Weekly Newsletter

Week of May 1st - May 7th

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Meetings and Services this week:

Wednesday, May 1st:

-9:30 a.m. Wednesday Morning Book Discussion

-6:00 p.m. Confirmation Class

Thursday, May 2nd:

-7:00 p.m. Choir

-7:00 p.m. Deacons

Friday, May 3rd:

-6:00 p.m. Faith and Film Series

Saturday, May 4th:

-2:00 p.m. Favorites Tea

-4:00 p.m. The Worship Center's Dedication Celebration

Sunday, May 5th:

-8:30 a.m. Worship Service with Communion 

-10:00 a.m. Worship Service with Communion 

-Sunday School 

-Coffee Hour 

Tuesday, May 7th: 

-9:30 a.m. Knitting Circle

-11:15 a.m. Bible Study in the Music Room

-7:30 p.m. AA Meeting



Faith and Film Series

Friday, May 3, 2019 at 6:00 pm    

Join us this Friday, May 3rd at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall for our Faith and Film Series. We will gather for a potluck supper followed by watching and discussing the movie, "On the Basis of Sex" (PG-13). This film is i nspired by the powerful true story of a young Ruth Bader Ginsburg and depicts a then-struggling attorney and new mother facing adversity in her fight for equal rights. When Ruth takes on a ground-breaking case, she knows the outcome could alter the courts' view of gender discrimination. Stronger together, Ruth teams up with her husband, Martin Ginsburg, to fight the case that catapults her into one of the most important public figures of our time. Bring a dish to share and join us! This will be our last gathering until the fall.

Favorites Tea

Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 2:00 pm

The Fellowship Committee will be hosting their annual ladies "Favorites Tea" in the Fellowship Hall this Saturday, May 4th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Please bring your favorite teacup and a sweet or savory treat to share. Also, please feel free to invite your "favorite female" as your guest. There will also be a home décor, kitchen gadget and accessory swap (such as jewelry, hats, scarves, belts, purses, etc.). You're welcome to join us even if you haven't signed up. If you have any questions, please contact Penny Besmond at 860-228-4282.



Mother's Day Cards - CWS Blankets Plus Program 



Please consider purchasing your Mother's Day cards following worship this Sunday, May 5th. The cost of a card is $5.00. Choose from a handmade card with special woven design by weaver, Lynn Lukach (while supplies last) or a Church World Service card depicting a photograph of mothers around the world. With every purchase of a card, a Church World Service blanket will be donated in honor of your mother, grandmother, aunt or any special woman in your life. Think of all the love and care the special women in your life have given you and in return, "blanket the world with love"!

For over 60 years, Church World Service (CWS) has worked in partnership with local communities to identify their needs and access the resources they need to build the foundation for a more viable future including blankets, tents, and food and other emergency supplies in the wake of a disaster. 

Stop by the Mother's Day Card table, staffed by our Board of Mission's Hunger and Heating Subcommittee, and learn more about this special mission opportunity and places where blankets are shipped around the country. Please contact Stephanie Haines with questions at (860) 228-3077. Thank you! 



The Worship Center's Dedication Celebration 

  Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 4:00 pm

Rev. Mark Santostefano invites all of us to join The Worship Center for a dedication celebration of their new building this Saturday, May 4th at 4:00 p.m. The Church is located at 99 Marjorie Circle in Hebron. There will be a time of refreshments following the service and Rev. Esslinger will be taking part in the dedication service.

Last Call -- Books Available! 

We have books available from our Parish House library that have not been in circulation. These books could be put to better use in the hands and homes of welcoming readers. This Sunday, May 5th they will be available in the hallway outside of our Fellowship Hall. There are books for both adults and children. Please take any that interest you. Books not taken will be donated. Please contact Stephanie Haines with questions at (860) 228-3077. Thank you! 



Staff and Ministry Evaluation

During the month of May, our Pastoral Relations Committee is conducting an evaluation of our Church’s staff and ministry. This is an opportunity for you to share your thoughts on how our Church staff is doing along with how we are doing overall as a community of faith. The survey will be available in hard copy on Sunday mornings in May. You can also complete the survey on line by going to:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexIo4tkMgh42wkjRZ6EHUecnBw9wUQR2JE3avD7CIVl2-ToA/viewform?usp=sf_link   

We anticipate the survey will take about 10 to 20 minutes to complete. Know your input is valued and important and will be used in setting future goals and direction for our staff and congregation. We hope you will take the time to complete it. The deadline is Sunday, May 26th. A box for completed hard copy surveys will be on the table underneath the name tags. If you have any questions about the survey, please feel free to speak with a member of our Pastoral Relations Committee (Brian Byrne, Phyllis Kurz (Chair), Sharon Ledbetter, David Olio and Heather Summerer). Thank you!



Finding God in Contemporary Issues Discussion 

Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 7:00 pm

Our next FGICI discussion will be on Tuesday, May 14th at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish House. We'll be discussing "vaping" and asking where we see God moving in the midst of this issue. Articles to read ahead of time are available on the table underneath the name tags. This will be our last gathering until the fall. John Jenkins and Margot Sheehan facilitate this discussion. Please speak with Margot or John if you have any questions.      

   

Summer Sunday School Teachers Needed - One Sunday Only!

" He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me ." -  Mark 9:36 -37



Looking for a rewarding and wonderful way to serve? Consider teaching! We are blessed to have a fabulous, fun and vibrant Sunday School Program with dedicated teachers! During the summer months, our teachers take a much deserved rest and we offer classes to children 3rd grade and below. Summer Sunday School classes are co-taught with a teacher for Preschool - Kindergarten and another for 1st - 3rd grade. This summer, children will learn about "Favorite Stories from the Bible". A book, discussion questions and craft is provided for you. All that is required is your presence! A sign-up sheet is located outside the Sanctuary with summer dates that need to be filled. We appreciate your support. If you have any questions please contact Sandy Waldo at [email protected] , Karen Risley at [email protected] , or Stephanie Haines at (860) 228-3077 or [email protected] . Thank you so much for your support!



Peace, Love & Art: Hope for the Children of the Serapio School in Mexico  

Friday, May 17, 2019 at 7:00 pm

Please join us for "Peace, Love and Art: Hope for the Children of the Serapio School in Mexico" on Friday, May 17th from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Gilead Congregational Church (rain date May 24 ^th) . This special community event is being hosted by Skylar Haines, a member of the church and senior at RHAM High School. "Peace, Love & Art" will provide an outdoor movie featuring “Ferdinand”. The movie shares a simple, peace promoting message about a Spanish fighting bull who would rather smell flowers than fight and is for all ages. A delicious, all you can eat popcorn bar and drinks will be included. Please bring your lawn chairs and comfy blankets!

Thanks to your incredible generosity these past two years, Skylar has been able to start-up and incorporate a music program and computer center for the Serapio School where she taught English and volunteered. Please know that these programs have changed the children’s lives in incredibly meaningful ways! The school has nothing, lacks sufficient funding, and has extremely underdeveloped educational programs as a direct consequence. Teaching there showed her just how much the children could do with a little support. The children there are resilient, full of joy and willing to learn if only given the supplies, instruction, and funding they need to be successful. We hope you will consider supporting the children of Serapio and Skylar's continued efforts in giving them the same opportunities she feels she has been blessed with. All proceeds will support the ongoing development of these programs, purchase much needed school supplies and help to continue the Spanish/ English letter exchange between the students of Serapio and Hebron Elementary School.

Tickets are $5 per person and can be purchased after worship or at the door the night of the event. Tickets towards a "Gift Tree" will also be available and tie-dye “Peace. Love and Art” t-shirt orders taken.

For questions or to volunteer, please contact Skylar at [email protected] . Thank you so much for your support. It has been an incredible blessing!

   

Gilead Helping Hands (GHH) 

Gilead Helping Hands (GHH) is a mission effort of the Board of Missions to serve local community neighbors in need through hands-on efforts. This past weekend members of GHH repaired a roof on a home in Amston. GHH is always looking for volunteers. No skill is needed in order to offer support, just a willing heart and hands.

If you have the time available or would like to learn more about how you can help please contact Mark Tierney at [email protected] , Wendy McCarthy at [email protected] , Les Kurz at [email protected] , Gayle Sylvester at  [email protected] , or Jessica Blacketter at [email protected] .

Upcoming projects include:



Foodshare's 36th Annual Walk Against Hunger  

Foodshare's Walk Against Hunger took place this past Saturday, April 27th at Dunkin' Donuts Park (home of the Yard Goats) in Hartford. The walk raised money for both Foodshare (our regional food bank) and for Hebron Interfaith Human Services (our local food bank). Our team raised $750.  

Ready, Set, Plant!

Our garden swap gets into full swing in late June and July, but the earth is ready to produce things right now. Consider a container with an early lettuce crop or a row of rainbow Swiss chard in a garden plot. The rewards of gardening are many and it’s really fun to share the bounty with others. An added benefit is that any excess is delivered to the HIHS food bank! Please consider sharing any extra pots or seeds or garden tools in the Fellowship Hall and talk with Bruce Langevin or Paul Miller if you have questions or suggestions.

Gilead Open Golf Tournament 

Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 9:00 am

WANTED....Persons interested in having a good time for a good cause....previous experience not necessary. For the nominal entry fee of only $100.00 you will be entitled to 18 holes of golf with cart, a continental breakfast, a bag lunch, and an all you can eat prime rib and chicken marsala dinner. The date is Tuesday, May 21st at the Blackledge Country Club. If you are not a golfer, you can support the cause with a $100.00 tee sponsorship or an individual donation of your chosen amount. Also, donations for raffle prizes would be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to speak with any of the Golf Open Committee members who include Ken Cook, Harry Desruisseaux, Glen Hadley, Jack Hooker and Doug Stewart.



Celebrating Betty Tow's 90th Birthday

We recognized and celebrated Betty Tow's 90th birthday this past Sunday, April 28th. During the 10:00 a.m. worship service members of our Quilting Circle presented Betty with a handmade quilt. A special coffee hour with a birthday cake was also held to celebrate.