Tower Notes

Centre Congregational Church
United Church of Christ

We Welcome Everyone: An “Open & Affirming” Church
Handicap Accessible

Phone: (781) 334-3050; Fax:  (781) 334-6463;   Email: Office@Centre-Church.org
5 Summer Street, Lynnfield, Massachusetts  01940

The Rev. Michael A. Dunfee, Interim Pastor - Pastor@centre-church.org
Jill Couillard & Barbara Langill - Directors of Christian Education & Youth Ministry -
ChristianEd@Centre-Church.org
Douglas W. Hodgkins: Organist/Choir Director
Sally MacDonald, Director of Tower Day School
Susan Spear, Secretary

May 17, 2006

 

Dear Friends,

Two years ago we had a foot or more of water in our basement. The rickety, old, sump pump that came with the house was held in place by various pieces of string tied to the coverless breaker box. The pump did run – sorta, kinda – if you kept a close eye on it and it didn’t tip over.

After that disaster, I was determined to install an excellent, top-of-the-line pump with good, 2" PVC pipe running from the pump to the back yard. I did that. I was ready.

This weekend, as the rains came down and the floods came up, I made a few trips to the basement. Water was moving nicely across the basement floor to the sump pump. Every 10 seconds, the hole would fill up and the pump would shoot the water into the back yard.

I smiled.

More water came. The pump ran every 2 to 3 seconds. I’d done a good job. Happy man.

We watched a movie. Afterward, I found an inch of water over the entire basement floor. I put my hand on the PVC pipe; I could feel the vibrations from the humming pump as it pushed the water up and out of the house. I looked outside. Water was racing out of the end of the pipe. An inch of water was no problem because I’d built shelves that kept everything a good 4" off the floor. Clever man.

Two hours later, there was 2" of water on the floor. And, alas, by the time I went to bed, I had been soundly defeated. We had no less than 9" of water in the basement – well over 1,000 gallons of silent, liquid thumbing its nose at me and my well-laid plans. The minister was humbled.

I suspect a spiritual lesson may be lurking about my basement. And, once the water is gone and I devote myself to cleaning up the mess, I am sure it will be there waiting for me – no doubt it has something to do with who is and who is not in charge of the universe.

Mike,
Interim Water Boy

 


 

IN THE SANCTUARY

May 21, 2006

John 15:9-17

10:00 A.M. Morning Worship

Sacrament of Baptism

Sermon by the Rev. Michael Dunfee

"Joy’s Company"

Children may worship with their families

before going to workshops.

Service broadcast on Peabody Cable Channel 10

at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday.

 


 

Art Lovers

Don’t forget the Centre Church Art Exhibition – Saturday, May 20 from 9-3. View original works of art including photographs, oils, watercolors and pastels. Can you separate the work of the amateurs from the professionals???? The younger eye from the more seasoned veteran??? Come and check your artistic eye against the masters.

All this, in addition to the Lynnfield Art Guild Show and Sale in Richards Hall and the Geranium Fest on the Common. Centre Church is the place to be on Saturday!

 

 

Retreat Reminder

Both Groups – 5-7th & 8-12th

A reminder to everyone who has signed up for the retreats: You are asked to be at the church parking lot by 3:15 on Friday. The vans will be pulling out promptly at 3:30.  We are on tight schedules and will not be able to wait for any late comers.  Please plan accordingly.

 

 

Concert a Success

Thank you to everyone who came out to hear the wonderful concert by the men’s a cappella group Blue of a Kind last Saturday. Through ticket sales and donations, $790.00 was raised for the Youth Mission Trip. Special thanks to Barbara and Mike Nickerson for the refreshments and to Caroline Walsh for her efforts to bring the group to Centre Church

 

 

Youth Group News

The year is winding down very fast.  There is no Youth Group scheduled for 5/21 (retreat) or 5/28 (Memorial Day Weekend).  We will finish up the year on June 4 with a year-end party.  Details will be mailed home soon.

 

 

Congratulations to Our Confirmands

Our congratulations to the following young people who led worship last Sunday and were confirmed during the service: Nicholas Forgione, Roger Potter Furey, Lisa Gerbick, Jeffrey Lambe, Kaitlyn Morrissey, Sean Morrissey, and Wilber Russell.

 

 

Teacher Recruitment

We urge all of you who are interested or thinking about volunteering your gift of time to the church’s Christian Education program to stop by our table in the Narthex on Sunday, May 21.  Members of the Christian Education Commission along with the Directors of Christian Education will be available in the Narthex to answer any questions. Stop by our table to make a commitment to be part of the volunteer team for next season.  Your commitment to the program will make a lasting impression on the children of Centre Church. 

Information about the volunteer positions we have available are also posted on the bulletin board outside of the Fireside Room.

 

 

Notes of Interest

The next gathering of the Golf Group will be Thursday, May 25 at 6:00 a.m. at the Lynnfield Center Golf Course. All are welcome. Call Phil Johnson or Chris Parker with questions.

Pictorial Directories are available in the church office during the week or after church on Sunday. Thanks to Cindy Ouellette for the beautiful cover photo.

 

Missions News

1.  As you know, we are supporting the continued *hurricane recovery* in the South.  Funds will be divided between 2 areas.  First, we will continue to support UCC efforts in that area.  Funds thus far have been used to rebuild churches, fund volunteer efforts, and provide for those most needy.  The effort is called "Hope Shall Bloom", and the recovery coordinators are projecting a 5 to 10 year recovery period. 

In addition we wish to support the Diamond Head Baptist Church which is located about 40 miles from New Orleans.  This church, in a predominantly Catholic area, was the only church left standing.  They are providing volunteer support and housing, materials...everything they can possibly do to support their brothers.  It is an overwhelming effort.  Pictures and other information on both aspects of this effort are posted on the Missions bulletin board.  Questions may be directed to Chris Gehret or Sally Fickinger (on the Diamond Head Project), and donations may be made to Centre Church with "hurricane relief" noted in the memo section of your check.

2.  The knitters (and their friends) are busy.  Over 70 squares have been completed to be delivered to the Red Cross for the *Warm America* project.  It is a time of chat and work, and new or experienced knitters are always welcome.  We meet Tuesdays at 7 pm. and will be discussing new projects for the future.

3.  In addition to the generous donations made to MAUCC Disaster Relief Fund and the Heifer Project re-building program, the Missions Commission has made a donation to the *New England Pastoral Institute,* with an office located in the building.

4.  Your generosity allows us to deliver donated supplies to the *soldiers in Iraq*.  Items were delivered to the Danvers VFW for shipping.

5.  Please remember to continue your support for the *"Bread and Roses"* meal preparation program.  Two hundred and twenty-five dollars pays for an entire meal for 200 patrons of the program.  Consider pledging with your family, neighbors, or group of friends or co-workers.

As always your generosity allows us to serve others.  Thank you for your continued support.
The Missions Commission

 

News from Around the Parish

We extend our love and sympathy to former member Phyllis Hill of Pinehurst, NC upon the recent death of her husband, Bill.

It’s Graduation Time! We’d love to share news of your favorite graduate. Email us at office@centre-church.org or call 781-334-3050.

 

 


 

OUR OPPORTUNITIES

 

Sunday

May 21

10:00 am

10:00 am

10:00 am

11:20 am

Morning Worship – Sanctuary

Rotation Workshops

Nursery – Room 14

Youth Choir – Choir Room

Tuesday

May 23

7:00 pm

7:30 pm

Knitting Group – Fireside Room

Parish Council – Pastor’s Office

Wednesday

May 24

7:30 pm Search Comm.-Pastor’s Office
Thursday

May 25

6:00 am

7:00 pm

7:30 pm

Golf Group- Center Golf Course

Membership Comm - Pastor’s Office

Senior Choir – Choir Room

Our thoughts and prayers are with Joan Holmes at Renaissance Gardens, 400 Brooksby Village Dr., Peabody, 01960; Hal Holappa at the Veterans’ Hospital, 200 Springs Rd., Bedford, 01730; Emily Jordan, (c/o her son, Hal Jordan, 11 Wheeler Rd., Bow, NH 03304); Mildred Lisi at SunBridge, 134 North St., N. Reading, 01864; Catherine Newman at Oosterman’s, 93 Laurel St., Melrose, 02176; Alice Savage, Rosewood Nursing and Rehab. Center, 22 Johnson St., W. Peabody, 01960; Jack Turner, at Arnold House, 490 William St., Stoneham, 02180.

We also remember in our prayers, Dana Robinson in Kuwait and Dana’s cousin Michael Propeck in Iraq.

 

Sunday, May 21, 2006
Head Usher: Marian Orfeo
Coffee Hour: Tony and Judy Lucia
Flower Delivery: Karen Harrington and Margaret Markham
Baptisms: Christian Richard Rosa and Kelsey Emily Hodsdon