volume 6, issue 3 august/september/october...

Tewksbury Congregational Church

The TCC Connection August/September/October 2017

Who Is Our Neighbor?

This summer several of us have been interviewing community leaders to get a better sense of the Town of Tewksbury and some of the needs that TCC might be able to address as ministries. This is one of the interim ministry tasks we do during a time of transition between pastors.

We asked each person three questions: How has the town changed since you’ve been in your position? What is your greatest challenge? and How can faith communities help?

We interviewed Timothy Sheehan, Police Chief; Jenny Welch, Community Ser-vice Officer; Maria Ruggiero, Program Director for the Substance Abuse Pre-vention Collaborative; Christopher Malone, Superintendent of Schools; Bruce Panilaitis, former Chair of the City Council, Ashley Springman, Director, Council on Aging; Mike Hazel, Fire Chief; Richard Montuori, Town Manager, and Steve Sadwick, Assistant Town Manager. Bob Wallace, Ginny Desmond and Mary Lou Adams accompanied me on one or more of

these visits.

While each person had different stories to tell, there were certain themes that emerged. Everyone said the town of Tewksbury is aging and that the school population has shrunk by 1,200 pupils in ten years. With the housing boom of new condos and apartment complexes, a lot of young professionals, new families and empty nesters are moving in. Tewksbury is becoming more of a bedroom community. (I learned these newcomers are called “blow ins” because they weren’t born here. Even if you’ve been here 40 years, you’re a “blow in.”)

There are more store chains now than family businesses and development has not been carefully controlled. Schools have improved and Tewksbury has moved from being a small town to a small city or large town. Property taxes are the main source of municipal income since there is not a large commercial or industrial base. Balancing new development and its impact on the infrastructure and community is a challenge. All those we interviewed said that Tewksbury is a very “tight” town and people are very committed to it. It’s also fairly traditional, but that will likely change with an influx of new people.

Opioid addiction, overdoses, and deaths are becoming a crisis in Tewksbury. Chief Sheehan said 75% of police activity revolves around the opioid crisis and substance abuse and the attendant problems of domestic abuse and violence, shoplifting and robbery. As of April of this year

there have been 6 deaths from opioid overdoses and 38 overdoses. Using Narcan (a drug used to re-vive overdose victims) has saved 65% of those treated. Lawrence is the supply hub for Maine, NH and NY as well as Massachusetts. There are 104 trafficking arrests a year.

Inside this issue:

PASTOR’S PAGE 2

BOARD OF MINISTRIES 3

PASTORAL SEARCH COMMITTEE NEWS 4

BOARD OF DEACONS 5

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 6-7

MISSIONS COMMITTEE NEWS 8-9

LADIES AID 10

FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE NEWS 11

TCC MUSIC NEWS 12

TCC GARDEN NEWS 13

PIE SOCIAL & CHRISTMAS FAIR NEWS 14

NOTES FROM THE TREASURER 15

ZERO WASTE DAY NEWS 16

TEWKSBURY HABITAT BUILD NEWS 17

DATES TO REMEMBER 18-20

TCC HAPPENINGS 21

IN MEMORIAM 22

SECRETARY’S CORNER 22

Volume 6, Issue 3 August/September/October 2017

… continued on page 2



Sheehan said Tewksbury is a “community service driven” police department, offering drug use prevention education, enforcement, collaboration with other community agencies, and counseling and treatment.

Tewksbury Police Officer Jenny Welch runs at least fifteen programs, such as National Night Out (Crime Prevention), Resisting Aggression Defensively (RAD) Kids, RAD Women (Rape prevention), RAD Sen-iors, Bike Safety Rodeo, Car Seat Education training, Safe Halloween, Coffee with Cops and more. Maria Ruggiero, the Program Director for Substance Abuse Prevention Collaborative, works with substance abuse and mental health issues. Her goal is to get into the schools to educate kids about drugs, to pro-vide Social/Emotional Learning (SEL) to give kids better coping skills, and teach Life Skills at the High School. Mental Health and substance abuse issues are on the rise among kids and there is a need for more mental health services.

Supt. Christopher Malone echoed the same concerns. Schools are taking on more and more parenting roles and kids are in need of mental health professionals. He said the resources outside of the school sys-tem aren’t there. The town needs a youth center or more after school programs besides sports. Students need social and emotional supports.

When asked what local churches could do he said, “Provide services for kids and keep their families in-volved.” Ideas suggested were: tutoring, parenting classes, workshops on Parents, Kids and Social Me-dia; Caring for Elder Parents and the Sandwich Generation (kids at home and caring for aging adults).

Officer Jenny Welch and Maria Ruggiero suggested using our church to offer classes on Life Skills from grades 3 to 9 and to host an Al-a-Teen 12-step program at our church, since teens won’t come to the high school. Further, promote town-wide programs in our church, such as the Drop-In Center for mental health and substance abuse support, Learning to Cope and Grief Support groups as well as safety awareness programs.

Council on Aging folks said one of their biggest challenges was lack of public transportation and lack of walkability in Tewksbury. Churches could help by providing rides, cleaning, and small, household chores (like putting in and putting away air conditioners); outreach to the lonely—especially evenings and week-ends, and, know your seniors—know their needs and their wants and keep track of them.

Richard Montuori and Steve Sadwick suggested educating residents about social issues in the community and underage drinking, and providing programs where kids have a place to come to as services local churches could offer.

So there, in a nut shell, you have it. These are the observations and felt needs of many town officials. Where might our assets match up with the needs of Tewksbury? Are there ministries we could provide that would meet both human need and draw people into a warm, nurturing Christian community? As Christians and as a church we are called to the business of transforming lives. Where should we start?

Blessings,

Rev. Norm

PASTOR’S PAGE Submitted by Rev. Norm Bendroth

… continued from page 1



BOARD OF MINISTRIES Submitted by Marilyn SanClemente

The BoM has been busy this Summer! We are working with Ken Ramsdell, Jim

Kenney and Christopher Jenkins on evaluating our Committee organization

structure. We are evaluating the function of each committee and any potential

overlap. We would like to streamline the committee structure to require less

volunteers. Jim, Ken and Christopher will be holding some work sessions in

September to collect input from all of you…

From the computer side of things - our Church Office Software (Church

Management Office) has a new upgrade available that has a lot of new

functionality. We are planning a software upgrade for the end of August. This

upgrade includes a new Calendar function that is a little more functional than the

calendar we are currently using. The BoM is planning to transition responsibility for

the calendar to Mercy in the office. We are currently reviewing all activities that

have been planned for this upcoming programming year. We are also evaluating a

request process for events to avoid some of the scheduling conflicts that we have

been experiencing this past year.

In September we will be asking all of you how you would like to receive

communications from the church. Do you prefer a digital format (emails, facebook),

or do you prefer a paper copy for your TCC Newsletter?

Please enjoy these last few weeks of Summer!

We look forward to seeing you in September for Rally Day on the 10th!

Respectfully Submitted,

Marilyn SanClemente - Chair

Carla Staeben - Vice Chair

Laura Holmes - Secretary

Sven Hyberts

John Avery

Tim Barnes




United Church of Christ

Moving Forward

Greetings from the Pastoral Search Committee! The summer has gone quickly

and been a bit of a juggling act with vacations and trips. The good news is we

have managed to keep moving forward. We continue to receive new profiles

and have been meeting to discuss them. Some of those profiles were of

enough interest to schedule interviews. At this point we have had multiple

interviews, either in-person or over Skype. We also have more interviews

coming up.

We know that many of you may like to know exactly when we are going to be

done. I will say that we have some good momentum, with multiple interviews

under our belt, and we are hopeful.

Thank you to the whole congregation for the input you

have given us throughout this process and for your

prayers.

Thank you and blessings,

Brad Staeben

PASTORAL SEARCH COMMITTEE Submitted by Brad Staeben

Committee Officers and Members: TEWKSBURY

Chaplain: Susannah Trudeau CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

Co-Chairs: Mary Lou Adams and James Kenney

Secretary: Stephanie Muse SEARCH

Communications: Bradley Staeben

Members: Bob Wallace, Tina Ramsdell, Joe Cipriano



COMMITTEE STRUCTURE STUDY GROUP FORMING

The Board of Ministries, along with Deacons, is

considering the way we have organized our

committees. Some of the challenges we are

experiencing with committees, empty committee seats,

low attendance at committee meetings, and burnout of

some of our leadership has inspired us to consider our

business structure. Some of the topics are:

1. Reducing the amount of bodies needed to fill all the vacancies

2. Reducing required monthly meetings with all boards attending

3. Having more leadership meetings with board chairs and staff to improve

communication and coordination of efforts

4. Having Deacons assume a greater role in the leadership of the Church

5. Empower committees and staff to work more independently on our common goals

This is only a framework and will be discussed and developed into a proposal the will

be presented to the Church sometime this fall. Anyone with an interest in this work is

invited to participate in the discussion. Please reach out to us if you want more

information or want to join the team!

Ken Ramsdell, Christopher Jenkins, James Kenney

BOARD OF DEACONS Submitted by Jim Kenney

Welcome Back to TCC!

As the Summer draws to a close, we want to extend a warm welcome to everyone, and hope you have had a restful and peaceful Summer, enjoying your families and friends, your travels near and far.

Please note that the Board of Deacons has voted to reschedule the Sacrament of Holy Communion from Sept. 3rd to Sept. 10th. The first Board of Deacons meeting for the Fall will take place on Wednesday, September 6th, at 7:00 pm in the Parlor.

Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend!

Ginny Desmond & Jean Metcalf



RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (RE) Submitted by Sue Panilaitis



RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (RE) Submitted by Sue Panilaitis

2017-2018 RE Calendar

September 2017

8/28; 7 pm; Parlor– Teacher’s Meeting

9/10 - Rally Day (9 am – Vestry)

9/24 – All Church Fire Drill

October 2017

10/29 - Presentation for 3rd grade Bibles and

Preschool Story Books (during service of

Reformation Sunday)

TBD- Paint “Night” for RE families

November 2017

Decorate ornaments for Festival of Trees: 11/5;

11/12; 11/19

Thanksgiving Break– No Sunday School – 11/26

December 2017

12/10 -Advent Workshop (Fellowship Hall 11

am-12:30pm)

12/24 & 31 - Christmas Vacation – No Sunday

School

January 2018

1/7 – Empty Bowls project (off site)

1/22 - Shining Light & Excellent Attendance

Awards (during service)

1/28– TCC Pool Party (off site)

February 2018

2/18 - Winter Vacation – No Sunday school

March 2018

3/4 - Third graders begin making stoles for Palm

Sunday

3/4; 3/11; 3/18; 3/25 - Scholarship Speaker

(during service)

3/18 -Meet the Easter Bunny Event (Vestry &

Fellowship Hall 11 am -12:30pm)

3/25 -Palm Sunday – 3rd Grade hands out Palms

April 2018

4/1 -Easter: No Sunday School - 4/16

4/15 -Spring vacation – No Sunday School

4/29 -Teacher’s Meeting 11 am to discuss

Youth Sunday

May 2018

5/27 -Memorial Day Weekend – No Sunday

School

June 2018

6/3 - Teacher Appreciation Breakfast

(Fellowship Hall 9-9:30am)

6/10 -Youth Sunday



MISSIONS COMMITTEE NEWS Submitted by Joanne Kenney

School Bags!

Throughout September we will be accepting the completed school bags for Church World Service that were sponsored by the congregation last May. A total of 24 bags will be collected and dedicated in October. The bags are such a gift to those who would otherwise not have the proper tools to begin their school year. TCC has always been such a faithful supporter of this mission!

Pajama Day! Did you ever have one of those Sunday mornings when you didn’t want to have to decide what to wear to church? October 8th is your day! Kids and adults alike are invited to wear their PJs to church while also providing a new set of kid’s fall/winter jammies for our collection. Though the Missions Committee has not confirmed this year’s recipients, we are considering the New England Home for Little Wanderers. Regardless of where the pajamas are donated, the congregation has always been very generous with our fall collection, and seeing so many congregants in their favorite PJs adds a bit of fun to this important mission!

Wisdom Stoves

Some of you might have remembered when Rev. Edward Matuvhunye preached at TCC. In May he graduated from Andover Newton Theological School with a Doctor of Ministry degree. He returned to Zimbabwe with an objective of making Wisdom Stoves real in Zimbabwe.

Most cooking in Zimbabwe is done outside over an open fire. That is not the best method of cooking. It is an inefficient use of energy, always inhaling the smoke, and firewood is quickly running out. There are many fields and hills in Zimbabwe that have been denuded by the constant use of firewood.

Wisdom Stoves are an answer to these problems. Wisdom Stoves allow continued cooking outside, but use 90% less firewood and emit almost no smoke. Almost any biomass can be used in a Wisdom Stove: firewood, corn husks, cow manure, etc. If firewood is burned, charcoal is created, making a marketable product.

Wisdom Stoves were designed in Vermont. They not only have the benefits noted above, but they



MISSIONS COMMITTEE NEWS Submitted by Joanne Kenney

can be manufactured easily in third world countries. There is an active Wisdom Stove business in Kenya, and Rev. Ed wants to make it a reality in Zimbabwe.

The first 50 Wisdom Stoves in Zimbabwe will be made by youth/young adults and will be given away free to needy families. The next 50 stoves will be sold at manufacturing costs. The intent is to keep the costs of stoves as low as possible to allow wide distribution.

Wisdom Stoves have many environmental benefits, but they also provide economic benefits: the manufacture of stoves (jobs where there is 90% unemployment) and the selling of charcoal. Simple and beneficial.

The Missions Committee strongly supports this project and has made a donation toward its success. We ask that you prayerfully consider offering support to this project as well, if you are able. It is the UCC at work both here and in Zimbabwe. Jim Kenney and Bob Masters have designed a go-fund-me page to support this project. This page was built as a result of Rev. Ed sharing about the project at TCC’s Men’s Bible Study group. We ask that you use this page to make your donations:

www.gofundme.com/RevEdWisdomStoves

If you click on “Read Latest Update” on the go-fund-me page, you can see a video of Wisdom Stoves in Kenya.

The Missions Committee will also accept direct donations payable to TCC. Just write “Wisdom Stoves” on the comment line of your check.

Thank you!

Joanne Kenney, Chair, Missions Committee

Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Collection

On Sunday, September 17th, we will be taking up a special offering during worship for the flood victims, which will go to UCC Disaster Ministries (www.ucc.org/disaster_hurricane_harvey).

The TCC Missions Committee will match contributions from the congregation, up to $1000.00, to aid survivors and victims of the storm.

Check out the website for additional opportunities to assist with short and long-term recovery

efforts.

Spread the word!


http://www.gofundme.com/RevEdWisdomStoves

http://www.ucc.org/disaster_hurricane_harvey



LADIES AID Submitted by Sue Trepaney

Food for Thought—September Ladies Aid Meeting

Chicken, broccoli and ziti is the first course on our luncheon menu for members and friends of Ladies Aid on

Wednesday, September 13th. We’ll meet in the Vestry at 12noon followed by a program that will include

some agenda items not addressed at our previous meetings. But, we’ll have fun, so please put this date and

time on your calendar. Don’t forget all women in our church are invited to Ladies Aid.

In addition to our main dish, we’ll enjoy a garden salad and dessert. Members of Ladies Aid, and our church,

have always been good cooks. One of the old TCC cookbooks that I have, although not dated, is titled

Tewksbury Tidbits, with recipes gathered from past members--old family names such as Mrs. J. T. Gale

who submitted a recipe for ‘Apple Crumble’; Charlotte Carter (remember Carter greenhouses on Rt. 38?) a

recipe for ‘Sponge Cake’; and ‘Baked Cranberry Pudding’ submitted by Ruth Mores. (Ruthie, as so many

remember her and whose name often pops up when talking about TCC’s ‘old timers’ and great cooks.) In

later years another cookbook was used, ‘The Good Cooks’ Cookbook’, again not dated, with some unique

recipes such as ‘Blueberry Yummy in the Tummy Cookies submitted by JoJo Scharmer and ‘Treasure of the

Sea’ submitted by Suzanne Bradley. A more recent cookbook published in 2003, ‘Home-Grown Recipes

and Gardening Tips’ is a great little cookbook that takes one through New England’s gardening seasons

and, of course, provides many favorite recipes collected from TCC’ers.

Somehow our meetings and talk often revolve around food—new recipes, a restaurant tried and enjoyed, or

an idea for a church supper that needs further discussion. Come on Wednesday, September 13th, sit with

us and enjoy a meal prepared by members of the Ladies Aid Board. If you have any questions, call Mercy in

the church office and she will direct your call to one of our members.

I leave you with an anecdote Mercy Delgado shared with me:

Do you want to laugh? This year at the Church Secretaries Conference, we all received copies of the First Church of Harwich’s cookbooks from Gail Nickerson, their Secretary. There’s a recipe in there for Alabama Squirrel Stew! It calls for shooting and skinning 10-12 gray squirrels!!! Yikes-I won’t be making that! In all fairness, the cookbook dates back to the 1700’s. They ate whatever they could catch!

I’m so grateful we have Market Basket!



FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE NEWS Submitted by Mary Lou Adams

Join us for our First Meeting of the Year! When: Thursday, September 14th, 2017 at 9:30 am. Where: Yvonne Hall’s home, 1011 Livingston Street, Tewksbury, MA (Meet at the church at 9:20 am to carpool.) What: Enjoy a brunch. Participate in a calendar planning session. Make a Friendship craft. Bring: Ideas for new monthly programs, special events for us to host, service to our church, and experiences to share. Tewksbury Congregational Church women and friends are invited to attend this first meeting. We meet the second Thursday of each month, from September through June. Our meetings include a devotion, program and simple refreshments. Our programs include crafts, church service, Bible study, field trips, and travelogues. Please call Mary Lou Adams (978-851-5207) with any questions.



TCC MUSIC NEWS Submitted by Lucinda J. Ellert

Music Doings

After a wild post-Easter slide into the swing of things here at TCC, I’ve gradually been settling into my new role

as your Music Director.

I’ve spent a pleasant, lazy summer getting intimately acquainted with the music library and as of this writing I

have just over half of the choir music catalogued. Did you know that we have a fine music library with many

great classics and a healthy list of contemporary favorites? I find myself getting excited every time I catalog a

new piece and I want to start rehearsing them all at once, right now! Since that isn’t possible, I have been

holding back a few to get us started and I have plenty of ideas now going up to Christmas and even Holy Week

and Easter. Once the catalog is done, I’ll download it to the main computer in the office, and it will be easily

available to fortuity.

Help: I’ve had offers of help from a number of people to organize the music library, but cataloging is sort of a

solitary business that requires a bit of concentration and some “alone time” with the piano. But what would be

very helpful to me would be suggestions of music you’d like to hear from the choir, or even for Preludes and

Postludes. I can’t guarantee that I’ll get to everything right away, but I do keep lists and try to fit music in.

This is input that is of course valuable from choir members, but really, really valuable from the congregation.

That way we can build a Music Ministry that really represents you.

Speaking of the choir, we’re getting started soon. Here’s the plan: September 7th, Potluck dinner/rehearsal.

Let’s do dinner at 6:00 and we’ll go up at 7:00 to rehearse. We’ll get the new season started with good fellowship

and full tummies at the very least.

Men, men, men, men. Did you know that men can sing? I mean, really sing? I sit there while I’m playing hymns

and I can hear lots of good male voices singing away, so you guys out there, come on and ‘fess up: the choir needs

you! So, if you have xy chromosomes and thought you’d like to give it a try, come on out to the potluck on

September 7th, or come talk to me after church. I’m thinking, since there are shy guys out there, that maybe we

should do a special time just for men at first to teach a few singing skills, a couple of pointers about reading, to

make you feel comfortable and build that confidence. So, fellows, let me know your thoughts and we’ll see if we

can build something musical.

Lastly, the one thing I want to convey to everyone is what we’ve all known forever: a Music Ministry is a

commitment and takes dedication. We have some great groups: Chancel Choir, Bell Choir, Cherub Choir which

are well established but always need more support and more members. I would like to rebuild the Junior Choir

and breathe life back into the Praise Band. We have the budget to hire musicians, but I would like to see more of

our musical offerings come from within our own ranks first, then hire as needed, especially for high holidays.

The main thing is getting everyone on the same page: to encourage the commitment and dedication by keeping

open minds and making time to discuss our options. From my standpoint, as your music director, the main thing

is that we take a positive, proactive approach and ask ourselves: what can we make happen to create a strong

music program, and a stronger church? The talent is out there, and I can’t think of another church more capable

than this one to build a music program that will be a jewel in Tewksbury’s crown.

Blessings and joy,

Lucinda



TCC GARDEN NEWS Submitted by Brad Staeben

Where Did That Summer Go?!

Thank you to the whole garden crew who helped out over the

Summer! The church grounds have stayed looking great. Many

hands make light work and this summer has proved it. Not only did

the weeding and watering get done, but extra projects like cutting

back the encroaching woods and filling in the bare spots in the hostas

up front, suddenly were tackled. You were all a great and energetic

crew and I can’t say thank you enough!

This got me thinking about the fall and all those leaves and sticks

falling. Why should TCC pay to have someone do fall clean-up for us?

If we could get 10 rakes out there some weekend this fall, that would

be a very short morning of yard work. I need to know if there is

interest in doing this before I approach the Trustees about shifting

the responsibility to us. If you are interested in an hour or two of fall

clean-up, please send me an email at [email protected]. If we can

get a big enough group you will hear more about possible dates.

Brad Staeben

mailto:[email protected]



PIE SOCIAL & CHRISTMAS FAIR 2017 Submitted by Carol Sturtevant

PIE Social & Christmas Fair 2017 Meeting Sunday, October 15th in the Vestry after worship—All are welcome!!

TCC Greeters Pie Social Volunteers Visits with Mr. & Mrs. Santa

Christmas Music by Millie Mulno

Gently Used Christmas Items

Snack Bar Cooks

Wreaths Created by Andy Donated Baked Goodies Gently Used Toys

2017 TEAM TCC is ready to GO! Many thanks to those participating and sharing new ideas to improve our very successful Pie Social and traditional Christmas Fair during our earlier meetings. Our final pre-events meeting on Sunday, October 15th after Worship is very important for continued success and finalizing plans. All are welcome—your ideas, input & assistance are needed for another successful year. Chairpersons & other leadership positions are all in place and new ideas have been “sprouting”. Following the lighting of the common, the townspeople stream over for our well-known Pie Social, visits with Santa and all our creative tables open on Friday evening and Saturday. Please join us and share your ideas or contact Carol Sturtevant, 987-851-4451, Trish Keddie, 987-677-6013, or Brad Staeben, 978-654-6514 for more information.

** Please collect and save: For Holiday Friends- large Cool Whip containers & gallon water jugs for fresh

green creations, for other tables: gently used jewelry, boxes & scarves, Christmas items, toys & hand created

items for Ladies Aid.



NOTES FROM THE TREASURER Submitted by Bob Masters

Online Donations

Did you know that you can donate to TCC electronically? It’s simple. It’s easy. And it makes your

life a little simpler.

Have you forever forgotten your offering envelope on Sunday morning? Do you have your

checkbook with you? Where’s a pen? There’s one in the Friendship Pad! When you donate

online, those worries are gone. Your donations are made even when you are on vacation, or do

not make it to TCC on Sunday morning.

Here’s how you do it. Go to the TCC website: tewksburycc.org

Click on the “Donate to TCC” button on the right side of the screen. Then simply follow the

prompts. There are options for periodic giving (e.g., pledges) and one-time giving (e.g., mission

gifts). Periodic giving can be weekly, bi-weekly, twice a month, monthly, etc. You define frequency

and start date.

When you set up your online account, be sure you save your user ID and password. For your

security, we have no access to your password.

Donations can be made directly from your bank account (checking or savings) or with a credit card.

The credit card vendor fee for TCC is 2.75%. If you use a credit card, you can elect to cover this

fee rather than have it charged to the church.

For many people, including me, offering is an important part of worship. If you donate online, how

do you participate during offering? There is a basket on the pedestal table to the right of the

narthex doors. In the basket are laminated “I give electronically” cards. Take one and drop it in the

offering basket.

I use weekly periodic giving taken from my checking account. It many ways it is like using an

automatic debit card. I like it. I know my pledge is being paid, even when Rita and I are traveling.

When I am at TCC on Sunday morning I use the “I give electronically” card. No more offering

envelopes. And the Financial Secretary’s job is easy. My experience has been excellent. Try it!

If you should have any questions, contact me: 978-452-4934 or [email protected].

Bob Masters

Treasurer



ZERO WASTE DAY NEWS Submitted by Beth McFadyen

Tewksbury’s 9th Annual Zero Waste Day

On Saturday, September 23rd, from 9am-1pm, in the Wynn Middle School parking lot, you can

experience the joy and ease of drive thru donating and recycling. Together with the Tewksbury

Recycling Committee, our friends in Faith at Tewksbury Congregational Church will be coordinating

Tewksbury’s 9th Annual Zero Waste Day event. More than a dozen local non-profit organizations will

be on hand to accept your donations of gently used items including clothing, household goods,

baby gear, furniture, bikes, building supplies, pet supplies, books and more. Additionally,

residents are invited to recycle items like off-rim tires, cell phones, batteries, and – for a nominal

fee – electronics. For more information, visit their website at www.zwdtewksbury.org or find them

on Facebook at Zero Waste Day, Tewksbury. And, if you are interested in volunteering for the

event, please contact Beth McFadyen and Loretta Ryan at [email protected]. Thank you for

representing our church in supporting Tewksbury’s biggest community giving event!

Blessings,

Beth McFadyen

Zero Waste Day Coordinator Deacon, Tewksbury Congregational Church

www.zwdtewksbury.org

http://www.tewksburycc.org/

http://www.zwdtewksbury.org/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zero-Waste-Day-Tewksbury/144403548959859?sk=wall


http://www.zwdtewksbury.org/



TEWKSBURY HABITAT BUILD NEWS Submitted by Jim Kenney

Please join us for fun and friendship on September 10th at Wamesit Lanes and help us raise the needed funds to keep our South Street project going. 100% proceeds will go to this project.



DATES TO REMEMBER Submitted by Rev. Norm Bendroth

Prayer in the Parlor. Every Sunday in the Parlor before worship at 9:15 am, whoever is here is invited to join us for prayer to ask God’s blessing on our worship time, our pastor and leaders, the health of this church and the healing of the world. We’ll start on September 10

th.

Who Is Our Neighbor?

On Sunday, September 24th after worship, Rev. Norm will be presenting a Power Point slide show from the findings of a demographic study called MissionInsite. In addition to the usual things like population, race, average income, education, and households, a unique measure in MissionInsite cites the trends, moods and values of Tewksbury. This data finds out what are community concerns, religious preferences, and ministry preferences. The most interesting data is called the “Mosaic Lifestyle Segmentation Types.” Mosaic Lifestyle Types provide insight into the behaviors, attitudes, and preferences of households within our community that might find the most affinity with our church.

Rev. Norm will also have a report from interviews with our community leaders this Summer, such as the Police Chief, Town Manager, Superintendent and the Council on Aging, about the trends, hopes and hurts they are seeing in Tewksbury. Please plan on coming to this eye-opening and stimulating event as we continue to discern God’s will for our future.

Blessing of the Animals. On Sunday, October 15th

, TCC will have a “Blessing of the Animals” service during our morning worship. October is the month of St. Francis of Assisi’s birthday. You might recall that he is noted for his love of animals and how they communicate God’s love to us. On that day we’ll celebrate and give thanks for God’s creatures great and small, especially our animal companions — beloved household pets (or photos of pets) and favorite stuffed animals. Our morning schedule will be a little different than usual. Weather permitting, we will meet outdoors. If not, we will meet in Fellowship Hall. It’s a wonderful opportunity to invite friends, family, schoolmates and neighbors to this unique service!

9:00 to 9:15am Gather in Fellowship Hall for a time of pre-service preparation or outdoors if the weather is nice - introducing your pets and organizing for the service.

9:30am The Blessing of the Animals service begins. The service will last approximately 45 minutes, with a moment after 30 minutes for pets and caretakers to leave directly following the blessing, if necessary.

FAQs

SHOULD I BRING MY PET TO BE BLESSED?

Your pet is a special creation of God. Your relationship of love and responsibility with your pet are firm reminders of our interconnectedness with each other, with the created world and with God. We want to honor your pet and your relationship with a blessing. But will your pet want to come?

Your pet will be happy to come if…

• it does not become overly stressed by the transportation needed to get to church.

• if your pet enjoys meeting new people, and especially, active children.

• if your pet is able to settle down when other animals are nearby, and tolerate unusual sounds (such as music, or group recited prayers?).

• your pet is adequately trained so as to minimize the chance of accidents occurring indoors.

In general, you should be able to maintain good control over your pet at all times in order to keep it safe and keep others safe from it (not everyone enjoys jumping up for licks on the face!) We hope that your pet will enjoy coming to church, but do request you consider each point carefully before deciding to do so.

HOW WILL WE ACCOMMODATE ANIMALS?

To help keep your pet as comfortable as possible, we will make some changes that you both may find helpful….

• Before the service, pets may be brought to Fellowship Hall for safe keeping if it is too warm to leave them in cars before church. You will need to stay with your pet at this time.

• The area outside the main church entrance on the left will be designated as a potty area, and clean up materials will be provided.

• A bucket, mop and paper towels will also be provided indoors for you if needed.

And, we will have Animal Sections. When you enter the worship space, there will be designated areas for dogs, cats and other pets. Please look for your areas, so that shy kitties don't have to sit near rambunctious Rover, and even shyer rodents don't need to sit near Tigerclaws kitty. There will even be a space for people who don't want to sit near any animals.




WHAT WILL THE TIMING BE LIKE?

Before the service…

Smaller pets in carriers may be brought to Fellowship Hall starting

at 9:00 a.m., but caretakers must accompany each pet.

During the service…

The time of blessing will be about 30 minutes into the service.

Your pet will receive a blessing and you will be able to take home

a “goody bag” with a little treat and a blessing you can perform at home. After your turn of blessing feel free to leave for

a walk or to take your pet home. Of course, you may also stay if your pet has enjoyed coming to church!

BLESSING ANIMALS WHO CAN’T BE WITH US

For those of you who choose not to bring your pet to church, or if your pet has died, or there are animals that you would like to bless but cannot bring, such as wildlife, you may bring a picture or even a toy or stuffed animal to represent your animal. The goody bags will have a blessing you can take home to your pet. Also, during the prayer time we will be offering prayers for pets, wildlife and people who care for them, both near and far. In this way, we hope to honor God ’s great creation, as we are able.

Under Construction to Return to TCC on Sunday, October 29th

Harvard's premier Christian a cappella group since 1982, Under Construction, will return to TCC on Sunday, October 29

th to sing during our morning worship service. Those of you who were there last year remember their tight harmonies,

beautiful blended voices, and wide-selection of pieces. This is a great opportunity to invite your unchurched friends and neighbors to introduce them to TCC and our wonderful music guests.

Introducing the Old Testament

Perhaps you think you know the Old Testament? Think again.

Back before Stonehenge or the wheel, back before the pyramids, math, or even the crudest writing existed, ancient peoples gathered and told stories. They told stories of how the world began, what the first people were like, and which of them were heroes or failures. They tried to make sense of the world around them and tried to sort out who the gods were and what those gods wanted from them.

More than ten thousand years later, one set of those stories has come down to us in the form of the Old Testament. It is

Commandments for a Peaceful Animal Blessing

For Humans Thou shall make sure that thy pet is under control and restrained by an appropriate device (leash, carrier, etc.) at all

times.

Thou shall direct thy pet to the designated toileting areas and use clean-up equipment as needed.

Thou shall ensure that thy pet does not harm or harass any other animal or person.

For Animals

Thou shall remember the vision of lions lying down with lambs and act peacefully towards your fellow critters.

Thou shall mind thy human.

Thou shall use the designated toileting areas when "nature calls."



the story of the Jewish people and their distinctive God, giving us a glimpse through story, song, history, and law of the rocky, raucous, faithful, fumbling beginnings of one of the oldest religions on earth.

This second course in Exploring the Bible: The Dickinson Series will help you better understand the Old Testament in the context of the world in which it was written. This course builds on the Introduction to the Bible course we offered last spring.

We will have our first session Monday, October 16th

, at 7 pm in the Parlor and will continue for six weeks.

Please let Rev. Norm know of your interest at [email protected] or Mercy at the office,

[email protected] so we can order books.

500th

Anniversary of the Reformation Study Group

On October 31,1517 a young German monk named Martin Luther nailed a document of Ninety-five Theses on the door of the All Saints' Church in Wittenberg Castle, challenging the basic tenets of Roman Catholicism. This sole act began what is known as the Protestant Reformation, thus changing the history of the church and the world forever. To honor this significant anniversary, Rev. Norm is offering a four-week study of the Reformation and Protestant principles. The outline will be:

Session 1: Reformation Basics

God is God (not us)

Salvation by Grace through Faith

Guess What? You’re a Priest

Session 2: The Bible

Sola Scriptura

Which Do You Prefer, an Angry God or a Cheap Gospel?

Got Bible?

Session 3: Hot Buttons

“Total Depravity”

Predestination

Session 4: Summing Up

Saints and Sinners

Luther’s Sins—and Ours

The Protestant Principle

Sessions will run Tuesdays Oct. 3rd

, 17th

, 24th

and 31st

, and will meet at 7 pm in the Parlor. Please let Rev. Norm

know of your interest at [email protected] or Mercy at the office, [email protected] so we

can order study guides.

Mid-Week Bible Study and Prayer. Beginning on Wednesday, November 29th, Rev. Norm will be offering Bible study and prayer at 1 pm in the Parlor. We will be looking at the “Bible’s Top 40,” namely the top 40 Bible stories that give us a good overview of the Bible. We’ll begin during Advent with the birth narratives in Matthew and Luke.



http://www.amazon.com/Introducing-Testament-Student-Dickinson-Series/dp/0988248123/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_z



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germans

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monk

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninety-five_Theses

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Saints%27_Church,_Wittenberg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wittenberg





TCC HAPPENINGS

Save Your Medicine Bottles!

We will be setting up a collection bin right outside the

church office for your empty, clean, lable-free medicine

bottles. The bottles will be given to Annmarie Baldwin to

use on her next mission with Intercultural Nursing, Inc.

If you would like to go green and receive future editions of the TCC Connection

Newsletter in digital format, please contact the church office at 978-851-9411, or

[email protected].

Congratulations Scholarship Recipients!

Rev. Norm Looking Good, Hiking the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho

Fun & Fellowship at Harold Parker Forest!

Congratulations Robin & Randy! June 24th, 2017

Blessings to a Lovely Couple!

The Awe & Wonder of God ‘s Nature on Display

-The Solar Eclipse of August 21st, 2017




10 East Street Tewksbury, MA 01876

phone: 978-851-9411 e-mail: [email protected]

website: tewksburycc.org

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Secretary’s Corner I had the pleasure to attend the 49th Annual Church Secretaries’ Conference on June 11th-13th, 2017, at the Craigsville Retreat Center in Cape Cod. This time I invited Marilyn SanClemente to join me for some fun and fellowship, and I was even part of the organizing committee, overseeing snacks! This year’s Conference theme was “A Time for Every Purpose”, discussing how we use our time to incorporate work , family and leisure., and how we can do this more effectively with God’s grace.

After a very lively annual Yankee Swap to get acquainted with the new participants, we were able to share meals and laughs, insights and advice. Pastor Mary Lou Gifford from UCC Randolph was our guest speaker, guiding us with humor and wisdom on how to deal with work distractions, setting boundaries for purposeful giving, and learning to say “No”! We enjoyed a wonderful potluck supper, testing out time-saving (and yummy!) recipes, and spent our evening devotionals on choosing and maintaining Joy in our lives. With Marilyn’s help, we decorated recipe folders and received recipe books as gifts from Gail Nickerson and the First Congregational Church of Harwich, dating back to 1747! Squirrel Stew, anyone?!!!

Rev. Christie Burns, from West Parish of Barnstable, presided over our Tuesday morning worship and communion our last morning together. We were able to bring food items to support the food pantry at United Church in Walpole, and donate $355.00 to help fight Parkinson’s Disease.

I’m so very grateful to my church and anonymous benefactor, for allowing me this opportunity to learn & grow in my vocation! I can’t wait until next year’s 50th Anniversary Conference!

Submitted by Mercy Delgado

In Memoriam... We are mourning the passing of long-time member

Arlene P. Roux on June 13th, 2017, and Alice Golen’s Son, Robert J. Golen, on August 10th, 2017. We

continue to offer our prayers and support to Joe, Christine, Jesse and Casey and their families, and to

Alice, William, Adam and their families.

volume 6, issue 3 august/september/october...

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