September 22nd Weekly Word
|
|
Pastor Kathy's Installation - This Sunday |
|
A Service of Celebration this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. will recognize the official installation of Rev. Kathy as our “settled pastor”…and it promises to be a joyous one!
The Covid pandemic resulted in her installation being postponed several times, but the wait is now over.
|
|
Our personal “welcome” will be expressed during our outdoor morning worship service! The 10:00 a.m. service will also be live-streamed on our FaceBook page.
There will be a basket for cards and/or notes of appreciation for Rev. Kathy and all that she has done for us and with us during the past two years.
Jane DeRosa will be organizing a refreshment table for a brief time of fellowship immediately following the service. Please contact her at 382-0931 or email her at janederosa@comcast.net if you are interested in baking something for the table or are willing to help with the setup. Thank you!
Please plan to join us in person or online for this joyous celebration!
You are encouraged to bring chairs if you are able, but if not, chairs will be provided.
The actual liturgy of installation involving both the New Hampshire UCC Conference and the Rockingham Association will be held via Zoom at 2:30 p.m. (all are encouraged to wear red!)
|
|
Passcode: HolySpirit
Or participate by phone: (646) 558-8656 ~ Meeting ID: 885 3446 3064
|
|
Neighbors in Need
UCC Special Offering
Now through September 30th
Neighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States.
1/3 of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM).
2/3 of this offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects through grants.
We will be receiving the UCC Neighbors in Need special mission offering for the rest of September. You can bring it to church on Sunday and include it with your offering or send it in to the church office. Any checks can be made out to Hampstead Congregational Church, but make sure you designate on the memo line "UCC Neighbors in Need Special Offering".
As always, thank you for your continued generosity and support of our UCC special offerings!
|
|
Phone System Issues
We are currently experiencing phone issues at the Church Office. We hope the issue will be resolved soon. In the interim, you can email the office at hcc1752@gmail.com or call Pastor Kathy's cell with any urgent concerns
(503) 508-6801
|
|
Worship This Week
Please join us outside or online at 10am for the Service of Celebration recognizing
the official installation of Pastor Kathy
This week, the service will only be live-streamed through Facebook Live here.
There will not be an option for streaming on 3CX this week.
We hope you will join us in person or on Facebook live.
We are also looking for volunteers to read scripture at worship, and/or to help with coffee hour prep and cleanup. If you can help, please contact the Church Office or sign up after service.
|
|
Blessing of the Animals
Please join us on Sunday, October 3rd in front of the Church, for a Blessing of the Animals! There will be a short prayer at 1pm, but you can drop by anytime between 1pm and 2:15pm.
We invite you to bring your pets on leashes or in carriers, or bring a picture of your pet to be blessed.
Pets are one of our greatest gifts, especially in these challenging days, and we want to take time to celebrate and show our gratitude for them.
For more information, please call (603) 329-6985 or email hcc1752@gmail.com.
|
|
Steeple Lighting
The steeple will be lit the week of September 26th in recognition of Pamela & Robert McGravey's 15th Wedding Anniversary. From Mon, Dad & Vinny (The Tildens)
Happy Anniversary Pamela & Robert!
|
|
Ad-hoc Team Forming for Building Capital Campaign
We are looking for some people who love our church and would be willing to help with a capital campaign to raise funds for renovation of the steeple and other building projects. Perhaps you have skills in marketing or fundraising, or are interested in historic preservation, or in making connections within our local community. Perhaps you simply love our church community and want it to thrive for decades to come! To learn more, to volunteer, or to share ideas, please contact Fred Malcolm (603-661-2418), fmalcolm2001@yahoo.com, or Pastor Kathy.
|
|
A note of thanks from Judy's neighbors |
|
Upper Room Summer Drive - Update
Thank you everyone for your continued generosity to the Mission Committee’s drives.
For the summer supply collection to benefit the Upper Room’s Summer Youth’s outdoor service projects, we collected a whopping amount of provisions comprised of: over 50 bottles of water, 300 individual snacks including cheese & crackers, fruit snacks, pudding cups, Pirate Booty, Goldfish, cookies, apple sauce, chips, and granola as well as 18 containers of sunscreen.
Again, THANK YOU, The Missions Committee
|
|
A Word from Peace & Justice
Consumer Reports had an informative article about plastic recycling last week. Its tag line was "Think that all of what you toss in the recycling bin actually gets recycled? Think again."
If you are like me I don't have the energy to wonder about how effective the recycling provided by the waste pickup actually is. But, according to Consumer Reports, it turns out that only about 9% of the plastic put in the bin gets recycled. Most of what we are told will be accepted is thrown into landfills or incinerators. Really only the plastics labeled with a 1 or 2 are consistently recycled.
The article explains where most of the plastic goes and what steps individuals can take to limit plastic waste. Some of the suggestions are actually easy to do. Some maybe not always. Read the article here:
A handy reference sheet is in the article with links to information listed below:
MORE ON PLASTICS & RECYCLING
How to Quit Plastic
What's Gone Wrong With Plastic Recycling
How to Recycle Old Electronics
How to Eat Less Plastic
Most Plastic Products Contain Potentially Toxic Chemicals, Study Reveals
Also, we have a Hampstead resident, Darlene Cote, who collects plastic film and bags to recycle into benches for the town and trails. Here's the information from the FaceBook group, Hampstead Happenings:
"I wanted to ask your help with a volunteer effort I am running. I am collecting plastic for the Trex Community Recycling Program. For each 500 lbs of collected plastic, Trex will donate a four-foot composite bench. I am collecting plastic to have a benches donated for different public areas in Hampstead, including for the Hampstead Conservation trails. Many residents use the trails and could use a place to stop and enjoy the beauty of the woods.
These are everyday plastic items that many people just throw in the trash. The goal is to promote recycling and keep these items out of our landfills. Our benefit will be forever benches for the Hampstead community to enjoy.
The items that are accepted are:
Grocery and retail bags
Ziploc bags
Dry cleaning bags
Bread bags
Bubble wrap
Wood pellet bags
Produce bags
Ice bags
Case overwraps
Plastic shipping bags
Pallet wrap
Newspaper sleeves
Cereal bags
Salt bags
No cellophane or hard plastic. All plastic must be clean, dry, and free of food residue."
You can drop off plastic at Darlene's home at 30 Collins Drive East Hampstead (Blue house with black shutters). She has a recycling bin set up at the end of her driveway. If you are unable to drop off, FaceBook message her or call her at 378-0189 and she can pick up. Thanks for supporting the recycling efforts.
|
|
Consider Attending the Annual NH Conference UCC Meeting. Speak with Pastor Kathy for more information
|
|
Upper Room Devotional
We have copies of the September/October Upper Room devotional available in the foyer to Hadley Hall. If you need a copy mailed to you, please contact the main office.
|
|
Current Food Pantry Needs:
- muffin mix/quick bread mix
- cereal
- boxes of crackers
- grated cheese
- ketchup
- barbecue sauce
- canned ravioli
- beefaroni
- jelly - any flavor other than grape
- laundry detergent
- vegetable oil
|
|
Food Drive to Support
Saint Anne Ecumenical Food Pantry
|
Thank you ALL for your generous donations to our continuous drives!!
For September and October we are going to focus on the needs of St. Anne’s Food Pantry.
Thank you again for all your support!
Please drop off any donations in the foyer of Hadley Hall
|
|
|
Next month we help serve on Wednesday, October 27 . Watch for the link to sign up. |
|
The Sonshine Soup Kitchen needs volunteers to prepare and package the food for "To Go Meals." We partner with Atkinson Congregational Church once a month on the 4th
Wednesday of the month to help out from 3-6pm.
|
|
|
Blankets for Project Linus
|
For those of you who have been busy sewing, quilting, knitting, or crocheting, we have an new opportunity to donate those handmade items!
We located a national organization that has local chapters called Project Linus (https://www.facebook.com/projectlinussouthwestnewhampshire/). This organization's mission is "to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans". Blankets are given to children in need through NH.
*We welcome all styles of blankets made in child-friendly colors/prints.
*Crocheted, knitted, quilted (100% cotton or flannel), fleece….you don’t have to be an expert!
*Blankets must be NEW, HANDMADE and WASHABLE.
*Fabric blankets can be quilted by machine, hand or tied. If you are tying the blanket make sure the ends are trimmed to 1” and the knots are secure.
*Please do not add any embellishments to the blankets such as buttons that could be swallowed by a child.
*If you are using a no-sew fleece pattern, please be sure to trim off both selvages FIRST. Not sure what selvages are? Ask the clerk who is cutting your fleece to please show you, they’re those odd looking edges at the top and bottom of the piece you have, sort of raggy looking.
*We accept all sizes of blankets. We donate to children, infants through teen years, so any size is appropriate. Baby blankets are typically 36”X36” or 36”X42”, toddler-pre-teen are typically about 40”X60”, and teen blankets are at least 60"X72".
Blankets can be dropped off in the entry way of Hadley Hall.
Thank you for your support of this project!
|
|
|
Are you on Facebook? Do you follow Hampstead Congregational Church? Please like our page to know about all the great events in the church. Liking also supports our church when people check us out. If you are already connected, share our good news!
Rev. Kathy also has a page for all who are interested to follow.
|
|
|
|
|
If you are on Instagram, please follow us, and let your friends know about us by sharing our posts! Click this link
|
|
|
Scam Emails
Emails are often sent, saying they are from Pastor Kathy or another staff member. She (or the HCC staff) will never send out a generic email--she'll address it to your name. She will never ask you for money/gift cards over email.
Also, any email from Pastor Kathy will always have her signature line on the bottom with her phone number/address.
If in doubt, please call the church or send an email to pastorkathyucc@gmail.com.
|
|
Want to get the word out about what’s happening at HCC? If you want to publicize your event or remind the congregation about something, please email the office (hcc1752@gmail.com) by Wednesday at noon so that your information can be included in that week’s Weekly Word. Feel free to send in information up to three weeks in advance of an upcoming event. We want all of the congregation (not just the Team leaders) to be empowered to get the word out about all the activities that are happening at Hampstead Congregational Church!
|
|
|
|
Our Mailing Address:
61 Main Street
Hampstead, NH 03841
See what's happening on our social sites
|
|
Hampstead Congregational Church Website
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
