Central Square Congregational Church, United Church of Christ

February 2021


We are a Christian community of people who are reaching out to our neighbors, 
at home and abroad, sharing our faith and our resources.

 

Central Square Congregational Church, UCC, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts is an open and affirming
church. No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.


From the Desk of Rev. Beth

Rev. Elizabeth Stotts, Pastor

 

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time on and forevermore.”  -Psalm 125:2


On New Year's Day my family sat in our living room and we joked about the number of blankets we own. We contemplated giving some away, but they all hold such special meaning to us we can’t stand the thought of letting them go. They are all beautiful, and we use them, and we’re grateful. Surrounding the birth of our daughter we received *no less* than 12 blankets, mostly hand crafted. We have blankets made out of our old t-shirts, memories of events in our past. My son has his fleece blanket from Anne Chaffee that keeps him warm on cold winter nights. My husband has his beloved Kermit blanket from his childhood. This Christmas I was gifted a tortilla blanket from my brother-in-law so that I could wrap myself up as a burrito. Blankets are a symbol of love and care from one person to another. Blankets, especially as a gift, symbolically surround us with love. Blankets are hugs. After the year we’ve had, we all need a hug. 


A couple of weeks ago in an email exchange with our Outreach Committee and our Diaconate we talked about our annual Blanket Sunday. Are we going to do it this year? The answer is YES! We need Blanket Sunday. We need the reminder of the loving care that a blanket can provide. Blankets remind us that we are loved and cared for, not just by parents and friends, but by entire communities and, in extension, by God. God surrounds us and envelopes us in love in this (often troubling) world. We all need this reminder. But especially the most vulnerable in our world need that reminder. And this is a ministry and a love our church community can provide. 


So please join our VIRTUAL BLANKET OFFERING on Blanket Sunday, February 14. You can use the "blanket donation" button at the very top of this page. Or you can mail in a check to the church -- just put "blanket Sunday" in the memo field, and donate $10 for each blanket you wish to donate. Donations are being accepted now through Blanket Sunday, February 14.


Do you have a special blanket? I’d love to hear about it!  
                
Yours In Christ,
Rev. Beth


 

In-person worship closure extended until further notice*

* The building is available to the Bridgewater Food Pantry, 12-step support groups,

and small group gatherings under strict guidelines and protocols, by reservation only.

 

Dear Friends of CSCC,


While we all desperately want to come back to church, and coffee hour, and youth events … and so much more, it’s simply not safe to do so yet. We have to stay the course, stay home, mask up when we need to go out, and keep our distance for just a bit longer. Then when we do gather once more, we’ll be able to come together and truly celebrate.


We were hoping that by now, and by mid-February (the beginning of Lent), we’d be able to begin worshipping all together again. But the number of cases is still high, and now we hear news of new strains that are more contagious. So instead of picking yet another somewhat random goal date, our plan is now to look at resuming in-person worship when large group indoor gatherings are again allowed. At that point, we will then reassess the data from our area as well as the state, and review the recommendations of the UCC as well as our own Re-opening Task Force.


And as we’ve said before, thank you to all that have been “thinking outside the box” of ways our community can continue to stay connected and support each other and the community at large. We are truly blessed to have each other.


Until then, we will continue to broadcast Sunday services on Facebook and YouTube, and rebroadcast them on BTV. We will also continue to stay connected as a community through the Steeple Sounds newsletter, the CSCC website, and Facebook, and connect with each other one on one through phone calls, texts, emails, Zoom, and cards...and maybe even the occasional drive-by communion or takeout dinner fundraiser.


Be well and be safe, and keep the church and each other in your prayers.

 

REMOTE WORSHIP ON FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE


• We will continue to worship virtually for the forseeable future.
• Use the link on the homepage of www.csccucc.org to access Sunday worship. Click on the COVID-19 update link to access the YouTube link for past services.
•  Sunday Worship will continue to be livestreamed from the Sanctuary at 10 a.m. Only the Pastor, the Minister of Music, and the Director of Video Evangelism will be allowed in the building.  

 

 

 

Booth Video Productions and BTV Access Corporation team up to bring you livestream productions of our services. The link to watch the service live, as well as an electronic copy of our bulletin so that you can follow along, is available each week that we are broadcasting on our website homepage, www.csccucc.org. You can watch weekly sermons live on YouTube courtesy of Paul Holmes and Booth Video (search Central Square Congregational Church).

 

A  quick reminder that Central Square Sunday service can be viewed on BTV Channel 9 on Sundays at 8pm, Mondays at 1pm, Tuesdays at 10am, and Fridays at 3pm. Generally the programming is updated mid-week. Also, if you miss a service or other special programming and would like to watch On Demand or download a copy, you can check out youtube.com/c/Booth-video/videos or btvaccess.viebit.com


Our Online Ministry Continues to be Strong
Paul Holmes, our Minster of Video Evangelism, reported at Cabinet last month that our online viewership continues to be strong, whether live on YouTube or Facebook, or playback on BTV. There have been Sunday worship services with over 100 views, and a lot of great interaction with inspirational Facebook posts, videos, and announcements. The singalong, too, attracted a great audience!

 


 

Caring for our Community

Do you need a meal, a call, spiritual care, or even just a prayer or a chat?

Contact the Pastor, a Deacon, or a member of our Care Team.

 

To contact Rev. Beth, call the church office at 508-697-6016 
(the church phone is being answered remotely during the shutdown)

or email her at csccpastor @ hotmail.com

 

CSCC Deacons
Deb Sorgman – debsorgman @ gmail.com
Lynn Pietras – lsypie @ aol.com

 

CSCC Care Team
Carol Chaffee
Phoebe Hogg
Bev Mitchell

John Scott

Rev. Beth Stotts

Contact the church office if you need us!


 

The Bridgewater Food Pantry, hosted by CSCC, will remain open its usual days and times (Thursdays, 10am-1pm, first Mondays of the month, 6-7:30pm), although with slightly different format to respect the crucial physical distancing. 


Precautions have been put in place so that patrons will not come in contact with each other during their visit. If you have lost your job or have kids at home from school and need some assistance with food, please feel welcome to go (Bridgewater residents only). 


If you would like to help out, you can drop off non-perishable donations at the side door of the church every weekday from 9 to 1. Just leave them outside the door. They especially need ingredients for breakfasts and lunches. You can also donate money via check that can be mailed to the church (make check out to "CSCC" and put "food pantry" in the memo, and mail to 71 Central Square, Bridgewater MA 02324), or by electronically by CLICKING HERE.

 

The Food Pantry crew would like to extend a huge thank you to church members and the Bridgewater community for their continued generosity in the form of donated food and money. These have enabled to Food Pantry to give out groceries every Thursday and purchase some grocery gift cards for clients to purchase grocery items not suppled at the pantry.

 

 

Please note that the office will be closed on Monday, February 15 in observance of Presidents Day.

 

Please also note the change of date for the next Cabinet meeting.

It will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 7pm via Zoom. 

Contact the office for the login info if you wish to attend. All are welcome!

Welcome all Women of CSCC: Pajama Party/Game Night!

 

Usually in February we are ready for some light-hearted fun and hold our annual auction. This year, we are trying something different and hope it will also be a fun, light-hearted occasion. On Wednesday, February 3, starting at 6:30 PM, we are having a pajama party/game night via Zoom. So cozy up to your computer or tablet with your jammies and a cup of your favorite beverage and join us for some sharing and games.


If you are not a member of Guild, but would like to join in, email Sandy (sna3545@comcast.net) or Bette (bdekoning3@gmail.com) for the link to our meeting.


Looking forward to seeing you all!
  

Sandra Alley, Bette de Koning
Co-Presidents

 

 

 

To all our Central Square Congregational family,


We are at a time in our social and political lives to accept and open our arms to fellow members and listen to people of all views. Accept them as God would and has spoken in the Bible so many times. As you know, we do not always have to agree with them, but to listen and discuss their and our own views will lead to better understanding in our community and perhaps our world.


Your Growth Committee supports our church handling of the Covid-19 pandemic situation and we hope and pray we will be able to get together, solidify our relationships with God and ourselves. We also look forward to the time that we can gather in community once again, connecting in person with each other, and welcoming our friends, new and old, alongside us in the pews or over a cup of coffee.

 

Remember this Bible passage:
And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. ~ Mark 11:22-24

 

Yours In Christ,
Growth Committtee
Mike Bundock, Gail Wershing, Pat Lindsey, Tracey Doherty


VALENTINE'S DAY CHICKEN PARMESAN TAKEOUT DINNER!
(with penne pasta, meatballs, focaccia bread, and a chocolate dessert) -- Restaurant dining at home!


Open to the public!


DINNER FOR TWO $35
Catered by Boston Tavern, Middleborough
Pay at pickup, cash or check only
Sunday, February 14  *  Pickup is 5:15-5:45pm



 

The Rev. Charles Edward Stowe, 
son of Harriet Beecher Stowe, 
was pastor of CSCC 
from 1902 - 1908.

 

Do you have a fun fact about CSCC that you want to share? Tell the church office!

 

 

 

Secret Mission!

WANTED: Cow curriers to secretly deliver cows to various families within the church.  Will take experienced or inexperienced curriers. Looking for males, females, or families (children are encouraged to help).


JOB DESCRIPTION: Must be able to secretly deliver Faith, Hope, or Charity (our lovely wooden Heifer cows) to various people within our community to help raise money for Heifer Project. May involve 3 or 4 days during a month’s time.


If you are interested in joining the fun or would like more information please e-mail me at terryr0647@hotmail.com.  

 

For more than 25 years, the children of CSCC have planned and looked forward to holding a Living Gift Market to raise money for Heifer Project. The money the children raise is used to purchase animals such as cows, chickens, goats, sheep etc. to be given to needy families around the world to help improve their lives. The families are trained in the care and feeding of the animals and how they may earn money by selling the animals by-products such as cow or goat’s milk, chicken’s eggs, llama’s hair, rabbit fertilizer, etc. 


This is the first year the children were unable to hold a Living Gift Market. We can still raise money for Heifer Project by delivering the cows to various families in the church and for a fee have the cow removed from your lawn and delivered to a family of their choice. More information to follow regarding this fun event. I am encouraging families to volunteer as cow curriers. What a fun way for children to help raise money for Heifer!


Terry Reynolds  

 

Community

The rise and fall of community in our country. What does that statement say to you?  How does it speak to you today, as we surpass 10 months of isolation as a result of this pandemic?

 

That might not be the most inspiring way to introduce a CSCC Care Team Newsletter article, but there is hope in those words and that hope comes from many of you. So, I say “Thank You” on behalf of the Care Team at Central Square Congregational Church. We have done well to stay in “Community” with one another, in relationship with one another.  It hasn’t been perfect by any means, but we do get an “A” for effort.  I recall when Rev. Beth was first called to be our pastor, her words embraced “community” and “relationship”.

 

I am currently reading a book “Bowling Alone” by Robert Putnam. It was written at the turn of the century and the subtitle is “The collapse and revival of American Community.”  Now you could say that the theme is outdated but my reasoning was to read this book as a precursor to Putnam’s new book “The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again” Hardcover – October 13, 2020.  To me, it seems fascinating.


My current bookmark in “Bowling Alone” is Chapter 4: Religious Participation. I will finish with a quote from the chapter.
“Faith communities in which people worship together are arguably the single most important repository of social capital in America. ‘The church is people,’ says Reverend Craig McMullen, the activist co-pastor of the Dorchester Temple Baptist Church in Boston. ‘It’s not a building; it’s not an institution, even.  It is relationships between one person and the next.’  As a rough rule of thumb, our evidence shows, nearly half of all associational memberships in America are church related, half of all personal philanthropy is religious in character, and half of all volunteering occurs in a religious context. So how involved we are in religion today matters a lot for America’s social capital.”

 

In community,
Carol Chaffee

Women's Walking Spirituality

 

Are you tired of Zoom meetings?
Do you miss your church friends?
Need some spirituality?


Join other women of the church for a walk and talk

spirituality adventure.

 

• When: Saturday Feb. 6, 2021  11:00am
• Where: Carver’s Pond, Bridgewater
• What: Meet in the lot, share a prayer and scripture. Walk in small groups to discuss.

 

Questions: Call the church office or email Denise Molinari denmol@comcast.net


Weather: If inclement weather or below freezing, watch your email for rescheduling.


Don’t forget your mask!
 

 

Blanket Sunday

The Outreach Committee and the Board of Deacons are teaming up to reach out to those needing warmth during these cold months. You are invited to join us in what has been known as Church World Service (CWS) Blanket Sunday. Here is a quote from CWS.... 


“One night in the cold. That’s all it takes to remember how important a blanket is. So, for people around the world struggling to sleep on freezing sidewalks, in unfamiliar evacuation centers or shelters, or in a drafty home, a blanket is a treasure. Give a blanket to cover someone with warmth......and the reminder that they’re not alone.” 


Let’s share our treasures and love and buy some blankets in February. Every $10 donation pays for a blanket. 


You can make one or more $10 donations by clicking the ‘donate blanket’ button at the top of this page. Or you can mail a check to the church office (payable to "CSCC", and with "blanket Sunday" in the memo field).

 

 

 

Historical Church Building Committee

All of our paperwork is in place. All of our applications have been approved for Phase 1 of our restoration project, and we have been awarded Community Preservation Committee grant money from the town. Our very last form of business is the preservation restriction agreement, or deed restriction,  between the town of Bridgewater and Central Square Church. Since this is the last requirement in the process, and it is requested by the town, it was agreed by the town that they will pay the fee to Brian Pfeiffer, a historic preservationist, the sum of $6,500 to complete the paperwork. 


It is a lengthy process of approximately 8-9 months from start to finish. When this is done and filed in the Plymouth County courthouse, money will be available to us to begin the project, for Phase 1. Gale Associates, who will be overseeing and contracting the work, will invoice the town directly (and not the church).


Restoration of the church should begin in the Fall of 2021.


Barbara Morey

 

An Unexpected Gift

It is November and the Baby is crawling quietly towards us. This is going to be a different Christmas than we have ever experienced before due to the corona virus. In order to stay safe many family traditions will have to be put aside and new ones substituted in their place.


There is one Christmas tradition here at CSCC we could still have that would decorate the sanctuary and then become a gift to people within the church.  A call went to Rev. Beth getting permission to decorate the Sanctuary with poinsettias. She was in agreement.  Called the History and Memorial committee to see if they could do their part and they were on board. Next, a call went to the greenhouse owner and he said it was possible. Everything was coming together.  The baby was creeping closer.  


A few days later, the phone rang. The caller suggested we decorate the sanctuary with poinsettias. When I told the caller it was a plan already in the making, she added a new twist to our project. She suggested we place flowers in the church the Sunday before Christmas as well as Christmas Eve.  At the time it seemed like a good addition to our plan. The baby was picking up the pace.


As Christmas moved closer trouble began to bubble up. Following the Advent Bible study one of the participants and I walked into the Sanctuary to decide on flower placement.  We quickly realized the sanctuary was too cold for poinsettias, only 55 degrees. We were not going to be able to leave the flowers in the sanctuary for a week. Poinsettias are comfortable at 65 to 75 degrees.  What to do.  Another call to Rev. Beth asking permission to move the flowers into the church office after each service. We would keep the office temperature at 65 to 70 degrees.


Now the baby was at the door.  It was time to call the greenhouse owner to arrange the time to pick up the flowers. The greenhouse owner was all apologies trying to explain the problem.  During a rainstorm he lost the covering to the greenhouse. When he called for flowers from a distributer, he discovered he missed the deadline time for delivery.  He apologized for not calling. I asked for a suggestion as to where we could purchase 21 poinsettias.  The next day the History and Memorials committee went shopping and returned to the church with the flowers. The flowers arrived in time for the birth of the baby. 


It is the day after Christmas and it is time to deliver the flowers to their new owners. The 3 members of History and Memorials gathered the poinsettias and each with their list set off to make their deliveries. I had a list of 6 people.  I realized, in that moment, I had only seen one of these people in the last 9 months. As I climbed out of my car wearing my mask I was greeted warmly at each home and chatted for a while. I realized the baby had arrived, for we were giving each other one of the greatest gifts of all, the gift of friendship. Christmas had truly arrived.
   
The History & Memorials Committee
Barbara Morey, Rachel Lawson,& Terry Reynolds

 

 

Come celebrate with us!

It was an unusual year, but we have many things to be thankful for from 2020. The Zoom link will be sent out via email on February 12. If you aren't sure if you're on our email list, or you aren't sure how to attend, contact the church office. 


The purpose of this meeting, as stated in the CSCC Constitution, is to hear reports of the officers, boards, committees, and organizations. There is no other business scheduled to be transacted at this year’s meeting.

 

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 17

 

• There will be an Ash Wednesday VIRTUAL SERVICE OF SCRIPTURE AND SONG. Watch your email, the Facebook page, and our website for details as the date approaches.

 

• Rev. Beth will have “ASHES TO GO” available beginning Sunday, Feb. 7. The kits will have ashes on qtips, in baggies, along with a prayer and instructions, for you to administer yourself at home on Ash Wednesday. They can be picked up at the “drive-by communion” on Feb. 7, 11am-12noon, at the side door of the church, or by arrangement any time between then and the 17th. 

 

• Rev. Beth is also preparing a LENTEN STUDY GUIDE, and will have it available on the 7th as well. The Guide will also be distributed by email. A sample from the Guide is below.

 

• The LENTEN BOOK STUDY is “Lent in Plain Sight”. See below for details.

 


 

To find the below Lectionary online, go to www.macucc.org/Lectionary.



 

CSCC Cabinet Meeting – Minutes
January 20, 2021, 7pm via Zoom teleconferencing

 

The virtual meeting was called to order at 7:02.

 

Cabinet members in attendance: Rev. Beth Stotts, Pastor; Anne Malmquist, Moderator; Denise Molinari, Vice Moderator; Dave Sheibley, Treasurer; Larry Brown, Asst. Treasurer; Diane Sheibley, Clerk; Ed Buckland, Board of Trustees; Lynn Pietras, Board of Deacons; Marci Langevin, Board of Christian Education; Bill O’Neil, Board of Christian Outreach; Barbara Morey, History & Memorials Committee; Gail Wershing, Growth Committee; Ellen Crawford, Music Committee; Terry Reynolds, Women’s Guild & Fellowship


Also present: Gordon Brailsford (Trustees); Sandy Alley (Women’s Guild); Mike Bundock (Growth); Paul Holmes, Minister of Video Evangelism; Rich Sullivan, Sexton

 

Rev. Beth opened the meeting with a prayer.   

 

Diane Sheibley did the roll call.

 

December Meeting Minutes
The minutes from the November meeting were reviewed. Larry Brown motioned to accept the minutes. Gail Wershing seconded. The minutes were approved.

 

Pastor’s Report – Rev. Beth Stotts 
Lent is just a couple of weeks away! Rev. Beth reported that Bridgewater as well as our own CSCC community are showing surges in COVID cases. She has been doing much congregational care. She reported that the “drive-by Communion” she held in January was a beautiful way to connect with our CSCC family. She enjoyed organizing a Zoom Epiphany project with CE, and she’s working on putting together a Lenten packet with information and study materials. Rev. Beth also noted that there will be a Lenten book study.
    It was asked what kind of “officers discussions” have there been that she noted on her report. Anne Malmquist responded, letting them know that there have been discussions about how to handle the annual meeting, and nominations of board members and officers. It will be discussed later in this meeting.

 

Treasurer’s Report – Dave Sheibley 
Dave reported that we are still running behind, but we got a few bigger donations at year end, which helped. We’re about $11,600 below budgeted income for this point in the year. Expenses are running a little bit behind budget as well, although not as much as income. We’re doing OK, but it would be great if we could continue to be creative with fundraisers, as well as entice some of the newer, online viewers to make donations. We’ve transferred $24,000 from investments so far this fiscal year. Luckily, the investments continue to do well.
    It was asked why there was no money in the Paypal account on the report; Dave noted that money is regularly transferred from that account into the checking account, so it often has no balance. It was also asked if the online/Paypal donations are recorded in our membership system (Servant Keeper), and Dave said yes. Rev. Beth asked for a list of donors that are new to our database so that she can send thank you notes.
    It was also asked if calendar year-end statements of giving would be mailed out. Dave said yes, Judy is working on them.
    Another question was regarding the new round of “Payroll Protection Program” loans that the federal government approved in the December COVID relief package. Dave reported that we don’t qualify for one this time around (we did get one in the first round), because our revenues were not at least 25% down from the same quarter the prior year.
    It was asked if the check requests submitted by the Board of Outreach had been mailed. Dave said yes.

 

Congregational Administrator’s Report – Ellen Atherton
Ellen was not present at the meeting, but her report was distributed to Cabinet members.

 

Historical Church Building Committee – Barbara Morey
Barbara reported that the next meeting of the Community Preservation Committee was one week from tonight. The next step they will be pursuing is the deed restriction that they are requiring as part of their grant. They have agreed to pay the cost of the restriction paperwork. Barbara reiterated that no existing church funds are going to be used for the restoration project – we will only authorize work that meets the money we receive from the town grants, plus any other grants or fundraising we might receive. Gale Associates has been informed that we can only spend the amounts we receive. We have applied for a good many other grants, but so far we have not been approved for any of them. We will be reapplying as we are allowed.

 

NEW BUSINESS
• Annual meeting: Anne Malmquist reported that we will be having our annual meeting at the regular time of year, namely February 14 (the second Sunday of February). It will be held via Zoom. As usual, it will be celebratory, and boards and committees are asked to prepare to talk about what they’ve done in the past year. They are also welcome to talk about what they’d like to do in the coming year. This might also be a good opportunity to restructure and reimagine how we do, what we do. The meeting will be on Sunday, Feb. 14, at 11:15am, via Zoom.


• Nominations: We didn’t have elections last year. We have to think about how to structure moving forward with boards and committees, and the people who serve on them. Start to think about what we do we want to do that we haven’t done before, and what do we want to keep doing?


• Golf Tournament: Anne reported that we got an offer to help set up a website for free for the tournament to help attract more people. There’s interest in having a tournament, even if it’s mostly a social event and less of a fundraiser as in past years. We need volunteers to help. Maybe a date in late June/early July? Ellen in the office will help, but we need a coordinator.


• 200th Anniversary: There’s already $3500 spent on “the anniversary” according to the Treasurer’s Report – Dave reported that that was for the lawyer to help us get the restoration project grant approved from the town. Barbara Morey was the chair for the 175th anniversary. She noted that it was a week-long celebration, Sunday-Sunday. Free ice cream, a square dance, and a big dinner dance in period costumes. Then some of those folks wore their costumes to church the next day, and Bob Spencer, the pastor, came in costume and his sermon was a retelling of the first sermon that was given in our church. The anniversary committee gave the church a gift last time, one of the tables that is in the back of the sanctuary (there’s a plaque on it). To fundraise, they sold Christmas bulbs; Steve Chandler made small replicas of the church out of wood that sold for $10 (Terry showed one during the meeting). The crafters also made different BW historic building replicas to sell. There was also a calendar with old pictures of Bridgewater, sold for $10(?).
- We have to open the time capsule, and think of something to put in it for someone to see in 25 years. (a COVID mask?)
- Anybody interested in being on the anniversary committee let Anne know. Paul Holmes agreed to be on it, as did Rich Sullivan, Barbara Morey, and Terry Reynolds.

 

• Bill O’Neil wanted to raise up Scott Wright on his recent passing. “He always had a smile on his face.” 


Valentine’s Day Takeout Dinner Fundraiser: Diane Sheibley gave the information. Chicken Parm, catered by Boston Tavern in Middleboro; $35 per dinner-for-two. Pickup is in the Bridgewater Library parking lot 5:15pm-5:45pm on Sunday the 14th. Reservation deadline is Feb. 9. Orders can be placed through the website, through Facebook, or by contacting the office.


Food Pantry Money: Larry Brown asked about the large balance in the food pantry account (about $40,000). Bill O’Neil confirmed that usage of the food pantry is down, while donations of food and money is up. Any specific questions about money should be directed to Jack Melcher. It was discussed that pantry is specifically for the use of Bridgewater residents, but there must be ways that we can help those who need it with the funds that have accumulated. Larry will contact Jack.

 

• Women’s Guild & Fellowship: Sandy Alley noted that the WG&F is alive and well. They have set a date of the first weekend in May to have their fundraising yard sale. Their end-of-year banquet is in May, in some form, as well.


Board of Christian Ed: Marci noted that they are struggling as a Board. Most of the members are parents, and the current environment is tough on people. But we have some wonderful kids here at the church we want to support. Anne suggested CE and Outreach hooking up to think about a youth service project – with her work on mission trips and other youth events, they really gravitate to service projects as their spirituality. Maybe the older youth could do a COVID-appropriate project. Rev. Beth noted that she saw on FB one of the younger church youth participated in a food packaging event with the girl scouts, with lots of COVID protocols in place, for Martin Luther King day.
- It was suggested that we have women’s homes in town and sober houses, maybe we can have the Women’s Guild and the kids work together to make kits for them of essentials.
- It was also suggested that, even though we can’t have the Heifer living gift market this year, maybe the kids can do something Heifer-related at home, to raise money or awareness.
- For adult CE, Denise Molinari also noted that she and the other coordinators of the annual women’s retreat (which normally takes place at this time of year) are working on a women’s walking spirituality event for early February. Weather permitting, but women would meet at a location, share some scripture, and then go for a walk in small groups and discuss it. Would be the kind of connection that people feel at the retreat.

 

Sexton: Rich Sullivan reported that he will be leaving Monday for a month in South Carolina. He will be back Feb. 19. There isn’t a lot to be done in his absence since the building isn’t being used that much, but he can provide a list to the office. Mike Bundock and Bill O’Neil offered to fill in.
o    He also noted that some of the tiles in the kitchen are curling up and are becoming somewhat of a hazard. Ed Buckland offered some suggestions.

 

Reverend Beth closed the meeting in prayer at 8:20pm.


 

For the current CSCC calendar of events, click here: CALENDAR



Church Administration
Pastor: Rev. Elizabeth Stotts, csccpastor @ hotmail.com

Congregational Administrator: Ellen Atherton,  office @ csccucc.com
Sexton: Rich Sullivan
Minister of Music: Julia Scott Carey 

Director of Video Evangelism: Paul Holmes
Treasurer:  David Sheibley 
Office telephone:  (508) 697-6016
Website:  www.csccucc.org
Facebook pages: facebook.com/csccuccbridgewaterma (main page),
facebook.com/groups/801550253194149 (youth page)


Steeple Sounds submissions deadline is the 15th of the month prior to publication.