volume 8 / number 12 / december 2007 first …
TRANSCRIPT
Volume 8 / Number 12 / December 2007
M EETINGHOUSE M ONTHLY
This Season of Gifts
December 2, 10 am: This Wistful Waiting December 9, 10 am: Your Time of Turning December 16, 10 am: A Moment in Time December 23, 10 am: Of Star and Moon Shine December 24, 10 am: Children’s Service 4 pm: Once in Royal David’s City 5 pm: Carol Sing in Binney Park 8 pm: Communion Meditation 11 pm: The Incognito Arrival
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Speaking Pastorally…
“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.” Psalm 24: 1 In this season of bounty, we can take for granted the bounty and abundance of the earth. We are called to enjoy and care for this wonderful world of ours (only it’s not our world, it’s God’s world).
I don’t know about you, but I am much better at enjoying the world than I am at caring for it. However, I am becoming increasingly passionate about caring for the world we live in before it is too late. And I am convinced that we have a brief window of time to turn things around if we are to leave our children and their children a habitable world as we know it. Without serious changes in policy, there will come a time in the not too distant future when the inevitable course of climate change will be catastrophic for most life on the planet. There is a point of no return.
Therefore, the time to begin organizing and acting is now. Our church has retrofitted most of the light fixtures to accommodate fluorescent light bulbs; at home the Young’s have done the same and we have switched over to green cleaning supplies along with only using organic, non-toxic materials on our lawn. And like many of you, we recycle as much as we can. As important as these individual acts are, they are not enough. If we are going to turn things around enough to prevent the warming of the globe, we must force our politicians to change policy. And that must happen in the next couple of years. We can no longer afford to say we can’t afford to make the necessary changes. We can no longer wait for more information.
If we default on the opportunities to make substantial changes now, important issues that we care about won’t even matter when all life on earth is thrown into survival mode. The official forecast for human induced global warming within the next two to three generations is 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The last Ice Age saw an average global temperature of 9 degrees lower than our current average. It is urgent and critical that we find ways to pull together and join the movement to see that clean energy sources are developed and that the carbon footprint we are leaving on the planet is made drastically smaller. I am very hopeful that when we as people put our best efforts together, we can truly bring about change.
Won’t you join together with others who care - as together we make up our minds that we will make a difference for good - caring for this world of God’s? I invite you to check out www.focusthenation.org and click on the 2% solution. I am hoping that as many of you as care to will participate with me as collectively we begin on a path to a cleaner and healthier world. Faithfully,
Old Greenwich, FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH United Church
Connecticut OF GREENWICH of Christ
DUE TO PRINTER BREAKDOWN, THIS ISSUE OF THE MEETINGHOUSE MONTHLY APPEARS IN BLACK AND WHITE.
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Chuck & Maryan Ainsworth
Phil Alexandre & Meg Morrison
Mary Ruth Allen
Erling & Diane Andersen
Ty & Cyndy Anderson
Lydia Anderson
Mark & Susan Anderson
Ralph & Helen Anderson
Dr. Karen Arms
Fred Arndt
Gordon & Maryann Assing
David & Jean Ayres
Bob & Cindy Bailey
Sandy Baird
Sue Baker
Nofal & Elizabeth Barbar
Tom & Jeanne Barr
Elizabeth & Peter Beam
Peggy Beecher
Annette Bergh & Gary Lico
Marty & Lois Berlin
Gary & Deb Berner
Derek & Carrie Braddock
Mary Boudreau
Don & Ginny Breismeister
Janet Brooks
Virginia Burgess
Tom & Maarit Bystedt
J. Robert Carey
Curt & Joyce Carlson
Mary Ann Chidsey
Frank & Ann Claps
Jerry Coe
Carolyn Colegrove
Sally Colegrove
Tim & Allison Coleman
Bill & Marian Cordner
Brad & Susan Craig
Steve & Ashley Crihfield
Jane Crossley
Harry & Dianne Culpen
John & Barbara Davidson
Judy Davis
Al & Paige DeLeo
Art & Wynne Delmhorst
Marga DeNatale
John & Joan Denne
Rick & Marilyn Derr
Janet Dinwiddie
Kent Dirlam
Mary Durland
Bob & Jeanne Ebersole
Betty Edgar
Joe Bob & Bonnie Edwards
Jeanette Egan
Anders & Mariann Ekernas
Susan Eveland
Bob & Mary Ferry
Charles & Joyce Field
Mary Fike
Warner & Betty Finney
George & Dorothy Fisk
Michaela Fossum
Ted Fox
Richard & Kathy Fraser
Natalie Frenz
Frosty & Don Friedman
Lynn Mickert Friend
Harold Frost
John Fryback
Donna Gargagliano
Barbara Gaulocher
Scott & Ann Gaulocher
Dick & Pat Geismar
Paul & Lauren Ghaffari
Lile Gibbons
Bruce & Linda Glover
Al & Judy Gordon
Bob & Judy Goodchild
Ashley Grant
Allen Green & Christie Coon
Dale Greene
Andy & Phyllis Gregor
Phoebe Griffith
Peter & Eileen Griffin
Helen Grimm
Peter & Pan Grunow
Ron & Gail Halvorsen Stephanie Hanbury-Brown & Ed Healy
George Handley
Chris & Olga Hartwell
Glenn & Donna Hascher
Larry & Barbara Hathaway
Larry & Erlinda Haviland
Bill & Claire Henry
Dick & Carol Hermance
Dennis & Kathyrn Hewitt
Lenore Hill
Nadean Hirth
Sybren & Janette Hoekstra
Kevin & Lucia Hoffman
Rich & Bobbie Hopkins
Eileen Houseknecht
Lisa Hudson
Bob & Helen Ingraham
Gerald Isaacson
Gordon Jamieson
Bob & Cheryle Janelli
Jean Jankovich
Wallace & Jane Jansen
Paul & Joan Johansen
Marc & Julie Johnson
Tom & Elizabeth Johnson
Gail & Victor Khosla
Ron & Janet Klingner
Pete & Barbara Kneen
Ken Kolb & Kathy McLennan
Betsy Kreuter
Rosemary Lamie
Leidy Family
Penny Lehman
Ginger Liddel
Ruth Lindegrin
Bobbie Littlefield
Chuck & Marcia Livingston
Robin Loughman
Dana & Anne Low
Bob & Ruth Lubbers
Bob & Barbara Luce
John & Mary Maarbjerg
Martin & Karen Mair
Joe & Wendy Mallory
Carol Mawhinney
Eleanor Mawhinney
Patricia McCarter
Chuck & Nancy McConnell
Rob McCready & Dawn Heberling
Sandy & John McCue
Leon McKenzie
Bob & Eileen Medvey
Bob & Pat Mendelsohn
Ben & Lea Menegon
Fred & Marie-Noelle Meyer
Christopher Mill
Gary & Judy Miller
Betsy & Chris Moore
Earl & Darlene Moore
Sally Morgan
Jim & Nancy Morris
Dale & Sherry Myer
Pat Myer
Jack & Barbara Norrgard
Joyce Nye
Marilyn O’Brien
Chris & Beth O’Donnell
Paul & Lynn O’Gorman
Eleanore Olsen
Ken & Erna Olson
Ed & Barbara Oppedisano
Paul & Phyllis Palmer
Michael & Robin Pastore
Dick Peebles & Doug Bloom
Michael Pellegrino
Bill & Mary Jane Penwell
Rob & Ellen Perelli-Minetti
Bob & Sandra Phelps
Todd & Kelly Phillips
Dorothy Pidgursky
Steve & Nancy Pierson
Hans & Sandra Plickert
Pat Pollack
Jennifer & Zach Pratt
Frank & Marie Preucil
Jack & Judy Provoost
Shona Quinn
Sandra Radosh
Jeff & Nancy Ramer
Mary Ranta
Stan & Barbara Rawn
Giff & Ruth Reed
Fred & Jean Richards
Barrie Richmond
Gary & Janice Riddell
John & Marie-Theres Riis
Chuck & Dee Robarts
Dorothy & John Robertson
Charlotte & Arthur Robinson
Beth Robbins
Lori Romano
Mike & Tina Russell
Bety Ryder
Celebrating Our Family of Faith
From the time David Young initiated our Stewardship 2008 campaign through November 27, we have received 248 pledges of financial support for the Church's programs and ministries in the coming year. We hope that those who have yet to join in will enable us to report a number at least twice the size in the January 2008 Monthly. Meanwhile, the Board of Trustees gratefully acknowledges pledges from the following members and friends, as well as those who wish to remain anonymous:
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Robert Salmonsen
Bill & Betsy Sandberg
Peter & Patricia Schay
Peter & Nettie Schieferdecker
John & Elizabeth Schinto
Eric & Lesley Schless
Bill & Louise Schmidt
Charlotte Schmidt-Fellner
Tina Schoen
Jaclyn Schofield
John & Jane Seel
Stuart & Jean Serenbetz
Oliver & Julia Servadio
John & Debi Shaw
Debbie Silverthorn
Ed & Claire Simmons
Betty Sleath
Steve & Jan Sotzing
Nan Snyder
Bob & Pam Speer
John & Libby Standish
John Stansell
Jim & Mary Starkweather
Linnea Stenberg
Tom & Brenda Stiers
Jack Sweger
Mark Swicegood
Mac & Carisa Sykes
Andy & Susan Tedford
Karen Thormann
Sheila Tolmie
Joan Torelli
Howard Truss
Michael & Brook Urban
Barbara Van Buren
Dan & Tina Videtto
Anne Wachsman
Don & Connie Walton
Jeff & Jean Watkins
Bob & Nancy Weeks
Authur & Cathie Weigner
Stephen Weigner
Car Westbrook
Peter & Sandy Wilder
Webb & Sallie Williams
Sandra Wilson
Nancy Wolf
Dick & Charlotte Wolter
Harry & Betty Woodman
Rick Woodman & Carolyn Paulus
Marge York
David & Michelle Young
Kirk & Karen Young
Frank & Dorothy Zavattaro
X Y & Pei Fan Zhang
Josh & Emily Ziac
Our church has been a force for good in this community for a long, long time. Your pledge has less to do with next year's budget than with your vision of First Congregational Church in the future. We want to remain a strong, vibrant and growing church. But that depends, in part, on what we decide now. If you have not yet pledged, please do so soon - and keep this vision before you as you do. With gratitude and anticipation! -David Young
D E C I D I N G T O G I V E
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Celebrating Our Family of Faith At First Church Every Member is a Minister, Every Member is a Giver
For 2008, I/we pledge the sum of $____________ I/we will pledge, but would like to defer on the (or $ _________weekly) amount until all income & bonuses are known.
Signature______________________Date_________ I/we would like Contribution Envelopes
This declaration of Intent may be amended by notifying the Church Name_______________________________________________ Office. Address: ____________________________________________
Celebrating our Family of Faith The 2008 Stewardship Campaign
De
ce
mb
er
20
07
"Of course, we all know that money isn't the only aspect of stewardship. Yet, while Christian stewardship may demand more than giving money, it does not require less." - William Willimon
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First Congregational Welcomes its New Members...
Derek & Carrie Braddock with daughter Sophie Karen Thormann
Suni Unger Marilyn O’Brien
Chris & Beth O’Donnell with daughter Lauren
and son Andrew
Pat Jackson
Terry & Lisa Flanagan Maxine Gaddis
Not pictured: Keith Inness
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Church Committee - first Monday of the month
Confirmation - Tuesday evenings
Membership Committee - first Wednesday of the month
Hats Off! - Thursday mornings
Chancel Choir - Thursday evenings
Nites Off - third Monday of the month
Trustees - third Wednesday of the month
Church School Task Force - last Wednesday of the month
Parish Life - as needed when planning an event
Regularly Scheduled Events in the Life of Our Church:
The Rev. Alexander (Zan) Harper of Norwalk died on Tuesday evening, November 13, after a brief bout with pancreatic cancer. Zan was 82 years old. During the late 1960’s he was the Director of the National Justice Ministries of our United Church of Christ Council for Christian Social Action. His was a voice for justice that would not be stilled, with an incisive critique of the social order, particularly around racism and economic injustice. Following his service in the national setting of the church, Zan spent a year as Interim Senior Minister here at First Congregational Church of Greenwich and then became the Senior Minister at First Church in New Britain where he served from 1972 to 1975. Then he served twelve years in Aurora, Illinois until his retirement in 1987. Zan’s memorial service was held at First Congregational Church in Stamford (where he was a member) on November 18th. Some of you will remember that Zan preached here for us this past summer. With gratitude for his ministry among us and with the wider church, Zan will certainly be missed.
In January of 1945, U.S. Army Lieutenant Livingston took command of his battalion after his fellow lieutenants were wounded, and briefly liberated the town of Gambsheim in northeastern France from the Germans.
On November 12, 2007 Livingston was decorated with the Legion of Honor, France’s oldest and most prestigious award for non-citizens, for his leadership that day. The honor designates him as a “chevalier,” or knight, the least of the five classes of the honor given. The other designations are officer, commander, grand officer, and Grand Cross in ascending order.
“I’m quite surprised, but it’s a great honor,” said Livingston, who is 84. Charles Livingston
The Pastor's Class will be performing a new play, The Fourth Wiseman, on Sunday, December 23 in the morning service. In order to prepare, the class will be meeting at the regular times for rehearsal. For coordination of props, music etc. players are asked to stay for an extra period of time, from 11:00 to 11:30 am, on December 9 and 16. In addition, there will be a dress rehearsal on December 22 at 10:00 am. There is a way for everyone in the Pastor's Class to have a hand in this brief but delightful production. Class members are also reviewing scriptural passages that form the basis of the play's characters. The young people are excited about this effort and we invite as many as can attend to be here on December 23 to support them. For more information, contact Dan England.
Thanks to all who participated in the Bible Study on Mark led by Dan England over the past several Tuesday evenings. The meetings enjoyed an enthusiastic response with an average attendance of 30 people.
A new Bible study will begin on January 8 and run for five weeks on Tuesday evenings from 7:30-8:45 pm. We are calling it Bible 101, and it will be a survey of the entire Bible. It is designed for those who would like to understand how the Bible came together and how the various books fit together. It could be entitled, Everything you wanted to know about the Bible but were afraid to ask. People who don't know a Hosea from a Hosanna or Chronicles from Corinthians are welcome to join us in the Lounge. If you plan to come, please send Dan England an email ([email protected]) and if you like, include a question that you would like answered during this brief course.
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JPF / Junior Pilgrim Fellowship (grades 6-9) will meet on Sundays from 5:00-6:00 pm.
December’s schedule:
Sunday, December 2: Mystery Night! Come and see... Sunday, December 9: NO JPF! Go to the all church Christmas Carol Party. Eat, sing and be merry! Wednesday, December 12: At 6:30 pm come and help out at the ARC Holiday Dinner Dance at the Knights of Columbus in Greenwich. (SIGN UP AHEAD OF TIME.) Sunday, December 16: Meet at 9:30 am in the Youth Room to help hand out Holiday Treats to the congregation. After church we go to “Sing With Santa” at local nursing homes. At 5 pm meet again in the Youth Room for the Annual JPF Christmas Party.
SPF / Senior Pilgrim Fellowship (grades 9-12) will meet on Sundays from 6:30-8:00 pm.
December’s schedule:
Saturday, December 1: Meet at the church at 8 am for Kidnap Breakfast! Sunday, December 2: At 6:30 pm in the Youth Room it’s the Digital Scavenger Hunt. Don’t forget your camera! Friday, December 7-Sunday, December 9: Christmas Retreat! YOU MUST BE REGISTERED AND PAID BY DECEMBER 1. Sunday, December 9: The all church Christmas Carol Party. Eat, sing and be merry! Friday, December 14: Meet at 6:30 pm in the Youth Room for the SPF Annual Progressive Dinner. Sunday, December 16: Meet at 9:30 am in the Youth Room to help hand out Holiday Treats to the congregation. After church we go to “Sing With Santa” at local nursing homes.
If you have questions, please contact
Debbie Crawford at 203-536-6895 / [email protected] or Steve Crawford at 203-253-7501 / [email protected]
Youth Ministries’ Schedules
The Church School Task Force Invites You to Come to the Advent Craft Workshop!
Sunday, December 2, 2007 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm
In the First Church Daniels Center
Make handmade gifts and ornaments for family and friends. Crafts for all ages and abilities. Refreshments will be sold by the SPF to raise funds for the February mission trip to Honduras.
*********************************************************************The Church School Begins Efforts in “This Season of Gifts”
On Sunday, November 11 our children donated several bags of food to the Pilgrim Towers residents. They were received with many thanks! The Confirmation Class will have a Bake Sale on December 2 during Coffee Hour to raise funds for their Christmas Outreach Project. Our Sixth Graders are coordinating the congregation’s gift giving for H.O.M.E. Co-op in Maine. As of this writing, there are still a few more individuals who need someone to take their name and gift request. See the sign up boards in the Auditorium or call Rosemary Lamie at 637-1791 ext. 20 if you are unable to get a name in person. The Pastor’s Class will present their personal gifts of time and talent during the worship service on December 23 when they will deliver a very special Christmas message during the sermon.
If you have children and did not receive the Special Church School Christmas mailing with the Advent Calendar card, please call the office and request one.
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Women's Ministries Nites Off group
The evening’s task was to cook for the emergency food freezer… we made 15 dishes for this purpose.
The participants are from left to right: Sue McCalley, hostess; Terri Kutzen; Joyce Nye; Barrie Richmond; Beth Rollins; Angela Stevens, Barbara Van Buren and Ginny Breismeister.
Nites Off is open to all women. Monthly events are announced in the Sunday bulletins.
Hats Off!
Hats Off! will be celebrating the weeks of Advent season by reading Frederick Buechner’s book Telling the Truth: The Gospel in Tragedy, Comedy and Fairy Tale.
We will conclude the season with our annual Christmas Party. Then we will adjourn until after Christmas, meeting again on Thursday, January 10, 2008.
A blessed Christmas to you all from Hats Off!
Come visit our Christmas Shop!
The Rummage Room will have a 50% OFF SALE the week of December 18.
Our Holiday Party will take place on December 21.
After December 21 we are closed until Wednesday, January 2, 2008, when we
reopen with a 50% OFF WINTER CLEARANCE SALE.
Please come see us!
Sales Hours: Mon.-Fri.: 10-5; Sat.: 10-1 Donation Hours: Mon.-Thurs.: 9-5; Fri. & Sat.: 9-1
The Rummage Room First Church is joining with Round Hill Community Church
to bring Bruce Feiler to Greenwich on Saturday, January 26, 2008.
The schedule will be:
Lecture: 7-8 pm Panel Discussion: 8-8:40 pm Audience Q and A: 8:40-9:20 pm Reception / Book Signing: 9:20-10:30 pm
Title: Who Speaks For God?
Reclaiming Religion From the Extremists
Bruce Feiler is the author of several books, including Walking the Bible and Abraham: A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths.
The event will be held at the Round Hill Community Church.
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Messiah
No Tickets Required! No Tickets Required! No Tickets Required! No Tickets Required!
Since the late nineteen-sixties, First Congregational Church has presented Handel’s Messiah, Part I and Hallelujah every year in December. For many it simply would not be Christmas without having attended one of these performances. This year the dates will be December 15 & 16, Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 4 pm. Soloists are singers affiliated with Ted Huffman, who will be our baritone, and his Greenwich Music Festival, which since its inception has brought exceptional talent to Greenwich. The soprano will be Lisa Hopkins, one of the original Mimis in the Broadway Boheme, and the tenor will be Steven Paul Spears. Negotiations are still pending for the mezzo. With our 20-piece professional orchestra and 100-voice chorus, it promises to be a thrilling experience. There are no tickets. Just be sure to arrive early to get your favorite seat. There is a suggested donation of twenty dollars per adult at the performance from those who are able to contribute. Have you ever considered joining the community chorus that assembles every year for this event? It is open to all without audition. Some experience with choral singing is good to have, but in a chorus of about a hundred there are always veterans to support and lead the newcomers. Rehearsals are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, December 4, 5, 11 & 12 at 8 pm. Most of the singers miss a rehearsal or two, so do not worry about 100% attendance. We want as many people as possible to enjoy this great experience! Registration begins at 7:30 pm on December 4, or you can arrive early at any rehearsal to sign up. Just bring a twenty dollar deposit for your red-bound score. We will see you there! Hallelujah!
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Help Rebuild H.O.M.E.’s Farmhouse Shelter! The H.O.M.E. Co-op (Homeworkers Organized for More Employment) of Orland, Maine, has been a sanctuary of kindness and enrichment for the rural poor for over 35 years, providing shelter for the homeless, food for the hungry and daycare for at-risk children. The members of First Church have always had a special place in their hearts for H.O.M.E., as evidenced by our continuing financial support and annual SPF mission trips. As many in our congregation already know, last May the Farmhouse Shelter at H.O.M.E. was completely destroyed in a tragic fire. The nine bedroom converted horse barn had served as a shelter for ten members of the community, as well as the residence of H.O.M.E. founder Lucy Poulin. With the help of many friends and volunteers, the Farmhouse Shelter is being rebuilt. The exterior elements of the structure - including the framing and siding, roof, and exterior windows and doors - have been completed, largely by volunteer workers and at a relatively modest cost. There is still a lot of work to be done before the new building can be habitable during the cold winter months. Sheet rock is now being installed, and the sub-flooring, interior doors, plumbing and wiring, and heating system still must be completed. Finishing the interior will require quite a bit of skilled professional labor, and the cost of making the new Farmhouse Shelter habitable for the winter is estimated to be $40,000 - $50,000. Please join with other First Church families who have pledged to raise a substantial portion of this construction cost. A charitable foundation in New York City has agreed to match the funds we raise for this project, so every $1 we raise will mean $2 for H.O.M.E. Checks should be made payable to First Church and earmarked for H.O.M.E. Rebuilding. For more information, see www.homecoop.net/st.francis, or contact Chris Hartwell at [email protected] or 637-2833.
The Farmhouse Shelter before the fire. The Farmhouse Shelter burning on May 8, 2007.
WHITE GIFT AND MITTEN TREE TRADITIONS
Throughout Advent the Mitten Tree is available in the Auditorium to accept gifts of mittens, hats, gloves and socks that will be delivered to area shelters for people who need them throughout the winter.
White Gifts are clothing, toys, books or other useful items wrapped in white paper that are offered during our 10 am and 4 pm services on Christmas Eve. The white paper gives the illusion of snow under the trees in the Meetinghouse. Ribbon and bows are not necessary but gifts should be labeled indicating an appropriate age and gender. All gifts will be donated to local agencies who can then distribute them throughout the year to someone who has a special need. (Hint: If you find yourself without white paper at the last minute, some patterned papers reverse to white, or, use white tissue paper.)
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FEED MY SHEEP…
Several weeks ago our youth choir sang the anthem Feed My Sheep and the words of the song shouted out to me as we look forward to 2008 and the work of the monthly meal provided by our church for the Yerwood Center. For those of you who might have missed this beautiful musical offering the words are as follows…
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep, dry the tears of those who weep. If you do this lovingly, you’ve done it unto me.” So feed the hungry, clothe the poor, give the weary rest. And if we do it all in Jesus’ name, then he will be our guest. Jesus said, “Feed my lambs. In this world you are my hands. Bear the burden willingly, and do it all for me.”
Now is the time to put that anthem into practice with our hands. We have the opportunity to feed the hungry at the Yerwood Center on the first Monday of every month. The shopping ingredients and meal instructions are provided as well as the funds to make the food purchase. We need volunteers to shop and prepare the chili meal on the weekend prior to the first Monday of the month. It takes 4-5 people about 2 hours to assemble the simple chili meal which is then served by a team of volunteers at the Yerwood Center at noon on Monday.
Contact Michelle Young at [email protected] with your preferred month to gather a team of workers (young, mature, male, female) to Bear the burden willingly and be Jesus’ hands.
FIRST CHURCH GROWERS FOR THE HUNGRY The First Church Garden flourished in 2007, thanks to 50 volunteers who have given so many hours of their time and labor. They have harvested and delivered fresh, nutritious, vine-ripened vegetables as of November 8, 2007 to our hungry neighbors at Neighbor to Neighbor, Yerwood Center and Pilgrim Towers. POUNDS NUMBER
Beets and Beet Greens 18 Butternut Squash 9 Cantaloupe 4 Kohlrabi 15 Lettuce 52 Scallions 4 String Beans (green and yellow) 48 Sugar Snap Peas 5 Sweet Green Peppers 40 Swiss Chard 72 Squash (Zucchini & Yellow Crookneck) 212 Tomatoes 284 732
Season Total 763
Questions? Need information? Want to help feed your hungry neighbors? Phone Marge York at 637-4207 or Don Walton at 637-0213.
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DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 12/01 Wallace Jansen
12/01 Susan Cohen
12/01 Kathy Fraser
12/02 Frank Preucil
12/02 Barbara Luce
12/02 Judith Chapman
12/02 William Sandberg
12/02 Ted Carter
12/02 Abby Huth
12/03 Holly Beneville
12/03 Elizabeth Janis
12/03 Lauren Bacon
12/03 Jacqueline Ryckman
12/04 Helen Ingraham
12/04 Pamela Sheehy
12/04 Nicolas Won
12/04 Nicole Thompson
12/05 Dana Low
12/05 Fredirick Arndt
12/05 Gail Halvorsen
12/05 Anne Strother
12/05 Robert Speer
12/05 Richard Ng-Yow
12/05 Christina Pastier
12/05 Katherine Livingston Janis
12/06 Linnea Perelli-Minetti
12/06 John McCue
12/06 Kristofer Arnold
12/06 Katherine Anderson
12/06 Faith Rohrer
12/07 Patricia Pollack
12/07 Katharine Wall
12/07 Chris Cantwell
12/07 Bonny Edwards
12/07 John Angland
12/07 Holly Hanbury-Brown
12/07 Jillian Leigh
12/07 Lucas Dell'Abate
12/08 William Savage
12/08 Edward Mendelsohn
12/08 Ann Garlid
12/09 Polly Koehler
12/09 Joyce French
12/09 Barbara Norrgard
12/09 Nancy Weeks
12/09 Elizabeth Bonsal
12/09 Cathy Sibirzeff
12/09 Joshua Ziac
12/09 Peder Maarbjerg
12/09 Anton Bystedt
12/10 David Cowles
12/10 Anne Stolley
12/10 Barbara Oppedisano
12/10 Alexander Jensen
12/11 Mildred Wescott
12/11 Terri Kutzen
12/11 Frank Osborn
12/11 Alexa Pugh
12/12 Sue Baker
12/12 Hannelore Moeckel-Rieke
12/13 Dr Ralph E Ahlberg
12/13 Martha Ahrens
12/13 Margaret York
12/13 Sarah Saviskas
12/13 Rebecca Coleman
12/14 Thomas Davidson
12/14 Karen Pacent
12/14 William McKee
12/14 Parker McKee
12/14 Alison Tierney
12/14 Sarah VanDermeer
12/15 George Taylor
12/15 Theodore Allen
12/15 Alex Sibirzeff
12/15 Helen Dempsey
12/16 Barbara Richmond
12/16 Anne Sherrerd
12/16 Jennifer Breismeister
12/16 Ashley Tufts
12/16 James Willard
12/16 Emily Weir
12/16 Henni Hietala
12/17 Caralliene Westbrook
12/17 Patricia Mendelsohn
12/17 Lise McDonald
12/17 Michael Provoost
12/17 Alexander Ng-Yow
12/18 William Provoost
12/18 Bobby Bailey
12/19 Sergio Roque
12/19 Robert Luce
12/19 Erin Kilmurray
12/19 Rachel Wolfe
12/19 Amanda Scopelliti
12/20 Gerald Rigg
12/21 Peter Janis
12/22 Robert Burdick
12/22 John Fountain
12/22 Drake Teeters
12/23 Arthur Weigner
12/23 Marie Noelle Meyer
12/23 Will Speer
12/23 Cassie Dunn
12/23 Lindsay Anibal
12/24 Sandra Plickert
12/24 Andrew Schay
12/24 Christina Assing
12/24 Wyatt Davis
12/24 Henry Saleeby
12/25 Parker Boles
12/25 Dale M Greene
12/25 Kellie Norrgard
12/25 Parker Bonnell
12/25 Grace Kim-E
12/25 Darin Jacks
12/25 John Gabriel Freeman
12/26 Stephanie
Hanbury-Brown
12/26 Tyler Sandberg
12/27 Julie Smith Koppenheffer
12/27 John Gordon
12/27 Philip Thalheim
12/28 Karen Robbins
12/28 Louise Guy
12/28 Linda Wilkinson
12/28 Jake Carlson
12/29 Diana Klingner
12/29 Christian Burke
12/29 Esther Hoekstra
12/29 Trevor Kelly
12/30 Karen McCalley
12/30 Stuart McCalley
12/30 Frederic Parker
12/30 Jeff Waggaman
12/30 John Allen
12/30 Tod Hedrick
12/30 Charles Carnegie
12/30 Andrew Sisley
12/31 Adriana Seibert
12/31 Jane Seel
The deadline for the submission of
material for the January
Meetinghouse Monthly
is the 15th of December.
'Tis the Season… to get a Flu Shot.
Vaccines are available by appointment to people 18 years of age or older. Contact Sue Asselin, Parish Nurse at extension 21. The cost is $25, payable by cash or check (made out to FCCOG). We are unable to bill insurances. Individuals under 18 should see their primary physician for the vaccine.
Thank you and Merry Christmas from the FCCOG Wellness Committee!
12 The Meet inghouse Monthly
The First Congregational Church of Greenwich Nonprofit Organization 108 Sound Beach Avenue U.S. Postage Old Greenwich, CT 06870 Bulk Rate Phone: (203) 637-1791 PAID Fax: (203) 637-1540 Permit No. 17 www.fccog.org Old Greenwich, CT Change Service Requested
IN THIS ISSUE
Stewardship 2008 2 New Members 4 News Items 5 Youth 6 Women’s Ministries / Hats Off! 7 Messiah / Christmas Carol Party 8 H.O.M.E Rebuild 9 Outreach Opportunities 10 Birthdays / Parish Nurse 11
T H E F I R S T C O N G R E G A T I O N A L C H U R C H O F G R E E N W I C H Ministers: The Members of The First Congregational Church of Greenwich
Senior Pastor: David D. Young, [email protected]
Interim Associate Pastor: Daniel B. England, [email protected]
Minister of Pastoral Care: Ronald E. Halvorsen, [email protected]
Director of Music/Senior Organist: John Stansell, [email protected]
Associate Organist/Director: Terence J. Flanagan, [email protected]
Directors of Youth Ministries: Steve and Debbie Crawford, [email protected]
Director of Church School: Rosemary Lamie, [email protected]
Director of Membership: Ginny Breismeister, [email protected]
Parish Nurse: Susan Asselin, [email protected]
Pastors Emeriti: Thomas L. Stiers and Sally Colegrove
Join Us for Worship at First Church
We hope that you will join us for the Advent Sermon Series entitled:
This Season of Gifts Worship is at 10 am
There are many opportunities for adults as well as children to participate in the life of the church.
The 10 am Service is broadcast live each week on WGCH 1490 AM Radio. In addition, the service is available through the church’s web site, www.fccog.org, where a bulletin can be found as well as a link to the live broadcast.
The church offices will be closed on December 25 and 26 for Christmas as well as December 31 and January 1 for New Years.