february 2020 supplement the judea journalthe judea journal · play. that amounts to $20 or less...
TRANSCRIPT
Continued, page 2
Shine On!
Feb 2 10 am Worship Svc*
Feb 9 10 am Worship Svc*
Feb 16 10 am Worship Svc*
Feb 23 10 am Worship Svc*
* Sunday School and Nursery Available
February 2020 Supplement
The First Congregational Church of Washington, Connecticut
The Judea JournalThe Judea JournalThe Judea JournalThe Judea Journal
“You are the light of the world. A
city built on a hill cannot be hid.
No one after lighting a lamp puts it
under the bushel basket, but on the
lampstand, and it gives light to all
in the house. In the same way, let
your light shine before others, so
that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father in
heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16
As we move into the second
month of our “Arise, Your Light is
Come!” worship series, we continue
to explore light and how we might
experience it, share it, and have it
shared with us. The light of the
Star in the East has faded, and the
light from the empty tomb still feels
very far away. The excitement and
busy-ness of Christmas has
dwindled, and the solemnity and
intensity of Lent is not quite here.
It may be a challenge, yet in this
liminal, in-between space the light
is present. There is a little more
light every day as the sun continues
back north from its southern most
point in the sky. Even so, the
darkness can feel a little
overwhelming.
To counteract this
Anniversaries 6
Announcements, Misc 5-6
Birthdays 6
Calendar 6
Council’s Corner 3
From the Pastor 1
Green Team 8-9
Memorials—Weekly 7
Missions & Outreach 4
Sunday Morning Support 7
Upcoming Events 5
In this issue:
Page 5
Free
Composting
Program
Page 5
By the Rev. Robyn Gray, PhD
Calendar,
Upcoming Events
and Birthdays on
Pages 6-7 Page 4
Super
Saturday!
Missions and
Outreach
Pathway to Membership
As of his church year, we have
begun offering more opportunities
to learn about membership in First
Congregational Church and
followed by dates on which you can
join. Mix and match based on the
dates that work best for you.
We would love to have anyone
interested in learning more about
membership attend a luncheon
after service on March 1 in the
Parlor, hosted by the Deacons and
Council. We will discuss the
workings and structure of the
church as well as Member status
and expectations, so you can decide
if you would like to officially join.
On March 8, we will have a New
Member Sunday for anyone who
attended any of the prior
Continued on Page 2
February
(Continued from page 1) A New Heaven and A New Earth (continued from page 1)
Page 2 The Judea Journal
transitional time from darkness
to light, in this second half of
Epiphany we look at more subtle
ways of spreading light. The
scripture cited above is part of
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount,
where Jesus lays out his
roadmap of how to live in a light
-filled community. The first few
verses of Matthew 5 give us a
helpful re-frame for when we
might be struggling with our
current situation: perhaps being
poor in spirit, being in
mourning, or feeling invisible.
The words in the Sermon on the
Mount can shed light for us
when we’re in our own personal
darkness. For most of February
we’ll dive into parts of this
familiar text and sift through
these well-known words to think
about how following the way of
Jesus can help to share the light
of love with those around us.
In these final weeks of
Epiphany, who are you
sharing your light with, and
how? Who is sharing their light
with you? As a church we share
our light with each other as a
faith community. As a church
on a hill, we share our light
throughout our community in
our outreach and mission work.
Do you have an idea of how we
might expand the way we share
our light to the Washington
Community and the wider
world? What does that look
like? I’d love to hear it! As we
anticipate longer days, the
calendar year is still wide open
to ways in which we can spread
the love of God to all those we
encounter. What more can we
do to let our light shine before
others?
With you on the journey,
Pathway to Membership (continued from page 1)
Our deacons are responsible
for the worship, hospitality,
and pastoral care of the church.
They are available to speak
with you about any matters
pertaining to these things. You
may contact them at the
numbers below. Specific
“deacons of the month” are
listed in the bulletins on
Sunday.
Pastoral Care Lead Deacon:
Wayne Hileman 860-868-7235
Hospitality Lead Deacon:
Susan Elliott 860-567-3768
Worship Lead Deacon:
Dan Lovallo 860-361-6949
Sheila Anson 860-868-2786
Judith Gorra 860-868-7023
Hailey Lovallo 860-3616949
Susan Loyd Turner
860-868-0868
Cara Michalski 860-484-4533
Henrietta Small 860-729-3952
Terri Tibbatts 860-350-1919
Dave Werkhoven 860-868-0054
Ellen Willert 860-605-7902
Let your light shine! Do you have something to share with our
church community? Anyone can submit
content for the Judea Journal.
The deadline for March/April Issue content is
February 15.
Email your submission to
Year-End Statements
Orientations to stand up and
declare Membership through a
short Invitation and Response.
It’s painless, really, so bring
your questions and your
curiosity and come and see what
we are all about.
Please RSVP to the office....
(860) 868-0569 or [email protected]
The end of the year
donation statements have
been emailed or sent to
everyone who gave to the
church.If you did not receive
one or you feel there is an
error or you would like a
printed copy, please contact
Kathleen (Bookkeeper@...) or
Michelle (Treasurer@...)
firstchurchwashingtonct.org.
The Council’s Corner
Rev. Robyn Gray, Pastor 860-868-0569, x 11
Sat&Mon, 10 am – 1 pm at Marty’s CoffeeShop
In the office: Mon afternoons – 2 – 6 pm
Tue – 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Wednesdays by appointment
Carrie Loyd, Christian Ed Superintendent
Email: [email protected]
Eunyoung DiGiacomo, Interim Organist/
Principal Musician
Kathleen Sauvageau, Bookkeeper
By appointment as needed;
always available by email.
Karen Esslinger, Admin. Assistant
[email protected] ext10
Mon and Wed, 1 pm—5:30 pm (remote)
Tues and Thurs, 9 am—1:30 pm (office)
Al Trowbridge, Sexton (860) 868-0230
Page 3
Council Members
Rev. Robyn Gray, PhD Pastor, 860-868-0569, X 11
Trish Grinnell, Moderator, 860-799-0190
Tony Vengrove, Vice-Moderator/ Stewardship,
860-799-0054
Michelle Gorra, Treasurer, 860-868-7852
OPEN, Clerk
Millie Johnson, Christian Ed. (860)354-0569
Ellen Willert, Deacons, 860-605-7902
Steve Wadelton, Finance, 860-868-9822
Jim Esslinger, Missions, (860) 919-5207
Alecia Evans, Music & Drama, 860-868-2864
John Lintner, Personnel, 860-868-0019
Lee Parsons, Trustee, 860-946-7798
February 2020 Www.FirstChurchWashingtonCT.org
2019/20 Quarterly Meetings:
3/29, 6/14 (annual)
Safe Church Policy Nearing Completion The Safe Church task force is nearing
completion of the document that will guide us in
making this church not only welcoming to
newcomers but also a safe space for all.
Watch for your chance to review this in
preparation for a congregational vote at our next
quarterly meeting.
Sorting through your Stuff… Now is the time to look for those treasures
to donate to the Green Fair!
Whether it is books, or women’s accessories, or assorted house-
hold goods… or something even more valuable to include in the
live or silent auction, NOW is the time to start looking!
We are accepting donations. If you have larger furniture items,
it would be wonderful if you could store them yourself until
June or even the day before the Green Fair .
GREEN FAIR is July 11, 2020
Page 4 The Judea Journal
Missions and Outreach Jim Esslinger (860-919-5207) or [email protected] , Missions Chair
Volunteer activities this month included a donation collection for FOOD and MEN’s
CLOTHING at the Washington Gives event on Martin Luther King Day (Jan 20) in
the Washington Depot. 32 pounds of food were dropped off and several boxes of men’s clothing
(and some for women and kids, too). Tim Cole, the volunteer associated with Church Street
Eats was there, too, and took the load of clothes to deliver to Hartford. After seeing the total amount
donated, Tim said, “I was frankly floored by the quantity of clothing people dropped off and I know
Mother Rose and her team at Church Street Eats will be thrilled.” On hand to set up, take donations
and talk with donors and others who stopped by were Pastor Robyn, Judie Gorra, John Lintner, John
Turner, Tim Cole and Karen Esslinger.
The other major volunteer effort was the Loaves and Fishes food service at the Hospitality Kitchen in
New Milford on January 30. Serving that day were John T, Pastor Robyn, Sarah J, Sara O and Michelle
G. Food was provided by John T, Debbie S, Linda F, Jim E, Sarah J, Tom and Ann Tibbatts, MariLyn R,
Susan LT and The Brady and Willert families.
Neighbors in Need Offering to be taken on February 23
Hear stories during the month of February of how your donations to
Neighbors in Need help bring justice and share the light. Please respond
generously with your donation on or before February 23.
Neighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that supports
ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third of NIN funds support the
Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds of this offering is used by the UCC's Justice
and Witness Ministries (JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct
service projects through grants. Neighbors in Need grants are awarded to UCC churches and
organizations doing justice work in their communities. These grants fund projects whose work ranges
from direct service to community organizing and advocacy to address systemic injustice. This year,
special consideration will be given to projects focusing on serving our immigrant neighbors and
communities.
Come play with us on Saturday, March 28.
Book your table now!!
The First Congregational Church of Washington is holding a TRIVIA NIGHT to
benefit the Loaves and Fishes Hospitality House in New Milford.
The game will consist of Ten to TWELVE TEAMS of 5-6 people. Each team will contribute $100 to
play. That amounts to $20 or less per person for a night of fun and challenge. There will be other
opportunities to contribute, too, with a 50/50 raffle.
Teams will bring refreshments and arrive between 5:45 and 6:15 for check-in and getting
everyone seated. The game will begin at 6:30 pm.
We are currently accepting registrations for teams. Be a host and gather up a team!
Please contact Karen by email or phone 860-868-0569 as soon as possible if you are
interested in participating as a contestant or if you wish to help out as volunteer.
Don’t forget to support the New Milford Food Bank with
donations of non-perishable foods and personal care items.
Let’s fill the grocery cart outside of the church office!
Page 5 The Judea Journal
Announcements and Events
FREE Composting Class Thursday, March 4 at 6:30 pm in the
Parish House Learn how to compost in your own back yard or how to improve your existing
home composting system.
Besides reducing your garbage volume, composting enables you to turn
vegetable and yard waste into a valuable conditioner for your garden soil.
Mix it into the earth before planting flowers and vegetables or use it as mulch. It will help retain
moisture, smother weeds and help prevent soil compaction. By composting kitchen scraps and yard
trimmings at home, and leaving grass clippings on the lawn, the volume of garbage you generate can
be reduced by as much as 25%!
This program is free and open to the public.
Register online: www.firstchurchwashingtonct.org/form/6780
OR...call (860) 868-0569 or email to [email protected] to reserve your seat.
Super Saturday!, March 14 Come with us to explore workshops, worship and more...
What: Super Saturday
When: Saturday, March 14, 2020, from 8 am - 3:45 pm
Where: Minnechaug Regional HS, Wilbraham, MA
Cost: $59 each. Includes lunch.
Workshops include: Climate Advocacy, Social Media on a Shoestring, Divestment 2020,
Creating Beloved Community in Real Life, Church Ministry to Veterans, Supporting Church
Members as they Age, Change Your Questions – Change Your Church, Renting Church Facilities and
others on the topics of Justice, Environmental, Mission, Outreach/Community, Vitality, Care and
Wellness, Faith Formation/Christian Education, Stewardship/Church Finance, Leadership &
Administration, and Spirituality.
Enjoy an enriching and inspiring day with others from the Southern New England Conference
of the United Church of Christ. Begin with opening worship and a dynamic keynote speaker. Then
morning and afternoon workshops. Learn to enhance your skills and bring back to share with this
congregation. There is even a community service project and other lunch activities during the break
when you will also have time to network and check out the marketplace.
Programs require registration and fill up FAST! Carpool with Karen and Trish. Please contact
Karen if you would like to attend. Call: (860) 868-0569 or email to: [email protected]
Save the Date!!
Green Fair is July 11, 2020
See page 4
for details.
Deadline
is Feb 6
Page 6
To access an online calendar, visit Www.FirstChurchWashingtonCT.org
Please let us know if we missed anyone’s birthday or anniversary
so that we may update our database!!
Contact Karen at (860) 868-0569
February 2020
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
2
10 am Worship
with Communion
and Sunday School
1 pm Comfort
Shawl Project
4 pm SingOut (PH)
3
4
9:30 AM - AA
6:30 PM– NB DS
5
6
7
10 am - AA Meeting
6 pm - NB Pot Luck
8
9
10 am Worship
w/Sunday School
11 am Teen Talk
4 pm SingOut (PH)
10
11
9:30 AM - AA
12:15 PM Rotary
6:30 PM– NB DS
12
13
14
10 am - AA Meeting
6 pm - NB Pot Luck
15
16 10 am Worship
w/Sunday School
11 am Worship
Planning Mtg
1 pm Comfort
Shawl Project
17
18
9:30 AM - AA
6:30 PM– NB DS
19
20
6:30 pm - Council
21
10 am - AA Meeting
6 pm - NB Pot Luck
22
23
10 am Worship
w/Sunday School
11 am Deacons Mtg
4 pm SingOut (PH)
5-7 pm Youth Group
24
25
9:30 AM - AA
12:15 PM Rotary
6:30 PM– NB DS
26
27
28
10 am - AA Meeting
6 pm - NB Pot Luck
29
3 ........ Doug Urquhart
9 ........ Dimitri Willert
12....... Tessa Johnson
18....... Abbie Gorra
22....... Judie Gorra
.......... Leslie Lintner
.......... Sara Osborne
24....... Susan Loyd Turner
28....... Andrew Grinnell
.......... Drew Werkhoven
February
ANNIVERSARIES February 14 -
Pam and Tom Osborne
February 28 -
Jennifer and Doug Urquhart
February 2020
Jesse Ofgang sent Christmas
wishes to our congregation from
his music studies abroad. He
says he has been showing his
friends there photos of our (his)
church in wither so they can see
what the snow looks like here!
This photo is of Jesse right
before a performance in
Germany.
“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination, full of hope.”
Maya Angelou (1928-2014)
Youth Group Calendars are In!
There are still a limited number of Youth Group 2020 wall
calendars available!
They are just $20 each and the proceeds will go to
Worship Support Ministry
Page 7 The Judea Journal
♦ The Communion server marked with an asterisk is assigned to bring the bread.
If you are scheduled and cannot do it for some reason, please make arrangements for a
replacement and then notify Karen in the church office.
Flowers
February 2 In celebration of Estelle Bronson's long life and service to
First Church and her community, given by the Bronson Family.
February 9 OPEN
February 16 In loving memory of Tom Kaczynski, Sr. and Karl Esslinger,
given by Karen and Jim Esslinger
February 23 Given by David and Sarah Low for their grandpa, Rick Faubert
Steeple Lighting Through February 23 - all dates are OPEN
DEACONS OF THE MONTH: DAN LOVALLO AND TERRI TIBBATTS (FEBRUARY)
DATE USHERS &
GREETERS
WORSHIP
ASSISTANT
WELCOME
ANNOUNC’M’TS NURSERY
SUNDAY
SCHOOL
COFFEE
HOUR
FEB 2 COMMUNION
Cara Michalski, Judie Gorra, John Lintner & Al Trowbridge
Michelle Gorra Dan Lovallo TBD Carrie Loyd and TBD
Osborne-Johnson Family
FEB 9
Emelie & Mike Burl Carole
Glintenkamp Wayne Hileman TBD
Carrie Loyd and TBD
Willert Family
FEB 16 Jack & Jane Boyer Trish Grinnell Dan Lovallo TBD Carrie Loyd and TBD
Shirley Downs & MariLyn Roze
FEB 23 Karen & Jim Esslinger Kate Vengrove Wayne Hileman TBD Carrie Loyd and TBD
Low Family
KEEP IT SIMPLE COFFEE HOURS
••Dip and chips (salsa, hummus, etc. and any kind of chip) ••Fruit or veggies ••
••Finger desserts ••Cheese and crackers ••
Instruction document available with “how to’s” for first time hosts or those seeking more info
or buddy up with someone who has hosted before!
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS ARE NEEDED for March and beyond. Please sign up on the list(s) on the bulletin board in Wersebe Hall
or call the office (860) 868-0569.
Flowers are $70 per week. Steeple Lighting is $25 per week. Consider honoring a loved one or special occasion by sponsoring flowers or steeple lighting! If you have a partic-
ular date or dates you wish to sponsor flowers or steeple lighting at any time during the year to honor or re-
member someone or something, please contact Karen in the church office to verify date availability.
Call (860) 868-0569 or email: [email protected]
Page 8 The Judea Journal
Green Team Update! Taking responsibility for your waste
In “Green Moments” during worship in January, you heard tidbits of
information pertaining to the often-repeated mantra, “Reduce, Reuse,
Recycle”. Another take on that is “Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle—
and Recover.” In this month’s Green Team update, we will bring that all
together. This is all about taking responsibility for your waste. How much
do you generate? That includes both things you recycle and those you
trash.
The first step in taking responsibility is to make a baseline assessment and measurement. Take a
good look at your trash and quantify your volume. Weight is great since that is the measurement used
for published statistics and good for comparison with others. But volume (physical size, qty of bags,
trash bin, etc) is another means to chart your own progress. If we all measure by weight, though, we
can even measure our progress as a congregation! Record an average weekly amount as your baseline.
What’s in your garbage? Assess the contents. And then note what items you recycle a lot and what
you put in the garbage. Make a list of each. The pie chart on this page shows the latest published
breakdown of items that are found in Connecticut trash (NOT in the recycling bin but at the state
incinerators!!) Then set some goals for reduction of both garbage and recyclables and plan to measure
again in a few months. Identify some reasonably achievable yet challenging targets and record them
along with your baseline data.
Then dig into the hierarchy:
• Refuse. Did you know that you can refuse to accept things that will generate waste. Samples and
intentional purchases in small “convenience” containers that are more package than product. Vote
with your pocketbook and with your voice: “No, thank you.”
• Reduce. Look at your trash and recyclable list, pick one item at a time and brainstorm on ways you
can reduce the waste so you don’t need to discard it at all. Select a brand with less packaging or
more recyclable packaging. Use the internet to search out ideas. There are wonderful new ways
companies are finding to reduce waste.
• Re-use. Did you know glass jars make good leftover food storage? Re-use is mostly just limited by
your imagination. Try searching the internet on what you can do with used or leftover item. Or can
it go to the Green Fair?
• Recycle. Can it go into my single stream bin? (see the chart
on page 9) If not, is there another way to recycle this? Search
online for alternative recycling programs by product or
material. And check out Terracycle.com. Or check this page: www.firstchurchwashingtonct.org/Environmental_action_green_team
• Recover. One example of resource recovery is composting.
Learn how to do this in our free composting workshop. (see
page 5.) Other recovery includes things like valuable metals
that get harvested from unwanted electronic devices.
• Dispose. As you explore ways to do the previous steps
better, you will ideally begin have less and less to put into your
trash container. You may even have to downsize!
If you are interested in reading the Green Moments that were
presented in January, you can find them at: Www.firstchurchwashingtonct.org/environmental_action_green_team
Source: CT Dept of Energy & Environmental Protection
Page 9 Www.FirstChurchWashingtonCT.org February 2020
Whoever you are, and wherever you are on your life’s journey, you are welcome.
6 Kirby Road P.O. Box 1285 Washington, CT 06793
The First Congregational Church of Washington, Connecticut
Phone: 860-868-0569 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.firstchurchwashingtonct.org
POSTMASTER: ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
DATED MATERIAL—PLEASE EXPEDITE DELIVERY
“There are men and women who make the world better just by being the kind of people they are. It really
matters very little whether they are behind the wheel of a truck or running a business or bringing up a
family. They teach the truth by living it.” James A. Garfield (1831-1881), Former Us President
When: Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 6:30 pm (Snow date is Tuesday, March 17)
Where: Gunn Memorial Library
Sponsored by the Washington Environmental Council (WEC) and facilitated by WEC
Board Members, Karen Silk, Terri Tibbatts, and Monique Gil Rogers.
It is worse, much worse, than you think. If your anxiety about global warming is dom-
inated by fears of sea-level rise, you are barely scratching the surface of what terrors are
possible -- food shortages, refugee emergencies, climate wars and economic devastation.
Join Karen, Terri and Monique as they delve into The Uninhabitable Earth an "epoch-
defining book" (The Guardian) and "this generation's Silent Spring" (The Washington
Post). It is also an impassioned call to action. For just as the world was brought to the brink of catas-
trophe within the span of a lifetime, the responsibility to avoid it now belongs to a single generation -
today's.
Copies of the book are available at the circulation desk.
Facilitated Book Discussion: The Uninhabitable Earth, Life After Warming
by David Wallace-Wells