March 2015 - First Church Fairfield

An Open and Affirming Congregation
March 2015
A Letter from the Pastor
Dear Friend,
When I arose on Friday, February 20 , I was
thinking about you. “Today I will write my
letter for the March Herald,” I thought, “but what
will I write?” Looking out the window I saw it!
Icicles shimmering in the earliest glimmers of
light arising in the east. It was 1 degree F.
“Spring! I’ll write about spring! We have to have
hope! The snow will melt, the sun will rise in
the sky, the ground will soften, we’ll get back in
the garden again.”
The lengthening days of sunlight call us to turn
outward again, to stretch out into the light and
find our spirits invigorated and our living
inspired by the warmth of the Holy Spirit. This
cold and snowy winter, when we have turned inward
and stayed under the covers, has been a great
prelude to the wonderful season of Lent.
As I dream of the spring and our gardens
resplendent, I am reminded of the passage from
Isaiah that we read on Ash Wednesday, “If you
offer your food to the hungry… you shall be like a
watered garden.”
Lent is a great opportunity to renew our
relationship with Jesus, which is to say, to get
in touch with our identity as a disciple, a
follower. To follow Jesus is not really a matter
of what we say, is it? To follow Jesus is to live
-- to act -- in a different way.
Jesus taught with lots of agricultural parables.
He called himself the vine and his followers the
branches that will bear fruit. On his last night
he went to a garden to pray for direction and
strength. After his execution he was resurrected
in a garden.
When we follow Jesus – feed the hungry, clothe the
naked, shelter those without homes, comfort the
afflicted –we “shall be like a watered garden.”
On a cold February day that sounds like a great
Lenten journey, following Jesus.
Yours,
Holy Week and Easter Worship
Please join in all the opportunities to
worship God and grow in love for Christ
during this week of tragedy and triumph!
March 29 – Palm Sunday
Processional with bagpipes beginning at
10:00am in the parking lot.
Worship at 10:15am Sanctuary
April 2 - Maundy Thursday
“The Upper Room” On Maundy Thursday
First Church will hold an informal worship
service around tables set for the Passover
Seder. Plan to attend to learn about the
Passover roots of our faith.
Please sign-up to attend after Sunday
services on March 22 or 29.
April 3 – Good Friday
Somber Reflection on the Crucifixion with
Tenebrae at 12:00pm in the Sanctuary
and at 7:30pm in the Sanctuary
April 3– 5 Easter Vigil
Chapel -- Keep watch for one hour during
Jesus’ time in the tomb
Easter Worship Services April 5
Easter Sunrise Greet the Risen Christ
at Sunrise 6:00am at Jennings Beach
Resurrection Worship 9:00am &
11:00am in the Sanctuary
(Childcare available at 9:00am)
The Herald
page 2
March 2015
Good Friday—Easter Vigil
Keep watch in quiet prayer and meditation
in the Hobart Chapel
Good Friday and Holy Saturday
The Vigil will begin at 9:00 pm on Good Friday, April 3rd after the 7:30 pm
Worship Service and will end at 5:00 am on Easter Sunday, April 5th.
Family Lenten Worship
A Journey Through Lent
Sunday, March 22
4:30-6:30
Join together for dinner,
and interactive worship!
You may sign up to keep a one hour vigil or longer. It is a spiritually
nourishing experience and a rich opportunity to get in touch with the power
of Good Friday and Easter.
Sign up on the sheets found outside the
Chapel after 8:15 worship and outside
the Sanctuary after the 10:15service.
Or contact Cheri at
[email protected]
All are Welcome!
Meets in the dining room (Stage) at
Noon March 4 event TBD and
March 18 to make Easter Cards for
our friends that can’t get out.
Looking forward to seeing you
there!
Soup Kitchen
Saints
Don't forget Operation Hope's
Food Pantry - the most popular
and most needed rice (smaller
boxes and bags,) pancake mix
and syrup, and as always
canned spaghetti, stew and chili
Bring your donations each week
and place them in the grocery
carts outside the Chapel or
Sanctuary.
Join the team
Wednesday,
March 11th @ 7pm
in the Wakeman kitchen as we
prepare food for 200 people at
Merton House.
Contact Patty Gregory
[email protected] or
203-333-7789
Help keep the pantry full!
Please join other men in the
church at the Circle Diner in
Fairfield for conversation and
fellowship. We will meet the last
Saturday of the month - March
28th, April 25th and May 30th.
We would love to see you there.
For more information please
contact David McKinnis 203-254-2041
[email protected]
Parish Notes
Deaths
Dr. Paul E. Knox
February 8, 2015
New Members
Jennifer Dalling
February 22, 2015
The Women’s Book
Group
Will meet Friday, March 6th
from 10-11:30 in the
Eliot Library to discuss
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
All are welcome!
The Herald
page 3
March 2015
Time to SPRING
ahead!
March 7th
March Sales Schedule
March 2 - 7 : Half-Price on all clothes,
shoes, handbags, linens and artwork, including
ONE GREAT HOUR
OF SHARING
"Firm"; Red-inked prices are final.
Sharing Brings Joy.
To us. To others. To God.
March 9 - 13: All clothes and shoes are $2.
March 14: (Sat.) Bag Sale Day - Fill a bag with
clothes, shoes, belts & handbags for $7.
You can help …
March 16: (Mon.) Bag Sale Day (same as above)
March 17, 18: All clothes and shoes, etc. are $1.
March 19, 20: The Store is closed to the public.
♥ those displaced by natural disaster
or political unrest
♥ mothers whose children do not
March 21: (Sat.) Opening Day of Spring
have enough to eat
10 am to 3 pm
♥ those who walk for miles to
Store Hours: Mon–Fri 10–3
Sat 10–2
203-259-0449
obtain drinkable water
: [email protected]
First Church will receive the OGHS offering and
celebrate the Joy of Sharing Sunday, March 15.
EASTER FLOWER ORDERS
Due by March 23rd
We will be decorating the church with flowers for Easter again this year. Orders are due in the church office, along with your cash
or check made payable to First Church Congregational (showing “Easter Flowers” in the memo) by March 23, 2015. Please put the
number of each type of flower that you wish to order in the space provided.
_____ Tulips $18.00 each
_____ I will take the flowers Easter Sunday
_____ Daffodils $18.00 each
_____ I would like to donate the flowers
_____ Lilies $14.00 each
Total $___________
_____ Check
_____ Cash
Name ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
In honor of________________________________________________________________________________________________
In memory of_________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
The Herald
page 4
March 2015
What’s Happening– YOUTH MINISTRY
Fridays
The Loft*, 4-5:30pm, The Community House
*For lgbtq kids and their friends
Sundays
Confirmation Confirming Our Faith 9:00-10:00am, in Rhodes Hall
Faith in Action youth group, Grades 7 & 8, 6:00-7:30 pm, in Rhodes Hall
Senior High Youth Group, Grades 9-12, 6:00 – 7:30 pm, in Rhodes Hall
Questions? Ideas? Call Jen, 259-8396 x15 or [email protected]
No Youth Group March 22 (join together for Lenten Family worship at 4:30)
No Confirmation or Youth Group on March 29 Palm Sunday
March 15-Animal Shelter Visit and Donation Delivery
Meet at 11:30am to organize donation and then 3:30pm at Fairfield
Animal Shelter (211 Richard White Way formally 1 Rod Highway)
for delivery and tour.
Are you the parent of a lgbtq teenager or young adult?
Do you have questions or worries about your child?
Are you looking for a community of support?
The Loft Parent Group
meets once a month at
The Community House
127 Rowland Rd
From 6-7pm
Join us on these Fridays
March 27, April 24, May 22
We want to support you in supporting your child!
For more information call Liane at 203.556.1823 or
Jen at 203.543.8108
The Herald
page 5
March 2015
Lenten Organ Recitals
Wednesdays
12:15-12:45 in the Sanctuary
March 4 ~ Simon Holt
Director of Music
First Church Congregational, Old Lyme
March 11 ~ Elena Zamolodchikova
Director of Music
First Church of Christ, Scientists, Westport
March 18 ~ John Anthony
Spirituality and Creativity go together!
Organ and Choir Master
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Niantic
Are you seeking a deeper connection with your
authentic self and with God?
March 25 ~ Bryan Campbell
Join Jen for a small group based on
"The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher
Creativity” by Julia Cameron
This 13 week group is open to anyone who
would like to discover -or recover - your
creative self. Using a thought provoking guide
which includes fun and challenging directed
writing exercises, daily journal writing,
creativity-inspiring real world experiences, and
weekly gatherings with others to share the
journey, we’ll dive into the creative process
that leads to a deeper and more holistic
spiritual life. You don’t have to be an “artist” or
a “writer”. This group is for everyone who
wants to live a creative spiritual life.
The Artist’s Way Group will meet on 13
Monday nights from 7-9pm from March 23June 22 (No group on May 25).
Please buy the book and bring it with you to
our first gathering.
To join the group, please email Jen at
[email protected]
Music Director
Orange Congregational Church
Covenant to Care
Our next drive will be for Easter
Baskets. Sign-ups will be March 15
and March 22 (at the 10:15 service)
with the baskets due Sunday, March
29. As we have done in the past, we
will have names and ages for the
baskets.
If you do not attend the 10:15
service but would like to provide
an Easter basket, please call
either Marilyn Henry (255-5296) or
Kristy Macoy (259-8531).
Thank you
The Herald
page 6
Coffee and Conversation
for Moms
We’ll meet the 1st and 3rd
Wednesdays of the month
March 4th & 18th
March 2015
CASEY’S PLACE
Friday March 13th
6:30 – Wakeman Hall
Join us for fun and activities !
9:30-10:30am Whole Foods Café
Meet Jen 12-2 pm on
Thursdays @ Las Vetas
Play for Hope
A play group for little ones and their caregivers
6pm Yoga on Thursdays in the
Webb Room followed by Meditation
@ 7pm in the Eliot Library.
Everyone is welcome!
House Meetings 2015
This March, First Church will hold another
series of House Meetings.
Why? So we can get to know one another
better and enjoy a deepening
sense of community.
The House Meetings will be held during
March 15-28.
Please be on the lookout for an invitation
from a family in our congregation to gather
at their home and please say yes!
Meets Mondays at 10am in the Eliot Library, following the
Fairfield Public School Calendar
Please bring a non perishable food item for our friends at
Operation Hope.
New Comers Group If you recently become a member now
it’s time to connect with others and explore how to LIVE
your faith! Join David and Jen during this 4-week small
group. Meet new friends and explore issues of life and faith.
Find new and creative ways to live your faith together with
other seekers. We will meet 7:00-8:30 on Mondays March 2,
March 9, March 16.
Childcare available if requested. Please call Cheri Evan @
203-259-8396 x10 or [email protected] to join
us.
Intro to First Church Would you like to learn more about
First Church, connect with others and explore how to live
your faith?
Meet David and Jen Tuesday, March 10 in the Eunoia Room
(back of the Sanctuary) from 7:30-8:30pm. Childcare
available if requested.
Please call Cheri Evan @ 203-259-8396 x10 or
[email protected] to let us know you are
coming!
The Herald
page 7
March 2015
Senior High Work Camp
Workcamp 2015!
La Puente Home in Alamosa Colorado
June 27-July 4, 2015
To Alamosa Colorado
to serve with
La Puente Home
June 27-July 4, 2015
SHARE
To support Workcamper
_____________________________________
Attached is my check/cash for $25 per share.
I understand the dividends to be paid are:
*Satisfaction of supporting the spiritual growth
of the youth of First Church
*Knowledge that their work
will be carried out
This year Jackie Sanna, Jeanette Sanna, Josephine
Evan, Nick Evan, Jonah Melton, Reed Kelly, Ben
Kelly, Cheri Evan, Pete Evan, Campbell Habetz and
Jen Campbell are headed to Alamosa Colorado to
serve with La Puente Home!
La Puente is a nonprofit organization serving
Colorado's San Luis Valley by providing food, shelter,
and advocacy for the homeless and community
members in crisis.
La Puente endeavors to meet immediate needs and
to empower people to live independently with
dignity. With a homeless shelter, transitional
housing, a food bank, community gardens, child care
and school for children, a thrift store and a
community coffee house, La Puente serves people in
deep need. Find out more about this amazing
organization at www.lapuente.net
We have room for four more teens. Call Jen for
information if you’d like to join us!
in solidarity with those living
In poverty in Alamosa.
*A postcard with news from our
week of service.
*Brunch for two
at the Thank You Brunch in September.
Name
_____________________________________
Address city/state/zip code
_________________________________
Cash ________ Check # ________
Please make checks out to:
“First Church Congregational”
Put “Work Camp 2015” in the memo line.
Return your share form and donation
to Rev. Jennifer Campbell
148 Beach Road, Fairfield CT 06824
148 Beach Road
Fairfield, CT 06824
An Open and Affirming Congregation
Deadline for April Herald
March 15th
Send all submissions to Cheri Evan
[email protected]
You are invited to the
Call to Annual Financial Meeting, 2015
Stone Soup Lunch
Sunday, March 8, 2014
Sunday, March 8th 11:30 am
11:30 am Stone Soup Luncheon
Activities for young ones and
The Annual Financial Meeting
The Annual Budget Meeting of First Church
Congregational, UCC in Fairfield, CT will be held in
Wakeman Hall to:

Receive and accept the reports of the
Finance Board, the Stewardship Campaign
and Investment Committee

Receive and accept the Treasurer’s Report

Approve the Annual Operating Budget for
Ministry for 2015

Act upon the recommendation of Council to
call Vanessa Payne Rose as Associate Pastor
for Children and Families

Transact any other business that may
rightfully come before it
Remember the classic tale? Hungry strangers come to
a village asking for food but the cupboards are bare.
So the travelers declare that they will make soup with a
stone—they just need some water and a kettle—and
maybe a little salt? Perhaps a potato, a carrot? Soon
every one finds something to contribute to the pot an
together they create a hearty, delicious soup with
enough for the whole village to eat their fill.
We’re having Stone Soup on March 2nd. The Church
School children will bring food for the Stone Soup
pot. Adults are asked to bring bread, rolls, fruit or
cookies for the feast. If your last name begins with AG bring rolls or muffins; H-O bring fruit; P-Z bring
cookies or brownies. Drop off your contributions in
the kitchen.
We’ll have a feast of soup and bread and fruit and
dessert if everyone brings something to share.