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TCC CONNECTION Page 1
TCC CONNECTION Volume 1, Issue 1 June/July
2011
Dear friends at TCC,
Wedding bells often toll in late spring. I have had two
trips in May to celebrate the weddings, first of a dear friend, and
then of a family member.
I enjoy being at weddings and performing wedding
ceremonies . I ask a couple to do some significant reflection on their
relationship and the ways in which they hear love. I want to know
that they are working on practical issues such as budget concerns.
And I listen for the ways in which their roles in the marriage are
compatible and „in sync‟. The actual wedding becomes a moment
when I speak to the power of God‟s presence in making their
married love a reality.
Weddings bring us joy because they speak of the power of
covenant… the ways in which our promises are upheld and
supported by God‟s Spirit. They speak as well of the „Great
Marriage‟… the moment when all that divides humanity and God
will be healed and forgiven. That marriage is the final image of our
Bible, the marrying of humanity with God‟s presence, in heaven.
Our church is built on the power of covenant, much like a
healthy marriage. We understand that our life as a community is
built on the disciplines of caring and respect that make a
community whole and healthy. But underneath and around that
care is the awareness that “Unless the Lord builds the house, the
builders labor in vain” This is an old statement from a psalm in our
Bible. As in marriage, God pledges a deep commitment to our life
as a community. God provides the energy and perspective that
makes our church healthy and whole.
We have a resource in God‟s Spirit. God is truly the glue, in
difficulty and joy, that holds us together as we work at loving each
other at TCC.
I wish each of you a restful summer and a time of spiritual
deepening and growth. We will adopt a more informal sense of
worship in the summer….with programming for our younger children
and a sermon series on the adventure of walking with Jesus.
Peace and blessings,
Pastor Jonathan
IN THIS
ISSUE
1. Pastor’s
Message 2. Leadership
Update 6. Boards &
Committee News (This month Missions is highlighted)
9. DRE Report
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TCC CONNECTION Page 2
Board of Ministries Submitted by Bruce Panilaitis
Joy in Leadership
Just over a year ago, our church
took a giant leap of faith. In a period of
a few months, we suspended our
bylaws and opened ourselves to the
opportunity to re-examine how we do
things. This was an amazing statement
of faith from our congregation and trust
in our leadership that a small group of
dedicated members would be
empowered to find another path. There
were questions, concerns, and fear
around this process. As we considered
this new structure in April of 2010, I was a
vocal member of the group questioning
this path. Once the congregation
spoke, and enacted this shift in our
governance, I had the privilege of
joining a wonderful team of faithful
leaders on this journey.
What a journey it has been! At
our first few meetings, we spent hours
trying to understand “What are we?”;
“What are our responsibilities?”; “Where
are we going?” While we have started
to answer these questions, some
aspects of each of these continue to be
asked. However, ours is a vibrant
church with a wide spectrum of
activities that quickly called us into
action. This brought us into the day-to-
day aspects of the work previously done
by Council, approving fundraisers,
checking in with committees on their
work, and taking a pulse of the larger
life of the church. We enacted small
and large programs. From a new
Pastoral Review Process to a set of
Policies &
Procedures
for our own
work; from
approving various fundraisers to
revamping our budget-building process;
from modifying our own make up as a
Board, to enacting a new Nominating
and Development Committee. It has
been a busy year.
Finally as we entered 2011,
standing on the foundation we had
established for the Board we were able
to pull out of the day-to-day
machinations of our work as a church
and ask larger questions. After an
extraordinary response to a church-
wide survey, we were blessed by more
than 30 members giving up a Saturday
to join us at the TCC Synod which
occurred in March. A day of
discernment, discussion, and
introspection has led to a renewed
energy in our work, and we hope in the
work of so many of the other volunteers
at TCC.
As we enter our second year of
this experiment, and we look to a
revamped membership of our Boards
and Committees, I would ask each of us
to search for the joy in our work. It is
there. Sometimes it is difficult to see or
feel during a long meeting or a debate,
but it is there. Regardless of your level of
service you should feel the joy of our
work as a church. It doesn‟t matter on
what committee or in what position you
serve, you are doing His work at TCC.
Take a moment during a Sunday
morning to look around the pews or
Fellowship Hall at coffee hour. How
many new faces do you see? This
growth is at least in part due to your
work. Take a look at the TCC Flash or
Faith Notes, and take in the breadth of
the work and activity going on at TCC.
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TCC CONNECTION Page 3
You have a part in that work. We
are a vibrant faith community, growing
and learning as we stumble along this
new path. We have indeed stumbled
at times, and we will again. However,
we are so blessed to have a dedicated
group of volunteers that helps each
other up, brushes off the dirt of the road,
and walks together on this path.
On behalf of the Board of
Ministries, I want to thank the
congregation for their support in our
stumbles, and I hope you have found a
place in this community to feel the joy
of leadership as I have. If you have not
yet found that opportunity, keep
looking, because each of us has
something to give, and there is no
better feeling than the sense of
satisfaction and accomplishment from
contributing to a larger goal. Only
through serving others are we truly
served.
Luke 6:38
“Give, and it will be given unto
you”
In Faith, Bruce Panilaitis,
Chair Board of Ministries
Summer Mystery Member
1. Born and grew up in
Tewksbury 2. Owned over 25 motorcycles
(not at once)
3. Have lived overseas (Japan
& Philippines) 4. Worked in/for government for
36 years - USMC, USAF, USCG, and FAA 5. Met Danny Devito 6. Worked at Tewksbury Market,
Shawsheen & Foster near Heathbrook
School, from age 6 to 16. 7. Was Baptized at TCC as an
adult
Who Am I? _____________
BREAKFAST FUND RAISER
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TCC CONNECTION Page 4
Previous Month JUNE 2011 Next Month
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
29 8:30 AM Contemporary
Youth Ensemble 9:00 AM Junior Choir
Rehearsal 9:30 AM Sunday Worship 10:45 AM Cherub Choir 11:00 AM Open Door
Book Discussion
30 Memorial Day 8:00 AM Mexico
Mission Trip Breakfast
31 1 6:30 AM Men's
Discussion Group 11:00 AM Prayer
Circle 7:00 PM 495th
Radio Control Squadron 7:00 PM BSA
Troop 47
2 4:30 PM Weight
Watchers 5:30 PM Staff
Meeting 7:30 PM Senior
Choir Rehearsal
3 4 7:45 AM Diet
Workshop
5 8:30 AM Contemporary
Youth Ensemble 9:00 AM Junior Choir
Rehearsal 9:30 AM Sunday School
- Grades K & 1 Attend Communion 9:30 AM Sunday Worship 10:45 AM Cherub Choir 11:00 AM Open Door
Book Discussion 11:00 AM Semi-Annual Meeting
6 7 7:00 PM Members to
Missionaries
8 11:00 AM Prayer
Circle 12:00 PM Ladies Aid 7:00 PM BSA
Troop 47 7:00 PM L.T.L.C.
Brownie Baking 7:30 PM Board
of Deacons Meet
9 9:30 AM Friendship
Circle 4:30 PM Weight
Watchers 4:45 PM L.T.L.C.
Meal 7:30 PM Senior
Choir Rehearsal
10 11 7:45 AM Diet
Workshop
12 Pentecost 9:30 AM Sunday
Worship - Youth Sunday 11:00 AM Open Door
Book Discussion 4:45 PM L.T.L.C. Meal 7:30 PM Interfaith Choir
13 14 7:15 PM All
Boards and Committees
15 6:30 AM Men's
Discussion Group 11:00 AM Prayer
Circle 7:00 PM BSA
Troop 47
16 4:30 PM Weight
Watchers
17 18 7:45 AM Diet
Workshop
19 Father's Day Trinity Sunday 9:30 AM Sunday Worship - New Members 10:30 AM New Member
Reception 11:00 AM Music
Committee 11:00 AM Open Door
Book Discussion
20 21 6:30 PM Embroiderer's
Guild
22 11:00 AM Prayer
Circle
23 24 25 7:45 AM Diet
Workshop
26 9:30 AM Sunday Worship 11:00 AM Open Door
Book Discussion
27 28 29 11:00 AM Prayer
Circle
30 4:30 PM Weight
Watchers
1 2 7:45 AM Diet
Workshop
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TCC CONNECTION Page 5
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
26 9:30 AM Sunday Worship 11:00 AM Open Door Book Discussion
27 28 29 11:00 AM Prayer Circle
30 4:30 PM Weight Watchers
1 2 7:45 AM Diet Workshop
3 9:30 AM Sunday Worship
4 Independence Day
5 6 11:00 AM Prayer Circle 7:00 PM 495th Radio Control Squadron
7 4:30 PM Weight Watchers
8 9 7:45 AM Diet Workshop
10 9:30 AM Sunday Worship 4:45 PM L.T.L.C. Meal
11 12 13 11:00 AM Prayer Circle 7:00 PM L.T.L.C. Brownie Baking
14 4:30 PM Weight Watchers 4:45 PM L.T.L.C. Meal
15 16 7:45 AM Diet Workshop
17 9:30 AM Sunday Worship
18 19 6:30 PM Embroiderer's Guild
20 Newsletter Deadline 11:00 AM Prayer Circle
21 4:30 PM Weight Watchers
22 23 7:45 AM Diet Workshop
24 9:30 AM Sunday Worship
25 26 27 11:00 AM Prayer Circle
28 4:30 PM Weight Watchers
29 30 7:45 AM Diet Workshop
31 9:30 AM Sunday Worship
Editor’s Hint: these calendars can be removed
and posted on your refrigerator or bulletin board!
JULY 2011
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TCC CONNECTION Page 6
BOARDS AND COMMITTEE NEWS
Food Pantry Brownie Baking for LTLC Serving at LTLC Heifer
Sweatshirts for Solomon Mental Health Youth Treatment Center
Church World Services Blankets & School Kits Children’s Pajama Collection for Alternative House The Giving Tree
Outer wear collection for The Wish Project
Student Sponsorships (from Coffee Hour collection) Project Bread Walk For Hunger
Mexico Mission Trip Bandana Project Birthday Wishes
YOUR MISSIONS AT WORK 2010/2011
Mystery
Member is…
Jim Kenney
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TCC CONNECTION Page 7
Submitted by JoJo Scharmer
From If I could ask God anything…(Kathryn Slattery)
When God Looks at Me, What Does He See? When God looks at you, He sees what other people see. He
sees the outside. He sees the color of your hair and your eyes. He sees you sitting at your table at dinner. He sees you in your car or on your bike. He sees you doing your homework or housework. He sees you watching TV, watching a soccer game or walking your dog. He sees you on your i-phone, telephone or computer. He even sees you when you are sleeping. God loves all these things about you.
But God sees something else. When God looks at you, He sees the inside of you, too. (1
Samuel 16:7; 1 Chronicles 28:9). In fact, God is more interested in who you are on the inside than who you are on the outside. This is because who you are on the inside lasts forever and ever.
Who you are on the inside is called your soul. Your soul is made up of the love in your heart. Are you kind to others? Are you honest? Do you like to laugh? These are the things that are important to God. These are who you really are. Even when your body dies, your soul lives on forever!
When God looks at you, He loves you completely…inside and out.
God loves you so much that He wants you to live forever and
ever with Him in Heaven (John 3:16)
Dear Pastor, I know God loves everybody but He never met my sister. Yours sincerely Arnold. Dear Pastor, My father should be a minister. Every day he gives us a sermon about something. Robert
Dear Pastor, Please say a prayer for our Little League team. We need God's
help or a new pitcher. Thank you. Alexander
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TCC CONNECTION Page 8
Submitted by Sue Trepaney
Members of Ladies Aid enjoyed a
delicious luncheon Wednesday, May
11th followed by a social and food
auction at which $129.00 was realized.
We mourned
the loss of Mabel
Dewing on May 17th
but recalled the fun
we had at her 90th
birthday
coordinated by her
daughter, Sharon. It
was a grand party
held in the Vestry
with everyone
wearing 1920‟s feather boas, colorful
beads, and we shared two birthday
cakes and plenty of good food.
Goodbyes are always difficult but we
remember Mabel with happy memories
of her life and the joys she shared with
us.
Our last meeting for the season,
until we return in September, will be held
at Jackson‟s Restaurant in Methuen.
We‟ll meet in the church parking lot to
carpool to the restaurant at 11:15am on
Wednesday, June 8th. Reservations are
required and if you would like to join us,
please contact Eleanor Corey at 978-
851-2773.
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TCC CONNECTION Page 9
Everyone enjoyed a mystery
adventure coordinated by Donna
Haines for members of Friendship
Circle‟s May meeting. The ladies were
treated to a Continental breakfast at
Donna‟s. During our journey that
morning, we saw one of Mico
Kaufman‟s works at the Oblate House
and then enjoyed a program at the
Tewksbury Library coordinated by
Joanne and Helen of the library‟s staff.
Did you know the library has over 17
authors of Christian fiction? You may
have heard or read some of their novels
by Beverly Lewis, Tracie Peterson and
Francine Rivers, but there are more. In
addition to providing us information on
Christian writers, we also learned more
about writers of mystery fiction, as after
all, we were in mystery mode!
In addition to the above, the
ladies serenaded Dottie Belida stopping
at her house as they made a quick stop
during their adventure. A group photo
was taken and later given to Jean
Metcalf as we pray for Jean as she
begins treatments for her illness.
Friendship Circle‟s last meeting
before summer‟s recess is being
coordinated by Roberta Kane. More
information will be provided in Faith
Notes or via e-mail to Friendship Circle
members. If you would like more
information, please contact Sarah
SanClemente at 978-667-9771.
This year has been truly a year of growth in the Religious Education area!
Whether it is by word of mouth, a church outreach activity, Facebook, or newspaper/Patch articles, families are checking out TCC and liking what they see. Teachers and nursery staff are certainly to be commended for their dedication, energy and effort they put forth each week making Sunday School fun.
Highlights this year include:
Adding 25 new children from 13 different families this year alone
a 58.8% increase in weekly attendance this fall over last year
hearing kindergartener and first grade voices say The Lord’s Prayer in
unison after returning to adult worship for Communion
Noting RE was rated the highest ministry area on the Board of Ministries’
Synod questionnaire. One individual summed up our youth programming
as “5 stars and 2 thumbs up”.
FROM THE DESK OF THE DRE…
FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE Submitted by Sue Trepaney
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TCC CONNECTION Page 10
CELEBRATIONS On this page we will be announcing special celebrations of our
Congregation. If you have one or know of one, please contact the church
office! For example – milestone anniversaries and birthdays, special awards and
achievements, and other notable events.
This month we are celebrating the many graduating Seniors from… High Schools!
Jacquie Fulton
Jenna Stanley
Ricky Santoro
Michael Stewart
Colleges and Universities! Sarah Goodell
LeeAnn Keddie
Jennifer Carr
Berit Richtsmeier
Sarah Mayer
Lindsay Lafortune
Timothy Jenkins
Mark Bliss
Katie Fulton
Tewksbury Congregational Church
10 East Street
Tewksbury, MA 01876
phone: 978-851-9411
fax: 978-851-9413
e-mail: [email protected]
website: www.tewksburycc.org
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