North Parish News and Notes

January 2010

Thank you to a special friend of North Parish… Take a look at that giant wreath gracing the front of our church… Someone made that just for us! It is beautiful – and they had to have the Sanford Fire Department hang it.wreath.JPG

 

Contents

ANNUAL MEETING.. 2

CHRISTMAS SERVICE AT NORTH PARISH.. 3

CONFIRMATION BEGINS.. 3

MISSIONARIES HEAD TO NEW ORLEANS.. 3

CHURCH COUNCIL. 4

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION.. 5

WEDNESDAY WIZARDS.. 6

MISSIONS.. 6

THE CRAFT GROUP.. 6

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP.. 7

FINANCIALS.. 7

TRUSTEES.. 7

MONDAY NIGHTERS.. 8

YOUTH GROUP.. 8

MILESTONES.. 8

OTHER STUFF. 8

 

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Come One, Come All - The Annual Meeting of North Parish Congregational Church United Church of Christ.


Come celebrate our life together. Come wonder at our future together. Set some vision for the year. Approve the budget. Elect a music ministry search committee and give thanks to God for this ministry we share in the spirit and by the grace of Jesus.


The annual meeting of North Parish will begin at 11:45 AM, immediately following worship, Sunday, January 17th.  Light refreshments will be available, child care provided in the nursery. All are welcome, all members of North Parish may vote.

Diane

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Attention all youth interested in Confirmation! (7th grade and older) On January 3rd at 12:30 in the library...come with a parent/guardian to learn about confirmation.  We'll have sandwiches for lunch...ask some questions of each other and consider gathering this winter/spring towards the possibility of joining the church as adult members in May.  Coming to this meeting does not commit you to the class...it is for exploration.  Leaders will be Diane Wendorf and Bruce Burnham...that's right, we will join with Alfred Parish again for this confirmation experience...including field trips, sleepovers and time to question... almost everything!

It's been over 5 years since hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and there is still lots of work to do...United Church of Christ disaster ministries keeps on working at helping the people of New Orleans pick up, build up and begin anew.  Every year several groups from Maine have made the trip to offer a helping hand in that effort.  This year, Diane Wendorf and Bob Kirton will join the team.

Both Bob and Diane are seasoned mission workcampers...Bob has been to Honduras with the Maine Conference several times and Diane lead 12 mission trips for youth during her tenure in Oak Park, IL.

Why go on a mission trip?  Most importantly because Jesus called us to serve those in need.  And then secondly because mission trips inspire, encourage and enhance our life together...we learn about other people, we become church together with friends and neighbors from other UCC churches in York County, and we tell the good news to each other and those we serve...the good news of God's love for all God's people.  Studies suggest that mission trips are the growing edge for many people of faith and for those seeking a community of faith that practices what they preach.

Our missionaries leave January 23rd and return January 30th. Our Guest preacher for January 24th will be Lori Whittemore who is our Maine Conference Disaster Relief associate and a student at Bangor Theological School.  January 31st Bob and Diane will share some of their stories and pictures from their trip.

Council meeting on December 15 was very special as we met at Diane and Mark’s home on Park Street. Not only did the Christmas tree and decorations put us in a holiday mood but the dining room table was laden with an array of wonderful tasty treats. It was a great opportunity for a certain group of North Parish, UCC people to spend some time in pleasant non-business fellowship.
 
We did do some routine business, however, before we got to that table of treats. During sharing and fellowship we heard about visits that have been made to Bruce Goodwin at St. Andre’s in Biddeford. We heard how Bruce has been making slow progress and we all have him and Marcia in our prayers for a joyous Christmas and Bruce’s renewed good health and renewal in the New Year.
 
Bill Tarmey presented the Annual Budget for the approval of the Council. It is a balanced budget of $181,997. and received unanimous consent of the Council. The decision was next made to have a regular coffee/punch fellowship prior to Annual Meeting, Sunday, January 17. Behind this decision was the wish that everyone at worship will attend Annual Meeting which will start as early as people have a chance to “grab a bite.” Pam Peterson, who has generously offered to be on the Nomination Committee starting in 2010, was appointed to a two-year term by the Council.
 
The fourth item on the agenda followed Diane’s explanation of the need to have the Nominating Committee find five people to serve on a Music Search Committee. At present, with Seth Hurd’s resignation, we are lacking both a Music Director and organist. The Search Committee will first address North Parish’s  music vision and needs before advertising for replacements for Seth, who we are very sorry to see leave us. The Music Search Committee will be voted on at Annual Meeting along with all others who are willing to be church officers or serve on church boards and committees. Both Diane and Jane Kirton assured us that our music worship needs will be fully covered in the period while the search is taking place. Our church is blessed with a number of extremely talented musicians who will direct the choir and play the organ. Thanks be to God for this blessing.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
Fred Boyle, Moderator and

Church Council Chair

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Thank you to all who participated in the Christmas Pageant.  What a wonderful presentation of the Nativity, set to a sweet story, scripture and verses of familiar Christmas hymns.  Special thanks go Carol Haberman and her niece Jen, Pat Fougere, Dennis and Jennifer Roberts, Bill Tarmey, Becky Brown and her husband Bryan, who spent hours creating the backdrop city and stable scene, which will be enjoyed for years to come!  

 Seth, it's been a true pleasure to receive the gifts you have offered over the years!

 Sunday School classes will resume January 10th. 

 Happy New Year to All!

 

Jennifer Roberts and Becky Brown

Co-Chairs Christian Education Committee

Wednesday Wizards

We need tools!   If you have extra screwdrivers,

pliers, wrenches, etc. we would appreciate them.

You can leave them in the Vestry in the labeled

 box or in the office Tuesday-Friday 9am-1pm.

Everyone can help during this high-energy season by closing doors and turning off lights when you leave a room – PLEASE DON'T LEAVE IT FOR SOMEONE ELSE!

Shelter Truck - We have raised $200 to get the York County Shelter's truck repaired. 

SERRV - Many of the consignment items have been bought and a number of people have taken catalogs to send in their own orders.

Martin Luther King breakfast - Monday Jan. 18th.  Plan to join us.

Join the Craft Group for their first meeting of 2010 at Flo Hansen's house at 501 Main Street, Springvale, 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 6. No skills required and expert instructions available on a one to one basis!  Bring a sandwich or whatever you wish to go with the contents of Flo's salad bowl and tea pot.  We will do crafting from 10:30 to about noon and break up after lunch.  Come enjoy fun and fellowship.

Women’s Fellowship will meet on Wednesday, January 6, at 10 am in the Church Parlor.  Please note change of day and hour!  If you desire babysitting, please call the church office by Tuesday, Jan. 5.  We will be discussing budget allocations, the calendar for 2010, and the Valentine tea on Feb. 14.

CONTRIBUTIONS - Need ENVELOPES?

Have you made a pledge for 2010?

If you would like envelopes for your contributions, even if you prefer not  to make a pledge, please call the office or Betty Wildes (324-3698 or gkwildes@gwi.net )

 

Steeple Lighting

The photo-electric cell installation will proceed.   Since the steeple lighting is being sponsored by individual parishioners, it is important that the lights come on at dusk and not be turned off before 9:30 pm.

Property

Repairs have been made to the Prescott Street house bathroom floor and toilet as well as some electrical repairs.  A total of 12 man hours was donated to the bathroom portion of the repairs.  

Budget

Bob Hardison presented the proposed budget for 2010.  It was moved, seconded, and voted to accept as presented.  It will be presented to Church Council in December with final review at the January 2010 Trustee's meeting.

Additional Items

North Parish Church will donate the fire alarm box and post to the Sanford-Springvale Historical Society, subject to all costs related to removal being assumed by the Historical Society.

Snow removal behind the former SIS parking lot.  SIS will not plow this lot this year.  It was decided that North Parish, also will not plow this lot.  Both the Baptist Church and Shaw’s Hardware have been advised.

Painting the church/capital campaign.  There was a brief discussion of the need to paint the church. Our plan is to do so in preparation of our 225th Anniversary next year, since North Parish Church was gathered in 1786.  

Bill Tarmey

Chairman, Board of Trustees

Come join us Jan. 11th for what promises to be a very interesting evening. A Potluck at 6:00 will be followed by a presentation by Ronald Rivard on the Appalachian Trail. Our hosts will be Glenn and Betty Wildes and David and Priscilla Yuill. All are welcome!

 

Priscilla Yuill,

Interim Secretary

Youth Group Shopping Trip

What a great time we had!  Katelyn, Kelsey, Kate and Shelby… 2 from North Parish and 2 from Alfred Parish... We shopped till we dropped... all four girls found gifts for everyone! Smart shoppers, keen shoppers, good at managing their money, good at working together and having a good time. Thanks to Bruce Burnham of Alfred Parish for driving... thanks to all four girls for being fun shopping buddies.

Philip and Jean Worster’s daughter-in-law, Barbara Worster, passed away this month. Our condolences go out to the Worster family.

Carolyn Hardison’s brother-in-law Charles passed away on December 21st in Belfast. Our condolences go out to the Hardisons.

To North Parish Friends:

I want to thank all 28 people that came to my Open House at Huntington common.  It seemed like everyone enjoyed themselves. I know I enjoyed having all my friends come to my new location. I know that Allan would have enjoyed it also.  One of the first things he did when we came here was to reserve the Club Room for the Open House.  I also want to say thank you for the many hostess gifts I received; some did not have name tags so I cannot thank each of you.  Happy New Year to All. 

Ann Carlson

 

Light the Steeple

The Wendorf family lights up our church building this month in memory of Wayne McMillan Lockwood.

 

Close the Door

The cold weather has arrived and with it comes concerns for conserving heat. Our heating system heats rooms individually on an “as needed” basis. To help our new heating system achieve maximum efficiency, please keep the doors closed - and the heat in!

 

CAN YOU HELP?

Can you bake or contribute food for a church event? Can you make minor repairs at the church or shovel snow?

Call the Church Office 324-3163 if there is anything you can do. There is a long list waiting for volunteers!