REMINDER First Church of Christ, Congregational, Glastonbury, Connecticut Member of United Church of Christ

An open, welcoming and affirming congregation

The

June 2020

Growing in Hope, Joy,Courage and Love

Dear Friends,

“Hope arouses, as nothing else can arouse, the passion for the possible.”

So writes William Sloane Coffin, who helped lead the American church and American society through three national and international crises – the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights struggle and the nuclear arms race.

Honor our Silver and Gold members. Possible.Collect food for the Manchester food pantry. Possible.Celebrate Music Celebration Sunday. Possible.Hand out fresh food through Mobile Foodshare. Possible.Get prayer shawls to Hartford Hospital to bring comfort to people. Possible.Hold a virtual youth mission trip. Possible.Have a prayer group, a board meeting, Biography Book Group, Bible study or coffee hour. Possible. Collect diapers to have struggling families make shrinking dollars reach farther. Possible. Exceed last year’s Easter offering by over $1,000 – raising $19,000 to help people in need around the nation and around the world. Possible.

Design worship services in the coming weeks to celebrate our high school seniors and this year’s Church School program. Possible. Establish an exciting staff plan to further expand our ministries with children and youth. Possible. Create a task force to begin to consider when and how to re-open First Church programs and activities. Possible.

This congregation has hope. This congregation has a passion. This congregation has a passion for the possible.

In this letter to the Romans, the apostle said, “Knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces

character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”

Friends, this beloved family of faith has endurance, character and hope. We have hope because of God’s great love for us – and we shall never stop loving one another nor stop loving God’s children in need! We do indeed have “a passion for the possible!”

Lots of love,

and

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Dear Friends,

As we recently wrote in a blast email to the congregation, Anne Frank once shared, “I don’t think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains.” Some days it all feels like too much. Too much loss, too much fear, too much grief, too much despair, too much isolation. But in the midst of all the sadness, we know we can’t give up, that God loves us and that beauty surrounds us. Let us all find the beauty in each day!

Sometimes we find the beauty in music and nature. We can find beauty in the good deeds of those around us and in the fellowship of church folks singing, praying, talking, knitting and being together. Even during challenging times, beauty is all around us and our faith calls us to notice and give thanks!

We are grateful to belong to such a dedicated, resilient, spirit-filled and loving community.

Blessings, and

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ~ Colossians 3:15-17

First Church Worship and Programming Pandemic UpdateAs we all know, things are unsettled in all aspects of our lives – including the life of this beloved family of faith. At the time of printing, the “re-opening” of the First Church buildings, the re-opening of our programming and worship and the re-opening of the office are all under review and consideration. The Re-Open Task Force will make its recommendations about re-opening to the church leadership. We will use blast emails, our website, and Facebook to update the church on the steps being taken when it is appropriate to consider re-opening aspects of our life here at the church. First Church of course will at the very least follow all mandates and protocols from state officials. The Re-Open Task Force, established by the Church Council and representing all areas of our church’s life, will work in the coming

days and weeks to ensure that when we are allowed to re-open, perhaps in phases, First Church will be ready. The Task Force is being chaired by Vance Harris (vwhref01@gmail.com) and it includes Mick Gifford, Walt Briggs, Laurie DiTomasso, Jackie Mumford, Walter Gantley, Lorie Martin, Michael Lambert, Steve Proulx and Diana Ruddick. Please send your prayers of support to this very important new group in the life of First Church!

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STATE OF THE CHURCH

Children’s Initiative UpdateAfter a brief hiatus due to the Governor’s mandated COVID-19 shut-down, the Children’s Initiative Committee recently had a Zoom meeting and has other meetings planned following their endorsement earlier in the year of the prior research recommendation that First Church investigate formation of a formal church-school partnership in the Greater Hartford area. Interviews have been conducted with Dr. Katy Wood, Resource Teacher at Fred D. Wish Museum School (Hartford Public Schools), and Dr. Veronica Marion, Coordinator of Family and Community Partnerships (East Hartford Public Schools), as we explore what these key leaders might expect from a church-school partnership. At their most recent meeting, the committee acknowledged that the pandemic will, at least in the short term, change the nature of a partnership. Nevertheless, it was agreed that the needs of a partner school will continue to be great, if not greater, and challenging, yet different. Work continues on drafting vision and mission statements for this mission opportunity for future presentation to Church Council and the congregation. This congregation continues to explore how we can make a significant difference in the lives of children and young people both in our current church membership, our community and in the world beyond our walls!

Call to Annual Meeting June 22, 2020***This notice of our upcoming congregational meeting will also be included in upcoming blasts, and in those blasts please note that the protocols for our gathering as a congregation will be following the Governor’s guidelines for public assemblies and meetings. ***

To the members of the First Church of Christ, Glastonbury:

Due to the coronavirus pandemic and the Governor of Connecticut’s Executive Orders restricting public gatherings and suspending corporate by-law provisions requiring in-person meeting attendance, Church Council voted to delay this Annual Meeting from May to June. Pursuant to Section 7.1.1 of the Church By-Laws, you are hereby notified of, and cordially invited to attend, the Annual Meeting of the Congregation to be held on Monday, June 22, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. to hear and act upon the following matters:

1. Annual reports of the ministers, officers, boards and committees of the Church;2. The report of the Human Resources Committee regarding nominations for the officers, members of the boards and committees, and delegates of the Church;3. Election of officers, members of boards and committees, and delegates of the Church, with terms commencing on June 23, 2020; 4. A recommendation from the Board of Trustees to allocate $140,000 from the Founders Fund to cover the cost of the driveway repaving project, the timing of such project to be approved by the Executive Committee; 5. A recommendation from the Board of Trustees to utilize $5,000 of income from the Rudd Fund (established by the Estate of Edward I. Rudd, Jr.) to cover the final costs of the Meetinghouse window replacement project; and6. To transact any other business relating to the above proper to come before the meeting.

Nancy W. PachtChurch Clerk

First Church Online!Even though we aren’t gathering in person right now, we encourage you to look us up online. Go to our YouTube channel and find services and devotions that will inspire and comfort you: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKNLVdUd5fWhPx1GlsPK-0g. And we encourage you to find our church Facebook page where you can hear about upcoming events, see pictures from activities and stay up to date with what’s going on. Find us, and “like” us!

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Puppet Ministry in ActionOur puppets are on the road! Read below a reflection by one of our many amazing parishioners, Laurie DiTomasso, and how she is using our church puppets to make learning more fun and interactive for her students.

God bless all the helpers! Teachers everywhere are facing the many challenges of supporting their students at home. My first thought when my district closed was, how can I engage my students and support their social emotional needs while distance teaching. I immediately though of the church puppets and how I could use them to support my students.

Over the past weeks I’ve sat with sad puppets explaining how they had a problem and just couldn’t talk about it, to puppets who were just having a bad day. This helps me connect with children and talk about the many questions they may have with adjusting to all the changes.

During reading lessons, the children will lead the puppets in reading work, or just have them as a reading buddy. The child who wouldn’t look into the computer screen is now looking up at Tatianna the puppet and participating. It’s the magic of puppets.

This past week a puppet and I went on parade to send cheer throughout my district. I had the blessing of seeing the faces of adults and children alike respond to my waving, cheering friend. The frowning drivers waiting for the parade blocking their

path suddenly were smiling, laughing and waving back. Tatianna had an entire fire station laughing as she blew kisses saying thank you in her happy sing-song voice. The children were so surprised by this simple puppet presence that shout-outs were everywhere. It’s a blessing for me to share the puppet ministry in this new way. I never could have dreamed that I would be taking all the things I learned in my years as a puppet troupe leader out into the community.

First Church of Christ, CongregationalUnited Church of Christ, 2183 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033

The Rev. Dr. Carl F. Schultz, Jr., Pastor Emeritus (1932 - 2012)Phone: 860-633-4641, Fax: 860-633-5826

Email: firstchurch@glastonburyfirst.org, Website: www.glastonburyfirst.orgTHE REMINDER submission deadline: Wednesday, June 10 for the July 2020 issue

Staff Contact ListThe Rev. David Taylor, Pastor, davidtaylor@glastonburyfirst.org, ext. 118, 860-918-5414

The Rev. Kate VanDerzee-Glidden, Pastor, katev@glastonburyfirst.org, ext. 120, 860-836-1537The Rev. Betsey Polglase, Minister of Visitation/Pastoral Care, betsey@glastonburyfirst.org, ext. 114, 203-592-1185

Dr. Angela Salcedo, Director of Music Ministries, angelasalcedo@glastonburyfirst.org, ext. 116, 860-428-9474Karin Carlino, Church School Administrator, ceadmin@glastonburyfirst.org, ext. 115

Keith Conroy, Interim Director of Junior High Fellowship, keith@glastonburyfirst.org, 860-989-9799Valerie Escalera, Program Administrator, programadmin@glastonburyfirst.org, ext. 115

Susan Feller, Publications Specialist, publications@glastonburyfirst.org, ext. 112Rebecca Fleahman, Office Manager, rebeccafleahman@glastonburyfirst.org, ext. 122

Cheryl Foley, Child Care ProviderJenny Giguere, Administrative Assistant, jenny@glastonburyfirst.org, ext. 110, 860-965-3868

Wes Grove, Facilities Manager, facilities@glastonburyfirst.org, ext. 121, 860-578-0092Lauren M. Guiditta, Interim Director of Children’s Ministries, lauren@glastonburyfirst.org, ext. 113, 860-805-7833

Peggy Hartman, Director of the Handbell Program and Cherub ChoirAmy Woodruff, Interim Director of Senior High Fellowship, amy@glastonburyfirst.org, 860-333-4400

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Opportunities to Volunteer with Foodshare! For over a decade, the Mobile Foodshare truck has come to our back parking lot every other Wednesday morning for this “farmer’s market” style food distribution of fresh produce and other foods. Since many of our volunteers were in a vulnerable age group,

we have a team of younger folks who have been assisting for the last month or so. We’d love for you to be involved! Please contact Karin Carlino (karincarlino@gmail.com, 860-841-8363) if you have any questions or want to sign up. You can also visit our online sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b094aabae28a13-mobile. Thank you!Dedicated volunteers from our church go to the Foodshare warehouse on alternating Wednesday mornings to help sort and package the produce that is given out on the Mobile Foodshare truck at various sites across the state. Because of the pandemic, this volunteer opportunity is on hold temporarily, but we will get going again in the future. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Jim Hartung at ctsdncmnfolk@gmail.com or 860-430-2123 for more information.

First Church is a place where we are constantly serving our neighbors in need. It is our call and our privilege to spread God’s love in our church community, in Glastonbury, in Hartford, in other Connecticut

towns and cities, throughout our nation and all around the world.

General Info CornerChristian Service

First Church Has Willing and Able “Good Samaritans!”The First Church family of faith has many talented people, and some of these talents include “handyperson” skills and abilities. Our “Good Samaritan” group is willing to help individuals in the congregation who might be having trouble finding the right people or the adequate resources to do the job – various “odd” jobs around the house or yard. If you are interested in seeing if your household task or project is something they would be able and willing to take on, at no charge, please contact Kate VanDerzee-Glidden, Betsey Polglase or David Taylor.

Food Collections Continue!First Church has had a long tradition of collecting food items for our neighbors in need. Our donations go to Horace Bushnell Children’s Food Pantry in Hartford and Manchester Area Conference of Churches (MACC). Because our church building is closed, we have had to be creative in how to get food to the organizations we support. Thank you to everyone who supported our April and May food collections, and stay tuned for more details. If you have questions, please contact Chelsea Cooper at 860-614-2381 or chelsnelson@yahoo.com.

Carol’s Closet CollectionCarol’s Closet, the interfaith paper pantry in town, is still serving those who are struggling, and supplies are needed! If you can, please bring toilet paper (4-packs or individually wrapped rolls), paper towels (individually wrapped), tissues, bar soap (individual or two pack) and shampoo (standard size) to their collection at St. James Church on Saturday, May 30 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. People will only have to drive through and the products will be collected from their vehicles. If you can’t make that date, then you can drop your items off at First Church at the back lobby door. If you have questions, please contact Sarah Proulx at sarahb3982@gmail.com or 860-208-6397.

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General Info CornerChildren’s Ministries

Church School Mission Project: South Park InnFor I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. – Matthew 25:35Over the years, First Church has maintained a relationship with South Park Inn, providing both financial assistance and a helping hand to the agency and the families who live there. Now, responding to their need for improvements to their dining area, we are committed to ensuring they are able to provide safe, healthy, delicious meals, in a warm and welcoming environment to anyone who walks through their doors.

A donation to the Church School Mission Project with South Park Inn makes a great gift for Dads and/or Grads! Please consider making a donation in their honor. June is the last month to make donations for our school year Church School Mission Project with South Park Inn. Thank you for your continued support and for responding to God’s call to share love near and far! You can mail your check to the church office with “Church School Mission Project” in the memo line. For more information, please contact Lauren Guiditta at lauren@glastonburyfirst.org.

Participate in “Take Out” Church SchoolWe have adapted our Church School lesson plans to an at home “Take Out” version which is emailed home each week for Preschool, Rotation Model Curriculum (elementary) and AGAPE/JHF (middle school). If you are not receiving these lessons, and would like to, please contact Lauren Guiditta atlauren@glastonburyfirst.org.

Summer Church School Begins June 21Summer Church School begins Sunday, June 21! This summer we will be offering a Take Out Church School with “surprise teachers” each week. We will provide a brief and fun Bible lesson, as well as a simple activity with a video to be done at home. As we learn more about a potential re-opening of the church, we will adjust and keep you updated. Check your email, the website, and Facebook for updates. Any questions should be directed to Lauren Guiditta at lauren@glastonburyfirst.org.

Children’s Celebration Sunday is June 14!Join us virtually on Sunday, June 14 for Children’s Celebration Sunday! We will celebrate our children and all of the wonderful volunteers involved in our Church School program. Our children will lead the worship service and share their many beautiful talents to make it a special celebration of God’s love! If you have any questions, please contact Lauren Guiditta or Karin Carlino.

Family Promise – Stay Tuned!Thank you all for making our March Family Promise host week a success! Our next host week is in August. If you want to get involved, please contact Kate Ersevim at ersevim@cox.net/860-985-8075 or Tara Conway Woodruff at tara.amy1407@gmail.com / 860-462-9548. Thanks for your continued support!

General Info CornerChristian Service

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General Info CornerYouth MinistryHeads Up! Hartford Going Virtual

Heads Up! Hartford is going virtual for their summer camp experience this year. Similar to so many programs, they have had to make this shift to ensure participants’ safety and health. It looks really exciting and is a great opportunity for youth this summer. Take a look at their website for more info: https://headsuphartford.org/covid-19-updates.

Hey Seniors...Either virtually, or at a safe distance, we will be meeting at some point this month to celebrate our senior group. Keep on the lookout for more info coming your way from Amy. We love our seniors, and we’re thankful for each one! Look in next month’s Reminder for their names and photos of their time at First Church!

Children received One Great Hour of Sharing banks to collect donations. This Lenten offering supports disaster, refugee, and development ministries of the UCC. We had planned to collect the OGHS banks on April 5, but we have decided to collect the banks at a later date. So, please keep collecting donations at home! For more information on OGHS, please visit www.onegreathourofsharing.org. Thank you for your continued generosity! You are a blessing to our church!

Silver Lake Conference Center UpdateA note from Silver Lake: “In this time of global pandemic, the Bridge Conference Ministers of the Southern New England Conference, the parent organization of Silver Lake, and your year-round Silver Lake staff have shifted to focus on “Love Your Neighbor.” Each of us has had to make all kinds of sacrifices in our personal lives in order to protect the most vulnerable among us. As a Christian organization trying to teach our participants what it means to be disciples of Jesus, Silver Lake also has to make some difficult sacrifices in order to Love our Neighbors. It is with very heavy hearts that we, in partnership with the Bridge Conference Ministers, announce our decision to cancel our in-person summer camp ministry in 2020.”

General Info CornerChildren’s Ministries

First Year at First ChurchOur youngest ministry continues via Zoom! We have decided to continue to gather virtually, on the fourth Saturday of the month. Cheryl Foley, our childcare professional, also joins the call and we have fun with a short scripture, prayer and usually a rousing game of Peek-a-boo! For more information or to join the call please contact Lauren Guiditta at lauren@glastonburyfirst.org.

Vacation Bible School is Coming August 3–7!At this point, we are still planning on having First Church VBS this August! However, our VBS planning committee is still working on exactly what it will look like. We are coordinating with our church leaders, staff and the State of Connecticut guidelines and mandates to ensure that our VBS is safe and fun. Stay tuned for more details! The Knights of North Castle: Quest for the King’s Armor curriculum invites children to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of God’s power. The children will learn different Bible stories and how they are called to live with truth, justice, peace, faith and salvation! If you have questions, please contact Lauren Guiditta at lauren@glastonburyfirst.org or Karin Carlino at ceadmin@glastonburyfirst.org.

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General Info CornerMusic Ministry

Music Scholarships Not Offered This YearFirst Church will not be offering music scholarships this year. Auditions are cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Questions may be directed to Jenn LaChapelle, Chair of the Music Scholarship Committee, at jennlachapelle@gmail.com.

Sign Up for Choir Camp August 16–19At this point, we are still planning on having our yearly Choir Camp for the Cantate, Cantabile and Mallets Choirs from August 16 – 19 at our new location, Canonicus Camp & Conference Center in Exeter, Rhode Island, just a few miles from the beach. However, our Choir Camp planning committee is still working on exactly what it will look like. We are coordinating with our church leaders, staff and the State of Connecticut guidelines and mandates to ensure that our Choir Camp is safe and fun. If the recommendation is to not have camp at a conference center, then we will organize three to four hour daily sessions throughout that week, which will entail singing outside at an appropriate distance, bell ringing in the sanctuary, various team building games, our outreach project (the no-sew blankets) and lunch. Stay tuned as these details evolve. Like last year, we are inviting those choristers in Caroler Choir who are moving up to Cantate Choir to join us, so that they can begin to build friendships with the older choristers. Please send a deposit of $100 to reserve your place at camp by June 1 to Angela Salcedo at the church office. If we continue with the plan to attend Camp Canonicus, the total cost is $275 and final payments will be due by August 1. If we hold camp at First Church, the $100 deposit will go towards lunches, snacks, music and supplies. Please sign up online on the church website. Please contact Angela Salcedo (angelasalcedo@glastonburyfirst.org) with questions.

Special Recognition on Music Celebration SundayDuring our virtual Music Celebration Sunday service on May 17, many parishioners of all ages, who participate in our great variety of singing and bell choirs, were recognized for the beautiful music they contribute to worship services all year long.

Perfect AttendanceChloeanne Clegg (Cantate)Maddie Cline (Cantabile)Noah Garrity (Cantabile)Owen Guilmette (Cantate)Micah Krauss (Cantate and Mallets)Liz Martin (Mallets)Madelyn Muller (Cantabile and Mallets)Andrew Norman (Mallets)Emma Shelto (Caroler)Anna Stone (Cantabile)Cate Stone (Cantate)

Excellent AttendanceMaddie Cline (Mallets)Greta Krauss (Caroler)Ellie Muller (Cantate)Addison Cox (Caroler)Jordyn Schmidt (Caroler)Anna Stone (Mallets)Ben Szwez (Caroler)

5-Year TrophiesNoah GarrityAndrew Norman

Graduating SeniorsAndrew NormanSean Donovan

2020-21 Head ChoristersAnna Stone: Cantabile altosCate Stone: Cantabile sopranosMicah Krauss: Cantate

2020-21 Head RingerLiz Martin (Mallets)

Chorister Earning aNew Ribbon This YearNoah Garrity (Light Blue)

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General Info CornerAdult OpportunitiesAt First Church, we experience large amounts of love in our many small groups that meet on a regular basis. Staying connected with each other can be beneficial during this time of restructured life. Below is a listing of the different groups with a contact person for each to answer questions you may have. We encourage you to find creative ways to communicate!

First Church Outside: Tracy Kavanaugh at lilypadprints@gmail.com or 413-250-3838; for information about any upcoming hikes, Rich Baber at richbaber@yahoo.comMothers of Faith in Action Group: Chelsea Cooper at 860-614-2381 or chelsnelson@yahoo.com or Bonnie Nietupski at bonnie.laporte@gmail.comPotpourri Breakfast: Jenny Giguere at jenny@glastonburyfirst.orgPrayer and Share: Nancy Higgins at 860-573-6092 or Donna Smith at 860-918-4804Thursday Morning Study Group: Sally Brown at saldaybrown@aol.com or Forbes Warren at 860-633-3982Women’s Theological Reflection Group: Diana Ruddick at dianakate525@gmail.com

Thursday Night Epistle of James Bible StudyMartin Luther called it “an Epistle of straw.” The authorship is in question - was it James the disciple or James the brother of Jesus? There’s lots to explore in this short New Testament book. Join Andrew Wicks for a five-week virtual Bible study beginning May 28. The class will cover one chapter a week, and include discussion partners, plus a weekly check-in on Thursday nights from 6:00-7:00 p.m. It’s perfect for those with daytime commitments, or anyone looking for faith development and a little social time during quarantine. To sign up, email Andrew Wicks at andrew@glastonburyfirst.org.

Knitters NeededMany of us are wondering what we can do to help in the current pandemic as health care workers are so stressed and hospital patients are isolated from their loved ones. Hartford Hospital is accepting prayer shawl donations, and the First Church Prayer Shawl Ministry made a donation of shawls in April. The knitters are continuing to knit for a second donation, and they would love for you to help! There is yarn available in sealed plastic bags and needles, too. If you would like the yarn or needles or have questions, please contact Mary D’Anna at 908-809-3310 or dannamary4@gmail.com.

Mental Health MinistryThe past few months have been...a lot. We have all made changes to our everyday lives, suffered loss and learned how to adapt. Now as we get ready to transition back to some form of a “new normal” there may be some apprehension as to what that means and what it will look like. As we look to the future, we can benefit from looking to the past. We can find some comfort in the fact that humankind has survived turbulence before. “Study the past if you would define the future.” — Confucius

Change is difficult for most. The added anxiety of our world can compound that feeling. As we move forward, it’s okay to know that we don’t have all the answers. We can study the past, and add to that our new knowledge to make the best decisions. What feels right for one person may be the wrong thing for the next person. By focusing on what is best for ourselves and our immediate families, we can do our best to move forward in this new normal. If you need help please seek help. National Alliance on Mental Illness: Call: M-F 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. ET 1-800-950-NAMI (6264). Text: Text NAMI to 741-741. For more information about our Mental Health Ministry, please contact Lauren Guiditta at lguiditta@gmail.com.

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Prayer Corner Prayers of gratitude for: All of the volunteers who help with parades, food drives, creative worship services, Zoom meetings, artwork for mailings and so much more to keep this beloved community of faith connected and caring for neighbors in need. Prayers of sympathy for: The family of H. Bradford Benson, who died on May 7, in Southbury, Connecticut. Brad was chair and faithfully served on the First Church Board of Trustees for 25 years. His beloved wife Phyllis, who died in 2012, was also active as a First Church library volunteer. Our prayers extend to the entire Benson family.

IN CASE OF HOSPITALIZATION:

Hospitals can’t release information to us, so if you or a loved one is hospitalized, please make note of the following. For Hartford Hospital, inform them that you are from First Church of Christ, Congregational in Glastonbury. For St. Francis Hospital, tell them Code 17 for First Church. If you would like the church to know of any upcoming hospitalization, please call the church office at 860-633-4641 to inform the pastoral staff.

General Info CornerGeneral Info Corner

General Info CornerAdult OpportunitiesBiography Book Group

The Biography Book Group enjoys reading and reviewing memoirs and biographies. We enjoy fellowship and an informal discussion about our readings. On Tuesday, June 23 we will discuss the new biography Edison. “From Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edmund Morris comes a revelatory new biography of Thomas Alva Edison, the most prolific genius in American history. One of the achievements of this staggering new biography...is that it portrays the unknown Edison—the philosopher, the futurist, the chemist, the botanist, the wartime defense adviser, the founder of nearly 250 companies—as fully as it deconstructs the Edison of mythological memory (Amazon.com).”We hope you will join us! We will either meet via Zoom or, when the situation is safe for all, we will meet in the Lehman Library. Call or e-mail Valerie Escalera at 860-633-4452 or miguel.escalera@sbcglobal.net if you are new to the group and would like to be included in Zoom invitations and other news from this group.

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GOLD MEMBERS1941 Marion Hallas1944 Robert Nystrom1946 Carol Ruff1950 Susan Motycka1953 Frederick Bruening Mary Gavin Janis Jackson Patricia Weibust1954 Eva Bowden1956 Jean Greene Joe Greene Robert Pikula1957 Sandee Brown Donald Keller Eileen Oldman1958 Althea Heacock Janet Shannon Robert Shannon 1959 Donna Chatterton Fred Henrikson Bruce Lester1961 Elsie Bauer Jean Haberman Donna Henrikson Phyllis Knickerbocker Gary Lawrence Shirley Lawrence David Motycka Thia Paternoster1964 Lois Gamer Georgia Grunder Walther Grunder1965 Becky Glezen John Glezen Heather Pulito1966 Tom Andrew Lynne Campbell Susan Dixon Nadine Lester John Manion1967 Jay Brown Susan Phillips Doris Rudd1968 Susan Carpenter John McNab Della Schultz

1969 Linda Cook Barbara Jenkins Robert Jenkins Blanche Marlow Barbara Parker Clem Pontillo Judy Reichenbach Norma VaughnNEWEST GOLD MEMBERS1970 Isabel Higgins Al Reid

SILVER MEMBERS1971 Carolyn Blackmore Martha Leland Robert Pulito Gil Spencer1972 James Conner Marti Curtiss Doris Hoffenberg Charlotte Mowry Wes Mowry Ann Voorhis1973 Judy Arth Lucia Focht Michel Gifford Nancy Jefferson Debbie Korper Les Korper Jan Pikula Earl Thompson Sylvia Thompson1974 Eva Berch Michael Berch Richard Bowden Robert Hoyt Sarah Kelly Paula Tripp Peter Tripp1975 Janet Bassilakis Susie Bragdon Kim Kowsz Beverly McGraw Jackie Pancavage Ed Smith1976 Donald Boehler Pat Boehler Shirley Cole

Kathy Nussbaum Shelby Nussbaum Brenda Sperry Kathleen Tambling Philip Tambling Catherine Tracy David Tracy1977 Tim Hassan Donald Kelly Penny Kelly Tracey Mitchell Dan Simmons Sandra Simmons Pam St. Pierre Stephen St. Pierre Ashley Thompson Jean Walker1978 Stephen Connolly Patty Dixon Barbara Harding Wayne Harding Steven Hoyt Barbara Kleiman John Kleiman Beverly Maier Grant Maier Forbes Warren Shirley Warren1979 Mitsey Baker Glen Berwick Joan Berwick Katherine Glezen Bill Graves Sallie Graves Pamela Lundberg Dianne SchweglerNEWEST SILVER MEMBERS1980 Laura Clinton Roger Dock Helen Hodgman Stephen Jackson Donna Kidwell Lisa Lawrence Bruce Munshower Donna Smith Jerry Smith Gary Zweifel Phyllis Zweifel

We honor and recognize those who have been members of First Church for 40 years or more. We honor them for the blessing of their service to God and to First Church.

SILVER (40 years+) and GOLD MEMBERS (50 years+)

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THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, CONGREGATIONAL2183 MAIN STREET, GLASTONBURY, CONNECTICUT 06033-2208CHURCH OFFICE 860-633-4641 WWW.GLASTONBURYFIRST.ORG

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Hartford, Conn.Permit No. 5063

Non-Profit Organization

Return Service Requested.

Faith and community in action: Giving out food during Mobile Foodshare and collecting groceries for our neighbors