september - bloomfield congregational...

of 16 September 2017 Wintonbury Spire

“Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, mount wings like eagles, run

and not be weary, walk and not faint” Isaiah 40: 31

September a transition month between summer and fall, our return to our 8am Bible Study and 10 am Worship in the

Meeting Room, Rally Sunday and Christian Education for children and

adults, ministry teams begin planning creative strategies, we review our

Stewardship commitments, Search Team moves forward with their agenda, and

Church Council with theirs…

Yes, we are and we will be busy as a beloved caring and compassionate

community! At the same time….Isaiah text

reminds us

*WAIT FOR THE LORD *RENEW YOUR STRENGTH IN THE

LORD *MOUNT WINGS TO EXPLORE

NEW WAYS *RUN AND WALK

*BE AT PEACE

May your presence and leadership among us, your beloved community, be of blessing to you and to all of us!

Pastor Ed

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SEPTEMBER

2017

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PASTOR ED’S

“Sparks of challenges and information for you and your loved ones”

Remember, when considering

responding to our Stewardship

challenge, stop, meditate on the

meaning of Stewardship and

respond out of grace. Support your

Beloved Faith Community!

Another way to support our

Church is by:

-inviting others to visit us!

-always promoting love/compassion among us!

-being respectful to those who do not think like you!

-getting involved in a Ministry Team

Join our Church Growth Ministry

Team or our Race Relations

Team…Yes help us grow and help

us witness our love!

(Contact Pastor Ed for more

information)

Be aware of:

A. Thursdays 10 am…Adult

Bible Study…Join us!

(We will study Dalai Lama’s book…Beyond Religion)

B. Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm…

“Wounded Healers

Support Group”

See information in September Spire.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH PEACE

AND REMEMBER… CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED TO…

Pastor Ed


An all church picnic will be held after the 10 am service on the front lawn of the church.

Hot dogs, chips and lemonade will be served.

Please join us and bring a side dish or dessert to share.

This is a great way to come together as a church community to celebrate the upcoming Sunday

School year. All are welcome!

Save the Date

CROP Walk

October 8, 2017 at

1:00 pm

Neighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission

offering of the UCC that supports ministries of

justice and compassion throughout the United

States. One-third of NIN funds support the

Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM).

Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC's

Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to support

a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts,

and direct service projects through grants.

Neighbors in Need grants are awarded to

churches and organizations doing justice work in

their communities. Most UCC congregations will

receive the NIN offering on October 1, 2017 as

part of their World Communion Sunday

observance. NIN contributions can be made on-

line at any time at www.ucc.org/nin.

http://www.ucc.org/nin


News For Kids, Youth

& Families

Our first Faith Formation meeting is on

September 28th @ 6:30 PM. Anyone wishing

to join the team is welcome to attend the

first meeting. Bring your ideas and energy and

help us nurture our children and adults.

Mark Your Calendar now… First & Third

Sunday each month - YOUTH GROUP

Our

first meeting is Sunday October 1th

@ 4:00 – 5:30. Our second meeting is the 3rd

Sunday October 15th @ 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Bring a

friend.

Sunday Sept 10th, - Sunday school Preschool

– Grade 9 Rally Sunday Picnic after service.

Sunday Sept 17th, - Sunday School Preschool

– Grade 9

Sunday Sept 24th - Sunday School Preschool

– Grade 9

Youth Group begins in Oct, for Grade 5-12,

meeting on First and Third Sunday each

month. Bring a friend. Enjoy fellowship,

fun and community service projects.

Welcome to a new Program Year of

Sunday School, Youth Group and Family Fun.

Rally together on Sunday September 10th at

the 10:00 am Worship Service. On this very

special Sunday we will be blessing Back Packs,

bring your Back Pack to church and have it

blessed for the School year. We also will be

blessing Backpacks, IPads and IPhones for our

college students. Come and receive your

blessing for the School year! During Sunday

School the children will be making a Back Pack

pull to go on their blessed Back Pack. Invite

your friends to come to church and have them

bring their Back Pack too. Our Sunday

School classes will follow after Word with

Children. Plan to stay for lunch on the front

lawn after church. We will be having our

Annual Rally Sunday Picnic. Please bring a dish

or salad to share! Rally together, enjoy the

blessings of the day as we begin our new year.

Vacation Bible School

was another wonderful experience for 20

children of our church and community. We

had a great time and wonderful feedback from

the children and parents. I would like to thank

the volunteers for their time, energy and

enthusiasm. Teachers and Support staff:

Karen Blanchard, Marnie Clark, Brett

Sandman, Ursula Dang, Sue Thompson and Pat

Robair. Thank you so very much for your

amazing work with the children. Our youth

group leaders and helpers: Isaiah Clarke,

Joshua Clarke, Amber McKenzie, Kaleb

McKenzie, Beatrice Dang, Caillou Burrier and

Emerson Dang. These young people did an

amazing job helping and leading. Thank you all

for your time, energy and talents. What a

great group!


Keadean Stewart September 2

Kamryn Stewart September 11

Ralph Blanchard September 13

Ron Robinson September 14

Carol Wilson September 14

Carol Johnson September 21

Cindy Walker September 27

September 10

Rally Sunday

September 10 Faith Formation Sunday

Return to 8 & 10 am service

Scott & Kim Letendre - September 24

*Joel Clark recovering from surgery.

*Julie Cato recovering from surgery.

* Michael Edwards, praying for release.

*Prayers that God will speak to us and

through us as we seek God's leading and vision for our Church. *Family & Friends of All Soldiers Who Have

Fallen In Iraq & Afghanistan. *Our friends at Community Solutions, Inc.,

that God will support them as they find new opportunities and hope for the future. Trudy Barnard ~ Charlotte Babcock David Berg ~ Jane Doble Gladys Dunbar ~ Charles Miles Bonnie King ~ Elaine Nelson Madge Edwards ~ Faye Smith Carol Wolcott ~ Adelle Wright


The First Congregational Church in Bloomfield Slate of Officers and Team Leaders for 2017-2018

Church Council

Chair – Ron Robinson (H) 860.521.5129 ~ [email protected]

Vice Chair – Carolyn Delgado – (c) 860.977-6742 ~ [email protected]

Member-at-Large – Priscilla McCatty – (H) 860.243.3620 ~ [email protected]

Member –at-Large – John Casner – (H) 860.243.0917 ~ [email protected]

Financial Manager – Scott Goetjen - (H) 860.408-1325 ~ [email protected]

Church Clerk – Carol Wilson – (H) 860.242.5241 ~ [email protected]

Interim Pastor – Rev. Edwin O. Ayala–(c) 860.836.6651~ [email protected]

Ministries Spiritual Life

Deacons/Worship – Anne Weaver © 860.966.0786 ~ [email protected]

Music – Marnie Clark (H) 860.243.9248 ~ [email protected]

Faith Formation – Dee Hart – © 860.573.8443 ~ [email protected]

Stewardship - OPEN

Congregational Care

Parish Care – Karen Blanchard - (H) 860.651.0802 ~ © 860.424.7868

[email protected]

Fellowship – OPEN

Outreach and Witness

Mission – Judi Bunker – (H) 860.242.6192 ~ [email protected]

Membership – OPEN

Visibility – Sophia Gray– (H) 860.242.9226 ~ (W) 860.624.1160 [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]













Child Development Center – OPEN

Business Team

Financial Manager – Scott Goetjen – (H) 860.408.1325 [email protected]

Treasurer – Linda Markiewicz (H) 860.243.1411 ~ © 860.463.8869 [email protected]

Investments and Trusts – Ralph Blanchard – (H) 860.651.0802 ~ © 860.424.7869 [email protected]

Facilities – Mary Laiuppa – (H) 860.242.1505 © 860.2098262 [email protected]

Other Positions

Financial Administrator – Melissa Partridge - (H) 860.242.1204

Memorial Secretary – Dorly Brunner - (H) 860.236.0131 ~ © 860.997.2326 [email protected]

Pastoral Search Team - Trudy Barnard, Kevin Colvin, Ursula Dang, Oz Gibbs, Sophia Gray, Clay

Hart, Michael Riley, Cecelia Simmons and Chante Wilson.

Please consider volunteering for one of the open positions. Church Council

Chair can share the details of which ever position may appeal to you!







SEPTEMBER 2017

Every Sunday 8 & 10 am Worship beginning September 17 12:30 New Birth Community Church

Every Monday 7pm Narc. Anon.

August 27 Twenty - first in Sunday in Ordinary Times

Worship at 9:30 am Only Lectionary Possibilities:

Exodus 1: 8-2:10; Psalm 124: or Isaiah 51: 1-6; Psalm 138; Romans 12: 1-8; Matthew 16: 13-20

Aug 28 Resume Monday – Friday schedule 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

September 3 Communion Sunday

Twenty – second in Sunday in Ordinary Times Lectionary Possibilities:

Exodus 3: 1-15; Psalm 105: 1-6, 23-26, 45b or Jeremiah 15: 15-21; Psalm 26: 1-8; Romans 12: 9-21; Matthew 16: 21-28

4 Church Office Closed Labor Day

September 10 Resume Bible Discussion at 8 am and Worship at 10 am

Faith Formation Sunday , Rally Sunday Worship, All-Church Picnic Lectionary Possibilities:

Exodus 12: 1-14; Psalm 149 or Ezekiel 33: 7-11; Psalm 119: 33-40; Romans 13: 8-14; Matthew 18: 15-20

11 1 pm Loaves & Fishes preparation

September 17 Bible Discussion at 8 am and Worship at 10 am

Twenty – fourth in Sunday in Ordinary Times Lectionary Possibilities:

Exodus 14: 1-12; Psalm 114 or Exodus 15: 1b-11, 20-21; Genesis 50: 15-21; Psalm 103: (1-7), 8-13; Romans 14: 1-12; Matthew 20: 1-16

18

September 24 Bible Discussion at 8 and Worship at 10 am

Twenty – fifth in Sunday in Ordinary Times Lectionary Possibilities:

Exodus 16: 2-15; Psalm 105: 1-6, 37-45 or Jonah 3: 10-4:11; Psalm 145: 1-8 Philippians 1: 21-30; Matthew 20: 1-16

25 General Association meeting in Southbury, CT

October 1 World Communion Sunday

Neighbors In Need Offering

Bible discussion at 8 and Worship at 10 am

2


SEPTEMBER 2017

Every Tuesday

Every Wed. 6:30 pm Choir 7 pm Alc. Anon.

Every Thursday 10 am Bible Study

Every Friday 7:30 pm Alc.Anon

Every Saturday

Aug 29 Aug 30

Aug 31 Annual Reports Due

September 1

2

5 First Day of school -FCC Child Dev. Center

6

7 1:30 pm Parish Care 6:30 pm Wintonbury Flying Club

8 9

12 13 10 am Board of Deacons 6:30 pm Church Council 6:00 pm NAMBI

14 10 am Bible Study resumes

15 16

19

20

21 10 am Bible Study

22 First Day of Autumn

23

26 27 4:00 pm ABC 6:00 pm NAMBI

28 6:30 pm Faith Formation

29 30

Loaves & Fishes

Preparation on

Mon Sept 11

Serving on

Tues Sept 12

Loaves & Fishes

Preparation on

Mon Sept 8

Serving on

Tues Sept 9


A Message from The Conference Minister, Rev. Kent J. Siladi: Colleagues: The events of this past weekend put a spotlight on the racism that is deeply embedded in our church and in our culture. We have work to do. We cannot simply point to others as “the problem.” It is too simple and too convenient to make this an issue that only tackles the disgusting overt racism we witnessed in Charlottesville. The systemic roots of racism run deep in our society and in our churches. Our Racial Justice Ministry staff and Board are working to find ways for local churches and leaders to not only “talk the talk” but “walk the walk” that is necessary to eradicate racism.

The national officers of the United Church of

Christ and the Council of Conference Ministers

in Cleveland, Ohio issued this pastoral letter

today. Let us continue to work for the beloved

community that Jesus commands us to be.

With hope and commitment,

Kent Siladi

Conference Minister

UCC Pastoral Letter

condemns racist

violence in

Charlottesville,

demands equality

for all August 15, 2017

As a response to the violent clashes between white supremacists and counter demonstrators in Charlottesville, Va., that left a woman dead and 19 injured, the national leadership of the United Church of Christ issued this Pastoral Letter: Dear Members, Friends, Clergy, and Leaders of and within the United Church of Christ, Pastoral Letter Last weekend, a group of white supremacists came to Charlottesville, Virginia, and incited violence to protest the removal of a Confederate monument. Although protest is the bedrock of our nation’s democracy, coming in riot gear proves that they intended to do more than simply protest. We, the Council of Conference Ministers and Officers of the United Church of Christ, strongly condemn the acts of violent hatred expressed by these white supremacists, Neo-Nazis, and Ku Klux Klan members. Their white robes and burning crosses were replaced with polo shirts, khakis, and tiki torches, while their lynching was replaced with a speeding car barreling through a group of peaceful protesters with the intention of harming and killing others, which it did. Their vitriolic hatred is the same. We confess that the events of Charlottesville are systemic and communal expressions of white privilege and racism that continues to


pervade our nation’s spiritual ethos. And if we only condemn the acts of August 12, 2017, without condemning the roots of racism, which perpetuate discrimination in our American schools, justice system, business, and healthcare systems, then we have sinned as well. We must work toward the Kin-dom of Heaven here on earth now for the sake of a just world for all. We do this by committing to follow the ways of Jesus, who stood with the oppressed, spoke out against political and religious powers, and courageously embodied a just world for all as he sought to create it. Today, we must follow the ways of Jesus in addressing the hatred of white supremacists and racists among us. Our local UCC churches must be true solidarity partners with those who march in the streets. Our UCC churches are encouraged to move from the sanctuary and walk alongside other clergy and community leaders who seek to resist, agitate, inform, and comfort. We must resist hatred and violence. We must also agitate ourselves, and our neighbors to acknowledge any racism within or among us. We must inform ourselves, and our neighbors what our sacred stories reveal to us of a just world for all. We must lament and grieve with those who are injured or murdered during violent confrontations with those who mean us harm. And we must comfort those who have been discriminated against with the transformative love of God. As we go forward, let us model the legacy of activism through our sacred call given to us by our UCC ancestors: May we be prophetic truth-tellers like our Congregational Christian forebears, who marched in public squares demanding equality for all. May we serve others, and remain faithful witnesses like our Evangelical and Reformed forebears, who tended to the needs of the forgotten. And may we be courageous like our non-UCC forebears, who left their spiritual home and joined the UCC in order to fully live out who God created them to be. In the days to come, may God's truth, mission,

and courage be our guide to embodying the Kin-dom of Heaven here on earth.

Who Does Your Community Say You Are?

August 21, 2017

This week's author is Tiffany Vail, Associate Conference Minister for Communications for the Connecticut Conference, UCC.

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-16 (NRSV)

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’

Reflection:

If you were to approach people in your community and ask who your church is, what would be their response? Would they know you as welcoming, or fear you as being judgmental? Would they know you as a church that helps people in the community? Would they think of you as a place only for Christmas and Easter, weddings and funerals? Or would they have no idea who you are at all? If people in your community don’t have a clear sense of what your congregation is about – ask yourself why. Maybe you need to improve your communication – to do more to get the word out about what your congregation is up to. Or maybe you haven’t figured it out yourselves yet. If you asked the people in your congregation who your church is, would they have an answer? Could they sum it up in a tweet, even? Studies show that the healthiest churches are those with a clearly defined vision and purpose. They know who they are, and whose they are. And it shows.


Pastoral Search Update September, 2017

Our pastoral search process has continued to move forward over the summer and made considerable progress. After the team finished incorporating all of the Church's data, and all the "t"s were crossed and "i"s were dotted, we finally completed the Local Church Profile in May. We then went through an extensive review and revise process, receiving feedback from our Interim Minister, the Church Council and the UCC Conference Minister. We also held "mock interviews" during June and July with two UCC Ministers. They graciously gave of their time to help us practice our interview skills and give us feedback on the profile. We developed a set of interview questions and also a rubric to help us evaluate candidates. We prepared a classified ad and completed all the requirements to post our job listing on the UCC website. Our post went live on July 22. After that, the Search Team took a few weeks of well deserved rest, to recover while we waited for responses to come in. As of the writing of this article we have 20 responses to our classified ad and we have begun reviewing candidate profiles. This is a difficult and time consuming task but your team has been amazingly dedicated and conscientious. We appreciate your patience and the privilege to be a part of this important decision for our Church. We will continue to keep you posted of our progress. A copy of the Church Profile is located on the bookshelf next to the Pastoral Search Team bulletin board. Feel free to take a look at it when you can and replace it when you are done. Thank you and peace... Your Pastoral Search Team, Kevin Colvin, Ursula Dang, Cecelia Simmons, Mike Riley, Oz Gibbs, Sophia Gray, Chante Wilson, Clay Hart, Trudy Barnard


YOU ARE INVITED TO BE PART OF

A SUPPORT GROUP

Pastor Edwin Ayala and FCCB Parish Care Ministry Team would like to invite those interested to participate in what will be called…

The Wounded Healers Support Group

WE STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT LIFE IS A GIFT FROM GOD. LIFE HAS BEAUTIFUL

CHALLENGING MOMENTS FULL OF POSSIBILITIES AND JOY…

FOR THIS WE ARE GRATEFUL!

WE ALSO KNOW THAT LIFE BRINGS CHALLENGES, CRISIS AND PAIN.

HOW WE HANDLE BOTH SIDES OF LIFE WILL DETERMINE OUR HAPPINESS

AND THE HAPPINESS OF THOSE AROUND US!

PASTOR ED AND THE PARISH CARE MINISTRY TEAM WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU AND OTHERS (members and nonmembers of the Church) TO BE PART OF A SUPPORT GROUP THAT WILL PROVIDE SPACE FOR INSPIRATION AND CREATIVE LISTENING … ALL DESIGNED TO HELP US AS WE MOVE FORWARD TOWARD BEING FULLY ALIVE. IT WILL NOT BE A PERSONAL COUNSELING GROUP BUT AN INSPIRATIONAL SUPPORT GROUP. COME AND FEEL WELCOME!

Meeting: Tuesdays 1:30-3pm starting on Tuesday September 19, 2017

ARE YOU INTERESTED?

CALL ANDREA AT CHURCH OFFICE 860.242.0776 AND TELL HER OF YOUR INTEREST.

PASTOR WILL CONTACT YOU!

“Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, mount up with wings like eagles, run and not be weary,

walk and not faint” Isaiah 40:31

***Notes:

1. Participate as needed and when needed!

2. Leadership for Support Group will be provided by

Pastor Ayala and members David Weaver (Clinical Social Worker)

and Karen Marcia (Nurse)

3. Reminder this is not a personal counseling group. Confidentiality will be encouraged.


REGISTER

EARLY AND

SAVE!

EARLY

Registration

through August

18th, $155

Registration

August 19 -

Sept. 1st, $170

Late

Registration

September 2 -

September 15th,

$180

NO REGISTRATION OR REFUNDS AFTER

SEPTEMBER 15th

Questions about registration? Contact Emily -

[email protected]


RETREAT

For many years, CT Women of the UCC’s Eastern District, (most churches east of the

CT River) planned a fall retreat. It was a time away from home, family and church

responsibilities. Clergy and lay women gathered at a Retreat Center and with an

energetic leader studied a specific subject. Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon and

a weekend in the fall of the year with a good leader was all that mattered.

When Districts were dissolved several years ago, the State Board took over the job of

planning and executing this time away. For a variety of reasons, some women like a

one day Retreat, while others like an overnight experience. So, we try to accommodate

everyone by alternating.

Connecticut Women of the UCC will host their annual fall retreat at Silver Lake

Conference Center in Sharon, CT. This will be an overnight retreat and is open

to women of all conferences. Cost is $135/pp, which includes meals.

Friday, September 29, 2017 at 4:00 PM to Saturday, September 30,

2017 at 4:00 PM

Silver Lake Conference Center

223 Low Road

Sharon, CT 06069

Contact Susan Waldron, 860 923 2887 or [email protected]

if more information is needed.



THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

10 Wintonbury Avenue Bloomfield, CT 06002 Church Office: 860-242-0776 Nursery School: 860-242-0183 Church Fax: 860-243-8035 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The Wintonbury Spire, newsletter of the First Congregational Church in Bloomfield – United Church of Christ, is published monthly to provide information to and about our members and friends. Items received in the office by the 15th of the month may be included in next month’s edition.

The Wintonbury Spire will be mailed on the last Friday of each month. Please sign up for the “Spire Party” where we stuff, fold, label, seal and stamp the Spire from 10:30 – 11:30 am.

Sept. 29, 2017

STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION:

Rev. Edwin O. Ayala, Interim Pastor [email protected] 860.242.0776 x 2, 860-836-6651

Andrea Davey-Mercer Office Manager [email protected] 860-242-0776

Eustace Straker Minister of Music [email protected] 860-242-0776 x 3

Dorine DeCarli Director of Faith Formation [email protected] 860-242-0776 x 4

Shantel Bremmer Director of Child Development Center [email protected] 860-242-0183

Michelle Alves Building Management [email protected] 860.888.1025



september - bloomfield congregational...

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