Signpost Newsletter


The Signpost is the monthly newsletter of Bolton Congregational Church. Just click on a month to jump down the page and read that issue:

 

Contributions to the Signpost may be emailed to signpost@boltoncongregational.org.


 

September 2008

Church School News…You Can Use

A warm welcome back to everyone in church school! To those who were able to participate in the summer Incredible Edibles program on Sundays or the Summer Vacation Bible School in July, we hope that fun was had by all. A big thank you to all who helped to make both programs a big success.

Our church school will begin on September 7th, otherwise known as Super Sundae Sunday, where everyone is welcome to enjoy a delicious sundae, compliments of the Board of Christian Education, following worship. Students will attend their classes as always, half way through the service and then break once worship has ended to delight in their sundaes. This will give them an opportunity to meet their teachers and learn about the wonderful activities planned for the fall.

Here is our slate of teachers for this coming church year. We are blessed and thankful for their time and talents.

As you can see, there are a few open positions. However, Jessica Romeo is hopeful that these positions will be filled prior to the start of church school on September 7th.

Please welcome our teachers and thank them for all of their efforts.

If you did not receive a registration form for church school in the mail, please use the one found in the SIGNPOST to register your children for church school. After the form is completed, please mail it into the church office or leave it in the box in the narthex labeled "registration forms". Thank you for assisting with this process.

We look forward to a great year filled with learning more about the Bible and Jesus, exploring our faith, sharing together, and having fun. Don't forget to bring your sundae appetites on September 7th!

Faithfully submitted on behalf of the CE Board, Sharon Witham, Chairperson

 

Sundae Social

Welcome back Church School Families!  I hope everyone had a wonderful summer vacation and you are ready for this next Church School Year, which begins with our Super Sundae Sunday on September 7th.  Get ready for some ice cream!  We are in the process of planning our upcoming year of Christian Education and it promises to be a great one.  We have some new teachers coming in this year and some familiar faces returning.  Please take a moment and meet your children's teacher/s and thank them for all their hard work. 

We are also planning on a Church School Open House sometime in October so each family will have the opportunity to sit in on their children's church school class and experience what they are learning.  We will be sending the date for the open house home with your children in the next few weeks.

As always, I am here to answer any questions or concerns you may have so please do not hesitate to call the church office I am in Wednesday and Friday mornings.  You can also catch me after church on Sundays.  Again, welcome back!

Jessica Romeo,  Interim Church School Director

 

Check it out…

Fall is here! And so is a new bible study opportunity. Bible Study will continue to be offered on a drop-in basis on Thursday nights to both men and women.  Please join us at each Thursday evening worship service where bible study will follow the service in the Church parlor.  This is your chance to discuss any topic.  Thursday evenings where there is no service, bible study will continue to be open from 7:00 – 8:30 to all at the home of Cindy Fiano.  You need not come every week!  Come when you can for an ongoing discussion of different books of the Bible as well as the Bible in our lives today. We often enjoy dessert and coffee together and the conversation is lively. Hope to see you there soon.

-- Cindy Fiano, Adult Christian Education

 

Adult Education Forum

Sunday, October 26 in Chandler Hall, 11:30 lunch with discussion from 12:30 to 2:30.  Lunch and book discussion co-sponsored with the Bolton Community Education Foundation on "The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew – Three Women Search for Understanding," by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, and Priscilla Warner.  Program presenters are Maria Descy, Aida Mansoor, and Rabbi Debra Cantor. You may purchase the book at your local book store. Please join us.

-- Cindy Fiano, Adult Christian Education

 

Crafters News

Our Tuesday morning crafter group met throughout the summer months.  They made hand crafted cards, worked on quilts and wooden items and took care of the cleaning, sorting, and general upkeep of the Church Store. We meet each Tuesday morning from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Please feel free to come and join us.

We hope that everyone had a wonderful summer but look forward to your return and the increased activity at the store that so many seem to enjoy on Sunday mornings.  The summer is always very slow at the store as it was in our rented space downtown at the Manchester Antiques Mall at 811 Main St., Manchester.   We do feel, however, that we are doing fine there for the moment.  We went into this venture when the economy was quite poor and still is.  We are ahead by $l50.00 at the present time and feel that it will take some time before people find us.

THE Church Store now has items for sale posted on the Church website www.boltoncongregational.org  thanks to the expertise of Lisa Catanese and her willingness to help us to accomplish this new venture. You will find photos with descriptions and prices of several handcrafted and vintage items that are of interest and are on display at the Church Store. We have assigned an e-mail address specifically for the store section for your convenience.  www.bcc.chrchstr.@gmail.com

We would like to thank everyone who makes donations to the Store.  We receive many beautiful items that are donated on a regular basis.  We have just received several beautiful 1981 Signature/Limited Edition plates from the Franklin Porcelain collection of “The Woodland Year” by Peter Barrett, a set of eight etched parfait glasses by Princess House in the Heirloom pattern, a group of Department 56 hand painted porcelain houses, and several other pieces from Jeanette Fetzer and a doll collection from her mother, Frances Bolduc.  These items will be on display at the Store shortly.  We do our best to research these types of donations so that we are able to include this information with each item when it is placed on display. We diligently try our best to price items that fall into the collectible and vintage categories appropriately as we feel very fortunate that they are made with our church support in mind.  Thank you all for your continued generosity.

Please remember that we have a donation receipt for your donated items.  If you have not received one, please feel free to request one from Lynn Ralston or the church office.

Also, it would be very helpful if you would leave your name when making donations along with any information you might be able to furnish about them especially if they are “vintage/heirloom” or collectible  (i.e. age, history, idea for pricing, etc.). 

-- Lynn Ralston

 

From The Heart News

Our church made a substantial contribution to the Back-To-School project that From The Heart has each year during the summer months. These supplies are collected for children in the State of Connecticut Department of Children and Families as well as for children who are from families of little means. We literally collected a “trunk load” of everything needed to start the school year. Bruce Ralston spent much of his time shopping the penny, nickel, dime and quarter items at several stores. Another anonymous donor added many zipper pouches that were filled with school items and fit into 3 ring binders-this was a wonderful addition. And, many times during the summer months we found additional items in our yellow and white checked donation box. Wanda and Charles Fenton and Bruce and Lynn Ralston donated money for new backpacks again this year and Charles Fenton went to NY to a distributor and was able to get 51 backpacks and have them shipped directly to Laura Ann. Several other new and gently used backpacks were also donated. These donations will go a long way to help send over 100 children to school with the necessary items needed. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this project. Your efforts, thoughtfulness and generosity are making a huge difference to many young people in our community.

Below is part of August 2008 From the Heart Newsletter

Soldier News: David Koonce:

I've only been here in Afghanistan for about 3 weeks, so I've got another 49 to go! (I guess it's too early to start counting down already.)

This is my 7th deployment in 17 years, but only the second 1 year tour since 9/11. I'm a military police officer, like Dawn. I am married -it will be 18 years this January - and have two children. Our oldest daughter is 13 and our youngest daughter is 7. We just adopted our youngest daughter from China about 6 months ago - arriving back from China on Thanksgiving Day in 2007. We currently live in Missouri (Fort Leonard Wood), but will be moving to Georgia (Fort Benning) upon my return from Afghanistan. My wife and I are strong Christians and value your prayers. Thank you for your support. David (or Dave...most people call me Dave, except my wife who calls me David)".

“We have a small PX here on Camp Eggers, but most of the time items sell out quickly. From the team's perspective, the Crystal Light Peach/MangoGreen Tea in the individual packages is a hit. We have at least one person in the group who loves the cheese Doritos. Another team member likes mixed nuts.” (More personalized items to come)

We are seeking donations to send to our new soldier contact in Afghanistan who has taken over for Dawn. Edible snack items/candies are still on the top of their list! We also need help to fill a box with tennis balls, wiffle balls and nerf balls for David and his comrades to hand out to the children they interact with! Their jobs are difficult and emotionally taxing…won’t you help us send a little bit of home to our soldiers in Afghanistan?

 

News From The BCC Search Committee

Thank you to all our church members that completed the recent survey by rating the primary responsibilities of an Associate Pastor for Christian Education or a Christian Education Director.  By completing this survey, you have helped us to assess the needs of our church family. The committee received and reviewed 48 surveys, which represents approximately 20% of our active membership. Each of the eleven items ranging from specific Christian education responsibilities to preaching at least once per month received a rating of higher than moderate importance.  

The Search Committee has begun dialogue regarding the findings and will start to complete the Church profile with the assistance of our Regional Minister.  Please be sure to check your Signpost, as well as the BCC website (www.boltoncongregational.org) for monthly updates on the Search Committee's progress.  Again, thank you for your support as we continue our journey toward new beginnings.  Committee members are:  Cindy Dakin, Chuck Ericson, Cindy Fiano, Jane Hooper, Ross Lally, Dot Lessard, Doug Sauer, Ruth Treat and Ginny Wickersham.

 

New “Disciple” Orientation Gathering

If you have found a spiritual home here in our congregation, and feel ready to formally join our church, please plan to gather with other potential new “disciples” on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the meeting room in the lower level of the Meetinghouse.  Our pastor and several deacons will be present to help you get to know more about our church’s programs and ministries, as well as what goes into the decision to officially become part of the church family.  This is a low-key, “no pressure” event designed to help you in making this decision – and to make it even more inviting, refreshments will be served!

Those who do decide to take this important step of faith will be welcomed and received into the church on Sunday, October 5, 2008 at the 10:00 a.m. communion service.  If you have any questions, please call or e-mail Chuck (649-7077; chuck.ericson@boltoncongregational.org)

 

Prayer Shawl Ministry

This knitting group usually meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. year round in the lower level of the Meetinghouse.  Our next meeting is September 22, 2008.

In the past several years we have provided more than 100 beautiful hand-knitted shawls for friends and family of our church.  We have been gratified by your interest and support during this time.  Members of our church family are welcome to request a shawl as a gift of caring, comfort, or for the joy of a celebration.  All are welcome to attend a meeting.  Just bring your knitting needles if you would like to learn.  We have a supply of yarn purchased with your generous donations to our ministry.  Come to knit, stitch, make fringe, or just to visit as we share in the joy of the comfort our gift will bring the recipient.

If you would like to request a shawl, please contact Dot Lessard or fill out a request form and leave it in the offering plate, or give it to any member of the prayer group.  Sometimes a shawl is ready, but if you would like to choose a special color, please allow one month knitting time.

-- Dot Lessard, Prayer Shawl Ministry

 

From The Pastoral Relations Board

The committee for Pastoral Relations annually affords the opportunity for all the church members and friends of Bolton Congregational UCC to express their thoughts as to how the pastor has met your expectations for the year.  The information and comments you provide helps all of the church committees with a direction for our continued success and development.

During the month of October we will have an evaluation form available for you to fill out.  This form will have a list of questions for you to answer and a place for additional comments, or if you wish to add any personal comments you feel will be constructive.  Please feel free to sign and return the form by the last Sunday in October. 

If you are unable to attend church during the month and wish to provide any comments, the form is available on the church web or you may call the church office and a form will be mailed to you.

Thank you for this very useful feedback.

 

Our Missions At Work Around The World

Disaster Relief:

Church World Service is continuing to help partners in Myanmar with the rebuilding effort.  More than 116,000 vulnerable farmers have been provided seed stock and fertilizer, power tillers and fuel (one power tiller can speed up the planting process for some 20 families).  Also, land-owning farm families are being provided cash so they can provide employment to families out of work since the storm.  

In Malawi about 187,500 people in 150 rural villages are gaining access to clean water, with the help of Church World Service and long-time partner Christian Service Committee (only 32% Malawis have access to a safe water supply).  The main goals of the project are to provide clean water to help prevent waterborne disease, and to reduce the burden on women and girls who are responsible for fetching water and assuring their family’s health.   Village health and water committees are being trained to manage, maintain, and repair their community's new water systems. Villagers are also learning about better hygiene, sanitation, nutrition, the benefits of educating girl children, environmental conservation practices, and the prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Global Food Crisis:

Drought is causing a food crisis in Indonesia’s West Timor for more than 91 percent of households, according to a report by Church World Service.   CWS is also collaborating with the H.J. Heinz Company Foundation of Pittsburgh, PA, to provide micronutrient supplements.  CWS continues to support agriculture programs, education and training, small scale irrigation, and better drainage to improve food production in West Timor. 

Millions of people across the globe face malnutrition because of skyrocketing food prices. In Nicaragua 57 women leaders in 19 rural communities are developing three women-headed revolving funds to promote local development and food security initiatives, with the help of Church World Service, Foods Resource Bank, and local partner the Council of Evangelical Churches for a Denominational Alliance (CEPAD).  Through the CEPAD project, the women are learning to create and administer revolving funds for project development and to identify, educate, and train at least 50 additional women who will receive loans. The goal is for each fund to be self-sustainable.  The women are also strengthening their participation in local development initiatives and community affairs, and building stronger links with other community-based organizations with similar goals.

Response to U.S. Flooding:

The worst of the flooding in the central U.S. may be behind us, but massive clean-up and recovery are now ahead for families whose homes have been damaged or destroyed.  CWS Emergency Response Specialists have been

assessing needs in affected areas, planning for long-term recovery, training, and projects.  As a first step, Church World Service is providing more than 600  Emergency Clean-up Buckets, the majority of which were made by members of the United Church of Christ, to Adventist Community Services, Ankeny, Iowa, for distribution to families recovering from severe flooding in the central U.S.  If you want to help with the flood-related needs of our U.S. neighbors you can go to www.churchworldservice.org/kits to make a donation. 

Thanks for your continued support of these life saving missions.

-- Sandi Hastings, Board of Missions

 

Come Sing With Us…

Senior Choir rehearsals will resume on Wednesday, September 3rd, at 6:45 p.m. in the lower level of the Meetinghouse.  Please join us for an hour of singing and fellowship.  You can always come to see what we do even if you can’t make a commitment.

Junior Choir rehearsals are expected to resume on Sunday, September 14th, after church school.  We only meet for 15-20 minutes so come and sing with us.  All ages are welcome.

And A Big Thank You Also Goes To … The guest organist and all of the soloists who provided special music during the summer.

-- Mary Lou Prescher, Organist & Choir Director

 

Join Us For A Day Of Golf!

The 4th Annual Bolton Congregational Church Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2007, at Willow Brook Country Club in South Windsor. 

Registration is $75.00 and includes greens fees, cart, beverages and snacks and an all-you-can-eat lunch. For more information call the Church Office 649-7077 or click here for details.

 

Back Bay Mission Workcamp Update

At the end of last spring’s workcamp in Biloxi, Mississippi, the quality of the work we completed led to an invitation to return as soon as possible.  As you may recall hearing, through the expert leadership of Alan Potter and Dave Hooper and several others, we were instrumental in getting three families back into the homes they had been waiting to re-occupy since August 29, 2005 (the landfall of hurricane Katrina). 

While a candid discussion among our leaders reached the conclusion that we should stay with our “every-two-year” weeklong workcamp schedule, we also began to explore the possibility of sending smaller workgroups for long weekends to perform the kinds of jobs that will continue to get residents back into their home sooner than otherwise possible.  Craig Steenkamp, the construction coordinator at Back Bay Mission, was very open to this idea – and so this month four of our best workers (Alan Potter, Tom Mainville, Steve Davies and Dave Virone) will join with Chuck in traveling to Biloxi from September 19-21 to install flooring, kitchen cabinets & countertops, and other “finish” work that should expedite re-occupancy for one or more Biloxi families.  A second similar weekend trip is anticipated for November. 

Both of these trips will be financed by remaining funds from previous workcamps, with no expense to the participants who are generously donating their time and professional skills.  If this all works out well as anticipated, we may try to repeat this venture on a more regular basis in 2009 if finances can be arranged.  With hundreds of Biloxi residents being told they may still have several years of waiting to return to their homes, and with 20-30 people from our congregation expressing a willingness to offer their time and talent in this way, we hope it is God’s will that this can continue well into next year.  Please contact Chuck if you have interest or ideas. (649-7077; chuck.ericson@boltoncongregational.org)

We recently received a “Thank You” card from the homeowners whose house we helped to restore during our April workcamp at Back Bay Mission. It is so very touching, and certainly makes all of the sanding, taping, cutting, sanding, nailing, sanding & sanding worthwhile:

To congregation and each of you that God sent to put my house together. God bless each of you & we love you all word can't say. Thank you all again.

#6:24 NIV The Lord bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make His face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace. And they shall put thy name upon the children of Israel and I will bless them.

What can I say but thank you.

Shirley and Willie Williams
God Bless You All

The card is posted on the Missions bulletin board in Chandler Hall. (By the way, the "#6:24" above refers to the passage that is quoted which comes from the Old Testament book of "Numbers", chapter 6, verse 24. You surely recognize it as the benediction we hear nearly every Sunday and Thursday at our church!).

 

Worship Schedule For September

Sunday, September    7 – 8:45 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.
17th Sunday after Pentecost        Communion Sunday Super Sundae Sunday!
Message:          “Vetting”            Chuck Ericson

Sunday, September  14 – 8:45 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.
18th Sunday after Pentecost
Message:          “In the World, But Not of the World”       Chuck Ericson

Sunday, September  21 – 8:45 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.
19th Sunday after Pentecost 
Message:          “Woman Wisdom”         Jane Hooper

Sunday, September  28 – 8:45 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. 
20th Sunday after Pentecost
Message:          “Risk & Reward”            Chuck Ericson

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

And remember… If you can’t make a Sunday service, or prefer something less formal, come to worship at our:

Thursday Evening Services for September

Thursday, September  11 – 7:00-7:45pm
Message:   “Waiting Room” featuring the song “Waiting On the World to Change” by John Mayer.

Thursday, September 25 – 7:00-7:45pm (Communion)
Message:  “Secrets & Confidences” featuring the song “Dirty Little Secret” by the All-American Rejects.

** Bring an “unchurched” friend who might like a more contemporary service! **

 

From the Pastor…

Dear Disciples,

In my last article for the SIGNPOST, I introduced the idea of featuring a “Word of the Month” as a way of guiding us as a congregation to think and act more genuinely out of our Christian roots rather than the culture around us.  I began with the suggestion of thinking of me as your “pastor & teacher” rather than “CEO” of the church.

This month, I would like to reintroduce a word I have been using for awhile now: disciple.  You may recall that I have said that the concept of “member” in our culture often includes the expectation of receiving lots of benefits in return for minimal contributions (examples: warehouse clubs, credit card programs with no annual fee, etc.).  The notion of giving as little as possible and getting lots in return does not seem to reflect the ancient concept of being a Christian as taught by Jesus and modeled by the early followers of our Savior.

Being a disciple, on the other hand, does indeed reflect the beliefs and actions of those in the early Christian community.  They were disciplined in striving to understand and follow Jesus’ teachings – even when they were at odds with the customs and behaviors of the culture in which they lived.  They sought to mold believers into a community where giving generously of one’s time, talent & treasure in service to others was at the heart of daily life.  Jesus, the early disciples, and those who followed soon after all devoted themselves to exemplifying humility, holiness and integrity as they spread God’s love and good news wherever they went.  If there was need in someone’s life, they sought to address it – even if it meant great personal cost and sacrifice.  Being a faithful disciple of Jesus became primary, overriding all other pursuits (financial security, leisure activities, career advancement, etc.).

So you see, membership and discipleship mean two vastly different things.  To shift from the “membership mentality” to the “discipleship mentality” requires a conscious lifestyle change.  It means making a commitment to letting faith, rather than culture, guide your decisions...opinions...and actions.   It is certainly not easy – especially since the culture around us is very different, and in many ways more demanding and complex, than in the days of the first disciples.  But that is no reason to forsake “discipleship” for “membership”.  Indeed, for gifted and creative people like us, it is all the more reason to devote ourselves to figuring out how we can live as disciples in this place at this time in history.

It has been my growing hope over the past few years that we can do more than try to be like other churches that borrow from corporate models as a means of achieving success.  It is my hope that we can be a model to other churches – a model that is grounded in the ancient, but time-honored examples of Jesus’ first disciples. I hope to see you at worship this month, as my messages this month are designed to set a foundation for deepening the commitment to discipleship in our congregation.

Faithfully yours, Chuck

 

Legacy Corner -- Go For The Gold Medal

Hopefully you found time to watch the Olympic Games. There were so many tremendous individual and team performances. Great things can be accomplished when you set goals and work tirelessly.

The mission of Bolton Congregational Church UCC is to reveal the living body of Christ in our world, today. As we are fed by the uplifting power of God’s Spirit and by our compassionate support of one another, we become energized to share with others the abundance of love, the resources, and the happiness with which God has blessed us. As members of this Body, we commit ourselves as Christ’s disciples to share our abundance in many ways.

Over 100 members of our congregation devote their time and energy to serve on a dozen or more boards, committees, and groups furthering our mission. Many more regularly attend worship services and experience the uplifting message of our dedicated pastor and church staff. Still many more regularly and meaningfully contribute financially to the needs of the church as it works to carry out its mission. Numerous groups and individuals contribute time and resources raising funds to support the work of our church. Our clergy and group leaders regularly conduct numerous youth and adult programs in pursuit of our mission. As with the Olympics, the individual and team performances are exhilarating and inspiring.

In recent years, the church has renewed its focus on the need to grow its endowment. Given the number of centuries of our existence, our endowment is quite modest. Just like in sports, focusing time and attention on a weakness will result in overall improvement. We need your support. Please pause for a moment to consider how you might be able to remember the Church in planning your financial affairs. Please consider naming the Church as a beneficiary in your Will, or as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or a share of your retirement account.  If we all do our share, we can meet our goals and further the mission of our church.

 When you meet with your advisor to discuss your estate plan, please remember to include the Bolton Congregational Church in your plans.  Take time to consider the spirit, fellowship and joys you have found be being part of our Church.  Please consider naming the Bolton Congregational Church Endowment Fund as a beneficiary.  The Endowment Fund allows you the ability to target your gift to address the need you feel is most compelling.  Please consult the church’s website or speak to a member of the Legacy committee for the proper bequest language to use.  The Church always welcomes your gifts, now and in the future.  Please contact the Legacy Committee if you would like help including the Church in your estate plan.  Please call Ruth Treat or Bill Dakin.

 

From the Desk of Our Commissioned Minister

The message on the answering machine was, “Granny and Pop Pop, get on the web and type in; 'You Tube Aurora Hooper', then scroll down to Ocean Park Skim Boarding and watch the video.” There before our eyes were our grandkids, Aurora and Abbott and their cousin Matthew, on their boards at the beach in Maine. Amazing (to us) they had made this video by themselves and very good it was! At twelve and nine, they think nothing of the technology of the computer. They have become my teachers, for the technology of so many of today’s gadgets leaves me out in left field!

Ali, our nine-year-old granddaughter in Maine, decided she wanted to go to camp and off she went for a week this summer not knowing anyone. While she was having a great time meeting new little girls and experiencing new challenges, her six-year-old sister, Jorja, was having mom to herself and doing her own thing.

Our grandchildren are like all of their generation today, for given the chance; they embrace new opportunities – the world as it is evolving. I mention them and their ages (of course I am very proud of them!) because I am having a birthday – one I don’t look forward to, for I am 70 years of age. I don’t feel that old. I am not old! Where did all the years go? Looking in the mirror I still see the me that if you said I could leave next week for another study tour to the Holy Land or Timbuktu I would be ready to go!

The Beijing Olympics have just ended. What challenges, upsets and winnings there have been! Examples of fine sportsmanship, the team concept, not just individual glory, one country’s athletes honoring and showing respect to another. For a few weeks the young athletes of the world have lived and played together harmoniously and in joy. If goodwill could be lived for a few weeks, then why not for a few months, a few years?

School is starting. To achieve global harmony, it begins with each one of us – right where we live. Peace, love, and respect within the family, spilling over to school, to work, and to the community – the ripple effect, like the ripples from a stone thrown into a pond. Let us teach our children the technology of this fast paced world with all her fascinating advances and wonders. But most importantly, let us teach and live the “Golden Rule” which is found in all the great faiths, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

I write this sitting by the small lily pond off my patio. Sitting on a stone is a plump, smiling statue of a frog about five inches long and on top of him are seven live frogs, different sizes, all facing in one direction. They are aware of me but make no move to jump. Glancing around to the smaller pond I realize the rocks are alive with more, their eyes taking me in. When was the last time you simply shared a stare with one of God’s small creatures? Except for the trickling water fountain, all is almost quiet. Only the whirling sound of the humming birds’ wings, fills my ears. The hummers are now busy drinking their fill of sugar water for their long flight ahead. In the stillness, the frogs and birds and I, share a holy time.

Teach the children about God the creator - about the daily little wonders and miracles - about how all species must get along and live in harmony - about giving thanks and grateful hearts and especially about love – God’s love to us and our love back to God and to each other!

Shalom, Jane Hooper, Commissioned Minister

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Summer 2008 Signpost

 

Annual Chicken Bar-B-Q Dinner

Join us for our Annual Chicken Bar-B-Q Dinner, to be held Saturday, July 19, 2008, with continuous seating from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The menu features a half-chicken ($9.00); quarter-chicken  ($7.00); potato salad; coleslaw; cranberry sauce; dessert and beverage. Held at Chandler Hall, Bolton Congregational Church, 228 Bolton Center Road.

While you are there, don’t forget to visit our crafter’s store for unique hand-crafted items and “previously loved” treasures. To make reservations and purchase advance dinner tickets, please call the church office at 649-7077.

 

Our Summer Program: God's Big Backyard

Where?  Bolton Congregational Church

When?  July 14-18, 2008, 6-8 p.m. Friday is a family cookout!

Who?  Ages 4 years through entering 6th grade

Why?  The children will learn how to serve their families, friends, neighbors, community and Jesus. The children will be encouraged to complete individual acts of service that they will learn about at the program, and then take home to practice – called “It’s Your Serve”.  What a great opportunity for the children to learn about helping others!  We have exciting activities planned full of fun, games, music, crafts and kid-friendly activities.

Cost?  $10.00 per child (maximum $25.00 per family). Please bring a plain white T-shirt to be decorated the first night

Call the Church Office, (860) 649-7077, for more information or to register

 

Church School News…You Can Use

This is your last chance to sign up for summer fun at BCC! Summer Vacation Bible School kicks off on July 14th through the 18th from 6 - 8 PM with a wonderful program called "God's Big Backyard". The summer program is designed fro all children from preschool age through those entering 6th grade. There will be all kinds of exciting activities planned full of fun, games, music, crafts and special guests.

The children will learn how to serve their families, friends, neighbors, community and Jesus and will be encouraged to complete their own acts of kindness based on what they have learned at VBS that week. What better way to practice "It's Your Serve" than at home with family, friends and neighbors. The cost for the program is $10/child or $25/family. All children participating are asked to bring a white t-shirt to be decorated the first night of the program. Any child or family who is interested should contact the church office at 649-7077.

For those who are returning, bring a new friend and for those who are new to our program, we welcome you and rest assured that your children will not only have an awesome time but will learn how to better serve others as Jesus has taught us. For all those assisting with the program, we will be meeting on July 7th at 7 PM to finalize the plans.

Incredible Edibles will continue every Sunday morning throughout the summer for all children in grades Pre-K through 4th grade. We encourage anyone who might like to help out with this fun program to sign up in Chandler Hall. There are still a few open spaces available. Thank you for volunteering.

The CE board is still looking for a few teachers for the fall. If you feel a calling to pass on your Christian wisdom and gifts to the children, please contact Jessica Romeo at the church office 649-7077 with any questions or concerns. No resume or experience required! It is truly a worthwhile experience and with the team teaching approach and user-friendly lesson plans, it can be a wonderful way to share your time and talents!

To all CE members, we will be meeting on August 25th at 7PM. We will be planning for the church school kickoff in September and regrouping for the fall programs. Church Council has also asked us to review the CE by-laws as we may need to update them and bring them into the 21st century! See you all then.

-- Sharon Witham, Board of Christian Ed

 

Adult Christian Ed -- "The Faith Club" Forum

Please join us in the second of a series of adult Christian Education forums on Sunday, October 26.  (Time and location TBD.)  The forum will present interfaith conversations with Muslim, Christian, and Jewish perspectives.  Please hold the date.  We recommend reading “The Faith Club” by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, and Priscilla Warner prior to the forum.  This memoir of spiritual reflections is in the three voices of the faiths and has spawned interfaith discussion groups in churches, temples, mosques, and other community settings.

-- Cindy Fiano, Adult Christian Ed

 

Check it out…Adult Bible Study

Both men and women are welcome to join the ongoing Bible Study at the home of Cindy Fiano every Thursday night, 7:00-8:30 PM. During this summer, we will not be having bible study on Thursday, July 3.  We will be attending worship services on Thursdays July 10 and August 7 at 7:00.

You need not come every week!  Come when you can for an ongoing discussion of different books of the Bible as well as the Bible in our lives today. We often enjoy dessert and coffee together and the conversation is lively. Hope to see you there soon.

 

Join Us For A Day Of Golf!

Our 4th Annual Bolton Congregational Church Golf Tournament is the first Saturday after Labor Day, on Sept. 6, 2008 at the Willow Brook Country Club in South Windsor. Registration will be at 8:30a.m. with Tee-off at 10:00 a.m. sharp!   For more information call the Church Office at 649-7077 or click here.

 

Prayer Shawl Ministry

This knitting group usually meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. year round in the lower level of the Meetinghouse.  Our next meeting is July 28, 2008.

In the past several years we have provided more than 100 beautiful hand-knitted shawls for friends and family of our church.  We have been gratified by your interest and support during this time.  Members of our church family are welcome to request a shawl as a gift of caring, comfort, or for the joy of a celebration.  All are welcome to attend a meeting.  Just bring your knitting needles if you would like to learn.  We have a supply of yarn purchased with your generous donations to our ministry.  Come to knit, stitch, make fringe, or just to visit as we share in the joy of the comfort our gift will bring the recipient.

If you would like to request a shawl, please contact Dot Lessard or fill out a request form and leave it in the offering plate, or give it to any member of the prayer group.  Sometimes a shawl is ready, but if you would like to choose a special color, please allow one month knitting time.

-- Dot Lessard, Prayer Shawl Ministry

 

Our Church World Service Support Reaches Myanmar and China

Local volunteers are working in Myanmar with support from CWS to distribute much-needed relief items to survivors, including rice, salt, drinking water, and plastic sheeting.  Volunteers report that all the school buildings in the area are destroyed, making it nearly impossible for children to return to school as planned this month.  In addition, CWS local faith partners in Myanmar are providing clean water (through purification tablets and well cleaning), food, shelter, health care (including medical teams of doctors and nurses), clothing, blankets, and psychosocial support. 

Church World Service partner the Amity Foundation continues to provide assistance to vulnerable communities devastated by the May 12 earthquake and aftershocks in south central China.  Amity is working to provide emergency shelter supplies and quilts for some 8,000 families, and food support for 16,000 of the most vulnerable people.  Following the crisis phase, Amity will assist in rebuilding 600 homes, 10 schools, and five clinics, along with water and irrigation systems.

Thank you for your support of these important ministries.

-- Sandy Hastings, Board of Missions

 

Time to Update Our Church Directory!

The Board of Deacons is looking for a group of people or an individual who would be interested in creating/compiling a new church directory. Our current directory is over five years old and needs updating. The church has a computer program that would make it quite easy to create a new directory. This would be a great way to get to know all of our church members. Please contact any Deacon, Melanie in the church office, or Chuck.

-- The Board of Deacons

 

Crafters News

BCC Crafters to offer items from the Church Store on our church website -- click here to see them.  We will post photos of some of our new and vintage items and attempt to make accurate descriptions to keep you informed of what is new and of interest to both our members and others who might visit our site.  All will be priced and a separate e-mail address has been set up for your convenience where you may request additional information or photos. Some of the items that will be included are quilts, jewelry, glassware, flour sack fabric (recently acquired and of interest to any quilters that repair or work with vintage materials) and handcrafted items. If this is of interest to you, please check the website occasionally and bear with us as this is quite a new venture for us! 

We have added one more prayer box bracelet to the church website - Rhodonite.  This is the stone of grace and elegance. It decreases anxiety while increasing attention to detail.  It helps one to achieve their greatest potential.  It is a calming stone and promotes balance.  The color pink relates to love and the color black relates to a grounding influence.

The Church Store will be open and available to all during the summer as well.  We will continue to accept donations and they will be added to the Store on a weekly basis. Often time’s new items remain for a very limited period of time as we have very little room for storage.  Many of the items will move to The Manchester Antiques Mall at 811 Main St., Manchester where we have rented a small area to display and sell our items.  The Mall is open Tues., Wed., Fri., & Sat. 10:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. – Thurs. 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.  Please make it a point to stop by the Mall to see where we are and what the other shop owners have to offer.  On Thursdays you are, also, able to check out the items that go up for auction each Thursday evening at 6:30.  It sounds like a lively auction…approximately 300 items/lots were auctioned off one evening in about 2 hours!!!  Bid fast if you really want something.

We will continue to meet in Chandler Hall throughout the summer months 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Please join us if you can.

Note:  As of June 22nd our church Store sales are down approximately $500.  Remember to think about us when you need a card or gift for a special occasion.  You may not find what you are looking for, BUT, if you do, your purchases are supporting our church.

-- Lynn Ralston, Crafters Group

 

From The Heart News

During the summer we will be collecting pails and items relating to summer to fill them.  Some of the items are: kids sunglasses (even novelty ones), squirt guns, balls, activity books/crayons, beach towels, flip flops, hair accessories, small toys, (puzzles, cars, sidewalk chalk, etc.).  One item makes a big difference!

The June/July/August charity will once again be a collection of Back-to- School items for children in foster care or from families of little means

We will be collecting:  backpacks that are new or in like-new condition (each child needs a backpack), insulated lunch bags, water bottles (not bottled water, but plastic bottles that can be refilled and used over & over again- the best ones have the pop-up drink spout so that they can’t leak in the backpack), pencils, paper, small toys, and books, crayons, rulers, lined paper, notebooks and binders, refill paper, erasers, pencil boxes, pencil sharpeners, etc.  

From The Heart will supply the social workers with clear plastic bags filled with age/grade appropriate items.   This will allow a child to select the backpack of their choice (How special this is!) and then pick up a packet from the Social Worker for the grade that they will be attending. 

This has become an annual event with much support from church members, families and friends.  

Some of you love to shop the stores like Staples, Wal-Mart, Office Depot, etc for all of their penny, nickel, dime and quarter items that are on sale during the summer months. We were able to donate a huge amount of school supplies for this project last year.

Some of you always donate backpacks-both new and in like new condition.  Charles and Wanda Fenton have donated 40+ new backpacks each year and last year with extra donated funds they were able to get 59 backpacks at the wholesale price from a New York distributor and had them shipped directly to Laura Ann. They are usually able to purchase theme oriented backpacks for between $5.00 and $6.00.  These are great for the younger children. If anyone wishes to make a donation of cash for backpacks, they would be happy to add this to their order. Last year we donated a total of 73 new backpacks and 16 in like-new condition. What a great effort by all. Thank you. 

We will be collecting these items throughout the summer months so please keep From The Heart in mind when you are out shopping. One pencil box, one ruler, one 3-ring binder…together we can help many children.    Last year we helped supply over 100 children with school items!  There will be a list of grade appropriate items on the bulletin board in Chandler Hall.  These lists are often supplied by schools and I have seen them posted at Staples, Office Depot, etc.

We continue to accept donations of items to be sent to the contacts that Laura Ann has serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Soldier Update from Laura Ann’s July newsletter:

 “We are happy to let everyone know, Dawn, our adopted soldier stationed in Afghanistan, has completed her yearlong tour of duty and will be coming back home to her family within the next month!  Over the past two years you showed your support to John, his wife, son, and their new daughter; when John came home, he asked that we support Dawn and her comrades and now Dawn has asked us to support her replacement Dave Koonce, a married father of two children (ages 14 and 7) who after 17 years in the military is now on his second one year tour of duty since 9/11.  We welcome donations of the same types of items as in the past such as individual chip snacks, cheese & crackers, nuts, cereal bars, Pop Tarts, peanut butter & crackers, Slim Jims, candy, gum, etc.  As many of you know, another part of their mission includes building relationships by daily interactions with the people and children of Afghanistan and we have sent boxes of candy and small stuffed animals for the soldiers to hand out.  Not only does this help to foster a positive relationship with the children, but also offers the soldiers a way to personally “take a break” from the daily challenges to relate on a different level.”

“I want to take a moment and thank everyone for their support while I have been here. Special thanks to Laura Ann (From the Heart) and Barbara for their many boxes that we were we able to distribute to the children…the smiles on their faces demonstrate how much a difference your kindness has made, thank you! I will move on to Fort Leavenworth to out-process for a couple days, then onward to live in Germany with Brad and the kids! Thank you everyone for all that you have done and God Bless. Please continue to pray for all the service members here and in Iraq. Thank you. Dawn”

This might be a great time to send your photos, letters or cards to Dave now that school is out and the whole summer is ahead of us. These items can be left in the yellow and white checked box located under the From The Heart bulletin board in Chandler Hall.  All items left in this box go to Laura Ann on a weekly basis. This is a great project for groups also.

Tootsie Pops are still on sale in Chandler Hall each week selling for 50 cents to help defray the cost of shipping.  Lists of items are posted on the From The Heart bulletin board.  All donations can be left in the yellow and white checked box in Chandler Hall.  Please do not leave items for this purpose in the Narthex or they will go to MACC.

-- Lynn Ralston

 

This We Can Promise:  No Short Cuts

Last month the Search Committee asked for the congregation’s input as we seek an addition to our church leadership, and you came through.  We received about fifty completed surveys, which represent approximately 20% of our active membership. Each of the 11 items, ranging from specific Christian education responsibilities to preaching at least once per month, received a rating of higher than moderate importance.  The Search Committee has begun dialogue regarding the findings and will start to complete the Church profile with the assistance of our Regional Minister.

Our plan from the beginning has been to proceed in a thoughtful and deliberate way and, thankfully, having Jessica Romeo step up to temporarily head the Church School program allows us to do just that.

Currently the Committee is evaluating whether we should be seeking an Associate Pastor or a Director of Christian Education.  We hope everyone will be open to an exploration of what is best, not for any one of us individually, but for Bolton Congregational Church.

As we proceed, please continue to let us know any concerns or comments we should be aware of.  Committee members are:  Cindy Dakin, Chuck Ericson, Cindy Fiano, Jane Hooper, Ross Lally, Dot Lessard, Doug Sauer, Ruth Treat, and Ginny Wickersham.

With your constructive input and God’s help, we will achieve a success-ful step in our journey toward new beginnings.

-- The Search Committee

 

Congratulations To Chris Davies!

A few months ago, Christina Davies met with our Board of Deacons to share her call to ordained ministry and to ask for our church’s recommend-dation to the Tolland Association of the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ as a candidate for “In Care” status – the first step in the road to ordination.  Our Board of Deacons’ was greatly impressed with the maturity of Chris’ faith and readiness for ministry, and unanimously voted to recommend her to the Tolland Association.

Recently, Chris took the next step of meeting with the Committee on Ministry of the Tolland Association (the body which oversees the ordination process in the UCC).  The clergy and lay leaders of the “COM” were equally impressed and added their unanimous endorsement.  So, Chris is now officially on her way!

As many of you know, Chris is the daughter of Steve and Dede Davies.  She was baptized in our church, attended Church School and Confirmation, and remained active in her high school and college years in youth ministry programs – including numerous workcamps to Back Bay Mission.  She has served ably in the wider church as a member of the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Conference of the UCC, a delegate to the General Synod, and as part of the summer staff at Silver Lake Conference Center.

She recently graduated from Smith College in Northampton, MA and will be attending Andover Newton Theological School in the fall in the first of three years of the Master of Divinity program.  She currently serves as youth minister of the First Church of Christ in Suffield, CT. 

Please keep Chris in your thoughts and prayers throughout her preparation for ordained ministry – including “traveling mercies” as she commutes from Northampton to Newton for her seminary classes.
 

Summer Worship Schedule

Sunday, July 6 – 8:45 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. – Communion Sunday
Message: “How to Change the World” – Chuck Ericson

Sunday, July 13 – 8: 45 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. – 9th Sunday after Pentecost
Message: “Appeasement”  – Chuck Ericson

Sunday, July 20 – 8:45 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. – 10th Sunday after Pentecost
Message: “A Sacred Conversation on Race” – Chuck Ericson

Sunday, July 27 –  8:45 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. – 11th Sunday after Pentecost
Message: “Reclaiming Civil Discourse” – Chuck Ericson

Sunday, August 3  – 8:45 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. – Communion Sunday
Message: “God’s Greatest Hits: Communion” – Chuck Ericson

Sunday, August 10 – 8:45 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. – 13th Sunday after Pentecost
Message: “God’s Greatest Hits: The 10 Commandments” – Chuck Ericson

Sunday, August 17 – 8:45 & 10:00 a.m. – 14th Sunday after Pentecost
Message: “God’s Greatest Hits: The Lord’s Prayer” – Jane Hooper

Sunday, August 24 – 8:45 & 10:00 a.m. – 15th Sunday after Pentecost
Message: “God’s Greatest Hits: The 23rd Psalm” – Chuck Ericson

Sunday, August 31 – 8:45 & 10:00 a.m. – 16th Sunday after Pentecost
Message: “God’s Greatest Hits: I Corinthians 13” – Chuck Ericson

And remember…If you can’t make a Sunday service, or prefer something less formal, come to worship at our:

THURSDAY WORSHIP SERVICES

Let the summer months be a time for you to grow in your faith at Thursday Evening Worship from 7:00-7:45 pm!  Messages will be linked to the following popular songs:

Be enthusiastic!!  Bring an “unchurched” friend who might like a more contemporary service!

 

From the Pastor…

As many of you are aware, the Pastoral Relations Board of our church has the task of conducting an annual review of the pastors.  You have perhaps seen the evaluation forms that the board distributes in the fall, and maybe even taken the time to fill them out.

What you may not know is that the Pastoral Relations Board also has the responsibility of working with the pastors to prepare goals for ministry in the upcoming year.  In the past, this has often been done rather informally, however this year it has become a more intentional process.  With the guidance of the board, I have begun to define goals having to do with the areas of delegation of tasks, understanding my call as pastor of our church, and enhancing the “culture” of our congregation as a distinctly Christian community.  I will be writing in this, and future, editions of the SIGNPOST about some of these goals. 

To get started, I would like to address the “culture” issue.  It connects with a sermon I preached in June about not “losing our bearings” as a congregation.  I firmly believe that one of the great challenges for churches today is to avoid slipping away from the original model of a Christian community that Jesus envisioned and the first disciples modeled – into some other popular contemporary model that really doesn’t fit the purpose and mission of the church.  One of the easy ways to prevent us from “losing our bearings” this way is to use church language when we are gathered for worship, meetings and other occasions.  So, I am going to borrow from an old Connecticut icon, Bob Steele, and institute a “word of the month” for the next few months.  Please join me in making this effort to “speak church”, beginning with:

The Summer Word of the Month: Pastor and Teacher

Yes, I realize there are three words here, but they go together.  Anyway, I can remember a senior minister being referred to as the “CEO” of his church as far back as 1981.  It is a term that was familiar to the corporate folks in that congregation, and it is one I have heard repeated countless times in numerous settings over the years.  The difficulty with the term CEO is that it suggests one whose primary purpose is to increase sales, trim expenses and grow profits.  In addition, to the detriment of the majority of respected and ethical CEO’s, the media has spotlighted the downfall of so many unscrupulous CEO’s that the image is generally not a positive one.  Certainly not the image desired at the helm of a church.

Today, when a new pastor begins in a church, they are installed as the “pastor and teacher” of the congregation.  That it what I aspire to be for you – one who is present in your midst to provide pastoral support and encouragement, as well as being a teacher who strives every moment to keep our bearings on course by challenging us and reminding us time and again of the vision Jesus and the disciples had for the church in every age and place.

Faithfully yours – Your Pastor and Teacher, Chuck

 

The Legacy Corner – The Government Has Lowered Taxes

Yes, it is true.  The government has systematically taken a smaller and smaller share of the assets that you have spent a lifetime accumulating.  Since 1981, the federal tax laws have regularly changed, resulting in an increase in the estate tax exemption, and thus increasing the amount of property that can pass free of federal estate tax upon death.

In the 1980s, the federal estate tax exemption was several hundred thousand dollars.  In the 1990s, the exemption began to exceed $600,000.  In 2001, the federal estate tax exemption rose to $1 million dollars.  The exemption is currently $2 million dollars, and is projected to increase to $3.5 million at the end of 2008.  Wow!  Those changes were huge.  The average person no longer has to worry about paying federal estate taxes upon death.

However, have you thought to review your Wills and Trusts during this time period?  When was the last time you rewrote your Will?  Twenty years ago, many people were affected by the estate tax.  They prepared complicated Wills and Trusts to postpone or eliminate the estate tax.  The common technique used by many attorneys was to provide for the creation of a “family trust”, and direct that it be filled with an amount equal to the federal estate tax exemption.  At the time these documents were prepared, this resulted in a small share of the estate passing to this irrevocable family trust. Oftentimes, and for valid tax planning reasons, the trustees appointed to manage these trusts were banks, advisors, or trusted friends (and not immediate family members).  Is such a plan still the most appropriate? 

With such “formula style” Wills and Trusts, virtually all of your assets might end up in a trust for the benefit of your family, but not directly controlled by your family.  Yet, no estate tax would arise if you chose a more direct and less complicated plan.   Wouldn’t you prefer to have your assets pass to your spouse and/or your children?  Given the significant amount of the federal estate tax credit, a simpler plan might be more appropriate.  Call your attorney, and make an appointment to review your Wills.

When you meet with your attorney and tax advisors, please remember to include the Bolton Congregational Church in your plans.  Now that the government will not be getting a share of your estate, there will be more left for your charitable wishes.  Take time to consider the spirit, fellowship and joys you have found be being part of our Church.  Please consider naming the Bolton Congregational Church Endowment Fund as a beneficiary.  The Endowment Fund allows you the ability to target your gift to address the need you feel is most compelling.  Please consult the church’s website or speak to a member of the Legacy committee for the proper bequest language to use.  The Church always welcomes your gifts, now and in the future.  Please contact the Legacy Committee if you would like help including the Church in your estate plan.  Please call Ruth Treat or Bill Dakin.

-- Bill Dakin, Legacy Committee

 

From the Desk of Our Commissioned Minister

Peonies take patience.  There are two kinds of peonies – deciduous and tree.  I have both kinds in my gardens.  Their natures and growing patterns are very different.  Tree peonies grow on a hard stem, like a small tree trunk.  In the fall they lose their leaves with next year’s buds growing on the stem.  Silhouetted in winter’s storms they majestically hold their own.  In the spring the buds open to large delicate flowers eight to ten inches across, spectacular beauties of pale yellow and pink, or crimson, with delicate scents.  One of mine is over five feet tall.

The deciduous peony grows from tubers or you can buy a plant ready to go into the ground.  In the fall you plant the tubers no more than an inch and three quarters to two inches below the surface.  My first ones I planted too deep and they never bloomed till I dug them up and started over!  The plants die back and disappear into the ground.  The next spring little red stalk tips poke through the ground and grow into lovely looking plants but no buds or flowers and the growing season is repeated.  Finally, by the third spring, I had success!  An old wive’s tale comes to mind – sleep, creep, and leap.  The first year you plant a perennial, it sleeps along.  The second year, it creeps slowly.  The third year, it leaps up with growth and flowers.  Now my deciduous peonies are a delight to the senses, glorious colors of white, pinks, crimson and red and oh! their smell.  A bouquet on the table will perfume the room.  Ants, also love the buds, but a couple of shakes and the ants fall off. 

Lots of things that we love take patience – growing a fat juicy red tomato, baking a cake or making bread, painting a picture, a good game of golf, marriage, raising up a child, becoming the adult we strive to be (you know, kind, loving, even tempered, patient…) and yes, our faith and relationship with God. 

We live in an “instant gratification” society.  Hungry?  There is McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s Dunkin Donuts, Chinese or Pizza take out.  Drug and grocery stores are open 24 hours a day, movies showing from early till late.  Television has many channels to amuse, inform or satisfy your curiosity.  

With a cell phone stuck to your ear, you can talk to anyone, any place in the world; from the grocery store, the car, walking down the street and we’ve all heard the ring in church and other embarrassing places. 

It’s a good thing we can’t dial up God, ask a question and get an immediate answer.  If we could there would be no searching, no learning, and no seeking of the truth for ourselves.  Like the peonies, faith takes patience.  Each time that we read the Bible, the words are the same but we have changed, giving new layers of meaning to the text.

Grow yourself more patience this summer.  From a hammock, a boat deck, a bench in the garden, a chair by the window, or a blanket under the trees – look up and watch the clouds go by, feel the wet rain drops or the heat of the sun on your skin.  Let your mind wander.  Enjoy the moment.  Just as the peony opens up to the sun, let yourself open up to God.  Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait patiently for God.”  You have all summer (and beyond!).  In the garden of your heart and mind, may a crop of patience grow abundantly.  Most of us have been sleeping and creeping and now it’s time to be a leaping!

Shalom, Jane Hooper

 

HELP WANTED!

One of the goals I have been discussing with the Board of Pastoral Relations has to do with delegating tasks.  You see, I have a tendency to do some things myself because it is more convenient – when a better approach might be to delegate some tasks.  Many are very simple, routine matters that are not pastoral in nature and could be taken on by almost anyone who might like to make a small but valuable contribution.  The end result would be to free up some of my time for more “ministerial” pursuits, while also enabling some in the congregation to make gratifying contributions that can be performed according to their own schedules.  Please check the list below and see if there’s anything you might be interested in doing, and let me know!  Thank you! 

– Chuck 

 

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June 2008

 

Our Summer Program: God's Big Backyard

Where?  Bolton Congregational Church

When?  July 14-18, 2008, 6-8 p.m. Friday is a family cookout!

Who?  Ages 4 years through entering 6th grade

Why?  The children will learn how to serve their families, friends, neighbors, community and Jesus. The children will be encouraged to complete individual acts of service that they will learn about at the program, and then take home to practice – called “It’s Your Serve”.  What a great opportunity for the children to learn about helping others!  We have exciting activities planned full of fun, games, music, crafts and kid-friendly activities.

Cost?  $10.00 per child (maximum $25.00 per family). Please bring a plain white T-shirt to be decorated the first night

Call the Church Office, (860) 649-7077, for more information or to register

 

Church School News…You Can Use

It's never too early to plan for summer fun! We are planning a wonderful summer Vacation Bible School program called “God's Big Backyard” for the week of July 14th through the 18th from 6 - 8 PM. The summer program is designed for all children from preschool age through those entering 6th grade. We have exciting activities planned full of fun, games, music, crafts, and kid-friendly activities.

The children will learn how to serve their families, friends, neighbors, community, and Jesus and will be encouraged to complete individual acts of service that they will learn about at VBS, and then take home to practice—called “It's Your Serve”. The cost will be $10/child or $25/family. All children participating are asked to bring a plain white t-shirt to be decorated the first night of the program. Any child or family interested should contact the BCC church office at 649-7077. We look forward to seeing old and new friends who will not only have a great time, but also learn through Jesus' teachings how to reach out to others.

The summer program will be Incredible Edibles during worship for the children for the Sunday School age group (Pre-K through entering 5th in the Fall). There is a signup sheet posted for anyone who would like to sign up to help with this.

-- Jessica Romeo, Board of Christian Education

 

Check it out…

Both men and women are welcome to join the ongoing Bible Study at the home of Cindy Fiano on Thursday nights, 7:00-8:30 PM.  The first Thursday night service of every month (June 12th) we will be attending the Thursday night service at 7:00. You need not come every week!  Come when you can for an ongoing discussion of different books of the Bible as well as the Bible in our lives today. We often enjoy dessert and coffee together and the conversation is lively. Hope to see you there soon.

-- Cindy Fiano, Adult Christian Education

 

Invitation to Our 2008 Parent/Teacher Forum

You are invited to attend our Invitation to our 2008 Parent/Teacher Forum on Sunday, June 8, at 11 a.m. in Chandler Hall. The purpose of this forum is be to:

Please take this opportunity to get to know the dedicated people who will be teaching our youngest church members.  We value your opinions and hope we can work together to make this the best church school for our children. Thank you and we will see you on June 8th!

-- Jessica Romeo, Board of Christian Education

 

Crafters News

We will continue to meet in Chandler Hall throughout the summer months 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Please join us if you can. 

The Church Store will be open and available to all during the summer as well.  We will continue to accept donations and they will be added to the Store on a weekly basis. Oftentimes, new items remain for a very limited period of time as we have very little room for storage.  Many of the items will move to The Manchester Antiques Mall at 811 Main St., Manchester where we have rented a small area to display and sell our items.  The Mall is open Tues., Wed., Fri., & Sat. 10:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. – Thurs. 10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.  Please make it a point to stop by the Mall to see where we are and what the other shop owners have to offer.  On Thursdays you are also able to check out the items that go up for auction each Thursday evening at 6:30.  It sounds like a lively auction…approximately 300 items/lots were auctioned off one evening in about 2 hours!!!  Bid fast if you really want something. 

At this point, it looks as though we will be unable to have a quilt to raffle this year.  We have had our quilt raffle at fairs and dinners for about 18 years now and it has been a great fundraiser for our church (we had two quilts last year and were able to raise over $800.00). In the past few years we have had only 3-4 people working on this project and due to illness, relocations, and various other schedules and obligations we may not be able to continue it in the future.  It would be wonderful if someone wishes to get a group together and take on this project.  I know that some of us would be available to "lend a hand" on parts of this project (basting, quilting, etc.).

Thank you to everyone who has put so much time and effort into this fundraiser over the years as well as to everyone who has faithfully supported it.

-- Lynn Ralston, The Crafters Group

 

From The Heart News

Many seniors at both Woodlake Nursing Home and a senior housing Development in Tolland were once again very happy to receive a visit from several children and their parents who were From The Heart volunteers delivering baskets full of spring silk flower arrangements, springtime door hangers and artwork, and happy face balloons. Thank you to everyone who donated baskets, silk flowers and time for this project.

During the summer we will be collecting pails and items relating to summer to fill them.  Some of the items are: kids sunglasses (even novelty ones), squirt guns, balls, activity books/crayons, beach towels, flip flops, hair accessories, small toys, (puzzles, cars, sidewalk chalk, etc.).  One item makes a big difference!

The June/July/August charity will once again be a collection of Back- to-School items for children in foster care or from families of little means.

We will be collecting:  backpacks that are new or in like-new condition (each child needs a backpack), insulated lunch bags, water bottles (not bottled water, but plastic bottles that can be refilled and used over & over again- the best ones have the pop-up drink spout so that they can’t leak in the backpack), pencils, paper, small toys, books, crayons, rulers, lined paper, notebooks and binders, refill paper, erasers, pencil boxes, pencil sharpeners, etc.  

From The Heart will supply the social workers with clear plastic bags filled with age/grade appropriate items.   This will allow a child to select the backpack of their choice (How special this is!) and then pick up a packet from the Social Worker for the grade that they will be attending. 

This has become an annual event with much support from church members, families and friends.  

Some of you love to shop the stores like Staples, Wal-Mart, Office Depot, etc for all of their penny, nickel, dime and quarter items that are on sale during the summer months. We were able to donate a huge amount of school supplies for this project last year.

Some of you always donate backpacks-both new and in like new condition.  Charles and Wanda Fenton have donated 40+ new backpacks each year and last year with extra donated funds they were able to get 59 backpacks at the wholesale price from a New York distributor and had them shipped directly to Laura Ann. They are usually able to purchase theme oriented backpacks for between $5.00 and $6.00.  These are great for the younger children. If anyone wishes to make a donation of cash for backpacks, they would be happy to add this to their order. Last year we donated a total of 73 new backpacks and 16 in like-new condition. What a great effort by all. Thank you. 

We will be collecting these items throughout the summer months so please keep From The Heart in mind when you are out shopping. One pencil box, one ruler, one 3-ring binder…together we can help many children.    Last year we helped supply over 100 children with school items!  There will be a list of grade appropriate items on the bulletin board in Chandler Hall.  These lists are often supplied by schools and I have seen them posted at  Staples, Office Depot, etc

We continue to accept donations of items to be sent to the contacts that Laura Ann has serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Tootsie Pops are still on sale in Chandler Hall each week selling for 50 cents to help defray the cost of shipping.  Lists of items will be posted on the From The Heart bulletin board.  All donations can be left in the yellow and white checked box in Chandler Hall.  Please do not leave items for this purpose in the Narthex or they will go to MACC.

 

Our Missions At Work Around The World

Disaster Relief -- Through the Church World Service (CWS) we are making a difference in Myanmar.  Coordinating with local partners, we have distributed water purification tablets, bottled water, and rice to up to 4,000 families in need.  Working with Interchurch Medical Assistance, we will also provide medicines and medical supplies to clinics to serve 100,000 people for up to three months.  CWS is also actively seeking additional funds to help with the emergency and recovery process.

Global Food Crisis -- One of the CWS major missions is to help individuals most impacted by the global food crisis.  In India, for example, families in more than 3,500 villages in 13 states are learning strategies to increase their consistent access to food while growing their family incomes.  India’s most vulnerable (i.e, members of the lowest caste, tribal and rural landless people and ethnic and religious minorities – especially women and girls impacted by gender discrimination) are learning new sustainable agricultural practices in organic farming, composting, pest control, water management, and using indigenous vegetable seeds.  Communities are working to strengthen local government.  And women are gaining access to resources and taking advantage of new opportunities for earning a living.

Work At Home -- In California the CWS is providing 540 CWS Hygiene Kits for needs at All Tribes American Indian Charter School, in Valley Center, CA.

 

Thank You for Your Back Bay Mission Support!

The Back Bay Mission Shareholders' Dinner will be held on Sunday evening, June 8th, from 5:30-7:00 pm in Chandler Hall at the Bolton Congregational Church.  Participants in this year's workcamp mission to Biloxi Mississippi, will be cooking up a great meal and sharing their experiences with everyone at the event. If you are a 2008 Mission Trip Shareholder, please come and hear how your support helped make such a big difference in the lives of those who have been in need.

 

Prayer Shawl Ministry

This knitting group usually meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. year round in the lower level of the Meetinghouse.  Our next meeting is June 23, 2008.

In the past several years we have provided more than 100 beautiful hand-knitted shawls for friends and family of our church.  We have been gratified by your interest and support during this time.  Members of our church family are welcome to request a shawl as a gift of caring, comfort, or for the joy of a celebration.  All are welcome to attend a meeting.  Just bring your knitting needles if you would like to learn.  We have a supply of yarn purchased with your generous donations to our ministry.  Come to knit, stitch, make fringe, or just to visit as we share in the joy of the comfort our gift will bring the recipient.

If you would like to request a shawl, please contact Dot Lessard or fill out a request form and leave it in the offering plate, or give it to any member of the prayer group.  Sometimes a shawl is ready, but if you would like to choose a special color, please allow one month knitting time.

 

Worship Schedule For June

Sunday, June 1 – 8:45 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.
Third Sunday after Pentecost      Confirmation Sunday   Communion Sunday
Message:         “Time, Talent & Treasure”         Chuck Ericson

Sunday, June 8 – 8:45 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost 
Message:         “Losing One’s Bearings”              Chuck Ericson

Sunday, June 15 – 8:45 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost            Tools of Hope                   Fathers’ Day
Message:         “A Focused Mission”                  Chuck Ericson

Sunday, June 22 – 8:45 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. 
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost 
Message:         “The Common Ground of Faith & Science”            Chuck Ericson

Sunday, June 29 – 8:45 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost 
Special Guest Worship Leader:          The Rev. Mike Daly   

And remember… If you can’t make a Sunday service, or prefer something less formal, come to worship at our:

Thursday Evening Services for June

Thursday, June  12 – 7:00-7:45pm
Message:   “Sweet Consolation” featuring the song “No Regrets” by Tom Rush.

Thursday, June 26 – 7:00-7:45pm (Communion)
Message:  “Responding to God’s Call” featuring the song “I Call Your Name” by The Mamas and the Papas.

** Bring an “unchurched” friend who might like a more contemporary service! **

 

Michael Daly to Lead Worship on June 29th!

A very special guest will be leading worship for us on the last Sunday in June while Chuck is on vacation – the Rev. Michael Daly!  Mike grew up in our congregation, received his call to ministry here, and was ordained here 11 years ago.  Mike currently serves as Senior Pastor of St. John United Church of Christ in Naperville, Illinois.  He and his wife Suzy (also a UCC pastor) will be back in Bolton visiting family, and we are blessed that he is able to share in our worship that day. Do plan to welcome him back to his home church on June 29th!

 

From the Pastor…

Dear Disciples,

As many of you know, Cindy Fiano recently completed her Master’s degree at Central Connecticut State University – congratulations and well done, Cindy!!  A major component of her work was a thesis on volunteering which was based on research she conducted right here in our church.

As I read through her thesis, I had several reactions.  One was an absolute amazement at the amount of work that was required to propose, plan, execute and evaluate this project.  A second reaction was that Cindy’s thesis was a tremendous blessing to our congregation – for it resulted not only in insights about how and why people volunteer, but it also led to some significant increases in volunteering in the areas of service and hospitality.  Indeed, we have many more people involved in greeting, fellowship time, and other areas that help to make people feel welcome and at home in our church family.

A third reaction of mine had to do with the role of volunteerism in churches today and the reasons people do, or do not, volunteer.  Cindy cited research suggesting that because of increasing work and family demands, volunteering in churches was suffering in general – leading to a slow decline in church life.  A Notre Dame study that she noted found that over half the parishioners surveyed do not participate at all in their church, and those who do participate do so for social or recreational purposes.  Another study revealed that people often choose not to volunteer when their service seems boring, frightening or is considered unpopular.  I’m sure that these findings are not surprising to most – and they signal a looming crisis for churches which rely on volunteers to survive. 

The solution to this challenge is to insure that volunteering remains relevant and enjoyable.  I believe that people – especially Christians and other people of faith – are energized and continue to volunteer when they find ways of serving and contributing that fill a deep, inner need.  Cindy’s findings bear this out in our congregation.  She found that the greatest motivational factors for volunteers were an awareness that they were helping others, a feeling of spiritual fulfillment, and a sense of personal enjoyment.

This is all reinforced by the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount and throughout the gospels.  When we give of ourselves in ways that help and enrich the lives of others, we are blessed...we are on the road that leads to heaven...and we are left spiritually full and wanting to do more. 

Where is your heart yearning to serve?  How can God use you to make a difference somewhere that will fill you with joy and satisfaction?  Can you bring hospitality to others by greeting or serving coffee?  Can a child discover faith through your offer to teach in the Church School?  Can you bring beauty to the world by tending to the gardens at church?  Can you lift people’s spirits by your gift of music at worship?  Can you keep our church strong by volunteering, and find fulfillment at the same time?

Faithfully yours, Chuck

 

From the Desk of Our Commissioned Minister

One of the lectionary readings for the first Sunday in June is Psalm 46, Waters of New Life.  For the Israelites it was a song of hope sung at the temple.  A triumphant confession of fearless trust in God, no matter what happened; 1God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea…4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God…  (river being a metaphor for the continual blessings of God) 10Be still and know that I am God….  No matter what you are feeling, you can find in the poetry of the Psalms, something that will speak to your heart.

With all the devastation that is happening in the world – hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, and fires – it is easy to wonder where God is.  As usual, there are those who blame God.  If God is a loving God, why did God let this happen?  I believe that God is right there with us in all the bad things that happen, shedding tears along with us.  Likewise, God is to be found in our laughter and in our joy.

In the book, “Guerrillas of Grace, Prayers for the Battle,” by Ted Loder, in his prayer, “God…Are You There?”  He says, “God… are you there?  I’ve been taught and told I ought to pray.  But the doubt won’t go away; yet neither will my longing to be heard.  My soul sighs too deep for words.  Do you hear me?  God… are you there? …”  Ted, a Methodist Minister, says, “For at last I believe life itself is a prayer and the prayers we say shape the lives we live, just as the lives we live shape the prayers we say; and it all shapes the kingdom which expresses itself in, and among us and for which we are guerrillas.  In the Old Testament, prophets were guerrillas fighting the powers of their day, shouting poetic words.

Maria Decsy, my dear friend, (whom I went to China with and still there wasn’t enough time to talk!) says, “Poetry is a gateway to prayer.  It draws and silences the heart, it empties it to a point where one is turned inside out and ends up on the other side of silence – which is none other than the heart of God. 

As the cycle of summer envelopes us, may we make time to be with God.  In the silence may we hear God speaking to us, on the way to work, doing dishes, playing with the kids, or in the garden.  May our daily life be a prayer; even when we may be screaming at the injustice of it all.  God will be there with us.  Let each of us be guerrillas with our messages to the world, or at least to our families and our communities, as we share “The Good News” that God is always with us!  We are never left alone.

Shalom, Jane Hooper, Commissioned Minister

 

Reflections…

When the weather is good, one of my favorite ways to get some exercise is to take my bike on the Hop River State Park Rail Trail, which runs just behind our house, and ride to Valley Falls Park in Vernon. There’s a high ledge with some benches that overlook a picturesque pond where kids swim and people fish.

This morning when I parked my bike and walked toward the benches, I saw an older couple sitting together. We exchanged good mornings and comments on the nice day. “What a pretty spot this is,” the woman said to me.

What I intended to reply was, “We’re so lucky to have a beautiful place like this.” But what actually came out was, “We’re so blessed to have a beautiful place like this.”

On my bike ride home, I thought about how I had involuntarily replaced the word “lucky” with “blessed.” I certainly hadn’t been focused on spirituality that morning. I had just read an email from a friend who was facing a health crisis. I had turned on the television to get the weather and heard about a frantic search for a kidnapped child. The newspaper headlines were all about war and economic recession and political discord.

On the ride toward Valley Falls, I did notice the wildlife and nature, but my idle thoughts had been more along scientific lines. I wondered where the fox dens might be, what species of birds had built the nests I saw, what the deer ate in winter, whether I would ever see a bear on the trail.

But I guess that in the back of my mind, behind my uninspired mood and preoccupied thoughts, my appreciation for the one who created the beauty around me must have been there. Although I wasn’t consciously acknowledging or thinking about my faith, it was present nonetheless and revealed itself in this spontaneous way.

When I said, “We’re so blessed to have a beautiful place like this,” a genuine smile lit the faces of both the man and the woman, and together they answered enthusiastically, “Yes, we are blessed.” The emotional lift I felt from that brief exchange, and from my thoughts that followed, has stayed with me all day. I have a nice feeling that it will be there tomorrow too.

-- Lisa Catanese

 

Legacy Corner -- Probate Courts

In Connecticut, we have a very “user-friendly” probate court system. If you listen to the seminar presenters and various sales oriented financial professionals, everything about the probate court is bad. Not true.

The probate court is an easy and convenient place to get resolution as to a variety of matters.  Most towns have their own probate court, while smaller towns share one.  The judge is elected, and lives in town.  You do not need to have a lawyer represent you in a probate court.  It is common for parties to represent themselves.  The procedure used by the court is easy to understand, and carefully communicated coordinated by the staff of the court.  Typically, matters are quickly resolved, thus minimizing cost and anxiety.  And most of all, the court will try to resolve matters in a fair and unbiased fashion.  The costs to use the court are fairly nominal.

If you have a problem with a person acting for another by power of attorney, did you know that the agent can be forced to come to the probate court to account for and explain their actions.  Probate courts can force an agent under power of attorney to account, and restore funds inappropriately used.

If you are involved in a trust as a beneficiary or trustee, you can ask the court to assist with the resolution of many disputed matters. The court can interpret vague provisions of a trust document, and decide related issues of law.  The trustee can be compelled to provide financial information regarding the trust, and can be held liable for inappropriate behavior or uses of money. The court can compel distributions.

Most people encounter the probate court upon the death of a family member.  In those instances, the court is typically very willing to meet with the family and guide them through the probate and estate tax process.  The court will supply forms to complete, and notify the parties of various due dates.  If a problem arises with regard to the questionable validity of a Will or its interpretation, the court can conduct hearings and make rulings on these matters.  The court will notify family members and beneficiaries of significant steps in the administration process, and give people the opportunity to comment and question actions taken.  Hearings can be coordinated for all parties to attend and express their views, and the court can render binding decisions on matters related to the administration.  Probate court fees for the settlement of an estate are set by law, and are a fraction of 1% (and vary depending on the value of the estate).

When you meet with your advisor to discuss the impact of probate administration on your affairs, please remember to include the Bolton Congregational Church in your plans.  Take time to consider the spirit, fellowship and joys you have found be being part of our Church.  Please consider naming the Bolton Congre-gational Church Endowment Fund as a beneficiary.  The Endowment Fund allows you the ability to ta