Community Supper

February 2017

It’s our turn to provide the meal for the Somerville Community Supper on Monday, February 27. Let’s make the main dish together on Sunday, February 26 from 1-2:30 in the Parish Hall kitchen. Children are welcome. If you’d like to join us, please let Kate Lindheim know by Thursday, February 23. If you’d like to contribute to the dinner, but can’t help on the 26th, please let me know if you’d like to get the drinks, a quart of half and half, bread, or fruit. I can give you details about quantities. Thanks!

New Members Meeting

February 2017

Interested in membership at PACC? Please join us for two sessions designed to review PACC’s history and structure, the UCC, and provide an opportunity to learn about programs and activities we host and sponsor. We’ll gather on February 12 and 19 from 4:00 – 5:30 pm in the Fellowship Room. It’s the ground-level room with the stained glass. Those wishing to covenant with us will be received into membership on March 5th during the 10:00 am worship service. Please contact our pastor or membership Deacons, Betty Rich or Cindy Manson if you would like to participate or for more information. By the way, even if you’re already a member, you’re welcome too!

Mission and Justice

We have begun receiving “Thank you” notes for our year-end contributions: Arlington Food Pantry, from Andi Doane, Executive Director; International Institute of New England, from Jeffrey Thielman, President & CEO; Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, A Bed for Every Child, from Robyn Frost, Executive Director, and Sister Linda Bessom SND, Community Organizer; New England Center and Home for Veterans, from Charlene Pontbriand, Sr. Vice President; One Can Help, from Anne Bader-Martin, President; Partners In Health, from Gary Gottlieb, MD, MBA, Chief Executive Officer. You can see them on the Mission and Justice bulletin board in Parish Hall and on our webpage www.pacc-ucc.org/home/mission-and-justice.

In January we sent the Mass. Conference UCC $883.00 from our UCC Christmas Fund collections during Advent.

On Saturday, the 14th, Kate Lindheim, Jill Lewis, Mike Rich and Betty Rich attended City Mission Society’s MLK Day of Learning at United Parish, Brookline.

On Monday, the 16th, Arlington held its 29th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Observance at Town Hall in the evening. The program honored Calvary United Methodist Church’s Pastor, The Rev. Christine Elliott, with their Outstanding Achievement award for her work with Housing Corporation of Arlington, the Somerville Homeless Coalition, Arlington Food Pantry, Arlington EATS! and her participation in discussions with other Arlington clergy about Black Lives Matter. Bonnie Hayner, Liz & Mark Ramras, Betty & Mike Rich and Sally & Mary Rogers were in attendance from PACC.

Ongoing Outreach

Arlington Food Pantry (AFP)

We will be collecting non-perishable food items and household goods for the AFP on Sunday, February 5th. Visit https://arlingtonfoodpantry.org for the list of needed and “high need” items.

THANKS to Kate Lindheim for bringing our donated items to the AFP each month. If you are interested in helping, periodically or regularly, talk to Kate, Mike Rich or Jill Lewis

Community Supper

PACC provides dinner for the Community Supper hosted by Somerville Homeless Coalition every month on the fourth Monday at First Church UCC in Somerville (89 College Ave, near Davis Square). See Kate Lindheim’s article elsewhere in the Spire for more details about this month’s supper.

One Great Hour of Sharing

“I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink …” Matthew 25:35 

OGHS is the Lenten Offering of the United Church of Christ that supports disaster, refugee, and development actions. The suggested offering date for the One Great Hour of Sharing offering in 2017 is Sunday, March 26. Talk to Jill Lewis or Mike Rich if you are willing to be our campaign coordinator this year or to present a Mission Moment on a Sunday leading up to the collection on March 26th. For more information go to www.onegreathourofsharing.org.

Public Service Announcement

Arlington’s Health and Human Services Department lists local, state and federal assistance programs on its webpage, here – https://arlingtonfoodpantry.org. You can find out about how to get: food from the Arlington Food Pantry, the Helping Hand

Food Pantry in Cambridge, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, Food Stamps) and the Women, Infants and Children’s program (WIC); Housing; Home heating assistance and more.

Upcoming Events

On Sunday, March 5th, The ADL is celebrating its 10th Annual “A Nation of Immigrants” Community Seder from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at UMass Boston. Talk to Mike or Betty Rich for more details.

On Saturday, March 18th, the Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island Conferences will be holding Super Saturday “full-day of skill building offering numerous workshops, a keynote address, worship, a marketplace of vendors and ideas and an opportunity for everyone to network with one another.” This time the Keynote speaker and worship leader will be Brian McLaren, author, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for ‘a new kind of Christianity’ – just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good.” The event will be held at Minnechaug Regional High School, Wilbraham, MA, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Saturday, June 10th, is the culmination of Boston’s Pride Festival, with a Community Interfaith Worship at Old South UCC in the morning, followed by a Parade at noon and information booths, food and entertainment at Boston’s City Hall Plaza into the evening.

Friday to Saturday, June 16 to 17, Historic Tri-Conference Annual Meeting – “The 2017 Annual Meeting will be an historic event as the Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts Conferences gather together for the first time to explore how we can make a greater impact together and what that means. There will be shared worship and program, as well as separate Conference business meetings. The Keynote Speaker is UCC Minister & President The Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer. He is the author of BEYOND RESISTANCE: THE INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH MEETS THE POSTMODERN WORLD.” It will be held at the Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT.

Thanks for your generosity, interest and participation,

Jill Lewis and Mike Rich, 2017 Mission and Justice Deacons, on behalf of PACC’s Mission and Justice Ministry

Christian Education

February 2017

Sunday school

We’ll have a multi age class on Sunday, February 19. Calendars with the stories we’ll be learning and ideas for activities and discussion at home are on the table in the narthex.

Middle school youth group

The middle school youth group meets during the worship service on Sunday mornings.

February 5– stay in church for worship service and Communion

February 12– make baptism boxes and talk about baptism

February 19– multi age class for everyone

February 26– make salad for the Community Supper

Evening youth group (seventh grade and up)

We’ll get together for a movie and popcorn on Sunday, February 12 from 4-6. Look for an email with more details.

Birthday Bags for Youth Villages

For the last year and a half, PACC has been providing a monthly birthday bag to one of the dorms at Youth Villages/Germaine Lawrence. This is a birthday party in a bag with cake mix, frosting, candles, decorations, and something fun to help the girls celebrate their birthdays. Birthdays at Youth Villages, a residential program for girls ages 12-18 with serious emotional and behavioral issues, can be hard because the girls are not at home to celebrate with family and friends. The birthday bags are much appreciated and are a way for PACC to extend a welcoming hand to our neighbors.

There is a blue bucket under the table in the narthex for donations to the birthday bags. For the month of February, we’ll collect cake mix and frosting. Next month, we’ll focus on collecting different items for the bags. Thank you!

Small Talk

February 2017

With the earlier rising and later setting of the sun, more light is coming into our daily lives. The word, lent, has several roots. One is about springtime; another is about stretching.

We’ll begin observing the 40-day season of Lent with the Imposition of Ashes on Ash Wednesday, March 1st, in the the Narthex and Sanctuary any time between 5:30-7:00 p.m. You are welcome to spend time in prayerful reflection in addition to the imposition of ashes.

Traditionally, Lent has been a time of repentance, which in Biblical parlance really means “turning around”. In recent years, there’s been a shift to thinking about taking on something new rather than giving something up as a Lenten practice. That itself is a turn-around!

In this Lenten season, we’re offering two distinct programs both of which “take on something”.

The first is a program designed by Will Bowen and is called, “A Complaint-Free World”. Bowen begins by quoting Paul: do everything without complaining and arguing (Philippians 2:14). In a world fraught with contention, this is a wonderful way to turn around and remind ourselves that as Christians, we are committed to love one another and to treat one another with respect even (and especially) when we disagree. If you’d like to learn more, please visit: www.willbowen.com

You’ll be reading, seeing, and hearing more about A Complaint-Free World as Lent unfolds. The most visible and participatory part of the program is a purple wrist band. They’ll be available in the Narthex on Ash Wednesday and every Sunday during Lent.

Starting on March 1st, Ash Wednesday, those who wish to be part of a Complaint-Free World will start wearing the wrist band. Every time you catch yourself complaining or criticizing, you move the band to the other wrist. The goal is to not move the band for 21 days. That’s the length of time it takes to create a new habit.

It’s a wonderful way to raise consciousness about being positive and the ripple-effect that has in creating peace for one’s self, in the home, church, and community.

The second Lenten program offers another way to experience embodying the season. The following six Wednesday activities will take the place of Bible study until after Easter.

Each Wednesday in Lent, we’ll offer an activity designed to stretch our appreciation for variety in God’s world. That will begin on Ash Wednesday with the quiet time for personal reflection

The following Wednesdays, we’ll engage in: personal writing/journaling poetry or prose; music as a medium for the Spirit; Dance and the Spirit; Visual Art for the Lenten Journey; Feeding the Body and Soul – a true potluck supper. Please look for specifics (dates and times) in the March Spire and bulletins.

All of these opportunities to gather are open to the community. Invite your friends, neighbors, co-workers, the person working out next to you at the gym, and others to share in this season of possibility.

Faithfully,
Jill
The Reverend Jill H. Small

Christian Education

January 2017

Sunday school

Our theme for winter Sunday school is Journeys with Jesus.  We’ll focus on stories about Jesus from the Gospel of Matthew.  Calendars with the stories and ideas for activities and discussion at home are on the table in the narthex.

We’ll have one multi age class on January 1 and 15.

Youth Group

The middle school youth group will make dessert for the Somerville Community supper on January 22.

The evening youth group (7th grade and up) will volunteer with the Outdoor Church on a Saturday afternoon.  We’ll make sandwiches and distribute them alongside Outdoor Church staff.  Look for an email with details and date. 

Evening Bible Study

Evening Bible Group typically meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month in the Fellowship Room at 7:30-9 p.m.  January dates are January 11^th and 24^th. Jill facilitates and we will continue with our study of the book of Amos. Join us for a lively discussion! All are welcome.

 

Mission and Justice

January 2017

Thank you for your generous contributions to our Advent outreach projects. We donated $325 to the New England Center for Homeless Veterans in time for Thanksgiving; filled Christmas wish lists for Arlington’s Adopt-A-Family and for Youth Villages’ Germaine Lawrence girls; sent gifts to the City Mission Society Christmas Shop; and collected money for the UCC Christmas Fund. (The Christmas Fund assists pastors, providing small annuity supplements, emergency grants, and Christmas ‘Thank You’ gift checks each December to low-income retirees.)

Following our annual spending meeting, PACC made donations to about a dozen local, national and international organizations. Funds for these gifts come from our annual Outreach Fund budget of $16,000.00, interest on the Hayes Fund (approximately $1,300.00) and from the Tremendous Hearts dissolution fund (approximately $500.00). Details will be in our Annual Report. Thanks for your generosity, interest and participation.

ONGOING OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

Arlington Food Pantry

On the first Sunday of each month, PACC collects non-perishable food items and household goods for the Arlington Food Pantry (AFP). For a list of recommended and high need items visit http://arlingtonfoodpantry.org. For distribution dates or to learn how to register to receive food see: arlingtonfoodpantry.org. We are also looking for regular or occasional volunteers to deliver the donations to the AFP. Info? Interested? Speak with Betty Rich.

Community Supper for the Homeless

On the fourth Monday of each month PACC provides dinner for the Somerville Homeless Coalition’s Community Supper. For Monday, January 23, we need:

• vegetarian chili for 6 people
• salad and salad dressing for 25 people
• bread for 25 people
• 2 liters of drinks (some sugar free)
• quart of half and half
• fresh fruit

Please let Kate know if you would like to provide any of the items. We have disposable pans for the chili and salad. Our next meal is February 27 and we hope to organize a group to make the dinner together in the church kitchen on February 26.

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY ACTIVITIES

 City Mission Society

There are two special events for youth and adults as part CMS’ Day of Learning “Courageous Conversations on Racism” on Saturday, January 14, 2017, 9 am to 1 pm, United Parish in Brookline, 210 Harvard St., Brookline, MA.

These intergenerational events are designed to empower participants with the tools to have brave conversations around the issues of race. Dr. King knew that it took courage for people to engage in dialogue that identifies the conditions that separate people from one another, and to identify the conditions that build understanding and unity. We invite you to join us for this event.

For ages 7-13 there are three options—arts and crafts, storytelling, and music. For ages 14 and up there are two workshops that will focus on the tools needed to have conversations about race and then a chance to practice using the skills and resources. The morning will conclude with a communal meal to deepen our learning of each other and the importance of anti-racism work.

The participation fee is $25 for adults and $10 for 7-18.

Arlington’s 29th annual MLK Birthday Observance

 At Town Hall on Monday, January 16^th. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. with light refreshments. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. This year the people and program of Arlington’s 50 years of METCO will be recognized. The guest speaker will be Tina Martin, award-winning television and radio anchor, host, and reporter for WGBH and regular contributor to the Huffington Post. (To learn more about Martin see: http://news.wgbh.org/people/tina-martin).

Music by Dr. Leslee Christopher, Soprano, and Paul White, Pianist. Non-perishable food items for the Arlington Food Pantry will be collected and a free-will offering to benefit public and non-profit programs that further the goals of Dr. King will be taken.

Small Talk

January 2017

Another beginning: it’s 2017! I usually catch myself writing the old date a few times before I get used to the reality of the current “now”.  The current “now” or what’s often called “the new normal” takes some getting used to and that’s okay.

We carry the past with us. The challenge, and the joy, is that experience can buoy us up and give us strength, courage, and enthusiasm for today and for tomorrow.

2017 will be a big year for PACC. You’ll call a new settled pastor. That person will bring enthusiasm and ideas and a way of walking in faith.  You’ll get to know each other over time and together you’ll figure out how to be the Church here at PACC and in the wider community.

The figuring out takes some time and patience. It’s an investment in yourselves as the Church, so dig deep and chip in all you can. The rewards can be immense: a congregation committed to living into and out of the Good News that the Divine embrace is wide enough for all.

I used to teach technical writing and I have some “pet peeves” about word use. One of them is confusing the words eager and anxious. Both are about anticipation, but eager is when one is looking forward to something while anxious is not being very keen on what’s about to happen.

The Massachusetts Conference publishes The Parish Paper every month. In the November issue, editor Cynthia Woolever wrote about congregational anxiety. Here’s a little of her article:

An anxious church tends to

Over think any decision before taking action
Imagine and expect negative outcomes
Worry about the very worst that could happen
Respond poorly to any negative feedback from nonmembers
Be extremely self-critical

Woolever went on, “Rediscovering our goals and committing to them increases our resilience to anxiety.

Try starting with a “yes” on a mission goal, setting behavior deadlines for decisions, and making sure to consider as many positive implications and negative ones”

There’s both eagerness and anxiety in our midst. You get to choose which you want to guide you as you move into this new year. There is so much opportunity and so much potential to make real differences in the congregation and beyond when you start with “yes.”

You’ve begun already by investing time and energy in responding to the pastoral search committee’s survey and conversation s about who we are, who our neighbors are, and who God is calling us to be. That’s a great start. Thank you for investing yourselves in this process of discernment.

When your next pastor arrives, make your welcome eager and not anxious. Use that momentum already in your midst to say yes often. It’s the most faithful response to the many ways God calls us, individually and together, to stand for justice and to embody peace.

Happy New Year,
Jill

Mission and Justice

December 2016

Every December, PACC gets involved with several important outreach projects to serve our neighbors in Arlington, Boston and beyond.

Adopt-A-Family – Dec 4

Organized by the Town of Arlington, gifts go to Arlington families in need. Each year we receive the “Wish Lists” children and families. Church members have been signing up since November 20 to help make Christmas special for four boys ages 4, 8, 11, and 17. Using the tags you were provided when you signed up, please bring your NEW and UNWRAPPED gifts to Parish Hall on Sunday, December 4. Please leave on all tags and include a gift receipt. And, please, no personal notes.  You may also contribute by writing a check payable to PACC with “Adopt-A-Family” on the memo line. (Donations of wrapping paper, tape and gift bags are also welcome.) Contact Lauren Evans for details.

City Mission Society Christmas Shop – Dec 11

Like Adopt-A-Family, the City Mission Society also provides gifts for needy families but serves the entire metropolitan Boston area. (https://citymissionboston.org/engage/christmas-shop/) Bring new unwrapped gifts to church by Sunday, December 11th.  Gifts should be left under the Christmas tree in the Narthex. Gift Suggestions: Winter coats, sweaters and sweatshirts (large sizes especially); hats, mittens, gloves and scarves; socks and underwear; blankets; backpacks; toys, games, and books for all ages; Boston area store gift cards.

Germaine Lawrence/Youth Villages Holiday Heroes– Dec 11

If you signed up to provide gifts for girls at the Germaine Lawrence/Youth Villages School (right around the corner from PACC), please bring to church by December 11.

UCC Christmas Fund

The UCC Pensions Boards organizes a special offering each Christmas (The Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund) to help provide pension and health premium supplements to lower-income retired church workers, emergency assistance to clergy or lay church employees in need, as well as Christmas “Thank You” gift checks to hundreds of annuitants. Donations may be made using the blue pew envelopes or by check payable to PACC with “UCC Christmas Fund” on the memo line.

In addition, our regular monthly food collection for the Arlington Food Pantry will be Sunday, December 4.  For a list of recommended and high need items visit http://arlingtonfoodpantry.org. For distribution dates or to learn how to register to receive food see:

arlingtonfoodpantry.org.  We are also looking for regular or occasional volunteers to deliver to the AFP. Speak with Betty Rich if you are interested.

Annual Spending Meeting – Dec 7

Interested in directing our Mission and Justice, Christian Outreach and Hayes Fund donations? Join us Dec 7 at 7:30 pm in the Fellowship Room. (Please hold Saturday, December 10, 10:30 in case we need more time!)

Betty Gitlin-Rich, Deacon for PACC’s Mission and Justice Ministry

Christian Education

December 2016

 Advent

Special materials for observing Advent at home are on the table in the narthex.

Sunday school

Our curriculum continues this winter with stories about Jesus’ birth followed by stories about Jesus from the Gospel of Mark. Calendars with stories we’re learning in Sunday school and ideas for activities and discussion at home will be sent home with Sunday school families and are also available in the narthex. • Our Christmas pageant, ‘Twas the Night Before, will be during the worship service on December 11. Our one and only rehearsal with everyone will be on December 10 from 9:30-11 in the sanctuary. Young children and kids without speaking parts can come for the first 30 minutes to try on costumes and sing the songs. • There will be one multi age class on December 25 and January 1.

Youth Group

We’ll sort gifts for City Mission on December 11 from 3-5 at First Church in Winchester (21 Church St.) We’ll meet at PACC at 2:45 and carpool over.  We’ll return to PACC at 5:15.  We’ll also bring fleece scarves that we’ll make during our Advent workshop on November 27 for City Mission to distribute with the new winter coats they give out. • On December 18, the middle school youth group will make the main dish for the Somerville community supper.

Somerville Community Supper

Our next dinner is on Monday, December 26.  If you’d like to look ahead to other dates, we provide a meal for 20-25 people at a community supper, organized by the Somerville Homeless Coalition, at First Church Somerville on the fourth Monday of every month.  Our next dates are January 23 and February 27. Let Kate Lindheim know if you are interested in helping.

Thank you!

Together we raised $244.36 for Trick or Treat for UNICEF.  Thank you!