I caught my first whiff of wood smoke the other day just as I was leaving the church after a late night meeting. The air snapped and the night sky blazed and I stood stock still on the new walkway taking it all in, air, sky and the sweet tang of flame on log. Somewhere in the dark, thin whispers of home and hearth curled upward from a neighbor’s chimney, what peace would smell like if peace had a smell. October is my favorite month; I expect it is for many of you, too.

For church folk, October foreshadows another event, the onset of stewardship season, that time of year when we are asked to reflect upon our faith, our lives and our church, all three. How are we living out our faith? What part of the world’s salvation is ours to fulfill? What piece of the world’s suffering moves us to be generous? What part of our own story convinces us of God’s love?

Articulating a vision for the future, especially the future of a church, requires that we understand our past: who we once were, what values we held dear, where we found joy, sorrow, challenge and inspiration. What has held the Dunbarton Congregational Church together through two centuries of life and strife? Which of these qualities, then and now, will lead us boldly into tomorrow?

In preparation for this year’s pledge drive, the Stewardship Committee has been laboring over these questions, as well as the contents of Irene’s treasure chest of old church records. It has been a labor of love. Faded reports hand typed on an old Underwood, yellowed announcements from the Ladies Aid Society, Pastor’s letters, ancient ledgers written with ink and quill. Each of these items tells a story, not of disparate individuals but of one “public” and “embodied” family who like our founders understood with unwavering conviction that Christian practice takes place in Christian community.

As the original Church Covenant proceeds, its members promise to “walk together as a Church of Christ…always to promote the peace, happiness and well being of this church…and to behave ourselves towards each other as brothers (and sisters) in the Lord.” It is in this spirit that this year’s Stewardship theme is titled “Called to Care,” to “love, obey, and serve ” not simply those beyond our borders, but those within our walls.

Frederick Buechner describes compassion as the “sometimes fatal capacity for feeling what it’s like to live inside somebody else’s skin. It is the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you too.”

The days are long past when wood provided warmth in our meetinghouse on Sundays. But I still believe that there are those who wait at our door, who stand on our new walkway sniffing the air for a wisp of comfort. Will you be waiting inside to welcome them when October brings a chill to their bones? Will someone be there to welcome you if a shiver should slide down your life? Will we each in a public manner answer God’s Call to Care?

If peace has a sound, I think it is the call of a church bell on a crisp October morning, crying out across village and vale, “Here is comfort! Here is hope!” If peace has a sound, it is also a sanctuary full of caring people silently praying, “How can we love one another better in Christ’s name?”

Blessings,

Pastor Cindy

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Board of Trustees

In the spirit of providing a great educational opportunity for the community and establishing a connection with another resourceful organization, the Board of Trustees recently sponsored “A Conversation with John James Audubon.” On Sept. 25th, the renowned American artist and naturalist visited our church and thoroughly captivated an audience of about 50 people as he described his life’s work. Mr. Audubon was portrayed by Tom Burack, a former Dunbarton resident who has been a storyteller for 25 years and who now performs under the auspices of the New Hampshire Humanities Council. The Council awarded a much-appreciated grant to us for this program.

Thanks to the Trustees for organizing this wonderful event, and thanks also to everyone who contributed all the tasty snacks and deserts that made the evening a truly social event!

Walkway Work

By Dean Bacon

Come join the trustees on June 26^th and 27th and help finish the walkway.
If you aren't into walkways, there are plenty of other outdoor tasks that
need bodies (painting, brush removal and yard clean up). We can accommodate your
schedule if you're willing to volunteer some time. Contact any trustee for details!

Yet Another Great Fundraiser

By Mike Shearin

Mark your calendars now for another great fundraising event coming up on September 25^th when we will have the chance to meet and ask questions of John James Audubon, one of America's best known naturalists and artists. During “An Evening with John James Audubon,” featuring Tom Burack as Mr. Audubon, you'll be taken back to the year 1845 and have the opportunity to see some of Audubon's beautiful drawings of birds and to hear about his adventures in the American wilderness. You will also have a chance to ask Mr. Audubon about his life's work, experiences and beliefs. After Mr. Audubon departs, independent scholar, veteran Chautauquan, and former Dunbarton resident Tom Burack will appear to answer modern-day questions about Audubon and his legacy.

The presentation will last about an hour and is suitable for adults and children age 11 and above. Desserts and beverages will be provided. Watch for more details on this wonderful evening of entertainment!

Fund Raising Reminders

Remember our ongoing recycling effort! Save your old printer toner, ink cartridges and old cell phones. There’s a box at the Dunbarton Transfer Station for you to turn them in, or you can bring them to church. But don’t stop there! Consider asking local businesses, especially those that provide office services, to collect cartridges on our behalf. Bill Wetzel is already lugging home boxes from the University of New Hampshire’s Whittemore School of Business! Please contact any trustee for more information.

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Bylaws Committee

By Dean Bacon

There will be a meeting after the church service on June 6th to go over the proposed revisions to the bylaws. Copies of the draft bylaws are available in the back of the church. Contact me if you have any questions

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Church School News

Christian Education

Church School News

By Laura Tucker, Superintendent

Have you ever invited a guest for dinner? Have you ever organized a holiday meal, setting the table in a special way befitting the occasion? On October 31st, as the table is set in Church School, children will be asked if they have ever had company over for lunch or dinner, seeing to a guests’ physical needs as they offer them nourishing food.

Following a discussion about how we enjoy spending time with company, we will address the million-dollar question: “Who does Jesus invite to be his guest?” If you want a head start on the answer, read Luke 19:1-10. What would you do if Jesus came to your house for a meal? What would you serve him? How would the table look? Every time we take communion upon the altar we are nourished with the body and love of Christ. At the altar or God’s table, we are Christ’s guests. What dishes does Christ use to serve us? How many times does Jesus invite us to be his guest?

As our children pursue these and other questions of faith, they are invited to be Christ’s guests as we begin a new lectionary-based church school curriculum, “Life Together.” We look forward to a wonderful year!

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Board of Deacons

A Word About Weddings

By Nick Holmes

Since its inception, our historic meetinghouse has been a popular spot for couples preparing to unite in holy matrimony. Given the increasing attractiveness of our church for this purpose, the Board of Deacons has developed a written policy that summarizes the policies and practices we feel best represent the interests and values of the congregation. This new document is intended to serve as a guide so wedding ceremonies will be celebrated with both reverence and joy. A copy of the policy is provided to each couple when they first express interest in holding their wedding in the church. By simply and succinctly addressing such issues as retaining an organist, taking photographs, and paying fees, the wedding policy allows all concerned to focus on the joy of the wedding day! If you are interested in viewing a copy of the Deacon’s Policy, please see Pastor Cindy.

WANTED: A Few Great Acolytes! Click the link for details

Blessing of the Shawls

By Joyce Ray

“We pray that this shawl be a sign of Your healing presence.

May the shawl warm her when she is weary.

May the shawl surround her with ease of her suffering.

May the shawl encircle her with caring when she is in pain.”

With these words from a healing prayer, our prayer shawl knitters gathered with Pastor Cindy on Friday afternoon, April 23rd to bless the shawls they have worked on through the winter. The service was an extension of the Dedication prayer made for each shawl and its recipient. Three shawls were completed, and a fourth is nearly ready.

This ministry has offered double blessings. The knitting and the prayers with each stitch have blessed the knitters as well as the shawl receivers. The group hopes to resume in the fall and is open to anyone interested in encircling those who are ill with love and prayers. Contact Joyce Ray for information at 774-5105.

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Youth Group Happenings

By Diana Jenkins

October’s Schedule:

Saturday 2nd: Meet at the vestry at 8:30 a.m. to help with the church’s Roadside Cleanup along Route 13.

Sunday 24th: Youth Sunday and Confirmation of Jeremy Belanger - We will lead the church in the worship service. Come join us!

November’s Schedule:

Sunday 7th: Meet at 12 noon at the vestry. We will make apple pies for the Thanksgiving food baskets that we will put together later this month. We are looking for donations of apples, piecrusts, and pie tins. Please call Diana at 774-7240 if you are interested in making a donation.

Sunday 14th: Food & Fellowship at 12 noon at the vestry.

Sunday 21st: At 11:30 at the vestry, we will put together Thanksgiving baskets for those in need in our community.

Please call Diana at 774-7240 if you are interested in more information or attending any of these activities.

“Hidden Messages”

(Printed with permission from Group Magazine Sept/Oct 2004)

You know what teenage children say, but what are they trying to tell you? After interviewing hundreds of teenagers all over the United States, T. Suzanne Eller, author of Real Issues, Real Teens (Cook), has learned what teenagers really want their parents to know. In asking “If you could tell your parents one thing, what would it be?” Eller found that overall responses were simple and consistent:

“I’m trying.” Teenagers are often just as frustrated with their mistakes as their parents are.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself.” Parents shouldn’t judge themselves based on their kids’ actions.

“I appreciate you.” Teenagers know that a parent’s job is tough, and they appreciate it when you trust them.

“Thank you for caring.” It’s encouraging to teenagers when parents show concern, even in the smallest ways.

“I love you.” Even teenagers who have conflict with their parents still see love as the foundation of their relationships with them.

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Missions

Visit to Overlook Farm

By Patty Shearin

The morning of September 19^th was a brisk, sunny, glorious autumn day, a perfect day to do just about anything. And a perfect day it was for those who traveled to Rutland, Massachusetts for our church mission trip to Overlook Farm. As we piled into the 12-passenger van (graciously donated by Steve Singer and Merchants Motors), we were greeted with a smile and hot coffee from our cheerful driving attendant, Pastor Cindy Bagley.

The drive down was filled with good conversation and homemade muffins. Upon arriving at the Farm, we were greeted by a friendly border collie and the sounds of farm life. The hilltop setting for our worship service was perfect for taking in all of God’s creation. With a service focused on St. Francis of Assisi and our natural world, both children and adults enjoyed searching for insects with the bug catchers provided by the Missions Board. Our collected offering was donated to Heifer Project International. This organization helps impoverished families worldwide become self-reliant through the gift of livestock and training in the care of the animals.

After sharing some fellowship time and a picnic lunch, we were met by our tour guide, Justin. We started our tour, watching and discussing the Heifer video The Promise that highlighted Heifer’s successful efforts in several third world countries. After a fun and bumpy hayride, we continued our tour through the barns and the “World Village.”

Overlook Farm has done a remarkable job recreating some of the very rustic, yet realistic dwellings of many people across the globe. We visited Guatemala, Thailand, Peru, Tibet, Uganda, Poland and Maine, USA. It was a humbling experience given all the luxuries we take for granted in our daily lives… electricity, fresh food, a comfortable home, indoor plumbing and clean water. I think we all came a way with a deeper sense of the many hardships faced by people on this earth just to live each day.

Heifer International is an organization that “gets it.” Drawing from the old proverb, “Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime,” Heifer International teaches people to be self-sufficient by offering life-changing gifts of livestock. The Mission Board will once again be offering alternative gift giving during the holiday season with proceeds benefiting Heifer International.

We would like to express our deepest thanks to Steve Singer and Merchants Motors for donating the use of the van that helped to make the trip so much more enjoyable for all.

By Patty Shearin

Food Pantry Sunday

If you would like to contribute to our Food Pantry, Bring your item with you to church and deposit it in the basket as you enter. Our Food Pantry supports many community members in need of assistance, and your donations are greatly appreciated!

Roadside Clean Up

We are currently in our sixth year as a participant in the New Hampshire’s ”Adopt–a-Highway” program. For the past six years, we have taken ownership of a two-mile stretch of Rt. 13 and have agreed to keep it free of trash. Our participation has a two-fold impact. First, the green and white “Adopt-a-Highway” signs posted at the north and south borders of our designated highway help make visible our church’s commitment to and caring of the Dunbarton community. Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, our participation in this worthwhile program helps take care of our precious environment.

The last roadside cleanup of the year will take place on Saturday, Oct ??^th at 8:30 a.m. Volunteers will meet in front of the vestry to sign the necessary paperwork, gather supplies and be assigned a section of Rt. 13 for clean-up. Children 11 yrs. old and older are welcome when accompanied by an adult. The cleanup generally takes less than an hour and is a great way to show your community spirit, get some exercise and take care of our environment. If you need further information, please contact Patty Shearin at 774-3208.

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Camp Opportunities

Registration for camp is now open. Exciting camp programs are available at the Horton Center at Pine Mountain in Gorham, N.H. and Geneva Point Center in Center Harbor N.H. Programs run from June 20^th to Sept. 7^th. Special activities for all age groups are available. You can register as a single, family or group.

Special events this year include mountain climbing, rock climbing, a N.E. Missions trip, mountain biking, canoeing, sailing on a schooner and a Plus 50 hike. There are adventures available for all! Scholarships are available. Don’t miss out on an adventure of a lifetime!

Contact Tammie Sullivan at 4sullz@bit-net.com or 774-3818 for more information.

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Stewardship Team

Turn on the Lights!

By Linda Morse

Our 2004 Stewardship Program is just around the corner! As Pastor Cindy mentioned in her Pastor’s message, our theme is titled “Called to Care,” exploring the legacy of care that has made our church what it is today and what it can be in the future. Spend any time looking over the church’s historical records, dating back to the 1700’s, and you can’t help but come away with a sense of how old this church really is, as well as the intense devotion of so many of its members.

October 31^st

All Pastor’s Day!

The Stewardship Committee has especially enjoyed exploring the lives and ministries of our many pastors, those individuals whose leadership has molded our church in significant ways or influenced our lives in trying times. Be sure to join us on Sunday, Oct. 31^st, for what we call “All Pastor’s Day.” During the service, be prepared to hear first hand from some of the pastors who have served our church! While the performance may not be up to Tom Burack’s standards, we guarantee the experience will be fun and educational!

November 14^th

Sr. Briget Haase – A Dedication Sunday to Remember

On Nov. 14^th, Dedication Sunday, we urge you to mark your calendars for a very special service featuring Sister Briget Haase, O.S.U. Sr. Briget has devoted her life to mission through the teaching of children . From Senegal to the Sudan, from Appalachia to a Day Care Center for HIV infants, Briget has collected the wisdom of the world’s children in her book, “Well Said!” After appearing as a guest on the Jordan Rich show last spring, WBZ Radio volunteered to produce an audio version of her writings for the visually impaired and all of us who are inspired by her “stories of wonder.” All proceeds from the sale of her CDs, books and other products benefit Boston Children’s Hospital and other charities. Our Annual All-Church Luncheon will follow the service of worship. We are truly blessed to have Sr. Briget as a guest in our church! For more information, visit her website at www.wisdomwonder.com.

We hope that this Stewardship season will inspire each of you to consider your own legacy of care through a generous pledge on Nov. 14^th. Please join us on as many Sunday mornings as you can in October and November!

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Journeys To Our Church

By Margaret Venator

Jeremy Belanger, a sophomore at Bishop Brady High School, and Lauren Jenkins, a junior at Goffstown Area High School, are two members of our church family that deserve special recognition. As Co-presidents of the church's Youth Group, they are truly a "dynamic duo" reaching out to Dunbarton’s teens in a variety of ways! Youth Group is open to teens in grades 7-12; up to thirty teenagers are involved at different times during the year. In addition to monthly Bible Study and recreational activities, this group assists the Missions Committee with Food Baskets, serves meals at the New Horizon’s soup kitchen in Manchester, organizes the Easter Sunrise Service and Breakfast, provides Nursery care during worship throughout the year, and conducts a special Worship Service for Youth in the fall. Lauren and Jeremy are always to be found in the middle of all this activity, serving as leaders and role models for teens throughout the community.

When asked what they would do if there was no church, Jeremy and Lauren had a hard time imagining such a thing! Church has always been a part of their lives. For them, congregational life offers a place to grow spiritually, to explore the meaning of life, to affirm one’s uniqueness and identity, and to give and receive love and comfort. Lauren's mother, Diana, organizes the Youth Group and is pivotal in providing consistent and joyful adult leadership.
As if Youth Group weren’t enough, Jeremy and Lauren have recently been selected to serve on the prestigious New Hampshire Conference Youth Cabinet. This group oversees all of the statewide events for UCC Youth, including a recent Middle School Retreat held at Horton Center in Gorham. Being a “cabbie” involves a great deal of time and self confidence. Only ten teens from around the state serve on this Board. How proud we are that two of those ten are from the Dunbarton Congregational Church!

Leadership flourishes in a church where adults provide opportunities for young people to discover their abilities and interests, as well as wider social responsibilities. Jeremy is active in sports; Lauren is a member of the National Honor Society, is secretary of her class and works with Goffstown children. These two teenagers bring an admirable breadth of intelligence, faith, commitment, and maturity to the Dunbarton youth scene.
Next time you pass Jeremy, Lauren or any one of our teens, please take the time to say “thank you” for the many ways in which they enrich the lives of our faith community.

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New At DCC: A Health Ministry Program!

(A Stewardship at the Edges Initiative)

By Laura Anderson

This is an exciting time for the Dunbarton Congregational Church! I am Laura Anderson, a registered nurse at Concord Hospital. I have traveled to Romania and Guatemala on medical missions. These trips have given me so much satisfaction that I began to wonder, “What can I do closer to home?” One day I had a vision---a vision to reach out to those in our congregation and community in need of basic healthcare, to offer support, resources, and a shoulder to cry on. I had heard about “Parish Nursing” as a field of practice but did not know much about it. I went online and found more information than I could possibly download! After reading several articles, I knew this is what I was called to do. I then asked Pastor Cindy if she thought our church needed a Parish Nurse and her eyes grew wide with excitement! I submitted my idea to the Deacons, who immediately embraced the concept and assigned me a “shepherd,” Marie Jones, whose role is to assist me and oversee the fulfillment of this dream. It is wonderful to have a coach who is also a nurse! Together we wrestled with some dangling legal and logistical issues, did some more research, and together presented the final plan to the Deacons last month, earning their unanimous support!

Let me give you an idea of what exactly a Health Ministry Program and a Parish Nurse will do for our church and community. With our ever-changing and very busy lives, church is often the one place to slow down and take a few moments to reflect. Our church gives us a sense of connectedness; it is also a place to share joys and sorrows. A Health Ministry program promotes wholeness, healing and health, the three “H’s,” if you will! As we all know, to be healed does not always mean to be cured. However, our Health Ministry program will involve integrating mind, body, and spirit to achieve a sense of wholeness, health, and well-being, even in the face of life threatening situations. The ultimate goal of this program is to create healthy lifestyles and a healthy faith community utilizing prevention, education, training, and support.

While in nursing school at Worcester City Hospital, our training was modeled after Sister Calista Roy’s holistic health theory. Holistic health focuses not only on the body, but the mind, spirit and family---in other words, the “whole” person. Health promotion and maintenance is so very important for all of us. As your new Parish Nurse, I will work to connect you with resources for most anything that you might need; physicians, support groups, and Meals on Wheels are just a few examples. I will offer health screenings and training in CPR, first-aid, and a variety of other subjects. The list is endless.

We are currently in the very beginning stages of this program. Working with Marie and Pastor Cindy, we will be developing ways that we can proactively promote wellness within the congregation and extend our reach to the Dunbarton Community. We also need your help! If you or someone you know needs assistance, please let me know. If there is a program you would like to have at our church, I will do my best to arrange it. Please remember that as a nurse, I cannot make diagnoses, but can assist you in finding treatment options. I would also like to emphasize that any discussions that I have with you or anyone else will always be kept confidential, unless there is someone you would like me to share it with.

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Music Committee

Music Notes

Hidden in our congregation is a wealth of musical talent! In an effort to enhance the role of music in worship, we have added a line on our Worship Schedule for anyone of any age who would like to play, sing or perform a dance during the Offertory. Please consider sharing your talents so that we might bring God’s spirit closer through the gift of song and movement. We are a judgment-free zone! Questions? Contact Lizz Ferdina (lizzardsings@aol.com) or James Davenport (jamesd@gsinet.net).

Spiritual Drumming Resumes

Back by popular demand, James Davenport will lead church members in another session of our Spiritual Drumming Group at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 20^th. No talent or instruments are required, just an openness to receive the Holy Spirit as we meet in the vestry to collectively create rhythms and explore world music on percussion instruments of every kind. All ages are welcome! Questions can be directed to James Davenport at jamesd@gsinet.net.

Communications

Let’s Keep the Presses Running!

By Linda Morse

Would you like to adopt a piece of the Clarion production costs for this summer? Because we have so many activities and much news to report, we are planning on producing the Clarion through the summer this year, although it will be a smaller issue.

Since the cost of printing and mailing for July and August was not budgeted, we are looking for people to “adopt” a portion of the costs. Printing will run about $38 each month, and mailing runs about $33 per month, or $71 total each month, and any and all contributions will be greatly appreciated! Please see me or Pastor Cindy if you would like to help.

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Community Notes

Town Common Project

By Donna Dunn

Fundraising continues! Look for our homemade jams and conserves at the Town Office & Dunbarton Country Store. Yummy all natural, all wild Dunbarton berries include: blackberry, blueberry, elderberry & apple, wild concord grape and "very" berry. Several sizes are available. Call 774-4567 for a custom gift basket for a holiday present or hostess gift for those get-togethers just around the corner. (PS: If anyone can donate small canning jars, we'd appreciate it!)

Dunbarton Has a New Play Group!

The vestry of the Dunbarton Congregational Church is now the site for a brand new Young Parents’ Community Play Group! All are welcome! Bring your children and a desire for fellowship to the vestry at 1:00 p.m. every Wednesday afternoon. For more information, please contact Stacey at 774-8481.

June 2004

Pastor's Message

On Children’s Sunday, June 13^th, the members of our church school will lead us in a service based on the theme of weaving. On this special day, the children will visually demonstrate how bible stories woven together create a rich and colorful understanding of God and Jesus Christ. This seems to me an appropriate metaphor for life today at the Dunbarton Congregational Church. We too, have moved through another liturgical year blending scripture, tradition, community life and personal experience into one whole cloth, a rich and colorful tapestry of love and faith and commitment.

In Ghana and other West African countries, the weaving of Kente cloth is considered a calling. Beginning at age twelve, generations of craftsmen carry on this tradition weaving brilliant strips of fabric that when cut and sewn are used to make clothing for special occasions. Tracing its roots back thousands of years, the art of Kente is lush with symbolism. Each cloth has a name and each color a meaning. Naming a cloth is a deeply spiritual task, calling upon the weaver’s dreams or his communion with the spiritual world. Colors also have special significance: yellow represents royalty and vitality, red signifies sacrifice and struggle, and blue symbolizes peacefulness and harmony, while green denotes abundance and prosperity.

Just as our children will weave liturgical colors into a special design on June 13^th, so too do we weave the seasons of the church year into our hearts and lives. Each color, each season, traces its significance to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ: we wait for his birth and rebirth with the blue of Advent, we prepare for his passion with the purple of Lent, we celebrate his resurrection with the white of Eastertide, and feel the rush of the Holy Spirit in the blazing red of Pentecost. Finally, we settle into green and the long season of Ordinary Time, a period custom-made for peacefulness, reflection and a re-visioning of who we are and who we want to be.

We have done a lot of weaving this year, long strips of accomplishments that when sewn together capture all the colors and dimensions of congregational life! Be it Trustees, Deacons, Missions, or Christian Education, By-Laws, Stewardship, Communications or Music, each Board and Committee has been alive with activity and imagination, weaving dreams and ideas into realities!

Take one look at our walkway project, the new vestry roof, the many weddings and funerals we have hosted this year, two adult education series, a vibrant church school and Youth Group, serving meals at the New Horizons Soup Kitchen, special worship services we have sponsored, a new spiritual drumming group, the excitement of a prospective new organist and a new set of By-laws, four additional new members who have enriched our lives and committees, and the ongoing care of individuals in need.

If I were to select a Kente cloth for our church it would be called, WOFRO DUA PA A NA YEPIA WO, which means "one who climbs a tree worth climbing gets the help deserved." This pattern was designed to express the thought that any individual effort deserves to be supported by the community. This is the essence of the work and changes we have undertaken this year. When a man or woman climbs a good tree that has fruits on it, people around will naturally give a push since they know they will enjoy the fruits of his or her labor. This Kente design reinforces the importance of hope, of mutual reward, of aspiring toward a worthy cause. Certainly we are on this path!

There is so much Gospel inherent in this imagery: many parts, one body; many threads, one cloth. When our children process on June 13^th waving their own strips of cloth, let us remember the simplest truth: one thread alone is weak and brittle; many threads together can create an indestructible whole. I think Jesus would be proud of what we have woven this year, just as I am proud of our ability to live out our hopes and dreams, supporting one another in a tapestry of love.

Blessings,

Pastor Cindy

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Board of Trustees

By Bill Jenkins

The Big One! Mark Your Calendars!

Here’s a N.H. International Speedway fundraising update: we have been confirmed by NHIS for 25 volunteers to work the parking detail on Saturday, July 24^th! Please sign up in the church to participate (sign-up sheet is in the narthex on the bulletin board). We need a minimum of 25 and a maximum of 30 people. Cindy has informed me that a donor will match what we raise, so please consider volunteering for this event. Ask your co-worker or neighbor to help! Questions? See me!

Walkway Work

By Dean Bacon

Yet Another Great Fundraiser

By Mike Shearin

Fund Raising Reminders

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Bylaws Committee

By Dean Bacon

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Church School News

Christian Education

By Joyce Ray

While children play a part in each Sunday’s service as acolytes, Psalm readers and, occasionally, as special presenters, Children’s Sunday is a time to help them celebrate their role in the life of our church.

On this year’s Children’s Sunday, June 13th, our children will lead the worship service. A very special celebration is being planned to mark the close of the church school year. The theme is “Weaving God’s Word,” and the congregation will witness our young weavers at work. They will craft a piece of art related to stories learned this year, and rhythm will weave its way throughout the sanctuary in different forms of music.

If your children began the journey in September on the God Bus, or if they hopped aboard mid-trip, please make sure they are present on June 13th. Bibles will be presented to second graders and all children will be recognized for their commitment.

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Board of Deacons

By Nick Holmes

WANTED: A Few Great Acolytes! Click the link for details

Blessing of the Shawls

By Joyce Ray

“We pray that this shawl be a sign of Your healing presence.

May the shawl warm her when she is weary.

May the shawl surround her with ease of her suffering.

May the shawl encircle her with caring when she is in pain.”

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Youth Group Happenings

By Diana Jenkins

We ended our year with our annual Foodees pizza and glow bowling. Group activities will begin again in late August. Information will be sent to current members during the summer. If you are not a member yet and will be in grades 7-12 this fall and are interested in joining, please contact me at 774-7240 or djenkinsz@aol.com.

Creating Connections

Every shared activity with your teenager not only presents an opportunity for communication but also creates common memories that spark later conversations. Lawrence Kutner offers the following talk-conducive activities in "Let's Connect: A guide to Communication-Friendly Parenting."

Share a hobby. Shared interests will offer naturally flowing, mutually interesting conversation.

Look at baby pictures. Memory lane is a great avenue for talk about awkward topics and physical or emotional changes in your teenager's life.

Make use of car time. Pay attention and initiate talk with this opportunity for a captive audience. If friends are riding along, you can learn a lot from kids' conversations.

Read together. When your teenager is assigned a book for school, buy a copy for yourself and use it to trigger talk about your lives together.

Get involved. Volunteer to lend a hand with your teenager's extracurricular activities or events. You may discover a side to your child that you've never seen before.

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Missions

Visit to Overlook Farm

By Nancy Lang

Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 19th, when we will be heading to Overlook Farm in Randolph, Mass., to learn more about Heifer Project International. The Mission Board is looking into some transportation alternatives, and we hope to keep the cost to a minimum. The trip will include a potluck picnic and tour of the farm, along with a special worship service. More information will be posted as we get closer to the date.

By Patty Shearin

Food Pantry Sunday

Roadside Clean Up

The second roadside cleanup of the year will take place on Saturday, June 12^th at 8:30 a.m. Volunteers will meet in front of the vestry to sign the necessary paperwork, gather supplies and be assigned a section of Rt. 13 for clean-up. Children 11 yrs. old and older are welcome when accompanied by an adult. The cleanup generally takes less than an hour and is a great way to show your community spirit, get some exercise and take care of our environment. If you need further information, please contact Patty Shearin at 774-3208.

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Camp Opportunities

Contact Tammie Sullivan at 4sullz@bit-net.com or 774-3818 for more information.

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Stewardship Team

Turn on the Lights!

By Linda Morse

Got an idea for a church activity, event or fundraiser? Use our new, handy-dandy one-page proposal form, complete with a light bulb logo, to describe your idea! Just fill it out and turn it in to Pastor Cindy. She will pass it on to the appropriate board or committee who will assign the project a “shepherd” to help with its implementation. If your project involves fundraising, the Stewardship Committee will review the proposal and help each Committee evaluate outlays vs. potential. Working as a team, members and boards will work together to make things happen!

It all begins with you, each and every member who has ever said, “I’ve always wanted to do (great idea) at our church!” Forms are now available in the back of the sanctuary. Let’s live into our legacy as a church with pizzazz!

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Journeys To Our Church

By Margaret Venator

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New At DCC: A Health Ministry Program!

(A Stewardship at the Edges Initiative)

By Laura Anderson

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Music Committee

Music Notes

Back by popular demand, the next Spiritual Drumming Circle will be held on Wednesday evening, June ??^th at 7:00 p.m. in the Vestry. As before, all are welcome. No prior experience is necessary. If you have a percussion instrument, please bring it along to share. Not a member of the church? Please join us if this opportunity intrigues you! Questions can be directed to James Davenport at jamesd@gsinet.net.

Communications

Let’s Keep the Presses Running!

By Linda Morse

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Community Notes

Dunbarton Old Home Days

By Nancy Lang

Old Home Day will be a two- day celebration this summer, July 17^th and 18^th. Saturday's events will include the 10 a.m. parade, a flea market/yard sale/craft fair, library book sale and fun and games for the whole family. A street dance is being planned for the evening. The fireworks will be Sunday evening, with an ice cream social and musical entertainment preceding them. Other events are being planned as well.

If you would like to help plan events, have a space for the flea market, or participate in the parade, please contact Nancy Lang, 774-3968 or NLang25015@aol.com. We are also looking for groups to man the food stands in two- hour blocks. This will require four to five people per shift. (There’s a minimum of three adults to work the grills.) All profits will be split among the groups participating. Contact me if you'd like to help.

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May 2004

Pastor's Message

I do not know of many emotions more excruciating than waiting: waiting for test results, waiting for healing, waiting for college admissions letters, waiting to hear from a prospective employer, waiting for a healthy child to be born, waiting for a loved one to die, waiting for a joyful reunion, waiting for God to reveal our true purpose in life, waiting for the risen Christ to come and comfort us with words of assurance. To wait is to live in that space between uncertainty and hope, that place where God invites us to abandon our fears and make an active decision for faith. For all who wait or have waited, this relinquishment is agony. Even the promise of peace everlasting is not enough to persuade most of us to “Let go and let God.”

The Bible is full of stories of faith and waiting: from Noah bobbing endlessly in that infernal beast-laden ark, to a band of cranky Israelites wandering endlessly in the desert. From Sarah, Hannah and Elizabeth waiting for impossible births, to Mary waiting for the most impossible birth of all. From the prophets awaiting the destruction of the two Kingdoms of Israel, to the disciples waiting for Jesus’ return and the coming of a new Kingdom altogether. To be human is to wait. To be faithful is the challenge, as anger, stress, fear and exhaustion consume our best efforts at optimism.

Last winter, a close friend of mine reminded me of a special kind of waiting. Her son, a young Captain in the Marines, was heading overseas for his second tour in Iraq. Stoic by nature, I was leveled by her suffering, the tears that would not cease and the battle she waged with God, “What do love and war have to do with one another?” When our conversation ended, I found myself asking, “What is the church’s role in this geopolitical quagmire? How, especially, can we communicate Jesus’ love and support to those in our community who wait for loved ones to return from war?”

In late February, I met with members of the Dunbarton American Legion Post 116 to devise a response. The result is only a beginning, but a meaningful one we hope. On Sunday, May 23^rd at 10:30 a.m. in our sanctuary we will hold a special ecumenical service of worship “For Those Who Wait.” This is not a political rally. It is not a time to debate Bush Administration policies. It is not a time to bludgeon one another with our opinions. It is certainly not a time to critique our soldiers who regardless of what we believe, continue to hold duty and country above all else. This is a time to offer spiritual nourishment and support to those families who live in the real world of these issues every day, praying only that their loved ones return safely home.

As partners, the Legion will be preparing a list of individuals in the area who have servicemen and women, regular military and reservists, currently serving in one of several “hot spots” around the world, including Iraq, Afghanistan, South Korea and the Balkans. If you know of someone impacted by these conflicts, please let us know so that invitations can be sent (cebagley@gsinet.net). We intend for this to be a community-wide event and will be contacting other groups in Dunbarton to invite their involvement. If you represent such a group and are interested in participating (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Garden Club, etc.), please contact the Church office (774-4601) or the above email address.

Today there are 135,000 US troops stationed in Iraq. Just under half are guardsmen and reservists. Sixty-three percent of America’s regular Army force is stationed in one of the global “hot spots” mentioned above. Rumors abound that a military draft might be reinstated, though Administration officials firmly deny this. Claims are emerging that citizen soldiers are not being afforded the same respect and supplies as full-time military personnel. April 15^th, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld announced the detainment of 20,000 troops poised to return home. Reservists are serving up to eighteen-month terms, half again as long as originally promised. The explosion of insurgent activity in Iraq over the past several weeks has resulted in the highest death toll since the onset of the war last March.

And for families waiting back home? Notes Omar Sacirbey, staff writer for the Valley News, “long separations and fear for the safety of loved ones in the combat theater are testing the mettle of many . . . families.” Many feel betrayed, that a promise has been broken. Bonnie Robbins, wife of N.H. Guardsman Scott Robbins, already worries that when her husband’s time to leave comes, he may be asked to stay longer. “I can’t wait for this to be over,” she tells the newspaper, “It’s a lot harder than I ever expected it to be.” The impact of the waiting on children is even greater. According to Sacirbey, one soldier’s four-year old daughter informed her mother, “I prayed that Daddy’s not dead today.”

Please help us honor those families who wait in that space between uncertainty and hope, those who wait in anguish, like we all do, for love and peace to return to their lives. Let us hear their stories and offer words of strength and comfort. To be human is to wait; let us wait together.

Blessings,

Pastor Cindy

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Board of Trustees

By Bill Jenkins

Special Thank You's…

To all who volunteered their time during our annual spring clean-up. What a turnout, and a great effort by everyone! Many thanks! Also a Very Special Thank You to an anonymous donor who generously sent a check to cover half the cost of repairing the vestry roof! Keep a look out for a wonderful rendering of the Arabell Caudill Memorial Walkway. A hearty Thank You goes to Brian Bacon (Dean's son) for this amazing depiction of what's to come!

Fund Raising Reminders

Your Krispy Kreme donuts (“You Buy, We Fly”) can be picked up on Saturday, May 8^th, from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Dunbarton town office parking lot.

The Dunbarton Congregation is starting its engines once again for the 2004 NHIS Speedway fundraising event to be held on Saturday July 24^th! We are looking for 25 volunteers to make this the biggest fundraising event in DCC history. If 25 people volunteer and we work a minimum of 8 hours, we will raise at least $1800.00. If we work 10 hours, we will raise over $2000.00! Please mark your calendars now; we need your help. Not only is it a great way to help our church - it's a FUN day (ask anyone who helped last year). A sign-up sheet is in back of the church, or you may contact any trustee for more information.

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Bylaws Committee

By Dean Bacon

The Bylaws Committee has been working on revising the bylaws of the church for over a year. Now it’s time for input from church members! There will be copies of the revised bylaws in the rear of the church beginning Sunday, April 27th. In addition, members of the Bylaws Committee (Dean Bacon, Jan Zeller, Diana Jenkins) will be visiting with boards and committees over the next few weeks to get their input. 0Our goal is to have a business meeting to discuss the bylaws on June 6, 2004. Depending on the outcome of that meeting, another meeting will be held during the summer months or in September to officially approve the bylaws. Please contact a member of the Bylaws Committee if you have any questions.

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Church School News

by Laura Tucker, Superintendent

Teachers Patty Shearin and Brigette Holmes will continue the BibleQuest lessons with the amazing story about Paul. We will also begin preparing for Children’s Sunday to be held on June 13^th this year. Our theme for this year’s event is “Weaving God’s Story”.

Prayers for My Teachers:
-That God would protect our teachers from danger such as accidents and illness (Philippians 4:6)
-That the Lord would be their stronghold in the day of trouble (Nahum1:7)
-That the Lord would keep them from the evil one. (John 17:15)
-That God would give his angels charge over them to keep them in all His ways (Psalm 91:10,11)
(Andrew Murray, in his “Helps to Intercession, FIFTEENTH DAY”)

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Blessing of the Shawls

By Joyce Ray

“We pray that this shawl be a sign of Your healing presence.

May the shawl warm her when she is weary.

May the shawl surround her with ease of her suffering.

May the shawl encircle her with caring when she is in pain.”

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Youth Group Happenings

Mockery or Embracement? A Confirmation Reflection

By Jeremy Belanger

Jesus, welcome to the twenty-first century. No longer are you simply an important figure in Christianity sporting your toga and sandals, you are now also a vast money making resource. You are imprinted on T-shirts, key chains, coffee mugs and even on the silver screen. As they would say in Hollywood, “You’ve made it!”

Images of Jesus can be found everywhere these days, even among the youth of America. Is this new trend an embracement of religion or simply the new “in” thing? I found myself wondering this as I was shopping at Spencer’s Gifts in the mall this past weekend. Spencer’s, a store known for joke and adult-related items, has a whole section of Jesus products. I found myself smiling as I played with a Jesus action figure complete with moving limbs. “Is this appropriate? Is this right?” I kept wondering.

Over the past couple of days I have kept my eyes open to see what other religious signs I saw in trendy stores and other places where kids hang out. My friend Johanna was sporting a “Mary is my Homegirl” T-shirt, and a search online led me to discover that “Jesus is my Homeboy” T-shirts are also available! For action figures, Spencer’s also had a bobble-head Jesus doll for the dashboard of one’s car, which I now laugh at as I drive along and Jesus dances. I was in a gas station in Connecticut on Sunday and noticed a license plate which read, “God is my co-pilot.” I have also seen countless CD’s for sale on TV channels such as MTV. Then of course there is the blockbuster smash “The Passion of the Christ.” All of these things led me to question what was going on.

I believe that the youth of America, as well as many adults, are bringing Jesus into the twenty-first century. As church guidelines have become less strict, people have begun to see Jesus in a new light. The world isn’t a serious place, and I believe that Jesus wanted humans to live life to the fullest. I don’t believe these things are done out of disrespect, rather an embracement of people’s religion.

As a teenager, I probably wouldn’t be caught driving a car with rosary beads hanging from the rearview mirror, but a bobbling Jesus . . . I will gladly display that! Like so many companies trying to sell items, these things are aimed at young people and I think the response they’re getting is terrific. I don’t believe that anyone is trying to upset the church or be disrespectful. I think it is quite the opposite.

So, here’s what I have to say to today’s youth, “You go and tell the world that Jesus is your Homeboy; go see him in the movie theaters, and every time you’re down, go see him dance on the dashboard of your car. As a sixteen-year-old kid, if Jesus can put a smile on my face and make me happy, he’s fulfilled his assignment to God. “Jesus, you rock.”

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Missions

By Patty Shearin

Food Pantry Sunday

If you would like to contribute to our Food Pantry, our “Items of the Month” for May are dish soap and cereal. Bring your item with you to church on May 23^rd and deposit it in the basket as you enter. Our Food Pantry supports many community members in need of assistance, and your donations are greatly appreciated!

Roadside Clean Up

THANKS to the Many hands that made for light work by the roadside!!

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Camp Opportunities

Contact Tammie Sullivan at 4sullz@bit-net.com or 774-3818 for more information.

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Stewardship Team

Turn on the Lights!

By Linda Morse

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Journeys To Our Church

By Margaret Venator

Jeremy Belanger, a sophomore at Bishop Brady High School, and Lauren Jenkins, a junior at Goffstown Area High School, are co-presidents of the Dunbarton Congregational Church Youth Group. Together they make a genuine "dynamic duo" as they reach out to town youth, plan community events, and lead monthly Food and Fellowship Bible Study gatherings. The Youth Group is roughly divided into senior high and junior high students. Up to thirty teenagers are involved at different times.
          When asked what they would do if there was no church, Lauren and Jeremy had a hard time imagining such a thing! In their schools, they are leaders. In their lives, they extend those leadership abilities, offering encouragement, enthusiasm and support to their peers. The church provides a space for them to grow in spiritual awareness, to acquire Biblical knowledge and to receive comfort, all important resources for shaping young values. Lauren's mother, Diana, supplies dynamic and reliable adult leadership for this group of teens.
          Besides the monthly meetings in the vestry, the Youth Group helps out at the New Horizon’s Soup Kitchen in Manchester, organizes the annual Easter Sunrise Service and Breakfast, assists with the preparation of food baskets for the needy in our community, and makes time for fun and recreation as well!
          As members of the prestigious New Hampshire Conference Youth Cabinet, Lauren and Jeremy are currently planning a junior high school retreat. Ten teens from around the state are selected through a rigorous application process to sit on the Youth Cabinet where they put in long hours planning and overseeing various spiritual activities and events for New Hampshire’s UCC Youth.
          Leadership flourishes in a church that encourages its youth to discover and express their gifts and interests. Jeremy is active in sports. Lauren is a member of the National Honor Society, is secretary of her class, and works with children in Goffstown. Both students bring an admirable breadth of intelligence, faith, commitment and maturity to the Dunbarton Congregational Church.
          As a congregation, let us continue to reflect on the ways in which we can encourage all of our teens to fulfill their potential and live lives of faith, compassion and service. It is an honor to have Lauren and Jeremy in our midst to guide us along the way.

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New At DCC: A Health Ministry Program!

(A Stewardship at the Edges Initiative)

By Laura Anderson

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Music Committee

Music Notes

Back by popular demand, the next Spiritual Drumming Circle will be held on Wednesday evening, May 19^th at 7:00 p.m. in the Vestry. As before, all are welcome. No prior experience is necessary. If you have a percussion instrument, please bring it along to share. Not a member of the church? Please join us if this opportunity intrigues you! Questions can be directed to James Davenport at jamesd@gsinet.net.

April 2004 Clarion

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Pastor's Message

This month, the publication of the Clarion coincides with the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred time in the Christian year. Our children will be performing their special project, “A Walk through Holy Week,” on Palm Sunday, the members of St. John’s will join us for our annual Maundy Thursday service, the Youth Group will be conducting an Easter morning Sunrise Service and breakfast, and dozens of visitors will fill our sanctuary that same day. This is indeed a joyful time for our church!

Yet Easter is also a holiday that begs the question, “What now?” For many today, Christmas and Easter are the church year, a placeholder for their faith, a way of remaining tethered to God without the burden of institutional commitments. This is not a bad thing. Indeed, our church has always welcomed those who bring their faith, questions and struggles to our door, twice a year or always.

Yet I submit that twice a year is not enough to grow a faith. One cannot learn to read by attending the first and last days of school. One cannot perfect a sport by showing up for the playoffs. Faith too requires the steady rhythm of Sunday worship and community life to create something deep and transformational.

In a moment of levity at our Lenten Workshop series, I joked that I was going to write a book called, “The Quest for a Liberal Evangelical Church.” Elusive though this grail may be, it is precisely what we need in America today to reinvigorate our mainline denominations and add a strong, balanced voice to the Christian conversation.

What would a “liberal evangelical” church look like? To me, the word “liberal” implies open: open to the latest and best in biblical scholarship, open to diversity in the beliefs, lifestyles and religious traditions of others, open to doctrinal differences within our congregations, open to new ways of being within our faith communities, open to the notion that faith involves mystery, that not every question has an answer, pat or otherwise, and finally, open to the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives, however that is made manifest.

“Evangelical” is the loaded word, laden with visions of political conservatism, strict doctrine, literal biblical interpretation and sin-saving grace. Viewed in this way, liberal and Evangelical could barely exist in the same room. But evangelical with a small “e” implies passion, enthusiasm, love, commitment, and community. It is a Jesus word, and a Paul word, and defines the absolute essence of Christianity in the first century and today.

I think we Protestants have forgotten this, the idea that faith demands devotion, the same devotion we extend to our families, friends, work, sports, and hobbies. Yet visit an Evangelical church with a capital “e” and you will encounter a spirit of devotion that is, in a word, breathtaking. These folk shape their lives around their faith, not their faith around their lives. Do we?

When I look out from the pulpit each week, I see a core of hearty souls who regularly attend church, who understand that worship is not something we receive from God, but something we give to God each Sunday morning. For one hour we set aside all secular concerns and gather as a family, a church family, to express our love and gratitude for God and one another. It is this sense of community, inherited from our Jewish forebears, that distinguishes the Christian faith. Since its beginnings, Christianity has always been about fellowship and relationship. Though “I believe in God but don’t like institutional religion,” may be a popular refrain, for Christians it is theologically impossible.

The great monk and theologian Henri Nouwen once wrote, when all is said and done, the essence of the Christian gospel is this, “Become like Jesus.” In my view, The Dunbarton Congregational Church is a stellar example of what a loving and inclusive church should look like. Yet how do we rate on the evangelical side? Are we devoted enough to give God one hour of worship a week or are our secular concerns too compelling? How much or how little can dissuade you from showing up on Sunday mornings?

I believe in the vision of a “liberal evangelical” church, open and inclusive in its practice, passionate about Christ and his mission at its core. I also believe in the necessity of this vision. We cannot grow an empty church. The visitor who encounters forty people on a Sunday morning may not be inspired by our genuine energy and enthusiasm. The visitor who encounters eighty will remember that ours a church with pizzazz!

When Easter is over and spring beckons with a new array of delightful distractions, how will the church fit into your life? Will you mark your calendars, “Worship, 10:30 a.m. Sunday”? Or will the weeks slip by until you can’t really remember the last time you were here?

The Son, my friends, has been resurrected. What wonderful thing will be resurrected in your hearts this year?

Blessings,

Pastor Cindy

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Church School News

by Laura Tucker, Supt.

In Zurich, Switzerland, children carrying Easter eggs meet in the Square. A competition is held to find the hardest egg. Some dye their eggs, others leave them plain. One contestant holds the egg with the end pointed and waits while the opposing contestant attempts to crack it with the pointed end of another egg. The positions are reversed while the contestants test the flat ends of the eggs. The winner takes the egg that has both ends cracked until ultimately the strongest egg is found!

It may seem natural for us to eat chocolate bunnies and colored eggs at Easter, but children may wonder where these traditions originated. If this is a question your children ask at Easter, here are some answers that Arlene Fulton, Child Development Specialist at Oklahoma State University, says you might give them.

Different religions attach special meanings to Easter, but the Easter bunny and eggs actually are ancient symbols of spring. They both have their origins in the ancient fertility lore of Indo-European races.

The hare and rabbit served as symbols of abundant new life in the spring season because they were the most fertile animals our forefathers knew. To our ancestors, it was startling to see a new and live creature emerge from a seemingly dead object. Thus the egg became a symbol of spring and of new life. For hundreds of years, dyed eggs have been exchanged as a token of peace at Easter.

The bunny has acquired a cherished role in the celebration of Easter as the legendary producer of Easter eggs for children in many countries. The first recorded mention of the Easter Bunny and his eggs comes from a German book of fables printed in 1572.

Children of many nations celebrate Easter with the traditional symbols of Easter bunnies and eggs. Egg-games and egg-races maintain their popularity even today. After all, what would Easter be without a good old-fashioned Easter-egg hunt?

Symbols aside, the important answer to children's questions about Easter is that 2,000 years ago Jesus Christ was crucified....

"For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten Son;
that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish,
but have everlasting life." John 3:16

For three consecutive Mondays, a dozen of our youth and their friends have gathered at the vestry after school to explore the meaning of Easter symbols. Clay, dough, paper maiche, nails, foil, pennies, are only some of the media we have used to reconstruct these symbols in preparation for “A Walk through Holy Week,” a special presentation by the children that will take place on Palm Sunday. Boundless thanks go to Dr. Wendy Jensen for organizing this activity, and to Kelly Bates for assisting her in this effort.

On Easter Sunday, a traditional Easter egg hunt led by Patty Shearin and Jeanne Sherman will round out Holy Week. No church school will be held on Palm Sunday or Easter.

Bible Quest lessons for the remainder of April will continue under the leadership of Jeanne Sherman and Kelly Bates:

4/19 Thomas hears the Good News,
4/26 Philip shares the Good News.

The Jelly Bean Prayer

Red is for the blood He gave,
Green is for the grass He made,
Yellow is for the sun so bright,
Orange is for the edge of night.

Black is for the sins that were made
White is for the grace He gave,
Purple is for the hour of sorrow,
Pink is for the new tomorrow.

Give a bag full of jelly beans,
Colorful and sweet,
Tell them it's a Prayer....
It's a promise..
It's an Easter Treat!

Author unknown. Traditions of Easter source: College of Agricultural Sciences, Penn. State University

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Youth Group Happenings

By Diana Jenkins

On Saturday evening, March 20th the youth group held a Progressive Supper. We began with variety of appetizers at the Shearin's, followed by a main course of lasagna, salad, and bread at the Holmes', and ended with make your own brownie sundaes at the Frost's. The youth and adults had a great time visiting and eating. Thank you to all the host families for a delicious meal!

April:
4th - 11:30 Easter Food Baskets at the vestry
11th - 6:00 am Easter Sunrise Service followed by an Easter Breakfast in the vestry

May
2nd - 12:00 Food & Fellowship at the vestry

“Teaching Self Control”

Reprinted with permission from Group Magazine (Jan/Feb 2004)

Yelling is a common pitfall in many parent/teenager conflicts. The teenager yells, the parent yells, and the exchange gets louder until someone walks out, leaving everyone feeling angry and helpless. Michael Josephson, Val Peter, and Tom Dowd, in Parenting to Build Character in Your Teen (Boys Town Press) offer two quick steps to teach teenagers self-control and help your family resolve conflicts together:

Calming Down—Describe your teenager’s problem behavior to him or her, give clear instructions on what he or she needs to do to calm down, and then allow time for calming down. For example, “Matt, you’re yelling at me and pacing around the room. Take a few deep breaths and try to settle down.”

Follow-Up Teaching—Describe to your teenager how he or she should behave next time. For example, “Instead of shouting, why don’t you ask me if you can sit on the porch until you’re ready to talk about it?” It’s also crucial to include an appropriate negative consequence so your teenager learns that yelling isn’t the way to get what he or she wants. Consequences help change behavior.

The key to teaching self-control is in delivery. Be sure to talk to your teenager slowly and softly, and with empathy. Don’t get sidetracked with other issues, control your emotions, and include a “cool down” time for yourself.

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Missions

By Patty Shearin

Roadside Clean Up

April 17^th at 8:30 a.m.

Can you believe it’s that time of the year again? I’m glad that it is! This is the third year in a row that we have been having a snowstorm while I write this article, hoping that the ground will be clear by the clean-up date.

Our first of four roadside clean ups for the year will take place on Saturday, April 17^th at 8:30 a.m. Participants will meet in front of the church at the designated time to be issued a safety vest and trash bags and to read and sign safety forms. Children 11 yrs. old and older are welcome to participate. Those under the age of 16 will need written consent from a parent or guardian.

With the rapid loss of open green space in our state, what better way to show that we care about our community, than by keeping our green spaces clean. Come on out and get some exercise and help beautify our community at the same time. The first clean up of the season is usually the most work because of all the litter that has accumulated since last October. Many hands make for light work! If you have further questions, please call Patty Shearin at 774-3208. Hope to see you by the roadside! <<Back

Camp Opportunities

Contact Tammie Sullivan at 4sullz@bit-net.com or 774-3818 for more information. <<Back

Stewardship Team

By Linda Morse

The fundraising ideas are pouring in, everything from a visit with John Audubon to Krispy Kreme Doughnuts! The Stewardship committee is exploring placing a bulletin board in the church to list ongoing and upcoming fundraising projects to keep everyone informed about our great ideas. We’re also developing a shorter form for you to fill out and submit to Pastor Cindy when a wonderful idea, fundraising or otherwise, pops into your head. Stay tuned, and keep dreaming! <<Back

New At DCC: A Health Ministry Program!

(A Stewardship at the Edges Initiative)

By Laura Anderson

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Music Committee

Drumming Up Some Spirit

By James Davenport

On Thursday March 18^th,our church Vestry was filled with spirit, energy and music as James Davenport led a spiritual drumming circle.

There was a fine turnout including special guests Pastor Manassee, his wife Odiya, daughter Jolie, along with two members of his “adopted” family, Patti Burwen and her daughter Emily. Pastor Manassee’s family is from the Congo; they also lived in Rwanda for a time before coming to live here in New Hampshire.

James shared songs with the group and the evening primarily celebrated the music of the late Babatunde Olatunji, a master drummer and spiritual leader who brought his music to the United States from Nigeria. The group listened and then played this powerful music on more than a dozen percussion instruments representing a variety of cultures throughout the world.

Our guests then led the group in a song from central Africa and treated everyone as well to a display of traditional dance. As the evening progressed and the group played songs of faith and affirmation, a powerful community bond could be felt.

Comments such as “When can we do this again?”, “This is very relaxing” and “I’d like a drum in my living room!” have guaranteed that follow-up sessions will be scheduled. For those who were unable to attend and would like to share in this amazing experience, look for another evening of drumming to be scheduled in May.

The evening inspired some members of the Congregation to plan on bringing this music to an upcoming worship service to share with all. Don’t be surprised if one day soon you find yourself with an opportunity to move to the beat of a different drummer!

Communications

By Linda Morse

On the communications front, Boards and Committees please be sure to let me know the dates of your fundraising events as soon as possible in order to provide for plenty of lead time for publicity planning.

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Community Notes

Town Common Project

By Donna Dunn

You can help the Town Common Project by doing what comes naturally – eating! Shorty’s Mexican Roadhouse (Manchester location only) will donate 15% of food sales on Tuesday, April 13 if you tell your server you are there on behalf of the Dunbarton Town Common Project. Then, drop your duplicate receipt in the proper container at the wait station on your way out. Yup, it’s that simple!

This applies to all food purchases made throughout the day. Have lunch with co-workers or friends, phone in a takeout order on the way home, or make it an evening out! Consider having a meeting! Both the Dunbarton Lions and the Garden Club are having their monthly meetings at Shorty’s that night.

How about organizing a takeout lunch for your office? Maybe you could volunteer to drive a group from Dunbarton or pick up a takeout order? We will place food orders and collect money; you just pick up and deliver to a single location. Call 774-4567 for details.

Shorty’s is “way more than just Mexican” with soups, salads, chicken, BBQ, ribs, steak, kids menu and more. Check out menus at www.shortysmex.com. Join in! We know you need to eat!

Manchester Location: Northside Plaza, 1050 Bicentennial Drive. (If using Rt. 93, take exit 9S) 625-1730.

Note: Pastor Cindy will be on vacation in Florida from Tuesday, April 13^th to Tuesday, April 20^th. If you are in need of pastoral assistance, please contact Deacon of the Month , Jennifer Oliver at 497-5171 or jennifer.oliver@sun.com.

St. Patrick’s Day Senior Citizen’s Dinner

Despite six inches of new snow on the ground, on Wednesday, March 17^th, the Dunbarton Congregational Church hosted ten seniors for a wonderful evening of food and fellowship! Thanks to Margaret Venator, our guests enjoyed a fabulous corned beef and cabbage dinner complete with all the fixings! As traditional Irish ballads played in the background, the mood was festive in spite of the weather. When surveyed about the desirability of future events, the group voted a unanimous yes! Special thanks go to Heather Radl, Project Coordinator, as well as Patty and Sam Shearin and Nancy Lang for their contributions of time and supplies.

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Tired of Your Same Old Cookbooks?

Well, we’ve got just what you need! Our church’s cookbook, titled “Family Favorites”., is 152 pages of recipes collected from church members and friends. It even has tips on canning vegetables, baking, using herbs and a calorie counter. Best of all, there’s a dedication to Mom in for Mother’s Day in the front! All of this for a mere $5.00. Pick up your copy in the church at the welcome table, call 774-7811 or email lmorse@gsinet.net.