Newsletter

First Congregational Church of Stockbridge

Directions


Calendar of Events


Church Life


Listen To Our Worship


UCC






http://www.mapquest.com/maps/The+First+Congregational+Church+of+Stockbridge:%5B5-18%5D+Main+St+Stockbridge+MA+01262/Calendar_of_Events.htmlCalendar_of_Events.htmlChurch_Life.htmlPodcast/Podcast.htmlPodcast/Podcast.htmlhttp://www.ucc.org/choose.htmlshapeimage_2_link_0shapeimage_2_link_1shapeimage_2_link_2shapeimage_2_link_3shapeimage_2_link_4shapeimage_2_link_5shapeimage_2_link_6


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