My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)
It’s common nowadays to hear people say that they’re “spiritual, but not religious.” I’m never sure what that really means beyond the fact that they don’t attend worship or participate in church-related activities. In most cases, the people who describe themselves this way are pleasant, kind, civic-minded individuals of good moral character. They are good neighbors, give their time and money to worthwhile charitable causes, and seem to enjoy the lives they’re living. In many ways, they embody the qualities of life to which Christians aspire. They just don’t feel any drawn to participate in the life of the church. They feel no need to sit in pews reciting words they don’t understand, to sing hymns whose words and melodies reflect a by-gone era, or to spend endless hours in meetings that ultimately seem to accomplish little of lasting significance.
So are these people missing anything by their lack of involvement in the church? Perhaps it depends on how they answer questions such as these:
• Do their lives have a meaning that’s larger than their own private dreams?
• When they face a challenge they cannot overcome, do they have a Higher Power that they can turn to and rely on?
• When they fail to achieve a cherished goal, do they have someone to turn to that can reassure them that their lives still have value?
• When their health or physical abilities begin to decline, do they know where to find a sense of wholeness, peace, and joy that can never be lost?
• When a person (or a relationship) dies, do they know how to find Someone who will never abandon them?
• When tragedy or injustice overwhelms them, do they know how to keep their bitterness and pain from poisoning their souls?
• When their lives hit a dead end, do they know where to find a New Beginning?
• When they feel helpless and trapped, do they know where to turn to find true freedom?
• When enemies appear, can they find the power to love and forgive them?
The religious life is not a matter of archaic rites and rituals. It’s not a matter of buildings, budgets, or institutional maintenance. It’s not a matter of beliefs, concepts, and ideas. It’s a matter of grappling with the complexities of life together in a community that draws its purpose and energy from the presence of God at work in its midst. For all its imperfections, the church continues offer us an opportunity to be (or become) such a community. Each of us is on a unique spiritual journey. The church is there to remind us that it is a journey that we are meant to take that journey together, not alone.
Duane
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Note from Marjorie
My thanks to all who attended and contributed to my flood-delayed “goodbye” potluck party at Steele Chapel on Tuesday evening, September 6th on Pastor Duane’s “watch” and with Duane and Amy in attendance. I SO appreciated that the choir asked us to gather that evening in the sanctuary before dinner so that they could sing the lovely piece which they had planned for me on the Sunday of the hurricane (my last Sunday) when we had to cancel worship due to the weather. I was pleased that Lynn Bujnak, our Vermont UCC Conference Minister was able to attend that evening and that my partner Carol was able to accompany me. There was great food to share, a beautifully decorated cake, much laughter, terrific spirit, and such very thoughtful gifts including the lovely quilt, a book I’d been wanting to read (ironically about the 1927 flood and how Vermont recovered from it which was chosen for me before “Irene” arrived) and a generous “purse” of money with which to purchase art supplies to use in my retirement. THANK YOU ALL very much. We did good “interim work” together to help you prepare for your next chapter in ministry and I am honored and grateful to have been a part of it. Blessings and gratitude, Marjorie MacNeill
Sharon Food Shelf Hurricane Irene Relief Efforts
September 5, 2011
In response to the request for help from the town of Sharon, the food shelf has been the receiving center for food donations and distribution of emergency supplies for all who express their need for such items.
It has been astounding how much support we have received here at the Sharon Food Shelf. As supplies of food, hygiene items, cleaning solutions and local garden produce has come to our door, a volunteer staff of local town and regular food shelf volunteers have responded offering help to unload and shelf item for those people to access.
We have been open since 12:00 noon on 9/1/11 with a roadside stand of garden produce for anyone who wished to stop by and also offered emergency supplies such as clean up kits, hygiene items, groceries and meats when these items were needed.
The following large organizations and churches gave their support:
Strafford Emergency Response Committee (MRE food and water supplies)
Hartford, Athletic Department (football game collection of food/money.
Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints (clean up kits, family food boxes)
Tom-Tom Industries (2 truck loads of food)
Woodstock Food Shelf – giving items that were in excess of their needs
VT-Can Spray/Neuter Clinic (Dog and Cat Food- 300 lbs
Sharon Boy Scouts #205 – Garden Produce pickup items
Plus:
35 local people just stopping by with bag after bag of groceries.
This made a———-
GRAND TOTAL OF 3,000 POUNDS OF FOOD VALUED AT $2,800.00
Many telephone calls were answered. People from afar were offering financial support. Our prayers were answered by these generous individuals.
On the first three days 10 volunteers served 30 clients (90 individuals)
We are ready to serve all who request help in the weeks to come.
Letter from Marjorie
Dear Members and Friends of Sharon Congregational Church,
As I write this note for the September newsletter on Labor Day Monday – publication delayed a bit because of the storm/power outages – I am at home in Shelburne VT listening to the rain and hoping that no more flooding of rivers and streams create difficulty for so many of you as you continue to recover from the powerful and heartbreaking effects of Hurricane Irene in the White River Valley. I am saddened by what I’ve both seen and heard of what you and your family/friends/neighbors are dealing with in Sharon and surrounding villages/back roads. Carole and I are keeping your congregation and community in our thoughts and prayers.
I am also, tonight, looking forward to gathering with some of you tomorrow (Sept.6th) for my “goodbye” potluck/party, which we also needed to postpone along with calling off worship on my “last Sunday” with you due to the storm. By now you have already offered a warm welcome to Rev. Dr. Duane Brown, your new pastor, and I believe that you will continue to join in partnership with him to do the church’s mission in Sharon VT as God has called you and as Jesus has given you an example. The Spirit is truly with you at Sharon Congregational UCC.
As I retire from interim ministry (for awhile, at least) I am grateful for the many ways in which we have worked together these past two years to prepare for this new chapter in the life of your congregation – and for the times that you have let me know that my ministry among you was helpful. That was my hope and my dream for us during this in-between time. You’ve been receptive, supportive, and welcoming. We’ve laughed a lot, shared deeply, learned much – and I will treasure my memories of the time we have spent together while turning over now the joys and responsibilities of being your pastor to Rev. Duane Brown.
Many blessings, Marjorie MacNeill
Pastor’s Pen for September, 2011
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5.16)
As I sit writing this message on Labor Day, the word “labor” has a very special meaning for us this year. Despite its roots in the organized labor movement of the 19th Century, it is hard to use the word “labor” these days here inVermont without thinking of the efforts being made to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Irene. While Labor Day usually is focused on the work that people do for pay, this year, the focus should be on the army of volunteers who have labored tirelessly to help their struggling neighbors. Federal, state, and local officials all deserve recognition for their efforts to cope with the damages, but it is those countless volunteers that deserve comment. In a day when so many people live with only minimal contact with their neighbors, this crisis has brought forth an outpouring of energy, generosity and compassion that is so rare.
Some people (and insurance policies) refer to natural disasters like this as “acts of God.” In my opinion, that description badly distorts the truth. I do not see signs of God’s presence in the raging waters that wreaked such havoc near and far, but in the heart-felt responses of the volunteers who were inspired to reach out to those in need. Even those who have no religious background and claim no religious affiliation have felt an irresistible force at work within them, calling them to reach beyond themselves – a force that more spiritual folks would identify as the Spirit of God. That is where I see God’s activity most clearly. The flood waters may have inflicted many losses, washing away property, roads and bridges. But God has acted even more powerfully to provide us with something even more precious and enduring: the love and compassion of our neighbors; the material gifts that meet our daily needs, and the relational bridges that turn strangers into friends.
In the days ahead, when people remember the floods of 2011, I pray that they will not think first of the waters that washed so many things away, but of the kindness and caring that flowed into their lives in even greater waves. Those are the waters of love that flow directly from God, and those waters will always be more powerful than any storm!
– Duane
A Message from our Interim Pastor, Marjorie MacNeill
Dear Members and Friends of Sharon Congregational Church UCC,
Frequently one of my many friends on Facebook will remark something like, “Well, I had the day off, so I cleaned my whole house from top to bottom, did all my laundry, and cleaned my closets too”. Doesn’t sound like much of a day off to me, but I do note a
certain satisfaction in their “status reports” about what they’ve been able to accomplish. Many of you are the sort of housekeeper, I think, who keeps up – or at least wants to keep up – with a long list of household responsibilities (weeding, dusting, canning, raking leaves, shoveling snow, mopping the kitchen floor) daily, weekly, or seasonally. I, on the other hand and like many of you, tend to get going on such tasks when company is coming.
Yup.
So, as much as we keep up with many tasks at the church on a regular basis, this summer the congregation is alive with activity as many groups of parishioners have come together to get the “house” ready for your new pastor. The fellowship while working together has actually been a lot of fun and it’s been a pleasure to watch/take part as your outgoing interim pastor. 🙂 There’ll be no easing of last-minute preparations for the arrival of Pastor Duane and Amy during August and you’re all invited to join in – as well as join us for worship each Sunday morning.
My gratitude for the on-going work of the Trustees, Deacons, Council, as well as the Mission Committee/Food Shelf folks and the Christian Ed Committee. The Search Committee has stayed involved. Patty substituted for Alice in the office during July. Alice is back to work now. The Choir has continued to sing weekly. A new Fund Raising Committee has been organized and co-ordinated by Pam Brackett. Stewardship efforts will
emerge during the fall/winter.
Small groups have worked on church history displays, bulletin boards, library books (including those for children), filing, and infant KITS for Church World Service. We blessed some more prayer shawls, which involved some last-minute knitting and crocheting. Leon and his friends are doing many projects around the building. People in the community have noticed that Sharon Congregational is a lively – and alive –
place this summer.
More projects are planned for these last few weeks of summer/my interim ministry with you – all inspired by the Spirit which is calling Sharon Congregational into a brand new chapter of ministry and mission. Thanks be to God – and to all who are making this church community so faithful and hopeful these days.
Do join us for worship especially on Sunday, August 14th, which will be Church History Sunday, for my last Sunday on August 28th (with refreshments afterwards and a chance to say “goodbye”), and for Pastor Duane’s first Sunday on September 4th – and special events on the following September Sundays to welcome him and his wife Amy. Do keep us all in your prayers during this time of transition.
Many blessings as always, Pastor Marjorie
A Message from our new Pastor, Duane Brown
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of
things not seen. (Hebrews 11.1)
As I write this, Amy and I are up to our ears in boxes and trash bags.
We’re in the midst of the chaos of downsizing and packing for our move
to Vermont. It’s a moment in which we find ourselves both energized by the
promise of the future that lies before of us, and bogged down by the details
and drudgery that we have to wade through to get there . . . sort of like going
for a walk in woods on a beautiful day in mud season! Needless to say, we are eager to be resettled and have the hard work of moving behind us. We long for the future, but are temporarily stuck in the muck of the moment.
But our present circumstances hints at something of deeper significance – something wonderful, inspiring, and reassuring. As the writer of Hebrews states in the passage above, our lives are constantly being drawn toward an ever-more-satisfying experience of God’s love for the world, even though it always seems just beyond the horizon of the present moment. Therefore, we lean into God’s future, letting go of anything that threatens to hold us back from the blessings that lie ahead.
I feel very blessed by your Call to be your Pastor, and am humbled by the confidence you have placed in me to help the Sharon Congregational Church to fulfill it’s God-given mission. I am deeply grateful for the work that the Search Committee has done (and continues to do!) to pave the way for a smooth transition of pastoral leadership. I
feel privileged to have had the opportunity to get to know Pastor Marjorie, and
to appreciate the wonderful ministry she has performed among you. And, most of all, I look forward to getting to know all the rest of you who, in ways both large and small, contribute to the rich, multi-faceted life of this church.
May the peace and joy of God’s love be with you, now and always.
–
Duane
Juanita Raymond Memorial Service
A graveside memorial service will be held on Friday, July 22nd at 2:00 pm in the Pine Hill Cemetery in Sharon with Pastor Marjorie MacNeill officiating.
New Minister!
Let us introduce you to our new minister and his wife.
Duane and Amy Brown
Rev. Dr. Duane Brown
- Amy Brown
In their own words:
Duane and Amy met at Bates College in a class on contemporary religious thought. Amy’s a Vermont Yankee and Duane’s a Connecticut Yankee. Somehow they’ve managed to make that unlikely alliance work – maybe because they both come from small towns and have in common a passion for reading. They recently celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary.
Duane grew up in North Canaan, Connecticut, a little town that hasn’t changed much over the years. During his late teens, he got a part-time job cleaning buildings at the Silver Lake Conference Center, a United Church of Christ camp in Sharon, Connecticut – an experience that profoundly influenced his spiritual journey. He became a member of the permanent summer staff there and over the next three years formed relationships that deepened and broadened his awareness of Christ’s presence and love. Unfortunately, both his parents died while he was in his early twenties, and he has no siblings, but he still enjoys going back and visiting from time to time. He was baptized, married and ordained in his home church, so it holds a special place in the hearts of both Duane and Amy.
Amy grew up in Vermont. Starting in Saxtons River, and then Montpelier, where her father was a high school math teacher, her family moved to Poultney and then to Proctor, where he became a high school principal. Shortly before his death he was appointed assistant headmaster to St. Johnsbury Academy. Amy’s mother, Eleanor Belding, still lives in St. Johnsbury, where she was an elementary school teacher in North Danville for many years and very active in the Vermont Conference UCC. Her aunt, uncle and cousin are long-time residents of Barre. Amy has two younger brothers, one who lives in Lebanon, New Hampshire, and one in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York.
When Amy graduated from Proctor High School and went off to college, she always assumed she’d return to Vermont; she couldn’t really imagine any other place feeling like home to her. But things happen – love happens – and she married Duane. He’d attended Bates with plans to become a math teacher. But God – and a remarkable Old Testament professor – intervened.
They started their married life in the Boston area, where Duane attended seminary, and then he was called to a small church in western Massachusetts, where their first two children were born. From there they’ve followed God’s call to southern New Jersey, central Pennsylvania, Maine, and Massachusetts.
Amy had dreams of becoming a professional writer from the age of nine. In high school, she edited both the school newspaper and literary magazine and won several state writing contests. She held onto this dream despite life’s ups and downs and began to have moderate success publishing some short stories in the 1980s. She discovered her writing passion – historical fiction – in the mid 1990’s and is the author of Mr. Emerson’s Wife, which came out in 2005. She’s currently finishing a revision of a new novel set in Massachusetts during King Philip’s War
Amy received her MFA from Vermont College in 2000 and has held a number of part time and temporary jobs over the years, including a delightful three-year stint as a tour guide at Orchard House, home of Louisa May Alcott. For the last six years, she’s been teaching writing to college freshmen in Massachusetts. Perhaps it’s in the blood – she comes from a long line of educators – but she enjoys the challenges of teaching more than she expected. When she’s not writing, teaching, reading, or spending time with her family, Amy enjoys photography, amateur painting and quilting.
Duane and Amy share their living space (and hearts) with a mixed breed dog, Angel, who seems to be under the illusion that she chose them rather than the other way around. They’re the proud parents of four grown children – all redheads. Daryl, the oldest, lives and works in the Boston area. Nathan, next in line, lives in Los Angeles and works for Warner Brothers. He married his wife, Lisa, (also a redhead), in January of 2010 at an outdoor wedding at which Duane was honored to officiate. Their only daughter, Samara, works in New York City at a genetics research lab. A couple of years ago she became a dog owner – and she’s now companioned by an energetic cairn terrier. Their youngest, Matthew, is a high school history teacher in central Massachusetts. Though he was last born, he was first to be married – to Melissa – in October, 2009. The service was held in the Congregational Church of Grafton, with Duane proudly officiating.
And now Duane and Amy look forward to continuing their joint adventure in Vermont.
From his present Church’s website:
Rev. Dr. Duane R. Brown
Born and raised in northwestern Connecticut, Duane received his B.A. from Bates College and his M.Div. from Andover Newton Theological School. He later returned to ANTS and received his D.Min. in Psychology and Counseling. He began his ministry in Western Massachusetts in 1972, and has served churches in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maine before returning to Massachusetts.
Duane is an avid reader and an equally avid sports fan who enjoys keeping a close eye on the adventures of the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics. He brings a passionate intensity to his efforts to deepen and strengthen the spiritual vitality of individuals and church organizations, and a gentle, self-deprecating good humor to his relationships. He and his wife, Amy, are the proud, empty-nest parents of four children.
Reactions from the Search Committee:
Pam Brackett: I find Rev. Brown to have a very calming presence and his focus on God is unwavering.
Tony Perkins: I admire Rev. Brown’s humor, Godliness, and his comment to not lose the true meaning of Church!
Paula Howes: I like his sense of humor and his teaching, spiritual manner.
Pat Densmore: His is very personable and brings God with him!
Mary Ayer: Rev. Brown made me very comfortable and I find him to be down to earth.
Francene Ellis: I like his interaction with children.
Come hear our Pastoral Candidate!
Come hear our Pastoral Candidate, Rev. Dr. Duane Brown preach on June 19th at 9:30 a.m. There will be a continental breakfast starting at 8:00 a.m. and a light pot luck lunch after the service so Dr. Brown will be able to meet members of the congregation.