SHARING THE LIGHT

Monthly Newsletter of the

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF GRAFTON, UCC Worship and Sunday School at 10 a.m.

Volume 1, Number 9___ ______________________ NOVEMBER 2019 EDITION

Dear Members and Friends of the Congregational Church of Grafton:

God's amazing grace and my abiding gratitude to you—a remarkable family of faith! This month, we begin another year of moving forward in our journey of faith together. One year ago, on Sunday, November 4, 2018, we officially commenced our mutual covenant—you, as a congregation, and I, as your pastor--to seek God, see God and serve God as a faith community. On Sunday, November 3, 2019 we engage in “A Loving Look Back...So We May Boldly Move Forward” into the future.

This year, the three themes of family, faith and future shape our Season of Commitment:

Family means no one is left behind or forgotten; all are welcomed and remembered.

Faith means taking the first step even when we cannot see the whole staircase.

Future means not holding on to the past but freeing our hands to reach for new beginnings.

In our Season of Commitment, we begin or renew our vow to support the life and work of our family of faith into the future. We witness our church's life and work in: Christian Education and Safe Church; the Deacons; Membership Committee; Mission and Outreach; Music; and the Trustees.

Christian Education and Safe Church – new Minister of Faith-Building; Young People's Messages; Sunday School; Hang-ing of the Greens; Christmas Pageant; First Supper; Youth and Children Sunday; Pizza Church.

Deacons – Sunday worship; sacraments (Baptism and the Lord's Supper); Times of Remembrance; special Sundays (Living Testimony Sundays; Thrift Shop Sunday; Holy Spirit Sunday; T-Shirt Sunday; Christmas in July; Blessing of the Animals; Homecoming Sunday; Blessing of the Teachers; Joy Sunday); ecumenical services (Maundy Thursday and Thanksgiving Community Service).

Membership Committee – congregational and community events (Frosty Stop for Grafton Celebrates the Holidays; Harvest Fair and Apple Pie Social; Women's Retreat); bowling; social outings.

Mission and Outreach – Sharing-the-Light Food Collection for Grafton Food Bank; Backpacks for Kids; Dismas House; Worcester Fellowship; Thursday Cafe; Operation Christmas Child; Giving Tree; Souper Bowl Sunday; Appalachian Service Project.

Music – Music during worship and special events (Jazz Sunday; Service of Installation); hand bells.

Trustees – Windows 2020 Stained-Glass Window Renewal Campaign; Fall Work Day; Spring Work Day; exterior painting of church; care and upkeep of parsonage; maintenance of buildings and grounds.

Our Season of Commitment begins on November 3, and commitment materials will reach your homes in mid-November. On November 17, Commitment Sunday, we will dedicate our commitments of time, talent and monetary support in a special service during morning worship.

God honors a joyful giver. Whoever sows generously also reaps generously. (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)

As a family of faith, then, may we joyfully and generously commit gifts from our lives and our labors to fortify the future of our faith community?

Beside you in the journey of faith,

A Shove from the Dove Rev. Dr. Barbara Therese ________________________________________________________________________________________

Staff Information: How to contact us: Rev. Dr. Barbara Therese, Minister Office Phone: 508-839-4513 Kristen Graham, Administrative Assistant, Editor Email: graftonucc@gmail.com Matthew Torres, Interim Church Music Director Web Site: www.uccgrafton.org Kayson Jones, Minister of Faith-Building

Heart-Felt Thanks for First Anniversary Gifts

Dear family of faith:

Wow! Thank you! What a faithful, hopeful and love-filled family you are!

Your collective celebration of my first year of pastoral service among you deeply touched my heart. Bless you for your kind words, the to-live-for anniversary cake and the heart-shaped pictorial collage.

Your words still echo. The anniversary cake was wholly consumed by church members, friends and visitors during our Time of Fellowship on November 3. And the photo collage now hangs prominently in the Pastor's Office.

Most especially, deep gratitude to all of you who share meaningfully in the continuing story of faith of our congregation.

Together we have lovingly looked back. Together may we boldly move forward.

Faithfully and gratefully,

Rev. Dr. Barbara Therese

Holy Happenings in November!

* * * * *

November 10 = “Priority Sunday”

Sermon Message: Picky, Picky, Picky!

Second Sunday of Commitment Season

Baptism of Faye Ann LeMaire

Gratitude to Matthew Torres as Interim Church Music Director

* * * * *

November 17 = Commitment Sunday

Sermon Message: Live Like You Were Dying

Third Sunday of Commitment Season

Dedication of Pledges and Commitments

Welcome Mr. Ron Sainio as New Church Music Director

* * * * *

November 24 = Thanksgiving Sunday

Sermon Message: What, in Christ's Name, Will You Do?

* * * * *

November 24 at 4 p.m. in our sanctuary:

Thanksgiving Community Service

Members of faith communities in Grafton and Sutton

will gather together for this ecumenical service in our church!

Time of Refreshments to follow in Fellowship Room!

Our New Church Music Director is...Mr. Ron Sainio!

Hear ye, hear ye!

A new director of our church music program joins our faith community

on Sunday, November 17!

The Music Committee is extremely excited to announce

Mr. Ron Sainio as our new Church Music Director !

Ron comes to us with tremendous background

in choral direction as well as in playing music on piano and organ.

May we all welcome Mr. Ron Sainio to our ministry of music!

You and your family are warmly invited to share in...

A Thanksgiving Community Service

in our sanctuary

on Sunday, November 24, at 4 p.m.!

Our Joyful Noise Bell Choir will provide music!

Festive refreshments to follow

in Fellowship Hall!

* * * * *

At this ecumenical service,

members of the clergy and congregations

from the following churches will participate:

Baptist Church of Grafton

Congregational Church of Grafton

Holy Spirit Episcopal Church of Sutton

St. James Catholic Church of South Grafton

Simple Church (United Methodist) of Grafton

Unitarian Universalist Society of Grafton and Upton

* * * * *

Come with thankful hearts and share in a sacred time of music and gratitude!

Introducing F.A.C.E. Group!

Q: What is F.A.C.E. Group?

A: F.A.C.E. Group stands for--

F aith

A nd

C ar ing

E ncounter

Group

F.A.C.E. Group is a four-month faith-formation opportunity for youth in our family of faith to--

1. Experience worship in our own faith community and in other faith communities

2. Engage in local mission projects

3. Interview members of our civic community and hear how spirituality has shaped their lives

Q: What will members of the F.A.C.E. Group do?

A: F.A.C.E. Group members will--

Experience these worship events:

1. Advent and Christmas Eve services within our faith community in December

2. Worcester Fellowship service on a Sunday afternoon in January, 2020

3. Contemporary Sunday morning worship service at Valley Chapel in Uxbridge in February

4. Friday evening Shabbat service at Congregation B'nai Shalom in Westborough in March

Engage in these local mission projects:

1. Prepare and serve a meal at Dismas House in January, 2020

2. Participate in canned soup collection for “Souper Bowl” Sunday in February

3. Assist at Habitat for Humanity job site in March

Interview these civic community leaders:

1. Mr. Kayson Jones, Minister of Faith-Building in our faith community

2. Dr. Todd Lewis, professor of Buddhist ritual and art at College of the Holy Cross

3. Mr. Chris Roney, Director of Roney Funeral Home in North Grafton

Q: When will the F.A.C.E. Group activities begin and end?

A: F.A.C.E. Group activities will begin on the first Sunday of Advent, December 1, 2019, and conclude with a Service of Confirmation on Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020, in our sanctuary.

Q: Who may participate in F.A.C.E. Group activities?

A: Any student who is 12 years old or older may participate. Parents and adult family members are encouraged to attend events as drivers and event assistants.

Q: Who will lead and facilitate the F.A.C.E. Group program?

A: Rev. Barbara will organize, lead and facilitate all F.A.C.E. Group events and will be assisted by Deacons and Christian Education Committee representatives.

Families with daughters and sons eligible for participation in F.A.C.E. Group

will be contacted by email and invited to attend a F.A.C.E. Group Orientation in mid-November!

* * * * *

Sharing the Fellowship: A Ministry of Nourishment!

In November and all year round, we gather on Sunday mornings for...

...faith-filled moments, ...faith-deepening music, ...faith-building words, ...sharing Light, …sharing faith, hope and love, and ...sharing fellowship.

Sharing the Fellowship allows our family of faith to share real and spiritual nourishment with one another.

In Sharing the Fellowship, a person, a couple, a team or a family:

1. Arrives at Fellowship Hall by 9:45 a.m. on a Sunday morning.

2. Brings:

2-3 dozen edible treats (examples: cookies, Danish, breads, bagels, rolls or fruit)

3. Prepares coffee. (Deacons will help with preparations.)

4. On serving counter, sets out:

Drink cups Napkins Paper plates Condiments

NOTE: All paper goods are provided by our church.

5. Sets up one folding table to hold refreshments and one card table for church friends and members who prefer to be seated. (Tablecloths are available.)

All members and friends of our family of faith may share in the ministry of nourishment!

Please add your name to the Sharing the Fellowship Sign-Ups on the Fellowship Table in the Fellowship Room.

Sharing the Fellowship is a ministry of nourishment!

* * * * *

GRAFTON THRIFT SHOP

VOLUNTEERS FOR NOVEMBER 2019

Shop Hours: Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thursday 10 a.m.to 1 p.m. Thursday 1 p.m. to 4p.m.

Nov. 7 April Lane Diane Chaisson

14 April Lane Jean Burke

21 April Lane Diane Chaisson

28 Closed for Thanksgiving

Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Nov. 2 Jean Burke Diane Chaisson

9 Kim Stewart Diane Chaisson

16 Brenda Armstrong Diane Lalone

23 Jean Burke Diane Lalone

30 Kim Stewart Brenda Armstrong

Grafton Thrift Shop Donations Guidelines

Donations can only be accepted during Thrift Shop hours: Thursday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Please be sure to let someone in the Thrift Shop know that you’ve dropped off a donation.

As we are a small store, please only donate seasonal items (No summer clothes in the winter or Christmas decorations

in the Spring!)

Although we gratefully and graciously accept your donations, please note that we cannot accept the following:

Books (Donate to Treasures in North Grafton, Savers, Goodwill, Salvation Army.)

Electronics (Recycle for free at any Best Buy store.)

Large furniture (Donate to Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester ReStore, Savers, Central Mass

Housing Alliance-Donations Clearinghouse.)

When donating items, please be mindful that we strive to sell quality merchandise.

Clothing and linens: New or gently used condition - no stains, rips, faded or pilled fabric.

Glassware and household items: Should be clean and free of chips or cracks.

Small appliances - Should be clean and in working order.

Puzzles/games - Should not be missing any pieces.

Jewelry, shoes and accessories: New or gently used condition.

If you wouldn’t buy it, please do not donate it!

We reserve the right not to accept certain items.

Any items that we cannot sell find a new home with other local charities or are properly recycled.

1

5:00 Music Therapy

(F)

6:00 2020 Vision G. S.

(F)

7:00 Cub Scouts (V)

2

Thrift Shop open

10:00 - 4:00

8:00 Girl Scouts (V)

1:30 AA Meeting (V)

3

10:00 Worship & SS

2:00 Girl Scouts (V)

4:00 Brownies (V)

4:00 Girl Scouts (F)

6:30 Operation

Friendship (V)

4

5:00 Music Therapy

(F)

7:00 Boy Scout Girl

Troop (V)

5

6:30 B. S. Leader

Meeting (F)

7:00 Boy Scouts

(V,K)

6

10:00 ALANON

Meeting (F)

2:00 Pizza Church

(V)

7

Thrift Shop open

10:00 - 4:00

5:00 Simple Church

(V,K)

7:00 Choir (M)

8

5:00 Music Therapy

(F)

7:00 Cub Scouts (V,

F)

9

Thrift Shop open

10:00 - 4:00

1:30 AA Meeting (V)

5:30 Daisy Halloween

Party (V)

10

10:00 Worship & SS

6:30 B. S. Venturing

Program (F)

11

Office Closed for

Veteran’s Day

5:00 Music Therapy

(F)

7:00 Boy Scout Girl

Troop (V)

12

10:00 Trustees (F)

6:00 Daisy Scouts

(B)

6:30 Deacons (F)

7:00 Boy Scouts

(V,K)

13

10:00 ALANON

Meeting (F)

2:00 Pizza Church

(V)

5:30 Girl Scout start-

up meeting (F)

14

Thrift Shop open

10:00 - 4:00

5:00 Simple Church

(V,K)

7:00 Choir (M)

15

5:00 ATA Rehearsal

(S)

5:00 Music Therapy

(F)

6:00 2020 Vision Girl

Scouts (F)

7:00 Cub Scouts

(V,F)

16

Thrift Shop open

10:00 - 4:00

8:00 Girl Scouts (V)

1:30 AA Meeting (V)

17

10:00 Worship & SS

2:00 Girl Scouts (V)

3:00 Girl Scouts (F)

4:00 Brownies (V)

18

5:00 Music Therapy

(F)

6:00 Girl Scouts (V)

7:00 BSA Girl Troop

(F)

19

7:00 Boy Scouts

(V,K)

20

10:00 ALANON

Meeting (F)

2:00 Pizza Church

(V)

7:00 Cabinet (F)

21

Thrift Shop open

10:00 - 4:00

5:00 Simple Church

(V,K)

7:00 Choir (M)

22

5:00 Music Therapy

(F)

6:00 2020 Vision Girl

Scouts (F)

7:00 Cub Scouts (V,F)

23

Thrift Shop open

10:00 - 4:00

1:30 AA Meeting (V)

24

10:00 Worship & SS

4:00 Thanksgiving

Community Service

(S)

6:30 B. S. Venturing

Program (F)

25

5: 00 Music Therapy

(F)

7:00 Boy Scout Girl

Troop (V)

26

6:00 Daisy Scouts

(B)

7:00 Boy Scouts

(V,K)

27

10:00 ALANON

Meeting (F)

2:00 Pizza Church

(V)

28

THANKSGIVING

29

4:00 Operation

Friendship Ski Swap

set-up (V)

30

8:00 OF Ski Swap (V)

NOVEMBER

November Birthdays

David Hardwick 11/2 David Gow 11/4 Bernice Benoit 11/19

Annika Alves 11/23 Elizabeth Torres 11/25

https://www.facebook.com/UCCGrafton/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD6O7WxciXwlnx1Ho1GVngg/videos

https://twitter.com/GraftonUCC

https://www.instagram.com/graftonucc/

CARE AND CONCERN CIRCLE

NOVEMBER 2019

Join the Care and Concern Circle by keeping these people in your prayers now and through-out your week.

We pray for recovery, well-being and comfort for: Al Blanchard

Walt Wietgrefe

Susan Graham

Bill

Jennifer Sherry

John Graham

Uncle Bob and Valerie

Amy Koskinen

Tom Parslaw

Louise and George Henry

Chickie Bunker

A good friend undergoing treatment for cancer

Amanda

A friend who is struggling

Holly's cousin Donna

A friend's daughter

Sara

SHARING THE LIGHT

Monthly Newsletter of the Congregational Church of Grafton

Congregational Church of Grafton 30 Grafton Common P.O. Box 421 PLACE Grafton, MA 01519 POSTAGE HERE

Address Service Requested

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF GRAFTON 30 Grafton Common, P.O. Box 421, Grafton, MA; Telephone 508-839-4513

WORSHIP SERVICES: SUNDAYS, 10 a.m.