DECEMBER 2016 The United Church of Christ, Southbury

283 Main Street North Southbury, CT 06488 203-264-8807 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.uccsouthbury.org Call-In Telephone Ministry: 203-405-2448, Passcode 315391# The Reverend Walter L. Pitman, Senior Pastor The Reverend Cynthia C. Holden, Pastoral Care Minister Corinne Brewer, Music Director/Organist Cindy Tolin, Christian Education Administrator Ashley Sylvester, Youth Group Leader Bonnie Havery, Bell Choir Director Joanne E. Sabre, Church Secretary Carla Preiman, Administrative Support Chrissy Schultz, Nursery Coordinator Patricia Metzger, Teaching Director, The Preschool Center Deborah Bennard, Teacher, The Preschool Center Susie Peluso, Teacher Aide, The Preschool Center Bruce Kennedy, Church Sexton

Sunday Worship Services 9:30 a.m. - Worship Fellowship after 9:30 a.m. Worship

Dear Friends, As we enter the Advent and Christmas season, I thought I would share with you some thoughts of this festive and celebration time. Advent is a time for us to prepare for the greatest gift ever given. It is a time to be with friends and a time to make some new ones. It is a time when special music touches our hearts and reminds us of special moments from our past and helps create special moments in our present. It is a time for sharing which will provide joy in the future. Ultimately, this Advent and Christmas season gives us a chance to spread love. What I love about this time of year are the presents that we share and receive which remind us of the gift of Christ which God has given us. I love the candles which remind us of the light which Christ brought into the world. I love the sounds of bells which remind us of the proclamation of Christ’s birth, and the Christmas Carols which remind us of the glad tidings which we can proclaim to all the world. This wonderful Advent and Christmas season is a time for us to be reminded of the love, hope, joy and peace that we can bring to our families, neighbors, community and world. We all have gifts that we can share and songs that we can sing. We have kind words to say and prayers to pray. We have love and joy to share and a joyful life to live. We have much which God has given us that we can share. As we enter this Advent and Christmas season, if we have gifts to share, let us share them. If we have songs in our hearts, let us sing them. Let us use our talents and share our love. Let us be of gladness and happiness, and let us spread the joy that is ours in this most special season as we remember, again, that God so loves us that we have been given the most special gift of all: Christ. May our world this Advent and Christmas season be one of peace, filled with joy and love and goodwill for all humankind. Amen.

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All Services are held on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. unless otherwise noted. Sunday School will be held during the 9:30 a.m. service and is for anyone in Preschool through 7th Grade. Preschool through 7th Grade students are invited to attend worship with their families and then depart for Sunday School following the Children’s Moment. This year Sunday School will be held on every Sunday unless otherwise noted. Childcare is provided for children ages 3 and under in the Nursery located outside the Church Office wing.

Sunday, December 4, 2016: Second Sunday of Advent: Food First Sunday; Family Sunday; Sacrament

of Holy Communion: Reverend Walter Pitman will deliver the Communion Message A Vision of Hope based on Isaiah 11:1-10.

Wednesday, December 7, 2016:

Service of Remembrance 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Under the leadership of the Reverend Cyndie Holden and the Board of Deacons, we will remember those whom we have lost this past year and beyond, and lift up the hope that is ours in our love of Jesus Christ. Every year this is a most moving service. (Please see separate article in this newsletter.)

Sunday, December 11, 2016: Third Sunday of Advent: Reverend Pitman lead worship and share with us the sermon An Amazing Vision! based on Isaiah 35:1-10 and John 14:1-7.

Sunday, December 18, 2016:

Fourth Sunday of Advent: Christmas Sunday: Service of Lessons and Carols. During the 9:30 service we will hear the Christmas Story through the reading of scripture and the singing and listening to carols. Don’t miss this great celebration service. There will be no Sunday School this day as the Creation Nation will be singing and the children of our Church family are invited to worship with their families as we hear the Christmas story. In the afternoon from 2: 00 p. m. to 4:00 p.m.: our Annual Christmas Caroling to some members of the Church family. We meet at the Church at 2:00 p.m., we travel to at least five homes to sing carols and then return to the Church Social Hall for refreshments. This is open to all members and friends of the Church. For further information, see the Confirmation news elsewhere in this newsletter.

Saturday, December 24, 2016: 8:00 p.m., and 11:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve:

Three Services:

5:00 p.m.,

5:00 p.m.: This service will be for the child in all of us, featuring a Living Crèche, a Special Christmas Story, the singing of Christmas Carols, and perhaps a surprise or two. We will conclude the service with the singing of Silent Night, Holy Night and Joy to the World. A wonder-filled service for the whole family as we tell the Christmas Story. 8:00 p.m.: This service is a Candlelight Service of Holy Communion where the Board of Deacons will serve communion in the pews. The service will feature special music and the sermon Unto Us! based on Isaiah 9:2-7 and Luke 2:1-20. The service will conclude with the singing of Silent Night, Holy Night and Joy to the World in candlelight. 11:00 p.m.: This service, too, will be a Candlelight Service of Holy Communion. In keeping with our Methodist roots, communion will be received at the rail. The service will feature special music and the sermon will be Unto Us! based on Isaiah 9:27 and Luke 2:1-20. The service will conclude with the singing of Silent Night, Holy Night and Joy to the World.

Sunday, December 25, 2016: Christmas Day: We will gather at 1 0: 00 a. m.

(Please notice the change of time.): Our service will be the sing of Christmas Carols and learning their history. We will also be praying for the new opportunities which the birth of the Christ Child will bring to us. The service will be about 45 minutes and we will, following the service, gather in the Social Hall to great each other on this Holy Christmas Day. Please come as you wish and enjoy the company of our Church family. Page 2

2016/17 So far this year, the Confirmation Class has met for orientation in September and gone on retreat to Silver Lake in October. We have also learned about the Trinity and how to usher in November. This month we will be reaching out to some of our Church family. On Sunday, December 18 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., we will be going Christmas Caroling to some members of our congregation. This activity is open to all in our Church family but we especially wish to have the Confirmands and their Mentors and parents join us. We will gather in the Church Social Hall at 1:45 p.m., then travel to several locations where we will sing Christmas Carols and bring season’s greeting. Thanks to our Sunday School, once again this year we will be delivering Christmas Cookies made by our Sunday School children and decorated by some of our Church family. We will return to the Social Hall before 4:00 p.m. for a time of refreshments. This activity takes place rain or shine or snow or gloom of night. Over the years it has come to mean a great deal to those to whom we sing. Please make every effort to join us in this wonderful activity. On Thursday, December 24, the Confirmation Class will present a “Living Crèche” from 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the front of the Church as people come into the 5:00 p.m. service. They will then present a “Tableau” in the Sanctuary during the service as we tell the Christmas Story. Following the 5:00 p.m. service, they will resume their place at the “Living Crèche”. The Confirmation Class will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Christmas Eve to get their costumes and roles for the “Living Crèche”. The Confirmation Class will also gather in the Parlor at 4:00 p.m. to get ready for this event. Confirmands will be contacted during December as to their availability for this important part of our Christmas Eve tradition.

Deacons’ Fund For a number of years now, the loose plate offering (those monies received that are not in an offering envelope or by check) on Communion Sundays (the 1st Sunday of each month) have gone to what is called the Deacons’ Fund. This fund is used to help those in need in our congregation or community. The funds are dispersed through the Minister’s Discretionary Fund or by a direct gift given by vote of the Board of Deacons. We have also over the past few years made all the loose plate offerings on Christmas Eve at the three services available for the Deacons’ Fund. In the past, the Deacons’ Fund has helped pay for heating fuel, first rent, lodging in an emergency, food, as well as emergency costs. Many families in our Church and in our community have been touched through the generosity of the Deacons’ Fund. This year as in the past has been a tough year for many in our community and The Deacons’ Fund has been there to help, but now The Deacons’ Fund needs your help. You can help keep the love shown through the Deacons’ Fund going by putting in extra loose plate monies on the 1st Sunday of each month, by making a direct donation to the Deacons’ Fund, and this month by placing an extra donation in the loose plate at one of the services on Christmas Eve. By sharing in this way you will be helping those in need in our Church family and in our community. This year, the first Sunday in December is the 4th, and services on Saturday, December 24, Christmas Eve, will be held at 5:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Your gifts to the Deacons’ Fund will help the Deacons and the Pastor take care of those in need in our Church family and community.

Photo Information Photos are taken during worship and other Church events. If you are an adult that does not wish to have their photo on Facebook or in other advertising, please let us know. For the youth, there is a place on the youth registrations that parents should fill out regarding permission for photos.

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Deacon Assist for December Donna Ryan (203-264-1877)

Dec. Dec. Dec. Dec.

4 11 18 25

USHERS Team 1 Deacons Team 2 Team 3 Team 4

Ushers, if you do not receive a call from your Captain prior to your scheduled time, you will not be expected to serve. If you know that you will not be available, please contact your Captain. When serving, please arrive at the Church approximately ½ hour before the service begins. Thank you.

Team 1 Team 2 Team 3 Team 4 Team 5 Team 6 Team 7

Team Captains Deacons Edward Kossakowski Patti Kahl Eric Tolin Donna Ryan Vinny Antezzo John Bacigalupi

203-264-3265 203-264-2851 203-405-1823 203-264-1877 203-304-7309 203-264-4204

DON’T FORGET…please have your announcements/ articles for the Sunday bulletin into the Church Office no later Wednesday 9:00 a.m. Thanks! Joanne & Carla

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Dec. Dec. Dec. Dec.

4 11 18 25

GREETERS Open Open Open Open COFFEE SERVERS

Dec. Dec. Dec. Dec.

Dec. Dec. Dec. Dec.

4 11 18 25

Open Open Open Open

DECEMBER FLOWERS 4 Women’s Fellowship 11 Carolyn Olofsson 18 Poinsettias 25 Poinsettias

Committee Representative for December - Pat Erhard & Linda Langley

Advent Prayer Stations Often it is easy for us to lose sight of the true meaning of the Christmas season. We are bombarded by mixed messages of what this time of year is all about. These distractions can, at times, make it difficult to focus on our faith and connection to God. This year we will have prayer stations scattered around the Church during the Advent season with the purpose of providing a quiet space for each of us to meditate on the Christmas story and its meaning for our life. You can do them one at a time, or set aside a morning to do them all together as a "mini retreat". Either way we hope you will find time to participate in this opportunity to focus your heart and mind on the true meaning for the season.

Every Tuesday morning at 10:30 a.m., a group of men and women gather together to read scripture and discuss how it affects our lives. It is an amazing experience to gain new insight from words that you have heard before but not seen through the eyes of another. This experience has been so wonderful that we have grown out of one room and had to move to another. Bible Study is held in the Staff Office. This is a wonderful time but there is something missing and what is missing is YOU. Your presence is needed to help us grow in our wisdom of scripture. All you need do is join the Tuesday Morning Bible Study from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. every Tuesday. Bring a Bible, any translation will do. Come share and learn as we grow in the spirit. This Advent, you may want to come and see what special things we may learn about the Christmas Story. Looking forward to seeing you at Tuesday Bible Study. There will be no class on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 .

See you on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.

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A Stewardship Moment… BIG CHANGES ARE COMING! The Board of Stewardship would like to thank the Men’s Auxiliary for hosting the Pledge Sunday Brunch. It was well attended, offered great food, and a slide show highlighting all of our events from the past year. Yet again, the event proved that we are a busy church community that likes to get together for fellowship as often as possible! The Board of Stewardship would like to thank those who have returned their 2017 pledges. As of November 9, 2016, we have received 82 pledges, totaling $197,547. We are excited to announce that nine of those pledges were turned in online at http:// www.uccsouthbury.org/pledge/. The Board of Stewardship is grateful that all of you have been receptive to our time and talents section of our Pledge Drive. The thought and consideration for these line items is evident on the returned cards. Each member and friend of our Church has multiple talents they are willing to use for Christ’s work. As of November 9, 2016, UCC, Southbury has been promised 3,801 hours of time and talent during 2017. That’s a great amount of time that our devoted members are offering to God, in order to make our great Church even greater! Here’s a gentle nudge for those of you who haven’t returned your pledge cards yet. We hope we can count on you to turn it in to us at your earliest convenience. Your pledge card can be filled out and mailed in, brought into Church, or submitted via the website mentioned above. With your continued support, your Church will continue to impact our Town of Southbury and further afield. Yours in Christ’s service, Heidi Kossakowski

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When the entire world is rejoicing, why am I the only one in pain? Christmas is supposed to be a time of great joy, but for many it brings only sadness and painful memories. Holidays can be a difficult time for those who have lost loved ones, are suffering from a broken relationship, have lost their job, or are just “feeling blue.” This year, we will again be offering a special service to reach out to those who are struggling this holiday season.

Join us Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. for a

Service of Remembrance If you know someone who is in need of God’s comfort and assurance this holiday season, please invite them to come with you. We will celebrate the memory of loved ones who have passed away, and make doves for them. The doves will be hung on the greens in our Sanctuary for the Christmas season. Please call the Church Office and let us know if there is someone you want remembered at this service. Page 7

Hi Folks, December is here! The Adult Choir has been rehearsing, the Bell Choir has been ringing and the children of the Church are singing, all sharing musical talents for the Glory of God. I hope you will join me in thanking all of them for their amazing gifts. The Adult Choir will be busy this month working on Handel’s Halleluiah Chorus on December 18. The Bell Choir has been getting ready to ring beautiful Christmas selections on December 11. The December 18 morning worship will be a service of readings and carols. We will feature our Children’s Choir, Adult Choir, the Litchfield Hills Brass Quintet and Linnea Bronson on the organ. Christmas Eve Services will follow the traditional format of soloists for the 5:00 & 8:00 p.m. services, and a soloist and Yao Lan on the Chinese Dulcimer for the 11:00 p.m. service. There will be a morning service on Christmas morning and Scott Friend will be the musician of the day. So there you have it! Lots of choices for the holiday season to celebrate with music of our Church. We’d love to have you join us! December Music Happenings: Sunday Morning Service December Music: Adult Choir: December 4, December 18 Bell Choir: December 11 Children’s Choir: December 18 Additional Services: December 7 - Service of Remembrance at 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Services - 5:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Christmas Morning Service - December 25 - 10:00 a.m. Keep Singing, Corinne

We welcomed with joy, the following new members into our congregation on November 13, 2016:

Lisa Lettieri 79 Gaylord Drive 203-769-6389 Lisa’s e-mail: [email protected]

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Katie Platt 79 Luna Trail Southbury, CT 06488 203-264-2885 Katie’s e-mail: [email protected]

James Wilczynski and Heather Ross P.O. Box 453 Southbury, CT 06488 203-558-3455 Jim’s e-mail: [email protected] Heather’s e-mail: [email protected] Please add the above families to your Church Directory.

ENJOY THE HOLIDAY WITH THE FLOWER OF THE SEASON!

Each Christmas season, our Sanctuary is beautifully decorated with holiday trimmings and poinsettias. With the season approaching, we are now taking orders for the poinsettias, which may be ‘In Honor Of’, ‘In Celebration Of’, or ‘In Memory Of’ one or more loved ones. A list of acknowledgments will be printed in the Church Bulletin on December 18 and 25. We are once again offering a choice of red or white poinsettias at $11.00 each. Please be specific when ordering your choice of color, otherwise a red poinsettia will be ordered. We encourage you to take your flower(s) home with you after the 9:30 a.m. service on December 18, 2016. You may order your flower(s) either by calling Kay Shveda at 203-267-6616 or by filling out the form below and returning it to the Church Office accompanied by a check or cash for total amount. All checks should be made out to The United Church of Christ, Southbury. All orders must be placed no later than Saturday, December 10, 2016.

Name Telephone In Honor/Celebration/Memory Of:

(If more space is required, please attach a separate piece of paper.)

(Quantity)

Red Poinsettia

(Quantity)

White Poinsettia

I will pick my Poinsettia up (please pick up after the 9:30 a.m. service on December 18). Please donate my Poinsettia to a shut-in.

The Legend of the Poinsettia Paul Ecke A charming story is told of Pepita, a poor Mexican girl who had no gift to present the Christ Child at Christmas Eve Services. As Pepita walked slowly to the chapel with her cousin Pedro, her heart was filled with sadness rather than joy. "I am sure, Pepita, that even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes," said Pedro consolingly. Not knowing what else to do, Pepita knelt by the roadside and gathered a handful of common weeds, fashioning them into a small bouquet. Looking at the scraggly bunch of weeds, she felt more saddened and embarrassed than ever by the humbleness of her offering. She fought back a tear as she entered the small village chapel. As she approached the altar, she remembered Pedro's kind words: "Even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes." She felt her spirit lift as she knelt to lay the bouquet at the foot of the nativity scene. Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst into blooms of brilliant red, and all who saw them were certain that they had witnessed a Christmas miracle right before their eyes. From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night, for they bloomed each year during the Christmas season. Today, the common name for this plant is the poinsettia. Page 9

Page 10 7:30 a.m. Walking Group 7:30 p.m. Buildings & Grounds Committee-C

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7:30 a.m. AA-P 7:30 a.m. Walking Group 11:15 a.m. Lectionary Bible StudyWatermark at East Hill 1:00 p.m. Lectionary Bible StudyPomperaug Woods 7:00 p.m. Board of Christian Education-C

26 Office Closed

25 Christmas

10:00 a.m. Worship 7:30 p.m. AA-P

7:30 a.m. Walking Group 10:30 a.m. Bible Study-SO 7:00 p.m. Library Committee-L

20

7:30 a.m. AA-P 7:30 a.m. Walking Group 11:15 a.m. Lectionary Bible StudyWatermark at East Hill 1:00 p.m. Lectionary Bible StudyPomperaug Woods 7:00 p.m. GS Troop 65008-SH

19

18 Christmas Sunday

7:30 a.m. Walking Group 10:30 a.m. Bible Study-SO 6:30 p.m. Youth Ministry Committee-101 6:30 p.m. BSA Troop 60-5K Committee-201

13

7:30 a.m. Walking Group 10:30 a.m. Bible Study-SO 6:30 p.m. GS Service Unit Meeting-SH 6:30 p.m. BSA Troop 60 PLC/ Committee-L 7:00 p.m. Board of Missions and Fellowship-101 7:00 p.m. Board of Stewardship-C

Tue

8:45 a.m. Adult Choir 9:30 a.m. Worship 2:00 p.m. Confirmation Class Christmas Caroling 2:00 p.m. SPF Christmas Caroling & Meeting-SH 7:30 p.m. AA-P

7:30 a.m. AA-P 7:30 a.m. Walking Group 11:15 a.m. Lectionary Bible StudyWatermark at East Hill 1:00 p.m. Lectionary Bible StudyPomperaug Woods 7:00 p.m. GS Troop 65008-SH

12

8:45 a.m. Bell Choir-S 9:30 a.m. Worship Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Adult Choir RehearsalS/P TBD Kids Klub Caroling & Gift Exchange-SH-CS 5:45 p.m. JPF--Christmas Meeting-SH-KS 7:30 p.m. AA-P

11

8:45 a.m. Adult Choir 9:30 a.m. Worship Sunday School 10:45 a.m. Holiday Fair Sales 2:00 p.m. SPF-Sky Zone 7:30 p.m. AA-P

7:30 a.m. AA-P 7:30 a.m. Walking Group 11:15 a.m. Community VisitWatermark at East Hill 1:00 p.m. Community VisitPomperaug Woods 7:00 p.m. GS Troop 65008-SH

6

5

4 Family & Communion Sunday

Mon 1

Sun

Kitchen Library Nursery Parlor Parking Lot Pastor’s Study Sanctuary Social Hall Staff Office The Preschool Center Youth Room

(K) (L) (N) (P) (PL) (PS) (S) (SH) (SO) (TPC) (YR)

28

7:00 p.m. Preschool Committee-C 7:00 p.m. BSA Troop 60-SH

21

7:00 p.m. BSA Troop 60-SH/YR 7:15 p.m. Bell Choir-P

1:00 p.m. American Red Cross Blood Drive-SH

14

5:45 p.m. Bell Choir-P 7:00 p.m. Service of Remembrance-S 7:00 p.m. BSA Troop 60-SH 7:30 p.m. Board of Trustees-101

7

Wed AA-P Walking Group Yoga-SH Music Committee-P Adult Choir-P Board of Deacons-SH

Thu

7:30 a.m. 7:30 a.m. 4:15 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

29

7:30 a.m. 7:30 a.m. 4:15 p.m. 4:15 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

22

7:30 a.m. 7:30 a.m. 4:15 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

15

AA-P Walking Group Yoga-P Adult Choir-P

AA-P Walking Group Yoga-P DESK-New Haven Adult Choir-P

AA-P Walking Group Yoga-P Adult Choir-P

7:30 a.m. AA-P 7:30 a.m. Walking Group 12:00 p.m. Women’s Fellowship Christmas Tea-SH No Yoga Today 7:00 p.m. Church Council-SH 7:00 p.m. Adult Choir-P

8

7:30 a.m. 7:30 a.m. 4:15 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

1

December 2016

8:30 a.m. Yoga-SH

30

8:30 a.m. Yoga-SH

23 Office Closed

8:30 a.m. Yoga-P 7:00 p.m. Christmas Party at the Pitman Home

16

8:30 a.m. Yoga-SH

9

8:30 a.m. Yoga-SH

2

Fri

31 New Year’s Eve

10:00 a.m. Confirmation Class Living Crèche Rehearsal 4:30 p.m. Living CrècheConfirmation Class 5:00 p.m. Family ServiceLiving Crèche 8:00 p.m. Candlelight Service of Holy Communion 11:00 p.m. Candlelight Service of Holy Communion

24 Christmas Eve

17

10

3

Sat

You are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 Dear Readers, What a great month November was! As per usual, November was about giving, giving, giving, and fun; of course, always fun. SPF was very busy as we made nine care packages for our newly graduated seniors, now freshmen in college. They are cram packed with treats and messages and love. This was, per usual, a meeting of controlled chaos with things being thrown across the room as to who needs what for whomever’s box of goodies. After all the boxes were sealed up we help put together our Holiday Fair sale items. For those who were not able to make, it we sold wrapping paper kits with: seasonal wrapping paper, tape, and a note from SPF. SPF also raked leaves for some of our parishioners in need, with quite a many loads of leaves hauled away. Such a busy month was ended with the participation in the Holiday Fair, selling the aforementioned items, as well as helping in Santa’s Workshop being elves and coloring as well as being some of the “Vanna’s” during the live auction. Busy weekend! Our last endeavor of November was making pies for the Waterbury Soup Kitchen just in time for Thanksgiving. In keeping with tradition, SPF also “forgot” and left one pie in the oven for our good friends the Kitchen Committee...a short-standing tradition based on the first year we made pies and I actually did forget one! In thinking it was their wives, rewarding them for a good kitchen clean, it was I not noticing I had missed one of the pies. The men enjoyed the pie so much the next year they asked, “Are you going to forget one again?” and now we have a tradition.  JPF had a wonderful month starting out with making lasagna for the Waterbury Soup Kitchen. This was another controlled chaos type of meeting that we shared with Kids Klub. Hands washed, PFers were invited to mix ingredients with their hands and assemble. This fun was followed by more chaos of Gaga Ball, our favorite game. JPF’s final meeting of the month was a traditional board game night. Much fun was had and PFers learned and enjoyed some “old school games”. Such games included Battleship, Sorry!, Scattergories, Boggle, card games, Candy Land, and more! What fun! As always, we thank you for your love and support for all of the things we do. It is a privilege to be a part of such a wonderful community. Coming Up in December 4 December 8 December 11 December 18 December 25

December: SPF - 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.. - Sky Zone SPF - 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. - Women’s Fellowship Tea JPF - 5:45 p.m.-7:30 p.m. - Christmas Meeting SPF - 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. - Caroling with the Confirmation Class 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. - Christmas Meeting

MERRY CHRISTMAS (no meeting)

Sincerely, Ashley Sylvester Youth Group Leader [email protected]

LABONNE’S CASH BACK PROGRAM - Do you know what $900.95 is? It's the amount that SPF has earned from the LaBonne's Cash Back Program over the last three years! THANK YOU one and all for your support of this fundraiser! While we sorely miss the Southbury LaBonne's store, they still run the cash back program. Please continue to drop your receipts in one of the LaBonne's grocery bags at Church (by the Church Office or the Narthex). Page 11

ATTENTION ALL COOKS OF LES KITCHENS DU UCC!!! Hunger is year round and you can help by cooking for GWIM's Soup Kitchen! They accept everything from desserts, salads, fresh vegetables and fruits, casseroles, breads, and almost anything you can whip up in your kitchen. Pans and recipe suggestions are in the Soup Kitchen closet outside the Offices, labeled with a chef's hat. Please label your food items with “Soup Kitchen” and have them in the Church kitchen any time on Sunday, as we go up early the FIRST MONDAY of the month. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board outside the Church kitchen. Thank you all! Any questions, please call Jandi du Bois at 203-405-1640. THANK YOU!

SAFE HAVEN SAFE HAVEN

provides crisis intervention to any victim of domestic violence

OF GREATER WATERBURY, INC.

Spring is here and the Safe Haven list is being updated! Thanks for all you do!!! We will be making comfort bags for mothers and children that come to the shelter in September. Watch for the announcement and hope to see you then! Safe Haven’s Wish List Gift Cards Diapers *Walmart Baby Wipes *Stop & Shop Toothpaste *Walgreens Deodorant *CVS Non-Perishable Food (A closet for donations is clearly marked in the Church Office Lobby. Or feel free to leave your donations in the RED COLLECTION TUBS in the Narthex.)

We need your help to fill our emergency comfort kits! There is a poster with a tree on it downstairs in the Social Hall. Please take a leaf and bring your donations in by December 4. After church in the Social Hall on December 18, we will be assembling the Emergency Comfort Kits for the Safe Haven women and children’s shelter. Please come to help. Many hands make light work!

Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK) Update: We will be serving at the Soup Kitchen in New Haven on the fourth Thursday of every month. Upcoming dates are December 22 and January 26. Please sign up in the Social Hall and bring a friend! We can take a maximum of eight people and will meet in the Church parking lot at 4:15 p.m., returning about 7:30 p.m. Any questions, please call Pete Peterson at 203-262-6460 or e-mail [email protected].

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Campership Fund Last year, an anonymous donor gave the Board of Missions and Fellowship a $500.00 donation to the Campership Fund. The donor requested that the funds be used for deserving Senior High students that need assistance to go on the PF Mission Trip. While the Board of Missions and Fellowship received requests for money from the Campership Fund to assist kids going to Silver Lake this past summer, no specific requests for assistance for a Senior High student to go on the PF Mission Trip were received. Therefore, the Board of Missions and Fellowship voted to turn the money over to the Senior PF group with the same requirement concerning the use of the funds. We heartily thank the donor for this wonderful gift.

Something a little different this month -- On Heritage Sunday, November 13, Walter invited me to do the service, focusing on our Protestant history and heritage. Martin Luther, a German Augustinian monk and a Doctor of Theology at Wittenberg University, launched the Reformation, thus becoming the Father of the Protestant movement. It all happened on October 31, 1517, when Luther nailed the 95 theses (or protests) against Catholic faith heresies to the door at the parish Church at the Wittenberg Church. I thought you might be helped by my reviewing that Heritage Sunday message, both a brief synopsis of Luther's life (presented here this month and next) and an outline of the five Lutheran principles (in the January 2017, newsletter). Martin Luther was born on November 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Province of Saxony in Germany, to Hans and Margaretha who were of poor peasant stock. Inasmuch as Hans was a miner, the family's patron saint was St. Anne, mother of Mary, thus grandmother of Jesus. Hans very much wanted Martin, the oldest son, to escape a life of poverty by becoming a lawyer. Martin acceded to his wishes until one day when he and a friend were returning from school and there came a severe lightning storm. His friend was killed and Martin narrowly escaped. So shaken was Martin that all of the fears of God's wrath and punishment threatened him with the everlasting fires of hell. Dante's Inferno was a vivid portrayal of horrors reserved for suffering sinners in purgatory. The lightning bolt told Martin that he could die at anytime and there was God waiting for him to receive the torment of his just deserts. Scared out of his wits, Martin, without a moment's hesitation, blurted out, "St. Anne, I will become a monk!" So deep was his sense of sinfulness and so stabbed by his feeling of guilt, he immediately left law school and entered the very strictest of monasteries, the Augustinian, where he was so intent on finding forgiveness and salvation that he became that monastery's very strictest monk. He was kidded by his fellow monks as he confessed his sins for hours, and visited religious shrines, and flagellated his flesh in order to prove to God how sincere he was. Surely all of these good works would get God's attention! Such is the context of Luther's later theology. To be continued Stuart Brush, Historian/Archivist

Please remember to return any empty jelly, jam and relish jars with lids. They can be reused for our next event. Thanks! ~~ Trudy Page 13

American Red Cross Blood Drive Wednesday, December 14 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. The United Church of Christ, Southbury 283 Main Street North, Southbury For an appointment to donate, Please call: 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), Or go online to www.redcrossblood.org Make an appointment for you and a friend to donate blood. Sign-up sheet will be available in the Social Hall if you cannot go online. With the help of all eligible donors in your community, we can continue to meet the needs of all patients throughout the year. Thank you for your support of this life-saving program.

UCC, Southbury Ski and Snowboard Day Ski Butternut 380 State Road, Route 23, Great Barrington, MA 60 Mile Trip from Southbury to Ski Butternut

Saturday, January 7, 2017 $40.00 for Lift Ticket (Regular Ticket is $60.00) WE NEED 15 or MORE TO GET THE GROUP DISCOUNT Get your CHECK for $40.00 to Doug Boyd no later than Tuesday, January 3, 2017. NOTE: Christmas AND New Year’s Day are both on Sunday this year PLEASE TRY TO GET YOUR CHECK TO “DOUG BOYD” BY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2016

Equipment Rentals and Group Lessons Available at a Discount Lift tickets and Rental/Lesson Coupons will be distributed from 8:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. in the Upper Lodge at Ski Butternut by Doug – then Doug is skiing. Lift Line Open from 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ALL AGES and SKILL LEVEL WELCOME! INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!!! Contact Doug Boyd for sign up (203-437-5531) Page 14

Women “Connect Over Coffee” No meeting in December.

Enjoy the Christmas Season at

See you January 13, 2017.

Sandwiches and Beverages provided by our Senior PFers.  

Bring Christmas Cookies to share Two gift certificates from local restaurants will be raffled. Men also are welcome to join us.

You Are Invited To The United Church of Christ, Southbury’s

February 4, 2017 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Annual Christmas Party

at the Heritage Hotel, Southbury COST: $20.00 prepaid

Friday, December 16, 2016 7:00 p.m.

Speaker: Rev. Cheryl Anderson First Congregational Church Washington, CT Rev. Anderson will be speaking about feminine images of the divine in the Bible and why they are an important antidote to the current age of religious violence. Look for sign ups in the Social Hall

Walter & Stephanie Pitman’s Home 79 Charter Oak Road, Southbury

Cost: Appetizer or Dessert *A Free Will Offering will be collected*

Sign up in the Church Social Hall or call the Church Office.

Sponsored by Women’s Fellowship Call Leslie Bacigalupi for more information at 203-264-4204

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Blessings on the birth of: Alexandra Mae Rice, daughter of Kenneth & Jennifer Rice, and granddaughter of Barbara Williams, who was born on November 21, 2016.

We extend our sympathies to: The Attick family and friends on the death of Sharon’s father, Bartley Muldoon, who passed away on October 30, 2016. The family and friends of Ingrid Ferenczy, who passed away on November 10, 2016 The Peterson family and friends on the death of Jennifer’s aunt, Mary, who passed away on November 11, 2016. The Davis family and friends on the death of Katherine’s brother, Thomas Martin, who passed away on November 16, 2016.

Please make the following changes to your Church Directory: Ryan & Gabby Taranovich, 501 Hulls Hill Road, Southbury, CT 06488, 203-232-5055, Ryan’s e-mail: [email protected]; Gabby’s email: [email protected]

The earth has grown old with its burden of care, but at Christmas it always is young, the heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair, and its soul full of music breaks the air, when the song of angels is sung. —Phillips Brooks

The Annual Reports for all Boards and/or Committee Chairpersons are due to the Church Office by Thursday,

December Wishing everyone a very healthy and happy Holiday Season! **Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!!!** Joanne Page 16

15,

2016.

Please submit your report to [email protected] or on a labeled CD in copy-ready format. If you have any questions, please contact me in the Office at 203-264-8807.

Joanne 

Thank you…  Thank you to Women’s Fellowship for their generous donation to THE BIG CHILL....OUT!!  Thank you to our Church family for their support to THE BIG CHILL….OUT!!  Knitting prayer shawls is such fun while gathering at Leslie Bacigalupi’s home. Your chili was delicious. Thank you once again.  Thank you to Robin Ciccarino for helping all children participate and vote in the Pumpkin Contest to benefit UNICEF.  Thank you to the Men’s Auxiliary for generously donating their Time & Talents in making the Pledge Sunday Breakfast.  Thank you to the Hills, Nancy Kelly and Bob Langley for cooking for the Soup Kitchen for November.  Thank you to Kids Klub and JPF for cooking for the Soup Kitchen.  Many thanks to all the Stuff Its - Althea McGahie, Trudy Kelley, Beryl Merrill, Pat Erhard, Margaret Hill, Geri DeVoid, Timi Lewis, Janet Nevins, Al Martin and Shirley Olsen! We truly appreciate your patience during this very busy time of the year!  A big thank you to the Men’s Auxiliary for being first in with their Annual Report!!  

12/01 12/01 12/01 12/01 12/01 12/01 12/02 12/02 12/02 12/04 12/04 12/05 12/05 12/05 12/06 12/06 12/06 12/06 12/06 12/07 12/07 12/07 12/07 12/07 12/08 12/08

Thank you, Eleanor Moisio, for contributing to the candy dish in the Church Office. The dish was half empty in three hours! Thank you also to Trudy Kelly for her contributions to the candy dish. Everyone is loving it!

Brian Kamerzel Dave Jones Sharon Attick Carrie Hojnicki Alexa Cluney Kory Vadnais-Pape Ed Atwood Lea Claflin Rachel Danaher Jerry Thomas Brian Murtha Steven Van Tassell Sophie Kossakowski Julia Tolin Nancy Brackett Bill Powers Lauren Niver Michael Skelly Courtney Olmsted Holly Sanady Nate Ernst Carly Cluney Hunter Ances Noah Platt Vinny Antezzo Jason Metzger

12/09 12/09 12/11 12/11 12/11 12/11 12/11 12/12 12/12 12/12 12/14 12/15 12/15 12/17 12/17 12/17 12/17 12/17 12/18 12/18 12/19 12/20 12/20 12/21 12/21 12/21

Carrie Pope Cohen Gehrkens Bruce Cast Micola Paltauf Lexi Solder Riley Becker Maggie Ferguson Alison Sokol Kaeleigh Canty Myles Ferguson Will Flynn, III Laura Brush Linda Szczygiel Mary Anne Denton Lisa Hull Tripp Schwerdtle, III Josh Berntsen Lauren Slater Scott Friend Katie Platt Chance Dachenhausen Matt Stock Brendan Fenn Marion Lewis Randy Bowles Carol Wood

12/21 12/21 12/21 12/22 12/22 12/22 12/22 12/22 12/22 12/22 12/22 12/22 12/23 12/25 12/25 12/25 12/26 12/26 12/26 12/28 12/29 12/29 12/30 12/30 12/31 12/31

Patti Jensen Jill Cruz Randi Marie Mantz Jack Wilson John Bucciarelli Dave Bergman Tom Rianhard Jillian Gehrkens Mark Castaldi Lauren Castaldi Claire Hull Justin Hull Jeanine Powers Burt Forrest Hallie Pope Ryan Mulready Christine Davis Lauren Bacigalupi Lois Gerber Edward Kossakowski Kim Mirabito Emily Clark Keith Davis Stephen Cangelosi Kyle Layton Matt Sokol

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Transport Wheelchair Available In Narthex The Memorial Committee has a wheelchair which may be used to transport individuals to and from the parking lot and the Church should the need arise. It is stored in the Narthex closet. Just let the Deacons know of your need for their assistance.

Annual Christmas Caroling

December 18 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Come one! come all! members and friends alike, to our Annual Christmas Caroling. We will meet at Church at 1:45 p.m. and travel to four homes to sing carols, and then return to the Church Social Hall for refreshments.

UCC MEMORIAL WALL

The Memorial Wall is a columbarium, a final resting place for those of our Church family who choose cremation, and a place for memorializing loved ones interred elsewhere. Current and former members of our Church and their immediate family members (spouse, children, parents and siblings) are eligible. To have a niche reserved for interment of an urn ($800, includes plaque) or a “Remembering” plaque reserved for someone interred elsewhere ($400), please call Barbara Williams at 203-264-9929.

Weather Related Cancellations/Delays

If the weather is questionable and you’re not sure about Church program delays or cancellations, you can check WTNH Channel 8, WFSB Channel 3, WVIT Channel 30 or listen to: 95.1-WRKI, 101.3-WKCI, 105.5-WDBY, 107.9-WEBE on FM Radio; or 600-WICC on AM Radio; or go to www.ctweather.com and click on IAN Cancellations to check (you can sign up for e-notifications with this site).

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Church Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The United Church of Christ, Southbury 283 Main Street North Southbury, CT 06488 203-264-8807 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.uccsouthbury.org

Bulk Rate Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Southbury, CT 06488 Permit #8