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The 213th Annual Meeting of our church began as usual with worship, continued for a business session in Fellowship Hall, and concluded with a potluck luncheon. About 40 people attended. The congregation approved a council recommendation that the by-laws of the church be rewritten to reflect the current size of our congregation, 124 people. Two years ago the congregation suspended the section of the by-law stipulating the size and number of standing committees because the configuration was designed when our church had more than 300 members. We have stabilized at a lower number, so it is time to design by-laws that conform with this reality. Moderator Ann Craxton and Pastor David Weddington will co-chair this effort. They welcome people who would like to serve with them. Please talk with one of them about joining this task force. Proposed new by-laws will be discussed with the council and presented to the congregation next year at the annual meeting. A budget for 2016 was accepted as presented by Finance Committee Chair, Dudley Bailey. The proposed spending plan is about $5,000 higher than last year but is possible, even with a reduced draw from capital funds, because of the generosity of the congregation. Prior to the budget discussion Ken Kinder of Stifel Nicholas commented on the health of the stock market and what we could expect from interest income this year. He suggested conditions in the world and the presidential election will combine to prevent the market this year from experiencing a period of sustained growth. However, he didn’t recommend changes to our investment strategy for now. He simply let us know not to get our expectations too high. The chair, Tim Gould, of the Community Outreach Group, the new name for the Revitalization Task Force, gave a spirited report about their activities. He said the members of COG are hoping other church members will participate in proposed activities and bring friends new to the church, this in an effort to share God’s love with the Littleton Community. COG is planning three or four larger activities for this year plus “Random Acts of Kindness.” COG would welcome new members and ideas for activities. Fundraisers for this year were discussed briefly. The council is still looking for one or two people to chair the Harvest Super. Suggestions for other fundraisers are always welcome, especially if they come with a person volunteering to coordinate the effort. Church Officers for this year were approved. Moderator: Ann Craxton Vice Moderator: Lars Nielson Treasurer: Dudley Bailey Assistant Treasurer: Joyce Krill
Submitted by Ann Craxton, Moderator
Steeple Talk First Congregational Church of Littleton
189 Main Street, Littleton, NH 03561
March 2016 PHONE 603-444-3376 FAX 603-444-6589 Volume 44, Issue 3 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.1stconglittleton.org
Contents
Pastor’s Message is on page 4 this issue
Don’t miss it!
March Calendar 2
“Classifieds” 3 Church & 5-10 Community Happenings
Upcoming Events
March 6 – One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering March 9 – Ladies Society March 8 – COG meeting March 12 – Men’s Breakfast March 13 – Ecumenical Choir Concert March 14 – Finance Committee March 15 – Council Meeting March 19 – Free Community Breakfast & Egg Hunt March 20 – Palm Sunday
March 24 – Maundy Thursday March 25 – Good Friday March 27 - Easter
Production staff: Pam Nute & Anna Jackman
Summary of the Annual Meeting Held Sunday, February 7th
First Congregational Church March 2016
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Pastor’s Office Hours: Wednesday – Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Music Director’s Hours: Wednesday 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday KEY: FH – Fellowship Hall LP – Ladies Parlor CR - Classroom
1 11:30 AM-AA – FH 5:00 PM – Property Committee – FH 5:00 PM – Dinner Bell @ All Saints Church 6:00 PM-AlAnon-LP
2 11:30 AM-AA - FH 5:00 PM-AA-LP 6:30 PM-Choir Practice-LP 7:00 PM-AA-FH
3 11:30 AM-AA - FH
4 11:30 AM-AA – FH 1:00 PM – Mission Committee – Ladies Parlor
5 7:00 PM-AA-FH
6 Fourth Sunday of Lent 9:00 AM – Adult Bible Study – CR 10:00 AM-Worship Service & Communion One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering 10:00 AM – Sunday School 11:15 AM – Coffee Fellowship – LP 11:45 AM – Mark Study II – CR
7 11:30 AM-AA – FH Pastors' Sabbath
8 11:30 AM-AA - FH 6:00 PM-AlAnon-LP
9 11:30 AM-AA - FH 1:30 PM – Ladies Society – LP 5:00 PM-AA-LP 6:30 PM-Choir Practice-LP
10 11:30 AM-AA - FH
11 11:30 AM-AA - FH
12 8:00 AM – Men’s Breakfast – Muh Residence 7:00 PM-AA-FH
13 Fifth Sunday of Lent 9:00 AM – Adult Bible Study – CR 10:00 AM-Worship Service Deacon’s Collection 10:00 AM – Sunday School 11:15 AM – Coffee Fellowship – LP 11:45 AM – Mark Study II – CR
14 11:30 AM-AA – FH 4:30 PM – Finance Committee - LP 5:30 PM – SLLC Board - CR 7:15 – COG – LP Pastors' Sabbath
15 11:30 AM-AA - FH 6:00 PM-AlAnon-LP 6:30 PM – Council Meeting
16 11:30 AM-AA - FH 5:00 PM-AA-LP 6:30 PM-Choir Practice-LP 7:00 PM-AA-FH
17 11:30 AM-AA – FH
18 11:30 AM-AA - FH
19 8:00 AM – Free Community Palm Sunday Weekend Breakfast & Egg Hunt- FH 7:00 PM-AA-FH
20 Palm Sunday 9:00 AM – Adult Bible Study – CR 10:00 AM-Worship Service 10:00 AM – Sunday School 11:15 AM – Coffee Fellowship – LP
21 11:30 AM-AA – FH Pastors' Sabbath
22 11:30 AM-AA - FH 6:00 PM-AlAnon-LP 7:00 PM-Eastern Star - FH
23 11:30 AM-AA - FH 5:00 PM-AA-LP 6:30 PM-Choir Practice-LP 7:00 PM-AA-FH
24 11:30 AM-AA – FH
MAUNDY THURSDAY
Service 7:00 pm Ladies Parlor
25 11:30 AM-AA – FH
GOOD FRIDAY
Ecumenical Service at
United Methodist Church 6:30 pm
26 7:00 PM-AA-FH
27 EASTER 9:00 AM – Adult Bible Study – CR 10:00 AM-Worship Service 11:15 AM – Coffee Fellowship – LP Food Pantry Collection
28 11:30 AM-AA – FH Pastors' Sabbath Steeple Talk submissions due
29 11:30 AM-AA - FH 6:00 PM-AlAnon-LP
30 11:30 AM-AA - FH 5:00 PM-AA-LP 6:30 PM-Choir Practice-LP 7:00 PM-AA-FH
31 11:30 AM-AA - FH
Wireless Guest Account SSID: FCC Guests Password: fcc189main Enjoy!
Wanted and Needed
Sunday Ushers and Greeters
Coffee Fellowship hosts
Please sign up on the board
Coffee Fellowship and Greeters are an important ministry and
create a more welcoming atmosphere for members and
visitors
Men’s Breakfast
8:00 am
March 12 at the Muh Residence
January 31, 2016 YTD
Member support: $ 11,292
Scheduled w/d from trust funds $ 1,700
Other Income: $ 641
Total Income: $ 13,633
Total Expenses: $ 12,160
Net: $ 1,473
Financial Report
Spring Clean Up
Mark your calendars for Saturday May 14th
Details coming soon!
Daylight Savings Time
Begins
March 13th
SPRING AHEAD 1 HOUR!
Food Collection Sunday March 27, 2016
The Food Cupboard is in need of the following items:
Soups, stews, coffee, canned meat (turkey, chicken, ham, corned beef, Spam). Canned
meals (ravioli, spaghetti, etc.). Tissues. Dry cereals, snacks, crackers and juices children.
Thank you Thank you to John Lofgren for
delivering extras to All Saints church every month!
Linda Warden and Alice Muh
Sharing cookies and love at the Warming Hearts at the Warming Hut event on February 13th at Remich Park
Sponsored by the Community Outreach Group Enjoy more pictures on page 8!
Page 4 Steeple Talk
“Classifieds and Notices”
Page 3Steeple Talk
Lent. The name of this season comes from the Latin word, lenctus. It refers to the lengthening of days. I like the lengthening of days we enjoy during Lent. But it’s kind of ironic, don’t you think. Here we are in a season of contemplation—a time of introspection, confession and austerity. I’d have guessed that our name for such a season would call attention to its darker qualities—something sober, somber, penitential. Instead, we call this season by a name that calls attention to the gradual emergence of the light. This season of deep and serious reflection is actually a celebration of the light—a cheerful time, a celebration. I wonder how the season of Lent is going for you. I know some of you have undertaken special disciplines for this time. Some of you are refraining from eating certain things. Some of you are spending special time in prayer, in study, in doing deeds of kindness for people around you. I wonder, in particular, if your Lenten discipline is opening you to the growing light, a deeper sense of joy, a greater cheerfulness, an experience of life as celebration. I wonder. If you feel like it, I’d really love to hear what it’s been like for you this year, as we’ve walked through this Season of Lengthening Days. It’s really amazing to realize that Lent is coming to a close before the end of this month. We’ve planned some special events to help us celebrate this special time. I wanted you to be aware of them: 8:00 a.m. Saturday, March 19, the day before Palm Sunday, we’re going to hold a Free Pancake Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt. We’ll invite the whole community to come to the Fellowship Hall and eat. It’ll give us a chance to visit with one another and with our neighbors over a hearty breakfast. (see page 5) 10:00 a.m. Sunday, March 20, Palm Sunday, we’ll gather as usual for worship, to celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into the Holy City. We’ll wave our palms, sing “Hosanna,” and step out onto our yearly walk with Jesus from triumph to tragedy—Holy Week, the deep mysterious journey that makes us who we are. 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 24, Maundy Thursday, we’ll meet in the Ladies’ Parlor to retell the story of Jesus’ last Passover Meal with his disciples. (I’ll be there by 6:30, in case you’d like to come for some quiet time before the service. We’ll welcome a new young person to the table; we’ll share the sacred meal with one another; we’ll let ourselves experience the growing darkness as Jesus, the Light of the World, breathes his last. 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 25, Good Friday, we’ll be holding an ecumenical service at the United Methodist Church. The ministers of five local churches will lead worship. There’ll be a combined choir. It will be a different sort of service, helping us to reflect on the wondrous love Jesus showed us on Good Friday. 6:37 a.m. (or thereabouts) Sunrise Service. We’ll welcome the dawn of the Day of Resurrection, when the Light bust out from the dark of the grave. There will be several opportunities to celebrate this joyful moment—some are still being planned. I’ll send out an email when I know what they all are. 10:00 a.m. Easter Sunday Worship. We’ll gather in our sanctuary to celebrate the joyful Truth, that sin and death are conquered foes and Life and Light are our eternal home. It’s going to be a full week, a rich and wonderful week, a great time to gather with friends old and new and celebrate this powerful, healing, nourishing story. I look forward to sharing it with you.
blessings, david
Page 4 Steeple Talk
COMMUNITY PANCAKE BREAKFAST
March 19th
8:00 am to 10:00 am in the Fellowship Hall
Please join the Community Outreach Group and the CE Committee for their annual free event!
~MENU~ Pancakes
With real Maple Syrup! Sausage Bacon Eggs
Juice, coffee, tea, and milk
EASTER EGG HUNT AND FUN ACTIVITES FOR KIDS TOO! *********************************************************************************************************
Easter Lily Order Form
Easter lily orders are now being taken. The cost is $15 a lily
All orders must be given to Glenda Iles by March 14th PLEASE MAKE ALL CHECKS PAYABLE TO: “Cherry Blossom”
QUANTITY COST EACH TOTAL
________ $15 $________
Your name______________________________________
In Memory/honor of (circle one):
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Steeple Talk Page 5
Mission Spotlight
The Mission Committee will be meeting on Friday, March 4th at 1:00 pm in the Ladies Parlor. New members welcomed to attend!
Steeple Talk Page 6
One Great Hour of Sharing ~ Special Offering
SUNDAY, MARCH 6TH
1. What is One Great Hour of Sharing®? One Great Hour of Sharing, as part of Our Churches Wider Mission, is the special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that carries God’s message of love and hope to people in 138 countries. The UCC works with international partners to provide sources of clean water and food, education and health care, small business micro-credit, emergency relief, and advocacy and resettlement for refugees and displaced persons. OGHS also supports domestic and international ministries for disaster preparedness and response.
2. How is the United Church of Christ's offering used? More than 60 percent of the UCC's offering supports international development initiatives, including annual support for missionaries. Currently there are 7 OGHS supported missionaries and 2 Global Mission Interns working in disaster relief, health care, education, and agricultural development. The offering funds disaster preparedness and response, and disaster related volunteer initiatives in the U.S.
3. Where are OGHS funds shared? The United Church of Christ responds to development, disaster, and refugee needs in 138 countries, and provides disaster relief and immigration assistance in the United States.
4. What percentage of OGHS donations are used directly for mission? On average, of every dollar given to One Great Hour of Sharing, 91 cents is used directly for mission programming; 5 cents for interpretation materials and 4 cents for administrative costs which include program monitoring and evaluation (for accountability). Most administrative costs are paid by gifts to Our Church's Wider Mission National Basic Support and endowment funds.
Steeple Talk Page 6 Page 6 Steeple Talk
The Property Committee will be changing their meeting times to the SECOND Tuesday of every month at 5:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
Welcome to the committee Ron Bolt and Dennis Sharpe! Current members are Reggie LaFlam, Ed Craxton, John Lofgren and Ken Aldrich. If you would like to join a meeting and become involved, please contact
Reggie LaFlam for more information.
Ladies Society
The Ladies Society met on February 10th. Barbara Holland, President, went to Arizona on vacation and June Davis, Vice-President was sick, so Emily LaFlam conducted the meeting. Our guests were Bob Muh and Carole Zangla, the director of the senior center. Bob is on the board of directors of the Grafton County Senior Citizen Council. They both spoke of the financial need of all the senior centers in Grafton County and the importance of the work of the Council for the entire county - with Littleton playing a very important role. They need volunteers too and told us that volunteers make up a large percentage of the help they have. Their presentation was very interesting and we appreciated the information. Following was a quiz! The question was, “In what year did the Ladies Society make and sell the decorative plates?” The answer: 2003. Mary Hodgdon came closest to the correct answer and won the prize of 6 hand-made cards from Emily LaFlam. Our next meeting will be March 9th. If you would like to join us and need more information, please call Barbara Holland at 444-1104 or June Davis at 444-0765.
Steeple Talk Page 7
Carole Zangla, Bob Muh and Emily LaFlam
Hello from the Office!
I can’t believe it’s been nearly an entire year since my arrival here at the church office. It has gone by very fast. It has been a pleasure to work with all of you on so many different things ~ it sure does keep things interesting and fun for me. I am especially grateful to have met so many new and nice people and feel like I have a special church family to to call my very own. Thank you for hiring me and please be sure to contact me if you need any assistance. Pam
Community Outreach Group
Warming Hearts at the Warming Hut on February 13th at Remich Park
*************************************************************
Page 8 Steeple Talk
Littleton United Methodist Church Main St., Littleton, NH
Annual Lenten Chowder Luncheons Every Friday until March 18th
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Fish or corn chowder - Delicious Sandwiches Homemade pies and cakes
Free Delivery! Thursday e-mail your orders to
[email protected] or Fridays call your orders to 444-5567 or 493-9934 between 7:30 - 10:00 for
Delivery. After 10:00 is pickup only
Open Minds * Open Hearts * Open Doors
10% of proceeds go to local the Food Pantry!
Noonday Concerts
All Saints’ Episcopal Church
Join us for a free 40-minute performance
Thursday lunchtime at 12:10pm during Lent
*please note that the March 10 concert is at 7:00 p.m.
All are welcome to attend | donations appreciated
35 School Street, Littleton, NH 03561
444-3414 e-mail: [email protected]
web: www.allsts.org
Celebrating Birthdays & Anniversaries
March Happy Birthday! Happy Anniversary! 1st Wayne Ruggles 7th 27th Dottie & Ray Morton 9th Glenda Iles 28th Judy& Ed Warden 23rd Tim Clark 23rd Pam Nute 25th Roberta Lavoie
April (preview)
2nd Meaghan Clark 8th Connie Tuck 13th Curran Smith
Steeple Talk Page 9
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Remember, if you would like your birthday and/or anniversary in the next issue of Steeple Talk, please contact Pam in the office to make sure it is included. If you think we do not have your birthday and/or anniversary on file OR if you would NOT like either to be included, please let Pam know that too! [email protected] or 444-3376.
I apologize in advance for any errors or omissions.
The Deadline for submissions for the April issue is:
Monday, March 28th!
~ Pam Nute, editor
Our church hosted Dinner Bell on March 1st!
Thank you to Judy Oleary for heading up the effort.
101 meals were served!
MAY 3rd is the next host date
First Congregational Church, UCC 189 Main Street Littleton, NH 03561 Return Service Requested
Page 7
STEEPLE TALK MARCH 2016
Steeple Talk A newsletter of the First Congregational Church of Littleton
Page 10
Church Staff Pastor: Rev. W. David Weddington Administrative Assistant: Pam Nute Organist & Choir Director: Dottie Morton
Officers Moderator: Ann Craxton Vice Moderator: Lars Nielson Treasurer: Dudley Bailey Assistant Treasurer: Joyce Krill Committee Chairs Christian Education: Kim Smith Deacons: Mary Menzies Finance: Dudley Bailey Mission: Judy Oleary Music: Rachel Clark Personnel Relations: Tina Peabody Property Management: Reggie LaFlam Overseer of the Trust Funds: Dudley Bailey
Shining Lights Learning Center Board Chair: Suzanne Schott Director: Melissa Kam
www.1stconglittleton.org
