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