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

2/4/07

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:

Rev. Dee’s Office Hours are by appointment this week.

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

Prayer Group with Inez Delisle 9:15AM

TUESDAY Heart Walk 10:00AM

Junior Choir 4:30-5:00PM

Diaconate Pot Luck Supper 6:00PM

WEDNESDAY Deadline for Sunday Bulletin

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

Sr. Choir Rehearsal 6:15PM

Community Chorus 7:15PM

Bi-Polar Support Group 6:00PM

Finance & Operations 7:30PM

THURSDAY Trustees Meeting 7:00PM

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

Community Sock Hop 7:00PM-11:00PM

SATURDAY

SUNDAY Morning Worship 10:00AM

Church School Luau

Cornerstone Deadline: Deadline for March edition is February 18th.

Today’s News

Today we celebrated a service of installation for those members who have been called by God, in accordance with the faith and order of this church, to serve among us. The service celebrates the particular ministry of each person in the life of the church recognizing that there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. There are still a few openings on the church boards (see “Nominating News” below for more information) if you are interested.

“Get on the Boat” Brainstorming and Strategy Meeting: This afternoon 24 adults and 2 children participated in this special brainstorming meeting. Today’s session focused on our Church’s Mission Statement and an exploration of the meaning of “growth”. The ideas brought forth will be summarized by Rev. Dee and David Huntley, Moderator, and will be the starting point for future meetings. Thank you to everyone, young and old, who participated.

Community Sock Hop: The Community Sock Hop will be held this Friday (see below for details). We would like to offer refreshments at this event but the committee needs some help with this specific task. If you could help by providing some cookies, brownies, squares, cupcakes, or any other form of “finger food”, please contact Jeff Glaze via his e-mail: jglaze@decorated.com. Also, Jeff asks that if you are planning on attending, could you please let him know so that the committee can have an idea what to expect in the way of turn out. It would be extremely helpful, if you could respond by Wednesday as the Finance & Operations is meeting that evening! Thank you in advance and we look forward to seeing you at the Sock Hop! Don’t forget to invite a friend and bring some white socks!

2007 Pledge Envelopes are available in the Old Sunday School Room for pick up. Also available for pick up are the 2006 Annual Giving Statements needed for tax preparation. Every item that is picked up saves on postage!!

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: Tim, Cathy N., Elinor, Deb, Kathleen, Norma C., Mrs. D., Kim, Doug, Marilyn, Ruth, Marion, Anne, Tom, Wally, Bobby, Paula, Donald, Richard, Heather, and Alexis.

Prayers for Presence: The Families of Elizabeth Coyle, Glen, Lew, Peg, Inez, for our world neighbors in Iraq, Afghanistan, for our country’s leaders, for those who hunger around the world. Missing person: Rachel Crites (friend of the Grayson family.)

We extend our condolences to Bertha Pease on the death of her nephew, Chuck Ellis’ wife, Jane.

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

Ashes for Ash Wednesday: Last year’s palms are this year’s ashes. Please bring your palms and palm crosses from last year to Sunday worship on February 18^th.

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.

February Host Committee: Christian Ed / Sunday School / Youth
March Host Committee: Pastoral Relations

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 is located in 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.

2007 Church School Missions Project: The Church School will again be sponsoring families at Grace House, a residential Family Recovery program in Northampton, by purchasing two family shares of fresh produce for them at Intervale Farm in Westhampton. Please collect your coins during the week at home and drop them off at church each week into a designated container. The goal is to raise $800 between now and April. Thank you in advance for supporting this Church School Project.

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

A Big Thank You to the Hospitality Committee for the logistical coordination of this past week’s photo shoots for the Church Directory! We look forward to receiving the finished product!!

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.

Lenten Journey: To enhance your Lenten Journey, you are invited to attend a series of six classes based on: The Life You Always Wanted by John Ortberg. The book is available in bookstores and on-lone (new/used). The first meeting will be held on Sunday, February 25^th at 1:30PM.

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, 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, 2/13: Heart Healthy Walk, 10:00AM – meet in church parking lot.

Monday, 2/12: Pastoral Relations, 7:00PM, parlor

Thursday, 2/15: Holy Rollers, 2-4:00PM at Mickey Annis’ home

Saturday, 2/17: Men’s Breakfast @ Easthampton Diner, 8:30AM

Sunday, 2/18: Cornerstone Deadline

Sunday, 2:18: Please bring last year’s palms in for this year’s ashes.

Sunday, 2/18: Bowling with members of The First Church in Ludlow

Wednesday, 2/21: Ash Wednesday Service, 7:00PM

Sunday, 2/25: Lenten class, The Life You’ve Always Wanted, 1:30PM

Tuesday, 2/27: GIL Book Group, 7:00PM

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