Thursday Memo: September 2019

September 26, 2019

JOIN US FOR WORSHIP

THIS SUNDAY, September 29th, the 16th Sunday after Pentecost, there will be two services at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

OCTOBER 6TH- BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

One Service only at 9 AM

Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m.

Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m.

WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US FOR WORSHIP

and FELLOWSHIP

READINGS FOR SUNDAY

Sunday, September 29th

Pentecost 16, Proper 21

Amos 6:1a, 4-7
Psalm 146
1 Timothy 6:6-19
Luke 16:19-31

READERS FOR THIS SUNDAY:

1st Reading: Gretchen Behr-Svendsen

2nd Reading: Carol Tubman

Prayers: Marta von Loewenfeldt

Click below to see the readings:

LECTIONARY PAGE

FROM THE RECTOR

At our Vestry meeting this week we talked about the desire for at least a few minutes of silence before the service. This is not the first time we’ve talked about this, and I’m told the discussions began long before I arrived three years ago. It is an interesting conundrum. Many of us want this silence so that we can center ourselves and prepare for worship, but at the same time we enjoy greeting our friends before the service and sharing news about what we’ve been doing. So, what to do?

Our latest idea is for Bernice to end the prelude a few minutes before 10:00 (or 9:00). At that time I will announce that we will have a few minutes of silence, and sit in my usual place. At 10:00 I will stand and walk to the back entrance, the bells will be rung, and we will begin the opening hymn.

Let’s give this a try for the next several weeks. Even if you haven’t felt a desire for a brief silence before the service, try using the time to say a prayer for an awareness of God’s presence and an openness to God’s love for you.

Blessings,
Caroline

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR THOSE WHO USE THE KITCHEN

We had a strong gas smell in the building today, so Suburban was called to take a look. It appears there was a small leak where the pilot light for the back right burner of the kitchen stove is adjusted. For now, this pilot light has been turned off and cannot be lit. So don't be concerned when you see that it is out, or try to light it. The stove is otherwise perfectly safe to use and will be serviced as soon as possible.

IN THE COMMUNITY

IT'S FAIR TIME

Hello Everyone,

It’s Fair Time! I am looking for judges to help judge youth exhibits at both Fryeburg and Sandwich Fairs. Judging categories could include posters, baking, sewing, vegetables, arts and crafts, photography etc. You can judge whichever category you’re most comfortable with. No experience is necessary, we will orient you to the process and staff will be there to help the whole time. This year I only need a few judges for Fryeburg but lots of help at Sandwich.

Who can help judge:

Anyone over the age of 18, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, 4-H leaders, community members, anyone interested in learning more about 4-H.

Judging Schedule is:

Fryeburg Fair: Saturday September 28th 11:30-2pm

(11:30-12 Judges Orientation)

Sandwich Fair: Friday October 11th 5:30pm-8pm

(5:30-6pm Judges Orientation)

Please let me know if you might be interested in helping out as a judge. Judging takes place the day before the fairs are open so parking is usually not an issue. As a thank you all judges receive a pair of passes to the fair.

Contact Amanda at 447-3834 or email amanda.royce@unh.edu.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Jesus

Jesus, your name has been on my lips

since I was a young and innocent child.

Now these many years since first we met

I understand you are more than a name.

To know you is to allow your teachings

to reach into the core of my daily life,

to have your vision be the vital substance

of what truly guides and rules how I live.

How easy to bend the knee to your name

but how difficult it is to bend the heart.

Today: I make an effort to love as Jesus did.

From 365 Glimpses of the Divine for Daily Meditation: Fragments of Your Ancient Name, by Joyce Rupp.

CROPWALK

WALK. GIVE. CHANGE THE WORLD.

OCTOBER 20, 2019

1 PM at Sandwich Baptist Meeting House

Church Street
Contact Starr Hope 603-630-1935 for more information

cropwalkhunger.org

SUPPLIES FOR MIGRANT FAMILIES

Episcopal Migration Ministries is working with the Diocese of Texas and others to provide needed supplies and we have the opportunity to join in this effort by donating the following:

TOILETRIES – All travel size—PLEASE REMOVE FROM PACKAGING
1.    Toothpaste
2.    Toothbrush
3.    Comb
4.    Deodorant stick (not spray)
One of each item is to be packed in a reusable grocery bag.

Deacon Midge Pendergast has generously offered to take our donations back to her church and mail them for us. If you would like to participate in this effort the deadline for bringing items to the church is Sunday, September 29.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

Come join us! Knitting skills not required.

1st and 3rd Wednesday morning at 10:15 a.m.

If you knit or crochet (or would like to learn how to) and are led to engaging in an outreach mission that provides physical and spiritual comfort to those in need, please join us on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month at 10:15 AM in the Prince Room. We are a joyous group that will keep you in stitches! The coffee and tea will be on and new members are always welcome. If you have any questions, please call Lin Frank at 323-0402.

DINNER BELL

COOK TEAMS

for October are:

6- NEED COOK TEAM
13- NEED COOK TEAM
20-Wakefield
27-Friends

Thank you for your volunteer

work in this special Outreach program!

COMMUNITY FOOD CENTER- FOOD PANTRY

FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER

FROM DEB IN THE OFFICE

I will be out of the office September 20th-27th.

Please contact Caroline if you need office assistance.

Thank you. I

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

If you do not see your birthday or anniversary listed, please make sure Deb in the office has an information sheet on file for you.

Birthdays

5 Laurie LaBrecque

5 Antonio Faella

8 Bruce Kennedy

14 Preston Mills

21 Pat Scarborough

24 Sammie Wakefield

28 Jane Horn

29 Valerie May

Anniversaries

20 Kathy & Alan Bunker

PHOTOS

LINKS

2018 Annual Report PDF

FACEBOOK PAGE

September 19, 2019

JOIN US FOR WORSHIP

THIS SUNDAY, September 22nd, the 15th Sunday after Pentecost, there will be two services at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

OCTOBER 6TH- BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

One Service only at 9 AM

Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m.

Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m.

WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US FOR WORSHIP

and FELLOWSHIP

READINGS FOR SUNDAY

Sunday, September 22nd

Pentecost 15, Proper 20

Amos 8:4-7
Psalm 113
1 Timothy 2:1-7
Luke 16:1-13

READERS FOR THIS SUNDAY:

1st Reading: Patti Rau

2nd Reading: Tina Quinn

Prayers: Sammie Wakefield

Click below to see the readings:

LECTIONARY PAGE

FROM THE RECTOR

UPDATE: One of the goals we targeted during our series of parish meetings last winter and spring was the need for an expanded Building and Grounds Committee. For the time that I’ve been here we’ve had a number of great people who take care of our routine needs: Tom Huckman who did all of our snow plowing and is our go-to fix it guy; Victor DeGroot who is another resource when something goes wrong; Dave Adams who takes such good care of our lawn; and George Rau who takes care of routine maintenance items like changing water filters.

We realized that we’re at a point of needing to add some planning and oversight responsibilities to the Buildings and Grounds Committee’s duties and that the existing committee really didn’t have the time for that. Over the past few months we’ve added some people who are interested in that: Lin Frank brings great organizational skills to the group, Lisa Thompson brings vision and a historical perspective, and Pat Adams and Patti Rau, who are both vestry members. We held one meeting this summer that included both existing and new members, and compiled a master list of existing short term needs. Lin volunteered to obtain bids for new flooring in the parish hall and Prince Room, and later to also obtain bids for needed interior repairs and painting.

We now have bids for flooring, which range from roughly $8,000 to $16,000, depending on the type of flooring used. The contractors Lin contacted for repair and painting were all busy and not willing to make bids this summer, but we hope to obtain those bids in October. At the same time, we still have concerns about whether our roof will leak. We had two major problem areas when the snow began to melt last year. Since then the roof has been completely tight in all of our rain storms, but we haven’t experienced another winter.

So though no visible progress has been made on repairs and flooring, the committee has been active. As much as we would like to have new flooring now, there is an order to what needs to happen first. We need to be confident that our roof is tight before we spend money on repairs, and repairs and painting should be done before new flooring is laid. We are actively engaged in making all this happen and will keep you posted as we progress.

Finally, abundant thanks to all serving on the Buildings and Grounds Committee, and special thanks to Tom for installing our superb new sound system!! As I’ve said to many of you, the quality of the sound is amazing – it is by far the best sound system I’ve experienced in the various churches I’ve served. And many of you have told me how pleased you are.

Caroline

IN THE COMMUNITY

IT'S FAIR TIME

Hello Everyone,

Who can help judge:

Anyone over the age of 18, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, 4-H leaders, community members, anyone interested in learning more about 4-H.

Judging Schedule is:

Fryeburg Fair: Saturday September 28th 11:30-2pm

(11:30-12 Judges Orientation)

Sandwich Fair: Friday October 11th 5:30pm-8pm

(5:30-6pm Judges Orientation)

Contact Amanda at 447-3834 or email amanda.royce@unh.edu.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

From Night Prayer, The New Zealand Prayer Book

Lord, it is night.

The night is for stillness.

Let us be still in the presence of God.

It is night after a long day.

What has been done has been done;

what has not been done has not been done;

let it be.

The night is dark.

Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives

rest in you.

The night is quiet.

Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,

all dear to us,

and all who have no peace.

The night heralds the dawn.

Let us look expectantly to a new day,

new joys,

new possibilities.

In your name we pray.

Amen.

CROPWALK

WALK. GIVE. CHANGE THE WORLD.

OCTOBER 20, 2019

1 PM at Sandwich Baptist Meeting House

Church Street
Contact Starr Hope 603-630-1935 for more information

cropwalkhunger.org

Hurricane Relief Help and Migrant Detentions

There are so many terrible events in the news these days that it’s easy to feel helpless and to let our hearts become hardened to the suffering of others. Following are two ways we can help in small ways.

We’ve all seen shots of the devastation in the Bahamas, and as Hurricane Dorian moves up the coast damage is occuring in our southeastern states as well. One way to help with hurricane relief is through Episcopal Relief and Development at https://www.episcopalrelief.org/what-you-can-do/give/donate-now/individual-donation/

Another painful topic in our news is the detention of migrant children and families at our southern border. Episcopal Migration Ministries is working with the Diocese of Texas and others to deal with this situation, and our summer Deacon Midge Pendergast has given me information on an initiative her diocese is supporting. We have the opportunity to join in this effort by donating toiletries in reusable grocery bags.

TOILETRIES – All travel size—PLEASE REMOVE FROM PACKAGING

1. Toothpaste

2. Toothbrush

3. Comb

4. Deodorant stick (not spray)

One of each item is to be packed in a reusable grocery bag.

Midge has generously offered to take our donations back to her church and mail them for us. If you would like to participate in this effort the deadline for bringing items to the church is Sunday, September 29.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

Come join us! Knitting skills not required.

1st and 3rd Wednesday morning at 10:15 a.m.

DINNER BELL

COOK TEAMS

for September are:

22- Friends
29-UUFES

Thank you for your volunteer

work in this special Outreach program!

COMMUNITY FOOD CENTER- FOOD PANTRY

FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER

FROM DEB IN THE OFFICE

I will be out of the office September 20th-27th.

Please contact Caroline if you need office assistance.

Thank you. Iii

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

If you do not see your birthday or anniversary listed, please make sure Deb in the office has an information sheet on file for you.

Birthdays

5 Laurie LaBrecque

5 Antonio Faella

8 Bruce Kennedy

14 Preston Mills

21 Pat Scarborough

24 Sammie Wakefield

28 Jane Horn

29 Valerie May

Anniversaries

20 Kathy & Alan Bunker

PHOTOS

LINKS

2018 Annual Report PDF

FACEBOOK PAGE

September 12, 2019

JOIN US FOR WORSHIP

THIS SUNDAY, September 15th, the 14th Sunday after Pentecost, there will be two services at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.

OCTOBER 6TH- BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

One Service only at 9 AM

Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m.

Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m.

WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US FOR WORSHIP

and FELLOWSHIP

READINGS FOR SUNDAY

Sunday, September 15th

Pentecost 14, Proper 19

Exodus 32:7-14

Psalm 51:1-11

1 Timothy 1:12-17

Luke 15:1-10

READERS FOR THIS SUNDAY:

1st Reading: Valerie May

2nd Reading: Preston Mills

Prayers: Marty Cloran

Click below to see the readings:

LECTIONARY PAGE

FROM THE RECTOR

Would you like to be confirmed, received into the Episcopal Church, or to reaffirm your commitment to Christ? The Bishop is coming, so here’s your chance!

Bishop Rob Hirschfeld will make his annual visitation on Sunday, November 24, 2019. He will preside and preach, and offer Confirmation, Reception and the Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows to older children or adults, and Baptism for any age person who has not been baptized. Wondering if one of these is right for you? Read on!

Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments in the Episcopal Church. If you were baptized as a young child your parents and godparents made the baptismal vows to renounce evil and follow Jesus Christ for you. Confirmation is “the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop.” Catechism, BCP p. 860.

Reception is for those who have already been sacramentally confirmed in the Roman Catholic, Orthodox or Evangelical Lutheran churches and would like to become an Episcopalian. Reception into the Episcopal Church is done by the bishop. Those who were confirmed in a church other than those listed above would need to be confirmed in order to become an Episcopalian.

Reaffirmation is for those who have already been confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church, and who have experienced a renewal of faith, are returning to church after a period of inactivity, or who wish to renew their Christian commitment. We all renew our baptismal vows on the major baptismal feast of the church (the Baptism of our Lord, Easter, Pentecost, and All Saints’ Sunday); reaffirmation is a more intentional and formal renewal, preceded by both an interior desire and preparation.

If you are interested in any of these, or in Baptism for yourself or your child, please let me know by the end of September, so that preparation may begin.

Caroline

IN THE COMMUNITY

ONE BOOK ONE VALLEY

As part of this year’s One Book One Valley program, on Monday, September 16 at 6:00 p.m., the Conway Public Library will present a panel discussion as a way to open conversation and provide awareness about issues and questions facing LGBTQ populations. The panel will include individuals representing personal perspectives, as well as members of medical and mental health services who have experience serving transgender individuals. Sarah Huckman is participating on the panel.

IT'S FAIR TIME

Hello Everyone,

Who can help judge:

Anyone over the age of 18, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, 4-H leaders, community members, anyone interested in learning more about 4-H.

Judging Schedule is:

Fryeburg Fair: Saturday September 28th 11:30-2pm

(11:30-12 Judges Orientation)

Sandwich Fair: Friday October 11th 5:30pm-8pm

(5:30-6pm Judges Orientation)

Contact Amanda at 447-3834 or email amanda.royce@unh.edu.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Compassion can never coexist with judgment because

judgment creates distance and distinction, which

prevents us from really being with the other.

~ Henry Nouwen, The Way of the Heart

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

Come join us! Knitting skills not required.

1st and 3rd Wednesday morning at 10:15 a.m.

DINNER BELL

COOK TEAMS

for September are:

15- Slader
22- Friends
29-UUFES

Thank you for your volunteer

work in this special Outreach program!

COMMUNITY FOOD CENTER- FOOD PANTRY

FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER

FROM DEB IN THE OFFICE

I will be out of the office September 20th-27th.

Please contact Caroline if you need office assistance.

Thank you. Iii

FORWARD DAY BY DAY

THURSDAY, September 12, 2019

1 Kings 18:17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?”

Every generation is confronted with the tension between short-term gains and God’s long-term plan, between the will to power and the will to love. Today, we see Ahab turn his back on God to worship another god, Baal, because doing so represents the path of least resistance to Ahab’s understandings of personal and political power. Lest we think this is just a problem for Ahab, we too in our current day covet the short-term gains of money or fame or raw institutional power instead of the long-term promises of God’s goodness and mercy.

In contrast to Ahab’s waffling and wandering away, Jesus’ whole life and ministry shows us that relying on God’s authority—on God’s essential goodness—leads to abundant life. But the powers of this world work tirelessly to undermine this deep truth. To follow Jesus presupposes our willingness to make trouble for the powerful, to be brave enough to take up our own crosses and walk.
MOVING FORWARD: Do you feel called to take a stand on a particular issue of justice? Write to your state or national representative and make the case for a way the issue reflects God’s goodness.

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

If you do not see your birthday or anniversary listed, please make sure Deb in the office has an information sheet on file for you.

Birthdays

5 Laurie LaBrecque

5 Antonio Faella

8 Bruce Kennedy

14 Preston Mills

21 Pat Scarborough

24 Sammie Wakefield

28 Jane Horn

29 Valerie May

Anniversaries

20 Kathy & Alan Bunker

PHOTOS

Photos from Lisa T.
Last Sunday Coffee Hour

LINKS

2018 Annual Report PDF

FACEBOOK PAGE