Conway Village

Congregational Church

March 2021

The Good News!

Click here to view or download the full PDF version of the

March 2021 Newsletter

Pastor’s Message

“Scamming the System”

A pastor is on a train surrounded by pickpockets and petty thieves. “How do you justify stealing?” the pastor asks incredulously. A pickpocket replies, “If people don’t know how to pro- tect their things, they deserve to be parted from them.” He then explains the “clever ways(scams) by which unexpecting victims are separated from their money and property.

Psychologists call such justifications “rationalization, a very human strategy. Rationalization is the process of explaining away one’s behavior, especially when the behavior is inappropriate, im- moral, or unethical. The question always is, “Are they trying to convince me?” or Are they try-

ing to convince and excuse themselves?” Rationalization often is self-deception, making us numb to the moral issues we violate.

Recently, our area churches have been targeted by scams. People receive an email from their pastor, directly or through social media. The pastor asks them to donate money (or, better yet, gift cards”) to help destitute people. There may be the claim (but not always) the church has an emergency fund which the pastor cannot access now … you will be reimbursed. What people don’t realize, is the Pastor’s email address is altered by one number or letter – – it looks convincing! Peo- ple who run scams love the joy of “scamming the system”, the word ‘system’ being used to deper- sonalize the good-hearted souls whom they fleece.

Scam-artists recently targeted our Conference Minister and President, Rev. Gordon Rankin, and a local pastor in the Mount Washington Valley was targeted as well. The losses amount to thousands of dollars!

Jesus speaks of this sin in the Gospel of Mark,

“What Good is there in Gaining the World While Forfeiting your Soul?”

Rev. John Hughes
<’}>< <’}}><< <’}}}><<<< Note: the ‘Brown Church’ will never ask for cash or gift cards in this way. We protect all moneys contributed and we are faithful to the “Spirit of the Gift”, making sure all contri- butions targeted are spent only for the purpose stated.

From the Trustees

Hard to believe that it was a year ago Covid 19 was declared a pandemic here in the US. While the church remains closed to groups and Sunday services, we have been busy in the community with the continued running of the Food Pantry and Dinner Bell. The online services and John’s weekly letters have been appreciated by many. The website, newsletters, Facebook and E-blasts keep us all informed. We had to get creative with fundraisers; the most successful was the apple

crisp sales in the fall. A number of successful take out dinners have been held. In order for all these things to happen, there are many hardworking people working in the background. A big thank you to all!

The trustees want to welcome Tom Workman back to the Trustees. Thank you for volunteering.

The Capital Campaign Steering Committee met in February and discussed next steps while the architect is working on the new building plans. Carl and Paul worked on a redesign of the food pan- try area. John and Louise will be working on the campaign booklet. We all meet again with the ar- chitect and project manager on March 9th.

We thank all of you who continue with your pledges and support the take out dinners. The trus- tees look at the financials every week to keep an eye on the cash flow.

The next take out dinner will be Corn Beef and Cabbage on Wednesday, March 17th.

As people start getting vaccinated, and restrictions ease up, we hope to be able to re-open the church and see you all again.

Trustees:
Co-Chairs: Anne Getchell,  Nancy Divine
Duddie Andrews,  John Edgerton,  Nancy Irving,  Kim Murdoch,  Paul Weld
Ex-officio member Carl Vitters – Church Treasurer

Diaconate Message

Well, who would have thought that CVCC would be coming up on their one-year anniversary for virtual worship? Here are some statistics from over the year; March 22 first Zoom service 28 people; July average was 61 people; November average was 60 people; and Christmas Eve 110 plus (a little difficult to tell since we couldn’t see who all were sitting in your living rooms). This has been a difficult year, for some of us we lost family members, others lost dear friends, but we are strong, to borrow a phrase: We are “CVCC strong”!!!! We, CVCC have the faith to move mountains and to keep that mountain away.

My grandmother loved to sing and she taught me many songs as we traveled to go see my aunt and uncle, an hour and half ride. One of her favorites was “We Shall Overcome.” The cho- rus and the first verse are: “Oh, deep in my heart I do believe, We shall overcome, some day.

We’ll walk hand in hand, We’ll walk hand in hand, We’ll walk hand in hand, some day.” I truly believe that one day we shall overcome and we will be better because of it. We just have to keep that faith that can move mountains, be patient and kind to one another, and above all stay “CVCC Strong!”

Submitted by Dawn Vitters

Diaconate:  Louise Saxby, Mitzi Fitch, Holly Necochea, Judy Workman, Dawn Vitters, Suzanne Rancourt, Nancy Divine,

March Worship Schedule/Lectionary

Sunday, March 7th ~ Communion
Psalm 19
Scripture: Exodus 20:1-7, John 2:13-22
Sermon: “Proper Proportions

Sunday, March 14th 
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Scripture: Numbers 21:4-9, John 3:14-21
Sermon: “Becoming What We Need to Be

Sunday, March 21st 
Psalm 119:9-16
Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34, John 12:20-33
Sermon: “Looking to the Future

HOLY WEEK

Sunday, March 28th ~ Palm Sunday
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Scripture: Isaiah 50:4-9a, Mark 11:1-11
Sermon: “Untie It and Bring It”

Thursday, April 1st ~ Maundy Thursday
Communion Service
Scripture: Exodus 12:1-10, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Sermon: “Remember Me?”

Friday, April 2nd ~ Good Friday
Scripture: Matthew 26:47-51
Sermon: “A Kiss Goodbye”

Sunday, April 4th ~ EASTER Sunday
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18
Sermon: “What We Know of Easter”

Food Pantry Wish List

Ramen Noodles-Chicken and or Beef Rice-A-Roni-Chicken or Beef
Ketchup – 20 oz.
Mustard – 20 oz
Mayo – small jar
Stable Milk 32 oz.
Juice – orange or apple 64 oz.
Chicken Broth
Soup (small) – Chicken Noodle or Tomato
Canned Fruit -15 oz – any kind
Jelly – 16 oz. grape or strawberry
Canned Chicken and Tuna 5 oz.
Baked Beans – 15 oz. – any kind
Canned Pasta – 15 oz., any kind
Diced Tomatoes – 15 oz.
Tomato Sauce – 15 oz.
Pasta Sauce – (can) 15 oz.
Pasta Sauce – (jar) 32 oz.
Beef Stew – Can or Pouch
Boxed Spaghetti – 1lb.
Boxed macaroni – elbow 1lb.
Crackers – 1lb.
Canned-Peas, Carrots, Green Beans, and corn – 15 oz.
Cold Cereal – 10.8 oz any kind
Instant Oatmeal – 1lb.
Paper Towels
Toilet paper – individually wrapped
Shampoo – White Rain or Suave – 24 oz.
Dawn Dish Detergent- small size
Laundry Detergent – Tide-small size
Lg. Laundry Detergent – Dollar Tree brand in green container
Hand Soap – Dial 2 or 3 pk bars