Dear friends in Christ,
I hope you’re all staying dry this rainy day, and I hope these first couple days of the school year have gone well. There are a few things going on in the life of the church that I’d like to highlight:
Homecoming Sunday: 9/12
On September 12th, we’ll celebrate Homecoming Sunday and also recognize the 225th anniversary of MCC! We’ll have music, face painting, corn chowder, lobster salad rolls, and plenty more. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Sunday school also resumes on Homecoming.
Mission Opportunities
Natural Disaster Relief: Many of you have likely seen the news regarding the severe damage done by Hurricane Ida in the South and also the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti. The United Church of Christ National Office has issued appeals asking for financial assistance to help with both of these disasters. Our church Mission Board has voted to make donations, but if you’d like to make a donation directly here is where you can.
Hurricane Ida: https://www.ucc.org/appeal-severe-storms-2021/
Haiti : https://www.ucc.org/ucc-haiti-appeal/
United Church of Christ Disaster Ministries focuses on mid to long term recovery, so that’s what donations to those two appeals will go towards.
Refugees: The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan along with the Taliban takeover has precipitated refugees to arrive in the U.S. on an accelerated timetable. Those who are arriving now are people who have helped the U.S. There is an organization in New Haven, IRIS, that resettles refugees in our state. I know they’re looking for leads on housing for families as many people arrived with short notice. They also can always use funds. Our Mission Board has made a donation. Here is a link to IRIS’s website if you’d like to make a donation or get involved in the work they’re doing: https://irisct.org/
Also, thank you to everyone who donated backpacks and school supplies for Wellmore. I’ve attached a picture of everything before it was picked up last week.
Book and Bake Sale: 10/16 10am-2pm
On 10/16 we’re going to have a book and bake sale fundraiser. I’ve attached the lovely flyer made by Katie P. We’re going to need baked goods and volunteers to help make everything a success. You can sign up to volunteer or bake here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0548A4A82DABF58-book
The link to the Facebook event is here: https://fb.me/e/WkKPuJYH
Also, we need books to sell! We’re accepting donations of books (no encyclopedias), puzzles, CDs, and DVDs. You can bring things to the church when the church office is open M-F 9am-3pm.
General Comments
As we begin a new church program year and a new school year, there’s still much more uncertainty than any of us would like about how things are going to go and what’s going to happen. This prayer from Illustrated Ministries captures some of the hope and uncertainty of this season of new beginnings:
“Loving God, Coat the year before us with miracles of your mercy and strength, and help us appreciate most of all the bedrock miracle of your presence with us in every single ordinary, sacred moment. May the changes in ourselves and our world through the pandemic bring layers of goodness we’d have never had otherwise. Lead us this school year into life-giving rhythms of grace and light, where our regular routines become the framework for worship and blessing. Amen.”
Peace,
Pastor Katrina