CROP Walk 2017
Sunday, October 15
With the holidays fast approaching, it is a good time to remember that for many, the holidays only highlight lack and increase isolation. It is estimated that 1 in 8 people are going hungry. Let’s show that we care. Please join me for the Leicester Crop Walk on Oct.15th. This four- mile walk provides funds to send food to those in need, and 25% of monies raised stays right in town for the Leicester Food Bank.
If walking isn’t your thing and you would still like to help, you can donate by seeing me, or by going to Cropwalk.org. Additional fundraising activities that day include a bake sale and Gift Basket Raffle. Contributions of baked goods and raffle items are appreciated.
The Leicester Team is an ecumenical effort with people from several churches. The Walk begins and ends at Christ Episcopal Church. Registration is at 12:30, and the Walk starts at 1. Thanks for your support.
Chase Orsi (774-289-4660 / cjrorsi@yahoo.com)
Thanksgiving
What does that word mean to you, to your family? You’re probably thinking of a holiday filled with family gathered from far and near to celebrate and enjoy an elaborate meal. But what if you and/or your partner were recently unemployed or burdened with medical bills or even disabled or a senior on a fixed income? That day becomes just like any other and the continuation of a struggle that never seems to end.
We at First Congregational Church have rallied to collect food donations to help fill the Thanksgiving baskets at St. Joseph’s food pantry for many years now. It is an opportunity to love our neighbor through the sharing of food.
Every year we have focused on one item to collect in volume. This year we will be collecting french fried onions. At least 150 cans are needed. You can begin bringing in your donations any time up until November 12th. Please bring them upstairs to the sanctuary where they will be kept down front and offered up along with the weekly offerings and any other food bank donations, until we reach our goal
If we each strive to bring one can a week, that goal will be shattered in a month. It’s in the giving that we give thanks to God.
Deacon Carol Mulrain
A Note from the Pastor
Grace and peace, dear friends. I noted in the last issue my intention to reflect on some of the goals I set out in my annual report, and so continue that effort here, focusing on Committee and UCC connection goals. In the annual report, I shared my opinion that committees in this church do not meet often enough to maintain vitality, and I set a goal of encouraging and enabling more regular gatherings. I set this goal because of my perception that the overall level of energy and engagement of people at FCC is on the decline. I worry that if we drift along without thought, going on auto-pilot, the decline will accelerate. Now it is possible that more meetings are not the answer. It is a hard sell – spiritual growth through committee meetings. What I ought to include in my goal is not just more meetings, but meetings that are enlivening and affirming, that are led by the Spirit and feed us in the moment, not just down the line. Serving God through the church ought to be joyful work, and I need to know and make changes if it feels burdensome to you, so please let me know.
I believe I have made progress with this goal, mostly by reaching out to people through e-mail and suggesting dates for meeting, and gathering input from others. I pray that my enthusiasm for the work of our committees is obvious and contagious. I have encouraged some groups to schedule meetings at least quarterly, whether or not any particular need is identified. I believe it is fruitful to make time to reflect on how things are going, explore patterns and set goals instead of only meeting to respond to problems. I have been thrilled to see others taking the initiative to schedule meetings and try to raise awareness of important event, such as the church’s 300th anniversary coming up in 2019.
In a church this size, it often turns out that several people wear multiple hats, and it is understandable that priorities need to be set and something always is put on the back burner. I may push too hard sometimes when people are already overwhelmed, so I need to ask for your forgiveness and patience. My aim is to be supportive, so please let me know when I am not, and what I can do to help instead.
In the annual report I also discussed my denominational commitments, and set a goal for increased congregational engagement in UCC, ecumenical and interfaith activities. I am so pleased with the progress made on this goal. Our pastoral relations committee attended the training for PRC’s offered in West Brookfield, and we are hosting a gathering for church moderators focusing on the changes in churches. Our delegate will be attending the Super Saturday workshop, and perhaps some others of you as well. There is so much wisdom and strength and hope spread throughout our sister churches, and it is a gift when we can share ours and receive from others. It is a way to live out Christ’s call that we all be One. We sent out the notice about our Old Testament Video Lecture Series to other churches and several people accepted the invitation!
Since our newsletters are bi-monthly, I must wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity you have given me to serve God in such a faith-filled place, with and among people who deeply understand and live out Christ’s call to kindness and self-giving love. May you be blessed as you have blessed me.
Pastor Doreen
Strawberry Hill Fair
November 11 from 9-2pm
The Women’s Association is busy planning this year’s fair, to be held on November 11. Many hands are needed to complete this task. Set up will start after our regular Nov. 1 meeting. Help with table set ups is also needed the day before the fair, and of course, help is needed for all kinds of things on the day of the fair. Please let Marie, Judy, or Cindy know when you are available to help.
All tables are accepting donations. Don’t wait until the last minute: bring any finished items in as soon as they are completed. All donations except for Baked Goods and Country Store are expected in by Nov. 1. Your talent and time is greatly appreciated. Working together, we can make this year’s fair exceptional!
Below are listed the tables, along with the person coordinating donations to that table.
• GIFT BASKETS (Marie Frascolla): Marie puts together themed gift baskets from donated new items. A completed basket is welcome and appreciated. Here are some ideas to inspire the creative shopper in you: Holiday, Special Dinner, Party, Sports, Children’s Toys, Baby Care, Pets, Coffee / Tea, Chocolate, Beauty, Cleaning, Car Needs, Winter Fun, Kitchen, Bath, Exercise, Home Décor, Games, Fishing, Tools, Sewing, Gardening, Family Entertainment, or something of your own creation.
• BUSY FINGERS (Ellen & Ann Orsi, Cynthia Rizzo): Anything handmade: hats, mittens, scarves, head bands, afghans, table runners, pot holders, placemats, dish towels, etc.
• HOLIDAY DECORATIONS (Cindy LaPointe, Nancy Desautels, June Kelley): Put your talent to work! Fall, Thanksgiving, Christmas – handmade ornaments, table decorations, centerpieces, door décor, and some creative surprises. Remember our Holiday Décor table – donate or purchase gently loved and used wonderful old treasures.
• SECOND-HAND TREASURES (Judy Ivel and Robyn Desautels): We invite donations of high quality items such as antiques, sports memorabilia, luxury services, fine art and quality collectables. White elephant-type donations will benefit the Heifer Fund.
• RAFFLES (Sue Ann Morowski): Businesses are solicited for items or gift vouchers to be raffled the day of the fair.
• BAKED GOODS (Mary Simmons, Joyce Thebodo): Take out those old and new recipes and let’s get baking! We need cookies, cakes, pies, brownies, fudge, barks, breads and sweet surprises. Baked goods can be dropped off the evening before or the morning of the fair.
• COUNTRY STORE (Len Ivel, Ron LaPointe): Welcomes donations of jams and jellies, pickles, relishes, beans and winter vegetables such as potatoes, onions, squash and pumpkins. Store-bought candy is also welcome. We know you’ll want to get rid of left-over Halloween treats!
• CAFE (Quentin Lewis & crew): Enjoy some great lunch specials and apple crisp and ice cream for dessert!
For more information, please contact Marie Frascolla (508 892-0038),
Judy Ivel (508 892 3321), or Cindy LaPointe (508 885 9875)
The Old Testament Video Lecture Series
Mondays at 7 p.m.
You are invited to join us at the church for this wonderful series. Presenter, Amy-Jill Levine, Ph.D of Vanderbilt University thoughtfully explores selected passages from the Old Testament. She provides clear examples of how various approaches to biblical research and interpretation can enrich your understanding of this inexhaustibly fruitful and powerful text. Levine is dynamic, exciting to listen to and her knowledge of her subject is organized and well conveyed. Please join us on Monday nights through November 13 (no meeting Oct. 9). We meet in Russell Hall and view the series on the wonderful new large screen TV, provided by our trustees. No commitment is necessary. Attend any Monday that you are able. Bring friends. We serve snacks!
Hello Friends of First Congregational
Do you enjoy hearing the Bible message each Sunday? Have you ever thought; “I could do that”. I think there are people in the congregation who would enjoy doing a reading. If you are that person, the deacons and Pastor Doreen would love to have more voices to share the Word of God. I will be inquiring around but if this is something that speaks to you, Doreen or I would be happy to talk more about it with you. This is not a weekly or even monthly commitment on your part. Let us know what you can do.
Deacon Carol Mulrain
Bible Study / Book Group
Interested in expanding your spiritual horizons? All of our adult spiritual formation groups welcome new participants.
• The Wednesday morning group meets on the 1st and 3rd Wed each month at 10:30 a.m. in the pastor’s study. No advance reading is necessary, and people are welcome to come when they can.
• The West Side Group meets once a month to discuss a book that has been read over the course of the month. We schedule meetings to accommodate anyone interested in attending. Meetings are usually held in North Brookfield. If interested, contact Doreen about the book selection.
• Our Monday evening group is offering a video lecture series on the Old Testament (see separate article).
UCC Connections
Super Saturday
October 15
The Massachusetts Conference is hosting a day of workshops and worship on Saturday, October 15 at the Keefe Technical School, 750 Winter St., Framingham. There are workshops on church vitality, care and wellness, community building, justice issues, spirituality, worship and so much more! It would be great to have a team of people attending.
Registration begins at 8 a.m., and the welcome and worship start at 9. The program ends at 3:45 p.m. Please check out the Conference website for information on the workshops being offered (www.macucc.org) or see Doreen ASAP for information or to register.
Worcester Fellowship Lunch Providers
Oct. 29
Please see the sign-up sheet for donations beginning October 15. Many helping hands are needed to prepare the lunches in Russell Hall after worship on the 29th, so please join us if you can. All are welcome to join us for lunch and worship behind Worcester City Hall beginning at 1 p.m.
Also, with the weather getting colder, donations of hats, gloves, mittens, scarves and clean white socks are most appreciated.
Advent Readers Needed
The first Sunday in Advent is November 26. Each Sunday during Advent we light a candle in the Advent wreath and reflect on a particular theme. I am looking for volunteers for each of the 4 weeks of Advent to come forward as a family, individual, or friends to light the candle and say a few words about a particular theme. I warn you that it involves more than reading something pre-written, but I am excited to work with you in adding your own thoughts – a few sentences – to the ritual. Participants will be given a book of Advent devotionals by the Still Speaking writers to share (1 book for each week). Please contact me, Pastor Doreen, if you are interested.
Christmas Eve – Time to let go of what
we’ve always done?
For many year, FCC has followed the tradition of having a Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols candlelight service that begins at 11 and typically ends around midnight with worshippers gathered in a circle singing Silent Night (I tear up just thinking of it). To me the timing has held special meaning, to be together as we move into this holy day. But in viewing the Old Testament series, I was reminded that in the time and place Jesus was born, the “day” started in the evening (“There was evening and there was morning, the first day”- Gn 1). Christmas starts in the evening, at dusk. So we could keep the symbolism and still gather to worship at an earlier time.
For the people who give so much to make this worship happen (choir, deacons, pastor), who come early and leave late, it would be a blessing. But what would it mean to you? Is it your tradition to come to worship at 11? Would you be able and willing to come earlier?
Here are some ideas that have been suggested. If you come to worship on a Sunday morning, you will be able to fill out a survey and submit it. But we would also like to hear from you who don’t typically come on Sunday morning, but might come on Christmas Eve. Please send me an e-mail response to the following survey (pastorfccleicester@verizon.net).December 24 is a Sunday this year. Would you attend both a morning and an evening service? If not, which would you be more likely to attend?
If you would like to attend an evening service, please let me know the time block you would prefer:
4 or 5 p.m. 6 or 7 p.m. 8 or 9 p.m. 11 p.m.
Your feedback is important to the Council, so please take a moment to respond. Thank you.
In Our Prayers
Never underestimate the power of prayer. You are invited, as you read this, to add your prayers for those listed. Take a moment to breathe in God’s Spirit, and channel your good will and hopes to each person or situation named. You might imagine them surrounded by a healing light, or held in God’s hand. May this simple practice fill you with peace and hope.
– For Neil and Dean, for their continued recovery
– For Mary Ellen, recuperating from knee surgery, and facing another one
– For Barbara Paszuk that has had a bone marrow transplant.
– For Ellie as she continues to have health challenges
– For Worcester Fellowship as it transitions to a new Executive Director
I would like to send a BIG THANK YOU to all who have prayed for and send cards of well wishes to me while I was in the hospital and at home. I had major surgery on July 26th and my progress has been slower than I would have liked. One of my surgeons told me, just Last Wednesday, that it would be at least six months before I feel “normal” again. I am getting stronger by the week. I have a beautiful and wonderful caretaker in my wife Carol. She pushes me forward. I especially would like to thank Rev. Doreen for her multiple visits to me while I was in the hospital. We, as a congregation, are truly blessed to have her as our Minister, as she brings in her presence, the spirit of GOD, with her.
Neil Mulrain