I didn't grow up in the church because my mother felt excluded from it. However, I knew faith was important to her, in part, because we had an advent wreath in our home. And each week we would light a candle, read a scripture and say a prayer for more hope, more peace, more joy, and more love in the world. How I loved that family ritual. Still do, although my cats don't seem to care as much (at least the ones I have now don't walk so close as to burn their whiskers).
Children need routine. They often crave ritual and meaning making. And lighting a candle in the growing darkness is a wonderful way to make us feel powerful in the face of forces we can't control. Sharing our faith with our children, grandchildren, godchildren, nieces/nephews, neighbors . . . it matters. The Confirmands talked about how the main reason they thought faith was important was because their parents thought faith was valuable. That's what we said at the baptism two Sundays ago. We promised to share our "faith lifestyle" with the next generations.
Advent begins this Sunday. I'm using a free downloaded Advent devotional from KateBowler.com that has daily readings to make the very act of waiting holy. But a weekly reading would also help ground this season of busyness in God's promise of presence.
May you find yourself surprised and delighted this season by a God who would come in such fragile form and may God's realm break into your home and into your heart.
–Pastor Kelly | | THE STROLL IS THIS SATURDAY!
ARE YOU INVOLVED? VOLUNTEER NOW! | | |  | | WE NEED YOU! WE REALLY DO! | | This Saturday, November 26th is the Nashua Winter Holiday Stroll. We are a host venue and need volunteers for set-up, hospitality, concert ushers, and clean-up. We want to make this come-back year for the Stroll one of the best yet, and with your help, our mission will shine through.
Set-up Hours:
2:00 - 4:30 (help needed with decorations and signage)
Greeters in Church / help with directions to activities, etc. (time slots available)
4:30 - 6:30
6:30 - 8:30
8:30 - 10:30
Activity Helpers - Wesley Building (time slots available)
4:30 - 6:30
6:30 - 8:30
8:30 - 10:30
Keep in mind the following as Main Street will be closed as of 3:00 PM:
ROAD CLOSURES:
Main Street and adjacent side streets will be closed at 3pm. There is free parking on Main Street until 3pm on Saturday. Cars who remain on Main Street after 3pm are subject to tow. Please plan accordingly.
SHUTTLE SERVICE:
First Student and Nashua Transit System will be operating the Stroll's Complimentary Shuttle Service.
Both shuttles will operate from 4:30pm to 10:30pm. They will pickup and drop-off every 10-15 minutes.
FROM RIVIER UNIVERSITY:
Catch the shuttle from the parking lot of Memorial Hall.
FROM HOLMAN STADIUM:
Catch the shuttle from the parking lot of Holman Stadium. These buses can accommodate wheelchairs and strollers.
Parking downtown will be limited.
Please take advantage of the shuttle service. | |  | Mr. Ian J.H. Clarke-Pounder, age 93, of Nashua, passed away Nov. 18, 2022 at Danbury Hospital in Connecticut following a brief illness. He was a long time member of MSUMC and we remember him fondly for his big hugs and hand carved owls.
His Memorial Service will be held January 7, 2023, will interment following at Woodlawn Cemetery. Times TBD. Memorial donations made to the church in his name will go to the MSUMC Building Fund.
For Ian's full obituary, click here. | |  | | Angels Among Us #DoNotBeAfraid
4-week Virtual Advent class
Facilitators: Pam Breniser; Carolyn Ekle
If a small group experience to help you dive deeper into the Advent season is just what you need, keep reading. This study is designed to tie in with our worship series: Angels Among Us #DoNotBeAfraid. The subjects of discussion, [rather than a Bible study] are more based on counteracting fear as well as the messages of hope, peace, joy, love and life that are highlighted in the Advent season.
There is no text book. Each session includes video clips from TED Talks by Dr. Brene Brown (social worker, researcher and author) as well as personal reflection time and group discussion.
Dates/Times:
Class will be held virtually through Google Meet
Tuesdays: November 29, December 6, 13 and 20
10:00 AM or 7 PM
(depending on availability of participants, there is still time to decide)
Please text or call Pam at 603-566-2632 or email pjbreniser@gmail.com to sign up and tell us whether you could do either morning or evening option. | |  | Thanks to our CROP walkers and donors!!
This year's CROP walk had the best weather ever! Thank you to our MSUMC walkers: Pastor Kelly, Steve H., Jenn C.-S., Robert and Rita Z., Clem and Erica B., Laura and Sam T., the Weir family, Ken and Karrie L. and Mercedes C. . Thank you also to the generous donors! Our team raised over $2,300!!
Thanksgiving and Christmas Food
With a generous donation from the UMW, 12 church families were gifted $50 Walmart gift cards to enhance their Thanksgiving dinners. We are presenting the same families another $50 Walmart gift card for Christmas. If you would like to add to that gift please contact Maggie D., Jenn C.-S. or the church office. Main Street Church is also partnering with the Nashua Soup Kitchen to provide Christmas food boxes. They are in need of dried beans, cereal, canned chicken and tuna, and boxed macaroni and cheese.
Gifts for the King
Once again we are partnering with the Nashua Children's Home to show our love and care for some of their residents. There will be tags on the tree in the vestry with gift wishes if you would like to participate. Please bring in your gifts either in gift bags or with wrapping paper on December 11. | |  | | DECEMBER 1, 2022
NEXT PLANNING BOARD HEARING
Pastor Kristy and Nancy Long have continued to attend visibility events coordinated by GSOP to educate the community about the asphalt plant proposal for Temple Street. This plant will be harmful to the many neighbors near the site, who will be subjected to pollution, noise, and a significant increase in asphalt truck traffic on pedestrian routes. The Planning Board hearing has been tabled until December 1 to allow the environmental impact study to be completed.
We would appreciate those who are willing to write letters to the planning board to please do so at pb@nashuanh.gov. If you are willing to speak against the plant at the Dec 1 meeting (at this time both zoom and in person are available), please reach out to Pastor Kristy for more information on how to do so and what criteria are most important to the Planning Board. | |  | Make a Big Impact with Little Time Commitment: Join a YIMBY Group
The Nashua Interfaith Housing Justice group, of which Pastor Kristy is a part, is gathering volunteers who would be willing to speak out in favor of reasonable housing development in their neighborhoods. This would be very occasional work. As the Interfaith Housing Justice Group becomes aware of new housing development, volunteers would be offered the opportunity to testify to their local Planning Boards (or equivalent) as to why that development might be a good idea, countering the reactionary NIMBYs (NOT in my backyard folks) who invariably appear. At this time, testimony can be submitted in person, virtually, or in written form. Information on each project and coaching will be provided. If you know that we need smart, ethical housing development in this region, and you'd like to help, sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-ejcwKeSKzRGBq4kBcDg_pqR1dqaaJPshc7Pu-mHNKdfnLw/viewform?usp=sf_link If you would like more information, please see Pastor Kristy. (Image courtesy of CandysDirt.com, a real estate site) | | | THERE IS NO VESTRY CLASS THIS WEEKEND, NOVEMBER 27TH | | | Join Pastor Kristy and Paul Pederzani for the new "Mary Had a Baby" study the scripture series beginning Sunday, November 20th!
Online and in-person. Books will be provided for all those attending in-person. Reach out to Pastor Kristy if you plan on attending remotely and would like a book.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Here is the link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88185355974?pwd=SEpQemJ3ZzRRWm9lMFFQSlpwdUhzQT09 | |  | | Our very own Nora Campbell's Dance Studio, Broadway Bound, will join the Saving Grace Dance Ensemble for a Dance Show "A Journey Through Christmas".
Broadway Bound will perform 3 of the dances, Nora is in 1 of the 3 dances - a Lyrical dance. This is Nora's first year joining this event.
Best wishes to Nora and her team as they prepare for this exciting event. Let's see if we can get them a cheering section! | | Pastors' Sabbath days:
Pastor Kelly: Tuesday Pastor Kristy: Friday | | | | | |
