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The Chimes Online
Federated Church of Ashland
118 Main Street
Ashland, MA 01721 |
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A Note of Praise!
Children's Sunday June 10th! Mark the date on your calendar. June 10th will be a wonderful worship service and all church picnic immediately following. The worship service will be organized and presented by the youth of our church, and will include items of worship, song, talent and art. Look for the sign up board and tear off a item to bring for the picnic. The all church picnic will take place rain or shine, as we would just move it indoors. Come and support our youngsters and make them feel both welcome and cherished by all of us. **** MARK THE DATE Annual Meeting of the Federated Church of Ashland is Wednesday June 13th, at 7pm You participation in this meeting is important as we vote our budget, leadship, programs and discuss our future. ****
Summer Office Volunteers
The Summer will be here before we know it! Please think about YOUR summer schedule. We would like to have the Church Office open during July & August (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 9-Noon). The summer duties include answering the phone, distributing the mail, printing the Sunday bulletin and retrieving the messages off of the answering service (YES! You will be given instructions...it's very easy). If you are available at any time during the summer months (1 day, 2 days, etc.) please call Linda in the Church Office at 508-881-1355 and let her know when you would like to volunteer. Linda will start filling in the calendar as she receives the information. Thank you!
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As noted with the last edition of the Chimes-Online, we are testing it out as a way to reach out to members and friends of the Federated Church of Ashland with current and updated news and information about what is happening in our church, some stories and reflections that might inspire you, and to take advantage of the speed and convenience of electronic media, such as email.
Your thoughts and suggestions are encouraged, and any feedback on how we might improve or even with articles of interest, are welcome.
It is hoped that we can all become more familiar with the exciting things happening in our church, maybe inspire your involvement, and provide a means by which you can share this email with your family and friends. (Simply "forward" it by clinking on the link below.
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 From Larry's Desk.... Well it's official, after the congregational vote on Sunday April 29th, I am now your "settled" pastor. I was thinking about that term "settled". I suppose it could mean that after looking around for a talented pastor, you couldn't find one, so you "settled" for me. <wink> Or, it could mean that after a lot of confusion and upheaval that the "dust has settled" now that I have arrived as your pastor, and everything can "settle down". It might also mean that I can be comfortable, unpack some boxes, get cozy in my new office, meet the people of this wonderful church and "settle in". Well to be honest, I am not sure that any of those uses of the term "settle" really are appropriate for this church, and certainly do not describe my perspective. Much like the Biblical passage from Matthew 10:34-39 where Jesus cautions those who think that he has come to bring peace, he instead says that he has come to challenge them to take up their cross and to follow him, I am excited that together, we can courageously do the same. One of my core beliefs is that we are all called, lay and ordained alike, to bear witness to the love of God and the Good News of Jesus Christ. One of the reasons why I have found it to be a good match for both the church and for me as your pastor, is that so many individual members of this church "do God's work", that I truly feel both at home here and inspired at the same time. 
In this edition I would like to point out two ministries that take place here. One is a somewhat quiet ministry that takes place once a month at Mill Pond Rest Home. While you may know several of the residents there are able to join us for Sunday worship, you may not be aware that one or more members of our church go to the rest home to pick them up and shuttle them back and forth each week. Other members of our church gather in a small meeting area at the home once a month and celebrate with the residents with song and worship, an intimate communion service, so that the less mobile residents are included in the life and ministry of our church. There is no fanfare, there is no announcements, but there are several dedicated members of our church who "minister" to our special neighbors and for them we are blessed.
The second ministry is the Thrift Store, located in the lower level at the far end of the hallway beyond the classrooms. While this ministry has been organized and operated by the Theta Phi Delta women of our church, it is in fact another of the important ministries of our church in which so many of you contribute and participate. Gently used and new items of clothing, along with some household items are collected from the contributions of so many, and made available to those most in dire need in our community at low cost and even at no cost at times. While the funds received are often spent on needed projects around the church, the real ministry is done by a host of volunteers who generously give of their time to work in the thrift store and who make available the critical items needed by those who are most in need. "When I was naked you cl othed me...." I remain excited and proud to join with you all on this journey which we have begun together/ Blessings, Rev. Larry Iannetti |
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Hello Families!
With summer fast approaching we are gearing up for our Vacation Bible School Program. If you can donate one hour of your time (or more!) during the week of July 16th - July 20th it would be much appreciated. Everyone has a gift that they can give! We need helpers to run crafts, donate snacks, help the children with a cooking activity, and lead recreation time. All supplies will be provided as well as the lesson plan. We are breaking the helper's jobs up into time slots to make volunteering easier, so if you can't volunteer for the full 15 hour week - maybe you can do just one hour that week! The children greatly benefit from the interaction with other members from the congregation and more hands make the VBS program more FUN!
The theme for this year is "Operation Overboard: Daring to go deep with God's Love." If you have any decorative "fish-themed" items we can borrow to help us transform the downstairs classrooms into an ocean, they would be greatly appreciated and returned at the end of the week. Also if you know of any child who might like an invite - family, friend, neighbor?? Please contact me @ 978-227-6166 and I will send one out to them.
Blessings,
Devon |
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 "New Life Ministry Luncheon" The Youth of our CE Program wish to invite and welcome the "senior" members of our church and community to another special luncheon hosted by the youth of our church. This month's event takes place this Saturday at 12Noon. The cost is $4 pre person. Please call the church office at 508-881-1355 to confirm your attendance so that we can plan our menu and make sure we have enough food.
This month the luncheon is followed by a special opportunity. Animal Adventures of Bolton, MA is bringing a variety of unique animals to see, touch and learn about. The animal presentation part of our program takes places at 12:30 and does not require a reservation. That portion is also FREE. |
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Brown Bag Sunday
May 20th
Last month we collected 160lbs of non-perishable groceries as part of our church's April contribution to the Ashland Food Pantry to help feed those most in need in our own community. Just a reminder to encourage everyone to bring in a few food items this coming Sunday and see if we continue to respond to the important challenge and keep our total contribution of food above 100 lbs ! There are bins in which to drop off the food items in the narthex, as you enter the church from the street
"For when I was hungry, you gave me something to eat..." Matt: 25:35
One of the ministries of our church. |
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 Birthdays of Our Members for June!
6-1 Cris Colby 6-3 Liz Shuter 6-8 Clayton Reick
6-10 Sue Wells 6-19 Pauline Yorke 6-19 Sue Scotland
6-23 Guy Williams 6-24 Adam Mancini6-25 Busi Maswoswe
6-30 John Ellsworth
Happy Birthday to One and All !! |
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This newsletter is produced by:
The Federated Church of Ashland
118 Main Street, (P.O. Box 26)
Ashland, Massachusetts, 01721
Church office is staffed M-F 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Linda Iarusso, Office Admin.
Rev. Larry Iannetti, Pastor
Telephone 508-881-1355 Office Ext. 21 Pastor Ext . 25
Email:
FCOAoffice@Verizon.net or FCOApastor@verizon.net
Webpage: www.federatedchurchofashland.org
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