Chime Notes news & updates

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July 2025 | Issue 127



Upcoming Events


Sunday Worship this month

July 6-13-20-27


Communion Sunday

July 6





In addition to our in-person worship, we will continue to use ZOOM to broadcast the 10 AM Sunday Worship Service, which is also streamed to Facebook Live and YouTube.


Coffee hour is after worship, in Clarke Hall, with fans moving the air.


Many thanks to our team of ushers and coffee hour hosts.


Please let Janet Fischer know if you would like to be an usher or coffee host on an upcoming Sunday.



Coffee and Conversations

is run by lay leaders and is a time of discussion and reflection about the day's scripture.


During fall, winter and spring, we meet at 9:10 on non-Communion Sundays, and finish by 9:55.


Meetings are on hiatus for the summer months but will resume in September. However, there may be some of us in the library before church hoping for an opportunity to chat!

The 4th of July

The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day or July 4th—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941.


However, the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution.


On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson.


From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.


The Fourth of July 2025 is on Friday, July 4.


For more information

on the 4th of July,

click here.




Click HERE to view an adorable video that highlights Patty Clark and her colleague Dawn Southworth who are both retiring at the close of this school year.


Photo, video and writeup published on the Glen Urquhart website: www.gus.org




Patty will continue to grace our sanctuary with her musical skills as First Church's Director of Music Ministries


Best wishes to

Patty Clark on her retirement from the Glen Urquhart School!!


PATTY CLARK, LOWER SCHOOL MUSIC TEACHER


In 19 years at GUS, Patty has reimagined the music program—from recorders to organs, and everything in between. Every year she helps third graders bring their study of the middle ages to life through their musical performances as part of Medieval Morning, and leads fourth graders on their journey through Songs and Tales of the Sea, as they experience the joy of learning the ukulele and singing sea shanties that bring their study of the sea to life every spring.

Regardless of musical skill, every student under her guidance has learned to explore this art form with curiosity, courage, and joy.

Her talent is most visibly on display during signature events like Grandfriends Day and the Solstice Assembly, but any day walking past the music classroom is a treat—there’s always a melody in the air, and laughter mixed in with the learning. Patty’s commitment to fostering a love for music and musical expression, and the power of coming together as a community of musicians, will live on in the hundreds of students she has taught at GUS, and we are so thankful for her contributions to our school.


Congratulations, Patty and thank you for all you do to keep music in our lives!!

During the month of July,

Pastor Ian is traveling home to Ireland

to help provide care for his aging parents.


While he is away, we are blessed

to have a variety of voices for Sunday Sermons and Presider.


July 6 - Rev. Holly Brauner/Sharon Thomas Presider

July 13 - Amanda Grant Rose/Cristoph Hofbauer Presider

July 20 - Clarke Orzalli/Melissa Foye Presider

July 27 - David Silva/Karen Rose Brown Presider


There is an opportunity to read a portion of

the Frederick Douglass work:

"What to the Slave is the Fourth of July."


If you are interested in reading,

please scan the QR code in the flyer above.


Or, come to hear others read on Wednesday,

July 2, 2025 at 5 PM

on the Swampscott Town Hall lawn.


Captial Campaign Update



The Captial Campaign has officially concluded after several years of hard work by the Finance Team and church leadership.


Many thanks to all who participated in and contributed to this successful campaign.


Lots of great work has been done with lots more work

to do!

Dollar Yard Sale - A Huge Success!!!!


On Saturday, June 21, 2025 many hands helped to sort, set up, sell and then break down the Dollar Yard Sale

to prepare for our Annual Meeting.


Many thanks to all who lent a helping hand, who bought items, and who helped to donate remaining items to the Goodwill Truck in Vinnin Square!






This year ECCO is hosting a Boat Cruise to support its work to address injustice!


See details to the right.


More information available here on the ECCO website



Church Council

Chair: Clarke Orzalli

Clerk: Melissa Foye

Treasurer: Sharon Scofield

Members: Janet Fischer, Susan Hamilton,

Betty McNeil, Stephen Rose, Heidi Whear, Julia Wistran

We are back doing the work of the church, from weekly worship to meetings to activities! Come join us!

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This issue of Chime Notes has been prepared by Sharon Thomas.

Please reach out to me via email if you have suggestions for future editions!

The First Church in Swampscott (MA) | [Website]

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