The Rev. Jake Miles Joseph received his BA in French from Grinnell College in Iowa in 2011 and his Masters of Divinity and Graduate Certificate in Human Rights from Emory University in Atlanta in 2014. After attending Divinity School, Jake served as the Associate Minister for Outreach and Mission/ Congregational Life for five years from 2014 to 2019 at Plymouth Congregational UCC in Fort Collins, Colorado. While in Fort Collins, Jake served as the Chair of the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, on the National Commissions Committee of NAHRO providing policy advocacy on affordable housing at the national level, and on local and statewide boards of Habitat for Humanity among other nonprofits. Jake most recently served as the Associate Minister at First Church UCC of Guilford, Connecticut helping them navigate technology and change through two years of the pandemic. Since October 2021, Jake has taken on the new challenge of combating antisemitism, extremism, hate, and bias on a daily basis as the new Associate Director for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Connecticut Region. He and his scientist husband, Gerhard, live in Milford, Connecticut. Jake currently serves on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials as the Chair and Founder of the LGBTQ Subcommittee and is a member of Grinnell College’s national Alumni Council. |
|
TRUSTEES MEETING
Monday May 9, 2022 7:00 PM on Zoom
|
|
Join us May 7 for the Bethel Pride Celebration. We will gather at 12:30 at the Bethel Train Station for the parade.
We will also have a table at the Municipal Center.
Join us for the parade or stop by during the afternoon.
We will be there from 12 to 5.
|
|
Save the Date:
Our Second FCCB Children's Summer Festival planned for Aug. 6, 2022, 11 AM - 2PM.
Ice cream truck, hotdogs and children's crafts and more!
|
|
Special Request:
Does anyone in the congregation have nurse/assistant experience or know of someone that can help someone in need of assistance in their home while their significant other leaves on vacation? We are looking to help someone out our church family in the community. If so, please contact the church office at 203-743-1877 or email the church at secretary@firstchurchbethel.org
|
|
 |
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please click below to send prayer requests. If you would like to add a name to this list or if you have a confidential prayer concern, please indicate in the email.
|
|
|
|
Watch previous sermons on YouTube.
Subscribe to FCCB channel. Click the link below, click on the Subscribe button on the FCCB Channel page. Watch archived sermons anytime.
|
|
|
|
Click on and read our Monthly Newsletter for our Congregation and their Families! Find fun and useful tips and more |
|
Local Retreats, Summer Programs and Events: |
|
Coalition 50th Anniversary National Gathering in August!
Dear Open and Affirming family!
Fifty years ago, in 1972, a courageous and visionary band of queer leaders in the United Church of their Christ (with their straight allies) founded the "UCC Gay Caucus," the forerunner of the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ.
Earlier that year, the Golden Gate Association in California ordained Bill Johnson—the first openly gay man to be authorized for ministry in an historic Protestant denomination.
This year's National ONA Gathering will celebrate this milestone in our beloved church. We'll celebrate the past 50 years and the extraordinary growth in our movement from small beginnings, honor our elders, and learn from each other the ways our movement needs to expand its vision at the beginning of our second half-century.
Join us on Zoom August 5, 6, 7 for this once-in-a-lifetime event. Events will be scheduled in the evenings, enabling Hawai'i and western time zones to participate. We'll announce registration in the spring, but in the meantime please mark these dates on your calendar!
As with National Gatherings in the past, there will be soul-expanding worship and mind-expanding keynotes. I'm looking forward to seeing each of you!
With every blessing,
Andy Lang
Executive Director
Open and Affirming Coalition
United Church of Christ
|
|
We're excited to see 2022 retreat offerings at Mercy by the Sea!
MERCY BY THE SEA
167 Neck Road
Madison, CT 06443-0191
Tel: (203) 245-0401
Fax: (203) 245-8718
A New Way to Register
This year, they are implementing a new online registration process. Here are some helpful hints so you know exactly what to expect and what you need on Thursday.
- Registrations will open on Thursday, January 20 at 9 a.m.
-
Go to the retreats page on their website and choose your retreat date.
- Click on the name of your requested retreat director. Each name is its own link and will take you to that director's specific page.
- If the retreat director is full, a waitlist form will appear. Fill in your name and contact info to be added to the waitlist. If there are openings for the director, a "register" button will appear in the lower right corner. Click and follow the instructions.
- Have your credit card available to process your $250.00 deposit or full payment.
-
Mercy For All funds provide financial assistance for those who cannot afford the full fee, thanks to contributions from generous donors and the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. To inquire about assistance, we invite you to contact Sister Ann McGovern.
-
If you are unable to register online, please call (203) 245 0401 where staff will assist you. Or email Sister Ann McGovern. Note: these requests will be processed after all the online registrations are fully processed.
Upcoming Programs and Retreats
Easter Triduum Retreat at Mercy by the Sea
Holy Thursday, April 14 – Easter Sunday, April 17
Register now for this year’s Triduum with Father Ed Dempsey and Mercy by the Sea Staff. In times that often feel hopeless, it is our faith and the strength of community that enables us to hold the pandemic, the suffering, the violence, and the darkness of our world and which invites us to embrace a hope that arises in and amongst us. In these holiest of days, hearts are transformed and thawed and our hopelessness evolves into a knowing that our time is now to be the living presence of Christ in the world. View more details and register here
2022 Directed Retreats
Registration is ongoing for our 2022 silent, directed retreats. View all our offerings here and email Karen Rossignol to register. Thank you for entrusting us with your precious
retreat time!
Summer Sabbath
Each summer, Mercy offers two sabbath weeks for anyone who needs to renew their connection with life’s animating Spirit. Facilitated by seasoned retreat leaders, Andrea Minelli and Carol Villaggio, these times can be as unplanned as you like, although there will be opportunities to gather for reflection and prayer. Spiritual direction is also available by request. Join us from July 31-August 7 or August 7-12. To register, email Karen Rossignol.
|
|
Registration for Silver Lake summer camp is now open!
223 Low Road | Sharon, CT 06069 | 860.364.5526 | Fax: 860.364.1000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
