Message from the President:
Sisters in Christ,
We are beginning a new year of women working, worshiping, and walking together. There is much planned and much to do, but a few people can not do it alone. I have chosen as the theme for the next two years "Journeying Together--Meeting the Future". Where are we going? How can we get there? What are our needs? I can not answer these questions. We need to investigate together. We need to listen to what God tells us.
There are many opportunities in the year ahead. We’re beginning to look ahead and will need officers for our Executive Board. Besides, Vice President; Treasurer, Secretary and BayState Journal Editor, we also have three Coordinators who sit on the Executive Board. The Coordinators keep the Board apprised of areas of Social Life & Worship, Social Concerns and Material Aid(mission activities). We act on behalf of and report to women across the state and try to provide opportunities for action. Might YOU be called to one of these areas?
Our Executive Board meetings are held 3 – 4 times each year in local churches. The next meeting, which is open to all will be held on Tuesday, April 29th at the First Congregational Church in Spencer. We gather at 9:30 a.m. and begin the meeting at 10:00 a.m. We have lunch together and try to finish before 3:00 p.m.
Right now we are planning for a big event in May. On May 17th at Edwards Church in Framingham we will sponsor a Briefcase Seminar. There will be four workshops offered that day (2 per session) and lunch provided by the church’s Youth Group as a fundraiser for their mission trip. The cost for the day is just $10. Look for information on our website: macucc.org/women’s fellowship or from your church.
Then July 13- 14 we’re planning a retreat scheduled to be held at Warner Farm in Cummington, MA. This is open to all UCC women in the state. However, space is limited. We need your ideas; we seek your fellowship. More details to come soon.
We try to offer ideas for projects that groups, or individuals, can do to spread our concern and God's love to others. We need your hearts, your hands, and your enthusiasm. We are active partners with the Dorcas women of the Pentecostal Church of Chile. For several years we have been collecting the Smallest Coin (dimes) to send them assistance and have been able to support the purchase of 20 sewing machines; start micro loans for cottage industry; and now look to helping with Bethany House, which is the nursing home built by the MA Conference U.C.C.
There are wider opportunities for worship and fellowship. Celebration VIII, which is sponsored by the UCC Women Leaders of New England will be held March 12, 13 & 14, 2010. It may seem like a long way away, but plans are being worked on now! Celebrations are gatherings of over 1,000 New England women who join for worship, workshops and fellowship. Plan to join us at this gathering and become renewed.
We need your ideas. We need your support. We need your presence. I wait with anticipation to hear from you. In the meantime, I, or some other member of the Board, would gladly come and be with you at your meeting, or even possibly at a Sunday service. But we need to hear from you. If you would like to help spread our Fellowship, we need your help, too. I can be reached at 71 Leland Hill Road, Sutton, MA 01590 at 508-865-5971, or at lleepai@aol.com
Yours in Christ's love,
Lee Paine, President
