|
eFaith Matters
Monday, March 28, 2022
Roxbury Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
Roxbury, Connecticut, USA
We are a Community Seeking to Share God's Love!
|
|
|
The Overview
Fundraiser for Ukraine Refugee Help?
Last chance for suggestions...
Some have mentioned that we should do a fundraiser for support of the refugees from the war in Ukraine. We are thinking in the coming weeks. The United Church of Christ, though its partner denominations, has been helping refugees in Poland. If we were to do a fundraiser, we would not only help them, but also it would be a real demonstration to the community of our Church's mission to share God's love.
Some ideas have been tossed around, seeking the one which would, "get the most bang for the buck." Selling ribbons, breakfasts, tables selling breakfast sandwiches out front on Saturdays are just a few. The one that is gaining the most attention as a fundraiser would be a Spaghetti Supper. To do this, we would need some organizers as well as some to help cook, serve and clean up from the meal. If you are willing to help in this effort, please send an email a.s.a.p. to Rev. Peters EMAIL LINK
This does not have to be the only effort, but it is a start...
We are in need for someone to host the Coffee Hour this coming Sunday.
If you are willing, please contact the Church Office: office@roxburychurch.org
Holy Week & Easter Help
We are having our annual tradition of a Maundy Thursday Pot Luck Dinner ending with a Service of Tenebrae and Communion.
You are invited to join us for the meal beginning at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall - bring a dish to share.
We are also asking for 8 people to read during the Tenebrae Service. A sign-up is on the Opportunity Table in Fellowship Hall.
.
The Easter Sunrise Service at 6:00 a.m. on Good Hill near the Woodbury Town line. We need 4 readers.
The sign up for this is also on the Opportunity Table in Fellowship Hall.
.
The Easter Breakfast is being handled by the Fellowship Committee and others. (Thank you!)
Easter Flowers
We will once again have a beautiful display of flowers on Easter Sunday, April 17. You can purchase them yourself and place them and note in the worship bulletin that day that they are place in memory of someone.
The Church is also offering to purchase the plants for you.
You can order them by signing up and paying for them. $20 each.
There is a sign-up on the Opportunity Table in Fellowship Hall.
Thank you for your Generous Support of the
One Great Hour of Sharing offering!
We are still counting, but we are over $300 and if you want to add to that,
please send in your contribution to the Church Office.
OGHS support disaster relief around the world as well as development efforts in developing countries.
We are once again putting together a listing of Church-Related folks
who have services to offer or businesses to visit.
The listing will be on the Church's Webpage on the Document tab. LINK
Listings are primarily of a service nature and must have a church connection.
We encourage you to contact them - Shop Local... listing does not infer a recommendation one way or another...
Another Source of local businesses would be the Roxbury Business Directory - available at the Roxbury Market.
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 March 2022 edition of Faith Matters, our Church's newsletter
is available now online. LINK
For those getting printed copies, they have been mailed.
We have returned to in-person worship
with Masks Optional for those fully vaccinated!
as well as on Zoom and Facebook Live.
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.
|
|
|
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: Lent
Tuesday, March 29 (Rev. Peters is taking today off)
9:00 a.m. - all day - Kitchen rental use (Lisa & Kristen) Kitchen
4:00 p.m. Piano Lessons (Sandy K.) Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, March 30
6:00 p.m. Cub Scouts - (Jason Mckay) Fellowship Hall
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts (Jason Mckay) Fellowship Hall
Friday, April 1 Rev. Peters will out of the office on a day off today... no fool'n
Saturday, April 2
10:30 a.m. Mindful Meditation (Charlie Stauffacher)
Sunday, April 3 Sixth Sunday in Lent
9:15 a.m. Choir rehearsal (Sandy Kleisner) Meetinghouse
10:30 a.m. Worship Service with Communion Meetinghouse
In-Person and on Zoom and Facebook Live
Fellowship Hour follows Fellowship Hall
11:45 a.m.Confirmation Class (David Peters) Chapel Library
Save the Date...
April 14 Maundy Thursday - Pot Luck Dinner and Communion 6:30 p.m.
April 17 Easter Sunrise Service 6:00 a.m. on Good Hill
Breakfast follows in Fellowship Hall
10:30 a.m. Easter Worship
April 30, 7:00 p.m. Trivia Night! (Chris Childs) Fellowship Hall
May 1 12:00 p.m. Ladies Luncheon (location to be announced) (Jeanne Steers)
May 21, 9 -2 Rummage & Bake Sale (Sue Stauffacher)
The Steeple is lighted during March
in memory of Lorraine Felladore
by Katherine and Bruce Smith
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
To Keep in our Thoughts and Prayers – March 27, 2022
Please remember their families and caregivers as well.
Terry Alfson, Diane Meade, Alice Shaber, Dawn Collette, Stan Pasquale, Robin Montesi,
Jean Neff, Linda Adams Eyre, Beverly Simpson, Jordan, Diane S., Austin, Bill
Recuperating from surgery: Ray Fitch & Pat Fraley
Family of Andy Engle who died suddenly March 23.
Celebration of the baptism of Ethan W. Rodgers
The people of Ukraine and those fleeing in fear and harms way.
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:
Loaves and Fishes Hospitality House in New Milford
Lifted up by the Congregation:
Your Prayer Concerns and Celebrations:
Who are you praying for: ________________
For what or who are you grateful: ____________
|
|
|
|
Church Hosts Benefit Bingo Night
Saturday evening, the Church hosted a Bingo Night to support the James Fitzgerald IV Foundation.
A larger crowd attended and it was heart-warming to see many come together in wake of the death of young James from a brain tumor back in 2018. The Foundation supports other young cancer patients, much like Make-A-Wish. For more information, you can go to their webpage https://www.jamesmfitzgeraldivfoundation.org.
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
On Sunday, we had the first in a series of Classical Music Concerts by Long River Concerts. Here is a short video as well as a photo of the concert below.
|
|
|
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
|
|
Lay Reader & Greeters
reader underlined
 READER GREETERS
April 3: Jerry Smith Church & Doris Farrell
April 10: Doris Farrell Dick & Nancy Callahan
April 17: Barbara Biafore Barbara & Carol Goodwin
April 24: Bill Steers Jan & Bill Steers
Flowers
April 3: _____________
April 10: Palm Sunday palms
April 17: Easter Plants
April 24: ____________
Zoom Virtual Worship Tech
Control and switch between the camera and sharing the bulletin on the screen.
April 3: Charlie Stauffacher
April 10: _____________
April 17: ____________
April 24: ____________
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.
April 3: _____???_____
April 10: Barbara Cover
April 17 Easter (Coffee only): ___________
April 24: Jeanne & Chris Steers
Steeple Lighting
The Steeple is lighted each month in memory or celebration.
Listed below are those who have signed up.
March 2022: Bruce & Katherine Smith
April 2022: Pat Lowe
May 2022: Doris and Chuck Farrell
June 2022: ________________
July 2022: Jan & Bill Steers
August 2022: ______________
September 2022: ___________
October 2022: _____________
November 2022: ___________
December 2022: Diane & Charlie Meade
|
| |
| Steeple Lighting: $25 for the month, payable to RCC and goes into the Memorial Fund - See Rev. Peters |
|
|
|
Staring at Statues
John Edgerton
|
|
|
Then the LORD sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died… And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live. - Numbers 21:6-9 (NRSV)
God’s gift of a snakebite-curing bronze serpent is just a little bit suspect, if I may be so bold. After all, it’s God’s fault that there are all these snakes in the first place! True, the Israelites talked back to God. And, true, whenever someone looks at this bronze serpent they’re cured of snakebites. But it’s kind of like someone smashing a jar of gumballs before declaring, “I’m giving you a gift, a gift of sweeping up the floor. I eagerly anticipate a thank-you note.”
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to check under my desk for blasphemy-seeking serpents.
But inside this odd text is a deep truth—deadly problems must be engaged straight on. Unless we really, truly, plainly recognize the extent of a problem we can never solve it. In the recovery community, admitting the problem is quite literally step one.
The Israelites must look straight at a bronze statue of a serpent to make their snakebite problem go away. If only we had a bronze statue of a coal-fired power plant to look at to make the climate crisis go away! If only we had a bronze statue of a slave-catcher patrol to look at to make the crisis of police killings of black people go away!
God doesn’t promise us any more supernatural statues, certainly not for problems of our own creation. But God has given us the truth. And the truth is we can solve any deadly problems facing us, but only if we look at them straight on.
Prayer
God, help us to be honest as we admit and assess the problems we face
|
|
 ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John Edgerton is Lead Pastor at First United Church of Oak Park, Illinois |
|
|
|
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 Sunday, April 10.
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.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Silver Lake Camp and Retreat Center
Sharon, CT
Summer Conferences - 2022
Registrations NOW open
Conferences fill f a s t !
So plan now or you may not be able to attend when or what you desire!
Learn more about summer camp at Silver Lake, view the 2022 summer brochure, and look through the upcoming sessions at https://www.silverlakect.org/summercamp
The Summer Conferences feature week-long sessions for those entering grades 4-12 in the fall.
Also, there are Family Camps half-week sessions!
Silver Lake provides life-changing experiences of God's love in creation!
Speak with Rev. David with any questions as well to apply for a grant from the Chuch to go towards the cost of a session at Silver Lake! The Camp is American Camping Association certified.
|
|
|
|
The Prayer Shawl & Square Ministry
We are always in need of prayer squares to hand out to those for encouragement and support.
if you are able to help out, please contact Jan Steers (354-7210) and let her know.
Here is a Prayer Square pattern LINK
These are a very visible and appreciated way to share God's love with those who need it.
Prayer Squares are available for the taking in Fellowship Hall on the Opportunity Table.
Prayer Shawls are also available - please speak with Rev. Peters.
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
