First Congregational Church of Eliot United Church of Christ 1361 State Road Eliot, Maine 03903 the ECHO FEBRUARY 2012 FABULOUS FELLOWSHIP IN FEBRUARY Valentine Luncheon and Tea Saturday, February 11, 2012 1 O'Clock Parish Hall The Fellowship Team invites you to a very special afternoon of fun, entertainment, luncheon and tea on Saturday, February 11 at 1 O clock in the parish hall. As this activity requires a lot of advance planning, only 24 reservations will be available but there are still a few tickets for the taking. See Kirsti in the office or call Sally Hartford (748-0826) to reserve your free ticket. Only those with a ticket will be admitted so make your reservation as soon as possible. There is NO COST for this special event. Come and enjoy an afternoon of fellowship and fun that your Fellowship Team has prepared for you. The luncheon will be delicious, tea will be served, and the entertainment you won't want to miss! Rev. Beth Hoffman, Pastor http://www.congchurcheliot.org EVENT CALENDAR PLEDGE PROMISES continue to be gratefully accepted on Sunday morning and at the church office. LADIES CIRCLE 11:30AM FEBRUARY 1 PICK UP SUPERBOWL SUBS FEBRUARY 5 FELLOWSHIP TEA Tickets needed 1PM- FEBRUARY 11 BOOK STUDY GROUP- Soon: Time and Start Date to be announced FAT TUESDAY PANCAKES 6PM- FEBRUARY 21 ASH WEDNESDAY- Worship at Second Christian 7PM FEBRUARY 22 LENTEN MID WEEK WORSHIP- 7PM FEBRUARY 29 Morning BOOK STUDY-
A Page from the Pastor I have been asked by many to share my annual report in the newsletter so that those who support our church but might not always make it to the sanctuary could read and reflect on what we are up to. It seems like a good suggestion. If you would like to have a full copy of our Annual report, please contact our church office and we will reach out to you. Remember that we are deeply grateful for your support in all forms especially that of prayer. God is doing a new thing and you are a part of that. AS WE REFLECT See you in church! Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, One of my favorite things about United Church of Christ congregations is that many, if not most of the people who make up the gathered, have chosen to be UCC. Not many of us have been born into the denomination and even when we have, we CHOOSE to continue in this faith tradition, not because of threat, guilt, or lack of choice. We choose to be CHURCH! We choose to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, choose to be open to a relationship with God, and choose to dare the challenges of the Holy Spirit. It is rare that we feel equipped to do God s work, yet we are called nonetheless into God s service! Called to teach, preach, and reach. Called to sing, serve and sew. Called to paint, plow and pray. Called to feed, follow, and meet one another in fellowship. We have been called together, and together we have CHOSEN to answer! I have been blessed to be in ministry with the people of God at First Congregational Church of Eliot, United Church of Christ during the year 2011, and I have witnessed an outstanding and collective response to God s call. I am humbled and hopeful for the future. I lift up the GOOD NEWS that is happening as God has called us to search, serve and celebrate. In our Worship, we celebrate the continuance of our great and gifted Senior Choir, our adorable Cherub Choir, the amazing special guest musicians, and all the other voices that have filled our sanctuary throughout the year. This year we saw the formation of a music team and we have seen the Spirit move through them. We lift up the special music centered services such as Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Music Sunday, Good Friday, Blue Christmas, Christmas Eve service (standing room only), and our Epiphany Concert offerings. I praise God for leading our Music Minister Lisa Marshall to us and guiding us to embrace her gifts and grace. As pastor, I am continually blessed by her creativity and her deep faith. I have felt that every worship service has been a collaboration of Pastor, Music Director and Congregation. I know that this is not common, and I offer my deep thanks to all of you. We rejoice at the addition of two new hymnals that both embrace and challenge our traditions. I recognize that these additions have been a leap of faith for some, and we celebrate that you CHOSE to take the leap. This year also saw the addition of our acolyte program, our liturgist component, Deacon of the Month, and our Sanctuary Stewards. I have witnessed new gifts come to light in the preparation and leadership of worship. I would like to offer thanks to all the Deacons, with additional appreciation for Linda Gove and Mike Wayburn for
their work as our Sanctuary Stewards. The glass of water left in the pulpit for me each week has been a source of blessing. The congregation s willing spirit, when asked to creatively celebrate the gospel in unexpected ways, has proven to enrich and enhance our communal experiences. I am joyful that I still hear how powerful the Tear Up Your Pledge and All Saints Services were because of the tactile components. The reworking of the choir wells, the new banners and the improved candleholders are also some of the ways we have embraced worship with our senses more fully. Caring about our space of worship has also enhanced our hospitality to guests. It is a privilege to preach with you each week as we wrestle a blessing from God s Word. In the area of Education we celebrate the continuance of our excellent Sunday School ministry and the leadership of Superintendent Sheryl Goodnough. We also had a phenomenal Christmas pageant, and our fledgling efforts to create groups SPARKS and BLAST for our young people have been wonderful. It is my prayer that these groups will reinvigorate in the winter of this year as we look for lay leaders to CHOOSE this wonderful ministry to respond to God s love. Our VBS program was extraordinary and excitement is already bubbling for 2012. Pilgrim Lodge came alive for many of us this year as well. I hold tight to the memories of summer 2011 even as I look forward to how many of us will CHOOSE to attend Expedition Everyone at PL in 2012. And I would be remiss if I did not also thank the people who are serving as my In-site team as I finish my Doctorate at Bangor Theological Seminary. Good things are happening with their guidance and dedication and soon we will be sharing them. I am looking forward to the beginning of our confirmation ministry that increases adult involvement and encourages our youth to explore not only their home faith but the faith s of all God s children. I anticipate that 2012 will be the year that we will also grow our adult education opportunities and I hope you CHOOSE to be a part of that ministry. We celebrate a growing Stewardship ministry program led by Richard Donhauser. It illustrates that stewardship is about responding to God s grace with our whole lives in a way that touches how we spend time with our families, how we share of time, talent, and treasure within our congregation, and how we serve in the wider community and world. I am grateful for the humble leadership of the Finance Team for giving our financial efforts integrity, clarification and tenacity at every turn. They keep the faith even as they keep the books. In the area of Outreach, we celebrate the new and amazing work of the Fellowship Team, the continued work of the Sunday Fellowship hour volunteers, and the hardworking Mission Team who have challenged us to reach into the shadows and bring the light of Christ. In the area of Resources, we rejoice in the countless hours and dedication of our many volunteers. We especially celebrate our Ham and Bean Supper Crews, the Ladies Circle, The Thrift Shopkeepers, the Property Board, all those who give of their time and talents for the stewardship of the building, and of course all the church mice who CHOSE to make a difference this year. I lift up the good work of the newly formed Personnel Team, and offer thanksgiving for the guidance of the new Pastoral Relations Team. I am deeply grateful to all of you for the privilege of accompanying you in ministry. I especially want to recognize Jane Spinney, our outgoing parish administrator, for her long standing efforts and devotion to all things church, as well as Tyler Spinney not only for his unending labor of love and work as Financial Secretary, but for being continually available as I have settled into my call here this year. I have only begun to share all the amazing blessings and name all the amazing people we have here at church. Much more has happened in God s ministry among us and the best is yet to come. We have been challenged, we have been loved, we have been inspired, and we have been CHOSEN by God. Let us embrace 2012 as we have embraced 2011; CHOOSING to be church here on State Road and telling the Gospel story. Pastor Beth
CELEBRATE THE MANY YEARS OF MINISTRY OF JANE SPINNEY! SATURDAY APRIL 14 th 4PM Bring your memories and bring your good wishes as we bless her retirement years and life up all the heart and soul she has given this church through the years. BOOK STUDY Date to be determined soon. Let us know if you are interested so that we can choose the best days. Pastor Beth is ordering copies of the book for those interested or you can contact your local bookstore. The first book will be Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore.We would love to have you reading along. Friends are more than welcome.if you need help finding the book please contact the office or the pastor. We will be talking about the first two chapters at our first gathering. Same Kind of Different As Me is about two men -- Ron and Denver -- and their friendship that teaches them both more than they would have ever expected or bargained for. A poor, black man who is bitter and penniless ends up graciously loving those who hate him and closing a few high-level art deals, while a self-absorbed aristocrat ends up serving at a local homeless shelter and inviting the poor into his home. This simple story of friendship encourages to evaluate your life in light of the greatest love and compassion. Church Administrator to Retire After nearly 25 years of service to our church Jane Spinney as requested that we let her retire. We have reluctantly agreed to do this with our deep and heartfelt thanks. For an entire generation, Jane has guided pastors, fielded questions, welcomed stranger and friend and kept us all in line with her pointy paper clips! For much of the Eliot extended community she has served as the face of our church and we are truly grateful for the job she has done all these years. She cannot be replaced but the Deacons and the personnel team are pleased to announce that Kirsten Berg began in mid January as the next generation of church office manager. In her new Emeritus status, Jane has volunteered to continue to support Kirsti in her new role and be available for transition and beyond. Stop in and say welcome to Kirsti and thank you to Jane. Hope to see you for the big celebration on April 14 th.
OUR FEBRUARY SUNDAY SERVANTS FELLOWSHIP HOUR HOSTS FEBRUARY 5 Marcia Goss and Sheryl Goodnough 12 Doris Grover and June Brackett 19 Robin Wheeler and Peggy Gray 26 Joan Donhauser and Sherry Anderson-Wormwood MARCH 4 Laurie Hair and Loretta Downey 11 Nancy Hoyt and Sue Beattie 18 Paula Caswell and Sue Berg 25 Bobbi Jean Gosselin & Betty Grogan USHERS 5 Jan and Russ McMullen 12 Mary Seibert and Carole Shirk 19 Sue and Gary Berg 26 Bobbie Jean Gosselin Betty Grogan ACOLYTES 5 Ella Quinn 12Andy Wormwood 19 Isabel 26 Nate Orr LITURGISTS 5 Rachel Roberge 12 Laurie Hair 19 Mike Wayburn 26 Gabe Hoffman DEACONS OF THE MONTH To Be Announced SANCTUARY STEWARDS Linda Gove Mike Wayburn HAM & BEAN SUPPER The next Ham and Bean Supper will be February 25, 2011 from 4-6 PM Adults $9.00. Children under 12 $2.00 Children under 5 are free Storm Cancellations In the event of inclement weather our church leadership will make a decision as to whether to cancel worship. Should service be cancelled, we will notify you by Facebook, email and on WCSH6 TV and WTSN Radio. In any event, please use your judgment and keep safe. We will always be here next week! BIRTHDAYS 2 Lois Widi 7 Lynn Vetter 13 Sylvia Wlacott 13 Faith Follum 18 Phil Cress 18 Nancy Hundley 20 Jenanette Driver 25 Michelle Oeser C E L E B R A T I O N S
A heartfelt thank you from our four year old friend and his family. Pastor Beth & Church Family, My family & I want to thank you & everyone that step forward to help out my family. We were so blessed and grateful for everything. It s nice to be a part of a new family. Church Service was great and we will be back We will send you pictures as soon as we can upload them. Thank you for giving us a great Christmas. It was nice to see the kid smile on Christmas. Have a Blessed Day. Love from the new family. Sean, Mia, & Sir Amore THE SKINNY ON FAT TUESDAY! The day before Ash Wednesday (this year it s February 21) is known as Shrove Tuesday. Shrove comes from the verb to shrive (to confess and receive absolution) prior to the start of the Lenten season. Other names for this day include Carnival (farewell to meat) and Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday of the French tradition). Although Lenten regulations varied with time and place during the Middle Ages, this was the day all households were to use up all milk, eggs and fat to prepare for the strict fasting of Lent. These ingredients were made into pancakes, a meal which came to symbolize preparation for the discipline of Lent, from the English tradition. We will keep this tradition and do it up big. LAST YEAR WAS FABULOUS! OVER 60 people attendance! PANCAKE SUPPER FEBRUARY 21 6PM Donations of food and helping hands are needed. See the form at SIGN UP CENTRAL and get excited! What We Liked & What We Hope As is our Annual Meeting tradition, we gathered and gave voice to what was good in 2011 and what we were looking forward to in 2012. While this does not cover all our memories or all our hopes, it gave those gathered a chance to reflect and respond. What would you add? WHAT WE LIKED ABOUT 2011: 1. Music, Music, Music! 2. Attendance increased 3. Spirit of cooperation 4. Mark s photos 5. VBS 6. Excellent Sermons 7. Children & Parents who come every week 8. Willingness to give over & above their pledge 9. Spirit of Services 10. Outside Music Lisa has brought to us 11. Jane retiring after 22 years as secretary thanks for all her hard work 12. More involvement of the laity of the church 13. Prayers meaningful and connected to the music 14. New floor and painting of the Parish Hall 15. Applause in church! 16. Relationship between Beth and the children 17. Younger children in attendance 18. Enthusiastic choir director 19. Pulling together of organ and piano 20. Echo and bulletin covers in color 21. Acolytes WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2012: 1. Echo all of the above in 2011 and expand in 2012 2. New Bylaws 3. Sound system 4. Increase average attendance of 72 this year to 92 next year 5. Bring church together to work together by way of the fair 6. Care team get off the ground 7. Parents of children more incorporated in the church as a whole 8. Church on Christmas morning 9. Reenergizing youth and children beyond Sunday School 10. More church funding.
Kittery Eliot Clergy Association WEDNESDAY LENTEN WORSHIP Held in Hunger news CHRISTIAN EDUCATION We ve been busy learning about Jesus. The children made nativity scenes, doves for Christ s baptism, went fishing for disciples and created sheep for the Feed My Sheep bulletin board. The children did a great job thinking of ways we could help people in Jesus name. Thank you to all who supported us by purchasing a Super Bowl Sub for our annual fundraiser. Special thank you to John & Deb Crosier for leading this event and for our great work crew who put the subs together. This month we will be celebrating Mardi Gras style and learning about Lent. Everyone is welcome please invite a friend! February 22 Ash Wednesday Second Christian UCC, Kittery Guest Preacher Rev. Deb Shipp February 29 First Cong l UCC, Kittery Point Guest Preacher Father John Skehan March 7 First Congregational, UCC, Eliot Guest Preacher Rev. Jeff Gallagher March 14 St. Raphael s Guest Preacher Pastor Bill Humphrey March 21 St Mark s United Methodist, Kittery Guest Preacher Rev. Brad Hirst March 28 Eliot United Methodist, Eliot Guest Preacher Rev. Chris Lanzara April 6 Good Friday IN THE SHADOWS First Congregational UCC, Eliot Dramatic Worship led by Rev. Beth Hoffman
LADIES CIRCLE NEWS Eighteen ladies met on Wednesday January 4th. Hot soup and a delicious dessert of angel food cake, ice cream and strawberries were served. It turned out to be a surprise birthday party for Paula Caswell. It was voted to buy 5 hymnals in memory of pass members of the church: Bob Olson, Carlton and Ruth Staples, Jean and Walter Hilt, Yard and Edna Hunker, Arline and Bob Barter. MISSION MOMENT _ JANUARY WAS SOUP MONTH but FEBRUARY is still SOUPER!! Our goal is 100 cans of soup and boxes of crackers to go with it. Please help out with this super SOUPER bowl effort and keep bringing in your favorite cans of soup into the sanctuary. Warm your soul as you warm the bellies of those that are hungry. All soup and crackers will be delivered to Footprints Food Pantry Next meeting: Wednesday February 1st at 11:30 a.m. Bring a sandwich for lunch dessert will be provided by Dot Edson and Jeanne Morin. Bring a bought or handmade valentine with your initials hidden somewhere on the card. Be prepared to share with us why Valentine's Day is important to you. We will be making Valentine bags of small personal items for ladies to be given to Meals on Wheels and Footprint women. Bring small personal items to be put into the bags. Please bring food for Footprints, such as canned goods, paper products, etc. - Jane Spinney Join us for worship each Sunday at 10AM Everyone is welcome and the door is always open to friend and stranger. Our dynamic Sunday school begins at 10:15 after the Children s Message with our pastor. Our Music team and our choirs invite your heart to sing along with the Spirit! BE THE MIRACLE GROW! We ask especially for your prayers at this time as we envision a new year of church work as Disciples of Christ. There is much to be excited about here at First Church Congregational and much hope for the future. We thank you for offering your pledge promise and we invited everyone to do the same. TIME, TALENT and TREASURE are the seeds that God has planted and calls us to Harvest!