Continued, page 2 Living Our Lives with Courage and Compassion May 7: 10:00 am Worship Svc* May 14: 10:00 am Worship Svc Honoring “Grandma Shirley”* May 21: 10:00 am Worship Svc” May 28: 10:00 am Worship Svc* Memorial Day *Sunday School and Child Care See page 6 for a listing of special memorial services to celebrate the lives of four women associated with our church. May 2017 The First Congregational Church of Washington UCC, Connecticut The Judea Journal The Judea Journal The Judea Journal The Judea Journal Announcements, Misc 6 Annual Meeting 3 Birthdays 6 Calendar 7 Christian Education 5 Council’s Corner 3 From the Pastor 1 Green Fair News 11 Memorials 9 Missions & Outreach 4 Sunday Morning Support 8 Upcoming Events 6 Youth Programs 5 Environmental Info 10 Judea Journal Survey 12 In this issue: By the Rev. Cheryl Anderson, Pastor May Pew Memorial Plaques Page 9 Christian Education News Page 2 Calendar, Upcoming Events and Birthdays on Pages 6-7 Memorial Svcs/ Celebrations of Life Page 6 “Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.” - Mark 10.52 Jesus first followers, who had traveled with him, referred to what he had taught them as “The Way.” Before it was ever known as Christianity, it was called “The Way.” It wasn’t a system of belief. It was a way of life – a way to live our lives with courage and compassion – sharing God’s gifts with the poor and the powerless, the outsiders and refugees among us. It was a way of unconditional love, of radical hospitality and extravagant welcome. It was a way to resist political and religious oppression non-violently. The disciples who were with him when he died returned to Jerusalem and started what we Dear First Church: As Vice President of the Washington Environmental Council (WEC) and a longtime member of this church, I am writing to request that the congregation considers participating in some upcoming Environmental events and joining the "I Choose to Reuse Campaign" (www.ecocycle.org/take-action/ichoosetoreuse). First, on Saturday, April 29th, there will be a Sister March for the People's Climate March (https://actionnetwork.org/events/peoples-climate- march-new-milford-ct?referrer=sierra-club&source=org-signup) on the New Milford Green from 12 to 2. Please come to hear people speak about local, national and world Environmental issues and to stand up for our water, air, animals, people and planet! A few years ago, we were fortunate to hear the Reverend Sally Bingham preach from our pulpit about the spiritual component for the Continued on page 10
12
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May 2017 The Judea JournalThe Judea Journal · Page 2 The Judea Journal would call a “mission.” They lived communally, pooling all their resources to care for the poor, feed the
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Continued, page 2
Living Our Lives with Courage and Compassion
May 7: 10:00 am Worship Svc*
May 14: 10:00 am Worship Svc
Honoring
“Grandma Shirley”*
May 21: 10:00 am Worship Svc”
May 28: 10:00 am Worship Svc*
Memorial Day
*Sunday School and Child Care
See page 6 for a listing of
special memorial services to
celebrate the lives of four women
associated with our church.
May 2017
The First Congregational Church of Washington UCC, Connecticut
The Judea JournalThe Judea JournalThe Judea JournalThe Judea Journal
Announcements, Misc 6
Annual Meeting 3
Birthdays 6
Calendar 7
Christian Education 5
Council’s Corner 3
From the Pastor 1
Green Fair News 11
Memorials 9
Missions & Outreach 4
Sunday Morning Support 8
Upcoming Events 6
Youth Programs 5
Environmental Info 10
Judea Journal Survey 12
In this issue:
By the Rev. Cheryl Anderson, Pastor
May
Pew Memorial
Plaques
Page 9
Christian Education
News
Page 2
Calendar,
Upcoming Events
and Birthdays on
Pages 6-7
Memorial Svcs/
Celebrations of
Life
Page 6
“Jesus said to him, “Go; your
faith has made you well.”
Immediately he regained his sight
and followed him on the way.”
- Mark 10.52
Jesus first followers, who had
traveled with him, referred to what
he had taught them as “The Way.”
Before it was ever known as
Christianity, it was called “The
Way.” It wasn’t a system of belief. It
was a way of life – a way to live our
lives with courage and compassion –
sharing God’s gifts with the poor and
the powerless, the outsiders and
refugees among us. It was a way of
unconditional love, of radical
hospitality and extravagant
welcome. It was a way to resist
political and religious oppression
non-violently.
The disciples who were with
him when he died returned to
Jerusalem and started what we
Dear First Church:
As Vice President of the Washington Environmental Council (WEC)
and a longtime member of this church, I am writing to request that the
congregation considers participating in some upcoming Environmental
events and joining the "I Choose to Reuse Campaign"
(www.ecocycle.org/take-action/ichoosetoreuse).
First, on Saturday, April 29th, there will be a Sister March for the
People's Climate March (https://actionnetwork.org/events/peoples-climate-
march-new-milford-ct?referrer=sierra-club&source=org-signup) on the
New Milford Green from 12 to 2. Please come to hear people speak about
local, national and world Environmental issues and to stand up for our
water, air, animals, people and planet!
A few years ago, we were fortunate to hear the Reverend Sally
Bingham preach from our pulpit about the spiritual component for the
Continued on page 10
(Continued from page 1) From the Pastor (continued from page 1)
Sunday, June 25th at 11:00 AM, in Wersebe Hall, immediately following the Worship Service.
Agenda:
• Approval of minutes from April 2nd Quarterly Meeting
• Committee Reports from all Chairs and Committees
• Discussion and vote on the proposed Open and Affirming statement
• Vote on the 2017 Nominating Committee Proposal
• New Business
See you there! Peter Armstrong and Henrietta Small, CoPeter Armstrong and Henrietta Small, CoPeter Armstrong and Henrietta Small, CoPeter Armstrong and Henrietta Small, Co----clerksclerksclerksclerks
CTUCC Annual Meeting - Fri/Sat, June 16-17
Be a voting delegate for us!
• Worship and share communion with your New England neighbors
• Explore the future of our church with UCC General Minister & President John
Dorhauer
Discern whether to endorse a new conference and move forward: Together, As One
Details at:
http://www.ctucc.org/eventdetail/6345699
Page 4 The Judea Journal
Mission Minded... Annie Baur (860-799-6308) or John Turner (860-868-0868), Missions Co-
FOOD BANK
The last few months, we have been focusing on reaching our goal to meet last year’s record
total donations from this church of 2,000 lbs. So far this year, we have donated a total of
1,362#. Our fiscal year ends June 30 and thus our deadline for meeting this goal is that.
The Food Bank provides a hand-up for people like this, actual stories about real people trying
to make ends meet:
One family includes a working couple with four school-aged kids. He is in the trades and makes
decent money when working, but gets laid off every winter and loses days to inclement weather throughout
the year. Wife works for a "big box" store making minimum wage. When their wages are good, the SNAP
(food stamp) program cuts benefits. This family needs help from the Food Bank to feed these growing
kids. Mom has said, "I don't mind cutting back to one meal a day, but I sure won't do that to my kids."
Let’s keep remembering to put the Food Bank on our shopping lists! All it will take is a few cans per
family per week!
ONE GREAT HOUR of SHARING - “YOU ARE HERE”
One Great Hour of Sharing enables the United Church of Christ to reach people and
communities affected by disaster, displacement or poverty. Through One Great Hour of
Sharing, we provide assistance to families and communities around the world, helping them
to become stronger, healthier and better equipped to address hardships and catastrophes.
The 2017 theme for the offering is “You are here” which could easily be the response to a question
provoked by tragedy, fear or suffering: “Where are you, God?” Psalm 145:18 echoes the refrain
throughout scripture that God is nearby. As soon as a person calls on God, God is here. You are here
shows the church uniting to respond to the many critical needs present in our world today. Our support
is given through partner organizations responding to health, education and agricultural development
needs, refugee initiatives, and both international and domestic disaster response.
When we give, as the United Church of Christ—individuals, groups and congregations—it means
that the church can stand strong, in the midst of need whether it is nearby or far away. When God’s love
abides in us, we are moved to respond with our own material goods to the needs of other members of
God’s family.
Thank you for your support, whether you are a new supporter, or long-time supporter, every gift
matters. Every gift allows us to say, “You are here.” We will be accepting One Great Hour of Sharing
offerings during our worship service this Sunday, April 30 and throughout the month of May.
Contributions will also be welcomed by mail to the church office, or online by following the “DONATE”
button on our website home page at www.firstchurchwashingtonct.org.
OPERATION FUEL
Operation Fuel is a private charitable program providing cash assistance up to
a maximum of $500 for heating and non-heating expenses for households in
Connecticut with incomes at or below 60% of the State Median Income
guidelines. Local fuel banks assess client eligibility and make payments to
vendors.
Operation Fuel was founded in 1977. Over the past 40 years they have awarded energy
assistance grants totaling $45, 814,510 to 148,777 households, connecting 106 fuel banks throughout the
state.
We encourage you to support Operation Fuel personally through the Add-a-Dollar program with
your utility company. You may donate by adding the amount to your utility bill, both paper bills and
electronically. 100 percent of funds raised in this way are used for energy assistance grants.
Through our annual Missions budget our Church contributes $1000 per year to their
important work.
Page 5
Christian Education/Faith Formation: “Keeping Sabbath” and “Experiencing Beauty”
BREAKING NEWS!!
Millie Johnson has accepted the position of Christian Education Chair on the Church Council.
Millie’s responsibilities will include the coordination the activities of the Christian Education Team, and
serving as an advocate for Christian Education programs on the Church Council and among the
Congregation. She will attend and report monthly to the Church Council on these activities as well as
submit and manage the CE budget for the year.
This is very exciting news, indeed! We now have a very active and solid Christian Education Team
that includes Millie, Carrie Loyd and Emelie Samuelson. This team should also include an Adult
Programs leader. If you are interested in joining this team, please contact Millie at (860) 354-0569.
Www.FirstChurchWashingtonCT.org May 2017
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Throughout May, we will be learning about Sabbath. We will discover what Sabbath is, why it is
important and how we can honor Sabbath as a church and as individuals. As always, we will use Bible
stories, games, crafts and activities to learn in hands on and interactive ways. Throughout the month,
we will also be learning more about the elements of worship that make up our Church's worship
service . We will learn about Communion, The Lord's Prayer, Prayers of the People, and Gathering of
Gifts. We will discover more about each as well as why each of these is an important piece of our
weekly worship. May will be a month of learning more about our Church and each other while having
lots of fun!
Questions about Sunday School? Contact Carrie Loyd ([email protected]),
or (860) 619-0450
YOUTH GROUP
SAVE THE DATE FOR CHURCH PROM!!!
In the Youth Group's efforts to raise money for the Animal Welfare
Society of New Milford, they will be throwing Prom for the entire
congregation on Saturday, June 3rd at 7pm (with an optional dinner at 6pm).
Yes, that's right: Prom. Complete with fancy attire, dancing, a Prom King and Queen, and photos! And
you're all invited!! Tickets will be $10 and we highly encourage prom-posals (with photographic or video
evidence!) ahead of time to spur on the excitement!
ANIMAL ADOPTION EVENT ON THE GREEN!
Youth Sunday is June 4th at 10am and immediately following service, there will be an animal adoption
event right on the green. All of this is to celebrate the hard work that the kids have done to raise money for
the Animal Welfare Society of New Milford, so please spread the word, invite your friends, and let's get
some animals to their forever homes!!
This Month’s Meeting is on Sunday, May 21, from 5-7 pm.
The First Congregational Church of Washington's Youth Group is for grades 6-12 and all are welcome! Our
regular meetings are on the last Sunday of every month from 5-7 pm at the Parish House. Every meeting
involves a group discussion focusing on the current month's faith practice, food, games, and much more. If
you have any questions, please contact Emelie Samuelson (203-405-6710), [email protected] or