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Summer 2009 Reaching Out Newsletter

Posted by author on July 9, 2009

Summer 2009 Reaching Out

Newsletter of Christ Church United, UCC, in Lowell, MA

PASTOR’S MESSAGE

Nothing is Impossible With God
Luke 1:37

As the summer months begin, and we await summer sun and fun and the air of relaxation which accompanies summer evenings, please pause — now — and give thanks to our Creator God.  Our God — Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer — is with us and watches over you and me, through all seasons of life.  By God’s mercy and grace, we are becoming faithful, helpful, and caring.  We have accomplished so much in these trying times.  Nothing is impossible with God!

I lift up to God with thanksgiving the recent vote of this congregation to support creating five units for homeless families.  This vote came after many months of discernment and open conversation.  The decision is based on our congregational stand to be LOVED BY GOD, LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR, AND WALK THE WAY OF JUSTICE.  We are living into this vision for a vibrant future with faith and conviction.  Nothing is impossible with God!

We are currently seeking a partner with experience in developing and managing such programs (CTI? House of Hope?), as well as legal counsel.  I anticipate being involved in the development of a fundraising strategy for costs associated with the new entrance, kitchen, classrooms, etc…  I look forward to a day when we can proudly host families in a building that is safe, energy efficient, handicap accessible, welcoming, AND “the pride and joy” of the three congregations who call CCU home.  Nothing is impossible with God!

Christ Church United, by virtue of its location and time in history, has a compelling story that many of us, including people who’re looking for a new church home, find appealing.  I trust each of you will continue learning about his project, pray for all our leaders, and join in sharing our unique story with friends and family.  If we can do this — TELL OUR STORY — I have no doubt that we’ll be able to raise adequate financial support for this project.  Nothing is impossible with God!

This summer will be busy with Vacation Bible School, ChristCare Group meetings, weekly worship services, community group meetings, and more.  We’re planning for an autumn to focus on small group ministries, relevant worship themes, and Intergenerational Sundays that sparkle with life.  If there is anyway I can help you on your life’s journey, I hope you will contact me.  Nothing is impossible with God!

Pastor Peter

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Building a house of hope

Posted by author on June 29, 2009

Building a house of hope

Christ Church United to turn unused space into apartments for the homeless

By Debbie Hovanasian, Lowell Sun Correspondent

Updated: 06/27/2009 05:03:14 PM EDT

LOWELL — The vaulted wooden ceiling that dominates Fellowship Hall of Christ Church United is towering, beautiful, and gives a sense of openness. But out of its lofty 26-foot height, about 16 feet are not needed for the room to function as a gathering place for the CCU community. It’s just pretty.

Could “pretty” be turned into functional? Add a second floor at about 10 feet, a couple of dormers, a few walls and, yes, it indeed can — at least according to a plan by Architectural Consulting Services recently approved by CCU.

At a meeting of CCU members last week, a near unanimous vote earmarked that space for three affordable housing units for homeless families, with assistance from a grant from the Parker Foundation, says church member Karen Stairs.

The underutilized space in the church’s basement will also be turned into two two-bedroom apartments. Should the plan be successful, the homeless in Lowell will have access to five modern affordable housing units — each with two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen and a bath, according to the Rev. Peter Lovett, pastor.

Formerly homeless families can move out of shelters into an affordable space of their own, while the early 19th century church gets a much-needed update. That includes modern energy efficiencies, a new elevator, a glassed-in foyer, and a commercial kitchen. Fellowship Hall loses only the vaulted ceiling.

Other than the “bump-out” glass foyer –17 feet wide by 46 feet in length –

the renovations will all take place within the church’s current space, without having to build out, Lovett said.”We’re pretty excited about dedicating space for this purpose,” Lovett said, while also acknowledging that there’s a lot of work to be done — including extensive fundraising — to make it a reality within a few years.

“In this economic situation, some (city churches) may close their doors and move to the suburbs. But these churches are houses of worship, fellowship and community. They’re one of the important strands in the fabric of the community,” Lovett said.

After last week’s vote, Chris Coleman-Plourde of the CCU coordinating counsel described the spirit in the room as “one of excitement as well as anxiety. People recognize it’s a huge undertaking for a small church — a big leap of faith.”

Still, Coleman-Plourde hopes that CCU’s example sets a trend for other churches dealing with underutilized space and outdated facilities.

“This concept could prove to be one that could be replicated. How great a way for a church to walk the walk, talk the talk, and care for God’s people in need,” he said.

Terry Anderson, an affordable housing development consultant whose company, Anderson Consulting, is working on the CCU project, agrees.

“It’s unusual for a church to come forward with offering space to house homeless families, and I think it’s phenomenal,” Anderson said. “This could be a project replicated by other churches where buildings or land are not utilized.”

Peter Farrow, a Concord attorney who will oversee the legal aspects of the project, says that five new affordable housing units are “barely a dot on the horizon – but for the people who live in them, it would be perfect.”

Full Story: Lowell Sun

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She believes in the young

Posted by author on June 24, 2009

By Robert Mills, rmills@lowellsun.com

Updated: 06/15/2009 10:52:17 AM EDT

LOWELL — Flora Gay was in her 70s when the United Teen Equity Center was just getting its start as a place for city teens to find a safe haven downtown.

Teens now gather daily at the center, at 34 Hurd St., to listen to music, play foosball or pool, and organize grassroots movements. With hip-hop playing in the background, it’s not an atmosphere where you expect to see an octogenarian.

But three days a week, there is Gay, now 82, still working in the agency’s offices. She provides youths a connection to an older generation, organizes bills, and gives Executive Director Gregg Croteau a very direct opinion when she feels things are going astray.

“She’s not shy,” Croteau said. “She lets us know exactly what we need to do to get ourselves back on the path. And she’s very direct, which is something I know I appreciate.”

“She plays a huge role as part of our family.”

Gay was born in Tewksbury, graduated from Tewksbury Memorial High School in 1944, and studied commercial art in college. Her life would eventually lead her to a series of jobs for nonprofit organizations in Lowell, New Hampshire and New York, including several aimed at helping teens.

Gay could have worked in more profitable fields, but she said she just wasn’t thinking very much about money.

“I can remember that was not important at all when I was young,” she said.

In addition to her training in art, she studied social work and worked in administrative positions at the New England Conservatory of Music, the South End Music Center and Northeastern University.

Gay also spent 25 years singing in the choir at Christ Church United in Lowell, serving as the church’s treasurer for 10 years and as president of the women’s fellowship.

Her first job after leaving college was at the Girl’s Club in Lowell, starting in 1948. The club is now known as Girls Inc.

A leg injury from a few years ago makes it tough for Gay to get around, so Sovanna Pouv, UTEC’s director of multimedia, picks her up and drops her off whenever Gay is working.

Full Story: Lowell Sun

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Slide into VBS with Christ Church United in Lowell

Posted by author on June 14, 2009

Come slide into VBS!!

Join us on June 20th from 2-4pm for a party on our lawn (Christ Church United in Lowell, 180 E. Merrimack St., Lowell MA)! We will have ice cream sundaes, our famous waterslide, and information about our summer camp programs for all ages!

VBS 2009: Seeds!  July 13th-17th

K-6th graders will have a blast at our full day camp program where they will learn about “seeds” of faith through, art, music, dance, drama, games, science, cooking, water play, gardening and much more! The camp runs from 9am-3pm with an early or late care option (8am-5pm) and includes meals and snacks! Ask about our half day pre-school program!

Mission Possible 2009!   July 27th-31st

7th-12th graders will have an unforgettable experience at this mission based camp program. Every morning we will do a mission in our community, and then spend the afternoon learning what it means to be a Christian leader through activities like art, writing, games, speakers, worship and conversation. Breakfast and lunch are provided!

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Workshops for those wanting to start or enhance alternative worship services

Posted by author on April 4, 2009

Songs for the Soul Workshops (click for pdf flier)

Alternative / Contemporary … Songs for Worship

  • Saturday, May 9, 2009, 2-4pm, The Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Route 140 (212 Main St.), Foxboro, MA 02035, www.lcor.org 508-543-7988
  • Sunday, May 17, 2009, 2-4pm, Zion Lutheran Church, 41 Whitmarsh Ave., Worcester, MA 01606, 508-853-2009
  • Sunday, May 31, 2009, 2-4pm, Christ Church United, UCC, 180 East Merrimack St., Lowell, MA 01852, WeWelcomeAll.org, 978-459-9631
  • (June 19-21 promotional tour begins in Minneapolis, with many of the singer-songwriters featured on the music CD – Lost And Found, Peder Eide, Jonathan Rundman, Dakota Road, Cathy Pino, Echelon, Richard Bruxvoort-Cooligan, David Piper)

www.SongsForMySoul.com

www.LutheranSongsToday.com

P.S. They’re not just for Lutherans anymore!

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Donate online to CCU at WeWelcomeAll.org

Posted by author on April 3, 2009

Christ Church United, UCC, in Lowell is pleased to offer congregation members the convenient option of making automated electronic donations right from their checking accounts.  Families are making an increasing number of payments and donations electronically.  If this donation method appeals to you, we encourage you to click this link to download CCU’s StillspeakingMoney Authorization Form.  Please complete the Authorization Form and mail it to the church office at 180 E. Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA 01852.  Making regular contributions electronically eliminates the need for you to frequently write out checks or prepare envelopes.  For the church, automated electronic giving produces a more consistent level of donations throughout the year.

To learn more about CCU’s StillspeakingMoney electronic giving program, please click this link.

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Spring 2009 Reaching Out Newsletter

Posted by author on March 26, 2009

Spring 2009 Reaching Out Newsletter

Christ Church United, UCC, in Lowell (WeWelcomeAll.org)

Message from the Pastor

Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?

Luke 9:23-25

We are living in trying and turbulent times, a time of “great disruption” writes one commentator. This is no ‘bump in the road; we’re hitting a wall” (Thomas Friedman). Many of the ideals and expectations that have fueled our way of life for generations - good jobs, clean air, health care, education, a “level playing field” – have proven false. The foundation of our democracy has a crack, made evermore glaring by the meltdown of the entire financial system. There is no one person, party or group to blame. The institutions we place our trust in – educational, political, religious and business – must share the blame. Our biggest enemy today is impatience and a failure of objectivity. The time needed to solve the wide-ranging problems we face will not be solved by the “chattering class” of radio and television commentators. Balanced reporting is an oxymoron. (Wall Street “owns” and writes the news you tune in to hear.) Hitting a wall is more severe than hitting a bump in the road. There are broken parts of our “way of life” strewn across the landscape. We’ve got to roll up our sleeves and work, collectively, to triage the injured, protect the vulnerable neighbor, and project cautious trust and optimism, until a brighter future arrives.

No one owns Jesus Christ! Jesus was never bought, nor did he ever sell out to the “highest bidder.” His love, his example is pure as the heart. He is our constant companion through the twists and turns of life. No matter what the burden, we have “a friend” in the one who teaches, “take up your cross and follow me.” Following him is not the easy path, and we are reminded of this truth during the events of Holy Week. Yet, as Lent gives way to the promise of Easter, just as Winter flows into Spring, we live in the assurance that God will triumph in all times and places, and that, because of our faith in him, we will also be grasped and sustained by the power of God’s wondrous love.

Live with faith, hope and love. These days demand it!

Pastor Peter

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CCU Christ Rangers are a Light of God

Posted by jennmacy on March 22, 2009

CCU Family-

Last night, the Christ Rangers (our Youth Group) had our March gathering and I wanted you all to know how fantastic “our kids” are. Their level of commitment to God and their enthusiasm is unmatched by any group of youth I know. But, what I find the most touching about this group is their humble love of God and their neighbor.

A quick story…

This month was a Worship month. During a worship meeting we eat a meal together, play games, plan for our next mission, and most importantly we worship together. At the end of our worship service last night, we sang “Cannons” which is one of our favorites. The song is about praising God for all the wonders of the universe. Towards the beginning of the song, I was looking around and breathing in the Holy Spirit as I watched the teens sing their hearts out when I saw a true light of God moment. The teens, unprompted by any of the adult leaders, put their arms around each other and began to sway to the music in unison, praising God while holding each other up.

These teens continue to show all of the adults that are lucky enough to lead them the true meaning of what it means to live in a community of God. I feel blessed to be able to worship with them and be a part of their lives, and hope that you all get the chance to know how wonderful “our kids” are.

In Christ’s Love,

Jenn

 

 

 

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Christ Church United’s Lorrie Guthrie performing in Lowell

Posted by author on March 22, 2009

Christ Church United, UCC, in Lowell’s very own choir member Lorrie Guthrie will be the featured performer at a coffee house at the Pawtucket Congregational Church in Lowell (Mammoth Road) on Sat., March. 28 from 7-9pm.

Click this link to read the full Lowell Sun article about Lorrie’s upcoming performance.

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New England Filmmakers Premiere Poignant Documentary Film in Lowell

Posted by author on March 15, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Suzzanne Cromwell / The Lowell Film Collaborative
172 Middle Street, Unit 311, Lowell, MA 01852, 617-306-7556
lowellfilmcollaborative@live.com
www.LowellFilmCollaborative.org

NEW ENGLAND FILMMAKERS PREMIERE POIGNANT DOCUMENTARY FILM IN LOWELL

Lowell, MA, March 10, 2009 — A guest appearance by Director Stephanie Higgins and Executive Producer Lorre Fritchy will highlight the premiere screening of their documentary film “The Gay Marriage Thing” on Wednesday, April 15 at 7 p.m. at Christ Church United, UCC, Lowell. The event, which will include a Q&A with the filmmakers, is being presented in partnership with The Lowell Film Collaborative (LFC) and Christ Church United, UCC, Lowell.

From the protests outside the Massachusetts State House to the churches of the Reverends Rich Wiesenbach and Carlton Smith, to the historic chambers echoing State Representative Kathi-Anne Reinstein’s perspective, “The Gay Marriage Thing” captures how all of these voices swirl around the film’s central subjects, Lorre and Gayle, as May 17, 2004, approaches, the first date same-sex couples could file for marriage licenses in Massachusetts. While eavesdropping on the emotional and spiritual toll this issue has taken upon all parties, the story carries forth to the everyday angst and anticipation of Lorre and Gayle’s own wedding. For more information about the film, visit TheGayMarriageThing.com.

Hosting the event is Christ Church United, UCC, Lowell, a socially progressive, culturally diverse Christian church that welcomes people from all religious backgrounds, cultures, and lifestyles. Partnering with Christ Church United is the Lowell Film Collaborative, a grassroots organization dedicated to growing Lowell’s artistic community through the art of moving pictures. Founded by Lowell residents Brett and Suzzanne Cromwell, the LFC hosts a variety of film events throughout the city in collaboration with local organizations and businesses.

This special screening of “The Gay Marriage Thing” is open to the public. Suggested donation is $5 per person and child care will be provided. An RSVP by Tuesday, April 14 is appreciated: Suzzanne Cromwell at lowellfilmcollaborative@live.com.

Christ Church United, UCC, Lowell, is located at 180 E. Merrimack Street, Lowell near Saints Medical Center.

For more information:
Christ Church United, UCC, Lowell – www.WeWelcomeAll.org
Lowell Film Collaborative – www.LowellFilmCollaborative.org

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