February, 2010

FROM THE INTERIM PASTOR

Well I’ve been with you for about a couple of months and I must say I have found Sanbornton Congregational Church UCC to be an extraordinary community. I am blessed and honored to be doing ministry with you and look forward to continuing on our interim journey together.

Now journey….that is an interesting word. In the Merriam-Webster dictionary it is defined as 1: an act or instance of traveling from one place to another. 2: a day's travel 3: something suggesting travel or passage from one place to another <the journey from youth to maturity> <a journey through time>.

Lent will be starting February 17^th. Lent is the forty days before Easter where we contemplate Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem and ultimately to the cross. Throughout his travels Jesus encountered many surprises both joyful and painful. He sat at table with all kinds of people regardless of their social standing or religious background. He preached about reaching out to “the least of these” and living in the spirit of Shalom which means to be in right relationship with all of God’s creation. This willingness to do such radical ministry threatened those who feared such openness and it was because of their fear that they hung Jesus on the Cross. But fear did not have the final word…love did! God rose Jesus from the dead to let us know that ultimately good does overcome evil, love does overcome hate and that not even death can contain God’s love for all people.

In many ways, the interim journey parallels Jesus’ Lenten Journey. Each journey began with a radical change, for Jesus it was the day he was baptized. On that day he was no longer just a carpenter living with parents; rather he became known as the Son of God. For Sanbornton UCC our change began at the end of Patrice’s ministry. With her leave-taking this community moved from being known for her particular leadership to preparing to move into a new ministry. The days of Lent are about transition, where Jesus’ journeys to Jerusalem and we embark on our interim journey. In the transition phase, history is explored, leadership shifts, a new identity is found and connections are made to the greater community so that a commitment can be made to a new way. In the end is transformation, for Jesus it was the resurrection where he comes into the promise of new life that only God can give, for us it will be the new life and ministry of Sanbornton UCC where this faith community will reborn into a resurrection people ready to be whatever God is calling us to be in the world.

Shalom!

Pastor Jean

FROM THE MODERATOR

It’s hard to believe we’re already half-way through winter, but here we are! I’m writing these thoughts down today after a very inspiring Annual meeting. Everyone was well prepared with their reports, the food was terrific, and we got a great many things accomplished including the approval of the new slate from the Nominating Committee this year and the new budget, which was not easy to build this year given the economy. The meeting itself was also very moving as we remembered those who passed this year and closed by singing Amazing Grace.

I wanted to repeat here the 3 things from my Moderators Report that I see are “unfinished business” from 2009 that we need to tackle in 2010. The first major task is the startup of the new Search Committee to identify a settled Pastor. A committee was selected and approved by the church membership in November, and our first official meeting has been set with the Reverend Richard Slater for February 2nd, 2010 at the UCC Conference building in Concord.

The second major task is to address our Bylaws, and to determine what they should look like for the future. I’m pleased to report that we have an ad-hoc committee who has volunteered to tackle this project. They will be soliciting ideas from the congregation as to what our Bylaws should look like, or determine what items we need to change. Once they have come up with a new set of bylaws, the church will have a chance to review and approve the new document. Special thanks to Herb Lauterwasser, Martin Merry, Mary Morris and Arlene Ilgenfritz for agreeing to serve on this committee.

The third big item, and one that we really have not paid enough attention to recently, is membership! We need to do more work to grow our church membership and to share this amazing church with others! Wouldn’t it be nice to see even more smiling faces in the pews on Sundays and participating on various church committees and activities?! I know I’d like to see that, so look for more to come as the Church Council plans ways we can continue to grow our church! Amen!

David Henderson, Church Moderator

UCC WOMEN’S CELEBRATION

"Happy New Year!" The time is getting closer! Come, Renew Your Spirit! Join other women from New England when we gather to celebrate our faith in Burlington, VT March 12-14, 2010. This is a once-every-four-years event. Approximately 1,000 women attended in 2006.

It's not too late to register for the UCC Women Leaders of New England CELEBRATION VIII, Together Building Bridges. You can still register and choose from 28 stimulating workshops and sign up for any of the speaker meals planned during this exciting event. You can register by going to our website www.uccwomenscelebration.org.

Please invite your daughters, granddaughters (14 and older) and friends for our intergenerational participatory workshop, "CONNECTIONS".

Remember, your Association, church or women's group, if you have one, may have scholarship money to help send some of your youth or members of your church to this once every four year event for women around New England. For further information contact the Coordinator, Susan Waldron 860 923 2887 or swaldron01@snet.net.

CALENDAR FOR FEBRUARY 2010

Feb. 2^nd Search Committee at NH Conference UCC 6:30pm

Feb. 4^th Junior Choir 7:00pm

Senior Choir 7:30pm

Feb.5^th-6^th Confirmation Class Retreat..Rindge

Feb. 7^th WORSHIP 10:00 am Communion

Feb .10^th Council 7:00 pm Undercroft

Feb. 11^th Junior Choir 7:00pm

Senior Choir 7:30pm

Feb. 14^th WORSHIP 10:00am

Seniors Dinner at First Baptist 12:15

Feb. 16^th Prayer Shawl Ministry 1:30pm at Craft Room Woodside, Taylor Community, Laconia

Feb. 17^th Ash Wednesday

Feb. 18^th Junior Choir 7:00pm

Senior Choir 7:30pm

Feb. 20^th Prepared to Serve sponsored by NHConference, Pembroke Academy, 8:00am to 3:45pm

Feb. 21^st WORSHIP 10:00am

Feb. 24^th Book Group, Lauterwaussers’ 6:30pm HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET

Feb.25^th Spirituality Group, Undercroft 5:00pm

Junior Choir 7:00pm Senior Choir 7:30pm

Feb.28^th WORSHIP 10:00am

Seniors Dinner, Undercroft, 12:15

BOOK GROUP TO MEET IN FEBRUARY

The Book Group plans to meet February 24^th at 6:30pm at the home of Bobbi Lauterwausser. Readers will note that the book discussions are normally held on the third Wednesday of the month, however the 17^th of February is Ash Wednesday and hence the meeting is moved to the following Wednesday.

After online voting among the books suggested at the January discussion, it was determined that the group would discuss HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET by Jamie Ford for February and since there was a tie with DEATH OF VISHNU by Manil Suri, that selection will be discussed at the March meeting.

The group had a lively and laughter-filled conversation about A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY by John Irving at the January gathering. All are welcome to join the group whenever they are interested in a particular book

BOARD OF TRUSTEES REPORT

The dominant agenda item for our January meeting was preparation of the 2010 Church budget.

The ‘Finance Committee’ - which involves the inclusion of three additional designated members,

met twice to finalize our recommended operating budget for this coming twelve months. Requests

from many of the committees were reviewed. A significant item for the year would be the

inclusion of the major remaining exterior painting of the Church , namely the steeple, plus the east

side. Slight increases were provided to the ‘church’ staff. The economic environment had its

impact on overall giving, so that was another factor that played into available funds. But when the

entire budget had been reviewed, the Committee unanimously felt we would present a fair and

meaningful budget to the Annual Meeting for the member’s approval.

As was reported earlier, the final transfer of a portion of the Church’s ‘funds and investments to

the United Church Funds has been completed. All said funds are now in the UCC Funds.

I am pleased to report that on Sunday, January 23, those attending our 239th Annual Meeting did approve the proposed 2010 budget as presented. I would conclude this report by extending sincere appreciation to Dennis Akerman, who served on the Trustees for the past five years, and welcome our new member, Class of 2014, Susan Bayer.

Happy New Year to one and all.

Wally Strauch, Chair

THE 239^TH ANNUAL MEETING

The 239^th Annual Meeting of the Sanbornton Congregation Church, UCC was held following a pot luck dinner following worship on Sunday, January 24^th, under the able leadership of Moderator David Henderson. Minutes of the 2009^th Annual Meeting by Church Clerk, Kim Bossey were approved, as was the Financial Report of the Treasurer Robert Ilgenfritz. Chair of the Trustees, Wally Strauch presented the Budget for 2010 which calls for Receipts and Expenditures of $94,598. The only discussion prior to approval was to clarify that the steeple and the east side of the Church building are to be painted in 2010 which will complete the painting project begun several years ago, except for a small bit on the south side of the building.

Barbara Akerman presented the Slate of Officers and Committee members for the next year. Several openings remain to be filled and work toward the filling of them is to be ongoing. Those who have agreed to serve were thanked. The retirement of Rea Alkema and Phil Nichols as ushers has led to the finding of a pool of folks willing to usher and a sign-up system is in place for that. Those proposed in the printed slate were voted into office.

Moderator David Henderson explained that an Ad Hoc By-Laws Committee has been appointed to work on a revision of the By-Laws. He will convene the first meeting of this group which includes, Marty Merry, Mary Morris, Herb Lauterwausser, and Arlene Ilgenfritz. This is an area of concern raised by the Vision 2008 vision report.

Interim Pastor Jean O’Bresky summarized her written report which gave details as to the Interim tasks. She thanked the church family for the welcome she has received. She then gave a prayer of celebration and remembrance. The meeting closed with the singing of “Amazing Grace.”

Where Is The Wisdom of Solomon?

Our congregation is in a transition period. We were all aware of that when our full time pastor, Patrice Ficken, resigned in June 2009. When we commissioned our Interim Pastor Search Committee to seek a pastor on a two thirds time basis, we became aware that also we entered an economic transition period. As a result of personal pain among our congregation, that economic transition has reflected itself in our reduced pledges for 2010. At our Annual Meeting on January 24, we saw those changes starkly realized in our budget.

Long have we been an active laity congregation and shared many aspects of ministry with our pastors over the years. Once again, our congregation needs to bring into sharp focus what are our needs, what can each of us do to carry on the spiritual tradition of Sanbornton Congregational Church and what is reasonable to ask of our part time minister.

Pastor Jean O’Bresky joined with us in late November. She is ready, willing and highly motivated to guide us through these next months on a restricted time schedule. There is no question regarding the obvious areas – worship service each Sunday, the Confirmation Class, the Deacons, the Church Council or special needs such as funerals, weddings or emergencies within the church family. Pastor Jean will be there. However, it would be unfair to ask Pastor Jean to make every call as to how she will use her time or for her to contribute more than her agreed time.

Pastor Jean is quite willing to be flexible and make professional decisions on day-to-day items but she needs a protective screen in some instances. Therefore, the Church Council has determined that the Pastoral Relations Committee will be the arbiter when Pastor Jean is in demand for those areas which may exceed her time commitment. If you have talked to Pastor Jean and need more help on this topic, please see Marty Merry who chairs the Pastoral Relations or one of the other two members, Kim Bossey and Kara Downes. They, in collaboration with Pastor Jean, will be glad to help find middle ground. We should not let this time limit become an impediment to our joint ministry.

UNICEF 2009 TRICK-OR-TREAT SAYS THANK YOU

Our Church School has received a Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

Our Church School’s total collection reached $228.70. All those who collected and contributed are to be commended----since 1950, children in the US have been learning about the needs of children world-wide, and it has become a tradition in our Church to continue this life saving endeavor. Look for our CERTIFICATE on the Christian Education Bulletin Board.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS

December/January Outreach Project Children in the Church School have been collecting baby food for the local food pantries. If anyone would like to help, please bring your gift to Church and give it one of the children for their class’s donation.

UCC CONFERENCE CENTER IS HOSTING WORKSHOP ON ‘HOW TO RUN A SUNDAY SCHOOL’ on February 6th. If anyone is interested please contact Shirley Strauch or a CE member.

CONFIRMATION CLASS TO BEGIN SOON. Prospective students and their parents have met with Pastor Jean regarding Confirmation. Marg Whedon will be assisting Pastor Jean. The class will be using “UCC Affirming our Faith: A Congregation’s Guide to Confirmation”, and “A Confirmand’s Journal”.

REQUESTS FROM U.S. Fund for UNICEF to support emergency relief in Haiti. We have been contacted by UNICEF to help the children of Haiti. UNICEF field staff members on the scene report that 3 million have been affected by the earthquake disaster on January 12th, and that tens of thousands of children who are injured, hungry, thirsty and separated from their families need assistance. Our Church School children have been asking if there is something they can do......we are talking about this.....we hope we can help.

THANK YOU TO all the Christian Education Committee members for serving this past year. We will miss Shirley Powers, and appreciate all she has done to support Christian Education for many years.

Shirley Strauch, for the Christian Education Committee: Sarah Harbrook, Sue Long, Mary Morris, and Marg Whedon.

HISTORICAL TIDBITS By Milly Shaw, Historian

The two windows at the church entrances memorialize Nathan Taylor and his wife, Abigail E. Taylor. Nathan (1754-1840), son of Chase Taylor, was a lieutenant in the Revolutionary War, and three brothers, Chase Jr., William, and Thomas also served.

Nathan was a model farmer of the town and a justice of the peace. He served in the State Legislature and was a member of the Council and the Senate. He was a friend to all, a prominent member of the Congregational Church and a liberal contributor to charitable objects of the day. After his first wife, Hannah, died, he married a widow Mrs. Abigail (Elkins) Ward who was the second child of his father’s second wife. He was the father of six children. Abigail Hannah Taylor Batchelder Clark, his and Abigail’s daughter, had a daughter, Sarah Clark Kimball, who gave these two memorial windows. She was the great-grandmother of Nathan Morse, Sr. Sarah’s sister, Letitia, married Walter Ingalls, the artist who painted portraits of Nathan and Abigail. Copies grace the wall between the two entrances in the narthex.

Sarah (Clark) and Joseph W. Kimball’s daughter Helen Josephine’s marriage to John H. Morse was the first recorded wedding in this Congregational Meeting House on September 26,1871(Runnels Volume 2, page 59), church records and Taylor genealogy (Runnels 2, pages 748-773). Nathan and Hannah (1757-1803) are buried in Centre Cemetery. Abigail (1767-1851) married Eliphalet Ordway in 1842; she is also buried in Centre Cemetery.

The memorial windows show the Alpha and (a modified heart shape) and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, which signify that Jesus is the beginning and the end of all things (Revelations I, Verse 8). The letters are surrounded by vines and fleur-de-lis depicted with jewel like pieces of glass which look like precious stones when the light shines through them.