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July 2006 Worship Services Saturday,
July 1, 2006 Communion 5:00
p.m. Rev.
Thomas Ratmeyer Please
join us for potluck after the service. ______________ Sunday,
July 2, 2006 Communion 8:00
& 10:00 a.m. Rev.
Patricia L. Liberty 2
Samuel 1:1, 17-27 Psalm
130 2
Corinthians 8:7-15 Mark
5:21-43 ______________ Sunday,
July 9, 2006 8:00
& 10:00 a.m. Rev.
Thomas Ratmeyer 2
Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 Psalm
48 2
Corinthians 12:2-10 Mark
6:1-13 ______________ Sunday,
July 16, 2006 8:00
& 10:00 a.m. Rev.
Patricia L. Liberty 2
Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 Psalm
24 Ephesians
1:3-14 Mark
6:14-29 ______________ Sunday,
July 23, 2006 8:00
& 10:00 a.m. Rev.
Thomas Ratmeyer 2
Samuel 7:1-14a Psalm
89:20-37 Ephesians
2:11-22 Mark
6:30-34, 53-56 ______________ Sunday,
July 30, 2006 8:00
& 10:00 a.m. Rev.
Thomas Ratmeyer 2
Samuel 11:1-15 Psalm
14 Ephesians
3:14-21 John
6:1-21 ______________ The
Anchor “Imitate
those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:12; 19 July, 2006
Vol. 46 Issue 7 Mystic Congregational Church Gathered on January
20, 1852 From the Senior
Pastor I came across a
new old hymn the other day, titled “We Limit Not the Truth of God.” (Pilgrim
Hymnal #259) If it is not yet the
denominational anthem of our Congregationalist heritage – and I just haven’t
been around long enough to know that – then I am submitting that we nominate
it as such. Let me share a verse
with you: We limit not the truth of God I think of this
as a powerful and beautiful expression of so many truths that we hold dear as
Mystic Congregational Church, but also as part of the Congregationalist
tradition and as part of the UCC. God’s truth is always bigger than what we
can comprehend, which means most importantly that we should be humble in how we
presume and proclaim to know God’s word and will. Moreover, our notion of faith and our ways of living as
faithful people are bound to the context of our time and to the tradition and
church community which we claim as our own.
Methodists in the 18th century believed differently than we
do. The last two
lines are the words of wisdom and faith with which Pastor John Robinson sent off
the Pilgrims on their way to find religious freedom in the new world in 1620.
They are as true and relevant now as they were then.
We have since updated the words a bit, but the meaning is the same. These days we say: “God is still speaking,” Yours in
Christ, Pastor Thomas From the Moderator:
We all will be well into "summer" by the time you read this, and while summer is a time for some rest and change of pace, the many missions of MCC continues to chug forward. One of the results of change was apparent at the Council's June Meeting where it was impossible to welcome many new members to the Council, because we now meet on the first Wednesday of the month, and all of the committees will not meet until June 21 to elect new council representatives. This is a full week after this article is due in to Leni for editing, processing, and publication. Therefore, though we opened a "new church year" on June 7, we will do so again on July 5, thus giving everyone a chance to get up to speed. Many of our recognized initiatives continue to develop - the Youth Space issues, building maintenance, creative methods of raising the promised funds to complete the previous campaign and then to develop a new line item for necessary continued building stewardship, outreach programs in more areas than I can keep in my mind at any one time, education ministries for all ages, etc. etc. etc. However, it is also time to look forward to what we can/should/want to do in this new church year 2006-2007. Some ideas may be expressed in this issue of the ANCHOR; many will be discussed in the months to come. HOW CAN YOU HELP? Something that I feel deserves our serious thought and energies now is to develop some answers as to how we at MCC can be involved in the organization for the 50th Anniversary General Synod U.C.C. meetings (this is the national conference, folks) that will occur in Hartford June 22-26, 2007. To quote (again) from their 'little orange card’: "Lots of volunteers will be needed to offer Connecticut's Extravagant Welcome!" Structural and organizational committees include: registration, hospitality, housing, information services, children's programs, transportation, special needs, environment design/stage set, communications/technology, office support, floor stewards, youth stewards. I bet there is a whole lot more to be accomplished. I have chaired a few regional and national conferences and understand the tremendous responsibility that this is. I also have experienced the real joy, sense of accomplishment and community of such an endeavor. WHAT CAN WE DO? a) Focus our energies on one of the above? b) Create our own concept of assistance? c) Ask various people to speak up and sign up for that area that suits them best? d) All of the above? e) None of the above? This is not a
test, except to our commitment to a national experience of worship, education,
and fellowship. Although few
ever responded to my requests for feedback on several of last year's issues and
dilemmas, I sincerely hope that you will give prayerful thought to the above
questions and then "speak up" … to me in person, via telephone,
email, or snail-mail (I don't have FAX). Let's get into the demanding yet
exhilarating experience that is a "national conference".
Faithfully, Kay Janney From the Interim Associate Pastor Summer
at the Youth Space… Summer at the
Youth Space won’t be complete without all 6th- 8th
graders from 7:00-8:45 and all the 9th-12th from 9:00-11:00 on Friday
nights throughout the summer. Come
and bring your friends! Longer
daylight hours mean more outside games and fun.
Ice cream novelties are a new feature to our available munchies and it
promises to be a great time. So,
parents … bring your junior/senior high children and tell all your friends and
theirs!!! And … this
part of my message is for everyone …
if drop-in time is really going to last throughout the summer, we need your
help. Please sign up
for JUST ONE Friday night.
If it’s your first time, we’ll pair you with someone who knows the
ropes and you will have a great time! Mystic
Congregational Church has a wonderful resource and a wonderful opportunity in
the Youth Space. It takes all of us
to make it happen. So join us for
a Friday Night … if you’re the parent of Junior High, sign up for the Senior
High and if you’re a Senior High parent, sign up for Junior High.
As a community
working together, we can provide a great alternative to just hanging out
downtown. See you at the
Youth Space and other places. Pastor
Pat
TRUSTEES UPDATE Our current projects include: · New windows for most of the Moran Building – done! (Frank Jurin) · Ladies’ Room repairs—done! (Pam McGee) · Power wash & painting – sanctuary exterior and Library portico plus woodwork repairs as necessary to library portico – by end of July. (Frank Jurin) · Annual hydraulic pressure relief test for elevator to bring us into compliance with State Dept. of Public Safety – by mid-July. (Dave Tapley & Eric Janney) · Revision of protocols for use of Parish Hall & kitchen for outside groups, plus increase in suggested donations for use of the facility. (Ideas? Contact Kathleen O’Beirne) ·
Our gratitude to our gardeners who are making us look good:
Pam McGee, Laurel Butler, Nancy
McLoughlin, and Kathleen O’Beirne. The Conference Connection By Sue Barker I will endeavor to make this a monthly connection as many exciting things are happening in the wider church. The first part of our United Church of Christ Annual Meeting was held in Middletown at the end of May. Our Pastor Thomas, Lynn Stefanowicz, Gus Woerner and Sue Barker attended this meeting. With 35 workshops to choose from and only four of us, we had difficulty attending everything that would be pertinent to our life at Mystic Congregational Church but we did, however, make a supreme effort. Subjects included Stewardship, Size Transitions, Youth, Death Penalty, Safe Church, Exploring Creation Stories Through Art, just to name a few. We listened to updates for Synod in Hartford 2007 and we worshiped. How wonderful worship is when many of us are gathered! The singing for me takes on a new dimension. Meeting old friends, making new ones—what a great way to spend a Saturday. Thank you all for the privilege of attending. BARNES
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Congratulations
to this year’s scholarship recipients! They are Gregory Abbott, Katharine Grant and Candice Webb. Greg will be
attending James Madison University, majoring in journalism. Katharine is
currently a student at Duke University, majoring in environmental studies with a
minor in biology. Candice will be attending Drexel University, majoring in
graphic design. They join a large group of outstanding students, both in
academics and community involvement, who have already benefited in past years
from a portion of the interest earned on the financial gift given to our church
from the will of the late Elsie Barnes. NOTES FROM
REV. LOIS HAPPE, REGIONAL MINISTER Please remember the following churches in your prayers: ·
Storrs Congregational Church, Ken Ferguson and Hilary Dahlberg,
Pastors ·
Storrs Korean Church, UCC, Ho Jung Chang, Pastor ·
Taftville Congregational Church, Mark Pilletere, PAstor ·
Talcotville Congregational Church, Ed Meincke, Pastor ·
Congregational Church of Thompson, Kurt Herber, Interim Pastor ·
United Congregational Church of Tolland, Bob Wright and Hannah
Howe, Pastors ·
The Congregational Church of Union, Bob LaRochelle, Pastor The United Church of Oakdale formally closed its doors on June 30, 2006 after serving the community for nearly 35 years. A celebration of its legacy will be held on Sunday, June 25th at 6:30 p.m. at 1104 Old Colchester Road. A Sowing Peace in Times of War delegation of Conference staff, members of the Colombia Partnership Committee and several local churches will join with representatives of the UCC Justice and Witness Ministries, Central Atlantic Conference and others on a Witness for Peace delegation to Colombia in early July. The Steeple Café
The Mystic Outdoor Art Festival is on August 12th and 13th this year. The Steeple Café
will be open again and we need volunteers to sign up for this event.
Russ Cumming (xxx-xxxx or rpcumming@snet.net) is looking for 3
individuals to assist him in planning for this year’s event: · A
coordinator of volunteers · A
food preparation point person · A
facilities set-up coordinator (for tables, chairs, flowers, tent, grills, etc.) We will meet soon to discuss the
planning, sample suggested menu items, signage, and other related concerns.
If you have any suggestions for menu items or marketing ideas, please
share them with Russ. July 2006 Story Hour Readers Readers at the Norwich Family Shelter for July are Connie Blair, Tessa Getchis, Elaine Sloan, Jody Capen, Natalie Billing, Ruth Webster, Felicia Mahoney, Frances Moppett, Merin Troutman, and Patti Burmahl. Our reading program is on
Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30. Anyone interested in information or
volunteering, please contact Elaine Sloan at xxx-xxxx or Betty Guadliana at xxx-xxxx. IT’S YOUR TURN! It’s the congregation’s ministry during the summer to lead the “Time With Children”. A special story, a memory from your childhood, or maybe your favorite scripture are all things that would be wonderful to share with our children. A
sign-up sheet is in the main hall next
to the Children’s Ministries Bulletin Board. You
may also call Chris Glas at 536-4259. ENVIRONMENTAL
CORNER of the 7th
& 8th Grade Sunday
School Did you know that when you use up a product or throw away a bottle, those chemicals go into our environment one way or another through waste water, garbage, or drains? Try
using lemon juice to clean your home. Lemon
juice can be used to dissolve soap scum, hard-water deposits, and clean and
shine brass and copper. Mix lemon
juice with vinegar and/or baking soda to make a cleaning paste.
Mix one cup olive oil with 1/2 cup lemon juice to make a furniture polish
for your hardwood furniture. WOMEN’S EVENING FELLOWSHIP Potluck
Picnic July
12th, Wednesday, 6:00
p.m. Parish
Hall Bring
food and friends to
share a meal! PFLAG Meetings at Noank
Baptist Church PFLAG is an acronym that originally stood for Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays and has grown to include bisexuals and transgender persons. It is also a group that promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through support, education and advocacy. The vision of this group is to celebrate diversity and envision a society that embraces everyone with respect, dignity and equality. The Noank Baptist Church is the host of the new PFLAG of Southeastern CT. Meetings will be in the General Meeting Room of the church on the 2nd Monday of each month, 5:30-8:00 p.m. (5:30-6:30 p.m. Potluck & Socializing, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Meeting). For more details, call: PFLAG-SECT xxx-xxx-xxxx or
Lauren Watson xxx-xxx-xxxx BAZAAR NOTES: Your Creativity is Our Specialty! Remember to buy your canning jars on sale (or check the Women’s Fellowship closet for any extras). If you are picking berries for preserves, catnip for knitted mice, or cucumbers for pickles, consider asking others to help and enjoy the camaraderie. If you have hydrangea bushes, let Ginny Schmidt know for her dried wreaths (xxx-xxxx). The Women’s Fellowship closet
has boxes of buttons, materials, ribbons, and lace, if you need any for your
special projects this summer. For
further information, call Julie
Stone (xxx-xxxx). |