March 2007 - North Church
Transcription
March 2007 - North Church
The Bellman MarchMarch 2007 2007 Page 1 The Bellman North Church of Portsmouth 603.436.9109 MSSF Campaign We’re only about $35,000 away from our target of $1 million and we’re still working hard to get to the top! If you have not had the opportunity to contribute to the church campaign or are aware of relatives and friends of the church that wish to make contributions, now is the time! The people of North Church started this project believing that each person and family would make the difference. The results of the church campaign ($525,000) and now the Market Square Steeple Fund campaign ($965,000 to date) make it clear that we were right. If you can help take us to this last goal, you will be celebrating the work of many people. On May 20th, a celebration of this historic project will take place in Market Square at the church. All church members are invited and will be encouraged to attend. Details will follow soon. Temple Israel invites you to an Adult Education Event March 14 at 7:30 in the Parish House Chapel The speaker for this March 14th event is David Frankfurter (M.T.S. Harvard Divinity School, 1986; Ph.D. Princeton University, 1990) is Professor of Religious Studies and History at the University of New Hampshire. He says of his topic: I will discuss the ideas and events that led me to write my 2006 book Evil Incarnate: Rumors of Demonic Conspiracy and Satanic Abuse in History (Princeton University Press). The Satanic Ritual Abuse panic of the 1990s brought to the national mind fantasies about secret cannibalistic devil-worshippers that go back two thousand years to rumors about Jews and early Christians under the Roman empire. The same ideas came up through the middle ages and renaissance in the form of the Jewish blood libel and the witch-hunts. In every case, people have been certain that such cults exist and prey on children and society, and evidence is concocted to "prove" their existence, leading to the incarceration or death of many thousands of innocent people. Why have these rumors persisted even into modern secular society? And how do we compare them across different historical epochs? This is the topic of Evil Incarnate. (Copies are available at RiverRun Bookstore on Market Street in Portsmouth and Water Street Bookstore in Exeter, which the author will be glad to sign.) The Bellman Page 2 March 2007 Sunday Worship in March In this month’s issue: Temple Israel Event Cover From the Pastor 3 One Great Hour of Sharing 4 Dates to Watch For 5 Mission & Stewardship 5 Market Square Renovation & Cabinet News 6 North Church Women’s Retreat 7 Children’s Pages 8&9 Parish Life Happenings 10 March in Christian Education 11 North Church Women & Music Search 12 Thank Yous & Graduate Info 13 Birthday’s & Anniversaries 14 Daylight Savings Time begins on MARCH 11TH @ 2AM. This is three weeks earlier than usual. As a reminder, a Federal Energy Bill was authorized in 2005 stating that DST would begin earlier in 2007 as an experiment to see if energy consumption would be cut. This bill also impacts “Fall Back” which will happen on Nov. 4th at 2am, a week later than usual. March 4: Holy Communion Second Sunday in Lent Chapel: 9:00 AM Market Square Sanctuary: 10:30 AM Lectionary: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Phil 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35 March 11: Third Sunday in Lent Chapel: 9:00 AM Market Square Sanctuary: 10:30 AM Baptisms Lectionary: Isaiah 55:1-9; Psalm 63:1-8; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9 March 18: One Great Hour of Sharing Dedication Fourth Sunday in Lent Chapel: 9:00 AM Market Square Sanctuary: 10:30 AM Lectionary: Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 March 25: Fifth Sunday in Lent Chapel: 9:00 AM Market Square Sanctuary: 10:30 AM Lectionary: Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalm 126, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8 Deacon on Duty at the Parish House: Norm Henderson Deacon on Duty at Market Square: Harry MacLean Coffee Hour Schedule Thank you to everyone for your help in providing this fellowship! March 4: Properties Maintenance March 11: 5th—8th Grade Youth Group March 18: NEED VOLUNTEER March 25: NEED VOLUNTEER The Bellman Page 3 March 2007 Thou doest stand on the other side of every door. Thou doest wait on the other side of every moment. Here we are now, Lord. Open our eyes. Amen. ~Edward Tyler~ Over the years my sister has given me various books of prayers. For sometime now I’ve known that one was missing—just a slim little volume of short prayers organized month by month that I just couldn’t seem to find. But I missed it. In the course of some rearranging that is slowly being accomplished at the house, the book has reappeared. The inscription in it tells me that Deb gave it to me 25 years ago when I had just started seminary. A lot has happened in that quarter century. I have changed. The institution of the church has changed. The world has changed. But, while some of its language is not inclusive, this little book of prayers continues to speak to the deep places in my soul. I wasn’t really gone very long from the everydayness of my life, but the recovery time did offer me a breath of perspective that I hope will benefit all of us as we travel together. A number of experiences in the short three weeks apart opened my eyes and restored me to my center— that place where the “still, small voice” abides—the voice that is at its most eloquent when we are quiet enough and receptive enough to contemplate what it is saying. Of all the things that this season of the church year is about, it is perhaps the idea of contemplation of which we most need to be reminded. These Lenten days are traditionally days of penitence, sacrifice and reflection. All of those actions require time out and real attention. We cannot accomplish any of them once and for all, but we can intentionally focus on the reality of our need to seek forgiveness, our need to give up things precious to us for the sake of clarity and well-being, our need to contemplate what life means for us and others in this time in history. And we can seek a deeper awareness of what God has done for us—an awareness we regularly misplace. It is important to stop and listen for the “still, small voice” that gives us perspective on what God is doing and what we are doing as individuals, as church, as society. The wisest among us manage time and life so that each day includes moments of mediation on matters of the soul. Some of us manage to remember that we would benefit from such discipline, but practice it ineptly. Others are sure to find their way to a pew regularly, aware that being purposefully in the presence of God makes a difference in perspective. Many seek the company of nature for the still moments of listening. And some seek the challenge of new literature and arts to tease out the true questions about the meaning of life. Whatever it is that helps us pay attention to the little voice is a good thing that we probably need to seek out more often. Lent reminds us to be intentional in contemplating where we have been, where we are, and where we are going from the perspective of the One who always journeys with us. Lent is an opportunity to recognize what God has been doing in our personal and collective lives, to celebrate the good stuff, to let go of the bad stuff, and to commit to continuing the journey with Jesus in the most honest and faithful ways we are able at this moment in life, unafraid of the questions and the challenges. It is a time to seek perspective—God’s perspective. I wish for you time and the “still, small voice” of the One who loves you. Blessings ~ Dawn The Bellman Page 4 March 2007 ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING Together we make a world of difference Dedication Sunday is March 18 Through One Great Hour of Sharing, United Church of Christ members reach out in the name of Christ to: ♦ Build sustainable communities. OGHS supports self-help programs in more than 80 nations to build sustainable communities that enable people and communities to stand against and rise above hunger, disease, illiteracy, and other forces of injustice that deny and destroy dignity. ♦ Respond to disaster. OGHS provides emergency and long-term assistance to people in the aftermath of hurricanes, tornados, storms, floods, tidal waves, fires, explosions, technological disasters, civil strife, war, or other natural or human-caused events. On average, OGHS responds to a disaster once every 2.5 days. ♦ Minister to refugees. OGHS responds with advocacy and help, hope and hospitality for people who have been uprooted from their home of origin. More than 30 million of the world's people are uprooted at any given time. In cooperation with Global Ministries, Church World Service, Action by Churches Together, Interchurch Medical Assistance, Foods Resource Bank, Oikocredit, Freedom from Hunger and hundreds of local partners around the world, One Great Hour of Sharing is part of a remarkable network of service and caring that is efficient, effective and faithful. Administrative costs are typically less than eight percent annually. The United Church of Christ unites with Christians in eight other Protestant denominations and Church World Service in One Great Hour of Sharing, thus multiplying the effectiveness and extent of our witness many times over. The partnership we share with nearly 6,000 United Church of Christ congregations across the United States and Puerto Rico is where this remarkable miracle connecting UCC members to the world truly begins. The UCC annually channels more than $3 million dollars through One Great Hour of Sharing to humanitarian needs in the world. The One Great Hour of Sharing offering is administered through Wider Church Ministries of the United Church of Christ. All gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing are tax deductible and 100% of designated gifts go to the designated area of response. Non-designated funds are encouraged. They allow One Great Hour of Sharing to address future hidden and forgotten emergencies around the world. Don’t say that you want to give, but go ahead and give! You’ll never catch up with a mere hope. —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe The Bellman Page 5 March 2007 OFFICIAL CALL TO THE 2007 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST NH CONFERENCE, UCC - ANNUAL MEETING JUNE 15-16, 2007 AT BREWSTER ACADEMY, WOLFEBORO, NH Raising the Bushel Basket: Discovering Dynamic and Vital Ministries SAVE THESE DATES IN MAY! North Church Annual Meeting will be Wednesday, May 16, beginning at 7:00 PM. Sunday, May 20, is the date set for our Restoration Celebration! It will begin with a special service of worship at 10:30, followed by a ceremony at noon on the brickwork and open house events in the afternoon! Plan to participate in this great celebration of thanksgiving for what North Church and the Portsmouth community have done together! “You are the light of the world... No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.” Matthew 5:14-16 Taking Time in Lent Wednesday Evening Devotional Opportunity Each Wednesday evening, February 28 through March 28, at 7:00 PM in the Parish House Chapel there will be a half hour service of prayer and guided meditation. Rather than offer a course of study as Lenten discipline this year, Deacons encourage you to make this your Lenten discipline. It is an opportunity to bring yourself into the presence of God with no expectation except the commitment to give yourself these quiet moments of reflection as we make our journey to the Easter promise. Dates to remember: Palm Sunday, April 1; Maundy Thursday, April 5; Easter. April 8. Mission and Stewardship invites you to help Family Service Association for Easter The Mission and Stewardship Committee is asking for your help in assisting Family Service Association to provide 60 Easter meal baskets to local families in need. As in the past, you are asked to donate 2 lb. canned hams. Donations may be dropped off at the Parish House at Spinney Road. We are also aware that Family Service provides holiday baskets at the July 4th holiday – something to keep in mind as we hope for the warmer weather to arrive! We are looking forward to continuing our “Decisions of the Heart” stewardship campaign after a successful pot-luck dinner in January. We are in the process of planning an informal discussion for the 10am time period on a Sunday morning in April, as well as several stewardship “moments” during worship services in April. The campaign will culminate with a dedication of our pledges as part of worship on May 6. Let’s listen to the voices of our hearts in the months ahead to help us discern where God is leading us now. The Bellman Page 6 March 2007 North Church Restoration Committee During the last month we continued to make progress on the completion of the steeple. Cold weather has slowed the process but the clock room is now complete and the last of the steeple copper is installed. The clock works are being installed and we anticipate the clock will be completed by the City's consultant soon. The roof is completed up to the steeple scaffolding on the Church Street side If you find a good observation place across the street from the Church you can see the new shingles copper and the restored snow rails. The scaffolding is now erected on the Pleasant Street side and the new roof will be installed there over the next few weeks if the weather cooperates. When the steeple scaffolding is taken down to the roof line the roof will be completed on both sides. We all look forward to the completion of the project over the next month or so. ~ Peter Kinner Cabinet News The Round Table discussion held on February 11th extended communication among the various boards and committees within North Church and several other members. Interestingly it gave all a chance to enjoy time together chatting over a simple dessert and coffee. The Cabinet is most appreciative to those who gathered and hope that the next meeting will increase two hundred fold or more. That next North Church meeting will be the Annual Meeting on May 16, 2007 at 7:00 pm. Realizing that this is an early announcement, it is important to put this date into your calendar as it is a change from the recent Sunday Annual Meetings. The current By-Laws require the Annual Meeting to be held during the last half of May. However, with Memorial Day weekend, Mother's Day, and the Market Square celebration of the restoration completion on May 20th it only leaves the weekday option. With this advanced notice, it should fit into everyone's busy schedules. In a letter sent out to invite participation on the Spinney Road Project (for lack of a better name at this time), a reflection was observed... “Just think about what has been accomplished” since North Church membership made the commitment to maintain all Join Us! church buildings. With these goals established, many people have worked endless hours to bring to fruition divine accomplishments. The Cabinet has asked a group of approximately 20 people to begin meeting on March 19th to consider space and program needs, and to develop a time line to address those needs. Wednesday, March 21st @ 8am at the Café Espresso. Discussions continued at the Cabinet level regarding current staffing at North Church. With five paid positions, the expected tasks were rather lengthy and often specific to the Pastor. The expectations have traditionally been in place for each position and the Cabinet began to think about ways to work outside the box. As an example, the visitation of homebound members has traditionally fallen upon the Pastor or an Associate. We might begin to think differently to accomplish the same purpose. The Cabinet members will continue addressing this topic over the coming months. ~Betty Gilman The Bellman Page 7 North Church Women’s Retreat Sharing our stories and our Faith Saturday, March 24, 9a 9am-1pm We all have many many wonderful stories… Stories that enrich our lives and our faith. Please come and share them! “Bring “Bring a Thing” to help share your stories Photos Smells… Sounds Objects… RSVP to Mary Ann at 436436-9109 (office) or 433433-4771 (home) (home) March 2007 The Bellman Page 8 March 2007 North Church Children’ Page: Love Your Neighbor A Modern Day Good Samaritan Story A handicapped man walked out of a restaurant into a dark alley. All of a sudden another person snuck up behind him and robbed him of one of his crutches, knocking him to the ground. Several minutes later the man’s friend came out of the same door and discovered the man lying on the ground. Fearing he would also be mugged and robbed, the friend cowardly walked away leaving the man on the ground. A doctor came along down the street and found the man still lying on the ground. Glancing at his watch, afraid he would be late for work, the doctor left the man, ignoring his cries for help. After his shift was done, a cook came out the back door of the restaurant into the alley and he, too saw the injured man. Going back into the restaurant, the cook located a phone and called 911. After placing the call, the cook returned to the man and covered him with a blanket to deep him warm. The cook also gave him some water and stayed with him to keep him company until help arrived. As soon as the ambulance left for the hospital, the cook contacted the man’s family. While the man was hospitalized, the cook took care of things at the man’s home. He also visited the man in the hospital. The man thanked the cook for his kindness. The man was very satisfied of the cooks work and respect of him, also very grateful to see his family. The 3rd & 4th Grade Class: Timothy Lampert, Peter Robinson, Destini Clarizio, Grace MacLeod, Monica Clough, Sam Grobe, and Tyler Stiles The Bellman Page 9 Prayers from Kindergarten Dear God, Thank you God for giving us food. Thank you God for giving us food from cows and chickens. Thank you God for pets and houses. Thank you God for Mom and Dad. Thank you God for friends. Please God, help us help people who have had floods and fires. Please God help us to help Mommies who need a job. Help Moms and Dads to do things. Please God, help us to help people who are hurt and sick. Amen, Grace (5) and Sophie (6) Dear God, Thank you for not having a flood. Thank you for sunshine. Please keep us safe, and everyone in the world safe. Please keep us safe from sharks and wars. Please help children to learn to read. Help us to be God’s friend and a friend to everyone. Help Moms and Dad to be good Moms and Dads. Amen Ryan (5) Avery (5) The Crane Wife Book Review by Monica Clough, Grace MacLeod and Peter Robinson, members of the 3rd& 4th Grade Church School The Crane Wife is a good book about a man named Yohei who was like the Good Samaritan. Yohei helped an injured crane. The crane turned into a human and became Yohei’s wife. The crane wife began weaving. Yohei sold the crane’s weaving for money. Yohei then wanted more and more money. When Yohei didn’t trust his crane wife, he lost everything. One lesson in the book was don’t be greedy or you can lose everything. The Most Important Gift of All Book Review by Cayleigh MacLeod and Alex Grobe, members of the 1st and 2nd Grade Church School What I liked best about the book was the love. It’s nice. Jesus tells us that we are supposed to treat each other like ourselves, and this book shows people doing that. Love is the most important gift of all, because it comes from your heart. March 2007 The Bellman Page 10 March 2007 Nearly New Dates: The Evening Women's Group will meet on Monday, March 5 from 7 - 9 p.m. at the home of Carolyn Layton. The group will begin a new book study. The book is titled, Finding God in the Questions, A Personal Journey, by Dr. Timothy Johnson. Dr. Johnson is currently a medical correspondent for ABC's Good Morning America program. All women and friends of North Church are welcome to participate. For more information, please contact Liz Good or Carolyn Layton. Thursday Friday Friday Thursday* Friday* Friday 03/01 03/02 03/09 03/15 03/16 03/23 6:30 - 8:00 pm 10 am – 1:30 pm 10 am – 1:30 pm 6:30 - 8:00 pm 10 am - 1:30 pm 10 am – 1:30 pm Please remember if schools are closed for a snow day, Nearly New will be also. * indicates sale date. PLEASE NOTE NEW THURSDAY TIME 6:30-8:00 pm Mark Your Calendar – Saturday, March 17, 2007 St. Patrick’s Day Picture Party and Supper 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. The Membership Resource Committee invites everyone to join us for a fun evening of food and fellowship. The evening will begin with a St. Patrick’s Day dinner followed by a picture party. After dinner, we will gather pictures, mark them and put them into albums. If you have any pictures you’d like to donate, gather them and bring them to this fun event. All supplies will be provided A freewill offering will be taken at the door to help defray costs Remember, March 17th @ 4:30 and don’t forget – wear GREEN! The Membership Resource Committee The Bellman Page 11 March 2007 March in Christian Education 5-6th Youth Group *** March 4, 4-5:30PM: Youth Group Meeting ~Please bring a friend and be prepared for fun! *** Please RSVP to Mary Ann: 7-8th Grade Youth Group mdrapcho@northchurchportsmouth.org, March 4, 4-5:30PM: Youth Group Meeting ~ We’ll ddrapcho@comcast.net, 436-9109 (work) be getting messy; please dress appropriately! We’ll or 433-4771 (home) continue planning and preparing our Easter Sunrise Please Please bring a signed Service. offoff-site permission slip. ***March 11, 8:308:30-11:30AM: 11:30AM It’s our turn to prepare and serve coffee hour! After worshipping together at Chapel Service, we’ll be preparing food for Crossroads House. Please RSVP to Mary Ann for coffee hour, and ingredient needs for food for Crossroads House. Thank you! March 18, 25, April 1, 44-5:30PM: 5:30PM Youth Group Meetings forward…. rd….April 8, 6AM: Youth Group leads Easter Sunrise Service at Prescott Park! Looking forwa rd…. High School Youth Ministry High School Youth have an opportunity to help Habitat for Humanity. Please call Mary Ann with interest and for more information. Church School: March…Sharing March…Sharing What God has Given! March 4: Our Church School Children learn about and participate in art workshops for One Great Hour of Sharing. Gifts to OGHS help provide clean water, food, education, and emergency relief to people in more than eighty countries. Our Church School children will be given banks to take home, save coins in, and then give to OGHS during our 9AM Chapel Service on March 18. March 11: Church School Children will receive their memory work! March 18, 9AM, Spinney Road Chapel Service: Our Cherub Choir will be offering their gift of music. All Church School Children will offer their coin banks in the OGHS offering. March 11, 18, 25: 25 Learning about Holy Week and Easter forward… No Church School, Psalm Sunday, April 1, and Easter Sunday, April 8 Looking forward Adult Discussion, 10:15AM Following time for coffee, all adults are encouraged to join in the family room for a lively discussion about social justice. The Bellman Page 12 March 2007 NORTH CHURCH WOMEN Saturday, March 24 will be our annual retreat. Mary Ann Drapcho, Director of Parish Life will be the facilitator. The title of the program/workshop is "Sharing Our Stories and Our Faith". It will be based on Hebrews Ch. 11:1-3 and Ch.12: 12. Before the retreat she would like for each of us to reminisce in our ancestors lives for bits of memories regrding their faith and the effect it has had on our lives. What has been passed down through the years to us. It will be interesting to share our stories. She is asking that we "bring a thing (s)" that has significance of religious events in both their lives and our own life today. It can be photos, letters, tangible articles ..........."things" to share and the stories behind them. The day will start 9:00-9:30 (arrival during that time) with coffee and muffins. At 9:30'ish we will gather in the Family Room for the program/workshop. We will have a break during the mornings events and then have lunch at noon. Ellen Nickerson and her helpers will prepare a simple lunch. A closing devotional will follow the lunch. ALL WOMEN of the church are encouraged and invited to come and join in the day. Perhaps meet some women you have not spent time with before. This will be a very interesting program. But you do have a little preparation on your part. Welcome to all. APRIL events are in the planning stage so look for announcements both in the April Bellman and the Sunday bulletins. On February 6, there was a Memorial Service for long time member, Kennard Palfrey Sr. who had passed away February 2, 2007. Our sympathy is extended to his sister Priscilla McLane and sister-in-law Evelyn Palfrey. The service was followed by a collation served by NCW. Food was provided by the women and Circle C members, headed by Circle Chairman Mary Louise Brozena. Thanks to all who participated. The two great communion chairs from the Market Square sanctuary, have been returned and are beautiful in their new upholstery fabric. They are on view for all to see every Sunday Morning at 10:30! Music Search Committee Update The six members of the Music Search Committee are hard at work developing a job description as we look ahead to filling the Director of Music position. They look forward to having the position advertised in April. Committee members are the current members of the Music Committee, John MacLeod, Joanne Coleman Yeaton, Betsy Murphy, joined by Deacon Suzette LaFleur and at-large members Bob Layton and Alan Robinson. If you have questions or comments, please direct them to any member of the Music Search Committee. We thank them for the work they are doing! The Bellman Page 13 March 2007 I Thank You During my recuperation from sinus surgery you sent cards, flowers, food and many good wishes which brightened my days. I thank you for all of them. The BIG Mickey Mouse card signed that first Sunday by so many of you continues to bring a smile to me since it sits on the coffee table waiting for me to decide where it should live now! All of you, the devotion of my parents, my brother and my entire family, and my friends made this process so much easier to accomplish. I have every reason to believe it is a success and I will soon be fully recovered. Thank you for your generous care. ~Pastor Dawn Thank you! Thank You to Betty Gilman & Carolyn Layton for assisting with the mailing of the church directory. ~ The Membership Resource Committee To the Cub Scouts of Pack 164 for the special coffee hour on February 4! To North Church Women for financing the reupholstering of the chairs in the Market Square Sanctuary and to Phyllis and Knute Lundgren with the help of Carolyn Layton for doing the leg work. They look lovely—and you can sit in them again! Are you about to graduate?! Do you have a family member graduating? We want to be sure we have all the particulars about our many graduating high school and college seniors, so please send us all the news! Send it to the office or email it to Pastor Dawn at dshippee@northchurchportsmouth.org Attention High School Seniors! Remember that if you are going on to college, two or four year, you are eligible to apply for a Book Award from North Church. Applications will be mailed to Seniors in April. High School Seniors AND College Students In April applications for the Phyllis E. Hodgdon Scholarship will be available to those North Church members who are High School Seniors and college students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior years. Watch the mail this spring and don’t miss this opportunity! Church Staff Email Address Pastor Dawn ~ dshippee@northchurchportsmouth.org Melissa ~ mwilson@northchurchportsmouth.org Mary Ann ~ mdrapcho@northchurchportsmouth.org And remember - Bellman & Calendar can be found on our website at www.northch urchportsmouth.org The Bellman Page 14 March 2007 In Our Thoughts & Prayers Donald & Ahdrah Moore Rick & Suzette LaFleur Bob & Carolyn Layton Dick & Barbara Hay 01-Mar 01-Mar 02-Mar 04-Mar 04-Mar 07-Mar 10-Mar 11-Mar 11-Mar 12-Mar 13-Mar 14-Mar 14-Mar 15-Mar 16-Mar 16-Mar 16-Mar 18-Mar 18-Mar 19-Mar 19-Mar 20-Mar 20-Mar 21-Mar 21-Mar 22-Mar 22-Mar 23-Mar 23-Mar 24-Mar 24-Mar 24-Mar 26-Mar 06-Mar 06-Mar 21-Mar 30-Mar Anjanette Hamilton William Lacey Louanne Pratt Joseph Enright Norman Henderson Anna Whitham Joyce Browning Bill Warren Lydia Letourneau Nicole Enright Ellen Nickerson Jacob Lehoux Brian Yurick Sarah Pardus Eleanor Webb Dylan Webb Joanne Coleman Yeaton Brinly Seward Harry MacLean Robert Layton Mary Ann Drapcho Jordan Faulstich Roberta Larson Erin Brady Tim Darrow Walter Swasey Robert Philbrook Charlene Hodgdon Gloria Wennberg Janette Crossman Beth Melita Kevin Mello Anthony Rahn Our sympathy is extended to the family of Kennard Palfrey, Sr. Ken’s 98 plus years were celebrated in a service on February 6. He had been a member of North Church for 84 years. We keep in our prayers for health and recuperation those recently ill or injured, hospitalized or anticipating hospitalizations. Included among these North Members and friends are Ginny Faulkner, Barbara Shaw, Mary Yeaton, Les Dorr, Phil Toomire, Betty Yeaw, and Paul Brown. Our prayers for the well-being of our troops and their families continue as we pray for an end to the war in Iraq and the peaceful search for reconciliation everywhere there is conflict and oppression. New Director of Spiritual Care at Portsmouth Regional Hospital The Reverend Elizabeth Hoffman, M. Div., M. Ed., has been appointed as the new Director of Spiritual Care at Portsmouth Regional Hospital. Beth follows our friend, The Rev. Mary James who is now the Pastor of the UCC church in Wakefield, NH. Beth graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching, received her Masters in Education at UNH in 1999, served a 12 week residency as chaplain at Maine Medical Center in Portland, and this past spring graduated and received her Masters of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School. She is a fully ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. She is a member of First Congregational Church at Kittery Point. Please know that Beth is available to offer spiritual care while you are in the hospital and will make contact with your pastor at your request. Please remember that w h e n yo u a r e a d m i t t e d t o t h e h o s p i t a l , i f yo u w a n t yo u r p a s t o r t o k n o w t h a t yo u a r e h o s p i t a l i z e d , yo u m u s t s a y “ ye s ” t o t h e q u e s t i o n s yo u a r e a s k e d about seeing spiri tual care o r yo u m u s t n o t i f y t h e c h u r c h p e r s o n a l l y. A St. Patrick’s Day Supper w i l l b e h el d S at u rd a y, M arc h 1 7 t h . If you want to eat, you MUST RSVP no later than MARCH 12 so that we can plan the meal accordingly. Should you need childcare, please let the church office know. Everyone is Welcome. Welcome. The Bellman NORTH CHURCH OF PORTSMOUTH Church Sanctuary Market Square, Portsmouth, NH 03801 Church Office Parish House 355 Spinney Road Portsmouth, NH 03801 603.436.9109 phone 603.436.6744 fax Sunday Worship 9:00 a.m. Parish House Chapel 10:30 a.m. Market Square Sanctuary Fellowship Time Following 9:00 a.m. service at Parish House Church School 10:00 am Parish House (Sept - June) North Church Staff’ Staff’ Pastor: Reverend Dawn A. Shippee Director of Parish Life: Mrs. Mary Ann Drapcho Administrative Assistant: Ms. Melissa Wilson Custodian: Mr. Paul Gobbi Interim Organist: Mr. Nathan Amsden Office Hours: M – F, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm North Church of Portsmouth, UCC 355 Spinney Road Portsmouth, NH 03801 Return Service Requested Page 15 March 2007 NORTH CHURCH MISSION STATEMENT W e the members of the North Congregational Church Family, a loving and compassionate people of faith, gathered to worship God, accept our responsibility to seek justice for all God’s people. Inspired by the Holy Spirit we resolve to share the Word of God with those seeking spiritual growth. Following Christ’s teachings and example, we accept and embrace the challenge of a changing church community, nation, and world as we strive to live out our faith. www.northchurchportsmouth.org Non-Profit Org. US Postage Paid Portsmouth, NH 03801 Permit No. 2