The Meetinghouse Monthly THE NEWSLETTER FOR THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF GREENWICH : NOVEMBER 2016 CALENDAR November 2016 Nov 2 Deacons Nov 6 Recent New Members Cocktails Nov 8 Stewardship Nov 16 Outreach & Welcoming FCCOG Giving Tree 2016 On Sunday, November 13, our "Giving Trees" will be ready for you to find and fill the wishes of our friends at H.O.M.E. Co-op in Orland Maine and Pilgrim Towers in Stamford. This is our 11th year of bringing holiday blessings to these communities. "Thank you for the Christmas presents...everyone was delighted...it is a very difficult time of year for many folks and they would not have a Christmas without your support... Your presents to our residents really filled their hearts with Christmas joy." Nov 16 Church Council Nov 19-20 H.O.M.E. Craft Fair See inside for a complete calendar. WORSHIP WITH US Every Sunday at FCCOG declares itself to be open and affirming: open to all for participation, membership, leadership, and employment, and affirming of all who wish to join us as children of God. We continue to give thanks for God s guidance in our journey of faith. You will find two trees in the church hallway displaying color-coded paper ornaments each describing a specific gift wish of a recipient. There will also be a binder for entering the ID number of the wish tag you have selected so we can keep track. The deadline for bringing in wrapped gifts is Sunday, December 3. This is a beloved First Church Christmas tradition! Special Notice Be at First Church on Sunday, November 13th for a special service centered on what it means to be a member of our vibrant, connected Church community. And don t miss the coffee hour it will be like no other!!
myfirstchurch: Creating Member Connections About a year ago we began a process of obtaining a new church database management program that would truly connect First Church membership in multiple ways. After cleaning and correcting data and utilizing the efficiencies of this new program by ACS Technologies, we have now come to a point where the members of FCCOG benefit by using myfirstchurch a database that integrates with our church records. We want to help members create vital connections and using myfirstchurch is one of our key ways to connect members with 24/7 access to important church information. Everyone who wishes to access their records can create a login and have everything right at his or her fingertips. Here are some benefits of using myfirstchurch: Full access to the church calendar and events. View only the calendar groups you want to see. (e.g. church-wide events, Youth, Music, etc.) Online church member directory. Give online from your checking account, debit or credit card. Set up recurring giving and give to multiple funds. Pledge online with the option of setting up giving over time to fulfill this pledge. View your pledge and giving history and print your own contribution statements. Your personal information is held secure by ACS Technologies and an added layer of encryption security held for all financial transactions at our financial institution. Look up contact information in a group and communicate with each other. Choose to have your phone number and/or email address unlisted to those in your group. Update your profile with your new address, phone number, email or even your family or individual photo. Some future benefits include the ability to join groups, register for events, find volunteer opportunities, submit requests for rooms and equipment, and social networking. To login to myfirstchurch, please follow the steps below: 1. Click on the myfirstchurch button on the top right of the fccog.org homepage. 2. A new window will open that directs you to a secure website with a Sign In box. 3. Below the Sign In box, click the link Need a Login, Click Here. 4. Enter your e-mail address you have on file with the church and your first and last name. 5. Click on the Find Me button. (If the system was unable to locate your record, we may have some incomplete information or inaccuracy in our records. Please contact Steve Summerton at SteveS@fccog.org or Ginny Breismeister at GinnyB@fccog.org and include the information entered, e-mail and first and last name. Someone will contact you once your information has been updated. 6. A verification e-mail will be sent to you shortly thereafter. 7. Open the e-mail and click the link to finish your account setup. 8. The link will open a new window in your web browser and prompt you to enter a password following the onscreen instructions. 9. Click the Sign In button. 10.You have now gained access to myfirstchurch. Be sure to write down your login e-mail and password for future access. Members will be able to help us complete our database information to be more accurate by using myfirstchurch. Next to information fields if a small pencil icon is shown, by clicking on these pencil icons, information for those fields can be updated. Please note that these requests for updating information may take about 24 to 48 hours to become active. Electronic giving is now a reality at First Church. Church Members can now fulfill their pledges or contribute to other funds, when available, through checking accounts, debit and credit cards. With this new feature there is a processing cost the church will be absorbing. Processing fees for checking account and debit card transactions are very small. However, credit card processing fees range around 3% of the amount being processed. We kindly ask that if you choose to give with a credit card to increase your amount being charged by 3% to help defray the processing costs. This is completely optional and at each church member s discretion. If you have any questions regarding myfirstchurch, please email Steve Summerton at SteveS@fccog.org or call 203-637-1791, extension 38. 2 For a complete list of events, programs, and volunteer opportunities, please visit fccog.org
Church Council News Campus Construction Update Our Buildings & Grounds, working with our staff, our architect Allen Ross, and our contractors, have made substantial progress on the numerous projects that are underway. As anticipated, the necessity of obtaining approvals from a number of Town agencies has dictated our scheduling and sequencing to a large degree. Here are the highlights of the last two months developments: Associate Parsonage The complete renovation of 106 Sound Beach Avenue and its reconversion to a single-family residence for our Associate Pastor remains on schedule to be completed by mid-december. All plumbing and HVAC work has been completed and passed initial inspection. Electrical work is nearing completion and is scheduled for inspection in late October. Our contractor is now ready to insulation and sheetrock. We hope to have Patrick and his family moved in by Christmas. Senior Parsonage Our Master Plan for the Church Campus, including the renovation of 15 Forest Avenue, has now been approved by the Town s Planning & Zoning Commission and Planning & Zoning Board of Appeals. It is scheduled for consideration by the Town s Architectural Review on November 9. If that hearing is concluded favorably, we expect to have all necessary permits by mid-december, and will begin construction on 15 Forest as soon as Patrick s family has moved into the new Associate Parsonage. We are expecting completion of the new Senior Parsonage by Fall, 2017. In the meantime, Richard and his family are comfortably situated in a rental house a few blocks from the church. Education Wing and Auditorium Much of the repair work on the Education Wing has been completed, but we are waiting for the final site plan permit to complete work on the central air conditioning and the new Room 103. We expect to receive the permit in early November and complete all renovation on the Education Wing by late Winter/early Spring. Major renovation work on the Auditorium will probably be delayed until late Spring/early Summer so as not to interfere with music events and other cold-weather activities. Columbarium This renovation project is nearing completion. Reinstatement of Family Leave for Full-Time Church Employees The Council has approved the recommendation of the Personnel to offer full-time church employees up to 6 weeks paid family leave and up to 6 weeks additional unpaid family leave in a 12-month period. The employee s existing benefits will continue in effect during the paid or unpaid leave period. Family leaves are granted to care for a newborn or seriously ill child, parent, spouse or domestic partner; or to receive a newly adopted child into the household. To be eligible for family leave, the employee must have completed one year of full-time service immediately preceding the commencement of the leave. New Governance and Organization Chart The chart on page 3 shows the structure of our church s governance and operation under the new By-Laws that came into effect on July 1, 2016. Outreach: Refugee Resettlement Project Our task force has completed and submitted an application to co-sponsor a refugee family. Many church members and friends have joined the task force, but more members are still needed, especially for the crucial role of Personal Contact. See page 10 for more information concerning the Refugee Project. Questions or suggestions about what s happening at First Church? Email chris.hartwell@fccog.org The First Congregational Church of Greenwich www.fccog.org 203.637.1791 3
Church Governance & Operation Chart The Annual H.O.M.E. Craft Sale: November 19-20 Don t miss this great opportunity for our congregation to support the H.O.M.E. community! Come see the handmade quilts, Christmas decorations and gifts, woolens, pottery, wooden toys, weavings, homemade jams, maple syrup, and much, much more! H.O.M.E. (Homeworkers Organized for More Employment) is a craft co-operative working with the rural poor in Hancock County, Maine. H.O.M.E. s Saturday, November 19, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm efforts to help those in need include the operation of a free clinic, a soup kitchen and food bank, homeless shelters, learning center with daycare, literacy and GED tutoring, alternative high school and college-level programs, and job and craft training. & Sunday, November 20, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm ALL PROCEEDS FROM THIS SALE GO DIRECTLY TO H.O.M.E. 4 For a complete list of events, programs, and volunteer opportunities, please visit fccog.org
Music & Arts Organ PLUS! The 5th season of First Music & Arts opens on Saturday, November 5 at 7:30 p.m. Our own Dr. Craig Scott Symons will be presenting his popular recital Organ PLUS! for organ and other instruments. Craig enjoys bringing music to life that composers wrote specifically for an instrument and organ, and not just arranged or transcribed from previously-composed works. The recital features Dorothy Darlington, oboe, Hanna Golodinskii, soprano, Mark Sophia, oboe, Linnea Conley, mezzo soprano, Ray Guier, French horn, Thomas Woodman, baritone, Andrew Funcheon, marimba, Vasil Golodinskii, tuba. Admission is $20 for adults, and children/youth 18 and under are free. 50th Anniversary Performance of MESSIAH Since 1966 First Congregational Church has presented Part I of Handel s Messiah, the Christmas portion, concluding with the Hallelujah Chorus. The First Church Festival Chorus, nearly one hundred singers strong, is accompanied by a twenty-piece chamber orchestra and professional soloists for the performances. Once again, we are proud to feature our outstanding Chancel Choir section leaders as our 2016 Messiah soloists, Hanna Golodinskii, soprano; Linnea Conley, mezzo soprano; Drew Seigla, tenor; Thomas Woodman, bass. To mark this milestone of 50 years, we will be performing Parts 2 and 3 of Messiah in May for our Spring Festival of the Arts, so the entire work will be performed to celebrate 50 years of this community tradition. The 50th Anniversary performance will take place on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 4:00 pm. Tickets for the performance are $25. If you would like to order tickets, but are out of the area, please call the Church Office during normal business hours, request tickets be reserved for you, then send a check to the church, made payable to FCCOG. Your tickets will be available at the door on the day of the performance. Join The First Church Festival Chorus! If you have choral experience, you are encouraged to join the chorus for our 50th annual Messiah concert. There is only one choir rehearsal on Monday, December 5 from 7:30 10:00 pm in the sanctuary. There is also a dress rehearsal with orchestra on Wednesday, December 7 from 7:30 9:30 pm. There is a refundable score deposit of $20. There are no auditions; everyone is welcome. The singers always have a great time. Just ask one! Contact Dr. Craig Scott Symons, craigs@fccog.org, for more information. Avery s Book Corner This month I would like to recommend Miroslav Volf and Ryan McAnnally-Linz s Public Faith in Action: How to Think Carefully, Engage Wisely, and Vote with Integrity. This handbook maintains an impartial standpoint as it guides Christians through the complicated process of living out the core value of Christian faith and life while navigating the public issues of their nations, neighborhoods, and communities. Timely and accessible, it is an exciting book we should all study for guidance. Rev. Avery C. Manchester The First Congregational Church of Greenwich www.fccog.org 203.637.1791 5
Health & Wellness From the Parish Nurse: Giving Thanks Sue Asselin, RN As another Thanksgiving approaches, I m reflecting on how grateful I am to be a part of First Church. There is a genuine sense of concern for each other, as we journey together through the joys and trials of life. At a recent staff retreat the question was posed: What sets us apart from other community organizations where people might choose to conduct their activities of all kinds (from singing to blood pressure screenings)? One answer: God is here. I like that answer and to me it means love is here. God is Love (1John 4:8 and 4:16). And Love is woven into everything we do for and with each other here at First Church. I m also grateful to live in this beautiful area abundant with trusted information sources. Greenwich Hospital supports the parish nurse program here at First Church, both financially and by offering me many educational opportunities. They are affiliated with Yale New Haven Health System, and this provides access to a wealth of knowledge. I encourage you participate in the many health and wellness programs offered to the public. You can find them described in the Health Extensions magazine, available on the literature rack in the education wing, near the double doors closest to the kitchen. A calendar of events can also be found online at www.greenwichhospital.org/news-media/events. We are fortunate to have these and many other programs in town. Medicare Part D Counseling Open enrollment for Medicare Part D ends on December 7. If you need help sorting through the choices, help is available. No-cost counseling is offered for Medicare Part D plans through the Town of Greenwich, and also here at church. Individual counseling sessions include internet navigation and comparison of plans. For an appointment with a Town of Greenwich counselor, call the Commission on Aging office at 203-862-6710. For an appointment with your parish nurse call me at extension 21. Preventing the Flu As a reminder, the Wellness will not be offering flu shots this year. The Town of Greenwich flu shot clinics ended in October. In Stamford, the Tully Center still has clinics and recorded information can be heard at 203-276-4948. You can also receive the vaccine from your doctor or in many local pharmacies such as CVS or Walgreens. The flu vaccine protects against the three or four most prevalent seasonal flu strains, but there are others. And, whether we re talking about the flu or a cold, these good habits are advisable for all seasons: Wash your hands frequently, cover your cough, use and dispose of tissues carefully, stay home when sick, and teach kids to do the same. With vaccines, prudent practices, and the grace of God, may we have a mild flu season. Blood Drive a Success Thank you to all who made the October 5th Red Cross Blood Drive a success. The refreshments for the canteen were delicious and very much appreciated! The live piano music was such a special touch. The drive resulted in 24 presenting blood donors, and they were able to collect 21 pints of lifesaving blood. Each of those donations could help save up to 3 lives! Every day someone somewhere needs blood, so thank you for giving in whatever way that you did. Parish Nurse Hours Sundays 10:00 to 12:00 - Look for me at Community Hour. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, by appointment, from 10:00 to 4:00. During the building renovations, my temporary office is in the Green Room behind the Auditorium stage. Call me at extension 21 to arrange an appointment at the church or at your home. 6 For a complete list of events, programs, and volunteer opportunities, please visit fccog.org
Children, Youth, & Families Church School in November 11/6 Regular Church School / Baptism Rotation Workshops continue 11/13 Regular Church School / Baptism Rotation Workshops continue 11/20 Harvest Sunday/All Choirs Sing/ No Church School Bring bags of nonperishable groceries for Neighbor to Neighbor and H.O.M.E. Coop in Orland, Maine Food Pantries 11/27 Thanksgiving Weekend / 1st Sunday of Advent / Ideas for Journeying through Advent Advent Craft Workshop: December 4 You re Invited to make your own Christmas gifts for family & friends! Come to the Advent Craft Workshop! Sunday, December 4 from 2:00 4:00 pm in the Daniels Center. November Youth Events JPF is open to all youth in grades 6, 7, & 8 and typically meets from 5:00-6:30 pm on Sunday evening SPF is open to all youth in grades 9-12 and typically meets from 6:00-8:00 pm on Sunday evening Sunday, November 6 JPF & SPF: Care Package Creation 12:00-3:00 pm Sunday, November 13 SPF: Visit to Neighbor s Link in Stamford 12:00-3:00 pm Saturday, November 26 JPF & SPF: Christmas Tree Unload (Service Hour Opportunity) Time TBD Sunday, November 27 JPF & SPF: Christmas Tree Sales Time TBD Sunday, November 20 JPF: Game Night 5:00-6:30 pm SPF: Movie Night 6:00-8:00 pm The First Congregational Church of Greenwich www.fccog.org 203.637.1791 7
Church Life Kettle Quilters The Kettle Quilters have finished piecing the raffle quilt for 2017 s Ups and Downs on the Stairs. Quilting will start the moment the quilt is on the frame. If you like to work with needle and thread and are interested in exchanging thoughts and ideas with likeminded women, join us on Monday mornings, in Binney Conference Room 9-12! Harvest Sunday: November 20 Inge Thalheim Tel. 203-637-9614 kettlequilters@gmail.com Christian Outreach is a core mission of FCCOG where we support people in need in our wider community, both locally and nationally. For our upcoming Harvest Sunday Offering, the Christian Outreach is presenting a challenge, once again, to the congregation to collect a significant number of grocery bags filled with canned and dry goods which will be distributed to the following agencies: Neighbor to Neighbor H.O.M.E. (Homeworkers Organized for More Employment) Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County Please fill up a grocery bag or two! with canned and other dry goods. Bring your filled bags to the Harvest Sunday Service on November 20 where they will be collected as part of our Offering during the worship service. Please accept the challenge and extend the Christian Outreach of FCCOG! Preschool Holiday Boutique First Church Preschool will hold its annual Holiday Boutique and Silent Auction on Wednesday, November 16th from 1:30-7:30pm. Get started on your holiday shopping with over 15 vendors and amazing silent auction items for the whole family. Complimentary wine will be served from 5-7pm while you shop and kids can take a picture with Santa from 3-5pm! Welcome to Our New Members! Matthew (Matt) and Lauren Burke, with Harrison William (Bill) DeHaven 8 For a complete list of events, programs, and volunteer opportunities, please visit fccog.org Chris and Catherine (Cathy) Gallup, with Liliana
Joseph (Joe) and Christie Narvaez, with William Not pictured: Nicole (Nikki) Anderson Joseph (Joe) Saba News from the Rummage Room 191 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich - (203) 637-1875 As October turns to November, we leave behind the season of ghosts and goblins and our thoughts now turn to Thanksgiving. As you begin to decorate, think of The Rummage Room not only as a place to find 'new' merchandise, but also a place to donate your Halloween decorations. Retail merchants in town often donate new holiday merchandise to The Rummage Room and it will sell for half the cost. See Manager Leanne's 50% off sale items for the week at www.fccog.org/ about-us/the rummage-room/. Shop Hours: 10-5:00 pm Mon - Fri & 10-1:00 pm on Sat. Donations: 9:30-4:30 pm Mon - Thurs & 9:30-12:30 pm Fri & Sat. Manager Leanne's Wish List: Men and women's winter boots; doll house furniture; chess set; and jewelry. The Women's Fellowship of The First Congregational Church, The Rummage Room, The Rummage Room staff and volunteers, and The Allocations are serious about their Mission to provide for those who cannot always help themselves, and they remain grateful to those who shop and donate so generously. Thought for the month: "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world". Anne Frank (1929-1945) Help Us Keep In Touch! Have you changed your address, or do you have a summer or winter address different from your home to which you d like us to send the Meetinghouse Monthly and other communications? Do you have your up-to-date email address in our files? Let us know how to keep in touch with you! Contact Ginny Breismeister at GinnyB@fccog.org, or at 203-637-1791, extension 26. Attention: New Members! Just a reminder: please respond to GinnyB@fccog.org for your invitation to the New Members Cocktail Party as soon as possible. The party will take place on November 6 from 5-7 pm. The First Congregational Church of Greenwich www.fccog.org 203.637.1791 9
Outreach Opportunity Help First Church Resettle a Refugee Family: Join Our Co-Sponsorship Team Today! The First Church Outreach and Church Council have endorsed and offered support to a grassroots effort by a group of our stalwart members to help settle a refugee family in the Greenwich/Stamford area. Our church has pledged logistical and financial support to enable this team to co-sponsor a refugee family in partnership with Integrated Refugee and Immigration Services of New Haven ( IRIS ), a nonprofit organization affiliated with Church World Service. The goal is to help a refugee family achieve early self-sufficiency in their new home in the United States starting early in 2017. All refugee families eligible for this program are people who have fled their home country because they were persecuted or because they had legitimate fears that they would be persecuted, as determined by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. They are interviewed several times by United Nations and U.S. Department of Homeland Security personnel and subjected to extensive background checks over a period of up to two years before being permitted to enter the United States. We have assembled a team composed of members of First Church and friends from our community who have agreed to take on various responsibilities of resettlement, but we still need additional help in a number of areas. Here are the team leaders we have so far: Administrative Contact Jean Bruder Transportation - Molly Colombo, Louisa Stone, Bob and Judy Goodchild Clothing Louisa Stone Furniture Peter Grunow Health Barrie Richmond ESL - Barbara Norrgard Children's Education Margaret Anker Employment Peter Grunow, John decsepel Housing Mary Ferry, Jean Bruder, Peter Grunow Acculturation Margaret Anker, Richard DenUyl, Barbara Norrgard Finance Chris Hartwell Hot Meals Erna Olson Outside Fundraising Anne Gilhuly The most essential member still missing from our team is a Personal Contact, who will interact directly with the refugee family in administering the resettlement program. The Personal Contact will coordinate with Jean Bruder, who will do all the necessary scheduling, computer work, paper work, and calendaring. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a people person who would be willing to stay in frequent contact with the refugee family until they are securely settled in their surroundings, be available to answer questions and solve problems, help them learn about American customs, show them how to operate American appliances, and generally become a friend and mentor. We would expect to be offered a family to co-sponsor early in 2017; the first 6 weeks are the busiest, with decreasing involvement required over the course of a year, at which time they should become self-sufficient. If you would consider joining our team as the Personal Contact, or support our team in any other way, please contact: Mary Ferry: 203-637-9385 or ferry600@gmail.com Jean Bruder: 203-661-1685 or gfbruder1@verizon.net 10 For a complete list of events, programs, and volunteer opportunities, please visit fccog.org
Calendar: November Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 7 PM Faith Formation 7 PM Deacons Hats Off 7 PM Personnel 6 PM Confirmation Class 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Worship 11:15 Visiting 1 PM Youth Groups 9 AM & 7 PM Kettle Quilters 9:15 AM Preschool Parent 6:30 PM Pastoral Relations 7:30 Stewardship 7 PM CS Task Force Outreach 7:30 Welcoming Hats Off 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Worship 11:15 Caregivers 5 PM Youth Groups 9 AM & 7 PM Kettle Quilters 6:30 Nights Off 9:30 AM Preschool Board 10:30 Holiday Boutique 7 PM Church Council Hats Off 7 PM Confirmation Class 9 AM H.O.M.E. Craft Fair 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Worship 11 AM H.O.M.E. Craft Fair 5 PM Youth Groups 9 AM & 7 PM Kettle Quilters Thanksgiving Holiday: Building Closed Thanksgiving Holiday: Building Closed 9 AM Christmas Tree Arrival 27 28 29 30 Worship 5 PM Youth Groups 9 AM & 7 PM Kettle Quilters 7 PM Caring Ministry The First Congregational Church of Greenwich www.fccog.org 203.637.1791 11
The First Congregational Church of Greenwich Nonprofit Organization 108 Sound Beach Avenue U.S. Postage PAID Old Greenwich, CT 06870 Stamford, CT Phone: 203-637-1791 Permit No. 7017 Fax: 203-637-1540 www.fccog.org First Church s Annual Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale Begins Saturday, November 26! The key to the success of this fun church tradition is volunteers! Last year, we donated $28,000 in tree sale proceeds to local charities who partnered with us. This is a family event kids can help too! Teens and their friends can receive community service hours! Each volunteer shift is 2 or 2.5 hours on three weekends: Nov. 26/27 Dec. 3/4 and Dec. 9/10. There are three ways to sign up to volunteer: 1. Contact Tamara Ng-Yow, Outreach chair at tupham123@gmail.com 2. Sign-up posters on easels in the Auditorium at Coffee Hour following church 3. "Sign-up Genius"- this online link will be available at a later date Plan to come early to find the perfect Christmas tree or beautifully decorated wreath and tell your friends all proceeds go to local charities, not our church. The trees are cut the day after Thanksgiving and delivered directly from our award winning grower in New Hampshire. Free deliveries are available! Mark your calendars, as the fresh-cut New Hampshire Balsam and Fraser Fir trees arrive and go on sale Saturday, November 26! The First Congregational Church of Greenwich Founded in 1665 Ministers: The Members of The First Congregational Church of Greenwich Senior Pastor: Rev. Richard S. DenUyl, Jr., RichardD@fccog.org Associate Pastor: Rev. Patrick Collins, patrickc@fccog.org Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care: Rev. Avery C. Manchester, amanchester@fccog.org Director of Music: Dr. Craig Scott Symons, craigs@fccog.org Director of Family Ministries: Rosemary Lamie, rosemaryl@fccog.org Director of Church Administration & Finance: Steve Summerton, steves@fccog.org Administrative Assistant - Operations: Donna White, donnaw@fccog.org Director of Membership: Ginny Breismeister, ginnyb@fccog.org Parish Nurse: Susan Asselin, RN, susana@fccog.org Director of Preschool: Darla Kohler Steiner, darlak@fccog.org