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Christ Church Quaker Farms, 470 Quaker Farms Rd, Oxford, CT 06478 www.ccqf.org ccqf@att.net (203)888-4936

The Rev. John Donnelly, Rector fjccqf@gmail.com

THE MESSENGER September, 2018

Editor : Tammy Borkowski

Homecoming Sunday Sept. 9th, 11:20 a.m.

Homecoming Party w/ Lunch & Fun For All

Bring a Friend to Church Sunday

Page 2

The Messenger

SMALL GROUPS BEGIN THE WEEEK OF SEPT. 30. Sign Up by contacting your

Small Group Leader, fill out a yellow card @ church, or call 203-888-4936 DAY OF WEEK TIME & PLACE LEADER(S) FOR

Sundays Begins 9/30/18

8:35 in Church Office Fr. John & ?

Men and Women

Mondays Begins 10/1/18

7:00 pm at Church Sue Evancho (Small Group Coordinator) & Bob Knapp

Women and Men

Wednesdays Begins 10/3/18

9:30 am at Church Marilyn Stebar & Laura Burr Women

Fridays Begins 10/5/18

7:00 pm at Home

Molly Turchuk & Don Peck Sunday School Couples

Fridays Begins 10/5/18

7:15 pm @ Church

Fr. John & Cathy Lee Men and Women Newcomers & Beginners

Fridays Begins 10/5/18

7-9 pm Check box if you will want to use this service

Kids Bible Boot Camp Kids w/parents attending Friday Small Groups

GLORY DAYS – LIVING YOUR PROMISED LAND LIFE NOW—

CCQF’S SMALL GROUP GUIDE FOR THE FALL

SMALL GROUPS AT CCQF RETURN THE WEEK OF SEPT. 30.

SIGN UP BY CONTACTING THE CHURCH OR YOUR SG LEADER

The wilderness. Maybe you know it well. The Israelites sure did. After

all, they spent forty years wandering the desert. Victories were scarce.

Progress was slow. They were free from Pharaoh but not free from fear.

Saved but stuck.

Sounds a lot like midlife misery. Caught in a rut. Stalled out. Running

on empty. Are you mired in the same? Isn’t the Christian life supposed

to be better than this? Jesus offers abundant joy. Yet you live with

oppressive grief. The epistles speak of grace. You shoulder guilt. You

are more than a conqueror yet are commonly conquered by temptation

or weaknesses.

But there’s good news. With God’s help you can close the gap between

the person you are and the person you want to be. Like Joshua and the Israelites, you can move from a

wilderness existence into a promised inheritance.

This is God’s vision for your life. You, at full throttle. You, as you were intended. You, as victor over the

Jerichos and giants. You, minus the stumbles, hurts, and hate.

You and your Promised Land life.

Max Lucado invites us to leave the wilderness and discover a life defined by grace, refined by challenge,

and aligned with a heavenly call. By studying the life of Joshua and the biblical book that bears his name,

Lucado reveals God’s promises for every step and reminds readers that God still fights for them.

Page 3 The Messenger

WANT SOMEONE TO PRAY FOR YOU?

YOUR FAMILY OR FRIENDS?

The CCQF Healing Ministry is here to help you:

*** PRAYER FOR HEALING, in person, is offered every last Sunday

of the month, or any other time by request.

***INTERCESSORY PRAYER is offered by the new CCQF Email Prayer Chain.

submit requests to: rpaulgtx@gmail.com

*****ALL PRAYER REQUESTS are strictly confidential.

Prayer releases God's love and healing (James 5;16). Let us pray for you.

----Patti & Paul Doyle, Healing Ministry & Email Prayer Chain Coordinators

What are small groups? By Susan Evancho, Small Group Coordinator

A SMALL GROUP …

Is an intentional gathering. This group of people agrees to share life together. They plan where and when

to meet and arrange their schedules to be there. They have a purpose for getting together.

Meets regularly. A small group has a regular meeting time and schedule. The groups know when to

expect their next gathering.

For the purpose of joining God’s mission. People in small groups desire to be formed as Christ’s

disciples and as such they will naturally join in God’s mission. Jesus defined disciples as those “who love

one another the way I love you.”

Where we form new friendships in Christian Love.

And where we can ask questions, make mistakes, learn to pray, talk with and listen to others, learn

about God’s Word, and open our hearts to be touched by God.

What an exciting program we are offering this fall “Glory Days” by Max Lucado. There are multiple

groups being offered. Groups begin the week of September 30.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey

everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew

28:18-20)

TESTIMONIALS FROM THOSE WHO HAVE PARTICPATED

IN THE CCQF SMALL GROUP PRORAM

WHAT DID YOU APPRECIATE MOST ABOUT YOUR SMALL GROUP EXPERIENCE?

The friendliness of the group members.

I could open up to the group.

Fellowship, Sharing, learning form one another.

Being able to open up to the group and share in each others’ experiences, thoughts, and perspectives.

Felling the presence of the Holy Spirit in our group and how much we learn from one another.

The open, accepting, and nonjudging atmosphere which frees me to be the person God wants me to

be.

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The Messenger

ALTAR GUILD MEMBER REQUEST By Kim Wentz, CCQF Altar Guild Directress

The altar guild at CCQF is seeking 2 new members to fulfill

an opening in our schedule. No experience is necessary,

just a love of our Lord! Everyone seems to be a little

intimidated by our crew, so I’ve come up with a little punch

list to help put your minds at ease! Here it goes:

1: NO EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY

2: Time needed is about 45 minutes on Friday or Saturday, 10 minutes between services on

Sunday and about 20 minutes after the 10:00am service on Sunday.

3: The schedule for set up is up to you! I do not micro manage!

4: We are an equal opportunity employer! Women and men are welcome. Maybe a mother and

daughter combination or even a father and son or mother and son or father and daughter! I can make

any combination work!

5: I will train you personally and assist you as needed.

6: There are step by step instructions so you will not forget anything.

If you have any desire to serve our Lord in this ministry, please contact Kim Wentz at 203-215-1680 and

leave a message. The open months are December and either March or April depending on which month

Easter is NOT in! I look forward to hearing from you!

WITH GRATITUDE TO YOU By Father John

[Ed. Note--CCQF threw a surprise party for Fr. John on July 29,

to thank him for his seven years of service as pastor of this

congregation. Below is a note from him to CCQF]

Dear Sisters and brothers of CCQF,

How in the world did you keep the planning of this party from me.

I did not have a clue. I was pleasantly shocked and surprised.

Secondly, I am so deeply honored and touched by the pout pouring of your gratitude for my 7 years of service.

Of course, we give the fully glory of Jesus, who is head of this church; and it is my honor and pleasure to be

His servant among you, the people I love. You gave me a gift on July 29, that most pastors never receive until

they leave a church. Because of you, I am the most fortunate pastor I know. Thanks be to God and to you.

Some of the stains in the church carpet have been

removed. Coffee spills and such are tuff on our carpet and

do not make our church look good. So please water only in

church, it doesn't stain.

Thank you ,,,,,,,,from the person who scrubbed out the

stains.

Page 5 The Messenger

August 19 Cathy Lee

August 26 The Stepeck Family

September 2 Bob Knapp

September 9 HOMECOMING

September 16 Thad and Maryann Burr

September 23 Natalie Beecher and Betty Beecher

September 30 Evanchos

TREASURER'S ARTICLE By Bob Knapp

FATHER JOHN DAY on July 31.Greetings everyone – on behalf of the entire congregation at Christ Church

Quaker Farms (CCQF) I would like to thank everyone who chipped in to give Father John such awesome and

surprising gifts that were presented to him on Sunday, July 29th – he was so touched and delighted by your

wonderful generosity - and your ability to keep a good secret! Some 30 families chipped in a number of gifts

including well over $5K, a painting, a poem, a number of kind personal letters and several other thoughtful

and beautiful gifts. If you still want to send in a gift, feel free to mail it to my home address (or to give it

directly to Father John at this point). Make checks payable to Rev. John Donnelly.

CHEERFUL GIVING. As you know we have many ongoing ministries and activities at CCQF, and these require us

to meet many obligations – spiritual; prayerful; financial; social; familial and moral obligations. With these

commitments in mind, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage everyone to keep up your donations

and pledges over the course of this summer as summer attendance historically tends to drop off while people

are away on vacation. However, our bills and other obligations do not go on vacation. Please help us stay

financially healthy this summer and have a plan to get your weekly and monthly pledges in - so our Christian

family moves forward smoothly on our loving Christian journey.

NEW VESTRY CLERK. Lastly, I would like to announce that CCQF has a new Clerk of the Vestry – Mrs. Debra

Giambra has taken over as Clerk of the Vestry, and we are all delighted by her selfless spirit of volunteerism

and service in this new role. Please take an opportunity to thank Deb personally for taken on this important

duty for our Church leadership and for you.

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PICTORAL DIRECTORY UPDATE.

Sue Gibbons says "The pictorial

directories should be available by

October. "

Blessing of the Animals

Sunday, Oct. 7, 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. Bring your pets, your pet pictures, stuffed

animals as we gather in the Church Green.

Snacks for dogs, cats, & humans.

God loves our pet and loves you , too.

In honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron

saint of animals

CCQF NEWCOMERS DINNER

Sept. 7, 6:30pm.

If you have joined CCQF for worship � during

the past 3 to 4 years, then you are invited to the

CCQF Newcomer's Dinner, hosted by the CCQF

Greeters and The Revs. Ellen & John Donnelly.

Place: 852 Bullet Hill Rd., Southbury, CT

06488🏠

Chef: The Rev. Ellen Donnelly, Cook

Extraordinaire

Time: Begins at 6:30pm. Those who need

to leave early can leave around 8-8:30

pm.

Child care: Will be provided at CCQF,

along with a free kid dinner👫

Who: You

Come share some laughs and meet some

new friends.☺

RSVP by no later than Aug. 30: **Sign up at

church, or call the Church Office: 203-888-4936

** Call or text Fr. John @ 862-226-9197

F.A.D.E. (Fighting Against Drugs Everwhere) is holding

its 4th Annual 5K walk/run. Submitted by Linda

Czaplinski

The event is being held on Thursday August 30 at 100

Canal Street, Shelton from 5:45PM – 9:00 PM

This event benefits BHcare's Alliance for Prevention &

Wellness. F.A.D.E is an organization that brings

education and awareness to drug overdose and

awareness. For details https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/

Shelton/ 4thAnnual5kRunWalkforOverdoseA wareness

We are blessed with the opportunity to have a Faith

presence at the event. Local Episcopalians will have a

tent with water, prayer cards and folks on hand to offer support, blessings, and hugs.

Page 7 The Messenger

HOW TO VOLUNTEER CONTACT:

OUR VISION for the CCQF Sunday School

To lead and nurture our children in a personal relationship with

Jesus Christ, through exciting, fun, dynamic, and age appropriate

learning activities.

SUNDAY SCHOOL BEGINS SUNDAY, SEPT. 9th, 10:00 a.m. By Molly Turchuk, SS Co-Director

Train up a child in the way they should go; even when they are old they will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

In these times of hectic schedules, clashing priorities, digital influence and troubling media it’s hard to chart

out how our children will fare.

I, myself, have found it difficult this year to determine which ‘important thing’ to attend to next. My job takes

me far from home and my hours are longer than they should be – but being a working mother is important to

show my girls that strength and determination conquers and self-confidence is one of the key routes to

happiness.

BUT, this only gets you a quarter of the way. With His light in my life I would not be able to meet my daily

responsibilities or weather the storms as they come. With this knowledge, I do my best to impart this wisdom

on my children.

With your help we can convey this knowledge and comfort to all of OUR children here at CCQF.

Christ Church is Blessed with a congregation of parents who love and care for their children and often extend

that to children that are not their own. We are also Blessed with people that may not be parents, find a passion

in guiding our children in their journey towards Jesus Christ.

Sunday School News

Bring a friend to Church on Homecoming Sunday, Sept. 9 ****Festival Service with special music @ 10am ****Sunday School @ 10am ****Homecoming Lunch /Picnic with Bounce House, Antique car rides, and more Do you know that **** 70% of Americans, in a recent national poll, report that they are lonely? **** That 8.5 out of ten people, on average, will accept an invitation to attend church if asked by

a friend? Printed invitations available at church for you to pass out.

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10 Reasons to make SUNDAY SCHOOL a

TOP PRIORITY for your Kids While sleeping late can be nice, have you considered the benefits of Sunday School

attendance for your child. Here are 10 reasons to make it a priority in your family.

1. Age Targeted Teaching: Unless you are going to teach the Bible to your children at home, there is no where else can your kids get Biblical instruction that’s focused

toward their developmental abilities?

2. Friends: In Sunday School, your child will build positive friendships with their peers by discovering God’s Word together. These friendships can last years. By the

time they are in Middle & High School, they will have a positive and caring peer group to help them through their teenage years.

3. It’s Fun: Sunday School is not Disney Land, but our teachers do work hard to teach the Bible in ways that are relevant and fun for kids.

4. Spiritual Mentors: A dedicated teacher can be a Christian role model who

supports you and helps inspire the faith of your child.

5. Praying Teachers: Our teachers consistently pray for your child’s faith to grow. Coming to Sunday School gives another occasion for God to answer those requests.

7. Positive Moral Values. Your values are reinforced by bringing your children to

Sunday School. Ina world where children are threatened by bullying, peer pressure, and rejection, Sunday School teaches that Jesus can bring inner strength to seek help

when needed, to reject negative peer pressure. In Sunday School, your child will learn that he/she is important to God, and is loved by his or her church family.

Christian teaching forms the foundation for your child’s moral values as a teen, young adult, and adult.

8. Renewal for Parents. While the children enjoy their class, you can have time,

alone with God to be renewed and refreshed by joyful worship and positive preaching.

9. Support Your Teachers. Our teacher volunteers put in hours of loving

preparation for the benefit of your kids. Don’t we owe them our support by bringing our kids to benefit from their labor of love?

10. Nothing will have a more lasting impact on your children. Not sports. Not

the internet. Not extra sleep. If you do not bring your kids today, they will not return as adults —From various sources

Page 9 The Messenger

YOUTH NEWS-THE 2018 MISSION TRIP

(Editor’s Note –During July, our Youth Group traveled to Pennsylvania to help people

in need. Some of their testimonies are below. Special thanks to Don Peck and Katelyn

Wentz, Chaperones and Jackie McDonnell, Mission Trip Administrator.)

Mission Testimony by Robert Lee During this mission trip I felt that God had reached out to me and guided

me toward helping the community in Pennsylvania. God helped by presenting many opportunities to help

throughout the week. My favorite place that I served at was the central Pennsylvania food bank. We got to

prepare a over a hundred boxes of food for the elderly. We also served at the OIC which was a school and

needed more credits for college or young kids who just weren’t in school. While we were there we planted

all kinds of fruits and vegetables and we also did a ton of weeding. Also our leaders, Mr. Don Peck and Ms.

Katelyn Wentz, were such great parts of the trip as well. We also met really nice counselors named CJ,

Kourtney, Chris and Kala. I also think I got more out of this trip spiritually especially on Thursday when they

had the foot washing. Katelyn gave such amazing prayers to everyone there, that it was so spiritually

moving.

Mission Testimony by Hanna Falconer On this mission trip we all saw many different aspects of God. His

reckless love, how He always wants us to do our best, and serve him in return. On this trip I have found

that helping others in need is more fulfilling than any video game I a have finished. Now that I have

returned from this trip I feel excited for the next time God calls on me to help others in need.

Mission Testimony by Alex Lee Over the course of this mission trip I saw God in many things. One of the

moments I saw God was when my group went to help out a woman named Pamela by cleaning her yard.

When we took a break from fixing up her yard she told us her story. Pamela said she is the leader of her

church’s Youth Group, but she stopped going to church as much because her husband got cancer. This

made a connection to my life because when my father had cancer, my family didn’t have as much time to

clean up the yard or the ability to go out as much. God touched me that day with this realization that it

made me want to work harder for this woman.

Mission Testimony by Katie Brolet For our first two service days we worked at Grace United Methodist

Church. It was a stunning church to say the least and is beyond words to describe, but I can try. The stained

glass is like watercolor and the carpet and pews are this beautiful bright red. The altar is green marble and

the mural is breath taking. The church manager, Chuck, was super nice, friendly and grateful, and seemed

really glad to have us there. He told us about how the congregation was really small with about 40 people

and this was really sad because the sanctuary can hold about 800 people.

Reflections on Mission Trip

“I felt closer to God because I was serving God in His name.”—Noah Macisco

Question: What did you like best? Answer: We had lots of interaction and got to know each other better.—John Covino

GOOD YOUTH NEWS--TUESDAY NIGHT YOUTH GROUP, 7:00-8:15,

will resume in September @ time and date to be announced by the

advisors, Don Peck & Katelyn Wentz

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On July 2, we sent 100 pounds of peanut butter and jelly to the Food

Bank. They were thrilled to receive this donation. It is a hardship for

families with students home over the summer since they do not have

access to subsidized breakfasts and lunches that are available during

the school year. We are very close to reaching our goal of 200

pounds. Please consider donating!

ECW News

We served dinner to 33 guests from the Spooner House in July. Thank

you to everyone who helped to make the evening a success. Once

again your food donations were delicious! Our guests loved the food,

fellowship, and the Ice Cream Bar.

The August Shelter Dinner will have taken place on August 6. A huge

thank you to Joyce and Ted Pallman for stepping up to ensure that

the meal went smoothly, and to Logue Farms for providing fresh corn

on the cob (shameless plug).

Due to Labor Day, there will be no dinner at the church in September.

If anyone would be interested in organizing a meal to be served at the

Spooner House, please contact Kathie Osborn 203-509-9482.

Shelter Dinner

Every year we collect back to school items for the students living at the

Spooner House. Currently there are six students. Girls ages 5 and 8, and

boys who are 5 and one 15 and one 17 year old boy. They are especially

in need of backpacks and individual packets of tissues, as well as all

school supplies such as notebooks, pencils, folders, crayons. Many

stores, such as Staples, have age appropriate lists available. Any

duplicates are saved for students who come to Spooner House during the school year. There is a Walmart and a

Great Clips hair salon within walking distance of the shelter. Gift cards to either location would also be greatly

appreciated. There is a box in the Parish Hall for your donations. We will take the items to the Spooner House on

August 20. Let's help give these kids a great start to the school year!

The next ECW meeting will be held Monday,

September 17 at 6:30 pm. If you are a woman and

you attend Christ Church you are a member of the

ECW, and we would love to have you join us. We will

be discussing the Cookie Walk and ideas for

outreach and fellowship.

Refreshments will be provided.

Page 11 The Messenger

,

This fall will be the perfect time for kicking

off our fund raising program. A committee is

being formed for brain storming and

implementing some fund raisers to help with

our budget shortfall. Please consider being a

part of this important ministry. Talk to me

Michael Bawlick, Michael Evancho,

or Bob Knapp.

Allergies

Warden’s Notes By Michael Bawlick

This summer has been busy with property issues as

always. The fire marshals inspection left us with

repairs to do. That list is almost completed.

The Tornado left us with one tree at the church

and some at the rectory to clean up.

Thank you Ted Pallman for your trusty chain saw

work and those that helped him. There is still work

to be done. The maple tree by the handy cap

parking lot is diseased and scheduled to be

removed, along with the dead small tree also,

however a helpful person has cut down the smaller

tree, thank you.

The white storage shed needs a new roof badly

it is leaking and is going to start rotting the wood

frame. Speak to Michael Evancho or Michael Bawlick

if you can be part of the roofing team to replace this

roof. Thank you.

The front stoop to the church is again in need

of repair and painting. This could be your part of a

church ministry. Thank you

There is always things to repair and maintain on

this 200 year old Church, it is an important ministry

to assure it is in good condition to pass on to the

future just as those before us have done for us.

Consider being a part of the property committee

speak to Michael Evancho or myself Michael Bawlick.

Christ Church Quaker Farms

Your choir (Praise Team) has been busy this

summer, practicing and coming up with

songs to praise our Lord with. The praise

team is excited about our renewed spirit in

singing songs of praise and Hymns that

inspire us all. We are not perfect singers, we

do not have perfect singing voices, but we

love to sing and inspire others. Being part of

the praise team is tons of fun,

ALL ARE WELCOME

To join us, please consider singing with us it

will be fun for you too. Speak to me Michael Bawlick or Seth.

WORSHIP at 8:00 & 10:00 a.m. BRING A FRIEND TO CHURCH Homecoming Party &

Picnic immediately after the 10 am service.

Sunday School Returns @ 10am

Rides & Games for Kids

We’re on the Web!

Visit us at: www.ccqf.org

Christ Church Quaker Farms

470 Quaker Farms Rd

Oxford, CT 06478

Sunday Services

8:00 a.m. – Traditional

10:00 a.m. – Contemporary

10:00 a.m. - Sunday School

September 9, 2018