The Clapboardtree Spire

News from the First Parish of Westwood, United Church

March , 2007

Don’t Forget…

Daylight Savings begins on Sunday, March 11th.

Turn your clocks AHEAD one hour!

FEATURES

2007 Budget Update

At our Jan. 28th Annual Meeting, we passed a $296,974 budget and discussed how we urgently needed an additional $10,000 in order to maintain level staffing. Our resources were not sufficient to fund Josh Gray as Assistant Minister for the 2^nd half of 2007, and would require a reduction in the hours of the Church School Administrator, Donna Bertazzoni.

An appeal was made during the meeting for additional financial help from those able to do so, to maintain these important positions during this transition year.

To this goal of closing the gap, in the last weeks we have made great progress thanks to the generosity of fellow First Parish parishioners, and I am optimistic we will be able to restore these positions. However, we do need additional contributions to close the remaining amount.

If you haven’t yet pledged, have never pledged before, or are in a position to increase your pledge, now is the time for you to step forward and make a difference. Parishioner donations fund all First Parish staff positions and program offerings - and it is only through your pledged offerings that we are able to provide the necessary funding.

Donations may be put in the pink pew envelopes (with "budget shortfall" on the memo line) and placed in the offering plate, may be left in the special "Shortfall Donations" collection container in the Parish Hall during Coffee Hour, or left in or mailed to the Church Office. Updated pledge cards will also be gladly accepted.

Please note, if we are fortunate enough to raise more than our $10,000 goal, these funds will be used to reduce our reliance on special bequests, which in our 2007 budget while less than previous years is still significant.

These are important times for First Parish. There is much to be decided in the coming months, as First Parish shapes its future identity and prepares to call a new settled pastor. Many important and exciting decisions must be made. We are all called, with God's help, not only to participate in this visioning process but also to faithfully support our church now and into the future.

Respectfully,

Doug Hyde, Moderator

Help Create a Shared Vision

for First Parish

Regearment Day

Saturday, March 10^th

9:30 AM - Noon

You are invited to join your fellow First Parishioners in the Parish Hall for exciting conversations about First Parish’s future! Come for all or part of the morning. Coffee & bagels will be served!

Here’s how it will work:

Tables will be set up around the Parish Hall representing various topics and issues pertinent to our church’s future (Worship, Music, Property, Christian Education, Youth, Mission, Hospitality, Stewardship, etc.)

Participants will rotate among the tables offering concerns and suggestions.

Each table will be staffed by a “recorder” who will take notes and compile findings to the entire group at the end of the morning.

Your voice is important! During this time of transition, the input of the entire congregation is needed before we can call a new settled pastor. Many decisions will be made in the coming months which will affect who we are, what we do, and even where we do it for years to come. Your participation is needed!

Please participate in this important process!

See you on March 10^th!

Lent & Easter at First Parish

The season of Lent – the forty days leading up to Easter - began on Wednesday, Feb. 21^st. Although Easter isn’t until Sunday, April 8^th, we offer you the following information below so you’ll have time to plan ahead!

Lenten Activities: Mark your journey toward Easter by participating in one of the Lenten activities below:

Prayer Shawl Knitting Group: Would you like to learn how to knit the prayer shawls First Parish offers to parishioners in crisis so they might feel surrounded by our prayers and love? The group will meet on Wednesday evenings from 7-9 PM, Feb. 28^th through April 4^th, at Judy Holbrook’s house. No prior experience is required; we will train! Questions? Contact Judy at 781-326-5344 (w) or 781-326-2113 (H).

Lenten Discussion Series: Chocolate for Lent: A Film Study. Join us this week to watch the movie Chocolat,

then reflect on its themes with a blend of film clips, scripture and discussion over the remaining 3 Thursdays in

March.

Movie: March 8^th, 7-9 PM at Louise Donovan’s

Discussion: March 15^th, 22^nd, and 29^th, 7-8:30 PM at Donna Bertazzoni’s

Have You Visited I.Ucc.Org?: Long on to the United Church of Christ’s website (www.ucc.org) to find a great interactive internet way to personalize your Lenten journey! In the Prayer Chapel you will find resources for meditation and for the three traditional disciplines of Lent: prayer, fasting, and works of love. You’re welcome to join the special Lenten conversation on the Spirit Café forum, and to join the real-time service of daily Lenten prayer at 9PM.

Easter Memorials: If you would like to place an Easter plant in the sanctuary on Easter morning in memory or in honor of a loved one, please complete the order form included with this Spire and return it to the church office by Monday, April 2^nd.

Holy Week Worship:

Attending the three services below is an excellent to participate fully understand and participate in the journey toward Easter!

Palm Sunday Celebration Sunday, April 1^st

10AM in the Meeting House

Maundy Thursday Worship Thursday, April 5^th

7:30 PM in the Meeting House

Easter Sunday Celebration Sunday, April 8^th

10 AM in the Meeting House

One Great Hour of Sharing

“Who is My Neighbor?” - Luke 10:29

On Sunday, March 25^th, First Parish will gratefully receive donations for One Great Hour of Sharing, an annual cooperative effort involving UCC, American Baptist, Disciples of Christ, Presbyterian and United Methodist churches. Donated funds are used to alleviate suffering throughout the world.

Our fundraising efforts will begin on Sunday, March 4^th, when offering collection boxes and Giving and Devotional Calendars will be available to the congregation. Everyone – church school children and adults alike – is encouraged to participate prayerfully in this 4-week outreach effort,

In addition, an OGHS offering envelope is included with this Spire.

Congratulations, Roger!

First Parishioners have known for years that Dr. Roger Christian is a very special, caring person – and he has earned our boundless gratitude for his willingness to use his medical expertise as an unofficial liaison for church members facing medical emergencies.

In his “other” life, Roger is a surgical oncologist who has served Brigham and Women’s Hospital for 40 years, most recently as clinical director of the Brigham’s Comprehensive Breast Health Center. On March 28^th, he will be recognized by Brigham and Women’s as a recipient of the Thomson Long-Term Achievement Award.

Roger is prominently featured in the February 9^th edition of the BWH Bulletin, a copy of which is posted in the Parish Hall. In the article, Surgeon-in-Chief Michael Zinner, MD states: “In 40 years of dedicated service to the hospital, Roger has embodied the values of character, commitment, competency and care for others. His grace and generosity make BMH a better place for patients, physicians, employees and students each day.”

We definitely agree with that! Congratulations, Roger!

Pine Street Inn

The Ministry of Mission and Service will be serving dinner at the Pine Street Inn (Women's side) on Sunday, March 11th. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Tish Verzino at 781 320-8217 or verzino20@verizon.net.

Conversation Night

Come to the Parish Hall at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, March 27^th for the first of three meeting to discuss First Parish – where we’ve been, where we are, and where we want to go next. On the 27^th we’ll talk about our church history – what we treasure and what we can learn from it. Questions? See Rev. David Stryker.

STAFF ARTICLES

PASTOR

When I arrived this past September, I reviewed the developmental tasks of an interim period with our Church Council. These tasks include:

Coming to terms with past history – reviewing our past and where we have been.

Assessing the present. An interim steering committee typically helps with this task.

Managing a shift and change in leadership style. Churches often get “stuck” and need help in refocusing on the different style of leadership encountered in a new, settled pastor.

Forming a new identity and connection with each other

Creating a new vision. An interim pastor can help the church to begin to think about the future so the church can set some realistic and attainable goals.

As we all know, transitions, whether in our private or church lives, are both inevitable and often unexpectedly difficult. The tasks above all resonate of loss and change. However, it seems that First Parish is fortunate, as one long-term member recently pointed out, “This is one of the smoothest transitions that I can recall over the past 50 years.”

Regardless, we are entering an important, formative time at First Parish. Input from the entire congregation is both needed and valued. To help us continue to move forward smoothly, the three events below have been scheduled. If you have additional ideas or suggestions, please approach me or a member of our Steering Committee, who will report your suggestions to Church Council.

The selection of an Interim Steering Committee. At the November 2006 Church Council meeting, an Interim Steering Committee was appointed to support the Interim Pastor and to help identify and coordinate the steps leading up to the formation of a settled pastor search committee. Interim Steering Committee members are: Jim Aldinger, Martha Crawford, Sharon Hobbs, Jim McKenzie, and Rev. David Stryker.

Regearment Day: To engage the congregation and receive feedback in a number of areas, First Parish will offer a 3 hour all-church meeting from 9:45-12:00 on Saturday, March 10^th. Tables representing different topics of discussion will be set up in the Parish Hall, staffed by a “recorder” who will take notes on the concerns and suggestions of participants, who will rotate among the tables. At the end of the meeting, the recorders will share their notes with the entire group.

Conversation Nights: Three “Nights of Conversation” will be held on the last Tuesday of the month from 7:30-8:30 PM in the Parish Hall. Dates and topics are:

o Tuesday, March 27: “Telling the Story – Our History”

o Tuesday, April 24^th: “Our High Points and Our Low Points”

o Tuesday, May 29^th: “Our Places & Spaces”

In addition, First Parish hopes to add 10 to 12 new members by holding one or two New Members classes in 2007. We will also seek to implement more formal ways to integrate new members into the life of the church, such as by partnering them with parishioners of similar interests, keeping in contact with them via email and telephone, and meeting with them periodically, possibly in a spiritual formation group.

In closing, I thank you for your encouragement, prayers and faithfulness. My job is often daunting, trying to fulfill so many different organizational and individual needs during this time of transition, but already you have made it rewarding, and I am grateful. We have a wonderful, hardworking staff – Josh Gray, Josh Nannestad, Karen Westerfield Tucker, Donna Bertazzoni, Margery Eramo, Cathy Ellis, Shirley DeFeo, Judy Holbrook and Denis Wholey – and they are a joy to work with. I look forward with faith and hope to this year of working with all of you.

In Christ,

Rev. David Stryker

ASSISTANT MINISTER

As Christians we are called to action. We are called to love. We are called to love each and every thing in this world because they are ultimately a child or a creation of God. When Jesus said that we are supposed to love our neighbors, he was not just talking about the person next door who we borrow sugar and tools from, but he was talking about having love for everyone and everything.

This idea of loving your neighbor as you love yourself was played out very strongly for me a few years ago on my yearly mission trip to West Virginia. On this particular trip I spent quite a bit of time talking to a young man named Dylan, who was really struggling with Christianity. He was struggling with his faith in relation to science. Dylan likes to focus on hard facts that are undeniable, and the more he learns about science the more he questions Christianity. This week he was really struggling with the question of being and doing good. Dylan has his life all planned out with exactly what he wants to do for a living and how and when he wants to be good. Right now he has his focus set squarely on becoming a doctor, and he says that once he becomes a doctor and gets rich he’ll start to do and be good. Until then, he just wants to live the life that he wants to live.

At first I did not really know how to respond to this statement because I have never been told something like this before. Here was this kid standing in front of me talking about how he wanted to do what he wanted to do and would wait to do things for others until he had reached his own goals. Until then he would look out for number one and number one only. After a minute of thinking, I told him that I thought that he was a little bit too narrowly focused. We are ultimately social beings who live in relation with others, and to deny the needs of others was in a way denying their existence or value. Dylan jumped in and told me that he saw the value in others and in helping others, but he did not feel that he could help others at this point in his life. Since he didn’t have any money now he would wait until he was rich to help others. What Dylan did not understand, and what many of us forget, is that we can help people in so many ways that do not require money. We can use our hands, our hearts and our minds to help others in profound ways. As Christians or as good people we must help people and reach out no matter where we are and no matter what we have.

In this world we are called to love one another as God so loved us. This means that we have to reach out to others with arms outstretched with no strings attached. We do not love them because of some future reward, but we love them because they are a blessed creation of God. God is love and God is in everything, so we are called to love all things as we would love ourselves and as we would have God love us.

Josh Gray

CHURCH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR

Parent Forum Recap

In January a small group of parents (7 out of 53 families were represented) gathered on three nights to begin a discussion of the place Christian Education has in the lives of our children at First Parish. Their input will help shape our future direction. Your input is needed too. Please take a few moments to review what they thought. What expectations and hopes would you like to add to this conversation?

The parent forums began by remembering our own stories. Each mother and father shared personal church or church school experiences they valued. They recalled feelings of community, appreciation, love, and empowerment, and noted the impact of music and physical space on developing spiritual understanding. In light of those cherished feelings some Christian Education goals were identified for children and families. Everyone felt strongly about the need for a safe environment in which their children can seek a healthy relationship with God. They also suggested:

· Give children tools for self learning, a basis for comparison in a religiously diverse community and world.

· Give them roots and wings, the security of faith and the freedom to ask questions and develop critical thinking skills.

· Set an example by sharing our experiences.

· Talk openly about why we pray, why we go to church, what Sunday means to us, why we give to the church and value the church community.

· Show children that there is something beyond us.

· Encourage talking about faith and belief systems and praying with children at home because in learning to understand our world these skills are no less valuable than reading and writing.

To facilitate these goals, changes parents would like to see included:

· Church school facilities located in the same building as the worship space, i.e., on the same side of the street.

· A higher level of expectation for parental involvement.

· Greater parent involvement as an aid to integrating children into the wider church community.

· Greater involvement of children in service/outreach projects.

· Consistent attendance: more children, more often.

· More frequent participation of children and families in leading worship.

· More teachers and helpers in classrooms.

· More audio/visual capability in classrooms.

· Scheduling that allows church school teachers to attend worship.

· More opportunities for considering parental issues.

Accepting the high degree of secularization in our society and the ever-increasing competition for time traditionally set aside for worship as given, we observed that:

· Liberal Protestants have a high expectation of personal responsibility.

· Participation in religious events reflects commitment.

· We have one weekly option for worship / church school.

· Parents are forced to make ethical choices among competing demands for our children's time.

· Other local religious education models reveal no uniformity of scheduling.

Some specific ideas were suggested to meet the needs of more families, generate enthusiasm for participating in church school events, and increase both church and church school attendance:

· Highlight a monthly featured event, personally invite outsiders to attend.

· Consider setting a minimum threshold of attendance for participation in communion & confirmation classes.

· Consider other scheduling models

The more complete an understanding we have of our collective vision for our children, the more likely we are to attain it. Knowing and naming our commitments will also help in the Pastoral Search. I invite you to make sure your voice is heard on Regearment Day, March 10 (see related story in this issue of the Spire). If you are unable to attend that event, please contact me or any member of the Ministry of Education and Discipleship. We welcome your ideas! The parents who participated in the January forums have given us an excellent foundation on which to assure our church school is a place of living faith. I hope you will make a special effort to add your ideas to theirs.

In faith,

Donna Bertazzoni

FAITH COMMUNITY NURSE

Nourishment for the Body:

Here is another Heart Healthy recipe in honor of the Chinese New Year. It comes from Today’s Health & Wellness magazine.

No Fry Sweet and Sour Chicken

Yield: 2 1 ½ cup servings, 296 calories per serving.

This recipe is for two, but can be doubled or tripled. For a quicker dish, use pre-sliced chicken breast cutlets; just cut them into pieces.

1 tablespoon canola oil

8 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced into bite-size pieces

1 cup canned pineapple chunks packed in juice, drain and reserve juice

1 teaspoon ground ginger

½ teaspoon onion powder

⅛ teaspoon garlic powder

8 ounces mixed frozen Chinese or Asian vegetables thawed (about 1 ¾ cups)

1 ½ tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce

1 ½ tablespoons white wine vinegar

1 ½ tablespoons reserved canned pineapple juice whisked in a bowl with

1 teaspoon cornstarch

Bottled hot red pepper sauce optional and to taste

• Heat the oil in a large wok or sauté pan. Add the chicken and pineapple chunks; cook, tossing constantly until the chicken is lightly browned, about 2 minutes.
• Add the ground ginger, onion powder, and garlic powder; cook stirring constantly for 1 minute.
• Add the vegetables; cook , tossing constantly , until the chicken is cooked through, about 2 minutes.
• Pour in the soy sauce and vinegar, bring to a simmer. Swirl in prepared pineapple juice and cornstarch mixture. Cook until bubbling and thickened, about 20 seconds. Serve with bottled hot red pepper sauce on the side.
• Serve with brown rice.

Nourishment for the Soul as we move through Lent:

Meditation 3

From The Undivided Soul by Cheryl Kirk-Duggan

Spirit, wind, blowing, blowing, blowing, Championing new types of listening,

Sending forth old ways of being, Walking through the moors of mental minefields,

Bringing out new ways of thinking, being, doing, Poised to destroy and be destroyed.

Spirit strong, joyful song, Moving towards contemplation,

For the first days ever that we meet. Deep thoughts about the options

Needed for the salvation and survival of all.

Releasing old ways—

Of needing to control everyone and everything,

Truly experiencing divine Grace;

Reveling in sweet surrender;

Nonsacrificial in tone;

Often uncomfortable in depth; Many Blessings,

Blessed in reality. Margery Eramo, RN, FCN

Faith Community Nurse

FROM OUR MINISTRIES:

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION & DISCIPLESHIP

Chocolate for Lent

A Lenten Film Study for those who love movies, chocolate and God (not necessarily in that order)based on the Oscar-nominated film Chocolat.

Grow in faith with your friends during the season of Lent and create the space for deeper insights into self-giving, inclusive love, hospitality, forgiveness, transformation and joy. The first week we will watch the movie together, then we will gather for a blend of scripture, conversation, reflection and prayer to examine the challenges of being a Christian. Naturally, chocolate treats will be provided!

Watch the film at the home of Louise Donovan

Thursday, March 8, 7-9 PM

265 Far Reach Road

Chocolat Conversations at the home of Donna Bertazzoni

Thursdays March 15, 22 and 29, 7-8:30 PM

7 Snowflake Lane, Canton

Directions to Donna’s: contact the church office

Church School Update

Sunday, March 4:

10 AM Communion worship & church school

One Great Hour of Sharing offering begins

10 AM 3^rd Grade communion class/Cottage

11:30 AM Confirmation Class/Vogel Room

Saturday, March 10: 9:30AM-Noon Regearment Day

Come and let us know what you have to say about First Parish!

Sunday, March 11: Daylight Savings begins – clocks ahead one hour!

10 AM worship and church school

10 AM 3^rd Grade communion class/Cottage

10:15 AM SHYF Extreme Breakfast/Parish Hall

11:30 AM Confirmation Class/Vogel Room

1:00 PM showing of Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth”/ Parish Hall (good for older kids)

Sunday, March 18:

10 AM worship and church school

10 AM 3^rd Grade communion class/Cottage

11:30 AM Confirmation Class/Vogel Room

JHYF sandwich making (TBA)/Parish Hall kitchen

5:30 PM “Just For Fun” Pot Luck Supper/Parish Hall

Saturday, March 24^th: 7 PM Silent Movie Night/Parish Hall (good for older kids)

Sunday, March 25^th:

10 AM worship and church school

One Great Hour of Sharing offering collected

10 AM 3^rd Grade communion class/Cottage

10:15 AM SHYF Extreme Breakfast/Parish Hall

11:30 AM Confirmation Class/Vogel Room

Who is My Neighbor?

Church School March Mission Project

The children of the Church School join the adults of the congregation in supporting the One Great Hour of Sharing each year during the Month of March. This year’s theme, “Who is My Neighbor?” was introduced at the Group Lesson on Feb 28.

Once again we will have the interactive giving calendars, which put a face on the worldwide impact of their donations. Calendars and coin collection boxes will be distributed on Sunday, March 4. Children may bring their boxes to worship on Sunday, March 28 when the whole church offering will be received.

Youth Group News

JHYF

Sunday, March 18^th:

Rosie’s Place sandwich making and dinner cooking

April (date TBA):