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 24, 2006

 

Dear Friends,

Ready or not, Memorial Day Weekend is upon us. This holiday is particularly poignant because of the ongoing injuries and deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan. To honor the lives of fallen and wounded soldiers is a must.

As we did last year, during the Prayers of the People you will have an opportunity to speak the name of a soldier whom you wish to honor and remember. Then during the final hymn, those who wish to do so may come forward and put a carnation on the Communion Table as a memorial. After worship, we encourage you to take the flower home with you as an ongoing remembrance.

I look forward to the service and to the remembering that takes place during these holy moments.

On a more mundane level, I am pleased to report that we have a dry basement. Ours was a minor hassle compared to many people’s situations.

See you Sunday!

Peace,
Mike

 


 

IN THE SANCTUARY

 

May 28, 2006

John 17:6-9

10:00 A.M. Morning Worship

Sermon by the Rev. Michael A. Dunfee

"World of Survivors"

Children may worship with families before going outside to plant flowers on the lawn.

Service broadcast on Peabody Cable Channel 10 at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday.

 


 

Many Thanks!

Many of you might have seen damage to your property or water in your basement from the Floods of 2006. Centre Church was not exempt from the power of Mother Nature either. Water made its way throughout the kitchen, Todd and Richards Halls. It was only because of quick thinking and back breaking labor from Jeff Langill, Steve Furey, Rick Carey, Rick Cohee, Mike Dunfee and our custodian Tony Ramirez that the building was saved from serious damage and stayed open for Tower Day School throughout the week. There does not appear to be any permanent damage, but there was a significant amount of clean-up involved. Thanks also to Gary Tyacke who picked a very interesting week to have Lights Out duty! So from your church, thank you for all you did last week.

On Behalf of the Congregation,
Phil Johnson, Moderator

 

Rotation Sensation News

We are asking the kids to bring watering cans and trowels with them to church on May 28th. We will be planting flowers on the lawn this week in place of workshops. Wear your jeans and be ready to get dirty!

 

 

Teacher Recruitment

Thank you to all who signed up to help with next year’s Christian Education program. We still have many, many openings. Please call Barbara Langill or Jill Couillard to offer your time to this faith-building experience. The children of the church appear to be thriving with the workshop rotation model of education and we can only offer this type of programming with your help. Please call either Jill or Barbara today.

 

 

Youth News

Fourteen members of the 8th-12th grade youth group spent the weekend white water rafting on the Hudson River. The river ride was action packed from beginning to end.  Special thanks to Dave Bjorkman and Kim Morrissey, our volunteer chaperones, who made the trip safe and fun for everyone.

Thirteen members of the 5th-7th grade youth group spent time this weekend on retreat at Craigville Conference Center. We were happy to see the sun shining so that we were able to enjoy lots of beach time activities including swimming for a few daring souls! Many thanks to Dave Nasson and Kim Nardone. As dedicated chaperones, they always help to make the trip special for everyone.

Special Note: There will be no Youth Group on May 28th due to Memorial Day Weekend. Details will be mailed home about year-end outings scheduled for June 4th.

 

 

News from Around the Parish

We extend our love and sympathy to the Waugh family upon the death of Harvey’s mother, Marjorie Waugh. Her funeral was held in Melrose on May 23.

We rejoice with Rob and Kara (Shockley) Jankowski of Barrington, NH upon the birth of a son, Connor Thomas on May 21. His proud grandparents are Bob and Donna Shockley.

We rejoice with Richard Rosa and Terri Gill-Rosa upon the baptism of their son, Christian Richard Rosa on Sunday, May 21.

We rejoice with Aaron Hodsdon and Alicia Martin upon the baptism of their daughter, Kelsey Emily Hodsdon on Sunday, May 21.

 

 

Mission Trip Update

To all who contributed to our very successful Flamingo Flocking Fundraiser - those who bought anti-flocking insurance, paid to have a friend flocked, were flocked themselves and made a contribution, and the many youth and drivers flocking and deflocking - Thank you! Your efforts helped to raise more than $2,000.00 for this year’s Youth Mission Trip to New York City. The sight of those lovely plastic pink birds around town made people aware of Centre Church and gave many something to smile about.

If you are still looking for a way to contribute to the Youth Mission Trip - you have one more opportunity. The youth will be selling shares of stock so that you too can invest in the future of our youth. This year 16 youth will be traveling to New York City and working with the Quakers in their Youth Services Opportunity Project. This organization is committed to making young people a part of the solution to societal problems by helping them learn what a difference they can make in the lives of others. Each day the youth will be volunteering at various locations such as homeless shelters, soup kitchens, food pantries, wherever they are needed. They will be staying in a NYC youth hostel. As a shareholder, you will be invited to attend a Stockholders Dinner in the fall, where the youth will make a presentation, sharing their experiences in New York. Shares will be sold after church on Sunday, June 4 and 11th, or you may call the church office.

 

 

News of Our Graduates

Laura Langill, daughter of Jeff and Barbara Langill, graduated from Clark University in Worcester with a BA in Psychology.

Steven Robinson, son of Ken and Phyllis Robinson received an Associate’s Degree in Science from Northeastern University. He expects to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management next spring.

Send news of your favorite graduate!

 

 

Hurricane Relief

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.

 

 

Cleaning? - Moving?

Getting Organized?

Donations of good, used items are needed for the Special Needs Yard Sale to be held in August.

Save and call Fran Soderberg

781-334-3437 or 781-593-9393.

 

 

Altar Flowers

If you would like to provide flowers for the altar on any of the following Sundays in June, please call the church office. 781-334-3050. (June 4, 11 or 25)

 

 


 

OUR OPPORTUNITIES

Sunday

May 28

10:00 am

10:00 am

10:00 am

11:20 am

Morning Worship – Sanctuary

Children Plant Flowers

Nursery – Room 14

Youth Choir – Choir Room

Monday

May 29

  Office Closed for Memorial Day
Tuesday

May 30

7:00 pm Knitting Group – Fireside Room
Thursday

June 1

7:00 pm

7:30 pm

Youth Choir – Sanctuary

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 28, 2006
Head Usher: Chris Lambe
Coffee Hour: Barbara Becker