Weekly Newsletter Week of January 15th - January 21st

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Gilead Congregational Church, UCC

Meetings and Services this week: Wednesday, January 15th:  -9:30 a.m. Wednesday Morning Book Discussion in the Fellowship Hall -6:00 p.m. Confirmation Class -7:00 p.m. Choir Thursday, January 16th:  -7:00 p.m. Council Sunday, January 19th: -8:30 a.m. Worship Service - 10:00 a.m. Worship Service with Baptism -Sunday School -Coffee Hour -11:30 a.m. Youth Choir -5:30 p.m. New Members' Dinner in the Fellowship Hall Monday, January 20th:  -7:00 p.m. Gilead Golf Committee Tuesday, January 21st:  -9:30 a.m. Knitting Circle -11:15 a.m. Bible Study -7:30 p.m. AA 

About Us: Pastor: Reverend Dr. Denise Esslinger    Minister of Mission and Faith Formation: Stephanie Haines    Minister of Music: Danielle Hoehn   Administrative Assistant: Sally Fritsche Worship: 8:30 a.m. Worship w/Sunday School and Choir: 10:00 a.m. Summer Worship:  9:00 a.m. Gathered: 1748 Meeting House: 1838 Fellowship Hall: 2008   We are an Open & Affirming Church   More About Us Join Our Mailing List

Youth Choir  Our Youth Choir has resumed meeting and is working on a piece to sing during our 10 a.m. worship service on Sunday, February 9th. Rehearsals are on Sundays January 19th, 26th and February 2nd in the Music Room from 11:30 to noon. No experience is necessary and youth are invited to join us for as many rehearsals as they can. If you should have any questions, please contact Danielle directly at [email protected] .

Adult Choir  Rehearsals for our Adult Choir are on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. If you would like to join the Choir or if you have any questions, please contact our Minister of Music, Danielle Hoehn at [email protected]. Also, our Choir is having an "invite a friend to Choir week" on Wednesday, February 5th at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 9th at 9:15 a.m. Everyone is invited to join us. No prior experience is needed. If you are interested in participating, please speak with Danielle. 

2019 Giving Statements   Our Assistant Treasurer, Joan Cordier, has prepared giving statements for 2019. They are available 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!

Wednesday Morning Book Discussion Group  The Wednesday Morning Book Discussion Group meets in the Fellowship Hall at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday mornings. The group is currently reading "Giver of Stars" by Jojo Moyes. It is based on a true story of depression era Kentucky and Eleanor Roosevelt's idea of a traveling library. All are welcome! If you have any questions concerning the book group, please contact Sandy Hooker at [email protected]. 

Sunday School Teachers Meeting Sunday, January 26, 2020 at 9:00 am  All Sunday school teachers are invited to attend our meeting on Sunday, January 26th at 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. If you have any questions, please contact Heather Franzese at 860-228-5276. 

Finding God in Contemporary Issues Sunday, January 26, 2020 at 11:30 am Our “Finding God in Contemporary Issues” discussion group will resume meeting on Sunday, January 26th at 11:30 a.m. in one of the classrooms off of our Fellowship Hall. At this gathering, we'll be discussing "Is it possible to end the polarization in our nation?" Articles to read as food for thought are available on the table underneath the name tags. Margot Sheehan and Pastor Denise will be facilitating this conversation. We hope you will be able to join us. Please contact either of them with any questions you may have.

2019 Year End and 2020 Update Our Board of Trustees wants to share with the congregation that we ended 2019 with a $3,421.87 surplus. As has been customary, our Trustees voted to give 10% of the surplus to our Board of Missions and the remainder will go to our Long Term Capital Reserve Fund. We are grateful for everyone's generous giving! For 2020 we are still $33,594 short of our pledge goal, which is significant. If you have not yet made a pledge for 2020, we invite you to do so. Pledge cards are available in the front and back of the Sanctuary or by calling the Church office (860-228-3077). Pledge cards can be placed in the offering plate or returned to the Church (672 Gilead Street, Hebron, CT).  Thank you! 

"To Love Your Neighbor, Know Your Neighbor"  This past Sunday, we had a wonderful turnout of people who came to join in a conversation on the religions of our neighbors. Pictured below is Terry Schmidt from the CT Council for Interreligious Understanding who facilitated our conversation along with our panelists Esam Boraey, Rabbi Kari Hofmaister Tuling and Rev. Dr. Alvan Johnson, Jr. The Gilead Church joined with United Brethren Synagogue, St. Peter's Episcopal Church, and Church of the Holy Family to host this event. Thanks to everyone who attended this interesting and meaningful afternoon.

Silver Lake Conference Center  Silver Lake has announced its offerings for the summer 2020 conference season. Details and registration are available at www.silverlakect.org along with downloads of the forms needed for registration. Register by January 31st to save $50 (coupon code EARLY20). Also, our Women's Fellowship has once again agreed to pay the $150 deposit for any young person from our congregation who would like to attend Silver Lake. Please speak with Margaret Gibbs (860-384-4327) if you would like to take our Women's Fellowship up on their offer. 

Garden of Remembrance  On behalf of the Garden of Remembrance Committee (GORC), I wish to remind all interested parties that the Policies and Procedures of the GORC do not allow the placing of commemorative decorations, flags, artificial flowers and plaques. Should you have any questions, please feel free to direct them to any member of the GORC. Harvey Desruisseaux, Chair

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. The group is discussing the book of Genesis. Please bring your own Bible. All are welcome!   

Youth Group News Covenant Soup Kitchen:  The Youth Group will be serving the noon meal on Saturday, January 25th. They will meet at the Church at 9:30 a.m. The group is NOT asking the congregation for donations as the kitchen currently has plenty of food.

This past Sunday, January 12th our Youth Group (pictured above) went rock climbing at Stone Age Rock Gym in Manchester. The group enjoyed the challenge as well as the time of fellowship.

Gilead Church Cookbook  Our Women's Fellowship is in the initial stages of planning a Gilead Church Cookbook. Start looking for your favorite recipes to share. If you would like to help with this project, please speak with Margaret Gibbs (860-384-4327). Watch for more details!

Sunday School Cancellation  If inclement weather should happen and forces cancellation of Sunday School, our Sunday School Superintendents will contact Sunday School teachers. Parents please check the WFSB web site for cancellation information. If Gilead Church is not listed there will be Sunday School. Worship will never be cancelled as Pastor Denise lives so close to the church. Please, however, use your discretion and always stay safe!    

Thank You  Dear Denise and our GCC family, Thank you for all of the prayers and support during Ann's long battle with cancer. The constant love we received throughout this journey in kind words, e-mails, cards, and hugs comforted us deeply. Surrounded by our Church family, it truly is A Wonderful Life! In Christian love, Bruce, Annette, Jenna and Jared Langevin 

Upcoming Sunday Worship Servers    Ushers for this Sunday:  Margot and Joe Sheehan Ushers for next Sunday: Ginny Miller and Diane Pintavalle Deacon of the Day for this Sunday:  Doug Stewart Deacon of the Day for next Sunday: Amy Huhn Liturgist: Jan Andrews Acolyte: Landon Lemire Call to Worship: Becca Risley Coffee Hour Hosts for this Sunday:  Jan Andrews and Jessica Petro Coffee Hour Hosts for next Sunday: Potluck Coffee Hour Greeter for this Sunday:    Joe Sheehan Greeter for next Sunday:  Shoshonah Woolf 

Scripture Reading and Prayer for the Week Matthew 3: 13-17 Come to us today, O God, and awaken us to your presence.  It is often hard to hear your Spirit calling to us, and harder still to believe we are the ones you want.  As you acted in our baptism, you are acting still to make all things new within us and among us.  Empower us for faithful living, in the name of Jesus Christ,  we pray. Amen.

Contact Info Sally Fritsche Administrative Assistant 672 Gilead St Hebron, Ct  06248 860-228-3077 [email protected]    Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until noon (Parish House)

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