Be sure to stay for Fellowship Hour after worship on Sunday, February 23rd, for our
Annual
Unbirthday Party!
(Those who were actually born on February 23rd are welcome, too....)
|
|
|
|
|
Dear Friends,
In the early 1990s I had the privilege of attending a special anniversary celebration of the Roman Catholic diocese of El Quiché, in the highlands of Guatemala. That area was particularly devastated by the country's civil war; many priests, nuns, brothers, and catechists had been killed or "disappeared" for serving and educating the people. Throughout the anniversary mass the bishop spoke first in Quiché, the native language of the province, and then in Spanish.
By choosing to speak in the indigenous language, and by having done the work of learning it in the first place, the bishop declared his respect for the people he served. You could see the effect: all around the densely crowded plaza (far too many to fit inside the cathedral) the warm expressions of people acknowledged his respect with their own, knowing he cared for them and stood with them.
The memory surfaced this week as I am preparing to help with a special event in Berkshire County: at the Hevreh Synagogue in Great Barrington about 150 immigrants will gather to share stories of having made their home in the US - joys and the challenges both. Those of us whose parents were born and raised here get the rare chance to play a supporting role: the leaders are our neighbors whose first language is Spanish, Portuguese, Gujurati, or one of other tongues from Africa or the Russian federation. As someone who has the great honor of speaking and being heard regularly, I greatly appreciate the chance to play a supportive role: taking notes and helping with translation.
The organizers of this event are Jewish, Christian, Unitarian, atheist, and humanist. I see the wisdom of Jesus in them - just as in Bishop Cabrera of El Quiché - intentionally shifting the center of conversation to the native languages of our neighbors, as if to say: "Your voice matters." To me, that sounds just like the gospel.
Christlove,
Pastor John
|
|
From Barbara Collins, Director of Religious Education
|
This Sunday, February 23:
Nursery Care (birth-age 4), Sunday School (age 4-Grade 5). The Youth Discussion Group will meet and help set up for the Unbirthday Party.
This week's family faith talk opportunity:
Which do you think is more difficult - to ask for forgiveness or to grant it?
|
|
You Are Invited to Dinner
|
The Deacons' Lenten Dinners are a gift for all--a gift of a meal prepared with love; a gift of coming together to talk, share, and laugh; a gift of time out of our everyday routines so we can reflect on all that we have in common.
Please come! Take a break! Enjoy Community!
All are welcome--congregation members, their families and friends. We will be serving a simple meal of hearty soup, salad, bread, and dessert made and served by the Deacons and other volunteers. All you need to do is show up with your appetite.
Please indicate the names of all attendees, any dietary restrictions and ages of children you are bringing. Dinners will be limited to 21 attendees per week.
|
|
MONTHLY NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES
|
|
Deacon's Message for February ~ submitted by Cynthia LaPier
|
|
Registration for Silver Lake Summer Camp is Open
|
If
you plan to attend Silver Lake Summer Camp and would like a campership, 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).
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Click above to access our secure site
|
|
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY
|
|
From Astor House Head Start
|
|
|
|
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).
|
|
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.
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
