THE VOICE of Second Church
United Church of Christ
50 Park Street
Attleboro, MA 02703
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December 2015
HANGING OF THE GREENS
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH, 10 AM
ADVENT MUSIC SERVICE
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20TH, 10 AM
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24TH, 6 PM
Second Congregational Church of Attleboro, UCC
Reverend F. Vernon Wright V, Minister
[email protected]
William A. MacPherson, PhD., Director of Music
Kara Lehane, Executive Director, Jack & Jill School – 508-222-1149
[email protected]
www.jackandjillattleboro.com
Amie McCarthy, Director of Christian Education
Fred Saunders, Administrative Assistant
c: 508-918-0123
Jack Baptist, Sexton
Office: 508- 222-4677 Fax: 508- 222-2148
[email protected]
www.attleborosecondchurch.org
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SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UCC
GOD IS STILL SPEAKING
THE VOICE
We seek to be a church of the open mind, the warm heart,
the aspiring soul and a vision for God’s world.
A monthly newsletter
December, 2015
Martha
Circle
Women’s
Fellowship
Christian
Education
Jack
&
Jill
Prayer
Shawl
Ministry
Women’s
Spiritual
Group
One
Plus
One
December
Birthdays
Music
Notes
Calendar
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Page 3
Page 3
Page 4
Page 4
Page 3
Page 4
Page 4
Page 3
Page 5
MINISTER’S MUSE
ISIS AND ISLAM
The recent terror events around the world perpetrated by the so called “Islamic State” have
created much grief and anger. Moreover, Islam now has the full attention of the political
mudslinging machine of the upcoming election. As a Christian minister, student of world
religions, and the brother and son of ardent Muslims, I feel it is necessary to share my own
perspective. My perspective is far from perfect, but I have spent many years thinking about
Islam and its relationship with the West. Today I think that it is important to tackle the
following questions: What does it mean to be Islamic? Is ISIS Islamic? Our
understanding of Islam and ISIS will inform our beliefs and shape our policy.
Islam is a political and religious entity started by Mohammed who claimed to have a series
of visions revealing the will of God. These visions were written down in the form of the
Koran. Islam means submission. Similar to the Jewish and Christian notion of repentance,
Muslims believe that only by submitting all of oneself to the oneness of God can humans
live out the wholeness God intended.
The faith of Islam is in some ways a merger between Judaism and Christianity. Muslims adhere to many Jewish dietary and
jurisprudence requirements. They also embrace the Christian notion of compassion, the Messiah and the idea that Jesus was born
of the Virgin Mary. Mohamed was in contact with Jewish Rabbis and Christian monks. The Koran holds many Old Testament
stories and references to Jesus. Respect for Judaism and Christianity has enabled co-existence of Jews and Christians for
hundreds of years in countries under the political control of Islam.
Islam is focused on practice much more than many other faiths such as Christianity. The requirement to pray five times a day, go
to mosque, give alms, go on pilgrimage, fasting, and to follow Sharia, or Islamic law, really are requirements. However, there is
much diversity in the world about the interpretation of Sharia, the intent of prayer, the meaning of the community of the mosque,
almsgiving, and the specific requirements of pilgrimage. In some observant communities, society may seem only slightly less
liberal than most Western countries. Indeed such societies may actually be paragons of compassion, tenderness and equality. In
other observant communities, harsh, arbitrary legal sentencing, the wearing of full hijab, and the subjugation of women are
commonplace. If you must criticize Islam, be aware of its great diversity. Christian based democratic communities can also be
troubled.
It is also important to know a bit of the history of Islam. The first political reality of Islam was the Caliphate. It emerged from the
Arabian Peninsula in the Seventh century and soon became the religion and state of choice in Egypt and the rest of North Africa
and Eastern Europe, Spain, parts of India and Indonesia. Though there were wars fought over its expansion, much of the spread of
Islam occurred by peaceful means.
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There were some internal disagreements as well, however. Within the first century of Muslim society there was a significant
argument and war over the succession of the Caliphate. This created the divide over Sunni and Shiite Muslims. Sunni’s believe
that Islamic rulers should be determined by the strength of their faith. Shiites believe that an Islamic ruler should be a part of
Mohamed’s familial line.
The expansion of Islamic territory in the eighth and ninth centuries eventually drew the attention of the Eastern and Western
Church. Important trade and pilgrimage routes had been shut down. Popes and Bishops organized the feudal states into a series
of holy wars or crusades. In response, Islamic empires raised armies and fought campaigns to defend disputed territories. Over
the next several hundred years, boundaries were expanded and contracted. Much blood, famine and chaos ensued. Most scholars
agree that during the middle ages Muslim empires tended to be more advanced and rational than European kingdoms and empires.
Among other things, Muslim culture had been able to utilize the learning of the Alexandrian Library. This created many medical,
political, and architectural advances in the Muslim world.
Eventually, Western monastic culture accessed the writings of Aristotle and other important classical thinkers contained in the
Alexandrian library through Jewish booksellers. This inspired great churchmen such as Thomas Aquinas. Thomas’ theology
inspired the creation of University systems to teach theology which in turn birthed modern science. Science, together with
theology created the foundation of the modern nation state and the Renaissance. It also created the Protestant reformation which
reacted to what it saw as theological and ecclesiastical overreach.
As a result of the many innovations of the Renaissance, the modern European nation states were able to eclipse Islamic military,
economic and cultural power. These shifts lead to the erosion and destruction of both the reality and idea of the Holy Caliphate.
In the rise of colonialism and the defeat of the Ottoman Empire, the Middle East in some ways became a pawn in the
machinations of Western nation building and, later, cold war positioning. Today with the competition of major political
economies, most notably, of the US, European Union, China and Russia, many populations not empowered by these politicaleconomic and social realities, may feel left out, marginalized and isolated. If we must criticize Islam, we must remember that the
questioning of modern national boundaries and a thirst for more just political, economic and social conditions is not inherently
wrong.
There is much debate right now about whether ISIS is at all Islamic. President Obama was recently criticized by the press for
claiming that ISIS is not Islamic. Some journalists say that the dismissal of its Islamic identity would be dangerous. After all,
they argue, the Koran is important to the leaders of ISIS, as is Muslim jurisprudence. In truth, however, the Caliphate can only be
established by the agreement of Muslim imams. Since no imams support ISIS, not even arch conservative, Wahhabi imams of
Saudi Arabia, ISIS’s claim to be a Muslim Caliphate is patently false. The religious leadership of the Muslim world sees ISIS as
a heretical movement. Agreeing with ISIS’s claim that they are Islamic only supports their propaganda of falsehood and increases
the legitimacy of their organization. ISIS reads scripture and claims that is Islamic, just as KKK reads scripture and claims it is
Christian. Claiming something does not make it so.
Religion is wonderful. It connects us always to something transcendently greater. It connects us to our fellow human beings and
inspires love and compassion. Religion can also be quite dreadful. It can organize its group to destroy others without mercy or
compassion. Unfortunately the latter understanding seems to prevail mostly in the more broken, less educated places of the world.
When people are facing the destruction of culture, access to food, sovereignty and learning, they are most vulnerable to
fundamentalist demagogues and strongmen. If I believed in a satanic co-equal to the divine, this is where he would be enthroned.
I would like to see people of faith everywhere come to grips with the compassionate depths of their religion. If our fear would
lead us to pray about Islam, let us not pray for its end or destruction; let us pray that its light and love be known.
Our political circus has posited some ridiculous things lately. The idea that all Muslims should have to register with a database
and bear some kind of identification is not only unconstitutional, but would demonstrate the illusion that people in the West are
ignorant, bigoted, undemocratic and unable to deal with the challenges of pluralism. Yes we should be concerned about ISIS and
the damage they have inflicted. But let us not forget that the most horrifying damage they have inflicted has not just been to the
lovely people of Paris. The most sickening damage of all has been to ISIS’s own beheaded family members and neighbors, who
speak the same language, read from the same book and go to the same mosque, but would dare listen to the voice of a tolerant,
loving compassionate God. It is people like these who need our help and support. These are the people that are knocking on our
door.
Yours in Christ,
Reverend Vern Wright
LITURGICAL THEMES
Ordinarily, I come up with themes that I
think are worth preaching. After all I
have been taught how to run a church.
A minister is like the ultimate talking
head.
But what is a church? Is not a church a
group of people that would follow the
way of Christ? I am no better at
following the way of Christ than any of
you. I’m beginning to see that being a
good minister should not be about
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running the church; it should be about
inspiring people to follow the way of
Christ.
This month I shall be connecting with
various groups within the church and
seeing how they can be involved in the
service. Christian Education people,
Sunday School, Youth Group, Visiting
Deacons, Choirs, Veterans, Outreach
and
Missions,
LGBTQ
groups,
Administration ministries, Facilities
ministries, Prayer Shawl makers and
Women’s Spiritual Groups all provide
important ministry to our community.
My hope is that you might provide
prayer, an experience, or something to
place on an altar, during our service as a
part of the Pastoral Prayer. I hope to
chose scripture and design sermons
around the theme of your object or
prayer. Call me if you have ideas.
Church should never be about me.
Church should be about you and, above
all, Christ.
BOARD OF DEACONS
The lead Deacons this month are Susan
Brown and Karen Slawson. Contact any
deacon or Ted Moxham at 508-2228820 if you are interested in being an
usher one Sunday. We’d love to have
your help. Call Ralph Giannetti the
night or two before at 508-226-4618 and
let him know if you need a lift.
We would like to express our sincere
gratitude to Maria Smith and her sons
Thomas and Charles for once again
contributing the beautiful Christmas
wreaths adorning our front entry. They
have given these in loving memory of
Margaret and Charles Smith and their
son William Smith
Communion Visitations continue each
week to our shut-ins. If you are unable
to attend church and would like to
receive communion, please notify
Reverend Wright or the church office
and arrangements for a visit will be
made. Our visits offer a special time to
quietly partake in Communion, offer up
prayers, and know your church family is
with you.
CHRISTMAS FLOWERS
Advent is approaching, and thoughts
of decorating your home for the
holidays are starting to creep into
your head. The Flower Committee is
thinking about decorating our church
home, too and that means
poinsettias.
On the first three
Sundays of December you may sign
up in Fellowship Hall following
worship. We will be getting plants
this year from Flowers by the
Station. They will come in red,
white and pink. Please see one of
the members of the Flower
committee on December 6th, 13th or
20th to order your plant. You may
also make a donation to the Food
Pantry, and have that dedication
placed in the bulletin for Christmas
Eve as well.
The first rehearsals of 2016 will be on
January 7th.
Christmas Music Sunday: December
20th. Bells Choir and Children’s Choir
will be playing and singing as part of the
morning service.
Christmas Eve: Bells and Choir again!
WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP
Sunday, December 6th, 7:30 pm, Cole
Chapel, Wheaton College: The annual
holiday Vespers program, long a
tradition on campus. Music is from a
wide variety of cultures by the Wheaton
Chorale and Chamber Singers, Tim
Harbold director. There will be Carol
singing by the audience, with organ
(yours truly).
Free to the public,
donations accepted.
Sunday, December 20th, 10:00 am,
Christmas anthems and carols will be
presented by Adult Choir, Children’s
Choir and Handbell Choir as part of the
regular morning worship here at Second
Church.
Bill MacPherson, Director of Music
INTERGENERATIONAL SACRED DANCE
Rehearsals for Intergenerational Sacred
Dance are every Saturday at 9am in the
sanctuary. All ages and experience
levels are welcome and we are always
accepting new participants.
Our
selection for the fall is Dona Nobis
Pacem, and we are still considering
options for the Advent season.
Thank you,
Diane Osborne
ATTENTION: ALL WOMEN
OF SECOND CHURCH
You are invited to join Women’s
Fellowship on Friday, December 4th for
a Christmas Celebration. We’d love
for you to join us any time after 7:00
p.m. at the home of Deb Hawes, 53
Riverside Drive in Mansfield. It will be
a casual evening to visit with the women
of Second Church and celebrate the
season. Please let Deb know if you will
be joining us (508.339.1831 or
[email protected]). We hope to see
you on December 4th!
Many thanks to all who prepared for,
worked on, and shopped at another
wonderful and successful Church Fair
on November 7th. Final numbers aren’t
in, but it is already clear that the fair was
a big success. Kaitlyn Slaney drew the
winning ticket for the raffle of her
mother JoAnn’s homemade quilt, and
the ticket belonged to Kat Wright.
Congrats Kat and thank you JoAnn.
Deb Hawes
Women’s Spiritual Group
The Women’s Spiritual Group will have
a pot-luck dinner on Monday,
November 30th in the Conference Room.
We will meet at 6:30 and dine as soon as
everyone can get there! If you didn’t
sign up at the October meeting you can
call Wendy at 508-226-2319. Please
bring an item or two for the Food
Pantry. We’ll also share our favorite
Bible verse, and see if there are any
duplicates....
All of our meetings and activities are
open to all women.
There will be no December meeting.
Wendy Oliver
MUSIC NOTES
CHOIR AND BELL CHOIR SCHEDULES
No rehearsals on December 24th and
December 31st. Regular rehearsals will
be held on December 3rd, 10th and 17th.
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MUSIC OF THE SEASON
MARTHA CIRCLE
Martha Circle will meet for our
Christmas Luncheon on Tuesday,
December 17th at 12:30 pm. All women
of the church are welcome. Give me or
the church office a call if you are
interested but not yet on our list or if
you have any questions
Linda Wiswall
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
December 6th: Communion Sunday.
All the Children and Youth will go
directly to their Sunday School Classes
and will reenter the Sanctuary to rejoin
our Church family for communion.
The Magi: Jesus had a way better gift
for the Magi than they had for him.
“Where is the child who has been born
king of the Jews? For we observed his
star at its rising, and have come to pay
him homage.” Matthew 2:2
December 13th: This week C.E. will be
presenting an impromptu Christmas
Pageant during the worship service. As
you enter the Sanctuary we invite
everyone to choose a costume. You may
choose costumes that have an active role
in the nativity such as one of the Magi,
Joseph, or Gabriel. Or you may wish to
choose a costume such as an animal that
would allow you to still be a part of our
Christmas story but remain in your seat.
As the Nativity story is read we invite
everyone to become part of our living
nativity on the altar.
December 20th: HAPPY BIRTHDAY
TO JESUS!!! Please join us after
worship as we celebrate Jesus’ birthday
with a very special cupcake and fruit
punch birthday party.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The PSM will meet on Monday,
December 14th at 12:30 in the
Conference Room.
Shawls are a
tremendous comfort to individuals
experiencing a loss, illness or other
traumatic event in their lives. New
members are always welcome. We will
teach you the ropes. Please contact me
if you have any questions.
Roberta Ferguson
ONE PLUS ONE
One Plus One is a group of adults who
meet to share Christian fellowship. It is
open to all members and friends of the
congregation and is a great way to get to
know new people and catch up with old
friends. We will be holding our annual
Christmas party on Saturday, December
9th at 6:30 pm. It is a pot luck hors derv
and dessert party. Our Party is at the
Moxham’s this year. If you are not yet
on our call list and would like to come
to the party, please contact me or call
the church office.
Colin Blair
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS!
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November is always a fun month at preschool as we celebrate literacy and
friendship. This year we recorded books
at home on construction paper gumballs.
We had a large gumball machine at the
bottom of the stairs and had a “BALL
with Books!” At print our students have
read 1,018 books at home with their
families. We enjoyed a nice night out
with the very silly Big Ryan for our
pajama story time.
The laughter
bounced off the walls and made all the
grownups feel like kids again too!
One of our favorite events of the year
was celebrated – The Friendship Feast.
During this event, each of the 4/5 year
old classes made a special snack to
share. We enjoyed a snack family style
in Fellowship Hall. All of the classes
made and wore a fun turkey hat and
gathered together to eat, sing and listen
to a story about Thanksgiving!
Even with all of the above activities, the
staff managed to conference with all the
parents of our older classes. Now that
the children have settled into the routine
of school and teachers have gotten to
know their students it is a great time for
parents and teachers to share
information. Having regular contact
with parents is one of the things that
makes working in the field of early
childhood education so special.
We will be conferencing with our 3 year
old families on December 10th.
As we approach the month of December
we strive for as many quiet moments as
possible. Children will be working on
special “surprises” for their parents and
our classrooms will be festive. Our
schedule and routine will stay the same
as we focus on the theme of family and
love during the holiday season.
Warmly, Kara Lehane
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25
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28
30
31
Chris Brown
Enoch Osborne
Mary Valentine
Phil Cotsalas
Ron Quimby
Tanner Martin
Zachary Withers
Max Lancaster
Owen James
Delia Plante
Julie Withers
Hannah Saunders
Nate O'Connor
Brett Trisoline
Nick Macomber
Myrtice Osterberg
Calvin Turcotte
Brenda Alsfeld
Harold Goldzung
Diane Zakhary
John Lepper
Alex Robinson
Caroline Griffin
Kimberly Saunders
Debbie Spatcher
Ruth Baker
Mariah Ramsay
Carolyn Werdin
Peter Cotsalas
Jaydon Taft-Pine
Larry Valentine
Camryn Janson
Mike Touloumtzis
Emma Meleo
Ken Ramsay
Peter Zakhary
NOTICE:
The Church Council is
scheduling a Special Meeting of the Church
to consider the revisions to the Church’s
Bylaws that are being proposed by the ad
hoc Bylaw Review Committee.
The
meeting will be held on January 10th at
11:15 am. The warrant is not published
quite yet, but the changes are available in
the church office for your review.
Electronic mail copies can be sent on
request. Watch the January Voice for
further details.
D E C E M B E R
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
1
6:30 PM
Outreach &
Missions
Committee
Meeting
6
Second Sunday of
Advent - Peace
10:00 AM
Worship /
Communion
Youth Fellowship
12:00 PM
ARC Holiday Party
13
Third Sunday of
Advent - Joy
10:00 AM
Worship
Youth Fellowship
11:15 AM
Children's Choir
Rehearsal
6:30 PM
Scout Merit Badge
Class
20
Fourth Sunday of
Advent - Love
Advent Music Sunday
10:00 AM
Worship
Youth Fellowship
27
10:00 AM
Worship
Youth Fellowship
11:15 AM
Children's Choir
Rehearsal
11:20 AM
Church Council
Meeting
Wednesday
2 0 1 5
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
2
11:30 AM
Reason Friendly
Bible Study
6:30 PM
Cub Scouts
3
6:30 PM
Bell Choir
Rehearsal
7:30 PM
Adult Choir
Rehearsal
7
8
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
Boy Scouts
Christian
7:00 PM
Education
Contemporary Committee
Worship Task
Meeting
Force
7:30 PM
Pastoral
Relations
Committee
Meeting
14
15
12:30 PM
12:30 PM
Prayer Shawl
Martha Circle
Ministry
Christmas
6:30 PM
Luncheon
Boy Scouts
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
Administration
Board of
Committee
Deacons'
Meeting
Meeting
9
11:30 AM
Reason Friendly
Bible Study
5:30 PM
Family Café
6:30 PM
Cub Scouts
10
6:30 PM
Bell Choir
Rehearsal
7:30 PM
Adult Choir
Rehearsal
16
11:30 AM
Reason Friendly
Bible Study
6:30 PM
Cub Scouts
6:45 PM
PFLAG Meeting
17
6:30 PM
Bell Choir
Rehearsal
7:30 PM
Adult Choir
Rehearsal
18
19
21
4:00 PM
Food Pantry
Distribution
6:30 PM
Boy Scouts
23
11:30 AM
Reason Friendly
Bible Study
6:30 PM
Cub Scouts
24
Christmas Eve
6:00 PM
Christmas Eve
Candlelight
Service
25
Christmas
Day
26
30
11:30 AM
Reason Friendly
Bible Study
6:30 PM
Cub Scouts
31
New Years Eve
28
6:30 PM
Boy Scouts
22
January Voice
Deadline
7:00 PM
Marketing
Task Force
Meeting
29
4
5
6:00 PM
Youth Fellowship
Youth
Lockin/Sleepover
Fellowship
Lockin/
Sleepover
7:00 PM
Women’s
Fellowship
Christmas
Celebration
at the Hawes’
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12
6:30 PM
One Plus One
Christmas Party
at the Moxham’s
Office is closed
HANGING OF THE GREENS
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH, 10 AM
ADVENT MUSIC SERVICE
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20TH, 10 AM
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24TH, 6 PM
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