First Church of Christ in Saybrook (Congregational)

T o we r

March 2012

Worship in Lent
SermonsTestimoniesAdult Learning
2nd Sunday in Lent, March 4
10:00 Sermon: Is That Your Final Answer? Mark 8: 31-38 (Jesus foretells his death) Testimony: Sue Jones 11:00 Coffee Fellowship 11:30 Adult Classes: A Fathers Legacy, led by the Pastor (Office) ABBA, A Bible Basic for Adults, led by Bob Meyer (FiresideRoom)

3rd Sunday in Lent, March 11

10:00 Sermon: The Fear Factor John 14 (sel. verses of the Passion Narrative) Testimony: Kelly Kennedy 11:00 Coffee Fellowship 11:30 Adult Classes: A Fathers Legacy, led by the Pastor (Office) ABBA, A Bible Basic for Adults, led by Bob Meyer (FiresideRoom) Confirmation Class 11:15 Speaker: Sandy Payne, LPN educating our parents and youth about ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders and Anxiety Disorders, in the Sanctuary.

4th Sunday in Lent, March 18

10:00 Sermon: God Wont Give Up John 3: 1-21 (Story of Nicodemus) Testimony: Dorothy Nesbitt 11:00 Coffee Fellowship 11:30 Adult Classes: A Fathers Legacy, led by the Pastor (Office) ABBA, A Bible Basic for Adults, led by Bob Meyer (FiresideRoom)

5th Sunday in Lent, March 25

10:00 Sermon: Redemption Center John 12: 20-33 (Jesus sought by Gentiles) Testimony: Russ Jensen 11:00 Coffee Fellowship 11:30 Adult Classes: A Fathers Legacy, led by the Pastor (Office) ABBA, A Bible Basic for Adults, led by Bob Meyer (FiresideRoom)

Lent is a Season for Finding Time with God!

Opportunities for all ages. Come and join us! Child Care Available
Sunday Lenten Studies
Adult Study Groups:

Starting on February 26 Sundays 11:30 am 12:30pm "A Father's Legacy: Understanding the Six Stages of Fatherhood"
A group study and discussion about fatherhood, for men only, led by the pastor. The group will go on a masculine journey in understanding the six stages of manhood based on biblical teachings: Adam: The Noble Savage; Zakar: The Phallic Taskmaster; Gibbor: The Warrior Hero; Enosh: The Wounded Male; Ish: The Mature/Reborn Man; Zaken: The Sage & Fulfilled Man.

ABBA - A Basic Bible for Adults

A survey of the books of the Bible covering major stories and themes. Informal discussion format. Weeks 1 and 2 Survey of Old Testament Books Weeks 3 and 4 Survey of New Testament Books Week 5 Tie it all together led by Bob Meyer open to all

Midweek Morning Offerings

Start on February 27
Mondays 10 11am for women only

A Clearing Season: Reflections for Lent

Come and clear a space for God in your heart. This is also offered on Wednesday nights with Cathie Thomas. Led by Barbara Whitcher Wednesdays 10 11am

Prayer Shawl Ministry Contemplative Knitting Opportunity

We will give you the yarn and needles, and teach you to knit! You can experience some quiet, contemplative time and create a gift for someone that will comfort them. Led by Cathie Thomas and Joyce Hills

Church Family Nights on Wednesdays

February 29th thru March 28th 6 7:30 pm A sacred time for sharing a meal and sharing our faith. Pizza and salad dinner for all from 6 6:30 pm
(free will offering)

Then there are learning opportunities for all ages! Children thru 6th grade Crafts, music and prayer for children Led by Kris Beezer and Lori Tomko Teens Who is Jesus? Exploring the many facets of Jesus Christ: Jesus the man, Jesus the Lord, Jesus the Servant, Jesus the King, Jesus the High Priest. Led by Jay Downes Adults A Clearing Season: Reflections for Lent For women only. Led by Cathie Thomas The Blessing -- Giving the gift of Love and Unconditional Acceptance Led by Barbara Whitcher Prayer Shawl Knitting come and learn the basics. Led by Joyce Hills

Holy Week Worship Services and Events

April 1 Palm Sunday

10:00 am Special music with trumpets, distribution of palms and blessing of prayer shawls

April 5 Maundy Thursday

7 pm Traditional Office of Tenebrae Service

April 6 Good Friday

Noon Worship Service

April 7 Holy Saturday

10:00 11:00 am Womens Brunch The Blessing for each of us

April 8 Easter Sunday

6:30 am 10:00 am Sunrise Service at Old Saybrook Town Beach Ensemble Led by Jay Downes Traditional Easter Worship Services with Choir, Organ and Brass

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES AND TITHING

Some may have noticed a half page editorial in The New York Times on Sunday, January 29, with charts and graphs on giving and tithing by the presidential candidates for 2012. This was part of an editorial by Michael Paulson, an assistant metropolitan editor at the Times. You may remember the hoopla around Mitt Romneys releasing his 2010 tax return and the estimated version of his 2011 filing. The attention was focused upon his high income and low tax rate. However, the editor called the readers attention to his high level of charitable giving (much in the form of donations to the Church of Jesus Christ Later-day Saints) in a nation where most people contribute far less. Mr. Romney tithes, as do most observant Mormons averaging around (5.6%). He gives 10% of his income to his church. Tithing is a biblical instruction and practice of giving 10% of your income to God (before taxes if you put rendering unto Caesar that which is Caesars before you render unto God that which is Gods). Of course, they are deductable. Churches speak to Tithing but few imbue the practice as part of a catechism or doctrine of the Church. In our tradition, we call it Stewardship: the practice of giving to God a portion of our time, talent and treasure in gratitude and worship of Gods gift of life and salvation in Christ Jesus. That portion is often ambiguous because we tend to say one must prayerfully measure ones own sense of gratitude and love of God. That keeps tithing from becoming a doctrine in our non-doctrinal church tradition. But it is our Stewardship which allows the church to continue the work of the Gospel and to be the living Body of Christ. In the Mormon tradition it is a requirement for every member in order even to enter the temples where the churchs highest sacraments, including marriage, are observed. You are not baptized, married or buried (some say: hatched, matched and dispatched) unless you are a practicing and tithing Mormon. Among Christian Churches, evangelical and Pentecostal Protestants tend to give the highest percentage tithe to their church (2.9%). Roman Catholics the lowest (0.7%) and we, on average as Congregationalists, are right there with Presbyterians, Methodists and Episcopalians (1.2%). Interestingly, the non-religious are the least charitable, says Dr. Christian Smith, professor of Sociology at Notre Dame University, any religion makes one more likely to engage in voluntary financial giving of any kind. President Obama was not very financially charitable some 10 years ago, until he became a member, first, at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, but has steadily increased his overall charitable giving to 14% according to his 2010 income tax statement. Newt Gingrich, a one time Southern Baptist and now a convert to Catholicism in 2009, gave 2.6% of his 2010 income to charity So, what does this have to do with us? Christians are called to tithe; to give proportionately to God and to charity. Members of The First Church in Saybrook, Congregational are as Christian in their giving as any of the above examples and Christian traditions. Therefore, we are reminded each year as to who we are and whose we are. Each year the need increases and this year we are challenged to fund a full-time Assistant Minister and fulfill a promise to our church secretary of full-time status that was the situation with her predecessor. This year we need a 10% increase in your giving. Please pray for your church and consider your gift to the work of Jesus Christ in your church. Faithfully,

Craig

Search Team
On behalf of the Search Team I would like to thank all of the church members who came to the special meeting on January 22nd and voted in favor of us continuing our good work. The questions were great and the discussion meaningful. We feel confident we are moving in the right direction knowing we have the support and commitment of the Congregation which we are working for. Our next steps are to complete our church profile which we anticipate finishing up in the next two or three weeks. Once complete, our job will be posted and we will pray that applicants who meet our qualifications will start pouring in! If you have any questions about the job description, compensation package or our process please reach out to one of us. We are proud of the work we are doing and love to talk about it! Here are some highlights from the job description which was approved at the meeting: Minister of Children and Families Full Time Birth to 8th Grade and Adults Purpose Statement of the Position: The Minister of Children and Families is called by the Congregation to enhance the Christian Education program and ministry by using creative talents and imagination to build upon and expand the current foundation. The Minister of Children and Families is expected to stimulate, motivate, lead and direct the talent within the church in such a way that all people in the church grow in their understanding of Gods redeeming love through Jesus Christ. Jesus said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Matthew 19: 14 Responsibilities of the Position: Church School Ministries Direct and supervise the church school Plan for delivery of childrens message during worship Plan for and lead childrens worship service for students prior to participation in church school Attend CE meetings and collaborate with CE Team to develop and implement effective ministry Recruit, support, train and nurture CE Team and teachers Facilitate and implement curriculum for church school in conjunction with CE Team Family Ministries Engage church families in formational activities Provide fellowship and support to families Communicate with and guide parents in their faith Visit and maintain contact with families and provide counseling resources [or services] when requested

Collaborate with Senior Pastor and Director of Teen Ministry to provide education and fellowship programs Programs and visionary ministries Participate in new member orientation, faith formation sessions Consult with vacation bible school team to oversee organization and implementation of VBS In partnership with the CE Team and volunteers, coordinate planning of special events (ex. Christmas pageant, church school Sunday, Advent wreath making, after school programs like Bible Explorers) Lead and raise awareness of micro and macro societal issues (homeless awareness for example) within First Church and in conjunction with other churches As appropriate, provide interfaith experiences The Great Commission: Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28: 16-20 Kristin DeCapua Chair

Steering Committee Report

Summary of February 8, 2012 Meeting Mike Townsley reported the Governance transition Subcommittee is scheduling meetings with Group Leaders to obtain their suggestions and comments on the progress of the Team Ministry organization. Barbara Whitcher and Lynn Pandiani were voted Group leaders for Mission & Outreach Mission Group. Kristin DeCapua reported the Search team is updating the church profile and will begin publishing the position of Minister of Children and Families in March. Kristin also reported the personnel team is planning evaluation reviews for staff members. Lynn Pandiani, reporting for Mission & Outreach, said $300 was donated in January to the Family of the Month. The next Blood Drive is scheduled for May. Dorothy Nesbitt is busy contacting area churches and synagogues with plans for the May CROP Walk. Karen Vradenburgh, Member Care, reported work is progressing on the pictorial directory. A New Member group is planned for May. It would be good to have more men volunteer as Sunday morning Greeters. The next Steering Committee meeting is March 13 at 7:00 pm. The meeting is open to all.

Jim Platt, Church Clerk

MISSION MEMBER CARE MISSION GROUP

The Prayer Shawl Ministry

Combining the care and love of knitting into a prayerful ministry that reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace. Join us during Lent! Every Wednesday from 10 11 am and from 6:30 7:30 pm We will teach you how to knit! Prayer Shawls will be blessed on Palm Sunday. See Cathie Thomas or Joyce Hills for more information.

Hospitality
If you would like to help bake or serve during Coffee Hour please contact Liz Cairns (860-388-6122) emcrjc2@aol.com, or Katie Gesick (860-395-0181) katie.gesick@att.net

WORSHIP AND MUSIC MISSION GROUP

Flowers for the Sanctuary

If you would like to donate flowers for the Church , please sign up in the Connector. Youll find a Flower Chart on the Music and Worship Bulletin Board.

Senior Choir Calling all Singers for Palm Sunday and Easter. We always want new members,
but we really need you for Palm Sunday and Easter. As long as there is sufficient rehearsal participation, anyone who wants to sing in any of the Easter services is welcome. Lolly Bassett

Easter Flowers

I would like to contribute to the Lilies decorating the sanctuary this Easter season. ( )
( )

As a Thanksgiving Offering
As a Memorial - in memory of

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

( )

In Honor of

_____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

Presented by: _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ ( )

( )

After the service I will be taking a Lily.

After the service I will leave a Lily to be delivered to someone on the Shut-In list.

Volunteers are needed! If you would be willing to help deliver the remaining plants to those who are on the Shut-In list, please give your name and telephone number to the church office so that someone may contact you.

_________________________________________________
The cost for an Easter plant is $9.00. Please return this form to the Church Office no later than Friday, March 30. Thank you.

SPIRITUAL LIFE MISSION GROUP Adult Education Team

Photos by Ed Noyes

Afraid!
We were privileged to have Frank Runyeon perform The Gospel of Mark in a stirring performance Sunday, February 19th

Womens Ministry Team

Plan to Join us on Holy Saturday The Blessing for Each of us A Womens Brunch 10 11 am on April 7th. We will explore the Biblical Blessing, the Blessing that God intends for each of us and how we can bless others. A time of good food, fun conversation and faith exploration. Please sign up in the Connector to help us with our planning. Sponsored by the Womens Ministry Team.

FRIENDS OF GOD AND FRIENDS OF EACH OTHER: WOMENS RELATIONSHIPS IN THE BIBLE The Rev. Donna Manocchio and Janet Bristow Saturday, May 19th9:00 am to 12:00 pm Women's Leadership Institute 76 Sherman Street, Hartford,Connecticut The Christian Scriptures contain myriad stories of women who are connected in heart and in history. Who are they and what can they teach us about faith and friendship? What words of hope, courage, and grace might they offer to women today? This morning program will include prayer, text study, conversation and making connections with these women and with each other. Cost $25 We will carpool to this event. Information about the presenters is available in the Connector please sign up now!

Mens Ministry Team

Mens Breakfast Saturday March 17, at 8:00 am

A mens breakfast will be held at Saybrook Parthenon Diner Saturday, March 18 at 8:00 am. The guest speaker will be CAPTAIN EARL MAXFIELD, JR. Capt. Maxfield, a Saybrook resident and graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, has over 60 years experience at sea in the Merchant Marine. He will share his knowledge and experiences at sea and particularly in piloting ships on the Connecticut River and the New England Coast. All men are invited to come and share a meal, fellowship and hear a great speaker. Breakfast is ordered from the diner menu. Please let Jim Platt know, tel: 860-388-4228, email: jbplatt51b@aol.com, if you plan to attend.

Childrens Ed Team
March Madness!!! Yes, it is March and yes we have madness!! It seems that the cold weather that we usually have in February just didnt happen this year. No snow!?!...madness!! We are now in the season of Lent. There is a childrens program that is offered for Wednesday evenings. The children will be learning the parables of Jesus. While there is no specific childrens program during the adult Lenten series on Sundays, an adult will be available for child care. On February 19th while parents enjoyed the special sermon of Frank Runyon reciting the Gospel of Mark, the children learned about Mardi Gras. Did you know that Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday? Did you know that the colors of Mardi Gras actually have meaning? Gold means power, purple means justice, and green means faith. Needless to say when we gave the kids necklaces and coins, they all wanted gold. The children were told that it is customary to give up something during Lent. Lent is a period of repentance and renewal. With Lent leading to Easter, the childrens lessons will be moving from the Old Testament to the New Testament focusing on the teachings of Jesus. We still need teacher and nursery volunteers every Sunday. The sign up sheet for the nursery is in the connector and each grade has a sign up sheet with the teacher. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE sign up, we need your help!! You only need to sign up for ONE Sunday! Come and see what fun your kids have!!! (Yes, we like exclamation points!)

Lori Tomko, Kris Beezer

Co-Directors, Childrens Ministries

Teen Ministry Team

Our Mission - The Teen Ministry of First Church of Christ in Old Saybrook provides a loving community that leads and supports Jr & Sr High youth on their journey as followers of Jesus Christ and inspires joyful service to God and others. Homeless Awareness Program and Sleep Out January 28th 29th 8 teens and 4 adults joined in the Homeless Awareness program in Middletown on January 28th followed by a Sleep Out here on the First Church lawn. The program began with the director from the Eddy Shelter in Middletown sharing many statistics and facts about being homeless in Middlesex County. Groups then rotated through 3 different stations. One looked at biblical scripture and found where God asks us to care for the poor, the homeless, the needy and the hungry. At the next station, we learned that there are time limits for staying in the shelter and steps that people have to go through to get from the homeless shelter into transitional housing. At the last station, we were asked to honestly think about some hard questions such as: If we had to leave our homes, what would we take with us knowing we could only bring what we could carry? What would we leave behind? Would we befriend a homeless person? What do we honestly think about homeless people? Before sharing in a typical soup kitchen type meal, the group listened to a panel of people discuss their experiences with homelessness. After sharing details about their struggles, they all said, God is good! despite their hardship. Teen Fellowship Feb 19th The teens worked together Sunday night to make burritos! The focus of the evening was fellowship, communion, and understanding how we see and hear God. In reviewing Psalms 121: 1-2 the group discussed that God can be seen in Creation, in God's Children, and in acts of kindness and service. In reviewing 1 Kings 19: 11-12 we discussed that God will not compete with the noise of our lives, but will speak in the rustling of the grass, in the sigh of the breeze, and that if we want to hear him we need to be still and listen to the quietness of the Spirit speaking from our heart. We prayed together for the strength to be still in our busy lives and to seek Him in all things. Lent Series for Teens Wednesdays in March 6-7:30pm Jesus the Man, Jesus the Lord, Jesus the Servant, Jesus the King, Jesus the High Priest MANDATORY Mission Trip Prep meetings Sunday March 18th 6-7:30pm, Sunday April 22nd 6-7:30pm, Saturday May 19th 4-6pm, Sunday June 10th 10am Commissioning during worship followed by meeting 11:15am-1pm. The Mission Trip families have already raised over $2,200 towards our fundraising goal! If you have not had the chance to swing by one of the events yet, there are still multiple chances for you to come by, talk to the teens about what they will be doing in Philadelphia, and to donate to a great cause. The end of February held the Mission Trip breakfast fundraiser that also helped to kick off the Stewardship campaign. In April, May and June the Mission Trip group will be hosting combined car washes and book sales to help achieve our goal so that we can send 17 teens and 4 adults the trip to spread God's love in the city of brotherly love. We appreciate First Church's support!

Pictures from the Homeless Awareness Program and Sleep Out.

Group in South Church

Sleep Out

MISSION AND OUTREACH GROUP

Eddy Homeless Shelter -- Middletown

The Noyes family is collecting items in a cardboard box in the Connector for the Eddy Homeless Shelter in Middletown. We are collecting toiletry items, non perishable foods, individually wrapped snacks (like granola bars) and juice boxes, socks, Tylenol, women's sanitary products, underpants for men and underpants for women, and anything else you can think of that you think would be good to donate. If you would like more information on The Middlesex County Coalition on Housing & Homelessness and their initiative to end homelessness, visit http://www.anendinten.org

Mission Benevolence Team

Missionary Benevolence receives dozens of requests for money - - local, state, national and world charitable organizations. These organizations ask for help with hunger, shelter, education, disease, and disasters caused by earthquakes, floods and fires. Do you see the picture here? It is clear - too many requests - - too little money. The Missionary Benevolence budget is not sufficient to satisfy all requests; its money is a small part of the First Church annual budget. It is augmented by special donations at Lent and Advent. The Team's time is spent in discussion about the literature it receives, and we often turn to Charity Navigator which provides detailed information about organizations to help us make a decision. At this time we are presenting an update thus far for the fiscal year 2011-2012. The following organizations have each been the recipient of a $500 donation: Warm the Children, Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut, Read To Grow, Middlesex Hospital Office of Philanthropy, and New Horizons Domestic Violence Services. A $1,000 donation has been sent to Doctors Without Borders. The special Missionary Advent offering for the Wounded Warrior Project collected $2,000. With four months left in the fiscal year, Missionary Benevolence continues to do its research on charitable organizations. In every Annual Report of First Church is a detailed financial report from Missionary Benevolence.

Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries Volunteers needed!

Our church supports the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries in two major ways we host a food pantry on a weekly basis and our Heat N Eat team prepares and freezes meals weekly for distribution

through the food pantry. There are many opportunities to volunteer at the SSK&P meal sites, pantries, and heat-n-eat programs. They have regularly scheduled monthly volunteer orientation meetings. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at Grace Episcopal Church, 336 Main Street. To learn first hand from members of our church, talk with Bo Henderson about Heat N Eat or Betsy Morse about the food pantry. A few hours of your time can make a big difference.

Scholarship Team
Applications have been given to the OSHS Guidance Department. The awards are not limited to two or four year colleges. We will consider applications from students who want to pursue training in specialized certification programs. Deadline for completed applications to be returned to the Guidance Department is April 12, 2012.

Blair Fund Team

The Blair Fund provides grants to residents of Old Saybrook who demonstrate a financial need which prevents them from living healthy, productive lives. This fiscal year, the Blair Fund has provided over $3,000 in grants. Applicants do not have to be a member of First Church to apply. Blair Applications are available in the Church office with no questions asked, or by emailing the Blair Team Convenor, Natalie DeVan, nataliebd2gmail.com. Confidentiality is a priority!

The Blood Drive

If you haven't already done so....please mark your calendars for the next Red Cross Blood Drive. It scheduled for Wednesday, May 23rd from 1-5:45 pm in the fellowship hall. As always, we will be looking for plenty of volunteers for staffing and snack making. Of course, the most important need will be for DONORS. Don't let the incredible December blood drive turnout lull you into thinking your participation is not necessary---we need and want your help for this upcoming drive to be successfull! We are hoping to surpass our previous goal. For now, just get this date on your calendar; then watch for sign up information in the April and May towers. Kathy Price

The Crafters Team

It is time to start making handcrafted items for our Church Fair this fall! The Crafters meet the 4th Tuesday of each month from 9:30 to 11:30am in Fellowship Hall. We welcome all who are interested in joining us in creating Christmas gifts and decorations. Please contact Terry Shuttleworth at 860 388-0514 if you have any questions. Bring your ideas to our next meeting!

The Communications Team

Do we have your email address? Or has it changed? Please complete the following and leave it in the Church Office. Thanks! Name_________________________________________________________ Email Address________________________________________________________ Please print clearly! We want to be able to contact you!

Family of the Month Team -- March

Our Family of the Month for March is a grandmother who has been struggling on a meager unemployment check for awhile now and has been working hard at finding employment. We have helped with job trainings, workshops and classes, and by her diligence in participating and trying to find work she has now found a job that will start next month! She is struggling to meet the needs of the grandchildren as well as being behind on mortgage, electricity, heat, etc. from this long time without work. Her job will require her to travel on the highway to another town and her car is in need of neglected repairs as well. We want to help her get caught up on bills threatening shut offs and to get safely to her new job! Please call Susan Consoli, the Social Services Coordinator, at 860-395-3188 if you have any questions. Donations may be left in the Church Office with any checks made payable to Youth and Family Services. We very much appreciate your continued support. Thank you.

First Church Book Group will meet on Monday, March 26th at 2 pm in the connector. Our Book to discuss is "A Covert Affair: Julia Child and Paul Child in the OSS" By Jennet Conant. This is available at Acton library or in paperback. New members are always welcome!

Club Book Club2012

CROP Walk Team

Community Response to Overcome Poverty! The May 20, 2012 CROP Walk planning is well under way. You will remember that last year's walk raised nearly $9000 for Church World Services which works to fight hunger and poverty issues around the world as well as locally - 25% of our proceeds were donated to the Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries. Can you help this cause by donating supplies? Your time? Your resources? Contact Dorothy Nesbitt detnesbitt@yahoo.com for more details.

TRUSTEES GROUP

Board of Trustees
Whether you give one dollar, two, five, twenty, or more a week in your pledge, it is all extremely appreciated. On the other hand, it is also completely needed. This spring will start not only the Stewardship Teams pledge drive, but it also starts the budget discussion talks with the Board of Trustees along with team leaders and congregants. We will not sugar-coat this our church has a problem. We want so much from the church, but many of us are not willing to give as much to it. Because of this issue, year after year, the congregation asks that we take money from the Seward Fund to make up for a pledge deficit. We have been extremely fortunate for the gift Professor Seward left our Church, but with the programs we expect to have in the future, and the low level of pledge support, this fund will eventually be exhausted. We want to make something very clear this is not a hard issue to solve. Before filling out your pledge card this year, we want you to ask yourself, How much does this church mean to me/us? We have spoken to other members of the church and told our stories that both our families have realized a real need in our lives for this church and what it gives to us and similar stories have been told to us. During last years budget discussions at the Board of Trustees, it was expressed to us that if all members (or pledge units) have two percent of their gross income to the church, we would never have to borrow to provide services again. It was this type re-balancing of priorities in our lives that made us want to and choose to give more. In many cases, it was only a couple dollars more per week to reach that two percent. In others, it was giving up one latte. We have given a quick reference guide below to show how a couple dollars makes a huge difference (please note the average pledge last year was just under $1200 per household): Example Pledge #1 Pledge #2 Pledge #3 Pledge #4 Pledge #5 Weekly Pledge $ 2.00 $ 5.00 $ 10.00 $ 20.00 $ 25.00 Annual Pledge $ 104.00 $ 260.00 $ 520.00 $ 1,040.00 $ 1,300.00 New Pledge New Annual Pledge $ 5.00 $ 260.00 $ 7.50 $ 390.00 $ 15.00 $ 780.00 $ 25.00 $ 1,300.00 $ 30.00 $ 1,560.00

The congregation has already approved, as of Sunday, January 22 Special Meeting, a full-time position of Minister of Children and Family Ministries. There is a proposed change to the Office Administrator position, both of which seem to be in line with the churchs and congregants priorities for the future. Just these changes alone will require more from our members, but they are not the only likely changes from this year to the next. We predict that in order to meet the needs of the above positions, the Church will need an approximate increase of 10% in pledge revenue, from $225,000 in the current fiscal period, to $250,000 for 2012-2013. Again, please consider what two percent means to you. Please consider what this church and the church means to you. If this truly is as important a part of your life as you claim it to be, now is the time to evaluate your contribution to the churchs services as a whole. Thank you and please come to the Board of Trustees meetings as we start to discuss the budget for next year. Meetings are the second Monday of each month. Sincerely, Derrik M. Kennedy, Chairman Leigh Gesick, Treasurer Craig Whitcher, Senior Minister

Fund Raising Planning Team

HOLIDAY FAIR STUFF WANTED / HELP WANTED

One of our goals for this Novembers event is gathering a jumbo supply of stuff to sell. Sobring stuff and leave it in the big Box in the pantry area Please note some exceptions and requests: Remember that we dont sell textbooks, bedding, or adult clothing We will accept donations of electronics (except for computers) You may donate childrens church or school clothing, shoes and boots if in very good condition (but no sneakers) If possible, deliver bulky items and silent auction items in November Give donations of jewelry directly to Kris Beezer, or save them until November Well try a curios & collectibles section in rummage, so oddball items are welcome Check with family and friendsanyone cleaning out or moving? Swoop in! To make the days immediately prior to the Fair less hectic, we will sort, clean, label and pack things on a regular basis. Our next sorting sessions:

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12 / 3:00-5:30 MONDAY, APRIL 9 / 9:30-12:00 SATURDAY, MAY 19 / 9:00-11:30

Well need a few willing helpers, so if you can lend a hand, please contact the crew chief for any of these sessions (Karen Vradenburgh, 526 2322, kpvrad@yahoo.com) or sign up in the Connector at the Trustees bulletin board. Lots of stuff and helping hands will guarantee a successful event, so pitch in. With thanks, The Rummage Rats: Katie Gesick, Dorothy Nesbitt & Karen Vradenburgh

A Question of Growth
by Stephen Chapin Garner , Jerry Thornell

The following is an edited article that was written for the Alban Institute Newsletter, a major church consulting firm in Washington, D.C. I have included it here so that the reader may be aware of whats happening in church like ours in New England. -Craig I am well aware that people attend church for some very basic reasons. People go to church to hear a consistent wordsermons are as essential to the life of a church today as they have ever been. People go to church because they love the musicfaith has been powerfully conveyed through song and stanza for generations. People go to church because their children are well taken care ofthey receive assistance passing on the Christian tradition within their families. Dynamic sermons, music, and childrens programming can certainly propel growth. With only one of these components in place, a community can experience increase. In truth, it would be hard to avoid growth if a community had all three working together. But what propels exponential growth? What allows a church to grow out of a staid and stable programbased model of ministry into a transformative, life-altering community of believers? How does new and innovative ministry take hold within a community whose historical strength has been its resistance to change and its ability to endure against all odds? I did not know, but after only a couple of years into my pastorate at the United Church of Christ Norwell, Massachusetts; I began to witness a pattern of growth that was as surprising as it was unsettling. We seemed to be growing in spite of ourselves, and in the most unplanned of ways . . . and I suspect that deep down I was still hoping for an approach to church growth that involved following a list of well-defined steps toward success. Over the last decade, we at UCC Norwell have engaged in numerous visioning processes, and none of them have turned out the way we had imagined they would. One of the earliest examples of this frustratingly wonderful pattern occurred within the first couple of years we spent working together. I had been working with the Alban Institute in an effort to gain clarity about the dearth of young clergy in mainline Protestant denominations. The trickle of young clergy entering pastoral ministry could not meet the great wave of ministerial retirements that could be anticipated on the horizon. Even with an increased number of second-career pastors, the impending pastoral vacancies were going to dwarf the pool of available applicants. Armed with this irrefutable evidence of the demise the church I loved, I convinced UCC Norwell that we needed to begin to prepare ourselves to be a church without clergy. The result of an extensive period of discernment was to establish a new model for pastoral ministry that deemphasized the role of ordained clergy. No longer was the program life of the church going to be created and driven by professional religious leaders. If a program was going to be implemented in the life of our church, it needed to be generated by the efforts and initiative of church members (Team Ministry). Pastors were no longer to engage in ministry unless they were helping to train lay members for the ministerial tasks before them (Deaconate Training/Small Group Leadership Training). We created a Teaching Pastorate model for ministry that stressed preparing the laity to take on the work of the church. The idea was expansive. Fully implemented, the people of the church would do the pastoral care, the teaching of children and adults, the preaching and worship leadership, and the visioning of the future. We didnt plan to make immediate and radical adjustments, but we knew we needed to slowly shift aspects of pastoral ministry to the laity. For example, the members of the church wanted a comprehensive adult education program that the church had never really established before. Our pastoral staff could have simply jumped in and started offering classes. However, with the desire to have the laity lead, we created an adult Christian education ministry team that, with a modest

amount of pastoral support, would design, promote, and teach the educational offerings for our adults. Within a relatively short period, we not only increased the number of lay members in leadership roles, but we also took a gigantic leap forward in the number of adult educational offerings we provided for the congregation. The energy the new group possessed was impressive, and it was clear they not only appreciated how they had been empowered to engage in ministry, but they also stepped up and did amazing workwork many trained pastors would not be capable of achieving. However, that was when the Holy Spirit began to upend our plans. Soon thereafter, church members began making appointments with me to talk about the possibility of entering seminary. One after another, church members were sensing a call to pastoral ministry. In a period of four years we sent seven church members to seminary. We had set out to create a model for ministry that would allow the church to survive without clergy, and we unwittingly created a model of ministry that prompted people to choose to pursue pastoral ministry as a career. In an attempt to create a clergy-free church, we wound up creating clergy that are now serving local churches in our area. When we give the Spirit an opening to work in our churches, that is when growth takes root even in the most unexpected of ways.

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IF YOU NO LONGER WISH TO RECEIVE THIS NEWSLETTER, please ask to have your name removed by calling the church office or e-mailing us. This will save us postage and save you the inconvenience of receiving unwanted mail Church Staff The Rev. Dr. Craig M. Whitcher, Senior Pastor Jay Downes, Director of Teen Ministry Lolly Bassett, Choir Director and Organist Lane Bolton, Church Administrative Assistant Lori Tomko and Kris Beezer, Co-Directors Childrens Ministries Leigh Gesick, Treasurer and Director of Handbell Choirs Ken Hartley, Financial Assistant Tina Swain, Kristen Muller- Nursery Care Providers Lori Tomko, Christian Education Music Director

MARCH 2012
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
1 W Watchers: 9:30 , 11:00, 6:00 12:30 Bridge 6:00 Breast Cancer 7:00 Choir 7:00 Search 7:30 Narcotics 8:00 Alanon 4 10:00 Worship 11:30 A Fathers Legacy 11:30 ABBA -- Bible Basics 5 8:00 Heat n Eat Cooking 10:00 Womens Study 1:00 Heat n EatPackaging 2:30 Scouts 3:30 Bible Explorers 7:00 Deaconate 12 8:00 Heat n Eat-Cooking 10:00 Womens Study 1:00 Heat n Eat3:30 Bible Explorers 5:30 Fair Sorting `7:00 Trustees 7:00 Stewardship 19 8:00 Heat n EatCooking 10:00 Womens Study 1:00 Heat n EatPackaging 3:30 Bible Explorers 4:30 Scouts 7:00 Scouts 7:00 Deaconate 26 8:00 Heat n Eat10:00 Womens Study 1:00 Heat n Eat2:00 Book Group 3:30 Bible Explorers 5:30 Violin Recital 7:00 Deacons 6 1:00 SSKP 3:00 Food Pantry 5:00 WWatchers 6:00 Scouts 6:30 Bell Choir 7:00 & 8:00 Alanon 7:30 Narcotics 7 10:00 Prayer Shawl Ministry 12:15 Alanon 6:00 Lenten Supper and classes 8 W Watchers: 9:30 , 11:00, 6:00 12:30 Bridge 7:00 Choir 7:00 Search 7:30 Narcotics 8:00 Alanon 15 W Watchers: 9:30 , 11:00, 6:00 12:30 Bridge 6:00 Breast Cancer 7:00 Choir 7:00 Search 7:30 Narcotics 8:00 Alanon 22 W Watchers: 9:30 , 11:00, 6:00 12:30 Bridge 7:00 Choir 7:00 Search 7:30 Narcotics 8:00 Alanon 16 2

Friday

Saturday
3 8:00 WWatchers 9:30 WWatchers

10 8:00 Mens Ministry Breakfast 8:00 WWatchers 9:30 WWatchers

11 10:00 Worship Baptism 11:15 Speaker: Sandy Payne LPN 11:15 Social Concerns 11:30 Confirmation Class 11:30 A Fathers Legacy 11:30 ABBA 18 10:00 Worship 11:30 A Fathers Legacy 11:30 ABBA 6:00 Mission Trip Prep Meeting

13 3:00 Food Pantry 5:00 W Watchers 5:00 Tiger Scouts 5:00 Girl Scouts 6:30 Bell Choir 7:00 & 8:00 Alanon 7:30 Narcotics 20 3:00 Food Pantry 5:00 W Watchers 5:00 Girl Scouts 6:30 Bell Choir 7:00 & 8:00 -Alanon 7:30 Narcotics

14 10:00 Prayer Shawl Ministry 12:15 Alanon 5:30 Cub Scouts 6:00 Scouts 6:00 Lenten Supper-Classes 7:00 Scouts 21 10:00 Prayer Shawl Ministry 12:15 Alanon 6:00 Scouts 6:00 Lenten Supper-Classes

17 8:00 WWatchers 9:30 WWatchers

23

24 8:00 WWatchers 9:30 WWatchers 12:00 CO-OP Book Fair

25 10:00 Worship 11:30 A Fathers Legacy 11:30 ABBA

27 9:30 Crafters 3:00 Food Pantry 5:00 W Watchers 5:00 Girl Scouts 6:30 Bell Choir 7:00 & 8:00 -Alanon 7:30 Narcotics

28 10:00 Prayer Shawl 12:15 Alanon 6:00 Lenten Supper and Shortened Classes 7:00 Healing Service

29 W Watchers: 9:30 , 11:00, 6:00 12:30 Bridge 7:00 Choir 7:00 Search 7:30 Narcotics 8:00 Alanon

30

31 8:00 WWatchers 9:30 WWatchers