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	PASTOR’S MUSINGS June 2008 Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ! It’s June! and the living is easy… in New England…no coats, no boots, no hats and mittens … just shorts and sandals and light shirts. Aah! It’s not hard to see how everyone’s spirits are lighter as we enjoy the freedom that comes with the warm air and the brightness of the sunshine lasting longer into the nights. This freedom is one that we can also experience within our souls whenever we take seriously Jesus’ words to follow and be set free from our sense of guilt and fault-finding but also in fulfilling the demands and expectations that others try to place on us that don’t necessarily serve God’s plans for our lives and deny our own personal gifts. Have you ever thought about the fact that you may be wearing and need to shed hats, mittens and boots on your soul that has become cold due to some circumstances in your life? Jesus says, “Come, Follow Me, and I will set you free.” All we have to do … is follow. In that freedom then, we can easily hear the words of the writer of Ecclesiastes 3 who wrote: “To everything there is a season.” As with the turning of the seasons from fall to winter, to spring and now to summer, so it is with my time with you. We have walked together through all four of the seasons while your Search Committee has diligently been fulfilling their call. We have continued the ministry here in Andover while eagerly waiting to see what will happen. It has been a time to trust the long, hard detailed work of the Search Committee who will be presenting their candidate on June 8. {Please see their note to see the many opportunities that you will have to meet with her.} You have long awaited the news of the next settled pastor. Yet, A LOT has happened in the last 3 years though – and I hope that each of you has begun to understand how priceless you are in the life of the church in keeping the ministry alive and flourishing here in Andover. Have you ever seen the bumper sticker that says: “Without “U” we cannot be a CH_RCH.” During this time, I hope you’ve come to understand more fully Paul’s words that a church is only possible with the ministry of all believers…not just SOME believers! Each of you has a unique role to play as each part of a jigsaw puzzle is necessary in order to make a full picture. We pastors have certain skills and specialized training in order to lead you into listening for and hearing God’s invitation for the whole congregation and for you individually. But the ministry requires the whole body to work together and “if one part suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it” (1 Cor 12: 28). Let us rejoice with all the life and love we see at work each week in Andover. Let us open the doors and welcome in strangers with the invitation that says, “ No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.” May we give thanks for all the hard work that makes the ministry thrive here and may we continue to see God’s grace and love flourishing in our midst. God’s peace be with you all! Faithfully yours, Rev. Lee A. Ireland, Interim Pastor Pastoral Care Message on Safe Church Training Book Study: Readers of the Scripture : During the past year, it has come to our attention, that the sound system needs to be upgraded, especially to make our services a joy for those who are hearing impaired. The Deacons and Trustees are at work in making this happen. But we also realize that, with the current system, it would be incredibly helpful if those who offer to read Scripture would speak louder directly into the microphone and also speak more slowly and articulate the words more clearly. We don’t want to discourage anyone from volunteering because this is something we ALL need to practice!!! Can you help us?The Heart of Christianity: The study of Marcus Borg’s insightful book will continue on June 1 from 11:30-1:45PM. We will try to complete the book if we can, but may decide we need to add one more study session (possibly June 22). In the last few years, church insurance companies have set their fees depending on whether or not a church has established a Safe Church policy, that provides guidelines on how to offer healthy environments for relationships within congregations; be it for the children or for adults. First Church has a committee that is currently fine tuning their proposal, but it is not yet complete. As part of the policy, a church is expected to offer training to its volunteers on an annual basis. Having led such sessions at other churches, I would be glad to offer an introductory session on June 29 from 11:30-1 PM. {A follow-up session could occur in the fall sometime.} Though we would want those attending who plan to volunteer in the Sunday School program, this is helpful information for all of us in all of our relationships, whether in church, at home or in the workplace. Please let Rev. Lee, Charlotte LaVoie or Robin Forcash know if you plan to attend. Bring a brown bag lunch and we will provide beverages and desserts. Many of our members and friends are paying attention to all that goes on in the life of our congregation, but are unable to attend our services and activities at this time. Would you please consider giving them a call or sending them a note? Lila Radcliffe, Richard Stolzenbach, Millie Bugbee,and Greg Kendall.


	Welcome to Andover Congregational Church United Church of Christ. We are located in Andover Conn. where God Is Still Speaking. Currently Reverend Lee A. Ireland is our interim pastor and can be found in the office during our normal business hours. The Andover church is in the process of searching for a new settled pastor. The interim period is an important time in the life of the congregation. It is during this period of transition that the church is open to new and transforming moments in its life cycle. The church in Andover is a growing, diverse community seeking to grow in God's grace. The best way to get to know us is to worship with us. Please join with us on this wonderful journey of faith. Attend worship with us Sundays at 10am. Remember that who ever you are or wherever you are on life's journey, you are welcome here. To reach the office or our secretary you may call 860-742-7696. Questions about scripture? Click here to view an ONLINE BIBLE. [Links to follow for more information are in light blue type.]

During the past two months, we, in the UCC, have had to accept the attention of the public media in response to statements Rev. Jeremiah Wright (Pastor at Trinity UCC in Chicago) made in his sermons after the 9/11 attacks and his relationship with the Barack Obama, a presidential candidate and a member of the church. Rev. Dr. John Thomas, the President of the UCC, called for all pastors to preach and lead our congregations in open conversations within our churches to address all of this so that we are all aware of the complexities of what is going on.

Many have wondered how Rev. Thomas moved into asking for discussions on racism when it seemed like the sermons were more politically oriented. I cannot go into a full length discussion here, but have a copy of my sermon available for anyone who would like to read it and discuss it with me. The most important part to understand is the context out of which Rev. Wright is living and preaching his understanding of the Hebrew prophetic writings, Jesus’ teachings, and the more contemporary liberation theology. One of his core understandings is that we are to hear Jesus’ call to care for all people, especially the poor, and to engage our leaders in correcting those structures within our societies that create unjust situations.

The media only played snippets of his sermons, and did not provide for a full understanding of what he was preaching. If you have a chance, please watch the video of the interview between Bill Moyers and Rev. Wright, where Wright explains more fully his theological perspective and the context of his community in Chicago. An important piece to understand is that Rev. Thomas is calling all for us to reclaim our identities from the narrow image that was portrayed by the media.

We had an open discussion on April 29 and those who participated invited me to include the educational message in my sermon the next Sunday, May 4. I believe we are all aware that this is just the next step in the ongoing discussion that is part of our modern society that is becoming ever more multicultural, multiracial and diverse. May we at the Andover Church open our hearts and minds to the invitation of this dialogue.

June 2008 Worship Watch

June 1 – Communion Sunday 3rd Sunday after Pentecost
Gen 6: 9-22; 7:24; 8:14-19 Ps 46
Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 Mt 7:21-29
Sermon Entitled: “Waters of New Life”

June 8 – Pastoral Candidate Preaching
4th Sunday after Pentecost
Isaiah 55:6-12 Matthew 13:1-9
Sermon Entitled: “Abundance
Beyond Our Wildest Dreams”

June 15 – Men’s Sunday—
5th Sunday after Pentecost—
Phil Mayhew Preaching
Gen 18:1-15 Ps 116:1-2, 12-19
Rom 5:1-8 Mt 9:35-10:8(9-23)
Sermon Entitled: “In God's eyes,
all men are created equal!"

June 22 —
6th Sunday after Pentecost
Gen 21;8-21 Ps 86:1-10, 16-17
Rom 6:1b-11 Mt 10:24-39
Sermon Entitled: “Daring Discipleship”

June 29 —
7th Sunday after Pentecost
Gen 22:1-14 Ps 13
Rom 6:12-23 Mt 10:40-42
Sermon Entitled: “Gifts of Compassion”