Belfry Notes January 2024

Next Event: MidWinter Afternoon Tea is scheduled for February 17th at 2pm.  Look for more details to post and it’s never too early to RSVP.  

Hello Everyone,

First of all, we wish you all a very happy New Year. We hope you are having a peaceful beginning to a New Year.  

We had a lovely Christmas and Holiday season, beginning with the Holly Fair, where everyone showed up to make it a wonderful success and gathering of good company. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Village Fair on the 3rd Saturday of August (and yes, there will be a 5K fun Run/Walk again). If you are, or know of, vendors who would like to “table” at the Village Fair, please reach out to us. 

We lit the Community Christmas Tree, which is still bringing light and cheer to the neighborhood. The kids performed musically and read stories to us during the season. It was beautiful. Christmas morning had our biggest group yet of visitors who wanted a moment of Peace at the Church to begin a Christmas Day. Although we all brought some grief, sadness, and illness into the season, it was still a time of True Joy, Peace, Love, and Hope. We, as always, were there in community to support one another with Grace.

We just had our first Council Meeting of the New Year and are beginning to plan for our 2024 year. We talked about the usual upkeep and care of our Church Home. We talked about the groups that bring life and goodness to our community and beyond. 

We are beginning to plan for some fun things for the kids this year, including some gatherings outside of Sunday morning. Keep your eyes peeled (as always, all kids of all faiths are welcome). 

Something new: We are offering our first Death Cafe meeting (yes you heard that right: Death Cafe) at the Meetinghouse/Church on February 3rd at 3pm. If this becomes something of interest, we have plans to meet more frequently. Details will post soon, but in short: a Death Cafe is a place to meet and talk about the uncomfortable subject of death and dying. There is no agenda (we are not here to get to “answers” nor are we here to talk about planning for). This is simply a conversation with others around something we will all experience in our lives and yet avoid speaking about. Grief is welcome, but this is not a grief support group. We will facilitate conversation, but we are not in a counseling role. Hosted by Austina Towle and Charlotte Weltzin. 

We will be making and sending out Cheer Soup to our neighbors to bring a bit of Winter Warmth and Cheer. We have lots of plans and events coming up and we’ve made them easy to track in the special events below. 

Special Events:

• MidWinter Afternoon Tea will take place on February 17th at 2pm. Details will post shortly.
• A Death Cafe meeting will be hosted by the Meetinghouse/Church on February 3rd at 3pm. Details will post shortly, but see above for details. Hosted by Austina Towle and Charlotte Weltzin. 
• Annual Meeting on May 19th after Church. 
• Cheer Soups will be made and delivered to bring some Warmth and Hellos to our neighbors.
• We will shortly be accepting donations for Fuel Assistance and Souper Bowl Sunday.
• Lute Concert date has changed Sunday May 5th with Seth Warner (and…maybe some surprise guests?)
• Communion happens on the first Sunday of each month.
• Discussion Group meets after Church on the last Sunday of the month.  
• Sunday School kids join Church at 9am and then move upstairs to explore more.
• Friday Walks happen each Friday at 10am starting from the Church. 
• Dorcas meets weekly on Wednesday (they are on Winter Break). 
• We meet for Lunch on the First Thursday at noon at Herricks for an informal gathering of company. 
• Community Yoga Wednesdays at 6pm. 

Birthdays this month include: Austina, Cory, Deb, Gregg, Ilene, Joyce, Laura, Mike, and Norman. A VERY Happy Anniversary to Ed and Doris this month. 

Neighbors Notes: The Neighbors Group’s primary goal is to be of support to one another in disaster (wind storms, ice storms, and the like).  Each section of our area community has a “cluster lead” who can be reached out to (or will reach out) in the event of need.  The Neighbors Group came into existence after the WindStorm of 2019.  Even though it was still building, it was nicely in place to help out during the Covid Crisis.  We are beginning to rebuild and strengthen this group. Please reach out if you would like to help or join!!  

We wish you a Peaceful New Year.  We hold close to our hearts those who are struggling this season of cold and raw. Please reach out if you are in need of support.  We are here for one another and for you. 

Love, Blessings, and Happy New Year,

Charlotte and CCNOT

If there is anyone you think should receive these Notes, please forward this message. You will also find this message in your email if you are on our Mailing List (please reach out if you are not and would like to be).  We will mail (like post office paper mail) a Belfry Notes after the Annual Meeting in May.