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Rev. David
Rev. Alice
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Fifty Plus
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Pilgrim Lodge
It's not too late to register for Pilgrim Lodge, our Maine Conference United Church of Christ's summer camp. You can pick up a registration book in the church office or go to www.pilgrimlodge.org and register on line. Please let the church office know if you are planning to attend camp this summer. Both Women's Fellowship and the Christian Education Committee have scholarships available for campers.
Pastoral Care During Rev. David's Sabbatical
During Rev. David's sabbatical Rev. Alice will be working full-time rather than her usual half-time. Rev. Ken Smith will assist with pastoral care needs, and we will have several guest preachers. The other clergy in our congregation will also be available in case of emergency if there is a time when both Rev. Alice and Ken are unreachable. Please let Rev. Alice or the church office know of pastoral care needs.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Our Prayer Shawl Ministry is off to a good start. The prayers of those who knit or crochet are stitched into the shawls or lap robes. Recipients of the robes or shawls will feel prayers enfold, strengthen and comfort them as they wear the shawls or robes. Shawls and lap robes will be dedicated during the Sunday morning worship.
The Prayer Chain will begin with the 2008 new year. We started in January to set up how we will operate as a new church group, and address any concerns any may have about our duties and responsibilities. If you are interested but have not signed up, this would be a meeting you would need to attend to get in on the ground floor. Contact any of the folks listed below to express an interest and you will be included. The current members are: Jane Lowell, Cindy Wright, Connie Towne, Herb Oliver, Annabeth French, Pat Lyford and Nancy Perkins. We hope this group will enrich the community of First Congregational UCC in Waterville, and as time goes on you will be hearing from us.
So you're not a knitter and you want to be part of the Prayer Shawl Ministry . . . you can! You can donate gift bags, yarn, or money toward our new Prayer Shawl Ministry. Please see Betty Lou Jones.
Food Bank Small Size Needs
The Food Bank needs donations of small jars of condiments, instant coffee, and jam or jelly. Please put them in the shopping cart in the church narthex.
Prayer Book to Record Joys and Concerns
The Deacons have placed a book in the Narthex for you to write down joys and concerns to be included in the prayers each Sunday morning. During the hymn before the Pastoral Prayer a Deacon will bring the book forward to the minister, who will share the joys and concerns from the book as well as ask for verbal sharing of joys and concerns.
Especially in the 10 o'clock service, some people have had trouble hearing the sharing of joys and concerns from the pews. By using the book and reading the joys and concerns with a microphone, everyone will be able to hear.
Fellowship Coffee is now FAIR TRADE COFFEE
We are now buying Fair Trade Coffee through the UCC Coffee Project in conjunction with our Justice and Witness Ministries. It is more than just buying coffee; it helps the coffee growers build a better future for themselves, their families and their communities. This is one small step that we can take towards economic justice and help make a difference in the world.
Join us for coffee hour after worship and taste FAIR TRADE COFFEE for yourself.
For sale Equal Exchange (fair trade):
Contact — Jim Wright at church or call 861-0107
Café Salvador: $6.00 Hazelnut Creme: $7.00 Organic Colombian: $7.00 Organic Columbian Decaf: $7.00 Organic English Breakfast Tea: $3.00 Chocolate Bars: $2.00 Hot Coco: $4.00 Chapel Facelift
Thanks to a generous bequest from the estate of Jennifer Underwood, we are able to have new paint, carpet and cushions in our lovely chapel. Special thanks to Roger and Jennie Titus for their work in the chapel. Roger reupholstered the pews and both Roger and Jennie have shared their interior design expertise. Thanks also to David Smith and Kate Kroeger for their help with the pews. When the chapel is finished we will hold a rededication service.
Kiva - A Mission Project
At its August meeting, the Mission Committee completed a summer-long reflection on how to use the $465 proceeds of the Spring Plant Sale. It was decided to use a portion of this money as a revolving fund to create a portfolio of small loans through Kiva, an organization which uses the Worldwide Web and electronic funds transfer technology to pool small loans from people like members of the First Congregational Church in Waterville, ME with those of other lenders to fund loans of several hundred dollars to perhaps $1500 to support the business plans of third-world entrepreneurs which are published on the Kiva.org website. Kiva raises the funds but relies on third world ''Field Partner'' organizations, which work in the local economies to evaluate the loan applications, disburse funds, and collect periodic repayments. On behalf of its lenders, Kiva monitors the diligence of its third-world field partners so that lenders can evaluate the risk of loss of their principal. When a loan is repaid in full, at the lender's option, Kiva will either refund the principal or allow the lender to select another loan recipient. Read more about our church's part by clicking Kiva.
Bill Moyer's Speech at the UCC General Synod
A DVD of Bill Moyer's Speech at the UCC General Synod last summer is available in the church office.
Home Communion
Our ministers are available to serve communion at home for those who are confined to their homes. If you would like home communion, or if you know someone who would, please call the office or speak to Rev. David or Rev. Alice.
Greeters Provide Important Service
The ministry of a greeter, a friendly smile and a warm greeting, takes only 10 minutes before worship and lets friends and visitors know they are welcome to our church and worship service. Greeters are often the first people worshippers meet on Sunday morning and are often asked some basic questions, like where is the Sunday School, the Church Nursery, and the Sanctuary. We need greeters in the narthex and at the parking lot door.
Please consider participating in this ministry of hospitality; if each member of our congregation greets for one Sunday we would have no problems filling every Sunday with greeters. Friends or families can greet together. Children are welcome to greet. Please sign up for greeter on the bulletin board in the Narthex. You'll be glad you did.
Fellowship Hosts Add A Special Touch
Everyone looks forward to Fellowship Hour after the 10:00 Sunday worship service. Fellowship hosts add a special touch of hospitality on Sunday morning.
As a fellowship host you provide beverages and munchies (optional) in the Fellowship Hall after church. Starting around 9:00 a.m. you start the coffee following instructions on the coffee packets that are provided in our church kitchen. You can easily get all set up by 10:00 a.m. so you can attend the morning service.
You are encouraged to work as a team and spread out the responsibilities of preparing, hosting, and cleaning up afterwards, so invite friends to help out.
Hosting fellowship hour is a great way to get to know others in the congregation and provides a good time of food and fellowship after church. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the Narthex.
United Church of Christ 50th Anniversary
This year we celebrated 50 years of the United Church of Christ. The General Synod meeting this summer was in Hartford, CT, close enough for several of us to attend as visitors. The Maine Conference organized transportation and lodging. To read the comments of four of our members who attended, click on Synod.
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