FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UCC
200 Main Street, P.O. Box 1300
Wellfleet, MA 02667-1300
The Rev. Paul Cullity, Pastor
Phone (508)349-6877
FAX (508)349-7732
Email:
www.wellfleetchurch.org
Tidings- March & April 2016
Thank you to everyone who has turned in a pledge card. As of March 15, 2016 the total amount of our received pledges is $79,541. This church has always been endowed with a lot of Faith and Hope. We are still strong in Faith and Hope for the future.
Nancy Cook
Stewardship Committee
2016 EASTER FLOWERS ORDER FORM
Please order the following flowers to be placed on the altar and narthex for Easter Sunday.
How Many Type Price each
______6” Easter Lily $18.50
______8” Easter Lily $31.00
(2 stems)
______6” Tulip $12.50
(6 bulbs)
______6” Hyacinth $12.50
(3 bulbs)
______6”Hydrangea $30.00
(4 blooms)
______6” Daffodil $12.50
In memory of:______
Given by:______
__ I will take my plant after the 10AM service Easter Sunday.
OR
__ I will leave my plant to be given to a housebound person.
Attached is my check in the total amount of $______. Payable to: First Congregational Church Note: “for Easter Flowers”
Orders must be received no later than Sunday, March 20th .
Thank you!
Pastor’s Musings
Easter is at the heart of the Christian Year, no matter when it comes! This year, many have been surprised at Easter’s early arrival, though it happens in March more than a third of the time. We still arrive at the date for Easter in an ancient formula, which reminds us that this, too, is an ancient festival. It began in a time when everything wasn’t structured around the most convenient dates. The origin of these movable feasts was in the agricultural year, tied to the moon and to the world around us. Today, we like to pick a convenient day and time for everything, and appoint it, once for all.
What does all this have to do with us today, you ask? Well, feasts like Easter have gotten so secular in their observance, that it’s actually a really good thing that society hasn’t forced us into their mold of picking a convenient date. Why there’s a whole generation of children who couldn’t correctly answer the date of Lincoln’s or Washington’s birthdays, because we no longer observe them on days connected to their stories. Imagine how long it would take to forget Easter’s story if the date was set by the Chocolate companies! I’m grateful that this one is a little complicated. The uncertainty about Lent and Easter’s dating each year helps to remind me that we really never know when God is going to enter our lives. It might be soon, it might even be now, or we might have to wait awhile to see what God will do.
The important thing is for us to remain open to that surprise that occurs when God truly arrives. When we look around at all the signs of life in our church these days, it’s easy to believe that God’s time is right now. What a wonderful thing it is to see Love blossom and Faith come alive in people’s lives. We are truly having Spring! We are all ready for winter to be behind us, even when winter is gentle! Let’s experience the wonder and newness of God’s great Easter Grace together! He is Risen, indeed, Alleluia!
Pastor Paul
WE EXPRESS OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO:
Family & Friends of
Thom Dutton on the death of his sister, Joyce who died on January 16th. Cards may be sent to Thom Dutton, P.O. Box 922, West Chatham, MA 02669
Donna Grout on the death of her mother, Joyce Allen who died on February 20th. Cards may be sent to Donna Grout, P.O. Box 751, Wellfleet, MA 02667
Ernie Bauer on the death of his wife, Patricia who died on January 29th. Cards may be sent to Ernie Bauer, P.O. Box 143, Wellfleet, MA 02667
The family & friends of Owen MacNutt who died on February 11th.
The family & friends of Margaret Stolnacke who died on February 12th.
The Chester “Chet” Norris on the death of his wife, Cindy who died on February 15th. A memorial service will be held here on April 23rd at 1:00p.m.
______
Change of Address
Donna Jordan
c/o Karen Kelly
96 Conklin Road
Stafford Springs, CT 06076
Michael Smith
4215 Academy Cv., Apt. 201
Wilmington, NC 28403-3219
______
Military List
Please call the church office with names of family members or other loved ones who are serving in the armed forces of our Country.
Andrew Porteus, son of Nancy & Jonathan Porteus; Simon Berrio, son of Beth & Buddy Berrio; Mark Spillane; Danny James; Versalles Washington, brother of Frank Thomas ; Keith Lajoie, nephew of Holly & David Lajoie; Matt Perry, grandson of Jewell Barker.
______MARCH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS !
3/6 Brad Williams
3/7 Heidi Dyer, Alex Widrow & Irene Nelson
3/8 Patrick Winslow
3/12 Rachael Lajoie
3/23 Ronald Sloan
3/24 Mignon Barry
3/27 Karen Cook
3/30 Joan Kirchner
______
APRIL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS !
4/6 Karen Murphy
4/7 Isabel Souza & Cora Laughlin
4/9 Carey Rea
4/11 Skylar Nichols
4/18 Karen Blewitt
4/21 Jane Corbin
4/22 Pearl Johnson & Susan Eenigenburg
4/25 Christina Laughlin
4/26 Barbara Kantor
4/27 James Cook
______
PRAYER LIST
Please contact the church office to add a name or update this list.
“If one member suffers, all suffer together…If one member is honored, all rejoice together.”(1 Cor. 12:26) May the presence of Jesus Christ be with those on our PRAYER LIST and with those who care for them. Pray for:
Bill Beik Linda Blakeley
Amy Costa Cassandra Evans Carol French Sueko Hall Donna Jordan Nancy Nye Al Riefenhauser Betsy Searcy Ann Swanson
And for those who are chronically ill and confined to their homes, nursing homes and hospitals. Please notify the pastor when family or friends are hospitalized.
______
WORSHIP FOR MARCH 2016
March 20: (Palm Sunday)
Ushers:
Greeters:
Reader:
First Reading: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Gospel: Luke 19:28-40
Sermon: Letting God in!
March 27: (Resurrection of the Lord/Easter)
Ushers:
Greeters:
Reader:
First Reading: Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:19-26
Gospel: Luke 24:1-12
Sermon: Looking for the Living!
WORSHIP FOR APRIL 2016
April 3: (Second Sunday of Easter)
Ushers:
Greeters:
Reader:
Comm. Svrs:
First Reading: Acts 5:27-32
Gospel: John 20:19-31
Sermon: The Leap of Faith
April 10: (Third Sunday of Easter)
Ushers:
Greeters:
Reader:
First Reading: Acts 9:1-6(7-20)
Gospel: John 21:1-19
Sermon: Love is All You Need
April 17: (Fourth Sunday of Easter)
Ushers:
Greeters:
Reader:
First Reading: Acts 9:36-43 (Psalm 23)
Gospel: John 10:22-30
Sermon: Tell Us Plainly
April 24: (Fifth Sunday of Easter)
Ushers:
Greeters:
Reader:
First Reading: Acts 11:1-18
Gospel: John 13:31-35
Sermon: Commanded to Love
Sacred Conversations on Race
by Anthony Moujaes
The issue of racism has surfaced in communities around the country recently, with public protests surrounding the deaths of black men at the hands of police taking place in Ferguson, New York, Baltimore and Cleveland. When Cleveland, home of the denomination's national offices, hosts the General Synod of the United Church of Christ at the end of this month, the church's governing body will speak to the issue of racism once again through its pronouncement of resolutions and public witness calling for fairness of all people, regardless of their skin color.
The Rev. M. Linda Jaramillo, executive minister of UCC Justice and Witness Ministries, says that people of faith are called to erase racism. "The Bible tells us in Galatians 2 that 'God shows no partiality'," she said. "If I truly understand and believe this, then it is my Christian obligation to work toward the eradication of this societal blight based upon one's skin color."
The Rev. Geoffrey A. Black, newly retired UCC general minister and president, believes that addressing racism through faith requires a mix of justice and peace. "I discussed this in a pastoral letter at the end of 2014, and I still think that the struggle for justice and peace are linked," Black said. "To engage in the struggle takes courage and a renewed commitment to advocacy and action, to deepening racial awareness by engaging in sacred conversation, and to truthfully examining – then dismantling — the systems of privilege set in place by racism. During this past year’s General Synod in Cleveland, we took part in that journey and joined in that struggle together to find and build a beloved community."
______
Helping Our Women
Helping Our Women (HOW) is a resource for women from Provincetown to Eastham who have chronic or life threatening health conditions. This organization was started by a small group of women who came together to help a friend with a cancer diagnosis navigate new, uncharted medical channels.
Since 1992, HOW’s core services, financial assistance and transportation, have become the safety net for so many women on the Outer Cape. HOW now serves 216 women including 36 new clients in 2015. Our amazing volunteers provide rides to local medical appointments. We welcome new volunteers at any time! Through the generosity of Cape Air and our collaboration with the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA), we are able to provide safe transportation to those who are receiving treatment in Boston.
With our monthly financial assistance to clients, payments are made for such expenses as prescription co-pays, special therapies, and utilities. Our support groups provide a safe haven for mutual support and understanding for those living with serious illnesses. We have a small food and personal products pantry that is replenished regularly by HOW’s friends. Beginning this year, our pantry will be offering fresh produce and high quality, nutritious frozen foods made possible a grant from the Kelley Foundation to acquired refrigerator.
If you know someone who could use our services, or if you want to get involved as a volunteer, please contact us at 508-487-4357 or at .
In addition, HOW is pleased to host the Outer Cape HomeShare Program. This program is increasing the supply of affordable, year round housing by promoting and facilitating the matchup of people who may have a spare room or apartment in their home with someone seeking year round housing. The benefits to the homeowner and the home seeker are many. To learn more about Outer Cape HomeShare, please call Andrea McGee at 774-538-6093 or email at . You can also leave a message at HOW.
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The First Congregational Church
Of Wellfleet, UCC
Envisioning Meeting, November 22, 2015
Dianne Eib opened the meeting, Rev. Susan Eenigenburg opened in prayer.
Rev. Susan Eenigenburg opened with the topic of declining attendance. This is an issue for most churches; it is not unique to our congregation. She asked that we reflect on our mission statement during the meeting. Susan read the Mission Statement to inspire us as we go forward.
Our church moves in the spirit of God’s love, calling us individually and together
to welcome all persons of all ages into community life,
to worship with the Holy Spirit’s music in our hearts,
to share and encourage a life of faith in Jesus Christ,
to seek to bring peace and hope into our broken world,
to respond with love and justice to the needs of friend and stranger.
The first line is about welcoming. What are the positive things that our congregation has accomplished regarding the first line? There was discussion reflecting on this. It was suggested that there is room for improvement to step out of our usual patterns during informal events, such as coffee hour, reaching out to new faces and/or chatting with a variety of people during these times. It will take a group effort to help create an atmosphere where newcomers feel welcome. In the future, it would be good to discuss a hospitality team.
The second line is about our Worship. Is our worship engaging person, both regulars and newcomers? Is there anything that needs changing? Is the Holy Spirit present in our worship? Worship is primary to who we are as a church. It needs to be lively and welcoming to everyone. It was suggested that a change in format once in a while is nice. Today’s service represented a positive and lively change. Members of the choir expressed their enjoyment of being able to sit in the pews and participate in worship in a different manner. There was a short discussion regarding the choir having the summers off. Brad explained that maybe that could be explored. Our current worship model is based on a time when more summer visitors attended church than in the winter months. This has since changed, not many attend in the summer months anymore and we lose many of our winter families for the summer due to work. More exploration is needed in this area.
The third line is that “we” are the core of the church. What are our needs as a faith community? How can we provide a grounded in our faith for newcomer? This topic will be discussed in the future.
The fourth and fifth lines are about outreach. It is a statement to the world, that even though we see the world around us broken, we see a world of hope and peace. It was mentioned that perhaps we could put more effort into outreach. Dianne stated that “we” are all a part of the church and how vital face to face meetings are to ensure better communication and transparency regarding the functioning of the congregation. A list of teams and its members were distributed. Dianne Eib asked if those listed on teams should communicate to her if they would like to stay on the teams or be removed. Dot Oberding thought it would be informative to reach out to those we have lost to open a discussion as to why they are no longer with us. This would help improve the areas where we are week and need some work. It was agreed that this is an important task and should be done. This could be done anonymously. Suzanne Thomas raised the point that starting with small goals would be good. Perhaps monthly or bi-monthly providing meals to those who cannot afford to feed themselves. Hunger and isolation are two large issues in Wellfleet. Meals would help bring together those who are feeling isolated and those who need meal assistance. The small amount of money spent to provide meals would be worth the outreach that would be accomplished. Peter Swanson provided a personal take on what it has meant to him and his wife, Ann, who have found the meals and warmth from the church to be very touching and comforting to them during Ann’s illness. Dianne Eib also thought it would be a good gesture to host a dinner for the Wellfleet Methodist Church as a type of thank you for allowing us to park in their lot. Barbara Knapp suggested that a breakdown of tasks so they are not so overwhelming may make it more appealing for people to sign up.