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

01/10/2010

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. 10 All-Church Renewal of Baptismal Vows

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

Tues. 12 Heart Walk, 10 a.m.

Diaconate, 7 p.m.

Wed. 13 Prayer Group, 9 a.m.

Choir Rehearsal, 6-7

Holy Rollers, I. Warren’s home, 2-4

Sat. 16 Men’s Breakfast, Easthampton Diner, 8:30 a.m.

Wed. 20 Cornerstone Material for February issue due

LOOKING AHEAD

Sat. 24 Annual Meeting (Snow date, Jan. 31^st )

Fri.-Sat. 29 & 30 Overnight Confirmation “Lock-in/Kick-off”

Rev. Dee’s Office Hours for the week of Jan. 10^th : Monday, 9-1

*Please note that Rev. Dee’s office hours are subject to change and that Friday is her day off. Please call in advance. Also, Rev. Dee will be at a “Family Systems” clergy workshop in Framingham, January 12-14. Thank you.

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, April West

. . .to Head Ushers & Greeters, Don & Ingrid Warren

. . .to the Trustees for hosting Coffee Hour

. . .to our talented and dedicated Choir and Director

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

Prayers for Healing: Matthew, David, Joseph, Jurie, Bill, Debby H. (community member), Debbie H. (member), Jay S., Blessing Sithole, Kim, Leanne, 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. We also hold in prayer all those affected by the recent fires in Northampton.

Condolences are extended to Bill Bray and his family on the loss of a family member, and to Richard LeClerc on the loss of Theresa.

Prayers for Presence: The families and friends of Larry and Amy Guyette, and Inez Delisle.

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

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 or other gifts.

TAKE NOTICE! Jim Belisle, Mert Camp, and Ed Christian have transformed the dingy, tired hallway leading to the Parish Hall into an attractive, welcoming mini art gallery with beautiful new carpeting, painted walls and ceiling. THANK YOU for such a lasting gift of your time and effort!

THANK YOU: Many of us enjoyed the delicious benefit pasta supper on Friday, December 4, sponsored by Cub Scout Pack 210. As a thank-you to the church for the use of our space, the Cub Scouts recently presented us with $525.00! The card, signed by each of the scouts and their leaders, is displayed on the Correspondence section of the bulletin board in the Parish Hall. A BIG THANK YOU to the Cub Scouts and their leaders!

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.

TABS FOR SHRINERS HOSPITAL: Rachel Huntley, who collects aluminum tabs for the Shriners hospital, will be going to Shriners on February 3^rd for her next appointment. If you have been saving tabs, from soda cans, soup cans, beer cans and cat food, this is a good month to bring them to the church. There is a container in the Old Sunday School room. Money earned from the recycling of the aluminum is used to purchase medical equipment and other supplies. Rachel wanted to help the hospital which is helping her.

UCC WOMEN’S CELEBRATION: The UCC Women’s Celebration will take place on March 12-14, 2010, in Burlington, VT. This event happens every four years in New England and is an intergenerational opportunity for all women ages 14 and up. The week-end is filled with speakers, worship, workshops, and wonderful opportunities for fellowship with women from our denomination. The theme this year is “Building Bridges.” Information about cost and location and how to register is available at http://www.uccwomenscelebration.org/home

CONFIRMATION: The Confirmation Journey begins soon with an overnight “Lock-in” at the church on Friday, January 29^th at 6:30 p.m. to 9 a.m., Saturday, January 30^th. The program this year has been expanded to include 8th graders as well as grades 9-12. Confirmation is a significant faith step in which youth are taught the basics of the Christian faith and led to claim their baptism and join the local church. If your youth wishes to begin the “Journey”, please speak with Rev. Dee for more information. Parent permission slips are due by January l7th.

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.

ANNUAL REPORTS: Typed reports need to be in the church office as soon as possible ! The Annual Reports will be compiled this week and ready for distribution next Sunday, in order that they may be read in advance of the Annual Meeting which is scheduled for January 24^th, 2010. Let’s try this year to have an Annual Report all in one piece!

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. 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.

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 01/10/2010 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. 10 All-Church Renewal of Baptismal Vows Christian Ed. Mtg., 11:15 a.m. Tues. 12 Heart Walk, 10 a.m. Diaconate, 7 p.m. Wed. 13 Prayer Group, 9 a.m. Choir Rehearsal, 6-7 Holy Rollers, I. Warren’s home, 2-4 Sat. 16 Men’s Breakfast, Easthampton Diner, 8:30 a.m. Wed. 20 *Cornerstone Material for February issue due* LOOKING AHEAD Sat. 24 Annual Meeting (Snow date, Jan. 31^st ) Fri.-Sat. 29 & 30 Overnight Confirmation “Lock-in/Kick-off” Rev. Dee’s Office Hours for the week of Jan. 10^th : Monday, 9-1 Please note that Rev. Dee’s office hours are subject to change and that Friday is her day off. Please call in advance. Also, Rev. Dee will be at a “Family Systems” clergy workshop in Framingham, January 12-14. Thank you. 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, April West . . .to Head Ushers & Greeters, Don & Ingrid Warren . . .to the Trustees for hosting Coffee Hour . . .to our talented and dedicated Choir and Director . . .Flower Chair, Terry Vogel at (413) 203-1742 Prayers for Healing: Matthew, David, Joseph, Jurie, Bill, Debby H. (community member), Debbie H. (member), Jay S., Blessing Sithole, Kim, Leanne, 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. We also hold in prayer all those affected by the recent fires in Northampton. Condolences are extended to Bill Bray and his family on the loss of a family member, and to Richard LeClerc on the loss of Theresa. Prayers for Presence: The families and friends of Larry and Amy Guyette, and Inez Delisle. Prayers for those in the Military: Michael Alderman, Adam Buckley, Capt. David Moran, Lance Corporals Rachel Lacroix Keefe, and Matthew Keefe. 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 or other gifts. TAKE NOTICE! Jim Belisle, Mert Camp, and Ed Christian have transformed the dingy, tired hallway leading to the Parish Hall into an attractive, welcoming mini art gallery with beautiful new carpeting, painted walls and ceiling. THANK YOU for such a lasting gift of your time and effort! THANK YOU: Many of us enjoyed the delicious benefit pasta supper on Friday, December 4, sponsored by Cub Scout Pack 210. As a thank-you to the church for the use of our space, the Cub Scouts recently presented us with $525.00! The card, signed by each of the scouts and their leaders, is displayed on the Correspondence section of the bulletin board in the Parish Hall. A BIG THANK YOU to the Cub Scouts and their leaders! 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. TABS FOR SHRINERS HOSPITAL: Rachel Huntley, who collects aluminum tabs for the Shriners hospital, will be going to Shriners on February 3^rd for her next appointment. If you have been saving tabs, from soda cans, soup cans, beer cans and cat food, this is a good month to bring them to the church. There is a container in the Old Sunday School room. Money earned from the recycling of the aluminum is used to purchase medical equipment and other supplies. Rachel wanted to help the hospital which is helping her. UCC WOMEN’S CELEBRATION: The UCC Women’s Celebration will take place on March 12-14, 2010, in Burlington, VT. This event happens every four years in New England and is an intergenerational opportunity for all women ages 14 and up. The week-end is filled with speakers, worship, workshops, and wonderful opportunities for fellowship with women from our denomination. The theme this year is “Building Bridges.” Information about cost and location and how to register is available at http://www.uccwomenscelebration.org/home CONFIRMATION: The Confirmation Journey begins soon with an overnight “Lock-in” at the church on Friday, January 29^th at 6:30 p.m. to 9 a.m., Saturday, January 30^th. The program this year has been expanded to include 8th graders as well as grades 9-12. Confirmation is a significant faith step in which youth are taught the basics of the Christian faith and led to claim their baptism and join the local church. If your youth wishes to begin the “Journey”, please speak with Rev. Dee for more information. *Parent permission slips are due by January l7th.* 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. ANNUAL REPORTS: Typed reports need to be in the church office as soon as possible ! The Annual Reports will be compiled this week and ready for distribution next Sunday, in order that they may be read in advance of the Annual Meeting which is scheduled for January 24^th, 2010. Let’s try this year to have an Annual Report all in one piece! 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. 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. 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.