Dear members and friends,

Summer is almost over, and we have an opportunity to look forward to the fall activities of our church. The first Sunday in September will mark my first anni-versary as pastor with you. What started out as a three-month interim has pro-gressed to a much longer time. In some ways, the congregation is in a different place than it was in September 2015. I look forward to the next months as First Church continues to discern its role and future.

There are several important events coming up in our church’s life in the next month or so:

On September 25 we will hear from a representative of The Voice of the Martyrs. This is a non-profit, inter-denominational Christian organization dedicated to assisting our persecuted Chris-tian family worldwide. It is hard to believe that there are many Christians throughout the world persecuted for their beliefs; unfortunately, there are.

The first Sunday in October is World Communion Sunday, and we will also receive the Neigh-bors in Need offering on that Sunday. Neighbors in Need (NIN) is a special mission offering of the UCC that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry. Two-thirds of the offer-ing is used by the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries to support a variety of justice initia-tives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects through grants.

The first Sunday in October is also the beginning of a new adult discussion group—“Listening for God: Contemporary Literature and the Life of Faith.” We will be reading some very short works by Flannery O'Connor, Frederick Buechner, Patricia Hampf, Raymond Carver, Annie Dillard, Alice Walker, and others. I think that these stories open up our imaginations to the ways God appears in the most common places of our lives. We will meet right after coffee hour—so invite a friend to come and talk about some amazing writing. (Especially, invite a friend from a motorcycle club.) This Sunday also begins a co-operative confirmation class with North Church.

I am excited about fall and look forward to seeing you all in worship.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Howard

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

214 Main Street South, Woodbury, CT 06798 203-263-2846

First Church Messenger SeptemberNewsletter 2016

Communion Sunday, July 3 service ushered in our summer worship schedule with five July services at First Church with Reverend Howard and the August services at North Church with Pastor Sandy. The joint congregation sang Katharine Lee Bates' hymn, "America the Beautiful" and the lovely "This Is My Song," among others. Sandy Mehinovic presented a Musical Interlude. Deacons of the week were Audrey Jannetty, Linda Osterman Hamid, Kathy Masiulis and Lisa Nanes-Sulliman. The Greeters/Ushers were Diana Neal and Bob Travers from North. Rev. Sandy also participated in the service. Linda Hamid provided the beautiful flowers in celebration of Independence Day. Following the service, for the Fellowship refreshment, Helga Weed took us back in time about 30 years to revive a tradition started by an esteemed member, Betty Raub, who joined First Church in 1946. Many of us, 'old timers’, remember Betty and her husband Heartt most fondly. Helga treated everyone to Betty's famous root beer floats. Special thanks go to Helga for the refreshing floats and the

fond memories of dear First Church friends.

Linda Hanid and Rev. Mayer

Helga Weed and Rev. Mayer

FIRST CHURCH USHERED IN SUMMER WITH JOINT WORSHIP

ALONG WITH NORTH CHURCH

First Congregational Church Honors Local Police

Reverend Howard Mayer and the First Congregational Church of Woodbury declared July 24, 2016, "Police Appreciation Sunday."

Police officers from Woodbury, Southbury, Bethlehem and local CT State Police were invited to attend the 10 a.m. worship service, followed by a special reception in their honor. Members of North Congregational Church of Woodbury were also present as part of the summer union worship of July joint services at First Church and August ones at North Church. The congregation took the opportunity to celebrate and honor the local police of-ficers and thank them for their dedication, commitment and outstanding service to the community. First Church Deacon of the Week, Linda Osterman Hamid, quoted Albert Schweitzer: "There is no higher religion than hu-man service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed." Rev. Mayer presented Certificates of Appreciation to George Romano, a retired officer from Woodbury, Tom O'Neil, a retired officer from Watertown, and Tim Wright and Jody Rockhill, both active officers in Woodbury. The following day certificates were delivered to Bethlehem and Southbury Police Depts. and CT State Police officers who were not able to attend. After the service, there was a fellowship time with words of sincere grati-tude, hand-shaking, laughter and personal stories. First Church members Kathy and Ed Masiulis provided deli-cious refreshments, including a beautiful cake inscribed in blue with the words: "Thank you to our Police.”

(l-r): Officers George Romano, Tom O’Neil (retired), Jody

Rockhill and Tim Wright, with Reverend Howard Mayer of

First Congregational Church, representing the Woodbury,

Bethlehem and Watertown Police Departments

Officer Chris Grillo of the Southbury Police Department

Roberta O’Neil with her husband Tom O’Neil, retired officer from the Watertown Police Department

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH SPONSORS A SPECIAL SEMINAR

This fall, Reverend Howard will offer an adult seminar entitled "Listening for God," Contemporary Litera-ture and the Life of Faith. The one-hour discussion sessions will feature short stories by some of the most interesting writers of the twentieth century -- Flannery O'Connor, Frederick Buechner, Patricia Hampf, Raymond Carver, Annie Dillard, and Alice Walker. A brief profile of each author will be presented in a short video.

In a casual, relaxing atmosphere, group participants will have the opportunity to talk about how God speaks to us through the words of these creative writers. The reader, "Listening for God," by contributing editors Paula J. Carlson and Peter S. Hawkins, is a new collection of stories intended to help readers investigate how life and faith merge in surprising ways and places.

The eight-week program will be held on Sundays, October 2 to November 20, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at

First Church. North Church members and the general public are welcome to attend.

If you are interested, please sign up in early September so that an order can be placed for the correct number of books. Call the church, (203) 263-2846 or email Rev. Howard, hmayer@hartford.edu.

(L-R) Linda Osterman Hamid, Rev. Howard, Muffy Munson

Rev. Howard’s First Anniversary with First Church

On the occasion of your First Anniversary with us, the members of the First Congregational

Church of Woodbury extend our warmest wishes and heartfelt thanks to you for your outstand-

ing service, leadership and dedication.

We have been blessed by your kindness, enlightened by your thought-provoking sermons and

inspired by your prayers. Your many references to poetry and literature have enriched us, and

your unique humor has delighted us.

We are pleased to have this opportunity to express our gratitude to you. We hope to celebrate

many more anniversaries together.

Page 4

For a number of years now, the loose plate offering (those monies received that are not in an offering

envelope or by check) on Communion Sundays (the 1st Sunday of each month) have gone to what is called The Deacons’ Fund. This fund is used to help those in need in our congregation or communi-ty.

Thank you in advance

for your generosity!!!

Communion Sunday is when First Church collects foodstuffs for the Woodbury Food Bank. Please leave

your donations in the basket at the back of the Sanctuary or in

Fellowship Hall

LaBonne’s Cash Back Program - THANK YOU one and all for your support of this fundraiser! Please continue to drop your re-ceipts in the basket marked LaBonne’s located on the counter in Fellowship Hall.

Do you know of someone who has given his or her time in providing an act of kindness? Please let us know so that we, too, may recognize that person. Just leave a note for the Church Office. Note paper is available for your thoughts in the basket on the office door. Or call the office at 203-263-2846

The new Flower Chart sign-up is located by the door to the kitchen from Fellowship Hall.

If you would like to supply altar flowers for worship

please let the office (203-263-2846)know that you have signed up.

Flowers can be given In Memory of or In Honor of someone special or In Celebration of any special reason or event in your life.

Page 5

Gracious Thank You from Troop A Southbury

Linda,

I just wanted to take a moment to express my personal gratitude to you and your Congregation for your thoughtful gesture. I am very sorry someone from Troop A was not able to attend your first “Police Appreciation Sunday” service and reception but I can assure you that your recognition has been made known to the men and women of Troop A. As requested, please find the attached photo of you and Sgt. David Wagner of Troop A which I believe has also been posted on the agency’s social media sites. Please accept our collective thanks for both your support and recognition.

Respectfully,

Lt. Michael Kostrzewa

Connecticut State Police

Commanding Officer

Sgt. David Wagner and Linda Hamid

Come and Join Us

Sunday, September 18

for our Home Coming Day

(formerly known as Rally Day)

An Ice Cream Social is planned and hosted by the

Living Church Committee following worship. All

former members and confirmed students are also

invited to our Home Coming Day and Social.

Members are encouraged to invite someone to

church on this Sunday – perhaps a member of

your local motorcycle club…!

Welcome Back

Where You Belong!

Page 6

Joys & Concerns of Our Church Family

9/8 Margaret Gerowe 9/14 Marcia Pattillo 9/17 Adam Garms 9/19 Tom O’Neil 9/26 George Hale

SEPTEMBER 15

9/17 Virginia & Bill Garms

9/19 Barbara & Arnaud Bourgeois

9/29 Laura & Pete Johnson

Heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and friends of Magill Shipman, who passed away on

August 1, 2016. Magill was a member of First Church and attended regularly until he became homebound due to his illness.

The following is a copy of his obituary:

Magill Shipman, husband of the late Jeannette Shipman passed away peacefully at Waterbury Hospital on August 1, 2016 at the age of 92. Magill was born May 24, 1924 in Pierrepont NY, the son of the late Wallace and Sabria Shipman, and has no living survivors. After graduation from Canton High School, Magill went on to receive a BS with honors in Secondary Education from SUNY Potsdam.In 1950 he joined the teaching staff at Herricks Junior High School, NY. He con-tinued his education at Hofstra University and earned an MS in Guidance and an MS in Admin-istration. In 1965, he was named principal of Herricks Junior High, a position he held until retiring in 1979.In 1985, Magill and his wife moved from Woodbury, Long Island to Heritage Crest in Southbury CT where he became President of the Board of Directors from 1992-1996.He was a life member of the Masonic Lodge Chapter 985, Mineola Long Island.

Newsletter Deadline for the

October Issue is September 15.

CHURCH CLERK NEEDED

If you are interested in filling the position of the

Clerk of First Church , please contact the Church Office at 203-263-2846.

CHURCH HISTORIAN NEEDED

If you are interested in history please consider becoming the historian of First Church.

Contact the Church Office at 203-263-2846

If you know a member or friend of First

Church who is ill or in the hospital

please let the Church Office know

Page 7

We are looking for volunteers to host

Fellowship Hour!

Rev. Howard provides nourishment for the soul during worship and you can provide a little nourishment for the body!! It only takes a few minutes to set up the coffee and set out the treats.

If you would like to host Fellowship Hour, there is a new sign-up sheet is located in Fellowship Hall by the door leading into the kitchen. Please sign your name and phone number next to the date you would like to host.

9/4 Deacons

9/11 OPEN

9/18 Living Church Committee

9/25 Joan Cole

The family and friends of Virginia Kasdorf who had passed away on August 30, 2016 The family and friends of Magill Shipman, who had passed away on August 1, 2016 Connie Zombar, recovering from a broken shoulder Milana Jaffin, recovering from surgery Margot Kelly

Maria Platt’s grand-nephew, Austin Dodd, continuing with chemo. Our homebound members:

Harry Bartlett, Lynn Geary, Louise Green, Marjorie St. Pierre, Muriel St. Pierre and Kimi Zaima

Sunday Stewards for September

9/4 Virginia Garms

9/11 Virginia Garms

9/18 Virginia Garms

9/25 Virginia Garms

If you would like to be a Steward on Sundays, please call the Church Office. The schedule is on a rotating basis (once a month or less)

DEACONS OF THE WEEK

9/4 Kathy Masiulis and Muffy Munson

9/11 Linda Osterman Hamid

9/18 TBD

9/25 Audrey Jannetty

The Deacons meet the second Tuesday

of each month at 12:30 pm

A Fond Remembrance of John Fleming

On Sunday, July 24, when I saw the Fellowship Hall table set beautifully with gorgeous flowers, homemade goodies, and framed photos of former First Church member, John Fleming, I was interested in knowing the backstory. Kathy and Ed Masiulis had brought two bouquets of flowers from the gardens of Mr. William Buzzard, the current resident and owner of John Fleming's Cowles Road home. The flowers were offered in honor and memory of John and Marlice Fleming, close friends and neighbors of the Masiulis family. Kathy told me that July 14 would have been John's 101 Years Birthday, and she felt it was important to honor John in the company of other First Church people. She served John's favorite treats, made from the recipes of his beloved Marlice.

The Flemings moved to Woodbury in the early 1950's and became active members of First Church. John served on the Board of Trustees, various committees and as Moderator. It is always a pleasure to reminisce about dear, departed friends. Kathy recalled, "One of John's gifts was the ability to talk to anyone! He was a very welcoming member, enjoyed greeting people, engaging new folks in conversation and introducing them to other members...a one-man welcoming committee!" Kathy explained: "That's how John entered my family's life one Sunday in 1983, and so began a very special friendship. John and Marlice celebrated holidays with our families, dropped by for coffee and chats,

shared family dinners and Friday night pizzas. John was a fixture at our son Ryan's, Pinewood Derbys, and school events. John and Ryan shared long, insightful conversations and walks on our dirt road. It didn't take long for this dear man to become Ryan's, Woodbury grandfather, and my Woodbury Dad." Personally, I recall John Fleming as a highly esteemed, and loyal member of the congregation. Also, he played an active role in the community. He was an ardent advocate of higher education for young people and loved discussing issues with students. I remember him for his warmth, quick wit and unique sense of humor. It was lovely of Kathy to arrange the celebration and share her fond memories of the Flemings with us. I know she offered many the opportunity to savor some sweet moments, recalling happy times with old, First Church friends. ~ Linda Osterman Hamid ~

Kathy and Ed Masiulis with Rev. Howard

John Fleming

Joint Confirmation Class

Planned with North Church

Beginning in October.

If you are interested in having your child confirmed, please contact the

Church Office via email at mail@firstchurchwoodbury.org

Or by phone at 203-263-2846

More information will be forthcoming as class dates are set

By Kaeley McEvoy 07-29-2016

I’m pursuing ordained ministry — which means my job, right now, is to learn. So when I got the chance to attend the Democratic National Conven-tion in Philadelphia, Pa., and a panel hosted by Union Theological Semi-

nary, the institution where most of my current learning takes place, I jumped at the opportunity to learn. But the real learning came when the formal panel discussions came to an end. Before leaving the city, I took a few minutes to sit in the center of Philadelphia’s City Hall courtyard and people-watch. On one side of the open courtyard, I saw a man doing martial arts. I watched his aged body move, and how his shoulder-length wispy white hair seemed to stand still as he kicked one leg and then the other. His concentration was so focused on moving the energy around him that he looked like a wizard. Then suddenly, he was standing right next to me, asking if I was in Philadelphia for the big event. When I nodded, he started telling me what he’d seen. “There were a lot of protests yesterday. Something about police killing black people and police dying, too. It’s all real sad if you ask me,” he said. “It looks like there are two people in the lead for president, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. They both seem like decent people. I bet either of them would do a B+ job.” I laughed and said, “I think they might do more of a C+ job.” He agreed. I asked if he knew who Bernie Sanders was. “He’s the governor of New Hampshire or something. Doesn’t seem like he has a chance but his followers are very nice,” he said.

A group of about 50 people were gathered behind a bride and groom in the center of City Hall square, taking a wedding photo. As the photographer lined us up, my friend put his arm around my shoulder and introduced himself as Danny. “Scream LOVE on three,” the photographer said. Almost everyone laughed and screamed, “Love!” It felt like an act of defiance against the lines that divided us. It felt like a screamed prayer. I told Danny I had to get to the train station. We gave each other a hug. “Thank you for talking,” he said. “I hope you are successful and find love.” I wished him the same, wondering if people need anything else in the world besides those two things.

I assumed that at my first Democratic National Convention I would learn about politics. But instead I learned about people. I learned about love. The smartest person I met at the DNC didn’t care which “decent person” was going to do a “B+ job” at running our country. He just cared that his new friend was successful and found love. He cared that people spoke with each other. I learned that the way to dissolve polarized angst and grow community is to ask a stranger in the park a question. I learned that for those whom Jesus hung around with, the presidential election is not a reason to spew hatred or create divisions. For some living on our street cor-ners or doing Tai Chi in our parks, the “hype” of the election season is nothing more than a distant rumble in the background of trying to survive day-to-day life.

For so many reasons, this election season has been and will continue to be stressful and difficult for all of us. But I think in order to keep my sanity in the next four months, or perhaps the next four years, I’m going to pledge to continue to be a student of the unexpected love I found in the smile of Danny, the Philadelphia mar-tial arts master. I’m going to be a student of the least of these, who aren’t constantly checking Twitter or CNN or Fox News to see who said what mean statement or who leaked what documents or which new polls have the most up-to-date information.

I’m going to learn how to scream out for more love with strangers in parks. I hope you’ll join

me.

Kaeley McEvoy

Kaeley McEvoy is former Campaigns Assistant at Sojourners. You can find her on Twitter @KaeleyMcEvoy.

Unless otherwise noted, all material

© Sojourners 2016

Raising the Roof at First Church

The First Congregational Church of Woodbury has been a part of the Woodbury Community for well over 340 years – in fact, the town was founded by the those first members of First Church. The ancient history of Woodbury is synonymous with the history of First Church; the Congregation was the reason for the town’s existence and the chief concern of the town’s inhabitants.

When First Church’s pastors have not needed the Parsonage for housing, The Red Barn has opened an annex so as to offer furniture, rugs, and much more clothing than can be accommodated in the “little” Red Barn.

The Red Barn Parsonage chimney has been replaced/repaired and a new metal roof has been put on Parsonage Roof. The new roof should last close to 100 years. First Church has also fixed the flat roof of the Church and has extended the overhang to cover the entire ramp at the back entrance. The volun-teers and staff of the Red Barn are raising funds to help defray the costs. Two raffles will take place between now and Woodbury’s Christmas festival, featuring beautiful hand-made quilts, which were received as donations to the Red Barn last year. These quilts have been lovingly completed by First Church volunteers, and are made of vintage fabrics and quite unique. Raffle #1 will begin on August 15, 2016 with the prizes to be drawn during Woodbury’s Fall Festival. Raffle #2 will begin on October 15, 2016, with the prizes to be drawn during Woodbury’s Christmas Festival. Tickets will be available at the Red Barn (Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10-3) or the Church Office (Tuesdays through Fri-days, 10-2). Tickets will be $5 each, and limited to only 100 tickets.

First Church has also set up a GoFundMe campaign; donations may be made a www.gofundme/s23b7w5g or by following the link on the “Raise the Roof” campaign on the church’s website, www.firstchurchwoodbury.org. Donations may also be made directly to the Church via check with Roof Campaign in the memo line.

First Church has been the heart of the community in Woodbury for nearly 350 years; please help us continue our good works of outreach via The Red Barn Thrift Shops!

Contact: Virginia Garms (203)263-6809; Maria Platt, Office Administrator, (203)263-2846

Removing the old roof 214 years of roofing Brand new metal roof on Parsonage One of the quilts that are being raffled off by the Red Barn (continued on page 11)

This photo shows the condition of the parsonage’s original chimney inside the attic. Many years of water damage had deteriorated the brick to the point where it was disintegrating into piles of sand on the attic floor. Now that the chimney has been repaired, the church will move forward with plans to replace the par-sonage’s failing roof. Volunteers at the Red Barn Thrift Shop are raising money to help defray the cost of these expensive repairs. They are organizing two raffles featuring nearly a dozen handmade quilts from vintage fabrics that were donated to the Red Barn last year. The first raffle will begin on August 15 with the prizes to be drawn during Woodbury’s Fall Festival. The second raffle will be drawn during the Woodbury Christmas Festival. The raffle is limited to 100 tickets, available for $5 each at the Red Barn Thrift Shop or the church office.

Lon Smith of Woodbury and his son Joshua (not pictured) braved the high heat and humidity in the parsonage attic on July 15 and in the days thereafter rebuilding the top 12 feet of the house’s brick chimney, the first phase of the First Congregational Church’s long overdue roof replacement project. Mr. Smith believed the chimney, which encloses six flues, to be the original one constructed when the house was built in 1798. The First Church has set up a Go Fund Me campaign to help cover the costs of the project. Donations may be made at www.gofundme.com/s23b7w5g or by following the Raise the Roof Campaign link on the church’s website, www.firstchurchwoodbury.org.

(Raise the Roof Campaign continued)

(These two are reproduced from an article in the Voices)

Raffle tickets are also available at the Woodbury Carnival,

September 1 through September 4 at the Raffle Tent.

Jack Flynn, a representative from The Voice of the Martyrs, will be a guest speaker here at First Church on

Sunday, September 25. We hope you will be able to join us as we learn about what Christians face in non-

Christian countries and how we may be able to help.

The Voice of the Martyrs is a non-profit, inter-denominational Christian organization dedi-

cated to assisting our persecuted family worldwide. VOM was founded in 1967 by Pastor

Richard Wurmbrand, who was imprisoned 14 years in Communist Romania for his faith in

Christ. His wife, Sabina, was imprisoned for three years. In the 1960s, Richard, Sabina, and

their son, Mihai, were ransomed out of Romania and came to the United States. Through

their travels, the Wurmbrands spread the message of the atrocities that Christians face in re-

stricted nations, while establishing a network of offices dedicated to assisting the persecuted church.

First Church History

I was recently contacted by a John Baxter of Pennsylvania and was told that he was the grand-son of one of our former Pastors - Rev. Raymond A. Fowles. Rev. Fowles was our Pastor from 1917 to 1922. John’s mother Alice-Ruth, Rev. Fowles’ youngest child, had recently passed away and he came upon a couple of postcards that he thought First Church would like to have. One was a postcard featuring a picture of our beautiful sanctuary. I don’t really know when this was done but I did notice that the towns of our daughter churches are not listed on the up-

per balcony and the choir loft and organ is not behind the pulpit. (Some investigation into this will have to take place!) I did notice that an 1870 painting of the sanctuary located in the narthex does have our daughter churches town and dates. I am taking the liberty of assuming that the sanctuary might have had a fresh coat of paint and that they might have painted over it. (Something else to investigate!)

The second postcard had a photo of First Church c. 1919-1920 maybe earlier. Notice where the hallway is today between the sanctuary and fel-

lowship hall is a driveway leading to the back of the building. There is also a barn/shed located to the right of the church.

The reverse side of this postcard dated May 5 1920 has a message for the congregation from Rev. Fowles. He had given each parish-ioner a postcard with the following message:

To My People:

Upon the 250th Anniversary of our church, let this card be a token of my esteem and of my appreciation of your kindly fellowship and service during my pastorate here.

To our guests today, welcome, and good cheer for coming years.

R. A. Fowles, Pastor

John had also sent along some memoirs from two of his uncles from the perspective of PKs (Pastor’s Kids). But alas, I’ve run out of space this month and will have to continue this some other time.

I hope this has piqued your interest in the history of First Church! It did mine and I did a little snooping in our historical records this summer. Boy! The stories that I will be sharing with you in the coming months will make you want to do some snooping of your own!!

~ Maria~

Once upon a time there were four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done in the church and Everybody was asked to do it. But Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it. But Nobody did

it. Somebody got angry about it, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought that Anybody could do it and Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody and Nobody did the job that Anybody could have done in the first place. At last report, Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody

were still arguing and the job that Everybody thought Somebody who thought Anybody and Nobody did was still not being done.

So this year, we need Everybody to work along with Somebody and not just assume that Anybody will do it because Nobody will.

Let’s look forward to this great year and share it with Everybody.

World Communion Sunday – October 2, 2016 World Communion Sunday – celebrated the first Sunday in October – offers congregations a distinctive opportunity to experience Holy Communion in the context of the global community of faith. World Communion Sunday has become a time when Christians in every culture break bread and pour the cup to remember and affirm Christ as the Head of the Church.

Whether shared in a grand cathedral, a mud hut, outside on a hilltop, in a meetinghouse, or in a store-front, Christians celebrate the communion liturgy in more ways than there are congregations. Whatever the format, whatever diversity is coming to the table, we are partaking in a world-wide wave of prayers and kneel-ers and drinkers and eaters who love, remember, and try to follow our same Savior Jesus.

Although the unity of the church needs constant attention, days like this give us the opportunity to re-commit ourselves to the life of unity to which Christ calls us. The day has taken on new relevancy and depth of meaning in a world where globalization often has undermined peace and justice – and in a time when fear divides the peoples of God’s earth.

On this day, we remember that we are part of the whole body of believers. We celebrate our oneness in Christ, the Prince of Peace, in the midst of the world we are called to serve – a world ever more in need of peacemaking.

Together we are the Church, the body of Christ in our world. Jesus, who so often broke bread with his friends, is our host. He, the Bread of Life, sustains the Church, and lovingly invites the worthy and the unwor-thy into the community of believers.

World Communion Sunday can be both a profound worship experience and a time for learning more about our wider community of faith.

Is September 15

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2016

A Fabulous First Church Women’s Fellowship Gathering Wow, I had no idea what great times I'd been missing! In over forty years, as a member of First Church, I had never attended a Women's Fellowship meeting!

On Tuesday, August 9, I drove into the Flanders Road driveway of Kathy Masiulis, and the fun began! Ed was there to direct the parking, and Kathy welcomed everyone with open arms. Then, in the company of the handsome, friendly dog, 'Sully,' ten ladies settled into comfortable chairs on a large deck, overlooking the woods, gardens, beautiful birds and butterflies. The weather was pristine: deep blue sky, bright sun, and gentle breeze. It was an idyllic summer day.

Nibbling on hors d'oeuvres, sipping iced tea and lemonade, our conversations turned to sharing special times we'd enjoyed at church over the years, and awe at the fact that our church's 350th Anniversary is only three and a half years away. Our lovely hostess, Kathy, treated us to a scrumptious luncheon, followed by Marcia's lemon squares and Audrey's Scandinavian almond cookies. The beauty of nature and serenity of outdoors offered the perfect setting for the congenial group to discuss plans for the future.

Muffy solicited ideas for the October 2 event, to take place on the day of Woodbury's Fall Festival, which was so successful last year. First Church will hold a tag/jumble/white elephant sale in Fellowship Hall. Liz an-nounced that ten large tables will be available to rent at $25.00 each for the day. Table renters will be able to bring in items to sell and keep all the money from the sale of their goods. This event will be a fundraiser for the roof as well as an excellent opportunity to draw people into our church. We made plans to sell pumpkin and apple pies there.

Exciting new ideas seemed to flow from the group during our time together. I enjoyed the camaraderie, enthusiasm, and spontaneity. We realized there was so much to look forward to: our new, 'Random Boxes of Kindness’ project, attracting new members goal, more outstanding sermons from Reverend Howard, a fall seminar entitled, "Listening to God," and the annual Christmas Fair. I wholeheartedly recommend all First Church women to attend a Fellowship Meeting. It was a happy, enriching experience for me. Muchas Gracias to Kathy for her gracious hospitality and kindness to all. ~ Linda Osterman Hamid ~

(Seated L to R) Helga Weed, Kathy Buck, (Standing L to R) Liz Jaffin, Marcia Pattillo, Joan Bengtson, Dorothy Winn, Kathy Masiulis, Linda Hamid, Muffy Munson and Audrey Jannetty

Woodbury’s Fall Festival will take place on Sunday, October 2.

Remember to mark your calendars and to stop in at First Church!

We will be giving historic tours of the Narthex and Sanctuary by our very own docent, Mary MacLeod. You will learn some very interesting things about First Church!

The Red Barn Thrift Shop will be open on the 2nd with all proceeds to benefit First Church’s roof project.

Our Quilt Raffle Drawing will be held at 3 pm.

Don’t forget to get your raffle tickets for the quilt (proceeds which benefit our Roof Project). They are available at the Red Barn and the Church office!

214 Main Street Spouth

Woodbury, CT 06798

FI RST CONGREGATI ONAL CHURCH

OF WOOD BURY

Phone: 203-263-2846

Firstchurchwoodbury

We’re on the Web!

www.firstchurchwoodbury.org

We’re on the web!

FirstChurchWoodbury.org

SEPTEMBER 15

Sunday, September 18 Join us for Worship

and our Ice Cream Social

(formerly Rally Day)