Welcome to the First Church newsletter. Please notice that just about everything is "clickable"! In other words, click an image, a logo, or a button to find out more details! | |
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“I cannot think of them as dead who walk with me no more;
along the path of life I tread they are but gone before, they are but gone before.” – Chalice Hymn #645
The theme for this coming Sunday centers around the concept of legacy or heritage. The theme reflects three coinciding worship realities:
All Saints Sunday -- also known as All Hallows' Day -- is our opportunity to recognize the departed saints of the church and allow the memory of their faith to send us toward deeper devotion and further service to God. We will lift up the names of the ones who have gone before us in the past year.
The featured text is taken from Deuteronomy 34. Which recounts the death of Moses at the very edge of the promised land. The writer of this sacred story asserts: “Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses…[he] was unequaled for all the signs and wonders that the Lord sent him to perform…and for all the mighty deeds and all the terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.” I cannot think of him as dead. His silent ministry still has a place in my heart. His faith is our heritage. I’ll say more when I see you.
Finally! Finally! The Steeple Dedication will take place in the meeting house immediately following worship. In fact, you should think of the ceremony as overtime worship. We will praise our Creator. We will celebrate the contractors and church members for their contributions of time, talent, and treasure. Moreover, we will pay tribute to the many people (named and unnamed) who labored in the past to make the renovation project possible. Truly, the steeple is a shining symbol of their legacy.
Can’t! Wait! Be blessed and be a blessing,
Rev. Fredd
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Please join the Selection Committee for coffee and conversation following worship on Sunday, November 5! We’ll meet in the Chapel around 11:20-11:30 and engage in an open discussion regarding the candidacy of Rev. Fredd Ward as our next settled Senior Pastor for First Church. We look forward to seeing and hearing from you. – Selection Committee members.
To view a copy of the recent mailing from our Moderator, please click HERE.
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Stewardship Sunday is November 12!
Our 2023 Stewardship Campaign is underway and pledge cards have been mailed out. You can bring your completed pledge card to worship on November 12 or mail it to the office beforehand. You can also make your pledge online by filling out the online pledge card HERE. If you would like to view the letter from the Stewardship Team, Click HERE.
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Festival of Trees
Planning for the Eighth West Hartford Festival of Trees is underway!
Please consider donating a decorated tree or if you have an affiliation with a business/organization, please ask if they might consider donating a tree or gift card. The Festival of Trees event takes place during West Hartford’s annual Holiday Stroll, on November 30. Register your tree on the church website HERE. You will get a chance to volunteer that week with Festival set-up, to work during the event, and to assist with clean up and tree distribution afterwards. Thank you! The F.O.T. Committee.
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Steeple Fundraising Group
We are launching the “Light the Steeple” campaign which is a way to dedicate a week of the lighting of the steeple to a loved one. Similar to making a flower donation we will ask that you pick a date (Nov. 5 or later) and at least one week in advance of the desired week, and all donors will be acknowledged in our weekly Happenings. Please note: more than one donor can fall on any given week starting with Nov. 5. Donations will be added to the Save the Steeple fund. Click "Light The Steeple for a loved one" found on the “Save the First Church Steeple” web page or click here.
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Light the Steeple
Our steeple this week was lit by the Steeple Fundraising Workgroup in honor of all First Church Pastors, past and present.
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Thanksgiving Baskets
Our food collection for Thanksgiving baskets is here! If you would like to help, please bring in a food item, using the following guide:
If your last name begins with...you’ll bring:
A-D: Gravy and Cranberry Sauce, Spanish Food (i.e. Goya Products)
E-H: Rice and potatoes
I-L: Breakfast cereals and juice boxes
M-P: Canned fruits and vegetables
Q-T: Bread and roll mix; stuffing mix
U-Z: Juice, tea and coffee
Please bring items to church and place them in a Food for Friends barrel by November 19th. We will use these items to fill the baskets. We will also be collecting Stop and Shop gift cards, which each family will receive along with their basket of food items. We are looking for volunteers to fill and organize the baskets on November 19th after worship.
If you can help out or have any questions please contact Maryanne Barry at [email protected] or Diane Bohman at [email protected] Thank you!
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Food Collection Update
Thank you to everyone who helped Joey Carbone and his cousin Lily and their friends during Saturday's Drive-By Drop-Off Food Collection. The group collected over 60 bags for the West Hartford Food Pantry and Loaves & Fishes -- a retail value of over $5000 in groceries! That's a substantial achievement for a few hours of work. Thanks, Joey, Lily, and friends! Thank you, First Church Community!
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Lollipop Opera - TONIGHT! Friday, October 27 at 5:30 p.m.
Dinner and a Show for the Whole Family!
Join us for pizza at 5:30 p.m., then afterwards enjoy a performance of the Lollipop Opera – The Fairy Tale Kitchen. Meet Esmerelda, a "reformed" witch who is full of surprises! Favorite fairy tale friends drop in on her cooking show -- with hilarious results! Plenty of opportunity for audience participation, and spooky fun for everyone! For more information and to sign up, click HERE.
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Taizé Service - Sunday, November 5 at 5 p.m. in the Chapel
This service will be Lay-Lead with moments for silent and musical meditation. Come celebrate the season of Thanksgiving and prepare for the Christmas holiday with music and mindfulness. There will be other opportunities to worship with us later in an alternative way later in the year and in early 2024!
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Chamber Music - Sunday, November 19 at 3 p.m. in the Chapel
The Chamber Music Series is a new series at First Church, designed to bring great music performances to an audience in an intimate setting. The ensemble features oboe, bassoon, and piano, as well as violin and cello. The concert is free to the public. A Free Will Offering will be received at the door. Follow signs from the parking lot up the stairs, around to the front entrance of the Chapel.
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Coffee and Conversation
Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.
Join Rev. Fredd at the Hartford Baking Company in West Hartford Center for coffee and conversation!
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Google Review
Do you like First Church? Would you take a minute and write a review? We like stars, so give us 5 if you really like us. Even better, write a comment too.
Click here: https://g.page/r/CSKC8GKwjZ8EEB0/review. Thank you in advance!
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FAITH FORMATION
Welcome, Children!
- Start your Sundays at First Church in the Meeting House/Sanctuary in the Prayground or in the pew with your family. After the Message for All Ages, follow Ms. Jennifer to church school or remain in the sanctuary during worship
- PreK – Grade 1 -- Community Room (#232), downstairs from the sanctuary
- Grades 2-5 -- Room #406.
- Infants and toddlers -- Nursery, Room 216 (parents, please inform Jennifer by the Friday before worship if you will require Nursery care)
- New Option! – watch the livestream of the service on the large screen in the church library (beneath the sanctuary).
Sunday Bible Study
Meets Sunday mornings from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. in the World Fellowship Room (Room 303)
No Charge – Sponsored by the JPW Library
Join Rev. Tom Carr each Sunday before worship for an in-depth look at the Bible. All are welcome!
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Click HERE to Check Out these Awesome Books at the JPW Library! | |
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Book Group News:
The church’s John P. Webster Library coordinates two regular book groups.
Copies of the books are provided for participants. New members are always welcome! For more information, please contact Jennifer or Molly at 860-232-3893 or [email protected].
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Awakening the Spirit, led by Rev. Tom Carr, meets Mondays from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Bring a bag lunch; beverages and desserts are provided. The group is currently discussing If God is Love, Don’t Be a Jerk by John Pavlovitz.
Food for Thought, led by JPW Library staff, meets on the first Tuesdays of each month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the JPW Library. Their next meeting is Tuesday, November 7 to discuss Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah. Bring a snack or dinner; refreshments and desserts will be provided.
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Five Wishes Booklets Available at the JPW Library
Five Wishes is a living will in which you consider your personal, emotional, and spiritual needs as well as your medical wishes. It is an easy-to-use complete form developed with help from the American Bar Association’s Commission on Law and Aging. Once it is filled out and properly signed it is valid in most states, including CT. Five Wishes helps you begin the necessary conversations about your end-of-life care with your loved ones. The booklets are available for free at the JPW Library. More information, including the option to purchase a digital version of the document, is available at fivewishes.org.
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Family News
On Sunday, October 22 we celebrated the Installation Service of our former Acting Associate Pastor, Amie Giguere, to the position of Pastor and Teacher of the Pilgrim Congregational Church in Harwich Port, MA. A group of hearty cheerleaders from FC made the journey to be with Amie.
For more Family News click HERE.
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October Reach Out: IRIS - Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services
“IRIS is a non-profit agency whose mission is to help refugees and other displaced people establish new lives, strengthen hope, and contribute to the vitality of Connecticut’s communities. Welcoming persecuted people from other countries is America’s most noble tradition. IRIS helps newcomers on the road to self-sufficiency by providing lifesaving support during their transition to life in the United States.”
“Refugee families who arrive from overseas come to the U.S. with virtually no material possessions. They have lost homes, friends, family, country, culture, and jobs. Most do not speak any English. They have no income, and many are victims of trauma, with physical or mental health needs. As great as their initial needs are, their potential to enrich our community is even greater.” IRIS offers refugees and immigrants help with the following services: housing, employment, health, legal and education.
For more information: IRIS-Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (irisct.org).
To donate online through the church click HERE or you can donate directly at: https://irisct.org/donate. Thank you for your support!
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Spreading Your News
The Communications Team is made up of members of our Outreach Ministry, and the church Office Administrators.
Sunday Notes/Happenings submissions are due by noon on Tuesdays to Sarah and Linda
Website, flyer, and Social Media additions or changes can be sent to Amy and Joy anytime.
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Taking Photos in Church and Sharing Policy
Taking photos and documenting life events is commonplace now and more and more common in church settings. Lots of members are asking about taking photos at church events and wondering how to share them and to avoid confusion, we came up with some guidelines. Most important: be sure phone is in silent mode and skip solo selfies when tagging church events! Laminated copies of guidelines are at each entrance to the Sanctuary and at auditorium entrance, or view policy here or go to website>Photo Gallery page. Thank you, Amy and Joy.
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Please use the links below to find us all over the internet, and you can also email the office by clicking the envelope. | |
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Hours: The church office hours are Monday thru Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Main number is 860-233-9605 | Email: [email protected]
Copyright © 2022 First Church West Hartford, All rights reserved.
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