Letter From Our Pastor

Transcription

1 An Open and Affirming Congregation December 2017 Letter From Our Pastor Dear Brothers and Sisters, Advent. From the Latin coming to. Let me suggest that we use these days of Advent 2017 to share in a journey. A spiritual journey. Let s journey to the Bethlehem of our spirits, that Christ may be born anew in our humble human hearts. Let s pack lightly for this journey, with an open mind, gentle spirit, and heart softened by love. Let s lay aside old assumptions and certainties, ready to be changed. Let s trust that God is traveling with us on our journey and traveling to us, to meet us at the manger. Let s journey, knowing that as troubled as our world is, the time of Joseph and Mary was full of terrible trouble. Let s rely on the mysterious purposes of God. As we journey, let s remember that God is coming to us in the Babe of Bethlehem. The vulnerability and humility of God, to be born to Mary and Joseph, utterly dependent on them. There can be no greater assurance that God is still speaking than the birth of Jesus. No greater demonstration that God is with us. This is why we will sing with our hearts and voices, O come, o come, Emmanuel, which means God is with us. On the night before Christ s birth, the angel sang to the shepherds, Be not afraid; for behold I bring you good news Let s pay prayerful attention to the movement of God, looking for the good news in our day. Let s focus on the good. I look forward to sharing the journey of Advent with you the growing anticipation of Christ s Birth. At the end of our Advent journey, there is Adoration! Grace and peace, 2017 Three Kings Bazaar December 1st 5:30-8:30 December 2nd 10:00-3:00 Friday night carol sing (after the tree lighting on the green) with hot dogs and hot chocolate Friday and Saturday raffle baskets, baked goods, Christmas crafts, Book Nook and Mrs. Claus Attic! Come sing, come shop and start of the Christmas Season!

2 The Herald page 2 December 2017 Soup Kitchen Saints Join the team Wednesday, December 7pm in the Wakeman kitchen as we prepare food for 200 people at Merton House. For more information contact: Covenant to Care Merry Christmas!! We will be signing up for Christmas gifts for children in the Covenant to Care Program on the first two Sundays of December. A sign-up table and gift tag tree will be set up in the connecting corridor after the 10:15 services. Gifts will be due back in church the week before Christmas (date to be determined) for delivery by our Social Worker in time for the Holiday. Further details will be in the bulletins on the two Sundays in December. Thank you in advance for bringing joy to all of these deserving children. Wishing everyone a happy and blessed Holiday! Marilyn, Jessie and Kim Please call Marilyn Henry ( ) with any questions. Gail Beauchemin sophie2kim@yahoo.com Jane Keller janeekeller@att.net The Outreach Committee will be gathering items of warmth for the Holidays. Our donations will be going to The Merton House and Operation Hope. These gifts can include New coats, scarves, hats, boots mittens, gloves and long underwear. The drive will begin December 10 th and run through December 17th. Please look for the Christmas Tree right outside in Wakeman Hall. The tree will be decorated with mittens and gloves to help kick this drive off! Don't forget to bring non-perishable items for Operation Hope's Food Pantry - this month they particularly need cereal, granola bars, chili, stew or chowder, canned chicken or other canned meats and toiletries (especially shampoo, conditioner and deodorant.) Put donations in the grocery carts outside the Sanctuary. Help keep the Operation Hope Pantry full!

3 The Herald page 3 December 2017 Joy of Giving 2 Christmas Caroling opportunities to share the joy of Christmas Come bring the joy of the season to the residents of the Carolton Convalescent Hospital. Warm the hearts of dear ones and have your own heart warmed, too. On December 10th join us at 2:00pm in the Windsor Wing at the Carolton on Mill Plain Road. Questions? contact Cheri Evan at cevan@firstchurchfairfield.org. Christmas Caroling for folks who can t get out for Christmas. Want to share the love and good cheer of Christmas with some folks who can t get out for worship? Join the sixth annual Christmas Caroling Party on Sunday, December 17 at 5:00pm. We will meet in Wakeman Hall at 5:00 for some cocoa and to get organized into groups before heading out to carol. RSVP to Wendy Muschett at wendymuschett@optonline.net. Advent Devotional Discussion Group begins on December 3rd at 9:00 During the season of Advent, come gather on Sunday mornings at 9:00 in the Elliot Library as we read and discuss the UCC Stillspeaking Writers Group Advent Devotional book. This is a relaxed gathering where as a group we can ponder the short daily readings and talk about how they apply to our lives today. I will have the books ready for you. Come and enrich your Advent journey as we share together. Any questions contact Rita Skog at ritaskog@hotmail.com There was a great vibe to Consecration Sunday, November 19, a wonderful spirit of excitement and joy. The Reverend Jonathan Lee was very inspiring. He reminded us how all the blessings of our life come from God, in whom we live, and move and have our being. Jonathan also reminded us that every gift counts, because each person counts. The best way to find joy is to give and love others. At the heart of Consecration Sunday: The Joy of Giving is the question How is God calling me to give? What gift will give me joy and express my dedication to the ministry of Christ? Consecration Sunday is an opportunity to put our trust in God, to lift our spirits in giving. It does feel great to make a pledge. It feels right. To date 122 households have made a pledge for 2018, totaling $352,496. If you have not yet made a pledge, we invite you to join these friends. Pray for guidance and direction. Ask God, How am I called to share in your work? That s a question only you can answer, in conversation with God. We truly believe that this is an opportunity to experience joy and we look forward to sharing it with you! Remember, every gift counts, because each person counts! Please let Maria know if you would like pledge envelopes for 2018 if you haven t done on the pledge card. Do not use past years envelopes your number changes every year.

4 The Herald page 4 December 2016 Holiday shopping is on everyone s list! Come see the wonderful gift ideas we have at The Store. We have ornaments, wreaths and many other decorations as well as warm winter sweaters, coats and gloves. Do you need a special outfit for a holiday party? We have lovely cocktail attire and even formal wear for gentlemen! The Store will be closed Dec. 23 through Jan. 1. We will reopen for the New Year on Tuesday, January 2, We have weekly specials.do we have your address? Our Store Manager posts our specials in advance for your shopping convenience. Stop in our volunteers are always ready to help you with your shopping needs! Save the Date 2018 First Church Men's Retreat Feb 9 th 11 th we will be going to Wisdom House again and joining the men from First Baptist. For more information contact David McKinnis david@bethanddavid.org. If you have some free time and would like to be a store volunteer, please contact our store manager, Amy Watson at: Store Hours: M-F 10-3 and Saturday 10-2 Parish Notes Deaths 11/13 Christopher Mulqueen Baptisms 11/12 Teagan Athena Middleton On Going Fundraiser First Church sells the cards at face value and receives 5% of the sales. Gift cards can be used to purchase groceries, Rx, gas at ShopRite and Stop and Shop. The cards are sold each Sunday before and after the services and are available in the church office during the week. Gift cards are great for businesses to give to employees at holiday time ( Christmas, etc.) If your business, or if you know someone with a business, is interested in purchasing cards, please contact Maria at ext. 31 to place an order. Thank you for your continued support!!!

5 The Herald page 5 December 2017 Save the Date January 28th Come hear Bryan Nurnberger, founder of Simply Smiles, tell the incredible story of how Simply Smiles came to be. Bryan s wife, Kristen Graves, will also provide special music: singing some original songs inspired by the people of Oaxaca, Mexico & the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation.

6 The Herald page 6 December 2017 Welcome to Middle Road! Melissa Hain and Wendy Muschett are looking forward to gathering together with all of the 6-8 graders on Sunday mornings during our Middle Road time. When dismissed from 10:15 worship, make your way to the Library where we will be waiting to greet you! Here s what s happening in December. We hope you will be able to join us! 12/3- TED Talk Dalia Mogahed: What it s like to be Muslim in America (This is a Communion Sunday so remember to come to the Library FIRST at 10:15) *12/10- Youth Service Sunday: cookie making for the Church Caroling event on the evening of 12/17 12/17- Interfaith Worship Visit to the Bridgeport Islamic Community Center at 10:00 12/24- NO Middle Road 12/31- Faith Formation Any questions? Please Wendy Muschett: wendymuschett@optonline.net or Melissa Hain: melhain@aol.com Youth Group Be on the lookout for...youth in Action! 11/29 Helped with set up for Three Kings Bazaar 7:00pm (in place of our meeting on December 3rd) 12/1 & 12/2 Join the Carol Sing, Friday night, during the Three Kings Bazaar and do some Christmas Shopping! 12/10 Youth Service Sunday during 10:15 Worship Christmas Movie Night 6:00pm (wear your Christmas PJ s) 12/17 Caroling meet 5:00pm in Wakeman Hall Youth Group is for everyone in 7th-12th grade. We meet most Sunday nights from 6:00-7:30 pm In Rhodes Hall Youth Ministry Team Vern Swett vswett@firstchurchfairfield.org Peter Evan peterjevan@aol.com Bryan French bfrench14@hotmail.com Cheri Evan cevan@firstchurchfairfield.org Service Project Sundays *One Sunday a month, during morning worship time, we will come together to work on various service projects. Cooking meals for Operation Hope, decorating cookies for the Bridgeport Rescue Mission food truck, making hygiene kits for Church World Service and more. Youth Group and The Middle Road Service Sunday for December: 12/10.Our Youth Service Sunday for the month of December will be held on December 10th during 10:15 worship. We will be gathering with the Youth Group members to make cookies for our Church Caroling event on December 17th. Any questions? Please Wendy Muschett: wendymuschett@optonline.net or Melissa Hain: melhain@aol.com The Loft Community The Loft is a safe space and loving community for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning teens and their friends. The Loft meets Fridays, at 3:30 pm in the Memorial Room at the Fairfield Public Library For more information contact Liane Nelson liane.nelson@gmail.com or Rev. Vern Swett vswett@firstchurchfairfield.org

7 The Herald page 7 December 2016 Two Houses, One Home A Shared Ministry of First Baptist Church Stratford and First Church Congregational Fairfield Two Houses, One Home, united to Eradicate racism and white privilege, Celebrate the diversity of God s people, and Create a beloved community. Kathy Lea of First Church and Karen Hill-Johnson have been lifted up as the Co-Chairs of our shared ministry! Thank you, Kathy and Karen! The Men s Groups from both churches have already met for breakfast and are planning a retreat together for next March Watch for more news in 2018! US Immigration: The Long and Winding Road Over and over we hear the phrase: why don t unauthorized immigrants just get-in-line to attain legal status. The problem is, there is no line for the vast majority of these illegals. Generally speaking, there are three ways to immigrate temporarily or permanently to the US: family ties, employment or humanitarian protection. The descriptions below have been greatly simplified. US immigration laws and processes are complex; each of the routes to immigration are heavily regulated with numeric limitations, eligibility constraints and very, very long waiting periods. Family-based immigration US citizens can petition the Federal government to allow the immigration of foreign born spouses, parents, children and siblings. The road to citizenship for parent, spouse or minor child is 6 to 7 years, for adult children and siblings the wait is 12 to 28 years. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs or green card holders) can petition for spouses and unmarried children. Spouses and minor children take 11 to 13 years, single adult children take 14 to 20 years. Employment-based immigration Foreign workers coming to the US must have a college degree in a specialty occupation and have a job offer from an eligible employer/ sponsor who is unable to find a qualified US worker to take the job. Temporary visas are available for seasonal work. These visas, however, cannot transition to a Green Card. Immigration for humanitarian protection There is an annual numeric limit on the number of refugees that will be admitted to the US (approximately 100,000 in 2016). To qualify, a refugee must prove that they have a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, membership in a particular social group, political opinion or national origin. Poverty or grim economic conditions do not qualify. So, which of these options is the line the so called illegals should enter? It seems there is virtually no line to join if you are unskilled and have no close family relations in the US.

8 The Herald page 8 December 2017 The Christmas Fund provides direct financial assistance to individual UCC clergy and lay church employees the funds do not support programs or institutions, but people. MONTHLY PENSION SUPPLEMENTATION for 448 lower-income retired UCC clergy and lay employees, for basic needs such as food, utilities, and medical expenses. The amount of pension supplementation totaled $1,507,787 in QUARTERLY HEALTH PREMIUM SUPPLEMENTATION for 216 lower-income retired UCC clergy and lay employees for UCC Medicare Supplement Plan. Assistance totaled $487,338in CHRISTMAS THANK YOU GIFT CHECKS given to 503 retired UCC clergy and lay church employees. This special gift at Christmas time reminds these Veterans of the Cross that they have not been forgotten and that the Church is grateful for their service. Gifts totaled $233,800 in EMERGENCY GRANTS for 50 active/retired UCC clergy and lay employees. Emergency funds are available to assist in covering large medical expenses, or home damage resulting from natural disasters. Emergency assistance totaled $90,927 in Christmas Fund Donation Offering ~ Minute for Missions Sunday, December 17th Giving a Gift this Christmas In making a gift at Christmas, you may designate your contribution to beautify the sanctuary or to St. Luke s and St. Paul s Food Pantry during the Christmas Season. On Christmas Eve names of those in whose memory or honor the gifts are made will be printed in the Christmas bulletins. Please return this form together with your contribution to the church office no later than Monday, December 11th. My/Our Christmas Gift is given in memory of and/or In Honor of My/Our Gift of $ is for the St Luke s/ St Paul's Food Pantry $ is to beautify the Sanctuary Given by Make checks payable to First Church Congregational. Memo: Christmas Gift

9 Christmas at First Church Christmas Eve 10:15 am, Morning Worship 5:00 pm, Family Service with Pageant Come to see Angels, Shepherds, Magi and the Holy Family. Visit the Holy Family and bring your prayers to God. 10:00 pm, Service of Lessons and Carols Candlelight, music and readings from the Gospels tell the Christmas Story. Find the Hope, Peace, Joy and Love that abound on Christmas Eve Christmas Day 11:00 am, Informal Worship with Communion, Sanctuary On Christmas Eve, please bring non-perishable food items for St. Luke s/st. Paul s Food Pantry. Your monetary offerings at both services will go to the Deacons Fund. An Open and Affirming Congregation No matter where you are on life s journey you are always welcome here! Deadline for January Herald December 15th Send all submissions to Cheri Evan cevan@firstchurchfairfield.org