Meriden Congregational Church Newsletter

JANUARY 2025

Volume 8 Number 1

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
• January Calendar
• Special Events:

Jan 7th 6:30pm Leadership

Jan 10th 6:00 MCC Community Potluck

Jan 12th Annual Reports are Due

Jan 19th Meeting after church about

"What are we called to do for our Immigrant Siblings"

Jan 21st 7:00 pm Men's Group

Jan 26th 11:30 am Annual Meeting

• 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

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



Merry Christmas on this the seventh day of Christmas. It's been a wonderful celebration from beginning to end. We got off to a great start with the candlelight service on the 17th of December for Kimball Union Academy in our sanctuary. The service which was led primarily by the students, celebrated the rich diversity of the student body and was quite moving. For me as someone who taught world religions for a catholic college for many years, this brought me full circle. I want to thank Tyler Lewis and Julie Haskell for this extraordinary evening.

On Christmas Eve we tried something new: we had our service at 5:00 pm. It was a beautiful evening of lessons and carols. The church was packed. The music was over the top. It is such a pleasure to be here and to be a part of these wonderful events.

And now we close out this year and await 2025. As we anticipate the New Year, we pray for your guidance and direction. This church has such a rich tradition of living out your faith with active involvement in the life of this community and throughout the world; we will seek to discover what God is calling us to do on the next part of our journey. May we make this journey with vision and faithfulness.

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

January Calendar

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 AN MCC COMMUNITY POTLUCK FRIDAY JANUARY 10TH AT 6:OO PM. I WILL PLAN TO BRING CHILLI. PEOPLE ARE INVITED TO BRING FOOD TO SHARE OR MORE IMPORTANTLY JUST BRING THEMSELVES--ALL ARE WELCOME.

ON JANUARY 26TH AT 11:30 AM THERE WILL BE A POTLUCK MEAL BEFORE THE CHURCH'S ANNUAL MEETING. CONTACT KATHY WRIGHT ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN BRING.

Thanks to Steve and Donna Beaupre, Lee and Evan Oxenham, Nora Kells Gordon, Kathy Wright, Jerry Judd, Charlie Burch, Cathy and Gedeon Rodriguez and Ed Cousineau for ushering in December. Sign up to usher at the sign up sheet in the back of the church.

HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US THIS JANUARY!

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

The Meriden Congregational church again generously participated in the local Christmas Smiles project, helping families in Claremont, NH provide requested clothing items for children and young adults through the Kiwanis Club of Claremont . This year we were able to shop for 45 people (mostly children) thanks to the generous efforts of the people in our congregation. Many thanks to the special team of elves that helped count, assemble, and deliver these gifts in time for Christmas, with little time left before the due date. It is a tradition we hope to

Continue with many years of helping our neighbors have a warm and fun Christmas! 

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 two meetings and will be reading the second chapter for our next meeting on Monday, 12:30-2:00pm on January 6th. Our format is to discuss the reading using review questions and our own reactions. Another meeting is set for Monday January 20th 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).

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, 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 JANUARY, 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 December 29th, we have received $3,265 in pledge payments, We have received $1,887.20 in Plate payments. In addition, we have received $965 from the Christmas Eve collection. Half of this will go to the church and the other half will go to NHCUCC Immigrant & Refugee Bond Fund. The monthly total for the church was $5,634.70.  The amounts collected this year so far are a total of $108,371.70.

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 January 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. January 25th 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.

Half of the Christmas Eve collection will go to NHCUCC Immigrant & Refugee Bond 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. 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

New Year Notes from Worker Justice Minister Gail Kinney

Blessings and Solidarity for a New Year! The grassroots movement Indivisible, dedicated to building and protecting a progressive democracy, recently shared these 5 New Year resolutions for us as we head into what one prominent democracy champion calls “a pivotal and volatile moment” – as we also endeavor to keep living into the Love and Justice of Jesus that the MCC professes as its core:

1) Seek out community. “Whatever you do, figure out how to get into real, face-to-face

community. You’ll need it in the days ahead.”

2) Build something local.

3) Connect with those under threat.

4) Support your independent media and social media.

5) Have fun. “Create welcoming, fun, caring, impactful communities for folks to join.” 

Our budding NH Faith & Labor Alliance hits four of these 5 points as do the expanding Immigrant Rights alliances across the state. Clearly there is much to do in terms of our own consciousness-raising; in terms of being Love and Justice Allies at the NH State House; and in terms of being in deep solidarity with front-line workers facing myriad workplace challenges and threats – and this includes the immigrant workers and international student workers in our midst.

If you want to build connections with others who are passionate about matters of justice; if you want to be an ally of those under threat; if you want to be inspired; and if you want have fun while engaging in activities with an impact, here are just a few links for making connections:

 Join with the NH Faith & 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.

 Connect with the NH Immigrant Rights Network convened by AFSC-NH: email

afscnh@afsc.org and ask to be added to the Immigrant Rights Network outreach list.

 Become a member of the NH Conference UCC Immigrant & Refugee Support Group: email irsg.nhcucc@gmail.com for more information about membership.

 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 every

week during the Legislative Session – and contact

economicjustice.nhcucc@gmail.com to be added to the NH

Voices of Faith [in the public square] outreach list.

Overall, in whatever challenging times we face, remember the resolutions above and take them to heart.

SOLIDARITY!

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

JANUARY

BIRTHDAYS

1/1        2025

½         Richard Robinson

1/4       Ben Saunders

1/4      Anna Borchert

1/5      Christine Greenough

1/7      Catherine Norbury Mackey

1/8         Thom Lappin

1/8       Selden Lord

1/9        Charlotte MacNamee

1/9      Birgit Ruppert

1/10     Steve Arcone

1/10     Deborah Robinson

1/11     Anna O’Leary

1/11     Lucas Jameson

1/12     Meg Fauver

1/12     Gedeon Rodriguez

1/12     Lucas Rodriguez

1/12     Kevin Moore

1/13     Pam Annis

1/13     Terry Dewey

1/14     Susan Borchert

1/14     John Custer

1/14     Holly McGovern

1/14     Jeff Good

1/14     Ross Pyer

1/15     Karim Chichakly

1/15     Mary Kardel

1/15     Ella MacLean

1/16     Bill Chappelle

1/16     Rubin Jennings

1/17     Johanna Ruppertsberger

1/17     Andrew Duany

1/17      Jillian Williams

1/18      Hanna Foston

1/18     Allyson Wendt

1/22      Erin Rogers

1/23      Alexys Wilbur

1/23     Greg Marshall

1/24     Ross Pyer

1/24     Olivia Taylor

1/24      Liv Townsend

1/24     Blake Wendt Hennessy

1/25     Maura Hart

1/25      Sawyer Custer

1/27      Kyra Russman-Araya

1/29     Andrew Forbes

1/29      Kassidee Rogers

1/29      Eileen Williams

1/30      Isabella Dill

1/30      Audrey Elder

1/30     Jess Kilgore

1/30     Cedric Elkouh

1/30     Carol Hartman

1/31     Debbie Foltyn

1/31     Samantha Heaton

1/31      Miles Bradley

1/31      Glenn Robinson

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

Into God's Hands

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

  We pray for all who knew and loved Becky Luce -- She passed away last week. We pray for her son, Aaron Luce and all her family. We pray for Dan and Terry Dewey and their family because of the recent death of Terry’s brother Roger Willard; We also pray for Angie Hinton following the death of her mother and Jo-Ellen Courtney following the death of her friend and cousin, Sheila Cook.

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 the NEW YEAR, 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; 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; 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

Congressman Elect

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.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