First Church

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
10 January 2010

“Rooted and Grounded in Love”
- Ephesians 3

We warmly welcome the Rev. Kathryn King to our pulpit this morning as part of the New Haven East Consociation Pulpit Exchange.  Susan is preaching at the Old Stone Church in East Haven this morning.

Rev. Kathryn A. King serves the Northford Congregational Church as part-time Acting Pastor.  Ordained in 1996, Kathryn attended Yale Divinity School and previously served as pastor of the Morris Congregational Church, UCC, from 1996-2001. She also has a Master's Degree in Social Work from Columbia University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She lives in Branford where she also maintains a part time private practice as a therapist.

Deaconess for January is Eva Ewing (203-315-5160).  Please make her aware of new births, adoptions, or anyone who needs a note of encouragement or sympathy.  CDs of worship services are available to sign out in Spencer House.  Pam Welch (203-458-2340) coordinates our Prayer Shawl Ministry; please call her for more information.

The Deacon for January is Michael Smith (203-458-6622).  If you have questions, concerns or compliments, please speak with Michael.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Pilgrim Fellowship: Meeting tonight at 7pm in Fellowship Hall.

Annual Reports Due Tomorrow- Board & Committee Chairpersons!  If you are able, please send your report as an email attachment to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  If not, you may submit a report that is “copy-ready,” or leave it for me to key in.  If you need guidance in preparing a report, please check last year’s Book of Reports.  If you have other questions, please call me at 203-453-5249.  Thank you!  Penelope

Landmark Deadline Friday, January 15th – Submissions for inclusion in the February edition of our newsletter are due by January 15th.  Whenever possible, please email directly to Jeanie Cacopardo, editor, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  You may also leave your article in the ‘Landmark’ mailbox in Spencer House kitchen.  Thank you.

Your Church needs YOU - several 2010 positions remain open: please consider giving your time and talent to one of the following committees –  Deaconesses , House, Memorial, Member-at-large and Stewardship. Serving is a wonderful way to participate in the life of our Church and develop a closer relationship with members of our congregation.   Contact the Nominating Committee – Lyla Johnson, Kate Ott, Betsy Platia or Peter Van de Grinten – or the church office.

Dishes & Pots Update: Thank you to all those who picked up dishes and containers last Sunday, but there are still some waiting to be taken home.  In addition to a wide selection of unnamed dishes, some have labels - DePetris, Clark, Tomsich, Conerly, Acuna, Lesage, Sinciolo, a white pot labeled Chicken Chili, and a large dark pot labeled Veg. Beef. Please note that those not claimed will be ‘contributed’ to the Spring Rummage Sale.  Thanks!

In the weeks ahead, try to see the film Invictus, about Nelson Mandela and the process for ending apartheid in South Africa.  Or if you prefer, you may read Playing the Enemy the book on a portion of which the film is based.  Church member Craig Mullett, a South African by birth, was there during that time and will share his experiences with us at the Adult Forum on Sunday, Jan. 24th.  Also please read Three Cups of Tea in preparation for our All Church Read: Dinner and Discussion Mon. Feb 8th.  There is a young reader’s version, as well as a children’s book, Listen to the Wind.  Copies are available in the Minear Library in Spencer House on the mantel.

Food Bank Needs: toiletries; 100% fruit juices; canned fruit, tuna, ham, hash, stews; pancake/meal/potato/cake mixes; boxed mac & cheese; dry milk, canned tomato products, dry cereal.

Christmas Tree Recycling: Boy Scout Troop 471 will accept trees on Saturday, Jan. 16th 9am – 2pm at the Guilford Transfer Station, Pinchbeck’s Rose Farm and Dudley Farm.  Fee $5 each.  Trees will be chipped and used as fuel at a local flower grower and as mulch on town trails.  Call 203-457-4291 for more information.

Music & Transformation Classes Continue – New and returning students are welcome to join us on Mondays 11am – 12:30pm in the Bride’s Room.  There is a chair for any who seek to grow spiritually through experiences of music & guided imagery, spiritual disciplines and creating mandalas.  For more information, call Marjorie Colton (203-245-3463).

CHURCH CALENDAR

Sunday, Jan. 10
8:30 Worship – Chapel
9:00am  Bible Study – Griswold Hall
9:00am  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room
9:00am  Church School Breakfast – grades 1 & 2
10:00am  Worship, Nursery care, Church School
11:15am  Coffee Hour – Fellowship Hall
7:00pm  Pilgrim Fellowship – Fellowship Hall

Monday, Jan. 11:
11:00am  Music & Transformation – Bride’s Rm
3:00pm  GS Troop 2303 – Fellowship Hall
7:00pm  Confirmation 2 – Church School Bldg Rm  # 9
7:30pm  Welcoming & Inclusion Committee- Minear Library

Tuesday, Jan. 12:
3:00pm  Middle School Youth Group - Fellowship Hall
7:00pm  Church Council – Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, Jan. 13:
4:00pm  Junior Choir – Fellowship Hall
4:00pm  Cherub Choir – Griswold Hall
7:00pm  Bd of Community & World Concerns – ChSchlRm#9

Thursday, Jan 14:  
6:00pm  Bell Choir Rehearsal- Sanctuary
7:00pm  BS Troop 474 – Fellowship Hall
7:15pm  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room

Sunday, Jan. 17
8:30 Worship – Chapel
9:00am  Bible Study – Griswold Hall
9:00am  Choir Rehearsal – Choir Room
10:00am  Worship, Nursery care, Church School
11:15am  Adult Forum – -Chapel
1:00pm  Confirmation 1 - Sanctuary

12-Step Meetings at First Church This Week:
AA:  Sun.,  7:15am – GH             Alanon:  Tues., 7:30pm – Chapel
Tues., 7:30pm – CSB#5                         Wed., 10:00am - FH
Wed. 7:30pm–GH                   Alateen:  Tues., 7:30pm-CSB#9
Fri., Noon & 7:30pm – FH      NA:          Sun., 1:00pm – GH
Sat., 7:30am – GH                   OA:        Weds., 7:30am - FH