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Church Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Pastor’s Office Hours: Tuesday through Friday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Church Office Phone: 413-569-6362; Pastor’s Study: 569-5630
Website: www. southwickucc.org
Office e-mail: [email protected]
Facebook: Southwick Congregational Church UCC
Staff: Minister Reverend Bart Cochran
Choir Director/Organist Roberta Kowal
Bell Choir Director Patti P. Wood
Office Administrator Lyn Casey
Custodians Matthew Kowal & Maria Lempke
VOLUME MMXVII No. 12
Buildings &
Grounds:
Craig Perras Dan Warriner
Christian
Education: Ashley Greco [email protected] 413-579-2110
Deacons: Dawn Turgeon [email protected] 413-244-3977
Finance: Elaina Lempke [email protected]
Flowers: Roxanne Cook [email protected] 413-569-6364
Fundrais-ing: / Nomi-nating:
Patti Wood [email protected] 413-977-2524
Library: Joyce Arnold 413-569-0039
Memorial Gifts:
Karen Brzezinski 413-569-6816
Missions: Roxanne Cook Donna Sullivan
[email protected] 413-569-6364
413-569-3356
Music: Melanie Nitsch [email protected] 413-568-9722
Pastoral Relations:
Roxanne Cook [email protected] 413-569-6364
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Southwick Congregational Church
United Church of Christ 488 College Highway; P.O. Box 260
Southwick, MA 01077
The Good Newsletter of the
Southwick Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
Southwick, MA
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Minister: The Rev. Bart Cochran
Please join us Sundays for…
Worship Service— 10:00 AM
Mid-Week Service—Thursdays 6:30 PM
Website: www. SouthwickUCC.org
December 2017
First, let me thank you all for your kind prayers and messages during my recent illness. My diagnosis was “acute bronchitis,” which then became
pneumonia, and it seemed to be with me for a very long time! All your cards, telephone calls and email messages were appreciated. It’s so good to be on the mend, and I’m looking forward to our fifth season of Advent together.
The season of Advent, which comes from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming” or “visit," begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. This year, Advent begins on December 3
rd.
Advent is a time when we look to the future with anticipation, while we remember the past. We prepare for and anticipate the coming of Christ. We remember the longing of Jews for a Messiah, and we acknowledge our own longing for forgiveness, salvation and a new beginning. Even as we look back and celebrate the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, we also look forward, anticipating the second coming of Christ as the fulfillment of all that was promised by his first coming.
You may wonder why there are different colors associated with the Advent season. Notably, the color of the stole I wear during our service, as well as some of the church decorations, are different. Purple is normally Advent's liturgical color, associated both with the sovereignty of Christ and with penitence. Deep blue is also sometimes used to distinguish the season from Lent. As the color of the night sky, blue symbolizes Christ who in the ancient Advent song is called the "Dayspring" or source of day:
O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer Our spirits by thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
“Dayspring” is a reference to Luke 1:78, “the dayspring from on high hath visited us.” This is at the end of Zechariah’s “Benedictus” over the birth of his son John (the Baptist). In the preceding verses, Zechariah says that John will go before the Lord to prepare his ways and give knowledge of salvation to
2
From The Pastor 3
Don’t forget, you can read the weekly sermon on our website:
www.southwickucc.org on the page: “From the Pastor”
people by the forgiveness of their sins. Christ is the Dayspring, the sunrise. He disperses the clouds of the night and causes the dark shadows of death to disappear.
This Advent, let us remember the past and look with anticipation to the future. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!
Amen Yours in Christ,
Pastor Bart
Note: you can learn more about liturgical colors at the UCC website: http://www.ucc.org/worship_liturgies_liturgical-colors
Call for Pastoral Care:
If a member of our church community knows of anyone who is ill, hospitalized, grieving or moving to a senior living facility,
please be sure to advise the church office. We want to respond with caring support. Call the church office at 413-569-6362 or email
Worship Schedule Sunday Worship service at 10:00 AM
Thursdays Midweek Service with communion continue at 6:30 PM Ecumenical Service at The American Inn on the third Tuesday of the
month at 6:30 PM
Office Hours The Church office is open Monday thru Thursday from 9:00 AM~1:00 PM & Friday from 9:00 AM~12:30 PM Pastor Bart’s Study is open Tuesday thru Friday from
10:00 AM~2:00 PM
All Church Meeting: Thursday, December 14, at 8:00 PM All Church Committee Refreshment Schedule
December—Buildings & Grounds Committee January & February—Open
4
Ministry and Outreach
December 3: Advent I & Holy Communion December 10: Advent II & Remembrance Sunday December 17: Advent III & Poinsettia Sunday December 24: Advent IV 10:00 AM Children’s Celebration Candlelight Service 10:00 PM December 31: Bell Sunday
Everyone is invited to bring a bell to church to ring in the new year!
The Church offices will be closed Monday & Tues-day, December 25 and 26, for Christmas.
Secret Santa & Angry Elves
Toy Drive
In past years, The Southwick Civic Fund (SCF) noticed that the ma-jority of donations received were for children ages 3 to 12 years old, mak-ing it difficult to donate toys to children under the age of 3, and children over the age of 12. So while they are grateful for any toy donations re-ceived, they are asking specifically for donations in the age brackets new-born to 2 years old, and 13 to 15 years old, for both boys and girls.
“Let me provide a little background about our organization. For 15 years my family assisted the West Springfield Park and Rec. with their Christmas program, Operation Santa. And in 2014, we decided to create a similar program locally in Southwick, for Southwick, Tolland, and Granville children. In the past the family coalition of Southwick was responsible for helping local families with toys but when that organization dissolved we felt we needed to step in to help underprivileged children during the holiday season. When we first started off, we worked with the Southwick Food Pantry to reach out to residents in need. But just last year we branched off into our own organization and now organize the Toy Drive under our Non-Profit, The Southwick Civic Fund.
This year we are asking for new, unwrapped toys, with a maximum value of $10 as well
as gift cards to Walmart in $10 increments to help the Southwick Civic Fund. The toys will be delivered to local children just before Christmas. The ages of children we provide toys to range from newborn to 15 years old. Contact Donna for more information: [email protected]
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Music Notes
This month I will be discussing resources that help me choose our hymns and why we have
hymn inserts in the bulletin. In the November Gold Dome we learned that there are four scripture readings for each Sunday in the Lectionary Year. Finding each of these Bible verses used to take a lot of extra time when I was choosing many weeks of hymns. Now our church provides me with a time saving resource called “Prepare!” which is published once a year and has two pages devoted to each Sunday.
The first page is dated and the four scripture readings for that Sunday are printed in order. No more searching! The second page gives hymn suggestions that go with each read-ing. These come from twenty different hymnals which are keyed with letters. Our Chalice Hymnal is keyed “C”. Many times a suggestion has a “C” next to it – but not always. Which explains one reason why we have inserts. If I find a particular hymn in one of my own hymnals, I photocopy it for Lyn to include in the bulletin.
Sometimes the words of a hymn are slightly different from hymnal to hymnal. For instance, the hymn “How Great Our Joy” in our Chalice Hymnal is suitable for Christmas Eve; while in the Worship and Rejoice hymnal, the same hymn is called “While by the Sheep” and fits the 4th Sunday of Advent. Another reason for an insert!
Occasionally, I am unable to find a certain hymn. The in-ternet has sites which give the words to thousands of hymns. You might find three verses to a hymn on one site and eight verses on another. Some of the words sound like they are tak-en from the King James Version of the Bible, some are not gen-der inclusive, others are contemporary. Fortunately, Lyn knows how to click on the version I choose and send it to the printer. Another insert - this one with words only.
This article is getting too long! I will write one more next month and explain why we don’t always sing every verse, what the small letters and numbers mean at the bottom right of each hymn, and in-formation on the varied indexes in the back of every hymnal.
~Roberta Kowal
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From the Library
If you prefer to purchase your own poinsettia, check below to use this form for memorial information and submit to the church office by Dec. 12 to have it printed in the bulletin. If bringing your own flowers, please have them in the church sanctuary by Dec 16.
I will purchase my own flowers and bring to church by Dec 16.
I will pick up my flowers after the morning service on Dec 24.
I will pick up my flowers after the 10 PM Christmas Eve service.
I will leave my flowers to be given to those unable to attend service.
Name:
_____________________________
Phone: _______________________
In Memory of:
_____________________________
_____________________________
How Many? __________________
Amount Enclosed: $_____________
Poinsettias
Christmas and the Christ Child
In our Christmas celebrations
Of merriment and mirth
Let’s not forget the miracle
Of the
Holy Christ Child’s Birth—
For in our gay festivities
It is easy to lose sight
Of the
Baby in the manger
And that Holy Silent Night…
And we miss the mighty meaning
And we lose the greater glory
Of the
Holy Little Christ Child
And the blessed Christmas Story
If we don’t
Keep Christ in Christmas
And make His Love a part
Of all the joy and happiness
That fill our home
and heart.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday,
and today, and forever.
~Hebrews 13:8
“Cherish today.” ~Joyce Arnold
Sunday, December 17, 10:00 AM
$10 Each
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DECEMBER
Holly Bazaar! December 2, 2017 8:30-3:00
The Annual Holly Bazaar will be taking place on Saturday,
December 2 from 8:30-3:00 PM. Come shop and enjoy local
crafters, baked goods, wreaths, cemetery boxes and more!
Holiday Cookie Sale December 16, 2017
8:30 AM—1:30 PM
December 14 Valerie Eastwood
December 19 Joyce Arnold
If we’ve missed a birthday, please let the church office know!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Only $8 a pound!
Cookie Bakers Needed!!!!
Do you have a favorite recipe you like to share with others? Now is your chance! The more we have-
the more we can sell!
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Recent Events
Spaghetti Supper / Pumpkin Carving October 28, 2017
November 5, 2017
A new Communion Set
was purchased by the
Deacons and presented
to the church in memory
of Lorraine Leveille and
Cindy Breton.
101 children of all ages
attended the spaghetti
dinner and pumpkin
carving. $500 was
donated to the general
church fund!
11
The meeting was called to order by Moderator David Breton at 8:05 pm. Flo Pitoniak opened the meeting with a prayer as Pastor Bart was ill this evening. The Moderator asked if there were any questions about the Minutes of last month’s All-Church meeting. Seeing none, a motion was made and seconded to accept the Minutes of the 10/12/17 All-Church Committee Meeting which was passed unanimously.
Minister’s Report: No report.
Pastoral Relations Committee: Roxanne Cook said that the com-mittee plans to meet on 11/14/17 and they will be discussing the results of the recent surveys that congregants were asked to complete – alt-hough there was not a large amount of returned surveys.
Mission-Outreach: Roxanne Cook report 2 members present. They have decided not to do the “Adopt-a-Family” program for this holiday season but instead will partner with the Southwick Coalition toy drive. They have boxes in the Narthex for donations and are asking for $10 Walmart gift cards or $10 gifts for ages up to teen years, although do-nations are really needed for newborn to 3 years old or over 12 years old. The Committee will also have a sock box this year for men’s and women’s white socks and toiletries for the Samaritan Inn as well as the Mitten Tree. Any donations for children will go to the Southwick Coali-tion. They plan to make a donation to Christian Ed to help with the Thanksgiving stuffing and re-useable shopping bag drive.
Flower Committee: Roxanne Cook is planning to order the Christ-mas plants for the shut-ins to be ready for 12/10/17.
Deacons: Patty Banasik reported 3 members present. They dis-cussed the 2018 Deacons’ monthly schedule. The new Communion set was used for the first time on 11/5/17. They are trying to put together a calendar to help keep them organized for the year. The 1st Sunday in Advent this year is 12/3/17. Advent readers are needed as well as Ac-olytes (for the XMAS eve service).
Finance Committee: Beth Studer reported 3 members present. They worked on their 2018 budget and the Stewardship Campaign and discussed the pastor’s contract.
Treasurer’s Report: Ted Orson reported a similar report as last month – we are under budget on collections and over budget on ex-penses at this time.
Memorial Gifts: No report.
Buildings and Grounds: Craig Perras worked on setting up the tables for the upcoming Turkey Dinner. He also installed a few brack-ets. The gentleman who did a recent energy assessment for the church notified the Committee that he got approval for his entire pro-posal for the church and therefore over the next few months
All Church Committee Meeting November 9, 2017
12
all the lightbulbs in the church will be updated to LED, along with new electrical switches throughout the building – a total value of $12,000. Dan Warriner let Craig know that the Boy Scouts will be doing a project in the attic of the church by completing a section of flooring and running new lighting and fixtures.
Music Committee: Melanie Nitsch reported 3 members present. They discussed a wrap-up of the successful October Calendar Raffle. Memorial Gifts passed on funds to the committee in memory of Bev Withington to purchase two new bell pieces and two new vocal pieces. They briefly discussed their budget for 2018.
Library Committee: No report.
Christian Education: Ashley Halacoglu reported 3 members pre-sent. The Youth Group Autumn Bake Sale raised $200 for Hurricane Relief. The Pumpkin Carving/Spaghetti Dinner raised $500 for the church’s general fund. They are organizing the Thanksgiving Stuffing Collection and Re-useable Shopping Bag collection for the Southwick Food Pantry with a goal of 150 boxes of stuffing and 150 bags. The youth will be working on cards for the shut-ins and military members for Thanksgiving and Christmas. They also discussed their annual Christ-mas program.
Fundraising Committee: Patti Wood mentioned the upcoming Hol-ly Bazaar on 12/2/17 and the Annual Holiday Cookie Sale on 12/16/17. Bakers are needed! A soup sale is also planned for the Sunday before Superbowl. Patty Banasik, who is organizing the Turkey Dinner, ex-pects to have lots of turkey left over as for some reason there are not as many reservations this year, although a few days are still left before the dinner.
Nominating Committee: Patti Wood will be starting to talk to com-mittees soon regarding new members. She was wondering if the church is interested in moving the monthly All-Church meeting from a Thursday evening to a Sunday following church. Positive interest was showed and the Moderator will look at the church by-laws to see if an All-Church vote is required at the Annual Meeting in February.
New Business: None.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Melanie Nitsch, Clerk
The youth group would like to thank everyone who contributed stuffing and reusable shopping bags for the Food Pantry’s Thanks-giving Dinners. We had a great time on November 21 helping to hand all the baskets out. ~Ashley
Thank You
13
Executive Board Meetings
November 9, 2017
The meeting was called to order by David Breton, Moderator, at 8:47 p.m.
The Executive Board discussed Pas-tor Bart’s upcoming contract negotia-tion as his current contract expires 12/31/17 and agreed to re-convene on Thursday evening, 11/16/17, at 6:30 pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Melanie Nitsch, Clerk
November 16, 2017
The meeting was called to order by David Breton, Moderator, at 6:30 p.m.
The Executive Committee met to discuss upcoming contract negotiations with Pastor Bart.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Melanie Nitsch, Clerk
Stewardship Journey
The Bible tells us that we are all born with distinct talents and gifts that set us apart from each other. Review the dictum found in Paul’s letter to the Romans, Chapter 12:6-8, which advises, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us… If your gift is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
Throughout life we are on a stewardship journey. We have com-panions on this journey; constants as hope, healing and happiness. We hope to always have a church in which to worship and a thriving con-gregation as members. We are confident our church will ceaselessly provide support and healing in times of need. We find happiness in be-ing a caring, sharing community.
Stewardship is a responsibility essential to the journey of our church. Only $41K, less than 25% of our annual expenses, has been received in 2018 pledges through mid-November. What does our financial picture look like? The an-swer is below. Discover the talents that God has given you and use them to fulfill your life and fill our treasury!
~ Virgil
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#12 Southwick Historical Corner
Hi everyone, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
If you recall last time we discussed the center of Southwick and the location of the new meetinghouse and the surrounding buildings at the time. I’m sure most of you are aware that the original meetinghouse built in 1824 was not what we see to-day. The original meetinghouse consisted of the portico, the narthex with steeple, and the Sanctuary. This would not change for 100 years. There were “48 white box-like pews with hinged doors” on the first floor of the sanctuary. There was a small platform at the front with a large pulpit. On each side of the pulpit there was a wood burning stove. (I can only imagine what the temperature must have been like on some winter mornings at the start of church service!) There were changes within the sanctuary over time (including completely replacing the pews on the first floor!) Today only the seats in the balconies remain exactly as they were when the original meetinghouse was completed.
Thaddeus and Enos Foote purchased the bell for the steeple when the meetinghouse was built. This bell rang for 5 years until it cracked. The bell was not used for 11 years but in 1840 the bell was transported to Harford, CT recast by a gentleman by the name of Doolittle and rehung in the steeple. A new tradition was started in 1845 to ring the bell at certain times of the day. This was financially supported by the Town of Southwick. Today the bell is operated electrically and no longer rings throughout the day. Instead it is back to calling people to worship. In the history of the Southwick Church booklet there is a drawing by Geneva Baillieul of the steeple bell that I have included here.
Next article we will continue talking about the building of the present meetinghouse.
~Martha Johnson
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“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” ~Isaiah 9:2
I have been thinking about the practice of putting candles in the windows during Advent. Advent, the time of preparation and expectation for the arrival - the advent - of something amazing! I remember hearing that this tradition comes from Ireland. This simple light was to let the minister know he was welcome to come in and pray with the family. This was a time when there were no churches and it was not safe for people to pray together. To keep authorities at bay they told the story that the light was to guide Mary and Joseph and invite them in with open and loving hearts.
When I was a child we had electric candles in almost all of our windows. Was it a treat or a chore to be the one chosen to run around the house twisting all the bulbs on to light up our house? I thought it was because it looked pretty, but maybe we were letting people know we had a safe place to come to?
Lately I have been shining a light into my own soul and I am okay with what I am seeing. Why? Because I know God accepts me just as I am today (there was a time I couldn’t say this.) As long as I believe this, I can continue to keep growing and shining. But does my inner light shine bright enough for others to know they are welcome to come in? And do I consider it a treat or a chore to be a beacon of God’s light?
What does that even mean? When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary he said, “Do not be afraid.” In fact, whenever an angel appears he usually says, “Fear not” and usually the one spoken to runs away - at first. But Mary ponders it all in her heart and sings, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Luke 1:45-47
How does my soul magnify the Lord? What is He calling me to do? How do I align my will with His and not be afraid? What is God calling me to be in this tumultuous time?
To answer these questions I go back to the simple single candle in the window. I don’t over think it and I trust. I invite God into my heart and I know I will be called to be where I am needed when I am needed... so long as I prepare.
~Evelyn Dean Casey
Candle in the Window
Sun Mon Tue Wed
3 Communion
Service 10 AM
Coffee Hour 11:00
OA 3:30 PM
4
Office open 9-1 5 Office Open 9-1
Bart’s Hours 10-2
Bell Choir 6:30
Boy Scouts 6:30
6
Office Open 9
Bart’s Hours 10
Cub Scouts 6:30
Voice Choir 7:00
10 11
Office open 9-1
12
Office Open 9-1
Bart’s Hours 10-2
Bell Choir 6:30
Boy Scouts 6:30
13
Office Open 9
Bart’s Hours 10
Cub Scouts 6:30
Voice Choir 7:00
17 poinsettia Sunday 18
Office open 9-1 19 Office Open 9-1
Bart’s Hours 10-2
Bell Choir 6:30
Boy Scouts 6:30
American Inn 6:30
20
Office Open 9
Bart’s Hours 10
Cub Scouts 6:30
Voice Choir 7:00
24 Worship Service 10 AM
Youth Group 10:15
Coffee Hour 11:00
OA 3:30 PM
Candlelight Service 10
25 Office Closed 26 Office Closed 27
Office Open 9
Cub Scouts 6:30
Voice Choir 7:00
31
Worship
Service 10 AM
Youth Group 10:15
Coffee Hour 11:00
OA 3:30 PM
Bell Sunday
Service 10 AM
Coffee Hour 11:00
OA 3:30 PM
Worship Service 10 AM
Coffee Hour 11:00 OA 3:30 PM
Wed Thu Fri Sat 1
Office Open 9-12:30
Henrietta’s Open
Bart’s Hours 10-2
OA Meeting 6-7
AA Meeting 7:30
2 Holly Bazaar
8:30-3:00
Office Open 9-1
Bart’s Hours 10-2
Cub Scouts 6:30
Voice Choir 7:00
7
Office Open 9-1
Bart’s Hours 10-2
Midweek Service
6:30 PM
8
Office Open 9-12:30
Henrietta’s Open
Bart’s Hours 10-2
OA Meeting 6-7
AA Meeting 7:30
9
Girl Scouts 11:00 - 1
Office Open 9-1
Bart’s Hours 10-2
Cub Scouts 6:30
Voice Choir 7:00
14
Office Open 9-1
Bart’s Hours 10-2
Midweek Service
6:30 PM All Church Mtg 8:00 (Buildings & Ground)
15 GOLD DOME
ARTICLES DUE
Office Open 9-12:30
Henrietta’s Open
Bart’s Hours 10-2
OA Meeting 6-7
AA Meeting 7:30
16 Cookie Sale 8:30 – 1:30
Office Open 9-1
Bart’s Hours 10-2
Cub Scouts 6:30
Voice Choir 7:00
21
Office Open 9-1
Bart’s Hours 10-2
Fair Share Co-op
Midweek Service
6:30 PM
22
Office Open 9-12:30
Henrietta’s Open
Bart’s Hours 10-2
OA Meeting 6-7
AA Meeting 7:30
23
Henrietta’s Open
Office Open 9-1
Cub Scouts 6:30
Voice Choir 7:00
28
Office Open 9-1
Midweek Service
6:30 PM
29
Office Open 9-12:30
Henrietta’s Open
OA Meeting 6-7
AA Meeting 7:30
30
Henrietta’s Open
