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Nominating Committee Fair
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The Nominating Committee will hold a Committee Fair during hospitality hour this Sunday, Feb. 9. Enjoy coffee, juice, and snacks and chat with volunteers to learn more about how you can be involved in the work of the church.
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From Betsy Beck, Church Moderator
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At Sunday's Church Council meeting (02/02/2020), we discussed a number of very important issues. Given where we are in a season of change for our church, we want to address the current situation while also remaining focused on our momentum as we clarify our bylaws and policies, and envision our church in the future.
Our first steps are to establish a personnel committee, which will help with staff policies and oversight, and to engage Holy Cow Consulting who will help us "take the pulse" of the congregation. We also have two searches pending (for Pastor and Music Director) that will be informed by the work of the first two groups. It is an interesting time in the life of our church, and we have some great opportunities for you to contribute to the health of our community.
We hope that you will all stay after church this Sunday, February 9, for the fellowship hour celebration of the variety of our committees and the opportunities to serve the community in a wide range of ways. Our Nominating Committee is working hard to hear from all of you about your interests.
For those of you who could not attend church last Sunday, Pastor John and I shared that we have reached an amicable separation agreement with Dr. Jack Bowman, who tendered his resignation effective January 18. We appreciate Jack's contributions to building a strong music program both in our church and in the wider neighborhood. We know how difficult it is to ask people to accept a situation without knowing details and particulars. And that is just what we are asking you to do. Our agreement stipulates that both parties commit to non-disparagement and to complete confidentiality about the nature and terms of the agreement. So we continue to ask you to reach out to us if you have questions or comments, even knowing that we might not be able to answer or respond to them, because it is important to us to know what is on your hearts. We ask for your continued prayers for the Church, for Jack Bowman, and for our whole congregation as we move forward and seek to build upon our commitment to a strong music program that enhances our worship of God.
I remain grateful for the ways that each of you is helping our church be the place where we can find our inspiration and our refuge, both individually and collectively. And I remain grateful to the steady, grounded leadership, support, and guidance that Pastor John has brought to our church as we navigate these days and those that lie ahead.
Yours faithfully,
Betsy
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SAVE THE DATE
39TH ANNUAL
STUDENT RECITAL
SUNDAY
February 23, 2020
at 3 P.M.
in the Meeting House
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From Barbara Collins,
Director of Religious Education
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During our winter term, the Sunday School is exploring some of the parables that Jesus used to teach about God’s Shalom. Through the beloved stories such as the Sower and the Seeds, the Talents, the Mustard Seed and the Yeast, and the Ten Bridesmaids, we can learn about living in God’s way. Following Jesus’ example, I encourage you as individuals and as a family to intentionally find ways you can help feed the bodies and hearts of others. In the process you will feed your own. Funny how that works!
Click to read...Sunday School News
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In an ongoing effort to organize records in the church office, it has been discovered that we do not have copies of some Annual Reports from years past. We're asking anyone who has a hard copy or electronic copy of old annual reports (2014 and older) to please get in touch with Melissa in the church office so she can scan and/or save a copy for our records.
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MONTHLY NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES
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Registration for Silver Lake Summer Camp is Open
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If
you plan to attend Silver Lake Summer Camp and would like a campership, please let us know before registering so we can make the financial arrangements! Contact Melissa Adam in the church office (
melissa@salisburyucc.org; 860-435-2442). Questions? please contact Pastor John (
jnelson@salisburyucc.org; 860-435-2442).
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Deacon's Message for February ~ submitted by Cynthia LaPier
February is Black History Month. It is a time when we seek to celebrate the central role of Black Americans in US history, and to acknowledge a powerful history of overcoming suffering and injustice.
This month the UCC website is featuring a Black History Month 2020 page that offers links to numerous excellent articles and resources relating to Black history and racial justice including pieces on talking about race and white privilege in your congregation. Here is the link
https://www.ucc.org/black_history_month_celebration_2020
While I was exploring the web page, I found an excellent covenant prayer to share with you from the Dismantling Racism Task Force, St. Louis Association, Missouri Mid-South Conference, United Church of Christ. It is a covenant that I pledge to uphold and enact in my daily life.
O God, as people of faith, we covenant with you, with one another and our churches to:
* become better informed about people of other races and cultures, that we may overcome the fears and misconceptions that exist;
* consider how issues of racial prejudice and privilege affect each person with whom we come in contact;
* discover and acknowledge practices and structures that are racist in our churches and communities;
* work to erase the sins of racism and injustice where they exist in our churches and communities and
* prayerfully heed Your call to embrace people of all colors, faiths, economic and social backgrounds as our brothers and sisters.
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Women's Bible Study meets on
Thursdays at 3:30pm in the Parish Hall Library.
Men's Bible Study meets on
Fridays at 7:45am in the Parish Hall.
All are welcome! If you are interested in participating in either Bible Study, please contact
Pastor John.
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If you would like to provide flowers for a Sunday service
, contact Linda Estabrook at
(860) 824-5896
by Wednesday of the week the flowers will be donated.
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Please contact the office if you would like to add a name to the prayer list, by calling the office 860-435-2442 or emailing
melissa@salisburyucc.org.
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Click above to access our secure site
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For pastoral emergencies, Pastor John can be reached in the church office (860-435-2442, ext. 101), on his mobile (508-479-0724), or by email (
jnelson@salisburyucc.org).
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Pastor John Nelson keeps office hours on Tuesday - Friday. He can be reached at (860) 435-2442 ext. 101, by email (
jnelson@salisburyucc.org), or by mobile phone (508-479-0724).
Melissa Adam, Office Administrator, is in the office Monday-Friday from 9:00-4:00. Her email is:
melissa@salisburyucc.org.
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The Congregational Church of Salisbury, United Church of Christ
125 Main Street, PO Box 392, Salisbury, CT 06068
Phone (860) 435-2442
email: salisburyucc@gmail.com
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