Crossroads Notes:

Presbyterian Gang with Ties to MATE Suspected in Vast Home Improvement Conspiracy by Bill Silver           The peace and quiet of Franklin County, Maine, was shattered late July when a large, rowdy gang of Presbyterians swarmed out into the countryside committing random acts of home improvement. The gang, armed with circular saws, paintbrushes, electric drills, and other carpenter’s tools, surprised local residents with its perky demeanor, odd-looking hats, and limited carpentry experience. It took a full week before the Presbyterians could be chased out of town, leaving fresh paint, new drywall, and a handicapped access ramp in their wake.           The Presbyterians are apparently well-known to local authorities, who call them the Boston-Area Gang and report that they have been reducing havoc in rural Maine around this time of year for at least a decade. This year the Gang included members from the Burlington, Needham, and Waltham churches.           The Burlington gang-members included Ken Dewer, Megan Ferrari, Rod MacDonald, Carla Quiroz, Bill Silver, and Lee Silver. The Waltham crowd was led again by pastor Jean Southard, and included members Vickie, Sammi, and Eliot. All have made the trip before, and were apparently drawn back by the charming accommodations, thoughtfully kept free of the hazards of comfortable beds and air conditioning.           The Needham group, mostly newcomers, was led by pastor Elliott Hipp and included eight adults and nine teens. The three churches mixed quickly and well, and the new bonds of friendship that were formed were among the best fruits of the week.           The strength and vitality of the Needham youth group improved the character and quality of the week beyond measure. The youth group is strong enough to attract members from other denominations in the Needham area, and they quickly included Lee in their schemes. These young men and women worked hard and with skill, volunteered for nasty jobs, and took care of each other and the older folks around them.           Experts interviewed for this story are uncertain as to the cause of the teen’s behavior. Some suspect the influence of parents and church, while others point to the character and drive of the teens themselves.           Local authorities suspect that the Gang obtained lumber, hardware, paint, and other material assistance from a sophisticated local organization known as Mission at the Eastward, and called simply MATE by insiders. MATE apparently also gathered intelligence on which homes were susceptible to improvement, and provided this crucial information to the Boston-Area Gang on Sunday morning. They even went so far as to guide the Gang on a tour of the homes that they had identified, so that the acts of improvement that began in earnest Monday morning could be planned in advance. The authorities believe that agents from MATE would meet with Gang members every morning, and travel to the sites throughout the day, bringing advice and materiel to the Gang. No doubt MATE is the linchpin of the operation, and bears ultimate responsibility for the improved living conditions left behind when the Gang cleared out of town.           Witnesses report that the Gang rolled into Farmington on Saturday, July 28, and quickly commandeered a University of Maine residence hall and the fellowship hall and kitchen of a nearby Baptist church.           Sunday morning began quietly enough with worship at the Fairbanks Presbyterian Church, led by pastor Scott Planting. Authorities suspect, however, that the church is also a front for the MATE organization, and that Rev. Planting is MATE’s “Mission Coordinator”. It is at this church that the events of the week were initially planned, and from which the MATE-led tour set out.           The working days began with breakfast at 7, served at the Baptist Church by chief cook Elliott and his assistant Betty MacIvor. After making bag lunches for later in the day the members would sit in a large circle for devotion, which included singing and words of inspiration and appreciation. The devotions were led by Ken and Rod of Burlington, Jean of Waltham, and Elliott of Needham.           After devotion the Gang split into “crews” and headed out to as many as five different work sites. A break for lunch was taken at mid-day, and Elliott and Betty visited with popsicles mid-afternoon.           One such site was the home of Vergie Morse, who is caring for an undisclosed number of grandchildren and is about to undergo knee replacement surgery that will leave her in a wheelchair for six months. A crew led by Bill designed and built a 44-foot ramp that will provide access for Vergie after surgery. Needham teens Richard, Will, and Amanda provided superb excavation and assembly; Sammi cut hundreds of boards to dozens of different sizes; Eliot deftly inserted hundreds of screws; and Keith was always there with the right advice the right tools, and the right technique. The bonds that were formed between Bill and the teens, and their thrill in seeing the ramp finished and strong, will be a lasting treasure.           Inside Vergie’s house, Rod, Jean, and Vickie measured, cut, and hung sheetrock, with occasional help from Virgie's grandson Alan. Some walls had never seen sheetrock, while others had been damaged by roof leaks. The irregular geometry of the walls made the work akin to building a jigsaw puzzle.           Nell, wife of Needham pastor Elliott, led another crew out to strip, sand, and repaint an enormous deck. Nell was joined by Lee and Needham teens Zoe, Olivia, and Diantha. The crew returned covered in bright red paint almost every day, and rumor has it that this was not entirely accidental. Sources inside the crew report that remarkable effort, encouragement, and leadership were provided by Lee, who by the end of the week was essentially running the operation, much to Nell’s delight.           Megan, Carla and Ken started with a porch that needed new floor timbers, paint, and screening. After finishing that off they fled the scene to attack an aluminum trailer roof with the worst oatmeal-like paint you could use. Megan, in a rowdy mood as she prepared to celebrate her birthday, got up on a ladder to roll the paint on what experts call a "hot tin roof". The crew’s host Rodney bellowed out suggestions, which were reportedly taken with good humor. After fleeing the second site this nomadic crew spent a day painting twelve 4' x 8' plywood boards that would serve as skirting for a trailer, then escaped one last time to hook up with Nell and Lee’s crew on the final day.          Each evening the Gang sat down to a fabulous dinner prepared by Elliott and Betty. Evening activities included nightly walks to Gifford’s (a renowned ice cream stand), watching Star Trek, working jigsaw puzzles, and playing “Cranium”. On Wednesday night the older folks went out to a pub to celebrate Megan’s birthday. The Presbyterians seem to be great at conversation but lousy at drinking, and none were able to finish more than one beer.           The teens showed far greater ability to relax and enjoy the cool, clear nights. Elderly witnesses staggering to the bathroom in the middle of the night report that the teens were rarely in bed before 2 AM, but if they were out looking for trouble there are no reports that they found any. Somehow they showed up ready for work every morning with that perky demeanor,although the experts are baffled as to how they managed it.

Here Comes Sunday School!           Yes! Another year of exploring the faith with young and old will begin on September 9, with a rally for children in Preschool through Grade 5 at 10:30 a.m., and a Teachers’ Meeting and Adult Study Group at 9:15 a.m.           More information about classes and teachers and times and locations is being mailed to all church families — if you have not received yours, please call the church office, 781-272-9190.           Positions available! That little “nudge” you’re feeling might be God’s call to be part of one of our rotating teaching teams, as teacher or assistant. For more information, contact Heather Dinsmore (978-663-5413) or speak to Rod MacDonald. You’ll have lots of support, divine and human! Stewardship of Time and Talents           The time and talent survey, which is part of the November stewardship packet, offers a wide variety of opportunities to participate in the life and mission of the Burlington Church. Soon the nominating committee will begin the task of filling vacant positions on official boards in time for the January annual meeting. In these last few weeks of summer, take time to consider what God may be calling you to do and say 'yes' when the call comes. Peacemaking Offering           What is your image of peace? How can our congregation offer healing to people within our church, our community, and around the world which will help to create a more peaceful world? The Presbyterian Peacemaking Offering supports efforts of Presbyterians at local, regional, and national levels to share God's healing and peace. The offering will be received on World Communion Sunday, October 7. In sharing the bread and cup, we are united in Christ with people of all nations, recognizing that God's healing is offered to everyone.           In 2006, more than $2.2 million was received through the Peacemaking Offering. The offering supports a variety of peacemaking efforts: 25% stays in the congregation, 25% is used by the synods and presbyteries, and 50% is allocated to General Assembly ministries. In recent years, our church's share has helped to fund a scholar-ship for a high school senior in Burlington who has demonstrated a commitment to peacemaking. Camp Wilmot Challenge           A generous benefactor has provided a $25,000 Challenge Grant for our camp. If we can raise $25,000 from our congregations and members, the donor will double it! This money will be used to fix-up and repair the facilities. Please send your checks to: The Presbytery of Boston 210 Herrick Road Newton Centre, MA 02459-2248 BPC Nursery School Registration           There are some openings left in the afternoon. 4-year old class which meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. If you know of anyone looking for a nursery school, please have them call Registrar, Linda Benson at 781-272-9190. Sunday Morning Rides Needed There are two people who need rides to and from church. Dear Burlington Presbyterian family,           I want to thank everyone for their prayers and support during my parents' illnesses and injuries. I am happy to report that my mom celebrated the one year anniversary of her heart valve surgery and is doing well. My dad has really experienced 2 miracles! His neck is healed enough that he is no longer wearing a brace and is back to normal daily activity, including returning to his exercise program at the gym. As if this were not a miracle enough, when he recently visited his oncologist to discuss returning to the chemo for his myeloma, he said that since it had not progressed during the last 6 month, the time his neck had been healing, he saw no reason to return to chemo and will simply monitor his myeloma at this point!!! God is good! Thank you all! Sue M-R