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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Loved ones:
This Sunday, FBI agent Neville Flynn (played by Samuel L. Jackson) boards a flight from Hawaii to Los Angeles, escorting a key witness to trial. While on-board, a hit man releases a crate of deadly serpents in an attempt to silence the witness. I’ll say more when…wait…hang on a second.
My apologies. Please forgive the slight schedule snag.
This Sunday, the featured scripture selection is Numbers 21:4-9. The text describes a stage in the Israelites’ departure from Egypt – their detour around the land of Edom on the Red Sea road. The congregation complained to Moses about the challenging conditions. The storyteller says, “…the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died.”
Ouch! Impatience and disobedience can be deadly. I’ll say more when I see you. The sermon is entitled: Snakes on a Plain.
Be blessed. Be a blessing.
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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Call to the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Congregation
Notice is hereby given that a Congregational Meeting of the First Church of Christ Congregational of West Hartford, Connecticut, UCC, will be held in the Meetinghouse on Sunday, March 10, 2024 starting at approximately 11:15 a.m.
This meeting is called to transact the following items of business:
To consider and vote on the minutes of the Annual Meeting of First Church held on March 12, 2023.
To consider and vote on the proposed slate of Officers, Team Leaders and Team Members for First Church for the coming year.
In accordance with the By-laws of First Church, action will be taken only on matters included in this Call to Meeting.
Notice given on February 20, 2024
Linda Bronstein, Secretary
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Introducing “Open Chapel”: sacred space for quiet reflection and prayer
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. Our weekly schedule will be flexible, and we hope you will find a time that is convenient. Join us to experience the sacred silence of Lent.
Tuesday, March 12 -- Noon to 1 p.m.
Tuesday, March 19 -- 5 to 6 p.m.
Friday, March 29 -- Noon to 1 p.m.
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One Great Hour of Sharing This Sunday, March 10
This special Lenten mission offering supports disaster and refugee/immigration and development throughout the world and the opportunity to share God’s love with our neighbors. This month make your contribution through the Church Website Giving Page by clicking on One Great Hour of Sharing in the drop-down menu or Text OGHS to (860) 222-7870 or using the special pew collection envelope. The need is great and so is our calling
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Soup and Sharing: Clean Heart Conversations
March 17 at 11:15 a.m. in the Auditorium
We’ll engage in guided small-group discussion based on David’s desire for cleansing and a new and right spirit (Psalm 51:10). Soup (and bread) will be served! Sign-up HERE in advance or drop-in that morning.
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Arts in the Center Series presents:
Eeyou Istchee: The Music of Andrew Thomson
Friday, March 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Freewill offering.
Andrew Thomson, ASCAP, (b.1988) has earned an international reputation as a composer, performer, and educator, and has collaborated with a variety of organizations, ranging from the internationally acclaimed choirs of Joyful Noise, Inc. to the United States Marine Corps.
To read more about Andrew, click HERE.
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What should GHIAA work on next? The answer will come out of small-group meetings where people are invited to share a story about an experience that happened to them or someone close to them -- something that made them think, "That's not right!" or "There ought to be a law against that!" The more people who share stories, the better chance we have of zeroing in on the most important issues that need our attention. Click HERE to register for one of the upcoming meetings. First Church is hosting several small-group meetings at First Church on April 14, 4:00-5:30pm, along with our partners Congregation Beth Israel and Westminster Presbyterian Church. If you can't make it on April 14, choose a session on another date, at another local GHIAA congregation. Any questions? Contact Linda Bronstein or Terry Schmitt.
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First Church Annual Easter Egg Hunt!
Easter Sunday, March 31 Following the worship service.
All are welcome, and BYOB (Bring Your Own Basket)!
Questions? See Jennifer
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DO GOOD Friday - March 29 at 9:30 a.m. in the Auditorium
On Good Friday, you might have a day off from school or work, so how about taking time to honor the good work of Jesus, who shared his life and love with everyone he met? We’re calling it DO GOOD Friday! Join us to make 90 bagged lunches and Easter/Spring cards for Loaves & Fishes; bake brownies for the lunches; and stuff eggs for our annual Easter egg hunt. All Ages are welcome to participate – and if you can’t make it, please consider making a donation toward the lunches! See Jennifer for more information, or contact her at [email protected]. Let’s Do Good Friday on March 29!
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Easter Donations
This is a wonderful opportunity to make a donation in honor of, or in memory of, a loved one! Easter Lily and Organ & Carillon donations can be made online HERE. Click HERE for a printable form and return it to the church office with your payment. If you wish to have your donation listed in the Sunday Bulletin, please make your donation by Sunday, March 24. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah at [email protected] or 860-233-9605.
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Easter Baskets For Our Covenant to Care Children
It is almost Easter and that means Easter Baskets. Please consider signing up to donate a filled Easter basket. We will provide the basket, filler/grass, cellophane bag, and bow. You need to fill the basket with the suggested items from the list we will provide. Sign-ups will start March 3. Please return filled baskets by Palm Sunday, March 24.
For any questions, please contact Maryanne Barry at (860-593-7248 or [email protected]) or Diane Bohman at (860-490-5908 or [email protected])
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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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Dear Friends,
After weeks of prayerful reflection, I realize that I am called to return full-time to the ministries of the John P. Webster Library. Thus, I am writing to let you know that I will be stepping back from my position as Director of Faith Formation, effective April 8. It is my hope and intention to work with the Faith Formation Work Group to make this a smooth transition, and to continue building a vibrant family ministry at First Church.
It has been a true joy to work with our community’s families and children; I cherish many tender moments from the past several months! I want to express my gratitude to the Faith Formation Work Group, the Coordinating Team, and the families of First Church for your steadfast support and encouragement. I look forward to what we will next accomplish together!
In Peace, Jennifer deSimas
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FAITH FORMATION
WELCOME CHILDREN & CARE-GIVERS!
Start your Sundays at First Church in the Meeting House/Sanctuary Prayground or together in the pews. After the Message for All Ages, children should follow Ms. Jennifer to church school or stay with their parents during worship.
- PreK – Grade 1 – Room 404. Teachers will lead students to the Auditorium after Sunday School.
- Grades 2-5 – Room 406. Students will be dismissed to the Auditorium after Sunday School.
Care-givers, you may also watch the livestream of the service on the large screen in the church library (beneath the sanctuary), which also has a beautiful children’s reading/play area! Join us for coffee afterwards!
New Class for Grade 6 and Up - Starts this Sunday, March 10 in Room 407
Michael Protos is leading a new class for junior high and high school students. They will meet twice a month on the 4th floor. On weeks when there is no class meeting, students are invited to the PreK-Grade 1 class to assist with reading, crafts, and games. See Michael or Jennifer with questions.
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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 12-1:30. Bring a bag lunch; beverages and desserts are provided. They are reading On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Growing Old by Parker Palmer. “This book is not for elders only. It was written to encourage adults of all ages to explore the way their lives are unfolding. It’s…a set of meditations in prose and poetry that turn the prism on the meaning(s) of one’s life, refracting new light at every turn.” Tap here to join the group. | | |
Food for Thought’s next meeting is Tuesday April 2 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. (Please note the time change!) to discuss The Measure by Nikki Erlick: “Today, when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. This box holds your fate inside: the answer to the exact number of years you will live…Imagine waking up tomorrow with the opportunity learn when you will die. Would you want to know the date, or would you prefer to remain blissfully ignorant?” (Amazon) Tap here to join this group. | | |
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JPWL Gallery Talk, Expressing Faith on Canvas – a Form of Prayer, Reflection, and Therapy w Aida Mansoor
Thursday, March 21 at 2:30 p.m.
The JPWL Gallery invites you to a gallery talk with Chaplain Aida Mansoor, whose calligraphy paintings are currently on exhibit. Aida is the Director of Field Education at Hartford International University. She also serves in the community and works with the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut and the Islamic Association of Greater Hartford.
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Lenten Devotionals are available at the entrances to the Meeting House and in the Rotunda entrance hallway. This year’s devotional “Bent” was written by the Still-Speaking Writers Group of the United Church of Christ. “Jesus modeled flexibility: hardship and persecution bent but didn't break him. Change and challenge strengthened his ministry. Impossible situations yielded to healing and release.”
You may also access a daily devotional from the United Church of Christ here.
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Family News
Alex and I welcomed our baby, Elliott Daniel Dube-Scott on 2/26/24! We are both happy and healthy. We are thrilled to be able to share this news with our friends at FCWH and are so thankful for your continued prayers and care! –Lauren Dube-Scott
For more Family News, click HERE.
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March Reach Out: My Sisters’ Place
Every day, throughout the Greater Hartford area, there are hundreds of people who have found themselves homeless due to domestic violence, eviction, unemployment, or mental illness – the overwhelming majority often women and children.
My Sisters’ Place mission is committed to ending homelessness by empowering women, families, and others in Greater Hartford to achieve independence and stability in their community by providing housing and supportive services.
My Sisters’ Place provides a comprehensive array of outreach and services that is unmatched by any other organization in the Hartford, Connecticut region. From safe housing and education to employment and empowerment, My Sister Place provides real, life-changing benefits to clients. For more information please visit: My Sisters' Place, Inc. (sistersplacect.org) or call 860-895-6629.
To donate on line thru the church: HERE or you can donate directly at: My Sisters' Place, Inc. (sistersplacect.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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