This Week's News at UCC Stoughton

SUMMER CRAFT NIGHTS Wednesdays throughout August  from 7 - 9 pm in Fellowship Hall We had lots of fun learning how to do glass painting and "dressing up" up some terra cotta planters in different shapes and sizes. You too can be part of the fun - we really need your ideas and creativity to make our Church Fair Craft and Christmas Room better than ever.  We have glass painting and terra cot pots ready for you to begin working on - or bring your own project already in progress!  We needs lots of variety.  Some other ideas - cleaning up some old mason jars and decorating them so we can add in baking ingredients, or fudge sauce, or homemade salsa.  Do you have big ol' costume jewelry pins that might make lovely kitchen magnets - bring them along - it only a little glue and magnetic strips! So - if you have some uniquely shaped or unused old vases, stemware, even Mason Jars, and Baby Food Jars, clean terra cotta pots that can be transformed into a treasure for someone - bring them along.  If you have rub-ons and stencils you would like to donate to the cause - we would sure appreciate those as well. You never know what you can do if you don't just give it a try. If you have other ideas please share them with the Fair Committee.  For further information on August craft nights contact: Charlene Smith, 781-344-8819 (cjts107@comcast.net) Marcia Olson 781-344-9547(baglole.olson@verizon.net) Gale Porter, 781-344-7032 (eporter574@aol.com), Fair Chair Please remember the hungry among us as you enjhoy the summer BBQ's and savor the delicious fruits and vegetables of the season.  The Stoughton food pantry shelves need replensihing so as you cruise the grocery aisles keep this simple phrase in mind- Buy One, Get One- Give One!  As you shop and see the Buy One, Get One Free promotions - why not get one for you and then pick up the free one to share with your neighbors who are struggling to feed their families - it's a win-win for everyone!  There are many ways you can drop off food items:  Leave your items in our church lobby when you come to worship.  Make a delivery on Tuesday mornings directly to the food pantry, located behind the Methodist Church on Seaver Street.  Drop non-perishable food items at the Stoughton Public Library.  Call Stoughton resident Peg Carbone (508-889-1385) who will pick up items every Thursday.  Or send her an email at peg.carbone@comcast.net. <><><><><> Just a frien dly reminder from the Board of Trustees that church salaries and expenses don't take a summer vacation. Even if you are more relaxed about your schedule during the summer, we ask that you faithfully honor your annual stewardship pledge to support our regular church operations during the summer months.Even if you are not in church, you can mail your pledge to the church office marked to the attention of the Offerings Clerk.  Many thanks for your continued faithful support. <><><><><> PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY   The Prayer Shawl Group will start up again in September. If someone you know is in need of a prayer shawl over the summer months, please let Pastor Jean know. \ If you need directions or further information,or  would like to pick out a supply of yarn to start a prayer or baptismal shawl, please see a member of the prayer shawl ministry. We again ask for your financial support. The participants of the prayer shawl ministry have not only donated their time and the work of their hands, but they have also paid for the supplies themselves. The price of yarn has gone up steadily over the years, and it now costs $18 to make one shawl. Please submit your check made out to the church with "Prayer Shawl Ministry" in the note line and drop it off at the church office or place it in the offering plate during worship. . GET PLUGGED IN TO OUR CHURCH! Internet users now have new and improved ways to receive the latest information about our ministries and programs. We have totally revamped our Facebook page ("First Congregational Church of Stoughton"-- look for our church logo). Facebook is now the way to keep in the loop and up-to-the-minute on things happening at our church. Check us out, and be sure to "like" us! Also, if you have any recent (i.e., less than a year old) pictures of various activities and ministries of our church (e.g., worship, the fair, small groups, fellowship suppers, mission activities, etc., etc.), please send them to Pastor Jean at revjeanlenk@uccstoughton.org so she can put them on our new Fb page (you might even be tagged!). In addition, Jean now has a blog (revjeanlenk.blogspot.com) entitled "UCC Stoughton News & Happenings." It includes "the latest news about the ministries, programs, activities, and happenings at the First Congregational Church of Stoughton, United Church of Christ (with occasional observations and opinions from its pastor)." You can also follow her on Twitter; her handle is @jeanlenk. You can find links to our new Facebook page and Jean's blog on the homepage of our church's website, www.uccstoughton.org. For those without computers, fear not! Any information on Facebook, Jean's blog, etc. that is not also communicated through Notes & Notices and The Link is posted on the bulletin board at the lower entrance; look for the sign "Pastor Jean's Blog." <><><><><>  CHURCH OFFICE HOURS for the SUMMER: The church office summer hours through September 4:  Monday              8:30 am-12:30 pm  Tuesday             8:30 am-12:30 pm  Wednesday        8:30 am-12:30 pm  Thursday           8:30 am-12:30 pm    Friday    Closed from July 15-September 2 Regular Office Hours will resume the week of September 4th.

Cleaning out your closet, garage, attic?    Ready to get rid of "stuff" you'll never use again? From now until the end of October, I will be collecting items for our church's annual Holiday Fair.   I'll be accepting the following items in good condition: White elephant/attic treasures, jewelry, small working electronics, small furniture or home décor items, fiction books, CDs, DVDs, holiday decorations, children's books and toys Please -- NO computers, clothing, non-fiction or textbooks, exercise equipment or other large items. You can drop them by the church on Sunday mornings or during regular church hours (mostly mornings before noon) or contact Marcia Olson and make arrangements to have them picked them. We are also seeking donations for our Silent Auction - if you are able to make a donation of a gift certificate, gift cards, tickets to a play or sporting event, movie tickets, sports memorabilia, or some other item, we would be most grateful.  Many thanks, Marcia Olson, baglole.olson@verizon.net, 781-344-9547. <><><><><> JEWELRY NEEDED -- Old, New, or Gently Used                                                                     Have you cleane d out your jewelry box lately?  Is your accessories drawer overflowing with unwanted baubles and gems? Our church fair Jewelry Corner is looking for  new stock for the next fair, coming up in November.  If you have any treasures that you'd like to part with, please consider donating them to the fair.  Just put  them  into a clear zip-lock bag and give them to Elaine Henriksen or Dee Hayes, or  drop  them off in the church office.  Please do not leave them in the downstairs  storage area where they might get lost or buried. Thank-you!

First Congregational Church of Stoughton  United Church of Christ An Open and Affirming Congregation    Our Vision    We are called together  to embrace God's transformation  of our lives and our world  by becoming and serving as Christ's disciples.

Quick Links... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TO LEARN MORE ABOUT US, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.uccstoughton.org