MESSENGER MESSENGER

MESSENGER
of the
First Congregational
Church
United Church of Christ
121 W. Foster St.
Melrose, Massachusetts
An Open and Affirming Congregation
Rev. Dominic Taranowski, Pastor
Janiele Allman, Director of Christian Education
Duncan Vinson, Music Director
OFFICE 781-665-2111 - FAX 781-665-8824
E-MAIL info@fccmelrose.org Website www.fccmelrose.org
Cell phone: 781-526-3428
VOLUME 95
October 12, 2012
Number 7
Sunday, October 14, 2012
8:30 AM – Choir Rehearsal
9:00 AM – Choir and Praise Band Rehearsal
10:00 AM – WORSHIP
and Church School, Pre-K – 3
11:15 AM – Reception in honor of
Rev. Dominic’s 10 Year Anniversary
THE FLOWERS on the Communion table are given in
loving memory of S. Richard Boyson by the Boyson family.
1:30-3:00 PM – HHVNA and Hospice Annual
Remembrance Service, Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church,
70 West Emerson St.
Inside Out
It is often said that the hallmark of Jesus’ ministry
and his call to us all was to turn the world upside down. In
fact, “the last shall be first” seemed to be one of his favorite
sayings. In many different ways he said that humanity has
it backwards. God doesn’t work from the top down but
from the bottom up. It is all about “the least of these”, the
forgotten and the outcast. That is God’s starting place and
if we want to commune with God, if we want to redeem
creation and build a little bit more heaven-on-earth, we had
better start there too.
It was the social, religious and political
implications of that kind of theology that, many would
argue, brought Jesus to his crucifixion. It is today,
particularly because of that crucifixion and the resurrection
that followed, a theology that we are still called to
implement. It is the reason for the social justice emphasis
that is the hallmark of the United Church of Christ.
Like everything about Jesus’ message, there is a
social and a personal level to his “last shall be first” focus.
The personal counterpart to this repeated saying might be
“live from the inside out”. Like the call for the church to
pursue a ministry of social justice, this is a personal call of
discipleship that is no less challenging.
Whether we recognize it or not, most of us live our
day to day lives from the outside in. Our way is shaped
more by how we respond and react to what happens to us
than shaped by our interior life that, ideally, evolves ever
closer to God independent of exterior events.
From the outside in. Think about it. We allow the
influences that shape who we are—our personalities, our
priorities, the way we encounter the world—to come by and
large from outside ourselves. Advertisers, of course, count
on this and are a perfect example. Subtly and overtly, we
are guided to desire a certain kind of lifestyle; one built
around acquisition and accumulation. Wants, needs,
desires, emotions of all kinds are to be satisfied from
without not from within. In fact, we are encouraged to stay
active, not to slow down, to work harder, and to keep the
music turned up literally and figuratively in order to avoid
the cultivation of an interior life.
Why? Well, to put it crassly, there is no profit to
be made by satisfying one’s wants, needs, desires and
emotions by means of an internal, heart-felt relationship
DURING THE COMING WEEK
Monday, October 15
CASPAR Food Ministry (Texas Hash) - McVoy Family
Wednesday, October 17
7:15 PM – Bells Rehearsal, Sanctuary
Thursday, October 18
7:00 PM – Choir Rehearsal, Music Room
The following groups meet here regularly:
Boy Scouts – Tuesdays at 7:00 PM in the basement
Girl Scouts – Thursdays 2:45 PM, Fridays 2:30, 7/8
Cub Scouts – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
Al-Anon – weekdays at 12 noon, Sunday at 1 & 7 PM – Rm. 8
Blue of a Kind – Mondays at 7:00 PM in the Music Room
S.A.R.P. – Tuesdays at 6:30 PM, lounge
A.W.O.L. – Tuesdays at 7:30 PM, 7/8, lounge, Rm. 1
Tai Chi for Arthritis – Wednesdays at 9:45 AM, Room 1
Vital Cycles - Thursdays at 7:00 PM, lounge
O.A. – Fridays at 7 PM, lounge
A.A. – Wednesdays at 7:30 PM, Fridays at 8:00 PM and Saturdays at
3:00 PM – Rm. 8
with God. Plus, the benefits of living from the inside out
come over time through divine dialog, struggle, rejoicing,
confessing, questioning, and renewed attempts to live
better. Most people in our culture would rather settle for
the quick serotonin high of a chocolate frosted donut or the
temporary rush of buying a new pair of shoes.
How do you start living from the inside out? Begin
by slowing down so you can notice your own motivations.
What is driving you to make the choices you are making?
(To continue the donut example: are you really hungry or
are you just stressed out?) Listen to your own self, your
own heart. Check in with yourself enough to hear your own
feelings.
When you do, three things will happen. First, you
will get to know yourself—your strengths and your
wounds—like never before. Second, you will also come to
realize that God is an integral part of who you are. And
third, you will also find greater fulfillment through
conscious choice making.
No wonder Jesus invites us to consider that
backward may, in fact, be forward!
See you in church,
Bill Huntress, Ted Cinella and
Family, Connie Robinson (N.E.
Rehab, Woburn), Bob Pierce,
George Burrell, Grace Hart, Anne
Wing.
Don’t Forget to Save the Date
On Sunday, October 14th we will
celebrate Reverend Dominic’s 10
Years as our Pastor! Join us for a
special worship service at 10:00
AM followed by an all-church
reception in the Narthex. See you there!
Christian Ed News:
This Sunday is Reverend Dominic's 10 year Service
Celebration!!! Please plan on being early. I know
that great things are in the works for him, you and
your children to help celebrate such a momentous
occasion!!
Middle School Parents: This Sunday is the deadline
for the waiver/permission slips for your child to go
to SkyZone. Please see me if you are unable to print
one out.
Oct 14: Special Service for
Rev. Dominic, 10 years of
service!!!!!
MS: Skyzone waivers are
due.
RIM
FALL BULB SALE IS HERE
Oct 21: MS Pizza lunch directly following the service.
MS SkyZone 1-3 pm
Oct 28: MS/HS Halloween party for the Church
3:30 MAAV's Annual Walk and Candlelight Vigil
This is the walk that Lilah Drafts-Johnson is hosting!!
Looking ahead.......
Nov 4: MS/HS Outreach--Raking Leaves
Nov 11: HS Special Service
Nov18: Thanksgiving Luncheon
Nov 30-Dec1st: Winter Wonderland Fair
Stewardship News
GET BULBS FOR YOUR
SPRING FLOWERS
ORDERS UNTIL OCTOBER 14
DELIVERY OCTOBER 21
Last Sunday Co-Trustee of Finance Chip Larzelere
kicked off the Fall Stewardship campaign with a spirited
pledge moment entitled "Protect our House." He and
fellow Co-Trustee Ed Arnold
have totally revamped the
Stewardship Campaign. Now
members can make their
pledge at any time between
now and Commitment
Sunday on November 18th.
And every pledge maker will
receive a beautiful red and
black UCC coffee mug!
On the first day of the campaign we collected 3
pledges worth $4,310 toward our $200,000 goal.
Page 2
MESSENGER
Stewardship Moment
This is our house!!! This is our place where we gather each
week to celebrate the word of God. This is where we bring our
children to explore their relationships with each other and
those around them as it relates to God’s word. This is our
house where young couples come to bond themselves together
in the presence of God to form a union with one another. This
is our house where empty nester’s come to pray for their
children’s wellbeing as they enter the world on their own. This
is our house where we gather with the elderly and sing their
praises. This is our house where we gather as a community to
ease the sorrows who have gone on to join God. This is our
house!!!
We must protect this house. We must protect the seeds we
plant so that they may grow and expand the reach of our
ministry. As with any house we must provide maintenance and
allow for expansion as our family grows. Let’s not be
confused when I say we must protect this house. We are not
under attack from aliens or other unworldly beings. Instead,
the protection I speak of is the stewardship we provide. As a
community under God we must provide stewardship for the
First Congregational Church of Melrose to continue to grow
and expand. This is something that takes many forms. You
see that each and every week, from the volunteer teachers for
Sunday School, the ushers who volunteer to assist each week,
the lay reader’s who help spread the word of God, the Deacons
and Trustees who volunteer their time to guide the Church and
there are many more who provide guidance and assistance.
All of this comes at a cost and is the reason each and every
year in the fall we roll out a Pledge Campaign. Our Pledges
account for 66% of the operating revenue for our house. It is
the area that we can control the most. For the last few years
we have been operating on a deficit budget, this is not a
healthy stewardship plan. For 2012 the total revenue in
pledges is about $180,000.00. For 2013 we are forecasting a
need for the budget to reflect approximately $210,000.00 in
pledge revenue. That is a gap of $30,000.00. The average
pledge is $1700.00; therefore, all we would need is for an
additional 18 pledges for next year. As you can see, we are not
asking anyone to pledge more, we are just asking that more of
us pledge. Approximately 58% of the congregation makes a
formal pledge. Just think where we would be if this was closer
to 80%. We all enjoy the benefits from the Church
Community that gathers here in Our House.
Ed Arnold, I and the rest of the Deacons and
Trustees have made a decision that this year we
are going to change the Pledge Campaign. It will
be easier to make your pledge, it will be fun to
make your pledge and it will be rewarding to
make your pledge. Starting Sunday, October 7th,
which is today, the pledge campaign is officially
launched. This is significantly different than in
the past. You can start protecting our house by
submitting your pledge today. Pledge cards will
be available from either Ed or me. All you have
to do is simply fill out the pledge card and drop it
in the secure box in the Narthex. Once you make
your pledge you will receive a coffee mug. Also,
we ask that you sign the pledge box to
demonstrate your stewardship of The First
Page 3
Congregational Church of Melrose. This can be as simple as
signing your name or adding a comment of what your pledge
means to you. We want to make the box a sign of the strength
of our community. Sharpies are available.
Starting on October 21st there will be a staffed pledge table in
the Narthex where you can find a pledge card to fill out, ask
questions about our church community and discover additional
ways to assist in the stewardship of our house. At any time
you can reach out to Ed and me for a card. You can email us
your pledge and we will fill out a card for you and place it in
the box. We are also developing a secure link on the website
where you can submit your pledge. Remember, once you
pledge you can then receive your coffee mug.
All of this leads up to Pledge Celebration Sunday on
November 18th. On that day the pledge box will be brought
into the sanctuary and as a community we will stand and gather
in the middle of the sanctuary. Reverend Dominic will then
bless the pledges and we will light candles as a group to
celebrate our strength as a community and the protection of our
house.
As many of you know I am very sports minded and frequently
teams rally around the saying “we must protect this house”.
They want to grow as a team to be able improve themselves.
We want to do the same here. I coach youth soccer and know
nothing about the sport except that in order to win you must
put the ball in your opponent’s goal more than they put it in
yours. I had an individual who was not very aggressive and
would often wait for the play to finish around him. I would tell
him to be more aggressive, it never worked. One game he
ended up by the net and there was a scrum for the ball, he was
actively involved in the play and I could see his desire to try
and score. Afterwards, I talked with him individually about
the play. Instead of talking about being more aggressive, I
asked him about the emotion he felt at that time. I told him the
next time he gets in the game to remember that emotion and let
it grow, it will make you stronger and it worked. He is a
stronger soccer player and a big part of the team’s success.
You see, emotion is a very powerful tool; it helps us do things
we struggle with. It guides us through difficult times and
brings us out on the other side. I believe that emotion is God’s
soul within us. As you consider your pledge remember the
emotions you feel from being a core member of this
community. Remember how you feel when you come to
church feeling a bit down and after the service
you leave with a spring in your step.
Remember God’s soul within us.
When I think about why I pledge to the First
Congregational Church of Melrose, I think of
the community that is there to support me when
I need it most and when someone from the
community needs my support. It is the invisible
hand of God that is there at all times to guide
my way. I ask you – Why do you pledge?
Please consider all that is available thru this
house and all that is provided through this
house. Make our stewardship Strong.
Please join me in saying - This is Our House.
This is Our House!
Chip Larzelere
MESSENGER
MEXICO LINDO FUNDRAISER
Melrose Day Care is going to be having a Mexico Lindo fundraiser on Monday, October 15th,
2012, from 5 – 9 p.m. If you present the coupon (below) at the time of payment, Mexico Lindo
will donate 15% of the value of your check to Melrose Day Care Center. Proceeds will go
towards musical instruments for the center.
Michelle Magliozzi (Munchkin teacher) will be at Mexico Lindo on Monday at 5 p.m. for dinner
time, passing out flyers. There will also be more flyers at the daycare.
We hope to see you all there.
It’s Mexico Lindo Time!
Present this coupon at the time of payment
on Monday, October 15th, 2012,
and 15% of the value of your check
will be given to Melrose Day Care Center
We thank you and Mexico Lindo for supporting
our school. Thank you!
Page 4
MESSENGER
Bathsheba...Jezebel...Athaliah
Atlanta and New York have NOTHING on these women!
Thursdays at 8 p.m., join best-selling author, Barbara J. Essex, as she explores the
real and often-misunderstood lives of four women from the Bible with this FUN and
LIVE web series.
Session 1: Bathsheba (Nov. 1st)
Session 2: Jezebel (Nov. 8th)
Session 3: Athalia (Nov. 15th)
Session 4: Syrophoenician Woman (Nov. 29th)
Each session includes a weekly devotional, study questions, and an interactive 60
minute online video study with Barbara J. Essex.
Just $31.99 for the entire 4-week series, which includes a copy of
Bad Girls of the Bible!
Single sessions available for $9.99 each
You can also sign up for the 4-week series, without including a copy of
Bad Girls of the Bible for just $24.99
Sign-Up Today
Registration for the entire 4-week series ends October 30th!
Questions? Contact us @ 216.736.3759 or frencht@ucc.org
Page 5
MESSENGER
Circle 10 invites all women of the church
(high school age and older) to an
Intergenerational Breakfast to be held
Sunday, October 21 at 8:30 AM in the
Narthex. Rides will be provided for anyone
that needs one. (Please call the church
office to schedule a ride. 781-665-2111)
Hallmark Health Visiting Nurse Association
and Hospice
Cordially invites you to attend an
Annual Remembrance Service
to commemorate the lives of those with whom we
have journeyed
Sunday, October 14, 2012
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church
70 West Emerson Street, Melrose, MA
Refreshments will follow
Please RSVP if you will be attending to (781) 3387863 or e-mail jseifert@hallmarkhealth.org
Page 6
MESSENGER
MHS PTO
and
Melrose Alliance Against Violence
present
They Don’t Call it “Dating” Anymore”
A Parent’s Guide to Healthy and Unhealthy
Teen Relationships
Melrose High School
Resource Center Heritage Room
Monday, October 29
7:00 PM – 8:30 Pm
By Lighting our Church Steeple in
memory or in honor of loved ones, you can
help our church financially. Contact the
church office (781-665-2111 or
info@fccmelrose.org) to sign up for a week
beginning on a Sunday. Your gift will be
announced in the Sunday Bulletin and “The
Messenger”. A $25.00 per week
contribution is suggested.