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ION Bank Half Marathon is scheduled for this Sunday - start time 8:30 AM. Please allow yourself extra time to get to church.
The affected roads are in the southern portion of Cheshire and include, but are not limited to, South Main Street, Higgins Road, Oak Avenue, Cornwall Avenue, Ward Lane, Mountain Road, North and South Brooksvale Road, Mt. Sanford Road, Avon Boulevard, and most side streets off of these main through roads, along with Brooksvale Road and River Road in Hamden.
Please visit their website for where and when closures will take place.
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Associate Minister for Children, Youth, and Families -- Search 2024
First Congregational Church
Cheshire, CT
Nominating Information for the Search Action Team
Serving on the Associate Minister Search Action Team for our congregation is both a significant privilege and an important responsibility. The Search Action Team will be chosen by a special Nominating Action Team which is made up of the following: President, Past President, President-Elect, Worship Ministry Group Liaison and Chair, Faith Formation Liaison and Chair, and the Senior Minister. The team will review all nominations using criteria established by the Council. The criteria for membership on the Search Action Team include but are not limited to newer members, long time members, members with children, and members with various skills, all with a focus on diversity.
We are requesting that nominations for the Search Action Team be made by members of our church by May 10. Members are requested to not nominate themselves but instead to nominate an individual after confirming that he/she is interested and willing to serve.
The Nominating Form, which is to be signed by both the person nominating as well as the nominee, is available at the Welcome Desk and HERE.
The chosen Search Action Team will be comprised of 5 to 9 individuals. A proposed slate of the members will be developed by the special Nominating Action Team for approval by the Church Council. The Church Council will bring the slate for approval at a Congregational meeting on Sunday, June 23. Commissioning of the Search Action Team will occur on Sunday, June 30.
As our church goal is to expand the mission of Jesus Christ in Cheshire, we have modified the job description for the Associate Minister to include a focus on Children, Youth and Families. The description will be reviewed in more detail at a forum on May 5.
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The Children's Faith Formation News and Information is updated weekly! | |
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Got Old Sneakers?
First Congregational Church of Cheshire is working to protect the Earth and help Closer to Free Ride/Smilow Cancer Center at Yale all with one event.
We will be collecting USED SNEAKERS in any condition from April 21 through April 28.
How can old sneakers protect the Earth and help Closer to Free Ride/Smilow Cancer Center at Yale? There is a company called Got Sneakers? Any sneakers we send get reused or recycled and they will pay us money for the gently used sneakers we send them.
So clean out your closets and ask friends, family and co-workers to do that, too. Please tie the laces together so we have matched pairs. Bring your Bring your donations to church and there will be a large box in the parlor for them. Please remember this is only for sneakers. (No shoes, boots or cleats.)
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Professional Nursery Care to begin on Sunday, May 5
The Faith Formation Ministry Group and Church Council are pleased to announce the opening of a professionally staffed Nursery in Room 10, a refurbished and sanitary space under the sanctuary. Each Sunday, from 9:45 - 11:15 am, vetted (Safe Church and First-Aid trained) and professional nursery workers will welcome your children (from infants up to and including three-year-olds) to the First Church Nursery.
If you have any questions about the program, please speak to Kelly Gilchrist or Vlad Santiago.
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Interested in Joining First Church?
For those who are considering membership, there will be a new member orientation session on Wednesday, April 24 from 7-8:30 PM in the Chapel.
At that time, you will meet with Pastor James, Pastor Alison and members of the Membership Ministry to learn what it means to become a member of our church. Then, if you so choose, you may join our church on New Member Sunday, April 28 at the 10AM service. We generally welcome new members twice a year at the end of April and October. For more information, please contact Pastor James , Pastor Alison or Sara Buell 203-272-7785.
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Second Hour Program on Sunday at 11:15 AM in the Chapel
"What it Was Like to be a Church Member 300 Years Ago."
This is part of the 300th Anniversary offerings and will presented by church member, Dick Eppler.
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Butterfly Send Off (revised)
Beginning May 12, Mother's Day, the beautifully hand decorated Easter butterflies will be available each Sunday through June during Fellowship Hours for a suggested donation with all proceeds benefiting Chrysalis, a nearby shelter for victims of domestic violence. There are a few steps to get them ready and your help is welcome. Join us in the Chapel on Monday and Tuesday, April 22 and 23, starting at 9:30 am.
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Thank you to those who have signed up for Meals Ministry which is a great way to serve others!
You can still sign up!
Meal scheduling is organized through Take Them a Meal. The website provides easy recipes, tips for delivering meals, and even offers the opportunity to order a meal to be delivered. You prepare a meal when it is convenient for you whether once per month or once per year – whatever you can provide is appreciated.
Signup and information sheets are available at the Welcome Desk. You can also signup through Signup Genius.
Contact: Marianne Eagleson or by cell at (203) 710-4198.
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Inspirational Words of Wisdom: An Opportunity To Pay It Forward
Thanks to the support of our Caring Ministry Group, First Church plans to publish a spiral bound booklet of readings contributed by our congregation as a source of comfort and joy.
How can you help? By sending your favorite prayers, poems, meditations, quotes, lyrics, etc.—any words of wisdom which have inspired you on your spiritual journey.
Our church community is now being presented with the opportunity of supporting each other with words which have given us that extra boost of gratitude, encouragement, and hope when we needed it. Now is an ideal time to pass these words on.
Won’t you consider helping us make this a reality by sharing words of wisdom created by you or others, so that all of us may be inspired by them?
Guidelines for our booklet and sample pages will be available on a table in Parish Hall for the next few weeks to help you decide on your selection(s). Please email your favorite reading(s) by May 18 to Mary Torello.
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All Saints Scholarship
Each year the First Congregational Church awards a one-time scholarship. The applicant does not to be a member but needs to be an active participant of the life of the church. The All Saints Scholarship is intended for any educational endeavor, not limited to primary or secondary school, college or university, advanced education or special educational need. The All Saints Scholarship is intended for any educational endeavor, not limited to primary or secondary school, college or university, advanced education or special educational need. Applications are available online or can be picked up at the church office or at the Welcome Desk. Completed applications should be received no later than May 15. Please contact Jane Brown or Emily Massimino from Caring Ministry for more information.
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In 34 Weeks ….The 300th is Coming!
Our greatest current need is publicizing the great line-up of events we have planned.
- Please let us know you can help by signing up at the Welcome Desk, or on our website
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Help Ring in the Sundays to Our 300th Anniversary
Beginning May 19, each worship service will begin with the ringing of the steeple bells 10 times, each bell toll representing one year of our church's history. And each Sunday, we invite someone to ring the bells; it can be any one of any age. Please sign up for a Sunday at the Welcome Desk or be in touch with Pastor Alison. She will give you a quick lesson on the best bell ringing technique.
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Sunday Volunteer Opportunities
Every Sunday there is a need for Greeters, Worship Assistants/Lay Leaders and Ushers.
If you can help with greeting and/or assisting at worship, please use the buttons below to sign up.
If you can assist with Ushering, please contact Nancy Stover (email link on tab below) for more information.
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2024 Pledge Statements
Pledge statements from January 1 – April 30 will be emailed or mailed out on May 2. If you have updated your email or want to add an email, please call the main office at (203)272-5323x8. If there is any discrepancy in your statement, please call the main office.
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Cheshire Community Food Pantry
"Sponsor-a-Shelf"
"Our Outreach Ministry Group approved an effort to Sponsor-A-Shelf at the Cheshire Community Food Pantry. At CCFP Exec Director Dave DeFeo’s request, our charter is to keep mayo and ketchup on the shelf at the pantry that now bears our “First Congregational Church” name.
This is an ongoing project!
So please shop for and bring in “normal size” jars or squeeze bottles of your favorite mayo or ketchup brands and drop them off at church in the grocery cart in the parlor. From there, Bob Giddings will provide delivery to the Pantry on a regular basis.
Thanks as always for your support!"
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Busting Through Planetary Boundaries: Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Beyond: April 22 at 7:30 PM
Internationally known climate expert Dan Esty, Director of the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy, will speak on climate and sustainability Monday, April 22, Earth Day, at our church. Dan’s free talk, “Busting Through Planetary Boundaries: Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Beyond,” will be at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.
Dan, a member of our congregation, has written or edited 14 books (including the prizewinning volumes Green to Gold and A Better Planet) and dozens of articles on climate change, environmental protection, regulatory reform, and sustainability. He formerly served as Commissioner of Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and recently concluded two years of public leave from Yale, during which time he worked at the World Trade Organization, helping to develop a sustainability strategy for the global trading system.
He co-leads the Remaking Trade for a Sustainable Future Project and, with a network of leaders around the world, developed the Villars Framework for a Sustainable Trade System. His Earth Day talk is sponsored by our Eco Action Team.
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Saving Nature Right at Home
Do you want to make your yard more nature friendly but don’t know where to start? Karen Schnitzer and Anne McNulty, our EcoAction Team Co-chairs, are offering yard assessments again this year. They will walk with you on your property and discuss what’s currently there and give advice about which new native plantings would thrive and benefit wildlife more fully. They will then provide a written report and information about how to make the recommended changes. It’s free and it’s fun and it helps you do your part to preserve the earth. Contact Karen Schnitzer or Anne McNulty to schedule.
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 |  | Unwelcome Visitors: Although it’s good to see our church grounds “greening up” after the winter, the sad fact is that many of the pretty plants and trees you see leafing out now are non-native. That makes a difference, because the native bees and other insects that are vital parts of the ecosystem can’t use non-natives for their survival. Some were deliberately planted before we knew the environmental risks. Among those you might see are: Burning bush (by the peace pillar near the back entrance), which is bright red in the fall. Mugwort (in the triangle of land by the back entrance). Japanese knotweed, pictured here (at the edges of the parking lot and elsewhere). Tree of Heaven (southwest side of the parking lot), a truly noxious tree, because it harbors the invasive spotted lanternfly, a destroyer of tree fruit. Garlic mustard (west of Whiting House). The good news is that our Facilities and Grounds Ministry Group, in cooperation with the Eco Action Team, is busy identifying and removing the destructive invaders. These alien species didn’t pop up overnight, and they won’t be gone overnight, but our church is heading in the right direction. You likely have some of these in your yard; ask, and we’ll help you learn to identify them.
For more information about the church's Eco Action Team, email Anne McNulty or Karen Schnitzer.
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Click on Picture to purchase tickets for event | |
April 14 - April 21 Calendar | |
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Sunday, April 21
10:00 am Worship and Church School
11:00 am Fellowship, Parish Hall, hosted by Eco Action Team
11:15 am “What It Was Like to be a Church Member 300 Years Ago”, Chapel
5:00 pm CAFÉ Conversations Bible Study, Chapel
5:00 pm Stepping Stones (Grades 5-6) and Youth (Middle/High School) Group, Parish Hall
Monday, April 22
9:30 am Butterfly preparation and organization, Chapel
7:30 pm Busting Through Planetary Boundaries: Climate Change, Biodiversity and Beyond, Sanctuary
Tuesday, April 23
9:30 am Butterfly preparation and organization, Chapel
2:00 pm Parish Care, Library
7:00 pm Facilities Ministry, Parish Hall
7:00 pm Outreach Ministry, Chapel
Wednesday, April 24
12:45 pm Caring Crafts, Parlor
3:30 pm Staff Meeting, Library
7:00 pm Chancel Choir
7:00 pm New Member Orientation, Chapel
Thursday, April 25
9:00 am Yoga, Parish Hall
6:00 pm Faith Formation Ministry, Whiting House
Sunday, April 28 – New Member Sunday
10:00 am Worship and Church School
11:00 am Fellowship, Parish Hall, hosted by Membership Ministry
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Other Important Information
A reminder that the Prayer Net Prayer Ministry Team stands ready to pray for any requests. Simply email prayernet@firstcheshire.org the prayer request and it will be sent on to our prayers in complete confidence unless otherwise noted. Let us support one another with the power of prayer.
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