My Dear Friends, Just a few weeks ago, on Martin Luther King week- end, our opening hymn in worship was “We Shall Overcome.” I asked that we all join hands as we sang together, well aware that the words were written on most of our hearts. As we took the hand of another I looked out from the chancel. We were a virtual web of humanity form- ing among 200 strangers and friends. We were “inextricably con- nected,” as Dr. King would often say, “as one body, one blood, one human family.” I felt a lump rise in my throat be- fore we even began to sing. I found myself blinking back tears. I was quickly strengthened to see that I was not all alone as tearful eyes were all around me. I discovered assurance in the hands that were holding mine. And then we sang and I felt the lift of the Spirit carrying me and holding us all. The sound was awesome to me – prophetic, powerful, personal – a blend of heaven and earth, struggle and strength, hope and healing, vision and dream. In the years before Dr. King’s death, with other youth in Norwalk - many who were from UCC youth groups around our town - marched to that same song. The days were restless with racial tension and war. These were the turbulent times in the 1960’s. I was 15 years old on the night that Dr. King died – a deeply impressionable age to say the very least. He was a hero to me. I felt as if I had lost a friend and one who made the power and possi- bility of faith so real and touchable. All of this flooded back as we sang in the Meeting House. Thank you for being a part of that moment. And please, let’s not ever let the dream of Dr. King die. It needs to be more than a dream, but a reality. Sad to say, there are forces afoot today that threaten it steadily. The work of that dream is hard. But the consequence of not doing the hard work is harder yet. So let’s remember something that Martin said, “You don’t have to see the whole staircase to take the first step.” We shall overcome, Geordie Campbell Senior Pastor February 5 All Church Worships “Salt and Light” Geordie Campbell preaching February 12 “Worthy of Praise” Geordie Campbell preaching Taizé in the Chapel at 5 p.m. February 19 “The Vice of Luxury” Guest Preacher: Craig Ford (please see page 2 for information) February 26 “Rx for Depression” Geordie Campbell preaching Celtic Evening Eucharist at 5 p.m. L i v i n g i n S p i r i t • C o m m i t t e d t o S e r v i c e • O p e n t o A l l F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 7 • N E WS L E T T E R • WW W. WH F I R ST C H U R C H. OR G • 1 2 S O U T H MA I N ST R E E T, WE ST H A R T F O R D, C T • 8 6 0 - 2 3 3 - 9 6 0 5 TIDINGS Thank You TO and FROM from Linda Case.......................... p. 3 Call to Annual Budget Meeting ........................ p. 2 Books and Film at JPW Library ......................p. 5 Swing Dance & Spaghetti ..................p. 6 Shrove Tuesday...p.4 Worship with us on Sundays at 10 a.m. in the Meeting House (unless otherwise noted). We Shall Overcome
Transcript
My Dear Friends, Just a few weeks ago, on Martin Luther King week-end, our opening hymn in worship was “We Shall Overcome.” I askedthat we all join hands as we sang together, well aware that the wordswere written on most of our hearts.
As we took the hand of anotherI looked out from the chancel. Wewere a virtual web of humanity form-ing among 200 strangers andfriends. We were “inextricably con-nected,” as Dr. King would often say,“as one body, one blood, one humanfamily.”
I felt a lump rise in my throat be-fore we even began to sing. I foundmyself blinking back tears. I wasquickly strengthened to see that I was not all alone as tearful eyeswere all around me. I discovered assurance in the hands that wereholding mine.
And then we sang and I felt the lift of the Spirit carrying me andholding us all. The sound was awesome to me – prophetic, powerful,personal – a blend of heaven and earth, struggle and strength, hopeand healing, vision and dream.
In the years before Dr. King’s death, with other youth in Norwalk- many who were from UCC youth groups around our town - marchedto that same song. The days were restless with racial tension andwar. These were the turbulent times in the 1960’s.
I was 15 years old on the nightthat Dr. King died – a deeply impressionable ageto say the very least. He was a hero to me. I felt as if
I had lost a friend and onewho made the power and possi-bility of faith so real and touchable.
All of this flooded back as wesang in the Meeting House. Thank youfor being a part of that moment. Andplease, let’s not ever let the dream ofDr. King die. It needs to be more thana dream, but a reality. Sad to say,there are forces afoot today thatthreaten it steadily.
The work of that dream is hard.But the consequence of not doing the hard work is harder yet. Solet’s remember something that Martin said, “You don’t have to seethe whole staircase to take the first step.”
We shall overcome,
Geordie CampbellSenior Pastor
February 5 All Church Worships
“Salt and Light”Geordie Campbell preaching
February 12“Worthy of Praise”
Geordie Campbell preaching
Taizé in the Chapel at 5 p.m.
February 19“The Vice of Luxury”
Guest Preacher: Craig Ford(please see page 2 for information)
February 26“Rx for Depression”
Geordie Campbell preaching
Celtic Evening Eucharist at 5 p.m.
L i v i n g i n S p i r i t • C o m m i t t e d t o S e r v i c e • O p e n t o A l l
FEBRUARY 2017 • NEWSLETTER • WWW.WHFIRSTCHURCH.ORG • 12 SOUTH MAIN STREET, WEST HARTFORD, CT • 860-233- 9605
TIDINGS
Thank You TO and FROM from Linda Case.......................... p. 3
Call to Annual Budget Meeting ........................ p. 2
Books and Film at JPW Library ......................p. 5
Swing Dance & Spaghetti..................p. 6
Shrove Tuesday...p.4
Worship with us on Sundays at 10 a.m. in the Meeting House (unless otherwise noted).
We Shall Overcome
FIRST CHURCH WEST HARTFORD - T IDINGS • WWW.WHFIRSTCHURCH.ORG • FEBRUARY 2017 • PAGE 2
Church Family News� Wendy Wigglesworth lost her mother, Sandra, to a struggle with can-cer on January 3. A service was held on January 14 in Vernon.
� Our hearts have been with the family of Barbara McDonnell whopassed away on January 6. A private service will be held at the conven-ience of her family.
� We celebrate the arrival of Samuel Thomas, born to Kerry and JustinAdamowitcz on January 7.
� Our hearts have been with the family of Marion Spear who passedaway on January 8. A service was held at Taylor and Modeen FuneralHome on January 13 with Elliott Munn officiating.
� Our prayers are with former church member Simone Vrabel LeCoutrewho lost her son Andrew Vrabel on January 11 in Portland, ME.
� The eldest son of Ken and JoAnne Taylor, David, married his sweet-heart Mary Lynn Howard in a small ceremony on January 18 in PA.Thanks to Skype, Ken and JoAnne were able to “be there.”
� Our prayers of comfort are extended to the Tobin family in the pass-ing of Joe’s mother Raimonda on January 19. A graveside service washeld at Fairview Cemetary on January 24.
If you have an announcement to share, please call the office at 860-233-9605.
CoordinatingTeam
Team Rosters: The CoordinatingTeam has begun to develop rosters ofteam members for the coming year. Ifyou have an interest in joining a particu-lar team and would like more informa-tion, please contact Julia Rosa.
Similarly, if you would be interestedin the position of Church Historian orChurch Registrar, please contact Julia.
Guest Preacher Feb. 19Our guest preacher on February 19th is Craig Ford,
a Boston College Theological Ethics Ph.D. candidate.Employing an intersectional approach, Craig focuseshis research on the formation of the conscience. Craigis a gifted scholar and a charismatic teacher whosework reflects a deep devotion to the Church. All arewelcome to join him for lunch after worship in JPW Li-brary to discuss his sermon and David Cloutier's TheVice of Luxury. See right for more information.
Book Study OpportunityOver the next few weeks, Elliott will be offering a brief study of
David Cloutier’s The Vice of Luxury. Cloutier investigates a critical butoften overlooked subject of morality, American consumer habits, with
a keen eye to contemporary philosophy, economics,and theology. Copies are now available at JPW Library.� February 9, 7:30 p.m., at Elliott's (pg. 1-49, 177-187)� February 16th, 7:30 p.m. at Elliott’s (pg. 189-279)� February 19th, post-worship lunch in the JPW Library with Guest Preacher Craig Ford.
Participation in the Thursday sessions at Elliott’shome is not required for the lunch on the 19th. This is agreat opportunity to probe the ethical implications ofour spending habits with a dynamic text and a creativetheologian. Contact Elliott for more information.
Prayer Shawl MinistryLooking for a good, satisfying winter knitting project? The In-
Reach Team is reviving the prayer shawl ministry of First Church andis looking for a few good knitters. You can knit on your own and, oncompleting a shawl, bring it to the church for blessing and distribu-tion when needed. If you need needles or yarn, contact SuzanneNardi or Elliott in the office. There are plenty of extra supplies, in-cluding instructions, available.
May the
grace of
simple
beauty
encircle
and
surround
you.
Photo by Susan Izard
Call to Annual Budget Meeting of the CongregationSunday, February 12, 2017 in the Auditorium following worship
Notice is hereby given that a congregational meeting forthe First Church of Christ Congregational of West Hartford, Connecticut, UCC, will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2017 following the 10 a.m. worship service to transact the followingitems of business:
1. To consider and vote on the annual budget for FirstChurch for the 2017 calendar year.
2. To hear any other matters as may legally come beforethis meeting.
Notice given on January 19, 2017Charlie Goodwin, Secretary of the Church
FIRST CHURCH WEST HARTFORD - T IDINGS • WWW.WHFIRSTCHURCH.ORG • FEBRUARY 2017 • PAGE 3
This month the FourthSunday Special Offering willbe for My Sister’s Place. MySisters' Place provides hous-ing, food, and other basic needs to women and children.
Service and Outreach sponsors a special offering everyfourth Sunday of the month to benefit a service organizationthat helps those in greater need than ourselves. In this time ofeconomic uncertainty, we hope you will be able to support thosewho most need our help. If you support organizations that needthe Church’s wider support, please let us know. To make sure thatyour Reach Out contribution is properly allocated, make sure tocheck the Reach Out box on the common envelope. Thank you.Contact Bob with suggestions: [email protected]
Reach OutA column from Outreach Team
Living in Spirit • Committed to Service • Open to AllRev. Dr. Geordie Campbell, Senior Pastor
J.P. Webster Library 860-232-3893First Church Academy for Young Children 860-232-2106
12 South Main Street, West Hartford, CT 06107www.whfirstchurch.org
From Linda Case with Heartfelt Appreciation
Thank you to all who put the lovely retirement reception together for me and to all whoattended. It was a meaningful time to say both “hello” and “good-bye” and to reflect uponthe many wonderful experiences and relationships I have enjoyed here at First Church.
Thank you for the beautiful cards and caring sentiments that came with them, thelovely and generous gifts, the kind words spoken, the beautiful flowers, and the delicious re-freshments.
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve First Church for the past almost twelveyears, but I could not have done it alone. Thank you to the members of the church who sogenerously give their time and talents and to the remarkable staff for their support.
As my life’s journey goes in a new direction, I will have the gift of many fond memoriesof First Church to take along with me. May God bless you always.
DEADLINES for SUNDAY NOTES & eNEWS: Submissions are due each Tuesday by noon to Suzanne:
[email protected] for TIDINGS: The next deadline is FEB. 14th, for the MARCH
Photos are from the reception held in honor of Linda’s retirement on January 15, 2017. Clockwise from top left:Geordie jokes with Linda in a heartfelt moment of apprecia-tion; Special gifts presented to Linda by Susan and Jim;Gratitude and hugs. Photos by Amy Melvin
Office Transitions: The Church Administrator Search Workgroupwil have updates in the Sunday Notes, and March Tidings.
FIRST CHURCH WEST HARTFORD - T IDINGS • WWW.WHFIRSTCHURCH.ORG • FEBRUARY 2017 • PAGE 4
Join us February 5th for All Ages Worships!
During February, our three and four year olds will explore thefollowing Bible stories: Woman at the Well, A Storm, and The Centu-rion’s Servant.
The rotation for children in grades K-6 will be “The Lost Sheepand Coin.” Workshops will focus on the following:
• Everyone matters in God’s family.• God never stops searching for us.• We are loved and needed by God. Sixth, seventh and eighth grade will continue their work on Unit
8-The Savior, Jerusalem.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper!
Tuesday, February 28th, 5:30-7:30 pm in the First Church Audito-rium. Join in for pancakes with all the fixings and great fellowship!We’ll have gluten-free options as usual. A free-will offering will ben-efit the High School Youth Group mission trip to Louisiana in July!
Our Program Needs You!Do you love First Church? Do you love God? Consider spreading
that love…Teachers are needed to work with our kindergarteners through
eighth graders. Schedules are flexible, materials are provided andthere are many different ways to help out. We cook, build, craft, sing,dance, do skits, play games, and write. Come and be a part of thefaith journey. Contact Dawne Quinn for more information.
Silver LakeIt’s not too early to be thinking about summer camp! Silver Lake
Conference Center located in Sharon, CT has many fun, week-long,summer camp conferences available for children entering fourthgrade up to twelfth grade. Silver Lake is an outdoor ministry of theUnited Church of Christ. It is a gorgeous camp setting located in thefoothills of the Berkshires. Kids can swim, hike, play, create, meetnew friends and just be who they are! Online registration is open andbrochures are available in the church office. First Church will providecamperships in the form of 50% of the cost of a one-week conference toany child interested in attending. Please see Dawne Quinn for details.
Youth Programming:High School Youth Group (HSYG):February 11: Morning of ServiceFebruary 19: Lights! Camera! Action! Movie NightMiddle School Youth Group (MSYG):February 5: The Big Game! (4-5:30 p.m.)February 19: SleddingConfirmation:February 5: Life of Jesus, Part 4February 19: Life of Jesus, Part 5
Church School Newsby Dawne Quinn, Minister of Faith Formation,[email protected]
Troop 12 Boy Scouts meet weekly on Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at FirstChurch; we welcome all boys 11 to 17 years old. You may contact Scoutmas-ter Fred Brown at [email protected] for more information.
Troop 12 Boy ScoutsA Court of Honor was held at the beginning of January in which
Troop 12 Scouts were honored for their advancements and meritbadges earned during the fall and beginning of winter.
A number of Troop12 Scouts, adult leaders and parents partici-pated in the annual service project at the Immaculate ConceptionMen’s Homeless Shelter. A dinner of baked chicken, mashed pota-toes, corn, and green beans were served. Once again, JohnnyPaindiris of Effie’s Place Restaurant on Park Road supplied us thefood at cost and precooked the chicken. Scouts baked dessert good-ies for the dinner.
Troop 12 Scouts and 5 adult leaders spent a cold January week-end at Camp Webster in Ashford. It was a “tune-up” for February’sKlondike Derby. Scouts tested their cold-weather clothing and equip-ment by tenting for the weekend. In addition, with the assistance ofmerit badge counselor Mr. Nick Greci, boys worked on their Orien-teering Merit Badge. Requirements include how to use compasses,topographic maps and orienteering maps. Patrols designed compasscourses for other patrols to try.
Learning to share with others isquite a large part of early childhoodeducation! We are blessed to havegiving opportunities for our youngchildren and their families at FirstChurch Academy.
This will be our tenth year col-lecting toiletry items for South ParkInn, a remarkably compassionatehomeless shelter for veterans, men,women and children. We call this our “Love Collection” and try to de-liver our baskets on or around Valentine’s day. Our parents have theirchildren bring in shampoo, soap, combs, brushes, toothbrushes andpaste and many other items. Teachers talk about the needs of others,often temporary, and how much our contributions help. Childrencount, sort and graph then prepare the items to be shared.
If you have items you would like to donate, there will be labeledboxes around the church until February 13th. Our goal is to deliverthem that week.
Looking ahead, our Summer Camps run in 5 two-week sessionsbeginning June 19th and ending August 25th. Offering full time carefor children under 3 and full or part time sessions for our Pre-K chil-dren, our children learn and play throughout the summer months.
If you are interested in signing up for one or more sessions,please call 860-232-2106.
Our 2017/18 classes are almost full with the exception of ourToddlers. Please tell your friends and neighbors about our nurturingprogram.
Ruthie Johnson, Education Director and First Church of Christ member
FIRST CHURCH WEST HARTFORD - T IDINGS • WWW.WHFIRSTCHURCH.ORG • FEBRUARY 2017 • PAGE 5
that Alan Munshower has agreed toremain at the JPWL as the LibraryAssistant. Alan holds an MLS fromthe University of Maryland and hasa particular interest in archivalwork. He has become a knowledge-able, welcoming presence in the Li-brary. Alan’s combined backgroundas a UCC member, as well as his recent staff position at Silver LakeConference Center, give him a unique perspective that is beneficialfor work in a church library. Alan is an avid reader who also enjoyswatching documentaries. In his spare time, Alan likes playing musicand hiking. Welcome, Alan!
Faith In FilmAt our January gathering we watched Sully, which was directed
by Clint Eastwood and stars Tom Hanks. As we watched, we consid-ered what it means to be a hero in today’s United States – who areour heroes? Why?
If you missed this entertaining evening, mark your calendars forthe next one, Friday, March 24, when we will watch Landfill Har-monic, the story of the “Recycled Orchestra of Cateura,” ThisParaguayan youth musical group plays instruments made entirely
out of garbage that the members pick from the town dump. The filmshows how the orchestra came together, managed their growingsuccess, toured around the world, and later coped with a natural dis-aster that struck their hometown.
Awakening the Spirit Our next book: The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Chang-
ing World by the Dalai Lama and Desmond TutuNobel Peace Prize Laureates His Holiness the Dalai Lama and
Archbishop Desmond Tutu have survived more than fifty years ofexile and the soul-crushing violence of oppression. Despite theirhardships—or, as they would say, because of them—they are two ofthe most joyful people on the planet. In April 2015, Archbishop Tututraveled to the Dalai Lama's home in Dharamsala, India, to celebrateHis Holiness's 80th birthday and to create what they hoped wouldbe a gift for others. They looked back on their long lives to answer asingle burning question: How do we find joy in the fact of life's in-evitable suffering? This book offers us a rare opportunity to experi-ence their astonishing and unprecedented week together, from thefirst embrace to the final good-bye.
Food for ThoughtOur next book: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik BackmanMeet Ove. People call him “the bitter neighbor from hell.” But
behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when achatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in nextdoor and accidentally flatten Ove’s mailbox, it is the lead-in to a com-ical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship,and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will changeone cranky old man and a local residents’ association to their veryfoundations. This feel-good story is a thoughtful exploration of theprofound impact one life has on countless others. (Amazon.com)
Book Study Elliott will be offering a brief study of David Cloutier's The Vice
of Luxury. Cloutier investigates a critical but often overlooked sub-ject of morality, American consumer habits, with a keen eye to con-temporary philosophy, economics, and theology. Copies are nowavailable at JPW Library.
Book Groups & “Faith in Film” News All are welcome to join us as you are able.
AWAKENING THE SPIRIT BOOK GROUP Meets: Each Monday at 12 p.m. in the Library. Bring your lunch.Beverages and dessert are provided. Our next book: The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by DalaiLama and Desmond Tutu
FOOD FOR THOUGHT BOOK GROUPMeets: First Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Library. Next gather-ing: February 2. Bring a light supper. Beverages and dessert areprovided. Our next book: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
FAITH IN FILMMeets: Friday, March 24, 7 p.m. Our next film: Join us for Landfill Harmonic. documentary
FIRST CHURCH WEST HARTFORD - T IDINGS • WWW.WHFIRSTCHURCH.ORG • FEBRUARY 2017 • PAGE 6
12 South Main StreetWest Hartford, CT 06107
Taizé Worship Services
Celtic Evening Eucharist
As part of our Arts inthe Center series, on Friday,February 10, at 6 p.m. wewill present a Valentine'sDay Swing Dance/SpaghettiSupper in the Auditorium.Come enjoy a swing dance tutorial, and a good old fashioned eveningof music from Simply Swing, a Connecticut-based, 10-Piece SwingBand specializing in the music of the Big Band and Swing eras. Sim-ply Swing features six swinging horns, a dynamic rhythm section andtalented Big Band vocalist Vivian LaRosa. $20 suggested donationwith meal included. Sign up during coffee hour, or register on ourwebsite: www.whfirstchurch.org/ worship/concerts/arts-in-the-center/swing-dance
