2018 And Now A Word from Your Pastor

Transcription

1 SEPTEMBER 2018 And Now A Word from Your Pastor The First Congregational Church in Bloomfield United Church of Christ The Wintonbury Spire I m not meaning I don t know why they say grown men don t cry. I love these words. They come from the refrain to the country song made famous by Tim McGraw. First, he sings about witnessing the challenges of a single mom and her small child, wanting to help and not knowing how to do it. He describes the helpless feeling of not knowing what to do as he drives away in his suburban. I don t know why they say grown men don t cry. In the next verse he talks about the great relationship with his dad he would like to have. It then strikingly takes a turn and describes how that was just a dream, that he didn t know his dad well, and never learned how to connect until it was too late. I don t know why they say grown men don t cry. The scene moves to an intimate moment with his young daughter doing their bedtime routine. Just before she falls asleep she looks at him and says, I love you dad I don t know why they say grown men don t cry. Saturday, September 1 st, Linda and I dropped Garrett off for his freshman year at Bryant University. It s a great school. It s a perfect fit for him. It was his first choice. He s smart. He s confident. He s athletic. He has a good heart. He s ready. I know he s ready. Linda knows he s ready. Garrett knows he s ready. Everyone who knows Garrett knows that he s ready. It was still hard to pack. It was still hard to imagine him not home. It was still hard to drop him off. I don t know why they say grown men don t cry. Pastor s page continued Page 1 of 15 September 2018 Wintonbury Spire

2 I m not meaning to limit these thoughts to the gentlemen out there. Women have a range of ways to deal with emotional moments just like men do. The song Big Girls Don t Cry by Frankie Valli in the 60s and the more recent one by Fergie with the same name captures this sentiment as well. Sometimes we re taught that crying isn t for public consumption. Some are even taught that crying is a sign of weakness. That s not what former NFL player and member of the Fearsome Foursome, Rosey Grier said when he sang his famous song, It s alright to cry. Who else shows it s fine and healthy and good for us all to cry? Jesus. Yep. Jesus. Jesus wept over issues as sweeping as the people misunderstanding His message, and as intimate as the death of a friend. Jesus wept. So does God.. God cries over some of the same things Tim McGraw sang about. God cries over the injustices of society. God cries over the pain of God s people not being honest with each other. God cries over the painful consequences to God s children and God s creation that result when we aren t dealing with those injustices honestly. And, God cries with us when we cry. When we are in pain. Because, God knows our pain. God has felt it. God created us that way. God gave us the gift of emotions and of tears to process those emotions when life gets challenging. We re meant to use God s gifts. Crying is one of those gifts. Never be ashamed of using the gifts God provides. Peace, Pastor Shawn Page 2 of 15 September 2018 Wintonbury Spire

3 This Sunday, September 9 th, Rally Sunday! Please join us for an energizing service and an all church celebration We will have games, fun and the grill will be going. All are welcome! SAVE THE DATE OCTOBER 21 ST, 11:30 TO 1:00 PM Bring your beloved animal for a Special Blessing By Pastor Shawn. Save the Date CROP Walk Saturday October 13 th, 2018 at 10:00 am Neighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the UCC that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects through grants. Neighbors in Need grants are awarded to churches and organizations doing justice work in their communities. We will receive the NIN offering on October 7, 2018 Page 3 of 15 September 2018 Wintonbury Spire

4 News For Kids, Youth & Families Our first Faith Formation Team meeting is on September 23 11:45 am. Anyone wishing to join the team is welcome to attend. Bring your ideas and energy and help us nurture our children and adults. Welcome to a new Program Year of Sunday School, Youth Group and Family Fun. Rally together on Sunday September 9th at the 10:00 am Worship Service. We cannot wait to see all of you here! On this very special Sunday we will have a Jamboree immediately following the service. Plan to stay and enjoy the fun, there will be a bounce house, popcorn, cotton candy and hot dogs. Bring a dish or dessert to share at the Jamboree if you wish, but come either way. Rally together: enjoy the blessing of the day as we begin our new church year! Rain date for the Jamboree is Sunday, September 16 th. Our first meeting is September 13 th at 10 am Bring a friend. We will be reading Unbelievable by John Shelby Spong Mark Your Calendar now YOUTH GROUP every Sunday at 4 pm Looking Ahead! Youth Group begins in Oct, for Grade 5-12, We meet every Sunday. Bring a friend. Come have fun and engage in community service projects. Our First is Sunday, Oct 7 th 4:00 pm. Was another wonderful experience for 28 children of our church and community. We had a great time and wonderful feedback from the children and parents. Thank you to the volunteers for their time, energy and enthusiasm. Teachers and Support staff: Karen Blanchard, Linda Blanchard, Angela Maine, Emily Owens, Katie Owens, Pat Robair and Sandy Weigt. Thank you so very much for your amazing work with the children. Our youth group leaders and helpers: Isaiah Clarke, Joshua Clarke, Amber McKenzie, Jaiden Alba, Andrew Johnson, AJ Correa and Ali Correa. These young people did an amazing job helping and leading. Thank you all for your time, energy and talents. What a great group! Page 4 of 15 September 2018 Wintonbury Spire

5 Keadean Stewart September 2 Kamryn Stewart September 11 Ralph Blanchard September 13 Ron Robinson September 14 Carol Wilson September 14 Carol Johnson September 21 Cindy Walker September 27 Charlotte Babcock Trudy Barnard David Berg ~ Julie Cato Estelle Cole Madge Edwards ~ Al Forster Michael Edwards ~ Carolyn Jones Bonnie King ~ Charles Miles Leslie Mills ~ Erie Pinney Elizabeth Von Eisengrein Betty Willis ~ Carol Wolcott Adelle Wright Scott & Kim Letendre - September 24 Page 5 of 15 September 2018 Wintonbury Spire

6 The First Congregational Church in Bloomfield Slate of Officers and Team Leaders for Church Council Chair Ron Robinson (H) ~ robinson3568@sbcglobal.net Vice Chair Carolyn Delgado (c) ~ carolyn-delgado@sbcglobal.net Member-at-Large Clay Hart (c) ~ hrmdawn@yahoo.com Member at-large John Casner (H) ~ jvcasner@att.net Financial Manager Scott Goetjen - (H) ~ wsgoetjen@comcast.net Church Clerk Carol Wilson (H) ~ Cajawil1@aol.com Pastor Rev. Shawn Fisher (c) ~ pastor@firstchurchbloomfield.org Spiritual Life Ministries Deacons/Worship Anne Weaver ~ annerw1935@gmail.com Music Marnie Clark (H) ~ marnie.clark1968@gmail.com Faith Formation Dee Hart ~ hrmdawn@yahoo.com Stewardship Brett Sandman ~ brettsandman@gmail.com Congregational Care Parish Care Karen Blanchard - (H) ~ karenhblanchard@gmail.com3 Fellowship OPEN Outreach and Witness Mission Judi Bunker (H) ~ judisb@aol.com Membership OPEN Visibility Sophia Gray (H) ~ (W) clovergray@aol.com Page 6 of 15 September 2018 Wintonbury Spire

7 Child Development Center OPEN Business Team Financial Manager Scott Goetjen (H) Treasurer Linda Markiewicz (H) ~ Portall@aol.com Investments and Trusts Ralph Blanchard (H) ~ blan61@cox.net Facilities Mary Laiuppa (H) laiuppa1@comcast.net Other Positions Financial Administrator Terry Martel - (H) ~ terrymartel@comcast.net Memorial Secretary OPEN Please consider volunteering for one of the open positions. Our Church Council Chair Ron Robinson can share the details of which ever position may appeal to you! Page 7 of 15 September 2018 Wintonbury Spire

8 SEPTEMBER 2018 Every Sunday 10 am Worship 12:30 New Birth Community Church September 9 Rally Sunday & Jamboree Faith Formation Sunday, All-Church Outing Lectionary Readings: Proverbs 22: 1-2, 8-9, 22-23; Psalm 125 or Isaiah 35: 4-7a; Psalm 146; James 2: 1-10, (10-13), 14-17; Mark 7: September 16 Lectionary Readings: Proverbs 1: 20-33; Psalm 19; Isaiah 50: 4-9a; Psalm 116: 1-9 or Wisdom of Solomon 7: 26-8:1; James 3: 1-12; Mark 8: Every Monday 7pm Narcotics Anonymous 10 12:30 pm Loaves & Fishes preparation 17 September Lectionary Readings: Proverbs 31: ; Psalm 1 or Wisdom of Solomon 1: 16-2:1, or Jeremiah 11: 18-20; Psalm 54; James 3: 13-4:3, 7-8a; Mark 9: September 30 Oct 1 Lectionary Readings: Exodus 16: 2-15; Psalm 105: 1-6, or Jonah 3: 10-4:11; Psalm 145: 1-8 Philippians 1: 21-30; Matthew 20: 1-16 October 7 World Communion Sunday Neighbors In Need Offering Oct 8 Columbus Day celebrated. Church office closed Page 8 of 15 September 2018 Wintonbury Spire

9 SEPTEMBER 2018 Every Tuesday Every Wed. 6:30 pm Choir 7 pm Alc. Anon. Every Thursday 10 am Book Group Every Friday 7:30 pm Alc.Anon Every Saturday September 1 4 First Day of school -FCC Child Dev. Center Parish Care 10 am 5 6:30 pm Social Media meeting 6 6:30 pm Wintonbury Flying Club pm Bill Worcester s Committal Service Memorial Garden Loaves & Fishes 6:30 pm Preparation on Music Team Mon Sept 11 Serving on Tues Sept :30 pm NAMI 25 6:30 pm NAMBI am Book Group resumes am Book Group 26 4:00 pm ABC 6:00 pm Church Council 6:30 pm NAMI 27 6:30 pm NAMI 14 Annual Reports Due First Day of Autumn Page 9 of 15 September 2018 Wintonbury Spire

10 Attendance: Anne Weaver, Andrea Davey- Mercer, Carolyn Delgado, Dee Hart (telephonically), Pastor Shawn Fisher We acknowledged Lucy Hurston, our new deacon. Pastor Shawn opened the meeting with prayer. Pastor s Report Pastor Shawn announced that sermons are being taped and are available in DVD format for distribution. The Parish Care team is distributing them and they are they are also available upon request for anyone. Additionally, the sermons are being posted on the church s Facebook page and beginning this week they will be posted on the church s website also. Pastor Shawn provided an update about the social media initiative. WiFi availability has been enhanced and is now available in the meeting room, the living room, the chapel, library and Fellowship Hall. There is also be availability in some outside areas..still to be tested and determined. Plans for a portable education center are underway. The church will be purchasing a smart TV which will be mounted on a portable cart and available for use in all areas with WiFi capability. On September 5 th at 6:30 pm, a meeting will be held, facilitated by Pastor Shawn and a social media consultant, to provide information about the social media initiative and to seek suggestions and ideas. A small team has been established to work with Pastor Shawn on this initiative. Council has approved $3,000 to support this initiative. Pastor reported that Vacation Bible School was attended by 28 children. He had the opportunity to meet the children and families and noted that the vibrant spirit present was remarkable. He said that two families indicated an interest in visiting and attending a worship service. Planning is underway for a fall Bible Study. There will also be opportunity for the congregation to talk about music and to provide input regarding favorite hymns and songs and music. More information will be available soon. Pastor Shawn provided his professional development and vacation schedule. Guest preachers will be needed on September 16, October 14, November 25 and December 30. Discussion The group began a discussion about the worship service and it was agreed to make this a focus at the next meeting to explore ideas about enhancing worship to make it even more meaningful and inclusive. Pastor Shawn and Dorine have discussed having the Christmas Pageant on Epiphany which is also Three King s Day. This will help to reinforce that Christmas is not over with the birth of the Christ Child and that advent is a time for waiting with wonder and expectation. The deacons support this. The Faith Formation Team and the Diaconate will work closely to support Pastor Shawn and Eustace as planning for Advent unfolds. It was also decided to check with the Bloomfield High School Music Program to explore whether they would like to hold their holiday concert at the church again this year. Dee agreed to contact the music director at the high school. The tentative date is December 2 nd. Assignments September 2 Communion by intinction in the Chapel. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn Delgado Page 10 of 15 September 2018 Wintonbury Spire

11 Justice Ministries Overview: 3 Great Loves Disability Ministries Economic Justice Environmental Justice LGBTQ ministries Public Education Advocacy Racial Justice. Click on the links above for the story of how the people and congregations of the Connecticut Conference are engaged in this important work, and about how your church can join in those efforts. Won t you join in and tell your story? You and your congregation are already doing and being the Love of God. Let us, together, share the stories of our ministry, and, together, see the extraordinary ways God is transforming the world into a more just place through us. Learn more and share your story at: 3greatloves.uccpages.org. "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8 From Synod 2017 to Synod 2019, the United Church of Christ is engaged in a denomination-wide initiative, 3 Great Loves, to witness to our collective efforts in making a more just world for all as God s hands and feet. The UCC is inviting all settings of the denomination to discern and lift up how we act upon our Love of God in and through these 3 Great Loves: Love of Neighbor, Love of Children, and Love of Creation. While the 3 Great Loves are focused separately on Love of Neighbor, Children, and Creation, we recognize the interconnectedness of these Loves, and the intersectionality of injustices and their solutions. Children are our neighbors, and the health and wellbeing of our neighbors is inextricably tied to their ability to breathe clean air, access clean water and healthy food, have good jobs with fair wages, and live lives free from the suffering of oppression. Future generations, both human and non-human, who will suffer the worst impacts of our changing climate, are also our neighbors. We are all magnificent Creations of the Divine, and thus, our Love of Creation is integral to all. At the Connecticut Conference setting, we demonstrate our 3 Great Loves through our work for: Racial Justice The mission of the Racial Justice Ministry is to engage every setting of the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ to eradicate racism in our personal, inter-personal, institutional and cultural realms. Goals: To inspire all settings of the CT Conference to participate in the Racial Justice Ministry. To provide members with opportunities to engage in productive dialogue and deep spiritual discernment on the intersection of race and religion. To nurture and foster Multi-Racial and Multi- Cultural (MRMC) congregations, gatherings, and activities. To attend to the language, policies, and behaviors within the structure of the CT Conference that may inhibit, diminish, or invalidate the contributions and participation of any ethnic or racial group. To encourage, support, and provide opportunities of advocacy for racial justice. Clergy, Congregations, Associations, and lay leaders are encouraged to offer Training, Conversations, Events, Programming, and Actions in the areas of Personal, Interpersonal, Institutional and Cultural Racism. Page 11 of 15 September 2018 Wintonbury Spire

12 listen, to discern and plan for the needs and complexities of each generation. There are needs which transcend generations, too. Regarding the rite and journey of Confirmation, we ask: Who is on this journey? What do they ask of this experience? What concepts are called for? What rituals make meaning? What activities will engage and teach? What is the role of relationships? And more! Many Voices, One Mission: The Rite of Confirmation Karen Ziel 7/11/2018 This November I will celebrate 10 years with the CT Conference United Church of Christ and I truly celebrate each day. Each day brings new ideas and new opportunities to network and make connections. In my role as Minister of Faith Formation and Leadership, I have a variety of occasions to serve local church leaders, the regional faith community and the national church. Whether I am participating in a New England Region event as a workshop leader, attending a national conversation to explore Progressive Children s Ministry in Cleveland, or offering a safe conduct training in your town, this ministry fills the heart of this servant leader. I m eager to be called upon to find the right resource, to connect leaders with similar needs or questions and to match experienced leaders who are willing to mentor someone new to faith formation. The ministry of faith formation and leadership development are indeed my call and as Frederick Buechner has described it; The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world s deep hunger meet. I am glad to work in partnership with a community of Christians who seek to meet the world s deep spiritual hunger. Over the years one of the top 3 inquiries is what I call The Confirmation question. If faith formation is to be relevant and transformational, it must be renewed and reimagined by every generation. We must set aside time to As we prepare to enter the next decade of ministry in the 21 st century church, once again we find ourselves asking, what is the meaning of the rite of Confirmation? Does it remain a ritual in search of meaning, as Ostermiller and Monkres once posed in their book, The Rite of Confirmation: Moments When Faith Is Strengthened. (Of course, they went onto describe 5 core elements for the journey as key to faith formation and discipleship-) I would propose that it is the role of those who lead within our congregations, clergy, professional faith formation staff and lay leaders is to engage in a process of shared discernment and ask these questions with some regularity. If we are to offer a journey that is authentic and has integrity, it must be an intentional and conscious pathway within the culture of your faith community and with connections to the wider church. It is not enough to ask about the latest and greatest curriculum. Initially, we must engage the deeper questions of meaning, of impact, of discipleship, of transformation. Recently, I presented our wider community a simple, 9 questions survey designed to offer a current glimpse into the status of the Confirmation question. There were 106 respondents from across the CT Conference and I appreciate your participation. Some of you completed it and some wrote to say why you did not. I am grateful for each response. If you are interested in reviewing the results, please connect to the link here on our website where we curate faith formation resources the Bulletin Board page. I hope you ll find something useful and provocative in this information. I know I have. Karen Ziel is the Minister of Faith Formation and Leadership for the CT Conference, UCC. Page 12 of 15 September 2018 Wintonbury Spire

13 featuring keynote speaker The Rev. Dr. Katherine R. Henderson, President of Auburn Seminary Her TEDx talk, Letting God Out of the Box, was released in February Henderson is currently writing her second book, Fighting for the Heart of America: How the Prophets of our Time are Bringing Our Nation s Future to Birth (w.t.). EARLY Registration through August 10th, $130 Registration August 11th - September 4th, $150 Late Registration September 5th - September 18th, $180 NO REGISTRATION OR REFUNDS AFTER SEPTEMBER 18th Questions about registration? Contact Emily - emilym@ctucc.org Page 13 of 15 September 2018 Wintonbury Spire

14 RETREAT Day of meditation and relaxation centered on Planting Seeds of Hope Across the Generations". Women are encouraged to bring younger women with them. How can women relate/interact with other women across the ages in our constantly changing and chaotic world? Come find out through prayer, activity and community. Oct. 6, 2018, Center Congregational Church, 11 Center Street, Manchester, CT. 8:30 am -- 3:00 pm, lunch included. Connecticut Women UCC - Day of Retreat WHEN Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM WHERE Center Congregational Church 11 Center Street Manchester, CT Contact Phone COST pamd@ctucc.org Contact Pam DiDio if more information is needed. Page 14 of 15 September 2018 Wintonbury Spire

15 THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 10 Wintonbury Avenue Bloomfield, CT Church Office: Nursery School: Church Fax: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The Wintonbury Spire, newsletter of the First Congregational Church in Bloomfield United Church of Christ, is published monthly to provide information to and about our members and friends. Items received in the office by the 15 th of the month may be included in next month s edition. The Wintonbury Spire will be mailed on the last Friday of each month. Please sign up for the Spire Party where we stuff, fold, label, seal and stamp the Spire from 10:30 11:30 am. Sept. 28, 2018 STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION: Rev. Shawn R. Fisher, Pastor pastor@firstchurhcbloomfield.org x 2, Andrea Davey-Mercer Office Manager office@firstchurchbloomfield.org Eustace Straker Minister of Music straepipes@yahoo.com x 3 Dorine DeCarli Director of Faith Formation ce@firstchurchbloomfield.org x 4 Shantel Bremmer Director of Child Development Center preschool@firstchurchbloomfield.org Michelle Alves Building Management jemmgmt@gmail.com Page 15 of 15 September 2018 Wintonbury Spire