What's New, and What's Brief
BELCHERTOWN, MA (01/30/2012) -- The pastor of the Belchertown, Massachusetts, United Church of Christ (the Rev. Todd Farnsworth) got engaged, married, called, and even ordained within the Somers Congregational Church UCC. His wife's family still attends there.
On January 2nd, the day after the church's 1842 meetinghouse burned to the ground, Farnsworth and his family gathered with hundreds of members and friends in Somers for prayer and healing. On the way home, he decided he had to do something to help the church that had been so important to his journey, and continues to be a beacon of strength for his family.
"Our church has a small acting troupe that puts on Comedy Mystery Dinners to raise money for local charities," Farnsworth said. "We're not very good, but we and the audience have a lot of fun at the shows. The performances are played purely for laughs, and it occurred to me that the folks in Somers might just need a little levity in the wake of this terrible tragedy."
Energized, he spoke with leaders at the Somers church and they set a date. On Friday, February 17 at Joanna's Cafe in Somersville, BUCC'S PLAYHOUSE will work their merry mayhem for the sake of the Somers Congregational United Church of Christ.
Tickets are $35 each and include dinner and the show. They may be purchased in advance by calling 860.749.0245. Checks may be made out to "BUCC." The proceeds from the show will go to the Somers Church.
"Our play is highly interactive," said Farnsworth. "We expect the audience to cheer and jeer during the performance. We never really know what will happen next... but we do hope in this case, that a little healing Spirit comes Somers' way."
Follow the link below for more information.
HARTFORD (01/27/2012) -- Do you know someone who works for justice, lives ethically, builds community, and promotes the common good in the workplace and in the community?
Then we need to hear about that person, because that's who we look for to honor with the Living Waters Award. The award recognizes a United Church of Christ layperson who has excelled in living their faith in their home, workplace, and community as well as their local congregation.
To nominate someone, write to Cecile Gilson at cecileg@ctucc.org or call 860.761.7109.
The Living Waters Award will be presented at the Fall Session of the 2012 Annual Meeting on October 20.
The link below leads to a flyer suitable for posting in your church.
SHARON (01/27/2012) -- Silver Lake Conference Center is looking to replace its aging fleet of workhorse camp vehicles. Good quality, running vehicles are more than welcome! A pickup truck or a stationwagon have many uses around camp.
Other vehicles in good condition can be accepted as donations and sold for funds to maintain the camp's vehicles: they get a lot of use.
Your car can become a tax-deductible donation to Silver Lake. We'll pick it up, or drop it off and we'll give you a ride home.
For more information, call or write Site Manager Greg Arifian at grega@ctucc.org or 860.364.5526.
SHARON (01/27/2012) -- Would you like to...
Have Fun?
Make Friends?
Be Yourself?
Find God?
Then sign up for a week of life-changing adventure in God's backyard. Online registration is open for young people entering grades 4 through 12.
http://www.silverlakect.org/register
SOUTHINGTON (01/26/2012) -- Recovering alcoholics and those among Connecticut Conference UCC Clergy who want to stop drinking are invited to the next gathering of a Clergy Support Group on Monday, February 6, from 10:00-11:00 am. The group meets in the library at the First Congregational Church, UCC, in Southington. Folks who have never attended an AA meeting are particularly welcomed.
The group normally meets on the first and third Mondays of the month. However, since the Southington Church will be closed on Feb. 20th for Presidents' Day, the Feb. 6th meeting will be the only one this month.
For additional information, feel free to contact Marshall Linden by phone at 203.217.4170 or by email at melinden@att.net.
