What's up with the suitcases?

Perhaps you walked into the church this week and were puzzled that some things looked a bit different... suitcases piled in the front vestibule, a sign outside Cook Hall reading "Food Court," a "scanner" as you entered the sanctuary, "Flight Attendants" wearing neon safety vests.

What's going on with that?

Our Lenten theme is On the Way. The visual suggestions of a terminal are to remind us that the life of faith is dynamic, always on the move. It's not a destination but a journey. Sure, we'd rather hold still. We enjoy the comforting familiarity of worship each Sunday. We sit and stand and sing our songs and give our offerings and listen to the sermon. I hope to leave you with a few things to ponder during the week. But, when it becomes routine, it can be easy to miss the mystery and greatness of it all.

I am reminded of a line from Annie Dillard's Teaching a Stone to Talk:

"On the whole, I do not find Christians, outside of the catacombs, sufficiently sensible of conditions. Does anyone have the foggiest idea what sort of power we so blithely invoke? Or, as I suspect, does no one believe a word of it? The churches are children playing on the floor with their chemistry sets, mixing up a batch of TNT to kill a Sunday morning. It is madness to wear ladies' straw hats and velvet hats to church; we should all be wearing crash helmets. Ushers should issue life preservers and signal flares; they should lash us to our pews. For the sleeping god may wake someday and take offense, or the waking god may draw us out to where we can never return. "

We are more afraid of being drawn out to where we can never return than we are willing to admit. We have problems, yes, but they are familiar. We're used to them. We live together comfortably. If we grow beyond them, we might not be so comfortable. It sounds ridiculous, but it's true. We might not be happy with how things are, but neither do we want them to change.

The Good News is that God doesn't leave us alone. Our God is a waking god. Pack your bags and let's journey together!

Call for the Annual Winter Meeting

The annual winter meeting of First Congregational Church, Granby Connecticut, is called for Sunday, March 1, 2015 in the Sanctuary immediately after worship. The agenda topics are: 1) review and vote on the revised 2015 budget; 2) review the 2014 financial statements and vote on a specific proposal to cover the $5,400 deficit in 2014; 3) review the Internal Audit Report; 4) review and vote on additions to the Safe Church Policy; 5) to consider dates for a Congregational meeting to discern how First Church is doing on our Call to Action and our three foci: exploring faith, cultivating community, igniting compassion; and 6) such other business that may properly come before the meeting.

Bill Bentley, Clerk

February 27, 2015

   

FIRST CHURCH WINTER BOOK GROUPS

... Have you made your selection?

Gravity (movie)

Tuesday, March 10, 7pm 

Bentley home with discussion leader Rebecca Brown

 

Being Mortal 

Sunday, March 15, 11:30am
Memorial Meeting Room with Pastor Ginny & Doug Williams  

The Housekeeper and the Professor 

Sunday, March 22, 12:00pm
Reinhardt home with Lisa Reinhardt, includes soup

Words to Give By
A joint effort from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving and WNPR, they are seeking everyday people to tell stories of giving or receiving. A recording session will be at East Granby Public Library, Saturday, February 28.  Spread the word!  More information: Click here

Panel  Discussion - Charlie Hedbo & the Four Freedoms
Hartford Public Library: Wednesday March 4, 2015, 6pm
For more information

PARSONAGE AVAILABLE FOR RENT

Do you know anyone who is or may be looking for a house rental in Granby? Our Parsonage (located next-door to the church at 221 North Granby Road) will be vacated by its present renter on March 31, 2015. The house will be available to show potential renters during March, for April 1st occupancy. Interested persons should contact Sue in the Church Office.

 

News about our former organist Dan Campolieta: Click here

 

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