A story is told of a group of people who flooded a small town with evangelistic efforts. One of these people approached a person who happened to be a Mennonite farmer. The evangelist asked the farmer, "Sir, are you saved and a Christian?" He paused for a long time to reflect on this question. Then he asked the evangelist for a piece of paper and something to write with. This reaction left the evangelist somewhat bewildered, but he responded to the farmer's request. So the farmer began to write, and he'd pause for a while, then write some more. Well, this went on for several minutes, then he finally handed the piece of paper back to the evangelist and said, "These are the names of ten people who know me best. They should be able to answer your question."
I like this story for a lot of reasons, but most importantly, for the emphasis that it puts upon community. The idea for the farmer is that identity, Christian identity, is not possible apart from a community with others. You see, God does not go around making private, secret salvation deals. God calls us personally as individuals, but God calls us to community, to work out our salvation in the rhythms of life connected to the church.
Centuries ago, the Psalm-writer, reflecting on the blessing of community, wrote: "How good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity." This old phrase comes across as a spontaneous expression of joy for the goodness of sharing life together with others. Now I know what you may be thinking, kindred don't always live together in unity. Our imperfections and ill-considered choices create frustrations and hard feelings sometimes. We come to church with general good will, but occasionally that certain other person manages to push our buttons. I was fiddling around with the doxology at one point, and I came up with one we might need to sing sometime:
Praise be for people we don't know
At least they don't frustrate us so
God help the people we know best
When what they say becomes our test. (Altogether now!) Amen!
Come on and admit it, there have been times when any of us could sing this sincerely. But even so, even with the challenges of differing personalities and imperfect people, community can still be a blessing. In fact, life in community is part of the way we mature as we learn to interact with others who differ from us. And as we stay in community and stay engaged with others, we find the deeper joys and blessings that cannot be known any other way. So join us at church-not once but often and regularly. We probably won't sing my new doxology, but we will work on being Christians together.
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Our Church Family
 Lynnet Anderson's mother, is recovering from eye surgery.
Hannah Carter, continues to struggle with the affects of "mono"
Barbara Carver, continues to make progress with physical therapy.
Jack Donoghue, underwent successful skin surgery to remove a cancerous area on Oct. 25.
Tom Lawrey, is struggling with health issues.
Carroll Matthews, has begun a new regimen of chemotherapy and is managing well.
Linda McNish's mother, who is struggling with several health issues.
Win Puglia, continues to deal with breathing issues.
Jean Wilson, suffered a fall this past week and is now recovering at home.
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Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the Straub family in the recent loss of Bill Straub, a former faithful member of TBC.
* * * * *
Our hearts go out to Emmy Carter and family in the loss of her nephew Douglas Peabody this week in a hospital in New Hampshire. (note: this reflects a change from the paper copy of the newsletter sent out yesterday)
Sonia's information (A.A.) & Office Hours
9:30-4:00 p.m. (M-Th), 9:30-11:00 a.m. (F)
Lunch hour at home: 12:00-1:00 p.m.
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NEW COPY MACHINE
We now have a new copy machine! And it even has a place for your foot to go when you might want to kick it! More seriously, it is similar in format to our previous one. If you have any trouble with it, let the pastor or Sonia know. Our new machine has the added features of copying in color if we wish, and of making 3-hole punches as you copy. Remember the sign the clipboard when you have made copies.
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COUNCIL MINUTES
We have church council minutes through August available in the hallway rack. Availability of the minutes to the congregation comes only after the minutes have been corrected and approved at the following council meeting. So they usually are available a month or two after the actual meeting. If you are interested in getting an unapproved copy earlier than this, you may talk with the moderator about it. Also, anyone who would like is always welcome to attend the council meetings themselves.
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FELLOWSHIP SURVEY REPORT
Thank you for responding to our survey. There is good news and bad news garnered from the results of this exercise. The good news is that the majority of you enjoy coffee hour and want to continue on a weekly basis. The bad news is that there are ONLY 8 weeks left in 2007 for you to sign up and host a coffee hour. So please walk, (don't run) after our worship service, and sign up for one of the remaining Sundays in this calendar year! And remember, simple is super! THANK YOU :)
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SONIA'S TOP TEN LIST
Here's a list of top ten things that Sonia does routinely around the office:
10) She copies and folds the bulletin each week
9) She counts and offering money and takes it to the bank
8) She copies and places in the hallway such things as sermons, council minutes, etc.
7) She makes up the flower and coffee hour and Wed. dinner sign-up sheets
6) She copies, folds and mails the newsletter
5) She collates and copies the Annual Reports
4) She answers daily phone calls and emails
3) She replaces visitor cards and pencils in the pew racks each week
2) She reads and sorts through the daily mail
1) She puts up with the pastor!!!
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Upcoming Events/Dates
NOV. 2 - M&Ms
M&Ms will be going to Gray stone Grill on Friday, Nov. 2. We will meet at the church parking lot at 11:30a.m.. Please let Mary Honigsberg know if you can go.
NOV. 4 - ALL SAINTS DAY
On this Sunday we will remember and give thanks for all those who have been a blessing from God in our lives
NOV. 4 - FINANCIAL GUIDELINES MTG.
Our Financial Guidelines working group will meet after worship on Nov. 4 to finalize a document which will reflect and guide the church's financial practices. We hope to have this document ready for church consideration at the Annual Meeting
NOV. 4, 11, 18, 25 - LOLLIPOP TREE
In the month of Nov., we will begin a new opportunity for everyone in our church to be involved in. We will have a lollipop tree set up in worship with the names of all the families in our church attached individual to each lollipop. You will be invited and encouraged to come forward and select one or more from the tree. Then during the week, you are encouraged to reach out to that family in whatever form seems right to you, either by phone call or visit or email or card. This is to encourage mutual care and understanding within our congregation. We will do this each week during the month of November.
NOV. 9 - HABITAT MEETING
For those interested in discussing the possibilities of our next Habitat trip, we will meet at the home of John and Lois Harris on Friday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p.m.
NOV. 11 - HANDBELL CHOIR IN WORSHIP
Don't miss the first of two Fall performances by our church Handbell choir on Sunday, Nov. 11 in worship!
NOV. 11 - PLEDGE SUNDAY
You will be receiving a plegde card in the mail in the week before this Sunday. We ask that you prayerfully consider your financial support of this congregation and its many ministries. On Nov. 11, your are invited to bring your pledge card to church to offer it in commitment to Gods as part of our worship that day.
NOV. 12 - CHURCH COUNCIL
The church council will meet on Monday, Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Lois and John Harris.
NOV. 13 - BOOK CLUB
Book Club will meet on Tuesday, November 13th at 10:00 a.m.at the church library. We'll be discussing the best selling book Eat Prayer Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. It is about one woman's search for everything across Italy, India and Indonesia.
NOV. 14 - THANKSGIVING DINNER
Please plan to join us for the annual TBC Thanksgiving Dinner, Wed. 14th at 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. The Fellowship Team will provide the turkey and gravy, You are asked to sign up on the sheet in the hallway, letting know how many are coming and what you will bring. We need mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, dressing, cranberry sauce or salad, rolls and pumpkin, apple or sweet potato pies or, bring your family's favorite Thanksgiving dish. Please bring you food ready to be place on the serving table. We're looking forward to seeing you; please come and bring a friend. You won't want to miss this traditional dinner and festive evening.
NOV. 18 - ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MTG
After worship, we will gather in the fellowship hall for some lite refreshments, then we will adjourn to the far end of the hall to begin our annual meeting. There will be a number of reports for your information and consideration, including next year's budget and various ministry efforts. We hope you will take the time to stay after church and consider the decisions which will serve to guide our congregation. Be sure to bring some finger foods for the refreshments.
[This newsletter was done (mostly) by Sonia Cartagena and edited (some) by Kip Ingram]
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Birthdays
NOVEMBER
06 Gail Leeds
10 Laura Williams
12 Melanie Bradley
16 Gerry Frick
18 Deirdre Alpaugh, Kay Krekow
21 Anne Laney
30 Hank Hawksford
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DECEMBER
11 Mary Beth Pearson
13 Hank Clough, John Haire
22 Yung Ryeom
24 Jean Wilson
27 Gavin Strade
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Anniversaries
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NOVEMBER
20 Nettie and Tom Lawrey
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DECEMBER
31 Carroll and Laura Williams
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