First Church Messenger January Newsletter 2018

Transcription

1 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 214 Main Street South, Woodbury, CT First Church Messenger January Newsletter 2018 Dear Members and Friends, I trust that many of you have had a Merry Christmas with family and friends and that those who find the holidays a difficult time may have been able to find some comfort in the story of hope that the Christ child brings. Our small but faithful congregation has concluded another year of ministry; that is, I believe, the 347 th year the Woodbury Church has been proclaiming the Gospel. The Good News of Jesus Christ is eternal, but certainly that Gospel is heard in different ways in different ages. That is the challenge of the church how do we speak the eternal truth to the age in which we live? On the one hand, 2017 was a promising year: unemployment is down, inflation is down, the stock market is up, consumer confidence is up, middle class lives have some stability; on the other hand, we face many troubling concerns: we are a deeply divided country, civility and discourse have almost disappeared, the war in Afghanistan drags on, questions of genuine justice for all remain unclear, even fears for the survival of our democracy trouble many. As Christians, we are challenged to be peacemakers and bridge builders. How can we work to share the prosperity that many enjoy and be a voice of calm and hope in our troubled world? Those are big tasks, and no one person (or one congregation) can bring a final resolution. But each of us can be an instrument of peace in his or her own family and circle of friends. (Sometimes those are toughest ones to be nice to, aren t they?) Each one of us can find a small way in which we can share our bounty. Those who have been in regular worship this past year remember the article about Pope Francis on giving to the homeless that I distributed. (Imagine the first pastor of our congregation in 1670 recommending anything that the pope said to his congregants.) Here s a small section of that: "There are many excuses" to justify why one does not lend a hand when asked by a person begging on the street, he said. Some may think, I give money and he just spends it on a glass of wine! Francis said. But, he joked, a glass of wine is his only happiness in life! Giving something to someone in need "is always right," the pope said, adding that it should be done with respect and compassion because "tossing money and not looking in [their] eyes is not a Christian" way of behaving, he said. A few weeks ago I went to pick up my dry cleaning in Hartford. I was in a hurry, and as I left the store, someone asked me for money. If I am honest, I guess I was a little annoyed. Don t bother me. But I gave him some money, and I did look in his eyes. And we started a conversation. Maybe it made no difference to him, but I hope for a few minutes he felt appreciated and valued. So as we move into a new year, let s pray that we can be thankful for the benefits we have and be challenged to be spokes people for the Gospel every day in our lives. Yours in Christ, Reverend Howard P. S. I have asked Maria to include a copy of an article that I found on the internet by John Thatamanil Hope for the New Year. I trust that I have not broken any copywright laws.

2 The Women s Fellowship held our annual Christmas Fair on Saturday, December 2nd during the Woodbury Town Festival. Our Fellowship Hall was filled with joy, laughter and Christmas music! It was a wonderful day of fellowship for our workers, and a spectacular day of shopping for our visitors! The Christmas Fair raised $1621 to help with our Outreach programs locally and nationally. The Red Barn Thrift Shop also raised approximately $1686 during Friday and Saturday. We offer a huge thank you to everyone who put in many hours of work to make our fair so successful, and a warm thank you to those who visited and found something special to buy! Helga Weed A LITTLE KNOWN MINISTRY AT FIRST CHURCH. The First Church Socks Ministry, headed by Helga Weed, has reported that 97 pairs of socks came in through the Red Barn and were given to St. Vincent DePaul in Waterbury this year. Also 100 pairs of new socks were wrapped and given to the Homeless on Christmas Morning, thanks to the help of Kathy Buck. The homeless always need socks to help keep them warm along with other things (hats, coats, etc.) but socks are the least thought of when giving. If you would like to help Helga collect socks, please think about donating them to the Red Barn, which in turn passes them on to Helga or drop them off at the church office during regular office hours. (Please make sure that all used donated socks are clean and in good condition) Our Beautiful and Historic Sanctuary Was beautifully decorated by Sandy Green and George Hale For the Christmas Season. We were very fortunate to enjoy the fruits of their labor during the month of December and at our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service which was very well attended.

3 Hope for the New Year By John Thatamanil The beginning of the New Year is an ambiguous time despite the frivolity and joy that mark its arrival. All but the naïve or forgetful know we ve been here before. We ve made the same tired resolutions more exercise, more time set aside for meditation, a better diet and we have failed and failed mightily. The habits and propensities of the self prove recalcitrant and never admit of wholesale reinvention. And matters are far more difficult for those who struggle with circumstances beyond their control. Ruptured relationships, unemployment or underemployment, enduring poverty or compromised health you cannot resolve your way out of such predicaments. If remaking the self seems a tall order, imagine remaking the world. Many New Year s resolutions seem trivial and bourgeois in light of the harsh realities that constrain others from just surviving let alone flourishing. And yet the longing for the new persists. What are we to make of this longing? Do we dismiss it as foolish and unrealistic? Do we, with jaded world-weariness, say along with the author of Ecclesiastes, even on New Year s Day, There is nothing new under the sun? Is the longing for the new a mark of failure, a sign that we are maladjusted to the world as it is and so give ourselves over to the counterfactual wish that the world would be otherwise? What is the meaning of our longing for the new? What do we long for when we want something other than more of the same? Sheer novelty? If so, we are sure to be disappointed. Solomon is right: There is nothing novel under the sun. And yet, longing for the new seems to be part of the hope that richer life remains before us. Imagithat is otherwise than it is now. the very fabric of our being. It is the ground for nation impels us into thought of a life and world What we want when we want the new is not nov- elty but renewal. We want rebirth for the world and for ourselves. We yearn for a new quality of life. We yearn to escape bondage bondage to habit, bondage to structures of brokenness and injustice that keep the world stuck on a repeating loop of the same old same old: political gamesmanship, exploitation, cynicism, and war. We seek to be set free from the exhaustion of repetition. The longing for the new turns out to be a holy longing for vitality and depth. The longing for the new, because it is a longing for the self and world to be born again, is fundamentally religious in character. But do we have reason to believe that such longing has a fundamentum in re, a foundation in reality? Is hope delusional? Suppose we persuade ourselves, after deliberate reflection, that there are no grounds for hope. Would we then cease and desist from our aspirations for renewal and adopt a sober-mindedness suitable to those who have renounced comforting illusions? No. The quest to be hope-free is hope-less. Is there a project more futile than the attempt to surrender hope? Hope is writ into the soft and vulnerable tissues of the human heart, and only the calcified heart is free therefrom. Hope is, at the very least, an anthropological necessity, and I suspect far more. Hope in the human heart is the articulation and expression of the openness of the real. What then of the present? Does longing for a new tomorrow lead us to overlook our obligations to this present moment? It can but need not. There is a vast difference between wishful thinking and authentic hope. The former whiles the time away and loses itself; hope, by contrast, is both a gift and a discipline cultivated in the here and now. Hope demands from us the labor of letting our roots grow deep into the soil of this very moment drawing from it nourishment needed for genuine vitality. Hope may be for the future, but it is felt only in the present. Indeed, when else? Hope is the capaciousness of the present made open. Hope prevents the present from becoming the prison-house of the same. Hope is the hallowing of the pregnant present. Our annual and arbitrary calendric outbreak of festive exuberance and resolution making may seem foolish, and truth be told, it often is. But there is something holy in what it signifies a courageous refusal of the fragile and oftdisappointed human heart to settle for diminished returns. Shall we then dare again to hope? (Thatamanil is associate professor of theology and world religions at Union Theological Seminary in New York, where he teaches a wide variety of courses in the areas of comparative theology, theologies of religious diversity, Hindu-Christian dialogue, the theology of Paul Tillich, theory of religion and process theology. A central question that drives his work is, How can Christian communities come to see religious diversity as a promise rather than as a problem? )

4 Is on Saturday, January 6, It is also the day of Epiphany. We will celebrate the Epiphany and Three Kings Day along with Communion on Sunday, January 8th. Epiphany, also Theophany or Three Kings' Day, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God in his Son as human in Jesus Christ. In Western Christianity, the feast commemorates principally (but not solely) the visit of the Magi to the Christ child, and thus Jesus' physical manifestation to the Gentiles. Moreover, the feast of the Epiphany, in some Western Christian denominations, also initiates the liturgical season of Epiphanytide. Eastern Christians, on the other hand, commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, seen as his manifestation to the world as the Son of God. The word epiphany comes from the Greek word epiphaneia, which means appearance or manifestation. It is an important word for liturgical churches. Epiphany is observed annually on January 6. It refers to the wise men, who were the first Gentiles to see the manifestation of God s appearance in the baby Jesus. In the early church, January 6 was a day for baptism. The central significance of Epiphany is that Christ came as the Light of the World, not just for the Jews but for Gentiles as well. Christ s light is for all. In France, to celebrate Epiphany, children from Christian homes often put oats in their shoes on the evening before January 6. The oats are for the camels of the Wise Men. When they awake the next morning, the children hope to find the oats gone and gifts left in their shoes. First Church Welcomes Former CT Resident William Burley to Speak about His First Book On January 28, author William A. Burley will be speaking in our sanctuary, at 1:00 about his first book, MacKenzie s Farewell. Amazon called it, A readable, engaging story! Their review follows. Burley has created an easy to read tale that introduces the reader to images of Scotland along with numerous discussions about bagpipes that will entice the reader to learn more if they are not already a student. He also includes facts about our environment in a way that encourages more involvement and care for our resources in an easy to understand manner. There is a lot that one can learn from the book as it discusses numerous cities across the US, but the information is presented in a story filled with charming, believable characters. The main character, Rob, the bagpipe player, meets a lawyer, Maryann, and they find that they have a great deal in common as well as complementary natures. There is a modern day romance that is uncharacteristic and a bit of a surprise in today s love stories. In addition, the reader is treated to poetry, music, and humor throughout the book. I am looking forward to his next book. William Allen Burley earned four degrees at Columbia University, including an EdD in education ethics. Retired from teaching in Connecticut schools, he now focuses on population and environmental issues. Bill has one son and resides with his wife, Suzanne, in Boulder, Colorado, where he enjoys playing bagpipes. MacKenzie s Farewell is his first book. Please join us for this event. A book signing and reception will follow the discussion. Copies of MacKenzie s Farewell can be purchased through Amazon. Books two and three in the trilogy are in the process of being published and may be available! Page 4

5 Is on Epiphany Sunday, If you know a member or friend of First Church who is ill or in the hospital please let the Church Office know Communion Sunday is when First Church collects foodstuffs for the Woodbury Food Bank. Please leave your donations in the basket at the back of the Sanctuary or in Fellowship Hall CHURCH HISTORIAN NEEDED If you are interested in history please consider becoming the historian of First Church. Contact the Church Office at Do you know of someone who has given his or her time in providing an act of kindness? Please let us know so that we, too, may recognize that person. Just leave a note for the Church Office. Note paper is available for your thoughts in the basket on the office door. Or call the office at CHURCH OFFICE WILL REOPEN ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 2 LaBonne s Cash Back Program - THANK YOU one and all for your support of this fundraiser! Please continue to drop your receipts in the basket marked La- Bonne s located on the counter in Fellowship Hall. Page 5

6 Joys & Concerns of Our Church Family We are looking for volunteers to host 1/3 Lucille Terrell Roberta O Neil 1/4 Hannah Holbrook 1/7 Mary MacLeod 1/11 Doug Schlicher 1/12 Larae Graham 1/13 Donald Cole, Sr. 1/16 Sandy Green Brian Fisher Gregory Fisher 1/20 Allison Fisher Maria Platt 1/22 Samantha Drakeley 1/27 Erik Fisher 1/30 Bill Garma A prayer for the new year Eternal God, thank you for bringing us once again to the threshold of a new year. Help us dedicate each day of 2017 to following your will for our lives. Guide us, Lord, in all our decisions and actions, day by day and hour by hour. Help us accomplish all that you desire for us to do, until our mission on earth is finished. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Fellowship Hour! Rev. Howard provides nourishment for the soul during worship and you can provide a little nourishment for the body!! It only takes a few minutes to set up the coffee and set out the treats. If you would like to host Fellowship Hour, there is a new sign-up sheet is located in Fellowship Hall by the door leading into the kitchen. Please sign your name and phone number next to the date you would like to host. 1/7 OPEN 1/14 OPEN 1/21 OPEN 1/28 OPEN If you would like to supply altar flowers for worship, please sign up on the Flower Chart, which is located by the door to the kitchen from Fellowship Hall. Flowers may be given In Memory, In Honor or In Celebration of any special person, reason or event in your life. Please call the Church office if you have signed up to let us know what you would like put in the bulletin. Page 6

7 Our homebound members: Bud Phillips, who is at home in hospice care. Harry Bartlett, Lynn Geary, Louise Green, Marjorie St. Pierre, Muriel St. Pierre and Kimi Zaima The family and friends of Norman Taylor, longtime member and friend of First Church, who passed away on Friday, December 23, A Memorial Service is planned for May. Christine Edelson, who is in the hospital. Joel Zelle, relative of Mary MacLeod, who was newly diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. Marjorie St. Pierre as she struggles with health issues Joan Cole as she recuperates from surgery. Connie Zombar as she fights health issues. Sarah Griswold as she continues to battle leukemia. Joan Judson as she continues to recover from stomach cancer. Margot Kelly, granddaughter of Kathy and Ed Masiulis Bette Gurry Judythe F. Miller, sister of Joan Bengtson, healing from surgery. Misty Lewis, MUUS Religious Ed. Director, who is in the ICU at Yale. Bible Facts Did you know that: There are 66 books in the Bible? Micah and Nahum are the middle books of the Bible? 3 John is the book with the fewest words? Psalms has the most chapters? There are 1,189 chapters in the Bible? Psalm 117 is the middle chapter of the entire Bible? Psalm 117 is also the shortest chapter in the Bible? Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible? There are 31,101 verses in the Bible? Psalm 118:8 is the middle verse of the entire Bible? It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man (NIV). John 11:35 is the shortest verse in the Bible? It has two words: Jesus wept. Sunday Stewards for October 1/7 Virginia Garms & Dave Jaffin 1/14 Roberta O Neil & Helga Weed 1-21 Virginia Garms & Bonnie Gardella 1/28 Virginia Garms & Ed Masiulis If you would like to be a Steward on Sundays, please call the Church Office. The schedule is on a rotating basis (once a month or less) Page 7

8 Norman Taylor October 29, 1923 ~ December 23, 2017 Norm Taylor passed away surrounded by his family on December 23rd. Norm Taylor has been a member of First Church for close to 70 years! During those years, Norm has been in our Choir, on the Music Committee, Men s Fellowship, on our Pastor Parish Relations Committee (PPRC), on the Board of Trustees, Finance, Properties, Assistant Moderator and a past Moderator of First Church. Norm was very involved in the life of the church and deeply committed to First Church. He was always smiling, full of charm and had a zest for life. Married to his lovely wife Adele since 1950, this dynamic duo could always be counted on to lend a hand with all of our community projects both large and small. Norm has always been a strong leader inspiring others to fulfill their potential. Norm will be greatly missed by all of us at First Church. Besides his wife of 67 years, Norm leaves behind four children - Daniel, Andrew, Samuel and Martha; and six grandchildren - Gregory, Kevin, Maddie, Annie, Nevada and David A Memorial service will be held at First Church in the beginning of May. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

9 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE AND WARNING OF ANNUAL MEETING The members of the First Congregational Church and First Ecclesiastical Society of Woodbury, Connecticut, are hereby notified and warned that an Annual Meeting of such members will be held on Sunday, January 21, 2018 after worship service at 10:30 am for the purpose of discussing and voting on the 2018 Budget, and any other issues that may properly come before the congregation. There is still an open vacancy Historian. If anyone is interested in becoming the Clerk of First Church please let the Church Office know at or at COLLECTION OF MAGAZINES Starting in January 2018 we will be collecting magazines, used or new, for students at Cybulski Re-Entry Prison in Enfield. A local retired teacher is volunteering to teach a logic class for which the students will need to study magazine ads and articles in order to find examples of specific fallacies. Magazines will be used for the Spring semester There are collection boxes available in the hall by the Church Office and in Fellowship Hall. The Red Barn Thrift Shop and Parsonage Boutique are closed. The Parsonage Boutique will re-open Wednesday, January 10 th. The Red Barn proper will re-open in April on Earth Day.

10 On hatred, on love Martin Luther King Jr., born on January 15, 1929, will be remembered this year on January 16. Given the rancor rampant in today s world, it s fitting to recall King s words: Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illumines it. Darkness cannot drive out darkness Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate Only love can do that.

11 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 7 Communion Sunday Three Kings Sunday 9:30 am Worship Service 11:15 am MUUS Service 14 9:30 am Worship Service 10:45 am Council 11:15 am MUUS Service 21 9:30 am Worship Service / Annual Meeting 11:15 am MUUS Service 28 9:30 am Worship Service 11:15 am MUUS Service 1:00 pm Author William A. Burley 1 New Year s Day Noon AA 8 Noon AA 15 Martin Luther King Day Noon AA 22 Noon AA 29 Noon AA 2 7:00 pm WeCan (FH) 9 6:30 pm Acoustic Mic 7:00 pm (M) Finance 7:00 pm (M) NLDC 16 7:00 pm WeCan (FH) 23 6:30 pm Acoustic Mic (FH) 7:00 pm (M) Communication (PO) :00 am WF 7:00 pm (M) Personnel 7:30 pm (M) Social Justice 7:30 pm Choir Practice (FH) 10 7:00 pm (M) Adult Rel. Ed. (FH) 17 5:30 pm (M) Legacy CMT (FH) 7:00 pm Jr. Women s (FH) 24 7:00 pm (M) Fundraising (FH) :30 pm (M) CM 5:00 pm (M) Sun. Serv. Cmt 7:00 pm (M) Trustees 7:00 pm (M) Board 7:30 pm Choir Practice (FH) 18 5:30 pm (M) Choir 6:00 pm (M) Rel. Ed 7:00 pm (M) PB & Jammin 7:30 pm Choir Practice( FH) 25 2:30 pm (M) Poetry Group (D) 7:30 pm Choir Practice (S) 5 9:00 am Holy Yoga 8:00 pm AA 12 9:00 am Holy Yoga 10:00 am Red Barn Open 8:00 pm AA 19 9:00 am Holy Yoga 10:00 am Red Barn Open 8:00 pm AA 26 9:00 am Holy Yoga 10:00 am Red Barn Open 8:00 pm AA 6 Three Kings Day 13 4:00 pm - 11:00 pm Private Scrapbooking 20 27

12 FIRST CONGREGATI ONAL CHURCH OF WOOD BURY 214 Main Street South Woodbury, CT Phone: We re on on the Web! web! FirstChurchWoodbury.org Firstchurchwoodbury