There is Life, My Friends, There is Life!

Life: Thursday, May 28th, life was celebrated in the 60th wedding anniversary of Spencer and Betty Campbell. The Campbells were active in Centre Church years ago. They moved south for about 30 years, moving back to the area about a year ago, returning to active membership status. Their family gathered with them from places like Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Mississippi, on Sunday, May 31st to celebrate, honor, and rejoice. We congratulate them. Their wedding picture is on display on a table outside the church office.

Life: Thursday, June 4th, life was celebrated in the graduation celebration of the Tower Day Children who are going from Kindergarten to First Grade. It is a powerful experience to witness how these Kindergarten graduates can sing, speak, dance and show how full of God's gift of life they are. It is as the Psalmist wrote: "From the lips of children and infants, you (God) have ordained praise (or strength)." (Psalm 8:2) It is part of our mission to help our children speak and be heard. To us comes the opportunity and blessing to give our children the tools they need to create and express themselves. This we do through the structures of education, art, music, dance, love, compassion, discipline, and lots of encouragement. I love to hear children speak and express themselves. Yes, we never know what will come out, but it's important that we encourage them and listen to them.

Life: Yesterday, Sunday, June 7th, life was celebrated in the Children's Sunday service. The Children's Choir sang, the children recited Psalm 23, the children reminded us of why and how we make our baptismal promise, "...to provide a school of Christian learning, a personal concern for their spiritual welfare, and examples of charity and devotion.... To you and your children we offer our love and support."

The why is to fulfill the command of Jesus: “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the Kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Mark 10:13-16)

Life: Heifer International Ark Award: Life was celebrated yesterday in the receiving of our 8th Heifer Ark Award! This is, as Allie Parker said yesterday, a result of "Centre Church giving over $5,000 to Heifer International this past year!" People have bought individual animals, i.e., pigs, goats, sheep, cows, llamas, flocks of geese, etc. and donated quarters on Sunday mornings. These gifts give life and help to end world hunger one animal at a time. These give life by "helping people obtain a sustainable source of food and income."

I give thanks for all the ways in which the people of God at Centre Church are giving and experiencing life! We are called to give gifts that will not fade, rust, rot, wash away, burn, or blow away. We are called to give to our children that which no one can steal. We are called to give to our children and each other the best things that we can, a faith in God who is always with us, them, and everyone else. We are called to pass on a faith in Jesus Christ who has given his life so that ours will live now and forever. And, we are called to give to our children a purpose greater than themselves which, in the giving and receiving of it, will make them better and greater.

There is life, my friends, when the people of God gather regularly for the worship of God, for the hearing of God's word, and, for the building of relationships that give us strength for the serving of God. I can't emphasize enough how important it is when the community of faith gathers to witness how God is working in each of us.

It is especially important for us to celebrate and witness how life is growing in our children. They need us to witness their growth because in seeing them, listening to them, and encouraging them they realize how special they are to us, but also to God. We are God's witnesses to their lives, gifts, and growth.

I pray that in the days ahead, through summer vacations and family gatherings, through educational programs, and, in particular, the Christian Education ministry of our church, that we make room and take time to listen, to the voices and persons of our children. It is a sacred honor, privilege and duty for the church to be part of this life-giving process.

I thank God for our wonderful church staff who help us make this happen: Susan Spear, Office Administrator, Jill Couillard and Barbara Langill, Co-Directors of Christian Education, Douglas Hodgkins, Music Director, and Tony Ramirez, Custodian.

I thank the wonderful staff of Tower Day School, under the direction of Sally MacDonald, who fulfill the life-giving mission of Centre Church in all that they do.

I thank you, everyone of you, who generously gives to support our life-giving work every day. I pray that God will continue to bless us in our work and ministry. Working together, we can successfully fulfill what God has given us to do.

Yours in Christ,
Dennis

A Special Meeting of the Congregation of Centre Church will be held on Sunday, June 14, 2009 at 11:00 a.m., immediately following the worship service. The Special Meeting will consider the following matters:

1. approval of the budget for fiscal year 2009-2010
2. a resolution to extend the terms of currently serving office holders through the Annual Meeting in September.

We are very grateful to all who have given toward this year's budget and to those who have pledged toward next year's budget. Our fiscal year ends June 30, 2009. It is our hope that all who have made pledges for the current fiscal year will be able to fulfill their pledges by June 30th.

Extra-mile gifts: I am personally very grateful for the many generous ways that people have responded to our call for help in meeting our financial needs for our current year: over 14 separate gifts that have been received since early May, 2009 resulting in $8,120.00. This helps reduce our 2008-2009 fiscal deficit from about $30,000 to about $20,000.

Pledges for 2009-2010: We still need additional pledges in the amount of at least $9,000 to meet our budget goal for the coming year which begins July 1, 2009.

Many people have generously responded by increasing their pledges while others have made new pledges. We appreciate the way that many have and will make an extra effort!

You can help by:

• making a pledge;
• increasing your pledge;
• sending an "extra-mile" gift.

You may contact the church office, office@centre-church.org or 781-334-3050 or contact our Financial Secretary directly: Jim Marshall, northput49@comcast.net or 978-532-3185 to help in any of these ways.

Simply Put:
2009-2010 Budget Pledge Goal: $242,000
Pledges received thus far: -$233,000
Pledges still needed: $9,000

Thanks for your prayers and generous support.

Rev. Dr. Bailey, the Stewardship Committee, and Parish Council.

Workshops will resume in September. Shepherds, Leaders and Nursery volunteers are needed. Please call Jill Couillard or Barbara Langill in the church office. We would be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Highlights of Children’s Sunday celebrated on Sunday, June 7 include:

• PreK-1st Grade: Call to Worship
• 2nd-4th Grade: Benediction
• 5th/6th Grade: 23rd Psalm
• 7th/8th Grade: Children’s Time with Emily Couillard and Olivia Nasson
• The Youth Choir provided us with joyful music.
• Kerry Morrissey and Deb Triffletti combined their talents for a wonderful flute duet.
• The Confirmands participated in preparing and serving communion.

Thank you to all who helped make it such a special day. We would also again like to thank all of the leaders, shepherds, nursery help for their dedication to the children and youth of Centre Church. You are an exceptional group of volunteers and are truly appreciated.

Jill Couillard & Barbara Langill

The 2 tickets to the Red Sox game were won by Denise Weaver. A second set of tickets was also raffled off and won by Carol White. Congratulations! Many thanks to Mary McCarthy for her generosity and energy in providing the prizes and running the raffle.

The proceeds from this raffle helped us exceed our fundraising goal for this summer’s Mission Trip to New Orleans.

On Monday, June 22 at 7:00 p.m. there will be a mandatory meeting for all youth (and one or both parents) who are going on the New Orleans Mission Trip. We will be meeting with the trip facilitator, Carl McDonald, and going over rules and other details of the trip.

Barbara and Jeff Langill

Our best wishes to Ed & Barbara Ericson who cele-brate their 65th Wedding Anniversary on June 15.

Our best wishes to Marion Barnes whose 99th Birthday is on June 14.

Congratulations to Shaylyn Murphy, Karen Harrington’s niece, who graduated from Bentley College with a Marketing Degree.

Our congratulations to Stefanie Imbrescia who graduated with a BS in Occupational Therapy from Boston University. She will continue at BU for a Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy.

Congratulations to the following young people who graduated from high school this year: Nick Forgione, Lisa Gerbick, Jeffrey Lambe, Stephanie LaRosa, Sean Morrissey, Alison Newell, Roger Potter Furey and Wil Russell.

For Sundays, August 9, 16, and 23, when Rev. Bailey will be away.  If you are able and willing to preach and/or know someone who will, please contact the church office at 781-334-3050,

Rev. Bailey, pastor@centre-church.org, or Linda Ladd, Deacon, 781-334-6170, ladd@neb.com.

Are you looking for a special gift for a special person on a special occasion?

Consider making a donation to the 1720 Founders Fund to commemorate an anniversary, wedding, birthday, graduation, retirement, or other special occasion in your family’s life.  For more information, contact:    Phil Johnson, 781-598-5678 or Rev. Dennis Bailey, 781-334-3050.

Planned Giving Committee

During the summer months we use garden flowers on the altar. If you would like to provide flowers one Sunday, please call the church office. (781-334-3050)

Moving? Cleaning? Getting Organized? Donations are appreciated for Special Needs Fundraiser Yard Sale on Saturday, August 22. Call Fran Soderberg for details. 781-334-3437

Two books have recently been donated to Centre Church’s Library: Penelope Ayers: A Memoir, by Amy Julia Becker is a remarkable memoir about a gracious, lonely New Orleanian who is facing a medical crisis. When she reaches out for help, three generations of her fractured, colorful family respond, and in so doing, they all experience grace and healing; and Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. This uplifting story tells of Greg Mortenson’s campaign to build schools for children (including girls) in Pakistan. It is a riveting adventure and a testament to the power of the humanitarian spirit as he “promotes peace – one school at a time.”

The library is open Monday-Friday from 9-12:00 and on Sunday mornings. Check it out!!

Thank you to everyone for their prayers and support for my aunt, Rita Embleton. We have received the wonderful news that her cancer is in remission.

Carrie Pericola

Dear Friends,

I enjoyed the beautiful floral arrangement. What a lovely surprise! They really brightened my days. Thank you for thinking of me. Rev. Bailey’s visit was most welcomed too.

God Bless! Barbara Barke

Our love and prayers are with:

• Arnold Carlson (Marcia Imbrescia’s father)
• Helen Fitts (Barbara Nickerson’s mother) at the Meadows, Edgewood
• Louise Allen at Beaumont Nursing Home, 3 Lyman St., Rm. 203, Westborough, MA 01581
• Muriel Badger at Nashoba Valley Life Care Center, Foster St., Littleton, 01460
• Marion Barnes, Harborside: Cedar Glen, 44 Summer St., Danvers. 01923
• Glady Davis, Haven Health Care, 20 Chester Rd., Derry NH 03038
• Carolyn Furey, Overlook Masonic Health Ctr., 88 Masonic Home Rd., Charlton, MA 01507
• Hal Holappa, Veterans’ Hospital, 200 Spring Rd., Bedford, MA 01730
• Helen Miller, at the Meadows, Edgewood
• June Rose, 37 Spring St., Lunenburg, MA 01462.

Our prayers are with George Robinson III who is serving in Iraq.

Sunday, June 14, 2009 (10 a.m. Sanctuary)
Head Usher: Michelle Hagerty
Lay Reader: Gage Whittier
Provide Altar Flowers: Nancy Lauzon
Coffee Hour: The Lowe Family
Lights Out beginning June 11: George Laing