|
Adjusting to this new normal is not easy but thanks to technology we are able to connect with one another in new and innovative ways. Participating in some of the virtual/Zoom sessions that our two UCC churches in Granby have been providing, one of the "check in" questions is "what is your rose and your thorn for today". As I shared with the Thursday Bible Study group today, a "rose" for me is that the hope and challenge that I wrote in a recent newsletter piece - that we have no positive COVID19 tests in our FCCG family - is holding true. This is a true blessing. The "thorn" that I shared is that I am getting tired of virtual meetings and physical distancing and I am hungry for community and connection as we knew it before this pandemic changed the way we are living.
The beauty of Zoom conferencing is that although physically distanced we can in fact see and hear folks, each of us sheltered in our homes. One of three Zoom conferences for me today, and there were three yesterday too, was with the GUCCI group - the Pastors, Moderators and Vice Moderators from FCCG and SCCG. Claire Bamberg was also able to join us from her home in Vermont. The pandemic is challenging us individually and as a congregation in many ways. We can not afford to hold back on the planning for our congregation's future. Following on the combined celebration - via Zoom - of Maundy Thursday, where over 50 folks from our two congregations worshiped together, plans are in the works for a combined Facebook Live Sunday worship service in May. We are also in the initial planning phase of sharing our summer worship services such that July services will be in one church (whatever church looks like at that time) and August services will be in the other church. This was a long tradition within our two churches until about seven years ago and provides some extended "free time" for each of the ministers. The Deacons from each church will be meeting together (likely by Zoom) to coordinate this.
With technology being so much more important now, as it provides the connections we can not have in person, our two churches will also be combining forces to determine and implement systems that can better serve our congregations while at the same time reaching out and ministering to others. This may mean adding YouTube Live presentations of worship services to our current Facebook Live offering. We will be looking at ways to make online financial contributions easy not only for our pledging members but also for those who are finding benefit from our on-line offerings. Both congregations are currently seeing "attendance" at our on-line worship services far exceeding the numbers we were recording when we worshiped in our sanctuaries. We are reaching new folks. New programs available to churches may also provide us the opportunity to upgrade our church data base to make this a more useful resource for many.
Life is moving on in new ways and we are working hard to not let this pandemic overwhelm us to the extent of stopping plans for our future. I am praying that all remain well and that you take the opportunity to stay connected in some way until that time when we can once again come together physically and socially as the family that we all love. Peace be with you!
|
|
What's Up With Pastor Todd?
|
|
On the church calendar this is the first week of the Easter Season: 50 days between Easter and Pentecost. Pentecost is the Sunday we celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Jesus' followers. Jesus had ascended to heaven following his resurrection, but had promised his followers the Holy Spirit, who would empower them to carry on his mission even though the physcial form of the historical Jesus would no longer be present in the world. The 50 days of the Easter Season was an intense time during which Jesus prepared his followers to be his hands and heart for the world.
This preparation begins with appearances of the resurrected Christ. This week's Scripture, John 20:18-31, recounts two appearances of Jesus to the disciples who had gathered the week before to celebrate Passover with Jesus in the "upper room" they had rented for the occasion. The text--like all of the stories of Jesus' appearances--raises two big questions: "Who is this resurrected Jesus?" And "How should we respond to him?"
The John 20 account is famous for the story of a disciple named Thomas. As I mentioned above, Jesus appears twice in John 20. The first time Thomas is absent. His fellow disciples tell Thomas that they saw Jesus, but he doesn't believe them. He says, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." Jesus appears to the disciples a second time. This time Thomas is among them. Jesus invites Thomas to examine and touch his wounds--just as Thomas had demanded--and Thomas believes. The scene ends with Jesus saying to Thomas, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."
If you were in Thomas' shoes, how would you respond to reports that Jesus was alive? I grew up in a very conservative Christian community that understood faith to be a kind of "belief without proof," a kind of "take my word for it." The Bible says God raised Jesus from the dead, so we should accept it as fact even if it seems like a fairytale. To doubt or question was understood to be antithetical to faith. While I definitely had my questions and even as a young child asked them, more than that, I wanted to be a good Christian, so I accepted what my parents and Sunday school teachers and pastors said even if not everything made sense.
As a young adult I studied at a divinity school where we learned to question and critique Biblical texts and church doctrines. As a middle-aged adult I have pastored more liberal churches in which folks tend to wear doubt as a badge of pride--a sign of intellectual rigor and freedom of conscience. And as I have gone deeper in my studies I have noticed yet another turn: a practice of doubting one's doubts. A comedian once put it this way: "You say there is no God. Are you sure? Have you looked everywhere?"
I invite us to consider stepping beyond faith and doubt as intellectual exercise. The significance of Christ's resurrection for me is the reality it points to: following Christ's way moment to moment makes new and abundant life possible for me, for you, for all of creation. Try it yourself and see!
|
|
EARTH DAY - Together Apart
|
Earth Day - Together Apart
Seedlings for a New Garden of Hope
Start with a Perennial Flower Seedling of your choice at home.
Care for your plant at home while sharing the progress of your plants growth on our facebook page.
When we resume church gatherings together bring your potted plant with you to church.
The children will plant all of our flowers together in the shape of a heart to represent our time spent apart, but once again coming together.
|
|
FRIDAY CHATS WITH
REV. SANDRA FISCHER
|
Grab your lunch and hop online to connect with your South Church and First Church Friends for support and encouragement during this challenging time. We can all be apart together...or together apart! Hope to see you soon!
Sandra Fischer is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting Fridays at 12:00 noon.
|
|
FRIDAY VIRTUAL HAPPY HOUR
|
Fridays at 5pm - TGIZ (Thank God It's Zoom) happy hour!
Join us
Friday, April 17 at 5pm for an hour of conversation and community.
Here's the link:
NEXT WEEK - APRIL 24 TGIZ will look a little different!
Get ready for...
Friday, April 24th 7pm-8pm
We'll play in teams based on who is in your "window" on Zoom (whoever you are with).
- Come prepared with 5 Trivia questions and answers. Any topic - multiple choice, true/false, question & answer
- Have pen and paper available
|
Wednesdays at 12pm, Prayer Group with Pastor Todd via Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/452588867
|
Thursdays at 1pm, Joint Bible study with South Church via Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86542377123
|
Stay tuned for updates on events and new opportunities to stay connected as all of us adapt to new information on coronavirus and mitigation recommendations from local, state, and federal authorities.
The building is closed for all activities.
Please call with any questions.
Voicemail messages left at the church will be returned promptly.
|
|
SUPPORT THE GRANBY FOOD BANK
|
During this Coronavirus outbreak the Granby Food Bank is experiencing greater than average usage, but,
because many people are staying home and not going out grocery shopping, donations have begun to
drop off. If you are still going out, please consider picking up non-perishable grocery items and dropping
them off in the donation shed behind the Food Bank at 248 Salmon Brook Street.
When you drop off the food, make sure to call them at 860-651-3539 to let them know that you have
left food in the shed. Or, if you prefer, call and find out if they will pick up your donation at home. They
may do that if they have the time.
Even if you are staying home now you can still help by sending a check to the Farmington Valley VNA,
ATTN: Granby Food Bank, 8 Old Mill Lane, Simsbury, CT 06070. Make a notation on the memo line that
the donation is in support of the Granby Food Bank. The Food Bank can use the money to send shoppers
out to purchase items that are in greatest need.
If you are out of food for the first time, have no one to shop for you, and are not yet enrolled in the
program please call the Food Bank at 860-844-5350 for assistance. The Food Bank is operating on a call-
in basis for emergency supplies, only. This Covid19 stay at home requirement has created a financial
hardship for many people who haven't needed help before. Make sure you call for help if you need it.
That's what they're there for!
Also, the Waste Not, Want Not Kitchen is still serving meals at South
Church, 242 Salmon Brook Street, on Wednesday evenings 4:30 - 6:30 for takeout, only.
|
If and when the weather cooperates, Ann Wilhelm has offered to take small groups
on afternoon walking tours of the Wilhelm farm property as it awakes to spring.
Volunteers needed to make "check in" calls on church members. Contact
Pastor Todd for instructions.
And we encourage anyone who is planning to do errands, grocery shopping, etc., to contact others who could use help in these areas. The less traffic outside the
home, the better!
|
Spirited Readers - next ZOOM virtual meeting Meeting April 28
All are welcome! The book is
Mrs. Everything by Simsbury author Jennifer Weiner
"
Do we change or does the world change us? ...
In her most ambitious novel yet, Jennifer Weiner tells a story of two sisters who, with their different dreams and different paths, offer answers to the question:
How should a woman be in the world?" - Amazon
Zoom link:
Spring Retreat will now be a Summer Retreat - July 17-19
Theme: Come to the Water! 
"All you who are thirsty, come to the water." Isaiah 55:1
at Mercy Center, Madison, CT
led by Rev. Donna Manocchio
Healing waters, deep waters, well waters, rough waters, still waters and waters of Baptism, we'll explore these waters and much more through times of creative worship, shared reflection, healing silence, community conversation, engaging with Scripture, and moments of relaxation and fun!
COME AND JOIN US!!
Contact Anne delCampo, 860-653-2946
|
|
One Great Hour of Sharing - Ongoing Collection
This year we are again participating in the UCC collection, One Great Hour of Sharing. The OGHS works
by providing assistance to people and communities affected by disaster, violence and poverty. Among
the support given, water, sanitation and adequate nutrition top the list. New wells for clean water,
seeds, irrigation systems and training in modern farming techniques help provide more food for those in
need. Latrines allow for sanitary conditions that alleviate illness and allow for a better life. The many
storms that have ravaged communities during the past few years have wreaked havoc with these
systems for many in their paths. The OGHS organization steps in to help communities rebuild their
infrastructure so that life can go on. Today, projects are underway in over 100 countries. We are running
this collection until 4/19/20 to give people more time to donate. Please consider donating to this
important offering by mailing a check to First Church Granby, 219 North Granby Rd, Granby CT
06035, and note: OGHS in the memo line. Thank you.
Maternal Infant Outreach Program Update
Once again this Congregation was very generous in supporting the MIOP Car Seat and Gift Card Drive. This is such a great way to directly impact the lives of parents and babies in the greater Hartford area. They are so thankful to receive these gifts. As you know, babies may not leave the hospital without a car seat and since used car seats cannot be donated this is a big expense that some families cannot afford.
This year we were able to purchase twenty-one car seats and $500.00 in Target gift cards! This Congregation Rocks!!!! If you have any questions regarding MIOP or would like to be involved in future projects please give me a call!
Gail Pillow
860-559-4776 (cell)
Opportunity - Make Face masks **NEW LINK**
Consider making cloth face masks to donate to hospitals in need.
This link will provide the instructions/requirements for face masks acceptable to Hartford Healthcare and Trinity Healthcare:
|
|
