March 6, 2014

Spring Ahead!

Regardless of whether the temperature, precipitation that falls from the sky or the ground hog know it or not, SPRING IS COMING! March 9 marks the date when we push our clocks ahead one hour and while we lose an hour, we gain more light in our day!!

This is helpful information if you want to make it to church on time. 10 am will feel like 9 am, but won't it be nice to see daylight at 6:30?? Let's hope the thermometer takes the hint from our 'springing ahead' and we get some warmth as we close in on the start of spring in two weeks.

The Heifer Book Fair will be held after services this Sunday in Fellowship Hall. Come on down and treat yourself to the best-priced books around. All paperbacks are 25 cents and all hardbound books are $1.00 a piece.

All youth in the church school will receive a handout paper this week with some information about Heifer International, a fun crossword puzzle and some information about returning the Heifer Coin Boxes by the end of March.

Just shared with me today is the wonderful prayer our church school children wrote with Daphne Stitt some years ago. The words are as true today as they were when written in 2006. I encourage you to print and read this with your family.

We thank you God for all the wonders of your creation,

including all the animals we share our world with.

For the animals of the jungle like tigers,

monkeys and jaguars.

For the animals of the grasslands like

antelopes, prairies dogs and elephants.

For the animals of the oceans like dolphins,

sharks, and fish.

For tiny insects like ladybugs, gnats, and ants.

For the animals of the air like bluebirds, robins,

and seagulls.

For endangered species like pandas, whales,

and bald eagles.

For our pets like rabbits, dogs and cats.

And especially today we thank you God

for all farm animals like cows, pigs, horses, and ducks.

We remember the important service Heifer International

provides by supplying farm animals to impoverished families

all over the world. May the farm animals that our Heifer Book Fair proceeds will buy, help to bring peace and prosperity to many people.

Amen.

Blessings and Peace to you!

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

Heifer Book Fair, March 9 Heifer

The Board of Christian Education holds a book sale each year to support the Heifer Project. We invite you to bring books in good condition (no text books please) to Fellowship Hall and leave them opposite the coat rack on March 2 and 9. On March 9, all are invited to the Book Fair following service! All left-over books will be donated to the Guilford Library or to literacy programs in New Haven.

"Sex and Faith" Talk for Parents
March 16 in Chapel

Join Kate Ott, author of "Sex + Faith: Talking with Your Child from Birth to Adolescence" after the late service for an adult forum presentation on March 16 in the Chapel.

Talking about sex with kids can be scary or awkward! Kate helps parents incorporate their faith values with sexuality information so they can answer questions, discuss sexuality at each stage of childhood, and show support of sexual and gender differences.

During the forum, Kate will address how faith relates to sexuality as well as practical tips for addressing key issues from preschoolers to teenagers (such as use of technology, forming romantic relationships, privacy, and positive body image). Parents or those who work with children will be sure to find this forum a practical and valuable resource.

Childcare will be provided during the presentation.

Confirmation
Confirmands and Mentors

First and Second Year Confirmands

Confirmation Year 1:
March 24, 7:00 - 9:00 pm in Griswold Hall
Please be sure to meet with your Mentors and work on the "Church as The Body of Chris" Worksheets and prepare for your "Ministry Mural" Presentations.

Confirmation Year 2:
March 10, 7:00 - 9:00 pm in Chapel with Mentors
Please be sure to complete and hand in your NightWatch Registration for our trip to St. John the Divine, NYC on April 25-26. Need the forms? Click and print below:

Medical Form

Nightwatch Permission Slip

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

Save the Date - March 30, 2014

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

Sex and Faith Talk

Confirmation

Safe Church

Daily Devotional

CALENDAR

March 9 Teach Prayer 3
Heifer Book Fair

March 10 Confirmation 2

March 16 Teach Prayer 4
Faith Leader Breakfast
Kate Ott Presentation

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.

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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Christopher Solimene
First Congregational Church of Guilford, CT
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