April 1, 2016   

First Edition  
Let's Journey Together!

Happy Spring!
After many weeks exploring the Deep Woods for gifts hidden therein, we've got it all figured out, right? Well, actually... we are sometimes as clueless as Jesus' first disciples. 
Jesus' time with his disciples was short. But from the beginning, he began to prepare them to continue his ministry once he was no longer with them. It is an ancient tradition to read from the Book of Acts in the weeks between Easter and Pentecost. In this chapter of the Bible we learn how the first followers of "The Way" of Jesus tried to recall what Jesus had taught them. With them, our theme for the Season of Easter is "When in doubt, read the instructions." See you in worship!
Pastor Ginny 
 
First Sunday = Granby Food Bank 
God offers us a place at the table....
We can offer food for the hungry....

Donations most needed:
Soup, Spaghetti Sauce, Pasta
Paper products, Detergent
 
Men's Group meets this Sunday (Apr 3, 5:30 pm)
We'll gather to watch the UConn Women's Basketball team take on Oregon State in the Final Four game. BYOB and a snack to share. At Bryan Murach's home, 10 Sutton Drive, North Granby 
 
BABY ITEMS NEEDED
In January we reaffirmed our covenant with the Maternal Infant Outreach Program of Hartford. We promised to help provide supplies, as we are able, to assist them in their efforts.
This spring, in celebration of Mother's Day, we will collect baby items. Look for the crib set up outside the sanctuary to leave your donations. Items needed (size newborn to 6 months)
T-shirts & onesies
receiving blankets
teethers & rattles
bibs
pajamas
burp cloths

NEED HOST! Souper Saturday - April 9, 6-8pm
The next Souper Saturday is scheduled for April 9 but we are in need of a host! Please let Linda Betsch know if you are willing to open your home to 15-20 people for an evening of soup and socializing. Host provides soup; Guests bring appetizers, sides, drinks.  

April 8 Anti-Racism Training  - 5:30 - 8pm 
Join Pastor Ginny at SURJ Hartford for our first Member Meeting on April 8th! We, as the Hartford chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), are building a base of committed White folks to challenge and transform racism on all levels.
SURJ's purpose: As we strive to dismantle white supremacy, we mobilize white people to show up to public, political actions for racial justice. We do so as accountable partners in this work, following the lead of local and national activists of color. White racial justice activists need connection to sustain courage and hope. We need to know there are other white people, like us, who will take risks, make mistakes, and learn. We need other white people to lean on when we are discouraged, and to share our excitement with! Racial justice movements, including Black Lives Matter and others, need a constituency of accountable white racial justice activists who are connected, hopeful, and many.
For more information contact Pastor Ginny or organizer Jason Fredlund.

South Glastonbury UCC holds series on Islam 
The three-part series, given by members of the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut, will be held on the first Monday in April, May and June. The talks are free and open to the public and are held at 7 p.m. at the church, at 949 Main St. in South Glastonbury. Read the Hartford Courant article for more information.
 
Jerron in Recital at First Church - Tuesday, April 12, 7:30pm
Please join us as our own music director and tenor Jerron Jorgensen presents his final performance recital in partial fulfillment of a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Voice Performance from the Hartt School of Music. In a recital of both popular and rare chamber works, Jerron will be joined by pianist Kyle Swann, soprano Christi McLain, countertenor Benjamin Rauch, and oboist Sehwan Kim.

SPRING TUNE-UP - begins April 15 
Join Heather Dobbert, Pastor Ginny and others for a 6-week wellness program focused on banishing the winter blahs and getting us ready--body, mind and spirit--for spring. Topics will include nutrition and diet, organizing & de-cluttering, yoga, reiki, journaling, meditation, brain health and humor. Contact Heather formore information. Cost is $75 for the series. Click for poster.

Save the Date - Choral Festival - Saturday, April 23, 7pm 
BARBARA CROUSE MEMORIAL CONCERT SERIES
Join us at First Congregational Church of Granby to share and celebrate the importance of Negro spirituals! Joined by guest conductor Dr. Vernon Huff, the choirs of First Congregational Church, South Congregational Church, and Old Saint Andrews Episcopal Church will join forces to present an exciting evening of high-energy music. Dr. Vernon Huff currently serves on the faculty of SUNY-Fredonia and is a leading scholar on the spirituals of William Dawson and is one of the country's most vocal advocates for the promotion and preservation of negro spiritual singing. Each choir will sing a couple of spirituals individually, then combine under the direction of Dr. Huff to sing a set of historic spirituals with solos by tenor Jerron Jorgensen and sopranos Dr. Christi McLain and Lisabeth Miller. Admission to all BCM Concerts is free, with a free-will offering accepted at the door. The event is family friendly and the First Church sanctuary is wheelchair accessible.

Parenting Forum has been POSTPONED - Date TBD 
How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success by Julie Lythcott-Haims. Forum will be rescheduled to a later date to be determined.
SCHOOLHOUSE this Sunday:   Younger children (Godly Play) will be looking out for sightings of Spring - a field trip to a nearby farm with Ms Paula. DON'T FORGET TO DRESS WARMLY, IN CASE "SIGNS OF SPRING" INCLUDE SNOW! Older children will be with Ms Peg Giles, talking about the meaning of communion and then baking something to be used in the communion service by all.  
Faith Ed  
 
will meet next Thursday, April 7th at 7PM.  
The Dessert Auction was a  huge success!The money raised will pay the transportation (Amtrak to DC) for our Summer Service Trip, "Perspective".  Thank you to all who made desserts, attended, bid, worked, and donated. 
SUNDAY, Apr 3rd at 7 - Brendan will lead while Rebecca is in in Florida for a wedding.  Stay tuned about April 10th!
HOUSING FOR THE SUMMER SERVICE TRIP IS DUE MAY 1st ($260)

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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