January 2, 2015

First Edition  
Let's Journey Together! 
ENTERING THE NEW YEAR

Jan Chozen Bays, author of How to Train a Wild Elephant and Other Adventures in Mindfulness, identifies practices that can help us feel more attuned to our surroundings and more spiritually focused. Here is one that seems especially appropriate as we enter the New Year:

  • Before you walk through a door, pause, even for a second, and take one breath. Be aware of the differences you might feel in each new space you enter.
  • Part of this practice is to pay careful attention to how you close the door behind you when entering a new space. We often move immediately into a new space without finishing up with the old one, forgetting to close the door or letting it slam shut.

How will you enter 2015?  How will you leave 2014?

What do you bring with you?  What will you leave behind?

 

Take a breath, locate your 2014 "star gift" (the colored paper star you received last Epiphany with a single word printed on it), and come ready to worship on Sunday!

Pastor Ginny 
Our condolences to the family of George Tuffin, a long-time member of First Church, who died Sunday at the age of 96. Messages may be sent to his daughter, Sune Gillin, at 700 East Lake Drive, Unit 89, Orange, CA 92866.

Come early for Breakfast...and stay for LUNCH
EVERY Sunday morning from 8:30am-10 am, Cook Hall
Lunch served hot or to-go following worship

It's "Star Sunday" 
This Sunday we'll celebrate Epiphany with STARS. Do you remember receiving a star last Epiphany? Do you still have it displayed someplace prominent? Sunday all are invited to bring their 2014 STAR and share a story about it led them to or helped them to see. Where was God leading YOU in 2014?

Later in the service you will pick out a star for 2015, a star to guide your steps and shine light on your path.

SNOW CANCELLATIONS... solo-snowman.jpg
In case of poor weather, please check one of the following sources for information about delays and cancellations:
  • On TV, check NBC Connecticut (WVIT)
  • On radio check CBS Radio Hartford Storm Center (AM 1080)
  • By email! We'll send a message to everyone registered to receive the weekly mailing
  • On-line, check our website
  • Or call the church number (860-653-4537) and listen to the message

G Crew - Creating a Youth Room out of B14 - Sunday, January 4

Drop in anytime 2 - 7pm to strip walls in B14. Work for an hour or 3 or 5! Wear work clothes and bring a scraper, old towels, buckets and sponges. Parent help with food only. We have to do this ourselves!

 

G Crew Parent Meeting

Sunday, January 18 or Monday January 19 

Choose a night to attend at 7pm

"Creating a vision and plan for First Church Youth Ministry"

 

Sunday School Parent Lunch & Meeting, Sunday, January 25

Lunch after worship. Meeting 11:30 - 12:30.

There will be activities for the kids!

"My ideas, your ideas, ... and what you hear from your children!"

 
SAVE THE DATE!  
Sunday, January 25 - 4pm 
in our sanctuary
Praised by the press for their "haunting and picturesque" musical interpretations, the Miller-Porfiris Duo has been delighting audiences since 2005.

This is the second concert in the inaugural season of the Barbara Crouse Memorial Concert Series, created to honor the memory of the longtime Granby resident and inspirational music leader. The series offers local audiences a variety of enlightening and entertaining concerts, ranging in style from classical to contemporary. There is no charge. INVITE A FRIEND!

SIMPLY SMILES MISSION TRIP

The Farmington Valley Association of the United Church of Christ announces our Third Annual Mission Trip to the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. The trip is scheduled for May 2-9, 2015. An informational meeting will be held Wednesday, January 7 at 7pm at Avon Congregational Church for all considering making this life-changing trip. If you have questions, contact trip organizer, Rev. Zack Mabe, pastor of Terryville Congregational Church.


CLEAN Takeout Containers are Needed!

Clean containers useful for take-home lunches are needed.  Please drop them off in the kitchen.  


Tara's Last Phone Conversation of 2014....
Oh, hi Tara. What's up?

 

You didn't turn in your pledge card? That's OK. Stewardship is doing the last roundup of results the first week of 2015, so there is still time.

 

Oh, you cannot make as big a pledge for 2015? You have to drop from 5 doggie biscuits to 4? That's OK, Tara. First Church looks for your time and talents - like being Greeter Dog each day at church. And we understand that not everyone can increase their pledge and sometimes a person - or a doggie - has to drop back a bit because of an unexpected turn of events. But, Tara, it is critical to the health of our church to have as broad a support base as possible. That is why your pledge is important.

 

You will get it in today? Great! There are blank pledge cards in the Stewardship box. They are yellow. Fill one out and drop in the Treasurer's mail slot.

 

Thank you, Tara. We love you too!

 

Contacts 

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

Rebecca Brown (Leader, Children & Youth Ministry 

Jerron Jorgensen (Music Director)

Church Office Phone: 860-653-4537   

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