FROM PASTOR JOHN
Dear Friends,

This Sunday's a big day! Barbara Collins and Jen Surdam have been preparing to welcome children to Sunday School and youth to our discussion group, Jack Bowman has been preparing the choir to bring weekly anthems to worship. Melissa Adam and Kathy Wiggins have been answering more phone calls and emails, books have been arriving for Bible study: in these ways and more the Church is revving up to welcome a new season of ministry.

Speaking of seasons, I'm excited to introduce a theme for the coming four Sunday mornings. We'll be hearing scriptures that describe the mystery and wonder of creation . You may have noticed that most of our Bible readings emphasize God's relationship with humanity - but humankind is the focus of just one part of one day of the six days of creation! So this weekend we will celebrate Ocean Sunday, followed by Fauna Sunday, Storm Sunday, and Cosmos Sunday: all "voices" of God's realm.

While preparing for these services I heard about Greta Thunberg , an extraordinary leader in the movement to respond to our climate crisis. Ms. Thunberg, at the age of 16, is committed to reducing human damage to the ecosystem. Recently she traveled from her native Sweden to New York, to participate in actions and meetings at the United Nations. Determined to avoid the heavy pollution of travel by air or motorized ship, she found passage across the Atlantic on a sailing vessel. She has been mocked for her naïveté (and, sadly, for her Asberger's Syndrome) - but she has stayed true to her passionate call for caring for the planet. If you have 12 minutes, her TED talk is worth watching . "Once we start to act, hope is everywhere."

People of faith have a special perspective to bring to this enormously complicated topic. From our vantage point, grounded in the Word of God and the story of God's activity in the life of humanity, we have a calling to revere what God has done and is still doing. More than simply make use of our God-given capacities, our faith teaches us to use those for the benefit of all that is vulnerable: from microbial life to fauna facing extinction to our marginalized human kin. We do all of it for joy of the Creator and the goodness of creation - which we'll spend September celebrating!

Christlove,
Pastor John
WEEKLY NEWS
Sermon & Readings

This Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 8, Pastor John's sermon will be " Wisdom of the Deeps." Readings: Psalm 104:1-9, 24-26; Job 38:1-18
From Barbara Collins, Director of Religious Education
Sunday, September 8: Nursery Care, Sunday School and Youth Discussion Group will meet. Plan to join us for a pancake breakfast prepared by the deacons at 9:15. Welcome back!

Sunday, September 15: Be sure to bring your school backpack or book bag to church. A special “Blessing of the Backpacks” will take place. 
From Jack Bowman, Minister of Music
The Music Library Project is finished! Thanks to all who helped!
Thank You for Your Continued Support!
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. Here's how you helped in August:

During August, The Corner Food Pantry Was Open 5 weekends: Number of Households Served: 213
Number of Individuals Served: 852
Number of Meals provided: 7668
Pounds of Food (Estimate): 9202
 
Weekly Averages:
43 households per week
170 individuals per week
1534 meals per week
MONTHLY NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES
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.
Boxes Wanted for Fall Festival
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!
Super Saturday - October 5, 2019
Registration Deadline is September 21, 2019
Join us for a full day of worship, workshops and networking. All are welcome! 

Click here for more information and full brochure of events: Super Saturday October 2019 Brochure

Click here to register: Super Saturday Registration

Contact Pastor John with any questions: jnelson@salisburycongregationalchurch.org
Do You Have a Church Key?
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.
Bible Studies
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.
Calling all Canners!
As summer draws to a close, you may discover an abundance of fruit or cucumbers in your garden. If so, plan to make some jams, preserves, or pickles for the Fall Festival in October. These home-made items are very popular with visitors to the Country Kitchen during the week-end event. All proceeds from the Fall Festival at our church are given to the Board of Christian Action to donate to local organizations. It's a win-win for everyone!
Fall Cleaning? Donate to Treasure Trove
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 .
Construction at Church
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.
Planning Meeting for Church Anniversary
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.
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!
Church Office Update
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!
For Pastoral Emergencies
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@salisburycongregationalchurch.org).
STAYING IN TOUCH
Church Office Hours
Pastor John Nelson keeps office hours on Tuesday - Friday. He can be reached at (860) 435-2442 ext. 101, by email ( jnelson@salisburycongregationalchurch.org), or by mobile phone (508-479-0724).

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.
Her email is: kwigginsscc@gmail.com
IN THE COMMUNITY
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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.
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