Dear Friends,
On December 15th church member Alice Gustafson hit a milestone as she celebrated her 100th birthday. We don't always do a lot of applauding in worship services, but the ovation was joyfully loud and long, on that day. Among the ways Alice continues to stay active is volunteering at the Hotchkiss School's Tremaine Art Gallery - which has honored her with a fun article and delightful photo (
see them by clicking here
).
We have a number of opportunities this week for trying to keep up with Alice's level of activity. Just below you'll see information about a special VIP Preview of
Uprooting Addiction
: a documentary telling powerful stories about the devastation of addiction and the hard, hopeful work of recovery (Sunday 1/19, 4pm, Parish Hall). We are honored to host the preview in part because of our congregation's support of the project through the Epiphany Fund.
Our Nominating Committee meets on Sunday to begin its work, so important in the life of any church. It's much more than simply inviting church covenant partners to serve on boards and committees: the task is to get to know you (and all parishioners) and encourage you to connect your faith and your gifts with service, either within the church or in our wider community. So when someone from the Nominating Committee starts a conversation, please know that it is the Holy Spirit reaching out to you!
Angela joins me in thanking the first "Cottage Dinner" hosts - Karin and Charlie Noyes, Clare Rashkoff, and Betsy Beck. We are so grateful for the warm hospitality and for opportunity to better get to know church friends. If you haven't already signed up for a Cottage Dinner, there's info for that below, as well.
We hope to have time with you at one of those feasts.
Christlove,
Pastor John
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Partners and friends of the Congregational Church of Salisbury, UCC are cordially invited to a
Private VIP Preview
of the documentary, “UPROOTING ADDICTION: Healing From The Ground Up” this
Sunday, January 19th 2019 at 4:00pm
in the Parish Hall.
“Uprooting Addiction” is a mosaic-like portrait of six individuals, each affected by childhood trauma, who come together to share their stories and examine the life-altering events of the past.
Interweaving these personal stories with accounts of collective action from a diverse group of activists, officials, volunteers, caregivers, and experts, the ultimately positive message of the film illuminates a way forward through community, connection, and compassion.
The film runs 65 minutes followed by a 30 minute Q&A with the filmmakers.
Admission is free.
We hope you will be able to join us.
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The Board of Christian Action invites you to help with our
Winter Food Drive, to benefit
The Corner Food Pantry. We want to keep aware that some of our neighbors rely on the Corner Food Pantry to meet basic needs - and that many of us are happily able to keep the shelves stocked.
You can find paper grocery bags with a list of recommended items near both the Main Street door of the Meetinghouse and the Library Street door of the Parish Hall.
Please bring your generously-filled bag to worship
this Sunday or next (1/19 or 1/26).
(Also, please note that we've learned from experience that the paper handles on the bags are quite unreliable....)
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Sermon & Readings
This Second Sunday after Epiphany, January 19, Pastor John's sermon is titled "Come and See."
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From Barbara Collins,
Director of Religious Education
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Sunday, January 19:
Nursery Care (birth-age 4), Sunday School (age 4-Grade 5). The Youth Discussion Group, Grade 6 and older, will
NOT
meet.
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Registration for Silver Lake Summer Camp is Open
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Silver Lake Camp and Conference Center is a treasure, and an important partner in ministry for our congregation. Because we believe so much in the amazing opportunities for fun and faith, body and spirit, our church will cover the cost of camp for any children and youth in our congregation. Registration for summer 2020 opens on January 15
th —
if you plan to attend, please let us know before registering so we can make the financial arrangements! Contact Melissa Adam in the church office (
melissa@salisburyucc.org; 860-435-2442). Questions? please contact Pastor John (
jnelson@salisburyucc.org; 860-435-2442).
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MONTHLY NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES
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Christian Action Needs You!
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The Board of Christian Action is reviewing the organizations we support each year as partners in mission. With so much need in our local and wider world, we prioritize organizations with whom our church has a long relationship and those with whom you, our fellow church members, have special involvement. Please send us information!
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If you would like 2020 Offering Envelopes and have not yet requested them, contact Melissa in the church office: 860-435-2442 or email
melissa@salisburyucc.org.
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Several items have collected in our lost and found over the past year. If you know who any of these things belong to, please let us know! Contact Melissa in the church office (860) 435-2442 or email
melissa@salisburyucc.org.
Items not picked up by Feb. 1 will be donated to Goodwill.
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Cottage Dinners
You are cordially invited to attend a cottage dinner as part of Salisbury Congregational Church’s extravagant welcome for Pastor John and Angela Nelson.
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Deacon's Message for January ~ Submitted by Karin Noyes
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Women's Bible Study meets on
Thursdays at 3:30pm in the Parish Hall Library.
Men's Bible Study meets on
Fridays at 7:45am in the Parish Hall.
All are welcome! If you are interested in participating in either Bible Study, please contact
Pastor John.
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If you would like to provide flowers for a Sunday service
, contact Linda Estabrook at
(860) 824-5896
by Wednesday of the week the flowers will be donated.
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Please contact the office if you would like to add a name to the prayer list, by calling the office 860-435-2442 or emailing
melissa@salisburyucc.org.
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Click above to access our secure site
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For pastoral emergencies, Pastor John can be reached in the church office (860-435-2442, ext. 101), on his mobile (508-479-0724), or by email (
jnelson@salisburyucc.org).
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Pastor John Nelson keeps office hours on Tuesday - Friday. He can be reached at (860) 435-2442 ext. 101, by email (
jnelson@salisburyucc.org), or by mobile phone (508-479-0724).
Melissa Adam, Office Administrator, is in the office Monday-Friday from 9:00-4:00. Her email is:
melissa@salisburyucc.org.
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The Congregational Church of Salisbury, United Church of Christ
125 Main Street, PO Box 392, Salisbury, CT 06068
Phone (860) 435-2442
email: salisburyucc@gmail.com
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