Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
1
The Church Caller
A monthly publication of Ellington Congregational Church April 2017
SUNDAY WORSHIP
SERVICE
8:45 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, APRIL 2ND
COMMUNION
FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT Ezekiel 37.1-14
Psalm 130
John 11.1-45
Sunday, APRIL 9TH
SIXTH SUNDAY IN LENT
PALM SUNDAY Psalm 118.1-2, 19-29
Matthew 21.1-11
Thursday, APRIL 13TH MAUNDY THURSDAY
7:30 P.M. SERVICE Exodus 12.1-14
Psalm 116.1-4, 12-19
1 Corinthians 11.23-26
John 13.1-17, 31b-35
Friday, APRIL 14TH GOOD FRIDAY
7:00 P.M. SERVICE Isaiah 52.13-53.12
Psalm 22
John 18.1-19.42
Sunday, APRIL 16TH
EASTER Acts 10.34-43
Psalm 118.1-2, 14-24
John 20.1-18
Sunday, APRIL 23RD
SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER 1 Peter 1.3-9
Psalm 16
John 20.19-31
Sunday, APRIL 30TH
THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
CONFIRMATION LED WORSHIP Acts 2.14a, 36-41
Psalm 116.1-4, 12-19
Luke 24.13-35
Palm Sunday Services ~ April 9th at 8:45 & 10:30 a.m.
Egg Hunt for Pre-K to 5th Grade during 10:30 a.m. One-Room
Schoolhouse
followed by TELOS Palm Sunday Ham Dinner at Noon in the Social Room / Cost: $7.00 adults and $3.00 children
Maundy Thursday ~ April 13TH
**Share in a Soup and Bread Dinner ~ 6:00 p.m. **Reservations for the dinner are preferred. Please call the church office at 860-
871-6606 or email [email protected] by Monday, April 10th. There is no
charge for the supper, but free will donations will be accepted to help defray costs.
Bring a loaf of bread to share.
Maundy Thursday Service of Communion and
Tenebrae ~ 7:30 p.m.
Prayer Vigil
12:00 noon Fri., April 14th – 6:00 a.m. Sun., April 16th The Diaconate is coordinating a Prayer Vigil during this Lenten season beginning
Good Friday at 12:00 noon and extending until 6:00 a.m., Easter Sunday morning.
We plan for continuous prayer coverage in the Sanctuary with the Bride’s Room
(off the Narthex) available for a second person. Bibles and appropriate reading
materials will be provided. A sign-up sheet with one hour slots will be available
before and after each Sunday service and on the downstairs bulletin board during
the week. Please join in this very meaningful time of prayer and reflection during
Lent.
Continued on page 2
W.I.N.D. ~ Worship in New Directions 6:00 pm Dinner & Fellowship ~ 6:45 pm Worship
Wed., Apr. 5th Communion Service & Lent 5
Wed., Apr. 12th NO W.I.N.D.
Wed., Apr. 19th Hymns of Faith & Easter 1
Wed., Apr. 26th Contemplative Service & Easter 2
Join members and friends on Wednesday evenings for Worship in New Directions, an informal, contemporary experience of small group worship, at 6:45 in Room 201. Prior to worship, a simple family-style dinner and a time of fellowship are offered in the Social Room. All are welcome. Come to nourish your body, mind and soul!
2
continued from page 1
Good Friday Worship Service ~
April 14TH at 7:00 p.m.
Easter Worship Services ~
April 16TH at 8:45 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
All Church Worship –
no child care available
Easter Breakfast ~ April 16TH
from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. Celebrate Christ’s resurrection with family and friends at a free
continental breakfast hosted by TELOS in the Social Room as a
way to say thank you for supporting our teens’ mission work. (There will be no regular fellowship.)
WHY WOULD I JOIN A COMMITTEE…if I
don’t know what the Committee does? Well, most
people wouldn’t, and there lies the basis of ECC’s
new initiative for 2016 and beyond:
“Know Your Church and Where You Fit”
(each month the Caller introduced you to another
committee, then that committee hosted Fellowship
on an assigned Sunday. This Caller presents the last
committee’s “moment”).
Board of Trustees
Who We Are and What We Do
April 23, 2017 Hear a little about the Board of trustees during
both worship services and then join them in the
Social Room during fellowship after both services
to hear about how we serve you and keep the
lights on!
Keeping the lights on and the budget in check are
what motivate this group. The 3 main
responsibilities that make it a smooth and quiet year
are the following: Create & implement the budget;
Manage the Church Endowment; and Manage the
physical building and grounds. What does this mean
to you as a member of this Church and how do we
do that?
Annually -- with the amazing help of our Treasurer,
Assistant Treasurer, 2 Financial Secretaries, and
Church Secretary -- a new budget is developed in
December once the Stewardship drive is complete.
This budget is then approved at the Annual Meeting
in January and becomes our guide. Trustees spend
considerable time monthly reviewing that
information making sure we are on track and to avert
any potential bumps. We prayerfully ensure the best
use and preservation of our monetary resources so to
meet the needs of our Congregants, Pastors,
Administrative Staff, and our various Boards and
Committees.
Discussing and reviewing our financial investments
with the facilitators is another aspect of our group.
We have just finished meeting with both companies
to track the progress of our Trust Fund (endowment)
dollars and align for the coming years.
Trustees continuously monitor for maintenance
needs of our physical properties. There are monthly
items that need tending to and larger project items
that need energy and approvals to launch with
capable and respected contractors.
The BOT meets monthly to discuss the many tasks
that go along with being stewards of the physical
properties and monetary resources associated with
Ellington Congregational Church. We are presently a
team of 3 women (Amy Zander, Karen Johnson,
Cathy Leonard) and 3 men (Jack Hagopian, Todd
Rolland, David Feindel). Each team member brings
a diverse level of experience to our group and allows
discussions and decisions to have a well-rounded
outlook. We also have the pleasure of regular
attendance from our Treasurer (Sharon McLaughlin)
and Associate Pastor (Karen Bailey-Francois).
The prior year was a busy year for the BOT with a
new coat of paint for the outside of the church,
parking lot expansion, and good start at some much
needed Parsonage updates.
Please stop down during fellowship after both April
23rd services to learn more about how the Board of
Trustees serves YOU and how you can help us do
that! We are always interested in ways that the
Congregation wants us to move forward and
prayerfully make the most of what God has given us.
3
Join Us for Friendship Class All are welcome to join the Friendship Class which
meets the first Tuesday of the month.
April 4th at 1:00 P.M. IN ROOM 201
Friendship Class for
April, May, and June
Have you ever said "I can see the handwriting on the
wall."? Do you know the origin? Have you ever
wondered where the first diet started?
Come join the Friendship Class for the study of the
Book of Daniel. Beginning with April, we’ll hear the
story of Daniel's life as a servant of God in chapter
1-6. Then in May, hear in chapters 7-12 how Daniel
becomes a spokesman of God in prophecy. Last but
not least, in June we will tie this Old Testament
book to our times today. The dangerous times of
Daniel in Jewish exile have comparisons to the
dangerous times of today. How can we live a
spiritual life in today's secular world? Virginia Dzen
will facilitate.
Should you have any questions about the Friendship
Class, please contact Dianne Durgan at 860-872-
6090.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
We have had a few new faces at our last
meetings, and we hope you will join us
too. Our next meeting is Thursday, April 27, 2017 at
9:30 a.m. in the social room.
If you would like the basic pattern before the next
meeting or would like more information, please call
me, Jan Starkweather, at 860-875-1543. We also
have several pattern books to share.
Prayer shawls and pocket prayers are available in the
room off of the Narthex. Please help yourself.
News from Sacred Stitches April 10, 2017
The whrr of a sewing machine as
someone sews a quilt top; the quiet
into and out of the fabric by the
needle and thread as another
person bastes a top, batt and backing together; a newer
quilter gets some help matching up the blocks she has
made and another person compares fabric colors as she
plans a new quilt. These are just some of the things
that keep us busy at Sacred Stitches as we make the
quilts that we will give to children at Covenant to Care
and in the NICU Unit at Hartford Hospital.
If you would like to join us, we meet on the second
Monday of each month in the Social Room from ten
a.m. until two p.m. Bring your sewing kit, a bag lunch
and sewing machine. New people are always welcome
and you don't have to know how to quilt but a general
knowledge of sewing would be helpful. If you have
questions, call Peg at 860-454-7360 or Judy at 860-
875-6642.
EXPLORING CHURCH
MEMBERSHIP
Spring 2017
Two informational sessions for people interested in
membership in our church.
Session 1 ~ Sunday, May 7th ~ 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Who we are: The History of Our Faith, Our
Denomination, Our Congregation
What we believe: An Affirmation of Basic Christian
Faith
Session 2 ~ Sunday, May 21st ~ 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
What we do: The Structure of Our Church—There is
a Place for You!
New members will be received into our fellowship
during worship on Sunday, June 11, 2017
Have Questions?? Planning to attend?? Call Pastor Don Bailey-François at 860-871-6606 or
860-416-5134 or e-mail [email protected]
Or call or email the Church Office at 860-871-6606 or
Presented by the Pastors, Diaconate and Christian
Growth and Nurture Committee
Ellington Congregational Church
A Congregation of the United Church of Christ
4
Save the Date: Ellington Congregational
Church
Saturday, June 10th
7:00 p.m.
The Music Committee proudly presents
The Hockanum Valley Ringers Handbell
Choir
Reception to follow performance
(More info in upcoming Callers.)
Please do your best to keep your
pledge current.
STEWARDSHIP FLASH February 2017
Income from Giving: $24,781.
Expenses: $22,334.
Year to Date 2017 Giving Income: $61,329.
Expenses: $40,506.
NOTES FROM
GROWTH AND NURTURE Name Tag Reminder: Wearing our name tag is a sign
of welcome and hospitality to visitors and newcomers.
If you need one or a new one, there is a form to request
a name tag in the Narthex or call the Church Office.
Thank you!
May Day Flowers The Growth and Nurture
Committee will again sell a
carnation for $5.00 this year.
Brighten someone’s day by
presenting them with a
thoughtful gift. Flowers must be pre-ordered and will be
available for pick-up after either service on Sunday,
April 30th in the Social Room for your personal
delivery.
Fill out the following information and Gift Tag that will
be attached to your carnation(s) and return the completed
form to the Church Office by mail, drop-off or Sunday
collection plate. Deadline for orders is Sunday, April
23, 2017.
Sponsored by Growth and Nurture, proceeds to benefit
the Silver Lake Scholarship Fund.
Questions? Call Susan at 860-875-0527 or Ginny at 860-
644-0444. Thank you!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PLEASE PRINT
NAME:__________________________________
PHONE:_________________________________
I wish to order ______Carnation(s) at $5.00 each
TOTAL DUE: ______ Cash / Check #_______ Please make checks payable to Ellington Congregational Church
From:
To:
Message:
5
From the Historian… What were you doing in 1967? LBJ was our 36th U.S.
president. Many Americans were buying
copies of the Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper’s
album, and they were watching either
Bonanza or Gunsmoke on tv’s that had to
be tuned by hand (after walking all
the way over to the tv!). The town
of Ellington was growing: by 1970 town population
would be listed at 7,707 residents. Church attendance
was increasing as well: at the annual meeting in 1967,
ECC had 483 active members. Amongst others, the
William Robert family joined our membership. Our
new education wing had been in use for ten years. The
annual report stated that two Sunday school services
were needed for the 250 registered children (not
including cradle roll) attending ECC at that time.
Fifty years ago, many things cost less than they do
today but the activities of the church committees were
strikingly similar to those of the present. In 1967, the
trustees facilitated the replacement
of the heating in the sanctuary as
well as painting the church
exterior and the education wing,
costing under $2000. They bought
100 shares of Northeast Utilities
stock as well as 65 shares of SNET. The Memorial
Committee helped purchase 200 new hymnals for the
sanctuary. $78.75 was earmarked to purchase 35
Bibles for the church school. Women’s Fellowship
netted a profit of $1200 from the
Farmhouse Fair in 1967. Their best-
selling items were the Raggedy Ann
and Andy dolls (which accounted for
$225 of the total)! The Logan brothers
received the contract to replace the
sanctuary boiler for $1700. And, as per tradition, the
Trustees served scalloped oysters to the assembled at
the annual meeting, on December 14, 1967.
Our church offered members a bowling league in
1967, which included 32 regulars and 10 subs who
bowled 35 weeks. At the end of the season, the league
offered $345 towards the redecoration of the room
adjacent to the narthex. A square dance was held in the
social room that January, at a charge of $10 for the use
of that room. The Ellington Women’s Club petitioned
the Trustees for the use of the “church park” for their
May art show.
Americans became increasingly focused on
international affairs in 1967, and even in our little
town, citizens weren’t insulated from the changing
world landscape. As
new needs became
apparent, our
committees did not
shirk from offering help
to those in need: The
Friendship Class voted
to pay $17.14 in postage to mail 341 pounds of clothes
to Vietnam in that year. Additionally, the Ladies
Benevolent Society (now the Women’s Fellowship)
sent almost 150 yards of material to aid
the Vietnamese in sewing clothes. That
summer, Rev. Donald Inglis and other
church members organized Spanish
services to be offered to the migrant
workers living at the barracks on
Abbott Road. Chaplin William Debrot
conducted these services initially on Saturdays, to a
group of 18 to 20 men. In the Clerk’s record for 1967,
this outreach program was termed “a success”. Surely
this acceptance of diversity was a sign of the direction
we were to take as a church in subsequent years. Like
our current church population, our congregants in
1967 made our church the center of life, here in
Ellington, as we also looked beyond our borders.
One final note of interest: Two new church offices
were created in the by-laws revision of 1967 with the
addition of church historian and assistant. I found that
particularly interesting since many people, including
Nellie McKnight (our first official historian), have
been taking good care of our artifacts and documents
for many years before those positions were created.
Lisa M. Sirag, Church Co-Historian
6
Service People on Active Duty
The following list contains people called to
active duty. Please keep them and their
families in your prayers. If you know of
someone who should be on this list (or have a
correction or status update: home safe,
deployed, honorable discharge, retired, etc.),
please contact the church office at 860-871-
6606 or [email protected]. Thank you.
Full Name Submitted by
143rd Regional Support Group CT Army Nat’l
Guard
250th Engineering Battalion Army National Guard
Allysson Belval
Bill McDonald
Chelsea Hinton Jay Walpole
Chris Perrett Moriah Nutt
Chris Saucier
Damon Matus
Danielle Hanson
David William Chokas Andrie Bellezza
David Nutt
Del Plato
Donald McLaughlin, Jr. Janet McLaughlin
Eric
Evan Peterson
Gary Feldman, Jr.
Greg Fearnley
Ian Rivers
Jessica Lannan
Jim
Josh Smidge
Kyle Ciesco Melissa Ciesco-Rolland
Larry Oliver
Nicole Walsh
Rachel Korzub
Sean Belmont George & Marty Nickerson
Tom Kutscher
Troy Ciesco Melissa Ciesco-Rolland
MEN’S FELLOWSHIP
ANNUAL
TAG SALE!
Saturday, May 20th 9 AM to 2 PM
It is not too early to set aside items
for the Men’s Fellowship Annual
Tag Sale. Spring has sprung and it is
a great time to clean out what is not
being used. Donating your unwanted
items from cabinets, closets and garage to the Tag
Sale is a double blessing!
We gratefully accept clean donations of holiday
decorations, toys, games, puzzles, books, tools, sports
equipment, dishware, glassware, etc.
Please understand that we do not accept clothes,
shoes, text books, encyclopedias, Reader’s Digest
books, furniture, electronics, stuffed animals or
bedding.
Please bring your items to the church, prior to the tag
sale on the following date:
Thursday, May 18th ~ 5 PM - 9 PM – Social Room
Friday, May 20th ~ 9 AM to 6 PM – Social Room
PLEASE NOTE: there is no storage available at
the church prior to the tag sale drop-off dates.
SIGN-UP sheets will be posted for help setting up,
selling, and cleaning up afterward.
Please call Richard Steele 860-649-4732 if you have
any questions or would like to volunteer.
7
Saturday Meeting: April 8th @ 8:30 a.m.
Any questions please Contact:
John Bellezza (860-875-1434)
Gary Chaplin (860-875-9907)
Scott Noble (860-749-7005)
Richard Steele (860-649-4732)
SAVE THE DATE! Sunday, Sept. 10th, 2017 Ellington Congregational
Church 6th Annual Golf Tournament
Ellington Congregational Church is pleased to announce its 6th Annual Golf Tournament.
See you on the greens!
BOARD OF MISSIONS MAIL
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
The Board of Missions will be celebrating Mother’s
Day this year by continuing ECC’s support of
hawkwing. As you know, hawkwing is a Native
American non-profit organization created by Rochelle
Ripley to assist the people of the Lakota (Sioux)
Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. We
collect coats for the Lakota people all year long.
On Sunday, April 30th and Sunday, May 7th, Missions
will be selling cards for Mother’s Day in the Social
Room. For a donation of $5, you will receive a card
which will explain how the donations will be used to
help the women of the Reservation. Rochelle will,
upon receipt of the funds, purchase selected items for
women from a clearing house she often uses. The
items will then be shipped directly to the Reservation.
Your donations will make it possible for hawkwing to
support the Lakota people, who live a very hard life
and have very little. You can buy a card in honor of,
or in memory of, a loved one. We hope you will
participate in this project, and give your Mom
something to smile about.
FOOD BANK –
SHOPPING CART
FOOD REQUEST
FOR
APRIL 2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd PASTA
SAUCE
CANNED VEGGIES
CANNED PROTEIN
CANNED FRUIT
(any brand)
APRIL 30th 5th Sunday for Cornerstone
Personal Care Items:
Soap, Hand Cream, Deodorant,
Toothpaste, Toothbrushes,
Shampoo, etc.
Thank you for your generosity!
8
The Women’s Fellowship of the Ellington Congregational Church is open to all members and friends of the
church. We encourage you to participate in our organization.
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace
in its various forms.” From The Message, 1 Peter 4:10
Spring Tea
The Women’s Fellowship Spring Tea will be held
on Sunday, April 30, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. This will
be a lovely, relaxing time for ladies of the church
and their guests featuring delicious sweet and
savory treats and tea served in a beautiful setting.
Young ladies age 8 and above are welcome to
attend with their Moms or Grandmoms. Musical
entertainment will be provided by our very own
church member Sarah Pashe.
Sign-ups to attend will begin April 2, 2017,
following both services and again on April 9th and
April 23rd. We are asking for a donation of $5.00
for each adult (children are free) to help defray
the cost of the event. Volunteers are needed to
help with preparation; please sign-up to help.
Contact Laurie Hazleton at 860-878-9223 for
more information.
Hope to see many of you there.
Annual Dinner Save the Date!
Our annual dinner out and prayer
pal reveal will be June 27th.
Women’s Fellowship News
The wonderful month of April is upon us with
Easter just weeks away. It is such a refreshing time
of year with blooming trees and flowers all about.
I am finding that I am feeling such thankfulness. I
am so thankful for the women of this church. I am
constantly amazed at the scope of activities that
occur and the number of women participating that
keep it all humming. It is a lovely thing to see. And
so much gets done!!!!
A big thank you goes out to Sharon McLaughlin for
making Roland’s dream come true. She put so much
energy and effort in making An Evening in Vienna
such a success. She had a great committee under her
leadership and everyone involved did their part with
flying colors. It truly was quite an event!!!!
I want to give another big thank you to Laurie
Hazleton. She has been in charge of the Secret
Prayer Pal ministry for many years. I know that all
that are involved are gratified and lifted up. I know
I am delighted every time my beautiful handmade
card comes in the mail. I am looking forward to
learning the identity of my “pal”.
Please notice the new rug in the corner of the social
room. Thanks to Penny Gates and Janice Schaeffer
for taking the time to order and replace it. It looks
so neat and clean!
9
So put April 30th on your calendar. The annual
Spring Tea is coming. You can be sure of tasty
savory and sweet goodies and yummy teas. Invite a
friend this year.
That’s it for now. Take some walks in the fresh
Spring air and blessings,
Susan Mason
Next Executive meeting is Monday, April 3rd at
2:00 pm.
Calling all Women of the Church!
56th FARMHOUSE FAIR
November 3rd & 4th 2017
We have started brainstorming but
want your ideas too!! We have workshops where
we actually create items and share ideas (which are
fun and relaxing).
The Coffee Pot will be on!!!!
Come join us on Saturday, April 1st for our
monthly workshop 9am-11am.
SAVE THE FOLLOWING DATES FOR
THE FARMHOUSE FAIR
FUTURE WORKSHOPS:
Saturday, May 6, 2017
Saturday, June 10, 2017
Saturday, September 9, 2017
Saturday, October 7, 2017
See You at The Fair!
Continuing your education? Scholarship Available! The Women’s Fellowship has one
$500.00 scholarship available for any
member of the Ellington Congregational Church
who is beginning or continuing their education at
any accredited institution of higher education. This
would include trade or technical institutions also.
Applications can be obtained by calling or stopping
by the church office or on the web site. Completed
applications should be returned to the church at:
Ellington Congregational Church
Attn: Women’s Fellowship
PO Box 216
Ellington CT 06029
or
drop off at the church office
or
send to [email protected]
Deadline for submission of applications is May 1,
2017. Late applications will not be accepted. The
scholarships will be awarded in June.
Women’s Fellowship Scholarship Committee
*****************************************
hawkwing REMINDER: Women’s
Fellowship collects gently used coats
and new items for the Lakota people in
South Dakota and the items are
distributed through the efforts of
hawkwing, a non-profit organization. There is a box
in the Narthex for depositing clean coats in good
condition, and Jan Danforth faithfully collects and
stores them each week. (Thank you Jan D.) Our
congregation has been extremely generous in their
donations and every donation makes a difference, so
thanks! For additional information about this
mission, the website is www.hawkwing.org. You
may also see Janet W. or Peg D. at church as they
coordinate the hawkwing missions for our church.
******************************************
Campbell Labels & General Mills Box Tops! Please continue
to save the UPC Campbell bar codes
and General Mills Box Tops for
Education CAMPBELL LABELS & GENERAL
MILLS BOX TOPS coupons for Elon Homes &
Schools for Children in North
Carolina. They may be deposited in
the red box in the Social Room or in
the folder on the downstairs bulletin
board – where lists of what to save
are also available. The Elon Homes
and Schools and the ECC Women’s Fellowship
thank you for your continued support.
10
P L E A S E consider being part of
the Fellowship Ministry – we have a
particular need for more Servers. Our
continued success depends greatly on
your participation. Remember, many hands make
light work!
We are very thankful for those who are already
helping out – without them this ministry would not
be successful. Thanks so much! Please contact
Joann Scott 860-454-4189.
ACCESSIBLE PARKING
REMINDER Please remember, only those motor
vehicles displaying a plate or placard
are authorized to park in accessible
parking spaces except that any
ambulance, which is transporting a patient, may
park in such area for up to 15 minutes while
assisting the patient.
THE LOST & FOUND box is located in
the Social Room coat area. Items of the delicate
nature i.e., glasses, jewelry, etc., can be claimed in
the Church Office during office hours. Thank you.
Tidy Up ~ Cookie tins, platters, plastic
containers, etc., are available for pick-up in the
coat/elevator area off the Social Room. Thank you
for all your wonderful contributions to all the
Church happenings this past year!
T.E.L.O.S.
Happenings
Annual Palm Sunday
Ham Dinner Sunday, April 9th
Serving starts at Noon
Cost: Adults $7, Children $3
As always, hams or money to buy them will be
gratefully received. Please drop off donations by
Sunday, April 2nd.
The TELOSians will cook!
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR YOUTHS’
MISSION WORK.
Save the dates for these
UPCOMING TELOS EVENTS
Ham Dinner Palm Sunday, April 9th
Easter Breakfast Sunday, April 16th
Work-a-thon (TBD) Saturday, April 22nd (8-4)
Walk Against Hunger Sunday, May 7th
Work-a-thon (ALT) Saturday, May 13th (8-4)
Mother’s Day Plant Sale Sunday, May 14th After both services while they last
Friendly’s Fund Raiser Thur., May 25th
Car Wash Saturday, June 3rd (9-2)
Parents Potluck Sunday, June 11th (6-8)
This year’s TELOS Trip Sat., June 24th to Sat., July 1st
TELOS-led Worship Sun., July 2nd
9:30 am
11
The Church Family News
APRIL
Birthdays
Apr. 1 Catherine Piotrowski
Apr. 1 Kristyn Piotrowski
Apr. 1 Austin Holden
Apr. 1 Riley Giordano
Apr. 1 Benjamin Lajoie
Apr. 2 Hannah Traynor
Apr. 2 Molly York
Apr. 2 Zachary Parker
Apr. 4 Jill McAllister
Apr. 4 Andrew Flickenschild
Apr. 5 Laurie Hinze
Apr. 6 Lois Timms-Ferrara
Apr. 7 Robert Durgan
Apr. 7 Eric Romeo
Apr. 8 Nathan Beturne
Apr. 9 Don Bailey-François
Apr. 9 Debbie Oliver
Apr. 10 David Kutscher
Apr. 10 James Godek
Apr. 10 Hayley Hesse
Apr. 11 Julia Tiedt
Apr. 11 Edward Moriarty
Apr. 13 Christopher Binkowski
Apr. 15 Judy White
Apr. 16 Spencer Plourde
Apr. 16 Matthew Piotrowski
Apr. 16 Laura Meyer
Apr. 16 Evan Koehnke
Apr. 17 Connor Cahill
Apr. 18 Cheryl Dinse
Apr. 18 John Fluckiger
Apr. 18 Patti Hany
Apr. 18 Beth Tautkus
Apr. 18 James York, III
Apr. 20 Alice Sprowles
Apr. 20 Sharon McLaughlin
Apr. 20 Jena Savage
Apr. 20 Sarah Boynton
Apr. 20 Jaimee DelPiano
Apr. 22 Robin Miller
Apr. 22 Ryan McKiernan
Apr. 22 Fiona Budd
Apr. 24 Daniel Fraher
Apr. 25 Wendy Vincens
Apr. 27 Joan Kutscher
Apr. 27 Juliana Milheiro
Apr. 28 Gail Pouech
Apr. 30 Regan Shelley
Apr. 30 James Sternat
APRIL Anniversaries
Apr. 9 Karen & Don Bailey-François
Apr. 20 Ada Lee & Curtis Thompson
Apr. 25 Marsha & John Andzans
Apr. 26 Dawn & Basil Stone
Apr. 29 Lori & Vin Savino
PRAYER GROUP
& PRAYER CIRCLE
The Prayer Group meets at the church for
one hour every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. to
pray for people in need. If you need prayers
for someone or would like to be included in the
Prayer Circle, please let Carolyn Ladd or the
church office know.
12
SANCTUARY
FLOWERS We thank the following for
providing sanctuary flowers in
March: Jill and Al Tiedt in loving
memory of Henry Kremidas;
Laurie, Aaron and Amanda Hinze
in loving memory of Dorothy S. Tilton; Bev and
Randy Russo in celebration of Family; Dottie
Marshall and Family in loving memory of
Roland Richards and Peg Doffek in loving
memory of John Doffek.
Please remember, the person ordering the
flowers will have the responsibility of the
flowers. Therefore, you are invited to take your
flowers home with you or you may deliver them
to a sick or shut-in person or someone you wish
to have them after the last service on Sunday.
Any flowers that remain will be the property of
the church come Monday morning and will be
distributed.
Hospitalized
since the last Caller
Rita Schoener
If you go to the hospital and
would like a visit by a Pastor…
Please CALL our office as soon as you know
you will be admitted.
In your admitting process, you will be asked if
you are part of a local faith community
(church). If so, please answer YES, and give
the name and town of your church.
You will also be asked if you want your name
released to representatives of your church. If
so, please answer YES.
If you say no, or if you do not give the name of
your church, the hospital will not be able to
release your name to us.
You want me to do what? No, you don’t have to walk the entire
route of 20 miles? Yes, I want you to
walk because Jesus walked. Can you
do a mile? Or 6 (marker point Ellington
Congregational Church)? Or 11 (marker point
Windsorville Methodist Church)? There are drivers
that will pick you up, in designated vehicles,
anywhere along the route when you need to stop.
Join Claudia Steele on April 14th at 7:30 a.m. at the
Rockville Methodist Church, Grove Street, Vernon
to walk as much as you can. The route travels
through Vernon, Ellington and East Windsor, from
the hills that where you can see the Connecticut
River Valley to the flats of former tobacco fields.
Walk as you reflect on what this day means to us as
Christians. Walk as you catch up with friends that
you see only on the walk. Walk as you praise our
Triune God for his glorious creation as you hear the
birds chirping, flowers blooming as the earth begins
to shake off the dreary winter cloak.
The Good Friday Walk is an opportunity to walk
and combat some of today’s most difficult issues of
discrimination, homelessness and poverty through
the monies raised through the pledges you are able
to collect. The monies raised through the Good
Friday Walk benefit Sharing, Inc., and the
Cornerstone Foundation. Sharing, Inc., addresses
these issues in the deep south in part by identifying
and supporting people and organizations working in
the rural south who are positively impacting the
lives of African American children who suffer the
effects of racism and poverty. The Cornerstone
Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of
life among the people we serve. They are
committed to a set of values and objectives which
they believe are essential to achieving their mission
and realizing their vision. This is achieved through
clothing bank, food pantry, soup kitchen, overnight
shelter, and community center.
For more information on the Good Friday Walk go
to: http://www.rockumchurch.com/good-friday-
walk/ or http://www.walkingongoodfriday.org.
There are pledge sheets on the bulletin board in the
entrance to the Educational Wing. Questions:
Claudia Steele (860-649-4732).
13
Christian Education News (Sunday School, Youth Groups, Confirmation, Adult Education)
SUNDAY SCHOOL
April Sundays 2nd 10:30 Communion Sunday
Children will begin in Class
9th 10:30 One-Room Schoolhouse
Palm Sunday
Egg Hunt for Pre School
through 5TH grade
16th 10:30 Easter Sunday
All Church Worship
No Cradle Roll
23rd 10:30
Sunday School
Children will begin in Class
30th 10:30
Sunday School
Children will begin in Worship
Sunday School Mission Projects
Update The children did an amazing job with Heifer Market in
March! Thank you so much to everyone who helped
and to everyone who was able to donate to this
wonderful mission project! A total of $1,040 was
raised for honeybees, fish, a heifer, chickens and
clean water.
Thank you for supporting the Sunday school classes
with their many mission projects this year. Please
don’t feel like you have to support them all, we greatly
appreciate whatever help you can give!
YOUTH NEWS T.E.L.O.S.
A mission-based program for
students in Senior High School
APRIL
Confirmation & TELOS SCHEDULE Sunday unless noted:
1st
Saturday
9:00am TELOS Leaders
Meeting
2nd 1:00
5:00
6:30
Confirmation
Retreat
Confirmation
TELOS
9th 10am –
2pm
TELOS Ham
Dinner Prep,
serve, clean-up
Spring Break –
NO Meetings
16th 8:00am-
10:00am
TELOS
Continental
Breakfast
Spring Break –
NO Meetings
23rd 5:00
6:30
Confirmation
TELOS
30th 8:00a
6:30
Confirmation-
led Worship
TELOS
For updates, check www.eccucc.org
14
Walking the Walk on Sunday May 7th! Taking part in Foodshare's annual Walk Against Hunger helps our church get food to hungry neighbors in our community and through-out greater Hartford. This is the 8th time Ellington Congregational Church -- led by our youth -- has participated in The Walk in support of Hands on Hartford over the years... and the challenge of hunger is greater than ever.
Last year, with the help of walkers like us, Hands On Hartford:
Over 30,000 meals at the MANNA Community Meals soup kitchen
Gave away over 155,000 pounds of food at the MANNA Community Pantry
Provided nearly 10,000 backpacks full of food to children in Hartford
Consider joining us on Sunday, May 7th for this growing ECC tradition. And please, show your support by making a donation today.
When you choose Hands On Hartford as your benefiting program on the Walk registration form, a portion of the money you raise will go to FoodShare and the rest to Hands On Hartford – a benefit for us for Foodshare and most importantly to the people your contributions help serve.
Foodshare’s 34th Annual
WALK
AGAINST
HUNGER
In the last four years, Team ECC raised well over $1,500 for the Walk Against Hunger. Our goal is to do at least as well this year. We’re pooling our pledges, so feel free to DONATE on-line at http://site.foodshare.org/site/TR/Walk/General?team_id=11360&pg=team&fr_id=1280 or on the student pledge sheets we’ll have available after worship. Thank you so very much!!!
Together we can bring an end to hunger!
WHEN: Sunday, May 7th
WHO: You, a team of family, friends or colleagues, the CONFIRMATION CLASS and TELOS.
Everyone is welcome. This is a fun and easy intergenerational “day in the park” for a very,
very good cause.
WHAT: A 3 mile walk circling Bushnell Park. Start the experience with groups from ALL OVER
for entertainment, prizes and fun!
WHERE: ECC Walkers will share lunch and leave directly from church. Drivers will be needed!!!!
Registration opens at 12:30 pm at The Hartford’s HARTBEAT PARK (140 Garden St.)
The Walk begins at 2:00 pm!
ECC’s Team will once again be walking in support of Hands on Hartford
15
GATEKEEPERS – APRIL 2017
Sunday
Morning
Worship
Service
APRIL 2ND
FIFTH SUNDAY IN
LENT
COMMUNION
APRIL 9TH
SIXTH SUNDAY IN
LENT
PALM SUNDAY
APRIL 13TH
MAUNDY
THURSDAY
7:30 P.M.
SERVICE
APRIL 14TH
GOOD FRIDAY
7:00 P.M.
SERVICE
APRIL 16TH
EASTER SUNDAY
ALL CHURCH
WORSHIP
APRIL 23RD
SECOND SUNDAY
OF EASTER
BAPTISM SUNDAY
APRIL 30TH
THIRD SUNDAY OF
EASTER
CONFIRMATION-LED
WORSHIP
Greeters:
(10:30)
Carolyn Ladd Bill Anderson Duane Van
Deventer
Bill Anderson Ada Lee Thompson
Welcomers:
Lay Reader:
(10:30)
Patti Hany Basil Stone Lyn Allen Jack Hagopian Confirmands
Deacons on
Duty: (8:45)
Beth Cocuzzo
Sharon Gluhosky
Brian Cocuzzo Bryan Forst Al Tiedt Sharon Gluhosky
(10:30) Anna Carroll
Carol Hagopian
B.J. Aldrich
John Bellezza
Bryan Forst
Joanne
Raulukaitis
Carol Hagopian
Basil Stone
Sharon Gluhosky
Joanne
Raulukaitis
B.J. Aldrich
Bryan Forst
Carolyn Ladd
Brian Cocuzzo
Beth Cocuzzo
Jen Boynton
Bev Russo
Carolyn Ladd Basil Stone Dave Redekas Earl Palmer-Lavoie
Ushers:(8:45) Dottie Marshall
Karen Johnson
Dottie Marshall
Karen Johnson
Bob Russell
Laurie Hazleton
Laurie
Hazleton
Dottie Marshall
Karen Johnson
Dottie Marshall
Lois Timms-
Ferrara
Dottie Marshall
Peggy Falcetta
(10:30) Elaine Duckett
Chas Gross
Elaine Duckett
Chas Gross
Elaine Duckett
Chas Gross
Mark Hany
Elaine Duckett
Chas Gross
Robin & Jeremy
Galeota
Food Bank
Deliveries:
Cornerstone
Food Cupboard
HVCC Food
Pantry
Cheryl Dinse
N/A
N/A
Crystal Lake
Community Food
Pantry
Laurie Hazleton
Ellington Food
Bank
Rob & Debby
Wallace
Board of Missions
for Cornerstone
Spring is Here…and we return with thoughts of landscaping the
Memorial Garden and Labyrinth. As you will remember the garden path and
labyrinth were restored last summer after the church was painted. To assist in
the landscaping phase, donations toward this effort are welcome! Also once
again you have the opportunity to order an engraved memorial river rock to be
placed in the labyrinth.
Labyrinth Engraved River Rock Order
Two sizes:
7” - 9” = $95.00 and/or 10” - 12” = $125.00 (deduct $5.00 for multiple orders)
The purchase of your river rock includes a contribution toward the
beautification and maintenance of the garden.
DEADLINE FOR ORDERS IS MAY 28, 2017
(Donations for landscaping may be made at anytime.)
Some suggestions for your engraved rock:
In Memoriam
John A. Smith
May 1, 1922 June 1, 2000
In Honor of
John and Mary Smith
(given by their children)
The Smith Family
Mr. and Mrs. John A. Smith
July 15, 1945
(for an anniversary)
(Other phrases)
In gratitude …
In celebration …
In loving memory …
**Cut on the dotted line and submit to the church office with your payment **
Attach a second sheet for orders of more than one rock.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE PRINT ALL INFORMATION CLEARLY
Enclosed is $________ landscaping donation.
Enclosed is $_______________ for (please check): _____7”-9” river rock _____10”-12” river rock
NAME:____________________________________
ADDRESS:____________________________________________________________
PHONE:_________________________(in case we need to clarify information)
ENGRAVING ON RIVER ROCK (print clearly just as you wish it to be engraved on the rock)
__________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
THE CHURCH CALLER Ellington Congregational Church United Church of Christ P.O. Box 216 Ellington, CT 06029-0216
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE
PAID
VERNON, CT
PERMIT NO 201
(TIME VALUE APRIL 1, 2017)
Change of Name or Phone Number? Please notify the Church Office
with your current information as soon as possible. Thank you!
HIGHLIGHTS
You are Invited to Holy Week & Easter p. 1 – 2 Board of Trustees “Moment” p. 2
Friendship Class; Prayer Shawl; Sacred Stitches and
Exploring Church Membership p. 3 Happy Easter
Celebrating May Day p. 4 Historian p. 5 / Men’s Fellowship p. 6 – 7 Missions Mail p. 7 TELOS Happenings – Join us for a Ham Dinner p. 10 Women’s Fellowship News p. 8 – 9 The Church Family News p. 11 – 12 Christian Education News p. 13 Walking the Walk on Sunday, May 7th! p. 14 CHURCH STAFF Gatekeepers p. 15 / April Calendar p. 17 The Rev. Don Bailey-François, Senior Pastor Labyrinth Donation and/or River Rock Order p. 16 The Rev. Karen Bailey-François, Associate Pastor Esther Pezzella, Director of Music
MISSION STATEMENT
We are a welcoming family of Christians dedicated to living and sharing Christ’s teachings through a faith continually renewed by God’s grace.
We come together in worship, study, and mission, bringing a diversity of talents and offering opportunities for each member to express a personal faith through shared responsibility and service.
We commit to provide a Christ-centered atmosphere for both individual and communal growth in which all can realize their full spiritual potential.
Adopted 9/11/94
Lisa Crocker, Associate in Christian Education Leigh Lezotte, Church Secretary
REGULAR OFFICE HOURS 8:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. (Monday - Friday)
SUNDAY WORSHIP IS AT 8:45 & 10:30 A.M. Communion is served the first Sunday of the month
HOW TO CONTACT THE CHURCH (860) 871-6606
Web Page: http://www.eccucc.org
