Volume 9, No. 21 | June 4, 2019

A Letter from our Interim MinisterDear Members and Friends of Brookside Congregational UnitedChurch of Christ,

I am thrilled to be called as your Interim Minister. We will spendmuch of the next few months getting to know each other by heart.To help us get started, I thought I’d introduce myself through thevarious experiences of saying “YES” to God’s Call to Ministry.

After graduating from Episcopal Divinity School in 1986, my firstCall to Ministry was serving women in prison at MCI Framingham.Teaching courses in economic development and familyreintegration allowed me to encourage new pathways for womenand their children. Through preaching in congregations around

New England I became an advocate for the spiritual health and well being of incarceratedwomen and their families. During this period of time, I worked closely on issues regardingdomestic violence, drug and alcohol addiction, and community awareness of prisoners inMassachusetts.

In 1998, I was Called to parish ministry. Serving congregations in Newburyport, Salem,Andover, West Concord, Weston, Boxford, and most recently, Nahant Massachusetts, Ihave enjoyed both settled and interim ministries. My commitment to creating andsustaining Open and Affirming congregations has been an important aspect of myministry.

As a trained grief counselor, in 2009 I became the Spiritual Advisor to military familiesgrieving suicide. Working with the staff of an organization called TAPS (TragedyAssistance Project for Survivors), I continue to be committed to helping military familiesadvance their spiritual health during an annual seminar.

For six years, I served as the part-time Chaplain at Salem State University.Accompanying students and employees through some of the transformationalmovements on campus was an awakening experience for me. College campuses areplaces where students are learning to speak up about social justice issues. Serving asthe SSU Chaplain allowed me to bring a spiritual perspective to all academic areas. I alsofocused on the Veterans program, the LGBTQ community, confidential conversationsafter a sexual assault, and the Diversity and Inclusivity Department.

As a professional songster and puppeteer, I have performed for children all over NewEngland. I enjoy telling Bible stories through a puppet’s perspective!

My three children and my grandson are my precious family. Ahna is married to Jared andtheir son Maxwell is the heart of our family gatherings. Lee is married to Victoria, both ofwhom are teachers, and he performs with his guitar and sometimes his band on theweekends. Asia lives in Boston with her beloved dog Ryley with whom she travelseverywhere. My father is 87 years old, an Episcopal priest, who still rides his Indianmotorcycle. He, Lee, and I ride each summer through the mountains of New England.Hopefully, you will meet my tribe at some point along this interim journey.

While you and I practice the art of following Jesus and learning from his acts of healing,his teachings, and his radical inclusivity, I will bring my experiences and skills to worship

and leadership at your beloved church.

I would love to get to know you! I will be in the church office on Tuesdays and Thursdays.Please join me for a cup of tea and a conversation about your spiritual journey. I lovewalking meditations. Or we can find an early evening get together for a Pub Talk.

Together, I promise that we will be engaged and inspired!

Sincerely, Rev. Laura

THE MODERATOR’S MISSIVEThe Committee recommended and the Council ofMinistries unanimously approved the call of Rev.Laura Biddle as Interim Pastor. We will welcomeRev. Biddle on Sunday. As a part-time interim, sheplans is be on-site on Sundays, Tuesdays, andThursdays. Thank you to our Interim Search Committee, Sarah Duffley, Bob Merrilland Calley Milne. On Sunday, June 9th, we celebrate Music Sunday. Our confirmands will beaccepted into the church and we’ll celebrate with a church picnic on the ManningHouse lawn after the service. The picnic will move to Fellowship Hall if the weatherdoes not cooperate with us. Set-up and clean-up help for the picnic is needed. We have much to celebrate & be thankful for in this 175th anniversary year of ourchurch.

Blessings,Dale Trombley

Celebrate with us onMusic Sunday on June 9th

10:00 a.m.

Photos from Youth Sunday - June 2nd

“No Green Bananas” - Men's GroupThis group of retired Brookside men meets on the 1st and3rd Tuesdays of the month at 9 AM at Blake’s Restaurant(Maple & Webster Streets) to enjoy breakfast anddiscussion. Join them on June 4 and June 18 for goodfood and company.

THRIFT SHOP NEWSSALES:

06/05 – 06/08 BOGO Free - Mix and Match Men’s, Women’s,and Children’s Clothing06/12 – 06/15 BOGO Free - Mix and Match Men’s, Women’s,and Children’s Clothing

We have a nice selection of furniture and items for the home. Checkout our furniture for PRICE-SLASHING GOOD BUYS!

Great books are available at $1 or $2, DVD’s cost $2, and CD’s are a$1.

Please like us on Facebook and share the good news with family andfriends. We are located at the north end of Elm Street. Our hours ourWed. 12-4, Thurs. 9-1, Fri. 10-2, and Sat. 9-1.

Submitted by: Sue Sipsey

Have you remembered Brookside in your will? If you have anyquestions about planned giving, see Bill Hoystradt.

HORTON CENTEROpen House Sat., June 8 - FreeExplore Horton Center for a few hours with others fromBrookside on June 9 at Chapel Rock at 11 am, followedby a cookout, tours, and games. If you'd like to carpool orlearn more about Horton Center, please ask DoriceReitchel or Gaby and Julia Falco. Please check out thecamp listings and register to attend any camp throughwww.hortoncenter.org today.

Another excellent opportunity to experience the Horton Center is on the Family Weekendwith others from Brookside over Labor Day, August 30th to September 2nd! HortonCenter is a remote retreat on Pine Mountain through the New Hampshire Conference,UCC, that runs individual child and teen week-long summer camps as well as otherovernight opportunities for spring and fall camp cleaning, families, women, andgrandparents and grandkids. To learn more, please visit their website or call/text Doriceat 610 - 564 - 4358.

Submitted by: Dorice Reitchel

ALL CHURCH PICNIC - JUNE 9This year our Spring All Church Picnic will be June 9th, after Music Sunday worshipservice. Weather permitting, we will be on the Manning House lawn, if it is raining it will bein Fellowship Hall.

We will be providing hamburgers, hot dogs and veggie burgers and beverages. We askthose whose last name starts with the letter A-P to bring a salad or appetizer, and Q-Z tobring a dessert.

We need help with setting up, serving and clean-up: Four people to help set-up, and 4 toclean-up; a person to receive food before Church in Manning House kitchen; and a 3-4people to leave church early to put the food out for the picnic. If you can help in any way,please see Brian Brady or Fran Hakenson.

Submitted by Fran Hakenson

SACRED CIRCLE DANCINGJoin us with friends around the world to experiencedifferent cultural traditions through dance! Our nextsession is June 9th from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Look out formore details to confirm date and location soon. Thedances are accessible to all. They are fun and can bemeditative. There is no charge, but donations areaccepted. To learn more, see Fran Hakenson.

KIDS LIKE PEANUT BUTTER!Our church family donated 25 bags of food including 40 jars of peanut butter for kids sofar this June. Don’t forget to bring in your jar of peanut butter any time throughoutJune. For July, you can bring in macaroni and cheese boxes at any time from nowthrough the end of July. In August, help us collect toiletry items for Central Highstudents. We will be supplying a list of items requested by the Health Teachers and theNurses within a week or two.

Thank you for all your donations,Your Mission Ministry

Join Our Men’s Barbershop Chorus'The Hyms' Barbershop Chorus has rehearsals in the choir room Monday eveningsstarting at 6:30 pm. If you have an interest in singing in the barbershop style, you are

welcome to join us. We are preparing songs for church-related activities such as worshipservice, concerts, talent shows, etc. Contact Heath or email sexton@brooksidecc.org tosign up today.

STRENGTHEN THE CHURCHEach Pentecost, the UCC joins Christians all across the world in celebrating the churchas we have known it, the church as we are, and the church that we can be. We celebratethe diversity and connections that God imagines for our communities.

One of the ways we covenant together is the Strengthen The Church(STC) Offering.50% of the STC monies stay in our local conference to inspire youth & young adults intoleadership, and equipping pastors for ministry in the 21st century.

This year Mission Ministry will make a contribution on behalf of Brookside ChurchCongregation.

Offering envelopes will be at the entrances to the Sanctuary through mid-June for anypersonal contributions in celebration of the Christian Church.

Submitted by Jean Dickson

NURSE ON DUTY Jean Spruce is scheduled to be here on Sunday, June16th at 11:15am in her office. Her summer schedule haschanged and she will be at Brookside the third Sunday ofthe month from 11:15 am to 12:00 pm.

Also, Jean, CMC Parish Nurse can provide in-house visits.This would not replace the home health care provider services. Jean can take bloodpressure and discuss medical or spiritual concerns and a visitor to alleviate loneliness.Please call Jean at 603 533 5171 if you know someone who would like a visit.

Brookside Church Summer Story Hour Brookside Church will again host its popular summer story hour series. This free summeractivity takes place on the Brookside Manning House back lawn of the church. The storyhour is geared for children 3-7 years old and occurs every Wednesday morning at 10:30am beginning July 10 and running through July 31. Brookside partners with theManchester City Library that provides the books and allows children to check out "bookson the road." Each story hour also has a special guest host organization that provides acraft or activity for the children. Snacks and water are provided. Please bring a blanket tosit on. Story hour will be inside the Manning House in case of rain. The theme this year is"Love Your Neighbor." We will practice being a good neighbor by taking collections anddonations for the Manchester Animal Shelter this summer. The line-up this yearincludes: July 10Currier Museum of Art http://currier.org/ July 17Mount Saint Mary Academyhttps://www.mtstmaryacademy.com/ July 24Manchester Animal Shelterhttps://manchesteranimalshelter.org/ July 31Bike ManchesterBike Skills & Safety Fair. Bring your bike!

Submitted by Lisa Brock

Name Badge ReminderIt would be helpful for Rev. Laura and visitors to get to know you so please wear yourname badge to help us all connect names and faces. Please don't hesitate to contactandreap@brooksidecc.org if you need a new one or lost the magnetic backing.

OFFICE VACATION SCHEDULEHeath is away June 6 - June 9 (Sunday).

DEADLINESSubmit all news for the Bridge and Bulletin to news@brooksidecc.org.

Bulletin: Please submit your announcements before Wednesday for the followingSunday. Bridge: Please submit your articles and information before Monday.

Tuesday, June 4th

9:00am No GreenBananas, Blake's

10:00 Staff Meeting,Pastor's Office

6:15pm MissionMinistry, Lounge

7:00pm MarketingMeeting, Library

Wed., June 5th

6:00pm Handbell ChoirRehearsal,Sanctuary

7:30pm Chancel ChoirRehearsal,Choir Room

Sun., June 9th

9:00am Chancel ChoirRehearsal, Sanctuary

10:00am WorshipMusic SundayConfirmationGraduation

Rev. Dr. P. Mark Watts

11:15am All ChurchPicnic, Manning House

Lawn

3:30pm Sacred CircleDance, Manning House

Parlor

Mon., June 10th

6:30pm BarbershopChorus Rehearsal

Choir Room

Tuesday, June 11th

10:00 Staff MeetingPastor's Office

5:30pm FacilitiesMeetingLounge

6:30pm StewardshipMeetingLounge

Thursday, June 13th

6:30pm ChristianFormation Mtg.

Lounge

Saturday, June 15

5:45pm Family MovieNight, Manning House

Back Lawn

Sunday, June 16

10:00am WorshipSanctuary

Volunteer Schedule Visit our Website Facility Calendar

Brookside Congregational Church | 603-669-2807 | 603-668-9041 Fax | www.brooksidecc.org

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