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Brookside Congregational Church
News & Events
 

 
 

Check this page each month for the latest news and events in the Brookside community. We'll do our best to get each month's updates online by around the 25th or 26th of the month.

For a complete copy of the Monthly Chronicle (which includes all up-to-date information in a downloadable/printable format) click here.*

Pastor Carolyn Taking Some Study Time

Pastoral Search Committee Update

Notes from Our Music Director

Just For Youth:
Information and events for Brookside's younger members

Book Group Continues

Christian Education News
- May Teachers

Just 4 Youth! - Upcoming Youth Activities

Women's Study Group to Meet

Book Study Group Meeting - Explore Our Faith

Wedding Traditions Explored by Women of Faith Group

Loaves and Fishes

Give a Blanket of Hope for Mother's Day

NHCUCC Annual Meeting

Holy Communion

Hillsborough Association Annual Meeting

2008 Annual Church Photos Displayed in Fellowship Hall

Fellowship Opportunities:
- Join Us for Church Clean-Up and Barbecue
- Women's Union Annual Meeting
- Diaconate Board to Host Dinner
- Brookside Adult Fellowship Holds Progressive Dinner

Farewell from Lee Boynton

More Stories from the Thrift Shop

Note from the Finance Committee

How Times Change in 70+ Years - Proposed Church Budget for 1935:



Heavenly Concert
Rochester Cathedral
Boy's Choir

Friday, May 23
more info...

 


New Horizons'
Walk Against
Hunger

Join Brookside's Team

Sunday, May 18
more info...

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Regular Features -

Carolyn's Corner
Monthly Message From
Our Pastor

Church Family News
Baptisms, Losses, New Members and Other News of Our Brookside Family

KIDS!
Fun, educational &
inspirational monthly
online activities

Financial Update

Monthly Lectionary
Bible Readings for May

Sunday Volunteer Schedule



Help Out at All-Church Clean-up

Barbecue Included!

Sunday, May 4
more info...


THIS JUST IN!

Roof Follow-up
Meeting
Sun. May 11, 11:15
Fellowship Hall

So that all may Worship with us...
Brookside is fully accessible, with a covered ramp at the rear of the church, a special pew to accommodate wheelchairs, an elevator reaching all levels of the facility, and handicap-accessible restrooms both downstairs and in the Sanctuary Narthex.

There are large print Bibles for use during worship, as well as large print bulletins and hymns. Assistive listening devices (hearing aids) are available for use during the service. If you cannot find these materials in the Sanctuary Narthex, please ask an usher for assistance.


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Carolyn's Corner - Monthly Message From Our Pastor

"Through the scientific advances of our time, we are seeing nature with new eyes, and what we see fills us with wonder and praise. Stunning images of deep space are like new windows on creation. Microscopic details of living cells show us the unexpected intricacies of our biology. Mathematical equations unravel the secrets of the first seconds following the birth of the universe. Through these gifts of science, we look across ever-expanding vistas of cosmic beauty, almost to the beginning of time itself. What we see evokes wonder and humility, and we hear within ourselves a new voice arising and singing an anthem of praise that reverberates through the whole creation."

This quote is from the first of two important and intriguing Pastoral Letters on Faith that have recently come out of our national United Church of Christ office. In January, a beautifully written discourse on science and technology, centering on the themes of creation and evolution, and our relationship with our faithful God was published. This was followed on April 8 by a second Pastoral Letter on Faith, with its area of exploration that of Faith and Environment, and how we live in community with God's Creation. Both letters weave together lyrical language that reflects a deep Biblical faith with a strong understanding of science; a compelling reminder that a biblically-based faith and core scientific knowledge are not mutually exclusive.

As the earth slowly reawakens from its winter slumber it is good to be able to reflect on and to celebrate our interconnectedness with all of God's good creation. On Sunday, May 4, as part of our continuing cross-generational worship services, we will remember our covenant with God to be faithful stewards of the earth.

Easter Blessings,
Carolyn

To read the Pastoral Letters on Faith in full:
http://www.ucc.org/not-mutually-exclusive/
http://www.ucc.org/earthcare/

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Keeping Things Fresh

Pastor Carolyn will be on study leave attending a Christian education event, "Renewal, Rejuvenation, and Resources for the Emergent Church" at Craigville Conference Center in Massachusetts from May 6-8. Hospital visitation and pastoral emergencies will be covered by the Diaconate and the Revs. Peter and Joyce Lovejoy (call the office, 669-2807).

 
 
 
 

This Month's Update

We continue to summarize our process and provide an update as to where we are, and encourage any of you to speak with members of the committee if you have questions or comments. The search process has a number of steps:

The Brookside ad appears monthly in the national UCC employment listing;

People who see the ad and are interested contact the NH Conference which sends out a copy of the Brookside brochure;

If, after reviewing the brochure, the individual continues to be interested in Brookside, the individual requests that his/her candidate profile be sent to us;

The committee reviews each profile and decides whether we want to move forward;

If the decision is to move forward, we schedule a telephone interview with the candidate. If, after the telephone interview, we wish to continue, we request additional material to assist us with the process of discernment (sermon tapes, written sermons, worship bulletins, newsletters).

The committee reviews the additional material and again asks whether we want to continue. If we decide to move forward, the candidate and his/her spouse or partner are invited to Manchester for an interview with the committee, a tour of the community, and a meal with the committee.

The penultimate step in the process is for the conference to schedule neutral pulpit opportunities so that the search committee can see the finalist candidates (no more than 2) conduct a worship service.

The final step is the presentation of the candidate to the congregation at a service conducted by the candidate and the congregational vote on whether or not to call the candidate.

To date, the Search Committee has received and reviewed more than 30 candidate profiles; conducted 13 telephone interviews (and is in the process of scheduling four more); reviewed supplemental materials for four candidates; and has scheduled a number of personal interviews. The committee meets several times a week. We do our work prayerfully with joy and laughter. We are grateful for the support of the congregation; please continue to hold us in your prayers.

Respectfully submitted,

Tricia Lucas, Chair

Karen Horsch

Gil Desjardins, Vice Chair

 

Joe Lachance

Kerry Richardson, Chaplain

 

Pete Lovejoy

Laura Sevigny, Clerk

 

Judi Mitchell

Jeff Fletcher

 

Dale Trombley

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Christian Education News

Teaching in May:

Infant/Toddler Room: CE Person/Week
Preschool (3-5 yr olds): Peyton Fletcher, Thandi Dhliwayo,
Donna Moody

Grades 1-4: Bob Milling, Erin Powers

Grades 5-7: Sandi Decknick, Ed Mitchell

 


New Ideas for Church School in 2008-09

Thank you, thank you to the many teachers and assistants who have worked with our children during the Church School hour this past year. The 2008-09 church school year looks to be quite exciting. The C.E. Board has chosen a new curriculum and an exciting new concept for providing Christian Education to our for preschool children through 7th grade youth.

Adults and high school aged teens are encouraged to come to a short presentation right after church on May 18 in Fellowship Hall. Please contact Ed Mitchell (345-4335) if you have questions.

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Can You Help on Children's Day?

Assistance is needed in a variety of ways to make our end-of-year Children's Day a great celebration. Children's Day is scheduled for June 8. Sign-up sheets will be available in Fellowship Hall during the month of May.


Summer Camp, Anyone?

It's not too late to sign up for camp! Information about camping options is available in Fellowship Hall for all ages, elementary through high school, adults, and families with young children. To register, contact Ed Mitchell (345-4335) or visit the Horton Center website, www.hortoncenter.org


Returned from Mission Trip

Thandiwe Dhliwayo had a different experience traveling by train to Washington, D.C., working with 8 other young people from around the NH Conference to serve those who are homeless and hungry within the urban area surrounding our nation's capitol. Thank you to all who provided support, encouragement, and prayers for safety and great experiences.


Senior High Youth Group

Sunday, May 4 - We will hold a "youth call" with Sakubva Church in Zimbabwe - tell them about some of our youth group activities and the mission trips we have been involved with last year and this - then join with the all church spring cleanup & BBQ!


Middle School Youth Group

Sunday, May 4 - Join us for a combined Middle & High School youth-to-youth phone call to Sakubva Church following the morning service. Then stay for the all church spring cleanup & barbecue!

Saturday May 17 - 8:30 am -12:30 pm. Back in December we had the opportunity to help the NH Food Bank with a food drop - helping to provide food to families in need within the Manchester area. Our last trip was on a very cold day in December. This time the temperature should be much warmer. Meet at Brookside at 8:30 a.m. and we will travel down, by car, to the NH Food Bank on West Brook St. Lunch at Pappy's afterward will be paid for by the youth budget.

Year-end Pool Party, Saturday, June 7 at the Bensons' home in Hooksett. More details will be in the June Chronicle.


Note to Parents of Third Graders

As has been the custom at Brookside Congregational Church for many years, we look forward to recognizing our Sunday School children who are completing third grade with a gift Bible. Bibles will be presented on Children's Sunday, June 8.

Please notify the church office (669-2807) by the end of May if you would like your child included in this special recognition.


Zimbabwe Phone Conference: Youth from Brookside and Sakubva

Following morning worship on Sunday, May 4 a conference call will be made between the youth of Sakubva Church in Zimbabwe and Brookside Church here in New Hampshire.

How are our youth and the youth of Sakubva alike or different? What are the burning issues in the minds of young people from different hemispheres and continents? Encourage the young people in your life to be part of the conversation!


Summer Child Care Needed      

Adults, middle & high school aged teens are encouraged to sign up to supervise our little folks, Infants/Toddlers through 5-year-olds, in the crib room during July and August. Please contact Jean Dickson (669-2807, ext. 104) or Ed Mitchell (345-4335) with any questions.

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Notes From Our Music Director

Be sure to mark a few dates on your calendar regarding special musical events occurring at Brookside. The Music Department is pleased to host the Rochester Cathedral Boys Choir from Rochester, England on Friday, May 23. The concert time is in negotiation, however, posters will be up soon to promote this memorable event.

Our second musical event is scheduled for Saturday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m. with the New England Barnstormers as the featured guest performers. An active performing ensemble of 70 male voices, the Barnstormers will present a Saturday evening concert along with providing music for our service on Sunday, July 13. This performance is shaping up to be a fine summer evening family activity - I hope you will plan on joining us. Please stay attentive to further announcements and PR material posted around the church.

Good things are brewing at Brookside!!

Blessings,
Rob St. Cyr

 
 
 
 

Women Are Invited

The Women's Study Group will be meeting Wednesday evenings at 6:30 in the second floor lounge through May. We are reading "The Faith Club," a book that explores the commonality of the Abrahamic faiths and how we as Christians can be open to respecting the faiths of Judaism and Islam while understanding more about our own faith in Christ Jesus.

 
 
 
 

Exploring Our Faith

Join us on Mondays, May 5 & 19 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Lounge as we continue our discussion of Marcus Borg's book "The Heart of Christianity." Leaders are Fran Hakenson and Pete Lovejoy.

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Wedding Traditions Explored by Women of Faith Group

Come to this informative program featuring the preparation, customs, dress, words and personalization that are part of Christian, Jewish and Muslim women's marriage celebrations. The program takes place at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 5 in the downstairs dining room of First Congregational Church, 508 Union Street (corner of Hanover) in Manchester. Meet women of other faiths, and bring a wedding remembrance to share! Please RSVP by May 3 to Ellie Kelton, 627-7054.

Parking is available in the lot behind the church, corner of Amherst & Union Streets.

 
 
 
 

Top Ten Reasons to Participate in the Walk Against Hunger

10.

The weather just has to be better than last year!

9.

We can all use the exercise.

8.

You get a snazzy T-shirt advertising your affiliation with Brookside UCC.

7.

It's a great opportunity to see the mill buildings up close.

6.

Teach your kids social responsibility; bring them along and make it a family tradition.

5.

Fellowship - you can learn a lot about your fellow church members over a four-mile course.

4.

On any given day in New Hampshire, 2,248 people are homeless.

3.

New Horizons provided 68,199 meals to those in need during 2007.

2.

16,347 bags of food were distributed to the hungry last year.

1.

"When did we see you hungry and feed you, or see you thirsty and give you drink?" ... "The truth is, every time you did this for the least of my sisters or brothers, you did it for me." (Matthew 25:37-39)

The Details: The Walk Against Hunger will be held on Sunday, May 18, starting at 12 noon. Pledge sheets will be available at coffee hour during the weeks prior to the walk. On the walk day, come to church in your walking clothes (including your snazzy Walk Against Hunger T-shirt) and carpool with others to the starting line at Victory Park. If you are concerned about walking the four miles, Brookside is conveniently located along the course. If for physical or other reasons, you cannot join us, please consider sponsoring our team!

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Loaves and Fishes

In April, we collected 26 bags of groceries and other non-perishables for New Horizons. Let's try to double that amount in May! Please consider putting some extra items in your supermarket basket for the food pantry. Their wish list currently includes: diapers, baby formula, peanut butter, jelly, baked beans, macaroni & cheese, canned goods, tomato sauce, pasta, and tuna. Our next collection is Sunday, May 4.

 
 
 
 

A Great Mother's Day Gift Idea: Give a Blanket of Hope

Looking for a special gift for that special mom? Why not help someone in need in her name? On May 11 (Mother's Day), Brookside will be joining with 8,000 other congregations across the country by observing Tools and Blanket Sunday (an initiative of Church World Service). Your contributions will provide blankets, tents, bedding, farming tools, and other emergency supplies to victims of natural disasters, wars, and ethnic violence. For $5 you can buy a blanket in your special mom's name. If you'd like to donate but don't plan on being here on the 11th, please bring your check in on another Sunday or mail it to Brookside—please be sure to put "Blanket Sunday" in the memo line so we know where it's to go!

 
 
 
 

NHCUCC Annual Meeting

Clergy and delegates from around New Hampshire will be heading to Wolfeboro the weekend of June 13-14 to attend the 207th Annual Meeting of the NH Conference, United Church of Christ. The theme this year is Sanctuary: Living into the Image of God based on Exodus 25:8, "Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them." Keynoter is the Rev. Martin Copenhaver and Kim and Reggie Harris are the worship leaders, musicians and storytellers. Besides doing the business of the Conference, there will be time for worship, workshops, and fellowship. Representing Brookside as delegates are Walter and Janet Stiles, Joe and Denise Forest, and Jean Dickson. Those who serve on Conference committees are also voting members of Annual Meeting. For more information, go to www.nhcucc.org and click on "Annual Meeting."

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Holy Communion

The sacrament of Communion will be celebrated on Sunday, May 4, served by: Dennis Giguere, Keith Hamer, Joyce Lovejoy, Jeff Rapson, Dale Trombley, Don Waldrupe, Russ Dunn and Jeff Fletcher.

 
 
 
 

Church Family News

Baptisms

Baptized on April 20 was Quintin James Molony (born 9/10/07), son of James and Donna Molony. Quintin has two older siblings, twins Johnathan and Isabell.

The sacrament of Baptism is generally scheduled monthly, on the third Sunday. If you are interested in receiving this sacrament on May 18 or a date further out, please speak with Pastor Carolyn (669-2807).


New Member Class Coming Up

A New Members' Class will be held in Pastor Carolyn's Office on Sunday, May 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those who desire to be received as new members may do so on Sunday, May 11.

Please let Pastor Carolyn Keilig know if you intend to be at the class.


With Condolences

Please keep June Gray and family in your prayers, after the death of her mother, Marjorie J. Langdon, on March 28.

 
 
 
 

Hillsborough Association Annual Meeting

The Hillsborough Association of the NH Conference, UCC, of which Brookside Congregational Church, UCC is a member, will hold its Annual Meeting on Sunday, May 4 at the First Congregational Church, UCC in Pelham. The meeting begins at 2:30 p.m. with a program and discussion, "Vital Conference Ministry." Following that, the Association business will be conducted and the meeting will conclude with fellowship and refreshments.

 
 
 
 

Photo Has Become a Tradition

Thank you to Studio One for their continuing service to Brookside by producing the Palm Sunday photo. All eight annual photos, 2001-2008, are displayed in Fellowship Hall. In how many do YOU appear?

 
 

 
 

It's CLEAN UP Time - INSIDE and OUT!

Come join us on Sunday, May 4, for our much-needed spring clean up... WITH A TWIST! After such a harsh winter, our beautiful grounds are in desperate need of a good cleaning... but so do some of the areas INSIDE our lovely buildings! It doesn't matter if you're an "inside" cleaner or an "outside" cleaner, just wear your working clothes to worship on May 4. Bring your rakes, barrels, trucks and trailers, but don't forget your mops, buckets and sponges too! After worship, we'll split up and get to work. We'll have a cookout to keep you fueled up and if you have little ones, we'll watch them for you, too! Let's keep Brookside beautiful!

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Women's Union

The Women's Union Annual Meeting will be held at the Chateau Hospitality Complex at 201 Hanover Street. The Date of the meeting is Thursday, May 15. Social Hour begins at 6:00 followed by dinner at 6:30. Dinner choices are Broiled Haddock or Chateau Chicken Breast with an Herb Bread Stuffing, at a cost of $20.00. Martha Cushing will be taking reservations and payment; please call her at 669-8368 by May 8.

The scheduled program is "All about the Trolley Museum" presented by Herb Pence. Everyone is welcome. If you wish more information on the program, please call Ellie Kelton at 627-7054.

 
 
 
 

Diaconate Board to Host Dinner

Due to the wonderful response we received for our January dinner, the Diaconate would like to sponsor another fellowship dinner on Saturday, May 17, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. (with dinner being served at 6:00), in Fellowship Hall. Everyone is invited and we encourage you to bring your friends! This is a great opportunity to relax for a couple of hours with good food and good conversation. (And you still have time to go catch a movie or get home for your favorite TV program!) So, please 'Save the Date' and watch future Sunday bulletins for more information on this FREE event.

 
 
 
 

Enjoy Fellowship at a Progressive Dinner

Brookside Adult Fellowship is planning to hold a Progressive Dinner on Saturday, June 7, from 5:30 to 10:00 p.m. The cost will be $15.00/person. We are still looking for people who would be willing to host 6-8 others at their homes for a salad or dinner course. If you are interested in hosting and/or attending, please see either Dave Migliori or Laura Sevigny after church or call Dave, 623-2241. We look forward to seeing you there.

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A Note of Farewell:

To my many dear friends at Brookside:
In the first week of May I will be moving to Fredericksburg, Virginia to be with my daughter. I wanted to let you know that I have had many happy years here and will miss you all very much.

Peace be with you,
Lee Boynton

 
 
 
 

Thrift Shop Is Busy, Busy, Busy!
By Penny Stillman, Co-chair

So much is happening at the Thrift Shop that five of us are spending four or five days per week keeping up. Our recent $5 bag sale was a big success, as usual. Our customers all expressed gratitude with every $5 bag they could fill. We observed how carefully they stuffed them to the fullest. Generally, customers purchased only one bag, whereas in the past it was two or three.

Our friends, Michelle, Erika and Gary, dropped in to report on their welfare after the tragic fire on Pearl Street. They now have an apartment and jobs. They are very grateful for the help they have received from our church, but are still in need of a bed and a dresser or chest of drawers. Their living room is fully furnished. The Shop will buy shades for their windows as they have no blinds or drawn drapes and live on the first floor. Their spirits are high but so regretful that all we did and spent for them was lost.

Another woman, sent to us by the Red Cross for blankets, lived right below Michelle's apartment and told us Michelle's whole floor burned and the furnishings fell right into their apartment. That woman is still looking for a home for eight.

On the brighter side, spring flowers are sprouting up and Wake has further plans for "our" garden. He hopes to clear that whole area, leaving the grape arbor, so all of us can picnic or enjoy the whole view at once of the Shop's garden, the vegetable garden, the new rose garden and the butterfly memorial garden.

Despite tragedies, there is always beauty around us, and we thank God for that.

For more information on the Thrift Shop, click here.

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KIDS! Online activities for May...

Print out these fun activities (click any image below to download the PDF file)*

 

* You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the PDF file. Click here to download it for free.

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Quick Note from the Finance Committee

In an effort to further diversify our endowment account and to improve returns, the Trustees have voted to move a portion of our investment account into two balanced funds. Those funds, Fidelity Balanced and Oakmark Equity Income, have both received top ratings from Consumer Reports Magazine and have shown consistent above average returns in both up and down markets. Please see Dave Migliori if you have any questions.

 
 
 
 

How Times Change in 70+ Years...
By Ellie Kelton, Historian

PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 1935:

Minister's salary

$4,500

Director of Religious Education

1,700

Pastor Emeritus

1,000

Secretarial Work

250

Janitor Church

800

Care of Parish House

500

Music

1,500

House rent for minister

800

Annuity Dues

200

Supplies Church School

400

Fire Insurance

300

Heating and Lighting

1,500

Collector

300

Supplies and Printing

500

Repairs and Miscellaneous

500

Congregational Benevolent Work

1,500

Balance Due on Repairs

1,000

Total:

$17,500

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Here's Our Monthly Financial Checkup:

Any questions regarding the detail of the treasurer's report below may be directed to Gail Goodman at 656-9038, or e-mail her at ggoodman@elliot-hs.org.

TREASURER'S REPORT
For the period ending March 31, 2008
ACTUAL vs BUDGET
March
Actual
Budget
Variance
Total Income
33,546
31,179
2,367
Total Expenses
29,834
27,030
2,803
Net Gain (Loss)
3,712
4,149
(437)

Year-to-date
Total Income
82,327
84,143
(1,816)
Total Expenses
86,445
84,961
1,484
Net Gain (Loss)
(4,118)
(817)
(3,300)
YTD Pledges
36,471
37,437
(966)

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May Lectionary

Each issue of the Chronicle features monthly Bible readings, so that you can read and reflect on your own. The following passages will be used by Pastor Carolyn in worship this month.

 
 

May 4

 

Old Testament

Psalm 8

New Testament

John 15:1-11


May 11


Pentecost

Old Testament

Acts 2:1-21

New Testament

John 7:37-39

 

May 18

 

Old Testament

2 Corinthians 13:11-13

New Testament

Matthew 28:16-20


May 25

 

Old Testament

Psalm 46

New Testament

Matthew 7:21-29

* You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open the PDF file. Click here to download it for free.


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Brookside Congregational Church
2013 Elm Street ~ Manchester, NH 03104
Telephone: (603) 669-2807 ~ Fax: (603) 668-9041

Sunday morning worship and Sunday School: 10:00 a.m.

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