T h e n e w s l e t t e r o f A s y l u m H i l l C o n g r e g a t i o n a l C h u r c h

Open to and affirming of all God’s people

Volume 69 • Issue 19 • June 1, 2014

See “ABCs” pg. 2

Member Profile .......6 Children & Fam. .....6

Adult Education ......2Women’s Fellow .....3

Outreach & Comm .4Stewardship ...........4

Member Engage ....7UCC News ..............7

Rev. Martin Copenhaver to preach at AHCC on Pentecost SundaySunday, June 8, 9:00 & 10:15am worship

Rev. Martin Copenhaver is the newly elected president of Andover Newton Theological School, a progressive Christian seminary on the forefront of theological edu-cation and the oldest theological school in the United States. Rev. Copenhaver will assume the post on June 1, 2014, succeeding The Rev. Dr. Nick Carter, who has served as Andover Newton’s president for 10 years.

Where will Rev. Copenhaver give his first sermon as Andover Newton’s president? At Asylum Hill Congregational Church of course! On Pentecost Sunday, we will welcome Rev. Copenhaver to our pulpit.

Ordained in the United Church of Christ (UCC) in 1980, Copenhaver has served as senior pastor of Wellesley Congregational (Village) Church in Wellesley, MA, the largest congrega-tion in the Massachusetts Conference of the UCC, since 1994. During this time, he has been active in theological education, serving as a trustee of Andover Newton for the past 10 years and as a member of the Board of Advisors of Yale Divinity School for the past eight years. A highly respected thought leader and prolific writer with a national reputation, Copenhaver also currently serves as editor-at-large for The Christian Century magazine.

In reflecting on the challenges confronting seminaries today, Copenhaver said, “I am impatient with the narrative of decline. Yes, this is a challenging time for faith communities and, yes, in many settings there are fewer people and fewer dollars. But is that to be the story of our time? No. God is doing a new thing and we need to catch up with what God is doing.”

Be sure to be in worship on Pentecost Sunday as we celebrate the birth of the Christian Church and welcome Rev. Copenhaver.

Legacy SundayJune 1, 10:15am

On Legacy Sunday, we have an opportunity to celebrate the many generous people who have made a more-than-a-lifetime gift to the church. On this special Sunday, we recognize members of the Legacy Fellowship, the group of AHCC members who have made arrangements for the church in their estate plans.

Following worship, we will have information on how to get involved and perspectives on what it means to be a member of our church community for more than this lifetime. Please prayerfully consider if you can be part of this “forever giving” group. There are many ways to arrange it and the Planned Giving Committee can help you find the best method to become involved. Most of all, please join us in worship on June 1 for this special service that will celebrate the Church of tomorrow and all the members of our church community with us in this time and in this place.

For more information on becoming a Legacy Fellowship member, contact Helena Carv-alho, Director of Operations at 860.216.9824.

Words with Friends: The ABCs of FaithSummer Worship Series

Look around you: people everywhere are buried in their smartphones and tablets. What are they doing? What could possibly be that interesting?

Some are on Facebook. Some are web surfing. Some are texting. Some are ac-tually making phone calls! And some 20 million people worldwide are playing the multiplayer sensation “Words with Friends.”

Words with Friends is a lot like the board game Scrabble except you play it with people across town or across the ocean via the miracle of the Internet. All you need is a hand-held device, some basic vocabulary, and an ability to play well with others. At least one couple met playing Words with Friends and are now planning a wedding.

Our summer worship series, also en-titled “Words with Friends: The ABCs of Faith,” will not require an electronic device. However, it will require you to join with your AHCC friends as we unpack eleven words that are crucial for an informed, well-spelled-out, Christian faith. The words are ASYLUM, FAITH, FORGIVENESS, GEN-EROSITY, JUSTICE, JESUS, BODY, SIN, GRACE, SALVATION and CHRISTIAN. Each Sunday worship service will center on bringing this word to life in new and perhaps even surprising ways.

How did we decide on these eleven words? It wasn’t easy. There so many meaty words from which to choose. We aimed to create a list which included familiar words like “asylum,” “faith” and “generosity,” used so often we might have lost sight of their significance, as well as words we might struggle with such as “sin” and “salvation.” We also chose words that children could ex-plore along with the adults. That last criteria

“ABCs,” cont. from pg. 1eliminated more challenging and controversial words like “blood,” “judgment” and “hell.” Oh well.

Join us each week starting June 22, as Donna and I (Erica is on sabbatical this summer) lead discussions and worship services exploring each word in visually interesting ways along with great music from our soloists. Our goal, as always, is to help you grow in faith and love as disciples of Jesus. Developing your scrabble skills is optional.

We look forward to seeing you each Sunday you are in town over the summer (really!). Remember to dress comfortably. It can get a bit warm in our sanctuary. Shorts and short sleeves are perfectly acceptable. What we wear on our bodies is less important than our desire to be clothed in God’s grace.

In love and faith,Matt

AdUlt EdUCAtiON

We Are ... Justice SeekersSummer Film Series on Social Justice Issues July – August, 7:00pm in Reel to Real (movie room)

All are welcome!July 8 – Porgy and Me – “We are Musicians” AHCC’s own Jolie Rocke

Brown is one of the artists in this stirring documentary, filmed dur-ing the New York Harlem Theatre’s European tour of “Porgy and Bess,” one of the few vehicles open to young African American singers who desire a career in the field of opera. The film includes a series of deeply personal and compelling conversations. You won’t want to miss it! Co-hosts: Jolie Rocke Brown and Nancy Kirchmyer

July 15 – Fruitvale Station – “We are Youth” Passionate and powerfully acted, Fruitvale Station serves as a celebration of life, a condemnation of death, and a triumph for star Michael B. Jordan who plays the lead role in this true, contemporary story of perception, misperception, bias, love and tragedy. Co-hosts: Devon Mein and Brian Gaidry

July 22 – Menachem & Fred – “We are Brothers” Host: Joyce Ken-nedy Raymes. A true story of two brothers (one of whom was Joyce’s father in law) whose parents were in a concentration camp and the brothers hidden in an orphanage during WWII; the brothers were reunited coming to terms with their past and developing a relation-ship with the sons of their parents’ murderers.

July 29 – Path to Violence – “We are Parents” Ever since the wake-up call at Columbine, schools and law enforcement have developed multiple strategies to prevent attacks. The horror of Newtown must be seen in a context that’s not defined by defeat. Co-hosts: Judy and Dennis Carrithers whose son was involved with the filming.

August 5 – How to Die in Oregon – “We are Caretakers” gently enters the lives of the terminally ill as they consider whether – and when – to end their lives by lethal overdose. The filmmaker examines both sides of this complex, emotionally charged issue. A bill recently passed the CT state legislature to create a pilot program for the pro-cess called Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (MOLST). Further, an organizing effort is underway to assist in the passage of a bill similar to one in Oregon. Tim Appleton as the State Director for Compassion and Choices, is the key CT person spearheading the initiative to inform voters of the issues surrounding choice at end of life. Co-hosts: Joan McCormick and Tim Appleton.

August 12 – Education vs. Incarceration –The Cost of Failing Our Kids – “We are Educators” This film examines how socioeconomic factors, geography and race affect those who come into contact with the justice system, and the effectiveness of intervening in children’s lives to get them the help they need in order to succeed in school and in life. Co-hosts: Tiana Hercules of Project Longevity and an AHCC educator TBA.

Step Up, Step Out: End the Culture of Violence (SUSO) The group’s mission statement to address violence through educa-tion, outreach and advocacy, is addressed in the following ways: • EDUCATION

Feature films, discussions and guest speakers to learn more and raise awareness in the wider congregation. (See related article about the Summer Film Series).

Work with pastoral staff and

lay leaders from other committees at AHCC to better integrate our efforts into the wider mission of the church, including worship and other programming. • OUTREACH

Deepen the relationships with community partners in Hartford and across the state by support-ing their organizations’ efforts. If you would like to get involved in supporting Mothers United Against Violence, Peacebuilders, or Project Longevity, please let us know and we will connect you.

Find ways to promote non-vi-olence/conflict resolution among young people. If you are inter-ested in volunteering in schools or after school programs using a peace curriculum, please let us know and we will help you how get involved. • ADVOCACY

Work with existing coalitions/umbrella groups to better coor-dinate efforts in CT; encourage interested members to connect with national advocacy organi-zations if legislative change is a passion for them.

To get involved or to learn more, please contact Nancy Kirchmyer at nkirchmyer@ho-tmail.com or 860.288.4390, or check out our bulletin board and new brochure in the hallway out-side Drew Hall.

Staff and Leadership:Matthew laney, Senior Minister - mlaney@ahcc.org

Erica A. thompson, Assoc. Minister - ethompson@ahcc.orgdonna K. Manocchio, Assoc. Minister - dmanocchio@ahcc.org

daniel J. Campolieta, Organist & Assoc. Music director - dcampolieta@ahcc.orgHelena F. Carvalho, director of Operations - hcarvalho@ahcc.org

Kim Grehn, Stewardship Coordinator - kgrehn@ahcc.orgMarcie Jackson, director of Children & Family Ministries - mjackson@ahcc.org

tony Mein, director of Outreach Ministries - tmein@ahcc.org Newsletter Editor, Rhonda Mitchell, Communications Manager - rmitchell@ahcc.org

Steven A. Mitchell, Minister of Music & Arts - smitchell@ahcc.orgMolly Reynolds, director of Member Engagement - mreynolds@ahcc.org

ted Carroll, Moderator Holly deYoung, Vice Moderator

ASYLUM HILL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

814 Asylum Avenue Hartford, CT 06105-2892

Ph: (860)525-5696; Fax: (860)525-3457

www.ahcc.org • info@ahcc.orgWorship Services

Sundays at 9:00 & 10:15 a.m. June 22 - August 31: 9:30am

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WOMEN’S FEllOWSHiP

Wednesday, June 4 | 4:00-6:30 pmat the home of Polly Gugino: 13 Penwood Drive, Bloomfield

Elements of Friendship: Water, Fire, Stone and Spirit Annual Women’s Tea

Death of Former AHCC Associate MinisterMany of you may remember Rev. Dr. Charles A. Jenkins, Associate Minister of AHCC from 1970-1975. Charlie, as he preferred to be called, was ordained at AHCC on March 14, 1971. Following his ministry at AHCC, he served as senior minister of Cedar Grove (NJ) Community Church for 27 years. He earned his Doctorate in Advanced Funeral Planning and two Masters’ degrees, a Master of Divinity and a Masters in Christian Ethics, all from Princeton Seminary in NJ.

Rev. Jenkins retired from Cedar Grove and moved to Newton, NJ. From 2002 to 2004, he was Interim Minister at First Presbyterian Church in Sussex, NJ, and then became pulpit supply minister for nine years at Beemerville Presbyterian Church (2004-2013). He retired completely in December 2013. On March 24, 2014 he was diagnosed with cancer, and died on April 24. His funeral was held at First Memorial Presbyterian Church, Dover, NJ where he grew up.

Charlie had a fabulous sense of humor and a gracious caring ability. He was a pastor in the truest sense of the word. Another former As-sociate Minister of AHCC, Sarah Verasco, interned at Charlie’s church and was ordained there before serving at AHCC.

His wife of almost 53 years, Janet, their sons, Brian and Will, and daughter, Sarah, and their families including five grandchildren survive Charlie. If anyone wishes to send condolences to the family, the address is 10 Great Oak Road, Newton, NJ 07860.

Women, Wine and SongWomen’s Choir Rehearsal, tuesday, June 10, 7:00pm

Singing in worship, Sunday, June 15, 9:00 & 10:15am

Just as the men came together in song for the Mother’s Day worship service, it is now the women’s turn. The women of AHCC interested in singing and social time are invited to gather for food, drink and rehearsal. While the men had pizza and beer, there will be “additional offerings” of wine and pasta available.

Here’s how it will work:The evening begins at 6:00pm with food, drink and fellowship.

Steve Mitchell will then lead the group through the music, break into sectional rehearsals to learn parts, and then join together in the sanctu-ary to tie it all together. All will be sounding great and done by 8:30pm. All music will be provided and singers will learn the songs for worship in that one evening! Donations to defray food and drink expenses will be accepted (but not required) at the rehearsal if you wish to help out.

On Father’s Day Sunday, June 15 ALL will be asked to arrive at 8:30am for worship at 9:00 and 10:15am (yes, there are two services!). If your family/home situation requires that you sing only one service, that’s OK, but the more at both services, the better!

In order to have enough food and drink, RSVP to Steve Mitchell smitchell@ahcc.org to let him know you will be there for dinner and singing.

Interested in Following the Civil War Trail of Rev. Joseph Twichell?Attend a preview by Peter Grandy to learn moreJune 15, following the 10:15 service

I have now something to say concerning my personal proceedings with reference to the war. … I had some just appreciation of the real point at issue, the dire necessity which alone should make the idea of civil strife tolerable – such an appreciation that I could pray and weep over it, yet contemplate with firmness the dreadful path, by which America is to struggle up to better days. … The blood of the Twichells was emphatically up. – Joseph Hopkins Twichell, in a letter to his father, Edward Twichell, April 22, 1861.

In 1861, 23-year-old Joseph Twichell, who was to become AHCC’s first minister, enlisted as chaplain to the 71st NY State Infantry, 2nd Regi-ment, Excelsior Brigade, after completing but one year of seminary at Union Theological School in New York. For the next three years Twichell remained dedicated to his troops and ministered to them during some of the most difficult and bloody battles of the war. Fortunately for us, Twichell wrote regularly and voluminously to his father and other family members about where he was and what he was experiencing.

Next year, from May 4 – 9, as part of the church’s 150th anniversary celebration, we are planning to follow part of the Civil War trail of Joseph Twichell, from the Virginia Peninsula Campaign, through Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and ending in Gettysburg.

This trip is being planned by Peter Grandy, Minister Emeritus, and Steve Courtney, author of Joseph Hopkins Twichell: The Life and Times of Mark Twain’s Closest Friend, and co-editor of The Civil War Letters of Joseph Hopkins Twichell. We will have printed materials available in September, but if you’d like to hear a preview and have a chance to ask questions, make plans to join Peter Grandy for this informative discussion.

3860.525.5696 • www.ahcc.org Asylum Hill Congregational Church - Open to and affirming of all God’s people

A service of prayer and healingtuesday, June 24, 7:00pm in the Chapel

Do you desire some quiet amid the busyness and chal-lenges of life? Would you like to gather with others to rest and be renewed in God’s healing grace? If so, please join us for this service of silence, song, the sac-rament of Holy Communion and prayers for healing.

OUtREACH & COMMUNitYConstruction Volunteers Needed Over the past seven years, volunteers from AHCC have been working with non-profi t devel-oper NINA (Northside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance) to build and rehab some beautiful historic houses in the neighborhood around the church. Working together, we have generated a community-wide effort to increase the rate of home-ownership in Asylum Hill while keeping housing affordable. Starting in June, we will again be working with NINA and The Hartford Financial Services Group to build a Victorian style house at 54 Huntington Street – just down the street from the church.

Over the next six months, there will be a need for construction volunteers on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday each week. There will also be periodic Build Days for families and other groups within our church. The work will include carpentry, hanging sheetrock, painting, and fi nish work under the supervision of crew leaders with years of experience in working with volunteers. In addition, volunteers will be needed as hosts in the mornings and as cooks to prepare lunches for the construction volunteers.

No prior construction experience is necessary, just a willingness to learn and to have a heart for the city. If you would like to volunteer for construction, hosting, or meal preparation, please contact Rich Grobe at 860.306.5394 or rrgrobe@aol.com.

Architectural drawing of the front of the home to be built at 54 Huntington Street

Finding Our Wayby Sandy Wood Forand

I just returned from fi ve days of walking on one of the most revered Christian pilgrimage routes in the world – the Camino de Santiago de Campostela in northwestern Spain. Those who walk the entire route take 35 days or more, but fi ve days is enough to earn the cherished certifi cate of completion and to experience the very special tradition of being a pilgrim. Walking for eight hours a day gives one time to contemplate, and I found myself comparing this pilgrimage to our experience as members of AHCC. Fortunately, there are no blisters involved at AHCC (other than on the building missions?), but Camino means “the Way” – and aren’t we all walking our own journey of faith at AHCC – fi nding “our way”?

Along the Camino there is a magical sense of community. Walkers of all nationalities greet each other with a gentle “Buen Camino” as we pass. Villagers along the way wave and smile; restaurants offer pilgrim menus at very reasonable prices – no gouging of the tourist here. There is not a scrap of litter anywhere. The ancient tradition of pilgrimage is a source of pride, and pilgrims and residents alike take great care of the route and the people along its way.

And so it is at AHCC, yes? We care for each other and the buildings that house our people and programs. We respect each other and our neighbors. We honor that we are liv-ing for a higher purpose. We have a long and proud tradition to uphold.

As we prepare for our 150th Anniversary, we will hear stories of AHCC’s past, and to-gether build dreams for our collective future. We are so privileged to share this community and we have the honor and the responsibility to be stewards of this experience. What a pre-cious gift to us all!

Buen Camino, fellow pilgrims.Sandy Wood Forand, Stewardship Chair

StEWARdSHiP

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MUSiC & ARtS

We Need Your TRASH!Summer Parade Project heads to “The Jungle” this August; Donations can be left on stage in Drew HallAHCC’s annual Community Art Project & Parade is getting its act together! But we need supplies and decorative items from YOU. As you continue your spring cleaning, keep us in mind and bring usable items to church. We will reuse and recycle them into works of “mov-ing art” and costumes for the neighborhood parade on August 23. This year’s theme is In the Jungle, so we expect to see lots of plants, animals and insects in the parade line up.

What can YOU offer to the collection? We are looking for the following items:Fabrics: bed sheets, large pieces of colored fabric (1 yd. or more), animal prints, smocks and rags, T-shirts, pantyhose, tights or stock-ings;Cardboard: large pieces – single ply (fur-niture/fridge boxes), toilet paper and paper towel rolls;Decorative items: Colored paper, feathers, pipe cleaners, shiny and colorful things, yarn, bottle caps, egg cartons (paper or Styrofoam)Paint Supplies: brushes, rollers, drop cloths (no paint, please);Structural: egg crate foam (like a bed roll), water bottles: any size – with caps, aluminum cans, wire hangers, umbrellas, bicycle inner tubes, PVC pipe, wood poles, dowels, mop/broom handles;Tools: pliers, hammers, wrenches, wire cut-ters, screw drivers, utility knives;Rolling stuff: strollers, wheel chairs and wagons.

Start collecting now and bring it in as you get it together. Thanks for your “trash” and support!

The Summer Community Art Project is presented by the Worship & Arts Committee and funded by the AHCC Thrift Shop and the Greater Hartford Arts Council. For more infor-mation, contact Steve Mitchell at smitchell@ahcc.org or 860.216.9831.

Sanctuary Organ to Undergo Keyboard Restoration Project This SummerAt AHCC, we are blessed to have a beauti-ful, historic Aeolian-Skinner organ in our sanctuary – an instrument which gets played every week, is an integral part of our worship services, and a well-known destination for organ recitals and concerts. Some of the 4,008 pipes that make up our organ date back to the original balcony organ installation in 1912, and the remainder of the organ was built in 1961. From 2004-2005, the organ underwent significant revoicing, a horizontal trumpet en chamade was installed, and a state-of-the-art console (the place where the organist sits to play the instrument) was commissioned and built for the church. The new console brought the instrument into the 21st century, with a massive amount of memory for storing stop combina-tions, MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) capability, a lightning-fast processor that communicates information between the console and the organ chamber, and a user-friendly layout with all the necessary controls a modern organist would need.

However, for one reason or another, over the past 10 years there have been issues with the console. You might have been in worship on one of the Sundays where the organ decided to “speak” all on its own without Dan pressing any keys. Sadly, the audible issues that have disrupted worship every now and then are only the tip of the iceberg. Over the past decade, there have been several issues that have prevented us from using the organ to its full potential. One way to describe these issues is to imagine flying a plane, and then without notice having to switch to manual control to land. Since the console is essentially a computer – actually 4 networked digital processors – it’s very difficult to pinpoint exactly where these issues origi-nate. We have used the word “gremlins,” because sometimes it feels that is the best way to describe the issue. We have tried replacing parts from ribbon cables, to microprocessors, to larger processors, to power supplies and cords, and each time the issue returns.

Fortunately, through investigation, chance, and talking with others who use the same sys-tem that we use to run the organ, we have made some headway over the past year and we feel confident that the organ console is not a lemon, but there is one system within the instrument that is a major liability and source for the issues we have been having. This system is essentially the mechanism which tells the organ which note to play when a key on the keyboard is pressed. Attached to the bottom of each key is a small magnet; underneath each keyboard is a rail which picks up electromagnetic disturbance which prompts the computer to tell the organ which note to play. In discussions with our organ repair firm, Czelusniak et Dugal in Northampton, MA, we feel confident that if we replace this system with an analog key contact system, where a copper key contact physically touches a receiver, our problems will be resolved. It appears that the magnetic system we currently have is picking some kind of interference and giving the organ unwanted digital signals. The analog system is an older technology, but it is still used in the vast majority of organ installations in the world today, so we feel good about installing this tried-and-true technology into our organ console.

This project is scheduled for mid-July through mid-August, which means for several weeks in the summer, the organ will be out of commission and the piano will be used for Sunday worship. The Board of Deacons recently approved the project, which will cost approximately $25,000, and will be paid from the surplus maintenance account, as well as funds from music accounts. This project costs about 10% of what it would cost to completely replace the organ console, and we are confident it is the right way to proceed. The organ is scheduled to be back online a few weeks before Spirit Sunday.

The good news is that basically everything about our impressive console will stay the same, even the feel of the keyboards, but we are hopeful that it will be in full working order! If you have any questions about the organ, how it works, or this project, feel free to contact Dan Campolieta at dcampolieta@ahcc.org.

Play Readers GroupWednesday, June 25, 7:00pm

All are welcome – no experience necessary. We will be reading from a selection of short plays which will both inspire and amuse. Bring your ideas!

For more information, contact Sherri Be-dingfield at 860.232.9320.

5860.525.5696 • www.ahcc.org Asylum Hill Congregational Church - Open to and affirming of all God’s people

CHildREN ANd FAMilY MiNiStRiES

Important DatesJune 1 AHCC travels to the New Britain Rock Cats Game

June 8 Last Day of Spirit Hill

June 15 Father’s Day Children in grades K–5 attend worship Daycare for Infant – PK available on lower level

June 22 Spirit Hill Summer Program starts at 9:30 am service “Words with Friends” ASYLUM

June 29 Spirit Hill Summer Program at 9:30 am service “Words with Friends” FAITH

July 6 Spirit Hill Summer Program at 9:30 am service “Words with Friends” FORGIVENESS

July 13 Spirit Hill Summer Program at 9:30 am service “Words with Friends” GENEROSITY

What’s Happening in Spirit Hill?Spirit Hill Summer Program: Words with FriendsAHCC’s summer worship series is entitled “Words with Friends.” Each Sunday, Rev. Matt Laney or Rev. Donna Manocchio will be preaching on a word of faith, starting with “asylum” on June 22. Students enter-ing grades PK–6 will also be exploring these words through scripture and fun activities that include arts and crafts, drama and movement and community outreach.

Children entering grades K–2 will be working with our kindergarten teacher, Julia Echevarria, and children entering grades 3–6 will be taught by one of our new staff, Sam Feliciano.

Childcare will be available at the 9:30am service for children Infant–PK. Please check your weekly Spirit Hill email update on Fri-days for the meeting and pick-up locations of Spirit Hill students.

NEW MEMbER PROFilE

Kandyce AustOriginally from Boston, Kandyce is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and received her Masters in Special Education from Westfield State University. In September 2013, Kandyce became the Vice President of Development at the Boys and Girls Club of Hartford. She and her husband Rick live in Windsor.

Kandyce says, “non profits are in my blood.” She has worked for several non-profits and has volunteered at a local soup kitchen, chaired “Go Red for Women” and looks forward to finding the right fit for volunteering at AHCC. Kandyce has a passion for travel and adventure. She has been white-water rafting in Wyoming, zip-lining in Costa Rica and rode a bike down Haleakala in Hawaii. Sky diving is the next adventure on her agenda.

It was Kandyce’s love of working with children that moved her to take the position at the Boys and Girls Club and it was this position that brought her to the office of Rev. Matt Laney. She had attended AHCC years ago but did not have the time to commit to Sunday worship, but now, years later and after checking out other churches, she and Rick wanted to find a church home.

Kandyce admits that prior to joining AHCC, Sundays were spent in preparation for the coming work week. But after attending worship at AHCC, she looks forward to worshiping on Sundays because “there is always something special.”

- Linda Pendergast,Communication Committee

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Second Chance to see “I AM” (the movie)Sunday, June 22, following worship

Due to the positive response to the screening of this movie in April, it will be shown again after worship on June 22. A common refrain from the attendees at the fi rst showing was “more people need to see this fi lm.” The post-fi lm conversation will be led by AHCC member Doe Hentschel. Doe has been using this fi lm in her work at Leadership Greater Hartford. The fi lm asks two essential questions: “What is wrong with the world and “What can we do to make it better?” After the fi lm, there will be time for refl ection on ways that the fi lm might have moved us. Light refreshments will be served.

Youth DirectorPosition Available

Complete job description on the “Connections” bulletin board and our website, ahcc.org. Contact Helena Carvalho, director of Operations at 860.216.9824 for more information.

MEMbER ENGAGEMENt

Walking and Flying: Summer Reading at AHCCSummer is a time for rest, renewal, and reading! AHCC members and friends ( yes, invite a friend!) have the opportunity to read and discuss two books that explore themes of freedom, faith, hope, and desire. Books may be purchased from your favorite bookseller.

“Learning to Walk in the Dark” by Barbara Brown Taylorthursday, July 24, 7:00pm

We are joining in the “One Book, One Spirit” community read this summer. Initiated by the Spiritual Life Center in West Hartford, groups in the Greater Hartford area will read and discuss this latest book on the spirituality of the nighttime. Using scripture, story, and personal experience, Taylor invites us to put aside our fears and anxieties and to explore all that God can teach us “in the dark.” A optional culminating retreat will be held at the Spiritual Life Center on Saturday, August 17 for a fee of $75. Watch the newsletter and bulletin for further information about the retreat.

“The Invention of Wings” by Sue Monk Kiddtuesday, August 19, 7:00pm

Kidd’s latest book is rooted in historical facts and persons and begins in 1803 in Charleston, SC on Sarah Grimke’s 11th birthday, when she is given ownership of a ten year old slave Hetty “Handful.” The novel follows their journeys over 35 years as each woman strives for a life of her own, shaping each other’s destinies and forging a complex rela-tionship marked by guilt, defi ance, estrangement and the uneasy ways of love.

UCC Offi ce of Communications Takes Fight for Free and Open Internet to FCCWritten by Anthony MoujaesHundreds of orange-clad supporters beating drums rallied en force on May 15, outside the offi ces of the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, DC, calling for a free and open Internet. The demonstration wouldn’t have been possible without the historic groundwork laid by the United Church of Christ’s media justice ministry, the Offi ce of Communications, Inc., during the Civil Rights Movement.

“Because of the famous cases that started 50 years ago this year, the public has a right to speak out to the Federal Communications Com-mission,” said Cheryl Leanza, policy advisor for OC, Inc. “Without those cases, private citizens could not even get in the door at the FCC. We at the UCC stand as an example of why the stereotype of Christians as narrow-minded is wrong.”

Net neutrality, a concept promoting a free and open Internet, aims to prevent Internet providers from discriminating against the content shared on the web. On Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 to “invite public comment on a set of proposed rules aimed at guaranteeing an open Internet.”

However, the proposal includes a caveat that allows corporations to pay Internet providers so their content would download or stream faster for users. “We know what it is like not to have our voice accepted on the media,” Leanza said. “Many years ago, when we tried to buy advertis-ing time on television welcoming gay couples, we were rejected. We don’t want that to happen to the Internet.”

With the FCC ready to gauge the feedback on the issue, the public has until July 15 to submit initial comments on the proposal to the FCC, and until September 10 to submit any responses to the initial comments.

For resources on net neutrality and to take action, visit the OC Inc. website at www.uccmediajustice.org.

UCC NEWS

7860.525.5696 • www.ahcc.org Asylum Hill Congregational Church - Open to and affi rming of all God’s people