603.436.9109 | www.northchurchportsmouth.org The Bellman: May 2020

LET’S BE FRANK What do you say during a Pandemic that has not already been said? Okay---I seriously considered leav-ing the rest of this front page empty---but I will attempt to carry on. The corona virus—Covid-19 has left us all wondering what day it really is and how much longer we must STAY AT HOME. I realize more than ever before that we are all in the same storm right now but we are not all in the same boat as some have said. This time of Great Pause is affecting us all in a multitude of ways and some are similar and some are not. Some of us still have jobs and homes and food on the table while others do not or are losing so much still. We are all losing and have lost something though. Many have said nothing will ev-er be the same. And many long to get normal back—back to the way things were before Covid-19. But, what if things were not quite right before—should we still want to get back to that normal?

And, what about North Church? Even before Covid-19 life was in a major transition for North Church---funding dwindling over the last years—and now that funding continues at even a faster rate to decline. Some are already saying we must get back to church real soon or we will surely die. Others are saying (me) that we will surely die if we come back too soon. Reverend, can we not just get back to normal? And on top of all this I had to go and say this past Sunday that we are living in the ‘fierce urgency of now’. Or as Martin King said, “tomorrow is today”. I guess that during this great pause many have real-ized just how urgent our times really are when it comes to our Earth, our society, our Church. And that leads me to a statement of hope of sorts. Just maybe this Great Pause is a blessing in disguise—remember that song—“what if blessings comes in raindrops---what if your healing comes through tears---what if a thousand sleepless nights is what it takes to know you are here”?(Laura Story) So, what if this Great Pause is an opportunity—a blessing in a weird kind of way—what if there is something pro-found here for the living of our days? I have found myself asking the question during this time---what do we really need---what are the ba-sics—the essentials? Not only do we need to ask that as individuals during this time but we may just need to ask that as a church---what does North Church really truly need to go into the future with a voice of acceptance and love for all people? Wipe the slate clean---only essentials to meet our mission-----what do we really need? Not what do we really need to keep things the way they have been---but what do we really need with this Great Pause in our hearts and minds—what do we really need for the next say 25 years? Life is changing as we speak---and our hope is in God’s love yes---but what do we really need to share that love with all? Join me in asking the tough---deeper questions in the days ahead. In the meantime—Stay Safe---Stay at Home---Give someone a call of encouragement and peace. Shoot your pastor an email of hope and thoughts you might have on what do we really need? ------fnewsome@northchurchportsmouth.org

Frank

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR MODERATOR – LIZ GOOD

It is my prayer that you all are doing as well as you can through these trying times. Our daily routines have certainly been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic causing us all to make major adjustments to our daily lives. It’s not easy to do because many of us are creatures of habit. I wish I had an easy answer to what we are experiencing right now but unfortunately, we are in a situation that has no prior precedence (in our life-time) to rely upon. These are scary times for sure but I believe we have to be patient, be smart, be compassionate, and do all that we can to keep others and ourselves healthy. To that end, the Cabinet has suspended “in person” worship services until June 14 to do our part to slow the spread of the coronavirus. We appreciate your understanding as we navigate these turbulent waters. I hope you will choose to join us on Facebook Live on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. for a virtual, albeit condensed, worship service. It has been nice to say hello online to many of you with a heart, thumbs up, prayer hands, or smiley face emoji! I also know of members who are committed to calling and emailing members to stay in touch. Thank you for that! We will get through this with patience, due diligence, and with God’s help. I miss you all but until we can meet again, be well, stay well. VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE SCHEDULED In an effort to continue the essential work of evaluating our facilities, the Cabinet is scheduling a ZOOM roundtable on Sunday, May 17 at 2 p.m. We will be asking our-selves some important questions, “What are we learning about “church” in these trying times? How do we connect with the new people who are viewing our online services? Can we use this time to clarify who we are as a church, what our purpose is, and how to live out that purpose in the years ahead? How will our building(s) help us or hinder us in seeking to realize that purpose? How will doing church differently right now (social distancing) help us be a more vital church? Watch for a future email with instructions on how to join this ZOOM roundtable. If you haven’t shared your email with us and would like to participate, please call the church office at 436-9109 and leave a message with your name and email address so that we can add you to our list. ANNUAL MEETING POSTPONED Due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the Cabinet has postponed the Annual Meeting that was scheduled for May 17 to a later date. A new date will be announced in the very near future.

Daily Devotional

North Church Women purchase a devotional which is sent to those that are not able to attend church services with additional copies available at the Parish House and the Market Square sanctuary. Each booklet is

written with a daily reading for two months. This is a useful way to sustain us during these days of change when we all have turned to our faith. In that we are not able to access the building and you are interested in obtaining a copy of The Upper Room, please contact Betty Gilman at 431-1098. Let her know if you wish to have a large print or regular print copy deliv-ered to you.

Summertime is approaching and we have Horton Center Summer Camp: We have several children looking forward to going and spending a week. There are many activities they will take part in and we are looking for any donations to help these young people go to camp. You may mail them in to Spinney Rd. or drop them in the slot. Thank You from Parish Life Board If for any reason the camp decides not to open with the Corona Virus they will return all monies and donations. Thank you, Gail Darrow

As of 4/29 the plan is for no In Person Worship at MSQ until June 14. STAY HOME---listen in to the Livestream of worship at www,facebook/northchurchportsmouth or go to the church website at www.northchurchportsmouth.org and click on the Facebook icon at the top of the page.

 

 

In light of the current social distancing measures it is difficult to collect items to bring to Gather. Instead, those who are able are encouraged to go online and make a donation directly on the GATHER website at: https://www.gathernh.org/donate-food  

                             

 M I S S I O N S   N E W S  

Response to the Covid-19 Pandemic:

In an effort to support the community during the pandemic and the stay-at-home or-der, the Mission Board made our annual donations early. We usually donate to these organizations in June but given the current crisis we felt it would be useful now. North Church supported the following local organizations: Gather: $800 Crossroads House: $800 Seacoast Mental Health Center: $650 Haven: $650

Human Needs Fund

This is the fund where the Pastor can help our own folks or people in the community with emergency needs. The fund is getting low so please help to build it back up so we can help all when needed. Drop checks in mail slot at Parish House or designate a gift online.

Attention all Boards

and Committees

Annual Reports are due to Paula Schena by May 26th. Please email them to office@northchurchportsmouth.org Thank you!

                                

    M I S S I O N S   N E W S  

Seafarer’s Friend Ditty Bags Seafarer’s Friend extends the ministry of the churches to meet the unmet spir-itual, social and emotional needs in the New England Maritime community. We will continue to support the Seafarer’s Friend during the month of May. Our goal is to collect the contents to fill ten (10) bags with the essential items the seafarer’s may need. Items for the Ditty Bags include: Gloves Memo Pads Toothpaste Q-tips Floss Kleenex Band-Aids Cologne Hair Brushes Razors Pens/Pencils Soap Knit Hats Calendars Shoe Polish Pocket sized bibles Nail Files Tooth Brushes (1 pk) Mending Kit Word/number puzzles Scarves Playing Cards Shoelaces (for work Boots) Shaving Cream Lotion Deodorant Socks Small Puzzles Nail Clippers Long Underwear Travel sized toiletries First Aid Kits The donation period has been extended until church services reconvene in Market Square. Please continue to gather items as you are able.

Red Cross Blood Drive

The Red Cross blood drive was post-poned. We will provide details in the future when a new date is set.

Birthdays

The deadline for Articles for the June Bellman is May 22nd.

Anniversaries

Please note the office will continue to function

remotely through May. If you need assistance call 436-9109 and leave a message or email

office@northchurchportsmouth.org

01-May Kevin Pizz

02-May Samuel Lampert

08-May Ann Grimbilas

09-May Julia Gobbi

10-May Liz Good

10-May Jonathan Salter

15-May Pauline Lampert

17-May Mark Shaw

18-May Lee Appel

19-May Debra Jones

23-May James Enright

23-May Erica Ojougboh

Christine & Thomas Casa May 17

Diane & Paul Geraci May 20

Craig & Christine Hodgson May 25

Charlie & Laura Coleman May 28

Church Sanctuary Market Square, Portsmouth, NH 03801 Church Office Parish House 355 Spinney Road Portsmouth, NH 03801 603.436.9109 phone 603.436.6744 fax Sunday Worship Reverend Frank Newsome, Sr. Pastor Worship is at 10am every Sunday at Market Square. Fellowship Time Following 10:00 am Market Square Service Church School (Sept - June) Office Hours Monday-Friday, 9am - 2pm

North Church of Portsmouth, UCC 355 Spinney Road Portsmouth, NH 03801 Return Service Requested

North Church of Portsmouth is an Open and Affirming Church of the United Church of Christ

Open and Affirming Covenant

We, the members of North Church of Portsmouth welcome all people to be faithful followers of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We believe we should reach out and be open to all people. Therefore, this Open and Af-firming statement expresses that which is accepted by our con-gregation.

"The first [commandment] is . . . 'You shall love The Lord your God with all your soul, and with all your mind, with all your strength.' The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31).

Therefore, we work together to support our members, the com-munity and those seeking a place in God's family with the under-standing that each is unique. We welcome people of any race, creed, color, age, gender identity and gender expression, sexual orientation, economic status, marital status, physical, emotional, mental capacity and those in relationships recognized under God's law.