Weekly Newsletter
Week of July 7th - July 13th
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Gilead Congregational Church, UCC
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Meetings and Services this week:
Wednesday, July 8th:
-9:00 a.m. Hunger Action Team on Zoom
-7:00 p.m. Live Stream Wednesday Evening Music and Prayer on Gilead Church Facebook Page
Sunday, July 12th:
-9:00 a.m. Summer Sunday Worship Service live-streamed on our Gilead Church Facebook Page
-10:00 a.m. Coffee Hour on Zoom
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About Us:
Pastor:
Reverend Dr. Denise Esslinger
Minister of Music:
Danielle Hoehn
Administrative Assistant:
Sally Fritsche
Summer Worship: 9:00 a.m.
Gathered: 1748
Meeting House: 1838
Fellowship Hall: 2008
We are an Open & Affirming Church
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This Week's Live Stream Services
Join us this week for our Wednesday evening music and prayer and for Sunday worship! We'll be gathering on our Gilead Church Facebook page. In order to be a part of this service, please join our Gilead Church Facebook page at
http://tinyurl.com/GileadChurchUCC
and tune in at the designated times.
This Wednesday, July 8th, Katie McClaine will be leading our time of Music and Prayer.
This Sunday, July 12th, we will welcome our own Steve Weir, who will be our guest preacher while Rev. Esslinger is on vacation. Steve
has been a member of the Gilead Congregational Church since 2000. He has served on the Board of Trustees and was a member of the Building Committee when our addition and renovations were done. He is currently running for the 19th district State Senate. Steve lives in Hebron with his wife, Allegra, and their 3 daughters, Alexia, Julianna and Meredith. Steve enjoys gardening, exercise, and humor.
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Wednesday, July 8th at 7 p.m.
J
oin us for a time of reflection, music and prayer. In this brief time (~10 minutes), we will share with you a piece of music, its history, and a prayer.
Sunday, July 12th at 9 a.m.
Join us at 9 a.m. for our Summer Sunday worship service.
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Coffee Hour
Join us after worship on Sunday for a virtual Coffee Hour. We'll be meeting on Zoom at 10 a.m. Bring your own coffee and we hope to see you there!
Log in information is below. If you need assistance with connecting, please let us know (gcc@gileadchurch.net or 860-228-3077).
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 834 3607 4321
Password: 296423
One tap mobile
+19294362866,,83436074321#,,,,0#,,296423# US (New York)
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Rev. Esslinger on Vacation
Rev. Esslinger is on vacation and will be returning to the office on Tuesday, July 28th. If you are in need of pastoral assistance while she is away, please contact our Deacons who are serving on call as follows:
July 6th-12th: Teresa Olio 860-450-6437
July 13th-19th:
Margot Sheehan 860-603-2447
July 20th-27th: Jim Ledbetter 860-455-8601
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Update on Worship
Our Deacons met on July 2nd and made the decision to start making plans to move to offering outdoor worship services in our Garden of Remembrance starting on Sunday, August 9th at 9 a.m. Live streaming of services will continue for those who don't feel comfortable attending. In preparation for these services, the Deacons are working on a list of protocols to increase the safety of those who choose to attend. Face masks will be mandatory along with 6' physical distancing. More details will be forthcoming, but if you have any questions, concerns or input to share please contact our Deacons (Amy Huhn, Jon Kimball, David Kline, Jim Ledbetter, Kate McClaine, Teresa Olio, Gary Sarra, Margot Sheehan, and Doug Stewart). Thank you!
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Youth Group "MOO-vement"
The GCC Youth Group "MOO-vement" continues! Yard cows are "moo-ving" among GCC members and friends and we invite you, when one comes to graze in your yard, to keep it for about a week and then "moo-ve" it on to another member or friend of GCC to help spread joy! Our hope is that the cows will connect us in spirit and help us remember that although we are apart, we are still together in our hearts. When the cow comes to your home, please take a picture with the cow and forward it to Sally at
gcc@gileadchurch.net
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We'd like to continuing sharing as many pictures as we can.
Thank moo!
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Natalie Peltier-Horton kept busy with both the Gilead cow and her dog!.
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Betty Tow and the Gilead cow enjoyed an afternoon outdoors in the sunshine!
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Ginny Miller found the Gilead cow eating kale in the garden!
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Paul Miller explained to the Gilead cow that garden grazing was not allowed!!!!
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Muffin (Pat & Art Austin's cat) is not sure what to make of the moo-velous visitor.
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Gilead Church Lending Library
"Planting Seeds of Hope"
While many summer programs have been canceled, we’re excited to announce one that is open!
The Gilead Church has opened a lending library of books for children, youth and adults with books focused on the topics of racial understanding, multiculturalism, inclusion, kindness, compassion and empathy.
The books are available in a tub located outside of the main entrance from the parking lot which is under the awning. There will be two tubs. One will contain the books to “take" and the other tub is for books when they are “returned". When books are “returned", they will be sanitized and put back in the “take” tub. There will also be sanitizing wipes available by the tubs for you to use.
We are people who believe in the power of God’s Word, and we hope that the sharing of these words will be a meaningful expression and reminder that we are all God’s beloved children. We also hope the books will provide an opportunity for families to read together and share in conversations that support social development.
Our Board of Christian Education is supporting this endeavor. If you have any questions, please feel free to speak with Lynn Lukach, Margot Sheehan or Pastor Denise.
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Tubs will be available outside of the main entrance to the Church
for school supply donations. Thank you for your support!
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Lord's Bounty II Cookbooks
Our Women's Fellowship is selling copies of our Gilead Church Lord's Bounty II Cookbooks. If you'd like a copy, please contact Margaret Gibbs at 860-384-4327. She is willing to deliver! Cook books are only $10 each and make a wonderful gift.
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Gilead Quilters Making Face Masks
Our Gilead Quilters have been making face masks.
If you need a face mask, please contact Sally at gcc@gileadchurch.net or by calling the Church Office at 860-228-3077.
Thank you!
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Congratulations
C
ongratulations
to Patrick McConnell and Carolyn Bennett on their wedding. The wedding was held on July 4th in our Garden of Remembrance.
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Thank Yous
THANK YOU!
To our amazing community,
With your unending support and generosity over the past four years, I am happy to announce the successful realization of my sixth-grade goal and dream to sponsor a well that will provide clean water for drinking and sanitation to people living in a peaceful village in the Republic of South Sudan.
Together, we have raised $16,000 which will support the work of Water for South Sudan, providing a well and an additional $1,000 donation to support the organization's efforts to provide COVID-19 hygiene training for people in that region of the world. The most inspiring part of this project has been seeing people come together with the understanding that our impact can be life-changing. My goal has always been not only to raise money, but also to raise awareness of the issue of clean drinking water in our world.
Our efforts will change lives, positively impact life expectancy, allow a pipeline out of poverty and give women and girls the opportunity to get an education (rather than spending their days walking miles in search of clean drinking water. Access to water is a basic human right and I'm proud of our community for making clean water a reality for more people.
I'm hoping, once social distancing restrictions are lifted, to hold a celebration to thank everyone for their support. Thank you again for helping make my dream a reality.
Sincerely,
Sarah Cohen
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Dear Gilead Church,
Thank you so much for the beautiful prayer shawl. This church is so important to me and I am so grateful to be a part of it. It means so much to me to know that you were thinking of me during these crazy times! Thank you again and I will be sure to come back and visit.
Sincerely,
Julia Pearson
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Dear Everyone at the Gilead Church,
Thank you so much for the prayer shawl. It was very sweet of you to keep me in mind and send me the gift.
Love,
Jessica Delton
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Dear Pastor Denise,
During this difficult time in my life, please know that I will be comforted by your gift of a prayer shawl as well as the prayer for comfort. I appreciate the support, comfort and prayers you and your congregation continue to provide for our daily.
Thank you sincerely,
MaryAnn Pilotte
(Alan Thibault's mother)
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Dear Members and Friends of the Gilead Church,
Thank you for the surprising, beautiful and thoughtful gifts you shared with me as I begin this new chapter in my life. I am overwhelmed and deeply touched by your kindness and generosity! The community of love we share is such a blessing.
While reflecting on my past, almost nine years in the role as Minister of Mission and Faith Formation, I feel most blessed to have experienced God’s marvelous light and love within each of
you
. Your light has fueled and inspired me as we worked together, planting seeds of God’s love and hope in the hearts of others. Please know it’s that same light and love that will continue with me on my journey ahead and I am forever grateful!
It has been and honor and privilege to serve the Gilead Church. I look forward to continuing to “plant seeds” along beside you (albeit in a different way) and seeing where God calls us!
With deepest love and appreciation,
Stephanie Haines
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Administrative Assistant Office Hours
For the summer, our Administrative Assistant, Sally Fritsche, will be working from home on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. She is available for assistance via email (gcc@gileadchurch.net).
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Scripture Reading and Prayer for the Week
Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23
Abundant God, your words of life are cast upon the earth with a generous hand and a hopeful heart. May your word take root in our lives this day as we seek to grow deeper in your way. Help us to bear the fruit of your justice, righteousness, and love. We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
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Contact Info
Sally Fritsche
Administrative Assistant
672 Gilead St
Hebron, Ct 06248
860-228-3077
Office Hours:
O
ur Administrative Assistant, Sally Fritsche, will be working from home. She is available for assistance via email (gcc@gileadchurch.net).
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