wings and soar. The Curriculum emerges from the children's expressed interests and teachers observation of children's needs. Children's Circle is designed to bridge the gap between pre-k and kindergarten with developmentally appropriate activities and projects using both the indoor and outdoor environments. For more information contact Scarlett Lintner, Director, 508-993-6531. Prayer Shawl Ministry The Prayer Shawl Ministry will hold its next meeting on June 30, at seven in the evening in the church library. Please join us for a time of fellowship and giving! Please call Jane Rioux with any questions ( 508-994-4672 ).
Page 9 Hello to all church family! I write the prayers about the requests I receive either by phone call(508)993-5740/ email mkhathaway@comcast.net or messages from the church office. I want to invite all of our church family to become a part of our prayer chain! I think there has been some confusion about what that means! As "members of the Prayer Chain," you would receive a copy of the prayer I write- and your only responsibility is to read it- thus you too are "praying" for the requests put forth. I never put anyone "in" the prayer without a request, and I only disclose what has been shared. Since we all know that prayer is a powerful healing tool, the more members we have praying, the more power we concentrate on a request. You don't have to have made a request to be on our prayer chain- you just have to be willing to read the prayers with good intentions. Please join our membership that our requests may be the power of our whole community working together! Marcia K. Hathaway, Breathe Deeply. Namaste. June Anniversaries Daphne & Edward Siegal (30 years) June 4, 1983 Sandy & Douglas Fogg (55 Years) June 14, 1958 Julie & Ridley Rhind (52 years) June 15, 1961 Marilyn & Frank Sullivan (50 years) June 29, 1963 Sally & James Lutz (40 years) June 30, 1973 July Anniversaries Peter & Mimi Huidekoper (66 years) July 10, 1947 Warren & Marcia Hathaway (30 years) July 16, 1983 Wedding Anniversaries are listed in the Spire every 5 years for the first 50, and then each year thereafter! Please let us know your anniversary and we would love to include you. August Anniversaries Gardiner & Sonja White (54 years) August 1, 1959 George & Monique Pavao (15 years) August 2, 1998 Paul & Carolyn Langlois (52 years) August 12, 1961 Daniel & Diana Phillips (51 years) August 18, 1962 Ian and Kathryn Duff (25 years) August 27, 1988 Paul & Kathryn Ouellette (25 years) August 27, 1988 Julio & Liz Olimpio (15 years) August 27, 1998 Donald & Liz Jacobsen (51 years) August 30, 1962
Page 10 Thanks to all these marvelous individuals who helped make Sunday School possible this spring: Adult Helpers:Denise Angelo & Danny DeAraujo, Katie Christianson, Carol Flack, Stephen & Nathalie Hegedus, Gina Kiser, Gale Litchfield, Linda & Matt Mello, Beth Neto, Nicole Niemiec, Heather Pacine, Jeanne Paradise, Lara Stone Teen Mentors: James Cassell, Marina Gela, Catherine Mikkelson, Jenna Neto, Alexandra Nichols, Chris Ouellette RE Ministry: Barbara Bedell, Kathryn Duff (chairperson), Carol Flack, Doug Fogg, Gale Litchfield, Anne Sedgwick; Lisa & Troy Tufano, Youth Group Leaders; Marina Gela, Crib Room Attendant. Wall-hanging for Moshi & other giving opportunities. The wall-hanging created by our children was blessed on Children s Sunday and will be delivered to Amy to take to Moshi, Tanzania in August. When Amy Wendel, Director of MEMA (Making Education in Moshi Accessible) visited with the children on May 5 th we presented her with a check for $85.00, an additional $30.00 has been turned in for MEMA. Also, if you would like to contribute pencils, crayons and a gently used (or new) children s book for Amy to take with her to Moshi in August; leave them in the MEMA marked boxes outside the RE Director s office. CRIB ROOM VOLUNTEERS for Sept. May We need many of you to sign-up. You will work in teams of two and, if we get enough volunteers, you will only be called upon once every 6-8 weeks to sit with our infants/toddlers in the Crib Room (and obviously, if no baby comes that week off to the sanctuary you go. This means grandparents, parents of older children & teens, not just our young mothers. We want our young families to know that we are serious about wanting them to have an hour of worship whenever possible, in the midst of their busy life of parenting. Sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the Social Hall or email congochurchnancy@comcast.net PARENT SURVEYS If you have not yet filled out a parent survey, please take the time to do so; it is important as we move forward and plan for the fall. Contact congochurchnancy@comcast.net if you need a hard copy sent to you. THANK YOU for your contribution: Goal #1 The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth has contributed 903.5 hours. Goal #2 We planted 21 trees. Goal #3 We have written 106 letters.
Page 11 The Family of: Elinor Beanland Barbara Kiarsis Barbara Wood Pastoral Concerns Please don t forget to call or email the church office with information on any hospital admissions or pastoral concerns. Thank you for helping us stay in tune to the needs of our church family. Congratulations to Daphne Fogg Siegal on being awarded the Dr. Robert H. Goodwin Memorial Award for all her many wonderful contributions to our church over the years. The Flowers for May were given by: May 5th - Troy and Lisa Tufano in celebration of Aurelia s Christening. May 12th - Jack Paradise Jr. family to Rosemary and Linda - We love you! May 19th - Brian and Cyndi Mikkelson with love, in celebration of Catherine s 16th Birthday. May 27th - The Schoening Family in loving memory of our Harry. Please note summer Worship services will be at 9 am.
Robert Naylor, Pastor Robin Lake, Office Administrator congochurch@comcast.net Church Telephone: 508-993-6676 Church Fax: (508) 993-1244 The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth United Church of Christ 17 Middle St., PO Box 80608 South Dartmouth, MA 02748-0608 http://congochurchsd.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED In summer, the song sings itself Summer Spire Newsletter This issue of the Spire is for June, July, and August. The September Spire deadline is August 20th. Have a great summer! The Spire Newsletter is available in paper form. If you would like a copy mailed to your home please let us know at 508/993-6676 or at congochurch@comcast.net or leave a note in the church office.