Meriden Congregational Church Newsletter

February 2025

Volume 8 Number 2

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
• February Calendar
• Special Events:

Feb 7th 6:00pm MCC Community Potluck

Feb 13th 6:30pm Leadership Meeting

Feb 18th 7:00pm Men's Group

Feb 22nd 2:30pm Claremont Soup Kitchen

• Love Justice and Holy Work
• Covid 19 In the New Year
• Stewardship Message - Imagine Together
• Church Directory Available
• Assistant Treasurer's Report
• Young Family's Events
• Peace, Justice and Outreach News
• Worker Justice Report
• December Birthdays and Anniversaries
• New Child of God, Prayer List, Into God's Hands

The Message From Interim Pastor, Rev. Dr. David Felton



We are in the season of Epiphany. It is the season of light, of illumination. It was good to be with you last Sunday at our Annual Meeting. I like the way you work together. You listen to each other and respect each other as you discern where God is leading us. I think we are off to a good start. It is also a time of transition. Two of our most valued leaders Bill and Jill both feel they need to step back at present from leadership for personal reasons. I respect their judgements and I want to thank them both for what they've been doing in the life of this church. Each of them has made my start up time here much easier. Thank You!

February 16 will be a special day for our church. Our New Hampshire Conference Minister the Reverend Gordon Rankin is coming to visit us and I've invited him to preach. I hope you'll be able to be here and meet him that day. He is indeed special. Gordon and I worked together in South Dakota and we became family.

I will be on vacation for two weeks then at the end of February and the first of March. I need to go back to Indianapolis for my six month check up following my surgery. It is routine but necessary. And of course the bonus is that I'll have time with my family.

The two Sundays I will be away will be February 23 and March 2. Rob Grabill, a UCC retired minister and still leading the CROP walk will be our guest minister on February 23. On March 2 it will be Rev. Gail Kinney.

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

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:

Ed Cousineau, Leadership Team Chair

Email: couineaued@gmail.com

February Calendar

Love, Justice, and the Holy Work Ahead

On Martin Luther King Day 2025, which was also the day of the U.S. presidential inauguration, a large interfaith group of clergy and lay folks, including from our own United Church of Christ, gathered in Memphis, TN to confront “Such a Time As This” (see more info and links to highlights here), Those gathered shared their energy and visions to remain rooted in love, justice, and inclusion in the coming challenging days as the safety and basic humanity of our immigrant and LGBTQ+ siblings and the most vulnerable among us face new threats to their well-being.

In her own remarks, UCC General Minister and President the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson reflects on the harmful narratives put forth in the January 20th presidential inauguration and instead encourages commitment to inclusive visions for the future: “An inclusive vision is one that pays attention to who is left out, to those whose rights are being trampled, and provides the advocacy and solidarity needed to bring about changes that provide civil and human rights.” 

Six days later, at our MCC 2025 Annual Meeting, our congregation unanimously reaffirmed our own commitment to be in solidarity and accompaniment with our immigrant and other marginalized kin. We affirmed:

• that the Meriden Congregational Church, UCC is a church of extravagant and radical welcome; 
• that our faith is firmly grounded in doing justice, loving kindness and mercy and welcoming the stranger, as expressed throughout our sacred scriptures;
•  that we will continue to live in the realm of love and care for one another, no matter one’s immigration or other status; 
• that we will continue to speak out, to take actions and to offer accompaniment as our capacity allows during any threatening and harrowing times for our immigrant and other vulnerable kin; 
• that no matter how people are defined by others or where people are on their life journey, our sacred Meriden Congregational Church space is a sanctuary for all.

In so doing, we also heard the unswerving United Church of Christ affirmation that “all people, including immigrants and our transgender and other marginalized kin are made in the image of God. …Regardless of what policy the new administration rescinds or puts forth, our faith communities will continue to look to our sacred texts and centuries of tradition to live out our faith by welcoming immigrants and protecting the most vulnerable among us.” We in the MCC also are readying ourselves for a time such as this.

WELCOMING and CARING MINISTRY

The Caregivers Committee has started "Welcome Baby Baskets" for the New Mothers and Fathers and Babies in our midst. Larissa Pyer and baby Casia enjoyed the first one. 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 AN MCC COMMUNITY POTLUCK FRIDAY FEBRUARY 7TH AT 6:OO PM. I WILL PLAN TO BRING VEGETARIAN LASAGNA. PEOPLE ARE INVITED TO BRING FOOD TO SHARE OR MORE IMPORTANTLY JUST BRING THEMSELVES--ALL ARE WELCOME.

Thanks to Kathy Wright, Jerry Judd, and Charlie Burch, for ushering in January. Sign up to usher at the sign up sheet in the back of the church.

HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US THIS FEBRUARY!

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

FAITH FORMATION MINISTRY

Book Study Group Has Started

The book being studied is No Death, No Fear by Thich Nhat Han. We've had two meetings and will be reading the third chapter for our next meeting on Monday, 12:15-2:00pm on February 3rd. Our format is to discuss the reading using review questions and our own reactions. Another meeting is set for Monday February 17th at 12:15. We will meet at the home of Laura Cousineau 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).

January 2025

Dear Friends,

As we look to 2025 and beyond, your pledges to our Annual Campaign assure that our congregation and church family will faithfully continue to serve, lead, and make a difference next year and for years to come. 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. And, we are not there yet!

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. If you have not yet pledged and are able to do so, please email 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. Thank you,

With gratitude, Your Church Leadership Team

Rev. David Felton, 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

MCC and Covid-19

You'll be reading this short note in February of 2025, just five years after the world, the country and even our small semi-rural church began to face a novel virus and new insights into our shared humanity. We adapted together. We had to: The virus did too. We've learned lessons far beyond the simple “mask-up, wash-hands, stay-home-if-you’re-sick, get boosted if possible” mantra of these repeated messages. As friends and neighbors, we've learned about what it means to be living as a church, what it means to be responsible members of our various communities, and we've come to understand the true meaning of global and national citizenship.

Unfortunately, we've probably also witnessed and learned the limits of human

narrowness and the depths of human selfishness by observing both ourselves and others display fear and suspicion where our shared humanity would best have us be open, welcoming and reassuring of one another. Nearly 15 million deaths world-wide are attributed directly to Covid-19, while in tens of millions more deaths Covid-19 may have been unrecognized or a contributing factor.



Yes, it seems we've "survived" plague, although not all of us have done so. Others of us remain more medically vulnerable and live their lives with caution. At the start of 2025--the beginning of the sixth year in a post-Covid world--it might be appropriate for a church to pause and wonder what life will be like over the next five years.

How will we be church to one another in the face of disease, strife, mistrust and hate: What are the lessons we have already learned and what new experiences must we all learn from by 2030?



Ed Cousineau for the COVID-19 Task Force

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 February, Kathy Wright, Our Secretary/Administrator will Be Available for Questions/Information

Need a Directory? Want to add your birthday to our list? Kathy is available every week. I am often in the church office (603-469-3235). My cell number is 603-543-7663.

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 January 24th, we have received $5,155 in pledge payments, We have received $493 in Plate payments. In addition, we have received $960 payments for 2024. We also received $5,000 from the Byrne Foundation and $82.05 from the Cornerstone Fund. In addition, we received $1000 for church and Parish House maintenance. The monthly total for the church was $12,690.05 and this is the amount collected this year so far.

Thanks for your donations!!



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 February 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 March 6th 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. February 22nd 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.

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.

Half of the Christmas Eve collection has gone to NHCUCC Immigrant & Refugee Support Group for the Immigrant Bond and Support Fund--$482.50

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.

    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

   Worker Justice News – Even As the Cost of Living Increases, 

New Hampshire Stays Stingy

            by Gail Kinney, Worker Justice Minister

Wage News

     Minimum wage rates are increasing in the rest of New England and in various jurisdictions across the country. However, stingy New Hampshire, where the Governor and the majority of public policy-makers repeatedly show that they care little about the value of work and the plight of low wage workers, absolutely refuses to engage in such policy progress. Many faith leaders see this as both shameful and immoral, and our own NH UCC passed a resolution 11 years ago strongly urging our state to care about the plight of NH’s low-wage earners.

     Tragically, for years NH policy-making majorities have refused to acknowledge that low-wage workers even exist in NH. They insist that, if there are low wages paid anywhere in the state, it’s only new teenager workers who earn paltry sums.

     All who are a part of the MCC Spiritual Family have an opportunity to weigh in on this topic if you act by Tuesday morning February 4. Two bills, HB 442, prohibiting the payment of subminimum wages and HB 726, calling for a modest increase to minimum wages paid in NH, will be heard in the NH House Labor Committee on Tuesday afternoon, February 4. To show your opposition, sign in to the NH House remote portal, complete your personal information, select Tues. February 4, select Labor Committee and then Bill # (either HB 442 or HB 726) ,and designate “I SUPPORT this bill.” Do this separately for each bill. It only takes a few minutes, but your opinion matters!

Want to get more involved (even via remote participation)?

• Join with the NH Faith and Labor Alliance for monthly Zoom check-ins and to receive info about worker solidarity actions both in the Upper Valley and across the state. Email nhfaithandlabor@gmail.com to be added to our outreach list.

• Monitor proposed NH legislation that will either lift up beloved community or tear it down, and take advocacy actions as needed. Subscribe today to receive AFSC-NH’s invaluable State House Watch by email every week during the Legislative Session. Also, contact economicjustice.nhcucc@gmail.com to be added to the NH Voices of Faith [in the public square] outreach list. 

Members of our Church Leadership Ministry Team

Chair: Ed Cousineau

Vice-Chair/Clerk/ Stewardship: Pending

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, Jim Lenz, Evan Oxenham & Steve Beaupre

February

BIRTHDAYS

2/2       Diane Minard

2/2      Michael Chellis

2/2       Jeremy Warren

2/3        Kori Jameson

2/4       Jerry Judd

2/5      Keira  Hines

2/5       Fiona Fraser

2/7      Nathan Perotte

2/8       Katie Minard

2/8       Chris Hansen

2/10     Sarah Davie

2/10     Jim Lenz

2/10      Peter Foss

2/10      Steph Berman

2/10      Connie O’Leary

2/11     Hilarie Schubert

2/11     Patrick Brady Elliott

2/11      Shawn Rogers

2/12     Andrea Keen

2/12     Debra Grabil

2/14     Anna Lifvergen

2/14     Melanie Ditzel

2/15     Nora Kells Gordon

2/15     Nora Kells Gordon

2/15     Devan Williams

2/16     John Gregory-Davis

2/17     Ted Moynihan

2/17     Lindsay Parsons

2/17     Rachel Stoddard

2/17    Joe Williams

2/19    Lora Chatfield

2/19     Zoe Rodriguez

2/20     Kathy Wright

2/21     Doug Beaupre’

2/21     Grace Parmenter

2/22     Amy Beaupre’

2/22     Jody Schubert

2/22     Sandy Redlands

2/25     Nancy Hayes-Kilgore

2/25     Blaine Kopp

2/26     Chuck Chamley

2/26     Leslie MacGregor

2/27     Amy Franklin

2/27     Benjamin Taylor

2/28     Theodore Kramer Mishkin

Welcome to this World

Kasia Jeanette Pyer was born on December 10th, 2024. She was welcomed by her parents, Larissa and Bob Pyer and her big brother, Ross.

A New Child of God

Larrissa and Bob would like to thank all who contributed to their Meal Train in the last month--Thanks!

Into God's Hands

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

 Many prayers and much sadness is due following the death of a dear church member, Susan Pullen. Our prayers are with her husband, Rich Pullen and her daughters, Annie and Lindsay as well as her family.  

 We also pray for Marianna McKim, Reinhart Sonnenberg and Emma following the death of her mother, Kirsten.

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.

Prayer List

In February 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 Selden Lord, Olivia Fauver and her pregnancy;  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;  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; 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). 

 FEDERAL

Rep. Maggie Goodlander

223 Cannon House Office Bldg

Washington, DC

Phone:202-225-5206

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.Drye@gc.nh.gov

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