Meriden Congregational Church Newsletter
OCTOBER 2024
Volume 7 Number 10
www.meridenucc.org
603-469-3235
secretary@meridenucc.org
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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!!
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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
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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.
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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. | |
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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).
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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.
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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)
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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
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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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