Wise Maiden Heading
Thursday Reminder October 29, 2015
An Online Ezine
Pentecost 2015


Greetings from your church! 

Note: Is there an adult driver available to bring one of our older parishioners to a medical appointment in Worcester on Tuesday morning, Nov. 10th? Call Dave: 860-608-7632

In This Reminder
This Week
Items for Consideration or Prayer
Coming Up
Your Stewardship
Housekeeping
Extras!

This Week
 
Saturday, Nov. 7th: 5:30 p.m.
Newer Members Meet and Greet with the Vestry at the Carters


November 8, 2015: 24th Sunday after Pentecost
8 a.m. Holy Communion (Jane Hale, Preacher); Stewardship Speaker: Hank Hague
9:00 a.m. Choir rehearsal
9:15 a.m. Rectory School Chapel with Nine6teen and Dave
10:15 a.m. Family Eucharist; Jane Hale, Worship Leader & Preacher; Coffee: Yellow Team (Denise Oles, et all)
Church School with Dave
Teen Program as scheduled

Draft Leaflet found here
Draft Announcements can be found here
 
Deadline for December Courier is November 16th
 
Readings link can be found here
 
November Courier can be found here 
 
November Calendar and Schedule is found here

The September '15 to January '16 Coffee Hour Team Schedule can be found here
 
Pastoral Emergencies or to put someone on the Prayer Chain please call the office: 860-315-7780 or Dave's Cell Phone, 860-608-7632. 
 
Eucharistic Visitors see under Teen Program for Safe Church Training.
 
 
Church School Notes


Jane Hale with the Church School on All Saints doing the "Human Knot". How we are all connected! 


Fr. Dave will visit Church School with music and an exploration of "Saints" in the Church's Burial Grounds for grades 1-5, guided by their Church School Shepherds. (Please have your grade-schooler wear comfortable shoes and dress for chilly morning weather!) We will also begin work on a "Cloud of Witnesses" banner, commemorating those who have gone before us and have a special connection to our lives- either through family, friendship, or Christ Church.  Godly Play will ponder the legacy of "Mother Theresa", and we will all learn some "Saintly" songs at chapel time. 
 
Families Take Note:  Next week, Nov. 15, children in grades 1-5 will be working on Family Heritage Shields.  After a little "heraldry" background is given, they will personalize a large cardboard shield with symbols and images that represent their family heritage (ancestral cultures, traditions, countries of origin), in addition to their family values, traditions, beliefs, etc. It would be very helpful if your family could have a conversation about this before church on the 15th, so your child will arrive with some ideas of what to include.  This great project highlights what makes each them unique and yet part of a larger family of God's Children. 

Here is an interesting and relevant NYT article on the challenges two-parent working families face "keeping it all together" with children, jobs, recreation and still have time to "make meaning" in our lives.
 
NOTE: Church School Meeting Nov. 8th.  All parents, volunteers, and folks with a heart for youth are encouraged to attend.  We will look at family Advent activity plans, Pageant preparations, Heifer "Read to Feed" outreach found here, future curriculum ideas, and more!

A link to the Church School Registration form.

We collect non-perishable foods and household items in our offering basket during chapel time each Sunday, so please work with your child to remember the needs of others each Sunday by bringing in something for our local food banks.
 
Nicole Nichols, Church School Director
   My contact is 860-928-2155, or by email:  ccchurchschoolpomfret@gmail.com 
 
 
Teen Program Updates:
 
 
Rite-13 6 and 7th grades! 
The Rite-13ers are working on the Vine and Branches photo directory project and having fun meeting and other projects!
 
J2Aers:  See you on Sunday. Leaders: Amy Nunes, Ginger Lusa & Adam Squires (more part-time leaders: Brian Smith, Steve Adams & Cyndi Sturni). Dee Dee has an email out to parents to sign up and commit now for Nightwatch at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine (link here) on the night of March 4, 2016 (return late in the day on Saturday). This a fun and informative night for teens that we've done several times in the past. It is very popular, hence the advance registration. The cost is $85 per teen, paid by families (if you need some subsidy for this let Dave know). Please respond soon so we can get the date we want! Thanks.
 
YACers: Meet as scheduled.... for info contact Jen Ritzau: 
(Leaders also include Peter Mann and Donna Bessette, advising)

Teen Coordinator Position
As some already know Dee Dee and the Markes family are heading back to California, their home. She will be winding up her duties as Teen Coordinator sometime this fall and would like to hand on the duty and salary ($6000 a year) to another candidate.
Here is a current description of the position. Let Steve Adams, Peter Lusa or Dave know if you would like to discuss it. We have heard from one very promising candidate. Thanks! 
 
Current Teen Leaders Materials: HERE is a link to find PDF copies of all the different group materials. Note that the main item for each group is the manual of lesson plans. Use as you see fit!
 
Safe Church Training is required for all Teen Leaders that have not had it. But here is a link to the Diocesan Schedule:
 
The Teen Program Registration Form is needed for each student so we can provide a consistent and safe environment for your young person. Thanks. 

Dee Dee Markes 
79 Mashamoquet Road  
Pomfret Center, CT 06259  
860.963.0846 860.617.7996  
deedeespa@charter.net 
 
Items for Consideration or Prayer



First Take
24th Sunday after Pentecost: The full text of the readings can be found at the Lectionary Website here
      This week's Hebrew Bible and Gospel readings are both about widows who give away every last bit of their resources.  These texts, rather conveniently, cycle around during stewardship season, and traditionally, we've held them up as the classic example of what it means to give.  Countless sermons have asked us to be like these good widows and give out of our poverty until there's nothing left.  But what if, in Mark's Gospel, Jesus isn't actually praising the woman's donation, but lamenting that such a vulnerable community member had to give up so much without notice in the first place?  What if he's not holding the widow's contribution of two copper coins up as an example to emulate, but as a warning to heed?  And if that's the case, where can we find the Good News?  I believe it's quite literally a matter of shifting our perspective.  Perhaps it's a matter of truly seeing the most vulnerable around us as God sees them-as God sees all of us-not as donating bodies, but as essential members of the One Body.  Might this perspective change our understanding of what it means to be good stewards of God's (human) resources?  Might this perspective transform the way we think about giving?  I think Jesus might be hoping that it will!---Jane

For your health and healing:  
       One of our parishioners, Dr. Timothy Monahan, was recently interviewed for Day Kimball Hospital. Here is a link to read his answers to the "13 Questions"! Here is a very relevant NYT article on the challenges we face as two parent working families called, Stressed, Tired, Rushed: A Portrait of the Modern Family. Could be a discussion group!


St. Nicholas Fair, December 5th, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Fair has the potential to bring our entire community together for fellowship and service in honor of one of the lesser known but important saints of the calendar. You can check out St. Nicholas of Myra here (who often visits the Fair, by the way). All the funds taken in on the day become part of our CSO Funds for the current year (we post-fund our outreach every year!). 
You can help in any number of ways! Donating goods, services, participating in the baking, bringing in your gently used toys and new gifts that you never used. If you know of even a single vendor who might donate an item to the Fair here is a donation letter pre-signed that you can use for this purpose. A one page intro to the Fair with needs outlined can be found here. 
We've added a new Booth for all your very gently used Kitchen Gear, those peelers, scrapers and measurers in the back of your drawers. All items for the Fair can be brought into the Choir room and put under the long table. Make sure you label them!
  
Lay Eucharistic Visitors Updates
Safe Church Training opportunities can be found at the Diocesan website..... see link in Teen Program. Jane Hale is training and organizing. Her email is: jclhale@charter.net. We'll be sending out our Visitors periodically.

Outreach Nutsale Packing We always need lots of help for packing the orders. The "packing week" is tentatively scheduled for November 16- 19th. It usually takes just 2 nights! Music, Wine and Cheese help!. All income above cost goes into our CSO budget and is granted out into the community. Thanks.

Special Mission Outreach
PID trip to Guatemala is scheduled for January 10th through the 17th of 2016. This is a medical and building project mission trip. Here is the website! The Flight is booked out of Logan for Saturday, January 9th! 

A number of us were very moved and excited by Chris George's comments on the Refugee situation (IRIS). Here is the IRIS website. 

Spirituality with Oscar Brockmeyer.
Group Spiritual Guidance for those within and beyond the church. Oscar's schedule is found here. Spirituality Workshops on second Saturdays in the morning, a conversation entitled "Spirituality for the Second Half of Life" on third Thursdays in the afternoon, a "Spiritual Companions" Group on first Tuesdays in the evening, 860-942- 2934 orobbrockmeyer@snet.net for more information.

Spirituality with Jane Hale: The Women's Spiritual Growth Group. NOTE CHANGE: The Next Meeting is 7-8:30 pm on Tuesday, November 17th. A time of spiritual and faith exploration, story-sharing, and celebrating our Sisterhood!  Contact Jane Hale at jclhale@charter.net. 

Pastoral Notes/Prayers: Keep Elaine in your prayers, diagnosed with cancer (parent of member); Paul Humphreys, Bike accident; Sid Swenson, broken femur; Here is the full Prayer Chain list as of October, 2015. 

From the Hospital: Addressing Teen Self-Harming
Please join us on
Thursday, November 5th for 
"Self-Harming Behaviors in our Youth: 
Identifying the Problem and Ways to Help"
presented by Dr. Andre Bessette. 
Day Kimball Hospital 
RHF Conference Rooms #2 & 3
Registration ~ 6:15pm - 6:30pm
Presentation and Discussion ~ 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Please RSVP by October 30th at 860-963-6458 or email jjohnson@daykimball.org
Sponsored by the DKH Pastoral Care Department

Vine and Branches "Directory" Project
The Rite-13ers are continuing this project and we're taking photos at Coffee Hours. Thanks to Jim Goodwin and his help with photos. Thanks all!     


Coming Up

Thursday, Nov. 5th: 6:30- 7:30 Dr. Andre Bessette in the main floor education rooms (2 & 3): Self-harming behaviors and our youth.

Saturday, Nov. 7th: 5:30 p.m. Newer Members Meet and Greet with the Vestry at the Carters

Sunday, November 8th: All Services, Jane Hale is preacher. Dave is in the Church School. Church School Committee meets in the Library at 11:30 a.m. Subject matter includes the Pageant & winter Curriculum.

Wednesday, Nov. 11th: 7:30 a.m. Healing Eucharist followed by B'fast at the Bean; 7 p.m. Vestry Meeting

The Episcopal Church in Conn. Convention, Nov. 13- 14th in Cromwell, Ct.

Sunday, November 15th: All Services, Dave, Preacher; Jane is Worship Leader; Stewardship Speaker is Caroline Sloat

Nutsale Packing Week: Nov. 16- 19th! Stay-tuned for days and times!

Tuesday, Nov. 17th: 7:00 p.m. Women's Spirituality with Jane Hale

Wednesday, Nov. 18th: 7:30 a.m. Healing Eucharist followed by B'fast at the Bean

Saturday, Nov. 21st: Potential Communion Class with Dave for Second Graders or above at 10 a.m. (Conversation, Art, Music, Baking) CALL the office if you'd like to register. Class only runs if there is interest! 860-315-7780

Sunday, November 22nd: Contemporary Church First at the 10:15; Dave is preacher and worship leader (Jane is on duty at St. Vincent's in Worc.); Stewardship Speaker is Nicole Nichols; Inter-generational pre-Advent Program: the Jesse Tree and making "Advent Buzzards" in the Great Hall

No Healing Eucharist: Thanksgiving Week!

Sunday, November 29th: Advent Sunday and Fair set-up day. 8 and 10:15 Services only. Jane is preacher; Dave is worship leader; Pledge Sunday. 

Monday-Friday, Nov. 30-Dec. 4th Fair Week. Great Hall will be open for drop-offs and set-up. Locked at 9 p.m. unless pre-arranged.

Thursday, December 3rd: Healing Eucharist at 7:30 a.m. B'fast at the Bean at 8:30 a.m.

Saturday, December 5th: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. St. Nicholas Fair

Christ Church Online Google Calendar 
Your Stewardship!
Hank Hague's Talk on All Saints
Hank Hague's Talk on All Saints

 
Thank you for your generosity!

Stewardship: Visions and Ventures
It's that time; See more information on Pledging and Contributing in this space soon. 
Hank Hague is the Stewardship Speaker on this Sunday, 11.8.15 at the 8 a.m. Service. Jane Hale is gives a Stewardship message this Sunday as well.

Your pledge remains the most important source of income for us to continue our ministries, by far. Thanks! 
Pledging and Donating Online:

(Note: when you wish to access the Christ Church easytithe donation site you will need to go through this button, here on the Reminder, or on the website. It will not work on the easytithe site directly. That log in is for account managers.)

Amazon Smile: Amazon.com will donate .5 percent of eligible purchases to Christ Church. Amazon pays these donations. You can still shop through your own account but Christ Church will benefit. Link is Here Thanks! 
Housekeeping


















Flowers
Sign Up Master List is posted to the left of the office door. You can sign up there, call the office (860-315-7780), or Lora's cell phone (above) or respond to this email to Make a Memorial or a Thanksgiving for a loved one ($30/Sunday).  Flower donations are encouraged. There are always applications for flowers in the back of the church ($30).

Vestry Notes
Next Meeting is November 11th at 7 p.m.

Buildings and Grounds John Murphy has delivered quotes for the replacing rotted windows around the Library, the downstairs chapel & in the hallway outside the Library. These will be up for Vestry consideration in November; Griggs and Brown were here this week to do the quarterly pest control; Other jobs pending: Roofing and Chimney items. 

Shawl Ministry:
 Blessed shawls on the back table in church (fill out the log book). We have had a number of folks respond with thanks after receiving one of the shawls. Rebecca Patenaude, Coordinator

Outreach....  Next cooking for Community Kitchen at 8 a.m. on November 23rd here at CCPomfret to bring to the 1st Congregational Church of Woodstock (the Hill Church). Contact Pauline Phillips at Christ Church. CSO Committee meets periodically to recommend grants.
Extras!

The Rt. Rev. Michael Curry was installed as our new national Presiding Bishop on Sunday, Nov. 1st for a nine year term. Here is his sermon! The Presiding Bishop represents the Episcopal Church. His position is more persuasive than it is legislative.


You Gotta Be: Nine6teen Anthem on 10.25.15
You Gotta Be: Nine6teen Anthem on 10.25.15
Dave Carter
Christ Church Pomfret
(Box 21) 527 Pomfret Street 
Pomfret, Ct. 06258

Feel free to contact us: christchurchpomfret@gmail.com

 
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Steeple
Mission Statement

To seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves, welcoming all who come through our doors to participate in worship, education, service and fellowship on a journey in Christ, a journey that we believe not only has power to heal and change us but also has potential to transform the world.

(Vestry 2003)


 

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