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TRANSCRIPT
The Good Newsletter of the
Southwick Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
Southwick, MA
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Minister: The Rev. Bart Cochran
Please join us Sundays for…
Worship Service—10:00 AM
Mid-Week Service—Thursdays 6:30 PM
January 2016
Dear Friends,
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. -
Isaiah 43:19
The calendar has rolled over once again and another year has clicked
over! Good-bye 2015, Hello 2016! As always January is a time to look
to the future and whether you consider 2015 to have been a good
year or a bad year, the slate is now clean. Like a new sunrise, the New
Year holds a plethora of new opportunities for all kinds of new starts.
I personally have been thinking about my physical self and have been
working hard to “get into better shape” (round is not the shape I want
to be in). The point is, New Year is a time to think about new
improvements in our lives and we usually focus on one or two areas to
work on. I said one area of life that I have chosen to concentrate on is
my over-all physical health. I’m thinking of other areas as well, but no
matter which areas I look at, I always want to include spiritual growth
into the mix of all aspects of living.
So, why do I say that we need to include our spiritual selves into all the
other areas in which we seek improvement? Easy: priorities! As
Christians our job first and foremost is to love God more deeply.
Closely related to that: share that love with others in our lives,
whether friends and family or complete strangers. Take for example
my own desire for better physical health, how can I incorporate
spiritual growth into physical health? I begin by asking myself WHY I
want better physical health, to live longer? What is life without love
and relationship? Maybe I am engaging in physical activity to avoid
serious and chronic pain and disease, yes but with the understanding
that many health issues are not completely in my hands but in God’s
hands. You can see what I am getting at which is to engage my
spiritual self with my “ideas” of how I want my life to go.
We can apply this idea of joining our spiritual growth to any area
where we seek improvement: finances, career, social interaction and
so on. As we embark upon new journeys we are assured of God’s
presence and guidance:
presence and guidance:
“…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it
more abundantly.” - John 10:10
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things
have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” - 2
Corinthians 5:17
The good news is that God says, “I want to do something new in your
life. I want to give you a fresh start, a new beginning.” This news is a
major element of our Christian faith – to start fresh and have a new
beginning with God. One of the issues with the Christian message is
how to remain true to the Gospel of Jesus Christ while at the same
time presenting this Good News in a culturally relevant and exciting
way!
So as we set out to improve our own lives, we partner with God and
creatively break new ground for God’s Kingdom! We do new things;
we look for God to do new things and
together God’s blessings and God’s
very Kingdom blossoms in the midst
of our families, friends, jobs, hobbies,
travels… and on and on and on!
Start something new today… God is
doing the same!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Bart
Confirmation Class of 2015 ~ Congratulations!
Bottom Row: Sarah Cotto, Emily Pitoniak, Maria Lempke, Cecilia Winiarski Top Row: Lynn Coach, Elaina Lempke, Robert Lempke, Joyce Dudgeon, Virginia Orson, Susan Fox
Next month the 243rd Annual Meeting will be held. All reports from each Committee should be in the church office as soon as possible. As a reminder, each year the Nominating Committee asks each member of every committee if they wish to stay on their committee.
The office will be closed Friday, January 1st in celebration
of New Year’s Day and on Monday, January 18th in remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr.
News From the Office
Stewardship News In 2015, Stewardship Pledges by 83 members amounted to $92,600; these pledges provide approximately 72% of our target 2015 revenue. Currently, seventy (70) Stewardship Pledges for 2016 totaling $76,800 have been received. We are pleased to acknowledge the following members who have submitted Stew-ardship Pledges for 2016.
Andrade, Sally McNulty, Nancy Arnold, Fred Merlo, Alexandria (Sally) Arnold, Joyce Nelson, Gordon & Mary Avato, Mary Alice Nitsch, Eric & Melanie Babinski, James O’Mara, Evelyn Banasik, Patty Orson, Ted & Diane Bates, Eleanor Orson, Virginia Beman, Herb & Dolores Ottalagana, Joe & Ann Bossonnault, Joan Paggen, Virgil & Joyce Bradford, Marian Parent, James Brouillette, Rich & Linda Pietruska, Mike Brown-Roy, Nancy Pilskaln, Harold & Isabelle Brzoska, Emilia Pitoniak, Michael & Flo Brzoska, Sue Rathay, June Carpenter, Donald & Faith Rising, Robert Cazalet, Sandi Rood, Charles Jr & Diane Chase, Julianna Sanders, William Coach, Lynn Sklarski, Robin Cook, Roxanne Stevens, Bob & Sue Currier, Mary Stewart, Richard & Shirley Day, Dennis & Melissa Stromgren, Jeanne Egerton, Matthew & Irene Studer, Elizabeth Fox, Russ & Sue Tagliavini, Louise Greco, Ashley Thompson, Jane Goodkin, Elethea Turgeon, Dawn Gunn, Dave & Barb Vincent, James & Penelope Hall, Janice Warriner, Dan & Andrea Hall-Cotto, Jennifer Welch, Joann Hamilton, Shirl & Joyce Wheeler, George & Judy Holmes, Joan Williams, Selwyn Howes, David Zinnack, Karl & Lee Hughes, Arlene Jennett, Diane Johnson, Constance Kellogg, Erma Kulik, Grace Lempke, Robert & Elaina Lewis, Nancy Noble Martin, Patricia Mason-Arnold, Diane
Please join us to help ring in the New Year at our "Savor the Flavor" family pot luck supper on Sat eve, January,
16th at 5 PM.......
~ Barb Gunn & Patti Wood
HAND BELL NEWS
Thank you to those that attended the concert on Dec. 5th with the Hockanum Valley Ringers. If you missed it, we will be having them back again! Stay tuned! This was a wonderful experience for our Bell ringers...as Larry spent an evening at one of our rehearsals to teach us many new things! The HVR also commented to me how lovely our Sanctuary is...always nice to hear that! and as Mike Pitoniak said to me the next morning at church..."They were CRAZY good!!’
Gold Dome Ringers then played on Dec. 13th at the Holyoke Senior Center as a prelude to a Dan Kane Christmas Concert...another fun afternoon! Thanks to ALL for the sup-port to the Gold Dome Ringers! Wishing you all a happy and healthy Holiday Season!
Patti P. Wood, Director
ANNUAL HOLIDAY HAND
BELL CONCERT
January, 10th 1:30 PM
Church Sanctuary
HENRIETTA’S THRIFT SHOP
Henrietta’s is looking for donations. The store will take most anything (with the exception of clothing, computers, televi-sions and big furniture). Any toys or stuffed animals would be great. Also, starting in February the store will need volunteers to work on Fridays from 9-1 PM.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
We have MANY openings that need to be filled for the coming year......the "time" commitment is truly minimal. One evening per month (the 2nd Thurs of each month), summers off. As Melissa Day mentioned from the pulpit one Sunday....this is just the best way to join in with us to have fun, build our programs, reach out to others, etc.
Please chat with me, tell me your likes (and dislikes), strengths, where you might fit in to best serve our church life!
Something New…The Deacons
Epiphany Sunday represents the arrival of the
Three Wise men at the stable of Jesus’ birth.
It took the Wise men 12 days of following the
star before arriving to worship the Baby Jesus.
On Sunday, January 17th we will acknowledge Epiphany
Sunday with a special Service of Light. Please bring a candle in
a holder with you that day to help welcome our New Born King.
Any kind of candle, from a votive to a 12” taper will do.
Thank you,
The Deacons
JANUARY 2016
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
3 Communion
Service 10 AM
Coffee Hour 11 AM
OA Meeting 3:30 PM
4
Office Open 9-1 PM
5 Office Open 9-1 PM
Boy & Girl Scouts
6-8:30 PM
Bell Choir 6:30 PM
6
Office Open 9-1 PM
Thrift Shop Open
Choir Rehearsal 7 PM
7
Office Open 9-1 PM
Midweek Service
6:30 PM
10 Worship
Service 10 AM
Sunday School/Youth
Coffee Hour 11 AM
Handbell Concert 1:30
OA Meeting 3:30 PM
11
Office Open 9-1 PM
12
Office Open 9-1 PM
Boy & Girl Scouts
6-8:30 PM
Bell Choir 6:30 PM
13
Office Open 9-1 PM
Thrift Shop Open
Choir Rehearsal 7 PM
14
Office Open 9-1 PM
Midweek Service
6:30 PM
All Church Meeting
7 PM (Ushers)
17
Worship
Service 10 AM
Coffee Hour 11 AM
OA Meeting 3:30 PM
18
Office Closed
19 Office Open 9-1 PM
Boy & Girl Scouts
6-8:30 PM
Bell Choir 6:30 PM
American Inn 6:30
20
Office Open 9-1 PM
Thrift Shop Open
Choir Rehearsal 7 PM
21
Office Open 9-1 PM
Fair Share Delivery
Midweek Service
6:30 PM
24 Worship
Service 10 AM
Sunday School/Youth
Coffee Hour 11 AM
Healing Service 3 PM
OA Meeting 3:30 PM
25
Office Open 9-1 PM
26
Office Open 9-1 PM
Boy & Girl Scouts
6-8:30 PM
Bell Choir 6:30 PM
27
Office Open 9-1 PM
Thrift Shop Open
Choir Rehearsal 7 PM
28
Office Open 9-1 PM
Midweek Service
6:30 PM
31 Worship & New
Member Sunday
Service 10 AM
Coffee Hour 11 AM
OA Meeting 3:30 PM
Fri Sat
1
Office/Thrift Closed
2
Thrift Shop Closed
Office Open 9-1 PM
Midweek Service
8 Office/Thrift 9-1PM
OA Meeting 6 PM
Scout Reunion6:30-8:30
AA 12 Step 7:30 PM
9
Thrift Shop Open
Office Open 9-1 PM
Midweek Service
All Church Meeting
7 PM (Ushers)
15
Office Open 9-1 PM
Thrift Shop Open
OA Meeting 6 PM
AA 12 Step 7:30 PM
16
Thrift Shop Open
Church Potluck 5 PM
Office Open 9-1 PM
Fair Share Delivery
Midweek Service
22
Office Open 9-1 PM
Thrift Shop Open
OA Meeting 6 PM
AA 12 Step 7:30 PM
23
Thrift Shop Open
Office Open 9-1 PM
Midweek Service
29
Office Open 9-1 PM
Thrift Shop Open
OA Meeting 6 PM
AA 12 Step 7:30 PM
30
Thrift Shop Open
Member Spotlight
This month, the Gold Dome introduces a new feature – Member Spotlight. We will profile a church member, family or group – the goal is to share and learn more about each other. This feature is
sponsored by the Missions and Outreach Committee – contact Patty B, Andrea, Sally or Valerie if you’d like to contribute a profile, or
have suggestions!
Our first featured member is Elaina Lempke, who is also our new Church Secretary!
Tell us a little about your background? I grew up in Agawam, Massachusetts and graduated from Agawam High School. I then attended Westfield State College receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Finance. I worked at Merrill Lynch and most recently for LEGO, Systems Inc. located in Enfield, CT in their Business Intelligence and Demand Planning/Forecasting Departments. Tell us a little about your family? I met Rob at Westfield State College and we got married in 1999. We have 2 children Maria Lempke, she is 14 and a freshman at Southwick High School and Robert Lempke Jr, he is 9 and in 4
th grade at Powder
Mill Middle School. Favorite Movie: The Devil Wears Prada and The Hunger Game Movies Favorite pastime/hobby: Gardening, reading and going to the beach. Tell us one thing most people would be surprised to know about you? I took years of both Spanish and Italian in high school but am not fluent in either. What habit would you like to break? I can be a bit of a control freak at times. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
To take care of my own basic needs before I attend to the needs of
others.
What achievements are you most proud of? Being the first in my family to attend college, putting myself through college and actually graduating! What do you like best about Southwick Congregational Church, UCC? I grew up Catholic, so the more laid back style of the church and pastor.
Holiday Open House
The food, drink and laughter were plentiful and a good time was had by those in attendance. A special thank you to Pastor Bart and Valerie for opening their home for a joyous afternoon of fellowship, food and fun!
Christmas Pageant
Happy Birthday!
Janice Hall January 1
Shirl Hamilton January 4
Ellie Bates January 20
Mike Wolak January 26
Buddy Vecchio January 30
Cookie Sale Fund-Raiser
Our premier gastronomic and visual delight of Holiday
Cookies was held in New Fellowship Hall on Saturday,
Dec. 12. On display were pinwheel, Oreo truffle, gluten-
free and dozens of other cookie varieties carefully hand-
made by 30 bakers and their assistants. The cookie
extravaganza sold approximately 150 lbs. of cookies and
raised nearly $1200. We could have
had more cookies for sale had the
quality control unit not done such
diligent taste testing. A special note
of thanks to the cookie bakers and
cookie buyers for making this fund-
raiser a success. With your help we
hope to make the annual Holiday
Cookie Sale even more successful in
coming years.
All Church Committee Meeting
December 10, 2015 The meeting was called to order by Patti Wood, Chairperson of Nominating Committee (in the absence of a moderator) at 8:10 p.m. The meeting was opened with a prayer by Pastor Bart. A motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously to accept the minutes of last month’s All-Church Committee Meeting. Pastor’s Report Confirmation was held this past Sunday, 12/6/15. A 3 generation baptism was held two weeks ago and another baptism will be this Sunday, 12/13/15. Advent Bible study has begun. Pastor Bart reminded everyone that he and Valerie will be hosting an open house at their home on 12/19/15 and all are welcome, starting at 2 p.m. Treasurer Ted Orson requested a correction to the Treasurer’s Report that he handed out. He asked to adjust out $5,000 from 2015 Funds Received and move this amount over to 2016 pre-paid pledges. A motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously. Deacons Melissa Day reported 3 members present. The Xmas Tree was put up in the Sanctuary with the help of members of Buildings & Grounds. Their committee had refreshments tonight. They did the Deacon of the Month assignments. Poinsettias will be delivered to shut-ins on 12/13/15. There was a discussion to light a collection of candles on the altar on the 2
nd Sunday of Epiphany to celebrate the coming of the
light of Jesus. Buildings and Grounds Eric Nitsch reported 4 members present. The group’s 2016 budget will be level funded. They have the snow removal contract in place and are planning to replace the kitchen stove.
Finance Committee Ellie Bates reported 5 present at their meeting: 3 members, the treasurer and the assistant treasurer. They discussed the rental of the parsonage. It is a hard time of year to rent but they do have a solid commitment from one couple that Ted is recommending we accept. They discussed ways to improve pledging. The current pledges are 69 received with a commitment of $79,496 which is down from last year at this time by about $13,000. Music Committee Melanie Nitsch reported 3 members at their meeting which they held on Tuesday, 12/8/15. They finalized the commit-tee’s 2016 budget and submitted it to the Finance Committee. The Hockanum Valley Ringers’ Concert last weekend was very well received and we hope to have them back. The bell choir’s annual concert will be held 1/10/16. Christian Education Ashley Greco reported 3 members present. The Advent Workshop was successfully held on 12/6/15. The Christmas Pageant will be 12/20/15. The Youth Group will be decorating the poinsettias to be delivered to the shut-ins. Ashley remind-ed everyone that the Nursery currently is not staffed but the ushers have names of those willing to go to the nursery should a family with a young child arrive at church. Mission-Outreach Patty Banasik reported 4 members present. The group will be adopting 8 families this year for Xmas. This January’s Gold Dome will be the 1
st month they will profile a church member.
They discussed having the church send birthday cards to members or to have a birthday calendar in the Old Fellowship Hall so we can be reminded who has a birthday that month. The white socks will be delivered to the Samaritan Inn on 12/21/15. The mitten tree will probably be left up until some time in January due to the milder weather we are experiencing.
Nominating Committee Patti Wood – no new names to bring forward. Patti again discussed having the annual meeting in February follow-ing a Sunday service rather than the usual 2
nd Thursday
of the month in the hopes of getting greater attendance. Pastoral Relations Committee No meeting this month but they are planning to meet in January. New Business 1) Roxanne Cook thanked everyone for all their help with
the Holly Bazaar. It was wonderfully successful and they made approximately $2,000.
2) Roxanne is asking the congregation to re-think doing dinners again as fundraisers as they bring in a good deal of income for the church.
3) There will be a pot luck supper on 1/16/16, a Saturday evening. The theme will be “Savor the Flavor of January.”
4) Annual reports need to be turned into Elaina Lempke, church secretary, by 1/15/15 so the Annual Report can be compiled and completed on time.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Melanie Nitsch, Clerk
Executive Board Meeting
December 10, 2015 Rental of the parsonage discussed at length. A motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously to rent the parsonage to the prospective couple Diane Orson has been speaking with. The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Melanie Nitsch, Clerk
Church Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Pastor’s Office Hours: Tuesday through Friday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Church Office Phone & Fax: 413-569-6362; Pastor’s Study: 569-5630
Website: southwickucc.org
Office e-mail: [email protected]
Look for us on Facebook: Southwick Congregational Church UCC
Staff: Minister Reverend Bart Cochran
Choir Director/Organist Roberta Kowal
Bell Choir Director Patti P. Wood
Administrative Assistant Elaina Lempke
Custodians Matthew Kowal
Florence Pitoniak
VOLUME MMXV No. 1
Southwick Congregational Church Committee
Chairs
Board of Deacons: Melissa Day, 569-0694, [email protected]
Buildings & Grounds: Eric Nitsch, 568-9722,
Christian Education: Ashley Greco, 579-2110, [email protected]
Finance: Ellie Bates, 569-5076
Library: Jodi Potts, 568-0383
Memorial Gifts: Karen Brzezinski, 569-6816
Mission Outreach: Patty Banasik, [email protected].
Music: Melanie Nitsch, [email protected]