Notes from the Diaconate

Our Church Fair is coming! Deacons' Donuts will be back to serve you donuts, bagels, coffee, teas, juice, soda and water. Bob and Linda Miner have graciously offered to make hamburgers, hotdogs and sausages outdoors. So come and see us on Saturday October 17, 2009. We are happy to serve you!

Deacons Fund - Please Help

Have you noticed the blue Deacons' Fund envelope in with your pledge envelopes? The Deacons' Fund has been busy this year as many people in our congregation are in critical need. More people than ever before have needed our help. Although the Deacons' Fund use is strictly confidential, the funds are dispersed at the discretion of Rev. Katherine Adams to church members who are in dire need . If you can find it in your heart to help the Deacons' Fund by adding your donation, you will be helping people in our direct church community.

Trustees

Warrant Articles

Anyone wishing to have a Warrant Article discussed at the Oct 14th General Meeting needs to submit the article to the Trustees for review and approval by no later than Sunday, September 27th. The Warrant Article needs to go to the Church Clerk Gerry Healey and must be posted for two concecutive Sundays prior to the General Meeting (Oct 14th).

Church Clean-up

The church clean up beautification day will be held on Saturday Oct. 3rd from 8:00 AM through …. (whenever). If you see something you would like corrected, cleaned, painted, moved or nailed down, please let us know by writing it down and placing it in the Trustees mailbox. If you would like to take this project on but can not attend on Oct 3rd, indicate this on your task and when you, your group, or family can perform this service for your church.

Expenses

We are looking at our 2009 year-to-date expenses in preparation of the 2010 budget spend plan. We ask that all committee chairpersons submit their projected spend plan for next year. We would like to have a good idea of the 2010 expected expenses for the Oct 14th General Meeting.

Below is a chart of our current expenses vs. income as of August 31, 2009.

Financial Picture as of August 31, 2009

Respectfully submitted,
Board of Trustee

FALL WORK DAY TASKS - OCTOBER 3, 2009

Sanctuary
Vacuum, dust & polish pews:_____________________________________
Clean windows, sills & screens (lower storms: ____________________________

Choir loft
Vacuum, dust pews: ____________________________________
Wash windows, sills & screens (lower storms): ___________________________
Dust & polish pipe organ: ____________________________________
Dust electronic organ: ____________________________________

Balcony
Vacuum, dust pews floor & stained glass window:_________________________
Clean & organize entry way, stairs and coat areas: _________________________

Hallway
Dust & polish balustrade: __________________________________________
Clean windows sills & screens (lower storms): ____________________________

Kitchen (Dale Hall)
Refrigerators: __________________________________________
Sinks: __________________________________________
Counters, tables & cabinets: __________________________________________
Wash windows sills & screens: ________________________________________

Dale Hall
Dry and wet mop floor: __________________________________________
Wash windows (inside): __________________________________________
Wash walls: __________________________________________

Kitchen (Parlor)
Refrigerators: __________________________________________
Sinks: __________________________________________
Counters, tables & cabinets: __________________________________________
Wash windows sills & screens: ________________________________________
Wash floor: __________________________________________
Vacuum carpet and upholstered furniture: ________________________________

Classrooms
Wash windows: __________________________________________
" " floors: __________________________________________
" " walls: __________________________________________

OUTSIDE
Parking lot:
Cut back overgrowth: __________________________________________
Sweep up piles of sand: __________________________________________
Paint shed: __________________________________________
*Weed around the building: __________________________________________
Lawn cut & Winterize: __________________________________________
OTHER as needed:

*Be careful of poison ivy under front shrubs

Outreach Committee Report

Outreach Committee Members

Jenny Carmichael, Jackie Gullage, Don Lovegrove, Bonnie McLay, Nita Owin, Bob & Linda Miner, co-chairs

Billerica Pantry
We continue to do a very respectable job with our collection on the first Sunday of each month. On September 6, we collected 100 food items, bringing our quarterly total to 330 items and our 9-month total to around 1,000 items. Our next collection will be on October 4. Please be as generous as you are able.

Donations
We have received recent thank you notes from World Vision and the Society of St. Andrews. World Vision had a foundation that offered to match any gift with a contribution 15 times any amount donated, so our $500 donation leveraged a total contribution of $7,500 to bring food and medicine to Darfur. The Society of St. Andrews gets its food for free so can provide a serving of fruit or vegetables for 2 cents. Our $350 provided 17,500 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables to needy people in the Eastern U.S.

We made 1 new donation of $200 to SEVA a medical organization that provides eye operations and follow-up care to poor, blind people in the developing world. It is estimated that 70% of all blind people can have their sight restored with a simple operation at a cost of … $50.

Stewardship Challenge
All members of the Outreach Committee have completed their "faith promise" cards and turned them over to the Stewardship Committee.

Neighbors in Need
Has there ever been a time when we have been more aware that so many or our neighbors are in need? Those of us who are in a less needy position, who - if we choose to answer God's call - can reach out and help our neighbors, are invited to do so - not out of guilt, but out of thanksgiving for the opportunity to share so that others may have enough to survive in some degree of comfort. Give as God inspires you on Sunday, October 4.

Did You Know That:
1. There are 522,000 hungry people in Massachusetts.
2. In the U.S. you are poor if your income is $17 or less/day. The international measure of poverty is $1.25 or less per day.
3. In the U.S. we toss 106,000 aluminum cans every 30 seconds.

4. If your income is $25,000/yr., you are wealthier than 90% of the world's population. If your income is $50,000/yr., you are wealthier than 99% of the world.

- Bob Miner
for the Outreach Committee

Religious Education

Sunday school started on September 20th. It is not too late to register your child. Registration forms for Sunday school can be found on the church website , or can be found on the Sunday school bulletin.

We would like to thank those individuals who have volunteered their time to teach Sunday school or assist in the nursery this year. We have successfully filled our teaching positions and have adequate coverage for the nursery. We appreciate your time and dedication. We welcome any individuals who are interested in assisting in the nursery or teaching Sunday school on an as needed basis. The curriculum is easy to follow and will be prepared ahead of time. No planning necessary. Please contact Pat Rogers 978-663-8121 if you are interested in teaching or Phyllis Jennings 978-663-8193 if interested in assisting in the nursery.

We are still in need volunteers for hall monitoring to maintain the safety of our children. A sign-up sheet will be posted on the Sunday School bulletin. Parents, please consider signing up for one Sunday as a hall monitor.

Over the past few years, Deb MacEachern has volunteered her time to be the Youth Advisor for the Pilgrim Fellowship program. PF is a religious youth group for children in grades 5 to high school. It is an enriching spiritual program that inspires socialization, stewardship, and environmental awareness through fun activities, while connecting with God. The RE Committee would like to thank Deb for her continued commitment and dedication as Youth Advisor for this upcoming year. Deb has been managing the program for the past few years with minimal assistance. It was recently brought to our attention that additional assistance would be welcomed. The RE Committee is responsible for overseeing the activities of the Pilgrim Fellowship program. We are dedicated to assisting the Youth Advisor to ensure that the children have a fulfilling and inspiring spiritual experience while maintaining adherence to safety and guidelines.

- Dawn Salter

Pilgrim Fellowship

Any adult looking to bring their youthful spirit out by working with the youth of our church, please feel free to volunteer anytime you see something interesting to you. I'm always looking for help at meetings and on trips. All adults are invited to participate in meetings and on trips; (you don't need to have child in the PF group.)

Fall Schedule

September 27 - Parents' Meeting-6PM-8PM
October 4 - Corn Maze 11:30-??(bring bagged lunch and $20.00)
October 11 - Holiday
October 17-18 - Fair help 9AM - 5 PM
October 25 - Plan Halloween party-11:30 - 1:30
October 30 - Set-up for Halloween Party -5:00 - 10:00
October 31 - Halloween party 11-6PF 1:00 - 4:00 Party
November 7 - Lock-in 6pm - 8am ($20)
November 15- Holiday Craft for shut-ins 11:30 - 2:00
November 22 - Polish Sanctuary and set up Angel Tree 11:30 - 2:00
November 27- Movie night for kids potty trained and up 4-10; PF hours 5-9 (youths)

If you are in the 5th grade through the 12th grades and any you would like to attend any of these events, please come with your parents this Sunday from 6:00 to 8:00 to learn more about PF. You do not have to attend all events but you need to let me know one week in advance if you plan on going on any of the trips. In order for this year to be successful, I do need parents to help with transportation to events and to stay for meetings. There will be a sign-up sheet at this meeting so parents, please come with your calendars so that you know when you can help.

Halloween Party

PF will be having a safe Halloween party for kids. It will include food, games, crafts, and safe trick-or-treating. We are looking for people to sponsor a room to greet some of the youth at the door when they go trick-or-treating in the hall. So for all of you that say they don't get any "trick-or-treaters" on Halloween, this is a good way to spend the afternoon and still make it home in case someone does happen to come by. (Signups will be on the PF board).

FREE Pancake breakfast sponsored by the Senior High Class to thank you for your support this last year and to ask for it again as we determine the focus of the Sr High Sunday School Mission Trip for this year.

Please join us on October 25th from 8-9:30 am for free pancakes, sausages, juice and coffee.

Come join us in visioning what this year's trip could be.
Pick up your free tickets from any High School Youth.

All High School youth are eligible for this class, please contact Barbara Daverin 978-663-3115 or the church office 978-663-8433 to learn more

- Barbara Daverin

Stewardship Notes

Over the past several months the Stewardship committee has been asking the question:

The question of where our individual gifts could be best delegated as well as how much can truly be spared is, of course, a question that each of us must weigh in our own hearts. The future is always uncertain but is rarely as bleak, or promising, as expectations would have us believe.

In these final days as we approach decisions regarding our faith offering, we must ask once again: "How can our Treasure, Time and Talents be best utilized to assist in obtaining those things we hold most dear?" What great benefits could my gifts bestow upon others this day?"

For the Stewardship Committee,
David Rappoli

Aim Hi

NEXT MEETING: Thursday, October 15 at 12 noon.

Craft Nights - Fair Preparation: Wednesdays

Please join us on Wednesday nights to make and share ideas for the Craft Fair to be held October 17.

We are asking members of the congregation to bake for "Our Daily Bread". Please donate cakes, pies, cupcakes, cookies, jams, jellies, fudge and breads. Please help to make our fair on October 17 a success. Thank you!

We encourage the congregation to use the addresses below and send a short note or greeting card to these young people while they are away from home. It means so much to them and their families. We are glad to report that Chad Hildreth, previously on the list, is back home!

Notes from the Music Committee

Our choirs are always welcoming new participants. The senior choir rehearses Fridays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 9:15 am. Junior choir rehearsals start Oct. 4 at 9:30. Try it you might like it!

If you have other musical talents that you'd be willing to share, talk to Rev. Katherine or music director Ginny.

- Phyllis Jennings, Music Com. Sec'y

Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend

WANT TO GET CLOSER TO THE ONE YOU LOVE?

The Marriage Encounter Weekend is an opportunity to enhance your communication with your spouse and rekindle that spark that brought you together in the first place.

Registrations are now being accepted for the next scheduled weekend in our New England area, November 13-15, 2009 at the 4 Points Sheraton in Meriden, CT.

For more information or a registration form, contact Lynne and Bruce Hildreth at 978-663-4727 or Hildreth4@comcast.net. Register soon and give your spouse the greatest gift of all - yourself.

PASSAGES: Births, Baptisms, Weddings and Memorial Services

United Church of Christ News

October 17 is the annual meeting of the Massachusetts conference. One topic is "What is the Still speaking God calling the UCC in Massachusetts to be in the next few years?" Your ideas about this should be shared with our delegates, Bob Slack and Phyllis Jennings, or Rev. Katherine.

The United Church News is ending its print edition and going all electronic. Information and many resources are available on line (www.macucc.org/subscribe). There are many other resources at the macucc.org site and the ucc.org national site. For example, a daily Bible reading and thought for the day is found in the daily devotional section at ucc.org. There is also an on-line prayer chapel.

Phyllis Jennings
MACUCC delegate

Flowers: October

October 4 - Given by the Phippen family in memory of Laurence and Dorothea Phippen
On the piano, flowers are given in loving memory on the first anniversary of the death of my beloved late husband, Michael M. Battcock, Sr., by his wife, Enda, and his beloved family.
On the lectern, flowers are given by Robert and Stephanie MacKinnon in memory of loved ones.

October 11 - Given by Marlene Richards and children in loving memory of George and Bobbie Richards.
October 18 - Open
October 25 - Given by Andrew and Phyllis Jennings in memory of Natalie and Raymond Ashwell

If you would like to donate flowers any Sunday, please call Jeannette at 978-663-6804.

Help Wanted

FROM Penny, Brian, Jessica and Jordan Hurley

Thank you to all of you who kept Jordan and our family in their thoughts and prayers, sent cards, and helped us out following her accident. What a wonderful support system we have for one another! Jordan is doing very well, and is at University of Vermont as a freshman, enjoying the beautiful Green Mountains and Lake Champlain while she begins to pursue environmental studies in her courses. She is hoping to get clearance from her doctors to start running and exercising again soon. Thanks again for everything.

FROM ALISON

THANKS TO Edna Battcock, Audrey Schwartz, and Edna McDewell for their help in the delivery of the September issue of The Lantern!

Lantern on the Web

The Lantern is on the web each month in its entirety. To reduce our mailing costs, if you would like to read it on line at http://www.firstcongo.org instead of having the newsletter mailed, please let me know.

Thank you and love, Alison

Next Lantern Deadline: Sunday, October 18

The newsletter written and mailed the week of October 18th will include the end of October and November news

The next newsletter will be sent out the week of November 15th.