Belleville Congregational Church An Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ 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 sharing of our gifts. Strengthened by God s love and guidance, we strive to serve with compassion those in need, both near and far. Ponderings 2 Calendar 3 Sunday School Picnic 4 Oleanna 5 Women s Coffee & Conversation Men s Fellowship Dinner 6 Happy Birthday 7 Adult and Youth Choir 8 Thrift Shop & Bible discussion 9 Ushers & Scripture Readers 10 Coffee hour 11 Summer worship schedule 12 Contacts 13 1
PASTORAL PONDERINGS June, 2018 Dear Friends, I start Sabbatical time this month, for which I am most grateful. Three things come to mind about Sabbatical.. the first is the principal meaning of the Hebrew word Sabbath: REST. The fourth commandment is to "Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy, to rest on the seventh day, and do no work. "A Sabbatical" became the norm for some teaching professions, including ministry a rest period, usually 3 months, after 7 years of service. The last Sabbatical I had here was January of 2009, some 9 years ago, so I m ready. for time to not prepare sermons and articles, to let God and others attend to work of the church and care for its members. for time to attend to personal needs and goals, even more healing after losing my Mom in wintertime. I chose June 8 to start as it was my Dad s birthday! Add a few weeks vacation at the end of summer, and I will be on Sabbatical through September. There is wonderful coverage for Sundays, and since I m not going to the other side of the world the entire time, I would be glad to visit with church family on occasion, or as needed for serious illness. Besides rest, a second thing about Sabbaticals is professional growth and learning. Naturally I will read good books in the area of theology and spirituality, but I realize that for me, MUSIC has too often been on the back burner..so besides important rest like getaways with Lynn, I will once again spend more time with music as I did in my 2009 Sabbatical. One goal this time is to create sheet music for some of my own compositions. A second goal is to travel to Michigan to make another CD with Ken Medema, this time with mostly cover songs, songs by others that inspire me. And third, Sabbatical Plans often emphasize what the CHURCH family will do for learning and growth in the pastor s absence. We have not thought together much about that, and after all, it will be summertime! But it is obvious that the church has plenty of growth possible also. foremost with how to address building repairs and renovations. while maintaining a collaborative and loving spirit and trying to arrive at a more unified vision. I often say that the summer is a natural time for more casual conversation, a more comfortable relaxed time of getting to know one another, hearing others concerns and passions. Surely, churches can become stronger in the absence of a pastor (Rev. Jeff at First Parish Newbury has written extensively about lay leadership ).. since we believe the Holy Spirit is indwelling all who call on the name and Spirit of Christ. So please enjoy the wonderful gifts of those who will lead worship, in words, and in music! There is fine leadership for Sunday worship, from within the congregation and without. The majority of guest leadership is from Rev. Elizabeth King of Gloucester, and August will be again at First Parish Newbury, under the leadership of Rev. Jeff MacDonald. There are also wonderful musicians to enjoy both at Belleville and at First Parish on summer Sundays. May the Holy Spirit inspire and guide, as well as give Sabbath rest to all this summertime. In faith, hope, and love, Ross 2
2018 CALENDAR Sun Mon Tue Wed Thurs Fri Sat 1 2 3 10am Worship in the Chapel 11:15 Youth Choir rehearsal 10 10am Worship in the Chapel 17 10am Worship in the Chapel 4 7pm CODA 11 7pm CODA 18 7pm CODA 5 6 12 13 7:3pm0 Stewardship & Finance 19 20 7pm Executive Board 7 6pm Bible discussion 7pm Choir rehearsal 14 6pm Bible discussion 7pm Choir rehearsal 21 6pm Bible discussion 8 9 9-12 Thrift Shop 15 16 9am Women s Coffee & Conversation 7:30pm Oleanna 22 23 24 10am Worship in the Chapel 25 7pm CODA 26 27 28 6pm Bible discussion 29 30 3
Children s Sunday and Annual Picnic! June 3rd, 2018 Sunday June 3rd, will be the last day of Sunday school before the summer break. The Children of Belleville Sunday School will be celebrating with a special Worship service. We will have our picnic in the stage room. Sunday school will provide the luncheon foods. We will also provide the lemonade and of course the Ice Cream Sunday bar! Great way to kick off the summer! Side dishes such as potato salad, coleslaw, etc... will be welcome. Thank you to the congregation for all of your support throughout the year and have a great summer! The teachers and children of Belleville Sunday school. 4
Saturday, June 16, OLEANNA with Steve Blackwood and Ashley Risteen, 7:30 pm. Opening band 6 pm The Strays rocks at Belleville 300 High Street. Part of the proceeds will go to benefit the the Belleville Love of Music & Community campaign to restore the Meetinghouse ceiling and Stevens organ. Tickets available now by PayPal $15 or at the door $20. 5
Wednesday, June 6 th Gather at 6pm, dinner at 6:30pm. Women s Coffee and Conversation Saturday, June 16 h from 9 10:30am, in the parlor 6
June July August 3 Bill Silsby 1 Daniel Wilson 1 Audrey Clarkson 3 Judy Moore 11 William Webber, Sr. 8 Christopher Tyler 4 Taunya Till 16 Kelly Conway 8 Ron Schmidt 7 Shirley Locke 17 Piper Allard 17 Mary Lou Tyler 9 Karen Conway 20 Jo Bode 22 Betty Webber 10 Yvonne Cedras 23 Michelle Anderson 22 Mardee Beauparlant 11 Brad Cedolin 2 8 Steve Wiswell 29 Russell Peirce 13 Ben Tyler 17 Marcia Samuelson 20 Andrea Samuelson 25 Marcia Peirce 29 Rita Vreeland 7
The adult choir rehearses Thursday evenings at 7pm Last Rehearsal date is June 14th YOUTH CHOIR Youth Choir rehearses Sunday mornings after the worship service. Come and make a joyful noise to the Lord! Last rehearsal date is June 3 rd. 8
Come by and see what s new! The thrift shop is Open every Wednesday and Saturday 9am noon. Thursday evenings at 6pm. 9
Communion is the first Sunday of each month USHERS May June 6 The Dean Family 3 Sunday School children 13 Mardee Beauparlant & Carol Beauparlant 10 Hans Erwich & Bob Locke 20 Jean Kirkpatrick & Gail Gandolfi 17 Jean Kirkpatrick & Kelly Burke-Anderson 27 Sue & Ben Heersink 24 Gail Gandolfi & Peggy Utterback July 1 Shirley Locke & Mardee Beauparlant 8 Kathy Raywood & Sue Heersink 15 Jean Kirkpatrick & Norma Dean 22 Tracy and James Gorman 29 Peggy Utterback & Kelly Burke-Anderson May June July 6 Peggy Utterback 3 Joe DeGiovanni 1 Emery Rice 13 Lynn Varney 10 Barbara Colten 8 Bill Silsby 20 Gail Gandolfi 17 Kelly Burke-Anderson 15 Gail Gandolfi 27 Sue Heersink 24 Carolyn Kyle 22 Ben Heersink 29 Peggy Utterback 10
May 6 Audrey Clarkson, Mary Lou Tyler & Jennifer Allard 13 Bill Silsby, Ben Heersink & James Gorman (Mother s Day) 20 Amy Schmidt, Pam Ellis & Peggy Utterback 27 Memorial Day Weekend June 3 Audrey Clarkson, Sue Wolfendale & Nancy Canali 10 Sunday School Event 17 Martha Kelleher & Kathy Raywood 24 Lori Wiswell, Kelly Burke-Anderson & Steve Wiswell July ushers, please remember to provide cookies and lemonade for light refreshment and fellowship. 11
July and August services will be shared with First Parish in Newbury. July services will be held at Belleville at 9:30am in the Chapel. August services will be held at First Parish, Newbury at 9:30, 20 High Road, Route 1A Newbury Back to Belleville on September 2 nd at 10am. July ushers, please remember to provide cookies and lemonade for light refreshment and fellowship. 12
Belleville Congregational Church An Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ 300 High Street Newburyport, MA 01950 978-465-7734 bcchurch@worldpath.net bellevillechurch.org Newsletter Submissions Do you have an article that you would like to include in the monthly newsletter? Church Staff & Contact Information Pastor Ross Varney 978-462-4899 Office hours: Tuesday 11 AM 12:30 Wednesday & Thursday 10:30 AM - Noon; or by appointment. If so, please submit your article to the church office by the 25th of each month. Thank you! Church Office 978-465-7734 Valerie Gates, Office Administrator Office hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Church Email: bcchurch@worldpath.net Website: www.bellevillechurch.org Andrea DeGiovanni, Organist & Music Director James Gorman, Sexton Church Officers Moderator: Kelly Burke-Anderson Clerk: Kathy Raywood Treasurer: Jim Samuelson Collector: Norma Dean Memorial Fund Treasurer: Auditor: Members-at-Large (Ex. Board) Shirley Locke & Ben Heersink Contact Persons Board of Fellowship & Outreach: Martha Kelleher Board of Worship & Education: Gail Gandolfi Board of Stewardship & Finance: Hans Erwich UCC Delegate: 13 Sunday School Coordinator Flower Coordinator Hospitality Coordinator Audrey Clarkson