Boar’s Head News and Ticket Sales · 2017. 10. 25. · You won’t want to miss the 2018 Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival. The Lord Mayor’s pre-show returns, with a magi-cian,

VOLUME 72 | ISSUE 10NOVEMBER 2017

IN THIS ISSUE

IN GENERAL 2

STEWARDSHIP 3

MUSIC & ARTS 4

MEMBER ENGAGEMENT 6

ADULT EDUCATION 7

CARING MINISTRIES 8

WOMEN’S SPIRITUALITY 9

YOUTH & TEENS 10

CHILDREN & FAMILIES 11

HIGHLIGHTS 12

Hill Church News THE NEWSLETTER OF ASYLUM HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

Helping people grow in faith and love as disciples of Jesus

Call toCongregational

Meeting

Sunday, November 12following 10:15am worship

The purpose of the meeting is update the congregation on the transition process, to discuss budget and finances and the vitality of the church including worship attendance and membership.

Childcare available for infants to 3rd grade

Boar’s Head News and Ticket Sales

You won’t want to miss the 2018 Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival. The Lord Mayor’s pre-show returns, with a magi-cian, a stilt-walker and more. There’s an exciting new opening scene, featuring a young student who enters on horseback (yes, horseback) to brilliant new fanfare music, is “knighted” by the king and is the guest of honor at the royal banquet. There is a more spiritual telling of the King Wenceslas’ tale, as the king shows mercy to a “peasant seeking winter fuel.”

Tickets ($25, $22 and $18) go on sale Sunday, November 5, 9:00am for AHCC members; Monday, November 6 to the general public. Tickets will also be on sale on Sunday, November 12 in the church office beginning at 10:00am.

NEW! Patron tickets are available to Boar’s Head donors – no need to stand in line! Some of the best seats in the house are being held, and will continue to be available even after the initial ticket sales rush. Donation forms are available at the Member Engagement table and at ahcc.org.

Café Conversations

Sun, Nov. 5, 10:15 an&d 11:45amSun, Nov. 19, 11:45am (only 10:15am service)

AHCC is “Stepping into the Future” as we journey through this time of transi-tion toward calling a settled senior minister. Café Conversations will be conver-sations about “things that matter.” Examples include: the creation of a culture of respect and gratitude for all of God’s people, church governance, our church’s relationship with our denomination, the United Church of Christ, growing the church, racism and its effects, the mandate to “do justice” and what that looks like for us. Please sign up at the Member Engagement table. The most up-to-date information on the transition process and progress can be found on our website at ahcc.org/about-ahcc/transition-news.

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

9:00 & 10:15amSunday morning services are recorded. Sermons are posted on our website, ahcc.org Church Leadership Rev. Erica A. Thompson, Acting Senior Minister Rev. John W. Collins, Interim Assoc. Minister Tobey Aubert, Youth Director Susan Carroll, Organist Helena Carvalho, Director of Operations Rev. Mia Douglas, Director of Discipleship Marcie Jackson, Dir. of Children & Family Min. Rhonda Mitchell, Communications Manager Jack A. Pott, Director of Music & Arts Holly DeYoung, Moderator Bart Halloran, Vice Moderator

The Children & Family Ministries Committee hosted a potluck & pumpkin decorating event

More photos on back page.

In General

Personnel Update

We have made some organizational adjustments to our support staff. With the departure of our part-time bookkeeper in July, we saw an opportunity to better align our organizational needs with current staff’s skills.

Our accounting firm, Premier Accounting, has also taken on more accounting duties that were previ-ously handled by the bookkeeper. Shifts to Mary Way and Deb Hold-en’s responsibilities were made to assume the other duties traditional-ly held by that position.

Going forward, please note that pledge and giving related inquiries should be directed to Deb Holden ([email protected] or 860.216.9833) and room scheduling requests should be directed to Mary Way ([email protected] or 860.216.9819).

Unclaimed Treasures

The AHCC Thrift Shop, Unclaimed Treasures, is back in full swing for the fall and full of wonderful items! Volunteers have been hard at work pricing, sorting, and putting out merchandise.

The Thrift Shop is staffed by a team of volunteers, and profits are used to support the church’s Outreach programs. An active and vital min-istry, AHCC’s thrift shop supports our neighbors by providing gently used clothing and household items at reduced prices. The proceeds from the sale of these items are used to further support outreach initiatives, focusing on agencies that support women and children.

The Thrift Shop is always in need of large shopping bags with han-dles. If you are donating clothing or linens, please make sure they are clean, and free of stains or tears.

We take pride in our store. Please come down & visit us, especially if you’ve never been. You’re in for a surprise!

Hours of Operation:Fridays: 9:30am - 2:30pmFirst and third Sundays (after church) 11:15am - 12:30pm

Contact: Peggy Winters, Thrift Shop Chair860.525.5696

Table to table Collection

Thank you for your continued support of AHCC’s Table to table collection. Please place your do-nations in the labeled bins at the front entrance to the sanctuary or in the hallway leading to Drew Hall on Communion Sunday. Donated items benefit the patrons of Loaves and Fishes Ministry

November – nutritious cerealDecember – canned vegetables

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

Stewardship

2018 Budget Summary

The Diaconate approved the Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) budget on Thursday, October 12, 2017, which covers the period between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018. This budget is based off the reduced budget from Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17, ending June 30, 2017), where there were across-the-board cuts of at least 7% to accommodate a reduction in pledges.

The Administration and Finance Committee (AFC) and Diaconate were fur-ther challenged this year to balance a budget that reflected a 12% decrease in pledges from pledges received in FY17 and an 8% increase in expenses. To address this potential deficit, the AFC and Deacons approved to main-tain a 5% endowment draw and identified the use of several off-budget accounts to assume certain costs included in the operations budget.

For more information, please access the budget on the Member Portal of the website, ahcc.org. In addition, there will be a Congregational Meeting on November 12, 2017 following the 10:15am Sunday service to discuss our church finances and funding expectations.

Dine Around

Tues, Nov. 28, 5:30pmShish Kebab House

of Afghanistan36 LaSalle Rd., West Hartford

Come enjoy an ethnic dinner, help support the owners of the restau-rant, and get to know a few more church members on a deeper level. The group always offers good con-versation and fellowship.

Here’s how it works: meet at the restaurant at 5:30 for conversation; for dinner, each party orders off the menu and gets separate checks.

AHCC has been supporting this restaurant every year since 2001 when it was in Hartford’s south end was being boycotted following the events of 9/11.

All members and friends are welcome! Sign up at the Member Engagement table.

The South Marshall Street Interfaith Coalition hosted a pop up event on South Marshall Street on October 21. Dean Amadon and Rev. Mia

Douglas represented AHCC. Above is AHCC’s table with coloring and children’s craft activities.

Autumn

The fall is a time of peace for me when “less” (daylight) becomes “more” (time). Boards, committees and book groups meet again. Many organizations start preparing for their “big fall event.” Life has boundar-ies and structure. The outdoors and summer chores are packed away. No more hummingbird nectar to prepare. I am ensconced in comfortableness with the freedom to read, watch the fire and visit with friends. It is time for furry slippers and a warm robe. And there is robust new life at AHCC once again.

- Sandy Lee


A Connecticut Christmas Book Signing

Sun, Nov. 5, 10:00am

Caryn B. Davis, well-known Con-necticut photographer, will be at AHCC to sign her new Christmas coffee table book. The book features Christmas scenes throughout the state, and includes a magnificent 6-page spread showing AHCC’s Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival in its glory. Books will be on sale to AHCC members at a discounted price of $20. A copy of the book is at the Member Engagement table if you want to take an advance look.

Volunteer Resource Center Celebrates First Year at West Middle Community School

In 2015, 270 members generously contributed more than $150,000 as a 150th Anniversary Gift to-ward the creation of a Volunteer Resource Center at the new West Middle Community School. Nicole Rodriguez, Director of Volunteer Resources at West Middle School, recently shared some of the Cen-ter’s first-year outcomes.

“The Volunteer Resource Center has engaged volunteers from a number of sources, including school parents and families, area companies such as The Hartford, local high schools, and Asylum Hill Congregational Church,” Nicole reports. The Volunteer Re-source Center has engaged volunteers to support a variety of special events at the school, including the Dr. Seuss Reading Celebration with grades K-2, Multicultural Diversity Celebration for grades 5-8, and Junior Achievement Day. School-wide events typically involve all 475 students.

Over 100 volunteers are serving as Math and Reading Buddies. Volunteer Buddies visit West Middle School on the first and third Tuesday and Thurs-day of each month to help 3rd and 4th grade students become more profi-cient in math and literacy.

Along with helping in the classroom during the school day, members of AHCC have also led enrichment activities after school, including knitting, and piano lessons. One teacher commented, “The students who participated in crochet thoroughly enjoyed learning something new! One student took home the yarn given to her and came back with a completed purse she worked on with her mother.”

The Volunteer Resource Center has provided a more enriching learning experience not only for the students, but also for the volunteers. Volunteers have commented, “I got more than I gave,” and “I enjoyed every minute and was grateful that the teacher I worked with allowed me to have so much time with all of her students. I learned so much from them.”

Plans are underway to enlist more volunteers, especially to assist students in the higher grades. Volunteer Orientations take place on Monday, Wednes-day, and Friday at 9am, 11am and 1pm as well as by appointment.

For more information on volunteer opportunities at WMCS please contact Nicole Rodriguez, Director of Volunteer Resources via email at [email protected] or phone at 860.695.5562.

Music & Arts

All Church Choir and Orchestra

Sun, Nov. 19, 10:15am Calling all voices and instruments! On Thanksgiving Sunday, we will continue the tradition of bringing together the beautiful cornucopia of musical blessings AHCC has to offer. This year’s arrangement features two of our most beloved hymns: “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” and “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty!” There is a part for every instrument, age and experience level! Sign up at the Member Engagement table or by emailing [email protected]. Instru-mental parts will be distributed via email. Rehearsal Schedule:Orchestra: Sun, Nov. 5, 11:30am - 12:30pm in the sanctuaryChoir: Tues, Nov. 14, 7:00 - 8:00pm in McKeith


Music Notes

For over half a century, our church has been blessed with the presence of vocal section leaders. These professional singers have allowed our music program to maintain an enviable level of performance excellence in the region. They also provide essential vocal leadership and support for our amazing choir, and throughout the year you get to hear them sing as solo-ists in worship as well as in concerts. Over the next four months, we will be highlighting the section leaders of each of the four voice parts (soprano, alto, tenor, bass), so that you can get to know them better.

Meet your Sanctuary Choir Bass Section Leaders

Brian Jones is in his second stint as bass section leader for AHCC. He first sang with the choir from 2008-2011, then re-joined in the fall of 2015. You may recog-nize him as the “Gold King” in the Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival, a role which he has played for two years. Currently, he is the director of choirs at Canton Middle School and High School, where he teach-es four choirs, two chamber ensembles, and AP Music Theory. Before that, he taught for four years at King Philip Middle School in West Hartford, where he di-rected choirs including the select ensembles “KP Singers” and “Voce di Coeli,” an auditioned women’s choir at Hall High School. Brian sings in the Hartford-based professional ensemble, Voce, which just released their latest album, “Music of the Spheres.” He has served as music director for North Haven Congregational

Church, assistant conductor of the New London Symphony Chorus, and vocal coach for choirs, a cappella groups, and private voice students around CT. Brian received his BA in Vocal Performance and CT Teaching Certificate from Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Music Education from the Universi-ty of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music. He has studied voice with Maxim Ivanov, Craig Hart, Joanne Scattergood, and Jack Pott, and studied conducting with Dr. Pam Perry, Dr. Peter Bagley, and Dr. Edward Bolkovac.

Jermaine Woodard, Jr., baritone, is in his first year as a section leader at AHCC, and enjoys a diversified singing career in opera, musical theatre, Jazz, R&B, Gospel, sacred, and inspirational classical/con-temporary music. His choral affiliations include the artistically-acclaimed CON-CORA, Novi Cantori, Wallingford Cho-rale, New Haven Chorale, and formerly the Cathedral of Saint Joseph’s Schola Cantorum. In addition to AHCC, he will be featured as baritone section-leader with Hartford Chorale in an electrifying new season of music. Extracurriculars include solo endeavors across the New England and tri-state area, music directing University of Saint Joseph’s BlueJay’s In Spirit (Voices of Praise) ensemble and cantoring at Church of the Holy Spirit (Newington), Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center (West Hartford/Farmington) and Sacred Heart Church (Bloomfield).

Favorite time of year? Fall

Favorite composer? Beethoven

Favorite author? Maya Angelou

Favorite dessert? Ice Cream

Desert Island CD? Beethoven; the complete symphony collection, London Symphony Orchestra

Favorite time of year? Autumn

Favorite composer? Korngold & Rutter

Favorite artist? Beyoncé & Renée Fleming

Favorite dessert? Apple Crisp w/ Vanilla Ice Cream & Peanut Butter Cookies

Desert Island CD? Anything Anúna & “Chloe x Halle.”


Member Engagement

Be An Angel This Christmas Season!

For many years, members and friends of AHCC become angels during the holiday season by purchasing a gift for children and youth in the community and in the city of Hartford, and you are invited to do so again this year! Begin-ning Sunday, December 3, the first Sunday of Advent, the Angel Tree will be up and decorated in Drew Hall. Select one or more ornaments with information about the recipient and their gift wish. Purchase the appropriate gift(s), wrap and place them back under the tree no later than Sunday, December 17. Please note that this year’s drop off period is shorter and includes weekday drop off. When dropping off your gifts, please remember to wrap and securely attach the ornament tag onto the package, so the gift can be matched to the correct recipi-ent. When you become an angel this season, others will truly find joy, hope, and blessings! The Angel Tree project is a partnership between the AHCC Outreach Committee and the following organizations. Please contact Rev. Mia Douglas if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.

ConnectiKids, Inc. is an independent, non-profit youth development agency that began in 1978, when volunteers from AHCC and neighborhood corpora-tions came together to provide after-school tutoring for students at West Middle School. The mission of ConnectiKids is to connect Hartford children and youth to their potential by building relationships and providing educational opportu-nities.

Asylum Hill Family Center (AHFC) strives to improve the school readiness and success of Asylum Hill’s young children from birth to eight years old. AHFC believes that 1) parents are a child’s first and most influential nurturer, teacher, and advocate; 2) strong supportive families are the key to healthy and successful young children; and 3) families need access to information and supportive services.

Hartford Juvenile Detention Center provides a continuum of services for children and youth pending court hearings, judicial dispositions of cases, hospitalization, or while awaiting placement with a new family. These children are unable to be home for the holidays. The goal of this program is to make the best of an unfortunate situation by showing love, care, and providing gifts so the kids can enjoy the holidays.

Youth Challenge of Connecticut has been operating as a residential outreach center since 1970, for women and men recovering from drug addiction. The program emphasizes personal and social development in a sharing and caring envi-ronment. The healing process begins with a unique combination of acceptance, discipline, and structure. Youth Challenge offers an atmosphere of growth through biblical counseling and work-study.

Covenant to Care for Children is a nonprofit agency with a 25 year history of working with AHCC and other faith communities to meet the needs of abused, neglected and impoverished children and teens in Hartford and surrounding communities. A statewide network of volunteers, donors, and businesses assist to foster nurturing, caring environments, and relationships for children and youth, by providing them with basic material needs and mentoring relationships.

Trinity Academy is an independent elementary school serving Hartford area children and their families in the Asylum Hill neighborhood. They are a safe and nurturing community where students develop literacy and critical thinking skills that build the foundation for future academic success. Students experience joy as they begin to discover who they are, how they learn and the opportunities that await them.


Adult Education

SUSO News

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and do good works. – Hebrews 10:24

All-Church Supper and Book DiscussionWednesday, November 29, 6:00pm | TwichellAll are welcome as SUSO sponsors an all-church supper and book discussion on Michael Eric Dyson’s book, Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America.

After supper, West Hartford attorney, AHCC member, and long-time social justice activist, Courtney Bourns will facilitate the discussion on this timely and important book.

As the country grapples with a racial divide not seen since the 1960s, Dys-on, who is a New York Times best-selling author, a professor of sociology at Georgetown University, a political and social commentator, and an ordained Baptist minister, has written a provocative and deeply personal call for change concerning race in America. This is a book about which author Stephen King said, “It shook me up, but in a good way.”

Please register for this event by signing up at the Member Engagement table or by contacting Nancy Kasper at 860.967.8725 or [email protected]. Please sign up by November 12, so we will know how much food to prepare.

Forum on Community Re-entry by the Formerly IncarceratedSunday, November 19, 11:30amDeborah Rogala, Program Operations Director for Community Partners in Action, one of AHCC’s grant recipients, will speak about the work of her orga-nization with particular emphasis on the re-entry of former prisoners into the community.

Deborah will be accompanied by two formerly incarcerated individuals who will share their stories, giving us a first-hand personalized account of what issues are faced by former prisoners on their return to the community.

Community Partners in Action focuses on behavioral change for its clients as well as advocating for criminal justice reform. Founded in 1875, it is the old-est continuously operating agency focused on criminal justice in Connecticut. Their programs, which include employment counseling, the meeting of basic needs such as food and housing, community re-entry counseling, and addiction recovery services not only have a positive impact on individual lives, but serve to reduce recidivism and enhance public safety.

Teaching About Lovelinessby Gary DeLong, Outreach Comm.

Lay leaders and members of AHCC attended an evening with Fr. Greg Boyle, a Jesuit priest, at Hartford’s Franciscan Center.

Fr Boyle’s warmth, humor and hu-mility came through from the very beginning of the presentation when he told the story of how one former gang member aided by his agency was leading a tour of their home offices. Greg was in a meeting, but could see and hear the young man telling the group that they were at the office of the agency’s founder, a Jujitsu priest.

Fr Boyle’s homeboys, as he calls them, are part of what refers to as “the easily despised.” He went on to remind us that sometimes it is necessary to reteach someone about their loveliness, and that’s what we are called to do. Boyle illustrates that when he speaks of Eric, a homeboy who was always complaining about everyone, always looking for some money, always being a “pain in the butt.” But Eric was an orphan, and Fr Boyle knew that Eric had to raise himself. The day Eric asked to be blessed, Boyle remembered that the day before was Eric’s birthday, so he put his arms around him and said, “Eric I’m so glad you were born, so glad you changed my life.” Then he paused and added, “Even though, Eric, you can be a pain in the butt,” Eric responded, “Yes Father G, and you can be a pain in mine.”

Greg spoke of “exquisite mutual-ity” and how its about creating a

See “Loveliness,” pg. 9


Poinsettia Orders for AdventThe season of Advent is fast approaching and it’s time to think about the festive poinsettias that will grace our sanctuary on December 3, the second Sunday of Advent.

Order your poinsettia online here

Three ways to order a poinsettia: order online, fill out the information below and send it to the church with a check made out to “AHCC – Poinsettias” for $13.00 per poinsettia, or use the box on the Member Engagement table where you can deposit your information and check. The deadline for orders is Sunday, November 26.

Donated by: _____________________________________________________

In honor of: ____________________________________________________

or

In memory of: ___________________________________________________

Please mail completed form and check(s) to AHCC, 814 Asylum Ave., Hartford CT 06105 by November 26.

Service of Remembrance and Healing

Come unto me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest. - Matthew 11:28

Mon, Dec. 4, 7:00pm | Chapel

All types of losses bring sadness, be it a loss due to death of a per-son or pet close to your heart, loss due to divorce, or even a loss of a belonging. And while the holiday season abounds with happiness and good cheer, it can cause those dealing with heartbreaking circum-stances to feel discouraged and sad.

If you have experienced a loss, recent or long ago, this healing ser-vice may provide a sense of peace and comfort.

Caring Ministries

Cornerstone Sunday

Nov. 5, 10:15am worship

If you have been a member of AHCC since 1977 or earlier, we invite you to attend the Cornerstone Sunday service and stay for a special reception in Drew Hall. It’s a time for re-connecting with friends old and new.

If you need transportation to the service, please contact June Day at 860.216.9827.

Memorial Ornament Making

Sun, Nov. 19, 11:30am | Chapel

In preparation for the Service of Remembrance and Healing, you have the opportunity to make a memorial ornament to commemo-rate a loss, if you find that a healing practice. The ornament can be placed on the Tree of Remem-brance in the chapel during the Service on December 4.

Poinsettia Delivery

Would you like to brighten Christmas for a church member? You have the opportunity 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 3. We especially encourage families with young children to help as it brightens the holiday season for our homebound members when a family delivers a poinsettia.

To sign up, write “deliver” and the number of plants you are willing to deliv-er on the back of your Connection Card and place in the offering plate; you may also sign up at the Member Engagement table in Drew Hall or contact Mary Way (860.525.5696 or [email protected]) with your willingness to help. This small task will bring you great joy. Please indicate if you have a GPS.

https://www.ahcc.org/poinsettias


kinship community which honors and promotes a culture of reteaching each other about our loveliness. He believes that with no kinship there is no peace, no justice, no equality, and sometimes people forget that we belong to one another. He reminded us that when we think it’s all about serving the marginalized, only to meet their needs, we miss the point. It’s about going to the margins so that we can be rescued from all that keeps us from being our true selves. We go to be rescued, transformed, changed ourselves. To be taught and reintro-duced to our mutual kinship. Once that touches us, then and only then, might we be able to meet some real needs.

It is our calling to create a community of tenderness, not so that we can de-liver services to those in need, but to provide people with what they need to create a sanctuary, an attitude, a climate and culture, where everyone is retaught about their intrinsic love-liness. Community is the context – it becomes a place where tenderness is recognized as the highest form of spirituality. What he tries to do, says Fr Boyle, is create an irresistible cul-ture of tenderness.

It is my hope that all of us at AHCC, and especially those of us on the Out-reach Committee in partnership with the AHCC community and area agen-cies are working toward creating an irresistible culture of tenderness, with each other and with the marginalized of Hartford, especially Asylum Hill, knowing as we have learned from Greg Boyle, that those in the margins are those who might reach us and teach us what we need to know about our own, as well as their loveliness.

Prayer Groups

Tuesday morning groupNov. 7 & 21; Dec. 5 & 19

10:00am at AHCC

Our time together is spirited, joy filled, full of laughter and incredi-bly prayerful. No need to commit to being present every Tuesday morning - come as you are, when you are able.

Women’s Spirituality & Fellowship

Women’s Advent Retreat: Walking the Way of Hope

Sat, Dec. 2, 11:00am - 2:00pm | AHCC

How might it be to open your heart to the God who sees you whole? What would this look like for you?

You are invited to the Women’s Advent retreat to explore Walk-ing the Way of Hope. This is an opportunity to connect with other women, time to reflect in words, images, song, prayer and stillness. We will be exploring the question of wholeness using Jan Richardson’s book, Walking the Way of Hope.

Sign up in Drew Hall through November 26. Childcare provided (please indicate on sign-up form if needed).

Thursday evening group7:00pm | 136 Whiting Lane,

West Hartford

If you have obligations during the day, then this evening Prayer Group is for you! Our time is cen-tered on the joys and challenges of living as a woman of faith in today’s world We share with one another, pray with and for one another, and engage in fellowship.

If you have any questions or would like more information about ei-ther group, please contact Erica Thompson at [email protected] or 860.216.9823

“Loveliness,” cont. from pg. 7


Youth & Teens

Official Youth Group “Restart”

The weeks leading up to the holiday season are an excellent time to begin again and work together to create a group with purpose and passion.

For High School:We are going to do a four week series discussing things we can use to help us get through everyday life. Each week begins on the theme “If God is everywhere ...”Sundays, 7:00pm in the Youth Lounge (unless otherwise noted)November 5: “The Box?”November 12: “The Bench?”November 19: “The Bowl?”November 26: “The Bell?”

On the 19th we will have an earlier night to include going a couple of strings of bowling.On the 26th we will be making Advent Wreaths with a special purpose.

For Middle School:The four weeks of November are going to be a fun time of getting to know each other, playing some silly games, and going over the basics of God’s love from materi-als that connect with the Confirmation class. Sundays, 10:15am in the Youth Lounge (unless otherwise noted)

NEW! AHCC’s annual Foodshare Truck Thanksgiving Drive is a special service project just for Middle School Youth Group.

November 5 & 12: Middle school volunteers will be available in Drew Hall following worship to hand out “Giving Bags” containing a list of needed items.November 19: Middle school will help collect the bags and bring them to the Foodshare truck. After collecting the bags, a Foodshare representative will be in the Youth Lounge to talk about why we do this collection and who benefits.November 26: Thanksgiving after party and gratitude game


Children & Families

Children and Family Ministry Committee

Fall Classic Christmas Movie Night

Fri, Nov. 3, 5:30pm | Twichell

Christmas comes early to AHCC as families come together to enjoy food, fellowship and a trio of children’s Christmas movies. Start with a potluck dinner and a dessert buffet followed by a showing of Christmas movies in-cluding The Little Drummer Boy (1968), Frosty’s Winter Wonderland (1976) and a third surprise movie. Potluck dinner and fellowship will start at 5:30pm with the movie starting by 6:30pm. Grown-ups can help CFMC members wrap the multitudes of presents for our Christmas Store, while the children enjoy the movie. There is no fee to attend, but please bring a potluck dinner item (main meal or side dish) to share with those in attendance. All are wel-come and sign up for the event at the Member Engagement table in Drew Hall or online at www.ahcc.org.

Inter-generational Advent Wreath-making & Potluck

Sun, Nov. 26, 5:00pm | Drew Hall

The time leading to Christmas can often be filled with stress and anxiety – decorations don’t go up smoothly, patience wanes, tempers flare and busyness rules. The Advent wreath, strategically placed in the center of one’s table, can be a wonderful tool to help keep us centered on the anticipation of the Christ child coming into our lives, rather than on the other superfluous “stuff” of the season. Please join us at this annual AHCC Advent event. It is an opportunity to come together as a

collection of families, couples and singles, when being together as a “church family” makes the season one of joy and sharing. There will be Advent de-votional booklets for you to take home, and Advent calendars for the young children to enjoy. Please sign up at the Member Engagement table or online at www.ahcc.org. Suggested $20/wreath donation to cover costs appreciat-ed.

Provided materials: wreaths, candleholders, candles, Advent devotionals and Advent calendars.Please bring: items to personalize your wreath (pinecones, berries, holly, rib-bon, etc.) and a potluck dinner item to share.

Spirit Hill Lessons

Children in grades K-5 will continue with lessons from the Spark Rotation curriculum.

Nov. 5 – Baby MosesNov. 12 & 19 – Queen EsterNov. 26, Dec. 3 & Dec. 17 – Jesus Is Born

Preschoolers will learn from the new curriculum called Frolic.

Nov. 5 – God Finds UsNov. 12 – Hannah & SamuelNov. 19 – I Can HelpNov. 26 - DanielDec. 3 – Pray to GodDec. 10 & 17 – The Christmas Story

On Sunday, October 15, the CFMC hosted a Family Potluck & Pumpkin Decorating event, at the home of Erica & Brian

Thompson.

(more pics on back page)


Highlights: Family Potluck Dinner & Pumpkin Carving

Documents

Boar’s Head News and Ticket Sales · 2017. 10. 25. · You won’t want to miss the 2018 Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival. The Lord Mayor’s pre-show returns, with a magi-cian,