The Board of Lay Life and Ministry’s mission is to nurture and care for our church members and community by providing hospitality, social activities, and In-Reach programs. Our smallish but mighty board took on the task of planning many "nourishing" events throughout the year and a well deserved thanks goes to Kathy Harris (incoming Chair), Sarah Betts, Avril Fritzer, Holly Grigg, Kathryn Holdt, Jen Jalbert, Charlene McFee, Ruth Miller, Myonghee Cho Lee and Rev. Ruth Martz for making each one successful and special. Thanks also go to Sallie Graves for her talent and guidance in the kitchen for the Women’s Christmas Luncheon and the Gold and Silver Member Brunch, Wanda Bates for help in planning the Progressive Dinner, and Nancy Higgins for the extra support for coffee hour planning and special events. The following is a brief overview of the activities for the period of June 2009 – May 2010:

Common Fellowship Hour – Coffee, tea, apple juice, iced water, and fellowship can be found each Sunday in between services in Schultz Hall. We have continued to order coffee from Fair Trade Coffee and use paper cups to remain eco-friendly. On warmer late-spring and summer Sundays, lemonade or punch is served outside. The Board of Lay Life and Ministry is responsible for ordering and purchasing supplies as well as coordinating people to serve refreshments each week. Volunteers bring in the cream or milk for coffee, and lemonade in the summer. Rev. Ruth Martz ordered coffee as needed; Avril Fritzer, with assistance from Holly Grigg, coordinated host volunteers and purchased tea, cups, juice, sugar and stirrers; and Nancy Higgins graciously made calls each week to remind hosts.

Homecoming Picnic – There was a record 525 people who attended church on September 13, 2009 and many of them stayed to enjoy the picnic that followed. Lay Life and Ministry coordinated the purchase of all food and supplies, printing of the Homecoming banner, and providing decorations. Church members were asked to bring either a side-dish/salad, or dessert. Our grillers, Paul Giguere, Chuck McFee, Kevin Vigeant, and Bill Graves grilled hamburgers, hot dogs and veggie burgers to perfection. Norm Higgins was again instrumental in transporting four grills to the church grounds. The popular moon bounce was manned by the Youth Board, crafts were led by Christian Education, balloons were provided by the Music Board, Rev. Ruth Martz and Kathy Harris coordinated games, Trustees helped set-up, and Deacons (and all other boards) helped with clean-up. Combined with church school registration and Youth Rally Day, it was a busy, fun-filled day!

Naubuc Green Birthday Party – Each September, Lay Life and Ministry provides birthday cake, gifts and entertainment for the Naubuc Green residents celebrating birthdays in August and September. "Ann & Frank" entertained approximately 40 residents, 18 of whom were celebrating birthdays. Six board members helped serve coffee and cake, but it was the ice cream sandwiches that made the biggest hit.

Harvest Supper – On the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving, the entire congregation was invited to attend the "Harvest Supper and All-Church Talent Show" at the Riverfront Community Center. Approximately 270 attended the delicious and heart-warming evening. Barb Budaj and Laura Wildman helped MC the Talent Show which included performances by children and adults alike. Puppets, dance troupe, instrumental pieces, tap dancing, and singing by church members entertained us all. The Board of Lay Life and Ministry organized the event from sign-ups to clean up, including a craft table for kids. The cost remained at $3 per person, $10 per family to off-set the $1200 hall rental fee, and attendees were assigned to bring a main dish, salad/side dish, or dessert.

Women’s Christmas Luncheon – Saturday, December 12, 2009: 60 women attended the luncheon prepared again by Sallie Graves with the help of Lay Life members. Due to high demand for Sallie’s recipes in the past, Charlene McFee printed a beautiful brochure containing recipes from this year’s delectable lunch. Rev. Ruth Martz led everyone in singing carols along with Angela Salcedo playing the piano. Chris Hernandez was truly appreciated for his skillful operating of the dishwasher. Although the luncheon has always been special, it has been recommended that next year’s event be a "Women’s Christmas Tea" to celebrate the women of the church. This would save some money and labor, and if held on a Sunday afternoon in December, perhaps more women would be likely to attend.

Board of the Month – February was Lay Life’s turn to be Board of the month. We explained the activities of LLM in a brief moment of sharing during Worship on February 7. We also had an information table set up during Common Fellowship. Our Valentine treats helped to lure people to the table.

Lenten Suppers - This year, Rev. Ruth Martz arranged for various church Boards to prepare soup for the suppers, and she coordinated to have some inspirational speakers to lead programs following each meal.

Meal of the Upper Room – Thursday, April 1, 2010: Up to 40 people attended the spiritually moving service and meal. Lay Life purchased lamb (cooked, sliced, in gravy) from Gardiner’s Market, and also bought and prepared Minute Rice and spinach. With a skeleton crew from Lay Life, plates were quickly filled and served, and then cleaned up after all were finished.

Progressive Dinner – Saturday, April 10, 2010: Only 44 people gathered for the Progressive Dinner, but it was a wonderfully orchestrated event, none the less. Wanda Bates assisted again in coordinating hosts and assignments. Appetizers were at the home of Kathy and John Harris; hosts included Josie and Geoff Dellenbaugh, Jen and Greg Kernisan (Rosemary Richter assisting), Jenny and Paul Giguere, Amy and Brian Thompson, and Sylvia and Earl Thompson (Sallie Graves assisting); dessert was provided in Schultz Hall. It was an intimate evening of true fellowship.

Gold and Silver Member Brunch – May 2, 2010: Parishioners who have been church members for 40 years or more were honored during the service, and then treated to a delicious brunch prepared by Lay Life with the help of Sallie Graves. About 30 honorees were decorated with white corsages before each service and then enjoyed an egg, cheese and ham souffle with salad and a crescent roll, followed by ice cream and fresh strawberries. Rev. Ruth Martz facilitated a discussion of special memories shared by members. Thanks to Nancy Higgins, each attendee went home with a beautifully packaged geranium.

Thank you to all Lay Life members for their hard work and dedication to the church. Thank you to Rev. Ruth Martz for being liaison and guide. Thank you to the church staff for being patient and understanding. Thank you to the Board of Trustees for helping us solve our budget woes. Because of everyone’s support of the Board of Lay Life and Ministry, this year has been filled with great opportunities for fellowship.

Faithfully submitted,

Jennifer Giguere

Co-Chair of Lay Life & Ministry Board