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THE
MEETINGHOUSE
MESSENGER
The First
Congregational
Church
in Stoneham
June 2018
United Church of Christ
Upcoming Events:
June 3 – Annual Meeting
and Luncheon
June 10 – Children’s Sunday
and Church Picnic
August 6 – 10 – Vacation
Bible Blast!!
Sunday, June 10th is
Children’s Sunday
Please join us as the children of the congregation help to
lead worship. Scholarships and Camperships will be
awarded. We will celebrate our High School and
College Graduates as well.
Our annual Church Picnic will follow morning worship.
There is still time to sign up to bring a side dish, salad or
dessert. Signup sheet is outside the kitchen in Fellowship
Hall. We will have hot dogs and burgers. There will be
games and prizes for the children.
Come join the fun!
We are an open
and affirming
congregation of
the United
Church of
Christ
The Annual Meeting of the First Congregational
Church in Stoneham will be held on Sunday, June 3rd,
2018 at 11:15 am in Fellowship Hall following
worship. A light lunch will be served for a suggested
donation of $5 a person. All members and friends are
encouraged to attend. The meeting is open to all,
while voting is reserved for members.
Books & Chocolate
Our year end field trip will be to the coast of southern
Maine on Saturday, June 2nd. Please contact Judy Clark
at [email protected] if you need more
information or are interested in joining the group.
June
If you would like to be added to
the Birthday List, please email
the church office.
1 John Burke
2 George Parsons
7 Benjamin Muise
7 Shirley Gibson
8 Kathy Bardell
9 Sarah Clark
10 Zachary Hodgson
10 Marilyn Jackson
19 Michael Byrd
21 Spencer Little
23 Mikayla Freeman
24 Sharon Wade
25 Derek Walczak
27 Lisa Walczak
27 Carolyn Barrett
28 Gerri Cruickshank
29 John Fucci
1 Church Street Stoneham, MA 02180
781-438-0097 (fax) 781-438-0238
Come Worship with us!
Sundays, 10:00 am
Staff of the Church Rev. Henry A. Schoenfield, Interim Minister
Joyce Simpson, Music Director
Leonard Levine, Sexton
Sara Thompson, Church Secretary and
Messenger Editor
Heidi Bilbo, Sunday School Superintendent
Lynn Haddad, Treasurer
The First
Congregational Church in Stoneham
Messenger Deadline The deadline for the Summer 2018
Messenger is July 12th. Please leave all submissions in the
Messenger box in the office, or email them to the church office at
[email protected]. Thanks!
First Church is on TV!
Couldn’t get to service this week?
Loved the sermon so much you want
to hear it again? First Church services
are rebroadcast all week!
The schedule and channels are as
follows:
Comcast users: Channel 9
Verizon users: Channel 34
RCN users: Channel 3
Mondays @ 6:30 pm
Tuesdays @10:30 am
Thursdays @ 2:00 pm
Sundays @ 11:30 am
Is there someone in
your family graduating
this spring? Please
contact the church
office so we can
celebrate the
milestone on June 10!
Food Pantry News
Here is our list of “Items of the Week” for the month of June. Please remember to pick up these items when you are grocery shopping. Please do your part to help stock our pantry for those in need in our church community and in Stoneham and the neighboring communities.
Items may be left in the colorful crates outside the Sanctuary.
Hamburger Helper
Pancake Mix
Syrup
Mayonnaise
Craft Group Crafts will meet on June 12th. Join us at 9:30 am in the craft room for easy crafts, tea, cake and socializing.
We have some empty
Sundays on our Coffee
Hour sign-up sheet!
Please remember to sign
up your committee or
your family to host one
this summer. The sheet is
outside the kitchen door
in Fellowship Hall.
Praise Music Sunday is always a favorite of the congregation.
Members of the First Church choir and visiting singers and
musicians once again put on a memorable performance on May
20th. Thank you to Joyce and everyone who participated!
During the summer months, we don’t have many people who
have signed up to put flowers on the altar. We would welcome
flowers from your garden. If you are able to do this, please call
the office by Wednesday and let Sara know. If you prefer
flowers from the florist, they have to be ordered by Wednesday
also. Thank you all for helping to keep the Sanctuary beautiful
on Sunday morning.
The Decorating Committee
News about Our Beloved Holiday Fair
There was a Fair Committee meeting to discuss bringing our traditional Holiday Fair into the 21st century. While we
have appreciated all the dedicated volunteers throughout the years, we have come to the conclusion that a positive
change is in need.
We are still having the Country Store, Cotton Knit, Crafts, Jewelry/Boutique and Children’s Activities and Toys. Due
to the changing recycling laws in town and with agencies we work with not accepting certain items, we are no longer
having White Elephant, Books or Children’s Clothing. Also, back by popular demand are the Pie Social, Roast Beef
Dinner, Luncheon, Silent Auction and Raffles.
However, we are accepting limited donations for the Boutique, including items new with tags, gently used or upscale
items by emailing Jill Burgos or Kim Savage at [email protected]. No furniture will be accepted,
unless there is a picture to post on social media. (We can come to your house to take a picture if needed). The item
will need to be stored at your house until it is sold online, and then arrangements will be made for the buyer to pick
the item up at your house. (We can arrange for a church member to be with you at your home at pick up time.)
We are inviting local vendors and artisans to rent tables, including any Church members or friends that are interested
in participating.
The Fair will be held November 16th & 17
th. On Friday night, November 16
th 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm will be the Pie
Social and shopping. Saturday, November 17th 9:00 am - 3:00 pm will be the luncheon and shopping. The famous
Roast Beef Dinner will be at 6:00 pm with Chef Donna Wall.
If you would like to join the Fair Committee, we would love to hear your ideas! Our next meeting will be June 17th at
11:30 in the Parlor.
Sincerely,
Kim & Lorraine Savage
On Behalf on the Fair Committee:
Jill Burgos, Linda DeAmicis, Karen Tripp, Judy Clark, Heidi Bilbo and Donna Wall
The Book of Remembrance memorial planters are looking lovely this spring. To the left is one of the two urns by the front doors of the sanctuary, in memory of Glendola Mitchell. On the right is the new planter near the entrance to the church office, in memory of Steve McManus and Mary Samour. Judy Clark and Lorraine Savage have provided the beautiful plants and volunteer their time to tend the planters.
Vacation Bible Blast
August 6 – 10, 2018 9:00 am – 12:00 noon
The First Congregational Church in Stoneham invites children of all ages to experience the ride of a lifetime with God at Rolling River Rampage Vacation Bible Blast! This white water rafting adventure includes exciting new music, amazing science, creative crafts, fun recreation, and memorable Bible stories that help children know God is always with them as they ride the rapids of life!
The adventure will begin on August 6-10, 2018, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Registration Forms are available on our website or in the church office.
Costs: if you register before June 1 it will be $40 per camper, from June 2 to August 10 the cost is $50 per camper. If an adult or teen from your family volunteers their time during the week of VBB then the fee will be waived for the first camper of your family.
Let us know what you want/can do for VBB this year. There are lots of ways anyone can volunteer their time towards VBB, either before, working on decorations or during VBB week. Ask Donna Wall how you can help.
Join us for a ride of a lifetime at Rolling River Rampage VBB by call the church office at 781-438-0097 or visit us online at the church website: firstchurchstoneham.org.
VBB Director, Donna Wall
Wish List: (donations) Items to Borrow: ( need August 1st) 120 2 liter plastic soda bottles 3 life jackets
1 3-4" diameter tree branch 4 paddles or oars 4 rolls blue or green painters tape 2 Large foam board 4'x8'
Donations should be dropped off at the food pantry storage clearly marked for VBB. Keep your eyes open for updated items on our ever changing wish list.
Thank you to everyone who makes this program possible!
Vacation Bible Blast Registration Form August 6 - 10, 2018 9:00 am – 12 noon
First Congregational Church in Stoneham 1 Church Street, Stoneham, MA 02180
Student’s Name ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name ______________________________________________________________________________________
Address__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
E-mail Address _________________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone Numbers Home _______________________ Cell _________________________ Work ______________________
Age Information Date of birth ______________________________ Age ___________________
Last school grade completed _______________________________
Home Church ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Emergency Contact Information:
Name_____________________________________________ Relationship_______________________________________________
Phone Numbers Home ________________________ Cell __________________________ Work ____________________
Family Physician_____________________________________________ Phone No._____________________________________
Insurance Co._________________________________________ ID No._________________________________________________
Does Your Child Have:
Any physical restrictions:___________________________________________________________________________________
Food or other allergies:_______________________________________________________________________________________
Special learning needs:_______________________________________________________________________________________
Medical Release Statement: The child herein has permission to engage in all activities except as noted by me. I hereby give
permission to Donna Wall to authorize a physician to order x-rays and/or routine tests and treatment for the health of my
child and to secure proper treatment in the event that I cannot be reached in an emergency.
Signature_______________________________________________________________ Date_______________________________________
Photo Release Statement: The First Congregational Church in Stoneham may use any photographs of my child for
advertising, art or promotional purposes. I waive my right to inspect or approve the finished photos.
Signature_______________________________________________________________ Date_______________________________________
Cost: $40 per child If registering before June 1, 2018.
$50 per child If registering after June 1, 2018.
Make check payable to First Congregational Church in Stoneham
*********************If Teenager or Parent of Child Volunteers the FIRST child attends free***********************
Office use only:
Date Paid____________________________________ Check No._________________ Cash__________________ Amount:
Are parents/siblings helping with VBB? _______________
First Church Welcomes Pastoral Intern
The Rev. Nina Swift joins First Church Stoneham for the next few months to serve as a Pastoral Intern as she learns more about her call and congregational ministry. Nina comes to us from her home congregation of Hope Central Church in Jamaica Plain, MA. Nina is a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) minister who was ordained 4 years ago at Hope Central and has served there as a Community Minister since that time. Nina is fiercely committed to the spiritual practice of nurturing kindness and justice in our world as exemplified by Jesus and his works. Nina and her spouse LJ are the proud parents of three grown children - Samantha, Mosby and Phineas. She enjoys cooking, solving vintage puzzles, and traveling with her Beloved.
Celebrating 6 Years as Open & Affirming!
Walking our Faith at Boston Pride On Saturday, June 9th, the Mass Conference of ONA churches will once again be marching as a delegation in the Boston Pride parade. This is a great opportunity for us to outwardly express our open and affirming beliefs. All members and friends of First Congregational Church in Stoneham are invited to march with other ONA churches, lifting our individual church signs and proclaiming our extravagant welcome to all.
Amy Santiago-Byrd is organizing First Church's participation in the Pride March this year. If you would like more information, or are interested in marching with us, please contact Amy at [email protected] or 774-288-1272. Come join our group to support our role as an ONA church!
The “Super Star” treatment at the Boy Scout
Troop 513 Car Wash on May 5th.
VBB Crafts Night will be held on Wednesdays
June 13, 20 & 27, and July 11 & 25. We use
the 123 classroom and a combination of the
Youth Community Room, Choir room and
halls, depending on scheduled building
usage. Come down and help create
decorations for VBB!
Art Festival June 9 in Fellowship Hall
For the second year, First Church is hosting the Stoneham Arts Festival, Saturday, June 9, from 10 AM to 2 PM, organized by the Rotary Club of Stoneham.
Painting, photography and sculpture will be shown, including work of First Church members. Artists are both amateur and professional.
The Festival is also supported by MELD, a local organization funding arts education, and Boyds Direct, a marketing company in Stoneham.
Come support the arts at your church and in your town.
Dear Church Family,
I want to thank you all so
much for your prayers, phone
calls, emails and greeting
cards that I received during
my recent surgery. Also,
thank you so much for the
delicious food and flowers
delivered to my door and the
beautiful prayer shawl. I am
overwhelmed with your
kindness. As I do not have
any close family members
that are still alive, I feel blest
that I have a church family
that really cares.
Thanks again and much love
to you all.
Bea
Pastor’s Corner
“I came that they might have life in abundance.” Jesus of Nazareth
Dear Church Family,
As the end of the program year draws near, I wanted to take this opportunity to
express my gratitude for you all as well as my hope for what is to come.
You have welcomed me into your family and into your lives. You have allowed me
in and encouraged me through some of the important and challenging
conversations that we have been having over the past few weeks. I’m so grateful!
I’m also really, really excited. With the focus on love as a foundation of our work
together over the past few weeks, I think that we are poised, ready to begin to
identify what I like to call your God Why - in other words what is the core of the
mission to which you are called right now. As Frederick Buechner put it, “the
place where God calls you is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s
deep hunger meet.”
One thing that I suspect is that a core piece of the God Why here at First
Congregational Church of Stoneham is rooted in the place that you call home --
this Meeting House. This place that you call home is already a hub of activity and
ministry. Where is God leading you all in this mission, in this ministry? I’m
excited to find out.
Speaking of exciting, I am really excited to introduce The Rev. Nina Swift, who
will be an intern with First Church through the summer. Her time will be focused
in the area of pastoral care and worship, though exactly what that will look like is
yet to be determined.
With that, I wish you a happy June.
Peace!
Rev. Henry
The First Congregational Church
1 Church Street Stoneham, MA 02180
Telephone: 781-438-0097
Fax: 781-438-0238
E-mail:[email protected]
Website: www.firstchurchstoneham.org
Office Hours: Mon-Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Sunday Worship: 10:00 AM
Staff of the Church Rev. Henry A. Schoenfield, Interim Minister
Joyce Simpson, Music Director
Leonard Levine, Sexton
Sara Thompson, Church Secretary and
Messenger Editor
Heidi Bilbo, Sunday School Superintendent
Lynn Haddad, Treasurer
Spring at First Church – Photo by Ben Jacques
~The Meetinghouse Messenger – June 2018~
