e-Lation! November 25, 2020 |
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A Reflection from Derek Waldron |
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“Give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18
For the wind in the sky
Turning this world
Guiding us through
The eternity that is time
For the sky and the earth
Illuminating, enabling
The paths in which we glide
For peace, for love
For laughter and joy
For those blonde little heads
Flying by on time stood still
I am thankful for
I sing praises to the Divine
Within and around
This soul at ease
Without and alone
I shriek and am cursed
I am not thankful for
Seizing with malice
For those stepping upon our backs
For vitriol and shame
For depression, for hate
The hard fought dreams
Oppressing, denying
For the pain and the struggle
From one life to the next
Destroying this age
Covering as a shadow
For the death that spreads
Either read from top to bottom or bottom to top. Each reading reflects the struggles we may find during this time and season. Giving thanks can be easy when life is good and your worries are light on the wind. It becomes much harder as the stress weight presses down. I wrote this reflecting on the struggle and ease in which I am able to give thanks. I wrote this for those who have much to give thanks for and for those who do not. Sometimes we are able to give thanks in the midst of our struggles, finding the silver lining or the lesson to be learned. Sometimes we see the justice withheld, the oppressive forces smiling down with glee, and there is no room for thankful devotion. I wrote this poem honoring both. For me, too much in either direction causes blind spots and despair. I honor both to find my soul troubled and at ease.
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Church Events and Activities |
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Thanksgiving "Open House"
Since we all are more or less home bound this Thanksgiving, Laurie and Jed would love to have you "drop in" for a short virtual open house gathering on Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m to 11:30 a.m.
If you are spending the day alone, or if you just would like a brief moment to connect with your South Church family, they would love to see you. Feel free to invite a friend or two if you like. Simply click here to join us Thursday, or follow the link on the website.
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On Sunday, October 24, seven of our youth were Confirmed at the Church of the Woods in Canterbury. Welcome Roy Annis; Sage Konstantakos; Molly Nyhan; Michael Pelletier; Rachel Pelletier; Christopher Renaud; and Ali Sargent. Here are a few pictures from the days' events. |
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Enjoy the Advent season with a few virtual workshops. We will be offering three evenings that will allow us to embrace the Advent season in meaningful and practical ways. |
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Wreath Making
Monday, November 30
6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
We will be making traditional Christmas wreaths using greenery and ribbon. Kits (which will include a wreath frame, wire, greenery and ribbon) will be available for pick up prior to the event. Alison will be leading us via zoom to show you how to create your wreath. Please register on-line so we have enough supplies for all those interested.
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Ornament Making
Monday, December 7
6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
We will be making pine cone owls. Kits (which will include a pine cone, felt, wiggly eyes, string, and ribbon) will be available for pick up prior to the event. Joanne Miles-Holmes will be leading us via zoom to show you how to create your ornament. Please register on-line so we have enough supplies for all those interested.
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Sing-Along
Monday, December 14
6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
We will have a Christmas Hymn sing-along. Sue Berlenbach and members of the choir will be leading us via zoom. Please register on-line so we can plan accordingly.
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Children's Advent Bulletins
His Name is Jesus: These fun-to-use children’s bulletins provide interactive ways for children to learn the many names we have for our promised Savior. Each set contains pictures to color, games, puzzles, and bible verses that prepare your children for Jesus’ birth.
(Perfect for young children ages 3-8).
If you would like a set for your child, please email Alison.
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Virtual Bingo
On Sunday, December 13 spend an hour playing Virtual Bingo from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. We will be live via zoom. If you want to play you will need to pick up your bingo sheets prior to the event.
Please join Alison and other South Church Families for this fun, social hour. This event is open to all members of all ages. You don’t have to register for this event, but if you do it will be helpful to know who to expect. If you need Bingo sheets contact Alison.
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Chit Chat
It's been a while. Grab a cup of coffee, tea or water and maybe a snack on Tuesday, December 15 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.. Spend an hour catching up with Alison. We will be live via zoom. You don’t have to register for this event, but if you do it will be helpful to know who to expect.
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Alternative Gift Giving
Food, shelter and safety . . . These three basic human needs were issues for Mary, Joseph and their newborn son on the First Christmas and continue to be issues for families today. In response, the Faith in Action Ministry has identified three New Hampshire nonprofit organizations working in New Hampshire as recipients of South Church's Alternative Christmas Giving project.
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New Hampshire Food Bank ~ As the only food bank in the state, it is a vital distributor and supplier to the hunger relief agencies that serve meals and provide groceries to people experiencing the negative impacts of not having enough to eat. On average, these agencies receive 50% of their food from the NH Food Bank. In 2019, the NH Food Bank distributed approximately 14.2 million pounds of non-perishable food items, fresh produce, and meats to more than 400 non-profit food agencies in all corners of NH.
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Family Promise ~ This nonprofit organization helps homeless and low-income families achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response. They provide temporary housing, meals and support services to each family. With help from over 500 volunteers, families are able to sleep safely and have one less worry about how they will feed their children in a healthy way.
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CASA of NH ~ Court Appointed Special Advocates are trained, caring adult volunteers who become a consistent figure in the life of a child who has been removed from home due to abuse or neglect. They are someone a child can depend on to make sure their voice is heard and needs met in the process of reunification or long-term placement. The advocate becomes the “eyes and ears” of the court, making independent, objective recommendations to the judge based on information they gather through meeting with the child, their parents, foster parents, social workers, school teachers, and therapists.
You can buy a "share" in honor of one (or more) of the people on your gift list, you can share the joy of giving with your honoree and help people in need.
Here’s how to purchase your gifts today:
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Check out church website at to select one of the three organizations.
- You can pay on-line by clicking on the organization of your choice and purchase as many "shares" as you want.
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Or you can download and print an order form to mail or delivery to the church office with a check payable to South Church. On the memo line write Alternative Gift Giving. Order forms will also be available in the side entrance of the church.
- Once you placed an order, download an announcement to mail to the person in whose name you are making the gift for.
That's it! South Church sends your donation to the organization you designated. You mail/wrap your announcement to your honoree. May the blessings we share make this a happier Christmas for all. Should you have any questions, please call the church office.
Faith in Action Ministry - Susan Hatem, Peggy Scott and Pauline Simonton
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Prayers
Please keep the following people in your thoughts and prayers....
Family! Thanksgiving will look different this year, but it's important to keep our small gatherings cheerful. This shall pass.
In memoriam: Nancy Sears who recently passed away. Please hold Becca and Charlie Cleary's family in your prayers.
Those waiting to be tested and awaiting results for Covid19.
Becky Jospheson, Derek Waldron and Israel Cawley, our Members in Discernment as they each progress toward ordination.
If you would like the congregation to pray for someone and be added to our prayer list, please contact Lou-Ann Poirier. She will also make Jed aware of your prayers.
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Helping Hands
Edna Elle's family is would love to have some meals provided and delivered to their home. Please follow this link to sign up. Edna would also like to receive some emails as she would love to see how everyone is doing.
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Capital Region Food Program
Tuesday, December 1
11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The Capital Region Food Program has partnered with Constantly Pizza for an all day fundraiser on December 1 to benefit the Holiday Food Basket Project and Year Round Distribution Project.
Show this flyer when you order from either of Constantly Pizza's two locations, and they will donate 20% of your bill to the Capital Region Food Program.
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Ambassadors of Joy
The Senior High Youth group has continued their mission of being Ambassadors of Joy. Recently, they painted and decorated pumpkins for the Concord Hospital Psychiatric unit. This is a voluntary 12 bed in-patient psychiatric unit which treats a number of diagnoses, including depression, anxiety, bipolar and borderline personality disorder and substance abuse. Lengths of stay can be three days and are typically not longer than two weeks. Patients are engaged in groups throughout the day which highlight coping strategies, mindfulness, and approaches to interpersonal relationships. They also engage in recreational activities, daily walks and have access to a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurses, social worker, chaplain and substances abuse counselors. The overall philosophy of care is rooted in compassion and acceptance, with an emphasis on helping each patient gain the skills, insight and awareness they need to live a life which is meaningful and purposeful. The staff provides each patient genuine care and a team approach towards treatment. In 2019, 394 patients were treated in this unit.
When Kate Morse, the Concord Hospital Chaplin, approached Psychiatric unit (5-West) to ask if they would be receptive to receiving painted pumpkins donated by South Church, the response was an enthusiastic YES! The staff works hard to provide a comfortable atmosphere throughout the unit. The addition of the pumpkins promised to be both festive and home-like. The pumpkins also sent a clear message that South Church cares about the patients, is thinking of them, and wants the very best for them. The uplifting messages painted on the pumpkins of hope, love, care and calm promote the overall approach to care on the unit, and help remind patients that they matter. Not only were patients uplifted by the painted pumpkins, but the staff expressed their thanks and appreciation. They talked about how nice it was of the youth to think of them.
The beauty of this project is that it not only benefited patients, but staff as well. The global pandemic has placed considerable stress on hospital staff, and these inspirational pumpkins remind staff- and the work they do on a daily basis- has not been forgotten. Kate Morse shared with 5-West staff Senior High Youth Group's commitment to being ambassadors of joy throughout the wider Concord community, which was greeted with both appreciation and gratitude. The world needs more people committed to being ambassadors of joy in this world, one inspirational and painted pumpkin at a time.
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The Office Hours for entering the building are
Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and Thursdays 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The Church Office will be closed November 25, 26 and 27 for Thanksgiving.
However, if you need to enter the building, please call the office to let them know you will be arriving and please wear a mask and use hand sanitizer.
We will have masks and sanitizer available if needed.
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