November 19, 2015
Issue 6
In Today's Issue:
Advent Event
Book Study - How, Then, Shall We Live?

Community Building and Music Director Updates
Community Events
Congratulatory Messages
Epiphany Tableau

South Church Seniors Events
Women's Retreat

Advent Event
Sunday, November 29
 
The Faith Formation Ministry will be hosting an Advent Event on Sunday, November 29 from 12noon to 2p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Potluck lunch will begin at 12noon. Bring a main dish, salad/side dish, soup & bread or a dessert to share. Beverages will be provided. Advent activities will begin at 12:30p.m. And we will end the afternoon with a brief worship service with carols.
To help us plan accordingly, we ask you to sign-up for this event. The sign-up sheet is located in Fellowship Hall on the Faith Formation Ministry bulletin board.   

The renovations to the two apartments at the Community Building are complete! 
 
Members of the Property Stewardship Management will be over at the two apartments after both services on Sunday November 22 so that any interested members of the congregation can come,  take a look and ask questions before we fill the units with tenants. 
Music Director

 We are very pleased to welcome Victoria Cole as our new Music Director.  Vicky comes to us from Franconia, New Hampshire.  She is an adjunct professor of Voice & Alexander Technique at Plymouth State University.  For the past several years, she has also served as the Music Director for the Franconia Community Church of Christ (UCC) in Franconia, NH.  Before that, she lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and spent five years as choir director at the First Unitarian Church.  Victoria has a Master's degree in music from Carnegie-Mellon University.
 
Victoria will begin her new position at South Church on January 7, 2016.  Please join us in extending a warm welcome to her!
 
Sincerely,
The Music Director Search Committee (Tina Annis, Sue Farris, Sara Willingham, Richard Cowing, and Ryan Sahr)

music

Note Cards
A project of the
Faith Formation Ministry
 
Note cards are for sale through the end of December.  Each packet of 12 cards includes all four photos of our beautiful stained glass windows.  The packets cost $12 and make lovely Christmas gifts.  Images were taken by Becky Field.

Cards may be purchased on Sundays during Fellowship Hour or through the church office during the week.  This fund raiser is a project of the Faith Formation Ministry.  
Book Study
How, Then, Shall We Live?
 
Join other South Church members in reading Wayne Muller's book,"How, Then, Shall We Live?"  The book is a reflection on four important life-questions that help us focus on our truly
unique, God-given selves and the joys that await when we listen to our lives' deepest callings.  Besides offering personal guidance, the book offers us as a congregation the chance to become still better-connected through conversation and reflection. We have scheduled three dates this coming year during which we will have brown bag lunch gatherings after church to reflect together on the four questions.  The dates are December 6, February 7 and April 10.  All are welcome!  Copies may be purchased at a discount at Gibson's Book Store (mention South Church). 

Thank you!
I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.       Phil 1:3-5
Paul is expressing his joy and gratitude for the support of his fledgling congregation at Phillippi.  At South Church we also want to express joy and gratitude for all our members and friends who contribute to our work together as a community of faith.  The day-in and day-out missions and ministries of South Church are sustained by our offerings and our endowment and special projects are funded by those who remember South Church in their estate plans.  This fall we are particularly grateful for a generous bequest from Cindy Biese who many of us knew and admired.  Parts of her gift have been designated for outreach for a much needed update of office equipment, for support of the 6 South State St. project, and for gifts for our staff, with the remainder going to bolster our invested funds. So thank you - to Cindy and to each of you for your ongoing support.
                                                  Lynne Morgan, Giving Ministry
                                                  Tina Annis, Planned Giving

Jim Kinhan
Congratulations go to our very own Jim Kinhan who was recognized at the thirteenth
annual "Spirit of NH Awards" on Nov. 10, at the Capitol Center for the Arts.   Jim, along with many other recipients from all corners of NH, received the "Service Award" from the First Gentleman, Tom Hassan. Jim was sited for his extraordinary work with the South Church Soup Fest, which has now gained city wide support and become the Community Souper Fest. We also applaud Jim for his many other volunteer loves such as cup stacking club and offering teacher support at Beaver Meadow School, working with The Friendly Kitchen, The Homeless Shelter and his extraordinary extra hours of creative leadership with the South Church Seniors! Congratulations Jim...you have cornered the market on volunteering for meaningful causes!

Legacy Society
High school sweethearts, Cy and Gordon moved to Havenwood in 2003 and joined South Church in 2004. They continue to enjoy building connections and making friends through a variety of activities such as the South Seniors group, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, committees, and painting the labyrinth.  Both came from families who were active in the church, and both their parents provided for the church. When it came time to update their estate plan, Cy and Gordon included South Church to ensure that it can offer to future generations what it has offered them. As they periodically review their estate plan, they will increase their gift as they can.
Cy and Gordon spoke joyfully of the church community as their home. Thank you, Cy and Gordon, for strengthening South Church's foundation and welcome to the Legacy Society!
South Church Seniors

Sunday, December 6 - 8:00am-noon
Fellowship Hall
Donations of STUFF (small items that are re-giftable) to this happy event are welcome and will be collected at the church on Friday, December 4 from 3:30-5:00pm and Saturday, December 5 from 10:00am to 1:00pm.

Then come to worship on December 6 and check it out.  Petty cash buckets will be available for your contributions.  Proceeds will benefit the Senior High Youth Group Mission Trip.  Questions, call 224-2521.


On Wednesday, November 18, Jason Teaster entertained the South Seniors with his music from the South (along with his new daughter Birdie)! A wonderful southern luncheon was prepared by Ms. Ginny. 



Important Notice
The December Senior lunch program has been changed and will be held on Wednesday, December 9 at 11:30am.  The program will feature the seniors sharing stories of their family Christmas celebrations followed by an advent worship service led by Pastor Carlos.  Be sure to put this change on your calendar.


Women's Retreat
Women of South Church, be on the lookout for a flyer/registration form for our one-day women's retreat, SPA FOR THE SOUL 2016:  HEALING WATERS.  The date is Saturday,  January 23, 2016 (snow date is January 30).  In this repeat of 2015's Spa for the Soul, we will worship and break bread together, explore a variety of spiritual practices and learn how our spirit responds to our surroundings.  Lunch and dinner included.  To receive the flyer by email, please send your email address to Sue Marcotte-Jenkins at [email protected].  To lend a hand in organizing/helping the day of the retreat,  please contact Sally Bird at 225-1959.




Thanksgiving Day Interfaith Gathering
A Day of Gratitude
Thursday, November 26, 9:00am
Concordia Lutheran Church
211 N. Main St., Concord 
Collection to benefit Family Promise of Greater Concord

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GRANITE STATE RINGERS
proudly presents
Holiday Bronze 2015

First Congregational Church
1548 Hopkinton Rd., Hopkinton, NH

Saturday
December 12, 2015
7:00 pm

Adults $10
Children/Seniors $8
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The leaves are falling, winter is soon upon us! Get a jump on holiday shopping with Merrimack County Conservation District's Holiday Fundraiser!
 
This winter season, Merrimack County Conservation District is offering a selective holiday fundraiser highlighting quality gift items, many of which are made locally in Merrimack County. Whether you need a stocking stuffer or the perfect holiday party hostess gift, the MCCD Holiday Fundraiser has what you're looking for! Gift items include maple syrup, handmade decorative candles, wildlife conservation items, indoor bulb kits, and poinsettias. Complete product descriptions and the order form are available to download and print from the MCCD website at www.merrimackccd.org in the "Fundraiser" section. Order forms are due back by December 4th. Completed orders may be picked up at the MCCD office in Concord. Please call 223.6023 or email [email protected] with any questions!

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