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Getting Ready!
Our children and youth are finding just the right words to share with you their experiences this past year. Rotation themes are being considered. Scripture verses are being read. Projects, movements, songs and crafts are all in the works for putting together a worship service on June 1, which is both representative of various tenets of our faith we experienced and meaningful worship for all ages.
Please be sure to mark your calendars for this special service - June 1 at 10 am.
As sojourners sharing the common experience of church school, finding ways to be transformers in God's world is central to our mission, along with being the instruments of peace. God calls every generation to recall God's loving promises and I am proud to state boldly the children and youth of First Church Guilford are heeding that call.
Francis of Assisi gave us words that help keep us focused on our desire to be instruments of peace. Take a pause between each stanza and listen for the ways these words are calling you - places in your life requiring changes or places that resonate with those life-giving ways you want to continue.
Loving God, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Creator Spirit, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying to ourselves that we are born to a life eternal.
Our travels continue,
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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Confirmation
Confirmands and Mentors
First and Second Year Confirmands
Confirmation Year 1:May 19, 7:00 - 8:15 pm in Griswold Hall June 1, 1-3 pm, Potluck Celebration Please be sure to hand in the remaining of your three worship reports and any other worksheets that are due. Confirmation Year 2:May 15, Faith Statements due June 1, 1-3 pm, Potluck Celebration June 3, 7:00 - 8:15 pm in Fellowship Hall with Deacons June 8, Confirmation Sunday
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Fourth Annual CTUCC Youth Revival
Saturday, May 17 at 4:00 PM
Dixwell Avenue UCC 217 Dixwell Ave. New Haven, CT 06511
Vitality
WHAT IS A REVIVAL? This is a dynamic, spirit-filled worship hosted by one of our African American congregations in the CT Conference.
WHO IS INVITED? All youth in grades 5 and up and their pastors, parents or adult leaders. Bring a few your whole group; fill up your car and meet us in New Haven.
WHO IS PREACHING? Rev. Da Vita "Day" McCallister, Associate Conference Minister for Youth and Young Adults will preach. We will also have testimony from several youth from around the state.
WHAT ABOUT THE MUSIC? There will be lots of upbeat music provided by Bishop John Selders and the Revival Praise Band.
WHAT IS SCRM? SCRM stands for Sacred Conversations on Race Ministry. The Revival is a SCRM event because it is intentionally multi-cultural and multi-racial. We will be celebrating the 20th Anniversary of our Korean Partnership.
DO I HAVE TO REGISTER? This event is free, however we request that you let us know how many are coming. (Name, church, estimated number)
WILL THERE BE AN OFFERING? Yes, we will take a collection to support Dixwell Summer Stream, one of the outreach ministries of our host church.
WHAT ABOUT FELLOWSHIP? Of course, there will be time to hang out afterwards! You'll see friends from Silver Lake and Giv2. There will be refreshments as well as displays about some of the great programs in our CT Conference.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED? We are having a "Revival Rehearsal" for all who like to sing, dance, or do artwork. Gather at Faith Congregational Church in Hartford from 2 to 4 on Saturday, May 3.
OTHER QUESTIONS? Contact Debby Kirk at debbyk@ctucc.org
or call her at 860-377-2675 Join us on May 17 and Renew your strength!
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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. |
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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.
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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
May 11 Children's Day Preparations
May 18 Children's Day Preparations
May 19 Conf Year 1
May 25 No Church School
Memorial Day Wknd
June 1 Children's Day
Conf Potluck
June 3 CE Board Meets
Conf Year 2
June 8 Confirmation Sunday
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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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