September Greetings from Pastor Ede

Transcription

1 Volume 18, Issue 9 First Congregational Church of Griswold September 2014 Greetings from Pastor Ede September 2014 This is why I kneel before the Father. Every ethnic group in heaven or on earth is recognized by him. I ask that he will strengthen you in your inner selves from the riches of his glory through the Spirit. I ask that Christ will live in your hearts through faith. As a result of having strong roots in love, I ask that you'll have the power to grasp love's width and length, height and depth, together with all believers. I ask that you'll know the love of Christ that is beyond knowledge so that you will be filled entirely with the fullness of God. Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us; glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus for all generations, forever and always. Amen. Ephesians 3:16-21 It is hard to believe that the Summer is nearly over and September is upon us. With September comes my First Anniversary with First Church. What a year we have had together. We have had our joys and our sorrow of having to say goodbye to a dear friend in Carol Seaman. We have had special times together Advent and the Christmas Eve service, my Installation, and Lent and Holy Week. It has been a pleasure to serve alongside of you, getting to know you and you getting to know me. The scripture I have included here is from Ephesians and it is Paul s prayer for the Ephesians. It is my prayer for all of us. The part that I especially love is, Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us. Who would have thought that your next pastor would come to you from Hawaii? I think back over my life and there are many things that I know that God has worked in ways I could never have imagined. I am grateful that God imagined us serving together. As we look to the future, may we be filled with God s love, wisdom and courage that we can let God direct us and imagine for us for I know we can do more than we could ever imagine with God leading the way. Blessings, Pastor Ede

2 PAGE 2 All the time, God is Good... Especially on Saturday October 4!!! Your Church Life and Growth Committee invites one and all to a picnic at Hopeville Park from 11 am to 3 pm. You seaworthy folks can canoe or kayak your way to the party from church whilst the landlubbers will greet you at the beach. There will be games, fun and laughter. Oh, and of course, all that good food that just seems to show up whenever we gather. Let us all celebrate our First Church family and the joy of God's great love and blessings! See you there...cl&g Women s Retreat, Sponsored by CT Women of the UCC Retreat Leader: Rev. Lee Ireland September 27, :30 am to 4:30 pm First Congregational Church of Portland, CT Cost - $35, includes lunch The focus of the retreat is based on 2 Corinthians 4:16 which state, Do not lose heart inwardly we are being renewed day by day. Come, let us strengthen the gift of our day-by-day conversations with others who know the journey, and the gift of prayer and meditation practices with God so that we can regain our centeredness and deepen our faith and love. Come, let us strengthen the shining of our lights so that we can return to our congregations and help strengthen the shining of the light of Christ in the world. The deadline for registering is September 19. To register or for additional information contact Liz Longacre.

3 PAGE 3 SEPTE MBE R 2014 VOLUME 1 8, ISSUE 9 Child Care List September 7 through December 28, 2014 September 7 - Liz Longacre Abigail Merchant September 14 - Mona Ames Rebecca Starkey September 2 Cindy Phillips Danielle Lomgacre September 28 Andrea Charron Lindsay Rogers October 5 Samm Racich Sam Guillemette October 12 - Jen Howe Ruth Phillips October 19 - Valerie King Danielle Longacre October 26 - Liz Longacre Rebecca Starkey November 2 Ina Macko Heidi Sajkowicz November 9- Cindy Phillips Lindsay Rogers November 16 Jen Howe Abigail Merchant November 23 - Valerie King Rebecca Starkey November 30 - Andrea Charron Sam Guillemette December 7 - Mona Ames Ina Macko December 14 Samm Racich Danielle Longacre December 21 Jen Howe Ruth Phillips General Child Care Ages: Children 8 years old and younger Please make arrangements with another child care provider on the list if you are unable to do child care on the date assigned to you. If you are interested in volunteering to provide child care services, please contact Jen Howe or Cindy Phillips. List Coordinator: Samm Racich Thank you for your help! Reader Schedule September 7 th December 28 th 2014 September 7 th Wendy Mis September 14 th Kris Roberts September 21 st Amy Merchant September 28 th Valerie Grills October 5 th Liz Longacre October 12 th Valerie King October 19 th David March October 26 th Kim Kendall November 2 nd Abbie Merchant November 9 th Gwyn Pepin November 16 th John McMahan November 23 rd Jennifer Howe November 30 th Jennifer Norman December 7 th Samm Racich December 14 th Maureen Greene December 21 st Tammi Veit December 28 th Barbara Spillane If you cannot read on the date assigned please send an to erikarogers7@gmail.com so I can schedule an alternate. If you are willing to read in the future or can fill in an absence please send me a message. With God s Love, Erika

4 Page 4 Choir is Back Thursday, 7pm Attention all choir members and those of you who would like to join us, we will be resuming choir practice on Thursday nights at 7pm. If you have never been, come and check out the choir. It is great fun and we enjoy making joyful music together. Braking Aids Offering September 7, 2014 We will be taking up an offering for Braking Aids (where the ribbon meets the road) on September 7. The actual ride will take place September and goes from Boston to New York City. Once again we will be an Oasis Stop when they pass through Griswold on Friday. This is a wonderful outreach that we do each year and the repeat riders look forward to being greeted each year with enthusiastic supporters. They also look forward to the soup and pie that is offered - especially the pie. We have gained the nickname as the pie stop. Even if you cannot be here on the Friday to help greet the riders and serve them you can help by donating to the offering. The money received benefits Housing Works which helps those with Aids in many different ways such as housing, medical assistance, and much needed support among other needs. On September 7 there will be an envelope in the bulletin you can use to enclose your donation. Neighbors In Need Offering October 5, 2014 On October 5 we will be collecting the Neighbors in Need Offering. This is a special mission offering of the UCC that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. With your support, Neighbors in Need is imagining another world where: The school to prison pipeline is eliminated A quality education is accessible to all Educating women and girls is a priority Literacy is no longer a concern The Neighbors In Need offering helps many different programs such as a high school in the Denver, Colorado area that helps teen mothers stay in school and graduate, give birth to healthy babies, learn how to be nurturing mothers, pursue post-secondary education, and acquire marketable job skills. Programs to help teens and adults with literacy programs that help foster success in their lives. It helps provide summer and after-school enrichment programs in areas that would otherwise not have them. These are just a few of the examples of ways in which the offering helps people in various communities. By supporting this offering we are offering a helping hand to our neighbors in need.

5 Page 5 Pachaug Ladies Fellowship September 23- Dinner at River Ridge in Griswold All ladies welcome! 6:00 October 21- Game night 7:00 November 18- Make a Christmas craft 7:00 December 16- assemble cookies plates 7:00 January 20- Snitch Bingo 7:00 February 17- Take a friend to lunch Pachaug Ladies Fellowship The Pachaug Ladies Fellowship would like to invite any lady to join us, as we gather to fellowship over dinner together, on Tuesday, September 23 rd. Please join us at 6:00 at the River Ridge Restaurant in Griswold. If you know ahead please let Val King know so that she could give them an estimated head count. ( ) Our monthly meeting date is on the 3 rd Tuesday of the month. We are hoping that some new faces will join us. Looking forward to seeing you! March 17- Service meeting 7:00 April 21- Study meeting 7:00 May 19- Worship meeting led by Cindy Phillips 7:00 June 23- Picnic at Hopeville Park 10:00 LADIES RETREAT- Sept. 27 th Portland,CT 8:30-4:30 For Strength and Wisdom Thank you, Lord, for being there for me and allowing me to cry out to you in my times of need. It is amazing to me that the Lord of the Universe would take time to listen to me and to care about what I say. God, there are things happening around me right now that I do not understand. Some of these things make me feel weak, helpless and afraid. Even in the midst of this, I know that you are the Lord. I know that the situation is in Your hand, and I trust You. I beseech you for strength and for wisdom that I would be able to endure this situation and be able to handle it in a way that would bring glory to Your name. In Jesus name. Amen.

6 PAGE 6 SEPTE MBE R 2014 VOLUME 1 8, ISSUE 9 No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey YOU ARE WELCOME HERE! The summer is ending, but we are beginning a new year of Sunday School at the First Congregational Church of Griswold! (878 Voluntown Road, Griswold, CT- directly across from the firehouse) New activities! New missions! New format! We are kicking off the New Year with a Pastor s Party! September 14th at 9AM in the newly set up lower level classrooms For more information, contact Cindy Phillips or Erika Rogers at the Church ( )

7 First Congregational Church Christian Education Registration Form for SS VBS Child's Name Medical Conditions Allergies Child's Name Medical Conditions Allergies Child's Name Medical Conditions Allergies Child's Name Medical Conditions Allergies Child's Name Medical Conditions Allergies First First First First First Last Date of Birth Is toilet assistance needed? Date of Birth Is toilet assistance needed? Is toilet assistance needed? Is toilet assistance needed? Is toilet assistance needed? If toileting assistance is needed, I understand I am responsible for providing assistance. Parent/ Guardian name Mailing address Phone number Alternate # address Preferred form of contact text phone Emergency contact information: Name Phone number Name child uses for this person: Name Phone number Name child uses for this person: Middle If toileting assistance is needed, I understand I am responsible for providing assistance. Middle Last If toileting assistance is needed, I understand I am responsible for providing assistance. Middle Last Date of Birth If toileting assistance is needed, I understand I am responsible for providing assistance. Middle Last Date of Birth If toileting assistance is needed, I understand I am responsible for providing assistance. Middle Last Date of Birth Relationship Relationship

8 PAGE 8 Notes from our Braking Aids Riders About Carol and their love of our Church. The beginning of August I notified the riders of Braking Aids about Carol s passing and our church beginning preparations for their arrival. What follows are the beautiful comments I received back from some of the riders. So many of you work and donate to make this day a success, yet aren t able to be there as it is a Friday, I just wanted to share these comments with all of you. Hello Braking Aids Friends, Just wanted you to know that today First Congregational Church of Griswold began preparations for your stop on the ride. Vacation Bible School began and our children were all told about the ride. As they do every summer, they began making cards for you. Those kids also have a surprise in the making for you to take back to N.Y...but I can't give away their secret, you'll just have to wait! On a more serious note, this summer we lost a special lady who held you all close in her heart. Cancer took Carol Seaman from us quickly. She looked so forward to seeing you all each year. She was the first to suggest our kids make the cards. She also told our congregation that being there for all of you was one of her most rewarding ministries in the church. We miss her very much. I've attached a picture of Carol so you will remember who she was. Stay safe, enjoy the rest of summer, and know that there are old friends waiting for you in Griswold, Connecticut. God bless, Andrea Charron Haywood Joblome Thank you Andrea, and deep condolences on your loss. Each of the members of your congregation who have come out to cheer us on have had a very powerful impact on us. We are so sorry that one of them has been lost to you, at least for now. Sean Ryan Paris Thank you! Carol was right about the importance of this ministry. It isn't often, in my life at least, that a church would be so open and welcoming to a group as diverse as the one on this ride. I am not riding this year but I thank you for the past rides, and thank you for sharing all you have shared. You have made a difference in more lives than just the ones rolling up to your doors! Charl Kroeger Many thanks to you all, especially Carol, for your wonderfully generous and sweet welcome that is always extended to us. Rest in peace, Carol, you were the epitome of kindness! Courtney Maier Burbela Thank you so much for this touching post. Thank God for you, your church and Carol. XOXOX J. Colby Smith I can't tell you how much this stop means to me - year after year. So sorry for your loss. I look forward to seeing you in Sep. In Love and Light. Carl Stephen Gaines I love this stop too! Can't wait to see you all and so sorry for the loss of Carol. Eileen Anderson Rest in peace in the arms of God Carol! Noella Owen I remember Carol. Such a sweet lady. We are all so grateful for your hospitality and for your support of our cause and thank you for your grace. To Carol. Eric Epstein I am so sorry to learn of Carol's passing, Andrea. Looking forward to seeing the rest of our First Congregational family in a few weeks. Ray Ronner Thank You Andrea. One of the highlights of my year is stopping by to see some of the most Generous people on the planet. I am so proud that we have all found each other. Rest in peace dear Carol. My prayers go out to her family and friends.

9 PAGE 9 September 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat PM Pastoral Relations 7:30 Trustee Meeting 9 AM Prayer Group 7 PM Choir 9 AM 11 AM Clean up for Sunday School Any and all help welcome! AM Teachers meeting 10 AM Worship with Communion 7 PM Christian Education 6 PM Deacons Meeting 9 AM Prayer Group 7 PM Choir Braking Aids Ride to stop at Church 14 9 AM Sunday School Begins with a Pastor s Party! 10 AM Worship AM Prayer Group 18 7 PM Choir AM Sunday School for all ages 10 AM Worship AM Prayer Group 6 PM Stewardship 7 PM Church Council 25 6 PM Church Life and Growth 7 PM Choir AM Sunday School for all ages 10 AM Worship For we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5: 7)

10 PAGE 10 PAGE 10 Confirmation Class Begins September 21 The next Confirmation class will begin on September 21. We will meet once a month on a Sunday morning from 8:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. For those attending the Confirmation class, this class will take the place of the regular Sunday School class once a month. Samm Racich and I are looking forward to beginning this journey with a new class. Pastor Ede Thank You! Thank You! A heartfelt thank you goes out to all who worked to make our Vacation Bible School such a fun and exciting week. Thank you to Jennifer Norman for being our director. I feel blessed to have been able to be there to watch the excitement on the children s faces as they heard Bible Stories, learned songs, made crafts, ate yummy snacks and of course played games. As one of our mission projects the children made cards that will be given to the bicycle riders in Braking for Aids ride in September. The offering taken at Family Night will go towards purchasing school supplies for kids in the Griswold schools who need them. I want to thank all the teachers, helpers, parents and all who helped to make this a great week. Can t wait for VBS 2015! Pastor Ede Pastor s Party Sunday School Kick-Off September 14, 9:00 am We are kicking off Sunday School in September with a Pastor s Party on September 14. Kids of all ages are invited to attend. This is something we will do quarterly during the Sunday School year. It is a time of fun and getting to know each other. See you at the Party, Pastor Ede

11 PAGE 11 O Lord, Grant me your strength, so I will have courage in every situation; Grant me your love, so I may love others as you love me; Grant me your wisdom, so I will show others the path to success; Grant me your mercy, so I will forgive those who have hurt me; Grant me your peace, so I will find the best in everybody; Grant me your hope, so I will never give up; Grant me your joy, so I will be thankful for all my blessings; And Grant me your grace, so you will always be at my side. Amen ~David Bennett Father, We thank you for the opportunity to begin this new school year, and we ask that you bless the students, faculty, and student families that make our school a great place. We pray that you will guide us in all ways, so that we will seek your will in everything that we do. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen ~David Bennett Lord God, You are a global God. Grace us and grace our students with global vision in our mission to spread your love. May we be trailblazers as we bring that "touch of magic," that touch of your love, to those we meet each day. We make this prayer in your name, Jesus Christ. Amen May the blessing of the Holy Trinity go with us today. May God s strength keep us secure. May Christ our true Wisdom guide our learning. May the Holy Spirit make us glad and good. May the enfolding of the Trinity hold us and bring us, at day s end, safely home. Amen. First Congregational Church of Griswold Directory Phone On the WEB: Mail: 878 Voluntown Road, Griswold, CT Pastor: Pastor Ede Steele Parsonage Cell: firstchurch.pastorede@gmail.com Deacons: Linda Merchant Steve Ford-King Cindy Phillips Nick Waterman Sulma Fuentes Erika Rogers Prayer Chain Coordinator Dolores Spaulding Moderator: Glen Norman Chair of Trustees: Scott Merchant Steeple Editor: Andrea Charron Addresses First Church: firstchurch@firstchurchgriswold.org Web coordinator: maureen.greene@sbcglobal.net Steeple Editor: jcharron60@gmail.com

12 First Congregational Church of Griswold 878 Voluntown Road, Griswold Connecticut I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8) First Congregational Church of Griswold is an Open and Affirming congregation which respects the worth and dignity of all persons who come to our Church family regardless of race, age, marital standing, gender, economic status, mental or physical challenges, nationality or sexual orientation. Our Church is a member of the United Church of Christ. No matter who you are, or where you are on life s journey, you are welcome here. 878 Voluntown Rd. Griswold, CT Phone , www:firstchurchgriswold.org