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eFaith Matters
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Roxbury Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
Roxbury, Connecticut, USA
We are a Community Seeking to Share God's Love!
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The Overview
Always Start the Day With Gratitude...
I would like to thank those who traveled to Farmington yesterday afternoon for the annual Silver Lake Award ceremony and fundraiser.
Your support of me, and that of this congregation is most appreciated!
Photo: Elizabeth Kutepov
The event raised nearly $19,000 for Silver lake scholarships.
At Silver Lake, young people are encouraged to experience the Love of God, of neighbor, a love of self, and love of creation!
silverlakect.org
Last Call for Reservations
for Sunday's Ladies Luncheon
at the 1754 House and Tavern (Curtis House) - Woodbury
$30 pp
Advanced Reservation Required.
Invite your daughter / mother OR a guest...
Contact Jeanne Steers by Wednesday - 9 a,m.
Blessing of the Cycles
at Delavignes Gourmet Food & Gifts - 197 Huntingdon Ave, Waterbury, CT 06708
Join others on Saturday April 30th from 9 AM to 11 AM for a Country Breakfast and Reverend David Peters will join us at 11:00 for the season opening "Blessing of the Bikes and Riders" to bring good luck and safe riding for the year to come. Their Gourmet Store is perfectly located in a great jump off spot for a glorious day of riding and exploring Litchfield County. Delavignes Gourmet's founders (David, Jr. & Laura (Montesi) Miller), are lifelong avid motorcycle rider's, who enjoy sharing the beautiful New England roads with other riders. They have a large flat parking lot, and the Menu options for the country breakfast will be posted soon on their FB page.
http://www.shopdelavignes.com/
Your Generosity Supports the Work of the Roxbury Church!
You can send a check to the Church Office - 24 Church Street, Roxbury CT 06783
or online by one of two ways by pointing your smartphone camera or clicking below:
 
Electronic Giving for Offering or Give using Venmo
or Memorials Gifts
The deadline for the May 2022 Faith Matters, our Church's newsletter
is this Thursday 9 a.m.
We have returned to in-person worship
with Masks Optional for those fully vaccinated!
as well as on Zoom and Facebook Live.
(Note that we strive to not to be judgmental about those who continue to wear them for their safety or yours.)
Fellowship Hour with food and drink has also returned
Please still be conscious of your physical distance with your masks lowered
to eat or drink.
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Still Need to Pick up That Mother's Day Card?
Consider getting the unique card that helps others
and Honors the One Receiving the Card at the Same Time!
Consider Purchasing a Church World Service Card
supporting their Blanket Program.
$10 after worship in Fellowship Hall
A few styles are available...
Sponsored by the Mission Committee
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Our Church This Week
If you have something for the Sunday Bulletin, please have it to the office
by Friday 9:30 a.m.
Elizabeth Kutepov, Church Secretary, will be in the office
Thursday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Rev. Peters is normally in his office Mon., Wed., Thurs., and Fri. from 9:30 -12:30
Liturgical Season: Eastertide
Monday, April 25
Tuesday, April 26 Rev. Peters' day off
9:00 a.m. Kitchen Rental (Lisa & Kristen)
4:00 p.m. Piano Lessons - Hall - (Sandy K.)
Wednesday, April 27
3:00 p.m. Meal Service at Loaves & Fishes (Mike Wilcox) New Milford
6:00 p.m. Cub Scouts - (Jason Mckay) Fellowship Hall
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts (Jason Mckay) Fellowship Hall
Friday, April 29
6:45 p.m. Synagogue visit - Southbury (Confirmation Class, mentors, parents, and other interested folks)
Saturday, April 30
10:30 a.m. Mindful Meditation (Charlie Stauffacher) Chapel Library
7:00 p.m. Trivia Night! (Chris Childs) Fellowship Hall
Sunday, May 1 Third Sunday of Easter
9:15 a.m. Choir rehearsal (Sandy Kleisner) Meetinghouse
10:30 a.m. Morning Worship Meetinghouse
In-Person and on Zoom and Facebook Live
Fellowship Hour follows Fellowship Hall
Mother's Day Cards for Church World Service on sale (Mission Committee)
12:00 p.m. Ladies Luncheon 1754 House & Tavern (Jeanne Steers)
Save the Date...
May 7, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Spaghetti Supper Benefit for Ukraine Fellowship Hall
May 15: 11:45 a.m. The Book of Job & Us Study begins on Sundays
May 21, 9 -2 Rummage & Bake Sale (Sue Stauffacher)
The Steeple is lighted during April
in memory of Robert (Bucky) Lowe and Tammy Lowe Hinckley
by Patricia Lowe
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To Keep in our Thoughts and Prayers – April 24, 2022
Please remember their families and caregivers as well.
Terry Alfson, Diane Meade, Alice Shaber, Stan Pasquale,
Jean Neff, Bill Cario, Doris Farrell
The people of Ukraine and those fleeing in fear and harms way. For the end of warfare.
Members of the Armed Services, including Ben Farrell, a National Guard medic stationed in central Poland.
Those affected by or fearful because of COVID-19,
The healing of the nation amidst political and social polarization, and issues of racial justice and equality
Afghan families being resettled here
Those recovering from natural disasters across the US
Prayers for this week’s Mission Partner:
Church World Service's Mother's Day Card/Blanket program
Lifted up by the Congregation:
Cynthia, Susan, Allison & Guy, Must, Bob
Celebration of the 40 wedding anniversary of Tom & Christine Farrell
Your Prayer Concerns and Celebrations:
Who are you praying for: ________________
For what or who are you grateful: ____________
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We are receiving financial donations to help the fleeing refugees from Ukraine in Poland. We are working with partner churches in Poland to provide aid and support.
Checks can be dropped off to the church or you can use the online donation site to give. Please put Ukraine in the memo.
100% of all donations go directly to ministries on the ground without any overhead.
For more information check out of denomination's Ukraine Appeal page:
https://tinyurl.com/yvsyj5zp
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If are willing to help with either of these - contact Rev. Peters EMAIL LINK
March Deacon of the Month: Mark Wolmer assisted by Mike Wilcox
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Lay Reader & Greeters
 READER GREETERS
May 1: Steve Ross Linda & Steve Ross
May 8: Bill Curren Dariel & Bill Curren
May 15: Chris Childs Janet & Chris Childs
May 22: Joan Temple Joan & Mike Temple
Flowers
May 1: _____________
May 8: Barbara Biafore
May 15: Dariel & Bill Curren
May 22: ____________
Zoom Virtual Worship Tech
Control and switch between the camera and sharing the bulletin on the screen.
May 1: Barbara Cover, with Jerry Smith
May 8: Charlie Stauffacher
May 15: ____________
May 22: ____________
We are looking for a couple of people who can help us with this. See Rev. David
Fellowship Host
As simple as some cookies with coffee/tea.
May 1: Linda & Steve Ross
May 8: Vail Barrett
May 15: Lindsay Mulhare & Susan Zappulla-Peters
May 22: Eliz. & Aundrey Kutepov
Steeple Lighting
The Steeple is lighted each month in memory or celebration.
Listed below are those who have signed up.
April 2022: Pat Lowe
May 2022: Doris and Chuck Farrell
June 2022: ________________
July 2022: Jan & Bill Steers
August 2022: ______________
September 2022: ___________
October 2022: Elizabeth and Andrey Kutepov
November 2022: ___________
December 2022: Diane & Charlie Meade
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| Steeple Lighting: $25 for the month, payable to RCC and goes into the Memorial Fund - See Rev. Peters |
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The Book of Job & Us - A Bible Study
beginning May 15 after worship
Our own Jerry Smith will be offering a weekly series on the Book of Job.
The study will be held in the Chapel Library - bring your coffee and join us...
The week's themes include:
May 15 "WHY MUST I SUFFER SO?"
May 22 "WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE, WHO NEEDS ENEMIES?"
May 29 no session
June 5 ROBUST FAITH--FAITH THAT STANDS UP TO SUFFERING
June 12 THE EXPERIENCE OF THE INEXPERIENCED
June 19 OUT OF THE WHIRLWIND
June 26 JOB'S HOPE AND OUR GIFT
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Splintered Wood
Rev. Bob Thompson
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Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” - John 8:11 (NKJV)
Our town’s beautiful wooden arches, 60 feet tall and spanning 178 feet, splintered and crumpled on to the overpass just after midnight on February 18, 2022, less than a year after they were installed. No one was physically hurt, but our collective pride suffered a deep wound.
The arches were to be our small town’s facsimile of the St. Louis Gateway. The most visible icon of our $14 million City Walk, the arches connected the lake to downtown to the university. The layered wooden beams were designed to reflect our municipal motto: Life. Well crafted.
The arches weren’t well crafted. Dawn exposed 40 tons of pick-up sticks. Reactions to the collapse ranged from sadness to glee, blaming to gloating, accusation to defensiveness. And frustration—if not at the collapse, then at the blaming, gloating, accusation, and defensiveness.
The following Sunday morning, John 8 was the text in worship—the story of a woman caught in the act of adultery and forced to stand before Jesus at dawn in the temple courts. I mused aloud that the arches should remain where they fell, or better yet, be moved to our church’s front lawn.
The disfigured pile might exhibit what a church actually is. We prefer to see ourselves represented by our tall steeple, granite veneer, and manicured lawn. If we are brutally honest, we are a community of splintered wood.
Whether or not we own it, we are both the Pharisees and the woman they snared. We are offenders and accusers, abusers and victims, self-righteous and self-condemned. Only by the love of God are we being changed. Only by the grace of Christ do we find dignity and possibility. Only by the power of the Spirit are we able to stay in close enough proximity to let mercy transform us. Thanks be to God for the communion of the saints.
Prayer
God, who am I today? Unloved or unloving? Don’t give up on me. Jesus, remind me of your grace that has welcomed and forgiven me. Spirit, make me a channel that pays it forward. Amen.
 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bob Thompson is Pastor of Corinth Reformed Church (UCC) in Hickory, North Carolina, and President of Faithful and Welcoming Churches of the UCC. |
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Mindfulness Meditation Group – Saturday mornings
Feeling Stressed? Overwhelmed by the Pandemic?
You are invited to be a part of the Mindfulness Meditation Group which meets Saturday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to noon, in the Chapel Library or on Zoom. Open to any and all in the community, regardless of any religious affiliation.
The Link to join is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/762243509?pwd=SkFGTXlPSm5HZ1pMZnRMQ3NyZ2NrQT09
Contact Charlie Stauffacher for information at 860-354-1274.
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Rummage Sale / Bake Sale
Our church Rummage/Bake sale will be held on Saturday, May 21, from 9:00 - 2:00. We take gently-used clothing, household items, small working appliances, linens, garden items, plants, small furniture, etc. We do not take exercise equipment, computers, luggage, baby cribs, electronics, and text books. If you are undecided, you may call Sue Stauffacher at 860-354-1274 before 7:00 p.m. to ask and to volunteer.
Items may be dropped off beginning Monday, May 16 through Thursday, May 19. The door into Fellowship Hall will be unlocked all week.
Clothing donations MUST be clean and in good condition. Items must be either on hangars or folded in boxes.
Clothing in garbage bags or plastic grocery bags will NOT be accepted.
At 1:30, we offer a $5 bag sale - everything you can fit into a paper grocery bag for $5.
I know many of you just love to bake, so please plan to bake for the sale. Some people come just for our wonderful baked goodies :) We offer free coffee all day.
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Cash 4 Causes Card Program
awakens from the Pandemic Slumber...
The popular program is back with a new coordinator
Susan Zappulla-Peters (860-355-8830 - zappullapeters@mac.com)
and an emphasis on the local grocery stores.
It is hoped that you would consider getting in the habit, like some,
to purchase your cards on a monthly basis.
NEW: The second Sunday of each Month will be Card Ordering Sunday.
We would like to have a set day so it is easy to remember to order
and easy for the processing... NEXT ORDER DATE IS MAY 8.
The concept is simple.
- You buy the card at the face value (ex. $100) and we purchase a cash card from the store.
- They charge approx. 5% less and the church keeps the difference.
- You spend the same amount, but by using the card, your Church gets a 5% benefit!!
We work primarily with Stop & Shop, Big Y and Shop Rite cards
Contact Susan directly or speak with her on Sundays after worship.
She may have a few extra cards for the different stores with her.
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You are Encouraged to Support these Community Events
and Neighboring Congregations:
None submitted this week
Classified for Congregation Members
If have items that you would like to sell or give away,
we are now offering to list that item in the monthly Faith Matters.
We are limiting it to 3 items per family. Submission must be in writing and submitted by the newsletter deadline of the 15th to the Church Office.
Deadlines:
For Monday eFaith Matters: by Monday 9:00 a.m.
For Friday eFaith Matters or Sunday Bulletin: by Friday 9:00 a.m.
Please submit events by email only to david@roxburychurch.org
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