Letter From Our Pastor

Transcription

1 An Open and Affirming Congregation September 2016 Letter From Our Pastor SAVE THE DATE! 9/8 Adult Choir Begins 7:30 pm Dear Brothers and Sisters, Happy New Year! There are several New Years to be sure, such as January 1 and the First Sunday of Advent for the liturgical/worship cycle. But in a very real and powerful way, each Labor Day is the start of a new year for our congregation. Here s a neat prayer from the pastor of the Madison Avenue (NYC) Baptist Church, The Reverend Susan Sparks: God of hope, we have sensed your Spirit walking with us as we open a new door. We have felt your encouragement when we were reluctant to say yes to a new adventure. Open our eyes to the truth wherever it may be found, to hear your song of love and understanding. Amen. I love that prayer, don t you? It expresses such hope and confidence that God is leading us in this journey of life together. I want that to be the spirit of our new year together, the hope of the open door and the excitement of a new adventure, the spirit of truth, love and understanding. It is such a joy to serve as your pastor. It is a gift to worship and serve with you all year through. I am looking forward to a great year and hope that you are too! Grace and peace and joy, 9/11 Welcome Sunday Teacher Training 9:00 am Disciple Road and The Middle Road Begin during 10:15 worship Service Project-Cooking for Operation Hope The Middle Road and Youth Group All Church Picnic 9/12 Play for Hope Begins 9:30 am 9/14 Soup Kitchen Saints begins monthly on the second Wednesday of the month Wednesday Bible Study 10:00 am 9/18 Minute for Missions-Mercy Learning Center Pray Together 9:00 am, Chapel Children s Choir Begins 9:00 am Sunday Bible Study 9 am, Eliot Library Open Hearing on the Roof 11:45 am, Eunoia Room Youth Group Begins 6:00 pm (Pizza and Planning Meeting) 9/21 Pray Together 7:15 pm, Chapel Sunday of Service Save the Date October 16th On Sunday, October 16 we will join together in serving the community. Reaching out on behalf of God to serve the world that s why God created the church. We will worship together at 8:15 or 10:15 am and then re-gather at 2:00 pm to go for a massive beach Clean up!. Please be sure to save the date, October 16! 10/2 No 8:15 Worship World Communion Sunday Worship Together with First Baptist Luncheon 10/16 Sunday of Service 2:00 pm 10/23 Bible Sunday 10/30 All Souls Pageant Sign Ups 11/13 Consecration Sunday

2 The Herald page 2 September 2016 We have had a good a great! Summer. Worship experiences at Sasco Beach and the Chapel have been very well attended, lively, and spiritually uplifting. It was great to welcome Paul Jacobson to our music ministry on August 7! The Music in Meeting House concert with the Fairfield County Children s Choral was such a joy: great music, wonderfully talented singers (and great kids!), and a well attended community event! The Vacation Bible School Abundant Life Garden Project with St. Paul s Episcopal Church was a huge success. Scores of kids and adults, learning, praying, and growing together in love. The Candlelight Vigil for Peace with the First Baptist Church Stratford, brought together, clergy, civic leaders and citizens to pray for justice and peace in the wake of so many tragic and unjust shootings. Operation Hope Suppers continue to be home cooked by First Church families each Sunday and Soup Kitchen Saints continued to provide the noon meal at Merton House once each month. The Huge Tag Sale for Operation Hope in July thanks to all the volunteers and to Rob Greenbaum who made it all happen! Two very successful Fairfield Performing Arts Camps such talented kids! The Store keeps humming along with brisk sales and a warm, generous atmosphere for volunteers and shoppers alike and it looks great with new carpeting! The Search Committee is hard at work: the Church Profile is completed and we will start to receive Profiles from candidates any day now. The Youth Group had a powerful work camp experience in Oaxaca, great fun on a river tubing expedition in July and hosting a beach party cookout in August thanks! Dan England has been lifting our spirits with the e-letters, The First Word and providing great pastoral care and leadership. Gwen Burroughs has brought vision and wisdom to our fundraising. She is working closely with Amy Watson and Melissa Booker will co-chair Consecration Sunday. Alex Ackley has been coordinating with Vanessa Rose to help as Director of Disciple Road this fall, Cheri Evan has been organizing and planning for Youth Group and Wendy Muschett has been busy with plans for The Middle Road. Kathy Lea is heading up the team planning for a Gala Luncheon on October 2 when the disciples from the First Baptist Church Stratford worship with us. A busy, productive, faith-filled summer on the brink of a New Year! Thanks be to God! David Spollett s Plans for Travel As you know, David was scheduled for a month of vacation time and a month of sabbatical time this summer. He elected not to take that time in order to attend to pressing matters at the church, including the Pastoral Search. David and Geri took a two week vacation at the end of July and David was slated to go on an eight day retreat in August. He did not go on the retreat in order to be present for an arbitration hearing concerning a liability claim against the church. He hopes to be able to go on retreat later this year. On September 19, David and Geri will travel to Nurnberg, Germany to visit with dear friends there, returning to Fairfield on September 29. Bon voyage!

3 The Herald page 3 September 2016 Covenant to Care Welcome back and thank you to all who donated backpacks over the summer. Many children, who otherwise wouldn t, will start school with not only the necessities but with a fully stocked backpack! As always, you have gone above and beyond. Without your help, these children would start their school year already behind. Thank you again to everyone who donated and made our summer drive so successful. As we start a new year of drives for Covenant to Care, we would like to remind you all about how much your donations mean to us, to our social workers and most of all, to the children of Bridgeport. Please know that the value of your donations, whether they are items or monetary donations, is many times their face value. They bring hope, joy, strength, calm, and understanding to others. Soup Kitchen Saints Join the team Wednesday, September 7pm in the Wakeman kitchen as we prepare food for 200 people at Merton House. Contact Patty Gregory pzarra@optonline.net or Watch for information in the November Herald regarding our Thanksgiving drive. School Supplies As you see the back-to-school sales on school supplies, please think of Madison School, the K-6 school that is our partner through the School Volunteer Association of Bridgeport. All school supplies are needed, but here are some suggestions: Don't forget to bring non-perishable items! Most Needed: brown rice, condiments, pudding and jello, coffee and canned fruit Put donations in the grocery carts outside the Chapel or Sanctuary. Help keep the Operation Hope Pantry full! --Copy paper (never enough) --Plain yellow pencils (teachers' favorite) --Tissues --Hand sanitizer --Fat crayons (for younger students) --Colored pencils and other art supplies --Washable markers --White board markers Minute for Mission The mission of Mercy Learning Center (MLC) is to provide basic literacy and life skills training to low-income women using a holistic approach within a compassionate, supportive environment. All women are welcome without regard for race, religion, color, creed, sexual orientation or national origin. --Spiral notebooks --Electric pencil sharpeners Please put your donations in the Madison School box by the office in Wakeman Hall. Madison School thanks you! First Church will receive the Mercy Learning Center offering and celebrate the Joy of Sharing Sunday, September 18th.

4 The Herald page 4 September 2016 Welcome to our Brothers and Sisters from First Baptist! On Sunday, October 2 Pastor William B. Sutton III and the people of the First Baptist Church Stratford will worship with us at 10:15. Pastor Sutton will preach, we will share in the Sacrament of the Lord s Supper and then enjoy fellowship at a Gala Luncheon, hosted by members of First Church! What aday it promises to be! You can help extend warm hospitality and create a delicious meal for all. A culinary ministry team of Jane Barnes, Gail Beauchemin, Rob Greenbaum, Jane Keller, Kathy Lea, Casey Mulqueen, Jim and Wendy Muschett is organizing the luncheon, a Thanksgiving Feast. Please contact Kathy Lea if you would like to join in the fun! Jnklea@aol.com or You can help by volunteering to roast a turkey, bake a ham and crate a delicious Thanksgiving side dish to bring and share. When we all pitch in, it will be a bounteous feast! To God be the glory! Dear Beloved Community, Thank you for celebrating the arrival of Henry and Thomas with Matt, Ainsley, Dwyer, and me! Knowing you were praying for the babies and me while we were in the hospital kept me going and it has been amazing to me that not a day went by without a card or a note from one of you offering your love, support, and help. I am also so appreciative of the understanding you have shown during my time away while I have been on maternity leave. I am so deeply grateful to God for all of you. I am looking forward to returning on Welcome Back Sunday to continue my ministry with you. I have missed you! Peace, Consecration Sunday is Coming Share in the Joy of Giving We all know that it is better to give than receive, right? A gift brings pleasure to the recipient and joy to the giver. Why do we give? To show love to share our blessings to support the people, causes and organizations that we care about to respond with thanks for what we have received to express ourselves and our priorities. Giving is also a way of growing to appreciate how deeply connected we are and to recognize that we are here to care for each other. Our giving as Christians is an expression of these truths. Save the date, November 13th Consecration Sunday The Joy of Giving! The Reverend Vanessa Payne Rose As you know, on June 1 Vanessa Rose and her husband Matt Dolan, along with big sister Ainsley and big brother Dwyer, welcomed twins Thomas and Henry! Everyone is doing well and thriving! Vanessa has been on maternity leave since June 1 and will return to her pastoral ministry on September 1. This fall she will be assisted by Alex Ackley who will be the Director of Disciple Road. Together they will provide a vibrant and meaningful faith formation experience for the little ones through elementary school. It will be great to have Vanessa back! May God continue to bless her family and her ministry.

5 The Herald page 5 September 2016 Autumn is just around the corner! Do you need school clothes or new outfits for work? Stop in and see our wonderful array of fall clothing for everyone in the family. Are you decorating a dorm room or just looking for something to welcome the new season? We have bedspreads, comforters, place mats, dishes, glassware and many lovely decorative pieces. Please stop in and see our new carpeting and new look! Our bargains are always outstanding! If you have free time and would like to be a store volunteer, please contact our store manager, Marilyn Lord at: Store Hours: M-F 10-3 Update on the Roof and the Decision of the Historic District Commission The Council Meeting in June was well attended by church members who offered helpful insights and thoughts on how to proceed in response to the unanimous decision to the Historic District Commission to deny our application for an extension that would have allowed the church to make use of the synthetic roof on the north side of the Sanctuary for another ten years. Attorneys for the Church have filed an appeal of that decision. At present, Atty. William Fitzpatrick, representing the Church, is in consultation with the Town Attorney. It is the fervent hope of the Council that a common sense solution can found for this impasse. To find out what steps are being taken, and how you can help, please come to an Open Hearing on Sunday, September 18 at 11:45 in the Eunoia Room. Search Committee Update Thank you for your prayers for the members of the Pastoral Search Committee. Claire Abate, Jesse Booker, Pertrinea Cash, Charlotte Dyslin, Bonnie Gleason, Cathy Kane, Chris Muschett, April Obermeyer, Tom Salveson, Rita Skog, Marc Sulzycki and David Spollett have been praying, meeting, thinking, talking, writing and preparing all summer long. You know what? They are excited about their work together. They enjoy each other s company and trust each other deeply. They are having a good time! The Church Profile is now complete. The position for Pastor for Faith Formation and Discipleship has been posted with the United Church of Christ. The Professional Profiles of candidates will arrive shortly! Please keep these servants in your prayers as they consider the candidates and discern where God is leading us. Saturday 10-2 September 7th & 21st at NOON Parish Notes Wedding July 2 ~ MacKenzie Schaffer and Michael McDonnell Baptisms July 10 ~ Hilary Frances Daly and Chase Matthew Daly Amalia Snow Novey August 14 ~ Benicio Roberto Zuleta Welcome back to Women's Fellowship. Hope everyone enjoyed their summer. Our first meeting is on September 7th. It will be a potluck luncheon on the stage starting at noon. Hope everyone who attends enjoys it. We will meet next on September 21st. The subject of this get together will be "Show and Tell." Think of something you would like to share with the ladies.

6 The Herald page 6 September 2016 Sunday Morning Bible Study September 18th 9:00 am Eliot Library FOR ADULTS A Time of Prayer for You Sundays 9 am (Chapel) and Wednesdays 7:15 pm (Chapel) Do you seek help with your prayers? Desire others to pray for you and with you for the needs of your loved ones? Need help in giving voice to your prayers? Please come Sunday mornings at 9:00, in the Chapel, or Wednesday evenings at 7:15, in the Sanctuary, beginning the week of September 18th. Wendy Williams-Brown, the Steward for Worship, and members of the Diaconate will be on hand to pray with you and for you finding comfort for your spirit, healing and hope, light and love, and strength for the journey. Women s Spirituality Group September 28th 6:30 pm Eliot Library Meets the last Wednesday of the month beginning, Sep 28th 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM in the church library. We are open to all women of the church and other friends who would like to join us. We are reading, Twelve Women of the Bible Study Guide: Life Changing Stories for Women Today by Lysa TerKeurst, Elisa Morgan, Amena Brown and 4 others. It can be found on Amazon.com or Kindle. If you don t have the book, come anyway, we review the brief reading in the meeting and then spend our time on the general discussion questions. This month we will focus on pages We hope you can come and enjoy this great fellowship of women! Contact April or Suzanne for more information: aprilobermeyer@gmail.com slm224@hotmail.com A new Bible Study led by Dan England will begin on September 18th. Here's the thing. You will learn more about the New Testament in the first 20 minutes than you ever knew. After that we'll be off to meet John Mark, the author of our gospel of Mark, who is a stunning writer, intriguing theologian and complex character. It will be an 8 week course at 9 am every Sunday. It will challenge your mind, give substance to your faith and surprise you at every turn. But don't miss our first session! Community Yoga With Deb Jones acbde23@aol.com Seeking balance? Seeking clarity? Seeking connection? Seeking a sense of deep peace? Every Monday beginning this Fall, start date TBD, we have a community yoga class from 6-7pm in the Webb Room at the back of the Sanctuary. No experience is necessary, it's free for all, and everyone is welcome. Meditation Come meet in the Eliot Library from 7-8pm on Thursdays to clear your mind and renew your spirit through guided, seated meditation. Questions??? Contact Russ Mann rmann@acbcoop.com Shuffle Fitness at First Church Join us for a new fitness program with Alex Ackley. Classes: Wednesdays at 7PM and Saturdays at 11AM Starting Saturday, September 9 th. Fee: $10 per class or $50 per month unlimited For more information contact Alex at alexackley@gmail.com or call

7 The Herald page 7 September 2016 New for Middle Schoolers! - The Middle Road The Middle Road meets Sundays during 10:15 am Worship for grades 6-8. Each Sunday will have a different focus: Faith Formation, Exploring Different Faiths, Service and Joining the Generations Project. Middle Road Ministry Team: Wendy Muschett wendymuschett@optonline.net Melissa Hain melhain@aol.com David Spollett dspollett@firstchurchfairfield.org Youth Group Be on the lookout for...youth in Action! Youth Group is for everyone in 7th-12th grade. Come and be a part of this great group of kids who come together to explore life and faith, serve our community, and have fun! Youth Group meets most Sunday nights from 6:00-7:30* pm Youth Group begins September 18th in the Library Join us for a PIZZA and PLANNING MEETING September 18th!!!!! Sep. 18th 6:00 pm Youth Ministry Team: Peter Evan peterjevan@aol.com Cheri Evan cevan@firstchurchfairfield.org Bryan French bfrench14@hotmail.com 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 Sundays will happen on these dates: 9/11, 10/9, 11/20, 12/11 There will be no evening youth group on these Sundays If you have any questions about Youth Group Service Sundays, please contact wendymuschett@optonline.net. The Loft Community The Loft is a safe space and loving community for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning teens and their friends. Starting September 9th The Loft will meet at 4:30 pm in the Memorial Room at the Fairfield Public Library For more information contact Liane Nelson liane.nelson@gmail.com

8 The Herald page 8 September 2016 Kindergarten-5th Grade Rehearsals Thursday Nights 7:30-9:00pm in the Sanctuary Beginning September 8th For more information contact Paul pjacobson@firstchurchfairfield.org x 18 Rehearsals Sunday Mornings 9:00-10:00am in the Music Room Beginning September 18th For more information contact Cheri cevan@firstchurchfairfield.org x 10 Workshop Leader and Shepherd Training for Disciple Road September 11th 9:00 am Eliot Library Beginning September 12th 9:30 am in the Eliot Library. Bring a non-perishable food item for Operation hope enjoy some coffee and conversation while the little ones play.

9 September 11th WELCOME SUNDAY 8:15 Worship returns to the Chapel 10:15 Worship in the Sanctuary All Church Picnic Sept. 11th Following 10:15 worship bring a salad or side to share!! Disciple Road and The Middle Road Begin ALL CHURCH PICNIC An Open and Affirming Congregation No matter where you are on life s journey you are always welcome here! Deadline for October Herald September 15th Send all submissions to Cheri Evan cevan@firstchurchfairfield.org