First Congregational Church of Southampton

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

Weekly Update

01/06/08

Rev. Dee’s E-mail: revdee@shcong.org

Church Office E-Mail: shcongchurch@peoplepc.com

Church Office: 527-1173

Please visit our website for the most up-to-date information on all church missions and activities!

http://www.shcong.org

WEEKLY CALENDAR

Mon. 7 Annual Reports due

Tues. 8 Heart Walk, 10 a.m.

Jr. Choir, 4:40-5:00 p.m.

Missions Committee, 7 p.m

Wed. 9 Prayer Group, 9:15 a.m.

Sr. Choir, 6 p.m.

Thurs. 10 Holy Rollers, Schaffer home, 7 p.m.

Trustees, 7 p.m.

Fri.-Sat. 11-12 Confirmation class “Youth Lock-in”

LOOKING AHEAD

Sun 13 Special Service: All-church renewal of baptism vows

Christian Ed mtg., 11:15 a.m.

Visitation, 11:30 a.m.

15 Diaconate, 7 p.m.

Sat. 19 Men’s Breakfast, Easthampton Diner, 8:30 a.m.

Sun. 27 Annual Meeting (Snow date, Feb. 3)

Tues. 29 GIL Book Group, 7 p.m. – Animal Dreams by Barbara

Kingsolver and Chap. 9 of Reading is Believing by

David Cunningham

Members and friends in need of healing prayers

Prayers for Healing: Heather and her friend, Marian, Jim, Ruth, Ron, Mike, Johnny, Keith, Lisa and Family, Ed, Constance, Corinne, Susan, Sally, Myrna, Sarah, Debra, Laura, Ken, Lew, Nancy., Colin, Heather, Jackie , Jimmy, Marilynn, Kathleen, Anne, Donald, and Alexis.

Prayers for Presence: The Sansom Family, the Bashista Family, the Duncan Family, Inez, for our country’s leaders, for our troops wherever they are stationed, and for our world neighbors in their various needs, the people of Kenya and Pakistan.

Prayers for those in the Military: Capt. David Moran, Rachel, Eric

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.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SPECIAL SERVICE: Next Sunday, January 13^th, there will be a special service to commemorate our Lord’s baptism. You are invited to renew and reaffirm your baptism during the service. Communion will also be celebrated. Please join us!

ANNUAL REPORTS: Reports from Committee Chairpersons to be included in the Annual Report are due by Monday, January 7th. (The final report must be completed early, so it can be distributed one week prior to the Annual Meeting.) Please leave reports either in the “Annual Report” folder in the slot outside the Church Office or in the folder on the church office desk. Thanks. Any reports not received will be the responsibility of the committee.

PLEDGE ENVELOPES are available on the bench in the Old Sunday School room.

FROM THE DIACONATE: Thank you to all who have shared their abundance and helped to bring Christmas joy to 3 local families who are in need of Christ’s blessing this year. And thank you to everyone who contributed to the Christmas baskets for our “special over 80’s folks”!

CONFIRMATION: If any youth (in grades 9-12) is planning to be confirmed in his/her faith in 2008, please let the church office know as soon as possible. Rev. Dee will be contacting youth regarding the confirmation journey and schedule of events, and needs to know how many to plan for. Thanks!

FINANCE & OPERATIONS: To date, 2008 pledges received total $96,526. Last year’s pledges to date were $96,311. Missions pledged for 2008 total $8,585, and last year’s mission’s pledges totaled $9,180. If you haven’t yet made your pledge, we invite you to do so. Pledges are our commitment to the ministry and mission of Christ’s church in this time and place, and help us to determine our church’s budget for 2008. Extra pledge cards are available on the table in the narthex (outside the sanctuary) and also in the church office. We thank you for your generosity and faithfulness in helping to fulfill the mission of the First Congregational Church of Southampton, United Church of Christ!!!

FAVORITE HYMN/HYMNS: Please tell us what your favorite hymns are and why you enjoy them—Forms are available in the Parish Hall. Please fill it out and place it in the designated basket in the Parish Hall.

YOUR PARTICIPATION IS NEEDED: Our Church By-Laws and Constitution help us to exercise good church governance. These By-Laws have been under revision. In order to “pass” the revised by-laws, it takes two “all-church” votes. The first all-church meeting will was held on December 9^th. The second will be held on January 27^th at our regular Annual Meeting. Please mark your calendar for this important date. Copies of the Revised Church By-Laws are available for your church family on the table in the narthex (outside the sanctuary). We request and need the participation of all voting members. Thank you.

FROM THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Between now and the Annual Church Meeting, the Nominating Committee will be actively seeking candidates to serve on our church’s standing committees. These include the Trustees, Diaconate, Missions, Church Council, Historian, Pastoral Relations, Christian Ed., Music, Church Life, MACUCC, and Hampshire Association. The proposed By-Law change coming before the Annual Meeting on January 27^th, for a final vote will authorize a streamlined Finance & Operations Committee to replace the Finance, Stewardship, Nominating, and Planned Giving Committees. There will be an opportunity to serve on this committee also. If you have an interest in one or more of these positions, please contact: Don Warren at 527-4991, e-mail: dwarren4991@charter.net or Cheryl Parker at 527-5166, e-mail: capesq@aol.com

BIG Y STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM: Beverly Ruszala is the person to see if you are in need of Big Y Gift Cards. She will receive your orders and distribute gift cards during coffee hour, at a designated table. Order forms (available on the table in the Old Sunday School Room or online) may also be placed in the “Green Box.” Beverly checks the box each week.

Shriner’s Aluminum Tab Collection: Rachel would like to thank everyone again for collecting the aluminum tabs. Shriners uses the money from recycling the tabs to purchase medical equipment for the hospital. Keep collecting!!!

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Our Trustees are looking for volunteers to be available on Sunday mornings to accompany any folks using the elevator. Please contact Jim Belisle at (413) 219-6904.

The Church School has an urgent need of two volunteer teachers for the 5^th and 6^th grade classes. This class has been covered by two volunteers Sept-Nov, but we still need volunteers for the remaining months of the year. Could you volunteer for a one month period? If you are called to this particular ministry, please contact Rev. Dee or April West.

The Church School is in need to a volunteer to fill the Church School Administrator Role. This person or persons would assist April West with the organization of the Church School Program. If you are called to this particular ministry, please contact Rev. Dee or April West.

If you no longer wish to receive this weekly update or other church news, please e-mail Rev. Dee at revdee@shcong.org and we will remove your e-mail address from the list. Also, if you change your e-mail address, please let us know if you wish to continue receiving church e-mail.

We hope you all have a pleasant and peaceful week.

		First Congregational Church of Southampton United Church of Christ 212 College Highway, P.O. Box 145 Southampton, MA 01073 Phone: (413) 527-1173
	Home Information: Our Beliefs Worship Service Christian Education Pastor Staff Youth Group Directions History Committees: Trustees Church Council Diaconate Finance and Stewardship Hospitality Missions Nominating Publications: Weekly Newsletters(Email) Cornerstone Forms(Rental,Big Y) Special Programs: Big Y Gift Cards Links: United Church of Christ(Nat'l) United Church of Christ(MA) God is Still Speaking * Opens new window	Weekly Update 01/06/08 Rev. Dee’s E-mail: revdee@shcong.org Church Office E-Mail: shcongchurch@peoplepc.com Church Office: 527-1173 Please visit our website for the most up-to-date information on all church missions and activities! http://www.shcong.org WEEKLY CALENDAR Mon. 7 *Annual Reports due* Tues. 8 Heart Walk, 10 a.m. Jr. Choir, 4:40-5:00 p.m. Missions Committee, 7 p.m Wed. 9 Prayer Group, 9:15 a.m. Sr. Choir, 6 p.m. Thurs. 10 Holy Rollers, Schaffer home, 7 p.m. Trustees, 7 p.m. Fri.-Sat. 11-12 Confirmation class “Youth Lock-in” LOOKING AHEAD Sun 13 Special Service: All-church renewal of baptism vows Christian Ed mtg., 11:15 a.m. Visitation, 11:30 a.m. 15 Diaconate, 7 p.m. Sat. 19 Men’s Breakfast, Easthampton Diner, 8:30 a.m. Sun. 27 Annual Meeting (Snow date, Feb. 3) Tues. 29 GIL Book Group, 7 p.m. – Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver and Chap. 9 of Reading is Believing by David Cunningham Members and friends in need of healing prayers Prayers for Healing: Heather and her friend, Marian, Jim, Ruth, Ron, Mike, Johnny, Keith, Lisa and Family, Ed, Constance, Corinne, Susan, Sally, Myrna, Sarah, Debra, Laura, Ken, Lew, Nancy., Colin, Heather, Jackie , Jimmy, Marilynn, Kathleen, Anne, Donald, and Alexis. Prayers for Presence: The Sansom Family, the Bashista Family, the Duncan Family, Inez, for our country’s leaders, for our troops wherever they are stationed, and for our world neighbors in their various needs, the people of Kenya and Pakistan. Prayers for those in the Military: Capt. David Moran, Rachel, Eric 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.* ANNOUNCEMENTS SPECIAL SERVICE: Next Sunday, January 13^th, there will be a special service to commemorate our Lord’s baptism. You are invited to renew and reaffirm your baptism during the service. Communion will also be celebrated. Please join us! ANNUAL REPORTS: Reports from Committee Chairpersons to be included in the Annual Report are due *by Monday, January 7th.* (The final report must be completed early, so it can be distributed one week prior to the Annual Meeting.) Please leave reports either in the “Annual Report” folder in the slot outside the Church Office or in the folder on the church office desk. Thanks. *Any reports not received will be the responsibility of the committee.* PLEDGE ENVELOPES are available on the bench in the Old Sunday School room. FROM THE DIACONATE: Thank you to all who have shared their abundance and helped to bring Christmas joy to 3 local families who are in need of Christ’s blessing this year. And thank you to everyone who contributed to the Christmas baskets for our “special over 80’s folks”! CONFIRMATION: If any youth (in grades 9-12) is planning to be confirmed in his/her faith in 2008, please let the church office know as soon as possible. Rev. Dee will be contacting youth regarding the confirmation journey and schedule of events, and needs to know how many to plan for. Thanks! FINANCE & OPERATIONS: To date, 2008 pledges received total $96,526. Last year’s pledges to date were $96,311. Missions pledged for 2008 total $8,585, and last year’s mission’s pledges totaled $9,180. If you haven’t yet made your pledge, we invite you to do so. Pledges are our commitment to the ministry and mission of Christ’s church in this time and place, and help us to determine our church’s budget for 2008. Extra pledge cards are available on the table in the narthex (outside the sanctuary) and also in the church office. We thank you for your generosity and faithfulness in helping to fulfill the mission of the First Congregational Church of Southampton, United Church of Christ!!! FAVORITE HYMN/HYMNS: Please tell us what your favorite hymns are and why you enjoy them—Forms are available in the Parish Hall. Please fill it out and place it in the designated basket in the Parish Hall. YOUR PARTICIPATION IS NEEDED: Our Church By-Laws and Constitution help us to exercise good church governance. These By-Laws have been under revision. In order to “pass” the revised by-laws, it takes two “all-church” votes. The first all-church meeting will was held on December 9^th. The second will be held on January 27^th at our regular Annual Meeting. Please mark your calendar for this important date. Copies of the Revised Church By-Laws are available for your church family on the table in the narthex (outside the sanctuary). We request and need the participation of all voting members. Thank you. FROM THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Between now and the Annual Church Meeting, the Nominating Committee will be actively seeking candidates to serve on our church’s standing committees. These include the Trustees, Diaconate, Missions, Church Council, Historian, Pastoral Relations, Christian Ed., Music, Church Life, MACUCC, and Hampshire Association. The proposed By-Law change coming before the Annual Meeting on January 27^th, for a final vote will authorize a streamlined Finance & Operations Committee to replace the Finance, Stewardship, Nominating, and Planned Giving Committees. There will be an opportunity to serve on this committee also. If you have an interest in one or more of these positions, please contact: Don Warren at 527-4991, e-mail: dwarren4991@charter.net or Cheryl Parker at 527-5166, e-mail: capesq@aol.com BIG Y STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM: Beverly Ruszala is the person to see if you are in need of Big Y Gift Cards. She will receive your orders and distribute gift cards during coffee hour, at a designated table. Order forms (available on the table in the Old Sunday School Room or online) may also be placed in the “Green Box.” Beverly checks the box each week. Shriner’s Aluminum Tab Collection: Rachel would like to thank everyone again for collecting the aluminum tabs. Shriners uses the money from recycling the tabs to purchase medical equipment for the hospital. Keep collecting!!! FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION Our Trustees are looking for volunteers to be available on Sunday mornings to accompany any folks using the elevator. Please contact Jim Belisle at (413) 219-6904. The Church School has an urgent need of two volunteer teachers for the 5^th and 6^th grade classes. This class has been covered by two volunteers Sept-Nov, but we still need volunteers for the remaining months of the year. *Could you volunteer for a one month period?* If you are called to this particular ministry, please contact Rev. Dee or April West. The Church School is in need to a volunteer to fill the Church School Administrator Role. This person or persons would assist April West with the organization of the Church School Program. If you are called to this particular ministry, please contact Rev. Dee or April West. If you no longer wish to receive this weekly update or other church news, please e-mail Rev. Dee at revdee@shcong.org and we will remove your e-mail address from the list. Also, if you change your e-mail address, please let us know if you wish to continue receiving church e-mail. We hope you all have a pleasant and peaceful week.