REPORTS FROM MINISTRY TEAMS Sept. 2010
Music Ministry Team: The summer music program is about over. We had two summer music events, The Middle River Gospel Group and The MacDonald Family Singers. It was a pleasure to meet such nice people in both groups, and host such enjoyable music. We were fortunate to have good music for the Sunday services; a flutist, Darlene Nevins on the Saxophone, Ben Goss, Kelley and Eric Swanson and guest vocalists enhanced our services. It won’t be long before the choir resumes. We would love to have newcomers join us. Anyone of any age that is interested let one of us know or just come to rehearsals. At the present we are planning to begin on September 12th.
Martha Thoits, Team Leader.
Hospitality Ministry Team: We have been very busy since we became a team. Rose Daniels has been organizing the Sunday Coffee Hour through August. We have done refreshments for several funerals, most recently for our pastor J. We hosted the musical programs with Iced Tea and Cookies and we are preparing drinks and tables and chairs for the picnic at the Lower Warner Meeting House service. Jan Carlson and Julie Durgin have been making sure we have greeters at the door each Sunday. Of course, Hospitality is more than coffee and cake – we are all responsible to be welcoming and hospitable.
Kitty Fifield, Team Leader
Membership Ministry Team
The Membership Ministry Team was formed to update the church’s membership files. Members are Nancy Eastman, Martha Thoits, and Liz Fougere.
Membership in the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ and the Associated Baptist Churches of Vermont and New Hampshire is based on the number of active and inactive members so it is important to keep these numbers up to date.
Letters were sent to all members whose current status is in question, 107 letters were sent. They have been given an opportunity to update their membership status. We expect this process to culminate in early February and then we will have an accurate listing of church members.
Faith Formation Ministry
On Sept. 14th the Bible study which began last year will resume. This group will meet on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8 p.m. and will be led by Mike and Nancy Fitzgerald. The group welcomes new people to attend as well as the faithful attendees from last year. Also, it is not necessary to attend every class because each session focuses on a different person in the Bible. This group gathers in the Parish House.
Another study will be offered on Sunday evenings (date and times to be announced) entitled Christianity and World Religions – Wrestling With Questions People Ask. This will be a four week study in video form by Adam Hamilton. The study explores four major world religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism – and compares the beliefs of each with those of Christianity. In examining these major world religions and the beliefs of their followers, the Reverend Hamilton urges us as Christians to build bridges with others so that might grow in our faith, seek peace in our world, love our neighbor, and find positive ways to share the gospel.
The tentative date for Sunday School to begin is September 19th, and we are hoping to have a picnic at Rollins State Park (Kearsarge Mtn) with the rest of the church. The Sunday School Coordinator is busy recruiting teachers – WE ARE LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS so that our regular teachers can attend church. More information and details will be forthcoming !!! If you would like to join this wonderful team of teachers, please speak with Joyce Foley.
Faith Formation Ministry Team: Jan Carlson, Nancy Fitzgerald, Beverly Howe, and Joyce Foley.
Oh, yes, please keep this Team in your prayers as we explore ways to form our faith as individuals and as a Church.
UNITED CHURCH OF WARNER
Ministry Teams
June 2010
*FINANCE TEAM: Administer sound fiscal policies and procedures in management of church-owned financial resources; prepare annual budget; review salaries, wages compensation arrangements for Pastor, employees and those providing services to church; budget for continued services; make recommendations to Annual Meeting; establish policies governing acquisition and disposition of all church-owned real and personal property.
Team Leader: Ralph Kemper
Members: Chris Perkins, John Wallace
*FAITH FORMATION TEAM: Organize and manage Christian Education
for youth and adults, and Youth Safety Program
Team Leader: Joyce Foley
*PASTORAL PARISH RELATIONS TEAM: Act as advisory group to Pastor which encourages Pastor’s professional growth and well-being; enhance relationship between Pastor and congregation with regular meetings; report to Annual Meeting as well as to Council as needed; recommend suspension of Pastor after all attempts to resolve concerns of congregation have failed.
Team Members: Eric Swanson, Rachel Hogue, Jayne Greenlun
Advisory person(past Pastoral Relations Chairman): Nancy Fitzgerald
*WORSHIP TEAM: Organize worship and provide guest/supply
Preachers and coordinate summer services until Sept. 6th
Team Leader: Nancy Eastman
Team members: Rachel Hogue, Liz Fougere,
Jayne Greenlun, Betty Kemper, Lon Thorpe
*HOSPITALITY TEAM: Responsible for coffee/refreshments at all
Sunday worship services and all special services
Team Leader: Kitty Fifield
Members: Lane & Jeremy Monroe, Rose Daniels,
Jayne Greenlun, Wanda Anderson, Julie Durgin, Jan
Carlson, Kerma Shampney
June 2010
* MUSIC TEAM: Responsible for music at all worship and special services.
Team Leader: Martha Thoits
Members: Darlene Nevins, Marilyn Johnson, Jean Grandy
*GOALS & EVALUATIONS TEAM: Evaluate needs, goals and paths of church; act as nominating body; perform annual reviews of Pastor and all church employees.
Team leader: Lon Thorpe
Members: Nancy Eastman, Paul Sharrio, John Wallace,
Constance Manchester-Bonenfant
*CHURCH SUPPER TEAM: The on-going organization, preparing and serving of monthly community church suppers. This is an all-church effort involving many community and church members in the spirit and commitment of fellowship, fun and good food !
*MEMBERSHIP TEAM: Updating of membership list, to bring our records current.
Team Leader: Nancy Eastman
Members: Martha Thoits, Liz Fougere
*CROPWALK TEAM: Coordinate effort for yearly walk for hunger; invite community groups, organize donation efforts, walkers and walk details.
Team Leader: Rachel Hogue
Members: Nancy Eastman, Blanche Royce, Kerma
Shampney, John and Connie Wallace, Tim Hogue, Alex Swanson
and Rachel’s greatly appreciated grandson.
*COMMUNITY OUTREACH ASSISTANCE TEAM: Respond to local assistance requests from contacts that come from Town Manager in a confidential manner, reporting needs and funds dispersed for such to the Council
Team Leader: Robin Belkner
Members: Kerma Shampney, Jan Carlson
June 2010
*BUILDINGS & GROUNDS MAINTENANCE TEAM: Care for church property; execute all legal documents/contracts on behalf of the church; maintain adequate fuel supply and janitorial services and oversee use of church by outside parties.
Team Leader: Mike Fitzgerald
Team Members: Ralph Kemper, Lane Monroe
*WOMEN’S PRAYER GROUP: Weekly group meetings to study God’s word, pray for and encourage one another in the Christian walk and share concerns and fellowship in a safe and confidential setting.
Team Leader: Jayne Greenlun
*ANTRIM GIRL’S SHELTER: The Antrim Girls Shelter serves girls between the ages of eleven and seventeen, who have been court ordered to reside at the Shelter for 30 to 90 days, due to discipline issues or unsafe or undesirable family situations. The Shelter provides a safe haven, educational fulfillment, counseling, and role models for girls who otherwise would receive no intervention to guide them on a productive positive life journey. They receive help and referrals upon leaving the Shelter. The biggest needs are for school supplies, personal items and Christmas boxes.
Team Leader: Sarah Sanborn
Team Members: Women’s Prayer Group and our church community
June 2010