Download - SCC Highlights - March 2013
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Free to All
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
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A monthly publication of the Somers Congregational Church, UCC March, 2013 Gathered in Somers, Connecticut, March 15, AD 1727 Volume 286 Number 2
The Reverend Dr. Barry Cass, Pastor
The First Sunday of each month is
Name Badge Sunday!
Be known! Wear your Name Badge.
No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.
Copies of the Lenten Devotion Booklet, Followers of the Cross by Martin E. Marty are available.
Lenten Study Developing an Adult Faith meeting on five
Thursday Evenings beginning February 21, in room 213 at 7 P.M.
Palm Sunday, March 24 Celebratory Worship with a Procession of
the Palms at the 10 o’clock service at the JMCC Education Building.
Maundy Thursday, March 28, 6:30 P.M. Supper, Communion
and Service of Tenebrae at the church facility – 599 Main Street
Easter, March 31 Sunrise Service on Soap Stone Mountain
Traditional Worship at JMMC Education Building
Confirmation - March 17, 2013 The Celebration of Confirmation will be held on Sunday, march 17 at the
Community Education Center on the campus of the Johnson Memorial
Medical Center. The worship service will be held in the expandable
classroom at the other end of the building from the auditorium where
worship is usually held so there will be plenty of room for Confirms and,
parents, godparents and guests along with the congregation.
Eleven young people will be brought into Church Membership: Veronika
Bedard, Corey Brown, Anna Conley, Owen Foye, James Harland, Cassandra
Holmes, Megan Jewell, Kyle McCahey, Madison Renaud, Marissa Savona
and Eric Wheeler. They will lead the 10 o’clock worship service on
Confirmation Sunday and receive the Right Hand of Fellowship and
Welcome as they become members of the church.
Church Email Addresses:
Barry Cass - [email protected] Church Office [email protected] Liz Scanlon - [email protected] Jacqueline Nappi - [email protected] Barbara Anderson - [email protected]
Website:
www.somerscongregational.org
There are times when I wish that I had the opportunity to sit and talk
with church members individually about things that are planned and
events that are happening in the life of the church. This issue of
Highlights is filled with things that mark our Lenten observance as
well as events for Holy Week and Easter. We also have finished the
plans for Confirmation 2013 which will be on the 17th
of this month.
Some of the things that are announced in these pages get to the core of what our life together is about.
On Thursday evenings during Lent there has been a series of discussions about developing faith based
on the work of Marcus Borg. “Embracing an Adult Faith” is a video based study designed to help adults think
about how God fits into their lives, who Jesus speaks to us in the twenty-first century and how we can go about
building community and practicing faith in realistic ways. Community is central to the Christian faith, and
without gathering together it is impossible for us to be fully Christian. I hoped a non-threatening discussion in
which people feel free to share opinions and explore what faith means could make it possible for participants to
grow in both faith and understanding. A variety of people sharing a variety of backgrounds and thoughts is a
good step in the process. Each of the five sessions in this series can stand on its own, so those who have missed
the first couple can still benefit from the last few.
I always face a decision when we come to Palm Sunday and Holy Week. Some years we have
emphasized the Passion of Christ more than the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. We
have shared the Gospel readings about the Last Supper, Jesus arrest and trial and the crucifixion on the Sunday
before Easter as a way of reminding people just what the week and Easter itself are all about. The main reason
for recalling the Passion on Palm Sunday is that there are so few people who take part in our Maundy Thursday
observance
Maundy Thursday is the day on which we remember how Jesus instituted the sacrament of Holy
Communion. This year we will be gathering in room 206 at 6:30 to share a simple supper and Holy
Communion around the tables in much the same way Jesus and the disciples shared a meal in the upper room.
After communion we have a service of Tenebrae – Tenebrae means “shadows”. At the start of the service the
lights are on and there are candles lit on the tables. The story of the Passion is read in twelve sections and a
candle is extinguished following each reading until as we hear about the crucifixion the room is in darkness. A
few lights are relit so that every can leave safely. A somber and meaningful service, the Tenebrae seem to truly
help people focus on the great gift we have received through the love of Christ.
It is, of course, possible to celebrate Easter without giving any thought to the events in Jesus’ life that
led to the crucifixion. It is possible to accept the great gift of redemption from God without thinking about the
sacrifice made on our behalf which was necessary because of our sin. I think, though, there is a depth of
understanding that is reached as we remember the agony and defeat that proceeded the amazing victory of
Easter. We can become more a part of a true celebration of Easter when we have realized the part we played in
the crucifixion.
These are things I would share individually with members; these are encouragements I would give. I hope I
will see you many times during the month of March - - More than ever as we prepare for Easter once again.
Peace -- Barry
. Lent 2013
5 Session Lenten Study on Developing an Adult Faith
Thursdays -- February 21, 28 March 7, 14 and 21 – 7 P.M. Author and Bible scholar Marcus Borg invites us to join him in revisiting Christianity's most
fundamental questions: Who is God? What does salvation mean? What place does Jesus hold in
contemporary Christian faith? In this five-session, faith-formation resource, participants enjoy the rare
privilege of witnessing Marcus in dialogue with a small, diverse group of adults as they honestly -- and
sometimes painfully -- confront the big questions and work together toward authentic answers. Each
session includes a 10-minute presentation by Marcus Borg followed by interaction with the group. The
program print resources are designed to help your small group "join the dialogue" in your own setting.
The study addresses fundamental questions that adults struggle with as faith matures. It can be used as a
resource for personal reflection as well as small group experience.
The five sessions include:
* God
* Jesus
* Salvation –March 7
* Community-March 14
* Practice-March 21
Palm Sunday, March 24 Procession of Palms beginning in the parking lot at 10:00 A.M. followed by a celebratory Worship
Service in the Auditorium at the JMMC Community Education Center.
Maundy Thursday, March 28
6:30 PM gather for a simple meal followed by the celebration of Holy Communion and
Service of Tenebrae in room 201 at 599 Main Street. The meal is free, but please let us
knows you are coming. Holy Communion will be celebrated around the tables.
Tenebrae is the service of shadows, during which we remember the Passion of Christ
while extinguishing the lights until the room is in darkness. Light is restored and we
leave in silence.
Easter Sunday, March 31
6:15 AM Sunrise Service and breakfast on Soapstone Mountain. We gather to celebrate the
resurrection of Christ as the sun rises in the east. After worship breakfast will be served in the
parking lot on top of the mountain!
NOTE – Dave and Lucille Gavlak, who have prepared and hosted the Sunrise Breakfast for 40 years,
have decided to hang up the coffee pots and spatulas, so there will be a new group offering the breakfast
this year. We are grateful to Dave, Lucille and all their helpers who have shared so generously for so
long! And we are grateful to a new crew, headed by Tyler Cass, that will be preparing and serving the
breakfast this year.
BOOK GROUP
Tuesday, March 12 – 7 P.M. -- Open to EVERYONE!
March’s book is Breakfast with Buddha by Roland Merullo
When his sister tricks him into taking her guru on a trip to their childhood home,
Otto Ringling, a confirmed skeptic, is not amused. Six days on the road with an
enigmatic holy man who answers every question with a riddle is not what he'd
planned. But in an effort to westernize his passenger--and amuse himself--he decides to show the monk some
"American fun" along the way. From a chocolate factory in Hershey to a bowling alley in South Bend, from a
Cubs game at Wrigley field to his family farm near Bismarck, Otto is given the remarkable opportunity to see
his world--and more important, his life--through someone else's eyes. Gradually, skepticism yields to
amazement as he realizes that his companion might just be the real thing.
In Roland Merullo's masterful hands, Otto tells his story with all the wonder, bemusement, and wry humor of a
man who unwittingly finds what he's missing in the most unexpected place.
Altar Flowers for the Month of March
March 3rd - Altar Flowers this morning are given by Trish Endweiss in loving memory
of her parent, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel M Endweiss.
March 10th-
-Altar Flowers this morning are given by the Popham Family in loving
memory of Donald, Pauline and Jennifer Morganson and Earle Popham.
March 17th
-Open
March 24th
- Open
March 31st-Easter Lilies today are given by members of the Congregation
It is our custom that altar flowers are donated in memory of or in honor of loved ones.
Arrangements can be bought or hand-done. An individual or a group of individuals can donate them.
There can be more than one bouquet on any given Sunday.
Sunday School Calendar
March 3 Sunday School / Communion
(Grades 6-8 stay in Church)
March 10 Sunday School
March 17 Confirmation Sunday/No Sunday School
(Veggie Tale movie in auditorium)
March 24 Sunday School
March 31 Easter/No Sunday School
(Easter Egg Hunt for all children during the last hymn.)
Note: Please remember to put your child’s name and parent’s envelope number on each Sunday
School envelope, to be sure our collector attributes these gifts to your giving account. If you
need more Sunday School envelopes, please see me or each classroom has extra too.
The next teacher’s meeting will be on Sunday, March 24 at
9:15 AM in one of the classrooms at JMMC.
Liz Scanlon, Christian Education Director
Vacation Bible School 2013 ~ Kingdom Rock ~ June 24 – 28 (Please watch for possible date change due to snow days the school year
might incur)
THANK YOU NOTES …
Dear Somers Congregational Church,
We want to thank everyone for all their prayers, concerns, emails, cards,
and hugs. As we struggle with this heartbreaking loss, it has been very
comforting to our family to know you are all thinking of us.
With Sincere Gratitude,
Liz , David and Brandon Scanlon
Memorial Easter Lilies
Memorial lilies can be ordered to beautify our worship space for Easter. You can specify individuals or
special intentions that you would like remembered. After they are used in the Church, the lilies will be
taken to the sick or shut in members of the community and enjoyed by them. You can also indicate if you
would like to have a lilies delivered to a specific person. Cost of donating a lily is $6.00 per plant./. Please
use this form to order your flowers. Send or bring your order to the Church Office by March 18.
Please make your check out to Somers Congregational Church.
Please Print
Name of Donor exactly as it should be listed in the bulletin:
________________________________________________________________________________________
Memorial or Intention as you would like it listed:
1.________________________________________________________________________________________
2.________________________________________________________________________________________
Total # of Lilies ________ Total enclosed $________
Please indicate if you would like a lily delivered to a specific person:
Please deliver to a shut –in_____
Will you be able to deliver this plant?_____ Yes _____No
Will you deliver other plants? _____ Yes _____No
I will take my lily after Easter Service______
All lilies left after last Service will be donated.
+ + + + + + + +
Worship at Blair Manor On the Second Tuesday of each month our church is responsible for a worship
service at Blair Manor. Led by our pastor, worship begins at 10:30 A.M. and lasts
about a half hour. We are fortunate that Anne Larson accompanies the group in
singing two hymns most months. Other members and friends of the church are more
than welcome to join us, to be a part of the service and to add voices to the singing.
If you have any questions, talk to Barry.
The next Blair Manor worship service will be Tuesday, March 12 at 10:30 A.M.
This Month Champ's Place, our church's food pantry, is seeking donation of
nonperishable food, and is especially in need of Jelly of call kinds for
making sandwiches and Juice boxes that can be put in the snack packs for
kids. Kathy Moulton and Kit Devlin, Champ’s Place coordinators, also
remind us that monetary donations are always welcome. The money
donated can go a long way in purchasing needed items at Foodshare. For
instance, $120 at Foodshare can buy 1,400 lbs. of food! Our money used at
Foodshare has more purchasing power than it does when we make our own
purchases locally for Champ’s Place. Checks made out to "Somers
Congregational Church" with "Champ's Place" on the memo line can be sent to the church or dropped in the
offering plate any week. Food can be brought to worship on Sunday or dropped off at the office during open
hours. Thanks for being a part of this important ministry of our church!
Weekly Scripture Readings for March 2013
March 3 (Communion Sunday) Third Sunday in Lent
Isaiah 55:1-9 Psalm 63:1-8 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Luke 13:1-9
March 10 Fourth Sunday in Lent
Joshua 5:9-12 Psalm 32 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Luke 1-3,11b-32
March 17 Fifth Sunday in Lent – Confirmation Sunday
Isaiah 43:16-21 Psalm 126 Philippians 3:4b-14 John 12:1-8
March 24 Sixth Sunday in Lent – Palm Sunday
Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 Philippians 2:5-11 Luke 19:28-40
March 31 Easter Sunday
Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 Luke 24:1-12
From the Nominating Committee Thanks to all of those who have volunteered for 2013 committees, especially those who answered the call and
filled 4 slots at the Annual Meeting! The following are the remaining open positions – 2 Deacons, 2
Stewardship Committee, 2 Caring ministry Board, 1 Christian Education Board, 1 Flower Committee and 2
Representatives to the Connecticut Conference spring and fall meetings. Please contact Kelly Anderson 860-
763-5355 [email protected]
Women’s Fellowship
The March Meeting will be on Tuesday, March 5 when we will be meeting with
Barry and seeing some vintage films from the church archives. Coffee in room 116 at
9:30. The Meeting will be in Bugbee Chapel at 10 A.M.
Somers Congregational
United Church of Christ
Free Community Supper
Friday, March 15th
5 to 6:30 P.M.
EVERYONE is invited to share this free Community Supper and to enjoy the
fellowship and good time. Bring your family and friends.
The Board of Music & Arts will be our hosts.
Let us know you are coming by signing up at church, or calling or e-mailing the church office.
We are also looking for hosts for the months to come. The church provides all the funds for the
meal and all the supplies needed. Hosts plan, cook and serve the meal. If you are interested, or
want more information, please talk to Barry.
Council Corner February 19, 2013
Restoration Committee. The trailer in the back parking lot has been removed. The final walk thru is Wednesday, February 20
with Green Construction. The heat in rooms 204 and 206 needs adjustment and there are 8 other items still remaining on the
punch list.
Insurance Update. The information regarding the foundation walls was sent to the insurance people as requested at our
January meeting. Utica will have their structural engineer review the report to see if there is agreement. We are still hopeful
that the insurance can be settled soon. The Building Committee and Insurance Committee will have a joint meeting when the
insurance number is given in order to give a joint recommendation to the church council.
Building Committee. The Building Committee met weekly in January. The front steps and the slab have been poured. (see
detailed article by Mark Marshall).
Community Supper. The March community supper will be hosted by the Music & Arts Board with lasagna on the menu. The CE
Board will host April. Looking for volunteers for May & June.
Building Fund. The Church Council approved funding for expenses by the Tech Committee for internet upgrade, nativity
expenses, a fireproof safe for the church office and encumbered money for future expenses for the Celebration Committee,
the Capital Campaign Committee and the contents adjuster. Subtracting these funds leaves a balance of available funds from
the Building Fund of $280,267.26 that will be put towards the Capital Campaign.
Online donations. Donations to the Building Fund can be made online through the church website by credit card, debit card or
direct withdrawal of funds from your bank account.
Capital Campaign. The contract with Susan Mitchell was signed and she will be meeting with members of the Capital Campaign
Committee March 6-March 9. The campaign will include a two-year pledge period. The contract calls for a range of $500,000-
$800,000 to be raised. The Campaign Committee will set the actual campaign goal after the insurance settlement. Members of
the Committee include John Panto, Becky Antonacci, Amanda Marschall, Sara Mulvihill, Rich Mazur and George Warner. Anyone
interested in being on the Capital Campaign Committee or one of the subcommittees should contact John Panto.
Appointments. The Church Council re-appointed Jane Gamble, Terri Siver, Barbara Moser and Laurie Gorski to the Memorial
Garden Committee. The council also appointed Faith Gelinas and Polly McCranie to the Memorial Garden Committee for 2013.
The Council re-appointed the members of the Building Committee, the Insurance Committee, the Artifacts Committee, and the
Appreciation Committee and thanked the members of the Organ Committee, the Costume Committee and the Restoration
Committee for all of their accomplishments.
Annual Meeting Evaluation. Response from council members indicated that the joint meetings of annual meeting and
organization meeting on the same day continues to work well. Consensus was that the annual meeting should start no later than
11:15 instead of 11:30 and that coffee be served during the lunch instead of immediately after church.
Red Cross Blood Drive. The Red Cross sponsored a blood drive at the Town Hall on January 24th. They were able to make their
quota of blood donations. They appreciated all of our donated sandwiches and desserts.
Internet access in the church office building and Bugbee Center: password is sccpublic599.
Questions or Comments about the new church? If you have any questions or comments about the new building, the Building
Committee still wants to hear from you. Please send comments to: [email protected].
Anne Kirkpatrick ([email protected])
The 2013 Feinstein Challenge: March1-April 20, 2013
HELP FIGHT HUNGER IN OUR AREA For the 16th year in a row Alan Feinstein is giving away $1 million dollars to help fight hunger in the U.S. The Feinstein Challenge has become the greatest grass roots campaign ever to fight hunger in the U.S. Your donation of food or money makes YOU a partner in this campaign. The more you give, the more we receive from the Feinstein Challenge. We will track any food and money that we collect for our food pantry-Champ’s Place March1-April 30. If you are making a donation by check, please make your check to the Somers Congregational Church and note in the memo line Feinstein Challenge. At the end of the campaign we will submit our report to the Feinstein Foundation. The best new is that whatever food and money we collect and whatever matching funds we receive stay right here to benefit people in our area! Won’t YOU help fight hunger in Somers?
Deadline for Next Highlights is March 20, 2013
U.S. Postage
Paid Non-Profit
Org. Permit
Number 334 Enfield, CT 06082
Somers Congregational Church
599 Main Street, PO Box 295 Somers, CT 06071
Address Service Requested
Sunday Worship: 8:15 A.M. & 10:00 A.M. Office Hours (M-Th.): 9:00 A.M. TO 3:00 P.M. Telephone: (860) 763-4021 Fax: (860) 763-5146 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.somerscongregational.org
Senior Pastor: The Rev. Dr. Barry Cass Organist/Music Director: Jacqueline Nappi CE Director: Liz Scanlon Care Room: Barbara Anderson