1. family and parenting
2. children

KIT
(Keeping In Touch)
A Newsletter of the
First Church of Christ, Congregational, United Church of Christ
55 Church Road  Clinton, Connecticut 06413-2050
Phone (860) 669-5735  Fax (860) 669-9602  Website: www.firstchurchclinton.org

Dear Friends in Christ:
NOVEMBER 2014

My special thanks go to members of the
Stewardship Committee for writing, editing,
rehearsing, and delivering such superb
stewardship messages during our Sunday
morning worship services – Beth Beals Short,
Beth Critchley, Lorry Taylor, and Carol Parise,.
By playing the parts of different figures through
the 347 years of our Church’s history, they
highlighted how our dedicated ancestors and
members in different generations supported the
ministries and mission of our Church through
faithful stewardship. Not to be overlooked, thank
you to Sara Pontillo Johnson for her behind-thescenes effort with the stewardship mailings.
Great job, ladies!
May our own personal
stewardship be as faithful! Please complete your
pledge card and bring it to worship on
Stewardship Sunday, November 9. Thank you!
This past year has been very challenging for
members and friends in our Church family who
have had to deal with health issues, family
pressures, grief over the deaths of loved ones,
financial concerns, and the stress of just getting
through every day. The local, national, and world
news has not done much to cheer our spirits,
either! So, as we enter the season of the
harvest, we may ask what can we be thankful to
God for during this time? My answer is that we
have a great deal, so much more than we are
conscious of.
We need to remember that the harvest season in
our nation was born at a time of great suffering
and want. After our Pilgrim ancestors landed on
these shores in 1620 and founded the Plymouth
colony, they struggled at great personal cost to
make it through their first year. Their hosts, the
Wampanoag tribe, welcomed them and taught
them how to plant corn and squash, how to fish
and catch lobster, and even how to tap maple
trees. When Governor William Bradford invited
these gracious Native Americans to the first
Thanksgiving feast, the Pilgrims thanked God for
their blessings, their bounty, and their new
friends.
Thanksgiving became an official
observance in the worst time of
our nation’s history when
President Abraham Lincoln
made the proclamation in 1863
during the middle of the Civil
War. While our national unity was tested to the
extreme, thousands were losing their lives and
livelihoods, and families experienced losses
beyond comprehension, Lincoln called on all
citizens to offer God thanksgiving and praise for
life and liberty. Our greatest president also asked
the citizenry to implore “the Almighty Hand to
heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as
soon as may be consistent with the Divine
purposes.”
Since then, when our nation has been tested by
war, natural disaster, economic depression, and
government scandal, Americans have still turned
to God and celebrated the Thanksgiving season.
Even when our national mood is a bit pessimistic,
we have so much to be thankful to God for, to
enjoy, and to share. It is good that we do not get
so caught up in our own troubles that we take our
blessings for granted and forget that many people
have it far worse than we do. An estimated one
billion people suffer from hunger and malnutrition
worldwide. We still enjoy a higher standard of
living than most of the world’s population.
What do we have to thank God for? Let our final
answer be, “Everything!”
My thoughts this
Thanksgiving focus on how we can count and
share our blessings with others. The fourth
Thursday of this month is a good time to
volunteer to serve meals to people in need or
invite someone who may be alone to join your
harvest dinner. When you sit down to eat, turn
off the football game on television, take the time
to go around the table, and ask each person –
children included – to
state what she or he is
thankful to God for.
Reflect how you can help
others from the bounty
God has given you, and
resolve to do it.
Come, let us praise the Lord! Let us sing for joy
to God, who protects us! Let us come before him
with thanksgiving and sing joyful songs of praise.
(Psalm 95:1-2)
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Chris Horvath
Set your clocks
back before going
to bed Saturday
November 1st!
8:00 a.m.
Saturday,
November 15
Leaves will be moved to fenced-in areas for pick
up by a vacuum truck. We need leaf blowers,
especially leaf blowers on wheels and back pack
leaf blowers to minimize hand raking. Sign-up
posted. Rain date: November 22.
November 23  7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
The Harvest of Talents breakfast will be held on
Sunday, November 23, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. The
menu will be orange juice, scrambled eggs,
sausage, homemade muffins and those award
winning home fries. Bring the entire family and
invite a guest for fellowship and good food. The
price is a donation to cover the cost of the food
and make a donation to the Harvest of Talents
offering which supports our mission outreach.
Cooks and servers are Bruce and Susan Lighty,
Holly Hoyt, Dave and Sherrie Smith, and Ann and
Hugh Adams.
Suggested Food Bank
Items for November
Hot Cereal  Canned/Bottled Juices
Non-Aspirin Products  Tissues
Sunday, November 23  7:00 p.m.
We are the host church!
ANNUAL COMMUNITY
SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING
 Music will be joyfully sung by the combined ecumenical choir.
 A freewill offering will be received of
monetary and non-perishable food items
that will be given to The Shoreline Soup
Kitchens and Pantries.
 And we appreciate the donations of
food items for the reception after the
service.
Join us to celebrate this Community Service of
Thanksgiving and be thankful to worship God
together as friends, neighbors, and an
ecumenical community of faith!
Items are suggested but not limited to,
and all are distributed through
The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries.
The Diaconate Board will once again assemble
Thanksgiving Dinner Baskets to brighten the
holiday for families in our community. We are
asking for specific items to provide Thanksgiving
dinner for each family  frozen turkeys, stuffing
mixes, boxed potatoes, canned vegetables, and
cash or Shop Rite/Stop & Shop grocery gift cards
to fill in the gaps. (Fresh vegetables with a "shelf
life" are also welcome, i.e., potatoes, winter
squash, etc.) Look for the sign-up sheet in
fellowship hall and place your donations in the
designated baskets by Sunday, November 23.
The baskets will be assembled that afternoon and
distributed the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.
Advent Family Workshop
Sunday, November 30
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Come do something special
to begin the season of Advent.
We’ll order pizza – please bring a
beverage, dessert, or salad to share.
Watch the December bulletins for
more information.
November 23
November 30
From the Choir Loft…
One of the highlights of
the year for our Senior
and Junior Choirs is the
Community Service of
Thanksgiving. It’s a thrilling experience to sing in
a larger group and to be
singing with friends from
other churches in town.
This year the choral music will be enhanced by
flute and oboe players. The service will be hosted
by our church on Sunday, November 23, at 7:00
p.m.
Recently I attended a day of music workshops
sponsored by the American Choral Directors
Association. It was a wonderful opportunity to
learn from some of the best musicians in
Connecticut. They shared conducting suggestions, choice of musical repertoire, and insight
into choral rehearsals. I am grateful for the
continuing education offered to me by our church.
Thank you.
~ Joyce Baxter
December-January “KIT” Deadline:
Tuesday, November 18 – Noon
janeatc@firstchurchclinton.org
ON DUTY for November …
Lectors
November 2
November 9
November 16
November 23
November 30
Pastor Chris
Susan Lighty
Ann Adams
Kathleen Davidson
NEEDED
Fellowship Hour Hosts
November 2
NEEDED
November 9
Stewardship Committee
November 16
Bob and Sonja Langer
H.O.T. Breakfast Crew
NEEDED
Flowers
November 2
November 9
November 16
November 23
November 30
OPEN
Walsh
Men’s Bible Study
Marcinek
Paulson
Soup Kitchen
Next Soup Kitchen: December 3
Greeting Cards
Cindy Paulson
Communion Bread
Cindy Paulson
Sunday
Women!
TIS' THE SEASON TO BE THANKFUL
Come and count your blessings with the Sunday
Women on Sunday, November 16. We are
continuing our course on Family Relationships
and the conversation is lively! This month, using
the Serendipity Bible as our study guide the
group will discuss Parent Expectations. The
readings are from Matthew 20:20-28 and 1 Peter
5:1-11.
Time: 8:15. Place: East Kitchen
Coffee, tea, and a light breakfast provided.
All we need is you!
Call Susan Lighty for more infor-mation.
LECTIONARY READINGS
from the United Church of Christ Calendar
November 2
Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost
Josh 3:7-17  Ps 107:1-7, 3-37 OR
Mic 3:5-12  Ps 43
1 Thess 2:9-13
Matthew 23:1-12
Partners in Service
Daylight Savings Time Ends
November 9
Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost
Josh 24:1-3a, 14-25  Ps 78:1-7 OR
Wis of Sol 6:12-16 or Amos
Wis of Sol 6:17-20 or Ps 70 5:18-24
1 Thess 4:13-18
Matt 25:14-30
Tending God’s Light
Stewardship Sunday
November 16
Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
Judg 4:1-7  Ps 123 OR
Zeph 1:7, 12-18  Ps 90:1-8 (9-11), 12
1 Thess 5:1-11
Matt 25:14-30
Extravagant Opportunity
November 23
Reign of Christ
Ezek 34:11-16, 20-24  Ps 100 OR
Ezek 34:11-16, 20-24  Ps 95:1-7a
Eph 1:15-23
Matthew 25:31-46
Reigning Compassion
Thanksgiving Sunday  Harvest of Talents
November 30
First Sunday of Advent (Year B)
Isa 64:1-9  Ps 80:1-7, 17-19
1 Cor 1:3-9
Mark 13:24-37
Where Are You, God?
A sign-up is posted in fellowship hall for individuals,
families, friends, in any configuration to light the Advent
Candles – November 30,
December 7, 14, and 21.
CHRISTMAS FAIR
SAVE THE DATE!
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Chairpersons:
Carol Fanning and
Sarah Marcinek
Watch for sign-ups to be posted in Fellowship
Hall. We would love to have
you involved this year!
You can…
 Bake cookies for the Baked Booth …
(Sherry Smith, chair)
 Donate items for gently used Christmas
decorations for our Treasures of
Christmas Past … (Ida Pendleton, chair)
 Donate items for Tea Cup Auction …
(Carol Parise, chair)
 Donate items for Children’s Shopping
Room… (Ethelene DiBona and Kathleen
Bergman, co-chairs)
 Sell Quilt Raffle tickets… (see Betty Rice)
 Help with set-up and clean-up … Friday
evening the 5th and immediately following
the fair
 Sell some of your own creations in our
Craft Consignment Booth (Laurel
Iaccarino, chair)
 Volunteer for lunch wait staff… we need
you at 11:30 a.m.
 Display your yard sign if you still have it
(change the date) or pick one up at the
church for your front lawn
 Post a poster in your office or
somewhere where lots of people will see it
We always welcome new ideas. So, give us a call
if you’ve seen something at another fair we can
use!
~Sarah Marcinek and Carol Fanning
do not bring tag sale items to the
church between now and the end
of December. The Treasures of
Christmas Past room (aka the Tag Sale
Room) is a work in progress from now until the
fair and will be packed away during December.
Donations for the Children’s Christmas
Shopping Room and Tea Cup Auction may be
left in the Rainbow Room downstairs. Thanks!
Abraham Pierson Scholarship
New
Member
Class
We cordially invite our church friends to attend
the New Member Class that Pastor Chris will
teach on Sunday, November 16, at 11:30 a.m.
The class is an overview of our church’s purpose,
history, ministry, mission, and programs. Child
care will be provided. New members will join
during the worship service on Sunday,
November 23.
In 1996 in recognition of the
importance of providing funds for
education beyond the high school
level, the Diaconate established
the Abraham Pierson Scholar-ship
in recognition of the work that this
minister of our church (1694-1707) began when
he became the first teacher and rector of what is
now Yale University. This scholarship of up to
$1,000 is awarded in December for use in the
second semester.
Guidelines for the scholarship are:



This year's Harvest of
Talents offering will be
received and celebrated
Sunday, November 23.
Please use the next few
weeks to increase your
harvest!
~Kathleen Davidson




The applicant must be a member of The First
Church of Christ, Congregational, Clinton,
Connecticut.
The applicant must be a graduating high
school senior with plans for furthering his/her
education.
The applicant must be active in church
activities. A detailed list of such activities must
accompany the application letter.
An application letter is to be sent to the
Mission Committee stating (1) What my
church means to me and (2) What I mean to
my church.
The applicant must submit a letter from an
adult, non-family member of this church (other
than the pastor or a current member of the
Mission Committee) which states his/her
knowledge of the applicant’s participation in
and dedication to church work.
The applicant must submit a letter of
acceptance from a post-high school
educational institution.
The deadline for applications is April 30,
2015 of the year of high school graduation.
In Search of Santa’s Helpers
The Campbell Soup labels, Box Tops for
Education, and cancelled stamps for missions
are coming to an end. Be sure to deposit all your
labels and cancelled stamps in the bins in
Fellowship Hall by November 30.
It’s time for Santa’s Helpers to make
Christmas a joyous season for those
less fortunate in our community! We
will again donate gift cards to Clinton
Social Services. You all have been so
generous in the past, donating an
average of $1,200 in gift cards each year. Please
consider taking a gift tag or two from the tree in
Fellowship Hall. All cards will need to be
turned into the church office by December 11.
PLEASE BE SURE TO NOTE ON THE CARD
THE DOLLAR AMOUNT IT IS GOOD FOR.
Thanks so much for your generosity!
~Missions Committee
Beth Critchley as Eliza from the Civil War
(Presented to the congregation on Sunday, October 19, 2014)
My dearest William,
I was so pleased to receive your latest letter. I poured over it
again and again. I miss you so much. I can hardly believe that
it has been nearly one year since we married! I look forward to
the days when we will be together again. It was with great
relief that I read your regiment did not fight at Gettysburg.
Many great men and boys gave their lives there for the cause.
We have also heard about the numerous soldiers who have
been injured and are being treated in hospitals far from home.
I must admit that I was a bit nervous about moving to Clinton
to live with your family while you were off to war. It made such
good sense, to be able to save money and help your family with chores. I was worried about feeling
welcome in a new town, but, my sweet William, your family has been so caring and kind to me.
However, the greatest joy I have found comes from the friends I have made at the Congregational
Church. When I attended my first service with your family, I was greeted by many kind church
members and made to feel welcome. I am extremely grateful for the kindness that has been
extended to me.
Sewing with the ladies of the church has been a great source of comfort for me. The Ladies Society is
tremendously busy, working on many worthy projects. Recently the ladies held a collection for old
clothing. We are going to cut the clothing apart so that we may salvage the usable fabric and make
quilts for the soldiers in the hospital.
William, numerous good deeds are being done here, I feel I must help in whatever way I can. I know
that if we are ever to build our own home, we must save what little salary you are able to send to me,
but I feel it is important to contribute what I can each week to the offering plate. This particular Bible
verse speaks to my feelings about giving to the church.
2 Corinthians 9:7-8King James Version (KJV)
7
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or
of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace
abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to
every good work
At first I thought I would feel alone, but I have found a true home here and I owe it all to the blessings I
have found at my new Church.
I know you will be strong and stay safe until we meet again.
Your ever loving wife,
Eliza
Lorry Taylor as a Housewife from 1932
(Presented to the congregation on Sunday, October 26, 2014)
Good morning. My name is Lillian Bradford. I am a married housewife with two young daughters. No
one could have predicted how drastically our lives would change. When the banks failed, we took
what little money we had. We needed that money because wages and work hours were cut. My
husband is a plumber by trade and like others in our area, each day he walks to town hoping to pick
up some work.
We lost our home and are now living in a furnished garage. We have learned to cut back, double up,
and make do with what we have. But we live in a constant state of fear and diminished expectation.
We know there are so many that have it worse than us.
And I don’t know what we would do without our church. The church has become the focal point of our
lives. It is a place to meet for a warm meal and fellowship. Those that have extra are always willing
to share. It is a place to gather for updated information about possible work or available housing. My
children attend Sunday school and are taught religious education. Rev Rutherford is available to visit
our homes for counseling or bereavement. His sermons give us hope and are highly valuable to our
well-being. Our time of prayer in church allows us to pray for guidance and to be thankful for what we
have. Even the singing of hymns gives us release. I have learned that Good can come from bad and
Meaning can come from tragedy.
My sister in Indiana sent me this poem that her preacher shared with their congregation. This
morning I would like to share part of it with you:
I don’t have a lot of riches,
and sometimes the going’s tough.
But I’ve got loved ones around me,
and that makes me rich enough.
I thank God for his blessings,
and the mercies he’s bestowed.
I’m drinking from my saucer,
‘Cause my cup has overflowed.
If God gives me strength and courage
when the way grows steep and rough,
I’ll not ask for other blessings,
I’m already blessed enough.
And may I never be too busy
to help others bear their loads.
Then I’ll keep drinking from my saucer,
‘Cause my cup has overflowed.
I remember times when things went wrong,
my faith wore somewhat thin.
But all at once the dark clouds broke,
and the sun peeped through again.
So God, help me not to gripe
about the tough rows that I have hoed.
I’m drinking from my saucer,
‘Cause my cup has overflowed.
Mission Trip
Supporters
Dinner
Mission Supporter’s Dinner
Fellowship Hall
Sunday, November 2, 4:30 p.m.
We are grateful for our church family’s support
and encouragement of our 2014 Mission Trip to
Maryland. We are proud to show you how that
support allowed us to reach out to those in need
and make their lives better. Please RSVP to
Dave Rainey and join us on November 2nd.
2014
SUNDAY
OCT 26
8:00 MBS
10:00 Worship
10:00 Chrch Schl
11:15 Fellowship
11:30 Info Mtg
11:30 Jr Choir
2
MONDAY
OCT 27
7:30 Al-Anon
6:00 Pack 7
[FH]
7:00 Sr Choir
REMEMBER
TO VOTE!
9:30 Morning
Circle
6:00 Pack 7
[FH]
10
12
6:00 Pack 7
9:30 Morning
Circle
7:00 Pack 7
Parent/PC
[Library]
9-2:00
Sweater
Mania/Bake
Sale [FH]
8
10:00 Al-Anon
13
7:00 Troop 7
[FH]
14
15
10:00 Al-Anon
8:00 Fall
Grounds
Clean-up
7:00 Sr Choir
20
21
22
7:00 Troop 7
[FH]
10:00 Al-Anon
6:00 Pack 7
7:00 Church
Board
7:00 Sr Choir
8:00 Fall
Grounds
Clean-up
raindate
25
26
27
28
29
18
7:30 Al-Anon
12 Nn
DEC-JAN KIT
DEADLINE
7:30 Al-Anon
7:00 Troop 7
[FH]
Sweater
Mania Set-up
7
SATURDAY
1
7:00 Troop 7
Cmte [Chapel]
19
9:30 Morning
Circle
[Luncheon]
17
24
6
FRIDAY
OCT 31
10:00 Al-Anon
7:00 Sr Choir
11
7:30 Al-Anon
Kitchen in
Use All Day
9:30 Morning
Circle
CHURCH
OFFICE
CLOSED
CHURCH
OFFICE
CLOSED
6:00 Pack 7
10:00 Al-Anon
DEC 1
HOLY COMMUNION
5:00 Advent Family
Workshop/Pizza
7:00 Troop 7
[FH]
7:30 Al-Anon
1ST SUNDAY ADVENT
10:00 Worship
11:15 Fellowship
11:30 Jr Choir
9:30 Morning
Circle
5
NEW MEMBERS
7:00 H.O.T. Bkfst
8:00 MBS
10:00 Worship
10:00 Chrch Schl
11:15 Fellowship
11:30 Jr Choir
7:00 Community
Thanksgiving
Service HERE!
30
THURSDAY
OCT 30
4
SUNDAY
8:00 MBS
8:45 Mission
10:00 Worship
10:00 Chrch Schl
11:15 Fellowship
11:30 B&G/C.E./
Diaconate/
Visitation
16
8:15 Sun Wmn
10:00 Worship
10:00 Chrch Schl
11:15 Fellowship
11:30 Jr Choir
11:30 C.E. Cmte
11:30 New Member
Class
23 RECEPTION OF
WEDNESDAY
OCT 29
3
HOLY COMMUNION
10:00 Worship
10:00 Chrch Schl
11:15 Fellowship
11:30 Jr Choir
11:30 Web Design/
Nominating Cmtes
4:30 Mission Dinner
9 STEWARDSHIP
TUESDAY
OCT 28
7:30 Al-Anon
DEC 2
DEC 3
DEC 4
DEC 5
DEC 6
6:00 Pack 7
[FH]
9:30 Morning
Circle
7:00 Troop 7
[FH]
10:00 Al-Anon
5:00 Soup
Kitchen at
UMC
9-3:00
CHRISTMAS
FAIR
7:00 Sr Choir
FH in use
Christmas Fair
Set-up
Church Staff
The Reverend Dr. Christopher C. Horvath, Pastor
The Rev. Barbara Frey, Minister of Faith Formation
Joyce Baxter, Director of Music
Jane (Jane-a-t-c) Woodmansee, Church Secretary
Norbu Wangdu, Sexton
WORSHIP AT FIRST CHURCH
8:00 a.m. Worship resumes June 15 – August 31, 2014
10:00 a.m. Worship Service every Sunday
childcare available during 10:00 worship for infants to age two
during Church School year
We are
Sacrament of Holy Communion
Celebrated the first Sunday of each month
10:00 a.m. Church School
Accessible
September 14, 2014 – June 14, 2015
3-year-olds through Grade 9
11:15 a.m. Fellowship and Refreshment Hour
The church and fellowship hall are handicapped accessible.
The First Church of Christ
Congregational
United Church of Christ
55 Church Road
Clinton, Connecticut 06413-2050
2014
NOVEMBER
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Church Office:
Phone: (860) 669-5735
Fax: (860) 669-9602
Office Hours:
Monday–Friday: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.–12:00 noon
For security reasons, the parish
house is locked during lunch hour –
usually 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Office
errands are usually done before or
after lunchtime. If you need access
to the building or Jane-a-t-c at midday, please call ahead.
www.firstchurchclinton.org
pastorchris@firstchurchclinton.org
ministeroffaithformation
@gmail.com
janeatc@firstchurchclinton.org
Newsletter:
janeatc@firstchurchclinton.org