October 23, 2015   

First Edition  
Let's Journey Together! 
 
2015 Simply Smiles recap
2015 Simply Smiles recap
SIMPLY SMILES 2016
The 2016 work trip to the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation with Simply Smiles has been scheduled for April 30 to May 7.  In order to broaden participation, the trip will be sponsored by the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ. Unfortunately, this does not mean that the cost of the trip will be subsidized, as it has been in the past. Previous trip participants will have priority, however, and some financial support may be available through our Reaching Out program ministry.
 
Because the trip is booked for the first work week of the summer, there is also the opportunity to head out a week earlier to work with Simply Smiles staff to prepare for the season. There is no volunteer fee for doing this; the only additional cost might be a difference in air fare.
 
There will be an informational meeting on November 22 at 3pm at the Connecticut Conference office, 125 Sherman Street in Hartford. This meeting is not mandatory, but is an opportunity for past-year participants to re-connect and to share their experience with first-timers. Talk to Rich and Mary Zlotnick, Pete Betsch, or Scott Tracy to learn more!

Discussion of "Dear White America"    
The second of two discussions of this thought-provoking book takes place this Sunday, at 11:30 am in the Memorial Meeting Room, led by Don Shaw.

October 25 - pages 71-153
Come for the discussion even if you haven't read the book!

CT Forum on Racism - Dec. 3 
As a continuation of this conversation about white privilege and racism, plan to attend the Connecticut Forum Dec. 3 along with members from South Congregational Church. The program takes place at the Bushnell in Hartford at 8 pm. Sign up outside the church office for one of the 20 tickets we have purchased and to ride with the rest of the group on the Marquis bus. Read more about it here.

FREE CONCERT
THE ASYLUM QUARTET
Friday, October 30, 7:30pm 
The Barbara Crouse Memorial Concert Series presents The Asylum Quartet. Graduates of the Hartt School, the quartet's repertoire spans traditional, contemporary and globally-minded saxophone music.
Free admission
Free-will offering accepted at the door
Invite a friend! 
 
Stewardship Campaign - "Imagine the Possibilities"
As everybody should know by now we are in the middle of our annual Stewardship Campaign.  As of 10/20, here's where we stand:
Update: 33 pledges for 2016 received; weighted average increase over 2015 pledge is 8%. Our goal is to receive 110 pledges this fall, so we are only 30% of the way to completing our fall campaign.
 
Please consider making First Church your top charitable gift and pledge a larger dollar amount than you ever imagined possible.  More funds would allow us to achieve even more results:
  •        to provide more help to our children & youth with their faith development
  •        to enrich our worship services and music program
  •        to extend more care to our own members in need
  •        to reach out to more neighbors in Granby, greater Hartford, the nation and world,
Giving generously to such a wonderful cause actually feels very good - so please give it a try.
 
We want this campaign to be as painless as possible for all involved - no phone calls or other badgering - but your assistance is required.
 
Please turn in or mail your pledge card today or bring it with you to church on Sunday!
On behalf of the Stewardship Team
Walter Ford
 
Reminder -- Please send in your pledge payments if you fell behind over the summer. We need this income to balance our fall cash expenses.

Thanksgiving Baskets
Beginning November 1st thru November 15th, look for a list of food items needed to fill 10 Thanksgiving Baskets for the Town of Granby Social Services. Gail Pillow and friends will be at the doors to the Sanctuary and also in Cook Hall.
Each list is small, with 2-4 items per list, keeping the cost under $8.00. With 40 items needed to fill each basket, and 10 baskets to fill, we encourage everyone to take a list or two to help fill these baskets. Your donations can be brought to the church anytime during the week and placed in the boxes along the far wall in Cook Hall marked Thanksgiving Baskets. If your list includes eggs or margarine, please place those items in the refrigerator. All items must be delivered to the church by Friday, November 20th. If you prefer to make a monetary donation, please give it to Pastor Ginny or the person passing out the lists. These monies will be given to the Granby Department of Social Services. If you have any questions, you may contact Gail Pillow at 860-688-2531.
 
This week ....  
 
Sunday SchoolHouse - 10am downstairs
We meet this Sunday morning to talk about kindness in sports.  Is there a reason to consider  your neighbor, your opponent, or your teammate while you are trying to win a game?  Chris Saunders, baseball coach and church member, will help lead the discussion.  No easy answers, but it's good to talk about!

Faith Ed (9th grade) will meet Thursday, October 29,  7 - 8:30 pm, to watch "This Elegant Universe", a cool science video by best-selling author and physicist, Brian Greene. He helps make the ideas of Einstein, string theory, and black holes somewhat understandable!! 

Sunday Night Youth (10th - 12th grade)meets every Sunday at 7 - 8:30pm.  This week we meet at Sweet Pea Farm for the Hayes Corn Maze.  After that we return to the church for home made pies, ice cream and ping pong.  Can you feel it?  It's Autumn in New England!  (looking ahead to the sleepover Nov 2 - 3 at the church).  

Westfield Soup Kitchen on Nov 4th. All youth who are interested, should meet at the church 3:30.

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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