November 7, 2014

First Edition  
Let's Journey Together! 

Greetings to my new church family!

 

I am quickly settling in and am so impressed with Granby and the people of First Church. I know some of you have had your doubts that a woman from Florida could or would want to live in Connecticut, but believe me when I say that I have been in Florida under protest since I was 16 years old. Raised in New York, I spent every summer at camp in the Catskills. Mountains, forests, autumn leaves and even snow are all things I have sorely missed. My new home is the lovely farmhouse I am renting from Art and Aurelle Locke at 281 Simsbury Rd. I so enjoy their stories, their family, and our common love of nature. Every morning my dog Charlie and I walk through the natural wonderland that is their property. And... it is breathtaking for this Florida girl.

 

This Sunday I preach, and Ginny did not leave me a sermon to read - haha! (Great job Jim, and what a sermon!) However, she did give me a title and scripture: Matthew 22 -The Scandal of the Trick Question. This passage relates some rather testy conversations between Jesus and the religious elite of his day who try to trap him into saying something politically and religiously controversial. And so it goes. Religion attracts strong opinions, dogmatic positions, and debate. It did then, and it does today. I find it interesting that Jesus, who could have said more, said less. I hope you will come Sunday and explore this with me.

 

Keep telling me your names. I'm working on it!

Peace,

Rebecca

P.S. G Crew is a pretty cool group of kids! Just sayin'.

 

The Low-Key Stewardship Campaign

OK - we are a week into the 2014 Stewardship Campaign. Everyone has received a letter. Now where are those pesky home visits? When do the clowns appear? When do the voices of doom and gloom begin their endless chant? Why aren't those Stewardship guys doing something?

 

Well, in point of fact, we hope none of those things happen. We have made the key steps - some announcements, the ask letter, an explanation about the revenues and expenses of First Church, and a pledge card. What we hope is that each of you, after prayerful reflection, fill out your pledge card and return it by Sunday, November 16. Or better yet by our 275th birthday celebration on Saturday night, November 15!

 

We really do not want to have to remind you to send in the card by Thanksgiving. We would rather feel good that each of you have reached a sensible conclusion for you and told us what you are pledging for 2015.

 

So -make yourself feel good and make us feel comfortable in our campaign tasks by sending in your pledge today or by Stewardship Sunday (11/16).

The 2014 Stewardship Team

 

Pledge Cards

When you fill out your pledge card, please fill in number "I/We pledge for 2015 a total of $________" and then the amount per week, month or year that you want. Please check your math as the total and per week or month amounts often do not match. Many thanks!

Bob Lindeyer, Financial Secretary


NEEDLEWORX -CHANGE IN MEETING DATE!
We will NOT be meeting on Tuesday, November 11 due to the Church Office being closed for Veterans Day.  We will meet Tuesday, November 18 at 2pm.
   

Women's Fellowship

Join us for lunch on Thursday, Nov 13 at 12pm for a presentation by Rich Zlotnick on his trip to the Indian reservation.  Bring your own sandwich; salads and desserts will be provided. 

 

275th Anniversary Weekend is coming soon!  November 15 & 16

Anniversary Dinner, Nov 15 at 6pm - sit-down dinner in Cook Hall featuring hors d'oeuvres, Chicken Marbella, mashed potatoes, salad and assorted desserts along with a children's menu.  Dinner activities will include Music, Scavenger Hunt, Slide Show, and Stories..

Worship, Sunday November 16 will include a Costume Parade and Postlude by the Marquis of Granby.  Coffee Hour will be hosted by the Marquis.   


Peek Back in History - 10/25/83 - Church Council Meeting

Rev. Mr. Moffat reported that he had made about 40 visits since the beginning of August to new families of all faiths in Granby. He noted there was a very wide range of reactions to these visits. He also escorted the two newest ministers in town to the various town schools, offices and other departments and businesses, so that they would know what they had to work with. The reaction to this was excellent, he said.

                                              Corinne, Church Historian  

 

Women's Retreat at Mercy Center, Madison - May 29-31, 2015 

Reserve your room by November 15th by leaving a check in the folder in Pastor Ginny's mailbox. Any questions, contact Linda Smyth 

 

 

Pastor Ginny on vacation

After a long and busy spring/summer/fall, Pastor Ginny is taking a much needed vacation. She and Doug will be touring Costa Rica from Oct. 31 - Nov. 12.  Nos vemos en dos semanas! 

  

 

Thanksgiving Baskets

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and again this year we will be collecting food for Thanksgiving Baskets that will be distributed by the Granby Department of Social Services.

  

Shopping lists of 3-4 items will be distributed on two Sundays, November 9th and 16th. All items are to be delivered to Cook Hall by Friday, November 21st. Each "list" amounts to $8 or less to purchase. 

  

We have committed to filling 10 Thanksgiving Baskets again this year. Each contains 40 items, made up of 8 different lists with 3-4 items on each list. If you would rather make a monetary donation, please put your contribution into the collection plate, marked "Thanksgiving Baskets." Monies collected will be used to supplement missing items. All monies not used for the food baskets will be given to the Granby Department of Social Services. If you have any questions please email Gail Pillow - or phone 860-688-2531.

     

Stewardship Results as of Wednesday ....

We have a target of $290,000 or more in pledges for 2015. This will give First Church enough flexibility to budget some contingency funds for 2015. As of Wednesday evening, we have received pledge and prepayments that reached 40% of this target with pledges from 22% of the members and friends who are likely to pledge.

 

Let's hear from the other 60% of you by Stewardship Sunday, November 16!

  

 

Please note: Church Office closed on Tuesday, November 11 for Veterans Day.   
 

Contacts 

Sue Miltenberger (Office Manager)
Rev. Ginny McDaniel (Senior Minister)

Jerron Jorgensen (Music Director)  

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