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