The mission of this congregation is to be a welcoming community which proclaims

the Word of God and the Gospel of Christ, nurtures Christian beliefs and behavior,

and encourages lifelong maturing in faith. Here we are empowered to grow as

Christians, so that we may minister to others spiritually and physically.

We welcome you!

Greenfield Hill Church

August 25, 2019

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!NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1:

SANDRA SHAW MURPHY’S LAST SUNDAY AT THE ORGAN

After fifty years of service to Greenfield Hill, our

organist/ choir director is retiring. Our official

‘Celebration of Sandra’ Sunday will be on

Thanksgiving Sunday, Nov. 24 – but next Sunday is

also very special. We’ll honor Sandra at worship,

and with a lovely fellowship hour immediately following.

AND because it’s Labor Day weekend, we will continue our GHCC

tradition of honoring “work,” represented by two church members

who will share in the service with David.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8:

GHCC Church School Kick-off &

All-Church Picnic 9:00 Worship (regular service)

10:30 Worship 10:30 Church School! For kids age 3 through 7th grade, at the Church House (kids will be joining their parents at worship midway through the service)

11:30 All-Church Picnic hosted by the Deacons & Junior Deacons Burgers & dogs, ice

cream, music, inflatable

bouncer & crafts for

kids! And it’s free!

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GREENFIELD HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT

AUGUST 25, 2019 9:30 A.M. SERVICE

We love kids! But sometimes services are too long for even the happiest child. So ... • For infants we have nursery care in the Church House, first floor. • And if your kids are feeling restless, the Church Parlor has toys; the service is amplified in the Parlor and the seats are comfortable! (through the double doors, or outside & around to back)

Prelude Reflection Kerry J. Beaumont

Call to Worship

* Hymn Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God Hymnal, no. 354

* Prayer of Invocation:

Leader: Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.”

People: We open the doors of our hearts to you;

we invite you into our lives

to be our friend and guide.

Leader: Jesus said, “Knock, and the door will be opened to you.”

People: We come before you asking and seeking, needing and

hoping, knocking on the door that opens to you.

ALL: God of Love, open wide the door of hope,

meet us on the threshold;

in this hour of worship, welcome us in as we welcome

you. Amen.

(silence for individual prayers of confession)

* Assurance of Forgiveness

* Gloria Patri Hymnal, no. 35 (This hymn, sung every Sunday, expresses our gratitude for forgiveness)

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Welcome and Announcements Please sign the green pad in your pew, and pass it to your neighbor. Thank you!

Anthem Lord, Here Am I John Ness Beck

Dismissal of our young children to Summer Church School Kids age 3 through 2nd grade are invited to depart with Marcia Carothers to our

Summer Church School program, in the Church House!

Worship of God through Prayer

Sharing our Joys and Concerns We welcome your prayer concerns. You may write them into the prayer request

book in the Narthex, or contact the pastors.

Pastoral Prayer, concluding with the Lord’s Prayer, said together: Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy

will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but

deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever.

Amen.

Worship of God through Giving: (We give in many ways, by various means. Some give monthly, quarterly, yearly, credit card, by mail or automatic withdrawals. Yet it is still important to “present our offerings” on the

altar as part of genuine worship, our way of giving thanks to God.)

Offering

Offertory In This Very Room Ron and Carol Harris

* Doxology Hymnal, no. 46 (This ancient hymn is sung every Sunday to thank God for all the gifts of our lives)

* Prayer of Dedication, said together:

Generous God, as we give this offering, we offer ourselves too, for these

gifts of money are symbols of our selves. Take and use us, that our

hands may reach out in service, and that our words may be words of

peace. Amen.

Scripture Luke 11:9-10 (N.T. p. 74)

Sermon

* Parting Hymn Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah Hymnal, no. 622

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* Pastoral Benediction

* Postlude Voluntary in G Major Samuel Jackson

* All who are able, please stand

Soloist: Wendy Gerbier ~ Mezzo Soprano

Guest Organist: Beth Palmer

Serving in the Chancel: Joel Edminster

CHURCH NOTES

Good morning! Thank you for joining us in worship, as together we seek to

draw closer to God and to one another. We’re glad you’re here!

Summer Church Schedule

through Labor Day

8:15 a.m. Outdoor Worship, on the Lawn by the

Memorial Room. This morning’s service was led by Lisa

Carpenter; next week Dan Carpenter will be leading us

for our last lay-led, outdoor worship (see details under

‘Upcoming Events’, below)

9:30 a.m. Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary.

After Worship… Please join us on the front lawn for refreshments immediately following worship! It’s a wonderful way to keep up with friends old and new during the summer!

Church School: During the summer, we welcome children into worship at 9:30! -- then

kids ages 3 through 2nd grade depart with their teachers at 9:45 for Church School. More details below in the Church School Notes!

Visitors: We are glad you are with us today. Want to know more? Take a bag

home from our Visitors’ Table, just outside the front door! If you are interested in

joining this church, please just speak with Alida!

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At our service this morning you have been greeted by Deacon Pam Brennan

and Junior Deacons Clare Edminster and Kate Duffy. Junior Deacons assisting

with Church School are Andrew Jones and Chloe Yoder.

A note about children in worship: We love them! But if you’d prefer to enjoy worship on your own, our Church Nursery for infants-toddlers is across the

street in the Church House. Special beepers/pagers are available to parents so

that they may be quietly contacted during the worship service if their child

misses them! If your child in worship becomes restless or unhappy, please make use

of the Parlor (through the double doors by the choir loft, or head outside and

through the side doors). There is a comfortable space there for your child to

play with toys and a speaker which carries the service!

A special thank you to our Board of Deacons for the wonderful refreshments

after service! Join them out on the front lawn for refreshments after the service

to see friends, old and new!

The flowers on the communion table are given by The Saunders Family, in

loving memory of Kyle Saunders, a son & brother dearly missed. Be fearless in

the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.

Remembering our Soldiers

Laura Riebel . . . Mark Riebel . . . Brian Shelton . . . Derrick Keene . . . Mike Lincoln . . . David Elliott. . . Stephen Honan . . . Molly Hanson . . . Shelby Wallace . . . Kelsey

Wallace . . . Lawrence Benjamin . . . Dale Cates

If you or a loved one is hospitalized, please contact us! Hospitals do not notify us independently.

Many thanks for helping our pastoral ministry

CHURCH SCHOOL NOTES

During the summer months, we offer a weekly combined church

school class for children ages three years up to through 2nd grade (as

of this fall). This morning’s class is being led by Marcia Carothers

assisted by Junior Deacon Andrew Jones and Chloe Yoder. This

morning they will be talking about David and Mephibosheth.

Our church school classes share a morning snack during their class

time. If your child has any food allergies, we ask that you alert your

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child’s teacher in order that we may ensure the safe participation of

all our children! Following the worship service, parents may pick up

their children from Classroom 4, located on the lower level of the

Church House.

UPCOMING EVENTS AT CHURCH

NEXT Sunday our lay-led 8:15 outdoor worship service will be led by

Laconia Therrio and Dan Carpenter. Laconia and Dan will have a

conversation about race and racism in a context of grace, love, and mutual

respect. Laconia Therrio is an ordained Minister, a professional storyteller,

psychotherapist, and currently a chaplain at Stamford Hospital. Each of these

roles brings years of experience working with people in pain and in transition -

people who are searching and people who have found - children who have lost parents and parents who have lost children - people who have all the answers

and people who feel they know nothing. To all of these roles he brings

compassion, understanding, respect, and deep faith. He grew up in New

Orleans and has lived in Stamford for the past 30+ years. Please join us for our

last outdoor service and also to welcome and hear Laconia and Dan!

Come Hear the Stories! Appalachia Sunday will be

Sunday, September 15th! Teens and adult participants in

the 2019 ASP mission trip will share their reflections on serving God in Appalachia, through stories, scripture, and

prayer. We'll be celebrating at both services, 9 and 10:30. –

come listen, celebrate, and be inspired!

You definitely don’t want to miss Sunday, September

8th for our KICK-OFF SUNDAY and our Welcome

Picnic (hosted by our Deacons and Jr. Deacons) to

follow at 11:30! It’s like a family reunion… you won’t

want to miss it!

Youth Groups start up soon! Senior Pilgrim Fellowship (SPF), for all high

school teens and friends, gets underway on Thursday, Sept. 5th, 6 to 7:30 in the

Len Morgan Youth Barn at 1053 Old Academy Road. Junior Pilgrim Fellowship (JPF), for 6th and 7th graders, kicks off on Sunday, Sept. 15, from 5

to 6:30 ... and our youngest group, Young Pilgrim Fellowship (YPF) also gets

underway on Sept. 15, from 2 to 3:30!

SUNDAY

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Got an eighth grader? Registration is now for this year's

Confirmation program! The kick-off takes place on

Saturday evening, October 19th from 5:00 to 7:30 ... and

classes begin Monday evening, October 21st. Contact

Alida to learn more!

Bible Study: Come try it out! Don’t be intimidated! Our Bible Study conversations are for anyone and everyone! Fall Bible Study will meet on

Thursdays, at 10 am and 7:30 pm in the Library of the Church House starting

on September 12th.

Religion in the News, our popular adult discussion class, will resume on

Sunday, Sept. 15th, following the 10:30 worship service. Led by David – great

conversation provided by you!

GHCC Annual Penfield Party! One of the best adult

fellowship events of the year! This year’s will take

place on September 22nd, from 6-9pm at Penfield Beach. We'll be at the Jacky Durrell Pavilion, looking

out over the beach, enjoying the sunset! Amazing

food and great live music too! All this for only $20 per person. To purchase

your reservation, go online to the "News and Events" page of our website

(www.greenfieldhillchurch.com) or send your check to the church office!

Reservations must be made no later than September 18th by calling the Church

office at 203-259-5596.

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY NOTES

We need FOURTEEN more church friends to write an Advent Devotional! Yes, we really are talking about December already! Again this year, we’ll offer

a devotional book with daily reflections written by – you! How it works: after

Labor Day, we will give you a scripture passage to look at, and ask you to write

brief reflection (150 words or so) and a short prayer. People love it and you will

enjoy doing it! Sign up today by emailing the church office at

info@greenfieldhillchurch.com, or let David know!

Be a part of our youth ministry! Alida is looking for adult

volunteers to help her with our middle school youth program,

'JPF' (Junior Pilgrim Fellowship). JPF is for 6th and 7th grade

kids, meeting weekly from 5 to 6:30 on Sundays. Alida leads

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the meetings, but relies on a team of co-leaders. If you love kids, and want to

help our youth outreach, this is a great place to serve! (weekly commitment not

essential; we'll work with your schedule!).

Interested in this year’s trip to India? Alida will be leading

the annual visit to our FOCI project sites in Hyderabad and

Khammam, India — departing on Dec. 27 and returning on

January 7. We have a great group already interested but have room for more! Please be in touch with Alida to learn more —

we’ll be making final arrangements and purchasing plane

tickets soon! Contact her at award@greenfieldhillchurch.com

Have a son or daughter attending college in the fall? We’d love

to send them a care package! We are looking for your child's

contact information. In addition to keeping in touch and

connected with our young people, reminding them of the support

they still have at home, we will be sending out care packages to

them in the fall. Please email the church office (info@greenfieldhillchurch.com) with their name, email, and

school address.

Greenfield Hill Church Nursery School will be opening

enrollment for 2020-21 to all past and current families, as

well as church members on Monday, September 9, 2019.

And please join us on Saturday morning, October 19, 2019,

for our Annual Fall Festival. We invite you to bring your

family and friends and enjoy a morning of fun on our

nursery school's playground! Be sure to tell your friends we

will begin accepting applications from the general public that morning. If you'd

like more information or would like a tour of our beautiful Nursery School,

don't hesitate to call our Director, Susan Rippey at 203-259-7597.

Calling all 8th Graders! Registration is now open for

this year's Confirmation program! The kick-off takes

place on Saturday evening, October 19th from 5:00 to

7:30 ... and classes begin Monday evening, October

21st . To register, go to greenfieldhillchurch.com, and

look under ‘Programs.’ For questions, or to learn more, contact Alida at award@greenfieldhillchurch.com.

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CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 25, 2019 Sunday 8:15 a.m. Outdoor Worship (The Lawn in front of the Memorial Room)

(8/25) 9:30 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary

9:30 a.m. Summer Church School – Church House

Sunday 8:15 a.m. Last Outdoor Worship (Lawn in front of the Memorial Room)

(9/1) 9:30 a.m. Worship in Sanctuary

9:30 a.m. Summer Church School – Church House

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’ !

!

The Chancel Choir is open to anyone who

loves music, regardless of ability. In fact,

the best church choirs are made up of all

types of voices: professional, amateur,

shower crooners and road-trip belters alike!

As our new season begins on Tuesday,

September 3rd, all are invited to drop in

on a rehearsal in the Parlor on Tuesdays at

7:30 pm. Be sure to come early to have a

snack and chat with friends, and when you

find yourself having a great time, you are welcome to join us as often

as you like — even if you have to miss some rehearsals. For more

information, please feel free to reach out to our Music Director, Dr.

Michael Crowley at michaelcrowleypianist@gmail.com.

* * * * * * * *

Junior Choir: We are looking for new members to help round out our

sound and enable us to perform more complex music. Kids of all ages

who like to sing are more than welcome. HIGH SCHOOL AND

middle school leaders are especially encouraged! We will rehearse as

regularly scheduled from 8:30-8:55 in the Memorial Room. Parents,

come enjoy a cup of coffee before worship while your children sing!

First rehearsal is on Sunday, September 15th at 8:30! If you are

interested, please contact Sara Hoefer directly by email

sara.hoefer@yahoo.com.

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9/11 Prayer Vigil in the Sanctuary

Wednesday, September 11th * 6am ~ 9pm our Sanctuary will be open for you * Come, Pray, Remember, Meditate

* Prayer Guides will be provided

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The Joy of Giving (and Ways to Give)

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you

clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me” (Matthew 25:35)

Here at Greenfield Hill Church, we do it all, both close to home and abroad! In

addition to supporting the needs of our church and its members, we support local

soup kitchens and food pantries, help feed and house widows and orphans and

educate young people in India, keep families in West Virginia safe and warm, give

aid to local victims of abuse, and help provide the basic necessities to new

immigrant families here in our area, all with an open and joyful heart. But we

couldn’t do any of these things without help from YOU! So please, think of how

you can make GHCC a meaningful part of your charitable giving plan today!

Different Ways to Give: Become a Member of the Timothy Dwight Society

The Timothy Dwight Society is our designation for those who have chosen to support GHCC through their wills or as part of estate planning

Distribute from your retirement plan

IRA distribution gifts to GHCC represent a considerable tax savings to those over the age of seventy and a half

Plan your giving

Name GHCC as a full or partial beneficiary on a Life Insurance

Policy

Establish a Donor Advised Fund

Make a gift to a Donor Advised Fund, receive a deduction today, make future tax-free donations to GHCC

Participate in our Annual Pledge Campaign

Pledges from our members make up the vast majority of our annual operating budget, so your annual pledge donation is both much needed and greatly appreciated!

For more information, please contact Jessica Campbell at

jcampbell@greenfieldhillchurch.com or 203-259-5596 or visit the “Giving”

section of our website at www.greenfieldhillchurch.gom/giving

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Sunday, September 1st ~ Labor Day Sunday Summer Schedule: 8:15 Outdoor Worship

9:00 Tradition Worship in Sanctuary

Tuesday, September 3rd ~ Chancel Choir Resumes * First timers come at 7pm – we’d love to have some new voices!

Thursday, Septemberp 5th ~ SPF Reconvenes Our dynamic high school ministry in the Morgan Youth Barn!

* 6pm – 7:30pm with pizza for dinner first!!

* Don’t forget to bring friends!

Sunday, September 8th ~ Deacon’s Fall Kick-off Picnic for ALL

* Worship in the Sanctuary at 9:00 and 10:30 am

* Sunday School at 10:30 am (for this week only)

* Picnic for all at 11:30 am with music, Bounce House, ice cream and

a whole bunch of fun and it’s free!

Wednesday, September 11th ~ 9/11 Prayer Vigil in the Sanctuary

* 6am ~ 9pm our Sanctuary will be open for you

* Come, Pray, Remember, Meditate

* Prayer Guides will be provided

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Thursday, September 12th ~ David’s Bible Discussion

Returns! * 10am and 7:30 pm in the Church House Library

Sunday September 15th ~ Full Regular Schedule and ASP Sunday at both services

Celebrating 41 years of Powerful Mission in Appalachia * Sunday School at 9:00 am

* Worship at 9:00 and 10:30 am

* Religion in the News Adult Class at 11:40 am resumes!

* First Junior Choir practice at 8:30am for any child who likes to sing!

Sunday, September 15th ~ YPF and JPF Resume! * YPF (Youth Pilgrim Fellowship for our 4th and 5th graders) at 2:00pm in

the Barn

* JPF (Junior Pilgrim Fellowship for our 6th and 7th graders) at 5:00pm in

the Barn with pizza for dinner!

* Don’t forget to bring friends!

Sunday, September 22nd ~ 3rd Grade Bible Presentation

Sunday Night, September 22nd ~ Penfield Party

It’s a party!! Our 2019 Annual Penfield Party will be held from

6–9p.m. at the Penfield Beach (an adult fellowship event).

Amazing Food, the Merwin Mountain Band, A Beautiful

Sunset, and FUN! Not something to be missed!

Contact the Office if you’d like to attend!

SUNDAY

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GREENFIELD HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT

Office: (203) 259-5596 info@greenfieldhillchurch.com

greenfieldhillchurch.com facebook.com/GreenfieldHillCongregationalChurch

OFFICERS: Rev. Dr. David Johnson Rowe, Pastor; Rev. Dr. Alida Ward, Pastor; Carol McCullough, Church Council Chairperson; Sue Bambach, Church Clerk; Aun Singapore, Treasurer.

STAFF: Roni Widmer, Office Manager; Sandra Shaw Murphy, Music Director; Sara Mastrony Hoefer, Junior Choir Director; Marcia Carothers, Director of Christian Education; Susan Rippey, Nursery School

Director; Jessica Campbell, Financial Manager; Kelcey King, Assistant Treasurer; Sarah De Meneses, Accountant; Jim Zalenski, Sexton; Rachel Baumann, Pastoral Assistant.

CHURCH BOARD MEMBERS Adult Education: Linda Allegretti, Rebecca Huselid, Max Reid, Fred Schaefer Children and Youth

Ministries: Andrea Muhlhauser, co-Chairperson; Anna Taylor, co-Chairperson, Mike Dwyer, Scott Ettl, Amanda

Heyn, Skylar Smith, Michelle Wormley Communications: Sarah Schunk, Chairperson; Todd Jones, Lisa

Rousseau Development: Joanna Patterson, Chairperson; Andy Allegretti, Greg Bambach, Betsy Ewing, Rich

Gannon, Bert Tunnell, Adam Snyder, Jeff Taylor Diaconate: Kim Baer, co-Chairperson, Ellen Waugh, co-

Chairperson; Pam Brennan, Dan Carpenter, Jason Dies, Joel Edminster, Jen Hinkle, Joe Holland, Carolyn

Houghton, Pat McCullough, Jon Passmore, Kathy Rafsky Facilities: Andy Hoder, Chairperson; Jeri Barrett,

Jim Cullinan, Todd Flanagan, Amy Johnson, Don Lord, Jon Sabrowski, Walt Siemon, Fred Zarrilli

Fellowship: Chris Gannon, Chairperson; Kathy Baratz, Ana-alyse Castelluccio, Talli Connell, Lynn Eckert,

Barbara Hayslip, Amy Hios, Linda Johnston, Heather Lajeunesse, Rachel Parrish, Pamela Patterson, Allison

Perkins, Jessica Selden, Sara York Finance: Chris Tormey, Chairperson; Robert Franchini, Jason Konschnick,

Martha Lord, Andy Muhlhauser, Jon Persson, Aun Singapore, Beth Schaefer, Jeff Whitaker Junior Deacons:

Zachary Amendola, Witt Badger, Maddy Baker, Maggie Burns, Brook Byrne, Harry Chandler, Maddy

Crawford, Elizabeth Cutler, Ava Derbyshire, Casey Dies, Kate Duffy, Cooper Eckert, Clarie Edminster, Eloise

Gacetta, Helen Glover, Liam Hawley, Ella Holland, Hudson Houghton, Abby Jacobs, Andrew Jones, Meghan Lajeunesse, Erik Langeland, Cole Markham, Kerry McKeon, Sophie Nightingale, James Richard, Alyvia

Ronning, Olivia Savino, Charlie Simon, Hope Smith, Ben Steele, MacKenna Tormey, Severin Tormey, Hunter Vogel, Emily Wegener, Will Whelan, Devenny Widmer, Skylar Wingate, George Wyckoff, Chloe Yoder

Member Care: Sharon Jacobs, Chairperson; Stephanie Franchini, Carol Langeland, Carole Lisi, Martha

McKeon, Anne Orvis, Eleanor Page, Wendy Savino, Cathy Scoville, Sue Trischman, Lisa Vacheron Member

Involvement: Adam Simon, Chairperson; Amy Desel, Erika Duffy, Glenn Horine, Francine Jaques, Nicole

Lacey, Kerry Manning, Emily Orben, Liz Schwinn Mission and Outreach: Chris Kenney, Chairperson;

Michelle Baker, Val Collison, Holli Horine, Murray Jacques, Meg Lowe, Bevo Tarika, Peter von Euler Church

Council At-Large Members: Scott Craighead, Mike Howard, Martha McKeon Church Historian: Lynn Van

Winkle.

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS Dogwood Festival, Mike & Karen Mitri; Flowers, Lynn Davies; Ushers, Marcy Michaud; Memorial Garden,

Lynn Davies; Nursery School, Amanda Innes; Human Resources, Cheryl Jones

CHANCEL CHOIR Bert Andren, Cary Andren, David Callahan, Lia Carter, Wendy Gerbier, Thomas Grant, Zoe Grosser, Rebecca

Huselid, Sue Leiss, Donald Lord, Michael Moore, Jon Passmore, Melinda Reynolds, Beth Schaefer, Earlyne Seaver, Dianne Simpson, Bob Stilson, Michael Trnik, David White

CHURCH SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS Amity Almond, Jennifer Bargas, Jessica Campbell, Amanda Case, Sarah DeMeneses, Donna Ellett, Scott Ettl, Betsy Ewing, Karen Fox, Rachelle Giordano, Marjorie Glover, Ann Harvey, Kelly Hayes, Katie Holland,

Andra Horsch, Carolyn Houghton, Mary Janacek, Stacie Kenney, Bob & Molly King, Jennifer Lubarsky,

Mollie Milano, Andrea Muhlhauser, Rachel Parrish, Gwen Powell, Allyson Power, Lauren Raps, Kirsten Sabrowski, Amanda Schmidt, Sarah Schunk, Skylar Smith, Kara Snyder, Wendy Steinfeld, Marike Toothaker,

Chris Tormey, Kelly Vogel, Nikki Wingate, Michelle Wormley, Kathy Wyckoff, Sara York