Brookfield Congregational Church Announcements
Be sure to check out the Moderator's Moment, it's new!
Be sure to check out the Pastor's Page, it's new!
The painting of the sanctuary has begun!!!
In order to keep everyone safe, we will NOT be holding in-person services until the project is complete.
We will be doing services virtually starting this Sunday, October 11th.
Be sure to check back here and on Facebook for these services!!
10/06/2020
10/07/2020
10/08/2020
10/09/2020
10/12/2020
10/13/2020
10/13/2020 The Staging is Complete
10/19/2020
6 feet from the ceiling. Repairs underway
10/22/2020
Sanctuary painting nearing completion 2nd coat of paint applied today.
NEW CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
The Church building will be closed to all meetings and services until further notice. In the meantime we will be providing pastoral support that can be reached either by calling the church at (508)867-6262, or via email or the Church’s Facebook page. Pastor John may by reached at home (508) 222-2535 or Cell phone (774) 414-4452 ANYTIME. We will look to return calls as best we can. Planning is underway to offer services Sunday’s at 10 AM via Facebook. Look to the Church’s Facebook page for the coming Sunday’s. It may not be pretty but it will be that ray of hope we can all use.
Open to ALL Youth Grades 6th to 12th
Youth Leader: Jim Joyce Jr. Asst Youth Leader: Tammy Taquino
Fusion.yg.bcc@gmail.com (508) 867-6262
Sundays from 6:30 pm to 8 pm at Brookfield Congregational Church.
Love People – Love God - Connect – Grow - Reach
REVERSE ADVENT GIVING TREE
The directions are simple and we would love to have you participate supporting our local food pantry. Simply set aside a box and on each day starting with December 1st place the item listed in the box.
On December 24th your box should be complete with a multitude of items. Although paper towels, toilet paper, Kleenex and napkins are not on the list, these items are always most welcome.
On December 27th, if all goes well, we should be back in church enjoying a service in person. On that day bring your filled box with you and we will put all our items together and see that they are taken to our local food pantry. If you wish to drop off your box on another day feel free to contact Jane Snyder at 508-637-1378.
Thursday Prayer Group
Bible Study will be in person Thursday outside at the church!
Thursday Night Prayer Group will be taking a hiatus as we are back meeting on Sundays in person!
Christmas Planning
Poinsettia Plan for 2020
In COVID time the Church continues to adjust.
Typically, the Church would take orders for Poinsettias to be placed throughout the Sanctuary on Christmas Eve where loved ones would be honored or remembered at this time of year. With the current impact COVID is having on the region it was felt by the Council that purchasing a large number of plants would not be the best idea where we are currently restricted in the numbers who can attend in person and with the possibility that greater restrictions could be on the horizon.
With these things in mind, the Council proposed the idea of a recognition as a part of the Christmas service/s. The idea would be to recognize loved ones in the bulletin and on screen during the service. By filling out the form below and returning it to the Church Office this will in a small way continue the tradition.
Christmas Loved One Recognition
Poinsettia Program
I ____________________ would like to recognize the following:
In remembrance of __________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
In Honor of __________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
Donation $ _______
Please return to BCC, PO Box 457, Brookfield, MA 01506 by December 16, 2020
Brookfield Congregational Church
Moderator’s Moment
November 15, 2020
Response to COVID-19
The Church Council continues to be cautious in its response to COVID-19.
The Council confirmed at the latest Council Meeting the application of the earlier guidance for places of worship for the size of our sanctuary to allow 25 participants, masked and socially distanced.
Current State guidance is silent as it relates to places of worship. However, the data speaks for itself. In last month ending November 12th there have been 33 cases reported from 6 clusters involving places of worship. Prior to October 11th, there were 24 clusters involving 112 confirmed cases. Brookfield has reported 34 cases, 7 in the last 14 days, ending November 12th and a 3% positivity rate, higher than the previous 2 weeks. This is no time to let our guard down.
Providing in-person services is challenging. Beyond the numbers of people allowed in the sanctuary there are needs to socially distance. While the norm is 6 feet of separation, the recommendation for singing is 12 feet. For now we will look to recorded music as the safest alternative. This is not what is preferred, but in light of the times, essential in keeping everyone safe.
The Deacons have a routine that makes in-person attendance as safe as possible. The church has masks. A sign-in sheet is required should we need to contact trace. Cleaning is a must both prior to and after the service.
Planning has begun to enable Christmas services where multiple services will be made available, should you wish to attend. And, guidance remains the same.
Stay safe,
Clarence (Punk) Snyder
REMINDER
When an emergency is called during a church service – everything STOPS – 911 is called and everyone EXITs quickly and quietly to a designated area. Thank you for your cooperation.
OUR CHURCH COVENANT
We, the members of the Brookfield Congregational Church following the example of Jesus, who loved and served all, promise we will:
~Do unto others as we would have them do unto us;
~Faithfully support the Church with our time and treasures;
~Seek to do the will of God to promote the life of our church community and
the community at large.
~Listen to, speak with, and interact with each person in the church with
respect, honesty and love.
~Interact with open minds and hearts, considering perspectives that may be
different from our own and,
~Showing the charity of Christ, we will love and serve the people
of the church and community in the name of our Lord
Annual Advent Giving Tree
Currently our sanctuary is being renovated which does not allow us an opportunity to be in church together. Normally your Christian Life Team would be decorating a tree with tags on it. Then I would be asking if you would be willing to purchase a gift for a resident of Brookhaven and/or Lincoln Hill Manor of Spencer. Since we will not be getting together on a regular basis yet, I wanted to extend to you an early opportunity to those in need. Speaking with the directors of both locations, all residents are in need of a lift. They have been unable to have anyone visit nor have they been allowed to go out to activities they regularly would be attending. I have the list for Brookhaven available so here are the items requested: If you are able to help, contact Jane Snyder, (508-637-1378) and I will set up a time to meet at the church to receive whatever item you have purchased. Please do not wrap anything but do put the recipient’s name on the item or items. Thank you so very much for helping in any way you can.
All donations must be received by Dec. 13th.
THANK YOU! Unbelievably, our Advent Giving Tree is full! All names have been taken. THANK YOU for your participation and donations!
Food Pantry reminder:
BCC is one of many churches that provides support to the Brookfield Ecumenical Food Pantry. Approximately 50 families in the community are receiving services through the food pantry. If you are willing and able to help support this program, there are donation baskets in the back of the Sanctuary near the stairs to the Narthex.
Thank you for your continued support. Non-perishable food donations are accepted. The Pantry can also really use paper goods and toiletry items, as these are items they are unable to get from the food bank.
Blessings to you all!
Be the “change” you want to see in the world
One of the many things I’ve thought about while sitting at home is that as we have been unable to gather in our beloved church, Gertrude, our hungry goose has not been fed either.
I quote an article I found and believe it still holds true today, props do work. Whether it be a plastic goose, a shopping cart or a plastic bank shaped as a Church. The children, and some of us adults, loved feeding Gertrude during coffee hour. Kudos to the person who started with this prop.
From article of 2012 in the South New England Conference United Church of Christ
“Paul Shailer, a deacon at the Brookfield Congregational Church, believes the goose -- which is put out at coffee hour -- is very visible and stands out. "Gertrude the Goose" (as she has been named by the Sunday School children) has become the church's ambassador for mission donations.
"Kids love to put money in its bill and watch it swallow the change," explained GwenYaskoski, a trustee and treasurer at the church. "The prop really gets the children involved and they have become very curious as to not only where the money goes after it's eaten by the goose, but who is being helped by the donations."
Whether it's a faux fowl or a real shopping cart, unique props can be helpful to mission and fundraising programs”
We have a post of our focused Missions for each month. If your heart is being called to support any of these focused Missions, please submit your donation to the church at P O Box 457, Brookfield, MA 01506. In the memo line, please note: feed Gertrude - Focused Mission (and the month).
Our Lenten giving mission, which was to benefit Dismas as well as Abbey’s house, was impacted by the outbreak of Covid19 and as we will be unable to plan a Suicide Awareness and Prevention vigil in May, as hoped, I would request that we allocate any funds raised during May to donate to Dismas and Abbey’s Feel free to visit their websites for ways you can help…at: http://www.dismasisfamily.org/donate/” and https://abbyshouse.org/donate/
I’ll sign off with the following….perhaps til we can be together and you can feed Gertrude directly, a fun little prop to make with the kids...a “feed” bag with scraps of material to stick your loose change into...
In His light and love,
Tammy, aka “T”, Mission Chair
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY DONATIONS
Patti Coltey would like to call anyone who can knit or crochet to join this important mission. There is nothing like being wrapped in a shawl made with love – care – blessing when you need some comfort!
Child Care
Child care is provided under the supervision of Ellie Blodgett during each Sunday service. All children from newborn to Sunday school age are welcome. Please speak to the deacon in charge if you need assistance.
FLOWERS FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP
We invite you to contribute flowers for Sunday worship. The flowers may be from a florist or in season, home gardens. Please see the Flower Chart in Fellowship Hall to sign up for a Sunday of your choice. Sundays already designated will be marked on the chart. If you wish to give flowers in memory or in honor of someone, please leave information for the worship bulletin with the office on TUESDAY BEFORE THE SUNDAY that you give flowers. Questions? Speak with Robin Dennehy.
COMING EVENTS
This Week
The Church building will be closed to all meetings and services until further notice
Deacons for the Month of November
Cathy Farr
Paul Shailer
Volunteers
|
READERS |
CHILDREN’S SERMON |
GREETERS |
|---|---|---|---|
11/01 |
Child Reader |
Communion Sunday |
Terry Elliott |
11/08 |
Brian Oxman |
Punk Snyder |
Robin & Wayne Dennehy |
11/15 |
Chari Carty |
Elizabeth & Art Jay |
|
11/22 |
Julie Lopatka |
Tammy Taquino |
Chari Carty |
119/29 |
Child Reader |
Communion Sunday |
Carol & Peggy Sullivan |
Recently we were graced with an outstanding mural in our nursery of Noah's Ark. This artistry was completed by Jordan Nugent, a college student who currently attends Nichols College. Jordan's work is so well done and super entertaining. Viewing the ark has brought smiles of delight not only to the children in the nursery but any adult who walks past the nursery. If you would like to see more of Jordan's work you may look for her at facebook.com/nugentcreations
Church Cookbooks from Helping Hands are available.
Our Church Cookbooks make a great gift!
Available in the Fellowship Hall. Only $5.00
each. Just think of those Christmas cookies
Senior Moments.
Susan Raymond, the Outreach Coordinator for the W.B. Senior Center has notfied us that the Brookfield COA and the W.B. Senior Center have collaborated by adding 10 hrs/month of her services for Brookfield residents. Anyone over the age of 55 who would like information about SNAP benefits (food stamps), answers to questions regarding fuel assistance or needs assistance with resources, please call the W.B. Senior Center at 508-867-1407 and ask for Sue Raymond.
The Council on Aging will meet at the Brookfield Congregational Church on the 2nd Tuesday of every month, except July and August, from 10:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
CHURCH SCRAPBOOK
Calling All People
We are looking for pictures for the Church Scrapbook. We only have ten pages for the 2019 book. If you have snapshots of any of our church activities such as: Fusion Youth Group (let’s get our teens in this book), Boy Scouts, spaghetti suppers, pie baking for Apple Country Fair, tag sale pictures, nursery and Sunday School pictures please contact Jane Snyder. We do have pictures of VBS.
Thank you, Patti Coltey
SEEKING A CHURCH SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
DO YOU LOVE TO WORK WITH CHILDREN?
ARE YOU ORGANIZED?
ARE YOU ABLE TO VOLUNTEER?
ARE YOU INTERESTED? CLICK HERE!
Just a reminder that we are still in need of Teachers and Teacher's Assistants along with Assistants for Nursery. Please Pray on this and let Jane know when you are called to commit.
YEAR-TO-DATE INCOME FOR: NOVEMBER 2020
KITCHEN RECYCLING
Just a reminder to abide by our recycling rules when using the church kitchen: rinse out any recyclables before putting them in the receptacles, crush/flatten items when possible, etc. Guidelines are posted in the kitchen for your reference.