Announcements and Calendar for the Week of Oct. 2, 2011

JUNIOR CHOIR! Today is officially our first day of Jr. Choir rehearsals! All Jr. Choir members please come downstairs at 11:20
so we can begin to learn our new song, “God Will Make a Way”.

WORLD CAFÉ: Please join fellow worshipers and members of the Transition Team at 3 p.m. today for our World Café discussion: What does God want from our church in the next five years? Your responses and ideas will prove helpful to the new Search Committee. Child care is available, refreshments will be served, and you will have fun, we promise! The event ends at 5:30 p.m.

CROSSROADS is our Senior High Youth Group that meets on the 1st + 3rd Sunday of the month. all youth in grades 9-12 are invited for snacks + conversation. Tonight: WATER GAMES at the East Woodstock Church from 7 to 8:30 PM. Invite a friend and join us!

BELLS FOR BEGINNERS: Introductory Handbell Clinic will be offered on Monday evening, October 3. Children in grades 3 and up as well as interested adults are welcome. We will meet from 6:45 to 7:30 PM. No previous experience necessary! Speak to Debby Kirk or call 860-377-2675 if you would like to try this musical adventure.

Giv2 (Give Squared) is our program of local outreach for youth in grades 7-12 and adults. Our next event is scheduled for Sunday, October 23. Save the date and plan to get involved with trail maintenance at Camp Nahaco Park in Eastford. We need a few adults to assist with food purchase, driving, photography.

CHRISTMAS ON THE HILL is November 19, 2011! The SILENT AUCTION has become a major part of our FAIR under the able hands of Barbara Wright. Did you clean Grandma’s attic or Uncle George’s basement? Find any “uniques” or “treasures?” Call or email Barbara at 860-928-4068 or barbarawright535@charter.net, if you aren’t sure, but please do help her by donating an item or a service to the SILENT AUCTION. Plan to be here on November 19 to bid!!! It’s fun!


ROSELAND B&B: I need a Host family for 1 more couple. Is anyone available to have someone in their home Oct 14-15 for Roseland Cottage?
Also, I will need help for the dinner; preparing and setting up on Friday morning October 14th at 9am and then help serving on Saturday Oct 15th 4pm to 7:30. Please sign up in Harrison Hall or speak to Cheryl Swenson.
HYGIENE KITS: For the month of October, the Women's Fellowship will be collecting combs for the hygiene kits that go to Church World Service. You don't have to be a member of Women's fellowship to donate. We still need hand towels (16" by 28") which was the requested item for September. If you can help us out, please leave your donation in the basket marked CWS in the Harrison Room. We will be asking for a different item each month until Feb. 2012, so please check Share or a church bulletin for this information. We are hoping to put together 50 hygiene kits to help people who have so little, so let's try to make that happen. If you have any questions, please call Lynn Singleton at 860-963-7229.
Thanks for your support.

A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who helped with the Rummage Sale - whether you donated items, helped sort, sell, clean-up, baked for the junior youth group bake sale, or shopped and bought - everyone’s contribution is appreciated and helped to make it a success.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

Second Week of Joshua Rotation Schedule:
Prek/Kinder: Cooking with Jill O’Neill
Grades 1-3: Science with Charlie Bottieri
Grades 4-6: Music and Movement with Donna Dufresne
Grades 7 & 8: Art with Lisa Veach
Nursery: Today Kelly Bottieri will be in the nursery.

Sunday School Registration Reminder: We invite you to register your children if you have not already done so in Harrison Hall after the service.

Kickoff for Fill the Ark: Today is the first day of our Heifer International Fill the Ark Program. The program will run from today, October 2nd-Sunday October 30th. There will be a presentation this morning during Sunday school for the children. They will learn how the program works and receive their ark banks and calendars. Grown ups can help too. See the insert in the bulletin for more information on how you can help “Fill the Ark.”


CALENDAR OF THE WEEK
Today
3:30 p.m. World Café
7:00 p.m. Crossroads at EW
Monday
6:45 p.m. Bells for Beginners
7:00 p.m. AA
7:30 p.m. Sr. Bells
Tuesday
7:00 p.m. Blessing of the Animals Planning Meeting
Wednesday
9:00 a.m. PCT
10:30 a.m. Staff Meeting
7:00 p.m. Deacons
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
Next Sunday
10:00 a.m. Blessing of the Animals Service


















































































































































































































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Calendar and Announcemets for the Week of Sept. 25, 2011

SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES: In Sunday School today, we begin the "Joshua Leads the People" rotational unit and focus on Joshua leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. Our rotations for this unit are Art, Cooking, Music & Movement, and Science. Parents, please check the rotational schedule posters for where to meet your children downstairs after the service. During coffee hour, please trace your footprints for our Jordan Riverbed. We would like the whole church family to be represented on this journey in learning about courage, faith, and listening for God's voice.

SUNDAY SCHOOL STAFF: Karen Cloutier's name was inadvertently left off the Sunday School Staff listing in last week's bulletin. Our humble apologies to Karen.

NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL LOGO! In case you have been wondering about the colorful, new logo for Sunday School, it was created by our artistically talented CE Coordinator, Karen Cloutier. She has also published a very professional looking monthly Sunday School Newsletter for families. Look for the September edition on the Kiosk. Thank you, Karen, we look forward to more of your creative endeavors!

CHURCH NURSERY: If you haven't had a chance yet to stop in and see the amazing transformation in the nursery, please do so. Thank you to the CE Team for their efforts to create a warm and inviting space for the littlest in our midst.

SUNDAY SCHOOL REGISTRATION: If you haven't already registered your child/children for Sunday School, please stop by the table in Great Room after church to fill out a registration form.

JUNIOR YOUTH GROUP: Open to youth in Grades 5-8
Our first scheduled event will be the fall Junior Youth Bake Sale held in conjunction with the Rummage Sale on Friday, September 30, from 2p-6:30p at the church. This is a drop off event. Come after school and plan to help sell baked goods and assist with the Rummage Sale as needed. We will have time for pizza, play, and some future planning after the sale! Don't forget to bring a baked good or two to sell. RSVP to Jennifer and Robert John at 860-974-3489 or Email: rj3j@charter.net

ATTENTION ALL BAKERS: On Friday, September 30th, the Junior Youth Group will be holding a Bake Sale once again in conjunction with the fall Rummage Sale. Please plan to bake an item or two, and leave your goodies in the downstairs kitchen clearly labelled. It would be very helpful if you can include an ingredient list. People often ask what "is in" an item before purchasing; this holds true especially for people with food allergies. Think autumn when deciding what to bake...all those yummy treats we look forward to at this time of year! Proceeds from the Bake Sale will go to support our Women's Fellowship. If you have any questions or wish to sign up to bake, please call Jennifer John or Email: rj3j@charter.net

USHERS, COFFEE HOUR HOSTS, AND LAY READERS NEEDED FOR THE FALL AND WINTER!!! Please sign up on the calendar in Harrison Hall if you would like to participate in these very important roles!

ROSELAND B&B: I need a Host family for 1 more couple. Is anyone available to have someone in their home Oct 14-15 for Roseland Cottage?
Also, I will need help for the dinner; preparing and setting up on Friday morning October 14th at 9am and then help serving on Saturday Oct 15th 4pm to 7:30. Please sign up in Harrison Hall or speak to Cheryl Swenson.

RUMMAGE, RUMMAGE, RUMMAGE!
Donations can be left in the basement, beginning today, until Thursday, Sept. 29 at 12 noon. No computers, printers or other electronics, please! Sale is Friday, Sept. 30, 2-5 p.m. & Saturday, Oct. 1, 9-12 noon. Plan to donate, help to sort & help box up on Saturday at 12 noon. There is a wedding for Deb Gray’s daughter later in the day so many hands will make light work!

THERE WILL BE A Board of Outreach Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 27th at 7:00 p.m.
HYGIENE KITS: During the month of September, Women's Fellowship will be collecting hand towels (16 inches by 28 inches), for the hygiene kits that will be sent to Church World Service in Maryland. You can leave your donations in the basket marked CWS which is located in the Harrison Room. Each month until Feb. 2012, we will be asking for a different item to be donated, so please check Share on a monthly basis for this information. Thanks for your donations.

NEXT SUNDAY, October 2nd, is the date for our World Café experience in Harrison Hall, planned by the Transition Team. (World Café is a small-group, roundtable model for discussion in large gatherings.) The Big Question for the day is “What does God want from our church in the next 5 years?” Please think upon it, pray about it, and come with your ideas and responses next Sunday afternoon, 3 to 5:30 p.m. There are no wrong answers!

Child care will be provided (please call Ellen, our secretary, if you need this service – 860.928.7405), older children are welcome to participate as Café-ers, and light refreshments will be served. Do come for this enjoyable exchange. Your input will be used by the Search Committee in its deliberations and planning for the selection of our new settled minister. Call 860.928.9187 with questions (Sam Lyman).

SIMPLY SMILES MISSION TRIP to the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation Project in South Dakota is being planned for August 18-25, 2012. Church members from East Woodstock, the Hill, and the Gilead Church in Hebron are collaborating to sponsor this trip. The minimum age to participate is 14 years old. Adults are also welcome! Mornings will be spent repairing and/or building homes and afternoons running the summer camp. Each day of camp will be based around a different Lakota value. An information session will be led by Rev. Pete Allen tonight at 7 PM at the East Woodstock Church.
BELLS FOR BEGINNERS: Introductory Handbell Clinic will be offered on four Monday evenings, beginning on September 26. Children in grades 3 and up as well as interested adults are welcome. We will meet from 6:45 to 7:30 PM. No previous experience necessary! Speak to Debby Kirk if you would like to try this musical adventure.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY meets on the last Tuesday of each month from 3:30 to 4:30 PM in the church library. Join us for our first fall meeting on Tuesday, September 27. All Ages and skill levels are welcome! We have an assortment of yarn and several experienced knitters who will be glad to help get you started. Create a prayer shawl that can be given as an expression of caring for friends who are sick or grieving or those who have a achieved a special milestone. Other projects include helmet liners for soldiers and hats for chemo patients.
Giv2 is our program of local outreach for youth in grades 7-12 and adults. All interested adults are invited to our Planning Team meeting on Thursday, September 29 at 7:00 PM at the Hill Church. We need folks to assist with food purchase, driving, photography, and work supervision at our sites. Our first event is scheduled for Sunday, October 23. Save the date and plan to get involved with trail maintenance at Camp Nahaco Park in Eastford.

COMPASSION CAMP RECOGNITION SUNDAY is next week on October 2. All campers and staff members are invited to wear their camp shirt and participate. We will show our 2011 video (featuring YOU!) and share reflections from our amazing week of service.

CALENDAR OF THE WEEK
Today
11:30 a.m. Second Hour
7:00 p.m. Simply Smiles Info Meeting - @ EW
Monday
6:45 p.m. Bells for Beginners
7:00 p.m. AA
7:30 p.m. Sr. Bells
Tuesday
3:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry
7:00 p.m. Board of Outreach
Wednesday
7:00 p.m. YMT
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
Friday
2 - 5 p.m. Rummage Sale
5:00 p.m. Wedding rehearsal
Saturday
9 - 12 Rummage Sale
2:00 p.m. Gray/Avery wedding

Announcements and Calendar for the Week of Sept. 18, 2011

WE RECOGNIZE AND THANK OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL STAFF:
Charlie Bottieri, Donna Dufresne, Jill O’Neill, Lisa Veach, Eva Hulme, Leslie Sweetnam, Ginny Viteri, Jennifer Beck, Ellen Boylan, and Jennifer John.

The Christian Education Committee extends a warm "Welcome back!" to all of our Children on the Hill and to their parents. Please register for Children's Church during Lunch on the Lawn following the service. We are very excited to begin our first unit, "Joshua Leads the People," next week. The art, cooking, music & movement, and science rotations will focus on the story of how Joshua succeeded Moses and bravely led the Israelites across the Jordan River into the Promised Land. We will explore the history and culture of the time and encourage the children to consider how they might act with strength and courage to help others. Thanks to our teachers for sharing their time and talents with our children.

USHERS, COFFEE HOUR HOSTS, AND LAY READERS NEEDED FOR THE FALL AND WINTER!!! Please sign up on the calendar in Harrison Hall if you would like to participate in these very important roles!

JUNIOR YOUTH GROUP: Open to youth in Grades 5-8
Our first scheduled event will be the fall Junior Youth Bake Sale held in conjunction with the Rummage Sale on Friday, September 30, from 2p-6:30p at the church. This is a drop off event. Come after school and plan to help sell baked goods and assist with the Rummage Sale as needed. We will have time for pizza, play, and some future planning after the sale! Don't forget to bring a baked good or two to sell. RSVP to Jennifer and Robert John at 860-974-3489 or Email: rj3j@charter.net

ATTENTION ALL BAKERS: On Friday, September 30th, the Junior Youth Group will be holding a Bake Sale once again in conjunction with the fall Rummage Sale. Please plan to bake an item or two, and leave your goodies in the downstairs kitchen clearly labeled. It would be very helpful if you can include an ingredient list. People often ask what "is in" an item before purchasing; this holds true especially for people with food allergies. Think autumn when deciding what to bake...all those yummy treats we look forward to at this time of year! Proceeds from the Bake Sale will go to support our Women's Fellowship. If you have any questions or wish to sign up to bake, please call Jennifer John or Email: rj3j@charter.net

CROSSROADS—Senior High Youth Group for all youth in grades 9-12-- will meet tonight at the East Woodstock Church from 7 to 8:30 PM. Crossroads is sponsored by the First + East Woodstock Congregational churches. Crossroads is held on the 1st + 3rd Sundays of the month. Crossroads is the intersection faith + fun and a chance to act for peace + justice in our world. Invite a friend and join us tonight for myo sundaes and shakes.

INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY CELEBRATION sponsored by the Greater Putnam Interfaith Council (GPIC) will be held this afternoon at 3 PM at Temple B’nai Shalom at 125 Church Street in Putnam. All are welcome to this community event that features music, prayers, peace pole dedication, and children’s activities. Bring a donation for the Daily Bread Food Pantry.

SIMPLY SMILES MISSION TRIP to the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation Project in South Dakota is being planned for August 18-25, 2012. Church members from East Woodstock, the Hill, and the Gilead Church in Lebanon are collaborating to sponsor this trip. The minimum age to participate is 14 years old. Adults are also welcome! Mornings will be spent repairing and/or building homes and afternoons running the summer camp. Each day of camp will be based around a different Lakota value. In information session will be led by Rev. Pete Allen on September 25 at 7 PM at the East Woodstock Church.

BELLS FOR BEGINNERS: Introductory Handbell Clinic will be offered on four Monday evenings, beginning on September 26. Children in grades 3 and up as well as interested adults are welcome. We will meet from 6:45 to 7:30 PM. No previous experience necessary! Speak to Debby Kirk if you would like to try this musical adventure.

NEXT SUNDAY, will be a unique interfaith worship experience, involving Christian & Muslim leaders. PEACE SUNDAY will have music, scripture, sermon, worship & benediction conducted from the 2 faith perspectives. A reception & Second Hour conversations will follow.

RUMMAGE, RUMMAGE, RUMMAGE!
Donations can be left in the basement, beginning Sunday, Sept. 25, until Thursday, Sept. 29 at 12 noon. No computers, printers or other electronics, please! Sale is Friday, Sept. 30, 2-5 p.m. & Saturday, Oct. 1, 9-12 noon. Plan to donate, help to sort & help box up on Saturday at 12 noon. There is a wedding for Deb Gray’s daughter later in the day so many hands will make light work!

JUNIOR CHOIR SIGN UPS!!! Welcome back!!! As you are enjoying seeing old friends and eating good food, be sure to find some time to come over to our Jr. Choir sign ups! We will be serving Farmer's Cow ice cream for everyone!!! Remember, the Jr. Choir will be singing their first anthem of the season on the 25th. Mark the date on your calendars!!!! Jr. Choir please arrive at 9:15 for warm ups and a brief rehearsal.

HYGIENE KITS: During the month of September, Women's Fellowship will be collecting hand towels (16 inches by 28 inches), for the hygiene kits that will be sent to Church World Service in Maryland. You can leave your donations in the basket marked CWS which is located in the Harrison Room. Each month until Feb. 2012, we will be asking for a different item to be donated, so please check Share on a monthly basis for this information. Thanks for your donations.

SHARE deadline for the October edition will be Friday, Sept. 23!!!

CalendarToday
11:15 a.m. Second Hour: Stonewall Speakers
7:00 p.m. SYG - EW
Monday
7:30 p.m. AA
7:30 p.m. Sr. Bells
Tuesday
7:00 p.m. Council
7:30 p.m. Hillbillies
Wednesday
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
Thursday
7:00 p.m. Sr. Choir

Announcements and Calendar for the Week of Sept. 11, 2011

SECOND HOUR NEXT WEEK: Join us next Sunday for a Second Hour with guests from Stonewall Speakers on “Coming Out to Your Family & Your Church.” Light refreshments will be served and all are welcome, 15 minutes after the close of worship in our Library.

RUMMAGE SALE COMING SOON! Don’t forget the upcoming Rummage Sale, Friday, September 30, 2-5 p.m. & Saturday, October 1, 9-12, with a bake sale by the youth on Friday afternoon. Doing your fall cleaning? Please remember to save your clean, useable rummage to donate to our sale!

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP: The regular monthly meeting of the Women’s Fellowship will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 14. Our program will be about EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS with Woodstock’s coordinator, Ed Munroe as our guest speaker. MEN ARE INVITED TO JOIN US FOR THIS TIMELY INFORMATION SESSION. Lunch will follow, hosted by Ruth Stevenson & Susan Waldron with Mary Stuckey offering worship. All are welcome!

HOMECOMING SUNDAY: Please join us next week as we begin a new church season. Church School Registration and an all-church picnic on the lawn will be featured. Hope to see you here!

SENIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP –– Our first CROSSROADS meeting will be held on Sunday, September 18 from 7 to 8:30 PM at the East Woodstock Congregational Church. Mix it up with sundaes, shakes, or smoothies! Invite a friend and come hear about our plans for the year. All youth in grades 9-12 are welcome! Want to know more? Join our "Youth Group 11-12” on Facebook or contact Debby Kirk at 860-377-2675.


Calendar of the Week:
Monday - Community Kitchen
7:00 p.m. AA
7:30 p.m. Sr. Bells
Tuesday
6:30 p.m. Trustees
Wednesday
10:30 a.m. Women’s Fellowship
7:00 p.m. Giv2 Planning Team
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
Next Sunday
11:30 a.m. Second Hour: Stonewall Speakers
7:00 p.m. SYG @ East Woodstock