Announcements and Calendar for the Week of April 29, 2012

LECTURE ON THE SOUL: You are invited to a lecture by Dr. Quincy Howe, Jr. on Wednesday, May 2nd at 12:30 p.m. in the QVCC auditorium. Dr. Howe is a retired professor of classical literature and languages, writer, and translator. He wrote the book Reincarnation for the Christian back in 1974 while he was teaching at Scripps College in Claremont, CA. His most recent book Tertullian of Africa is a translation with supporting commentary on two works by Tertullian, a Roman citizen living in Carthage in 190 A.D., who “wrote with startling ease and insight about early Christian beliefs.” Dr. Howe will be lecturing on the soul, in particular, perspectives on the soul of different religious traditions, and the implications of these perspectives. He will lecture for about a half hour and then take questions. Dr. Howe is the guest of Bob Kirk’s Learning-in-Retirement seminar “Reincarnation and Christianity: Contradiction or Affirmation.” The event is free and open to the public. SAVE THE DATE! On Sunday, May 20th, we will celebrate our music ministry during worship. In the afternoon at 4 o’clock, Ted Bradley and a substantial ecumenical choir will perform the Gospel Mass by Robert Ray. The rollicking, jazz-based work will take you to a place of foot-stomping joy and revelation! Don’t miss your chance to hear The Right Reverend John L. Selders, Jr., at the piano. Bishop Selders, organizer and pastor of the Amistad UCC in Hartford, has collaborated with composer Robert Ray in many performances of the mass. You need to be there! Please mark your calendar now for May 20th, 4 p.m. YOUTH REVIVAL will be held on Friday, May 11 at the Liberty Christian Center in Hartford. Gather with other CT Youth for an evening of lively music and an inspiring message from Rev. Da Vita McCallister. We will organize a carpool so speak to Debby Kirk at 860-377-2675 to reserve your spot. COMPASSION CAMP STAFF MEETING will be held from 3 to 5 on Sunday, May 6. All Youth Staff and adult volunteers should plan to attend. We will be making plans for our visits to TEEG, Center of Hope, and People’’s Harvest Garden this summer. We have only 10 more spots open for campers so register today to reserve your space. Camp week will be July 23-27 and forms are posted online and on the kiosk in Harrison Hall. SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS “We are ambassadors for Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:20) Today in our Three Women of Faith unit, the children will study Christian ambassadors Dorcas, Lydia, and Priscilla through art with Kelly Bottieri, music & movement with Maria Sangiolo, and science/cooking with Jen Beck. Last week, the children created self-portraits in oil, played a purple-water jar xylophone and listened to hymns by women, and--in Lydia’s house--talked and ate with Lydia and Priscilla. The children also enjoyed seeing knitted and sewn items that women of our church have made for others. Gifts from Ani Colt, Ellen Holley, Debby Kirk, Brittany LeFleur, Kathy Packard, and Lib Putnam were displayed. Fun fact: Lydia was a seller of purple cloth. It took about 12,000 mollusk shells to make enough purple dye to dye the trim of a single garment, so the pure dye was worth its weight in silver. Call for help: If anyone has a small tent and would be willing to loan it before May 6 as a prop for our study of Priscilla the tentmaker, please contact Jen Beck at 860-963-1250 or outofthebox3@yahoo.com Thank you! Thank you to thank Bob Kirk, who subbed in the nursery last week. The junior choir will meet today after Sunday School and will perform next week. Don’t forget to visit our Children on the Hill Facebook page and hit “like.” Why do you like Sunday School? Elijah John: “I like seeing my friends.” “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20) CALENDAR OF THE WEEK Today 11:15 a.m. Junior Choir (downstairs) 11:15 a.m. Second Hour: Search Comm. Monday 7:30 p.m. AA (library) 7:30 p.m. Sr. Bells (balcony) Wednesday 9:00 a.m. PCT 6:30 p.m. Deacons 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Thursday 10:30 a.m. Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Sr. Choir/Gospel mass rehearsal Next Sunday 9:15 a.m. Jr. Choir warm up 11:15 a.m. Second Hour: Search Comm. 3:00 p.m. Compassion Camp Staff Mtg.

Announcements and Calendar for the Week of April 22, 2012

CHURCH NOTES: FROM THE SEARCH COMMITTEE: SECOND HOUR TODAY! Please join the Search Committee after worship for our first in a series of three second-hour discussions. We will review some of your responses to the Congregational Survey as a starting point to discuss options for the position of our next minister. We received over sixty surveys – a wonderful response. Thank you sincerely both for your time and for your prayerful and honest replies. Already you have given us valuable guidance in our task, and we look forward to even more involvement from everyone as we continue in this search process. Mark your calendars now for a Special Congregational Meeting to be held after worship on Sunday, May 20th. A formal call to that meeting will be forthcoming. Thank you again, and Blessings to all. LECTURE ON THE SOUL: You are invited to a lecture by Dr. Quincy Howe, Jr. on Wednesday, May 2nd at 12:30 p.m. in the QVCC auditorium. Dr. Howe is a retired professor of classical literature and languages, writer, and translator. He wrote the book Reincarnation for the Christian back in 1974 while he was teaching at Scripps College in Claremont, CA. His most recent book Tertullian of Africa is a translation with supporting commentary on two works by Tertullian, a Roman citizen living in Carthage in 190 A.D., who “wrote with startling ease and insight about early Christian beliefs.” Dr. Howe will be lecturing on the soul, in particular, perspectives on the soul of different religious traditions, and the implications of these perspectives. He will lecture for about a half hour and then take questions. Dr. Howe is the guest of Bob Kirk’s Learning-in-Retirement seminar “Reincarnation and Christianity: Contradiction or Affirmation.” The event is free and open to the public. SAVE THE DATE! On Sunday, May 20th, we will celebrate our music ministry during worship. In the afternoon at 4 o’clock, Ted Bradley and a substantial ecumenical choir will perform the Gospel Mass by Robert Ray. The rollicking, jazz-based work will take you to a place of foot-stomping joy and revelation! Don’t miss your chance to hear The Right Reverend John L. Selders, Jr., at the piano. Bishop Selders, organizer and pastor of the Amistad UCC in Hartford, has collaborated with composer Robert Ray in many performances of the mass. You need to be there! Please mark your calendar now for May 20th, 4 p.m. THANK YOU to all who participated in our Giv2 event last Sunday. Our energetic crew of 32 workers from 6 area churches sanded and painted the new TEEG building in Thompson. We look forward to continued partnership with this important social service agency that provides for struggling families in our towns. YOUTH REVIVAL will be held on Friday, May 11 at the Liberty Christian Center in Hartford. Gather with other CT Youth for an evening of lively music and an inspiring message from Rev. Da Vita McCallister. We will organize a carpool so speak to Debby Kirk at 860-377-2675 to reserve your spot. COMPASSION CAMP is filling up! Register today to reserve your space. Camp week will be July 23-27 and forms are posted online and on the kiosk in Fellowship Hall. All youth currently in grade 6 and up are invited to attend our week-long program of fun and service work in the local community. SHARE deadline for the May issue is April 25th! Furry Friends Mission Project Day Kimball Hospital Week #2 Did you know that there were over 28,000 visits made to the emergency room at Day Kimball Hospital last year? A visit to the emergency room can be frightening and painful. This is why the Children on the Hill are on a new mission. We are collecting “Furry Friends” for children who visit the emergency room at Day Kimball Hospital. Note: Because we are distributing them to patients at the hospital, the “Furry Friends” need to be brand new and can be as small as a beanie baby up to 15 inches. "Dorcas] was devoted to good works and acts of charity.” (Acts 9:36) On this second Sunday of our four week unit, Three Women of Faith, the children will continue hearing about Dorcas (a.k.a Tabitha), Lydia, and Priscilla. They’ll learn how they, too, can feel God’s love and pass it on to others through kindness and hospitality. Preschool/Kindergarten/Grade 1 will enjoy music and movement with Jen Beck as Maria Sangiolo is away today. Grades 2-6 will have storytelling with Jennifer and Emily John and Karen Cloutier. Grades 7/8 will create art with Kelly Bottieri. Our Children on the Hill Facebook page is fun to peruse. “Like” us today! Have a tent? We’d love to borrow a small pop up tent for our study of Priscilla the tentmaker, and we’d protect it lovingly. If you have one to lend, contact Jen Beck at 860-963-1250. The nursery is open today. Thanks to volunteer Eva Hulme for watching the little ones. What do you like about Sunday School? Elsabet Ferruci says, “I like cooking in the kitchen and going in the house Lydia lives in—the one Emily made. It’s fun.” CALENDAR OF THE WEEK Today 11:15 a.m. Junior Choir (downstairs) 11:15 a.m. Second Hour: Search Comm. Monday 7:30 p.m. AA (library) 7:30 p.m. Sr. Bells (balcony) Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Outreach Wednesday 3:30 p.m. Knitting Circle 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Thursday 10:30 a.m. Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Sr. Choir/Gospel mass rehearsal

Announcements and Calendar for the Week of April 15, 2012

THANK YOU! The Board of Outreach would like to thank everyone for the wonderful response to the One Great Hour of Sharing special offering taken on Easter Sunday. We collected $880.00! If you did not yet have the opportunity to contribute but would like to, there is still time. Just place your offering in the collection plate with the notation “OGHS”. Thank you again!

A NOTE FROM THE DEACONS: We have had several inquiries lately about our members who are in retirement homes. These members still enjoy hearing from us and maintaining a connection. We will be printing an updated list of addresses in the next SHARE. We would also like to make sure that everyone knows that Fannie Lee Wahatalo, a longtime member until her move to Wallingford several years ago, died on February 12. A private graveside service was already held.

SPRING INTO ACTION WITH GIV2! Giv2 Northeast will visit TEEG this afternoon (Sunday, April 15) to help prepare the new facility for the spring ribbon-cutting ceremony. Andy Perry and other adults will provide transportation so meet them at the church parking lot at 11:45. (We will also run a car for Junior Choir members who want to come over after rehearsal). Put on some work clothes and have fun helping with painting or landscaping projects. Youth in grades 7 and up are invited to attend and friends are always welcome. Lunch will be provided.

HUNGER GAMES movie trip is scheduled for Wednesday, April 18. Youth ages 13 and older are invited so invite a friend plan to join us! We will meet at the Hill Church at 2:30 and carpool to Mansfield Movieplex. We are looking for a few more drivers so speak to Debby Kirk at 860-377-2675 if you would like to help out.

COMPASSION CAMP is filling up! Register today to reserve your space. Camp week will be July 23-27 and forms are posted online and on the kiosk in Fellowship Hall. All youth currently in grade 6 and up are invited to attend our week-long program of fun and service work in the local community.

SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES
Today we begin a new unit, Three Women of Faith, focusing on Dorcas, Lydia, and Priscilla from the book of Acts. The children will consider these women’s courage, kindness, and generosity, and will be introduced to other women of the Bible who pioneered new roles for women in their lives of faith. To consider the impact of these minor but thought-provoking Biblical characters, the children will study art with Kelly Bottieri, music & movement with Maria Sangiolo, storytelling with Jennifer and Emily John, and science/cooking with Jen Beck. Our unit is led by Jen Beck and will conclude on May 6.

The children will have the opportunity to learn
• the importance of hospitality
• that women had important roles in spreading the Gospel
• that women used their knowledge, skills, and resources in service to God
• that these women can be role models for everyone, and
• that many women are strong and adventurous spiritual leaders.

Today, mission coordinator Ginny Viteri will introduce “Furry Friends,” our new service project for the next several weeks, in which the children will collect stuffed animals for children receiving services at Day Kimball hospital. The hospital was very excited at our offer of help and specifically requested this service. All adults, not just parents, are welcome to become involved in this mission by donating new, cuddly friends, no smaller than Beanie Baby size, with tags still attached. Please leave them downstairs on the mission display or give them to any member of the Christian Education Committee. Your help is appreciated!

The nursery is open today with Bev Brazeal present to care for children. Thank you again to all our generous volunteers.

Don’t forget to visit our Children on the Hill Facebook page and hit “like.” The pictures of the children are good reminders of the energy and joy that all of us would love to have in our spiritual lives.

Call for help: If anyone has a small pop up tent and would be willing to loan it before May 6 as a prop for our study of Priscilla the tentmaker, please contact Jen Beck at 860-963-1250 or outofthebox3@yahoo.com Thanks!

Furry Friends Mission Project for Day Kimball Hospital

A visit to the emergency room can be frightening and painful. Having a little buddy to snuggle with can really ease a child’s fear and discomfort. Now that Easter has passed, there are many of us sitting on store shelves everywhere just waiting for a buddy to comfort. The Children on the Hill are on a new mission. We will be collecting “Furry Friends” for children who visit the emergency room at Day Kimball Hospital between April 15th and May 20th. Note: Because we are distributing them to patients at the hospital, the “Furry Friends” need to be brand new. They can be as small as a beanie baby up to 15 inches.



SEARCH COMMITTEE NEWS

The Search Committee asks you to attend three consecutive second hour discussions, starting on April 22nd.

We on the committee seek your vision for the future ministry of our church. Should we search and call a part-time pastor or a full-time pastor? How should we fund such a position? What are the key functions of our next pastor? What are our core visions and mission as a church, and how can our next pastor help us? To answer these questions, and others you may have, please join us on:

April 22nd – the Search Committee will host a second hour to review your responses to the congregational survey and to provide an opportunity for additional discussion.

April 29th – the Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Clough, Interim Eastern Regional Conference Minister, will preach in church and lead a second hour discussion. Tom understands well both the struggles of main-line churches such as ours, and the qualities of candidates looking for ministry positions.

May 6th – the Rev. Dr. Robert R. LaRochelle, Pastor of the Congregational Church of Union, and author of Part-Time Pastor/Full-Time Church, will lead a discussion focusing on part-time models of serving a church.


We plan to request a Special Congregational Meeting after these sessions – date to be determined – to debate these issues further and finally decide what direction to take. Blessings to all, and thank you for helping the Search Committee in this important work.

CALENDAR OF THE WEEK
Today
11:15 a.m. Junior Choir (downstairs)
11:45 a.m. Giv2 to TEEG
Monday
7:30 p.m. AA (library)
7:30 p.m. Sr. Bells (balcony)
Tuesday
6:30 p.m. Trustees
7:30 p.m. Hillbillies
Wednesday
2:30 p.m. Hunger Games movie trip
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
Thursday
10:30 a.m. Bible Study

Announcements and Calendar for the Week of Apr. 8, 2012

CHURCH SCHOOL – This morning’s service is an intergenerational one. All families have the opportunity to worship together! There are no church school classes. The infant /toddler room will not be staffed so that all may enjoy the celebration of Easter worship together.

• THANK YOU to all who supported our recent EASTER EGG fundraiser! 896 eggs found happy homes and we raised almost $600 for our summer scholarship fund. This fund will help youth who will be attending Silver Lake and Compassion Camp, as well as the National Youth Event.
• SIGN UP NOW FOR OUR NEXT GIV2 EVENT. Giv2 Northeast will visit TEEG in Thompson on Sunday, April 15 to help prepare the new facility for the spring ribbon-cutting ceremony. Wear your work clothes and help us with painting or landscaping projects from 12 to 4 PM. Youth in grades 7 and up are invited to attend and friends are always welcome. Lunch will be provided. We will need adult volunteers to assist——speak to Andy Perry or Debby Kirk if you would like to get involved.
• HUNGER GAMES movie trip is scheduled for Wednesday, April 18. Youth ages 13 and older are invited so invite a friend and mark the date.
• COMPASSION CAMP is filling up! Register today to reserve your space. Camp week will be July 23-27 and forms are posted online and on the kiosk in Fellowship Hall. All youth currently in grade 6 and up are invited to attend our week-long program of fun and service work in the local community.
. The April meeting of the Women’s Fellowship will be our Guest Day on Wednesday, April 11 at 2 p.m. PLEASE NOTE THE TIME! We have invited our sisters in faith from surrounding churches to join us for a very special program. Our Guest Speaker will be Danelle Rogoonanan-Storpi talking about Human Trafficking, a real problem in our time. Linda Chase and Ruth Stevenson will be our hostesses with President, Ruth Stevenson offering worship. Please join us to greet our friends from other churches and enjoy this informative program.


SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

You won't want to miss next Sunday, April 15th!

“Three Women of Faith” rotation begins. Jennifer Beck will lead us in what promises to be an inspiring unit of study! We will become familiar with the stories of Priscilla, Lydia, and Dorcas, and discover how these women used their skills and resources in service to God. We will learn about the importance of hospitality, come to understand that women had an important role in the spreading of the Gospel, and come to know these women of faith as role models along with other female, spiritual leaders.

Children on the Hill are on a new mission with the “Furry Friends Mission Project.” A visit to the ER can be frightening and painful. Having a little buddy to snuggle with can really ease a child’s fears and discomfort. We will be collecting “Furry Friends” for children who visit the ER at Day Kimball. Each Sunday between April 15th and May 20th, we are asking that children bring a “Furry Friend” as their Sunday morning offering. The Furry Friends need to be brand new and can be as small as a Beanie Babies up to 15 inches.

Announcing Children on the Hill Dutch Mill Bulb Fundraiser. We will be selling summer blooming Dutch Mill Bulbs! You may look through our colorful brochures and place your order during Coffee Hour in Harrison Hall between April 15th and April 29th. Please support our fundraiser and watch your garden grow!

There will be no nursery coverage this morning though the nursery will be open. Children will worship with their families.

HAPPY EASTER

“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
~Matthew 28:5-7~



CALENDAR OF THE WEEK
Monday - Community Kitchen
7:30 p.m. AA
Tuesday
7:00 p.m. Council
Wednesday
10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting
2:00 p.m. Women’s Fellowship
6:30 p.m. Deacons
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
Thursday
10:30 a.m. Bible Study
7:00 p.m. Sr. Choir/Gospel Mass rehearsal