My Bailiwick…
Our Board of Elders has three standing committees that do lots of work on behalf of the Elders. There is a Financial Advisory Committee, a Worship Committee, and a Personnel Committee. None of these committees may set policy themselves, but they make recommendations to the Elders from time-to-time. For the past year, the Personnel Committee has been working on a big project, rewriting all the staff position descriptions. This project’s genesis was the evaluation a year ago of our staff structure, when we realized that our position descriptions were not as helpful as we hoped they could be.
We are using a template generously provided to us by Barbara Couch and Evan Smith, both from Hypertherm. Of course the language in our document is different, but the overall structure is the same. What are some core competencies for which we look in all our employees? Then, moving from those core competencies, what are the specific competencies we expect from each employee in each respective position? As we meet with each employee, the Personnel Committee and employee try to keep in mind that we are writing a document for the NEXT employee to fill each position. If suddenly we were without Ernie Drown, for example (this is not going to happen for years to come), how would we go about searching for his successor? What do we think are essential personal qualities someone in that position should have? And what specific skills, experience, education, etc.?
It’s challenging but helpful to look beyond ourselves as we think about each of our staff positions. It makes us mindful of that wonderful axiom “This isn’t about you!”
I thought you might be interested in what we have identified as the competencies we think every CCDC staff member should have. We will be doing more tweaking with language, but there are three:
~ Emotional and interpersonal self-awareness. For example:
I am aware of my own emotional reaction to situations and persons.
I recognize that others who come through our doors may have emotional needs that make them less aware of the needs of others, including me.
I watch for and curtail my own “trigger responses”.
~ Team effectiveness. For example:
I recognize and value that each staff member has a unique and important role to play in the ministry of our church.
I understand that each staff member needs support and understanding to effectively carry out his or her role.
I recognize and respond appropriately, quickly, and directly to resolve conflicts that may arise between staff members.
I recognize that as part of a small staff, I need to be flexible and helpful to other members of the staff team.
I use appropriate discretion in discussing issues and persons both within and beyond our staff.
~ A CCDC ambassador. For example:
I act with respect for all people who come through our doors.
I understand and honor CCDC’s commitment to be open, welcoming, and respectful to all persons.
I’ve been doing some of the wordsmithing on these core competencies and I keep wondering, while they should definitely apply to all CCDC employees, what would it be like if they were to apply to all church members? Or, what if they were to apply to every group of which we are part? How would it change the culture of a particular school if every classroom adopted these core competencies? What would it do to the culture that appears to have taken hold in the House of Representatives if some version of these were to be adopted? Even within families, mightn’t family functioning improve with the adoption of these competencies?
I believe we all want to be better people, basically. We would prefer to know ourselves well, to filter our harsh responses, to listen better. I’m grateful to the Personnel Committee for their steady work on these position descriptions, especially because they have caused me to articulate some standards for human relating that could benefit us all. And I’m grateful that CCDC has the truly fine staff we have! I just thought maybe you’d like to know.
Love to us all – Carla
P.S. The New Hampshire Conference of the UCC holds its Annual Meeting later this month. CCDC is represented by Brian Edwards, Rob Grabill, John McBride, Bob and Jean Keene, Howard and Eileen Rawnsley, Karen Williamson, and me. We’ll bring back a report!
Worship Schedule for October
Unless otherwise noted, Sunday worship begins in the Sanctuary at 10:00 AM
October 2 Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Communion
Carla Bailey, preaching
Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20; Phillipians 3:4b-14; Matthew 21:33-46
October 9 Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Rob Grabill, preaching
Exodus 32:1-14; Phillipians 4:1-9; Matthew 22:1-14
October 16 Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Carla Bailey, preaching
Exodus 33:12-23; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew 22:15-22
October 23 Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Carla Bailey, preaching
Deuteronomy 34:1-12; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Matthew 22:34-46
October 30 Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Carla Bailey, preaching
Joshua 3:7-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13; Matthew 23:1-12
from Our Church President ~ Tom Wilson
The Wonderful Women in My Life
Let a woman in your life and your serenity is through.
She’ll redecorate your home, from the cellar to the dome,
Then go on to the enthralling fun of overhauling you!
Let a woman in your life, and you’re up against a wall.
Make a plan and you will find, she has something else in mind.
So rather than do either, you do something else that neither likes at all.
Remember these words that Professor Henry Higgins sings in that marvelous musical, My Fair Lady. These lyrics came to mind the other day when I realized that there have been and are important women in practically everything I do in my life.
First, of course, there was my mother. She nourished me and encouraged me and, since I was the only boy in the family, probably spoiled me too. Then I had two sisters, one older and one younger, who claimed that I spent most of my childhood teasing them. My father, an archeologist, was busy and was away from home quite a lot. In some summers of my childhood, I was one of ten grandchildren that convened at my grandparents’ farm in western Connecticut. Since seven of the ten were girls, I learned early on how to do things like cut out paper dolls.
The only grandparent I knew well was my mother’s mother. She lived with us for a while. We called her Gaga. She came from Maine, and she lived to be 98. She told us wonderful stories about her childhood. She had older stepbrothers who were ship captains, and who sailed around the world. She too had traveled widely. She was definitely an important lady in my life.
I went off to an all boys’ prep school and on to an all men’s college. Both institutions have seen the light, and have now been coeducational for years. In my medical school class there were 68 men and 4 women. I think I learned during those years that I was from Mars. Venus seemed far away.
Then I meet Joan, and she has been the most important person in my life for 59 years. When you marry you become part of a second family. And Joan, of course, had two sisters and no brothers. Joan and I have two daughters and one son. We now have nine grandchildren, and, you guessed it, five are female and four are male. So in all generations of my family I have been in the male minority.
When I went to work as a doctor, I joined a medical group of 15 physicians – all men. There were three of us who were pediatricians. When I retired 36 years later, we had 13 pediatricians and 6 were women. That change in medicine parallels the amazing changes going on for women in our society over the last couple of generations.
And those changes have accelerated in the 16 years since I retired from practicing medicine. Let me just tell you about the important roles women play in my life right now. I’m on the Board of the Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire, and the C.E.O. is Jeanne and the President of our Board is Tracy. I sing with a male group called the University Chorus of the Upper Valley. Our director is Ellen. I serve on the Board of Directors of Kendal at Hanover. Our C.E.O. is Becky and our Vice-President is Ann. The chairs of the two Kendal Board committees I serve on are Linda and Ella. I swim with the local Masters Swim group and our coach is Barbara. I’m an officer for ILEAD, the adult education program associated with Dartmouth, and our past President was Ann and our chief administrative officer is Lisa. My dentist is Elaine and my primary physician is Linda. And finally, last but not least, I get to serve on the Board of Elders of the Church of Christ at Dartmouth College, which is led by our beloved pastor, Carla.
Wow! So, unlike Professor Higgins, I’ve been blessed by having so many wonderful women in my life. Tell me, will I live long enough to see a woman president of the United States?
Religious Education Update ~ Rob Grabill
September was exactly as busy as we had hoped and anticipated, and October promises more of the same! The program year is well underway with busy church school classes, a hard-working and dedicated Confirmation class, and plenty of activity on the Campus Ministry and Adult Education fronts.
We are very fortunate to have a group of dedicated Church School teachers, all of whom are veterans. The trio of Jo Ellen Gardner, Jessica Bell and Jennifer Casey are sharing the responsibility for the Preschool-Kindergarten class. David Aman is teaching a lively bunch of First and Second graders. Gail McPeek, a tireless and imaginative veteran of many years, is overseeing the Third and Fourth graders, and I am continuing to instruct the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh graders. We have several recent Confirmands and members of the current class as teaching assistants and Nursery caregivers. It’s a wonderful, dedicated group. Enrollment continues to increase. We have had several new families swell our ranks, with new ones checking us out seemingly every week. The schedule for the next several weeks will include the awarding of Bibles to fourth graders (and a few fifth graders who missed out last year), and the annual UNICEF appeal. Be sure to start carrying lots of loose change at the end of the month!
We have four eighth graders and one more-than-ready seventh grader enrolled in Confirmation class. We have already had three class sessions, building a foundation for a year that will be filled with public service and experiential learning. This month, we will be embarking on our study of World Religions, and are fortunate to have some outstanding guest speakers. These will include Dawood Yasim, Iman of the Dartmouth Muslim community, Prasad Jayanti, the leader of the Dartmouth Hindu group, and Allyn Field, well-known to many of us as the leader of the Upper Valley Zen practice group. Allyn led a wonderful adult education session for us on the subject of prayer and mindfulness last year. The Confirmands will be participating in the CROP Walk and serving upcoming Community Dinners, and are already looking forward to the Heifer International experience in May.
I have resumed my studies at the Bangor Theological Seminar in Portland, Maine, inching towards my Master’s in Divinity. I have also taken a significant step towards my eventual Ordination. The Committee on Ministry of the Grafton-Orange Association of the United Church of Christ has accepted my application to be a Member in Discernment, and that application will be voted on by the entire Association at the end of October. Becoming a MID (a term which replaces the “in care” designation) signifies my intention to seek Ordination, and it creates a partnership with the Association and CCDC. As a “sending church”, CCDC has committed to supporting my journey, and has done this by a vote of the Elders and by creating an advisory committee. I am grateful to Karen Williamson, Gail McPeek and Steve Shadford for being willing to serve as advisors and liaisons with the Grafton-Orange Association. Carla, the CCDC Personnel Committee, and I are continuing to explore ways in which my status as a seminarian can impact my service to CCDC in a positive way. This entire process has provided me with a number of opportunities to prayerfully understand and appreciate this amazing journey.
from Our Parish Nurse ~ Ann Bradley
I am happy to report that we have almost 30 people recommitted to the CCDC Cares program. This is a program of fellowship and commitment by fellow parishioners to help meet short-term needs of others in the church. This could include helping with anything from light maintenance such as fixing a loose railing, changing a light bulb that seems out of reach, fall raking and cleanup, perhaps a ride to an appointment and any other of the myriad little tasks or projects that could use an extra pair of hands. So, if you find yourself wishing you had a little help, we hope you will take advantage of this by calling Amy Stringer at (802)649-2609 or emailing . It is good to have a couple days notice for scheduling purposes, but know that we can try with shorter notice and also know that your request is confidential and you will receive a call back or a return e mail as soon as a volunteer is found. If you wonder if your request would meet our criteria, just give a call and ask because basically, we have no criteria unless it seems to be something a professional should fix. We can always discuss your need and help you work toward a solution.
It’s not too late to sign up for Tai Chi. There are 4 more weeks in this session. Currently, there are not enough participants to have a winter session since we need to have at least 8 people. That would be disappointing, so if you have been thinking about it, do come and give it a try. Cost will be pro rated. Tai Chi is a low impact exercise so there is minimal pressure on joints and tendons, yet has many physical health benefits, especially as we age. Come to Sanborn Hall on Wednesdays at 3:00. If you would like more information, give me a call here at church or send an e mail to either me or the instructor, Anne Bower, at .
The weekly “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” sessions, led by Jane Conklin and Carol Dustin from the Grafton County Senior Citizens Center have been rescheduled to begin on Tuesday, October 4 to November 8. If you are interested in joining or know someone who could benefit, do give Jane or Carol a call at 448-1558. This is open to the Upper Valley community.
Now that we are into fall, flu season is just around the corner. Remember, anyone can get influenza. Coughing, sneezing or nasal secretions spread the virus. Flu can cause high fever and pneumonia and make existing medical conditions worse. This year, the vaccine is recommended for all people 6 months of age or older. It is fine to get the vaccine as soon as it is available. Influenza can occur at any time, but most influenza occurs from October through May.
Free flu shot clinics will be held at the following places and times: DHMC, Sat., Oct 1, 8:00-1:00, Sun., Oct. 16, 8:00-1:00, Sun. Nov. 6, 8:00-1:00. Harvest Hill at Alice Peck Day Hospital: Sat., Oct. 22-9:00-12:30, Mon., Nov. 7, 3:30-6:30.
Hamilton Library Happenings ~ Jean Keene
“Where in the World (or in CCDC) is the Hamilton Library???
It’s a frequent question of newcomers to our church family, and some old-timers as well. So perhaps now, at the beginning of this new program year is a good time to reminisce about a bit of history. It’s confusing, even for those of us who have been here for decades because the library has been in several different locations.
In the early 60’s, a “new” addition to the Church was built to the west behind the sanctuary. This new space was to include offices for the pastors and church staff, church school rooms, meeting rooms and our beautiful Batchelder Lounge. At this time money for a library was given by the Hamilton Family in memory of their wife and mother, Sabra M. Hamilton, a member of this church from 1924 -1936. It was originally mostly a reference library for the use of our pastors and staff, local clergy and members of the Dartmouth Religion Department. The original library is now Carla’s office.
In the mid 90’s the Hamilton Library’s growing collection was moved “temporarily” into a Sunday school room on the second floor toward the back of the building near the west entrance on the same level as the Batchelder Lounge and the Rand Room. Sarah Buckingham was the Church School Superintendent and she worked to expand the collection of picture books and books for teens to support the church school curriculum. Later CCDC members Barbara Thompson and Jane Meador spent many months (years?) organizing and cataloging the collection. In 2008 with money from the Hope for Your Future Campaign the Library gained some permanent shelving, a beautiful library table, comfortable chairs, new paint and a new floor. The Sabra Hamilton Library finally became “permanently” settled in its new home.
The Hamilton Library staff is responsible to the Board of Deacons for Religious Education. The Reference collection has recently been updated and is used weekly by our own staff, other local clergy and CCDC members enrolled in various courses. Additions to the circulating collection are purchased to support children and adult religious education classes, CCDC’s Book Group, confirmation classes, and the members and friends of the CCDC family. The library is always open. The books and periodicals in the alcove of the Batchelder Lounge are an outreach of the library and we ask that materials that are taken from the building be signed out from there as well.
Do come find us! The Hamilton Library is a quiet, sunny spot to wait for a child or meet a friend, or perhaps browse for a few minutes between meetings or appointments.
In Memoriam
Our dear friend and long-time member, Margaret Funkhouser passed away on July 20. Peg Funkhouser’s memorial Service will be at Pine Knoll Cemetery at 11:00 on Saturday, Oct. 15th. Her son-in-law will conduct the service. A small reception will be held after the graveside memorial at the Hanover Inn.
And we are sad to report the passing of our beloved Harold Ripley. Rip died September 24 at the magnificent age of 104.
Christmas Market with a Difference
Every November the Church of Christ at Dartmouth College hosts the Christmas Market with a Difference. This market was started 24 years ago by our church’s Outreach Board to provide “an outlet to sell goods made by crafters who are in self-help groups”. And that mission still rings true now. We remain “committed to providing a market for crafters sponsored by non-profit groups dedicated to self help programs and selling goods to benefit charitable organizations”.
Each year, our church is transformed into a real life market place where hand crafted items from around the world as well as the United States are sold. At this year’s Market, 17 non-profit/self-help organizations will be represented. Many of these groups represent women’s cooperatives that use their earnings to support themselves and their children, organizations that sponsor schools, orphanages, and group homes for the ill or abused, and organizations working on conservation and promoting sustainability.
Christmas Market with a Difference is not a fundraiser for our church. All proceeds of sales are returned to the artisans who make the products and to the organizations that sponsor them. Last year over $65, 000 was sent to the organizations represented. So, the value to the shopper is both the increased economic independence afforded the artisans and their sponsoring groups and the unique gifts and goods not found elsewhere.
However, the success of this Market depends on the many volunteer hours put in by you and those who share the pews with you on Sunday morning. There is a job for each one of you: we need people for set-up, sales, baking, clean up, and much more! You can sign up to work by filling out the red volunteer form included in this publication. You will also find red volunteer forms in our Sunday bulletins leading up to the Market. Volunteer form may also be downloaded at our new Christmas Market with a Difference website (http://www.ccdcucc.org/cmwad).
When you complete the form, please drop it in the box provided on the credenza in the Batchelder Lounge or mail to our volunteer coordinator, Cinny Bensen, 69 Pattrell Rd, Norwich, VT 05055 or e-mail to . You can also contact Cinny at 802 649-1949; she would be glad to sign you up for a shift or two. (Please note that the volunteer hours have been slightly shifted to accommodate help before and after the market closes.)
As volunteers, we profit from the friendships made and working together strengthens our community. Please share in this effort. Sign up to work. Come and shop. Enjoy the Market.
This year’s Market will be held: Thursday, November 3 10am-6pm
Friday, November 4 10am-6pm
Saturday, November 5 9am-12pm
In an effort to be a “green” market, we are asking for donations of clear plastic containers (with a lid) that can be used to transport soup. There will be drop-off boxes near the office. Thank you!
If you have any questions or need more information, please call (603-643-9568) or e-mail ().
Sae-Im (Sam) Smith, Market Chair