Lenten Book Study
For weekly assignments, please go to Events (https://www.oakhamcongregational.net/events-2-1)
Please join us this Lenten season for a book study where we read and discuss blessing, sin, and what our relationship with God means if we rethink the doctrine of original sin.
Tentative meeting dates: March 6, 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9, 6:00 p.m.
Book: Original Blessing by Danielle Shroyer.
This book is available on Amazon for $10.99. We will have a few copies available for sale at the church. Of the world’s major religions, only Christianity holds to a doctrine of original sin. Ideas are powerful, and they shape who we are and who we become. The fact that many Christians believe there is something in human nature that is, and will always be, contrary to God, is not just a problem but a tragedy.
So why do the doctrines assumptions of human nature so infiltrate our pulpits, sermons, and theological bookshelves?
How is it so misconstrued in times of grief, pastoral care, and personal shame?
How did we fall so far from Gods original blessing in the garden to this pervasive belief in humanitys innate inability to do good?
In this book, Danielle Shroyer takes readers through an overview of the historical development of the doctrine, pointing out important missteps and overcalculations, and providing alternative ways to approach often-used Scriptures. Throughout, she brings the primary claims of original sin to their untenable (and unbiblical) conclusions.
In Original Blessing, she shows not only how we got this doctrine wrong, but how we can put sin back in its rightful place: in a broader context of redemption and the blessing of humanity’s creation in the image of God. --Amazon
G.A.B.B. Golf Tournament Results!
On Monday, August 5, Eighty-two golfers and twenty-plus volunteers gathered at Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club for the 27th annual Oakham Congregational Church G.A.B.B. Golf Tournament. The Tournament was originally started in 1995 as the Bob Tyck Memorial Golf Tournament. In its early years it helped a family in need, but over the years became a tournament to benefit local charities. After a 3-year pause, the tournament was renamed G.A.B.B., now also in honor of Gretchen Nahkala, Art Gray, and Bob Lajoie, who were always present and instrumental to the great success of the original Bob Tyck Tournament.
The weather was gorgeous, spirits were high, and play was enthusiastic. Foursomes made good use of strings (used to extend putts) and mulligans (used to retake short or wayward shots,) and some impressive low scores were achieved. Third place was won by the foursome of Jack Amidio, Gary Donlin, and Mike and Irene Caruso, with 16 under par. Sam and Eric Lajoie with Jon Hardacker and Josh Russell came in second at -17, and first place went to Mark Bengston, Ron Lecaire, Steve Gervais and Dennis Leonard at 20 under par. The team of Greg and Luke Giard and AJ and Alex Kularski took home the “Most Honest” award.
Other winners included Closest to the line, Nicholas Aufiero; Closest to the pin, Josh Russell; Longest drive (men), Ryan Hatch; and Longest drive (women), Jenny Laramee. Craig Andrews took second place and Eric Lajoie was first in the putting contest that preceded the tournament.
In addition to the tournament prizes, there were hundreds of raffle prizes available for the players who stayed for the delicious Italian Buffet banquet. No one went home empty handed!
The Tournament was a huge success, raising over $12,000 for charity! We would like to thank all our sponsors and volunteers for their work and generosity:
Graphite Insulating Systems, Lajoie Brothers Transport, Mike's Mechanical, Dean Moran Electrical, George & Janet Paradis, Schooner Financial Assoc., Jeffery Nahkala, Executive Lawn Services, Miles Funeral Homes, Moran Law, Christine Nahkala, Pine Acres Family Camping Resort, Dick & Gail Pryce, The Hatch Group, Yummy Garden, ColBro, Eastern Solar Services, In A Heartbeat, LLC, J & J Family Restaurant, Ward & Edna Holloway, Herb & Dorothy Holmes, Malcolm Ide, Heather & Duncan Stewart, Whitco, Wong Dynasty, Higgins Energy, Subway of North Brookfield, 148 Package Store, Jed's Hardware, Barre Gazette, The Black and White Grille, Brynne's Bread, Charlie's Diner Bar & Grill, Coldbrook Springs Winery, Dippin' Donuts, Mathilde Duffy, Hannaford Supermarkets, J & J Family Restaurant, Ladd's Restaurant, Quinn’s Blue Plate, Still Four Corners, Bob Tefft, Val's Restaurant, Quail Hollow Country Club, Linda Barringer, Abigail Bedard, Paul Brown, Barbara Crawford, Ellie Downer, Jill Giard, Edna & Ward Holloway, Abby Kiernan, Lisa Lajoie, Kristina Lajoie, Norma Mann, Chris Nahkala, Sharon Onorato, Brett Ouimette, George & Jan Paradis, Jan & Bob Pierce, Gail & Dick Pryce, Dawn Thistle.
And we hope to see you all again next year!
Photos by Kristina Lajoie.
Gail Pryce Honored with Myra Kraft Community MVP Award!
On Thursday, June 6, the Kraft Family and New England Patriots Foundation celebrated the 2024 Myra Kraft Community MVP Award Winners. They recognized 26 volunteers for their contributions to the New England community at an awards ceremony at Gillette Stadium. In total, $275,000 in donations were distributed to the nonprofits represented by each volunteer. Twenty-five organizations received $10,000 and Ricky, Inc. received this year’s grand prize of $25,000.
Since 1998, the Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation have been recognizing volunteers for going above and beyond to give back to their communities through the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards program. Formerly known as the Community Quarterback Awards, this volunteer recognition was renamed in 2011 in memory of Myra Kraft.
“Every year, nonprofit organizations across New England put forth candidates that demonstrate what volunteerism and giving back truly is and who represent the very best of our community,” said Robert Kraft, Chairman and CEO of the Patriots. “My late wife Myra, of blessed memory, was passionate about giving back and making a difference in people’s lives. I am proud to see her legacy of volunteerism upheld through these awards, celebrating those who selflessly serve their communities as true Community MVPs.”
The selected nonprofits provide support for many causes, including education, food insecurity, grief support, healthcare, homelessness, mental health, violence prevention and more. Since its inception, the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards program has recognized more than 500 volunteers and donated more than $3.75 million to support nonprofit organizations across New England.
The Kraft family and the New England Patriots Foundation received close to 300 applications this year from nonprofit organizations looking to recognize their outstanding volunteers. Nominations open every February and the awards are open to all nonprofit organizations in the New England region. For more information on the work of the New England Patriots Foundation, please go to https://www.patriots.com/community/.
Our very own Gail Pryce was honored for her many years of work in support of Dismas House and Dismas Family Farm. The $10,000 award will be used by Dismas to support its work as a beacon of hope for former prisoners in greater Worcester, providing an important platform for healthy reentry from prison to those most in need of recovery, decent work, and housing. For more information about Dismas House and its work, please go to https://www.dismasisfamily.org/.
Patriots Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett, Gail Pryce and Gillette’s VP of Communications & Community Affairs, Global Grooming, Kara Buckley.
“Photo courtesy of the New England Patriots/Eric J. Adler”