Congregational Church of Marlborough,

United Church of Christ

An Open and Affirming Faith Community 35 South Main Street – PO Box 57

Marlborough, CT 06447 www.marlcongchurch.org office - 860.295.9050

Office email ~ office@marlcongchurch.org Senior Pastor’s line – 860.295.0432

email ~ bobfaulhaber@msn.com The Rev. Bob Faulhaber Jr……………Senior Pastor The Rev. Shawn Fisher…………..Pastoral Associate David Mulligan………….………………Music Director Gwen Lawson …….…Christian Education Director Alice Rowley... “Echoes” Editor/Church Administrator Scott Reid…………..…….Senior High Youth Director Gwen Lawson…..Junior (Grades 5-8) Youth Director

Sunday Worship at 10 a.m. Sunday School for ages 3 to grade 8 at 10 a.m. Child care every Sunday downstairs in the nursery.

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.

Volume 61 April 2018 Number 3

WELCOME

APRIL 2018

Marlborough Community Sing

Friday, April 20

7 p.m. Upstairs in the Thienes Lounge

Studies have shown that singing is good for your health and well-being. It lifts your

spirits, lowers stress levels, and can even boost your immune system.

Come out and sing along to some of your favorite songs.

Words are provided for 100 well known songs (chords too…we would love to have

musicians as well). All are welcome. Guaranteed to

make you feel a whole lot better!!! Carolyn Brodginski will host this

no cost event.

She will play the guitar and hopes other

musicians will join her.

Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre

Presented by the Senior High Youth Group

Saturday, April 28

6 p.m.

$15/person

Suited for ages 10 and over Child care provided

Tickets on sale through church office or

from advisors or youth group member.

Ticket price includes

five-course homemade meal and show

All Women Invited Fri., April 13

at noon in the Thienes Lounge.

Please bring a “bag lunch.” Dessert provided.

Learn about the Resettlement Program from a guest speaker.

More Information? Call Evelyn at 860.267.4642 or

Mary-Ann at 860.267.9054

SILENT AUCTION

Starting Bid $75

This Tony Award-winning Best Musical

tells the spirited rags-to-riches story of

the beloved stage, screen and radio

star in an exuberant Ziegfeld Follies-

style extravaganza.

2 ORCHESTRA SEATS

ROW D

May 17, 2018

7:30 p.m. Tickets can be exchanged for another date and time

Bid sheet by name tags in the lounge

or

contact the church office to place a bid.

Winner announced May 6th

rev-el-ing (rev´el ing) to take great delight in and occasional boisterous merry-making

BITS AND PIECES: Because by the time Holy Week is finished, a pastor’s brain is a little bit scrambled, and there are enough “tidbits” scattered about to piece together a full article.

This Easter was the first time in my 16 years here that we were chased to the Pavilion for

the Dawn Service due to rain. It was like holding worship in a wind tunnel; a very cold wind

tunnel. Special thanks to Bernie Trafford for doing all the setting up and closing down, SOOP

for playing the anthem, Dave Arnold and Bob Ulrich for their hot cocoa station, and Bruce

Phelps for assembling the brass band. But my favorite part of the event is seeing our furry-

members in attendance. As I petted each one of them [to keep my hands warm] I offered a

silent blessing for each. Speaking of Easter Sunday, we had well over 300 worshipers in attendance between the 3

services; not counting the aforementioned dogs. Gwen Lawson did a remarkable job explaining the Easter story to our kids [caterpillars to butterflies], Pastor Shawn blessed us with one of his original songs as part of his sermon at 9am, Sheryl Scheidel ROCKED a table full of bells for the Hallelujah Chorus, and the Choir was at the top of its game. Special thanks to our deacons [under the leadership of John Henrikson and Terri Reid] for doing triple duty on an already busy day for families.

The Sunday after Easter is playfully called “Cannonball Sunday”, because our spiritual

fore-fathers and mothers used to believe that attendance was so low the week after Easter,

that you could fire a cannonball down the center row of pews and not hit anyone. Let’s prove

them wrong. Besides, our media guru BT Odoy will be covering for vacationing Dave Mulligan…

and he’ll be playing the organ! We should show him a little love and support for his courage,

and his musical talents. He’s now learning the accordion. I’m wondering…are there any

Christian Polkas? Some of our deacons recently shared with me that a few of our worshipers have asked them

why I don’t wear my robe more often. Apparently, I look remarkably handsome in it [smiles]. It’s a fair question…so here’s an honest answer; robes are trending down. Just like many pastors no longer wear a clerical collar [I have one by the way], many of them believe that a more “formal” appearance works against the church appearing more inviting and casual. It also makes the pastor seem more accessible. I take it as a compliment when people are surprised to hear I’m a pastor. It means I’m not wearing my faith on my puffy sleeves, but instead letting others know I’m a Christian by my love. That said, you can expect to see me “robed up” most Communion Sundays, for weddings and funerals, at Christmas, Palm Sunday, Easter and Baptism Sundays. I even pull out my formal black robe on Maundy Thurs. And I actually wear my clerical collar on All Saints Sunday. I look like Father Flannigan though.

Our puppets are about to become orphans soon. Maybe you can help. Once this Sunday School season is completed in June, we’ll hang the puppets up in the balcony closet without a plan to bring them out again anytime soon. We have kids who love performing with them, but no adult leaders to work with them. Miss Gwen will be taking over the Freshman Confirmation Class in the fall, which will leave her unavailable to lead our puppet troupe. Maybe you haven’t found your place to serve here at the church yet. Maybe you like to express your faith creatively and playfully. Maybe you’re the perfect person to shepherd a bunch of puppets to share the “good news”. Come see me or Gwen.

Finally….I’d love to hold another Flying Pig Sunday here at the Church sometime in May or

June. However, you’d have to promise me you’ll bring a friend or two. We even have an offer

from one of our members to have a pig roast that day. We’ll need help to make it happen.

Who’s in?!! In the Spirit,

Bob Faulhaber Jr.

CARE MINISTRY

Reflections on the

Quote…. A monthly column from church

member Ruth Jones.

Ruth is a retired elementary

school teacher; is a member of

our Chancel choir, and participates in the Card Ministry of

the Care Ministry Team.

“When I am weak than I am strong.” II Corinthians 12:10

It’s rather shocking how quickly one can be

rendered weak and helpless. You are up and

running strong like a well-oiled machine one

day, and on the next, broken and weak as a

kitten.

While working at a food bank, I met a 40-

year-old woman who said she used to donate

food to food banks and now she had a much

better understanding of their importance from

her own need.

Morrie of Tuesdays With Morrie showed the

ultimate strength in his weakness. He accepted

his situation and rejoiced in the care given him

without complaint.

Our daughter had let her health insurance

lapse just before cancer struck. Unlike Morrie her

joy escaped her, but she worked to do as much

as possible for herself and gave thanks for the

life she’d had, showing more courage than I

could have at 25.

A friend of mine has four degenerative bone

diseases. She lives in a world of hurt. In spite of

all that pain, she’s one of the most cheerful

people that I’ve ever known. Her concerns focus

on others and she truly delights in God’s grace.

Larry’s Uncle Phil had MS and spent many

years in a wheel chair. He needed assistance

with most simple of tasks.

He and his wife had a basement apartment in

a city. His wheelchair was by the only pair of

windows. Uncle Phil spent his days waving to

the passerby’s. The irony in this joyful pursuit

was that Uncle Phil had to look up to see out and

his view went only to the knees of those who

passed by.

It was surprising the number of people who

caught sight of his waving hand, bent over,

grinned and waved back. There were even

some who rang his door bell and made their

way into his shrunken world to enjoy the

warmth and humor of this amazing,

courageous man.

In our weakness God holds us up until that

weakness turns to compassions strength for

someone else.

Be kinder than necessary,

for everyone you meet

is fighting some kind of battle.

Our Care Ministry has four Care Ministry teams

Visitation

Meals

Correspondence

Transportation

Are you or someone you know in need?. If so, please contact

Pastor Bob Faulhaber at 860.295.0432 or

Care Ministries Coordinator, Edi Dole at 860.267-8543

Our heartfelt prayers go out to the following

family over the passing of a loved one who entered

into the more immediate presence of her Lord and

Savior

Cindy and Jack Cantin and their family over the

passing of her mother Betty Naimey from Myrtle

Beach, South Carolina, on March 14.

Blessed are those who mourn,

for they shall be comforted.

Matthew 5:4

SUNDAY SCHOOL & JR YOUTH GROUP HAPPENINGS

a note from Gwen Lawson

Christian Education Director

gwendolynn78@yahoo.com

Wandered Lonely as a Cloud by William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o’er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

April showers bring May flowers.” I often

scrunch my nose at that rhyme. It paints

such a dreary picture of April: gray clouds,

muddy grounds, damp chilled air.

What about the snow drops?

What about the crocuses,

the hyacinths, the tulips?

April showers us with flowers! The warm

sunshine spot-lighting the delicate whites,

pinks, purples, and the heart-warming

daffodil yellows. That is a colorful

masterpiece worth writing about!

Wouldn’t you say, Mr. Wordsworth…?

Continuous as the stars that sine

And twinkle on the Milky Way,

They stretch in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay;

Ten thousand I saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in springily dance.

Then waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:

I gazed—and gazed—but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

Happenings in the Great Hall

Sunday, April 1

HAPPY EASTER! No Sunday School

Sunday, April 8

Come out to hear the band play

and BT Odoy’s premier as organist.

Sunday, April 15 22, 29

Puppet Rehearsal, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Saturday, April 28

Senior High Youth Group

Murder Mystery Dinner fundraiser

Sunday, April 29

Sunday School is on a “Mission”

to do some Spring Cleaning! Peace, love & Joy,

Miss Gwen

Junior Youth Group All students in grades 5 to 8 are invited!

April Already! Join us for some Spring Time fun in

Junior Youth Group!

Sunday, April 8th 12:30-2:00 Picnic & Kite Flying at Blish Park

(Weather Permitting)

Friday, April 13th 6:30-8:00 Nora & Anthony's Choice

The winning team of the March Scavenger

Hunt gets to choose the evenings

activities.

We will have Face Painting and.....

Saturday, April 28th 6 p.m. Murder Mystery Dinner

Join us for dinner and a show all while

supporting the Senior Youth Group

CELEBRATIONS and EVENTS

Congratulations

Great-grandma Edi Dole on the birth of Cameron

(grandma Sandy, grandson Josh and wife Ana),

born January 23, 2018.

March 18, 2018

Oliver Raymond Rowley

born November 7, 2017

son of Vanessa and Neil

(grandson of Alice and John Rowley)

Happy Birthday to our members and friends!

If you or an adult family member’s

birthday is not correct or not listed,

please call 860.295.9050 or email

office@marlcongchurch.org

Please note: Children’s names are added to the birthday

list when they are confirmed.

April 4/1 – Shawn Fisher, Pam Schlegel

4/2 – Jane Vicino

4/3 – Tom Lower

4/4 – Jen Carlson, Sue McCaffrey

4/5 – Jason Thime

4/6 – Evelyn Dillman, Karen Starkowski

4/13 – Eleanor Button

4/15 – Carla Clark, Charles Vicino

4/18

Pat Fitton, Andy Knapp, Jordan Reynolds, Bob Wargo

4/19 – Dean Donovan

4/22 – Chris Luby 4/24 – Paul Knutsen

4/25 – Melanie Hathaway, Rachel Peterson

4/28 – Carolyn Barnes, Julia Moreland

4/29 – Rob McBrair

annual

giant tag sale

Sat. May 5, 2018

9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

COLLECTION DATES April 2 to May 4

[Please leave items on the stage in the Great Hall]

No baby high chairs, cribs, car seats, skis/poles, air conditioners…and…clean clothing, please.

SECOND

BLESSINGS

We’re collecting donations every Sunday (after

worship) from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Where 1. Drive up the back driveway (or bring your

items downstairs after worship)

2. Stop at the door labelled Thrift Shop

Collection (first door after kitchen)

Want Only NEW or GENTLY USED items – no clothing

“Soft” Opening

Saturday, May 5, 2018

To Help or Questions

Joyce jungleed42@gmail.com

Jessica jtrusz@yahoo.com

THANK YOU Sue Shook for creating and painting the

beautiful angel on the wall of our new shop.

MISSIONS

2nd quarter mission giving April – May - June

AHM Community

Mental Health Fund

This fund has been set up for children ages 0-18 and

their guardians and gives short-term financial help for

families needing mental health interventions which will

be provided by an AHM social worker or community

mental health provider.

The fund is also used to educate the community so

that they understand what these families go through

socially and financially (bullying, for example).

The fund is used as a supplement, not paying 100%

and helps with treatments and prescriptions.

AHM (Andover, Hebron, Marlborough) has been help-

ing families for over 30 years with mental health needs

MARLBOROUGH FOOD BANK

non-perishable food The Mission Board asks you to remember the

Marlborough Food Bank when grocery shopping

and pick up a few items to give to those in need.

Collection baskets are located

narthex and top landing leading into the lounge Food may also be brought directly

to the Food Bank during collection hours.

Birthday Bags Bring BIG Smiles Again, this January through April our church volunteered

for this unique outreach project of preparing birthday bags

for the children of clients of the

Marlborough Food Bank.

Thank You! Thank You! to the following

people who prepared a birthday bag:

Marge Bartlett, Cheryl Benedetto,

Grace Carlson, Joyce Fidrych,

Mary-Ann Nichols, Marion Spaulding

Birthdays were made ―extra special‖ for these children

because of your time, efforts, and generosity.

Mary Ellen Sias Birthday Bag Coordinator

…better late than…

Thanks to all the buyers, bakers, and helpers who

made the December Cookie Walk a success! We

made over $400 for the church. Thanks

especially to the “Cookie Walk Team” members:

Carolyn Barnes, Marge Bartlett (chair), Edi Dole,

Mary-Ann Nichols, Alice Rowley, Ida Spooner,

Denise Young

Service of Pageantry on Christmas Eve. Thank

you Director Terri Reid and to all participants:

Musicians

Alexa Odoy, BT Odoy, Alexander Peeling,

Sophia Peeling, Samantha Spinelli, Eli Spinelli,

Lisa Peeling (conductor)

Pageant

Scripture Readers – Rev. Bob Faulhaber, Gwen Lawson

Narrator – Baily Evans

Angels – Sarah Hale, Elizabeth Lynch

Shepherds – Joshua Susman, Jonathan Trusz

Magi – Emily Albert, Lillie Dean, Madison Evans

Holy Family – Vanessa, Neil, and Oliver Rowley

Thank you Maplefest helpers:

Jordan Bednarz, Janet Bishop, Chef Charles,

Pam Cooke, Charlie Feltz, Carl Peterson,

Peggy Poresky, Rick & Denise Seifert Paul Shook,

Marion Spaulding, Bob Wargo, Jean Williams,

Edi Dole and her team of apple peelers

Darren Cooke (chair). Profit was around $1,500!

A special thank you to the members of this church for their support, caring, cards, and actions during the difficult time of dealing with

my daughter’s death. This church and its members have been a safety net for us while we navigated the uncharted territory that was in front of us. Thank you seems inadequate for the grace we have received from you. Please know that our gratitude comes from the bottom of our hearts.

Jean Williams and Family

…….BITS AND PIECES

Scotty’s Scribbles All students in grades 9 to 12

are welcome

Sunday, April 8

Regular meeting 6 to 8 p.m.

Sunday, April 15 – NO meeting

Sunday, April 22~ Regular meeting 6 to 8 p.m.

Sunday, April 29 ~ AN OUTING!

Scotty Reid Senior High Youth Director

str64@cox.net

Senior High Youth Group Assistants

Dave Arnold, Connor McCaffrey, Terri Reid

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Thursday Mornings

April 5, 12, 19, 26

Thienes Lounge

Starting at 10:30 with coffee and snacks

No need to sign up.

You are welcome to drop in any week you’re able.

Partnership Sunday

In May Interested in joining our church or

want more information?

Give Pastor Bob a call at 860.295.0432 or call the church office at 860.295.9050

April 2018

Scripture Readers

4/1 - 9 a.m. Kevin McCaffrey 11 a.m. Janet Bishop

4/8 – John Grasso 4/15 – Youth Reader

4/22 – Bernie Trafford 4/29 – Jim Zakszewski

Coffee Hour Hosts

4/1 – Happy Easter (Coffee Hour resumes 4/8) 4/8 – Bruce and MaryLou Hassan

4/15 – Christine Bantle and Bonnie Johnson 4/22 – Kim Guy

4/29 – Big “Buts” in the Balcony

Child care for infants and toddlers is provided every Sunday during worship downstairs in the nursery.

Larger print Sunday bulletins are found on the

table in the hallway and shelf in the narthex.

Seven spaces in front of the sanctuary are set aside

for senior citizens or those with limited mobility.

Three handicap spaces are in the main parking lot,

close to the downstairs door that has a ramp to

access the building. There is a lift to the second floor

lounge and sanctuary.

Upstairs unisex rest room can accommodate a

wheel chair, has wall handles, and a portable high

toilet with handles.

These Days devotional booklets are available at no

cost to use for your daily devotional.

About Sunday flowers… Anyone is welcome to

provide Sunday flowers—In memory, in honor, to

celevrate, or “just because.”A sign up chart is on the

bulletin board by the church office or call the church at

860.295.9050. Bring your own or contact a local florist

to deliver.

CHILDREN IN CHURCH. Each Sunday children join us for the start of worship, then go to class after the Passing of Peace.. Parents may bring infants and toddlers downstairs before the service begins.

WORSHIP and MORE

WE WELCOME YOU

Sunday worship and Sunday School 10 a.m.

April 1

EASTER SUNDAY

April 8

Second Sunday of Easter

Rev. Bob Faulhaber preaching

“Tigers in the Dark”

John 21:1-19

April 15 Third Sunday of Easter

Rev. Shawn Fisher preaching

April 22

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Bluegrass Sunday

Rev. Bob Faulhaber preaching

“Scattered”

John 10:11-18

April 29

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Baptism

Rev. Bob Faulhaber preaching

“Sucker Shoots”

John 15:1-8

Dare to color outside of the

lines…. While teaching, I had that

saying on a sign in my classroom. I

wanted my students to think creatively

without fearing what others thought. I

needed to see their unique ideas and opinions

shine through, even if everyone disagreed

with them. By the end of the year, I had

students that were independent thinkers, and

could really stand their ground to strongly

voice their opinions. Why is it so difficult to

do something that might cause discomfort or

open a “can of worms?” It’s much easier to “go

with the flow” and keep confrontation to a

minimum. The author of the Chicken Soup for

the Soul series, Jack Canfield, wrote, “If we

are not a bit uncomfortable every day, we’re

not growing. All the good stuff is outside our

comfort zone.”

We are an open-minded church. Look at

the positive transformations that have

occurred over the years: we installed

a projector and a large screen, designed a new

chancel, built a loft, purchased a digital organ,

became an Open and Affirming church,

retired our offering plates, and in their

place, installed "Giving from the Heart"

boxes. All that was just inside the sanctuary!

Some of these recommendations were

challenged when initially presented, because

accepting new ideas can be very daunting! I

see innovative ideas as a way to strengthen

our church. I believe we should embrace

stepping out of our comfort zone and try to

walk in someone else’s shoes so that we can

grow our “church family.”

All that said, our Church Council has

asked the Trustees to look into the feasibility

of creating more "alternative seating" in the

sanctuary; specifically, in the balcony.

I want to challenge you to be open-minded

when listening to ideas that seem “out of the

box.” We want to continue to be forward

thinking and be the kind of church family that

invites and welcomes new members for many

years.

Your opinions and ideas are appreciated

and valued, so feel free to reach out to me

regarding thoughts you might have to help us

continue to grow.

Jessica Trusz,Church Moderator jtrusz@yahoo.com