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August
2006 Worship Services Communion 5:00
p.m. Please
join us for potluck supper after the service. ______________ Sunday,
August 6, 2006 Communion 8:00
& 10:00 a.m. Rev.
Patricia L. Liberty 2
Samuel 11:26-12:13a Psalm
51:1-12 Ephesians
4:1-16 John
6:24-35 ______________ Sunday,
August 13, 2006 8:00
& 10:00 a.m. Chris
Jones 2
Samuel 18:5-9, 31-33 Psalm
130 Ephesians
4:25-5:2 John
6:35, 41-51 ______________ Sunday,
August 20, 2006 8:00
& 10:00 a.m. Rev.
Patricia L. Liberty 1
Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14 Psalm
111 Ephesians
5:15-20 John
6:51-58 ______________ Sunday,
August 27, 2006 8:00
& 10:00 a.m. Rev.
Allie Perry 1
Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11), 22-30, 41-43 Psalm
84 Ephesians
6:10-20 John
6:56-69 ______________ 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 August, 2006
Vol. 46 Issue 8 Mystic Congregational Church Gathered on January
20, 1852 From Pastor Pat
Dog Days Writing on Monday morning, the first day without oppressive heat and
humidity, the sky is crystal blue and the trees’ deep green of late summer is
a delight to behold. Even our old
dog, Pearl, has a little bounce in her step this morning and that is rare these
days ... Watching her survive the heat and humidity with her long fur and aching
bones reminds me that much of what I need to know I have learned from the pets
that grace my days. I share these
thoughts with you as a reminder to care for yourselves and each other. As a puppy, Pearl reminded me to take time to play.
She was never above dropping a slimy tennis ball in my lap or on my shoe
(regardless of my attire) and demanding a few moments of recreation.
Her play is far more sedate these days, but she still manages to take me
out of myself to have fun a few minutes each day.
Dishes, cutting the grass, weeding the garden, paying the bills,
finishing the work I brought home, are all things that can wait a few minutes
while we play. Our cat, Scruples, will be 19 soon and though she moves a lot slower
these days, her basic attitude hasn’t changed much through the years.
She keeps a healthy level of detachment from most things and chooses
carefully which things she will give her time and attention to.
It’s good advice, though I am still learning to take it.
I can’t do it all; neither can you or any one else.
The way we get through this life is to work together and ask for help
when we need it. My equine companions of the past, Cromwell and Sox, offer the wise
counsel of listening. Learning
dressage was a discipline of relationship with my horses; we learned the
beautiful and subtle dances by listening to each other, respecting each other
and moving to each other’s rhythms. When
I was stressed, they were stressed; if I was open and relaxed, so were they.
As human beings, we process stress in our bodies; it seeps into our bones
and our spirits, creates pain and heaviness of heart. As we move through these days with prayers and care for our church, for
those bringing the complaint, and for Thomas and Heather and their family, we
need each other; we need times of play and rest, a level of healthy detachment
that knows what is ours to do and what is not.
And we need to listen—to our bodies, to each other, and to the moving
of the Holy Spirit in our midst. Be in prayer; be gentle with yourself and others.
God’s peace and care will attend to your ways. Pastor Pat From the Moderator A highlight of the July Council meeting was a presentation by treasurer
Dave Tapley of a "Statement of Investment Policy, Objectives and
Guidelines" that was developed in June by the Investment Committee.
This committee is composed of Russ Cumming, Laurel Butler, Frank Davis,
Pastor Thomas, Kathleen O'Beirne and, of course, Dave Tapley. The 3-page document clarifies the kinds of assets of the church,
explains the Endowment Classes, and outlines Investment Objectives.
Please contact the church office or Dave if you would like to read the
entire report. I will offer a simple summary here. MCC has three pools of assets to invest: a) Operating
(checking account, Hispanic Education Money Market and a part of Vanguard
MMR-30, a money market account) and Temporarily Restricted funds, b) Reserve
funds that may be needed to supplement operating funds (part of Vanguard MMR-30,
Building Reserve Fund, and Sabbatical Reserve Fund, and c)
three different classes of
Endowment Funds. "IT IS RECOMMENDED, BUT NOT REQUIRED THAT 50% OF ANY ANNUAL SURPLUS
BE ADDED TO THE BUILDING RESERVE FUND." The restrictions and other guidelines for use of the money in the
Endowment Classes are explained in the Annual report. The primary objective in investment management for the
Endowment Account assets: "TO ACHIEVE A BALANCED RETURN OF GROWTH OF
CAPITAL AND CURRENT INCOME." A secondary objective in investment management for Endowment Account
assets: "PRESERVATION OF PURCHASING POWER AFTER SPENDING".
Risk control is an important element in these investments. for each of us to understand "Where does all that money go?"
and to appreciate the careful stewardship in investment of our funds by the
those on the Investment Committee. Thanks,
folks! August is Mystic Outdoor Art Festival month. Please volunteer your time and talents to Kristy Head, Gloria
Bradley and members of the Women's Fellowship who have picked up the Book Sale
Project run for so many successful years by the Mystic Junior Women's Club.
"Many hands and many friends ..." Faithfully yours, Kay Janney Book of Life Entered into Eternal Rest:
Henry Wade Evans, July 1, 2006 Baptized: Hannah
May Buck, on July 30, 2006. Parents
are Christopher & Rachel Buck. Grandparents
are Keith & Sue Barker. Married: Richard
Ely & Laura Boucher, on July 8, 2006 in Old Lyme.
Richard is the
son of
Harriet Ely. NOTES FROM
REV. LOIS HAPPE, REGIONAL MINISTER Please remember the following churches in your prayers: ·
August 6th, First Congregational Church of Vernon—Peter Brenner
and Cindy Carr, Pastors ·
August 13th, First Congregational Church of Willimantic ·
August 20th, Federated Church of Willington—Del Hickson, Pastor ·
August 27th, First Congregational Church of Woodstock—Jamie
Harrison, Pastor The Conference Connection
By Sue Barker The
50th
Anniversary General Synod to be held in
TRUSTEES UPDATEOur current projects include: · 5 new windows for the rest of the Moran Building (Frank Jurin) · power wash, painting & repair of nursery door roof – Moran Building (Frank Jurin) · replacement of Parish Hall floor covering with easy maintenance surface (Julie Stone and Kathleen O’Beirne) · revision of protocols for use of Parish Hall & kitchen for outside groups, plus increase in suggested donations for use of the facility (Julie & Kathleen) · our gratitude to our gardeners who are making us look good (Pam McGee, Laurel Butler, and Nancy McLoughlin) · Council’s
acceptance of Investment Committee’s Investment Guidelines (developed by David
Tapley, Laurel Butler, Russ Cumming, and Frank Davis) Stewardship Committee Update Work has begun on the ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN for 2007. We will be engaging all members to help with the distribution of contribution letters. Stay tuned for more details in next month’s
Anchor! Aug 2006 Story Hour Readers Readers at the Norwich Family Shelter for August are Elaine Sloan, Jane Morison, Tessa Getchis, Betty Guadliana, Felicia Mahoney, Ruth Webster, Jody Capen, Natalie Billing, Frances Moppett, and Nancy McLoughlin. 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. 2006 SUMMER FILM SERIES This film series offered by the Mystic Area Ecumenical Council (M.A.E.C.) concludes this August with the following schedule: Thursday, the 10th, 7:00 p.m. The World’s Fastest Indian at Union Baptist Church. Thursday, the 17th, 7:00 p.m. Babette’s Feast at Noank Baptist Church. Everyone is
invited to view the films and to share comments. CHRISTIAN
MISSION CORNER New London Community Meal Center on Montauk Avenue is our church service commitment the last Thursday of each month. A team of nine leaves the church at 3:20 p.m. to begin the meal process at 4:00 p.m. Tasks are preparing trays of rolls and desserts, beverages, assisting the cook as needed, serving about 150 people, operating the dishwasher, cleaning up. Recipients are very appreciative. The group is back in Mystic by 7:00 p.m. Your participation for one or several times will be greatly appreciated by Joan Robinson (xxx-xxxx) project coordinator. August 31 is the next date you are needed. Thank You. LOOKING AHEAD: Sunday, October 15th, is the 30th Annual CROP WALK in Mystic. Save the date and let's have 30
WALKERS from our church ! BAZAAR
BUZZ Sandy Nicholson (xxx-xxxx) is looking for assorted miniature teacups and saucers (doll-size). They don’t have to match or be perfect. Ginny Schmidt (xxx-xxxx alerts all who would enjoy working on holiday arrangements to join her and Priscilla Anderson for weekly workshops in the Parish Hall on Wednesdays in Sept. and Oct. Let her know of your interest or if you have any raw materials (like hydrangeas!). This is the season
to set aside those pickles, relish, chutney, and preserves.
Also, be on the look-out for new ideas and projects.
Ginny Schmidt will have weekly workshops at the church on Wednesdays at
9:30 a.m. in Sept. & October to work on holiday floral projects.
Call her for further info (xxx-xxxx). MCC “BOOKIES” The Women’s Fellowship All-Church book sale will take place during the Mystic Outdoor Art Festival Weekend (Aug. 12 & 13th). Gloria Bradley (xxx-xxxx) and Kristy Head are leading this new endeavor for the church (formerly a Mystic Junior Women’s Club initiative). They need two things from you: · your books (leave them in box by Library door) ·
your labor and/or staffing of the sale ADULT CHRISTIAN
EDUCATION PROGRAMS The Ministry of Adult Christian Education (M.A.C.E.) will be presenting "Book Talk" opportunities for the congregation in October. Please join us: When: October 15, 22, and 29 (Sundays) 9:00-10:00 a.m. Where: Church Library What: Discussion of Jimmy Carter's Book, Our Endangered Values (Please plan to pick up a copy and read over the summer) The Ministry of Adult Education committee members will be leading a lively discussion of several general topics that Jimmy Carter touches upon in this book about “America's Moral Crisis”. Our ministry will make final decisions on topics at our August meeting. Look for the topics in the September issue of The Anchor and weekly bulletins. Possible topics are: * Fundamentalism in Government * Justice for the Poor * Terrorism * Separation of Religion and Politics * Attacking Terrorism, Not Human Rights * Women's Rights |