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Greetings!
Spring is almost here!
We've got lots of exciting things happening at Eliot Church this month, and we'd love to have you be a part of them! |
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A Note from Pastor Tony |
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
The season of Lent is upon us - traditionally a time of prayer and fasting, a time to strip away the distractions of "worldly pleasures" and non-essentials, in order to focus our minds and hearts on what is most essential and fruitful for our spiritual lives.
This year at Eliot Church, we are in the midst of doing just that: focusing in what is most essential to our spiritual lives as members of this congregation, and discerning how we can maintain and promote those values, programs and practices. I encourage each of you to prayerfully consider what you heard in the dialogue meeting you attended, and to prayerfully read the Summary Report. Then I hope every member and friend of the congregation will participate in the March 7 forum and the March 14 Congregational Meeting, to lend your voice to the discernment and decision-making processes.
After that, it will be up to each of us to foster and promote the programs and practices that the congregation has identified as most valuable, by our personal commitment as well as our financial support.
The Eliot Church of Newton has a rich history, a tremendous vitality, and a strong network of active, committed members. I have no doubt that, with the guidance of the Spirit of Christ, our congregation can and will discern wisely and well how to faithfully move into the future.
With care,
Tony
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The Sundays of March |
March 7-Third Sunday in Lent 10:00 am
Service of the Lord's Supper
Seminary Intern, Emilia Halstead preaching
11:30 am -1:00 pm: Congregation-wide Forum in the Chapel to discuss and review the input from the Dialogues on Fiscal Options
March 14-Fourth Sunday in Lent 10:00 am Rev. Tony Kill preaching
Congregational Meeting immediately following worship to make decisions and offer guidance regarding how Eliot Church moves responsibly into the future
March 21-Fifth Sunday in Lent 10:00 am Rev Karla Miller Preaching
Our service will include Presentation of Fourth Grade Bibles
11:30 am: Adult Forum following worship
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Holy Week |
March 28-Palm/Passion Sunday 10:00 am
Rev. Tony Kill preaching
Our service will include a reading of the Passion
11:30 am -1:00 pm: Pancake Breakfast following worship as a Mission Trip Fundraiser
April 1-Maundy Thursday 7:30 pm
Service of the Last Supper and Tenebrae Led by the Confirmation Students, with the Pastors and our Seminary Intern, Emilia Halstead
April 2-Good Friday 7:30 pm
Meditation service in the Chapel
Led by Emilia Halstead
April 4-Easter Sunday 10:00 am
Celebration of the Resurrection
Rev. Karla Miller preaching
Featuring the Halleluiah Chorus from Handel's Messiah
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Eco-Palms for Palm Sunday |
This year, we will again be using Eco-Palms for our Palm Sunday worship service.
Eco-Palms are harvested in a sustainable manner. Harvesters are trained to gather only quality palm fronds in a way that allows the plant to keep growing. The palms are then brought to a community processing building, where they are processed and packaged for export.
By contrast, in conventional harvesting, workers are paid based on volume. The more fronds they cut, the more income they generate, encouraging over-harvesting and threatening the rainforest. Middlemen then transport the palms out of communities for processing, where more than 50% of the palms are discarded because of poor quality.
Eco-Palms communities process the palms themselves, capturing more of the profits, improving local communities standard of living, and ensuring that the money paid for the psalms benefit those who labor.
As we raise our branches in celebration on March 28, we play an important role in protecting forests, local jobs and sustainable livelihoods in harvesting communities.
For more information, visit Lutheran World Relief at lwr.org/palms.
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Palm Sunday Pancake Breakfast! |
Sunday, March 28 11-1
After Palm Sunday worship, our Mission Trippers along with Parish Life and other Pancake chefs will be serving up pancakes and fixins' to delight your palate! This will be a fundraiser for our youth traveling to Appalachia on a mission project during spring vacation week.
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From Pastor Karla |
As you reflect and seek the presence of God as you walk through Lent, I offer a simple poem for thought.
Many a time I wish I were other than I am.
I weary of the solemn tide;
of the little fields:
of this brooding isle.
I long to be rid of the weight of duty
and to have my part in ampler life.
O Thou, who art wisdom and pity both,
set me free from the lordship of desire.
Help me to find my happiness
in my acceptance of what is my purpose:
in friendly eyes;
in quietness born of trust,
and, most of all,
in the awareness of your presence
in my spirit.
-Alistair MacLean
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From Our Moderator, Lisa Hines
Ensuring a Vibrant Future for Eliot: Fiscal Options Process |
Sunday, March 7
Congregation-Wide Forum
will be held for all church members to discuss the dialogue input. There will be an opportunity at this forum to explore and develop an additional option for addressing Eliot's fiscal situation and strengthening the church community based on the common themes identified through the dialogues. This forum will be facilitated by the Task Force and will be held in the chapel at 11:30-1:00 pm (coffee hour will be held in the parlor). Even if you did not attend one of the dialogues, come, participate, and hear what Eliot members have been deliberatively, lovingly and thoughtfully discussing about Eliot's future.
Tuesday, March 9
Coordinating Council meeting
based on the dialogue input and the March 7th forum, the Coordinating Council will meet to discuss an alternative option, if necessary, to present for discussion and vote, along with the initial four options at the Congregational Meeting.
A Reminder: This Coordinating Council meeting is open to all members of Eliot (as are all CoCouncil meetings).
Sunday, March 14,
Special Congregation Meeting and Vote
In the Sanctuary immediately following Worship Service
This is an important meeting as the Coordinating Council will be presenting a motion to be voted on by the congregation which will include all four of the original options originally made in October by the Fiscal Responsibility Committee and any alternatives by the Coordinating Council. It may also include an additional option which is a culmination of all the feedback from the dialogues.
As always, I have faith in this membership that we will vote on the best possible solution for Eliot.
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Lenten Wednesday Potluck and Spirituality Series |
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Please join us every Wednesday night from March 3 through March 24 for our Lenten Potluck suppers at 6:30 and Spirituality discussion series from 7:30-9:00.
This year we will be discussing "Spiritual Practices in Everyday Life" with offerings from a wonderful new book by Barbara Brown Taylor titled "An Altar in the World" Paperback copies of the book will be available for purchase, but you needn't buy the book to participate, and you needn't attend all the sessions to benefit from it. Come whenever you can!
Our topics will include:
The Practice of Being Present to God: Prayer
The Practice of Walking on the Earth: Groundedness
The Practice of Feeling Pain: Breakthrough
The Practice of Saying No: Sabbath
The Potluck Suppers Begin at 6:30 pm
The Program Begins at 7:30 pm
If you would like to come to the potluck, but need a ride, please contact Carol Brown or Susan Nason of the Spiritual Life Commission (SLC). If you are planning to come to one or more of the potlucks and could provide a ride to someone, please also let Carol or Susan know that. The SLC wants to ensure that everyone who wants to be a part of this Lenten sharing and learning time has the opportunity to do so.
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Christian Education Corner |
Fourth Grade Bible Sunday
Sunday, March 21
The following 4th grade students will receive engraved copies of the NRSV Bible from Eliot Church
Jamie Mac Donald
Nick Seoane
Myles Underwood
Jack Finegan Vasu
Matteo Greenburg
Thomas Byrne
Nate Persampieri
Sarah Bassett [back to top] |
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Notes from the Membership Commission |
Welcome New Members
On February 7, Eliot Church welcomed a wonderful group of new covenant members.
Jan, Alice, Joe, Catherine, Jeremy, Colleen and Frank, welcome to Eliot! Your presence is a blessing to us, and we look forward to being in community with you and in service together to God's world!
Learn more about our recent new members:
Jan Perkins is a retired physical education teacher from Newton North. When looking for a church home, one day while driving on Center St., she noticed Eliot, attended a service, and felt right away that it was the church for her. Jan loves to travel and enjoys skiing, playing tennis, golf and racquetball. She is already a regular at Women's Coffee and appreciates the thoughtful worship experiences at Eliot.
Alice and Joe Holt hale from Watertown. They and their two children, Catherine (8) and Jeremy (12) are long time UCC-ers. As a family, they enjoy cross country skiing, music and the arts. Jeremy has already played organ for us during the Youth Service, and Catherine has joined the children's choir. The Holts are glad to have found a church home that is warm and welcoming.
Colleen and Frank Stiriti are no strangers to Eliot Church. They have been part of our church family for several years. For 3 years, Colleen served as the Director of Christian Education, and they have volunteered in many capacities, including the Fall Fair! They are happy to make Eliot their church home--because, as Colleen says, "Eliot fits just right!"
Amy & Aaron McPherson - The McPherson Family lives just a couple blocks away from Eliot Church. We started attending in snow storms because Eliot Church was the only church that we could get to - and we decided to keep coming, even in good weather! Our oldest child, Henry, is a very active and verbal kindergartener at Underwood. He's very excited. Our twins, Alison and Caleb, are nearly 10 months old and they are thriving, after Caleb's two-week stay in the intensive care unit and Alison's heart surgery at 6 weeks. We are blessed to say that both twins are now healthy - interacting with each other and with us. Aaron and Amy met on a blind date at a Chinese restaurant in Brookline almost 20 years ago - and we just celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary. We both have MBAs - Aaron's job is Research Director for a consulting firm in Framingham and Amy is a stay-at-home mom for now - although beginning to pursue some opportunities outside the home. We are so happy to be part of the Eliot community - thank you for welcoming us so warmly.
Easter Welcome
For many people, Easter is a time when they consider attending a worship service. If you have a neighbor, acquaintance or friend that you might like to invite to Holy Week/Easter worship services, Membership will have postcards available beginning March 14 for you to address and sign. We will take care of the postage! [back to top] |
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Mission & Social Justice Commission |
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.
One Great Hour of Sharing
Sunday, March 14
OGHS is the UCC's disaster relief fund. Money from OGHS goes to support churches and communities recovering from floods, tornadoes, fires and other disasters, in places like Haiti, as well as Owensboro, KY, Glasgow, MT and Aliquippa, PA. There has been many such disasters this year. Look for the special offering envelope in the March 14th bulletin.
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Greetings from David Castillo Gocher, Minister of Music |
The chancel choir's music for lent reflects themes of repentance and preparation for the ultimate event of the Christian tradition, Easter. Our section leaders started this season with a Renaissance motet by Spanish composer Palestrina, O Jesu Dulcis Memoria.
The first Sunday of March will include a movement from Faure's Requiem: Liberame Domine, featuring our bass soloist Jim Jordan. Of the many settings of the Requiem, this is probably the most widely loved. In comparison with the large-scale masterpieces of Verdi, Brahms and Berlioz, Faure's setting seems gentle and unassuming, yet it is this very quality of understatement which contributes so eloquently to the work's universal appeal. Whether the Requiem is performed in one of its orchestral versions or simply with organ accompaniment, it is impossible not to be moved by the ethereal beauty of this humble masterpiece.
The chancel choir is also preparing sections from Handel's Messiah, for Palm-Passion Sunday. Though this season's motifs are solemn and contemplative, they also convey hope and expectation of God's everlasting promise.
Musically yours,
David Castillo Gocher
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Church Family News |
Thank You - from Susanna Peyser
I'd like to thank the Sunday School children for the lovely Valentines I received! Your thoughtfulness and kindness are much appreciated.
"On The Cover"
Our very own Rachel McMahon is on the cover of the March 2010 WGBH magazine, Explore, in connection with debut of WGBH's new show, "High School Quiz Show"!! On the day that the show begins (March 22), Rachel will also be on the huge 'GBH digital sign that is over the Mass Turnpike. So be sure to check out Eliot's own cover girl. Congrats, Rachel!
Happy March Birthday
Name March
Sandy MacDonald 1
Elliott von Wendt 1
Anya Bassett 2
Barbara Couturier 2
Erika Pond 2
Jay Jasset 4
Jim Stoner 5
John Clark 5
Terry Hackford 5
Madeline Smith 6
Nancy Lob 8
Patrick O'Reilly 10
John Maraventano 14
Catherine Miller 16
Carol Brown 18
Sophie Boudette 20
Michael Apstein 21
Lulu Hunt 21
Ron Perrone 24
Paula Becker 25
Larry Schafer 25
Ethan Becker 27
Jim Byrne 27
Michael Stiriti 27
Colin Benn 28
Fred Balfour 28
Sue Finegan 28
Logan McCarty 28
Gage Hackford 29
Isabella Owens 31
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Snow and Event Cancellation Policy |
Since pastor Tony can walk to church, we have never cancelled a Sunday worship service, and probably won't. However, there are times when we may wish to cancel Sunday School, Chancel Choir, Children's Choir, and other planned programs.
Since most of the congregation is connected by email, we will use the Eliot Email list to "get the word out" about cancellations by 8:00am. For major events, an all-church email will be sent, as well as separate emails for special groups - e.g. the choir, church school families, etc. We will have a special message on the church telephone answering machine by 8:00am announcing the cancellations.
If you don't have email at home, or would prefer to get a telephone call (rather than email message) if a cancellation might affect you, please call Terri Whitney-Jackson in the church office at 617-244-3639 ext. 201 or send her an email at office@eliotchurch.org and asked to be put on the phone contact list. [back to top] |
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Community News & Events |
| Duke University to Give Benefit Concert Monday, March 8 at 7:30 pm
First Baptist Church in Newton 848 Beacon Street, Newton Centre. The concert is to benefit Haiti Earthquake Relief. For more information, visit their website at www.fbcnewton.org
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| Job Opportunity
Part Time Church Administrator
The United Parish of Auburndale, a Congregational (UCC)-Methodist church in Newton, Mass., needs to hire a part-time administrator to manage the day-to-day needs of the parish. Duties include maintenance of the church's web site www.upanewtonma.org; preparation of the weekly church newsletter and Sunday worship bulletin; some financial chores, with spreadsheet experience required; and routine office work, including telephone and e-mail communications, in support of the minister and the church. The administrator often works alone, and often comes in contact with church members' confidential information. Common sense, tact, initiative and a sense of humor are desirable qualities for this position.
This job is intended to last for three or four months, and will require a commitment of 20 to 25 hours a week. The hourly salary will be in the $12-$15 range, depending on experience. The UPA is an open and affirming congregation, and an equal opportunity employer.
Applicants should send a current resume and a brief note about themselves to the Rev. Jean Alexander, at jobs@upanewtonma.org, or to
Rev. Jean Alexander
United Parish of Auburndale
64 Hancock Street
Newton, MA 02466
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Movie: "Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North"
Thursday, March 11 7:00 - 9:30 pm
Boston College Law School, East Wing building, room 120
A New England Family Confronts its Legacy as the largest slave-trading dynasty in US history.
Viewing and discussion of this powerful award-winning film - led by James DeWolf Perry, Newton resident and direct descendant of the 18th century slave trading family.
Sponsored by the Newton Human Rights Commission
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| Movie: "Son of Man"
Saturday, April 3 7:00 pm
United Parish of Auburndale, 64 Hancock St., Auburndale
The movie will be hosted by Kurt Walker, one of Eliot's recent Seminary Interns.
"Son of Man" is a musical allegory set in South Africa during the last years of apartheid. It's a political fable, envisioning Jesus as a modern-day black revolutionary. Son of Man celebrates Christ as a compassionate leader and peacemaker.
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The Eliot Church of Newton 
