March 3, 2010

Old South News & Notes
Church Website: www.oldsouthcongregational.org
Email: oldsouth@gwi.net
Phone: (207) 622-1220

The Rev. Susan M. Reisert, Minister (home phone: (207) 877-8489; smreiser@colby.edu)
Ms. Bunny Stanley, Music Director
Ms. Christine Bartlett, Administrative Assistant

Meetings and Events

OFFICE HOURS

Monday, 9:00 - 1:00; Tuesday, 9:00 - Noon; Wednesday, 9:00 - 11:00; and, Thursday, 9:00 - 1:00.    

PASTOR'S OFFICE HOURS

Wednesday, 2:00 - 4:00; Tuesday, 9:00 - 11:00; and, Wednesday, 1:00 - 3:00.

THE THINKING SPOT

Lots of people make a congregational church work, sometimes in very surprising and unexpected ways.  Just this Sunday afternoon, I discovered that the upstairs bathroom in the Parish House was not functioning.  Remembering that the calendar indicated that there was a rental for Sunday evening, I ran downstairs to see if that bathroom was working (we had had some problems with it a few weeks ago and I couldn't remember if we had managed to get it fixed) and found that that bathroom, too, was not functioning.  My afternoon of a nap and gathering tax information began to dissolve . . .    I called Kay and Cornell.  Cornell, who had left a message with a plumber on Friday about the downstairs bathroom, offered to come by in the afternoon to see if there was anything he could do.      

Meanwhile, I set out to try to contact the renters, to tell them that the Parish House may very well not be available for their party.  But, I couldn't reach them.  What to do??  Well, I decided to google "how to fix bathroom toilet" and found some information that indicated that it wasn't so hard to do.  So, off to Lowe's I went.  How hard could it be?

At Lowe's, I bumped into Geoff Thomas, who indicated that he knew a little something about plumbing and that, when he was done with his errands, he would come by to see if there was anything he could do.

I had just returned to the church when Cornell came by.  I explained what was going on and he set out to try to fix the problem himself, commenting along the way that he wouldn't dream of doing such a thing at this own house; he would call a plumber.  Then Geoff came by.  After a little problem solving, and another trip (or two?) to the hardware store, the upstairs bathroom was fixed.  Unfortunately, the downstairs bathroom proved too difficult.  But, it would be good enough for the renters.  The party was on!

Many thanks to Cornell and to Geoff, but also a great big thank you to everyone who offers a helping hand or just does something to make Old South work, many of those efforts going unnoticed.  The church is definitely a team effort and I am deeply grateful to be on such an active and generous team.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

OPEN AND AFFIRMING IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE EVENT

The  Committee  (ONA) will be sponsoring a luncheon and film viewing opportunity on March 7th.  The film, "Shooting Beauty," is "the story of an aspiring fashion photographer whose career takes an unexpected return when she discovers a hidden world of beauty at a center for people living with significant disabilities."  The movie will be followed by a discussion for those interested.  We'll be putting up posters soon to advertise this event, but want to make sure you get it in your calendars.  The film was shown during last year's Maine International Film Festival and was the focus for a small discussion group with Susan.  Now you won't have to travel to Waterville to see it, you can catch it right here in our own Parish Hall.

While there is no charge for either the luncheon or the movie, there will be a free will offering taken.  The funds raised from this event will help support The Committee's efforts to make our own sanctuary more accessible.  We're doing this in a timely fashion.  On January 16th, there was an interesting article in the Kennebec Journal, "Disabled worshippers struggle to find home in pews."  The article notes that the disabled faithful find access to churches a major challenge, "stoked by ignorance of their needs and doctrines that paint disability as proof of sin."  While the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) has a stringent set of accessibility standards for other public places, churches have been largely shielded because of the separation of church and state.  We at Old South must work together to find creative ways to include all those who wish to join us in our worship.

LENTEN BIBLE STUDY

Our Lenten Bible Study, which begins on Tuesday, February 16 (the day BEFORE Ash Wednesday), is "Faithfully Facing Dying."  Certainly, the issues of death and dying are not on the top of everyone's list of fun things to talk about, but they are extremely important to our lives.  All of us face death, yet the issues and process surrounding dying are shrouded in mystery. 

During Lent, we will gather on Tuesdays at lunchtime, 11:30 - 1:00 to discuss this topic, using materials offered by a task force convened by the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries.  While these materials are connected to recent resolutions discussed at General Synods in 2007 and 2009 (and the Bible Study group will have an opportunity to offer feedback to the Task Force), our Bible Study is open to all.  Bring a lunch and a Bible.

FUNDRAISING

When we passed the 2010 budget last Sunday, it included a "Fundraising" line ($3000).  Do you have an idea for a fundraiser for this year?  If you do, please speak to Rev. Reisert or Kay Rand.

THE SPRING RUMMAGE SALE

And, speaking of Fundraisers, we will have a spring Rummage Sale at Old South, sometime near the end of April.  So, if you have items to donate, please bring them to the Parish House.

WISH LIST

At the Annual Meeting, the Trustees made note of some memorial funds that have not been utilized in awhile.  Do you have a "wish" for the church-something to be purchased for the church or a mission project?  If you do, please speak with Ted Ruark, who has started compiling the list of wishes.

PL-schedule, plus:  do you want to help get the word out?

It's super cold outside, but our thoughts are already turning to summer.  The Pilgrim Lodge schedule has been posted!  Camps are available for children, youth and adults.  Check it out: www.pilgrimlodge.org
The Deacons have funds to help with the cost of a week of camp for children/youth.  If you are interested, please speak with Rev. Reisert or Ted Ruark, chair of the Deacons.

PILGRIM LODGE LOCAL CHURCH JUMPERS and TEAM MEMBERS NEEDED

In order to get the word out about Pilgrim Lodge and bring as many people to this ministry as possible, the Outdoor Ministries Committee (OMC) is launching a campaign involving the active churches of the Maine Conference.  We need one person from each church to serve as the "jumper" to anchor the campaign in that church.  We also need people to work with the Local Church Jumper as part of a PL Team.  The jumper will attend one of four workshops on how to energize the community  (other team members are welcome too) and then to be the campaign anchor and cheerleader.  The Jumper's job and their team will be complete at the end of June.

Spring Campaign Training Workshops:

SATURDAY, Feb 13, 9:30-12, GORHAM, First Parish Congregational UCC
SATURDAY, Feb 13, 9:30-12, BRUNSWICK, First Parish Church UCC SATURDAY, Feb 20, 9:30-12, SACO First Parish Congregational UCC (possible Simulcast in PRESQUE ISLE)
SATURDAY, March 6, 9:30-12, BANGOR,  All Souls Congregational Church UCC
TO VOLUNTEER AND REGISTER FOR AN EVENT CONTACT OMC CHAIR SARA GODFREY saragthatsme@yahoo.com  or 207-659-6200
FUNDRAISING

When we passed the 2010 budget last Sunday, it included a "Fundraising" line ($3000).  Do you have an idea for a fundraiser for this year?  If you do, please speak to Rev. Reisert or Kay Rand. 

THE ACADEMY
ACADEMY FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE AND LEADERSHIP (ACLL)
PILGRIM PATH TO THE FUTURE

Journey with peers and teachers in a community of learning designed to deepen experience and understanding, strengthen connections, and prepare you for stronger participation and leadership within congregations or specialized ministries.

A two year program with an option third year of concentration Saturday classes once a month in Bangor, with two 24 hour retreats each year in Winslow
New class beginning in September 2010
For more information, email or call
Peggy Wolfe Dunn, Academy Director
meUCCacademy@gmail.com,  841-3027

THE LUNCH BUNCH

The Lunch Bunch is in session at South Parish, Wednesdays at noon. All are welcome for this Bible Study! We usually begin our discussion at 12:15 and we end before 1:00.

CARDS and NOTES

The following people would appreciate hearing from you:

Phyllis Palmer
4545 Beechwood Lake Drive
Naples, FL  34112

Lorraine Stiles
Sandy River Center
119 Livermore Falls Rd.
Farmington, Me. 04938

(Do you know someone else who appreciate a card? Let me know!)

DEACON'S FUND

The Diaconate has provided envelopes in the pews for your contribution to the Diaconate Fund.  The fund is used to assist those in financial emergencies and to support a number of local, not-for-profit organizations throughout the year. Monies raised through February will go to the American Cancer Society (daffodils).

OLD SOUTH CHURCH SLATES FOR SALE

We still have slates available for sale. The slates are from the roof of the Old South Church that over the years have fallen off. They now have a picture of the beautiful Old South Church printed on them. They are a remarkable piece of art and memorabilia from one of Maine's historical churches which dates back to 1790. Please speak to Cornell Knight if you are interested.

A Funny
Pastor's Business Card

A new pastor was visiting in the homes of his parishioners. At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door.
Therefore, he took out a business card and wrote 'Revelation 3:20' on the back of it and stuck it in the door.

When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, 'Genesis 3:10..'
Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter. Revelation 3:20 begins 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock.' Genesis 3:10 reads, 'I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked.'