Find out what is going on this week!

prEview May 23, 2019

IN WORSHIP THIS WEEK

Pastor Rachel will preach on the theme "Be the Church." This week the topic is "Fight for the Powerless," and the sermon title is "Simple Instructions," based on Micah 6:6-8. Kurt Habeck will be Deacon of the Day, and Jim Welsh will be Lay Reader. Ashley Adams will make special presentations, and musical leadership will be provided by Zoe Vandermeer and the Sanctuary Choir. We will also celebrate Book of Remembrance Sunday. Please join us for coffee hour following the service.

FROM PASTOR RACHEL: I thank Ashley Adams for leading worship on May 12 and Dr. Jane Ellingwood for leading worship on May 19. Both opportunities were more or less last minute, and I thank them for filling in so willingly and graciously. My thanks also to those who sent messages of support and have offered prayers for my brother, who is critically ill.

A CHANGE IN YOUR WEEKLY PREVIEW: During Monday's Cabinet meeting, a concern was raised about publishing our Preview on our updated website. The concern is that those whose names have been offered for prayer may not wish to have this information broadcast to the general public. So, we will omit the prayer list from this and all future Previews. A separate email to church members only will go out, and we will disseminate our prayer list that way. A reminder: Please let Pastor Rachel or Heather know if you would like your name or a loved one's name added or removed from the prayer list. If you have questions, please speak with Pastor Rachel or with Moderator Jim Welsh.

This Sunday we will be recognizing our Sunday School teachers during worship. Please join us as we express our appreciation for these amazing individuals.

On June 2nd we will be chatting with our graduating Seniors. We will be thanking them for being apart of our church family and wishing them well on the next chapter in their lives.

On June 9th we will be recognizing the commitment of our students to the church with Carter Tishkin Slack Scholarship certificates. We have the honor of investing in the future of the our students who have invested many hours here at church.

UPCOMING ECCLESIASTICAL COUNCIL FOR

DR. JANE ELLINGWOOD!

Dr. Jane has completed all the requirements for ordination, including an ordination paper, and has been approved by the Committee on Church and Ministry to proceed to an Ecclesiastical Council.. From the UCC Manual on Ministry: "In the United Church of Christ, the authroity to ordain ministers and to grant ministerial standing is given to Associations."

Dr. Jane's Ecclesiastical Council has been scheduled for Sunday, June 9, at 4 PM, in our sanctuary. Clergy and delegates of the Fairfield East Association will gather to learn more about Dr. Jane and her call to ministry and faith journey, and to ask questions about her paper. They will then vote on recommending Dr. Jane for ordination, pending a call.

This is a very important moment in Dr. Jane's life, but it is also an important moment in the life of this congregation and in the life of the United Church of Christ. This congregation has walked with Dr. Jane for the years she has been a Member in Discernment. You have supported her, cared for her, just as she has supported and cared for you. You are invited to attend Dr. Jane's Ecclesiastical Council, to hear her words, listen to her responses to questions, and to support her in this very important step on her journey to ordination.