February 12, 2016   

First Edition  
Let's Journey Together!

Into the Woods!
As a metaphor, the image of the "dark wood" evokes a place to be feared and avoided. Mysterious, unfamiliar and unfriendly, it is a place where we may feel uncertain, empty, lost, tempted, and alone. Yet these very feelings turn out to be our greatest assets on our spiritual journey because they invite us to probe, question, and discover. Mystics through the ages have affirmed that the Dark Wood is the surest place to meet God. According to the ancients, you don't need to be a saint or spiritual master to experience profound awakening. You don't even have to be "above average." All you really need to be is human.
 
When we allow ourselves to embrace the journey within the Dark Woods, God's Holy Spirit Guide tends to nudge us, to awaken us, to a fuller life. Rather than being problems to be fixed, what if we saw these experiences... of failure, emptiness, loss, and uncertainty... as gifts?

Our exploration begins this Sunday, with the gift of UNCERTAINTY.
Pastor Ginny
Winter Adult Study Opportunities  
Pick up a brochure!  
Read a book! 
Sign up on bulletin board in hallway! 
Click here for the full Brochure 
TONIGHT-February 12: Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee at the Giles' home, 10 Cedar Drive
February 26: Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson at the Shaws' home, 72 Canal Road

Women's Spirituality Groups
Next meeting is Monday, February 22: Reluctant Pilgrim: A Moody, Somewhat Self-Indulgent Introvert's Search for Spiritual Community by Enuma Okoro. Morning group meets at the church at 10:30am. and the evening group will meet at 7pm at LuAnn Mahoney's home at 16 Maple Hill Drive.

Barbara Crouse Memorial Concert Series presents:
Alturas Duo with Flutist Minta White
Friday, February 19 7:30pm in the Sanctuary
The award-winning Alturas Duo will collaborate with multitalented flutist Minta White to present a program of virtuosic classical and South American folk music. Blending South American and Baroque influences using the unusual combination of viola, guitar, and charango, the Alturas Duo has performed in Brazil, Canada, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, and the US, including recitals at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, and the Smithsonian.

Simply Smiles Concert - February 19, 7pm 
Benefit concert to support Simply Smiles. Kristen Graves, the Connecticut State Troubadour and distinguished folk singer will perform at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 465 Park Ave, Windsor.  Free will offering.

Simply Smiles Trip this Year is April 30 to May 7 
Follow the link to watch a video "hope is winning" and find out more about Simply Smiles and what they are doing to increase hope at the Lakota Reservation in South Dakota. Click here

Winter Meeting - after Worship February 21 
The annual winter meeting of First Congregational Church, Granby Connecticut, is called for Sunday, February 21, 2016 in Cook Hall immediately following worship. The agenda topics are: 1) receive the 2015 Annual reports and financial statements; 2) vote on additions to the Safe Church Policy; and 3) hear reports from Program Ministries. Lunch will be served.                                                                                 Doug Williams, Clerk, February 12, 2016

SNOW CANCELLATIONS
In case of poor weather, please check one of the following sources for information about delays and cancellations.
email - We'll send a message to everyone registered to receive the weekly newsletter
online - check our website
TV - check NBC Connecticut (WVIT)
radio - check CBS Radio Hartford Storm Center (AM 1080)
or call the church number 860-653-4537 and listen to the message! 
This Sunday at 10am, in the SchoolHouse...
We are dancing, moving, clapping, stepping, and singing - experiencing worship in our bodies as well as our minds. Next week, Feb 21st we visit BETHEL AME church in Bloomfield.
And, we are learning how worship might be different than what we know here at FCC!  
 
In Faith Ed... We talk about Jesus. What seemed important to him?What should be important to us, and how do we live that way in 2016?  We begin a series of discussions on his Sermon on the Mount, his parables, his commandments, and some of his encounters with people.  
 
Sunday Night Youth 7:00-8:30 
BEN LUNDIN shares PERSPECTIVE
HOW DOES LIVING 
A YEAR IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY 
c
hange your perspective, after growing up in Granby?  
This Sunday we say good-bye to BEN LUNDIN
who has been a chaperone and mentor to our youth on Sunday nights.  He leaves for Chile!

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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