The Bridge
September 2015
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 Sexton
Donna Bielefield
PASTOR’S WORD
Following Jesus in the Gospel of Mark this summer,
we have been in touch with the Holy who brings
healing, health, and a sense of being home where we
belong. There are stories of Jesus feeding and
calming storms and reaching out to those who were
considered unclean. Mark recounts several events in
which Jesus ignores or flaunts purity laws, in favor of
caring for those in need. In one such incident, Jesus
was rebuked by religious leaders for not washing
properly before eating. Jesus replied that we don’t
become “unclean” by what we put in our mouths but
by what comes out of our mouths. It is not what we
eat that makes us clean or unclean, but how we
behave.
Mark’s Jesus expects us to act on our faith!
There are many ways to do that. You don’t have to
be part of a church to do that. But isn’t it wonderful
that we can get support and encouragement and
strength from our community of faith to do what
God would have us do and be who God would have
us be!
As the new church program year begins, join
us for regular worship and for Taize services, for
education, and for service of various kinds that makes
a difference in our community and in our world. We
are more than our members and more than Sunday
morning! We want to connect with you where ever
you find yourself in the journey of life and faith.
Blessings,
Micki
Church School Begins on September 20!
Care and Share
“…every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:8
Our theme this year is CARE AND SHARE which focuses on Stewardship. We will also be learning about
Paul and the Early Church and the spread of Christianity. Last year we became disciples (learners), this year we
become apostles (one who is sent out)!
Our focus on Stewardship includes the stewardship of…
… Relationships by encouraging cooperation and acceptance.
… Ideas by encouraging children to dream-and-do.
… Time and Talent by encouraging, using and celebrating our children’s differing abilities and interests.
… Resources by continuing our protection of our earth and using money wisely by encouraging ALL to reduce,
reuse, and recycle.
IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY
Congratulations to the following young people who celebrate a birthday in September:
September 2
Brian Hurlburt
September 23 Elizabeth Ridgway
September 10
Derek Elias
September 26 Jeffrey Hammond
September 12
Otto Rapp
September 30 Ian Tyson
September 19
Madeleine Longwell
We welcome the following new members who join our church over the summer:
Ken Merrill Chris Danforth Virginia Gold Betsey Mauro Paul Smith Wendy Welshans
Red Cross Blood Drive
Thursday, September 3
1:00 – 6:00
on the Save-a-Life Bus at the UCC in Cornwall
Refreshments and registration will be held in the Parish House and the blood donations will be taken in a Red
Cross bus in the parking lot.
To sign up please call the Red Cross directly at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Walk-ins are welcome.
Allow at least one hour in all.
Each donation can help to save three lives!
Quarterly Book Group
The Quarterly Book Group has chosen its next title, Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time by
Marcus Borg. This is the best-known book by perhaps the best-known figure in modern
liberal theology and historical Jesus study. Readable and short (160 pages).
The group will meet again on Tuesday, September 22, at 4 P.M. If you'd like to be put on
the list, contact Bob P., Jean V., Nita C., or another member.
CONSIDER JOINING THE CHOIR
This fall, why not consider joining the choir? New members are always welcome to rehearse at 8:45 on Sunday
mornings in the sanctuary. Join us whether you are new to choral singing or whether you’ve been doing it for years!
Rehearsals begin on September 20.
Neighbors in Need 2015
This year’s theme for NIN is “Unexpected Places” and connects to the work of the UCC’s Council for American Indian Ministries
(CAIM) and our denominational advocacy to address centuries of injustice stemming from the Doctrine of Discovery.
Neighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the UCC that supports ministries of justice and
compassion throughout the United States. Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness
Ministries to fund a wide array of local and national justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects.
Through ucc.org/justice, our national Justice and Witness Ministries office offers resources, news updates,
and action alerts on a broad spectrum of justice issues. Working with members of the UCC Justice and Peace
Action Network (a network of thousands of UCC justice and peace advocates), Justice and Witness continues its
strong policy advocacy work on issues such as the federal budget, voting rights, immigration, health care, hate
crimes, civil liberties, and environmental justice.
Neighbors in Need also supports our American Indian neighbors in the UCC. One-third of the offering
supports the UCC’s Council for American Indian Ministries (CAIM). Historically, forebears of the UCC established
churches and worked with Lakota, Dakota, Nakota, Mandan, Hidatsa,Arickara, and Hocak in North and South
Dakota,Wisconsin, and northern Nebraska.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. CAIM is also an invaluable resource for more than 1,000 individuals from dozens of other tribes and
nations who are members of other UCC congregations in the U.S.
Our congregation will receive the NIN offering on October 4, 2015 as part of our World
Communion Sunday celebration. Please give as generously as you are able.
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Giv Event Planned for October – Calling Grades 6-12
2
Giv2 (pronounced Give Squared) is a program of the UCC churches in the NW Corner. Youth in grades 612 gather quarterly to work together on a community service project. There is a time for lunch, a sharing game,
work and de-brief, usually on a Sunday afternoon. Our next project will be in Oct. More information will be
available soon about our first group project.
Helping others is a great way for us all to practice our discipleship; AND it is good for the college resume!
PARENTS’ MEETING PLANNED FOR NEW YOUTH GROUP
Parents and guardians of our youth in grade 6 and up are invited to a meeting on Tuesday, September 8 at
7:00. We will discuss the idea of beginning a youth group. We have a wonderful nucleus of kids interested in and
attending GIV2 and want to be able to use that momentum to build a group of kids here that could spend some
social time together as well as do "good works" within our community or pursue interests brought forth by our
participants.
Please join us!
*******************************************************
IN THE MAILBAG
To SMOC: “Dear Pastor Micki, thank you a LOT for providing money for me to go to Silver Lake! My
three favorite parts were rafting down the Housatonic for three hours! (I got a great tan), learning how to sail, and
finally making new friends. I really enjoyed it and if I could I would love to go again A.S.A.P! There was a mat in
the pond called the Jesus mat. It floats and you can walk on it and it looks like you’re walking on water. Thanks
again, Ian (Danforth Gold).”
To SMOC: “Dear Pastor Micki and the church family, Thank you so much for helping me to go to Silver
Lake. I really liked all of the conferences I went to and LOVE escaping the 4 year old “monkey” sister for 2 weeks.
I love beeing part of our church and hope to come more often. Linda “the 1 and only”
PINE RIDGE REPORT!
There will be a report on our Pine Ridge Mission Trip/Work Trip in October. (Date TBA) Most of those
who went on the trip will be with us to share their experiences and some of what they learned in time spent with the
Lakota people at the Reservation in South Dakota. There will be photos and any questions you have can be
answered. It is also a chance to thank many of you who contributed toward our trip. Information about next year’s
trip will also be available!
PINE RIDGE RESERVATION WORK TRIP, 2016
The Pine Ridge Work Trip for 2015 is behind us. Eight people went from the church and community to
the Reservation to work and to learn and all participants reported a fabulous trip.
Our next Pine Ridge Work Trip will be June 25 – July 1, 2015. We have 8 spaces reserved and can always
add more if we need them. The group we work with at the Reservation, Re-Member, fills up very quickly with
volunteers. So it is vitally important that we get our group together by the end of December. Please sign up for the
trip by Dec. 1, securing your place with a deposit of $250 per person. All who want to go should let Micki know as
soon as you know you want to be on the trip. A list will be created in the order in which you let me know.
Re-Member has raised the room and board price to $550 per person to reflect their true costs, an increase of
$75. There will be fundraisers to try to cover $300 for each person. Limited scholarships are available for first-time
attendees and payment plans are possible!
SALISBURY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH INVITES AREA SINGERS TO PARTICIPATE
in performing
Camille Saint-Saens’ Christmas Oratorio
With
SALISBURY SINFONIETTA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Sunday, Dec. 13 – 3pm
Salisbury Congregational Church
Chorus rehearsals: Wednesdays 8:10-8:45
Oct. 7, 21; Nov. 4, 18; Dec. 2, 9
Dress Rehearsal Sat. December 12 9:30-11:30
FROM THE NEWSLETTER OF “THE CORNER FOOD PANTRY”:
The Corner Food Pantry and its predecessor OWL’S Kitchen have been providing quality food to families
in need for over 23 years. The organization’s goal is to provide nutritious, healthful food in a friendly safe
environment. A wholly volunteer organization based in Lakeville, CT, the food pantry serves individuals and
families in the tri-state region.
The Pantry is open each week
 Food is available to all
 Clients receive 3 days of food for each family member
 Family size determines the amount
 Clients select from a variety of foods
The Corner Food Pantry is located at 80 Sharon Road Lakeville next to St. Mary’s Church and Rectory.
Parking is available in the St. Mary’s parking lot across Well’s Hill Road.
September 2015
United Church of Christ in Cornwall, Congregational
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
1
860-672-6840 cornwallucc@aol.com
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
Saturday
4
5
Food Pantry Office closes
open, 9:00 –
at 11:00 for
11:00
staff planning
Blood Drive
1:00 – 5:45,
on Bus at PH
Trustees, 7:30
DR
6
7
10:00 Worship in
North Cornwall
Meeting House
8
Office Closed Parent Mtg.
in observance for Youth
of legal
Group, 7:00,
holiday
DR
10:00 Last
summer Worship
service in North
Cornwall Meeting
House
11:30 Church
picnic at Cream
Hill Lake
10
11
Food Pantry
open, 9:00 –
11:00
12
Cornwall Ag
Fair, 10:00 –
2:00, Town
Green
Tracy vacation Tracy vacation Tracy vacation
Quaker
Meeting, 5:00 6:00
13
9
14
15
16
Blood
Christian Ed.
Pressure
Meeting, 6:30
Clinic, 12 – 1,
in PH
Lib.
17
18
Food Pantry
open, 9:00 –
11:00
19
Classroom setup, 10:00
24
25
Food Pantry
open, 9:00 –
11:00
26
Woman’s
Society
Luncheon,
12:30, PH
Tracy vacation
20
21
8:45 Choir
rehearsal
10:00 worship
and Church
School Opening
Day!
Quaker
Meeting, 5:00 6:00
27
28
22
23
29
30
8:45 Choir
rehearsal
10:00 worship
and Church
School
CROP Walk,
12:30,HVRHS
PH = Parish House
DR = Day Room
Sanc. = Sanctuary
Lib. = Church Library
UR = Upper Room
Please note: Worship will begin back in Cornwall Village Meeting House on September 20.
United Church of Christ in Cornwall,
Congregational
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 (Sept. – June)
Office Hours: M – F, 9 –1
God is Still Speaking!
We are an Open and Affirming Church.
All are welcome here!
Please save: cardboard canisters for Church School – these include: Stuffing canisters, oatmeal,
pringles chip cans, etc. You can drop them off at the church office. Also, gallon milk jugs.
PLEASE be sure to wash them out before donating them. Covers are not needed.
Church Picnic!!
Sunday, September 13
(rain or shine)
11:30 – ??
at Cream Hill Lake
Come to worship in your picnic clothes!
Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity for fun and fellowship for all ages! It is a great way to start off a new
church program year!
Bring a dish to share
Hotdogs for you to grill for yourself/family will be provided, if you want something else – bring it along! Grill space aplenty!
Some beverages will be provided. But families are encouraged to bring their own.
Transportation from the parking area to the beach area will be provided for those who need it.
We are a “Green Church” so each family should bring their own recyclable picnic ware!
Bring a chair or two
Bring a favorite table game to play in the case of rain.