EVENT & FUNDRAISING CALENDAR

June 18th ~ Strawberry Supper

August ~ End of summer clothing drive (easier version of our Rummage Sale, more details will be

forthcoming.)

September 10th ~ Open House on the Green (Missions)

September 24th ~ Another Paint & Sip,as our first one was so much FUN, along with making over $600!

October 1st ~ Vendor Fair (know anyone that has unique items to sell? Let me know!)

October 15th ~ Antique Appraisal Day! SO much fun, learning AND a $$$ maker

October 29th ~ Spaghetti Supper & Pumpkin Carving

November 12th ~ Turkey Dinner

December ~ Holly Bazaar & Cookie Sale

January 2017 ~ Post Holiday Pot Luck Supper with a Silent Auction & Raffle, more details coming.

February ~ ???

March 11th ~ Corned Beef Dinner

April, May, June still open!

More ideas are welcome!! Some that came from our first meeting… Multi Cultural/Religious Educational

evening, Music, Movie Night, Cookbook, Barbeque.

Not only are Jodi and I thinking of raising money, but also how to inform guests that attend these events

what Southwick Congregational Church is all about! Thank You!!! Patti P Wood and Jodi Potts

Christian Education

Children’s Sunday was a wonderful chance for our youngest members to share their gifts with

the congregation who supports us throughout the year. Thank you to everyone who

participated.

We would like to recognize those members of our Sunday School and Youth Group who will be

graduating this year:

Aubrey Winiarski will be going on to

college in the Fall.

Emily Pitoniak will be starting high school.

Our Mother’s Day plant sale was a success. Thank you for your generosity. Next year we

will spice it up a little, come and see what we have in store.

Now, we turn our attention to Vacation Bible School, VBS. We invite you to join us during

the week of July 25-29th. If you know a child who is entering Kindergarten to 4th grade

invite them to join us as well. It will be a time you won’t forget!

VBS sign-up and volunteer registration can be done online at:

http://2016.cokesburyvbs.com/SouthwickCongregational/

OR through Christian Ed OR contact the office.

Strawberry Supper

The Strawberry Supper will take place on Saturday, June 18th at 6 PM. The menu will include ham,

baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad, strawberry shortcake with whipped cream and beverages.

Cost for adults is $14, children are $7. Please contact the Church office for reservations (413)569-

6362. Also, we are still in need of volunteers; signup in Old Fellowship Hall.

News From the Office

Coffee Hour the months of June, July and August are not hosted by one of the Church Committees.

There is a sign-up sheet over the coffee pot if you’d like to sign up for a Sunday. This is a great

opportunity to serve for those who aren’t currently members of one of the church committees.

Refreshments for June’s All-Church meeting are also welcomed.

Sunday Morning Worship time changes from 10 AM to 9:30 AM starting on Sunday, June 19th.

Please make a note in your calendars.

Children’s Sunday

(from left to right: Jack Coach, Maria Lempke, Robert Lempke, Ricky Pitoniak, Emily Pitoniak)

On Sunday, May 22nd the Sunday School and Youth Group took over Sunday morning service.

Wyatt Baker, Jack Coach and Maria Lempke offered up their, often times humorous, sermons on

“Knowledge, Wisdom & Intelligence”.

Children’s Sunday was a wonderful way to end yet another year of Sunday School and Youth

Group.

STEWARDSHIP STATUS

Efforts continue to identify areas for fund raising and potential cost savings. This is important since our 2016

expenses are growing faster than receipts as shown below.

Publication of the Gold Dome newsletter is being reviewed for potential cost savings. You can help by reading the Gold

Dome on the church website (southwickucc.org) and advising the church office that your name may be taken off the

Gold Dome mailing list. Thank you in advance for supporting this cost-saving initiative.

As members of the Southwick United Church of Christ, we associate with the Massachusetts UCC Conference and the

National UCC. The principal support we provide to these groups is through Dues and Mission giving. UCC Dues

support the wider UCC ministry, aid to churches in time of

crise and guidance to church groups when addressing needs such as calling a settled minister. Our Christian task is not

only to support our local church but also to aid our neighbors. Plaudits to the below members who have paid their UCC

Dues.

Fred Arnold Jim Babinski Patty Banasik

Ellie Bates Cindy Breton Dave Breton

Karen Brzezinski Stephen Brzezinski Norma Cagney

Lynn Coach Roxanne Cook Marcy Coviello

Gary Crosler Meredith Crosler Mary Currier

Barbara Day Dennis Day Melanie Day

Melissa Day Shannon Day Russ & Susan Fox

Ashley Greco Barb & Dave Gunn Joyce Hamilton

Shirl Hamilton David Howes Connie Johnson

Elaina Lempke Rob Lempke Maria Lempke

Cynthia Lydiard Barb Machietto Patricia Martin

Sally Merlo Eric Nitsch Melanie Nitsch

Diane Orson Ted Orson Virginia Orson

Joyce Paggen Virgil Paggen Jim Parent

Harold Pilskaln Isabelle Pilskaln Emily Pitoniak

Flo Pitoniak Mike Pitoniak Jodi Lee Potts

Bob Rising William Sanders Karen Schomer

Eldora Shattuck Robin Sklarski Beth Studer

Louise Tagliavini Jim Vincent Penelope Vincent

Selwyn Williams Patti Wood

THANK YOU

Historical Corner

Hi everyone! Last time we discussed the communion set. I received some additional really interesting information about the

set that I wanted to share with you all. Although we are not sure of the year, Southwick Congregational Church and Our Lady of the

Lake church came together to celebrate World Wide Communion Sunday. Southwick’s communion set was used by Father Menge at

their Mass and Our Lady of the Lake’s chalice was used by Southwick’s minister David Wright. Both church choirs came together for

the services as well. What a unique story to hear about all the ways the Communion Set has been used!

Also, if you are familiar with the booklet titled Southwick Congregational Church History you will note in the first few pages a

drawing of the original communion set. This drawing was created by Geneva [John] Baillieul. They were long time members of the

church. Geneva was known for art lessons through her studio in Southwick. I have looked through records of the church to try and

find some more information on her drawings. I have only been able to gather that she did the illustrations for the booklet I have

been using to tell the history.

Moving on to the beginning of the church: On May 16th, 1771 there was a note in Reverend Mr. Ballantine’s (the Westfield

MA pastor) diary. He notes that a Reverend Mr. Forward was lodging with him. Rev. Forward would preach in Southwick through the

end of the year. I found an interesting story though about how he came to Southwick. Rev. Forward’s cousin Mr. Abel Forward

graduated from Yale in 1768 with a Mr. Samuel Fowler. Mr. Fowler was the son and namesake of the first settler of Southwick. “It

does not take one with much imagination to see in these facts and events that Mr. Abel Forward did not become the first Minister of

the Southwick Church by pure accident”. Rev Forward started preaching in Southwick without a formal salary or meetinghouse.

Next time, we will get into more detail on the first meetinghouse.

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Johnson.martha@aol.com

NEWS FROM THE NOMINATING & FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE

We were missing quite a few of our committee members last meeting. Please remember the 2nd Thursday of each month (except

July & August) is meeting night. If you are unable to attend, please let your committee chair know, it is helpful for planning

purposes.

Also ~ I still have a need for a few more members to fill a few slots...we are MUCH closer to full committees, but not quite there yet!

Regarding fundraising ~ It was discussed at our last two All Church Committee Meetings, that we need to increase the revenue flow!

I volunteered to "head" this new committee, but am asking for help with plans & ideas! Jodi Potts has volunteered to help me out.

We will be holding "brainstorming meetings" during coffee hour on May 22nd and June 5th.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THESE INFORMAL CHATS!

Here are a few of our thoughts~ a clothing collection drive (to replace our Rummage Sale) we get paid by the pound!

Antique Appraisal Day, Turkey Dinner in November and after Christmas a silent auction, and of course another "Paint" night.

Look forward to chatting with everyone!!!

Patti P Wood

Happy Birthday!

Mar ion Vecch io June 2

Nat han Wilson June 3

Mike Pit on iak June 18

Our First "Bring a Friend to Church Day"

is June 12th, Music Sunday

Lets share our Music Program with friends & family. Also a great time to try and recruit

new people into our choir!

Think about it, if 40 of us each only bring ONE friend..we will have 80 people in attendance for this wonderful service! If some bring MORE than one...hmmm, we could

fill the church! Many Thanks! ~ Patti Wood

All Church Committee Meeting

May 12, 2016

The meeting was called to order by Moderator David Breton at 8:10 pm followed by an opening prayer led by Pastor Bart.

A correction was brought forth to the Minutes from April’s meeting – the corrected date of the car wash fundraiser for the

Eagle Scout Project is May 7, 2016. A motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously to accept the April All

Church Committee Meeting Minutes with that one correction.

Pastor’s Report

Pastor Bart stated there have been several funerals lately, including one for Marilyn Chunglo, a long-time church member

who had many years of volunteering in this church. Pastor Bart and Valerie are planning their move to their new home

soon.

Board of Deacons

Melissa Day reported 2 members present. The committee provided refreshments. They are working on updating the

Deacon’s handbook. A discussion was held about church financial records and having them audited. A discussion was

also held about coffee hour coverage over the open summer months and inviting people to contribute. May 15th is

Pentecost Sunday and also New Member Sunday.

Buildings and Grounds

Eric Nitsch reported 3 members present. Spring cleanup is still scheduled for May 21st, and they are still looking for more

volunteers. The quote to have the front of the church painted is $19,600. Multiple electrical upgrades are planned at a

cost of about $3,900. The floors in Old and New Fellowship Halls are in need of cleaning but they are old and in rough

shape and the committee is having trouble finding someone to take on the job due to the age of the floors and the

possibility of damaging them beyond repair.

Treasurer’s Report

Ted Orson reported no significant changes. Our current income has exceeded our expenses by about $7,000 but Ted

warns that summer is coming and that is a time when traditionally collections are down. He is concerned as each month

our collections seem to be decreasing. Ted also reported that the parsonage rental is going well.

Christian Education

Flo Pitoniak reported 2 members present. The Mother’s Day Plant Sale went well. Children’s Sunday is scheduled for

May 22, 2016. Vacation Bible School will be from July 25-29, from 9 am – 12 noon. More volunteers are still needed for

this.

Music Committee

Melanie Nitsch reported 3 members present. They talked about copyright licensing concerning worship music and we are

in compliance. They discussed the bell director’s job description and are still working on it with the direction of keeping it

simplified. The committee is working on planning Music Sunday and the summer music schedule.

Mission Outreach

Patty Banasik reported 4 members present. The tag sale is planned for June 4, 2016 with plenty of tables still available

for sign-up/rental ($25 members, $30 non-members). The thrift shop will be open during the tag sale. May 22nd will be the

next UCC special offering. The committee would like to sponsor 4 children to attend VBS and are looking for names. The

church website is temporarily down and will be up shortly.

Nominating Committee

Patti Wood reported no new names to nominate.

Fundraising Committee

Patti Wood has talked with Jodi Potts for ideas and they are working on plans. They would like people to know that they

will be available after church on May 22nd for those interested to come and meet with them to brainstorm for fundraising

ideas.

Memorial Gifts

Karen Brzezinski has nothing new to report.

Pastoral Relations Committee

Roxanne Cook reported the group met Tuesday night and

then met this evening with Pastor Bart. They will be reviewing his contract in the coming months. Pastor Bart’s office

hours

are set from 10-2, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and

Friday. The group will meet again in two weeks.

Finance Committee

Jodi Potts reported 6 members present. They reported that the Gold Dome’s annual cost is about $2,500 and they are

considering a fundraiser to help defray the cost.

Flower Committee

Roxanne Cook thanked all who have been contributing each Sunday for altar flowers.

New Business

Patti Wood asked to have a “Bring a Friend” to church day and it was decided to hold it on June 12th which is also

Music Sunday this year.

Also on June 12th from 12-4 pm there will be an open house at the church to celebrate Clayton Cigal’s 90th birthday.

The Strawberry Supper is scheduled for June 18th and many volunteers are still needed.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Melanie Nitsch, Clerk

Executive Board Meeting

May 12, 2016

The meeting was called to order by David Breton, Moderator, at 8:50 p.m.

Pastor Bart talked about his optimism for this church and its future.

Eric Nitsch stated they still want more quotes on painting the front of the church. He stressed the planned electrical work

has important safety and security factors.

A motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously to fund the electrical work through Memorial Gifts.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Melanie Nitsch, Clerk

Southwick Congregational Church Committee Chairs

Board of Deacons: Barbara Gunn, 569-5059, barbgunn.1@gmail.com

Buildings & Grounds: Eric Nitsch, 568-9722, eric.nitsch@gmail.com

Christian Education: Florence Pitoniak, swkcedirector@hotmail.com

Finance: Jodi Potts, 568-0383

Library: Jodi Potts, 568-0383

Memorial Gifts: Karen Brzezinski, 569-6816

Mission Outreach: Patty Banasik, preciousbana@aol.com.

Music: Melanie Nitsch, emnitsch@gmail.com

Church Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Pastor’s Office Hours: Tuesday through Friday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Church Office Phone & Fax: 413-569-6362; Pastor’s Study: 569-5630

Website: southwickucc.org

Office e-mail: southwickucc@gmail.com

Look for us on Facebook: Southwick Congregational Church UCC

Staff: Minister Reverend Bart Cochran

Choir Director/Organist Roberta Kowal

Bell Choir Director Patti P. Wood

Administrative Assistant Elaina Lempke

Custodians Matthew Kowal

Florence Pitoniak