Reaching Out Newsletter- Christ Church United in Lowell – January 2010
PASTOR’S MESSAGE
When they (the magi) saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10
A legend tells how there were way more than three wise persons who began searching for the Messiah. From their villages, drawn by the brilliance of the star, the hope of Salvation, they began their trek through the desert. People of all ages — women, men and children — embarked on a divinely inspired journey. Day after day, night after dark night, they proceeded until, exhausted, the seekers gave into their fatigue and returned to the familiar comfort and safety of home. In the end, just the three magi arrived in Bethlehem. Encountering the baby Jesus, they rejoiced and worshiped and offered gifts — symbolic in meaning — to the Christ Child. (Ask me and I’ll explain the symbolism of each gift.)
Our December (Advent) journey to Christmas has been a time for trekking, following the bright and promising light, engaging in acts of prayer and study, gifting and decorating, making room in our hearts for God’s arrival. Christmas Eve, especially the innocent children’s re-telling the story of Jesus’ birth, was a “perfect” portrayal of a timeless and sacred story. This Christmastide, we have, quite literally, hundreds of reasons to celebrate all that God has accomplished through us. (Ask me, and I’ll tell you my one hundred!)
However, as the credit card statements arrive in the mailbox, winter snows and dark nights chill us, and headline news of a still-dangerous world streams across radio waves and newspaper headlines you might be tempted, unlike the three intrepid Magi, to retreat to the comfort and safety of your old habits and assumption habits. Why change? Why follow the star to the completion of a journey?
Friends, this season of Epiphany reminds all wise people of faith that…things have changed. Jesus lives! With rejoicing like the wise ones, believers are called to live now, each of us with new resolve, bold hopes, all enfolded and emboldened by this really good news of Emmanuel (meaning God with us)!
The story of their journey concludes thus, “And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod (a mean and oppressive pawn of Roman rule), the wise men departed to their own country by another route.” The question for us all is, are we going to let our hopes or our fears influence our decisions? The answer: Our Hopes! Friends, claim the love that God has for you, and harness this love to change, and participate in transforming the world into that peaceable kingdom brought about in Jesus Christ.
And, in this edition of Reaching Out, you will read of ample opportunities to journey together, grow your faith, and light up Lowell this winter!
*******
Foreclosure and Eviction Prevention Workshop
Are you aware: in the city of Lowell and surrounding suburbs, the number of foreclosure petitions is double what it was one year ago?
Are you aware: nearly half the homes purchased between 2004 –2008 are “underwater” (the current value of the home is significantly less than the amount the borrower owes). In October 2009, there were 49 foreclosures, in Middlesex North Registry of Deeds (Lowell, Westford, Chelmsford), a 20% increase in ONE year. The Order of Notice (the first step in the foreclosure process) has increased 61%! There were 117 in 2009.
There is something that can be done about this. The MVP is helping us to organize to fight back. If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing the nightmarish reality of foreclosure, this workshop is for you.
This workshop WILL identify whose struggling.
This workshop WILL educate homeowners and tenants about their legal rights.
This workshop WILL serve as a first step toward empowering the people of the Merrimack Valley to take action to fight the banks.
This workshop will be held here at CCU on February 11, at 7:30 p.m.
****
Merrimack Special Education Collaborative
Under the direction of Melinda Teplow, Christ Church United is very fortunate to have members of the Merrimack Special Education Collaborative come on a regular basis to do custodial work. They are located in Billerica and Chelmsford.
Melinda and her group are willing and excellent workers and the staff at CCU enjoy having them with us.
****
Black Nativity — A Huge Success
Hat’s off to Vern and Becky T. for making it possible for so many friends and members of CCU to enjoy an afternoon in Boston at Tremont Temple, seeing the Black Nativity. This year is the fortieth anniversary of Langston Hugh’s re-telling of the story of Christmas, with African American dancers, singers and musicians. We were also fortunate to have the assistance of Lloyd D.’s son, Don (owner of Yankee Bus Lines) who made it possible for over 60 people to travel to Boston from Lowell in the comfort of a beautiful bus. We thank everyone who helped to make this wonderful gift so special for our church family.
****
Judie Bryant’s Successful Ecclesiastical Council
Early in December, Judie Bryant, a member of Chelmsford Congregational Church, delivered her ordination paper and afterwards answered questions of church delegates and friends and was declared “fit for ordination” into the United Church of Christ. We thank those from CCU who traveled to Chelmsford to support Judie. We celebrate this milestone on her journey. Judie now begins to plan for a Service of Ordination and a search for a “settled” call into a UCC church. We hope her search keeps her nearby CCU, as she (and we) have benefited from Judie’s presence as a ChristCare Group leader and friend to many in the CCU family. We thank God for Judie’s success and look forward to supporting her as her journey continues.
****
Mark Your Calendar
ANNUAL MEETING
Sunday, February 21, 11:30 a.m.
Letter from Clarendon Family Day Care, Inc.
Dear Rev. Peter Lovett and Church Members:
On behalf of the Clarendon Family Day Care staff, children and families, we would like to express our sincere thanks for your generous contribution of 15 Thanksgiving baskets. These baskets enabled some of our most at risk families to celebrate Thanksgiving with a nutritious meal. We thank the members of Christ Church for your continuous support with financial support for our annual parent/child summer field days, a meeting place for our children and families Christmas parties, mittens, scarves and toys for over 250 children, annual Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets, and even “Rev. Santa” for one of our many Christmas parties. It is truly the generosity and kindness of others that makes the impossible possible. Our sincere heartfelt thanks to Rev. Peter Lovett, Karen S., and the church family of Christ Church United.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Finney
Executive Director
****
GIVING GOES GREEN
Churches, with their heavy check volumes, were among the earliest organizations to embrace electronic giving as a way to automate contributions. Today, electronic giving in all its forms provides convenience for frequent check writers and donation consistency for churches
A less frequently discussed benefit of electronic giving is its positive impact on the environment. An enormous amount of natural resources are consumed in the production, transportation, processing and disposal of paper checks. That’s why paying bills electronically always ranks high on any list of actions an individual can take to improve the environment. Since the year 2000, the powerful trend toward electronic payments has already produced more than a 50 percent decline in check use.
As you consider the payment method you use to make your regular offering, we hope that you will think about the unique connection between financial stewardship and environmental stewardship.
StillspeakingMoney is the automated giving program of the United Church of Christ designed to make it easy for givers to give.
StillspeakingMoney automatically deducts your gifts to Christ Church United in Lowell from your checking or savings account on one or more dates each month.
The benefits are tremendous. To sign-up for this simple, convenient, and green program, please obtain an authorization form from Nancy, CCU’s secretary, or download it from CCU’s website, www.WeWelcomeAll.org.
Mission of the Month—December
Christmas Fund
Total amount sent to the Christmas Fund through the Massachusetts Conference, UCC was $300.00
*****
Update on the Status of All Souls House
Amidst all the weekly activities, the efforts to renovate the Parish Hall into five affordable units are moving forward. Even though this process is moving along, slowly, you should know that virtually every person, institution, neighborhood group, and CEO we’ve spoken to is very supportive of this idea. The consensus is that CCU is truly “putting its money where its mouth is” when it comes to caring for “the least of these.” We are enormously blessed to have two people working on our behalf to move this project forward: Terry Anderson, our affording housing consultant and Jay Mason, architect.
Soon we will “get serious” about our church-side responsibilities — raising funds for a spacious kitchen (where the stage now exists) dedicated classroom space, an elevator, and new bright, sun-lit entrance. This is no small undertaking; a capital campaign will begin in 2010. We will all be asked to give generously of our financial resources toward the fulfillment of this vision.
Lest you think this whole idea is a boondoggle, you should be reminded that we are stewards of a very old building that is underutilized and un-insulated. Our furnace is very tired, and the oil consumption for 2009 is near 25K, excluding costs associated with repairing burst pipe(s).
Below, you will find succinct (five bullet) summary of where matters stand. There will be more information to share on February 21, the date of our Annual Meeting. In the meantime, let us lift up all souls — (the leaders of this project, and those with no shelter over their head) to God’s care, God’s guidance and God’s justice in 2010!
After a month-long search, we have arranged for a collaboration to develop this project with Cascap, Inc., a Cambridge-based non-profit agency with an extensive track record of developing, owning, and managing affordable housing (since 1988, over 250 units in 41 locations developed and under management). Cascap will also provide property management services when the building is operational.
Also after a long search, we have an agreement with Community Teamwork, Inc., to provide the necessary supportive social services for the tenants once the property is operating. Services will include and Economic Development Stabilization Plan and case management. CTI staff will also conduct or provide referrals to CTI’s Financial Literacy Academy, food pantries, credit counseling, Housing Consumer Education Center for RAFT, FEMA and SHIFT funds, CTI’s Energy Program for fuel assistance, the Salvation Army, and the Lowell Wish Project for diapers, clothing, furniture, household goods, etc.
Financial support has been awarded by the Parker Foundation in two grants. An application for pre-development funding has been submitted to the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC). Applications are now being prepared for City of Lowell Home funds, a loan from the United Church of Christ’s Cornerstone Fund, and a grant from the Stevens Foundations.
We will soon apply for Section 8 Project-Based Assistance which, if awarded, will provide rental subsidies for all five apartments. With this assistance in place, tenants will pay no more than 30% of their income for rent, including utilities.
Attorney Peter Farrow has determined that the most appropriate legal structure for the development of the project involves establishing two new entities. To be formed, “All Souls Housing” will be a Massachusetts Limited Liability Company (LLC) which will develop and operate the housing through the collaboration between CCU and Cascap. The LLC will lease from CCU the space in the church’s administration building that will be devoted to housing. The two members of the LLC will be: 1) a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation to be established and controlled by CCU, and; (2) Cascap, with Cascap also serving as manager of the LLC. CCU will continue to own the building throughout the development project and when occupied by homeless families.
****
