Summer 2001

From the Pastor:   The warmer days are upon us and with them are all the comings and goings of the church family as folks go on vacation and seek the rest and relaxation and refreshment of the summer months. Don't forget that we are sharing joint summer Sunday worship services with Second Congregational Church of Attleboro. We will meet at OLDTOWN at 9:30 am during July and at 9:30 am in August at the Second Church. I will be on vacation the first 4 weeks of July, this year. Pastor Ross Putnam will be covering pastoral emergencies during that time.   When you are hiking or biking or swimming or golfing or otherwise enjoying God's beautiful creation, don't forget to stop and give thanks for all the beauty around you and for your very life and ability to enjoy nature. The refreshment and renewal of summertime activities is not only for mind and body, but also for soul and spirit. Watch for the signs of God's activity in your own life. Stop and give thanks! Come and worship at Oldtown and at Second. Worship is a real "pause that refreshes".   In June we have Pentecost Sunday and Children's Sunday with a family picnic after worship. And then there is the Yard Sale and Chicken Barbecue on the 16th. Come enjoy the Church family as we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and our children. May God bless your summer days with refreshment and renewal in your body, mind, and spirit.     Only by grace, Pastor Katrina

Welcome to the Mission Corner: Dedicated to Serving Christ Thanks to all who donated so generously on Mother's Day to the Tools of Hope and Blankets Program sponsored by Church World Service. The total we raised was $221.00! It is such a special way to honor your own mother and help others worldwide. A correction to last month's newsletter report: Oldtown donated a total of 24 canned hams to Lenore's Pantry for Easter. Over 78 families and more than 140 children in our town were helped at that time. Just a reminder that Lynne Sias is still delivering any food basket donations you may wish to bring to church. The basket is located under the table next to the Sunday School staircase. The Missions Committee will again be providing custom-made ice cream sundaes for all who attend the Church picnic to be held on June 10th following the Children's Day Service. All are invited to stay for the cookout and potluck salads. Food 'n Friends: Oldtown is sponsoring a soup kitchen on Friday, June 29th, at the Seekonk Baptist Church on Route 152. Kitchen helpers and servers are needed--please speak to a member of the Missions Committee if you can help. And finally, don't forget to speak to Lynne Sias if you wish to support a walker or be a walker for the American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life" to be held June 8th and 9th or if you wish to purchase a luminaria for $5.00 that will light the way for the relay walkers through the night.   Christine Pandozzi For the Missions Committee

Services on Tape We record our Sunday Services, so those who could not attend can share in our worship. Call the church office at 695-1713 if you'd like to borrow a tape

From the Massachusetts Conference, UCC We are looking forward to the Annual Meeting of the Conference to be held June 8 & 9 at Mount Holyoke College. Kelly Thibeault is our delegate. Pastor Katrina is once again doing the artwork for the meeting. This year a new Conference Minister and president will be voted on. The candidate is Rev. Nancy Taylor, currently the Senior Pastor at the First Cong. UCC in Boise, Idaho. ******************************************************* Craigville Retreat: Aug. 10-12: "Come to the Living Water: Refreshing Our Faith" Women’s Summer Retreat ******************************************** Brochures for Summer Camping program have arrived. There are camps for campers from 4th grade up. Summer Camps: WHEN WHERE AGE July 29-Aug. 5 Grotonwood Grade 4-12 July 8-14 Oceanwood Grade 8&9 July 15-21 Oceanwood Grade 10-12 July 25-Aug 5 Craigville Grade 8-12 Music camp June 28-July 1 Craigville Adult Music Camp

From the Attleboro Area Council of Churches Julie Woods will be in concert on Friday, June 15 at 7:30 pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church for the benefit of the "Food n’ Friends" Soup Kitchens. A free will offering will be taken and everyone is encouraged to bring a can of food. Julie has appeared on the Rosie O’Donnell Show and sung with Roberta Flack and Livingston Taylor. On August 5th, LaSalette Shrine is sponsoring an afternoon of forgiveness, which will include exhibits and an ecumenical worship service.

OLDTOWN FLEA-MARKET   June 16, 2001 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There will be a variety of items and treasures for sale in the semi-circular drive in front of the church. Donations are welcome. Please contact Ed Clavette, 508-695-2214, if you have something to donate to the sale. We also need helpers to sort and set-up. Set-up will begin about 6:30 am.

SALAD DRESSING Please keep saving your GLASS salad dressing bottles in pint and half-pint sizes. I will be making some for the Chicken Barbecue on June 16th and that will be it until the Fall Fair in October. Get yours for the summer season now! Carolyn

American Cancer Society's Relay for Life Many good Oldtown folks will be walking in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, June 8 & 9, to help raise awareness and funds. Members of the team who will appreciate your support are: Denise Achin, Lori Brown, Carolyn & Henry Chretien, Ed & June Clavette, the Santsaver family and Dave & Lynne Sias. Come and join us, 6 p.m. Friday to noon Saturday.   Lynne Sias

Address Change? To help us keep our member/friends information and newsletter mailing list up-to-date, please call the church office if there are changes needed in your name, address or phone number. Thank you.

OLDTOWN CHICKEN BARBECUE Served on the South Lawn of Oldtown Church, June 16, 2001 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED NO LATER THAN JUNE 12! Adults $7.50, Seniors $7.00, Children $4.00. Contact Dot Greene 508-695-5138 for tickets and information. Menu: One half Willow Tree chicken (one quarter for children), baked potato, rolls, salad with Elsie Morris' Famous Salad Dressing, watermelon, beverage. Helpers are needed for set-up, serving and clean up. Set-up begins at 2:30 pm. Contact Judy Harrop at 508-695-7558 or Ed Clavette 508-695-2214

CRAFTERS How many crafty people are out there? We need your help! The Fall Fair will have to be a very successful one to meet our financial needs. Can you please help out by making any articles you think would sell during the summer months? People love handmade items both large and small. Our other concern is that we're looking for crafters out there who would be willing to teach some of us. Maybe you know how to do something we could all work on together. If you're interested please call the church office and leave a message...someone will get back to you! Hopefully we will be getting together some evenings from 7 to 9 to start some projects. Keep posted! Carolyn

From the Old Colony Association Congratulations to the Rev. Robert Rust, Ordained on May 20th. Bob is the pastor of the West Cong. Church in Taunton. On June 24th, The Rev. Bill Comeau will be Installed as pastor and Teacher of the Assonet Cong. Church.

The Deacon’s Corner With the Easter Season come and gone and people looking forward to their Summer down time the Deacons held their May meeting to prepare for the upcoming summer season. Still to come is Reception of New Members and several Baptisms. Also, Children's Day will be held on June 10th. What a joy to see all those young people participating in our church services. The future of our church is hard at work. June 3rd we will be observing Pentecost please attend church adorned in your red outfits. This is a sign of Pentecost. Come and see our church adorned in its red finery as well as other surprises prepared for us by Pastor Clinton. Beginning with the First Sunday in July our services will be held at 9:30 am for our summer schedule and end after Labor Day at which point we will return to our 10 am time. In July and August, once again, we will be joining with Second Church of Attleboro. With services held at Oldtown in July and in Attleboro beginning with the first Sunday in August. Rev Putnum and Rev. Clinton will be preaching at those services. Come and join in July with Reverend Putnum and be prepared for question and answer time. What inquiring minds want to know…think up some good questions and bring and share. The Deacon's have voted not to have Communion in the month of July this year therefore the Deacons will not be making home visitations in July. For the past several months, David and James Fontaine have been preparing the Coffee Hour on Sunday. The Deacons want to thank them for their Dedication to this service. Jim will be leaving us to go to College in the fall we all wish him the best of luck and God speed. You will be sorely missed, Jim. Again, thank you for the many hours you have given to God's work always done willingly and with love. Another Gentleman we again want to thank is Frank Nyskohus affectionately known as Frank the Donut Man. The Pastoral Relations Committee will be meeting with Pastor Katrina in August to address any concerns either on the part of the Pastor or the congregation. If you have a concern or anything that you feel should be addressed, feel free to speak to anyone of the Committee.   Your Committee Members are: Ed Clavette Dave Sias Dan Thibeault Robert Greene Judy Harrop The most effective way to keep any Organization running smoothly is to maintain open communication thus your Relations committee. In closing I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Young People of our Church they are a blessing to all of us--pitching in wherever a need might be, willingly and without complaint. They are an exceptional group of Young People and deserve applause from the adults of our Church. Again, thank you. Your Deacons wish you all a wonderful, relaxing, enjoyable and safe summer.   Peace and Love to one and all, Judy Harrop Vice Chairman

šË› In our prayers: Beatrice Beattie, Cindy, Michelle,Tim Harrop, Jo,Stephanie, Edith, Mary, Brandon, Jeannie Sheraton, Eric Beith, Jordan DelRicci, David Thibeault, Ann & Don Botsford, Bill Peterson, Dean Ricker, Miranda Berkley, Chessie, The Rev. Steve Bachelder,Father William Boffa, Alice & Gus, Doug Fontaine, Lynne Pittard, Mark Sullivan, Lois Blaise, Mike Lamarr, Gina Woodrum, John Gray, Andrea, Donna Humphrey, Roger Pelletier, Mark & Ruth, Maggie, Shawn, Ann Boyd, Mimi, Harold Liston, Mary Kapochia, Alvin Taylor, Mary Aruggio, Paul Gaouette, Rose Coty, Alice Roberge, Mary Gaudet. And our shut-ins: Elsie Morris, Marion Horman, Esther Angus (Please help us keep this list up-to-date. Let us know when names can be removed)

{ Christian Education Well here we are at the end of another Sunday school year, and what a year it was! It was a year full of trying new things and enjoying great friendships. We started our new children’s chapel which was a great place for all the children to come together for worship, put on a Christmas pageant, had fun at craft time, raised money to help others through our Muffin Moments, Filled the Ark, learned about the meaning and symbols of Lent during our Mardi Gras Party, celebrated Communion with our Communion class, hunted for eggs at our Easter egg hunt, were lead by our youth on Youth Sunday, visited Overlook Farm to learn more about the Heifer Project, started Oldtown Hope which is our junior high youth group, sang lots and lots of songs, learned all about Jesus in our Sunday School classes and much much more. Our year was so successful because the entire church came together to support our children. I’d like to thank EVERYONE from the bottom of my heart for all of the kindness and support Christian Education and all of the children have received this year.   Now for my list of Don’t forgets: Don’t forget June 10th is Children’s day when the children of the church will lead our worship. Children should be at church at 9am for a quick rehearsal for our 10am service. After worship we will continue the celebration outside with hot dogs, and make your own sundaes!! (Thanks to Missions for the donation of the sundaes) We are asking families that attend to bring a potluck salad, Thanks! Don’t forget about Vacation Bible School on August 10th and 11th. Look for more info in this newsletter. If you are interested in helping out we need: Registration people from 4:30 to 5:30 on Friday 8/10, storytellers on Friday from 6-8pm, craft leaders on Saturday morning, food prep people for dinner Friday, and lunch and snack on Saturday, and Group leaders who need to attend the entire VBS. If you think you can help out even just for an hour or two please talk to Kelly or Katrina and we’ll find you the perfect job! Don’t forget to mark your calendars for Rally Day. Sunday school registration will be September 9th and Rally Day (when classes start) will be September 16th. We are still looking for teachers, teacher’s helpers, craft people and youth group helpers for September. We are planning a teacher/helper orientation so if you think you might be interested in helping out please talk to Christine or Kelly. Again. thanks for all of your support and God Bless! Kelly

DON’T FORGET! Summer services will be shared with the Second Cong. Church of Attleboro, meeting at Oldtown in July, and Second Church in August. Pastor Katrina will be on vacation the 1st 4 Sundays of July. Pastor Ross Putnam will be covering. Worship will begin at 9:30 am through Sept. 2 (back at Oldtown). Sept. 9 we will go back to the 10 am worship hour. Rally Day is on Sept. 16th. Since God doesn’t go on vacation, and bills never seem to either, please remember to keep your pledge current. If you use the envelopes, then even with joint services, your offering will find its way to your home church. Thank you!

Summer Anniversaries Aug 24 Tim & Allison Dyer Aug 25 Robert & Nancy Johnston

Summer Birthdays June 1 Lynne Sias, Jennifer Morrison June 2 Nicholas Morrison June 5 Matthew Mankavech June 6 Owen Girling June 17 June Clavette June 25 Matthew Mankavech July 1 Kristina Harding July 3: Amy Harrop July 7 William Cherry, Jr., Alexander Pandozzi July 9 Kathleen Harrop July 11 Thomas Gaudette July 15 Jane Thibeault July 17 Kelly Thibeault, Joshua Guertin July 26 Perilene Twyman July 30 Ed Clavette Aug 1 Katherine Clavette Aug 8 James Fontaine Aug 11 Haley Blake Aug 12 Patrick Dwyer Aug 16 Kiley Nordberg Aug 21 Robert Kennedy Aug 24 Jeffrey Sias Aug 30 Jason Ross Aug 31 David Sias

Mount Hope Cemetery Mount Hope Cemetery celebrated its 150th anniversary in style Sunday, with a rededication ceremony on its grounds that offered the 150 or so participants a glimpse into its earlier days. To celebrate the consecration of Mount Hope Cemetery, which was June 12 of last year, the Mount Hope Cemetery Board of Trustees and the Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery Inc. had invited the public to join in a commemoration and rededication of the historical sacred grounds. Upon entering the cemetery Sunday, visitors were greeted with a living scene of those days, as members of the Newport, R.I., Civil War Artillery Company stood guard by their encampment and men and women strolled about in period costume. The cemetery's beginning days were highlighted also with a reading by Mount Hope Board of Trustee President Phil Jones of the original consecration address, written by the Rev. John M.B.Bailey, pastor of the First Congregational Church in Oldtown. Led by present pastor of the First Congregational Church of Oldtown, the Rev. Katrina Clinton, and its choir, participants also joined in to sing the original dedication song. The history of the cemetery was also highlighted with a historical tour of the early owners' gravesites, conducted and accompanied by those in costume. In the rededication speech given by Rev. Clinton, she summed up the essence of Mount Hope grounds and what they have meant to those who pass through to enjoy its beauty and its peacefulness. Rev. Clinton referred to Rev. Bailey's descriptions of the cemetery in his original consecration address, such as its "selected soil'' and the "vestibule of eternity.'' She also spoke of something called "thin places,'' which she said in Celtic spirituality means that on this Earth, there are certain places where the eternal is more present, more real, more apparent. "This special pace, this thin place,'' Clinton said in summing up the essence of the cemetery, "has been `selected territory' for 150 years, and has offered a place of sanctuary and rest, of mourning and of dancing, of appreciation of creation and of recreation, of prayer and of praise.'' BY JANETTE SEARS/SUN CHRONICLE STAFF This excerpt was taken from The Sun Chronicle.Com http://www.thesunchronicle.com/ Tuesday, May 22, 2001.

DID YOU KNOW ???   Last time I told you about the bell so this month I thought I'd tell you about our wonderful old tracker action organ. An organ is nothing more than a musical instrument making sounds by forcing air through pipes. From the sixteenth century on, the organ has continually grown in size with the mechanical organ developed first, followed by the pneumatic and then the electric. The term "tracker" refers to the mechanical linkage of rods and levers between the keyboard and the pipe valves. This is what makes it operate and can be seen inside the housing of the organ. Recently the organ was serviced and the repairmen came during the time one of our school tours was scheduled. They were very patient and even played so the children could hear the organ. We were informed that there are over 600 pipes inside our organ and it takes them several hours to tune each and every one! Our organ was installed in the 1830's and the inscription plate above the keyboard reads, "Geo. Stevens, East Cambridge, Mass." The business of George Stevens, Organs, was formerly known as Stevens and Gayetty, started about 1830. Mr. Stevens was mayor of Cambridge in 1851-52 and was alderman in 1845-50 and again in 1855. He was one of the early organ builders and made some 800 small church organs. Air was pumped into the large bellows inside the organ manually by moving a handle on the side of the organ up and down. Boys and men had to perform this service each time it was played and if they didn't pump fast enough the sound would just die out like a bagpipe when the air goes out of it! Pity the poor boy who didn't live up to his expectations. The handle is still on the side of the organ but the instrument was electrified in the 1920's. When the switch is turned on you can hear the rush of air as the bellows fill. During a recent spring-cleaning it was discovered that even back then people liked to mark their names or initials on things. The initials W. H. and the dates 1871, 1872, 1873 and several years were carved into the back of the organ. Another interesting fact about the organ is the very small narrow foot pedal keyboard. Most modern organs have a large keyboard that is usually fanned out giving the organist a wide range of foot movement. Not ours!! Visiting organists usually have a very hard time getting used to the way ours is arranged and sometimes when they think they're playing a note they actually are on the wrong pedal. Very challenging to play! At the 1985 Annual Meeting a proposed plan to restore our organ was discussed. It was agreed that the restoration work was necessary and a contract was signed with the Potter-Rathbun Organ Company from Cranston, RI. for the following work to be done: "installing all new felts, valve leathers, adjusting nuts, key bushings, repair actions. The pipes will be removed, cleaned and repaired and the chests for pedal and manuals repaired as required. All complete for $ 11, 093.00. Work to be scheduled for sometime the first half of l986." Fundraising efforts were begun and the grants, which we were hopeful of getting, were not successful. An Organ Restoration Fund was set up and an appeal made to the Church members, as well as the local community to donate to our project. As an incentive, a beautiful color lithograph of our church building, created by trustee member, Dave Denyse, was offered for the donation of $100.00 or more. Many people donated and between June 1985 through May 1986 the total of $ 6,675.00 was given. The remaining balance was taken from the General Maintenance Budget of 1985, the Memorial Fund, and from Trust Fund Interest. Some of these lithographs are still available to anyone interested. One of them hangs in Maxcy Hall. A plaque is affixed to the wall near the grand piano in our sanctuary containing the names of the donors. Once again the little church accomplished a big undertaking without having to borrow one cent. It seems to me this church operates on the Little Engine That Could theory. Remember that childhood story???...."I think I can, I think I can," etc. and when he reached the crest of the hill, he happily chugged "I thought I could, I thought I could."   Keep on thinking, Oldtown! Carolyn

Upcoming Church Events at Oldtown! June 3 Pentecost Sunday; 10 am worship. WEAR RED! June 8–9 Annual Meeting of Mass. Conference of UCC; Mt. Holyoke June 10 Children's Sunday; 9 am rehearsal, 10 am worship; Family picnic after worship…bring potluck salad June 13 Board of Trustees, 7 pm June 16 Oldtown Flea Market 8 am- 2 pm; Chicken barbecue 4:30-6 pm June 17 Father's Day; No Church School June 20 Board of Deacons, 7 pm June 22 Wedding Rehearsal, 6 pm June 23 11 am wedding; 5 pm wedding June 24 10 am Worship June 27 Church Committee at 7 pm July 9:30 am joint worship services at Oldtown July 14 Wedding at 11 am August 9:30 am joint worship services at Second Cong. Church, Attleboro Aug 4 4:30 Wedding Aug 10 –11 Vacation Bible School Sept 2 9:30 am worship at Oldtown Sept 9 Worship at 10 am; registration for Church School Sept 16 Rally Day- Church School begins

Come to the "Beach Trek" Vacation Bible School Fri. August 10th 5 pm to 8 pm Sat/ Aug. 11th 9 am to 2 pm Sunday, Aug. 12 Celebration at 9:30 am worship, Second Cong. Church, Attleboro for ages 3-13 at The First Congregational Church (Oldtown) 675 Old Post Road, North Attleborough ************************* Games, Stories, Music, Crafts, & more! Reservation Form: Oldtown Church, 675 Old Post Rd., No. Attleborough, MA 02760 Names and ages of children:_________________________ __________________________ __________________________ Parent/guardian:______________________ Tel.___________ Address:____________________________ ___________ There is no fee for this program. We will be asking for a donation of a food item for snacks, lunch or dinner. We will call you with a list of needs for that day. Thanks!