January 2015 - Center Church – South Hadley, Massachusetts

CHURCH AT THE CENTER
January 2015
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
“CENTER CHURCH”
United Church of Christ
One Church Street
South Hadley, Massachusetts 01075
(413) 532-2262
Our faith is 2000 years old,
but our thinking is not.
email: [email protected]
website: centerchurchsouthhadley.org
Welcome to Center Church where we roll up our sleeves to deepen our faith, extend
God’s abundant love and justice, and where laughter and tears are sacred.
“A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.” Or
if you didn’t agree with that, “Every year I make a resolution to change myself
…..this year I am making a resolution to be myself!” May we resolve to be
ourselves as we enter into 2015.
How do we resolve to be ourselves as Center Church? We will have a two - year
opportunity to pursue this endeavor. The MA Conference of the UCC has selected
us to be one of four churches to enter into a “Next Level” program through the
Center for Progressive Renewal. The Council has had some in depth conversation
around this and voted to agree to this opportunity.
What does it mean? We will be coached by professional consultants to explore how
we worship and teach, do evangelism and outreach, how we welcome and provide
pastoral care, and how can we fund our ministry. They selected us because we have
maintained our ministry over the last ten years, been involved with the UCC five for
five mission efforts, and our leadership in the community and conference is
respected.
Again, what does this mean? We will know more in another month or so, but there
will be more small groups forming for discussions and participation in the shared
ministry. Basically, the MA Conference is saying the Spirit is alive at Center
Church, however, how can we move to the next level of ministry.
All this said, tomorrow I am working on being myself as I follow Jesus.
Many Blessings,
Lori
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Rev. Souder will be away December 26‐ January 5. The Rev. Loraine Giles will preach on January 4th. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coffee, Tea and Theology There is NO Coffee, Tea and Theology this month. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you, Activities Team, for being such wonderful hosts for the
coffee hours in December!
During January, the Outreach Team will be our hosts. This team is
responsible for programs that promote human welfare and justice, seek
peace, and build community. It exercises this responsibility through
research, education and activities that engage the church with its neighbors in surrounding
communities and around the world. It raises money and allocates budgeted funds for mission
disbursement. It administers the Peterson Fund awards, which are given for educational
purposes (taken from the revised Constitution).
Present members of the Outreach Team are: Del Borah, John Hoffman, Bob Judge, Sue
Narey, Stephanie Strand and Eric Tipton.
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The Annual Meeting of the
First Congregational Church of South Hadley Massachusetts,
aka Center Church, will be held on February 1st 2015
at approximately 11:30 AM.
An after worship, soup and sandwich luncheon
will precede the meeting.
Please plan to attend.
The 2014 Budget Report and the 2015 proposed Budget will be available January 18th.
Center Church Children’s Christian Education
January 2015
Happy New Year!
Looking back to reflect on our blessings:
September - The Light of the world
October – Sharing God’s love, light and blessings with others
November- Good Samaritans loving our neighbors as Jesus taught us
December - O come, O come Emanuel
Looking ahead:
In January Promised Landers will be looking at the theme of God's infinite love for each and every one of us as
we explore the parable of The Prodigal Son (Luke 15: 11-32). How are we like the son who misuses his
inheritance but repents, with a humble heart? How can we follow the father's example, offering more than is
asked for when others wrong us but request our forgiveness and compassion? What can we learn from the
resentful older brother, who is technically always faithful to his father, but who closes his heart to those who
stray?
Our lesson will spill over into coffee hour...when we make pig slops vs. celebration fruit salad! (Which would
you like to have for a treat?)
In anticipation of Lent, we will also begin learning a sacred song, Adoramuste, Christe, which we hope to
perform during the next intergenerational worship Sunday.
Dates to remember:
January 11
 Heifer Arks will be collected during children’s conversation  CCEC meeting after worship Thank you to everyone who donated to the lunches for Cathedral
in the Night in Northampton! 50 bag lunches were delivered on
Christmas Eve to be distributed to homeless people.
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Youth Group
Hi Everyone!
The Middle School Youth Group has had a great couple months together to close
out 2014! From our baked potato sales (for which we owe many a rousing “thank
you!” for helping to make it such a success!) to our holiday celebrations, and all the
way back to the great work our kids did last school year – we had a great year!
We look forward to 2015 and hope many of you can join us! We will continue
meeting every other Friday night from 6:00-8:00pm in the Church – and will
hopefully have the opportunity to get involved in some great projects!
If you are interested in joining, feel free to talk to me on Sunday mornings, contact me at [email protected],
[email protected]
or drop by our meetings! Warm Winter Wishes to all!
-Samantha
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Tell Me the Stories – January 2015
Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates (PH 114, NCH 117) started us off on the first Sunday of Advent. The two
versions’ wording is pretty similar. This hymn is attributed to George Weissel but was later translated by
Catherine Winkworth. Weissel, born in 1590, was considered “one of the most important of the earlier Prussian
hymn writers.” He first studied at the Univ. of Konisigsberg but also studied at six other German universities as
well. Weissel wrote some twenty hymns but only this one still stands. At one point, he was actually rector of
the school at Friedland and at another until his death, he was pastor of Altrossgart Church. Catherine, born
much later in 1827, was an Englishwoman who was considered to be the best translator of German hymnody.
She published two series of these translations, the first was published into 23 editions, and the second into 12
editions. She translated a number of hymns we still sing today. Among her other accomplishments, she was the
secretary of the Association for the Promotion of Higher Education for Women in 1870. Catherine also wrote a
biography of German hymnwriters. The hymn tune “Truro” is listed as an anonymous one. It was first
published in 1789, along with other three-part psalm and hymn tunes in Psalmodia Evangelica, with text written
by Isaac Watts. The tune refers to a town in Cromwell, England. Its actual composer has never been identified.
This hymnal was meant for churches which had broken with the Church of England in the UK.
There’s a Voice in the Wilderness (NCH 120) was written by James Milligan in 1925 as a celebration of the
merger of Canadian Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian churches to form the United Church of
Canada. He was born and received his education in England where he also worked in the building trades.
Moving to Canada in 1911 where he served as a lay pastor in the Methodist Church, he was also a journalist,
poet and hymnwriter. The hymn tune “Ascension” was composed by Henry Bancroft in 1938. It first showed
up in the 1974 UCC Hymnal. Bancroft was also born in England but moved to Canada at age 25 where he was
an organist and choir director for several Anglican churches. He received a special doctorate “recognizing his
musical contributions to the Anglican community” in 1977.
Cindy Morrell, Associate in Music
Resources used: The New Century Hymnal Companion, ed. Kristin Forman (1998); Robert G. McCutchan ‘s Our Hymnody (1937);
Handbook to the Church Hymnary, ed. James Moffatt (1927); and Ronald W. Thomson’s Who’s Who of Hymn Writers (1967).
News from the Trustees for January 2015
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Budget for income and expense should be about 90%. Both are within this realm. Have been able to
recover some of “lost” donations by other means. Grateful for teams and staff whose budget lines will
come in under budget. Stay tuned for final year end reporting at the Annual Meeting.
Artist now using room on Education Building’s third floor as we try to find creative ways to add to our
income.
We’ve are looking to pursue participation in a program of the MA Conference to help strategize about
moving us to the next level as a church, from the Center for Progressive Renewal.
We are working to make both heating the Education Building and the Fellowship Hall kitchen hot water
(and 2nd floor restrooms) more efficient. Thanks to Activities Team for their financial assistance.
Continuing to work on other heating issues as well.
Snowplowing will be done by Bombard, our mowing contractor.
Cindy Morrell, secretary
NOTES FROM December’s CHURCH COUNCIL
At the December council meeting Lori, pastor, and Brian, moderator, presented a Massachusetts UCC
conference sponsored project that our church has been invited to participate in.This program,administered by
the Center for Progressive Renewal, is entitled “Progressive Renewal; Next Level Renewal Project”. We are
one of four churches in the Massachusetts conference chosen to take part in the inaugural evaluation of it. A
thorough discussion ensued. At a special meeting of the council on December 14thit was voted to participate in
this project. Members of the congregation will be hearing more about this opportunity in the near future.
Council members voted to spend undesignated memorial fund monies for the following:
‐ $240.00 toward the cost of the oil Advent Candles’ base ‐ $500.00 for the Progressive Renewal program CHURCH IN TRANSITION
New Members- December 16th
Lynne Bertram
Robert Bertram
Gail Laprade
Deaths- December 2nd
Richard C. Read
JOIN US! There will be a RESCHEDULED meeting on Tuesday January 6th at 7pm in the
Chapel. Rev Jonathan New, from the MA UCC Conference will help us address two issues and then
may return if we so choose.
Soon the Building Task Force will be sharing their report. Jonathan has assisted other churches in
discerning their ministry within an older church building. He has experience with seeking
alternative revenue streams and determining whether the building is too costly for us.
We will also discuss where God is calling us to be in the world? Our visioning, too, has taken a
sabbatical and needs to be addressed!
Do join us. Jonathan asked for a breadth of folks representing the ministry at Center Church.
Getting to know you – Barbara Hatch and Gail Laprade
January 2015
There are two very good friends who sit together every Sunday
in church, always in the same area along with Grace Hooton.
They figure they’ve known each other about 30 years or more.
Barbara Hatch was born and raised in South Hadley. She
attended South Hadley schools but went to high school in West
Springfield. She worked for 16 years at the Springfield Day
Nursery and then took care of her parents in their later years.
Barbara’s mother worked for 24 years at WTGrant Co. in
Holyoke and her dad was a carpenter at Mount Holyoke for the
same amount of time. Barbara has two older sisters – Carol
who lives in Portland OR and Elizabeth who lives in Westfield. She is an aunt to three nephews and the great
aunt to five nieces and a nephew. Barbara has always been a part of the Falls UCC Church and says she
officially joined the church sometime in the 70s. She served on the Board of Deacons and was a member of the
Women’s Group. She also spends time helping out at the Senior Center. She likes to cook and watch TV.
Barbara joined Center Church in fall 2013.
Gail Laprade recently joined Center Church. She, too, was born and grew up in South Hadley. She attended
Old Carew School in the Falls area and then attended Holyoke Trade School. She spent 36 years working at
Mount Holyoke, first in the kitchen but then in housekeeping and was responsible for one of the residence halls
(Wilder) later on. Gail has one brother who works at Westover. She said her family lived on one street in
South Hadley but they moved to another when her uncle’s home became available, and it is very close to
Barbara’s. She grew up with her family at the United Methodist Church, but when their steeple/roof fractured
and they were forced to move, she followed church members down the street to the Falls Church where they
began worshipping. She got to know the folks at the Falls Church and when it closed she began coming to
Center Church with Barbara and Grace. Gail is also active at the Senior Center. She enjoys doing crossword
puzzles, watching TV and is very interested in the weather. At Center Church, Gail likes to sing hymns and
enjoys listening to Lori’s sermons. Both friends really enjoy Fellowship hour after church!
Cindy Morrell
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RESCHEDULED FROM DECEMBER
Tuesday Club……Zumba anyone???
The Tuesday Club is inviting all women to an introduction to
Zumba on Tuesday, January 27th at 7:00pm. We will meet in
Fellowship Hall where Alison Tripp (Karen Anderson’s niece),
certified Zumba instructor, will get our grove going for a fun
and light workout evening. Even if you just want to see what
Zumba is all about but are not ready for all the moves, JOIN
US! Light refreshments will be served. Questions? Call Karen Anderson 536-0005.
WHY WORSHIP AT CENTER CHURCH
Recently I came across some older material that I had put aside
for a “rainy day.” In the folder, I had “squirreled” away some
information that I had collected. The material was about
religion. While in college, I was fortunate to have
Professors/Reverends Bob Berkey and J Fiegenbaum (deceased
members of our congregation) for New Testament and World
religion through the Five-College program. I first met Rev.
Lori Souder while she visited Center Church for her pastoral
search committee interview. During our tour, we took her to
see the beautiful sanctuary and she quietly turned to me and
simply asked why I worship at Center Church. This came up
again last week at a choir get-together.
Religion and worship is an integral part of life here at Center
Church. We express our belief in God through worship. It’s
“going to church, singing hymns and learning to pray!” Many
unanswered questions -- such as “Why do I exist? Is there immortality? What is right and wrong? Why do
things happen the way they do? -- are broached through sermons and Sunday school.
Worshipping at Center Church has brought the world to us. We have become aware of other religions and
cultures through a variety of activities. This is important to us as we are a part of all cultures and of all histories.
We can appreciate and understand our differences and observe similarities between us. Through worship, we
strengthen our beliefs alongside one another and have meaningful exchanges of ideas which help to make us
“one body.” We come to realize that what we revere in worship helps us to know that what we believe is greater
than human beings! During worship, the words of the Bible are read to us and interpreted. We learn the power
of love, charity, forgiveness and that justice is more important than “ritual.”
So worshipping here at Center Church gives us a sense of purpose to our history and the pain and progress
which has enabled us to survive for 282 years in South Hadley! We have learned through the teaching of Jesus
that we need to love and forgive each other and that the grace that’s been taught to us can be accessed by faith.
Attaining these teachings is not necessarily a result of ritual and rules, but of how we channel our thoughts and
desires. Where else can we achieve these simple edicts? Why - right here in our own beautiful sanctuary as we
worship with one another!
David Morrell, Center Church historian
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The Annual Meeting
of the
First Congregational Church
of South Hadley
Massachusetts,
aka Center Church, will be
held on February 1st 2014
at approximately 11:30 AM.
An after worship, soup and
sandwich luncheon
will precede the meeting.
Please plan to attend.
The 2014 Budget Report and the
2015 proposed Budget will be
available January 18th.
Please plan to submit any article or notice for the next
Church at the Center by the deadline date of January 14th.
This is a busy month in the office! Your cooperation is greatly appreciated!
Thanks !!!!!!!!!!
On the first Sunday of each month, please bring any of the following items to worship:
Canned vegetables
Dried Pastas
Peanut Butter
Canned fruits
Rice
Jam/Jelly
Tomato sauce/paste
Cereals
Canned beans
Tea
Coffee
Spaghetti sauce
Soups
Tuna Fish
Sugar
Drink mixes
Meals in a can
The monthly offering is used for direct appeals to Center Church
and for donation to local food pantries.
Our gifts are extended to the hungry and the poor - those who need them most!
Food offerings may be left inside the Church Street entrance at other times.
Thank you for your compassionate response!
In case of snow……….
03 Susan Lovelace Florence Cataw 04 Thia Jubinville 06 Anita Sarro 09 Rich Buckley Randy Purinton 14 Nancy Bozek 15 Madeleine Burke David White Ann Williams 17 Jean Lacoste 25 Rookie Tipton It has been our tradition to try and hold
Sunday morning services ….even in
inclement weather. That will continue
to be the procedure. In the event that we
are open, your safety is our prime
concern and we ask that each of you use
your good judgment as to whether to
attend the morning worship service.
Feel NO GUILT at staying home during
a storm!!
At any other time when a church related
activity needs to be cancelled, it will be
up to the chair of that activity to notify
members. If it is an all-church activity
such as a potluck, the chair of the
committee is asked to consult with the
Senior Minister
THE MINISTRY AT CENTER CHURCH
Ministers:
Senior Minister:
Minister Emeritus:
Christian Education Program
Children: Helen Gage
Youth:
Jenna Park and Samantha Sexton
Adult:
Richard Howe, Team Chair
Office Administrator:
Sexton:
All Church Members
Rev. Lori J. Souder
Rev. Charles P. Blakney
Music Program
Organist:
Larry Schipull
Choir Director:
Cheryl Cobb
Associate in Music: Cynthia Morrell
Cynthia H. Jubinville
Gayle S. Kenneson
2015
01 Thursday
02 Friday
04 Sunday
05 Monday
06 Tuesday
07 Wednesday
08 Thursday
09 Friday
11 Sunday
12 Monday
13 Tuesday
14 Wednesday
15 Thursday
16 Friday
17 Saturday
18 Sunday
19 Monday
20 Tuesday
21 Wednesday
22 Thursday
23 Friday
25 Sunday
26 Monday
27 Tuesday
28 Wednesday
29 Thursday
30 Friday
Church Office Closed New Year’s Day
Church Office Closed NA 7:30 pm
Rev. Souder
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is away thru
Worship with Communion 10 am
January 5th.
Osteoexercise 6pm
Church Council 7 pm - Rescheduled meeting with Jonathan New
Girl Scouts 5:30pm
Chorale 7pm
AA 1:30 pm Choir Rehearsal 7 pm
Girl Scouts 4:30 pm Sr. Youth Group 7pm NA 7:30 pm
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Worship 10sm
Osteoexercise 6pm
Outreach Team 7pm
Trustees 7 pm
Adult Ed Team 7pm
Chorale 7pm
Team Annual Reports Due!!
C@C Articles Due AA 1:30 pm
Choir Rehearsal 7 pm
Girl Scouts 4:30 pm Middle School Youth Group 7pm NA 7:30 pm
Food for Friends 8am
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Worship 10 am Deacons following worship
Office Closed MLK Day Osteoexercise 6pm
Pep Group 11:30am Meditation 6:30 pm
Wingate Service 2:30 pm
Chorale 7pm
AA 1:30 pm
Choir Rehearsal 7 pm
Sr. Youth Group 7pm
NA 7:30 pm
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Worship 10 am
Osteoexercise 6pm
Tuesday Club – Zumba nite 7pm
Chorale 7pm
AA 1:30 pm
Choir Rehearsal 7 pm
Girl Scouts 4:30 pm Middle School Youth Group 7pm NA 7:30 pm
@NNU@L MEETING SUND@Y FEBRU@RY 1ST FOLLOWING WORSHIP
Christmas poinsettias on the chancel today
are given in honor of the following special people:
Karen Anderson for her chairmanship of the Advent Fair
Bobbie Ayers for her leadership of the Osteo-exercise Group
Al Duffy for his carpentry/painting skills here at church and at member’s homes
In celebration of her growing special family by Ruby Carver
Olivia, Grace, Ben, Caleb and Emily and their parents
by Corinne and Eliot Chartrand
In recognition of Corinne and Eliot’s 50th wedding anniversary
Their family and friends, past and present by Jean and Bob Hazen
Chloe Rachel, Lucy Kaelyn and Cora Jeanne Hough
by their grandparents Cindy and David Morrell
Their families by Charlotte and Allan Patriquin
Grandma Hamilton by Chloe and Aaron Sabbs
Their five great-grandchildren
by Ruth and Mike Thornton
Christmas poinsettias on the chancel today are given
in loving memory of the following special people:
Carl E. Abbey by Robin Abbey Murphy
Carl E. Abbey, Jr. by Robin Abbey Murphy
Richard Anderson by Estelle and Karen Anderson
Their parents Helen and Howard Ayers, by Barbara Ayers and Nancy Lutes
Janet Bresee by Barbara (Bobbie) Ayers and family
Bill Baston and her parents by Carolyn Baston
Parents and friends by Bob and Lynne Bertram
Ralph Blank by Barbara Blank
Max and Margaret Bock by Joy and Warren Bock
Richard, Phebe and Helen Dickinson by Joy and Warren Bock
Bob Hubbard by the Bozek family
Earl Carpenter from Fran Carpenter and family
Her parents, Helen & William Flood and her brothers Gordon and Lloyd Flood
by Ruby Carver
Their parents, Lorraine & Peter Bliss and Lucy & Joseph Chartrand
by Corinne and Eliot Chartrand
Marian and Virgil Hussey by Cheryl Hussey Cobb
Liliana Marie Cordes by her parents Suzanne and Wayne Cordes
Liliana Marie Cordes by her sisters Olivia and Izzy Cordes
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert S. Crossland by their family
James by the Farnsworth family
Lawrence A. Graham by Nancy, Barry, John and Sam
Larry Graham from his 6 great grandchildren – Eliza, Davis, Jack, Ava, Liam and Lily Simpson
George and Evelyn Edge by Nancy and Shawn Hall and Evelyn Simpson
Charlie Hamilton by Lou Hamilton
Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Hatch by Barbara Hatch
Her parents Lydabelle and Harry Clark by Jane and Tom Hazen
John N. and Marie W . Hazen by Tom and Jane Hazen
Charles F. Heaphy by his wife and family
Donn Worth and Kathy Follo by John and Kate Hoffman
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Hooton by Donald and Grace Hooton
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Reyer Jr. by Donald and Grace Hooton
Kevin Huebner by Kim, Abby and Zoe
Pearl Murdza by Kim Abby and Zoe
George Halkyard
by Eileen Halkyard, Thia, Kate and Laura Jubinville
June Jubinville by Kate and Laura Jubinville
Mr. and Mrs. Roland Laprade by Gail Laprade
Elsie Smalley Lehmann by Bryarly
Ralph C. Lutes by his wife, Nancy and family
Joe Mytkowicz by Fran Mytkowicz
Her husband Gordon by Janice C. Nelson
Her husband Frank by Betty Odell
Her daughter Susan by Betty Odell
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Orsini by Emily and Chris Orsini
Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Bangs by Emily and Chris Orsini
Stanley M. Prouty by B J and Leslie Prouty
Janice Huey Robertson by the Robertson family
Their Grandparents, Charles Hamilton and Frederick & Mary Sabbs
by Aaron and Chloe Sabbs
Their parents by Anita Sarro and Randy Purinton
Mr. Navinchandra Shroff by Dr. and Mrs. Hitesh Shroff and family
Arvo, Elizabeth and Joanne Solander by Nancy Miller and Sarah Camp
Richard Souder and Lewis Daniels by the Daniels and Souder family
Her parents, Ernest & Donna (Burnett) Stache and her brother Richard
by Janet Stache
Fred Strong by the Strong family
Ruth and Herman Bock by the Strong family
Douglas Teece by Jennette and Eric Teece
Yvonne Theroux by Donna Theroux and Meg Haber
Raymond Theroux by Donna Theroux and Meg Haber
Max Elliott by Donna Theroux and Meghan Haber
Helen and Babe Thornton by Ruth and Mike Thornton
Ruth and Raymond Hennequin by Ruth and Mike Thornton
Her parents, John and Dorothy Orlowski by Joyce and James Tomlinson
Their parents , Ed & Margaret Towne and Ruth & Harold Leland
by Nancy and Chet Towne
Jan Bresee, Sarah Chrismer, Esther Lennon and Sallie Pitt
by The Tuesday Morning Women’s Marking group
Helen and Peter Tuttle by Elizabeth (Tuttle) Claver and Randy Tuttle
George and Elaine Waller by Terry and Tom Waller
Thomas and Eleanor Egan by Terry and Tom Waller
Thomas Egan Jr. and Diane Waller by Terry and Tom Waller
Richard Williams by Ann and Wendy Williams