ngs From the Minister May 2015 First Church of Christ, Congregational UCC - United Church of Christ 190 Court Street Middletown, CT

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1 ngs First Church of Christ, Congregational UCC - United Church of Christ 190 Court Street Middletown, CT firstchurchucc@sbcglobal.net Minister, Reverend Julia Burkey Music Minister, Shari Lucas Moderator, Heidi Cho Vice Moderator, Lori Orend Treasurer, Andrea Roberts Secretary, Jennifer Ide Church Administrator, Kortney Balsamo From the Minister Our lives are living testimonies. Lailah Gifty Akita May 2015 Those in whom the Spirit comes to live are God's new Temple. They are, individually and corporately, places where heaven and earth meet. N.T. Wright What does it mean to live out the resurrection? We celebrated Easter on April 20th, but do we wipe our hands of it after that? Our obvious answer is no. At First Church, we have set out on a continuation of our exploration of the resurrection through Pentecost. You ve heard about our resurrection Bible Study Sunday from 5-6:30 in the Memorial room. And maybe you have heard about the bold and moving statements given by members of the congregation during worship. The practice of testimony is Pentecost based; Pentecost being that one Christian holiday that we haven t culturally appropriated with a bunny, or an old man with reindeer, a white beard and red suit. Pentecost falls on the 7 th Sunday after Easter, May 24 th this year, and we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit into our midst. We lift up the ability of each of us to access the Holy Spirit in our lives, and to share with our voices or other expression. During worship on Sundays through May, people will have a chance to give a testimony, for 3 minutes or so, similar to what we had in Advent about, "how do you find your way through the darkness to the crèche?" But this time, the question is, "How have you witnessed the resurrection in your life or in the world? Is there a time when you were Continued on page 2 Deadline for submissions to our April issue is noon on Wednesday, March 20th. Please send articles in the body of an to Suzanna Barrett by stamminen@wesleyan.edu. Thank you!

2 Continued from page 1 walking through the darkness, or suffering, and you found new life and light and power by going through this journey? How has the example of Jesus helped you understand experiences in your own life?" Some more questions for people who give Resurrection Moment testimony to think about: Has there been an experience in your life that has made you feel like you are reborn, and renewed and have new life? Especially after going through an experience of suffering. After that, what does is mean to you to 'live out the resurrection?' Which Biblical texts do you relate to with the resurrection? Does resurrection work in the context of social justice or Christian outreach? What does the concept of resurrection mean to you? Not all of these questions need to be answered! Think of them more as prompts to get you thinking. Even if you don t give a testimony, thinking about these questions is fruitful. As you think about the resurrection, here is a helpful list written by Richard Rohr in Immortal Diamond to keep in mind: Twelve Ways to Practice Resurrection Now: 1. Refuse to identify with negative, blaming, antagonistic or fearful thoughts (you cannot stop "having" them). 2. Apologize when you hurt another person or situation. 3. Undo your mistakes by some positive action toward the offended person or situation. 4. Do not indulge or believe your False Self- that which is concocted by your mind and society's expectation. 5. Choose your True Self-- your radical union with God-- as often as possible throughout the day. 6. Always seek to change yourself before trying to change others. 7. Choose as much as possible to serve rather than be served. 8. Whenever possible, seek the common good over your mere private good. 9. Give preference to those in pain, excluded, or disabled in any way. 10. Seek just systems and policies over mere charity. 11. Make sure your medium is the same as your message. 12. Never doubt that it is all about love in the end. Rev. Julia Minister s Office Hours Rev. Julia Burkey is available by appointment Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Monday and Friday are Rev. Julia's Sabbath day, and sermon writing day. To reach Rev. Julia, her at revjuliaburkey@yahoo.com or call the office at In case of an emergency or for pastoral care, Julia s cell phone is Rev Julia Burkey Continuing Education From May 10-15, we send our minister to a preaching conference! Rev. Julia Burkey will attend the Festival of Homiletics, as a Personnel Committee supported continuing education opportunity. The Festival of Homiletics is a week-long conference that brings together a wide variety of outstanding preachers and professors of homiletics to inspire a discourse about preaching, worship and culture. Our goal is to engage theologically the practices of preaching and worship, as well as issues related to congregations in the 21st century. Individual preachers are invited to consider various styles and methodologies of preaching in the hopes that they will renew their faith and refresh their spirits through engaging worship, lectures and workshops. Throughout the week we aim to inspire preachers in their roles of proclaiming the gospel. Deacons will cover pastoral care this week, and our very own Christine Foster will preach on mother s day May 10 th! 2

3 Worship and Event Schedule APRIL Worship services begin at 10am, and Second Hours begin at 11:30. Fifth Sunday of Easter May 3, 2015 Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 22:25-31,1 John 4:7-21,John 15:1-8 Second Hour: Come learn about the joyful time during the summer at Camp Winni, from people who have been going for years and are really passionate about it. Sixth Sunday of Easter May 10, 2015 Acts 10:44-48, Psalm 98, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 Second Hour: Living Stones book group presents on Viktor Frankel s moving memoir and reflections about finding meaning amidst horror of WWII Concentration Camps, A Man s Search for Meaning. Ascension of the Lord May 17, 2015 Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, Psalm 1, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 Second Hour: Annual Meeting! Come one, come all! Day of Pentecost May 24, 2015 Acts 2:1-21 or Ezekiel 37:1-14, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b, Romans 8:22-27 or Acts 2:1-21, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 Second Hour: Congregation led Second Hour as New Member Class. Come and share with our potential New Members, who will join May 31 st, what being a member of First Church means to you. Trinity Sunday, New Members Join! May 31, 2015 Isaiah 6:1-8, Psalm 29, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 Second Hour: Special guest Marie Mozzi is a professional speaker, nutritionist, and a fitness professional with over 20 years experience in the health and wellness industry. Marie shares her passion for Body as Temple, in Church communities, and has also been a high school coach, active in her local parish, and a national presenter. She has a special place in her heart for teens and young adults and is the founder of ROUTEEN, a trademarked program that imparts an appreciation for personal well being through exercise, nutrition, performances and teamwork. is a graduate of John Carroll University, Universal Heights, Ohio. She was given the Beaudry Award -- Awarded by graduating peers to the individual displaying academic excellence, leadership and Christian service. First Church Annual Meeting This year the FCC Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, May 17th following our service. Save the date on your calendar and plan to participate in the meeting and election of officers and new committee members. 3

4 Amazing Grace Amazing Grace is always in need of our help. All nonperishable food is welcome, along with a special need for cereal and peanut butter. If you have questions please call Pam Miller at Place your donations in the baskets in the sanctuary or in the large bin in the Parish Hall. Pam and Judy Walsh will make sure that they are delivered to the food pantry. Resurrection Bible Study Sundays 5:30-7 5:30-7pm Sunday Nights April 12 th -May 24 th, in the Memorial Room. This will be a 7-week comparative study of the four Gospel accounts of the death and resurrection of Jesus, and will include some other early Christian literature. Childcare can be provided. This is a new chance to enrich your faith, with a Third Hour on Sundays. Understanding the death and resurrection of Jesus is the crux of our faith (no pun intended). Did you know that the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John don t agree on what happened in the last days of the life of Jesus? Luke says Jesus comes back and eats fish, and versions of Mark don t even agree that people saw Jesus after the empty tomb. Come explore the diversity of historic belief in the first couple centuries after the life and death of Jesus, and develop your own theology of the life and death of Jesus. Co-Chair of Deacons, Lucy Early will co-host this study. Please let us know if you are interested, so we can send you the reading assignment for the first Sunday. us at lucy.earley@att.net and revjuliaburkey@yahoo.com MARCH BIRTHDAYS 5/3 Ruth LeBar 5/4 Daniel Weybright 5/5 Collin Hobby 5/7 Bill Grady 5/7 Jason Young 5/10 Cathy Mayo 5/10 Jerry Tacinelli 5/12 Wendy Scheibe 5/13 Daniel Bacon 5/13 James Bradbury 5/13 Emma Conquest 5/17 Phil Faraci 5/17 Tom Christopher 5/19 Janet Silver 5/19 Emily Wilson 5/22 Clayton Hobby 5/25 Abigail Conquest 5/29 Jonathan Arnold 5/29 Robin Hall Parent Sunday, May 31 Attention parents...may 31 has been declared Parent Sunday at First Church...what this means is your children will host coffee hour and prepare it during service a special cake is planned and a wonderful fruit salad...this day is set aside to honor all parents. All we ask is that you send your child with some fresh fruit to help create a wonderful salad-- that's it. I have a few non parent helpers so you can stay and enjoy the service. Thanks, Julie Hurlburt Living Stones, First Church Book Study: Reflections for a Deeper Life and Faith, Wednesdays at 6:30 pm Every Wednesdays at 6:30 you are invited to delve into a book study in the Upper Study at First Church. Every second Sunday of the month during Second Hour Living Stones hosts a Book Discussion to share with the wider church. You may join in the discussions at any time. In early May we are discussing Man s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. Shepherds Needed There is a sign up sheet in the Parish Hall for people to volunteer to shepherd the children to their program. A shepherd accompanies the children to class and stays with the class until they either return to the service or the children are picked up from class. You need not have children in church school to participate. You may also sign up by contacting Calli Conway- Floryan callifloryan@gmail.com, or Kortney in the church office,

5 FIRST CHURCH DINNER CLUB / KIDS' FELLOWSHIP NIGHT The Fellowship Committee is once again sponsoring the First Church Dinner Club. Congregation members will, on a voluntary rotating basis, host other congregation members in their homes for food, conversation and fellowship. Simultaneously, the Christian Education Committee will host a Kids' Fellowship night at First Church. The intent of the kids' event is, in part, to offer a babysitting option for parents who wish to participate in the Dinner Club; but the two events are mutually exclusive -- you can attend the Dinner Club without your kids attending the Kids' Fellowship night, and your kids can attend the Kids' Fellowship night without you attending the Dinner Club. Please consider joining us for one or both of these events, and get to know the people sitting next to in the pews! If you would be interested in joining us for these events, please complete a survey at New Members Class May 6 th 6pm Dinner, May 24 th Second Hour, Join the Church May 31 st After spending Lent and Easter with us at First Church, we invite you to an opportunity to join in membership. Come deepen in community by sharing your faith journey, learn about the United Church of Christ and explore the rich history of First Church. Classes will be held Wednesday May 6 th at 6pm for a meal together at Typhoon to share faith journeys, on Sunday May 24 th during a congregation led Second Hour at 11:30 about, what it means to be a member of First Church, followed by a church tour. New Members will join the church on May 31 st in Sunday service. If you are interested and are not able to make these dates revjuliaburkey@yahoo.com Childcare can be provided upon request. Walk Against Hunger First Church will again participate in the The Walk Against Hunger to benefit St. Vincent de Paul of Middletown on Sunday, May 3, Last year First Church had a great team of 21 members including church members, family, friends and our minister, Rev. Julia Burkey. The First Church Walk team did an incredible job of raising money in In fact, we were the leading faith based team as well as the third team overall for St. Vincent de Paul, Middletown, raising $3,250. First Church has a strong bond with St. Vincent de Paul of Middletown. They do a wonderful job of helping people in need in our community in many ways. The Amazing Grace Food Pantry currently serves over 1030 individuals and families each month and distributes over 360,000 food items each year. In 2013 Amazing Grace and the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen together provided approximately 1000 meals a day to residents in the Middletown area. In addition to helping families in need in Middletown, the Walk Against Hunger was also a lot of fun for the First Church Team last year both in building a team and in doing the walk itself. This year promises to be even better. We are already registered as a team, and Judy Walsh has again volunteered as our captain. --Judy Walsh 5

6 Join us this summer for First Church s Vacation Bible Camp: G-Force: God s Force in Action Watch our church come alive with movement and kid-friendly transportation such as skateboards, running shoes, roller blades, bikes, and so much more. This is a chance to build community and learn about God s love through games, crafts, science, and Bible stories. Dates: July Times: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Cost: ~ $30 per child (includes a full professional VBC curriculum, a take-home CD of VBC music, a snack, and maybe a t-shirt) Scholarships available. We are gauging availability and interest of kids and parents. A definite plan will be announced by April 1, so families can confirm their summer plans. I am interested in helping. Name Phone Availability Areas of interest: My child (ages 5-11) plans to attend: Name Age My child (ages 12+) plans to be a counselor-in-training: Name Age My child (ages 15+) plans to be a counselor: Name Age 6

7 OUTREACH Green Envelopes for 2nd Quarter - Focus on Youth MUSIC SCHEDULE, May 2015 Sunday, May 3 - Senior Choir, 9:30am Monday, May 4 Celebration Singers, 6:15pm Heart in Hand Bells, 7:30pm Wednesday, May 6 - Senior Choir, 7:30pm Sunday, May 10 Celebration Singers and Senior Choir, 9:15am Monday, May 11 Celebration Singers, 6:15pm Heart in Hand Bells, 7:30pm Wednesday, May 13 - Senior Choir, 7:30pm Sunday, May 17 Heart in Hand Bells, 9:00am Celebration Singers and Senior Choir, 9:30am Monday, May 18 RECORDING SESSION Senior Choir and Celebration Singers, 6:15pm No Heart in Hand Bell rehearsal Wednesday, May 20 RECORDING SESSION Mens Choir, 7:00pm Senior Choir, 7:30pm Sunday, May 24 Mens Choirs, 9:15am Celebration Singers and Senior Choir, 9:30am Monday, May 25 - No Rehearsals Wednesday, May 27 - No Rehearsals Sunday, May 31 Celebration Singers and Senior Choir, 9:20 am We are changing the Green Envelopes from a monthly to a quarterly focus. For April, May and June, our green envelope contributions will focus on the youth in our community. This quarterly approach will mean that we will make more of a meaningful impact in our community outreach support. In addition to our financial support, the Outreach committee will exploring volunteer opportunities for members to support the youth of our community at Connecticut Juvenile Training Center, Green Street Arts Center, and North End Action Team (hiking programs, mentors, designing t-shirts as a fundraising activity, etc). If you know of youth activities in our community that need our volunteer or financial support, or if you have any ideas for future areas of quarterly outreach, please contact a member of the Outreach Committee (Catie Olinski, Curt and Joyce Weybright, Julie Hurlburt and Jen Jasenski). For those of you who give monthly to the green envelopes, please continue to give monthly so we can make a larger commitment to helping the youth of our community who are in need. THANK YOU for making a difference with the youth in our community. WORSHIP PARTICIPATION What is a Liturgist? The Liturgist is responsible for leading the congregation in the Call to Worship, the Prayer of Invocation, and the Passing of the Peace. This is a nice way to participate that isn t extemporaneous. Before each you say, please rise, as you are able, because some folks may not be able to, or may not want to stand. There are always options in worship. How do I become a scripture reader? Find Nancy King, our Deacon in charge of finding people for worship participation. She will sign you as a liturgist too. nkingsut@comcast.net What about Children s Message? Around holidays and holy seasons, like Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Pentecost, there will be a children s sermon, or a Message For All Ages. If you d like to take a shot at this, ask Rev. Julia. 7

8 Preaching Hope, Faith, and Power from Brokenness EAST HADDAM -- On Sunday, April 26, at the First Church of Christ, Congregational in East Haddam, hosted a service as a part of "Conversations2Heal" on the topic of mental illness. Pastor the Rev. Laura Fitzpatrick-Nader's brother, David Fitzpatrick, delivered the sermon: "Hope, Faith, and the Power of the Broken." 04/27/2015 UCC Calls for Prayer, Sends Assistance to Nepal Earthquake Survivors NEPAL -- A powerful earthquake - the country's worst in 80 years - rocked the mountainous country of Nepal on Saturday, causing the deaths of more than 3,600 people, a number that is sure to rise in the coming days as disaster teams search the wreckage left behind. More than 6,500 people have been injured. 04/27/2015 Looking Forward and Looking Back: Making Plans for the End of Life ESSEX -- "We must start the conversation about our feelings related to end of life care and quality of life," urged Deborah Ringen, MSN, RN-BC, on Saturday morning, April 25th. "After all, death is a normal, natural part of the cycle of life." Over fifty heads nodded, most of them graying, as they began a morning learning about planning for the medical, legal, and spiritual issues which arise in contemporary America as a person's life nears its end. The day's presentation arose from a broad partnership of eight houses of worship working with medical, memorial, and legal professionals. 04/27/2015 Scientists Come to Church for Earth Day NORFOLK -- In honor of Earth Day 2015, the Church of Christ, Congregational UCC in Norfolk offered a special service on Sunday, April 19th. The church took part in GreenFaith Day - "Bring a Scientist to Services," by welcoming a group of climate change specialists to morning worship. The national observance was co-sponsored by two nonprofit groups, GreenFaith and Climate Voices.04/24/2015 Delight in Star Island UCC Gatherings this Summer PORTSMOUTH, NH (04/01/2015) -- Discover, delight, and unwind off the coast of New Hampshire for a week in August on Star Island, an ecumenical retreat center in a location of surpassing beauty. Two Star Gathering weeks are reserved for United Church of Christ programs, which will be August 1-8 and 8-15 in Activities are oriented for adults, children, and youth. Join a Star Gathering, and make it a destination week. Live on "island time," enjoying simple pleasures. Carry a candle lantern to evening chapel, following the steps of villagers long ago. Louise Lind can visit your church to make a presentation. Write her at lindlink@earthlink.net and put "STAR" in the subject line. 8