Event Recap
Our "Gifts of Love" are on their way to delight over 65 children Christmas morning.
The generosity of the congregation was once again on full display as we presented
the donation to the Dept. of Children & Families(DCF)/Haverhill. Along with the
Amazon registry purchased gifts, we collected $600 that was used to purchase gift
cards and additional gifts for the children. DCF is especially grateful to our
congregation
for remembering the children during this difficult year.
With appreciation,
The Board of Mission & Outreach
Giving hearts/Thankfulness/Mission Updates
Haven From Hunger/Citizen's Inn Food Collection
Well done on the very generous donations to our annual Thanksgiving food drive.
The congregation and community joined together to fill the truck from Haven From
Hunger as well as collecting an additional $750 for their ongoing food programs.
Thank you for helping our neighbors experiencing increased food insecurity
during this challenging period.
Lifebridge Mission Outreach
We would like to express our ongoing appreciation to Sallie Bowling and Cathy Szymanski for
continuing to prepare monthly meals for Lifebridge during the pandemic. In addition to
planning and shopping for the meal ingredients, they have been preparing the meals for
100 people each month. Their extraordinary efforts are especially commended during
these holiday months as the scheduled dates fall on the day after Thanksgiving and on
Christmas day. The clients of Lifebridge are fortunate to have these delicious home cooked
meals prepared by such giving women. Many thanks to the youth family volunteers and
others who have delivered the meals to Lifebridge thus completing this outreach.
A special thank you to Jim Barnes for representing our church so graciously as he delivered
a hot breakfast to Lifebridge early Thanksgiving morning on behalf of our church.
Thanks to to Charles Mathison for informing BOMO of the available donation from
IHOP/ Salem in need of a willing courier.
The Board of Mission & Outreach
Thank You!
The Emerson Center Fall Clean-up on 11/28 was a huge success! We had about 15 volunteers that made easy work of the fallen leaves, bittersweet, and other yard clean up tasks. Also, while we were in the yard, several volunteers hung up storm windows on the chapel windows. These should extend the life of our chapel windows for another 20 or so years! Thank you everyone so much for all your hard work!
Also, a special thanks to Edie Ventimiglia for her dedicated service planning, maintaining, and tending to the memorial garden. Edie has decided that after 25+ years to step away from the memorial garden lead role. Therefore, we are now seeking a volunteer to fill this role! Please let me if you are interested and I will fill you in on the details!
Eric Renda - Chair, Buildings and Grounds
Recap from Fri. 6/5 Tri Town Community Solidarity Action
Following last week’s gathering at the Topsfield Common to remember George Floyd, an event organized as an opportunity to stand in solidarity with BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) members of "the community and beyond", a few members and friends of the church gathered on the front steps of the Meetinghouse to read a selection of passages from the Bible. The following videos contain the gathering on the front steps and readings.
The selection of Scripture for Challenging Times view here.
A Successful Teacher Card Collection for Virtual Service Sunday
Thank you to all who participated in our 1st Virtual Service Sunday! We delivered over 200 handwritten letters of support and gratitude to the teachers and staff at Steward and Proctor schools. The schools were extremely thankful for this kindness! It is always so encouraging to see how our congregation can pull together for truly helpful displays of faith in action.
Charise Rohm Nulsen on behalf of BOMO
Hi Charise,
Thank you for dropping off the cards. I hand-delivered most of them and witnessed the smiles from staff as they were opened. It was wonderful to hear from past and present families of the Steward school! Please send our "thank you's" to the Congregational Church their thoughtfulness and kindness were greatly appreciated.
Best,
Cheryl Butt
Administrative Assistant
Steward Elementary School
Topsfield, MA
Thank you notes from two Mission Partners
To the entire Congregation,
Thank you so much for your generous donations to the Refugee Immigration Ministry of North Shore. At this time of insecurity your generosity and stewardship of the cause of the marginalized means so much more. The family we are helping is now reunited and safe here in the U.S. As they gain independence we rejoice! You are a part of this celebration. There are many still waiting and together we will persist!
Blessings,
North Shore RIM
Dear Friends!!
Thank you for continuing to support our work in Haiti! We believe that lives are being changed for the better and so many can see the light of God's word through our actions and our programs.
Thanks to your generous donation, The United States Foundation for the Children of Haiti(USFCH) has provided help to thousands of children and families in Haiti. This card is just a small symbol of our gratitude. Thank you for helping USFCH be the hands and feet of Jesus to Haitian's in need. You are appreciated.
Blessings,
Gladys Thomas & Board of Directors
View notecard here.
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