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Hill Church News THE NEWSLETTER OF ASYLUM HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

Helping people grow in faith and love as disciples of Jesus

VOLUME 70 | ISSUE 19DECEMBER 2015

IN GENERAL 2

ADULT EDUCATION 3

MEMBER ENGAGEMENT 4

MUSIC & ARTS 5

STEWARDSHIP 6

ADVENT | CHRISTMAS 7

150 ANNIVERSARY 9

CARING MINISTRY 9

OUTREACH & COMMUNITY 10

YOUTH & TEENS 11

CHILDREN & FAMILIES 12

WOMEN’S SPIRITUALITY 13

HIGHLIGHTS 14

See “Looking,” page 4

Remembering Loved Ones at the Holidays

Service of Remembrance and Healing | Mon, Dec. 7, 7:00pm | Chapel

The holiday season can be a diffi cult time for us if we are grieving the loss of someone or something that we treasured.

Each Christmas season, we have the opportunity to gather for a service that invites us into the healing presence of God. Led by Rev. Donna Manocchio and lay caring ministers, the service includes prayer, song, and a time of sacred remem-brance. If you have made a remembrance ornament, it can be placed on the Tree of Remembrance at the service; orna-ments will be provided for those who want them but do not have them. Please contact June Day, Pastoral Care Associate, at 860.216.1827 for more information.

Did You Find What You Are Looking For?by Matt LaneyLike most of you, I will be doing some Christmas shopping over the next few weeks. As we wander through the retail aisles, we will receive the same ques-tion by well-meaning sales people: Can I help you fi nd anything?

Later, if and when we get to the cash register, the checkout person will ask, “Did you fi nd everything you were looking for?” Most likely you will answer, “Yes,” or maybe, “No” if there was that one item which was sold out or not in the right size or color. Maybe you will fi nd yourself having no luck whatsoever after days of hunting, lamenting, “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for!”

I have climbed mountains of escalatorsI have run through fi elds of productsI have crawled, I have scaled every shopping malland I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.

The church is not a store or a shopping mall (Praise the Lord!), and yet, the question is no less real. When you shake the minister’s hand as you leave wor-ship throughout Advent and Christmas you might not be asked, “Did you fi nd what you were looking for?” but the question is no less real nor important.

We’ve heard the story countless times, but perhaps this year, in this world, at this time it will strike you diff erently: a baby, in rags, born to two stressed out peasants forced to make a journey to satisfy the whim of a distant, cocktail-sip-ping monarch who couldn’t care less about the likes of them.

2 For a complete list of events, programs, and volunteer opportunities, please visit ahcc.org.

Asylum Hill CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH814 Asylum Ave., Hartford, CT 06105-2892

Ph: 860.525.5696 | Fax: 860.525.3457www.ahcc.org | e-mail: [email protected]

The Hill Church News USPS245-160 is published one time per month (every six weeks during June, July and August) by Asylum Hill Congregational Church. Periodical postage paid at Hartford, CT.

Items for publication must reach the office by noon on or before the 15th of the month prior to publication.

Please submit items to Rhonda Mitchell, Communications Manager, at the above address OR [email protected]

Postmaster Send address changes to Hill Church News at the above address.

Worship Services Sundays at 9:00 and 10:15amSunday morning services are recorded. Ser-mons are posted on our website at ahcc.org Church Leadership Rev. Matthew Laney, Senior Minister Rev. Erica A. Thompson, Assoc. Minister Rev. Donna K. Manocchio, Assoc. Minister Steven A. Mitchell, Minister of Music & Arts Susan Carroll, Organist Helena Carvalho, Director of Operations Mia Douglas, Director of Discipleship Marcie Jackson, Dir. of Children & Family Min. Kara Price, Youth Director Ted Carroll, Moderator Holly DeYoung, Vice Moderator

In GeneralBook Talk on “His Father Still,” by AHCC member Tim Hollister

Sun, Dec. 6 after the 10:15am service

Forum by church member and author Tim Hollister

In December 2006, Tim Hollister, a long-time member of AHCC and his wife Ellen, then the church’s administrator, lost their son Reid, 17, in a one-car crash.

Tim’s new book, His Father Still: A Parenting Memoir, is a candid account of his tumultuous rela-tionship with Reid as a teenager, his continuing role as a father after Reid’s passing, and his eventual creation of a new, sustainable rela-tionship with his son.

His Father Still is available in the front office at AHCC and all major retailer websites or bookstore.

BAM! Bringing Bridge Back to AHCCWould you like to play in a friendly, fun duplicate team game? AHCC member David Moses is organizing new bridge group and any estab-lished pairs can form half a team. The proposed frequency is twice per month to start, but it’s your call. David estimates the game will run about 2 hours or so.

If you’re interested in finding out more, contact David at 860.922.5969 or [email protected].

Chapel Service

Weds, Dec. 16, 7:00pmWhile past chapel services have featured Taizé and song, this service will feature candlelight in the chap-el, reading of psalms and offering of prayers followed by a half hour for prayer and contemplation. “We received wonderful feedback from those attending a service in the fall with a similar format,” states John Avignone, deacon and service organizer. “People told us how much they appreciated the opportunity just to sit, pray and contemplate in the beauty of the chapel. We also infused the air with the scents of citrus, harvest fruit and spice, while choral music played on the stereo.” The December service will offer time of sacred sabbath in the sec-ular storm of the holiday season. For more information or to vol-unteer, contact John Avignone at 860.543.9478 or [email protected].

Asylum Hill Congregational Church | www.ahcc.org | 860.525.5696 3

Adult Education

“This is the covenant that I will make with them after these days, says the Lord, I will place my laws in their hearts and write them on their minds.”

The second eight-week session of the Covenant Bible Study begins is an in-depth study of the whole Bible that emphasizes the biblical concept of cov-enant. It underscores the unique relationship that God chooses to have with us as God’s people. Each session includes time for prayer, conversation and study, and video presentations by leading biblical scholars. Matt and Donna serve as facilitators for this unique and engaging Scripture study. Please join us for this second session; attendance at the first session is not required and ALL ARE WELCOME!

The cost for a participant guide is $10; the resource can be purchased through iTunes or Google Play. Please sign up online at ahcc.org or at the Adult Ed Table. Contact Donna for further information.

Community Bible Study: Living the CovenantMon, Jan. 25 - Mar. 14 | 1:00pm OR 7:00pm

Mark Your Calendars!Sun, Jan. 17, 11:30am Tues, Jan 19, 7:00pm

WORDS FROM ANCIENT AND CONTEMPORARY PROPHETS: A CALL TO NON-VIOLENCE

Rev. Donna K. Manocchio and staff from the CT Center for Nonviolence

As we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King, join us for a discus-sion on nonviolence rooted in the biblical prophets and in Dr. King’s writings.

SUSO Members are Stepping Up and Stepping OutMatt Laney and SUSO members recently attended a community event, “Hartford Together: Joining Hands For a Safer City” at St. Francis Hospital.

A panel of experts from the Boston area, introduced by AHCC member, at-torney Tiana Hercules, shared what has worked to reduce youth violence in Boston. This included the development of the “Ten Point Coalition” where police, street workers, and clergy formed an alliance and walked the streets at night being available to the community.

“Operation Ceasefire” followed, which became an unprecedented success and nationally recognized as the “Boston Miracle,” offering youth alterna-tives to a life of violence. Youth homicides and gun assaults fell over 60% and remained low for 8 years.

SUSO Members Attend Call-In for “Project Longevity”

Tiana Hercules, an AHCC member, brought together the police chief, police officers, clergy, prosecutors, and social workers to directly address offenders on parole about options for their futures, which includes training and jobs as well as carrying back the message to their neighborhoods to “put down the guns, violence will no longer be tolerated.” The community had an opportunity to listen to the person-al stories of 2 former parolees and share a meal and conversation.

SUSO Members Attend Two-day Summit on Gun Violencesubmitted by Karen Dibala and Nancy Kirchmyer In October, Karen Dibala and Nancy Kirchmyer attended “Subverting the Gospel of Guns,”at Andover Newton Theological School in Newton, Mass. Knowledgeable, passionate speakers from the Boston area presented, in-cluding Mayor Martin Walsh, Attorney General Maura Healey, Rev. Dr. James Atwood, Rev. Jeffrey Brown, Police Commissioner William Evans, and other experts, as well as mothers who spoke about their personal loss. “We got ourselves into this mess, and we can get ourselves out,” was the message that inspired attendees to feel more impas-sioned about securing a safe environment for all people while respecting the rights of gun owners. Rev. Dr. James Atwood’s book “America and Its Guns: A Theological Expose” (2012) has become a great resource for faith commu-nities.


Mary, Joseph, and their vulnerable baby seem so small and insignifi -cant. Just another statistic in an un-caring world. And yet Luke reports these events as if they are going to change the world.

It’s an audacious even ridiculous claim: the birth of a baby to an unwed teen amid the squalor of a backwater town in an occupied territory could possibly matter. And yet there, in a nutshell, is the promise of the Gospel: that God regularly shows up where we least expect God to be.

The world seems a lot gloomier this year: 2015 is a year we might be eager to put behind us. Against the backdrop of a world in turmoil fi lled with violence and terrorism, the angel’s cry of “peace on earth” seems like wishful thinking. As we gather to sing carols, light our Ad-vent candles, hear the all-too-famil-iar Christmas story, and announce the triumph of light over darkness, we are at risk of sounding like the most gullible and naïve people in town.

It was no diff erent back then. The world of Mary and Joseph was far worse than ours. They didn’t have drones and bombs and guns every-where, but there was violence and brutality and hunger and injustice and disease aplenty.

All of that lingers around the man-ger scene, mocking the angel’s words about goodness and peace. Mary and Joseph’s parents no doubt worried about the sort of world their new grandchild, Jesus, was being born into. They surely lamented, “What is the world coming to?”

We also struggle to see God amid desolate headlines. We also wonder if our world is coming unglued. We also get caught up in the day-to-day routine of making ends meet and have a hard time imagining that God might be real. Sure, maybe we believe in God as a general presence of Good out there… somewhere, but sensing God’s presence – let alone seeing God – in the nitty-gritty of our mundane lives seems a bit much. But isn’t that exactly what we are looking for? God with us? God not as a theory, or a nice idea, or a dis-tant monarch in some remote cor-ner of the universe, but a God who is right there in the muck, embrac-ing the full catastrophe of existence with all of its joy and heartbreak? God did not wait for the world to become more peaceful and humane before sending in Jesus (that would have been a mighty long wait). God deliberately sent Jesus into a dan-gerous and unstable world precise-ly because God loves it, warts and all, the whole sorry mess. Christmas declares that our fragil-ity, fi nitude, faults, fractures, and failings, and those of our world, do not have the last word. The holy child, planted in the manger, is our seed of hope. It’s the gift we need, the one we’re all looking for, and the best part is, this tiny, one-size, manger-gift, fi ts all. One month from now when the presents are opened and Christmas dinner is eaten, the question in checkout lanes all over the country will remain the same, “Did you fi nd everything you were looking for?”

I hope and pray that the answer for you this year is yes. That you will not only fi nd what you are looking for – God with us, God in the fl esh – but that the one you are desperate to fi nd, is also desperately seeking you.

What’s on tap?

Thur, Dec. 17, 7:00-8:30pm Wood -n- Tap Restaurant, Hartford

All young adults (20s and 30s) are invited to join this new group where we will talk about faith and today’s issues with a diff erent theme each month. Meetings will consist of a brief prayer together and then simply see where the con-versation (and the Spirit) leads us. It is my hope that no matter what the topic, we will be inspired by one another to think deeply about the ways in which our faith speaks to and is in dialogue with the most pressing issues of our time.

Join me, Erica Thompson, for casual conversation centered around the joys and challenges of our times. If you have any questions please feel free to email me at [email protected].

“Looking,” cont. from page 1


Music & Arts

Youth Choir to Sing in WorshipSun, Dec. 13, 10:15am service

On this special Sunday, we will have the opportunity to be led into the holi-day season with both the Christmas Pageant from the children of Spirit Hill AND a special musical selection from youth in grades 6-12.

The youth will be singing “Prepare Ye the Way” by gospel composer Victor Simonson with solo opportunities as well as youth band members on drums and bass.

Boar’s Tickets on Sale

If you have faith as small as a mustard seed ...

The Worship and Arts Committee would like to acknowledge with grat-itude and thanksgiving Alice and Duane Luster and their committee for the beautiful harvest displays in the sanctuary on Thanksgiving Sunday. Following the service, the fresh items were delivered to Loaves and Fishes to be distributed to our neighbors in need. A special thanks to Duane Luster who created the beautiful cross of mustard seeds. Along with Alice and Duane, the committee includes Patti and Nara Beckett, Diane Benner, Susan Bigelow, Mia Douglas, Linda Fazio, Jeanne Grandy, Alexandria Okeson, Carol Pinkston, Meckla Pinnix, Jack Pott, Buck Rogers, Angela Simpson, Susan and Jeremy Simonds, Marie Spivey, and Frank Virnelli.

… nothing will be impossible for you.

Behind-the-scenes VolunteersThere are plenty of opportunities to be a part of this magical weekend. If being “front and center” is not your style but you still want to partici-pate, please contact Kathy Valade (860.978.1457), Andrea Pringle (860.677.2494 or [email protected]) or Tom Donahue (860.794.9284) to learn more!

Tickets on Sale NowTickets are on sale for all 5 perfor-mances of the 2016 Boar’s Head Festival.

Festival dates:Friday, January 8, 7:30pmSaturday, January 9, 3:00 & 6:30pmSunday, January 10, 1:30 & 5:00pm

All reserved seating: $15 - 22.

For Thanksgiving Sunday 2014, Duane Luster crafted the cross from loaves of bread, and the decorating team created the display of overfl owing bounty.


Dear AHCC,

Christian Activities Council (CAC) thanks you for your generous support of 35 Hartford families this fall that were displaced from their home due to a fire. Each family received a gift card that enabled them to purchase basic supplies as they con-tinue to deal with the reality and hardship of losing a home and most belongings. As families received the gift cards, many were struck at the kindness of strangers and felt cared for by the larger community. Thank you for hearing the call for help and for responding.

What CAC has learned ... is that up to 300 Hartford families a year are displaced from their homes due to code-enforcement issues that cause their apartment to be condemned by the City of Hartford. In most cases, a landlord has failed to maintain the property or has illegally rented a space that then results in the tenant being va-cated by the City. Area churches are coming together under the leadership of AHCC and CAC to explore pastoral ways to respond when this situation occurs. It creates crisis in the lives of families who were in stable housing one moment, and homeless the next, due to no fault of their own. If you are interested in joining the team ex-ploring how best to be neighbors to our displaced brothers and sisters, please contact Rev. Mia Douglas, Director of Discipleship at [email protected] or 860.216.9834.

Many thanks for your support and prayers,

Cori Mackey AHCC Member and CAC Executive Director

As you know, AHCC is having a big birthday. And we’re celebrat-ing by doing something bold and meaningful.

We have discerned a call to help West Middle School launch a volun-teer center within the school.

We have a long connection with West Middle School – going back to the beginnings of our church. Lynn Estey, West Middle School’s principal, shared a vision. She sees a thriving school helped by vol-unteers from the community. But right now there is no way to recruit, train, assign or manage volunteers. A volunteer center is needed.

In June, a renovated and expand-ed Asylum Avenue campus will reopen. The refurbished facility will

Stewardship

have space where volunteers can help.

Imagine volunteers working with a small group of students to strength-en their math skills. Or with a class of fifth-graders bringing a history lesson to life. Or helping children learn the art of storytelling.

Wonderful, isn’t it?

But they need our contribution to make it possible.

The Volunteer Center requires a full-time coordinator, support staff and a program budget. There is no money in the school budget to fund the center at this time.

Launching the center will cost $300,000. We have committed to raising $150,000 by December 31st.

We need your help to succeed!

Once the center is running, we’ll continue to have an important role to play. We can give our time and build relationships with the chil-dren and the school as volunteers.

We’ll see the results of our work and generosity in our communi-ty and especially with our young neighbors.

What a joyful way to mark our 150th anniversary!

I invite you to give today – and give generously.

The Next Big Thing at AHCC by Ezra Ripple

I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful response we had to the “Table to table” offering this month! We asked people to consider donat-ing “nutritious cereal” and I think I picked up 15 - 20 bags of cereal at church yesterday; truly amazing! I wanted to let you know both how much we at Loaves and Fishes appre-ciate this monthly offering.

Thank you!

Best,Allison (Petrie) Loaves & Fishes Ministries

December’s Offering:Canned Vegetables


Sunday, November 29 | 9:00 & 10:15am worship services | First Sunday of Advent: HopeHoping for a blessed start to the holiest time of year before all the frenzy starts? See you in worship on November 29! For Christians, the countdown to Christmas begins with hope, not hope that we will make it through the holiday season with our sanity intact, but hope that God will give us what we all need most: salvation through grace as revealed in Jesus. Rev. Matthew Laney preaching. Children’s Advent Worship | 10:15amCelebrate the first Sunday of Advent in a special worship for Spirit Hill children led by Rev. Erica Thompson in the chap-el. Children will sing songs and hear the story of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Advent Devotional Wonder: Advent Devotional 2015 from the Stillspeaking Writers’ Group is a collection of fresh, unique daily devotionals that begin Nov. 29 and can be used each day of Advent in individual or group settings. FREE while sup-plies last. Angel Tree For many years, members and friends of AHCC become angels during the holiday season by purchasing a gift for children and youth in our community and in the city of Hartford, and you are invited to do so again this year! Advent Wreath-making and Potluck Dinner | 5:00pm The Advent wreath can be a wonderful tool to help keep us centered on the anticipation of the Christ child coming into our lives. Join with other church members for dinner (please bring a dish to share with the group) and wreath making – all materials provided as well as an Advent calendar for chil-dren and an Advent devotional for adults. A $15 suggested donation per wreath will be accepted to help offset the cost of supplies. Saturday, December 5, 11:00am – 2:00pm | Women’s Advent Retreat & BrunchThree Steps to the Perfect Christmas! Stressed and anxious about the holidays and all they entail? Come share stories, songs and a healthy and delicious brunch. This is an opportunity to connect with other women, to take some precious time to pause, reflect and reframe our perspective and gather tools as we move toward the holidays. Sunday, December 6, 9:00 & 10:15am worship services | Second Sunday of Advent: PeaceOn this special Sunday, the chancel will be filled with donated poinsettias which will be delivered to church members and shut-ins in the community. The Sanctuary Choir and soloists will present music from Handel’s Messiah, accompanied by string players from the congregation. Rev. Erica Thompson preaching. Children’s Christmas Store, 9:30am – 12:00noon | Twichell Room For over thirty years, AHCC’s Children’s Christmas Store has given the church’s youngest members the opportunity to experience the joys of giving in a non-commercial and God-centered environment. Modestly priced gifts (ranging from $0.50-$5.00) are available in the Twichell Room, where children may shop for their loved ones.

Middle School Christmas Party, 10:45 – 11:30am | Youth Lounge Refreshments welcome!

Monday, December 7, 7:00pm | Service of Remembrance and Healing | ChapelEach Christmas, we have the opportunity to gather for a service that invites us into the healing presence of God. Led by Rev. Donna Manocchio and lay caring ministers, the service includes prayer, song, and a time of sacred remembrance. If you have made an ornament, it can be placed on the Tree of Remembrance at the service, and ornaments will be provided for those who want them but do not have them.

Sunday, December 13 | Third Sunday of Advent: Joy9:00am This traditional Advent worship focuses on the joy within the Christmas message and the prophesies of Isaiah. Rev. Donna Manocchio brings the message of Advent Joy and the Sanctuary Choir and handbells will offer special music of the season.

Advent, Christmas & Epiphany


Sunday, December 13 | Third Sunday of Advent: Joy10:15am | Children’s Christmas Pageant And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:9-11. Join us for the retelling of Jesus’ birth through the eyes and voices of our Spirit Hill children. The Children’s Christmas Pageant and Youth Choir offer all a chance to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and the coming of the Christ child.

11:15am | Service of Remembrance and Recommitment | Chapel Led by Rev. Donna Manocchio and members of SUSO (Step Up Step Out). At this brief service following the Christmas pageant, we honor the lives of those who died in Newtown three years ago as well as those who have lost their lives to gun violence in Hartford and beyond. We will recommit ourselves to ending the culture of violence and working for peace. Please join us in a spirit of prayer and hope. 5:00 – 9:00pm High School Youth Group Angel Tree Shopping. Meet at Chili’s by Westfarms Mall.

Sunday, December 20 | 9:00 & 10:30am (note service time) | Fourth Sunday of Advent: LoveThis Festival Worship Sunday is a homecoming for so many as we enter the week of Christmas. The Sanctuary Choir will be joined by a full orchestra and organ in renditions of familiar Christmas Carols and Anthems. Come ready to join in the song - and bring a friend! Rev. Matt Laney preaching.

7:00 – 8:30pm High School Youth Group Christmas Party & Reunion

Thursday, December 24 | Christmas Eve Candlelight worship service4:30pm Especially for families with children, but all are welcome to this casual, rambunctious, sacred time of scripture, song, candlelight … and a few surprises!8:00 & 11:00pm Rev. Matt Laney brings the message of the birth of the Christ child along with the traditional candlelight services with choir and instrumentalists. The Sanctuary Choir is featured throughout the service in carols and anthems, leading up to our beautiful candlelighting service. Friday, December 25 | Christmas Day worship service | 10:15amA time to pause, come to the manger, and reflect together on the meaning of Christ’s birth in our lives, as the “Word be-comes flesh and dwells among us.” Rev. Donna Manocchio leading worship. Sunday, December 27 | One worship service | 10:15amWe continue to let the power and mystery of Christmas unfold around us as we tell in song, Scripture, and story, the Good News of the child born in Bethlehem. Special music will be offered by soloists and church musicians. Rev. Donna Manoc-chio leading worship. Wednesday, December 31 | Watch Night Worship, 5:00pmThis casual, candlelit service provides us the opportunity to review the year that has passed, and prepare our hearts and spirits for the year ahead. Join us for singing, praying, Scripture and fellowship. We will end the evening outside, gath-ered around a small bonfire, with refreshments and conversation. Rev. Erica Thompson and Donna Manocchio leading worship. Sunday, January 3 | One worship service | 10:15amChildren’s Communion Worship Rev. Erica Thompson will guide children through the sacrament of communion in the chapel. Sanctuary Worship We celebrate the Epiphany or “revelation” of God in Jesus Christ represented by the Magi who traveled from afar bearing gifts for the new born King of the Jews. Rev. Matt Laney is our preacher with the sacrament of communion offered. Our celebration of Epiphany continues the following weekend with ...

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, January 8, 9 & 10Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival. This annual celebration of Epiphany features great music, beautiful costumes, joyous dancers, live animals and a dramatic retelling of the Christmas story. Call the concert line at 860.278.0785 or visit ahcc.org to purchase tickets.

Saturday, January 9, 4:00 - 6:00pm High School Pizza & Chill Out for Boar’s Head participantsSunday, January 10, 3:00 - 5:00pm High School Pizza & Chill Out for Boar’s Head participants


150th Anniversary | 1865 – 2015

A Tramp AbroadAHCC associate member Charlie Kurz had a chance encounter a bit of AHCC history while visiting his daughter in Switzerland in November. Traveling from Lucerne to the top of Mt. Rigi they were surprised to find the sign pictured at left. It reads, in part:

“Mark Twain, well-known American author, sojourned at Weg-gis in 1878 and 1897.He is famous for his description of his ascent of Mt. Rigi in his book, A Tramp Abroad. Traveling to Switzerland without climbing this mountain seemed impossible in those days. Consequently, in August 1878, Mark Twain let himself be guided to the top of Mt. Rigi by a local, accompanied by his friend, Joseph Twichell ...”

A Tramp Abroad, published in 1880, is based on this trip with Twichell. In a letter to his wife Livy in August 1878, Twichell wrote, “People don’t know Mark’s best side. I am more persuaded of it than ever. It isn’t at-all strange, of course, and I wish it was

different. Would that grace might touch him with power and lead him into larger views of things spiritual than he has ever yet seen!!”

Caring Ministry

“Chase the Chill” This fall, AHCC’s Prayer Shawl Ministry is joining Chase the Chill and knitting scarves to be distrib-uted outdoors during First Night in Hartford. Scarves will be draped on trees, bridge walkways, signs, and other public locations. Each one includes an invitation to claim ownership of the scarf.

All knitters and crocheters are encouraged to join the effort by creating one or more 12”x 60” hand-made scarves to be delivered to the AHCC office before Christmas.

This easy project which will warm the hearts (and necks) of Hartford residents. And we supply the yarn! If you have any questions, please call Diane Nattrass (860.231.9794) or Karen Denowitz (413.569.5152).

It’s not Too Late to Sign Up for Poinsettia DeliverySign up to help with our wonderful Christmas tradition of delivering a poinsettia plant to a homebound member. The plants will be available for delivery after the 10:15am service on December 6. We especially encourage families with young children to help out as it brightens the holiday season for our homebound members when a family comes to deliver the poinsettia.

To sign up, contact Joan Hopper at 860.216.9828 or [email protected]. This small task will bring you great joy.

Service of Remembrance and Recommitment

Sun Dec. 13, 11:15am | Chapel

LED BY REV. DONNA MANOCCHIO AND MEMBERS OF SUSO (STEP UP STEP OUT)

At this brief service following the Christmas pageant, we honor the lives of those who died in Newton three years ago as well as those who have lost their lives to gun violence in Hartford and beyond. We will recommit our-selves to ending the culture of violence and working for peace. Please join us in a spirit of prayer and hope.


Outreach & CommunityTwo Trees for Giving and a Gift Angel Under the TreeBeginning the first Sunday of Advent, the Angel Trees will be up and decorated in the narthex and the sanctuary. Select one or more ornaments with information about the recipient and their gift wish. Purchase the appropriate gift(s) and return them to Drew Hall no later than Sunday, Decem-ber 13. Please remember to wrap your gift and safely secure the gift tag to the package, so the gift can be matched to the correct recipient. When you become an angel this season, others will truly find joy, hope, and blessings! The Angel Tree project is a partnership between AH-CC’s Outreach Committee and local community partners. Please contact Rev. Mia Douglas if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. Recipient agencies are: ConnectiKids, Asy-lum Hill Learning Zone/Baby Academy, Asylum Hill Family Center, Hartford Juvenile Deten-tion Center, Youth Challenge of Connecticut, Covenant to Care for Children, and Trinity Academy.

AHCC Honored by Community Partners in Action Resettlement ProgramOn Saturday, October 31, AHCC was recognized for its support of Community Partners in Action Resettlement Program. The pro-gram provides long-term, reentry support for women, and more recently, basic needs support and short-term case management for men, who are returning to the community after of period of incar-ceration.

Started in 1992, it is a voluntary program that builds on people’s strengths and capacities rather than focusing on their deficits, weaknesses or problems. Emphasis is placed on uncovering, reaf-firming, and enhancing the abilities, interests, knowledge, resourc-es, dreams and hopes of each participant.

Resettlement acts as a bridge connecting individuals to collabora-tive partners in the community that are instrumental in securing appropriate housing, treatment, employment, education, food, clothing and other life necessities. The program’s success is due to the commitment and determination of the participants, the positive

bond between participants and staff, access to emergency funds and positive partnerships in the community.

AHCC member Brenda Kelley is the liaison between the Outreach Committee and the agency, which has been one of our grant recipients for over 13 years.

From left: Wanda Williams-McCormack, chair of AHCC’s Outreach Committee, Tiana Hercules, and Rev. Mia Douglas, Director of Discipleship, with

Maureen Price-Boreland, Executive Director of the Resettlement Program.

AHCC to Volunteer at Sunday Community Meal Program

Sun, Feb. 26 & Mar. 13, 2016, 3:00 - 6:00pm | First Church of Christ (Center Church)

Members of AHCC will gather at Center Church Hartford to prepare a meal for community neighbors that will include food preparation, cooking, dining room set up, serving, and clean up. Volunteers are invited to select the dinner menu and donate items for the community meal. Teams of 8 to 10 are needed for each date and may sign up at the Member Engagement table. Please contact Rev. Mia Douglas with questions or for more information.


Table to table Food Collection

IN 2014, 48.1 MILLION AMERICANS LIVED IN FOOD INSECURE HOUSEHOLDS

AND APPROXIMATELY 52,000 OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS LIVE IN HARTFORD, CT.

Unfortunately, the reality of food insecurity continues to plague many residents of the Hartford community. AHCC’s Table to table Collection will focus its collection to one particular non-perishable food item per month. Please put your donations in the labeled bins at the front entrance to the sanctuary or in the hallway leading to Drew Hall on Communion Sunday. Donated items benefi t the patrons of Loaves

and Fishes Ministry who may have food for a midday meal, but often need assistance supplementing their dinner or breakfast. Loaves and Fishes is a tax exempt charitable organization that provides human services to the poor in Hartford, CT. To learn more, visit loavesfi shesministries.org.

December 6 – canned vegetables (green or yellow)

Youth & Teens

Youth Events for December 2015

Sun, Dec. 610:45 - 11:30am Middle School Christmas Party5:30 - 6:45pm Confi rmation Class - The Bible, Part 27:00 - 8:30pm High School Youth Group

Sun, Dec. 1310:15am Advent Youth Choir will open the service; all youth stay in worship for Children’s Pageant. 5:00 - 9:00pm Angel Tree shopping - High School & Alumni

Sun, Dec. 2010:15am All youth stay in Worship for Christmas Carols5:30 - 6:45pm Confi rmation Class - The Liturgical Year and Christmas Party7:00 - 8:30pm High School Christmas Party and Alumni Reunion

Sun, Dec. 27No Middle School Youth Group Meeting7:00 - 8:30pm High School Youth Group

Mark your calendars!Monday, Jan. 19 all youth grades 6-12 to collaborate with Center Church for the National Day of Service. Stay tuned for details.

Middle School Youth prepare sandwiches for Loaves & Fishes Ministries

Anabel Prestley cutting onions for the Center Church Meal Program


Children & FamiliesFamily Movie Night “Wrap Up”Over 50 children and adults enjoyed an evening of food, fellowship, Minions, wrapping, and snacks, when the Chil-dren and Family Ministries Committee (CFMC) hosted Movie Night at AHCC on Friday, November 6. Thank you to the CFMC volunteers and others who helped to make this fall’s movie night such a success. (More photos on back page)

The “Minion” theme was evident is many ways

Jennifer and James admire the Minion cupcakes

Minion PJs were a popular choice that evening

The kids settled in for an evening of movie watching in Reel to Real

Some took advantage of the podium in the Twichell Room for an impromptu performance


Women’s Spirituality & FellowshipTuesday Morning Prayer Group

Tuesdays, 10:00 - 11:30am | AHCC

Our time together is spirited, joy filled, full of laughter and incredibly prayerful. This year the Tuesday morning prayer group will be experimenting with different forms of prayer: the Lord’s Prayer, Lectio Divina, centering prayer, prayer as experienced through art, music, and move-ment, praying the Psalms. Each month we will spend time with a different prayer practice. You don’t need to commit to being present every Tuesday morning - come as you are, when you are able. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email Erica Thompson or call her at 860.216.9823.

Thursday Evening Prayer Group

First Thursday of the month (Nov. 5, and Dec. 3)

7:00 - 8:30pm | Erica Thompson’s home in West HartfordOur time will be centered on the joys and challenges of living as a woman of faith today. We will take time to share with one another, pray with and for one another, and engage in fellowship together. All women are welcome. Please join us on Thursday, October 1 at 136 Whiting Lane in West Hartford. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email Erica Thompson or call her at 860.216.9823.

Women’s Advent Brunch & Retreat

Saturday, December 5, 11:00 am - 2:00pm | AHCC

Three Steps to the Perfect Christmas!Stressed and anxious about the holidays and all they entail? You are invited to the Women’s Advent Retreat to learn Three Steps to the Perfect Christmas!!! We will share stories, songs and a healthy and delicious brunch. This is an opportunity to con-nect with other women, to take some precious time to pause, reflect and reframe our perspective and gather tools as we move toward the holidays. Childcare will be provided (let us know if needed). Sign-up is in Drew Hall during coffee hour through THIS SUNDAY, November 29.

Did You Know?

full size stained glass windows in the sanctuary (including two

“ double windows”)

20 $600 40cost per child per year for

Spirit Hill curriculum/supplies

new members joined AHCC in 2015. Welcome!


Highlights: Family Movie Night & Wrapping Party

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