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

06/21/2009

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

SCHEDULE

Sun. 21 Happy Father’s Day!

Blankets+

Mon. 22 Finance Committee, 7 p.m., Cheryl’s office

Tues. 23 Heart Walk, 10 a.m.

Goods & Auction/Pig Roast Committee, 7 p.m.,

Bill O’Grady’s office

Wed. 24 No Prayer Group, 9 a.m.

Sun. 28 Food Basket Sunday

LOOKING AHEAD

Sun. July 12 Christian Ed and Nominating Committees

SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE

July 5, 12, 19, 26 –9 a.m., Easthampton Cong. Church- Rev. A. Walker

Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23 –9 a.m., First Cong. Church, Southampton- Rev. D. Ledger

Aug. 30 –9 a.m., Westhampton Cong. Church- Rev. Tadd Allman-Morton

Rev. Dee’s Office Hours for the week of June 21^st :

Monday 1-4 p.m., Tuesday 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday 9-12 a.m.

Please note: Rev. Dee leaves for General Synod in Grand Rapids,

Michigan, on Thursday, June 25, and returns on

June 30^th. The 2009 resolutions and Synod events

can be tracked at ucc.org

Administrative Assistant Hours: Mon., Wed., & Friday, 8:30 a.m.-

12:30 p.m.

Rev. Dee’s e-mail: revdee@shcong.org

Church Office e-mail: churchoffice@shcong.org

Prayers for Healing: William, Marian C., Nico, Gene D., Joanne, Ruth M., Nicky, Merrilyn H., David, Adele, Wally R., Norma, Priscilla

Diane, Ellen, Donna O., Nancy M., Colin Q., Heather, and Anne all teachers, for our country’s new leaders, for our troops wherever they are stationed, for our world neighbors in their various needs, for those in our own lives who face new challenges, for the people and leaders of Israel and Palestine, for those encountering job loss, for those families and loved ones of Air France Flight 447, and for violent extremists of all persuasions that they might have a change of heart.

Prayers for those in the Military: Michael Alderman, Capt. David Moran, Lance Corporals Rachel Lacroix Keefe, and Matthew Keefe.

Prayers for Presence: Marian Cawrse, Inez, and for our church school.

Condolences are extended to Ken Gaspar and Family on the passing of Ken’s Aunt Teresa Siciliano.

THANK YOU

. . .you for gracing us with your presence

. . .to Lay Reader, Don Warren

. . .to our Ushers/Greeters, Josie Alderman and Tim Huber

. . .to our dedicated and talented Choir and Director, Kathy Marks

. . .to Missions Committee for providing Coffee Hour

. . .to Nursery Coordinator, Flannery Wiemer

. . .Flower Chair, Terry Vogel at (413) 203-1742 or at

foghollowfarm@charter.net

FLOWERS this morning are given by Mary Balfour and Betty Schaffer “in memory of our wedding anniversaries and husbands, Neil Balfour and Bill Schaffer.”

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! Bookmarks were made possible through Christian Ed and member donations.

THANK-YOU: Thank you to all who contributed by volunteering and by eating at yesterday’s Summer Kick-Off Barbecue.! Special thanks to Pam Gaspar and friends, the “shakers and movers” of this enjoyable event!

ALL CHURCH MEETING: By request of the Finance & Operations Committee, a special All-Church Meeting will be held following worship today to discuss and vote on modifications to the sanctuary to accommodate a baby grand piano, and to update handicap accessibility within the sanctuary. All members are encouraged to attend. Thank you.

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE BLANKETS+: Today is the last Sunday to contribute to Blankets+. For more than 60 years, U.S. congregations have been responding to Jesus’ call to be neighbor to those in need. When disaster strikes, people often need blankets, tools, training, and other resources to help them rebuild their lives. Your contributions to Blankets+ mean that Church World Service is there for the long haul to help families the world over recover from a disaster. Checks should be made payable to First Congregational Church of Southampton, UCC, with Blankets+ noted on the “For” line. They will be forwarded to Church World Service. Envelopes are in the pews.

BIG Y STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM: Bev Ruszala is the person to see if you need Big Y gift cards. She will receive your orders and distribute the cards during coffee hour. Order forms (available on the table in the Old Sunday School Room or online) may also be placed in the “Green Box” which Beverly checks each week. Please keep in mind that Big Y sells gift cards to many businesses such as Home Depot, Macy’s, Land’s End, Barnes & Noble, etc. Big Y gift cards may be converted to another gift card to be used as birthday, graduation gifts and the like.

RECOMMENDED READING: Two books by the widely-acclaimed pastor, teacher, and author, Barbara Brown Taylor: An Altar In the World and Speaking of Sin, The Lost Language of Salvation.

ALL HANDS ON DECK: Goods & Services Auction/Pig Roast Committee meets on Tuesday, June 23^rd, at Bill O’Grady’s office at 7 p.m. Committee Chair persons are especially encouraged to attend, but all are welcome.

MESSAGE FROM FINANCE & OPERATIONS COMMITTEE: We go on summer vacations, but the church bills don’t. Please remember your church pledge while sunning on the beach or whatever. Try out automatic payment plans with on-line bill paying, or tying a string around your finger. Thank you in advance for remembering your church this summer!

BOB AND EVELYN EMERSON would like to let their friends know that they will be receiving anyone who might want to visit and wish them “Bon Voyage on their newest adventure”, at 114 College Highway, Apt. 5. Please call first. They will be going to live in an apartment at Evelyn’s daughter, Donna Northrup’s home at 70 Armstrong Avenue, Lisbon, N.H. 03585, the last week of June.

MEADOWBROOK FIRE: The recent fire at Meadowbrook Apartments in Northampton destroyed the household belongings of 12 families and displaced 22 people from their homes. They are being helped by area housing specialists to relocate, and by donated household items. Cash donations are most needed to help these families. Those wishing to help our neighbors rebuild their lives may send donations to: ”Fund for Meadowbrook Families”, c/o Florence Savings Bank, P.O. Box 60700, Florence, MA 01062. For more information, contact any member of the Missions Committee.

LIBRARY SPECIAL EVENTS: All are invited to two special events at Edwards Public Library. On Tuesday, June 30, at 7 p.m., local author, Roland Merullo will discuss his popular novel, Breakfast with Buddha, the laugh-out-loud story of a road trip with a spiritual twist. (This book was recently a much-enjoyed God in Literature selection.) The second event is on Wednesday, July 15, at 7 p.m. The spiritual theme continues with An Intro to Meditation Class led by Susan McNamara, a certified instructor who seeks to make meditation accessible for all. Both programs are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Please come!

CELEBRATE SOUTHAMPTON: (Old Home Days) will take place on August 8^th. There will be a “Southampton View-2” photo contest, a pie baking contest, and a kids’ bike parade with prizes for best decorated bike. “Made in Southampton” Fair is looking for local artisans and craftspeople interested in exhibiting/selling their wares Families are invited to join the “Heritage Fair” by displaying their family tree and history. Call Deb at 413-687-5282 for more information.

PARENTS PLEASE NOTE: There are children’s bulletins and Bible activities available on the table in the narthex area (outside the sanctuary) for your children to participate in the weekly Bible lesson during worship or to take home with you. Please be sure to pick one up! Also, a take home family devotion book called, “This Season at Home” is available for our families on the tables both downstairs and upstairs. This guidebook has activities for families to enrich their spiritual lives. Please take a copy.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR COFFEE HOUR HOSTS: Please make sure that coffee hour refreshments do not contain any form of peanuts or tree nut products! Any contact (even when not consumed) can trigger serious health danger for some in our congregation. If you have any questions, please see Rev. Dee or contact Diana Belisle at # 527-8235. Also, there is a list posted on the refrigerator with suggestions for coffee hour snacks, in case you need it.

FLOWERS: Terry Vogel is our Sunday flower coordinator. 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.

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 06/21/2009 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 SCHEDULE Sun. 21 Happy Father’s Day! Blankets+ Mon. 22 Finance Committee, 7 p.m., Cheryl’s office Tues. 23 Heart Walk, 10 a.m. Goods & Auction/Pig Roast Committee, 7 p.m., Bill O’Grady’s office Wed. 24 No Prayer Group, 9 a.m. Sun. 28 Food Basket Sunday LOOKING AHEAD Sun. July 12 Christian Ed and Nominating Committees SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE July 5, 12, 19, 26 –9 a.m., Easthampton Cong. Church- Rev. A. Walker Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23 –9 a.m., First Cong. Church, Southampton- Rev. D. Ledger Aug. 30 –9 a.m., Westhampton Cong. Church- Rev. Tadd Allman-Morton Rev. Dee’s Office Hours for the week of June 21^st : Monday 1-4 p.m., Tuesday 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday 9-12 a.m. *Please note: Rev. Dee leaves for General Synod in Grand Rapids,* *Michigan, on Thursday, June 25, and returns on* *June 30^th. The 2009 resolutions and Synod events* *can be tracked at ucc.org* Administrative Assistant Hours: Mon., Wed., & Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Rev. Dee’s e-mail: revdee@shcong.org Church Office e-mail: churchoffice@shcong.org Prayers for Healing: William, Marian C., Nico, Gene D., Joanne, Ruth M., Nicky, Merrilyn H., David, Adele, Wally R., Norma, Priscilla Diane, Ellen, Donna O., Nancy M., Colin Q., Heather, and Anne all teachers, for our country’s new leaders, for our troops wherever they are stationed, for our world neighbors in their various needs, for those in our own lives who face new challenges, for the people and leaders of Israel and Palestine, for those encountering job loss, for those families and loved ones of Air France Flight 447, and for violent extremists of all persuasions that they might have a change of heart. Prayers for those in the Military: Michael Alderman, Capt. David Moran, Lance Corporals Rachel Lacroix Keefe, and Matthew Keefe. Prayers for Presence: Marian Cawrse, Inez, and for our church school. Condolences are extended to Ken Gaspar and Family on the passing of Ken’s Aunt Teresa Siciliano. THANK YOU . . .you for gracing us with your presence . . .to Lay Reader, Don Warren . . .to our Ushers/Greeters, Josie Alderman and Tim Huber . . .to our dedicated and talented Choir and Director, Kathy Marks . . .to Missions Committee for providing Coffee Hour . . .to Nursery Coordinator, Flannery Wiemer . . .Flower Chair, Terry Vogel at (413) 203-1742 or at foghollowfarm@charter.net FLOWERS this morning are given by Mary Balfour and Betty Schaffer “in memory of our wedding anniversaries and husbands, Neil Balfour and Bill Schaffer.” HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! Bookmarks were made possible through Christian Ed and member donations. THANK-YOU: Thank you to all who contributed by volunteering and by eating at yesterday’s Summer Kick-Off Barbecue.! Special thanks to Pam Gaspar and friends, the “shakers and movers” of this enjoyable event! ALL CHURCH MEETING: By request of the Finance & Operations Committee, a special All-Church Meeting will be held following worship today to discuss and vote on modifications to the sanctuary to accommodate a baby grand piano, and to update handicap accessibility within the sanctuary. All members are encouraged to attend. Thank you. CHURCH WORLD SERVICE BLANKETS+: Today is the last Sunday to contribute to *Blankets+.* For more than 60 years, U.S. congregations have been responding to Jesus’ call to be neighbor to those in need. When disaster strikes, people often need blankets, tools, training, and other resources to help them rebuild their lives. Your contributions to *Blankets+* mean that Church World Service is there for the long haul to help families the world over recover from a disaster. Checks should be made payable to First Congregational Church of Southampton, UCC, with *Blankets+* noted on the “For” line. They will be forwarded to Church World Service. Envelopes are in the pews. BIG Y STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM: Bev Ruszala is the person to see if you need Big Y gift cards. She will receive your orders and distribute the cards during coffee hour. Order forms (available on the table in the Old Sunday School Room or online) may also be placed in the “Green Box” which Beverly checks each week. Please keep in mind that Big Y sells gift cards to many businesses such as Home Depot, Macy’s, Land’s End, Barnes & Noble, etc. Big Y gift cards may be converted to another gift card to be used as birthday, graduation gifts and the like. RECOMMENDED READING: Two books by the widely-acclaimed pastor, teacher, and author, Barbara Brown Taylor: *An Altar In the World* and Speaking of Sin, The Lost Language of Salvation. ALL HANDS ON DECK: Goods & Services Auction/Pig Roast Committee meets on Tuesday, June 23^rd, at Bill O’Grady’s office at 7 p.m. Committee Chair persons are especially encouraged to attend, but all are welcome. MESSAGE FROM FINANCE & OPERATIONS COMMITTEE: We go on summer vacations, but the church bills don’t. Please remember your church pledge while sunning on the beach or whatever. Try out automatic payment plans with on-line bill paying, or tying a string around your finger. Thank you in advance for remembering your church this summer! BOB AND EVELYN EMERSON would like to let their friends know that they will be receiving anyone who might want to visit and wish them “Bon Voyage on their newest adventure”, at 114 College Highway, Apt. 5. Please call first. They will be going to live in an apartment at Evelyn’s daughter, Donna Northrup’s home at 70 Armstrong Avenue, Lisbon, N.H. 03585, the last week of June. MEADOWBROOK FIRE: The recent fire at Meadowbrook Apartments in Northampton destroyed the household belongings of 12 families and displaced 22 people from their homes. They are being helped by area housing specialists to relocate, and by donated household items. Cash donations are most needed to help these families. Those wishing to help our neighbors rebuild their lives may send donations to: ”Fund for Meadowbrook Families”, c/o Florence Savings Bank, P.O. Box 60700, Florence, MA 01062. For more information, contact any member of the Missions Committee. LIBRARY SPECIAL EVENTS: All are invited to two special events at Edwards Public Library. On Tuesday, June 30, at 7 p.m., local author, Roland Merullo will discuss his popular novel, Breakfast with Buddha, the laugh-out-loud story of a road trip with a spiritual twist. (This book was recently a much-enjoyed God in Literature selection.) The second event is on Wednesday, July 15, at 7 p.m. The spiritual theme continues with An Intro to Meditation Class led by Susan McNamara, a certified instructor who seeks to make meditation accessible for all. Both programs are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Please come! CELEBRATE SOUTHAMPTON: (Old Home Days) will take place on August 8^th. There will be a “Southampton View-2” photo contest, a pie baking contest, and a kids’ bike parade with prizes for best decorated bike. “Made in Southampton” Fair is looking for local artisans and craftspeople interested in exhibiting/selling their wares Families are invited to join the “Heritage Fair” by displaying their family tree and history. Call Deb at 413-687-5282 for more information. PARENTS PLEASE NOTE: There are children’s bulletins and Bible activities available on the table in the narthex area (outside the sanctuary) for your children to participate in the weekly Bible lesson during worship or to take home with you. Please be sure to pick one up! Also, a take home family devotion book called, “This Season at Home” is available for our families on the tables both downstairs and upstairs. This guidebook has activities for families to enrich their spiritual lives. Please take a copy. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR COFFEE HOUR HOSTS: Please make sure that coffee hour refreshments *do not contain any form of peanuts or tree nut products!* Any contact (even when not consumed) can trigger serious health danger for some in our congregation. If you have any questions, please see Rev. Dee or contact Diana Belisle at # 527-8235. Also, there is a list posted on the refrigerator with suggestions for coffee hour snacks, in case you need it. FLOWERS: Terry Vogel is our Sunday flower coordinator. 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. 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.