Lighting the Way

through the Ashes

Ash Wednesday,

February 17

Morning Prayer:

7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. online

Sidewalk Ashes: Visit us in front of the church for self-imposition of ashes, a LED candle and blessing for your Lenten journey between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. We will maintain safe physical distancing practices and a warm and gentle presence.

Ash Wednesday Service: Join us at 7 p.m. online for our Ash Wednesday service by following the Zoom link on our web page. During the service, there will be a moment where you will be invited to mark a cross on your forehead using what you have at home to symbolize ashes. It could be dirt from a house plant, a small mixture of cinnamon and cloves, or a bit of olive oil, and remember "A little dab will do ya." You also have the opportunity to receive ashes in front of the church during our Sidewalk Ashes.

Lighting the Way

Prayer Journey: This Lent we will open the Sanctuary on Thursdays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. starting on Thursday, February 18 through Thursday, April 1. Individuals will be given 20 minutes to be in the Sanctuary to pray; embrace the Lenten season, and enjoy the warmth of being in the space. There will be one person at a time in the Sanctuary for a 20 minute period.  If you are interested in being in the Sanctuary this Lenten season, you will need to register. Sign up here.  

Labyrinth Walk: The Labyrinth will be available this Lent three weeks prior to Easter from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. throughout the week. There will be one person at a time in the Fellowship Hall and you will be given 20 minutes to walk the labyrinth and pray. If you are interested this walking the Labyrinth this Lenten season, you will need to register. Click on the week you would like to participate in.



Labyrinth Walk Week 1

Labyrinth Walk Week 2

Labyrinth Walk Week 3

Outdoor Labyrinth Walk: The Church of the Woods in Canterbury’s labyrinth will be available on Saturday, March 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Small groups will be given 20 minutes to walk the labyrinth, pray and embrace the natural world around us.  If you are interested this walking the outdoor labyrinth, you will need to register.  Sign up here. 

Outdoor Fun

You have the opportunity to get out into nature and see fellow South Churchers at Beaver Meadow Golf Course on Sunday, February 21 at 2 p.m. Bring your snowshoes, cross country skis or crampons to this wonderful event.We will have a special celebrity guest at the event, our own Sean Dunker-Bendigo. For more information, contact Lorens Joregensen.

Continuing Conversations

Join Sean Dunker-Bendigo every Wednesday from 8 a.m to 9 a.m. for conversation and connection. Grab a coffee, tea or beverage and join the conversation. Drop-in; stay awhile; or pop in just to say hello and run. A free-flowing format with laughter, seriousness, creativity, dreaming, and everything in between. Join the Zoom meeting.

By the Poet's Light

Starting Thursday, February 18 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and continuing the third Thursday of every month, join Sean Dunker-Bendigo for By The Poet's Light. Each month we will read and discuss powerful poems related to change, vision, and new beginnings. Join the Zoom meeting.

White Nationalism, Contemporary Racism & the Christian Church

Join Rev. Dr. Velda Love, a Racial Justice Minister of the UCC on Saturday, February 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. What is white nationalism? What is the relationship between white nationalism and contemporary racism? What is the role of the Christian Church? How do we address racialized trauma? Join us for an enlightening discussion with Dr. Love. The event is free! Please register by February 14

Traces of the Trade

Screening and Discussion



Join host Sean Dunker-Bendigo, Lynne Morgan, Jen Evans and facilitators Constance and Dain Perry on Monday, February 22 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for a screening and discussion of the documentary Traces of the Trade: A Voyage of Realization and Reconciliation. The film traces a journey by Katrina Browne, the filmmaker and nine of her cousins into the slave trade which enriched their white New England family. Dain Perry (one of the nine cousins) and his wife, Constance, will be facilitate our conversation on race, reconciliation and healing following the film.

Dain and Constance Perry are experienced facilitators, having conducted over 500 screenings, and facilitated conversations in over 200 cities and towns across the country, and overseas in Ghana and Australia. One family member asked whether Perry, who is a descendant of enslaved people, knew about Dain’s family history before she married him. The answer was "yes." One reviewer of the Perry’s work commented, “By creating an atmosphere of safety and openness, the Perry’s cut through the fears (of judgment, of giving offense, of being misunderstood) that often inhibit discussions of race.” Register here.

Waking up White

A Book Discussion

Join Linda Kenison for a bi-weekly study of Debbie Irving's groundbreaking book: Waking up White. "For twenty-five years, Debby Irving sensed inexplicable racial tensions in her personal and professional relationships. As a colleague and neighbor, she worried about offending people she dearly wanted to befriend. As an arts administrator, she didn't understand why her diversity efforts lacked traction. As a teacher, she found her best efforts to reach out to students and families of color left her wondering what she was missing. Then, in 2009, one "aha!" moment launched an adventure of discovery and insight that drastically shifted her worldview and upended her life plan." The book discussion begins on Wednesday, March 3 at 5:30 p.m. Register here.

Mission of the Month

During the month of February, the Faith in Action Ministry will be collecting donations for Neighbors in Need. NIN is a special mission offering of the UCC that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. NIN makes available annual grants to UCC churches and organizations doing justice work in their communities. These grants fund projects whose work ranges from direct service, to community organizing and advocacy to address systemic injustice.  This year, special consideration will be given to projects focusing on serving our immigrant neighbors and communities. Thank you for your continued support.  Donate here.

Planned Giving

Most of us find great comfort and joy in South Church, whether it be Jed’s message or prayer; music that sings to our hearts; supportive friendships; or just the quiet sanctuary on a late afternoon when we ring the church bell. South Church is a deep well of holy spirit, filling us daily with hope, love and faith.  

A planned gift will give life to our church, long after we live on this earth, assuring that the church will be here for our children and their children, and many others. This gift is an opportunity to be part of something far greater than ourselves, and to perpetuate the values we hold most dear. It is a spiritual gift of inheritance, worth far more than money, dedicated to sustaining our efforts to create a world of joy, kindness and peace.  

There is a good chance you have received a phone call from one of us on the Planned Giving Committee: Tina Annis, Debbie Carley, Peter Imse or Oge Young. Debbie recently stepped down and Nancy Brown has joined us. We want to thank Debbie for her devoted work which included wonderful profiles of Legacy Society members. We have no doubt that Nancy will fill her shoes nobly.  

Our committee is small, but our task is great. We have grown the Legacy Society from 10 to over 60 members in recent years, resulting in the growth of the South Church Fund (our endowment around $600,000 now). Each year we spend 5% of the endowment ($30,000) to subsidize our annual budget. Presently, this amounts to about 10% of our total costs. The money taken from the endowment is replaced by its investments.  

There is a plaque in Fellowship Hall showing the names of our Legacy Society members, those who have committed to leave South Church a Planned Gift. Please consider joining this group. No gift is too small. A portion of your earthly possessions can become a “currency of love,” which will help make South Church what you want it to be for years to come.   Blessings,  Oge 

Study & Pray

Bible Study ~ On Tuesday,February 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. the Tuesday Night Bible Study will start reading the Book of Proverbs. All are welcome to join, whether to take part in reading or to simply listen to God’s word. Please contact JoAnne if you are interested in joining the bible study and she will send you the Zoom link.

Gathering for Prayer ~ 

Morning Prayer 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. 

Click here to join.

Evening Prayer 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Mondays and Tuesdays. 

Click here to join.

Service of Loss & Lament



The Merrimack Association of the NH Conference invites you to a Service of Loss and Lament on Sunday, March 7 at 2 p.m. This has been a tough year and we have all suffered losses - small and large. Our faith tradition offers us a place to hold our losses, cry out to God, and receive assurance of God’s response. We will rely on scripture, poetry, music, action, and silence. Join us and please invite anyone who might benefit from this. Join Zoom Meeting.

Prayers

Please keep the following people in your thoughts and prayers...

Those who have lost their lives to Covid and the loved ones they have left behind.

All those who are on the front lines of health care.



Edna Elle that she will heal after stem cell transplant.

If you would like the congregation to pray for someone and be added to our prayer list, please contact Lou-Ann Poirier. She will also make Jed aware of your prayers.

February Birthdays

We want to wish our members who have February Birthdays 

“A Very Happy Birthday!!”



If we missed your birthday that means it wasn’t in the directory; so please send it to Peg Wenzel.