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Thursday Reminder 
An Online Ezine
Epiphany 2016


Greetings from your church! Buenos Tardes!

At the Annual Meeting this past Sunday we tried to thank key folks who made a particular difference in our financial/program year but in the interest of brevity I don't think we are ever able to be comprehensive. Everyone is a "key" person, a vital part of who we are. Thanks again. You all contributed so much time, talent and treasure. Thank You!

Coming Up Next Week: 
LentenWords: A Journey Together

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

Saturday, February 6th at 6 p.m. the Chili Cook-Off! (this event is the first of our Pilgrimage Fund-raisers to support this vital program) It's not too late to make an entry. Just bring it by early enough, by 5:30, please. Your participation is enormously helpful! 


Sunday, February 7th: Last Sunday after the Epiphany

8 a.m. Holy Communion (Jane, worship leader and Dave, preacher/celebrant)
9:00 a.m. Choir Rehearsal
9:15 a.m. Rectory School Chapel with Drew/Nine6teen
10:15 a.m. Family Eucharist (Dave, preacher/celebrant; Jane, worship leader) Choir, Church school, Teen program and Nursery.  Red Team for Coffee

Leaflet can be found here
Announcements can be found here
Readings link can be found here

The Christ Church Annual Report for 2015 is here

Deadline for March Courier is Feb. 15th!

February Courier can be found here

February Calendar and Schedule can be found here
 
February to June 2016 Coffee Team Schedule is 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. 
 
 
Church School Notes


We celebrate Epiphany through this Sunday:

The children in Church School recently made "Guiding Stars" for Epiphany to share with the rest of the parish. Everyone should be sure to choose one at random from the basket to serve as a guidepost throughout the year! They are outside the office.

This week we will finish our pre-Lenten Lego and Alleluia banner activities for grades 1-5. Godly Play will explore the story of the Great Pearl.  Looking ahead, on February 14th we will have a special guest program. Philippa Paquette will visit Church School to share some of her experiences from the recent church-sponsored mission to Guatemala. Don't miss it!
 
February 21st will be a Church First Scout Sunday.  ALL Scouts are invited to wear uniforms to the service, which all of Church School will attend.  There will be Godly Play as usual after the service, and grades 1-5 will have an all-group activity downstairs.  Any scouts who would like to help out with the service readings, psalm or prayers of the people on the 21st should see Nicole Nichols or Fr. Dave ASAP.

Here is a  copy of the Church School Schedule coming up!

Please confirm that you have received this message so I know I have your current contact information correct. It would be great if anyone would like to help out with the two vacancies for volunteer leaders...  I am around to answer questions (860-928-2155) or pass along materials if anyone would like!  Hopefully we won't have any 'snow days' :)
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Nicole

Further "Read to Feed" for Heifer International info:  Here is the link to our Christ Church School Team's home page. Heifer "Read to Feed" outreach found here, future curriculum ideas, and more!

A link to the Church School Registration form.
 
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! They are painting their room to make it their own! 
The Rite-13ers are working on the Vine and Branches photo directory project and having fun meeting and other projects! 
 
J2Aers:  See you on Saturday Night for the Chili Cook-off. All "hands on deck"! Check out the individual emails! Leaders: Amy Nunes, Ginger Lusa & Adam Squires (part-time leaders: Brian Smith, Steve Adams & Cyndi Sturni). Here is a link to the Chili Cook-Off "poster" for more information. Hand it out or email to interested folks? Thanks

Nightwatch at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine (link here) is coming up, 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). If you haven't yet, please respond soon! Thanks.
 
YACers: Meet as scheduled.... for info contact Jen Ritzau: 
(Leaders also include Peter Mann and Donna Bessette, advising)
 
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!
 
The Teen Program Registration Form is needed for each student so we can provide a consistent and safe environment for your young person. Thanks.  

Catherine Bastow
catherinebastow@sbcglobal.net
cbastow@rectoryschool.org
Items for Consideration or Prayer



First Take
 Last Epiphany: The full text of the readings can be found at the Lectionary Website here
             One of the understandings of Celtic Christianity is that there are some places in our experience that seem to be "thin places" where God can be perceived or sensed more easily. The "space" between God and our world/us is "thin". Madeleine L'Engle used to speak of such a place by the stream that ran through the backyard of her home in Litchfield County, Ct. You may know of "thin" places in your environment or experience. One could be in your house, a favorite chair to sit in, a walk out your back door. For some of us "thin" places might be mountain tops. Climbing Mt. Washington in the "off-season" was a "thin" place for me a few times when we lived on the northern edge of the Whites. In both late fall and early spring there are few other hikers and there is still snow in great patches. It can be cold and windy and stark. Yet there is profound beauty. Maybe such an experience was part of the Jesus story in our Gospel for this Sunday when he seemed to change before the disciples eyes, revealed as he was known to God, in that "thin" place on the mountain.

Here's a link to further reflections on the readings:
         
Coming Up Next Week: 
LentenWords: A Journey Together
 Christ Church, Jane Hale and other churches in the area are working together on a "Lenten" collaboration. We've set up a new Facebook page called LentenWords but the main idea is that there will be a word everyday posted to all who have friended the page. Could be fun. Definitely an experiment. Here is a link to LentenWords

In March:
A Lenten Study/Conversation around Science and Faith using Krista Tippett interviews. More info later. Mondays March 7, 14 and 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Rectory (Dave hosting). A possible showing of the movie, Interstellar, might be included with time and interest.

Spirituality with Oscar Brockmeyer.
Group Spiritual Guidance for those within and beyond the church. Oscar's schedule is found here. 860-942- 2934 orobbrockmeyer@snet.net for more information. 

Our Guatemalan Mission has returned. We'll be posting and providing updates! We'll probably be using the Adult Forum on February 21st for our presentation. More Photos of Guatemala can be found here at the CCPomfret Facebook Page

Spirituality with Jane Hale: The Women's Spiritual Growth Group. The Next Meeting is 7-8:30 pm on Tuesday, February 23rd.  A time of spiritual and faith exploration, story-sharing, and celebrating our Sisterhood!  Contact Jane Hale at jclhale@charter.net. 

Pastoral Notes/Prayers: here is the full Prayer Chain for December, January and February.

Vestry: The Vestry is an elected counsel of advice, made of members that are active in the parish, governs the use of our funds, has oversight of the maintenance of the buildings and grounds as well as raises funds. 

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

Saturday, February 6th: The Annual Chili Cook-off in the Great Hall.... a fun-d raiser for the Pilgrimage in 2017! This great event includes gifts, raffles, take out and eat in. Judges and Voting. Good place to pick up your Super Bowl chili for the next day!

Sunday, February 7th, Last Epiphany: 8, 9:15 and 10:15 Services, Dave is preacher/celebrant, Jane is worship leader.

Wednesday, February 10th: ASH WEDNESDAY
Service at 7:30 a.m. in the Church.... Eucharist, Healing & Imposition of Ashes. Ashes-to-Go all day at the office. Vestry Meeting of the NEW VESTRY at 7:00 p.m. Lenten Words begins today.

Sunday, February 14th, Lent 1: 8 a.m. and 10:15 Services only. Dave is away. The Rev. Kathryn White is Worship Leader/Celebrant at both services, Jane is preacher.

Wednesday, Feb. 17th: 7:30 a.m. Healing Eucharist (is back on since the weather has been so mild)

Sunday, February 21st, Lent 2: 8, 9:15 and 10:15 Services,
Dave is preacher/celebrant, Jane is worship leader.
Scout & Church First Sunday (possible Contemporary)

Wednesday, Feb. 24th, 7:30 a.m. Healing Eucharist

Sunday, February 28th, Lent 3: 8, 9:15 and 10:15 Services, Jane is preacher, Dave is worship leader.

Wednesday, March 2nd, 7:30 a.m. Healing Eucharist

Sunday, March 6th, Lent 4: 8 and 10:15 services only. Dave is preacher and celebrant (Jane is away)

Monday, March 7th: 6:30 p.m. Science and Faith #1

Wednesday, March 9th, 7:30 a.m. Healing Eucharist

Sunday, March 13th, Lent 5: 8 a.m. and 10:15 services only. Dave is preacher and celebrant (Jane is away). Possible Contemporary Service (bumped from February)

Monday, March 14th: 6:30 p.m. Science and Faith #2

Wednesday, March 16th, 7:30 a.m. Healing Eucharist

Sunday, March 20th, Palm Sunday: 8 a.m. and 10:15 services only. Jane is preacher, Dave is celebrant/worship leader

Monday, March 21st: 6:30 p.m. Science and Faith #3

Christ Church Online Google Calendar 
Your Stewardship!
Thank you for your generosity!

Stewardship: Visions and Ventures
It's that time; The Pledge Materials are available HERE as a downloadable copy of the written brochure. And HERE is a pledge card for 2016. Our goal is 95 pledges for $203,000. Thanks in advance.

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 February 10th at 7 p.m. 

Buildings and Grounds John Murphy has finished replacing rotted windows around the downstairs chapel. Shawn Densmore/Flue Doctor completed the first part of his work water-proofing the front chimney. Jeff Page took down the large pine at the corner of the Great Hall. We could no longer fly any flags on the flagpole with it there.

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 February 22nd 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!
Gretalyn Elmen Interview/ YAC Project '09
Gretalyn Elmen Interview/ YAC Project '09
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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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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