Newsletter
First Congregational Church of Stockbridge
A WORD FROM OUR PASTOR
Summer 2010
Recent conversations have led me to feel encouraged - and impressed once again - by the fact that sincere, spiritual seekers are looking to this church for the possibility of deep spiritual nurture, growth, challenge, service, and transformation. And the reception that such people receive by members of the congregation is a true blessing. It's not easy for people to "test the waters" with a new group. For we all know - instinctively - that it is human nature for established social groups to be cautious of new people and leery of new ideas that they may bring with them. That's normal human behavior. And yet people consistently report feeling welcomed and heard in this church. We are far from perfect but - at least to some extent - we are offering something different from normal human behavior. We are offering an alternative reality - a glimpse of "Kingdom Living."
We're only a small glimpse to be sure. Like everyone, we will continue to struggle to live up to our highest ideals. Nevertheless, the glimpse of light that we do see shining through a darkened mirror is real.
So what makes this church attractive to those drawn toward the light? In addition to a welcoming atmosphere, I believe that one key factor is our open-minded, open-hearted approach to our religion. This is reflected in an inclusive rather than an exclusive theology and in the fact that we have declared ourselves to be an Open and Affirming Church. Also, people often find that our worship that feels real and meaningful. A common-sense approach to scripture helps. Our music program is a major factor in creating a worshipful atmosphere with depth and authenticity. Sometimes our adult education programs and special social events draw people to the church.
But the source of all these things is the same. When people perceive the Spirit alive and moving within our midst they respond. Everyone is looking for God - although sometimes people use different words to describe the quest. When people perceive that God is here, they are drawn toward the source. We are not the source. But we can - by God's grace - be a place in which people can hear and respond to God's calling and move closer toward the source of all that we are.
Yours in awe and wonder,
Steve Bridges
FROM MISSION & ACTION
Many thanks to all who contributed to the food drive for the Christian Center. We will also be doing a clothing drive for them June 6-13. We are looking for items for "Suit Yourself", their 'boutique' of professional clothing for adults going on job interviews and working in offices. They would accept dress pants, blouses, shirts, skirts, ties, suits, belts, dress shoes, etc.. in very good condition. Please search your closets and bring items to the church. Thank you.
BATHROOM RENOVATION FUND
Awaiting some final decorative touches, our new Church bathrooms are finished and in use. I think everyone would agree it has been a highly successful project. We can thank Ted Randolph who worked closely with the architect and contractor from beginning to the end. Also thanks go out to Jeannene Booher and Stephanie Bradford who are in charge of the decorating.
At the Church Annual Meeting this last Sunday, Ted Randolph indicated that someone had asked if donations were still being taken for the Bathroom Renovation Fund. The answer is yes. The project has cost us about $36,000. The Renovation Fund received $22,000 in gifts meaning we still have a gap of $14,000.
Any future donations to the Bathroom Renovation Fund will lessen the amount the Trustees have to take from the Historical Property Fund to pay for this project.
The Trustees want to, once again, thank all who contributed to the Bathroom Renovation Fund; and, in advance, any future contributors. As our Moderator Michelle Gillett said at the Annual Meeting: “It’s wonderful what we can do when we put our efforts together for the Church.”
Please drop any donations off at the Church office or mail them to the Church at P.O. Box 825, Stockbridge, MA 01262. Be sure to mark your check” Bathroom Renovation Fund”.
Your Trustees
REMINDER
Please make sure doors and windows are shut and locked when you leave the church, especially after an event where you might be one of the last to go. Make sure burners are turned off, lights are turned off, food is put away. We ALL need to be vigilant about this!
VOLUNTEERS
This year committees are teaming up to organize and host and clean up the many social events that make our church community so hospitable and pleasurable and informative.
If you are not on a committee but would like to help out, please come and participate in any way that works for you!
At the All Boards Meeting on June 7th, we spent some time “Blue Sky-ing.”
We broke into groups of four and thought about what we would like our church to be and do if there were no obstacles to achieving our dreams. Here’s what we came up with:
1.A Bell Choir
2.A new organist
3.A larger Kitchen
4.A Book Club
5.Political Engagement/Action
6.Window Screens
7.Maintenance and Updating of Building and Grounds
8.Purchase Proctor Hall and convert it into affordable housing for elderly and disabled and turn it over to a local housing authority to manage
9.Increase salaries of church employees
10.Retreats
11. More adults aged 30-45 and more children in the congregation
12.Dynamic programming like mountain climbing and river rafting and hayrides, some with other churches
13.A New Weathervane
14. Less concern with minutiae, more mutual generosity
15. Going Green (creating a Green Committee to consider how we can become more environmentally conscious)
16.Become more of a community resource: Dinners, Childcare, English as a Second- Language classes, permanent clothing swap.
17. Build a new wing
18. More local community involvement
19.New Pews that are comfortable
20. Improve the physical plant
SOME OF THESE ARE ACHIEVABLE AND EASILY IMPLEMENTED. IT’S GOOD TO DREAM, AND EVEN BETTER TO MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE!
NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT
OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES OF THE CHURCH
July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011
CHAIR OF CHURCH COUNCIL/MODERATOR Michelle Gillett
CLERK Joyce Hovey
TREASURER Chuck Gillett
FINANCIAL SECRETARY John Breasted
HISTORIAN Christopher Niebuhr
LIBRARIAN Terry Wise
BOARD OF DEACONS
CLASS OF 2011 CLASS OF 2012CLASS OF 2013
Elaine GunnAnne Hutchinson Ted Hornick
Connie MontgomeryDavid AndereggTonya Doerr
Anne RoyDiane BenedictJackie Hawkins
Diane Piraino
BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
CLASS OF 2011CLASS OF 2012CLASS OF 2013
Max StackhouseMindy Dow
Joan Nimmo * Janet McKinstry
Nell Ezequelle
BOARD OF MISSION & ACTION
CLASS OF 2011CLASS OF 2012CLASS OF 2013
Wendy NicolosiMadonna Bachman*Judi Peyron
JoAnne Redding *Suzanne DowerAmy Broberg
Fiona BrownMarissa Peyron Alice Wilmot
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
CLASS OF 2011 CLASS OF 2012CLASS OF 2013
Ted RandolphJeannene BooherBill Fuller
Josh HallStephanie BradfordJim McMenamy
Carl BradfordStu Benedict *Gary Schieneman
GROWTH AND FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE
CLASS OF 2011CLASS OF 2012CLASS OF 2013
Mark FischettiMarj Fuller
Patty FaddingMary Hoeltzel *
Allison TracyJoan Kopperl
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Class of 2011: Anne HutchinsonChristian Education Rep:
Class of 2012: Mark Fischetti Deacon Rep:
Class of 2013: Trustee Rep
COMMITTEE OF DELEGATES
STATE CONFERENCEBERKSHIRE ASSOCIATION
Class of 2011: Class of 2011:
Deborah GoodwinDeborah Goodwin
Don PaineDon Paine
* chair/co-chairs
Names and address to be added to your Church Directory –
Amy Broberg
PO Box 1202
Stockbridge, MA 01262
Tel. 413-298-7019
Email: abroberg@berkshirecountryday.org
Leston Freeman
8 Lukeman Lane
Stockbridge, MA 01262
Tel. 413-637-0755 x16
Linda Colvin
777 Moberg Road
Becket, MA 01223
Tel. 413-623-6130
Email: lbcolvin@earthlink.net
Ronnie Cunningham
PO Box 347
Housatonic, MA 01236
Tel. 413-274-1169
Email: veronica404@netzero.net
Pat Price
5 Willard Hill Rd.
W. Stockbridge, MA 01266
Tel. 413-298-3740
Email: patprice103@gmail.com
Robert Edward/Lydia Lake
PO Box 2031
Lenox, MA 01240
John Jones
130 Water St., Lot 3
Lee, MA 01238
Email & phone changes/updates –
Nell Ezequelle - neezequel@roadrunner.com
Sarah Formel - sformel@roadrunner.com
Anne & Joe Roy - 413-841-1539
