2016JuneJulySpire - Original Congregational Church of Wrentham

The Spire
A publication of the Original Congregational Church
June/July 2016
.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CONFIRMANDS
On Sunday May 1st we celebrated the gift of Confirmation.
This year we congratulate our newly confirmed members of the OCC:
Dayna J. Aubin, Coleman B. Hovey, Luke D. Keene , Mikayla A. Kelly,
Lauren E. Kelly, Thomas R. Lacroix, Taylor E. Madison, Kyran C. Peters,
Kristen E. Purdon, Samantha J. Purdon, Melanie J. Veilleux.
As a part of our Confirmation experience, we gather the families for
breakfast and parents and students exchange letters of blessing.
Inside this issue:
Activities
Outreach
2
3
Happenings
5
During the service the Confirmands affirm their promises of faith and
participation in our church life and each receives a unique Confirmation
blessing based on their spirit journey. All sign their names in our
“Book of Life” OCC register with the giant feather pen, and each receives a
Bible, Rose and Certificate to mark the day.
Music
Next Level,
325 for 325
Confirmands
6
7
7
We rejoice in the gift of our new generation of the faithful
here at the OCC!
Education Ministry 4
Our Graduates
Message from
Pastor Ken
8
&
9
10
Art Work Needed 11
&
Food Pantry Info 12
The Ladies Breakfast Club will continue
to meet at 9:00am, the second and
fourth Thursday’s of the month at
Goochie’s in Plainville, and the 5th
Thursday as well. Please Join Us!!
THE JULIETS
The JULIETS will meet the last time this
season on Wednesday June 29th.
This luncheon’s will be from 12-2pm at
“Fancy That” in Walpole.
Join Pastor Ken and
friends for Bible Study
Tuesday mornings at
10:00 am in the Parlor!
Contact Joan Shirley for more information.
We will resume again in the Fall.
Senior Choir, Bells and
Youth Choir rehearsal are
finished for the season.
May 22nd was the last
performance for Bells and
June 5th is the last day for
Choir during Worship
Service.
The Kitchen Elves, meet the
first Wednesday of each month
to prepare and deliver meals to
members in need. Your help
and skills are always welcome.
They will Not meet in July or
August but will resume
Wednesday September 7th.
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Lunch Bunch meets at noon in
Fellowship hall the 3rd Wednesday
of each month for a light lunch of
soup, sandwich, desserts and
beverages. Lets not forget the
entertainment!! Bring a friend!!
They will not meet in July or
August but will resume
September 21st.
Highlight
Dates
June
June
June
June
July
July
July
02
05
15
17
03
06
17
Spruce Pond Ice Cream Trip
Affirmation Sunday
Lunch Bunch
Father’s Day
Worship in Fellowship Hall begins
Summer time office hours begin
Trip to Worcester Fellowship
See you all in September
NEW MEMBERS RECEIVED June 5th
Last month, we offered time during the coffee hour to have
conversations with folks looking to make a deeper connection with us
at the OCC. For those who are interested in formally joining our
th
membership, June 5 would be a wonderful moment to take some time in worship to
affirm our new members, before school gets out and summer schedules begin. If you have
any questions or concerns about your faith journey and how to connect with us here at the
OCC, please contact Pastor Ken or Donna in the office at anytime, and we are glad to assist
you!
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What is the Worcester Fellowship? According to their website, “The Worcester Fellowship is a
church among men and women with a home in Worcester, MA. We are dedicated to ending
isolation through pastoral care and nurturing community”. At the OCC we have been fortunate a few times to have the pastors who serve the Worcester Fellowship come to our church
and tell us about their work with the homeless or working-poor in the Worcester area. From
their stories and passion and dedication we have joined their efforts through pledges to the
Outreach Team. Every Sunday teams from area churches join others on the Worcester
Common and serve bagged lunches, distribute donated socks, take part in a communitybased spiritual service including serving communion and have the opportunity to meet and
listen to those who have stories and live a life most of us have never experienced. The Outreach Team and members of the OCC have been involved in this ministry for approximately a
year and look forward to continuing and further developing our relationship with this vital
ministry. We have scheduled two additional opportunities to serve; the first on
Sunday July 17th, 2016 and the second on Sunday September 11th, 2016. The original date of
June 5th cancelled.
Would you like to help with the shopping for the lunches which would include a sandwich, a
snack, a piece of fruit, a drink and a cookie or dessert in each lunch bag? Would you like to
help assemble these bagged lunches in the church kitchen at 8am on that Sunday morning?
Would you like to transport these lunches to Worcester? Would you like to stay and hand
out these lunches to the lines of men and women who gathered to receive a meal and
friendship and share their stories? Would you like to come and then share your experience
with others at OCC? Do you need more information? Please contact a member of the Outreach Team – you will have an experience that you will carry with you every day!
Page 4
Education Ministry Team
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June—August Fun-day School! ( with the exception of Father’s Day ,the 19th)
A BIG heartfelt Thank You to the Teachers and Assistants for their dedication to the
Children and Church School at the OCC.
PreK/K
Jen Chace
Hannah Chace
Grades 1-3
Emily Shepard
Sarah Fuller
Cassidy Peters
Grades 6 and 7
Cindy Peters
Pam Gelsomini
Grades 4 and 5
Gwynne Sawtelle
Heather MacAskill
Substitute
Wendy Purdon
Vacation Bible School
The EMT is excited to announce our VBS for this summer, Surf Shack!
It will be July 11th - 15th from 9-12. As always, we need volunteers ages 13+
(it can be for one, or all days!) It’s going to be a ‘Surf’tastic time!
Participants ages PreK-6th grade (and volunteers) can register at our VBS website:
http://2016.cokesburyvbs.com/occhurch
The Spire
Page 5
SUMMER WORSHIP
Summer worship at the OCC in July and August is
9:30am in the fellowship hall which is air
conditioned, is fully accessible to the parking lot
and closer to refreshments and coffee hour.
Come join us for summer worship at the OCC!
Let's Go For Ice Cream!
Thursday, June 2 we will meet in the
church parking lot for our first Ice Cream
Summertime Office Hours
Trip.
Beginning July 6th, the office will be open
Our first excursion will be to Spruce
Tuesday AND Thursday from 9:00-3:00pm.
Pond in Franklin on King Street.
The office will resume the normal hours,
Please meet at the church parking lot by Tuesday THRU Friday 9:00-3:00pm September
6th .
2:30 pm and we will car pool. If you
need a ride to the church, please call
Emmie Foster 384-9338 or Sue Schwarm
The SPIRE is now available on our
384-7697 and we will pick you up.
website!! Go to the OCC page at
We hope to go once or twice a month to
local ice cream spots! We will try for a
Thursday that is not a breakfast
www.occhurch.net.
Thank You
We would like to thank our church family for your cards, thoughts, prayers
and meals following Emmie’s eye surgery and the passing of her sister. The
meals were very tasty and a big help. The caring support from our church
family meant even more to us.
Mike and Emmie Foster
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Music at OCC
The 2015-2016 Concert Series has come
to a successful close. We hope you
enjoyed the variety of music and
welcome you to plan ahead for the
2016-2017 season.
And Looking Ahead….
Sept 23
Rolling Roots Revue
Oct. 22
The Daigles
Peter, Paul & Mary Tribute
Nov. 12
Elastic Five Band
Nov. 20
Southern Rail during
Worship
Dec. 3
Christmas Concert and
Potluck Supper
Music Notes and Choir
Many thanks to everyone who helped
to make our Music program a success this
church year!
Looking ahead: please, as you plan for the
church’s next several months, think forward to
September and see what you can do to join
our music program. We really need more singers and bell ringers, of all ages, and we wish
very much that church activities were a priority
in more peoples’ lives. Please – we need you!
The Chancel Choir’s first Sunday back singing
will be on the Sunday after Labor Day, September 11th, with our first rehearsal on September
8th. The Men’s Chorus will begin rehearsals
toward the end of September, date to be
announced.
The bell choirs and children’s chime choir will
all be starting up in September. Ringing is great
fun, and it’s good for keeping our brain cells
active, too.
Please come join one of our music groups;
you’ll be glad you did!
Chimes and Bells...
Also – SAVE THESE DATES!!
Saturday, December 3rd, at 5:00pm, will
be our annual Christmas Concert, followed by
a potluck supper.
Never too early to plan to join us!
On Sunday, December 18th, during the
Contact Dawn Bennett
dcben1@verizon.net or 774-364-0862 worship service, the Chancel Choir will present
a cantata by composer Lani Smith, entitled
“The Promise Fulfilled”.
Please be sure to attend both of these events!
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The Spire
CATCHING UP WITH THE
CONFIRMANDS
CONFIRMATION PLANS FOR 2017
Now that we have drawn near to the close
of this school year, we begin to look at
plans for the fall season. In most years we
gather the ninth graders for Confirmation,
and, sometimes we have included eight
graders who have been together over the
years of Sunday School. This year we
anticipate not having many ninth graders
to gather. So, Pastor Ken will be discerning
with the parents of our middle school
students what the best plan will be for our
next Confirmation Class. All parents of
students who will be in 7th and 8th grade in
the fall of 2016 are most welcome to
connect with Pastor Ken anytime to
discuss their children’s needs. A letter will
go out to invite your responses. When we
decide together the best plan for all, we
will make sure to create a workable
schedule! Let us pray that God guides us
in shaping our next class!
COMING UP FOR Next Level
Pastor Ken will continue to attend the
online Next Level course through the
summer months with our church coach,
the Rev. Carol Howard Merritt from the
Center For Progressive Renewal. This
month we have just received our
“Mission Insight Report” from the
Center which is a 30 page document of
demographics of our area and trends in
faith and values as surveyed of our
wider community. Not surprising, the
largest trending needs spoken of by our
general population of our area towns’
residents include the need for rest, time
with family, and to address the uncertainties of employment and future
support of the family. With this
demographic report of our community,
we can include those concerns in shaping ways to reach out to the community
with faith resources addressing those
needs. Let Pastor Ken know if you are
interested in building an outreach
DAILY DEVOTIONS, 325 FOR 325
As an early part of our celebrating 325 years of the OCC, Pastor Ken has taken on
the goal of composing 325 daily devotions. These will be set in groups of five, one
for each day of the business week. (On the weekends, we hope you come to
Sunday worship to experience the message and prayer in person!) The daily
devotions are available on-line on our web site and will be published on paper as
we develop enough of them. Let us know if you enjoy them! You may suggest a
topic anytime!
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The 2016 High School Graduating Seniors
Hannah Chace will be graduating from Franklin High School on June 3rd. Hannah's biggest high school
accomplishments/involvements were playing for Franklin's Varsity Volleyball team as well as club
volleyball for Mass Premier and being active in Community Service Club and Empty Bowls. She has been
accepted into the Honors Program at University of Rhode Island where she will be attending in the fall.
Liv Hovey will be graduating from Foxborough High School on June 5th. Throughout high school Liv
played flute in the marching band and the FHS Flute Choir. She played bassoon in the FHS Concert Band,
Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and was a section leader. Liv competed in the FHS Math Club, sang
in the Treble Jazz Choir, A Cappella Choir and played on the FHS JV tennis team her freshman year. She
volunteered at Sturdy Memorial Hospital for over 130 hours and received the Attleboro Lodge of Elks
Youth Appreciation Award. She was a Girl Scout from Kindergarten through her freshman year and
earned the Girl Scout Silver Award. Liv was an SIMC band camp counselor for three summers, a 7th
grade math and English tutor, a participant in the MMEA Southeastern Senior District Music Festival and
the UMass Honor Band. At OCC she has played hand bells since 3rd grade, accompanied the choir and
bell choir on flute, was a liturgist and participated in Sr. Pilgrim Fellowship. Liv will be attending the
University of Massachusetts Amherst majoring in Biology and hopes to play bassoon.
Jennifer Lacroix is graduating from King Philip Regional High School on June 9th. She has been a 4
year varsity athlete in both Basketball and Lacrosse. She has been involved in many clubs and organizations including Student Council, SADD, Art Club, and DECA. She is a member of the Art National Honor
Society and English National Honor Society. She has been a Hockomock League Allstar in Lacrosse for 3
years, and was named MVP of the high school team her Junior year and Captain her senior year. She has
volunteered as a coach for various organizations in the area including KP Youth Lacrosse, TOPS soccer
program, and KP Youth Basketball program. She will be attending Endicott College in the fall, where she
plans to major in Elementary Education and be a member of the Girls
Lacrosse Team.
Cassidy Peters is graduating from Franklin High on June 3rd, and will attend The College of New
Jersey, Majoring in Nursing, Minor in Public Health. Cassidy is graduating with Honors from both the
National Honor Society and National Music Honor Society. In High School Cassidy was very involved and
played Freshman and JV Soccer (2 years), Indoor Track & Field (1 year JV, 3 years Varsity), Outdoor Track
(1 year JV, 3 years Varsity), Chorus & Select Chorus (4 years each), A Cappella (3 years), Mentor to 4th &
5th Grade Honors Chorus (3+ years), Talent shows, etc. participated in Dance from pre-school till Senior
year, including competition, performances at Dean College, Statue of Liberty NYC (2 years), Disney (1
year), Piano 6 years, Jazz Band Middle School, Chorus since 3rd grade, Student Council Middle School,
member of many clubs at Each School and has performed in numerous Musicals and other shows at
Franklin School of the Performing Arts. At church she has performed in numerous concerts in the
Children's Choir since Kindergarten, including solos and performances with her father Chuck, Children's
Choir Mentor, 7+ years Bell Choir Member, Sunday School Teacher, Homeless Awareness Volunteer,
etc. She has worked as a Camp Counselor at Boston Sports Club and Asst Counselor at Franklin YMCA,
worked at Ellis Nursing Home and volunteered as Nursing Assistant at Landmark Medical Center. She is
looking forward to her studies in nursing as she enjoys helping people. She plans to continue to be
involved in music and other interests.
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The 2016 High School Graduating Seniors
Olivia Durant is graduating June 9th from King Philip Regional High School with high honors. She
has been recognized as a member of the National Honor Society and Key Club. During high school
Olivia has been involved with numerous organizations including KP Cares, Leo Club, Peer Mentor,
TOPSoccer, SADD, Band, DECA and Varsity Swim Team. She has gone on mission trips to Hurricane
Katrina area of Mississippi, Puerto Rico and is actively involved with the Panera Food Pantry program at OCC. In addition, she is a lifeguard and swim instructor at the Adirondack Club, hostess at
Ruby Tuesday and babysitter. Olivia will be attending University of Rhode Island in the fall and has
been accepted into their Honors Program.
Christopher Nicastro will be graduating from King Philip High School on June 9th. Due to
concussions last year, Chris was unable to participate in sports or clubs, but he remains a
“super fantastic awesome kid”. He will be attending Fitchburg State University in the fall.
The 2016 College Graduates
Tyler Durant graduated Summa Cum Laude from Southern New Hampshire University on May
14th with a Business major and Math minor. He successfully completed the Honors Program and
received recognition for the National Honor Society of Collegiate Scholars, Delta Mu Delta Honor
Society and his study abroad in Italy.
Congratulations to all our Graduates!
*Information regarding the students were provided by parents at time of printing.
Page 10
A Message from Pastor Ken
The Dove Came Back
THE ORIGINAL
CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH
Beloved in Christ,
1 East Street
P.O. Box 657
Wrentham, MA 0293
Phone: 508.384.3110
We’re on the web
www.occhurch.net
There is a most moving story in Genesis 8 about Noah and the Dove.
When the rain had stopped the ark was drifting high in the waters of the
great flood. Noah releases the dove to see if there are any signs of dry
land. Each time the dove came back and Noah cradled it in his arms.
Then, one evening, the dove brought back a freshly plucked olive leaf.
What joy must have filled his heart! The great flood was subsiding. Soon
they could be on dry ground again. Then, after another long week, Noah
sent the dove out again, and this time, the dove did not return. What a
heartbreak!
The news of our new life that is about to arrive comes with the loss of a
precious and beloved creature of our old one. I’m not sure how I would
feel about this. I would miss the dove terribly. Wouldn’t you? Yet, I
would hope the dove found a new happy life amongst the olive gardens
and I would remain grateful that the dove had given us hope for a few
days at the end of our long struggle in the ark.
To reach us by e-mail
Office:
office@occhurch.net
Pastor Ken Landin :
pastor@occhurch.net
Religious Education:
chedu@occhurch.net
Yesterday evening a pair of mourning doves were sitting in the fading sun
enjoying each other’s company. I know this because they kept kissing
each other. It made me think that was the life that Noah’s dove flew into
so many generations ago. Sometimes it’s best to just let the heart want
what it wants. Love settles into the garden. God made it to be that way.
Thank God for love.
May the God of Creation bless you, your loved ones and your home and
gardens with great love this Spring. Amen.
Pastor Ken
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ARTWORK OR PHOTO MONTAGES NEEDED
FOR OCC MUSIC CONCERT SERIES
Calling all artists and graphic designers! Clever, attractive artwork is needed for the OCC
Music concert series. We need a profile picture and cover picture for the OCC
Music Facebook page (at https://www.facebook.com/musicatocc/).
We also need a cover picture for the main page of the website at:
http://www.musicatocc.org), which could be the same as the FB
cover picture. These can be artwork, photos, photo montages, or
whatever you think would look good. Examples of logos for two
nearby coffeehouses are displayed here, one from Circle of Friends
in Franklin (see www.circlefolk.org and https://ww.facebook.com/
Circle-of-Friends-Coffeehouse-157892691990/), and the other from
the Rose Garden in Mansfield at www.rosegardenfolk.com and
https://www.facebook.com/rosegardencoffeehouse/.
We need to have something at least as good as those, in addition to a cover picture.
The other artistic creation needed is an attractive backing to hang or put on the stage
behind the performers. This could be a large hanging cloth of an appropriate color, or it
could be a large cloth or cardboard display with a reproduction of the cover picture
creation discussed above.
If you are interested in providing creations, ideas, or have a friend or family member who
might be interested, contact Ken Graves.
Food Pantry Donation Shed – Complete!
Have you noticed the new attractive looking shed on the edge of the OCC parking
lot? Local High School Senior, Jack Allan, designed and built a new food donation
shed for the Wrentham Food Pantry as his Eagle Scout project. This will allow
members of the community to drop off food donations 24 hours a day.
The Wrentham Food Pantry Board of Directors would like to thank the OCC for
supporting this project. It will be a big help to everyone associated with the Pantry
Sunday June 19