Newsletter Feb 13

On Sunday, February 3rd, 35 women joined together for a delicious pot-luck lunch to welcome Nancy Cook. We shared good food and fellowship at the casual lunch. We also had an opportunity to learn about each other as we shared what brought us to First Church and what keeps us coming back. The consistent responses illustrated the importance of being a warm and welcoming place to visitors. This included greeting guests, a pastoral visit or call and recognition when they return. It was decided that this was a thoroughly enjoyable time and should be repeated. Look for future plans for another luncheon. Don't miss it!

Food baskets are often associated with Thanksgiving, yet there are families who struggle to put food on the table year-round. Jennifer Hernandez, our Adopted Social Worker, has clients with such needs. In the spirit of "taking up something special" for Lent, First Church members and the Sunday School, can help us provide Easter baskets filled with food and other "goodies" to help brighten their lives.

Stop by the table outside Fellowship Hall this Sunday, to see what items you can provide to help us fill those baskets!!

The congregation can show their support of all the participants by breaking the fast with them!

Hear stories of our experiences and feel the importance of this fundraising event for World Vision. Monies go to refugees in Darfur and famine ravaged Sudan, and to help other countries in desperate need.

The church office is in desperate need of people to help answer the phones and provide general office support to the Office Manager. No experience required - great benefits! Please see Judy Robertson or call the church office if you can help out. Substitutes are also needed if you cannot commit to a regular time in the morning or afternoon.

Thanks to Shawn and Nick Mangan for leading us in musical worship on a snowy evening.

"Our hearts' desire is to reach people and inspire and bless audiences with our music in the worship setting."

PS.32 is neither your average rock band, nor your average gospel band. They blend elements of blues, rock and funk into a professional caliber presentation that attracts people of all ages and cultures. Led by Michael Traystman on keyboard, and featuring Keith Lyons and Mel Corcino, the members of PS.32 are versed in many types of music. Michael has been involved in various bands for the past 20 years, participating in the local Gospel scene for the past 12 years. Keith has also been involved in many local bands and feels blessed with the opportunity to use his vocal talents with PS.32.

Mel Corcino has been playing the drums since 1985. He studied in the percussion department at the "Escuela Libre de Musica" in Caguas, Puerto Rico under Jose "Pepe" Torres. He currently continues his drumming education with Dom Famularo. Rounding out the band, on drums, percussion and vocals is Ellen Traystman. Amos Traystman plays lead guitar and bass is played by Amy Lindsay. Together, PS.32 creates quality music with a positive message that crosses over and appeals to many generations.

I am happy to report that our very own church member, Samantha Armitage, will be taking over child care in the Toddler Room for the remainder of the Sunday school year. Sam has been working in our church school program for over 2 years and is quite familiar with many of the children. Our toddlers will be in great hands!

This Sunday will be our last Rotation Workshop for Moses. You have worked so hard on the 10 Commandments, the Red Sea and the Passover food, that I think there will be a "special treat" the following Sunday, February 24^th,?how about a movie???

And by the way - to those members of the Youth Choir - we missed you in Sunday school last week, but your singing was BEAUTIFUL! Nice job!

Are you wondering who our next visitor will be? Make sure you are in church on Sunday, March 9^th, to meet that person. She has quite a story to tell! See you Sunday.

Hats, mittens, and Glove Collection for Isaiah 58 Ministry. FIND THE BOX IN THE NARTHEX!

Every time we go to help with this ministry the students are always struck by the people we serve and their cold hands?

"I was serving soup and my hands were warm and as I passed the soup to this gentleman his hands were so cold, he had no gloves!"

One of our students remarked, "I saw a little toddler being held in line - it was 35 degrees outside and she had no socks on."

In addition to thinking of Lent as a season of penitence, self-examination, prayer, and fasting, we also often refer to it as an opportunity to adopt some personal discipline as a way of honoring Jesus' sacrifice for us.

If you were in church last Sunday, you heard me tell the children the story of my own childhood Lenten discipline. My devout Roman Catholic grandfather with whom we lived insisted that we give up our very favorite food for Lent; and so, I gave up ice cream for most of the Lents of my childhood. And, as a result, as you might guess, I grew to hate Lent!

Let me invite us all to take up some Lenten discipline that will not make us hate this season but will enable us to honor Jesus and to serve others?like, for example, saving our loose change daily or giving up one meal out a week in order to give more to our One Great Hour of Sharing Special Mission Offering on March 2nd or to our Easter offering that will go this year to Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi?or, for example, accumulating the goodies that will fill the food baskets our Missions Committee and Sunday School are assembling for Nurturing Families/M.O.M.S. (see the more detailed article elsewhere in this newsletter)?or, for example, volunteering our time and talent to some worthwhile cause, like the Friendship Center, or the Salvation Army, or, yes, even First Church!?or, for example, simply spending additional, intentional time with our loved ones. Instead of giving up something, let's take up something special for Lent!

And, by the way, don't forget to stock up on ice cream for Lent?it might be on sale!

First Church has always been swarming with activities for young and old. Remember these?

Easter egg hunts; Advent workshops; shrimp boils for the Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Miss.; concerts by such luminaries as jazz legend Dave Brubeck and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band; the NEWBRACC Softball team; Boy Scout Troop 4 (believed to be the first troop in America); Lenten dinners; "Amahl and the Night Visitors"; pulpit exchanges and visits between this church and St. Maurice; the congregation and choir of Bethesda Apostolic Church setting the church to toe tapping and hand clapping with their joyous music; a visit from UCC minister Harold Wilkie, who preached to us and then joined us for a luncheon where he ate with his feet, as he had no arms; Easter sunrise services at the Klingberg Family Center; the New Britain Chorale. In addition, dozens of smaller groups and community programs have called First Church home, including AA, Al-Anon, classes for children with cerebral palsy, carillon classes, and the Handbell Choir .