The good news: April 2024

We are pleased to announce the Church’s hiring of a part-time Financial Administrator, Jennifer Beth Kelly, starting April 1, 2024.  A native of Falmouth Heights, Jennifer graduated from Babson College, magna cum laude, with a BS in both Economics & Investments. She is a part-time employee for the Church of the Messiah in Woods Hole, where she is the Bookkeeper & Financial Recorder since 2018. Her experience with QuickBooks and Excel, as well as working with confidential church bank and investment accounts, makes her a wonderful addition to our church office staff.

Jennifer is also a Yoga Teacher & Wellness Coach, where she offers private sessions and public classes in the local community. She has been teaching and practicing yoga and meditation for over 25 years; an example is the highly popular monthly Sound Healing events that she leads at Highfield Hall & Gardens.

Jennifer will work with Tom Durham, FCC’s Treasurer. She will be a valued member of our staff with her work to include cutting checks and reconciling bank accounts. Her hours will be flexible, but if you happen to see her in the office please come in and say hello.

We ask that if you have questions about your own pledges to the church, wish to make a special donation, or request a reimbursement. that you continue to talk with Tom Durham, Treasurer, TGdurham@verizon.net.  [Note: if you have questions about the church calendar or using a church space, please continue to talk with Laura Cole, Rev. Jonathan Drury, and Katie Dreyer.] 

Please join us in welcoming Jennifer to our church!

Trustee’s Search Committee for a Financial Administrator:

Carol Erhardt, Chair

Tom Durham, Treasurer and Board of Trustees

Rev. Jonathan Drury

Carol Mills, former Treasurer and Chair Investment Subcommittee

Susann Patterson, former Treasurer and Auditing Committee

The Cape Cod Council of Churches (CCCC) is a charitable organization, based in Hyannis, that serves people of all ages from Cape Cod and the Islands who are facing some of life's most difficult challenges.  For more than 60 years the CCCC has assisted low-income individuals and families without regard for religious affiliation.  It does so by maintaining six different programs including A Baby Center, Covenant to Care for Foster Families, Faith Family Kitchen, Hands of Hope Food Pantry and Outreach Center, Homeless Ministries, and Hospital Chaplaincy. Further information about the individual programs will be provided in future issues of this newsletter.  A wide network of churches from many denominations supports the work of the CCCC.

Participating churches appoint or elect up to two representatives, or Delegates, who report back to their home churches on the activities of the Council. Falmouth Congregational Church (FCC) has supported the work of the CCCC for many years. Current Delegates are Lee Anne Campbell and Carole Lyons (who represents the Outreach Committee). Rev. Jonathan Drury has been on the Board of Directors for a number of years and is now serving his third year as Board President. Director of Christian Education, Danielle Dallis, worked closely with the CCCC Homeless Ministries Program’s Youth Street Reach to support the breakfast events held in Hyannis and to offer two of them at FCC in 2023. Danielle and Laura Cole are Foster Family Liaisons for the Council’s Covenant to Care for Foster Families program, and Laura serves on the Advisory Committee for that program. In 2024, Matt Keeling was elected to the CCCC’s Committee on Development and Finance, and Dr. Olivia Masih White joined the Nominating Committee.  With thanks to YOU (the Church congregation) and your generosity, the Outreach Committee of FCC gives regular financial contributions to one or more of the CCCC’s programs throughout the year. In 2023, FCC’s Outreach Committee responded to the Council’s “Call to Action” for donations of supplies and essential goods for the immigrant families first placed at Joint Base Cape Cod (among other locations). Judy Durham, Outreach Committee Chairperson, was directly involved in collecting and delivering YOUR donations of clothing and other supplies. In addition, The Women’s Union of FCC makes periodic financial contributions to a variety of organizations, often including one or more programs of the CCCC.

The Board of Deacons is responsible for the sanctuary and the activities that take place there.  We are all very proud of our beautiful sanctuary.  The following members serve on the Board of Deacons this year: John Honey, Chairman; Wil Bindler Desbien Vice Chairman; Ed Jackson, Secretary; Joanne Blum-Carnevale, Treasurer; Martine Bindler Desbiens; Grace Day; Sally Hawksworth; Nancy Hussey; Ernie Kirsch; Don Lans; Bob McGowen; Deb O'Neil; Evelyn Johnson while not a Deacon is the Chair of the Membership Subcommittee.

The Board of Deacons is now responsible for the Altar Flowers.   Joanne Blum-Carnevale has taken on that responsibility.   Please contact her if you want to donate flowers for a Sunday worship service.
We made a slight modification to the procedure or serving Communion to speed up the process.   Did you notice the change?
The Board of Deacons is responsible for recruiting Ushers, Greeters, and a Lay Reader for the Sunday and other services.
We have a signup board outside the church office.   Please volunteer.   That will make our job a lot easier.
We will provide a photo of the Board to appear in next months The Good News.

After an exciting and fun RISE Against Hunger event, we want to thank all of you who volunteered or donated to help make it a success. It’s now time to turn to our spring activities.

Please mark your calendars for May 19th, our annual HAC walk. Please register and sign up to join us as part of the FCC Team. Once again, our church has agreed to be a Beam sponsor, donating $1,500. Registration for the Walk for Hope is now open.
The link is: https://p2p.onecause.com/walkforhope24/team/team-fcc-first-congregational-church-of-falmouth

Just scroll down and push “Join the Team”.  If you should have any questions, please contact Carole Lyons at:  lyonsca381@gmail.com

The Outreach Committee met in March and voted to make these donations.  A donation of $1500 was approved to support HAC (Housing Assistance Corporation).
In addition, a donation of $1000 was approved for Recovery Without Walls.
This organization is the only “all women’s program for substance abuse disorders on Cape Cod.”   Another donation was voted on to go to Celebrations 2024 which sponsors the after Prom, all night event which is “safe, drug and alcohol free,” for Junior and Senior classes.

Thank you for your continued support of these important ministries.

After a meeting on Sunday, March 10, the Music Committee needed to prepare for the upcoming performance on Palm Sunday, as well as to think about future events and performances that they might sponsor. So far, there has been one application for an organist, and we all know that it will be a great relief to our Music Director when we find someone to help shoulder the burden of both directing and playing accompaniment at the same time. 

Nonetheless, our Maestro John Dulina single handedly carried off a most successful rendition of The Crucifixion on Palm Sunday, March 24. The Choir practiced diligently for many weeks, and we had three fine soloists, our esteemed Reverend, Jonathan Drury, Greg Mills, and Steve Birmingham. The music was emotional and somber, as is the intent of this dark time. A good number of guests attended the performance, and all comments were highly positive. Choir music for Easter includes a Spiritual and the Hallelujah Chorus.

Please see survey results on our website:
http://firstcongregationalfalmouth.org
Go to Worship and Music Tab and Music Survey will be there in the drop down.

 The Nominating Committee is charged with filling all positions on Boards and Committees as well as officers of the church.  The work is ongoing throughout the year filling newly occurring vacancies on Committees as well as identifying potential members to be asked to serve in future years.  Keeping in mind the talents needed by specific Boards and Committees, this Committee seeks to find members with talents and interests which will ensure the smooth operation of the church.
 

The Nominating Committee will begin its work in earnest closer to the next Annual Meeting to be held in January, 2025.

The Woman's Union invites all women of the church to attend it's meeting on Wednesday, April 10 at 10:00 a.m. in the church hall.  The speaker will be Candice Geers, Director of Neighborhood Falmouth.   She will discuss the program which offers rides, and help with bookkeeping, yard maintenance, emergency pet care, programs of interest, etc.   Bring a sandwich or salad and stay for lunch.   Coffee, tea, and dessert will be provided.   Please sign up on the Woman's Union clipboard. 

We are a welcoming and supportive group who gather in prayer on behalf of others.  In addition, we come together for quiet listening and reflection. We seek to discern the work of God's love and inspiration in our day to day lives. The group meets every Tuesday morning from 9:00-10:00 a.m. in the church parlor.

After a meeting on Sunday, March 10, the Music Committee needed to prepare for the upcoming performance on Palm Sunday, as well as to think about future events and performances that they might sponsor. So far, there has been one application for an organist, and we all know that it will be a great relief to our Music Director when we find someone to help shoulder the burden of both directing and playing accompaniment at the same time. 

Nonetheless, our Maestro John Dulina single handedly carried off a most successful rendition of The Crucifixion on Palm Sunday, March 24. The Choir practiced diligently for many weeks, and we had three fine soloists, our esteemed Reverend, Jonathan Drury, Greg Mills, and Steve Birmingham. The music was emotional and somber, as is the intent of this dark time. A good number of guests attended the performance, and all comments were highly positive. Choir music for Easter includes a Spiritual and the Hallelujah Chorus.

Please see survey results on our website:
http://firstcongregationalfalmouth.org
Go to Worship and Music Tab and Music Survey will be there in the drop down.

 The Nominating Committee is charged with filling all positions on Boards and Committees as well as officers of the church.  The work is ongoing throughout the year filling newly occurring vacancies on Committees as well as identifying potential members to be asked to serve in future years.  Keeping in mind the talents needed by specific Boards and Committees, this Committee seeks to find members with talents and interests which will ensure the smooth operation of the church.
 

The Nominating Committee will begin its work in earnest closer to the next Annual Meeting to be held in January, 2025.

Join us to see Falmouth Theater Guild's production of the musical "Willie Wonka" on Sunday, April 28 at 2:00 p.m. at the Highfield Theater.   Unlike the recent movie, this musical play has a large cast of singers and dancers and will feature songs such as "The Candy Man" and "Pure Imagination".   Sit back, relax, and enjoy an afternoon of music and laughs.   Tickets will be available from Bette at the theater at 1:30 p.m. on April 28.

All members of the church are invited to attend the Book Discussion Club which meets the 4th Monday of the month from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the parlor.   On April 29 we will discuss "The Pirate's Wife" by Daphne Geanacopoulas.  The attendees choose the books to be discussed and we use book club questions to enhance the conversation.   You are welcome to attend to discuss a particular book or to join the group on a regular basis.   Please sign on the Book Discussion clipboard if you plan to attend.  Call Bette West if you have any questions. 

The Men's Group consists of members and friends of the church who meet socially twice a month to discuss items of interest over coffee and a little nourishment.   It meets in the meeting room the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 9:00 a.m.   Participants can attend in person or by zoom.   Most members attend in person with ten to fifteen participants.   

  The programs are run by the members and deal with current events, work experiences, and recent visits to interesting places.   Most meetings last about an hour but the room is reserved for half hour longer in case discussion is extended.   The group does not meet in July and August.   There is a lunch scheduled for the third Tuesday of December and June at a local restaurant.   Women are included at some meetings depending on the subject.   Attendance is open to church members and others. .