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Greetings!
There's lots going on at Eliot Church this month, and we'd love to have you join us! |
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A Note from Pastor Tony |
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Dear Sisters and Brothers,
February 17 marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. Lent originated in the early centuries of the Church. The forty days of Lent call to mind Jesus' withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days. Historically, this was a time when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism, repentant sinners were embraced back into the fold, and all Christians rededicated themselves to walk in the way of Jesus.
The primary purpose of the season of Lent is to help the individual Christian, and the church, prepare for Easter, with the understanding that the way to prepare for participating in the resurrection of Christ is to first participate in Christ's suffering and death -- his self-giving love. Hence the tradition of self-denial, of "giving something up" for Lent. For some, this is a useful and edifying spiritual discipline. But there may be other ways of preparing ourselves for fuller participation in the glory of Christ's resurrection. In his most recent book, "Credo", Rev. William Sloane Coffin offers another perspective:
"I believe the power of God is lodged in the very marrow of our substance and is pressing, constantly pressing, for release in order to permeate every fiber of our being. And the demand is not for self-denial, as is so often preached, but rather for self-discovery and self-realization, which includes the commitment to God that is the final fulfillment of human life. This I think is what St. Paul means when he says, 'God searches our inmost being' and 'The kingdom of God consists not in words but in power.' To think we can escape wrestling with this power is to dream."
This year, we will offer a Lenten Wednesday Study series on Spiritual Practices of Everyday Life, to examine some ways that we can pay more care-full attention to our spiritual lives through some of our daily activities. (see details in a later article in this newsletter). However you choose to observe the season of Lent, please take the opportunity in these 40 days to pay special attention to "the power of God (that) is lodged in the very marrow of your substance and is pressing, constantly pressing, for release in order to permeate every fiber of your being."
with care,
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The Sundays of February |
February 7
Service of the Lord's Supper Tony Kill preaching
Reception of new members
"House Meeting" Dialogue in the parlor following worship
February 14
Last Sunday after Epiphany Karla Miller preaching
"First Sunday" Spirituality series following worship
February 21
First Sunday in Lent Tony Kill preaching
Adult Forum following worship
February 28
Second Sunday in Lent Tony Kill Preaching
Circles of Healing Prayer during worship
Adult Forum following worship
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Ash Wednesday - February 17 |
Potluck Supper and Worship Service
Ash Wednesday is February 17. We will begin the season of Lent with a potluck supper in the Eliot Parlor at 6:30, followed by an Ash Wednesday worship service in the Chapel at 7:30. We especially encourage youth and their parents to participate in this unique service, when we reflect on the direction and choices of our lives. [back to top] |
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Lenten Study Series: Spiritual Practices in Everyday Life |
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Have you ever thought of walking on the earth as a spiritual practice? Or how you live in your own body? Or saying "No!" Or hospitality? Or resting? Or recycling?
Some thoughtful and articulate Christian teachers have described how each of these "disciplines" can be profound spiritual practices for everyday Christians. Join Tony, Karla and Emilia every Wednesday evening during Lent, from February 24 through March 24, to reflect more about, and perhaps learn to enter more deeply into, these spiritual practices of our everyday lives.
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A Note from Pastor Karla |
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Dear Eliot friends and family,
For some reason, I adore February. Maybe it's because we have made it through January, and there is the hope of warmer weather. Maybe it's because it's a quirky short little month. Maybe it's because of Groundhog Day. Maybe it's because Valentine's Day is smack dab in the middle of the month-I do love Valentine's Day-because in spite of all the attempts to commercialize Valentine's day, it still is a day to express love and kindness to those in your life. What is better than a handmade valentine out of doilies and red paper and a piece of decadent chocolate, shared with your beloved or best friend?
Happy Valentine's, dear Eliot! My valentines to you are three poems from my favorite poet, ee cummings. Enjoy! Love, Karla
love is the every only god
love is the every only god
who spoke this earth so glad and big
even a thing all small and sad
man,may his mighty briefness dig
for love beginning means return
seas who could sing so deep and strong
one queerying wave will whitely yearn
from each last shore and home come young
so truly perfectly the skies
by merciful love whispered were,
completes its brightness with your eyes
any illimitable star nothing false and possible is love nothing false and possible is love(who's imagined,therefore is limitless)love's to giving as to keeping's give;as yes is to if,love is to yes must's a schoolroom in the month of may:life's the deathboard where all now turns when(love's a universe beyond obeyor command,reality or un-) proudly depths above why's first because(faith's last doubt and humbly heights below)kneeling,we-true lovers-pray that uswill ourselves continue to outgrow all whose mosts if you have known and i've only we our least begin to guess i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart) i carry your heart with me(i carry it inmy heart)i am never without it(anywherei go you go,my dear;and whatever is doneby only me is your doing,my darling)i fearno fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i wantno world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)and it's you are whatever a moon has always meantand whatever a sun will always sing is you here is the deepest secret nobody knows(here is the root of the root and the bud of the budand the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which growshigher than soul can hope or mind can hide)and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)
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Mission/Slogan Statement Contest Continues! |
Many of you have responded to the membership commission's invitation to describe Eliot Church in ten words or less. Our goal is to have at least 60 submissions, so please, keep them coming!
For example, one congregation's mission statement is "Becoming the Beloved Community". Another congregation's statement is "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors". Some of the "mission" statements from the UCC national campaign include, "Ancient Faith, Fresh Perspectives", "God is Still Speaking", and "No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here." Submit your ideas to Karla Miller, or Fred Balfour; or write them on the bulletin board by the church office. There is also a prize-we will put all the names of people who submit into a hat and the lucky winner will receive a Kiva Micro-Loan credit that you can use to invest in small businesses/entrepreneurs in the developing world! See www.kiva.org for more information! [back to top] |
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All-Church Karaoke Party
Friday, February 26, 7 - 9 pm |
Mark your calendar NOW!
Bring your friends! We have hired a professional DJ to host a Karaoke Party for our congregation! This is an outreach event, designed so that you can invite friends to something fun at Eliot. This is NOT JUST FOR CHILDREN only!-our DJ has one of the best collections of oldie goldies to top 40 and beyond. Admission is free, although we hope that you bring a buddy or two as your "ticket" in! There will be prizes-for most friends brought, for funniest act, for bravest singer, etc. The youth mission trippers will host a refreshment table of drinks/snacks for suggested donation prices.
So come on out-have FUN-invite someone to join you-and support the youth!
It's a triple play!
Sponsored by Membership Commission, CE Commission, and Youth Mission Trip!
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Youth Mission Trip |
Valentine's Mugs
Need a little gift with heart for your neighbor? Your mother? Your piano teacher?
Someone you might want to know about our church? The youth will have beautifully wrapped Eliot mugs with filled with Valentine's candy complete with a ribbon and paper heart for your own personal message! We will sell these at coffee hour on Jan. 31 and Feb. 7th. Mugs will sell for $10.00.
Alterations by Norma
You know you have those pants in your closet that you hemmed with tape. What about those missing buttons? Oh, and that suit-you know the one that is just too big, but you got it on such great sale that you couldn't refuse it, but now it has been sitting in your closet because you never got it altered?
The youth have an answer to your alterations dilemmas--Norma Escamilla! Norma is a professional seamstress, and has offered to make alterations for people's clothing from Feb. 25-March 31st. Cost of alterations will depend on the clothing, but price can range from $20-$40. Please contact Norma at 781-929-7950. All proceeds will go to the Eliot Youth Mission Trip. Thank you!
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Music Notes from David Castillo Gocher |
How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints,or the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Psalm 84:1-2
On January 25, during worship, our now 21-voice chancel choir presented one of music history's most beloved anthems Cantique de Jean Racine. Cantique is an early choral work by french composer Fauré, written in 1865 while he was still a student at the Niedermeyer School. Even though Fauré was only nineteen years of age, this work represents the sensitive and delicate style of his choral compositions. Even though the text we presented is not the original set by the composer, Psalm 84 accurately evokes the prayer of supplication that is the essence of the anthem.
On Sunday February 7, the chancel choir will present another setting of the Psalm 84 Oh How Amiable by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. Vaughan Williams composed highly acclaimed religious music as well as works inspired by English spiritual literature, culminating in his 1951 opera The Pilgrim's Progress, based on the spiritual classic by John Bunyan. An artist of extraordinary creative energy, Vaughan Williams continued composing with undiminished powers until his death at 87.
I hope you are enjoying our chancel choir's musical presentations as much as we are being inspired by these masterworks.
I will see you and your guests next Sunday for more uplifting worship services at Eliot
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120th Anniversary of our "Daughter" Church in Tottori, Japan |
Some of you may not know that one of the several "Mission" churches that Eliot Church helped establish over the years is the Tottori Church in Japan.
In 1889 the Missions Committee of Eliot Church received a request from a missionary in Japan to help build a church, a school and an orphanage in the city of Tottori. In 1890, Eliot Church responded with a gift of $5000, which built the Tottori 'Kyokai' (= church) with its school and orphanage. What is most amazing is the timing of this gift: Eliot's own church building had been destroyed by fire in 1887, and the congregation had just managed to collect enough money to build a new sanctuary here, which was dedicated in 1889. Yet they found the wherewithal to send $5,000 (which would be comparable to over $100,000 in 2005 dollars) to a Christian community in Japan.
Later, contact with, and collective memory of the Tottori church was lost at Eliot over the years. As the time approached for the 100th anniversary of the Tottori Church, the Rev. Yukimasa Ohmae, who was music director of that congregation, and later became their interim pastor, came to the US for a summer music seminar at Princeton in 1988, and contacted Rev. Herb Davis at Eliot to re-establish Tottori's connection with the US church whose missionary zeal and generosity had made their founding possible. Eliot Church members Bill and Ann Ghormley attended the 100th Anniversary celebration of the Tottori Church in March of 1990. Subsequently, the Tottori Church honored Eliot with gifts and letters at the time of our 150th anniversary, and we remembered them on their 110th anniversary in 2000. In 2006, Rev. Ohmae returned to the US and spent a wonderful week with us at Eliot Church.
This year marks the 120th anniversary of the Tottori Church, which they will celebrate on February 21. The Eliot Coordinating Council voted in January to send the congregation a note of congratulations and a small gift as a token of our continued connection and affection.
Our note reads:
February 2010
To the Rev. Masahiko Hashihara and the members of the Tottori Church
We, the staff, members and friends of the Eliot Church of Newton UCC, congratulate you and celebrate with you on the 120th anniversary of your congregation. We are proud and honored to have had a part in the founding of your congregation, and we are delighted that you continue to be our partner in giving witness to Christ's love for all people, of every race and nation. May your congregation prosper, and enjoy many more decades of Christian service. You will especially be in our prayers on February 21.
This carved cross was made by a United Church of Christ pastor here in New England, who is also a wood carver. It represents the joined hands of Christian service in the cross of Christ around the globe.
Let us hold each other in prayer, celebrating the many blessings and fruits of our ministry.
In Christ's love,
The Rev. Anthony Kill, the Rev. Karla Miller, and the members of the Eliot Church of Newton.
For those who wish to send their own card, the church address is
Tottori Church,
1-425 Nishimachi,
Tottori City,
Tottori Prefecture 680-0022,
JAPAN [back to top] |
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Capital Campaign Continuity Committee Update |
January 15, 2010 From Elizabeth Baker
Since my last report in October 2009 when $51,000 was distributed, additional Capital Campaign contributions have come in. The total is now well beyond the $50,000 threshold established by the Coordinating Council for the next distribution. Small to moderate sized contributions of around $1,000 or less have continued coming in monthly, many through the Vanco automatic payment program; but a number of larger contributions came in just before the end of December 2009. This week I will ask our treasurer, Rich Stroshane, to transfer the bulk of the funds out of the Capital Campaign account and distribute them according to the policy and plan established by the Coordinating Council in 2008. We are unlikely to reach the $50,000 threshold again until this time next year. However, if the contributions do rise to that level before then, we will make another distribution.
Total Contributions Received to date: $588,133
2/10/09 $378,000
10/15/09 $ 49,985
1/15/10 $160,148
Balances & Expenses since 10/15/09:
10/16/09 Balance: 105.87
1/15/10 New Contributions: $160,147.82
10/16-1/15/10 Vanco (EFT) expenses: ( 2.50 )
1/15/10 Total acct. balance: $160,251.19
Total January 2010 Distribution: $160,250
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Proportional Distributions
Membership @ 4.2%: $ 6,731
Mission & Social Justice @ 10.5%: $ 16,826
Building @ 85.3%: $136,693
Total 1/10 Distribution: $160,250 [back to top] |
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Mission & Social Justice Commission |
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CAN-DO's 7th Annual Y.I.M.B.Y Celebration
After the Congregational Meeting on March 7, 2010, come relax and have fun at CAN-DO at its Annual Fundraiser from 4 - 8 pm at the Boston Newton Marriott.
There will be a silent auction with items ranging from $25 to $100; as well as a live auction including tickets for local sports teams and vacation homes. During the dinner we will present a program which will include, a yet-to-be named keynote speaker. Our honoree this year is David Cohen who during his tenure as Mayor of Newton as well as during his years in the legislature was a great supporter of housing. He understood that affordable housing was the key to maintaining Newton's diversity and supported CAN-DO in its efforts to develop affordable housing.
The cost per tickets is $100. If you would like to attend, please call Josephine McNeil at 617-964-3527 or send her an e-mail at jam_cando@msn.com.
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Church Family News |
Update to the Spring, 2010 Roster
Thank You from the Mineharts
Many thanks from the Minehart Family for all the generosity, meals, and support we've received for the birth of our daughter, Kate--we are so blessed to be a part of the Eliot Community!!
February Birthdays
Delia Castro 3
Isabella von Wendt 3
Virginia Munkelwitz 3
Dennis Scott 4
Ava Waitz 4
Daniel Battat 8
Lisa Gonsalves 9
Josephine McNeil 10
Allyn Hawes 11
Connie Stubbs 15
Nadja Young 16
Jenny Horsburgh 21
Calder Reardon 22
Danny Flanagan 23
Dennis Becker 25
Dee McMeekan 25
Michael Rossner 25
Robert Abbe 26
Jonathan Dare 26
Jack Vasu 26
Michael Atkinson 27
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More Help for Haiti |
As always, cash donations to Partners In Health, UCC Global Ministries, or other organizations are best, but if you are looking for hands on ways to help, the Community Metropolitan Ministries is partnering with a member congregation to send aid. New Covenant Church of Cambridge, a Haitian-American church in Waltham, is currently collecting items to be sent by private jet to Haiti, once the airport is open to regular flights (that might be a few weeks). These items will be distrubuted to local churches, and shared with those in need.
Items can be taken to New Covenant Church at 527 Main Street, Waltham-please call the church at 781-788-8843 to arrange drop off . (You can also bring items to CMM's offices in Newton and we will bring them over to the church. )
A list of suggested items to donate are:
Non-perishable food items:
rice - lots of rice needed
beef jerky, dried meats, canned fish
canned ham and sandwich spreads that can be eaten with crackers
canned & dried fruit- peaches, pears, berries, applesauce, raisins, prunes, dates
nuts - almonds, walnuts,cashews and pecans
canned vegetables-beans, peas,carrots
Cereals - anything fortified with minerals, bran
Drinks: water, gatorade, powerade, boxed apple, cranberry juice that does not need refrigeration
Toiletries: toothbrushes,toothpaste,
soap, shampoo, nail clippers, skin lotion, baby wipes, diapers, baby
powder, hand towels, toilet paper.
Others: blankets, clothes, footwear, backpacks (helpful for people living outdoors), flashlights, batteries, candles,
pens, paper, hand sharpeners, children's books, toys for children, chalk, crayons,
All
these items, and anything else you can share, will be delivered
personally by the pastors and their members to congregations in Haiti
and distributed to the people.
For more information contact Polly Hamlen at 651-208-8141, or
contact CMM at 617-244-3650, or Karla Miller, 617-244-3639, revkarla@gmail.com. You can also find updates on the CMM website
at www.coopmet.org
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The Eliot Church of Newton 
