June 8, 2023
Pastor’s Reflections – June 8, 2023
I hope this note finds you doing well. I am writing to you to provide you with updates of recent events, current events, and coming events at NCC.
Recent Events: June 4 Special Meeting Summary
Thank you to the over forty (40) of you in total, and the thirty-seven (37) voting members who attended the all-church special meeting this past Sunday. All proposals brought before the church body were approved. See the complete summary here: Link to Special Meeting Summary
I’m pleased to share that in addition to the 37 voting members present at this meeting, more than ten other members wrote in asking if they could submit an affirmative proxy vote for these proposals. While proxy voting isn’t part of the process currently, (we are hoping to address this in January), I’m sharing this information to demonstrate the strong support our new, more inclusive NCC covenant of membership has as we further shine our bright light out into this often-dark world around us. I am so incredibly proud of the work we have done and continue to do to live into our faith at NCC where no matter who you are or where you are on your journey of life and faith you are welcomed and affirmed here! God bless you, Newmarket Community Church!!
Recent Events: We welcomed (3) new members on May 28: Jake Brookes, Kate Steer, and Katharine Watts. Check out their pictures and personal bios here: Link to New Member Bios
This Sunday at Church: New Sermon Series The Path of the Disciple
Hope you can come to church on Sunday at 10AM in the sanctuary or on YouTube or Facebook Live as we dig in to our new series and reflect on Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26. The choir will be singing a beautiful new song by Mark Miller Even Here, and Seth Waters will be joining in with Dave Talmage to lead us in beautiful music. Rev. Suellen Leugers will bring our message of hope and it is sure to be a beautiful day!
Upcoming Program: NCC Book Reflection Group Every other Tuesday 3:30PM
This small group of about 8 of us have been meeting over the last six months and have read two books, The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr and Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom. The group is starting a new session on Tuesday, June 13th at 3:30PM in the NCC Lounge and it is a great time to join in; whether in person or via video link. The group is still pinning down what we'll review together, but the goal is a light, yet thought provoking type of read. Join in! It is a wonderful opportunity to reflect, share, connect, and ask questions.
Upcoming Event: The Addams Family at The Strand in Dover June 16 8PM
Looking for some fun and fellowship? Join a small group of folks who are going to see The Addams Family, featuring our own NCC member Bob Derby in the role of Lurch at the Strand Theater in Dover at 8PM Friday June 16. If you’d like to go you can buy your ticket at this link: Link to purchase tickets and let me know you're coming by emailing me at pastor@newmarketchurch.org so we can be sure to connect that evening.
Upcoming Program: Sunday Morning Nursery Care Beginning June 18th
We want to encourage parents of small children to participate in our Sunday morning services! We are starting a Sunday morning nursery program so that parents of toddlers can enjoy the Sunday morning service while their little ones are playing in the NCC Lounge. The NCC Lounge has comfortable furniture, an area rug, toys for the kids, and the Sunday service live stream will be available on the large screen TV. Nursery services will be available Sunday June 18th during services and will continue at least monthly while we develop a larger team of volunteers and hopefully toddler participation to lead to nursery services being available each week.
Please get in touch with Dean Pratt at deanpratt@verion.net if you are interested in participating in this program with your toddler or if you are interested in taking care of toddlers during the service.
Upcoming Event: New Member Sunday June 18th
On Sunday June 18th we’ll celebrate five new members during worship; MaryAnna Purello, Laurie and Tim Ashe, Davis Snider and Jesenia Roberts. Please plan to join in on June 18th as we celebrate these new members and share in the new NCC Covenant of Membership, approved at the June 4th special meeting, together for the first time. All existing members are encouraged to participate in the sharing of our new covenant together for the first time.
Upcoming Event: Walk in the 2023 Portsmouth Pride Parade
Join in to show your support again this year as we gather together as a community of faith to join in the Portsmouth Pride Parade on Saturday June 24 at 12PM. We will gather in Market Square, (exact location TBD), at 12 noon for opening remarks by the Portsmouth Mayor and others then participate in the short march to Strawberry Bank beginning at 12:30. If you’re interested in joining in please let me know by emailing me at pastor@newmarketchurch.org
Upcoming Event: The NCC Food Pantry Grand Reopening & Ribbon Cutting
Please mark your calendar to join in on Monday June 26 from 4PM – 6PM in the Fellowship Hall as we invite our whole church family, community leaders, and pantry partners, to come experience the new food pantry. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30PM. Hope to see you!
Upcoming Summer Schedule: 9AM Summer Worship Start Time beginning July 2
Beginning July 2nd and continuing every Sunday morning in July and August, Sunday worship will begin at 9AM. In addition, we are planning more café church opportunities, (where the whole service is conducted in the fellowship hall), as well as a modified summer service format where we worship in the sanctuary for part of the service which is live streamed, (prayer, scripture, sermon, some music), and continue the service in the Fellowship Hall over coffee and refreshments with an interactive service format. It is sure to be worshipful while offering an opportunity to connect and reflect in a more meaningful way with one another during the summer months.
Upcoming Trip to the Holy Land: Departing February 27 from Logan Airport
Pastor Patty and Suellen Leugers are leading a Holy Land Classic Journey through Educational Opportunities in 2024. The price for this 10-day tour is $3746 per person and includes: breakfast and dinner daily, deluxe A/C motor coaches, entrance and program fees, first class hotels, guided tours, hotel gratuities, international airfare from Logan Airport, live audio headsets, and study guides. Click here for a brochure for this trip. Please note, the prices and dates on the brochure do not apply to us, this is a general brochure that outlines what our trip will include, but our price per person is $3746 and our departure date is February 27 as listed above. If you’re interested in learning more, please let me know by emailing me at pastor@newmarketchurch.org
We have so much to look forward to in our journey of faith together! I hope to see you at one or more of these upcoming events at NCC.
With Much Peace,
Pastor Patty
