First News For  MARCH-APRIL 2025

BOARD MEETING SUMMARY– Tuesday, January 14, 2025

We are pleased to announce that the church has hired a bookkeeper, JoAnn Mattos, a CPA with experience in a variety of industries, including the Federal government. Sadly, Margaret is retiring in April after 18 years as our secretary. We are grateful for her fine, dedicated service.

After reviewing the proposed FY25 budget in November, a few changes were made. The Board made its final review at this meeting and approved the budget to be presented at Annual Meeting. There were few changes to most of the budget, but there are three considerable increases in the ministerial and personnel areas. In the years that Pastor Wasdin was with us, he was able to secure his own health insurance at no cost to the church. That line item must be added in now because it is likely to be an expense we incur for the new minister. Two new positions have been approved, the bookkeeper and an event coordinator/public relations manager (aka P&P). It is hoped that the P&P person will help to revitalize the church while the bookkeeper will help with financial paperwork that has resulted from the loss of our Treasurer, Ron Dickinson.

Committee reports were given. Highlights include:

Search Committee – Besides reaching out to other churches, we have learned that UCC has several colleges and universities and are reaching out to three - Dillard and Elmhurst Universities and Moody Bible Institute.

Deacons – Two special services are planned in February and March. On Sunday, February 23, the Deacons will host a Deacons Mission Breakfast, and on Sunday March 2, Rev. Sarah Marcolino, youth minister from Hanson, will preach.

Trustees – Estimates have been obtained and sent to the insurance company for repairs on the two damaged fences. Several inspections have recently been completed: elevator, boiler, safety, and fire extinguishers.

Missions – Mainspring work is going along fine. A rummage sale is planned in March and will be advertised. The shoebox project will start much earlier this year. Thirty new pair of shoes were donated to the Plymouth Coalition for the Homeless. Rev. Rick has written two books that are available for purchase at the church with proceeds to be given to the Homeless Coalition.

Fundraising – A spring rummage sale is planned in addition to the ongoing book sale.

Treasurer’s Report/Stewardship & Finance – The investment portfolio dropped somewhat in December due to two planned withdrawals. Nick is in the process of reconciling all the accounts for year-end.

Next Meeting – Tuesday, March 4, 2025 – 7:00 p.m.

Please welcome Matthew Berg as our new organist!

Matthew will brighten our services with the gift of music.

REMEMBER IN PRAYER THOSE WHO ARE HOMEBOUND OR IN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES,
especially Dianne Marcus, at Windrose at Weymouth, Barbara Parsons, Barbara
McLaughlin’s mom, and Dennis McLaughlin’s mom, Barbara.

PRAYERS FOR: 

Diane I; Janice L; Richard B; Miriam and Joe T; Alex, a friend of Casey's and Kelly's, no new treatments available for cancer; Lina and Ryan M, Russ Greene's in-laws.

SAVE THE DATES!

Men’s Breakfast Saturdays, March 8^th and April 12^th at 8:00 am at Mo’s in Hanson. All men of the church are welcome. Feel free to bring a friend.

Long delayed Book Reading and Signing with Rev. Rick Giragosian will be on March 9^th right after our Worship Service.

• Rummage Sale – Saturday, March 22^{nd ---} 9AM to 1PM

Clothes - white elephants- small appliances

Lots of a little bit of everything for everyone.

Drop off times for goods will be announced in Wednesday Wonderings

Please do not bring electronics or furniture

If you can help, please reach out to Barbara McLaughlin or Gail Clement. Thank you!

TRUSTEES REPORT

The Trustees have been busy with maintenance lately.

The outside bulb at the side door burned out and was replaced.

The trustees made three trips to Lowes to buy rock salt.

Margaret found out that one of the phone lines was not working so she called Comcast to have a repairman come. The repairman they sent was Mike Holland, Church Member Joan Holland’s son and Mark and Diane Iverson’s nephew. It was an easy fix, as we were told we needed a new phone in the elevator. Problem Solved! On Feb. 10^th, the representative of the New Beginnings Group called to let us know that there was no heat in the church. After checking the boilers as best we could, we called Niccoli Oil Co. Niccoli ended up replacing the primary control unit, the igniter and the control panel. The motor was making an unpleasant noise, so that was replaced as well. Now we have heat again!

Lastly, we received the insurance check for the fence repairs from the August 19, 2024 car accident. Repairs to the fence will be forthcoming.

Sincerely, Mark Hall & Mark Iverson, Trustees

WHITMAN FOOD PANTRY

UPDATED LIST OF NEEDS THIS MONTH: jello mix, pudding mix, small boxes of facial
tissues, napkins, multi-purpose cleaner, shampoo and hair conditioner.
Thank you all for your continued support of the Whitman Food Pantry!

SPECIAL MISSION OFFERING FOR MARCH

One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) special mission offering of the United Church of Christ involves you in disaster, refugee/immigration, and development ministries throughout the world. When a disaster strikes or people are displaced or made refugees by violence or extreme poverty, you are part of the immediate response and of the long-term recovery.

Through OGHS you engage in holistic development programs including health care, education, agriculture, food sustainability, micro-financing and women’s empowerment. Because the UCC relates in mutual partnership to churches and organizations through Global Ministries and worldwide response & recovery networks, your contributions to One Great Hour of Sharing put you in the right place at the right time for the relief, accompaniment and recovery of the most vulnerable. You meet immediate needs and you address the underlying causes that create those needs in the first place.

Click here to visit the OGHS webpage on ucc.org https://www.ucc.org/giving/ways-to-give/our-churchs-wider-mission/one-great-hour-of-sharing/