Sabbatical 2022
What's Happening at Home?
Sabbatical Summer is really rolling now, so please check out these latest updates!
Sunday School Retreat
(July 31–August 2):
You don’t have to come to the whole retreat.
Come to make ice cream. Come for the cookout and the fire pit. Enjoy the nature talk or nature hike. Come to swim! It’s fine to pick and choose from the many activities listed online. Also: You
don’t have to be a kid! All ages are welcome and encouraged to join the fun. The deadline for signups has been extended to next Sunday, July 17, so be sure to check out the options before
then.
Meditation Workshop: This was to take place on Wednesday but is being rescheduled. Stay tuned for a new date and time.
Journaling Discussion with Rev. Bob and Ally Snyder
(the woman who created our Sabbatical Journal)
(Wednesday, July 20, at 4:00):
See description below. This is an addition to the lineup.
Growing up in Peterborough in the 50s & 60s
(Tuesday, August 9, at 4:00):
See description below. This is an addition to the lineup.
And of course there’s lots more to come! You can sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050545AAA822A1FF2-sabbatical
The photo display on the hall bulletin board is growing weekly, so be sure to check it out. And please share your own sabbatical photos, too. It would be great if you could send them to the
church office and also copy Sharon Smith.
See you on Sabbatical!
Sharon Smith, Laura Gingras, Sarah Pope, Irv Richardson, Suzanne Schoel, and Rev. Bob Fellows
Your Sabbatical Planning Team
7/13/22
What's Happening with PB&J?
Follow PB&J and Grace on Sabbatical
Follow along with Pastor Bob, Jodi, and Grace as they share images of their sabbatical experience.
The above picture is a link to their Facebook Blog.
NEW OFFERINGS FOR YOUR SABBATICAL JOURNEY
JOURNALING WORKSHOP
Wednesday, July 20
4:00 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
Union Congregational Church, 33 Concord St., Peterborough NH
One way to live into our sabbatical goals of recreation, reflection, and reaching higher is to keep a journal during this time period. How is a journal different from a diary? Are there many ways to keep a journal? Let’s get together and share our experiences of journaling in the past and present—whether we have started using the guided sabbatical journal or not. Ally Snyder, author of the guided journal, will join us to answer questions. Rev. Fellows will lead the workshop.
GROWING UP IN PETERBOROUGH IN THE 50’S & 60’S
Tuesday, August 9
4:00 p.m.
FREE & OPEN TO ALL
Union Congregational Church, 33 Concord St., Peterborough NH
Jimmy Smith, who grew up in Peterborough and was a member of Union Congregational Church in 1949, will offer a presentation on what Peterborough was like back then, covering the businesses that were in town at that time, where they were located, and how the owners and employees contributed to the social climate. He will also touch on the various faith communities and their activities during those decades. For old-times to take a trip down memory lane, or for people new to town who are curious about what makes Peterborough unique, you are invited to join us.
Sabbatical journal
There are three sections, reflecting Bob Marrone’s journey: re-creation, deep silence, and the mountaintop experience (I see this part as blending joy with God + reflecting on your roles in the church and community). Each section will cover a month of the summer (June, July, Aug). In each section, there will be a “topic” for the week and then sub-topics on those weekdays. Such as: “Week 1 – Stop and Assess Where I Am, Prepare for Trip.”
The days are laid out with a holistic spiritual life model, encompassing mind/spirit/body; daily, you will see a Meditation section (mind)/ Prayer and Reflection section (spirit)/ Action Item (body).
Each week has one activity that members can do (or not), such as: take a meditation walk and spend time noticing God’s creation, giving thanks, and laying down your worries (etc.).
The journal includes Bob M.’s color paintings/photos—one for the start of each week for 13 weeks + one pic for the cover artwork.
The other pages will be printed in black and white, 8.5x11, and with spiral binding, it can easily lie open for writing.
This is:
. a booklet that can be used now or in the future, and is not specifically tied to a certain date [thus the pages are numbered Week 1, Day 1…rather than June 6….]
. an easy-to-use journal in the spirit of a quiet time guide, with no more than 15 minutes required to complete a page
. a book that can be used at the members’ discretion: here and there, or every day, or do all the activities, or just do 2 pages in the entire book and get something out of that. Meaning, YOUR OWN PACE, and ALL CAN USE IT.
. a book FILLED with the love of God, the inclusive acceptance of God, and a guiding toward the Bible and other spiritual writing and poetry that could inspire members to take a deeper look at their faith.
Summary: The journal is easy to use and open to all over age 12. Whether a member uses the journal every day of the summer or not until three years from now, the journal will help members seek God and find God’s loving kindness.
Bonus: The members connect more deeply with their friends at church and take on a sense of collective purpose.
June 5th
Sabbatical Send-Off Celebration
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
MacDowell Dam
We will hold our worship service with both Pastor Bobs at MacDowell Dam. This will be followed by a pot-luck lunch at the dam. Similar to past picnics, we will divide the congregation by last names and assign them a category of food or drink to bring. We will also try to designate a couple of "Grill masters" to help with the cooking of the meats.
The service will have a hand-off from Bob Marrone to Bob Fellows and will also be communion.
June 19th
Fisher Cats
Baseball Game
Noon-5:00 p.m.
Delta Dental Stadium
We will get group tickets to the Fisher Cats game on Father’s Day versus the Somerset Patriots. If we get enough people to sign up, we will take a bus from the church. If not, we will arrange carpooling to get there. It will be a fun day of baseball and fellowship. We will have seats behind home plate and the ticket includes Ballpark Meal Voucher (Hot Dog, Chips, & a Drink) plus a Group Hat.
July 13th
Meditation Workshop
7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Church Parlor
This will be a 50-60 minute session, exploring various kinds of meditation, for us to experience here; and then ways to continue our practice at home.
We will meditate briefly together, and we will also have time to share ideas about how meditation has helped us.
I will bring a list of helpful information resources, and we can share resources also.
We will be sitting in chairs, in the Parlor, at church.
August 6th
Pack Monadnock Hike/
Auto Road Drive
& BYO Picnic
9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Pack Monadnock, Peterborough
KaitLynne and Emily Foote are planning a hike or drive up Pack Monadnock in Peterborough on August 6th. Whether you join the walk or drive up the auto road, you are invited to join us at the summit for a Bring Your Own picnic with some gorgeous views and fellowship.
August 16th
Brush & Biscotti with Reverend Bob
6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
Rev. Fellows will offer a spiritually oriented paint night that is easy and fun. Anyone can do this. Please sign up early because the class will be limited to 14 people.
Enjoy a beverage and biscotti. You will go home with your own acrylic painting on stretched canvas, ready to hang!
August 21st
Refugee Retrospective
2:00-4:00 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
Recently, the myriad uses of the words "refugee," "immigration" and "resettlement," in conversations and in the media, are reminders that America is truly a country of immigrants. Indeed, newer residents in the Monadnock Region may be unaware that in past recent decades, there have been refugee resettlement actions in local churches and community organizations. Wouldn't it be beneficial to revisit past efforts, reunite with "old" friends, learn of the experiences of others and enjoy our commonalities? Socializing would be enhanced by looking at photos, family favorite crafts and a few "treasures" displayed on tables by those willing to share. And some tasty "finger food" from various kitchens can be sampled while visiting, don't you think? Hopefully, such an afternoon would help all of us focus on Loving Our Neighbors!
June 10th
Simple Dance & Ice Cream Social
7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
A combined ice cream social and dance event.
7:00 - group warm-up with a Hokey Pokey and Chicken Dance
7:15 - ice cream sundae bar opens
7:15 - dancing will continue until 8:30
Ice Cream Social:
Make your own:
Ice Cream Sundaes: with toppings including hot fudge, strawberry and butterscotch sauces, whipped cream, nuts, sprinkles, cherries.
Ice Cream Cones: with our without sprinkles.
Root Beer or Ginger Ale Floats.
Dance:
Simple line dances like Alley Cat, Chicken Dance, Cupid Shuffle, Electric Slide, Boot Scoot Boogie, Hokey Pokey!
Time for freestyle dancing to recorded music.
Think Dancing Queen!
July 12th
Brush & Biscotti with Reverend Bob
6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
Rev. Fellows will offer a spiritually oriented paint night that is easy and fun. Anyone can do this. Please sign up early because the class will be limited to 14 people.
Enjoy a beverage and biscotti. You will go home with your own acrylic painting on stretched canvas, ready to hang!
July 31st-August 2nd
Sunday School Retreat
4:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Fleming House
Christian Ed has been busy planning a fun two-day retreat. Activities include a Harris Center hike, Willard Pond exploration with swimming, naturalist presentation with activities and scavenger hunt, ice cream, cookout, games, magic and a host of other options ready to be presented by our team. Church families and friends are welcome to sign up in advance for any part of the retreat. Meals will be provided beginning Sunday evening, July 31 through lunch on Tuesday, August 2.
July 30th-August 6th
Camp Winni
Geneva Point Center,
Lake Winnipesaukee
One of the important summer events in my life since the 1970’s has been attending and teaching at a summer family conference that we call "Camp Winni." I will be teaching there during the first week of August and I would like to invite you and any other interested church families to consider sharing in religious study, self exploration, uplifting music, beach time, and recreation at Geneva Point Center on beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee.
Winni has been a fun, inspiring, healing experience for church families for over 100 years. I invite you to look at the offerings this year and consider joining me at this conference!
Follow the link below to view the brochure:
https://m.campwinni.org/f/2022_NNESRE_Brochure.pdf
Follow the link below to learn more about “Camp Winni”:
http://www.campwinni.org/home.html
I would be glad to answer any questions you might have about the experience. Please feel free to email me questions at revfellows@comcast.net or to give me a call on my cell phone at 603-562-1022.
September 11th
Homecoming Gathering
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Church Parking Lot
This will be the finale of the sabbatical. Worship will be followed by a catered luncheon for the whole congregation. Bob Fellows will “pass the torch” back to Bob Marrone and we will have fellowship time to discuss our summers and how all the sabbatical activities went.
June 14th
Brush & Biscotti with Reverend Bob
6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
Rev. Fellows will offer a spiritually oriented paint night that is easy and fun. Anyone can do this. Please sign up early because the class will be limited to 14 people.
Enjoy a beverage and biscotti. You will go home with your own acrylic painting on stretched canvas, ready to hang!
July 8th
Gentle Stretching & Body Prayers
9:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
This will be a basic stretching class, on mats on the floor, with standing and sitting positions.
It will be simple stretching, plus we will learn some body prayers. They consist of learning a prayer and the body movements that accompany the prayer. They are simple, easy to learn, and powerful. One was taught by Quaker volunteers to people in refugee camps, many years ago.
Each person will need a mat, and a cushion or folded blanket to sit on.
July 24th
Silent Walk in Shieling Forest
2:00-3:00 p.m.
Shieling Forest, Peterborough
In keeping with the Deep Silence phase of the sabbatical, a silent walk along paths in Shieling Forest is proposed. We will gather at the parking lot off of Old Street Rd. The walk will take us over bridges crossing two branches of a brook, by a native flower garden and through a forest to two giant boulders. A silent walk will allow us to meditate on the wonders of creation that we are part of. We will return to the parking lot by a different path.
August 12th
Night of Magic & Illusion
7:00-8:15 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
The music begins and the magician walks out. What will happen first? A card appears at the fingertips, then another and another. A flash of fire, and they're all gone. Billiard balls. Silks. Is that a rabbit? Where did it go?
The show would not be complete without a child floating in the air, an escape from some manacle, and an audience member sawed in half. Stage magic evolved from the escapes of Houdini to the illusions of Doug Henning to the card manipulations of Ricky Jay. Bob Fellows had a career that spanned all forms of magic and illusion before becoming ordained as a minister. He traded the "trinity of Leno, Letterman, and Las Vegas" for the Holy Trinity. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
Magic opens our minds to possibilities and reminds us that the world is not as it appears to be.
When we can't fully trust our senses, our anchor must be spiritual.
What a great way to spend an evening with friends—live and in person—full of laughs and surprises.
August 28th
Beech Hill Farm
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Beech Hill Farm & Ice Cream
Hopkinton, NH
Come enjoy some time on a farm with a few animals, amazing ice cream and even a corn maze.