An Open and Affirming Congregation

May/June 2018

Letter From Our Pastor Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, “We will have a high time in the Lord!” This phrase keeps ringing in my ears during these days of Easter, as we draw closer to Pentecost. It is God’s love – strong and never failing - and God’s presence – faithful and true – that raised Jesus from the dead, that lifts us up from our despair, discouragement, and defeats. It is God’s love and presence that lifts us up and empowers us to sing “Hallelujah!” It is God’s love and presence that comes to us in the Holy Spirit at Pentecost that empowers us as Disciples of Jesus. On the day of Pentecost following Jesus’ Resurrection, the Apostles were given the gift of speech, to tell the Good News in different tongues. It was clear that the Good News was for all people. Those who heard the apostles speaking in their own languages “were amazed and perplexed, asking one another ‘What does this mean?’” The cultural, social, ethnic, and linguistic barriers that separated people were overcome with the love of God. Pentecost points us to reconciliation, inclusion, and unity. On this Pentecost, May 20, we will embody that vision when we worship at the First Baptist Church of Stratford. Our two congregations are committed to embodying the spirit of that first Pentecost. We are “Two Houses, One Home.” Separated by history, culture, and racial forces of privilege and oppression, we are committed to each other. We may worship in two houses, but we have one home, our true abode, in Christ. On May 20 at 10:30 am we will worship in one house of the Lord, at the First Baptist Church of Stratford, 1301 Stratford Avenue and we’ll be at home having a high time in the Lord! Thanks be to God!

Grace and peace,

May 20th at First Baptist, Stratford 1301 Stratford Ave., Stratford 10:30 am There is a banquet following worship! Please sign up, call 203-259-8396 x 100 or email Cheri at [email protected]

The Herald

page 2

May/June 2018

Soup Kitchen Saints

Minute for Missions YMCA Strong Kid s is a n a nnua l fund ra ising c a m p a ig n foc used on ra ising m uc h need ed resourc es to sup p ort p roven YMCA p rog ra m s tha t g ive kid s the op p ortunities the y need to rea c h their full p otentia l: to live hea lthier, ha p p ier lives tod a y, a nd g row into p rod uc tive a d ults in the future. First Churc h w ill rec eive the Strong Kid s o ffering a nd c eleb ra te the Jo y of Sha ring Sunda y, Ma y 13th.

Join the team Wednesday, May 9th and June 13th @ 7pm in the Wakeman kitchen as we prepare food for 200 people at Merton House. Contacts: Jane Keller & Gail Beauchemin [email protected] [email protected]

Covenant to Care Our next Covenant to Care drive will be on the first two Sundays in June after the 10:15 service for back -to-school backpacks. There will be a sign-up sheet and suggestions for school supplies as well as instructions and return date information. Some of you may not know that in addition to the four sign-ups we do throughout the year we also work very closely with our Social Worker, Charlotte Schmidt, to provide necessities such as clothes and/ or household goods to the families she serves. Some of these people live in dire poverty and have little clothing, bedding, toys, etc. for their children. When Charlotte requests something for a family, we go to the Store. The Store has always been extremely generous in its support of this ministry for which we and the families served are extremely grateful. Thank you notes we received from one family will be posted on the bulletin board. Thank you to all who donate to the Covenant to Care program and especially to the managers of the Store for their ongoing support. We couldn't do any of this without all of you. Marilyn, Jessie and Kim

Don't forget to bring non-perishable items for Operation Hope's Food Pantry this month they particularly need shelf stable milk (boxed or powdered,) fruit juice, granola bars, jelly, stew and toilet paper. Put donations in the grocery carts located outside the Sanctuary. Help keep the Operation Hope Pantry full!

The Herald

page 3

Parish Notes Wedding April 14-Deann Matheny and Rajesh Jaged Baptisms

April 29 Matthew Rhodes Lee

Outdoor Worship on Mother’s Day

Come at 8:00 am to The Audubon Center,

Call to All Church Spring Election Meeting Please mark your calendars for our Annual Meeting which will be held Sunday May 27th at both 8:15 and 10:15 worship.

April 22 Parker Jayce Kersten

May 13th

May/June 2018

We will receive reports from Boards and Ministry Teams, elect Stewards and Board and Ministry Team members for the upcoming year. Thanks be to God for dedicated, faithful leaders!

2325 Burr Street

We’ll walk into the bird sanctuary to worship God in the beauty of nature. Dress casually with shoes or boots that can handle wet ground and bring something to sit on. See you there!

Music in the Meetinghouse Saturday, May 19, 8:00 pm David von Behren, Organ 2015 M. Louise Miller / Paul E. Knox Scholarship Winner In association with the Greater Bridgeport Chapter, American Guild of Organists

Com e g ra b a sea t on the front la w n, w a tc h the p a ra d e, join the fun a nd c om m unity! Brea kfa st Sa ndwiches, Coffee, Ba ke Sa le , Obsta cle Course & Fun for the whole fa mily! (All p roc eed s w ill g o tow a rd Work Ca m p )

Ba ke Sa le Dona tions Needed "You b a ke it w e'll ta ke it!" Co okies c up c a kes, a nd b row nies, a re g ood b ut c a kes or p ies a re g rea t for p eop le w ho a re off to p ic nic s a fter. ( Please nothing tha t needs to be refrigera ted or frozen! ) Bring b a ked g ood s on Sund a y the 27th or ea rly on Mond a y.

The Herald

page 4

Week of Hope Middle Road Mission Trip 2018 Here’s Who’s Going This Summer the Middle Road will be going on their first Mission Trip with GROUP to Burtonville, Maryland , June 30-July 6. Middle Road: Grace Muschett, Harper Treschuk, April D’Angelico, Alex and Andrew McKinnis and Leaders: Vern Swett and Wendy Muschett. Please hold them in prayer!

Senior High Work Camp August 15-18 2018

May/June 2018 Work Camp 2018 Here’s Who’s Going

This year First Church will return to with Simply Smiles to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation in South Dakota. Work campers First Church: Leah Evan, Nick Evan, Sarah McKinnis, Anna Lee Melton, Jonah Melton, Antonio Bonet, Jake Simonelli, Lily Traum, Bella Musto, and Hannah Nolan, work campers First Baptist: Dream Whitaker, Nicky Patterson and Kayleen Nelson, college students: Brandon Jackson (First Baptist) Josie Evan, Jeanette and Jackie Sanna, along with adults: Holly Franquet, Jane Barnes, Dan Weddle, La Neil Brown, Julie Traum and Noel Lafayette and leaders: Vern Swett, David McKinnis, Pete and Cheri Evan. Please hold them all in your prayers.

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation , SD With Simply Smiles

SHARE

Work Camp Planning Meeting

To support Work Camper’s name:

June 13th 7:00 PM

____________________________________

On the Stage!

Attached is my check/cash for $25.00 per share.

Bring a picture of yourself!

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_________

Save the Date! Work Camp Fundraising Events Selling Shares Look for Work Campers on Sundays and support them directly by buying a share. Memorial Day May 28th Breakfast Sandwiches, Coffee, Drinks, Bake Sale, Obstacle Course and more…

Cash ____________ Check # _____________ Please make checks out to: “First Church Congregational” and put “Work Camp 2018” in the memo line. Return your share form and donation to Rev. Vern Swett 148 Beach Road, Fairfield CT 06824

Car Wash June 3rd during our All Church Picnic.

The Herald

page 5

May/June 2018

Middle Schoolers -The Middle Road Melissa Hain and Wendy Muschett are looking forward to gathering together with all of the 6-8 graders on Sunday mornings during our Middle Road time. When dismissed from 10:15 worship, make your way to the Library where we will be waiting to greet you! Here’s what’s happening in May and June. We hope you will be able to join us! 5/13- Faith Lesson celebrating Moms 5/20- NO MR—Pentecost Celebration at First Baptist Stratford 5/27- NO MR—Happy Memorial Day! 6/3- Celebration Sunday and Mission Trip Commissioning **Friday, 6/8 we would like to have a Pizza Party to celebrate our time together this year in the Middle Road! Be on the lookout for an Evite. We really hope you can make it! Any questions? Please email Wendy Muschett: [email protected] or Melissa Hain: [email protected]

Youth Group Be on the lookout for...Youth in Action! Friends Always Welcome! Youth Group is for everyone in 7th-12th grade.

May & June Schedule

5/13

No Youth Group-Happy Mother’s Day

5/20

No youth Group Pentecost Celebration at First Baptist Stratford

5/27

Memorial Day Prep

6/3

Celebration Sunday and Mission Trip Commissioning

We meet most Sunday nights from 6:00-7:30 pm In Rhodes Hall

Youth Group Leaders Vern Swett —[email protected] Peter Evan—[email protected] Cheri Evan—[email protected]

Youth Ministry Support Team: Vern Swett, Cheri Evan, Pete Evan, Bryan French, David McKinnis, Wendy Muschett, Jim Muschett, Adrienne Sanna, Nikki Kenny, and Rita Skog, Steward for Faith Formation

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 Fridays, at 3:30 pm in the Memorial Room at the Fairfield Public Library For more information contact Liane Nelson—[email protected] or Rev. Vern Swett—[email protected]

The Herald

page 6

May/June 2018

Commissioning of Middle Road Mission Group and Simply Smiles Mission Group June 3rd, during 10:15 am Worship People going on Mission Trips go as representatives of our church, as ambassadors for Christ. For that reason it is important that the church commission them. We’ll do that on Sunday, June 3rd during the 10:15 worship service! There are 7 members going on the Middle Road and 27 on the Simply Smiles mission trips. These members will be going out into the world share God’s love on behalf of First Church Fairfield and first Baptist Stratford Please join us on June 3rd as we commission them with our prayers and God’s blessing.

Sunday, June 3rd After 10:15 Worship Bring a side to share!!!!

MENU: Sub Sandwiches from Buds Deli, Bags of chips Lemonade and ice tea

The Herald

page 7

May/June 2018

Summer Happenings!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL ~ June 21-24 Thursday 2:30-5:30 Friday & Saturday 9:00-12:00 Sunday 10:00-1:30 Register by May 27th (save $10) Adult & Teen Volunteers need ed a s Crew Lea d ers, Volunteer for one d a y or a ll four just let us know w hen you’ re a va ila b le. Contact: Alex Ackley [email protected]

Summer Paid Position– Nursery/ PRE-K Teacher Sundays 10-11:30 AM (until the end of worship) Must be 18 yrs or older Please call for details 203-259-8396 x 105 Summer Nursery Helpers Needed Please contact Alex to volunteer [email protected]

Summer Fellowship Ministry You can help on Sunday mornings by hosting fellowship hour in the Wakeman Hall and then the Eliot Library, beginning July, 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]

Sunday of Service Many thanks to Suzanne Minatti-Lathbury and all who participated to make the Sunday of Service such a great day! Over 70 Disciples stepped forward to put their faith into action serving the world! Check out the Outreach Bulletin Board for some great pictures!!!!!

An Open and Affirming Congregation “No matter where you are on life’s journey you are always welcome here!”

Deadline for Summer Herald

June 11th Send all submissions to Cheri Evan [email protected]

Beach Worship begins June 10th-September 2nd 8:15 am at Sasco Hill

Sanctuary 10:15 am through June 24th

Chapel 10:15 am begins July 1st-September 2nd