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

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.

Warning

Notice
To all members and friends of Sharon Congregational Church, UCC
Sharon, Vermont:
You are hereby warned
That on June 19, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. our worship service will be led by the candidate out Search Committee has selected for our settled pastor.
Following the worship service, there will be a meeting to discuss and vote on said candidate.
Joe S. Willis
Moderator

Pastor’s Note for May/June 2011

Dear Members and Friends of Sharon Congregational Church UCC,

We are in the midst of the fifty day Easter Season of the church calendar and it is SPRINGTIME in Vermont at last.  I am very grateful and want to thank our SCC Deacons as well as each one of you who helped to make our Lenten Season Holy Week services, and Easter worship so meaningful this year. Everyone worked very hard  and I know that the whole congregation is appreciative of our efforts.

Now, after taking a deep breath and laughing a lot on the Sunday after Easter, we re-turn our attention to the many ministries of the church and our preparations for your next pastor who we hope will be in place soon. Your Pastoral Search Committee continues to work very hard to find the right person to be your next called, longer time pastor. Meanwhile, there is much we can do together at SCC including some short term special projects and “spring cleaning” tasks. (See elsewhere in this newsletter for some ideas.)

Your Trustees and Deacons continue to meet regularly to take up the tasks of church finances and building/grounds upkeep as well as plans for worship and the spiritual health of the congregation.  I expect that your Mission Committee and your Christian Education Committee will meet with me very soon to clarify priorities regarding how we serve others in the community/world as well as how we teach/reach our congregation’s children and grandchildren. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to welcome new church members as well as to baptize some young children this spring – and I look forward to other opportunities to welcome folks to SCC and offer the blessings of the church.

In the stories of Easter in the Bible, the Risen Christ appears to his followers to let them know that he is alive again among them. Most of these accounts include times when Jesus ate with his friends – just regular around-the-table times of sharing together.  So too, we gather at coffee hour, at Communion on 1st Sundays, and at community meals – the next of which is a Ham and Bean Supper on Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday, May 28th beginning at 5 PM at Sharon Elementary School.  The SCC Supper Committee appreciates all the help it can gather for each supper and all those who attend and appreciate the great suppers they prepare.

See you there – or when we work together on special projects – or “see you at church” as one of my pastor friends always says.  Memorial Day Sunday is May 29th, Communion Sunday is June 5th,  Pentecost (the celebration of the Holy Spirit)  is June 12th,  Father’s Day on June 19th.  You are always welcome – and welcome to bring friends and family.  Blessings all, Pastor Marjorie

Rock ‘n’ Roll Fundraiser for the Sharon Food Shelf

“Still More Cats”, Sharon’s newest band with Michael Barsanti, Anne Mapplebeck
and Peter Neri, will play for the Sharon Food Shelf Fundraiser on Saturday, June
4th. Held at The Seven Stars Center, doors open at 7 pm with festivities going
to about 10 o’clock. There will be baked goods for sale. This is a non-alcohol
event. A small admission fee of $5 -$10 is requested and if folks want to bring
a donation item for the Food Shelf, these are the items needed most: mustard,
ketchup, pickles, relish, paper towels, toilet paper, dish detergent, foil and
plastic wrap. Come kick up your heels and have some fun! There will be an open
house at the Food Shelf (in the Lighthouse across from the Sharon Congregational
Church) from 6-7 on Saturday, June 4th. For more info call Peter at 763-7067.

Fundraising

Peggy Willis has suggested publishing a Sharon cookbook. What a wonderful idea with the 250th Anniversary of the Town approaching! Patty Swahn has agreed to head up the initial organization efforts. Anyone with recipes can contact her via email (pbys64vtnc@gmail. com) or they can leave anything at her home on the front porch.  If you would like to include a short history or anecdote with the recipe, it would make it much more interesting.

Aid Japan

Please consider a generous donation to assist in the recovery efforts in Japan. Gifts may be made at your local UCC congregation (Sharon Congregational Church UCC) marked for “Pacific earthquake/tsunami” with the request they be sent through the Vermont Conference office in Randolph. They will send 100% of your contributions on to Wider Church Ministries of the national UCC. Donations may also be made out and sent directly to Wider Church Ministries, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115.  It is also possible to give directly through the Vermont Conference UCC website or through the national United Church of Christ offices website . Thank you.