October 2013
United Church of Christ in Cornwall, Congregational
Minister
Micki Nunn-Miller
Director of Music
Anne Chamberlain
STAFF:
Dir. of Christian Ed.
Tracy Gray
Church Secretary
Tracy Gray
Church Sextons
Donna Bielefield/Ted Larson
PASTOR’S WORD
During the “Cosmic Walk” a couple of Sundays
ago, children and adults alike were treated to an
amazing opportunity to celebrate God’s creation.
Winding through the spiral of billions of years, we
learned of the Big Bang and supernovas and the
formation of planets and the advent of one-celled
organisms. All of these events eventually led to the
miracle of life on earth as we know it today.
Candles were lit at creation’s high points and
readings from scripture were woven in to the
narrative.
Adults present for this program noted how
grateful we are to belong to a church and to a
denomination that celebrates science and its
discoveries.
And though we take the Bible
seriously, we do not take it literally. Overall, we
came away with a sense of gratitude for the
generosity of God’s creation.
With summer waning and fall upon us, our
minds turn naturally to the harvest season. The
beauty of God’s creation becomes more obvious
each day as temperatures drop and leaves turn.
With a full harvest we thank God for generosity
beyond measure, and we begin to examine our own
generous response. As stewards of all that God has
made, we seek to be faithful not only in caring for
it, but also in sharing it.
As the church program year has gotten
underway, we have already had sharing
opportunities in the Blood Drive and the CROP
Walk. The all-church offering, Neighbors in Need,
will be collected on October 6. Whether or not you
are a regular worship attender, do not forget to share
God’s blessings of creation with others! Hope to
see you either in worship or in the place where God
has called you to serve.
Blessings!
Micki
New Beginnings: Go Boldly!
146th Annual Meeting of the Connecticut Conference United Church of Christ
Friday, October 18 – Saturday, October 19, 2013
Asylum Hill Congregational Church UCC
814 Asylum Avenue, Hartford
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Michael S. Piazza
The Rev. Michael S. Piazza is co-director and co-founder of the Center for Progressive Renewal, and served as
pastor of Cathedral of Hope UCC in Dallas, Texas.
New Conference Minister: Rev. Kent J. Siladi
The Rev. Kent J. Siladi will preach and teach at this, his first Annual Meeting as Conference Minister.
Congratulations to the following children and youth who celebrate a birthday in October:
October 6
October 23
Theo Webb
Charlie Folds
Carl Hurlburt
October 27
October 31
Jacob Hurlburt
Hayley McEachern
We offer our sympathies to Jane Prentice upon the death of her Father, Thomas on September 2.
A “season of generosity” is
coming! Get ready!
GOODNEWS! GOODNEWS! GOODNEWS!
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Worship returned to the Village Meeting House with a large group of worshippers praising God
and sharing in prayer, reflection, and fellowship. Thanks be to God!
Church School got underway with a prayer of blessing for teachers and students of all ages as
we look forward to a great season of learning together and growing in faith. Thanks be to
God!
Church School children participated in the CROP Walk, raising money for hunger for Church
World Service and for local needs. Thanks be to God!
The annual end of summer church picnic was delicious and fun with much fellowship and a
few goose bumps. Thanks be to God!
Over 90 calls for medical equipment for those in need were responded to over the summer
with delivery and pick-up of many pieces. Thanks be to God!
Our September Blood Drive was a success, offering the opportunity for many area folks to
“give the gift of life.” Thanks be to God!
SUMMER JOBS 2013:
Thanks to Volunteers!
Many thanks from the House Committee and
Trustees (and all of us!) to the stalwart and
generous volunteers who accomplished lots of jobs
over the summer. Chores included weeding,
scraping & painting, scrubbing, refrig-and-cabinet
cleaning, repairing, washing, building -- you get
the picture! Hours of sometimes-not-so-pleasant
work was performed by about a dozen hardy souls.
BRAVO and thanks to all volunteers!!
CELEBRATING THE
NORTH CORNWALL MEETING
HOUSE
Starting Sunday, October 20, the Parish
House art display will be images of the North
Cornwall Meeting House. These are intended
to introduce
our
Preservation
Committee's
forthcoming
fund
drive.
The
paintings and drawings in the exhibit reflect
our community's interest in and devotion to the
Meeting House over many years. The Opening of
the display will be at Fellowship Hour on the 20th.
Invite friends and family! The exhibit will continue
until late November.
Heifer Project Update
Many of you have noticed our parade of animals on the front lawn of the Cornwall Village Meeting
House. These animals were created by the children and the teachers last spring and details were hand-painted
this summer. These help draw interest in our endeavors and the ark that rests among them indicates how close
we are to reaching our goal! New “planks” get painted for every $500 we raise. As you can see – we are very
close! As of early this past month, we had $1437 left to raise for our ark (worth $5000).
Over the past year, we have collected and turned in recyclable cans and bottles for a nickel apiece, saved
pennies, “fed” Penelope and the town of Cornwall (one with coins and bills and the other with delicious pasta
and sauce). We think we can finish our fundraising by this coming spring! We plan to hold our Pasta Bonanza
again in February (save the date – 2/8/14), will make and sell Stone Soup in March and, new this fall, will hold
a “Read to Feed” campaign!
How does “Read to Feed” work? Our Church School goal is to have read 500 books by our Christmas
break. We ask church members and friends will sponsor our efforts. Here’s how it would work:
1. Kids read a book and write it down on their list at home.
2. Those lists are turned in on a regular basis and we keep track of our progress.
3. In the meantime, church members and friends sign up a pledge-per-book amount.
4. At the end of our “Read to Feed” campaign we let you know how many books we’ve read and how
much our “pledgers” owe the campaign.
5. We will collect pledged $$ in January.
The really EASY thing is – that your pledge could be as little as $.01 or $.02! Because even with a tiny
pledge the money adds up 500 books x $.01= only $5.00!
Road Trip!!Sunday, October 20
Heifer Project International’s Overlook Farm
Our visit to Overlook Farm includes an introduction to Heifer International and a guided walking-tour of the
Heifer Global Village and Heifer Farm.
We depart sharply at 9:30 a.m. from the Parish House parking lot. We will return by 6:00 p.m.
Pre-registration is required – there are only 32 slots available! Once the trip is full – it is full.
You will need to pack a lunch, full water bottle or two, snack for the trip home. Wear appropriate clothing
and footwear - no flip flips!!! Children in grade 2 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. We
will carpool, so let Tracy know if you are willing to drive.
To register for this trip call the church office (860-672-6840), sign up on the sheet in the Day
Room, or email at cornwallucc@aol.com. Deadline is October 10.
In the Mailbag:
The following are excerpts from notes and letters sent to the Medical Equipment Loam Program:
Thank you so much for the loan of this wheelchair. It greatly helped me to transport my husband, Rich,
in his final days! R.R., Goshen
This is a grateful note of thanks to Joe Gwazdouskas, Jerry Blakey and the people at the United Church
of Christ Congregational in Cornwall, for their consideration and generosity. The loan of home care equipment
and a lift chair to Mr. P.T. He and his caregivers also appreciate the help. Thanks again. W.P.T.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity of time and spirit. D.C.
OUTLOOK Series:
Continuing Education at the UCC
October 13
“What is Taize?”
Presenters Rev. Micki Nunn-Miller and Tracy Gray
“Taize is an ecumenical sung and silent participatory prayer service designed to achieve a contemplative state through
music, song and silence.”
The term “Taize style” refers to a particular form of worhip practiced by the Taize Community in
France. The contemplative worship service is characterized by brief meditative hymns and periods of silence. It
attracts up to 7000, mostly young people, to worship every week.
During this introductory session we will see a short video about the founding of Taize, and offer a brief
“taste” of what the worship is as well as answer some questions. We will be holding a Taize worship service
later during the winter months at a time and location to be announced.
October 27
“The Hiking Humanitarian”
Speaker: Kirk Sinclair
Kirk is a member of Church of Christ Congregational in Norfolk and will not only lead this Continuing
Ed. session but he will also preach during worship based on Micah 6:8. He spent a year walking across America
with his wife Cindy to raise awareness around the issues of housing, health and hunger. Kirk will speak about
his journey and the kindness he and Cindy were shown as they walked.
CONNECTICUT CONFERENCE UCC NEWS
Over 500 people attended the Installation of Rev. Kent Siladi as the Conference Minister of the
Connecticut Conference. The service was highlighted by a diverse group of worship leaders, attendance by
guests representing the interfaith community, and music of great variety. The celebration included African
drumming, a jazz band, an inspiring and challenging sermon and “charges” to the Conference Minister and to
local churches.
The Annual Meeting of the CT Conference will be at the Asylum Hill Congregational UCC in
Hartford on the evening of Oct. 18 and during the day on Oct. 19. The key speaker for the event will be Rev.
Michael Piazza from the Center for Progressive Renewal. He will be sharing with us many new ideas about
church vitality for the 21st century. His talk will have direct impact on our work together as a church here in
Cornwall. He is a great speaker and I strongly commend your attendance! The business of the Conference will
also be conducted at this meeting. All registrations will be made through the church office, so please speak to
Micki if you would like to attend.
In other news, the Conference Minister has changed the status of two Regional Ministers who were designated
originally as “Interim Ministers”. After prayer and deliberation, he has dropped the “interim” from their title.
Rev. Tamara Moreland is now our Regional Minister. Kent wrote about this decision: “In the next year we will
be working as a Conference to shape a vision that will help us move together towards a common ministry and
purpose. Undoubtedly there will be additional changes made to the Conference structure and staffing pattern
after the vision has been clarified and embraced. These are exciting and challenging times in our life together
and I would invite your prayers as we prayerfully attend to what God is doing and will do in our midst.”
October 2013
United Church of Christ in Cornwall, Congregational
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
1
2
860-672-6840
Thursday
3
cornwallucc@aol.com
Friday
Saturday
4
5
Food Pantry Food Pantry Woman’s
Food Pantry
open
drop off only Society, 10:00 – drop off only
11:00 – 12:00 9:00 – 1:00 11:30, PH
9:00 – 1:00
CE Committee Trustees, 7:30, Food Pantry
open
meets 6:30, PH
Lib.
11:00 – 12:00
6
8:45 Choir
rehearsal
7
8
9
10
11
12
Food Pantry Food Pantry Food Pantry Food Pantry Food Pantry
drop off only
open
drop off only
open
drop off only
9:00 – 1:00 11:00 – 12:00 9:00 – 1:00 11:00 – 12:00 9:00 – 1:00
10:00 worship
and Church
Quaker Meeting,
School
4:00 – 5:00, DR
11:30
Deacon’s meet
Senior Housing,
4:30, DR
Church
Council, 7:15,
DR
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Food Pantry Food Pantry Food Pantry Food Pantry Food Pantry
CT Conf.
drop off only
open
drop off only
open
drop off only
Annual
10:00 worship 9:00 – 1:00 11:00 – 12:00 9:00 – 1:00 11:00 – 12:00 9:00 – 1:00 Meeting, 9:00
and Church
Blood Pressure
– 4:00,
School
Clinic, 12:00 –
Hartford
11:30 Cont. 1:00, DR
Ed. “What is
Taize?”
8:45 Choir
rehearsal
20
21
22
8:45 Choir
Food Pantry Food Pantry
rehearsal
drop off only
open
9:30 Heifer
9:00 – 1:00 11:00 – 12:00
Farm fieldtrip Quaker Meeting,
departs fr. PH 4:00 – 5:00, DR
23
24
25
26
Food Pantry Food Pantry Food Pantry
drop off only
open
drop off only
9:00 – 1:00 11:00 – 12:00 9:00 – 1:00
10:00 worship
27
28
29
30
31
8:45 Choir
Food Pantry Food Pantry Food Pantry Food Pantry
rehearsal
drop off only
open
drop off only
open
10:00 worship 9:00 – 1:00 11:00 – 12:00 9:00 – 1:00 11:00 – 12:00
and Church
School
11:30 Cont.
Ed.
“Hiking
Humanitarian”
PH = Parish House
DR = Day Room
Sanc. = Sanctuary
Lib. = Church Library
UR = Upper Room
8 Bolton Hill Road
PO Box 35
Cornwall, CT 06753
Phone: 860-672-6840
Fax: 860-672-6840
Email: cornwallucc@aol.com
Web:www.uccincornwall.org
Morning Worship: 10:00
Church School: 10:00
Office Hours: M – F, 9 –1
God is Still Speaking!
We are an Open and Affirming Church.
All are welcome here!
Neighbors in Need Special Mission Offering
Sunday, October 6
Neighbors in Need (NIN), a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ, supports justice and
witness ministries throughout the United States. Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and
Witness Ministries (JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service
projects.
NIN also supports our American Indian neighbors in the UCC. One-third of the offering supports
the UCC’s Council on American Indian Ministries (CAIM) - the voice of the American Indian people in the
UCC. Today there are 20 UCC congregations on reservations and one urban, multi-tribal UCC congregation in
Minneapolis, Minnesota. These churches and their pastors are supported by CAIM.
This year the Neighbors in Need offering will be collected on October 6, World Communion Sunday and
our first Family Worship of the year! Please give generously. And remember, contributions to Neighbors in
Need can be made on-line at any time at:www.ucc.org/nin
World Communion Sunday and Family Worship
Sunday, October 6
This is a Sunday where the children do not have Church School and attend worship for the entire service.
For those of you who have never experienced Family Worship, it is planned with children in mind yet it remains
meaningful for those over the age of 10! Hymns are easy and familiar. Responses are often sung and the
mediation is a message for all. We also celebrate Communion with folks all over the world! This is the first of
four Family Worships throughout the year.