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The Season of Hope and Joy
is Upon Us
My friend and colleague, Mary Merkle-Scotland, with whom I worked while a Youth Minister in North Madison, wrote a booklet entitled, A Season of Wonder:Advent for Families 2013. These daily reflections, prayers and suggested actions are Mary's way to stay mindful during this season that can quickly become the season of anxiety and despair rather than hope and joy. Mary suggests asking your entire family to gather favorite Advent and Christmas books, movies/DVDs, music and songbooks and place them in an easy to reach basket. Enjoying these favorites along with taking a moment before eating together (I know - a radical concept today) to share joys, concerns and an Advent devotional may bring a sense of continuity and purpose to a season full of distractions and mixed emotions. Jesus' birth reminds us that light can brighten every corner of darkness. For this reason, making and using an Advent Wreath and lighting candles as a devotional symbol can be a powerful tool for both you and your family to stay mindful and rooted in offering tidings of comfort and joy to those without. I will share Mary's devotional booklet with those who are making Advent Wreaths this Sunday and with those who ask me for one. If you have a special family tradition that keeps you focused during Advent, please contact me and share it. May we lift our voices in Thanksgiving for our great blessings and share out of our abundance, a helping hand, a kindly smile, a warm meal, an outstretched hand and the light of Christ that lightens every darkened corner! Peace and Blessings, Chris If you haven't already submitted a new registration form for each child, please download the form below and bring it this Sunday.
Registration Form 2013-2014
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If you have an idea to share, a project that was especially meaningful to you from your Sunday Church School days or would like to lend your own unique creative talents to our children's programs, please do not hesitate to contact me at chris@firstchurchguilford.org or call 203-453-3324.
Your feedback and concerns about our programs are very important and I would be more than happy to meet with you.
Christopher Solimene
Director of Children and Families Ministry
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Advent Wreath Making 
Sign Up Today and join us right after the late worship service on Sunday, Dec 1 in Griswold Hall (2nd floor of the Fred Moore Christian Ed Building) where you can create your own symbol of Advent Preparation for Christmas. The cost for your metal form and Advent candles is $10. All are asked to bring various evergreen clippings along with some garden clippers. Listen to Christmas music, share fellowship with your First Church family, smell the evergreens and make wonderful memories!! Sign Up with Chris Solimene at chris@firstchurchguilford.org
or call Chris at 203-453-3324.
I still have some kits available. Please contact me if you'd like to make a wreath.
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All-Church Caroling and Advent Supper!!
Come One, Come All... as we gather on Sunday December 8th in Fellowship Hall at 3 pm and quickly organize groups that will divide up and bring the cheer of the season through singing joyful Christmas Carols to our area residents who are unable to attend worship services.
Church Members and friends will travel to The Gables Assisted Living, Evergreen Woods Assisted Living and area member's homes where we will sing and share Christmas joy. Songbooks will be given to aid our memory of the most beloved Christmas Carols we all love to sing!
Then... we all return to Fellowship Hall by 5 pm for a hearty Italian meal, salad and desserts! We ask that all those who are able to bring a dessert to share.
We'll also have supplies to make Chrismons for both our tree in the Sanctuary and your tree at home! Participate in the joy of the season and share God's presence by giving the gift of our song to others!
Questions? Call Chris Solimene at the CE Office: 203-453-3324
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Confirmation
Confirmands and Mentors
First and Second Year Confirmands
Confirmation Year 1:
Please mark your calendars for our Confirmand/Mentor Potluck to be held on Dec 9, 6:30- 8:00 in Griswold Hall. Bring a favorite dish to share along with a wrapped silly present worth about $5 for our Christmas Present Swap! Please be sure to meet with your Mentors and work on the 'Images of God' worksheet. Confirmation Year 2:
Please mark your calendars for our Confirmand/Mentor Potluck to be held on Dec 9, 6:30- 8:00 in Griswold Hall. Bring a favorite dish to share along with a wrapped silly present worth about $5 for our Christmas Present Swap!
You should also be working on the 'Non-Violence Works' worksheet. If you haven't already, please hand in your 3 Worship Reports along with the Visiting another Faith Community Report and any other service to your church Report you may have.
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Kids Living Faith
Church School Registration Forms
It is invaluable to have current contact information. We are able to keep you informed, let leaders get to know your child and be sure to have any important details such as allergies and medical conditions. New 2013-2014 Registration Forms are now available below: Registration Form Nursery - 3's Room Registration Form PK - Gd 8 Please fill out a from for each child in your family and return them to the Adult Leaders or directly to Chris Solimene. |
Safe Church for All Adult Volunteers
All teachers, volunteers, and youth workers are required to fill out Safe Church Forms and attend Safe Church Training. If you need a copy of our Safe Church Policy or have and Application to hand in, please see Chris Solimene. Safe Church training classes are offered in the fall and spring. |
Lending Library 
Books that deal with children's issues, families and faith issues for kids are available to be borrowed by anyone. The books are on the shelves in Room 9 (next to Griswold Hall) and there is a simple 'lending procedure' card that gives directions on how to borrow a book. Many thanks to Marjorie Colton for working with me to offer these books to families from our Minear Library. Any questions? Ask Chris.
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Looking for a fun way to give back?
Looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity? We would love to add more rotational leaders for the 2013-2014 year. Volunteer commitments can range from doing a 4-5 week rotation or volunteering as a helper. The times can often be varied around specific commitments. Please let us know if you have more questions or might be interested by emailing me at chris@firstchurchguilford.org |
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CALENDAR
Dec 1 Advent Rotation
Advent Wreath Making
Dec 3 CE Board Meeting
Dec 8 Advent Rotation 2
Advent Supper and Caroling
Dec 9 Conf/Mentor Potluck
Dec 13-14 House Tour
Dec 15 Advent Rotation 3
Lessons & Carols
Dec 21 Pageant Rehearsal
Dec 22 Advent Rotation 4
Dec 24 Pageant Worship
Dec 29 No Church School
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Receiving this Email for the First Time?
We are so glad to have you join us! We send out weekly emails to families, church members and friends about what we are experiencing in our Kids Living Faith and upcoming events for children and youth. If you have any questions, feel free to let us know! If at any point in time you would prefer to stop receiving these emails, an "unsubscribe" button is available. If you'd like to join our list, click the button below.
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Our Sponsored Children
Our children's ministry has accepted the sacred responsibility of sponsoring two students in South India. Schooling in India is not free as it is in our United States. In partnership with First Church's Board of Community and World Concerns, we will pay for one girl and one boy to attend the King's Matriculation School on the campus of Family Village Farm.
In addition to paying for their schooling fees, which include tuition and a daily lunch, we are encouraged to send letters, cards and of course, our prayers!
Please read their stories, which are posted on the wall just outside the entrance to the Church School from the Sanctuary. You will also see our letters to the children there.
See Chris Solimene if you would like to know other ways you can assist young Gowthami and Raghul. Our combined efforts allow them to receive life-changing hope, trust and optimism through our gifts and prayers...
'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'
Said Jesus,
Matthew 25:40
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Link to Daily Devotional
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