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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"Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There [Jesus] was transfigured before them." - Mark 9:2
Can I keep it real with you? Yes?
The Transfiguration of Jesus is a biblical episode that stretches my personal limits of believability. It’s an account that I haven’t ever accepted with certainty, even though there is harmony between the various versions of that holy happening. The gospel writers have, without a doubt, documented that the disciples saw Jesus differently:
“…his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them.” – Mark 9:3
“…his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.” – Matthew 17:2
“…the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.” – Luke 9:29
Whenever I struggle with the elements of any sacred story, I try to settle with its essence. Which, in this case, is that seeing and believing sometimes requires ascending. I’ll say more when I see you. Sunday’s sermon is entitled “Elevated Faith: Up, Up and Apart”.
In the meantime, be blessed…bless somebody.
Rev. Fredd
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Please join us for upcoming Lenten activities at First Church
Read the complete Sunday Notes below or click HERE for more information and detailed descriptions of upcoming events.
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Souper Bowl Sunday!
Help your neighbor and have fun with Super Bowl 58! Donate cans of soup now until February 11, the day of the Super Bowl. Our goal is 250 cans of soup to be distributed to the Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen and West Hartford Food Pantry. Leave your donations in the blue buckets & the Outreach Team will take to the pantries. When teams are determined, you may make a financial donation on behalf of your team. Funds will be given to the food pantries. No expired food please. Vegetarian soups are appreciated. Thank you! The Outreach Team
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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 Jim and Jeanne Warner in loving memory of their son, Jamie.
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FCAYC February Love Collection
The First Church Academy is collecting items to be donated to South Park Inn. Items needed include Everyday Supplies: laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, white cotton towels and face cloths. Housewarming Baskets: pots and pans sets, dishes, silverware. Retail Gift Cards: Stop & Shop, Big Y, Target, Walmart. For more information about the South Park Inn or to see the complete list of needed items, click HERE. For more info., contact Dawne Quinn at: [email protected] or 860-233-9605 ext. 133. Thank you for your support!
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Faith on Film: Lars and the Real Girl
TONIGHT, February 9 at 7 p.m. in the JPWL
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, a movie about love!
Extremely shy, Lars finds it impossible to make friends or socialize. His brother and sister-in-law are worried about him, so when he announces that he has a girlfriend he met online, they are overjoyed. But Lars' new lady is a life-size plastic woman. On the advice of a doctor, his family and the rest of the community go along with his delusion. Rated PG-13; watch trailer HERE.
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Mission Trip Plans Are Underway!
Informational Meeting Sunday, February 11 at noon in the JPW Library
Jennifer is planning a mission trip to Rhode Island to work with Incredible Days, a service planning organization that partners with the Southern New England United Church of Christ (SNEUCC). The details are still being worked out, but we’re planning to stay at the Irons Homestead, and we’ll volunteer in soup kitchens and homeless shelters in Greater Providence. The trip is scheduled for Friday (afternoon), April 19 – Sunday, April 21. Students age 12 and up, and any interested adults, are welcome to attend.
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Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, This Tuesday!
February 13 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium
For planning purposes, please RSVP by Monday, February 12.
Join the Faith Formation Work Group and the Inreach Team to celebrate Shrove Tuesday with a fun evening of pancakes, games, and music!
Wear your wackiest outfits, put on your beaded necklaces, eat pancakes, and goof off with us!
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Ash Wednesday Service
Wednesday, February 14 at 6 p.m. in the Chapel
Please join us for this sacred service, as we begin the season of Lent with the imposition of ashes.
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Chamber Music Concert
Sunday, February 18 at 3 p.m. in the Chapel
This program is designed to bring great music performances to an audience in an intimate setting. Each presentation offers a variety of musicians, often including flute, oboe, piano, and others. The concert is free. A free will offering will be received at the door.
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Introducing “Open Chapel”: sacred space for quiet reflection and prayer
Beginning on Tuesday, February 20 from 5 to 6 p.m., the Spirit Team will offer an alternative way to experience Lent. We are calling it “Open Chapel.” Although it will take place in our chapel, it is not a typical worship service. There is no sermon or singing, or even talking, although you may hear a whisper or soft music now and then. Simply put, Open Chapel offers a still and quiet place for silent reflection and prayer.
Open Chapel was inspired by the need for stillness amid the tumult of our world and the demands of our daily lives. Open Chapel welcomes you to come in to sit quietly for just a little while or for the whole hour. You may choose to leave a written prayer request in our prayer basket or pick up a Lenten card on which to reflect. Information on future dates to follow.
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Dialogue Circles with Peacebuilders from Hartford International University for Religion and Peace (HIU)
Sunday, February 25 at 11:15 a.m. in the JPW Library
You’re invited to participate in Dialogue Circles with Master of Arts in International Peacebuilding (MAP) students from HIU. The conversations are conducted as part of the MAP curriculum. Students are training to become community change agents by developing proficiency in conflict transformation and fluency in the religious traditions of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. The ability to facilitate fruitful conversation is an essential skill for MAP students and all peacebuilding people. Which is why your participation is vitally important. We will form break-out groups to consider the topic ‘Beyond Thoughts and Prayers: Does our faith compel us to discuss and address national and international issues when we gather?’ The goal is to get 20-25 volunteers. The hope is that everyone who gives to the circles will gain lessons and blessings! Please register here!
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Harvest Pack Meal Packing 2024
Saturday, March 2 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Meal packing events are an incredible way to highlight our community, generate positive energy, and foster pride in working together for the benefit of others. Come by yourself or with a friend and join a team to pack meals for a few hours. We’ll feed you a pizza lunch for all your hard work. Recommended donation is $10 per family. View Flyer HERE.
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First Church Online Technology Assistance is Available!
Struggling with using CCB, online pledging, or trying to create repeating payments on our website? The First Church office staff is happy to help! Please reach out to us in person, via email or call the main office and we can walk you through it.
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Acolytes
Church acolytes play an important role in our Sunday services. Children will be lighting the candles before worship as well as putting the candles out to conclude the service. This can be a meaningful way for our children to serve their faith community. If your child is interested in helping out, please see or email Amanda Bethune at [email protected].
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FAITH FORMATION
Do you have a talent for working with children? Do you love arts and crafts? The Faith Formation Work Group is looking for help in our church school. Hours are 9 to 12 every Sunday (September through June 16), plus prep time during the week. See Jennifer if interested or email her at [email protected].
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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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Writing Workshop with David Pontrelli
Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6 p.m. - February 28 to April 3 in the JPW Library
Write in the form of your choosing – poetry or prose or a little of each. We do group warm-up activities, and then write alone – together. There will be an optional time for sharing with the chance to receive safe, positive feedback from other group members. If you are looking to connect with a community, these workshops will allow you to do just that. No experience is necessary, and all genres and skill levels are welcome! David Pontrelli, a graduate of Wesleyan University, leads writing classes for a wide range of ages and abilities. He has taught at Capital Community College and in local schools and non-profit organizations. Free workshop -- sponsored by the library. Register here.
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And That’s a Wrap: The Handiwork of Nancy McClelland Ball
JPWL Gallery, through this Sunday, February 11
The JPWL Gallery currently has an exhibit of our own Nancy Ball’s vibrant, hand-knitted shawls and scarves. Nancy, a self-declared “compulsive knitter,” chose over 30 of her amazing creations for the display.
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From the JPWL Archives
Electrical workers recently found this early 1940s “Fitzgerald’s Pale Ale” bottle when they removed a section of wall. It now resides in the church’s John P. Webster Library Archives, where we collect and maintain historic documents, newsletters, books, photographs, paintings, textiles, china, and other artifacts that pertain to the church’s 311-year history! Researchers may request an appointment to use the Archives by contacting the library ([email protected] or (860) 232-3893). A selection of historical documents from the Archives has been digitized and is available at Treasures of Connecticut, the CT State Library’s Digital Collection.
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Family News
Joanne and Ralph White with their gang, July 2023. Look closely and you’ll see just one grandson! All the cousins really love each other and had a great time being together for a week. For more Family News, click HERE.
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February Reach Out: South Park Inn
South Park Inn’s Emergency Shelter provides a safe, temporary residence to individuals that are literally homeless. The shelter welcomes individuals from all walks of life and has space to accommodate up to 85 men, women, and children every night. They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, never closing their doors.
Their emergency shelter, veterans’ programs, respite, and supportive housing provide personalized support to each of the men, women, and children that enter their doors. South Park Inn offers many services, including nutritious meals, personal hygiene supplies, laundry facilities, and bus passes for transportation. South Park Inn’s goal is to provide a safe, temporary place to stay as individuals identify the support and opportunities that lead to their own long-term housing solutions. For more information: www.southparkinn.org.
To donate on line thru the church: HERE or you can donate directly at: www.southparkinn.org. 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
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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