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

01/17/2010

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

Tues. 19 Heart Walk, 10 a.m.

Wed. 20 Prayer Group – Easthampton Diner, 9 a.m.

Choir/Community Chorus, 6-9

Sun.. 24 Annual Meeting following Worship Service (Snow date,

Jan. 31^st )

Wed. 27 Holy Rollers at P. Rapalus’ home, 2-4

Cornerstone Material for February issue due January 20

LOOKING AHEAD

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

Mon. Feb. 1 Confirmation Class, 7-8:30 p.m.

Rev. Dee’s Office Hours for the week of Jan. 17^th :

Tuesday 9-1; Wednesday 1-4; Thursday 1-4

*Please note that the church office will be closed on Monday, Martin Luther King, Jr. day.

Administrative Assistant Hours: Wednesday, Friday

8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

THANK YOU

. . .you for gracing us with your presence

. . .to Lay Reader, Barry Searle

. . .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: Allen family members, 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 those in our own lives who face new challenges, for those encountering job loss, for those encountering loss of their home churches, for our church school, and for those affected by the recent fires in Northampton. We especially pray for those affected by the Haitian earthquake disaster, and for those who are extending assistance.

Condolences are extended to Al and Kate Miller Carl and their family on the passing of Al Carl’s mother, Marian Carl.

Prayers for Presence: The families and friends of Bill Bray, Richard LeClerc, 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!

NOTE FROM DOROTHY: Annual Reports are available on the bench next to the new Pledge Envelopes in the Old Sunday School room. Please take a copy to read before next week’s meeting and remember to bring your “limited edition” with you to the meeting which will take place directly following the worship service. And THANK YOU for getting your reports to me on time!

UCC RESPONSES TO EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI: Many UCC churches are or have been actively engaged in Haiti, carrying out a variety of mission projects. 100% of all donations will be used to directly help the disaster victims through “Our Church’s Wider Mission Basic Support.” If you wish to contribute, make your check out to MACUU and mark in the memo portion:
”OGHS-Haitian Relief”. Mail your check to the Conference office:

MACUU, 1 Badger Road, Framingham, MA 01702. For more information on the disaster, and how the UCC is responding. Go to http://www.ucc.org/disaster/major-earthquake-strikes

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.

YOGA: For those of you interested in practicing yoga, we will have that opportunity right at our church building. Starting on February 2, Susan McNamara will be leading yoga classes for eight weeks on Tuesday evenings 6:30 - 7:30. The cost would be $80 for the eight-week session, but Susan is offering a rate of $75.00 for church folks.

Please note that there will not be a class on Feb. 16 or March 23, so the last class would be April 6. Please bring a mat, a blanket and clothing layers. Some of you may be familiar with Susan. She led a Women's Wellness class and a Meditation class at the library this past year, and she is a Kripalu-certified Yoga Instructor. I have taken her yoga classes in the past and found them to be very gentle, compassionate and

beneficial to my whole being. Hope you'll join me. For more info you may contact me at howlandanne@gmail.com (527-7237) or susan at thefarmatavalon@hotmail.com. (527-2230). --submitted by Anne Howland

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 as soon as possible!

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.

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!

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 01/17/2010 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 Tues. 19 Heart Walk, 10 a.m. Wed. 20 Prayer Group – Easthampton Diner, 9 a.m. Choir/Community Chorus, 6-9 Sun.. 24 Annual Meeting following Worship Service (Snow date, Jan. 31^st ) Wed. 27 Holy Rollers at P. Rapalus’ home, 2-4 *Cornerstone Material for February issue due January 20* LOOKING AHEAD Fri.-Sat. 29 & 30 Overnight Confirmation “Lock-in/Kick-off” Mon. Feb. 1 Confirmation Class, 7-8:30 p.m. Rev. Dee’s Office Hours for the week of Jan. 17^th : Tuesday 9-1; Wednesday 1-4; Thursday 1-4 Please note that the church office will be closed on Monday, Martin Luther King, Jr. day. Administrative Assistant Hours:* Wednesday, Friday 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. THANK YOU . . .you for gracing us with your presence . . .to Lay Reader, Barry Searle . . .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: Allen family members, 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 those in our own lives who face new challenges, for those encountering job loss, for those encountering loss of their home churches, for our church school, and for those affected by the recent fires in Northampton. We especially pray for those affected by the Haitian earthquake disaster, and for those who are extending assistance. Condolences are extended to Al and Kate Miller Carl and their family on the passing of Al Carl’s mother, Marian Carl. Prayers for Presence: The families and friends of Bill Bray, Richard LeClerc, 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! NOTE FROM DOROTHY: Annual Reports are available on the bench next to the new Pledge Envelopes in the Old Sunday School room. Please take a copy to read before next week’s meeting and remember to bring your “limited edition” with you to the meeting which will take place directly following the worship service. And **THANK YOU for getting your reports to me on time! UCC RESPONSES TO EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI: Many UCC churches are or have been actively engaged in Haiti, carrying out a variety of mission projects. 100% of all donations will be used to directly help the disaster victims through “Our Church’s Wider Mission Basic Support.” If you wish to contribute, make your check out to MACUU and mark in the memo portion: ”OGHS-Haitian Relief”. Mail your check to the Conference office: MACUU, 1 Badger Road, Framingham, MA 01702. For more information on the disaster, and how the UCC is responding. Go to http://www.ucc.org/disaster/major-earthquake-strikes 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. YOGA: For those of you interested in practicing yoga, we will have that opportunity right at our church building. Starting on February 2, Susan McNamara will be leading yoga classes for eight weeks on Tuesday evenings 6:30 - 7:30. The cost would be $80 for the eight-week session, but Susan is offering a rate of $75.00 for church folks. Please note that there will not be a class on Feb. 16 or March 23, so the last class would be April 6. Please bring a mat, a blanket and clothing layers. Some of you may be familiar with Susan. She led a Women's Wellness class and a Meditation class at the library this past year, and she is a Kripalu-certified Yoga Instructor. I have taken her yoga classes in the past and found them to be very gentle, compassionate and beneficial to my whole being. Hope you'll join me. For more info you may contact me at howlandanne@gmail.com (527-7237) or susan at thefarmatavalon@hotmail.com. (527-2230). --submitted by Anne Howland 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 as soon as possible! 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. 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! 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.