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The 2017
Messenger Newsletter of the First Congregational Church of Lee, Massachusetts An Open and Aff irming Congregation of the United Church of Christ
“It is the aim of this church to present a rel igion as considerate of persons as the teachings of Jesus; as devoted to justice as the Old Testament prophets; as responsive to Truth as science; as beautiful as art; as intimate as the home and as indispensable as the air we breathe.”
STATEMEN T BY THE FOUNDERS
Reverend Bill Neil, Pastor; Jim Morrison, Music Director; Tari Wheeler Roosa, Administrative Assistant; Glenn Withers, Sexton
First Congregational Church of Lee, United Church of Christ, 25 Park Place, PO Box 395, Lee, MA 01238 413.243.1033 | [email protected] | www.ucc-lee.org
Pastor’s Piece Another Lent is here. Once again, we are reminded of our mortality: From dust, you have come, to dust you shall go. Since I believe that “God” is the fully interconnected consciousness of all existence, both in the realm of space-time which we call the Universe, and in the ‘heavenly’ realms of spiritual reality beyond our ‘material’ world, I am convinced that God feels every instance of pain and suffering. I believe that a major task of our lives is the work of eliminating unnecessary suffering and enhancing moments of blissful joy. I’m not talking about hedonistic pleasure, but of the deep spiritual joy of divine consciousness, of holy love, of unitive oneness. Our Sabbatical theme- Forgiveness: Repentance, Reparation, and Reconciliation offers an opportunity to admit and to work at repairing broken relationships, both personal and social. We are invited to look at our own lives, at family members and friends, work associates and neighbors. Where have we caused hurt or harm? When have we been hurt by others? How might we confess our mistakes? How might we begin to repair damaged relationships? As we look at the larger world – how can we admit the wrongs of racism, sexism, classism, and all the other forms of inequity and injustice that our “civilization” has committed against real human beings? So much of the suffering in this world is completely unnecessary. Our common humanity cries out for justice, for compassion, for healing and wholeness. Politics and economics, social structures and cultural values should bow down before the Living God and submit to the quality of life which is God’s yearning for all people. We can separate church from state, but we
cannot separate the Will of a Loving God from the choices and actions of governments or corporations. Sin is real, both individual and corporate. Lent is a season of repentance, of confession, and an opportunity to make reparation, to work toward reconciliation. Once again, I invite all of you to attend our Lenten Series titled, Embracing Forgiveness. It will be held after Coffee Hour on five consecutive Sundays, starting on March 5. The people who participate will then be invited to lead the same series during the month of May. Our goal is to have a very wide participation throughout our congregation. Our Lilly Fund grant is covering the costs of the DVD’s and workbooks. Please let me know if you need a different time and day for the series. I am happy to offer an alternative for those who cannot attend on Sundays. Please hear me: This is important!
Have a Holy Lent with abundant blessings and a powerful presence of peace. Rev. Bill Neil Our next Super Saturday for lay and clergy will be held at Wilbraham, MA on Saturday, March 18. It is a cooperative event with MA, CT, and RI. Our featured speaker is Brian McLaren, a well-known author and pastor. He is a leader of the Emerging Church movement. See the MACUCC website or stop by the office for details. Cost is $54 and includes your choice of workshops and lunch. It is wise to register early in order to sign up for the workshops. Car-pooling will be available.
Newsletter of the First Congregational Church of Lee, Massachusetts, United Church of Christ – MARCH 2017 www.ucc-lee.org 2
Heifer International “We empower families to turn hunger and poverty into hope and prosperity.” Heifer is in its 71st year. Its mission is to end world hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. Instead of giving food to impoverished people, Heifer provides families with livestock and trains them in their care. Participating families promise to pass on their first female offspring to a neighbor. Cows and chickens, goats and sheep are now flourishing all over the world as a result. Heifer also has programs that seek to empower women. Self-reliance and small businesses are the result. We will receive our Collection Boxes on Sunday, March 5. They are to be returned on Easter, April 16. Boxes are available for both young
and old, providing our whole congregation with a Lenten opportunity. As we “give up” something for Lent such as chocolate or ice cream, we are encouraged to “give away” something for Lent as we fill our Heifer boxes. Our ongoing donations of items for the Food Pantry can also continue with a special emphasis as we journey through the six weeks of Lent. A “special guest” will be joining us on March 5th that will put a smile on everyone’s face! Plan to attend.
2017 is our sabbatical year! On March 24 Bill will have been our pastor for seven years! Scripture tells us that after six days of work, God rested, than God directed the people to rest from pruning their vineyards and plowing their fields every seventh year. Pastors and congregations do well when they stop for a period of separation from each other, a time of reflection and study and renewal. The theme for the sabbatical experience is Forgiveness, Repentance, Reparation, and Reconciliation. A sabbatical team has been preparing with Bill for this special time. A Lilly Foundation grant has been obtained to finance Bill’s time away and our program here in Lee. Now we begin our work together. During Lent, on the Sundays in March and the first Sunday in April from 12:00 noon to 2 pm, Bill will teach a course on Embracing Forgiveness using a video featuring Barbara Cawthorne Crafton. Members of the Sabbatical Team and others who would consider co-leading a study group during Bill’s time away will participate. It is hoped that everyone in the congregation will participate in a study group during the sabbatical time. If you have questions or would like to talk about taking the Lenten training, speak to one of the Sabbatical Team members: Carol Blakeslee, Martha Congdon, Deedee Fraser, Barbara Mahony, Marilyn Rossier, Stan Rossier, Maddy Tremblay or to Bill.
Mission and Ministry Team: Under Construction! by Martha Congdon The Mission and Ministry Team is hard at work. As we move into a new way of thinking and doing the work of the church, we find we need some new ways of seeing ourselves and speaking about the work we do. We are not done building the new “container”. Starting from the Venn diagram that we spoke of in the Annual Meeting a small group has been busy putting structure, language, people, and tasks into that way of viewing our way of doing ministry in this world to serve our community. The work will be the same, but it is really fun to see how different it all seems when there’s a new lens. Can’t wait to share the fun with you all… keep your eyes and ears peeled… bulletin boards, conversations, the next Messenger… Fun is ahead folks. The structure will have room for all of us to participate to the degree we are able. The M and M’s … see emoji here of happy face!
Newsletter of the First Congregational Church of Lee, Massachusetts, United Church of Christ – MARCH 2017 www.ucc-lee.org 3
From the Music Director
As you read this, hopefully I am enjoying some sun and warm weather. With any luck we will be experiencing an early spring by the time I return in a couple of weeks, and I will have survived another winter in the Berkshires. My annual vacation is sort of my saving grace. It is the time I use to re-charge before jumping head-first into all of the things I try to pack into my schedule. This is not unusual for a Music Director, nor is it unusual for the Pastor. Both positions require a fair amount of creativity, and whenever there is that element in your weekly assignments, a little time away is welcomed. This year will be a little different for us here in Lee given Bill’s well-deserved,
upcoming sabbatical. Bill is the only pastor I have had here in Lee, and come to think of it, I am the only Music Director that he has had. We came here at the same time. I like to think we have made a good team and I certainly hope that he feels the same. But still, it will be different for me having an interim minister. Pastors and Music Directors become partners much like a pitcher and a catcher, a piano player and a singer, a trapeze flyer and catcher. Ok, maybe not so much that last one, but you get the point. We achieve a “comfort level” by working together every Sunday. Although there is never a question regarding who is the “Spiritual Director”, the “Person in Charge”, the “Boss”, what should and usually does evolve is a mutual respect for each other both in our jobs and our personal lives. We share the same goal of making every Sunday Service the best we can. It does make it a little more difficult when working with new people, not only for me but also for the substitute. But I am confident that we will learn about each other and establish a great working relationship. I always tell my choir to consider my time away for vacation as an opportunity for them to experience someone other than me, who may have great ideas and suggestions, and afford them an opportunity to do things in a different way than they may be used to. I know first-hand in our case here in Lee, Dorothy Phillips does a wonderful job and the choir enjoys working with her. It is a feeling of relief to have someone as capable as Dorothy to step in and take over. I am always grateful to Dorothy for her willingness to step up to the plate when called upon. If I have done my job properly then the transition should be seamless. That is always my goal. I feel so blessed to have found a new church family here in Lee. Every single Sunday I hear so many compliments on the music program, it is truly humbling, and very much appreciated. But I have to give the credit to my wonderful choir, Tari on flute, Judy on French horn, Anthony on percussion, and everyone for making the music program as wonderful as it is. You all make me look good. Thank You. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! See you in a couple of weeks. Jim Morrison
Church Leadership for 2017 Church Officers:
Moderator - Walter Pyle Assistant Moderator - Garth Story
Treasurer - Dave Markham Assistant Treasurers - Carol Blakeslee & Sally Charter
Collector - Deb Dutton Assistant Collector - Betsy Matarazzo
Clerk - Jane Gleason
Delegates - Barbara Mahony, Maddie Tremblay & Faith Neil
Mission & Ministry: Chair - Martha Congdon
Faith Neil, Marilyn Rossier, Tari Roosa, Barbara Mahony, Jane Gleason,
Judy Morehouse, Carol Blakeslee, and Shirley Bleston
Ex officio Members are: Bill Neil, Walter Pyle, and Jim Morrison
Facilities & Finance: Chair - Garth Story
Garth Story, Tim Martin, Ellen Krupka, John Arnold, Jo-Ellen Height and Ralph Gleason
Ex officio Members are: Bill Neil, Walter Pyle, and Dave Markham
Newsletter of the First Congregational Church of Lee, Massachusetts, United Church of Christ – MARCH 2017 www.ucc-lee.org 4
The Personnel Committee by definition is the Assistant Moderator, Treasurer, Reps. from Pastoral Relations, Ministry & Missions and Facilities & Finance.
The Church Council will be the Moderator, Asst. Moderator, Treasurer, Clerk, Pastor, and Chairs of Mission & Ministry and Facilities & Finance with at least one other member from the two committees.
Volunteer Opportunities: We still have many opportunities for you to be more involved in the church and its community. Please speak to a member involved in an activity, or contact Tari in the church office.
Faith Friend: What is a Faith Friend? We are a church committed to our youth. A Faith Friend is one of our connections with our young families. Some of the duties include: greet families and children as they enter the church; orient the family to activities of the day; find out if they are new or returning (if new, help orient them to church facilities, etc.); and assist the teacher and children in the classroom following the “Passing of the Peace.”
Other Notes of Interest Construct Inc Volunteer Day: “March forth on Saturday, March 4”, to help Construct prepare for our groundbreaking at 314 State Road, Gt Barrington (on Rte 23 before Ski Butternut). 9am-3pm. Food and beverage will be provided. Call Lisa at 413-528-1985 for more information or to sign up. Turkey Dinner to benefit the Cove Youth Bowling League: Sat, March 4 from 5-7pm in the Community Room. Tickets: Adults - $10; Seniors - $8; Youth 6-12 years old - $5; Children under 5 eat free. See Judy Olds for any questions or to purchase advance tickets: 243-1830. Lee High School drama department presents: “A Funny Thing Happenend on the Way to the Forum.” Performances are Fri, March 10 at 7pm and Sat, March 11 at 2pm and 7pm. Church youth include Will McKeon, Mariann Monteleone, and Jack Cosmus
Lee Middle and High School band Coffee House fundraiser - Sat, April 1 from 2-5pm in the community room. Come support the band program while enjoying some music. No fooling!! Souper Bowl of Caring raised $430 this year. Thank you to all who contributed.
Thank you: to Judy Olds who held down the church office while Tari was away. to Dorothy Phillips for the wonderful service music while Jim is away.
Cocoa Mulch: Are you thinking Spring? The Richmond Consolidated Church has graciously taken over the annual cocoa mulch sale. If you are interested in purchasing any and/or being placed on their contact list, please see Tari R. Worship Attendance: Feb 5 – 78, Feb 12– 39, Feb 19 – 46, Feb 26 – 52
Office Hours: Monday 12:30-4:30pm; Tuesday 8:30am-12:30pm; Wednesday 1:00-5:00pm; Thursday 9:00am-1:00pm; Friday 11:00am-3:00pm.
Daily Lectionary Readings:
For additional readings, visit the MA Conference Website at: http://www.macucc.org/files/files/documentsdailylectionary/
Sunday, March 12 Daylight savings time begins. Move clocks ahead one hour.
Newsletter of the First Congregational Church of Lee, Massachusetts, United Church of Christ – MARCH 2017 www.ucc-lee.org 5
First Congregational Church of Lee Prayer Ministry Bible verse of the month: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33: verse 3.
The Prayer Ministry meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 11:30 am in the Perkins Chapel to pray for each person whose name appears below. Everyone is invited to participate in this Prayer Ministry. If you have names for the prayer list, complete the request form and place it in the offering plate or give to the church office. Names remain on the list for 2 months unless otherwise advised.
WE PRAY FOR (updated 2.27.17)
Our Friends and Neighbors
Pyper Brady (friend of Melissa and Karl Myers)
Rosemarie Buffoni (friend of John and Gloria Arnold)
Matthew Calautti (friend of Barbara Mahony)
Markel Carras (friend of Susan Tucker)
Evelyn Chaffee (member of this church)
Jonathon Cozzaglio (grandson of Sandra Cozzaglio)
Dr. Margaret Darcy (friend of Martha Congdon)
Barbara De Stefano (friend of Sandra Cozzaglio)
Susan Dexter (friend of Martha Congon)
John Dragat (friend of Tari Roosa)
Robert Driscoll (husband of Monda Driscoll)
Janice Fassell (daughter of Isabel Fassell)
Sophie Fassell (granddaughter of Isabel Fassell)
DeeDee Fraser (member of church)
Ben Gallup (father of Liz Warner)
Jeffrey Harford (son of Lynn Lanoue)
James Harwood (brother-in-law of Denise Harwood)
Josie Janssen (friend of Tari Roosa)
Tracie Johnson (friend of Denise Harwood)
Jean Primmer Kenison (cousin of Sandra Cozzaglio)
Florence Kirabo (friend of Barbara Mahony)
Darren Lee (friend of Denise Harwood)
Andrew Lori (neighbor of Marilyn and Stanley Rossier)
Chris Ludwig (mother of Jessica Drenga)
Elizabeth Mack and family (friends of Sandra Cozzaglio)
Nancy Maleri (friend of Bonnie Tillotson)
Maureen (friend of Martha Congdon)
Barbara Melbourne (mother-in-law of Ruth Melbourne)
Susan Miller (friend of Barbara Mahony)
Judy Monachina (daughter of Joyce and Paul Monachina)
Ray Morehouse (member of church)
Patti Jo Neronhanow (friend of Sandra Cozzaglio)
David Ohman (son of Conrad and Margaret Ohman)
Kendra Pixley (daughter of a friend of Danna Snow)
Hayleigh Porrini (friend of Susan and Lindsay Clayson and Sandra
Cozzaglio)
Tina Porrini (friend of Susan and Lindsay Clayson and Sandra Cozzaglio)
Sylvie Potashner (beloved of Seth Kershner)
Les Preston (friend of Barbara Mahony)
Walter Rathbun (friend of Judy Morehouse)
Kristin Rocca (friend of Denise Harwood)
Stan Rossier (member of church)
Gale Rydel (aunt of Jessica Drenga)
Jean Smith (aunt of Robert Matarazzo)
Shep Spear (friend of Marilyn and Stanley Rossier)
Anne Sperlonga (friend of Tari Roosa)
Barbara Thomas (mother of Denise Harwood)
Lisa Thomas (aunt of Naomi and Jack Cosmus and Denise Harwood)
Claire Tisdale (mother of Sheila Maroni)
Christopher Trombley (friend of church)
Trevor Tucker (grandson of Nancy Tucker)
Sympathy
Extended to the family of Nicholas Audi
Extended to the family of David Bickford
Extended to the family of Joanne Harwood
Our Shut-Ins at Care Facilities: Dolores Birch (Kindred Rehab), Marion
Carrington (Mount Carmel Care Center), Jarolyn Etheredge (assisted living in
New Hampshire), Ida Hitchcock (Centerville on Cape Cod).
Our Church: My prayer and yearning for this church is ______ (please fill in
the blank). Bill Neil and his family, our staff, our congregation, Committees,
Council, children around the world supported by our church.
Our Local Community: For those who are in need of employment, food,
shelter, financial assistance, friendship.
Our Country: For our citizens and our elected officials to have the courage to
carry out the message of the gospel of Jesus to trust in God’s love to
overcome all fears; to bring justice to Syrian refugees, undocumented
immigrants, unaccompanied minors, veterans, the unemployed, and all
persons in need.
All Those Who Serve & Protect: Military, police, fire fighters, EMS, and their
families.
Our World: For the victims and their families of violent sectarians, victims of
persecution based on sexual orientation and identity, people displaced by
ethnic violence, all who are suffering the results of catastrophic climate
change, and all those whose lives are affected by war.
PLEASE PRAY FOR ___________________________________
Requested by: ____________________________ Tel:__________________
Reason for request (will not be printed on prayer concerns):
Newsletter of the First Congregational Church of Lee, Massachusetts, United Church of Christ – MARCH 2017 www.ucc-lee.org 6
MARCH The First Congregational Church of Lee, 413-243-1033, on the web: www.ucc-lee.org
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
8:00 AM AA Happy
Joyous & Free
9:00 AM BHS
4:30 PM Cub Scout
meeting
5:30 PM Community
Dinner
6:30 PM Ash Wed
Service
2
11:30 AM Mission &
Ministry meeting
7:30 PM AA Lee Park Place
3
4
8:00 AM AA SOS
10:00 AM Weight
Watchers
3:00 PM Cove BL
Turkey Dinner
5
9:15 AM Choir
Rehearsal
10:30 AM Worship
Service
11:30 AM Coffee Hr
11:45 AM Embracing
Forgiveness
6
5:00 PM Weight
Watchers
6:30 PM Boy Scouts
7:00 PM AL-Anon
7
10:00 AM
Parkinson's SING for
Joy
12:01 PM Prayer
Shawl Ministry
3:00 PM Bible Study
5:30 PM Zumba
8
8:00 AM AA Happy
Joyous & Free
1:15 AM
History/Archive
meeting
5:30 PM Community
Dinner
9
2:30 PM BIO south county
mtg
7:30 PM AA Lee Park Place
10
11
8:00 AM AA SOS
10:00 AM Weight
Watchers
Turn
clocks
ahead
before
going to bed.
12
9:15 AM Choir
Rehearsal
10:30 AM Worship
Service
11:30 AM Coffee Hr
11:45 AM Embracing
Forgiveness
13
12:30 PM Church
Office open
4:00 PM Rm prep
5:00 PM Weight
Watchers
6:30 PM Boy Scouts
7:00 PM AL-Anon
14
10:00 AM
Parkinson's SING for
Joy
3:00 PM Bible Study
5:30 PM Zumba
15
8:00 AM AA Happy
Joyous & Free
10:00 AM RCCP
4:30 PM Cub Scout
meeting
5:30 PM Community
Dinner
7:00 PM Mission &
Ministry meeting
16
11:30 AM Prayer Ministry
7:30 PM AA Lee Park Place
17
18
Super Saturday
8:00 AM AA SOS
10:00 AM Weight
Watchers
19
Food Pantry
Collection
9:15 AM Choir
Rehearsal
10:30 AM Worship
Service
11:30 AM Coffee Hr
11:45 AM Embracing
Forgiveness
2:00 PM Eagle Court
of Honor
20
12:30 PM Church
Office open
4:00 PM Rm prep
5:00 PM Weight
Watchers
6:30 PM Boy Scouts
7:00 PM AL-Anon
21
10:00 AM
Parkinson's SING for
Joy
12:01 PM Prayer
Shawl Ministry
3:00 PM Bible Study
5:30 PM Zumba
6:45 PM Choir
Rehearsal
22
8:00 AM AA Happy
Joyous & Free
5:30 PM Community
Dinner
23
5:30 PM BSA Committee
Mtg
7:30 PM AA Lee Park Place
24
25
8:00 AM AA SOS
10:00 AM Weight
Watchers
26
9:15 AM Choir
Rehearsal
10:30 AM Worship
Service & One Great
Hour of Sharing
11:30 AM Coffee Hr
11:45 AM Embracing
Forgiveness
27
MACUCC Day of
Covenent
Messenger articles
due in to office
12:30 PM Church
Office open
4:00 PM Rm prep
5:00 PM Weight
Watchers
6:30 PM Boy Scouts
7:00 PM AL-Anon
28
10:00 AM
Parkinson's SING for
Joy
3:00 PM Bible Study
5:30 PM Zumba
6:45 PM Choir
Rehearsal
29
8:00 AM AA Happy
Joyous & Free
4:30 PM Cub Scout
meeting
5:30 PM Community
Dinner
30
7:30 PM AA Lee Park Place
31
1
8:00 AM AA SOS
10:00 AM Weight
Watchers
1:00 PM Lee High
Band Coffee House
If you have a meeting/event to schedule, or would like to rent space, contact the church office.
