August 2025
In the Newsletter this Month
A Message from the Moderator
Financial Update from the Council
About Crop Walk 2025
Backpacks for the Homeless Prevention Council Update
Don’t Forget
Beach Bonfire—August 18th
Place your t-shirt orders!
Pastor’s Musings
When Was Your Last Sabbath
FROM THE MODERATOR
In recent months, many of us have sensed a need for clearer direction in our church life. At times, our efforts have felt a bit scattered, and the sense of unity we’ve valued in the past has become more elusive. This challenge deserves our attention.
Collectively, we bring a wide range of skills, perspectives, and experiences to the church. That diversity can be a strength, so long as we approach church life with mutual respect, humility, and a willingness to listen. Church life doesn’t thrive on frustration. Instead, honest conversation, shared sense of mission, and collaborative goal setting and decision-making give us a way forward, helping turn differences into opportunities.
We know that church should be a life-giving experience—one that renews hope and encourages service. But if clear goals are missing, it’s easy for our church’s collective energy and talent to become unfocused. Common sense of purpose doesn’t mean rigid control; it simply means we agree on where we’re headed and how we’ll get there together.
We’re not starting from zero. We already have a foundation in our faith and our shared values. What’s needed is renewed commitment to those values—and to each other—to make space for conversation, collaboration, and planning with intention.
Moving forward together to strengthen our church will take steady effort—small steps, clear communication, and trust in the process. Let’s keep listening, talking, and working together to choose and follow through on shared goals for a healthy, grounded, and purposeful church life.
Respectfully,
Pete Cook
LETTER FROM THE COUNCIL — FINANCE UPDATE
Dear Members and Friends of First Congregational:
As we shared in June, we remain committed to keeping you informed about the church’s financial outlook as we enter the second half of the year.
At that time, we reported a projected gap of approximately $35,000, driven by rising costs—including electricity, building insurance, and upcoming repairs to our historic organ.
We’re encouraged to report that since then, the financial outlook has improved due to:
Increased pledges;
Gifts from non-members in the community, and offerings at services;
Some reductions in planned expenses (e.g., buying fewer office supplies) or deferred maintenance (a stop-gap measure, as repairs are inevitable).
Your response has been both generous and heartening—thank you!
Looking ahead, our calendar includes several fellowship-based fundraising efforts (Auction, Calendar Supper, Christmas Fair, Oysterfest parking). These will help build momentum toward closing the deficit. Equally important are the day-to-day decisions we continue to make in coordination with the Financial Management Committee:
Careful, line-by-line expense reviews
Exploring new revenue sources tied to our facilities and property
While these efforts strengthen our financial footing, long-term sustainability depends on a growing, engaged congregation. That means continued giving, active volunteering, and collaboration in the months ahead.
Thank you again for the thoughtful and generous response to our first update. We remain prayerful and optimistic that—together—we can sustain our mission as a vibrant, vital, and welcoming center of faith, service, and fellowship.
The Church Council will organize a congregational meeting in early September to share further updates and discuss options for long-term financial sustainability. Until then, please don’t hesitate to reach out with ideas, questions, or suggestions. Every voice and every action matters.
The Church Council
2025 CAPE COD CROP HUNGER WALK
October 12, 2025
Twenty-five percent of the money we raise stays here on the Cape. This year we are concentrating our support on the Wellfleet Food Pantry and other pantries on the Cape. Did you know that the Wellfleet Food Pantry is the busiest Food Pantry on the Lower Cape!
This year supporting the work of the Food Pantries is more important than ever. Because of anticipated cuts to food from the Department of Agriculture, local food pantries will have trouble meeting the needs of their clients. The Greater Boston Food Bank anticipates cuts to Massachusetts of many millions of dollars of food. On top of that, Congress is considering cuts in aid to people of low income. The demand for Food Pantries is likely to increase. The Greater Boston Food Bank anticipates a 70% increase in use of Food Pantries. More demand and lower supply spells trouble.
This year we are concentrating our local support to help out Food Pantries. Thank you for considering supporting our Cape Cod CROP Hunger Walk. And thank you to all of you who have donated to the walk so far!
This is another example of how your support for the CROP Hunger Walk is helping people around the world. This year more than ever we need your support. Severe cuts in Federal funding have impacted the ability of Church World Service to provide the help that so many need. You can make a donation in three ways:
Online: go to the website, crophungerwalk.org/capecod and scroll down to our church team
Check: you can donate by making a check out to CWS/Crop Walk and leave it in the morning offering or dropping it off at the church office. You can support us also starting in May at the Farmer’s Market. Thank you so much.
BACKPACKS FOR THE HOMELESS PREVENTION COUNCIL
The Deacons are upholding the tradition of collaborating with the Homeless Prevention Council to provide backpacks and school supplies for children in need. Supplying these materials helps boost confidence and promotes equity while ensuring that all children are adequately prepared. As a community, we can contribute to fostering curiosity, experiences, and a love of learning. Please consider supporting efforts to equip children with the necessary school supplies. This is an investment in our future!!
The Deacons will be providing a collection box both in Fellowship Hall and in the Vestibule prior to going into the Sanctuary. We will put together the backpacks with the donated supplies and take them to the Homeless Prevention Council.
Please provide donations No Later Than SUNDAY, 10 AUGUST 2025!
Some school supplies needed this year are:
COLORED PENCILS
CRAYOLA CRAYONS (24 count)
HIGHLIGHTERS
TICONDEROGA #2 PENCILS
PENCIL CASE (Blue, Red, Yellow or Green) (Hard Plastic and Soft Zipper)
PENCIL TOP ERASERS
LARGE ERASERS
ELMERS GLUE BOTTLES
ELMERS GLUE STICKS
SCISSORS
SCIENTIFIC CALCULATORS
BACKPACKS
EXPO MARKERS THIN AND THICK
EXPO MARKER ERASERS
COMPOSITION NOTEBOOKS
2 POCKET FOLDERS
1.5 INCH BINDERS
1 SUBJECT NOTEBOOKS
EAR BUDS
BPA FREE WATER BOTTLES (No Metal)
CRAYOLA WASHABLE MARKERS (Thick & Thin)
24 COLOR WASHABLE PAINT SET
Thank you for considering to donate!! Your support is appreciated!
Deacons
First Congregational Church of Wellfleet
