Volume 11/Number 1/January 2010

Old Greenwich, THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH United Church

Connecticut OF GREENWICH of Christ

M EETINGHOUSE M ONTHLY

CALL TO THE 339th

ANNUAL MEETING

The 339th Annual Meeting of The First

Congregational Church of Greenwich,

Old Greenwich, Connecticut, is hereby called for 8:00 pm on Wednesday,

January 27, 2009. The meeting will be

held in the Meetinghouse:

• To hear and act upon the annual

reports of the pastors, officers and

committees;

• To hear and act upon the report of

the Nominating Committee and to elect officers for the coming year;

• To adopt the budget for 2010; and

• To vote on the proposed changes to

the by-laws. (see page 5)

Phoebe Griffith, Church Clerk

Pie and coffee will be served from

7:00 to 8:00 pm.

Please come for fellowship and treats provided by the Women’s Ministries.

The First Congregational Church of Greenwich to host Annual

MLK Jr. Community Celebration

First Church will host The Greenwich Fellowship of Clergy Annual MLK Jr. Community Celebration on Sunday, January 17 at 2:00 pm. Highlights include: a multi-media presentation of Dr. King’s I Have A Dream speech, special music by area church and synagogue choirs, provocative reflections on carrying Dr. King’s work forward and a re-ception with practical ways to carry out Dr. King’s dream in our com-munity.

Sunday Afternoons Live has begun!

Sunday Afternoons Live is a series of chamber music, vocal, piano and jazz concerts held in the Auditorium during the months of January and February. The audience is seated at candlelit tables, creating a comfortable atmosphere. Hot chocolate, tea and cookies are served from 3:30 pm and the performances begin at 4:00, concluding be-tween 5:15 and 5:30 pm. for more details, see page 3…

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Speaking Pastorally…

(Going Green in Winter)

New Year’s, goodness knows, is a lot of things! New beginnings, resolutions, putting away the old, embracing the new, partying, carrying on and all sorts of things are some of what we associate with New Year’s. There is a wonderful old saying, “May your troubles in the com-ing year be as short-lived as your resolutions.” Well, there is one resolution I hope won’t be short-lived for many of us – and it’s not actually a resolution so much as a change of communication style. Beginning in 2010 we are offering the Meeting House Monthly as an e-mail that would come directly to your inbox as opposed to a hard copy in your mailbox. This of course is optional. But should you decide to give it a try, you will be going green and saving an expense for the church. We will save on paper, production costs (paper and color ink) and time. A number of us have wanted to do this for some time now, and at the urging of the Eco-mission team, the time seemed to be right to give it a try here at the beginning of 2010. For those wishing to continue receiving a printed copy of the newsletter, you need do nothing and nothing will change for you. For those willing to make the transi-tion to a paperless Meeting House Monthly, simply fill out the sheet at the bottom of this page and submit it to the Church Office – or you may respond electronically, but be sure to include all the information that is requested be-low so that everyone in your household who wishes to be included will be and please list their corresponding e-mail address. Send your information to Terry Flanagan at terryf@fccog.org. Good things often come in small packages – and here’s one that needs no packaging at all – just an online contact point for keeping you connected. And another new thing for the New Year… the online version will have color throughout! So what do you say we try something new! And here’s some additional good news: 1) over 175 people have already signed up to participate in our seven new Mission Teams and it’s not too late to sign up if you haven’t already (see page 8) and 2) with the help of a few addi-tional anonymous gifts our matching gifts fund to help our 2010 pledge campaign is up to $87,500 from the origi-nal $75,000. I am very excited about our coming year together and know that we can meet all of our challenges with faith and hope. Blessings to you and yours in 2010!!!

In lieu of a mailed hard copy of the Meeting House Monthly, please send an electronic ver-sion of the newsletter to the following person(s) at the corresponding e-mail address(es): Name: _____________________________ e-mail: _____________________________ Name: _____________________________ e-mail: _____________________________ Name: _____________________________ e-mail: _____________________________

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LOCAL FAVORITE, PIANIST ANDREW ARMSTRONG

OPENS SUNDAY AFTERNOONS LIVE 2010

Performing worldwide to great acclaim, but still a local favorite, pianist Andrew Armstrong opened this year’s Sun-day Afternoons Live concert series with a recital on January 3, 2010. His program, to the delight of any piano lover,

included works by Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Debussy and Chopin. At the 1993 Van Cliburn Competition, where

Andrew was the youngest pianist entered, he received the Jury Discretionary Award. The New York Times wrote, “Armstrong may have been the most talented player in the competition… He’s a real musician. We’ll hear more

from him.” As the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported, Van Cliburn himself, “in a rare showing of enthusiasm for

an individual competitor,” called Mr. Armstrong “Fabulous! Fabulous!” From such auspicious beginnings has blos-

somed a mature player. His recital has given this season a fantastic start! Partial funding for this program was pro-vided in loving memory of Monique Gaden.

The series will continue on January 10 with a recital by classical guitarist Edward Wright. A Rowayton resident and well-known local performer, Wright’s program will be drawn from his vast repertory of Spanish master, South

American Music, Contemporary Fingerstyle Guitar and his own original compositions. With rave reviews like

these, “Deft phrasing, chiming tone and multi-faceted melodic sensibility” (Guitar Player Magazine Editor in Chief, Michael Molenda, Feb ‘09); “Soft as snowflakes, crisp as a winters day and clear as a bell perfect” (iTunes review);

“Ed is a superb guitarist who plays in the Segovia style with clarity and finesse. I don’t get tired of his sophisticated,

understated style.” (syndicated columnist, Andy Rooney); his recital is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

After a break for Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, the series will continue on January 24 with the return of cabaret

singer-pianist Eric Comstock, this time together with his equally talented wife, Barbara Fasano. About them The

New York Post’s Frank Scheck raved, “ Their joint venture is a capital idea. When they sing together the evening is

transformed from collaboration to alchemy.” About their program, Comstock writes, “we will explore romance and its modern complications through the music of Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, Duke Ellington, Harold Arlen, Laura

Nyro, Paul Simon, Johnny Mercer and others.” Who can resist?

On January 31, the month will close with another piano recital, this one by Italian pianist Mauro Bertoli. This

young performer, currently residing in Ottawa, where he is an Associate Performance Faculty Member in the De-

partment of Music at Carleton University, has played to great critical acclaim. “His hands hovering over the key-board, his fingers lightly skimming across the keys in a crescendo of music, it’s like magic… technical virtuosity and

a deep musical sense… great performance by a young pianist… an extraordinary technique at the service of his soul”

(Corriere Canadese, October ’09). His program will consist of music by Beethoven, Schumann, Granados and

Liszt.

The programs take place in our acoustically marvelous Auditorium. Most feature our magnificent nine-foot Stein-

way concert grand. There is no admission charge, but a $15.00 donation is requested from those who are able to contribute.

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New Bible Study! New room set up! New Temperature! A new Bible Study led by Dan England will begin on January 31. The really good part of this announcement is that the study will be on Paul’s letter to the Romans, the theologically “must” book of the New Testament. Is it difficult? Yes. Is it incomprehensible? Only if you try it on your own. But we will do it together and discover its riches. If your faith sometimes flags, it’s time to inject it with the meat of Romans.. Romans is the second stop on our Grand Tour of the Bible, which began in Genesis and will end with Revelation. Here are the dates:

January 31 and February 2 (Dan has agreed to do Tuesday night even though it makes him a little crazy. But we need a good turnout to keep him from discouragement.) February 7 and 9 February 14 (Valentine’s Day!) and 16 (not Valentine’s Day, but give someone a flower anyway) February 21 and 23 (No February 28 and March 2) March 7 and 9 March 14 and 16 March 23 (Tuesday evening only – March 21 is a guest preacher and special 2nd hour) March 28 (Sunday only) There are eight sessions, Tuesday repeating Sunday. We are going to reconfigure the Lounge so that there will be more seating and easier access if you come a bit late. We are also going to pay more attention to the temperature so it does not become so stuffy (at least the room won’t be stuffy – the teacher will try his best to follow suit). Tell your friends. It’s going to be great.

First Church’s Stained Glass Admired and Appreciated Overseas… What began as an email sent to Mary Babbidge last July culminated in an article featuring the particular stained glass panel pictured here in The Worshipful Company of Plumbers newsletter last October. The “Plumbers Company” church is St. Magnus the Martyr, next to the Monument (fire of London fame 1666) in the City of London. John Carnaby, a Liveryman and Steward of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, discovered the pictures of our stained glass windows on the FCCOG website and was fascinated to find the “Plumbers Hall of 1567” window there; so much so that he asked permission to write a short article for their newsletter on the stained glass panel and include a picture. There are copies available if you would like to read the article. It tells of the unexpected connection between the Worshipful Company of Plumbers and “a church in the USA”. If you would like to learn more about the stained glass windows at First Church, just ask for a copy of our booklet.

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The First Congregational Church of Greenwich

Recommended By-law Changes January 2010

A small committee appointed by the Church Committee has met throughout the year to review the by-laws. The pur-pose of this review was to suggest changes to reflect current operating procedures and to clarify the make-up of Standing Committees and the responsibilities of the Nominating Committee. The following changes are recommended by the By-laws Committee. They have already been reviewed and approved by the Church Committee and the Board of Trustees and will be presented to the Congregation at the Annual Meeting on January 27, 2010. • The membership of the Nominating Committee shall consist of the Senior Pastor, the immediate past Senior Dea-

con, the immediate past Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and six members of the congregation at large elected for three year staggered terms. (This change replaces the previously required two deacons and one trustee with three additional members of the congregation at large, allowing for better staggering of terms of membership on the committee.)

• The responsibility of the Nominating Committee was clarified to include preparation of a list of nominations for officers, members of all Standing Committees, at-large members of the First Congregational Pre-School Board and delegates to the Fairfield West Association and the Connecticut Conference.

• The Stewardship Committee will become a Standing Committee reporting to the Board of Trustees. A section listing all standing committees and their responsibilities was added. All standing committees except for Steward-ship will report to the Church Committee.

• The Religious Education Committee will be renamed the Christian Faith Formation Committee to more fully co-ordinate all the educational ministries and faith based Programs of the church.

• The position of Financial Secretary has been combined with the position of the Treasurer. The responsibilities of the Treasurer have been re-written to include the oversight over the custody of the funds of the church, including receipt, collection, deposit and accounting of all funds received and disbursement of the latter under the direction of the Board of Trustees. (This combination of positions reflects the current greater role of the Church Staff in handling many of the day to day financial tasks originally part of the responsibilities of the Treasurer and Financial Secretary. The Treasurer and the Board of Trustees retain oversight responsibility over all financial functions.)

• The reference to Religious Education Task Force should be to Religious Education Committee as used in the cur-rent by-laws.

• The requirement to vote “by ballot” for all elections was removed because a voice vote is the current practice. A written/secret ballot can always be requested by any member of the congregation.

• References to Women’s Fellowship were changed to Women’s Ministries. All recommended changes occur on Article V of the By-laws. Fully annotated copies of these changes are available in the Church Office. Any questions can be addressed to members of the By-laws Review Committee. Rick Derr Mary Ferry Pat Geismar Lynn O’Gorman David Young

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There's a Place for You...

As of December 21, 2009 we had received 341 pledges of financial support for the Church’s programs and minis-tries in 2010. If yours is yet to be sent in, we ask you to do so as soon as possible so we can count it in the 2010 budget we present at the Annual Meeting at the end of this month. Meanwhile, the Board of Trustees gratefully acknowledges pledges from the following members and friends, as well as those who have asked to remain anony-mous.

Chuck and Maryan Ainsworth

Bob and Persis Alden

Phil Alexandre and Margaret

Morrison

David and Colleen Alfano

Mary Ruth Allen

Tom Allen and Sally Brim

Erling and Diane Andersen

Ty and Cyndy Anderson

Lydia Anderson

Mark and Susan Anderson

Millicent Armstrong

Fred Arndt

Selma Ash

Sue and Shawn Asselin

Gordon and Mary-Ann Assing

David and Jean Ayres

Bob and Cindy Bailey

Sue Baker

Elizabeth and Peter Beam

David and Melissa Bennett

Annette Bergh and Gary Lico

Gary and Deb Berner

Janet Blasberg

Sandra Boles

Bill and Deb Bonnell

Ken Bonnet and July Gao

Steve and Betty Bonsal

Mary Boudreau

Bob and Rose Brady

Don and Ginny Breismeister

Janet Brooks

George and Jean Bruder

Becki Burdick

Virginia Burgess

Sandy Burke

Jane Campbell

Chris Cantwell

Hilda Cardwell

J. Robert Carey

Curt and Joyce Carlson

Judy Chapman

Carolyn Colegrove

Sally Colegrove

Thelma Colegrove

Tim and Allison Coleman

Norman and Dolores Collins

Bill and Marian Cordner

Libby Craig

Steve and Ashley Crihfield

Barbara Crilley

Harry and Dianne Culpen

John and Barbara Davidson

Judy Davis

Rick and Jennie DeFazio

Matt and Paige DeFusco

Art and Wynne Delmhorst

Marga DeNatale

John and Joan Denne

Rick and Marilyn Derr

Dana and Sally Dolloff

Mary Durland

Florence Earl

Betty Edgar

Joe Bob and Bonnie Edwards

Anders and Mariann Ekernas

Alice Ell

Dan and Claire England

Dave and Laura Erickson

Daniel Erickson

Beverly Espinosa

Susan Eveland

Kendra Farn-Finz

Libby Fatum

Frank and Jennifer Feenstra

Bob and Mary Ferry

Charles and Joyce Field

Mary Fike

Warner Finney

Terry and Lisa Flanagan

Michaela Fossum

Kate and Ty Forer

Nancy Fountain

Dick and Kathy Fraser

Don and Phyllis Freeman

Joyce French

Natalie Frenz

Frosty and Don Friedman

Lynn Mickert Friend

Harold Frost

John Fryback

Maxine Gaddis

Ken and Melanie Garnett

Barbara Gaulocher

Scott and Ann Gaulocher

Dick and Pat Geismar

John and Jan Gelb

Paul and Lauren Ghaffari

Lile Gibbons

Richard and Susan Gilbert

Bruce and Linda Glover

Catherine Goff

Justin and Roxanne Goh

Bob and Judy Goodchild

Ann Goodson

Al and Judy Gordon

Tony and Sally Graham

Allen Green and Christie Coon

Dale Greene

Andy and Phyllis Gregor

Helen Grimm

Peter and Pam Grunow

Helen Hagner

Stephanie Hanbury-Brown and

Ed Healy

George Handley

Chris and Olga Hartwell

Lorry and Barbara Hathaway

Larry and Erlinda Haviland

Lucy Hedrick

Doug and Kathy Heidt

Bill and Claire Henry

Dick and Carol Hermance

Lenore Hill

Nadean Hirth

Sybren and Janette Hoekstra

Kevin and Lucia Hoffman

Rich and Bobbie Hopkins

Lisa Hudson

Jane Hudson Finch

Dennis and Pam Humbert

Bob and Helen Ingraham

Gerald Isaacson

Ken and Elizabeth Jacobs

Gordon Jamieson

Rob and Cheryle Janelli

Jean Jankovich

Richard and Diane Jenkins

Paul and Joan Johansen

Marc and Julie Johnson

Wayne and Emily Jostrand

Ed and Sara Keller

Gary and Diana Klingner

Ron and Janet Klingner

Barbara Kneen

Ken Kolb and Kathy

McLennan

Peggy and Tom Krempecki

Paul and Diane Kretschmann

Betsy Kreuter

Eric and Pam Kreuter

Alexander Kulchuk

Greg and Kimberly

Kuppenheimer

Tom and Terri Browne Kutzen

Debbie LaCivita

Fred and Nanette Laffan

Rosemary Lamie

Frank and Carole Lang

Tad and Pat Larrabee

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Penny Lehman

Warren and Pat Leibfried

Leidy Family

Dick Lewis

Charles and Alison Leigh

Clem and Jenny Lepoutre

Ginger Liddel

Ruth Lindegren

Bobby Littlefield

Chuck and Marcia Livingston

Robin Loughman

Mario and Lilian Lotufo

Dana and Anne Low

Joe and Penny Low

Bob and Ruth Lubbers

Bob and Bea Luce

John and Mary Maarbjerg

Bob and Carolyn MacLea

Tom Mahoney

Joe and Wendy Mallory

Avery Manchester

Paul and Cheryl Manos

Carol Mawhinney

Eleanor Mawhinney

Stu and Sue McCalley

Patricia McCarter

Chuck and Nancy McConnell

Leon McKenzie

Bob and Eileen Medvey

Bob and Pat Mendelsohn

Ed and Kara Mendelsohn

Ben and Lea Menegon

Jan and Prill Meyer

Letty Militana

Christopher Mill

Gary and Judy Miller

Dick and Lois Miller

Mark Mohn and Beth Press

Kevin and Marcie Molloy

Betsy and Chris Moore

Earl and Darlene Moore

Sally Morgan

Jim and Nancy Morris

Rob and Mary Helen Morris

Dale and Sherry Myer

Tamara and Richard Ng-Yow

Marion Nolan

Jack and Barbara Norrgard

Enid Norris

Joyce Nye

Chris and Beth O’Donnell

Paul and Lynn O’Gorman

Eleanore Olsen

Christina Olson

Ken and Erna Olson

Ed and Barbara Oppedisano

Gary and Karen Oztemel

Paul Pacent

Nancy Palamarcuik

Paul and Phyllis Palmer

Dick Peebles and Doug Bloom

Bill and Mary Jane Penwell

Rob and Ellen Perelli-Minetti

Anne and Fred Pfetsch

Bob and Sandra Phelps

Bill and Margaret Phyfe

Steve and Nancy Pierson

Hans and Sandra Plickert

Pat Pollack

Frank and Marie Preucil

Al and Rosina Primo

Jack and Judy Provoost

Susanne Provoost

Michael Pugh

Ben and Kristen Quick

Frank and Shona Quinn

Jeff and Nancy Ramer

Mary Ranta

Stan and Barbara Rawn

Giff and Ruth Reed

Harlan and Wendy Reynolds

Barrie Richmond

Gary and Janice Riddell

Bill and Ginny Ridenour

John and Marie-Theres Riis

Bob and Kathy Riley

Chuck and Dee Robarts

Dorothy and John Robertson

Lynn Robertson

Charlotte and Arthur Robinson

Joe and Colette Rogers

Beth Rollins

Lori Romano

Virginia Rose

Mike and Christina Russell

Jon and Paola Ryckman

Jeff and Heather Sahrbeck

Robert Salmonsen

Bill and Betsy Sandberg

Bill and Irene Savage

BJ Savin and Ashton Vines

Peter and Patricia Schay

John and Elizabeth Schinto

Eric and Lesley Schless

Charlotte Schmidt-Fellner

Bill and Louise Schmitt

Pat Schmitt

Christina Schoen

Jaclyn Schofield

Elizabeth and Dave Schrohe

John and Jane Seel

Stuart and Jean Serenbetz

Jim and Carol Shattuck

John and Debi Shaw

Meg Sherman

Anne Sherrerd

David and Beverly Silliphant

Debbie Silverthorn

Ed and Claire Simmons

Peter and Ann Simpson

Doris Sisley

David and Cathy Sloan

Betty Sleath

Elaine Smith

Nan Snyder

Elen Sotzing

Steve and Janet Sotzing

Bob and Pam Speer

John and Libby Standish

John Stansell and Michael

Pellegrino

Jim and Tommie Starkweather

Linnea Stenberg

Angela Stevens

Dave and Margaret Stewart

Martha Stisser

Mac and Carisa Sykes

Bob and Harriet Starr

Anne Stolley

Jack Sweger

Mark Swicegood

Scott and Donna Tagliarino

George and Catherine Taylor

George and Molly Thomson

Chris Thompson and Dawn

Tutje

Sheila Tolmie

Joan Torelli

Cindy Tredwell

Howard Truss

Barbara Van Buren

Marc and Leslie VanDermeer

Dan Vandivort and Marie

Pipitone

Don and Connie Van Rhyn

Cornelia Veith

Karen Vissicchio

Anne Wachsman

Peter and Katharine Wall

Connie Walton

Jeff and Jean Watkins

Mary Webster

Bob and Nancy Weeks

Arthur and Cathie Weigner

Stephen Weigner

Barry and Peg Wentworth

Car Westbrook

Bill and Lauren Wheaton

Chuck and Debbie Wheelock

Tom and Lori White

Warren White

Lynn White Montanari

Peggy Whitlock

Clark and Bernice Whitemore

Betty Wiiken

Susan Wilder

Holly Wilkinson

David and Ardith Williams

Nancy Wolf

Betty Woodman

Rick Woodman and Carolyn

Paulus

Jane Yates

Marge York

David and Michelle Young

Kirk and Karen Young

John and Nancy Ziac

Josh and Emily Ziac

Dana Zikria

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OUR MISSION TEAMS ARE OFF TO A GREAT START IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN… Shelter Mission Team: contact Peter Griffin Literacy Mission Team: contact one of our co-leaders: Nancy McConnell, Mary Ranta or Donna Tagliarino. Hunger Mission Team: contact Sheila Bennett Environmental Mission Team: contact Shona Quinn International Mission Team: contact Kathy Fraser National Mission Team: contact Phil Alexandre Visitation Mission Team: contact Ashley Crihfield

First Church Preschool

Summer-FUN-tastic Summer Program

2010 The Summer-Fun-tastic Program at the First Church Preschool serves children between the ages of 3 and 5 (entering kindergarten in September). The program consists of three two-week sessions: • Session 1: June 21 – July 2: Filipo’s World of Sports. Children will participate in soccer, basketball, kickball,

gym games and golf activities. Session activities developed and implemented by Filipo Caro. • Session 2: July 6 – July 16: The Arts Factory. Children will experience various art media such as acrylic painting,

mixed media, watercolor, pastel, clay and music. • Session 3: July 19 – July 30: Science Sleuths. The children will explore the mysteries of magnets, air pressure,

colors, sound, classification and patterns and plants and animals. Other activities include arts and crafts, play-ground, sprinkler and snack. Children bring their lunch.

Seahorses: Children who are 3 years old by December 31, 2010 and are entering a 3’s program in September. Chil-dren must be toilet trained. The program operates Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. The cost per session is $350.00. All other children, Monday – Friday from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm. Cost per session is $550.00.

Contact Information:

First Church Preschool 108 Sound Beach Avenue

Old Greenwich, CT 06870 203-637-5430

e-mail: libbyw@fccog.org

MISSION

TEAMS

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NEWS FROM THE RUMMAGE ROOM... HAPPY NEW YEAR! The holidays are over and it’s back to the real world! The Rummage Room reopened on

MONDAY, JANUARY 4 at 10:00 am. Donations are welcomed. Think about donating Christmas decorations

when putting yours away and re-gifting those presents you received and cannot use so they may be turned into food and shelter for the less fortunate. An item that may not appeal to you could be someone else’s treasure.

Please come in on Opening Week and benefit from a week-long 50% off WINTER CLOTHING SALE (with the exception of ski wear). It is our way of saying “thank you” to the customers who made December a banner sales

month. In fact, The Rummage Room sales for the last half of 2009 were outstanding, but there are still thousands

of people within our reach living in poverty who need the support from those of us who have never experienced the desperation that comes with hunger, homelessness, sickness and fear. Your participation at The Rummage Room

can help make 2010 a banner year for our mission projects.

The Rummage Room is an amazing place! If anyone would care to know exactly where the funds from your dona-tions and your purchases go, any of the staff or volunteers will gladly share that information with you. You will be

amazed by what is being accomplished by our dynamic “Best Little Shop in Old Greenwich”! The Allocations

chair, Prill Meyer, our treasurer, Erna Olsen and our Rummage Room co-chairs Judy Miller and Judy Chapman will always make themselves available to any group who would like to know more about our mission projects locally,

nationally and worldwide. Spread the word to your friends and neighbors… it’s contagious! Come in and VOL-

UNTEER, SHOP and DONATE.

And remember, some of us who rise to sing “Standing on the Promises” may in reality just be “Sitting on the Prem-

ises.” Isn’t it time to get up and get in on the action?

Many thanks to everyone in the congregation who participated in the FCCOG Giving Tree op-

portunities this year. Through your generosity, we were able to bring gifts and joy to almost 200

people at the H.O.M.E. Community in Orland, Maine and at Pilgrim Towers in Stamford.

On top of that, we have a large collection of white gifts to deliver locally for gifting throughout

the year!

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From the Parish Nurse… Healthy New Year by Sue Asselin, RN

Happy New Year 2010! It’s hard to believe that another year has passed. The members of the Wellness Com-mittee and I wish you and your loved ones a wonderful year ahead, full of blessings and good health. We thank

you for your support of the services and educational programs planned and presented by our ministry.

I would like to acknowledge the members of the Wellness Committee and express my gratitude toward them for

their assistance and support with programs that help us all live more healthy lives - physically, spiritually, emo-

tionally and in relationship with one another. The members are: Annette Bergh, Ginny Breismeister, Paul Kretschmann, Betsy Kreuter (Chair), Ginge Liddel, Enid Norris, Ruth Reed, Jacky Schofield and Karen Young.

The next time you talk with one of them, please join me in thanking them for their contribution to the congre-

gation’s wellness.

Here are some of the programs the Wellness Committee has planned in the coming months:

Saturday, February 13 - 8:30 am to 1:00 pm - Red Cross Blood Drive, cosponsored by Women’s Ministries.

Don’t miss the devilled eggs and live piano music.

Thursday, February 25 - Noon - a Cooking Demo of Heart-Healthy Salad Dressings by Gavin Prichard, dieti-

cian from Greenwich Hospital’s Healthy Living Center. A light lunch of salad and bread will be provided.

Sunday, March 7- following Worship Service - The Benefits of Acupuncture. We welcome back Dr. Janet

Freedman to speak about the wide-spread uses of acupuncture.

March - on a Saturday - CPR classes will be offered for first-timers and re-certifications.

Ongoing programs include blood pressure screening, Medicare Part D counseling and information and support for any positive life style changes. If you would like your blood pressure taken or have any health-related con-

cerns or questions, stop in to see me in Room 203. I am here Tuesdays and Thursdays and most Sundays.

If you are interested in joining the Wellness Committee and have some good ideas to share, please contact me at

extension 21. We especially need volunteer health professionals to take blood pressures occasionally on Sundays

after the Worship Service. Wishing you wellness in the New Year!

LIFE EVENTS

Weddings: Larry Dean Welch and Tracie Tilson—December 24

Baptisms: Thomas Wyman Beck—December 13 Tyler Vincent Phillips—December 13 Deaths: Mary Streitmatter—December 10

Please submit material for the

February Meetinghouse Monthly

by January 15.

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JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

01/01 Kelly Loughman

01/01 Fred Meyer

01/01 Ginny Ridenour

01/01 Patricia McCarter

01/01 Catherine Goff

01/01 Shannon Boles

01/01 Devon Walker

01/01 Shira Rieke

01/02 Jerome Coe

01/02 Robert Alden

01/02 Jan Meyer

01/02 Emily LaCivita

01/02 Ben Shaver

01/02 Holly Hanson

01/03 Warren White

01/03 Barbara Martin

01/03 Tom Ragland

01/03 Libby Tracey

01/03 Christian Thalheim

01/03 Austin Cantwell

01/03 Harrison Kriebel

01/03 Caroline Bennett

01/04 John Stansell

01/04 Mariann Ekernas

01/04 Susan Glendon

01/04 Arnie Arnold

01/04 Katie Weatherseed

01/05 Katie Carlson

01/06 Joseph McBride

01/06 Jennifer Lepoutre

01/06 Lindsey Kilmurray

01/06 Lindsey Trepanier

01/07 Linda Glover

01/07 April Gurciullo

01/07 Henry Shrier

01/08 Sarah Cleworth

01/08 Mary-Ann Assing

01/08 Christopher Ghaffari

01/08 Owen Tedford

01/09 Mary Leinbach

01/09 Dianne Culpen

01/09 Barbara Pizzimenti

01/09 William Phyfe

01/09 B J Savin

01/09 Bailey Poole

01/09 Ella Carlson

01/09 Ellen Romano

01/10 Deborah Berner

01/10 Bruce Glover

01/10 Lindsay Howland

01/10 Chelsea Bacon

01/10 Ethan Berman

01/10 Raymond Latrell

Burick-Dykes

01/11 Lauren Wheaton

01/11 Sue Carlson

01/11 Taylor Stafford

01/11 Marquise Burick

01/11 John Russell

01/12 Gary Oztemel

01/12 Rita Dadzis

01/12 Judy Guard

01/12 Patricia Andersen

01/12 Charles Schrohe

01/13 Eric Plaskonos

01/13 Clare Thomas

01/14 Maxine Gaddis

01/15 Karen Young

01/15 Bob Lubbers

01/15 Christy Sadler

01/15 Mary Beck

01/15 Nina Kreuter

01/16 Joan Johansen

01/16 Lilian Lotufo

01/16 Trevor Hanson

01/16 Lauren O'Donnell

01/16 Kendall Quick

01/17 Stephen Sotzing

01/17 Karen Thormann

01/17 Beth O'Donnell

01/17 Allison Saari

01/17 William Thomas

01/17 Gregory Lico

01/17 Jake Trask

01/17 Stephen Dodd

01/17 Paulina Eileen

Farn-Finz

01/18 Chris Begole

01/18 Jack Taylor

01/19 Cynthia Sandreuter

01/19 Joan Cleworth

01/19 Leonard Saari

01/19 Laura Janelli

01/19 James DeFazio

01/19 James F DeFazio

01/20 Marian Cordner

01/20 Dianne Shrier

01/20 Phebe Huth

01/20 Grace Alfano

01/20 Ainsley Sahrbeck

01/21 Barbara Parker

01/21 Karina Schless

01/21 Sara Stewart

01/22 Jean Richards

01/22 Carol Hermance

01/22 Barbara Smith

01/22 Dawn Tutje

01/22 Mary Helen Morris

01/22 Martin Mair

01/23 Helen Grimm

01/23 John Maarbjerg

01/23 Thomas White

01/23 Alexander Robarts

01/23 Richard DeFazio

01/23 Jadesola Ariyibi

01/23 Maggie Jacoby

01/23 Benjamin John Bates

01/24 Jonny Rogers

01/24 Megan Mahoney

01/24 Blair Johnson

01/25 Allan Ferry

01/25 Tom Wilkinson

01/25 Chris Vandivort

01/25 Liza Johnson

01/26 Fred Christensen

01/27 John Enquist

01/27 Lindsay Stafford

01/27 Clement Lepoutre

01/27 Heather Brady

Breismeister

01/27 Kristin Lovallo

01/28 Jane Jansen

01/28 Christopher Moore

01/28 Paul Kretschmann

01/28 Selene Dunn

01/28 Anneliese Mair

01/29 Cornelia Veith

01/29 Will Trask

01/29 Ellen Pulitzer

01/29 Elizabeth Mohn

01/29 John Romano

01/30 Gerald Isaacson

01/31 Molly Thomson

01/31 Eric Andersen

01/31 Jake Stewart

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

The First Congregational Church of Greenwich

Ministers: The Members of The First Congregational Church of Greenwich

Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. David D. Young, dyoung@fccog.org Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry: Rev. Mark D. Montgomery, mmontgomery@fccog.org

Minister of Communication and Adult Education: Rev. Daniel B. England, dengland@fccog.org Minister of Pastoral Care: Rev. Avery C. Manchester, amanchester@fccog.org

Director of Music/Senior Organist: Dr. John Stansell, drjohn@fccog.org Associate Organist/Director: Terence J. Flanagan, terryf@fccog.org Director of Church School: Rosemary Lamie, rosemaryl@fccog.org Director of Membership: Ginny Breismeister, ginnyb@fccog.org

Parish Nurse: Susan Asselin, RN, susana@fccog.org Pastors Emeriti: Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Stiers and Rev. Sally Colegrove

The Church Offices will be closed Monday, January 18 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

IN THIS ISSUE

Speaking Pastorally.…...…..….....2 Sunday Afternoons Live...…..….. 3 Bible Study…………..……...…. 4 By-law changes…………...…..… 5 Stewardship Campaign..…..…..... 6 First Church Preschool..……..…. 8 The Rummage Room…….…….. 9 Parish Nurse……...….……..… 10 Birthdays…………...……….… 11