September - Congregational Church of Salisbury

Services: Sundays at 10:00 a.m.Worship & Communion, 1st Sunday of the month at 10:00 a.m

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!

The Meeting House TimesThe Congregational Church of Salisbury, United Church of Christ

September 2013

Pamela Wyeth, Editor

Pastor’s Letter 2

What Do We Do Now? 2

Silver Lake Worship x 2 2

Spirit Corner 3

Summer Reading 3

Church Picnic 3

Holly Tierney 3

Organ Refurbishment 3

Summer Birthdays 4

From the Deacons 4

Officers & Committees 5

Calendar 6

Calling All Knitters 6

Kids Korner 7

30 Main Street, P.O. Box 392, Salisbury, Connecticut 06068 ~ 860.435.2442 ~ www.salisburycongregational.org

WHAT’S INSIDE

And the kitchen just keeps getting better and better.

THE ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC - AUGUST 18TH

For links to more photos of the

renovation and the church picnic

visit the home page of the church

website

Pastor’s Message 2Book Discussion 2Youth Discussion Group 2Technology 2Spirit Corner 3Calling all Quilts 3Women’s Bible Study 3Men’s Bible Study 3Transitions 3Dick Taber at TLC 3Heart in the Treasury? 4From the Deacons 4Dining for Women 5Fall Festival 2013 5Calendar & Birthdays 6CROP Walk 6Sunday School 7Capital Campaign Update 7Pot Luck 7Services Online 7Silver Lake Reviews 7

On Sundays, November 4th and November 11th Pastor Diane will host a time of conversation after worship (11:30) for people who are interested in becoming members of the church. “Membership” is the term used to signify that a person has entered into covenant with the faith community.

Our covenant says:

We covenant with God and with one another to walk in God's holy ways. We unite for the worship of God and for continued striving to know and to do God's will and for the service of God and humanity. We acknowledge this Church to be part of all those in every age and nation who are united by the Holy Spirit of God in Christ, and we dedicate ourselves to serve this fellowship accord-ing to our strength, ability and opportunity.

New members will be received on the first Sunday of Advent, December 2nd. Please contact Pastor Diane if you would like to join the church.

The Opportunity Table

Grow in Faith, Build Community, Spread God’s Love

You are invited to visit our Opportunity Table, located in the Parish Hall corridor. You will find information on the many opportunities and activities taking place in our church. The Opportunity Table takes the place of lengthy announcements in worship. Opportunities, activities and events will be listed in the weekly bulletin and the monthly Meeting House Times. To add an event to the table, contact Pastor Diane.

Welcoming New Members

Growing in Faith Together

Email: [email protected]

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o m e , n o t we are a covenantal church, not a being offered in our beautifully reno-Cbecause you doctrinal church. What that means is vated church. If there is a particular must, but because that we are in covenant with one ministry that you feel called to or a you may. another to walk together on our journey project that you would like to take on,

of faith – we do not have tests of faith please talk to me about that.These are the and we do not require everyone to words of invi- Our faith journeys are life-long. We believe the same thing or to practice tat ion to our never finish – our quest for knowledge their faith in a uniform way. This polity c o m m u n i o n of God stays with us through eternity. allows us to learn from one another and table and I want We are born longing to be closer to God to explore different approaches to to extend them to you as we start our and we pursue that goal all of our days. worship and lifestyle. new church year. One of the things that I We are blessed with a wonderful church

love most about the United Church of Please take some time this month to – beautiful in appearance, rich in Christ is that we are committed to introduce yourself to someone in the resources, infused with the Holy Spirit, providing an extravagant welcome to all church who you might not know. committed to spreading the good news who are seeking the peace that comes Expand your circle of friends at Fellow- of Jesus Christ. from belonging to a community of faith. ship Hour to include people you know

Let us come this September to worship We endeavor to spread the good news of little about. Follow up with old friends and sing praise to God! Jesus Christ by opening our hearts, and and see how they might be faring.

our doors, to seekers of all backgrounds This fall, I hope that you will re-energize and traditions. I recently explained to your own spiritual journey by taking one of our potential confirmands that advantage of many of the activities

Invitation

Blessings,

BOOK DISCUSSION – THE UNDERGROUND CHURCH

The Underground Church: Reclaiming the Subversive Way of Jesus by Robin R. Meyers describes a new way to follow Jesus that draws on old ways of following Him. The Underground Church proposes that the faithful recapture the spirit of the early church with its emphasis on what Christians do rather than what they believe.

Prominent writer, speaker, and minister Robin Meyers proposes that the best way to recapture the spirit of the early Christian church is to recognize that Jesus-following was and must be again subversive in the best sense of the word because the gospel taken seriously turns the world upside down.

We will gather to discuss this book on Wednesday, Septem-ber 25th at 10:00 am in the Parish Hall Library.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

This summer Barbara Collins and Pastor Diane attended a 3-day work-shop in Syracuse, New York, on Faith Formation.

The focus of the session was on harnessing the power of technology for the benefit of the congregation.

We will be looking at ways to update and upgrade our website, our Facebook page and our email correspondence. If you have any ideas of how we might utilize technology to reach out to the congregation and the community, please talk with Barbara or Pastor Diane.

A huge thanks to the members of the Building Committee,

Kitchen Committee, and Decorating Committee

for their hours of work in getting the renovation project finished!

Thank you!

Thank you !

Th

an

k y

ou

!Tha

nk y

ou!T

hank

you!

Thank you!Thank you!Thank you! Thank you!

Th

an

k y

ou

!Thank y

ou! Thank you!

Thank you!Thank you!Thank you! Thank you!

~ From current church members & friendsand generations to come

CALLING ALL YOUTH – GRADES 7-12

Starting on Sunday, September 8th, the Youth Discussion group (that we piloted last year) will begin. Students will leave worship after the Children's Message and will gather in the new library to discuss their faith and the role it plays in their lives. Rev. Duane Estes will lead the group and everyone is welcome. Join together to design the program and set goals for the year. For more information, contact Duane or speak with Pastor Diane.

Youth Discussion Group

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This is the second in a series of articles written by Deacons of the church

Please remember those in our communi-ties in need of the basics. Non perishable food is always welcome, and

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can be left in the baskets in the narthex.

Remember OWL’s Kitchen

The UCC of Bridgeport continues to wel-come winter clothes for people who live in the area and who participate in the out-reach programs at UCC Bridgeport. Clothes can be left in the boxes in the narthex.

By Rev. Dr. Michael Ciba

t is fairly predictable that, following any natural or Ihuman caused disaster, someone, often identified by the media as a "religious leader," will pronounce that the catastrophe was, in some way, evidence of God's judgment against some person, some entity, or some activity. These statements blaspheme God and dishonor the victims and survivors of tragedy.

Bad things happened in Jesus' time the same way they do in every time and people wanted to know why. Roman soldiers attacked some worshipers while they were offering sacrifice. A tower collapsed and killed eighteen people. Did these people do something to deserve this? I sure hope so, because, if that's how the world works, all I have to do is not do what they did and bad things won't happen to me.

"You're thinking about this all wrong," says Jesus. Bad things and good things happen to all of us. Jesus advises all of us, "Unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did." The word "repent" translates a form of the Greek word metanoia. It means "to change one's mind," but not the way we might change our mind about whether to have coffee or tea. Rather, it means to completely change the way we look at things, to turn our lives around, to com-pletely change how we act and how we behave because we see life from a new perspective.

With these words, Jesus calls us to look at the whole question of evil in a new and radically simple way. We need to stop fretting about the good and bad things that happen to us and to others. We need to live as God wants us to live: knowing that loving God and loving our neighbor are the most important things God calls us to do.

The Rev. Dr. Michael Ciba is Southwest Regional Minister for the Connecticut Conference UCC., and was our Regional Minister for many years.

Spirit Corner - One Thing

Our church plays an important role in the success of OWL’s Kitchen, our local food pantry. Through our donations of food and money, as well as some key volunteers, this community resource is able to provide food to dozens of families each month. Please remember to bring your non-perishable food dona-tions to church on the first Sunday of each month. During the church school year, children collect the food and bless it, learning an important lesson about Christian mission in the world.

REMEMBER

Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language. ~Henry James

Fatherhood: Jimmy Piersal on how to diaper a baby, 1968

Spread the diaper in the position of the diamond with you at bat. Then fold second base down to home and set the baby on the pitcher's mound. Put first base and third together, bring up home plate and pin the three together. Of course, in case of rain, you gotta call the game and start all over again.


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WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY

The Deacons are very interested in starting a women's bible study and would like to know if anyone is interested. One thought is to begin the group in October, with a six-week session that ends by Thanksgiving.

But first, we'd like to have a start-up meeting at the end of September to discuss what people would like for this group, for example, the type of study, materials used, and whether homework is “assigned.” The details of the preferred day and time would be decided at the September meeting.

If you're interested, please contact Pastor Diane or Sarah Zarbock ([email protected] or 860-435-8139).

CALLING ALL QUILT OWNERS

We will host our second annual quilt exhibit during this year's Fall Festival. Last year's exhibit was a huge success and wonder-ful to behold, with quilts of all sizes and designs, draped over the pews throughout the church. All quilts are welcome – whether made by you, given to you by Aunt Sadie, or purchased as an anniversary or wedding gift.

Please bring your quilt(s) to the church and drape them over a pew any time during the week of October 7th. Also, please provide your name and contact information as well as anything that you know about your quilt's “story” – for example, its design, its quilter, and how it was acquired.

by The Rev. Kent J. Siladi

Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her." - Luke 10:38-42

This summer the Rev. Dr. Joseph Clemmons addressed three young men who were part of the Job Training Program named in his honor. He asked them a very pointed question: "If tomorrow were your last day, what would you do?"

Their answers were different but really honed into what they valued. Dr. Clemmons then encouraged and admon-ished them to live each day with a focus and a purpose that was single minded. With all the claims on our time and energy we can become so distracted that we lose focus. When Jesus said to Martha, "there is only one thing," I think he was trying to get her attention and her focus.

Each of us makes a daily choice about what ultimately is important for us to pay attention to in the course of our day. I am in the midst of discernment around the "one thing" in my ministry with you. What is my "one thing;" what is your "one thing?"

I am quite sure that there will be days where my "one thing" will be to get up and do something. There will be other days where my call will be to sit and to wait for God's voice to be heard. What is the "one thing" that the United Church of Christ in Connecticut should be doing together?

We must discern the times in which we live and remain focused on what our Still Speaking God wants us to pay attention to in these days.

Spirit Corner - One Thing

The Rev. Kent J. Siladi is Conference Minister for the Connecticut Conference UCC.

Sharon and Bill Tingley are pleased to announce the birth of their first grandchild, Eloise Moore Kivitz, on August 6th, 2013. Happy parents are Julia and Jeff Kivitz.

Mary Davidson welcomed a new granddaughter into the family. Clara Kersting Davidson was born July 26, 2013 to Leslie Davidson and Rob Gennari

Our Mens Bible Study will begin with coffee and pastry on Friday, September 20th at 7:45 am. Study will commence at 8:00. Our first six gatherings will focus on the biblical theme of COVENANT, beginning with Noah and concluding with the Founding Fathers.

Leo Gafney and Dick Taber will take turns guiding the conversa-tion. Come and bring a friend. No prior experience with bible necessary.

DAVID: THE HERO WITH CLAY FEET

Dick Taber will be leading a six week course for the Taconic Learning Center beginning September 16th at Geer Village from 10:00 - noon.

It will be a study of one of the greatest narratives of antiquity as found in the biblical books of Ruth and First and Second Samuel and Kings. ‘The King David who emerges from these pages is a masterful (and sometimes cunning) politician a bold warrior and a devoted ruler and a surprisingly human centerpiece of an ancient story.’” Herbert Kupferberg

Students should bring a bible. New Revised Version preferred

Visit the Taconic Learning Center website for information about registration: www.taconiclearningcenter.org. Or call or write: (860) 364-9363. TLC, PO Box 1752. Lakeville, CT 06039

MEN'S BIBLE STUDY

Cory Wiggins is our new sexton. He's an experienced house painter and handyman and should be a good fit for our needs.

If you don't know him already, introduce yourself and get to know him. He's easy to like.

TRANSITIONSTRANSITIONS

Sarah Zarbock

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. John Muir

All things share the same breath - the beast, the tree, the man... the air shares its spirit with all the life it supports. Chief Seattle

The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way. Some see nature all ridicule and deformity... and some scarce see nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, nature is imagination itself. William Blake

Join us on Monday, Novem-ber 26th for our monthly

brown bag lunch when the women of the church gather to discuss the previous month's sermons, readings and any other spiritual issues that might come up. Bring a brown bag lunch and join us by the fireplace from noon – 1:00.

Friends are welcome.

Monday Brown Bag Lunch Sessions

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I n M e m o r i a m

V i r g i n i a S . “ G i n g e r ” G i l m a n J u n e 2 7, 1 9 2 3 ~ M a r c h 1 9, 2 0 1 3

From the DeaconsFrom the DeaconsIS THERE A HEART IN THE TREASURY?

Kenneth L. Samuel

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:21

The Sunday School teacher said to the class: "According to the gospel, the love of money is the root of all evil." A student responded: "Well, it's not that I love money, I just love the things money can buy."

What we love says a lot about who we are. And since we usually spend our money on the things we love, our financial state-ments are really statements of self-disclosure. They reveal our true priorities, our true values and our true delights.

Talk is cheap. We can say that we are committed to being healthy and avoiding/controlling diabetes through a healthy diet and exercise, but if we are spending more on junk food and alcohol than we are on vegetables and exercise, we know what has really taken precedence in our hearts.

We can say that we love the church and we are committed to the vitality and sustainability of its mission, but if our financial contributions to the church do not reflect the substantive consistency of God's faithfulness in our lives, we know what the priorities of our hearts really are.

We can say that we value public education as the greatest agent of racial integration and economic uplift that America has ever produced, but if we allow the problems plaguing public education to make us abandon all efforts to adequately fund it and make it more efficient, our funding decisions will say a lot about what we really value at the heart of our nation.

The price of a thing does not necessarily reveal its value. But the things we value are things that we are willing to pay any price to attain and to maintain.

I understand the need for balanced budgets. But I have a problem with austerity measures in government which, while they may make the numbers look better, are too often under-taken without a heart for the people most impacted.

If we are not making serious investments in the things we say that we really value, then we are not being true to our own heart's desires. If there is a continuous disconnect between what we say we value in our hearts and how we spend our dollars, then perhaps we're just not being true.

Prayer

Lord, you have told us that our treasures and our hearts are reflected in one another. Help us to rectify the incompatibilities and to spend our dollars on the things of real value. Amen.

About the Author

Kenneth L. Samuel is Pastor of Victory for the World Church, Stone Mountain, Georgia.

Dear Church Family and Friends,

Recently, someone asked me “How can you have such faith?” The short answer is this: It is a gift from God and my own act of will. And yes, I doubt.

Being uplifted in prayer is not just a metaphor. When I became ill with cancer almost two years ago, I was placed on the congregation's prayer list. I physically felt held by your prayers and because of that I was able to completely surrender and trust in God. I fell into a deep, silent, safe darkness where there was only God's love and Presence. Even through my pain I could feel my own well being and that all would be well, no matter the outcome. I felt whole and complete: clearly I am part of God's plan.

Even weak and ill and in hospice care, I could physically feel God in my living body, the sky, the changing leaves, the rain, the love my siblings shared with me, my connection with my daughters, husband, my visitors, health care providers. This is what I meant that my faith was a gift. I could feel it.

Then I began chemo and radiation therapy (no longer in hospice) and suddenly nothing felt the same. I no longer had the physical experience of emotional and spiritual connec-tion, which up until then had been the unnoticed foundation of my faith. During the course of my treatment, even if I didn't feel terrible, I always felt unwell, off, not right. In the past, if I felt “off” I would go to bed early, rest, and awaken refreshed and renewed. No more.

I continued to speak to God as I have all my life, telling Him what I wanted and how to get it done. (Then I always remembered to add, "You may have another plan, Thy will be done.") I could no longer sense his Presence in any of my usual sources. I couldn't find Him within me or outside of me. Still, I continued to pray. I had the feeling I was only reaching His voice mail. I wondered where He was. If God is everywhere, where could He possibly be? Why didn't He answer me? Was I missing His calls? Then, I truly DID wonder: Is God there? Is there God? I was appalled and heartbroken at the thought of no God. This was a dark time for me...a very different darkness than the one I experienced earlier in my illness. Lonely. Emotionally painful. Spiritually empty. I am so grateful for your continued prayers and especially to those who listened to me while I wondered about God, struggled to surrender and to trust in God and life again.

So, with great effort I called upon my Irish stubbornness and simply chose to remember that at one time I had been able to physically feel my relationship with God. I decided even if I never experienced that connection again, I could choose to remember it. I determined that I would be content with just an intellectual relationship with and of God. This was my act of will.

The gift of Faith has been returned to me, I choose to cherish it. I hope I will never suffer doubt again, but I have doubted before and expect that I might again. I have now completed treatment, am regaining strength and feeling whole again. Your prayers sustain me; I can feel them again.

In God's Love, Theresa Carroll

Besides the autumn poets sing,

A few prosaic days

A little this side of the snow

And that side of the haze.


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Spirit CornerSpirit Corner

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Fall Festival 2013Friday, October 11th, Saturday, the 12th, and Sunday, the 13th

Summer is almost over, and October will be here before we Please, no computers or TVs, no exercise equipment, no clothing know it! The next weeks will be full of all sorts of work and or books.activity as we gear up for the Fall Festival. Each year's Festival is You may drop off your donations in the church basement after a little different, and we're always looking for new ways to raise Labor Day or call Barbara Collins to answer questions or the funds that will be used for our church's outreach. This year arrange for pick-up. Barbara and her committee will need help with new spaces we will be reconfiguring some of the activities. in September and early October getting things ready for the sale.Our activities will include the Hot Dog Tent, Treasure Trove, Barbara Collins 860-435-0051 [email protected] Crafts, Greeters, the Quilt Display in the Meeting House,

Quilt Showand on Saturday many children's activities. All activity heads will need help during the Festival. We hope everyone in the Last year we had a wonderful display of quilts in our Meeting congregation will participate in some way. We will have sign-up House. It was very well received. Sarah Zarbock will be sheets available later in September. organizing the show this year. Please contact her if you have a

quilt you would like to loan for the Festival.The activities below will also need your goods and goodies for sale: Sarah Zarbock 860-435-8139 [email protected]

Country Kitchen – Jams, jellies, pickles and preserves of all Cash Contributions - Underwriters are special workers, too. kinds are big sellers in addition to all the wonderful baked You can help defray the costs of the Festival - entertainment like goods. It's a great display and sale of delicious food and an the very popular magician and the Salisbury Band Senior irresistible destination for festival-goers. We need your Quickstep HotShots – and other expenses and supplies – homemade foods! printing, banners, decorations, food, etc., etc. If you cannot be

involved in the actual running of the Festival, your financial Please contact Linda Estabrook for more information and to contribution will really help. Please send your check to the volunteer to help. 860-824-5896 [email protected] (PO Box 392, Salisbury, CT 06068) and note that it's for

Treasure Trove – Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the Fall Festival. Donate your gently-used, all-parts-present, still-working items We're looking forward to another great Festival, and we want to to the Fall Festival Treasure Trove. involve more church members and friends. Please let us know if Got antiques? Small appliances? Art? Baby items? Cameras and you can help in any way.photo equipment? China, pottery, glassware? Collectibles and The Fall Festival Committee 2013giftware? Craft supplies? Small furniture items? Games?

Kathy Mera, Co-chair 860-435-0389Gardening items? Holiday items? Housewares? Jewelry? Jeanette Weber, Co-chair and Publicity 860-435-4804Lamps? Linens? Pet supplies? Tools? Toys? We would be

John Estabrook, Treasurer 860-824-5896delighted to recycle them for you.Mike Fitting, Coordinator 413-229-2917

In the fall of 2002, Marsha Wallace, a former nurse women and girls living in the most extreme poverty in more than and mother of four from Greenville, SC, read an 30 countries.

article about a group of friends who met for potluck dinners To date, DFW has raised nearly $2.5 million, one dinner at a time!and collected donations for needy families using the money

DFW Founding Valuesthey would have otherwise spent in restaurants.

ŸAll women deserve to be self-sufficientMarsha was struck by the idea of using “dining out dollars” to ŸEducation transforms the giver and the receiverhelp others, and the idea of DFW was born. Her simple, but

powerful idea has since captivated hearts across the U.S, and ŸConnections are the engine that power givingincreasingly, the world. DFW has been showcased by the New ŸTransparency and integrity will mark our workYork Times, Woman's Day magazine, Good Morning America ŸTo reach all, we must believe we canand the Today Show.

A Dining for Women chapter was started in Salisbury just over a Dining for Women from the beginning has focused on improv- year ago by Rita Delgado. Pastor Diane has been attending, as ing the lives of women and girls worldwide, who often live on well as several other women from our congregation. On Friday, less than $1 a day. By focusing on women and girls, DFW September 20th at 7:00 pm, Pastor Diane will host the Septem-empowers women to find solutions to the problems they face ber DFW Pot Luck in the parish hall. All women in the commu-through education, health care, and economic development. nity are invited to attend. Please bring a dish to share and a

donation to September's cause (optional). More than 400 chapters, engaging over 9,200 active members, are making a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of For more information visit www.diningforwomen.org.

DINING FOR WOMEN

Hundreds of Thousands of Women and Girls in More than 30 Countries Reached Since 2003

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Deadline for the October Newsletter: Friday, September 20th

Please remember those in our communities in need of the ba-sics. Non perishable food is always welcome, and

- can be left in

the baskets in the narthex.


Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

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10:00 - Worship & Communion Crib/toddler care is available

Homecoming Sunday9:15 - Church School Break-

fast & Registration *10:00 - Worship, Church

School & Youth Discussion Group

11:30 - Board of Trustees

10:00 - Worship, Church School & Youth Discussion Group

11:30 - Church Council


10:00 - Book discus-sion in the church library*

7:45 - Men’s inter-faith Bible study*

4:00 - 5:00 - Wedding rehearsal

4:00 - Miller-Surdam Wedding

7:45 - Men’s inter-faith Bible study*

6:00 - Potluck Supper*

7:00 - Dining for Women*

7:30 - Choir Rehearsal

6:30 - Pizza for the choir!7:30 - Choir Rehearsal




1:00 p.m. - CROP Walk *

National Grandparents Day

Labor Day

Patriot Day

Autumn Equinox

World Gratitude Day

* Article in this MHT

3rd Dan Heck6th Alvord Beardslee7th Darby Craig7th Diane Mayland7th Emma Smith8th Joanne Taber

10th Jackson Olson13th Susan Belcher14th Rachel Child15th Catherine O’Connor17th Robin Dee20th Bill Morrill23rd Natalie Crain23rd Donald Allyn25th Tom Stewart26th Ronald O’Connor 27th Louise Robinson29th Austin Wiggins29th Bronwyn O'Shaughnessy

September Birthdays

Our Sunday School Year Begins Please join us for breakfast! Families with children are invited to a light breakfast on Sunday, September 8th, at 9:15 in the parish hall. This annual gathering, which is sponsored by the Board of Deacons, is a wonderful opportunity to greet old friends and to welcome newcomers to our church school family. Barbara Collins will register the children for the coming Sunday school year. Classes for children in Pre-kindergarten (age 4) through Grade 12 will begin on the 8th. The children attend the first part of the 10:00 worship service with their families and then are dismissed to their classrooms. Crib/toddler care is also available on Sunday mornings for the littlest ones, birth to age four. Dismissal time in the Sunday School is 11:10. It is most helpful if parents (particularly parents of children in the nursery) refrain from coming upstairs until dismissal time.Our first unit will be God Calls Abraham and Sarah, the story of an extraordinary promise from God and the life-changing journey that resulted. “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). These are words of loss and risk, leaving behind what is known and traveling to the unknown. Yet they are also words of hope and promise. One does not come without the other.Over the course of several weeks, the workshop rotation model will allow the children to approach this ageless story from a variety of directions in discovery centers such as music, drama, writing, games, art, video, and foods. Bring a friend! Bring a family!

Mark your calendars! The walk around the track at 29th annual CROP Hunger HVRHS. You can sponsor Walk will be on Sunday, any number of walkers, or September 29th at Hous- make a donation. You can atonic Valley Regional High also help with the logistics School. Registration is at of the walk on the 29th 12:30 and the walk begins either by handing out

L a s t ye a r N o r t hwe s t at 1:30. water and orange slices at a Connecticut participants check point or helping at The CROP Walk is spon- raised over $19,000 to the registration table. sored by Church World combat poverty around the There is something for Service each year, with the world. 25% of those funds, everyone of any ability to acronym CROP standing $4900, has been disbursed do to help out at this for Community Response over the past year in the important and very fun to Overcome Poverty. form of grocery vouchers event!Pastor Emeritus Dick Taber in our area to families

was one of the original Cynthia LaPier will have experiencing hunger.local organizers of this very CROP information and

There are several ways you important event to raise registration materials can participate. You can awareness and funds for available during coffee walk either the 10 mile international relief and hour on September 8th, route, the 5 mile route, any development, as well as to 15th, and 22nd. distance in between, or just fight hunger locally.

CROP WALK FOR HUNGER 2013

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Save the Date: Saturday, October 5th for Concert & Reception honoring Al Sly and celebrating the new organ and parish hall.

Tuesday, September 9: Organ returned Friday, 13 - 4-5 wedding rehearsal Saturday 14 - 4:00 Miller-Surdam weddingSunday 23-Monday 24 - CTUCC General Association, Silver Lake Saturday 28 - 2:00 Installation Service for Kent Siladi, CTUCC Conference Minister, Glastonbury, CT

CTUCC General Association, Silver Lake

2:00 - Installation Service for Kent Siladi, CTUCC Conference Minister, Glastonbury, CT

Page 7

Pupil: I don't think I deserved zero on this test!Teacher: I agree, but that's the lowest mark I could give you!

What did Noah do for a job?He was an arkitecht!

What's that fly doing in my gravy?Looks like the breast stroke!

Teacher: When do astronauts eat?Pupil: At launch time!

Mother: Why did you just swallow the money I gave you?Son: Well you did say it was my lunch money!

Teacher: I said to draw a cow eating some grass but you've only drawn the cow?Pupil: Yes, the cow ate all the grass!

My teacher reminds me of history She's always repeating herself!

What's a mushroom?The place they store the school food!

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS

Please join us for breakfast! Families with children are invited to a light breakfast on Sunday, September 8th, at 9:15 in the parish hall. This annual gathering, which is sponsored by the Board of Deacons, is a wonderful opportunity to greet old friends and to welcome newcomers to our church school family. Barbara Collins will register the children for the coming

Sunday school year.

Classes for children in Pre-kindergarten (age 4) through Grade 12, will begin on the 8th. The children attend the first part of the 10:00 worship service with their families and then are dismissed to their classrooms. Crib/toddler care is also available on Sunday mornings for the littlest ones, birth to age four.

Dismissal time in the Sunday School is 11:10. It is most helpful if parents, particularly parents of children in the nursery, refrain from coming upstairs until dismissal time.

Our first unit will be God Calls Abraham and Sarah, the story of an extraordinary promise from God and the life-changing journey that resulted. “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). These are words of loss and risk, leaving behind what is known and traveling to the unknown. Yet they are also words of hope and promise. One does not come without the other.

Over the course of several weeks, the workshop rotation model will allow the children to approach this ageless story from a variety of directions in discovery centers such as music, drama, writing, games, art, video, and foods.

Bring a friend! Bring a family! Barbara Collins

There have been some questions about how to find Sunday services on You-Tube. It’s easy! They can be accessed through the church’s website - www.salisburycongregational.org. On the main menu click on Pastor’s Pages and select Sermons, which will give you a drop-down menu to select the year. On the resultant page, just find the date you want, and a link to the video is there, as is a printable text version of that Sunday’s sermon.

(usually)

Join Us for Supper: Friday, September 27th at 6:00.

It’s the first potluck supper of the season for anyone and everyone who would like a casual evening out. Bring a large main dish or salad, either homemade or take-out, to share. Bread, dessert and beverage will be provided. Bring the whole family! Bring a friend!

There is no need to RSVP. Do you need a ride? Call: Barbara Collins (435-0051)

POT LUCK

WATCH SERVICES ONLINE

As of August 15th we have received $ 638,616 or 89% of our pledged goal of $718,141. Well done everyone!We still welcome any new contribu-tions. You can send in a check or fill out a pledge form. For information see or call Ted Sands.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN UPDATE

CHURCH CHOIR RESUMES

The choir will resume rehearsals on Wednesday, September 4th.

Rehearsals are normally scheduled for 7:30 pm, but the first one will be preceded by a pizza supper at 6:30. Those wishing to join are most wel-come and all voice parts are needed. If you can agree to attend rehearsals and sing at Sunday worship on a regular basis, please come along to the parish hall on September 4th at 6:30. Al Sly and the choir will welcome you.

Biking NorthDuring my week at Silver Lake there were only two people who had never been before – I was one of them. That statement in and of itself is saying something – everyone wanted to come back, but to me it meant that everyone probably already had friends. There were seven girls, all of whom had a friend from last year; that made me the 7th wheel. I was nervous about that, but 3 hours later coming back to the cabin from dinner, all seven of us were talking and laughing together. The counselors, deans, and camp family were so much fun to talk to. And even though we biked 120 miles in a week, fought our way up 3-mile long very steep hills, came back with our legs hurting so much that climbing up stairs became a much dreaded task, I had a fantastic time and I am thankful I went.

Olivia May, Silver Lake Camper

Minute to Win ItCamp Silver Lake was awesome because I played basketball with my friends and went swimming everyday. I loved the potato leek soup so much that I had four and a half bowls at lunch. I liked worship every evening because it was fun to listen to the music. It felt good to get out of the house and say good bye to my brother and sister, but I still missed them. I loved talking with my new friends and reading at quiet time. The activities were through the roof for the Minute to Win It camp. I am grateful that I went and can't wait for next year. Caleb May, Silver Lake Camper

SILVER LAKE REVIEWS

Documents

September - Congregational Church of Salisbury