Often the instruments of change
are not kind or just
and the hardest openness
of all might be
to embrace the change
while not wasting your heart
fighting the instrument.
The storm is not important
as the path it opens.
The mistreatment in one life
never as crucial as the clearing
it makes in your heart.
This is very difficult to accept.
The hammer or cruel one
is always short lived
compared to the jewel
in the center of the stone.
While I do not understand this poem by Mark Nepo to be a blueprint for navigating the turbulent times in which we live, I do think it can be of help to keep ones soul from sinking into despair. We do live and move and have our being in God. We believe God is present in all things, in all events, and all circumstances working in mysterious ways to bring about good.
Nepo likely wrote this poem for individuals to ponder as they grapple with life's joys and sorrows, successes and failures. It clearly suggests that sometimes the storms and cruelty of life are not of our own making and yet even then, we can trust that the Mysterious More is at work revealing the jewel at the center of the stone. It may be a reach, but I am wondering today if we might appropriate the truth of this poem to groups of people, to communities, to municipalities and even nations.
No, this is not a blue print for action. We all need to look elsewhere for that direction, but the poem is a reminder that there is more than meets the eye, that all of life has purpose and that all our lives lived with intention and faith, are in service to God's revealing.
As we find our way, as we find our voice, as we rise up for biblical values: love, justice, kindness, and mercy, let us place our trust in the One in whom we do live and have our being.
Rev. David
Inquirers Class
Rev. David is ecstatic, it was only weeks ago that we welcomed eight new members to the church, and already he is being approached by inquirers eager to join the church.
The target date for welcoming our next group is Sunday, April 30.
If you are interested in learning more about the Barre Congregational Church, our denomination, the United Church of Christ, and the biblical values that undergird our faith, please contact the church office or Rev. David personally.
The next Inquirers Class is just around the corner!
The Faith Community Prays and Praises
~ as you are able please hold in prayer ~
The family of Lucille Hoyt who passed away earlier this week.
Courtney and Gary Pletzer as they grieve the loss of Gary's sister, Anna Pletzer. Prayers also their niece Caryn who's boyfriend died tragically on the same day as her mother.
Lorraine Portalupi, Linda West's mother is at Woodridge.
Walter Cooley who is at Woodridge.
Lynn Reid Carpenter who is undergoing radiation treatments.
Lowell Sanders, Sherry Singer's father, who is living with cancer.
Dawn Borne who continues to live with cancer.
Chuck Cecchini who is living with cancer.
For our fellow world citizens of all faith communities.
For all the homeless in Washington County.
Homeless Prayer
Dear God, An open door, a roof above, safe homes for all, in the power of love. Amen!
We give thanks: The SHS students, Nancy and Ed Fowler and Marjorie Wheeler for serving the Tuesday breakfast and to Eric and Jeffrey Tuper-Giles and Krissy Bellevance for preparing the Good Samaritan Haven Meal. We also give thanks for Marjorie and Ernie Wheeler who prepared for our coffee hour potluck.
THANK All OF YOU FOR BEING PART OF OUR MISSION AND OUTREACH MINISTRY!
Please let us know if you have prayer requests or celebrations
for this section of the E-Window.
This is a Repeat After Me Thank You
As I prepared and struggled over what to share for my last official children's story, I was filled with many mixed emotions. As I spent time cleaning out the file cabinet (which I joked with a few people that this was proof that I did file and organize through the years),
I was reminded how many great memories and lessons I have been able to share with the children, youth and the congregation. I was also humbled by the love and support I felt through your applause, gifts and the standing ovation. If you were unable to be there, my message highlighted the over 400 stories I have done to one simple thing: It's all about God. It was perfect that Sunday's lectionary text was one of my favorites and sums up what I have tried to say through many of my stories. "Do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God." Micah 6:8.
I gave each of the children a bookmark with the Micah words as well as, Things Nancy wants you to remember.
I thank the parents, the children (all the way back to the ones that were there in 2001) and the congregation for supporting me through this faith formation-filled journey. I have learned so much about my faith as well as the faith of the children I have been able to walk with through the years. It has been an honor to witness many children grow into loving, compassionate and caring souls.
In closing, I ask each of you to continue nurturing your faith, by loving, caring and serving just as God has called each of us to do.
Peace and Blessings,
Nancy
The morning Bible Study is off to a good start. This group now knows a little bit more about
how to be "the salt and the light of the earth".
Anyone is invited to join us on Thursday mornings at 10:30 am.
What is a Second Mile Giving Sunday?
It is a chance to bring a SMILE to someone less fortunate by contributing to our Outreach Ministries.
It is a way to make yourself SMILE because you’ve gone above and beyond your usual giving.
What is expected of you? NOTHING! What is appreciated? EVERYTHING!
Our church is the host for breakfasts each Tuesday and the second and third Saturdays. The high school Student Council sends two volunteers each Tuesday to work with Nancy Fowler and one person from Missions and Outreach and the Saturday teams are volunteers from our church. If you would like to be on the list to help in this outreach, please speak to Nancy Fowler or Darlene Clark.
Monetary gifts will be used for a number of outreach programs here at the church. Food donations of eggs, sausage, whole hams, potatoes, muffins, fruit and coffee will be used for community breakfasts. We are serving an average of 50 people on Tuesdays and anywhere from 50-70 on Saturdays.
BCC TABLES at the
Murder Mystery Dinner
February 11, 2017
5:00 pm
There is at least one table-full from the Barre Congregational Church to be a part of the Mystery Dinner at Hedding Methodist. If you would like to add your name to the list please RSVP to the church office as soon as possible. Tickets need to be purchased by Monday, February 6.
Kitchen Checklist
As we continue to do our part to be an eco-friendly green church, a new kitchen checklist has been hung up in the kitchen. If you are one of the volunteers in the kitchen, please take the time to read through the checklist.
CAPSTONE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Captsone (Community Action) is always looking for volunteers in the Food Shelf. If you are interested please call their office at 479-1053.
Jesus on the Journey
Talitha Arnold
February 3, 2017
For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, . . . nor anything else in all creation, can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38
"How are you doing?" I asked a friend recently. It was no trite question. My friend lives and works in Washington, D. C. For 40 years, she's directed mental health programs in the Department of Health and Human Services. We work together, long-distance, to equip faith communities and clergy in suicide prevention and other mental health issues. She's also a lifelong Methodist. Her commitment to follow in Jesus' way undergirds her commitment to serve.
Like other federal employees, my friend faces an uncertain future. Her salary cut to $1/year. Being fired at a moment's notice.
What troubles my friend the most, though, is that her agency could be dismantled. She and her colleagues care deeply about the people they serve, people with mental illness—and their families--who are often left out and left behind. It breaks her heart to know that service may end.
Added to the job uncertainty, she is dealing with her husband's battle with cancer and the recent deaths of both her mother and her sister. So "How are you doing?" was no casual question.
My friend laughed softly over the phone line and then said, "I've discovered the journey is easier if you go with Jesus."
My friend is not particularly pious or overtly religious. She simply knows what Paul knew in his Roman prison cell: There is nothing in life or death that can separate from the love of God made known to us in Jesus Christ. As she walks through the valley of her shadows, there is One who walks with her. It makes the journey possible.
Prayer
Help us to remember, Lord, that wherever our journeys lead, you walk with us. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Talitha Arnold is Senior Minister of the United Church of Santa Fe (UCC), Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is the author of Mark Part 1 and Mark Part 2 of the Listen Up! Bible Study series and Worship for Vital Congregations.
Church Calendar
Friday 2/3/17
7:30 am Centering Prayer
5:30 pm Community Dinner
Saturday 2/4/17
7:00 am Community Breakfast
8:00 pm AA
Sunday 2/5/17
9:30 am Sabbath Worship, Scout Sunday and Holy Communion
10:45 pm Mission and Outreach Ministry
Monday 2/6/17
8:00 am Strong Living
1:00 pm Woodcarvers
6:00 pm AA
Tuesday 2/7/17
7:00 am Community Breakfast
6:30 pm Finance Ministry
Wednesday 2/8/17
8:00 am Strong Living
6:00 pm Church Council
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Your pledge dollars and contributions to the Barre Congregational Church, UCC make the ministries of our church possible.
Have you considered remembering the Barre Congregational Church, UCC in your will? You would leave a lasting legacy which would support the good works of our church.
The per capita contribution for each active member to the Vermont Conference and Washington Association of the United Church of Christ, for 2016 is $12.99. It is very much appreciated when members
