WOODMONT UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST May 2016 Edition The Chapel Bell GREETINGS FROM PASTOR KIM Evangelist Charles Spurgeon said: A Bible that s coming apart is usually owned by somebody who s not. Churches built upon biblical faith place Christ to be the cornerstone. (Ephesians 2:19-20) God s gift of faith yields a wellspring of wisdom, empowering us to live life on a higher plane. Biblical faith gives us perspective far beyond our own imaginings. By faith, we find that we are not alone in trying to figure things out. Rather, we become a people inspired to embody God s vision for a better world, knowing there is so much more to consider than our own opinions. God shows life to be an optimistic affair, full of grace and opportunities, fueled by an ever-present Spirit of unfathomable power, purpose, unlimited creativity and wisdom, and inexhaustible, uncompromising love. Biblical faith frees us to be honest about who we are, and about what we have done right or wrong lately. Faith leads us to see both our errors of ignorance and our acts of willful disobedience, and then leads us down wonderful and hopeful paths to sincere change and growth. Still in the post-easter season of the church year (called Eastertide), I encourage us to take another careful look back at the cross, so we can hold fast to its meaning throughout the year. What pours forth from the ebbing life of Jesus on the cross is a love that forgives its accusers and excuses their ignorance. It is a love devoted to healing misshapen lives and distorted beliefs, forgiving sins and righting injustices. Likewise, as disciples, we are called also to make every effort we can as individuals and as a church to bring healing and hope to broken lives, forgiveness of others, and love and justice into the world s many needful situations. In case anyone doubts that the love of God in Jesus on the cross is capable of accomplishing such things and surviving, there is Easter, CHRIST RISEN! Even death could not halt or deter this kind of love for the world, because God s plan was to raise Jesus up, and it happened indeed! God bless all of you Easter people, who are the Woodmont United Church of Christ. It is a joy beginning our walk together. In faith and friendship, Kim C. Coming up May 4 th May 7 th May 8 th Christian Ed Meeting 7:15 pm The Play Zone 9:00-1:00 See Esther Leiva Worship Service 10:30 am with Pastor Kim Cartwright May 11 th Deacons Meeting 7:00 pm May 15 th Worship Service 10:30 am Youth Group May 18 th Church Council meeting 7:30 pm
May 2016 Sunday school News: During May, we celebrate through stories and activities, Moms and other special women in the lives of our children. Blessings to all of you: special moms, grand moms, aunties and other women in our church! Service Project: we had another opportunity to decorate cupcakes and make a bowl of punch for our coffee hour/fellowship host. I thank Michele for giving us the opportunity to be of service. I thank Hannah for providing homemade cupcakes and frosting. Our class had so much fun decorating the cupcakes. They were yummy! Welcome flowers: this month our class plants a large pot of flowers, near the church entrance. This is one of our favorite service projects for spring. The jug near the flower pot is for watering. Thanks! Our Card Ministry: we created and mailed several Happy Spring cards to our Living Treasure church members and friends. Lots of colorful flowers, bees and messages to brighten the day of some very special people. Bulletin Board Creation: still in the works this month. This creative collage will focus on Sunday School. We are coloring lots of bees and creating a field of flowers. I love to see the kids work together on projects. We are busy bees! Watch the progress and look for a special message reveal next month. Weekly offering: a good opportunity for us to talk about the many types of ministries our money supports. Each week I see generosity at its best: with a smile! Thank you parents for your support. Looking ahead: June 12 th Sunday school students and High School graduates will be celebrated during worship. Mark your calendars. More information will follow. Super Summer Sundays: the CE Board is working on several special summer programs for your children. Dates and activity will be available next month so you can mark your calendars. Fun for kids of all ages. I will keep you posted. As our class celebrates Mom s special day with nice surprises, I wish you a wonderful Mother s Day. Children are invited to join our class at any time. Understanding that parents have busy schedules, I rejoice in the time our class can spend together. If your child is not registered, please pick up a form in the Narthex. Blessings, Sandy Steady K 3 rd Teacher Faith and fun = joy in learning.
CE Corner May 2016 Hall Monitors needed: We are looking for Hall Monitors for the spring term. We need to compile a list of people who can alternate Sundays to be hall monitor during our Sunday school class and worship time. Thank you for helping us provide a safe environment for our students and church family. Please sign up on the clipboard located on a table in the Narthex. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please call me or see me after church. Your help is appreciated! I thank our Hall Monitors for the Month of April: Esther and Barbara. Thank you! A speaker system will be installed by the Board of Stewards in the near future. This will allow volunteers to hear/enjoy the service. A committee is being formed to update our safe space practices policy. Several board members along with our Pastor will work on this project. Youth Group: Led by Rob Schwartz, working with several volunteers. Please contact Rob for meeting dates and times. Lots going on! Join this lively, active group. Many activities planned during the next few months- service projects are in the works. The Pie in the Face Fundraiser in April collected 266.00 for the group. We thank the congregation for their super support! Youth group information: Call the Church office 203 878 3885 leave a message for the Youth Group Leader. Looking ahead: June 12 th a celebration of students. Sunday school students and high school students are honored during our worship service. Looking ahead: the CE Board will again be working on dates and activities for three Super Summer Sunday programs. More summer fun. More information will follow next month. A friendly space: We love to have families with small children worship with us. We are in the process of creating and constructing a safe space/area for toddlers to play. We thank the Board of Stewards for their effort in moving forward with this project. More good news: speakers will be installed in the Narthex and Garden View Room so our volunteers can enjoy the service. Frog Bags: green activity bags to borrow, during the service. Located in the back of the Sanctuary, they allow little hands a fun activity to occupy young children during the service. Included in the bags: books, coloring sheets, lace up cards and other goodies. New Toddler books too. Take a look. Changing station: just a reminder, for your convenience, the church has installed a diaper changing station. It is located in a room on the right, before you enter the Sanctuary. Busy times! Lots going on in the lives of the families that come to our church! Children are encouraged to attend Sunday school and are welcomed to join class at any time. Our teachers look forward to seeing them. We offer two classes. Sandy Steady teaches grades K 3 rd and Rob Schwartz teaches grades 4 6. Join us! Thank you parents and grandparents who take an active part in the faith education/development of your children. Thank you for bringing them to church and encouraging them to attend and participate in Sunday school and church events and activities. For new students, Registration forms are available in the Narthex. Register today. Return to Sandy Steady. If you have comments, concerns or questions, please contact me at any time or speak to any member of the Christian Education Board. Next CE Board meeting - Wednesday May 4 th at 7:15 pm. Blessings,Sandy Steady CE Chair 203 878 8148Britni Cotter, Gail Haas, Wayne Kenyon, Melissa Osanitsch, Rob Schwartz Blessings,Sandy Steady CE Chair 203 878 8148 Britni Cotter, Gail Haas, Wayne Kenyon, Melissa Osanitsch, Rob Schwartz
Registration Alert! Summer Youth Conferences at Silver Lake calling all youth 4 th graders through high schoolers. It s time to check out the website silverlake.ctucc.org to review the upcoming summer conferences and to register for one or more. Silver Lake Conference Center, in Sharon Connecticut, is a wonderful expression of the Outdoor Ministries of the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Chirst. Each year,some 1300 youth from Connecticut churches attend week-long conferences of their choice, experiencing inclusive and nurturing community and making many new friends, acquiring a deeper understanding of Christian discipleship, and an appreciation of nature in Silver Lake s beautiful outdoor surroundings. Conferees worship, play, serve, learn, and work together. Be sure to check out silverlake.ctucc.org, read all about it, and register soon. Silver Lake is so popular that many summer conferences become filled before you know it. In Case There Is a Need The Deacons Fund is a small fund of money which is used for church members who have a specific need. For example, payment of a utility bill to prevent a shutoff notice, medication cost or co-pay for medication, school expenses. The amount available in the fund is limited but discussion will be held to work out the best way to meet the request. Community resources are also explored. If you have such an emergency need, contact Pastor Kim, or the Chair of the Deacons, Ann Yost.
STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH OFFERING 2016 On Sunday May 15 th we will be having a special mission offering which supports youth ministries, developing their spiritual gifts and leadership skills for the church of the future. Funds from this offering also support fulltime leaders for new churches in parts of the country where the UCC voice has not been heard, along with grants to help churches communicate the God is still speaking message. In 2015 Woodmont UCC was honored as a 5 for 5 church by supporting all the special offerings that are part of the UCC National Church mission and ministry. THE PLAY ZONE On Saturday, May 7, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Lawn View Room, I will be facilitating a new group coaching concept called, The Play Zone. The cost is $20 for this 4-hour adventure for church members. It will provide consciousness and awareness of 5 roles that are said to make your daily living complete. It will also allow you to express a current challenge you are facing, and the group will support you in different ways. Finally, you will experience heart moments, and you will be taken on a journey embracing the future of your future heart moment. Please bring water, wear comfortable, active wear and sneakers. I will have a carrot cake loaf, Chex Mix, almonds and dark chocolate on hand. Please call me at 203-515-1339 to register or put your name on the signup sheet on the table in the narthex. I have advertised this program in Natural Awenkenings for a fee of $40. Funds collected will be split evenly with the church and go towards the HVAC capital campaign program. Sincerely in Christ, Esther M. Leiva Transformational Dimensions
MONTHLY MEN S BREAKFAST Men from Woodmont UCC have been gathering at the Masonic Lodge at 59 Broad Street in Milford. For the Month of May it will be on the second Sunday, May 8th at 8:30 to share in a time of good conversation and breakfast. Bob Steady has been very faithful in sending out monthly reminders. There is a cost for the breakfast- $8 per person. Breakfast includes choices of a breakfast sandwich, omelets, eggs, breakfast meats, toast, French toast with juice and coffee/tea. Hope to see you there! Submitted by Art Yost Please don t forget to have Chapel Bell aricles in by May 15 th!! Thank you!!
Woodmont United Church of Christ 1000 New Haven Ave. Milford CT 06460 Phone: 203-878-3885 Weekly Sunday Service 10:30 am Look for us on the web! Woodmontucc.org