First Church

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
7 February 2010

“Rooted and Grounded in Love”
- Ephesians 3

The First Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
Guilford, Connecticut

31 January 2010

Frequently Asked Questions about UCC Haiti Earthquake Response

Dear friends,
I have just posted a story to the Conference web site which answers many of the questions we’ve heard about how the UCC is responding to the earthquake in Haiti. Please do visit the site at http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=930 to see the story; it includes links that may help you with follow-up questions. I’ll try to summarize in this message.

First, 100% of funds given for Haiti Earthquake Relief will be used for aid with the people there. Administrative costs have already been covered by our congregations’ generous gifts to Our Church’s Wider Mission Basic Support. We are not fussy about the title “Haiti Earthquake Relief” or any other designation; at this time, we are assuming that gifts noted for “Haiti” are to be directed there. Gifts made online at ucc.org and ctucc.org will go to the same place; as will funds given in local churches and passed on to the Conference for Haiti.

The center point of the Christian year is Holy Week, including Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter.  Special events in our lives usually require preparation.  Holy Week is no different. From the beginning of the Christian Church, members set aside the forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays that are always celebrations of the Resurrection) as a time for prayer, meditation, self-examination and study.  We encourage you to prepare at home and in your own way—alone, with families or with friends.  But as a church we offer special programs, in addition to our weekly Adult Forums in the chapel, for you to make ready for Holy Week.

The on-line edition of the First Church Landmark and Monthly Calendar for February, 2010 are now available.  Select from the menu at left.

The organizers are canvassing far and wide to find interesting items for the auction.  Of particular interest: special services and other unique items, such as your time for yard work, computer consulting, time at a vacation home, etc.  Be creative!

Indicate what you can provide using this PDF form, and submit to the Church Office.

*** Live Auction ***

Time, Talent & Treasure!

Proceeds will benefit

First Congregational Church, Guilford

and

Silver Lake Camp and Conference Center

(“Now for the Future Building Campaign”)

~ In memory of Rachel Garcia to bless her two spiritual homes ~

Saturday, March 13, 2010, 6:30 – 9:00pm

Guilford Community Center

Hors d’Oeuvres & Desserts

Admission: $4 per person or $10 per family

For donation information, contact Anne Weeden at 203-458-2369 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
For event information and tickets, contact Morgan Aery at 203-668-1482 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
For information about the beneficiaries visit www.firstchurchguilford.org &  www.silverlake.ctucc.org

Joyful Noise! Concerts are held throughout the year sponsored by the Music Committee.  There is no admission fee.  The free-will offering received at the concerts and the proceeds go the Myrtha Licht Fund at First Church which supports and enhances our musical ministry.  All concerts are held in the church Sanctuary.

Concerts currently scheduled for the 2009-2010 program year are:

Sunday January 31st at 4:00 p.m. – Erika Grace Powell, soprano, was crowned Miss South Carolina 2005 and advanced to the Miss America Pageant, where she won the preliminary talent competition and placed in the top ten. Recently, Erika won the Metropolitan Opera auditions for the State of South Carolina and competed at Spivey Hall in Atlanta. An active performer, Erika has sung the lead roles in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi and Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance in addition to being featured numerous times with the Furman University Symphony Orchestra, the Foothills Philharmonic, and the Greater Anderson Musical Arts Consortium.  A recent graduate in Vocal Performance from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, her diverse musical interests include the genres of opera, musical theatre, art song, oratorio, and spirituals.  Her light, brilliant resonance combined with beautiful phrasing, sparking high notes, stunning coloratura, and dazzling personality promise to bring audiences to their feet for years to come.