First Parish United Church of Christ (Congregational)

P.O. Box 228, 176 West High Street, Somersworth, NH 03878-0228

Rev. Mark Rideout, Pastor Church Office: (603) 692-2057 An Open & Affirming Church

www.somersworthfirstparish.org firstparishsomersworth@myfairpoint.net

In November our congregation voted to become an Open and Affirming Church. Probably some people think that means our work on that is done and we can move on to the next thing. Nothing could be further from the truth. The work we have done is only the beginning. Now, we as a church, have to find ways to live our Open and Affirming Statement.

We, the members of First Parish United Church of Christ (Congregational), joyfully welcome all who seek to know God in Jesus Christ under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In declaring ourselves an Open and Affirming Church, we celebrate the sacredness of every person as a child of God. We welcome all, following Jesus’ example, including persons of every age, gender, race, national origin, faith background, marital status and family structure, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental and physical ability, economic and social status, and educational background, to share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments of baptism and communion, and rites of marriage and funerals. Through the responsibilities and blessings of being in church community together, we pledge to oppose discrimination and work for justice and inclusion of all persons as we journey in faith.

I am reminded of something in my professional life, when I speak of living a statement. Many of you know that I teach in an elementary school in Lebanon, Maine. We are an Expeditionary Learning School, and as such, were given the task of coming up with a Code of Character. Over several days in August, a couple of years ago, our staff came up with six character traits we thought were most important for students and staff to keep in mind in order for our school to be its best. They were: Respect, Responsibility, Empathy and Compassion, Craftsmanship, Collaboration and Perseverance. Each month we focused on one of those traits and all students were exposed to the vocabulary and meaning that went along with each. Even our Kindergarten students roll those words off their tongues! It has given us a common language to ask for and reward positive behaviors. We often hear teachers and students speaking about "living the Code" and talking about what that means.

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OPEN & AFFIRMING

20162016

Open & Affirming continued from page 1

We, at First Parish, have adopted our Open and Affirming Statement. Now it is time to "unpack" that statement for all of us and make it clear what it means to us. Then it is time to live it; to practice responsibly what the statement asks of us. How are we going to do that? It is up to us to decide. Our committee will still be meeting because our work is not done. Will you join us and help us to figure out the best way to “live our statement"?

We have an initial list of tasks to accomplish as we move forward. Some of these are short term and others need to become part of our day-to-day lives. * Notification of the UCC Coalition - Complete * Press release with Foster's Daily Democrat and SomersworthNow - Complete * Facebook notification - Complete * Update our Website - TBD * Update our sign out front - TBD * Design a banner - TBD * How does Open and Affirming become more integrated with the other programs in-flight within the church - TBD * Identification of impact to existing church policy statements - TBD * Continue the discussion - On-going ~ How do we live being an Open and Affirming church? ~ How do we make this a welcome that invites, includes and involves both externally and internally? Ex: speakers around mental health resources, conversation around transgender awareness and understanding

We would love to have your voice as we continue the Open and Affirming journey and work on the above list. Please join one of our meetings or speak with us about how you might play a part.

Thank You messages have been received from:

•Riverside Rest Home—for our generous support of the 21 resident wishes [note on Narthex bulletin board]

• Imants & Grace Millers—who received a Love Offering from our church following a devastating fire at their Somersworth home. [note on Narthex bulletin board]

• A word of thanks to all who shared Christmas Cards in the Narthex.

• Pastor Mark offers a word of thanks for the generous Christmas gift which was presented to him

After a month’s break from the last Spaghetti Supper, we are ready to continue. I’m looking forward to our January supper, which will be held the day before this newsletter is available. Thank you, in advance, to everyone who helped. The suppers are always successful because of your willingness to participate! Our next supper will be on February 27th. Please Note: we are moving our March supper to March 19th, since the 4th Saturday of the month is on Easter week-end. Please mark your calendars and let your friends know! There are lots of jobs available from baking desserts to clean-up! If you would like to help, please mark your choice of job on the sign-up sheet passed around during worship service or talk with one of the Spaghetti Supper coordinators.

Tom Allen ~ Patty Cote ~ Debbie Hall

SPAGHETTI SUPPER

Dear Ones: Shortly we will begin the 40 day season

of Lent. It is a gift to each of us. I believe that, if we will enter into the 40 days by changing our present use of daily time, we can, and will, come to a distinct change in soul, heart, and relationship with the Divine. Change comes with work; give and take in decisions so easily assumed to be correct. But, you and I must ask ourselves the reality of our relationship with the Holy: if open, faithful and true, then Lent will affirm and strengthen who we perceive ourselves to be in God’s sight; if closed, distrusting and anxious, then dear ones, it is hope for transformation of what is, to what God’s grace has grafted into us already.

The decision for use of your time is yours. The 40 days of Lent invite a change to your relationship with Jesus.

Phillips Brooks, well known preacher of many years past wrote: “Oh, do not pray for easy lives. Prayer to be stronger people. Do not pray for tasks equal to your power. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work will be no miracle; but you will be the miracle. And every day you will wonder at yourself, at the richness of life which has come to you by the grace of God.”

May it ever be so; God bless you on the

The 40 day season of the church year, Lent, begins on Ash Wednesday, February 10th. We will gather for worship HERE with our friends from

the United Methodist Church, Berwick, ME. Worship begins at 7PM. The 40 days that follow become an opportunity, a possibility, a definite “set aside time”, for God, and God alone. Our Lenten journey is a parallel of the 40 days of Jesus in the wilderness. As we reflect on our lives, this will prepare our hearts for Easter. Our joy on Resurrection Day is personal, it is born in community transformation as disciples of the Risen Christ. Look into Scripture, spend time in prayer, be a part of weekly worship on Sunday and then to put into active response the “edge”, the places where changes in daily life bring depth to your spirit, all guided by God’s Spirit. To help with your Lenten preparations, Lenten Devotionals will be available in the Library area

Ecumenical Lenten Prayer Services are being planned, working

with our ecumenical partners in the area. Details are being finalized, and will be shared in our Sunday bulletin, and on the church website and Facebook page. This year’s theme comes from Mark 4:1-9: “The Parable of the Sower.”

Heads Up! Are you anticipating a hospital visit? Did you know that due to national privacy laws, hospitals are not allowed to call your congregation to let them know

you are there? So, if you know you are going to be in the hospital and want to let Pastor Mark know, please contact the Church Office [692-2057]. Of course, emergencies come up, so please feel free to call Pastor Mark at home [742-4295]. If you find yourself in the hospital unexpectedly:

1. YOU need to clearly request that Pastor Mark be called and,

2. YOU need to request that you’d like to see the hospital chaplain, who CAN call Pastor Mark and let him and our Church community know you are there.

We want to surround you with love, support and care. But we cannot do that if we never find out you are ill or needing/wanting a visit. Wentworth-Douglass Hospital and Portsmouth Regional Hospital have a chaplain on staff. Frisbie Memorial Hospital has a network of volunteer chaplains.

Nancy Ainsworth, Edgewood Center, 928 South St., Portsmouth, NH 03801 Lucille Berry, Studley Home, 15 Eastern Ave., Rochester, NH 03867 335-1241 Marion Burnham, Dover Center for Health and Rehabilitation, 307 Plaza Drive, Dover, NH 03820 Bertha Carr, Rockingham County Nursing Home 117 North Road, Brentwood, NH 03833 Bob Philbrick, Berwick Estates, 75 Portland St., So. Berwick, ME 03908 Mona Faucher, Janet Giffin, Dorothy Storms, Wentworth Home, 795 Central Ave., Dover, NH 03820 Bernice Stucker, 17 Noble St., Somersworth, NH 03878

--and all who are residents in long-term care and assisted living facilities in our area.

Craig Breden [health] Dan Gaudreau [healing] Sue Boucher’s nephew Walter Johnson [health] Michael Libby [healing] Bill & Vonnie’s son Lois Stolpe [health] Dave Stolpe’s mother Susan Storms [health] Alan Storm’s daughter-in-law Doug Whitten [healing] Don & Pat Whitten’s son

AND ongoing prayer focus during these days: • For our Carroll-Strafford Association Churches, and

specifically in February we pray for the First Congregational Church, Wolfeboro and their pastor the Rev. Gina Finnochiaro.

• Working together in community to address addiction to drugs, and anything that takes away from wholeness in life.

• That God would change hearts from seeking holy war to holy love

• Those serving in the Armed Services and in support capacities around the world.

• Peace in our world; harmony in our relationships. • That God will bless and guide our Conference Minister,

Rev. Gary Schulte, and Associate Conference Minister, Rev. Richard Slater

• The UKAMA Partnership between the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe and the NH Conference UCC.

• For those who are living with cancer; those who are living with mental health concerns, and those who support them as they walk pathways of healing.

• Continued invitational ministry and mission here at First Parish United Church of Christ.

MINISTRY OF PRAYER & CONCERN

In Our Thoughts and

Prayers

Caring Card Ministry

There is new contact information for Susan Sargent: phone:

603-312-8169 email: susargent1@comcast.net Remember—Susan is willing to send out a card from the church—sympathy, thinking of you, get well, etc. Please contact Susan directly to share the contact information for the recipient.

Christian Sympathy is extended to the families

of:

Sabrina Howarth Willis [12/2/15] daughter of Ellen Gagne Roger L. Horton [12/24/15] husband of Toshiko, father of Roger, Robert, Sarah, Richard Rev. Dr. Raymond Wilbur [12/30/15] Rachel Dubois [1/4/16] great-grandniece of Bertha Carr Judy Quinn Ward [1/6/16] sister-in-law of Bill Voye

FEBRUARY LECTIONARIES

Presentation of the Lord February 2, 2016

Malachi 3:1-4 Psalm 84 or Psalm 24:7-10

Hebrews 2:14-18 Luke 2:22-40

Transfiguration Sunday - White February 7, 2016 Exodus 34:29-35

Psalm 99 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)

Ash Wednesday - Purple February 10, 2016

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 or Isaiah 58:1-12 Psalm 51:1-17

2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

First Sunday in Lent - Purple February 14, 2016

Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 Romans 10:8b-13

Luke 4:1-13

Second Sunday in Lent - Purple February 21, 2016

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 Psalm 27

Philippians 3:17-3:1 Luke 13:31-35 or Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)

Third Sunday in Lent - Purple February 28, 2016

Isaiah 55:1-9 Psalm 63:1-8

1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Luke 13-1-9

Remember, every church activity is an opportunity for YOU to invite, include and involve someone who you know into our shared life here at First Parish Church.

The members of the Diaconate are bidding farewell to Laurel Curtis, Robin Hamel and Kathy Latchaw but are welcoming Geoffrey Day, Brenda Davidson and Bill Voye. Many thanks to all of them for their service to our church. Thank you to Marc and Patty Cote and the Men’s and Women’s Fellowship for covering the Sunday Services when Pastor Mark was on a much deserved vacation. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday which is February 10, 2016.There will not be a prayer vigil this year. But on March 22nd, during Holy Week there will be a dinner with a guest speaker, Rev, Dirkje Legerstee. She will share” Intercessions of Humanity” , a moving journey of the life of her parents who were both Holocaust survivors. There will be more information about this to follow. Please check the calendar of other February activities. This is a perfect opportunity to bring a friend to visit our church family and let them experience the warmth, friendliness and love that is so abundant in our church. . God is with us: yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever more.

What began in that stable in Bethlehem would only be accomplished on a hillside in Jerusalem.

Blessings to you.

Respectfully submitted. Laurel Curtis, Kathy Latchaw and Robin Hamel

ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP, February 10th, 7PM, will be held at the Berwick United Methodist Church, School St., Berwick, ME. First Parish UCC and the UMC, Berwick, have shared Ash Wednesday for many years; just as we will on Good Friday, probably here at First Parish Church. Come, join in this time of focused reflection on Scripture, Praise, Prayer and Reflection.

Deacons

ALL ARE WELCOME!

SUNDAY SCHEDULE Sunday Worship - 10:00 AM Sunday School - 10:00 AM

Fellowship Time Follows Worship Holy Communion is celebrated on the first

Sunday of each month. Ministers: The People of the Church

Pastor: Rev. Mark A. Rideout Christian Education Coordinator:

Susan Vollkommer Moderator: Richard Whitten

Co-Clerks: Patty Cote & Debbie Hall Treasurer: Linda Farrell

Assistant Treasurer: Richard Shepherd Organist/Choir Director: Bette Daley Newsletter Team: Debbie Hall-Editor,

Priscilla Chellis-Calendar, Luise Watman-Birthdays/Anniversaries

CANCELLATION POLICY Yes, we’ve had to do this before! The weather can, and does change. When at all possible, worship WILL take place. But, should the decision be made to cancel worship and/or Sunday School, every effort will be made to have this information available by 8AM Sunday on radio station WTSN 1270 AM, AND television station, WMUR, Channel 9. Every effort will be made to leave a message on the voice mail at the church [692-2057]. Please understand that if the church loses power, voice mail may work; it still may mean that the church does not have electrical power. These decisions will be made taking into consideration the present or anticipated weather, traveling conditions and whether or not Pastor Mark [and others] can get out of their driveways! Please—use common sense in your decision to drive on a snowy Sunday!

Feb. 1 Geoff Day Feb. 2 Aiden Allen Feb. 3 Brett Mathews Feb. 5 Bernice Stucker Robie & Karen MacRae Feb. 7 Janice Wentworth Feb. 9 Nathan Trussell Feb. 10 Whitney Bailey Feb. 11 Julie Hurley Feb. 14 Dan & Soutisa Corey Feb. 21 Linda Oelkuct Feb. 22 Georgina Fortier Alex Vollkommer Feb. 23 Butch Boucher Feb. 26 Troy Brown Andy & Stacy Allen

Prepared to Serve, a training event for all church members in the New Hampshire Conference, United Church of Christ including exhibits, worship and a time for fellowship, will be held 8AM-3:30PM on February 20, 2016 at Pembroke Academy, Pembroke, NH. This year’s theme is: “Embrace the Spirit: Growing Our Gifts for the Greater Good.” A Master Copy of the schedule, and workshops being offered and directions will be available in the Narthex. Registration deadline is February 16th. Cost is $40/person which includes resources, breakfast, refreshments and lunch. All materials and registration process/payment will be online through the NH Conference website: www.nhcucc.org. If you do not have access to the internet, you may register by calling Cynthia Bradley at 603-225-6647, X1100 to register over the phone. Same day registration after 2/16 is $50/person. NOTE: If you are serving on a committee here at First Parish Church, or have a particular interest in Christian Formation, Spirituality, Stewardship, Peace, Justice, Evangelism, Stewardship of Creation, Mission….there is probably a workshop/learning opportunity for you, as there are over 70 workshops, 30 exhibitors, usually over 300 people attending. There will be people going from First Parish Church who will share a

Prepared to Serve

The Music Commit tee would like to welcome

Laurel Curtis, Gerri Cannon, Stacy Vollkommer and Ken Latchaw to

MUSIC COMMITTEE

Welcome 2016! And there was SNOW, WIND AND COLD! I think winter has arrived and I’m all ready to see it leave!

It is a good time for working indoors but thanks are due to Dave Stolpe for handling the exterior lighting issues. Dave also installed the new and needed narthex lighting. Also thanks to all those fine persons who participated helping with our church’s floor stripping and waxing adventure. LET IT SHINE-LET IT SHINE. Bruce Beaupre of C.C. Cleaners was our local contractor who treated us very well. Our A.E.D. (defibrillator) has had a biannual update accomplished by Pastor Mark. Hopefully we pray never to have the occasion of its need.

We welcome Gerri Cannon our newest member of the B&G Committee. Dean Martin, who has been a faithful, active and committed member for many years, has stepped down but is still offering his services when needed. We thank you very much, Dean, for your dedicated service.

The New Year is now in full swing. Have you remembered to submit your pledge for 2016? It is never too late if you are still interested or if you have never pledged before. Just contact Richard Shepherd or the Board of Trustees for more information. Once again, a big thank you to all of those who remembered and submitted pledges for the coming year.

By the time this article is published the final budget for 2016 will be ready to go. While overall expenses are not much higher than prior years the overall pledging is down. Once again the Trustees have decided to provide specific envelopes for donations to go towards the deficit. These envelopes can be utilized at any point during the calendar year. Combined with continued efforts by the Congregation via the many church projects and donations it is hopeful that we can end the year on a positive note and hopefully in the black. The Board of Trustees is always open to any suggestions or recommendations as to ways the church might be able to increase income with a new project or fundraiser or to cut back on expenses. As always do not hesitate to contact a Trustee if you have any questions or concerns.

The Stewardship and Finance Folks

Adult Study for Lent Using the book, “The Will of God” by Leslie D. Weatherhead, we will enter into conversation about God’s Intentional Will, God’s Circumstantial Will,

God’s Ultimate Will, how we discern the will of God, and finding peace in living God’s will. Five weeks, with Monday evening meetings [6:30-8:30PM 2/15, 22, 29, 3/7, 14] at Leaven in Somersworth; Thursday mornings [9-11AM 2/11, 18, 25, 3/3, 10] in the Chapel at the church. Sign up in the Narthex. Pick up a packet, do the assigned reading [copy of the book is in the packet] and respond to the questions. There will be handouts along the way! Pastor Mark will facilitate this series.

Building & Grounds Stewardship & Finance

TRUSTEESTRUSTEES

The Women’s Fellowship’s Annual Meeting was held on January 10th, 2016. The budget for 2016 was passed. The following ladies were elected to serve as officers: Katherine Latchaw, President Luise Watman, Vice President/Treasurer Janice Wentworth, Secretary. February Is “Basket Month”. We will be gathering items to fill baskets for our Spring Fling, which is March 12th. You could adopt a basket and fill it with items. You can donate an item(s) that would go in a basket and let our team put it together. You would be surprised what can be created with items that are donated! You could donate money and let the team make up a basket. There are always some beautiful baskets that have been put together. A list of baskets is available in the narthex. Thank you for your support. The Women’s Fellowship meets Tuesday mornings from 9:00 - 11:30AM. BUT there is also another time that Women’s Fellowship meets and that is from 6:30 to 8:00PM on Wednesday evenings. They have been doing beading classes but there are other crafts going on at the same time. There are knitters and ladies are bringing their coloring books, sharing them and creating colored art . So, you might want to consider coming to see what is going on at that time. If you would like to learn the art of beading, then the first Wednesday in February is newcomer’s night. You could come and learn how to make a lovely piece of jewelry. All of the necessary jewelry making items are provided. Women’s Fellowship has a scholarship for a student(s) who is going to attend or is attending a school of higher education. The requirements for applying for this scholarship are: being an active participant in the life of First Parish Church, doing community service, and being involved in school activities (high school students). If you would like more information about this, please contact Carol Cummings, Jinny Burgess, or Kathy Latchaw. The Women’s Fellowship will be teaming up with the Men’s Fellowship to have a dinner on March 22nd, which is during Holy Week. Reverend Dirkje Legerstee will be the guest speaker. She will present a program called “Intercession of Humanity” which is about her parents moving journey from the Holocaust and eventually coming to America. There will be more information about this as we get closer to March 22nd. The Women's Fellowship donated over 100 knit hats, mittens and scarves to the Table of Plenty at Christmas. Those that received them were very grateful and warmer. Many blessing to you.

Respectfully submitted, Katherine Latchaw

Greetings! Our last meeting in January was very busy. We had a great breakfast and a very good turnout. We always enjoy good conversation and sit down to a nice hot meal. Sports is always a good topic with the Patriots back in the playoffs again. The Bruins are holding their own, and we'll see how far they can go. We also discussed wildlife vacation stories about alligators on the golf courses and in the rivers in Florida. Always something different to talk about every month. On the business end, our group donated $400.00 to the Church’s General Fund to help with the rising expenses during the Winter months. We will continue to help when we can to keep First Parish Church growing in our community. Our next event will be the "Soup Fund Raiser" on Saturday, February 6th from 4-6pm right here in the Church Hall. The group did a lot of work to get this organized. We designated different groups to manage all the planning and materials needed to make this happen. We decided to keep it as simple as possible and use the Spaghetti Supper format as a guide. There has already been a lot of interest in this new idea and we already have 10 recipes donated. There is a sign-up sheet available if you are interested in sharing a favorite soup, or available for kitchen and floor help. We feel this will be a success as there are very few, if any, being run in the community. Any questions or suggestions are always welcome. You can contact myself or anyone with the Mens Group. Our next meeting will be on February 6th at 8:30 in the Church Hall. We decided to schedule it on the morning of the "Soup Fund Raiser" so we can combine it with the behind the scenes set-up and preparation. Any extra help with set-up or clean-up is always appreciated. At times we work hard to keep our group growing and very much enjoy the fellowship we share. Feel free to join us and perhaps bring a friend who doesn't have a Church home to attend and see what we are all about.

Women’s Fellowship Men’s Fellowship

The Mission C o m m i t t e e would like to thank you for all the hats and mittens that have been adorning the tree in the Narthex. They will be donated to local elementary schools where they are gratefully welcomed. Now that our colder weather has arrived the hats and mittens will be put to good use!

We are planning our annual Chicken Dinner luncheon for early April. We will be raising money to help drill a bore-hole in Zimbabwe. The water shortage in Zimbabwe is unbelievable. Connie Littlefield and four Zimbabweans have created a non-governmental organization called Project Kuchengetedza Zviwankiwa. They wrote a project proposal to the US Embassy in Harare for a borehole in a village where people walk 14k (often throughout the night) and then walk back with only

Our monthly newsletter can be accessed entirely online! Check it out: www.somersworthfirstparish.org. Paper copies are available in the Narthex. If you prefer to have the newsletter sent to you in the mail, please send $20 with your name and address to: First Parish Church, P.O. Box 228, Somersworth, NH 03878, Attn: Newsletter Editor.

If you want to add or change your birthday or anniversary, please email any updates to lcwatman@comcast.net or just speak with Luise Watman.

If you would like to add an article to the newsletter, please email kenanddebhall@comcast.net or give Debbie Hall a copy in person.

Items to be put in the newsletter’s calendar should be given to Priscilla Chellis or emailed to her at prchellis@comcast.net.

The deadline for newsletter and calendar items is always at noon on the 3rd Friday of each month.

A Gentle Reminder: * Sunday Bulletin announcements/information needs to be in writing to the Church Office by TUESDAY, or, you may e-mail it directly to Debbie Hall at kenanddebhall@comcast.net * Monthly Newsletter items MUST be submitted by the 3rd Friday [OR as noted in the monthly newsletter calendar]. Earlier is better! Email directly to Debbie Hall at kenanddebhall@comcast.net Written items may be left in the pocket on the copy room door as well (just let Deb know!). * Monthly calendar dates and times are submitted directly to Priscilla Chellis at prchellis@comcast.net * Updates on birthdays or anniversaries may be sent to Luise Watman at lcwatman@comcast.net * Updates on addresses, email addresses or telephone

numbers can be given to Priscilla Chellis at prchellis@comcast.net

Note: If you serve on a committee, please communicate directly with your Committee Chair if you are unable to attend a scheduled meeting or event.

Be sure and stop by the Library display in the Narthex. It has been designed by our children, and includes some of their favorite books. The Committee has been busy planning Lenten activities for our youth. We have moved our annual Soup luncheon to March 13th. This will be an opportunity to help prepare our youth move through Holy Week. They will have a presence in the Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday Worship. Our focus those Sundays will be on the empty tomb and what can they remove from their lives as they make room for Jesus. Our multi-generational Sundays will continue. Please encourage your children to participate in the worship service by being junior deacons or scripture readers. The youth choir will have an opportunity to join the adult choir on these Sundays.

Sunday School teachers are needed for our preK-3rd grade class. If you are interested in teaching on any Sunday, please see Sue Vollkommer, or add your

Christian Education