May, 2010

I have just had the most wonderful week sailing the high seas of the Caribbean with 20 other clergy women. In the pursuit of self care and higher education, we get together once a year to rest, re-create and learn about the church in different kinds of places. Last year it was the Grand Canyon (a land based gathering) where we learned about some of the prophets of the Old Testament and the year before was Mexico where we learned about self care in the midst of ministry. This year we went to the Bahamas to participate in workshops on hospitality given by church pastor and author Rev. Nanette Sawyer. For a week we studied from her book, “Discovering the Hidden Spiritual Power of Invitation and Welcome” which published in 2008.

There is so much that I learned in her workshops, too much information to share in one newsletter article. However, I do look forward to talking about these workshops in the weeks to come. To sum it up in broad brush strokes, we learned that hospitality in and of itself is a spiritual practice. That in becoming a person of hospitality, that is a person who is open to welcoming the other, whoever the other is at whatever place that person may be, that transformation happens, lives are changed, both for yourself and the other.

I had many ah ha moments during this cruise however the most significant was learning that I needed to practice hospitality toward God. Too often I take God for granted. Knowing that God will always be there whenever I need God, I forget that God needs to be welcome into my life. In order for me to be open to hearing God’s will, I need to set aside time to open the door to God. This can be done through activities where my mind is still and my heart is open. Those moments for me are prayer, playing music and most especially gardening. However in the pace of life, I am apt to neglect these things and shut out God through my busyness. However by being part of this community of faith, The Congregational Church of Sanbornton, UCC, I am called back to welcome God through praying, singing and being in fellowship with you all. I am able to extend hospitality toward God because of the hospitality that you have given toward me and each other.

This month let us continue to practice hospitality towards each other and most especially towards God. Let us continue to keep the door open for God to enter into our lives and the porch light on so that others may find us too.

Shalom,

Pastor Jean

MAY 2010 CALENDAR

May 2nd 10:00am WORSHIP, CE MEETING following worship, Cottage Meeting at the Town Hall following worship

May 6th 7:00pm Junior Choir, 7:30pm Senior Choir

May 8th 8:30 am to noon Centre Cemetery Clean-up

May 9th 10:00 am WORSHIP

May 11th Sanbornton Town Elections (meals for official Undercroft)

May 12th Sanbornton Town Meeting (Scheduled Council Meeting Undercroft check bulletin for possible change of date)

May 13th 7:00pm Junior Choir, 7:30 Senior Choir

May 16th 10:00am WORSHIP with substitute for coffee hour held at Centre Cemetery (see article this Belfry)

May 18th 1:30pm Prayer Shawl Ministry, Woodside Craft Room, Taylor Community, Laconia

May 19th 6:30pm Book Group, PEOPLE OF THE BOOK , check bulletin for place

May 20th 5:30pm Search Committee, Undercroft, 7:00pm Junior Choir, 7:30pm Senior Choir

May 23rd 10:00 pm WORSHIP , CHILDREN’S SUNDAY,, 12:15 Senior’s Dinner Undercroft

May 27th 5:00pm Spirituality Group, Undercroft, 7:30pm Senior Choir…

May 30th 10:00am WORSHIP

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

“Let there be light!” It may not be that noticeable, but following some work by Will Ellis, from

Sanbornton, all undercroft light fixtures are now operating! All in-operable lights were replaced,

and were upgraded to include new electronic ballasts - energy efficient – as well as having more efficient fixtures installed. As more bulbs and ballasts fail, they will be replaced, as well.

“Let there be H2O! Following a lot of review, it was determined that a new filter might just do the job for our kitchen cold water, which did the trick! The trustees will assure that the filters are changed on a fixed schedule, and hopefully, the blue water container will be no more! Many thanks to Richard for having assured our palatable water for lo, these many years!

Our active Centre Cemetery Committee had two folks volunteer to serve. The Trustees gratefully acknowledged the willingness of Karey Crawford and Paula Ghergia and approved their membership. Welcome, and thanks! Elsewhere in this issue you will find information on the upcoming special events at the Centre Cemetery. TAKE NOTE !!!

Danny Swain will again be doing the necessary lawn work at the Cemetery this mowing season. Thanks also to Jonathan Marchant for agreeing to spruce up the flower beds.

The Trustees continue to pursue needed repairs to the parsonage.

Wally Strauch, Chair

FROM THE MODERATOR

May is here, the weather is beautiful, and we’re at that time of year when we’re starting to wrap up the choirs for a summer sabbatical. Fear not, as there is a wonderful summer program of guest musicians that always bring new and beautiful music, on all types of instruments, to our church.

I do want to mention in this month’s Belfry that the church council was recently talking about how we can best communicate to the church the topics and major decisions that are made each month at the Church Council meetings. We concluded that it’s time to bring back the Moderators Moment (I refuse to call it the Moderator’s Minute as someone is guaranteed to break out a clock and start timing me!) This Moderator’s Moment will usually be held during announcements on the Sunday immediately after the Council meeting, unless the moderator forgets.

In April, I neglected my duties and just plain forgot, so I’ll make up for it here. There were two primary decisions or “happenings” that evening. The first was the discussion of whether the church should begin another Visioning process in the near future, as we did in 2005 and 2008. We concluded that since both the Search Committee and the Bylaws committee are working in this direction, any more visioning now would be overkill. We voted to wait until the Settled Pastor was in place and bring up the topic again then.

The second topic was more of announcement, and that was the fact that Lee Hart has agreed to volunteer to chair the “Green Team” again and is looking for volunteers! Numerous ideas around the subject of being a “Green Church” are being entertained, but Lee would like some help! Anyone who is interested, please contact Lee and sign up! We look forward to great things from this group!

Faithfully, David Henderson, Church Moderator

CHILDREN/YOUTH SUNDAY, MAY 23RD

May 23, 2010, is Pentecost Sunday, and the Sunday School Classes will be participating in Worship. This will conclude our Sunday School Program for the school year. This is a special time for our Sunday School to worship with the Congregation and to be part of the Worship Service. As has been the tradition, third grade students will receive Bibles, and the Junior Choir will be presented with awards. After Worship, the Christian Education Committee, invite all to the Coffee Hour in the Undercroft. This is the day to celebrate the BIRTHDAY OF THE CHURCH AND THE CHILDREN OF OUR CHURCH!

SUNDAY SCHOOL TALENT SHOW A SUCCESS!

The April 17th Talent Show to benefit children in Haiti was spectacular entertainment by thirteen very wonderful children. We thank the Fourth and Fifth Grade Class for inspiring the Sunday School to present their ‘talents’ to help the children in Haiti through UNICEF’s work.

If you were present you enjoyed clarinet, piano, and flute music; as well as delightful singing. In addition, there were jokes and riddles, gymnastics, games, and yo-yo tricks. Participating children were Syndi Chapman, Samantha Wood, Amanda Morris, Shelby Chapman, Zoli Marchant, Kathryn Long, Hannah Max, Devin Morris, Taylor Nute, Emily Max, Abigail Long, Serena Downes, Caiden Gamble and Liam Downes.

Thank you to the children, teachers, parents, and all who helped the children make this benefit a remarkable success. The amount collected was over $400 and is continuing to grow. We loved every minute!

The Christian Education Committee

CEMETERY SPRUCE-UP MORNING – Saturday – May 8th

Around your house, Spring is time to clean away all that the Winter deposited: branches, leaves etc. Well, our beautiful historic cemetery on the hill also needs some loving care.

If you have a few hours between 8:30 – 12:00 on Saturday, please come and lend a hand. All you need to bring is workgloves, a small shovel, maybe a rake. And, of course, some fellowship.

We’d love to see you. Any questions, please call Brendan Morrison, 729-0002

Your Centre Cemetery Committee

CENTRE CEMETERY SOCIAL – May 16th – Wear Your Sneakers !

Once again, Sanbornton Congregational Church is breaking new ground (so to speak). As you may be aware, our church owns and maintains one of the oldest and historic cemeteries in Sanbornton, just up the road from our Meetinghouse.

Over the past three years the Cemetery Committee has been hard at work identifying and researching the ‘residents’ residing there. It is actually a walk-thru the history of Sanbornton. Our oldest ‘resident’s are the Gibson family, with burials in 1771 – 1782. Also, did you know our original Sanbornton Congregational Church was actually located INSIDE the Cemetery stone wall?

Our Social Hour after church service on May 16th will be at the Cemetery. Please bring the whole family and all your friends to this special event. Your Cemetery Committee has planned a great learning experience. Come see and hear about your Town founders and historians. If you have relatives or friends buried in the Cemetery, we especially wish you to come and share any history you know about them.

We look forward to seeing you on the 16th,

Centre Cemetery Committee, Brendan Morrison, Chair

MISSIONS

Please join us on Mothers’ Day, Sunday - May 9th, to remember those women who had a positive influence on our lives. Whether it be your own Mother, a special aunt or friend you can take this opportunity to give a “blanket” in memory of or in honor of that special woman in your life. We will once again publish donations for “Blanket Sunday” memorials and dedications on Mothers’ Day. The suggested donation is $5 per blanket and we will have donation slips and envelopes available on April 25th and May 2nd. You can also mail your gift to us. Please make checks out to Sanbornton Congregational U.C.C. and note “blankets” in the memo section. This is a wonderful outreach opportunity because relief blankets are needed in every disaster.

We need your help in another area of our mission work. Please remember that on the first Sunday of every month we collect money and food for our Local Hunger Relief mission. Not only do we support the two food pantries here in Sanbornton, but we also serve meals four times a year at the Bread & Roses Kitchen in Franklin. Lately, the donations have been down significantly and that has hampered our outreach efforts to help neighbors in need.

What a joy it is to work together to make things better!

Respectfully submitted, the Missions Committee: Ann Emerson-Knott, Edna Hansen & Patsy Wells

THE GREEN TEAM IS BACK!

Starting the first Sunday in May, The Green Corner will appear on the left corner of the long table inside the undercroft door. On the table you will find the GREEN BOOK – remember that? Our folks and families record changes (large or small) to their lifestyles, so that they may honor God’s earth. This book makes good reading! This year, we’ll pick one entry per month for special mention. We can help each other with our ideas and resolve. There is already an honor entry for April. Come see!

Green tips will also appear in our weekly bulletin, starting in May. There are several new books, and videos from last year in our LENDING LIBRARY on the shelf at the back of the sanctuary. See the little book about non-toxic housecleaning products.

Happy Spring!

Lee Hart

SPIRITUALITY GROUP

The Spirituality Group will meet in the undercroft on Thursday May 27 from 5-6pm. We are still uncovering new treasures from the Spring section of our book and welcome new members at any time!