Announcements and Calendar for the Week of Jan. 27, 2013

CALL TO ANNUAL MEETING


The Annual meeting of the First Congregational Church of Woodstock is called for TODAY, in the meetinghouse of the church with roll call at 11:15am and the following agenda;

To accept the reports of the Pastor, Clerk, Boards and Committees and the Treasurer for the year 2012;
To act upon the Report of the Nominating Committee;
To receive and act upon Budgets for Local and Wider for 2013;
To vote on bylaw revisions;
To remember those of our membership who have died since our last annual meeting;
To hear the report of the Church Historian
To act upon any other business proper to come before the meeting.                            Childcare will be provided.
Diane Miller, Clerk

ANNUAL REPORTS are available in the Narthex. If you took yours last week, please take an amended Clerk Report and add it to your Annual Report, as there was a correction.

SLEEPING BEAUTY—Several members of our youth group are cast in the upcoming production of Sleeping Beauty and we are going to the 3 pm matinee this afternoon. Tickets are $10 for students. We will meet at the Hill Church at 2:15 pm to carpool this afternoon so call or text Debby Kirk at 860-377-2675 if you are planning to attend.

Mark your calendar for our TENTH Annual Italian Dinner on Saturday, February 9. Join us for a delicious meal at the Hill Church at 5:30 PM. Tickets are $10 per person or $5 for children and can be purchased at the church office or from youth group members. Speak to Charlie Bottieri or Ginny Viteri for details.

THE SERRV CART will be out next Sunday for all of your Valentine shopping! (There is lots of chocolate!!)

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH –– by Ellie Donahue

THIS MORNING - THE SNEETCHES –– Group event for pre-k Through grade nine

Peacemaker Unit Wrap-Up - Sometimes people are like the Sneetches in the book by Dr. Seuss, thinking others have value only if they fit in. God judges the feelings and compassion inside a person, not how someone looks on the outside. Ginny Viteri will lead our children in a discussion on prejudice and acceptance. We’’ll follow up making sneetch cookies in the kitchen!

LOOKING AHEAD TO FEBRUARY

A unit of study on REBEKAH - Rebekah was a strong and determined woman who was chosen by God. God also gives us opportunities to show hospitality and kindness to others. We will learn how God chooses and calls each of us to serve. My people, you are my witnesses and my chosen servant. Isaiah 43:10

Pre-K through Grade Six - REBEKAH rotations

February 3 Kelly Bottieri - Art

February 10 Maria Sangiolo - Music

February 17 Meg Bishop –– Storytelling/Games

February 24 Intergenerational worship with families in the sanctuary.

GRADES 7-9

February 3 - Peer Pressure

February 10 - Peer Pressure

February 17 - Peer Pressure

Led by Katherine Donahue Murdock and Brittany LaFleur in the teen room located downstairs.

CALENDAR OF THE WEEK


Today

9:15 a.m. Adult Sunday School

11:15 a.m. Annual Meeting

2:00 p.m. SYG trip to Sleeping Beauty

Monday

7:30 p.m. AA

7:30 p.m. Bell Choir

Tuesday

7:00 p.m. Giv2 Planning Team

Wednesday

7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts

7:00 p.m. Outreach

Thursday

7:30 p.m. Sr. Choir

Saturday

11 - 3 Miller Baby Shower, downstairs

Announcements and Calendar for the Week of Jan. 20, 2013

ANNUAL REPORTS are now available in the Narthex. One per family, please.


ALSO, please remember to take your offering envelopes if you ordered some.

FEBRUARY SHARE deadline will be January 25.

SLEEPING BEAUTY—Several members of our youth group are cast in the upcoming production of Sleeping Beauty and we are organizing a trip for the 3 pm matinee on January 27. Please call the box office (860-963-7170) at the Complex in Putnam to make your reservation because seating is limited. Tickets are $10 for students. We will organize transportation to and from church that afternoon so let Meg Bishop know if you are planning to attend.

ITALIAN DINNER: Mark your calendar for our TENTH Annual Italian Dinner on Saturday, February 9. Join us for a delicious meal at the Hill Church at 5:30 PM. Tickets are $10 per person or $5 for children and can be purchased at the church office or from youth group members.

PEACE POLE – when we studied our Peacemakers unit several years back, I researched various topics on peace and learned of The Peace Pole Project. Masahisa Goi began the idea of the peace pole in 1955 in response to the bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These handcrafted monuments are erected all over the world and their purpose is to spread the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in many different languages. I asked our skilled craftsman Leslie Sweetnam if he could make one for our church and a beautiful one he created indeed! It was placed near the church entrance in honor of Rev. James S. Harrison upon his departure in tribute to his continuing peacemaking endeavors in our world. My Chinese piano student took note of it this past week and let me know how much he liked it! I hope you will take note of it often and continue your prayers for world peace. Thank you Leslie! If the weather allows, we will photograph our church school children around the peace pole next Sunday! Peace, Ellie Donahue

THIS MORNING’S CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH – by Ellie Donahue

Peacemaker Rotations

Upper Grades – Grades 7/8/9 – Being a peacemaker is based in fairness, justice, equality and love.

Downstairs - center classroom (teen room). Workshop leader – Bruce Lyman

Lower Grades – Pre-K through Grade 6 – Peacemaker activities.

Art activity – Differences in perception. Game activity – Tug-of-Peace

Downstairs - classroom number one. Workshop leader – Ginny Viteri

Next Week – January 27th – THE SNEETCHES – Group Event For Pre-K Through Grade 9

Sometimes people are like the Sneetches in the book by Dr. Seuss, thinking others have value only if they fit in. That is not how God judges worth. God judges the feelings and compassion inside a person, not how someone looks on the outside. Next week Ginny Viteri will lead our children in a discussion on prejudice and acceptance. We’ll follow up making sneetch cookies in the kitchen!

COMING IN FEBRUARY FOR GRADES 7-12! – a three week unit on PEER PRESSURE, led by Katherine Donahue Murdock and Brittany LaFleur. I am working on a dedicated teen room in the downstairs area of the church. A suggestion envelope is posted outside the classroom door. Teens – put ideas for your room in the provided envelope or see Mrs. Donahue. Thanks!

CALENDAR OF THE WEEK

Today “In Our Shoes” display - Harrison Hall

9:15 a.m. Adult Sunday School

Monday

7:30 p.m. AA

Wednesday

7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts

Thursday

7:30 p.m. Sr. Choir

Next Sunday

9:15 a.m. Adult Sunday School

11:15 a.m. Annual Meeting

Announcements and Calendar for the Week of Jan. 13, 2013

IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE that we welcome the Rev. Dr. J. Mary Luti as our Guest Preacher today. Rev. Luti is currently Visiting Professor of Christian history and Worship at Andover Newton Theological School. From 1984 – 1998 she taught the history of Christianity at ANTS, while also serving as Associate Dean for Academic Programs. In 2000, she was called as Senior Minister of First Church in Cambridge, UCC, its first female pastor in 375 years of continuing congregational life. In 2008, Mary returned to Andover Newton, where she was appointed the first Director of the Wilson Chapel. Now semi-retired, she continues to teach, preach, and write about the many ways people of faith have sung, prayed, preached, shaped their lives, and handed on the meaningful traditions of the Christian Church. Mary is also a founding member of The Daughters of Abraham, a growing network of interfaith women’s book groups founded out of First Church in the weeks after 9/11, whose mission is to provide a simle, replicable grassroots platform for greater understanding, respect, and reconciliation among women of the Abrahamic faiths. All are invited to stay for a Second Hour discussion with Rev. Luti at 11:30.

SLEEPING BEAUTY—Several members of our youth group are cast in the upcoming production of Sleeping Beauty and we are organizing a trip for the 3 pm matinee on January 27. Please call the box office (860-963-7170) at the Complex in Putnam to make your reservation because seating is limited. Tickets are $10 for students. We will organize transportation to and from church that afternoon so let Meg Bishop know if you are planning to attend.


Mark your calendar for our TENTH Annual Italian Dinner on Saturday, February 9. Join us for a delicious meal at the Hill Church at 5:30 PM. Tickets are $10 per person or $5 for children and can be purchased at the church office or from youth group members.

THIS MORNING’S CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH – by Ellie Donahue

Upper Grades – Grades 7 – 12 - Worship in the sanctuary with our guest speaker Rev. Dr. J. Mary Luti, as we celebrate 10 years of being an open and affirming congregation.
Lower Grades – Pre-K through Grade 6 – Peacemakers Rotation - Cooking in the kitchen with Karen Cloutier!

Children and Youth Christian Education class schedules for the remaining month of January are posted in Harrison Hall and around the downstairs area to keep our church family informed of upcoming events.

COMING IN FEBRUARY FOR GRADES 7-12! – a three week unit on peer pressure, led by Katherine Donahue Murdock and Brittany LaFleur. I am working on a dedicated teen room in the downstairs area of the church. A suggestion envelope will be outside the classroom door. Teens – put ideas for your room in the provided envelope or see Mrs. Donahue. Thanks!

Child/Youth Christian Education Registration Forms – It’s time to update our church school records! Please fill out a registration form for your child/children. Forms are located downstairs near the church school office.

Our Infant/Toddler Room is a sunny, colorful room located on the downstairs level. Signs will direct you. The room is not staffed this morning, but you are welcome to enjoy the spacious area and numerous toys. Snacks are available.

CALENDAR OF THE WEEK


Today : ONA 10th Anniversary

“In Our Shoes” Display in Harrison Hall

9:15 a.m. Adult Sunday School

11:30 a.m. Second Hour w. Rev. Luti

4:00 p.m. Boy Scout Review Board (downstairs)

Monday

7:30 p.m. AA

Tuesday

7:30 p.m. Hillbillies

Wednesday

7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts

Thursday

7:30 p.m. Sr. Choir

Next Sunday

9:15 a.m. Adult Sunday School

Announcements and Calendar for the Week of Jan. 6, 2013

2013 OFFERING ENVELOPES are available in the Narthex for those who requested them. If you would like some and have not requested them, please call the church office this week so you can be assigned a box.
OLIVIA ARSENAULT (EWCC) AND BRITTANY LAFLEUR (HILL) are with Debby Kirk at the annual “TAWFG” Retreat at the Silver Lake Conference Center in Sharon, CT this weekend. Olivia and Brittany have joined other youth from the CT Conference of the UCC who are “Thinking About Working For God.” We are delighted that these two young people are taking time for conversation and discernment. May our congregations continue to nurture children and youth as they discover their gifts.

GIFT CARDS: The next order dates for Gift cards are Jan 14 and 28th. Remember, gift cards are a great gift idea all year round not just at the holidays!!! Please continue to support this great fund raiser.

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP: All women, young & old as well as youth, are encouraged to attend the Intergenerational Event next Saturday, January 12, from 10:30 till 12 noon at the church. Bring a young person & share with crafts, games & refreshments! Ask Ruth Stevenson if you have questions 860-928-7822.

In February, we will be assembling 50 School Kits for Church World Service. We still need your donation of the following supplies:

12” Ruler

Large Erasers

Hand Held Pencil Sharpener

Spiral Bound Lined Notebook Paper

Pencils With Erasers Attached

Round Tip Scissors

Crayons, New, 24 Count
Please leave your donations in the large basket in Harrison Hall.


PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS, NOW, TO ATTEND SUNDAY WORSHIP NEXT WEEK, JANUARY 13!!!!
We will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of our church becoming an Open & Affirming Congregation!
Our Guest Preacher will be the Rev. Dr. J. Mary Luti who currently teaches Christian History & Worship at Andover Newton Theological School . Dr. Luti is known for her teaching, preaching & writing about the many ways people of faith have sung, prayed, preached, shaped their lives, and handed on the meaningful traditions of the Christian Church. There will be a Second Hour following a Coffee Hour Reception where Rev. Luti will suggest ways we can move ahead, once we complete our historic celebration of being ONA!


PLEASE HAVE all annual reports into the church office by January 11.

CALL TO THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

The Annual meeting of the First Congregational Church of Woodstock is called for Sunday January 27, 2013, in the meetinghouse of the church with roll call at 11:15am and the following agenda: - -To accept the reports of the Pastor, Clerk, Boards and Committees and the Treasurer for the year 2012; To act upon the Report of the Nominating Committee; To receive and act upon Budgets for Local and Wider for 2013 To remember those of our membership who have died since our last annual meeting; To hear the report of the Church Historian To act upon any other business proper to come before the meeting. Diane Miller, Clerk

CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS – by Ellie Donahue

This morning - Church School Epiphany Celebration!

Children in pre-k through grade eight will celebrate Epiphany in the downstairs area of the church this morning. We will begin with a candle lighting of special prayers and our gifts to Jesus. Then we will decorate king’s crowns, learn about chalking the door posts with the Magi's blessing, and enjoy a King's cake (baked with a hidden surprise by Ellen Boylan!). Middle school and high school youth will serve as “shepherds” this morning, helping our young flock!

Come take a peek downstairs during coffee hour! (continued…)

Thank you! - This past Friday evening our middle and high school youth let their Epiphany lights shine brightly by helping Mrs. Donahue set up for our Epiphany celebration. After the work was done, they enjoyed games and pizza! Thank you to Karen Cloutier for helping with this event!
This morning’s infant/toddler room will be supervised by Beth Foote.
January 13 - The Peacemakers Rotation will begin for pre-k through grade six in the downstairs area of the church. Karen Cloutier will be the rotation leader. The January 13 service will be an intergenerational service for grades seven through twelve. Be sure to visit their “In Our Shoes” anti-bullying display during coffee hour.

January 20 – Peacemakers Rotation

Pre-K through grade six will meet with leader Ginny Viteri in the downstairs classroom area of the church. Leader Bruce Lyman will meet in the downstairs classroom area with grade seven through grade twelve.

January 27 – Peacemakers Rotation wrap up group event. We will read a story entitled The Sneetches, about tolerance, race and prejudice. We’ll follow up the story with discussion time and Sneetch cookie making.
In our Peacemakers Rotation the children will:

 Explore how, even in Bible times, being a peacemaker often took courage and skill.

 Learn that peacemaking is based in fairness, justice, equality, and love.

 Make a commitment to being peacemakers in their own homes, schools, and communities.
Rotation Leaders for January are: Bruce Lyman, Brittany LaFleur, Ginny Viteri, and Karen Cloutier. Thank you so much for volunteering with our children!

CHURCH SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORMS – It’s time to update our church school records! Please fill out a registration form for your child/children. Forms are located downstairs near the church school office.

CALENDAR OF THE WEEK
Today
9:15 a.m. Adult Sunday School
Monday
7:30 p.m. AA
Tuesday
7:00 p.m. Council
Wednesday
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
Thursday
7:00 p.m. Youth Ministry Team
Saturday
10:30 a.m. Women’s Fellowship Intergenerational event
Next Sunday ONA 10th Anniversary
9:15 a.m. Adult Sunday School