Links to Prior Month’s GOOD NEWS:         May 2010  June 2010

 

 

 

 

Pastor’s Perspective …

 

Dear Federated Church Family,

            Thank you.  Thank you for the wonderful parsonage.  Renee and I have moved in and we are almost done settling in.  All of the boxes are unpacked.  Most of the furniture is in place.  Most of the pictures are hung on the walls.  Knick-knacks have been carefully placed here and there.  We are still in the process of fine-tuning everything.  Every day we get a little closer to being done.  Our dogs love the yard and they love playing in it.  We love the house and we love living in it.

 

            Many people have expressed concern over respecting our privacy and respecting boundaries.  We appreciate that.  However, we are also both very aware of the fact that we share the house with you.  We want you to feel at home there too.  Mondays are my day off.  Saturdays I am usually trying to finish up my worship preparation.  But, if I am sitting on the porch … stop and pull up a chair.  If I am weeding along the sidewalk … stop and pull up a weed.  (In fact, even if I am NOT out there weeding … feel free to stop and pull a weed.)  The important thing to remember is to relax.  You are welcome there.  We will let you know how you are doing.

 

Once everything is “perfect,” we will be having an open house so that you may come and see the wonderful transformation of the parsonage.  The last Sundays in July and August we are having picnics at the parsonage.  (See article in this newsletter.)  In the fall we also plan to begin Saturday morning breakfasts once a month.  Around Christmas time we will host a holiday open house.  And, if you do not mind a couple of big rambunctious dogs, we will even have occasional board and committee meetings at the manse.

 

            One of the most important parts of being your pastor is being a part of your community, and you being a part of mine.  We cannot model hospitality as a church family if I do not model it in my own home.  Jesus opened the doors to God’s heavenly mansion to all who believed.  Following Christ’s example, we offer hospitality to all who seek to know him, to experience his love and his grace.

 

            Thank you for welcoming Renee and I into our new home.  We look forward to welcoming you.

SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE

July 4: Worship with Communion 10:00 AM at Federated Church.  Rich Murphy and a “pick-up” Praise and Worship choir will provide the music leadership.

 

July 11: Faith-filled Field Trip - Worship at Millis UCC at 9:00 AM.  Stay for food and fellowship after the service.  (Pastor Scott on vacation.)

 

July 18: Faith-filled Field Trip – Worship at Millis, UCC at 9:00 AM.  Stay for food and fellowship after the service.

 

July 25: Worship at Federated Church at 10:00 AM.  Dr. Gary Mazzola will provide music leadership.  Special music provided by Anne Polak and Julia Handspicker.  Stay for picnic at the parsonage after the service.

 

August 1: Worship and communion at Federated Church at 10:00 AM.  Dr. Gary Mazzola and Gay Zervos will provide the music leadership.

 

August 8: Reverend Michael Harvey, Executive Director of the Conference of Baptist Ministers in Massachusetts, will be preaching.  (Pastor Scott will be on vacation.)  The Praise & Worship Choir will provide the music leadership.

 

August 15: Worship at Federated Church at 10:00 AM.  Millis, UCC will join us for worship and food and fellowship after the service.  Dr. Gary Mazzola and Kelley Thorne will provide the music for the service.

 

August 22: Worship at Federated Church at 10:00 AM.  Millis, UCC will join us for worship and food and fellowship after the service.  Dr. Gary Mazzola and the FCON quartet will provide our service music.

 

August 29: Worship at Federated Church at 10:00 AM.  Dr. Gary Mazzola and Justine King will provide the music leadership.  Stay after worship for a picnic at the parsonage.

 

September 5: Worship and communion at Federated Church at 10:00 AM.

 

September 12:  RALLY SUNDAY

 

NEW!!

Summer Office Hours

Please note that the church office will be closed on Mondays for the summer.

Our church office hours are Tuesday - Friday 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM.

Please call Deacon Kevin Riley 508-272-6818 if you have a pastoral emergency.

 

 

NEW!!

2010 FEDERATED CHURCH OF NORFOLK DIRECTORY

AVAILABLE NOW!!!

Our new Directory is now available.  Copies are available in the Narthex of the church as well as downstairs in the Vestry by the stairs.

A large print version of the directory is also available.  If you would like a copy please contact Sue in the church office.

 

NEW!!

COMING IN SEPTEMBER

We are trying something new.  We will have a handful of large print bulletins available for Sunday service.  If you would like one please ask one of the Ushers and they will provide one for you.

 

RELAY FOR LIFE

THANK YOU!!!

I would like to thank everyone who donated to the “Relay for Life”.  With a special THANK YOU to Carol Greene and Donna Jones, who walked with me.

Thank you, Chickie Chaffee

 

ADDITIONAL VIDEO CAMERA OPERATORS ARE NEEDED

Are you willing to run a video camera for church service? I am looking for anyone that can occasionally fill in for me. The task is not difficult and I will provide as much training as you need.

Thanks, Donna Jones 508-528-8620

 

LOOKING AHEAD …

Summer Travelers

Going someplace fabulous this summer?

Or, are you returning to a personal or family favorite spot?

Bring something home with you.

 

Not just another souvenir that will collect dust in your family room, but rather something special to share with your church family.  If you are going to the lake or to the ocean, bring back a container of water … some sand … a shell.  Perhaps you are going to the mountains, or to the dessert … bring back an interesting stone … or maybe a beautiful piece of wood.

 

In September, we will welcome everyone home from your summer travels with a special service of worship.  All of our objects will be combined to create one large worship piece in our sanctuary.

 

When you travel this summer, your church family will travel with you.

 

Picnics at the Parsonage

Join us for some good, old-fashioned family fun.  On Sundays, July 25 and August 29, we will gather as a church family on the parsonage lawn for a cookout and picnic.  Bring a chair or a blanket, and a sidedish or dessert item to share.  (Hamburgers and hotdogs will be provided.)  There will be lawn games to play, or you can just sit and visit.  We will kick things off and fire up the grill around 11:30 AM, so you can stay after worship, or pop home and come back.  But whatever you do … come back.

 

Artistic Expressions

Throughout the centuries some of the most beautiful, inspiring, captivating and moving expressions of faith have been through the arts.  Painters, composers, sculptors, musicians, weavers, quilters, poets, photographers, dancers, writers have used their art to share and explore their faith.

 

This fall we will feature several special events that will allow artists in our church family as well as in our community to share their art with us and with one another.  The vestry, sanctuary and areas of the church will be transformed into gallery spaces and performance venues.

 

How about dinner and a concert?  Dessert and delicious jazz?  Sacred dance in worship and a photo exhibit on the stage in the vestry?

 

Artists of all ages and of all media … we are looking for you.  How do YOU express your faith through your art?  Watch the bulletin and the newsletter for dates.  Please speak to Pastor Scott if you would like to participate.

 

Woman’s Retreat

Plans are currently underway to provide a series of retreats for the women of the Federated Church Family.  The dates and times are not set, but there will be a half-day event held at a local retreat center, as well as a weekend away at a more distant location … perhaps somewhere in southern Maine.

 

If you are interested in participating, or if you have suggestions for retreat topics or venues, please speak with Nancy Sullivan (781-801-5136) or Pastor Scott.

 

Happy Summer from Christian Education! 

Our summer began with a wonderfully faith filled week of Vacation Bible School!  Our Baobab Blast theme incorporated Crafts, Story Telling, Games, Music and Science into an amazing week of learning about God and several Bible Stories.  We were blessed with about fifty-five children participating.  It is always wonderful to welcome families from the community for this incredible week, and again this year there were several friendships rekindled!  A great big thank you to the forty volunteers who contributed to make this week a great success, and a special thank you to Elaine Peterson for being the “Chief Organizer” – the endless hours planning resulted in a Spirit filled week for the children, youth and adults!  Again, many thanks!

 

Prior to VBS, we experienced an exciting Children’s Sunday in May, and were glad so many children were able to participate, and share some of their learning with the congregation!  Thank you to all the teachers who helped the children throughout the year and for this service!

 

We, also, congratulate the youth that were Confirmed…Paige Myatt, Will Heffernan and Sabrina Newman!  For some of us who have taught for some time, it is always exciting to see the Sunday School learning of the youth culminate in such a wonderful commitment to God!  We pray that God continues to guide you in your faith journey.

 

We participated in Norfolk Community Day by organizing the Train Ride again.  Although a rainy day, many were able to enjoy the festivities, and we were able to raise $656 for Christian Ed!  Thanks to all who helped, and a special thanks to the Holmes Family for the Train!

 

What a wonderful affair the Elegant Ball was!!  We had many beautiful princesses and a few very handsome princes enjoy this magical evening.  Pam and Greg Davey deserve a great, big thank you for all the work to make this such a fun event for Children’s Youth Group!

 

Although there are not any Sunday School classes during the summer months, we hope you are still able to join the worship services!  There will continue to be activity packets available by the ushers for the children if they would like.  Sunday School will resume on Rally Sunday (September 12th).  If you are able to volunteer as a classroom Teacher/Shepherd, which requires a regular commitment to be with one specific class each week, but no curriculum “teaching” involved; or as a Workshop Leader which requires a commitment for four weeks of teaching the same lesson for a specific workshop, please let Barbara LaValley (508-528-0683) or Lynn Riley (508-376-8465) know.  It is a wonderfully rewarding experience!

 

Enjoy the blessings of summer in New England!

 

2010 VBS

BAOBAB BLAST VOLUNTEERS

WORSHIP LEADER

Pastor Scott

 

CRAFTS

Lorna Carter

Sue Kuphal

Erin Carter

Claire Pitt

Phyllis Payne

Nancy Sullivan

 

SCIENCE

Lynn Riley

Barbara Lavalley

Tori Sabbag

Rebecca Cameron

 

GAMES

 

Elaine Peterson

Jay Cameron

Janet Chandler

 

 

MUSIC

Kelsey Greene

Michelle Lavalley

 

STORYTELLING/SNACKS

Barbara Murphy

Rich Murphy

Georgia Jones

Roy Kuphal

Susan Turner

Chickie Chaffee

Emily Ellen

Betty Lehan

 

TEACHERS/GUIDES AND SUPPORT STAFF

Ronaele Salisbury

Janice Hughes

Sarah Holmes

Stephanie Armitage

Beth Taylor

Kim McCarty

Paula Labonte

Sally Eykel

Tom McCarty

Nicole Turinese

Amy Pepin

 

YOUTH VOLUNTEERS

Leslie Fitzpatrick

Christina Ditmore

Erin Carter

Christie Robsham

Kenneth Carter

 

DECORATIONS AND TENT SET-UP

Rob & Pam Shaw

Jeff Chaffee

 

COOKOUT PREPARATION

Sally Eykel

Amy Pepin

Ronnie Turinese

Rebecca Cameron

Mrs. Beth Mayer

 

Thanks so much for the help with the June Soup Kitchen!  Our NEXT Soup Kitchen is scheduled for Saturday, AUGUST 21st.  We will be having a picnic! We will be serving sandwiches, potato salad, cole slaw and macaroni/pasta salad and cookies/brownies.  We hope you will be able to prepare something and/or help serve for the 75-100 guests. We are also grateful for contributions for the purchase of milk, juice, plates, etc.

 

We continue to collect non-perishable food and non-food items for the Norfolk Food Pantry.  The drop off  site is in the rear entryway.  Although many of us are thinking about getting away, hunger does not take a vacation, and the visitors to the Food Pantry are thankful for our help.

 

Federated Women's Fellowship looks forward with great anticipation to our first General Meeting of the New Year on August 15, 2010 at 11:30 AM following the Service. We will welcome all Lady members and all Friends, as per the by-laws, to our first meeting of the New Year.

 

The creativity of our members and friends of gifts to be sold will produce another successful Holly Fair on November 20, 2010. This would be our first endeavor for the New Year. Other dates will be posted on the Women's Fellowship bulletin board.  

 

Women's Fellowship would also like to share the great news from the Ivy Group: 

 

The Ivy Group, under the leadership of Polly Hadley, wishes to thank Nancy and Bill Howell for their gift in memory of  Mary Bowley's years of service to the Ivy Group and the Ladies Circle. We have all been rewarded by Mary Bowley's years of dedication.

 

In His Love and Service, Georgia Jones, GramGBJ@aol.com  508~528~3854, Edna Richardson, ednarichardson@comcast.net  508~528~0845, Polly Hadley, hadsrules01@yahoo.com 508~528~9772, Barbara King, barbara4744@hotmail.com  508~528~3051

 

THANK YOU

Federated Women's Fellowship wishes to express our deepest appreciation to all who so graciously contributed their gifts of time, sandwiches and desserts in loving support of the families and friends of Charlie Stone. The gratitude of the families was heard and felt throughout the time.  In His Love and Service, Georgia Jones for the board.

 

COLLATIONS

What is a collation?

We are a caring church family and we need your help planning and serving refreshments after funerals and at other occasions where families need this type of support. This is called a collation. We need people who are willing on short notice to help serve, bake desserts, make sandwiches, and help with set up and clean up.

 

Over the years, our Women's Fellowship (historically Ladies Circle) has been given beautiful silver serving pieces. We have also received gifts of china and crystal and linens. These are the pieces we use when we support families on any of the above-mentioned occasions. 

 

What do we do?

 

·        The next phase is set up. Arrive before the occasion and spend a short time setting up the silver service, making coffee and tea and attractively arranging the food items that have been donated.

 

 

 

If you have questions or wish to sign up to help: Call Georgia Jones, 528-3854 gramgbj@aol.com and let her know your name, phone number, and/or e-mail address and your preferences.

"Teamwork divides the effort and multiplies the effect."

The Daily Bread

 

Have we missed your special day? Your permission is required to have it printed in this section, so let the church office know if you would like to be included.

 

July Birthdays

  1 Shirley Wood

  1 Kathleen Ellen

  7 Emily Zervos

  7 Renee Kaufman

  9 Joyce McFarland

10 Joan Harlow

14 Andrew McFarland

15 Linda O’Neill

16 Donna Bowden

17 Jeffrey O’Neill

17 Paul Guertin

17 Charlie Stacey

19 Cindy Rafferty

19 Jim Davey

19 Kim Carr

25 Tirhake Bekele

25 Marge Stacey

25 Marie Clinton

26 Hayden Turner

29 Barbara Evans

30 Billy Carr

 

August Birthdays

  1Susan Kuphal

  1 Sally Eykel

  2 Sabrina Newman

  4 Carol Greene

  4 Rebecca Cameron

  8 Norm Rickard

11 Dennis McCusker

12 Andrew Guertin

13 Donna Jones

15 Jack Riley

17 Kevin Riley

18 Wendy Evans

22 Paul Harlow

23 Peg Baker

25 Buddy Bowden

27 Brenda Lukens

29 Edna Richardson

29 Faith Turninese

31 Madison Riley

 

July Anniversaries

  8 Norm and Sally Eykel

14 John and Stacey Mendall

15 Frank and Suzanne Ettenhoffer

 

August Anniversaries

  1 Donna and Buddy Bowden

17 Jon and Chris Davies