June 2021
e-Lation!
Words from Sean
27 Pleasant Street . . . Our Church

I am at the church. The internet is down. The phones are down. The parking lot is empty. I decided to leave the air conditioning behind and go out in front of the church and sit for awhile to think about this eLation newsletter devotion that stubbornly refuses to be born.

When I walked to the front of the church I found people! Three people to be exact, waiting in the shade. I thought about going and striking a conversation up with someone but my old uncomfortable evangelical story visited me and kept my gregarious manner at bay. What if they think I am a religious nut job? What if they thought I was weird? What if I made them uncomfortable? 

So … I did the next best thing. I sat, watched and listened. What I noticed was how many people pass by in front of the church on a sunny summer day. I realized that 27 Pleasant Street was not just the address of our church, but it is a bus stop as well. More importantly, to take on another perspective, it is a bus stop that happens to be the address of a church. Do you see that shift? There is a sign with the bus schedule on it. People are regularly appearing in front of a church. “Our” church!

As I sat there absorbed in my own thinking one of the men came up to me and started talking to me. I love it when God has a sense of humor. We talked about the bus being late. Not a profound conversation, but a profound lesson for me. Who are the people waiting at the bus stop? They are literally sitting on the front steps of a church at 27 Pleasant Street … “Our” church. Do we know them?

I am not suggesting we start proselytizing or even jump into action mode. What I am suggesting is we at South Church need at least a hundred (just made that up) Copernican perspective shifts just like this one in order for us to explore who God is calling us to be and how God is calling us to serve our world. To some 27 Pleasant Street is a bus stop that has nice shade on a hot summer day … oh and I think there is some kind of church there.

I challenge myself and I challenge you to simply notice. Leave what is familiar and notice a different perspective when it comes to our church and our existence in Concord. What do you experience when you set aside the familiar? Noticing is the beginning of renewal and change.
Get Movin' 184 Challenge
The 184 Challenge a Huge Success!!
 
With thanks to the 47 participants who took on the Challenge and their 97 sponsors, many of whom are friends of South Church, we are happy to announce that the 184 Challenge raised a grand total of $10,331.44 more than double our goal!  Participants, what a creative combination of activities and unique applications of the numbers 1,8 and 4 you dreamed up!  Thank you for finding safe ways to share joy and hope after a year of confinement and loss.  (We‘ve already had inquiries from other congregations who are considering using this model for their fundraisers.). We are looking forward to what the 2022 Get Movin' 185 Challenge will bring.
 
Here are the numbers:
 47 Participants took on the Challenge.  There were:
 (7) Kayakers/Canoers (7) Hoop shooters
 (6) Bikers (6) Hikers
 (5) Walkers (3) Motorcycle riders
 (2) Swimmers (2) Bakers
 (1) Wheelchair rider (1) Peloton rider
 (1) Tricycle rider (1) Jump roper
 (1) Runner (1) Rollerblader
 (1) Rower (1) Yard worker
 (1) Bench Presser

See some of their pictures below...
Yorke Peeler and Judy Forest walked 18.4 miles.
Don Hayes led Havenwood Heritage Height residents on 18.4 miles hikes over the last month.
Don Hayes led a group of residents from Havenwood Heritage Height on 18.4 miles bike rides on the Northern Rail Trail.
Sean Dunker-Bendigo, Peggy Scott & Cindy Rogers rode 184 miles on their motorcycles.
Celeste McQuarrie and
Chris Lanzara walked 80 minutes
in four different sites.

The Confirmation Class had a shoot out. Aidan Ciminesi, Alex McPherson, Will McPherson, Nick Robie, Brianna Blake, Avery Sahr and Madison Mayo.
Susan Hatem took one hike, did 8 hours of yard work and baked 4 dozen cookies.
Laura Ciminesi baked/shared
1 cake, 8 loaves of bread and
4 dozen cookies.
Sue Marcotte-Jenkins swam
184 laps in her pool.
The Paddlers kayaked on the Merrimack River for 3.86 miles in 1.84 hours.Glenn Vodra, Keri Yankus, Kathy Daniels, Liz & Al Garlo and Peg & David Wenzel.
Laurie and Jed Rardin
biked 18.4 miles.
Leanne Tigert and Cal Genzel hiked 14.8 miles.
Events and Activities
Annual Meeting
Sunday, June 13

Annual Meeting will be held virtually after the 9:00 a.m. service. Hope to see you all there.
To Mars and Beyond VBS

We invite voyagers on a space travel adventure to explore where God’s power can take them. Along the journey, voyagers learn the stories of Daniel; Esther, the Good Samaritan, Jesus Heals and the Journey to Emmaus. Each day, our voyagers will reach for the stars and encounter the limitless power and love of God. In the mornings there will be a realm of stories, songs, crafts and games. In the afternoons, we will explore the story in unique ways. We will travel on local field trips, possibly a hike in Concord and the Discovery Center as a way to witness God’s gifts before our eyes and beyond. We will be hosting a Vacation Bible School the week of August 16 to August 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Throughout the week, we will be outside as much as possible. If we need to be inside we will wear mask. The cost is $40 per child. To sign-up check out our website by Sunday, June 13. For questions or more information please contact Alison Nyhan.
Summer Reading Recommendation
No Time Like the Future:
An Optimist Considers Mortality 

The entire world knows Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, the teenage sidekick of Doc Brown in Back to the Future; as Alex P. Keaton in Family Ties; as Mike Flaherty in Spin City; and through numerous other movie roles and guest appearances. Diagnosed at age 29, Michael is equally engaged in Parkinson’s advocacy work, raising global awareness of the disease and helping find a cure through The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. His new memoir reassesses his outlook, as events in the past decade presented additional challenges.
 
In No Time Like the Future, Michael shares personal stories and observations about illness and health; aging; the strength of family and friends; and how our perceptions about time affect the way we approach mortality. Thoughtful and moving, but with Fox’s trademark sense of humor, his book provides a vehicle for reflection about our lives, our loves, and our losses. While each person with Parkinson's has a unique set of symptoms and strengths, given Jed Rardin's PD diagnosis a few years ago, this very accessible book is a good way for us as a congregation to experience one person's story.  Jed will host a Zoom conversation about the book and about his own journey with Parkinson's on Wednesday, September 1 at 4:30 pm. To register email Jed. A copy of the book is available online or at Gibson's (mention the South Church book study and receive a discount).  
Fourth Grade Bibles

Here at South Church, we believe that fourth graders are at a point in their spiritual development where they can understand and truly appreciate the Bible. We give them their own Bible to use during class and to keep for their own. If your son/daughter is entering fourth grade this fall and is interested in receiving a Bible, please contact Alison.
White Like Me

All South Church members are encouraged to view the 2013 documentary White Like Me.  This is a 69-minute film that features anti-racist educator Tim Wise who authored a book of the same title. It explores the subject of white privilege in the U.S.—its role in the growth of the American middle class after World War II and how it has contributed to the perpetuation of racism in our American society—our lives, our politics, and social policies. 
 
With a public library card, the film is also available to view at no cost through Kanopy.com. Or to view the film on YouTube, simply paste this link into your browser.
 
On Tuesday, June 29 at 7:30 p.m., Sue Marcotte-Jenkins will host an hour-long gathering on Zoom to discuss the film. Please be sure to watch the movie prior to the discussion and register for the event on-line. Please contact Sue if you have any questions. Once you sign-up Sue will send you the Zoom link to the discussion.
Ministries
Moment of Mission
Families and Promises

The South Church Council has made a promise on behalf of our church family; they voted to provide two or three families in care of Family
Promise of Greater Concord a place to stay the week of August 8 to13. We have long supported
efforts to end homelessness. We hosted individual adults in need of winter overnight shelter for years and continue to contribute funds to the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness. In support and celebration, the Faith in Action Ministry has designated the Family Promise organization as June’s Monthly Mission.
 
Family Promise's mission is to assist families out of homelessness. It defines families as one parent and one dependent child. Families entering the program are working to stay together, to provide a safe environment for their children and gain economic independence. They must be drug-free, have transportation and a source of income. The Family Promise Resource Center allows families daytime access to showers, a play space, job skills and house hunting. It's a four-year-old organization that is part of a nationwide, interfaith network. In Greater Concord, 13 faith communities serve as host sites on a rotating basis.  
 
South Church also raised money for Family Promise by designating it one of the three Christmas "Alternative Gift Giving'' opportunities. Our goal is that we will be hosting guests the week of August 8 to13 from 5:30p.m. to 7:30a.m. Our members Peggy Scott and Cindy Rogers will serve as coordinators for the week. As part of our church family, perhaps you could promise a Monthly Mission donation, breakfast items, a prepared dinner, or your overnight presence. 
For more information contact Peggy Scott.
Church Community
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Congratulations

We want to say congratulations to the High School Class of 2021. We are so proud of your hard work and dedication as you conquered the challenges as they appear. Stay strong and remember we will be thinking of you as you begin the next part of your life journey.
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June Birthdays
We want to wish our members who have
June Birthdays 

“A Very Happy Birthday!!”

If we missed your birthday that means it wasn’t in the directory; so please send it to Peg Wenzel.
June 3
Lou Rosenthall

June 4
Joyce Gamsby

June 5
Chris Caswell II and
Heidi Hallonquist

June 8
Amanda Grady-Sexton
and Holly Weston

June 9
Serena Sadowski
and Greg Watson

June 10
Kathryn Bradley, Cameron Burbank, Marion Frost and
David Jordan

June 11
Thom Bloomquist and
Faye Dunn Craighead

June 13
Esther Cleary, Deb Kimball
and Andi Lantiegne
June 15
Rick Lord and Jason Teaster

June 16
Cheryl Nickerson, Hank Osborne, Bonnie Ota and Tyler Smart

June 17
Faye Buttrick, Warren Emley
and Caeleb Minnaugh

June 20
Mason Elle-Gelernter
and Cindy Rogers

June 23
Pegi Frostholm

June 24
Frank Betchart and
Brooke Simonton

June 26
Andrea Reid and Eric Ward

June 28
Sherry Burbank, Ron Haigh
and Hannah Hast

June 30
Eileen Gfroerer and Robert Harlow
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Prayers
Please keep the following people in your thoughts and prayers...

For all of the young adults that graduated and are starting on a new adventure.

Cheryl Simmers, who is recovering from several difficult surgeries in just two weeks.

Franklin Conley, who lost a friend to an overdose. 

In Memoriam:
Erik Wheeler, the son of Dianna Powers.   
Rev. Hal Harrison (There will be a Concord-area service of remembrance for Hal in the near future. Further information will follow.)

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.
Summer Church Services
June, July and August
8 a.m. - Outdoor and in-person worship service
9 a.m. - Virtual worship service via Zoom
Summer Office Hours
Monday: Time varies (call the office)
Tuesday: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday: Closed