The Bellman

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The Bellman: April 2013

April 2013

603.436.9109 | www.northchurchportsmouth.org

INTRODUCING NANCY BREEN You will meet in the office Administrative Assistant, Nancy Breen, currently with us as on a “Temp to Hire” basis, but that will change when the financial timing is right! Nancy has been a resident of Hampton for 28 years, has a husband and two adult children. You may even have met her when she worked for a time at the Mark Wentworth Home. We hope you will stop into visit her and have other opportunities to meet her! It will take us a few months to get things running in a “new normal,” but we will! Starting a job like this one just as Holy Week and Easter approaches is baptism by fire! We welcome Nancy to the North Church Family. EASTER GREETINGS FROM THE PASTOR In the briefest of words , let me pray that Easter and the 50 days of Eastertide are full of moments of joy for each of you as Spring reveals itself and reminds us of the Resurrection promise. I will write at length later in April. In the meantime, at all times, look for the little resurrections in each day and give thanks to God! Grace, peace, love, Pastor Dawn ****** POCKET CHANGE NEEDED ****** On Sunday, April 7, we will be collecting pocket change (collection boxes that were mailed out) to support our Fall visitor from Marondera Church in Zimbabwe, Christine Peni. As part of our commitment to her visit, we will be paying Christine’s travel costs. We would need to raise an estimated $3,000.00 as well as housing, travel, and such while Christine is here. At a very relaxed Pot Luck Supper on March 12, a dozen or so North Church members talked with Rev. Edward Matuvhunye. As the immediate past president of the United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe, Rev Matuvhunye told us about the history of The United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe and what how it benefits many people today. North Church is most fortunate to have our Ukama Partnership come alive with this visitor, through your financial contribution, and by God’s Grace. The Ukama Committee wishes to thank you for your continued generous support. Tinotenda, thank you, from Ukama Committee Members Chair Betsy Murphy, Peter & Betsy Kinner, June Parker, Nancy Layton, Bob Layton, Rev. Dawn Shippee, Betty Gilman STEWARDSHIP CORNER: PLAN NOW FOR OUR KICK-OFF EVENT – APRIL 13TH! Thank you to all who completed our survey. We had an excellent response and appreciate the time you took to fill it out for us. We are compiling the data and will be presenting the results soon. The Stewardship committee is planning a fabulously fun evening of fellowship, food and family with a little bit of stewardship mixed in. It will be an entertaining event including games and prizes. As part of the preparation it would be helpful to have an idea of who may be attending. Here are the details to help you plan, too: Date: April 13, 2013, Saturday Time: 5-8pm Location: North Church Parish House, 355 Spinney Road Our family friendly menu for dinner includes macaroni and cheese, salad, bread, dessert, coffee, tea, water and juice. There will be a sign-up sheet at the Parish House for your use. You may RSVP to Betsy Murphy via telephone at 603-436-4450 or via email at [email protected].

We ask that you RSVP no later than April 8, 2013.

Mark your calendars and gather with your North Church family to hear what the survey says! Cherish our church, serve our community. Your Stewardship Committee, Craig Hodgson, Martha Labbe, Betsy Murphy

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GIVE YOUR OLD EYEGLASSES A NEW PURPOSE! As you enter the foyer at the North Church Parish House, look over in the corner near the bulletin board and you will see a new Lions eyeglasses collection box. If you have old eyeglasses that are of no use to you, why not drop them in the box. The Portsmouth Lions Club has several collection boxes located at various sites throughout the city and each month collect two to three hundred pair. The glasses are packaged along with others collected by Lions Clubs in the Seacoast and shipped to a Lions processing facility in Virginia. The glasses are cleaned, cataloged and stored. Volunteer eyesight specialists are formed in teams and take thousands of pairs with them to third world countries where individuals are fitted with a pair that most fits their needs. These teams will examine and fit thousands of people in a two-week period. Many are able to see distinctly for the first time. So, please drop your old glasses in the box. That old pair that's been stuck away in a drawer may be the pair that helps someone really see for the first time. And, you don't have to worry about the eyeglasses case. Throw it away. Thanks, Bob Layton

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE PROJECTS The Property Maintenance Committee (PMC) will oversee four projects at the Market Square Church after receiving the approval of the Cabinet and Finance Committee. A new wireless microphone system will be installed by Williams Communications. This will include a new wireless label system and a wireless handheld system. These will greatly enhance the flexibility of communication. The lower wall under the windows on the Parade Street side in the sanctuary will be resurfaced and painted. The plaster on this wall has cracked and deteriorated over the years. The water pipes located along the outside wall in the downstairs bathrooms will be insulated to keep them from freezing. During some cold snaps the pipes have frozen requiring extra electric heaters to keep them from

April 2013

breaking. This hasn't happened often but we don't want a pipe to break and cause damage. The largest project will be to re-sheath part of the outside of the Northeast corner of the lower level of the steeple base, just below the clock tower. This was not part of the steeple work done recently. During severe Northeast rain storms the wind blows water inside this base and ultimately runs down into the catch basin in the attic. The base will be re-sheathed and some flashing added as well to help prevent this. Additionally, the inner attic roof extension which funnels water to the catch basin will be enlarged to add security to catch any water that does get in. Milestone Engineering & Construction will oversee this project. Please feel free to ask any PMC member about details. UPDATE ON HOLLY SHOPPE FAIR 2013 I have been chairman of the Holly Shoppe Fair since 2008 and this will be my last year as chairman. I welcome anyone who would like to be my co-chair this year with the idea they would take over as chairman in 2014. I have enjoyed doing the fair and have had unbelievable cooperation and support from the entire congregation, but I feel after 6 years I will be ready to step down. Thank you. Priscilla Pettis OPEN AND AFFIRMING (ONA) Information about forming a group interested in learning more about Open and Affirming Churches was in the March Bellman. You may wish to go back and read that article. It is a month later and the opportunity for those interested is here. The study process will involve prayer, reflection, education and discussion using the UCC Open and Affirming study guide. The first session will begin on April 14, 2013 at 11:15, right after coffee hour. Karen Conway, Janet Cushing, Betty Gilman and Nancy Layton will serve as the leaders for a series of seven sessions. All are invited to join us as we work our way through this learning process. We hope to hold this series for the subsequent Sundays within the church schedule. Realizing that these dates may not work for everyone, there will be another series in the fall. Open and affirming churches welcome into the full life and ministry of the church all people regardless of sexual identity, race, creed, color, age, economic status, and/or disability. To learn more about the history and meaning of this significant process in the United Church of Christ check this website: http://www.ucc.org/lgbt/ona.html

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Mission Board News Thank you to all who have supported the Mission Board effort in the Seacoast Family Food Pantry’s “Adopt a Shelf” initiative. As you may recall, the goal of this initiative is to collect a specific personal care item each month in an effort to help the SFFP in its mission “to fulfill the needs of low -income individuals and families with food, personal care products and education for healthy living.” Because personal care items cannot be purchased with food stamps, please help us to continue stocking the shelves of the bookcase located in the Parish House foyer. To date, you have donated 177 bars of soap (January), 90 boxes of facial tissues (February) and 40 bottles of shampoo (March)! Your contributions to promote healthy living make a difference in the lives of many. The item of the month for April is toilet paper or paper towels. Let’s see how many rolls we can collect! And remember, food donations are always welcome and needed at the pantry. Please look for the white laundry basket on the bench in the Parish House foyer for the placement of food items. All that you do to assist those individuals and families in need in our community is greatly appreciated.

MISSION 4/1 EARTH Last year our church participated in the UCC’s Mission: 1. During that time we collected 1,111 items for the Seacoast Family Food Pantry. This year the UCC’s collective mission project is Mission: 4/1 Earth. This mission was chosen by the UCC because God’s creation is “groaning under the burden of injustice, greed, and arrogance.” Our choices have resulted in vanishing farmland, air unfit to breathe, water unfit to drink, and global warming and climate change. Efforts by the UCC call upon us to change our lifestyles to impact more positively God’s creation----our earth. Mission 4/1 Earth launches Easter Monday, April 1 and links together 3 other significant events: Earth Day (April 19), Arbor Day (April 26), and Pentecost (May 19) --- the 50 days of Eastertide. The UCC’s goals during this time are as follows: Collectively offer more than ONE MILLION HOURS of engaged earth care, including clean up, advocacy, education and behavioral changes that will positively impact the environment. Collectively plant more than 100,000 TREES locally and globally. Collectively write/send more than 100,000 ADVO-

April 2013 CACY LETTERS on environmental concerns to elected officials and newspapers How can we, the members of North Church, contribute towards Mission 4/1 Earth? During April, please be aware of the bulletin board in the Parish House which will present ideas of things you can do to help the environment. Pastor Dawn will include “caring for God’s earth” in her sermons. You will receive 4/1 Earth timecards to keep track of the individual effort you put into Mission 4/1 Earth. Examples of things individuals can do to help UCC reach the goals of “greening up, powering down, and shouting out for the environment” include: Ride a bike, carpool, or use public transportation instead of riding alone in a car. Donate items to thrift shops and shop there too. Create a compost bin. Turn out lights in rooms you are not in. Plant a garden. Write letters of environmental advocacy to elected officials and media. Remember to take cloth bags to the store for groceries instead of using plastic. Walk to the store, to the church, to the library----any short trip you normally use the car for. Organize days where church members work together to pick up trash. Use mugs for coffee hour rather than paper. Recycle empty toner and ink cartridges.

During “Mission 4/1 Earth 50 Great Days”, it is important to remember that there is NO one way to contribute active earth-care hours. However, it is important for each of us to examine and change our patterns of behavior and to deepen our understanding and engagement of earth care. While it’s only 50 days, this all-church mission will be a concerted effort through thousands of small and big steps toward ensuring a greener future for planet earth and a greener faith for us as followers of Jesus Christ.

In Our Thoughts and Prayers We pray for the family of Jean Erickson. Jean died Tuesday, March 26. Services for Jean will be Saturday, March 29, at 2pm at the Market Square Sanctuary. We pray for those recovering from recent surgeries—Sylvia Alden, Norm Michaud and Dave Sanderson—as we pray for all those suffering from illness of body, mind, or spirit. We keep in our prayer all those who serve and sacrifice for others and for this nation both at home and away.

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NORTH CHURCH WOMEN Tuesday April 9 at noon the North Church Women will have their annual spring Pot Luck. Hostesses are Ann Grimbilas and Carolyn Layton. This will be a true "Pot Luck" as we didn't have a signup sheet at the Parish House these past few Sundays as to what your favorite dish you will bring (main dish, salad or dessert) to share. Please come to enjoy the fellowship, the food and program. The program is a fascinating glimpse into the making of the first handwritten and illuminated Bible commissioned since the invention of the printing press. "The Illuminator and a Bible for the 21st Century". There will be a May Luncheon on Thurs. May 16 at the Portsmouth High School prepared by the Culinary Department. You must make reservations for that luncheon So the time and menu will be announced in the May Bellman.

April 2013

WORSHIP IN APRIL April 7: Holy Communion; Ukama Offering 10:00 AM: Parish House

Lectionary: Acts 5:27-32; Psalm 118:1429 or Psalm 150; Revelation 1:4-8; John 20:19-31 April 14: 10:00 AM: Parish House

Lectionary: Acts 9:1-6, (7-20); Psalm 30; Revelation 5:1114; John 21:1-19 April 21: Mission 4/1 Earth 10:00 AM: Parish House

Lectionary: Acts 9:36-43; Psalm 23; Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30 April 28: Stewardship Sunday 10:00 AM: Parish House

Lectionary: Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 148; Revelation 21:1-6; John 13:31-35 MARK YOUR CALENDAR The Annual Meeting of North Church will be May 5th in the afternoon. Watch for specifics in bulletins and online communications!

COMMON CATHEDRAL Sunday, April 7th Please volunteer to be part of the group going to Boston Commons with food and fellowship to feed the homeless and those in transition. We will worship with them and another church group. It is an experience you will not forget. We will carpool and leave the Parish House at approximately 10:00. High school age and older are invited to come. Space is limited to twelve, so if you are interested please signup or call Caroline McMullen at 431-1069 soon! If you cannot make the trip we will need volunteers to make sandwiches and cookies. There is a signup sheet on the bulletin board at the Parish house. Please consider joining us on this worthwhile adventure. WATCH FOR ROGER’S MISSION HEIFER PROJECT ACTIVITY NEWS SOON! The children will be deciding on their choice for a Heifer Project purchase in early April and then will be campaigning through Children’s Sunday, May 19th! What is Roger’s Mission? What is Heifer Project? Keep your eyes and ears open and you’ll find out!

COMMITTEES AND BOARDS— ANNUAL REPORTS DUE! Please send your annual report electronically, if at all possible, to [email protected] and copy it to [email protected] or deliver them to the office. We are running late this year, so please try to get these in by APRIL 10. .

Men’s Breakfast April 17th 8am Café Espresso All welcome!

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April 2013

01-Apr

Grace Salter

04-Apr

Laura Gobbi

05-Apr

Tracy Lapointe

05-Apr

Charles Lehoux

05-Apr

Heath Wilson

05-Apr

Arthur Clough

07-Apr

Katherine Longtin

09-Apr

Richard Diehl

10-Apr

Russell VanBilliard

12-Apr

Marcia Leach

13-Apr

Madeleine Pettis

13-Apr

Norman Michaud

16-Apr

Phyllis Lundgren

20-Apr

Vera Ritcey

22-Apr

Shirley Edmunds

23-Apr

Samantha Corti

24-Apr

Madeline Melita

25-Apr

Carly Amsden

26-Apr

Jared Leach

27-Apr 27-Apr

Judi Layton Barbara Hay

30-Apr

Emma Cross

30-Apr

Zachary Cross

Mark & Pauline Lampert

10-Apr

Jim & Julie McDevitt

16-Apr

The Bellman NORTH CHURCH OF PORTSMOUTH Church Sanctuary Market Square, Portsmouth, NH 03801 Church Office Parish House 355 Spinney Road Portsmouth, NH 03801 603.436.9109 phone 603.436.6744 fax Sunday Worship Worship is held at the Parish House at 10am. Select Sundays are held at the Market Square Bldg. A complete list is located on the website. Fellowship Time Following 10:00 am Parish House Service Church School 11:15 am Parish House (Sept - June) North Church Staff’ Pastor: Reverend Dawn A. Shippee Administrative Assistant: Ms. Nancy Breen Superintendent of Church School: Ms. Brenda Delfino

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April 2013

NORTH CHURCH MISSION STATEMENT

W

e the members of the North Congregational Church Family, a loving and compassionate people of faith, gathered to worship God, accept our responsibility to seek justice for all God’s people.

Inspired by the Holy Spirit we resolve to share the Word of God with those seeking spiritual growth.

Following Christ’s teachings and example, we accept and embrace the challenge of a changing church community, nation, and world as we strive to live out our faith.

Director of Music Ministry: Mr. Nathan Amsden

www.northchurchportsmouth.org

North Church of Portsmouth, UCC 355 Spinney Road Portsmouth, NH 03801

Office Hours: M – F 9am - 2pm.

Return Service Requested

Custodian: Mr. Paul Gobbi

Permit No. 2 Non-Profit Org. US Postage Paid Portsmouth, NH 03801