First Church

TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
12 October 2008

‘God has given us a ministry of reconciliation.’
from 2 Corinthians 5: 18

Adult Forum at 11:15am in the Chapel – “How to Be a Greener Church” led by Bob Howard. Savings Through Energy Management is a program for reducing use and costs of energy around the house and in the church. We’ll discuss several easy-to-do and inexpensive ways electrical and fuel use may be reduced. Special guest: a Kill-a Watt meter! Learn Grab a cup of coffee and join us for this timely discussion.

Deacon for October is David Knapp (453-1395). If you have questions, compliments or concerns, please speak with Dave.

Deaconess for October is Irene Kubitsky (45453-6672). Please notify Irene of births, adoptions, or anyone who may need a note of sympathy or encouragement. For information about our Prayer Shawl Ministry, please call Pam Welch (458-2340.) CDs of Sunday worship services are available to borrow from the Church Office.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Quarterly Financial Statements are available in the narthex. Please help us save postage costs and take yours with you. Thanks!

Landmark Deadline Wednesday! Please submit articles for the November Landmark by Oct. 15th via email to Jeanie Cacopardo at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or leave a hardcopy in the Landmark mailbox and Penelope will key it in for you. Thanks!

THANK YOU to all CROP Walk volunteer walkers, drivers and sponsors. We had 244 walkers from Guilford who helped raise over $4000 last Sunday. Pilgrim Fellowship raised over $3000 to help fight world hunger. Way to go First Church!

Church Clean-up –Join us this Saturday, Oct. 18th as we prepare our church buildings for winter….

Pot-Luck Breakfast Social for families of Church School children (and their teachers!) in Kindergarten, Pre-K, and the Nursery on Sunday, Oct. 19th, at 9:00am in Fellowship Hall. Get to know the families of your child's classmates. Coffee & juice will be provided; please bring a dish to share. Supervised activities will be provided for children. Questions? Ask Lisa Horst or call Geoff Fix - 458-0438.

Inquirer & New Member Informational Meetings: Three gatherings are planned for those who are new to First Church or those who would like to become a members. The meetings will be on Sundays, Nov. 9, 16 & 23rd at 11:30am in the Minear Library in Spencer House. You are invited to attend as many meetings as you are able. These meetings are especially helpful for those coming from a different denomination or faith background. Child care is available, but please call the Church Office (453-5249) to request it. If you have questions, please speak with one of the ministers.

Music & Transformation Classes: If you are interested in exploring and/or deepening your spiritual life or find yourself in a time of transition and want to learn some spiritual tools, please join us at one of our classes: Mondays 7:00pm in the Bride’s Room or Tuesday mornings 11:00am – 12:30pm in the Sanctuary. For more information, please call Marjorie Colton 245-3463, Nancy Mann 245-0513 or Penelope Rebuzzini 453-2516.

Peace, Affirmation & Justice Collection Next Sunday we’ll collect supplies for men & women being released from prison and for the resettlement houses in Hartford. Lists are printed on the goldenrod Adult Forum sheet in your pews. Call Marcia Myhre at453-5116.

HARVEST FAIR PREPARATIONS!

Harvest Fair Bakery Room: Please call Debbie Peluse 453-5517 or Karen Kalbfeld 458-7990 if you are willing to call people to remind them to bake for the Harvest Fair - Nov 1st. Thanks.

Dried Flower Workshops Wednesdays & Thursdays - Join in the fun & creativity: Weds., 7 - 9pm & Thurs. 1 - 3pm at Betty Brown’s, 56 Norton Ave. All are welcome. Call Betty at 453-9564.

The Jewelry Counter is accepting items that are languishing in your drawers and closets: scarves, belts & bureau top boxes, as well as jewelry. Please donate early to allow for our refurbishing. Call Rebecca Bunting 458-1783 & leave items in Spencer House Kitchen.

The Plant Room seeks the silk or live plants, garden books, garden-themed accessories or decorative baskets that you'd like to donate to the Fair. Donations cheerfully accepted by Holly Bollier (458-0776).

Prison Ministry: Anyone interested in learning about the prison ministry opportunities sponsored by our church, should contact Vin Adinolfi at 203-530-2998 or by e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Opportunities include working with female inmates at the Niantic Prison, mentoring children of female inmates, and working with adolescent males at the Manson Youth Institution.

Calling All Singers, American Idols &Stage Hams!!!!! We want YOU to audition for "Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" on Sunday, Oct. 19th from 1:30 - 3 pm or Tuesday, October 21st 7 - 9 pm in the Choir Room. Be prepared to sing a song of your choice. Signups are in the Narthex & Choir Room for 10 minute slots. Rehearsals, twice a week, rehearsals start in January. Liza Catino: 453-0494 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wilcox Lectures Oct. 24 – 26th with J. Philip Newell: “The New Birthing of Christ Today: A Celtic Perspective”

Friday, 7:30pm Listening for the Heartbeat of God:
An Introduction to Celtic Spirituality
Saturday, 9:00am The Twin Loves of Celtic Spirituality:
Love of Christ, Love of Creation, Part I
11:00am The Twin Loves of Celtic Spirituality. Part II
1:30pm The Twin Loves of Celtic Spirituality: Part III
Sunday, 10:00am Sermon: “Made in the Image of God”
11:15am Adult Forum – Sanctuary
Suggested donation for Saturday: $25; lunch provided. To register, please call the Church Office.

Did you know that…

Music has occupied a special place in our First Church Congregation from our beginnings. In the early years, a Deacon “pitched the psalm” which meant he used a pitch-pipe as accompaniment. In 1799, a bass viol was found to be acceptable because it rested on the floor with neck up – the reverse of the “ungodly fiddle”. Then in 1856 came the melodeon (now on loan to the Dudley Farm) that was placed, unknown to the congregation, in the gallery until played for the first time to the surprise of the congregation.

The first pipe organ was given to the church in 1868 by a member in memory of her mother. In 1908, Miss Clarissa Sage gave the church a magnificent organ in memory of her nephew, Willie Sage Tuttle. The organ console was in the front section on the east side gallery under the pulpit with magnificent pipes on either side above the pulpit. The choir was in front under the west side gallery and they could communicate with the organist through a “speaking tube”. The choir and organ moved to the upper gallery in the rear of the sanctuary in 1964. Our current organ dates back to 1981 and was acquired through gifts of many church members.

Won’t you take a brief moment to think of what a treasure the music of First Church is to you?
Investing in First Church
It’s Our Turn Now!

Hartford Resettlement Tea & Silent Auction: Sun., Oct. 26th 3:30 – 5:30pm at Pond House, Elizabeth Park, Hartford. The only fund raiser for Hartford Resettlement, our partner in the Prison Ministry at York Corr. Inst. See flyers in pews or call Gail Thompson 458-7938. $25 suggested event donation, or send donations to Hartford Resettlement, Attn. Deb Rogala, 110 Bartholomew Ave, Hartford, 06106.

Volunteers Needed for drivers for Meals on Wheels and individuals who would like to give an hour a week to visit with someone. The Guilford Food Bank also needs 3 more volunteers which would only require volunteering once a month. To volunteer, or to give the name of someone you think could benefit from these services, please call Guilford Friendly Visiting/Meals on Wheels at 453- 8359 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

CHURCH CALENDAR

FH-Fellowship Hall, GH-Griswold Hall, CSB-Church School Bldg,
CR-Choir Room, ML-Minear Library, SHK- Spencer House Keeping Room,
BR – Bride’s Room (off Narthex)

Sunday, Oct. 12:

8:30am Worship – Chapel, Susan preaching
9:00am Senior Choir Rehearsal – CR
9:00am Bible Study – ML
10:00am Worship/Nursery/Church School
11:15am Adult Forum - Chapel
7:00pm Pilgrim Fellowship - FH

Monday, Oct. 13: Offices Closed – Columbus Day

7:00pm Music & Transformation– BR
7:00pm Confirmation 2 – GH

Tuesday, Oct. 14:

9:15am Teddy Bear Rhythms – GH
11:00am Music & Transformation
7:00pm Church Council - FH

Wednesday, Oct. 15:

10:00am Staff Meeting – ML
3:45 - 5:00pm Junior Choir – FH
4:00 – 5:00pm Cherub Choir – GH
6:00pm Harvest Fair Crafters – CBS Rm 9
6:00pm Harvest Fair Committee - SHK
7:00pm Dried Flowers Wksp– B. Brown’s

Thursday, Oct. 16:

10:00am Prison Prayer Group - ML
1:00pm Dried Flower Wkshp – B. Brown’s
3:15 – 4:30pm Middle School Youth Grp-FH
7:00pm BSA Troop #474 - FH
7:15pm Senior Choir Rehearsal – CR

Fri. – Sat, Oct. 17, 18: CT Conference, UCC Annual Meeting – Bpt

Saturday, Oct. 18:

10:00am – 2:00pm Church Clean-up
7:30pm Joyful Noise! Concert – Sanctuary

Sunday, Oct. 19: Kendrick preaching

8:30am Worship – Chapel
9:00am Bible Study - ML
9:00am Senior Choir Rehearsal – CR
9:00am Nominating Committee – SHK
9:00am Church School Breakfast for families with children in Crib Rm, Nurs, Pre-K & Kindergarten - FH
10:00am Worship/Nursery/Church School
11:15am Adult Forum – Chapel
1:00pm Confirmation 1 – FH
1:30 – 3:30pm “Joseph” auditions – CR
7:00pm Pilgrim Fellowship - FH

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