12
the Lifeline NORWICH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST MARCH 2013 Cathleen Beliveau helps with the Sunday School Scenes from the Annual Meeting John L. Bell leading a musical workshop Happenings Around the Church

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Page 1: the Lifeline

the LifelineNORWICH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHUNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

m a rc h 2013

Cathleen Beliveau helps with the Sunday School

Scenes from the Annual Meeting

John L. Bell leading a musical workshop

Happenings Around the

Church

Page 2: the Lifeline

The Lifeline – March 20132

2013 LEADERSHIP

ChurCh OffiCersChurch Council Chair . . . . . . . Bob MillerChurch Council Vice-chair .Chuck Egner Moderator . . . . . . . . John SeveringhausVice Moderator . . . . . . . .Carolyn MertzClerk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joanne EgnerAss’t Clerk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Treasurer . . . . . . . . .Christopher AshleyAss’t Treasurer . . . . . James HourdequinCollector . . . . . . . . . . . . Martin WitschiAss’t Collector . . . . . . .Sharon CorriganAuditor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BOard Of deaCOnsSenior Deacons . . . .Christopher Ashley . . . . . . . . . . . . Rita Severinghaus

Dick Broussard, Hillary White

BOard Of TrusTeesChairs . . . .Doug James, Stan Williams

Daniel Van Dorn, Avery Post Gary Brooks

BOard Of MissiOnChair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Doug Britton

Deborah Berryman, Jeff NielsenKathy Grant, Vicky Fish, Heidi Webster

BOard Of ChrisTian eduCaTiOnChair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laura Beliveau

Harry Higgs, Mary SachsseAnn Beams, Beth Bidstrup

COMMiTTeesflOwers

Tilda White, Ryan AdamsDeborah Van Arman

hOspiTaliTyEvelyn Gick, Anne Egner

Joan Wanner, Susan McGrewStephanie Smith, Cynthia Blake

Marty James

invesTMenTMark Beliveau, Carolyn Mertz

MusiCDon Helms, Evelynn Ellis, Marty James

nOMinaTingAnn Waterfall, Shirley Parker

sTewardshipJane Helms, Ann Beams

Barbara Duncan

wOOdwOrTh fundDoug James, Judy Hobbs

Mimi Simpson, Kenneth CracknellMarianne Spalding

OTherAt-Large Church Council . . . . . . . . . . . .Head Usher . . . . . . . . . . . . . Peter MertzHistorian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Delegates .Avery Post, Kenneth CracknellAlt Delegates . . . . .Katherine Broussard

NORWICH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHMary Brownlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PastorKathleen Sherlock-Green . . . Choir DirectorJane Chase Helms . . . . . . Organist Emerita Tacy Colaiacomo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Organist

Danielle Taylor . . . . Sunday School Coord . Jenny Gelfan . . . . . . . . . . . Office ManagerDan Goulet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sexton

if yOu wanT TO dOnaTe flOwers fOr wOrship...please contact Tilda White at (802) 649-1654 for help, informa-tion, or to sign up . You may also sign up on the “Flowers” sheet posted at the back of the church .

Sundays @ 4

save the date: april 7 at 4 pm.We will host Profes-

sor Yehezkel Landau of Hartford Seminary, who will give a presentation on “Religious Peacemak-ing in the Middle East .” Professor Landau is a dual Israeli-American citi-zen whose work has been in the fields of interfaith education and Jewish-Arab peacemaking . At Hartford Seminary, he directs an interfaith train-ing program for Jews, Christians and Muslims called “Building Abraha-mic Partnerships .” This event will include an opportunity for questions and discussions, and be followed by a meal in the Parish Hall .

UCC ConnectionsFrom the Vermont Conference of the United Church of Christ

Christianity After Religion: Exploring the 3Bs of Faith:

Belief, Behavior, and Belonging featuring Diana Butler Bass

Lake Morey Resort 1 Clubhouse Road, Fairlee, VT

April 13, 2013 • Cost: $65.00

Sponsored by Vermont Conference Church Growth and Vitality Committee

“Christianity did not begin with a confession. It began with an invitation into friendship, into creating a new community, into form-ing relationships based on love and service.” (From Christianity After Religion)

During this event at the Lake Morey Resort, we will explore the big picture of how the 3Bs, “believing, behaving, and belonging,” are changing as we discern the shape of emerg-ing spirituality and the implications of these changes on faith, congregations and culture.

The main event will take place at the Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, and will include lunch and refreshments.

Rooms available at a special rate for the event. To reserve a room, call the resort at: 1-800-423-1211. Be sure to mention you are with the April 13 UCC event to get the special rate.

To register or get more information, contact the Vermont Conference office at

802-728-4999.

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3The Lifeline – March 2013

As I write this, Lent has begun . Our Ash Wednesday service was two days ago . This makes me aware of an interesting juxtaposition in the life of the church: that of activ-ity and reflection . At the end of January, we hosted John Bell of the Iona Community for two evenings of song . Then we geared up for our Annual Meeting . We have just sent a work team to the Dominican Republic with Rita Severinghaus to do some house building for a week . Some of our members are giving voice to a faith perspective on gun control issues . The Mission Board is about to offer a film and discus-sion program about the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene . Another ‘Sundays@4’ program is in the pipeline for early April: a presenta-tion about Religious Peacemaking in the Middle East . Some of our young people and adults are getting ready for the annual work trip, also in April . And of course, the other work of being church continues: visiting those who are ill or recover-ing, feeding people after worship, upkeep on the building, attention to our finances, and practicing our voices and instruments to provide music for worship .

In the midst of all this planning and activity, it is good to remem-ber what T .S . Eliot called “the

still point of the turning world .” I sometimes think of this poem when I get caught up in schedules and multi-tasking . Lent is a good time for intentionally seeking this place of stillness, taking a deep breath so that busy-ness can fall away . It can be done anywhere, but I love our sanctuary late in the day or in the evening . There, I am aware of the prayers and songs hanging in the air from the last service of worship . In the emptiness, I am aware of the many people who pass through to pray or to learn or to make connec-tions with each other . In the dim light, past and future moments of brightness and joy have a deeper resonance .

In each life, and in the life of each faith community, we hope for balance . We want to see signs of

vitality and vibrancy is our church programs, just as we want to see signs of interest and commitment on the part of church members . But, to balance all the great ideas and innovative plans, we need the still point, the times of quiet reflec-tion, when vision and clarity may be found . Without this spiritual practice, there is no “dance,” no depth, no center .

Easter is the last day of March this year . On that day, our sanctu-ary will be filled with flowers and joyful music . Between now and then, I invite you to find the still point, somewhere, sometime: the quiet place where we can receive grace, so that we have more to give away .

Mary

Holy Week ServicesMarch 24:

Palm Sunday Service at 10 am

March 28: Maundy Thursday Taize Service of Communion and Tenebrae at 7 pm

March 31: Easter Sunrise Service at Hillside Cemetery at 7 am

Easter Sunday Service at 10 am.

“Except for the point, the still point,There would be no dance, and there is only the dance.”

T. S. Eliot, Burnt Norton, Four Quartets

From the Minister

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The Lifeline – March 20134

Stephanie grew up surrounded by her family’s orange grove, veg-etable garden, chickens, and barn . This was in Orange, California . Then she moved to the walnut groves in Santa Ana . “I grew up in beautiful places running all over, exploring Indian caves and visit-ing eucalyptus and pepper trees . I would hike around and make up lots of stories .”

In high school Stephanie enjoyed journalism and took up the guitar and joined a folk music club . In college at Long Beach State she was an English major . Inspired by her teachers there, she went into teaching and taught developmental reading .

In 1978 Stephanie became divi-sion head of a new high school in Castroville, the artichoke capital of the world . (Moving from one food-stuff to another .) “It was here that I got interested in adult literacy and I set up programs in public librar-ies in nearby Watsonville . Many of our students were from Mexico and also needed to become literate in Spanish .

“In California, schools began having budget problems . I moved to Vermont 23 years ago and designed curricula, and taught at Wood-stock Union High School . Then I retired early and became Dr . Myrick Wood’s secretary . He was a gener-ous, feisty character who would give free physicals to poor kids who wanted to play sports in school .

“I found my way to the Norwich Public Library and really enjoyed Lucinda, Lisa, the volunteers, and the community . That’s where I met Kenneth Cracknell and Susan White . I work with them and their on-line book selling business . I de-sign and maintain their Website .

“At the library Kenneth was always delighted with my theological ques-tions . I began attending their Theo-logical Study Group . Mary Brownlow is in the group and I found her comments truly interesting .

“I had been raised Episcopalian and fell in love with Jesus . My mother taught Sunday School . I began attending the Norwich Congregational Church . I enjoy

the range of characters such as Fran Nye and the wide spectrum of spiritual beliefs . I hope we can get more members . So many people can benefit from what we offer .

“In 1990 my father died . My mother then developed Alzheimer’s disease and I moved her here . Not much was known about the disease then . This became a spiritual path for me . My mother had been a True Blue mother and now I had the op-portunity to give back . So far in my life I had been career-driven . Now I reordered my priorities and cultivat-ed tenderness; I learned to recon-cile and surrender to the moment . My mother died in 2000 (sigh) .

“My partner Ellen and I have four cats . Three of them are grumpy and old .

“I love to read . Right now I’m reading Louise Erdrich’s “The Round House” and rereading Her-man Melville’s “Moby Dick .”

MeMBer prOfile

StephanieSmith

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5The Lifeline – March 2013

Sunday School News!nalamdana

(are you well?)Starting last fall on the first Sunday of each month (Communion Sunday), Sharon Corrigan donated her

time and talent by coming into the Sunday School classroom to teach the children about the Nalamdana orga-nization . This is a non-profit organization that works to educate rural, often illiterate families in India about basic health and hygiene safety and preventative habits through music, radio, and dynamic, collaborative street-plays . The Sunday School children learned about the organization, its philosophy, its purpose, as well as some basic information about India . We learned how to make Samosas, wrap a sari correctly, and create a kolam (ask your student what this is) with rice powder for good luck . This three-month program was truly enriching and the children absolutely loved it!!! It is my hope that we can do more global culture education within our cozy walls in Norwich and teach our children how to be the ‘hands and feet’ of Christ in the wider world .

Thank you Sharon!!

Also in the news: The Christian Education Board has created a short survey using a free tool called Survey Monkey to collect information about children’s summer programming at the church . If you haven’t had a chance to fill out this survey, please check your email for a link . It only takes about 5 minutes and it will greatly help us as we go forward with summer planning .

As usual, any and all are invited to visit us upstairs and take a look at what we do in Sunday School . Class-room volunteers are a welcome and wonderful sight!

Happy Spring,

Danielle TaylorSunday School Coordinator

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The Lifeline – March 20136

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7The Lifeline – March 2013

Easter Lilies Each year we offer you the opportunity to honor or memorialize someone dear to you through the purchase of Easter Lilies. The lilies will also decorate our sanctuary on Easter Sunday. If you wish to place an order, please fill out this form and mail it to the church with payment by March 21. I would like to order: ____ single stem lilies ($ 14 each) ____ double stem lilies ($ 29 each) ____ triple stem lilies ($ 39 each) The lily(ies) are given by __________________________ In honor of _________________________ or In memory of ________________________ ___ I will pick up my lily after worship on Easter. ___ I would like the church to distribute my lily as needed. ___ I will help deliver the lilies to members and friends. Please make the check payable to: Norwich Congregational Church Please return this order form by March 21 with payment to: Norwich Congregational Church, UCC P.O. Box 236 Norwich, VT 05055 attn: Easter Lilies If you decide you would like to have a lily on the altar but the deadline has passed for this group purchase, please feel free to 1) buy a lily and bring it in and 2) let the church office know so that we can acknowledge your gift in the bulletin.

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The Lifeline – March 20138

Minutes of the 2012 Annual MeetingDraft Minutes of the 2012

Annual Meeting held on Sunday, February 10, 2013

Carolyn Mertz called the meeting to order at 11:48 AM . In atten-dance were 35 people, as counted by the Clerk .

Mary Brownlow gave the opening prayer .

Gretchen Maynard moved to elect John Severinghaus as Modera-tor and Carolyn Mertz as Assistant Moderator; Susan White seconded . John and Carolyn were elected by a unanimous vote .

Mary Brownlow moved to ap-prove the Minutes of the 2011 An-nual Meeting as presented; Anne Broussard seconded . The minutes were approved by a unanimous vote .

Irv Thomae made a motion to accept the revisions to the by-laws as recommended by the Church Council; Judy Pond seconded .

discussion of the revisions to the By-laws:• Susan White presented the

changes to the by-laws which included adding a 3rd member to the Stewardship Committee to allow for continuity .

• Doug James explained that the changes to the description of the Collector and Auditor positions were intended to allow flexibility in changes to the process as the situation altered without requir-ing a by-law revision .

The by-law revisions were ac-cepted by a unanimous vote .

Gary Brooks made a motion to accept the report and adopt the

2013 budget as presented by the Board of Trustees; Doug James seconded .

discussion of reports and Budget:• Doug James reported that the

surplus from 2012 was being put into the Maintenance Capital Reserve fund in anticipation of the steeple repair project .

• Carolyn Mertz expressed special thanks to Doug James for writ-ing the $20K grant proposal to the Vermont Historical Preserva-tion Commission to help cover the cost of the steeple repair .

• Gretchen Maynard questioned why the pastor health insurance budget for 2013 was half of what it was in 2012 . It was explained that Mary’s daughter had grown up and was no longer included her policy .

• Doug James noted that there was a drop in pledges for 2013 and interest from the parsonage account was needed to balance the budget .

• Gary Brooks asked if the prepay-ment on the parsonage mort-gage will be going to the endow-ment and it was confirmed that it will .

• Irv Thomae noted the signifi-cant non-pledged gifts in 2012 and asked if we could expect them going forward . The re-sponse was that we are not sure what to expect for non-pledged gifts .

• Priscilla Vincent expressed the desire for the Congregation to work on attracting young people .

• Mary Brownlow explained that the culture of younger people regarding weekly attendance and pledging is different and that we needed to learn and/or adjust to this new culture .

• Hillary White noted that the web site was in the process of being rejuvenated .

• Kathy Sherlock-Green suggested we embrace social media and create a Facebook presence .

• Barbara Duncan suggested that very young families were a better target than those with children in high school and middle school .

• Judy Pond mentioned that the recent spaghetti dinner was great way for people to be welcomed and comfortable in the church .

The Board of Trustees report and budget for 2013 were accepted by a unanimous vote .

Susan White moved to accept reports C thru L of the officers, boards and committees as submit-ted; Marty James seconded .

Board of Christian education: • It was noted that Dennis Mc-

Cullough was misspelled .

The reports were accepted as discussed by a unanimous vote .

Sharon Corrigan moved to elect new and confirm existing officers, boards and committees as recom-mended by the Nominating Com-mittee; Don Helms seconded .

Discussion of motion to elect:

• Barbara Duncan reported that the Nominating Committee

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9The Lifeline – March 2013

Continues on next page

Held on Sunday, February 10, 2013asked everyone to serve and many people said that they needed to take a year off . She expressed concern about the unfilled positions and asked the Congregation reflect on whether the committees can work with fewer people or whether we are going to bring more people into the Church .

• Gary Brooks noted that the un-filled positions were not due to lack of effort by the Nominating Committee and there is both a demographic problem and structural problem that needs to be addressed .

• It was noted that Sharon Cor-rigan had agreed to fill the As-sistant Collector position .

• A suggestion was made to an-nounce the unfilled positions on Sunday mornings and per-haps focus on one position each week .

• Mark Beliveau asked how the Assistant Treasurer would func-tion without a Treasurer . As current Treasurer, Chipper Ash-ley said that he would continue to sign checks .

• It was noted that Jeff Nielson, Evelynn Ellis and Evelyn Gick were misspelled .

The motion to elect and confirm the slate of candidates as discussed was passed by a unanimous vote .

Gary Brooks made a motion to accept reports O thru Q and T thru V of the officers, boards and com-mittees as submitted; Doug James seconded .

Music Committee:• Recognition and appreciation

for the work of Kathy Sherlock-Green was expressed .

ad hoc Clock Committee:• Chipper Ashley reported that

no one has come forward to take over the responsibility for maintaining the clock .

• The Ad Hoc Clock Committee chair was given authorization to seek out a community member for help maintaining the clock .

In the absence of an official Lifeline report, appreciation for the work Linda Himadi and Doug Lufkin do for the Lifeline was expressed .

The reports were accepted as discussed by a unanimous vote .

Other Business:Chipper Ashley made a motion

for the Norwich Congregational Church to ask our state and federal legislators to:

1 . Ban assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines

2 . Require a criminal back-ground check for every gun sold in America

3 . Make gun trafficking a fed-eral crime, with real penal-ties for “straw purchasers” (those who are criminals)

And to submit this petition to the Annual Meeting of the Ver-mont Conference of the UCC; Irv Thomae seconded .

Discussion of motion:

• Chipper Ashley expressed the need for a dialog to begin con-cerning the 30,000 people who are killed each year due to gun violence .

• Judy Pond expressed support for the motion .

• Doug James asked about the psy-chiatric dimension and prevent-ing the sale of guns to people with psychiatric vulnerability . It was agreed that this needed to be part of the conversation however privacy issues needed to be considered .

• Irv Thomae expressed support for the motion and noted the history of the 2nd amendment was largely rooted by concerns over protecting slave enforce-ment militias .

• Peter Mertz said that he did not support the motion because he feels there is a significant mental health component and there has not been adequate discussion .

• Sharon Corrigan expressed support for the motion and felt it was the responsibility of our Church to have the legislature talk about it .

• Gary Brooks expressed support for the motion and respect for others’ positions but feels that if we can’t do everything, we shouldn’t do nothing .

• Dick McGaw shared his support for the motion and the begin-ning of an important discussion nationwide .

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The Lifeline – March 201310

• Carolyn Mertz recalled the process of becoming an open and affirming Congregation and questioned whether this impor-tant social and political issue required a process .

• Hillary White said that while she agreed with the end intent, there hasn’t been sufficient discussion .

• Irv Thomae reported that the accidental or misuse of guns resulted in deaths each year that were ten times greater than

those who died on 9/11 and it was our responsibility to take action .

• Avery Post said that Mary has called for a prophetic edge as a Congregation and strongly urged everyone to support the motion .

• Mary Brownlow expressed her desire to move beyond emo-tions to action . The details and the nuances still needed to be worked out and this was the beginning of a long curve .

• Chipper Ashley clarified that support for this motion would authorize sending a letter to the legislature, submitting a petition to Vermont Conference and possible use of the Church’s postal account to send a letter to the community .

The motion was carried by a majority vote .

The meeting was adjourned by a unanimous vote at 12:51 PM .

Respectfully submitted,Joanne Egner, Clerk

Dickenson Bequest Highlights Benefit of Planned Giving

The Church has just received an unexpected but welcome bequest from the estate of our late and much-admired member, Mel Dickenson, in excess of $100,000 .

The Trustees are reminded by Mel’s generosity of the value to our Church community of such planned giving . This is how Mel helped to provide for the future of the church which he loved and served during his life, essentially by endowing his annual pledge .

We all benefit enormously from the gifts, large and small, which have been given by those who came before us in this Church . And while the primary motivation for anyone to make lifetime or post-mortem gifts to the Church is to assure that future generations will have the same opportunities for worship and mission as we do now, there are potential income and estate tax advantages in such gifts or bequests to the donor .

The Trustees urge the members of our congregation to consider remembering the Church through lifetime tax-advantaged gifts and estate bequests as a way of helping sure our Church’s vitality and mission for the future, and we remember Mel with fondness and gratitude for all his contributions to our ministry .

Mel Dickenson

Annual Meeting continued

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11The Lifeline – March 2013

Our Coffee Hours, Ourselves, and Other Hospitable Musings

NCC’s Hospitality Committee convened recently at the home of Joan and Bill Wanner to set the organizational signals for another year . We thanked Joan for being the organizational glue that held us together in a year of many changes, and noted with gladness the addition of the indefatigable Marty James to the committee in her stead .

We then got down to the business of the committee, principally the recruitment for and hosting of post-wor-ship coffee hours and the mustering of food and assistance for memorial service receptions .

It seems that we operate in an ongoing state of anxiety about finding members of the congregation who will help us with both . There’s always a slot or two on the sign-up sheets for coffee hour that need filling in, and memorial services are suddenly upon us with the loss of our members, present and past .

In the case of the coffee hour, we noted that not all coffee hours need be the from-scratch extravaganzas that we sometimes think they must be . I know that I have been guilty of the sin of pride in the preparation of some of my own treats, and I think of a Mayberry-like rivalry that could spring up between some Aunt Bea and her grumpy rival engaging in coffee hour wars . We noted that when coffee hour becomes too much work, we lose volunteers and remind ourselves that, since the real purposes of such gatherings are fellowship and re-energizing from our encounters with the Divine, that Oreos and mini-bagels can be just fine, if not perfect .

We are blessed with a congregation that really comes through when we lose a member of our flock: setting up for a memorial reception draws a generous response, but it should be noted that when we suffer several losses in a short period of time, as we recently have, a financial burden can land on some of our most faithful members . Getting reimbursement for supplies is perfectly acceptable, and a call to Jenny in the office is all that’s needed .

For those interested in taking the coffee hour plunge, a peek at what’s involved and directions for carrying it off are tucked in the back of the sign-up notebook and on the church website . Don’t be surprised if one of us approaches you to lend a hand . And please remember, for better and for worse, Norwich isn’t Mayberry .

Mission Offering for March and April 2013In the months of March and April the Mission Offering will go to One Great Hour of Sharing . This is our oppor-

tunity to reach across our borders to provide humanitarian add, and to add our church’s donations to monies from UCC churches and eight other Protestant denominations to multiply the effectiveness of our dollars .

Through One Great Hour of Sharing, United Church of Christ members reach out in the name of Christ to:

• Build sustainable communities. OGHS supports self-help programs in more than 80 nations to build sustain-able communities that enable people and communities to stand against and rise above hunger, disease, illiteracy, and other forces of injustice that deny and destroy dignity .

• Respond to disaster. OGHS provides emergency and long-term assistance to people in the aftermath of hur-ricanes, tornados, storms, floods, tidal waves, fires, explosions, technological disasters, civil strife, war, or other natural or human-caused events . On average, OGHS responds to a disaster once every 2 .5 days .

• Minister to refugees. OGHS responds with advocacy and help, hope and hospitality for people who have been uprooted from their home of origin . More than 30 million of the world's people are uprooted at any given time .

The partnership we share with nearly 6,000 United Church of Christ congregations across the United States and Puerto Rico is where this remarkable miracle connecting UCC members to the world truly begins . The UCC annu-ally channels more than $3 million dollars through One Great Hour of Sharing to humanitarian needs in the world .

The One Great Hour of Sharing offering is administered through Wider Church Ministries of the United Church of Christ . Please give generously .

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The Lifeline – March 201312

Non-profitOrganizationUS Postage

PAIDNorwich, VTPermit No . 1

nOrwiCh COngregaTiOnal ChurChuniTed ChurCh Of ChrisT15 Church Street • PO Box 236

Norwich, VT 05055-0236Tel: (802) 649-1433 • Fax (802) 649-2805

Office Hours: Tues, Weds & Fri 9-1, Thurs 10-2Email: . . . . . . . . . . . .nccucc2@myfairpoint .netWebsite: . . . . . www .norwichcongregational .orgPastor: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev . Mary Brownlow

an Open and affirMing COngregaTiOn wOrshiping On

sundays aT 10 aM

lifelineCoordinator / Editor / Photographer: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Linda HimadiDesigner: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Douglas LufkinSend articles to: . . . .nccucc2@myfairpoint .net

deadline fOr nexT issue: MarCh 15, 2013

E -MAIL ADDRESSES

If the church does not have your e-mail address, and you would like to be kept abreast of an-nouncements and events at church – by this no cost/no waste option – please send an email to the church office at [email protected].

Piercings

Not by thorn nailor spearOnly blossom can pierce spring

Linda Himadi

Light Where Light Must Come

Light where light must come Where light cannot be kept awayThrough cracks held tight by darkness Through holes unknown but for the lightIn shadows that lay claim to darkness But cannot live without the light

Today the sun will rise As the Son rose on EasterLight where light must come

Today I will reach out to touch My brother, my sister, my child, my mother, my fatherLight where light must come

We are not alone We live in God’s worldLight where light must come

Light comes from God Love comes from GodLight where light must come

Love has no endLight where light must come .

Robert Miller 2/24/2013

dominican republic Trip updateI wish to extend a note of thanks to the congre-

gation for their support of the DR trip fundraising .

Our group headed down with sufficient funds to help one family build a safe home .

Upon my return we hope to do a presentation on our work and experience in the D .R .

Blessings, Rita