Continued, page 2 Extending Our Extravagant Welcome Sep 6 - 10:30 am Worship Svc Joint Service at Pavilion Sep 13 - 10:00 am Worship Svc* Recovenanting/ ”Mixing of the Waters” Sep 20 - 10:00 am Worship Svc Sep 27 - 10:00 am Worship Svc* * Sunday School and Childcare Available September 2015 The First Congregational Church of Washington, Connecticut The Judea Journal The Judea Journal The Judea Journal The Judea Journal “Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:9-18 Announcements, Misc 6 Birthdays 6 Calendar 7 Christian Education 5 Council’s Corner 3 Deacons’ Message 4 From the Pastor 1 Green Fair Memories Insert Inspiration 12 Member News 9 Memorials—Flowers/ Steeple 9 Missions & Outreach 4 Music Ministry 3 Sunday Morning Support 8 Upcoming Events 6 Vitality Message 11 By Ellen Willert, Sabbatical Replacement Pastor In this issue: The summer is over? Already? It must be true what they say, times flies when you are having fun. I have had a wonderful summer here at First Congregational Church. I want to thank all the members and friends of our church for the extravagant welcome, grace and hospitality shown to me this summer and for the support given to me and my ministry. It was an extraordinary opportunity for me to be allowed to serve as pastor in Cheryl’s absence. It is Green Fair Photos - Insert “Dinner” Groups - Pg 10 Calendar, Upcoming Events and Birthdays on Pages 6-7 Mixing of Waters - Pg 6 Honoring Our Work, Blessing of the Tools Our annual Labor Day Sunday joint service with Salem Covenant Church will be held Sunday, September 6 at 10:30 am in the pavilion behind Washington Primary School - Rain or Shine! Again this year, we will be blessing the work we do and the tools we use for that. Bring one of yours that is lightweight and portable - either one of the primary tools you use or something that is symbolic of that work: laptop, date book, smart phone, hammer, backpack, etc. Join us as we break bread with others in the greater community - and bring a friend to share in the blessing. Rev. Linda Williams will give the sermon and will lead the service along with Pastor Cheryl. Since it will be her first Sunday back with us after sabbatical, it is a great opportunity to welcome her back!
12
Embed
September 2015 The Judea JournalThe Judea Journal · Page 2 The Judea Journal an opportunity not many seminary students get, and one that I was only able to have due to enthusiastic
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Continued, page 2
Extending Our Extravagant Welcome
Sep 6 - 10:30 am Worship Svc
Joint Service at Pavilion
Sep 13 - 10:00 am Worship Svc*
Recovenanting/
”Mixing of the Waters”
Sep 20 - 10:00 am Worship Svc
Sep 27 - 10:00 am Worship Svc*
* Sunday School and Childcare Available
September 2015
The First Congregational Church of Washington, Connecticut
The Judea JournalThe Judea JournalThe Judea JournalThe Judea Journal
“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold
fast to what is good; love one another with
mutual affection; outdo one another in
showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be
ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in
hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in
prayer. Contribute to the needs of the
saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do
not curse them. Rejoice with those who
rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in
harmony with one another; do not be
haughty, but associate with the lowly; do
not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not
repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought
for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is
possible, so far as it depends on you, live
peaceably with all.” Romans 12:9-18
Announcements, Misc 6
Birthdays 6
Calendar 7
Christian Education 5
Council’s Corner 3
Deacons’ Message 4
From the Pastor 1
Green Fair Memories Insert
Inspiration 12
Member News 9
Memorials—Flowers/ Steeple 9
Missions & Outreach 4
Music Ministry 3
Sunday Morning Support 8
Upcoming Events 6
Vitality Message 11
By Ellen Willert, Sabbatical Replacement Pastor
In this issue:
The summer is over?
Already? It must be true what
they say, times flies when you
are having fun. I have had a
wonderful summer here at First
Congregational Church. I want
to thank all the members and
friends of our church for the
extravagant welcome, grace
and hospitality shown to me
this summer and for the
support given to me and my
ministry. It was an
extraordinary opportunity for
me to be allowed to serve as
pastor in Cheryl’s absence. It is
Green Fair Photos
- Insert
“Dinner” Groups
- Pg 10
Calendar,
Upcoming Events
and Birthdays on
Pages 6-7 Mixing of Waters
- Pg 6
Honoring Our Work, Blessing of the Tools
Our annual Labor Day Sunday joint service with Salem Covenant Church
will be held Sunday, September 6 at 10:30 am in the pavilion behind
Washington Primary School - Rain or Shine!
Again this year, we will be blessing the work we do and the tools
we use for that. Bring one of yours that is lightweight and
portable - either one of the primary tools you use or something
that is symbolic of that work: laptop, date book, smart phone,
hammer, backpack, etc.
Join us as we break bread with others in the greater community - and
bring a friend to share in the blessing. Rev. Linda Williams will give the
sermon and will lead the service along with Pastor Cheryl. Since it will be
her first Sunday back with us after sabbatical, it is a great opportunity to
welcome her back!
(Continued from page 1) From the Pastor (continued from page 1)
Of course, she would LOVE to hear from people by mail or phone!
Polly Jewett, Apartment 212
Independence Manor of Hunterdon
188 State Highway 31
Flemington, New Jersey 08822
Phone: 908-788-4893, Ext. 212
Page 10 The Judea Journal
What do you enjoy doing? Isn’t it always better with friends? What do you enjoy doing? Isn’t it always better with friends? What do you enjoy doing? Isn’t it always better with friends? What do you enjoy doing? Isn’t it always better with friends?
Social Groups are Back! Small social groups geared toward shar-Social Groups are Back! Small social groups geared toward shar-Social Groups are Back! Small social groups geared toward shar-Social Groups are Back! Small social groups geared toward shar-
ing what we love. Food, day trips, grouping what we love. Food, day trips, grouping what we love. Food, day trips, grouping what we love. Food, day trips, group games,games,games,games, outdoor activi-outdoor activi-outdoor activi-outdoor activi-
ties, or missions projects…. Pick what suits you.ties, or missions projects…. Pick what suits you.ties, or missions projects…. Pick what suits you.ties, or missions projects…. Pick what suits you.
Are you new to our church family, wishing you knew more people? Are you a longtime member who sees so many
new faces? Maybe you have friends who would like to share in the activities, too? Do you pre-
fer activities other than sharing a meal? Last time the other groups did not get much activity
but we’re giving it another go. We intend these groups to offer fellowship and fun in activities
of your choice and are open to members and non-members alike. It is a great way to really get
to know the people you see on Sunday and find out how interesting and interwoven our lives
really are. And it is a great way to introduce others to our fellowship.
Here’s how it works. Join with friends or make new ones by picking a group and signing up
today. Each group, except dinner groups, will be comprised of
the full list of all interested. Dinner groups will be broken up
into no more than 6 people per group with room for another cou-
ple to be invited from outside our church to mix it up a bit. As
with the dinner groups, the host will pick the time, place and
content and will let the others know. Alternatively, the group
can decide together. No required number of times to meet – get
together as often as works for the group. For activity groups
other than dinners, such as missions activities, we will provide
some ideas and the group can take it from there.
Dinner groups: You can meet at home or a restaurant, as the
group chooses. One person or couple acts as host and provides
a main dish, others bring the appetizer, salad, dessert, or whatev-
er the group members decide.
These groups are informal, always lively, and open to all adults,
young or old, single or attached, new to FCC or lifetime mem-
bers. We’re building new groups NOW!
SOCIAL GROUP SIGN-UP FORM Please fill out the form below and send or drop off to the church office, or you may call Karen in the office at 860-868-0569,
Please sign up by September 27 so we can assemble group lists and be ready to begin in October.
Name: Phone:
Mailing Address:
E-mail address:
Check (�) any groups you wish to participate in.
Dinner Group: _____ Hiking Group:______ Missions Activities: _____ Day Tripping_____
Family Activities Group (specify children’s age range): Preschool ____ Ages 5-12: _____ Teens: ______
Am able to host/lead a group activity: Yes______ No_______
You may be wondering……
Q: I want to join but can’t be a host.
A: No problem, we are sure to have plenty
of hosts. That said, we come up short
on hosts for activities other than din-
ner groups – but sign up anyway!
Q: I want to join but I can’t commit to
making every event.
A: No problem, participate when you can.
Only dinner groups are dependent on
coordinating availability. Remember,
the idea is fellowship, friendship and
fun.
Page 11 Www.FirstChurchWashingtonCT.org September 2015
Hi All….
The vitality effort was kicked off this summer with a group prayer/visualization during the
Annual Meeting at the end of June. Instead of presenting the same information that is already included
in the annual report, I opted instead to practice with the group a guided meditation and brief prayer for
the vitality of this church. This introduced the members present to a way that they can support the
vitality of the church on their own in a regular way and at the same time it got at least 25 people
spending time together focusing in unison on a living and lively church. That is very powerful stuff.
But earlier in June, thanks to Ellen Willert, we began to include a prayer for the vitality of our
church and its members every Sunday during “Joys and Concerns”. We hope this is a weekly reminder
to everyone to continue praying for this church and seeing it in it’s vibrancy in providing not only a place
of spiritual nurture and religious education for ourselves, but also sharing the special gifts we have to
offer with the wider community.
There’s been a lot of praying going on this summer! In August, Ellen and I started doing prayer
walks in Washington Depot and Tony Vengrove joined us one week before a meeting the three of us had
in Marty’s. I’ll bet you are wondering what a prayer walk is! It is said that prayer is talking to God and
meditation is listening for an answer. A prayer walk the way we have been doing it is a little of both.
We walk a designated route or wherever we feel called to go, and just be present. Look at the places
where people live, work, shop. Feel the sidewalk and sense the many feet that have walked it and will
do so in the future, blessing the space and the people as you move along. People or places may call to
you in your listening mode and you may be called to a prayer of gratitude or prayer of wellbeing. Follow
the natural rhythm that develops. Now that you know how to do a prayer walk, you may want to try it
on your own or join us sometime. You can turn a shopping trip, your exercise time, an apple or peach-
picking excursion, or any other errand you may be doing anyway into a prayer walk (or drive).
A surprising source of vitality inspiration for me this summer came from the Green Fair. In the
past, I have primarily seen the Green Fair as a fundraising event. It is an event that takes a lot of
serious effort and coordination – starting well ahead of the day of the fair. In the Vitality Committee,
we have pushed aside the Green Fair as a vitality focus because our coaching has directed us more to
small group social activities, which have proved to be instrumental in the vitality and growth of
congregations locally and across the country. This is the tack we are aiming to take, at least in my
tenure as Vitality/Growth chair. However, I have been inspired to view the Green Fair as a large cluster
of small group opportunities. Experiences the day of the fair and especially in the interactions with
people coming to claim their silent auction items have emphasized that to me. Besides the obvious
visual evidence and interactions with people that day of folks having a great time and appreciating what
we do for the community, I have heard several (so far) stories and comments about how these people felt
the outreach of our church in a very tangible way that day and throughout the year. There are so many
opportunities for people to generate that kind of response intentionally; to demonstrate our beliefs in
action—every day in all we do, but so intensely through the Green Fair. In ALL our interactions, we
have opportunities to create more positive relationships with people who may someday find themselves a
member of this church or at the very least, support the mission of the church in other ways. Consider
hosting or joining a social group a s a way of mixing and mingling more.
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at the picnic on Sept 13!!
Want to get more involved with your church??Want to get more involved with your church??Want to get more involved with your church??Want to get more involved with your church?? Tell us what you love to do and we’ll do our best to match you up with
activities that ring your bells! Complete the Time and Talents form that is now available online, or
contact the church office for a paper or PDF version to be sent to you.
Prayers for self and others: www.firstchurchwashingtonct.org/prayer.php
POSTMASTER: ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
DATED MATERIAL—PLEASE EXPEDITE DELIVERY
World Day of Prayer for Creation Sept 1,2015 A prayer for our earth
Pope Francis, encyclical on ecology, June 2015 Laudato Si’, On Care for our Common Home
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor, help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty,
not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth. Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that
we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day. Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle for justice,