First Church on the Green
December 19,  2013    
A Story Worth Telling... 
  

Bethlehem morning is more than a memory. It's a living and breathing story about light being born in an often dark world. Together, with our children and teens, we retell the Christmas story as the 5 pm Christmas Eve Worship on December 24. This beloved tradition is important for adults and children alike because it reminds us that God's star will never grow dim. Christmas becomes a brand new dawn for us even today!

 

Children and teens are invited to attend our one and only rehearsal for this Pageant Worship on Saturday, December 21 9:30 - 11 am in the Church Sanctuary. Adults willing to help are also encouraged to attend.

 

It's a story worth telling time and time again.

 

For this child born has come to bring light into each of our lives. And we will keep Christmas in our hearts as we embrace the world - feeding the hungry, clothing the cold, holding the grieving, visiting the imprisoned and offering our healing love to the sick in body, mind and spirit.

 

Keeping Christmas in this way allows the Christ child to dwell in our hearts all year long.

May the joy of this holy season surround you today and always.

 

Take Joy,

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 

_____________________________________________

 

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

  

Advent Wreaths at Home...
Here are some of the Advent Wreaths that were made here at First Church on December 1. What better symbol to have in a home - reminding us of the hope, peace, joy and love that the Christ child brings to our lives each Christmas.






 
Confirmation
Confirmands and Mentors


Confirmation Logo

 
First and Second Year Confirmands 
 

Confirmation Year 1:
Please be sure to meet with your Mentors and work on the 'Images of God' worksheet.

Confirmation Year 2:
You should 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.

Questions? Contact Chris at chris@firstchurchguilford.org

Kids Living Faith  

Church School Registration Forms  

 

Registration Form  


 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
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.
 

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 

 

 

 First Church Guilford
In This Issue
Confirmation
Daily Devotional

CALENDAR


Dec 21 Pageant Rehearsal

Dec 22 Advent Rotation 4

Dec 24 Pageant Worship

Dec 29 No Church School

 
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  Our Sponsored Children
family village farm

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

 

Christopher Solimene
First Congregational Church of Guilford, CT
First Church Home Page