Yesterday I had the chance to speak to the third grade class at Somers Elementary School. I was invited by Kathy Mangini and her classroom as they begin a community service project to help Champ's Place, the Somers Congregational Church's food pantry. The children were wonderful, attentive, and inquisitive and I had a great time.
I took an empty grocery bag with me (paper) and asked the kids what they would put in it if they were going to use the contents to feed their family for a week. The first response was M&Ms! Then we talked about nutrition and staying healthy and their suggestions got much better. We also talked about non-food items that we try to have on hand for visitors to Champ's place, from toiletries to gentle used clothing.
I was happy to talk to the kids, and very happy to see how enthused they became about what they could gather to help people in our own community. They will be collecting things for Champ's Place over the next 5 months!
I prepared more information that I could use in the time allotted for the presentation and conversation, including some notes about who Camp was and why we named the [pantry after him, and the history of the pantry.
Gene Champion (Champ)had a real connection to our commuunity, being a retired Postal Worker who delivered mail on rural routes here in Somers for many years. He had his wife Marion were married in the church and raised their 3 children through our Sunday School. Marion and the children, their spouses and children, continue to be active members of the church.
Although the church had collected and distribute food before, “Champ” was the first volunteer who kept regular hours for people to come and get food. Before the people arrived, Champ sorted and shelved the food and always made sure it was fairly distributed to everyone who used the pantry. He developed a system to sign people in and keep track of what was needed. When Champ became unable to be there, he asked about a better room that would be easier for everyone to access.
When the church was renovated in 1998-'99 the pantry got a new location on first floor with 2 closets that could be locked. New people volunteered and helped sign people in, sort the food and give it out. The program grew as people heard that the church was willing to help. We needed more room and the room was expanded and the pantry had 4, then 5 now 6 closets.
The larger room and more space made it possible for us to add used clothing and then small household items. The people who were using the pantry started talking to each other and passing along clothing and ideas for saving money and making small budgets spread further. The donation of a freezer expanded the program more and now we are able to offer some perishable food.
A lot of the food we distribute comes from people in our community. During the summer, we had people who brought fresh vegetables and sometimes we have gotten bread from Big Y and Giessler’s. Left over’s from church suppers always go to Champs='s place. The Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Post Office, school and other clubs as well as local businesses have given food over the years. A big boost came when we began receiving food from Food Share through which we are able to get many items at greatly reduced prices.
Every week 25 to 30 people come to get a couple of bags of groceries. Very few of those people live alone, so each person represents 2 or 3 people receiving food.
Our guests sign in and we coordinate what we give with what they might get from other sources and also helps to get people in touch with other sources of aid. There are all kinds of people at Champ's place very week: some who live alone, couples, mom & dad and a child or two, or even more.
The people who make use of Champ's place live in different kinds of houses too. They live in houses, apartments, 1 room in someone else's house, and some even live in their car or outside. This means we must offer different kinds of foods and foods that require different kinds of preparation. A person who lives in their own hoome with a full kitchen will be able to use different things than a person living out of their car in the state forest. We try to be aware of the particular needs of the people we serve.
We want to give people who are going through a bad time some help. Champ's place is not meant to be a permanent source food for anyone, but is a stepping stone and a help in troubled times.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Why Wait for a Funeral?
My parents are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this week and the family got together last weekend to help them celebrate. When they celebrated their 50th we had a big party with friends and neighbors invited. This time things were much less formal and only the immediate family was there.
Besides Mom and Dad, immediate family means children and their spouses, grandchildren and their spouses and great-grandchildren. The total was 18, with only one grandchild and one great-grandchild missing. Everyone brought something to eat, and as usually is the case when we all get together, there was laughter and joking, hugging and catching up. The most important part of the day, though, was the presentation of the gifts. There were no things. Instead each member of the family was asked to share three memories and in the case of the younger grand-kids, to share important things about Grammy and Grampa.
Everyone from my older brother down to our 4 year old niece took a turn. There was a memory of a special bike given on a birthday when my dad was out of work and things were pretty tight. There were memories of how my parents attended all of our games, concerts and plays. There were also memories of how they managed to deal with two of us who were in our teens when the other two were born. There were sacrifices we did not really understand until we had become grown with children of our own. There was the quiet assurance that our parents' support was always there, no matter what - - and there have been more than a few "whats".
The particular memories were great, but more important is the concept. One of my nieces commented that we had shared a lot of stuff usually shared at funerals. How lucky we were to not have waited for a funeral. But we did wait for a sixtieth wedding anniversary. Not everyone gets one of those.
So, don't wait for a funeral, or an anniversary, or a special birthday. Don't even wait for a special gathering, do it today. Today is a good day to thank someone for the special part they have played in your life. It is a great day to tell someone that something they said that they may not even remember, has made a difference in who you are.
People touch our lives every day. We usually find the time to complain about things people do to us - - today celebrate things people do for you.
Besides Mom and Dad, immediate family means children and their spouses, grandchildren and their spouses and great-grandchildren. The total was 18, with only one grandchild and one great-grandchild missing. Everyone brought something to eat, and as usually is the case when we all get together, there was laughter and joking, hugging and catching up. The most important part of the day, though, was the presentation of the gifts. There were no things. Instead each member of the family was asked to share three memories and in the case of the younger grand-kids, to share important things about Grammy and Grampa.
Everyone from my older brother down to our 4 year old niece took a turn. There was a memory of a special bike given on a birthday when my dad was out of work and things were pretty tight. There were memories of how my parents attended all of our games, concerts and plays. There were also memories of how they managed to deal with two of us who were in our teens when the other two were born. There were sacrifices we did not really understand until we had become grown with children of our own. There was the quiet assurance that our parents' support was always there, no matter what - - and there have been more than a few "whats".
The particular memories were great, but more important is the concept. One of my nieces commented that we had shared a lot of stuff usually shared at funerals. How lucky we were to not have waited for a funeral. But we did wait for a sixtieth wedding anniversary. Not everyone gets one of those.
So, don't wait for a funeral, or an anniversary, or a special birthday. Don't even wait for a special gathering, do it today. Today is a good day to thank someone for the special part they have played in your life. It is a great day to tell someone that something they said that they may not even remember, has made a difference in who you are.
People touch our lives every day. We usually find the time to complain about things people do to us - - today celebrate things people do for you.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Grateful
We have all had to make some adjustments because of the new configuration of the church staff and because we were without and Administrative Secretary for a month. I am grateful to all the individuals who spent time sitting in the office, answering phones, taking messages, typing, printing, folding and stapling. Even those who offered help that we did not use made the time go by more quickly and made the workload seem lighter. Getting through a newsletter printing, the Apple Crisp lunch, and the regular things that need to happen in the office was no small accomplishment, and I am grateful to everyone who lent a hand.
Although there was some panic when Linda’s departure was only days away, Boards and Committees had actually put more things in place than it seemed. The Board of Christian Education, though short-handed, was prepared to get the word out to parents that the Sunday school would be operating as usual and were able to run the first Communion Sunday of the fall very smoothly. They are on top of the CE program and are continuing to look for additional volunteers to work with the young people in our church. Fellowship groups for middle school and high school aged kids are being addressed, though finding adult leaders for these has proven to be more difficult than usual.
Our Board of Caring Ministry has also been able to carry on their ministry with no interruption. There is a party on October 25 for our Caring List people. It is well organized and should be a success. The Caring Board chair and I have been in regular e-mail contact and have had conversations about the caring program. I have gone to the hospitals, nursing home and several homes for pastoral visits.
Worship was, of course, the third of Linda’s central responsibilities. The Deacons have revived the Lay Reader program which seem to be very popular. The Board of Finance has been approached about funds to cover supply preachers when I am away and for inclusion in the 2009 operating budget of the church. I have done the Children’s message each week there has been one since Linda left, and there are people who have volunteered to take a turn at bringing a message for the kids as time goes along.
Without an Associate Pastor things day-to-day are obviously different, but I think we can be very happy about the ways the Boards involved have stepped up to ensure the continuation of these important ministries. The support offered, leadership provided, and commitment to the ministry and mission of the church shown have helped and continue to help as we move through this challenging time in the life of our church.
Our Moderator Jim Jewell has shown tremendous care and commitment in the leadership he has provided through this difficult year. He has led with an even hand, grace and good humor, even when things were touchy and volatile. His style has given everyone a voice and his understanding of how congregationalists do things has made it possible for us to move ahead. Jim’s interaction with our youth helped keep them in church at a critical time in their relationship with the church. Our church is fortunate to have had Jim as Moderator in this time when a calm voice and attitude were needed.
Although there was some panic when Linda’s departure was only days away, Boards and Committees had actually put more things in place than it seemed. The Board of Christian Education, though short-handed, was prepared to get the word out to parents that the Sunday school would be operating as usual and were able to run the first Communion Sunday of the fall very smoothly. They are on top of the CE program and are continuing to look for additional volunteers to work with the young people in our church. Fellowship groups for middle school and high school aged kids are being addressed, though finding adult leaders for these has proven to be more difficult than usual.
Our Board of Caring Ministry has also been able to carry on their ministry with no interruption. There is a party on October 25 for our Caring List people. It is well organized and should be a success. The Caring Board chair and I have been in regular e-mail contact and have had conversations about the caring program. I have gone to the hospitals, nursing home and several homes for pastoral visits.
Worship was, of course, the third of Linda’s central responsibilities. The Deacons have revived the Lay Reader program which seem to be very popular. The Board of Finance has been approached about funds to cover supply preachers when I am away and for inclusion in the 2009 operating budget of the church. I have done the Children’s message each week there has been one since Linda left, and there are people who have volunteered to take a turn at bringing a message for the kids as time goes along.
Without an Associate Pastor things day-to-day are obviously different, but I think we can be very happy about the ways the Boards involved have stepped up to ensure the continuation of these important ministries. The support offered, leadership provided, and commitment to the ministry and mission of the church shown have helped and continue to help as we move through this challenging time in the life of our church.
Our Moderator Jim Jewell has shown tremendous care and commitment in the leadership he has provided through this difficult year. He has led with an even hand, grace and good humor, even when things were touchy and volatile. His style has given everyone a voice and his understanding of how congregationalists do things has made it possible for us to move ahead. Jim’s interaction with our youth helped keep them in church at a critical time in their relationship with the church. Our church is fortunate to have had Jim as Moderator in this time when a calm voice and attitude were needed.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Wisdom and Youth
"What is one thing you wish your parents knew that would make your life easier?"
This is one of the questions the members of the Confirmation Class pulled out of the Wisdom Bowl and tried to answer. Other questions involved faith, school, peers, self-image and God.
The 2008-'09 Confirmation Class met for the first time this past Sunday and I was pretty impressed. It looks like we will have 12 candidates meeting through the fall and winter up to Confirmation on April 26. They are kids who have pretty much grown up in the church, attended Sunday school and been a part of life here. It showed. They were quick to open up and quick to be involved with each other and with me.
Something a little different this year - - there will be a Deacon meeting with the class and me each week. This is happening because the Deacons want to get to know the kids better and our safe church program calls for at least two adults with every group. I think it is great all around and am looking forward to interaction between the Deacons and the kids.
The Wisdom Bowl contains lots of little scrolls, each of which has a question written on it. The bowl is passed around the table once and each person takes a scroll. As the bowl goes around a second time each person reads aloud and answers the question she or he got. The answers must be honest,but anyone can pass at any time. After we had passed the Wisdom Bowl and heard all the answers the kids wanted to do it again - - new questions, new answers. I think it will be a good year.
This is one of the questions the members of the Confirmation Class pulled out of the Wisdom Bowl and tried to answer. Other questions involved faith, school, peers, self-image and God.
The 2008-'09 Confirmation Class met for the first time this past Sunday and I was pretty impressed. It looks like we will have 12 candidates meeting through the fall and winter up to Confirmation on April 26. They are kids who have pretty much grown up in the church, attended Sunday school and been a part of life here. It showed. They were quick to open up and quick to be involved with each other and with me.
Something a little different this year - - there will be a Deacon meeting with the class and me each week. This is happening because the Deacons want to get to know the kids better and our safe church program calls for at least two adults with every group. I think it is great all around and am looking forward to interaction between the Deacons and the kids.
The Wisdom Bowl contains lots of little scrolls, each of which has a question written on it. The bowl is passed around the table once and each person takes a scroll. As the bowl goes around a second time each person reads aloud and answers the question she or he got. The answers must be honest,but anyone can pass at any time. After we had passed the Wisdom Bowl and heard all the answers the kids wanted to do it again - - new questions, new answers. I think it will be a good year.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
October 2, 2008
It is pretty exciting to have launched a new website, and a bit intimidating to have a Blog to try to keep current. If you looked here in the past couple of days you found postings from 2007, but nothing more current. Let's hope this will get off the ground in good shape now.
The past few months have been challenging and full of change for the church in Somers. We began 2008 with a budget shortfall and knew we would have to work hard to keep things going. As the months passed it became obvious that the shortfall was growing bigger and we were facing a cash flow problem immediately. We made some very tough decisions. The decisions have changed everything.
We are in the midst of adjusting to no having an Associate Pastor. The pastoral visits Linda's done, the leadership she provided for the Sunday school and for other boards, as well as the counseling she was involved in on a individual basis have been vitally important. It will take a few months before we know for sure how the ministry will take shape. In the meantime and in the future, members of the congregation will be called upon to step into leadership positions in order to continue to offer the full range of ministry for which our church is known.
The challenges we face will call for all of us to work together and together we will shape the future as we amswer Christ's call in this place.
The past few months have been challenging and full of change for the church in Somers. We began 2008 with a budget shortfall and knew we would have to work hard to keep things going. As the months passed it became obvious that the shortfall was growing bigger and we were facing a cash flow problem immediately. We made some very tough decisions. The decisions have changed everything.
We are in the midst of adjusting to no having an Associate Pastor. The pastoral visits Linda's done, the leadership she provided for the Sunday school and for other boards, as well as the counseling she was involved in on a individual basis have been vitally important. It will take a few months before we know for sure how the ministry will take shape. In the meantime and in the future, members of the congregation will be called upon to step into leadership positions in order to continue to offer the full range of ministry for which our church is known.
The challenges we face will call for all of us to work together and together we will shape the future as we amswer Christ's call in this place.
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