PASTOR’SMESSAGE

 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 2:12

I hope you all have had a safe and blessed Christmas and New Year.  As we approach this New Year, may the love of Jesus be known through each of us – in our personal lives, in our community, our workplaces, and in the world.

Jesus came into the world to save us, to show us how to treat one another with love and respect; to transform Jewish culture into a more inclusive and compassionate society for all people; to write the law on our hearts. May you strive to be more like Jesus; to bring a voice of love and respect to this world.

Pastoral Search News

It has been very busy here at the church. We are currently in a spiritual discernment process to determine who would be good representatives for our Pastoral Search Committee.  Make sure you have your nominations, one per sheet, into the Churches Alive mail slot by January 7^th.  Nomination forms & envelopes are on the table next to the church office.

Search Committee members make a faith commitment to develop as faith-centered, prayer-directed people of God willing to listen to God in the process of seeking a new pastor.  Search Committee members engage in a 4-Way Covenant—a Covenant with their prospective pastor, the congregation, the Conference and Association, and the Holy Spirit.

The Search Committee will continue the work of the Churches Alive Team by entering into a spirit of discernment on Who God is calling the First Congregational Church of Spencer to become, the next step in writing the church’s profile.  

Once completed, the profile will go “live” online nationally, the committee members will review all pastoral profiles submitted to see who would be a good fit for our church, invite candidates for interviews, visit neutral pulpits to evaluate worship style and content, and arrive at consensus on who the next pastor might be.

SAVE THE DATES!

January 21^st, 2018 – Congregational Meeting * “Who Is Our Neighbor?”

What do community leaders think are important issues? How might we partner with others in the community so that we are not Sisyphus – forever rolling the immense boulder uphill by ourselves?

February 4^th, 2018 – Annual Meeting & Election of Search Committee Members

Blessings,

Pastor Dianne

ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE

Our next regular meeting will be January 17, 2018.  

FINANCE & TECHNOLOGY

Stove and ventilation hood – We are still waiting for Gillette’s quote on the ventilation hood.  Also waiting on approval the plans that were submitted from the building inspector.

PROPERTY

Steam release valve in the Choir Room was replaced.

Two steam release valves in the Education wing were replaced. If they leak again a bypass ball valve will be added.  Also adjustments were made to the small boiler that heats the Ed wing.

Parsonage stair railing to the second floor needs to be replaced.

STAFF & NOMINATIONS

Mark Provencher has stepped down a chair of this committee.  At the committee’s December 13^th meeting Phillip Olivo was nominated to fill this position until our Annual Church meeting on Sunday , February 4th.

The following committees have the following positions open; Administration (2) unfilled unexpired two year terms; Church & Community (1)  three year term; Church & Ed (1) three term & (1) unfilled un-expired two year term;   Diaconate (2) Deacons three year terms & (2) unfilled unexpired two year terms  & (1) Deaconesses three year terms;   Flower (1)  three year term; Music position has been filled; Stewardship (1) three year term (1) unfilled unexpired two year term.

Just remember if you do join a committee it is a commitment to all the works of that committee.  As a member it is your responsibility to give your full cooperation and assistance.  If you have any questions regarding a certain committee please see one of the committee chairpersons, Administration-Phillip Olivo, Church & Community-Pat Stark, Church & Education-Lisa Brown, Diaconate-Judy Chicoine, Flower-Claire Harding, Music the position has been filled, Pastoral Relations- Marilyn Olsen and Stewardship –Sue Provo.

If interested in filling one of the positions, please contact a member of the nominating committee: Claire Harding or Don Irish   

Respectfully,

Administration Committee  

DIACONATE NEWS

The Deacons meeting was canceled for December 10, 2017.

The Deacon of the month for January is Judy Chicoine               .

Communion Sunday, January 7, 2018

Pat Bellizzi joined our parish family on December 17, 2017.  Welcome Pat.

We had a Blue Christmas Service on December 14^th.  It was a lovely service.  Thank you Pastor Dianne. Also thank you to Keith Rutkiewicz, Barbara Coutu, Bonnie Orsi and Dick Chase for assisting Pastor Dianne.

Christmas service was at 10:00 AM a family service. Assisting Pastor Dianne were Sue Babineau & Bonnie Orsi..

Assisting at the Christmas Eve service at 11 PM were Barbara Coutu, Linda Maher Kim Desrosiers and Glen Stevens

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas and the New Year bring us all Peace and Love.

We will meet again on Sunday, January 14, 2018.

Hope to see you all in 2018

Judy Chicoine, and all the members of the Diaconate.

ECONOMY SHOP

We are in need of cashiers and clothing markers. If you can volunteer just one day a week or one day a month it would be greatly appreciated.  Please let the office know.    

MEN’S LEAGUE

Our Beef Stew Supper meeting was held on December 12^th at 6:30 PM in the church hall.  The Ladies of the church attended the meal and following the meal was entertained by Jack Craig Christmas Musical of piano and song.

Happy New Year!

Philip Harding, President                   

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP

An emergency meeting is being called regarding the Economy Shop, due to the illness of Mary Ingalls.  January 10, 2018 7 PM at the home of Bev Wentworth.  All the women from the executive board and the evening women’s group are asked to attend.

Our next regular meeting will be held on Monday, February 5, 2018 at 9 AM.  

Sunlighters’ – As of the Women’s Fellowship semi-annual & Sunlighters’ meeting on December 12, 2017the Sunlighters’ have now been disbanded, because of lack of membership.  All funds from the Sunday coffee hour will go to the Women’s Fellowship treasury to be used to purchase paper items, coffee, half & half etc. for the kitchen.

FYI

Congregational Meeting after Church!  Sunday, January 21^st .This is the 2 of 3 Congregational meetings. This meeting will focus on “Who is our neighbor”.  Please save the date and please join us for this important step in the process toward forming a pastoral search committee.

Church Council meeting will be held on Sunday, February 18, 2018.  All committee chairpersons are asked to attend.  If you cannot attend please send someone from your committee in you place.

Lay Reading dates available for January & February

Looking for a simple and fun way to take part in the Sunday worship service? Sign up to be a Lay Reader. The Lay Reader leads the congregation in the Call to Worship and reads the scripture lesson for the day. No previous experience is necessary, and it’s a great way to share in our Sunday service. A sign-up sheet is posted in front of the church office. Please feel free to pick a date or two and sign up. You can also call the office at 508-885-2149 and ask us to put your name down as well.

Hearing Assist Devices are Available...Feel like you're missing some of what is going on during

our service? We have hearing assist devices available to help you enjoy our worship service. These small, comfortable and convenient devices are connected directly to the sound system of the church via FM radio signals. Every sound spoken into any microphone in the church will be transmitted to the devise. Why miss out when you can hear every word crystal clear?  Please see one of the ushers for assistance. They will be happy to assist you.

Know Somebody in the Hospital? Please let us know…

Do you know of someone from the church who is in the hospital or at some other health care facility?    Please let us know at the church office. Due to the Federal Health Insurance Privacy Protection Act (HIPPA), hospitals and health care facilities can no longer tell us if anyone from the church is there, even if they have made their church membership known to them.  In other words, we have no other way of knowing if someone is in the hospital other than word of mouth.  Please let us know the full name that they were admitted by, what the facility name is, and if possible, what their room number is. Thank you so much for your help with the visitation ministry of the church

CALENDAR

January1^st – 31^th   Office hours are 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M., Monday through Friday.     

Jan 1stHappy New Year everyone! New Year’s Day office closed.

Jan 7^th Communion Sunday

Church is Alive Leadership meeting following worship service.

 Jan.11^th Women’s Fellowship emergency meeting for both the Executive Board and the            Evening Women’s group 7 PM at the home of Bev Wentworth.  

Jan. 14^th Church & Education Committee meeting following worship service.

Diaconate will meet following worship service

Jan. 15^th Martin Luther King, Jr. Day office CLOSED

Jan. 21^st Congregational Meeting after Church! Please join us for this important step in the             process toward forming a pastoral search committee.

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LOOKING AHEAD 

Feb. 4^th Church Annual Meeting 12 noon. A light lunch, for those attending the meeting

will be served following worship service.

Feb.  14^thAsh Wednesday

       Valentine’s Day

Feb. 18^th First Sunday in Lent

Church Council meeting following worship service.

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HELD AT THE CHURCH

Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon and Al-A-Teen meet every Monday at 7:00 PM.

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 Deacon of the Month for the month of January is Judy Chicoine