summer 2018 “how are you · andrea davey-mercer 860.306.6608 [email protected] dee hart...

19
Page 1 of 19 Summer 2018 Wintonbury Spire Grateful. That is my answer to the question I have been getting a lot since I arrived, which is this - “How are you feeling?” --- The answer? Grateful. I have the privilege to be the Pastor, Teacher and partner in faith with The First Congregational Church of Bloomfield! How cool is that? I think it’s pretty cool. Yes, there is a lot going on in my life right now by most standards too much. Learning about a new town. Getting to know the people, structure and rhythm of the church. Plus, we’re moving! We bought a new home in Bloomfield. We put our house in Marlborough on the market. Our son Garrett graduated from high school last week. He’s headed to college soon. I have a new job. It’s a lot. I’m not going to pretend otherwise. But it’s good… and I am grateful. Gratitude can make a huge difference in life. It can refocus us when things are challenging. It can draw our attention away from what is hurting us and towards what is healing. It can give us perspective when the list of things that are hard seem to build and build and build kind of like the many changes in my life. Gratitude comes in many forms. Maybe the most familiar form in faith settings is “Counting our blessings”. There are lots of ways to do this. The key thing is to be specific. To name the things for which we are grateful - to say them out loud or write them down. Here are a few of mine: My remarkable wife Linda, who continues to be unreasonably supportive and is taking on the lion’s share of the work with our move Our son Garrett – who continues to amaze me everyday The welcome, openness and support of the staff of the church The privilege to attend the promotion ceremony for the Child Development Center and for their amazing team The leadership of the church - who have been so helpful, proactive and present for my first weeks here For each of you in the congregation who have said a kind word, given guidance, been present in worship and been open to my presence God – who led me here, gives me breath and sustains me Jesus – who continues to inspire, cajole, challenge and inform my life The Holy Spirit – who is always good, rarely safe and often a lot of fun! Did I miss some? Yes. Are there people I could have – probably should have - mentioned? Absolutely. That’s the cool thing about gratitude. Once you start counting your blessings, more and more and more become clear. That’s God’s way. Isn’t that cool?!? Peace, Pastor Shawn The First Congregational Church in Bloomfield – United Church of Christ SUMMER 2018 T T h h e e W W i i n n t t o o n n b b u u r r y y S S p p i i r r e e

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Page 1: SUMMER 2018 “How are you · Andrea Davey-Mercer 860.306.6608 andreamercer@yahoo.com Dee Hart 860-573-8443 hrmdawn@yahoo.com Anne Weaver 860-966-0786 annerw1935@gmail.com . Page

Page 1 of 19 Summer 2018 Wintonbury Spire

Grateful. That is my answer to the question I have been

getting a lot since I arrived, which is this - “How are you

feeling?” --- The answer? Grateful.

I have the privilege to be the Pastor, Teacher and partner in faith with The First

Congregational Church of Bloomfield! How cool is that? I think it’s pretty cool.

Yes, there is a lot going on in my life right now – by most standards too much.

Learning about a new town. Getting to know the people, structure and rhythm of

the church. Plus, we’re moving! We bought a new home in Bloomfield. We put

our house in Marlborough on the market. Our son Garrett graduated from high

school last week. He’s headed to college soon. I have a new job.

It’s a lot. I’m not going to pretend otherwise. But it’s good… and I am grateful.

Gratitude can make a huge difference in life. It can refocus us when things are

challenging. It can draw our attention away from what is hurting us and towards

what is healing. It can give us perspective when the list of things that are hard

seem to build and build and build – kind of like the many changes in my life.

Gratitude comes in many forms. Maybe the most familiar form in faith settings

is “Counting our blessings”. There are lots of ways to do this. The key thing is

to be specific. To name the things for which we are grateful - to say them out

loud or write them down.

Here are a few of mine: My remarkable wife Linda, who continues to be unreasonably

supportive and is taking on the lion’s share of the work with our move Our son Garrett – who continues to amaze me everyday The welcome, openness and support of the staff of the church The privilege to attend the promotion ceremony for the Child

Development Center and for their amazing team The leadership of the church - who have been so helpful, proactive and

present for my first weeks here For each of you in the congregation who have said a kind word, given

guidance, been present in worship and been open to my presence God – who led me here, gives me breath and sustains me Jesus – who continues to inspire, cajole, challenge and inform my life The Holy Spirit – who is always good, rarely safe and often a lot of fun! Did I miss some? Yes. Are there people I could have – probably should have - mentioned? Absolutely. That’s the cool thing about gratitude. Once you start counting your blessings, more and more and more become clear. That’s God’s way. Isn’t that cool?!?

Peace, Pastor Shawn T

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Page 2: SUMMER 2018 “How are you · Andrea Davey-Mercer 860.306.6608 andreamercer@yahoo.com Dee Hart 860-573-8443 hrmdawn@yahoo.com Anne Weaver 860-966-0786 annerw1935@gmail.com . Page

Page 2 of 19 Summer 2018 Wintonbury Spire

Racial Justice Trainings To Be Held Regionally "It is never too late to get onboard to become an advocate for racial justice." — TJ Harper Follow the link below for information and registration.

www.ctucc.org/newsdetail/racial-justice-trainings-to-be-held-regionally-11456219 The next scheduled Regional Racial Justice Training event will be held on July 14 at the First Congregational Church of Essex. Registration is open for the event. Space is limited so register soon.

Q & A SUNDAY JULY 8TH, 2018

What is Q & A Sunday? This is a time when you ask questions and I’ll do my best to answer them! Questions are submitted in advance, and I will do my best to answer as many as I can during the service. Questions can be about faith, about a specific Biblical passage, the world, the nature of God, pretty much anything! You can send me your questions to [email protected] or call/text me at 860-428-7024. You may also call or email Andrea. Peace, Pastor Shawn.

Page 3: SUMMER 2018 “How are you · Andrea Davey-Mercer 860.306.6608 andreamercer@yahoo.com Dee Hart 860-573-8443 hrmdawn@yahoo.com Anne Weaver 860-966-0786 annerw1935@gmail.com . Page

Page 3 of 19 Summer 2018 Wintonbury Spire

Remember 10 am

Worship Service

JULY 1 to SEPT 2

10 am

If you have a Pastoral need, please

contact

Pastor Shawn at 860.242.0776

.

SEPT 9 - Rally Sunday 10 am

SEPT – 16 (Fall/Winter Schedule)

First Congregational Church

Child Development Center

Now open enrollment for the Fall School Year 2018-2019

Refer a friend or family member to

our wonderful program

Contact Shantel Bremmer @ 860-242-0183

To teach is to touch a life forever!

Hunger Action Team (HAT) Member

A Hunger Action Team is a group of

individuals and organizations, working in

collaboration, to end hunger in a

designated community. Members include

individuals struggling with hunger, local

businesses and food donors, town

government, nonprofit organizations, the

faith community, the school system, and

concerned individuals. They begin by

asking “Why people are hungry in our

community and what can we do to make

it better?”

For further information please contact

one of our Community Network

Builders: Beatrice Maslowski at

[email protected] or

860-286-9999 x180, Jim Palma at

[email protected] or

860-286-9999 x124.

Summer Worship Schedule

Pastor will be away

July 24 – Aug 14.

We will have a

completed

Deacons on Call

List for you soon.

Church Office Hours

July 3 – August 24

Monday – Thursday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Fridays CLOSED

Deacons Contact Information

Carolyn Delgado 860-977-6742 [email protected]

Andrea Davey-Mercer 860.306.6608

[email protected]

Dee Hart 860-573-8443 [email protected]

Anne Weaver 860-966-0786

[email protected]

Page 4: SUMMER 2018 “How are you · Andrea Davey-Mercer 860.306.6608 andreamercer@yahoo.com Dee Hart 860-573-8443 hrmdawn@yahoo.com Anne Weaver 860-966-0786 annerw1935@gmail.com . Page

Page 4 of 19 Summer 2018 Wintonbury Spire

OUR WEEKLY EXERCISE

CLASS WILL RESUME IN

SEPTEMBER

Tuesday and Friday

mornings. See you in

Sept.

9:15-10:15am

SPECIAL SUNDAY SERVICES

September 9, 2018 Rally Day

October 7, 2018 World Communion Sunday

November 18, 2018 Thanksgiving Sunday

December 2, 2018 First Sunday of Advent

December 9, 2018 Cantata

December 16, 2018 Christmas Pageant

Loaves & Fishes*

Loaves & Fishes serves a meal at the soup

kitchen on the second Tuesday of every

month. The meal is prepared in the kitchen

here at church on Monday the day before.

The dates between now and Rally Sunday

are:

July 9 & 10, August 13 & 14

*Call Karen Blanchard or Deborah Huebner

if you would like to help!

Left to right

Alex Correa,

Jaiden Alba,

Andrew Johnson

and

Kyara O’Connor

enjoying the

Church Outing

Page 5: SUMMER 2018 “How are you · Andrea Davey-Mercer 860.306.6608 andreamercer@yahoo.com Dee Hart 860-573-8443 hrmdawn@yahoo.com Anne Weaver 860-966-0786 annerw1935@gmail.com . Page

Page 5 of 19 Summer 2018 Wintonbury Spire

Children’s Sunday was Phenomenal! Well done

children and youth and young adults!!! The

young people of our church were truly

amazing! Heartfelt testimonies were given

with such grace and courage. Our young

people did a beautiful job giving praise to

God and giving the congregation a little

glimpse of what they had learned this year

in Sunday School. Children and Youth and

Young adults, you did a great job! I would

like to Thank Lisa Jaffray and Karen

Blanchard for all the teaching and Youth

Group support this year. Your dedication

and support is greatly appreciated. They

are so wonderful with the children and

youth. Their faith influence and steadfast

love for God truly shines through. Thank

you to the Faith Formation Team for your

hard work this year too. Your support and

fun loving nature is a wonderful part of the

Faith Formation Ministry in our church.

What a fun all church picnic too! Here is

the Synopsis of Children’s Sunday this year

and check out the pictures!

Children’s Sunday June 10, 2018

Children’s Sunday is a very special

Sunday in our church year. It is the Sunday

that our Sunday School children lead the

Worship Service. This Sunday is a Sunday

to celebrate the children and participate in

their Faith Formation. Faith Formation

takes place in worship and in every aspect of

church life.

This year’s theme is “Here I Am”.

The Children did learn a great deal about

how God calls and guides us while at play or

at school even during sports or dance this

year, and their response is “here I am”

ready to serve and listen. Each Sunday

they experienced the scriptures that were

used during worship. They would listen to

the Children’s message and then continue to

Sunday School and learn even more about

the scripture. All the stories we shared in

Sunday school focused on the promise that

God is always there around us and guiding us.

God is present with us everyday.

Our Worship begins with Lanya

Huang’s students who have practiced for

this day of Worship. Enjoy the beautiful

music that they have so lovingly prepared.

The Preschool through Fourth Grade

will present the Call to Worship today. Our

young children will be leading the

congregation in words of faith and trust in

God. Please join in the Call to Worship with

our young friends.

Fourth Grade through High School are

leading the Worship service for us this

morning. They also will be sharing with us

poetry and personal testimony how God

guides them through school, activities and at

home. Each student volunteered to do each

piece of the Worship service. This is Faith

Formation at its finest. Their willingness to

participate and write something to share

with us is hearing a call from God and our

young people answered, yes here I am.

Two of our college students have also

prepared for this day of worship. Aaron

Dang will play the guitar and Reese Hart will

dance for us. Thanks to each of them for

volunteering and sharing their gifts with us.

All of our Sunday School children

have done great this year in learning and

growing. They have shared their talents in

worship this year, which were enjoyed by all.

It truly is inspirational to watch children

grow in faith and truly we have a lot to learn

from our young people as we grow in our

faith as well.

Page 6: SUMMER 2018 “How are you · Andrea Davey-Mercer 860.306.6608 andreamercer@yahoo.com Dee Hart 860-573-8443 hrmdawn@yahoo.com Anne Weaver 860-966-0786 annerw1935@gmail.com . Page

Page 6 of 19 Summer 2018 Wintonbury Spire

Let us celebrate each child as they grow in

faith for this is a Sunday that our children

shine with God’s hope, God’s joy, God’s peace

and God’s love and the Holy Spirit. God

surely has guided and gifted each one to

share this day of worship with us.

Welcome to our Sunday Summer

Fun Days

At First Congregational Church

in Bloomfield!

We are having a Sunday Summer Fun

program for our children on Sunday

mornings. There will be games and

puzzles and coloring and hula hoops,

bubbles and all kinds of fun things to

do for the time during the Worship

Service.

Your child will join you in Worship to

start the service and then head out with

our great Summer Fun Counselors.

Depending on the weather, time will be

spent outside or inside. This Sunday

Summer Fun program is for any age child

that would like to participate. The

program will run through Sunday,

September 2nd. Worship Service begins

at 10:00 a.m.

Enjoy the summer months. Be safe, happy

and healthy. Continue to look for God

everywhere you go! I am looking forward to

seeing you at Vacation Bible School August

13th through 17th. If I do not see you

there, I will see you in September on Rally

Day September 9th! Ms. Dorine

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

Aaron Dang

Emerson Dang

Garrett Fisher

Reese Hart

Tiarra Jackson

Kaleb McKenzie

Kaitlin Percy

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS

Jaiden Alba Isaiah Clarke

Joshua Clarke Alex Correa

Susan Haberlandt Andrew Johnson

Amber McKenzie

Vacation Bible School Registration Form is

included in this Spire. Please pre-register your child for

“Shipwrecked Rescued by Jesus” Vacation Bible School,

August 13th ~ 17th from 9:00 – 12:00.

Feel free to invite your child’s friends to this

awesome week of music, learning and fun!

Sunday School will resume with Rally Day at

10:00am. Have a wonderful and healthy

Summer filled with God’s blessings and

peace.

Page 7: SUMMER 2018 “How are you · Andrea Davey-Mercer 860.306.6608 andreamercer@yahoo.com Dee Hart 860-573-8443 hrmdawn@yahoo.com Anne Weaver 860-966-0786 annerw1935@gmail.com . Page

Page 7 of 19 Summer 2018 Wintonbury Spire

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY 2018

Page 8: SUMMER 2018 “How are you · Andrea Davey-Mercer 860.306.6608 andreamercer@yahoo.com Dee Hart 860-573-8443 hrmdawn@yahoo.com Anne Weaver 860-966-0786 annerw1935@gmail.com . Page

Page 8 of 19 Summer 2018 Wintonbury Spire

1

JULY 2018

Every Sunday 10:00 am Worship 12:30 and 7pm - New Birth Community Church ,

Every Monday 7pm Narc. Anon.

July 1 Communion Sunday

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Times Lectionary Possibilities:

2 Samuel 1: 1, 17-27 ; Psalm 130 or Wisdom of Solomon 1: 13-15, 2: 23-24 or Lamentations 3: 22-33; Psalm 30; 2 Corinthians 8: 7-15; Mark 5: 21-43

2

July 8 Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Times

Lectionary Possibilities: 2 Samuel 5: 1-5, 9-10; Psalm 48 or Ezekiel 2: 1-5; Psalm 123;

2 Corinthians 12: 2-10; Mark 6: 1-13

9

July 15 Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Times

Lectionary Possibilities: 2 Samuel 6: 1-5, 12b-19; Psalm 24 or Amos 7: 7-15;

Psalm 85: 8-13; Ephesians 1: 3-14; Mark 6: 14-29

16

July 22 Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Times

Lectionary Possibilities: 2 Samuel 7: 1-14a ; Psalm 89: 20-37 or

Jeremiah 23: 1-6; Psalm 23; Ephesians 2: 11-22; Mark 6: 30-34, 53-56

21

July 29 Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Times

Lectionary Possibilities: 2 Samuel 11: 1-15; Psalm 14 or 2 Kings 4: 42-44; Psalm 145: 10-18;

Ephesians 3: 14-21; John’s Gospel 6: 1-21

30

Loaves & Fishes

Preparation on

Mon July 9

Serving on

Tues July 10

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

July 2 – August 31

Monday - Thursday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Friday - CLOSED

Page 9: SUMMER 2018 “How are you · Andrea Davey-Mercer 860.306.6608 andreamercer@yahoo.com Dee Hart 860-573-8443 hrmdawn@yahoo.com Anne Weaver 860-966-0786 annerw1935@gmail.com . Page

Page 9 of 19 Summer 2018 Wintonbury Spire

JULY 2018

Every Tuesday

Every Wed. 7 pm Alc. Anon. 7 pm New Birth

Every Thursday

Every Friday 7:30 pm Alc.Anon

Every Saturday

July 3

4 Church Office Closed

July 5

ert on Green

July 6

July 7

10

11 12 6:30 pm Wintonbury Flying Club

7 pm New Birth Comm Church Revival

13 7 pm New Birth Comm Church Revival

14

17

18

19 7pm Concert on the Green

20

21

24

25

26 7 pm Concert on the Green

27 28

31

Aug 1 2 7 pm Concert on

the Green

3 4

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS July 2 – August 31 Monday – Thursday

FRIDAY – CLOSED 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Page 10: SUMMER 2018 “How are you · Andrea Davey-Mercer 860.306.6608 andreamercer@yahoo.com Dee Hart 860-573-8443 hrmdawn@yahoo.com Anne Weaver 860-966-0786 annerw1935@gmail.com . Page

Page 10 of 19 Summer 2018 Wintonbury Spire

AUGUST 2018

Every Sunday 10:00 am Worship 12:30 New Birth Community Church

Every Monday 7pm Narc. Anon.

August 5 Communion Sunday

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Times

Lectionary Possibilities: 2 Samuel 11: 26-12:13a ; Psalm 51: 1-12 or Exodus 16: 2-4, 9-15;

Psalm 78: 23-29; Ephesians 4: 1-16; John’s Gospel 6: 24-35

6

August 12 Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Times

Lectionary Possibilities: 2 Samuel 18: 5-9, 15, 31-33; Psalm 130 or 1 Kings 19: 4-8;

Psalm 34: 1-8; Ephesians 4: 25-5:2; John’s Gospel 6: 35, 41-51

13

August 19 Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Times

Lectionary Possibilities: 1 King 2: 10-12: 3: 3-14; Psalm 111 or Proverbs 9: 1-6; Psalm 34: 9-14;

Ephesians 5: 15-20; John’s Gospel 6: 51-58

20

August 26 Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Times

Lectionary Possibilities: 1 King 8: (1, 6, 10-11), 22-30, 41-43; Psalm 84 or Joshua 24: 1-2a, 14-18;

Psalm 34 : 15-22; Ephesians 6: 10-20; John’s Gospel 6: 56-69

27

September 2

Communion Sunday Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Times

Lectionary Possibilities: Song of Solomon 2: 8-13; Psalm 45: 1-2, 6-9 or

Deuteronomy 4: 1-2, 6-9; Psalm 15; James 1: 17-27; Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23

3 Labor Day Office Closed

VBS

Mon Aug 13

Through

Fri Aug 17

Page 11: SUMMER 2018 “How are you · Andrea Davey-Mercer 860.306.6608 andreamercer@yahoo.com Dee Hart 860-573-8443 hrmdawn@yahoo.com Anne Weaver 860-966-0786 annerw1935@gmail.com . Page

Page 11 of 19 Summer 2018 Wintonbury Spire

AUGUST 2018

Every Tuesday

Every Wed. 7 pm Alc. Anon.

Every Thursday

Every Friday

7:30 pm Alc.Anon Every Saturday

July 31

1 2 7 pm Concert on the Green

3

4 Marnie & Joel anniv

7

8

9 7 pm Final Concert on the Green

10

11

14

15

16

17

18

21

22

23 24 25

28

29

Sept 1

1

2

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS July 2 – August 31 Monday – Thursday

FRIDAY – CLOSED 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Page 12: SUMMER 2018 “How are you · Andrea Davey-Mercer 860.306.6608 andreamercer@yahoo.com Dee Hart 860-573-8443 hrmdawn@yahoo.com Anne Weaver 860-966-0786 annerw1935@gmail.com . Page

Page 12 of 19 Summer 2018 Wintonbury Spire

Dorine DeCarli July 8

Al Forster July 10

George Merrow July 13

Jerry Jones July 14

Brett Sandman July 16

Shaun Mathews July 21

Flossie Havens July 27

Betsy Reed July 28

Roger Bunker Aug 2

Joshua Clarke Aug 2

Isaiah Clarke Aug 2

Andrea Mercer Aug 26

Cecelia Simmons Aug 28

Joshua Markiewicz Aug 31

Joel & Marnie Clark- July 27 50 yrs.

Charles & Cindy Walker- Aug 30

*Prayers for Al Campbell brother of Pat

Robair who recently had brain surgery.

* Michael Edwards, praying for release.

*Prayers that God will speak to us and

through us as we seek God's leading and vision for our Church. *Family & Friends of All Soldiers Who Have

Fallen In Iraq & Afghanistan. *Our friends at Community Solutions, Inc.,

that God will support them as they find new opportunities and hope for the future. * For those families torn apart by violence

and political policy Charlotte Babcock ~ David Berg ~ Sue Davis Trudy Barnard ~ Julie Cato ~Estelle Cole Madge Edwards ~ Al Forster ~ Carolyn Jones Bonnie King ~ Charles Miles ~Leslie Mills Erie Pinney ~ Elizabeth Von Eisengrein Carol Wolcott ~ Adelle Wright ~ Betty Willis

Page 13: SUMMER 2018 “How are you · Andrea Davey-Mercer 860.306.6608 andreamercer@yahoo.com Dee Hart 860-573-8443 hrmdawn@yahoo.com Anne Weaver 860-966-0786 annerw1935@gmail.com . Page

Page 13 of 19 Summer 2018 Wintonbury Spire

Page 14: SUMMER 2018 “How are you · Andrea Davey-Mercer 860.306.6608 andreamercer@yahoo.com Dee Hart 860-573-8443 hrmdawn@yahoo.com Anne Weaver 860-966-0786 annerw1935@gmail.com . Page

Page 14 of 19 Summer 2018 Wintonbury Spire

Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island Conferences vote to go forward Together, As One 6/16/2018 By Tiffany Vail Associate Conference Minister for Communications

Members of the Massachusetts Conference overwhelmingly voted in favor of joining together with the Connecticut and Rhode Island conferences. The Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences of the United Church of Christ made history Saturday, voting overwhelmingly to form a new unified Conference in which they will not only do ministry together, but to which they will invite other religious and secular organizations to join. In separate plenary sessions held at their second joint Annual Meeting, the three conferences voted to approve a covenant agreement and new set of bylaws establishing the new conference, and they elected a new united Board of Directors. “UCC History was made today,” said the Rev. John Dorhauer, UCC general minister and president. “Signaling to the wider church that we can accomplish more together than apart, that we live in an interdependent world in which we all need each other, and looking to maximize the use of precious mission resources, delegates to this tri-conference annual meeting voted to carve out a new pathway for what we hope will be new life, new vitality, and new relevance.” “It is my fervent hope and prayer that covenant partners around the life of this denomination will likewise test their own vision and courage in response to a Holy Spirit who is inviting us to

join Her in explorations and innovations that open us up to new possibilities,” he continued. A year ago, delegates from the three conferences voted to pursue the possibility of uniting; this year, they voted to give official form to the new, combined entity. “Today we affirmed that we need each other,” said Connecticut Conference Minister the Rev. Kent J. Siladi. “We attended to the Holy Spirit’s movement in our gathering and we moved forward with a commitment to making an impact and making a difference in this God-so-loved world in which we live.” “Let it be said that at this gathering people of faith were filled with hope and joy, peace and love, and agreed that together we are called to live the love and justice of Jesus,” Siladi said. The Rev. Barbara Libby, Interim Rhode Island Conference Minister, said the vote shows that “in spite of all sorts of other differences, we do share the notion that following Jesus Christ does and will continue to transform us, our churches, and even our planet.” The Rev. Traci Blackmon, UCC Executive Minister of Justice & Local Church Ministries, preached at the Annual Meeting on Friday evening, and asked those gathered: “Have you ever trusted God enough to step into the water, not knowing how you would make it across?” Her words resonated with many in attendance, who time and again the next day referred to getting their feet wet as a metaphor for daring to step into a new future together. Before she left Saturday, Blackmon called the vote exciting and unprecedented. “It marks a change in ministry that’s going to be needed for church to move beyond the walls again,” she said. “We are fortunate that these three conferences are courageous enough to lead us in this.” The three historic conferences will remain in existence as voting members of the new

Page 15: SUMMER 2018 “How are you · Andrea Davey-Mercer 860.306.6608 andreamercer@yahoo.com Dee Hart 860-573-8443 hrmdawn@yahoo.com Anne Weaver 860-966-0786 annerw1935@gmail.com . Page

Page 15 of 19 Summer 2018 Wintonbury Spire

conference, tentatively being called the Together, As One Conference. The new conference will need to be approved by the UCC’s national governing body, General Synod, in June of 2019. The conferences will move to a single staff and budget starting Jan. 1, 2020. The new Board of Directors – which consists of five members and two officers from each of the three Conferences - will now begin the task of determining how the new entity will be structured. Conference leaders point to one aspect of the new conference as unique and unprecedented: it allows for other bodies who share in the vision, mission and purpose of the new conference to join as non-voting associate members. For example, the Annual Meeting of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts last fall passed a resolution calling for a "Deeper Community, Service and Engagement" with "United Church of Christ

Partners." Down the line, the Diocese could become an associate member of the new conference. “For over 200 years Protestantism in America has offered a denominated witness to Christ’s call for justice and love,” said Massachusetts Conference Minister and President the Rev. Jim Antal. “Going forward we have an opportunity to come together, particularly in our current political context dominated by morally bankrupt values. What we did today was a first step. We need institutions to carry the weight of social change. They also offer symbols that can bring people together. That’s our profound hope.” More on the Vision, Mission and Purpose of the new Conference and other information can be www.ctucc.org

Page 16: SUMMER 2018 “How are you · Andrea Davey-Mercer 860.306.6608 andreamercer@yahoo.com Dee Hart 860-573-8443 hrmdawn@yahoo.com Anne Weaver 860-966-0786 annerw1935@gmail.com . Page

Page 16 of 19 Summer 2018 Wintonbury Spire

Delegates Pass Justice Resolutions, Including Emergency Resolution on Immigrant Children

6/16/2018

Delegates voting on a Racial Justice Training Requirement for Clergy By Tiffany Vail Associate Conference Minister for Communications Delegates to the 151st Annual Meeting of the Connecticut Conference on Saturday passed five resolutions on justice issues, including an emergency resolution condemning the separation of immigrant children from their parents. The last-minute resolution declared that delegates to the meeting "condemn in the strongest terms possible the outrageous, inhumane, and unjust treatment of those 'strangers' seeking refuge at our southern border. The deliberate and cruel separation of infants and children from their parents must cease at once, and a kinder, more compassionate, and more just policy - one that reflects the 'better angels' of our national nature - must take its place." (Full text to be posted) The Annual Meeting was held as part of the second joint Annual Meeting with the Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences in Springfield, MA. At the meeting, delegates also approved a resolution calling on the Associations of the Conference to adopt a policy requiring all Authorized Ministers to receive at least a one-day racial justice training workshop every three

years, and for all members in discernment to receive training prior to ordination. The resolution also calls for expanded racial justice training for Christian Educators, youth leaders, music directors, organists, choir directors and other lay leaders, and asks that more anti-racism resources be made available. Delegates also approved:

A Resolution of Implementation Recommending Working Together to End Bullying

A Resolution of Implementation for Transparency of Information About Infrastructure Development (related to the construction of energy infrastructure)

A Resolution of Affirmation Denouncing Acts of Violence, Hatred, and Racism Carried Out in the Name of Neo-Nazi and White Supremacist Ideologies

Page 17: SUMMER 2018 “How are you · Andrea Davey-Mercer 860.306.6608 andreamercer@yahoo.com Dee Hart 860-573-8443 hrmdawn@yahoo.com Anne Weaver 860-966-0786 annerw1935@gmail.com . Page

Page 17 of 19 Summer 2018 Wintonbury Spire

We Were Remembered

Please remember the family of Shirley Long Ellis (Marilyn Long’s sister) in your prayers as she remembered us. We received a bequest of just over $332,000 from Shirley Ellis’ estate. A bequest is one of the many ways that we can remember the church and provide for its care and the care of our community for future generations.

Page 18: SUMMER 2018 “How are you · Andrea Davey-Mercer 860.306.6608 andreamercer@yahoo.com Dee Hart 860-573-8443 hrmdawn@yahoo.com Anne Weaver 860-966-0786 annerw1935@gmail.com . Page

Page 18 of 19 Summer 2018 Wintonbury Spire

VBS Registration Ages 4 – 11 First Congregational Church in Bloomfield

August 13 – 17, 2018, 9 am – 12 noon

Families, please complete one form per child and

return to 10 Wintonbury Avenue, Bloomfield, CT, 06002.

Last Name First Name Age Grade in Fall

Date of Birth month day year male female

Child’s address

Parent/Guardian name

Parent/Guardian phone number(s)

Person(s) to be contacted in case of emergency

Name phone Relationship to Child

Name phone Relationship to Child

Does your child have any medical condition(s) that we should be aware of? (allergies, medications,

etc.) If yes, please describe:

Siblings who will also be attending VBS:

My child would like to be in class with the following friend(s)

I would like to volunteer to help with

The undersigned gives permission to his or her child to participate in the above named activity and releases First Congregational Church in Bloomfield, its officers, employees, and agents from any liability whatsoever for any injury or death to person or loss or damage to property sustained by the undersigned for any member of his family, in attendance, and the undersigned agrees to defend and indemnify First Congregational Church, its officers, employees, and agents from any liability or loss they might sustain by reason thereof. In the event I cannot be reached in an EMERGENCY, I hereby give permission to the Emergency physician to hospitalize, secure proper treatment for and order injection, anesthesia, or surgery for my child as named above. Signed Date

Insurance Company Policy Number

OR I do not wish to have Medical Treatment or Transportation for my child until I have been contacted by emergency personnel. Signed Date By signing this registration form you agree that any photographs taken of your child at or during this event are the property of First Congregational Church in Bloomfield and may be used in future publications.

Page 19: SUMMER 2018 “How are you · Andrea Davey-Mercer 860.306.6608 andreamercer@yahoo.com Dee Hart 860-573-8443 hrmdawn@yahoo.com Anne Weaver 860-966-0786 annerw1935@gmail.com . Page

Page 19 of 19 Summer 2018 Wintonbury Spire

10 Wintonbury Avenue Bloomfield, CT 06002 Church Office: 860-242-0776 Nursery School: 860-242-0183 Church Fax: 860-243-8035 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The Wintonbury Spire, newsletter of the First Congregational Church in Bloomfield – United Church of Christ, is published monthly to provide information to and about our members and friends. Items received in the office by the 15th of the month may be included in next month’s edition.

The Wintonbury Spire will be mailed on the last Friday of each month. Please sign up for the “Spire Party” where we stuff, fold, label, seal and stamp the Spire from 10:30 – 11:30 am.

August 31, 2018

STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION:

Rev. Shawn R. Fisher, Pastor [email protected] 860.242.0776 x 2 860.428.7024

Andrea Davey-Mercer Office Manager [email protected] 860-242-0776

Eustace Straker Minister of Music [email protected] 860-242-0776 x 3

Dorine DeCarli Faith Formation Director [email protected] 860-242-0776 x 4

Shantel Bremmer Child Development Center Director [email protected] 860-242-0183 x 5

Michelle Alves Building Management [email protected] 860.888.1025

Vacation Bible School

August 13 - 17

Registration form enclosed

THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL

CHURCH IN BLOOMFIELD

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST