Communion on the Road

This fall we began a new ministry called "Communion on the Road". Each month, Communion elements taken from our Communion service are brought to those unable to be physically present with us: the sick, those unable to travel from home, those recovering in facilities. This ministry has been joyfully received by those who have been visited, and by those who have volunteered to make the visits. 

We are now ready to expand this ministry and we need your help. If you would like to learn more about taking Communion on the Road to someone, or if you know of someone who you think might like to receive Communion, please speak to or email Pastor James or Pastor Alison. 

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Canned Goods Needed for Holy Week Labyrinth Setup

We will once again be creating the labyrinth from canned goods. Your contribution of a 14.5 ounce canned good (beans or soups are best) will help bring this into being. After Easter, all canned goods will be given to the Cheshire Food Pantry and Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries. You can bring them in any time and place them in the Parish Hall along the front wall (Route 10 side).

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The Butterfly Project Returns

On Easter Sunday, more than 1000 hand decorated origami butterflies graced our sanctuary. Each one folded, colored, bedazzled -- by all of you! What's better than that? Why, more butterflies of course! During Fellowship Hour on Sundays in February and March, you can take part in the Butterfly Project at the tables set up in Parish Hall. Or, if you'd prefer, you can take some home to decorate. Please see Pastor Alison with any questions. 

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Soft Yarn Needed

With Center Church in New Haven, we are now collecting skeins of soft yarn to supply the knitters at Dunbar Davenport Residences who knit hats for cancer patients. New or partial skeins are welcome; a bin is located in the parlor. 

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The Dinner Bell Community Meal is  Coming!!

On Thursday, February 27 we kick off this new ministry of outreach to our wider community. We invite our community to experience the joy we feel when we gather over a common meal: those who are physically hungry and those who hunger for social connection.  How can you be part of this? 

• Help out at the meal each month. A sign-up board in the Crossroads lists the needs. 

• Donate bottled water and bottles of juice each month.

• Spread the word to those who might enjoy this.

• Join the Action Team.

• Come and eat. 

So much of Jesus' ministry took place at tables over a meal: we can't wait to see what Jesus will do here.

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Midnight Run - February 24

On Monday, Monday, February 24, we will be delivering meals and men’s clothing to a men’s shelter in New Haven. If you would like to contribute food for the meals you can sign up in the connector (near the back entrance) or the parlor. Please drop off the food items by noon on Monday, February 24 in the kitchen and label everything “Midnight Run” and place perishable items in the fridge that is located near the back entrance. We also distribute men’s clothing, trial sized toiletries, gently used towels, blankets, new underwear and socks. Please leave these items in the white bins in the Parlor. Thank you. Kerrie Dunne is the contact person, number is 203-907-9899.

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Hygiene Kit Drive

Our Director of Youth Ministry, Todd Skrzyniarz, is heading to Uganda on February 21st. We need your help to send him off to do some great work over there.  Todd will be traveling with an organization called Field of Dreams Uganda(FoDU). Their info and mission is below. In short: we will be raising funds to help distribute hygiene kits to girls in FoDUs partner schools in central and northern Uganda. 

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One of FoDU's most successful education initiatives is their hygiene kit and girls empowerment drive. During their trip at the end of February, the FoDU team will distribute over 2,100 hygiene kits to girls in their partner schools. These kits allow the girls to stay in school during their menses. Otherwise, they would be forced to miss school during that time. This is where YOU come in.

Working with the Board of Outreach, we have set a goal of raising enough funds for 100 hygiene kits.  Each kit costs $20. 

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Has there been a woman in your life that has had a great impact on you? Perhaps a teacher, parent, or mentor? Consider donating a hygiene kit in their honor! Place donations in the specially marked envelopes in the pews. Please put "Uganda" in a check memo.  

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While in Uganda, Todd will be sending us updates on the great work being done there with Field of Dreams Uganda.  Check out their website, Field of Dreams Uganda for more information on their organization.  

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New Adult Bible Study set to begin on February 20 (rescheduled from February 6)

The next Bible Study entitled The Forgiveness of Jesus, will begin on Thursday, February 6, 2020 in the chapel; the morning session at 10 a.m., the evening session at 7 p.m.  In this 6-session video Bible study, biblical experts share six events in Jesus' life that provide a deeper understanding of the reason Christ gave his life on the cross. The class is facilitated by Gary Rowe. A participant's guide is available for $7.00.  Questions on the 6-week study can be directed to Marianne Eagleson or Gary Rowe. We hope to see you there.  All are welcome.   Please note:  if there is a weather-related school delay or closure, we will not meet for either the morning or evening sessions.

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Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper:  Tuesday, February 25, 5--7:00pm

Bring your family and friends and celebrate Mardi Gras with a plateful of delicious pancakes -- for a great cause!  Our high school students and parents will cook and serve your pancakes and a whole lot more!  Come anytime between 5:00 and 7:00 pm; we'll be serving on a rolling basis -- leave when you need to, stay as long as you like -- and enjoy the great food, festive atmosphere, and awesome New Orleans Jazz music.  A free will donation will be received; all money benefits our high school students for their summer mission trip.

 

Large Metal Cookie Cutters Needed

Our older church school group needs large metal cookie cutters for a service project which will support the Ronald McDonald House of CT, located in New Haven.  If you have some to lend or donate, please leave on counter in Room 9 or in CE Director’s mailbox.  Please indicate if the cutters are a loan or donation.  Thank you!

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Speaker Series:  February 18 at 7:00 PM

“Building a Pollinator Pathway” will be the topic of a talk on Tuesday, February 18, at Cheshire’s First Congregational Church. Presented by Joanna Giddings and Karen Schnitzer of the Cheshire Land Trust, the talk will be at 7 p.m.  Land Trust members will explain how anyone can help stem the decline of Monarch butterflies and other pollinators, including bees, bats and birds, by establishing pollinator-friendly habitats in town. The Land Trust will break ground on its own part of the Pollinator Pathway along the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, off North Brooksvale Road, this spring. This is free and open to the public. Parking is available behind the church.

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ION Bank 2020 Community Awards Program Marketing

Every vote equals $25.  Voting goes through 3/31.  Folks can vote on-line. WWW.IonBank.com.  Click on the "Our Foundation" and proceed to place a vote.  The Cheshire Strawberry festival is under the religion tab. Ion doesn't ask for any account information (just the last 4 digits of your SSN). 

The Strawberry Festival is being held on June 13, 2020.

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