Pastor's Page & Other Messages

September/October, 2024

Members and Friends of WCC:

It is hard to believe, but fall is just around the corner. Kids will be heading back to school, Halloween candy and decorations are already on display as business owners are gearing up for the season. The latest fall decorations are going up in windows, and people are moseying back to church. Time to get in the new mindset of harbingers to come.

The concept of time reminds us of our own life, how it changes, sometimes from moment to moment. We have periods of joy that then turn to sorrow, and times of despair that turn to hope. As the writer of Ecclesiastes says, “nothing is ever the same."

But there is one constant: Our Heavenly Father. God is the same now as He was since the beginning of time. He still cares for his children, even though we have strayed. He is our one constant in life. All else will change, but not our God.

Please join us for worship. The church misses you when you are not with us.

RevRon

August, 2024

Friends,

Well, the year is moving right along and here we are in the month of August, the eight month of the year. Back in the days of the Anglo-Saxons, the month was called Weod Monath. Its translation of “weed month” is quite literal – in this month weeds and other plants grow the fastest in the northern hemisphere. Just a little trivia to share.

I remember too, that August on the farm meant harvesting in the fields and, canning and preparing the larder for the winter months that lay ahead. It was a very busy time of year.

It is also a time when we look forward to children returning to school, winding up vacations, and churches looking forward to a new year for our church and Sunday School programs.

August can also be a time for reflection. What lies ahead for us at our church, what challenges do we face, and need to overcome? What programs are important for our growth? What does our future at WCC look like? These are all things to look at as we start a new year in September.

I hope you will spend time reflecting and ask yourself, “what can I do to make my church more inviting, more warm and friendly. How can I support my church, both spiritually and financially? How can I be an instrument of Christs’ love, and live as Jesus would have us live?

Happy August!

RevRon

July, 2024

Fellow Travelers:

I trust you are enjoying the wonderful summer months. They go by quickly for sure. July ushers in the beginning of our leisure times for picnics, travel, and family vacations, a time to set aside all the worries of life and enjoy time together.

It is also a time to think of our freedoms that we as Americans enjoy. I wonder, though, if we think of those who gave so much that we might be able to enjoy the wonderful place we call home.

Since the beginning of our great nation men and women have sacrificed families, fortunes, and some their very lives, that we might enjoy the freedoms we possess.
We also should take time to thank our Almighty God for holding up America as an example of freedom to the world.

We are not a perfect nation, we have lots of growing pains, but I wouldn’t trade for any other nation.

Let us give thanks to our God for the bounty that God has given us and give back to the nation that has given so much to us.

Happy Independence Day.

RevRon

June, 2024

To My Friends at WCC:

As I share these words with you, we are celebrating Memorial Day weekend, a time set aside to honor the

fallen men and women who gave their lives for a cause greater than themselves, It is a time to reflect on the

enormous sacrifice the men and women who went off to war and never returned, a time to reflect on the

sacrifice their families have made as well.

Our nation, committed to freedom and peace, has a long history of sacrificing for the good of humankind. It has

come at a cost of the lives of our brave men and women. We have been blessed by a beneficent God who has

watched over this great nation, and has guided us through countless challenges and crisis.

The very church we worship in has sent many of our men and women to protect those freedoms we hold dear.

We will never forget the sacrifices they made for our freedoms.

On our church grounds there is a Memorial plaque and flag honoring one of our hero’s, CWO Robert Joseph

Hughes, killed in action in Afghanistan in March 1991. May his soul rest in peace, and may we never forget him, or all his comrades in arms that gave their all.

Rev. Ron

“May the sun in his course visit no land more free, more happy, more lovely, than this our own country”!

-Sen. Daniel Webster

April, 2024

As you read these Pastor’s notes we are already past the Easter celebration. I wish to thank everyone who worked to make our Easter journey to Jerusalem meaningful for all of us.

Easter is more than a few weeks of taking inventory of our faith, it is a time of reflection, a time for us to renew our commitment to Christ. Easter is a full-time experience, one that we renew every Sunday morning as we participate in our worship, so Happy Easter Year Around to you.

We have a lot of balls in the air at WCC; looks like we’ll need a new furnace after the boiler nearly caught fire. Praise God we were spared a catastrophe of losing our beautiful sanctuary. Thanks to all who cleaned up, and replaced stuff that needed to be replaced, and cleaned up that which needed to be cleaned up after the firefighters were finished.

Spring is here, and with it comes the wonder of God’s awesome gift of creation. Spring gives a renewal of life all around us, the tree buds, the flowers in bloom, and the creatures scurrying about to start new families. It really is a great time to be alive in God’s wonderful world. Hope you can spend some time appreciating it and enjoying it.

Til next time, RevRon

March, 2024

As I write these words with the anticipation of spring in our hearts, we look forward to the warming of the soil, the sounds of the birds looking for mates and a place to raise their young, and the warming of soil that we might begin the planting of our gardens; all signs of new hope, new life. The beauty of Spring brings with it the newness of life all around us.

The spring of year brings to us at WCC the beauty of the Easter journey to Jerusalem. Together, we make our trek each year on our journey through Lent and finally get to the celebration of new life in Jesus Christ. It is a time of hope.

What is it that we hope for? For some it’s getting through another day, week, or month. Some hope our lives, our faith, our families can be healed. Some looking to renew their faith on our Savior, all looking for peace in this crazy, mixed-up world.

Whatever it is you hope for, you can find it in your living the Easter experience each day. We can find hope in a relationship with our Savior, a belief in a God who created us to have hope, and to love one another.

Whatever Easter means to you, it is a time of hope and healing.

RevRon

February, 2024

Well, here we are once again bumping up on the Lenten/Easter season. It’s a great time of the year, with the anticipation of trees budding, birds nesting, and a general all around good feeling of rejuvenation. The word “Lent” comes from an old English word for springtime, (yes springtime is on the way. I saw buds already on my pear tree.) I like to think of Lent as a form of spring cleaning for the soul.

In the early years of the Church, it was confined to a few days before Easter. But by the fourth century it was extended to forty days before Easter, a period associated with the forty days and nights that Jesus spent in the desert, tempted in the wilderness, just after his baptism (Matthew 4:1-11). “Forty days before Easter” may be somewhat misleading. The Church doesn’t count Sundays among the forty days, so the period of Lent, lasting from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday, actually covers 46 days. Whether 40 days or 46 days, in the great scope of things Lent is a momentary pause to rethink the fundamental purpose of our lives. But it can also be the occasion of a momentous transformation, a time to rethink our relationship with our God.

So welcome to Lent, I hope you will join us on the journey.

Sunday, February 4 we will celebrate Church Membership Sunday. If you wish to join the family, please see RevRon or one of our deacons. Our deacons wear pins, so you’ll be able to identify them. Hope life is going well for you, and look forward to seeing you at worship.

RevRon

January, 2024

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland”. Isaiah 43:18-19

This passage is a message of hope and encouragement from God to the Israelites. It reminds them that God is always with them and will make a way for them even in the most difficult of circumstances. The passage encourages them to look forward to the future with hope and trust in God’s promises.

As we put 2023 in our rearview mirror, we are reminded that neither can we dwell on the past. It is great to respect the past and the lessons learned, but we cannot move forward living there. Our church has a great past, full of history and traditions that we must honor, but we also have a future that requires us to move forward so future generations will have a place to worship God.

We have, I believe, a healthy church, because of past and present members that were willing to make sacrifices and decisions to move us forward. I also believe that we must be willing to make sacrifices so that we might leave a healthy and viable church for future generations.

I think if we look at our accomplishments this year, we can be satisfied that what did has moved us forward and made us a more healthy church.

Thanks to everyone who labored and gave of their time, gifts, and talents to move us into 2024.

Happy New Year.

RevRon

December, 2023

With the warm summer breezes in our rear-view mirror, and the mornings white with Frost, we move forward to our annual waiting period, the period of waiting for our annual trek to Bethlehem. It’s a great time of year as we anticipate to coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in human form. It’s a time of anticipation and joy, as we share with each other the promise of our God that He would send us a Savoir. I hope you’re as excited as I am.

On December 3rd our Advent season, a time of waiting, we will begin our celebration with the lighting of the Candle of Hope, after which we will celebrate each successive Sunday with lighting Candles of Peace, Love, and Joy. This will bring us to our Candle lighting service on Christmas Eve.

This year Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, which means we will have two services on the same day. With that in mind, we will celebrate the children’s Christmas Pageant on December 17 at our regular worship time. On Christmas eve morning, at regular worship time, the choir will perform a Christmas Cantata. At 5:00 pm we will have our Christmas Eve Service. Sound confusing? Probably, but we’ll work it out.

Great seeing you at worship, we miss you when you are not with us.

In Christ, RevRon

October/November, 2023

Hi Fellow Travelers:

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

Those words from Peter’s first letter are appropriate for us as we maneuver through this crazy world we live in. Nothing seems to be norma: lots of things seems to be out of kilter. We ask ourselves, “what will happen next to raise our anxiety levels?”

As believers, we do have somewhere to turn: our Savior, Jesus Christ. Cast your cares and anxieties on Jesus to help you through the difficult times because indeed, He does care.

As we move into the Fall season, we are reminded of the awesomeness of God’s wonderful creation. Take some time from your day to enjoy, and give thanks for this wonderful time of year.

Thanks to all who work and give so that our church can move forward in ministering in Christ’s name. A special thanks to the Schmid family who have been very generous in helping us improve on our Zoom ministry, and to Jim Hunt who is working with Eric Schmid to get it up and running. Also, to Syl Church's family for donating and planting our new trees. They did so to commemorate what would have been her 100th birthday.

We are saddened by the loss of Sandra Parmenter, who passed away September 16. Our prayers go out to her family

RevRon

September, 2023

Hello My Friends:

Sometimes facing life’s challenges can make hope for the future seem like a distant dream.

With the fast pace of life that we live, being overwhelmed with negative news and such makes

it difficult to see hope in this crazy world in which we live.

But guess what? The Bible’s potent words hold wisdom and inspiration for us. All we need to do is open the Bible.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." These are the words of our Savoir, Jesus

Christ, as recorded by the Gospel writer, John. So, when life seems impossible, when we think

we are lost without hope, we can turn to these words to keep us upright and sane.

I hope you are enjoying the summer. It’s moving along very quickly for sure.

Looking forward to seeing you at worship. Stay safe, and healthy.

RevRon

August, 2023

Hello My Friends:

Sometimes facing life’s challenges can make hope for the future seem like a distant dream. With the fast pace of life that we live, being overwhelmed with negative news, and such makes it difficult to see hope in this crazy world in which we live.

But guess what? the Bible’s potent words hold wisdom and inspiration for us. All we need to do is open the Bible.

“Peace” I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”. These are the words of our Savoir, Jesus

Christ, as recorded by the Gospel writer, John. So, when life seems impossible, when we think

we are lost without hope, we can turn to these words to keep us upright and sane.

I hope you are enjoying the summer. It’s moving along very quickly for sure.

Looking forward to seeing you at worship, stay safe, and healthy.

RevRon

July, 2023

Hello My Friends:

Welcome to July! July is named after Julius Caesar (100 B.C- 440.C) Caesar developed the precursor to the Gregorian calendar that we use today. (a bit of trivia to start the day).
I like July really, the days are longer, the Sun is higher in the air, and much warmer. The gardens are growing, and all of God’s creation is unfolded for our enjoyment. I hope you can enjoy the beauty of it all.

As you already know the Parish House, thanks to Melissa, is now occupied by a young family, and making income for our causes. The regular income from the rental will be a tremendous boost to our budget. It’s been a rather long road, but it is now accomplished. I think, in the long run, it will prove to be the right decision. Thanks to all who made it possible.

As we plan our vacations, (rightly deserved I might add), please be safe and remember your church in prayer. God’s work goes on regardless of whether we are there or not.

Don’t forget the Chicken Barbeque July 15th, one of our main fundraisers. If you can help, please let us know. Many blessings to all, see you at worship,

RevRon

June, 2023

I send these words along as I celebrate Memorial Day, and ponder what it means to me. Yesterday, after worship, we gathered in our Memorial Garden to rededicate the flag placed there to honor, and give thanks once again, to our departed brother, CW Robert Joseph Hughes. Chief Warrant Officer Hughes, a local hero, died in Afghanistan in 1991, during the first Middle East war. He was a Helicopter pilot, who died in combat against enemy forces.

His life mattered to his family, his fellow military brothers and sisters, and it should matter to us. Freedom is a precious commodity; it comes at a cost of lives of countless men and women, who sacrificed their lives that we might enjoy the privileges of this great nation. However, the loss of that freedom is only a generation away. I wonder, will the current and future generations be willing to sacrifice for our freedoms. I hope so.

Since its inception, America has been a beacon of hope for countless millions of people. It is my prayer that it will continue to be.

I give our God thanks for the guidance, and hope that we receive by being a part of the greatest nation that God ever created.

RevRon

April. 2023

To My Friends at WCC:

“Spring is in the air,” as the old song goes, and with it the beauty of God’s awesome creation. The daffodils, crocus, and lilies are reaching out for the sun and some nutrients, provided by the falling rain. It’s a wonderful time of the year.

Speaking of being wonderful, it’s also the time of year for our celebration of our Savior’s Resurrection. We have journeyed through Lent, preparing ourselves for the Palm Sunday, and Easter celebrations. I hope you can join us for our services; times will appear elsewhere in our Newsletter.

Our prayers go out to Judy Ladegard, and her family as they deal with the illness of her brother, a Vietnam veteran who suffers from combat related cancer. We also pray for Larry Fedus and family as they mourn the loss of his brother Walter, and to Kelly Ouellette and family on the passing of her mother, Kenny Stacey Smith.

Our prayers go out to all who suffer or struggle with life in any way.

Many Blessings To All,

RevRon

March, 2023

Hello Fellow Travelers:

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent has come and gone, and we now enter the time of penitential preparation for Easter. Without this time, our Easter celebration would have little meaning. Lent gives a time for prayer and reflection on our relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ.

I hope you will join us on our journey to Jerusalem, and share with us in our services of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Easter.

Our prayers go out to Jane Duval and family as they mourn the loss of the beloved Gary. Please hold them in your prayers.

Spring is just around the corner, and we’ll get to, once again, witness God’s wonderful re-creation of His universe, as the wonders of spring unfold before us. Stop and enjoy it.

Many Blessings,

RevRon

February, 2023

Hi Everyone,

With our annual meeting behind us, and looking forward with new faces and leadership, we begin our new church year here at WCC. I’m grateful to all who accepted leadership roles. I look forward to working together with you to continue our journey of bringing Christ to all whom we meet.

"No matter how frustrating the present or uncertain the future, keep looking forward. That is

where God is calling us. Growth is forward.” Those words written some years ago gives us

hope for the future of our ministry here at WCC.

Many blessing to all, see you at worship.

RevRon

January, 2023

Hi Everyone,

With the end of another year here at WCC, our thoughts turn to the future of our church. 2022 has been a challenge, to say the least, with the Mold situation, and the rebuilding of the parish house, we have been preoccupied with the physical plant, in some ways, at the cost of our spiritual goals and needs. For that I apologize.

With the house nearly completed we can now turn our attention to other needs in our church, reaching out to those of our family, and to address other issues. So many people have worked diligently to get things done, with the least amount of interruption of our services. I thank you very much for your time and commitment to furthering our ministries here at WCC.

Of course, we do not know what the new year will bring for us. We do know that working together we can make our church the very best place to worship our God. I hope you will join me in moving our church in the right direction, so our children, and future generations will have the same opportunities we have had, left by past generations.

I pray your new year will bring you joy, happiness, and a world at peace.

RevRon

December, 2022

To My Friends at WCC:

Now that Thanksgiving is in our rear-view mirror, it’s time to look ahead to the “most wonderful time of the year”. As the days get shorter, darkness comes early here in NE, and the temperatures drop. All signs of Mother earth taking a rest.

With that being said, we can now put our energy in making our Christmas experience a great one at our church. Christmas season begins, really with Advent, a time of expectation and hope. In our crazy, mixed-up world, the greatest gift from our God is our Savoir, Jesus Christ. Our Savior’s birth, is the greatest event since creation, and gives us the hope that we so yearn for.

The season of Advent begins Sunday , November 27. We will begin the season with our traditional greening of the church. It always adds additional beauty to an already gorgeous Sanctuary. Of course, each Sunday until Christmas we will light the candles of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. On Christmas Eve we celebrate the Christ candle, with our annual Christmas Eve Service.

I hope you’ll be able to join us for all our services, so together we can experience, once again, the journey to Bethlehem, and the joy of Christmas.

Many Blessings,

RevRon

November, 2022

Hello my fellow Sojourners:

Ah! November is upon us. The cold, dreary days of November challenge us to cheer up and move forward to the wonderful time of Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas, the “most wonderful time of the year” as the song tells us.

God’s wonderful creation will soon be in Rem sleep, and soon the temps will drop, and the frost will cover God’s beautiful Earth. Daylight savings time is upon us, and the days are getting shorter. The leaves are falling, and the beautiful colors will soon be just a memory. Isn’t God’s creation a beautiful thing? How fortunate we are her in NE as we get to see and enjoy all the beauty of God’s wonderful creation. Just outside our church windows we can see the beauty in all its glory. Take time to enjoy it.

I’m sure by now everyone has seen all the activity around church, as we bring our and parsonage up to date. Please be patient as we move forward to make our church and its buildings up to date for future generations of folks wishing to serve God.

Wishing all a very Happy Thanksgiving, let us thank our God for the continued blessings given us her at WCC. Let us pray for all our fellow travelers as we all struggle through these difficult times.

Our annual trek to Bethlehem will begin the last Sunday of November. Hope we can all be at worship to join the journey together.

Remember: God loves you.

Many blessings,
Rev Ron

October, 2022

To My Friends at WCC:

Surely our prayers and thoughts today are with the folks who are caught up in the tragic Hurricane that has struck Florida this past week. Many of us have family, indeed some may have homes in the affected area. Whatever the case, our hearts are heavy as we make sense of the tragedy. Please hold all in prayer.

As we can see, the projects around church are going well. The Gazebo is near completion, and Mike, the contractor, is working next door to complete the project there. I’m sure you share my excitement in getting it finished, so we can move on from this to other things. I hope we can concentrate more on our primary mission, which is to further the cause of Christ in this world turned upside down.

The beloved Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians tells us, “I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength”. I believe we can find courage in these words as we make sense of what is happening in our world today.

Blessings,

Revron

August, 2022

To My Friends at WCC:

Good afternoon to all on this rather hot summer afternoon. As I coin these words it’s 94 degrees, and climbing. Fortunately I’m in my home air-conditioned office. But I guess we can expect hot weather in the summer. Some would say it’s Global warming, but I think it’s simply hot. I’ll leave the subject of Global warning to the professionals.

I was driving into the parking lot, at church this week, and couldn’t help but notice how beautiful our church looks, sitting on the knoll, as it has, for centuries. It looks so inviting, as I observed the beauty of it, I wondered how many thousands of people have gone through the doors to find solace for troubled times, looking for hope, saying a prayer for themselves or loved one, maybe a friend, or just admiring the beauty of the Sanctuary. How many people were Baptized, married, or sent off to Heaven from this beautiful building.

Barring any catastrophe, our church building will still be standing for the next generation, and the next as well. It is my prayer, and hope, that we can always have folks who will be willing to take care of the old building and continue its mission of bringing Jesus Christ to a troubled and cruel world.

Thanks for listening,

RevRon

July, 2022

To My Friends at WCC:

I hope the beginning of Summer finds you able to relax and enjoy the beauty of the season. Things slow down this time of year for most of us. However at WCC, things are still rather busy. We have moved beyond some of the bigger projects, and are contemplating getting the rest of the projects finished soon.

As many of you know we are preparing to bring the parsonage up to date, and have hired a professional builder to accomplish the work. It’s a big decision, but one that I think will pay off in the future. It is our largest asset, for sure.

Please know , as you travel, and spend time with the family, that our church still thinks about you , and prays for your continued safety. Please think about your church, and pray for it as well.

Be safe and be blessed,

RevRon

June, 2022

Hi Friends at WCC:

It feels like summer has suddenly arrived, and now you need to do all the things that you’ve been dreaming about during the long cold months of winter, and weeks or months of social distancing. Ecclesiasticus says that, “For everything there is a Season, a Time for Every purpose under Heaven”. June is the season/time for getting our hands dirty in the garden, planting our veggies and flowers. Sitting under our favorite tree, relaxing. It’s a time for listening to the sounds of nature, as the birds and critters go about perpetuating their species. A time to enjoy God’s gift of creation. A time for the beach, cookouts and relaxation.

June is a time for new beginnings as well. Couples getting married, beginning a new life together. Graduates spreading their wings as they look for new adventures. Ah June, the time for love and relaxation. I hope you enjoy your summer months. But please remember your church. The life of the church goes on in all kinds of seasons. God never rests. We love to see you all year round, and miss you when your aren’t with us at worship.

Stay safe and sane during your times of vacation, we need you...

Blessings, Rev Ron

May, 2022

To My Friends at WCC:

I don’t think there is anything lovelier than springtime in the country, the days get longer, the weather begins to warm up, and colorful flowers start popping up, and everything seems to be much brighter.

Henry David Thoreau once said “Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed... Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.”

I think that’s true about life as well. Show me the face of a child, and I expect to find wonders. How fortunate we are to have so many children in our church family. Their laughter and smiles give so much meaning to our worship and our lives. They are the Spring time of our church life. Thanks to the families who trust us with their precious lives.

Thanks to everyone who has, and is working so hard to get us through the projects facing our church. Thankfully much of it is behind us, and we can direct our efforts and talents to the Parish house.

MAY God bless each of you.

RevRon

April, 2022

To My Friends at WCC:

If you have been at worship lately, you have certainly seen the all the stuff that is going on. By the time you read this most of it will be behind us. Thank you for your patience while we get rid of Mold, get our Security system installed, and rehab the parish house, all at once. Thanks also to all of you folks that put so much time and energy in making this possible.

Easter is right around the corner, the commemoration of our Lord’s death and resurrection. We have gone through our Lenten season, and now we move to the most meaningful part of our Easter experience. I invite all to join us. We will celebrate Palm Sunday on April 10th, Maundy Thursday, celebration of the Last Supper on the 14th, at 6:30, and Easter on April 17th. We will open our Easter celebration with an Easter Cantata. Hope to see you with us as we celebrate this most meaningful season.

Hope you are enjoying this beautiful spring season. How wonderful it is to see God’s awesome creation unfold before us each year. Many blessings to all,

RevRon

March, 2022

To My Friends at WCC:

“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under Heaven”, as the writer of Ecclesiasticus says. Like you, I think that time is Spring. It’s been, and may continue to be a cold winter. I’m definitely ready for the change of season. March will be a month of preparation and repentance, as we prepare ourselves for the great celebration of Easter.

On March 2nd we will begin our journey through Lent. Lent lasts forty days—excluding Sundays—from Ash Wednesday, which is next Wednesday, March 2, to the evening of Maundy Thursday, when we celebrate the Lord’s last Supper, which falls on April 14th this year. It is a reminder of Christ’s forty days of temptation and fasting in the desert, and of Israel’s forty years of wandering in the desert.

This penitential season of fasting, preparation, and special prayer is like a spiritual cleansing and renewal to help us draw closer to our God. I hope you will join us as we journey together in this very important celebration of our Christian calendar and faith. You will find further information in our Sunday bulletins, and on our website. I look forward to sharing with you in our journey.

See you at worship,

RevRon

February, 2022

To My Friends at WCC:

As I pen these words, we are facing a Nor’Easter, as they are calling it. Actually we’ve been pretty fortunate not having a lot of bad weather, That could change, however.

Thanks to all who volunteered for our boards and officers for the year ahead. I look forward to working with you all. I also look forward to a successful year, working together to make our church the best of the best.

We will have a church membership Sunday on February 13th. Anyone wishing to join us officially, please let RevRon, or one of our Deacons know. Actually our Deacons are: (Steve Hunt, Senior Deacon, Karl Schoen-Rene, and Trisha Bell and Judy Ladegard. Junior Deacons are Zeph Hunt and Gavin Petersen). Actually, I will be one of the joiners.

I’m excited that the church has voted to fund our two main projects this year; Mold remediation, and Fire and Security. Accomplishing these will put two major projects behind us. Thanks to those who worked hard to get us to this point.

As we move into February, we will also be looking forward to Spring and our Lenten/Easter season. Frankly I’m finished with winter already. Enjoy life, and keep the faith,

RevRon

January, 2022

Hi Everyone:

Well here we are on the precipice of another year. The old saying, “that time waits for no one” is true, for sure. I wish each of you a very Happy New Year.

As we begin the new year, we begin our fourth year together at WCC. What was supposed to be a short interim, turned out to be a marriage between pastor and flock. I am just as excited each Sunday morning now as I was when I first started. It has been a wonderful journey for me. Thank you all for the support and putting up with my idiosyncrasies.

WCC is a warm and caring church that receives everyone who worships with us with the same great Christian love, the love that Jesus teaches us. From the oldest serving members, to our new folks, all have a place at our table, and treated with the same respect. Thank you all for caring about our church.

God only knows what the future brings. We do know that working together, our little church “on the hill” will be a place where all who enter will find the love of God in Christ that emanates from our church.

RevRon

2021

December, 2021

To My Friends at WCC:

Welcome to Advent 2021, a time of waiting and reflections. A time to prepare ourselves for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ, as we celebrate, once again, His birth. I invite you to be a part of our preparation. We will be lighting the Advent Candle, each one of them reminding us of the Hope we have in our Savoir. We invite you to join us at Sunday worship, and our Christmas-Eve service. Hope you will be with us.

We are rapidly winding down the year 2021, a rather challenging one. We were able, at least so far, to stay free of the Covid, at least for our members. Some of our church family lost loved ones, and we are holding them in prayer. Please continue to be vigilant as we move forward.

We had a rather good year at WCC, we have grown, both in numbers, and I think, in our faith journey as well. I’m so glad you have been a part of it. I pray we can continue on our trek of serving our Master at our church and community.

As I end my third year at WCC. I’m humbled by the support that I have received. I look forward to serving our church in days to come.

Thanks to all who work so hard to make our church experience possible.

RevRon

November, 2021

Hi Everyone,

As I sat on my back deck, in my rocking chair today, I could feel, and smell summer ebbing away, and Autumn seeping in.

The changing seasons remind me of life; we can compare it to the seasons. We bloom and ebb away. Like spring, summer, and fall we cannot stay in one season, and winter will come as it always does. And as the poet says. “If we are blessed, we have experienced the seasons at their best”. I hope you are enjoying the beautiful days, given by our maker.

We will soon be entering our busy season at church. Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas is always a great time to be involved in worship. Our children will be performing a Nativity program, our choir will do the Cantata, and we will be enjoying singing Christmas Carols, and once again relive the story of our Savior’s birth. I hope you will be a part of our church family Christmas experience.

Stay safe and be well, In Christ,

RevRon

Thanksgiving Basket opportunity – RevRon is proposing we fill a basket to give to a family in need. Please see information on the Bulletin Board to see what is needed.

October, 2021

To My Friends at WCC:

Hope this letter finds you healthy and in good spirits. It is the first day of Autumn as I share this correspondence with you. It is a time of year that brings back fond memories of my growing up in NY on the farm.

This time of year was a very busy one. My mom’s canning was ending and we were putting in the winter vegetables for the long winter season, the final cutting of hay was being put in, and the barn was being prepared for winter. There was a sense of gladness, and relief, that the hard labors of summer were behind us, and winter gave us a little bit of rest, a respite from the heat and hard work of summer.

Times have changed dramatically, but our memories still exist. It reminds me a bit about life as we grow older. Those of us who are getting into the “older” years might find a laugh in this poem:

“Old” by Catherine Pulsifier

I'm too young to be this old

It is like catching a cold

It happens before you know

The years fly by and then you're old.

But life is to be lived each day

Never stop learning

Keep busy

Find a laugh

And life will be the best.

Hope you have a wonderful Autumn, enjoying the beautiful colors of God’s wonderful creation here in NE.

In Christ,
RevRon

September, 2021

The familiar rhythm of the cricket's chirps

Create the soundtrack for each day,

Echoing Summer's end
And that Autumn's on her way.

By Patricia A. Fleming

Hi Everyone:

As I present this letter this morning I’m reminded that our summer season is rapidly winding down. I like summer, but autumn is my favorite time of year. The beauty of God’s creation seems to shine much brighter in autumn. My wish that we could all stop for a moment and enjoy it.

Now that summer things are winding down, and we get back to the “routine” of our church life, I look forward to getting back to a sense of normalcy, whatever that means. Our Sunday school will, once again, begin it’s children’s studies, and our church will begin it’s new year. I hope you will join us in worship and involve yourself in making our church, and worship a great experience for all.

We continue to encourage those who wish to mask up to do so. We are all aware of the dangers of Covid, and we all can make our own decisions as to our comfort level, while respecting others feelings about it. Thanks to all for your patience during these trying times.

Let’s enjoy the remaining days of summer and look forward to the beauty of God’s wonderful creation.

In Christ,

RevRon

August, 2021

Hello Fellow Travelers:

It seems to me that once July is over and done, that we begin to move very quickly toward the ending of summer. I really like the Autumn of the year, but it ends all too soon. I hope your summer has been a good one.

Things at WCC are going rather well; we had a very successful Chicken Barbecue, so the chickens did not die in vain. Thanks to all who worked countless hours to make it successful. Covid is still with us, unfortunately, but we’ve been diligent in keeping ourselves safe at worship. Masks are optional, and we all are doing our best for sure. We still offer Zoom to those unable or, simply wish to join us on that platform.

August brings with it a rather busy month. We will celebrate Communion on August 8th, as well as a Baptism, and a Church Membership Sunday during the month.
I’m delighted that our morning worship is seemingly picking up, as folks return to worship. I’m confident that we will return to normal when all this uncertainty is behind us.

This month we said our farewells to one of our members, Ethel DePaola. Ethel joined us on Zoom and was with us every Sunday on Zoom. We will miss her, and send the Leitkowski family our condolences.

Finally, thanks to all who support their church, working diligently, and supporting it financially.

In Christ,

Pastor Ron L

July, 2021

Dear Friends,

We at WCC certainly have gotten good at adapting to change! Recent months have brought relaxation to our COVID safety protocols, both “out there” in the world and “in here” at church. And while we’re enjoying a bit more “normal” in our lives, it does take some getting used to.

Currently we have done away with wearing masks. Of course, some of us may still elect to wear a mask regardless of our vaccination status. You are encouraged to do whatever helps you to feel comfortable and safe during worship.

We will be returning to our regular practices for Communion. We will still offer Communion “kits,” for those wishing to use them, and will begin our regular Communion on July 4. We will also be back to singing our hymns together on July 4th.

Don’t forget our Church picnic on July 4th directly following worship. It will be a time for fellowship and celebrating our Nations birthday. Please do try to join us.

Hopefully we’re coming to a point in time when we can focus on something other than the pandemic (won’t that be nice?!). In the meantime, we will continue to worship and serve together as children of the Living God, whose son, Jesus, walks with us on every step of our life’s journey.

In Christ’s name,

RevRon

June, 2021

To My Friends At WCC:

As I share these few notes with you, the Sun is shing brightly and Summer is just around the corner. I pray you will stay safe and remember your church as we enjoy the nice days.

I’m very excited about getting back to some semblance of regular worship. Folks are beginning to come back and we are, once again, enjoying each other’s company. We are also, of course on Zoom, if you wish to join us there. I’m hoping to begin congregation singing in the near future. I’m sure I speak for all of us and, we thank the choir for their steadfastness in bringing us our hymns and special music each week. Thanks to Dan, our choir director for his hard work and encouragement.

The return of our Sunday School is presently being discussed, It is my prayer that we will soon be able to get our children back with us.

This weekend is our Memorial Day celebration. Please remember all those who have served and continue to serve in our Armed Forces. Some of us have served, and many of us have relatives and friends who have served as well.

Have a great June and please remember your church as you travel about.

RevRon

May, 2021

To My Friends At WCC:

“O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures”. Psalm 104:24

Whenever I gaze at the Planets, the Stars, or the constellations, I am reminded of the awesomeness of our creator, God. Especially this time of year when all creation is renewed and unfolds before us. What wonderful gifts from our Heavenly Father.

I hope you are enjoying the spring weather, and perhaps looking forward to getting your hands dirty in the

garden. It’s amazing to watch the plants as they reach for the sun and begin to produce their progeny. Each

spring as I look at my flower garden, I wonder where the new plants came from. I suspect the Squirrels, or some

other critter work their magic.

So great to see each of you at church or on Zoom on Sunday morning. Stay safe and well and give thanks to our God for His marvelous works,

Blessings,

RevRon

April, 2021

To My Friends At WCC:

Hope this message finds you in good health and enjoying these days leading up to spring. It’s been a rather tough winter, for sure.

Well, we have a year of hindsight with the Covid 19 virus, and it’s been tough on most of us. It seems like we are all in a holding pattern, waiting for the plane to land, so to speak. I’m confident that soon the Vaccine will be more available to all and Herd Immunity will help us get back to some kind of normal.

Our church has been doing well with the with the virus by being cautious, wearing masks, social distancing, and reaching out to those, unable to join in person, by using Zoom. It’s a great way for all of us to be together.

We are excited to having six new folks join our church as members. I believe their names will be published somewhere in our newsletter. Welcome aboard to all.

Our Easter services and times will be published on line and will be available through email. We haven’t solidified plans yet, so stay tuned for further information.

Until next time, stay safe and enjoy the coming of Spring.

Many Blessings to all,

Pastor Ron

March, 2021

To My Friends At WCC:

Hope this message finds you in good health and enjoying these days leading up to spring. It’s been a rather tough winter, for sure.

We are excited to having six new folks join our church as members. I believe their names will be published somewhere in our newsletter. Welcome aboard to all.

Our Easter services and times will be published on line and will be available through email. We haven’t solidified plans yet, so stay tuned for further information. Until next time, stay safe and enjoy the coming of Spring.

Many Blessings to all,

Pastor Ron

February, 2021

To My Friends at WCC:

Today marks a full week since my surgery and I’m doing quite well. No pain, but I do get a bit fatigued if I overdo it. I’m getting outside for sunshine when the weather begins to warm in the afternoon. By the time I return to the pulpit on January 31, I will be close to 100%.

I am really impressed with WCC and the folks who have gone the extra mile to keep things going in the absence of the Pastor. It is a great sign of a healthy church. I wish to thank all those who worked diligently to accomplish this.

Now our covenant together as pastor and congregation begins, and I’m really excited about our new beginnings. We face enormous challenges of getting through this pandemic and keeping our flock together. These are truly uncertain times for churches. Our church has a history of meeting challenges and moving forward. I am both honored and humbled that you have chosen me to be your pastor.

We don’t know what the future will bring for us or what stumbling blocks lay ahead, but we do know that with God’s help we will meet – and hopefully exceed – our expectations.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday at worship.

Your Pastor,

Rev. Ron

January, 2021

Dear Friends,

It's official: 2020 - undoubtedly one of the worst years on record - is OVER. Hallelujah!! It's definitely time to celebrate a new beginning. At the same time, we can't let our guard down just yet. We begin the new year here in Connecticut with a 9.14% infection rate, which is a huge increase given that just a few days ago we were under 6%. I urge you all to keep vigilant about your personal safety and that of the people around you. You know the drill: masks, hand washing, social distancing, stay away from crowds. And, of course, get vaccinated when your turn comes around.

At church, we will continue to work together to keep everyone safe. Remember, if you feel uncomfortable coming out for worship, you can join us via Zoom or by telephone. If you're not sure how to do that, give me a call. I will be happy to talk you through the process, which is really quite easy.

On this New Year's Day, I leave you with the words of Paul (1 Corinthians 5:17): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" Let us look forward with hope to the New Year ahead, for Christ is already present in all our tomorrows.

Pastor Ron

2020

December, 2020

Dear Friends In Christ:

Hi All:

Hope everyone is doing well in pandemic survival mode. Hopefully things will get better soon.

We are at the beginning of our Advent season, as we make our way toward Christmas. It's a challenge this year as we will not be able to sing our old favorite carols. But fear not, some of our choir members will sing them for us. Dan will be playing lots of them as well. We do ask that you refrain from singing to avoid contamination.

Christmas Eve service will be a scaled down version at 5:00 pm. We will also be Zooming the service.

More information will follow as we firm up the service.

Please join us at our regularly scheduled services at church or on Zoom.

Stay safe, many blessings to all.

In Christ,

RevRon

November, 2020

Dear Friends In Christ:

It looks as if the warm, balmy days of autumn are behind us and we can now pick up the leaves, put away the golf clubs, and prepare ourselves for the unpredictable New England winter. It was a beautiful autumn this year, hope you enjoyed it.

Things are moving along at WCC, the Zoom and live worshipping together seems to be working for us. Let me know how you think it’s working for you.

We are on cusp of the holidays and the busy time of year. Thanksgiving and Christmas will be different, what with the pandemic interfering with our celebrations. I suspect most family gatherings will be limited this year.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, I would like to have a food can collection this year for Thanksgiving at church. You can bring non-perishables and place them on the alter, and we will distribute to a food pantry somewhere in the area. Please bring them in by November 15, giving us time to get it distributed before Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving to all. I look forward to celebrating our service at WCC on November 22 at 10:00 am. Please join us at church or on Zoom.

In Christ,

RevRon

October, 2020

To My Friends at WCC:

As the warm days of summer give way to the cooler days and nights of autumn, I am reminded of God’s wonderful creation. Could any artist paint anything more beautiful than New England in the fall?

One of my favorite hymns, that we sing often at church, is Frances of Assisi’s “All Creatures Of Our God and King”. It lays out for us the wonder and power of our Creator, and reminds us of the omnipotence of our God, His love for us, and the beauty of His creation.

Thank you, everyone, for your cooperation in the reopening of our church. It has been a “work in progress”, so to speak.

Thanks for the patience to those on Zoom, as we iron out the creases. Everyone has cooperated and that make it so much easier. This Sunday, October 4, we will have our first Communion in a few months, and we are being especially cautious. Please join us, if you feel comfortable with it. Those on Zoom can have their own bread and juice, if you wish to join us. This is Worldwide Communion Sunday, in which we join millions of Christians in sharing in the Lord’s last supper.

Hope everyone is staying safe and getting through these difficult times.

In Christ,

RevRon

September, 2020

Hi Everyone,

It goes without saying that these are stressful times for us as we deal the Virus and all the violence facing our nation today. Sometimes it seems a bit overwhelming, as we sort these things out.

That might sum up how many of us feel as we slog through the uncertainties and fears that challenge us daily. Some of us have children that must be schooled, some have elderly parents that need attention, some of us need attention ourselves, as this whole thing has worn us down. Maybe for some of us, our jobs are in flux, or our mortgages are behind.

I came across a quote the other day that read, “A lesson for all of us is that for every loss there is victory, for every sadness, there is joy, and when you think you’ve lost everything, there is hope.”

Our God gives the hope and courage to hang on while these storms pass and the sunshine covers us once again. God has been our help in all kinds of trouble and tumult, as the Psalmist says.

So together we will survive these changes and be stronger for it.

May God bless each of you!

RevRon

August, 2020-New Letter regarding Covid-19 restrictions

To: The WCC Church Family:

Re: Safety Measures During COVID-19 Pandemic

The Prudential Committee met on Sunday, August 9th. In addition to our regular agenda, the committee reviewed our approach to the COVID-19 pandemic including our policies and safety guidelines per the attached letter dated July 2020. Lately, discussions have started around relaxing some of our safety rules. However, in an abundance of caution, and with the goal of keeping all members of our church family as safe as possible, the Prudential Committee has decided to reaffirm the safety guidelines we had initially put in place with respect to all in-person gatherings at the church, including worship services. Specifically:

Social distancing must be maintained as best we can at all times
Face masks covering both mouth and nose must continue to be worn at all times while inside the church (except when eating and drinking with social distancing)
There will continue to be no singing, including the Doxology
Fans will not be used during services, meetings, or events
- Note that fans may be used prior to the start of events to “air out” the space but must be turned off prior to people arriving
During coffee hour, food items will be individually wrapped and social distancing must be maintained

Reminder that worship services are also provided via Zoom, and our updated meeting ID/password have been emailed to most parishioners. Please email bookingwcc@gmail.com if you need the updated information.

While we realize not all members of our congregation will agree with the safety guidelines, we believe they are necessary, especially with schools reopening soon. Please keep in mind that most churches in our area have not yet opened and are continuing to hold all services and events remotely, if at all.

Please feel free to direct any feedback or concerns to Kelly Ouellette, Evelyn Taggart, or Melissa Engel. Thanks very much!

Sincerely,

Westchester Congregational Church Prudential Committee

July, 2020

Dear Friends:

“It's really a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”

- “Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl”

I came across these words of hope as I was rereading the diary of this wonderful young lady. When we live in these difficult times, when it sometimes seems all is lost, when we live with uncertainties of life, we cannot lose sight of the goodness of humankind. In all the negative news we are bombarded with, there are daily acts of kindness and love, if only we can filter it through the madness.

If we all practice one daily act of kindness, think of the difference we can make. Things are moving forward for us at WCC. Hopefully soon we will all be able to worship together in person. In the meantime, we are grateful that we can be together on Zoom, or in person. Hope it is all working out for you.

Many blessings to all,

RevRon

June, 2020

Hi Friends:

As I share in some thoughts on this beautiful spring day, they go to the sense of loss I feel for our church. It seems like years, but is only weeks, but one gets sort of “out of practice” in our physical worship. Zoom is OK, but really isn’t a substitute for the real thing. I pray things will turn to some sort of normalcy soon.

With that in mind, I’m waiting for a decision from the Prudential Council as to what our plans will be. There is a tentative date for an outside service on June 14. More information will follow. I’m anxious to get our worship back in the routine of things soon. In the meantime keep safe and healthy, and God will guide us back together.

God bless each of you, stay safe and please keep WCC in your prayers.

Your pastor,

RevRon

May, 2020

Hi Friends:

I hope these notes find you well, and, I suspect you’re anxious to get back to normal, whatever that is going to be. The longer this pandemic goes on the more anxious I get to find what the new normal is going to be.

As I was puttering around, pulling grass and weeds, from my garden, I thought of a saying I once came across: “Are you willing to let the mud settle before you get to the clean water”, I’m not sure who the author is, but I think it makes sense. I know some of us are very patient people, who manage time well, and some of us are not as patient, and need things to return to normal soon. I guess I fall in the latter.

Whatever category you fall in, I’m sure God will guide you through this. I very much miss the church, with its friendliness and caring people, but I’m grateful for Zoom, as we can at least be together at worship and Bible study virtually.

There was a time when I thought that electronics were a curse, but I have changed my mind.

I pray for everyone, and our church that God will bring us back together at worship soon.

In Christ,

RevRon

Post Easter Message to Fellowship Churches from:

The Rev. Dr. Irven A. Gammon

Executive Director

ExecDir277@Gmail.com 413-320-6955

The Fellowship of Northeast Congregational Christian Churches

April 15, 2020

Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I pen this message three days after Easter Sunday of 2020. Happy Easter to all of you as you begin your journey to Pentecost Sunday! You will celebrate Jesus’ resurrection over the course of seven Easter Sundays. So, as you continue in Covid-19 self-isolation for a few more weeks, shout “Hosanna in the Highest” repeatedly until you can once again return to worship at your Meeting House.

Meanwhile, I write to you regarding your pastor. Earlier this year I was working with Rev. Don Bliss of East Freetown, MA as a Co-Director of the planned April Minister’s Convocation. This event was to be held at the Cathedral Pines Retreat Center in East Freetown next week, April 20-23. I had recruited Rev. Dr. Brett Younger of New York as our guide and presenter who had developed a renewal program to help the pastors attending refresh their taxed and tired spirits following the long Lenten/ Holy Week/ Easter journey. Our goal: Sermon preparation can deplete our souls or fill our hearts. This is true for each step in the process—

reading the story, looking for God, arranging ideas, and sharing what we find. We will explore

preaching that keeps the preacher’s soul alive in four conversations over four texts:

Preaching with Imagination / Isaiah 6

Preaching with Courage / Luke 4:14-30

Preaching with Honesty / Psalm 23

Preaching with Joy / 2 Samuel 6

Leading the event, I was looking forward to meeting with the pastors of your churches to work at “recharging their batteries” – their physical and spiritual essence. Having pastored a Fellowship congregation for most of 15 years in Florence MA, I know firsthand of the demands and expectations of congregants upon the pastor. Really! It is nonstop, full-throttle from Thanksgiving through Advent, Christmas, Epiphany and then a few weeks to Ash Wednesday, Sundays of Lent, Palm Sunday, Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. Believe me, ministers are exhausted and need rejuvenation. The Minister’s Convocation is designed to provide rest, relaxation, good conversation, creative workshops and worship to the pastor.

Given the current Covid-19 pandemic, the three countrywide NACCC sponsored Congregational Convocations were cancelled this year depriving your pastor the opportunity for needed rest and renewal. I would really like to recommend to all of you Fellowship church members that you encourage and support your pastor with some R & R once we get past this pandemic

Is your pastor showing signs of burnout? Without proper rest, personal time for devotion, regular exercise, good nutrition, and solid boundary practices, your pastor could burnout and become unresponsive to his or her call, and to your needs as a congregation. Here are eleven signs and symptoms that might indicate your pastor is close to the edge of the cliff we call burnout (The paraphrased list is drawn from Didn’t See It Coming by Carey Nieuwhof):

Signs that your Pastor May Be Burning Out

1) The pastor’s passion seems to be fading. The excitement that infused the pastor with enthusiasm, delight and initiative dwindles. The joy of engaging with the congregation, studying the scriptures and experiencing God’s creative ways shrinks away to become burdensome and taxing.

2) Little things set the pastor off. The pastor reacts to seemingly small glitches as if they are huge issues with unusual emotional outbursts. He or she may yell or scream at undeserving individuals.

3) The pastor no longer feels the highs and lows. The pastor doesn’t feel emotion but rather almost a sense of numbness of the heart. There is little reaction to joyful moments or painful experiences of the people he or she normally cares deeply for.

4) The pastor becomes cynical. Things that should evoke optimism, creativity and trust of others give way to sarcasm and disrespect. Hope, enthusiasm and cheer develop into cynical thoughts of discontent and disappointments.

5) Nothing seems to satisfy the pastor. Good conversations with people, prayer time, recreation or vacation attempts, good sleep, accomplishments at work, and fine dining erode – nothing seems to fulfill the pastor.

6) The pastor can’t think straight. When a pastor begins to burnout, the heart messes with the mind and he or she lose the ability to think clearly. This might be like a person experiencing a “midlife crisis” when one does something outrageous like buy a fancy sports car on a whim or have an affair. One does not think wisely. The heart and head are not in sync.

7) The pastor’s productivity drops to a record low. Preparing sermons are difficult. Engaging in conversations is tiring. Creative thinking eludes the pastor.

8) The pastor self-medicates when burning out in an attempt to numb the pain. This might include overeating, overworking, drinking, impulsive spending, drugs, etc. Instead of self-care and asking for help, a pastor self-medicates to deal with the unending agony.

9) Everybody around the pastor seems to drain them. No one energizes the pastor. This includes a spouse, children, and best friends. People who usually stimulate the pastor fall short of that blessing. Working with the church leadership is very difficult and tiring.

10) The pastor doesn’t laugh anymore. Nothing seems fun or funny anymore. The pastor begins to resent people who do seem to be happy. There is little to be joyful about.

11) Sleep and time off no longer refuel the pastor. Regardless of opportunities for rest and relaxation that would usually help most healthy people bounce back from the stresses of life, nothing seems to recharge and reenergize the pastor. He or she appears to be tired all the time.

Be alert to your pastor’s livelihood, emotions, and body language. Be attentive to his or her needs as a human being called to serve Christ as pastor and teacher. Love, nurture and care for them.

Please consider circulating this message to the members of your church.

In Christ,

Irven

April, 2020

Hi all:

This is usually the busiest week in our church calendar, with Palm Sunday and Easter looming. Sadly, we will be sitting on the sidelines, so to speak, as we cannot be together for physical worship.

Let's not despair, as we know our Savoir, Jesus Christ understands. I fully expect to have a belated Easter celebration when we return. Speaking of returning, I know it takes much patience, but I know we will stay in touch and care for one another.

In the meantime, stay safe and let folks know if you need anything. Remember I am available 24 hours a day through phone, email, or a visit, if need be.

Thank you for hanging in there.

In Christian love,

RevRon

March, 2020

Hi,

Ron is taking this issue off – March 1st is the meteorological first day of Spring! And all the signs are there – robins, redwing blackbirds in the yard, tulips and hyacinth and some trees are budding. Can’t wait to get my hands in that warm dirt and plant some annuals. There are so many sticks to pick up in the yard from all the windy nights lately. My house plants are growing new leaves and the windows clearly near washing. Soon we will be complaining about mowing the grass!

Spring cleaning – imagine the dust in the house when the roads were dirt! I can remember my

Mother with her new ringer washing machine and most everything was hung outside to dry. The

sheets would freeze, the towels like cardboard. Love the smell of sheets that have been dried outside

and I still do that occasionally in the nice weather. Guess I need to do some spring cleaning with my head.

They say if you do word games and puzzles, things to stimulate your thinking you will live longer and stay sharp. Great idea putting them on the computer and the phone – amazing. Well, I do jigsaw puzzles on my computer and word puzzles on my phone. So, I should be sharp as a tack. If it’s working, I would not like to see what happens if I stop playing those games!

Off to finish cleaning out the refrigerator! Happy Spring and don’t forget the clocks next week.

Mary Jane

Editor

February, 2020

Hi Everyone:

Here we are already in February, looking forward to ole Pauxatany Phil, hoping he'll see his shadow, and Spring will be here. It's been a mild winter so far, but we still have a couple months of NE uncertainty.

Thanks to the hard work of many folks, our church received some great publicity, while helping out our friends in Australia dealing with millions of displaced animals and birds. It has been a labor of love for our women folks. Thanks to all.

We are fast approaching our annual trek to Jerusalem and beyond, as we will soon be in the Lenten/Easter season. It is a journey we take together each year. Hope you can join us.

Speaking of Easter season, on Sunday April 5th we will celebrate Membership Sunday at WCC. Some folks have already indicated their desire to join. Please let me know if you wish to join us as a member. It's always exciting having folks join our family.

Many blessings to all,

Rev Ron

January, 2020

Hi Everyone:

The first Sunday in January is the anniversary of my one year at WCC. I wish to thank everyone for the support I have received. It has been a great experience for me. I was not accustomed to having such wonderful lay leadership. I am really impressed. Thank you all for putting forth such hard work.

As we begin the New Year, we are faced with challenges, some obvious, ie building our congregation, meeting our budget, and keeping up our buildings and grounds up to par. I'm confident that together, we can meet all of our goals and challenges.

Happy New Year to all,

Revron