Announcements and Calendar for the Week of April 7, 2013

WE WELCOME the Rev. Dr. Sue Prichard, as our Supply Pastor this morning. Sue received her Doctor of Ministry degree in 2010 from Bangor Theological Seminary. She has been an Intentional Interim Minister for the Connecticut Conference for 26 years, serving 16 churches. She lives on Coventry Lake; has four children and six grandchildren. Sue loves to sew and do needlework, especially liturgical vestments, Christmas ornaments, and doll clothes. Please extend a warm Woodstock welcome to Sue today.

SECOND HOUR TODAY We are pleased to welcome Kim Machnik, Community Engagement Coordinator for Heifer International. Kim will talk about sustainable agriculture and Heifer’s mission to care for the earth while fighting poverty and hunger. Join us in the Library after worship.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

By Ellie Donahue

THIS MORNING’S SUNDAY SCHOOL – all ages - We will begin our “Living God’s Word’ unit about stewardship. Our focus scripture this morning will be 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. Here Paul uses the illustration of seeds to explain that the resources God gives us are not to be hidden, foolishly devoured, or thrown away, but cultivated in order to produce more crops. We’ll take a look at how we might be more generous with the gifts and talents we possess. And we will be planting seeds for our church vegetable garden!

INFANT/TODDLER ROOM – Childcare will be provided by Diane Gioco this morning. Thank you Diane! Our spacious and colorful infant/toddler room is located on the downstairs level. Signs will direct you. Adult church volunteers supervise each Sunday. A speaker is located in the room to hear the worship service should you wish to remain awhile with your child.

GIV2 GREEN ACTION will be held at Keney Park in Hartford on April 20 from 9:30 to 2 PM. Take some time during the Mission 4/1 Earth campaign to preserve open spaces in the city! We have room for a few more, so speak to Debby Kirk to sign up today. Those who have registered should be sure to print a copy of the waiver and bring it to the event. Details about carpooling will be sent on facebook and email next week.

FRESH—New thinking about what we are eating. Come and see this 70 minute documentary film and learn how our food choices impact the environment. The film will be shown at the Woodstock Academy Auditorium on Thursday, April 11 at 6 PM. This is a Mission 4/1 event, sponsored by our youth group in partnership with the Library Club and Earth Save Club at Woodstock Academy. It is free and open to all members of the community. “An exhilarating look at the whole range of efforts underway to renovate the way we grow food and feed ourselves." - Michael Pollan, Author of In Defense of Food

APRIL 15 is not just your tax deadline! It is also the EARLY BIRD deadline for COMPASSION CAMP. All youth who are in grade 6 and up are invited to our summer program of service learning. Camp is scheduled for July 22-26 and we will have a special project each day to put faith in action. CIT's and Counselors should also turn in their forms by the 15th. Register now and save!

MEET & GREET REV. KENT SILADI, the candidate for Conference Minister for the the Connecticut Conference on Thursday, April 18 at 7:30 PM. Rev. Siladi will host six visiting sessions around the state as part of his and our church was selected as one of the host sites. Please help us offer a warm welcome to Rev. Siladi as well as neighbors from other congregations in the Quiet Corner. Speak to Debby Kirk if you are able to assist with refreshments that evening.

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP: The regular monthly meeting of the Women’s Fellowship will be our Guest Day, Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 2 p.m. Our program will be Dawn Scott, the current President of CT Women of the U.C.C. Come to hear what’s going on & coming up, statewide and beyond!

RUMMAGE SALE SET FOR APRIL

It’s time! It’s past time for some of us who need to clean out closets, garages and attics. Plan to start now and bring all of those useful items that still look good to the Spring Rummage Sale, Friday, April 19 from 2-5 p.m. and Saturday, April 20 from 9-12 noon. Remember, we only take CLEAN items that work and NO COMPUTERS, PRINTERS OR LARGE ELECTRONICS. Deadline for drop offs is 12 noon on Thursday, April 18. THIS WILL BE THE ONLY RUMMAGE SALE FOR 2013 SO PLAN TO BE A PART OF THE EFFORTS TO RE-PURPOSE WARDROBE & HOUSEHOLD ITEMS! Call Susan Waldron 860-923-2887 if you have questions.

WEB SITE under construction! Our website is being completely redone, and will be offline for a short time. Our website task force appreciates your patience as they work on this project. The new website will be unveiled in May!!

MISSA GAIA rehearsals beginning tonight!!!!! If you have signed up to sing in the choir of this production, please come to the Sanctuary tonight at 7:00 p.m. Please see Ted if you have any questions.

CALENDAR OF THE WEEK
Today
9:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School
11:30 a.m. Heifer Second Hour
11:30 a.m. Trustees
7:00 p.m. Missa Gaia rehearsal
Monday    Community Kitchen
7:30 p.m. AA
7:30 p.m. Bell Choir
Tuesday
7:00 p.m. Church Council
Wednesday
2:00 p.m. Women’s Fellowship Guest Day
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
Thursday
6:00 p.m. FRESH documentary at W. Academy
Next Sunday    paperless service!!
9:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School
7:00 p.m. Missa Gaia rehearsal