Litchfield Presbyterian

Living in Easter-Time

Process theology tells us that God has a vision for humanity, both for the race as a whole and for each individual human. That vision may be thought of as God’s creative aim, the ends toward which God is calling, inviting, urging, even luring us. As we respond faithfully to this calling, we hasten the process of human transformation. The scientific evidence of this creative aim of God is the upward or progressive trajectory of human evolution. The religious evidence is the appearance among humans of remarkable religious leaders who embody and proclaim God’s creative aim. For Christians, Jesus the Christ is the supreme embodiment of God’s intention for humanity (John 1:14).

As we all know, the process of transformation through evolution takes a long time. In fact, chronological or historical time is the measurement of the evolutionary processes. But chronological time, “chronos” as the Greeks called it, is not the only kind of time. The Greeks also spoke of “kairos,” which is the supreme time, referred to in the Bible as “the fullness” of time. Its my belief that in ‘kairos” time it is possible to see the end from the beginning – that is to catch a vision of God’s ultimate aim – God’s vision for humanity. Jesus lived, died and rose again in “kairos” time. This means that we who are Christian believers can see in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection what God intends for all of us. In Christ we see what humanity looks like, not at this moment in time (chronos), but in the fullness or fulfillment of time (kairos). This is, I believe, what Jesus was talking about when, in John’s vision (Revelation 1:8,17) he said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, who is, and who was, and who is to come… I am the First and the Last.”

In the resurrected Christ we have a vision of humanity at the terminus of the evolutionary or transformational processes. Again, in the Christ of Easter, we see humanity, not as it is in ordinary chronological time, but at it shall be in the fullness of time – in Easter-Time. In the risen Jesus we see our own end as God sees it. This is what it means in the Bible when it says, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” (Romans 8:29) To live in Easter-Time is to live right now in confident hope that the vision of God for humanity – the vision disclosed in Christ – is being fulfilled in us. It means that we train our spiritual ears and eyes to hear and see every invitation, every call, every summons of God to become what God aims for us to be. Living in Easter-Time means living toward our fulfillment. So the apostle tells us when he writes, “Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when Christ is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3).

Second Saturday Community Breakfast

Our second Saturday breakfasts continue to grow and become known in the community.  Join us for breakfast anytime between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 13 and Saturday, April 10.  Breakfast consists of scrambled or fried eggs, bacon, sausage, home fried potatoes, home-baked muffins, coffee, and juice.  Donations will be accepted and a portion of the proceeds benefit our community food pantry.

Spring Cleaning

Join us on Saturday, April 3 from 9 a.m. to noon to help clean up the church.  Bring lawn tools and other cleaning implements.  We are going to be cleaning the church inside and out to get it looking nice for Easter Sunday on April 4.  Many hands make light work.  See you there!

Easter Worship Schedule

Leading up to Easter, we will be offering additional worship service opportunities.  Join us on Maundy Thursday, April 1, at 7:30 p.m. for a service of the Tenebrae.  On Easter Sunday, April 4, we will have our sunrise service at 7:00 a.m.  This is followed by a pancake breakfast in the church basement.   We will also have our normal Sunday morning worship at 10:00 a.m. on Easter Sunday.  Join us in celebrating the Easter season.

Holiday Fair Raffle Quilt

It may seem not like it, but it’s really not too early to think about what we can do to make this year’s holiday craft fair a huge success. To those of you who are new to our church, the holiday fair is our major fundraiser of the year, with the raffle quilt making approximately half of amount raised from the fair. Terry Jefferson and I have been making quilts for the Fair for over 10 years or more, and this year is my turn to make the quilt. In the past Terry Jefferson has been the driving force behind ticket sales for the quilt, attending craft fairs in the area, as well as selling tickets every weekend at Wilson’s Farm Stand and other locations during the summer and early fall before the Fair. Unfortunately, this year neither of us will be able to take charge of the raffle quilt ticket sales. We need someone to step forward and take charge of the ticket sales. Terry would be happy to share the tips she has learned over the years to sell lots of tickets, as well as taking the picture of the quilt, getting tickets printed up and passing out envelopes with tickets included for everyone to take and sell. With everyone doing their part, I believe we can make this the best Holiday Fair ever and raise lots of money for the church.

If you would like to take on this raffle project, please contact either Terry or myself and we will be happy to give you all the information and encouragement you would need. Please contact me in person or by phone if you have any questions or need more information. My phone number is: 424-9616. Thank you.

Marge Dabrowski

Corned Beef and Cabbage

Join us for our annual corned beef and cabbage dinner on Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 6 p.m.  Meet in the basement of the church for some good fellowship and a delicious corned beef dinner with all the fixings.

Did you know…?

• that our Saturday morning breakfasts have been successful and more people are attending each month?
• that the Dojnys welcomed a grandson, Benjamin Lombard Zych, on January, 15, 2010?
• that a portion of the proceeds from these breakfasts are being donated to the Deacons fund?
• that Terry is going to be a grandmother again her son Rick and wife Danielle are expecting in September?
• that there will be a clean up day April 3rd  9 am?
• that Cindy Reilly runs a dog grooming business just down the road from the church?  Look for her ad in this newsletter.
• that Julie and Melanie have joined the choir?
• that Dove Singers performances are March 13, 14, 20, and 21? Ask Terry if you have any questions. 603-429-0328
• that Lori Sommer will be opening her state licensed family child care center in July?  Look for her ad in this newsletter.
• that the Lepines welcomed a grandson, Callan Gregory Keniston, on February 13, 2010?

Litchfield Community Food Pantry

We thank all those who have contributed to our food pantry.  Our support of Litchfield families in need is increasing and we have recently seen demand spike from about 1500 meals/month to over 2000 meals/month.  We are looking running low on the following items:

• Spaghetti Sauce
• Peanut Butter and jelly
• Cold Cereal
• Canned vegetables such as peas, corn and carrots
• Canned meats such as Spam, tuna, and chicken
• Canned or bottled gravy
• Macaroni and cheese, as well as Spaghetti-O’s and other canned pasta
• Chicken noodle soup, as well as other canned soup

Caring for the Caregiver

From the Health & Wholeness Committee

I recently read a description of the “Sandwich Generation” – the term used to describe those who are taking care of their aging parents and their children at the same time: “sprinkle a little guilt, spread some frustration, pile on the responsibilities, slice time in half”. But whether you are a member of this so-called generation, or have become the caregiver for a spouse or other loved one, it is so important that you learn to take care of yourself as well.

Whenever you are on an airplane and must listen to the safety rules, you are told to always put on your own oxygen mask before you assist anyone else. Only when we first help ourselves can we effectively help others. Taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do as a caregiver. When your needs are taken care of, the person you care for will benefit, too.

Some of the rewards and joys of caregiving include developing a new relationship with the person being cared for; having a chance to give back; gaining a sense of accomplishment, and building memories. Along with those rewards come risks and dangers such as depression; a feeling of isolation; and developing your own personal illness due to neglect of your own health.

Some of the steps to managing stress include recognizing the early warning signs such as irritability, sleep problems and forgetfulness. It’s important that you recognize the warning signs and act to make changes. Stress reducers can be simple activities like walking, gardening or having coffee with a friend. And, although you can and should grieve for what used to be, remind yourself that you cannot change what is and try to find joy in the present. Remember the Serenity prayer!

Another important stress reducer, but a difficult one for most, is asking for and accepting help. You may feel that you don’t want to burden others or admit that you can’t do everything yourself. Try to prepare a mental or written list of ways that others could help you. Could someone take the person you care for on a 15 minute walk twice a week? Or pick up a few things at the grocery store for you? Or help fill out insurance papers? Or stay with your loved one for an hour on Sunday while you come to church? When you break down the jobs into very simple tasks, it’s easier for people to help. And they do want to help – they just need you to tell them how.

There is so much more to say on this topic. And it is such an important topic right now. Many members of this congregation are caring for loved ones and are at risk for becoming overwhelmed. If you are one of them, please ask for help.

About the Health and Wholeness Committee

The Health and Wholeness committee was created with the purpose of promoting the physical well-being of the congregation and the larger community.  Some of the goals are to investigate and plan a Parish Nursing program, participate in Habitat for Humanity and Heifer project missions, as well as other mission opportunities.  The Parish Nursing program would include community education on health topics.

Any members who have an interest in being involved in any way, or who wish to discuss ideas or ask questions should contact Sandy Vance.  Cell phone number is 553-6939.  Email is even better – svance3231@aol.com.

Habitat for Humanity

This year, Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity is working on a duplex in Milford, NH.  Two families have been selected and ground will be broken on this exciting project shortly.  We’re planning on organizing a group of building volunteers from the church to come out and work on the house sometime this summer.  For more information, see www.nashuahabitat.org.

Birthdays

March 13: Chris Pelonzi
March 13: Don Edwards
March 13: Jacob McQuesten
March 22: Michael Couture
April 3: Travis Durand
April 3: Kristel Dobratz
April 5: Peter Dobratz
April 8: Jean Allen
April 15: Christine Marsden
April 17: Sue Harman
April 19: Daphné Valentino
April 20: Andy Hershberger
April 27: Maria Dojny
May 6: Wayne Hilson
May 11: Joan Hall
May 13: Lynda Sommer
May 21: Nadine Collins
May 31: Tara Hershberger