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The TOWER Newsletter
March 2015
Dear Church,
But you too will be making promises. In particular you
will be asked to affirm a covenant in which you agree
to “labor with our pastor in the ministry of the Gospel”.
Later this month a special worship service is taking
place at our church. On March 15th at 2:30pm the
Rockingham Association of the New Hampshire Conference of the UCC will be gathering here to install me
as this congregation’s Pastor and Teacher. Though I
have been with you for eight months now, a service of
installation (which is admittedly an odd name) is a time
for a congregation to celebrate the beginning of a new minister’s tenure along with
the larger church.
The covenant that congregations and their pastors
make with one another at installations is a reminder
that in our tradition ministry is not just a career that
some Christians take on. Instead, ministry is
something every Christian is involved in together. We are all called into ministry, and
no one of us has a more significant ministry
than any other of us; not even those of us
who have the word “minister” by our
names.
On that afternoon neighboring UCC
churches will send their clergy and other
leaders to our church for the service. Our
Conference Minister Gary Schulte will be
attending as well. And the Rev. Mary Luti
will be preaching. Friends and family of
mine will also join us for the celebration.
And afterwards we will enjoy a time of fellowship together in the vestry.
And so, I am asking you to come to the Service of Installation on March 15th. I am asking you to covenant with me in a mutual
ministry. And I am asking that you consider the ways in
which God is calling you into ministry both at the Congregational Church in Exeter and in our community
and our world. No one person can do all the ministry a
church is called to do, and none of us can do it without
the support of all of us.
But, though I am the new minister who is being installed, this service is not about me.
An installation is about an entire congregation. It’s
about all the people who make up a church gathering
together and affirming that we have been called to this
new time of ministry together. And it’s about asking
the wider United Church of Christ to recognize this
ministry, and asking God to bless this ministry.
I continue to be so grateful for my call to this particular
congregation. I look forward to serving with you for
many more years. As we ask God to formally bless our
partnership with one another, I value your presence
and your prayerful commitment
to our congregation more than I
can say.
It is important to note that this is a mutual ministry,
and this will be a mutual celebration. I will be making
promises as a part of this service of worship. I’ll be
promising to teach and to serve this church faithfully,
and to preach and to administer the sacraments.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Emily
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Upcoming Events
Youth
Easter Lock-in
Lent and Easter 2015
Lenten Spiritual Growth Group, 7 pm
Tuesday nights, March 3 to March 31
Friday, April 3 to
Saturday, April 4.
Palm Sunday - March 29th, 10 am
Worship and Reception of Palms
Maundy Thursday - April 2nd, 7 pm
Service of Tenebrae with Holy Communion
Good Friday - April 3rd, 12-3 pm
Open Chapel
Easter Sunday - April 5th
6:30 am Swasey Parkway
10:00 am Sanctuary
Easter Egg Hunt following worship
Rev. Emily C. Heath
Installation Service
March 15th at 2:30pm
We will gather along with the Rockingham
Association and the New Hampshire Conference to install the Rev. Emily Heath as Pastor
and Teacher of this congregation.
Please come for this time of worship and
celebration of our mutual ministry.
A light reception in the vestry to follow.
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Our annual sleep-over! If you are interested in planning or chaperoning this
event email
PastorCat@exetercongchurch.org
Children’s
Easter Egg
Hunt
In the front yard
following
worship. Bring a
little basket!
Easter
Sunday
Upcoming Events
“We The Youth” Urban Mission Trip
Ukama Corner
Friday, April 17 – Saturday, April 18.
We are looking forward to celebrating
Ukama Sunday on March 22nd
We will be spending the night in Boston with the City
Mission Society, Boston Urban Outreach (BUO) program. BUO invites groups of youth and adults nationwide to take part in service projects in the neighborhoods of Boston and
learn first-hand about social justice issues. In the past five years, BUO has
conducted hundreds of mission experiences with over 5,000 participants.
These service projects have impacted almost 100,000 individual lives.
We are excited to offer Exeter area youth the opportunity to be a source
of compassion and witness in humble service to our urban neighbors in
need of housing, as well as nourishing
food and fellowship.
Learn more at:
http://www.cmsboston.org/FaithCommunity-Engagement.html
PS: Once again we will be delivering
packages from our church’s Undie
Sunday drive on April 12.
Undie Sunday
It’s an odd name,
but an important mission.
Homeless people can obtain many things from various agencies, but it
can be difficult to obtain undergarments. These items must be donated
new and unused, and as a result are not often donated. In April, our
youth group is traveling to Boston to participate in a work day with the
City Mission Society of Boston and will deliver our donations. The Mission & Action Committee invites you to support our youth by participating in “Undie Sunday”. We invite everyone to bring an unopened
package of undergarments of your choice to the service on April 12th.
(most wanted items are men's underwear and socks)
City Mission Society is a social justice organization. Its programs help
youth and adults, and provides opportunities for communities and congregations to engage in social action and change. Undie Sunday allows
you to make a meaningful difference for someone who is going without a
basic need. We invite you to participate, and to learn more at
http://cmsboston.org/About-Us.html
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Join us as we when we will lift up our
partnership with Pfidza Church of the
UCC of Zimbabwe. We will see photos
of our brothers and sisters at Pfidza,
and hear how their lives are touching
ours, both from our perspective and
theirs.
If you would like to write
to a penpal at Pfidza
Church, their address is:
(Name), P.O. Box 37,
Chipinge, Zimbabwe.
Leave your letter in the
basket on the bookshelves by the vestry piano.
Pfidza Church member David Mundeta
is interested in starting a community
library, and we hope to hold a book
drive this spring so that children at
Pfidza can share in the joy we all felt
reading a favorite book as a child. So,
more details to come!
Your (unofficial) Ukama committee:
Norma Jean Whitney,
Melissa Robinson,
Erik Hobbie
Rockingham Association
meeting on April 19th
The Rockingham Association of the
United Church of Christ meets twice
yearly. This spring they will be holding
their meeting at our
congregation. All are
welcome to attend
for worship, special
presentations, and
more. Time tba.
Committee Updates
Mission & Action Projects
Thirteen Years of the
Prayer Shawl Ministry
The Shawl
Knitters are entering their 13th year
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING: is an annual special offer- of activity. For the
first two or three
ing of the UCC. It is a Christian effort to empower men
years we felt tenand women to be able to provide for their families, provide water through various projects in over 20 countries, tative, wondering
if we were on the right track, wondering if the shawls
supply food to the hungry all over the world, and give
both immediate and long-term relief from disasters. This were being well received. Now, after some 463 shawls,
which have wrapped 463 people in warmth and love, we
year’s collection will be taken on March 15th. To learn
know we are a strong ministry representing this church in
more, visit www.onegreathourofsharing.org
a very lasting way.
END 68 HOURS of HUNGER: Thank you to everyone who
donated food toward
this worthy cause! If
you have items to donate but were unable
to get into church due
to the weather, The
Mission & Action committee welcomes donations until Sunday,
March 8th
GROCERY BAG RECYCLE/REPURPOSE PROGRAM:
To further protect God’s green earth,
Mission & Action invites you to bring
in your plastic grocery and shopping
bags for repurposing. The bags will be
given to the Wonderland Thrift Shop
for use in their store. All sizes of plastic and paper bags are needed. We
will have collection bins available in
the Vestry for the entire month of
April. Watch for details on the collection, and ideas on
how to recycle your bags throughout the rest of the year!
ECO-COVENANT ACTIVITY: Assuming this
SNOW eventually MELTS ...Mission & Action
welcomes you to be part of our church-wide
Eco-Covenant activity on Saturday, April 11.
Save the date! This activity is dependent on
weather. Watch for details...
The shawls go of course to our own members as soon as
we learn of a need. They also go to you our members, if
you want to send one to a friend or family member who
would be warmed by your gesture. Each shawl is accompanied by a card indicating the church where it came
from. We are still moved by the thank-you notes that
come. Some tell us of a meaning a shawl had for that person that we could never have conceived of.
All this happens without the ministry receiving any funds
from the annual operating budget. The yarn for one shawl
costs about $18 these days. Some knitters always buy
their own yarn, feeling this is part of their contribution to
our church life. Others can’t manage that but gladly give
the weeks of time it takes to knit one. Some members of
the congregation make a donation to cover the yarn cost
when they receive a shawl to send a friend. Others make
a donation for yarn from time to time. This arrangement
still works for us. The one final piece that keeps us going
is the one Sunday a year when we put out our yarn basket
at Coffee Hour, for donations from those who feel a special interest in this particular ministry. This year the
Shawl Ministry recognition Sunday will be March 8.
Thanks to all for your support of this ministry, and to you
who act as ambassadors of the church by giving shawls to
others. Feel free to contact us if you wish to knit with us
or to receive a shawl for another.
~ Linda Rousseau
lindarou@comcast.net 580-2358
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Tree of Life
Prayers of...
A Reminder:
Celebration for our three Confirmation candidates beginning their journey: Lily Albert, Louisa Bartkovich, and Hanna Hudson
Even though the snow and ice has made
some Sunday services hard to attend,
our church is still actively at work in the
world. We depend on your pledges and
offerings for support throughout the
year. If you have been away this winter, please consider
catching up on your pledge, or making a contribution via
our online donation link on our webpage. Thank you for
your continued support!
Gratitude for the return of Clara Hobbie after a term
away in Germany
Celebration for Charis Edwards who is performing with
the PEA dance company
Celebration for Allan Mayo performing in a production of
the play “Oceanside” at the Merrimack Rep
April Book Group
Celebration for Rebekah Bergeron’s success with her
book “The Worry Tree is Waiting”
Do you love book groups? Do you
want to learn more about Sabbath?
This may be just the thing for you.
Details to be announced soon.
If you want to be a part of this
experience, please contact
PastorCat@exetercongchurch.org
Prayers of sympathy for Jane Winde, on the death of her
son Sandy
Prayers of healing for Deb Albee as she recovers after a
fall and surgery
Prayers of healing for Peg Aaronian as she recovers from
bypass surgery
If you are interested in joining the church in
April or May please let Pastor Emily know by
Prayers of healing for Chuck Greenwood after cardiac surgery
emailing her at
pastor@exetercongchurch.org
Petal Pushers
Easter Service Flower Donation
$12 each potted plant
Flowers available for pick up after church on Easter Sunday
Your name:
________________________________________________
Phone/email:
________________________________________________
Choose from the plants below and the quantity of each:
Tulip ______ Daffodil ______ Lily ______ Hyacinth ______
Total Payment $___________
Circle one: Cash/Check (make checks out to “Cong. Church”, and write “Easter Flowers” in memo line please)
In Honor of:
_______________________________________________
In Memory of:
_______________________________________________
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Music & Youth
Minister for
Christian Growth
Director of
Music
Catherine Allard
Kim Karchenes
It has been a joy to begin to get to know the children, families and members-of-all-ages of this great church!
Three youth from our church attended the Winter We The
Youth (WTY) event, hosted at the United Methodist Church in
Eliot, ME last month. They learned some of the reasons people, locally and globally, do not have access to nourishing
food and clean water; and they brainstormed some possible
solutions to these obstacles. They worshiped with youth and
adults from 4 other local churches. They helped sort food
donations and stock the pantry shelves at Operation Blessing
in Portsmouth. They prayed for the world together.
Planning for the Spring WTY event is under way – we’ll be
staying overnight in the Boston area to experience the Boston
Urban Outreach program sponsored by City Mission Society.
Please note: the previously advertised dates for this event
have been changed to Friday, April 17 into Saturday, April 18.
Our Shrove Tuesday pancake dinner at Steve’s Diner was delicious and so fun! Diner culture + Christian fellowship might
be my new favorite thing!
Confirmation class with our three 9th graders, Lily, Louisa,
and Hanna begins this month on March 8. Pastor Emily and I
are looking forward to accompanying these fabulous young
people as they deepen their understanding of and explore
their personal relationship with the Christian faith.
Planning for more Spring fun and Christian Growth opportunities is under way! It is a blessing to be among you all, and to
be working closely with the dynamic and committed team of
folks on the CG Committee! In Christ, Pastor Cat
March is very active for music ministry:
March 8 Sassafras Band will perform Lenten meditations for us – Just as I Am and When Jesus Wept.
March 14 The Harps are back in town! Please come
and support the Music Ministry for an Irish Coffee
House starting at 7:30. Regina Delaney will kick up
your Irish with jigs and dancing with her new England
Irish Harp Orchestra and Reaganta Irish Folk Band.
Suggested donation at door $12/$10 for students and
seniors.
March 15 Reverend Emily’s Installation Service is that
afternoon and the choir will be singing A Prayer for
Peace BUT….. that morning Wyatt Merrill is home from
college on spring break and has graciously agreed to
play a movement from Braham’s Sonata Opus 120 for
us that morning on his clarinet.
CHILDRENS CHOIR NOTE: Children will be
singing Palm Sunday so we will have two really short rehearsals after church on Sunday
March 15, and Sunday March 22 and then we
will raise our Palms and sing Hosanna on
Sunday March 29 in church. All kids are welcome!!
March 22 Heritage Bell Ringers will ring In The Garden
and the choir will be singing His Robes for Mine which
is an extremely moving piece with gorgeous lyrics:
His robes for mine:
God’s justice is appeased.
Jesus is crushed, the Father’s pleased
Christ drank God’s wrath on sin, then cried
“Tis done! Sin’s wage is paid;
Propitiation won!
(The choir and I had to look up this word – Propitiation
- “the act of appeasing God through sacrifice”.)
March 29 Palm Sunday with the Children’s Choir and
the Senior Choir, waving of Palms and preparation for
Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday which will feature Senior Choir, Heritage Bell Ringers, and guest
trumpet player Adam Gallant
This map of the world has dozens of prayers written by WTY
participants for specific countries based on the data we received
about hunger statistics across the globe.
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I will see you in church! Kim
Who We Are
Small Group Ministries:
CONTACT INFO:
 Welcome Table Ministry Church folks staff
the “Welcome Table” at the foot of the stairs
and help newcomers find their way around the
church, and offer them name tags and printed materials.
Lay Visitor Ministry Please inform the pastor or head deacon
if you know of a church member is ill. Volunteer members of
this ministry visit our housebound members monthly. New
volunteers welcome!
 End 68 Hours of Hunger Food drives and other support for
local children to eat on the weekends when school lunches
are not provided. Contact Mission & Action
 Shawl Knitters Ministry Third Wednesday, 10 am, Vestry.
New knitters always welcome. Join us at our meetings or
simply knit at home. For information or to request a prayer
shawl for someone, call Linda Rousseau, 580-2358.
 Flower Ministry Join the Petal Pushers and help decorate
for the seasons, or simply contact them to donate Sunday
pulpit flowers. Sign-up sheet in the vestry. Jane Winde 7789404
 Salvation Army Dinners in Portsmouth Every other month
(evens), on the 4th Sunday: Volunteers to donate food, cook,
or serve are welcome. Contact Mission & Action
Senior Pastor: Rev. Emily C. Heath
pastor@exetercongchurch.org
Minister for Christian Growth: Catherine Allard
PastorCat@exetercongchurch.org
Director of Music: Kim Karchenes
music@exetercongchurch.org
Office Admin: Mary MacLeod 603-772-4216
office@exetercongchurch.org (Tue-Fri, 10-2pm)
Financial Services Manager: Faith Walsh
finance@exetercongchurch.org
Sexton: James Walsh office@exetercongchurch.org
“For Sexton Jim” in subject line
Newsletter & Web Editor: Renay Allen-Hitzrot*
editor@exetercongchurch.org
*Newsletter articles due by 20th monthly
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: “Congregational Church In Exeter UCC”
Twitter: @exeterchurch
YouTube: “CongChurchExeter”
Website: www.exetercongchurch.org
Weekly emails include:
Tuesday “Church Bits”
Friday “eNews from Emily”
Sign up at the Welcome Desk….

Women’s Bible Study Second and fourth
Wednesdays from 10 am to 12 at the Parsonage. Join other
women in fellowship. Coffee chat from 10 to 10:30 am, then
study with books or videos from 10:30 am to noon. Sue
Bowman 772-2306

Seacoast Family Promise shelter We partner with
Brentwood Pilgrim Church to host homeless families
in their church for a week six times a year. Our
Church volunteers cover Sunday, Monday, and
Tuesday nights only. Volunteers can choose to do
one or more of three things: 1. Cook or prepare meals; 2.
Serve and eat dinner with the guests; and 3. Stay overnight.
Volunteers who serve and stay overnight are required to go
through a 2-hour training session and background check.
Contact Steve Wood at 778-7098 or sawpaw@comcast.net
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Have you “liked” us on Facebook yet?
It is an easy way to show your
friends your church!
SUNDAY
1
10 am Worship
Holy
Communion
MONDAY
TUESDAY
2
3
4
5
Pastor’s day off.
6:15 pm JR Bells
1pmStaff Meeting
Office closed.
Lent Group 7 pm
2-4pm Me & Ollies
coffee
WEDNESDAY
5:30pm Music Cmte
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
6
SATURDAY
7
(Vestry reserved
Girl Scouts 10:30
to noon)
3pm Langdon Pl
worship
5:45pm Sr. Bells
7pm Sr. Choir
8
9
10
11
12
10am Worship
Pastor’s day off.
6:15 pm JR Bells
1pmStaff Meeting
11:30 Confirmation class
Office closed.
Lent Group 7 pm
10 am Women’s
Bible Study
2-4pm Me & Ollies
coffee
15
Mission/Action
7 pm
16
17
13
14
Irish CoffeeHouse 7:30 pm
5:45pm Sr. Bells
7pm Sr. Choir
7pm Deacons
18
10 am Shawl Knitters
7 pm Trustees &
Christian Growth
19
10 am Worship
Pastor’s day off.
6:15 pm JR Bells
Rev. Emily’s
Installation
Service 2:30 pm
Office closed.
Lent Group 7 pm
22
23
24
25
26
10 am Worship
Pastor’s day off.
6:15 pm JR Bells
1– Staff Meeting
Office closed.
Lent Group 7 pm
10 am Women’s
Bible Study
7 pm Church Council
20
21
27
28
1pmStaff Meeting
5:45pm Sr. Bells
7pm Sr. Choir
29
30
31
Palm Sunday
Pastor’s day off.
6:15 pm JR Bells
10 am Worship
Office closed.
Lent Group 7 pm
5:45pm Sr. Bells
7pm Sr. Choir
Sunday Schedule
March. 1st: Worship at 10 am, Communion Sunday
March 8th: Worship at 10 am, Prayer Shawl Knitters Recognition
March 15th: Worship at 10 am, One Great Hour of Sharing Offering,
Rev. Emily's Installation Service at 2:30pm, reception to follow
March 22nd: Worship at 10 am, Fifth Sunday in Lent, Ukama Sunday
March 29th: Worship at 10am, Palm Sunday, Intergenerational Worship
April 5th: Easter Sunday: 6:30 am at Swasey Pky, 10 am in Sanctuary
Nursery Care year-round, Elevators, Large Prints & Hearing Devices available,
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Open & Affirming since 1996, Eco-Covenant since 2012.
Our Eco-Covenant
We covenant to the
hard
work
of
discerning ways to
live in harmony with
creation; to new understandings
of how we may feed ourselves
and all who hunger, how we may
protect the waters and the
creatures in them, how we may
develop clean energy to meet
our needs and guard the air the
whole earth needs; and to a
vision of abundance which is
social, spiritual, physical, and for
all creatures, as a Family of God.