Newsletter — July 2006

Senior Pastor’s Message

            Summertime… and the living’ is easy
            Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high
            Oh, your daddy’s rich and your momma’s good lookin’
            So hush little baby, don’t you cry…

Somebody will have to tell me whose voice it is that I hear belting out those Gershwin lyrics, but it’s big and busty and belting is the one word that seems to express it. What an appropriate way to usher in the season. Let ‘er rip! Strawberries are ripe, school is out, camp is in session, baseball is in full swing. It’s time for beach parties, pool sitting, bike riding, lazy lingering on the deck, leisurely mornings over coffee. Put your feet up. Dig your camping gear out. Turn off the phone. Crack open a book. Summertime – deep sighs, long sleeps, re-creating play, nothing more important to do than wait for some critter to nibble on that hook.

Maybe it’s all in my dreams, but I do venture the hunch that we’re all dreaming of at least a smidgeon of some of that magic. Each of us has our own definition of what makes for a perfect summer, but each of us does have one. And I hope and pray that each of us will taste at least a morsel of that dream in the coming months. And of course, I have a couple of things I want to say as you head out on whatever adventure awaits you.

The first thing I want to say is to repeat what I already said: I hope and pray that each of us will taste at least a morsel of a perfect summer in the coming months. I’ve long been convinced of the pun inherent in the word “recreation” – to recreate, to laugh and play and adventure and explore is to re-create ourselves body and soul. There is a creative, generative gift in play, in rest, in doing the things we love with the people we love. In part, it restores our ability to work and produce. At its core, it graces life with the joy and wonder that gives it beauty and meaning. Go play – we’ll all be the better for it.

But at the same time, I don’t want you to think I’m encouraging a gluttony of goofing off (what a strange phrase – is that what I meant to say?). Maybe what I mean to say is that I’m not encouraging you to hang a “We’re Sorry – We’re Closed” sign on your heart and mind. Go have a good time, but don’t forget to listen to the movement of God. Go play and laugh and sing and dance, but remember that God is the giver of laughter and David danced himself silly when it came time to praise God. God gives the song and the body and the mountain breeze and the summer sun, so while you’re enjoying it, say thank you. In your heart as well as with your words. And if somebody with a need presents themselves to you, think carefully about your response before you tell them to come back in the fall when you’re back to being God’s servant.

It would be untruthful of me to say that I don’t want to see you in church this summer, because I hope I will. And it would be negligent of me to not remind you to pay your pledge or contribute to the church’s ministry in whatever way you do before you go or send it in from wherever you’re having fun. But at the same time, I really do want to encourage you to do what you need to do to tend your spirit. I hope you’ll consider joining us for a game of softball, for some quiet prayer and meditation, for worship under the trees and on the mountain for Labor Day. I hope that most of us don’t need time off from prayer and worship and the Body of Christ and being in the presence of God and God’s people. And I know that from time to time all of us do need time off from responsibilities and chores and commitments. We need to laugh and play without having to watch our watch to see where we need to be next. Take the time to do what you need to do for yourself, your family, your heart and soul in this glorious summertime. And remember that God will be with you wherever you go. And the church will be here, throughout the summer and in the fall. Blessings on your summer, my friends. See you in the fall, and hopefully before.

Peace
  Alice M.C. Ling

Simple Awareness

It’s easy to be forgetful.  So much is on our minds. 

It could be external thoughts. 
I have to pick up my child at school and then I have to stop and pick up a few things for dinner and then I have to remember to get some meat out of the freezer, and, oh yes, I have to make sure those permission slips are signed and we have responded to that invitation.  Whew! 

It could be internal thoughts. 
The constant going around inside our heads.  Should I have done that?  What will he say?  What will they think about my proposal?  I wish I had done that differently.

Have you ever had the experience of parking your car and then having no idea where it was?  Have you ever had the experience of walking into a room and not knowing why you were there?  It’s true that these times can be dismissed as simple forgetfulness.  We all do forget.  But I wonder….

Buddhists talk about simple awareness.  And I think awareness is an important component of prayer for us Christians.  What am I doing right now?  What am I really doing right now?  Where is my focus?  Do I see the way that leaf on the tree moves in the slight breeze?  Or am I simply waiting for a car to appear to pick me up?

Simple awareness.  It’s so simple and it’s so hard.  We have to catch ourselves, stand outside that constant stream of thoughts and stop.  Look around.  See where we are.  See what we can perceive about what’s going on around us.

Painters do this, among others.  You see them with their easels, sitting by the hour facing a particular scene.  What awareness do they have, what awareness are they developing, both inside and outside, as they sit or stand there? 

Awareness doesn’t always come naturally.  It’s a discipline.  A way of being in the world.  And it can often be helped by the support of others.

We have decided to experiment with a prayer and meditation group this summer.  Prayer and meditation can mean a lot of things to a lot of people.  But one of the things I hope it means – at least for me – is heightened awareness of the world around me and God’s integral part in that world.
                                                                                                   Lucy
                                                                                    

Come and Dance in God’s Light and Love

The Sacred Dance Group is holding a Summer Workshop
Thursday, July 20th, from 6:00 -8:00 pm in our Sanctuary.

Everyone is invited to come and learn some of the simple
step turns, arabesques, and priest bows that weave
our dances together.  No dance or ballet experience is needed,
just a love to tell the story and share the music with motion.

Please talk with Marie Green, Lynne Mann or Diane Breeden
if you are interested or have questions.
Diane’s tel. is:  432-6865

FPC YOUTH, PARENTS, AND FRIENDS:  SAVE THESE DATES! 

This is your opportunity to get involved in our wonderful church and give something back to the community. It doesn’t matter whether you are young or old, have children, grandchildren, or no children. You all have God-given talents that can be shared with our growing church family. Please talk to Lucy or any member of the Christian Education Board, or call Shea in the church office to learn how you can be a part of this vibrant, important ministry.

We need help in the following areas:

  *Church School teachers
                                      *Teacher helpers
          *Church School Superintendents   
                          *Substitute teachers
                          *Summer Story Hour teachers

We were pleased to welcome three new members to the C.E. Board at our June meeting: Alec Cobban, Diane Gordon, and Tricia Dunn. We also say goodbye and many thanks to Kim Mann who will be leaving us to attend college in the fall. We still have one opening on the Board. Please contact Lucy, the Nominating Committee, or any C.E. Board member if you are interested in learning more about this important Committee.

As we vow during each Baptismal ceremony, we are ALL responsible for our children’s Christian education! You do not have to have children attending Church School to be a part of this ministry.

Just a reminder that there is no Church School during the summer. However, there is Story Hour for the children. We still need a few volunteers to read to the children this summer. Please check the sign-up board, which is located outside the main office.

Even though it is the middle of summer, we are very busy getting ready for the coming Church School year. On June 28th there will be an open meeting of teachers, CE Board, superintendents, and any others who would like to discuss our Church School’s curriculum. We are always looking for ways to improve and enhance our program.

Our annual summer retreat this month will focus on curriculum and procedures. We are working to make it easier for our wonderful volunteer teachers by writing up new procedure manuals and updating all curriculum material. We still have a few openings on some teaching teams. Please talk to Lucy or a Board member if you are interested in teaching this fall.

Don’t forget Vacation Church School….. Captain Crackers is calling all treasure seekers to help him Explore God’s Promises. Join us the week of July 24th--July 28th. Volunteers (adult and youth) are still needed to help with this fun-filled week of stories, songs, games, and crafts. Come and explore!

Cathy Baumann, Beth Bellevue Ruth Brooks, Alec and Rachel Cobban, Jane and Tricia Dunn,
Diane Gordon, Andy Keller, Lori Montgomery, Julie Turner, Melanie VanSteensburg,
staffed by Lucy Alexander

FOOD FOR THOUGHT..........

“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”
Malachi 3:3

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at the next Bible study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot, then she thought again about the verse that says: “He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.”

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire.

If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s easy--when I see my image in it.”

It today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you!

more upcoming events...

Mark your calendars now: 
Sunday, July 23rd
(raindate:  July 30th)
3:00 pm to whatever...

We’ve reserved the Don Ball Park on Humphrey Road for an all-church softball game.  We’ll gather around 3:00 to play ball (or cheer from the sidelines, if you’d rather). 

We’ll share a potluck picnic sometime around 5:00 or 5:30.  There are picnic tables and a playground there, but we can’t reserve them in advance.  Maybe there will even be a chance for Frisbee for those so inclined.  Bring lawn chairs, some food to share, and yourself.  See you there!

Once again, First Parish has rented Horton Center for Labor Day weekend. Horton Center is a 100-acre site on top of Pine Mountain in Gorham, NH (accessible by car).

The facilities include a large dining room and kitchen, sleeping areas with bunk beds and mattresses (both with and without bathrooms), recreation and indoor meeting space, arts and crafts buildings, playfields, hiking trails, Adirondack shelters, low challenge ropes course, and outdoor chapel. It's a wonderful weekend for people of all ages to join in great conversation, enjoy yummy food, sing around a campfire, watch beautiful sunsets, hike in the Presidentials, read a good book, sleep under twinkling stars, pedal your bike over country roads, swim in the brisk water of a swimming hole, crawl through caves, worship together at Chapel Rock and feel the presence of God like you do in few other places.

We share together in food prep, cooking and clean up duties. The costs for the weekend have not been finalized, but no one should stay away because of money. To learn more or to sign up, speak with Dave Holigan (dave@islandpond.com or 603-329-6534)

Pastors' Discretionary Fund

We were recently able to add $438.85 to the Discretionary Fund from the sale of John Bell worship and music resources. The books and CDs were sold to us on a consignment basis, and Council approved of the profit being added to the fund.

The Discretionary Fund is a confidential resource available to Alice and Lucy to respond to needs within the congregation and the community (food, fuel assistance, medical bills, electricity, rent or mortgage payments, etc). Many thanks to all who support it's work. If you would like to contribute at any time, write a check to the church and mark it for the Discretionary Fund.

On a different note: we're still working on rescheduling John Bell's visit. We'll let you know as soon as we know. And we'll have more music and worship resources when he comes!

 We have 20 spaces (16 years and older) reserved for that week and will be staying at the same church where we stayed in May (Little Farms UCC). It would be nice to think that the work will be more rebuilding than clean up, but it's much too early to know what the need will be.

Mark the date on your calendar now, and speak with Alice Ling to sign up.

Mission Statement
First Parish Congregational Church, UCC, is a community of faith built upon a firm foundation of worship, prayer and education.  In affirming diversity, we are dedicated to welcoming all people who seek the Word of God, Christian fellowship and service to others.  In partnership with Christ and led by the Holy Spirit, we reach out to the ever-widening community through active and loving ministry.

Nursing Home Friends
Velma Allen
Ida Ceresale
Haven Health Center, Derry