November Steeple. Greetings from Pastor Ede. Giving Thanks

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1 Volume 17, Issue 10 First Congregational Church of Griswold November Steeple Greetings from Pastor Ede Giving Thanks November 2013 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34 What do you think of when you think of Thanksgiving? The Norman Rockwell picture comes to my mind, although it did not necessarily represent my family. My father never wore a suit to Thanksgiving dinner, nor did he carve the Turkey. I do remember us all holding hands and my father praying. After my father passed away my brother prayed. After I graduated Seminary my brother would look to me for a professional prayer. I always laughed because I did not think mine were any better than his as his prayers came out of his deep relationship with God. I do remember my Mom spending days getting ready for a meal that would take us about an hour to eat. Other than one item she bought pre-made, I am not allowed to divulge her secret, everything that came out of her kitchen was made from scratch. I quickly learned after I left home I somehow could not duplicate all that she did. I would try, but it would not be the same. When my kids came along we began to make our new traditions. In writing this I began to think about what is the most important thing at Thanksgiving that is giving thanks. I can get in the frame of mind that if I cannot do all I used to do then I have failed at Thanksgiving. Every Thanksgiving is not the same. We do not always have the energy to prepare all the different foods we used to have. There may be some empty chairs around the table of people who could not make it home this year, or loved ones who have passed away since the last Thanksgiving. If we count on everything always being the same then we set ourselves up for great disappointment. What can stay the same year after year is our act of giving thanks. We give thanks that we made it to another Thanksgiving, that God has taken care of our needs for yet another year, for our family and friends, and most of all for God s love. At my house we will be celebrating our first Thanksgiving here in Connecticut. The surroundings will be different, but the heart of the day is still the same, God. God s presence is with us no matter where we are. I will be giving thanks to God for the new opportunity to be your Pastor. I will give thanks for each one of you. I will give thanks for my family both present around the table and those seated at tables around the country. Most of all I will give thanks to God for seeing me through another year and for the love, grace and mercy that is bestowed upon me each day of my life. Have a Blessed Thanksgiving, Pastor Ede

2 PAGE 2 NOVE MBE R STEEPLE VOLUME 1 7, ISSUE 10 DEACON WRITINGS Time certainly does fly whether you are having fun or not! Turkey Supper and turn those clocks back on November 2. Take a moment to pray and thank God for all those small things that makes our First Church life so meaningful...thanksgiving and Advent right behind... Christmas music and then a new year. Do I hear Amen? Deacons met with Pastor Ede on October 15. We discussed Advent and Christmas planning. We will be collecting food for the Thanksgiving baskets. Please let any of us know of families who will be in need of a wonderful dinner with all the fixings. We will be asking for Advent readers for each Sunday to light the candles and lead us in prayer. Also, keep in mind recipients of a Christmas plant to accompany the PLF cookie platters. The Deacons thank all who assist with worship...acolytes, lay readers, music and just tidying the sanctuary after worship. If you see or think of something to enrich our Sundays, speak up. We are ready and willing to incorporate any and all ideas. Send an , give a call or stop and chat. This Board is open and willing to explore. We meet again on Tuesday, November 19 at 5:30 pm. This message is sent with God's great love and prayers for a happy Thanksgiving from Steve, Cindy, Nick, Linda, Jacob and Samm. A Hymn of Praise The familiar hymn often called The Doxology or The Common Doxology was written by Thomas Ken in 1674 as the concluding verse of a morning hymn, Awake, My Soul, and With the Sun, and an evening hymn, Glory to Thee, My God, This Night. The lyrics are appropriate for any time of giving or thanksgiving. Consider using this hymn as your Thanksgiving dinner prayer. Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Some church bodies have altered the words to The Doxology slightly, but the overall sentiment praising the Triune God remains the same. How profound to know that when we sing it, we join Christians around the world and across nearly 440 years! As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John F. Kennedy A Fall Prayer The coolness in the air and the turning of the leaves reminds us of a new season. God, we ask you to renew our spirit. Let our family actions speak the truth of your love. Let those who see us know you a little better. This we ask through your Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

3 PAGE 3 NOVE MBE R STEEPLE VOLUME 1 7, ISSUE 10 The Trustees The trustees met on October 1 st at the church. After Pastor Ede began the meeting with prayer, the trustees discussed minor repairs at the parsonage. Scott Merchant presented a quote from Mr. Krueger, a local roofer, to put a roof on the sanctuary. He noted that two other quotes had been obtained and that Mr. Krueger s price was the best. The trustees decided to ask for a short meeting after church on October 13 th to vote on appropriating money for the roof. The short meeting occurred after church on October 13 th and the church appropriated money for the sanctuary roof. Also, Scott reported that a trustee representative had met with state road officials regarding the location of a pole for the traffic light near the church. The pole will not be located on the same side of the road as the church. Thank you to all who help maintain the life of the church and the church grounds. The next trustees meeting will occur on October 29 th at 6:30pm. Sincerely, The Tustees (Scott, Liz, Bryan, Hank, Steve Mis, and Steve Merchant) Pachaug Ladies Fellowship Pachaug Ladies Fellowship November 19- Make a Christmas craft 7:00 December 17- assemble cookies plates 7:00 January 21- Snitch Bingo 7:00 February 18- Take a friend to lunch March 18- Service meeting 7:00 April 8- Study meeting 7:00 May 20- Worship meeting led by Cindy Phillips 7:00 June 24- Picnic at Hopeville Park 10:00 Come join the PLF (Pachaug Ladies Fellowship) on November 19 th, as we gather at the church at 7:00, to make a Christmas craft project. All are welcome! On Dec. 17 th, at 7 PM, we will gather to assemble cookie plates that will be delivered to those who find it difficult to get out. Any contributions would be appreciated. Cookies, candy, or fruit should be dropped off in the kitchen by 7:00. Hats and Mittens Thanks to those who have started knitting or crocheting hats and mittens to be donated to those in need of warm clothing this winter. These will be hung on our tree in the sanctuary and donated before Christmas. If you need supplies, we could arrange that. Contact Val King with questions. ( )

4 PAGE 4 NOVE MBE R STEEPLE VOLUME 1 7, ISSUE 10 GREETERS SCHEDULE November 3, 2013 through December 1, Jennifer & Art Howe Sulma Fuentes & Rebecca Starkey Nancy Smith & Gwyn Pepin Kris & Hank Saunders Cindy & Darrell Philips If you will be unable to attend on the date listed, please make arrangements for a replacement. Let me know of any changes so they can be noted in the weekly bulletin. My is nickwaterman@ct.metrocast.net. If it is a last minute conflict please call me at Nick St. Benedict s Rule When St. Benedict wrote guidelines for Christian living more than 1,300 years ago, he focused on gratitude. The first rule is simply this: Live this life and do whatever is done in a spirit of Thanksgiving. Abandon attempts to achieve security; they are futile. Give up the search for wealth; it is demeaning. Quit the search for salvation; it is selfish. And come to comfortable rest in the certainty that those who participate in this life with an attitude of Thanksgiving will receive its full promise. Moravian Blessing Come, Lord Jesus, our guest to be And bless these gifts Bestowed by Thee. And bless our loved ones everywhere, And keep them in Your loving care. Thanksgiving For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, For love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends. - Ralph Waldo Emerson Dear Heavenly Father, The holidays are quickly approaching and my heart is struggling with such weariness. During this season, many are happy and seeing evidence of this only makes me feel worse. Lord, the holidays bring up memories and people that are long gone. My life has been greatly affected by these losses. I struggle to find a way to enjoy myself when so many of my friends and family are no longer here to share in new memories. Lord, help me to reach out to others, even though this idea frightens me. The fear of the unknown and of being rejected has stopped me from enjoying myself around this time of year. Life is quickly passing me by and I am missing out on many opportunities to make new memories and meet new friends. I am wasting my life by my own depression and isolation. I realize now that I have been selfish. You said in your word that a man who wants friends must show himself friendly. I have not done that and my life is a reflection of the truth of that verse. In my regret, I come to you with a repentant heart. Show me how to look outside of my needs and myself and see and meet the needs of those you put on my heart. I promise to follow the promptings of my heart and seek to bless and be a blessing. I know there is a great reward in doing this. I have seen the emptiness and sadness seeking my own fulfillment has brought to me. Lord, I am sorry for being angry at you that my life did not turn out the way I expected it to. I give my anger to you. Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness. I accept it, and I am turning over a new leaf during this holiday season. I choose to look at the world with your eyes. I am opening up my eyes to see how I can put a smile and bring joy to others instead of expecting others to do that for me. I drop my unrealistic expectations of others. I will find joy in serving you by being kind and good to others. Thank you for another year and another chance to have a holiday season with your blessing upon it. God bless me to be a blessing to others, In Jesus name, Amen. ~ Julia Shalom Jordan

5 PAGE 5 NOVE MBE R STEEPLE VOLUME 1 7, ISSUE 10 Child Care List Nov. 3 Jen Howe Danielle Longacre Nov. 10 Liz Longacre Lindsay Rogers Nov. 17 Ina Macko Heidi Sajkowicz Nov. 24 Cindy Phillips Sam Guillemette Dec. 1 Jen Norman Abigail Merchant Dec. 8 Carol Seaman Rebecca Starkey Dec. 15 Jen Howe Ruth Phillips Dec. 22 Andrea Charron Ina Macko General Child Care Ages: Children 8 years old 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 you are interested in volunteering to provide child care services, please contact Jen Howe or Cindy Phillips. List Coordinator: Jen Howe Thank you for your help! SUPERINTENDENT S REPORT The teachers are dedicated and wonderful, prepared for the children to learn and respond; the children are bright eyed and beautiful SO WHAT IS YOUR COMPLAINT? you ask. My concern is that attendance is very sporadic, so what is the story? What will children KNOW and BE- LIEVE as they get older and NEED their faith foundation? Please talk about this situation in your family time and rededicate yourselves to having your child in class, on time and ready to learn. This is of utmost importance as your child matures. Now that the lecture is complete, please continue to sign your child our of class as we don not want any problems. Teach your child to share by bringing in canned goods at any time to donate to St. Mary s Food Pantry. We are also collecting food items to fill Thanksgiving Meal baskets that our church distributes to those in need. We deliver the fixings for a complete Thanksgiving dinner to many area families in need of assistance. After Thanksgiving we will again be collecting mittens, hats and scarves for our annual mitten tree. We will be looking for donations to fill our tree. Items are distributed before Christmas to local children in need. Carol We Love To Play! We come together to have fun and play Each of us shows God s love in this way. Listen to adults who help us learn, Oh, how we love to give others a turn. Voices are soft and kind to all friends, Even our feet are quiet until the end. Together with others we share the toys, Open and close things for all girls and boys. Put everything away when we are done, Leave the room neat for the next time we come. All that we do shows that we play fair Yes, we have fun and show that we care. We Love To Play!

6 PAGE 6 NOVE MBE R STEEPLE VOLUME 1 7, ISSUE 10 Christian Education Committee Meeting Notes October 14, 2013 The Christian Education Committee met on Monday, October 14, 2013 at the Church. Pastor Ede Steele, Cindy Phillips, Carol Seaman, Heidi Sajkowicz, Valerie King and Jennifer Howe attended the meeting. Ruth Phillips also attended the meeting. The topics discussed at the meeting were: Sunday School Attendance has been a problem this Fall. Carol is concerned for the children since they are missing lessons, and also for the volunteer teachers who faithfully spend time planning lessons and preparing for class. With winter approaching Cindy is in the process of creating a Sunday School Phone Tree. She will use the Sunday School registration forms contact information to create the phone list. Bible Forum class has changed its name to The Bible The Unexpected Journey or its shortened name The Bible Explorers. Christmas Pageant Ruth Phillips, a Bible Explorer representative, presented ideas for the Christmas Pageant. The Bible Explorers will present a script at the next Christian Education Meeting. Confirmation Class It was decided that the confirmation class would meet after church one Sunday a month beginning in the new year. Pastor Ede will contact the students and their parents to determine what Sunday the students could commit to attending the class. Child Care Pastor Ede recommended that Child Care volunteers and the children return to the Sanctuary to join the Congregation in the sacrament of Communion. The Christian Education Committee agreed with Pastor Ede s recommendation. Pastor Ede will bring her proposal to the Deacons for their approval. Missions Sunday School children can begin bringing in canned goods and boxed items for the Thanksgiving Baskets. Sunday School will assist the PLF with decorating the Mitten Tree with winter hats, scarves and mittens. Carol will find out information regarding the Adopt A Family mission. Community Outreach Cindy discussed the activities and decorations planned for the Church s table at Spooktopia The event will be from 3:00pm to 9:00pm on Saturday, October 26 th at the Veterans Memorial Park. The next Christian Education Committee meeting will be held on Monday, November 11 th at 7:00pm at the Church. Reminders If you would like to volunteer for Child Care and are Safe Church Conduct trained, please contact Jennifer Howe at If you would like to volunteer for Sunday School and are Safe Church Conduct trained, please contact Carol Seaman at If you would like to volunteer but need Safe Church Conduct training, please contact Cindy Phillips at Sunday School Missions: Thanksgiving Baskets Please donate canned goods and boxed items. Mitten Tree After Thanksgiving the Mitten Tree will be standing in the Sanctuary. Please join us in decorating the tree with winter hats, scarves, and mittens that will be given to people in need this winter. Adopt-A-Family more information to come. We Give Thanks Our Father in Heaven, We give thanks for the pleasure Of gathering together for this occasion. We give thanks for this food Prepared by loving hands. We give thanks for life, The freedom to enjoy it all And all other blessings. As we partake of this food, We pray for health and strength To carry on and try to live as You would have us. This we ask in the name of Christ, Our Heavenly Father. - Harry Jewell

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8 November 2013 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat PM 6:30 Annual Turkey Supper 3 9 AM Sunday School 10 AM Worship with Communion AM Prayer Group 6:30 Church Life and Growth 7 PM Choir AM Sunday School 10 AM Worship 7 PM Christian Education 9 AM Prayer Group 7 PM Choir 17 9 AM Sunday School 10 AM Worship PM PLF AM Prayer Group 7 PM Choir AM Sunday School 10 AM Worship The next Church Council meeting will be on December 4 Happy Thanksgiving!

9 September Financial Report - Last month 9/1/2013 through 9/30/2013 (Accrual Basis) Category Description Dividend Income Donations Financial Secretary Fundraising Interest Income Pew Cushion Fund 9/1/2013-9/30/ , TOTAL INCOME 9, EXPENSES Our Wider Missions Church Utilities Fundraising Insurance Buildings Maintenance & Improvement Our Wider Missions Organist Parsonage Utilities Salary Minister Search Committee To Memorial Gifts To Pew Cushion Fund To Flower Fund TOTAL EXPENSES OVERALL TOTAL This page serves as a snapshot of the noted month s income and expenses. It does not depict total resources of our Church , , , , , , , First Congregational Church of Griswold Directory Phone On the WEB: Mail: 878 Voluntown Road, Griswold, CT Pastor: Pastor Ede Steele Parsonage Cell: firstchurch.pastorede@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: Scott Merchant Steeple Editor: Andrea Charron Addresses First Church: firstchurch@firstchurchgriswold.org Web coordinator: maureen.greene@sbcglobal.net Steeple Editor: jcharron60@gmail.com

10 First Congregational Church of Griswold 878 Voluntown Road, Griswold Connecticut For Surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. ~ Jeremiah 29:11 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 is a member of the United Church of Christ. No matter who you are, or where you are on life s journey, you are welcome here. 878 Voluntown Rd. Griswold, CT Phone , www:firstchurchgriswold.org