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Forest Street Union Church15 Forest StreetMethuen, MA 01844(978) [email protected]
Forest Street FootprintsJUNE 2009
Dear Friends in Christ,
A mother was talking about her precocious six- year-old in his first day of Parochial
school. His teacher made the innocent statement, “God made everything." This young man
stood up quickly and insisted "God does not make everything; most things are made in China."
Well there certainly is some truth to that, but even the most rigid of skeptics has to be taken
back by the wonders of God's universe. There is so much beauty, so much wondrous order.
As June begins, the flowers and bushes are blossoming mightily proclaiming the handiwork of
the Creator in nature. During this month we also take note of God's handiwork in 'creating'
people. We celebrate with our young people as they are confirmed or make their first
communion. Then we move on to a Sunday of celebrating all of our youth and our families.
Take some time this month to reflect on the beauty and power of God's creation in nature
and the ways in which God works in our lives to bring newness and vision and hope.
Scott
OUR GRADUATESDeanna D. Leonhart Methuen High School
Kim Walko Methuen High School
Cara Rossi University Of New Hampshire
Sheena Witkum Wheelock College
Kacey A. Barker University of Connecticut BS in Biology
Kathy Barker Northern Essex Community College Associate in Nursing
Mary-Ann Thibeault-Vandette Andover-Newton MDIV
Council MeetingJune 8, 2009
7:00PMWe are looking forward to seeing someone from every committee at the meeting.
Nancy Pollock, Moderator978-681-8976 or [email protected]
Liturgists
are needed to read at Sunday service. Please sign up
on the sheet on the boardin the vestry.
We need your voice!
Friendship CircleJune 18, 2009
at Joyce Barden's home56 Poor StreetAndover, MA
12:00PMThis will be a luncheon.
All ladies of the church and their friends are welcome!
MISSION COMMITTEE
The committee met and made the following disbursements:Salem Animal Rescue League $200
Habitat for Humanity $300 Lazarus House $200
Bread and Roses $200. Total $900 this month.
Helen Otis
FUNDRAISING WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE THE
PENNY SOCIAL A SUCCESS!
START NOW TO GET READY
WHAT IS THE PENNY SOCIAL?If you have never been it is a fun experience for the whole family. The church collects donated items from the congregation and friends including gift certificates. Then on Saturday night we all gather at the VFW Hall. Each of the gifts will have a can next to it. Participants purchase card(s) of 25 tickets for $1.00. Then they take the tiny tickets and put them in the can next to the gift they want. This is especially fun for kids. Then at 6 PM we start drawing for each of the gift. The person whose ticket is drawn, get the gift. You can win a lot or nothing, but it is a lot of fun. We sell pizza slices and hotdogs, drinks, etc. to keep everyone happy. We usually wrap up about 8 PM. The more gifts we have, the more people that come, the more money the church makes for the budget. So that is a scoop!
A Saturday in mid-OctoberVFW Hall 4:00 PM Ticket sales start6:00 PM – Drawing begins
How you can help:Collect new or handmade items. We would like beach family to donate 2 or 3 items. They should be at least $7-10.00 in value. You can start bringing them to church on Sunday, September 27th . Put your name and description of item on the list.
If you are vacationing this summer what for unique deals, check out the clearance items in stores like Kohl’s or Target. Make something – ceramics, knitted/crocheted items, or painted item. We will also be looking for a few big ticket items for the raffle.
Spread the word to family and friends to come to the Penny Social. The more people there are the more money we make.
Watch for more ways you can help. In September, we will have a special collection each week for theme baskets. These items can be just a couple of bucks. Themes might be kid’s games and activities, pet items, bath and beauty items. Watch for a complete list in the Fall.
350 RINGSJUNE 14 2009
Green Discipleship– 350 Rings of the BELLS =
On children’s Sunday – June 14th following the 10:00AM church service - the children and
adults will take part in the ringing of bells (hand held) and the steeple bell to show our support
and beginning attempt at Forest Street Union Church to participate, as have many other UCC
churches, throughout Massachusetts in 350 RINGS.
WHY 350 RINGS? At a conference in Oct of 2008 – all Massachusetts Churches in the United
Church of Christ Andover and Essex conferences were challenged by Conference Minister and
President of the Mass Conference United Church of Christ, Dr James Antal to begin thinking
about and working towards what he termed “GREEN DISCIPLESHIP” in our respective
churches.
He invited churches to ring their church bells 350 times - for the 350 parts per million (ppm) the
amount of carbons in the atmosphere that is sustainable on a long term basis. Currently our
atmosphere holds 385ppm, and we’re headed towards 450ppm.
Environmental author Bill McKibben (who was raised in Hancock Church UCC, in Lexington
MA) has launched a world-wide movement to make the number 350 the most recognized
number on the planet.
Dr Antal was asking all UCC churches to take a few minutes to learn a little bit about the
number 350 – and the science behind it.
Each church can work at its own level to raise awareness – change some of the
‘Bad habits’ – things as simple as changing out the use of various items– such as Styrofoam –
and start using recycled, biodegradable paper products
The children have explored what is used in the church for items by taking part in an
environmental scavenger hunt to find plastics products and any areas that they could point out
to us where we might need to be going “GREEN”.
As a result:
We’ve increased the size of our recycle bin – placed it more visibly – are more conscious
about recycling, plastics and paper. Using down our Styrofoam supplies which will be replaced
with more earth friendly paper products.
Plan to join us for the children’s Sunday service with music – the bell ringing and
PLAN TO STAY FOR THE ALL CHURCH PICNIC FOLLOWING THE SERVICE and BELL
RINGING.
Christian Ed/Sunday SchoolCE/Church School News for June
We have a lot to celebrate in the month of June! On June 7 Sean Davis, Becky Smeltzer, and Whitney White will
be making their confirmation, while Tom Gregg, Lexi Roig, Dylan Smeltzer, Nick Walko, and Emma White will be
making their first communion. On June 14 it is our annual Children's Day service and cookout. The students
have an uplifting service planned for the congregation, so please plan to join us. If you would like to contribute a
dish to the cookout, please sign up at fellowship.
TEACHERS NEEDED
As we are already planning for next year's church school, we are in need of teachers. Our curriculum is
very user friendly, and being with the children is a wonderful way to help and worship. We are especially in need
of a confirmation teacher. Please consider sharing your faith with our terrific group of kids. If you are interested
please see or call Cherie Smeltzer (603-894-5464) or Amy White (603-498-1495).
WORSHIP WATCH
June 7 Confirmation,
First Communion,
Food Cart, Best Wishes
Scripture for the Day:
Sermon
June 14 Children’s Day
350 RINGSNoteables Singing
Scripture for the Day: Responsive Reading: Psalm 20 Brian Gregg, Anna Scionti,
Gospel: Mark 4:26-34 RJ Barton, Jack Gregg, Cyanna Roig
Message to Adults/Meditation: Tom Gregg, Lexi Roig, Dylan Smeltzer, Nick Walko, Emma White, Abby and Hannah Sapienza, Ana and Nina Brown.
PICNIC FOLLOWING SERVICE EVERY ONE IS WELCOME!
June 21 Father’s Day
Scripture for the Day: Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32
Mark 4:35-41 (unison)
Sermon: “Stilling the Storms”
Liturgist:
June 28 Scripture for the Day: #416, Psalm 130
1Corinthians 8:7-15
Sermon: “Excellence in Giving”
Liturgist:
CORE COMMITTEE
May 2009
Following 3 CORE Committee meetings April 20, April 27 and
MAY 18st attended by a cross section of members from the Congregation
who contributed to the very healthy discussions of ‘what Forest Street
Union Church can afford and requires of a new pastor’, a recommendation has been made.
That the Core Committee and Active members instruct a Pastoral Search Committee to seek the call of a
full time settled pastor for Forest Street Union Church.
This was the next and one of the final steps for the Core Committee in the process leading to the
formation Of the Pastoral Search Committee.
The recommendation along with the guidelines that will allow this to occur will be forwarded to the
June Council meeting for approval and placement on the agenda of an All Church meeting. (Date to be
determined).
It is not without great reservation that this step has been taken. The bottom line financially tells us we
cannot afford this step within the current financial budget. This is specifically based on the pledges of
the members of the congregation vs. the costs of maintaining both the church and a full time pastorate.
There are steps in the recommendation to be included in the call of a full time pastor to work with the
congregation in the growth of ministry, stewardship, youth development and community. Within the
recommendation is a commitment of invested funds to underwrite the compensation required to call a
full time pastor. It will take both the members of the congregation now and to come, along with the
commitment of a settled pastor, to work within 3 years to bring about the changes necessary to sustain a
budget with a settled pastor. If we all work together – and this will take recommitment and more work –
we believe this is what the community of Forest Street Union Church deserves and desires. May God
aid us in our recommendation and search process.
The Hospitality Committee
Summer is upon us, the beautiful warm time of the year is here, vacations, trips to the beaches and lakes, for summer fun.
Thank you to all who have hosted the Fellowship Times for the past month, provided yummy desserts and Coffee and punch. Thanks to all who have willing hosted the Fellowship time, giving a chance for our worshipers to greet one another and "catch up" on the "week Happenings"
Thank you to: May 3rd: Cindy May 10th: May 17th: Ruth Yanagi , Carolyn Keating Thank you to Barbara Lewis, also May 24: Nicholas Walko May 31: Missions Committee Thank you, again for hosting the Fellowship Time !!! The Fellowship Time will go into the "Summer Mode". What is "Summer Mode"? We will continue to schedule hostesses for the Fellowship Time after the worship service, asks Hostesses to provide the refreshments. But the refreshments will be very lite, punch and cookies. It is Very simple. We don't want our hostesses to bake during the hot months of the summer. T he lite refreshments will still give the worshipers to stop for a cool drink and time to "catch up" on the past week happenings. Won't you please sign up for a Sunday during the summer months?
Have a wonderful summer and please stay safe and well! The Hospitality committee Charlotte Eichner, Ruth Yanagi, Carolyn Keating, and Ruth Hattori
FROM THE DEACON'S CLOSETPastor Scott Raeburn – will be returning to the Sanctuary on May 31st –Pentecost Sunday. Everyone is
encouraged to wear either red or orange to signify the tongues of fire or flame of the Holy Spirit
remembered on this day.
A reminder – that ‘call to worship’ bell ringers are needed. Please see the Deacon on duty for the month
and let them know that you wish to ‘ring our bell’ for call to worship at 10:45 – 10:50am each Sunday
morning. Young and not so young invited – age has no bounds.
Deacons voted to welcome into membership – following their confirmation on Sunday June 7th – Sean
Davis, Becky Smeltzer and Whitney White who have completed all requirements for confirmation.
JUNE 14th –CHILDREN’s SUNDAY - Following the church service – outside – around the flag-pole,
we will gather to hear the church bell rung along with the Church School and congregation for our – 350
RINGS in total to signify our ‘greening’ participation.
If you have a hand held bell (no china or porcelain please) that could be utilized by the church school
children for this purpose please let either Trudi or Cheri Smeltzer know.
Deacons voted to retain the 10:00AM Service Schedule for the summer. (No change in service schedule
start time).
Deacons and trustees are planning to paint the vestry during the summer months. Anyone interest in
participating please see a deacon or trustee. Date TBA.
Name tags have been removed from the entry way and will re-appear after updates and new formatting
on Rally Sunday in September.
Thank you to Mary-Ann Thibeault-Vandette for taking the May 10th and 24th services during Pastor
Scott’s vacation. – To Trudi for taking the May 17th service and for the very well prepared sermon that
was delivered by Kasey Walko, as well as her participation in the service on May 24th.
Nominees’ to the Pastoral Search committee from Deacons’ are Elaine Thibeault-Vandette and Bill
McKenzie.
Next Deacon’s meeting June 18, 2009
The Deacons
Meetings: Thursday 6:00PM
Weigh in starts at 5:30PMFriday 9:30AM
Weigh in starts at 9:00AM
