The Branch-Line
“I am the vine, you are the branches.”
June 2017
From the Desk of the
Interim Pastor
Are you interested in learning more about
Wilbraham United Church?
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor
the human heart conceived, what God
has prepared for those who love him.” 1
Corinthians 2:9
Join the Parish Life Commission and Rev.
Susan for a conversation about this congregation—our ministry, mission, and community
life. We will consider just what it means to
be a member of this congregation. Anyone is
welcome—whether this is your irst or iftieth
time here, if you are a member or not. We
will meet in the Zeckhausen Room on Sunday, June 4th, at 12 Noon.
By now, most of you know that Wilbraham United
Church and Christ the King-Epiphany are exploring the possibility of sharing one building—500
Main Street! This, of course, has generated a lot of
talk, excitement, and anxiety. I have been asked if
I think it will be happen; if I think it should happen;
what if it does not happen; and what if it does happen. Some are worried that things might change.
Some are excited at the possibility of greater usage
of our building. Many are excited at the possibility of developing deeper ties with our brothers and
sisters in Christ.
I believe that anytime Christians have an opportunity to get together and talk about what is important
to them in their faith, mission, and common life,
that something good is bound to happen.
As we discern the possibilities, we will have opportunities to come together and share our mission
and ministry, our faith and our hope, our prayer and
our worship. No matter what the outcome, what a
gift this time will be as we have the opportunity to
experience that God continues to work for good in
our world, and in us, in ways we never could have
imagined!
—Susan
Reception of New Members
On Sunday, June 18th, we will receive new
members into the Wilbraham United Church
community. If you are interested in oficially
becoming a part of this congregation, please
speak with Rev. Susan. Also, consider coming to the June 4th meeting for those interested in learning more about this congregation!
THREE IMPORTANT UPDATES
from Bill Trudeau
This is an exciting time for our church. I have three
important updates to tell you about.
First, we have done some careful work to discern
who we are as a Christian community, who our neighbor is, and what God is calling us to do. The work to
translate these answers is happening at the governing
board level.
We are working to reduce the suggestions from the
Transition committee down to two major initiatives.
This will allow us to be focused, and to be sure our
efforts are not so diluted that we become distracted or
overwhelm our resources.
The irst initiative is WUC’s engagement of the
opioid crisis. WUC is actively pursuing ways for our
church to make a difference in our community in answer to this scourge on various families and neighbors
in our area. This ministry is beginning to take form.
We hoped to choose a second initiative at our governing board meeting held on May 17th. I look forward
to a discussion with the entire church membership so
we can share more details about both initiatives.
Second, we have made some changes in the maintenance staff and budget for maintenance. These changes have helped to put the church budget on a more
sustainable path. We are close to the point where
we promised to return to the congregation with a full
report on reducing the deicit of the church, and we
should be ready to have that discussion in June.
Third, you may recall that we have embraced a
number of cooperative efforts with CTK-Epiphany
over the past few years. I personally recall the Easter
Sunday, a few years past, where we offered our church
as a place of worship for our good friends at these
churches, and we had a joint coffee hour between our
respective services. We also worshipped jointly at a
special memorial service after the Orlando shooting
tragedy. We have other aspects of cooperation regarding various youth events and vacation bible camp that
have helped both of our Christian communities.
During this same time, I have had a dialogue with
the leaders of CTK-Epiphany regarding the possibility
of their church joining us here at 500 Main St. This
would not be a merging of churches. What is being
proposed is that we would share the building here tof
which we really only utilize 30-40%.
CTK-Epiphany is exploring this possibility as a
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Art by Natalie Jackson
“third option” while they determine what is best for
their church family. The irst two options are using
one of the two churches they have in Wilbraham, one
across from Rice’s and one off of Springield Street.
While this dialogue continues, we plan to appoint
members of our church to be part of a committee
along with folks from CTK-Epiphany that would
explore how our two church communities could exist
together at 500 Main St. We are exploring this possibility more as a covenant with our Christian brothers
and sisters at a neighboring church and less as a inancial arrangement. We are excited about the potential
for a vibrant worship community with the potential to
share this substantial building and to also share some
resources that make sense from a practical standpoint.
I want to emphasize: There is no proposal to merge
our churches. Other aspects are to be explored and
nothing, I repeat, nothing has been decided nor
would anything be decided without a thorough dialogue and an all church meeting.
My purpose in writing about this at this time is to
provide clear information and to avoid the potential
for misunderstandings based on misinformation or
rumors that are all too common with matters such as
this.
While we increase our focus on the mission of our
church and move to a sustainable path for our church
family, there are likely to be questions. Please do not
hesitate to speak to Pastor Susan or to me or to any
member of Governing Board. We are at an important
crossroads for our church. I am conident that we have
a bright and vibrant future as part of God’s family here
in Wilbraham.
VBC Registration Night
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Wilbraham United Church
6:30-8:00 pm
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Pre K- entering Grade 6/finishing Grade 5
You must be 4 years old by July 1, 2017
Register at last year’s prices: $30 per student/$90 cap per family
Registrations after July 14: $40 per students/$120 cap per family
If you volunteer at least two days during VBC, you can receive one free registration (adults only)
Registrations CLOSE on Friday, July 28, 2017. We will cap at 120 students.
Questions? Contact Paul Nesbit, Director of Christian Education, Wilbraham United Church
500 Main Street, Wilbraham; [email protected]; 413-596-2511, ext. 105
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CONGRATULATIONS!
Our church has awarded memorial scholarships to four of
our high school seniors and four college students.
hey are Taylor Colkos, Nathan Dahn, Eric Garete and Brendan Plumb;
Samantha Peck Dionne, Kelsey Jones, Chris Tracy, and Ellie Trudeau.
hey will receive their scholarships on Celebration Sunday, June 11.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!
Best wishes to the following senior members
of our congregation who are celebrating birthdays
in June:
Alice Belsky
E. Morris Hayn
Jo Ann Miner
June 9
June 10
June 14
Open House
Sunday, June 4th
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Programs for children aged 2.9 – 5 years old
For more information and applications,
contact Beth Estabrook, Director, at
596-2511 x108 (Lic. #8113288) or visit our
website www.wucns.org
Still accepting applications for the 2017-2018 school year
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All-Church Open
Saturday, June 24
Fenway Golf
6:30pm
People of all ages are invited for Miniature
Golf and Ice Cream.
Please contact Paul Nesbit at WUC: 413-596-2511, ext. 105 or
[email protected]
Upcoming Climate Events
Sunday, June 11th, 2:00 p.m.
Prayers for the Planet: Reverence & Resistance
An Outdoor Interfaith Service
Congregation B’nai Israel, 263 Prospect St., Northampton
A festive, spirited, interfaith service under an outdoor tent—with prayer, song, stirring messages—to lift up our
love for Earth and resolve to protect it, and to renew our energy and hope. Co-sponsored by Springield Area
Interfaith Climate Action network. www.gazettenet.com/earth-matters-9630749
Sunday, June 25, 2:00-5:00 p.m.
Solar Power for Houses of Worship and Non-Proits
Sinai Temple, 1100 Dickinson St., Springield
Join the Springield Area Interfaith Climate Action Network (SAICAN) for a workshop to learn more about
how your house of worship can go solar. Resonant Energy, a community-based solar developer focused on
providing options for non-proits and entities with low resources, will explain inancial strategies available to
non-proits that allow them to join the solar movement and lower their electricity costs while beneiting the environment. The current state solar incentive program expires in March of 2018, so now is the time to go solar!
Whether you are already seriously considering going solar, have questions speciic to your organization, or are
simply curious about solar possibilities, all are welcome to join. For more information on how Resonant Energy has worked with houses of worship through a Boston Interfaith Community Solar campaign, please watch
this short video at: www.resonant.energy/interfaith-community-solar-campaign/.
Sunday, Otober 15, 1:30-5:30 p.m.
Sustainable Houses of Worship (SHOW) Workshop
First Church of Christ, 763 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow
Please encourage your house of worship to send at least two delegates, especially members of your governing
board or facilities management team. There is a $20 registration fee. More info coming soon!
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BOOK EXCERPT
From Amazon: homas A Kempis (1379/80-1471) was a member of the Brethren,
priest, Augustinian monk, author of a dozen books, and copyist extraordinaire.
He lived at and was a member of the Windesheim congregation at Agneitenberg
monastery in the Netherlands for more than seventy years. He is most famous for
his “he Practice of the Imitation of Christ.”
John Kirvan, who died in 2012, wrote primarily about classical spirituality. He
conceived the “30 Days with a Great Spiritual Teacher” series and edited most of
its seventeen titles. Kirvan’s other books include “God Hunger,” “Silent Hope,” “Raw
Faith,” and “here Is a God, here Is No God.”
his excerpt of “True Serenity” is reprinted with permission of Ave Maria Press.
DAY TWELVE
M Y D AY B E G I N S
Blessed be you, heavenly Father, the Father of
my Lord Jesus Christ, for you have vouchsafed
to remember me, and to comfort me with your
gracious presence.
Visit me often therefore, and instruct me with
your holy teachings. Make me ready and able to
love you, strong to suffer for you, and stable to
persevere in you (3:5).
A L L T H R O U G H T H E D AY
You are making me ready and able to love you.
I bless you and glorify you always, with your
only begotten Son and the Holy Spirit, without
ending. O my Lord God, most faithful lover,
when you come into my heart, all that is within
me is joy. You are my glory and the joy of my
heart, my hope and my whole refuge in all my
troubles.
M Y D AY I S E N D I N G
Teach me, heavenly Father, a love that is swift,
pure, meek, joyous and glad, strong, patient,
faithful, wise, forbearing, fatherly, and never
self-seeking; for whenever we seek ourselves
we fall from love.
And inasmuch as I am so weak in my love and
so imperfect in virtue, I need much comfort and
help from you. Visit me through the night and
teach me the truth of your love even as I sleep.
Teach me a love that is circumspect, righteous,
not weak, not fragile, not attached to vanities,
sober, chaste, stable, quiet, and wise. And inasmuch as I am yet feeble in love and imperfect in
virtue, I need your constant comfort and help.
O Lord, you have been with me all through the
day. Now evening has come. The shadows have
lengthened into darkness. Let my busy world
grow quiet, the feverish concerns of my day be
stilled, my work put away.
Make me ready and able to love you, strong
enough to suffer for your love, and faithful to
the end. Grant me now a moment of silence
with you. Keep me in your embrace through the
night, give me quiet rest and your peace, now
and forever.
Amen.
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Wilbraham United Church Shopping Card Program
Orders with payment are due on Sundays. Please bring your orders to the Shopping Card table in the
Narthex on Sunday, drop off at the church office during the week, or mail to Wilbraham United Church,
500 Main St., Wilbraham, MA 01095, Attention: Shopping Cards. Cards will be available to pick up by
the following Sunday. Any questions call Connie Stiefel at 949Apparel & Accessories
Entertainment
Retailer
Cost
American Eagle (10%)**
Dick’s Sporting Goods (8%)
Gap/Old Navy (14%)**
Aeropostale (7%)**
Qty
Total
Retailer
$25
$25/
$100
$25/
$100
$25
Lands End(16%)**
$25/
$100
LL Bean (16%)**
$25/
$100
Amazon.com (3%)**
Barnes & Noble Bookstore
(9%)**
iTunes(5%)**
Retailer
JC Penney (5%)**
Kohl’s(4%)(use to pay your
credit card bill!) **
Macy’s (10%)**
Retailer
Qty
Bed Bath & Beyond
/Christmas Tree Shop (7%)**
Total
Crate & Barrel (8%)**
$25/
$100
$25/
$100
$25/
$100
Cost
Cost
Sears (4%)**
Home Depot (4%)**
Home Goods/Marshalls/TJ
Maxx(7%)**
Lowe’s (4%)**
Dining
Retailer
Qty
$25
Applebees (10%)**
$25/
$50
Chili’s/On the Border (11%)**
$25
Bath & Body Works (13%)**
Bertucci’s (10%)**
$25
Best Buy (3%)**
Olive Garden (9%)**
$25
Outback/Carrabba’s (8%)**
$25/
$50
$10
Panera(9%)**
Ruby Tuesday’s (8%)
$10/
$25
Texas Roadhouse (8%)**
$25
TGI Friday’s (9%)**
$25
Retailer
Cost
Total
Cost
Qty
Total
$10
$25
$25/
$100
$25/
$100
CVS (6%)**
This Month’s Featured Retailers
$10/
$25
$25/
$100
$25/
$100
Buffalo Wild Wings (8%)**
Athleta (14%)**
Bass Pro Shops (9%)**
Big Y,Stop&Shop,Dunkin Donuts,Panera,Red Robin,Staples, Walmart,
Home Depot, Lowes, Shell, Subway and more available after church
every Sunday
**call Connie 949ScripNow! nfo.
Register onlin
) and
get your e-cards in just a few minutes!
Others You Found at glscrip.com
Retailer
Qty
$25
$100
$25
$100
$25
$100
$25/
$100
$25
$100
$25
$100
Specialty Retailers
$10/
$25
$25
Starbucks (7%)**
Total
$25
$100
Pottery Barn/
Williams-Sonoma (8%)**
Total
99 Restaurant (13%)**
Boston Market (12%)**
Qty
Home Products
Department Stores
Cost
Cost
$25
$100
$10/
$25
$15
$25
Qty
Total
Total ue
:
For Office Use:
Check #
Amount:
Deposit date:
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5/17
SHOPPING CARD NEWS
Congratulate Graduates with Gift Cards!
Send your graduates on their way with love, support, and a thoughtful gift to show them how proud
you are! You can use scrip to pick up essentials for their dorm or new apartment, their favorite comfort
foods (grocery, coffee, pizza delivery…), or even just a handful of gift cards to get them started.
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bed Bath and Beyond, Best Buy, Buffalo Wild Wings, Container Store, Domino’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, iTunes, Staples, Starbucks, Subway, Target, and Walmart to name a few! Visit www.
shopwithscrip.com for a full list of retailers as well as how to order online and reload those favorite cards
(either your own, or for your students while they’re away at college).
Use Them Yourself!
While you’re having fun in the sun this summer, don’t forget about using our shopping card program for
yourself! As always, cards are available to you on Sundays, during church office hours and online 24/7
at www.shopwithscrip.com. Questions? Call Connie Stiefel at 949-1057 or email [email protected].
THANK YOU!
Your Shopping Card Ministry Team
Bob Law, Lisa Fallon, Wendy O’Rourke and Connie Stiefel
ELECTRONIC AND APPLIANCE RECYCLE DAY
WILBRAHAM UNITED CHURCH
SATURDAY JUNE 3RD
9AM TO 2PM 500 MAIN STREET, WILBRAHAM
It’s time to recycle all those old electronics! So clean up with an open-to-all-towns electronics recycling event
held in the parking lot of the church. Items can include but are not limited to: TVs, monitors, computer
towers, laptops, scanners, VCRs, copiers, DVDs, stereo equipment, lighting, vacuums, microwaves, dehumidiiers, radios, and any appliance such as stoves, washers, and dryers. Also accepted: exercise equipment, lawn
mowers, snowblowers, small engine items, and lat panel monitors,. TVs: Up to 18” are $15 each. TVs 19” to
24” are $20 each. TVs from 25”to 31” are” $25 each, 32” to 35” $30 each, 36” and larger, wood consoles and
projection TVs, $35 each. CRT monitors, $15 each, AC units, $15. Microwaves and dehumidiiers, $10 each.
Small dorm refrigerators, $10. Washers, dryers, and stoves, $20 each. Large refrigerators, $25. Any type of
lawn mower or snow blower, $10 each. Grills, $10. Any kind of exercise equipment, $10. Keyboards, car batteries, cell phones, and circuit boards are free.
Bicycle Recycle
On the same day please bring any and all unwanted or under-used bikes to the parking lot. We will be accepting any kind of bikes—mountain, road, bmx in any condition. Our aim is to keep bikes from being thrown out
when they can be reused! For a free home pick up email [email protected] or call 508-277-6728.
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Celebration Sunday Lunch
Sunday, June 11, 2017 right after the Church
Service
We will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, chips and
drinks (water, lemonade and iced tea.) There will also be a
BOUNCE HOUSE for kids of all ages. We will graciously
accept
ü The use of your grill (we think we need 3)
ü People to grill (one per grill)
ü Tossed salad
ü Various salads
ü Desserts
ü Help with set-up on Saturday, June 10
ü Help with clean up on Sunday, June 11
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OUTREACH COMMISSION NEWS
PIECEMAKERS QUILTING MINISTRY TEAM
Summer meetings will be held on:
June 12, July 10, 31, August 14, 28
We welcome anyone interested in participating in this ongoing project.
We usually meet on alternating Monday mornings. Dates are published
in the Bulletin and Branchline. Please speak to one of our members if
you have questions or would like to join us:Evelyn Auchter, Millie Carew,
Candy Dearborn, Patty Keizer, Claire McCollough, Nancy Peck, Judy
Putnam, Gail Wholley, or Suzanne Zeckhausen.
DRESS A GIRL
An Intergenerational Ministry
Anyone over the age of 10 is welcomed to attend!
Monthly meetings on Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-Noon
he Federated Church of Hampden
Find us on Facebook. Search for "Dress a Girl: Wilbraham & Hampden"
to ind the date for the June meeting.
COMMUNITY SURVIVAL CENTER SEEKING VOLUNTEERS
Looking for a way to help?
Have some free time?
Want to feel like you are making a difference?
We can help with all of the above!
We need volunteers here at the Center for 2 – 3 hour shifts
Some volunteers come in once a week and some donate time monthly
Volunteers work between 9:30 and 3:00
All positions require standing and some lifting
Thank you,
Mary Cassidy
Executive Director
Community Survival Center
413-543-3930
We gratefully accept food donations
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ARISE AND SHINE
Our lights have come… and now we need to pay for them!
Our congregation took the challenge and opportunity to signiicantally save money and reduce our carbon footprint. he church lights have been replaced with energy eicient ones—an estimated savings of $190 per month.
We’re also reducing our carbon dioxide output by 17,400 lbs. per year.
he total cost is $13,000; we are responsible for half. We’ve saved an additional $1000 by opting not to pay in
installments and our resulting bill is $5,500. Please join our congregation in recognizing the practical and environmental beneits and prayerfully donating to this cause. Together we can do this. You may make checks out to WUC (designated for this) fundraiser, use envelopes available at church, or donate
electronically at www.givingtools.com/wilbrahamunitedchurch.
hanks so much!
WILBRAHAM UNITED CHURCH
TRANSITIONS
DEATH: Robert A. Fisk, April 28, 2017
Wilbraham, MA 01095 (413) 596-2511 x 100
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site: www.wilbrahamunitedchurch.org
Survived by his wife, Elaine; son Andrew (Erica)
and grandsons Matthew and Kyle; daughter, Allison
(James), and granddaughter, Mavin; two sister, a sisterin-law, and was predeceased by a brother.
Church Staf
Rev. Susan L. Gibson, Interim Minister
Mark Jacobson, Director of Music
Laurie Milne, Parish Administrator / Branch-Line
Editor
Eric True, Maintenance
Paul Nesbit, Director of Christian Ed.
Dianne Lyons, Public Relations Coordinator
Betsy Johnsen, Bookkeeper
MISSED CHURCH?
Watch the service on Wilbraham Public Access, Channel 191, 8 PM on Mondays and 8 AM on Tuesdays.
Services are also available on-line. Go to www.wilbraham-ma.gov. On the let click Public Access Schedules
- Channel 191. Find the service you’d like to watch by
selecting a date on the calendar and a time, and click
Watch Now.
he Branch-Line is Published Monthly
Yearly Mail Subscription $12
Submissions deadline: 15th of the month
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