The Clapboardtree Spire

The Clapboardtree Spire

News from the First Parish of Westwood, United Church

January, 2007

FEATURES

Annual Meeting Slated for January 28^th

First Parish’s Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 28^th in the Meeting House immediately following the morning worship service. In the past, holding this important meeting early in the day has made it possible for more members of the congregation to attend, and we hope this will be true again this year!

Mark your calendars and plan to attend the meeting! Copies of the 2006 Annual Report will be available in the Meeting House narthex prior to the meeting.

Ministry Chairpersons are reminded that annual reports are needed in the office by Monday, January 15^th.

Interim Steering Committee

An Interim Steering Committee was formed at the November meeting of Church Council, charged with overseeing the transition period until First Parish has a new settled pastor. Its members are: Doug Hyde, Martha Crawford, Jim McKenzie, Sharon Hobbs, and Jim Aldinger.

The group’s duties include supporting the interim pastor and making recommendations to Church Council about pertinent issues or the formation of sub-groups needed to ensure a smooth transition.

The Steering Committee meets on the first Tuesday of each month, in the Stage Classroom.

Pot Luck Dinner!

Save Sunday, January 21^st for a fellowship event “just for fun”! Come to the Parish Hall at 5:30 PM – and bring something to share! R.S.V.P. to Pam Kane.

Congratulations to Josh & Annie Gray

Congratulations to Josh & Annie Gray for being recognized as exceptional youth leaders by the Champions for Youth Coalition for the Advancement of Student Activities’ Student Leadership Program. Congratulations and thanks also to parishioner Amy Bean for successfully nominating them!

Below is the letter of application which Amy wrote on behalf of Josh and Annie:

Josh Gray is a youth leader at my church. He has been helping out for about two years now, and has made such a huge difference in our youth program. Before he came, many people didn’t go to the activities, and when we did go they weren’t all that exciting. Now Josh organizes fun things for us to do, and attendance has gone way up. He listens to our suggestions and organizes things so we can do more interesting activities at our meetings. We also get to do much more service for others. This summer he led ten of us and four other adults to Mississippi to help with Katrina relief. The trip was a huge success, and we got to really make a difference for many families. Josh puts so much effort into helping the youth of our church, and I know that it is incredibly appreciated by everyone.

The second person I would like to nominate is Annie Gray, who happens to be Josh’s wife. Although she doesn’t get recognized as much as Josh because she isn’t technically the leader of our youth group, I think she makes just as much of a difference to each of us. She come to our meetings and has made an effort to get to know us, right from the very first day she and Josh came. She is extremely friendly and caring, and she’s a great role model. Annie spends her whole life doing things for others, and I’ve never heard her complain about it in any way. She is a social worker and is very dedicated to her job. She makes sure that her clients go to school, do their work, and for the most part stay out of trouble. Without a doubt, it is a stressful job, but she is dedicated and even refers to her clients as her “kids”. Annie is one of the nicest people I know, and she makes a difference for youth every day of her life.

Amy Bean is participating in the Coalition’s Leadership Training Program, a non-profit organization founded in 1990 which offers hands-on leadership training for youth and adults.

First Parish Welcomes New Members

On Sunday, December 17^th, First Parish welcomed nine new members into the congregation.

Pictured from left to right, they are: Maryann & Wayne Archambo, Lars Lundgren, Kristin & Kenneth Knox, Marjorie Dehls, Kathryn Arnold, and Scott & Maureen Sullivan.

Watoto Children’s Choir

To Perform at Martin Luther King Jr. Event

Come to the Westwood High School auditorium on Tuesday, January 16^th at 7 PM for “Westwood Has a Dream”, a Martin Luther King Jr. civil rights celebration co-hosted by Westwood No Place for Hate and METCO. Tickets are $2 ($5/family) and may be purchased at all Westwood Public Schools and the Westwood Senior Center.

The evening will feature a “Concert of Hope” performance by the Watoto Children’s Choir, a dynamic presentation of native African rhythms, contemporary gospel music and ethnic dance. The choir is comprised of orphaned Ugandan children who tour internationally to raise funds for Watoto Child Care Ministries (WCCM), an organization which takes care of Ugandan children orphaned by the AIDS epidemic, civil strife and other catastrophic events. Choir tours are self supporting, paid for by the the sale of Watoto CD’s, DVD’s, T-shirts and African jewelry.

Concert organizers are looking for housing for choir members and chaperones on Sunday, Jan. 14th and Monday, Jan. 15th. If you can help, contact the church office.

First Parish Presents Living Nativity

On Sunday, December 17th, First Parish hosted its annual Living Nativity. Pictured above are Kevin Bean (shepherd), Jamie Vaccaro (Wise Person), Cara Joseph (Wise Person), David Aldinger (Joseph), Lucia Vaccaro (Angel) and Amy Bean (Mary).

Our thanks to Joe Major’s 4-H group in Walpole for providing the sheep used in our display!

Thanks to All the Gems!

A heart-felt “thank you” is due to all who helped to make the Fair’s Jewelry Table a success. We are grateful to Joan Steffens, Ron Arntz and countless others for the donations, those items large and small, packaged and unwrapped, “like new” and needing repair. We make use of it all.

Thanks, too, to workers like Terry Naumes, Carol Getman, Laura Stanton and Shirley DeFeo. Without them we would not have been able manage the sales.

Finally, we are grateful for the clean-up crew who helped pack up all that remained at the end of the day. They, too, are “gems.”

Sue Burgess & Cindy Kerr

STAFF ARTICLES

PASTOR

Another new year is upon us, 2007! It seems hard to believe. I am reminded just how fast time flies! As a child, it seemed I was forever waiting in anticipation of Christmas, the New Year, and summer vacation coming. As I have gotten older, it seems that time has become compressed into just a few months, and they pass so swiftly. It is also hard to believe that I have been here at First Parish for 4 ½ months. I am grateful for your ongoing prayers, support and encouragement.

One of the special celebrations for all of us in 2006 was the welcoming of 9 new members into our church. We are blessed that Wayne and Mary Ann Archambo, Kathryn Arnold, Marjorie Dehls, Ken and Kristin Knox, Lars Lundgren, and Scott and Maureen Sullivan have decided to join our faith community. In the months prior to their joining, we offered 4 instructive membership classes, with an additional class added at the request of the group. This says a lot about the group and their eagerness to know more about us. Many thanks to the Ministry of Worship for sponsoring the meetings, to the representatives of the other ministries for attending and sharing various aspects of their work; to Fred and Toni Lea for expanding on the history of our church; to Margery Eramo for giving a very informative session on the history and polity of the UCC, and to you, the congregation, for your warm welcome to the group on December 17^th.

As you know, First Parish seeks to be a warm and welcoming place for all, and I ask that over the weeks to come you take the time to introduce yourself to our newest members and make them feel part of our wonderful and growing church. And as always, it is most important to extend a warm welcome on Sunday mornings to all visitors to our Meeting House. It takes a lot of courage to walk into a new church without knowing anyone; please help the strangers among us feel that they are a welcome addition to our worship.

In peace,

Rev. David Stryker

ASSISTANT MINISTER

Christmas has come and gone! There were many joys that came along with the Christmas season that will never leave our hearts. There were family parties, gifts to open, gifts to give to friends and family, more food than one should ever consume and of course there was the birth of Jesus Christ to celebrate as well. I know that my Christmas was filled with peace, hope, joy and love.

But, now that we are past Christmas and we have moved into a New Year I want to ask you a question, “What is your plan for the New Year?” The New Year is such an amazing opportunity to start fresh, to begin anew - to repent or turn around. I’m not talking about a New Year’s resolutions, like “I’m going to go to the gym” or “I’m not going to eat fast food.” (Both things that I should consider!) What I am talking about is what do you see for yourself in this New Year? What ways will you begin anew? What new paths will you wander on? The New Year is a time to say, “Forget what happened yesterday or last year. I am going to start over.” The New Year gives us the opportunity to forgive and be forgiven. Take the opportunity and embrace change.

Then there is the question of where is this church going in the New Year? At the start of the New Year at First Parish we stand ready for a year of new and interesting paths. Where is First Parish heading and what role are you going to take in getting us there? What is your plan for the New Year? You see, each of us has a role to play in the future of this church. There are so many ways for you to be a part of the life of this church that I hesitate to name some out of fear of leaving others out. How can you be a part of “The Plan” that will unfold at First Parish? I invite you, as I have done many times before, to become a more active participant in the life of First Parish. Join a ministry team. Participate in worship. Help lead a Sunday school class. Attend coffee hour and fellowship dinners. Participate in outreach opportunities. Get involved!

We are all so busy and we all have so many different things to do. But, we cannot forget to take time out to be with one another. To spend time with one another and to be in relationship with our God who loves us deeply and compassionately. Let’s be open to these relationships and open to finding God in our daily lives. Have a Happy New Year!

In Christ,

Josh Gray

CHURCH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR

Church School Parent Meetings in January

Over Christmas vacation, between laundry and baking, I found myself watching “The Bishop’s Wife”. It was the classic 1947 version of the movie with Cary Grant and Loretta Young. In it, one line stuck out like an anachronism. Embarrassed by his no-show boy’s choir members, a parish minister apologized for their behavior, citing the other activities that vie for their time. Most of us probably like to imagine the days before we were born as idyllic and slow paced, a ‘kinder and gentler’ time of near-perfection. Maybe it wasn’t. Maybe it has always been the case that finding time for church is an effort.

Whether or not it has always been true, today it is a given that Westwood families are struggling to find the time for all we need and want to do. It can be especially hard to find time for religious education. In response, a conversation has begun in which all First Parish parents are invited to participate. Let’s look at the choices, the challenges, and the rewards that families face in their approach to planning for religious education. Over the course of three sessions we will consider these issues:

Where does God fit in family life?

What do our children need from the Christian Education program at First Parish?

How can families live a Christian life in the face of the demands of a secular society?

To be as family-friendly as possible, the sessions are early in the evening with dinner and babysitting available. The children will eat separately to facilitate conversation. The sessions are short, so we will try to stay focused on one theme per night.

Dates: January 10, 18, and 23 (Wednesday, Thursday, Tuesday)

Food: Pizza provided; please bring a salad or drinks to share

Time: 6:30 – 7:45

See you in January,

Donna Bertazzoni

FAITH COMMUNITY NURSE

Happy New Year!! As we all indulged a lot or a little during the holidays, I am sharing this slow cooker recipe to help get us back on track to healthy eating.

BEEF STROGANOFF

Slow cooking allows you to use a less expensive cut of meat. Serve with wide egg noodles and a simple steamed green vegetable such as green beans or broccoli.

¼ cup flour

½ teaspoons pepper

1¾ pounds stewing beef, 1 inch cubes

Cooking spray

2 cups small white button mushrooms or large white mushrooms, quartered

2 onions, thinly sliced

1½ cups low-sodium beef stock

3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

3 tablespoons no-sodium added tomato paste

2 tablespoons paprika

1½ tablespoons Dijon mustard

1 cup low-fat sour cream

The night before: In a 2 cup measure, combine beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, paprika and mustard and mix well. Refrigerate.

In the morning: In a bowl or plastic bag, combine flour and pepper. Add beef and toss to coat. In a skillet, heat cooking spray, add beef in batches and cook for 5-7 minutes or until browned on all sides. Transfer beef to slow cooker; add mushrooms and onions. Add broth mixture to cooker, cover and cook.

Before serving: Stir in the sour cream.

Cooking time: 8 to 10 hours on low, 4 to 6 hours on high.

Done: When meat is tender.

Makes 8 servings; 294 calories per serving. ENJOY

The above nourishes the body; the poem below nourishes the soul!

In The New Year

Lord, give us a tender heart.

Let us do loving things

that surprise even ourselves.

Let us stop daily to

talk to people who need a good word,

mend what is broken, and touch

what needs to be loved.

Make us more aware

of the tiny surprises

that are scattered like secrets

all around us.

Let us notice such things we have

forgotten, and those persons of whom we

have grown weary.

May we see them in a new way

so that we have a new word from them.

As we busily set out to do the large tasks,

may we find more time

for small celebrations.

O Christ, give us the grace

to live out each day

as though it were a gift.

O Spirit, surprise us often.

Then let us show our great surprise.

(Written by Herbert Brokering, Wheat Ridge Ministries Staff Associate)

This is my wish for all of us in the New Year.

May it be a Happy, Healthy Year for all of you as we continue to grow in God’s plan for us at First Parish.

Blessings,

Margery Eramo, RN, FCN

Faith Community Nurse

FROM OUR MINISTRIES:

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION & DISCIPLESHIP

Church School Update

Sunday, January 7^th:

10 AM worship with Communion & church school

11:30 AM Confirmation Class in the Vogel Room

Sunday, January 14^th:

10 AM worship & church school

Sunday, January 21^st:

10 AM worship & church school

11:30 AM Confirmation Class in the Vogel Room

5:30 PM “Just For Fun” All-Church Potluck Supper in the Parish Hall

Sunday, January 28^th:

10 AM worship & church school

11:00 AM Annual Meeting in the Meeting House

MINISTRY OF SPIRITUAL LIFE & FELLOWSHIP

Help!

Coffee hosts are needed for coffee hours in 2007!

A sign-up sheet is posted in the Parish Hall lobby, with dates of available Sundays. If you can prepare the coffee and provide refreshments for a Coffee Hour, please sign up! Questions? See Dave Blomquist.

MINISTRY OF MISSION & SERVICE

Thank You Donors!

Heartfelt thanks to all who bought gifts, wrapped, and/or contributed money this holiday season for the purchase of gifts and essential household items for our Christmas Outreach Families. Special thanks to Michael Gettings for coordinating this big project!

This is the 11^th year that First Parish has shared Christmas joy with families struggling to survive the economic and physical demands of caring for a disabled child.

Welcome the New Year knowing that over thirty people wore bright, grateful smiles on Christmas Day! What you do really matters!

MINISTRY OF WORSHIP

Altar Flowers

January 7^th:

Given by all the children in the Clapboardtree Nursery School, in appreciation of our wonderful facilities.

January 14:

Given through the Endowed Memorial Flower Fund, by the Dorey Family, in memory of Pearl & William Klingenberg.

January 21:

Given by Jim and Betsy Dakin in memory of loved ones.

January 28:

Given by Louise Donovan and Family, in memory of James Asselstine.

Usher Schedule

Sunday, January 7:

Martha Crawford (C)

Ron Arntz

Stuart & Carol Maynard

Brendan Morrison

Kristian Peters

Sunday, January 14:

Fred Rice (C)

Charles Domina

Peter Kane

Leslie Condon

Sunday, January 21:

Doug Hyde (C)

Jerry Verzino

Mike Gettings

Bill & Heather Southwick

Sunday, January 28:

Dix & Dianne Howard (C)

Steve & Ingegerd Larch

Ron & Joy Sudduth

VOLUNTEERS:

Rosie’s Place Volunteers

Monday, January 15

9:30 AM

Drivers:

J. Forsberg & T. Bruno

Chips (2 large bags):

J. Forsberg & T. Bruno

Cookies (2 dozen):

R. Dettbarn D. Lassen

S. Dobra C. Getman

B. Macdonald

Sandwiches: (1 dozen)

R. Dettbarn D. Lassen

T. Bruno S. DeFeoB. Jorgensen S. Reever

J. Marsh M. Higgins

P. Sullivan J. Forsberg

MONTHLY UPDATES

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES