Worship ~ Sundays at 10AM See you in church! Pastor Mike Bennett

2012
Worship ~ Sundays at 10AM
Welcome One Another
“Welcome one another,” the Apostle Paul writes, “just as Christ has
welcomed you.” (Romans 15.7) From the bottom of my heart, I thank you
for the warm and gracious welcome that you have extended to my family and
me. From the festivities back in May, to the great crew that came to
Longmeadow to move my books, to all the support during our time of
transition, to the meals provided for our first few days, to the warm reception
on my first two Sundays—it has all been wonderful.
When we are strangers experiencing welcome, we learn something about
what it feels like to be loved. When we are “the new guy” we are unsteady
and potentially anxious. A hearty welcome puts us at ease and helps to be
ourselves in a new place. It is no accident that the Bible sees theological
implications here. When we welcome others, we are acting as Christ acts
toward us. When we receive welcome, we are reminded of Christ’s powerful
love. Times of welcome are ripe with possibilities for love, healing, and
acceptance.
This is a great time for us to welcome others to experience the First
Parish community. In the coming weeks and months, why not bring a
friend? As you look around on Sunday mornings, be aware of the new folks
and extend a warm welcome. The more we do this, the more Christ will be
present among us.
This is a bit unusual for a church newsletter, but I’d like to say a special
thanks to several people in the wider Dover community who have made our
transition smooth and fun: Patti Kemen of ReMax Legacy Real Estate, Ceroi
Mello (coolest name ever!) of Prospect Mortgage, John Moreno of AAA
Insurance, and Bob Hills of Vernay Moving (helped us save the church
several thousand dollars!). During this move, I’ve been reminded just how
dependent we are on the assistance and help of community businesses. It is
important to thank people properly, so I decided to do some “thanking” right
here.
Special thanks, as well, to Rick and the whole church staff, and to
Gordon and the search committee. You are the best!
See you in church! Pastor Mike Bennett

We are at a unique time for our
congregation – a new senior minister, a new
year and a convergence of challenges and
opportunities – and the Pastor Parish
Relations Committee invites every member
and friend to help us bring all of these forces
together to form a new era in the history of
First Parish Church.
Officially, the role of the Pastor Parish
Relations Committee is “… nurturing the
pastor, the relationship between the pastor
and the congregation, and clarifying the role
of the pastor.” The committee fulfills that
responsibility by:
1. Assisting the pastor in becoming better
acquainted with the church, its members,
and the community.
2. Assisting the church in maintaining good
relations between the pastor and parish.
3. Serving as an advisory group to the pastor.
4. Identifying areas of conflict in an early
stage and assisting the parties involved in
resolving their differences.
5. Providing a written evaluation of pastoral
performance for annual consideration by the
Council and Human Resources Committee.
This year’s Pastoral Parish Relations
Committee members are Don Beddie, Diane
Fiske, Mary Norris and Kristin Simunac. As
one UCC source points out, one of the
hardest jobs of a PPRC member is getting
started. The committee must learn quickly to
trust one another and to be honest without
being threatening or intimidating. Since the
committee is not a legislative body that can
vote on behalf of the church, we have to rely
on good and open communication with all
parties – congregation, church governance
and the pastors to build that trust. We are
blessed to have already begun a comfortable
and trusting relationship.
Communication is the key to success of
any Pastor Parish Relations Committee. One
of the ways we hope to keep communications
flowing, open, and going two ways, will be to
engage as many as possible in learning about
the challenges of the ministerial vocation and
career, the ways in which dynamic lay
leadership can support our pastoral team and
the different ways of addressing the kinds of
questions which most often lead to a disconnect
between pastor and parish. Keep yourselves
open to learning and watch for different study
opportunities this year.
In the meantime, if you have any concerns,
questions or ideas, please feel free to contact
any of the PPRC members. We will listen and
respond appropriately.
Don Beddie, Chair of the PPRC
NEIGHBORS IN NEED OFFERING
This offering will be taken on Sunday October
7 th . Neighbors in Need (NIN) is the annual
offering to support ministries of justice and
compassion throughout the United States. It
includes the Council of American Indian
Ministries, justice and advocacy efforts and
direct service projects funded by the UCC’s
Justice and Welfare Ministries.
On Sunday afternoon, October 21, the DARLA
(Dover Area Religious Leaders Association) group
is again sponsoring a Dover area family crop
walk to raise funds internationally and locally to
provide food for the hungry. Crop Walk is a
program of Church World Service International.
Sign-up sheets to walk will be available at the
church as well as the opportunity to pledge for
the walkers. For those who wish to get a head
start on this event, go to www.cropwalk.org and
click on New Hampshire, and then click on the
Dover Crop Walk. You will then be able to sign
up for walking and for pledging online. It is our
hope that this will be a family event and families
will sign up to walk and get pledges
together. For those not walking, we hope for
your support through pledging and donations for
those who are walking. Erin Pender is the
contact person in our church for Crop Walk.
Funds raised in this years’ Dover Crop Walk
will be shared between Dover Children's
Home, Dover Cooperative ministries, and
international needs.

SING AND RING
JOYFULLY TO GOD
With the start of the new church year in
September, all our music groups will begin
anew. This is a wonderful time to join one of
our dynamic music groups!
The Youth Choir is a group of children Grades
1-5 and youth that will rehearse Sunday
mornings from 11:00-11:30 am. For more
information, please contact Carol Seely, at
k9vet@rcn.com. FIRST REHEARSAL will be
Sunday, September 16
The Joyous Ringers is a youth handbell group
open to all youth Grade 5 and up. This group
meets on Mondays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. For
more information, please contact Carol Seely at
k9vet@rcn.com. FIRST REHEARSAL will be
Monday, September 10.
The Choir Chimes is a children’s youth choir
that rings choir chimes open to Grades 1-4.
This group meets on Mondays from 5:30 to 6:30
p.m. For more information, please contact Kim
Rhine at 312-3009 or kimrhine39@gmail.com.
FIRST REHEARSAL will be Monday, Sept. 10.
The Senior Choir is a group of singers, open to
all ages, from high schoolers through to adults
of all ages. Choir rehearsals are on Sunday
evenings from 7:00- 8:30 p.m. For further
information, please contact Rick Gremlitz,
Director of Music, at (603) 868-1196 or at
rickgremlitz@yahoo.com FIRST REHEARSAL
will be at the annual choir retreat on Saturday,
September 8; FIRST SUNDAY EVENING
REHEARSAL will be Sunday, September 16.
The First Parish Ringers is open to all senior
high school students through
adults. Rehearsals are Sunday evenings from
5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Please contact Carol
Seely at k9vet@rcn.com. FIRST REHEARSAL
will be Sunday, September 9th.
A church wide fund raising and community
outreach event! Get involved with
preparations, make new friends and have a
good time too!
* For information about Vendor Space/Table
Rental contact Jane Kennedy (749-1042)
janewkennedy55@comcast.net
* To make donations of antique or collectible
items contact Jim Prue (749-6897)
jeprue@comcast.net
* To help with publicity contact Kathy
Daniels (742-3481) shesababe@hotmail.com
* For general information contact Margie
Buckingham (343-2631)
kraftyone@comcast.net
Meeting dates TBD will be announced in
Steeple Chat and Weekly Bulletins
Apple Harvest Day Saturday, October 6, our
Alternative Revenue Task Force is planning
for a First Parish Church table at this annual
Dover event. This will be a great opportunity
to increase our church’s “presence” and
outreach into the wider community. Soon,
there will be an opportunity for members and
friends to sign-up to assist at the FPC table
that day.
Grants, anyone?? Another initiative of the
Alternative Revenue Task Force is to
investigate the possibility of private and
foundation grant funding for programs and
facility improvements. If you feel you have
some ideas to offer in this regard, please
contact Rick Gremlitz at the church.
Watch for more info on a new craft group to
be held in the evenings. No skills needed!
Questions can be directed to Judy Edwards
at 749-2130.

Special programming Days:
Special programming days are Sundays that
we would typically not have Sunday school
because of holidays or school vacations. It's
a 2-hour program beginning at the same time
as Sunday school. Dates for this school year
are: October 7 th ~ Mission Presentation
November 28 th ~ Parade cookie prep
December 30 th ~ To Be Determined
February 24 th ~ Cocheco Valley guest
April 21 st ~ Heifer Fair Crafts
May 26 th ~ Children’s Sunday prep
Youth Ministry
Youth Ministry begins Sunday September
16th at 11:30 in Nazareth Hall. Please join
us for a special kick off event that ends at La
Festa for pizza! Youth Ministry is for youth in
grades 7 through 12. Youth Ministry is
mission focused, with leadership and
educational opportunities for all. To ensure
you receive the latest updates and events
please ensure Beth has your email address.
Contact her at bethmartindale@comcast.net
Confirmation
2012-2013
Potential Confirmands and their parents are
invited to an informational meeting with
Rev. Mike and Beth on Wednesday
September 5th at 6:30p.m. A light meal will
be served. Please RSVP to Beth via email or
text if you plan to attend:
bethmartindale@comcast.net, 281-796-2076
Adult
Education
We will gather with Mike Bennett on Sunday,
Sept 9 th at 9am to plan our Fall curriculum.
Help save a life and receive a donation for
your organization in the process!
Life Line Screening Thursday, September 6,
2012 in Fellowship Hall. Our church will
host this event that will help save lives
through screening for health risks. Protect
your health by participating in this program
through the Stroke, Vascular and Heart
Rhythm package, by either calling the special
Helping Hands registration number (1-800-
324-9458) or by signing up on the church
bulletin board. By signing up for this health
event, not only will you be able to receive a
discount off any package of $139 or more,
but the church will receive a donation for
every member who signs up and attends this
event.
Wednesday
September 19 th
from 1-6pm.
Please consider giving the gift of life. The life
you save just may be your own! Ask your
friends and family if they would like to
donate! Appointments can be made by calling
1-800 Red Cross. Walk in's always
welcome. Teenagers age 16 and above are able
to donate with a parent present to sign a
consent form. Let's beat our last drive of 34
pints collected! Any questions, call Kathy
Daniels 742-3481.
Thank you, First Parish!! When we were
desperate for funds you came through
quickly with an emergency check. You
sustain our spirits as we provide food and a
welcome to many. With much gratitude,
Sally Puth, treasurer; Dover Friendly Kitchen
Dear Members and friends,
I want to thank you all for the beautiful
flowers received from you last week. They
were so pretty and appreciated so much.
Thank you all, Ruth Jakubowski

Is your garden doing well?
Share your produce at The
Happy Harvest Table!
Gardeners are welcome to share their extra
harvest each Sunday through September with
everyone in the church. The Happy Harvest
Table will be in Fellowship Hall and have a
donation basket to contribute a small cash
gift. All donations will go to the Dover
Cooperative Ministries for the Food Pantry and
Friendly Kitchen. So donate your extra crops
or help yourself to some tasty produce and
help others at the same time!
We are fortunate to be a Stephen Ministry
Church. We currently have a team of 14
Stephen Ministers in our midst available to
care for you. Please contact Judy Edwards
749-2130, or Beth Martindale 742-2419, if
you are considering a Stephen Minster or
know of someone who is in need of care.
PLEASE NOTE: There will
be NO supper in September
www.firstparishchurchdover.org
First Parish Church
218 Central Avenue
Dover, NH 03820
Email: firstparish@comcast.net
Office hours: M-F 9am-3pm
(603) 742-5664; Fax: 603-750-0411
Rev. Michael Bennett, Senior Minister
msb@firstparishdover.org
Rick Gremlitz, Church Administrator
rickgremlitz@yahoo.com
NH UCC: www.nhcucc.org
Bulletin Deadline: Tuesdays by 9:00AM
Chimes Deadline: The 15 th of every
month ~ Please email bulletin and
chimes information to Lisa at
firstparish@comcast.net
To start receiving the
chimes via email, please
send an email to
chimesfpc@gmail.com
with the subject
“eChimes”.
We mourn the loss of our dear
friends, called home by God to
share in the everlasting
kingdom of Heaven…
Joseph McCormack
longtime member
August 5 none given
August 12 in memory of loved ones and in
honor of our First Parish Church family
from the Sgrignuoli’s
August 19 in loving memory of my sister
“Auntie B” and my “forever buddy” Hughie
from Lorraine Keazer and children.
August 26 in celebration for the life of my
beloved husband Wayne Perreault from
Bonnie
If you would like to purchase altar flowers,
please contact Jane or Lisa in the church
office at 742-5664.
On the births of:
David Marcel Laliberte
born 7/4/12, son of Sharon Davis and Marc
Laliberte
Seveirn Arthur Aucoin,
born 8/3/12, the son of Lynette (Rowe) &
Brett Aucoin, the grandson
of Barbara Rowe.
Please contact the
office at 742-5664
or by email to be
added to our email
prayer chain.
Sunday: 7/29/12 186
Sunday: 8/5/12 62
Sunday: 8/12/12 101
Sunday: 8/19/12 186
At Horton Center: 23

Join us for family worship
in Nazareth Hall @ 8:45
We will celebrate the beginning
of Sunday school with an
All Church Picnic at Henry Law Park
immediately following morning worship.
A sign up sheet will be posted for food
to bring and share. E-Club begins
for the year on September 9 th !