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