SPOTLIGHT

WEEK 4: OCT 23

The Intersection of Scripture and Art 

Discussion led by Pam Cochrane

Hosted by Nancy and Sam Altschuler at 2 Butterfield Rd

Ancient Story and New Voices shares stories of women in the Hebrew Bible, contemporary literature, and the world. Come explore the story, how the book was created and journey on the river that flows through the pages, and over time, bringing new life to the voices and images of those who walk in faith.

"I was searching to find a place where Biblical Text and modern tale can meet the pavement for readers and storytellers. Presented in a woven basket with cloth and palm branches, the book is nestled in its own shroud of protection. Perhaps as if prepared to be drawn from the river itself or cupped in the hands as an offering of solidarity and hospitality. This altered book is an invitation to join the story."

 ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS 

This Sunday we will be receiving new members into our church family during worship at 10am. Please join the Welcoming and Membership Committee during Coffee Hour to celebrate the growth of our church with a piece of cake. And stop by to introduce yourself to Hancock's newest members.   

New members join the church by affirmation of faith or letter of transfer from their previous church. To learn more about membership or about participating in the joining service, contact Rev. Paul Shupe or Rev. Dana Allen-Walsh in the church office, or Membership Committee chair Al Bukys at  membership@HancockChurch.org.

Originally from Russia, Tamara and her mother moved to the US in 1992. There she finished high school in New Haven, CT, then ended up in Boston to attend Northeastern University. She has worked a variety of jobs including: a small Italian grocery store, a coffee shop, a collection agency, and Papa Razzi. After graduating with a B.A. in Graphic Design, she has held several design positions.

In 2005 she met her husband Tobias, online, while he was still living in Germany, and in 2006 he moved to US and they got married in July. He is a wonderful and caring person who has incredible artistic abilities. He also has a green thumb!

In 2008, her daughter Polina was born and has been the biggest inspiration to herself and her husband! Polina is in Kindergarten now, in a public school system, which comes with it's own challenges, but she is involved in PTO and other school associations.

Says Tamara, "In our spare time we like to be outside, attend local events, visit our friends, and cook delicious meals at home. Polina likes to chat weekly with her grandparents (who live in CT and Germany) via Skype, and tell them all about our latest happenings. I try to stay active locally, helping out at Polina's school and attending various Watertown residents' groups. Tobias is in a process of taking care of our garden, repairing an old motorcycle and helping our family friend with his scooter towing business."

Do come by the Offices to introduce yourself  in person!

Date: Sunday, November 3rd

Time: Following Morning Church Service around 11:15 AM

Location: Hancock Church, Pearson Room

Topic: HYG Auction 2014

Every year, there is a HYG mission trip to Kentucky to support H.O.M.E.S. Inc. The HYG auction is organized and run every alternating year by HYG parents. The proceeds from the auction help supplement a portion of the trip expenses. Please come to this meeting to get more information about the auction and how you may help.  

Whether or not you think your child will be going on this trip, the auction is a community building event for Hancock Church.  Volunteers range from new members, to long time members; families who have children attending HYG, to families who no longer have children attending HYG, participate in this event in one way or another.  

So please consider being a part of this event. There are all sorts of volunteer jobs available. Some take very little time, some you can do from your computer at home and some require time the day before and during the event.  

There is something for everyone. For more information, contact either:

Lori Bliss Tambone at ltambone@tambone.com or

Susan Navia at navia@rcn.com.

******SAVE THE DATE - HYG Auction 2014********

Date: Sunday, March 30th, 2014

Time: Following the Morning Service

Location: Clark Hall

Thank you everyone bringing in your beautiful quilts prayer shawls to morning worship. As you can see by Paul Topalian's photos, they made the sanctuary bright, cheerful, warm, and welcoming! Be sure to take them home this Sunday. 

On the second Sunday of November, we will ask everyone to bring in canned goods for the Lexington Food Pantry. We'll decorate the Sanctuary with canned food of all different colors to remind us of the theme for that month Gratitude.

This Sunday, October 27th, marks the start of a month of reflection as we prepare for Commitment Sunday on November 24th. On Commitment Sunday we will pledge our individual financial support for the work of Hancock in the coming year.  

"Delight in Giving" is our Stewardship theme this year. Psalm 37:4 tells us: "Delight yourself in the Lord; And, he will give you all the desires of your heart." God knows our hearts, our needs and our desires even better than we do. While it may not always be apparent to us, he gives us what we need.  

As members of Hancock, each of us serves in God's name, giving and receiving our talents, time and treasures in our own way. We do this with joy and with the knowledge that, through our giving and receiving, we will grow stronger in our faith.

Please join us this Sunday to celebrate our gifts of time and talent as we kick off a month of celebration and joy for all we have received and all the ways we can give back.  

Stewardship Team

Bess Deck, Robin DiGiammarino, Skip Irving, Manuel Navia

 EDUCATION & SMALL GROUPS 

The First Thursday Discussion Group will continue this fall. Rev. Dana Allen Walsh will be leading the group. The group meets: 

   October 3

   November 7 - we'll be discussing ch. 5-8 

   December 5  

   at 10 am in the Pearson room 

We will be discussing Lean In:  Women, Work and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg. All are welcome to join the group for a lively conversation of thinking outside of the box. Contact: Lois Smith Martin smithmartin224@verizon.net, (781) 270-0304.

There is a lot of buzz about this new book.

Like or dislike; agree or disagree, come and join the conversation!  Here are some quotes from the book we'll be discussing:

"What would you do if you weren't afraid?"

"Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence."

"We cannot change what we are not aware of, and once we are aware, we cannot help but change."

 SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES   

Join Sustainable Harvest International and other Hancock Church members for a hands-on, educational service trip in Panama.

Live and work with local families who are learning how to use organic and sustainable farming techniques to improve their lives and restore tropical forests.

Join Sustainable Harvest International and other Hancock Church members for a hands-on, educational service trip in Panama

The Trip: Travel to Tranquilla, Panama - a rural community in the highlands - to work with local families on sustainable farming and reforestation projects. Local farmers will be our teachers, and together, we'll work, reflect, relax, and build deep and lasting bonds. Participants will stay with host families while in the community, and the trip will end with a relaxing stay on the coast of Panama.

The Purpose: To support Sustainable Harvest International in its mission to provide farming families in Central America with training and tools to overcome poverty while restoring our planet's tropical forests. 

Work Projects: Planting vegetable gardens, building tree nurseries, building wood-conserving stoves, planting trees, implementing erosion control measures, building rice patty and fish pond systems.

When: Tentatively scheduled for the week of February 16, alternative date is the week of January 19, which would allow families with students to participate. The dates will be set based on the needs of trip participants.

Cost: Trip fee is $1500 (excluding air fare). Deposit of $500 is due November 20.

For more information please contact Charlotte Dougherty (781) 863-8018, charlottepdougherty@gmail.com; or Nancy Rottman at nancy.rottman@hancockchurch.org.