Children and Youth Ministry
By caitlin | May 1, 2012
CHILDREN & YOUTH MINISTRIES
The Lenten and Holy Week activities were made intergenerational events with
the participation of OPC youth. On Sundays they continued to be active in the
Lenten Spiritual Spa, distributed palms on Palm Sunday, attended the Seder
and Tenebrae Service on Maundy Thursday, followed the Stations of the Cross
procession on Good Friday and joined their families for Easter Sunrise Service
and/or the 10 am Worship Service. They were invited to attend Holy Humor
Sunday the week following Easter. This was, indeed, a full season for our
young people.
Margaret Joseph
Director of Children & Youth Ministries
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The 4th Annual Church School Bake Sale held in March, to raise funds for the Easter Ham Dinner Baskets to be given to the families of the Sheffield Food Program, was huge success. More than $900 was raised. This will not only fills the baskets for the 37 families, but provides funds to purchase gift cards to be used by the families at area supermarkets as well. “Thank you” to everyone for your support of this project.
The young people have been participating in the Lenten spiritual Spa during Lent and, as the season draws to a close, they will have continued opportunities to join in the activities of the greater Old Parish community during the Easter season. On Palm Sunday they will hand out palms during the morning worship service before assembling the Easter Ham Dinner Baskets. They are encouraged to attend the family Seder on Maundy Thursday and the ecumenical Stations of the Cross on Good Friday with their families. Easter Sunday they may attend the family worship service. The following week is Humor Sunday and there will be no Church School so they may enjoy this service.
Regular classes will resume on April 22nd for the remainder of the Church School year.
Margaret Joseph
Director of Children & Youth Ministries
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With the onset of Lent the young people of OPC have a number of
Lenten activities they can participate in during the month of March
and into early April when the season ends on Easter Sunday. A Lenten
Calendar of a combination of facts about Lent and hands on activities
has been developed to be taken home and followed daily. They have
been invited to participate on Sunday mornings prior to Church School
in the Lenten Spiritual Spa Pastor Jill has set up and join the Mission
Committee in One Great Hour of Sharing by collecting coins in the
boxes designed for children. They will also be helping at the bake sale
conducted for the purchase of Easter Ham Dinners to be provided for
the participating families in the Sheffield Food Program.
The children and youth attending the February 12th worship service
participated, along with a number of adults, in the Service of the
Blessing of the Bears that was held during the Time With Young
Christians. It was a special time for their special things. And, on
Saturday the 25th, a group of 13 children and adults gathered at Jim
Kelly’s house for a warm winter’s hike but, with the colder weather and
a little snow having moved in, ended up sledding! They cooked hot
dogs over the kitchen fireplace. Pastor Jill reports, “…a good time was
had by all.”
Margaret Joseph
Director of Children & Youth Ministries
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CHILDREN & YOUTH MINISTRIES
January was a quiet month for the young people at OPC. Church School resumed on the 8th, after a two week holiday break. Everyone was invited to a special Coffee Hour that Sunday to wish the Williams family Godspeed as they journeyed down under for a two year stay in Australia. Lack of snow during the month interfered with any chance of a sledding party. Perhaps February will allow one to occur.
February should prove to be a busier month with or without a sledding event. The first Sunday of the month (5th) the Church School students will construct Valentine cards for the Called to Care Committee to distribute. The following week (12th) Pastor Jill will conduct a Blessing of the Bears (Or Your Favorite Thing) during the Time with Young Christians at the regular worship service. This is a time for stuffed animals, dolls, blankets and any other favorite things of the children or young at heart to be brought to church and blessed. Children often have items of comfort and they are encouraged to bring their favorite one for a blessing. Adults sometimes have an item with special meaning and they are encouraged to bring it as well. Lent begins on the 22nd and the Sunday prior (19th) the students will be given instructions for a Lenten project. And, Leap Year will officially begin on the 29th!
Margaret Joseph
Director of Children & Youth Ministries
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CHILDREN & YOUTH MINISTRIES
Early in the Advent Season, December began quietly for the young people of Old Parish. However, as the annual Christmas Pageant approached, the Church School hours became very busy. December l8th was the annual pageant, performed by the children of the Old Parish and Christ Episcopal/Trinity Lutheran Churches. The pews were filled with members of both churches, and the family and friends of the children. It was a Whole Congregation Christmas Pageant in which all in attendance participated! The older children read the Christmas Story and the younger ones, dressed as the Nativity characters, proceeded down the main aisle as their character was introduced. Members of the congregation were given symbols of the Nativity characters and stood during the Christmas Carol that accompanied their character. Everyone in the church was fully engaged that morning and what a wonderful time was had by
all!
In mid-January, we will bid a farewell to one of our Church School families. The Williams family will be traveling “down under” for upwards to a two year stay. Diana will be able to enjoy her time being “home,” while Chris and Thomas will have the opportunity to be Australians. We will miss them and look forward to welcoming them back to the USA.
Margaret Joseph
Director of Children & Youth Ministries
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The approach to Advent was an active time for our young people. Many
participated in the OPC Halloween Party sponsored by the Christian
Education Committee and brought friends with them. They also had the
opportunity to attend the Advent Wreath Workshop held the Saturday
after Thanksgiving. Joining the choir in song was postponed from
the first Sunday in November until December. They have continued
to practice and will be singing on December 4th, when they will also
participate in the entire worship service.
Preparations for the Christmas Pageant began during November. This
year it is An Unrehearsed Christmas Pageant that involves the entire
congregation. In reality, there will be some rehearsal, but at a minimum.
Again this year, our young people are joining with those from the Christ
Episcopal/Trinity Lutheran Church for the pageant on December 18th. It
will be held at Old Parish Church during the regular worship hour.
Margaret Joseph
Director of Children & Youth Ministries
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October saw our young people participate in the Worldwide Communion Service held during the regular worship hour and join the Old Parish Team for the Construct Walk for the Homeless. They have practiced for the November 6th worship service, when they sing with the choir. And, as this is written, they have the opportunity to join members of the congregation for the OPC Halloween party on Friday the 28th, sponsored by the Christian Education Committee. As November progresses, they will be preparing for Advent and the Christmas Pageant.
Margaret Joseph
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Students were welcomed back to the Church School year during the Rally Day service on September 11th at Christ Episcopal/Trinity Lutheran Church. The children livened the morning with a rendition of “Oh, Be Joyful,” directed by Diana Williams. After the service, the CE/TL and Old Parish congregations enjoyed a luncheon. The first day of Church School began the following Sunday.
There are two events that our young people can participate in during the month of October. Sunday the 16th, they are encouraged to join the OPC team in the Construct Walk for the Homeless and Friday the 28th, they are invited to an all congregation Halloween event sponsored by the Christian Education Committee.
Margaret Joseph
Director of Children & Youth Ministries
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CHILDREN & YOUTH MINISTRIES
Rally Day is September 11th at Christ Episcopal/Trinity Lutheran Church. Beginning at 9 am is an Adult Reflection: Ten Years Later and a children’s music rehearsal for the 10 am Worship Service. A potluck lunch follows the worship service. Old Parish Church folks are to bring a salad or a dessert. No RSVP is required.
It is a pleasure to welcome Barbara West and Jim Kelly to the Church School staff. Barbara will join the Grades 4-6 class later in the fall. Jim will lead a sermon based discussion with Grades 7 & 8. Interest in teaching the Godly Play class has also been expressed. A training session in the program is being planned. Church School teachers continue to be needed to allow the development of a rotating teaching schedule so that no one person needs to make a commitment to a full Church School year.
Church School begins on September 18th. Programming is as follows: Early K-Grade 3 will follow the GODLY PLAY program and meet
in the same classroom. Grades 4-6 will use the SEASONS OF THE SPIRT Curriculum and meet in the North Social Room. Grades 7 & 8 will attend church through the sermon, then leave for a Sermon Based Discussion based on questions devised by Pastor Jill and will meet in her office.
In mid-August a group of Church School children, teachers and staff took a trip to Rutland, MA for a visit of Heifer Project’s Overlook Farm. They had a picnic lunch upon arrival and shopped at the gift shop. The tour began with a film and discussion about Heifer Project International, followed by a walking experience of sustainable organic farming, observing (and sometimes even petting) the types of animals given as a part of the project and visiting a village of homes typical of those in the areas where the project is active. On the way home there was a quick stop for ice cream cones to break up the drive. It was a long, but worthwhile day!
Margaret Joseph
Director of Children & Youth Ministries
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHILDREN & YOUTH MINISTRIES
Children’s Sunday was held June 19th and concluded the Church School year. All children and youth were honored and church school attendance was recognized. The young people participating in the worship service were led by Diana in song for the introit and anthem. Everyone did a wonderful job.
After many years of teaching, Mary retired as a Church School teacher. She has been an integral part of the Church School Program for many years and contributed greatly with her ideas, creativity and time. We thank her for tireless efforts in working with our young people. She received a special recognition on Children’s Sunday. Mary will be greatly missed.
At the June Christian Education meeting the Committee adopted the following Vision Statement: to nurture the children and youth of Old Parish Church in a Christian Faith that is joyful and experiential was adopted. To accomplish this, the Church School program and activities need to be flexible and tailored to the changing needs of the child and youth population. The CE Committee, teachers, youth leaders and staff continually strive to follow the Vision Statement and goal to complete it.
Teachers for the 2011-2010 Church School year are needed. Changes in Church School staffing and programming have created a need for teachers. Specific staffing is as follows:
*Nursery – No consistent needs at this time
*GODLY PLAY Early K-Grade 3/January-June 2012 – Teachers needed
*SEASONS OF THE SPIRT Curriculum for Grades 4-6 – Teachers needed
*Sermon Based Discussion for Grades 7 & 8 – Teacher in Place
A rotating teacher schedule will be developed so that no one person needs to make a commitment for a full Church School year. Contact Margaret Joseph. Please consider joining the Church School Teaching Staff.
Margaret Joseph
Director of Children & Youth Ministries
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After many years of teaching, Mary is retiring as a teacher and an integral part of the Church School Program. We thank her for tireless efforts in working with our young people. She will be recognized during Children’s Day on June 19th.
Other changes of staffing, in addition to Mary’s retirement, are Diana, not be available to teach Church School after January 2012 for about a year and a third class is being added. These changes in Church School staff and programming have created a need for teachers in the 2011-2010 Church School year. Specific staffing needs are as follows:
*Nursery – No consistent needs at this time
*GODLY PLAY Early K-Grade 3/January-June 2012 – Teachers needed
*SEASONS OF THE SPIRT Curriculum for Grades 4-6 – Teachers needed
*Sermon Based Discussion for Grades 7 & 8 – Teacher in Place
A rotating teacher schedule will be developed so that no one person needs to make a commitment for a full Church School year. Please consider joining the Church School Teaching Staff.
Hannah was honored by Old Parish Church on May 15th, as our representative to the Outstanding Young Christian Women program sponsored by the Berkshire Unit of Church Women United. The program annually honors young women between the ages of 15 and 20 who are active in their congregation and community. Hannah was one of nine young women from area churches honored at the Church Women United 2011 May Friendship Day held at First Baptist Church in Pittsfield on May 1st, when she received a heart necklace and this framed certificate. When Hannah and her family began attending church during her sophomore year in high school, she immediately became active, regularly attending church, participating in church family activities and became a confirmed member. When a need arose for assistance in the nursery during worship service, she eagerly agreed to help. She assumed the role of narrator in several Christmas pageants and became a frequent lay reader during her high school years, continuing to participate as such when she is home from college. In the community, one of her activities was the participation in the Breaking Bread Program. We congratulate Hannah.
Margaret Joseph ~ Director of Children & Youth Ministries
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The Third Annual Church School Easter Bake Sale, organized by Jennifer of Christ Episcopal/Trinity Lutheran Church, was a huge success. Over $560 was collected. This was enough money to cover complete Easter ham dinners for all of the Sheffield Food Program’s families with a remainder for a monetary contribution. The children participated in the April 8th & 9th bake sale and assembled the food baskets during the Church School hour on Palm Sunday. Thank you for your support with this project.
It was wonderful to have some of our families participate in the Maundy Thursday Seder celebration and have the Church School children join their parents at the Easter Sunday Sunrise and 10AM worship services. We will continue to recognize the Sundays of Easter until Pentecost in June.
Margaret Joseph
Director of Children & Youth Ministries
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March was a month of preparation for our young people. The first Sunday of the month was the presentation of the children’s version of THREE CUPS OF TEA by Greg Mortenson. Each family was given the Pennies for Peace Lenten Calendar for daily participation in Lent. There will be a follow-up to lesson on the first Sunday of this month.
Families are encouraged to participate in Holy Week services. On Maundy Thursday a celebration of the Seder Supper followed by Holy Communion is scheduled. The Seder is traditionally a family event and the presence of children adds to the celebration. Good Friday is the ecumenical service of the Stations of the Cross. Easter Sunday families will worship together in the Sanctuary. There will be no Church School on that Sunday.
Six young people in grades 5-7 attended a pizza party at Four Brothers Pizza early in March. Several then traveled to Jim Kelly’s home to make pre-Lenten pretzels. See the photo display of the afternoon on the bulletin board in the social room. Also, check out the photos of the sledding party that took place in February and the Advent Heifer Project purchase report.
The third annual Church School Easter Bake Sale will be held the weekend of April 9th in the center of Sheffield. The proceeds go to purchasing Easter Ham dinners for the families in the Sheffield Food Program. BAKED GOODS ARE NEEDED! Your contributions are welcomed.
Margaret Joseph
Director of Children & Youth Ministries
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The Advent Project to purchase a starter Flock of Chicks from Heifer International is complete! All of the pennies were finally rolled and when the coins and dollar bills were turned in to the bank, the total came to $215. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED. Enough funds were collected to not only buy one flock of chicks, but two plus a llama and swarm of honey bees. Heifer International works in the areas of livestock and agriculture to develop programs that alleviate hunger and poverty. Their programs have
reinvigorated communities through livestock and training. February was the month for completion of projects. Along with the Heifer
International Advent Project, the Children-To-Children Book project was concluded. Cheryl Blackburn read her book, Kisses At The Moon, to the entire church school group and told them how the book came to be written. The children then collectively wrote a letter to accompany each copy of the book to be sent to the thirteen families with young children with a parent who is a member of a platoon stationed in Afghanistan. The children brainstormed the content of the letter, which was then copied by the older children with the younger ones decorated each of the thirteen letters with hearts. All of the children signed their first names at the end of each letter.
On the afternoon of February 13, a mixed group of children and adults spent several hours sledding on a hill at the home of a congregation member. It was a relatively warm day and all had a grand time. Refreshments of hot chocolate and cookies topped off the afternoon.
An upcoming youth event (gr. 5-7) on Sunday, March 6th, is a pizza lunch at Four Brothers followed by bowling at Cove Lanes. All in this age group are welcome.
A Lenten activity based on Greg Mortenson’s book, Three Cups of Tea is being planned.
Margaret Joseph
Director of Children & Youth Ministries
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The Advent Project to purchase a starter Flock of Chicks (10-50 in number) from Heifer International was a huge success and pennies are still being rolled! At the time of this writing in late January, a total of $190 has been collected. Granted, some of this amount came in the form of bills and larger coins, but much of it came in the form of pennies. Enough pennies remain to be rolled to make at least $200. Now, the children need to decide what to purchase in addition to the chicks.
Two events are scheduled for January 30th, which will occur after the article has been written:
1-The youth from Old Parish and Christ Episcopal/Trinity Lutheran churches are to work on a book project to help other children through a difficult time in their lives – the separation from a loved one resulting from a military deployment. A book, Kisses At The Moon, written by OPC member, Cheryl Blackburn, is being sent to thirteen families with young children who have a parent that is a member of SFC Robert Derwitsch’s platoon stationed in Afghanistan. Sgt. Derwitsch’s daughter, Jaclyn, is a member of our combined Church School and his wife, Joanne, is a Church Schoolteacher.
Cheryl’s book tells the story of a four year girl whose father is a Marine being deployed overseas. The little girl is able to say, “Goodnight,” to him while he is away by throwing “kisses at the moon” above, which they share. On Sunday, Cheryl will read her book to the combined classes. Afterwards, the children are to pair in groups, with older ones helping the younger, and write a note of well wishes to the soldiers’ children. The book, letters, and a cover letter written by Joanne will be sent to the families through the military family service program for Sgt. Derwitsch’s unit.
This project is an outreach of children-to-children, with the hope that the book and notes will help the children find a connection with their loved one and know that their own sacrifice is being appreciated by others.
2-In the afternoon, a youth gathering for grades 5-8 meet at the home of Jim Kelly. The purpose of the gathering is to share ideas for activities, projects and trips they can do as a group. A pizza lunch is planned.
Margaret Joseph
Director of Children & Youth Ministries
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As December arrives, we have already seen the beginning of Advent. For a season’s project the Church School plans to purchase a starter Flock of Chicks (10-50 in number) from Heifer International. The egg production from a flock can be eaten, shared or sold. The cost of the flock is $20. The children are collecting the funds in Pennies and 2000 are needed. Loose and collected pennies are welcomed. Bring them to church and put them in the Penny Jar located on the conference table in the south room at the back of the church. Collection is through December 12th. The children will roll the pennies as they come in to make them bank ready for a purchase. The results of the purchase will be announced at the Christmas Pageant on December 19th.
Rehearsals for the Pageant have begun. It will be a joint venture again with the Christ Episcopal/Trinity Lutheran Church children. Be sure to attend during the regular worship hour on Sunday, December 19th, and enjoy the seasonal festivity with the children.
During the month of November, a theme of Holy Communion took place with instruction on the first Sunday of the month and a Church School pot luck supper followed by a communion led by Pastor Jill. The conclusion of this focus will be at the December 5th, when the children will join the congregation for the worship service and participate in Holy Communion.
Margaret Joseph
Director of Children & Youth Ministries
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Church School began the month of October with instruction in the worship service and youth participation. Focus was on the purpose of worship and leadership roles of greeters, acolytes and lay readers. Younger children who had not participated as acolytes received specific instructions and practiced the lighting and extinguishing of the worship candles. One of the older children, experienced as an acolyte, will assist a younger child for their first time as acolyte.
This month will center on Holy Communion. The children will receive instruction during Church School the first Sunday of the month. Later in the month a family pot luck supper will be held, concluding with a Service of Holy Communion led by Pastor Jill. The children will then attend the December 5th worship service and participate fully in Holy Communion with the adult congregation. Most of our young people are familiar with and/or have received communion and it is also part of the Godly Play curriculum. However, it was deemed that specific instruction to all is a benefit to a young Christian’s background. It is not intended to become an annual event, but should occur intermittently as an influx of younger children occurs. It also serves as a comprehensive review for the older ones.
Advent is quickly approaching. Look for more about the activities of that season in the next MESSENGER.
Margaret Joseph
Director of Children & Youth Ministries
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Rally Day was fun filled with young people and members from Old Parish and Christ Episcopal/Trinity Lutheran churches filling the OPC pews. The Clowns provided an inspirational message on acceptance of others. It was applicable to young and old alike. The all church picnic following the service needed to be inside due to weather, but was as tasty as if it was held outside.
Church School began on September 19th for grades K through 4 with the Godly Play Curriculum. On September 26th grades 5 through 8 began with the new curriculum Seasons of the Spirit. The Construct Walk is on the afternoon of Sunday, October 17th• All young people are encouraged to join the Old Parish Church team. There will be no Church School on October 22nd as OPC will be holding a special “antique” worship service that day in celebration of our 275th Anniversary. This should be a fun event for our young people and we hope to see them at the worship service.
Margaret Joseph
Director of Children & Youth Ministries
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Rally Day is Sunday, September 12th during the regular worship service at Old Parish Church. The Clowns will be giving us a special message. An all church picnic follows the service. The picnic will follow the worship service. Provided will be hot dogs, drinks, paper products and eating utensils. Please bring a Pot Luck dish. Surnames ending in A – M bring a dessert or fruit dish and those ending in N – Z bring a side dish. No RSVP is required. Please plan on attending. Church School begins on Sunday, September 19th. Teachers for grades K through 4 are Dianna Williams and Joanne Derwitsch, from Christ Episcopal/Trinity Lutheran Church. The Godly Play teaching curriculum will continue with new stories expected to be added. David West joins Mary Philbrick in teaching grades 5 through 8. A new curriculum, Seasons of the Spirit, is being used this year. It is lectionary based, so that our students will be learning from the same biblical texts as are being used in the worship service. There are also plans to augment curriculum with supplemental programs on prayer and missions. A traditional month for a new beginning for students is September. As the Church School begins, it also brings an air of anticipation to a new year at Old Parish. Margaret Joseph Director of Children & Youth Ministries
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The month of June and the Church School year concluded with Children’s Day on June 20th. Participating Church School students had active rolesin the Sunday worship service as worship leaders, collection ushers and greeters. They provided the Introit and Anthem with wonderfully sung songs. Later, during Coffee Hour they were treated to serve-yourself-ice cream sundaes. Children’s Sunday is not only a day for our young people to participate in the worship service, it is a day to honor all from preschool through high school and recognize the Church School attendees. All youth present received a potted flower. In addition, Church School Attendees received a certificate of attendance. In closing, Danielle Pedretti, Mary Philbrick and Diana Williams, the teachers so dedicated to the Church School program and the children, were recognized and each given a plant. On the 13th, after church, children and accompanying adults headed up to Gilder Pond in Mt. Washington for a picnic lunch and canoe rides on the lake lead by Jim Kelly. The clouds had settled on the mountain, so fog blanketed the lake. But, safely hugging the shoreline, nature’s work was visible while paddling around the lake. While some took additional canoe trips, others hiked around the pond. In between activities, the children played with the pollywogs they discovered in the shallow water at the shore. It was an enjoyable afternoon for all. For your planning: Rally Day is September 12th. Margaret Joseph Director C & Y Ministries
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The Church School Year is concluding with a final CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITIES Project with the gathering of Hygiene Kits for the Church World Service. These are the same kits the Mission Committee put together in response to the Haiti earthquake. The world's disasters have put a stress on kit supplies and the purpose of our contribution is to help replenish the supply. The concept of the Hygiene Kits, their need and the relationship to Caring for Our Communities were discussed at Church School on May 2. Each Church School family has been asked to gather and bring in the items for a Hygiene Kit during the month of May. The kits will be assembled during the Church School hour the first Sunday of June and then shipped to Church World Service. This is considered to be a family project. May has been a month of planning for our children and youth. Children’s Sunday on June 20th, a group canoe trip in June, Rally Day in September and programming for next year were all discussed at the Christian Education meeting. Several days of the first week in May I attended the N.E.A.U.C.E. Conference (New England Association of United Church Educators) held at the Craigville Conference Center. The days were spent in learning, sharing ideas and spiritual enrichment. The keynote speaker, Ivy Beckwith, spoke on the faith formation of children through story, ritual and relationship. Her talks were affirming and encouraged ideas that could be implemented at Old Parish Church. Margaret Joseph Director C & Y Ministries
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Easter was a special day for our Church School group as they joined their parents at the regular Sunday worship service. This made Easter Sunday a true family day of worship! It was a beautiful morning and the children’s presence brought a sense of excitement. On April 11th, a group of our young people gathered at Jim Kelly’s home to watch the movie RATATOUILLE, followed by a brief discussion with some Godly Play “Wondering Questions” and a pizza supper. As the evening darkened, a few remained and went out into the fields across from Jim’s house to listen and watch for the Woodcocks. We could hear their calls and whirring wing movements, but it wasn’t until it was nearly dark that Jim was able to “flush one out” and we saw it full flight. This was a special experience for those who were there. Margaret Joseph Director C&Y Ministries
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March continued to be an important month for participation in “Caring for Our Communities” with the Christ Episcopal/Trinity Lutheran and Old Parish Churches 2nd Annual Bake Sale to raise funds to supply Easter Hams and dinners to families participating in the Sheffield Food Program. Organized by Jennifer Otte from CE/TL Church, the bake sale was held on March 19th & 20th. After the church school lesson the following Sunday, the children helped assemble the baskets with the food. A huge “Thank you” to all who participated, baked goods and donated money. The Jewish Seder meal and its relationship to the Christian Last Supper and Maundy Thursday were explored with our young people through a video and discussion. The children are being invited to attend the Seder Supper and Communion Service being held on Maundy Thursday, April 1st. At the Christian Education meeting in March, Old Parish Church’s Safe Church Policy was discussed. To become current, we are in the process of updating our procedures and records. Margaret Joseph Director C&Y Ministries
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The activities of the month of February contrast the quiet beginning of 2010. After a lunch at church, thirteen of our young people gathered at the home of Jim Kelly for sledding and a hike on snowy trails. They were joined by nine adults who provided transportation and supervision. For a warming snack break, Maggie Brigham prepared homemade hot chocolate and there were cookies to accompany it. The afternoon closed with Ed Hotaling’s stories and some quiet games. The children had a great time and it is heartening to see their friendships grow. A “thank you” to Jim for opening his home for an afternoon of fun. As part of their “Caring for Our Communities” project the children made Valentine Cards for Called to Care. After completing their cards, there was enough time for them to construct Valentine magnets to take home. Continuing with this project, they host Coffee Hour on the 28th. In February our children and youth have shared their hearts in friendship and care for others. Margaret Joseph Director of Children and Youth Ministries
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We welcome Margaret Joseph as our new Director of Children and Youth Ministries! In the words of our Pastor, "Part of her ministry will include reaching out to families with children; to welcome and help integrate new families into the church; to initiate intergenerational experiences that build community and covenant within the church; and to design and coordinate at least one major eduational event a year. She will work closely with me around a variety of annual ministry goals. In addition, she will work with the Church School teachers around effective use of the Godly Play curriculum designed for our younger children, and the establishment of age appropriate curriculum for our youth. Old Parish has a growing number of young people and their families and we look forward to exploring new and creative ways to grow in our faith as an intergenerational community."
Topics: Children and Youth Ministry | No Comments »
Opportunities for service
By caitlin | May 1, 2012
“NAME THE SAILBOAT” CONTEST
Entry forms can be picked up in the office and completed forms put in the
envelope outside the office. The winner will be announced at the
Sailboat Launch Party.
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Collection of “hygiene kits” for Church World Service is here. Pick up date for completed kits is the beginning of May. There will be a display in the social room and a box for your completed kit. Here it what it should contain:
One hand towel approximately 16"x18" (Clean gently-used towels and washcloths from home may be used in place of purchasing new ones.)
One washcloth
One wide-tooth comb
One Nail Clipper
One bar of soap (bath size in wrapper)
One toothbrush (in original packaging)
Six standard size band-aids
Place all items in a one-gallon plastic bag with a zipper closure, remove excess air from bag, and seal (do not add toothpaste to the kit).
Should you have any questions, please contact a committee member or take a look at the display in the social room.
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19TH ANNUAL QUILT RAFFLE RESULTS
Congratulations to Margaret who won this year's raffle quilt! Two years in a row that a member of our
church has won. Thanks to all who bought and sold tickets that raised $1,135 to meet our church budget.
The 2012 quilt will be our 20th. We look forward to the next one.
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The first Sunday of each month will be observed as Sheffield Food Program Sunday. Worshipers are invited to bring in a few non-perishables or paper goods which will be collected by our children during worship.
Topics: Children and Youth Ministry, Upcoming events | No Comments »
Pastor’s letter
By caitlin | May 1, 2012
May 2012
Dear Friends,
What might these songs have in common: ‘Sittin’ on the Dock of the
Bay,’ ‘The Storm is Passing Over,’ ‘Summerwind,’ and ‘Sloop John
B?’ Well, they were all part of our worship service on April 15th, our
second annual Holy Humor Sunday. As our theme, ‘Sail On!’ unfurled
with gusto we set sail for an hour of fun and faithful encounter with the
winds of the Holy!
“How do you come up with these things,” someone asked me after the
service, shaking her head in disbelief. You may be wondering the same
thing! This one was pretty easy since it correlates with a new youth
ministry involving sailing that is taking shape among us. Some of you
may have gotten ‘wind’ of it already.
This is how it has come to be: In our midst there are several members
and friends who are, or have been, active in sailing. As we attempt
to find new and creative ways to engage our youth, an interesting
possibility surfaced when a person was discovered who was selling a
newly overhauled Lightening class sailboat for $1500.00 or…and this
is the important part… he would be willing to donate it to a legitimate
non-profit. Conversation began first with the Christian Education
Committee and with the older youth who were all interested and
excited by the idea. Then the proposal was brought to the Council
who endorsed the ministry after being reassured by our UCC insurance
agent that it was an acceptable ministry activity. In fact, the insurance
agent was very impressed by the idea, as he had learned to sail as a
youth many years ago. With the necessary leadership support firmly in
place, Margaret Joseph, as Director of Children and Youth Ministries
sent off an official email to the seller, who responded within 30 minutes
of her contact!
The reply indicated serious interest in our offer to be the recipient of his
generous donation. Hallelujah! Since then multiple emails and phone
calls have transpired to solidify the transaction.
Right now we are in the process of making plans to pick up the sailboat
which is patiently waiting for us in upstate New York. Pictures
indicate that the bottom of the boat is even Old Parish blue! So prepare
to cast off, as we come together for a fun church picnic, otherwise
known as a ‘Launching party,’ on Sunday, June 10th after worship. The
exact body of water is almost established, but for now – mark your
calendars!
And, of course, our sailboat has to have an appropriate name! So
between now and our Launching Party, we invite you to participate
in naming the boat. Entry forms will be available in the office.
The winner will be invited to participate in the inaugural sail [but
agreement to go out in the boat is not mandatory in order to participate
– Landlubbers are welcome!].
So…get ready to sail on the winds of the Spirit! In this season of
Easter, may the winds of resurrection fill your sails, energize your
souls, and empower your lives! Our church name may be ‘Old Parish’
but there’s nothing old about the way we do ministry!
Sail on!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends, April 2012
While the season of Lent is now moving toward its conclusion, our Crossroads House meetings are on the move! Over thirty people are actively involved in one of four weekly meetings. Our House leader teams, Maggie Brigham and Laura O’Shaughnessy, Marilyn and John Wightman, Becky Schopp and Jim Kelly, and Margaret Joseph and Julie Hannum, are doing a fabulous job facilitating conversation and encouraging deeper reflection on a number of topics and areas of importance for our congregation. If you are not personally participating in a group, your prayer support would yet be a wonderful way to be engaged as you are able. Together we seek to go deeper as we prepare to go outward with our ministry in Christ’s name. This idea of ‘going deeper and going outward’ is one way the Church has begun to perceive evangelism differently. By going deeper we mean; intentionally going deeper in the faith through some spiritual practice or a renewed experience of God. Acknowledging and acting on the fact that our faith formation is ongoing (it didn’t actually end with confirmation!) and then finding new and enriching ways to grow spiritually not just receive intellectual information. In addition, it’s about going outward, telling our story and making a significant difference in the world.
What we know is that thriving churches have clearly discerned the answer to three crucial questions:
1.) Who we are — having a clear understanding of what our passions, gifts, assets, and organizational DNA are;
2.) Who our neighbors are — in our immediate community and around the world. What are their burdens, dreams, needs, fears;
3.) Given the answer to the first two questions, What is God uniquely calling us to become and do in this time and place?
Over time, (there is no quick fix in all of this) through lots of listening to God and one another, through prayer, and an openness to new possibilities, God will lead us into the future with purpose and clarity. And so our journey continues.., through the wilderness of Lent toward the promise of Resurrection! To that end, we direct our gaze and walk together.
Peace!
Jill
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends, March 2012
Very soon now, the next phase of our Crossroads process will be underway.
Led by our House Meeting leaders, a special whole group gathering will be
held on Sunday, March 11 following worship from 11:00 to 1:30. Those who
seek to participate in discerning God’s intention for the future of Old Parish are
encouraged to attend this session as well as sign up for a weekly house meeting
for the next five important sessions.
Much has happened since we voted at a special Congregational Meeting last
November to pursue this bold visioning program. You may remember that on
December 13th a multi-dimensional assessment was conducted which included a
review of our building and finances, a community windshield tour, a historical
review and an Appreciative Inquiry session attended by almost thirty members.
More recently, on February 10th and 11th your team of eight Old Parish leaders
attended an intensive training in Framingham in preparation for leading the
remaining five weekly sessions of House Meetings.
The House Meeting leaders are: Maggie Brigham, Julie Hannum, Margaret
Joseph, Jim Kelly, Laura O’Shaughnessy, Becky Schopp, Marilyn Wightman,
and John Wightman. They will pair up to lead four weekly options of house
meetings from which you can choose and then commit.
The purpose of Session One is to invite us into conversation about the present
realities of our congregation and what to expect over the next five weeks. At
the end of Session One participants will receive copies of the New Beginnings
Assessment report to review before the Session Two small group series of
meetings.
As a result of this added level of anticipated weekly commitment over these
next weeks, the Church Council has approved a suspension of committee and
board meetings for March and April in order to free up time and energy for this
extremely crucial process.
As this Holy Season unfolds let us come together, listen, pray and discern what
bold and faithful decision God has in mind for the future of Old Parish Church!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends, February 2012
As the reality of winter finally sets in, we begin to turn our attention toward Lent. Together we will begin this annual six week journey on Wednesday, February 22 with our Ash Wednesday Service at 7:00 p.m.
Coinciding with our Lenten observance this year will be our participation in the next phase of the Crossroads/New Beginnings process. Coming up on February 10-11, we have a wonderful team of eight people who will join folks from eight other participating churches at a Cluster Event in Framingham. Our team is made up of: Maggie Brigham, Julie Hannum, Margaret Joseph, Jim Kelly, Laura O’Shaughnessy, Becky Schopp, John Wightman, and Marilyn Wightman.
At this two day gathering, church teams will receive the Assessment Report that emerged from the visit by the Crossroads consultant back in December. In addition, our team will be trained to lead a series of six House Meetings that will be scheduled over the next few months. During these small group meetings we hope to engage a wide representation of our worshiping members in conversation around a series of topics that will ultimately inform the decision we make regarding our future direction. As a result, for each of the six sessions, we will schedule four separate opportunities to meet occurring at different times and days in order to accommodate the greatest number of participants. Each of the four meetings associated with the six sessions will be facilitated by a pair of our eight leaders.
While these meetings will probably go beyond Easter, they will nonetheless impact our program scheduling during Lent. As a result we’re going to try something a little different for deepening our spiritual life during the six weeks of Lent. We are fortunate to be able to borrow from the Conference a series of six separate hands-on, experiential and thematic installations together referred to as a Spiritual Spa. (No, a Jacuzzi is not one of the options!) The six thematic activities or installations are as follows: creating a Mandala, a geometric or pictorial design usually enclosed in a circle (it looks something like a beautiful round and colorful stained glass window); using Prayer Beads to create a prayer bracelet from a variety of bead choices; Visio Divina, using images/pictures and a series of self directed questions as a medium for prayer and expanding one’s relationship with God; Centering Prayer, a popular form of contemplative prayer or Christian meditation, that places a strong emphasis on interior silence; another Prayer Installation that would involve making origami cranes that would be added to a wall hanging; and lastly walking a Labyrinth, an ancient prayer tool that combines the imagery of a circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path representing a journey to our own center and back again out into the world… (if you’re interested in helping to create a Labyrinth on canvas, let me know!)
My idea is that for each week in Lent we’d set up one of these Spiritual Stations in the Fellowship hall. Specific times would be posted for folks to be free to stop by…such as during office hours, or early Sunday morning before worship, as well as possibly on Sunday evening. The installations are fairly self-directed in nature, although small groupings of people would also benefit.
I hope your interest is piqued enough for you to check it out! Who knows how God will be working within us over these next several weeks. Opening ourselves to God’s creative Spirit is a great way to usher in the Resurrection!
Blessings!
Rev. Jill
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends, January 2012
I pray your celebration of the birth of Christ has been blessed thus far this year. Indeed those who were able to attend worship on Christmas Day (and there were an amazing twenty two of us!!) experienced a memorable occasion of ‘sweet communion’ with God and one another.
In fact, all the malls and discount stores notwithstanding, the real Christmas Season did not begin in mid-October. Neither did it begin with Advent. The real Christmas Season began on December 25th and continues until Epiphany on January 6th Yes, there are in fact Twelve Days of Christmas!
The well known Christmas song of the same name becomes an annual project in absurdity for the dorky economists at PNC Bank who calculate the year’s Christmas Price Index and then determine what the total cost would be for the mysterious ‘True Love’ to actually provide the 364 gifts the song would require over the course of the twelve days. Apparently the CPI for 2011 stands at $24,263.18 which translates into a total cost of $101,119.84 for the full twelve days worth of multiply gift giving excursions. (According to Derek Thompson, senior editor at The Atlantic. I did not check the math…)
Sadly, (or fortunately as the case may be) the song has nothing to do with actual gifts, living or ornamental. This year I invite us to sing this fun old song with a new thoughtfulness, because it holds deep symbolic meaning. It is my understanding that inEngland between 1558 and 1829, Roman Catholics were not permitted to practice their faith openly, and so created this little song as a secret catechism for their children.
The symbols are as follows:
My True Love is God.
Partridge in a Pear Tree is a reference to Jesus Christ (perhaps from Matthew 23:37 and Luke 13:34)
Two Turtle Doves are the Old and New Testament
Three French Hens refer to faith, hope and love (I Corinthians 13)
Four Calling Birds are the four Gospels
Five Golden Rings are the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures
Six Geese A-Laying are the six days of Creation
Seven Swans A-Swimming are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, wonder and
awe, right judgment, knowledge, courage, and reverence)
Eight Maids A-Milking refer to the eight Beatitudes of Matthew 5
Nine Ladies Dancing are the nine fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5
Ten Lords A-Leaping refer to the Ten Commandments
Eleven Pipers Piping are the eleven faithful disciples
Twelve Drummers Drumming are the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed
Who knew? As the Christmas Season continues, let us take a few moments and sing this ancient song with a new sense of gusto and joy, recognizing that Christmas is not about the ‘Presents,’ but the ‘Presence’ of the greatest gift of all — Emmanuel, God With Us. May your Christmas be wondrous and your New Year rich with God’s blessings!
Peace, Jill
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends, December, 2011
During this Advent and Christmas season we are invited to seek the Christ as did those of old; to discover a new experience of the holy; to encounter the glory of God breaking into our lives and world. In the Gospel of Matthew we are told that after the visitors from the east, known to us as magi, entered the house where the infant and his mother were staying, “they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts…[then] left for their own country by another road.” This year we too have the special opportunity to meet Christ in ways that might then lead us down a new and inspiring road.
At the special congregational meeting on November 6, the assembled church voted unanimously to engage in the Crossroads/New Beginnings process of entering into an intentional season of assessment, discernment, bold decision-making and implementation. Together we will assess the strengths and challenges of our congregation as we seek to make a faithful decision about where God is leading us in the days and years ahead. Everyone’s input is a crucial element to our process as we listen to the Spirit speaking to and through us.
The first phase of this historically crucial process is scheduled for Tuesday evening, December 13th from 7-8:30 where a gathering of 15-25 members of the congregation led by Peter Wells will move through a process of Appreciative Inquiry. Together we will assess where God has blessed, challenged and is continuing to prepare us for vital ministry. The consultant will also be present but will not lead the session. He will, however meet with property and finance folks at 3:00 that afternoon and then participate in a dinner meeting with a few lay folks, Peter, and me before the evening gathering.
A sign-up sheet will be available where you may indicate your willingness to attend.
As we journey to Bethlehem this year may God be especially present to us preparing our hearts for the road ahead, wherever it might lead us. What an exciting time it can be for Old Parish Church!
A blessed and joyous Christmas to you all!
~ Jill
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends, November
“Come Ye Thankful People Come!”
November becomes the perfect invitation to reflect on the blessings of our lives. For
the blessing of family and friends, the support of church community and neighbors,
for strength received and generosity shared, our list of blessings stretch far and wide.
One of the blessings for which I am grateful, is the ability to give. If in fact, we are
created in the image of our loving and giving God, then giving is part of our spiritual
DNA! Right now at Old Parish there are many ways that we are living into that trait,
but I’d like to mention just three.
“MISSION 1” is underway at Old Parish as we participate with UCC brothers and
sisters across the country in this concentrated effort to address the issues of hunger
in our country. Between 11-1-11 and 11-11-11 there are many ways to participate,
but one of the ways we are coming together is to Fill a Pew with at least 111 non-
perishable diabetic healthy foods that will be given to the Sheffield Food Program.
Whole grain pasta, low sugar spaghetti sauces, sugar free jams and jellies, etc will be
welcome. Bring them on Sunday or during office hours.
At the same time, we’re ‘Counting Ourselves Blessed’ as we reflect on how God
might be calling us to respond to funding the mission and ministries at Old Parish for
2012. Stewardship Sunday is November 13, the same Sunday that will also conclude
our Mission 1 emphasis. Together we will come together to bless our Mission 1
offerings to the Food Program as well as our pledges for the coming year.
An ongoing opportunity along this same theme is our non-perishable food basket that
is found in the Narthex. Bring an assortment of food items whenever you think of it,
but on the first Sunday of every month, we will formally collect and dedicate our gifts
to support the ministry of our local Food Program.
God is good, and God is doing good things through the people of Old Parish! During
this month of Thanksgiving while we prepare to share a table filled with turkey and all
the trimmings, may we take some time to reflect upon our blessings in a way that in
turn becomes a blessing for others.
Happy Thanksgiving, dear people!
Peace,
Jill
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Dear Friends, October 2011
“To sing” it is said, “is to pray twice.” Attributed to St. Augustine this quote is surely born out in the life of Old Parish Church. We are a congregation who seems to enjoy singing! Sunday after Sunday we are blessed by a talented and faithful choir whose gifts far outweigh their size. Together, as the introduction to Sing! puts it: our “music draws us closer to our grace-full, loving, justice-seeking God; it moves us with the message and mission of Jesus Christ and surprises us with the power, mystery, and playfulness of the Holy Spirit. It takes us to a spiritual place where words alone cannot, helping us to address God with heart as well as mind, expressing joy and lament, struggle and hope.” I would agree! Whether it’s the old favorites that evoke deep peace and solace, or the newer hymns of the Spirit our hour of worship is full of beautiful music and grateful praise.
Last winter the church purchased its first case of the UCC’s new ‘Sing! Prayer and Praise’ worship songbooks. Since then a second case has been purchased to provide sufficient copies for worshipers. Without a doubt, a most important dimension to the richness of our singing is our very talented accompanist Susan Aery who can play everything from the classical greats to syncopated contemporary. Our worship is truly enhanced by her giftedness.
Over the past few months we’ve been familiarizing ourselves with some of these beautiful praise and prayer songs from Sing! which, without a talented pianist would be a disaster! But as it turns out, thanks be to God, we are discovering a new experience of the Holy in these fresh new rhythms and lyrics. As the autumn unfolds I hope to include even more of these rich selections and pray that they speak to our hearts, even as they challenge us in our journey of faith.
I look forward to worshiping with you (and those you invite to accompany you!) as we blend our voices in praise and prayer. Welcome to worship!
Peace,
Jill
Topics: Pastor's letter, Upcoming events | No Comments »
Field trip!
By caitlin | February 6, 2012
OPCians’ Boston Red Sox trip to Fenway Park.
Even though the Opening Day of Baseball is still a ways down the road, we are looking forward to our first group trip to Fenway Park. Twenty five bleacher seat tickets have been purchased for a 1:35 game on Wednesday June 27th vs. Toronto. The seats are in a cozy group setting – all together. A signup sheet is available for you in the church office to reserve your tickets NOW with your check – first come, first served! Tickets are $31.00 each and are payable to Sandra or Dale Alden as soon as possible. Dale will keep tickets safely until around the time to go to Fenway, so none become misplaced. There is further information next to the sign-up sheets in the OPC office. Be there or be square! Also, start learning the words to “Sweet Caroline”, so you will be able to sing with Sandra around the 7th or 8th innings!
Topics: Upcoming events | No Comments »
Daily Devotional
By caitlin | November 7, 2011
Daily Devotional
Start your day off right with the U.C.C. daily devotional that arrives in your email inbox each morning! Go to ucc.org, click on “Daily Devotional”. There you will be able to register. God is Still Speaking!
"Five Finger Prayer"
When you wish to speak to God and can't quite think of what to say, you can use this little format as a helpful guide. Hold up your hand., or if you put your hands together to pray ..which finger is closest? Yes, your thumb, so the thumb reminds you to pray pray for those closest to you first, such as your family and friends.
The next finger is called your index finger. It is used for pointing. Use this finger to remind you to pray for those that point you in the
right direction. Pray for your teachers at school, your Sunday School teacher, and yes, me, your pastor.
The next finger is the tallest finger. This finger reminds us to pray for our leaders. Pray for the president and other leaders in our
government and those who are leaders in our town.
The fourth finger is the called the ring finger. Did you know that this is the weakest of all the fingers? Just ask any one who plays the piano and they will tell you that is true. Let this finger remind you to pray for those who are sick or are in need.
The next finger is the smallest finger. Let the little finger remind you to pray for yourself. Though it's last it's certainly not least.
So the next time you are talking to God, and you can't think of anything to say, let the "Five Finger Prayer" help you.
Topics: Ongoing events | No Comments »
New Church Directory!
By caitlin | November 7, 2011
At last, our latest church directory is available!!!!!! Copies are available on the round table in the social room. The
cost of printing had increased over our original budget for the books. The suggested donation is $5.
Topics: Upcoming events | No Comments »
Antique Show
By caitlin | November 7, 2011
The Antiques Show for 2012 is scheduled for August 10-12, so please plan your summer schedule accordingly. Also, we have a facebook page! Come over and check it out.
Topics: Fundraising, Upcoming events | No Comments »
Missions
By caitlin | November 7, 2011
Missions
Your committee met at its regular time. We finalized our disbursements for the
discretionary and community funds. They will be reported in the 2011 annual
report.
Many thanks for our recent collections. The first, Neighbors in Need, raised $275.
These monies support Justice and Witness Ministries and the Council of American
Indian Ministry.
Second, many winter coats and accessories were received by the Annual Winter
Outerwear Drive in South County. Thank you for your contributions that will help
those in need be warmer during the cold winter months.
And thirdly, our MISSION 1 – 11-1-11-11-11-11 – “Fill the Pew” Drive did just
that. All those non- perishables were added to the Sheffield Food Program. And
many thanks for the many items contributed for diabetics.
Our Christmas Fund Offering – our final Special Mission offering will be received
on December 11. Special envelopes are on the back table with the Sunday
Bulletins.
Christmas Fund Offering
The UCC's Pension Boards is launching the Magi Project, a three-year initiative
striving to double donations to the Christmas Fund, one of the denomination's four
special mission offerings.
For decades, the Christmas Fund — formerly known as "Veterans of the Cross"
— has helped provide supplemental monies for pension and health insurance
premiums to low-income retirees. At Christmas, the offering provides gift checks
to hundreds of annuitants, but it also provides emergency assistance to clergy and
lay employees and their families throughout the year. Thank you for your gifts. For
more information, go to the UCC website.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NATIONAL “MISSION: 1” WRAP UP AND CELEBRATION
With funds still being counted on November 28, Thanksgiving prayers were
answered as the final goal of the United Church of Christ’s Mission:1 campaign
– raising $111,111 for East Africa famine – was surpassed.
“Mission 1 shows that we as a community of faith are not powerless, even in the
face of a major crisis – we have topped our goal for East Africa famine relief and
boldly advocated for food justice,” said the Rev. Jim Moos, executive minister of
the UCC’s Wider Church Ministries. “Because we are not helpless, others need
not be hopeless.”
At the close of business on Nov. 28, the totals stood thus: 1,438,124 food items
collected; 37,443 letter sent to Congress regarding hunger-related concerns;
$119,584 raised for hunger-related ministries; and $113,271 raised for East
Africa famine relief.
In typical UCC fashion, local churches across the country took Mission:1 to
heart and created their own special ways of fulfilling its goals. Here at Old Parish
we exceeded our goal to collect 111 items of diabetic healthy non-perishable
foods for our Sheffield Food Program. Indeed, we succeeded in ‘filling a pew’
for Mission: 1!
Ben Guess, executive minister of Local Church Ministries summed it
up: “Mission:1 in many respects, was a game changer for how we understand
and approach local mission.” Thanks be to God. Thank you to all to participated
as we came together with UCC brothers and sisters across the land toward a
common goal.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pauline did a great presentation for our Neighbors in Need offering which was taken in October. If you still would like to contribute, please send your check to the church office and memo line your check “NN.”
As in the past years, this committee is helping Pauline with the Woods Tea Company Concert. If you would like to contribute baked goods for the intermission, please contact Sandra at ladyquilter@hotmail.com. Also, if you would like to volunteer in any way, please speak to the Missions Committee.
Save the date: January 6, 2012, three Chilean women will be here. More will follow next month.
MISSION I. You can read about this project below. We hope to “Fill a Pew” with at least 111 pieces of nonperishable food, particularly for diabetics for our local food program.
Thank you for the winter outerwear collection. They will be picked up soon and distributed.
The next meeting will be Wed. Nov. 2 at 5:15pm.
ONE CHURCH – MISSION 1.
Between 11-1-11 and 11-11-11 the UCC nationwide will unite to address the problem of food insecurity in our country. Here, at Old Parish for the first 11 days of November we can assist the Sheffield Food Program by collecting at least 111 pieces of non-perishable diabetic healthy food items for our local Food Program. Food for diabetics is particularly needed, such as whole grain cereal and pasta, natural peanut butter, tuna, sugar free jams, jellies, cookies, tomato sauces with a max of 2 gms of sugar, regular graham crackers, quick cook oatmeal, cheerios, and plain popcorn. The front pew facing south will become our receptacle. Let’s fill a pew for Mission 1!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Your missions committee met on September 7. We have received a thank you for our part in helping June 1 Tornado victims in the Munson and surrounding areas. Old Parish sent in $700 which was part of the $40,000 collected by the Massachusetts conference.
Remember the Construct Walk on October 16. Walk and or make a pledge so that OPC will again be a big supporter to this very worthwhile project. Also, as in the past, OPC has been asked to make four dozen sandwiches to be taken to the Construct site at noon on the day of the walk. (Please see or call Sandra for further details if you wish to contribute in this way. See Marilyn for details on pledging and walking.
Looking ahead, in early January we plan on having several Chilean young women here on a Friday evening. This presentation will help us to continue our ties with the Pentecostal Church of Chile. More information will follow as we get closer to the New Year.
October is the Neighbors in Need collection. This is the third offering of the year. Listen for Pauline’s talk on this worthwhile mission during worship service this month. The collection will be taken Oct. 2. Envelopes are in the sanctuary on the back table or mail your offering to the church office. Thank you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday the 13th is often seen as an ominous day, but for Old Parish last month it was a great day. Why? Because it was the date of OPC’s first Chili for Chile cook-off. It was a complete success with $500 being raised to help our brothers and sisters in the Pentecostal Church of Chile in the second phase of the Lifting up Hope Campaign begin to rebuild their church buildings. Immediately after the February 2010 earthquake, Old Parish joined many others in the Mass Conference to help the church build Blessing Cabins for those who lost their homes.
Ten chili entries were submitted, tasted and critiqued by our four judges: Mike Ovitt, Rene Wood, Kevin Schmitz and Peter Wells. Then for a free-will offering the more than 30 hungry bystanders were able to sample the entries. Peter Wells, Associate Conference Minister for the Mass Conference provided a passionate account of what the monies would be used for. Then the prizes were handed out.
The category winners are as follows: The first prize in the beef category went to Graham Frank and his special recipe. First prize in the non-beef category went to Jim Kelly’s venison chili. Second prize in the non-beef category went to Marilyn Wightman’s chicken chili. A special recognition was deemed appropriate for courage in entering a vegetarian chili which Dottie Bonbrake received. Winner of the mildest chili, the Wuss Award, was given to heart health conscious Margie Larkin. The top vote getter, over all Grand Prize winner (drum roll please….) went to Jim Kelly and his Venison Chili. A special thank you goes out to all the chefs who freely shared their time, talent and chili in order to benefit our Chilean friends. A fun evening was had by all!
Next on the calendar: In June The Strengthen the Church offering will be taken. This UCC annual offering helps build our denominational future. Directed to our Church’s Conference, Local Church Ministries and The Stillspeakng Ministry, these gifts help invigorate congregations, foster new leaders, and grow the UCC presences as a community of extravagant welcome. Envelopes are available at morning worship or send your gift to the church office, PO box 387, Sheffield, MA 01257. June 12 is the date of collection.
John Wightman, our representative to the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, will speak on what this committee is currently doing at the June 26 worship service. June is “Torture Awareness Month.” Tom Driver will also be available. A video, discussion, and a petition will be available following worship.
The next Mission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 1 at 5:15.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chili for Chile Cook Off!!
Friday, May 13 6:00PM
Do You Make a Mean Chili?
Is “5 Alarm” Your Favorite Meal?
The Missions committee invites chili makers and tasters to join us for our first chili cook off event to benefit the “Lifting Up Hope” Housing and Trauma Recovery Project!*
Our cook off night will feature chili judging by local chef Kevin Schmidt of the Marketplace, Sheffield tax collector/fire fighter/police man (and all around good guy) Mike Ovitt and UCC minister Peter Wells (prizes will be awarded!). There will be some light entertainment, a presentation by Associate Conference Minister Peter Wells on the Lifting Up Hope Project”, and a terrific chili meal for all!
Cook Off Entrance fee will be $6.00
A free will offering will be collected for the meal ($6.00 per person/$12.00 per family suggested)
Sign up sheets are available in the social room so break out your favorite, award winning chili recipe and mark the night on your calendar. (There is also a sign up sheet for those who would share a bit of talent with us for the evening entertainment!)
*The Lifting Up Hope project was initiated following the devastating earthquake in Chile in February of 2010. Thanks to the generosity of givers in UCC churches throughout Massachusetts, Blessing Cabins are getting built to house families left homeless by the earthquake and tsunami in Chile last year. But many more are still needed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our collection for the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering was in April. We have collected $295.00 to date. But it is not too late to get yours in if you forgot. Mail it to the office, OPC, Post Box 387, Sheffield, MA 01257. In the memo line, please note OGHS. Thank you.
A Mission Committee member will fill in any of the Sundays for the Coffee Hour when no one signs up. If you would like to participate, the signup sheet is in the South Social Room.
Remember our Chili for Chile cook-off contest and dinner, Friday, May 13 and 6:00 PM.
Next Mission meeting is Wednesday, May 4 at 5:00
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The committee met on January 5.
We learned from John Wightman that we would be getting materials concerning the Anniversary of the Guantanamo issue and that on January 23 there would be a human rights focus with a petition signing.
There will be a talent show in April (date to be announced). We are happy to have Millie as our producer. She will have an assistant with her. The show will be preceded by a dinner that will feature a Chilean menu. The event will raise funds for Chile. Much more to follow on this event: date, time, etc.
The Missions Bulletin Board features many thanks you from organizations that received monies from our 2010 budget. Please take time to look it over.
Jill brought up, “How do you make a difference where you give, moving charity to justice.” She said Peter Wells is willing to come to speak to us on the subject. It was noted that it is better if people are passionate about a cause.
Our next meeting is Wednesday, February 2 at 5:00.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Your committee met in November at our scheduled time.
Alice attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new condominiums for homeless veterans in Pittsfield at the “Soldier On” complex. We agreed to have the congregation bring in new double sheets, pillowcases, and pillows for them during the month on November. She has agreed to take them up to Pittsfield. The apartments were scheduled to open towards the end of November. There will be a need for furniture also. The organization will come to town to collect that. Talk to Alice for more details.
We discussed the good possibility of having a talent show in the New Year.
In December our final collection is taken. There is a separate write up for the Christmas Fund elsewhere. Your contribution is appreciated. Special envelopes are available, but make sure to make a note on the memo line of your check.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For the month of November in honor of Veteran’s Day the Mission Committee will be collecting items for the “Soldier On” facility in Pittsfield. This facility is for homeless veterans. “Soldier On” is in need of double size bed sheets (white or tan), pillow cases and pillows. Please have them in the original wrap. Bring the items to church and Alice Leason will take them to Pittsfield.
John Wightman was a guest at our October meeting. He spoke on the National Campaign Against Torture. He agreed that our $100 donation would be acceptable. There will be a petition to sign in January that relates to Human Rights Day.
Over $300 was collected for our Neighbors in Need offering – a special thank you to all for your contributions.
Don’t forget the Woods Tea Company performance on November 21. Pauline has posters out in many places.
Our next meeting will be November 3rd at 5pm.
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DO YOU HAVE A WARM, COMFORTABLE HOME?
Despite our fears about the economy, most of us can answer the above question affirmatively. We may not like the economic picture, but we’ll manage. But there are many people in south county who can’t. Last year Construct, Inc. assisted more than 1,000 south county residents with issues relating to housing needs. In addition many of those “on the edge” exhausted their meager savings last year. We expect the need to be even greater this year.
The annual Walk to Prevent Homelessness will take place on Sunday, October 17, 2010, leaving Ski Butternut at 1 pm and progressing to the Construct office on Mahaiwe Street in Great Barrington. Old Parish has been a marvelous supporter in the past and we can do it again! Last year many of our parishioners, including young children, walked in a nasty, cold rain. We’ll have better weather this year!
If you can walk, pick up Walk papers on the bulletin board by the office. If you can’t walk, please support those who can. If you have any questions, please speak to Old Parish Team Captain, Caitlin.
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From the September 1, 2010 Missions meeting:
Alice reported on homeless veterans needs. There are over 275,000 homeless veterans in this country. The “Vets” housing in Pittsfield will be in need of furniture when it is completed.
We voted to send $100 to the National Religious Campaign Against Torture. Since this meeting, we learned that John Wightman will join us for our next meeting to discuss this issue.
We received thank letters for the $1001 we raised for Haiti relief fund and also for the $84 we had sent to (Church World Services?) to cover the shipping and handling of the health/baby kits we had sent in the spring.
The Neighbor’s In Need special collection will be October 3rd.
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The 34 hygiene kits and 8 layette kits are hopefully in the warehouse in Maryland. Thanks to all who contributed. On May 23 the Strengthening the Church Offering will be received. Half of what is collected stays in the Mass. UCC to help our own church growth. Envelopes are available on the table at the rear of the Sanctuary if you need one. Otherwise, send your offering to the church office, designating so on the check’s memo line. Results will be in next month’s Messenger. Thank you. The MAUCC partnership with the Pentecostal Church of Chili is hoping to raise funds for “Blessing Cabins” for those displaced in their recent earthquake. Donations will go through our Berkshire Association. Rev. Jill and the Mission Committee have committed $500, 1/3 of the cost of a cabin. Please make your contribution soon. Tom Driver will speak on Thursday, June 10 at 7pm. The subject is Anti-torture. Come and join us for this informative discussion. Dessert and coffee will be served. Should you have concerns, please contact co-chairman, Sandra Alden and Becky Schopp. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Your committee has been busy during March and April. First of all, word went out early this year that health and layette kits were needed for the people of Haiti who lost everything in the earthquake. We have packaged several boxes and they are about every to be delivered to the Ludlow western area office via Pastor Jill. From there, they will be delivered to the warehouse in Baltimore. Old Parish is known for its generosity in times of need. Thanks to all who helped make this very worthwhile project such a success. The exact number of kits will follow. In March the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering was collected. This special UCC offering, as part of Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM), carries God’s message of love and hope to people in more than 80 countries. The UCC works with international partners to provide, food, clean water, education and health care, and so much more for refugees and displaced persons. This year OPC collected $582, nearly $100 more than 2009. Again thanks to all for your support. Jill has brought to our attention that since the earthquake in Chile, there is a need for housing there. You may remember that the Massachusetts Conference of the UCC is in partnership with the Pentecostal Church of Chile. Jill talks of this special project of funding homes for 300 families in her message. The houses cost $1,500 each. She has already committed $250 and the Mission committee has voted to use $250 of their discretionary fund. We are already one-third of our way to funding one house. We hope that OPC will support this project and build at least one house in Chile. This month Strengthen the Church Offering will be received. Your gift to STC builds the UCC’s future now by funding the Still speaking Ministry, new and renewing churches, youth and young adult ministries, and lay and pastoral leadership formation, especially among women and people of color. Leaflets and envelopes are available. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Twelve years ago the members of Old Parish Church embarked on a remarkable mission ministry reaching individuals in need far from our home. Each of these 12 years, members of OP were asked to support the India Old Age Project and as is usual for our members, the giving was always generous. Old Parish, through the missions committee, has received regular correspondence from Sudhaker Telore, the program coordinator, over the years. His latest letter is posted on the Mission board in the social room. He has indicated through this letter and e-mails that the India Project has been finalized. He has been extremely grateful for the generosity of the members of Old Parish over the years and thanks you all for your commitment. The History of the O.P. Indian Old-Age Project (The following “history” was provided by Sally Kelly) In the late 70's the Mission Committee was inspired to raise over $1500 for a well to be dug in a village in India. This came about because of inspiration from visiting missionaries, first the Rev. Gifford Towle and then a protege of his, Sudhakar Telore. A well was built in a small village under Sudhakar's leadership and had a sign which read "Abundant Living Water from Friends in Sheffield, Mass." King and Sally Kelly corresponded with Sudhakar for 15 years, and became interested in his family. All this time Sudhakar never asked for money so it was truly a friendship that was established. The Kellys' trip in 1996 was the trip of a lifetime for them. They experienced life in Osmanabad, India and particularly Sudhakar's mission work helping the poorest of the poor, educating children and women, providing shepherds with starter sheep, and many other programs. When the Kellys returned to Sheffield, the mission committee decided to ask Sudhakar how they could help him. He responded by suggesting we could help by supplying wherewithal for him to start an Old-Age Project. He said there were many old people who had no children to look after them and were destitute. With our support he could arrange a daily good meal, and so we decided to raise the money for this with a Talent Show. It was successful, and so for 12 years that is what happened at Old Parish, and now Sudhakar is retired and there is no more Old Age Project.
Topics: Fundraising, Missions, Upcoming events | No Comments »
Christian Education Committee
By caitlin | September 2, 2011
Fall Opportunities Planned by the Christian Education Committee
The Christian Education Committee is excited about the many opportunities for learning, fun, and spiritual growth planned for the fall.
The popular Sunday Soup and Study series will be continued with the fall session running from October 23 through November 20. All adults are encouraged to join Sunday evenings at 5:30 pm for a light supper and fellowship, followed by the Living the Questions videos and discussion. Everyone is invited to join all or any one of the evening sessions. No reading or advance preparation is required.
In addition a day time adult book group is in the planning stage. Date, time, place, and book suggestions will be decided depending on interest and suggestions. If you would like to participate, please let Marilyn know or talk to Laura.
A Halloween Progressive Party for families and all members is in the planning stages. Tentative date is Friday, October 28, beginning with a special mystery event, followed by a potluck dinner and games at the church, and ending with ghost stories and s’mores around a big bonfire at Jim’s. Watch the bulletins and the Messenger for details. Children of all ages up to and including 100 years old are invited.
Come and learn, have fun, and grow at Old Parish this fall.
Topics: Upcoming events | No Comments »
National Religious Campaign Against Torture
By caitlin | April 1, 2011
TORTURE IS NEVER JUSTIFIED
Years ago, the Abu Ghraib scandal brought to light our nation’s dark history with torture. Despite the fact that torture is both immoral and illegal, some claim it is a “necessary evil” to keep our country safe. Now in the aftermath of Osama bin Laden’s death, those same proponents are eager to declare that the use of waterboarding and other torture practices led us to bin Laden, and are therefore vindicated.
They could not be more misguided. Since 9/11, the United States’ practice of torture has hurt rather than helped us. Especially within the religious community, which affirms the human dignity of every individual, there is no way to justify the evil practice of torture. The religious community has been nearly unanimous in the assertion that torture is always wrong. People of faith agree that the practice of torture violates the tenets of every major religion. All faiths have the basic teaching that human beings are created in the image of God. Thus what we do to other people, whether in war or peace, needs to express our core beliefs.
Old Parish Church is a member of The National Religious Campaign against Torture. Meeting monthly, NRCAT has helped those who love peace and justice to express themselves meaningfully in opposition to the use of torture anywhere in our country. With its leadership, June, 2011, has been declared as “Torture Awareness Month.” Through prayer and discussion we will be led to explore the history of torture in our country through the establishment of a government-wide Commission of Inquiry to ascertain the extent to which our interrogation practices have constituted torture and “cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.” Understanding the causes, nature and scope of U.S.-sponsored torture is essential for preventing it in the future and eliminating it from our system without loopholes.
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Dear NRCAT Supporter:
It’s time to begin planning for June’s Torture Awareness Month activities for your congregation and/or religious organization. NRCAT will be providing a number of useful resources to help you prepare. With an overall theme of “accountability,” NRCAT is promoting a variety of activities for congregations at different levels of engagement with this issue, including:
Introductory Resources
- New short video and discussion guide featuring religious leaders from diverse traditions addressing theological questions about accountability as a path to healing; accountability is not just about prosecution and should never be about vengeance.
- Worship resources – a short prayer and bulletin insert, along with sermon talking points.
More Advanced Resources
- Study resource – a discussion guide for a one-hour adult study session.
- Dramatic production – NRCAT will collaborate with the American Civil Liberties Union in promoting a toolkit for local productions of the program Reckoning with Torture that includes dramatic readings from official U.S. government documents, video testimony from survivors, and powerful artwork.
You’ll find more information about these and other resources on NRCAT’s Torture Awareness Month webpage.
We will provide you with further details in the coming weeks, but we encourage you to begin planning now for your local Torture Awareness Month activities.
Thank you for all your efforts to end U.S.-sponsored torture – forever,
Linda Gustitus, President
Rev. Richard Killmer, Executive Director
Topics: National Religious Campaign Against Torture | No Comments »
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