Be The Church: February 7, 2023
Faithfully,
Pastor Meghan
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We're Hiring!
Help us spread the word.
As we announced at our Annual Meeting on Sunday, Michele Brule, our Church Administrator, is leaving our church staff at the end of February. Michele has been an incredible blessing to our church and we have so much gratitude for her ministry. We are excited for Michele as she pursues another opportunity, and hope to find a way to honor her ministry at the end of February. The good news is that Michele has asked to continue volunteering with our church, assisting with our website and livestreaming, so we will continue to see her around the church.
We are now hiring for a Staff Accountant & Building Support Manager, and would love for you to help spread the word. Please hold our Personnel Committee in prayer as we begin interviews this week.
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Church T-Shirt Design Contest
Share your ideas.
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Now that we have a church logo, we'd love to have a church t-shirt that we can wear at community events, Church Beyond The Walls Sunday, and more.
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Please submit your ideas for a church t-shirt design using our logo and name, as well as any phrases or slogans you think we should use, to church@ucctryon.org. We'd love to get t-shirts made by our March 4th event with Doug Tallamy.
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It's That Time Of Year: Time to start Kudzu eradication
Saturday, February 11, 10 AM. Meet in the back parking lot of the church.
Mark your calendars. We are going to start the kudzu eradication this Saturday. I hope you all will be willing to come and help this year and follow up on the work done last year. We have received another grant of $750 so we can make an even greater dent in the invasives in our historical woodland. Even if you do not know an invasive from a native there will be people there to help you identify and show you the ropes. We need people to remove the debris from the woods to clear the paths and make them walkable in addition to moving the vines and wood up to the parking lot or down to Old Depot Street for special pickups from the Town of Tryon. There are weeds to be pulled up at the parking lot level and behind the annex. Ask friends, neighbors, and family to help. It is a great donation to God's World. - Carol Meeske
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The Very First Annual Church Variety Show
The Congregational Church Follies
Sunday, February 26, 2023 at 3 PM in the Sanctuary
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Have you a “hidden” talent you’ve been wanting to dust off and share, just for fun? Do you play an instrument? Like to sing? Perform magic or tell jokes? Do you like to tell stories or read poetry aloud? Are you an “actor” and would enjoy working up a monologue, a scene or a funny skit with other people? Here is your chance to have some fun. Please let Susan Lyle or Patty Short know of your interest and your idea. All ages are welcome.
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Ministry Team, Worship, & Volunteer Sign-Up
We welcome all in our congregation, regardless of membership or age, to participate in worship leadership and Ministry Teams. Contact the church office for more information about any of the opportunities below.
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Please consider signing up to usher, serve as liturgist, and host community hour in the coming months. Offering those gifts of hospitality helps build community, attracts and welcomes folks to our church.
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Volunteers Needed for Doug Tallamy Event
Saturday, March 4
Creation Care Team exhibit at the Tallamy event on March 4: Volunteers are needed to set up and staff the Creation Care Team table in the exhibit hall, 11:30am-2pm and 3:30-5pm. Please contact Ann White at atkc58@gmail.com or 864-426-7744 if you can help staff our table.
Schedule of Events for Tallamy Event at Polk County High Auditorium
11:30am -- Set up begins
12:30pm -- Native plant sale begins
1-2 pm -- Exhibits
2-3:30pm-- Doug Tallamy's presentation
3:30-5pm-- Book signing and exhibits
Other volunteers are needed for the Tallamy event; see below for a description of what each position involves.
The coordinator for volunteers is Donna Younkin; please contact her at backporchdonna@gmail.com or 609-330-1188 if you can fill any of the following volunteer slots:
2-4 Hallway Monitors (or 4-8 if individuals pair up), 11:30-5:30 (may be possible to split into two shifts):
*Easy, indoor positions keeping an eye on the surrounding area to avoid any damage and generally direct attendees in the right direction.
*You can be seated to do this job--bring a “lawn type” chair or a chair can be provided.
*Two people can pair up to cover one area.
*A few people are needed to cover this while Tallamy is presenting, so they won't attend the presentation, but will stay in the hallway areas.
4 Wrist-band checkers at Auditorium Entrance 11:30 to 2-2:15.
*Make sure that attendees have a wrist band for entrance into the auditorium. *These volunteers will be standing the entire time.
8 Auditorium Ushers - 11:30-2:15 (4 volunteers), 11:30-4:00 (4 volunteers):
*This is a "standing" job and might be considered “high pressure”
*Ushers will work with folks who will not be able to choose their seats and get them seated quickly; because the event is sold out, every seat in the auditorium needs to be filled in an orderly, pre-determined manner.
*4 volunteers are needed to help with crowd control exiting the auditorium, after the conclusion of the presentation.
5 Plant Delivery Volunteers - 12pm-2pm and 3:30-5:00:
*Will help get plants to the cars of purchasers. This will involve carrying plants and walking to several different parking lots. The ability to carry things and be sure-footed and able to navigate stairs or inclines will be key--in rain or shine! *Preferably, this is one set of volunteers who use the 1 1/2 hour break to enjoy the Tallamy presentation (if they have already registered) - or we could work out two shifts if needed.
Volunteers should bring their own lunch and beverages, in a cooler if it needs refrigeration. There will be snacks in a hospitality room where they can also leave personal belongings. Volunteers will also need to sign a liability waiver. Volunteers may be given a green vest to wear so they are identifiable. And, of course, volunteers will receive a big THANK YOU!
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Pic of the Week
A look into the life of the church
The bells party introduced some new people to the bells and allowed them to try their hand at ringing. We may have picked up some potential new ringers!
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Do you have a picture of something that you would like to share with the Congregation? Email it to Lindsay and we can share it as our pic of the week and continue to stay connected with each other.
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Weekly Preview
Grow in faith, share in ministry.
- Special Showing of the Film "E.O. Wilson - Of Ants & Men
Tuesday, February 7, 2023 from 6:30 PM - 9 PM at the Tryon Theatre
For those who have tickets, don't forget to join us at the screening this Tuesday night. Theatre. Our church is co-sponsoring this showing with Conserving Carolina as part of the Gardening for Life Project.
- Community Hours
Community Hours this week will be Wednesday from 9-10 AM at All Good Things Bakery in Tryon.
- Prayer Group, Wednesdays at 12 PM on Zoom
Click this link to join Prayer Group
Meeting ID: 396 479 012, Password: 117851
To join by phone, dial +1 646 558 8656.
Join us as we pray for the congregation, the community, and the world.
- Sunday Worship - February 12 at 10 AM, Sanctuary & Online
Join us for worship, story, music, and fellowship. This week will continue a 3 week series engaging in sacred conversations on faith and race in honor of black history month. Sunday email will have links to watch the service online via live stream. This week's scripture is Psalm 119:1-8 and Matthew 5:21-37.
Looking Ahead:
- Living the Questions
Sunday, February 19 after worship in the Fellowship Hall
Topic: "Social Justice: Realizing God's Vision"
Being a person of faith demands balancing spiritual pursuits with action. In a society which is often unjust, inequitable, and whose very structures are responsible for generating untold suffering and poverty, we are compelled to pursue social justice as an expression of hope in realizing a better world. Download the reflection here.
- Fat Ash Wednesday Pancake Supper
Wednesday, February 22, 5:30 - 7 PM in the Fellowship Hall
After a 2 year hiatus, it's back! Fat (Shrove) Tuesday + Ash Wednesday. Join us for a Pancake Supper and pancake games. Followed by a short Service of Ashes to help us transition into Lent. Sign up here.
- The Very First Annual Church Variety Show:
The Congregational Church Follies
Sunday, February 26, 2023 at 3 PM in the Sanctuary
Mark your calendars and see info above.
- Youth Group
Sunday, February 26 at 11:30 AM
We will meet at the church and watch the movie, Puss n Boots: Last Wish, and discuss mental health issues addressed in the movie. Lunch will be provided.
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Notes From The Church Dog
Because somebody has to run this church...
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That's me as a young puppy, my very first weekend in Tryon, exhausted and curling up in a bed of grass, after my very first hike. I'm a huge fan of exploring creation, so many creatures, so many smells. I'm also a huge fan of hospitality - who doesn't love bounding up to people and welcoming them?! I share these passions of mine, because the human has made her annual trip to the Western North Carolina Creation Care Alliance Symposium up in Black Mountain. The Creation Care Alliance (the faith arm of Mountain True) is one of our church's ministry partners, and the human recently joined their board. This Monday and Tuesday, folks passion about creation care in Western North Carolina are gathering to learn and connect. They're talking about the need for the church to practice climate hospitality (practices of making room for the thriving of creation in a climate-changed world), and what that might look like. They'll also be talking about justice and solidarity with indigenous communities, eco-justice, eco-grief, and organizing for change. I'm looking forward to hearing more about how we might connect some of my favorite things.
Wishing you all the toys and pets,
Wally
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Love Your Neighbor
Wider Community Opportunities, Events, and Resources
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No More Stigma, No More Shame #standbymePolk
April 28. 4:30PM - 7:30PM
Join us for an exciting evening as we welcome nationally acclaimed TEDx speaker Tony Hoffman to Polk County to share his inspirational true story "From Prison to the Olympics," about overcoming and recovery from substance misuse.
*Hosted by Polk County Health and Human Services Agency in partnership with Polk County Schools.
Find more information here.
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Hear of any community gatherings, resources, or opportunities to love our neighbors? Email us to share.
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Faith Formation Opportunities & UCC News
Staying connected to the wider church.
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Spent- Virtual Poverty Training and Simulator
Urban Ministries of Durham serves over 6,000 people every year. But you'd never need help, right? Try the virtual challenge and see if you can manage for a month.
https://playspent.org/html/
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EMAIL
Rev. Meghan D. Young, Pastor - pastor@ucctryon.org
Lindsay Lewis, Minister of Faith Formation - faithformation@ucctryon.org
Dr. Susan Lyle, Minister of Music - music@ucctryon.org
Brittany Plumley, Custodian - custodian@ucctryon.org
Michele Brulé, Church Administrator - accounts@ucctryon.org
General Office/Church Requests can be sent to: church@ucctryon.org
WORSHIP
Sunday Morning Worship is at 10:00 AM. Check weekly emails or www.ucctryon.org for more information, as to protocols and worship location.
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