INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Volume 16/Number 1/January 2015
David Theis/Tree Sale Recap…………...8
First Church Preschool…………….........9
Church School……………………...10-11
“Souper Bowl” Sunday Soup Sale…...…12
Women’s Fellowship……………..….…13
Rummage Room/Book Corner…...........14
Scenes of the Christmas Season...…….2
Speaking Pastorally/Reminder..……....3
You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown....4
Musical Notes………….………....…..5
From the Parish Nurse………………..6
New Members/Soup Kitchen/TY’s…...7
Knitters/Bible Study/Moms Group/Jan
Assignments……………………….....15
Stewardship.………............................16
Stewardship (cont.)/Christmas TY…..17
Jan Birthdays/Life Events....................18
More Christmas Pictures……...……..19
The 344th Annual Meeting of The First Congregational Church of Greenwich, Old Greenwich, CT, is hereby called for Sunday, January 25, 2015, immediately follow-ing the worship service. The meeting will be held in the Meetinghouse:
To hear and act upon the annual reports of the pastors, officers and committees;
To hear and act upon the report of the Nominating Committee and to elect officers for the coming year;
To adopt the budget for 2015;
To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
344th ANNUAL MEETING
You’re a Good
Man Charlie
Brown
Jan 30 & 31
Page 4
Sunday
Afternoons
Live!
Page 5 Pix of the
Season:
Inside
front and
back covers
2
Scenes of the Christmas Season
Visit our Photo Gallery to view more pictures:
fccog.org/photo-gallery/
3
By Rev. Richard DenUyl, Jr. Dear Friends, Six years ago I was in my car listening to Krista Tippett’s radio show on NPR. She was interviewing an Irish priest and poet named John O’Donohue who wrote the best selling book Anam Cara. I was immediately swept up by John’s wisdom and humility. During the course of this interview he read from his latest book, To Bless The Space Between Us. Two months later John O’Donohue passed away suddenly. It was this book that inspired me to ponder long and hard what it means to be blessed and to bless others. As we begin a New Year together, I pass on a blessing from John O’Donohue to you, his beautiful poem, A Blessing for the New Year:
Faithfully,
Speaking Pastorally
Richard
2015 Stewardship Reminder We hope you had a Christmas filled with hope, wonder and love. As we now move into the New Year and closer to our Annual Meeting on January 25 where we will formally adopt the 2015 church budget, it becomes more and more im-portant for us to be able to accurately reflect the financial support from our congregation's 2015 pledges. If you have already returned your 2015 Pledge Card, we extend a warm and grateful thank you! If you have not yet returned it, please do so as soon as possible to help us in finalizing our 2015 budget. If you need a blank Pledge Card or would like to view the 2015 Stewardship brochure for more details, you can find both on our church website at www.fccog.org.
The easiest way to provide your pledge information is to email our Director of Church Administration and Finance, Steve Summerton, at [email protected]. Please include your name and address, as well as amount of pledge (and a con-gratulation to Steve and his wife, Tami, on the birth of their new baby boy, Spencer, just before Christmas!). Thank you for helping to support the programs and ministries of our wonderful church.
On the day when
The weight deadens
On your shoulders
And you stumble,
May the clay dance
To balance you.
And when your eyes
Freeze behind
The grey window
And the ghost of loss
Gets into you,
May a flock of colours,
Indigo, red, green
And azure blue,
Come to awaken in you
A meadow of delight.
When the canvas frays
In the currach of thought
And a stain of ocean
Blackens beneath you,
May there come across the waters
A path of yellow moonlight
To bring you safely home.
May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
May the clarity of light be yours,
May the fluency of the ocean be yours,
May the protection of the ancestors be yours.
And so may a slow
Wind work these words
Of love around you,
An invisible cloak
To mind your life.
4
Don’t miss this wonderful performance of
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown!
Friday, January 30
Saturday, January 31
7:30 pm
The First Congregational Church of Greenwich Auditorium
108 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich
All proceeds benefit the FCCOG Youth Group’s mission trip to Nicaragua this February.
YOUTH GROUPS:
Latest Youth Calendar information about our Mission Trip and much more can be found at: www.fccogYouth.com. Note: Online contributions for our Mission
Trip may be made on this website as well.
5
Musical Notes
Sunday Afternoons Live Returns! Our First Music & Arts season continues with our ever-popular Sunday Afternoons Live during the month of February in the Auditorium at 4:00 pm. Tickets are $20 per person, which includes re-freshments and light sweets.
February 1: Andrew Armstrong, piano
Rededication of the Victor Borge Steinway Piano.
February 8: The Chamber Players of the Greenwich Symphony
The Chamber Players are the principal musicians of the Greenwich Symphony Orchestra who present in-triguing and wide-ranging concerts of chamber music that span the centuries.
February 15: Wendy Kerner, harp
Wendy Kerner is the principal harpist of the Norwalk and the Ridgefield Symphonies and will be joined by a pianist and vocalist for a Valentine’s Day program.
February 22: Asylum Quartet
The four classically-trained saxophonists met as graduate students at the The Hartt School in West Hart-ford, Connecticut in 2011. Shortly after forming, the quartet received the Grand Prize in the 2014 International Chamber Music Ensemble Competition in Boston, becoming the first saxophone quartet to receive this honor.
Andrew Armstrong,
piano
Asylum Quartet Wendy Kerner,
harp
The Chamber Players
of the Greenwich Symphony
6
From the ... Healthy New Year to You! by Sue Asselin, RN
Happy New Year 2015! The members of the Wellness Committee wish you and your loved ones a wonderful year ahead, full of blessings and good health. We thank you for your support of the services and educational programs planned and presented by our committee.
I would like to acknowledge the members of the Wellness Committee and express my gratitude toward them for their assistance and support with programs that help us all live more healthy lives - physically, spiritually, emotionally, and in relationship with one another. The members are: Annette Bergh, Ros Brady, Paul Kretschmann, Betsy Kreuter (Chair), Enid Norris, Ruth Reed, and Karen Young. The next time you talk with one of them, please join me in thanking them for their contributions to the congregation’s wellness.
Here are some of the programs the Wellness Committee has planned in the coming months:
Saturday, Feb 7, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm - Red Cross Blood Drive. Co-sponsored by Women’s Fellowship, this community event is made complete with deviled eggs and live piano music. To schedule an appointment to give blood call 1-800-Give-Life. Please contact your Parish Nurse if you’d like to volunteer to play piano for a one-hour shift or bring a refreshment.
Sunday, March 8 - Wellness Second Hour with Dr. Donna Coletti (right), Director of Palliative Care and Home Hospice at Greenwich Hospital. Dr. Coletti will speak about both programs and explain the differences and similarities, as well as answer questions.
Saturday, March 14 - CPR and AED Refresher Classes for those already CPR certified. This opportunity for practice includes hands-on time with the AED (defibrillator).
Monday, March 23 – A nutritious “Lunch and Learn” program focusing on the DASH diet for controlling blood pressure and promoting heart heath. Denise Addorisio, a Registered Dietician from Greenwich Hospital, will speak about DASH or “Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension,” a plan endorsed by the National Institutes of Health.
Sunday, April 26 - Wellness Second Hour addressing end-of-life planning including advanced directives and care options. This interactive workshop will assist participants in developing a plan of their own.
Ongoing Wellness programs include blood pressure screenings, Medicare Part D counseling, a lending library of books and tapes, Parish Nurse home care eligibility assessment, and informative support for any positive lifestyle changes. If you would like your blood pressure taken, or you have any health-related concerns or questions, stop in to see me, your Parish Nurse, in Room 203. My hours are Tuesdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Sundays from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, and Wednesdays by appointment.
If you are interested in joining the Wellness Committee and have some healthful ideas to share, please con-tact Sue Asselin, Parish Nurse, at extension 21. We especially need volunteer health professionals to take blood pressures on occasional Sundays when the nurse is unavailable. Wishing you wellness of mind, body, and spirit in the coming year!
7
Soup Kitchen Volunteers
Making Food to Feed Our Neighbors and Friends
Thanks to Ellen and Rob Perelli-Minetti for making chili in December. Their chili made a difference in the lives of more than 125 guests that month!
The Girl Scouts have signed up to cook in January 2015 but we still need additional volunteers in the New Year. If you would like to volunteer to cook chili or serve at the Yerwood Center on the first Monday of the month, please contact Tom Mahoney at [email protected].
Thank you from Pilgrim Towers,
President, John F. Newton:
We cannot thank your church members enough for the joy you and your children bring to Pilgrim Towers res-idents with your annual Christmas get-together. It is pure joy as our elderly look forward each year for your coming. It brought much happiness on the eve of Christmas.
Your individual presents were greatly and happily received. Our residents cannot express to you the full extent of their gratefulness...Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May God’s blessings flow to the First Congregational Church members for the great pleasure given to our elderly...
A Special Thank You! to Peter Grunow and his crew from Gro Pro Landscaping Co., Old Greenwich for assisting in the building and taking down of the outdoor crèche.
Welcome to our New Church Members!
Liz and Tim Duffy
with daughter, Quinn
Monika and Tyler Shubert
with daughter, Addy
and son, August
Also joining this December in
absentia were Radovan
Sikorsky, his wife, Daniela
Sikorska and their daughters,
Monika and Sylvia
8
Recap of 2014 Christmas Tree Sale
We had a wonderful Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale this year. We had upwards of 30+ volunteers from the Church membership, including some from Young Mariners and Pacific House (a part of Shelter for the Home-less, one of the charities that we are supporting), as well as students from Greenwich High School and the Help for the Homeless Club. We collect-ed approximately $16,000 for the following agencies: Inspirica, Den for Grieving Kids, Sexual Assault Crisis Center, Shelter for the Homeless, Young Mariners Foundation and Meals on Wheels. Thank you to all who volunteered their time and for all who purchased their trees, wreaths, gar-land and kissing balls this year!
The Passing of Greenwich Selectman, David Theis
It was very sad news that Greenwich Selectman, David Theis, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, December 23. “His contributions touched the lives of so many of our fellow residents each and every day,” First Selectman Peter Tesei and Selectman Drew Marzullo said in a joint statement. “Over the past five years, we have been honored to serve on the Board of Selectmen with Dave who brought integrity, wisdom, leadership and humor to every aspect of town government. There was no better partner to serve with and call your friend … We ask that all our fellow residents continue to send their prayers to Dave’s friends and family.”
As a public official and extremely active volunteer, Theis’ contributions to the community were deep and extensive. He was a town native (Cos Cob) and a graduate of Greenwich High School, and in his 5th year on the Board of Selectmen. First Selectman Tesei has ordered the flags in all town buildings to be lowered to half mast until Theis’ funeral.
David Theis is remembered for his decades of service to the town, both as an elected official and as a volunteer. He has been heavily praised for the partnerships he was able to form on the Board of Selectmen, both with Peter Tesei, but more so with Drew Marzullo, the board’s lone Democrat. Though they disagreed politically, they became quick friends and David Theis is remembered fondly by all, regardless of political party.
David joined First Selectman Tesei and town Ambassador at Large, Bea Crumbine, at our Founders’ Day service in 2013 (right). Please send your thoughts and prayers to David’s family. A town memorial is being planned for January 10.
9
First Church Preschool 2015
The First Church Preschool still has openings for the 2015–2016 school year. Please call the preschool at 203-637-5430 for more information.
First Church Preschool Vision Statement
First Church Preschool will continue to maintain its outstanding reputation and core values by building caring communities, including being responsive to social, educational, and environmental trends that are relevant to all.
First Church Preschool Mission Statement
The Mission of the First Church Preschool is:
to offer an active preschool educational experience for children ages 3 through 5 years where growth is promoted in four specific areas: cognitive development, social/emotional development, creative expression, and physical development;
to help children become aware of their special abilities and individual worth as human beings;
to encourage self confidence and channel a child's curiosity and energies into meaningful activities; and
to foster friendships, partnerships, and social development among children, program staff, families, and the community through humility, respect, sharing, caring and a sense of humor.
The Summer Program at First Church Preschool 2015
The Summer Program at First Church Preschool dates will be June 15 through July 24. The summer pro-gram incorporates a variety of activities, including arts and crafts, water play, playground time, sports, mu-sic, science exploration and discovery, a series of wet and dry inflatables, and snacks. This Summer Pro-gram is designed for children ages 3-5 years; 3-year olds attend Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays from 9:00 am-12:00 pm; 4 & 5-year olds attend Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Call the Preschool for more details or to put your name on our mailing list to receive a registration form. 203-637-5430 or email Director Darla Kohler Steiner at [email protected].
Don’t let your children miss the fun at the First Church Preschool Summer Program!
10
ROTATION CHURCH SCHOOL!!!
Here is the schedule for January...
We are very excited about the new rotation program. Over the next three months we will look at a dif-ferent topic or Bible Story and experience the lessons through various learning styles such as art, drama, cooking, crafts, and games. We are very fortunate to have a great deal of information about the ways of life in biblical times and, so, we will begin with some hands-on workshops and learn about the time when Jesus grew up in Nazareth. We will wonder about what a typical day in Jesus’ childhood would have been like. And we have several people in the congregation who have signed up to help us do that.
February will be all about Joseph (not Jesus’ father but Jacob’s son). Joseph was the youngest of 12 sons AND the seeming favorite of his father. He was sold into slavery and ultimately became a leader in Egypt. There are many exciting ways to learn about this story.
In March, we will look at several of the events during the week before Easter. Again, there are many opportunities for exciting lessons in this segment as well. Feel free to stop into one of our classrooms after worship because we will probably go a little longer than the service so parents and potential teach-ers can see what Rotation is all about.
January 18 – Martin Luther King, Jr Weekend - Service Sunday - One Room Schoolhouse Program in the Daniels Center for ages 5 – 10. Older children are welcome to join in or be helpers to our younger children. In memory of Dr. King and his legacy, we will learn about a need and do a service project for the community.
DATE KINDERGARTEN & 1ST 2ND & 3RD GRADES 4TH & 5TH
GRADES
Growing up in
Jesus' Time
Jan 4, 2015 Games:
Sarah Schneider
Cooking:
Lillian Ruiz
Carpentry:
Joe McBride
Jan 11, 2015 Carpentry:
TBA
Games:
Jane Finch
Cooking:
Nanette Laffan
Jan 25, 2015
Cooking:
Donna Hascher
Carpentry:
Ben Quick & Bob MacLea
Games:
TBA
11
A CHANGE IN THE COMMUNION PROGRAM
FOR 2ND GRADERS AND THEIR PARENTS
For the past several years, we have held special learning sessions for 2nd graders and
their parents in January. This year, however, we are going to change the timing
because of our new Rotation program. So, look for the Communion program to be
scheduled in either April or May. This opportunity will be for 2nd graders and any
other older children who were not here in previous years and who would like to be
part of the learning experience.
_______________________________________________________
FUN AT THE ADVENT CRAFT WORKSHOP … From one of our families
“After the advent craft workshop, Callie, Charley, and I surveyed all of their projects
and thought about how much work you put into it each year. This will be our 4th
year to have a photograph ornament on the tree - so fun to see how the kids have
grown from year to year. We are very thankful to you for this. Have a good
week. ~Virginia”
12
"Souper Bowl Sunday” Annual Soup Sale! February 1 - 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Sponsored by Women’s Fellowship
Get your soup recipes (chili or stews too!) ready for the 5th Annual Women’s Fellowship Soup Sale in the Auditorium on Sunday, February 1, 2015 from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm (or ‘til the soup runs out!). Soup donations are starting now.
Please sign up for soup donations in the Church Office … instructions will be available … or during Fellowship Hour. Quarts of soup will be sold for $10 each and all proceeds will go to support Women’s Fellowship projects. (Note: cost of the ingredients is tax deductible.)
Questions? Please contact Sue McCalley at [email protected] or 203-273-6526.
Below is a soup recipe as an example of a soup that folks can make, but ANY soup or chili is fine as a donation, so start cooking!
TUSCAN BREAD AND TOMATO SOUP
(Yields at least 2 qts.)
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28 oz) can chopped tomatoes, with juice
2 tbsp tomato paste
Pinches of sugar and red chili flakes
4 cups water
1 lb stale country bread, crusts removed, cut into cubes (about 7 cups)
2-3 tbsp slivered fresh basil
1. Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a large, heavy soup pot over medium-low heat.
2. Add the onion, and cook, stirring until tender (about 5 minutes).
3. Meanwhile, pulse the tomatoes in a food processor until coarsely blended.
4. Add garlic to the pot.
5. Cook, stirring, for about a minute until fragrant.
6. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, red chili flakes, salt and pepper.
7. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have cooked down (about 10 minutes).
8. Stir bread cubes into the tomatoes.
9. Add water, half the basil and salt to taste.
10. Increase heat and simmer, stirring and mashing the bread, for about 10 minutes until the soup is thick.
11. Stir in the remaining basil, and taste and adjust seasonings.
12. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature with the remaining olive oil drizzled over each serving.
13
Women’s Fellowship
Nights Off Women’s Group
Start off the New Year with Nights Off! The next gathering of the Nights Off Women’s Group is Monday, January 19, 2015 at the home of Irene Savage. All are welcome!
We will meet at 6:30 pm and will be making soup for the annual Women’s Fellowship “Souper Bowl” Sunday Soup Sale being held on February 1. Lots of hands will make this a fast and fun project, so please join us and bring a friend. We promise a lot of laughs and fun conversation! Also, please bring an appetizer to share and whatever you would like to drink.
If you have questions or would like to be added to the email list, please contact Shirley Flierl at [email protected]. See you there!
Come Experience Tai Chi!
Come and experience the many wonderful benefits of Tai Chi and Qi Gong exercises.
Classes are held on Wednesdays at 8:00 am and Thursdays at 9:00 am. Only $10 per class. Drop-ins are welcome.
Hats Off Book Discussion Group
Our Hats Off book study group has chosen its first book for 2015 - The Shoemaker’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani. Join our new adventure where set-tings include the Italian Alps, the cobblestone streets of little Italy, the mansions of NYC and the lakes of northern Minneso-ta. Please call Jean Bruder at 203-661-1685 to order your book or you can re-serve your copy from the Greenwich Library. Hats Off begins again on Thursday, January 8 at 11:30 am in the Lounge. We will collect our books and enjoy a soup and salad luncheon. Please call Debbie Berner at 203-629-1110 if you’d like to attend the luncheon.
Kettle Quilters
Kettle Quilters are looking forward to an interest-ing 2015. There will be a chance to perfect your skills in quilting, piecing, and finishing. How about learning to make prairie corners as a finish for our cross stitch quilt? Then there will be piecing of our new project for 2016. Exactness here is key. Keep your Mondays open from 9 am -12 noon and your Tuesdays from 7:30-9 pm and enjoy the fellowship of likeminded women. Bring a friend! In Room 203 . ~ Inge Thalheim
You’re Invited! Tea with an Author
Thursday, January 22, 2014
3:30 pm in the Auditorium
Come and enjoy tea and goodies with Barbara Stretton, author of the Tori Trotter Mysteries, much
beloved sto-ries of a feline detective. Barbara was featured in an article in the Greenwich Citizen in January 2012 as the author of “cat-o-nine tales.” She will be speak-
ing about her books and we’ll have them available and autographed after her presentation.
14
Happy New Year from The Rummage Room 191 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich - 203-637-1875
Friday, January 2: The Rummage Room reopens at 10:00 am.
Friday and Saturday, January 2 and 3: The Rummage Room rings in the New Year with 75% off all Christmas merchandise, and a 50% off Winter Clearance Sale.
Monday, January 5: Ski clothing, ski poles, and ice skates will be available. Note: Neither ski boots nor skis can be accepted as donations.
Monday, January 19: The Rummage Room will celebrate Martin Luther King Day with a 50% off 'everything' sale.
Manager Maria’s Wish List: Ski wear, scarves, hats, mittens; items for Valentine's Day; large shopping bags.
Shop Hours: 10:00 am-5:00 pm Monday-Friday and 10:00 am-1:00 pm Saturday.
Donation Hours: 9:30 am-4:30 pm Monday-Thursday and 9:30 am- 12:30 pm Friday and Saturday.
Congratulations to Maria Drieghe and Nancy Hamilton on winning the 2014 'Best Spirit of the Town' Award from the Garden Club of Old Greenwich for The Rummage Room’s 2014 Christmas window (right)!
The goal for The Rummage Room in 2015 is to raise at least $150,000 for the Allocations Committee to distribute to organizations that support women, children and families in need. Millions of dollars have been raised for this purpose in the last 50 years and we are grateful to our donors and shoppers who made this possible and will continue to make this goal possible.
Affirmation for 2015: I'm going to stop putting things off ... STARTING TOMORROW!!
Avery’s Book Corner
As we move into the new year, I start 2015 with the book, Speaking Christian: Why Christian Words Have Lost Their Meaning and Power—And How They Can Be Restored by Marcus Borg.
In this book, “acclaimed Bible scholar, Marcus Borg, argues that the very language Christians use has become dangerously distilled, distorted, and disconnected from the beliefs which once underpinned it….Borg calls for a radical change to the language we use to invoke our beliefs—the only remedy that will allow the Church’s words to once again ring with truth, power, and hope.”
“...In Speaking Christian, Borg delivers a language for twenty-first-century Christians that grounds the faith in its deep and rich original roots and allows it once again to transform our lives.”
15
Our New Bible Study class with Rev. Avery Manchester resumes on January 4, 11 and 18. Come and join the fun each of those Sundays at 11:20 am in the Lounge. No reservations required and previous attendance is not necessary. Just come with your interest in the Bible and Avery will do the rest!
Bible Study Returns
Interested in Learning How to Knit?
Are you interested in making a Prayer Shawl? Do you want to learn to knit first? Some people have ex-pressed a desire to learn and Nancy McConnell will be happy to set up a time to have a class. Please call her and give her an idea of your schedule. She would like to do it as a one-time class.
Contact Nancy McConnell at 203-637-4423 or [email protected].
January Responsibilities and Assignments
Memorial Services:
Phil Bradford - Jan. 4
Carolyn MacLea - Jan. 11
Mary Fike - Jan. 18
Bobbie Hopkins - Jan. 25
January 4 Communion:
Carole Lang - Capt.
Bob Small - Set up
Pam Grunow - Set up
Barbara Norrgard - Clean up
Donna Hascher - Clean up
Jan Thalheim - Clean up
Deacon Assignments:
Invocation Phil Bradford
Hospital Notes John Denne
January Coffee Hour:
Outreach
Especially For Moms of Very
Young Children
If you have a baby, toddler and/or 2 year old, join us for an opportunity to meet and relax with other moms and their young kids. The group meets the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month (January 9 and 23 this month) from 9:30–10:30 am in Room 104. For more information, contact Kristen Jacks at [email protected] or call her at 203-344-1961.
16
2015 Stewardship - Blessings All Around As of December 24, we had received 240 pledge cards and a total of $789,325 of financial support for the programs and ministries of First Congregational Church in the coming year. We ask that those who have not yet made their intention known will return their pledge cards as soon as possible so our Budget Committee will have a strong foundation on which to build a plan for 2015. Meanwhile, the Board of Trustees gratefully acknowledges pledges from the following members and friends, as well as those who wish to remain anonymous.
Chuck & Maryan Ainsworth
Bob & Persis Alden
David & Colleen Alfano
Tom Allen & Sandra Brim
Mary Ruth Allen
Erling & Diane Andersen
Lydia Anderson
Ty & Cyndi Anderson
Luis & Laura Angel-Lalanne
Shawn & Susan Asselin
Gordon & Mary-Ann Assing
David & Jean Ayres
Sue Baker
Nofal & Elizabeth Barbar
Annette Bergh & Gary Lico
Marty & Lois Berlin
Gary & Deb Berner
Martha Bitner
Janet Blasberg
Steve & Betty Bonsal
Don & Ginny Breismeister
Jean Bruder
Barbara Van Buren
Virginia Burgess
Chris Cantwell
J. Robert Carey
Curt & Joyce Carlson
Sally Colegrove
Judy Coleman
Christine Collins
Bill & Marian Cordner
Steve & Ashley Crihfield
Harry & Dianne Culpen
Doris Moss Davenport
Carol Deering
John & Joan Denne
Mark & Cynthia DeRiemer
Rick & Marilyn Derr
Dana & Sally Dolloff
Sean & Susan Doyle
Mary Durland
Anders & Mariann Ekernas
Alice Ell
Laura & Dave Erickson
Susan Eveland
Libby Fatum
Bob & Mary Ferry
Charles & Joyce Field
Mary Fike & Joseph Dowling
Jane Hudson Finch
Peter & Shirley Flierl
Barbara Fortunato
Bill Fossum, Jr.
Michaela Fossum
Dick & Kathy Fraser
Diana Frazier
Don & Phyllis Freeman
Joyce French
Natalie & Billy Frenz
Frosty & Don Friedman
Harold Frost
John Fryback
Yves Gaden
Donna Gargagliano
Ken & Melanie Garnett
Pat Geismar
John & Jan Gelb
Millie George
Lauren & Paul Ghaffari
Lile Gibbons
Richard & Susan Gilbert
Bruce & Linda Glover
Bob & Judy Goodchild
Ann Goodson
Al & Judy Gordon
Dale Greene
Phoebe Griffith & Joe McBride
Peter & Pam Grunow
Andrew & Bobbi Hanson
Chris & Olga Hartwell
Glenn & Donna Hascher
Larry & Barbara Hathaway
Larry & Erlinda Haviland
Robyn Helmer
Bill & Claire Henry
Carol Hermance
Sybren & Janette Hoekstra
Bobbie Hopkins
Susan Huang & Oliver Kane
Lisa Hudson
Gerald Isaacson
Robert & Kristen Jacks
Paul & Joan Johansen
Mi Heh Kim
Ron & Janet Klingner
Barbara Kneen
Paul & Diane Kretschmann
Betsy Kreuter
Eric & Pam Kreuter
Tom & Terri Brown Kutzen
Debbie LaCivita
Fred & Nanette Laffan
Rosemary Lamie
Franklin & Carole Lang
Tad & Pat Larrabee
Mary Lennon
Catherine Lepoutre
Clem & Jenny Lepoutre
Richard & Linda Lewis
Ginge Liddel
Bobby Littlefield
Marcia Livingston
Fred Lorthioir & Christina Schoen
Bob & Bea Luce
John & Mary Maarbjerg
Bob & Carolyn MacLea
Karen & Martin Mair
Joe & Wendy Mallory
Avery Manchester
Carol Mawhinney
Stu & Sue McCalley
Patricia McCarter
Chuck & Nancy McConnell
Sandy & John McCue
Kathy McLennan & Ken Kolb
Bob & Pat Mendelsohn
Ben & Lea Menegon
Dorothy Meuller & Phil Bradford
Fred & Marie-Noelle Meyer
Jan & Prill Meyer
George & Alida Meyers
Christopher Mill
Gary & Judy Miller
Mark Mohn & Beth Press
Kevin & Marcie Molloy
Lynn White Montanari
Chris & Betsy Moore
Darlene Moore
Tripp & Laura Moore
Sally Morgan
Jim & Nancy Morris
Dale & Sherry Myer
Richard & Tamara Ng-Yow
Marion Nolan
Erik & Kellie Norrgard
Jack & Barbara Norrgard
Enid Norris
Paul & Lynn O’Gorman
Eleanore Olsen
Ken & Erna Olson
Ed & Barbara Oppedisano
Karen Pacent
Nancy Palamarcuik
Carolyn Paulus & Rick Woodman
Dick Peebles & Doug Bloom
Bill & Mary Jane Penwell
Rob & Ellen Perelli-Minetti
Edward Perisa
Anne Pfetsch
Nancy & Steve Pierson
Hans & Sandy Plickert
Pat Pollack
Suzanne Provoost
Jack & Judy Provoost
Ben Quick
Sandra Radosh
Mary Ranta
Giff & Ruth Reed
Harlan & Wendy Reynolds
Don & Connie Van Rhyn
Virginia & Greg Richards
Barrie Richmond
Gary & Janice Riddell
Richard & Pamela Riggs
John & Marie-Theres Riis
Bob & Kathy Riley
17
Continued from previous page … Stewardship
Richard & Dee Robarts
Dorothy & John Robertson
Lynn Robertson
Charlotte & Arthur Robinson
Joe Rogers
Beth Rollins
Lori Romano
Bill & Sandy Rose
Mike & Christina Russell
Leonard & Yanna Saari
Jeff & Heather Sahrbeck
Bill & Irene Savage
John & Elizabeth Schinto
Eric & Lesley Schless
Bill & Louise Schmitt
Patricia Schmitt
Dave & Elizabeth Schrohe
Stuart & Jean Serenbetz
Jay & Debi Shaw
Jim & Carol Shattuck
Bill & Alice Sherwood
Tyler & Monika Shubert
Radovan & Daniela Sikorsky
David & Beverly Silliphant
Peter & Ann Simpson
Betty Sleath
Bob & Barbara Smith
Elen Sotzing
Bob & Pam Speer
Jim & Tommie Starkweather
Linnea Stenberg
Meg & Dave Stewart
Tom Stiers
Anne Stolley
Jack Sweger
Mac & Carissa Sykes
Craig Symons & Vance Briceland
Andy & Kristin Taylor
Elaine & John Teeters
Inge Thalheim
Chris & Dawn Thompson
Sheila Tolmie
Joan Torelli
Mike & Brook Urban
Anne Wachsman
Jeff & Jean Watkins
Robert & Nancy Weeks
Arthur Weigner
Stephen Weigner
Barry & Peg Wentworth
Car Westbrook
Tom & Lori White
Peggy Whitlock
Peter & Sandra Wilder
Susan Wilder
David & Ardith Williams
Webb Williams
Maesie Clarkson Wylie
Jane Yates
Marge York
Nancy York
Xin Yun & Pei Fan Zhang
John & Nancy Ziac
Josh & Emily Ziac
A BIG CHRISTMAS THANK YOU…to everyone who helped to make Christmas Eve such a blessed and special day in the life of our church:
To the children (and several adults!) who made our Nativity pageants – all 3! – beautiful retellings of Jesus’ birth;
To the readers and choirs who gave such heartfelt expressions of joy;
To all the behind-the-scenes helpers who made the magic happen;
To the press who helped to share our celebrations with the community; and
To the community and congregation who came to be together on this most glorious day of the season!!
~ From the pastors and staff of First Congregational Church
18
JA N UA RYB I RT H D AY S
01/01 Kelly Loughman
01/01 Ginny Ridenour
01/01 Patricia McCarter
01/01 Catherine Goff
01/01 Shannon Boles
01/01 Shira Rieke
01/02 Robert Alden
01/02 Jan Meyer
01/02 Emily LaCivita
01/02 Ben Shaver
01/02 Holly Hanson
01/03 Barbara Martin
01/03 Tom Ragland
01/03 Virginia Richards
01/03 Christian Thalheim
01/03 Austin Cantwell
01/04 Doris Moss Davenport
01/04 Mariann Ekernas
01/04 Susan Glendon
01/04 Arnie Arnold
01/04 Katie Weatherseed
01/05 Katie Carlson
01/06 Joseph McBride
01/06 Jennifer Lepoutre
01/06 Lindsey Kilmurray
01/06 Lindsey Trepanier
01/07 Linda Glover
01/07 April Gurciullo
01/07 Henry Shrier
01/08 Mary-Ann Assing
01/08 Christopher Ghaffari
01/08 Owen Tedford
01/09 Mary Leinbach
01/09 Dianne Culpen
01/09 Barbara Pizzimenti
01/09 William Phyfe
01/09 B J Savin
01/09 Bailey Poole
01/09 Ella Carlson
01/09 Ellen Romano
01/10 Deborah Berner
01/10 Bruce Glover
01/10 Lindsay Howland
01/10 Patrick Toohey
01/10 Chelsea Bacon
01/10 Ethan Berman
01/11 Lauren Wheaton
01/11 Kelly Reeves
01/11 Liz Duffy
01/11 Taylor Stafford
01/11 Marquise Burick
12/11 John Russell
01/12 Kathy McLennan
01/12 Rita Dadzis
01/12 Judy Guard
01/12 Patricia Andersen
01/12 Lenore Mallett
01/12 Charles Schrohe
01/13 Peter Heberling
01/13 Eric Plaskonos
01/13 Clare Thomas
01/13 Victoria Mueller Bradford
01/15 Karen Young
01/15 Bob Lubbers
01/15 Christy Sadler
01/15 Charlie Ginste
01/15 Mary Beck
01/15 Nina Kreuter
01/15 Amelie Dellascenza
01/16 Joan Johansen
01/16 Lilian Ruiz
01/16 Trevor Hanson
01/16 Lauren O’Donnell
01/16 Kendall Quick
01/17 Stephen Sotzing
01/17 Karen Thormann
01/17 Beth O’Donnell
01/17 Allison Saari
01/17 William Thomas
01/17 Gregory Lico
01/17 Jake Trask
01/17 Stephen Dodd
01/17 Paulina Eileen Farn-Finz
01/18 Chris Begole
01/18 Jack Taylor
01/19 Cynthia Sandreuter
01/19 Leonard Saari
01/19 Nancy York
01/19 Laura Janelli
01/19 James DeFazio
01/20 Marian Cordner
01/20 Dianne Shrier
01/20 Phebe Huth
01/20 Grace Alfano
01/20 Ainsley Sahrbeck
01/21 Barbara Parker
01/21 Karina Schless
01/22 Carol Hermance
01/22 Barbara Smith
01/22 Dawn Tutje
01/22 Martin Mair
01/22 Mary Helen Morris
01/22 Nishani Naidoo
01/22 Abby von Holzhausen
01/22 Jake von Holzhausen
01/23 John Maarbjerg
01/23 Thomas White
01/23 Alexander Robarts
01/23 Richard DeFazio
01/23 Benjamin Velishka
01/23 Jadesola Ariyibi
01/23 Maggie Jacoby
01/23 Benjamin John Bates
01/24 Jonny Rogers
01/24 Megan Mahoney
01/24 Blair Johnson
01/25 Allan Ferry
01/25 Tom Wilkinson
01/25 Chris Vandivort
01/25 Liza Johnson
01/25 Charles Richards
01/26 Fred Christensen
01/27 John Enquist Sr
01/27 Lindsay Stafford
01/27 Clement Lepoutre
01/27 Dawn Ginste
01/27 Heather Breismeister
01/27 Kristin Lovallo
01/28 Christopher Moore
01/28 Paul Kretschmann
01/28 Selene Dunn
01/28 Anneliese Mair
01/28 Lauren Mickley
01/29 Heather Schimenti
01/29 Will Trask
01/29 Ellen Pulitzer
01/29 Elizabeth Mohn
01/29 John Romano
01/30 Gerald Isaacson
01/31 Eric Andersen
Life Events:
Births: Spencer Anthony Summerton,
son of Steve and Tami Summerton
Deaths: Eleanor “Nan” Dernier
Mark Your Calendars:
The Church Offices will be closed Wednesday, December 31, 2014 and Thursday, January 1, 2015 for the New Year Holiday. Also, the Church Office will be closed on Monday, January 19 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
19
________________________________________
Delivering Gifts to
H.O.M.E., Maine
Visit our Photo Gallery to view more pictures: fccog.org/photo-gallery/
All packed up and ready to go
(Giff and Ruth Reed)
Unpacking all the gifts in Maine
There are going to be a lot of happy people on Christmas Day!
More Christmas Eve Photos
20
The First Congregational Church of Greenwich
Ministers: The Members of The First Congregational Church of Greenwich
Senior Pastor: Rev. Richard DenUyl, Jr., [email protected]
Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry: Rev. Mark D. Montgomery, [email protected]
Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care: Rev. Avery C. Manchester, [email protected]
Director of Music: Dr. Craig Scott Symons, [email protected]
Director of Family Ministries: Rosemary Lamie, [email protected]
Director of Church Administration and Finance: Steve Summerton, [email protected]
Director of Membership: Ginny Breismeister, [email protected]
Director of Communications: Barbara Wilkov, [email protected]
Parish Nurse: Susan Asselin, RN, [email protected]
Director of Preschool: Darla Kohler Steiner, [email protected]
Pastors Emeriti: Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Stiers and Rev. Sally Colegrove
Director of Music Emeritus: Dr. John Stansell
The First Congregational Church of Greenwich Nonprofit Organization
108 Sound Beach Avenue U.S. Postage PAID
Old Greenwich, CT 06870 Stamford, CT
Phone: 203-637-1791 Permit No. 7017
Fax:: 203-637-1540
www.fccog.org