V THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF … · Without our hands reaching out beyond the walls of our...
Transcript of V THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF … · Without our hands reaching out beyond the walls of our...
Volume 10/ Number 4 / April 2009
Old Greenwich, THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH United Church
Connecticut OF GREENWICH of Christ
M EETINGHOUSE M ONTHLY
IN THIS ISSUE
Speaking Pastorally....…… 2 Music Notes/Women’s Retreat………………… 3 Church School.....………. 4 New Member Class....…... 5 Noye’s Fludde…...……… 6 Confirmation/Preschool.... 8 Quilt Raffle/R. Room….... 9 Parish Nurse……..…..….10 Birthdays……………..… 11
April 5: Palm Sunday A Violating Visit Palm procession for all children in the Meetinghouse; child care available. Remember your food offerings!
April 9: Maundy Thursday 6:00 pm Supper and 7:00 pm Tenebrae Service.
April 10: Good Friday 10:00 am Family Service for preschool and school age children.
8:00 pm Service featuring Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem.
April 12: Easter Day
From Mourning to Morning 6:00 am Sunrise Service at Greenwich Point.
The Vanishing Visitor 9:00 and 11:00 am Festive Services in the Meetinghouse with choirs, brass and timpani; child care available.
Holy Week at The First Congregational Church
The Lenten Project 2009 Now more than ever we need to share generously with those in need. Our goals for the 2009 Lenten Offering are 100% participation from the congregation with a target of $80,000 in total contributions. The contributions will be divided among H.O.M.E and three local hunger charities. More information about these worthy agencies can be found by contacting the Church Office.
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Speaking Pastorally...
“The church exists by mission as fire exists by burning.” - Swiss Theologian, Emil Brunner
As many of you know, there has been talk lately of “Mission Teams” around our church. But what are they and who are they intended for? First Congregational Church of Greenwich is an historic church with a strong legacy built upon mission and outreach. Seeking to enhance that legacy and move us forward, the church is launching a new initiative which will offer our members the opportunity of putting their Christian faith into practice by being part of a Mission Team. Two pilot projects are already off the ground: the Literacy Volunteers Mission Team and the Environmental Mission Team. Simply put, a Mission Team is a small group of people (8-20) who are organized around a common commitment to a particular area of mission. They work together, support each other and offer their hands in service beyond the walls of the church – all in the name of Christ. Each team will also share a small group life together so that relationships, friendships and faith can be deepened. The Church Committee, Trustees and Outreach Committee have been very supportive of advancing this opportunity. They, along with the steering group comprised of Pat Mendelsohn, Bill Penwell, Judy Gordon, Cyndy Anderson, Mark Montgomery and myself, truly hope this will grow our church’s heart for mission. To that end, we are having a special Second Hour on Sunday May 3 from 11:30 am to 12:15 pm in the Lounge to share more details and get your input and ideas for areas of mission emphasis, or, if you prefer, you may contact anyone on the steering committee. As many as 8-10 new teams will be available this coming Fall and it is my hope that everyone will participate after learning about the different Mission Team possibilities. Without our hands reaching out beyond the walls of our church to God’s children in need, Christ has no hands in the world. We may not change the world in huge ways, but we can be powerful symbols of hope in a dark and struggling world. When we work together as Christ’s body serving the world, we can make a difference. In his book, Mutual Ministry, James Fenhagen writes,
“Mission is the response of the people of God to the reconciling work of Christ in the world. As Paul so eloquently attests: ‘From first to last, this has been the work of God. God has reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has enlisted us in this service of reconciliation.’ (2 Cor. 5:18) Mission then, is not as much a program as it is a process, a way of life.”
We seek to make it a way of life by engaging ourselves in our Mission Teams and following the words of Christ, “As you did it to the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.” (Matt. 25:40) In that way,
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Musical Notes… from John Stansell
Music for Good Friday
On Good Friday, April 10, at 8:00 pm, our Chancel Choir, augmented by guest choristers from our congregation and the community, will perform Gabriel Fauré’s beautiful Requiem. The service will begin with a congregational hymn, readings and prayers, but the “sermon” will be the music. Hanna Golodinskii, who with her husband Vasil is part of our choir on a regular basis, will be the soprano soloist for the well-known “Pie Jesu.” The baritone soloist will be Andrew Martens, heard by many in the Three Basses concert that opened our Sunday Afternoons Live series this year. Make this solemn service part of your Holy Week and your experience of Easter Day will be all the more meaningful.
Choristers Guild Children’s Choir Festival A highlight of the year for our Children’s Choir is the Annual Children’s Choir Festival sponsored by the Central Connecticut Chapter of Choristers Guild. This year the event will be held at The First Congregational Church of Ridgefield on Saturday April 25. Children from churches all around Connecticut will rehearse in the morning to prepare for a Festival Worship Service at 2:30 pm. They will be under the skilled direction of Joanne Rodland, Minister of Music at West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, NJ, and a nationally recognized authority on children’s choirs. The congregation is encouraged to support our children by attending the Festival Service. It is guaranteed to inspire! The church address is 103 Main Street, Ridgefield.
The Spring Women’s Retreat
Saturday April 25, 2009: 8:30 am-3 :00 pm at The First Congregational Church of Greenwich
Please join us for a wonderful day of spiritual renewal, socializing, fun and
discovery! We are offering child care for busy moms, workshops on Thai Chi, Centering Prayer, Gardening and a Bible study with Dan England. Our keynote speaker will be our Association Minister, Rev. Susan Townsley.
There will be worship, singing of songs, good food and time to socialize with other women from your faith community.
Please contact Kate Forer at the church for more information.
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Church School News…
LENTEN OFFERING UPDATE Our children and families donated 128 pounds of food during the first two weeks in Lent for Neighbor to Neighbor and Pilgrim Towers. We will continue to bring food through Easter.
WALK THROUGH HOLY WEEK On April 4 our children and parents will experience firsthand some of the significant events Jesus and his disciples lived through during the last week of Jesus’ life – the Palm Parade, the Last Supper, carrying the cross and the anticipation of New Life as a symbol of Jesus’ triumph over death! Join us at 10:00 am on Saturday morning for an exciting journey you will not soon forget.
Calling Church School Teachers! Have you wondered what it might be like to play an important role in the lives of the children in this congregation? Do you feel like God might be calling you towards a teaching ministry for the year ahead? Please consider attending a Church School Teacher Info-Session 0n Wednesday, April 22 at 7:30 pm in the Youth Room. Learn about our Church School year - including teacher training dates, meet our Church School Director, Rosemary Lamie and our Associate Pastor for Christian Education, Kate Forer. Have your questions answered and your imagination sparked! We are in the process of choosing a NEW CURRICULUM for the upcoming year, so even if you have taught in the past, you may want to consider coming to this info-session. You do not need to be a parent to teach Church School. Questions, concerns or suggestions, please contact Kate Forer or Rosemary Lamie at the church.
Fifth GRADE TO PILGRIM TOWERS On April 19, our fifth graders will make a return visit to our friends at Pilgrim Towers. This time the class will prepare lunch beforehand and serve it to the residents. We will also have a sing along and renew the friendships we made at Christmas time.
SILVER LAKE SUMMER CAMP - GREAT FOR FIRST TIME SLEEPAWAY If you have never been to the UCC camp and conference center, you need to know that it is beautiful, with wonderful facilities, and nearby – less than two hours. It is the perfect setting for a first time sleep away camper. The sessions are only one week long and cover a wide range of interests. The first time a child can attend is when they are going into the fourth grade and there is even a half week mom and child session from July 12 to July 15 for fourth graders. Our pastor Mark Montgomery is leading a session the week of August 9. See the brochures on the bulletin board across from the Lounge or check out the website: www.silverlakect.org.
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Interested in Learning about Joining the Church? Our next New Member Class will be held on Sunday April 19, 2009 at 11:15 am in the Lounge. It will last approximately two hours and will include lunch. During the class, prospective new members have the opportunity to hear about the history and faith of our denomination, the United Church of Christ, and to learn more about our church and meet the clergy as well as staff. Attending does not obligate you to join but we hope that this time together will strengthen you on the journey of faith. Child care will be provided. Please feel welcome to join us. If you are planning to attend or you have questions please contact Ginny Breismeister at [email protected] or 637-1791 extension 26.
Easter Memorial/Honor Flowers
The Chancel Committee invites contributions for flowers in the Meetinghouse this Easter. Any amount is welcome. Please deliver the completed form with your check to the Church Office (payable to the First Church Flower Fund) on or before Sunday April 5. Thank you.
In Memory of: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ In Honor of: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
By: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Enclosed is my check in the amount of $_______________
THIRD GRADE BIBLE BREAKFAST was held on March 1
The third graders “bulk up” before winning the Bible Jeopardy contest against their parents!
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Noye’s Fludde Second Hour
After worship on Sunday, April 26, we will have a special Second Hour presentation in the Auditorium about Noye’s Fludde – The Chester Miracle Play set to music by Benjamin Britten. Our purpose is fourfold:
1. To introduce Noye’s Fludde to folks who don’t know it. 2. To share memories of past productions, including video excerpts. 3. To generate excitement for the November 14 and 15, 2009 production. 4. To get early commitments to participate. The tradition of presenting this chancel opera at First Church began over forty years ago. Many families and individuals have participated in every production! Pictured here are folks who have taken part in the past, along with some recollections, and some future participants.
Tom Woodman, our Noah since 1997.
Charlie Baird: “I was a Robin in 2001 and sang the role of Noah’s son Sem in 2005. I can’t wait for November.”
Ivan and Yevgeniya Golodinskii are looking forward to their first Fludde.
Mary Fike plays the recorder solo for the dove's dance.
Daniel Lepoutre: “I especially remember the Storm scene, ‘falling asleep’ afterwards, and then seeing the Dove return.”
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Enid Norris tries on her head.
Gillian Woodman: “My grandparents were the Giraffes in almost every production and I was a bluebird in 2005. It’s a family tradition.”
Stephanie Woodman: “I was a Toucan in 2005. My uncle who sings the role of Noah was a Toucan in 1968!”
Shaw Speer: “I was a mouse in 2001.”
William Mackay: “What part will I play?”
Lucinda Allen: “I was a Raindrop Dancer in 2001 and look forward to participating this fall.”
The older Lepoutre boys, T.J. and Michael, in 2001 and now.
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FIRST CHURCH PRESCHOOL
Program Offerings
The Preschool Program for three and four year olds offers developmentally appropriate activities in music, art, imaginative play, cooking, science, large and small motor activities and readiness concepts in math and language activities.
The Connecting Program for five year olds offers a curriculum that focuses on activities in language arts, mathematics, science, physical education and social studies.
The Summer-Fun-tastic Program serves children between the ages of three (must be three by 12/31/2009 and toilet trained) and five. The program consists of three two-week sessions: • Session 1 – June 22-July 3: Sports World. Children will participate in soccer, basketball, gym games
and golf activities. • Session 2 – July 6–17: The Arts Factory. Children will experience various art media such as acrylic
painting, mixed media, watercolor, pastel, clay and a music program. • Session 3 – July 20–July 31: 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, playground, sprinkler and snack.
Women’s Ministries Opportunities!
This historic and incredibly successful fundraising body of our congregation has
some wonderful opportunities for women.
First of all, The Rummage Room has openings for cashiers and merchandisers.
Have you ever thought of doing an after
school outreach project with your eighth grader or older? Could be Mom and
Daughter, Dad and Son or any
combination! Also, the Women’s
Ministries Board needs Nominating Committee members. If you would like to
explore any of these opportunities, please
contact Rosemary Lamie (WM) or Ginny Breismeister (RR) now!
Confirmation 2009
On the weekend of April 17 to 19, 25 Confirmands will journey to Silver Lake on their final
retreat for this special year. They will begin the process of writing their own statements of faith. As a group, this class of ninth graders have grown closer to
one another and learned more about their faith and their church.
They are a fun, smart, multi-talented group of kids that we are so lucky to have as part of our
congregation! We look forward to receiving them as full adult members on Confirmation Sunday, May 10.
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NEWS FROM THE RUMMAGE ROOM Spring has sprung, flowers are a bloomin’, bunnies are a hoppin’ and Easter is upon us. It’s the time of year that Mother Nature is most creative… and so is The Rummage Room. If you receive this issue of Meetinghouse Monthly in time, drop by The Rummage Room on April 1 and see the window displays that celebrate the season. Look closely and you may even see an arm or a leg move ever so slightly. If you miss seeing the windows on April Fool’s Day it is still worth a trip to see what award winning manager Maria Dreighe has created for Easter.
A recent new volunteer said, “I had no idea it would be so appreciated if I could only work an hour or so when my schedule allows it. Not only does it make me feel good to help out with such a worthwhile and productive endeavor but IT IS FUN! The other volunteers are so friendly and welcoming that you feel like a Queen for the Day!” If you have hesitated to volunteer because you thought the time you have available is insignificant, think again. It takes many hands to make The Rummage Room a success and your hands will be a blessing.
This month’s Wish List… bric-a-brac, all things Easter - especially clothing, and a parental propelled child’s metal play car (the kind that looks like a push lawn mower only with a car to hold the passenger).
Have a joyous Easter season… and remember that life isn’t about waiting for the rain to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain!
Women’s Ministries 39th Annual Quilt Raffle Once again, the Kettle Quilters have created a beautiful queen size quilt in a traditional modified log cabin pattern which will be raffled off at the Spring Luncheon on Wednesday May 13. This year, in an effort to be “green” and to economize, we ask that you use the form below to order your tickets. The form can also be found on the Church’s web site: www.fccog.org. Tickets will also be on sale at The Rummage Room, at Coffee Hour and in the Church Office in the weeks leading up to the luncheon, but please don’t delay. Fill out the form below and drop it off or mail it to the church. Your tickets will be filled out by the committee and your stubs returned to you if you prefer, or held for you at the luncheon. You need not be present to win. All proceeds from the raffle of this quilt will support charitable organizations that benefit women, children and families. We are grateful to our dedicated group of Kettle Quilters who continue the tradition of providing heirloom quilts year after year. We thank them and our faithful church community for the continued support of the mission of Women’s Ministries. If you have any questions, please contact Cynthia De Riemer at 637-9536 or [email protected] or Laura Erickson at 698-3267or [email protected]. Thank you!
Name:____________________________________________________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________ Phone Number:_________________________ E-mail (optional):_____________________ Tickets are sold in books of 6. Each ticket costs $2.50. The cost per book is $15.00. Number of ticket books:__________ x $15.00 = Total enclosed:______________ I would like my stubs (please check one):_____Held for me at the luncheon_____Returned to me via mail.
Checks may be made out to Women’s Ministries. Please return the form and payment to the Church Office at 108 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich, CT 06870, attention: Quilt Committee
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From the Parish Nurse… Strengthening Bone Health by Sue Asselin, RN
An enthusiastic crowd gathered to glean some knowledge about preserving bone density as physiatrist Dr. Janet Freedman busted some myths and reinforced some truths about bone disease at a Second Hour on March 15. Here are some of the more surprising facts we learned:
• Hip fractures are life threatening because: victims have a 20% mortality rate, 30% never return home, 20% will have another fracture and only 30% will regain full
function. • For adults, weight bearing exercise may not necessarily improve bone density as experts once thought, though it does prevent fractures because it improves strength and balance. • Balance is just as, if not more, important as bone strength when it comes to preventing fractures. This is likely due to preventing falls. Yet another reason to try Tai Chi! • Bone reaches its maximum density at age 25, so it’s especially important for kids to get calcium, vitamin D, and weight bearing exercise. • Our bodies can only absorb 500 mg of calcium at a time. A daily total of 1500 mg of calcium (and 400 IU of vitamin D) is sufficient for most adults. Tums brand antacid is a good source of calcium. • Osteoporosis has no symptoms until a bone breaks. • Long term use of steroids and some seizure medications increases the risk of osteoporosis. • Many generic drugs are made in the same facility as the name brand and are just labeled differently. • Getting a joint replaced sooner rather than waiting until one “can’t stand it any longer” is beneficial as it enables
mobility and thus allows for exercise, which improves strength, balance and overall health.
UPDATES TO THE NEW FCCOG DIRECTORY OF MEMBERS AND FRIENDS 2009
We hope you have picked up a copy of the latest Directory of Members and Friends and if you have not, they are available in the Church Office. Please review your own listing for accuracy and let us know if any changes are needed by contacting Ginny Breismeister at the church. The following additions and corrections can be made by hand or by cutting out this page and putting it with your copy. BERMAN – add child, Olivia BREISMEISTER, CRAIG – add child, Finn BUGGY – this listing pertains to Glenn and children O’DONNELL, CHRIS and BETH – add children Lauren and Andrew WARE – add child, William
Add the following individuals and families: RODRIGUEZ, Lilliam; Aldo Jesus (AJ), Barbara, 5 Ridge Place, Stamford, CT 06901 WELCH, Larry; Avery, Thayer, 202 Soundview Avenue #53, Stamford, CT 06902, (203) 276-9868 DAVENPORT, Lee; Winding Lane, Greenwich CT 06830, (203) 869-3073 MOSS, Doris ; 136 Riverside Avenue, Riverside, CT 06878, (203) 637-4635 SAVIN, BJ and Vines, Ashton; 22 Glenbrook Road #307, Stamford, CT 06902
If your directory has a date of 02/23/09 in the upper left corner of the pages, also add VEITH, CORNELIA; (Hedwig, Pamela and Craig), Newbury Commons Ste. 437, 80 Deaconess Rd, Concord, MA 01742, (978) 369-3444 KNEEN, BARBARA; (Robert and James), 7 Quintard Avenue, Old Greenwich CT 06870, (203) 637-0595 AVERY MANCHESTER (on Staff Page), Associate Pastor, extension 12, email: [email protected] Home phone: 595-9092
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APRIL BIRTHDAYS
04/01 Hope Leizear
04/01 Russell Pruner
04/01 Luke Crihfield
04/02 Bing Vernet
04/02 Virginia Breismeister
04/02 Ian Brash
04/03 Dana Dolloff
04/03 Paul O'Gorman
04/03 Cliff Anderson
04/03 Elizabeth Mendelsohn
Tauber
04/03 Abigail Sawyer
04/03 Virginia Stewart
04/04 James Anderson
04/04 Lori Ann Griffin
04/04 Cole Janelli
04/05 Elizabeth Seibert
04/05 Betsy Sandberg
04/05 Elizabeth Goodchild
04/05 Karl Gifford
04/05 Rachel Blandori
04/06 William Vanneman
04/06 Judith Gordon
04/06 Carole Lang
04/06 Carol Pollack
04/06 Christopher Sotzing
04/06 Genevieve Kimberlin
04/06 Kaela Buggy
04/07 Peggy Beecher
04/07 Kristin Taylor
04/07 Kimberly Pacent
04/07 John Lloyd Enquist
04/07 Caroline Jensen
04/08 Sara Anna Perelli-Minetti
04/08 Dee Robarts
04/08 Gail Bertuzzi
04/08 Chang Wachsman
04/08 Kelsey McHugh
04/09 Skyler Serenbetz
04/09 Ryerson Burdick
04/10 Bobbi Hanson
04/10 Andrea Fossum Atkins
04/10 Jeffrey Sahrbeck
04/10 Nikola Newcomer
04/11 Susan Stanley
04/11 Amy Morgan
04/11 William Dakin
04/11 Peter McHugh
04/11 Thomas Oppedisano
04/11 Monty Yort
04/11 Matthew Ryckman
04/12 Lynn O'Gorman
04/12 Christina Schoen
04/12 Meg Thomas
04/12 Jane Haviland
04/12 Nora Houseknecht
04/12 Ava Kilmurray
04/13 Marga DeNatale
04/13 Auddy Brooks
04/13 Kristina Berlin
04/13 Lauren Petrizzi
04/13 Matthew Klingner
04/14 Richard Nelli
04/14 Kate Forer
04/14 Caroline McLennan
04/14 Stephanie Woodman
04/14 Gillian Woodman
04/14 Brecky Huth
04/14 Anni Unger
04/15 Erlinda Haviland
04/15 Jonathan Ryckman
04/15 Jennifer Pratt
04/15 Suzanne McCue
04/15 Kelsey Ingraham
04/15 Sara DeFazio
04/16 John Gelb
04/16 Marion Nolan
04/16 Kara Donahue
04/16 Donald Haviland
04/17 Ryan Hoster
04/17 Jillian Fryback
04/17 Ted Davis
04/17 Jamie Crawford
04/17 Blake Newcomer
04/18 Scott Tagliarino
04/18 Margaret Dempsey
04/18 Laurence White
04/18 Elizabeth Schrohe
04/18 David Fraser
04/19 Robert Ferry
04/19 Bert Pulitzer
04/19 Steven Standish
04/19 Jeffrey Whitehilll
04/19 Anna Paskausky
04/19 Eric Schay
04/19 Sarah MacDougall
04/19 Henry Wheelock
04/20 Kenneth Bonnet
04/20 Timothy Coleman
04/20 Caroline Keller
04/21 Sylvia Roberts
04/21 Penny Lehman
04/21 Alexander Brash
04/21 Courtney Jewett
04/21 Caroline Kolb
04/21 Margo Teeters
04/21 Hannah Hoffman
04/22 Emily Hunt
04/23 Michael Bacon
04/23 Jean Bradley
04/23 Andrew O'Donnell
04/24 Mary Wyatt
04/24 Joan Torelli
04/24 Ronald Blasberg
04/24 David Bradley
04/24 James Standish
04/24 J. Q. Norrgard
04/25 Todd Ives
04/25 Eleanor Mawhinney
04/26 James Sotzing
04/26 Pamela Speer
04/26 Laura Erickson
04/26 Alan Schay
04/27 William Schmitt
04/27 Ginny Allen
04/27 Henry Hartwell
04/27 Will Grunow
04/28 Phyllis Palmer
04/28 Henry Huth
04/28 Ann Sawyer
04/28 Maura Thalheim
04/28 Kyle Kim-E
04/28 Gordon Johnson
04/29 Lynn Woodman
04/29 Patrice Anibal
04/29 John Unger
04/30 Claire Henry
04/30 David Ayres
04/30 Anna Bonnell
04/30 Jordan Liebowitz
04/30 Colin Crihfield
04/30 Cameron DelCristo
Material for the May Meetinghouse Monthly
should be submitted by April 15.
LIFE EVENTS
Deaths: Jeanette Egan—March 5
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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, [email protected] Minister of Communication and Adult Education: Rev. Daniel B. England, [email protected]
Minister of Pastoral Care: Rev. Avery C. Manchester, [email protected] Associate Pastor for Christian Education: Rev. Kate S. Forer, [email protected]
Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry: Rev. Mark D. Montgomery, [email protected] Director of Music/Senior Organist: Dr. John Stansell, [email protected]
Associate Organist/Director: Terence J. Flanagan, [email protected] Director of Church School: Rosemary Lamie, [email protected] Director of Membership: Ginny Breismeister, [email protected]
Parish Nurse: Susan Asselin, RN, [email protected] Pastors Emeriti: Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Stiers and Rev. Sally Colegrove
On Sunday March 29, The First Congregational Church celebrated the restoration of its
stained glass windows with a special rededication during morning worship
followed by a reception afterward.
The church wishes to thank once again everyone who contributed to and made this
historic project a great success!
photos on front and back cover by Robert Fertitta