First Church Congregational, Rochester, NH

FIRST CHURCH ELECTS NEW PASTOR

Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy has become the new pastor of First Church Congregational by an overwhelming vote of the membership on Sunday, February 20, 2012. Eliza was raised in Acton, Massachusetts, baptized in the South Acton Congregational Church at age 2, joined the church at age 13, and has been a member almost continuously since that time. She earned a BA with honors (French and Spanish), Magna cum Laude from the University of Pittsburgh in 1999, and a MA (French studies) from New York University in 2001. She graduated from Harvard Divinity School with a M.Div. in 2009. Following graduation she served as Youth Coordinator at First Congregational Church in Sharon, Massachusetts from August 2009 to September 2011. Eliza will be ordained at the South Acton Congregational Church this spring. The starting date for Eliza's ministry in Rochester is to be announced at a later date.

The Seafarer's Friend

Have you ever been in Portsmouth, or possibly Boston or Portland when a merchant ship is making its way to a dock to unload its goods?

The life of those making their living at sea is relatively unseen and unknown by most. They sacrifice much to support their families amidst dangerous seas, difficult weather, prejudice, loneliness, often dismal working conditions and piracy. Their sacrifice is a blessing to us all. Their work is the foundation of the world’s economy; 96% of all goods travel by ship. They do need our prayers.

Seafarer’s Friend works in each of these ports alongside the maritime community with friendship, faith, and hospitality. The Chaplains at Seafarer’s take their role seriously; listen to the heart of a seafarer, look into his soul, and provide a bridge to God that will unburden him, if even for a moment. Ship visiting may seem insignificant, but to those on a vessel, often seeing nothing but blue water and sky for months at a time know, from these visits, that God is with them. Words from a Terminal Worker: “Thank you for what you do. It is so helpful to these seafarers by visiting them each day. Thank you for your efforts to make their life better.”

How can we at First Church say “Thanks” to those sacrificing so much for our comfort and daily living? The Missions Committee is sponsoring Seafarer’s Friend during January and February. Put together Ditty Bags, make knit hats for warmth, provide used cell phones so that SIM cards can be inserted for crew use, gather magazines no older than 1 yr, give monetary donations for crosses, bibles and rosaries.

There are baskets in the back of the Chapel and Sanctuary for your gifts. There are Zip lock bags with a list of suggested items for the Ditty Bags on one side and directions for the knit hats on the other. We would appreciate any assistance you can give.

For more information: http://www.naccc.org/missions/seafarersfriend.aspx

Sojourner's Study: "Christianity and Islam"

Tuesday March 13 – April 3 at 10:00 a.m. Ellen Lankhorst will lead a discussion with this excellent resource from the Sojourners Magazine (Jim Wallis, Editor).

“This series is designed to spark discussion and thought about how to live out God’s call for justice in our world. This guide includes four sessions, each with Sojourners articles, questions for discussion, and ideas for further study. We recommend printing out the guide for each person and allowing everyone time to read before the group meets.”

Everyone interested in joining in this discussion needs to have a copy of the discussion guide at printing cost. Please sign on by calling the Church Office (332-1121), so we know how many copies to make. For those who’d like to do the study but cannot come during the day Roger Burkhart will join Ellen Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m.