This
page is updated weekly. Please call the
office for additional information or changes.
Easter Flowers
If you are interested in ordering flowers for the Easter Services in honor or memory of a loved one, please complete the form found, in the March Congregator, Fellowship Hall, the web site (click here) or the church office. The deadline for flowers orders and inclusion in the bulletin listing is Sunday, March 14. Please call the church office with questions.
A Breakfast
For Inquiring Minds
Sunday, March 21
8:30am
Beinema Hall
Have you been thinking of church membership at Falmouth Congregational United Church of Christ? Have you been thinking about what it means to belong to a local congregation? Then please join with us for a Prospective New Member Breakfast on Sunday, March 21 at 8:30am. Please see Reverend Jack Steeves or contact the church office at 781-3413.
Called to Care
“Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the love of Christ” Galatians 6:2
Called to Care is an important ministry at Falmouth Congregational Church UCC. Church members and friends volunteer to provide comfort and support in time of need. This care and concern comes in many forms, such as furnishing a ride to a doctor’s appointment, preparing a meal for someone who has had surgery or providing short-term child care. Volunteers also may make visits to shut-ins, usually on a monthly basis, easing the social isolation that often accompanies limited mobility – fellowship for all!
This spring, we will be reviewing and renewing our list of active volunteers. In the next few weeks, watch for a QUESTIONAIRE and sign-up flyers in the bulletin. We need caring cooks, dedicated drivers and those who would like to reach out with an occasional card, visit, or phone call, lending prayerful support. Please consider if you would like to be part of this fulfilling ministry.
For more information, contact any one of the Called to Care Coordinators:
Janie Anderson
Kathleen Henderson
Carol Kauffman
Joanne Varga
Lenten Musical Offerings
Mozart Requiem
March 30 @ 7:30pm
Merrill Auditorium
Choral Art Society and Portland Ballet Company present this unique collaboration.
Tickets thru PortTix: www.choralart.org
Easter Egg Hunt
The Ministry of Education will host another Easter Egg Hunt this year. On Saturday, April 3, from 11:00am to 1:00pm, inside or out, you are invited to come for egg hunting, games, music, food and a cake walk! This event will be open to the public, so bring a friend to introduce them to our church family. Our event last year was a tremendous success because of all the wonderful volunteers who helped it run so smoothly. Please sign up to help; there will be a sign up sheet in Fellowship Hall-many hands make light work!
Look for more information in the April Congregator.
Becoming A “5 for 5” Congregation
The National United Church of Christ is recommending to local congregations that they support the “5 for 5” mission offerings. At the present time the Falmouth Congregational Church contributes to three of the five:
Our Church’s Wider Mission (provides ongoing basic support to national and local ministries);
One Great Hour of Sharing (supports international programs of health, education, and relief; usually collected during Lent); and
Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross (supports retired and active clergy in need; usually collected during Advent).
By adding two other opportunities to contribute, we would be a full “5 for 5” participant:
Neighbors in Need (supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States, including the Council for American Indian Ministries; usually collected on World Communion Sunday, the first Sunday in October); and
Strengthen the Church (revitalizes congregations, supports programs for youth and young adults, and encourages efforts to grow as affirming congregations; usually collected on Pentecost).
Church World Service
Our goal is to ship 30 school mission kits this year. Sewing Ministry has provided cloth bags. Middle school youth will sort donated supplies and pack the bags. In order to reach our goal, our inventory needs forty 70-page spiral notebooks - each kit receives 200-210 pages total. (Please, no loose-leaf or filler paper.) Also, the cost to ship each kit is $2. Your donations are greatly appreciated. Please see me with your donations or questions.
Thank you for supporting children’s education.
Eunice Wilcox, Sewing Ministry
Southern Maine Agency on Aging Classes
in September
The Falmouth Congregational Church is partnering with the Southern Maine Agency on Aging, which will be offering “Putting the Puzzle Together” classes in our church this coming fall. The four-part series is for people who are (or who are thinking about) helping an older friend or family member. Each two-hour presentation focuses on a different topic: Geriatric Health Issues, Understanding Resources and Supports, Legal and Financial Issues, and Making It Work. These classes will be held in Fellowship Hall on Tuesdays from 5:30p.m. to 7:30p.m. on September 7, 14, 21, and 28. Please call AnneMarie Catanzano at the Southern Maine Agency on Aging to register: (800)427-7411, ext. 545.
Falmouth Food Pantry
The Ministry of Justice and Outreach would like to remind everyone that this is a good time of year to replenish the Falmouth Food Pantry’s depleted supplies. The Pantry, located at the left side of Falmouth Town Hall, is open to all in need living in Falmouth and neighboring communities.
The Falmouth Food Pantry is currently in need of any items that cannot be purchased with food stamps, such as tooth-brushes, toothpaste, shampoo, feminine products, and shaving cream. Other frequently needed items include cereals (both cold and hot), canned meats and fish (i.e., spam, chicken, tuna fish); cooking oil, canned soup (especially low sodium or “healthy”), canned fruit (in juice or “light”), gluten-free anything, coffee, and tea.
In Fellowship Hall, there is a large box for your donations, which make a huge difference to many people. Thank you very much!
Falmouth Food Pantry hours for March:
Monday 3/1 8am - 10am
Tuesday 3/9 10am - 11am
Thursday 3/11 4:30pm-6:30pm
Monday 3/15 8am - 10am
Tuesday 3/23 10am - 11am
Thursday 3/25 4:30pm-6:30pm
Summary of the 2009 Annual Meeting Minutes
On January 23, 2010, 69 members of the Falmouth Congregational Church, United Church of Christ gathered in Beinema Hall and enjoyed sandwiches, salad, chips and cookies before the Annual Meeting.
Moderator Paul Davis presented and the members accepted the Annual Reports* from the staff: Interim Minister, Minister of Visitation, Minister of Music and Parish Nurse.
The reports from the Council of Ministries, the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice & Outreach, Ministry of Stewardship and the Ministry of Worship & Covenant were presented and accepted.
The Financial Reports were presented by the Treasurers including the announcement that an additional $2,000 had been sent to the Maine Conference (OCWM) to equal $18,000 or 9.8% of the 2009 pledges. The Investment Committee Report, Capital Campaign Report and Review Committee were presented and approved.
Ken Bowden presented the Proposed Budget and noted significant additional expenses for 2010.
The Parsonage needs up-dating should a new pastor choose to live there and so as to make the house ready to rent if possible.
The Pastoral Search Committee will have expenses for travel to meet and hear candidates and will ultimately need moving costs for the new pastor.
The addition of $8,000 over the year to pay the interest on the debt of the building loan as current pledges are being completed.
It was noted that the staff have been flat funded.
The Balanced Budget for 2010 was adopted.
The Nominating Committee chair, Peggy McGehee (Horton), responding to the difficulty in obtaining members to fill the various ministries, offered (with the approval of the Council of Ministries) an amendment to the BYLAWS allowing non-members to serve on three of the ministries. After much discussion, the Proposed BYLAW change as amended at the meeting states: All elected positions shall be filled by church members, except non-members who participate in the church may be elected to serve and vote on the Ministry of Stewardship, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Justice & Outreach, so long as no greater than 1/3 of members of these ministries shall be non-members. Voting at the Annual Meeting and on the Council of Ministries and Ministry of Worship & Covenant is a privilege and a responsibility of membership. It was so voted.
The rest of the meeting included a discussion on the church building debt which at the time of the meeting was $107,000. The Council of Ministries will consider the suggestions.
Jeff Howland was thanked for again providing the luncheon and Ellen McLeod for childcare.
Bonnie Anderson, Clerk
*Copies of the 2009 ANNUAL REPORT are still
available in the church office.
Help for Haiti is on the minds of many
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the island of Haiti with devastating results. Up to three million people have been affected by the quake. One of our denominational partners, for more than three decades, is CONASPEH or National Spiritual Council of Churches of Haiti, a grassroots movement of 6,000 plus congregations. Many of these congregations have been devastated. At this moment, it is very important that the United Church of Christ step up to meet God’s people at the point of their deepest need. This “step up” is only made possible through the generosity of our local congregations. While assessment of damage and loss of life is ongoing, UCC mission partner, Church World Service, is sending initial funding to our local partners, including the House of Hope, and is prepared to provide CWS emergency kits and blankets to people in need from warehouses in the Dominican Republic. Our UCC first response is from funds donated under our annual One Great Hour of Sharing offering. Additional monies are needed and will be forwarded to Haiti as they are received. If you wish to donate, make your check payable to Falmouth Congregational Church UCC and add the note “Haiti” in the memo space. Your generosity will be appreciated.
Bereavement Committee
How often do we need the Bereavement Committee to function? Maybe once a month; or maybe three or four times in a month and then not for several months. We don’t know, which is the reason we need to know lots of different people who might be available to help. The lavender sheets need many more names. We need people who might be called upon to cook; others (or maybe the same folks), to help serve; and others to usher. We hope we don’t need you often but there is usually a short lead time so we might call several folks until we find someone who is available at the last minute. Please, sign up in Fellowship Hall if you are willing to be called and might be available. If you have restrictions like – weekends only – or – not on Wednesdays – write them down.
~You and The 2010 Census: 10 Questions. 10 Minutes!~
If you live in an area served by the United States Postal Service and most of us do, you will receive the US Census Form 2010 in your mailbox sometime mid-March. This mailing package consists of the 10-question form and a postage-paid envelope. In all other areas, census takers will deliver the form packages between March 1 and April 30, 2010.
Once you get your form in the mail, fill it in and mail it back in the postage-paid envelope provided. The Census Bureau does not send out confirmations that your form was received. You will not be allowed to fill out your form online!
The Census Bureau has created a new easier, simpler and shorter form to fill out. Hooray! Now beware of attempted identity theft. The census form will not ask you for your Social Security number or your legal status but the scam artists will try to under these pretenses. Remember if you do not mail back your census form, a US census taker will come knocking on your door after April 1st. Census takers will visit households that did not return a form by mail from April through July. Census takers will wear a badge and carry proper identification. For your safety, it is never a good idea to open your door to a stranger or become a cyberspace victim!
“What’s in it for me?” you ask. Plenty. Census taking determines seats in Congress. If you want monies appropriated for health and welfare and education for your family, take the census seriously. At The Falmouth Historical Society we are thankful for the year 1790 and the first US Census. It is immensely valuable in doing genealogical research.
PA System Beinema Hall
John Wilcox installed an amplifier mixer to speakers we already owned. This will facilitate communication during events such as the Annual Meeting, forums, and the fair. MP3 music can be played through the mixer as well. If your ministry plans to use the PA system for an event, please contact John or Matthew for instructions.
Bean Suppers
Many thanks to all who made January's supper a huge success. Your empty pie plates, casserole dishes, and serving trays are waiting patiently for you in the kitchen. We ask for your help and contributions for only five suppers each year. The next community bean supper, will be held March 20 in Beinema Hall from 5:00pm-6:30pm.
Ministries: if you are unfamiliar with anything in the Bean Supper Instruction packet, please ask the Ministry of Stewardship for assistance.
Buildings
Please let us know if you see areas or items needing repair, improvement, or decorating updates. We are all stewards of our historic church, parish hall, parsonage and grounds.
Kitchen
After use, please leave the kitchen as clean or even cleaner than you found it. After an event, please launder soiled dishtowels, potholders, aprons or tablecloths. Keeping the sliding doors 'down' at pass through to Beinema Hall, helps reduce dust in the kitchen. Food left in refrigerator or freezer should be labeled with date and owner, ministry or event. Unidentified perishable food will be discarded. As a public food server, we must meet standards.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Meets Thursday, March 18 at 7:00pm in the Parlor.
Preble Street Soup Kitchen Volunteers Needed!
Sunday, March 21, 2010 from 11:45am - 1:15pm. Please contact the church office if you are able to help at fccdesk@maine.rr.com.
Reaching Out and making connections is crucial for joyful, healthy living. Our spiritual lives may sometimes get shoved to the back of the shelf and yet, if we are ever-busy doing for others without "filling our cups", then we become depleted. An opportunity exists for you to "fill your cup" once a month on Sundays after church in the parlor. Join an open group for one hour to get some nourishment for your body (snacks provided) and soul (with loving, caring people) by listening and speaking about reaching out. Life experience is all that is required! Please call or e-mail Jane Stegemann for questions/comments.
Pastoral Search Committee Update
**Please see the link on the left-hand side for updates on the Pastoral Search and highlights from the Hartford Inventory**
Honduras Mission Trip
Plans are underway to return to southern Honduras for a week’s mission trip in February 2011. This is a change from previous plans. Because of the political unrest in the country at this time, it has been decided to wait a year before returning to do our mission work. They will continue to fundraise by selling coffees, teas and chocolates from Equal Exchange.
Visit
the Youth Group page for up-to-date
news about our many youth programs and activities!
What
is Your E-Mail Address?
If
the office does not have your e-mail address, please send it to us at:
FCCdesk@maine.rr.com. Thanks.
We would like to be able to contact as many of you as possible by e-mail
when needed.
