Grace Ministries – October 2019
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- Yoked Communities of Faith and Service NON-PROFIT ORG.
c/o Zion Lutheran Church U.S. POSTAGE PAID
41 Whitmarsh Avenue PERMIT#205
Worcester, MA 01606-3296 WORCESTER, MA
NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2019 TIME SENSITIVE
PLEASE DO NOT DELAY
Our lives are formed by Word and
Sacrament, and we gather as the beloved
children of God around the means of grace
where our lives are in Christ.
Grace Ministries – October 2019
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PASTOR’S CORNER MORTALITY Ann and I have been “spinning”, dealing with
treasurer needs on top of the “regular” in the office
recently. As I write this I am a little behind the curve
with my newsletter articles due to keeping on top of
visitation, worship, the new education cycle,
weddings, burials, well, you get the idea!
It was into this cycle of being pastoral that bad news
broke on this particular day as I found out my 56
year old cousin passed away the previous evening.
One of three Scandinavian lasses from a first cousin;
a mom, wife, marathoner, bubbly soul, she was
about the last person I expected bad news about.
So, now I am thinking about mortality; the
unexpectedness of things in life and the need to
make the most of the time we are blessed with.
Not that I haven’t pondered this before. But, as
more people pass away younger than myself or my
age contemplation for the honoring of life as gift;
discovery of abilities, skills, talents and faithfully
employing them for the sake of the Kingdom takes
increased urgency in my mind.
As creations of God our wholeness depends upon
our willing relationship with our Creator; an uplink of
active faith, prayer, worship, Eucharistic
participation, engagement with humanity and
employment of gifts, skills, talents, embodying the
Grace and Mercy that are God.
Emptiness is the result of absence from that full
participation.
But, that was NOT my cousin, nor her sisters.
Devote followers of Jesus’ WAY, engaged solidly with
family, their communities, also having a pastor in
their familial genealogy, faith gives them a “leg to
stand on” in all of life’s circumstances. And now in
this time of loss so too we stand, as do all of you, in
the light of God’s love and tender mercy: never
ending, persistent for eternity.
We may be mere mortals, but our souls are eternal
as is our God and the care lavished upon humanity
unquestionably undeserved but welcome.
Mortality scares many perhaps until the realization
of this dimension of existence being part of a bigger
picture WITH God takes ahold of us and we
remember words attributed to Jesus reminding us of
the many dwellings places set aside for us in heaven.
We are not to worry. We are to breathe, settle into
the Spirit’s embrace and let God be God for us in the
midst of life; life that is blessing, something to
honor, something to embrace and remember when
times get tough, something to revel in as privilege.
By Grace and Mercy the word, mortality, can simply
become a description for the blessedness of life and
not a term inducing fear and dread.
So may it be for us all.
☩ Pastor Andrew
HOMELESS CARE KITS
As we travel around the city and surrounding
towns, most all of us encounter those struggling
with homelessness and joblessness asking for
assistance at many traffic islands.
Below is a listing of items recommended that we
will be asking our community to donate
throughout the year.
Socks, gloves, granola bars, vitamin enhanced
water/sports drinks, combs, large Ziploc
storage bags, blank 4” x 6” card stock, gum,
soap, lotion, nail clippers, hand warmers, trail
mix, toothbrushes, toothpaste
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OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES
Bethel
Doris & James Belk - 10/02 Kevin & Lisa Ratcliffe - 10/04 Gus& Timberly Frick - 10/06
Don & Ann Hanks - 10/08 Leanne & Thom Carraher - 10/09
Amy-Margaret & Brian Castella no - 10/10 Cate & Bryan Spanos - 10/18
Michelle & Tom Chunis - 10/19 Ken & Carol Gaumond - 10/27
Christine & Michael Gagnon - 10/28
Zion Wendy & Gregory Milton – 10/17
Richard & Tina Henry – 10/30
Dear Friends at Bethel Lutheran Many thanks for your support of the homeless & former offenders we serve! We need your help with our Winter Heat Fund, as each winter we rely on caring friends to keep our homes warm. Sincerely, Dave McMahen Co-Executive Director
HOLY LAND TRAVELOG/POTLUCK
We’re looking to gather at the Auburn campus
Saturday evening, October 5th for 5 PM in Voosen Hall.
Sunday afternoon, October 20th After service in the Palmer Room at Zion.
Slides from my sabbatical in Israel and Jordan will be the topic, including pretty much every religious site you can think of and including Qumran, Petra, Caesarea Maritma, plus a look into the lives of the Palestinian people.
Sign-ups are in the Narthex at both campuses
’
With LIPY-CM we are scheduled to worship with the church without walls and serve the evening meal in Northampton, MA on Sunday afternoon, 10/20
Each parish is asked to prepare a chaffing dish of shepherd’s pie, and make about 15-20 sandwiches placed into individual ziplock-type bags.
We are also collecting scarfs, mittens, warm socks to hand-out so that the homeless community has some comfort as the season’s cold temperatures work their way into our area.
Departure from BETHEL > 3 PM
Return to BETHEL > right around 9 PM
Please let PA know if you will attend; requires 2-3 parents to attend and provide transportation to/from.
CONFIRMATION SERVICE PROJECT CREDIT
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The weekend of September 6th-8th, six youth and three of us adults headed off for Madison, CT in the midst of Hurricane Dorian remnants. However, we arrived to only light mist and wind that cleared the precip out and had great weather! The Synod Youth Gathering always offers the opportunity for our young people to meet new friends and renew relationships, enjoy great live music and hear about God.
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PRAYER LIST Bethel - Arnold Ariansen - Maya Belmonte – Lucy & Tom Brennan – April Bylund - Karen Carlson – Catie Cormier - Shirley Connor – Lori Deso - Jean Dowd – Matt DuHamel – Linda & Dave Fabrizius - Tom Forsberg - Liesl Voosen Fields – Silvia Forgit - Grover Gentry – Hope Grasso - Skip Hagberg - Paul Josephson – Greg Kallfa - Patricia King - Audra Layton - Kay Lemerise - Bill Lewis - Eric Lewis - Kay Malkasion – Susan Marriano - Tracy McLean – David Naugle - Joan Newman – Amanda Parker – Dave Sutton - Sabrina Valastro – Gini Varg - Kay Venning – Pearl Wheeler
Zion - Betty Nielsen - Ruth Swan - Doreen Earley
- Bruce Blomgren - Charlotte Rose Mac Neil - Julia
Engvall - Liesl Voosen Fields - Audra Layton –
Patricia Lynch - Dotty Petralis - Sara Spieght –
Bob Ekstrand – Grover Gentry – Shellie Dyke –
John Berube – Barbara – Harold - Marta Parsons –
Linda Reynolds – Stephen Loconto
Have you engaged with the prayer wall?
We will be running three meal lines at the Worcester campus on Saturday, November 30th;
a) one line of breakfast food (oatmeal,
cinnamon apple),
b) a line of Spanish rice and
c) a line of beans and rice meals.
All these new meal choices derived in consultation with the director of Carty Food Cupboard at Wesley Methodist Church in Worcester (one of our mission partners with youth, largest food pantry in the area and biggest recipient of our meal build) and Pr. Matt Martin and the expanded food choices his organization provides.
Please consider working the lines with us on the 30th! You may begin making donations towards the meal costs at any time; simply make your checks out to ENDHUNGERNE and in the memo line 11/30/19 meal build
See you there
Doris Brick c/o Oakdale Nursing & Rehab. 76 No. Main St., W. Boylston, MA 01583
Jeff Moody c/o Lanessa Extended Care 751 School Street, Webster, MA 01570
Delores Bengtsson, Harold Johnson, Wilson McIlvaine c/o Care One @ Millbury 312 Millbury Street, Millbury, MA 01527
Mildred Lindblad, May Jacobson c/o Knowlwood Nursing Center 87 Briarwood Circle, Worcester, Ma 01606
Dot Reid c/o Lutheran Rehabilitation & Skilled Care Ctr. 20 Harvard Street, Worcester, MA 01609
Shirley Cummins c/o Notra Dame Healthcare 555-559 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605 Henry Hirvi c/o Holy Trinity Nursing & Rehab. 303 Barber Avenue, Worcester, MA 01606
ELDER LUNCH PROGRAM
We are gathering a list of people and have 10 of the 25 right now. If you know anyone in Greendale area that are 60 plus years old have them call the office to sign-up.
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Bethel’s Council Connection
Well, the fall is in full swing, and so is the
Council. We discussed many things at our
recent meeting, some new and some on-going.
One of the items up for discussion was the
church fair, which takes place on November
2nd, along with Pastor Andrew’s Holy Land
Travelogue/Potluck dinner on October 5th and
the meal line to be held on November 30th at
Zion.
Don’t the repainted doors and railing leading up
to the Narthex look great! A big shout-out to the
property team, Rick Hagberg, Garret Peters and
Roy Benoit Jr., who as part of the Bethel
Property team, are working hard to keep things
looking good around Bethel. Some of the other
jobs they performed recently include cleaning
out all of the window wells on the outside of the
church, installing new filters in all the heaters,
and in the near future, installing new digital
thermostats with locking covers where
necessary, to help better control the heat. All
these jobs, and many more, have or will be
completed in the very near future. All of Bethel
is thankful for their hard work in helping to keep
our church looking good and running as
efficiently as possible.
Just a reminder that we are still looking for a few
volunteers to help set up and organize an
Endowment Fund committee. This team will
assist in the long-term planning and organizing
of the various endowment funds that belong to
Bethel. Please speak to either Pastor Andrew or
myself if you have any questions, or would like
to assist.
Thank you,
Preston Sturdevant
Zion’s Council Update We are back everyone!
We need to get back on track with our pledges,
to help with Zion’s bills. Thank You
Fall is going to be very busy for us at Zion, for
example:
Fall Fair - November
Meal line at the end of November
Pastor’s Andrew presentation on his visit
to the Holy Land
Elder Meals Program
Coffee with Council will resume the 1st
Sunday of each month
Homeless Kits - we need water, bars of
soap, toothpaste, chap stick, mouth
wash, gallon storage bags, crackers, etc.
If you enjoy coffee after Sunday Service, we are
looking for volunteers to set up
Whatever else may come our way
If anyone has questions or ideas for other things
that Zion may want to participate in, please
contact me [email protected].
Respectfully:
Donna R. Hayes – Council President – Zion
Lutheran Church, Worcester, MA 01606
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OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS 2019
Zion Don Leombruno – 10/06
Lisa Gagne – 10/07 Michael Blomgren – 10/13
Lynn Wiinikka – 10/15 Dave Spinner – 10/26 Julie Bowen – 10/29
Bethel
Ken Johnson - 10/03 Helen Talbot - 10/04
Gina Benvenuti - 10/04 Brian Castellano - 10/07
Delores Bengtsson - 10/09 Carol Gaumond - 10/10 April Nystrom - 10/14
Ann Hanks - 10/18 Larry Stidsen - 10/18 Ryan Bennett - 10/18
JoAnn Van Dyke - 10/19 Sylvia Forgit - 10/20
Pamela Evers - 10/22 Cathy Bergman - 10/25
Jill Ducat - 10/29 Sally Westermark - 10/31 Miranda Courteau - 10/31
Lynne Guittar - 10/31
RECONCILING IN CHRIST Every person is created equal in God’s sight. It is only
through misunderstanding the breadth and depth of
God’s plan for each person that unequal status can
develop and segregate cultures and natures.
The blessing we can be, matured through
relationship with God, is not altered by that which
our natural orientations determine we should
become. Each of us are of value and cherished by
the One who formed us in our mother’s womb. So,
too, we should cherish and value each other.
Yet misunderstanding for God’s plan for each person
has undermined Godly intent for millennia and it is
only somewhat recently in humanity’s development
that equal status is being pursued for EVERY person
regardless of their orientation.
RECONCILING IN CHRIST congregations boldly
declare that they are a place of welcoming; that they
are sanctuaries of Grace and Mercy for everyone.
Recently our denomination, the ELCA, proclaimed
itself a Sanctuary Denomination (see the article from
Grace Ministries’ September edition.) Sanctuary
pertains to places where one is welcomed,
sheltered, held, respected, lifted-up, honored, loved
as co-equal in the sight of God, whether one is
fleeing persecution from another country or the
misinformed concerning God’s plan here in this
nation.
Being welcoming and declaring so is in adherence to
the will and nature that is God who is Grace and
Mercy.
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We began dialogue within the past year regarding
the Auburn campus of Bethel becoming a
Reconciling in Christ (RIC) parish of the New England
Synod (itself a RIC Synod). In November there will be
a final cottage meeting scheduled to discuss this
topic that is supported 100% by Bethel’s Council in
moving forward to becoming an RIC congregation.
Following that meeting a special congregational
meeting will be called in which a vote to become RIC
will be taken.
We understand that some hearts and minds may still
be wrestling with the LGBTQi topic; surely many
arguments against acceptance of LGBTQi have
hijacked portions of scripture out of context and
historical perspective with which to make points
against equality and welcoming. And some argue
becoming RIC supports one political stance against
another. Yet that is not the case at all.
Jesus stands on the side of justice and mercy which
is not always convenient, nor easy to accept and
adopt by each person due to the sway public opinion
can have. And so we look to God as our guide, Jesus
as our teacher, the Spirit as our encourager for being
Christ-minded in our pursuit of justice, mercy and
grace.
Hello Grace Ministries! We’d like to get the Forward Leadership Team running again, to ensure we have a dedicated team focused on future planning and making sure we are pushing forward in our journey of being Hands and Feet in our communities. The CAT surveys we all took identified a wealth of ideas and desires from the congregations. Raising up and growing those ideas is important to Grace Ministries. If you’d like to be a part of this team, please let me or the church office know. If you were previously on the Forward Team or the Accountability Team and would like to continue, also let me or the office know. We will have our first meeting in October to pick up where we left off. Kind regards, Dave Valleli
Get ready! We are about one month away from
the Harvest Fair, which will be held on Saturday
November 2nd
, 9-2 at Bethel. Donations of
usable second-hand items for the White Elephant
Room will be accepted beginning on Sunday
October 20th
. Please call the church office to
make sure the building is open if you are
dropping off items for the fair. Please note, we
will not be accepting electronics, computers or
televisions. We are looking for volunteers with
larger vehicles who are willing to pick up items
to bring to the church. Please contact Judy
Sampson or Marie Sturdevant if you are
available to help. Volunteers will be needed to
help unpack and set up the White Elephant
Room the week leading up to the fair. If you are
able to help, please contact Carrie Courteau at
508-847-6136. We will be accepting donations
of gently used books at any time. Donations of
home baked goods will be accepted the day
before and the morning of the fair. There will be
sign up sheets in the Narthex at Bethel and Zion
for volunteers to help set up, work the day of the
fair, and clean up at the conclusion of the fair.
All your gifts of time, talent and abilities are
both welcome and appreciated. For more
information, see Judy Sampson or Marie
Sturdevant. See you at the fair!
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OUTREACH/SOCIAL MINISTRY Reaching out to a world in need
BETHEL “And we know that in all things God works for
the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28
Recently, Hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas with devastating force, leaving in its wake multiple casualties with a growing number of dead, as well as massive destruction to the land and infrastructure. God does not abandon us in despair, but rather He leads us as compassionate witnesses of His love, mercy and grace. ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response stands on the front lines, ready to assist the victims of this and other natural disasters. We can help by praying for the people who have been affected by hurricanes and other natural disasters, asking that God's healing presence give them peace and hope in their time of need. Our Social Ministry Team voted to donate $500 from our funds to this ELCA program. For those wishing to contribute to ELCA Disaster Response, there are envelopes in the pews. We will accept cash donations or checks made out to Bethel Lutheran Church, with ELCA Disaster Response noted on the memo line. All gifts designated for “hurricane response” will be used to help provide immediate and long-term support for those whose lives have been impacted by hurricanes. Our Social Ministry Team wishes to thank all who donated to the Worcester Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Many of us can speak from the experience of being a caregiver or having witnessed a loved one suffer through Alzheimer’s or dementia. This year’s campaign is to “lead the way to Alzheimer’s first survivor.” Since its beginnings in 1980, the Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health
organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Through your generosity, our team raised $340. Thank you to Jackie and Vinny Walsh for walking and helping to raise funds and awareness of the impact of this progressive and devastating disease. For the month of October, the Kindness Tree will be filled with tags with suggested gifts for AYFS- grocery store gift cards for Thanksgiving, and items for Dismas House. Thank you for supporting the various causes with your giving through the Kindness Tree. On Sunday October 27th, a team from Bethel will be walking the AYFS Walk for Hunger. All are welcome to join in the walk and help raise funds for our local community in need. On Saturday November 30th, Grace Ministries will be participating in the food packaging event through End Hunger NE at Zion. On Sunday December 15th, we will be preparing and delivering lunches to Worcester City Common for Worcester Fellowship. Please consider becoming involved in any of these opportunities to reach out to our neighbors in need. More information on these and other outreach programs will be announced.
Dismas meals are always held on the last Friday of each month. If a volunteer would like to prepare a meal it can be done in the church kitchen around 4pm. Volunteers are also needed to deliver and share the meal (5:45pm). Dinner is over and hosts usually leave by 6:30.
DISMAS: Fri. Oct. 25th
Fri. Nov. 29th Fri. Dec. 27th
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GRACE MINISTRIES, ELCA – Yoked Communities of Faith and Service
MISSION STATEMENT
"To boldly share God's Love and Grace universally in and through our communities."
VISION STATEMENT
Modeling the welcoming nature of God, we are humbly called and driven by the Spirit to witness, engage and walk with each other authentically, as Jesus’ hands and feet, providing spiritual, emotional and physical nourishment.
Through evolving partnerships with ecumenical and other social service organizations we affirm justice and wholeness under the “agency of Grace” that feed the needs and hope of all.
The Rev. Andrew H. Borden, Pastor [email protected]
Ann Spinner, Parish Administrator
Shannon Papandrea, Sexton
Pam Sutton, Kate Valleli, Garret Peters, Thom Carraher – Christian Education Team
Worcester Campus - Zion Lutheran Auburn Campus - Bethel Lutheran 41 Whitmarsh Avenue, 01606 90 Bryn Mawr Avenue, 01501 Office: 508-853-2009 Office: 508-832-3427
The-Community-of-Zion-Lutheran-Worcester.org BethelAuburnELCA.org
Organist – Karen Couturier Principal Organist/Choral Director – Brenda Salvi Choral/Bell Director – Sally Bond Associate Organist/Choral Director – Lois Toeppner, Deacon President – Donna Hayes President – Preston Sturdevant
Forward Leadership Team: Dave Valleli, Roberta Briggs, Stephanie Harms, Adam Hanks and Pastor Accountability Team: Jennifer Courtney, Linda Kikutis Kropp, Donna Hayes, Joan Parker and Janet Johnson
Yoke Council Co Presidents Preston Sturdevant (Bethel) & Donna Hayes (Zion) Secretary – Stephanie Harms (Zion) Marie Sturdevant
(Bethel)
Bethel Congregation Council
EXECUTIVE TEAM: President – Preston Sturdevant Vice President – Dave Sutton Secretary – Marie Sturdevant Kathleen Legg, Leanne Carraher, Doris Belk, Roberta Briggs, Grover Gentry
Functional Units Social Ministry – Marie Sturdevant & Judy Sampson
Finance Team – Lisa Ferreira, Chair Worship & Music Committee – Joan Parker, Chair Property Team – Garrett Peters, Rick Hagberg, Roy Benoit Jr. Altar Guild – Leanne Carraher, Chair
Adult Forum, Roberta Briggs
Preschool Preschool Director – Bev Sampson 508-832-9411 [email protected]
Teachers, Karen Borden, Shannon Papandrea, Teachers Aide, Kim Capaldi
Zion Congregation Council EXECUTIVE TEAM: President – Donna Hayes - Vice President – William Toombs Secretary – Stephanie Harms
Kristin White, Katherine Lehman, Bruce Blomgren, Don Leombruno
Functional Units Outreach Ministry Team – Ingrid Lawrence/Jean Harger, co-Chairs
Adult Forum – Dave Valleli Altar Guild – Virginia Carlson, Chair
A RECONCILING IN CHRIST SYNOD
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LOOKING FOR A GROUP OF LUTHERANS TO MEET WITH AND SHARE
SOME EXPERIENCES AND HAVE FUN?
AS A SHARED MINISTRY WITH BETHEL/ZION, WHY NOT GIVE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING A TRY?
MEN’S GROUP On Tuesday, October 8
th the Men's Group will gathering for Food and fellowship @ 6PM. Proceeds will
benefit our Camp Calumet Scholarship Fund. Please sign-up in the Narthex or call the church office!
WOMEN’S: DOLs (Dine Out Ladies)
Tuesday, October 8th \ @ 6PM
Table Twelve Kitchen and Bar, 175 West Boylston St., West Boylston
Meet at the restaurant - each person is responsible for the cost of their meal. Sign up in the Narthex or call the Bethel Office.
“BOOKIES” Book Club The Bookies meet again on October 28, 2019 in the Chapel. “The World’s Fastest Man; the extraordinary story of Cyclist Major Taylor”, a biography by Michael Kranish All are Welcome!
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