Meriden Congregational Church Newsletter

NOVEMBER 2024

Volume 7 Number 11

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
• November Calendar
• Special Events:

Nov. 3rd 10:00 am Communion Sunday - Remembrance Day

Nov. 9th - 6:00pm - Harvest Dinner Potluck

Nov. 17th 10:00am - Sunday Worship-Return your Pledge Form

Nov. 19th 7:00pm - Men's Group

Dec. 1 10:00am - Sunday Worship-

Return your Christmas Smiles Gifts

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

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



It is a joy to be here with you, getting to know you, learning from you, and exploring together what God is calling you to be and do in this new journey. The Stewardship theme for this year is Imagine Together. That is precisely what we will be doing.

Steve and I attended the NH Conference Annual Meeting at Geneva Point last Saturday. The keynote speaker lifted up his vision for the church -- a blending of faith and action. I realized as I listened that he was describing this church. You are really remarkable people. But it also speaks about the extraordinary pastoral leadership you've had. It is a joy to be here with you.

David

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

LEADERSHIP COVERAGE

Points of Contact for Leadership Areas

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 and Friday 1-2:30.

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 above)

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

November Calendar

French's Ledges, Meriden, NH

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 THE HARVEST DINNER ON NOVEMBER 9TH AT 6:00PM IN THE PARISH HOUSE. We will have turkey, stuffing, and all the Thanksgiving Holiday fixings--Bring a dish to share or just bring yourself and a friend--ALL ARE WELCOME.

Thanks to Jerry Judd, Cathy Rodriguez and family, Anne Cragin, and Ed Cousineau for ushering in October. Sign up to usher at the sign up sheet in the back of the church.

HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US THIS NOVEMBER!

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!!

Kelsey and Charlotte and Christmas Smiles Tags

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

MCC Young Families November Meet-ups

Saturday November 9th at 6:00 pm

Downstairs in the Parish House

Young Families are invited to come to the Harvest Dinner Potluck. After eating the children and adults can go downstairs for some conversation and play time.

Larissa Pyer

For Spiritual Formation Ministry

larissa.pyer@gmail.com

Book Study Group is Starting

The book study will meet on Monday or Wednesday afternoon. To get a list of the books being considered contact Secretary@meridenucc.org. The group is open to MCC people or those outside MCC. Hopefully we will start in November sometime.

November 2024

Dear Friends,

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

Throughout November we will imagine 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 will ask us to reflect upon our generosity of spirit. Then on the 17th, we will gather to commit our pledges of financial support and dedicate them to God’s ministry here in Meriden and in

our wider communities.

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 will receive 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 Swensen 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 NOVEMBER, 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 and Friday 1-2:30 pm. I plan to be in the church office at (603-469-3235)

Report of the Assistant Treasurers

 As of October 20th, we have received $1940 in pledge payments, We have received $481 in Plate payments. In addition, we have received $600 in event income. The monthly total was $3021. All of these were for 2024. The amounts collected this year so far are a total of $95,337.

Thanks for your donations!!

In addition, we have received $1,001 for Neighbor in Need payments and $250 for the Crop Walk.



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 November 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 November 7th 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.

Claremont Soup Kitchen Bill Chapelle 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. November 23rd is the next opportunity. Please let Bill know if you are able to assist. (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

Our church is a member of the NH Immigrant Solidarity Network. Organizations include GSOP, AFSC, and clergy. It is interfaith and non-partisan. Please contact me 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 continue on Wednesday afternoons, from 4:00 to 4:30 PM, and all are welcome to join us anytime.

In solidarity and hope, 

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

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

Thoughts from Worker Justice Minister Gail Kinney

Let God's Voice Speak Through Our Vote – and Through Our Actions in the Days After

It is not hyperbole to say that worker justice and worker rights are on the ballot on

November 5 – nor to say that racial justice and immigrant justice and climate justice

public education and all aspects of social and economic justice writ large are on the

ballot. This year, our denomination, the United Church of Christ, has joined multiple ecumenical and an interfaith partners in urging people of faith to think deeply about

the stakes not just on Nov. 5 but during all the days thereafter and to let God’s voice and God’s justice be heard through our earthly votes and actions. There is

thoughtful discernment to be found through the UCC’s

Our Faith, Our Voice, Our Voice initiative (see https://www.ucc.org/vote-faithfully-2024/ for inspiration!).

Here is just a small sampling of the prayerful words shared therein. May we all find the call of our faith here….

Did you know that in the Bible the word for "vote" and the

word for "voice" are the same word? … We need to use our vote and let God speak

through our votes! Vote for justice and let God speak through our votes. Vote for love and let God speak through our votes. Vote for health care and let God speak through our votes. Vote for justice and truth and let God speak through our votes.

It’s time for America to hear righteousness speak. To hear love speak. To hear truth

speak. Your vote…is theological. God gave it to you!

— Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign and

President of Repairers of the Breach, youtu.be/9n2xiYl4IeQ

We may not have chosen to live in such times, but since we are here, let us live our

lives in such ways that our descendants will remember us with gratitude. And they will give thanks that we gave our last full measure that they might have life and have it more abundantly; and have a life that is worth having.

— Rev. Dr. Stephen G. Ray Jr., former 13th President of Chicago Theological

Seminary, youtu.be/oKAVl-SM7aQ

There are many voices that call for our fear. [But] we will listen to Jesus’ words, “Don’tbe afraid!’” There are many voices that call for our hate. [But] we will listen to Jesus’ call to “Love God and love our neighbor.” There are many voices that call for our silence. [But] we will listen to the prophet’s challenge to be repairers of the breach. We join together in this season to “Vote with Love.” [We must] go now into an uncertain future, confident of God’s love. Trust that no matter what, the covenants of community will hold. Go and “Vote with Love.”

— Rev. Amber Henry Neuroth, Pastor, Hope UCC, Alexandria, VAWorker Justice

NOVEMBER

BIRTHDAYS

11/1       Jo Evarts

11/2       Anne (Thorburn) Grover

11/2       Ian Gregory-Davis

11/4      Anne Cousineau

11/4      Walt Hawkins

11/5      Gemma Mills

11/6       Sarah Joy Walker

11/8       Kelsey McGovern

11/8       Rachael Ouellett

11/8       Alison Schubert

11/8       Jim Schubert

11/9      Chentel McGraw

11/9       Ben Healy

11/10     Keith Marzilli-Ericson

11/13     Abigail Chellis

11/13     John (Jack) Taylor

11/13    Kyle Hines

11/13    Laura Hines

11/13     Harrison Beaupre

11/14     Bob Annis

11/14    Piper Keen

11/14     Richard Pullen

11/15     Julia Borchert

11/15    Gail Kinney

11/15     Andrea Feid

11/16     Harrison Currier

11/18     Jeannie Hines

11/18     Ken Johnson

11/18    Sharon Zuckerman

11/19     Lauren Hadley

11/19     Grayson Hardy

11/19     Kathy Harding

11/20     Catherine Garfield Legare

11/20     Tanya Cattabriga

11/21     Olivia Fauver

11/21    Brian Hampton

11/23     Phil Brady

11/23     Karen (Phelps) Prior

11/24    Martha Zoerheide

11/24    Verna Svensen

11/24    Amy Healy

11/25    Steven Zuckerman

11/27     Steve Jameson

11/28     Shanti Giampa

11/28     Sonja Wolke

11/28     Jordan Sraeel

11/28    Jordan Moore

11/29     Paul Franklin

11/29    Larissa Pyer

11/30     Kevin Ramos-Glew

NOVEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

11/6  Amy & Thom Lappin

11/16 Nathaniel Custer & Daniela Bailey

11/22 Charles & Thembi Mhlauri

11/25 Elaine & Jim Lenz

Tenderly Held in our Hearts and Prayers

  As the leaves change and we start our journey into Fall, 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 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; Dan Beaupre’; 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 and her daughter, Wendy; Joan Burch; Suzanne Lenz; Judy Croitoru; Chris Dye; and Linda Perkins’ friends, Dorothy, Albert, and 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’sUncle 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 and 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 and 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 and refugees seeking sanctuary and welcome throughout our world, that we may be among those who offer an oasis of hospitality and 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 summer ends and harvest begins, so too have our hearts ached with the loss of dearly beloved friends and relatives of our faith community.

We pray for Debbie Foltyn and her family because of the recent death of Ed Foltyn. Before they moved to Oregon they were an integral part of this church.

As each of these dearly departed ones have 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.

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