Easter 2009

.             

Alternative Holiday Fair (view more photos)

On November 8, 2008 North Church held the second annual Alternative Holiday Gift Fair, featuring items from the Survival Center, Food Bank, Habitat, Heifer International and other national and localorganizations.

Installation of Pastors (view more photos)

On October 7, 2007, Rev. Patricia Koons and Rev. Nada Sellers became the twenty-second and twenty-third ministers installed at North Church.

Rev. Sarah Buteux gave the call to worship, followed by an invocation by Associate Conference Minister Rev. Dr. Peter Wells. After the sermon "Consider Your Call," by Rev. Dr. Christine Fontaine, Hampshire Association Vice Moderator Rev. Peter Ives received North Church's presentation of Pastors Nada and Pat.

Rev. Merrilyn Holcomb, Co-Chair of the Committee on Church and Ministry received the presentation, saying "We urge you, our sisters, warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with all." The North Church and Hampshire Association membership affirmed our covenant with Pat and Nada, our co-pastors and teachers. (Order of Service)

Synod in the City (view more photos)
June 22-26, 2007

North Church Moderator Barbara Jenkins attended Synod in the City, the gala celebration of the UCC's 50th anniversary, held in Hartford, CT. With 9,100 registered participants, this General Synod was the largest UCC gathering in the denomination's history. View archived video, browse photos and sign the UCC's antiwar statement at the Synod website.

Picnic! (view more photos) July 22, 2007

Hampshire Association (view more photos)
May 6, 2007

Moderator Barbara Jenkins and Clerk Sherre Harrington represented North Church at the 2007 meeting of the Hampshire Association of the United Church of Christ's Massachusetts Conference. The meeting was held at the Village Congregational Church in Cummington. More photos are at the Village Church website.

Haiti Rendez Vous (view more photos)
October 21, 2006

North Church hosted Haiti Rendezvous, a cultural event to raise awareness and funds for ongoing humanitarian work in Haiti.

Marky Jean-Pierre did an amazing job of pulling together a varied group of speakers and performers who highlighted the rich history as well as the deep problems facing Haiti today. His foundation, Foundation Honor for Haiti, is focusing on education in some of the poorest areas in Haiti, particularly advancing the education of young mothers to try to stop the “cycle of misery” that has been perpetuated for years.

Solange Jean-Pierre was a ball of energy in the kitchen, guiding us all in the fine art of Haitian cooking. Allison, Pam, Mary Jane, Barbara, Sheryl, Jenna and Ginger worked together to make this a wonderful, educational community event. The foundation realized over $450 from this event and has begun to spread word of its future plans throughout the valley.

Thank You to Troop 504 (view more photos)
October 23, 2006

Boy Scout Troop 504 celebrated a Court of Honor to recognize the many advancements of troop members. After the formal ceremony, a reception with a "Thank You" cake and other goodies was held in the Parish Hall dining room, with special thanks to Eric Cochrane who helped organize the painting of the south side of Parish Hall.

Troop 504, which is guided by the Open and Affirming policy of its Charter Organization, meets Monday evenings during the school year in the Parish Hall.

EJQ Concert (view more photos)
September 30, 2006

Ken Forfia, North Church's organist and pianist, brought North Church a benefit concert by EJQ.

EJQ (the Eclectic Jazz Quartet) members Dominic Poccia, saxophone and clarinet; Ken Forfia, piano; David Hobbs, bass and William Matthews, drums, are an instrumental quartet dedicated to playing a wide range of jazz repertoire. EJQ was joined by professional blues and jazz singer Jill Connolly.

Thanks to Ken for his generosity in offering this concert for the benefit of North Church.

Delivery of Supplies to Ells School (view more photos)
September 2006

Sheryl arranaged for a surprise delivery by Ginger, Nada and Pat of North Church’s gift of craft supplies to ouradopted school, the Margaret C. Ells Elementary School in Springfield. Our gift has already brightened up many days, and hopefully the days will stay cheerful and bright with all the colorful pictures that can now cover the walls of the school’s halls.

The Pioneer Valley heard gospel music at its finest in a concert at North Congregational Church. Horace Clarence Boyer, internationally known gospel singer, pianist, composer and choral director, appeared with other stellar performers in How Sweet the Sound: A Gospel Concert. The concert was a benefit for both North Church and for the Horace Clarence Boyer Music Fund, set up at the University of Massachusetts upon Dr. Boyer's retirement to honor his contributions to the field of gospel music.

Appearing with Dr. Boyer were The Year of Jubilee 3, LeRoy Blair, Jeffrey Holmes and Frederick Tillis. The Year of Jubilee 3 is a trio composed of Sheila Davis, soprano and Jean Davis, alto, both of Hartford and Gregory Sutton, tenor, of Springfield. Leroy Blair is a well-known soloist, gospel singer and actor in the Pioneer Valley, noted for his highly developed falsetto. Jeffrey Holmes, professor of Music and Director of Jazz and African-American Music studies at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, is also a well-known performer and composer. Frederick Tillis is an internationally known composer and jazz performer, equally at home on soprano, alto or tenor saxophone. Dr. Tillis is also Professor Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts and Director Emeritus of the Fine Arts Center there.