The Children's Faith Formation News and Information is updated weekly! | |
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Church INDOOR Spring Cleaning:
TOMORROW from 9 A.M. to Noon
Bring your gloves, pails, clean rags and be ready to make our church sparkle and shine in time for Palm Sunday and Easter!
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The Easter Butterflies Project
Since 2019, over 1000 hand decorated origami butterflies have graced our sanctuary on Easter morning and throughout the Easter season, as they will this Easter. But now after Easter, the time has come for them to do what butterflies do: to be set free into the world so that they may grace other spaces and bless others with their beauty- and true to their nature, embody yet more transformation. Sometime in mid- April, we will ask for your help in taking them down and announce specific plans for how they will benefit Meriden- Wallingford Chrysalis, the emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence.
Here's how you can help:
· Monday-Wednesday March 25-28, from 9:30-11 am, we will prep the line- hanging butterflies.
· Holy Saturday: March 30, beginning at 9 am we will move them all into the sanctuary.
All ages, hands, and abilities are welcome! Please see Pastor Alison with any questions.
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White Towel Collection for Maundy Thursday
On Maundy Thursday we recall Jesus' act of washing the feet of his disciples, calling them, and us, to lives of serving others. In his example, we are now collecting white towels for this service where they will be blessed and sent on to nearby shelters. The towels can be new or gently used, and of any size: bath, hand towels, washcloths welcome too. We ask for white towels because white is the liturgical color for Maundy Thursday, but any design/ color will be welcome. Towels can be brought in anytime now and placed in the bin with "Maundy Thursday Collection" sign in the parlor. Thank you!
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More Bunny Marshalls still needed!
Calling all generations to hop into action and become "Bunny Marshals" for this year's Easter Egg Hunt!
Our Easter Egg Hunt takes only FIVE minutes, following the end of all 10am service activities. Join hands across ages and make this event an egg-cellent success by lacing up your bunny ears and patrol the grounds, spreading cheer and assisting attendees during the hunt. Your warmth and guidance will light up the day for our young egg seekers.
Together, as Bunny Marshals, we'll create unforgettable memories for all who join us. Step up, join the fun, and let's make this Easter Egg Hunt the shell-abration of the year! Sign up now and let the egg-stravaganza begin!" Connect with Vlad Santiago through email at vsantiago@gmail.com or text at 860-301-4111.
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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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Blessing Bags
You are invited and encouraged to take a blessing bag with you to give to someone you may encounter that would benefit from it. You may already know of someone you regularly see or you can keep it in your car and give it to someone you meet or pass by. Simply give it away, no questions asked, as a blessing.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to all that donated items for the bag and those that participated this past Sunday when we organized and filled the bags. Given the enthusiasm and participation, we look forward to potentially doing this event again in the near future.
Pictures from Event
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Volunteers Needed for Easter Plants Pickup and Delivery
Pickup: On Friday, March 29, volunteers are needed to pick up Easter plants from Kurtz Farms at 10 AM and deliver to the church. On Saturday, March 30, help will be needed to move the plants from the Chapel to the Sanctuary for the Easter morning services.
Delivery: Volunteers are needed to help deliver the donated Easter plants to friends in need of some holiday cheer. Plants can be picked up at the church on Monday, April 1 from 10-12 or Tuesday, April 2-Thursday, April 4 from 9-3.
The volunteer signup sheet for deliveries is at the welcome desk.
You can also email Jane Brown or Emily Massimino to volunteer for any of these action teams
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Laity Sunday Action Team
Laity Sunday is on April 7. This is when the congregation gives Alison and James a break! It's a day for members of the congregation to plan and lead the weekly Worship service. If you are interested in being part of this special opportunity, please email Anne McNulty or Katie Stover.
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It’s time to get the Meals Ministry up and running again; a great way to serve others! 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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All Saints Scholarship
Each year the First Congregational Church awards a one-time scholarship to support a church member, relative of a church member or an active participant in 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. 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 38 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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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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Please click on the above image for a summary of the
March 2024 Church Council Report.
Church Council meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the Month
and a summary report will be sent in Friday eblast each month.
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Chancel Choir's New Faces
Avery Mackellar Noqueira
Avery is a soprano on Sunday mornings from Middletown, and has been singing their whole life. Currently, alongside the Chancel Choir, they sing as an alto in the GM Chorale. When they aren’t singing, they love training dogs as the Lead Trainer at The Crate Escape in Wallingford.
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SAVE THE DATE for April 22 at 7:30 PM
Internationally known climate expert Daniel Esty, Director of the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy, will speak on climate and sustainability Monday, April 22, Earth Day, at First Congregational Church, Cheshire. His talk, “Busting Through Planetary Boundaries: Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Beyond,” will be at 7:30 p.m. at the church, on Route 10 in the center of Cheshire. The talk is free, and the public is cordially invited.
Professor Esty 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.
Professor Esty’s Earth Day talk is sponsored by the Eco Action Team of First Congregational Church. Parking is available behind the church, accessed from Cornwall Avenue.
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 |  | Birdhouse Basics 101: Now that spring is here, you may be thinking about putting up a birdhouse in your yard. Great! But do it correctly. Here are some common mistakes, according to WildBirdScoop.com. (1) Placing the birdhouse too close to bird feeders or birdbaths: Most birds prefer a little privacy while rearing their young. (2) Choosing a dangerous spot: Putting a birdhouse in a tree may seem logical, but putting it on a pole with a baffle gives better protection from animals that would prey on the nest. (3) Placing it too close or too far away from human activity: Too close, and birds might be nervous about nesting there; too far away, and you miss the pleasure of seeing avian activity. (4) Thinking that when it comes to nesting houses, birds think alike: They don’t. Various species are picky about which way their houses face, how far off the ground is preferred, or how far they are from fields, gardens, or human activity. For a list of the best environments for many species, visit Cornell’s Nestwatch website. Happy birding!
For more information about the church's Eco Action Team, email Anne McNulty or Karen Schnitzer.
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March 24 - March 31 Calendar | |
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Sunday, March 24 - Palm Sunday
10:00 am Worship & Church School
11:00 am Fellowship hosted by Facilities Ministry, Parish Hall
Monday, March 25
9:30 am Butterfly prep
Tuesday, March 26
2:00 pm Parish Care, Library
Wednesday, March 27
12:45 pm Caring Crafts, Parlor
3:30 pm Staff Meeting, Library
7:00 pm Chancel Choir
Thursday, March 28
9:30 am Butterfly prep
7:00 pm Maundy Thursday Evening Service, Parish Hall
Friday, March 29 – Office closed
6:00 pm Good Friday Cross Walk
7:00 pm Good Friday Evening Service, Sanctuary
Saturday, March 30
10:00 am Butterfly setup in Sanctuary
Sunday, March 31
6:30 am Easter Sunrise Service, Church Green
8:00 am Easter morning service, Sanctuary
10:00 am Easter morning service, Sanctuary
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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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