October 2022 Steeple Sounds 2 2

I was having a tough week last week trying to juggle everything. My schedule was super tight with meetings and work and driving my son to his new job and getting my daughter to school and her lessons and my husband was away and it was all just A LOT. I know I’m not alone and that everyone has weeks like that, but when it’s rough, we can get really down on ourselves. Sometimes I beat myself up thinking that I should be able to do it all. When I get like this, I always have to remind myself of two things:

1.) “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
– Romans 8:38-39

2.) “It’s okay to fall apart sometimes. Tacos fall apart and we still love them.” – internet meme

When I get overwhelmed, I have to remind myself that I am doing my best and that God is always with me and loves me… just as I am. Even when things get messy, I am loved.

Thanks be to God!

In Christ,
Rev. Beth

If you need a reminder of these two things too, join me at Fiesta Mexican Restaurant at 34 Bedford St in East Bridgewater on National Taco Day, (Tuesday, October 4) at 12noon.

NONPERISHABLES ARE NEEDED! If you are able to buy a few extra items at the grocery store, please consider donating some nonperishable food items to the food pantry in the next few weeks. “Whatever you like to eat, that’s what you should donate,” is the advice from the staff. Donations can be dropped off at the church during church office hours, Sunday mornings, or any time the building is open for meetings or events.

The Bridgewater Food Pantry, hosted and supported by CSCC, is open Thursdays, 10am-1pm, and the first Mondays of the month, 6-7:30pm. COVID protocols are in place and adhered to for the safety of all. All Bridgewater residents who are in need of food are welcome.

If you are a Bridgewater resident unable to come to the food pantry, but are in need of food, please contact the church office by email or phone (below) and arrangements will be made for you.

Ever thought about joining our adult choir? We’d love to have you!

Our members have an inspiring love of music, and singers of all abilities are welcome. Many of our singers have sight-reading and some musicianship skills, but they are not required.

We rehearse on Sunday mornings before worship, performing in the service at 10am almost every week between Labor Day and Memorial Day. If you are interested in joining the choir, please contact the Minister of Music, Julia Scott Carey at juliascottcarey@gmail.com or contact the church office at 508-697-6016 or office@csccucc.com.

Please join us on Wednesday, October 5 at 6:30, for our annual potluck supper and a celebration of our 100-year anniversary, in the Fellowship Hall. It is our first meeting of the year and we welcome all women from the church and beyond. We are a wonderful group of women who meet at the church on the first Wednesday of the month from October to May for a program, meeting, and food fellowship. Our monthly programs this year include a local charity helping children, a special Christmas Service, an auction, a slide show, and fun with flowers. We also run 2 rummage sales to make money which we donate to those less fortunate. This is for all ages and we’d like to see some new people join us this year!

If you are coming to the potluck supper, please don’t bring a dessert as we will be having a cake. You could bring a main dish, salad, vegetable, fruit, side dish, etc. Also, you could dress like it’s 1922 or bring something from home that you think is about 100 years old!
Hope to see you there!

Jane O’Connell and Barbara Morey, Co-Presidents

The Women’s Guild and Fellowship will be holding their Annual Fall Rummage Sale on Saturday, October 15, at the church. We are looking for good, clean donations of fall/winter clothing for the entire family, shoes, hats, bags, linens, household items, Christmas/Fall decorations, glassware, jewelry, sporting goods, and toys. We do not accept electronics, hardcover books, and big furniture.

We appreciate your donations of clean, useful stuff. You can drop them off at the church during the week of Oct. 10 on Wed. or Thurs., 9am - 1pm, Fri. 9am - 5 pm, or any other time the church is open for meetings that week. Donations should be left in the Fellowship Hall.

Thank you so much for your donations!
Jane O’Connell and Barbara Morey, Co-Presidents

On October 16 we will be welcoming Rev. Marraine Kettell to our worship as a guest preacher. Rev. Marraine, who went to seminary with Rev. Beth, has served churches in New York, Pennsylvania, and the Metropolitan Boston area and is currently serving at Old South First Congregational Church, UCC in Farmington, Maine.

Rev. Marraine is coming as a part of a pulpit swap. So while she’s here at CSCC, Rev. Beth is preaching in Maine on the same day. This is a unique opportunity for our congregations to hear different perspectives and voices.

Welcome, Rev. Marraine!

Hello everyone,

Fall is here and that means our Outreach funds are going to work as well as we are for projects and ministries.

In September funds were allocated for the minister’s Emergency Aid Fund and for the Southern New England Conference “Strengthen The Church” fund, one of the 5 for 5 funds that we participate in through the UCC.

On October 2nd we will be accepting donations for the second 5 for 5 fund which is titled “Neighbors in Need.” This collection supports justice and advocacy ministries throughout the United States.

Please consider giving generously to this important fund. Thank you for your continued support.
CSCC Board of Christian Outreach

We would like to introduce the first team of Kid’s Church teachers. There are three teachers: Eric Stotts, Krissy Cannizzo, and Terry Reynolds. Eric is teaching the pre-k/kindergarten age group. He volunteered all summer during church, encouraging the children to participate in various activities such as drawing, coloring, and reading stories. Teaching the first and second grade students is Krissy. She works for the Children’s Museum in Easton, exploring science with elementary age children with hands-on activities. Terry Reynolds is teaching grades three to six and has taught lower elementary school for many years. We are fortunate to also have two high school volunteers assisting in the classes, Maddie and Cass.

Kid’s Church began with a special event to introduce our first quarter. Each class went on a treasure hunt. After following the clues, the children found the treasure and opened the box to discover a Bible inside. The focus this fall will be the Old Testament. The first lesson was in the book of Genesis and was the story of creation. The next few stories are also found in Genesis, then we will move onto the book of Exodus. The pictures in the pre-k to second grade are very enticing to look at. The language in the Bibles is engaging. The Bible that is being used in grades 3 to 6 has language that is easy to understand. They encourage children to memorize a different verse from each story. Questions are asked for discussion and suggestions are made for children to try different things to give them a better understanding of the Bible story. To help familiarize the older children with the stories, they will be presented with a Bible. This will occur in church on Bible Sunday, which is October 2nd.

A program is being presented to students in the 7th grade (or 12 years of age). They will be asked to write down where and how they would like to volunteer in the church, local community and/or their own home. This will give them an opportunity to explore their own interests and provide a service for other people.

When students reach 8th grade or above they will have the opportunity to enter the confirmation class. This is a time for learning, exploring, and deciding what they believe as they take their faith journey.

This is the BIGGEST FUNDRAISER FOR THE CHURCH OF THE YEAR. Many hands make this event a successful event. What can you do? (Read on...)

We need:
• Pie, cookie, and bread bakers
• Soup makers! One crockpot of soup from half a dozen or so folks will make for a GREAT take-out lunch event!
• Volunteers the day of the fair to help out around and about
• Gift basket donations! Do you know a local business that would donate a gift basket in return for some publicity? Or maybe your family would put together a fun basket! Baskets and gift cards gratefully accepted.
• Community service-seeking students.
• Folks to distribute flyers at their favorite public places.

Visit the Fair page by CLICKING HERE to get the details and sign up to contribute! We need your time and talent!

The meeting was called to order at 7:07 by Denise Molinari, Vice Moderator.

Cabinet members in attendance: Rev. Beth Stotts, Pastor; Denise Molinari, Vice Moderator; David Sheibley, Treasurer; Diane Sheibley, Clerk; Gordon Brailsford and Ed Buckland, Board of Trustees; Bill O’Neil, Board of Christian Outreach; Barbara Morey, History & Memorials Committee; Terry Reynolds, Board of Christian Education; Jane O’Connell, Women’s Guild & Fellowship.
Also present: Lynn Pietras, Gail Wright

Rev. Beth opened the meeting with a devotional

Diane Sheibley took attendance and verified that a quorum was present.

August Minutes
The meeting minutes from the August meeting were presented and reviewed. Dave Sheibley motioned to accept them; Rev. Beth seconded. The minutes were approved as presented.

Pastor’s Report – Rev. Beth Stotts
Rev. Beth reported that she is working with the senior center for a Nov. 3 All Saints/Dia de los Muertos event, to memorialize people who have passed. She attended an “Endemic Church” workshop, where they discussed a 5-year study of congregations, which began in prepandemic times and continued through the pandemic. They found that prepandmic, there was a 40% volunteer rate among congregations; and during the pandemic, it was 16%. It’s now trending back up. She noted that we need to focus on what’s inspiring us and giving us hope; the study showed that churches that do that are doing better than those that are not.

She started working on a membership packet. She reminded us that the Community Give Back fundraiser at Black Hat Brew Works is Oct. 6. On Sunday, Oct. 9, new members will be joining.

There was a question about having the American flag in the sanctuary, and whether there is objection to bringing it back. It was noted that it was discussed at length a few years ago. Perhaps on Deacons? Perhaps it should be brought to Deacons, and then to the congregation for discussion after that. Diane will look into past Cabinet minutes to see if it was discussed there. [EDIT: it was not discussed in Cabinet -ds] It may be brought up at the October cabinet meeting.

Treasurer’s Report – Dave Sheibley
Dave reported that last month’s giving was not as good as the prior month. We have gotten 16 40-for-$40k pledges to date. Expenses seem a little low because we’re not yet paying for oil for heat, etc. This month he will be taking $10,000 out of investments for cash flow. We are running close to budget.

Food Pantry – Bill O’Neil
They purchased more gift cards today to distribute to food pantry patrons. One of the Bridgewater Dunkins gave a $500 donation. Bill noted that local businesses have been very generous. There was a sizable food donation from Father Bill’s, as they get donations but can’t use the small sized cans for their own food service. Jane O’Connell noted that the Women’s Guild would once again like to provide $5 gift certificates for the rummage sale to be distributed to food pantry patrons.

Historical Church Building Committee – Barbara Morey
It’s been about 2 years since the town approved the $200k grant, and they are still working on the grant agreement. They’re finalizing a couple of changes to the deed restriction. The still need: (a) a site plan showing the building; (b) the title and property boundary docs; and (c) the names of the town council people. The next meeting of the CPC is next Wednesday. When the deed restriction comes in, will go to the Trustees for review. Barbara wants them to confirm what they’re giving us for phase 2 & 3 before signing the deed restriction. It’s still unresolved whether the town will require us to remove all the siding or not (big question). The committee feels that they can get a less expensive construction company to do the work than the original one we used for the assessment. It was noted that we spent $62,000 to put the application in to the CPC.

Church Fair – Diane Sheibley
Diane noted that the fair committee is comprised of herself, Denise Molinari, Carla Jackson, and David Hanson. The dates of the fair are Friday, 11/4 and Saturday 11/5. Pie night is back! The hours on Friday are 6:30-8:30, and the hours for Saturday are 9-1 (formerly 9-2). Barbara Morey noted that Jewelry would like as many tables as possible. Diane asked the Trustees if the dishwasher was working, and said they don’t need an answer now, but they will need the dishwasher for pie night (11/4).

Diane asked Cabinet for permission to conduct a pick-a-prize raffle at the fair. Denise made the motion, and Dave Sheibley seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Autumnfest – Diane Sheibley
Diane noted that the church would be hosting a booth at Autumnfest this Saturday (9/24). We will be selling walking tacos and baked goods. Baked goods are needed! Anyone willing to bake should bring their goods to the booth Saturday morning.

Stewardship – Diane Sheibley for Kathleen Mosher
Work continues on the 40-for-$40k campaign. They are also creating a poster with a QR code on it, which can be displayed to the public when we have the fair, rummage sale, scouts, and other groups in the building, and when the local schoolchildren are doing their historical building tour. The poster will list the various charities and projects we are involved with, and by showing all the good things we do we may inspire people to donate.

Christian Education – Terry Reynolds
Sunday school / Kids Church began last Sunday, and the kids did a treasure hunt. Bible Sunday is World Communion Sunday, Oct 2. 3rd-6th graders will be receiving bibles. Terry has teachers lined up for all of the quarters of Kids Church this year. There are also some 7th grade “tweeners”, and Terry is working with them to see where they’d like to help out in the church. Also, 9 kids have already signed up for the Junior Choir.

Board of Christian Outreach – Bill O’Neil
Outreach is focusing on the 5 for 5 collections until their Warmth in Cold Places drive later this Fall.

Music Committee
Choir is back! Julia is off this Sunday, and Bob Richards will be substituting.

Women’s Guild & Fellowship – Jane O’Connell
Jane also asked about the dishwasher. The WG rummage sale is Saturday, Oct. 15. They are in need of student volunteers, and Jane asked Diane if she’s still in touch with the high school about community service projects. Diane said she’d look into it, as well as posting it on facebook and in steeple sounds. Hours would be 9-3. Jane would be the contact. The first Guild meeting of the year is a potluck on Oct. 5, and will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Guild.

Thrift Shop – Lynn Pietras and Gail Wright
Lynn reported that they have obtained a business permit for the thrift shop, and plans are moving along.

Rev. Beth thanked everyone for the party celebrating her 10th anniversary last Sunday.

The meeting was closed in prayer at 8:10pm.

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

Congregational Receptionist: Jenne Foronjy, office@csccucc.com
Minister of Music: Julia Scott Carey

Director of Video Evangelism: Paul Holmes
Treasurer: David Sheibley

Communications Coordinator: Diane Sheibley

Office email: office@csccucc.com
Office telephone: (508) 697-6016
Website: www.csccucc.org
Facebook pages: facebook.com/csccuccbridgewaterma (main page), facebook.com/groups/801550253194149 (youth page)

Instagram: @centralsquarechurch

Venmo: @cscc-ucc

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