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

5/18/08

www.shcong.org

Rev. Dee’s E-mail: revdee@shcong.org

Church Office E-Mail: churchoffice@shcong.org

Church Office: 527-1173

http://www.shcong.org

WEEKLY CALENDAR

Office Administrator’s Office Hours:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday – 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Rev Dee’s Office Hours for the week of May 18^th:

Monday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Wednesday 1:30- 4 pm (note change)

Rev. Dee will be off on Friday, May 23^rd

SCHEDULE

Sun. 18 Confirmation Class Bowling Night, 6-8:30 p.m., Northampton

Ecclesiastical Council for Sara Wohlleb, First Churches,

Northampton, 3 p.m.

Tues. 20 Heart Walk, 10 a.m.

Cornerstone Deadline

Wed. 21 Prayer Group, 9:15 a.m.

Sr. Choir, 6 p.m

22 New Member Class, 7 p.m.

24 Church Clean-Up Day

25 New Member Class

26 Memorial Day Breakfast, served from 7 – 11 a.m.

LOOKING AHEAD

Wed. 28 Holy Rollers, 2-4 p.m. at

Thurs. June 5 Church Council, 7 p.m.

Tues. 3 Israel Presentation, 7 p.m., Parish Hall

Thurs. 12 All-Church Meeting Night, 6:45-8:30 p.m.

Tues. 24 G.I.L. book group, God in Small Things by Arundhati Roy

Cornerstone Material due by May 20^th for June issue

(Last issue until September)

Members and friends in need of healing prayers

We extend condolences to Bertha Pease on the passing of her nephew, (Virginia Huntley’s cousin) Dr. Charles Ellis, and to Marion Derwicki on the loss of her brother-in-law, Andrew Derwicki.

Prayers for Healing: Michael, Ruth, Deb, John, Paula, Dan, Marian (at Loomis) and Len, Jim (at home now), Myrna, Debra, Ken, Nancy M., Colin Q., Heather, Jimmy W., Marilynn, Kathleen, Anne, and Alexis

Prayers for Presence: Donna Vollert, Inez, for our country’s leaders, for our troops wherever they are stationed, for our world neighbors in their various needs, especially those devastated by the cyclone in Myanmar, the earthquake in China

Prayers for those in the Military: Capt. David Moran, Rachel Lacroix. We are pleased to learn that Eric has returned safely stateside!

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

A SPECIAL THANK YOU to April West, Amy Guyette, all the leaders, teachers, volunteers and church school children and youth for the planning and preparation of today’s Children’s Sunday program!

A SPECIAL THANK YOU to the coordinators of the Church School Tag Sale, Kate Cooper and Joan Craig, and to all of the helpers, volunteers, and people who shopped and dropped off items for the sale. The tag sale raised over $1100 for the church school!

ANOTHER SPECIAL THANKS goes to Tim Huber, Finance and Operations, and all of the volunteers who helped to make the Spaghetti Supper and Social a success. Besides a good meal, folks enjoyed good conversation, community fellowship, and raised over $500. in profit for the church. Thank you to corporate sponsors, Big E’s Foodland, Pure Foods, and Tavern on the Hill for their donations, and thank you to Deb Hawkes, Susan Huntley, Michael Conlin, and Linda Cooper for their contributions.

SPECIAL NOTICE: The Church Council calls an all-church meeting to be held on May 18, 2008, immediately following the church service to discuss the feasibility of the continuation of the Church School and Nursery Care.

MYANMAR CYCLONE RELIEF: The Missions Committee is collecting for the Church World Service response to the Myanmar Cyclone Relief Fund. If you are able to assist, please make your checks payable to First Congregational Church of Southampton, UCC and designate Myanmar Cyclone Relief Fund.

ISRAEL PRESENTATION: On Tuesday, June 3^rd, at 7 p.m., you are cordially invited to attend a photo presentation of Rev. Dee’s and Rev. Frank’s recent trip to Israel/Jerusalem. Please bring a potluck dessert, if able. We will share stories, pictures, questions, and dessert. All are welcome.

PLEASE NOTE: The God in Literature book group will not meet for the month of May. The final God in Literature book group meeting for the season will be held on Tuesday, June 24^th, at 7 p.m. at Rev. Dee’s home. The book selection will be The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

2008 ANNUAL REPORTS of the Hampshire Association of the Massachusetts Conference, UCC are available in the church office for any who wish to review them.

NEW MEMBER CLASSES: New Member Classes continue on Thursday, May 22^nd , and Sunday, May 25^th. Please let Rev. Dee know if you are interested in participating.

DEACON’S FUND ENVELOPES: There are envelopes in the pews marked “Deacon’s Emergency Fund.” This collection is used at the pastor’s discretion for those in need and is presently in need of replenishment. Please help to support this outreach for those in our midst. Thank you.

INSTALLATION: We are all invited to join in the Installation of the Rev. Tadd Allman-Morton as Pastor of the Westhampton Congregational Church, UCC, on Sunday, June 8th, at 3:00 p.m., 1 Tob Road, Westhampton.

Volunteers are needed to help with the Memorial Day Breakfast on May 26^th. Contact Michael Conlin at 413-221-8176 - OR – Sign up on the volunteer bulletin board in the downstairs hallway.

NOTE FROM OUR MODERATOR: As you may have seen on the bulletin board in the hallway, there is a space called Volunteer Opportunities. I wanted to explain the plans for this space. At a past Church Council meeting we discussed the idea of having the various committees list out tasks or projects that need to be done. These tasks would then be listed on the bulletin board for the congregation to volunteer to assist the respective committee. The idea is that these tasks would be short-term in nature to fit into schedules that don’t always allow for full committee participation or for someone looking to help on a particular task that is of interest.

This is a call to committees to add items to the board and a call to members to look at the board and sign up to assist.

David Huntley, Jr.

Moderator

BIG Y STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM: April is 6% month! Stock up on cards to feed you and your family and our church treasury! 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.

TREASURER’S REPORT for April :

Total Revenues $8,850

Total Expenses $9,045

April Deficit $ 195

4/30/08 Church Operating Balance: $(2,174.83)

FROM OUR CHURCH SCHOOL: Each year the Sunday School children take on a mission project. In the past, they have helped build a house with the help of Habitat for Humanity, they have helped a village become more self sufficient with the help of Heifer Project International, and they have given poor kids the chance to enjoy fresh grow vegetables, with the help of Interval Farm in Westhampton. This year they will again be donating to working with Heifer Project International. HPI is a Christian based charity that helps poor families become more self sufficient, buy supplying them with animals and they educating them on how to raise the animals, the receiving families are they asked to give an offspring of their gift to another family, thus sharing the gift they have been given. The children are also going to be making up school kits to be distributed to children in need thru Church World Service.

The goal the kids have set is $1000, this will be divided equally amongst the two projects. The children have raised $500 thus far!!! We are halfway to our goal! Your help in reaching this goal is greatly appreciated; there are banks in the Parish hall, and a deposit station in the old Sunday school room (look for the red barn) Thank you for supporting our project and we will keep you posted about our progress.

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

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR COFFEE HOUR HOSTS: Please make sure that coffee hour refreshments do not contain any form of peanuts or peanut products! Any contact (even when not consumed) can trigger serious health danger for some in our congregation.

FLOWERS: Terry Vogel is our new flower coordinator for 2008. She may be reached at (413) 203-1742, and at foghollowfarm@charter.net Please let Terry know if you would like to donate your flowers to those who may be shut in, hospitalized, or in need of a cheerful pick-me-up. The Flower Sign-Up clip board is hanging on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall.

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!!!

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 5/18/08 www.shcong.org Rev. Dee’s E-mail: revdee@shcong.org Church Office E-Mail: churchoffice@shcong.org Church Office: 527-1173 http://www.shcong.org WEEKLY CALENDAR Office Administrator’s Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday – 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Rev Dee’s Office Hours for the week of May 18^th: Monday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Wednesday 1:30- 4 pm (note change) Rev. Dee will be off on Friday, May 23^rd . SCHEDULE Sun. 18 Confirmation Class Bowling Night, 6-8:30 p.m., Northampton Ecclesiastical Council for Sara Wohlleb, First Churches, Northampton, 3 p.m. Tues. 20 Heart Walk, 10 a.m. Cornerstone Deadline Wed. 21 Prayer Group, 9:15 a.m. Sr. Choir, 6 p.m 22 New Member Class, 7 p.m. 24 Church Clean-Up Day 25 New Member Class 26 Memorial Day Breakfast, served from 7 – 11 a.m. LOOKING AHEAD Wed. 28 Holy Rollers, 2-4 p.m. at Thurs. June 5 Church Council, 7 p.m. Tues. 3 Israel Presentation, 7 p.m., Parish Hall Thurs. 12 All-Church Meeting Night, 6:45-8:30 p.m. Tues. 24 G.I.L. book group, God in Small Things by Arundhati Roy Cornerstone Material due by May 20^th for June issue (Last issue until September) Members and friends in need of healing prayers We extend condolences to Bertha Pease on the passing of her nephew, (Virginia Huntley’s cousin) Dr. Charles Ellis, and to Marion Derwicki on the loss of her brother-in-law, Andrew Derwicki. Prayers for Healing: Michael, Ruth, Deb, John, Paula, Dan, Marian (at Loomis) and Len, Jim (at home now), Myrna, Debra, Ken, Nancy M., Colin Q., Heather, Jimmy W., Marilynn, Kathleen, Anne, and Alexis Prayers for Presence: Donna Vollert, Inez, for our country’s leaders, for our troops wherever they are stationed, for our world neighbors in their various needs, especially those devastated by the cyclone in Myanmar, the earthquake in China Prayers for those in the Military: Capt. David Moran, Rachel Lacroix. We are pleased to learn that Eric has returned safely stateside! 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 A SPECIAL THANK YOU to April West, Amy Guyette, all the leaders, teachers, volunteers and church school children and youth for the planning and preparation of today’s Children’s Sunday program! A SPECIAL THANK YOU to the coordinators of the Church School Tag Sale, Kate Cooper and Joan Craig, and to all of the helpers, volunteers, and people who shopped and dropped off items for the sale. The tag sale raised over $1100 for the church school! ANOTHER SPECIAL THANKS goes to Tim Huber, Finance and Operations, and all of the volunteers who helped to make the Spaghetti Supper and Social a success. Besides a good meal, folks enjoyed good conversation, community fellowship, and raised over $500. in profit for the church. Thank you to corporate sponsors, Big E’s Foodland, Pure Foods, and Tavern on the Hill for their donations, and thank you to Deb Hawkes, Susan Huntley, Michael Conlin, and Linda Cooper for their contributions. SPECIAL NOTICE: The Church Council calls an all-church meeting to be held on May 18, 2008, immediately following the church service to discuss the feasibility of the continuation of the Church School and Nursery Care. MYANMAR CYCLONE RELIEF: The Missions Committee is collecting for the Church World Service response to the Myanmar Cyclone Relief Fund. If you are able to assist, please make your checks payable to First Congregational Church of Southampton, UCC and designate *Myanmar Cyclone Relief Fund.* ISRAEL PRESENTATION: On Tuesday, June 3^rd, at 7 p.m., you are cordially invited to attend a photo presentation of Rev. Dee’s and Rev. Frank’s recent trip to Israel/Jerusalem. Please bring a potluck dessert, if able. We will share stories, pictures, questions, and dessert. All are welcome. PLEASE NOTE: The God in Literature book group will not meet for the month of May. The final God in Literature book group meeting for the season will be held on Tuesday, June 24^th, at 7 p.m. at Rev. Dee’s home. The book selection will be The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy 2008 ANNUAL REPORTS of the Hampshire Association of the Massachusetts Conference, UCC are available in the church office for any who wish to review them. NEW MEMBER CLASSES: New Member Classes continue on Thursday, May 22^nd , and Sunday, May 25^th. Please let Rev. Dee know if you are interested in participating. DEACON’S FUND ENVELOPES: There are envelopes in the pews marked “Deacon’s Emergency Fund.” This collection is used at the pastor’s discretion for those in need and is presently in need of replenishment. Please help to support this outreach for those in our midst. Thank you. INSTALLATION: We are all invited to join in the Installation of the Rev. Tadd Allman-Morton as Pastor of the Westhampton Congregational Church, UCC, on Sunday, June 8th, at 3:00 p.m., 1 Tob Road, Westhampton. Volunteers are needed to help with the Memorial Day Breakfast on May 26^th. Contact Michael Conlin at 413-221-8176 - OR – Sign up on the volunteer bulletin board in the downstairs hallway. NOTE FROM OUR MODERATOR: As you may have seen on the bulletin board in the hallway, there is a space called Volunteer Opportunities. I wanted to explain the plans for this space. At a past Church Council meeting we discussed the idea of having the various committees list out tasks or projects that need to be done. These tasks would then be listed on the bulletin board for the congregation to volunteer to assist the respective committee. The idea is that these tasks would be short-term in nature to fit into schedules that don’t always allow for full committee participation or for someone looking to help on a particular task that is of interest. This is a call to committees to add items to the board and a call to members to look at the board and sign up to assist. David Huntley, Jr. Moderator BIG Y STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM: *April is 6% month! Stock up on cards to feed you and your family and our church treasury!* 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. TREASURER’S REPORT for April : Total Revenues $8,850 Total Expenses $9,045 April Deficit $ 195 4/30/08 Church Operating Balance: $(2,174.83) FROM OUR CHURCH SCHOOL: Each year the Sunday School children take on a mission project. In the past, they have helped build a house with the help of Habitat for Humanity, they have helped a village become more self sufficient with the help of Heifer Project International, and they have given poor kids the chance to enjoy fresh grow vegetables, with the help of Interval Farm in Westhampton. This year they will again be donating to working with Heifer Project International. HPI is a Christian based charity that helps poor families become more self sufficient, buy supplying them with animals and they educating them on how to raise the animals, the receiving families are they asked to give an offspring of their gift to another family, thus sharing the gift they have been given. The children are also going to be making up school kits to be distributed to children in need thru Church World Service. The goal the kids have set is $1000, this will be divided equally amongst the two projects. The children have raised $500 thus far!!! We are halfway to our goal! Your help in reaching this goal is greatly appreciated; there are banks in the Parish hall, and a deposit station in the old Sunday school room (look for the red barn) Thank you for supporting our project and we will keep you posted about our progress. PLEDGE ENVELOPES are available on the bench in the Old Sunday School room. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR COFFEE HOUR HOSTS: Please make sure that coffee hour refreshments *do not contain any form of peanuts or peanut products!* Any contact (even when not consumed) can trigger serious health danger for some in our congregation. FLOWERS: Terry Vogel is our new flower coordinator for 2008. She may be reached at (413) 203-1742, and at foghollowfarm@charter.net Please let Terry know if you would like to donate your flowers to those who may be shut in, hospitalized, or in need of a cheerful pick-me-up. The Flower Sign-Up clip board is hanging on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall. 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!!! 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.