USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Brimfield > Brimfield Congregational Church Records - Vol. VII 1930-1947 > Part 5
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secretary and un faith de
Sunday School Report
Cash on hand - Jan. 1, 19 3 5
$ 24.38
100.68 Collections 8.66
Birthday Bank
Conta thear /200 7.00
Little Wanderers Here 9.00
$149.72
Expenses
Supplies $ 93.93
Justage
2. 60
Donations to church 10.00
Christmas presents 2.00
candy 9. 00
L. S. picnic 6.70
Flowers 9. 40
thass. Conf. + Mis Society 7.00 Little Handerer's Home 9.00
$149.6.3
149.63 Cash on hand Ja: 1136 - $ .09
A rage attendance 36 "erate Offering $ 1.92 Ullen Keith Sech. + Treas.
Christian The report of the Christian Endeavor Endeavor Society was given by Miss Eleanor Brown and is de The Christian Endeavor, during the year of 1935 has increased in membership Us - as in certain activities. Our er for this last year were: President - allen Keith Vice President- Eleanor Brown
Society
79
Iwasuses Secretary Theother
barbara Fada
Hugh Maintyre William Whitten
Homer Parker Parker Hood
The have takenover the Church service three times during the past year and we felt that we have done quite well in these services. He have not attempted, as yet, to undertake the sermon, but we have succeeded in engaging somevery good speakers to assist us. These Twee Charles Lisa and, who spoke of his tri fo around the world and of the friendship extended to visitors in the for ign countries? The other two speakers were captain a rene Parker, who spoke of aucation in the mscan Expeditionary Forces , and Dr. in, minister of the East Church in Springfield and director If the East Church Camp.
Through the invitation of the Christian Endeavor, the Pilgrim Fellowship of Springfield - but on a play concerning peace, during the Church service, under the direction of This. Harry Day.
Our social activities have not how so large this last year, but we did attend a few meetings and sociale i Palmer.
The Christian Endea , us is the custom, sang carols to some of these shut-ins of Brimfield. Our caroling this last year, was done on the Sunday night before Christmas by a group of about 25 young people.
On January 1, 1935 there was a
sum of $2.54 in our treasury. now, January 1, 1936, we have $ 13.77. Some money, during the last year has been
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pledge it to the state Unione.
passing the latter part of theyear the bastian Endeavor has 2reduc cessful than it has 2 1. nousin the report for the
Ladies' Benevolent Society
dies Kana beach Socity was Same as the Harrison " Town was not prevent. This. Morris Theore state is that they had a fairly Good year !. Woman's Mrs. Marian Robinson gave a Missionary auf report of finances for the Society Noman's Missionary Society which is as follows :-
Jan. 1935 Cash on hand .66
This was? Brown 6.00
Miss Gladys Nebias 5.00
=
4.34
$ 16.00
Lich.
$
1.00
Mais Con corp. For 15.00
$16.00
Marian Robinson.
Church Irealurer
The Church- Treasurer and planter, the Everett anden gave his A portertheis as follows: Mr. Landen I posted that the auditor Mr. Frank Lipo wa had the Church books and had reported them'is all correct. First Quarter $ 10.16
Louse
Collectiona Second
21.18
Benevolence: Iisl 11
14.12
fourth
12. 43
$ 57.89 57.89
Expended to Pass. Cong. Conf. - Boston, Mass.
$1
First Quarter
There
Fourth
11
$ 13.54 28.71 21.23 3258 $ 106.06
Expended: - The House for laundering of union hours collard
$ 1.40
Communion supplies 5.00 assessment Jak on
105 members@15beach 15,75 Mr. Clarence To. Brown 83.91 $ 106.06
Envelopes. $ 238. 15 97. 70 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter 93.55
Fourth Quarter 158. 75 $ 588.15
Paid to Mr. 2 13. Brown 575, 15 $ 13. 00 This amount of $1 3.00 was received after the books had bis " closed but donors were desirous of its being credited to 1935. Everett tanten Treas, and Collector. These reports were accepted as read.
The Clarence Brown reporte of that no progress had been made in reducing the deficit on the Organ so that there stillremains $693.13 balance. The general
report which Mr. Porown gave us, indicated very plainly that new methods for raising funds to carry on Church work should be adopted. He urgent that it surely
Home Expenses.
Organ Fund.
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1 exmed that the ternehad come for see whatcha now Parish to the united degasten that a committee os domateshappens ted to take up the Brokenwith od Congregational
Officers at this timethe election of Elected offers was held and the following achsens wore dury elected for the en during your !!
Gladys A. Campbell
reas + collector- Everett Landen
Quantas Mr. Frank Gifford
Deacon for 4 years :.
The Charles Wheeler
23 votes
The Kurt campbell 14 "
3 7 votes
Tr Pas Ceark, fr. and Mr. Homer Mark i acted as tellers.
New Business.
. Everett Sanden urged a know syste me or saving funds to the ach our present and. hebrought west the fact that was the new very approximately what our
to bele ich year but that is, haveno opportunity knowing what we can thect to receive during the y'en He suggested a thorough canvass of members and of all protestant families in town, Lah surely appreciate the Church in the community although they do not definitely belong or support it at the present time Is made.
Motion
That the Moderator appoint a Committee of Three to consult with Church and Parish Treasurers,
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Motion lost.
concerning methods of raising funds for the support of the Church. Nation carried and Mr. Streeter appointed Tr. Joe Clark, Thr. Charles Wheeler, and Mrs. Joseph stegner to serve as such a committee. motion also included the fact that they should confer with a committed which would (probally) be appointed at the Parish meeting, to see what might he done to unify Church and Parish That the loose collections be distributed as informer years, namely; the first two Sundays for Hom, Expenses and the last two or three Sundays for Benevolences. Discussion of this motion brought out the fact that very often visitors and friends of the Church place a liberal offering on the plate, expecting it to beused for the expenses of the Church, when it often occurs that it is one of the Sundays when the loose collections go for Benevolenza rather than Homo Expenses. Whenbought to a vate the motionwas lost.
Motion
That the loose collections be
paid into the Church Treasurer every Sunday and that it should be left to the discretion of the Standing Committee and Treasurer as to how it should be distributed between Home and Rinevalent Expenses. Motion carried. To adjourn the meeting. Respectfully submitted Gladys Tx. Campbell
Motion
after the business meeting refresh ments consisting of sandwiches,
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Cake and coffee well ser ved and a social tim was enjoyed
Gladys H. Campbell
Jan.12,196 Thating called at the close of theregular morning Church service. Dev. B. V. Mathews served as Moderator and stated that the committee appointed at the Annual Meeting was ready to report to the Church.
In the absence of Mr. Roe lark chairman of the committee, The Blusen Brown rad the report which was in the form of a letter to be sent to members and friends of the church.
By Mr. Brown that the
Mation 0 church accept this report and authorize the sending of such letter. I'm addition, that this committee becom a permanent advisory board, for the ensuing So wanted.
year. Meeting adjourned. Gladys H. Campbell, Clerk. Copy of To the Members and Friends of the Brimfield Church: Wetter sent Jan. 16, 1936. It the Unional Printing of the Krefeld Congregational Church, thereport of the Treasurer made it evident that serious thought must be given to the balancing of the church budget. Many to whom this letter is addressed may not fully appreciate how greatly both the income from invested funds and
1
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from contributions by churchimemversand friends as dissenished in this post few years.
U committee appointed by the Moderator at this Annual Meeting has gone over the whole situation thoroughly. It believes that many with welcome andexact statement of the church's financial condition and consider! it a privilege to rally to its support. Such a statement follows:
Estimated expenses Estimated-Income:
for 1936 :
Unpaid bills 1935 $ 260.00 From invested
Insurance 100.00
Salaries
funds $ 650.00 Plate collections 125.00
Organ fund 50.00
Pastor 1000.00
Organist 150.00
Janitor 150.00
Fuel 60.00
wight 25.00
Repairs 100.00
Reserve for Contingencies 100.00
Interest on indebtedness
52.40
$ 2077.40 $ 2077.40 In 1935 collection totale a $58% 15. This amount must as more than doubled in 1936 if all andations are to the most. Mais committee pas that if each member and friend will make i pledge of a definite amount and pay such a pledge in regular contri- butions, the church finances will stand upon a much firmer foundation.
Enclosed is a pledge card which you may wish to sign and return at once. Should the committee not receive your pledge, it will assume that
Envelope Collections (estimated as being
necessary
to
balance the account) 1252.00
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Jeliassesjawwish further information). With that in men it will arrange to have Lemona call upon you
trong of Sunday, January 26. Cordially sous, laremise Brown Fac & black Special 6 sett Landen Committee.
barles Itkeeles! da TV. Stegness
Jan. 26, 1936. The church was called to- gether at the close of the regular morning service. Mr. Mathews presided. The clerk read a letter from Mrs. Jessie Hitchcock Vanheusen, asking a letter of dismissal from our church to join at South Royalton. Vermont.
Mation Uponmotion of Mr. CTS. Brown, voted to grant Mrs. Van Deus wsuch a letter and instruct the clock to so write a letter of dismissal from our church and of recommendation to another church.
meeting adjourned Gladys H. Campbell, Che
Insert of Treasurer's Report for the Ladies Annual Report Benevolent Society, at close of year
of the Ladies' ending November 13, 1935. Benevolent Society
for 1935 . Amount in Savings Bank $ 136.07 Amount received during year 41.91
amount expended". 31.32
Amount of cash on hand 6.24
Clara Bakter Brown-Seit + Jeas.
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Service of On Tuesday February 18, 1936, Men- Recognition and Ww. T. I Mathews and Gladys A Campinel The Per. Herbert attended the Exclamastical Connect Heller Deck. which was called to meet at Park (Springfield) Congregational Church in Springfield Maso. This council mest with a two "fold. purpose, namely; for the dismissal of For. H. H. Leck at pastor of the With congregational church and for his recognition as pastor of the Park Congregationa " Church). The Per. alfred G. Walton, D.L. of Tompkin. avenue Long, Church, Brooklyn, H. L. gave the address of the evening and the meeting was most inspire g. Gladys It Campbell, "lesk
Mar. 22,1936 The names of Grace Eleanor Sherman, Richard Brown and Charles Parker Wood were presented for membership at the regular morning service.
Mar. 29,1936. The morning service was conducted by the Young People's Society. Miss Eleanor Clark assisted at the organ and had a group of ten young people in the chair. The complete order of service was presided over by the following persons Harriet Tarbell, Barbara Ladd, allen Keith, Grace Sherman and Richard Brown Mr. Philip D. Dutton was presented as the speaker and he gave a very interesting and graphic picture of China and its Problems and Hopes.
Apr. 5,1936, Voted: To accept into our membership and fellowship the following candidates, on Easter Sunday :- Grace E. Sherman, Richard Brown and Charles Parker Wood
April 12, 1936 The following people were removed into our membership at the Easter service; Grace Sherman, Richard james Brown and Charles Parker Wood, Richard Down was baptized at this time!
April 26, 1936. a meeting which was
announced one week previously, was called to order by Rev. Burleigh Mathews. Mr. Clarence Brown gave a brief report from the committed which has been studying the matter of consolidating Church and Parish.
Vifation: - That this committee which was appointed at the annual meeting (see Page 83) be authorized to prepare the necessary papers and By-Laws to be submitted to the Church body for approval at a future meetings for the consolidating our Church and Parish as one body or Corporation. So voted. Voted to adjourn. Gladys H. Campbell, Clerk
notice of To the members of the First Congregational meeting Church, Brimfield, Mass. posted in you are hereby notified that Church a meeting of the resident members april 27, 1936. of said church of 21 years of age and upwards, for the purpose of organizing said Church into a corporation, by the adoption of by-laws and elections of officers and the transaction of such other business as may property come before the meeting will be held on Thursday the 14th of May
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at 7:30 S.M. at their usual places of worship.
Everett D. Landen. acopy made by Gladys H. Campbell
86 th Annual
The 86th annual meeting Meeting of the Hampden Association of Hampden Congregational Churches and Ministers Assoc. of was held Ned. May 6 th 1936 at Cong. Churches the Cong. Church, at Manson Mass. and Ministers. Rev. and Mrs. B. V. Mathews and Mr. and Mrs. B. E. Campbell attended the meeting and report a very enjoyable meeting and a splendid lecture by Franch Lamback, Ph. D., Missionary in the Philippines.
Meeting for Incorporation
Members of the First Congregational Church of Brimfield, Massachusetts met and were called to order by the Clerk at 7:45 PM. May 14,1936. on Thursday, May 14th, 1936.
The notice of the meeting, to gether with the purpose for same, namely; the organizing of said church into a corporation, by the adoption of by- Laws, and election of officeres and the transaction of such other business as might properly come before the meeting, was read by the clerk.
The Clarence To. Torown was duly nominated and elected by ballot to be the Moderator Then the laws relative to necessary procedure at such a meeting were read by him! .
Miss Gladys H. Campbell easterly nominated and elected by balist to be the Check.
at this time the By-laws for the Corporation were presented for ratification . Moved that the by tous
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be taken up article by article for consideration Motion carried and the following Ky laves were adapted to youcan the corporation. (See below forcopy of By law ) The following officers were duly nominated and elected by ballot: Four deacons:
Mr. Charles Wheeler 4 years
In. Frederick Bissell- 3 years Wallace Thoore - 2 years Mr. Clarence Brown- 1 year. Treasurer
My. Everett Lander auditor
My. William's Spooner'
Suph of the Sunday School
Miss Gladys H. Campbell Board of Trustees (electives) Yral. Fre S. Clark 5 years To. Clarence Brown- 4 years Mr. William2. Spooner - 3 years Mr. Frank Gifford - 2 years muchasles" theeller 1 year Standing committee (electives) Thise they Spoonful In allen Keith Mrs. Hester Sherman
mation to adjourn moved + carried. Respectfully submitted Gladys H. Campbell
This is to certify that the Certificate of Organization and the clerk's minutes of the incorporation meeting together with the by-laws adopted at this meeting were sent to the treasurer, Mr. Everett Landen, to be sent with a filing fex of five dollars to the Department of Corporations and
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Jakation to State House - Boston, Mais. on thay 18 th 1936. Gladys H. Complete, Clerk. By- Laws article I
Name
The name of this church is the First Congregational of Kumfield, Massachusetts. It is a Trinitaria Congregational Church in its polity and denominational affiliations, controlling and administering internal affairs and not recognizing any ecclesiastical authority of oversight outside of its own, membership. article I
Doctrine
The doctrinal basis of this church is the faith which our fathers confessed and which from age to age has found its expression in the historia creeds of the Church Universal and of the Congregational Fellowship. article I
Section 1. "The membership of this church shall be constituted as follows : -
"a. All persons who are at the adoption of these by-laws, members of this church in good standing shall continue to be members thereof. "b. Persons who upon due exam- ination by the Standing Committee way from time to time be found to be of good character and in sympathy with the objects and doctrinal position of this church, may, if the church hall so vote be admitted to such membership upon confession of faith, subject to such regulation as the church may hewafter adopt.
Membership Reg.
92
associate membership
Letters of dismissal
"C. Tions who as con munica to in good standing of other churches which perpetuate the historicChristian tradition may, if the standing Committee shall To recommend and the church shake so vote, be received into member ship by letter in accordance with the usage of the Congregational denomination!
d. The church may admit any regular financial supporters of the church to associate, membership, with a vote upon financial questions only; provided, however, that no action of a meeting in which associate members shall have taken part, looking to the reduction of the minister's salary or the alienation of church property, shall be valid until the same has been ratified by a meeting of church members only or until sixty days shall have elapsed without a written request of ten church members for such a meeting.
Section 2 Letters of dismission to other churches may be granted by vote of the church to members in good standing i apply for them If a member in good standing shall request that his name be dropped from the roll and the church shall vate to grant such request, his membership shall the upon terminate. It shall be competent for the church by vote to drop from the roll the name of a my member whos where abouts cannot by diligent search he iscertained or who has permanently and without good cause absented himself from the church"such names to be
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recommended to the church in the Standing Committee and the Clerk __ It shall be also competent for the church, after giving due notice to the person in question and appording him an opportunity to the heard in his own behalf, to remove from the roll the name of any member who may the guilty of misconduct inconsistent with his (Christian) profession. article IV
Officers. Section1. The officers of this church shall be as follows: - minister Treasurer
moderator
auditor
Four Deacons
Supt of the
See mendment, *
Amendment.
Clerk Sunday School Board of Trustees (of which) the pastor and Treasurer shall hetrustees ex- officio) and five (5) elective members. Standing Committee ( of which) The pastor, deacons and superintendent of the Sunday School shall be members ex-officio) and three (3) all officers, other than elective members. See Section 2. * the minister shall be elected by ballot How elected . at the annual meeting of the church at the meeting held on May 14th 1936 there shall be chosen one deacon to serve for one year, one to server for two years, one to serve for three years and one to server for four years. Thereafter, one deacon to serve for four years shall be elected at each annual meeting all other officers (except the minister) and trustees) shall hold office for one year and until their respective successors Arechosen. The trustees shall beselected for a term of five years, except that 4
9-
those first elected shall be elected for such terms of office as shallenable the church thereafter to elect one trustee each year.
Duties
Moderator
Deacons
Sectionx 3. The Moderator skall preside at all meetings of the church (other than the annual meeting) except meetings for the election of members or for voting of letters of dismission, when the pastor shall preside. Section 4 The Deacons shall provide for the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper and assist in its administration and shall perform such other duties as may properly appertain to their office according to Congregational usage, or may be attached thereto by the church. Section 5 The Clerk shall be sworn to the faithful performance of his duties. He shall have the custody of the record books of the church and shall record therein the reception of all members and every termination of membership by dismission, death or otherwise and shall likewise record i'll business transacted at the meetings of the church (together with all
Clerk
marriages and baptisms which the minister may report to him), shall issue letters of dismission when voted by the church and shall per- form all other duties which properly appertain to his office or which may be attached thereto by the church. Section 6. The Treasurer shall
Treasurer
receive, hold and disburse the current funds of the church subject to its direction and the direction of the Board of Trustees. He shall keep the accounts of the church in suitable books
95
and shall discharge Jake other duties properly appertaining to his office of which may be attached the to by the church. Heshall keep all moneys an I all deposito made and all checks drawn by him shall be in) the name of the church. He shall make an annual written report to the church in detail of his receipts and disbursement. Section 7 The auditor shall cause the accounts of the Treasures to be care- fully audited at least once a year andshall make a written report of his findings at the annual meeting of the church.
Auditor
Supt. of S. S. Section & The superintendent of the Sunday school shall have the general oversight and direction of the school and shall conduct its affairs upon such general plans and in accordance with such methode as may be approved by the Standing Committee. He shall at the annual meeting of the church present a written report of the work of the school during the year with such recommendations as he may deem wise.
Trustees Section 9 The Board of Trustees shall , except as otherwise provided in' these rules, have the management of the affairs and administration business of the church. all real estate of the church, together with all books, equipment, furniture and other personal property used in connection therewith and all invested funds of the church shall be in the custody of the Board of Trustees The Trustees shall have control of the invested. hall have no power funds of the church, but to buy, sell, mortgage, lease or transfer any real estate without a specific vote
96
of the church authorizing such action The Board shall make at the annual meeting a detailed report in writing of all of their transactions during theyear.
Standing Comm .
Section 10. The standing Committee shall have general charge of the spiritual welfare of the church. It shall consider and pass on applications for membership in the church by confessions of faith. It shall counsel with the pastor and plan for such additional meetings and activities of the church as may from time to time seem de- sirable. Its members shall call in the sick and those in trouble and endeavor to guide and watch over the younger member of the church . The committee shall advise in relation to the revision of the roll of membership of the church. when such revision seems dicisabia.
article v.
Services Section !. Public service shall be Child statedly on the Lord's Day. and on such other times as the churchymay from time to time determine.
Sacrament Section 2. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper shall, except as the church shall other wise determine, be administered on the first Sunday of each second month, beginning with January.
Quorum for admission of members dismissals etc.
Section? The members present at iny- of the regular meetings of the church for worship may without special not ce transact any business relative to the idmission of members, the granting of letters of dismission or the appointment of committees or of delegates to
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ecclesiastical councils, conferences und similiar bodies.
Annual Section 4 theannual meeting of the Meeting church shall be held during the two weeks net preceeding the first Sunday in! January, at which time the annual por to shall be presented, officers elected and such other business as may be authorized by the by- laws transacted. Notice of the annual meeting shall we prepared by the Clerk and read from the pulpit at the morning services on the two preceding Sundays. Section 5. special meetings of
Special the church shall be called by the Meetings clerk, whenever a written request specifying- the date of the proposed meeting and the objects of the same shall the filed with him by the minister, by the Standing Committee for by five adult members of the church The call of the meeting ( in which the vejisto of the same shall be specified ) shall be read from the pulpit at the morning services not less than three days before the date of the meeting. No action not specified in the call shall be transacted at any special meeting.
Temporary Section 6. Incase the Moderator Moderator is absent from any annual or special meeting the members shall elect a temporary Moderator.
Sectionof. at all annual and
Quorum special meetings seven, members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. articleVI There by- laws may be Making of amended or repealed by a two-thirds Amendments. vote of the members present and voting at any annual meeting of the church
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or at a special mating provided that no amendment shall be made unless fully set out (at the written) quest of the minister the Standing Con rutte or five adult members of the church filed with the Clerk) inth notice of the mosting whether annual or special. article VI
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