A Prayer
Beloved, on this eighteenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, may God hold close those whose wounds continue to cause pain, and those who deliver healing. May we remember the depravity of those who use violence, and may we remember the heart of those who know that being fully alive can mean facing death in order to help others. May Christ, transcending every boundary, bind you and me and friend and stranger in bonds of grace, where we let go of everything except our common humanity and compassion.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor John
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Bring Your Backpack to Church!
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All students and educators are joyfully invited to bring your backpacks, brief cases, or book bags - and your friends! - to church this Sunday, September 15, for "A Blessing of the Backpacks" during the
Thought for Young Minds.
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Dear Friends,
One of the joyous obligations of being a part of the United Church of Christ is participating in "installations," when the clergy and delegates from the congregations in an Association of churches all show up for a special worship service, and call on the Holy Spirit to bless the new relationship of a church and its pastor.
There are denominations where bishops handle this beautiful ritual, but in the UCC it belongs to the people of the churches — and the Holy Spirit.
So on this coming Sunday I will go north to join with clergy and delegates of the Berkshire Association (the group that holds my authorization to serve as an ordained minister), and celebrate the new pastorate of the Rev. Patty Fox with the Congregational Church of West Stockbridge, MA. Then the following Sunday I will head southeast to celebrate the new pastorate of the Rev. Lisa Gustafson with the Harwinton Congregational Church.
Occasions like this remind me that there's no magic to "doing" church. Often the biggest part is, you just show up. And when even two or three do that, and call on the Holy Spirit, the Spirit shows up, too. No magic: just the everyday miracle of God at work.
Christlove,
Pastor John
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From Barbara Collins,
Director of Religious Education
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What a wonderful and bountiful breakfast the Deacons provided last week as we welcomed the children back for the new program year! Thank you so much, Deacons. It was delicious.
On, Sunday, September 15,
there will be
Nursery Care and Sunday School. The Youth Discussion Group will
NOT
meet. Youth are invited to remain in worship with their parents or join the Sunday School as helpers (and learners).
Children should bring their school backpacks to church on Sunday for a special “Blessing of the Backpacks.”
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MONTHLY NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES
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Needed: Walkers and Donors to End Hunger!
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This year's
CROP Hunger Walk
is scheduled for Sunday, 29 September. Please mark your calendars - and if you have interest in helping to organize a group of walkers from our church, please
contact Pastor John
.
Help end hunger and poverty one step at a time!
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Deacons’ message for September
Submitted by Carol Magowan
Of all the stories in the bible, The Annunciation and The Beatitudes resonate most deeply within me. I love the profound mystery of The Annunciation. There is Mary with her innocent elegance pondering what this surprise visitation means. The illuminating power of the Angel Gabriel just “appearing” with his unorthodox message that baffles Mary. Renaissance painters introduced a
white lily into this intimate scene representing purity and devotion. It is an image I find compelling and radiant. It is a story that both delights and challenges me as a woman and as a mother.
The Beatitudes speak to my humanity. Here are the meek, the poor in spirit, the merciful, the peacemakers, the pure of heart. We know these people. We are these people.
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Boxes Wanted for Fall Festival
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The Fall Festival Committee is looking for medium- and large-size cardboard boxes. They must have a top or flaps that can be closed.
Please bring your boxes to the church basement between now and October 7.
Thank you!
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Super Saturday - October 5, 2019
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Registration Deadline is September 21, 2019
Join us for a full day of worship, workshops and networking. All are welcome!
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Do You Have a Church Key?
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We are updating our list of key holders for the church.
If you have a key to the Library Street door, please let Kathy in the church office know:
kwigginsscc@gmail.com or (860) 435-2442.
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Women's Bible Study will begin on Thursday, September 5 at 4:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall Library.
Men's Bible Study will begin on Friday, September 6 at 7:45 a.m. in the Parish Hall.
All are welcome! If you are interested in participating in either Bible Study, please contact
Pastor John
so he may order a sufficient number of books.
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Thank You for Your Continued Support!
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We are continuing to collect non-perishable food donations for The Corner Food Pantry. Please leave your donations in the basket in the foyer on Library Street.
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Fall Cleaning? Donate to Treasure Trove
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Are you cleaning out your closets, cabinets, basement, attic, or garage this Fall? If so, donate your unwanted “treasures” to be recycled to eager buyers during the upcoming Fall Festival. Leave your items on the table in the basement for Roseanne Lamson to sort and price. (Please—no books, clothing, computers, TVs, or exercise equipment.) If you have questions, contact Barbara Collins at
bacollins430@gmail.com
.
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The new ADA bathroom is in the home stretch! A prayer of thanks to Scooter's Carpentry, Perotti's Plumbing & Heating, C&M Electric, Sheldon Glass, Fox Painting, and Kathy Wiggins. We are aiming to have it functional by 9/8, finished by 9/30.
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Our Church's 275th Anniversary
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On
Sunday, November 24, we will have an all-church Celebration to commemorate the Church's 275th Anniversary. Mark your calendar an exuberant worship service and a boisterous birthday party!
For that day, we are collecting
stories of service to our neighbors, near and far. Can you share how you have put your faith in action? Please contact Pastor John (
click here) or the church office.
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We have implemented a security measure for the Church House: If any of the staff is in the building alone, the Library Street door will remain locked. If you stop by during office hours and find the door is locked, please press the intercom button to the left of the door. The staff person will come down and open the door for you!
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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. You are welcome to provide flowers in memory of or in honor of a loved one.
Simple bouquets and garden flowers are encouraged - there is no need to spend a lot of money!
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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
kwigginsscc@gmail.com
.
Please make sure you have permission from someone to add their name to this public list.
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The Coffee Hour sign up
is in the Parish Hall. If you have never served at Coffee Hour and would like to “learn the ropes,” please sign your name in the column marked “helper” and you will be paired with an experienced Coffee Hour server. If you have served before, please sign up for a Sunday or two and consider inviting someone new to join you!
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Click above to access our secure site
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Melissa Adam, Financial and Communications Assistant, is in the office Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00-2:00. Her email is:
sccmelissa@gmail.com
Kathy Wiggins, Administrative Assistant, is in the office Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8-3 and Thursday from 8-2.
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This Sunday, September 15, The Church of Christ, Norfolk, invites you to join them for an afternoon of gravity-defying excitement at the Silver Lake Challenge Course from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Cost is $15 per person, with a maximum of $50 per family. All ages are welcome for this event.
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The Taconic Learning Center is offering a course this fall called "When Life Feels Unfair: An Exploration of the Book of Job." Taught by the Rev. Dr.
Rich Reifsnyder, the class will take a close textual look at the Bible's most extended treatment of the problem of suffering.
Six consecutive Tuesdays, 10 a.m. - 12 noon at Geer Village (99 S Canaan St, Canaan, CT),
beginning on September 17. Register through the TLC website:
taconiclearningcenter.org.
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Seminar Opportunity
New Start Date September 20
The Rev. Eileen Epperson invites you to join
The Interior Life Seminar
. Ten Fridays meeting weekly, 1 – 3 p.m., September 20.
Click here to learn more.
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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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