Once again, Amicable is embarking on "another bend in the road' once we have shared our “Thank You and Fare Well!" occasion with our recent Interim Minister The Rev. Dr. Nancy Soukup. The home team will become your returning guest ministers and worship leaders for the months of November and December, including Sunday January 7th. Sunday, November 5th highlights the annual Feast of All Saints, set within our first Sunday-of-the-month Communion Service and including the Dedication of our Pledges for 2024. In addition to our pledge cards, we are invited to light a candle in loving memory of the special saints in our own lives...who have loved us, shepherded, and mentored us, and supported our own faith formation in their own individual ways through the course of our lives. The Rev. Dr. Charles Simonson will be leading the worship. Jane Ouellette serves as Deacon of the month for November. Vaughn and our choir will keep us nourished musically as we worship together. Sunday, November 12th will pick up that journey theme, as the apostle Paul encourages one of his (favorite?) young churches and pledges always to remain at their side even though he writes to them from prison. "In every place your faith in God has become known” he tells them. In what ways, in what places, is our own faith becoming known? Paul tells them and wishes to tell us. And there is a budget for 2024 hearing right after worship, at which we will tell ourselves even more as we look ahead at further opportunities for ministry. Sunday, November 19th is our celebration of Thanksgiving. Expect lots of joyous music! In advance of the feast day next Thursday, we will enable others in our community to share a festive table. Your donation of canned or packaged food items ~ fruits, vegetables, stuffing mix for turkey, etc. will be most welcome and will be taken to the food pantry at Old Stone church in time for our neighbors, who might otherwise have a very muted holiday, to shop there at no cost and enjoy the abundance of this season's harvest. The message of the morning will be brought to us by three children who were passengers aboard the good ship "Mayflower"; their names are Desire, Resolved, and Remember. Sunday, November 26th will be an occasion to take a deep breath between the Thanksgiving holiday busyness and the beginning of Advent. What will happen that morning? Come, and discover.... |
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Please join us on Sunday, November 12th, after worship service for Amicable's Annual Business meeting to be held in the sanctuary. A vote to approve the 2024 budget is on the agenda. Attend to have your voice heard! Please check the information on the Weekly Announcement email you will receive next week. Included will be directions to the 2024 Budget Package to review for this meeting. If you have any questions or issues, please email Office@amicablechurch.org. |
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ENGAGING ALL GENERATIONS RETREAT |
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The Intergenerational Ministry Retreat—Engage All Generations—took place Saturday, October 14. About 20 people gathered to learn more about and experience Intergenerational Ministry. The posters hanging in the Upper Hall show one of our activities during the retreat. We grouped according to generations—Baby Boomers to GenZers. We then created posters that represented significant events/people/trends that took place during our lives. The day culminated with a sample of Messy Church. Vaughn Bryner and Nicole Oriol led us in a spirited hymn sing, which was reprised during the worship service on Sunday. Many thanks to the Retreat Planning Team of Jack Leandro, Sarah Martin, Ray Medeiros, Vaughn Bryner, and Nicole Oriol for their time and investment in kicking off this new approach to the Faith Formation program at Amicable. |
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FAMILY PET ADVOCATES MISSION |
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The Standing Committee extends great thanks to the congregation for the recent support of Family Pet Advocates. Donations of food, treats, supplements, cat carriers, and cozy dog bed were collected in early October to support this important community organization, which provides resources to low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals that will allow them to keep their family pets safe and healthy at home when life’s circumstances are challenging. They currently serve the Tiverton and Little Compton community. In light of the recent loss of Family Pet Advocates founder, our beloved member Barbie Lewis, this mission feels especially significant. Click on their web address below if you would like to support them. Family Pet Advocates |
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THANKSGIVING BASKET MISSION DEADLINE TO DROP OFF IS NOVEMBER 16th |
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The Thanksgiving Basket Mission has begun! Donations of food items and financial support provides food baskets to residents in need in the greater Tiverton community. Last year Amicable's Thanksgiving Basket Project ended with the distribution of approximately 160 baskets! Let's beat last year's collections!!!! Help us with the Thanksgiving Basket Drive on Saturday, November 18, at the Tiverton Public Library. If you would like to make a monetary donation to Amicable's Thanksgiving Basket Project, click here, then click on the Donate button, and choose the Thanksgiving Mission in the dropdown menu. Or scan the QR code below! Check for any updates in our Weekly Announcements, Amicable's website, and Facebook page! |
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NOT BY BREAD ALONE MISSION DEADLINE TO DROP OFF IS NOVEMBER 16th |
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During the month of November as part of our Thanksgiving Basket Mission, we are again collecting items that families need but are not covered by SNAP benefits. The items we collect will be put into bags and given to families as they come to pick up their baskets at the Tiverton Public Library. We will not be purchasing these items. So, we will only be able to give out what has been donated. Donation bins will be located at the North and South entrances of the church. Items that are needed include paper towels, toilet paper, shampoo, soap, dish detergent, laundry detergent, toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, and any other items that come to mind. If you would like to make a monetary donation to Amicable's Not by Bread Alone Mission Project, click here, then click on the Donate button, and choose the Thanksgiving Mission in the dropdown menu. Or scan the QR code below! |
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TIVERTON EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE MISSION (TEAM) NEEDS YOUR HELP |
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Some may know about the TEAM Fund, which offers a person or family living in the greater Tiverton area, a small grant to help them through a financial emergency. The fund was originally begun by Rev. Bill Sterrett in collaboration with other clergy in Tiverton. Today, the fund is administered by Amicable Church and its Standing Committee. Grants are up to $300 per year to an individual seeking assistance for heating oil, electric, telephone, or rent. Kristen Zeiser and Jane Ouellette, as Standing Committee representatives, respond to inquiries and make grant decisions, which are kept confidential. Then payments are made directly to a landlord or vendor. Donations are appreciated and checks can be made out to “Amicable Congregational Church” and in the subject line, please note “TEAM Fund.” These can be left at the church office, in the offering plate on Sundays, or sent through the mail to Amicable. If you want to donate online click here, then click on the Donate button, and choose the TEAM in the dropdown menu. Or scan the QR code below! Your support for this mission outreach initiative is important to so many in our neighborhood. Thank you. |
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STEWARDSHIP ALERT: FALL STEWARDSHIP DRIVE |
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In mid-October, all the members and friends of Amicable Church received a letter from the church which includes the annual Stewardship Appeal. The Stewardship Team of the church will ask all of us to make a financial commitment or pledge to the budgeted expenses of the church. This year we are in the middle of a Search and Call Process that will culminate in the selection of a new minister for Amicable Church. We hope that members will take this opportunity to increase their annual pledge considering this unique time in the life of the congregation. For 277 years, our congregation had supported the churches ministries in the Tiverton community. During the Stewardship Season, we will make a plan for continuing our common life and ministry—a budget for 2024—and ask each of us to give what we can to make those plans and hopes real. Please begin now to align your head and heart for the appeal to come. Look to all the ways a gracious God has blessed you and those you love and then tell us what you intend to do to support your church. |
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UPCOMING AMICABLE ELECTIONS |
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Dear Friends, As you may know from our January Annual Meeting – We need YOU! Last year, the current slate of Church Officers and Committee members agreed to “One more year!” We have openings in Church Trustees, Church Council, Treasurer/Assistant Treasurer, Standing Committee (Deacons), Faith Formation, Stewardship, Historian, and Publicity! Please feel free to speak with any of the Trustees, Church Council members, our Treasurer or any Committee member. You can also visit our webpage at here for more information. Perhaps it’s time for you to consider the opportunity to be part of what makes Amicable, well, Amicable! Your time, talents, and commitment will help Amicable and its mission continue. Thank you. Respectfully submitted, The Nominating Committee, Ray Medeiros Kimberly Poulton Tori Glover |
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What do nice drinks, good treats, and wonderful company have in common? Amicable's Coffee Hour! We are eager to have hosts for our Sunday Coffee Hours. We are trying to make hosting more accessible for all members by having the Upper Hall set-up for coffee hour each week and by making treats available in the Upper Hall kitchen cabinets. We always welcome those who wish to bake, but snacks (gluten and gluten free) will also be in the kitchen. Count on enough food for about 25 people. There are three ways to sign up! By hand... After every Sunday Service, sign up on the sheet in the Upper Hall. By clicking... Follow the directions below after clicking this link.
Website directions: 1. Please choose an open date from the calendar (It will say "OPEN Coffee Hour"). 2. Fill out the form on the page and hit the SUBMIT button. 3. We will book you for that date and send you a confirmation email. Note: An updated paper copy of the sign-up list will always be available in the Upper Hall! Most of all, we want hosting to be as much fun as the Coffee Hours themselves. Fire up your oven or stop at the grocery store... all treats are created equal and just as yummy! |
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That is all that is required to join the Amicable Choir! You need not be an accomplished singer, nor do you need to have any choir experience. We meet once a week for one hour on Wednesdays at 6:15 PM, starting the Wednesday after Labor Day (9/6.) We sing typically twice a month in the service. Come give it a try! |
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AMICABLE MEMBER HIGHLIGHT |
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A big Get Well wish going out to our Edifice Trustee, Jim Aiello! Thank you for everything you do to support our Amicable family! |
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ACTS- SHOP THE FALL SPECIALS |
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Lots of new fall clothing and housewares! Stop by for a visit! For more information, please visit our webpage! |
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MITTEN TREE! Treasured Amicable tradition. Start your knitting engines! CHRISTMAS MISSION! Details to come! CHRISTMAS PAGEANT! Another Amicable cherished tradition! Details coming! Stay tuned for other missions/events and more details! |
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Areas of our common life together that need ongoing support: FAITH FORMATION: Faith Formation Committee has openings, and lots of opportunities for adults to share their time and talents with the younger among us in Sunday School. Reach out to smartinrdn@gmail.com to sign up. **************************************************************************** ACTS is looking for an Assistant Manager: ACTS is looking for an Assistant Manager to help support Management Staff. Please contact Martha MacNaught at m.s.macnaught@cox.net or Gale Gabriel at ducks4jkj@yahoo.com. Other ways to give ACTS a helping hand: Empty donation bins: We have two donation bins, one in the courtyard near the Thrift Shop entrance and one on the porch at the north entry. Both bins typically need to be emptied and the contents brought inside 5-6 times each week (leave items in the upper lobby or thrift shop hallway). Our staff does this every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. If someone would check on the other days it would really, really help. Learn how the shop operates: Come spend an hour or two with us on a Tuesday when we sort and organize and/or on a Thursday or Saturday when the shop is open and see how everything works. It’s not hard, it’s fun and we DO need your help. **************************************************************************** Volunteer for trash and recycling detail: Looking for a volunteer to share in the weekly trash and recycling collection and putting them out for Town pick-up. Contact Roger Gauthier at r.c.gauthier@cox.net for details. |
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OCTOBER FINANCIAL NOTES OF INTEREST |
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11/02 Mark Nickel 11/04 Nick Zeiser 11/09 Julie Lohr 11/15 Bob Campion |
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11/19 Paul Delpape 11/22 Christine LeJacq-Smith 11/28 Kimberly Poulton |
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11/30 Rev. Dr. Nancy Soukup & Rev. Dr. Dcn.Dorothy Brightman |
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NOVEMBER 2023 CALENDAR OF EVENTS |
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For more up-to-date calendar information please click on the calendar |
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Along with our Weekly Announcements the Amicable Church website's Home Page will contain links to News and Upcoming Event Information. Checkout our Facebook page too! To learn more about what we accomplished in 2022 feel free to checkout our Wrap-Up page! |
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