Archive - TCC Flash

Everyone loves a parade, the people along the route

                cheering, applauding, singing and tapping to the beat

                and.......the people marching, humming, looking at all

                the people on the sidelines and waving back to them.

                That's us, the Wazoo Band, dressed in our red mission

                T-shirts, showing what fun-loving, community spirited folks

                attend TCC!  Please join in and experience the joy!

                                             See Donna Haines for details.

Community is like a large mosaic. Each little piece seems so insignificant. One piece is bright red, another cold blue or dull green, another warm purple, another sharp yellow, another shining gold. Some look precious, others ordinary. Some look valuable, others worthless. Some look gaudy, others delicate. As individual stones, we can do little with them except compare them and judge their beauty and value. However, when all these little stones are brought together in one big mosaic portraying the face of Christ, who would ever question the importance of any one of them? If one of them, even the least spectacular one, is missing, the face is incomplete. Together in the one mosaic, each little stone is indispensable and makes a unique contribution to the glory of God. That’s community, a fellowship of little people who together make God visible in the world.                              Henri Nouwen, Can you drink this cup

This past year, a new program was started in the Sunday School classrooms where each class was paired with an older church member who is not able to attend church regularly.  These TCC grandparents have provided each class with a photo of themselves.  Each month, TCC youth send a card, and at times have created artwork or written class letters for their TCC grandparent.  A class photo was also presented to each adult so they could see who they were communicating with.

Just recently, Dottie Belida was recognized outside of church by one of our TCC youth who put the pieces together from the photo in the class with the woman who lived in his neighborhood.  The connection has been well received as Dottie was tickled pink to be recognized and now has a stronger connection to the youth in the class.

Who knew a simple exclamation of “You’re my TCC grandparent” could elicit such smiles, a feeling of love and a stronger sense of community?

In Seminary we had lively conversations regarding the gender of God.   I was able to reconcile my thoughts while reading the book “The Omnigender God”, by Virginia Ramey Mollenkott. Christian theology defines the attributes of God as follows. God is: Omnipresent [always- present], Omnipotent[all-powerful] and Omniscient [all-knowing].  Why wouldn’t God be Omnigender [all-genders] if all of us are created in the Divine image?   In the Hebrew Bible we are introduced to the Mothering Spirit of God. For instance, the word for “compassion” (rachmin) is derived from the word for “womb” (rechmen); just as a mother has compassion for the child of her womb, God has compassion for us (Isa. 66:12-13). Another verse deepens this idea, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you. See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands…” (Isa. 49:15-16).

Our Omnigender God does not see us as we are but as we shall be, no matter how great our faults and failings, God’s grace and compassion are greater still. We are never beyond the reach of the Divine Mothering Spirit! 

Sunday, May 20 is the famous, fabulous cookie walk fundraiser, which supports our group of seven 2012 Confirmands.  The money raised helps defray the cost of their weekend retreat.    It will be held after worship and we encourage you to purchase cookies to save for the semiannual meeting beginning at 11:00; also, what a treat to bring home and enjoy after Sunday dinner or to pack in your lunch box!  They can be munched on while watching today’s sports or even wrapped as a gift to give to a neighbor.  Just remember, you are helping our youth in their faith walk as you participate in their cookie walk.

This is our final week of TCC's "On the Mooooo-ve for Heifer" campaign and the Sunday school students should bring their Heifer offering banks to church with them.  The banks will be dedicated during Children's Time.  Special Heifer offering envelopes will be inserted in the service orders for you to make your tax-deductible donation. 

I hope that you have had some time during our campaign to visit the website at www.heifer.org to learn more about how your generous support will give life-changing assistance to families in need.  Our goal this year is $1850.00 to cover the cost of the Milk Menagerie (1 heifer, 2 goats, 1 camel).  TCC has been a stong Heifer supporter for over 40 years!!!  Let's do what we can to get more animals on the Mooooo-ve to families who need them so desperately.

The Missions Committee would like to celebrate the close of this year's campaign at Coffee Hour with another wonderful treat (ice cream) made possible thanks to those wonderful milk-producing animals!

The Nominating and Development Committee is pleased to report that there has been an excellent response, thus far, to recruitment efforts for Boards and Committees serving in the 2012-2013 calendar year.  The attached Nominating Slate continues to be updated as members step forward to assume leadership roles

Limited seats on the following Committees (or for the following Church Officer positions) remain: Finance (2), Membership and Enlistment (1), Music (2), Missions (1), Pastor Parish Relations (1), Church Clerk, Auditor and Assistant Treasurer.

If you feel called to serve, please contact a member of the Nominating and Development Committee (Pat Takach, Sarah San Clemente, Beth McFadyen) or a current member of the committee for which you have interest.  Playing a leadership role not only gives you a greater understanding of the ministries of our Congregation, but it also provides a wonderful opportunity to make strong personal connections that reach beyond the walls of the church.

 In Acts 4:5-12, Peter proclaims that Jesus is the "cornerstone" on which the church is built. As such, Jesus is the cornerstone of our lives, our foundation and our inspiration. As members of the church, we have an opportunity to be cornerstones for others. We are to be their foundation and encourager in times of difficulties, problems, and sorrows and celebrators in times of rejoicing.  By faith and witness together we can inspire others towards wholeness; body, soul and spirit! Jorge Posada retired from the Yankees; he had been their catcher for 17 years. Inspired as a child, Posada, idolized Yankee catcher Thurman Munson who died in a plane crash in 1979.  Early in Posada's career, while lifting weights, at Fenway Park, he saw a photograph of Munson with these words, "Look, I like hitting fourth and I like the good batting average. But what I do every day behind the plate is a lot more important because it touches so many more people and so many more aspects of the game." Posada acquired a copy and tapped it to his locker. Munson’s words became a cornerstone for Posada, How can you, with God’s help, be a cornerstone for another?  

Everyone loves a parade, the people along the route, cheering, applauding, singing and tapping to the beat and the people marching, humming, looking at all the people on the sidelines and waving back to them. That's us, the Wazoo Band, dressed in our red mission T-shirts, showing what fun-loving, community spirited folks attend TCC!  Please join in and experience the joy!                         See Donna Haines for details

After a successful surgery to remove an acoustic neuroma on 4/25 and after the resolution of some post surgical complications, Joe Cipriano was discharged from Mass General on Tuesday and now begins his 6-10 week recovery period at home.

Patty and Joe warmly thank our church family for our prayers and support during Joe's medical crisis and Patty's cardiac surgery last year.  The trials of the last 10 months have been made easier thanks to the love shown by TCC.

Friends, neighbors, family and church pals have coordinated assistance for the Cipriano's throughout the month of May in the form of meals and babysitting.  Please be aware that, because of the risk of infection which could lead to meningitis, extreme caution must be taken to ensure that germs do not enter their household.  Joe's doctors kindly request that all visitors remove their shoes and wash their hands upon entering the house. 

Should you wish to stay updated on Joe's recovery, please visit his Care Page through this link.

I am no shepherd … have never been closer than 200 yards from a flock of sheep and don’t plan to be anytime in the future.  But I do know what it is like to draw close to a small creature.  Our aging dog Pepper needs the right approach… a voice and a touch that reassures her and gets her to things she needs.

The shepherd in Jesus’ teaching was a person committed to his job and to the sheep in his care.  Unlike the hired hand, he would do the job in the midst of danger, at his own expense.  He had the touch of the committed owner.

That certain touch needs cultivation, though, for the caregiver.  It doesn’t come as naturally to us as we might like.  Making space in our hearts, attending to our fears, opening our spirits… these important soul tasks can make us more perceptive and therefore more effective at using the right touch with others.

The certain touch is hotter than we thought… requiring direct action.  But it is also cooler that we anticipated… asking of us reflection and an openness to listen to others.  

Coming this summer, VBS will be discovering how "The sky's the limit! All things are possible with GOD!" From July 30th - August 3rd at St. Williams Education Building. Children can come sing, dance, eat some great snacks, play games, make crafts and learn about God and his message in a fun, energized environment. Children can participate as Campers up to 5th grade or Flight Crew Leaders 6th grade and up. Each station will be in need of teen helpers. Any adults that have participated in the past, or have never participated and would like to help out- welcome! Registration forms are outside of the office.

I will be in church and coffee hour May 6th to assist with registrations. For questions, please contact Karolyn Hyberts, 978-640-9356 or karolynhy@comcast.net.

Please join the Music Committee, Chancel Choir and the Carillon and Jubellation Ringers on Saturday, May 12 at 6:00 PM in Fellowship Hall for an evening of fellowship and a tasty chicken dinner to support the purchase of new robes for our adult choirs.

Tickets will be available during Coffee Hour from members of the choirs and Music Committee (Sue Henderson, Marilyn San Clemente and Pat Baldwin). 

Adult $7.50 Child/Senior $6.00 Family of 4 $25.00  Family of 5 or more $30.00

If you would like to donate directly to the new robe fund or purchase a robe in honor or memory of someone, please contact a member of the Music Committee.  An acknowledgement label will be placed inside robes that are purchased in memory or honor.

On Sunday, May 6th, a group of dedicated walkers from our church will be taking part in Boston's annual Walk for Hunger. There are many ways that you can help this worthwhile cause. You could join the team by going on-line to www.projectbread.org/goto/tcc . You can sponsor a specific walker, or make a donation in general to the team. Again, this can be done on the team page of the website by clicking on the walker's name. Donations can also be given directly to a walker, prior to May 6st. Simply offering encouragement to the team and praying for good weather is also much appreciated!

Project Bread is such a wonderful organization and this walk, which has taken place in Boston on the first Sunday in May for over 40 years, contributes to many of our local food pantries and has been a blessing to so many over the years. Please support it, if you are able.

Walkers: the Missions Committee will contribute $25 to the first 10 walkers who sign up online, but it is up to you to encourage more sponsorship! Remember, the more money raised, the more people fed!

Please direct questions to Jess Kenney.

www.projectbread.org/goto/tcc

A group of TCC men are heading to Lake Morey Resort in Vermont for 3 days of golf on the weekend of August 10th – 12th.  The schedule for the weekend will be:

Friday, August 10th           Morning rounds beginning around 9 (all players)

                                                Afternoon rounds for those who want to play 36

Saturday, August 11th     Morning rounds starting around 9 am (all players)

                                                Afternoon rounds for those who want to play 36

Sunday, August 12th        Morning rounds starting around 9 am (all players)

                                                Prizes and awarding of the trophy at lunch

We have a few slots available, so please contact Bruce Panilaitis or Russ Adams if you are interested.

There are still a few slots available for the Men's golf outing to Lake Morey Resort this August (10th - 12th).  Between 20 and 24 gentlemen will be heading north for this great weekend of fellowship and fun.  The schedule for the weekend is as follows:

Friday & Saturday:

Morning rounds for all beginning around 9 am

Afternoon rounds for those playing 36

Sunday:

Morning rounds beginning around 9 am

Prizes and trophy awarded at lunch time

Please contact Bruce Panilaitis or Russ Adams if you are interested in being part of this great outing!

On Sat., May 12, 2012, the USPS is doing their annual food drive. The Tewksbury postal carriers will bring all collected food items to the Tewksbury Food Pantry. On this day in past years, TCC volunteers have really made a difference at the pantry with the sorting. The food pantry would love our help again this year between the hours of 1 and 5 p.m. Individuals or families, with or without kids, are all welcome to participate. As a bonus, if a child participates in the sorting at the pantry, he or she would be eligible for $5 Bible Bucks as well as a link on the Generosity Chain. There will be a sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall (on the Missions bulletin board) for 2 or 3 hour shifts. If you would like to participate, please remember to wear your red TCC mission shirt!

The opposite of a scarcity mentality is an abundancy mentality. With an abundancy mentality we say, "There is enough for everyone, more than enough: food, knowledge, love...everything." With this mind-set we give away whatever we have, to whomever we meet. When we see hungry people we give them food. When we meet ignorant people we share our knowledge; when we encounter people in need of love, we offer them friendship and affection and hospitality and introduce them to our family and friends.

    When we live with this mind-set, we will see the miracle that what we give away multiplies: food, knowledge, love...everything. There will even be left overs.

I was recently appointed to be the new Chartered Organization Representative for Unit 47, which is chartered to TCC and includes both a Boy Scout troop and a Cub Scout pack.  Among my duties is to promote Scouting within the church as a chartered organization.  To that end I am announcing that Pack 47 is holding a recruitment night on Monday, April 30th, 6:30-8:00 PM in Fellowship Hall.  Families of boys currently in grades K-4 are invited to come learn more about the program.  The program for the evening is a presenter from the Wildlife & Fisheries Department who will speak about animal habitats and tracking.  For those interested in joining annual registration is $50 covering all of the next school year.  The pack is also looking for parents to serve as den leaders and pack committee members, which you can find out about that night as well.  Questions may be directed to Pack Committee Chair Shelley Doherty at 978-858-3740.

While the children are working hard to fill their Hiefer banks, you may be wondering what you can do to support this wonderful mission of giving.  Have you considered making a gift to Heifer in honor of a loved one? Perhaps you want to make a gift in memory of someone who has passed.  What a great way to treasure that loved one's memory!  

This year's goal is to raise enough money ($1850.00) for the Milk Menagerie and a camel.  Any sized donation can be made to help reach our goal and all are much-appreciated.  What fun it can be, though, to tell a loved one that you bought an animal gift in their honor to help pull a family out of poverty!  Remember to include 'Heifer' in the memo for all donations made prior to Heifer Sunday (when special pew envelopes will be available).

As in past years, Heifer Mother's Day cards are also available for 'purchase' through a monetary donation.  The card samples are on the Missions bulletin board in Fellowship Hall and will be available for pick up on May 6th and 13th.  Use the order form that is there or email Joanne Kenney for quantities and styles.

1) There have been 137 national calls to prayer, humiliation, fasting and thanksgiving by the President of the United States (1789-2011).

2) There have been 59 Presidential Proclamations for a “National Day of Prayer” (1952-2011).

3) Gerald Ford (1976) and George H. Bush (1989-91) are the only U.S. Presidents to sign two National Day of Prayer Proclamations in the same year.

4) Every President since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation.

5) 34 of the 44 U.S. Presidents have signed proclamations for National Prayer. Three of the Presidents who did not sign a proclamation died while serving in office. Two Presidents, not included in the count – William Howard Taft and Warren Gamaliel Harding, signed proclamations for Thanksgiving and Prayer.

6) Records indicate there have been 965 state and federal calls for national prayer since 1775 and counting.

Saturday, I jolted upright from my dozing position on the plane realizing that I had forgotten to pack the Popsicle sticks needed for the Wednesday children’s VBS lesson.  Knowing there was nothing I could do now and no way to purchase these craft supplies, guilt engulfed me. I felt I was letting  down over one hundred Mexican youth who were looking forward to hearing a Bible story with a related craft.  Regardless of many words of comfort and assurance from other team members, I was unable to lift those feelings.

On Tuesday we were asked to clean out and organize items in a roofless building which stored tools and building supplies, extra chairs, trash, donated items and other random items.  Within the first room, I pulled out a grocery bag from behind a set of lockers, filled with . . . Popsicle sticks!  - the only craft supply found in the entire building.

As I whooped and hollered over my discovery, Mike Wildeman reminded me God knows what we need and that He will provide.  Though this was one of many God sightings that week in Mexico, it spoke to me personally and will always have a lasting effect.

To the Members of Tewksbury Congregational Church, Greetings:

You are hereby notified and called to attend a special session of the 278th Annual Meeting to be held on Sunday, April 22, 2012 immediately following worship in the Sanctuary.  The following business will be transacted:

Article I:

To see if the Church will vote to elect Jean Carr and Marilyn SanClemente to serve on the Board of Ministries for a term to commence May 1, 2012, being the only persons to accept nominations for two available seats thus waiving a balloted election, or act in any manner relative thereto.

Submitted by the Church Moderator

Quorum for this meeting shall be 28 active members present.

So Ordered:

Christopher Jenkins, Moderator

PS: The Elections Session of the 278th Annual Meeting will be after worship on Sunday May 20th.  I must post the warrant by May 13th.

As we turn towards Spring, the Junior Choir and the Jubellation Ringers are still going strong, and are always welcoming new members.  The bell choir will provide music for our May 20th service, and the Junior Choir will also sing that Sunday and again on Youth Sunday (June 10th).  It is never to late to lend your ringing or singing to the choirs.  Contact Bruce Panilaitis, Youth Choirs Director with any questions.