Dear Friends,
Thanks in part to our church's commitments to wholeness in our community, last Sunday afternoon we hosted a VIP preview screening of "
Uprooting Addiction: Healing from the Ground Up
." Over 60 members and friends of the church came to the Parish Hall (photo above) to see the moving stories of people who have been caught in addiction. Young and old, professionals and tradespeople and students - any one of us may be one accident or one deep pain away from falling into the cycle of dependence. Ultimately the movie gives hope: we got to know people who have found pathways to healing, and the dedication of caregivers, therapists, counselors, and doctors (many of them in recovery from addiction).
I am grateful to Dave Heck, Carol Magowan, and Rich Reifsnyder, who early on saw the worthiness of "Uprooting Addiction" and recommended that we support it through the church's Epiphany Fund. New church member Ken Edholm is also serving our community well by helping the efforts of Rotary to lift awareness and provide a safe means for disposing of opioids.
You may be aware that the church also maintains a Benevolence Fund, which we can use to give support when neighbors need help out of a debt or crisis. I'm grateful to an anonymous donor who recently gave a substantial gift to that fund. Because of their generosity, in the past month we have been able to cover the cost of rent, utilities, and a town hall bill for three of our neighbors. The recipients are always anonymous (apart from the committee who provides oversight), as are the donations - so this is a place to send out thanks for each of you who opens your heart to share from the bounty God has given you. (Speaking of which, please remember that the Board of Christian Action is collecting food donations up to this coming Sunday, January 26, to supply the Corner Food Pantry! See below for more info.)
Christlove,
Pastor John
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Bring In Your Donations for
The Corner Food Pantry
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The Board of Christian Action will be delivering your food donations on Sunday, January 26.
Thanks to all who have contributed to this winter food drive to help stock the shelves. Last weekend more than 200 of our neighbors were served by the pantry.... including many, many children.
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. If you have not already done so, please stop by for a bag and bring your donations to church this Sunday!
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From Barbara Collins,
Director of Religious Education
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Family faith talk opportunity:
If you could change something you did this past week, what would it be? How would it be different?
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Save the Date! Committee Fair
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The Nominating Committee will hold a Committee Fair during hospitality hour on Sunday, Feb. 9. Enjoy coffee, juice, and snacks and chat with volunteers to learn more about how you can be involved in the work of the church.
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MONTHLY NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES
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Cottage Dinners
The Cottage Dinners have been very popular but we have a few more spaces available on Saturday February 15. Please contact Jennifer Weigel at
weichin@sbcglobal.net
or 860-435-9939 to sign up!
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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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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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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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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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