Lampligher – September/October 2010
Ask the Pastor
Last month we began a series of newsletter articles entitled “Ask the Pastor.” With this edition we continue the series. These are real questions asked by real people. Someone recently asked, “What does everlasting life mean to you?”
For me, this question has to do with the nature of life itself. That is, is life really biology and nothing more? Or is life a quality of existence that animates matter and so produces biology?
The Bible teaches that God is spirit and that spirit is the source of all being, of all life. It also teaches that human beings are created in the image and likeness of God. Therefore human beings have both material and spiritual existence. For me, life is a spiritual quality of existence that finds its present expression in various forms of matter, including our human bodies. Therefore I believe that, while in everyday experience, consciousness has to do with brain function, the continuing functioning of the body, including the brain, is not a necessary condition to life or to consciousness.
So the first thing I would say about everlasting life is that I believe in a continuing conscious existence after bodily death. But what is it we are conscious of? And do we have this continuing conscious existence anywhere in space/time as we presently understand it?
The honest answer is, “I don’t know.” But here is what I believe.
Science tells us that the physical world that we experience with our bodies is only a very small slice of reality. We know that all physical things are made up of energy and that energy can take many different forms. To my mind it is entirely possible that there is a spiritual reality that is imperceptible to our bodies, but nonetheless real. I think of it as a kind of parallel spiritual universe, with its own space, time, and matter – a kind of world within the world or alongside the world. This is the world which I believe I will inhabit after death, much the way I inhabit this world right now.
Some may call this Heaven, others may think of it as Paradise or Nirvana. I think of it as the world of light beyond this world of shadows. In his collection of fantasy stories, “The Chronicles of Narnia,” C.S. Lewis described a world that was ” further up and further in.” It was just like the world that everyone had known, but it was more “real.” Upon entering it through the door of death, somebody said, “It’s all in Plato, all in Plato: bless me! What do they teach them at these schools?” This is, of course, a reference to Plato’s famous allegory of the cave, in which mundane earthly existence is pictured as a life of shadows within a cave, while true existence is depicted as life in the bright sunshine without.
In my imagination, in my belief, everlasting life is continued conscious existence in the “real” world – the world the Bible calls “the new heaven and the new earth.” It will be a world of continuing exploration and discovery, a world free of pain and sorrow, a world of absolute honesty, truth and acceptance. Above all it will be a world in which our communion with God is as real and continuous as is our breathing in this present world. It will be a world saturated with love, a world in which we each fulfill within ourselves and recognize within one another our best hopes and aspirations. It will be a world in which we truly live as God intends for us to live.
Laughter is the Best Medicine
“Walking Economy”
A guy is walking down the street with his friend. He says to his friend, “I’m a walking economy.”
His friend replies, “How’s that?”
“It’s like this: my hair line is in recession, my stomach is a victim of inflation, and the combination of these factors is putting me into a deep depression.”
Homecoming Sunday
This year Homecoming Sunday is October 3, 2010. Homecoming is all about gathering once again with friends and neighbors after the busy summer season. The days are getting clear and crisp, vacations are over, the children are back at school, we are closing up the camp or lake house and its time to settle in to the fall season. What better time to get together again with your church family for a special morning of worship and fellowship?
Join us as we gather the extended church family to celebrate Homecoming 2010. Our Sunday school program for 2010-2011 will kick off on Homecoming Sunday, there will be special music in worship, and a potluck luncheon will follow the church service. Come on home to church and invite your friends and neighbors to Homecoming Sunday starting at 10:00AM on Sunday, October 3rd.
Sunday School 2010 – 2011
We are very excited to announce our plans for our 2010-2011 Sunday School. The goal of our Sunday School is to provide school aged children with meaningful nurture in the Christian faith.
Our Sunday School will have two basic parts. Part one will see children with their parents in the first part of worship. This will include a weekly children’s sermon. In part two, children will break out for Sunday School.
The Sunday School will have two classes: a preschool class for pre-K and kindergartners and an elementary school class for first through fifth grade. Our hope is that our middle school and high school students will serve as helpers in these classes.
The Sunday School will be held on every Sunday from October 3, 2010 through May 22, 2011.
Church school backpacks will be prepared, one for each child. The backpacks will be kept in the rear of the church. In each backpack will be the appropriate lesson materials for one Sunday school lesson. At break out time, children will retrieve their backpacks and carry them downstairs to their Sunday school class. The teacher will then direct children to remove from the backpacks appropriate materials and the lesson will proceed.
Teachers and helpers are still needed. If you would like to help out, please contact Pastor Steve at church, or call him at 603 540-2332.
Faith and Worship Committee Notes
The Faith and Worship Committee meets regularly to plan for upcoming worship services. We have been working with organist Don Burrill and are happy that he will be continuing with us. The committee oversees things connected with the worship services such as music, flowers, decorations, ushers and greeters.
Liz McGilvery organizes and maintains the schedule for ushers and greeters. If you would like to help out please see Liz. Terry Jefferson continues to prepare the sanctuary for services every Sunday and maintains news from the congregation for the Lamplighter. Julie Doyle has been helping with the musician auditions. Don Burrill is seeking members for the choir to be started soon. Cindy Couture will be coordinating flower donations. Thanks to all of you.
At our next meeting, we will be planning for Homecoming Sunday, October 3, and Christmas. The meeting time will be announced in church and all are welcome to participate. If you are interested or have suggestions, please talk to any committee member.
Betty Scofield
Nashua CROP Hunger Walk 2010
Date: 10/24/2010
Location: Nashua, NH
Registration: 12:45, Walk: 2 pm
Temple Beth Abraham; 4 Raymond St., Nashua
With your help, we can make a great impact!
Have you ever been hungry? If you know you are going to be able to eat some time soon, it’s not bad; our bodies are reminding us that it’s time to refuel. But, if you don’t know whether you will be able to eat at all, that’s something very different. And even worse, if you don’t know if you will be able to feed your hungry children, that’s crushing. Imagine what that must be like. We can do something to help!
The CROP Hunger Walk is coming soon and we need you. We need people to walk. And we need people to sponsor our Walkers. We need each of you. And together, step by step we can make a difference in the lives of hungry people around the world.
What kind of difference? Listen to the voices of hungry people struggling to find hope and the impact you make through supporting our CROP Hunger Walk.
A young girl in the USA says, When you are hungry, you can’t think of anything else.
Up to 25% of the money raised in a CROP Hunger Walk supports hunger-fighting efforts in our local communities. Last year, CROP Hunger Walks provided over $4 million dollars to some 3,000 soup kitchens and food pantries across the U.S.
A poor man in Brazil sighs, What is poverty? To come home and see your children hungry and not have anything to give them. Last year CROP Hunger Walks raised over 15 million dollars to assist hungry people around the world, providing food and other essentials to those recovering from disasters, as well as tools and training to communities as they seek to establish food security for themselves in places like Guatemala, Indonesia, Haiti, Cambodia, Kenya and more.
A farmer in Niger who received help through a CWS-supported program celebrates, Thanks to the new well and the increased cultivation, we have more food for our family, and are able to sell the extra to gain a little income. From despair to hope. From hunger to food security. That’s the difference you make by supporting our CROP Hunger Walk. Together we’re ending hunger – one step at a time. Please join us!!
For more information check our blog: http://nashuacropwalk.blogspot.com
Kick off event: Wednesday – September 15th at the Immaculate Conception Parish, 216 East Dunstable Rd., Nashua
Chocolate and fruit, Open house for information and materials from 6:30 to 7:30, Presentation at 7:30, New walk recruiter workshop at 8 pm.
Personnel Committee
Due to a lucky tip from a guest organist, we were able to find an organist for the summer. Don Burrill, from Bedford NH, started as organist in June and has treated us to some lovely organ music this summer. Don has been a church organist and choirmaster for many years. He has completed advanced classes in organ performance and music theory. Don is also a part time professor at St Anselm’s College, with a PhD in psychology and mathematics from Cornell University.
The Personnel Committee is pleased to announce that Don has just signed a contract to continue as our organist through April of 2011. Don is hard-working, cooperative, and eager to help us build our music program.
Please join us in welcoming Don to Litchfield Presbyterian.
The Personnel Committee,
Betty Scofield, Peter Dobratz, Paul Danzi, Liz McGilvery
Featured Musician Program
This summer saw the initiation of new program for worship. The ‘Featured Musician Program’ was developed to supplement our usual musical offerings during our weekly worship services. Our hope was to provide a variety of music to enhance our worship and also to serve as an outreach to the community by providing opportunities for local artists to perform. So far the program has been a success and we have been blessed with a terrific response from local musicians and the congregation.
The “Featured Musician Program” began in June with flautist, Gina O’Leary, a UNH student and Campbell graduate, and singer Erin Linnehan, a student at Holy Cross. In July, we welcomed singers Jill Delault, music teacher at Campbell, and Sarah Jo Merriman, another UNH student and graduate of Campbell High School. In August, we were delighted that our good friend and former organist Chris Pelonzi was able to visit and play the organ. Chris is starting his second year at McGill University in Canada and our prayers go with him for another successful year. Also in August we heard singer/guitarist Dana Benoit treat us to his rendition of ‘Peace in the Valley’.
Session has decided to continue the program this fall. We hope to have an outside musician once a month. We especially hope to attract young people from the high school. Perhaps you know someone who would like to contribute???? If so have them contact Betty Scofield at e.scofield@yahoo.com.
Stay ‘tuned’ for more music!
Shawl Ministry
The shawl ministry meets once a month. The meetings combine prayer, knitting/crocheting, and fellowship. We make shawls with prayer, and then the shawls are blessed by the pastor during a worship service. Shawls are presented by a member of the group to members and friends of the congregation who are experiencing illness or sadness. Our group started in January and already nine shawls have been presented.
Making a shawl for someone and praying for their health and wellness is a moving experience. Even more inspiring is the act of presenting a shawl to someone in need of comfort. One of our first shawls was presented to Joan Hall, whom I’m sure most of you remember as a long time member of our congregation. Joan moved into an assisted living facility earlier this year. A couple of us visited her there and gave her the shawl. It was wonderful to see the look on Joan’s face when we put that shawl around her shoulders. I have to add that Joan seemed to be happy in her new surroundings and displayed that same warm smile that we all remember.
This ministry is open to anyone wishing to use their knitting or crocheting skills to provide comfort and solace to others. Meetings are held at the church on the second Wednesday of each month. If you would like to learn to knit or crochet we will be happy to help you get started. At our July meeting Joan Franklin taught all of us knitters how to crochet a pretty border for our shawls. Thank you Joan!
If you would like additional information, or if you know someone who might benefit from receiving a shawl, please contact Betty Scofield.
Fitness Class for the Brain
Do you know that experts believe that we need to exercise out brains just as we would our bodies on a regular basis to keep them in great shape? Around the age of 50, many people notice changes in their brain function – like memory loss, slower processing of information and a decrease in the ability to reason. These changes though, can be slowed and even prevented. The earlier one gets into the “brain gym”, the more likely there will be benefits.
Dr. Paul Nussbaum at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has 5 keys to brain health:
- Physical activity – get regular exercise. Good circulation will aid your brain.
- Mental stimulation – any regular activity that challenges the mind will help strengthen links among brain cells. Examples include crossword puzzles, board games, math puzzles, playing musical instruments.
- Good nutrition – food rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, help maintain the good fat in the brain without putting the bad fat on the waistline! Antioxidants also promote brain health. These are found in red grapes, fruit juices and green leafy vegetables.
- Spirituality – finding peace and balance in life through prayer, worship, meditation and relaxation can have positive effects on your brain health.
- Socialization – research has shown that people who isolate themselves from others are more likely to develop dementia in their senior years. Don’t watch life pass you by – volunteer, join a hobby club, or join the new Senior Group in Litchfield!! They are meeting regularly for social get-togethers like luncheons and bingo games. It’s sponsored by the Recreation Commission. See Pat Jewett or Sandy Vance for more information!
Did You Know…?
- that Homecoming Sunday is on October 3?
- that the Deacons had a very successful yard sale on August 14?
- that Peter and Kristel Dobratz are expecting a baby in March?
- that Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity is building a house in Wilton? Build days are Thursdays and Saturdays 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The house is being constructed at the corner of Maple Street and Russell Street.
- that a new Sunday School for children is starting on October 3?
- that Alison Rivera had a baby girl in July?
- that choir will resume we are looking for anyone who loves to sing?
- that Sue Harman is in rehab in Peabody, MA?
- that Marge and John Dabrowski have moved to Lowell, MA?
- that we collected over 50 backpacks stuffed with school supplies in our back-to-school supply drive?
- that Sandy Vance and Pat Jewett are helping to organize a Senior Group in Litchfield as part of the Recreation Commission?
- that Thomas Dobratz broke his leg in July, but that didn’t stop him from learning how to climb out of his crib?
- that Chad Charboneau and Wendy Gilmore are getting married at Litchfield Presbyterian Church on October 2?
Birthdays
- September 3: Chris Lepine
- September 5: Thomas Dobratz
- September 6: Nancy McQuesten
- September 15: Marge Dabrowski
- September 18: Tom Sommer
- September 19: Lori Sommer
- September 20: Toby Gill
- September 23: Lance Collins
- September 27: Phil Durand
- September 27: Tyler Colby
- October 6: Julia Illg
- October 10: Lucy Valentino
- October 10: Randy Durand
- October 13: Aubry Bonner
- October 15: Stephanie Couture
- October 16: Edith Eldridge
- November 15: Robin Mosnicka
- November 17: Linda Peeples
- November 19: Bradley Couture
