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News & Updates
Federated Church of Ashland
118 Main Street
Ashland, MA 01721
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Volume Five: 2nd Edition February 2017
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From Larry's Desk...
Where are we headed..?
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This past Sunday the Rev. Kelly Gallagher, Associate Conference Minister from the United Church of Christ, preached at our church and spoke about the reality of a world that is changing, much like a raft floating down a river. If we try as a church to remain in one place, tied up to the branch of a tree along the bank, we will be shocked one day when we suddenly realize that the knot came undone or the branch broke, and we are much further downstream and are in unfamiliar territory. There is no way to return to where we were, and we must deal with the reality of where we find ourselves and where God has sent us.
Others have said it and we all know by first-hand experience, that change is difficult. If we think of that raft as the Word of God, upon which our faith is based, then perhaps we can recognize that God is indeed still with us. We have the tools and the foundation upon which we can rely as we face the challenges that change brings.
As a church, our relationship with one another is a litmus test for our ability to welcome others and include them in our journey of faith. If we are unwilling or find it too hard to love the people whom God has already brought into our lives as a church, then I wonder how well we are doing welcoming and including new people into our collective faith journey as a church.
Recently members of the church's women's fellowship group, known as Theta Phi Delta, have been organizing activities to foster getting to know one another. Although many have "known" each other for years, they have been sharing on a more personal level, telling their stories and sharing one another's life journeys when they gather. With this new focus they have found it to be a truly enriching experience, one which takes them to a new level in their relationships as fellow travelers in faith.
One of the challenges facing us is best expressed in a passage paraphrased from scripture: "if we do not love our brother and sister whom we have seen, how can we love God whom we have not seen". 1John 4:20 While it might be a reflex response to proclaim that we already love one another as a church, accept this as a challenge. Ask someone who you see at church but have not spoken to in a while, how their spouse, child, son or daughter, grandchildren, brother or sister is doing. And pause long enough to hear what they have to say. If you can call their spouse, child, etc. by name, even better! To truly care about the people your neighbor cares about, is an intentional act of love and is good practice to welcome the stranger we have yet to meet.
In God's Grace,
Pastor Larry
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A Shared Ash Wednesday Service
Mark your calendar as
Ash Wednesday is March 1st. This year we will be joining together with the good folks at the
1st Congregational Church of Holliston who will be hosting our two churches for a shared simple meal at 6pm, followed by a Worship Service and Reception of Ashes at 7pm. The church is located at
725 Washington St., in Holliston. They have joined us for the past two years for our Maundy Thursday Service and want to invite us to join them for this special service in which we begin the season of Lent.
Let's meet ahead of time in the Federated Church parking for a 5:45 pm departure to Holliston on March 1st.
Lent is a time, beginning 40 days before Easter, in which Christians everywhere set aside time to reflect upon the challenges of faith, our successes and our failures, our sinfulness, and Christ's sacrifice, and our need to recommit ourselves to faithfulness.
While it is hard to disrupt our usual routines to attend such a service or to set aside time during Lent for prayer and reflection, God always surprises and blesses us when we make the effort.
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A Conversation on Aging & Death
(Tuesdays 10am..next meeting Feb 21)
Of all the things that unite us as human beings, there is one topic that seems to be more difficult than others to talk about. The topic has to do with the experience of aging, and more specifically with our individual thoughts about our own death. While we all have thoughts, reflections and inner conversations with ourselves about the eventuality of our own death, it seems that there are many barriers to having an open and honest conversation on the topic especially with those we care about. Instead we often only have ourselves to "talk to" on the subject.
How would you feel about having an opportunity to have an open conversation about aging and the ponderings of your heart about your own death? Would you like to talk about your thoughts without having to worry about "burdening" your children with such a conversation, or without someone saying that you shouldn't think or feel as you do, or without someone telling you that you MUST think or feel or believe something else?
Feel free to bring a friend or family member or spouse.
If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Larry. His office number is 508-881-1355 ext 25.
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Lenten Series
How We Became Protestant
(or From One Church to 40,000)
Each Wednesday evening during Lent (beginning March 7th) at 7pm, I will be offering a presentation of the principles which first divided the Christian church based upon the writings of Martin Luther.
Martin Luther, originally a Catholic monk, is commonly recognized as one of the principle voices in 1517 which brought about the Protestant Reformation. He published a document on the church doors in Wittenberg, Germany, known as the
Ninety-Five Theses, which outlines the ways in which the Catholic Church of his day had strayed from the faith of the early church, and the sacred scriptures. While the language and style of Martin Luther may be hard to understand in our day, he still challenges all of us to a renewed faith and understanding of God's grace.
Join us each Wednesday Evening at 7pm during Lent, in the church parlor, to read, reflect and discuss the
Ninety-Five Theses and their meaning and impact for us today. While at first glance this might sound rather academic or too "heady", trust me in my commitment to make it relevant and interesting.
Pastor Larry
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Super Saturday
A Great Opportunity and Resource
Do you know that there are literally hundreds of churches in MA facing many of the same challenges we face here? Whether it is declining attendance, financial troubles, struggles to bring children and young adults back to church, finding ways to respond to issues of social justice from a faith perspective, or finding creative ways to enliven Sunday worship, we are not alone. Many churches are addressing those problems head-on in creative and effective ways, and have ideas and strategies we could use here.
There are some wonderful resources being offered at the Super Saturday event being offered by the United Church of Christ on Saturday, March 18th at
Minnechaug Regional High School, Wilbraham, MA . The keynote speaker is noted author, Brian McClaren.
I would STRONGLY encourage you to make a real effort to attend and sign-up for a couple of the 40 plus workshops offered as part of this day. Click on the link for more information and to register.
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Remembering
Those in Need
As you go about your day and run to the supermarket please remember our monthly collection of non-perishable food and groceries for the Ashland Food Pantry. This month,
Sunday, February 19th is "Brown Bag Sunday" when we collect and bless the donations placed in the bins in the narthex of the church and then bring them to the food pantry.
Pick up some extra food and bring it to the church either during the week or on Sunday. There are many, many families here in Ashland that are forced to rely upon the generosity of others to supplement their limited grocery budget.
Thank you for your generosity in the past!
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New Extended Hours
Thrift Shop News!
The Thrift shop will now be open Wednesdays until 7pm most weeks,
weather permitting.
Come and shop, or donate gently used clothing or household items.
Wednesdays
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thank you for your support!
Volunteers are welcome to lend a hand.
Contact Sue Wallace
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Vacation Bible School at the Federated Church
We are once again inviting children ages 4-12 to join us for a full week of Vacation Bible School from 9:00 AM to 12 Noon, from July 10th-14th.
Mark your calendars NOW!!
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Our Members'
Birthdays
February
2/13 Henry Carlson
2/18 Nancy Hansen
2/24 Muriel Mayotte
March
3/15 Leslie Kendall
3/16 Janet Lawson
3/30 Nicole Wenzell
3/31 Ben Walker
Happy Birthday to One and All!!
If we missed your birthday it means we don't have it in our records, please call the church
office and leave your information with Linda - thank you!
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WANTED
Do you play guitar or know someone who does? Do you play piano or a keyboard, or know someone who does? Do you play a flute or clarinet, or saxophone, or the violin, or know someone who does?
We are looking for people who can help us revitalize the music and introduce some new sounds to our Sunday Worship Services. We cannot pay much, but we can offer an enthusiastic and grateful congregation, and an opportunity to have fun with us on Sunday mornings.
If you have talent or know someone who does, let us know!!! Spread the word!!!
Please contact the church office at 508-881-1355 and ask for Pastor Larry
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ASHLAND COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT
Greetings Ashland Community,
I'm proud to announce that I will be running the 2017 Boston Marathon! This has secretly been my dream since I was just a little girl. I remember standing on the sidewalk watching all the runners pass by thinking that someday I was going to run from Hopkinton to Boston. Well, here goes!! I'm raising money for the Town of Ashland. This place is near and dear to my heart. Not only did I grow up in Ashland and go through the school system, but now I work here! I cannot imagine teaching anywhere else! All of the money raised goes directly back to the schools, Historical Society, Police and Fire Departments and the Senior Center in town. All donations are greatly appreciated! Thank you for supporting me!
Warmest regards,
Kim Conner
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| Federated Church of Ashland
118 Main Street
Ashland, MA 01721-3112
508-881-1355 Church Office Hours Monday - Friday 9 AM TO 12 NOON Church Office: [email protected]
Pastor Larry Iannetti: [email protected]
federatedchurchofashland.org
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