January Greetings from Pastor Ede

Transcription

1 Volume 18, Issue 1 First Congregational Church of Griswold January 2014 Greetings from Pastor Ede January 2014 Happy New Year! For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; moreover, it is God s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil. Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 Like any year 2013 was full of ups and downs, joy and sorrow, struggles and victories, packing and unpacking, meeting new friends etc. It was an exciting year for the church and for myself. As exciting as 2013 was, I look forward to the excitement of As it states in the passage from Ecclesiastes there is a time and place for everything. I believe that 2014 will be a time for us to grow together and reach out to our community and world. It will be a time to recall memories of the past as we make memories for the future. I have been thinking about how we start all of our worship services in that the Acolytes bring the light of Christ into our midst when they come in and light the candles. Of course Christ would be with us even if we did not light the candles, but by lighting them we have that visual before us of Christ s light being with us. A new memory I would like to create is that of taking the light out into the world when we leave worship. When the Acolytes come up to extinguish the candles they will be doing more than that. They will re-light their wicks in their holders and extinguish the candles before going back down the aisle. Hopefully this will be a symbol to all of us that we all have the light of Christ within us and as we go out into the world we take that light of Christ to others. One may say well we already do that, but having the visual of the light going out will be a reminder to all including me of Christ s light and love being taken beyond the walls of our Sanctuary. I look forward to our new year together. May God s blessing be upon you and your family in the New Year. Pastor Ede

2 PAGE 2 JANUARY 2014 VOLUME 1 8, ISSUE 1 DEACONS WRITINGS A new First Church year is here, my dear friends!! We pray that with God's abundant love and blessings, we all open our hearts to this great gift. Pastor Ede has shown us the path through Advent to Jesus' birth. Let us all join together on, once again, a new journey in our faith. This will be my last Deacons Writings. I am ending my term on this wonderful Board of Deacons. It was a service to First Church that I approached with my heart and soul. I thank you all for your support, blessings and love. Especially, those that worked with me these past two years...jacob, Linda, Steve, Nick and Cindy. Through them, interim pastors, supply clergy and now Pastor Ede... I hope your faith and understanding of our Lord's precious love and care was evident. It comforts me that new is an option. I jokingly reply when asked How are you? - Got up on the right side of the grass this morning, so, I am good! I am thrilled that two new Deacons will begin this special faith service to First Church and a new Head Deacon will hold all of you and this in their heart. Our dear Lord has given me so much more now to explore. I am blessed, you are blessed, we are blessed and God is good all the time, thank you, Lord amen. Samm Superintendent's Report Sunday School is awesome and the young people are special. I am eager to begin a new year with Pastor Ede as she plans a Pastor s Party to be held during class, time on the last Sunday in January. I like parties! Sunday school teachers are: Miss Heidi (Sajokowicz), Danielle Longacre, 3+ year olds ; Valeire King and Liz Longacre, 6+ years; Dorothy Ford-King and Lorrie Waterman,8+; Cindy Phillips and Samm Racich, teens ; and Jake Longacre, adults. The 9 AM Sunday school time for classes has worked well, with the exception of choir. Choir members who are teaching Sunday school often run out of time in their classes. It would be interesting for parents to see the classes in action. I think they would really enjoy it and would learn things, just as I have. Do not hesitate to talk with your child s teacher, we don t use report cards but you might hear interesting tidbits if you take the time to ask them how your child is doing. Carol

3 PAGE 3 JANUARY 2014 VOLUME 1 8, ISSUE 1 Pachaug Ladies Fellowship January 21- Snitch Bingo 7:00 February 18- Take a friend to lunch March 18- Service meeting 7:00 April 8- Study meeting 7:00 May 20- Worship meeting led by Cindy Phillips 7:00 June 24- Picnic at Hopeville Park 10:00 Need a laugh? Come join the Pachaug Ladies Fellowship in a game of Snitch Bingo. Bring a $2. gift to be used as a prize. We look forward to this all year long. Don't miss out, 7:00, Jan. 21st, at the church. Thank You I ve just returned from dropping off the many, many beautiful hats, mittens, and scarves that draped our church Christmas tree. They were warmly and appreciatively received. The room was filled with many, many bundles to be delivered to the many struggling families in our town. Thank you all for bringing warmth and joy to those who have very little! May you and your families be blessed! Things to look forward to in this New Year February 8 Cabin Fever talent night Bible Study with Pastor Ede through Lent March 22 Annual Auction April 26 Annual Bar-be-que Memorial Fund Just a reminder to everyone that the memorial fund is not only for use in memory of loved ones who pass. It is also a beautiful way to honor those who are still here with us. Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes, and accept thy will for my life. I give myself, my life, my all utterly to thee, to be thine forever. Fill me and seal me with thy Holy Spirit. Use me as thou wilt. Send me where thou wilt, and work out thy whole will in my life at any cost, now and forever. Amen. ~Betty Scott Stam Any memorial donations can be sent directly to the church.

4 PAGE 4 JANUARY 2014 VOLUME 1 8, ISSUE 1 GREETERS SCHEDULE January 1,2013 through June 8, Heidi Sajkowicz & Maureen Greene Lori & Rich LaSalle Maria & David Dufour Barbara Spillane & Becky Powell Harriet & Bob Bromley Miriam Belisle & Wayland Stetson Kris & Bryan Roberts Mary Medbery & Betty Norman Amy & Scott Merchant Wendy & Steve Mis Willie Taylor & Earl Whipple Valerie & Jim Grills Dorothy & Steve Ford King Mona & Ed Ames Valerie & Rob King Jennifer & Art Howe Sulma Fuentes & Rebecca Starkey Nancy Smith & Gwyn Pepin Kris & Hank Saunders John McMahan & Jim Kendall Cindy & Darrell Philips Steve and Abbie Merchant Longacre family If you will be unable to attend on the date listed, please make arrangements for a replacement. Let me know of any changes so they can be noted in the weekly bulletin. My is nickwaterman@ct.metrocast.net. If it is a last minute conflict please call me at Nick For everything a season Wanting his sons to learn not to judge too quickly, a man sent each, in turn, on a quest to look at a pear tree far away and report what he saw. The first son went in winter, the second in spring, the third in summer and the fourth in fall. Finally, the father gathered the young men together. What did you see? he asked. The first son reported seeing an ugly tree, bent and lifeless. The second disagreed, saying it was budding with fresh new life. The third son reported finding a tree laden with sweet-smelling, beautiful blossoms, while the fourth insisted it drooped with ripe fruit. The father said his sons were all correct, for they d seen the same tree, though at different seasons of its life. Don t judge a tree or a person based on just one season of life, he counseled his children. Who they are can only be known at the end, when all life s seasons have been lived. Furthermore, he added, don t give up on your own life if you experience a hard season, such as winter, or you ll miss out on the renewal of spring, the joy of summer, the fulfillment of autumn. From The Newsletter Newsletter

5 PAGE 5 JANUARY 2014 VOLUME 1 8, ISSUE 1 Child Care List January 5 through April 27, 2014 Jan. 5 - Carol Seaman Abigail Merchant Jan 12 Liz Longacre Rebecca Starkey Jan 19 Mona Ames Danielle Longacre Jan 26 Cindy Phillips Sam Guillemette Feb 2 Heidi Sajkowicz Lindsay Rogers Feb 9 Andrea Charron Ruth Phillips Feb 16 No Child Care President s Day Feb 23 Jen Howe Danielle Longacre March 2 Valerie King Rebecca Starkey March 9 Liz Longacre Lindsay Rogers March 16 Ina Macko Heidi Sajkowicz March 23 Cindy Phillips Abigail Merchant March 30 Carol Seaman Rebecca Starkey April 6 Valerie King Sam Guillemette April 13 Andrea Charron Ina Macko April 20 No Child Care - Easter April 27 Jen Howe 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: Jen Howe Thank you for your help! A favorite of mine... Ed Dear Lord, please give me A few friends who understand me and remain my friends; A work to do which has real value, without which the world would be the poorer; A mind unafraid to travel, even though the trail be not blazed; An understanding heart; A sense of humor; Time for quiet, silent meditation; A feeling of the presence of God; The patience to wait for the coming of these things, With the wisdom to recognize them when they come. Amen. ~Anonymous I Am the New Year Bible Illustrator I am the new year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time. I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months. All that you sought and didn t find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination. All the good that you tried for and didn t achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires. All that you dreamed but didn t dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose. I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new."

6 PAGE 6 JANUARY 2014 VOLUME 1 8, ISSUE 1 Christian Education Committee Meeting Notes December 2, 2013 The Christian Education Committee met on Monday, December 2, 2013 at the Church. Pastor Ede Steele, Cindy Phillips, Carol Seaman, Heidi Sajkowicz, Valerie King and Jennifer Howe attended the meeting. Ruth Phillips also attended. The topics discussed at the meeting were: Sunday School Cindy and Carol are working on outstanding registration forms. Children in grades three through six will perform a play on the first Sunday in January The play will be shown first to the other Sunday School children and then to the Congregation. Christmas Pageant The pageant s script was presented and a brochure that explained the character of Dr. Who was reviewed. It was decided that Cindy would have Andrea add the brochure as an insert in the next Sunday s weekly bulletin in order to prepare the Congregation for the Christmas Pageant. Confirmation Class Confirmation classes are set for January 12, February 9, March 9, April 13 and May 18. Pastor Ede will send out invitations to the confirmation class participants. Pastor Ede and Samm Racich will provide lunch for the first class date. Missions/Community Outreach The Mitten Tree is set up in the back of the Sanctuary and is decorated with hats, scarves and mittens. They will be delivered by December 15, Goals for 2014 A discussion was held regarding the committee s goals for The goals include creating a Sunday School Open House (parents, grandparents, etc. would be able to visit the classes during Sunday School time), a combined classes program to be held one Sunday each month starting in the Fall of 2014, a recruitment of additional child care volunteers, and a canopy and banner to be used for Sunday School/VBS/Community Outreach activities. Other goals are to transition Safe Conduct to the new special committee, plan fun quarterly activities for the children to interact with Pastor Ede (the first one is planned to be held Sunday, January 26 from 9:00am to 9:30am), have children direct community outreach projects, rewrite the Welcome Bulletin, and engage in a Confirmation retreat. It was also recommended that, to improve the overall safety of the Church, motion lights should be installed for the Church parking lot. The next Christian Education Committee meeting will be held on Monday, January 13, 2014 at 7:00pm at the Church. Reminders If you would like to volunteer for Child Care and are Safe Church Conduct trained, please contact Jennifer Howe at If you would like to volunteer for Sunday School and are Safe Church Conduct trained, please contact Carol Seaman at If you would like to volunteer but need Safe Church Conduct training, please contact Cindy Phillips at Heidi Sajkowicz

7 PAGE 7 JANUARY 2014 VOLUME 1 8, ISSUE 1 Confirmation Class Information Samm Racich will be helping Pastor Ede with this year s Confirmation class. THey met with the class and have decided on the following schedule: January 12 February 9 March 9 April 13 May 18 The classes will start right after church with lunch and then the class will go until 2:30 p.m. The hope is that by meeting just once a month it will make it easier to work out with the youth s busy schedules. They will have about the same amount of class time as before, but it will be more concentrated with assignments assigned to work on in-between meetings. Resolutions American theologian Jonathan Edwards ( ) became focused on his life s purpose at age 19. The result was 70 resolutions, or commitments, he wrote down and then read every week for 35 years until his death. Some of those resolutions include: To live with all my might while I do live. To study the Scriptures steadily, constantly and frequently. Never to lose one moment of time. Never to do anything which I should despise or think meanly of in another. Never to do anything out of revenge. To let there be something of benevolence in all that I speak. Never to do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life. Humor to break up the winter blahs Lord, help me be your heart today, providing hope for those who stray. Lord, help me be your love today, displaying grace in every way. Lord, help me be your Word today, proclaiming good when all is gray. ~MaryAnn Sundby Don't let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case. Some people are kind, polite and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pew. People are funny: They want the front of the bus, the middle of the road and the back of the church. Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong. Forbidden fruits create many jams. Working for God on earth doesn t pay much, but his retirement plan is out of this world.

8 January 2014 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat AM Prayer Group 7 PM Choir 5 9 AM Sunday School 10 AM Worship with Communion Epiphany Sunday AM Prayer Group 7 PM Choir AM Sunday School 10 AM Worship Confirmation Class 11AM or after Worship PM Christian Education 5:30 Deacon s Meeting AM Prayer Group 7 PM Choir The following week is a week of prayer for Christian unity AM Sunday School 10 AM Worship Pot Luck following worship and Annual Meeting immediately following pot luck. 20 Martin Luther King Day 21 7 PM PLF Snitch Bingo 22 7 PM All Committee Night 23 9 AM Prayer Group 7 PM Choir AM Sunday School Pastor s Party 10 AM Worship Snow day for Annual Meeting AM Prayer Group 7 PM Choir 31

9 What I Have Learned by Kathy Kane Hansen What My Church Is to Me A door: into an opportunity for service. into the most useful life. into the best of life s experiences. into the most helpful future... My church gives me a start. An armory: to get power to fight evil. to get inspiration to keep doing right. to get an uplifting influence. to learn how to use spiritual weapons, to get a vision of Christ. My church keeps me moving. An anchor: to steady me in the storm. to keep me from the breakers. to guide me in the strenuous life. to hold me lest I drift from God. to help me in the hour of temptation, and lead me into the harbor. ~Author Unknown Found by Mona I've learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them. I've learned -that no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back. I've learned that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it. I've learned that it's not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that counts. I've learned.that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes. After that, you'd better know something. I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to the best others can do but to the best you can do. I've learned that it's not what happens to people that's important. It's what they do about it. I've learned that no matter how thin you slice it, there are always two sides. I've learned that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be. I've learned that it's a lot easier to react than it is to think. I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them. I've learned that you can keep going long after you think you can't. I've learned that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel. I've learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you. (Continued on page 10)

10 I've learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences. I've learned that learning to forgive takes practice. I've learned that there are people who love you dearly, but just don't know how to show it. I've learned that money is a lousy way of keeping score. I've learned that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time. I've learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up. I've learned that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love. I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have. I've learned that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated. I've learned that you should never tell a child their dreams are unlikely or outlandish. Few things are more humiliating, and what a tragedy it would be if they believed it. I've learned that your family won't always be there for you. It may seem funny, but people you aren't related to can take care of you and love you and teach you to trust people again. Families aren't biological. I've learned that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that. I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself. I've learned -that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief. I've learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become. I've learned that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do. I've learned that sometimes you have to put the individual ahead of their actions. I've learned that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change. I've learned that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different. I've learned that there are many ways of falling and staying in love. I've learned that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever. I've learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you. I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help. I've learned that writing, as well as talking, can ease emotional pains. I've learned that the paradigm we live in is not all that is offered to us. I've learned -that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being. I've learned that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon. I've learned that no matter how you try to protect your children, they will eventually get hurt and you will hurt in the process. I've learned that it's hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting people's feelings and standing up for what you believe.

11 October 2013 Financial Report - Last month:2 10/1/2013 through 10/31/2013 (Accrual Basis) Category Description 10/1/ /31/2013 INCOME Dividend Income Donations Financial Secretary...5, Fundraising Interest Income FROM Building Restoration.4, TOTAL INCOME...9, EXPENSES Our Wider Missions Church Utilities Delegate Expense Dues Maintenance & Improvement..4, Our Wider Missions Neighbors in Need Organist Salary-Minister...4, Supplies..1, TO Memorial Gifts (passbook) TOTAL EXPENSES...13, OVERALL TOTAL. -3, November 2013 Financial Report - Last month 11/1/2013 through 11/30/2013 (Accrual Basis) Category Description 11/1/2013 through 11/30/2013 INCOME Cushion Chair Fund Financial..8, Fundraising..6, Interest Income Rent Income FROM Building Restoration..1, FROM General Savings.5, TOTAL INCOME..21, EXPENSES Our Wider Missions Church Utilities.1, Fundraising.1, Maintenance & Improvement...8, Miscellaneous Music Organist Salary-Minister...4, Philippine Relief Supplies TO General Savings..2, TO Flower Fund TOTAL EXPENSES.18, OVERALL TOTAL.2, 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: Samm Racich - Head Deacon Jake Longacre Linda Merchant Steve Ford-King Cindy Phillips Nick Waterman Prayer Chain Coordinator Dolores Spaulding Church School Superintendent: Carol Seaman 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 This page serves as a snapshot of the noted month s income and expenses. It does not depict total resources of our Church.

12 First Congregational Church of Griswold 878 Voluntown Road, Griswold Connecticut I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear. ~Martin Luther King Jr. 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