I’ve known my friend Elliott and his family since kindergarten. That’s longer than I’ve known anyone else—save my family. As 2011 ends, I write these thoughts in the context of the death of Elliott’s father. His dad passed away on Christmas night and his Jewish funeral was held less than two days later, on Tuesday. As the year comes to a close, so too does that chapter in my friend’s family life that includes his dad. They face the prospect of the New Year without the family patriarch, a man of great stature and accomplishment, who managed, also, to be a great dad!
At the funeral, the Rabbi made a point of saying that in the Jewish tradition, they celebrate the date of a person’s death, not the date of birth; for to Jews what matters is not the date that signals the beginning potential of a new life, but the date that ends a life well lived. In other words, it is what we do with our lives that matters. A part of me resonates with this perspective. Yet those of us who celebrate the lives of loved ones also continue to live. We remain to face the New Year; we mark the passing of the old year and make resolutions to take us into the new; we continue our own journeys marking the passing of those whom we love. As Christians, we proclaim that death is not the end! Our celebrations of the New Year embody the hope that there is yet more to come of God’s Grace and Love in both life and death! For me, this is what gives my resolutions meaning and substance.
In this spirit, I offer my resolutions for the year:
1. Eat more fiber: In other words I want to be more regular—regular in my work, regular in my relationships, and most of all regular in my connections with God! 2. Get more sleep: So that I might dream more deeply!After all, it is our dreams that shape us, our dreams that give us direction, our dreams that leaven the loaf of life. Some say that life itself is a dream.
3. Live in the present: Our God is the “I AM” God, God who is, who was, who always will be, in all times. As we live fully in the moment, we also live from the past into the future. Our present is the not yet fully realized future of a living past that needs to be embraced in the moment, a moment in which God is infinitely involved! As we begin the New Year, remember the promise made to us at the end of the Gospel of Matthew: “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age…”Matthew: 28:20b Happy New Year! Pastor Koenig
DAWN'S DAYLIGHT Dear friends, They faithfully witness to God’s presence in their lives by serving as volunteers in our Children’s Ministry program to guide and direct our children and youth, helping them explore what it means to be a follower of Christ. During worship on September 25th, Christian Education Sunday, we recognized the contributions and commitment of these dedicated servants of Christ.Please consider expressing your appreciation to these volunteers for all they do to help our children and youth build a solid foundation of faith. With Much Gratitude, Dawn Crane; Christian Education Director THANK YOU, CHILDREN’S MINISTRY VOLUNTEERS! Childcare Providers in Nursery Rebecca Boudreau Debi BertenshawLesley Ryan??? Amy BarronRenee Hastings ?????? PRESCHOOL Co-Leaders/Shepherds:Amanda BoudreauCheryl Leone Jane Gutowski Tracy Osborne Youth Shepherd:Tyler Blanchette EARLY ELEMENTARY Leader:Susan Koenig
Co-Shepherds:Elizabeth CraneChristine Moses
MIDDLE ELEMENTARY Co-Leaders: Lydia DeGumbiaJeanWalker Co-Shepherds:Joyce KlinzmannMarcia Landrie MIDDLE HIGHSENIOR HIGH Leader:Barbara MackayLeader:Barbara Mackay Shepherd:Kim RingquistShepherd:??? Sunday School SuperintendentFLOATING SHEPHERD Diane Pisko Virdie Lindsay SUNDAY SCHOOL SUBSTITUTES Bob CraneLinda LindsaySue Phillips
JOIN OUR TEAM OF CHILDREN’S MINISTRY VOLUNTEERS!
We are always looking for interested men and women to join a team of dedicated volunteers to help our children/youth learn the stories of the Bible as they walk with Jesus, developing their faith. If you are a kind, gentle soul who enjoys being around babies and toddlers, is willing to share your time on one or two Sundays each month nurturing our youngest in the Nursery while worship is taking place and you are an active member:WE WANT YOU! If you like children and would be willing to substitute for a volunteer who is unable to fulfill his/her commitment on a particular Sunday morning:WE WANT YOU! If you are interested in exploring either of these rewarding experiences, please speak with Dawn Crane; Christian Education Director, before or after worship, or call the Church Office at 860-628-5595. WE WANT YOU ON OUR TEAM! Children and Youth Should Be Registered for Sunday School Our Safe Church Policy calls for the registration of all children attending Sunday School. Sunday School Registration forms may be dropped off in the Sunday School classrooms on Sunday mornings or handed directly to the Christian Education Director, Dawn Crane. Blank registration forms are available on the table at the back of the Sanctuary and in theclassrooms. Please note that families using ourNursery during the worship service must register their child in the Nursery room before leaving him/her to be cared for by our childcare volunteers. 3RD GRADE BIBLE PRESENTATION A milestone was reached by students from the 3rd Grade Sunday School class on during the worship service on September 25th. They were presented with their own individual bible by Pastor Sandy. The Board of Christian Education hosted a special breakfast to recognize this milestone and pay tribute to our 3rd graders and their families. Students in the 3rd Grade Sunday School class include: Kelly Collins, Kyle Badorek, Tess Filippides, Nickolas Gaedeke, Joseph Landrie, Gabriel Lawson, Lucas Leone, Nathan Pelletier, Maliah Ryan, Madison Santello, Mitchell Santello, Brynne Steele 4th grader, Alex Filippides, also received his bible as he was unavailable the prioryear. ***If your child is in 4th grade or higher, and did not receive his/her own bible, please notify the Sunday School leader and one will be provided. The Board of Christian Education encourages all our children and youth to bring their bibles to Sunday School class each week! A silent fire/emergency practice drillwill be held on one Sunday during the month of October for all Sunday School classes. (Date has not been scheduled on the Church calendar at time of printing, so please look in upcoming worship bulletins for more information...)
MEMORIAL FLOWERS To sponsor flowers for worship, please contact the Flower Committee to request a Sunday, by calling Linda LaForge at 860-620-0256.
POLITE PARKING We encourage members of the congregation who need to park closer to the church to us the spaces near the ramp door. We hope those who are able will find spaces other than those near the ramp door.
WEIGHT WATCHERS Weight Watchers now holds meetings at the PCUCC Church every Wednesday and Thursday. Meeting times are Wednesdays at 5:00 and 6:30pm and Thursdays at 9:30am. Doors open 30 minutes early.
