September 9, 2016   

First Edition  
Let's Journey Together!  
CONNECT
HOMECOMING SUNDAY IS HERE!
The Kitchen Crew is back and BREAKFAST will be available starting at 9 a.m. Then make your way to the sanctuary at 10 am. SUNDAY SCHOOLHOUSE resumes this Sunday (see below), but children begin in WORSHIP at 10 with special music. Don't forget to bring that vial of WATER you so carefully remembered to bring back from your summer travels for the "Gathering of the Waters" ritual! 
COOKOUT follows worship. Bring a side or dessert to share! Drop off in the kitchen before worship! See you Sunday! 
Pastor Ginny 
NEW MEMBERS will be welcomed on October 16. Talk to Pastor Ginny if you want to know more about taking a step toward deeper commitment to walking with your friends at First Church.

AppleFest is two weeks away! 
September 24th is the date for AppleFest, our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we still need help! The event runs from 10-4, with the Tag Sale starting at 9am. 
Please sign-up to help with baking cheese bread or working the day of the event. We especially need assistance with set-up and break-down. Sign-up outside Cook Hall or call the office at 860-653-4537 to add your name to the volunteer list!
A Women's Boutique and Kitchen Shop have been added. Donate items to the Tag Sale, Boutique or Kitchen Shop Sept 19-22 from 3:00 to 6:00. Call the church office to make special arrangements.

We will not accept books, VHS videos or clothing.

EXPLORE
Two book discussions are planned for the fall...
Neither Wolf Nor Dog is the title we'll read and explore with friends at South Church, which traces the experience of author Kent Nerburn as he travels with a Native American elder and learns his tribal wisdom. With humor and candor, the story exposes readers to some of the differences between European American culture and that of the First Nation people. Save the date: Sunday, Nov. 13 at 4 pm.

Women's Spirituality Groups will read The Translator by Leila Aboulela.
This is the story about a widowed Muslim woman who falls in love with a Scottish secular academic. "An exquisitely crafted meditation on love, both human and divine, The Translator is ultimately the story of one woman's courage to stay true to her beliefs, herself, and her newfound love."
First Meeting is Monday, September 12:
10:30am at FCC
7pm at Pastor Ginny's home (10R Greenwoods Road, North Granby) 
   
Understanding Islam
November 5, 9:30am to 3pm, $50 Registration A day-long workshop with Aida Mansoor is being offered at Wisdom House in Litchfield. For more information, click here.
   
SERVE
 
A note from John Mahoney...
On Saturday, September 10 LuAnn and I will join Elliott Shyer and his team the FreeWheelers at Ride Closer to Free to raise money for Smillow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven.
Elliott, a member of FCC's Kitchen Crew on Sunday mornings and a long-time friend of First Church, is currently undergoing chemo therapy, but plans to ride. This is his fourth time. LuAnn and John will be first time riders. They'll ride with Elliott, but plan to ride 100 miles; that's right, 100 miles, each of them. 
Would you support us? You can make a donation here. Please keep Elliott and all who benefit from cancer research in your thoughts and prayers.

Welcoming Refugees...
We started a conversation two weeks ago, with the story about other CTUCC congregations who are taking part in the effort to resettle Syrian refugees in our state. Read more about it here.

HANDY HELPERS NEEDED
Can you tune a mower, repair a broken stair tread, or program a cable TV remote? Contact Sue or Ginny to add your name to a list we can call on when these needs arise among our frail elders.

COMPANIONSHIP
Could you spend a couple of hours in someone's home to give the caregiver a bit of respite - or just time to run a few errands? Contact Corinne or  Ginny if you can help.
 
REACHING OUT PROGRAM MINISTRY needs:
  • Team leader for 2017 Bike & Build event - a one-time effort that builds on good notes from past 10+ years of experience.
  • Team leaders to work on Mission Grants and Volunteer Projects for the 2016-17 Church Year.
Contact Bill Bentley if you can help. 
YOUTH NEWS:
Sunday Night Youth
Our first fall meeting is Sept 11th 7 - 8:30
Debriefing DC - Did it matter?
Black lives, gentrification, SURJ, the Sanctuaries, the homless, the elderly, Dar Al-Hijrah, Prayer in the Capitol, the LGBT Center.



SchoolHouse Resumes Sunday! 
                          Lessons this fall on 
Everyday Heroes,
and this Sunday, 
Sept 11th,
we will learn the story of 
The Man in the Red Bandana 
Children will begin in the worship service 
and when directed, head downstairs for the lesson.

On September 25th
Youth share the Perspectives Experiences we had with you in Worship. 
Black Lives Matter, the spirituality of Hip Hop, the homeless, the elderly,
new Muslim friends, and stories from LGBT-DC.

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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