For everything there is a season,
A time for every matter under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3: 1
June is a month of celebrating transitions. With the beginning of summer diplomas and
fancy robes abound as students graduate from high school and college. Many couples embark on the beginning of their
new lives together with a June wedding.
Family schedules shift as children are home from school for the
summer. Cottages and campsites open up
for the summer season and it seems as if the make up of our town shifts as the
summer people come to spend yet another fun filled vacation in the lakes region
of
With each passing season we reminded that change is inevitable. As a great philosopher once said, “In life, change is the only constant.” As much as we feel comfortable keeping things just as they are, we know that we are unable to stop things from changing all around us. To stop change would be like trying to stop the sun from rising and falling everyday. In the book of Ecclesiastes is a beautiful poem that speaks to the inevitability of transitions in our lives: birthing, dying, planting, plucking, weeping, laughing, mourning and dancing. These changes do not occur suddenly but rather it happens in seasons. Each change begins with an ending such as the conclusion of the cold of winter giving way to the warmth and potential of new things growing in the spring. For things that grow there seems to be a neutral zone, an in-between time where seeds underground start bursting through the ground to become the flowers and/or fruit bearing plants that God created them to be. It is a time of hope where the seed once dormant wakes up and stretches toward new possibilities.
Times of transition can feel disorderly especially when something ends to make way for new hope and dreams to be born. Like many such times there is anxiety and confusion and things seem a bit out of control. It is natural to try to quickly put things back the way they were so as to maintain stability. However these times can also be a very exciting, productive, fruitful time that can lead us to new possibilities for the future that God has in mind.
The in-between time of the interim from one settled pastor to the next is one of the most important times of transition in the life of the church. Rather than being a time of enforced dormancy between periods of activity, the interim time can be a hope filled time of anticipation where we as a community of faith can explore new possibilities and plant the seeds for the work of the new settled pastor. Let us continue to grow, thrive and change with the times and become more awake to the purpose of serving God and all God’s people in this time and in this place.
Shalom,
Pastor Jean
FROM THE MODERATOR
In pondering what to write for this article, I reflected on topics I’ve written about in the past. I’ve shared thoughts on things such as seasons, current events, coping with change, church processes, joys of volunteering, the economy, showing appreciation of and to others, and the joys of family. One thing I haven’t written on yet is that old cliché of finding time to slow down to stop and smell the flowers. Now some of you might say that this is indeed the worst time to do that, because of smoke from Canadian fires and the recent pollen eruption over the past week, causing those of us with allergies to retreat from the outdoors. However, I maintain this is still a perfect time to do it!
Now that school is closing for the summer, choirs are taking
a break, kids are going to camp, or families are headed to their camps for
vacations, many things are starting to slow down. I was recently reminded that
we get SO busy with life that we really do forget some days to genuinely enjoy
it! Daily parts of life become just chores instead of gifts. I was reminded of
this last week when my parents came to town from
But in time I did relax, and when we weren’t driving down
the
As committees and church activities wind down now, and we enjoy the slower pace of summer living, remember to take the time to re-charge the spirit, turn down the “worry meter”, and maybe even turn off the cell phone and email for awhile (maybe that’s too drastic a measure for some of us!) That way, we’ll be ready in body, mind and spirit when church activities pick up again at summer’s end! When we “re-boot” ourselves again this September for another busy church year, we’ll then be able to look at each day’s tasks not as tasks, but as the gifts they truly are!
Faithfully,
David Henderson,
Church Moderator
BOARD OF TRUSTEES REPORT
Our financial position remains positive as of the end of May.
The Trustees hope to have some
type of quarterly financial report to present to the
congregation. We are grateful to Bob Ilgenfritz
for the terrific job he does with our financial records and
his monthly reports to the Trustees.
Frank Baker will be getting to the painting that remains
later this summer. This will include both
the steeple and the entire East side (back) of the building,
as well as some small unfinished areas.
We will continue discussions regarding repair work at the
parsonage.
Over the years, contributions have been made to provide funds
for scholarships to attend a
variety of church related activities. Following discussion,
it was voted to establish a contribution
of 50 % of the fee, tuition, etc. from the designated
scholarship funds. Requests for such funding
must be presented to the Trustees for their review and
approval.
Many thanks to the Cemetery Committee for both the ‘clean-up
day’ and the very successful
Cemetery Social held on May 16th .
Wally Strauch,
Chair
JUNE/JULY CALENDAR
2010 (As of June 1st)
June 6th 10:00am WORSHIP-Final Choir Until Fall, Survey responses for the Search Committee due
June 9th 7:00pm Council meets in the Undercroft
June 10th 6:30pm Search Committee meets in the Undercroft
June 13th 9:30am WORSHIP (Summer hours begin)
June 16th 6:30pm Book Group meets at Susan Garner’s discuss LITTLE WOMEN and MARCH
June 17th 5:30pm Deacons meet in the Undercroft
June 20th 9:30am WORSHIP “Tools of Hope “ for Father’s Day
June 24th 5:00pm Spirituality Groups meets in the Undercroft, Julie Ellerbeck leader
June 27th 9:30am WORSHIP , 12:15 Senior Dinner in the Undercroft
July 4th 9:30am WORSHIP
July 11th 9:30am WORSHIP, Senior Dinner 12:15 at lst Baptist (Chapel)
July 14th 7:00pm Council meets in the Undercroft
JULY 17th and 18th SANBORNTON OLD HOME DAYS EVENTS
WORSHIP AT 10:00 am at Second Baptist (Bay) Church NO SERVICE AT SANBORNTON UCC
July 22nd 5:00pm Spirituality Groups meets in the Undercroft
July 25th 9:30 am WORSHIP, Senior Dinner 12:15 Undercroft
Ministers and delegates gathered at the West Concord Congregational Church, UCC on May 2, 2010 for the annual meeting of the Merrimack Association, New Hampshire Conference, United Church of Christ.
In addition to the regular business of the Association, the Rev. Robert Vodra gave an overview of the Outdoor Ministries. There are many camping opportunities for all ages. It is time to make your summer plans and get your reservations in.
His presentation was followed by the Rev. Arthur Urie from the Witness and Action Commission informing us of many working group opportunities; economic justice, peace with justice, spirituality and earth stewardship, ukama partnership, church and domestic violence, global mission partners and leaders engaging and developing. You can learn more about any or all of these working groups by contacting the Conference office at 1-888-642-8229 or nhcucc@nhcucc.org.
Although the Revs .Gary Schulte and Richard Slater, Conference ministers, had commitments at other meetings, they reminded us that the New Hampshire Conference is a ‘conduit for covenantal connection.” It helps churches, associations and the national settings make connections and stay connected. As in the local church, where the congregation belongs to Christ (not a building), so do the Association and the Conference help to make up the Body of Christ. We are all in it together where all are welcomed and loved.
The Conference website www.nhcucc.org
has been updated. Look at it to subscribe to The Weekly News, a source of
helpful information. A big change this year is that the Conference Annual
Meeting will be for just one day on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at the
The Rev. Jean O’Bresky and delegate Shirley Powers represented Sanbornton at this meeting.
CHRISTIAN
EDUCATION NEWS - CHILDREN’S SUNDAY
To
all the parents and children in our Sunday School, we thank you for supporting
our program this school year. As you have seen, we have an extraordinary group
of children, as well as teachers and support team. A highlight of the day, was
the presentation of Children’s Bibles to children completing the third grade in
our Sunday School; Megan Fife, Kathryn Long, Zoli Marchant, and Samuel Wood. Some of these children have been
attending our Sunday School since they were three years old. It was a glorious
day; and we look forward, after a summer of relaxing, to the Fall when Sunday
School resumes.
TALENTS
AND TREATS FOR
On
April 17, 2010, our Sunday School children, with help from their teachers and
parents, presented their talents to friends in the Undercroft of our Church.
The ‘talent’ was exceptional—singing, gymnastics, comedy, yo-yo tricks, and
clarinet, flute, and piano music! Our
Sunday School children decided (with inspiration from the 4th and 5th grade
class) that they had to do something to for the children of
NH
CONFERENCE UNITED
Families
in the Sunday School have been sent information on this summer’s camping opportunities.
Please note that scholarships are available. Please contact Mary Morris or
other Christian Education Committee members for more information. Also,
information on the general programs is on the web site www.hortoncenter.org .
INTEREST
IN THE OLD HOME DAY PARADE CHURCH FLOAT?????
Parade is July 18th at
1:00 Contact Shirley or Wally Strauch
FROM THE MINISTER OF MUSIC
Our Junior Choir year ended on May 23, Children's Sunday. Three choristers received Royal School of Church Music ribbon awards: Devin Morris was promoted to Dark Blue ribbon; Liam Downes and Zoli Marchant received their Light Blue ribbons.
Serena Downes has been accepted at
the RSCM week-long course at
The Senior Choir will end its year on June 6. That day, we will remember Mary Owen Rutter, who died last month, and who was a member of the choir and also director, during the '70's.
In August, Katie and Kim Bossey
and I will be attending our annual RSCM Cathedral Singing Week, in
Information about the RSCM and its mission can be found at www.rscm.com
Dennis
May 16, 2010 was a perfect day to visit our cemetery, and get acquainted with some of the people who settled Sanbornton in the 1700’s and 1800’s. More than fifty townspeople gathered to admire the old tombstones, and learn a little about where those people had lived, and their contributions to the town.
Brendan Morrison, chair of the Centre Cemetery Committee, welcomed visitors and gave a brief history, pointing out the location of the original Meetinghouse, which served as a combination town hall/church until 1834 when separate buildings were erected. The 1838 Town Meeting released the land where the old Meetinghouse stood, to be added to the cemetery, with the stipulation that a wall would be built around the cemetery, free of expense to the town.
Committee members stationed around the cemetery gave brief histories of some of the oldest families. Graves of special interest are those of the first four pastors of this church and their families: Rev. Joseph Woodman, Rev Abraham Bodwell, Rev. James Boutwell, and Rev. Moses T. Runnels. These four served a total of one hundred fifteen years, from November 13, 1771 to September 4, 1886.
Moses Runnels was not only the pastor of the Congregational
Church, but also the author of “History of Sanbornton,
Many of the homes built in the early 1800’s are still occupied today. Snapshots of a few of these houses were displayed near the monuments of their original builders or early occupants: the Rev Abraham Bodwell house, now Lake; the Simon Lane house, (built by Daniel Sanborn for his son James), now Hansen; the Thomas Jaques house on the site of the original Daniel Sanborn home and tavern, now Spinner; the Dr. James Abbott house, now Baillargeon; the Fanny Lane, and John and Walter Blaisdell house, now Jelenik; the Nathaniel Eastman house, now Bingham; and the Lane Tavern which has seen a myriad of occupants.
This celebration was such a success that the Cemetery Committee plans to give a repeat performance on Old Home Day, July 17. Please join us.
OLD HOME DAY IN OUR
BACK YARD
Sanbornton’s Old Home Day Celebration will be held on the weekend of July 16, 17 and 18 this year.
Friday’s events will include the weekly Farmers’ Market, 3-6
p.m., in the field across from the Lane Tavern and Open House, at the same
time, at the Lane Tavern. There will be a Pancake Breakfast at Lane Tavern on
Saturday, July 17, at
At the Fair there will be food, music, and crafts plus
children’s activities. There will be cash prizes this year for some of the
contests. Watch for more information about the Baking, Art and Photo Contests,
the Parade route, exhibits, vendors, etc. Sunday’s traditional Old Home Day
Union Church Service, for the congregations of Sanbornton’s three churches,
will be held at
MISSIONS COMMITTEE
In keeping a long-standing tradition, we will be doing a special collection to honor those men who have been a positive influence in our lives with the Fathers’ Day, “Tools of Hope” offering. For two consecutive Sundays – June 6 & 13, we will provide Donation Slips on which you can write your sentiments to either remember or honor someone special. A tool kit costs about $15, but you may donate whatever you wish. Our donations will be used to help resettle displaced persons around our nation and the world. Please make checks out to Sanbornton Congregational U.C.C. and note “tools” in the memo section. This is a wonderful outreach opportunity.
It seems a bit harder to remember those in need during the beautiful summer months, but the needs never really take a “break.” The National Weather Service is predicting a very active hurricane season. International Rescue Committee is working hard and furious in Haiti to help people who are living in areas still heavily damaged by January’s earthquake to prepare. Your help in many areas of mission work of our church really is critical. Whether it be money and food for our Local Hunger Relief mission; health items for our hygiene kits for homeless shelters; socks and essential items for our military men and women or civilians in war torn areas; or, your fervent prayers on behalf of those in need, we all make a difference. What a joy it is to work together to make things better!
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Emerson-Knott, Edna Hansen & Patsy Wells - The Missions Committee.