Emanuel Church embodies a storied history in the American south. One of the church founders was Denmark Vesey, the leader of what would have been the largest slave revolt in American history. After his execution in 1822 white vigilantes torched the original church and the South Carolina state legislature criminalized religious gatherings of African Americans.

Almost 200 years later this massacre took place in the sanctuary of Emanuel Church. Stunningly, after the U.S. and state flags were lowered in mourning, the Confederate flag was left flying at its full height in front of the South Carolina state capitol. To say that white supremacy is no longer a force in this country is simply a lie.

In the imagination of our spiritual forebears, God weeps. God weeps when people suffer. God weeps when there is tragedy. We are weeping too. But I also believe that while God mourns with us, God is waiting... waiting for us to move beyond the limits of our prejudices, waiting for us to fashion public policy that is just and fair. With Denmark Vesey, we are called to embody our faith with "rebellious imagination" (Willie Dwayne Francois) The soul of America is still redeemable. But it is up to us to find a way.

Pastor Ginny 

TGIF - TONIGHT (June 26), 6-8pm 

Laura & Jerry Kimble's, 11 Juniper Drive  

Come sit by the pool (swimming welcome), listen to the trickle of a small waterfall, take a stroll through our gardens, visit our ducks and chickens or just come sit and relax with friends.
Please bring a drink and snack to share. Friends and family are welcome! Note: Not all Fridays are spoken for - If you would like to host - or need transportation, Sign up outside church kitchen, email or call Linda Betsch 860-653-0744.  

     

    

 

G Crew will meets 7:30pm.  Summer meetings are at 7:30.

Construction Skill Training for the Mission Trip will take place after the church services on July 19th and Aug 2nd. If you are willing to help train our youth on one of those dates, please contact Rebecca. 

ALERT If we don't find one more male chaperone for the mission trip we will have to leave home one youth work team.  :(

 

Union Service Sunday, this Sunday June 28, 9:30am
Rebecca will be preaching at the Union Service at South Church this Sunday, the 28th. She'll be discussing faith as a 'leaning' thing, or an empowering thing.  The "Unity Band" will provide special music.

  

Summer Sundays - Worship at 9:30am
Faith is like... a parade? a deer tick? a thunderstorm?
Starting July 5, worship will be in COOK HALL as "Cafe Church."

We will meet around tables for discussion, coffee, and conversation on weekly themes. It will be informal and welcoming to children and families!

Can you host pre-worship continental breakfast one Sunday? 

Sign up outside the kitchen.
NOTE: Hot breakfast will be served starting at 8:30, lunch "to-go" available after worship.  

Westfield Soup Kitchen
First Church has a regular commitment three times a year to prepare and serve a meal at Our Community Table in Westfield.  Our next date is Wednesday, July 1. Consider helping out!  For details, contact Laura Seger-Horan 

Community Garden News

Our Community Garden is looking really good. We hope you had the pleasure of sampling the radishes that were harvested a couple weeks ago. More fresh vegetables are coming soon!

To continue in the spirit of this being a whole church community project, if you have just 15 minutes to spare in the next week please drop by to do some weeding. Fortunately we've had some good rain and because of the weed fabric, there is not a lot of work to do but it still needs tending to. Thank you!

LGBT Family Pride Party & Picnic

Sunday, July 5th, 11am - 1:30pm
Immanuel Congregational Church, 10 Woodland St, Hartford
Come Celebrate All Types of Families as we respond to the Supreme Court decision on Marriage Equality expected at end of June.

~Food ~Bounce House ~Games ~Crafts ~ 

It's that time again... BLOCK PARTY

on South Marshall Street July 14, 4-7pm 

Organizers continue to collect bikes (goal - 100), and children's books (goal -1200) to give away. So far, 24 organizations have signed on to participate. Contact Nancy Rion to volunteer or for further information.

 

NO Breakfast or Lunch this Sunday
Union Service takes place at South Church. 

Please bring back your to-go lunch containers so they can be recycled.

Countdown to Applefest: 85 days