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Greetings!
Even though the program year is winding down, there's still lots happening this month! Come join us! |
 | A Note from Pastor Tony | Dear Sisters and Brothers,
This program year is winding down - not with a whimper but a BANG. The Mozart Mass on Music Sunday was a masterpiece, and the May 23 Mission and Justice Sunday celebrating our 10th anniversary as an Open and Affirming congregation, and celebrating the youth Mission Trip to Appalachia was very moving. And we have a few more great Sundays coming up: Celebrate Eliot service and picnic on June 6, which will feature our Worship and the Arts theme of the Lord's Prayer, and Children's Music Sunday on June 13, which will feature the jazz musical on Noah and the Ark, "100% Chance of Rain". After worship that day we will also display the artwork from the Worship and the Arts theme, and we will say a sad but grateful "Farewell and Godspeed" to our Minister of Music, David Castillo Gocher.
As you've probably heard, I will be taking two months of sabbatical this summer, plus a month of vacation, so I will be "away" from June 14 through September 12. Karla will be providing pastoral coverage and leading most of the summer worship services in my absence. Other Newton UCC clergy will also be on call during the few times that Karla will not be available.
The Parish Staff Relations Committee and I have been discussing this sabbatical option for some time. Given how busy the coming program year will be, with the various areas of self-study that we want to undertake as a congregation, taking sabbatical time during the more quiet summer months seemed like the best option.
This will mostly be a private study sabbatical for me. I will be making an 8-day silent retreat at Eastern Point in Gloucester in early July, and traveling to Israel for a week in late July/early August. For the rest of the time, I look forward to hanging out in seminary libraries a lot, and probably carting a stack of books to a relative's house on the Cape for several days. I hope (and I ask your prayers) that this will be a time for personal, professional and spiritual renewal for me. And I thank the congregation for this opportunity.
With care,
Tony
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| Greetings from Pastor Karla |
Just an update on our summer schedule while Pastor Tony is away on sabbatical.
I will be here for most of the summer, except for July 7-14, and August 29-1. While I am away, the other UCC pastors in Newton will be on call, in case there is a pastoral emergency. Terri will have that information in the church office. If you need to reach me at any time, and you miss me in the office, please call my cell phone, 781-835-6893.
I will be at Eliot on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. On Fridays I work from home, but I am always available to meet you then if you wish.
We are hoping to "mix it up" a little bit during our Summer Worship. If you are a musician, please consider signing up to be the special music for a Sunday. We are also hoping to do a Gospel/Spiritual Hymn Sing one Sunday, along with some other ideas. So, when you are in town, please come and join us for these special intimate summer Sunday mornings.
In peace,
Karla
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| From David Castillol Gocher |
Dear Church Family,
It is with deep sadness that I write my last Columns article - and indeed the most difficult to write. Without a doubt, this church has been one of the biggest blessings of my music ministry. I have had the opportunity to improve my abilities as your choirmaster and organist, and also to grow as a Christian and a person of faith. You have welcomed me into your community and the friendship created as a result of our work together is priceless.
I especially want to thank my choir for their support and for their continued desire to bringing the best musical quality into our worship life. It has been great to see the choir grow so much in membership and in ability! Besides being a choir that strives for excellence, the chancel choir became a real family to me. I thank you choir for the true care and love shared with me. I will always cherish our time together. I also thank you for two wonderful years and for four magnificent masterworks: The Vivaldi Gloria, The Schubert Mass in G, The Rutter Requiem, and The Mozart Coronation Mass, were presented with excellence and professionalism and they will be unforgettable!
Once more, I would like to thank the members of the music commission for supporting my ministry. Thank you Michael Benn, Jan Paul von Wendt, and members of the commission for helping me build the music program of our dreams. Thanks to Brita Lundberg and Heidi Nepf for directing our children's choir.
Lastly, in my now eleven years as a music minister I have never worked with a more dedicated and loving staff. I am most thankful to Reverends Tony Kill and Karla Miller, Terri Whitney-Jackson, and Emilia Halstead for their support, help, and guidance throughout my tenure at Eliot. I will always treasure our friendship and the experiences brought by our work together.
Thank you, Eliot Church family, for giving me two great years of my life. You will always be in my heart and in my prayers as you continue sharing the "good news" with the Newton community.
Always keep on singing!
With all my love,
David Castillo Gocher
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| The Sundays of June |
June 6
Celebrate Eliot and Worship and the Arts Sunday, featuring the Lord's Prayer.
Picnic immediately following worship, hosted by the Christian Education Commission.
Read More About It
June 13
Children's Music Sunday featuring "100% Chance of Rain"
Farewell Reception for David Castillo Gocher following worship.
Also, artwork on the Lord's Prayer will be on display
June 20
David Castillo Gocher's last Sunday
June 27
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Karla Miller Preaching
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Eliot Celebrates the 10th Anniversary of Becoming an Open and Affirming Congregation | |
In 1995, as Eliot Church celebrated its 150th anniversary, Pastor Tony preached a sermon titled "Who will Eliot become?" in which he challenged the congregation to start a conversation about considering becoming an Open and Affirming church. In 1997, Angela Bauer came to Tony and said, "When are we going to have that conversation. I'd like to get it started." A task force was formed, and Josephine McNeil, who was moderator at the time, helped craft a very careful process of one year of study about homosexuality and the churches, and a second year of deliberation about whether Eliot should take such a vote, and crafting an O & A statement that the congregation could embrace. The task force facilitated many, many forums during those two years, including testimony from members, interviews with and presentations by members of other churches, study sessions with Biblical scholars, and numerous individual conversations. In the end, at the congregational meeting on May 21, 2000, there was a unanimous vote in favor of Eliot Church's Open and Affirming statement (printed below).
In addition to Josephine's leadership, the task force consisted of Angela Bauer, Mary Hawkes Sanders, Sharon and Fred Balfour, Barbara Livingston, Jean Schafer, and Carol Brown. Patrick O'Reilly, who was moderator elect, also joined the Task Force, as did John and Frances Morse.
As a tribute to the importance of this work, former member Sue Dinn sent the following note to the congregation last week:
Dear Eliot Friends,
I am with you in spirit on this special anniversary.
Never doubt how great an impact you have on the life and faith of those whom you welcome. You are the face of God's all-embracing and all-welcoming love for gays and lesbians like me who would otherwise never know that welcome in a church. My life and faith were enriched more than I can ever express by the years I shared with you at Eliot. I came to Eliot at the start of your 2-year Open & Affirming process. I experienced your heartfelt welcome as well as the deep caring and prayer you brought to the ONA study process, and I was there to weep and celebrate at your unanimous vote to become an Open and Affirming congregation.
My miniature carved Eliot Church sits on my bureau here in Pennsylvania where I see it every day. More importantly, I will hold each member of my Eliot family in my heart always. I send you my blessings as you celebrate and continue to live out the meaning of your Open & Affirming statement, and I am so very grateful to God that I have been blessed to have Eliot Church and each of you in my life.
Love,
Sue Dinn
Eliot Church of Newton's
 Open and Affirming Statement
We, the worshipping community of the Eliot Church of Newton, believe in God and God's love for us and for all people. We are mindful that Jesus calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves and that each person is a member of the whole human family. As Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatians, "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus."
We affirm that all people are children of God. We honor and warmly welcome everyone, and we are committed to being a uniting church that embraces the rich diversity of God's creation. We recognize, celebrate and give thanks for the many gifts of all of God's children. We encourage those of every race, gender, age, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, economic circumstance, marital status and physical or developmental ability to join in the full life and ministry of Eliot church.
We acknowledge that Christian churches have not always welcomed all believers into the full life of the Church. As a congregation that is Open and Affirming within the United Church of Christ, we accept the responsibility to work individually and collectively against all forms of discrimination, to continue our efforts toward inclusiveness and to celebrate all relationships founded on the principles of God's love, compassion and faithfulness.
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Newton Congregations Food Drive
Sunday, June 6 & 13 | |
At the May meeting of the Newton Clergy Association, we were reminded that during the summer months, when attendance drops at houses of worship around the city, the amount of food contributed for our local food pantries also drops - but the requests for food by families in need does not. Therefore, we are encouraging a combined, interfaith effort for every Newton congregation to hold a "food collection drive" during June, to help stock the pantries for the summer. At Eliot, we especially encourage you to bring a bag or box of food with you to worship on June 6 or June 13. Non-perishable canned or dry food only, please.
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| Spiritual Life Commission Notes |
Worship And the Arts
Sunday, June 13
This year Eliot church will continue the tradition of bringing music and other art forms together, during worship and for display after the service on June 13. The theme of for this year is "The Lord's Prayer." In this newsletter, and in upcoming bulletins and weekly announcements, we will publish various translations and interpretations of the Lord's Prayer. We invite everyone in the congregation (and beyond!) to submit artwork of every kind (drawing, painting, poetry, music, sculpture, etc.) that that is inspired by the Lord's Prayer, or by any single phrase or petition in it. This event is designed for children, teens, and adults. Contact the pastors or Minister of Music for questions.
Our God who is in heaven
and in all of us here on earth;
the hungry, the oppressed, the excluded.
Holy is your name.
May your reign come and your
will be done;
in our choice to struggle with the complexities
of this world and to confront greed and
the desire for power in ourselves,
in our nation and in the global community.
Give us this day our daily bread;
bread that we are called to share,
bread that you have given us abundantly
and that we must distribute fairly,
ensuring security for all.
Forgive us our trespasses;
times we have turned away from
the struggles of other people and countries,
times we have thought only of our own security.
Lead us not into temptation;
the temptation to close our minds, ears and eyes
to the unfair global systems that create
larger and larger gaps between
the rich and the poor; the temptation to think
it is too difficult to bring about more just alternatives.
Deliver us from evil;
the evil of a world where violence happens
in your name, where wealth for a few
is more important than economic rights for all,
where gates and barriers between people
are so hard to bring down.
May your reign come, for yours is the kingdom,
the power and the glory forever and ever.
Amen!
Source: Center of Concern, Washington, DC
Guest Preachers During Summer Worship
July 11 Michael McSherry
August 1 Vince Maraventano
Women's Spirituality Group
Labyrinth Walk June 24, 7:00 pm
All Eliot women and friends are invited to a labyrinth walk on the campus of Boston College. You can meet us there, or carpool from Eliot leaving at 6:45 pm. Join us!
Flowers Needed for the Altar This Summer!
Do you have a few flowers in your garden you can share this summer? Just a few could help decorate our altar our altar. A few daisies, zinnias, roses, or whatever grows in your garden would look great. You can drop them off Thursday, Friday or Saturday; or even come a little early on Sunday morning and place them on the altar.
Summer Special Music
Do you play the cello? Ukulele? Adore strumming your guitar? Do you want to sing in a pick-up choir or a special group that you pick? Then volunteer for doing special music one Sunday this month.
Eliot has so many talented musicians, and we would love to enhance our summer worship with your gifts!
There will be a sign-up in the hallway, or you can email Pastor Karla at revkarla@gmail.com.
Nursery Volunteers Needed
We need people to volunteer at least one Sunday during the summer to assist our professional childcare person, as per Safe Church policy. Please help us fulfill this important mission of the church. There is a sign up in the hallway, or you can contact Karla at revkarla@gmail.com.
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Celebrate Eliot Sunday | |
Sunday, June 6
We will be enjoying a picnic in Farlow Park after worship. The CE Commission will be providing sandwich fixins', drinks and party supplies, and each family/individual is invited to contribute to the potluck.
If your name ends with: A-M please bring a Side Dish/Salad.
If your name begins with N-Z please bring a Dessert/Fruit
Various Commissions and Committees are asked to help with specific tasks:
Sexton, Investments, Facilities: Set Up: Responsible for: Blocking off area in parking lot with yellow cones by 9:00 a.m., setting up tables, chairs, tablecloths, trash bins, and recycling containers.
Spiritual Life, Music,and Parish Life: Potluck: Responsible for: Receiving food before worship, putting in fridge if needed, making sure serving spoons are available, and setting it out on the tables, covering food if needed, and bee control.
CE Commission: Fixins: Condiments, Coldcuts/Sandwich fixins', Potluck Sign Up Chart, paper goods, plastic utensils, decorating, and activities.
Finance, MSJ, Sexton, and any other good souls: Clean Up: Bag up trash, break down of tables, chairs.
If there are questions, please contact Sue Maraventano or Laura Seoane.
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| Christian Ed. Corner | |
Blessed are They that TEACH!!
Please sign up to teach for the 2010-2011 Sunday School. As one teacher puts it, "You get back so much more than you put in. Our children are amazing".
Be blessed! Teach! Contact Laura Seoane or Sue Maraventano for more information.
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MACUCC Annual Meeting |
Saturday, June 19
Come join delegates from UCC churches throughout the Commonwealth for a day of discussions, storytelling, and lively worship, at a one-day Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Conference UCC on Saturday, June 19, at the DCU Center in Worcester. The theme for this year's meeting is from the Letter to the Hebrews: "Provoke One Another...to love and good deeds" Talk to Tony or Karla if you would like to be an Eliot Delegate, or learn more about the meeting. [back to top] |
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Facility Commission News |
Here's Some Wonderful News About Our Conversion from Oil to Gas for Heat and Hot Water:
FY09: September, 2008-March, 2009
Oil - $16,579.13
Gas - $528.14
Total: $17,107.45
FY10: September 2009 - March, 2010
Oil - $0
Gas - $9,138.53
Total: $9,138.53
Savings of $7,968.92 (53%)!!
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From the Mass. Conference of the UCC in Framingham |
May 13, 2010
Dear Moderator of the Eliot Church of Newton,
On behalf of the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence Program of the Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ, I would like to extend my personal gratitude to your congregation for the leadership of your pastor in this important ministry. Tony's gifts as a facilitator have supported pastors in our Massachusetts Conference through a small peer ministry throughout the past seven year. This group of pastors meets 9 times a year for worship, pastoral support and ret1ection on the craft of ministry. On behalf of all those pastors who have been strengthened and blessed by this leadership, I want to share with you my thanks for extending excellent leadership beyond your local church setting.
Who are the facilitators of these small ministry groups for clergy?
The Pastoral Excellence Team identifies and recruits pastors to serve as facilitators of the thirty-one groups, pastors who love ministry, merit the respect of their colleagues, demonstrate emotional maturity and are intellectually curious.
How has this ministry benefited the pastors that are part of the groups?
One of the pastors in a group shared that these groups remind us of why pastors do what they do. So often, these group sessions are a re-affirmation for pastors who serve local congregations of the power and beauty of parish ministry.
How has this ministry benefited the congregations in which they serve?
A lay member of a congregation whose pastor has been part of a group indicated that excellent clergy don't just spring up fully formed - they emerge from nurturing relationships and communities of faith lead by colleagues who deeply care about the church.
Since the community of practice model nurtures vitality and builds relationships among all of our churches of the Conference, I am grateful for your important role in our covenant together.
Blessings and gratitude to you and to the members of your congregation!
Sue Dickerman
Associate Conference Minister and
Program Coordinator for the Pastoral Excellence Program
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The Honor of Your Presence Is Requested at the Marriage of |
David Castillo Gocher and Christopher T. McAdam
On Saturday. the twenty-sixth of June
Two thousand and ten
Four O'clock in the afternoon
At The Eliot Church of Newton [back to top] |
| Music Notes | |
Children's Music Sunday
Sunday, June 13
Please join the children of Eliot in their enthusiastic rendition of the well known jazz church musical, 100% Chance of Rain by Walter Horsley. This joyful story about Noah and his Ark will be celebrated at the 10am worship service.
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Collection for Zambia |
Patrick O'Reilly will be traveling to Lusaka, Zambia this summer (June 22) as part of a group from churches around the area that are supporting the work of Communities without Borders. CWB is currently supporting and educating about 1,000 AIDS orphans and other vulnerable children, in order to nourish hope for a better future for them, their society and the world. CBW's approach fosters building ongoing community-to-community relationships at the grassroots level in order to increase the quality of educational opportunities for these children. The success of this program has been very impressive...and Eliot has been given a gift to be part of this work.
The primary focus of CWB is to assist with educating young children...it is well established that the longer children, especially girls, can stay in school, the more likely they will not contrat HIV/AIDS. Currently Elliot is supporting a number of children in one of the outlying areas of Lusaka called the Linda Compound. Each summer, the group going to Zambia is asked to bring some basic school supplies with them. The airline is allowingthe group to carry on three 50-pound bags. Patrick requests your help in filling these bags.
Supplies he is collecting:
School supplies: pencils, crayongs, computer paper (81/2 x 11), construction paper, spiral notebooks, tape, chalk, schissors, pens, glue sticks, pencil sharpeners and colored pencils.
Activities, games and manipulatives like Legos, gears, simple puzzles, decks of cards, soccer balls (pumps, too), beach balls, jump ropes and tennis balls.
Books: they should be very basic - the children are in primary school - are just learning English. So, alphabet, numbers, simple stories are best; but all are welcome. Everything will find a place.
As you can see, the needs are simple. And many of the things you give do not have to be new - gently loved ones are fine. You can drop your donations at the church or Patrick will pick them up from you.
If you have any questions, please contact Patrick at patevan@aol.com or 617-964-4593.
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| Church Office Schedule | |
Terri Whitney-Jackson will be on vacation
June 14 - July 6
Pastor Karla will be covering the office while Terri is away.
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| Newton Dialogues on Peace and War | |
"How Can We Promote Civil Discourse about Israel-Palestine in Newton?"
Sunday, June 6, 7:00pm at Eliot Church
Sponsored by Newton Dialogues on Peace and War, this forum will address the reasons why emotions so often run high in discussions of Israel/Palestine issues and what can be done to create a more civil public discourse in Newton. There will be presentations by three speakers: Larry Lowenthal, former New England Director of the American Jewish Committee, now Adjunct Professor in the Jewish Studies Department of Northeastern University; Alice Rothchild, physician, author, activist and member of American Jews for a Just Peace Boston; Sarah Wunsch, staff attorney, American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts; and moderated by Prasannan Parthasarathi, Associate Professor of History, Boston College.
These presentations will be followed by open discussion.
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| Church Family News |
A Note From Virginia Schock
To my church family,
Thank you all for your cards and prayers. I am getting better slowly. I hope I will see you in church soon
Love,
Ginnie
Happy June Birthday!
2 Benjamin Bassett
2 Benjamin Smith
5 Frannie Miller
5 Mimi Zielinski
6 Phil Sharp
6 Tim Walton
7 Maya Stroshane
8 Matthew Hults
10 Mike Mikula
11 David Castillo Gocher
11 Elizabeth Reid
11 Elizabeth Flanagan
13 Nancy Lane
16 Bill Robinson
25 Connie DeVol
25 Dave Persampieri
27 Sachi Hashimoto
30 Sue Dinn
Happy July Birthday!
1 Liz Woodbridge
3 Nina LeDoyt
3 Justin Oppenheimer
3 Terri Whitney-Jackson
4 Diana Rutherford
5 Kelvin Bauer
6 Catherine Holt
6 Richard Munkelwitz
6 David Hults
6 Heidi Matt
9 Ellie DeVol
10 Andrew Craig
10 Michael Owens
11 Gabriela Mata
12 Jordan Underwood
13 Jan Austin Scott
13 Heidi Nepf
15 Lisa Hines
16 Sue Maraventano
20 Bob Horsburgh
20 Jessica Pullen-Schmidt
21 Phoebe Scott
21 Myles Underwood
23 Carol Weyler
24 Connor Finegan Vasu
24 Valerie Boynton
26 Alex Boudette
26 Bill Powers
29 Bruce LeDoyt
30 Robert Young
4 Mary Wright
4 Philip Couturier
6 Willie Persampieri
6 Lauren Pond
6 Wheaton Wilbar
8 Timmy Flanagan
10 Alex Jasset
12 Justin Pond
14 Sarah Reardon
15 Tom Reardon
16 Lauren Pond
16 Jane Gomes
17 Ben Pratt
17 Ben Sauro
17 Nick Seoane
18 Zach Fritz-Kill
19 Cammie Haase Pettingell
19 Billy MacDonald
19 Kelly Bauer
19 Vicky Turbini
23 Cynthia Benn
24 Marge O'Reilly
25 Terry Bracy
25 Vivien Boudette
25 Don Oppenheimer
25 Brendan O'Shaughnessy
27 Ann Ellen Rutherford
27 Gina Haynes
28 Elizabeth Baker
31 Diana Bauer
31 Lisa Byrne
31 Isabel Waitz
Happy June Anniversary
6 Lisa & Jim Byrne
10 Donna & Bob Rombauer
11 Diane Pullen & Lisa Gonsalves
14 Sharon & Fred Balfour
16 Fawn & Robert Dare
17 Virginia & Richard Munkelwitz
25 Anya & Jon Bassett
28 Nina & Bruce LeDoyt
30 Jennifer & Steve Smith
Happy July Anniversary!
1 Paula & Dennis Becker
30 Laura & Jeff Smith
Happy August Anniversary
2 Alison & Jim Stoner
14 Joanne & David Hults
24 Terry & Andy Hackford
29 Ann & Phil Sharp
Congratulations to Our Graduates!
High School
Marissa Apstein graduates from the Dana Hall School on June 13th and will be attending the University of Richmond in the fall.
Robbie Benner, graduates from Newton North High School and will be attending UVM in the fall.
Gary Hashimoto will be going to business school and is in the process of deciding between Hoffstra or Suffolk University. He has received a merit scholarship to Hoffstra.
Sachi Hashimoto completed her High school requirements this year on her own will be going off to St. Lawrence to study Math. She also received a Merit scholarship from them and they will let her enroll in junior college level math classes.
Mary Gwen Scott is graduating with honors from Anderson High School in Austin, Texas. She plans to attend Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, where she hopes to sing in choir and musicals, continue her French studies, participate in the Study Abroad program, and major in film studies. Her goal is to work in the film industry as a screenwriter, film critic, or casting director. She and her family are glad to be part of Eliot's extended family, and send their love to you.
College Stephanie Apstein will be receiving a BA from Trinity College with a double major in French and Italian on May 23rd. She will be attending the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism in the fall.
Chris Clark is graduating from Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York with a Bachelor of Science degree in Digital Cinema. He is looking to work at a digital post-production facility in Los Angeles.
Bethany Lynch graduates May 15 from the University of Arizona and will receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance. Additionally, she has earned a teaching certification at the secondary level. She is currently interviewing at high schools in the Tucson area. Bethany plans to spend the summer in Newton, working as the Dance Specialist at Running Brook Day Camp in Waltham.
Drew Oppenheimer, who graduates from Georgetown University where he majored in Political Economy and minored in Mandarin Chinese. He has a job with The Monitor Group in Cambridge, MA starting in September.
Sam Perrone will be receiving a BA in Community Health and Political Science from Tufts and hoped to intend law school after working for a year.
Adam Rutherford graduates from Purdue University in August with his degree in Aviation Management. He plans on fulfilling his life-long dream of becoming an airline pilot.
Michelle Zielinski, who graduates from UMass/Lowell, with a BS in Civil/Environmental Engineering.
New Baby Congratulations!
Taihu Davis Pratt (Ben Pratt's son and Sandy & Alice's grandson) was born Wednesday, May 5, weighing in at 8 lbs 1oz, and 20 inches long. All are healthy and tired after a long labor starting Monday at about 10:30 am. All grandparents were there except for the actual delivery, but they heard the first baby cries as they stood outside their door and listened. Fei's Father has not come yet from China, but her mother arrived a week ago and plans to stay a year. Ben starts his new job on may 17th, so has a couple of weeks paternity leave.
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The Eliot Church of Newton 
