from pastor andreahaydenvillechurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/12_october.pdf · 12/9/2013 ·...

From Pastor AndreaIn the early 1980s I was the Executive Director of an organization called Stop Nuclear War that was based in Northfield, MA. Consequently day after day, I got a cup of coffee from Bart’s on Main Street in Northampton (those were the good old days), and started up Rt. 91 for the 50 minute commute to work. We had a small staff, but I was the E.D. and felt I had to be early or on time each day to set a good example so I was always heading up Rt. 91 no later than 8 AM.

One winter day there was a pretty serious snow storm. I looked out my apartment window and wondered if I should make the trek up to Northfield—if it was really safe. With some combination of stubbornness, commitment, and workaholism running through my mind, I decided the make the trip.

Somewhere around Hatfield, I realized I had made an error. Route 91 had not been plowed for hours, the snow was coming down very heavily, no one was on the road, and I was slipping and sliding around like nobody’s business. I got nervous and regretted my decision.

Then at the on-ramp just beyond Hatfield, a police car merged onto the highway right in front of me. I breathed a big sigh of relief and decided if I tucked myself right behind the police car I would be safe. So I speeded up a little and tucked myself right on his back fender. When he speeded up, I speeded up, when he slowed down, I slowed down. It was all going swimmingly until he turned on his flashing light and pulled over. There was NO ONE else on the highway, so I assumed he wanted ME to pull over too, so I did.

Sitting in my car as the policeman slowly got out of his car in the storm and made his way back to my window, I was thinking that maybe he wanted to tell me what a brave gal I was out there in this bad weather. And then I would tell him how loyal I was—heading up to my job so far away.

But that is not what the policeman had in mind.

Highlights

Haydenville Congregational Church Safe Church Policies and Procedures Manual “We want our church to be a safe place for everyone.” Page 6

My Two-Minute Toothbrush Prayers “I started thinking about all the friends.... who.... had sad things happening to them and, before I knew it, my toothbrush shut off.”Page 5

Deacons Name Theologian-in-Residence“By unanimous vote, the deacons asked the Rev. Dr. Peter Ives....” Page 7

“Just War” Theory:“taking a look at the Just War theory and what it might—and might not—have to say to us....”Page 4

October Birthdays • 3

Calendar • 10

Church Leadership • 12

“From Pastor Andrea” continues on page 2

October 2013 • Open Hearts & Open Minds & Open Doors

Please notify Vicha if you would like to receive CrossCurrents online only: [email protected]

the Haydenville Congregational Church Newsletter

mailto:[email protected]


CrossCurrents • the Haydenville Congregational Church Newsletter • October 2013

When he got to my car and I rolled down the window he yelled at me. “What are you doing tailgating a police car?” he said to me incredulously.

Suddenly I realized I was not the hero in this story, I was the criminal.

“Oh Officer,” I said quite pleading and quite embarrassed. “I was so afraid driving in the storm until you pulled out on the highway, and then I thought if I tucked right behind you I would be safe.”

“Tucking right behind me is called TAILGATING,” the officer said, clearly unmoved by my true but pathetic explanation. “I should give you a ticket.”

“Oh Officer,” I said, trying again, “I did not mean to tailgate—although now I see that is precisely what I was doing—I just wanted to feel safe and not skid off the road.”

The Officer looked at me like he was dealing with a real nut job. But he gave me a warning, not a ticket, told me not to tailgate any longer, and suggested I get off the highway, turn around and go home.

I have never forgotten that story because I still marvel at my ability to think that tailgating a police car is a good idea. But I also think it has theological significance. I think sometimes when I feel very lost or overwhelmed I imagine that I have tucked right in behind God. Except God does not get out of a vehicle and yell at me. God says, “Tuck right in there, Andrea. I’ll lead you through the storm, I’ll make a path, I’ll get us there safely.”

Sometimes I imagine that I am tucked right behind God and God is breaking the trail and God keeps looking back to make sure I am right there, right close behind, safe and protected. Sometimes when the going gets rough, I imagine God in the car ahead, me driving in the storm, and God’s flashing lights are on just to make sure I can find my way….right there, through the snow, in the storm.

Other times when I am not lost but too confident, lurching ahead with some half-baked idea or running on too much caffeine and too little sleep, I imagine that God is tailgating ME. That God is tucked right behind me and is trying to lead by pushing—guiding me in the right direction so I don’t end up in a ditch.

Either way, if I am tailgating God or God is tailgating me, God is there in the storm, or when I am spinning out of control. God is there—before me to show me the way, or behind me to lead by pushing.

Either way we’re always tailgating each other. Close. Connected. Safe.

From Pastor Chris“Tending to the Temple”“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own?” I Corinthians 6:19

Two years ago, when I was serving a church in New Orleans, I preached a four-week series on health and wellness from a scriptural viewpoint. I was inspired to undertake this effort through the urging of an elder in the church, combined with the recognition of October holding a variety of health awareness-related observances. I taught on mental health, physical disability, and the negative power of labeling and stigma. But what I think hit hardest was my sermon on physical health, fitness, and nutrition.

There was no question that I was out of shape when I moved to New Orleans. I had packed on the “sympathy weight” during my wife’s pregnancy, adding to years of limited exercise and questionable nutrition choices. Early on, a life-long church member told me that new pastors in New Orleans gain at least 15 pounds from the introduction to Southern Hospitality and Soul Food - - Food, faith, family, and food: that’s what New Orleans is all about. Some quick math made me realize that such gains would push me into some really uncomfortable numbers, and I knew I had to make a change.

Already, in my mid-30’s, I was on meds for high cholesterol and high blood pressure, getting out of breath playing with my daughter, and up-sizing my wardrobe


on a yearly basis. Not good. However, it would take another year until I got serious about making changes.

As I prepared my sermon for that Sunday, I thought a lot about that 15 pounds that I was promised. I contacted a local sausage factory and asked them to give me 15 pounds of hog fat - - just big bags of scrap fat in all its disgusting realness. If you’re interested, I’ll show you pictures.

As I began my sermon, I walked over to the box holding the packaged fat and heaved the 3 bags, 5 pounds each, onto the altar. The gasps and the gags were audible as the reality set in. Yes, the sacks of hog fat were for shock value, but they were also meant as a wake-up call. That was as close to the “15 pounds” as I wanted to get!

How many times have we heard “your body is a temple?” While it may be a tired aphorism, it is nevertheless true. A close friend and clergy colleague, having undertaken an ambitious exercise and nutrition program, realized that he had been treating his “temple” more like a “toilet.” He had come to realize that he had not felt that he deserved to tend to the “temple” he inhabited. This really hit home for me.

It was (and remains) easy to get trapped in a downward spiral when it comes to poor self-care. We too often turn to caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and calories to comfort ourselves and feed deep needs that are more like bottomless pits. These behaviors make us feel physically and emotionally worse, and yet we return to them in a cycle of comfort-seeking, self-sabotage, and even self-punishment. From the viewpoint of my armchair psychology, many people seem to develop the narrative that they do not deserve to be healthy, or feel good, or take care of themselves.

Since I’ve moved to Northampton, I’ve lost about 25 pounds - - if you find it, please do not return it to me, and I suggest you do not pick it up for yourself! Still, I have plenty of room for improvement when it comes to my nutritional habits and overall self-care. What it has taken me a long time to understand is that there really is a strong connection between my physical health and my emotional and spiritual health - - and that I simply must do my part to strengthen that connection and “tend to the temple.” I will confess that I was never fully ignorant of this before, but I did feel that maybe I didn’t deserve

to feel healthy, or take care of myself - - preferring to take on the role of martyr or suffering servant. Clergy aren’t especially good at taking care of ourselves. Neither are normal people. And, honestly, self-care is really what this is all about - - because when we can’t or don’t care for ourselves, we cannot properly care for others.

This message might be hard for some of us to hear. But let me be clear: I don’t want to guilt you or shame you. We get enough of that from other areas of life. Chances are, if this message is resonating with you, this is not the first time you have recognized that you need to make some changes in your life. You don’t need me to point it out. And remember: no matter who you are or what you look like, you are loved by God, just as you are. My hope is to motivate you. I don’t want to put you down: I want to lift you up so that you recognize that you deserve to be healthy, you deserve to be happy, and that you deserve to love yourself - - just as you are loved by God, who has created you as a vessel and container for that divine love.

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?”

Peace & Blessings

- Rev. Chris, Associate Pastor

October Birthdays!1 David Warner Brenna Ryan2 Andrea Ayvazian3 Alice Barber Donna Harlan Ileana Fournier5 Kamali Joseph Bonnie Roberge6 Jayden Childs7 Beth Fitzgerald Kathy O’Connor8 Ruth Beebe9 Maryanne O’Toole Kathleen Kelleher Karen E. Lowe10 Carlton Loomis Izabel Grace Mereschuk13 Mae Smith Mitzi Eilts Nicholas Elias-Gillette14 Michael Klare15 Chris Hannibal Lisa Kautz Susanne Lehman18 Amanda Wilson Suzanne Brow Sarah Tompkins20 Ernestine Stowell21 Nicole Pagliaro23 Jamie Poudrier24 Carolyn du Bois26 Robert Lampron27 Wendy Gannett28 Tina Newcomb-Gerken30 Chris Mereschuk31 Amy Andrew


“Just War” Theory:I have just been swimming in the murky waters of the “Just War” theory as our nation appears balanced on the edge of a spear, about to lance itself into conflict with the Middle East. Again. With no hope of success. Again. With no support in either the international community or at home. I wish I could say “again” for that.

At any rate, there is something to be said for taking a look at the Just War theory and what it might—and might not—have to say to us as we reflect upon what it will mean for us, for Syria, and for the entire Middle East if we become involved militarily in this bloody, sectarian struggle. Here I go to Catholic theology to see what it has to say about just and unjust wars. (Note: this discussion does not address whether any war can ever be just; it simply looks at what moral principles can be thought-fully applied to armed conflict and its justification.)

OK, tighten your seat belts, make a cup of strong coffee, sit up straight in your chair, and let’s begin. The Just War theory (also known as jus ad bellum, right to go to war) has a long history, beginning with Cicero, who believed there were right causes for war. St. Augustine developed this theory which was also later refurbished by St. Thomas Aquinas. (Some 12th-century Arabic thinkers also weighed in on this.)

There are several crucial components to the Just War theory, which after all, is about looking at possible conflict and trying to decide not only where justice lies, but how justice might be achieved. My sources for this essay include: The HarperCollins Encyclopedia of Catholicism; Wikipedia, Just War Theory; the Mt. Holyoke site on Just War; The Catechism of the Catholic Church; the U.S.Catholic bishops’ “The Challenge of Peace”; and Religion and Ethics August 30th broadcast with Notre Dame Professor of Peace and Justice, George Lopez.)

• The first step includes Just Cause: This means that nations must not go to war for frivolous reasons, revenge, punishment, or even simply national interest. The war must confront a “real and certain danger,” such as self-defense.

• The second step is Competent Authority: This means that individuals or groups like the Tea Party cannot wage war on their own; it must come from a government committed to the “public order.”

• The third reason is Comparative Justice: This is an interesting one as it tells us to look at the other side, to weigh the reasons involved in force being used by the “enemy.” It also says that we should use “limited means” to pursue our goals.

• The fourth criterion is Right Intention: This ties in with “Just Cause” in looking at the motivations for going to war; that war not be waged from revenge or hatred of the enemy.

• The fifth reason is Last Resort: This states that every possible means has been tried to settle the conflict before going to war.

• The sixth step is Probability of Success: Obviously, this means that officials waging war must have a reasonable chance of succeeding at their goals (what values are at stake) in the conflict. And the stated goal should be the re-establishment of peace and justice.

• The seventh and last reason is Proportionality: This states that the evils and harm brought about by war be “proportionate to the good expected by using arms.” In other words, the final good must exceed the present destruction. People must be better off after the conflict than they were before.

Then (breathe deeply), there is what is called jus in bello, which defines the right in war or justice in war; how it should be waged if it is to be moral. This includes:--That the war not kill innocent civilians;--That weapons of mass destruction not be used.

So. There we are. Need a nap yet? More coffee? Throwing darts at something, not someone? If you apply these conditions to the prospect of intervening in Syria’s Civil War, what do you come out with?(All quotes are from “The Challenge of Peace,” the U.S.Catholic Bishops.)

- Annie Turner

Important NoticeOur new Secretary/Bookkeeper Michelle’s weekday office hours are: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays: 1:15 to 4:00 pm. Ring doorbell beside the back door.


Haydenville Congregational Church Sermons-to-Go! Announcing the HCC Sermon Podcasts! Listen to the Good News from Haydenville Congregational Church UCC on your iPod, mp3 Player, or on your computer! Announcing the launch of the HCC Sermon Podcast Series -- a new way to listen to and share words of inspiration and mediation from our Sunday services.

• What is a Podcast? Podcasts are free, downloadable audio recordings. New “episodes” will be published (“posted”) weekly. Presently, we are Podcasting our sermons, but future episodes could include special musical selections, Bible studies, or other events.

• How Do I Listen? The Podcast episode can be downloaded to a portable mp3 player (such as an iPod), or you can listen to it on your computer from the websites below.

• Where can I find the HCC Podcast? To find our Podcasts, you can go to: http://haydenvilleucc.podbean.com/ or listen on our website: haydenvillechurch.org.

If you use Apple’s iTunes music management program, open up the iTunes store and enter “Haydenville” in the search field. To download the iTunes program for free, visit: http://www.apple.com/itunes/. You can then “subscribe” to our Podcast, and new episodes will be downloaded automatically as they are posted!

• Questions? Contact Pastor Chris for more information!

My Two-Minute Toothbrush PrayersAbout a year ago, my dentist told me that I needed to get an electric toothbrush so that my teeth could get a break from my intense, overly speedy, and enamel-removing brushing technique. He said “This will be gentler, and, remember, don’t turn it off before the two minutes are up!”

That afternoon I dutifully bought my very own two-minute electric toothbrush. Yeah – two minutes. Doesn’t sound like a long time, does it? For me though, two minutes was far too long a time to just stand there, so first I tried reading a book, and then I started doing one–handed chores around my house.

Finally, one morning while I was brushing my teeth, I started thinking about all the friends and family members who were troubled and have had sad things happening to them and, before I knew it, my toothbrush shut off. Hey, what happened here? This is almost like praying and, believe me, I’ve never been such a terrific pray-er. In fact, the closest I’ve come to understanding a notion of God is this: there’s a spirit of love that connects all of us and, if we pay attention, we’ll feel or witness occasional but incredible moments of Grace.

So, for about eight months now, I have a list of people I think about while brushing my teeth. My hope is that these twice-daily moments of empathy will bring these folks some peace and respite from their daily worries, sadness or pain.

I had originally thought this might be a good children’s story, but some adults in the church have been telling me that they too are doing two-minute toothbrush prayers. I’m so happy to share an idea that’s both convenient and kind. It’s still not clear to me why prayer is a good thing but I do think it goes both ways. We send out these love rays to people we care about and, at the same time, it helps us to feel both connected and newly grateful.

So that’s it. Please don’t see this as some spiritual holier-than-thou story. It’s just a recounting of how I found a way to create a habit of “prayer” that works for me.

Four minutes a day. Just four minutes but it’s every day and every day I send my heart out to others and, for a little while, stop thinking about me which is a very good start.

- Susan Farrell

Beloved HCC Family,

Please help us celebrate 25+ years of love, fun, love,

adventure, love, work, love, joy and love at our

Blessing of the Rings Ceremony on October 5, 2013,

10:30 AM at Haydenville Congregational Church.

Reception to follow. Casual attire. Your presence is your gift.

- Pat James and Karin McGowan

http://haydenvilleucc.podbean.com

http://haydenvilleucc.podbean.com

http://www.apple.com/itunes/

http://www.apple.com/itunes/

Haydenville Congregational Church Safe Church Policies and Procedures ManualDuring the past year, Dawn Orluske, Patti McManamy, and Joanne Morgan completed a Safe Church Policies and Procedures Manual for our church. We based our work on a safe church document created by Edwards Church in Northampton, as well as work done by members of the Family Ministries Committee and others over the past few years.

As a community of faith committed to following Jesus Christ, the Haydenville Congregational Church strives to extend a generous welcome to all who enter our doors and to treat them with the love and dignity that God bestows upon each and every one of us. We want our church to be a safe place for everyone. However, we cannot simply assume that our church is a safe place. We know that we cannot eliminate all risks, but we can strive to reach that goal by taking intentional and direct actions. We want people of all ages to be able to deepen their relationship with God and each other in an environment that is safe and secure. It is in this spirit that the Haydenville Congregational Church Safe Church Policies and Procedures Manual was created. We consider this to be a living document which will be amended over time as new issues arise. We hope that this document will provide guidelines to create a safe environment at church for our members, guests, ministers, staff and volunteers.

The Safe Church Policies and Procedures Manual is now located in six places: Pastor Andrea’s office, the church library, the Children’s Church room, the Baby/Toddler Church room, the Family Ministries registration table in the upstairs hallway, and on the church website. Please take a moment to look it over, and please contact Joanne Morgan or Dawn Orluske with any questions.

- Joanne Morgan,Youth Leader

Creating a Library in Baby/Toddler Church Thanks to the generosity of our church family, we have many wonderful books for kids upstairs in Children’s Church. We have books describing different kinds of families, how it feels to lose a loved one or pet, what peace looks like, and how people like Jesus, Gandhi and Mother Theresa changed the world. Unfortunately, we have a limited amount of space to display books facing out, so the kids can truly see them in Children’s Church. I try to rotate books so the children can have different picture books to look at when they have free time in CC, but there may be a book they need to see that week, that a parent could check out and read with their child at home.

We have beautiful shelves that Fred Goodhue made in our Baby/Toddler room! We utilize these shelves for many of our toys, but I would like to create a lending library for families in this space too. This is where I need your help! If you have time to use the labeler, have some unused book ends, or can sort books by category, then see me about creating an important resource! This can be a work in progress, but I would love to get this project started.

In gratitude, Dawn Orluske, Director of Children’s Church


Blessing the Animals

Saturday, November 2, 2:00 pmBring Fido, Fifi, and your other furry friends to our Blessing of the Animals! Join us for this brief service on the church front lawn as we welcome and bless companion animals that bring so much joy into our lives. For safety, please bring dogs on a leash, cats in a carrier or on a leash, and keep other animals appropriately within your control.- Contact Pastor Chris for more information.

A correction to the 2013-2014 Directory

✄


HCC Exemplifies Excellence!!The Annual Report for the 2013 United Church of Christ, Massachusetts Conference has just come out and after many years our little Haydenville church made the list of “5 for 5 churches” that exemplify excellence in Christian missions, locally and globally.

The forty-two Massachusetts churches identified as “5 for 5 churches” have supported all five UCC missions: Our Church’s Wider Mission Basic Support plus four special offerings: One Great Hour of Sharing, Neighbors in Need, Strengthen the Church and the Christmas Fund.

By giving to each of the five missions we are supporting all the ways that the United Church of Christ is changing lives, including disaster assistance, hunger programs, justice work, church vitality, leadership development, youth and children’s ministries, new church starts, and also assistance to low income retired clergy.

The list of Massachusetts churches supporting all of these missions is short; we should be proud of our achievement. As Pastor Andrea says, “It is a big, big, big deal!!!”

Service of Installation for Rev. Chris Mereschuk, Associate PastorPlease join us as we “install” Chris Mereschuk as

our new Associate Pastor on Sunday, November 17 at 3:00 pm! The Service of Installation is the formalized

and ritualized act of the Pastor and Congregation entering into a covenant, as authorized by the

Association. The Installation takes place in the context of a worship service with guests from area

churches bearing witness to the new covenant. This is a time of celebration and a blessing for our

journey together. Please mark your calendars and come be a part of this important time of worship

together!

Haydenville Congregational Church, UCCHampshire Association of the

Massachusetts Conference

Sunday, November 17, 2013 at 3:00 pm • Reception to follow •

Deacons Name Theologian-in-ResidenceWhen Pastor Andrea returned from sabbatical leave in April, she was brimming with energy, ideas, and discoveries from her travels. Of her time spent at the historic Old South Church in Boston, Pastor Andrea exclaimed, “They even have a theologian-in-residence! We could do that too!”

“What exactly is a theologian-in-residence?” the deacons wondered. Five months later, after much discussion, prayer, and reflection, we had an answer. By unanimous vote, the deacons asked the Rev. Dr. Peter Ives to assume the role here in Haydenville, and he graciously accepted, noting “Haydenville Church has 250 theologians in residence already in the pews, but I am glad to serve as the Chair of the Board.”

The position is an honorary one (i.e. no pay) in which Rev. Ives will serve as a resource to our pastors and the congregation, perhaps lead a study group, or preach occasionally as his schedule allows. He will share his considerable knowledge and experience with us, as together we develop and grow as individuals and members of our faith community. Rev. Ives has had a distinguished career, culminating most recently in the completion of 21 years as senior pastor of The First Churches of Northampton. A graduate of Union Theological Seminary, Rev. Ives also earned a PhD from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. We are indeed fortunate that Haydenville is now his church home. On Sunday mornings, when he is not preaching at another church, he can be found singing in our choir, serving Communion to our children, sitting in a pew (sometimes with his beautiful grandson), or chatting with friends in coffee hour.

Teacher. Friend. Theologian. Welcome, Peter, to this new role, and thank you for your service.

- Deacon Anne Harrison

Look for Rev. Peter's first Theologian-in-Residence column in the November issue of CrossCurrents.

Turn your unwanted jewelry into free lunches for children in Nicaragua! As part of the HCC Annual Church Fair (happening on October 26), The Sunrise Foundation (a mission of our church) will host a jewelry sale to benefit the Ayudame a Crecer (Help me Grow) Program, to provide free lunches for nearly 75 school children whose families can’t feed them a good lunch at home. This is doubly important now since Sunrise has received a challenge grant, and we have to match the funding. So each dollar raised will enable us to get another dollar from the donor. How can you help?

• Donate your unwanted jewelry to our sale (by October 20). We are even willing to take orphan earrings and broken pieces for crafters to purchase. Contact Pat James if you have items to donate.

• Volunteer to help sort and price jewelry or to help out on the day of the Fall Fair.

• Purchase a ticket, $5.00 gets you in and gives you a $5.00 credit toward the purchase of great new (to you) treasures.

For more information about the important work of the Sunrise Foundation, go to www.TheSunriseFoundation.org.

- Pat James


The Three County FairOn Saturday, August 31, thirty one of us went to the Three County Fair in Northampton with Pastor Andrea. Her invitation had come weeks before during announce- ments and when she asked who would join her at the gate, hand after hand went up. She offered to pay our admission so that anyone could join. In the days before the fair, we remember the excitement our family felt. We were going to the Fair with our Church family! Despite the threat of thundershowers and the steady rain that seemed to start just as we began the drive, by the time we were at the fairgrounds, the skies seemed to clear.

Some of us ate foot long hotdogs, some chocolate-covered apples. Pulled pork, baked beans and coleslaw were a treat; ice cream and fried dough a near-staple to get us through the monster trucks, the rides, the ferris wheel, all of the animals, and the games. Pastor Andrea led the way at the Midway and was determined to win at every game, and while she proved to be a mean dart player, second only to Cindy Drake, the softball throw seemed more challenging. Every game attendant wanted Andrea to win and when she did, none of us were surprised. Being together on that Saturday afternoon, cheering each other on, watching our children together and continually searching for those who might be lost, held us together in the web of our deepest connections.

- Bonnie Atkins

“The trouble is, once you see it, you can’t unsee it. And once you’ve seen it, keeping quiet and saying nothing becomes as political an act as speaking out. There is no innocence. Either way, you’re accountable.”- Arundhati Roy

Life will break youLife will break you.

Nobody can protect you from that, and living alone won't either, for solitude will also break you with its yearning.

You have to love. You have to feel. It is the reason you are here on earth. You are here to risk your heart. You are here to be swallowed up.

And when it happens that you are broken, or betrayed, or left, or hurt,or death brushes near, let yourself sit by an apple tree and listen to the apples falling all around you in heaps, wasting their sweetness. Tell yourself you tasted as many as you could.

- by Louise Erdrich, Submitted by Maureen Ricksgers

http://www.TheSunriseFoundation.org

http://www.TheSunriseFoundation.org

supported, financed, and trained the so-called rebels. If the rebels didn't receive such support, there would not be a civil war in Syria. If it wasn’t for Russia, China, people from the whole world, and our prayers, President Obama would have already launched an attack on Syria. That's why I think those who are supporting the thousands of blood-thirsty jihadists in Syria should be tried in an international tribunal.

Pastor Andrea has said she knows the congregation is looking for more guidance. If we can help our congregation know that “evidence” or information from our government and other governments can be a fabrication, then we may get into the habit of questioning information we get from any source. When we don’t question information, we may unintentionally side with those who mislead us to fulfill their own agenda.

In this situation, there are many questions we should ask. For instance, What if the so-called rebels were advised by their supporters to use the chemical gases to give a pretext to Washington to overthrow President Assad? What if Assad is still around because he has strong support among Syrian Christians, Shi'a Muslims, and the silent majority in Syria? Should Assad let the Islamists and Al Qaeda take over Syria and turn it into an Islamic state? Should Assad accept being a western puppet similar to most Arab leaders? What would or should our president do if there were armed rebels/jihadists from all over the world slaughtering us on our soil? Without addressing these variables and so many others, we may never know the truth, and our statements and conclusions will always be biased.

The following article from Huffington Post may help us further understand what’s really going on in Syria: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/majid-rafizadeh/assads-family-the-unrecog_b_3152404.html

- Willot Joseph

To listen to the September 8th sermon go to our web site at: www.haydenvillechurch.org and click on “past sermons.”


Willot Joseph submitted the following response to Pastor Andrea’s September 8th sermon. Pastor Andrea felt his perspective on the crisis in Syria was critical for us to hear.

“....what king going out to wage war against another king....”My problem with the discussion about Syria – including the sermon and discussions in our church – is the assumption that the news media are giving us the truth about the man-made crisis in Syria and President Bashar Al-Assad.

The way President Assad is being portrayed in our church is exactly how he has been described by the warmongers to appeal to the lowest instincts of the American people. It sounds to me as if many people believe what they hear or read in the media without questioning the sources; when we know this is a propaganda machine working to defend the interest of the one percent. We cannot rely on polls to draw conclusions on anything. Unfortunately polls are likely to be biased and misleading. The whole world knows that western powers are not credible; they are very good actors! They always use deceptions to invade weaker countries so as control and loot their resources.

In the last 25 years, I've been struggling with those invasions and mass killings of innocent people in countries that were colonized or occupied by these very western powers. Ten years ago, when President Bush claimed he had "evidence" that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction (WMD), I had similar disagreement with some scholars who just went along with those deceptions. It was reported that nearly one million people have been killed in Iraq as a result of the US-led invasion. In this situation, both the perpetrators and those who supported that war have their hands tainted with Iraqi blood. In other words, western countries don't have either morality or a good track record when it comes to human rights and dignity. How can people of faith accept those warmongers to be judge and party at the same time?

Regarding the crisis in Syria, some people have suggested that President Obama is confused. I think that may not be the case when he and allies have openly

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/majid-rafizadeh/assads-family-the-unrecog_b_3152404.html




http://www.haydenvillechurch.org


Date Time Event Location

Wed. Oct. 2 7:00 pm Choir Practice Sanctuary

Thurs. Oct. 3 5:30 pm Trustee Meeting Dining Room

Fri. Oct. 4 3:30 pm Fridays @ 4:00 Writing Group Dining Room

6:00 pm-9:00 am Midnight Youth Group Lock-In Dining Room

Sat. Oct. 5 10:30 am Commitment Ceremony, Pat James & Karin McGowan Sanctuary

Sun. Oct. 6 10:00 am International Worship Service, World Communion Sunday Neighbors in Need Special Mission Offering Collected

Dining Room

Exploring Membership Class #3, after Church Pastor’s Office

Wed. Oct. 9 7:00 pm Choir Practice Sanctuary


Sat. Oct. 12 9:30 pm “I am From....” Workshop, led by Pastor Andrea Children’s Church

10:00 am Fall Book Group, Living the Questions, see “Bible” page 11 Dining Room

Sun. Oct.13 10:00 am Creative “Art & Soul” Worship Service, led by Rev. Susannah Crolius and a group of lay leaders

Sanctuary

Exploring Membership Class #4, after Church Pastor’s Office

12 Noon Church Council Meeting Sanctuary

4:00 pm Youth Group Meeting Dining Room

Tues. Oct. 15 7:00 pm Men’s Group Dining Room

Wed. Oct. 16 6:00 pm Shepherds’ Meeting Dining Room

7:00 pm Choir Practice Sanctuary

Thurs. Oct. 17 1:00 pm Ladies Aid Dining Room


Sun. Oct. 20 10:00 am Worship Service Sanctuary

12 Noon Registration, Crop Walk, First Congregational Church Huntington

1:00 pm Crop Walk, 6 Searle Road, Huntington

Mon. Oct. 21 4:00 - 8:00 pm Baking for Church Fair Kitchen

Calendar for SeptemberEvery effort has been made to make this calendar accurate. Please check the online church calendar to confirm meeting dates, times and locations.



Date Time Event Location

Tues. Oct 22 4:00 - 8:00 pm Baking for Church Fair Kitchen

5:30 pm Soup Salad & Social Change Dining Room

Wed. Oct. 23 4:00 - 8:00 pm Baking for Church Fair Kitchen

6:00 pm Shepherds’ Meeting Dining Room

7:00 pm Choir Practice Sanctuary

Fri. Oct 25 8:00 am - 8:00 pm Baking for Church Fair Kitchen

3:30 pm Fridays @ 4:00 Writing Group Dining Room

Sat. Oct 26 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Church Fair!!! Dining Room

Sun. Oct 27 10:00 am All Saints Day Worship Service, Pastor Chris preaching Sanctuary

12:30 pm Youth Group Mission Project Rachel’s Table

Mon. Oct 28 6:00 pm Diaconate Meeting Dining Room

Wed. Oct 30 7:00 pm Choir Practice Sanctuary

“Taking the Bible Seriously” “The bible has been quoted and misquoted, used and abused, appealed to and discredited. Pastors and politicians, songwriters and poets, have employed its images to inspire and motivate, to encourage and comfort. But it has also been used as a tool by those who have sought to oppress women, support slavery, justify wars, breed cults, and promote violence, racism and terror.”

This quote from “Living the Questions: The Wisdom of Progressive Christianity” sets the tone for the content of our next LTQ discussion group which will meet on Saturday, October 12th, at 10am in the HCC dining room. This DVD section recounts the struggle that has been going on since the fourth century between those who feel the Bible is to be taken literally and those who are not literalists. It talks about the history of the Bible -- how it came into existence as a collection of poetry, histories, and prophesy. It talks about the Bible as a great resource of faith. I hope you can join us to watch and discuss this 20-minute DVD together.

Please contact Jennifer Miller-Antill ([email protected] or 268-3189) if you have questions.

Ladies Aid Luncheon Mix forty-three women, a delicious luncheon buffet, six varieties of pie and you get an afternoon of food and fun. We had an opportunity to visit and get better acquainted with friends both old and new. I heard "Why didn't I come to this before, I'll definitely be back next year.” It is always a special event to look forward to. I have been going for over thirty years and some of the many restaurants we have been to, some long gone, were: The Whale Inn, Paisanos, Harvest Valley, The Log Cabin, Sweetheart Tea Room, and Zoe's. The meals were always delicious but the friendships built in a casual luncheon setting were what was most memorable.

As the organizers of this year’s luncheon, Norma Kellogg and I would like to say thanks to the forty-three H.C.C. women who made this years luncheon at the Bluebonnet Diner the biggest and best ever. Let's continue the tradition - and I'll see you next year!

- Nancy Demarais, Secretary, Ladies Aid



Church Leadership


Rev. Dr. Andrea Ayvazian Senior Pastor

Rev. Chris Mereschuk Associate Pastor

Paul Dunphy Vice Moderator

Lynn Goodhue Church Treasurer

Michelle Regish Bookkeeper

Jil Blake Church Clerk

Anne Harrison Diaconate, Chair

Richard Turner Trustees, Chair

Dawn Orluske Director of Children’s Church

Haydenville Congregational ChurchUnited Church of Christ143 Main Street, PO Box 257Haydenville, MA 01039

413 268-9344

www.haydenvillechurch.org

CrossCurrent Submissions: All items for publication should be sent to: [email protected] by the 15th of the month. Thanks to Karin McGowan and Paula Spencer for their editorial expertise and to Beth Howland for labeling & mailing our newsletter.

Food, Glorious Food! Our Church Family is so great at bringing delicious goodies for our FAMOUS Coffee Hour. Hereʼs the lineup for October October 6: N, O, P, Q, ROctober 13: S, T, U, V

October 20: W, X, Y, Z & A, B, C October 27: D, E, F

When it is your week please arrive early to help set up and remember to help with clean up too!

Laura Paul Church Librarian

Darien Gardner Head Usher

Kim Waddell Head Greeter

Maggie Solis & Laura Garcia Webmasters

Richard Spencer Newsletter Design & Production

Kathleen Kent Accessible to All (A2A), Chair

Jackie Cloonan Grounds Committee, Chair

Sue Carbin Building Maintenance, Chair

Jeff Olmsted Darien Gardner Men’s Group, Co-chairs

Trustees (by Seniority) Richard Spencer Sue Carbin Richard Turner Alice Barber Lynn Goodhue, Treas. Jo Cannon, LA Rep.

Deacons (by Seniority) Anne Harrison Tom McCabe Cindy Drake Diane Scott Sarah Icklan Robert Davis Bob Lampron Karen Guiel* Mary Sheehan* Maureen Bourbeau Karla Hathaway Deb Edwards

Shepherds Ross Bassett Robert Davis Sally Lemaire Rev. Chris Mereschuk Lee Satterfield Mary Sheehan Ellen Tobiassen

Church Council Senior Pastor Moderator Vice Moderator Clerk Treasurer Trustees, Chair Diaconate, Chair Stewardship, Chair Music, Chair Peace & Justice, Chair Family Ministries, " Chair

* Deacon of the Month

Jo Cannon Peace and Justice Steering Committee, Chair

Kayla Gilman-Solomon Stewardship Committee, Chair

Carolyn du Bois Music Committee, Chair

Sue Carbin Church Scheduler [email protected]

Linda Zeigenbein Interfaith Cot Shelter, Meal Coordinator

Ruth Jacobson-Hardy Scripture Reader, Coordinator

Nancy Capron Angel Take-out

Joanne Morgan Youth Leader

Rev. Chris Mereschuk Shepherds, Chair 860 966-8055

Jeff Olmsted Choir Director

Ken Forfia Church Organist

Kathy O’Connor Church Sexton

Vicha Hajdamowicz Administrative Assistant

Jackie Cloonan Ladies Aid, President

Andrew Geery Family Ministries, Chair







from pastor andreahaydenvillechurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/12_october.pdf · 12/9/2013 ·...

Documents