May 13, 2016   

First Edition  
Let's Journey Together!  
It's Pentecost, the birthday of the church!
In celebration, you are invited to wear red and join us for a party after worship. My sermon, "Talking to Ourselves," ponders whether we need to learn to speak some new languages, as the first followers of Jesus did.
Faithfully yours,  Pastor Ginny

MEETINGS Sunday, May 15 
8:30am Governance
11:30am SchoolHouse Boosters, meet with Rebecca in the Gathering Room
11:30am Program Ministry Coordinators, in the Memorial Meeting Room   

Habitat for Humanity Ground-breaking, May 19 
Join us as we break ground on our first home in Granby CT - hometown of our founders, Bob & Marion Mayo. The land was donated by Windsor Federal.
Follow ground-breaking with "Habi Hour" Winetasting & Celebration - Lost Acres Vineyard, 5-8pm

We now have several UCC work days reserved. Look for the sign-up sheets in the hallway as spaces are limited. 
June 25 
August 13 
September 10   
October 8 
November 5

FCC Spring Meeting - May 22 - Save the date!
The Spring meeting for First Congregational Church of Granby, CT ("FCC") is called for Sunday, May 22, 2016 in the sanctuary following worship to:
1)    elect new Program Ministry coordinators,Governance members, and First Church officers in accordance with the FCC Constitution; and
2)    consider any other business which may properly come before this meeting.

SAVE THE DATE... JUNE 7   
 The Bike & Build team will make their annual overnight stop at First Church, this year on Tuesday, June 7. All are invited for dinner at 6pm. This is the beginning of their trip to Seattle WA. Along the way they will work on Habitat for Humanity houses and raise money for affordable housing. Greeters and Cook Hall set-up teams are needed for the afternoon.
If you can help with hosting this event, please contact Bill Bentley. 
  
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Put it on your calendar! 
Strawberry Supper, Saturday, June 11 
In the SchoolHouse, this month, we are learning about ISLAM
 Last Sunday we were introduced to SARA (by video), an 11 year old British girl who is Muslim.
This Sunday we will learn about the importance of prayer, of washing rituals.  
Faith Ed: last night pastor Ginny met with the Faith Ed class and shared her faith story. We also talked about religion in our country, fundamentalism, progressive Christianity, and the UCC.  Next Thursday we will consider how one develops a personal spiritual practice - our way of hearing soul thoughts and making meaning of life, God, faith & personhood.    
SUNDAY NIGHT YOUTH:   This week we have a guest:  a 20-something Granby native who struggled with addiction to alcohol, which started in high school, and derailed her in Grad school.  
ABOUT GIVING TOWARDS THE SUMMER SERVICE TRIP TO WASHINGTON DC  
To an individual> Not every youth has the same resources, as you might imagine, and so you may be asked by a youth to 'sponsor' some of their trip expenses. 
To the group> We have some amazing opportunities already to meet with groups like Black Lives Matter, and a Spiritual Arts community, but these groups charge money for their time and presentation.  If you are interested in helping us by underwriting some of these opportunities, please see Ginny about making a donation.  And... Thank you!
 

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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