What’s new at

The Olde White Church

Love in Action

Greetings Friends in Christ,

The beginning of this month marks the beginning of our Lenten journey together. As we do so, perhaps that familiar feeling of the need to “give something up” begins to creep into our minds. There is a long and lovely Lenten history within the church that has offered many different traditions, some of which may have translated to how we understand it in our own lives. Maybe our grandparents had a Lenten practice that trickled down generations. Maybe we learned a tradition in a church we loved. Maybe we discovered a way to move through Lent, combining many ways that those around us have in the past. The question that I would like us all to ask ourselves this year is this, “What can we do in this season of Lent to discern God’s vision for each of us and for this church family?”

This year, I would like to embark on an intention path of positive connection – with God and with one another, in every aspect of our lives. We are at a place in our church family where I believe we are truly ready to explore the question, what is God calling this church to be in this community, in the country, in this world? Visioning can be an incredibly exhilarating process, however, the kryptonite of all successful visioning is negativity: “we can’t do that,” “we don’t have the money,” “we don’t know how,” “we’ve never done that before.” The world seems to be programmed to begin with the negative instead of the positive. So, in order for us to open ourselves up to the movement of God through the Holy Spirit, we must change our approach; the key to visioning is positivity.

In order to do that, join me this Lent in an intentional journey of transition from all things negative to all things positive. That is sooooooo much easier said than done, and, if you are anything like me, I need a reminder to help me remember. Be on the lookout for black rubber wristbands that I invite each of us to take and wear this Lenten season. Put the wristband on your wrist and keep it there throughout Lent; allow it to help you remember to speak in positive ways and refrain from speaking negatively. It will certainly be a challenge! We don’t get to take it off when we leave church, this means we practice at home, at school, at work, in traffic, at the grocery store, etc. But with every great challenge comes great reward – pouring our energy into this will change our lives in different ways, and, it will open us up to the many ways we are called to be the Church!

This Lenten season, let us decide as a family to learn what visioning with God truly means, and open ourselves up to the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the life of this amazing church.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” – Ephesians 4: 29 Blessings in Christ,

Reverend Holly Norwick

March

2017

NEWS FROM THE PEWS

UPDATE ON SNOWSTORMS: In case of a major

snow storm on a Sunday morning, please call the

church office at 508-673-7179 for an updated

message. The decision to cancel will be made by 8:00

am that Sunday morning, so please call the office for

an updated announcement or check our Facebook

page.

***************************************

Dunkin’ Ministry

Our Dunkin’ Ministry meets each Thursday evening.

We invite all of you to come and have coffee with

Pastor Holly Norwick each Thursday evening from

5:00 – 6:00 pm in the brand new lounge area of the

Wilbur Avenue, Swansea Dunkin’ Donuts.

BAPTISM

Jaxson Robert Francis,

son of Robert and Melissa Francis,

was baptized in our sanctuary on

Sunday, February 26, 2017.

IN OUR PRAYERS:

Deb Athearn, who is home and would welcome

cards, visits, and phone calls. Her address is 396

Durfee Street, Fall River, MA and her phone

number is 508-673-3047. Deb’s husband, Tom, is

also home recuperating as well.

Our former Organist, Michael Browner, Jr. Michael’s mother, Katherine E. Browner passed

away in February. Her wake and funeral service

were held on Saturday, February 25 at Community

Baptist Church in Newport, RI.

Bob & Jane Eddy. Bob is home recuperating at

159 Wood Street, Swansea, MA.

Louise Slowe, who is home recuperating and

receiving cards and calls at 396 Seaview Avenue,

Swansea, MA 02777.

Gwen Donald’s brother, Manny, passed away on

March 2nd. Please keep Gwen, Manny, and their

family in your prayers.

Pat Hayden, who is receiving cards at her home at

52 Seaview Avenue, Swansea, MA 02777.

Gerrit Sanford, who is at home receiving calls and

cards.

Bill Lyne, who is at Charlton Memorial Hospital in

Fall River, MA.

Marie Erickson, who is at home receiving cards

and calls.

Rosemary Marshall, who is at Evergreen Nursing

Home, 1 Evergreen Drive, East Providence, RI

02914 and would appreciate cards, calls & visits.

Ken and Nancy Bosworth.

Dorothy O’Neil, who has moved to Buckley Health

Care Center, 95 Laurel Street, Greenfield, MA

01301 and would appreciate cards and well wishes.

******************************************

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO:

Rev. John Wilson for leading us in worship on

Sunday, February 19 while Pastor Holly was the

guest preacher at another church.

All who helped serve on our various committees

and teams and a huge thank you to all who are

willing to continue to serve.

WELCOME THE NEW FACES TO OUR FAMILY!!!!

___________________________________________________________________

Happy 70th Wedding Anniversary to Bill & Phyllis Lyne!!!!

Bill & Phyllis were married on February 6, 1947!!!!

Lenten Dinner and Devotion

Bible Study Series

"Boarders"

Wednesdays, March 8th - April 5th 6:00 – 7:30 pm

Come and journey with us during this Lenten season as

we gather for dinner and devotion in our Bible Study

series "Boarders". Begin around the table as we break

bread together and invite the Spirit into our midst. Then

we will move into our Lenten Conversation,

"Boarders." Boarders are woven throughout our lives,

some keep "us" in and some keep "them" out. Some

boarders help us navigate our lives and some create

barriers that lead to categories which lead to fear and

hate. Let's jump in to the scriptures to see how we can

better understand, use, and dismantle the boarders in our

lives. Come and explore how they have helped and how

they have stifled the work of God. All are welcome!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Dottie Waite is stepping down from organizing the

Holiday Craft Fair and the Health/Alzheimer’s Events in

2017. We want to give her a huge Thank You for all she

has done to co-ordinate past events and workshops. She

is an invaluable resource to everyone here at The Olde

White Church, and we are looking for someone new to

step up and gain insight from Dottie, co-ordinate these

events, and make them their own.

The Craft Fair needs to get started in May with sending

out sign up forms to vendors; if the vendors are not

contacted early, they commit themselves elsewhere.

If you or someone you know is interested in working on

the Events Team or helping to co-ordinate the Events,

please call the church office at 508-673-7179 or speak

with Pastor Holly or Dottie if you have any questions.

Greater Fall River Council of

Churches "Not By Bread Alone"

The First Christian Congregational Church is part of

the The Greater Fall River Council of Churches. The

Greater Fall River Council of Churches has long roots

in this area and we are excited about the opportunities

ahead to be the body of Christ in our communities,

and invite everyone to participate in our newest

initiative, “Not By Bread Alone.”

The Fall River Food Bank, located within The First

Baptist Church of Fall River, is moving to another

location in Fall River on April 1st. This essential

program offers much needed food to countless folks

in Fall River, and surrounding areas. The Greater

Fall River Council of Churches is enlisting the help

of partners of faith to champion the transition. We

have been invited to help raise the money necessary

to secure the new space, and to help gather essential

items for their success.

We will begin our efforts on Wednesday, March 1st,

Ash Wednesday, and travel this Lenten journey

together with our local brothers and sisters in

Christ. We then plan to culminate our time and offer

our gifts to the new food bank in a community-wide

meal, at which we will sit and have table fellowship

together, participants and recipients, on Sunday, April

2nd

beginning at 1:00 pm at The First Baptist Church

of Fall River and celebrate the transition.

Monetary donations toward the new food bank can be

made to The First Christian Congregational Church -

PLEASE indicate that it is for "not by bread alone" or

"food bank." We will issue a check of all that we

collect on April 2nd when we gather.

There will be a box designated in the sanctuary of

specific goods that they need, a list of which will be

available soon. If you have any questions, please

reach out to Rev. Holly.

FELLOWSHIP NEWS…..

There are some problems that are “good” to have;

problems that highlight progress and success.

Fellowship Hour has a “good” problem; we have many

more people attending so, therefore, we need to be sure

to have enough snacks so that everyone can enjoy a

snack while visiting with each other. We all need to be

aware of the long line of people behind us hoping for a

snack before they’re all gone! Deacons and choir

members sometimes have chores to do before coming to

fellowship time so we need to be aware of the members

coming behind us.

We have been blessed with many volunteers faithfully

bringing goodies to share several times a month. I am so

very grateful for that core group of people to count on

BUT it should not be up to a few people – the more the

merrier and easier the load!!!

The church provides for the coffee, tea, etc. and also for

the cheese and crackers. The “good” stuff is graciously

donated by those attending fellowship time. Snacks do

not have to be homemade; let Walmart, Target, Stop &

Shop do the baking. From what I have observed, any

type of “goodie” is enjoyed!

Many thanks to Gwen Donald*, Mary Finnin*, John &

Joyce Wilson*, Lisa and Joann Thomas*, Christine

Roy*, Caroline Thibeault, Charlene Orton, Bev Toppin,

Renee Nunes, Marie Ray, Deb Lotz and Bette Cahoon.

Thank you,

Sara

*means brought snacks multiple times this month!!

New Church Directory

We invite anyone who has not yet had an opportunity

to have their picture taken for our new church

directory to do so over the weekend of March 11 &

12. This will be the last picture taking dates and

times. The Directory is for friends and family to get

to know each other. You do not need to be a member

in order to be included in the Directory or to have

your picture taken.

Please participate! Our picture days are

Saturday, March 11 from 10 am – 4 pm

and Sunday, March 12 from 12 pm – 6:00 pm.

If you are available and would like to have your

picture taken, please contact the church office or

Pastor Holly at 808-371-4701. There are

appointment times available and you are welcome

to stop by the church if you are in the area to have

your picture taken that weekend.

Every participating family/household that takes a

picture for the directory will receive a free

directory AND a complimentary 8x10 printed

portrait. This program is available at no cost to the

church and no cost to you. You will, though, have

the opportunity to order additional portraits during

your scheduled appointment time if you so choose.

Whether you decide to dress formal or casual, you

will want to make the most of this opportunity.

Each and every one of you is an important part of this

church family. The directory will NOT be the same

without you. ALL are invited to come and participate

whether you have been here for 50 years or for 1

Sunday.

Something new!!!

The Olde White Church has registered for Amazon

Smile! This is an awesome opportunity for anyone who

makes purchases of any kind on Amazon to help our

church.

Here is how it works. AMAZON donates 0.5% of your

purchase to the church as a charitable donation. This will

NOT increase the price of your purchase at

all. AMAZON is donating the 0.5% and will do so as

long as you choose The First Christian Congregational

Church of Swansea as the charity of your choice.

Here is how you can do that. Take a moment to register

on Amazon Smile (see link below) or simply log onto

Amazon and search for Amazon Smile. Find First

Christian Congregational Church of Swansea and click

on us as your choice of charities. Then, use

smile.amazon.com to make your Amazon purchases;

Amazon will then donate 0.5% of anything you purchase

from that moment on.

smile.amazon.com and amazon.com are the same

website, but in order for the church to receive the

donation, you must be on smile.amazon.com space to

make your purchases – once you sign up to help the

church, Amazon will help you do this.

This is a great way to get all the things you want online

AND support the church at the same time without any

additional cost to you. Please share this with your family

and friends, so they can help us too!

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to call

the church office at 508-673-7179, or Rev. Holly at 808-

371-4701. It is a free and easy way to help the church!

This is our link:

https://smile.amazon.com/ch/04-2396571

Journey of Ministry

Greetings Friends in Christ! My journey in ministry here at The Olde White Church is so exciting and rich that I want to share it all with you! You already know that I am in the office Tuesday-Thursday from 9-2, and of course, on Sunday mornings; but some of the most powerful moments of ministry can happen outside of the office. I would like to share with you the amazing opportunities of ministry that I have with our family, our friends, our community, our denomination and beyond! Come along and enjoy my journey of ministry with me… This month was full of amazing moments of ministry. In addition to my office hours, management of our four social media sites, preparation/writing time, and worship this month I had the pleasure of…. *visiting over 20 people through the course of visits to home and hospital *providing the Dunkin’ Ministry every Thursday

*attending 2 church committee meetings *hosting bi-monthly confirmation classes

*providing a new faces luncheon

*helping to organize a new faces celebration *baptizing Jaxson Robert Francis

* enjoying 3 meetings with colleagues *officiating the Greater Fall River Council of Churches Meeting

*officiating the Committee on Ministry Meeting *attending the Old Colony Association Board of Director’s Meeting *guest preaching and congregational coaching of sister church

*helping with the new directory photos *continuing to write my doctorate

My church family is a part of my ministry everywhere that I go. I hope to be able to bring some of that joy back to all of you!

Blessings, Rev. Holly

MUSIC NEWS….

Hello Everyone,

I hope that everyone has had a great February and that we are ready for Spring as it is fast approaching! I'd like to

take the opportunity to thank all those who participated in the music program in any way during the month of

February. The month of March is an exciting month. On March 26th, starting during the service, we will have a

rededication of the church pipe organ to the ministry of the church. From there, we will go downstairs for a catered

luncheon together. Following the luncheon, you are all invited to go back upstairs at 1:00 pm for wonderful concert

by Jonathon Ortloff where we can sit back and enjoy the wonderful sounds of this historical instrument. After the

concert there will be an opportunity, for those that wish, to come up and see the inner workings of the organ and also

the old Swansea stamps on the shipping crates that were used to help build the organ itself. The local Cable TV

network will be here to film and broadcast this event. We invite you to come celebrate this beautiful instrument with

us, and the years of ministry it has given this great church since 1863.

Blessings,

Gregg LeMay

Director of Music Ministries

WEEKLY MUSIC REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

Music Lesson Each Tuesday from 6:30 – 7:00 pm

Choir Rehearsal Each Tuesday from 7 – 8 pm

Sundays at 11:30 am

Spirit Rehearsal Each Tuesday from 8 – 9 pm

Sundays at 11:30 am

Tone Chime Rehearsal Each Wednesday from 7 – 8 pm

___________________________________________________________________________________

DEDICATION OF EASTER FLOWERS

Anyone wishing to purchase Easter Flowers, please fill out this form and mail to the Church Office at 1113 G.A.R.

Highway, Swansea, MA 02777, Attention: Easter Flowers, or place in the mailbox on the door of the Church Office. The

deadline to have your orders in to the Church Office is on or before Sunday, April 2nd. Please make checks

payable to First Christian Congregational Church with “Flower Fund” in the memo. Thank you!

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

Your Name_________________________________________________________________________

Phone Number______________________________________________________________________

In Memory/In Honor of_______________________________________________________________

Comments:________________________________________________________________________

Lilies ______ Tulips _______ Daffodils _______ Hyacinth ________ ($10.00 Donation each)

Will you be taking your flowers(s) after the Easter Sunday service______________?

Or donating to a shut-in______________?

The names of “in memory of / in honor of and by whom”, will be listed in the Easter Sunday Worship bulletin. Any

profits from the sale of the flowers will be given to the Church to support the ministries of the church. If you have any

questions, please call or text Karen Rebello at 774-644-4178. Thank you for your purchase of the flowers to decorate the

Church, and for honoring our brothers and sisters in Christ!

We must order flowers on April 2. Any dedications made after that date will be at a cost of $12.00 per plant.

SCHOLARSHIP NEWS

Harland O. McNeill Memorial Scholarship

Applications for the Harland O. McNeill Memorial Scholarship are available at the church office. To be eligible for the

scholarship, an applicant must be a member in good standing of the First Christian Congregational Church of Swansea,

MA and currently enrolled in or accepted by an accredited college or university as a full time student. The completed

application must be returned to the church office no later than May 15, 2017.

One scholarship of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.) will be awarded each year if there is a qualified candidate. Payment

usually will be made directly to the school involved at the beginning of the second semester after the recipient has

successfully completed at least one semester.

Selection of the recipient in any given year shall be the responsibility of a committee of five members: the Treasurer, one

Executive Council member, one Deacon, one member of the Board of Religious Education, and a member-at-large.

High School Seniors, college undergraduates and adult church members are encouraged to apply.

Scholarship Committee Applications will be placed on lower Bulletin Board for the convenience of interested parties.

To Family and Friends of Carolyn A. Sampson

Dear family and friends of Carolyn A. Sampson,

Thank you for your previous gifts to the Carolyn A. Sampson Memorial Scholarship. As you know, it has been eight years

since Carolyn passed. In her honor, we have been awarding a memorial scholarship for seven years. Usually, the

scholarship is awarded by either Renee or Jon Carl Bernier at the Case High Senior Class Awards Ceremony.

I have been part of the selection team that identifies a qualified student from the senior class. Carolyn's scholarship is

given to a Case High Senior who plans to continue their education at a professional, technical, or vocational institution,

not always a four-year academic institution. We look for students that have been actively involved in the music or drama

programs at Case High School, and we try to select students who have participated in marching band and/or drama club,

as well.

The previous winners of Carolyn's Memorial Scholarship include: Kirsten Gonsalves (2010); Taylor DeMoranville

(2011); Brittany Costello (2012); Samantha Hussey (2013); Lauren Dunn (2014); and Amanda Feno (2015). Five winners

have been given a $500 scholarship after the first year of the CAS Memorial Scholarship, based on the interest earned by

the trust. In the first year, we were only able to award a scholarship of $450.

So, I just wanted to remind everyone that it is once again time to consider making a gift to Carolyn's Memorial

Scholarship. I wanted to acknowledge that you are part of Carolyn's Memorial Scholarship team, so that's why I included

the names of the past awardees. Gifts to Carolyn's Memorial Scholarship are welcome until April 25, 2017.

If you are interested in making a contribution to Carolyn's Memorial Scholarship, you should send your gift to: Treasurer,

Case High Scholarship Trust, Inc. Their mailing address is: P.O. Box 33, Swansea, MA, 02777. Checks should be made

payable to: Case High Scholarship Trust, Inc. In the note field of the check, please designate Carolyn Sampson

Scholarship.

Thank you so much for your continued support of Carolyn's Memorial Scholarship.

With warm regards to all,

Martha H. Curtis, CAS Memorial Scholarship Coordinator

MARCH

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday **Church Office Hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays

from 9:00 –2:00 pm**

*Pastor Holly’s Office Hours are Tuesday thru Thursday from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm*

***Individual Committee Report

are due in Church Office by March 14****

1 Ash Wednesday Ashes given out in sanctuary from 8 am-5 pm

6 pm supper at Somerset Baptist Church-all welcome

7 pm Ash Wednesday Service at Somerset Baptist Church______

Thrifty Shoppe 9:30 – 4:00 Quilt Club 1 – 3 pm

2 Dunkin’ Ministry at DD on Wilbur Ave. 5 – 6 pm

3

AA 7 – 8:15 pm

4 Thrifty Shoppe 9:30 – 1:00

5 Worship Service 10:00 am

Rehearsal 11:30 am

6 Deacons Meeting 6:30 pm at Church

7 Music Lesson 6:30 – 7 pm Choir Rehearsal 7 – 8 pm OWC Spirit Rehearsal 8 – 9 pm

8 Thrifty Shoppe 9:30 – 4:00 Quilt Club 1 – 3 pm Lenten Dinner & Devotion Bible Study Series 6 pm – 7:30 pm Tone Chimes 7:30-8:30 pm

9 Dunkin’ Ministry with Pastor Holly at DD on Wilbur Ave. 5 – 6 pm Property Committee Mtg at 6:30 pm at Dunkin’

10 AA 7 – 8:15 pm

11 Picture Taking Day 10 am – 4 pm Thrifty Shoppe 9:30 – 1:00

12 Worship Service 10:00 am Rehearsal 11:30 am

Picture Taking Day Noon – 6 pm

13

14 Music Lesson 6:30– 7 pm Choir Rehearsal 7 – 8 pm OWC Spirit Rehearsal 8 – 9 pm

15 Thrifty Shoppe 9:30 – 4:00 Quilt Club 1 – 3 pm Lenten Dinner & Devotion Bible Study Series 6 pm – 7:30 pm Tone Chimes 7:30-8:30 pm

16 Dunkin’ Ministry at DD on Wilbur Ave. 5 – 6 pm Finance Mtg at 6:15pm at Dunkin

17

AA 7 – 8:15 pm

18 Thrifty Shoppe 9:30 – 1:00

19 Worship Service 10:00 am Rehearsal 11:30 am

20

21 Music Lesson 6:30 – 7 pm Choir Rehearsal 7 – 8 pm OWC Spirit Rehearsal 8 – 9 pm

Newsletter Deadline

22 Thrifty Shoppe 9:30 – 4:00 Quilt Club 1 – 3 pm Lenten Dinner & Devotion Bible Study Series 6 pm – 7:30 pm Tone Chimes 7:30-8:30 pm

23 Dunkin’ Ministry with Pastor Holly at DD on Wilbur Ave. 5 – 6 pm

Executive Council Mtg at 6:30 pm at Church

24 AA 7 – 8:15 pm

25 Thrifty Shoppe 9:30 – 1:00

26 Organ Rededication Worship Service 10:00 am Luncheon at 11 am Organ Concert at 1 pm

27

28 Music Lesson 6:30 – 7 pm Choir Rehearsal 7 – 8 pm OWC Spirit Rehearsal 8 – 9 pm

29 Thrifty Shoppe 9:30 – 4:00 Quilt Club 1 – 3 pm Lenten Dinner & Devotion Bible Study Series 6 pm – 7:30 pm

Tone Chimes 7:30-8:30 pm

30 Dunkin’ Ministry with Pastor Holly at DD on Wilbur Ave. 5 – 6 pm

31 AA 7 – 8:15 pm

First Christian Congregational Church

The Olde White Church 1113 GAR Highway

Swansea, MA 02777

UPCOMING CHURCH EVENTS –

All are Welcome!! Dunkin’ Ministry at Dunkin Donuts on

Wilbur Avenue

Every Thursday from 5 – 6 pm

Music Lesson Every Tuesday from 6:30 – 7 pm

Choir Rehearsal Every Tuesday from 7 – 8 pm

And Sunday at 11:30 am

OWC Spirit Rehearsal Every Tuesday from 8 – 9 pm

And Sunday at 11:30 am

Tone Chimes Each Wednesday from 7:30 – 8:30 pm in March

Lenten Dinner & Devotion Bible

Study Series

Each Wednesday starting at 6 pm for dinner

followed by devotions from 6:30 – 7:30 pm

Deacons Meeting Monday, February 6 at 6:30 pm at Church

Property Committee Meeting Thursday, February 9 at 6:30 pm at Dunkin

Finance Meeting Thursday, February 16 at 6:15 pm at Dunkin

Executive Council Meeting Thursday, February 23 at 6:30 at Church

Organ Rededication and Concert Sunday, March 26

First Christian Congregational Church

The Olde White Church

“A Church Where Faith is Active in Love”

1113 GAR Highway

Swansea, MA 02777

508-673-7179

Email: swanseawhitechurch@meganet.net

Website: www.theoldewhitechurch.org Facebook:FirstChristianCongregationalChurch ofSwansea

Twitter: @Pastor_Holly

Reverend Holly Norwick, Pastor

Worship Service and Sunday School at 10:00 am

Coffee and fellowship following worship

Church Office Hours are

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 – 2 pm

Pastor’s Office Hours: Tuesday thru Thursday 9 -2 pm

MARCH

2017

August

2010