Sunday, March 19, 2023

Please join us for worship service on Sunday at 10:00 AM.

Bulletin

Music

Prayers of Intercession

(new names added will be in red)

To view the live-streamed 10 AM service, please use one of the links below.

Youtube Link

Facebook Link

The Children's Faith Formation News and Information is updated weekly!

Interested in joining First Church?

For those who are considering membership, there will be a new member orientation session on Wednesday, March 22 from 7-8:30 PM in the Chapel. You will meet with Pastors James and Alison and members of the Membership Ministry to learn what it means to become a member of our church. Then, if you so choose, you may join our church on New Member Sunday, March 26 at the 10AM service. For more information please contact Sara Buell 203-272-7785 or [email protected].

A meeting of the First Congregational Church of Cheshire, United Church of Christ, is called by the Church Council for Sunday, March 19, 2023, and will commence at approximately 11:15 AM. In the event of Inclement weather the meeting will be rescheduled. Information will be available in the Bulletin and E-blast prior to the meeting. The meeting will commence for the purposes of:

1. Accepting the proposed Environmental Justice covenant, as follows:

Appreciating the divine gifts of creation and affirming our connection to God, each other, and the world around us, we commit ourselves to the responsibility of caring for the earth. As humanity confronts the current and future crises of damage to our climate, we promise to God our Creator, to Jesus the Redeemer of Creation, and to the Holy Spirit the Sustainer of Creation, to be better stewards of the planet and all its resources. We pledge that our deeply felt commitment be reflected in the many dimensions of our congregation’s life, and that we go beyond the walls of this church to act out of this concern.

Childcare is available.

Leah Sanders, Clerk

REMINDER that this Sunday is our next "Music with Friends". Join the fun!

Our new musical group, “Music with friends,” is beginning to flourish! Throughout the fall, about a dozen people from our congregation joined with our chancel choir to offer music during worship. Included were church members, middle and high school students, families and children, people visiting our church for the first time, and chancel choir members. We would like to encourage and energize even more participation from our congregation.

To do so, “Music with Friends” will sing next on the third Sunday of each month going forward (March 19, April 16, May 21 and June 18).



No preparation is required. All you have to do is show up to practice a simple song at 9:15 prior to worship. It’s simple, fun, and a great way to meet others in our church through the joy of music. To learn more about "Music with Friends," please contact Music Director, Joe D’Eugenio.

Please click on image above for the full Lenten calendar.

NEW! Something for Everyone!

First and Third Sundays, 5-7 PM

We are excited to announce our expanded Sunday evening programming on the first and third Sunday evenings. Beginning Sunday, March 19, we will offer a Bible Study for adults, "CAFE Conversations" (Cheshire Adult Fellowship and Engaging) Conversations, led by members Braxton and Catie Carrigan. Each evening begins with a meal at 5 PM, programming and child care starts at 5:30. 

• On first Sundays: the High School & Middle School Youth Groups will continue the "Top Chef" program and eat separately from CAFE participants and family members.
• On third Sundays: High School, Middle School and Stepping Stones (grades 5 & 6) and CAFE participants begin with a shared meal.
• Child care will be available both evenings from 5:30- 7 PM.
• A suggested contribution of $5-$10 to cover meal and child care cost

Adults can sign up for bible study and childcare by scanning the QR code above or by using this LINK

Lenten Challenges That Help the Earth

It has been a tradition for Christians to give up something for Lent as a sign of sacrifice or to test their self-discipline as Jesus did for forty days in the desert. Instead of choosing something that is meaningful only to you, the Environmental Justice Team suggests making your sacrifice something that will have a benefit to others. 

Weeks 3/4 (March 12 and 19): Caring for Others by preserving resources: reducing driving. Philippians 2:4: “not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interest of the others”. Being mindful of transportation carbon emissions that pollute the air and cause illness and lead to climate change, ultimately causing human suffering.

Challenge: Carpool at least once each week when you might have ordinarily driven alone, or combine trips that might otherwise have been separate. Take the initiative and offer a ride to someone. Offer to pick up groceries for a neighbor when you go to the store. An added benefit is the social interaction of riding with someone else!

Action: The bulletin board will have a spot to mark when you’ve saved a car trip. Let’s fill it up!  

Holy Week Labyrinth; Ways to Take Part

PREPARE: Canned goods needed for construction (14.5 or similar size). Donations received in Parish Hall along wall facing Route 10.

SET UP: Monday, April 9 at 9:30 am; 8-10 people needed.

COME WALK!: Daily Guided Walks, 12 Noon and 6 PM, Monday - Good Friday 12 Noon. Each day's walk is inspired by the daily events of Jesus' life during Holy Week.

Maundy Thursday to Good Friday Silent Vigil. 9 PM- 8 AM

Keep watch with Jesus in the sanctuary during the evening and overnight hours from the end of the Maundy Thursday service to Good Friday morning. Sign up for a one hour block of time either on your own or with others. Materials for reflection and contemplation will be provided. Detailed instructions will be given to each participant for arrival and departure protocols.

You can sign up by emailing Pastor Alison or at the Welcome Desk. 

Lent Journey Mosaic

Lent invites us to walk with Jesus; as individuals and as a church community. To honor the duality of this journey, we invite you to help create a Lenten Journey Mosaic, on the wall leading up to Parish Hall.

Add a Reflection or Prayer Tile to the wall each week, or when the spirit moves you. Tiles, pens, markers, and instructions can be found on the table at the base of the ramp.

It's been our tradition for many years to fill the Sanctuary with flowers (tulips, daffodils and or lilies) on Easter Morning, provided by our Congregation. You can order plant(s) for $10 (link below) and bring it home after the 10 AM Easter service or you donate to someone who is homebound or in the hospital.

Order Flowers Here or at church (order form is located in Sunday bulletins for the next 2 weeks).

Also, we are assembling an Action team to deliver any donated flowers. If you would like to help with this you can sign up at the Welcome Desk or through this Signup Genius link

Outreach Ministry Group News

OMG approved $1,000 to Department of Children and Families for Easter Basket assistance to needy families. 

Here are few upcoming Outreach Action Team Events/Opportunities:

April 6

FCC Sponsored CCA Easter Egg Hunt and Pizza celebration from 3:30 - 5 PM

Come join us! Jack Sellati, Team Leader

April 17-22

Cheshire Earth Day (4/22) clean up and observance with EJT.

Action Team volunteers needed – Details forthcoming

May 14

“Mother’s Day” Baby Bottle Benefit begins.

Details forthcoming. Sharon Puhalla, Team Leader

TBD – “Kiva - You Choose” – We have $1400+ to loan to people in remote and disadvantaged parts of the world to start up and grow a business. Learn more and help pick the people/projects you want to support all over the world. 

July 17

FCC Red Cross Blood Drive from 1 - 6 PM in Parish Hall

Details forthcoming.

Environmental Justice’s Third Lenten Challenge: Experiencing Rebirth: getting out into nature

We’re giving you a sneak preview so that you can mark your calendar to reserve the morning of Saturday, April 1 (no fooling!) from 10 to noon for a walk at the Roaring Brook Falls trail led by visiting expert naturalist Laurie Sanders. She will point out and explain signs of Creation’s reawakening for spring, as well as how this beautiful area came to be the way it is. The first hour will be on level, easy terrain for all participants; the second hour will be more challenging, as we ascend to the falls. Come for part or all.

"Good morning! Hello! It's so nice to see you! Welcome to Church!" What a joyful thing it is to be so warmly welcomed on a Sunday morning! Our team of Greeters and Ushers are the first ones to welcome everyone with Christ's all-embracing love. Did you know anyone of any age can be a greeter? You can greet on a regular basis or even once or twice a year. And we make signing up easy with Sign-Up Genius. You don't need a Sign-Up Genius account, just click on the link and you'll be taken to the schedule where you can decide when and where, and how often you'd like to greet. You'll even receive an email reminder of your choices. We are here to help with any questions. If you would like to serve as an Usher, Nancy Stover welcomes your interest. All you need to bring is the love in your heart for all God's people. 

Church INDOOR Spring Cleaning: 

Saturday, March 25 from 9 A.M. to Noon

Bring your gloves, pails, clean rags and be ready to make our church sparkle and shine in time for Palm Sunday and Easter!

UCC One Great Hour of Sharing: 

February 26 – March 19

One Great Hour of Sharing supports partners in countries with ministries that fund health, education and agricultural development, emergency relief, refugee ministries and both international and domestic disaster relief.  You can donate online or by cash or check on Sunday morning (checks should be made out to FCC, with OGHS in subject line).

Outreach Ministry is HAPPY to announce the return of Cheshire Food Pantry donations on the first Sunday of every month.  Any donations brought to the church can be left in the shopping carriage in the Parlor

Donation Wish list:

Ketchup, Mayonnaise, Mustard, Salt, Pepper, Cooking Oil, Olive Oil, Spices, Baking Mixes (various). You can visit their website for more items needed.

Sunday Flower signup

Would you like to donate flowers for Sunday worship service in memory or in honor of someone? There is a signup sheet in the Parlor for you to fill in your name and contact info. Any questions, please contact Jane Brown.

Fellowship/Coffee Hour

Caring Ministry invites all members of the congregation and their families to join together and host an after service coffee hour in the coming months. Guidelines and assistance will be provided to all hosts. To schedule a coffee hour, please sign up on Board in the parlor or email Jane Brown or by phone at 203-535-9193.

Flower Delivery to Home-bound

Caring Ministry and Parish Care are once again able to deliver altar flowers to members unable to attend services. If you would like to participate in this uplifting program and help brighten someone’s day, please email Jane Brown or call (203) 535-9193.

Church Staff Hours and Contact Info

Church Staff

The Rev. Dr. James Campbell, Senior Minister            

[email protected]

Day off: Monday

The Rev. Alison McCaffrey, Associate Minister         

[email protected]

Day off: Friday

Joseph D’Eugenio, Director of Music                             

[email protected]

Days off: Friday & Saturday

Dawn Marchand, Director for Christian Education     

[email protected]

Days off: Friday & Saturday

Todd Skrzyniarz, Director of Youth Ministry                 

[email protected]

Appointments available by request

Christine Blois, Church Administrator                   

[email protected]

Office Hours

         Monday – Thursday: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

         Fridays: 8:30 – 2:00 PM

Kevin Ross, Sexton                                               

[email protected]

Day off: Thursday

Go for the Green:  In the past three years, many of us have personally renewed our commitment to God’s creation by adopting green practices at home, at work, and in our towns.  Now it is time for us to step forward as a church and make that same commitment as a faith community. This Sunday, we will hold a congregational vote that we hope will unite us in a covenant with God affirming our respect for the infinitely beautiful Earth, including humankind, that is entrusted to us. It is within our human power to destroy the earth as a habitable place for many organisms – not necessarily by a single catastrophic event, but rather death by a thousand cuts: carbon dioxide emissions, pollution, overuse of resources. We need to change. That doesn’t mean living with deprivation, but it does mean being deliberate in our usage, avoiding waste, and being open to new ways of doing things. Some things will be more expensive in the short term but cost-effective in the long term: Cleaning up after increased-intensity storms and rebuilding after sea level rise is more expensive than devising ways now to reduce climate change. Our church needs to declare itself collectively at the forefront of caring for our fellow earth inhabitants. Let’s make this commitment to our God to work together to be better stewards of this wonderfully complex garden that sustains us all. 



To learn more about our church’s Environmental Justice Team, email Anne McNulty or Karen Schnitzer.

March 19 - March 26 Calendar

Sunday, March 19

9:15 a.m.  Music with Friends rehearsal

10:00 a.m. Worship, Sanctuary

11:00 a.m. Fellowship (hosted by Church Council)

11:15 a.m. Congregational Meeting, Parish Hall

5: 00 p.m. Shared Meal for Youth Groups and CAFE Group, Parish Hall

5:30 p.m.  CAFÉ Bible Study, Chapel, Child care in Room 10

5:30 p.m.  High School and Middle School Youth Groups, Parish Hall

5:30 p.m.  Stepping Stones, Parish Hall

Tuesday, March 21

2:00 p.m.  Parish Care, Library

7:00 p.m.  Faith Formation Ministry, Whiting House

7:00 p.m.  Membership Ministry, Chapel

Wednesday, March 22

12:45 p.m. Caring Crafts, Parlor

4:00 p.m.  Staff Meeting, Chapel

7:00 p.m.  Choir Rehearsal

7:00 p.m.  New Member Orientation, Chapel

7:00 p.m.  Facilities Ministry Group, Parish Hall

Thursday, March 23

4:30 p.m.  How Souls Mature Study Group, Parlor

Sunday, March 26 – New Member Sunday

10:00 a.m. Worship, Sanctuary

11:00 a.m. Fellowship

11:30 a.m. Confirmation Class, Whiting House

11:30 a.m. Parents of Confirmands, Room 11