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July/August, 2019
2019 Golf Outing – Redding Country Club
Strawberry Sunday, 2019
Bocce! Coming August 22! - Campfire and S’mores!!
July/August, 2019 Page 2
Please Note: Because of vacations, office hours/days
may vary this summer. Please call the office first (203-938-2004) if you plan to stop by.
PERSPECTIVES Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day,
listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.
John Lubbock
In This Month’s Edition . . .
UCC Letter .................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Open Book, Red Cross Blood Drive, Graduations ...................................................................................................... 4
Campfire Worship, Church Picnic .......................................................................................................................... 5, 6
What Can I Do To Help the Fair? ................................................................................................................................ 7
Tag Sale, Jewelry Boutique Pricing Party ................................................................................................................... 8
Bridgeport Downtown Cabaret – Mamma Mia! ....................................................................................................... 9
Hold Your Chosen Stone – Words from David Mawdsley ........................................................................................ 10
Notes from Nikki ...................................................................................................................................................... 11
Sunday School Registration Form ............................................................................................................................ 12
Sunday School, Redding Food Pantry ...................................................................................................................... 13
Flowers, Milestones ................................................................................................................................................. 14
Kids’ Page ................................................................................................................................................................. 15
July/August Calendars ...................................................................................................................................... 16, 17
The Steeple Published Monthly by
The First Church of Christ, Congregational Affiliated with the United Church of Christ
Sunday Morning Services
Worship Service – 10:00 AM Sunday School – 10:00 AM
Church Staff
The Rev. Dr. Dean C. Ahlberg, Sr. Minister The Rev. Jane Elizabeth Moran, Associate Minister
Mark Cherry, Director of Music Nikki Foster, Director of
Children’s Ministries Jane McKee, Church Office Administrator
Terry Tatta, Sexton
Church Office Hours Mon. through Fri. 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Telephone: 203-938-2004 or FAX: 203-938-4112 Email: [email protected]
Website: www.FirstChurchRedding.org
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July/August, 2019 Page 4
OPEN BOOK
For the summer, our group selection is Educated, by Tara Westover. This book will be discussed in October. We suggest that you procure a copy on your own as the book is in high demand. The Mark Twain Library may have trouble getting multiple copies.
At our September 18 meeting we will review suggestions from members’ summer reading, and decide on selections and a calendar for the upcoming year. Then we will discuss the summer book at the October meeting.
Plot Summary: Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, Tara Westover was seventeen the first time she set foot in a classroom. Her family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education, and no one to intervene when one of Tara’s older brothers became violent. When another brother got himself into college, Tara decided to try a new kind of life. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge University. Only then would she wonder if she’d traveled too far, if there was still a way home. …from Amazon
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE: Mark your calendars for Wednesday, July 3, when we will host a blood drive in our fellowship hall. The hours are 12:45 – 6:00 PM. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments can be made by calling 800-733-2767 or visiting www.redcrossblood.org.
GRADUATING FROM PLANS
Elyse Christina Cowles Elon University, BA Magna Cum Laude, Communication Design/Marketing
Emma Rose Delaney Joel Barlow American University - Business Reid Esocoff MA, Syracuse University,
Newhouse School of Communications
Madeleine England School of Visual Arts, NYC BFA Animation
Freelance work, then a permanent position
Lucia Gorman Joel Barlow Emerson College, Boston Andrew D. Knapp Ithaca College, BS, Television
& Radio WWE, Stamford
Parker LeBlanc Kent School U. of Rhode Island Logan George Miller Conifer HS, Conifer, CO Colorado Mesa University,
Grand Junction, CO Annika Morgan Joel Barlow Dartmouth College
Emily Nolan Joel Barlow Rochester Institute of Technology – Robatics & Automation
July/August, 2019 Page 5
Please sign up to bring something to share:
Campfire Worship August 22
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WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP THE FAIR THIS SUMMER?
Just a friendly reminder that even though it seems so far away, the fair is just around the corner and we need your help even over the summer.
The date for the fair this year is September 28. So you ask, “What can I do to help?” Please consider one of the following:
1. Take a leaf from the Fair Vine. Our Fair Vine will be up for the picking June 2, so take a leaf to your liking,
write your name next to the number on the hanging sheet that matches that on your leaf, and provide the service or monetary donation. It couldn’t be simpler. All monetary donations can be put in the offering plate, mailed to the church attention church fair, or placed in the fair mailbox in the office.
2. If you’re traveling this summer, pick up a unique item and donate it to the Great Raffle. Items from different parts of the country, or the world, draw attention and sell tickets, especially if they have a story.
3. Start gathering the treasures you think someone else might be happier having, price the items, and box them for the tag sale. Acceptable items are listed at 2019 Tag Sale Donation Guidelines for your convenience and there are two drop off days every month starting after 11:30 AM on designated Sundays. Remember, we are also collecting jewelry, scarves, and accessories as well. Little yellow bags are available in the narthex of the church and the office for those items and can be given to Lynn Eichhorn or Katie Rice or left in the church office.
4. If you know of anyone who would be able to donate their services for our Great Raffle (for example, someone who owns a day spa who could donate a massage or perhaps a manicure) please let us know as it would be very helpful in bolstering our raffle offerings. The better quality items and services we have, the more tickets we sell.
5. If you are at a local craft fair this summer and see someone you would like to have at our fair, pick up a card and perhaps our artisan committee can follow up with the exhibitor.
So as you can see, there are many things you can do to help the fair over the summer as we enjoy the company of family and friends and more leisurely days. It would be great if each family could commit to at least one of the items above or perhaps you have an idea of your own you would like to share. Please feel free to contact Loreen Bradley at [email protected] with any questions or ideas.
Have a great summer!
Loreen
July/August, 2019 Page87
2019
Tag Sale Donation Drop-off Dates
The Tag Sale Studio is receiving many donations! As you clean out your closets or garage, please consider donating items to the Church Fair's giant Tag Sale. Click this link to see the 2019 Tag Sale Donation Guidelines: 2019 Tag Sale Donation Guidelines. The Studio will be open following church service for two Sundays a month for drop offs. The dates you may drop off items are July 14 and 21 from 11:30-1:00. August drop off dates are August 4 and 18. Your help in pricing your donations prior to drop-off is greatly appreciated, as it is a time consuming task for volunteers to sort and price all items.
Tag Sale Committee Seeks Volunteers
Many thanks to those who have volunteered to work in the Studio on donation days! We have filled almost all of the Sundays, but still have need for some help. Please click Tag Sale 2019 to Sign-Up Genius for all available dates. More volunteers will be needed as the Fair approaches. Whether you're a tag sale veteran or have never done it before, we would love to have you!
If you have any questions, please contact Courtney (203-788-0124, [email protected]) or Karen (203-938-2687, [email protected].
Thank you!
JEWELRY BOUTIQUE PRICING PARTY!
JULY 16, 7:00 PM
We are having another pricing party on Tuesday, July 16, at 7:00 PM in fellowship hall. Hope you can join us! Last year's Yellow Bags generated enormous success for the Jewelry Boutique. We need fresh inventory for 2019. Please take home the yellow bags (located in narthex and office) as a reminder to look in drawers, jewelry boxes, shelves and closets for more donations Please return the yellow bags brimming with jewelry, scarves, belts and accessories to the church office. Questions? Please contact Katie Rice at [email protected] or Lynn Eichhorn at [email protected].
July/August, 2019 Page 9
Make a picnic and join us on October 12th for a Fellowship
trip to the Bridgeport Downtown Cabaret to see Mamma
Mia!
Tickets are $35 per person; reserve through Ashley Bishop or
Rudd Andersen
[email protected] [email protected]
Participants will meet at the theatre at 7:15pm.
Address:
Bridgeport Downtown Cabaret
263 Golden Hill Street
Bridgeport.
July/August, 2019 Page 10
Hold Your Chosen Stone
By David Mawdsley
I want you to first walk along a stony beach at the ocean or a lake. Find a flat, very smooth stone that is mostly circular and with colors and patterns that you like. Don't be too fussy, but the stone should weigh just a few ounces and it should be about two to three inches across. Take it home and wash it. When dry put it on a window sill.
This stone is a reminder to find your personal center—what resonates with you, what keeps drawing you in to what you like, what you believe and what you value. When you see the stone, pick it up, feel it and get to know it. Notice its imperfections, irregularities and its dimples. You have those too. They can't be wished away any more than the stone can throw off its own imperfections by itself. But to be polished, the stone had to grind against the world.
The stone is a reminder that there is solidity in the world and that some parts of you are locked in that way. Its smoothness is a reminder that life is mostly benign and good. But you are also quite different from the stone. You can move away from the you of today. You have possibilities for new directions in life. The stone can't change on its own, but you can.
Remember, that the stone is just a reminder of what should stay solid in your life, but that you can move beyond the imperfections and fix things that need fixing. You have life to live courageously and abundantly among many, many choices. The stone's solidity is a reminder of those things that you should never throw off. You are free to change, but within the limits of what is only good for you. Pay attention to your limits.
This freedom to choose comes with a problem. How should you choose to move forward? Making choices can mean that mistakes will occur and sometimes those mistakes can be tragic. But because you are alive, you must always make choices. Not choosing is not a healthy option. The stone is a reminder to keep a focus on the basics of what does work, what gives health, what makes for good relationships between people and what still promises some better tomorrows.
So go on living, loving and finding amazing things to do in life. Just remember that your stone is like a compass that always points to the north in you. It points to the consistent parts of you that are worth keeping. From time to time you should check your directions on life's journey. So remember to pick up and hold on to your chosen stone.
David Mawdsley is a long-time member of our church and mission trip participant. This essay was written to be shared with youth during the July mission trip to New Bern, North Carolina.
July/August, 2019 Page 11
NOTES FROM NIKKI
For the beauty of the earth, for the splendor of the skies,
for the love with from our birth Over and around us lies….
This year we celebrated Youth Sunday in various ways. One was the lovely tablecloths designed and created by our MSYG young people (with the help of some younger grades!). The cloths will be shared for use in our Fellowship time and also they will travel with our Mission Team in July. We are once again reminded of the Arabic calligraphy of Matthew 6:28, Observe how the lilies of the field grow, created by Palestinian Artist: Adel Nasser. We observe how the beauty of a language can communicate the scriptures, reminding us that God’s love for us is present everywhere.
Now the promise of warm summer days and nights filled with stars, beckons our children and us to other quiet places – near and far. It is a time of wonder and beauty, to slow our pace and be aware of the gifts that God bestows upon us. For the beauty of the earth … to the graces we are given, - human and divine- as the hymn writer invites us to do.
Our One Room Sunday Summer School provides such a place. The One Room Program is for Pre-K – Rising 4th graders. There is a relaxed atmosphere with a bible lesson, crafts, and time to be with friends. It is designed so that all children are welcome, whether for one week or all 13! It’s a place for, new families to visit, to invite a neighbor or friend to church and experience worship and Sunday school. It’s a place for your child on a day that you want to worship and be in fellowship with other members and guests gathered here.
Summer Nursery Plan: Due to lower attendance over the summer, regular Nursery will resume on August 25. Our Nursery is available for parents’ use. Parents are reminded that our Safe Church Policy requires that a parent for EACH family is welcome to stay with their child/children during worship.
Your family is welcome to come and spend time in our quiet place of rest and renewal. May your summer days and nights be filled with the awareness of Christ within and around you, wherever you may be, near or far.
For each perfect gift of thine unto us so freely given, graces, human and divine, flowers of earth and buds of heaven.
Lord of all to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.
Words: Folliott S. Pierpoint, 1864 alt. Music: Conrad Kocher, 1838; adapt. William H. Monk 1861
Hymns of Truth and Light # 54
Art work, Matthew 6:28, by Adel Nasser: www.dyar.ps,http://cave.annadwa.org and Email: [email protected]
In Christ’s Peace, Joy, and Hope, Nikki
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We welcome all children to our Sunday school. Please fill out the following form if you are new to our church or your family information has changed. Thank you for helping us keep our records up to date.
SUNDAY SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORM
The First Church of Christ, Congregational
2019-2020
Today’s Date ___________
Grade in Sept. 2019_________
(Parents: Please PRINT current information. This information will be updated each year.)
Name: __________________________M__F__ Birth date __ /___/___ Baptized (Y/N) __date_____
Address: _____________________________Town ____________________State___ Zip________
Phone_________________ Emerg. Phone _________ Cell ___________Email____________________
Name of Parents/Guardians: _________________ Occupation ____________ Church Member/Yr.__
_________________ Occupation ____________ Church Member/Yr. __
HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR OUR STAFF:
Allergies, handicaps, etc. (any urgent medical needs) ________________________________
Epipen for allergies with parent: YES_____ NO____
Other matters you want us to know, in confidence, that would help us serve your child:
_________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Special Interests and Activities ___________________________________________________
I give my permission for photographs of my child to be taken during church events and used on the church web site without identification:
Parent signature.___________________________________________ Date _________
*I am interested in finding out more about: helping in Nursery ___teaching, assistant teaching, or substitute teaching and would like to be contacted _____.When the Sunday school needs help in the following areas, give me a call: Interested in teaching or learning about helping in the classroom____ Special Events____ Extra pair of hands when needed___
Other (please specify) ______________________________________________________________
*NOTE: Our Safe Church policy requires: a 6 month waiting time for lead teacher/volunteer. Volunteers may assist during that 6 mo. time period. See Nikki Foster for more information.
Questions? Please contact: Nikki Foster, Director of Children’s Ministries:
July/August, 2019 Page 13
SUMMER NURSERY PLAN: Due to lower attendance over the summer, regular nursery care ended on June 9, and will resume August 25. . Our Nursery is available for parents’ use. Parents are reminded that our Safe Church Policy requires that a parent for EACH family is welcome to stay with their child/children during worship.
SUMMER ONE ROOM SUNDAY SCHOOL: We provide a One Room Sunday school program for Pre-K – Rising 4th Grade (June 9 - Sept. 1). We need two teachers every week. High School youth volunteers are welcome! July 21 still needs a teacher, and there are several assistant spots open. If you have the Summer Sunday School Sign Up Genius Site, please visit the site and sign up for the time that works for you. We are seeking to expand our list of teachers/assistants. For more details contact Jackie Dinowitz: [email protected].
FOOD OF THE MONTH: Donations may be left in the basket in the lobby of the Education building. All donations are delivered to the Redding Food Pantry. Thank you for your support! For the months of June, July and August we collect the following items:
PLEASE NOTE: The Redding Food Pantry currently DOES NOT NEED soups, canned vegetables or cake mixes.
~ Thank you for participating
Summer Food Items Non-Food Items
Condiments(family-size mayo, ketchup, mustard)
Cookies & Crackers Bug Spray
Juice Boxes Canned Fruit Sun Screen
Peanut Butter Tuna Fish Band Aids
Jelly & Jam Spaghetti Sauce
Cold Cereal
July/August, 2019 Page 14
SUNDAY FLOWERS
The Women’s Guild welcomes the contribution of flowers for use in church on Sundays, to celebrate an occasion or to remember a loved one. The arrangements are $45.00 apiece, which does not include the basket or the urn. The flower calendar is being planned for the next several months. If you would like to give flowers, please email Lois Shupp, Flower Committee Chair, at [email protected]. Please indicate any preference regarding flower color and type. We can accommodate three baskets or two urns.
FLOWER ORDER/REGISTRATION FORM
For each order, please indicate to whom it is “in memory of” or “dedicated to” or “in honor of” for recognition in our bulletins. PLEASE PRINT all information! Make checks payable to FCCC with “flowers” on the memo line. Payments must accompany the order. Please mail the form and payment to Lois Shupp, c/o the church office, P.O. Box 1055, Redding Center, CT 06875. If you have any questions, contact Lois at [email protected].
Cost ($45.00)
Date _________In Memory Of/Dedicated To/In Honor Of
_________ ___________________________________________________________________
_________ ___________________________________________________________________
Ordered by: _____________________________________________________Total Cost: ______
Telephone Number: _________________________________________________Paid by: Cash /Check
MILESTONES Baptism June 23
Hunter Glen Slater
July/August, 2019 Page 15
