Smith Memorial Congregational Church UCC

News September 2019

Service of Installation for Rev. Donna Vuilleumier

Rev. Donna Vuilleumier will be installed as our “settled pastor” on Sunday, October 6th, 2019, during an afternoon service at 3 PM. We hope you will be able to join us as we continue the history of Smith Memorial Congregational Church, UCC.

Date: Sunday, October 6, 2019 at 3:00PM

An offering for the Hillsborough Association Scholarship Fund will be received

Reception to follow in the Vestry, hosted by the Smith Memorial Congregational Church, UCC

Pastors and Delegates are urged to attend and all church members are invited. Clergy are invited to robe (red stoles) and participate in the service of celebration. Please inform your congregation and delegates and post this notice.

Family Promise Begins Sept. 22nd

Our next week of Family Promise starts on September 22. We are anticipating that we will have three new families. At of this writing, one of the new families is already close to getting an apartment. We also have received bedding for one of the new queen size mattresses. We could use one more queen size sheet sets. Sign-ups have begun. What can you do to help? Contact Barbara Daley (464-5239) or Fran Charron (464-3630). Thanks for all you do to support this important ministry.

Youth Groups & Joyful Noise Updates

Youth Groups

Smith Church hosts three ecumenical youth groups – the SCENE for grades 1-5, RBA for grades 6-8, and the InCasts for grades 9-12. The SCENE this year will be under the direction of Jean Crowley and Barbara Daley and will meet once a month on Thursday afternoons from 3:30-5 PM beginning on September 19. RBA, under the direction of Jenna and Tyler Vaughan and Barbara Daley, will again be meeting on Tuesday evenings from 6-7:30 PM starting on September 17 and the InCasts will also be meeting on Tuesday evenings this year from 7-8:30 PM starting on September 17. However, the first meeting of both RBA and InCasts will be on Tuesday, September 10 from 6:30-8 PM with a Family Potluck Cookout. We sadly accept the resignation of Martha Halverson-Dahl as InCasts leader and thank her for her leadership last year. We are very pleased to add Jess Granger to join Rusty Wightman as the InCasts leadership team this year.

Joyful Noise
Joyful Noise is a singing group for children who are 3,4, and 5 years old. We will be meeting this year every other Wednesday morning from 10-10:30 beginning on September 25. Please contact Barbara Daley for more information. (464-5239 or bdaley@tds.net).

Stewardship Happenings

Fund Raiser Results
The Stewardship along with the many volunteers was able to raise $1,150.00 from the Red Sox Raffle. The raffle winner was a member of Smith Church, Debbie Gray. All the proceeds from this raffle will be deposited into Smith Memorial Congregational Church’s general operating fund.

Neighbors in Need
This special mission offering is a part of the UCCs 5 for 5 campaign. It supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States, including the Council for American Indian Ministries (CAIM), justice and advocacy, and direct service projects supported by Justice and Local Church Ministries. This offering will be held on the First Sunday of October (October 6th) as part of World Communion Sunday.

Annual Stewardship Campaign
The Stewardship Committee is gearing up for this year’s campaign and Stewardship Sunday will be October 27th. We hope to have the annual letter to include pledge cards in the mail by October 16th.

Caring Connections

Caring Connections is looking for two kinds of help from Smith members and friends:

1-If you are aware of anyone in the community that could use some support, a phone call, an in-person visit, or practical help like rides or stacking firewood, please let the committee know (Harry Morehouse is the contact)

2- If you are able to help out with support, outreach, practical assistance, the CC group would welcome your participation. So far we have Harry, Judy Hatfield, and Mike Bradley, so would welcome other participants. Again, contact Harry.

Family Movie Night – Toy Story

Our family movie nights start up again on Saturday, September 21st. Our first film of the year will be the original Toy Story. Admission is free and complimentary popcorn and a drink will be served. The doors open at 6:30PM and the movie begins at 7PM. Hope to see you all there!

Harvest Supper October 16th

We are getting closer to the Harvest Dinner scheduled for October 16th, 2019. Sign-up lists for turkey cooking or pie making, rolls and all the fixings will be placed downstairs on the shelf below the clock. Please stop by and sign-up for where ever you can help.