Boards/Committees

Memorial Committee

The Memorial Committee is the caretaker of the donations made to First Church in memory of a friend or a loved one, or in celebration of a special occasion.

Throughout the year, requests for memorial funds are received from church boards, committees and staff. The Memorial Committee members carefully consider each request. Decisions are based on whether an item qualifies as a suitable memorial and will enhance the worship experience. By tradition, memorial funds are not spent on maintenance projects. At times, the committee concludes that a request should be included in a future budget instead of becoming a memorial purchase.

During the past year, the Memorial Committee authorized funds for the purchase of 6 choir robes; a speaker system that provides sound from the sanctuary to the parlor; a hand-held microphone; and a rear curtain for the stage in Schultz Hall.

Gifts to the Memorial Committee may be given with a specific project in mind. This year, one family requested that the donations given in memory of their loved ones be designated for the Hale house property when the landscaping plan is completed.

All Memorial and commemorative gifts are recorded in the Book of Remembrance, which is located in the Memorial Cabinet in the West Corner of Schultz Hall.

The Memorial Committee also maintains the funds for the First Church Memorial Garden, which is located to the west of Schultz Hall. The Memorial Garden Book in Schultz Hall contains informational pages and pictures of many of the people interred in the Memorial Garden.

The committee greatly appreciates all donations to the Memorial Fund and always welcomes suggestions for memorial gifts.

Susan G. Motycka, Chairman

MEMORIAL COMMITTEE
2009 Sylvia Thompson
2009 Eleanor Chapman
2009 Jane Nystrom
2009 Nancy Higgins - Deacon
2010 Roz Bennett
2010 Eva Bowden
2010 Barbara Morrissey
2010 Marilyn McNab
2011 Marti Curtiss
2011 Margie Kreitler
2011 George Dolde
2011

HISTORIAN Jean Greene

Senior Pastor David Taylor

• Senior Pastor David Taylor received the 2007 "Faithful Trustee of the Year" award from the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries. He was nominated by Rev. Shari Prestemon for his work for Back Bay Mission, particularly his leadership following Hurricane Katrina.

• July 1, 2007, we observed Candidating Sunday when Chris Mereschuk was called to be our Associate Pastor for Youth Ministries. He was ordained on Sept 30, 2007, at the First Congregational Church, Canton Ctr.

• We welcomed Reverend Samson Abdullah from Pakistan who was studying in the Interfaith Dialogue Program at Hartford Seminary this year. He returned to Lenore, Pakistan, in mid - June 2007.

• Our UCC General Synod 26 was held in Hartford, June 22-26, 2007. This was the 50th Anniversary for United Church of Christ. Many of our members took part in the events with Gordon Bates, Cindi Bates Russell and Nancy Pacht drumming on opening night as well as Patrick King singing "This Little Light of Mine."

We delivered 430 dozen cookies for the delegates cookie refreshments.

• Reverend Yvonne Delk visited us on the weekend of March 8 and 9, 2008. On Saturday, she led

a workshop and on Sunday, she was our guest preacher. She is a leader in justice and equality for the oppressed.

• On Jan. 23, 2008, we reached our first anniversary of ownership of 2169 Main St.

The " sweat-equity committee" produced miracles both on the grounds and the house throughout the year removing antiquated plumbing and wiring and part of a later wing as well as deteriorating trees and brush.

Following our Annual Meeting in May, 2007, church members worked on the Hale property sweeping, vacuuming, washing inside and raking and digging in the yard. Members also had their first chance to tour the house.

On Mar. 14, 2008, First Church submitted an application for a Historical Preservation Technical

Assistance Grant to proceed with a study of the next necessary work on the house.

• During the summer of 2007 while Main Street was being repaved, we had the opportunity to adjust our driveway entrance, rebuild the apron and solve some drainage problems.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jean Greene, Historian