The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth United Church of Christ

THE SPIRE April 2013

The Exploration for Exuberance - The Post Big E Words

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. (Genesis 9:1-3) By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going…….. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. (Hebrews 11:8/10) You have to love Abraham and Sarah………settled in Heron and told by God to move out in search of a new blessing for their family and communal tribe. Comfortable and settled in the routine and surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds. What a risky thing to do! But that is what faith is all about - exploring (venturing out) in search of God’s exuberance (joyous blessing). And the big E (Easter) which we just celebrated is the foundation that supports us as we take on the adventure of faith. Because of a victory over death, the clarion sound of the angels – Do not fear! – rings in our souls as we dare to explore new ways for new days in a search for the exuberance (joy) that is promised to those who are committed to the risk of faith. You may recall that as Abraham and Sarah journeyed they were surprised by joy (another wonderful word – serendipity) and they built altars where they experienced that exuberance of being in the presence of the Holy! While my time with you will be short in the history of the Congregational Church of South Dartmouth, I look forward to journeying out in faith with you as an explorer / companion as you move out into a future that I am sure will be filled with many blessed / exuberant moments. I have many non-Bible passages from literary artists that give meaning to my life and ministry. I share two of them with you as we begin our faith adventure. Kay Redfield Jamison writes in her book Exuberance, The Passion for Life: “ ...exuberance leaps, bubbles, and overflows……it spreads upward and outward, like pollen toted by dancing bees……Yet exuberance and joy are fragile matter. Bubbles burst; a wince of disapproval can cut dead a whistle or abort a cartwheel. The exuberant move above the horizon, exposed and vulnerable.” Poet Theodore Roethke in his poem The Waking writes these haunting words: “I learn by going where I have to go!” As we explore the world for God’s presence during the time we await your new settled pastor, in faith let us learn by going where we have to go. In Christ, Bob Naylor

From Reverend Robert Naylor

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A Very Brief Bio from Reverend Bob Naylor– I have served in three multi-staff churches and on conference and national staffs of the United Church of Christ. For two years I have been consulting with clergy and churches through In Church Imagining and have written a book on parish ministry to be released this summer by Pilgrim Press. And the more important info is my wife, Gretchen (a born and bred Massachusetts NE Yankee – an ardent fan of the Red Sox) has been forgiving and patient with me for over 44 years. There are also two married sons with wives and three granddaughters of whom we are quite fond. Along with church, I love the arts and athletics of all kinds (The Red Sox are trumped by the Phillies). Please stop by the church to chat on the days I am in the office and do not hesitate to call me at any time if you have a pastoral need (843-415-5644). Looking forward to being in Dartmouth on April 7. Bob Naylor

Council News

The council met for their monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 19, 2013. The council voted to approve the contract between Rev. Robert Naylor and the church for

the bridge interim position beginning Sunday, April 7, 2013. Discussion regarding difficulty of finding sufficient members to fill the various Ministries and

Committees, as well as chair persons. The Safe Church Policy was reviewed and council voted to approve. The Office Administrator position was reviewed and a salary increase approved. Finance Ministry and Children's Circle Nursery School Committee will work together to

develop a proposal to change how CCNS's operations will be handled going forward. Next council meeting, Tuesday, April 16, 2013

From The Church Council

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50 Great Days = Easter Monday, April 1 – Pentecost Sunday, May 19 One UNITED CHURCH on a shared resurrection witness for planet earth during 50 days of greening up, powering down, and shouting out for the environment. Goal #1 Collectively, across the whole United Church of Christ, offer more than ONE MILLION HOURS of engaged earth care, including clean-up, advocacy, education, and behavioral changes that will impact the environment. Goal #2 Collectively plant more than 100,000 TREES locally and globally in partnership with the National Arbor Day Foundation and the UCC’s denominational partners around the world. Goal #3 Collectively write/send more than 100,000 ADVOCACY LETTERS on environmental concerns to elected officials and local & national newspapers. All, at the Congregational Church of South Dartmouth, are invited to join with our youth in donating time & energy tabulating hours on EARTH TIME CARDS that will be made available. Some examples for tabulating hours: * Ride a bike, carpool, or use public transportation, instead of riding alone in a car, count that time toward the goal. * Read a book or article, or watch a documentary, about the environment, and count that as time well spent. * Plant and tend an organic garden. Weeding and watering time will mount up quickly. * Write advocacy letters, (Letters count twice: toward the 1 million hours goal AND the 100,000 letters goal!) * Install energy efficient light bulbs or appliances. * Recycle coffee grounds and old coffee by putting them/pouring them on acid-loving plants. (continued on page 4)

Religious Education

Page 4 The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth, UCC

Religious Education (Continued)

* Donate items to thrift shops and shop there, too. (OR the upcoming RUMMAGE SALE – lots of hours will be logged during that time between donating, setting up, selling/buying!!!!) * Create a compost bin at your home. * Turn out the lights in rooms you are not in. * Teach youth (and adults, too!) to weigh the amount of food they leave on their plates and set a goal to reduce the amount of food they throw away. * Donate plastic grocery bags to Goodwill, the Salvation Army or most second-hand shops. * RECYCLE. Time spent collecting, sorting, and submitting recycled materials. * Check all your faucets to make sure they don’t drip. * Wash clothes in cold water. Count 1 hour per load for the 50 days. * Read the labels –– use detergents that don’t harm the environment. * Recycle your old cell phone. * Return/recycle empty toner and ink cartridges. * Vinegar can be used for cleaning all sorts of things instead of harsh chemicals. * Plant a tree in your back yard. * Use only organic fertilizer on your lawn this spring. I am sure that many of you can brainstorm unique ways to contribute hours of active earth care in creative, not-readily-apparent ways! The Sunday School will be off to a good start as we will be planting on April 7

th & 14

th in

collaboration with the Sharing the Harvest Community Farm. We will be planting cucumber seeds the first week and squash seeds the second; both of which should be ready for the church planting day at the YMCA Farm on May 18

th Thanks to Dan King, Sharing the Harvest Director,

who is supplying us with trays & seed and will stop by our greenhouse daily to ensure our crop of seedlings get watered. Thanks to the adult helpers during the month of March: Linda Mello, Lara Stone, Carol Flack, Nicole Niemiec, and Natalie Hegedus. You need not have a child in the program to assist – if you wish to help out one Sunday, please be in touch with me at congo-churchnancy@comcast.net Thanks also to our dedicated teen mentors: Alex Nichols and Jenna Neto. Blessings, Nancy Lawrence Acting Director of Religious Education

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Sine Nomine Choral Ensemble

Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 7:30 pm in the sanctuary Sine Nomine is an auditioned chamber choir based in Fall Riv-er, MA. Now in its 19th season, this community ensemble cur-rently consists of eighteen voices. The group draws its mem-bers from across southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Is-land. Sine Nomine has collaborated with Boston Camerata, Newport Baroque, Providence College, New Bedford Sympho-ny Orchestra, and was featured at the 2005 Organ Historical Society National Convention. The group draws its members from across southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Will perform: “Old School: sacred music from the Venetian School, 1550-1601”.

Paul Cienniwa, Harpsichordist in Recital Saturday, April 27, 2013 at 7:30 pm in the sanctuary

Concert harpsichordist Paul Cienniwa will perform “1685AD: Music of Bach, Handel, and Scarlatt,” a program fea-turing music by the three greatest com-posers born in 1685. From preludes and fugues in Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier Books 1&2 to Handel’s great Suite No. 7 in G minor to some of Domenio Scarlatti’s greatest and most virtuosic sonatas, the program is sure to enchant and delight!

Search Committee update, March 25, 2013

As a new interim minister takes the helm, our Settled Pastor Search Committee

continues its quest. To date we have received seventy six applications and

interviewed twelve candidates, some by Skype, some in person. Each interview

is comprehensive, consuming more than two and a half hours. We have cast a

broad net. We have spoken to candidates from Maine, Wisconsin, Michigan,

Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. We

have done reference checks and preaching visits. We have been both diligent

and patient.

And we are hopeful. In this new calendar year, we have come across ministerial talent that may prove to be

the proper fit for our church. We are pursuing that talent, but cannot easily predict the outcome. Please join

with us in prayer:

“God… you have brought us this far and you will lead us into our future with hope and celebration.”

From the prayer of dedication March 17, confirmation Sunday

Jim Forbush, Chair

Search Committee: Christopher Baldwin, David Ferreira, Pam Joyce, Linda Paradise, Pam Paynton, Cecelia

Roberts, Steve Starrett, Sonja White

Winston at his special coffee with his going away present. A beautiful Arthur Moniz print of Padanaram Harbor.

We all wish him well on his new endeavor.

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Children’s Circle Nursery School

Art Show—Opening Night

Celebrating the Creativity of Children's Circle

The Flowers for March were given by:

March 3rd - Beth and Herb Howe in celebration of Joe O’Leary.

March 10th - Brian and Sharon Fernandes in memory of Nicholas Wayne Fernandes.

March 17th - Elizabeth Nichols for love and for children.

March 24th - Ridley and Julie Rhind in loving memory of Edward Tittmann.

March 31st - Sally Lemelin; Remembering my parents

Joan and Tom Cary with love this Easter morning.

Whimsical Art Show

Friday, April 5th

6:00pm-8:00pm

Artworks. 384 Acushnet Avenue

New Bedford, Massachusetts

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Attention all high school seniors: Baccalaureate Sunday – June 9th

We will be holding our Baccalaureate service on Sunday morning, June

9th. Baccalaureate is the worship service we hold each year to honor

our seniors who are graduating from high school. We invite all of you

to participate in this special service as we celebrate your graduation and

the time you have spent as a part of our church family.

If you are a graduating senior and would like to be a part of this service,

please call Daphne Siegal at 993-7597 or email at congochurchdaph-

ne@comcast.net. We hope you will join us for a meaningful service.

Youth Group

The Youth Group enjoyed Hunger Games on March 10th! We will be competing in our last round of Hunger Games on April 7th from 6-8pm at the church. We will be participating in yoga on either April 14th or April 21st. Once the studio selects the most convenient date, we will inform all the parents. All youth will need a permission slip to participate. In May, we will be helping with the rummage sale clean-up and enjoying some pizza on May 4th. On May 18th, we will be participating in Share the Harvest at the YMCA. There will also be a permission slip for this off-premise event. We are looking for parent volunteers to help supervise these activities. Please contact us if you are interested. Any questions, please contact Troy and Lisa Tufano at 774-202-6368 or lisatufano@comcast.net. All volunteers will need to have CORI forms completed.

April is peanut butter month, but as always, any contributions are welcomed. Our food donations go to the Dartmouth Council on Aging food pantry. The pantry is available to all residents of Dartmouth, not just seniors. Please help our neighbors in Dartmouth.

Offering Envelopes

The offering envelopes are available in the office for 2013. If you would like to use envelopes, please feel free to take a packet.

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 AA Meeting

6

7 10am Worship Communion Rev. Bob Naylor Guild Meeting 11am

8 Boy Scouts 7-10 Dress Rehearsal

9 7 pm Ministry Meeting

10 Girl Scouts

11 Choir Rehearsal

12 AA Meeting

13 6 pm Music Performance

14 10am Worship

15 Boy Scouts

16 7pm Council Meeting

17 Girl Scouts

18 Choir Rehearsal

19 AA Meeting

20

21 10am Worship

22 Boy Scouts Rummage Sale Drop Off Begins

23

24 Girl Scouts

25 Choir Rehearsal

26 AA Meeting

27 6 pm Music Performance

28 10am Worship Bendiksen/Moriarty Wedding 1:30 pm

29 Boy Scouts

30

April 2013

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When someone you love

becomes a memory, the

memory becomes a treasure.

In Our Prayers…

Laurie O’Neil’s Niece -

Terri DaSilva

Belén Sullivan

Our young adults serving in the military

Our E-Prayer Group

Our E-Prayer Group is committed to praying for church members and friends in our community. If you have a prayer request, please send it directly to Marcia Hathaway at mkhathaway@comcast.net or call 508-993-5740. We always welcome new members. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact Robin in our church office.

Pastoral Concerns

Please don’t forget to call or email the church office with information on any

hospital admissions or pastoral concerns. We do not receive notification from the

hospital so the only way we can be informed of anyone that may need a visit is if you let us know. Please let us know if you have

someone you would like added to our Prayer List in the Spire.

Thank you for helping us stay in tune to the needs of our church family.

The Family of: Gay Ryder

Nancy DeWolf On the death of her brother:

Alfred M. DeWolf

Thank you to Nancy DeWolf for all her hard work putting together the Easter Sunday

lilies and tulips.

She always does a wonderful job and they looked

beautiful.

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The Spring Rummage Sale will be held:

May 3rd and May 4th

Please begin to gather items to donate; clothing, shoes, toys, household items including furniture, linens, bicycles in good condition, books and finer items for our Heritage Room.

Drop off will begin April 22nd

Remember we cannot accept TV’s, computers, monitors, printers and fish tanks.

The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth

2013 Scholarship Application Form Information

The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth is excited once again to award scholarships to one or more qualified high school seniors. Students graduating from high school this year and planning to continue their education are en-couraged to apply. Eligible students are members and non-members who have had a close and active association with the Church. Through this application process, students will demonstrate their involvement in and service to the Church and the community. They will also write an essay that illustrates their faith journey. Finally, they will be asked to provide letters of recommendation. Applications will be available through the Church office beginning on April 1, 2013 and will be due back to the office no later than May 16th . Scholarship recipient(s) will be announced on Baccalaureate Sunday, June 9, 2013. The Scholarship Committee will review applications during the month of May. The Committee reserves the right to reject any and all applications. It is important for applicants to read the instructions on the application form carefully, and fully comply with the requirements. Incomplete applications may not be considered. Should the Committee require further information, a Committee member may be in contact with the applicant. The deadline for submitting the application is absolute. Completed applications need to be returned to the Church office by 2pm on May 16, 2013. It is up to the applicant to confirm the office closing time for that day. APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED AFTER THAT TIME WILL ABSOLUTELY NOT BE CONSIDERED.

We wish all of our scholars luck and look forward to seeing them on June 9.

Clothing

Shoes

Toys

Household Items

Furniture

Linens,

Bicycles

Books

Glassware

Confirmands from

March 2013

Luke Clarke James Cassell Victoria Estes

Maeghan Pacine Alexandra Nichols

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Communication Reminders

Website: Make sure to check out our new website at: http://www.congochurchsd.org/ Church Calendar: If you would like to schedule an event at the church, please remember to check in with Robin in the church office so that she can add your activity to our calendar. The calendar can be found on the new website and is a great way of keeping track of what is happening at the church. Council, Ministry and Committee Information: Please remember to check the bulletin board outside the church office for current information, including Council agendas and minutes, as well as Search Committee infor-mation. Minutes of all church meetings are filed in binders in the library for easy access.

Children’s Circle Nursery School

2012-2013

Registration Has

Begun For Next Fall

Offering two, three, and five day morning and

extended day programs

Must-have traits: How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these. —George Washington Carver

The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth United Church of Christ 17 Middle St., PO Box 80608 South Dartmouth, MA 02748-0608 http://congochurchsd.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Robert Naylor, Interim Pastor

Robin E. Lake, Office Administrator robin@congochurchsd.org

Church Telephone: 508-993-6676 Church Fax: (508) 993-1244

Take life

one day at a time ~

and enjoy the

Journey.