A Letter from the Pastor

Transcription

1 An Open and Affirming Congregation September 2013 A Letter from the Pastor Inside this issue: Surprising Gifts 2 Dear Friends in Christ, Perfect love casts out fear. These words from the First Letter of John are a source of joy for me and a beacon of hope. In The Message I John 4:18 reads There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life fear of death, fear of judgment is one not yet fully formed in love. Fear is crippling, isn t it? Fear of judgment certainly keeps us from being true to ourselves and others. It even keeps us from God. We simply cannot believe that God is reaching out to us in love in all circumstances if we are afraid of being judged. If we are judging ourselves harshly, and live in fear of being discovered and judged by others, then we really can t believe that God wants a loving personal relationship with us and is actively working to bring that relationship to life. So, this year, I really want to focus on the love that God has for each one of us, so that we can stop being afraid of judgment. So we can be true to our selves, true to each other. True to God. It s time for us to get fully formed in love. To get beyond treating the love of God as a theological proposition, an intellectual affirmation or precept. To be formed in love is to be changed, it is to be transformed. I think that First Church is a community that truly offers the chance to be transformed. That change begins with the radical inclusion of the gospel, the Good News of God s love, the extravagant welcome of God for all people. You are welcome. Really. You are wanted. It s been a great summer of worship and fellowship at the Beach and Chapel. Great energy and faith all around. If you have been away, I can t wait to see you again on September 8 for Celebration Sunday! Please dspollett@firstchurc hfairfield.org or call / text me to set a time to chat, ok? Peace, ~David Campus Ministry 3 Weekly Communion 3 A New Team of Leaders 4 Welcome Linda Bruce 5 Youth Ministry 6 Music News 7 Do you enjoy getting to know people? Love to chat? Looking for a way to get involved for a short or long term? Then this is the opportunity for you! Volunteer Receptionists will assist with answering and directing calls and visitors. They may also help with some light office work. Office hours will be from 9:00-3:00. Volunteer coverage would be helpful from 9:00-11:00, 11:00-1:00 & 1:00-3:00 Monday Friday. Please contact Cheri Evan if you are available to help CEvan@firstchurchfairfield.org or x 10.

2 The Herald page 2 September 2013 Surprising Gifts May God who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you. Reached out in love surprised you with gifts unending help a fresh heart! Paul really lifts up the grace the surprise! of God s love in this passage from his Second Letter to the Thessalonians. On Sunday, November 3rd you will be invited to pledge your financial support of the ministry of First Church in Suspiring gifts and a fresh heart: they really go together and form a great vantage point for considering our financial support of First Church. Choosing to make a pledge is not simply a financial decision. It s primarily a spiritual decision to join your gifts with the gifts of other people so that we can share the God s surprising gifts of unending help with the world. This year, let God put a fresh heart in you as you decide to make an annual pledge and to support Christ s ministry financially. Sunday October 27 will be a day of Surprising Gifts when we consecrate our pledges for 2014! MORNING STUDY GROUP Women s Book Discussion Group YOU are invited to Join us Friday, September 6 th From 9:30-11:00am In The Eliot Library To discuss The Cider House Rules by John Irving We hope to see you there! Please join us for this lively group. It s great fun, really. Come for a try. We will start up on Wednesday, September 18 at 10:00 am. You don t have to come every week. Come when you can! The theme for this fall will be New Life and we ll begin with Paul s Letter to the Ephesians. Paul has had more effect on the shape of Christianity than any other follower of Christ. Ephesians is a sublime statement of the universal love of God in Christ. Join us as we share that new life together through conversation and growth in love! Soup Kitchen Saints Join the team Wednesday, September 10th, 7pm in the Wakeman kitchen as we prepare food for 200 people at Merton House. Contact Patty Gregory, pzarra@optonlone.net or We cook on the second Wednesday of the month throughout the year! Meditation Group Are you seeking a sense of deep peace and a vital connection with God? So are we! Come and join Jen Campbell, and Sandy and Karen Crape to explore and practice mindfulness meditation. We ll meet Thursdays from 7-8pm in the Sanctuary starting September 12th. No matter your age, experience or questions, all are welcome! *If you are new to meditation 6:45 for a chat with us.

3 The Herald page 3 September 2013 Tiffany Win dow Update Progress is continuing on the restoration and resizing of the Jennings Tiffany windows which is being funded through the generous bequest of Jean Tierney. Serpentino Studios, with the input of our stained glass consultant, Julie Sloan, has completed the full scale renderings of the new borders and lower panels incorporating design elements from the existing stained glass. The stained glass window restoration committee has approved the designs and the studio is now assembling the stained glass to be used in the windows. It is expected that the restoration project will be completed and the windows reinstalled some time this fall. We look forward to seeing these beautiful windows installed in the Webb room and hope to share photos of the project with you in the near future. Christina Clark, on behalf of the Jennings Window Restoration Committee We are here for you. We want you to know that we are here for you. Call us text us ! If you need us or if you know someone sick or in trouble, call us. We rely on you to let us know. David: , ext 11; mobile is dspollett@firstchurchfairfield.org. Jen: , ext 15; mobile is jcampbell@firstchurchfairfield.org. Please let us know how we can share the journey with you in any way that is helpful. Let s have coffee or tea, or soda whatever, but let s talk. David and Jen Campus Minister/Protestant Chaplain at Fairfield University This summer I accepted the invitation to become the Protestant Chaplain of Fairfield University. Serving students of all faiths as one member of Campus Ministry, I will be creating new opportunities for Protestant students. This is a very part-time position: I will be at the University one day a week on Thursdays. Therefore, my work week for the church will be Sunday through Wednesday and Friday. The University recognizes that the church is my primary responsibility, so I will be on call for emergencies, funerals, etc. on Thursday. Life is all about transition, listening for the Spirit's voice as we move from one phase of life to another, discovering new expressions for our lives and our community. This is never truer than during the key years of higher education. Students are open and are eager to engage in examining the major questions of life. They need and want to undertake the critical examination of life s questions, their vocational aspirations and to find a meaningful place in relationships and society. Please hold me, the other Campus Ministers of the University and the students, Life is all about transition, listening for the Spirit's voice as we move from one phase of life to another, discovering new expressions for our lives and our community. faculty and staff that we serve in your prayers. ~David WEEKLY COMMUNION, Sundays at 8:15 am Do this in remembrance of me. These words, spoken by Jesus at the Passover table on the last night of his life, have been at the center of Christian worship from that moment on. The earliest Christians gathered to eat together, read scripture, pray, and share in the Lord s Supper of bread and cup, remembering Jesus. They repeated the words of Jesus, This is my body which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me This cup is the covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. We know that memory is often more real than reality. Jesus knew this, too. When we eat at Christ s table, his words Do this in remembrance of me resonate deep within. The Sacrament of Holy Communion, the Lord s Supper, is an action in which Christ is present; the saving power, mercy, and transforming love of Christ become part of us. The Pastors and Deacons of First Church invite you to share in the Sacrament of Holy Communion at the 8:15 Worship Service in Hobart Chapel each Sunday, beginning September 8. This weekly Lord s Supper is offered so that you may be joined with Christians from time immemorial. Come remember Jesus and be refreshed by the presence of Christ, to share in the community of God s people, and go forth into the world in courage and peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

4 The Herald page 4 September 2013 A New Team of Leaders First Church has a strong tradition of gifted, talented and dedicated professionals who equip and empower the ministries of our congregation. The spring and summer of 2013 saw major transitions on this front and was a time when our congregation made significant decisions about leadership. The Personnel Board was busy creating a new staffing plan and three search committees were working simultaneously to identify the best leaders for key positions. You have already received news about the new leaders who have joined us, as well as a new role for Cheri Evan. Maria Ferrante is the new Business Manager, responsible for the church financial, business and facilities operations. Maria has extensive experience in business and accounting, both with local firms and national banks. Tim Clark, Finance Board chair, and Cheri Evan, former Church Administrator, provided Maria a great orientation and she has hit the ground running to bring her expertise and business acumen to bear on the practical side of nuts and bolts, dollars and cents. Maria says, In all my business management, the interaction with people has always been the most enjoyable part of the job. I am so happy that my new position gives me the opportunity to cultivate relationships with a variety of people working toward a common goal; a true sense of family and community. Maria works part time, Monday Thursday from 9 am to 3 pm. You will find her in the corner office behind the copy room; telephone extension 31 or mferrante@firstchurchfairfield.org. Cheri Evan has left behind her role as Church Administrator and taken on the new Minister for Congregational Life, responsible for fellowship, volunteer development, communication and church media. Cheri s warm personality and gift for hospitality will be great assets in this new role. She will use her creativity and organizational ability to create an environment of welcome as well as planned events that will draw our community together. In reflecting on her new role Cheri says, Exciting times are ahead filled with people, relationships, music, new opportunities and more! I look forward to envisioning together the community of faith that we are and will become. More good news is that Cheri will continue as Director of Children s Music, which she loves! Cheri will also be working part time, Monday Friday 9 am to 3 pm plus Sunday mornings. You will find Cheri in her old office at the back of Wakeman Hall; telephone extension 10 or cevan@firstchurchfairfield.org. Vanessa Payne Rose is the new Minister for Children and Families, responsible for Christian formation ministries for children through 5 th grade and their parents. Working with the Children and Families Board, along with the Pastors, the Directors of Music and other leaders, Vanessa will play a vital role in creating a rich worship and learning environment for our congregation. A graduate of the Yale Divinity School, Vanessa is also a member in discernment for ordination in the United Church of Christ. Vanessa says Thank you for all the ways you have already welcomed me into this congregation. I am so happy to have found my spiritual home among you. Please come visit; I look forward to getting to know all of you better and to working with you to keep making this church a place children love to be! Vanessa will be working part time, Monday Friday from 12 noon to 3 pm and Sunday mornings. You will find her upstairs next to the Disciple Road story telling room; telephone extension 12 and vrose@firstchurchfairfield.org. Aymeric Dupre la Tour is our new Director of Music and Organist. Holding his Doctorate from Julliard and with experience in Congregational, Lutheran and Episcopal Churches, Aymeric brings a wealth of musical knowledge and talent to our worship. Aymeric is eager to involve as many people, of all ages and abilities in an uplifting experience. He says I am so looking forward to making beautiful music and getting to know all of you better. We have already exciting plans for this year and I am thrilled to be part of a team of such awesome leaders. You can come to his Music for All / Open House at 6:45 p.m. each Wednesday before Chancel Choir rehearsal at 7:30 (note the new day for Choir rehearsal!) for personalized support, coaching and training. Open to anyone willing to develop her or his musical inclination! In this part time position you will find Aymeric in Fairfield on Wednesdays and Sundays. His office is at the top of the stairs outside the Disciple Road story telling room. Telephone extension is 18 or aduprelatour@firstchurchfairfield.org. Barbara Johnson, Chair of the Personnel Board, says, We are very excited. Maria, Cheri, Vanessa and Aymeric, together with Domingo Serrano, our Sexton, make an awesome staff team. We are sure that they will work well with our Pastors and members of the congregation. Please welcome and encourage these new leaders. I know that you will enjoy them!

5 The Herald page 5 September 2013 Welcome to Linda Bruce, Seminary Intern A new Seminary Intern is joining us this fall! Linda Bruce, of the Saugatuck Congregational Church and a Member in Discernment (formerly Student in Care ) of the Fairfield West Association of the UCC, is a candidate for the Master of Divinity at Yale Divinity School. Linda will spend this academic year working alongside David Spollett and Jennifer Campbell learning the ins and outs of ministry in the local church, but she already knows a ton! A longtime member at Saugatuck, Linda has held many leadership positions there, from Confirmation mentor to Trustee, as well as in Westport Town government. A mother of two with extensive volunteer experience and professional achievement in medical system management and investment banking, Linda brings a wealth of experience to ministry! Linda writes about her internship, I hope to learn more about how my experiences, gifts, and talents are to be used for God s greater call. She will be focusing on worship leadership and preaching, teaching and pastoral care during her internship. Please welcome Linda to First Church! I hope to learn more about how my experiences, gifts, and talents are to be used for God s greater call. Men s Breakfast Club It s been too long! I miss having breakfast with my buddies from Church! Do you feel that way, too? Well, let s fix that! Never been before? Don t stay away any longer! This is not a closed group. There is always room for you and one more, too! Meet me at the Circle Diner at 8:00 am on Saturday, September 21. We ll catch up and deepen our friendship in Christ. ~David Read Aloud Day with the School Volunteer Association of Bridgeport is Thursday, October 17 from 9 to 10 am. Our partner, Madison School, will need readers for all K-6 classrooms, or you may choose any other school in Bridgeport. For more information, call SVA at Look for more details in the October Herald. Three King s Bazaar Christmas Fair December 6th 5:30 8:30 p.m. December 7th 10:00 3:30 p.m. Christmas is just around the corner! Start bringing your junk to the Church after labor day for resale at Mrs. Claus attic during the Church Fair on December 6 and 7. No electronics or furniture please! If you are interested in working at the Fair in any capacity, call or Jacque Paige, this year s Queen of the Bazaar. jpaige@smithhanley.com, All are Welcome! On Wednesday, September 4, come for a potluck Welcome Back Luncheon in the Dining Room at 11:30AM. Join us for a great time and tell us what you have been doing over the Summer. We will meet again on September 18 for a Show and Tell Program. Same time and place. Don't forget to bring non perishable items for Operation Hope's Food Pantry - the most popular and needed items are: cold cereal, tuna fish, peanut butter and jelly, and toiletries (toothpaste, deodorant, and shampoo.) Put donations in the grocery carts outside the Chapel or Sanctuary. Help keep the Operation Hope pantry full!!

6 The Herald page 6 September 2013 Confirming Our Faith What s Happening YOUTH MINISTRY Confirmation for 6 th graders will meet Sundays from 9-10am in Rhodes Hall. This year our 6 th graders, along with Jen and David, and their adult mentors will gather to explore issues of faith, community, church, God, Jesus, and what it means to be a Christian in our world. Through discussion, Bible study, art, LOTS of service in our community, spiritual practices like prayer and worship, and fun we will grow together in this community of faith. We will also take an overnight trip to St John the Divine in NYC parents are invited and encouraged to join us!! for NIGHTWATCH; a fun, kid-centered, interactive program of spiritual exploration and development. At the end of the year, the kids will decide whether to be confirmed as full members of First Church during a celebratory Service of Confirmation on Pentecost June 8, Fridays Want to be a mentor for one of these great kids? Contact David or Jen Work Camp Thank You Brunch and Slide Show Sunday September 29th 11:30 AM All are welcome! Come for a wonderful brunch and hear all about our service trip to the Cheyenne River Reservation with Simply Smiles! The Loft*, 4-5:30pm, The Community House, starts September 13 *For lgbtq kids and their friends Saturdays Hiking Group, all are welcome on select Saturdays to get lost in nature on some epic local hikes Our first hike: September 21, meet at First Church at 930am. Sundays Confirming Our Faith, Grade 6, 9-10 am, in Rhodes Hall begins September 15 Faith in Action youth group, Grades 7 & 8, 5-6 pm, in Rhodes Hall begins September 22 Senior High Youth Group, Grades 9-12, 6:30 7:30 pm, in Rhodes Hall begins September 22 Questions? Ideas? Call Jen, x15 or jcampbell@firstchurchfairfield.org Are you the parent of a lgbtq teenager or young adult? Do you have questions or worries about your child? Are you looking for a community of support? The Loft Parent Group meets once a week at The Community House 127 Rowland Rd From 6-7pm Join us on these Fridays September 27, October 25, November 22, December 20, January 24, February 28, march 28, April 25, May 30 We want to support you in supporting your child! For more information call Liane at or Jen at

7 The Herald page 7 September 2013 Singers and Instrumentalists I am very excited to let you know that my acting career (as Acting Music Director) has come to an end and that I will serve you for years to come! We will meet on Wednesdays this year beginning September 4 th. In the past, we have met at 7:30 p.m. and we will continue to do so. I also will hold a Music for All / Open House at 6:45 p.m. This is aimed at providing personalized support, coaching and training to anyone willing to develop her or his musical inclination. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I am so looking forward to making beautiful music and getting to know all of you better. We have already exciting plans for this year and I am thrilled to be part of a team of such awesome leaders. Aymeric Dupré la Tour ~ Music Director and Organist ext. 18 aduprelatour@firstchurchfairfield.org Will begin September 29th at 9:00 am in the music room For children in 1st-8th grades Join for fun with singing, playing Orff instruments and learning about music! For more information contact Cheri X 10 cevan@firstchurchfairfield.org Godspeed, Tom and Carol Woodman For most of its history First Church did not have a choir. In the 19 th and early 20 th century a paid quartet provided vocal musical leadership for worship. In the mid twentieth century volunteer members of the congregation joined this paid ensemble to form the Chancel Choir. For several years we have been talking about moving to an all volunteer choir, without paid section leaders. In fact, during the Search for a new Music Director this spring, each of the finalists were unanimous in preferring an all volunteer choir. In light of these conversations, the Board of Music and our new Director Dr. Aymeric Dupre la Tour have decided it is time to cease having paid section leaders in the Chancel Choir. That means, unfortunately, that we must bid Goodbye to Tom and Carol Woodman who, in addition to being church members, have been paid section leaders since For sixteen years, they have touched many a heart with their musical gifts. Carol writes, We were more than happy to share our voices with our beloved congregation for a good, long time and we will miss you terribly. Although we were paid to sing there, we truly gave the church the very best that we could always. We did not do this for glory or recognition. We used the gifts that the Holy Spirit gave us to sing to the glory of the Lord. That is recognition enough! It has been a wonderful chapter in our spiritual and musical lives and one that we will never forget. The friendships we have made will last a lifetime. Thank you for your support and loving care -- we will miss you all mightily. Please send your prayers our way we will certainly be praying for the music program at First Church as the Holy Spirit lead its growth and development. Godspeed to Tom and Carol as they take the next step in their musical ministry. Thank you and may God be with you, til we meet again. Deadline for October Herald September 15th! Send all submission to Cheri Evan ceven@firstchurchfairfield.org Parish Notes Deaths Evelyn Copeland June 7 Wright Hugus June 20 Margaret Sjodin June 24 Malvina Gancsos Aug 1 Mildred McManus Aug 21 Baptisms Lilly, Coco and Jessica Aysseh Aug 18

8 148 Beach Road Fairfield, CT An Open And Affirming Congregation Celebration Sunday ~~~~~ Full of Warm Hospitality, Joy and Laughter! Sunday, September 8 A day to celebrate the joy of life, the love of God and the power of hospitality and friendship! 8:15 Worship in the Hobart Chapel Sermon Sarah Laughed Genesis 18:1-15 and the Sacrament of Communion 10:15 Worship in the Sanctuary Children s Message (with lots of laughter!) Sermon Sarah Laughed Genesis 18: :30 All Church Picnic! Sandwiches, salads and drinks provided (free will offering!) Please bring a yummy dessert to share! ~~~~~~