Nov 2026 Steeple Sounds

This time of year always makes me feel nostalgic. There’s something about the letting go of summer and the changing of the leaves. There is something holy about remembering what was and what is to come. It makes sense that it’s also the season when we hold our All Saints Day worship services.

Each year, on the first Sunday of November, Christians around the world observe All Saints Day as a time to remember those who have gone before us and to give thanks for the people who’ve helped to shape our lives. We remember family members, friends, church members, and all those whose love, kindness, and faith have helped make us who we are.

We live in a busy and loud world that is constantly in motion. All Saints Day invites us to pause. It reminds us that remembrance and grief deserve space, that love does not end with death, and that we do not walk the journey of faith alone. We carry the stories, lessons, and love of those who came before us. We remember because love matters. We gather because we belong to one another. And we give thanks because, in life and in death, we are held in the boundless love of God.

Please join us for worship on All Saints Day, Sunday Nov. 1, as we remember our loved ones, celebrate Communion, and give thanks for the saints whose lives have touched our own. Whether you come carrying grief, gratitude, or both, there is a place for you. You are invited to bring an item to worship to share with the congregation that serves as a reminder of the saints in your life. You can place the item on the altar, share a story or a name, and light a candle in their honor.

We remember them.

In Christ,
Rev. Beth

CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Do you need a meal, a call, spiritual care, or even just a prayer or a chat?

Contact the Pastor, a Deacon, or a member of our Care Team.

CSCC Deacons
Deb Sorgman – debsorgman at gmail . com

Anne Malmquist - amalmquist at comcast . net

Cristi Ciaramitaro

Stephanie Holmgren, Altar Deacon

Liam O'Connell, Jr. Deacon

Talinn Muurisepp, Jr. Deacon

CSCC Care Team
Bev Mitchell * Nina Gabel-Jorgensen * Deb Moore * Rev. Beth Stotts

Contact the church office if you need us!

• Congratulations to Logan Muurisepp, who earned an individual gold medal while his team earned a silver medal, at the FFA Nationals in Indianapolis.

• Congratulations to Josephine Stotts, who appeared in “The Lion King, Jr.” at the Burt Woods School in Middleboro last month.

• Barbara Morey reported that she returned from a trip abroad that included a visit to the North Pole!

• Congratulations to Cristianna Ciaramitaro for coming in first place with her tablescape in the “Weddings Around the World” presentation at the Bristol Agricultural High School Fall Show.

• THANK YOU to Erik Muurisepp, for volunteering to be our new Fire Steward!

Do you have an important milestone in your family you'd like to share with the CSCC community? Perhaps a retirement (yay!), a birth, a new job or house, a passing? Let us share in these important moments in the life of our community together.

Send your brief, one-line message to the church office at office@csccucc.com. If it's received by the 20th of the month, it'll be in the next Steeple Sounds. If it comes after, we'll save it for the next one.

Church Directory 2026

Hi everyone! Jenne your friendly office manager here. The photo day for the new church directory went very well on Monday, October 12th. The photographers were wonderful and took so many lovely photos for us.

If you were unable to be there or just missed the event, you may submit your own photo. You can email it to the Church Office at office@csccucc.com. Please send them in by Sunday, November 8th. We are so excited to have a brand new directory for everyone.

Thanks again!
Jenne

All Saints Day Altar & Ofrenda Invitation for Sunday 11/1

On All Saints’ Day, we celebrate and give thanks for the saints who have gone before us, those whose lives, love, and faith have drawn us closer to God. This year, our altar will include an ofrenda, a special display of remembrance inspired by the tradition of honoring those who have passed on.

You are invited to bring a small item, photo, or symbol that represents something or someone who has helped shape your faith, a loved one, a teacher, a piece of music, a favorite book, or anything that reminds you of God’s presence in your life. Together, we will create a sacred space of gratitude and reflection, celebrating how God continues to work through the people, stories, and experiences that guide our spiritual journey.
As we honor the saints of our lives, may we be reminded of the great cloud of witnesses surrounding us and be encouraged to live our faith with joy and hope.

Please have your picture or item in by 10/30 and place it in the church office. You will be able to take your memento home with you following worship. If you miss that deadline, feel free to bring it with you to worship.

Contact Stephanie Holmgren at sholmgren @ praxis-counseling.com or the church office with any questions.

The CSCC Women's Guild and Fellowship is off to a great start. At our October meeting, we enjoyed an array of pot luck dishes from our members, reacquainted with one another and got down to rummage sale business and our year ahead. One very interesting fact about our group: We had 35 ladies in attendance, each one jotted down their age on a slip of paper. We tallied up all the slips to find the median age of our membership. Our ages ranged from 45 - 90. The median age of the WGF is 74 years old. This is an amazing fact about an amazing group.

Our next meeting is November 4 at 6:30pm. The program for the evening is titled:
The Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Our presenter is Leslie Stoltz and her dog Finnley.
Our Hostess Team for the evening is Chris Ventura, Rachel Lawson, Donna O'Neil and Donna Albro. Our Material Aids focus is Journey House Gift Bags. Different types of toiletries will be collected for the residing women.

All women are welcome and bring a friend on November 4th.
Co-Presidents,
Carol and Debbie

Central Closet Thrift Shop is once again welcoming the holiday season. We have fall and winter items arriving daily, which means there is always something new to be seen. Stop in often so you won't miss out on a special item at our special price!

The shop will be closed on November 7th, for the annual church fair, but we will be open on Veterans Day, November 11th. We are offering a 10% discount to all veterans and all service members. Just our way of saying thank you to all Veterans for all you have done.

November 28th is small business day. Anyone with a purchase of $10 or more will receive one free item from our sale section.

Happy Thanksgiving to all,
Connie, Sandy, Jane, Lynn and Gail

Warmth in Cold Places – Sharing Warmth, Spreading Hope

As part of our church’s commitment to caring for our greater community, the CSCC Community Engagement Team is excited to once again host our annual Warmth in Cold Places collection in support of the Taunton Soup Kitchen.

As the colder months approach, we invite our congregation to help spread warmth, kindness, and compassion to neighbors in need by donating new or gently used warm clothing including coats, sweatshirts, long pants, socks, gloves, hats, and more. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those facing difficult circumstances in our surrounding communities.

Donations will be accepted Nov. 15 - Dec. 13. Volunteers are welcome to help sort donations on Sunday, Dec. 13, following worship. Donations can be placed in the bin just inside the Church St. door of the church.

Thank you for helping us share God's love, one act of kindness at a time!

This November in worship and Kids Church, we are taking a deep dive into Matthew 25, exploring what it means to live out our faith through love, service, and readiness. Through engaging lessons, activities, and discussions, our kids will discover how small acts of kindness—feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, and caring for others—are direct ways we share God’s love with the world around us.

Later in the month, we’re gearing up for one of the most special times of the year! Starting November 29, our curriculum will transition into the Advent season. Together, we’ll embark on a journey of joyful anticipation as we focus on Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, discovering the true heart and promise of Christmas.

Parents and caregivers, we invite you to ask your kids what they’ve been exploring each Sunday and join us in praying for their hearts as we prepare for this wonderful season. Thank you for letting us partner with you in nurturing the faith of our youngest members!

Kids Church Director,
Eric Stotts

Sermon Series on Matthew 25: Living Our Faith

In Matthew 25, Jesus offers three powerful parables that challenge us to move beyond simply believing in God. Instead, Jesus asks us to live out God’s love in tangible, meaningful ways.

Over three weeks, we will explore what it means to be a people of faith who stay awake to God’s presence, use our gifts in service to others, and recognize Christ in our neighbors—especially those who are vulnerable, marginalized, or too often overlooked.

Through the parable of the ten bridesmaids, the parable of the talents, and the parable of the sheep and the goats, we will hear Jesus’ unmistakable call to care for the hungry, welcome the stranger, tend to the sick, and stand alongside those in need.

Through this sermon series, you will be invited to ask not just what you believe, but how your faith shapes the way you live.

Because faith is not just something we profess.

It is something we practice.

November 8, 15, & 22

We can't believe the church fair is coming so quickly. We are asking for your donations for Attic Treasures. We need things like - candles, note paper, dishes, Christmas items, small toys, bedding, perfume and hand lotion.

We are also looking for Christmas tops (men and women) in good condition. We hang them up and last year sold all of them. Please no clothing except Christmas-themed.

You can drop things off on Thursday (11/5) or Friday (11/6). Please come by on Friday night and Saturday to shop. Thank you!

Debbie Golob and Bev Mitchell

Cookies, Carols & Crafts!

A Little Sugar, a Little Sparkle, and a Whole Lot of Christmas Spirit!
Saturday, December 5th | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Join us at Central Square Congregational Church for a festive afternoon filled with sweet treats, holiday music, crafts, and community fun! Bring your family, invite your neighbors, and come make some merry memories with us!

Christmas Cookies & Treats – Enjoy delicious holiday goodies and a little something sweet!

Christmas Crafts – Get creative with festive crafts and handmade holiday fun for all ages!

Christmas Carols – Sing along to your favorite Christmas classics and fill the afternoon with holiday cheer!

Hot Cocoa & Holiday Fun – Sip something warm, share a smile, and enjoy the magic of the season together!

$5 Suggested Donation – Your generosity helps support our church and its mission of spreading love and kindness throughout our community.

When: Saturday, December 5th
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Where: Central Square Congregational Church

Come for the cookies, stay for the carols, get crafty, and leave with a heart full of Christmas joy!

All are welcome — we can't wait to celebrate the magic of the season with you!

Hanging of the Greens:
Preparing for the Season of Hope!

As Advent approaches, we invite you to join us for our Hanging of the Greens on Sunday, November 22 following worship. The Hanging of the Greens is a special time when we prepare our sanctuary for the coming Christmas season. Through the decorating of our church, we’ll reflect on the meaning behind the evergreens, wreaths, candles, and other symbols that remind us of God’s enduring love and the hope of new life.

More than decorating our church, this is an opportunity to prepare our hearts for the season ahead. As we bring light and beauty into our sanctuary, may we also make room for hope, practice peace, share joy, and welcome the love of God into our lives and our community.

Come help us begin this sacred season together as we prepare our church—and ourselves—to welcome the One who comes to dwell among us!

CSCC Emergency Aid Fund

At Central Square Church, we provide cash and gift card grants to community folks in dire need through the CSCC Emergency Aid Fund. We provide funds for prescriptions, rent, transportation, short-term housing, diapers and baby stuff, school supplies, etc. Almost all of our gifts are to people outside of the church, especially folks living on the edge economically or experiencing homelessness, unemployment, or underemployment. Any donation would be a wonderful gift! Simply put your check or cash in one of the small envelopes in the pews and place it in the Sunday collection plate, or drop it off at (or mail it to) the office. Just be sure it’s clearly marked “Emergency Fund”.

Donations can also be made via Venmo, or on the church website on the “giving” page.

Thanks in advance for your prayers and generosity.

It’s Getting To Be That Time of Year:
A Reminder of Our Policy on Delay or Cancellation of Worship Services Due to Acts of Nature

Weather occasionally interferes with our ability to safely hold events and worship services here at CSCC, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the inclement weather policy, which can be accessed by clicking HERE.

The Senior Deacon in conjunction with the Senior Pastor will discuss the need and reason for cancellation of worship service. Closure notifications will be made via Facebook, text alert, and email, and will be indicated on the home page of the website as well as on the church phone voicemail.
The main factors used to decide a cancellation are:
1. Excessive amounts of snow
2. Parking availability (or parking ban)
3. Damage to the church
4. State of Emergency
5. Power Outage
To ensure you receive timely notification of weather issues, be sure you are on our email list as well as our cell phone text message notification list. You may opt-out at any time. Links to sign up for both lists are on the home page of the website (www.csccucc.org). Contact the office with questions.

Here are some upcoming events and other volunteer opportunities. Community service students welcome for most events. Tell your friends! Need not be a church member to help us out! If interested in helping, or knowing more, contact the church office.

• Annual Church Fair & Turkey Dinner, Nov. 6,7,14
Needed: pie makers, cookie & bread bakers, chili chefs, donations of various foods and drinks for the lunch and turkey dinner, and general volunteers. Visit csccucc.org for info or to sign up (or contact the church office)
• People needed to go to local businesses and ask them to donate a gift basket or a gift card for our upcoming events.
• Food Sorting Event for the food pantry: Saturday, Nov. 21, 3pm
• Hanging of the Greens, Sunday, Nov. 22 following worship.
• Warmth in Cold Places donation sorting event, Sunday, Dec. 13, following worship.

And we’re always in need of:
• Scripture readers (every Sunday)
• Greeters (every Sunday)
• Ushers (every Sunday)

For all upcoming volunteer opportunities, CLICK HERE. Updated constantly!

Location: Fellowship hall, Church

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 by Anne Malmquist, Moderator.

Cabinet members in attendance: Anne Malmquist, Moderator; Nina Gabel-Jorgensen, Clerk; Natalie Muurisepp, Congregational Engagement; Drew Sullivan, Community Engagement; David Sheibley, Treasurer; Rev. Beth Stotts, Pastor; John Sharland, Property and Finance

Guests: Connie Chandler

Acceptance of August Minutes
Motion to accept August minutes, Dave Sheibley; Natalie Muurisepp seconded. Minutes passed.

Pastor’s Report
• Confirmation program coming up. It’s not just for non confirmands but for anyone who wants to re-engage.
• Met with the Deacons; church calendar planned through Advent.
• There was a pool party for the youth. It was an inter-generational pool party.
• World Communion Sunday is coming up.
• Ian Jackson wedding is also coming up.

Treasurer’s Report
• Fairly normal month.
• 10k in August.
• Ran on budget for last month.
• Investment accounts doing better than they have for about 10 years.
• Concern about oil prices for upcoming Winter.

Community Engagement
• Autumn Fest 9/26. They are looking for volunteers to help out. They will talk to Stepanie Holmgren about sending out an email blast. It is going to be set up at BSU.
• 10/4 - Neighbors in Need offering.
• Supporting ministries of Justice and also supporting Council of American Indian Ministry
• Starting to collect items for Warmth in Cold Places. Dates to come.
• Themed baskets to support the church will be throughout the year. Donations are encouraged. Please reach out to Stephanie.
• Reverend Beth will make breakfast tacos on 10/4.
• We are a 5-5 congregation. We participate in all the UCC offerings.

Congregational Engagement
Partnered with Community Engagement and Sunday was a success.

Property and Finance Team
• We have a donation of $3500 for the floor. We are waiting for Arthur Sharp and David Hanson to connect to get it done. We may be able to use 50 cases of flooring left from another job.
• The water heater in the boiler room needs to be replaced. We got a $2000 bid from Ray Isaacs. Will reach out to Concannon and Bovil for bids as well.
• Church Mutual sent 5 surveys to fill out. This is prior to renewal. Not sure if this will increase church insurance costs. Roof survey, freeze protection survey, electrical survey we did check to see if we needed a new circuit for the freezer.
• Email from insurance co suggesting umbrella policy. For $750 extra we increased the policy to 1 million dollars.

Spiritual Engagement
• Kids church has started and everything was planned through Advent.
• We need a fire steward for the candles. We didn’t have the candles filled with fire starter fluid for Sunday service. The responsibility of the Fire Steward is to fill the candles and order oil. Drew said he would do it as a last resort. Reverend Beth said she wants someone to be fired up about it.
• Through the end of the year, Reverend Beth has coverage. We will need to organize the new year to cover Reverend Beth’s Sundays off. Nina will do January 10.

Food Pantry Discussion
• Request for updates.
• Connie covered the office on Thursday. She’s done it for a couple of weeks. There were a few calls.
• Have only had one meeting so far with the transition team.
• Still waiting for job descriptions.
• Reverend Beth got a message from the middle school PTO that they would like to collect food throughout the year.
• Jack Melcher is doing the ordering from home. The other guys are going to the food bank to pick up food.
• The students come back tomorrow from the Brockton program. We need people upstairs desperately. Jack Melcher said that the Brockton program contacted him. There is a need to follow up regarding having more infrastructure in place as Jack is home. Need a central person on site.

New Business
• The Thrift shop would like a permanent sign. There was a suggestion to add thrift shop days and hours to wooden the sign. Also add a sign to the side door. Dave will follow up with Sign Design to see what the cost and design would be.
• We are low on money for the Emergency Fund. Need and amounts have increased substantially.

The next meeting is October 21, 2026 at 7pm.

The meeting was adjourned at 7: 39pm.

Church Administration
Pastor: Rev. Elizabeth Stotts, csccpastor at hotmail.com

Office Manager: Jenne Foronjy, office@csccucc.com
Minister of Music: Julia Scott Carey

Director of Video Evangelism: Paul Holmes
Treasurer: David Sheibley

Communications Coordinator: Diane Sheibley

Kids Church Director: Eric Stotts

Office email: office@csccucc.com
Office telephone: (508) 697-6016
Website: www.csccucc.org
Facebook: facebook.com/csccuccbridgewaterma (main page)

Instagram: @centralsquarechurch

Venmo: @cscc-ucc

Steeple Sounds submissions deadline is the 15th of the month prior to publication.