First Parish Congregational Church United Church of Christ ...

First Parish Congregational Church * 1 * 207-839-6751 firstparishgorham.org

Summer @ First Parish and North Gorham UCC We enter into a new season of longer days, endless outdoor activities, and a different rhythm to our lives. We add some things, drop others as we cycle through the seasons. Our church services will continue to be at 8:45 at North Gorham and 10 am at First Parish. We hope that you will attend services at both churches during the summer as your schedule allows. During the summer, we will offer a shorter service running 35-40 minutes. Childcare will be available throughout the summer months.

First Parish Congregational Church

thinking, creating, laughing required

Calendar Page 4 Missions Page 5 Education Page 5 North Gorham Page 9

United Church of Christ

at North Gorham

Gatherings in June ~ 10:00 a.m.

June 4 Joy Lovaas Baccalaureate Sunday

June 11 Education Lovaas

June 18 Kindness Lovaas

June 25 American Dream Lovaas

THE SEARCH IS ON Last month, the Executive Council named the search committee for a new lead minister and they have fielded a strong team from First Parish and North Gorham. Members include Karl Andersen, Bea Brockman, Barbara Guimond, Evah Hellewell, Bill Jenks, Lynn Kalloch, Naomi Schucker, Barry Atwood and Julia Hubbard. The team will attempt to answer three questions as they put forward a profile of the church over then next few months:

1. Who are we? 2. Who is our neighbor? 3. Who is God calling us to become?

As I have mentioned before, mainline churches (Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Lutherans, Quakers, American Baptists, and others) have all lost significant number of members over the last 30 years. While there are a variety of societal factors attributed to the downward trend; the trend is real and worrisome. It is not just faith communities that have been disrupted by changes in society. Likewise, Sears, Kodak, Ringling Brothers, and A & P have either disappeared or are shells of their former grandeur. As you recall, the average lifespan of a church in the US is about 75 years. First Parish has clearly exceeded that! This however, does not mean we will have a strong and vibrant presence in Gorham forever. Like all living organizations and organisms we need to adapt to rapidly changing world.


Last month I attended a church conference in Augusta about ministry, interim ministry and the overall health of the denomination. One aspect of the program addressed the life cycle and vitality of churches through the use of a bell curve. In the beginning there is upward growth and vitality; the church is solvent, healthy, and dynamic; they are driven by a strong sense of mission, as churches grow and develop, they eventually reach a pinnacle and start declining and suddenly they focus is maintaining the building, budgets and bylaws. In some churches the pastor is the performer and the congregation is the audience and God is the prompter. This way of doing church is driven by numbers—attendance, pledges, and budgets. Are we keeping members satisfied? Is the church stable? These are some of the overriding questions that set the framework for church leaders to discuss and evaluate the effectiveness of the pastors and the church. Most mainline churches have been operating in this genre for decades. A more dynamic understanding of doing church is that the congregation is the performer, the pastor is the prompter, and God is the audience. With this model a different set of questions are asked by the congregation:

Are we serving God? Are we forming disciples and servant leaders? What is our impact? Are we transforming lives, the culture, and the community?

First Parish and North Gorham UCC are on the threshold of a new era as they search for a new settled lead minister. It is my hope that the church is able to see itself in a different light and not hire an institutional manager who will function as a caretaker or chaplain. Gorham needs a strong, vibrant progressive faith community that will speak to issues of the day: war and peace; love and loss; justice and injustice; peace and forgiveness. I encourage you to add your voice to making these two parishes instruments of God’s transformation. Peace, Scott Lovaas

Church Updates

FLAG UPDATE

At our last meeting, the Board of Deacons discussed the feedback received from parishioners over the past several months about displaying flags in the Sanctuary. We are extremely appreciative of the array of perspectives people have shared in conversations, emails, letters, and the two group discussions held earlier this year. We also understand and respect that for some of us, this topic is a highly emotional one. After discussion and reflection, the Board of Deacons concluded that to best support the wishes of most members, flags will not be regularly displayed in the Sanctuary.

The formal policy adopted reads: The Board of Deacons has discerned that national flags are not faith-centered worship symbols, and therefore should not be regularly displayed in the Sanctuary or near its entrances/exits. This policy welcomes situational exceptions. Some examples of exceptions would include military or first responder weddings or funerals, worship themes for which the minister or worship leader deems flags appropriate, or other occasions where flags are specifically requested. It’s important to note, as well, that the policy focuses only on the Sanctuary, as our dedicated worship space. Thank you to all who shared their opinions and insight through this process.


HAPPY HEALTHY GORHAM The church-led community based initiative, “Happy Healthy Gorham,” Kick Off at Baxter Memorial Library on May 17 was a success. Over 70 people from the

community attended the festive event that featured a variety of speakers: USM President, Glenn Cumming; Diane Atwood; Superintendent Heather Perry and others. First Parish Moderator, Steve Smith, was the emcee. A variety of prizes were given to attendees: books, hula hoops, and even $2 bills. As people left the event they were given a daisy with a thank you note attached, a blank card for them to use, and a post card outlining events for Happy Healthy Gorham. Visit our new dedicated website, Happyhealthygorham.org, to learn more about the initiative. To date, we have raised over $12,000 for this project. We have received money from businesses, memorials, deacons, missions and an out of state foundation. Kim Arena and Scott Lovaas spoke to about 90 people at Gorham Business Exchange’s annual meeting along with Jon Smith, Shawn Moody, and Andrew McLean. While Andrew, Shawn and Jon spoke of roads and buildings, we spoke about the character of people who live in Gorham. Several businesses came up to us after the presentation to learn more about our initiative.

Our next presentation will be June 6 in front of the town council and our next event will be in September with a weekly theme to “Move Naturally.”

When one has a grateful heart, life is so beautiful.

Roy T. Bennett, Author

SOCIAL JUSTICE Rights for non-heterosexual people in this country have come huge strides in the last decade due to the tireless work of allies and people within the LGBT+ community. Actions like the repeal of “Don’t ask Don’t tell,” anti-discrimination housing and employment laws, and of course the legalization of Gay Marriage nationwide has expedited equality for LGBT+ people. Federally, love between two members of the same gender has been considered valid by our government for two years now, however, the side effects of centuries of invalidation, discrimination, and oppression of people within the gay community, continue to this day. LGBT+ youth, people of color, and folks with disabilities in particular experience disproportionally higher rates of mental illness due to: social stigma, discrimination, prejudice, abuse, harassment, social exclusion or family rejection because of their sexual orientation. There are countless resources out there for statistics about mental illness in the LGBT+ community, about violence, discrimination and incarceration rates. Evidence is clear, that despite the strides we have made as a nation, there is still work to be done to ensure true equity (not just equality) for LGBT+ people. As a church, we have accepted “Open and Affirming” as our commitment. This, is a revolutionary act in comparison to churches around us. In order for us to be radical, however, our work must not be finished there. We must push forward, understanding that true equity comes in the form of collective liberation; not only with white, able-bodied, English speaking, Christian gays...but with Black, Brown, Queer people of color, with Gay Muslims, Lesbian immigrants, trans* people with disabilities and much more. We must recognize that systemically white heterosexuality is favored. We must recognize and hold ourselves accountable for the dark history of christianity in regards to its treatment of LGBT+ people. We must make a thunderous sound against the voices of christianity that to this day, seek to use the bible as a weapon against non-heterosexual people. We must understand that many LGBT+ people will not step foot in a church again because of religious trauma endured at the hands of christians. We must go instead - to meet them in the world around us. Take a step, join us, and march gaily in this years Portland Pride Parade: June 17, 2017 (see page 4 for parade details.) K. Evah Hellewell

MEN’S GROUP

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! A small group is talking of creating a

men's group for our community with a focus around

HAPPY, HEALTHY GORHAM, bringing together men

from this church as well as other men in our community.

We have talked about a study group or a work project,

but first we need to meet and get acquainted, probably

over a week day lunch. If interested, contact Karl

Andersen at 515-559-4360 or ander-

[email protected].

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


Calendar Items

COFFEE CLUB Wednesdays at 10:30 am Aroma Joe’s Get your daily caffeine and conversation fix with friends.

FP SOCIAL JUSTICE COLLABORATIVE 2nd and 4th Mondays June 12 & 26 7:00 pm 2nd floor Conference Room This group will examine and respond in a timely manner to unfolding concerns.

FP ON TAP Tuesday, June 20 7:00 pm at School Street Pub Join us for a pint of beer or a glass of wine as First Parish takes

on the town of Gorham in Trivia night.

WALK-A-BOUT WEDNESDAYS June 14, 21 & 28 Gorham Middle School 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Let’s get outside and enjoy walking together! Kim Arena will lead the group. Please meet at the Gorham

Middle School parking lot. No sign-up needed.

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE GROUP Sundays at 5:00 pm This new group will focus on deepening our experience of the sacred through spiritual disciplines such as meditation and centering prayer. Our intent is to meet weekly for hour-long sessions that will include discussion of common readings along with guided practice. For more information, including contact David Farrington at 653-7694 or [email protected].

Looking Ahead to July and Beyond

July 23 & 30: Sunday Services at Treworgy Gardens

September 29-October 1: Annual church retreat at Pilgrim Lodge. The theme for the weekend is The Great (Church) Escape. More details coming.

PRIDE PARADE Saturday, June 17 11:00 am Carpool/11:30 Line-up (Carpool will meet at FPC lot) Monument Square, Portland The theme this year is Love is Love. Participants are encouraged to wear clothes and bring posters representing what love means to them. Colorful, even wacky, clothes are the order of the day. The parade begins at noon at Monument Square and end at Deering Oaks. We should reach our destination in less than an hour, walking very slowly. First Parish Pride planners are researching strategies to include anyone with mobility issues. Stay tuned for more details on what we can arrange. As in years past, we will end our march with lunch together at a Portland waterfront restaurant. Last year First Parish members came out loud and strong—over 50 of us marched! This was unprecedented. Let's again join together in a show of unity to demonstrate with our voices and our presence that First Parish stands strong with our LGBTQ sons and daughters, sisters and brothers, grandchildren, and friends. For more general info about Portland Pride, go to https://prideportland.org/paradeinfo. For more info about participation by First Parish, call Linda Webb (222-4414) or [email protected]. We would love to hear from you in regard to your intention to join us!

INTERSECTIONALITY DISCUSSION Wednesday, June 7 7:00 pm in Conference Room

MISSIONS MOVIE NIGHT: FROM THE ASHES Tuesday, June 13 7:00 pm Location TBD Sponsored by the Missions Committee. Everyone is welcome but please rsvp to the office so we know how many people to expect.


MISSIONS UPDATE

The Missions Committee hosted a benefit concert with Dean Richardson and Friends on May 20. There was a wine auction and a silent auction with many wonderful items to benefit Safe Passage and a health clinic in Honduras. We thank everyone who donated items and food to our benefit. Unfortunately, we had very few attendees but Dean and his friends played to a small, but enthusiastic, crowd anyway. We held the auctions again on Sunday after church, and made close to $900, which will be split between Safe Passage to support our student, Jordie, and the health clinic in Honduras. Our donated items were very much appreciated at Florence House. Thanks for all your donations. Sue Dolley has volunteered to make pillowcases for Florence House as well. Thank you, Sue! We have a new much-needed volunteer driver, Chip Cain, for the Inn at the Village Square. We continue to need new volunteer drivers so please consider this mission. Training will be provided. Please continue to support the Gorham Food Pantry with peanut butter and jelly over the summer months when children spend more time at home. We want to be known as the PB & J church. Missions is sponsoring a showing of “From the Ashes” on Tuesday, June 13, at 7 pm. This movie “captures Americans in communities across the country as they wrestle with the legacy of the coal industry and what its future should be under the Trump Administration.” Learn more at www.fromtheashesfilm.com. Everyone is welcome but please rsvp to the office so we know how many people to expect.

TRUSTEES UPDATE The Trustees are working on the final projects associated with our capital loan. The bathrooms are finished, the carpeting in the Sunday School room is done, a new dishwasher will soon be on site, and possibly work will have started on replacement of plexi-glass on Sanctuary. Also we have spruced up the gardens and had a successful spring cleanup.

I want to specifically thank the truste committee for working so hard over the past year. Everyone contributed and played a key role in the improvements you have seen at the church. The members of the committee are Tom Loveitt, Jude Garland, Amy Leddy, Walton Brann, Sarah Cross, Roger Gagnon and Sandy Prince.

Also a special thanks goes out to our Sextons, (Nan and Roger), who have not only improved the cleaning process at the church but have gone above our expectations in doing handyman work that has helped make the church a better facility.

So while we still have work to do, we are getting caught up with some deferred maintenance and making our church a facility to be proud of. Neil Piper, Chair

PILGRIM FELLOWSHIP YOUTH SCHEDULE: June 4: Baccalaureate Sunday

Faith Exploration

CRITTER CAMP CANCELLED Critter Camp will be cancelled this year due to staffing issues. If you have questions, please contact Scott Lovaas at 839-6751.

Kate Berry has left her role as Faith Exploration Director as she and her family have moved to Bridgton. Kate has served the children of the church tirelessly over the past few years. We will miss her energy, enthusiasm, and

her dedication to the children and youth of First Parish. We were truly blessed having her at First Parish and wish her the best. Work is already underway to fill the role for the coming year. There is a small picture gift in the office for those wishing to leave a goodbye message. Please stop by to sign your name before June 11.

MUSIC COMMITTEE UPDATE Mark Howard has announced his intention to pursue other musical endeavors. His long and stellar tenure as our organist has been a blessing to all. To celebrate Mark's years of music, the Music Committee and Choir are creating a memory book. All members of the congregation are invited to send in notes of thanks and appreciation to be included. Cards/notes and monetary donations will be glady accepted in the office through mid-June.


Elder Opportunities

Have you ever wondered what Originals is all about? Do you assume it’s some dull get together of old people? Maybe you thought it would be boring, full of talk of medical ailments and walker models?

You could not be more wrong. Let me ask you this...do you know what a Kankles is? Do you know who served on the USS Carmac on D-Day? Do you know what a Rolling Bevel is? Which one of our musical favorites is also a renowned fly-tying expert? Since September 6, The Originals have met a total of 33 times for presentations from 25 different people. We have had many historical/informational lectures ranging from Harper Lee, Ranked Choice voting, Thomas Jefferson, POW camps in Maine, Human Rights, the search for “other earths,” service dogs for people with mobility issues, the founding of the Gorham Times, the restoration of the schooner Ernestina-Morrissey, 3-D photography of architectural building elements, story-telling through Quilt making and beautiful rocks/minerals from the Maine Mineralogical Society. We did not “travel” as much this year as in the past but we did manage Tuscany and had a bicycle tour of Normandy, France, including the battlefield monuments and an amazing discussion with one of our own members! During Elder Topic Tuesday discussions, we tackled the difficult issue of transportation once you stop driving your own vehicle and found some options to help. Because of an actual member emergency during an Originals gathering, we spent time developing an “In Case of Emergency” kit for each Original. We worked with GFD Fire Inspector Chuck Jarrett to complete this big project and ICE kits are available to any Elder needing one. We had some delightfully tasty snacks when we spent a morning learning about Vegan and Gluten-Free dietary choices. We’ve also met many new people this year: Scott Lovaas introduced himself at our very first Originals gathering in September. We’ve also had a Ranked Choice voting politico, the Curator of the Holocaust and Human Rights Museum at UMaine Augusta, a long

distance ocean swimming grandmother from Westbrook, an artist who taught us to draw, a shipwright with amazing wooden schooner knowledge, and a 24-year-old spokeswoman for the American Stroke Association. Our favorite musicians continue to come back to share music in many forms: Contra, gospel, 60/70’s folk, 40/50’s standards. New this year, an amazing display of unusual musical instruments including the Dulcimer, Marxophone, accordion, Lithuanian Kankles, and the Autoharp. We are winding down for the year with two last presentations in June: a demonstration of Maine Service Dogs with their trainers/handlers on June 6 and the annual End of the Year pizza party & Bob Gendreau’s old favorites on the guitar on June 13. Please mark your calendars for September. Big things are coming to Elder Fellowship in the fall.

• Originals will be resuming weekly Tuesday meetings in September. Already booked for the fall: David Farrington, First Parish member in Discernment, Joe Salisbury and Narcotics K-9, Tyson, Red Sox trivia with Steve Small, Boothbay Sea and Science Center, Sebago Brewing tour, among others.

• We will be expanding to a second day during the week. Some of the expanded programming will include a monthly topical roundtable discussion led by Karl Anderson, an art and music partnership with some local artists and musicians, a book club, a film club, a continuation of the Church Street Writers group, a genealogy clinic and much more.

• If you have a particular skill or talent that you would be willing to share with the group, I would love to hear from you! I am especially looking for someone who would be willing to lead a book group, starting in September.

We extend an open invitation to the older members of First Parish to join us for fellowship, learning and fun! FMI: Lisa Becker, [email protected] or 892-0143. ANSWERS: a Kankles is a Lithuanian stringed musical instrument. Brenton Crossman served aboard the USS Carmick on D-Day resupplying ammo to the big guns on deck. Used in the restoration of old wooden schooners, a rolling bevel is a way of fitting two planks together. Singer Sharon Wright is the fly-tying expert.


MEMORIAL ENDOWMENTS AND DESIGNATED FUNDS First Parish gratefully acknowledges our Memorial Endowments and Designated Funds. These generous gifts allow First Parish to carry out many good works today and in the future. Each endowment is unique in purpose. Contributions are gladly accepted to help grow these funds. When you donate to these funds, your money will be invested through Merrill Lynch. Up to 5% of the principal can be spent in any one year.

Fund Name Approximate Market Value

L. Brown Seniors Fund $85,600

P. Brown Christian Education Fund $14,000

Ann Mason-Osann Music Fund $6,300

Rev. Dubbs Divinity Scholarship $1,400

Moneghetti Aviation Scholarship $5,200

Jim and Judy Garland Landscape Fund $5,000

FINANCE UPDATE First Parish is now offering members a new way to make payments towards their annual pledge. Rather than mailing in a check or dropping off a donation into the offering plate, donors may sign up for ACH payment processing (automatic withdrawal from a checking or savings account). Donors have the option to set up automatic payments up as a one-time pay-ment, weekly, monthly or quarterly. Anyone interested in participating must complete an authorization form and attach a voided check or financial institution account verification letter. Forms are available in the office. Please contact Stacy Sal-linen at [email protected] or 839-6751 if you have questions. MEMORIALS COMMITTEE UPDATE The Memorials Committee was reinstated earlier this year to oversee the increasing number of bequests and memorial gifts given to First Parish. Committee members include Melinda Dorr, chair; Stacy Sallinen and Marcia Smith. The committee gratefully acknowledges the following gifts received in 2017: Church Wide Memorials • $735 given in memory of Stan Williams

• $10,000 bequest in memory of Stan Williams from Lorraine Williams to continue our good work

• $5,000 gift from the estate of Jan Willis Happy Healthy Gorham • $2,650 given in memory of Jan Willis, designated

by Paul Willis to be used for Happy Healthy Gorham initiative

Garland Landscape Fund • $5,000 given by Jim and Jude Garland The committee met in to approve the following scholarships: • David Farrington, $1,200 from Church Wide

Memorials to support his seminary education. • Tristan Bates (GHS’17), $400 from Moneghetti

Aviation Scholarship as he pursues an education in aviation.

• Kim Arena, Director of Happy Healthy Gorham, $400 from Church Wide Memorials to cover expenses such as books and prizes for Happy Healthy Gorham kickoff event held on May 17

• Davis Powell, $100 from P. Brown Christian Education Fund to be applied towards registration costs for Pilgrim Lodge.

The following is an explanation of the endowments

and designated funds at First Parish Church.


When you donate to these funds, your money will be invested through Merrill Lynch. Various church groups can make a request to the Memorials Committee to use any amount of money in these funds.

When you support these funds, your money will also be invested through Merrill Lynch, and ultimately, your do-nation will increase the amount of money we can use for our annual budget.

Other endowments: Clara B. Harding Fund This fund is managed by the Maine Community Foundation and provides a yearly distribution of less than $100. Funds are used for the annual budget. Charlotte A. Millett Fund This fund is managed by the Maine Community Foundation and provides a yearly distribution between $200-$800. Funds are used for the annual budget. Ministerial Fund This fund is managed by members of First Parish and historically has provided a yearly distribution of $2,000-$5,000. Funds are used for the annual budget. It started in the 1800s to support local Gorham ministers. MEMORIALS COMMITTEE The Memorials Committee was reinstated in 2017. Membership of three to five people, up to two, three year terms. Duties will include: • Acknowledge and thank those who give memorial gifts to the church. • Receive requests for money from any of the church’s designated funds (excludes restricted and unrestricted

funds used for the annual budget and from the Deacons, Millett, Harding or Ministerial Funds). • Decide how much money, based on the fund restrictions, will be granted. • Inform the requesting group or person and inform the Treasurer to release the funds. • Provide the church with an accounting of the committee’s activities to be included in the annual report. Any donation to these funds (or establishing your own new fund) will be acknowledged by the Memorials Committee and noted in the Annual Report. Remember, too, your generous donation may be tax deductible!


Music Memorial Fund $5,700

Church Wide Memorial Fund $9,000

Ministers Sabbatical Fund --

Deacons Fund $20,000

Choir Travel Fund $4,400


Restricted Endowment $1,500,000

Unrestricted Endowment $623,000


THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST AT NORTH GORHAM:

WELCOMING NEW NEIGHBORS Please contact John Labrecque at 892-6217 if you know of a new neighbor in the vicinity. There is a letter intended for new people to the area letting them know about UCC North Gorham and the various things that take place at our church - for instance: our renowned bean hole bean suppers and a certificate to a free bean supper as a welcome to the area. The hope is to welcome folks to our small but supportive church. BEAN HOLE SUPPERS It's bean hole bean supper season again! Our suppers are the third Saturday of each month May through October from 4:30-6 pm. We are always looking for people willing to be solicited for suppers as well as dining room or kitchen help. If you’re interested in volunteering for either a list or help please contact Julia Hubbard at [email protected] or via text or phone at 838-3802. See you at the supper!

GRADUATION SUNDAY North Gorham will hold their Graduation Sunday on June 25.Congratulatory letters will be sent to high school and college graduates inviting them to celebrate their accomplishments and attend the service. Parishioners are asked to submit names and addresses by the first of June to Linda Stout. NORTH GORHAM LIBRARY NEWS Author Talk on July 20: Jen Wait will discuss her memoir "A Beautiful, Terrible Thing". Look for information about upcoming author talks on the library website. Book club meets the 4th Monday of the month. All are welcome. Coming up on June 26: “Circling the Sun” by Paula McLain. CAIRNS ROOM UPDATE The Cairns community room at the North Gorham church has had a facelift. Three weeks ago a crew of volunteers met on a Saturday, removed everything from the room and painted all the surfaces. A few days later a crew from J & M Inc. began the installation of a brand new floor. Owner Mark Foye, who installed the new sanctuary carpet several years ago, donated the tiles for the project. Everything was completed in time for a “brand new look” for the first bean supper on May 20. Several supper guests commented about the renovated room. Special thanks goes to trustee Warren Gilman and his wife Emma for their generous donation that made the project possible.

Church Updates


Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PAID Gorham, Maine Permit No. 14

Church Staff

Scott Lovaas, Interim Lead Minister [email protected] Tamara Torres McGovern, Associate Minister [email protected] Jesse Wakeman, Music Director [email protected] Leslie Dupuis & Stacy Sallinen, Office Managers [email protected] Stacy Sallinen, Bookkeeper [email protected]

2017 First Parish Executive Council Leaders Officers: Moderator, Steve Smith, Vice Moderator, Alan Beagle, Treasurer, Karen Selleck, Financial Secretary, Maynard Charron, Clerk, Donna Carll Board Representatives: Deacons, Heather Bettencourt; Missions, Jane Charron & May Schumacher; Trustees, Neil Piper; Tellers, TBD; Endowment, Tom Sallinen; Stewardship, TBD; Community Life, Amanda Powell; Social Committee, Mary Pettengill.

First Parish Congregational Church/ United Church of Christ at North Gorham www.firstparishgorham.org 207.839.6751

June 2017

First Parish Congregational Church United Church of Christ ...

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