FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UCC
200 Main Street, P.O. Box 1300
Wellfleet, MA 02667-1300
The Rev. Paul Cullity, Pastor
Phone (508)349-6877
FAX (508)349-7732
Email: wellfleetchurch@verizon.net
www.wellfleetchurch.org
TIDINGS- MARCH/APRIL 2015
Beyond the Ordinary
In a recent study, more than 500 congregations who have grown in numerical, financial and programmatic
ways over the past 10 years were evaluated and interviewed. Several common characteristics of all these
churches seem to emerge. Congregations that go Beyond the Ordinary excel in almost all the following areas:
1 Growing Spiritually — Beyond the Ordinary congregations help worshipers grow in their faith.
2 Meaningful Worship — Beyond the Ordinary congregations provide worship services that meet the needs of
worshipers.
3 Participating in the Congregation — Beyond the Ordinary congregations are places where worshipers are
involved in many of the activities of the congregation.
4 Having a Sense of Belonging — Beyond the Ordinary congregations provide people with a sense of
fellowship with others.
5 Caring for Young People — Beyond the Ordinary congregations ensure that the children and youth in the
congregation are nurtured in the faith.
6 Focusing on the Community — Beyond the Ordinary congregations reach out to and serve those outside
their door.
7 Sharing Faith — Beyond the Ordinary congregations help their worshipers feel comfortable sharing their
faith with others.
8 Welcoming New People — Beyond the Ordinary congregations ensure that new people become part of their
faith community.
9 Empowering Leadership — Beyond the Ordinary congregations help worshipers to share in the leadership
of the congregation.
10 Looking to the Future — Beyond the Ordinary congregations focus on a positive
future.
From an article found on UCC.org
Pastor’s Musings
Almost 300 years ago, the people of Billingsgate gathered themselves into a church, The
Billingsgate Church of Christ. Officially we recognize our founding as 1720 or 1721 or 1723, depending on
which sort of journal we rely on to describe the event. I have come to believe that it happened much earlier,
possibly as early as 1715 or 1716, but in any event, we are still that church, connected to that early
gathering of local people seeking to worship God in this place.
Almost 200 years ago, we adopted the name Congregational, to distinguish us from the new
Methodist and Universalist churches in the region.
More than fifty years ago, we continued that journey of faith as we joined forces with the brand-new
United Church of Christ, a denomination born out of the desire to restore Christian Unity, bringing four
denominations into one fold. This decision has brought us to an unfolding journey of inclusion and growth.
25 years ago this season, we became a Just Peace Church, pledging ourselves to work for Justice
and to overcome the forces of poverty and despair. In embracing others on this journey we have come to
recognize the beauty of welcoming all who would come to share God’s great and good news in Christ, and
so we have become an Open and Affirming church. We are welcome to all, and each week we affirm: “No
matter who you are and where you are on your life’s journey, you are welcome here.”
Now we are poised to define and shape ourselves once again. We are at a cross-roads, which is a
wonderful place to be, as we prepare for the journey toward the cross that is Lent. Our task, as it lies before
us this year, is to imagine the kind of church we want to be for the next generation, to provide for not only
our existence at the moment but for the possibilities of life and ministry in the years to come.
We are learning to listen to one another and to the voice of the Spirit, leading us onward in shaping
the kind of church God is calling us to build. When we began this Envisioning journey over three years
ago, we asked ourselves three questions: Who Are We? What is God Calling us to Be? and Who Is Our
Neighbor?
These questions will shape this stage of our journey, as well. We listen, we reflect, we discover our
purpose and our structure, and we plan for the future together. This pilgrimage of facing our history and
acknowledging our future is much more than an exercise. Many churches have found themselves in serious
decline as they attempt to maintain their confidence in structures and systems that no longer reflect the
conditions of their world. We are beginning to enter our fourth century as a congregation, in the twentyfirst century since the birth of the church, and there are new realities and challenges that we must face.
We now live in a community where most of the people are not from congregational backgrounds;
where hardly anyone even attends church in a regular way. This has meant that new families, even those
with children, no longer hold the same assumptions about the place of church in their lives. The challenge
for us will continue to be that we must listen to the needs that are present, and to help shape our
community of faith to be the place of comfort, of grace and of welcome that all who come are looking to
find.
This is our Lenten task, not just this lent, but from now on; walking together toward the future that
has this as its center: We are God’s people, drawn together by Christ’s love, and celebrating the everlasting
joy that this journey can offer! Amen!
In hopeful service,
Pastor Paul.
WE EXPRESS OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO:
Rachel Lawson on the death of her husband, Brad
who died on December 14th. Cards may be sent to
Rachel Lawson, 403 Bridge Street, Bridgewater,
MA 02324
Beth Berrio and her family on the death of her
father, Raymond Crowell who died on December
26th. Ray & his wife, Ethel “Duch” became
members of our congregation in the mid-1970’s and
remained active until they moved from Wellfleet to
Marshfield a few years ago. A Memorial Service
was held in Marshfield on January 3, 2015. Cards
may be sent to Ethel Crowell, Allerton House at
Proprietors Green, 10 Village Green Way, # 227,
Marshfield, MA 02050
Arleen Barnhouse on the death of her husband, Pete
who died on December 31st. A service will be held
on January 12th at 11:00a.m. at Nickerson Funeral
Home, Wellfleet. Cards may be sent to Arleen
Barnhouse, P.O. Box 744, Wellfleet, MA 02667
Betty Stoughton on the death of her husband, the
Rev. Richard “Dick” Stoughton who died on
January 13th. A funeral was held here on January
24th.
_______________________________________
Change of Address
Ethel “Duch” Crowell
Allerton House at Proprietors Green
10 Village Green Way, #227
Marshfield, MA 02050
Betty Stoughton (beginning in March)
8 Main Street, Unit 8
Jaffrey, NH 03452
Phone: 603-532-7050
Jean Barker – phone 412-489-3258
__________________________________________
Military List
Please call the church office with names of family
members or other loved ones who are serving in the
armed forces of our Country.
Andrew Porteus, son of Nancy & Jonathan Porteus;
Simon Berrio, son of Beth & Buddy Berrio, grandson
of Duch Crowell; Mark Spillane, son of Nancy
Spillane; Danny James; Versalles Washington,
brother of Frank Thomas ; Keith Lajoie, nephew of
Holly & David Lajoie.
MARCH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS!
3/6 Brad Williams
3/7 Heidi Dyer, Irene Nelson & Alex Widrow
3/8 Patrick Winslow
3/12 Rachael Lajoie
3/23 Ronald Sloan
3/24 Mignon Barry
3/30 Joan Kirchner
APRIL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS !
4/6 Karen Murphy
4/7 Isabel Souza & Cora Laughlin
4/9 Carey Rea
4/11 Skylar Nichols
4/18 Karen Blewitt
4/21 Jane Corbin
4/22 Pearl Johnson & Susan Eenigenburg
4/25 Christina Laughlin
4/26 Barbara Kantor
4/27 James Cook
4/28 Karen Blewitt
_______________________________________
PRAYER LIST
Please contact the church office to add a name or
update this list.
“If one member suffers, all suffer together…If one
member is honored, all rejoice together.”(1 Cor.
12:26) May the presence of Jesus Christ be with
those on our PRAYER LIST and with those who
care for them. Pray for:
Bill Beik
Carol Carey
Joyce Dutton
Sueko Hall
Nancy Nye
Vicki Schmidt
Nancy Spillane
Edwina Wright
Joanne Berquist
Amy Costa
Cassandra Evans
Bob & Donna Jordan
Elizabeth Pickering
Betsy Searcy
Ann Swanson
Old South Union Church
And for those who are chronically ill and
confined to their homes, nursing homes and
hospitals. Please notify the pastor when family
or friends are hospitalized.
Lent in Our Church
Although we are already off to a rocky start due to
our weather, we have many offerings for this
Lenten season, that will bring opportunities for
worship, study and contemplation as we move
toward Easter and the celebration of Christ’s
Resurrection
Continuing our Study of he History of the
Christian Churches that was begun in the fall, we
have several sessions left in the program: The
History of Christianity: the First 3,000 Years.
These presentations are held at eh Wellfleet Library
on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm. There will be
programs on March 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th. All are
welcome, and each week’s topic stands alone, so
missing one week will not be a problem.
Each Wednesday in Lent, we are once again
holding our Soup and Bread lunchtime
conversations at 12:30 pm on March 4th,11th, 18th,
25th, and April 1st. Each week, we’ll gather for food
and conversation about the many spiritual practices
and disciplines that lead to our personal spiritual
formation and growth.
Palm Sunday comes on the last Sunday in
March this year, and will feature the Palms worship
readings, while we hold the Passion narrative for
Maundy Thursday. We will hold a traditional light
supper on Maundy Thursday, and celebrate the
service of Tenebrae around the tables where we will
remain to take communion as a community.
Good Friday here on the Outer Cape has
meant our participation in the Ecumenical service
conducted by the Nauset InterFaith Association. It
will be held this year at Noon on April, 3rd at
Brewster Baptist Church on Route 6A. At least ten
communities of faith will participate.
On Saturday, April 4th, we are once again
offering a contemplative Easter Vigil service,
based on Readings and music from the Taizé
community of France. We have met at 4 pm in the
choir room for this service, and we invite you to
join us this year.
Easter Sunday is always a big day in our
church’s year. We begin with a Sunrise Service at
6:00 in the parking area for Newcomb Hollow
Beach, and we return to the church for an Easter
Breakfast from about 6:45 to 8:30 am. Our regular
8:30 Service of Holy Communion will be followed
by our Celebration Service at 10:00 am. This year,
in addition to the special music and readings, Easter
falls on the first Sunday of the month, so we will
have Holy Communion, as well.
_____________________________________________
WORSHIP FOR MARCH 2015
March 1: ( Second Sunday in Lent)
Greeter: Nancy Cook
Ushers: Holly Lajoie
Communion Svrs: Donna Grout & Holly Lajoie
Reader: Peter Swanson
Coffee Hour: Erik & Carol Spencer
First Reading: Romans 4:13-25
Gospel: Mark 8:31-38
Sermon Title: What Return Can We Make
March 8: ( Third Sunday in Lent)
Envisioning – sandwiches served
Greeter:
Ushers: Peg Andre
Reader: Susan Eenigenburg
Coffee Hour:
First Reading: Exodus 20:1-17
Gospel: John 2:13-22
Sermon Title: Remembering
March 15: ( Fourth Sunday in Lent)
Greeter: Erik & Carol Spencer
Ushers:
Reader:
Coffee Hour: Nancy Porteus & Nancy Winslow
First Reading: Numbers 21:4-9
Gospel: John 3:14-21
Sermon Title: Paying Attention
March 22: ( Fifth Sunday in Lent)
Greeter:
Ushers: Peg Andre
Reader:
Coffee Hour:
First Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Gospel: John 12:20-33
Sermon Title: Letting Go!
March 29: ( Sixth Sunday in Lent)
Greeter:
Ushers:
Reader:
Coffee Hour:
First Reading: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Gospel: Mark 11:1-11
Sermon Title: Grand Entrance
WORSHIP FOR APRIL 2015
April 5: ( Easter)
Greeter:
Ushers:
Communion Svrs:
Reader:
Coffee Hour:
The First Congregational Church
Of Wellfleet, UCC
Envisioning Meeting
January 11. 2015
The meeting was called to order at 11:40am by
Dianne Eib, Moderator.
First Reading: Isaiah 25:6-9
Gospel: Mark 16:1-8
Sermon Title: From Death to Life
An opening prayer was offered by Pastor Paul
Cullity
April 12: ( Second Sunday of Easter)
Envisioning Pot-luck
Upcoming Events were discussed. Further
information will be available in the Sunday
Bulletins
and the Newsletter.
Greeter:
Ushers:
Reader:
Coffee Hour:
First Reading: Acts 4:32-35
Gospel: John 20:19-31
Sermon Title: Great Grace Upon Them All
April 19: ( Third Sunday of Easter)
Greeter:
Ushers:
Reader:
Coffee Hour:
First Reading: Acts 3:12-19
Gospel: Luke 24:36b-48
Sermon Title: You Are My Witnesses
April 26: ( Fourth Sunday of Easter)
Greeter:
Ushers:
Reader:
Coffee Hour:
First Reading: Acts 4:5-12
Gospel: John 10:11-18
Sermon Title: Good Shepherds and Good Sheep
May 3: ( Fifth Sunday of Easter)
Greeter:
Ushers:
Reader:
Coffee Hour:
First Reading: 1 John 4:7-21
Gospel: John 15:1-8
Sermon Title: Abiding Love
Mary Cullity reported for the Crafts Team. The
Christmas Fair took in $3407. 10% will be put
toward the Homeless Prevention Council and 10%
will be reserved for next year’s fair expenses. Lots
of new people helped and many people from town
attended, providing a nice sense of camaraderie. All
in all, it was a good event. Crafting gatherings will
start up again on Mondays in the near future. In
addition, she has received a $1000 donation to be
put towards creating some additional storage space
in Fellowship Hall.
Mary also reported for the Building and Grounds
Team. She is concerned about how cold the kitchen
is. Paul said that there is no source of heat in the
kitchen. The team is thinking about creating some
storage space in Fellowship Hall – specifically,
moving the Library materials back into the corner
Library area and using the shelf area for cabinets for
storage. Donna Grout made a motion that the team
look into some proposals. Peter Swanson seconded
it. The motion was approved.
Donna Grout, Treasurer, reported for the Finance
Team. The 2014 proceeds from the Endowment
Fund that are to go into the Building and Grounds
budget total $11,000. At the end of 2014 the general
budget had a surplus of $189. She currently projects
a deficit of $2400 for 2015. Brad Williams urged
everyone to turn in their pledge cards as soon as
possible so that money received can be properly
credited. Donna brought up the subject of salary
increases. She said that the average increase for
similar jobs appears to be 3%. Denny O’Connell
moved that the Finance Team recommend 3%
increases in the 2015 budget. Ken Cheek seconded
it.
Ron Sloan asked if salary increases are tied to
performance reviews. Paul responded that they have
not been in this church. An extended discussion
followed, including Paul’s statement that he has a
wonderful staff to work with. Peter called the
question. The motion carried and will be voted on
as part of the budget at the Annual Meeting.
Barbara Knapp reported for the Care Team. They
continue to meet on the last Tuesday of the month.
New helpers and donations are always welcome.
People receiving cards from the team seem to be
very appreciative.
Paul reported that the Christian Ed Team will be
meeting in February to plan for the spring. Possible
activities include a musical program and an ethnic
foods program. Mary Cullity works with the 4th –
8th graders on the first Sunday of every month. They
will be making videos, talking with members of the
congregation about their faith.
Paul has distributed copies of various church bylaws to those who volunteered to serve on the
By-Laws Team. They will be having a discussion
soon on “what they agree on” before branching out
into more specific details about our own church bylaws. He hopes to have a draft of the “agreed on”
by-laws by the end of February.
No other business came before the meeting.
The Annual Meeting will be on Sunday, January 25,
2015 with a snow date of Sunday,
February 1, 2015.
Paul and Mary sang an Irish Blessing as the closing
prayer.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:20PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Swanson, Clerk
__________________________________________
The First Congregational Church Of Wellfleet,
UCC
Annual Meeting - January 25, 2015
Article I The meeting was called to order at
11:33am by Dianne Eib, Moderator
Article II The Moderator read the warrant for the
meeting.
Article III A prayer was offered by Pastor Paul
Cullity.
Article IV The short form of the minutes from the
Annual Meeting, January 26, 2014 was read by Ann
Swanson, Clerk. Susan Eenigenburg moved to
accept the minutes as read and Dowell Multer
seconded. The minutes were unanimously accepted.
Article V
Presentation of Annual Reports
Paul reported that Mustard Seed contributed the
necessary amount to cover the shortfall on the
kitchen renovations. 2015 will be a Sabbatical year
for him. He hopes to begin a 3 month study leave on
Sept. 1st and is attempting to arrange a pulpit swap.
Otherwise, the church will rely on supply pastors to
cover our Sunday services. Denny O’Connell asked
how this has been worked into the budget. Donna
Grout, Treasurer, responded that we have been
setting aside $1500 per year to cover this.
Kendra Lindberg reported that Christian Ed
continues to work with an ever changing number of
kids. Dot Oberding asked if they had researched
paying someone to staff the nursery. No one has
been found yet, but Kendra said that things have
been working well as is.
Erik Spencer reported that his Bible Conversations
after church have been interesting and well
attended. Anyone is welcome to join in whenever
they want to.
Paul said that the Church History Program will start
up again on Tuesday nights, beginning February
17th. He was asked about daytime hours for these.
He will be happy to do them if he can get at least 3
people who are interested. Soup and Study
luncheons will be held at the church on the five
Wednesdays of Lent (following Ash Wednesday)
beginning on Feb. 25th. Five different Leaders in
Faith will host these discussions.
Brad Williams reported for Music Ministry. He
thanked the Choir, and offered a special note of
thanks to Dowell Multer for keeping the 2 pianos in
shape and for taking over as Organist/Choir
Director when Brad goes on vacation. He also
thanked Thom Dutton for his expert leadership of
the Chime Choir. Both choirs are always looking
for new people. The Bass Viol and a bow for same
will be coming back soon. All of the funds for this
restoration have been raised. Brad would like to get
a lighted, locked case to protect and preserve the
restored instrument when it comes back. There are
many people who would like the opportunity to play
it. Susan Eenigenburg thanked the choir for the
music they provided for Dick Stoughton’s
Memorial Service.
Paul summarized the 2015 goals of the Building
and Grounds Team (found in their report). Richard
Robicheau will oversee the finishing touches for the
kitchen (drywall, sheetrock, carpentry etc.). There is
sufficient money set aside to cover the immediate
projects.
A committee needs to be set up to determine what
we want and need in terms of church expansion.
John Antonuzzo reported that there is an unsecure
window in the back of Fellowship Hall.
Leadership and Active Service needs will be
addressed at the next Envisioning Meeting. Ken
Cheek indicated the need for a Nominating
Committee.
Stewardship issues will also be addressed at the
next Envisioning Meeting. Denny O’Connell is
concerned that we are being asked to put together a
budget without stewardship to support it. Dot
Oberding asked if pledges typically come in late.
Brad Williams said that many people make very
generous donations to the church but never fill out a
pledge card, making it difficult to plan. Donna
Grout reported that the book gain for the
Endowment Fund for 2013-2014 was about
$22,000. As instructed, she has created a Major
Building Repairs Fund and she calculated half the
gain less 3%, or almost $11,000, which will be put
into this fund. It should cover the Building and
Grounds projects for 2015. Nothing will be done
without Parish approval. Peter Swanson moved to
accept the Annual Reports as presented. Donna
Grout seconded it. The reports were unanimously
accepted.
Article VI Pastor Paul Cullity made the following
motion. “Does this group permit the Craft Fair
proceeds, as far as they are needed, to be devoted to
the construction of a storage area in Fellowship
Hall, adjacent to the Library?” Ken Cheek seconded
it. The motion carried.
Article VII Ken Cheek moved that we restore our
Bylaws in 2015, by formally empowering a
committee, acknowledging our Mission and Vision
Statement, and creating a timetable to move forward
with implementation. Donna Grout seconded it.
Paul amended the motion to say that the committee
will present a draft by the end of June. The motion
with the amendment carried.
Article VIII Donna Grout, Treasurer, presented the
Treasurer’s Report and Proposed Budget for 2015.
She stated that we are very dependent on the cell
revenue. She has figured a 3% wage increase into
the budget. Roger Nelson asked how we use the
money we receive from OysterFest, Payomet, etc.
Donna responded that it goes directly into the
budget. Sarah Multer moved that we accept the
budget for 2015 as presented. Ken Cheek seconded
it. The motion was unanimously approved. Peter
Swanson moved that we accept the Treasurer’s
Report. Suzanne Thomas seconded it. It was
unanimously approved.
Article IX Suzanne Thomas moved that we accept
the Slate of Officers, Team Leaders, and Committee
Chairs for 2015. Martha Possner seconded it. The
motion was unanimously approved.
Article X Suzanne offered a thank you to all in the
office who work so hard to ensure that we have an
Annual Meeting.
Article XI
Frank Thomas moved to adjourn the
meeting. Roger Nelson seconded it.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:47PM.
A closing prayer was offered by Pastor Paul Cullity.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Swanson, Clerk
Super Saturday 10!
When: Saturday, March 21, 2015
8:00am to 4:00pm.
Where: Ludlow High School
500 Chapin Street
Ludlow, MA 01056
Email: logeej@macucc.org
The Massachusetts and Connecticut Conferences of
the United Church of Christ are presenting Super
Saturday, a day of worship, workshops and
networking for lay and clergy leaders. Super
Saturdays have been held twice a year since fall,
2009, making this the tenth Super Saturday. This
spring’s event will be the biggest yet, with more
workshops than have ever been offered before.
Register early to reserve your spot! This an
excellent opportunity to find training on almost
every aspect of church life; from finance to Sunday
School; from worship to church government,
mission and outreach.
The day will feature The Rev. Ruben Duran
(left), Program Director for New Congregations for
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, who
will speak in the morning on Church for the Life of
the World. He is responsible for promoting the
development of area strategies, local initiatives and
emerging models for the multiplication of new
communities of faith in the USA and the Caribbean.
Cost: $54 per person or $44 per person in church
groups of 5 or more who register at the same time.
Registration deadline is March 6 2015.
Contact the church office for a list of all the
workshop opportunities or click on this link for
more info:
http://www.macucc.org/eventdetail/487022?month=
3&year=2015&day=1&display=m
The First
Congregational
Church of Wellfleet,
200 Main St.,
Wellfleet
Is hosting
FREE – Winter
Sunday School Film
Series – Kids can
change the world!
March 6th
Movie time 6 to 7:30p.m.
“DOLPHIN TALE”
An inspiring story of the bond
between animals and humans, a
boy named Sawyer discovers an
injured dolphin, who is brought to
a marine hospital and named
Winter. Unfortunately, her
injuries cost Winter her tail,
without which she may not
survive. But with Sawyer’s
devotion, a marine biologist’s
expertise and the brilliance of a
prosthetist charged with creating
a new tail, Winter may receive a
second chance at life.
http://dolphintalemovie.warnerbros.com/dvd/index.
html#/about