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The Chimes Online
 
Federated Church of Ashland

118 Main Street

Ashland, MA  01721

Volume Two, 8th EditionSeptember 2013 
A Note of Praise!
Angel
 
Join Us for a 
Bible Study
  
We gather in the Church Parlor the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month at 6 PM.  We have been following the Upper Room Devotional which is available at each meeting and is also available in the Church Office.  No prior knowledge is required.  It is informal and casual. Join us for a wonderful time of spiritual fellowship.
  All Are Welcome!
  

 

Office Hours

Phone 

The Church Office is staffed Monday-Friday mornings from 9-Noon. 

 

Larry is in the office as usual, Monday-Thursday and is also available by phone as needed.  

 

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As noted with the last edition of the Chimes-Online, we are testing it  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 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 clicking on the link below.
 
Join Our Mailing List
Larry 2013

 

from Larry's desk...

While it is likely that if you are receiving The Chimes Online, you either consider the Federated Church of Ashland as your church, or you are connected to us as one of our friends.   Whatever your relationship, it is hoped that you believe in the good work which God has begun here.   Chances are that you already support the Federated Church in your prayers and in your deeds, and that when the opportunity presents itself, you share your belief that this church community represents something special. 

Do you tell others what goes on here?  Do you share that we have made it a pillar of our mission to be a church where "All Are Welcome"?   While that might seem to be merely a catchy slogan, have you ever stopped to realize that many people think that church is a place for "saints" alone?  

We at the Federated Church of Ashland have made it our mission to make sure that we are a place for saints and "sinners" alike, for people who might feel disenfranchised, for people who don't fit the mold, for people who are uncertain what they believe when it comes to God, and for anyone else who seeks a place where people are slow to judge and quick to embrace.

If you believe that our church is a special place, where we all strive to extend God's extravagant welcome,  then tell someone else about us, and invite them to share in the work that God has begun here.

 

Family Promise and the Federated Church: New Families Have Arrived!

Beds

 

We are hosting the families from the Family Promise Metrowest program for one week starting beginning yesterday. September 15th.   The volunteer sign-up board is in the Sanctuary and some openings have already been filled. The success of the program depends on help from our congregation as well as outside groups.   Please consider volunteering to prepare a meal, be an evening or overnight host, or sign up to be part of our set-up or take-down teams.

 

All the families in the program since our May hosting date have moved on.   It is a good feeling to know that we contributed to their success in finding housing for their families.

 

We currently have two families staying with us; One family with two parents and five children and with two parents and two children.

Please contact me at [email protected] or phone 508-881-1318 with any questions you may have about volunteering.   God bless you all in helping to make this program a success.

 

Lois Tougas,

Meals and Food Coordinator 

null      Federated Church

   Pumpkin Patch

    Oct 12th-Nov 2nd

In a few short weeks the front lawn of the church will be covered with orange pumpkins stacked in neat piles from the driveway to the left, all the way to the walkway on the right. It is our church's Pumpkin Patch!   It is all part of an exciting fund raiser we are trying out, as a way to both bring attention to our church and to raise funds to support the ongoing work of our church.

 

Imagine piles of pumpkins, along with the spectacular Fall foliage colors of our tress, and our beautiful white clapboard church and steeple in the background. In will certainly be a Kodak moment to coin a phase, wouldn't you agree?

 

The pumpkins arrive by tractor trailer on October 12th around Noon. We are lining up youth volunteers along with able bodied adults to help unload the truck and arrange the pumpkins.

 

 Beginning that afternoon forward, until the day of our Church Fair on Nov. 2nd, we will need ALL MEMBERS and FRIENDS of our church to sign up to cover two hour blocks of time to staff the sales table.  We will be looking for pairs of volunteers to cover all of the time slots which will be post at the church.   No walking or lifting is required. Just greet the interested customers and help with the sales.

 

BACKGROUND: Our church will be participating in a movement which is catching hold across the country. A non-profit church based organization is offering to deliver free pumpkins, grown by Navajo native Americans in New Mexico, which we then sell. Depending upon our sales volume, our church gets to keep from 25% to 40% of the proceeds of the sales. Churches from Worcester to Wellesley have been participating and have benefited from this program. Our participation would be of financial

benefit our church, the church organization which manages the program, while providing meaningful labor and income to native Americans. null

 

Jim Buchman is our lead coordinator, with Margot Ellsworth and Pete Russo as assistant coordinators. 

 

null  Church Fair News...
  
The 2013 Annual Church Fair is just 6 weeks away on Saturday November 2nd!  Much work and planning needs to get done.  This is the one yearly event that everybody can be part of in some way.  Its a great way for us to prove that we ARE the "All Are Welcome Church" !
      We are having "lawn signs" made to promote this year's fair.  Let us know if you can place a sign on your front lawn and help defray its cost....

      We welcome all folks both new and returning volunteers.  We will be utilizing the whole building which allows for many more rooms to be filled with your ideas, so bring them on!

      Some of the rooms that will be returning include the ever loved "New-to-You", LuncheonTheta Phi, Country Store, Thrift Shop, Books, Raffle Room (always looking for donations!), Fudge, Bakery, Hand Sewn Boutique (items by Melanie and Margot). We would like to see a "kids spot" return as well the Art from the many artist of our own congregation.  Our 2013 fair will follow our Pumpkin Patch Sales, which will be a huge attraction for the month on October and the week of the fair a Red Cross Blood drive, so we have all this extra ways of advertising!

Share Your Thoughts....

 

 How about sharing your thoughts...on our Church, on Faith, on Gratefulness, on Family, on Life or on the Cosmos.  Feel free to put into word your thoughts, jot them down and share them.   Email your thoughts to Larry for inclusion in a future Chimes.  (Please understand that the articles will be reviewed for their appropriateness.)
 

 

  

 
Our Members
September Birthdays

 

9/3     Pete Russo

9/4     Matthew Franklin

9/8     Jimmy Russo

9/10    Alan Mancini

9/11     Bill Tougas

9/14    Alice Bixby

9/15    Raman Krishnan

9/15    Sydney Howard

9/18    Sue Wallace

9/18    Emily Wenzell

9/20   Bill Wallace

9/22   Linda Russo

9/26   Vickie Mancini

9/28    Kim Conner 

 

 Happy Birthday to One and All !! 

 

If we missed your birthday it means we don't have it in our records, please call the church office and leave your information with Linda - thanks!

From Christian Education

 

Welcome back families and friends of the Ashland Federated Church!  We hope you all had a wonderful summer and enjoyed time relaxing with your family and friends.

 

The CE Committee would like to welcome our new CE Coordinator Yucchabelle Cote.  Yucci has professional experience working with children and families.  We arenull very excited to have Yucci with the CE Program and we look forward to working with her.

 

Each month, Sunday School will meet on all Sundays except Communion Sunday, which is typically the first Sunday of the month.  We will provide a lesson, a craft and a snack for the children. 

 

The Nursery will be available on Sunday mornings during Worship Service.

 

We plan to have special activities for the children throughout the year and we will keep you updated. 

 

Sincerely,

 

The CE Committee

   

New Confirmation Class

Starting Sunday October 6th.

 null

     Pastor Larry is excited to be leading our Confirmation Class this year.  The class will meet the 1st Sunday of each month from Oct through May from 6pm to 7:30 pm in the church parlor.  The class is open to youth ages 12-17. 

 

     If your son or daughter and their friends might be interested please contact the church off to register them.  The format will primarily be "faith discussions".

Contact Pastor Larry with any questions. 

 

Ashland Day at Stone Park

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Come support our Church's children's game booth,

 "In the Bucket" this Saturday as part of Ashland day.  It is a great way to have some fun and support our CE Program's Outreach.  Bring your children and your neighbors kids as well. 

This newsletter is produced by:

Federated Church of Ashland

118 Main Street, (P.O. Box 26)

Ashland, Massachusetts  01721

 

Church Office is staffed Monday-Friday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

 

Linda Iarussi, Office Manager

Rev. Larry Iannetti, Pastor

 

Telephone: 508-881-1355     Office: Ext. 21     Pastor:  Ext. 25

 

Email: fcoa[email protected]    or     fcoa[email protected]

Webpage: www.federatedchurchofashland.org  

Calendar of Events

 

Adult Bible Study

Held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month @ 6:00 PM in the Church Parlor. Please join us anytime!

 

 

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