News

A Note from Pastor Doug:

Over the course of the past two Sundays in what might be called our “season of stewardship,” Shelley Fullam and Bruce Prestwood-Taylor have articulated beautifully the meaning and importance of faithful stewardship to their journeys as disciples of Jesus–and to ours as well.  Each weekday I receive a “Verse and Voice” meditation from Sojourners, and as we consider the commitments we will make on Stewardship Sunday, October 26, I thought I would share today’s meditation to add to our thought process.  Here it is:

 Verse of the day: Give liberally and be ungrudging when you do so, for on this account the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. – Deuteronomy 15:10

     Voice of the day: I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.  – Maya Angelou –

      Prayer of the day:  God, let us mirror your unabashed generosity as we lift up our gifts in service.

Grace and peace, Doug

A Special Visit and Simple Supper – Tuesday, October 21st

Please join your Mission Committee and others on Tuesday, October 21st for a delicious meal and an engaging presentation by Global Ministries missionary, Elena Huegel from Chiapas, Mexico. Elena has visited our church a few times over the years and with each visit those who attend are always mesmerized by her storytelling and message of hope. Elena, who works at the Institute for Intercultural Studies and Research on the southern border of Mexico will present stories, games, prayers, cultural notes, and indigenous wisdom from the Mayan people and maybe even a recipe or two from the Dignity Cookbook: A Journal to Nurture our Relationships.

We hope to see you on this special evening!

Your Missions Committee –  Stephanie Beland, Neil Blodgett, Debbie Steltzer, Angela Carville and for this event, Beverly Prestwood-Taylor and Terry Hall

Trick or Treat:

We are looking for donations of single wrapped candy for Trick or Treat on Friday October 31st.

If you have questions, please see or call Debbie Steltzer and 774-452-2691

Sharing Cupboard Needs:

The Sharing Cupboard is in need of more plastic shopping bags, mayo, canned peas, canned carrots, and canned green beans. Fresh vegetables from your garden are always welcome. Please leave all donations in the donation box at the church entry but leave the vegetables with a pantry volunteer.

Thank you

Meetings This Week

Parish Board – Saturday, October 18th 10 am

Church Council – Sunday, October 19th following worship

Pastor Doug’s Office Hours:

With evening dinners at the church on October 14 and 21, Pastor Doug will change his office hours for the next two weeks from Wednesdays to Tuesday afternoons (10/14 and 10/21) from 2:30-5:30 p.m. Friday office hours from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. will remain the same. Wednesday hours will resume on October 29.  Thanks for noting these temporary changes!

Following are the current announcements from First Congregational Church, West Brookfield, United Church of Christ:

From Pastor Doug:

With evening dinners at the church on October 14 and 21, Pastor Doug will change his office hours for the next two weeks from Wednesdays to Tuesday afternoons (10/14 and 10/21) from 2:30-5:30 p.m. Friday office hours from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. will remain the same. Wednesday hours will resume on October 29.  Thanks for noting these temporary changes!

Dimas Farm Dinner

We will be hosting the dinner at the church on Tuesday, October 14th at 6:00pm.  It is potluck.  We are looking for main dishes, salads and desserts.  Please contact Angela or Deanna if you are bringing something to share or if you have questions.  As always, please joins us for dinner and meet the gents!

A Special Visit and Simple Supper – Tuesday, October 21st

Please join your Mission Committee and others on Tuesday, October 21st for a delicious meal and an engaging presentation by Global Ministries missionary, Elena Huegel from Chiapas, Mexico. Elena has visited our church a few times over the years and with each visit those who attend are always mesmerized by her storytelling and message of hope. Elena, who works at the Institute for Intercultural Studies and Research on the southern border of Mexico will present stories, games, prayers, cultural notes, and indigenous wisdom from the Mayan people and maybe even a recipe or two from the Dignity Cookbook: A Journal to Nurture our Relationships.

We hope to see you on this special evening!

Your Missions Committee –  Stephanie Beland, Neil Blodgett, Debbie Steltzer, Angela Carville and for this event, Beverly Prestwood-Taylor and Terry Hall

Sharing Cupboard Needs:

The Sharing Cupboard is in need of more plastic shopping bags, mayo, canned peas, canned carrots, and canned green beans. Fresh vegetables from your garden are always welcome. Please leave all donations in the donation box at the church entry but leave the vegetables with a pantry volunteer.

Thank you

Meetings This Week

There are no meetings this week.

Blessing of the Animals

We will be celebrating a Blessing of the Animals on the Common at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 11!  We’ll have a brief responsive reading, scripture reading, and prayer together before Pastor Doug anoints and blesses each animal.  Please also invite friends and neighbors to bring their animals (Doug has blessed dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, an iguana, and a snapping turtle over the years, so all animals and well-behaved humans  are welcome!). This will be a joyful conclusion to the Season of Creation!

From Pastor Doug:

I will be starting regular office hours at the church on Wednesday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.  Mondays will likely be writing days working from home, and most Tuesdays will be days off.  Thursdays and Saturdays will be flexible for individual or group meetings, or other events, such as upcoming memorial services and Blessing of the Animals.  Thanks to all for your patience and assistance as I get situated in new routines for ministry here!

Memorial Service

The memorial service for church member, Nancy Scott will be held on Saturday, October 4 at 10 am.  A reception will follow the service.  All are welcome.

Can you help? 

If you can make or bake an item for Nancy’s reception, please contact Karen at kmurphy718@charter.net. There is a possibility of over 100 people so many treats are needed. (Note: this is not a luncheon reception but many items are still needed). Thanks

Sharing Cupboard Needs:

The Sharing Cupboard is in need of more plastic shopping bags, mayo, canned peas, canned carrots, and canned green beans. Fresh vegetables from your garden are always welcome. Please leave all donations in the donation box at the church entry but leave the vegetables with a pantry volunteer.

Thank you

Meetings This Week

The Parish Board meeting has been postponed to Saturday, October 18th.

Dismas Family Farm – This Saturday!

FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL Saturday, October 4^th, 12 – 4 PM, 687 Lincoln Road, Oakham, MA

Come join us for hay rides, pumpkins, and delicious fall treats at the farm! Admission Free! WWW.DISMASISFAMILY.ORG Rain Date October 5th

Blessing of the Animals

We will be celebrating a Blessing of the Animals on the Common at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 11!  We’ll have a brief responsive reading, scripture reading, and prayer together before Pastor Doug anoints and blesses each animal.  Please also invite friends and neighbors to bring their animals (Doug has blessed dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, an iguana, and a snapping turtle over the years, so all animals and well-behaved humans  are welcome!). This will be a joyful conclusion to the Season of Creation!

From Pastor Doug:

I will be starting regular office hours at the church on Wednesday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.  Mondays will likely be writing days working from home, and most Tuesdays will be days off.  Thursdays and Saturdays will be flexible for individual or group meetings, or other events, such as upcoming memorial services and Blessing of the Animals.  Thanks to all for your patience and assistance as I get situated in new routines for ministry here!

Memorial Service

The memorial service for Dotty Fullam will be held on Sunday, September 28 at 2 p.m.  A reception will follow the service.  Dotty’s son, Francis Fullam, has asked us to be sure to let everyone know that all are welcome at both the service and the reception to follow.

Can you help? 

We are looking for help with the luncheon for Dotty as well as clean-up.  Finger sandwiches, salads, desserts, etc.  Contact Karen Murphy at kmurphy718@charter.net if you can help.

Sharing Cupboard Needs:

The Sharing Cupboard is in need of more plastic shopping bags, mayo, canned peas, canned carrots, and canned green beans. Fresh vegetables from your garden are always welcome. Please leave all donations in the donation box at the church entry but leave the vegetables with a pantry volunteer.

Thank you

Meetings This Week

There are no meeting this week.

Dismas Family Farm

FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL

Saturday, October 4^th, 12 – 4 PM,  687 Lincoln Road, Oakham, MA

Come join us for hay rides, pumpkins, and delicious fall treats at the farm! Admission Free! WWW.DISMASISFAMILY.ORG Rain Date October 5th

Mark your calendars for Blessing of the Animals at 10 a.m. on October 11!  More information to follow soon!

Annual Flea Market 

Our Annual Flea Market on the West Brookfield Common that was held last Saturday was a huge success! The weather was perfect and the vendors came with a wide variety of interesting items and great bargains! Our thanks to everyone who participated. It takes many, many hands and able bodies and each one is appreciated.

The profits from the day, which enable our church to continue all of its missions, totaled approximately $ 3,000.

Until next year, Thank You!

From Pastor Doug:

Karen and I will be leaving on Monday, September 21 to go back to Ohio for our annual wellness visits, as we both need new prescriptions and we have not had enough time to find a new primary care physician in Massachusetts (any recommendations would be welcome!).  We will also get to visit with Karen’s Mom for a couple of days, and we will return to Massachusetts on Friday the 26th.  After I return, I will be starting regular office hours at the church on Wednesday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.  Mondays will likely be writing days working from home, and most Tuesdays will be days off.  Thursdays and Saturdays will be flexible for individual or group meetings, or other events, such as upcoming memorial services and Blessing of the Animals.  Thanks to all for your patience and assistance as I get situated in new routines for ministry here!

Memorial Service

The memorial service for Dotty Fullam will be held here at the church on Sunday, September 28 at 2 p.m.  A reception will follow the service.  Dotty’s son, Francis Fullam, has asked us to be sure to let everyone know that all are welcome at both the service and the reception to follow.

Can you help? 

Dottie Fullam’s Memorial Service will be held Sunday, September 28th at 2pm with luncheon at 3pm.  We are looking for help with the luncheon as well as clean-up.  Finger sandwiches, salads, desserts, etc.  Contact Karen Murphy at kmurphy718@charter.net if you can help.

Sharing Cupboard Needs:

The Sharing Cupboard is in need of more plastic shopping bags, mayo, canned peas, canned carrots, and canned green beans. Fresh vegetables from your garden are always welcome. Please leave all donations in the donation box at the church entry but leave the vegetables with a pantry volunteer.

Thank you

Meetings This Week

Sunday, September 21 – Church Council

Newsletter Deadline

Wednesday, September 24^th

Mark your calendars for Blessing of the Animals at 10 a.m. on October 11!  More information to follow soon!