First Congregational Church of Southampton
United Church of Christ
212 College Highway, P.O. Box 145
Southampton, MA 01073
Phone: (413) 527-1173

1/21/07

www.shcong.org

Rev. Dee’s E-mail: revdee@shcong.org

Church Office E-Mail: shcongchurch@peoplepc.com

Church Office: 527-1173

Dear Church Members,

Here’s what’s happening at YOUR church this WEEK:

MONDAY Office Administrator’s Hours 8:30AM-12:30PM

Rev. Dee’s Office Hours 1:00PM-3:00PM

TUESDAY Heart Walk 10:00AM

Rev. Dee’s Office Hours 1:00PM-4:00PM

Junior Choir 4:30-5:00PM

Pastoral Relations Meeting 7:00PM

WEDNESDAY Deadline for Sunday Bulletin

Office Administrator’s Hours 8:30AM-12:30PM

Rev. Dee’s Office Hours 9:00AM-1:00PM

Prayer Group 9:15AM

Sr. Choir Rehearsal 6:15PM

Bi-Polar Support Group 6:00PM

Church Directory Photo Session 3:00PM-9:20PM

THURSDAY Church Directory Photo Session 3:00PM-9:20PM

FRIDAY Office Administrator’s Hours 8:30AM-12:30PM

Cornerstone Deadline

SATURDAY Bonnie Emerson Benefit Spaghetti Supper

For Dave & Irene Dale 5:00PM -7:00PM

(Tickets $10.00 and may be purchased at the door)

SUNDAY Morning Worship 10:00AM

Church School

Food Basket Sunday

Cornerstone Deadline: Deadline for February edition is January 19th.

Today’s News

Today was the Annual Meeting immediately following the morning worship service. There were approximately 50 members in attendance! Thank you to each and every one who participated in the annual meeting. THANK YOU also to each and every member of the congregation for all of your contributions, whether large or small, that helped to carry out the mission of this church in 2006. We look forward to an even better 2007.

“Get on the Boat” Brainstorming and Strategy Meeting: On Sunday, February 4^th, at 1:30PM the church membership will meet to begin brainstorming the following topic: “What does growing our church mean?” and “How do we accomplish this growth?”. This will be a time to share your ideas on how you would like to see the church grow. The 2006 Pastoral Review/Survey revealed that the church membership would like to see “growth”. Now the church leadership needs your help in defining “growth” and your thoughts on how to proceed in the future. Mark your calendars for this important meeting.

Church Directory Photo Sessions: This is the week! Members of the Hospitality committee will be handing out postcard reminders and making reminder phone calls this week. The photography studio will use a BLUE background so please be mindful to not wear too much blue for your picture.

Special Installation Worship Service: Save the Date! There will be an installation for those serving the church on Sunday, February 4^th. All those who are called and elected to serve on a church committee will be recognized and asked to covenant with our congregation during worship. Please plan to attend this special service.

2007 Pledge Envelopes are available in the Old Sunday School Room for pick up.

The Rev. Frank Groggett’s installation as pastor of the First Church in Ludlow will be held on January 28^th, at 3:00PM. All are invited to attend.

A Bowling Challenge: We have been challenged!! The First Church of Ludlow (Rev. Frank’s church) has planned a bowling afternoon with our church at the AMF Lanes in Chicopee on Sunday, February 18^th. The lanes are on Burnett Road, where I-291 terminates, just beyond the Mass Pike. Grab your bowling shoes and prepare for a good time! Please sign up in the church office so we can know how many are going. More details will follow.

Website News: Don’t forget to visit our church’s website: www.shcong.org. You can now find copies of past sermons on the website.

Members and friends in need of healing prayers

Prayers for Healing: Cathy N., Eleanor, Deb, Kathleen, Norma C., Ed and Gen, Mrs. D., Kim, Doug, Marilyn, Ruth, Marion, Anne, Tom, Wally, Bobby, Bart and Sarah, Paula, Donald, Richard, Heather, and Alexis.

Prayers for Presence: The Families of Kathleen Barrett, Cora Ewig and Elizabeth Coyle, GlenLew, Peg, Inez, for our world neighbors in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Israel, North Korea, for our country’s leaders, for those who hunger around the world, and for those who feel alone this season.

Military Service People: Ron

If you have a prayer concern, please notify Rev. Dee. Please let her know if the concern is confidential. Confidential concerns will not be shared at Prayer Group or in public worship.

Worship Items

Coffee Hour: In an effort to share the privilege and responsibility of offering refreshment to our members and friends each week, designated committees are asked to provide light refreshment (coffee and juice) for designated months during the year.

January Host Committee: Trustees
February Host Committee: Christian Ed / Sunday School / Youth

Note to Ushers: If you are serving as an usher, please remember to take attendance (including Sunday School kids) and record it on the board located in the narthex. The church clerk needs this information for her reports, as well as, the Cornerstone. Thanks.

Church Flowers: If you are dedicating flowers for the Sunday Service, would you consider leaving some of the bouquet for sharing with members who find it hard to get to church. There is nothing more cheerful than a few blossoms on a gray day. Please speak to Kate Flemming if you wish to share your posies!! Please note that the Flower Sign-Up Clipboard has been moved to the Parish Hall.

Finance & Operations News

Community Sock Hop Fundraiser: On Friday evening, February 9^th, our church will be hosting a Community Sock Hop as our first 2007 fundraising event. The event will be a community wide family, friends and neighbor event!!

Join us at this pre-Valentine’s community party! Fun snacks, music for all generations, and a special appeal for donations of white cotton socks for the Holyoke Soldier’s Home. Bring your family and friends and have a blast. Prizes for best dancers!

Donations of $5 for adults and $2.50 for children under 12

(max. $12 per family)

Music through the decades!

7PM-8PM 50’s & 60’s

8PM-9PM 70’s & 80’s

9PM-11PM 90’s and beyond

We are still in need of a few volunteers to help with this event. We need volunteers to help with ticket sales at the door, refreshments and a few other details. We also have posters hung around town. If you can help out with our first fundraising/community fellowship event, please contact Jeff Glaze.

Nominating News: At the Annual Meeting an “almost” full state of officers and committees was duly elected! There are still a few positions that need filling! If you would be interested in serving the church in any of the below capacities, please contact Don Warren or Cheryl Parker:

Church Council Member at Large – one year term
Nominating (Fin. & Ops. member) – two year term
Hampshire Association – one year term
Hampshire Interfaith Council – one year term

Fall Festival News: Flannery Conlin Wiemer has graciously agreed to serve another year on the Fall Festival Committee. The Fall Festival Committee oversees the ALL CHURCH effort to produce the annual fundraising event. We need one or two more folks to serve the church in this capacity. If you would like to serve the church in this vital role, please contact Flannery, David Huntley or Rev. Dee. Planning work for the 2007 Fall Festival will begin in March.

Big Y Gift Card Program: Big Y sells $50 gift cards to the church at 2% discount thus providing the church with a fundraising opportunity. Order forms can be found in the Old Sunday School room. Place order forms in the “green box” located on the nametag table or see Beverly Ruszala at coffee hour. Beverly will check the box each week and will be available at coffee hour with a supply of cards. Please note that Beverly does not have e-mail so you will not be able to place e-mail orders. Beverly can also be reached at 568-5173.

Church School News

The Church School year will run from September 6^th though June 7^th. A format change this year will allow all Sunday School Teachers one Sunday a month off from teaching duties. On that Sunday, April West will teach a group lesson to all classes with the help of parent volunteers and the youth group.

Help Wanted: Are you being “nudged” to help our young people set out on their spiritual journeys? The following positions are open on the church school staff:

Assistant Teacher 3-4 – this class is expected to have 14 students so Lynn LaPlante needs some help!!

Come be a part of this vital and exciting team ministry! Please see Rev. Dee, Karen Duncan, or April West for details.

Sunday School Recycling Program (Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe Program) – Remove the laces and deposit old sneakers in the collection box now located in the Parish Hall. The Sunday School will deliver the old sneakers to one of the Western Mass collection sites.

NOTE: We can recycle any brand of shoes, no laces, no metal, and no cleats.

Note: Deborah Lambert has been heading this program for 3 years now. She is ready to pass the “shoe baton” to anyone interested in taking over this program. It would be good job for someone who works up the Hadley/Amherst way as the drop off is at Boyden Gym at UMass. If you would be interested in administering this program, please contact Deborah Lambert.

Hospitality Committee News

The Hospitality Committee is excited to announce that we have started the process to create a new pictorial directory of our church family. PLEASE PARTICIPATE! Without you the Directory will not be complete.

All we ask is that you have your picture taken by the professional photographer from Olan Mills. There is NO charge to have your photo taken. Every participating person/family will receive a FREE Directory and a FREE 8x10 color portrait. You will be able to purchase additional portraits and directories. There are no charges to the Church for this directory service.

There will be a sign up sheet at the church so you can schedule your time slot. The two photography dates are January 24^th and 25^th, 2007 at the church. There will be 20-minute time slots going from 3:00PM – 9:00PM on each of the days. Please sign up as soon as possible and stay tuned for more details!!

Christian Education

We invite you to deepen your faith journey and your walk with God by joining us for the following Christian education opportunities for the fall season. Most groups follow and informal “discussion” model; all meet at the church at the times listed. You do not have to be a member to join us. Invite a friend.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat: Come on Along!! A sign-up sheet will be available in the church office for folks who wish to attend the Broadway in Amherst production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat at the Mullins Center in Amherst on Thursday, March 15^th, at 7:30PM. This event is sponsored by the Christian Ed Committee. A discounted ticket price of $36.10 is available if 20 people sign up to go to the show. The committee is looking into the possibility of providing bus transportation for those who don’t wish to drive. All tickets must be paid for in advance by Sunday, February 4^th. Please cal Jane Tetrault at (413) 529-0320 if you have any questions. There must be a minimum of 20 people signed up for the show.

G.I.L. (God in Literature):

This group explores God and religion in works of fiction. We meet once a month at 7:00PM for approximately an hour and a half. Please join us for a lively discussion, for exploration, and for fellowship. Led by Rev. Dee. Open to all; invite your friends!!

Tuesday, January 30^th: The Time of Angels by iris Murdoch and Ch. 1 of Reading is Believing by David Cunningham.
Tuesday, February 27^th: The Last Temptation of Christ by Nikos Kazantzakis and Ch. 2 of Reading is Believing by David Cunningham
Tuesday, March 27^th: The Children of Men by P.D. James and Ch. 3 of Reading is Believing by David Cunningham

Missions News

Food Collection: The last Sunday of each month is Missions FOOD BASKET Sunday. There will be a special basket in the sanctuary for this collection and donations will be blessed during the service. Of course, nonperishable food may still be brought in each week to the church and placed in the collection baskets located outside the church office. When the baskets are filled, members of the Missions Committee will transport the food to the local food bank.

Crop Walk: Southampton will be hosting the Walk and making all the arrangements for October 2007. Start thinking about a “good walk”, water and rest stops and refreshments….all the details.

The Holy Rollers: If you are interested in putting your hands to work to help a clinic in Africa, come and roll bandages (from sheets!). Or if you have old or new sheets to donate to the group, the Holy Rollers will put them to good use!!

The Women’s Missionary Society: The Women’s Missionary Society is an organization open to anyone interested in learning more about mission work and doing some hands-on projects. New members are always welcome. In February the society will be collecting new or gently used pillows, pillow cases, single sheets, towels & washcloths, dishes, silverware, pots & pans, and of course any small gifts of cash are always welcomed! Donations will be given to the Wright Home. Anyone wishing to donate may contact Evelyn Barcomb or Carolyn Goepfert.

Our Church’s Ministries

Called to Care Church Transportation Program:

The Called To Care group will provide transportation to those in need of a ride to church! If you would like to attend church but need a ride, we can help!! Please call one of the following individuals for a ride:

§ Scott Cooper 527-5395

§ Richard LeClerc 527-4878

§ Bill O’Grady 527-5166

The Called to Care Group respectively asks that you call to reserve your ride by Saturday evening so the drivers can plan for Sunday morning.

Heart Healthy Walk:

Would you like to join a group of fellow walkers for a heart healthy walk once a week? You are invited to join a group of walkers on Tuesday mornings at 10:00AM for an approximately 1.5 mile loop around the center of town. We start at the church and walk down East Street to Clark Street to High Street to Center Street and back to the Church. Everyone walks at their own pace. We begin promptly at 10:00AM . This may be just what you need to kick start your own exercise regime. We invite you to join us this week! (We walk rain or shine – sprinkles not pouring buckets!!) Did you see the newspaper? We have completed our 1^st marathon!!! Come join us as we begin working towards our next marathon!

Aluminum Tab Collection for Shriners Hospital for Children: Rachel Huntley is collecting aluminum tabs from the tops of soda, beer, soup, cat food, and other cans. Rachel will periodically drop off the tabs to Shriners where they will be recycled and the proceeds used to buy medical equipment. If you have tabs, please give them to any member of the Huntley family or leave them in the donation drop off spot on the new rolling bulletin boards. Look for the Missions & Outreach board. NOTE: Total Tab Count is 7,205! Rachel wishes to thank everyone who has helped by saving tabs!! Please keep collecting. Rachel’s next visit will be in April.

Looking Ahead

Tuesday, 1/30: Heart Healthy Walk, 10:00AM – meet in church parking lot.

Tuesday, 1/30: GIL Book Group, 7:00PM

Sunday, 2/4: “Get on the Boat” Brainstorming Session, 1:30PM

Wednesday, 2/7: Finance & Operations Meeting, 7:30PM

Friday, 2/9: Community Sock Hop

Thursday, 3/1: Church Council, 7:30PM

Thursday, 3/15: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, 7:30PM show

If you no longer wish to receive this weekly update or other church news, please e-mail me and I will remove your e-mail address from the list. Also, if you change your e-mail address, please let me know if you wish to continue receiving church e-mail.

I hope you all have a pleasant and peaceful week.

Susan D. Huntley