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Meriden Congregational Church Newsletter

OCTOBER 2024

Volume 7 Number 10

www.meridenucc.org

603-469-3235

secretary@meridenucc.org



IN THIS NEWSLETTER

  • A message from our Interim Pastor David Felton
  • Leadership Team Listing and Points of Contact
  • October Calendar
  • Special Events:

October 6th 10:00 am World Communion Sunday - Rev. David

October 11th - 6:00pm - Welcome & Caring Potluck

October 19th 10:00 am--Young Families Halloween Gathering

October 21st 5:00 pm --Faith & Labor Solidarity Town Hall

Church of Christ at Dartmouth UCC

  • New Church Directory Available
  • Assistant Treasurer's Report
  • Outreach, Peace and Justice News
  • Worker Justice Report
  • October Birthdays and Anniversaries
  • Prayer List, Into God's Hands








We Welcome Our Interim Pastor, Rev. Dr. David Felton, in October!


I am so looking forward to our time together. I was so impressed when I read your church profile and met your search committee on -line. I heard glowing reports from others about you. But nothing could have prepared me for meeting you.  You are amazing. I am overwhelmed by your gracious hospitality. Thank you.

Let me say a bit about interim ministry. Our task is to prepare the church for the next called pastor. I will not be that pastor. I am here to prepare the way. It is not a quick process. My last two interims have been 2 ½ years and 5 years. John and Susan were here for 29 years. That is a gift that few churches experience. The question for this interim time is what is God calling us to do and be today and in the future. I will be with you as we walk this part of the journey together.

I want to remind you that our first Sunday together is Oct. 6 – World Wide Communion Sunday. It is my favorite Sunday of the year because it is the one day when all Christians around the world break bread together. It is also the day we receive our all church offering for Neighbors in Need. This is particularly important to me because 1/3 of the offering goes to support our American Indian churches of which the majority of those churches are the Lakota churches whom I worked with recently for 9 years. I can’t think of any better way to begin our work together than by asking for your support of these special people.

David





Members of our Church Leadership Ministry Team


Chair: Bill Chappelle

Vice-Chair/Clerk/ Stewardship: Jill Marshall

Worship & Music Ministry: Elaine Lenz, Ed Cousineau

Welcoming and Caring Ministry: Kathy Wright & Lee Oxenham

Administration & Finance Ministry: Shawn Rogers & Ryan McGraw

Outreach, Peace, & Justice Ministry: Shideko Terai

Worker Justice Minister: Rev. Dr. Gail Kinney:

Spiritual Formation Ministry: Larissa Pyer & Cathy Rodriguez

Spiritual Formation Coordinator: Kelsey MacNamee

Treasurer: Cindy Griffin

Assistant Treasurer(s): 

Kathy Wright, Evan Oxenham & Steve Beaupre

LEADERSHIP COVERAGE

Points of Contact for Leadership Areas


Administration: Kathy Wright, (Church Leadership Team)

Church email: secretary@meridenucc.org; church office: 469-3235; Email: kathywright@myfairpoint.net; home phone: 675-5989 or text 603-543-7663 Kathy Wright has office hours at the church every Wednesday 1-2:30 and Friday 1-2:30.

            

Pastoral Coverage: Rev. David Felton

Email: dfelton1940@gmail.com ; cell phone: 603-381-7324

Available for emergency and ongoing pastoral care needs

Kathy Wright can also contact David as needed

If you have a pastoral care need (or know someone who does), please contact Kathy Wright (see contact info above)

 

Building & Grounds: Shawn Rogers, (Church Leadership Team)

Email: straightedge-arch@comcast.net; home phone: 603-790-8040;

cell phone: 603-558-9351.        

                             

Financial Transactions: Cindy Griffin, Church Treasurer

Church email: treasurer@meridenucc.org;

Email: csvensen1s@gmail.com; cell phone: 203-209-0922


Church Leadership/General Inquiries:

Bill Chappelle, Leadership Team Chair

Email: chappellebill@gmail.com

 Jill Marshall, Leadership Team Vice Chair

Email: Jill@meridenucc.org

 

October Calendar

Sunrise in the White Mountains

WELCOMING and CARING MINISTRY

The Caregivers Committee started to explore starting a "Welcome Baby Basket" for the New Mothers and Fathers in our midst. See article in this newsletter about this effort. If you would like to be part of the planning, email secretary@meridenucc.org.


THE NEXT GATHERING OPPORTUNITY IS A POTLUCK SHARING DINNER ON OCTOBER 11TH AT 6:00PM IN THE PARISH HOUSE. I will plan to bring some crustless spinach Quiche. Bring something to share or just bring yourself.


Thanks to Bill Chappelle and Charlie Burch, and Donna and Steve Beaupre for ushering in September. Sign up to usher at the sign up sheet in the back of the church.


HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US THIS OCTOBER!

Kathy Wright, Co-Coordinator of the Welcoming and Caring Ministry

Wish List for Welcome Baby Baskets

The Caregivers have started a group to put together baskets for the parents of new babies. We are looking to gather a few things to include:

  • Sample sizes of self-care items such as lip balm, hand lotion, face masks etc.
  • snacks -- trail mix, granola bars, chocolates
  • pacifiers
  • cloth or board books for babies
  • wipes
  • size 1 diapers

You may leave your items on the desk in the Church Office. Thanks for Helping!!

Scenes from Horton Center

MCC Young Families October Meet-ups

Saturday October 12th at 10:00 am

Downstairs in the Parish House


Join us downstairs at the parish house for some spooky fun! Halloween accessories and/or costumes are welcome for both kids and adults. We'll have some festive snacks and activities. 



Larissa Pyer

For Spiritual Formation Ministry

larissa.pyer@gmail.com


MCC ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE NEWS




The New 2024 MCC Directory of Members and Friends is Ready



Get your copy in the Church Office or email secretary@meridenucc.org to have your copy mailed to you.

Corrections to the New Directory are as follows: The email for Cindy Swensen Griffin should be  CSvensen1s@gmail.com.. Richard Atkinson's new email is realuddite@gmail.com and his phone is 223-357-9493. Also please add *Glenn Robinson, 328 Main St. Suite 101, Newport VT 05855 phone 802-274-8571.

Continuing in OCTOBER, Kathy Wright, Our Secretary/Administrator will hold Weekly Office Hours for Questions/Information


It makes sense to me to have office hours after the first week in September (when I am on vacation) every Wednesday 1 - 2:30 pm and Friday 1-2:30 pm. I plan to be in the church office at (603-469-3235)

Report of the Assistant Treasurers


 As of September 25th we have received $11,160 in pledge payments, We have received $855 in Plate payments. The monthly total was $12,015. All of these were for 2024. The amounts collected this year so far are a total of $92,316.

Thanks for your donations!!

There have been stock payments that are not listed here. Thanks for all your contributions.


Kathy Wright, Jim Lenz


Notes from the COVID Task Force


Here at Meriden Congregational Church this summer we’re still standing vigilant. And you should be too. Nothing beyond the simple norms we’ve established and then thoughtfully evolved through the intervening years. Our church will continue to make available masks and hand-sanitizers. Plus, it's easy to heed this tried and true wisdom:

 

If you feel unwell—just stay home. 

Stay “boosted” and “current” as best you can.

           Consider a mask when you’re in a crowd.

                      Wash your hands frequently.

The Church Leadership Team and the MCC Covid-19 TF will be ready to review new information should any new circumstances warrant.

 

Ed Cousineau

For the MCC Covid-19 Task Force

PEACE, JUSTICE AND OUTREACH


Peace, Justice and Outreach

Ministry Team

News for October 2024 


"The way to heal the soul of the nation is to pass policies that heal the body of the nation. It’s the just thing to do. That’s how we as a nation can move forward together"  ~Rev. Dr. William J. Barber 


OUTREACH


Listen Community Dinners Meriden Congregational Church has offered the commitment to prepare and serve dinners the FIRST Thursdays of the odd-numbered months. The next date is November7th at 2:30pm. If you know of anyone, including the broader community, who would be interested, please text, phone or email Shideko Terai. 603-252-7898. The director, Larry Lowndes has discontinued the use of the volunteer hub; therefore, Shideko will send out a notice a week beforehand to seek volunteers.


Claremont Soup Kitchen Bill Chapelle continues to lead volunteer participation at the Claremont Soup Kitchen on the fourth Saturday of every month. This slot covers the hours 2-5:30 PM. No cooking experience necessary. October 26th is the next opportunity. Please let Bill know if you are able to assist. (chappellebill@gmail.com)

“We always have a lot of fun. Your Saturday night begins with a good feeling that you have given nice people a delicious meal.” ~Bill Chapelle


JUSTICE



Social Justice 


"There are millions of poor people in this country who have very little, or even nothing, to lose. If they can be helped to take action together, they...will be a new and unsettling force..." - Martin Luther King Jr.


Crop Walk

Save the Date--Saturday October 13th at 1:00 pm for the Upper Valley Crop Walk. Our church supports this fund-raising effort to end hunger locally and overseas. You may follow this link to sign up to support the Crop Walk.


Immigrant

Our church is a member of the NH Immigrant Solidarity Network. Organizations include GSOP, AFSC, and clergy. It is interfaith and non-partisan. Please contact me if you would like to get involved.


Climate Justice

Anyone who may have missed our viewing of the powerful environmental justice film, "Common Ground," is encouraged to reach out to Lee Oxenham to borrow and view what this film reveals as to how unjust practices forged our current farm system in which farmers of all colors are literally dying to feed us. The film profiles a hopeful and uplifting movement of white, black, and indigenous farmers who are using alternative “regenerative” models of agriculture that could balance the climate, save our health, and stabilize America’s economy – before it’s too late.


Racial Justice /Antiracism

   A few years ago our church formed a Racial Justice Ministry Team that has been guiding us in learning about the ways in which systemic racism and white supremacy undergird so much of our history and identity. Now, in keeping with the call of our denomination, the United Church of Christ, to become an antiracist church, our Racial Justice ministry team has evolved our name to become the Antiracism Ministry Team.  

    One of the ways that our Church Leadership recently chose to live more fully into our antiracism commitment is through declaring ourselves to be an "Apartheid-Free" congregation, thereby affirming our theological and moral conviction that "ALL people are equal and should be treated with dignity and respect."

With a particular focus upon the oppression of the Palestinian people, this commitment is in keeping with the national Resolution calling for a Just Peace Between Israel and Palestine which our church co-sponsored. Seeking to be in solidarity especially with the people of war-ravaged Gaza,  let us continue urging Senators Hassan and Shaheen, as well as Representative Kuster, and President Biden, to call for a CeaseFire NOW!  

    Our weekly BLACK LIVES MATTER Vigils continue on Wednesday afternoons, from 4:30 to 5:00 PM, and all are welcome to join us anytime.

In solidarity and hope, 

Shideko Terai (she/her), Outreach, Peace & Justice Coordinator

text or phone 603-252-7898, email shideko.terai@gmail.com

Worker Justice Report: Dartmouth Worker

Solidarity Event to be Held Mon. October 21 at 5:00 p.m.


by Gail Kinney


Beginning in 2022, new union organizing has come to Dartmouth College as dedicated

campus workers seek a voice on the job and the ability to come together collectively to

negotiate with the college over wages, benefits and overall working conditions. This new

union organizing follows in the footsteps of SEIU (Service Employees International

Union) Local 560 which, for decades, has represented maintenance, custodial, food

service and other essential workers on campus.


As Covid still raged in 2021-2022 and front-line food service workers were especially

vulnerable, the student dining service workers unionized as the Student Worker

Collective at Dartmouth (SWCD) and, after difficult bargaining, secured a noteworthy

contract with the college. Their successful union organizing efforts have been followed

by the graduate teaching and research assistants who organized as the Graduate

Organized Laborers of Dartmouth (GOLD), the staff of the various Dartmouth library

facilities, the undergraduate basketball players, and the undergraduate advisors (UGAs)

in the college’s residential units – with other campus workers also aspiring to secure a

collective voice on their jobs at Dartmouth. Since early 2022, member of the MCC

spiritual family and our Worker Justice Ministry have offered our solidarity with these

workers.


On Monday October 21at, we are helping facilitate a third “Faith & Labor

Solidarity Town Hall” – at 5:00 p.m. at the Church of Christ at Dartmouth, UCC.

ALL MCCers are invited to hear from the students and staff about their hopes and

dreams for economic fairness, dignity and respect as they undertake the campus

jobs in which they take great pride. Please join us if you are able!



We have been told repeatedly by these workers just how much our support matters.

They share that they have been deeply touched and strengthened by the care and

concern we have shown to them. This is all part of how we live into the commandment

to love our neighbors – including those we will never personally know.


October

BIRTHDAYS

10/01  David Weidman

10/01  Griffin Jameson

10/01  Addison Gabrault

10/02   Jim Borchert

10/03  Laura Cousineau

10/03  Jan Lord

10/03   Andrea Brown 

10/04   Rick Cunningham

10/05  Catherine Sensenig

10/06   Linda Darlington

10/06  Augustin Ramos-Glew

10/07  Erik Heaton

10/07   Nicholas Custer

10/08  Alicia Foster

10/09  Benjamin Reetz

10/11  Micah Dewey

10/11   Mikki Jaeger

10/12   Karen Lenz

10/12   Kuda Muhlauri

10/12  Susan Pullen

10/13   John Houde

10/13   Evan Oxenham

10/13 Suzanne Spencer

10/15  Allison Foltyn

10/15  Teagan Goodwin

10/15  Mirren McGraw

10/16  Susan Nugent


                             

0/18  Grayson Davies

10/19  John Brooks

10/19   Tinashe Muhlauri

10/20   James Fadden

10/20  Steve Gordon

10/20   Carl Sandin

10/21  Jennifer Phelps

10/21  Susan Gregory-Davis

10/21    Marian Zens

10/21 Samuel Collins Wood

10/22   Hallie  Zens

10/22   Michael Hogan

10/23  Dan Croitoru

10/24  Marianne McGraw

10/24  Fiona Davis-Walsh

10/24  Jen Williams

10/26  Jim Griffiths

10/26  Jaden Giaccone

10/26  Telemos Tomlinson

10/26  Franccesca Marzilli-

          Ericson

10/27   Elizabeth Church

10/27  Jeffrey Wilkinson

10/27  Molly  Beaupre’

10/28  Daniel Beaupre’

10/29  Susan Reetz

10/31 Mark Pensgen

10/31 Charlie Williams





OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES


10/01 Don and Lindsay Parsons

10/02 Nancy and Paul Franklin

10/02 Nora Kells Gordon & Steve Gordon

10/03 Glen & Cindy (Svensen) Griffin

10/04 Tom and Lyn Lord

10/04 Susan and John Gregory-Davis

10/04 Karen (Phelps) and Simon Prior

10/06 Ross and Beth Wood

10/06 Judy and Dan Croitoru

10/10 Jeannie and Rick Hines

10/12 Brenda and Wally Caswell

10/16  Rigel Cable and Cam Lee

10/21 Anne and Alan Grover

10/24 Laine Gillespie and Bill Chappelle

10/25 Mark and Betsey Pensgen

10/26 Michele and Chuck Chamley

10/29 Meg Fauver and Nick Shafir

10/30 Laura and Ed Cousineau



Tenderly Held in our Hearts and Prayers

  As the leaves change and we start our journey into Fall, we give joyous thanks for all that makes our faith community such a welcome home for all of us. So too do we celebrate with all those bearing new life, and pray with those yet hoping to conceive, or seeking to adopt a

beloved child of God.


We pray for Kathy Wright’s nephew Brad Youtz; Jan and Selden Lord and Larry Lord and their family; Bob Carpenter and his family; Suzanne Richardson and her family; Elise and Trevor McGraw’s new son, River, Penny Arcone’s son, Alex; Jim Lenz’s friend, Conor; Susan Pullen’s friend, Jean and her husband, Carl; Dan Beaupre’; Rosa Sousa; Valerie Stender; Marianne McGraw’s friend, Jeff Gold; Peter Nolette’s brother, Michael; Rev. Greg Marshall, as well as Greg’s sister, Donna; Carol Hartman’s daughter-in-law, Michelle; Roger Burch’s sister-in-law’s family; Angie Hinton’s friend, Margaret Maxham; Connie Kousman’s grand-nephew, Graham, and Connie’s sister Joyce; Karen Sutton’s husband, Robert; Laine Gillespie’s friends, Josh; Perry; Erik Heaton; Betty Walker; Penny Arcone’s friend, Dick Slubin; Beth Kopp’s father, Jim Kane; Linda Perkins; Jody Schubert’s brother, Rick; Jim Schubert’s sister, Martha & her daughter, Wendy; Joan Burch; Suzanne Lenz; Judy Croitoru; Chris Dye; and Linda Perkins’ friends, Dorothy, Albert, and Doug.


Likewise are our prayers with these members and friends of our faith community currently receiving treatment for cancer: Christine

Greenough and Christine’s Friend, Karen; Carol Hartman’s sister, Priscilla; Susan Pullen; Andrea Brown’sUncle Mike; Ryan McGraw’s co-worker’s mother, Jeannie Berube; Odile Clavier’s colleague; Penny Arcone’s son,

Anthony; Amaia Leach; Angie Hinton’s friend, Mickey LaHaye; Martha Zoerheide’s neighbor, John; Vicki Ramos-Glew’s mother, Carole Spencer; Juliette Hampton’s teacher, Melissa Thaxton; Bill & Laine’s

neighbor, Barbara Gifford; Becky Luce; Laura Cousineau’s brother-in-law, Eric; Cecilia Hampton’s best friend Victoria’s mother, Bev; Sue Turner’s brother, Kurt, as well as Sue’s sister-in-law Bev, and Bev’s step-

daughter, Sarah; Connie Kousman; Gail Kinney’s brothers, Charles and David; Linda Perkins’ friend, Linda Stone; Robert Bryant; Jeff McNamara; Lauryn Moeller’s daughter-in-law, Lisa Rae Moeller; and Kevin Ramos-

Glew’s nephew, Duncan.


We also pray for our friends in Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Zambia, the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, and Zimbabwe, and all those living in such troubled lands as Gaza, Palestine, Israel, Ukraine,

Russia, Haiti, South Sudan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Iran,Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, North Korea, Yemen, and the Congo. We pray for all immigrants and refugees seeking sanctuary and welcome throughout our world, that we may be among those who offer an oasis of

hospitality and compassion within the kin-dom of God’s heart. And we pray too for our BIPoC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) friends and neighbors, seeking to build with them a world wherein “Black Lives Matter!”


 If you or someone you know would like a name to be added to our Prayer List, please let Kathy Wright know. In an effort to keep it as up-to-date as possible, please also let her know when you would like a name removed

(secretary@meridenucc.org).


Into God's Hands


  As summer ends and harvest begins, so too have our hearts ached with the loss of dearly beloved friends and relatives of our faith community.


We pray for Debbie Foltyn and her family because of the recent death of Ed Foltyn. Before they moved to Oregon they were an integral part of this church.

 

As each of these dearly departed ones have returned to the source of Love from which all life comes, may their families and loved ones be comforted with Love’s healing embrace in the midst of this time of mourning.

Legislator Contact Information
 FEDERAL
                                                                                 Rep. Annie McLane Kuster
137 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-5206 (Washington)
18 North Main Street, Fourth Floor
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: 603-226-1002 (New Hampshire)

Sen. Maggie Hassan
330 Hart Senate Office Building  .
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3324 (Washington
1200 Elm St. Suite 6
Manchester, NH 03101
Phone: 603-662-2204 (New Hampshire)

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen
506 Hart Senate Office Bdg
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-2841 (Washington)
2 Wall St #220
Manchester, NH 03101
Phone: 602-647-7500 (NH)

STATE


Rep. Margaret Drye

1136 Rt. 12A

Plainfield, NH 03781

Phone: 603-675-9159

Email: margaret.dry@leg.state.nh.us


Rep. Bill Palmer

603-675-2117

Email wpalmernh@gmail.com


Sen. Suzanne Prentiss

Legislative Office Building, Room 102

33 State Street

Concord, NH 03301

Phone: 603-271-3092

Email: Suzanne.Prentiss@leg.state.nh.us

The UVHS & The Plainfield Community Resource Room have teamed up to help all Cat & Dog Owners in our area.
Every Month on the 3rd Saturday
when the Resource Room & Food Pantry is open
the UVHS will be present to provide  
FREE Cat & Dog Food.
For more information
please contact Stephanie at 469-3201.
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