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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Hello loved ones,
A few thoughts about Christmas Eve 2023…
First, I’m not sure that I’ve ever felt as settled during this frenzied, frenetic time of the year. See what I did there? A little play on words in celebration of our relationship as pastor and people. No? Okay then, moving on.
Secondly, Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday every five or six years (the variance depends on Leap Year). Whenever it does, a small segment of the congregation will be disappointed or frustrated. Which is to say that it’s impossible to please all of the people all of the time. I promise you, this year we’ve tried to create two enticing evening worship experiences. Depending on your situation and schedule, you can choose between 4:30 p.m. (festive, family-oriented service featuring a walk-on Christmas pageant) and 9:00 p.m. (quiet, contemplative service, featuring lessons and carols). Christmas Eve is observed all day, of course; but we decided to forego morning worship. If that turns out to be a misstep, we’ll try again in 2028!
Lastly. It took several years of attempting and falling short before I realized that “preaching” on Christmas Eve is a troublesome proposition. The trouble is that a sermon is no substitute for the story itself. When Christ comes down to earth from heaven -- love incarnate for us all -- the faithful thing to do is get out of the way. I’ll say more (but not much more) when I see you.
Love you madly,
Rev. Fredd
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“Give a little bit”….Please!
Members and friends of our church have made great strides toward this year’s stewardship campaign goals. At this point, we have 94 people/families who have pledged a total of $259,330. Thank you all!
Our goal is to get to at least $315,000 in order to support the vision and ministries of First Church. We can do it! And we need everyone who has not yet pledged to send in their cards or go online. The programs, music, and safe spaces we all know and love depend on our shared financial support to sustain them. So, get ready to “Give a little bit”!
Thank you, from your Stewardship Team: Lisa Abel, Bob Van Der Wende, and Terry Schmitt.
If you would like to make your 2024 pledge online, you can do so by filling out the online pledge card HERE.
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Holiday Closures
- The office will be closed on Monday, December 25 for the holiday. The office will also be closed on December 26 and 27 due to scheduled electrical work. We will be back in the office on Thursday, December 28.
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The JPW Library will be closed December 26-January 2. See you in 2024!
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Covenant to Care Hat & Mitten Drive
The Annual Hat and Mitten Drive is underway and will continue through the end of the year. Please bring new or gently worn mittens, hats, scarves, and other winter clothing for children through our Covenant to Care partners.
Marked boxes will be available in the Narthex and outside the auditorium to collect your donations. Any new or used winter outerwear or clothing in good condition is welcome.
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Light The Steeple in honor of a Loved One
For a $25 donation, you are invited to "Light the Steeple" for one week in honor of a loved one. Similar to making a flower donation we will ask that you pick a date 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. 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 Abel family in loving memory of Marion Trout, their Grammy and Gigi.
Bob and Jane Cave in loving memory of their parents.
Susan Ross in loving memory of Josephine Mary Bush.
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With Sorrow
Sadly, Glenna Burnett passed away on November 21, 2023. A memorial service will be scheduled in the new year. To view her obituary, click HERE.
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Please join us for the following Advent festivities at First Church!
December 24 – Fourth Sunday of Advent, Love – We will have 2 Christmas Eve Services of Lessons and Carols.
4:30 p.m. – Festive Service with a walk-on children’s pageant (in-person only).
9 p.m. – Contemplative, candle-light service (in-person and live-streamed).
*(Please note there will be no 10 a.m. worship service on December 24, and there will not be a service on Christmas Day, December 25.)
December 31 – Colossal Puppets return during the 10 a.m. worship service.
Click HERE for more information about all of our Advent festivities!
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Ring in the New Year with Colossal Mary and Joseph!
The Colossal Puppets of St. Michaels Church (Litchfield) are returning to First Church Sunday, December 31 for the 10 a.m. service! It’s a memorable way for children of all ages to commemorate the end of the Christmas season and look forward to greeting the New Year. Want to get involved? Volunteers are needed for the following:
- Assembling/preparing the puppets Tuesday, December 26 from 2 to 4 p.m.
- Puppeteers for the December 31 worship service. This involves rehearsing on Saturday, December 30 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
- Disassembling and transporting puppets back to St. Michaels Tuesday, Jan. 2 at 1 p.m.
Sign up for any of these spots HERE, or speak to Jim Boratko.
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Coffee and Conversation - Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
Join Rev. Fredd and friends at the Hartford Baking Company in West Hartford Center for coffee and conversation!
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The 2023 Festival of Trees was a great success, thanks to the generosity of the community and our church members. 54 trees were donated this year, and these were viewed by over 1,330 people who attended the Festival, many of whom purchased raffle tickets for a chance at a tree or gift card. We are thrilled to tell you that $5,530.00 was raised to support multiple local charities.
Thanks go to the First Church choir, Whitechapel Handbell Choir, and Jim Boratko, all who performed throughout the evening. We are grateful for their time, your generosity and volunteer spirit! It was a wonderful evening! The Festival of Trees Committee
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Altar Flower Donations Needed!
Sponsoring altar flowers is a meaningful way to honor or remember loved ones and is also part of our In-reach ministry.
We have dates available for 2024, including these upcoming dates: 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/25, 3/3, 3/17, and 3/24.
Please contact the church office for details at 860-233-9605 or [email protected].
Please note, the price of a seasonal altar flower arrangement has increased to $90.
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Darling Calendars – a great gift!
In collaboration with the JPW Library, Joyce Darling has created a 2024 wall calendar. Darling, whose paintings were displayed in the JPWL Gallery last spring, is donating all proceeds to the First Church Steeple fund. Calendars are available at the JPW Library during business hours, and at the Book Mobile during Sunday coffee hour. Free Will Donation.
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FAITH FORMATION
DID YOU KNOW?! You can watch the livestream of the worship service in the JPW Library every Sunday morning! Come, have a coffee, and relax in our beautiful church library. We also have a fun play area (with books of course) for toddlers!
Sunday Bible Study
Sunday mornings from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. in the World Fellowship Room (Room 303)
Please note, Bible Study will not meet on December 24. Join Rev. Tom Carr each Sunday before worship for an in-depth look at the Bible. The group is currently doing a special Advent-focused study. All are welcome!
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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, please note, Awakening the Spirit will not meet on 12/25/23, 1/1/24, or 1/15/24. Also – Potluck Lunch on January 8. Bring a side dish or dessert.
This group, led by Rev. Tom Carr, meets Mondays from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Bring a bag lunch; beverages and desserts are provided. On 1/22, the group will begin a discussion of Amy-Jill Levine’s The Difficult Words of Jesus: A Beginner's Guide to His Most Perplexing Teachings.
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Food for Thought’s next meeting is January 2 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. to discuss Geraldine Brooks’ latest novel, Horse. Based on the remarkable true story of the record- breaking thoroughbred Lexington, Horse is a novel of art and science, love and obsession, and our unfinished reckoning with racism…A discarded painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic, and the greatest racehorse in American history: from these strands, a Pulitzer Prize winner braids a sweeping story of spirit, obsession, and injustice across American history. | | |
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Family News
Amy Melvin and Doey Barnett helped with Days for Girls sewing at the November work day. Find out more on Simsbury Methodist website.
For more Family News, click HERE.
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December Reach Out: Christmas Fund
The Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund has been caring for active and retired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ for over 100 years. Funds provide direct financial support to those who serve the church and are facing financial difficulties. Active and retired clergy, lay employees, and their surviving spouses may be eligible for the Supplementation of Small Annuities, Supplementation of Health Premiums, Emergency Grants, and/or Christmas “Thank You” Gift Checks. Your generous support will be a blessing to servants of the church old and young, retired and active, lay and authorized”. Thank you for your support!
For more information: https://www.ucc.org/ocwm_special-support/ To donate online thru the church: HERE or you can donate directly at: Giving Opportunities - United Church of Christ (ucc.org)
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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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