Alpha and the Environmental Ministry Team (EMT) are co-sponsoring a presentation on "What's in our Food?"   on Tuesday, April 22nd at 7 PM in Fellowship Hall.   Ian Skoggard, from the Church of the Redeemer, UCC, New Haven, who is active on the EMT of the Connecticut Conference and Cathryn Ciotti Lynch, head of GMO Free CT Shoreline group will discuss the ethical, health and environmental concerns being raised today about changes in food production .  Th ere will be time for questions and discussion afterwa rds.   EVERYONE is welcome.  

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Some dedicated people have come together here at First Church and formed an Environmental Ministry. Helping us find ways to be a good steward of all of our creation in sustainable ways that will benefit our children's children is another sacred call we must heed.

Please read some specific ways you and your families can answer that call.  

Connecticut Conference churches are to join with congregations from around New England in another year of Mission 4/1 Earth activities. The goals for all of New England are:

50,000 Trees, 75,000 Earth Care Hours, and 5,000 Letters.

What can First Church Guilford do?

• Plant trees - physically, or by donating to National Arbor Day Foundation Arbor Day Link Here They have programs that plant in national parks, replant in disaster areas or rainforest restoration projects.

• Volunteer to care for the earth - can include gardening, clean up projects, gardening, recycling, educational activities, walking or bicycling instead of driving, using clotheslines instead of dryers, conserving energy or water. Work 'greening' the church plant and equipment also counts.

• Write letters of advocacy about environmental issues to elected officials and others who can make a difference.

CT Conference will tally the number of hours we devote to Mission 4/1 Earth activities, as well as the number of trees we plant, and the number of letters of advocacy (including emails) we send. So please drop a note to Ray Jonessoozweave@gmail.com or Bob Leete rbleete@comcast.netwith your hours, tree and/or letter totals so Guilford Church will gain recognition for this vital ministry. 

More information is available at the Mission 4/1 Earth link on the CT Conference website, www.ctucc.org, or from Ray and Bob.

 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. 

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.   

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