1

A Word From Your Interim Minister

Church Staff & Officers

Interim Pastor Jeff Erb

Administrative Assistant

Robert MacGregor

Moderator Dick MacGregor

Chair of Trustees Ann

Sands & Bob Macgregor

Chair of Deacons Rae Teed

Chair of Council Dick Mac-

Gregor

Treasurer Pam Rose

Financial Secretary Jo

Condon

Organist Josie Holdsworth

Custodial Engineers:

Mike Wright, Clark Woodard

& Josie Holdsworth

Union Church of Christ

51 Center St.

Po Box 445

Ludlow, Ma. 01056

413-583-5717

We may not have had a white Christmas, but we’re certainly having a

snowy Epiphany… and then some. Perhaps we sang “let it snow, let it

snow, let it snow,” a bit too fervently this past Christmas. However, so far

in 2011 we have escaped having to cancel worship. Not so for our monthly Trustees and Church Council meetings. In fact

more snow is piling up even as I write. I am not joking that on more than

one occasion these past couple of weeks I found myself thanking God for

the person who invented the snow blower, and praying over my 2002 10hp

Ariens, “please don’t break down.” My petitions seemed to have worked,

as thus far I have only needed to tighten a cable and replace one shear pin.

On a far more serious note please take advantage of the events to be held at

the church which are mentioned in this issue of “The Candle,” such as the

Valentine’s Day Fundraiser on Saturday, February 12, and The Band of

Liberty on Friday, April 8th. For the children, and “children at heart,” we

will have a special Sunday worship on February 13th. Children are invited

to bring their favorite stuffed animals. The Children’s Message that day

will include a stuffed animal theme, as well as a blessing for our furry and

non-furry friends, and a surprise gift for each child.

Looking ahead to Lent, on March 9th, if you are so moved, First Church,

Ludlow will hold an Ash Wednesday Service at 7:00 p.m. Thereafter, dur-

ing Lent, our churches and clergy (Revs. Groggett, Hurst and Erb) will

hold a weekly Lenten Group rotating from church to church. The topic,

day, and time will be announced soon, so be on the lookout in the church

bulletin for further information on that.

Even further ahead: April 21, Maundy Thursday/Tenebrae Service at

7:30 p.m.; and on Easter April 24th, 8:00 a.m. early worship service,

10:00 a.m. regular worship, and an Easter breakfast from 8-9:30 a.m.

So, you can see there’s a lot ahead. See you there!

Peace,

Rev. Jeff Erb

The Candle

February-March

2011

Deadline for April/May

Candle is March 27th

2

Valentines Fundraiser: Save the date, Sat. Feb.

12. We will have a Valentine’s Ziti Dinner fund-

raiser, after which we will play Bingo for

prizes. This will be a continuous serve buffet

from 5:30 to 7:00 and bingo will start at 7:00. We

will also have a raffle. Donations will be ac-

cepted at the door.

Jo is accepting NEW items for the raffle and

bingo prizes, and cash donations to offset the

cost of food. This is a great opportunity to do

something with those Christmas gifts you re-

ceived but will never use. Sign-up sheets to at-

tend the dinner and to help out are available in

the vestry. Bring a friend. If you have any

questions call Jo Condon 589-1765

Valentines Ziti Dinner and Bingo

Page 2

Animal Sunday~~~

February 13, 2011

Please plan to attend our special

event with your children and

grandchildren to honor animals

in our midst. Bring stuffed ani-

mals or animal puppets to

church. Even adults are wel-

come to bring stuffed animals!

We will have special hymns and

a Children’s Moment to honor the

important role animals play in

our lives. God loves all of the

animals in His world. February

13, 2011 is our Animal service.

We urge all families to attend.

We will have a special cake after

the service at the coffee hour for

all members and friends. Bring a

friend to church for this special

event! Animals help us and we

help them! Come, let us worship

and praise the gift of animals

among us!!

MITTENS, MITTENS, WHO HAS THE MITTENS?

WE DO!!

On behalf of the Board of Deacons, we would

like to thank every member who bought,

brought, or hand-knitted mittens, gloves, hats,

or scarves for our annual mitten tree to benefit

the Community Survival Center. Bob

Marchese was able to bring four bags full of

new, warm gloves, hats, scarves, and mittens

to people who are less fortunate than we are.

Thank you to all who decorated the tree and

contributed to this worthy cause. We had

many handmade items this year; kudos for

your thoughtfulness, time and talents!

Blessings to you! Rae Teed

and the Board of Deacons

Feb 20th directly after church is the

next Holly Fair We Care get together.

We had a very successful organiza-

tional meeting in Jan. with over 15

people in attendance to discuss plans

and ideas for next years Holly Fair.

Please feel free to join us. We will

share a light lunch and then start

working on projects together, for the

fair. Sign up sheets are in the vestry.

All are welcome including the men!

3

The DEADLINE for the

April/May candle is

March 27. You may call or

email Jo Condon 589-1765,

jojocondon@charter.net,

if you have any news you

would like to contribute.

Easter Breakfast: April 24th 8:00-9:30 Continuous serve buffet.

Save the date! Spring is right around the corner. ( I think??)

Page 3

Band of Liberty New England Winds

Winter Cancellations: Remember to check 22 News and News 40 for

church service cancellations in bad weather.

A good rule of thumb is, when there is an on

street parking ban in Ludlow for Saturday

night and Sunday morning, church is most

likely cancelled. You should however turn on

the news or check their websites before head-

ing out. If you would like a phone call or

email please call the church office. 583-5717 Lia Sophia Catalog

Fundraiser: Once again we will have a spring

Easter/Mother’s Day Fundraiser.

During the month of March we

will take orders from the new Lia

Sophia catalog. The church will

receive 30% of sales. If you

would like a catalog or would like

to order online please contact Jo

Condon for more info.

Catalogs will be available soon in

the vestry.

Friday, April 8th at 7:30 pm in

our sanctuary. Please join us.

Join the Air Force Band of Liberty’s New

England Winds for an evening of delight-

ful musical entertainment. This out-

standing musical group is currently on

tour in our area from Hanscom Air Force

Base, Massachusetts. They present a pro-

gram featuring something for all musical

tastes: popular, Broadway, patriotic, jazz

and folk music, as well as pieces from the

traditional woodwind quintet repertoire.

The program is free and open to the pub-

lic. Please bring your friends and support

our troops. For more information, contact

Jo 589-1765 or Bob 583-5717

Bakers are needed for the reception after

the concert. Please sign-up in the vestry if

you are able to help us out.

Annual Meeting: March 6th Directly after church in

the sanctuary. Please plan to attend. This is an important

meeting to keep members informed of our church’s cur-

rent financial situation and to elect officers for the new

year. Officers and committees, please get your reports to

Bob MacGregor ASAP! But! No later than Feb. 27th.

Important: Please return your membership updates to the

church office. We need to get an accurate membership list to-

gether. If you need a form, call the church at 583-5717. Thanks!