103 1st Street, Riverhead, New York 11901, United States
Beacon Light Newsletter
Pastor's Note
Dear Friends and Members of our First Congregational Church,
Thank God March has come. It’s not that I dislike winter all that much, as it does have its charms of snow-laced trees and warming fires, heartwarming soups and quiet comforts. It’s just, especially after the latest days of fierce winds and biting temperatures, when March comes through the door, I’m really done with winter for another year.
As Easter is late this year (April 20), all of March is Lent. As for the annual dating of Easter, it’s always the first Sunday following the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. That’s to say the earliest it can be is March 22, and the latest it can be is April 25.
Lent makes for a fine season of introspection and reflection, of prayer and Bible study. We just hosted the Ash Wednesday service, and despite the winds and the rains, saw a good gathering for a very fine time of worship. We’ll continue to gather each Wednesday in Lent for a 7:00pm service. It’s a great opportunity to hear other faithful voices in our community and to visit other sanctuaries. Here’s the schedule:
March 12 Old Steeple Church
March 19 Riverhead United Methodist Church*
March 26 Old Steeple Church
April 2 FCCR
April 9 Salvation Army
*note change*
Palm Sunday is the April 13. Our plan is to begin that service on the front lawn with some donkey friends and then to process with palms into the sanctuary. It’s always a great way to begin Holy Week.
Maundy Thursday’s service will be at Old Steeple with our UCC sister churches, and that too is at 7:00pm. For Good Friday, the 7:00 evening service will be at Baiting Hollow. On Easter Morning, we’ll have our 7:00am “sunrise” communion service in Grangebel Park before our main service in the sanctuary at 10:00am.
And, of course, we’ll continue to have our 10:00 Sunday services, and even though it’s Lent, there will be Coffee Hours most every week.
An additional great offering in Lent is that of Bible Study. We’ve greatly enjoyed our study on Psalms. As we’re onto the Davidic Collection at the end of Book V of the Psalter, that particular study is about to come to an end. We’ll be starting a new study in the next few weeks. Join us at 10:00 on Friday mornings in the Fellowship Hall. Class is over by 11.
The hope and prayer is that your Lent will make for good spiritual journeying, and that all is well with your mind, body and soul.
“It is good to give thanks to Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night.” – Ps.92.1-2
Hope to see you in church!
Blessings,
Pastor Sean
ZOOM
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DEACONS
The Deacons continue to serve communion and assist at worship in addition to the work they do through our committees. We’re glad to have a full slate this year:
Chair: Sandy Gruner
Melinda Topping
Shirley Bergman
Ann Stevens
Rebekah Wooten
Ruth Nelson
Marguerite Volonts
Nancy Repp
Janet O’Hare
MISSIONS AND BENEVOLENCES
By the time you receive this Beacon Light, you should have received your Lenten Banks. If you don’t want to bother with the change, please feel free to put cash or a check in the bank.
As previously done, our thrift shop has allocated $2500.00 towards local charities this year. If you have a favorite organization or cause, please let us know. Last year we donated to the Rotary club’s school supplies collection, a local breast cancer organization, soup kitchens and food banks in the area.
-Shirley Bergman and Nancy Repp
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS
Thankfully, we have had no major problems with the church, office building or parsonage this winter. Jose, our thrift shop helper, has been making sure our sidewalks are cleared of any snow and salt spread to prevent falls. Jim Wooten has found someone to repair the front of our steeple once the weather warms up. In the future, we will consider painting portions of our church exterior. Spring is just around the corner and we will be hiring a new person to mow the church lawn. If you know someone who would like to give us a price, please let Pastor know.
If you see any problems with the church buildings, please let Pastor, Allan or Janet O’Hare know. Janet is our new deacon buildings and grounds committee member.
-Allan Repp
TRUSTEES REPORT
The Board of Trustees welcomes the return of Allan Repp to sit on the board. The Church is in good financial footing thanks to the many generous members who continue to ensure the church and its mission prevail over time. The Thrift shop has been a constant blessing to the operational costs associated with running the day-to-day expenditures. We recognize all the volunteers who give of their time and talent week in and week out. The Church is in need of minor facial board repair under window on steeple, quotes are being solicited, and board will make a decision as the weather breaks to have that repaired. The Church is also ready for another coat of stain, we will be looking for estimates on that project and may elect to do it in stages depending on cost centers. The Trustees and the Deacons meet regularly, and many hands make light work. We are Blessed.
Jim Wooten
Fellowship
On February 16th we had our Souper Bowl luncheon (we had to postpone it for a week because of a snowstorm, imagine that) and it was a huge success as always. Thank you to all who cooked, helped set up and cleaned up. Without you this fun fellowship would not be possible. Many people took containers to go of leftovers home, in many cases because they didn’t have the opportunity to try all the delicious soups.
As we are coming into Lent at our next meeting March 23rd we will be discussing our Easter Breads. We are looking forward to that opportunity for fellowship.
We have had a lot of participation with coffee hour and the attendance has been appreciated. Taking time to “break bread” together after church is very meaningful. It is a chance to catch up with fellow parishioners and sometimes to make new friends.
-Barbara Parsons
PR & EVANGELISM
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
The adult Bible study class continues to meet on Friday mornings at 10:00. The book of Psalms is the continued book of study. The class is now in Book V of the Psalms having recently completed the “Song of Ascents,” Psalms 120-134. All are welcome to join. In Sunday school, we are finishing the winter curriculum. We have studied the Lord’s Prayer and will be learning about the golden rule. In March, Lent will become the focus of the curriculum.
-Jane Kulesa
STEWARDSHIP
Our church members and friends continue to generously support our church and missions. This year, only 21 members pledged. Next year, please consider making a pledge, whether large or small. This allows our trustees to make a realistic budget for the coming year. Pledging helps us embrace the spiritual discipline of giving.
-The Trustees
BREAD AND MORE
Bread and More Kitchen continues serving takeout dinners which include hot soup, a complete meal, dessert, and water on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 6:00. The number of guests has been
ranging from the 80s to over 100. Everyone is most appreciative of the meal received. St Mark’s Church in
Shoreham continues to supply peanut butter and jelly sandwiches twice each month. Beach Bakery in Westhampton and the Riverhead Stop & Shop continue to donate baked goods. Much appreciated financial support comes from grants, organizations, and individuals.
- Jane Kulesa🙝 P
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The (happy hookers) still meet once a week via zoom on Monday nights. Anyone interested in joining please speak to me (Barbara Parsons) Those of us still on Long Island continue to crochet/knit prayer shawls for whomever needs them. We currently have about eight should anyone need one.
-Barbara Parsons
THRIFT SHOP
Our Alley Cat Thrift Shop is up and running thanks to the many volunteers who regularly give of their time and talents. Dee Martin is our “jeweler” who checks all the donations to see if they are valuable. About every two months she takes the better jewelry to a store and often brings back over $500.00. Dee also sorts and prices all the jewelry for display. Jane has been taking our unsellable shoes to a “Shoes for Souls” drop-off sight. The shoes are donated to those in need. All clothes that are not sellable or have not sold after 3 months are sent to “Big Brother/Big Sister”. As we don’t sell children’s clothes, they are donated to the Roman Catholic Church outreach program in Riverhead. Our free box of miscellaneous items is always a big hit with our shoppers.
Thanks to our hard working volunteers, some who aren’t members of the church, we are able to play a major role in supporting the church and do not have to hold any fundraisers. If you would like to give some time, please speak to any of our volunteers. We are open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10-2 and Saturdays 9-1.
-Nancy Repp
LADIES NIGHT OUT
After taking a few weeks off for a winter break, our group is getting ready to meet again for lunch. At the time of this writing, the plan is for a March get-together. Further details will be determined as to time and place.
This is a great opportunity to socialize and get to know each other a bit better. There is usually a group of ten to twelve ladies who meet, and the actual attendance varies from month to month, depending on travel plans, Doctor’s appointments, etc.
If you’d like to join us, please contact me either in church or at home.
Janet Sanford (H) 631 591 1063 (C) 516 507 7897
Pastoral Relations
This vital Committee seeks to support and maintain an open and healthy relationship between the Pastor and members of the congregation. While it is only required to meet four times a year, it can be convened as often as necessary. The function of this Committee is to allow congregants to voice their concerns, compliments, dreams, hopes and expectations. The purpose of the Committee is also to nurture the Pastor. It builds the framework in which conflict can be dealt with creatively. If you have any questions please speak to a member of the Committee. This year the Committee is made up of Jim Wooten, Trustee, Sandy Gruner, Deacon and two members at large, Sue Hubbard and Jeanne Vecchio. Thank you to Dee Martin who served on the Committee and provided much insight into cares and concerns of the congregation. We will be meeting in the next couple of weeks. Please speak to one of the Committee members, who will bring your appreciation or concern to the full Committee. Thank you.
-Sandy Gruner
