village newsletter - gilford community church …...dru chatterton—office secretary email:...

www.gilfordcommunitychurch.org OCTOBER 2015 Issue 10

VILLAGE

NEWSLETTER

Village Newsletter * Gilford Community Church * Issue 10 October 2015 *

FAITH PROPOSAL SUNDAY

The last Sunday of the

month, October 25th,

is our annual FAITH

PROPOSAL

SUNDAY at which we

present the

proposed 2016 budget

and elect the slate of 2016 committee chairs. This

involves a very brief meeting following worship.

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This Will Cool You Off!

December 4 and 5th are the

dates for our Christmas Fair—

please start going through what

you would like to donate to the

White Elephant. Dan Vieten is

the chair of the Christmas Fair

(387-4899; [email protected]).

If you are crafty, now is the

time to start on a homemade

craft for the Craft Table.

Call Dan or the office if you

would like to participate in the

Fair.

SAVE THE DATE!

OKTOBERFEST October 31

6:00 pm

Call Eloise Post (986-6723 or

[email protected]) to volunteer to

set-up, cook and/or clean-up for this

popular dinner for the community. Also

call Eloise to make reservations for this

event.

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Thanks to each and every one of you who stepped

forward to help with the Church Summer Fair. Once

again, your efforts and sacrifices in the heat and busy-

ness of August made the Summer Fair pull together. It

was hard work, despite the good fellowship, but it feels

good to have our efforts rewarded by earning

$16,000 for our church!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 at 8:00 A.M.

is our

annual Fall Church Clean-Up day. All are

invited to come and to bring your favorite

rake and/or leaf blower!

Sincerely,

Michael

Village Newsletter * Gilford Community Church * Issue 10 * October 2015 *

September is my favorite month in the church calendar. There are no high holy days – nothing

liturgically remarkable; but September kicks off the church school year. That means many of our

members return from their summer hiatus. It’s great catching up and re-entering the routine of life.

October is undoubtedly my favorite month of the year. I love the cooler days, the changing colors.

But October is probably my least favorite month with respect to the church. It is the month we begin to

talk about money. One thing that makes that difficult for me is that my family’s financial welfare depends

upon your generosity. It doesn’t take a financial wiz to look at our budget and realize that I’m the most

costly line-item. That’s typical in small to mid-size congregations, but knowing that fact doesn’t make it

less awkward.

Over the years, especially my thirteen years at GCC, here’s how I’ve come to reconcile things; I

completely embrace these convictions:

The Gilford Community Church is one of the great difference makers in our community and

region. I believe the work of our church makes a tangible difference in the lives of so many; inside and

outside our church. A gift to our church is an investment in our community.

Secondly, I have complete confidence in our Finance Committee and Church Council. They

exercise extreme care in managing our resources. We are committed to prudently using any of our funds,

almost always asking, “Is it necessary?”

Thirdly, generosity is a core value of what it is to be a person of faith. We can risk being

generous because we trust the abundance of the universe. I hope your generosity extends well beyond the

support of the church.

Finally, in my almost 56 years, many of the happiest people I know also happen to be the most

generous. In fact, I can’t think of one generous person who isn’t quite happy. And we all know miserly

people who are quite miserable.

I am grateful for all your support, your generosity, and your willingness to think about something

both difficult and personal.

New to our church? Would you like to

learn more about it? Would you like to join

the church?

Come join Rev. Michael Graham and others

to learn about our church and what we can

offer you.

Watch this space for notice of the next Meet

n’ Greet, held on a Sunday after worship in

Conference Room A.

The Village Newsletter is a

monthly publication of

Gilford Community Church

19 Potter Hill Road

Gilford, New Hampshire 03249

(603) 524-6057

e-mail: [email protected]

website: www.gilfordcommunitychurch.org

Rev. Michael C. Graham, Pastor


Carolyn Ames, Music Director/Organist

AJ Coppola, Choir Director

Scott Hodsdon, Director of Youth &

Family Programs


Rick Edson - Treasurer

email: [email protected]

Jane Karagianis—Financial Accountant


Dru Chatterton—Office Secretary


Church Office Hours: M-Th 9:00 to 2:00 pm

THE OFFICE IS CLOSED ON FRIDAYS


October 1st will be our first delivery of the GILFORD GOT LUNCH school year program.

Please email us at www.gilfordgotlunch.com or call your child’s school office or nurse’s

office to register. Registration is also available through the SAU office (527-9215.)

We appreciate all feedback. Our website is available to receive your comments!

Music Notes

Carolyn Ames (Music Director/Organist)

AJ Coppola

(Choir Director)


PRAYER LINE If you would like prayer support for yourself or

for a loved one, call your Prayer Line

Coordinator, Barbara Hauck, at 524-3381, with

your requests. STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL!

1 Aaron Stewart, Ron Dudley, Mike

Murphy

2 Mary Dexter, Jonathan Gellert

3 Kelly Nix

4 Mary Flinn, Bonnie Deutch

5 Sam Leggett

6 Doris MacHaffie

8 Allen Voivod

9 Bruce Papps, Peyton Sawyer

10 Michael Graham, Stephen Brown

11 David Haley

12 James Wixson

14 Kathleen Merriam

15 Betsy MacHaffie , Kaleb Brown

18 Michael Wernig

21 Abigail Ross

22 Robert Souter

23 Wanda Carder

24 Michael Baron, Jaimen Sawyer

25 Elaine Shea, Mia Coppola, Sara

Ellen Godek, Stephanie Labonte,

Richie Edson, James Cowan,

Barbara Monahan, Kenneth Ries,

Mckenzie Leroux, Al Rollins

26 Daniel Dormody

27 Liv Arvidson

30 Sue Ross, Barbara Allard, Sophie

Leggett

31 Bob Daniell, Shayna Tomlinson,

Carter Mercer, Shannon Mercer,

Grace Devarney

October Anniversaries

4 Steve & Debbie Birch 1986

6 Dennis & Penny Franciosi 1963

10 Warren & Susan Noyes 1959

11 Lee & Jonena Miller 2008

12 Kenneth & Lori Erickson 2005

16 Patty & Randy Pike 1993

28 Russ & Dianne Lauffer 2000

After a fantastic performance at Gilford Old Home

Day, the Chancel Choir is “back in action” with

several new members—Ellie Murphy and Nancy

Frost have joined us and have been wonderful

additions to the choir.

As more members finish up summer engagements

and return to the choir, it’s a great time to join in the

fun. All are welcome to join the choir—no

experience needed! Rehearsals are every Thursday

evening from 6-7 pm in the sanctuary and before

church every Sunday.

There has already been some great music this fall—

Michael Wernig played a beautiful piano solo on

Rally Day, and two middle school students from

Campton Elementary School, Melody Wooster and

Emma Webster, also shared their talent with the

congregation. We look forward to many more great

selections this year—and we hope that you are, too.

Musically Yours, Carolyn and AJ

Prayers of comfort

and strength to

family and friends.

Our Losses in September:

Ann Munier

Steve Richmond

Lorraine Buckley

Lorraine Starr


Dear Michael and Jessi,

Thanks to the giving spirit and generosity of the members,

patrons and friends of the Gilford Community Church, and under

the inspired organization of Jessi Fleck, I brought school clothes

to some of the children for whom I advocate through CASA of NH

on Sunday, August 30th. The children I represent through CASA

have been either neglected or abused by their parents. Often these

children have been exposed to drug and alcohol use, domestic

violence and most are affected by poverty. Giving them a bright

beginning to the school year, in a way that they usually don’t

experience, was very uplifting.

I wanted to share how much these selfless gifts meant to these children. I watched a little girl open a

bag of clothes that held more new clothes than she has ever seen at one time in her life. She was able

to start her first year of school with not only a new pair of sneakers that light up and twinkle, but with

a pair of dressy shoes and casual ones, as well. The three boys, who are in middle and elementary

school, will feel so much more like they fit in with their peers, when they, too, are able to show up on

the first day of school wearing something new. “Cool! NIKE sneakers!” one of them said.

Because of the confidentiality surrounding my cases, I cannot share pictures; I can only describe that

their faces beamed and their excitement was heard throughout the home they now share with their

grandmother who cares for them while their mother cannot. Their fathers have been absent from their

lives for some time now.

In addition to the clothing, they were provided with much needed bedding, towels and toiletries. Their

home felt like Christmas as they looked at all the bags. As one of the boys helped me carry new pil-

lows into the home, he asked, “Can I have one?” (Imagine when a child finds a fresh pillow such a

treasure!)

Thank you for making possible something which I, as their court-appointed advocate, am unable to do.

I am grateful, the children’s grandmother expressed extreme gratitude, and the children are all in a

better place because of your efforts.

God bless,

Pam Clark

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BLESSING OF THE PETS

In celebration of St. Francis of Assisi, the church will hold a Pet

Blessing Ceremony in our courtyard at 2:00 on Sunday, October 4th.

Donations will be accepted to help support the New Hampshire Humane

Society in Laconia. In lieu of a monetary donation, people may also

donate canned dog or cat food, cat or dog treats, paper towels. Other

needs are listed on the Humane Society website: http://wwwnhhumane.org/help-wishlist.php

Donations may be brought to worship on October 4th or to the ceremony at 2:00.


Our church is available to both the church family and the greater com-

munity during the difficult time of the loss of a loved one. A funeral

service or a memorial service is a very sacred time for which the

church needs to be there for families. It is our belief that the style of a

service or remembrance is driven and guided by the members of the

family, with the assistance and guidance of the pastor.

Eloise Post is the church’s Wedding/Funeral Reception Coordinator.

She is available, along with her committee of volunteers, to coordi-

nate, free of charge, a light luncheon and/or array of finger desserts to

follow the funeral service of a church member. This reception would

take place in our Fellowship Hall. This is a free service, with no

charge. Occasionally, if food donations from the congregation are

inadequate, and food needs to be purchased, the family is asked to reimburse the church for those

incidentals beyond the donations. The family is also free, of course, to hire their own caterer, at their

own arrangement and expense, for a more formal gathering.

People from the community who are not associated with our church are not charged for the sanctuary,

but for those who would like a reception to follow their service, they are encouraged to either hire

Eloise Post or Ellie Murphy to cater a reception, or someone else of their choosing.

Earning cash for local schools is easy with BOX TOPS FOR

EDUCATION. With the submission of the box tops (pictured left),

funds are donated to schools for the purchase of supplies such as

playground toys, music tools or gym equipment.

Box Tops coupons are found on hundreds of products and are each

worth ten cents. The coupons can be clipped from Pillsbury, Orogres-

so, Betty Crocker, Ziplock, Scott, General Mills and Green Giant, as

well as on online bonus offers.

The clipped coupons can be placed in a container on the counter in the

church office. Nan Fay then delivers the container to the Gilford

Elementary School. A coordinator at the school will then submit

them so that the school can receive checks which are mailed twice a

year based on the number of coupons.

We have been collecting the BOX TOPS coupons for the school for

several years and with others giving as well, they have earned $1,176

over the past five years. The program is one of America’s largest K-8

school loyalty earning plans.

Thank you, Nan Fay, for coordinating this outreach for the church!


COFFEE HOUR

Coffee hours are a very important part of our church. It is a time for us to gather after a wonderful

service to meet and to socialize with each other.

We are looking for two families each Sunday to volunteer to host coffee hour. We

want to keep the coffee hour simple!

If you are interested in volunteering to help out with coffee hour or if you have ques-

tions, please contact Bea Snow at 832-3195 or [email protected].

(The first Sunday of every month is FOOD

COLLECTION SUNDAY and parishioners are

invited to bring donations for the Food Pantry to

church with them.)

Food Pantry Needs for the month of

September: Breakfast bars, cereal, instant

oatmeal.

For New Beginnings: (Please label these

donations “New Beginnings” and bring to

church): Clothes detergent, toilet paper, baby

wipes, diapers and Q-tips.

FRIENDLY KITCHEN is Friday, October

23rd. We are starting the winter menu

(American Chop Suey; brownies) (We need

five people to volunteer for each month.) Please

sign up downstairs on the bulletin board. Please

bring your donations to the church kitchen by

9:30 a.m.

We will be serving lunch at the Salvation Army

at noon.

THE VILLAGE NURSERY SCHOOL

At the

Gilford Community Church

We are VERY proud of the Village Nursery School

program which is held in our church during the

week. The program emphasis is on WHO THE

CHILD IS, rather than on WHAT HE/SHE CAN

DO.

The entire program is designed to foster the growth

of the child. In a warm and loving environment,

each child feels accepted, secure and good about

himself/herself.

The school is designed to meet the developmental

needs of each child, being sensitive to age appropri-

ate expectations and enabling growth on an individu-

al basis. There is a strong emphasis on socialization

skills, as well as self-control and self-expression.

The school is in operation five days a week begin-

ning in mid-September through June. Monday,

Wednesday and Friday is for the 4-5 year old and

Tuesday and Thursday is for the 3-4 year old. The

children arrive at 9 am and the school day ends at 12.

(There are still openings in the 3-4 age group for the

2015-2016 school year.)

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 524-7444

The Village Nursery School is a non-profit, non-

denominational nursery school sponsored by the Gilford

Community Church. The school is licensed by the State of

New Hampshire.


Youth News October 2015

Apple Creations Sunday, October 18

Following Coffee Hour





Join us following the service on October 18th for

“Apple Creations.”

We will be making various apple dishes,

including pies, crisps, apple sauce and candy

apples.

This is event is for youth of all ages, as well as

family members.

Twice a month, high school youth members are

invited to meet during the church service

(following children’s time) to “Chat” about life

as a teenager. Our discussions are meant to

bring clarity and faith into our daily lives.

We will meet in the Gathering Room, across

from the sanctuary.

Friends are always invited to attend.

Dates: October 11 and October 25

Sunday, November 1st

11-4 pm

All H.S. and M.S. youth

members are invited to

participate.

Senior Breakfast and Bingo

Saturday, October 17, 9-10:30am

We will continue our monthly

“Breakfast & Bingo” for the

residents of the Village Knolls. We

will meet at 8:15am.

Following breakfast and bingo, we

will be making several dishes to

serve on the following

Sunday’s Coffee Hour

**READERS WANTED**

We are currently looking for

scripture readers for Sunday services.

If interested, please contact Scott.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 at 8:00 A.M.

is our

annual Fall Church Clean-Up day. All youth

are invited to come and to bring your favorite

rake and/or leaf blower!

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT

1 6:00 Chancel Choir

2 4:30 Bike Ride and Spaghetti Fundraiser in memory of Dr. Andrew Kane.

3 11:00 Memorial Service for Fred Davidson

4 10:00 Worship-Communion 2:00 Blessing of the Pets

5 1-3:30 Opechee Garden 7:15 Chordsmen

6 6:30 CNHARC

7 12 :00 Adult Study 7-8:30 Troop 243

8

6:00 Chancel Choir

9 10

11 9:40 Hymn Sing 10:00 Worship “Tea Time” for high school following Chil-dren’s Time

12

11:30-2:30 Senior

Momentum

5:30 Membership

6:30 Church Coun

6:30 CNHARC

7:15 Chordsmen

13

14 7-8:30 Troop 243

15

6:00 Chancel Choir

16

5:30-9 Belknap County Farm Bu-reau Annual Meet-ing 4:30 Wedding Rehearsal

17 9-10:30 Break-fast and Bingo for Village Knolls 4:00 Wedding

18 10:00 Worship “Apple Creations” following coffee hour

19 8:30-12 Senior Momentum 6:30 Rotary Board. 7:00 Troop 243 Comm. 7:15 Chordsmen

20 12 noon 2nd Graders having lunch here

21 12:00 Adult Study 7-8:30 Troop 243

22 12 noon 2nd Graders having lunch here 6:00 Chancel Choir

23 FRIENDLY KITCHEN (Winter Menu) 6:00 Wedding Rehearsal

24 8 am Fall Clean Up Day 2:00 Wedding

25 10:00 Worship “Tea Time” for high school following Chil-dren’s Time 11:15 Outreach Mtg.

26 11:30-2:30 Senior Momentum 7:15 Chordsmen

27

28 12:00 Adult Study 7-8:30 Troop 243

29 6:00 Chancel Choir

30 31 6:00 OKTOBERFEST Youth for Hire tomorrow 11-4 (Nov. 1st)

OCTOBER 2015


village newsletter - gilford community church …...dru chatterton—office secretary email:...

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