First News

 

For 

MAY-JUNE 2025

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BOARD MEETING SUMMARY – Tuesday, April 22, 2025

 

In open discussion, it was noted that the outside grounds had been cleaned up and mowed.  The church has a contract with Smitherz Landscape to mow and maintain the church and parsonage lawns.  We will also look into the feasibility of returning to monthly newsletters. 

 

In new business, the church has received a bequest from Ron Dickinson’s estate.  For the time being, it will be held in our Money Market account at North Easton Savings but will eventually be transferred into the portfolio once it has been decided how the money will be used.

 

The Search Committee has reached out to two strong potential ministerial candidates.  One is interested in part-time and has applied while the other is expected to apply soon. 

 

In Other Committee Reports:

 

Trustees – The front corner fence has been sent to Duarte Brothers for repair. Mark Hall and Mark Iverson have assembled a cart which was included along with the new chairs. 

 

Missions and Fundraising – Items left over from the recent Rummage Sale need to be listed on Facebook or brought to a consignment shop.  A list has been sent to Margaret for inclusion in the newsletter which outlines church-related events or programs.  Church members will be asked to circle interested programs.  A few program ideas include Chair Yoga, Tai-Chi, CPR, etc.

 

Treasurer/Finance:

The church continues a decades-long tradition of paying $78 monthly to Plan International to sponsor a foster child, Joseph Ngulube.  The Board also voted to fund expenses that have a corresponding portfolio fund from those accounts, essentially rebalancing on an annual basis. 

 

Nick also reported that he has begun meeting with our new bookkeeper, JoAnn Mattos, to train her in processing invoices and payroll and maintaining the necessary records.  All financial reports and back-up documents are now in the church office along with electronic copies.  State payroll taxes have been paid while a Federal 941 form will soon be filed electronically.

 

Receipts through March totaled $16,064,47 against expenses of $30,787.00, resulting in a deficit of $14,722.53.  Due to recent volatility in the market, portfolio value has dropped but is expected to rebound once the market settles more.

 

Next MeetingTuesday, June 3, 2025 – 7:00 p.m.

 

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Our prayers and sympathy are with the family and friends of beloved 50-year church member, Richard Boyce, who recently died. Funeral Service will be held at a later date to still be determined. 
We will keep you informed as we receive updated information.

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We would like to welcome several new people to our church staff:

 Terry Jordan, Church Secretary,

  Gisela Bauerle, Minister of Communication,  Matt Berg, Director of Music,

and

JoAnn Mattos, Bookkeeper
 If you see them, please say hello and welcome them to our Church Family.

 

 

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At this time, I would like to thank the members and friends of the First Congregational Church of Whitman for all the loving kindness that you have displayed toward me throughout my 18 ½ years of employment as your Church Secretary. 

It is with mixed emotions that I retire. I have so very much enjoyed my work, and most importantly, my relationship with all of you. 

It is because of your support and appreciation for the work I have done as your secretary, that I have felt valued, which is a key reason that I will miss working at FCC Whitman!

I also want to thank you for the absolutely fabulous retirement party that was hosted for me! You went above and beyond with every detail of this amazing celebration.  I am well aware that a great deal of planning and work went into making it happen. My sincere appreciation to each and every one of you who made sure that every aspect of the celebration was perfect!  

In addition, I want to thank those of you who took time out of your Saturday to attend the party too. I can honestly say I was overwhelmed with emotion to see so many of you, including some people whom I hadn’t seen in a long time, as well as two of the church’s new employees, Matt Berg and Terry Jordan!

I also am extremely appreciative of those of you who sent messages of congratulations to me, but were for various reasons, not able to come to the celebration. 

On a separate note, my family had a great time meeting all of you! The common theme I heard from them was, “Everyone is so nice!” Of course, they received no argument from me!  

Finally, I want to thank each one of you for the beautiful flowers that I received, and the many wonderful gifts!  Your generosity truly went above and beyond.  I will be forever grateful to all of you! 

 

With My Sincere Gratitude,  
  Margaret Mannke

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Let's make the start of our 2025 Operation Christmas Child SHOEBOX Mission Project "EGGSTRA" special year!! 😊


For the next couple of Sundays, after church during our fellowship time, there will be a fun activity set up for you to participate in.

On the card table, there are some plastic-colored eggs laid out along with a basket.

Please feel free to grab an egg or 2 or even 3! When you "crack" it open, you will find

  a piece of paper with an item written on it.

Please purchase and bring the item(s) next week and place in the basket! Thank you in advance for your participation.
P.S. please return your empty egg to the basket.

Ron Dickinson's small Christmas Tree will be set up soon along with an updated OCC bulletin board

with sample items that we will be collecting to fill the SHOEBOXES.
Your friends, Barbara, Roberta and Frank

Please be sure to look for more frequent updates in your Wednesday Wonderings and Monthly
Newsletters. I have found some new and easy crafts that we can make during Fellowship  while we are sipping our coffee and tea.

All members and friends of our church, The Irish Step Dancers, The New Beginnings Group and the Boy Scouts are all invited to participate in buying and donating items that will fill the SHOEBOXES for boys and girls ages 2-14!
Your friends,
Barbara McLaughlin and Roberta Spencer

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WHITMAN FOOD PANTRY DRIVE

Saturday, May 10th

The Whitman Food Pantry will be collecting donations to help families in need.  

Leave non-perishable items out by your mailbox. They will be picked up by your mail carrier or a volunteer. 

Thank you, once again, for supporting this annual event.

 

 

TRUSTEES REPORT

We met with Diaute Brothers Fence Company recently. They removed the parts of the fence that had been damaged by a car last August and brought them to their shop for repairs. They are also going to repair the Church Street end of the fence, damaged by plowing ten years ago. Progress is being made.

Smitherz will be mowing our lawns again this year. They just finished spring cleanup and will be taking care of fall clean up as well.

Being the end of April, the snow stakes for both the church and parsonage have been put in storage.

The Cub Scout pack #59 has been dissolved and no longer meets at the church.

The Boy Scouts still meet at the church Sunday nights at 7:00 PM.

As all may be aware, the church bought four round tables along with the appropriate amount of chairs.  Included was a chair cart that needed to be assembled. It took six man hours to assemble, using both trustees. The cart is very well designed and built solid. It should last many years.

 ~ Mark Hall, Trustee’s Secretary 

 

Saturday May 10th

8:00am Men’s Breakfast@ Mo’s

in Hanson

 

Saturday May 10th

9:30am Women’s Breakfast - place
  to be determined

 

COMMUNITY NEWS

ALL SAINT'S THRIFT SHOP:  All Saints Church in Whitman Thrift Shop is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10-2 and the first Friday of every month from 4-7 p.m. 

 

Drive-Thru Rabies Clinic for Dogs, Cats and Ferrets. $20 per animal (cash only)

Saturday, June 21st from 10:00-12:00 N Whitman VFW,95 Essex Street. Proof of prior rabies vaccine is required to confirm that your pet is eligible for the 3-year vaccine. 

Without prior vaccine, your pet is eligible for 1 year vaccine only.  Please contact the Board of Health office with any questions.  781-618-9755. 

 

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food_24736 WHITMAN FOOD PANTRY: Items most needed as of 04/24/25 are boxed stuffing mix, canned chili, canned beef stew, dry cereal, pudding mix, baked beans, napkins, Knorr packaged pasta in sauce and rice in sauce. Thank you as always for your continued support of this important mission project, and much appreciation to John Barr, who is our representative to the Food Pantry. 

 

 

STRENGTHEN the CHURCH

Special Offering for MayRight-Click on the filename below to download this image and choose "Save Target As" or "Save Link As"

The Strengthen the Church (STC) Offering reflects the shared commitment of people across the United Church of Christ to cooperatively build up the UCC Conferences and the national setting equally share the gifts given by members and friends through their local congregations. The funds raised support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, and innovation in existing congregations.  By your generosity to this offering, which will be taken up all month, you build up the Body of Christ.  As God calls our congregations to be the church in new ways, your generosity will plant new churches, awaken new ideas in existing churches and develop the spiritual life in our youth and young adults.  

 

MAINSPRING BAG LUNCH PROGRAM AND CONWAY HOUSE
 June’s Special Offering
Right-Click on the filename below to download this image and choose "Save Target As" or "Save Link As"  Once a month, bag lunches are made by volunteers, led by church members, Barbara & Dennis McLaughlin and Barbara Derosier, for Mainspring residents. Food costs have increased, as you all know, so your financial support is needed more than ever if we are to keep this project going!  We also take care of re-supplying towels and linens in a room that we have sponsored for many years at Conway House in Middleborough. Your generous help with this Special Offering, which will be taken up through the month of June, is much needed and sincerely appreciated.