A U G U S T 2 0 1 4

I N T H I S I S S U E

Pastor’s Page 2, 3

Mission Trip Photo

3

Reflections from Our Members

4-6

Coming in Sept. 7

Merrie Xmas Fair 8

Bits & Pieces 9

Vestry News

This picture was taken during a stop at Niagara Falls on the way to the Toronto Youth Mission Trip

July 13th—18th. Twenty-one youth and four leaders enjoyed the entire week and all of the experiences

they shared together.

Quick Stop on the Way to Toronto!

C O N T . O N P A G E 3

SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE Aug. 3 Worship in South Acton, Rev. Cindy preaching and celebrating communion

Aug. 10 Worship in South Acton, Rev. Cindy preaching

Aug. 17 Worship in South Acton, Rev. Katrina preaching

Aug. 24 Worship in South Acton, Rev. Cindy preaching

Aug. 31 Worship returns to Boxborough with outdoor Communion

(in the parking lot, weather permitting)

Back row: Justin Parkes, Ernie Fournier, Alex Boyd, Romie Boyd, Lisa Kidd, Caroline Loverud, Sam

Griffin, Jared Wilber, Johnny Bourne, Matt Allaire

Middle row: Sarah Griffin, Aidan Holt, Tori Nelson, Alli Sedler, Mark Allaire, Julia Evans, Emily Shade,

Haley Greico-Page, Allie Pearson, Paula Greico-Page

Front row: Kira Murphy, Cassi Nelson, Maya Murphy, Sam Senghas, Jennifer Royce

P A G E 2

Past

or’s

Pag

e

Greetings Friends,

It took exactly 1.5 hours. That was even quicker

than I expected. I thought we might make it through

at least one day. But, no, just 1.5 hours until those

famous words of school vacation: I’m bored!

Since that first day of summer vacation, my children

have splashed with friends at our local pond, taken

the dog camping, helped me on some cleaning pro-

jects at church, played Minecraft for hours (if you

have to ask, count your blessings), organized their

bedrooms and done (most of) their summer home-

work. They are having a great summer. They com-

plain about the daily list of chores, and when friends

aren’t immediately available, and the fact that we

don’t have a pool or a vacation home. But even they

admit - they are having a great summer.

Meanwhile, several thousand miles away, children

riding on a bus are yelled and spat at. They are

called “invaders” and “transmitters of diseases and

infections”. They have fled poverty and violence in

Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. But they are

met, in “the land of the free and the home of the

brave” with xenophobia and hatred.

These children are just like my children. Except that

for my children, their greatest problem is boredom.

For the unaccompanied children seeking refuge in

the United States, their very survival is at stake.

When my heart makes the connection between the

children on the buses and my own children, it feels

more than I can bear.

Our denomination - the Massachusetts Conference

of the United Church of Christ - has already started

a list of individuals and churches who will want to

respond if and when some of these children are

brought to Massachusetts, as Gov. Deval Patrick has

requested. I hope you don’t mind, I’ve already put

us on that list.

Meanwhile, a few more thousand miles away, chil-

dren are being pulled from their cots as rocket fire

rains down on their shelters. Three Israeli teens

were senselessly killed, followed by the retaliatory

killing of a Palestinian teen. Four young lives, cut off

in the name of a war begun long before they were

born. And now, after their deaths, the violence ech-

oes on and on, killing more and more children, espe-

cially those who live in the squeezed, choked,

starved, occupied territory of the Gaza Strip.

If the immigrant / refugee children situation is very

difficult to resolve, the Israeli - Palestinian crisis ap-

proaches the impossible. And there is no denomina-

tional effort afoot to offer refuge for Palestinian chil-

dren - we just keep passing resolutions calling for

cease-fires and talks, with occasional debates about

divestment. But what if it were MY children watch-

ing their homes destroyed, their friends and family

killed. What if we were scheduling my son’s funeral

between bombing campaigns? If nothing else, can we

pray for the children who cannot find time for bore-

dom as they fear for their survival?

The heart of God breaks at what we do to each

other. Jesus said, “Love one another.” He said,

“Love your enemy.” He said, “Let the children come

to me.” I keep drawing distinctions between MY

children and the children in the news. But, truly,

they are all OUR children. What should we do?

Peace,

Rev. Cindy

Pastor’s Letter

When Rev. Katrina is providing coverage,

she can be reached at:

Email: katrina2332@yahoo.com

Office: 978-263-2332

Cell: 978-201-6986

When Rev. Cindy is providing coverage,

she can be reached at:

Email: cindyworthingtonberry@gmail.com

Office: 978-263-7387

Cell: 978-204-0473

Pastoral contacts over the Summer

P A G E 3

THANK YOU

In May, we partnered with Pease Greeters to prepare care packages for men and women serving in the military.

We recently received this email of thanks:

Cindy, I wanted to thank you and all your members for the cards that I received in my package the other day. It really is special when people take their most cherished commodity – their own time – to express thanks to someone whom they do not know. I wish you guys could see the expressions on folks faces as they get these notes from home – it really does make a difference. Thanks for all you and your team do! LTC Gary Davis Bagram AFB

Youth Group and leaders gathered here in front of church before they ventured off to East York, a suburb of Toronto for the

2014 Youth Mission Trip. They will share their experiences with the congregation on November 16, hope you can join us that

day!

C O N T . F R O M P A G E 1

P A G E 4

Refle

ctio

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A Reflection from Sarah H. Maker

Is Heaven Real?

OR

An Ode for Charlie, and anyone who has ever loved, and lost

a pet....

Finding What you Didn’t Lose

By John Fox

When someone deeply listens to you

it is like holding out a dented cup

you’ve had since childhood

and watching it fill up with

cold, fresh water.

When it balances on top of the brim,

you are understood.

When it overflows and touches your skin,

you are loved.

When someone deeply listens to you,

the room where you stay

starts a new life

and the place where you wrote

your first poem

begins to glow in your mind’s eye.

It is an if gold has been discovered!

When someone deeply listens to you,

your bare feet are on the earth

and a beloved land that seemed distant

is now at home within you.

I admit I do not remember where, when, or from whom I first heard this poem. I just know it has always

been one of my favorites. I have always assumed the writer spoke of a friendship between two humans.

Now, I’m not so sure, for you see, I have just come from having to make the decision to put to sleep my

best friend of twenty years because of symptoms that came on very suddenly and are irreversible. I’m talk-

ing about Charlie, my cat. I know it is the right thing to do, since her quality of life is slipping away, and I

don’t want her to suffer. Still, it is so hard. This experience has got me thinking that no matter who John

Fox had in mind when he wrote this beautiful poem, to me, it describes Charlie, and her immeasurable gift

of friendship!

I’ve heard of theological debates over the idea of whether or not animals go to heaven. I cannot help but

wonder if those who claim no animals exist in heaven, have ever owned a pet whom they cherished? Cer-

tainly we’ve heard of the folks who have a near death experience, see a white light, feel peace beyond meas-

ure, and come back to share about it. If we are honest, this is probably the closest we ever come to proof

of a heaven beyond our present existence.

C O N T . O N P A G E 5

P A G E 5

Labyrinth Walk at Annual Meeting

(Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ) By Nicolette Wellington

Inside a bare conference room:

beautiful Labyrinth, green paths grounded in brown,

I didn’t think much, I removed my shoes (we didn’t have to) and walked to the entrance,

drawn in by the group circling the paths

“Walk gently this good earth”, Pearl Buck’s words rise up within me.

So many walked this Labyrinth of creation; each day a circuit or path (7 there were).

Music guided our steps.

Such community.

At the center we stood together; moved from petal to petal.

On the path out (the same as the path in), a stranger walking toward me, stopped me and took my hands;

looked straight into my eyes;

I don’t know who it was, but it made all the difference.

After that encounter I looked up, smiling into the faces of those I encountered on the path.

After the walk, sitting at the lake outside: peace.

Or, is it? Simply put, I am definitely in the camp that animals and heaven go hand and hand. Through knowing Charlie, and now

accompanying her through her final stage of life into death, I realize that she has given me the gift of experiencing a slice of heaven

here on earth. All you pet owners out there who are gaga about your animals, haven’t you heard yourself state, from time to

time, how your animals are there no matter what--ready to greet you, love you, play with you, simply be present to you no matter

your mood? Sounds like unconditional love to me, and I for one, believe that where God is, there is unconditional love.

Sounds like a slice of the heaven described in Genesis, does it not? The humans are the ones who eventually leave the Garden.

The animals don’t leave. Rather, I think the Garden--a metaphor for heaven--stays in them, and they are one of God’s ways of

reminding us humans of it when we forget that beauty, love and possibility do exist.

Through the years, my various dogs and cats have certainly “[held] out [the] dented cup” of my childhood, reminded me amidst

life’s dings of the “first poem” within my own heart--the song of love within me that brings perspective and buoyancy. And how

they reminded was so simple in the midst of life’s complexities: My dogs seemed to say at every turn, “Do you want another

slurpy kiss from me? Can we play fetch? What could be more important than being with, and enjoying each other, right now?”

Or my cats would look up at me wide eyed, ready for a frolick with strings and things that reminded me to hold myself lightly, so I

myself wouldn’t become a tightly wound ball of knotted yarn. Instead, through their frolicking, my feline friends reminded me to,

“Play with the string mom, don’t let it play you! Stay loose and it’ll work out.”

So here’s to you Charlie--my good friend and constant companion for over twenty years--for sharing

the life-giving lessons of heaven that I would sometimes forget, but you never did! Thank you

Charlie, good and faithful friend! Because of what you’ve showed me, I know beyond a question

of a doubt, that heaven is indeed real.

C O N T . F R O M P A G E 4

P A G E 6

P A G E 6

Photos by Ginny Harris

P A G E 7

Family Folk Chorale Georges Island, Boston Harbor

Aug 2nd, 1:30 PM

Fun for the whole family! Family Folk Chorale

(Andy Migner sings in this intergenerational chorus) is performing with Alistair Moock on George's

Island out in the Boston Harbor. Free concert, free ferry ride. To reserve your seat, e-mail Barbara

Meikle: bameikle@rcn.com.

Rev. Nancy Stillman will perform the blessing at the

Boxborough Harvest Fest on Saturday, September

13 at 1:00PM. If anyone is interested in helping support

this fun community outreach activity, please contact Jennifer

Royce at 978-263-0707 or jenroyce23@gmail.com.

Coming in September…….

Rally Day Sunday, September 7 , 9:30AM

We look forward to seeing everyone in September where we will

once again Bless the Backpacks and gather together to share our

joys.

Neighborhood BBQ Sunday, September 21, 4:00-6:00PM

Last year’s gathering was so delightful that UCC Boxboro will be

hosting a lawn party again this fall. We’ll invite the neighbors and

share good food and great music performed by the Saturdays.

Please watch for more details and volunteer opportunities in the

Flashes and next month’s Vestry News

Blessing of the Animals

P A G E 8

Mary Pavlik and Teresa Howie have agreed to Co-Chair the Fair again this year, woo hoo. HOWEVER, we do

need volunteers for the 2015 Fair, and the best way to get ready is to walk alongside the current Fair Chairs this

year and see what happens. Please reach out to Rev. Cindy, Mary or Teresa to ask questions and find out more

about this great experience.

All of the individual Table Chairs are well underway in their planning, and it’s not too early for you to start

thinking about what you might donate to Silent Auction, or what you might knit, build, or create for the Knit

Gifts, Men’s and Ornament tables! If you missed Spring Cleaning season at your house, perhaps Summer Cleaning

is underway.

Save those relics (in good condition) for the Attic Treasures. If you have no space between now and November

to store Attic Treasure items, feel free to contact Gregg Hamlin to discuss storage options: 978-263-9238 or

gham98@yahoo.com

Please Mark Your Calendars for November 22 - We would LOVE YOUR HELP to contribute at least a ONE

HOUR Shift at one of the many activity areas in this Annual church-wide event to make it the best ever.

If you have any questions or new ideas, please contact Mary Pavlik, mary.j.pavlik@gmail.com 978-264-4796 or

Teresa Howie, howietennis@yahoo.com 978-266-1172.

The Merrie Christmas Fair ! Saturday, November 22, 2014

9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Breakfast with Santa was such a huge success in 2014 that it's back

for 2015. We need a small team to oversee logistics this part of

the day. If you'd be willing to help coordinate, contact Mary

Pavlik.

Gift and Knits

Attic Treasures (items in Good Condition)

Children’s Table

Men’s Table

Christmas Trees & Wreaths

Christmas Greens

Christmas Ornaments

Silent Auction

Jewelry

Baked Goods

Snack Bar

Publicity

Santa & Elves

Fair Tables

We are grateful to have almost all of our table chairs from last year returned to lead us towards another successful

fair! We have an opening on the Greens Table, if you would like an opportunity to use your green thumb creatively for

the fair this year. Deb Gray has agreed to return down from Maine to help out and we have a loyal band of workers as

well

Bits

and

Pie

ces

P A G E 9

August Birthday Blessings

"If your birthday doesn't appear in the appropriate edition of the Vestry News, please

inform the church office of your birth month and day. We'd love to celebrate you!"

Ernie Fournier, 08/02

Scott Smyers, 08/02

Martha Ikerd, 08/03

Karen Wilber, 08/05

Juan Sierra, 08/06

Kevin Lyons, 08/08

Maggie Loughlin, 08/08

Ken Whitcomb, 08/09

Joseph Camara, 08/11

Paul Desrochers, 08/11

Brendan Lyons, 08/14

Peggy Boyden, 08/15

Kaitlin Boheim, 08/16

Gordon Johnson, 08/17

Sandy Connor, 08/21

David Roberts, 08/22

Kelsey Bond, 08/22

Nicolette Wellington, 08/22

Robert Schoenfeld, 08/22

Gloria Roe, 08/23

Rachel Lane, 08/23

Walker Royce, 08/23

Chris DeLise, 08/24

Emily Deyst, 08/26

Carol Dionne, 08/27

Phyllis Foss, 08/28

Mailboxes in the Church Office

If you have stopped in to the church office lately you may have noticed that

the layout of the mailboxes are a little different. As part of our ongoing

effort to organize and provide an easy process for all we have relabeled the

mailboxes. They are now in an alphabetical order.

If you are unsure as to what mailbox an item should be placed please put it

in the church office box and it will be routed to the correct group.

CHRISTMAS IN AUGUST

The Christmas Decoration Table needs your help. We are looking for help

over summer months to make ornaments and holiday decorations. If you

have an idea for an item for the table, please let us know. We have project

kits available. If you would like to help, please contact Gloria Roe 978-264-

0052-email gloria.roe@comcast.net or Linda Morse at 978-266-2836.

Communion is available for those unable to get to church but who

would like communion at home or in the hospital by a member of the

Called to Care team or the pastor. Please leave requests with Rev.

Cindy at the church office.

Called to Care

www.boxboroughucc.org

978-263-7387

boxborochurch@verizon.net

Vestry News articles, ideas and

submissions are welcome and due the

third Sunday of each month. The Vestry

News is published prior to the first

Sunday of each month.

Please submit to:

vestrynews@boxboroughucc.org

August 2014

United Church of Christ, Congregational

723 Massachusetts Avenue

Boxborough, Massachusetts 01719

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Monday evening rainbow over the church