Vol.16 No. 7 July, 2012 THE STEEPLE old iswr ir F

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1 First Congregational Church of Griswold 878 Voluntown Road, Griswold Connecticut Vol.16 No. 7 July, 2012 THE STEEPLE Messages from the Pastor..2 & 3 Deacons....4 Stewardship... 5 Child Care Trustees..10 Treasurer s Report...14 On this Independence Day I am reminded of all those who have sacrificed for my freedom, following the example of your Son, Jesus Christ. Let me not take my freedom, both physical and spiritual, for granted. May I always remember that my freedom was purchases with a very high price. My freedom cost others their very lives. Lord, today, bless those who have served and continue to give their lives for my freedom. With favor and bounty meet their needs and watch over their families. Help me to live my life in a way that glorifies you, Lord. Give me the strength to be a blessing in someone else's life today, and grant me the opportunity to lead others into the freedom that can be found in knowing Christ. Amen News and current events of the First Congregational Church of Griswold. An Open and Affirming Congregation 16 1

2 Messages from Pastor Mobby How many of us faithfully observe the Sabbath commandment to set aside one day each week for rest and holy time with God? There are many reasons for this commandment, and they are not because God needs a day of rest! If you have ever had a job that required you to work seven days in a row, you know how hard that is. Working without at least one day for rest depletes the body, the mind and the spirit ask any mother of young children if you need a reminder! Our bodies need a break, our minds need to relax, and our spirits need to be revived. God knows that, but we somehow think we are super-human. The world just might end if we didn t keep trudging along. And then we find our bodies grow weary or get sick. Our minds become muddled and forgetful. Our spirits get neglected and depressed. Our lifestyle these days so often means we never take a break. If we are not working at our jobs, we are trying to chip away at that to do list, or we are driving our children from one activity to the next. We don t communicate with one another, with God, or even with ourselves. We don t appreciate the beauty of the world around us, or stop to do any of those random acts of kindness. This summer, I hope you get to take a Sabbath break a time set apart for rest, relaxation and renewal. Get out to enjoy the world; read a thought-provoking book or two; go to an outdoor concert or a play. Set aside time to just daydream. (That s actually another form of prayer!) You don t have to leave home; just leave behind that to do list for a little while. And don t forget, we are still gathering on our Sabbath day to worship, to recharge our faith, and to celebrate our fellowship. Hope you can make it! First Congregational Church of Griswold Directory Phone Fax Machine On the WEB: Mail: 878 Voluntown Road, Griswold, CT Pastor: Rev. Dr. Mary B. Larson (Pastor Mobby) (home) mobbylarson@gmail.com bylarson@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: Jim Kendall Steeple Editor: Andrea Charron Addresses First Church: firstchurch@firstchurchgriswold.org Web coordinator: maureen.greene@sbcglobal.net Steeple Editor:: jcharron04@snet.net Blessings and renewal to you this summer! Pastor Mobby 2 ANSWERS TO HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA! Honor and Loyalty, Picnic and Ants, Burgers and Fries, Stars and Stripes, Parade and Floats Fireworks and Sky, Bonfire and Beach, Friends and Family, Liberty and Justice, Land of the Free and Home of the Brave 15

3 May 2012 Financial Report 5/1/2012 through 5/31/2012 (Accrual Basis) Category Descrip- INCOME Divdend Income Donations Financial Secretary 5, Fundraising Interest Income Rent Income TOTAL INCOME 7, EXPENSES Our Wider Missions Church Utilities Fundraising Maintenance & Improve Our Wider Missions Organist Salary Interim Minister 4, Supplies TO Flower Fund TOTAL EXPENSES 4, OVERALL TOTAL 2, First Congregational Church of Griswold A Member of the United Church of Christ An Open and Affirming Congregation A Handicap Accessible Church Phone www:firstchurchgriswold.org 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 MISSION Created by God, called by Jesus Christ, we are The First Congregational Church of Griswold. We come together as members of the Body of Christ. Reaching out to the community and to the world with love, by teaching and learning the good news of Jesus Christ, doing the work of local ministry and mission, and growing in our love and trust in God in our daily life. Amen. FYI s from Pastor Mobby Sunday evening study: This summer we are sharing a series of six video and discussion evenings using the PBS series God in America. The series follows the history of how our various religious traditions helped both challenge and shape our country from the 1500 s to the present. We gather at 6:30 for a light supper of salads and breads before we watch the video. (Volunteers please sign up!) The dates are: June 24, July 1, 8, 15, 22, and August 12. (Don t worry if you need to miss a session; you can watch the episode on pbs.org) Especially during the slow, hot days of summer, Pastor Mobby may be working from home if there are no pressing needs or scheduled meetings. You can reach her or leave a message at her address (mobbylarson@gmail.com) or her home phone number ( ) Pastor Mobby will be on vacation from July 23 through August 5. If you have a pastoral emergency, please contact one of the Deacons. (The August service of Holy Communion will be on August 12 instead of the 5 th.) July Greeters through the 15th July 1 Howe Family July 8 Sulma and Rebecca July 15 Nancy Smith and Gwyn Pepin This table serves as a snapshot of the noted month s income and expenses. It does not depict total resources of our Church. 14 John 8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. Dirty hands, iced tea, garden fragrances thick in the air and a blanket of color before me, who could ask for more? ~Bev Adams 3

4 Deacons Membership list Every year the Deacons are required to review and update the active member list, and we are in the process of doing so now. An up-to-date list gives an accurate picture of our congregation, establishes the number needed for a quorum, and verifies the per capita fees we pay to the CT Conference. This year it is especially important we have an accurate list of active members to prepare for the arrival of our new settled pastor. Ideally, we would like to see everyone actively involved in the worship, the activities, and the support of our church. We recognize, though, that some people have permanently moved out of the area; and some local people, for whatever reason, have not been participating in the life of the church for a few years. However much we would like to maintain active relationships with everyone, we know it is not practical. Thus we will be transferring some people to an inactive member list. (There are, of course, special circumstances, like people who are shutins or on temporary military duty. We understand and would make exception if you contact us.) Inactive Membership (from our By-laws): Any member who fails to contribute or attend for two years shall, by vote of the Diaconate, have their name placed on a list of inactive members. Inactive members shall not be counted in compiling the official roll of members nor in establishing quorum, but they shall be reinstated or given a letter of transfer to another church if they request it, or reinstated if they subsequently revive their participation in the life of this church. If you have any questions or want to discuss special circumstances, please contact one of the Deacons (Steven Ford- King, Jacob Longacre, Linda Merchant, Cindy Phillips, Samm Racich, or Nick Waterman); or the church office, and we'll get in touch with you. Thank you for your understanding and support! Answers found on the bottom of page 15 Psalm 27:4-5 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. 4 13

5 Materials 2 cardboard tubes (toilet paper tubes, or wrapping paper tubes trimmed to about 5-1/2 inches) 1 roll each of red, white, and blue duct tape Clear 1-gallon, food-safe plastic pail (we got ours from stampendous.com) 2 (15-ounce) unopened cans of food, with labels removed (for weight) Clean, empty metal can or plastic bucket (ours is a 12-ounce peanut can) Parchment paper (optional) 2 metal bottle caps Instructions Children s Page A Patri-botic Centerpiece from Disney Family Fun Do U need a GR8 helper 4 your picnic on the 4th? Well, this is one can-do robot. His recycled-can head holds a hair-raising array of utensils, and a clear container belly keeps cookies safe from eager little hands until it's time for dessert. 1. Wrap the cardboard tubes with red and white duct tape. Affix an arm to each side of the pail with a loop of tape. 2. Wrap the bottom of the canned goods with red tape. (Tip: Write the contents on the top of each can so that you'll know what's in them.) Place loops of tape on their lids, then press the pail into place on top. 3. To make the robot's head, wrap the empty can or bucket with blue duct tape. Cut eyes from white duct tape and a mouth from red. (Tip: The eyes and mouth are easier to make if you first attach the duct tape to a piece of parchment paper. Cut out the shapes, then peel them off the parchment backing.) Attach the bottle caps to the white circles with loops of tape. Stack the head on top of the pail. Stewardship Our June Stewardship meeting was held June 12th with all in attendance. We are continuing to planning " A Season of Generosity" for the fall. The Trustees will seek to engage all the congregation and other committee leadership to explore the relationship of giving and generosity to the Christian Journey. There will be emphasis on "Worship Centered vs. Finance Centered". We hope to accomplish this in fun, memorable ways with music, a skit, and decorations. A Season of Generosity Sundays included are October 21 and 28, November 4 and 11 and 18. We are looking forward to this event and hope you are, too. "Stewardship is what I do and all that I have and Am, after I say I Believe." Attending Worship is Stewardship, Serving is Stewardship, Giving is Stewardship. Thank you for this congregation's living out of stewardship in your lives, that inspires each of us as witnessed in one another. Thanks Be to God! Our next summer meeting is July 31 at 6PM. All are WELCOME! Please have a safe and lovely summer, Rob, Harriet, Sulma, Erika, and Mona Words of Wisdom: As a woman, we are not automatically assigned the job of "chief worrier." Instead, fill your heart with trust, hope, and God's peace. We will sleep so much better at night. 12 5

6 Child Care List July 1 - October 28, 2012 VBS NEWS! July 1 Andrea Charron Danielle Longacre July 8 Mona Ames Rebecca Starkey July 15 Heidi Sajkowicz Ruth Phillips July 22 Valerie King Abigail Merchant July 29 Liz Longacre Sam Guillemette Aug 5 Carol Seaman Rebecca Starkey Aug 12 Cindy Phillips Danielle Longacre Aug 19 Andrea Charron Ruth Phillips Aug 26 Ina Macko Abigail Merchant General Child Care Age Guidelines: Sep 2 No Child Care - Labor Day Sep 9 Heidi Sajkowicz Sam Guillemette Sep 16 Valerie King Rebecca Starkey Sep 23 Liz Longacre Isabel Poole Sep 30 Carol Seaman Danielle Longacre Oct 7 No Child Care - Columbus Day Oct 14 Cindy Phillips Abigail Merchant Oct 21 Andrea Charron Ruth Phillips Oct 28 Mona Ames Isabel Poole No matter who you are, TRUST GOD! No matter how you feel, TRUST GOD! No matter what people do, TRUST GOD! No matter what happens, TRUST GOD! No matter where you are, TRUST GOD! DOESN T THIS MAKE SENSE, REGARDLESS OF YOUR AGE??? This is a sample of what we will study at VBS this summer...come one, come all...regardless of age!!! August 6 through 10. Registrations can be found in the Narthex. Upstairs: Second grade 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 no one is available to do child care then no child care will be provided during service. Point of Contact: Heidi Sajkowicz at Thank you for your help! 6 11

7 LEMONADE ON THE LAWN Sunday, July 15 after Worship Service Games, good food, fellowship, and fun! Please join our Church family for this special annual get together. Trustees In attendance were Hank, Brian, Liz, Jim G. and Jim K. We discussed the new settled pastor's salary proposal and the different options that we have to offer. Jim K. will bring this to the Search Committee. Hank has started buying the components for the new chimney. We will start working on that in the next few weeks. We are trying to find a licensed person to sign out the building permit from the Town for us. Mowing is going along well. Thanks to all who have stepped up to help. We discussed the painting of the front doors and the handicapped ramp railings. Brian and his son have offered to do this. The Trustees will meet again on July 15, 2012 at 10:30 following worship. Respectfully Submitted, First Church Trustees Psalm 27:4-5 One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. HELP NEEDED FOR VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Working at Summer Bible School is a rewarding, fun experience. The adults and teenagers who volunteer their time not only make a difference in the lives of the children who attended Bible School, they enrich their own faith and lives as well. Meetings for those interested in working as volunteers at Summer Bible School will be held on July 5 at 1 PM and July 13 at 9 AM in the Coit Room. Also, please let Carol Seaman know of your interest in helping. REMEMBER, WHEN YOU THINK BIBLE SCHOOL, THINK SKY! Partylite Fundraiser 100% profit to First Church! Prizes, gifts, fun for all! The more we sell the more we make! Thursday, July 19, 7 PM Coit Room Bring a friend or two GRADUATES College Graduate Lindquist, Eric High School Graduates Chenette, Nicole Dansereau, Taylor Grills, Olivia Haggett, Casandra Hock, Kristina Merchant, Brianna Miller, Margo Roberts, Cole Middle School Promotion Guillemette, Sam Lassale, Heather Longacre, Danielle Merchant, Abby Poole, Iasbel Come see the new summer line of products. Call Kris Roberts for more info

8 July 2012 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Worship 9:30 AM 6:30 light super and discussion of God in America AM Prayer Group 1 PM Bible School Volunteers in Coit Room 6:30 Church Life and Growth Worship 9:30 AM 6:30 light super and discussion of God in America 9 6 PM Trustees 7 PM Church Council AM Prayer Group 13 9 AM Bible School Volunteers in Coit Room :30 AM Worship Lemonade on the Lawn following Worship service 10:30 Trustees 6:30 light super and discussion of God in America AM Prayer Group 7 PM Partylite Church Fundraiser Coit Room Worship 9:30 AM 6:30 light super and discussion of God in America AM Prayer Group Worship 9:30 AM PM Stewardship Then followed that beautiful season Summer Filled was the air with a dreamy and Magical light; And the landscape lay as if newly created in all the freshness of childhood. 8 9