summer 2017 - bloomfield congregational...
TRANSCRIPT
Think About It!
I strongly believe that the Christian Church can be a healthy community of faith as it has been in many moments in its history. I also believe
that we need to work hard at
“BUILDING A HEALTHY CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY OF FAITH”
“IT WILL NOT HAPPEN BY ITSELF…WE ALL NEED TO WORK AT IT
WITH INTEGRITY…PASSION AND LOVE”
FROM MY PERSPECTIVE A HEALTHY COMMUNITY OF FAITH SHOULD SHINE WHILE FIRMLY STANDING FOR THE FOLLOWING…
A. ALWAYS BE PEOPLE ORIENTED, SENSITIVE TO PEOPLES CULTURE
AND CONTEXT. RESPECTING AND CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF
DIVERSITY INCLUDING THE DIVERSITY OF IDEAS.
B. INCLUSIVITY OUGHT TO BE THE NORM…OPENENESS TO OTHER
WAYS,
HUMBLE ENOUGH AS TO BE INSPIRED AND NURTURED BY OTHERS EVEN IF THEY DO NOT THINK LIKE US! OUR WAY IS JUST OUR PERSPECTIVE… NOT NECESSARILY…THE ONLY WAY…OR EVEN GOD’S WAY!
C. BE ACTION DRIVEN NOT SO MUCH BELIEF DRIVEN… OUR ACTIONS
SHOULD BE INSPIRED BY LOVE AND SOLIDARITY. WE WILL HAVE
BELIEFS THAT MOVES US TO COMPASSION NOT TO SEPARATE US
FROM OTHERS!
D. COMPASSION AND EMPATHY SHOULD BE OUR WAY OF TOUCHING
OTHERS EVEN IF THEY DISAGREE WITH US AND/OR HAVE OTHER
IDEAS!
E. LEARN TO DISAGREE GRACEFULLY!
F. PROMOTE LIFE AND THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE IN ITS DIVERSE
EXPRESSIONS! “I’ve come so you might have life…said
Jesus”
Pastor Ed - continued
ENJOY A SAFE AND HAPPY SUMMER
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G. RESPECT TRADITIONS BUT DO NOT BE A SLAVE TO TRADITION! H. PROVIDE GOOD CHURCH ADMINISTRATION WITHOUT BEING SLAVE TO YOUR
ENDOWMENT. CAREFUL WITH ENDING UP WITH ENDOWMENT AND ALSO A DYING CHURCH!
I. PROMOTE CHURCH GROWTH AND CHURCH DEVELOPMENT. WELCOME OTHERS TO THE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP AND BE OPEN TO THEIR NEW PERSPECTIVES …NEW WAYS…NEW IDEAS…MOVE WITH CAUTION…BUT MOVE!
J. PROMOTE CREATIVE FAMILY LIFE. PROVIDE FAMILY DRIVEN ACTIVITIES SENSITIVE TO THE DIVERITY IN AGES, GENDERS AND NEW DEFINITIONS OF WHAT CONSTITUES A FAMILY!
K. HONOR AND RESPECT YOUR ELDERS. PROMOTE SPACE TO LEARN FROM THEIR JOURNEYS AND THEIR EXPERIENCES. THEY ARE TREASURES!
L. PROVIDE GOOD PASTORAL CARE STRATEGIES THAT SEND THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE “ We Care for You even when you are not that close”
M. WITNESS…WITNESS…WITNESS. HAVE MANY WAYS OF WITNESSING… MISSION STRATEGIES…COMPASSION INITIATIVES…JUSTICE MINISTRIES, MISSION TRIPS, ETC. BE AWARE THAT DIFFERENT PEOPLE WILL BE ATTRACTED BY DIFFERENT MISSION CHALLENGES. THAT IS GOOD! NOT EVERYONE HAS TO DO THE SAME THING BUT EVERYONE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO EXPRESS THEIR FAITH THROUGH MISSION ACTIVITIES!
M. PROVIDE CREATIVE, ALIVE, INSPIRING, CULTURALLY SENSITIVE AND DIVERSE WORSHIP WITH GOOD HEALTHY NOT FANATICAL PREACHING!
(AVOID LEGALISTIC DOGMATISM AND SIN DRIVEN PREACHING/TEACHING)!
N. REACH OUT BEYOND THE CHURCH WALLS…GO OUT INTO YOUR COMMUNITY…GO OUT AND EXPLORE…GO OUT AND FIND OUT WHO IS OUT THERE…WHAT CAN YOU LEARN FROM THEM? BE WELCOMING AND EMBRACE HOSPITALITY!
O. AVOID CONVERSION DRIVEN STRATEGIES…THEY WILL COME AND THEY WILL STAY IF YOUR WITNESS AND HOSPITAILITY IS INSPIRING!
I AM SURE THAT YOU CAN ADD MANY OTHER INITIATIVES THAT WILL MAKE YOUR CHURCH AND MY CHURCH A HEALTHY
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY OF FAITH…WORK AT IT!
“I appeal to you brothers and sisters (said Paul the Apostle)… Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds (and spirit)…so that you may discern what is the will of
GOD…what is good, acceptable and perfect” Romans 12
God Bless! Pastor Edwin O. Ayala
July 3 – September 4
If you have a Pastoral need, please
contact a “Deacon on Call” listed to the left.
This information will also be noted in the
bulletin each week.
JULY 2 to SEPT 3 - 9:30 am
SEPT 10 - Rally Sunday 10 am
SEPT – 17 (Fall/Winter Schedule)
Resume 8am & 10 am Services
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
Deacon Contact Information
Carolyn Delgado 860-977-6742 [email protected]
Oz Gibbs 860-729- 6793
Dee Hart 860-573-8443 [email protected]
Janet Swan 860-242- 8978
Anne Weaver 860-966-0786 [email protected]
Page 4 of 20 Summer 2017 Wintonbury Spire
OUR WEEKLY EXERCISE CLASS
WILL RESUME IN SEPTEMBER
Tuesday and Friday
mornings. See you in Sept.
9:15-10:15am
First Congregational Church
Child Development Center
Now open enrollment for the Fall School Year 2017-2018
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
860-286-9999 x180, Jim Palma at
860-286-9999 x124.
SPECIAL SUNDAY SERVICES
September 10, 2017 Rally Day
October 1, 2017 World Communion Sunday
November 19, 2017 Thanksgiving Sunday
December 3, 2017 First Sunday of Advent
December 10, 2017 Cantata
December 17, 2017 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 10 & 11 & August 14 & 15
*Call Karen Blanchard or Deborah Huebner
if you would like to help!
Page 5 of 20 Summer 2017 Wintonbury Spire
Children’s Sunday was GREAT! The young
people of our church were truly amazing as
leaders of worship on Sunday June 12th.
FCCB is very proud of the young people in
the church community. From the Welcome
to the Final Hymn the young people did a
beautiful job giving praise to God and giving
the congregation a little piece of what they
had learned this year in Sunday School.
Children you did a great job! I would like to
Thank Chante’ Wilson for Nursery Care and
Lisa Jaffery for her teaching support this
year. They have taught the children all year
long with much dedication and support. They
are so wonderful with the children. 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 Christian
Education Ministry in the church. Here is
the Synopsis of Children’s Sunday this year.
Children’s Sunday June 11, 2017
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 Dreams. We all
have dreams, and in our musical even trees
have dreams. Listen as the children sing
about these three trees and their dreams
and make the connection of your dreams and
where God has placed you today. Our
children have practiced this piece since
January and learned through this wonderful
story that it is good to dream and your
dreams really do come true with God!
Please enjoy as our youngest bring
forth their very best in singing this
wonderful Tale of Three Trees!
Our Soloist: Susan Haberlandt, Allison
Correa, Jaiden Alba
Acting: Isaiah Clarke, Kyara O’Connor,
Joshua Clarke, Andrew Johnson
Narrator: Kaleb McKenzie
Chorus: All our Sunday School Children
Special thanks to our adult volunteers for
this musical, Marnie Clark, Sarah Morgan,
Lisa Jaffery, Charlotte Mottram. Your help
for this musical is greatly appreciated.
We also have had a wonderful start to
our Sacred Dancers this year. Jeanna
McKenzie, thank you for leading this
fantastic addition to our worship and our
children’s faith formation. Amber and
Kyara and Joshua are great. We will
continue this tradition of sacred dance in
the next program year! If your child would
like to participate in this sacred dancing
please let us know, we would love to have
them join in.
All of our Sunday School children
have been outstanding this year in learning,
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.
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 they do with
big dreams for the future.
Enjoy the summer months. Be safe,
happy and healthy. Continue to look for God
everywhere you go! I am looking forward to
Page 6 of 20 Summer 2017 Wintonbury Spire
seeing you at Vacation Bible School August
14th through 18th. If I do not see you
there, I will see you in September on Rally
Day September 10th.
God bless you and keep you until we
meet again.
Ms. Dorine
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
Aaron Dang
Emerson Dang
Janelle Hales
Reese Hart
Tiarra Jackson
Joshua Markiewicz
Kaitlin Percy
CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS
Jaiden Alba Isaiah Clarke
Joshua Clarke Alex Correa
Allison Correa Andrew Johnson
Amber McKenzie Kaleb McKenzie
Vacation Bible School Registration Form is
included in this Spire. Please pre-register your child for Cave Quest
“Created by GOD Built for a Purpose” Vacation Bible School,
August 14th ~ 18th from 9:00 – 12:00.
Feel free to invite your child’s friends to this
awesome week of music, learning and fun!
Fill out a registration form and turn it in to
the church office or call 242-0776.
July 2 – Sept 3
Children will receive a Children’s Bulletin for
use during the worship service each week
throughout the summer months.
Sunday School will resume with Rally Day at
10:00am. Have a wonderful and healthy
Summer filled with God’s blessings and
peace.
VBS 2017
Page 7 of 20 Summer 2017 Wintonbury Spire
“THE TALE OF THREE TREES”
Page 8 of 20 Summer 2017 Wintonbury Spire
1
JULY 2017
Every Sunday 9:30 am Worship 12:30 and 7pm - New Birth Community Church ,
Every Monday 7pm Narc. Anon.
July 2 Communion Sunday
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Times Lectionary Possibilities:
Genesis 22: 1-14; Psalm 13 or Jeremiah 28: 5-9; Psalm 89: 1-4, 15-18; Romans 6: 12-23; Matthew 10: 40-42
3
July 9 Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Times
Lectionary Possibilities: Genesis 24: 34-38, 42-49, 58-67; Psalm 45: 10-17 or Songs of Sol 2: 8-13;
Psalm 145: 8-14; Romans 7: 15-25a; Matthew 11: 16-19, 25-30
10
July 16 Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Times
Lectionary Possibilities: Genesis 25: 19-34; Psalm 119: 105-112 or Isaiah 55: 10-13;
Psalm 65: (1-8), 9-13; Romans 8: 1-11; Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23
18
July 23 Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Times
Lectionary Possibilities: Genesis 28: 10-19a; Psalm 139: 1-12, 23-24 or
Isaiah 44: 6-8; Psalm 86: 11-17; Romans 8: 12-25; Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43
21
July 30 Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Times
Lectionary Possibilities: Genesis 29: 15-28; Psalm 105: 1-11, 45b or 1 Kings 3: 5-12; Psalm 128 or
Psalm 119: 12-136; Romans 8: 26-39; Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52
31
Loaves & Fishes
Preparation on
Mon July 10
Serving on
Tues July 11
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
July 3 – August 24
Monday - Thursday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Friday - CLOSED
Page 9 of 20 Summer 2017 Wintonbury Spire
JULY 2017
Every Tuesday
9:15 am Exercise
Every Wed. 7 pm Alc. Anon. 7 pm New Birth
Every Thursday 10 am Bible Study
Every Friday 7:30 pm Alc.Anon
Every Saturday
June 27 9:15am – 10:15am Exercise
June 28
June 29 7 pm
Concert on the Green
June 30
July 1
4 Church Office Closed
5 7 6:30 pm Wintonbury Flying Club
7 pm Concert on the Green
8 7 pm New Birth Comm Church Revival
8
11 9:15am – 10:15am Exercise
12
13 7 pm New Birth Church Revival 7pm Concert on the Green
14 7pm New Birth Church Revival
15
18 9:15am – 10:15am Exercise
19 6 pm Glenwood Green
20 7 pm Concert on the Green
21 22
25 9:15am – 10:15am Bible Study
26 27 7 pm Concert on
the Green
28 29
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS July 3 – August 24 Monday – Thursday
FRIDAY – CLOSED 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Page 10 of 20 Summer 2017 Wintonbury Spire
AUGUST 2017
Every Sunday 9:30 am Worship 12:30 New Birth Community Church
Every Monday 7pm Narc. Anon.
July 30 Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Times
Lectionary Possibilities: Genesis 29: 15-28; Psalm 105: 1-11, 45b or 1 Kings 3: 5-12; Psalm 128 or
Psalm 119: 12-136; Romans 8: 26-39; Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52
31
August 6 Communion Sunday
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Times Lectionary Possibilities:
Genesis 32: 22-31; Psalm 17: 1-7, 15 OR Isaiah 55: 1-5 Psalm 145: 8: -9, 14-21; Romans 9: 1-5; Matthew 14: 13-21
7
August 13 Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Times
Lectionary Possibilities: Genesis 37: 1-4, 12-28; Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22 OR 1 Kings 19: 9-18;
Psalm 85: 8-13; Romans 10: 5-15; Matthew 14: 22-33
14 9 am to 12 pm VBS
August 20 Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Times
Lectionary Possibilities: Genesis 45: 1-15; Psalm 133 OR Isaiah 56: 1, 6-8; Psalm 67;
Romans 11: 1-2a, 29-32; Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28
21
August 27
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Times Lectionary Possibilities: Exodus 1: 8-2:10; Psalm 124 OR
Isaiah 51: 1-6; Psalm 138; Romans 12: 1-8; Matthew 16: 13-20
28 Resume M-F work week 8:30 – 4:30
Loaves & Fishes
Preparation on
Mon Aug 14
Serving on
Tues Aug 15
Page 11 of 20 Summer 2017 Wintonbury Spire
AUGUST 2017
Every Tuesday
Every Wed. 7 pm Alc. Anon.
Every Thursday
Every Friday
7:30 pm Alc.Anon Every Saturday
1 9:15am – 10:15am Bible Study
2
3 7 pm Final Concert on the Green
4
5
8
9
10
11
12
15
16 17
18 19
22
23
24 25 26
29
31
Sept 1
1
2
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS July 3 – August 24 Monday – Thursday
FRIDAY – CLOSED 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Page 12 of 20 Summer 2017 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
Elaine Nelson Aug 13
Andrea Mercer Aug 26
Cecelia Simmons Aug 28
Joel & Marnie Clark- July 27
Charles & Cindy Walker- Aug 30
*Paul Wilson who is in rehab at Bloomfield
Center & Rehab. Visits & cards are welcome
*Julie Cato on kidney transplant list.
*Keep Calvin and Estelle Cole in your
thoughts and prayers. Calvin is at Bloomfield Center for Nursing and Rehab, Estelle is home. Cards and calls would be appreciated. * 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. Charlotte Babcock ~ David Berg ~ Sue Davis Trudy Barnard ~ Gladys Dunbar ~ Julie Cato Charles Miles~ Elaine Nelson ~ Bonnie King Madge Edwards ~Carol Wolcott ~Jane Doble Adelle Wright ~ Betty Willis
Joshua Markiewicz Aug 31
Page 13 of 20 Summer 2017 Wintonbury Spire
Page 14 of 20 Summer 2017 Wintonbury Spire
FCCB Council Corner
Minutes
June 21, 2017
Attending: Pastor Ayala, Carolyn Delgado,
Scott Goetjen, Priscilla McCatty, Ron
Robinson
Opening Prayer (Ron)
Financial (Scott)
Early Stewardship Results – Almost
50% increased vs. under 20%
previously; ~10% decreased, similar
to previously but $ magnitude of
decreases about equaled increases
Current Budget – On track year-to-
date to cover ~$2,500 shortfall
anticipated in October
Proposed Budget
o Anticipate ~ $3,600 less in cash
receipts
o Gained ~$3,000 more from
investments by increasing from
4.7% to 4.8%
o Included ~$6,000 increase for
½ year of a new Pastor based
on Conference guidelines
o Miscellaneous other changes
netting ~$6,600 deficit
Personnel
Coleen continuing to revise balance of
staff job descriptions/appraisals
Pastor drafting staff performance
appraisals for Council review
Council to do Pastor’s appraisal at his
October anniversary
Nominating (Ron)
Coleen asked to resign as Vice Chair
in light of her expanded job
responsibilities
Carol Wilson returning as Clerk –
YEAH!
Several openings left to fill –
VOLUNTEERS?
Race Dialogue (Pastor) – currently 5 signed-
up
Ministry Team Annual Reports – Due to
Andrea by 8/31
Next Meeting – 8/16, if needed
Closing Prayer (Pastor)
Annual Meeting
(6/25/17)
Opening Prayer – Pastor Ayala
Behavioral Covenant – Congregation
Search – Kevin Colvin provided an update
Team commissioned a year ago
Recently completed Profile –
available in Office
Hoping to begin candidate reviews by
September
Possibly have a new Pastor around the
beginning of 2018
Nominating – Ron Robinson presented a
recommended slate, noting several openings
Slate was accepted with
understanding Council will pursue
filling open positions –
VOLUNTEERS/
RECOMMENDATIONS?
Stewardship – Ron Robinson thanked
everyone who responded to the call to
prayerfully reconsider their pledges,
Page 15 of 20 Summer 2017 Wintonbury Spire
resulting in ~60% changing versus ~30% in
the past
Budget – Scott Goetjen once again did a
terrific job presenting our anticipated results
for 2016 – 2017 and our proposed budget for
2017 – 2018:
Projecting current year to end making
up the ~$2,500 deficit anticipated in
October
Projecting a 2017 – 2018 deficit of
~$6,600, reflecting ~$3,600 less in
cash receipts but ~$3,000 more from
investments (drawing 5.0% instead of
4.8%) and ~$6,600 more in expenses
to cover ½ year of the higher
anticipated cost for a new Pastor
Budget passed
Facilities is working on a list, including
costs, for significant anticipated
maintenance items, like potential painting
and steeple work.
Meeting adjourned
New Possibilities
Stewardship Campaign
THANK YOU to everyone! Instead of
setting a dollar goal for the campaign, we
asked everyone to prayerfully consider their
pledges. As a result, so far about 60% have
changed their pledges, up from around 30%
previously. The percent that decreased
remained about the same (~10%) but those
who increased jumped from under 20% to
almost 50% with a number of pledges still
outstanding.
With summer upon us, it is easy to let some
things slide but if you have not submitted
your pledge already, please do so soon to
help us get a better handle on our 2017 –
2018 budget. And please remember to
complete your 2016 – 2017 pledge, too.
Thank you again for your support.
A Quick Update from the
Annual Meeting
The proposed slate and the preliminary
budget for 2017-2018 was approved at the
annual meeting of the church held on June
25, 2017. A final budget will be completed
over the summer for presentation at the fall
budget meeting. (Date to be determined)
Over the summer months, Council will
update the church family regarding the
fiscal challenges we face and potential ways
to address these.
If you have questions or recommendations,
please talk with one of the Council
members. (Ron Robinson, Priscilla McCatty
or Carolyn Delgado)
We welcome your ideas and thoughts!
Page 16 of 20 Summer 2017 Wintonbury Spire
In Historic Vote, Three
Conferences Vote to Move
Toward Joining
6/17/2017 "I am proud of you. Your yes today matters," UCC General Minister & President John Dorhauer told those assembled following the vote. By Tiffany Vail Associate Conference Minister for Communications
HARTFORD, CT - The Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island Conferences of the United Church of Christ voted decisively on Saturday to move ahead toward forming a new combined Conference, so that they may have a stronger voice speaking for justice and may more effectively carry out mission and ministry together. The votes, taken at the first-ever joint annual meeting of the three bodies, mean that Conference leaders will now develop a formal proposal for a new Conference which will be brought before a second joint Annual Meeting a year from now in Springfield, MA. "I am proud of you," United Church of Christ General Minister and President The Rev. John Dorhauer told those gathered following the votes. "Your yes today matters, and your yes today casts a vision for the future that was not otherwise available to you. And, my covenant promise to you is that the entire denomination will walk side-by-side with you on whatever journey unfolds." The votes were taken at separate, simultaneous Conference plenary sessions on the afternoon of Saturday, June 17, at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. More than 1,000 people - lay and clergy from the three Conferences - gathered for the two-day meeting, with most of their time spent together in worship, joint plenary, hearings and shared meals. The Massachusetts and Connecticut votes were nearly unanimous; Rhode Island delegates approved the measure by a wide margin.
"I believe that the impact of the United Church of Christ in Southern New England was enhanced today by the affirmative votes of our three conferences," said The Rev. Barbara Libby, Interim Conference Minister of the Rhode Island Conference. "Now that we know, we can move ahead to put flesh on the bones of this imagined new conference. What a unique and awesome opportunity we have as we move into the future together." In the months, weeks and hours leading to the vote, Board members and the three Conference ministers shared their vision for a new organization that can make a greater impact on local churches, their communities, and the world. "As some of our churches approach their 400th anniversary, the United Church of Christ is doing a new thing," said Massachusetts Conference Minister and President the Rev. Dr. Jim Antal following the meeting. "We are discovering unity without uniformity while we celebrate diversity without division. Today we affirmed the ties that bind. In the coming year, we will explore the power and possibility of a collective voice and vision." The boundaries of the conferences of the United Church of Christ have not changed since the denomination was formed in 1957. Dorhauer told delegates earlier in the day that the entire denomination was watching with interest to see what would happen in southern New England. If delegates in 2018 approve the new Conference proposal, it will then be presented to General Synod, the national gathering of the UCC, in 2019. After the vote, several staff and board members said much work lies ahead in working out what the new Conference would look like. "Let us together, as one, respond with the Gospel of Jesus Christ to face the challenges that lie ahead," said Connecticut Conference Minister The Rev. Kent Siladi. "Come, Holy Spirit, Come."
Page 17 of 20 Summer 2017 Wintonbury Spire
Number of churches with standing:
Connecticut: 235 Massachusetts: 363 Rhode Island: 31
Number of members:
Connecticut: 65,739 Massachusetts: 65,896 Rhode Island: 6,157
Annual Budget:
Connecticut: $2,265,433 (Excludes Silver Lake Conference Center budget and use of restricted funds.)
Massachusetts: $2,591,250 (Includes net day camp and retreat center income; includes budgeted use of restricted funds.)
Rhode Island: $459,346
(All figures shown exclude Basic Support passed through to the National setting)
Main Office Street Address:
Connecticut: 125 Sherman Street, Hartford, CT 06105
Massachusetts: 1 Badger Road, Framingham MA 01702
Rhode Island: 8 Summer Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860
Mission Statement:
Connecticut: Interdependence.
Massachusetts: Rooted in the grace of God, the mission of the Massachusetts Conference is to nurture local church vitality and the covenant among our churches, to make God’s love and justice real. (See also .macucc.org/vision)
Rhode Island:
The Conference claims as its own the historic mission of the church: To proclaim and teach the Gospel; To live and act in covenant with its member churches and with the United Church of Christ; To be in mutual relationship and mission with other Christian churches, as well as ecumenical and interfaith partners; To be a community of faith which is welcoming and inclusive; To work for health and justice and peace; To serve the community and the world as an agent of reconciliations by means of the ministry of the Gospel.
Page 18 of 20 Summer 2017 Wintonbury Spire
Members of Bloomfield Interfaith Association made a whale of a difference in the lives of
Bloomfield’s babies and their families. Carloads of diapers and baby wipes were donated to the
Bloomfield Diaper Bank. Just take a look at the attached photo.
A huge thanks to all who contributed. We will do it again when the diaper bank has room for
more donations
Mary Laiuppa
Page 19 of 20 Summer 2017 Wintonbury Spire
VBS Registration Ages 4 – 11 First Congregational Church in Bloomfield
August 14 – 18, 2017, 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 20 of 20 Summer 2017 Wintonbury Spire
THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH IN BLOOMFIELD
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
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 29, 2017
STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION:
Rev. Edwin O. Ayala, Interim Pastor [email protected] 860.242.0776 x 2 860-836-6651
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 14 - 18
Registration form enclosed