Announcements and Calendar for the Week of Sept. 23, 2012

CALL TO MEETING A special meeting of the First Congregational Church of Woodstock is called for Sunday, October 7, 2012 immediately following worship to act upon the recommendation of the Board of Deacons to bestow the honor of Pastor Emeritus upon the Reverend Jamie Harrison.
Diane K. Miller, clerk

BRING YOUR QUESTIONS. Please save time on Sunday, October 7, for discussion in a second hour. (This will be following the special church meeting which will be short). The Search Committee and the Stewardship Team, and perhaps a Trustee or two, will be on hand to entertain your questions about the search process, the budget for 2013, and the path to our future as a church. We will provide sustenance (food!) to carry you through the hour, and we look forward to being in your company.
JUNIOR CHOIR begins today at 11:15 in the sanctuary. Please bring your parents!

CHRISTMAS ON THE HILL, NOVEMBER 17, 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M.! Diane Peterson is looking for donations for the Penny Social table. Call Diane if you or your business can make a donation. 860- 928-7880.

Check the attic, basement or garage!!!!! Now’s the time to dig out those antiques or curios that your children won’t want. Call Diane Bradley 860-974-2769 to have her make a pick up or advise you about the items you aren’t sure about.

Linda Chase will once again be taking dried fruit and nut orders. Now is the time to order, as these often sell out!




Did you know that.......



 Nearly 1 billion people worldwide lack access to clean, safe drinking water.

 Every 20 seconds a child dies from a water-related disease.

 Half of the world’s hospital beds are filled with people suffering from water-related diseases.

 Women spend 200 million hours a day collecting water. This is the time it would take to build 28 Empire State Buildings a day.

 The average person collecting water walks 4 miles a day carrying over 40 lbs.

Dirty water leads to a cycle of sickness and poverty. Without clean water, communities struggle to educate their children. They also struggle to grow crops needed for consumption and income.

What Can We Do?

Once again the Children on the Hill are on a mission. Over the next 6 weeks we will be raising funds for the Water Project.
How does the project work?

The Water Project works with local partners to drill fresh water wells in areas where there is no access to clean water. When water comes- everything changes. Women don’t spend hours searching for a source of water. Children can return to school, and water-born diseases are reduced.

Look for the display in Harrison Hall and find out more…..

GIV2 KICK OFF EVENT will be held tonight from 5 to 7 PM at the Hill Church. Join us for pizza, music, games, and info about the upcoming Crop Walk on October 7. Friends are welcome so help us pass the word to all youth in grades 7 through 12. Giv2 is a great way to put faith in action by serving our neighbors. Live your faith, love your community!

CROP WALK FOR HUNGER—Sunday, October 7 at 1:00 PM. Did you know??? Each day almost 16,000 children die from hunger related causes—that’s one every five seconds. You can join the fight against hunger as a walker or a sponsor. Go to www.churchworldservice.org and sign up for the Killingly/Brooklyn walk or speak to Andy Perry or Maria Sangiolo for more information.
A WOMAN’S RETREAT, “Who Are We In God’s Eyes,” will be held on Sept. 29, 9-4 p.m. at the Mystic Congregational Church. If interested call Susan to see if space is still available! 860-923-2887.
THANK YOU to everyone who helped out with the Rummage and Bake Sale!

B&B: I am looking for host families for two couple for our Roseland Cottage B&B. It is Oct 12th & 13th. If anyone is able to host someone please let me know as soon as possible. Thank you, Cheryl Swenson.

SHARE deadline for the October issue will be tomorrow morning.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: The nursery will be staffed today for infants and toddlers.

Please take a moment to friend and like our “Children on the Hill” page on Facebook; we’re still aiming for at least 6 more “likes” so we can better track our activity.

The coming winter will be easier when you know daffodils and bluebells are coming. There are gorgeous options for autumn planting at low prices in the Dutch Mill Bulbs brochures we have to share. Proceeds will benefit the church’s general fund and the Sunday School. Thank you in advance for each order, large or small!

CALENDAR OF THE WEEK


Today

11:15 a.m. Confirmation Discussion

6:00 p.m. Bad Girls of the Bible

Monday

7:30 p.m. AA

7:30 p.m. Bell Choir

Tuesday

3:30 p.m. Knitting Circle

Wednesday

7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Court of Honor (Sanctuary and Great Room)

Saturday

9 - 4 Eastern District Retreat in Mystic

Next Sunday

6:00 p.m. Bad Girls of the Bible