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

12/13/2009

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. 13 Christmas Pageant

Community Chorus Concert, 4 p.m., reception to follow,

$6. donation

Fri. 18 Women’s Missionary Luncheon and preparing baskets

for the Wright Home, 12 noon

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

Diaconate meets at 10 a.m. to assemble “over 80’s” baskets

and decorate the sanctuary

Mon. 21 Caroling, meet at the church at 6 p.m.

Wed. 23 No Prayer Group

Thurs. 24 Christmas Eve Service, 6:30 p.m.

LOOKING AHEAD

Sun. 27 Rev. Dee on vacation until Jan. 3, (Call the church

office if you have a pastoral emergency.)

Fri. Jan. 8 Annual Reports due

Sat. 24 Annual Meeting

Fri. 29 Confirmation “Lock-in/Kick-off”

Rev. Dee’s Office Hours for the week of December 13th:

Monday, 9-1; Tuesday, 10-1 p.m.; Thursday, 1-4 p.m.

*Please note that Rev. Dee’s office hours are subject to change and that Friday is her day off. Please call in advance.

Administrative Assistant Hours: Monday, Wednesday, & Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.

THANK YOU

. . .you for gracing us with your presence

. . .to Lay Reader, Carlene Osborn

. . .to our talented and dedicated choir

. . .to Ushers & Greeters, Ken and Pam Gaspar

. . .to Carolyn Tauscher, Dorothy Forster, and Norma Teece for hosting

Coffee Hour

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

foghollowfarm@charter.net

Prayers for Healing: Fred, Joseph, Jurie, Bill, Ariana, Debby H. (member) Debbie H. (community), Rev. Dee, Drew, Dale C., Jay S., Terry V., Blessing Sithole, Kim, Leanne, Joy, Elinor, Marion D., Adele, Norma, Nancy M., Heather, all teachers, for our country’s 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 those encountering job loss, for those encountering loss of their home churches, and for our church school.

Prayers for Presence: The families and friends of Jane Tetreault and Pam Gaspar, and Inez Delisle.

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

IN APPRECIATION! We are grateful to Sue Rigali, Kathy Esposito, and Betty Schaffer who volunteered to organize and direct our Christmas Pageant. Thank you to them, to all the children who participated in this very special event, and to any not named who lent a hand!

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 cards may be converted to other gift cards sold there at Big Y to be used as birthday, Christmas gifts, and the like.

KITCHEN CLEAN-UP: Please check to see if you have left baking pans, cookware or dishes in the kitchen. Any items not retrieved will be donated to the Northampton Survival Center.

CARDS FOR SALE: Flannery Wiemer has opened a store front on Etsy for the handsome greeting cards which she creates, and which were sold at the Fall Festival. She will donate a portion of any cards sold to members to benefit the church. Visit www.fjwiemer.etsy.com or Flannery at (413) 222-3660

NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL YOUTH EVENT: “Finding Our Way in God’s World”. This event is for high school aged UCC Youth who will entering 9^th grade in fall 2010, through those who graduated in June, 2010. It will be held on June 24-27, on the campus of Boston University and costs $350./person. Registration materials will be available after January 25, 2010. For more information, see the Wider Church section of the bulletin board.

TODAY (Sunday Dec 13^th) IS LAST CALL FOR POINSETTIAS: Again this year, Judith Miller Conlin is coordinating Christmas poinsettias to decorate our church for Christmas and to benefit the Diaconate Outreach Fund. Please fill out the enclosed form, and write your check to First Congregational Church, UCC, with “poinsettias in the menu space. Forms, along with checks or cash ($12.) may be placed in the offering plate. Due by today!

“OVER 80’S BASKETS”: The Diaconate requests donations of items such as fruit, cookies, holiday breads, crackers, cocoa, packets of tea or coffee, jellies/jams, etc. to be used to fill baskets for our honored members. Please drop off your contributions at the church by next Saturday, December 19^th, 10 a.m so that the baskets may be assembled by the Diaconate on that morning.

CHRISTMAS FAMILY GIFTS: Please place your wrapped and tagged gifts under the Christmas tree in the old Sunday School room. The Diaconate will sort them for delivery on next Saturday, December 19, at 10:00 a.m. The families are most certainly blessed by our your generous spirit!

CONCERT IN GRANBY: Josie Alderman, Kate Miller Carl, and Judith Miller Conlin will singing in a Christmas Concert next Sunday, Dec. 20^th at the First Presbyterian Church in the MEADOW, 160 West State St. (US 202), Granby, MA, at 4 p.m. Details of this special Yule Concert are posted on the hallway bulletin board.

ANNUAL REPORTS: It’s that time again for committee chairpersons to begin thinking about their annual reports. The typed reports need to be in the church office by January 8, 2010, in order to be compiled and ready for distribution a week ahead of the Annual Meeting which is scheduled for January 24^th, 2009. Let’s try this year to have an Annual Report all in one piece!

STEWARDSHIP/PLEDGE SUNDAY: Thank you from the Finance & Operations Committee for your financial pledges to the church for 2010! Pledging allows the church to plan its mission, ministry, and finances for the coming year. If you have not yet completed a pledge and need a pledge card, please let the church office, Ken Gaspar, or Deb Hawkes know.

CHRISTMAS FUND: This is a traditional UCC all-church offering which provides Christmas checks to low-income, retired clergy, and their widowed spouses. It also supplies emergency assistance and health benefits. Pastors who worked in rural areas with minimal salary often enter retirement with limited resources. Our generous contributions make a difference in many lives. This Christmas Fund offering will be received on Sunday, December 20^th.

CHRISTIAN ED NOTICE: We are grateful to all teachers and volunteers who have helped in the Church School thus far. We are seeking teachers to fill in and help teach our youngest disciples, particularly after the holidays and into the new year. Please look at the Church School Calendar also posted in the hallway and sign up for this most important mission. Curriculum is readily available! A Church School Coordinator (s) is still needed to help with organizing and planning.

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. 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 12/13/2009 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. 13 Christmas Pageant Community Chorus Concert, 4 p.m., reception to follow, $6. donation Fri. 18 Women’s Missionary Luncheon and preparing baskets for the Wright Home, 12 noon Sat. 19 Men’s Breakfast, Easthampton Diner, 8:30 a.m. Diaconate meets at 10 a.m. to assemble “over 80’s” baskets and decorate the sanctuary Mon. 21 Caroling, meet at the church at 6 p.m. Wed. 23 No Prayer Group Thurs. 24 Christmas Eve Service, 6:30 p.m. LOOKING AHEAD Sun. 27 Rev. Dee on vacation until Jan. 3, (Call the church office if you have a pastoral emergency.) Fri. Jan. 8 Annual Reports due Sat. 24 Annual Meeting Fri. 29 Confirmation “Lock-in/Kick-off” Rev. Dee’s Office Hours for the week of December 13th: Monday, 9-1; Tuesday, 10-1 p.m.; Thursday, 1-4 p.m. Please note that Rev. Dee’s office hours are subject to change and that Friday is her day off. Please call in advance. Administrative Assistant Hours:* Monday, Wednesday, & Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. THANK YOU . . .you for gracing us with your presence . . .to Lay Reader, Carlene Osborn . . .to our talented and dedicated choir . . .to Ushers & Greeters, Ken and Pam Gaspar . . .to Carolyn Tauscher, Dorothy Forster, and Norma Teece for hosting Coffee Hour . . Flower Chair, Terry Vogel at (413) 203-1742 or at foghollowfarm@charter.net Prayers for Healing: Fred, Joseph, Jurie, Bill, Ariana, Debby H. (member) Debbie H. (community), Rev. Dee, Drew, Dale C., Jay S., Terry V., Blessing Sithole, Kim, Leanne, Joy, Elinor, Marion D., Adele, Norma, Nancy M., Heather, all teachers, for our country’s 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 those encountering job loss, for those encountering loss of their home churches, and for our church school. Prayers for Presence: The families and friends of Jane Tetreault and Pam Gaspar, and Inez Delisle. Prayers for those in the Military: Michael Alderman, Adam Buckley, Capt. David Moran, Lance Corporals Rachel Lacroix Keefe, and Matthew Keefe. IN APPRECIATION! We are grateful to Sue Rigali, Kathy Esposito, and Betty Schaffer who volunteered to organize and direct our Christmas Pageant. Thank you to them, to all the children who participated in this very special event, and to any not named who lent a hand! 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 cards may be converted to other gift cards sold there at Big Y to be used as birthday, Christmas gifts, and the like. KITCHEN CLEAN-UP: Please check to see if you have left baking pans, cookware or dishes in the kitchen. Any items not retrieved will be donated to the Northampton Survival Center. CARDS FOR SALE: Flannery Wiemer has opened a store front on Etsy for the handsome greeting cards which she creates, and which were sold at the Fall Festival. She will donate a portion of any cards sold to members to benefit the church. Visit www.fjwiemer.etsy.com or Flannery at (413) 222-3660 NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL YOUTH EVENT: “Finding Our Way in God’s World”. This event is for high school aged UCC Youth who will entering 9^th grade in fall 2010, through those who graduated in June, 2010. It will be held on June 24-27, on the campus of Boston University and costs $350./person. Registration materials will be available after January 25, 2010. For more information, see the Wider Church section of the bulletin board. TODAY (Sunday Dec 13^th) IS LAST CALL FOR POINSETTIAS: Again this year, Judith Miller Conlin is coordinating Christmas poinsettias to decorate our church for Christmas and to benefit the Diaconate Outreach Fund. Please fill out the enclosed form, and write your check to First Congregational Church, UCC, with “poinsettias in the menu space. Forms, along with checks or cash ($12.) may be placed in the offering plate. Due by today! “OVER 80’S BASKETS”: The Diaconate requests donations of items such as fruit, cookies, holiday breads, crackers, cocoa, packets of tea or coffee, jellies/jams, etc. to be used to fill baskets for our honored members. Please drop off your contributions at the church by next *Saturday, December 19^th, 10 a.m* so that the baskets may be assembled by the Diaconate on that morning. CHRISTMAS FAMILY GIFTS: Please place your wrapped and tagged gifts under the Christmas tree in the old Sunday School room. The Diaconate will sort them for delivery on next *Saturday, December 19, at 10:00 a.m.* The families are most certainly blessed by our your generous spirit! CONCERT IN GRANBY: Josie Alderman, Kate Miller Carl, and Judith Miller Conlin will singing in a Christmas Concert next Sunday, Dec. 20^th at the First Presbyterian Church in the MEADOW, 160 West State St. (US 202), Granby, MA, at 4 p.m. Details of this special Yule Concert are posted on the hallway bulletin board. ANNUAL REPORTS: It’s that time again for committee chairpersons to begin thinking about their annual reports. The typed reports need to be in the church office by January 8, 2010, in order to be compiled and ready for distribution a week ahead of the Annual Meeting which is scheduled for January 24^th, 2009. Let’s try this year to have an Annual Report all in one piece! STEWARDSHIP/PLEDGE SUNDAY: Thank you from the Finance & Operations Committee for your financial pledges to the church for 2010! Pledging allows the church to plan its mission, ministry, and finances for the coming year. If you have not yet completed a pledge and need a pledge card, please let the church office, Ken Gaspar, or Deb Hawkes know. CHRISTMAS FUND: This is a traditional UCC all-church offering which provides Christmas checks to low-income, retired clergy, and their widowed spouses. It also supplies emergency assistance and health benefits. Pastors who worked in rural areas with minimal salary often enter retirement with limited resources. Our generous contributions make a difference in many lives. This Christmas Fund offering will be received on Sunday, December 20^th. CHRISTIAN ED NOTICE: We are grateful to all teachers and volunteers who have helped in the Church School thus far. We are seeking teachers to fill in and help teach our youngest disciples, particularly after the holidays and into the new year. Please look at the Church School Calendar also posted in the hallway and sign up for this most important mission. Curriculum is readily available! A Church School Coordinator (s) is still needed to help with organizing and planning. 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. 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.