Volume 39 No 9 Creating Beloved Community September 2019

WORSHIP AND PROGRAMS: Regular Events Worship and Sunday School: Sundays, 9:55AM Craft Group: Tuesdays, 9:30AM Adult Bells: Sundays, 8:00AM Adult Choir: Wednesdays, 6:45PM Junior Ringers: Sundays, 11:15AM Youth Choir: Sundays, 11:15AM Bible Study: Wednesdays, 10AM Fiber Fellowship: 2nd & 4th Tuesday, 7PM Quilt Guild: 3rd Tuesday, 1PM Wednesday Dinner: Wednesdays, 6PM Young at Heart: Wednesday, October 9th @ noon

Board Meetings Christian Ed: Sept. 4, 7PM Council: Sept. 19, 7PM Deacons: Sept. 5, 7PM Finance & Property: Sept. 12, 7PM Missions: Oct. 1, 7:00PM Music: Sept. 15, 11:30PM Organ Completion: Sept. 4, 11:30AM Vitality: Sept. 5, 7PM

1350 Pleasant St., Brockton, MA 02301 ● 508-586-3022 ● www.brocktonucc.org ● office@brocktonucc.org

PASTOR’S PAGE

How did it become fall? How did it become my LAST fall with you (and embedded in that, for me, is how did I become retirement age?) Ah, the questions of life, if you’re blessed to have a long and good life. But fall it is, and my last fall with you, so let us do it up right, beginning with training for the Caring Teams on September 3rd. If you signed up to be on a Caring Team I hope you will come to the church at 7pm to be oriented as we launch this means of reaching out to our church members. We hope to be better organized to send cards, make phone calls and visits and take meals – so if you didn’t sign up but would like to be a part, come on September 3

rd.

Then there is the Yard Sale on September 7th – help is always welcome and needed – followed by Rally Day (the Greatest Rally Day Ever I am told) on September 8th. Parents, I know that September is the start up of everything but the start-up of Sunday School truly needs to be super high on your list. If you have been waiting for the right year to start your child or the right year to give it another try, this is the year. Come on September 8th and join in the party for all ages after church! Bring your school backpack to be blessed – or make one up for another child, and we’ll bless that and be sure it gets delivered to a child who needs it.

The month goes on with meetings and gatherings and Sunday services. Wednesday dinners begin again on September 11 – a chance to fellowship with church folk over a terrific prepared meal at 6pm. I am delighted that Ann-Marie Illsley has returned to the church staff in the role of Acting Associate Minister (half-time) and we will ask a blessing on her ministry on September 8th. She will preach on September 15th – be sure to be there!

Please read the newsletter for more events – and establish or re-establish, this fall, the habit of coming to church every week – you are needed and wanted and loved.

Rev. Patricia

p.s. In case anyone missed the news, my husband Fred’s cancer scans in August showed no remaining cancer. He continues the course of treatment, completing it October 11, and we are so grateful for your prayers, cards, meals, and many kindnesses. It was quite a ride, as too many of you know from your own experiences with cancer. Continue praying for a cure, and thank you.

TH

E C

OU

RIE

R

Vacation Bible School Report Out

What a week! With 42 kids and 17 adults, we traveled the United States on Holy Spirit Powered Bicycles, learning about African American historical sites and hearing stories of great courage, faith, and perseverance, connecting those stories to our Bible stories. We learned about spiritual, the blues (they even learned how to write their own blues song), and jazz music with special sessions led by Lisa Sparling, Murray Kidd and Sylvia Berry. We enjoyed cooking lessons and special food and spices from the various regions of the country led by Donna Costa with help from Sharon Hefler Quesnel. We learned dancing, worshipped, and made a labyrinth with Debbie Bowman. We heard Bible stories and stories of African American exemplars with Lynne McIntyre. We learned games and dramatic reading with Rev. Patricia, Jess Gross, and Sawyer Young-Ferguson. We had arts and crafts galore with Michelle Young-Ferguson, Loren Stott, Katrina Clinton, JoEllen Fisher, and Serenity Young-Ferguson. You’ll notice the painted kindness rocks lining the path to the lower entrance of the church and the stained glass quilt in the sanctuary made from tissue paper and waxed paper collage. Deana Colby, Keith Allen, Kelly Deyoe, and Bill Cockshaw filled in as needed and did so much behind the scenes. Barry Shelley did a special presentation on two Harriet Tubman sites his family visited on summer vacation. Officer Nichole Anderson from the Brockton Police Department did a special presentation on bicycle safety. Teen helpers (beyond those listed above) included Nick Colby, Hayley Hixon, Eva Lomba, Lillian Stone, Zeke Lemieux, David Gutierrez, Jason Jones and Elizabeth Agbolade. At the closing presentation the kids danced, performed a group choral recitation of a poem by Sterling A. Brown “Jordan” and sang “Jacob’s Ladder” and “Wade in the Water” so beautifully – it was quite a trip. Many thanks for the MANY, MANY hours of effort that went into this great week – and thanks to the kids who attended. Together, we learned so much about God’s love and guidance.

~RP

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION YOUTH NEWS Confirmation Program Planning Meeting September 29

th

If you are in grades 9 or above please come to an organizational meeting (along with your parent(s)) after church on September 29

th. Please bring your calendars as we set our schedule for the year.

~Rev. Patricia and Ann-Marie

VBS

Notes from Murray

HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

As I write this note, I am counting down the minutes when we leave to go pick up our oldest son from his summer camp in Upstate NY. It will be so nice to be together again. I hope you and yours have had great summer months and have had a chance to recharge a bit and relax.

Rally Sunday, September 8th, is COMING!!!! Very exciting to see everyone

again!

Some dates to remember in the music program:

September 8th – Sunday Service for the Adult Choir. Rehearsal is at 8:55. We will be doing a familiar anthem and introit that day, so don’t worry! Just show up ready to sing and have a great time!

September 11th – Wednesday rehearsals begin for the Adult Choir. We go from 6:45 to 8:00. If you are interested in trying choir, please let me know and I will have a folder ready for you! We sing great music and have lots of fun!

September 15th – Rehearsals begin for Jr. Ringers (after church until 11:45am) and Adult Ringers (before church at 8:00am).

Also, the intergenerational orchestra is still looking for people, although we have had a nice response, so far. If you have interest and want to play your instrument, whatever it is, please contact Murray. More information will come in September!

So, it is with great anticipation that I look forward to September 8th!

~Murray

Wednesday World Voices Returns

Our music-leadership-art program returns

this fall on Wednesdays after school,

beginning September 11th.

Register at www.wovos.org or email at

wovoschoir@gmail.com

ORGAN COMPLETION COMMITTEE

This year we will have seasonal Young at Heart luncheons – one in October, one in December, and one in June. Please mark your calendars for October 9

th (celebrating fall), December 11

th

(Christmas Party), and June 10th (picnic). Young

at Heart is a daytime group that gathers for lunch and a program. It is open to anyone available during the day.

Mark Your Calendar for October 20th

On October 20th we will be celebrating our 10

th

anniversary as an Open and Affirming

Congregation! We will recall our covenant and the

journey to becoming an ONA congregation, and

look to the future as we continue to include all

God’s children in the life of the church. There may

even be some rainbow cake!!

ALL CHURCH READ

The United Church of Christ Racial Justice Ministry (National Setting) has selected the book Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City as a group read for the whole denomination. We usually have a relatively small group of readers, but even where 2 or 3 are gathered it raises the conversation in our midst and in our consciousness. There are books available on the

information counter ($10 each). If you would like to read the discussion questions as you read, they are at the UCC website. The discussion (with breakfast served) will be October 26th at 10 am. Please sign up at the information counter.

September Birthdays! Wishing all the best on your birthdays

Jean Holmes, Carole Clark, Jeff Purssell, Chris Merkle, Renee Matthews, Lynne Mixner, Donald Colby, Lorraine Wilcox, Pat Emanuel, Diane Landerholm, Jean Purificato, Lisa Landerhom-Burke, Alisabeth Burke, Cathy Campbell, Ann-Marie Illsley, Jean Cappiello, Shirley Strangis, Laurel Fisher, Tavi Swisher-Rosa, Lily Radau, Jane MacIntyre

(listed in order of day of month from 1 to 30)

Tuesday, September 17th from 1-3pm is our first church year meeting. We are working on RP’s quilt (laying out the blocks), tying a lap quilt and matching colors for a 2nd lap quilt. Something to do for everyone. Questions: call Janet @ 508-583-0505 or Nelda @ 508-238-6004.

Fiber Fellowship Is Back!

Meets the 2nd

& 4th Tuesday

From 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Come Knit, Crochet, Needlepoint, etc.

Or just come for the fellowship!!

We pray for the families of Kevin Frison (Brian Julio’s husband), Barbara Murphy’s dad, and Regina Satrape

Dear Scholarship Committee,

Thank you so much for your continued support of me in all of my endeavors. Venturing into law school is a bit scary, but I feel unending support from my church family, both in emotional and monetary ways.

I can hardly express the impact that this church community has had on me throughout the past twenty-two years, but I can express my gratitude. Thank you to the entire church community, and especially the scholarship committee, for enabling me to pursue my goals regardless of how intimidating they may seem.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Kate Howard

Christ Congregational Church,

I cannot begin to say how grateful I am to be part of such an amazing church community. I am even more grateful to the fact that this wonderful community has aided me in the college process. Thank you so much for the scholarship which will be greatly appreciated during my first year at Stonehill College.

I am so happy that I have the ability to further my passions and education, and this scholarship and your support has made it easier.

Thank you again,

Angela Colby

Dear Church, Thank you for my card that had everyone’s wishes in it. Also, thank you for my campership. I loved camp. It was really fun and I met a lot of new friends. Love, Hayley Hixon

The Amazing CCC Harvest Fair!

* Wow! The CCC Harvest Fair is in two months! November 9th is the date, 9-2 is the time.

* Our annual Fair is a time when we all exercise our God-given gifts of Time, Talent, and Treasure!

* CCC Central Processing is open and running and ready to receive your donations to the Fair. What

kinds of donations? Attic treasures, raffle prizes, collectibles, auction items, gently used women’s and men’s and especially children’s clothing, jewelry, toys, books, plants, planters, pet items, new and used toys, etc! Please surprise us! If you have questions about donations or have donations ready to bring to church, please speak with David Wilcox, Jo-Ellen/Doe, Katrina, Doug, Matt Howard, Jane MacIntyre, Keith Allen, Bill Cockshaw, or Deana Colby. Or... please call the church office at 508-586-3022 to talk with Deana.

* All are invited to work in Central Processing to help receive and sort multitudes of donations.

Wednesday at 9:00 is when we begin. Please join us any time! Oh, you will have fun.

* New or improved ideas for the Harvest Fair? Yes! A Plant Room with a variety of plants in fancy,

interesting containers! A Larger Pet Gift Store with interesting offerings! A special Children’s Boutique with donated gently used clothing and toys! What Other Ideas do You have!?

* Beloved Community, it takes ALL of us to make the CCC Harvest Fair happen! It’s a wonderful time

of fun, Community, and frolic! We invite everyone to become involved in preparation events, set-up, all the various activities on the day of the Fair, and even on the days following the Fair for clean-up and put-away.

* CCC has a positive reputation in Brockton and the surrounding area for being welcoming and for

putting on one of the best church fairs around! (How many Fairgoers did you hear say this at last year’s Harvest Fair!?) Let’s work together to deserve this reputation for another year! What an amazing Beloved Community!

The Fall Harvest Fair

SNIPPETS (Not Snippy! Just Zippy!)

* Joyful end of summer and beginning of Autumn greetings to all! Summer life at church has seen

Spirited worship, plentiful planning and transition meetings, and an amazing Vacation Bible School called Whoosh! Yes, Time, Talent, and Treasure definitely danced at CCC this summer, and we are looking to an optimistic Autumn!

* This year’s Stewardship Pledge Experience will be based on the theme from First Peter 4: 10-11 that

we are all “Good Stewards of the Manifold Grace of God!” (NRSV)

* Stewardship will continue the powerful and poignant action of witnessing from members of this Be

loved Community. Let the Holy Spirit swoop and soar!

* Members of the Stewardship Committee will be working with the Transition Team to promote the

continuation of healthy and vital giving.

* Praise and thanks to God for the amazing, generous, Grace-filled gifts of Time, Talent, and Treasure

that God gives so abundantly to all of us in this Beloved Community! May we put these gifts to good use, following in the footsteps of Jesus and building God’s Kin-dom! Blessings, peace, love and joy to all! Your Stewardship Committee

Are you going to CCC fair Sparkly, staged, glows merry, and fine.

Remember the date, it's November Nine, Bring us your stuff, and all will be fine. (sung to the tune of Scarborough Fair)

POP-UP YARD SALE AT

CHRIST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 1350 PLEASANT STREET, BROCKTON

ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2019 from 9am - 1pm

Greetings from the Vitality Committee Vibes from vitality We would like to say thank you to everyone that joined us at the "Summer version of Dine with 7 at 7 Cook-Out ". There was wonderful company , nice conversation & super delicious food brought by all. Mark your calendar for the upcoming year. September 8th: Vitality is working together with C.E. for Rally Sunday,(remember this is Grandparents Day). November 24th: Our annual Thanksgiving dinner. April 18th: Scholarship Dinner event. We will announce dates for Dine with 7 at 7 dinners along with other events being planned. Lisa Landerholm Chair, VITALITY Committee

News from your Facilities Manager

As always, there is much going on here at Christ Congregational Church.

First, the new roof was installed in June. It was an amazing event that took only one day to complete. We are very happy with the results.

Let me update you on the solar project next.

We have contracted with Boston Solar to install solar panels on the church roof, as discussed and approved at the annual meeting last May. Boston solar came to the church for a full day to look at every nook and cranny in the building. They were then able to set up a site plan for submission to National Grid. National Grid approved the site plan just recently. Currently, Boston Solar is submitting all the information to the City of Brockton for permitting. Once all the permits are approved, we then move on to the installation of the panels on the roof, as well as the necessary equipment inside the building. This step is projected to take place mid to late September. After that, there are procedures that need to take place before we start generating electricity. It is a long and involved process, but will save us a lot of money over the next 30+ years.

Third, I have installed a chain across the entrance to our parking lot. We have had a lot of vandalizing of the parking lot and grounds, especially recently. The chain is to be put across the entrance to our property every day/evening by the last person to leave the building, and be opened by the first person to arrive in the morning (usually me).

Lastly, I want to publicly thank Janet Eckstrom and Darlene Gilson for their tireless efforts in taking care of the flowers and plantings around the property. They do an amazing job beautifying our property.

Bill Cockshaw Facilities Manager

Organ Donors Needed In all my years of ministry I don’t remember having a parishioner in need of an organ donor – and right now we have three. Please prayerfully consider checking the organ donor box on your driver’s license – the wait is long and the need is urgent. RP

BAPTISM

Oscar Dennis Demoranville III

August 11, 2019

Caring Teams On Tuesday, September 3

rd at 7pm we will

orient four caring teams into existence. People have signed up to make themselves available once a week each month to do one act of caring within our church community – to send a card, make a phone call, make a visit or take a meal. If you have not yet signed up but would like to be on a Care Team, please either speak to Rev. Patricia or come on September 3

rd.

THANK YOU JILLIANN!

Many thanks to Jilliann Larson for stepping in as our Director of Christian Education this past year. Though now stepping down as DCE, Jilliann will continue to help with the program and around the church in the bell choir and on the media tech team. We wish her all great success in her graduate program at Stonehill College that she begins this month. Thank you, Jilliann!

The SERRV table will be open on

September 15th

WITH NEW ITEMS!

Fellowship Hospitality Teams

We are trying something new!

Welcome to

Fellowship Hospitality Teams at

Christ Congregational Church 2019-2020

FHT Maven:

Lorraine Wilcox 508-587-9310

Darmok2@comcast.net We know several things to be true: People enjoy the fellowship hour after church People enjoy having food at the fellowship hour Some people love to have something like a donut and… Others like to have something more nutritious than a donut For years we followed a system of committees taking charge of the fellowship hour, but that put a huge share of

the work on a few. If you were on a committee, had a child in confirmation, and served on council, you could end up hosting fellowship hour 18 weeks per year.

We tried a simple signup, and while people meant well, it wasn’t working – “I don’t have my calendar”, “I’ll get

back to you…”…you know how it goes…so we would like to try FHTs – Fellowship Hospitality Teams. You have been placed on a team with some of your friends or soon to be friends, to host one fellowship hour per

quarter – that is just four times a year. If the date doesn’t work, you simply switch with someone else. If your team is large, your team may decide to

only work 2 of the dates each. Lorraine Wilcox will continue as Team Maven, coordinating with the team leaders, making sure we are on track and guiding the process. She will meet with team leaders soon to go over budget, amounts, and how-tos. Your team can go fancy (home baked treats) or go simple (store-bought or even freezer provided goodies). You are not responsible for pre-service offerings – only for the beverages and snacks after church, including set up and clean up. It is easy, it is fun, it is ministry. Please mark your calendar for your four dates – and thank you!!!!!

On Sunday, September 15th during Fellowship Hour, Lorraine Wilcox will orient anyone who is on an

FHT (Fellowship Hospitality Team) to the inner workings of hosting Fellowship Hour. Please gather at

11:30 in the kitchen. Most regular Fellowship Hour attenders were assigned to a team, but we know

some people were missed. If you were not assigned to an FHT and would like to be, please contact

Deana Colby in the church office. With this new system, each person/family helps to host fellowship

hour once each quarter (4 times a year). The schedule is elsewhere in this Courier. Many thanks!!

Team 1 – Sept 15, Dec 15, Mar 15, Jun 28 Leader: Ruth Copeland 508-697-7759 The Sheppard Lombas 508-824-0313 sheppardlomba@msn.com (Andrea, Jacinte (Jessie), Eva, Sadie) The Mitchells 774-240-0928 Imakepix1@gmail.com (Adam, Heather, Bradley) Judy Reel 774-225-1984 Dawn Shippee 603-475-0999 shippeedawn@comcast.net Team 2 – Sept 22, Dec 22, Mar 22, July 5 Leader: Joyce Carroll 508-965-2469- kidden@comcast.net Layne & Sierra Moline 781-843-9259 nukefam@beld.net The Morales Family 508-271-5605 Abbymorale4217@gmail.com (Abby, Adam, Isabella) Shelley-Wyss Family 857-210-3152 barrygshelley@gmail.com (Barry, Brenda, Sofia) Team 3 – Sept 29, Dec 29, Mar 29, July 12 Leader: Beth Eaton 508-930-7486- betheaton1946@gmail.com Janet Eckstrom 508-583-0505 Swordfish627@comcast.net The Creedon Family 774-406-7737 janiscreedon@gmail.com (Janis, Seth, Cecilia, Luke) The Sparling Family 508-807-0076 lbelvery@msn.com (Lisa, Jay, Sarah) Team 4 – Oct 6, Jan 5, Ap 5, July 19 Leader: Audrey Jones (Deb’s phone 508-446-1187) deb@cpajones.com The Bowman Family (as above) (Deb and Richard) The Hixon Family 774-218-9361 Traceyhix71@gmail.com (Tracey, Troy, Hayley) Nancy Simonis 508-615-5797 nsimonis@comcast.net Team 5 - Oct 13, Jan 12, Ap 12, July 26 Leader: Loren Stott 978-549-0080 loren.stott@gmail.com Jean Boutwell 781-857-2150 jeanieb2@verizon.net Donna Costa 508-238-2908 Quincyshores@gmail.com Ruth Ladd 508-584-5475 Barbara Moody 508-728-3896 moodytwos@gmail.com Team 6 – Oct 20, Jan 19, Ap 19, Aug 2 Leader: Chris Madden 774-274-0522 cjmadden@comcast.net John Hagberg (as above) Doug Anderson 617-471-2468 douginmass@gmail.com Katrina Clinton & Doe Fisher 508-226-5850 kcjoyf@aol.com Stephen Shaw & Gary Lyon shawlyon69@gmail.com Team 7 – Oct 27, Jan 26, Ap 26, Aug 9 Leader: Keith Allen 781-986-4433 keith519@aol.com Shirley Bamford 508-588-5697 Grambam71@comcast.net Judy Copley 508-238-0797 (copley521@gmail.com Jan and Matt Howard 781-826-6807 Howard.matthew@comcast.net The Swisher Rosas 857-212-6789 eswisherrosa@yahoo.com (Emily, Adriano, plus 4) Shirley Strangis 508-649-8963

Team 8 – Nov 3, Feb 2, May 3, Aug 16 Leader: Kelly Deyoe 508-916-1988 kdeyoe84@yahoo.com Denise Cahill 508-586-1254 thedustyboots@yahoo.com The Kaptimers 508-468-0834 Hgkaptimer@gmail.com (Getachew, Henok, Lauren, Jayce) The Camaras 508-638-1557 helencamara@comcast.net (Helen, Mike, Connor) Team 9 – Nov 10 Feb 9 May 10, Aug 23 Leader: Luane Rich 508-951-7349 luanarich@comcast.net Sue and Karl Koza 508-613-6574 sjgoodale@comcast.net Bill & Luanne Cockshaw 401-347-6511 Bill.cockshaw@gmail.com Tim & Jane MacIntyre 774-719-2167 jcmacintyre@gmail.com Carol Bradford 508-946-5478 Carol7bradford@hotmail.com Team 10 – Nov 17, Feb 16, May 31, Aug 30 Leader: Lorraine Wilcox 508-587-9310 Darmok2@comcast.net Holly Matisis 781-264-1507 hollymatisis17@yahoo.com Beth McIntyre 508-930-9789 mbethmc@comcast.net David Wilcox (as above) Cara Devito 860-949-7084 Dancinstar325@yahoo.com Team 11 – Nov 24, Feb23, Jun7, Sep 6 Leader: Tricia Gross 508-942-5790 tricia072@yahoo.com Jessica and Pat (as above) The Cords 774-444-5226 Kacords425@gmail.com Young-Fergusons 508-517-3788 michellebrian@comcast.net Gini Hathaway 781-344-1257 ginihathaway@gmail.com Team 12 – Dec 1, Mar 1, Jun 14 Sep 13 Leader: Lisa Landerholm 508-631-1291 landerholm64@gmail.com Darlene Gilson 508-942-6188 darlenegilson1959@gmail.com Nelda Hayes 508-238-6004 Village83@comcast.net Sandra Hill 508-238-6081 s.hill42@me.com The Larsons 508-207-0071 Leigh-ann@elevate.counseling.com (Leigh-ann, Leo, Jilliann) Diane Landerholm 508-587-9513 ladydippl@comcast.net Team 13 – Dec 8, Mar8 Jun21 Sept 20 Leader: Deana Colby 508-857-2122 office@brocktonucc.org Glenn Carey 508-586-0301 Glennc1213@yahoo.com George Manoogian 508-583-2579 georgemanoogian@yahoo.com Paula & Bob Gair 781-948-8480 Rga652@verizon.net Bob Cutting&Sharron MacMullen 508-828-5835 bcutting@verizon.net Dot Quimby 508-954-1834 dottiemq@gmail.com The Colby family

CONTACT US

CHRIST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UCC 1350 Pleasant St., Brockton, MA 02301-2840

Tel: 508-586-3022

Fax: 508-583-7156

Web: brocktonucc.org

Email: office@brocktonucc.org

NEW Office Hours: Monday thru Thursday: 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Sunday Worship Time:9:55 a.m.

Christ Congregational Church, UCC

1350 Pleasant St.

Brockton, MA 02301-2840

We will also have a children’s program