NCC News for the Pews

"...You heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus...You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its misleading desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true faithfulness and holiness." - Ephesians 4: 21b-24

In my Lenten reflections this week, thinking, "Here it is, Water Wednesday, and I really want my morning cup of coffee." I went on, "I mean, some things seem so permanently paired, and Toast and Water just doesn't sound much - or taste much - like breakfast to me." I thought, 'Dare I drink a single cup? You know, I could do water all day long after that..." I began to think of ways to understand my resistance, to explain why it might be okay to slip in one cup of coffee in the morning. Rationalizations I came up with ranged widely, but this sums it up: "That one cup is not a mindless habit. It serves a purpose - it is warming and comforting, and in a way, it equips me for the day." And the more I thought about not having that coffee, the greater my struggle, and that single cup of joe took on proportions that seemed surreal. I thought, "I'm not sure this is what Lent is supposed to be like."

Meanwhile, on the Toast front, I popped two slices in the toaster and went to take the butter out, only to discover that I'd run out! "Well," I thought without a second's hesitation, "I can use peanut butter, or cream cheese and apricot jam." And as I was ladening on the jam, I wondered, "How is it I resist giving up coffee - even for one day - but so easily adapt in the absence of butter?"

And as I pondered, I realized, this is what Lent is supposed to be -- a time of choosing to live sacrificially. Living sacrificially is hard. It isn't meant as a one-off give-away, but an intentional change that draws us closer to and increases our relationship with God.

As I found Wednesday morning, it is much easier to "make do" when we don't have a choice. Butter was not an option, so despite wanting it, not having it was not a choice. And so, without missing a beat, I found it easy to find a substitute. There was no sacrifice involved; indeed, the butter wasn't missed at all!

But I do have Coffee, and so I was faced with a choice: having Coffee or forgoing Coffee for plain water. My sacrifice is not the Coffee, or even the desire for Coffee, but the conscious decision to turn away from something I had and wanted, toward something else, water. And I grappled with and resisted making this simple switch from coffee pot to tap water - even when this water symbolizes clean water for those without access to clean water. Even though this Lent, on Water Wednesdays, my tap water symbolizes Christ, the Water of Life we worship and call upon to save us....

God has given us free will - to make the right choices or to make poor ones - because God wants us to make sure that it is our intention, without coercion, to willingly reconcile ourselves to God. Jesus did not badger his disciples or those he taught or those he healed to follow him. And he does not badger us. The option is ours to choose: Do we cling to the old habits and comforts which describe us to ourselves, stubbornly protesting, "I gotta have my coffee or I'm off my game all day," or do we allow ourselves to ponder the depth of the call that Christ makes on our lives? This choosing applies in every area of our lives, including our faith community, especially when we are faced with the question, do we, as the Body of Christ, cling to our old ways of doing church, or choose a the unknown path that offers chance to be transformed?

This Lent, may we all turn toward something else, something so rich and nourishing that we can't even imagine -- that Blessing of Living Water that is poured out on the world, the Good News and New Life in Christ.

I welcome all your thoughts and questions, and encourage you to send them to me at pastorkristie.northcc@gmail.com.

Keeping you all in prayer and wishing you a full measure of
Peace and Blessings
This day and always,
Pastor Kristie

Deacon of the Month for March is
Clarence Moore - 959-202-1284

Our Deacons help to serve the church, especially in the areas of worship, and spiritual care and day-to-day support of our faith community. They also enjoy welcoming newcomers and helping them learn more about our faith community. If you need prayer, a listening ear, or to be connected to resources, please reach out to our Deacons. If your situation is urgent, they will help connect you to Pastor Kristie. Pastor Kristie is also available by appointment.

Deacons rotate responsibilities on a monthly basis. The revised rotation is set forth below:

- NCC SUPPORTS THE OPEN DOOR SOUP KITCHEN & PANTRY-
OUR NEXT DELIVERY DATE IS SUNDAY, MARCH 29

Food insecurity is a reality! According to estimates from Feeding America, more than 490,000 Connecticut residents struggle with hunger; more than 131,000 children are food insecure. These are people from all walks of life – children, working parents, seniors, or people living with disabilities. They are your neighbors.

Our gifts of food are so desperately needed by so many in our wider community. As we journey through this Season of Lent, let's continue our local ministry to the hungry, giving generously to fill our wagon with Canned Vegetables, Meats and Fish; Dried Pasta, Beans, and Rice; Soups and Broths; and Juices and Milk.

Open Door is both a Soup Kitchen and a Food Pantry. Whatever food items we donate, the cooks utilize what they need to prepare the meals the Open Door offers from Monday through Friday. What the cooks don't use is given away to people in need. The list below, which we've seen the past couple of months, hasn't changed much. When I asked why, Carrie said this is pretty much the food and food prep items they need all the time.

OPEN DOOR SOUP KITCHEN & PANTRY IS OPEN MONDAY-FRIDAY, 9:00-12:30
160 MAIN STREET, WINSTED, CT

Meanwhile, remember to bring some of these non-perishable items or household necessities for our Open Door food cart!

Pancake Mix	Juices	Crackers
Syrup	Canned Soups	Saltines
Honey	Canned Veggies	Vegetable Oil
English Muffins	Canned Fruit	Cooking Spray
Corm Muffin Mix	Apple Sauce	Olive Oil
Cereal	Chicken Broth	Ketchup
Oatmeal	Black Olives	Mayo
Coffee	Diced Tomatoes	Salad Dressing
Tea	Black Beans	Sugar
Sloppy Joe	Chili Mix	Flour
Pasta	Taco Seasoning	Garlic Powder
Pasta Sauce	Rice	Onion Powder
Grated Cheese	Tuna Fish	Salt
Egg Noodles	Bread Crumbs	Pepper
Dinty Moore Stew	Gravy- Pork, Turkey, Chicken, Beef

Additional support items such as bathroom tissue, kitchen and household cleaning products,
and laundry detergent are also welcome.

Please contribute as you are able. Bags with lists are available in the Narthax and near the stairs to the Fellowship Hall. Please also reach out to Cele Hoffman who coordinates the delivery to Open Door if you would like to make a donation during times the church and office are closed.

OUR LENTEN REFLECTION PROJECT -- "WATER WEDNESDAYS"
Water Wednesdays are here - but it is not too late to start!
During the six Wednesdays in Lent (March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and April 5) let’s commit to bringing clean water to those in need by praying, practicing compassion and giving.

Fact: Every day, millions of people trek to obtain water for their households.
Solution: the Romain family, living in the Limonade region of Haiti, used to spend three
hours walking from their home to find treated water to purchase. The long walk, combined with the prohibitive cost of the water, created a significant and relentless hardship on the entire family. Today, the family saves money and time by using a biosand water filter from Pure Water for the world in their home.

In 2020, Pure Water for the World began their safe water, improved sanitation, and hygiene education project that would reach all 290 residents. Today, these families celebrate reliable access to safe water. They know how to keep their water sources
cleaner. They have improved sanitation at their homes and school. All community members have received layers of education, empowering them with the knowledge to use their tools and hygiene practices to protect their health and the health of their community. The future holds new hope and opportunity.

WHAT ARE WATER WEDNESDAYS?
During the six Wednesdays in Lent (March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and April 5) we are asking folks to commit to bringing clean water to those in need by praying, practicing compassion and giving. By drinking only water on these Wednesdays (and forgoing our usual coffee, juice, hot cocoa, etc.), and donating what we would usually spend on other beverages to our chosen charity, Pure Water for the World, we take small but important steps to care for “the least of these”.

Our first Water Wednesday was March 1, but it is not to late to get your Water Wednesday Kit from Fran and jump on board to Pray, Practice Compassion and Give! Each kit contains a reminder water bottle, a guide to Water Wednesdays with sample prayer and compassion practice, and a donation envelope. When you sign up, we’ll place a blue water drop with your name on the Deacons’ bulletin board. Let’s fill that board with drops ‘til it overflows!

Water Wednesday Kits are available at church or you can contact Fran and she will get one to you.

The Deacons

Please contact Fran Herman (860-379-0327 or franceshermanrd@hotmail.com) to make your Water Wednesday pledge and to receive a Water Wednesday “kit”.

READIN’ AND FREEZIN’ TRIP!

On Sunday, Feb. 5th, we start reading Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World, by Pastor Max Lucado, America’s (and New York Times) bestselling inspirational author. This acclaimed new book is based upon Philippians 4: 6-7, the most underlined passage in the Bible:
“Be not anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
We all encounter uncertainty and anxiety, but worry and fear need not control our lives. This book may help you find more joy, clarity, physical renewal and contentment. Anxious for Nothing is a convenient 152 pages (only 11 chapters) in larger typeface, with relevant scriptures and study notes at the end. We plan to read about 30 pages a week for 6 weeks. There’s no “homework” but Missions will offer book discussions at church (fun!).
It’s available as a new paperback on Amazon for $13.50 and also on Kindle and Audible. Or you can buy it from our local Barnes & Noble. Please call Donna Howard (860-738-2207) to get your reading plan outlined below. (Don’t let cost of the book be a roadblock; Missions can help.)

March 16 -- Currently, masking is optional. We appreciate and respect your masking choices. Please continue to keep cautious, given the nature of Covid and its many variants. We are also asking that If you have had "direct contact" or you or your family is feeling under the weather, we ask that you remain home pursuant to recommended guidelines.

We are grateful that everyone continues to diligently practicing safety protocols while we worship, enjoy fellowship, and attend church meetings. Kudos to you all your thoughtfulness and diligence that keeps this faith community well!

As always, while we hope we don't have to suspend worship or any of our events, leadership is keeping a close eye on Covid rates in New Hartford and the surrounding area. Numbers of cases are harder to come by with all the home testing and potential non-reporting. We continue to advise everyone to be vigilant, by masking, keeping safe distances, practicing hand washing, using hand sanitizers, and when appropriate, testing. If eligible and not precluded by underlying medical conditions, I encourage you to vaccinate and get boosters when available.

If you have any questions about protocols, or have had direct contact, or are not feeling well, please let Sue, Fran or Pastor Kristie know as soon as possible, so appropriate adjustments can be made for the protection of the congregation.

Also, if you are at home and need a helping hand or feel overwhelmed, please reach out to one of our Deacons for prayers and conversation, or help with organizing appropriate resources.

We pray, with God's help everyone may take care,

Pastor Kristie

When inclement weather is forecast, the Chair of Deacons, Moderator, and Pastor will decide whether or not to cancel the Sunday service. The closure will be announced on WFSB.com and on Channel 3. An email from the church will also be sent out.

NORTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH UCC March 16, 2023 We hope you enjoy this week's News for the Pews!

NORTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH UCC
March 16, 2023
We hope you enjoy this week's News for the Pews!