Meriden Congregational Church Newsletter

DECEMBER 2024

Volume 7 Number 12

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
• December Calendar
• Christmas Flowers - How to order
• Special Events:

Dec 12th 6:30pm Leadership

Dec 14th 10:00 am Decorating the Church

Dec 17th 7:00pm KUA Holiday Service

Dec 17th 7:00pm Men's Group

Dec 22nd 11:15am Christmas Potluck Reception

Dec 24th 5:00pm Christmas Eve Service

• Stewardship Message - Imagine Together
• Church Directory Available
• Assistant Treasurer's Report
• Christmas Smiles
• Young Family's Events
• Peace, Justice and Outreach News
• Worker Justice Report
• December Birthdays and Anniversaries
• Prayer List, Into God's Hands

We Welcome Our Interim Pastor, Rev. Dr. David Felton, Glad you are here!



Advent has always been my favorite celebration. It is a time of anticipation and hope. It begins at the darkest time of the year when everything seems lost. On the first Sunday, we light one candle. One bit of light in the midst of darkness. Each week the light grows until Christmas when we are ablaze with light. In the Bible light is always the symbol of the presence of God. Darkness is life without God.

This seems like a particularly dark year for us as individuals, for our nation, and for the world. It is particularly dangerous for the vulnerable among us.

Never has advent meant more than it does this year. This church has a strong and amazing history of reaching out to our brothers and sisters, but this year the need is greater than ever before. We need to prayerfully and honestly look at what we are doing and commit ourselves to doing something more. I pray that we do more than just light candles in church, but that we might light more light in our world with concrete actions. Think about what you feel called to do and then do it. May this Christmas be bright.

Merry Christmas.

David

LEADERSHIP COVERAGE

Points of Contact for Leadership Areas

Pastoral Coverage: Rev. David Felton

Email: dfelton1940@gmail.com ; cell phone: 716-908-2750

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 below)

Administration: Kathy Wright, (Church Leadership Team)

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

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

December Calendar

Christmas Flowers For Christmas Eve

Poinsettias     

4” pots, single plants          $ 7.49

6” pots $13.99

71/2” pots $33.99

81/2” pots, pinched           $49.99

4” Cyclamen                 $9.49

4” Christmas zygo cactus       $8.99

Let Kathy Wright know which flowers you would like to get, give her a check and the

names of who you would like to Honor or Remember with your gift. Orders have to be received by December 15^th. Or call 603-469-3235 or email secretary@meridenucc.org.

WELCOMING and CARING MINISTRY

The Caregivers Committee has started "Welcome Baby Baskets" for the New Mothers and Fathers and Babies in our midst. If you are expecting or know someone in our community who is, contact Kathy Wright or someone on the Caregivers Committee.

THE NEXT GATHERING OPPORTUNITY IS A CHRISTMAS RECEPTION AFTER CHURCH ON DECEMBER 22ND AT ABOUT 11:15. PEOPLE ARE INVITED TO BRING HOLIDAY ITEMS TO SHARE IN A PARTY OF THANKSGIVING FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY--ALL ARE WELCOME.

Thanks to Steve and Donna Beaupre, Lee and Evan Oxenham, Nora Kells Gordon, Kathy Wright and Ed Cousineau for ushering in November. Sign up to usher at the sign up sheet in the back of the church.

HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US THIS DECEMBER!

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!!

FAITH FORMATION MINISTRY

Christmas Smiles

Re-imagining Love as Radical Generosity

It’s that wonderful time of year again when the Meriden Congregational Church community gets to support the Kiwanis Cares Project. Join us in this work! MCC has provided support through giving each season for many years. Our opportunity for this year begins soon! 

Here’s what to know: 

Gift tags will be available on line in a digital format as they have been for the past few years. There’ll be plenty of tech support for those who would like some guidance with that process (more to come on that!) 

Gifts requests are all clothes - sizes and preferences are on each gift tag; Clothes must be new and unwrapped when they’re delivered to the Meriden Congregational Church Parish House; Choosing neutral clothing helps ensure a better match without knowing exactly what a person is seeking. 

Donations of wrapping paper, tape, and ribbons are welcome; 

If you’d like to participate but would prefer not to shop, donations of cash are very welcome to help support the purchasing of gifts! 

The gifts must be returned to the Parish House by Sunday, December First.

Donations of money should be returned ASAP. 

In solidarity and peace,

Shideko (she/her) and Kelsey Hardy

Book Study Group Has Started

The book being studied is No Death, No Fear by Thich Nhat Han. We've had one meeting and will be reading the first chapter for our next meeting on Monday, 12:30-2:00pm on December 2nd. Our format is to discuss the reading using review questions and our own reactions.Another meeting is set for Monday December 16th at 12:30. We will meet at the home of Jan Lord or by zoom. Participants are invited to bring a bag lunch if they want one. Contact Jan Lord if you want to participate (603-675-6417 jblord_2007@comcast.net).

December 2024

Dear Friends,

Generosity, curiosity and love arise from imagining all that God invites us to do in community with one another. This advent season please join us to Imagine Together our next year for the Meriden Congregational Church as we continue our 2025 stewardship campaign.

Throughout November we imagined how our congregation can build our own sense of being a compassionate and supportive community with one another and for others. How can we Imagine Together a world made whole and anew?

Whose burdens can we make lighter? How will we be caregivers of the land? Promoters of peace and justice? Cultivators of belonging?

On November 10th Rev. David Felton's meditation asked us to reflect upon our generosity of spirit. Then on the 17th, we gathered to commit our pledges of financial support and dedicate them to God’s ministry here in Meriden and in

our wider communities. It's not too late! There are pledge forms in the church and you can contact Jill at any time with your pledge (see below email).

As we look to 2025 and beyond, your generosity to the MCC Annual Campaign will assure that our congregation and church family will faithfully continue to serve, lead, and make a difference next year and for years to come. Through our annual commitments to our congregation, let's imagine all that we can do together. After all, it is our donations that make it possible to turn what we imagine into reality.

Next year our collective giving must generate over 75% of the funds needed to operate the programs, projects, ministries, and worship experiences that define our community. Your ministry--our ministry--results in the changed lives that we

offer to our church family, community, and the world. This simply could not happen without your support.

You can make your pledge today by emailing our Stewardship Chair Jill Marshall at Jill@meridenucc.org or return the pledge card that you received in the mail in November. We are so very grateful for your contributions in support of the vibrancy of our ministry. Please join with us again.

With gratitude, Your Church Leadership Team

Rev. David Felton, Jill Marshall, Bill Chappelle, Cathy Rodriguez,

Cindy Griffin, Ed Cousineau, Elaine Lenz, Rev. Gail Kinney, Kathy Wright, Kesley MacNamee,Larissa Pyer, Lee Oxenham, Ryan McGraw, Shawn Rogers, Shideko Terai

The 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 Svensen 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 DECEMBER, Kathy Wright, Our Secretary/Administrator will hold Weekly Office Hours for Questions/Information

Need a Directory? Want to add your birthday to our list? Kathy is available every Wednesday 1 - 2:30 pm. I plan to be in the church office at (603-469-3235).

Can you type? Would you like to be helpful? Contact Kathy--She might need an assistant some weeks.

Report of the Assistant Treasurers

 As of November 25th, we have received $6.830 in pledge payments, We have received $570 in Plate payments. In addition, we have received $600 in event income. The monthly total was $7400. All of these were for 2024. The amounts collected this year so far are a total of $102,737.

Thanks for your donations!!

In addition, we have received $125 donations for the Harvest Dinner and $50 for Christmas Smiles.



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

Kathy Wright, Jim Lenz

PEACE, JUSTICE AND OUTREACH

Peace, Justice and Outreach

Ministry Team

News for December 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 January 2nd 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 with the help of Ed Cousineau and Anne Cragin.

Claremont Soup Kitchen Bill Chappelle 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. December 28th is the next opportunity. Please let Bill know if you are available. (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

Our church raised $606 for the Crop Walk, this year. There were two walkers but many who contributed. Thanks for this good effort!!

Immigrant Justice

Our church is a member of the NH Immigrant Solidarity Network. Organizations include GSOP, AFSC, and the Faith Leader Caucus. It is interfaith and non-partisan. Please contact Shideko 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 have been PAUSED until April 2nd 2025. Racial Justice Seekers are encouraged to spread the love by continuing to share your thoughts with family, friends, neighbors and colleagues. In addition you may want to join Ellen Bettman and the movie discussion the second Wednesday each month for Difficult Conversations About Race. The next movie to watch on your own is "In the Heat of the Night". Contact Ellen Bettman ellen.bettman@gmail.com to get the zoom link for the online discussion. SEE YOU IN THE SPRING FOR RETURNING VIGILS.

In solidarity and hope, 

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

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

VIGILS ARE ON PAUSE UNTIL THE SPRING--APRIL 2ND 2025

Choosing Love As We Face the Public Policy Arena in 2025

By Worker Justice Minister Gail Kinney

With the imminent arrival of 2025, many who believe in the Biblical commandment to love our neighbors anticipate a troubling public policy landscape. And so we approach the coming year with feelings of deep concern – and even fear. At the federal level, we will look to our denominational and interfaith colleagues of progressive faith for support as we face what lies ahead. However, what always remains as a guiding light for us is our MCC congregational commitment “to choose love in all ways, including…how we engage in the wider world.”

At the State legislative level, 2025 is the year of adopting a biennial budget. What’s contained therein will determine if we, as a state, will act to build up beloved community or tear it down. Already, a number of bills are being filed that are designed to do harm to our immigrant neighbors, our LGBTQ+ neighbors (especially our transgender youth), our public educator neighbors, our low-income worker neighbors, our food and housing insecure neighbors – and

more. For some of us, “choosing love” in these fraught times means we are also called to put love into action at the NH State House as a visible, vocal presence – for the greater good and as a manifestation of love for all God’s children.

With the State House in mind, people of faith and moral conscience are invited to a NH Voices of Faith planning session this coming Friday, December 6, to prepare ourselves for what’s ahead in the NH Legislature and to reaffirm both WHY our faith voices matter and HOW we can make our concerns known. We’ll gather from 12 Noon to 3:00 pm at the NH UCC Conference office at 140 Sheep Davis Road in Pembroke (light lunch included). Please register today! We encourage you to join us in person, and there will also be a Zoom option. Sign up here

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

DECEMBER

BIRTHDAYS

12/2       Patrick McGlone

12/2      Sean Teehan

12/5       Molly Cherington

12/5       Taylor Clerkin

12/5      Sandy Steel

12/5      Mary Van Wyck Heaton

12/6     Alex Zuckerman

12/6       Douglas Taylor

12/7       William Sensenig

12/8       Bill Taylor

12/8       Austin Powell

12/9       Trevor McGraw

12/12     Kristina Wilkinson

12/13     Erin Fielder

12/14     Peter Nolette

12/14     Maya Tomlinson

12/15     Isabel Brozen

12/15     Jacob Lenz

12/15    Charlton Muhlauri

12/18     Emrys Elkouh

12/19     Rick Hines

12/19     Bob Pyer

12/21     Marcia Ronbinson

12/20     Glen Greenough

12/22     Tia Perry

12/24     Jacob Cousineau

12/24     Garret Heaton

12/24     Tim Guaraldi

12/24     Ada Wendt Hennessy

12/24     Grey Cogan Greenough

12/25     Doug Heaton

12/25     Naomi Goodwin

12/27     Ella (Bishop) Duke

12/30     Penny Arcone

12/30     Judy Croitoru

12/30     Laura Packard

DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

12/6  Sheila Cragg-Elkouh &

Nabil Elkouh

12/27 Sarah Pensgen & Eddie Sirlin

Tenderly Held in our Hearts and Prayers

  As Advent begins and we anticipate the beginning of winter, 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 Olivia Fauver and her pregnancy; Jo-Ellen Courtney’s friend, Sheila Cook; Debbie Foltyn and her family; 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; 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; and Linda Perkins’ friends, Dorothy, Albert, & Doug.

           Likewise are our prayers with these members and friends of our faith community currently receiving treatment for cancer: Andrea Brown’s mother, Linda Brown; Christine Greenough and Christine’s Friend, Karen; Carol Hartman’s sister, Priscilla; Susan Pullen; Andrea Brown’s Uncle 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 & 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 Lebanon, 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 & refugees seeking sanctuary & welcome throughout our world, that we may be among those who offer an oasis of hospitality & 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 Advent begins, so too have our hearts ached with the loss of dearly beloved friends and relatives of our faith community.

We pray for Cindy Griffin's cousin Vally Johansson and her family because of the death of Vallly's husband, Hugo Johansson. We also pray for Kesa Noda and her family because of the recent death of her husband, Chris Dye.

As each of these dearly departed ones has 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.

 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)

www.kuster.house.gov

Congressman Elect

Rep. Maggie Goodlander

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)

www.hassan.senate.gov

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)

www.shaheen.senate.gov

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