Letter From Our Pastor - First Church · PDF fileVanessa’s new foci on welcoming and...
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Dear Brothers and Sisters, The mighty wind of the Holy Spirit is blowing in our congregation during this Pentecost season! The Holy Spirit is equipping and empowering the Disciples of Christ to spread the Good News of God’s love in powerful, life-giving ways! Vacation Bible School, June 20-23, with the theme “Created by God, Built for a Purpose” will be a major faith formation event for everyone involved, child and adult. The Refugee Support Team is helping refugees settle in their new homes and integrate into our community, and advocating for just and fair policies immigration policies. Youth Group Work Camp to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation will deepen our ties with the people of La Plant, SD and provide foundational life experiences for our young people. Revitalized Music Ministry under the direction of The Reverend Paul Jacobson, Ph.D., is enriching our worship and creating a powerful experience of public prayer and praise of God. Committed and Gifted Leaders elected at the All Church Meeting include Jane Barnes, Charlotte Dyslin, Suzanne Minatti-Lathbury, Casey Mulqueen, April Obermeyer, Jacque Paige, Rita Skog, Charlie Simmons, and Wendy Williams-Brown. Faithful, Committed and Generous Giving to support the varied, life-giving ministries of First Church has yielded a 43% increase in the average annual pledge since 2014. Two Houses, One Home, our shared ministry with First Baptist Church of Stratford is growing. Our mission statement is in the works, and First Baptist will worship here on October 1! The “New Team of Pastors” is eager to be engaged with each Disciple in sharing the “God’s love in Christ, the best hope of the world.” Look inside for more information on our plans! Vital, Enlivening, Spiritual Worship is where it all begins! All summer long, at 8:15 on Sundays we will worship God in the beauty of nature at Sasco Beach. At 10:15 we will be in the Sanctuary, moving on July 2 into the air- conditioned Hobart Chapel. Be sure to put worship at the top of your list of summer plans! From the days of Isaiah, God has declared, “Behold I am doing a new thing… do you not perceive it?” The mighty winds of the Spirit are blowing in our midst, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God! An Open and Affirming Congregation Summer 2017 Letter From Our Pastor
Transcript of Letter From Our Pastor - First Church · PDF fileVanessa’s new foci on welcoming and...
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The mighty wind of the Holy Spirit is blowing in our congregation during this
Pentecost season!
The Holy Spirit is equipping and empowering the Disciples of Christ to spread
the Good News of God’s love in powerful, life-giving ways!
Vacation Bible School, June 20-23, with the theme “Created by God, Built for a Purpose” will be a major faith
formation event for everyone involved, child and adult.
The Refugee Support Team is helping refugees settle in their new homes and integrate into our community, and
advocating for just and fair policies immigration policies.
Youth Group Work Camp to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation will deepen our ties with the people of
La Plant, SD and provide foundational life experiences for our young people.
Revitalized Music Ministry under the direction of The Reverend Paul Jacobson, Ph.D., is enriching our worship and
creating a powerful experience of public prayer and praise of God.
Committed and Gifted Leaders elected at the All Church Meeting include Jane Barnes, Charlotte Dyslin, Suzanne
Minatti-Lathbury, Casey Mulqueen, April Obermeyer, Jacque Paige, Rita Skog, Charlie Simmons, and Wendy
Williams-Brown.
Faithful, Committed and Generous Giving to support the varied, life-giving ministries of First Church has yielded a 43%
increase in the average annual pledge since 2014.
Two Houses, One Home, our shared ministry with First Baptist Church of Stratford is growing. Our mission
statement is in the works, and First Baptist will worship here on October 1!
The “New Team of Pastors” is eager to be engaged with each Disciple in sharing the “God’s love in Christ, the best
hope of the world.” Look inside for more information on our plans!
Vital, Enlivening, Spiritual Worship is where it all begins! All summer long, at 8:15 on Sundays we will worship God
in the beauty of nature at Sasco Beach. At 10:15 we will be in the Sanctuary, moving on July 2 into the air-
conditioned Hobart Chapel. Be sure to put worship at the top of your list of summer plans!
From the days of Isaiah, God has declared, “Behold I am doing a new thing… do you not perceive it?” The mighty
winds of the Spirit are blowing in our midst, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God!
An Open and Affirming Congregation Summer 2017
Letter From Our Pastor
The Herald page 2 Summer 2017
Thank You
Since we introduced Vern as our choice for Associate Pastor for Faith Formation and Discipleship, the Search Committee has received many kind words of thanks and gratitude from the congregation. Your recognition of how much time and energy we put into the proc-ess is so appreciated. However, I need to thank you, the congregation, for allowing me to serve on our search committee. This was truly a gift I was not expecting.
The experience, for me personally, has been a uniquely spiritual one that deepened my faith and put me more in touch with God’s will for how to conduct my life. Being privy to the faith experiences and development of our candidates was very humbling. Hearing their enthusiasm for First Church and their assessment of us as a beacon on the horizon of modern Christianity, was surprising and inspiring. But the real joy and blessing was in spending so much time with our team and David. The time and energy put into our search was never work for me but rather a journey of joy, enthusiasm and sharing as God revealed his plan and path for us. My spiritual life and faith in God has been strengthened by the entire experience and I am so grateful to you, brothers and sisters of First Church, for affording me this unique opportunity. May the Holy Spirit continue His work through us all!
Rita Skog
Pastoral Team Transitions
The Reverend David W. Spollett will be away for eight weeks (4 weeks of vacation and 4 weeks of sabbatical leave) from
June 19 – August 14. During his sabbatical he will focus on Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s theology, the role of the church in racial rec-
onciliation, and laity empowerment and discipleship training. He will also be on a silent retreat for one week at the Loyola Jesuit
Retreat Center.
The Reverend Daniel England will provide pastoral leadership while David is away, focusing on preaching, worship and pas-
toral care. We are so grateful for Dan’s ministry during this interim time. He will conclude his ministry with us on August 15.
The Deacons will host a special reception on August 20.
The Reverend Vanessa Payne Rose will be on vacation in July. In August she will travel to UCC national offices in Cleveland
for the first meeting of the Next Generation Leadership Initiative (NGLI). NGLI is a highly selective advanced training program
for young clergy. See “A Vision for Shared Ministry and Pastoral Leadership” (on page 3 & insert) for a description of
Vanessa’s new foci on welcoming and integrating new people, and pastoral care ministry.
The Reverend Vern Swett, D.Min. will begin his ministry at First Church on August 15. Vern came down from Littleton to
participate in the All Church Election Meeting on May 30 and will be back this month to meet with other members of the Pastoral
Team and Youth Ministry leaders to make plans for the fall. Vern is as eager to begin his ministry here as we are to have him
come!
The Reverend Paul Jacobson, Ph.D. joined us last August as Acting Director of Music. An ordained priest of the Episcopal
Church, Paul was on a leave of absence, which is now over. The Personnel Board and Council have voted unanimously to name
Paul the permanent Minister of Music and Organist. He has enlivened and improved our worship of God through his faithful ser-
vice, musical talent, both as an instrumentalist and choral conductor, and his kind and compassionate interactions with everyone
he meets. We are delighted that he will remain with us in this part-time ministry!
Maria Ferrante will continue her excellent work as Business Manager, thank goodness! She will be on vacation July 5-15.
Cheri Evan will continue as Minister of Congregational Life and Children’s Music, thank goodness (!) and step back from her role
as Youth Director with the arrival of Vern Swett. Cheri will be on Work Camp July 15 -22 and on vacation July 24-28 and August
21-25.
Alex Ackley will return this fall as Director of Disciple Road (great!), working with Vern Swett in our faith formation ministry
with children on Sunday mornings.
The Position of Sexton will be redefined in September. For many years we have been trying to improve the cleanliness,
upkeep and basic maintenance of the church buildings and 636 Old Post Road. It is now clear that the best way to provide for
our custodial and maintenance needs is to divide the responsibilities. The Sexton position will become part time in September
and will focus primarily on basic upkeep and repairs, managing the HVAC and other operating systems and some custodial ser-
vices. The major portion of the custodial and cleaning services will be provided by an outside contractor.
Baptism is the Sacrament of our Christian vocation. Everyone baptized in Christ becomes a Disciple of
Christ. In our daily lives, and in our shared ministry in and through the church, we share God’s love in
Christ with the world. That is not the province of clergy, but is the ministry of everyone who is part of the
church. We are all Disciples of Christ.
Some Disciples are set aside as leaders, the ordained clergy. Their role is to preach and teach the gospel,
administer the sacraments, exercise pastoral care and leadership, and encourage and equip all the people
of the church for their ministry as Disciples of Christ.
The Reverends Vanessa Payne Rose, David W. Spollett and Vern W. Swett have been Called by First
Church to serve together as Pastors. Using their individual spiritual gifts, passions, skills, experience, and
talents they will work together to build up the body of Christ and empower all of us for ministry.
Each one will be a “generalist,” i.e., Vanessa, David and Vern will each be available to everyone, young
and old alike; each will preach and lead public worship; each will provide pastoral care for all; and each
share in leading the congregation. They will also have special responsibility for particular areas of the
church’s ministry, based on their spiritual gifts, abilities, and passion.
David will focus his time and energy on the overall leadership of the congregation; take responsibility for
crafting worship along with the other pastors, with The Reverend Paul Jacobson, Minister of Music, and the
Steward for Worship and Senior Deacon Wendy Williams-Brown; preach the majority of Sundays; work
closely with the Steward for Outreach Suzanne Minatti-Lathbury and other leaders on outreach and social
action; strengthen and deepen our relationship with the First Baptist Church of Stratford; provide pastoral
care; and focus on discerning the “next big thing,” aka “where God is leading us.”
Vern will lead worship and preach; live out his “passion and love for children’s and youth ministry,”
working with Director of Disciple Road Alex Ackley, and other leaders in Disciple Road, The Middle Road,
Confirmation, and Youth Group; work closely with the Steward for Faith Formation Rita Skog in creating
faith formation ministries for all ages, including discipleship training for adults; intergenerational outreach
ministries; work closely with David and the Steward for Resource Development Charlotte Dyslin in annual
giving and fund raising; and provide pastoral care for all.
Vanessa (working 20 hours per week) will join Vern and David in leading worship and preaching; exercise
her passion and gifts for “opening the doors of the church” by reaching out to visitors; and work closely
with Cheri Evan, Minister for Congregational Life, and the Steward for Inreach to welcome and integrate
new comers into the congregation. She will also focus on pastoral care, the ministry of the Samaritans,
Compassionate Cooks and other caring ministries; and work closely with the Steward for Worship and
Senior Deacon Wendy Williams-Brown in the Prayer Ministry.
David writes, “Vanessa, Vern, and I are very excited and happy to have been called to lead First Church.
But this is not something we can do alone; these are ministries of the congregation. We invite you to get
involved and join us in this exciting new day. The winds of the Holy Spirit are blowing, creating and
renewing the church of Jesus Christ. Come, share the joy… and get in on the fun!”
The Herald page 3 Summer 2017
The Herald page 4 Summer 2017
“I am so grateful to
your caring people of
faith.”
- Betty Brandt
Parish Court resident
Soup Kitchen Saints
On break for July and
August back in action
in September!
Look for details in the
September Herald.
Contact Patty Gregory
[email protected] or 203-333-7789
The Herald page 5 Summer 2016
Don't forget to bring non-perishable items for Operation Hope's Food Pantry -
this month they particularly need canned
chicken, canned fruit, coffee and
shampoo. Put donations in the grocery carts outside the Chapel or Sanctuary.
Help Keep Operation Hope’s Pantry Full!
Minute for
Missions
NAMI, is the
na tion’s la rgest
grassroots menta l
hea lth organiza tion
ded ic a ted to b uild ing better lives for the millions of
Americ ans a ffec ted by menta l illness.
Wha t sta rted a s a sma ll g roup of families ga thered
a round a kitc hen tab le in 1979 has b lossomed into
the na tion's lead ing voic e on menta l hea lth.
Toda y, we a re an assoc ia tion of hundreds of loc a l
a ffilia tes, sta te organiza tions and volunteers who
work in your c ommunity to ra ise awareness and p ro-
vide support and ed uc a tion tha t was not p reviously
ava ilab le to those in need .
NAMI relies on g ifts and c ontributions to support our
important work. - See more a t: https:/ / www.nami.org /
About-NAMI#sthash.29Fb ovYT.dpuf
First Churc h will rec eive the NAMI offering and
c eleb ra te the Joy of Sharing Sunday, June 18t h.
Summer is almost here
and we will be running one
drive throughout the
summer. Our summer
drive will be for back-to-
school backpacks. We
realize it is a bit soon to
be thinking about back-to-school when school hasn’t even
ended yet but we would like to have the packs ready
when the children start school in August. We will have
sign-ups in the connecting corridor after the 10:15
service the first two Sundays in June. The packs will be
due August 13th (You will get a reminder call). If you
will not be around to sign-up but would like to donate
please call Marilyn Henry (255-5296)
Thank you for all your generous support during the year.
Enjoy your summer.
Marilyn, Kim and Jessie
The Herald page 6 Summer 2016
Parish Notes
Wedding
May 20 Emily Alison Kristy
and
Edward Joseph Wilkes Jr.
Warm weather and sunny skies are here! Time to think about shorts and swim wear for those
lazy, fun filled days! Come shop at The Store to find great buys!
Don’t miss our Side Walk Sale on Saturday June 10th! There will be fresh summer inventory for
sale as well great bargains on current merchandise!
Are you feeling patriotic? We have tableware, wreaths, clothing and more in RED, WHITE and
BLUE for Flag Day and the Fourth of July.
Our Two Dollar Rack has especially good bargains. New items are added ALL the time…….
don’t miss out!
If you have some free time and would like to be a store volunteer, please contact our store
manager, Amy Watson at: 516-641-3264.
Store Hours:
M-F 10-3 and Saturday 10-2
The Store is an outreach of First Church Fairfield that serves the wider community.
Its purpose is to provide our neighbors with quality, thrift-priced goods that in turn support
the Church's extensive network of social services.
First Baptist Church of Stratford
Visit The National African American Museum
of Arts & Culture
August 3-4, 2017
$75 per person for round trip bus transportation
Must secure your own accommodations tour, food
and hotel is at the individual’s expense.
For more information contact Vanessa Wiliams
(203-260-0441) or Sandra Brown (203-725-5198)
Monday-Thursday 9:00-3:00 Closed Fridays
The Herald page 7 Summer 2017
Middle Schoolers -The Middle Road
The Middle Road has officially completed its first year and what a great experience it has been!
Thank you to all of the 6, 7, & 8th graders who came and helped to get this program off the
ground. We appreciate your open and inquisitive minds, your willingness to learn and
experience other faiths, and your giving hearts. We look forward to seeing where the road will take us next year!
Please check out the culmination of our Joining The Generations Project
posters on the windows outside the Sanctuary.
Youth Group Be on the lookout for...Youth in Action!
Friends Always Welcome! Our last meeting for this season will be June 11th!
Join us for a picnic at the beach and bring something to share we’ll provide the
hotdogs, hamburgers and toppings.
6:00-7:30pm we’ll meet in the church parking lot and walk down to the beach together!
The Loft Community
The Loft is a safe space and loving community for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer
and questioning teens and their friends.
The Loft meets at 4:30 pm in the Memorial Room at the Fairfield Public Library
For more information contact Liane Nelson—[email protected]
Please contact Liane for Summer Schedule.
Youth Ministry Team:
Peter Evan—[email protected]
Cheri Evan—[email protected]
Bryan French—[email protected]
Middle Road Ministry Team:
Wendy Muschett—[email protected]
Melissa Hain—[email protected]
David Spollett—[email protected]
The Herald page 8 Summer 2017
Senior High Work Camp
July 15-22, 2017
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
Reservation , South Dakota
With Simply Smiles
SHARE
To support
Workcamper’ name:
____________________________________
Attached is my check/cash for $25.00
per share.
Thank you for supporting the spiritual growth
of the youth of First Church!
Please know that their work will be carried out
in love and solidarity with those who live in
extreme poverty in South Dakota
My Name
_____________________________________
Address
_____________________________________
city/state _____________zip code_________
Cash ____________ Check # _____________
Please make checks out to:
“First Church Congregational” and put “Work
Camp 2017” in the memo line. Return your
share form and donation to
Cheri Evan
148 Beach Road, Fairfield CT 06824
Work Camp 2017
Campers and Adult Leaders
This year First Church will return to with Simply
Smiles to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
Reservation in South Dakota.
Work Campers Leah Evan, Nick Evan, Chris Harris,
Sarah McKinnis, Anna Lee Melton, Jonah Melton,
Hannah Nolan, Jeanette and Jackie Sanna, along
with adult leaders Pete Evan, Cheri Evan, Josie
Evan and David McKinnis. Please hold them all in
your prayers.
Save the Date!
Work Camp Fundraising Events
Selling Shares and Go Fund Us! Look for
Work Campers on Sundays and support them
directly by buying a share or visit our Go Fund
Us page https://www.gofundme.com/first-
church-mission-trip
Waffle Bar Sunday June 11th 9:00 am in
Wakeman Hall. Homemade Waffles with all the
toppings, coffee, tea, milk and juice.
The Herald page 9 Summer 2016
Council of Churches Update!
On May 11 The Council of Churches of Greater Bpt. had their 71st Annual Meeting. Our own Lauren Strickland has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors; Mike Szwejkowski serving another term as Treasurer. Nancy Szwejkowski has rotated off the Board but will continue on the Committees of Tent of Abraham, Congregation Relations & the Bridge Committee.
Summer Happenings!
8:15 am Sasco Beach Services
Begin June 11th-September 3rd
10:15 Worship will move to the Air-Conditioned
Chapel on July 2nd
Summer Nursery Help Please contact Cheri to volunteer
Summer Fellowship Ministry
You can help on Sunday mornings by hosting fellowship hour in the Eliot Library after the
10:15 worship. It’s easy! Just set out cups, napkins, mix the lemonade, provide a snack and
greet those coming for fellowship. A quick clean up when all have departed and you’re
done!
Please look for the sign-up or e-mail: Cheri Evan @ [email protected]
An Open and Affirming Congregation “No matter where you are on life’s journey you are always welcome here!”
Deadline for
September Herald
August 11th
Send all submissions to Cheri Evan
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL ~ June 20-23
9:00am-12:00pm Tuesday-Friday
Register Today!
Adult & Teen Volunteers needed as Crew Leaders, Presc hool Lead ers and Workshop Leaders for: Bib le Disc overy
(story telling), Game Maker (games & rec rea tion) and Snac k Fac tory (snac k time)
Volunteer for one day or a ll four just let us know when you’ re ava ilab le.
Contac t: Vanessa Rose (vrose@firstc hurc hfa irfield .org)
