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June 2022
The Monthly Newsletter from
South Congregational Church
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This is my last Southwind cover article. I was going to write about the deception of time. The clock ticking quietly: it’s like white noise, after a minute or two, you don’t notice. And then one day you look up at the wall and—it’s been 16 years. How rich that timeless time has been for me at South Church—I could list the accomplishments we’ve shared, relationships that have deepened, people who have raised their children here, served and grown in our ministry, finding a home among us; I could rehearse the courageous decisions we have made: to become Open and Affirming and the rejoining with our sister congregation to minister to our community as one body. And all of that would be true and good, and a response to the call God has given us. Gratitude fills my heart for all of it.
But then it occurred to me, it is not time that deceives us. It is we who deceive ourselves. Of course, we knew the clock was ticking. We knew the kids were getting taller and our hair was turning gray. Of course, we knew that an end would come, not only of an era of ministry, but of our lives, which is why we deceive ourselves-- we’d rather not think of not being here, of not working and playing and holding each other and singing and dancing and laughing and loving each other and this wonderful world to which we wake each morning—sun or rain, success or failure, or somewhere cloudy in between. Though we are often fettered by struggles and disasters, injustices and unfairness, the fact that there is an end to it all, the fact that we will die, sweetens the time that remains. The end creates an urgency toward love, peace and justice, not out of fear, but out of gratitude for the gift of life—and in return, it is gift enough to live for God and the world. We may not affect sweeping global changes, but we can live with the faith that our own hearts will be transformed. And that is enough, enough to change the world.
“So be like lights on the rim of the water, giving hope in a storm sea of night. Be a refuge amidst the slaughter of these fugitives in their flight. For you are timeless and part of a puzzle. You are winsome and young as a lad. And there is no disease or no struggle, that can pull you from God—be ye glad!” Michael Kelly Blanchard
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Endings and Beginnings
There are definitely big feelings as we end this year in our Christian Education programs. We are ending our time with beloved pastors, we are ending our time as First Church, and as South Church. Some of us our graduating, some of us are moving on. The energy of endings can feel heavy, but there is also the wonderful and exciting energy of beginnings. We are beginning to plan and collaborate as one united church. In terms of the children and youth programs, next year will be full of change and growth.
I started this position last summer and over the program year have taken note of the needs and strengths within our Sunday School and Youth Groups. I’ve gotten to know families, leadership and have a true feel for what will engage and excite the youth moving forward.
As we forge into this new beginning together, we will have revitalized classrooms and new curriculum. We will have new traditions and deep connections. We will continue to invite children into our worship space, remembering that children are an important part of our congregation. We end this year, another year defined by the pandemic and restrictions, with a better understanding of what our kids truly need, connection, compassion, and kindness.
It is with this understanding that even though we are ending the program year as well as our time as two separate churches, we begin preparing for a vibrant and enriching experience for our kids and families moving forward.
Abundant blessings,
Sarah Pradhan, Christian Education and Youth Director
Confirmation Sunday! Our Faith Journey class will meet at South Church on Sunday June 5th at 9am for project presentations and fellowship. A confirmation ceremony during worship will follow.
June 5th is Senior Recognition Sunday and Children’s Sunday. Our churches will recognize youth graduating from high school during our service. Congratulations on this milestone!!
Our last Sunday School class will be on 6/19 and then we are on summer break and Kaleidoscope Corner and Youth Group do not meet over the summer.
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Celebration of the joining of First and South churches continues! We will be looking for volunteers to help at an information booth at the Juneteenth Celebration on June 18th. Details on how to sign up will be forthcoming. Help us share with the community the news and joy of our new UCC church in Granby! | |
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Upcoming Worship Opportunities
This June is a month of endings and beginnings. On the 5th we celebrate the ending for our Faith Journey Class and our graduating Seniors. On the 12th we end 16 years of ministry with Rev. Denny Moon, while the 19th marks the end of 12 years of ministry with Rev. Dr. Sandra Fischer. And beginnings? Our Faith Journey students begin their life of adulthood in faith. Our Seniors begin their journey into higher education. Denny begins retirement, and Sandra begins a new era in her life. And South Church begins a ministry of 1 +1=1—the joining of First and South Churches into one ministry of God’s love, peace and justice!
June 5th 10:00 Union Service at South Church. Children’s Sunday; Faith Journey; Graduates celebrated; Communion served; and our traditional story for children.
Scripture Text: Luke 18:15-17.
June 12th 10:00 Celebrating 16 years of ministry together with Rev. Denny Moon. Lots of music including the Bells, the House Band and Mr. Norman McFarlane. Scripture text: Psalm 103:1-8
June 19th 10:00 Union Service at South Church. Celebrating 12 years of ministry together with Rev. Dr. Sandra Fischer. Scripture text: 1 Kings 19:8-17
June 26th 10:00 Union Service at South Church
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Concert to Benefit Ukraine
Sunday June 12th, 2022 4:00 pm
The Windy Hill Guitar Ensemble and the Kachala Family will present a concert to benefit Ukraine with traditional Ukrainian music arranged for classical guitar ensemble.
Guitar students Mattias and Stefan Kachala are members of a Ukrainian family with deep roots and extended family still living in Ukraine. Members of the Kachala family will lead the audience in singing the Ukrainian National Anthem with the Ensemble.
Windy Hill alumni Shannon McCord, of Granby, and Nicholas DeFranzo of East Granby, will join us for pieces by Ukrainian composers Skoryk and Hrabovsky.
Evelyn Danke, a GMHS junior, will perform two Spanish guitar pieces and Rick Handville will play a solo composition for piano.
Places to send donations will be listed in the concert program. If you miss the concert, a video recording will be available on the South Church YouTube channel.
Masks and social distancing will be required. For more information contact Laura Mazza-Dixon at 860-653-6146.
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SPRING RETREAT
Greening and Growing: Spirituality for These Days
Saturday June 18, 2022, 9am to 1pm.
First CongregationalChurch
Cost $25 cash or check payable to FCC
(with Women’s Retreat on memo line)
God is inviting us to grow in faith and love.
Our retreat leader will be Rev. Donna K. Manocchio,
retired UCC pastor, and spiritual director.
Join us for a day of togetherness and spiritual renewal. If interested, please contact Anne delCampo: [email protected]
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Articles for the Summer edition of the SouthWind are due in the church office by noon on Wednesday, July 20.
Announcements for the Sunday bulletin are due by Tuesday of each week.
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Our Church Family and Friends
We extend our thoughts and prayers to the following individuals with recent health concerns or surgeries:
Kay Imbt, Shirley & Ronald Hahn, Carol Evonsion, Steve Miltimore, Lynn & Lee Cote, Betty Anan (Linda Swedo’s sister), and The family of Irene Cizman upon her passing.
Birthdays in June: June 6th - Mary Ann Salazar, June 8th - Karl Peters,
June 20th - Thelma Blair.
June 2nd is Judy & Wes Goodwin's Anniversary
We like to celebrate milestones! Will you or a loved one be celebrating an 80-plus birthday or a 40-plus wedding anniversary? We like to acknowledge these special occasions in the SouthWind. To share your milestone, please contact Karen in the church office at 860 653-7289.
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Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! from your Stewardship Committee
Your financial support of South Church means so much to our members, friends, community and world. Our mission and ministry depends on you and everything we do is an attempt to turn your money into love. We hope you feel great about this! As summer approaches, please remember to mail in your Pledge Payments.
There is a telephone Prayer Chain/circle at South Church. If you’d like to join or get more details, contact Betty Hart (860) 653-3636
Last Bible Study with Denny is June 6.
Scripture: Psalm 103:1-8
If you would like to provide Altar Flowers for a Sunday in June,
contact Debbie Finney 860 653-4877
Yoga classes on Tuesday evenings at 5:30 pm in the gathering room with certified Yoga instructor Valerie Raggio. RSVP [email protected] All are welcome.
The Handbell Ringers will be taking a break for the summer
The UNITE Committee is taking a break from BYOC (Bring Your Own Craft) Nights.
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Thank you to everyone who helped team Granby UCC with this year’s Women Build with Habitat for Humanity. Two teams of ten women each spent a day constructing frames for four new homes to go up in Windsor later this year. Together we raised $4,275 for North Central Connecticut Habitat for Humanity. Many thanks to everyone who contributed their time and money to the cause. | |
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Update on Open Cupboard at First Congregational Church of Granby
It’s been a few months since there’s been an update on the activities of Open Cupboard. Well, there’s some good news and some bad news. Let’s start with the bad new – food insecurity in the area is growing. Now the good news – Open Cupboard is growing. During the month of May, each week it has consistently served over 20 families in the Granby area providing over 2,162.75 pounds of food, like cereal, canned goods, pasta and rice, snacks, etc. This number does not include the other items that have been provided, including frozen meat, bagels, soap and toiletries, hand sanitizer, COVID tests, bread, fresh potatoes, carrots, etc. It has also increased the number of volunteers helping with distributions on Friday afternoons.
The Pantry will also be experiencing some upgrades. Recently, the refrigerator stopped holding temperature and needed to be replaced. In addition, due to the increased use, the old stand-up freezer kept frosting up and needed to be defrosted quite often to maintain adequate space for the frozen meat that is obtained weekly from CT FoodShare. And God provided – we received a generous donation to cover most of the cost to replace both the refrigerator and the freezer with the balance coming from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving grant that First Church’s food program received in 2021 (these funds must be used by August 2022). These new appliances will be delivered during the week of June 6th.
With the growth of this ministry, volunteers continue to be needed. If interested, please check out the Sign-Up Genius https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4DA8A622A7F49-fccgrab on the First Church website for available times on Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. to pack the “snack packs” or times on Friday afternoons at 2:30 p.m. for food distribution. The Pantry is also in need of a dedicated, able-bodied person (or two) to assist with maintaining the Pantry. Please contact Kerri Crough, if interested. Her contact info is [email protected] or 860-874-6831 (cell).
Finally, if there are gardeners with extra produce this summer, the Pantry will gladly accept your fresh produce donations to distribute to its clients on Friday. Please contact Kerri to make arrangements.
Many thanks to those who volunteer their time and contribute to this ministry. You are much appreciated by the Pantry and those in the community who benefit from it.
Below are some comments received by the Pantry in response to a recent survey:
“Thank you for your time and effort that everyone puts into this program. It is greatly appreciated.”
“Very much appreciated! Thank you very much. Has helped my family and others tremendously.”
“Thank you for doing all that you do!”
“You make the difference in my difficult time. God Bless you!”
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