The Church Mouse

Weekly Newsletter

Rocky Hill Congregational Church

United Church of Christ

Rocky Hill, CT

RockyHillucc.org

August 15, 2024

No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey,

you are welcome here!

Sunday morning SUMMER Worship Service begins at 9:00 am in the sanctuary.

Notes from the Pastor

This coming Sunday, we continue our exploration of Women of the Hebrew Bible with a look at Hannah. Hannah had a sister-wife who relentlessly shamed her for not having children. Hannah is faithful and prayerful, and does have a son who she gives back to God. He goes on to do great things! And while many are quick to use this story as an example of faith and prayer,

I think it's about something much larger, a work that all of us are being invited to participate in. Join us at 9am!

If you have a moment this week, read 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Hannah's song of thanksgiving.

See you Sunday!~David

Outreach and Witness

Backpack Kit Assembly: Covenant to Care School Supply Drive

Backpack kits will be assembled this Sunday, August 18th, for our Covenant to Care Annual School Supply Drive. Assembly will take place in the Fiorilli room after worship.Thank you to everyone who's donated!

August MAG

Our August Monthly Abundance Gift is the preschool right in our building and closest to our hearts! Little Scholars Preschool (LSP) is a play-based nursery school for children ages 3 to 5. LSP offers a host of programs, and RHCC has the opportunity to provide them with funds to offer more in-service programming. Please consider supporting this MAG so this generation and future generations can benefit from all that LSP offers!

Music Ministry

Faith Formation

Family Fellowship Events:

• Family Hikes: We will hike on 8/24, meeting at the Quarry Park parking lot at 9 am. Rain date will be 1pm the following Sunday. 
• Park Days: From 10-11:30 am each Wednesday during the summer we will meet at Ferry Park for fellowship, weather permitting. In case of rain, we will meet at Bob's Coffee Shop. There will be outdoor games and activities as well as space for conversation with other congregants. Please feel free to drop off your kids to get an errand done or to take some space, or join in for connection and community.

~Pastor Lauren

Pages from the History room

Exciting News!

Volume 1 of our Church Records is currently being transcribed by Emma Bromley, of Historical Document Transcription Services in England. This is being done through a generous grant from the Christine E. Moser Foundation.

For those who just can’t wait, you can read the first 18 pages here: Church Records Volume 1 1726-1811 pp. 1-17.docx

Some topics that are covered, building our first meeting house, playing the drum to start the service, building our first school, hiring our first minister, starting a new cemetery and more. 

Enjoy! ~Edward Chiucarello, Church Historian

WISE

Valuable Training Opportunity

Connecticut Children's Research Institute -TEACH (Training to Establish an Alliance Centered on Hope) &

QPR (Question-Persuade-Refer), training for suicide prevention. In-person training will be held at RHCC on Tuesday, 8/20/24 from 5:30pm-7:00pm. 

This training is open to adults and children ages 12+. Join us to learn how we can prevent suicide together. You will learn about: warning signs, common reasons, how to find help, where to learn more, and how to Question-Persuade-Refer. 

If you would like to attend, please contact a member of the WISE Team. ~Margie B.

Golf Outing

RHCC Golf Tournament - Sunday, September 22nd

This year’s fall RHCC Golf Tournament is scheduled for Sunday, September 22, 2024, at Indian Springs Golf Club in Middlefield, CT. The tournament will be a 9-hole event, followed by refreshments at the course. We are planning for (6) foursomes and our tee times will start at 1:00 PM. The cost will be $70 per person for 9 holes of golf, a cart, and a cookout-style dinner after the round.

A sign-up sheet will be available in Chapin Hall in September, or you can contact Bill H. (860-563-1367) to reserve your spot. Don’t miss out on this fun event! ~Bill H.

Fellowship of the Grape

Our next Fellowship of the Grape will be held at Mary Ann L.’s house on September 7^th at 5 PM. Mary Ann lives at 330 Penfield Hill Road in Portland. If anyone wants to carpool, please let me know. Once again, we'll get to enjoy her beautiful backyard and gardens,(which, unlike mine, do not have one weed in them!) We ask that you bring your favorite drink, alcoholic or not, and an appetizer to share. 

I want to thank everyone who has hosted and those interested in being a future hosts! While we do have hosts through September, autumn and the holidays will be here very soon.  Please let me know if you would like to host in October or beyond. If you'd prefer to co-host, and I can connect you with others. I can be reached at 860-729-6541 or deb.copes@gmail.com. Thank you ~ Deb C.

Important Dates

Light the Tower

• In memory of Jennifer O'Connor. Julia O'Connor, Denise and Bob Carberry.
• In memory of Gladys Carberry. Julia O'Connor, Denise and Bob Carberry.
• In Loving Memory of husband and father, Paul Anthony Tine Jr. Gail and Natalie Tine.
• In Loving Memory of father-in-law and grandfather, Paul Anthony Tine. Gail and Natalie Tine.

For more information on RHCC worship, activism, and happenings, visit:

OUR WEBSITE: RockyHillucc.org

OUR FACEBOOK PAGE: Facebook.com/rhccucc

WELCOME GUESTS!

If you have been joining us for our online worship services or keeping in touch on Facebook, we’d love to say hello and get to know you better! If you’d like to learn more about our church community, please email us at: office@rhccucc.org with your contact information!

We are an Open and Affirming Christian community, actively expressing Jesus’ inclusive embrace of all people.