Litchfield Presbyterian

Celebrating Our Uniqueness

What is unique about Litchfield Presbyterian?

Every congregation has a unique identity; those characteristics or ways of being the church that make them special. From time to time, its healthy for a congregation to take a good look at itself and ask, “What makes us unique? What makes our church stand out among other congregations?” The Session (our church’s governing board) and I have been spending some time thinking about these questions and we’ve come up with a few identifying characteristics of Litchfield Presbyterian. Here they are:

We are…

• people who are motivated by love, but not by fear
• people who describe themselves as Christians, but not necessarily as evangelicals
• people who take the bible seriously but do not always take it literally
• people who try hard to live well, but do not worry about getting our beliefs exactly “right”
• people who believe Jesus taught an excellent path to God, but do not insist there is only one way
• people who try to understand and value differences and so do not exclude those who are different

We know our church is not right for everybody, and that’s okay. But Litchfield Presbyterian is probably right for people who:

• believe that God is real, but have lots of questions
• are turned off by a “high pressure” approach to religion
• are just as interested in “life before death” as in “life after death”
• have a real respect for other great world religions
• would like a preacher who talks with them not “at” them
• want to actually do something to make their community and their world a better place
• think they would enjoy being part of a friendly and welcoming church family

Of course, a congregation is made up of many different people with many different beliefs, so not everyone will agree with everything on these lists. Still we think that in general terms, these characteristics set our church apart as unique in our community. Let’s celebrate our unique identity!

Homecoming 2009

Sunday, September 20 will be a very special day at Litchfield Presbyterian. On that Sunday we’ll celebrate Homecoming 2009. 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?

Homecoming Sunday will not only include our worship service and children’s church, but we will also celebrate the sacrament of Holy Baptism and rejoice in the reception of new members of the church family. We’ll all stay after worship to enjoy a good old-fashioned pot luck luncheon in the fellowship hall. Come on home to church and invite your friends and neighbors to Homecoming Sunday, September 20, 2009 starting at 10:00 AM. It’s a new season and a new beginning. We’ll see you there!

Harvest Dinner

We invite you to join us for our annual Harvest Dinner on Saturday, October 24 at 5:30 p.m.  The Deacons will be making a complete turkey dinner with all the fixings.  There will be roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and rolls.  Bring your appetite.

Faith and Worship Committee News

The Worship Committee has begun planning services for the fall. It’s not too late to join us as we plan for the upcoming holiday season. We are always looking for new ideas and talent and there are many ways to contribute.

We are seeking volunteers to serve as greeters and ushers for Sunday worship on a rotating basis. No experience needed, training is provided. Marge Dabrowski will be coordinating this effort so please let her know if you are interested.

The committee is responsible for producing the Sunday bulletin and we would love to use member artwork for the bulletin covers. If possible drawings should be black and white although we can do color for special occasions. Please talk to Pastor Steve or Terry Jefferson if you would like to submit art for the covers.

An important part of our worship services is music. The choir will be scaling back this year since we don’t have a regular organist and will probably perform one or twice a month at most. We would like to encourage our members with musical ability to come forward and help “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord”. Vocal or instrumental solos are one option, as are small groups. If you have an interest, please contact Betty Scofield.

Decorations will be coordinated by Sue Smith. If you wish to help make the sanctuary more welcoming with seasonal decorations please talk to Sue.

We’re looking forward to another year of great worship services.

Betty Scofield

Litchfield Town 275th Anniversary Celebration

September 19, 2009

Litchfield, NH 275th Anniversary

Save the date for this terrific birthday party!

Something for Everyone

10:00 AM: Huge Parade from LMS to Town Center

NH 5th Regiment Color Guard, Alvirne High School Band, Amoskeag Strummers, Windham Town Band, Campbell High Re-enactors of Historic Litchfield Residents, Clowns, Shriner Mini Cars, Manchester Motorcycle Club, Mel’s Fun Park Go Carts and Hearse, Ronald McDonald, Moxie Mobile, Scouts, School Sports Teams, Antique Trucks and Cars, Roller Skaters, Bag Piper, Lions Club, Passaconaway/Hidden Creel Float, Campbell High Cheerleaders, Baton Twirlers, Garden Club, McQuesten Farm Float, Hip Hopping Hawks Jump Ropers, Women’s Club Float, Antique Fire Truck, Flutist, Litchfield Education Association Float, Noel’s Christmas Farm Float, Campbell High Float, Ms. Pre-Teen and Miss Granite State in Classic Cars, Litchfield Presbyterian Church Float, Horses…. and more

10:30 AM: Proclamations and Presentations, Historical Society Formal Program

Civil War Re-enactor Paul Dadek, Quilting Demonstration, Open House at the Litchfield Presbyterian Church, Live Piccolo and Flute Music, Campbell High Re-enactors Portraying Litchfield’s Historic Settlers, Aiden’s Clan Celtic Band and Book Sale at the Aaron Cutler Library

Noon to Dusk on the Griffin Memorial School Grounds:

Concessions: Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Fried Dough, Sausage Grinders, Popcorn, Apple Crisp, Clam Chowder, Ice Cream, Cotton Candy

Events: DJ all day, Games with Prizes, Rafffles Galore, Hayday Farms Pony Rides, Wildlife Petting Zoo, Puppet Shows, Display of Antique Tractors and Cars, Face Painting and Balloon Animals, Bounce House and Obstacle Course, Granite State Cloggers and Karate Demonstrations, Radar Speed Pitch, Police vs Firemen Softball Game, Make A Picture for Our Troops, Firefighter Race, Flaming Baton Twirling Demonstration

Celebration Ends with Free cider and Bonfire

Healthy Weight Management

As chair of the Health and Wellness Committee, one of my goals will be to contribute articles about a healthy lifestyle to the Lamplighter. The first installment will hopefully motivate us to think more about what we eat, but also to stress the importance of caring about your food – pay attention to what you are choosing and make mealtime a thoughtful or social event instead of just choosing whatever will fill you up the quickest!

We all know that Americans make poor food choices. There is an obesity epidemic in this country. People eat when they are stressed, eat on the run, and super-size their meals. Then we go on medication to control obesity-related conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol.

According to some, asking yourself “What would Jesus eat?” is a great way to stay fit, slim and trim. Dr. Don Colbert, a Florida doctor, says “If you truly want to follow Jesus in every area of your life, you cannot ignore your eating habits”. Jesus probably ate lots of bread and fish, fruit and water. This may be a bit extreme for most of us to follow on a daily basis, but the principles seem to follow those of a Mediterranean diet. People living in countries that border the Mediterranean Sea have lower rates of heart disease and certain types of cancer. The main characteristics of the Mediterranean diet include:

• Lots of plant foods – fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes
• Olive oil as the main source of fat
• Cheese and yogurt consumed in low to moderate amounts – mostly as a topping or side dish
• Fish and poultry consumed in low to moderate amounts
• Red meat only in small amounts – usually to season foods rather than as the main ingredient
• Fresh fruit as dessert
• Wine consumed in low to moderate amounts – usually with meals

Sample Mediterranean-Style Meals

• Breakfast
  1/3 cantaloupe
  1 slice whole-grain toast
  2 tsp peanut butter
  1 apple
• Lunch
  2 cups fresh spinach salad
  2 ounces grilled chicken breast
  1 tbs. olive oil
  1 tbs. vinaigrette
  1 small whole-wheat pita
  1 apple
• Dinner
  5 ounces fish (cod, halibut, etc)
  1 small sweet potato
  2-3 cups broccoli, carrots, peppers, onions – sautéed in garlic and olive oil
  1 cup fresh fruit
• Snacks – mid morning or mid afternoon
  1 small handful of nuts – almonds, peanuts, walnuts, pecans

Mix daily exercise with weight control and a traditional Mediterranean diet and you have a terrific recipe for healthier living.

Sandy Vance

Thoughts from the Church Finance Committee

Ever wonder where the money goes that is collected every week at offering? Ever wonder how much money it takes to run the Church and where the money comes from?

The Session sets an annual budget near the end of every year that is presented to the congregation at the Annual Meeting. At the Annual Meeting the budget is reviewed, may be modified by majority vote, and is approved by the congregation. At its monthly meetings throughout the year, the Session tracks income and expenses for every line item in the budget compared to those estimated in the approved budget and makes adjustments, if necessary, to balance the books and “make ends meet”. During the summer months especially, achieving this balance is a significant challenge and Greg Lepine does a great job preparing and presenting the numbers to the Session.

Just like in a household, some income and expense items in the budget are fixed or nearly so and therefore are easy to estimate for the coming year. Other income and expense items are less certain and can be difficult to estimate. For example, income pledged by Church members is usually very reliable, as is the income received from the Parker Fund. Similarly, expenses such as the Pastor’s salary and benefits are fixed at the Annual Meeting and known by definition. Other income and expense items can be much less certain, such as non-pledged and miscellaneous income and some operating expenses such as heating oil. As the year progresses, projections can be made for year-end income and expenses. The pie charts below illustrate the income sources and expenses categories currently projected for the end of 2009. You may be surprised to know that it take over $100,000 to run our Church for one year!

Everyone knows the challenge that the current economy has placed on families throughout the area. Expenses are up (that almost never changes!) and incomes are stagnant or down for many, with some experiencing the loss of regular income altogether. The Church feels the same challenge – trying to hold expenses to zero growth, while some people need to limit what they can give.

Later this Fall, Church members will be asked to prayerfully consider making a commitment to give or “pledge” toward the income required to fund the Church operations and outreach for next year. Please give this commitment careful thought. While the Church is always appreciative of pledge commitments, the Session uses this information when developing the budget for the coming year and shortfalls in this income are difficult to accommodate.

For the current year, pledge income was ahead of projections for the winter and spring, however the summer has changed this situation and pledge income is now slightly below that projected. This fluctuation is quite typical, since most of us plan and take vacations during the fleeting Summer months. If you have been away for part of the Summer, welcome back! We hope that you will review the pledge made late last year and, if able, try to “catch up” if you’ve fallen behind. If you are not a member, but choose to give to the Church, thank you. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Talking about money is never easy. Some say that, along with politics, it’s one of those topics that shouldn’t be discussed in Church. I believe that information is always helpful, even if it sometimes bears challenging news. Hopefully the charts below will help illustrate how money comes into the Church and how it is spent. Your comments and questions are always welcome.

In His service,
Mike Couture
Finance Committee Chair

Save Your Pennies for the Care Center

The 18th Annual Penny Pickers is the Nashua Pastoral Care Center’s most unique fundraising event!  Volunteers will once again canvass neighborhoods in Greater Nashua for three weekends in the fall collecting spare change to support the Care Center’s programs.  Each Penny Picker can be identified by their bright yellow apron.  This well-publicized event has taken on a life of its own and has grown every year since its inception in 1992.  In addition to the Penny Pickers, penny containers are housed at local businesses and organizations throughout the community for the month of November.

Volunteers Needed!

The Nashua Pastoral Care Center needs 2 1/2 – 3 hours of your time with a partner to Penny Pick or tag at one of our tag locations.  Penny Picker Days: Saturday, October 24 & Sunday, October 25; Saturday, October 31 & Sunday, November 1; Saturday, November 7 & Sunday, November 8.  To volunteer or make a donation call Cindy at 886-2866 x10 or email cindydc@nashuanpcc.org.  Be sure to register early to Penny Pick or Tag in your neighborhood!

The Nashua Pastoral Care Center (NPCC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, with over 22 years of experience serving the disadvantaged in the Greater Nashua region providing direct assistance to families at risk of homelessness.  Their mission is to offer support and provide services to assist individuals and families transition from crisis to self-sufficiency.  Please visit www.nashuanpcc.org for more information.

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
October 6: Julia Illg
October 10: Randy Durand
October 10: Lucy Valentino
October 15: Stefanie Couture
October 16: Edith Eldridge
November 19: Bradley Couture