January 30, 2015

First Edition

Let's Journey Together!

FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH = GRANBY FOOD BANK

God offers us a place at the table.......

We can offer food for the hungry.......

Food Donations Most Needed:

Canned Fruits

Canned Meats (no tuna)

Peanut Butter

Juice, Coffee

SNOW CANCELLATIONS...

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

REPORT FROM "DOWN-UNDER"...

News from the G Crew and Sunday School

G CREW is renovating B 14 to be used as a youth room. We will keep you updated through the bulletin board outside Rebecca's office - or take a peek yourself! Stay tuned for info on the Pasta Dinner/ Desert Auction fundraiser. And, G Crew will be taking a Winter Retreat to the Karlson family's lake place in Otis, MA, on March 20 - 22. The Summer Mission Trip will be on August 8 - 15 through the Appalachian Service Project www.asphome.org in the mountains of West Virginia where we will help rebuild homes for families in need there. The mission trip is open to high school and college-aged youth and some adults (two adults per five youth). Construction experience is a plus! Sign-ups will begin this month.

Sunday School News: We had a good meeting of parents and teachers last Sunday, and some new ideas and a vision is emerging. Teachers, story-tellers and creative church members who want to help us think 'outside the Sunday School box' should contact Rebecca at rebecca@firstchurchgranby.org Big changes by Fall 2015!! Think about risking your time, talent and experience to join us on this project.

WADSWORTH ATHENEUM INTERFAITH FILM SERIES

SUNDAYS, February 1,8,& 15, 2pm

On Sunday, Stay for lunch after worship and join Marilyn Sponzo and Linda Betsch who will be attending the Interfaith Film Series at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford.
The 2nd Annual Interfaith Film Series will view three films that provoke interreligious discussions. A guest speaker will talk before each screening and will lead a post-movie Q&A.

February 1 Film: The Other Son: Two young men, one Israeli and one Palestinian, discover they were accidentally switched at birth. 2012. France. 105 min. Rated PG-13. Subtitles. Directed by Lorraine Lévy.

After the film stay for a discussion with Rabbi Michael Pincus, Senior Rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford, and Ms. Heba Eljafarawi, an American of Palestinian origin.

Interfaith Film Series

February 8 at 2 pm, Kinyarwanda
February 15 at 2 pm, Eve and the Fire Horse

Presented with the Connecticut Council for Interreligious Understanding, Inc.

for more info: Wadsworth Atheneum

GET READY FOR FOR THE 3rd ANNUAL MARDI GRAS PARTY

SATURDAY February 14th, 6:30pm

GREEN, GOLD and PURPLE are the colors of Mardi Gras and a fun social for adults is planned for Saturday February 14th starting at 6:30 p.m. The festivities will be at the Lamperts' home in North Granby. Come as you are or wear your green, gold and purple as well as beads, boas and masks. We'll have plenty of extra beads, music, and group games. Watch for a sign-up and bring a dish to share. Think Gumbo, Cajun, Creole and King Cake. BYOB.

We're considering offering childcare at the church if there is enough interest and rides are available if you prefer not to drive. Contact Linda Betsch at 860-653-0744 or via e-mail for childcare interest and rides.

COUNTDOWN TO APPLEFEST: 231 days

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Messages of support and encouragement...

can be mailed to Lori F. at her home.

Our sympathy goes out to Sandy Lee on the death of her father.

Seeking donations of household goods

We have received a request from Elby Gonzalez-Schwapp from the Hartford Maternal and Infant Health Program (with whom we now partner through Covenant to Care). They are seeking:

used high chair
small used table and chairs
bunk bed
household items (dishes, pots and pans, towels, twin sheets, twin blankets, etc)
gently-used children's winter coats/snow suits (infant to size 5)

Items may be dropped off at the church. Any questions please contact Gail Pillow at 860-688-2531 or by email.

Did you know that First Church has a Community Garden?

Yes we do - located across the street next to the Grange. Our goal is to provide fresh vegetables to those in our church community as well as to the Waste-Not Want-Not Kitchen. In fact, we estimate that we harvested about 600 pounds of fresh vegetables last year.

Chances are, you know someone who has gone hungry. Too often people think that hunger only hits the poor, the unemployed, or the homeless. But every day, people in our own community here in Granby are forced to choose between buying food for their family or paying rent. These are hardworking people--our friends, our colleagues, our neighbors--and, together, we can help them. Together, we can make someone's day brighter. How can you help? We need:

Your time! Volunteers to plant, weed, and harvest! No experience necessary. Can you spare just 30 minutes once a week? How about just a couple of hours on a Saturday?
Plastic cups or pots to start seedlings
Potting Soil
Landscape Weed Fabric (estimate about 5 rolls 4ftx220 ft)
Fertilizer
Stretch Plastic Fencing (approx 300 feet)
Steel Fence Poles (40)
Loan/donate a small trailer that will be left at the site with a 275 gallon water tote/container for watering the garden
Garden Hose (50' or 100')