This Sunday, 10/4 ReConnect

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

*Free Program*

Lunch & Childcare Provided!

Register here

How can we help our children navigate a world filled with screens, social media, AI, and constant digital connection — and support them when it becomes overwhelming?



Drawing on research into personality types, authors Paul D. Tieger and Michael Shelby offer parents and caregivers practical, compassionate ways to better understand the children they love, to learn to communicate more clearly with them, and to provide support that will resonate with each child’s unique communication style.

Join us for this interactive presentation with Paul and Michael as they shares insights from ReConnect and offers practical tools for building stronger, healthier connections with the children in our lives.

Free event: A light lunch and childcare will be provided!

Tap here for more info and to register.

The BOHMAN BOOK REVIEW

Reconnect: A Personalized Plan to

Protect Your Child from Anxiety and Depression Fueled by Digital Addiction

by Paul Tieger and Michael Shelby

In this work, psychologists Tieger and Shelby draw on extensive research on the effects of technology use on adolescents. Reconnect is for any parent or caregiver concerned about their child’s use of technology. The authors provide personalized strategies to help parents and their children through this addiction and the increasing prevalence of depression and anxiety that has resulted. 

As Tieger and Shelby point out, the use of technology is nearly ubiquitous. While this is not inherently negative, it is vital that young people in particular have help navigating all the information they will come across online. Reconnect will be a valuable resource for all who are troubled by these trends. 

-Molly Bohman, Assistant Librarian

Speaker to Discuss

Fragile Wildlife Refuge

This Monday, October 5

1-3 p.m.

First Church Auditorium

The Mountain Valley Garden Club and the JPWL invite you to attend a special lecture with Jonathan Manley, President of the Friends of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Jonathan will share his knowledge of the wildlife, birds, fauna, and surrounding landscape of this Soccoro County, New Mexico refuge.

Located partially on ancient Apache territory in the high desert of New Mexico, Bosque del Apache is a rare section of the Rio Grande that has been rehabilitated to perform as it did historically, before man altered the river. This oasis in the desert faces multiple challenges, including a shrinking water supply from the Rio Grande and problematic and inconsistent federal funding.

All are welcome! RSVP to Nancy Ball at shoedog1961@gmail.com by October 4.

Photo Credit: muenchworkshops.com 

A New Home for a

Beautiful Stained-Glass Window

First Church recently welcomed a lovely piece of history: a 1960s stained-glass window depicting Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper. Measuring 8 by 4 feet, the window now hangs above the altar in the Chapel.

The window originally graced the meeting house of Devon Congregational Church in Milford, CT. After more than 100 years of faith and service to the community, the Devon church concluded its ministry earlier this year. The building has since been sold to a developer who plans to renovate it and create affordable housing. Before closing, the Devon congregation hoped that the church’s beloved stained-glass window, along with a marble baptismal font and other cherished items, would find new homes with other faith communities rather than be sold on the open market.

As luck would have it, JPW Library Director Jennifer deSimas came across a classified ad offering the window. Other churches expressed interest, but First Church was ultimately chosen as its new home. Jennifer worked with Stained Glass Resources of Hampden, MA, to uninstall, clean, repair, transport, and install the window in the Chapel. We learned that the window was made by Whittmore-Durgin Glass Company of Quincy, MA (tap here for a rather entertaining history of the company).

After considering several locations throughout the building, Rev. Fredd, Jennifer, and Building Supervisor Art Peterson agreed that the Chapel was the perfect setting for the Devon UCC window. The Chapel is a place for quiet worship, Lenten services, and contemplative gatherings such as sound healing and tai chi, making it a fitting new home for this beautiful work of art and faith.

The window remains in its original light box, which illuminates it from all sides. When lit, the window comes alive, illuminating the familiar scene of Jesus offering his disciples the bread and wine of the new covenant.

(Above: DaVinci's The Last Supper, stained glass, by Wentworth Studios, Boston, ca. 1960)

Soul Conversations:

A Pilgrimage of the Heart

by Rev. Susan Izard

BOOK LAUNCH

Sunday, October 18, 11:30-1:30

free event — register here

We're holding a very special JPWL Lunch and Learn on October 18 — a book launch for Rev. Susan Izard's latest work, Soul Conversations!

Susan, a retired ordained minister of the UCC, shares her lifelong journey of learning to recognize, trust, and befriend her soul. Blending memoir, spiritual reflection, and gentle guidance, she explores how soul conversations can help us reconnect with ourselves, with Holy Presence, and with a more purposeful, peaceful way of living.

Soul Conversations is both a spiritual memoir and a gentle companion for anyone longing to live with more presence, trust, and connection to the sacred within. 

Free program. A light lunch will be served. Register here. 

Sisters in SPIRIT:

A Circle for Spiritual Exploration



Mini Retreat

Sunday, November 1

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Registration & Info

We're getting together in just a few weeks!*

Sisters in Spirit is holding a mini-retreat on the first Sunday of November! Group leaders Mary Mattke and Janice Olson invite the women of First Church to an afternoon of connection, conversation, and faith exploration. Come and help shape what comes next for this emerging group: What programs would you enjoy? What spiritual practice or topic would you like to explore? What kinds of programs or gatherings would bring women together at First Church?

Women of all ages and backgrounds are invited to be part of this new community. With support from the Library and Spirit Team, Sisters in Spirit will offer guest speakers, discussions, spiritual practices, retreats, and, most importantly, opportunities to connect and share with one another.

Come as you are, and bring your ideas. Share your thoughts, meet other women, and help Sisters in Spirit grow into a vibrant community! Tap here for more information and to register.

*If you can't attend the mini-retreat, but still want to join Sisters in Spirit, talk to Jennifer to be added to the email list!

"Food for Thought"

Resumes This Tuesday!

Food for Thought (Adult, Hybrid)

First Tuesdays of each month, 5:00-6:30

Next meeting: October 6

Register Here

Book: Becoming Madam Secretary

by Stephanie Dray

November 3 Book Discussion:

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

BY POPULAR DEMAND!

The new novel everyone is talking about:



Theo doesn’t say much about himself when he arrives in Golden, but people notice when he begins purchasing the portraits hanging on the walls of the local coffeeshop, tracking down the people depicted, and giving each one their own portrait. In exchange, he asks only for the person’s story. Thus, portrait by portrait, person by person, secrets are revealed, regrets are shared, and ordinary lives are profoundly altered. A "word-of-mouth smash hit.” (NY Times)

Awakening the Spirit

(Adult, Hybrid) Mondays from 12-1:30 pm in the JPWL

Next Meeting: October 5

Register here

Book: How the Qur'an Interprets the Bible by Kaltner & Frechette

Discussion led by Rev. Dr. David Grafton, Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations at HIU, through October 26 (NO class Oct. 12).

Believe in YourSHELF

(Middle Schoolers, In-Person): Third Sundays, 10:15 a.m.

Next Meeting: October 18 in the Community Room

Book: The Other Side of Tomorrow by Tina Cho; illustrated by Deb JJ Lee 

The JPW Library sponsors three book groups that meet from September through June. Attend in person or via Zoom (you'll receive the Zoom link after you register).

Copies of the books are provided free for participants!

New members welcome!



For more information, please contact Jennifer or Molly at

860-232-3893 or jpwebster@whfirstchurch.org.

Faithful Fitness

Aerobics and TaiChi for All

FitMix with Kathi

Tuesdays, 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. in the Auditorium

A well-rounded class featuring resistance training, cardio, and balance using multiple fitness modalities. Chairs will be used for seated and standing support. Please bring a mat, light weights and a small ball. No tools? No worries! Some tools can be provided. 

Instructor: Kathi Boratko, FitMix with Kathi

More info and registration here.

TaiChi & Qi Gong

Thursdays, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel

Gain mindfulness through movement. QiGong and TaiChi promote the flow of qi, or energy, in the body, helping to reduce stress, depression, or fatigue while providing a sense of balance and clarity. These movements can be done while seated or standing. All are welcome!

Instructor: Cynthia Hoag, Dragon Rising Wellness

More info and registration here.

nurture your body, mind, and spirit

with these free classes!