June 28, 2015 Volume LV Number 12 The Congregational Church of Laconia United Church of Christ 18 Veterans Square Laconia NH 03246-3425 (603) 524-0668 towertidings@laconiaucc.org (603) 273-0065 fax www.laconiaucc.org Senior Pastor: Associate Pastor: Office Manager: Treasurer: Director of Music: Sexton: Church Staff Rev. Dr. Warren H. Bouton pastor@laconiaucc.org Rev. Paula B. Gile paula@laconiaucc.org Chris Rawson chris@laconiaucc.org John Kreitler treasurer@laconiaucc.org K. Robert Bengtson Chuck Laurent Words from Warren A telemarketer called a home one day, and a small voice whispered, "Hello?" "Hello! What's your name?" Still whispering, the voice said, "Jimmy." "How old are you, Jimmy?" "I'm four." "That s a nice age, Jimmy, is your mother home?" "Yes, but she's busy." "Okay, is your father home?" "He's busy too." "I see, who else is there?" "The police." "The police? May I speak with one of them?" "They're busy." "Any other grown-ups there?" "The firemen." "May I speak with a fireman, please?" "They're all busy." "Jimmy, all those people in your house, and I can't talk with any of them? What are they doing?" "Looking for me!" The good news of our faith proclaims that no matter where we are, no matter how far we have wandered, God seeks us out and continually offers us love and care. Thanks be to God! In faith, Warren 1
Faith for the Future Construction Update After a couple of weeks of seemingly slow progress the construction of our Faith Bridge, connecting our Church building with the Parish House, is now proceeding full speed ahead. For those unable to swing by the church to see what has been happening you should know: Roofing has been installed on the new structure The cement pad and steel structure are in place and openings to both buildings have been cut. Exterior wall board has been installed in the non-window areas. Bricks have been ordered for the community walkway. The city has reconfigured the municipal parking lot and has installed curbing as well as a base coat of asphalt in the new parking spaces. The elevator shaft has been extended to accommodate the elevator traveling another half floor to the bridge level and Stanley Elevator Company is completing both the rails, doorframe installation and the electronics. And so much more! At present, the bridge project is on schedule and construction should be completed by mid-august! With Faith for the Future we are uniting not only our buildings but our worship, ministry and mission! 2
Summer Book Study Prayer is an important part of a Christian s life, but so seldom do we learn about prayer and how to actually make it a part of our lives. This summer we will be having a book discussion group exploring prayer. The book is titled Beginner s Grace Bringing Prayer into Your Life by Kate Braestrup. The books are $15 and are available in the church office or after church. You can read the book on your own or join the discussions throughout the summer. We will be meeting every other Monday at 1 p.m. in the Church Library starting June 29 (July 13, July 27, Aug. 10 and Aug. 24). Come to one session or all five. If you are interested in participating in a discussion in the evening please see me and if there is enough interest we can have two sessions. Summer Office Hours Beginning July 1 the church office will shift to summer office hours. The office will be open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. Strolling along the Community Way The Community Way that will connect Veterans Square to the City Parking Lot will soon be a reality! It will be a really special stroll under the Faith Bridge with inscribed bricks for all to see and enjoy. If you wish to purchase and engrave a brick(s) to be included in the Community Way, NOW IS THE FINAL CALL! The engraved bricks are a great way to honor/memorialize a family member or veteran, or highlight a business. Forms are available in the church office, on the church website, and at Sunday s coffee hour. June 30 th is the last day for brick purchases to be included in this summer s design. Bricks purchased after June 30 th will be held until a batch of 25 are ready for engraving and then will be installed at a future date. Questions? Call Chris in the office or Linda Tunnicliffe at 524-5049. Friendly Kitchen An Outreach Ministry Salvation Army Lunch (every other month on the second Friday). Coordinators: July 10 - Emily Clement Sept. 11 - Nov. 13 - If you are willing to help with a meal call the monthly coordinator. 3
Pick-a-Party Events Church Summer Camp News This year we have two campers headed to Horton Center on Pine Mountain. First-time camper, Molly Hazelton, is attending New Things Week (July 12-19) New Things Week focuses on creating community by making new friends, learning new skills, and living in the Spirit. It should be a great time! Ali Lines is returning to Horton Center for her third summer. She is attending Middler High from July 19-25 where favorite activities include a reverse scavenger hunt, Agape dinner, Superman amazing grace and tippy-top time. Families, individuals, groups, and friends are invited to submit an idea for our churchwide Pick-A-Party fundraiser. We are currently accepting ideas for all seasons and all types of activities from craft projects to sporting events, from summer to winter, from indoors to out, local and further afield. Barbecues, boat rides, museum tours, themed dinners, how-to craft instruction is just the start. The party means that you can be as creative as you like. Whatever you enjoy doing and would like to share with others that s what Pick-A-Party ideas are all about! Need some suggestions check with one of your Pick-A-Party team leaders: Stan Brallier, Warren Clement, Jean Clarke or Louise Bastille. To submit your idea for an event, simply pick up a form at the church office or on Sunday morning in the Pleasant Street foyer, complete the basic information (who, what, when) and return to the church office or box located in the foyer. We look forward to hearing from you! Letter ad postcards are always appreciated by writing to: Name of Camper Horton Center PO Box J Gorham, NH 03581 You may also write to Sally Tinkham, Waterfront Manager, at our sister UCC camp, Pilgrim Lodge in Maine. Sally is spending th summer season providing swimming and boating instruction and water safety oversight. Sally s address through mid -August is: Pilgrim Lodge, 103 Pilgrim Lodge Lane, West Gardiner, Maine, 04345. Good luck Sally! 4
Vacation Bible School This is the fourth year the UCC NH Conference will dedicate the majority of gifts received through the Strengthen the Church offering to youth ministries. This annual special offering was established to promote UCC Church growth and renewal nationally and locally. For the NH Conference, it is believed promoting youth programs is one of the most promising areas for strengthening local churches and associations. In part, this is accomplished through Youth Ministry Grants for: sending youth to the UCC National Youth Event, funding regional events for youth from nearby churches to build unity and identity, providing financial assistance to individual churches for the development of youth ministry programs and more! Please consider contributing to this special offering on Sunday, June 28. Women s Book Group The next book that we ll be reading is the J.D. Salinger classic The Catcher in the Rye. For some of us, it will bring back memories of required high school reading - hopefully positive ones! We are going to skip the month of July and have our discussion on Thursday, August 13 at 1 p.m. If you need a copy of the book, go to your local library or contact Nancy Hemlin or Diane Tinkham. Join the fun and fabulous summer vacation Bible story experience July 6 th -10 th at St. Andre Bessette. Last year Paula visited the camp to investigate what their VBS offered and she was so impressed with the quality of the program, the number of children participating and the huge smiles on the children s faces. There was singing and storytelling, crafts and even themed snacks! The program is from 9 am to noon for five days. The cost is $20 for the whole week and $40 for a family. Children are broken into groups by ages and travel to the different activities. All children ages 4-12 are welcome (K-5). Paula plans on being there so our children feel comfortable; so if you register please let Paula know so she can seek them out! The program this year is called EVEREST Conquering Challenges with God s Mighty Power. Each day, kids participate in small groups, called Climbing Crews, and discover practical ways to hold on to God s mighty power! Not only will they experience exciting Bible adventures but they ll also watch for God in everyday life through something called God Sightings. You and your kids will discover that God is active in our lives and that his fingerprints are everywhere! To register or get more information here is the website: https:// osv.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/standrebessette/ gpgs/home.aspx 5
T O W E R I D I N G S The Congregational Church United Church of Christ 18 Veterans Square Laconia, NH 03246-3425 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 67 LACONIA NH Upcoming Coffee Hour Hosts 6/28 - Diaconate 7/05 - Ad-hoc Group 7/12 - Educational Ministry 7/19 - Property & Finance Committee 7/26 - Membership Committee 8/02 - Music & Worship Committee 8/09 - Outreach Ministry 8/16 - Parish Activities Committee 8/23 - Ad-hoc Group 8/30 - Diaconate 9/06 - Educational Ministry 6 Tower Tidings Publication Schedule Deadline @ 5 p.m. Issue Date 7/27 8/2 8/24 8/30 9/7 9/13 9/21 9/27 10/5 10/11 10/26 11/1 11/9 11/15 11/23 11/29 12/14 12/20 1/4/2016 01/10/16 1/18 1/24 2/1 2/7