|
 |
|
|
|
Schedule for the Week of August 30, 2010: Monday, August 30th: 10:00 a.m.—Bible Study in the Parish House. All are welcome. Monday, August 30th: 5:00 p.m.—Green Globe Congregation meeting. Join us as we talk about how our church can become a "Green Globe Congregation." See the details below. Wednesday, September 1st: 5:00 p.m.—Evangelism Team meeting in the Parish House. All are welcome as we seek to find ways to spread the word about the good things happening at our church! Thursday, September 2nd: 7:30-8:30 a.m.—Book discussion group meets in the Parish House. The current discussion book is Here if You Need Me by Kate Braestrup. All are welcome! Friday, September 3rd: 1:00 p.m.—Funeral Service for Mori Mitsui in the church. Friday, September 3rd: 6:00 p.m.—Wedding rehearsal in the church. Saturday. September 4th: 9:00 a.m.—Church School classroom clean-up (see details below). Saturday, September 4th: 5:00 p.m.—Wedding of Katelyn Jenkins and Matthew White in the church. Sunday, September 5th: 8:00 & 10:00 a.m.—Pentecost XV worship service with communion. Non-perishable food donations will be taken for Footprints Food Pantry. Summer Sunday Activities will be in session for our youth and lemonade on the lawn will follow the 10:00 a.m. worship service. We hope you’ll join us!
Shared Gardens Each Sunday following our worship service we will have a table on the lawn filled with food and flowers. Please bring any extra produce from your gardens and feel free to take anything you wish from the table. Please leave a donation when you are able. All proceeds go to Footprints Food Pantry. This is a tangible way for our church to share our abundance with needy people in our community. Thanks for participating! Marcia Gibbons
The Outreach Team
Formerly the Mission Committee The Outreach Team wants everyone to take notice of our new name! We decided to change our name because of the connotations that the word “mission or missionary” might evoke. We thought it would be a good idea to distance ourselves from the historic meaning of mission work (such as sending out persons from a religious organization to convert or proselytize), since this is NOT the purpose of our group! Our role is to support causes, organizations or individual people that need help or assistance. In the past this has included the AMIGOS program, service trips to Florida and New Orleans, working with Habitat for Humanity, supporting fair trade practices in selling fair trade coffee, buying
gifts for our Christmas Family, and Footprints, to name but a few. If you would like to join our team and help with some very important projects—or if you have any ideas for projects we might look into—please talk to anyone of our Outreach Team members.
Chris Kelly, Sue Brown, Clare Rogers, Pat Tate, Joan Beskenis, and Rev. Jeff: The Outreach Team
From the Outreach Team The Outreach Team has begun two food related programs within the Church community: one is a “food brigade” which can be called into action whenever an individual or family is having a temporary illness or other crisis. The Outreach Team will organize the brigade and ask for volunteer cooks to help in feeding the family in need for the time necessary. If you need this kind of help or want to be a part of the brigades, contact Sarah Lane (438-0722).
The second food related outreach program is to be called “Friends in Need”. Beginning this month, the top shelf of the freezer in the Parish House kitchen will be labeled “Friends in Need” and will hold delicious soups, stews and casseroles in servings for two to four or six people. The food is available for any member of the Church community or someone a member of the community knows needs a hot meal. There is no cost. Simply contact the church office 439-0650 if you or someone you know could benefit from this offering and arrangements will be made to let you into the building.
Footprints Ingathering On the first Sunday of every month, we gather food for distribution through the Footprints Food Pantry here in Kittery. We try to focus on a few specific grocery items as it is easier for the volunteers to stock that way. However, that being said, any item of food is most welcome as the need continues to be great.
Please come and visit Footprints on a Tuesday, between 8:30 and 10:00 am. That’s when the volunteers are stocking for Wednesday when our clients come in to get their food. Our church does so much for Footprints, but almost everyone hasn’t been there—it’s surprising how much can get done in such a limited space!! When you visit, ask for Barbara (Fernald) or Rollie (Fernald), tell them Judy Totman sent you from the 1st Congregational Church and that you’d like a tour. [Barbara and Rollie are the volunteer directors of Footprints. They can answer any questions you may have about the operation.] It’s fun to see the place that receives your generous contributions!
Pilgrim Lodge “Can I go out to play?” Do you remember asking a parent that question when you were growing up? What better gift can you give your child than the opportunity to spend a week in the outdoors, staying in cabins on a boardwalk, where they can unplug and build new and lasting friendships? Pilgrim Lodge, affectionately referred to as PL, is more than a summer camp; it is an extension of our church and a place that is filled with love and support. It is a faith based retreat located in West Gardiner, Maine, on beautiful Lake Cobbosseecontee and is certified by the American Camp Association. Opportunities abound for young people of all ages, from half-week camps for those going into 3rd grade to full week camps for 4th grade through high school. PL also offers a Family Camp (led this year by our own Becky Neal) which is a great introduction for kids and parents who want to check out the place. Other offerings include PL Camper Alumni weekend (yes, you can go back again!), Grandparents Camp, Vintage Ventures for those 55 and older, women’s weekend camps, couples weekend camp, and woodworkers camps. The Women's Fellowship supports PL by paying half the cost of each camper. Also there is assistance available through the state council or you can also earn a credit toward your child’s camp fee by volunteering yourself as a counselor, an experience where you will learn a lot about yourself as well as molding the future of our kids. You can hear more about PL by contacting Donna Stobbs at 207-439-0527, Donnasto@aol.com or Becky Neal at 207-439-4093 or Rneal200@yahoo.com . Check out the PL website at www.pilgrimlodge.org to learn more about this magical place. There are also tours available by contacting the camp directly. What are Pharoah, Pharoah, You Can’t Ride in My Little Red Wagon, Waking the Island? For the answers to these mysteries and more, come to PL. It’s not too early to start making those summer plans. This is an experience you will remember for a lifetime! They also offer a “Day at Camp” on August 22. This is a great opportunity for both parents and children to go for a day and check the place out. I have it under good authority that the Gallagher family will be heading up for the day, so maybe a group trip would be a good way to go. If your children would like to go but either they or you are not entirely sure, perhaps going yourself as a councilor would a good solution. You will get lots of guidance, and it is a growing experience for you both. If interested, the website has a section on this topic as well. Click on www.pilgrimlodge.org/beacounselor.html - and you get a $75 credit for your child’s camp fee. Donna Stobbs
A New Recycling Project Kelly's Korner is an orchid supply business run right here in Kittery Point on Gerrish Island by Jan and Ulla Jurrissen. Check them out at http://www.kkorchid.com. They will gladly reuse all the packaging styrofoam peanuts and bubble wrap we gather. They used to recycle what the Transfer Station kept for them, but that doesn't happen anymore. Please bag up your styrofoam peanuts and rolled bubble wrap, then store it on the stage at the Parish House at the sign marked "Packaging
Styrofoam Peanuts & Bubble Wrap Recycle". Any questions or comments, please call Andrée Pride at 207-439-4179.
Chat about the Sermon If you’ve ever wanted to have some conversation, or hear what others have thought about Sunday’s sermon, well now’s your chance! Each week I will be posting Sunday’s sermon on our blog: www.kitterypointucc.blogspot.com. The sermon can be read there in its entirety and at the bottom there will be a place for comments, questions, etc. I hope people will use this tool and that it might lead to a deeper experience with, and understanding of, the sermons and scriptures we look at in worship each week! If you have any problems accessing the site, posting comments, etc., just let me know!
We’re all over the web! In addition to our blog (listed above), you can also find us on our website: www.kitterypointucc.org, on Facebook: www.facebook.com/kitterypointucc, and on Twitter: @kitterypointucc. See you in cyber-space, and please share this information with your friends and others who would like to know what’s happening with our little church on the corner! Calling all Facebook friends . . . If you are a friend of our church on Facebook, we have a job for you to do! On the church’s FB page there is an invitation to come to Rally Sunday—the kick-off of our Church School year. If you click "share" underneath that invitation, it will then be posted to your profile and will appear in the News Feed of all your friends’ profiles. It’s an easy way to . . . shhh . . . evangelize! So please share the invitation today!
And if you’re not a fan yet, what are you waiting for? Go to www.facebook.com/kitterypointucc and become a fan today!
New Church Library We are starting a church library available to our congregation.
We are looking for books to be donated to the library. It can be the Book of the Month that was recommended by Jeff and you have read. Or a book or books you may have purchased for the evening study group or Thursday morning study group. Or perhaps there are spiritual books that you have enjoyed and would like to share with others. (Although we know you're tempted to bring those 1950s spirtual self-help books our way, we're hoping to keep the library a bit more contemporary.)
The library is located next to the stage in the parish house. There is a small corner cupboard that will hold the books. If you see a book you like, sign it out and when you have finished reading it, please return it to the library for others to enjoy.
Book of the Month This month’s selection is a book that I’m just about to crack: The Gift of the Jews: How a Tribe of Desert Nomads Changed the Way Everyone Thinks and Feels by Thomas Cahill. Recommended to me by one of our church attendees, this book talks about how the Jewish forerunners of the Christian faith helped to shape not only the religion we practice, but also so much of our daily lives, helping to make Western Civilization what it is today. The New York Times calls the book: "Charming and poetic . . . . an entirely engaging, delectable voyage into the distant past . . . . a small treasure." It is sure to be a good read!
Can we become a Green Globe church? On Monday, August 30th at 5:00 p.m. you are all invited to a casual conversation here in the Parish House about how our church can take some steps toward being recognized as a Green Globe church. This new initiative, put forth by the six New England United Church of Christ Conferences, is a way in which churches can work at becoming more and more "green." If you’d like to be a part of the conversation, please join us on August 30th! An RSVP to Rev. Jeff is helpful, but not necessary!
Evangelism Team Meeting
On Wednesday, September 1st, at 5:00 p.m., the Evangelism Team will be holding a meeting in the Parish House that we want you to attend! We know that evangelism is a big, scary word, but this team is neither big nor scary! We simply come together, periodically, to talk about new ways in which we can be spreading the word about what’s happening here at our little church on the corner. We’d love for you to join us with your ideas, or simply a willingness to help, so that together we can keep spreading the good news about our church!
Third Annual Fuel and More Riverdance! The time has nearly arrived for the Third Annual Fuel and More Riverdance to help Kittery families meet their heating needs this winter. The dance will be on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at Weathervane’s Lobster in the Rough on Badger’s Island. Music will be provided by The Soulmate Band. Admission is $30 per person or $55 per couple. Once again the evening will feature chowder, goodies from local eating establishments, a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, a cash bar, and plenty of dancing. Tickets can be purchased at Town Hall, from Rev. Jeff or at Ocean Bank. This is Fuel and More’s biggest fundraiser of the year, so we hope you’ll plan to dance to keep Kittery families warm! Also, if you’d like to donate some kind of appetizer to support the cause, please let Rev. Jeff know—we need to keep all those dancers fueled up, you know!
Rally Sunday It’s here, it’s here, it’s here! Can you tell we’re excited, excited, excited? One of the most enthusiastic and energetic days of the Church School year is upon us! On Sunday, September 12th our Church School year will officially begin! It all starts at 9:00 a.m. with Church School registration, activities for the kids, and goodies for all in the Parish House. Then, a very special first day of Church School will take place following our Children’s Sermon. Still riding the enthusiasm of a very successful 2009-2010 year, we hope this Church School year will be even better—but we need you! We hope to see all our families on September 12th, and we challenge everyone to bring a friend—the more kids the better! See you on September 12th!
Bible Study Our Monday morning Bible Study will meet at 10:00 a.m. on September 13th and 27th. All are welcome to join us as we spend approximately one hour talking about the scripture lessons for the coming Sunday. It’s a great way to study and reflect upon the lessons that will be preached on the following Sunday morning. All ability levels are welcome to join us for what always proves to be an interesting, engaging, and informative time together. For more information contact Rev. Jeff.
Evening Study Group Our Evening Study Group will be back in session on Tuesday, September 14th, and we’re moving to a new time! We will now be meeting at 5:00 p.m. to help accommodate those who do not want to drive after dark. For our first session we will read the Introduction and Chapters 1-3 of Barbara Brown Taylor’s book An Altar in the World. While that may sound like a lot of reading, it’s a mere 52 pages! Taylor’s book explores the many ways that we can become more spiritually engaged in our daily lives, and as such, promises to be a very engaging read. We hope you’ll plan to join us!
Soup’s On! Wednesday, September 15 11:30 to 1:00 Cream of Summer Tomato Soup
White Chili
Mixed Loaves of Homemade Breads Chocolate Walnut Pie and NPR Pie Open to the Public– $6
Sermon Talk Back
On Sunday, September 19th, after the 10:00 a.m. worship service, we will resume our Sermon Talk-Backs upstairs in the Parish House. This stay-as-long-as-you-want gathering is an opportunity to debrief, and reflect upon, the sermon preached that Sunday morning. Attendees say that it helps to deepen the Sunday morning experience by engaging the issues in a more participatory manner with others. We hope that you’ll take a few moments and join us!
ONA This fall we will have a chance to further explore formally becoming an open and affirming church community. The ONA (Open and Affirming) Team will facilitate several group sessions adapted from the UCC curriculum. The first session will be offered twice: Sunday Sept. 26 after church and Monday Sept. 27 at 7pm. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join in these sessions. This first session will simply be an opportunity to get acquainted with each other, our individual values, and our personal feelings about the relationship of sexual orientation to the whole human experience. Is sexual orientation no different than eye color? Is it left handedness? Or is it more? Please join us.
If you would like to discuss this session or the series ahead of the first meeting feel free to email Lane Williamson (pondhousestudio@gmail.com; 439-1290) or Martha Kowal (mkowal44@comcast.net; 439-5474.) And, as always, anyone can be in touch with Rev. Jeff.
Rev. Morgan to Preach On Sunday, September 26th, we have a very special guest preacher coming to lead worship with Rev. Jeff. Rev. Darren Morgan, the Maine Conference’s Associate Conference Minister for Small Church Development and native of York, will join us to bring greetings from the Conference, to share the good news of the gospel, and to engage in conversation, following worship, about whatever folks might be interested in talking about. Preaching in churches around the Conference is one of the many jobs of our very busy Conference Ministers, and so we are blessed to have Darren coming to join us!
Harvest Fest Back by popular demand on Sunday, October 3 our Harvest Fest will take place right after church until approximately 1:45 PM. There will be contests for family teams and ongoing games and activities. Remember the fun you had eating donuts on a string, decorating sugar cookies, and pinning the nose on the pumpkin? We will add some new activities such as face painting and hoops throw. The popcorn machine will be running and pulled pork sandwiches will be served again. Also available will be hot dogs, cider, and coffee. The atmosphere will enhanced by a group of assorted local musicians. If you would like to get in on the fun by helping us run the games please call Linda (439-2076), Charlotte (439-9355), Alison (439-3288), or Laurie (439-9348). See you there!
|
|
