Bulletin for July, 2008

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.”
(Romans 12:16 CEV)

Greetings from The Congregational Church of Amherst!
The month of July is already upon us! We all hope you are enjoying your summer so far. The pace here has slowed a bit, but that's not to say things aren't happening. Members of our senior high youth group have just returned from a weeklong service project in New York City; and the sanctuary is undergoing a facelift with fresh paint, refinished floors and new carpeting.

With the relaxed pace July offers us, we decided to take a break from our formal newsletter. You won't find a July Spire in your mailbox… just this email in your inbox.

SERVICES BEGIN AT 9 am  During the months of July and August, Sunday worship begins at 9:00 a.m. Summer is a great time of year to worship together, and casual dress is encouraged. Join us for lemonade and fellowship in the memorial garden after the service.

SPECIAL MUSICAL OFFERINGS - Our worship services will be accompanied by special musical offerings from our resident musicians. In July we look forward to hearing Anne Krantz, Scott Hewett, Corey Johnson and Sue Werst; and in August, John David, Andrew Leavitt, Debbie Leavitt and Jean Rogers.

FLOWERS WELCOME - Is your garden bursting with colorful blooms? Garden flowers make great altar flowers. Call Anne Krantz at 673-9684 to schedule a Sunday.
REFRESHMENTS - We also need people to serve refreshments in the memorial garden after the worship services. Please contact Nancy Keenom Caron (kcaronn@verizon.net &ltmailto:kcaronn@verizon.net>) if you can help out.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS - The church office is open Wednesday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and closed Saturday through Tuesday. A voice mail system will answer your call during off hours, and if you have an urgent pastoral need, please be in touch with the pastors directly.

…From The Diaconate:
Summer Worship: Something about our worship time just feels different in summer. Is it that open windows and doors allow the &quotusual" to float out and the new and fresh to blow inside? And do we seem even more welcoming with our doors propped open and the sounds of our worship drifting out to tell the world &quotwho and whose we are?" Does our casual attire and accompanying attitude make us feel freer to respond in more deeply spiritual ways to the different elements of our worship service? Does the intimacy of a smaller gathered group bind us in closer communion with each other? For adults, is there an atmosphere that takes you back to your childhood church in summer? If you are a child - get comfortable, bring a quiet toy, the adults love having you with us and maybe when you get tired of sitting you would like to go outside or do a craft with a grown-up helper. Sharing lemonade and cookies with family in a sweet smelling garden - that is the perfect sending forth!
The important part doesn't change with the seasons - God's presence is always there just waiting for us to be aware and to acknowledge it and come into a relationship of love expressed by caring for our neighbors. Open the doors, open the windows - reach out and feel the touch of the Holy Spirit!!!
If you are traveling on a Sunday, stop where you are and worship God with different members of our big church family. Come home and tell us about new ways to worship and serve God that might have touched you. If you can save a bulletin, bring it home (you could leave it in the office) and we will do a display for Rally Day!
Blessings of safe travels with many open doors to welcome you and then another safe journey back home.



SUMMER READING LIST:
Lectionary texts for the next month -

July 13 Genesis 25:19-34
Psalm 119:105-112
Romans 8:1-11
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

July 20 Genesis 28:10-19a
Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24
Romans 8:12-25
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

July 27 Genesis 29:15-28
Psalm 105:1-11, 45b
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

August 3 Genesis 32:22-31
Psalm 17:1-7, 15
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:13-21


BACK PORCH THEOLOGY
Once again this summer, we are offering two different evenings of "Back Porch Theology, which refers to the milieu and to the easy-going attitude we hope participants will bring to our conversations. Light refreshments will be served, beginning at 7:15, and the session will begin at 7:30 p.m.

First session: Thursday, July 24 at the home of Mary and Jana Howe. The topic will be: "Continuing the Sacred Conversation on Race." Our United Church of Christ leaders have encouraged all local churches to begin a dialogue on this important topic because racism is still a powerful force at work in our nation. How can we better understand our different paths as God's children, who have different experiences of prejudice and discrimination? How can we release our fears of the "other" that hold us captive? Catriona began this discussion around the Memorial Day weekend in her sermon and second hour discussion. What else might we bring to this dialogue as people of faith?
Second session: Thursday, August 7 at the home of Dick and Debbie Leavitt. The topic: "Immigration: Faith Perspective and Public Policy." The plan for comprehensive immigration reform is temporarily off the table in Congress, but this complex issue is not going away. How can we enforce existing immigration laws and still deal with the hoards of illegal immigrants already living and working in this country, workers that American businesses need to be productive? How can we remain a country that welcomes "your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free," and also maintain fairness and order for those who have followed due process and obeyed the law? There are few easy answers! How does faith shape our perspectives?
If you are interested in attending one or both of the sessions, please contact the church office or the hosts directly, as space is limited to the size of the porch! All are welcome!


FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO (DVD): In response to numerous requests that the church have a copy of the film "For the Bible Tells Me So" for people to watch at home, we now have one. This is the film shown at the church in May, and it explores how five Christian families handle having a gay child. In addition to examining the personal struggles of these families, this film uses both Biblical scholarship and humor to explore what the Bible says about being gay. The DVD is in the church office, along with a sign out sheet. If you have any questions, please call Regina Kinney at 673-9051.

OPEN AND AFFIRMING - The church library now has an Open and Affirming section with books and study materials related to GLBT issues. Feel free to check out any of the materials. The church library is located off the vestry. If you have any questions or comments, please call Regina Kinney at 673-9051.

SUMMER WORKSHOPS - The Woman's Association has scheduled two summer Monday Morning Workshops, to be held on July 21 and August 18. The workshops will begin around 9:30 in the vestry. Those women attending are encouraged to bring a craft project to work on or to just join in the fellowship of the group. Those who can stay past noon should bring their own lunch. Dessert and beverages will be provided.
The Monday workshops are informal gatherings of members and friends of the Woman's Association. Beginning September 8, workshops will meet weekly for planning the November Holiday Fair. All church women are invited to attend any of the workshops.

No Rummage Please: The Woman's Association will not be holding a Fall Rummage Sale this September. Therefore, we are asking that no rummage be left at the church this summer. We will not be able to accept any rummage donations for the Spring Rummage Sale until February 2009.
If any other group in the church would like to put on a rummage sale in the fall as a fund raiser, the Woman's Association would be willing to consult and assist.

SHARE Food Pantry requests for July are canned veggies of all varieties, canned meats (chicken, beef, spam) and beef stew. Donations can be left in the SHARE cupboard in the narthex or in the container by the community room entrance. Many thanks for your continuing support!

An Old Fashioned Family Picnic: Sunday, September 14 is Rally Day and Homecoming. Join us for good food, good fun and good fellowship!