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"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God -- what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2
News
Kim Kennedy Resigns as Church Secretary
 
"l would like to announce my resignation as secretary effective October 1st.  It has been my honor to serve the church in this capacity for almost 10 years.  I have loved working with the Pastors, congregation and friends over the years and it was a tough choice to make.  I am  willing to help train and coach the new secretary when she/he is hired. Thank you again for kindness and support during my tenure." --Kim Kennedy

"I have enjoyed working with Kim. Her knowledge of the church and her commitment to its mission is invaluable. She has helped me enormously and she is a woman of deep faith dedicated to her faith community. She has an extensive knowledge of the church, and that's simply irreplaceable. I will miss seeing her in the office and working as closely with her as I do now, but I look forward to continuing our relationship for years to come, working together serving God here at Third Church." --Pastor Nancy

A sub-committee appointed by the Trustees and charged with finding a new church secretary discussed the benefit of hiring someone from outside our church family for this position. When our new administrative assistant is an employee of the church and not a member, the boundaries and expectations will be clearly defined and maintained. We are searching for someone with strong clerical, communication, and organizational skills. The successful candidate will know Microsoft Office products, be willing to perform a wide variety of tasks, and be tech savvy. They will be detail oriented and discreet. The job would be 8-10 hours per week flexibly scheduled. The position was posted on Indeed.com this afternoon.
 
Church Missions and Opportunities

Ella Tessman held a fundraiser over Facebook and through her selfless efforts raised $360 dollars for a local charity. She would like to donate this money to the Freedom Service Dogs.  They train dogs to be companions and helpers to those with disabilities such as autism, MS, spinal injuries and more.  They also train dogs for Veterans with PTSD.  With your help, Ella hopes to raise $500. If you would like to add your donation to this gift, please bring a few extra dollars earmarked for "Freedom Service Dogs" to worship on Sunday or send a check to the church with "Freedom Service Dogs" in the memo line. Freedom Service Dogs is currently offering matching gifts which will potentially translate into a gift of $1,000. For more information, go to https://freedomservicedogs.org.

Our next Food Drive will be held from Sunday August 30 through Wednesday morning, September 2. You may bring non-perishable items to the outdoor worship service on Sunday, or drop them off on the back porch of the parsonage all day Tuesday or Wednesday morning. They'll be brought to Amazing Grace Food Pantry on Wednesday afternoon, September 3.  
 
Middlesex Habitat for Humanity has a new project in Westbrook.  Kim is in the process of obtaining a few potential dates for a group from our church to volunteer for the day. She will be sending out more information soon. Watch for upcoming emails if you are interested in participating in this project.
 
St. Pauly Clothing Shed:  Please note that our clothing shed is closed for now.  The company was overloaded with inventory and could not keep up with the donations.  We will let you know when it reopens.
 
We planned to worship outside on Sunday. We had rain on Sunday morning. We needed rain. We just didn't want it to rain on Sunday morning. There was a wedding here on Sunday afternoon. We had rain on Sunday afternoon. We needed rain. We just didn't want it to rain on Sunday afternoon.

But we have no control over when the rain falls. There are so many things over which we have no control. 

There's a 40% chance of rain next Sunday. We plan to worship outside on Sunday. We need rain. We just don't want it to rain on Sunday morning again. We have no control over whether or not it rains on Sunday morning. 

The poet W.H. Auden wrote: "Winds make weather; Weather is what nasty people are nasty about and the nice show a common joy in observing."  The sun is shining today. It's a beautiful day. Sunny and cool. Lovely. Enjoy. If we have to cancel the outdoor service again on Sunday, we'll be providing a videotaped service for you to view later in the day. We're not going to try to live stream again. It hasn't been working out for us. If we make the decision to cancel the service for rain, we'll send out an email by 8am, so if the weather's iffy, check your email before you leave the house. We'll post it on Facebook and the website as soon as possible. And we'll change the church's outgoing voicemail message, so you can call the church, if you don't have email. If it rains on Sunday morning, let us be thankful for the rain which we need. If it doesn't rain, let us be thankful we can gather for worship. We are nice people.

I thank you for being nice and for your patience and understanding as we navigate this pandemic together. As has been said before, we're building the plane while we're flying it. Please don't forget to respond to the worship survey that Kim emailed to you on Sunday. It takes only 5 minutes of your time, and we want to hear about your preferences going forward, so we can plan accordingly. I'll see you on Sunday -- in person or virtually! Enjoy the weather!
Outdoor Summer Service Guidelines 
  • If you have a fever or feel unwell, please remain at home.
  • Wear a face mask and maintain a six foot distance between yourself and others who are not members of your household.
  • Enter the outdoor worship area from the sidewalk on Miner Street. 
  • Some folding chairs will be set-up following the recommended six feet of social distancing. Please do not move these chairs. (Bring your own chair if you prefer.) 
  • Congregational speaking and singing will be kept to a minimum and held to the end of the service.  
  • Exit after the service by following the exit sign. Walk between the garden shed and the church building to the parking lot.
  • No congregating in the parking lot before or after the service. If you must have a conversation on church grounds maintain 6 feet of distance and remain out of the path of other congregants going to and from their cars.
  • In case of inclement weather, the service will be taped indoors with only the worship leaders and photographer present. If the in-person service is cancelled, the church will send out an email by 8:15 am Sunday morning announcing the cancellation.

Support Our Church through Amazon Smile
If you purchase items through Amazon.com, please consider making Third Church the charity of your choice. If you do, Amazon will donate 0.5% of your purchase price to Third Church, whenever you order through smile.amazon.com. To choose us:

1.    Visit smile.amazon.com.
2.    Sign in with your Amazon.com credentials.
3.    Search for "Third Congregational Church." 
4.    Select the one in Middletown, CT as the charity of your choice. 

 
Current Office Hours
Pastor Nancy and Kim Kennedy are now in the office on Tuesdays from 1-4 pm and Thursdays from 9 am - 12 pm. Voicemail and email are checked daily.

Upcoming Meetings Via GoToMeeting
Standing Comm this Sunday at 11AM
Deacons 8/30 11AM


 
       Prayers of the People
*Please continue to pray for Sharon, sister of Carol and Patti, she has finished chemo and is waiting on test results for next procedure.
*Please pray for Larry and Lisa, friends of Dennis, who are awaiting test results.
*Please pray for Karen, friend of Joyce, who lost her husband Gary to cancer.
*Please pray for Marti, mother of Becky, in hospice care.
*Please pray for John and Betty, brother-in-law and sister of Nancy J., who are Covid positive.(8/9)
*Please pray for Randy's mother, moved to rehab for a few weeks following her surgery. (8/23)
*Please pray for Rose, friend of Jane, who is out of remission and dealing with Pancreatic Cancer again.
*Please pray for our friend, Joy, who is recovering at home. 7/12
*Please pray for Linda, Christopher and Cindy on the passing of Jonathan. 7/2

*Please pray for our friends, Arlene and Bill, who are experiencing health issues. 7/12
*Please continue to pray for Lauren, granddaughter of Theresa and James, recovering from burns. 6/20
 *Julia asked for prayers for Richard who is learning to live with a new disease and walking with a cane.
*Please continue to pray for Karen, she is having some health problems. 6/20
*Prayer request for Julianna going through chemo treatments for ovarian cancer. Please pray for Gary who is experiencing health issues.
*Janice asks for continued prayers for her uncle, Ralph, who is battling pneumonia for the third time  not related to Covid.  8/23

Pray for Our Shut Ins
Betty Behn, Sally Parker, Bettye Nosenzo and Evelyn Macensky

 


Our mailing address is:
94 Miner Street, Middletown, CT  (860)632-0733
thirdchurchmiddletown.org- website
thirdchurch94@gmail.com
YouTube Channel
Rev. Nancy Lois, Pastor (413) 250-9895
Kim Kennedy, Secretary (860)788-3575


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Third Congregational Church · 94 Miner St · Middletown, CT 06457-1747 · USA

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