Weekly Newsletter
Week of October 9th - October 15th
Gilead Congregational Church, UCC
ChurchPhoto

Meetings and Services this week:

Wednesday, October 9th: 
-8:30 a.m. Hunger Action Team Breakfast
-9:30 a.m. Wednesday Morning Book Group
-11:30 a.m. Women's Fellowship Annual Meeting and Luncheon in the Fellowship Hall
-7:00 p.m. Choir

Thursday, October 10th:
- 7:00 p.m. Trustsees

Sunday, October 13th:
- 8:30 a.m. Worship Service
- 10:00 a.m. Worship Service 
-Sunday School 
-Coffee Hour
-11:30 a.m. Board of Missions

Tuesday, October 15th: 
-9:30 a.m. Knitting Circle
-11:15 a.m. Bible Study in the Music Room
-7:30 p.m. AA Meeting


God is Still Speaking
  About Us:

Pastor:
Reverend Dr. Denise M. Esslinger 
 
Minister of Mission and Faith Formation:
Stephanie Haines 
 
Interim Minister of Music:
Carol Geyer
 
Administrative Assistant:
Sally Fritsche

Worship w/Sunday School: 10:00 AM

Summer Worship: 
9:00 AM 

Gathered: 1748
Meeting House: 1838
Fellowship Hall: 2008
 
We are an Open & Affirming Church
 
Flags at the Gilead Church

Our Board of Deacons would like to thank everyone who attended the "Listening Session" this past Sunday, October 6th on the placement of our American and Christian flags at the Gilead Church. There were 71 people in attendance and we want to thank everyone who expressed their thoughts on the most appropriate placement of our flags. After taking a couple of days to reflect and pray, the Deacons met to discuss the session. The question "What is the most loving thing to do?" guided our discernment. Based on this, the flags have been returned to the Sanctuary. While we realize that this will not please everyone, the Deacons feel it is the best decision for our community of faith at this time. It was never the intent of the Deacons to cause the pain and hurt that moving the flags to the entryway has caused for some. We want you to know that we hear you, we care for you, and we don’t want you to feel that something you honor so deeply is being taken from you.  We hope and pray that we can begin to heal and continue to see in each other, no matter what our view, that we are one in the love of God that we know in Jesus Christ. If you have any questions or would like to speak with our Deacons further, please feel free to contact them: Bill Cox, Amy Huhn, Jon Kimball, Jim Ledbetter, Katie McClaine, Teresa Olio, Gary Sarra, Margot Sheehan, and Doug Stewart.
Wednesday Morning Book Discussion
Wednesdays at 9:30 am

Our weekly Wednesday Morning Book Discussion Group has decided to put aside their discussion of "For Whom the Bell Tolls" by Ernest Hemingway. Instead, the group will begin discussing "On to Lost Roses" by Martha Hall Kelly this morning. This book celebrates the "unbreakable bonds of women's friendship" during a dark period of history. The group meets on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. at the home of Judy Brown and Deena Watson (130 Charles Lane). If you have any questions about the group, please contact Sandy Hooker at 860-228-985. All are welcome!  

Women's Fellowship Annual Meeting & Luncheon 
Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at 11:30 am

All women of the congregation are invited to the Women's Fellowship Annual Meeting and luncheon beginning at 11:30 a.m. this morning in the Fellowship Hall. Following the meeting (at approximately noon), the group will enjoy lunch together. Please bring your lunch. Beverages and dessert will be provided. If you have any questions, please contact Renee Ellis at 860-228-3363 or Jean Dormer at 860-228-9009.        

Third Quarter Giving Statements 

Our Assistant Treasurer, Joan Cordier, has prepared giving statements through the third quarter of this year. They will be available this Sunday, October 13th in the front of the Sanctuary for you to pick up. We are grateful for your financial support of the ministries of the Gilead Church, and hope this update will be helpful. If you have any questions about your statement, please contact Joan Cordier (860-228-4718). Thank you!

"Slice of Talent": Pie & Talent Auction
Friday, October 25, 2019 at 7:00 pm
Gourmet Dinner? Rock Wall Restoration? Firewood? Sailboat Cruise?  Handmade Quilt? If any of these things pique your interest, then this is the event for you! The Gilead Congregational Church invites you to attend a “Slice of Talent” Pie and Live Talent Auction on Friday, October 25th from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at 672 Gilead Street in Hebron. The live auction will begin at 7:00 pm and the silent auction will close at 8 p.m. The entertaining R.J. Weston of Weston Antiques will be auctioning off local people and their talents. Please join us for an exciting evening of delicious homemade pies, live music, pie-eating contests, seasonal activities for kids AND MUCH MORE! All proceeds will benefit the Community Mental Health Fund and the “Getting Ahead” Program which helps families struggling with self-sufficiency. Tickets will be available on Sunday morning -- $5 for individuals and $15 for families. Tickets can also be purchased at the door. Call (860) 228-3077 for questions. Don’t miss this fun-filled event! 

Red Cross Blood Drive at Gilead Church

Our October 2nd blood drive was a great success! We exceeded our goals and had 49 people who were there for the drive and 40 pints of blood were donated, which can help 120 patients in need. Thanks also to all those who volunteered their time or who made sandwiches or baked goods. Thanks for being part of this effort to support members and loved ones of our faith community who regularly need blood. It was a wonderful and tangible way for us to show our love and care!
Bible Study
Tuesdays at 11:15 am

Our weekly Bible Study meets on Tuesday mornings from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the Music Room. Rev. Bob Woodward leads the study. Please bring your own Bible. All are welcome!  

Coffee Hour Hosts Needed 

Members of the Fellowship Committee are asking members and friends to sign up for co-hosting coffee hour on Sunday mornings following our 10 a.m. worship service. You can sign up to host a coffee hour on the sign up underneath the name tags. If you have any questions, please contact Annette Langevin at 860-228-1313.    
Relay for Life
 Saturday, October 19, 2019

Save the Date! Its time to join the Gilead Congregational Church Relay for Life Team! The Relay for Life event of Greater Windham is being held on October 19, 2019 at the Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) Sports Center in Mansfield. 

Gayle Sylvester and I are Co-Captains of the team this year and we hope you will join us to support the fight against cancer.  

The Relay is a 12-hour event running from 10 a.m - 10 p.m. and we hope Gilead will once again come together to support this important fund-raiser.   We look forward to your participation on the team this year. Whether you walk, donate or help with preparation, your help is greatly needed.  The first step is to officially sign-up and become a member of the team.  

To join our team or make a donation to support it, please go to: 

More details will be forthcoming in the coming weeks.  Please feel free to reach out to me or Gayle with any questions.

Thank You! 
Dawn Salan (and Gayle Sylvester)

New Member Gatherings
Sunday October 20, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. and Sunday, October 27, 2019 at 11:30 a.m.

Our Deacons will be hosting two gatherings for persons who are interested in exploring membership with the Gilead Church on Sunday, October 20th and Sunday, October 27th at 11:30 a.m. in one of the classrooms off of our Fellowship Hall. These gatherings will be a time to meet others and to learn more about our church. Those who are interested are invited to attend one of the gatherings. New members will be joining during the 10 a.m. worship service on Sunday, November 17th. If you have any questions, please speak with one of our Deacons or with Rev. Esslinger.   
 
Children and Communion Workshop

An educational program for children in the 4th Grade was held on the Sacrament of Communion for young people and their parents this past Saturday, October 5th.   The purpose of this session was to learn more about the Sacrament of Communion: what it means, why we do it, and the practical aspects of how we receive it at the Gilead Church.
Harvest Party
Sunday October 20, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. 

The Fellowship Committee invites the congregation to our 5th Annual Harvest Party following the 10:00 a.m. worship service on Sunday, October 20th. Enjoy a time of fellowship, fall crafts for children and adults, games, and light refreshments. Youth helpers needed. Please contact Annette Langevin (860-228-1313) with questions, ideas or to help!
 
Youth Group to Covenant Soup Kitchen
Saturday, October 5, 2019 

Members of our Youth Group p repared and served the noon meal at the Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic this past Saturday, October 5th. The Youth Group would like to thank the congregation for their donations of BBQ sauce as well as homemade desserts. 
Hebron's Got Talent
Friday, February 7, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. 

Applications are being accepted for the 7th annual Hebron’s Got Talent showcase which will take place on Friday, February 7, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. at the RHAM High School Auditorium. Ten acts will be chosen to compete for the $250 grand prize! Talent could include singing, dancing, musicians, comedy, magic or something surprising! You do not need to be a Hebron resident to apply. Local celebrity judges will provide their feedback on each act but ultimately, the winner is selected by audience applause! Applications can be picked up at Ted’s IGA Supermarket, AHM Youth and Family Services or the Gilead Congregational Church. Applications must be submitted by November 15th. All proceeds benefit the children’s scholarship programs of Hebron Parks & Recreation and AHM Youth & Family Services because every child should have the opportunity to explore and grow their own talents and abilities! Snow date is Friday, February 28th. Please contact the Gilead Congregational Church at 860-228-3077 with any questions.  
Thank You

Dear Denise,
 
Wow! What an amazing blood drive!!! You guys did everything I could have asked for and more! Your donors and your volunteers were wonderful and really supported the drive to be a great success. I especially loved that so many of your donors/church members told me that they had donated in the past, but not in a long time. Those are exactly the people we cannot reach without the help of people like you Denise. And from the bottom of my heart, I thank you. I hope Jess gave you the numbers, but just in case, I wanted to share the exact figures with you. 
 
49 people registered into Health History, 8 were deferred for one reason or another, and 1 didn’t fill the bag. So we ended up with 40 good pints of blood! Our goal was 25, so obviously you way exceeded that! Those 40 pints can help 120 patients in need. 
 
I hope it was a positive experience for all involved. Thanks again Denise! And please thank all the ladies who helped out. I really loved that group of women!!!
 
Joanne Krekian
Account Manager II, Donor Recruitment
American Red Cross
**********************************

Dear Denise,

Thanks so much for performing Alice's and Matt's Baptisms last Sunday. It was a really special service for all of us. Jess and I can't tell you enough how much church, the congregation, and you have meant to us since we joined last fall. We're thrilled that Alice and Matt have been so warmly welcomed into church, and it truly feels like we have another extended family that we are a part of.

Sincerely,

Todd & Jess
Congratulations

Congratulations to Karen and Graham Forbes on the birth of their son, John Cooper Forbes. Cooper was born on October 5, 2019 weighing 7 lbs. and 7 oz. and was 13 days early. Pictured below are proud grandparents, Sandy and Jack Hooker, with Cooper.
Upcoming Sunday Worship Servers 
 
Ushers for this Sunday:  Margot and Joe Sheehan
Ushers for next Sunday: Jessica Peltier and Todd Helweg

Deacon of the Day for this Sunday: Amy Huhn
Deacon of the Day for next Sunday: Gary Sarra

Liturgist: Jerry Krasser
Call to Worship: Maeve Flynn

Coffee Hour Hosts for this Sunday:  Dale Bland and Colleen Hunter
Coffee Hour Hosts for next Sunday:  Harvest Party

Greeter for this Sunday:    Joe Sheehan
Greeter for next Sunday:  John Jenkins

Scripture Reading and Prayer for the Week
Luke 17: 11-19

O God of Life, we give thanks for your love which has filled creation from the beginning, and which calls all life into being.  We thank you for Jesus Christ, who reveals your loving purpose for all people.  And we praise you for your Spirit, which draws all humanity into the circle of your tender love.  Bless us, we pray, with your presence, so that our lives may be lived in gratitude for the love shown to us in Jesus Christ. For it's in his name that we pray. Amen.
 
Contact Info
Sally Fritsche
Administrative Assistant
672 Gilead St
Hebron, Ct  06248
860-228-3077
  
Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until noon (Parish House)