First Congregational Church of Spencer has spirit in abundance
Intertribal cultural group helps church celebrate stewardship
 The members of the First Congregational Church UCC of Spencer consider music an integral part of worship and church life. With an historic organ that is kept in good shape, a new mini grand piano in the sanctuary, and a special fund for guest musicians, it was only appropriate that they would incorporate special music for their Consecrating Sunday service in November.
Consecrating Sunday was already planned to be a special event. The Stewardship committee, chaired by Liz Foss, in conjunction with their Interim Minister Rev. Dr. Edmond Babinsky and Associate Conference Minister Andy Gustafson put together a special service that would focus on 'abundance giving.'
"This year was the first of a three-year drive we are participating in with the UCC as part of its 'Our Hope for Things to Come' program to change the way we think about pledging from a need basis to abundance based way of giving," said Ken Latham, chairperson of the music committee. "And since abundance had become the key word within the church, and with Thanksgiving right around the corner, we really wanted to make this particular service more special than usual." (Gustafson explained that the "Our Hope for Things to Come" program was the Spencer church's unique name for the UCC "Consecrating Stewards" program. It is one of the four programs outlined in the UCC Stewardship Manual - "Inspiring Generosity.")
To tie all the themes together with some very special music, the congregation invited the Blackfeather Intertribal Native American cultural group of drummers, musicians and storytellers to participate in the service. (The Blackfeather Intertribal is a cultural group created to bring stories, music and knowledge of Native American culture to schools, scouts, senior centers, and others.)
In order to maximize attendance at this special service, the Stewardship Committee did several mailings to the membership, hosted a leadership dinner, telephoned members to remind them of Consecrating Sunday and provided a brunch following worship. They also advertised to the community through the local newspapers.
"The general feeling was that the group brought a very special presence to our church that morning," Latham explained. "Their music was very moving, spiritual, and deeply affecting. People particularly enjoyed the 'Smudging Ceremony' before the service began performed by Ken 'Gentle Warrior' White, Chairman of the Nipmuc Indian Council of Chaubunagungamaug, of Dudley, MA. This is a cleansing and purification ceremony done prior to Native American ceremonies to cleanse the spirit and soul. It was a crisp, clear, autumn morning without wind, so the smell of the burning herbs really lingered in the air. Sage, sweet grass, and other herbs are burned in a smudge pot, and fanned on the front and back of each person."
During the time when members of the congregation were asked to complete and bring forward their pledge cards, one member of the group, "Standing Bear," played several songs on Native American flutes. These included several traditional Native songs as well as Amazing Grace and TAPS (in honor of Veterans' Day). Some were accompanied by the church's organist, Greg Martiros, on piano.
"It was very appropriate and also again, very moving," said Latham.
"I was struck by the intensity, range, and vocal technique required in singing the songs," commented Interim Music Director, Keith Rutkiewicz.
"I believe the inclusion of the Native American group was important for several reasons," said Latham. "It brought a different style of worship and music into our sanctuary. This has been a goal of our Music Committee and will continue to be. While maintaining the sacred music our church was founded on, we recognize the need to bring new and different styles of music to our congregation."
"The Native American drumming and performance occurred in several places, including while people filled out their cards and brought them forward,' said Gustafson. "It created a spiritually oriented atmosphere which matched well with the spiritual emphasis on giving as a faith practice."
"It really tied together the theme of our service, that of abundance in our lives," said Latham. "It exposed our congregation to a different type of worship, one they might not be aware of otherwise, but one that is historically thousands of years older than Christianity, but still has similarities. We all worship the same God, or Great Spirit."
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