The Clapboardtree Spire

News from the First Parish of Westwood, United Church

April, 2007

FEATURES

Holy Week at First Parish

Palm Sunday Celebration Sunday, April 1^st

Traditional palms and a dramatization 10:00 AM

of the events leading up to Easter in the Meeting House

Maundy Thursday Worship Thursday, April 5^th

A service of deepening darkness, 7:30 PM

recalling and reliving the despair in the Meeting House

that precedes Easter Sunday.

Good Friday Meditation Noon to 3 PM

An opportunity for personal prayer in the Meeting House

Easter Sunday Celebration Sunday, April 8^th

Flowers and glorious music to 10 AM

welcome the miracle of Easter! in the Meeting House

Don’t Wait Any Longer to Order Easter Memorials

If you would like to make a memorial donation in memory or honor of a loved one, please contact the church office immediately!

Plants are $11 each - or donations may be made in support of special music performances at First Parish.

Please be sure to indicate whether you would like to remove your plant from the sanctuary after the 10 AM Easter worship service or have it delivered to a shut-in.

Come to Conversation Night!

Come to the Vogel Room on April 24th at 7:30 PM for “Our Places & Spaces”, an evening of discussion and idea sharing about our buildings and grounds and First Parish’s future.

We will consider topics such as:

· Our current facilities – what are their strengths and weaknesses, and what improvement do they need?

· Do our current facilities help or hinder what we do now and what we might like to do in the future?

· What options do we have if we decide to change?

Please be part of this important conversation!

SHYF Easter Bake Sale

Are you having friends and family over for Easter dinner? Don’t have time to make dessert or don’t know how? Or are you going to be a guest at someone’s house? Save yourself time and energy – purchase your baked goods from SHYF! SHYF is having a bake sale during coffee hour on Easter morning to benefit the summer mission trip.

Here’s how you can help…

· Shop! Stop into the SHYF Bakery in the Parish Hall on Easter Sunday during Coffee Hour to buy wonderful Easter goodies!

· Donate! Baked goods donations (breads, desserts etc.) will be graciously accepted on Easter morning. Please drop your donations off in the Parish Hall before worship – and full out an Ingredients Checklist (available at the Meeting House Hospitality Center and in the Parish Hall).

See Josh or Annie Gray if you have any questions – and thank you for helping SHYF prepare for another summer of helping others!

Update on 2007 Budget Shortfall

In January’s annual meeting, we voted a $295,000 budget which made use of $18,500 of special bequest money and still had a shortfall of near $10,000. As explained, without closing this $10,000 gap, we would need to make cuts in the 2^nd half of 2007, cuts that would eliminate the Assistant Pastor position, cut back on the hours of the Church School Administrator, and possibly cut the hours of the Church Administrator. The challenge went out to raise an additional $10,000 by May to keep these positions.

I’m extremely happy to report that we achieved our goal! In just two months, not four. And we greatly exceeded our goal. This is indeed a church with very generous members and friends.

Here are specifics:

We had two families come forward with special pledges of $5,000 each.

We received seven new pledges, a total of $4,600.

We got nearly $8,000 in special gifts, from 17 families.

$900 more came in anonymously.

In total, we raised $23,000. And you may recall we identified available Fair money of $4,000. So this is over $27,000 more we have now than at annual meeting.

Last Tuesday, Church Council voted to restore the full positions of Assistant Pastor and Church School Administrator for the 2^nd half of 2007. And Church office hours will remain unchanged.

Thanks so much to everyone who stepped forward at this critical juncture. Your generous gifts and pledges will be used wisely. The budget remains as approved. The additional funds raised will be used to reduce our use of special bequest money.

First Parish is truly blessed.

Doug Hyde, Moderator

Progressive Supper

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 28^th for First Parish’s ever-popular Progressive Supper. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been at First Parish for a while or are new - it’s a great way to catch up with old friends and turn unfamiliar faces into new ones.

Here’s how it works:

· Sign up in the Parish Hall or call Pam Kane (781-326-3436).

· Volunteer to host either a soup/salad or entrée course at your home.

· Or volunteer to bring either an appetizer or dessert. Everyone contributes. Non-hosts provide either an appetizer (served at the Parish Hall at the beginning of the evening) or a dessert (served at the site of a main course).

· On the night of the dinner, pick up your destination assignments at the Parish Hall during the appetizer course. The rest of the evening is spent driving around town, meeting new/old friends and enjoying great food and fellowship!

It doesn’t get any better than that! So save the date – and see Pam Kane for more information.

Guess Who’s Turning 50 – And You’re Invited!

In June, the United Church of Christ is celebrating its 50^th Anniversary in Hartford, Connecticut – and we are all invited to the party! Lots of activities are planned for June 22 – June 24, culminating in a huge worship service, which First Parish is planning to attend!

Here’s what’s coming up:

The Massachusetts Conference of the UCC (MACUCC) wants to join the fun, so its 208^th Annual Meeting will be in nearby Cromwell, CT on Friday, June 22^nd, from 8AM to 1:45 PM. Although anyone can attend, the meeting is primarily for church leaders, so If you are one of First Parish’s denominational delegates (or would like to be one), check with Rev. David Stryker or Margery Eramo for registration information.

The real celebration begins on Saturday, June 23^rd, at 8AM as “Synod in the City” kicks off in the Hartford Civic Center with a worship service and keynote speech by Bill Moyers. The rest of the day is full of speakers, theologians, artists, performers and multimedia events throughout downtown Hartford, culminating in a closing celebration at 7:30 PM. There will be something for everyone, from families on up! Synod registration is required to participate; go to UCC.org to register. Questions? See Rev. David Stryker of Margery Eramo.

First Parish is planning to attend the worship service on Sunday, June 24^th at 3 PM in the Hartford Civic Center – and we want YOU to come! A committee is being formed to arrange the details, including a bus to take us all there. If you would like to attend – or if you would like to help with the logistics, please see Rev. David Stryker or Margery Eramo.

So save the weekend on June 23^rd-24^th – and “Let It Shine” at the UCC 50^th Anniversary Party!

Don’t Forget the Yard Sale!

The snow banks are fimally disappearing – and that is always a sign to start thinking about one of First Parish’s biggest fundraisers, the Yard Sale!

Save Saturday, May 19^th for the big day – and start looking through all that great stuff in your attic and cellar for donations! If it’s clean and in good shape, we can use it! (Remember: no clothes, computer equipment, books over 10 years old, or anything that is dangerous or broken! Please contact the church office before delivering heavy furniture or large items!) Baked goods (ingredients checklists are available in the church office) and spring plant donations are much appreciated too!

As always, lots of volunteers will be needed to sort and price all the goodies, so save as much time as you can to help out, starting Thursday, May 17^th.

If you have questions, please contact the church office or Gary Shaw.

STAFF ARTICLES

PASTOR

It seems not so long ago that we celebrated together the glad tidings of the Christmas story, yet already we have reached the time of year when we must continue the journey and recall the connection between Jesus’ manger and the cross. For all Christians, this time of year, especially Easter Sunday, holds special meaning. Each year, as we recall and celebrate the major events of our Christian heritage – Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost – we celebrate “the whole story.” None of these events is isolated from the others. All can be understood only in context with the others.

As the season of Lent flows into Holy Week, I urge you to complete your faith-filled journey to Easter by worshiping with us at every opportunity. At First Parish, Holy Week (April 1^st – April 8^th) offers worship experiences which, in combination, enable us all to experience the full spiritual impact of Jesus’ journey to the cross and beyond, to the Good News of Easter.

Palm Sunday – April 1^st: Join us at 10 AM to celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem with traditional palms, followed by a dramatic representation of all the events of Holy Week. We will celebrate our 3^rd graders as they complete their six-week communion study and take communion with their families.

Maundy Thursday – April 5^th: At 7:30 PM in the Meeting House journey with us through the darkness of Christ’s betrayal and crucifixion in a solemn service of communion and tenebrae. In stark contrast to the joy of Palm Sunday, this service casts worshippers into increasing darkness, recalling and reliving the despair that preceded the miracle of Easter.

Good Friday – April 6^th: On this day for personal reflection and preparation, our Meeting House will be open from 12-3 for meditation and prayer.

Easter Sunday – April 8^th: At 10 AM we will fill our Meeting House with colorful flowers and glorious music as we celebrate the resurrection of the living God. We hope to see you! Why not invite a friend?

In the name of the Risen Lord,

Rev. David Stryker

CHURCH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR

Happy Easter!

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Thank you to all of you who participated in Regearment Day last month. Your comments are appreciated. If you were unable to attend that day and would like to add your ideas, there is still time. Your observations, requests, and suggestions will help us to provide a more meaningful program for all. Regearment forms are available to download from the church website, in the Spire, or you can pick up a copy in the Parish Hall. Please return the completed forms or send an email with your thoughts to the church office by May 1st.

Responding to the Parent Forums and the first compilation of Regearment Day feedback, the Ministry of Education and Discipleship sees that it is time to address the question of when church school classes are held. To provide a balanced, equitable program that meets the needs of our children and responds to the reality of how families live today, we plan to canvass all church school families to ask these questions:

1. Would you prefer church school classes to be held on a weekday?

2. If church school were on a weekday, would you teach?

3. Would Church School classes from 9-10AM on Sunday mornings and worship from 10-11

be preferable for your family?

We ask that you give these options prayerful thought. To seriously consider changing the way we provide religious education for our children will take the cooperation and input of the whole church school family. Ministry members will be calling in the near future. Please give them your honest response.

In faith,

Donna Bertazzoni

FAITH COMMUNITY NURSE

NOURISHMENT FOR THE BODY -

Here is another Heart Healthy recipe just in time for a special Easter breakfast. It comes from Today’s Health & Wellness magazine.

Best Swedish Pancakes

4 large eggs, separated (use higher omega-3 eggs if available)

¼ cup egg substitute

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

3 tablespoons fat-free sour cream

½ cup whole-wheat pastry flour (or whole wheat flour)

½ cup unbleached white flour

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup 1% milk

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Canola cooking oil

• Add egg whites to mixing bowl and beat until soft peaks form. Set aside.
• In another mixing bowl add two egg yolks and the egg substitute and beat until the yolks are thick and creamy, then beat in the sugar and sour cream. Add flours, salt, and cinnamon to a 2 cup measure and stir together with a fork.
• Add half of the flour mixture and half of the milk to the egg yolk mixture, beating on low until combined. Then beat in the remaining flour mixture and milk. Fold the egg whites into the batter.
• Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle to medium high heat. Lightly brush with canola oil and spoon batter by full tablespoons, leaving space between each pancake. Spread the batter into a circle by tapping the measuring spoon against the skillet a few times in the center of the pancake. When bubbles appear and bottoms have browned, flip pancakes. Remove to a serving plate and repeat the process.

Yield: about 4 servings (at least 10 mini pancakes each), 153 calories per serving.

Serve with light jam, preserves, or fresh fruit and powdered sugar.

NOURISHMENT FOR THE SOUL ON EASTER MORNING –

From Women’s Uncommon Prayers by Marjorie A. Burke

The Women

The women rise before dawn.

It was a restless, sleepless night,

their hearts heavy with sadness,

their bodies weary from the

tensions and stresses of yesterday.

Sounds of the angry crowd at the trial

still ring in their ears,

their eyes are red-rimmed and puffy.

Slowly they make their way toward the tomb,

there is no spring in their steps.

The first glimmer of morning light dances

across the horizon,

the grass is still wet with dew,

the early mist begins to lift,

they arrive at the tomb,

they rub their eyes to be sure they are seeing clearly.

The stone has been rolled away.

The tomb is empty.

Their tears flow again,

as they wonder what happened to the body.

Angels appear and ask,

“Why are you weeping?”

Then Jesus appears and speaks to them.

Filled with wonder and joy,

the women run to tell the others,

“We have seen the Lord.”

He lives!

Alleluia!

Easter Blessings,

Margery Eramo, RN, Faith Community Nurse

FROM OUR MINISTRIES:

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION & DISCIPLESHIP

Good Job First and Second Graders!

In January and February, the first and second graders heard the Bible story 'The Good Samaritan'.  What first began as a story read to them by their teachers then became an exercise in dramatics when they chose a particular character out of a bag and tried to act that character out as the teachers told the story again.  The kids had lots of fun taking turns playing robbers, injured travelers, snooty priests, donkeys, and caring Samaritans. 

From this drama activity, the class efforts turned into a full blown skit complete with handmade props and costumes, performed for the younger children of the First Parish Sunday School and a few lucky adults.  What began as a simple story being read aloud to a circle of first and second graders became an interactive, imaginative cooperative activity that excited and energized not only the actors but the spectators as well. Good work! Here's to future dramatic 'excursions'! 

Congratulations Communion Class!

Our Communion Class completed six weeks of study of the life of Jesus and the sacrament of communion and on Palm Sunday received communion with their families.

Congratulations to: Craig Burgess, Allie Damren, Elese Gaydos, William Gettings, Cailin Harrington, Marcus Lundgren, Sophie Ostrander, Isaiah Ritchey, Charles Rogers, Nicholas Underhill, Russell Verzino, and Matthew Wagner.

Special thanks to teachers Jeannie Germano and Steve Werth for their hard work and dedication!

Church School: Looking Ahead

Godly Play

With the arrival of spring, it seems the Church School year is hurrying toward summer but there is still much to accomplish. The Godly Play classes (preschool – grade 2) have been preparing for Easter with sacred stories about Jesus on the road to Jerusalem and will finish that unit with lessons on Palm Sunday, The Last Passover, and on April 22, Jesus is Risen: the Road to Emmaus. We will all be together in worship on Easter Sunday, of course, and on April 15^th, as the first Sunday of the school vacation, a Group Lesson is planned for all the children of the church school.

Bible Quest

The spring curriculum for the BibleQuest classes (grades 3-8) focuses on stories about what Jesus said and did, parables about the nature of God’s kingdom. The 7^th and 8^th Grade schedule for the rest of the year is shown below. Similar themes will be examined in the other two classes. Parents should be aware that while 3^rd and 4^th grade students have regular handouts to bring home, older students may or may not, depending on the nature of each session. BibleQuest does not lay out the meaning of each story but challenges the children to struggle with the Bible story, to think about what it meant for the people who lived it, or heard it, and then about what it means for them. Sometimes a class will produce tangible results; sometimes the focus is more experiential. Asking what your child is doing/ learning/ talking about in class will support his or her learning. Students in grades 5-8 receive booklets that they are encouraged to take home at the end of each term.

Date	Teacher	BQ Lesson	Bible verses
April 22	Bob Deininger	Wash My Feet?	John 13: 1-6
April 29	TBD	I Want my Boys to be Important	Matthew 2:20-28
May 13	Bob Deininger	Put it to the Test	Matthew 22:34-40
May 20	Janice Russell	In My Heart	Luke 18: 1-8
June 3	Bob Deininger	Here He Comes -or- Are You Ready?	Matthew 25:31-46
June 10	Janice Russell	One Heart, One Soul, Many Tasks	Acts 4: 32-37
June 17	Bob Deininger	End of year celebration

May 6 – Mini-Walk for Hunger, no lesson, 7^th/8^th graders will help with Walk

Church School Update

Sunday, April 1: Palm Sunday

10 AM Communion Worship & Church School (Classes for pre-school through Grade 2 only)

Third Grade Communion (Grades 3 and older remain in worship for entire service)

Passion Sunday Service (dramatization of Holy Week events – Palm Sunday through Easter.)

Confirmation Class: 11:30 AM in the Vogel Room

Thursday, April 5^th: Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday Worship: 7:30 PM in the Meeting House (appropriate for older children)

Sunday, April 8^th: Easter Sunday

10 AM Intergenerational worship with special music. No church school or nursery.

Friday, April 13^th:

SHYF Movie Night: location & time TBA

Sunday, April 15^th:

10 AM Worship & Group Church School lesson

Sunday, April 22^nd:

10 AM worship & church school

10:15 AM: SHYF Extreme Breakfast in the Parish Hall

Sunday, April 29^th:

10 AM worship & church school

Save May 6^th for the Mini Walk!

Again this year, our church school children will participate in a “mini” Walk for Hunger, on the same Sunday as the “big” Walk. It’s an event that everybody wins! The “mini Walk” provides children with exercise, Project Bread with needed money, and proof to us all that everyone can make a difference!

During Church School class time on May 6^th (10:20-11:00), teachers and Ministry of Education and Discipleship members will supervise the children walking laps around the Parish Hall. Each child should wear sneakers and clothing appropriate for walking outdoors. In the event of rain, we will walk inside the Parish Hall.

We are getting the word out early in the hope that parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, and members of First Parish will sponsor the children by signing their sponsor sheets. Sheets will be distributed in April to church school parents, and will also be available in the Parish Hall.

By sponsoring their Walk, you will help the children feel that their efforts are important and they too can make a difference in the lives of people right here in Massachusetts.

MINISTRY OF SPIRITUAL LIFE & FELLOWSHIP