The Newsletter of the Southport Congregational Church United Church of Christ May 2016 Confirmation Weekend Saturday, April 30 5 p.m. Faith Statement Service Confirmands will share their faith statements in this special service. Refreshments will be served in Fellowship Hall. Please come to support our church youth as they take this major step in their faith journeys. Music from the Teen Choir Sunday, May 1 Confirmation Sunday Rite of Confirmation Communion Special music from the Teen and Junior Choirs Sunday, May 8 Mother's Day Rev. Paul Whitmore preaching Darwin Shen, violinist Special music from the Cherub Choir Sunday, May 15 Rev. Amy Forté preaching Special Music from the Bell Choir Sunday, May 22 Rev. Paul Whitmore preaching Special Music from Emma Ruchefsky Sunday, May 29 Memorial Day Sunday Rev. Sharon Blackburn preaching Rev. Paul D. Whitmore Senior Minister pwhitmore@southportucc.org Rev. Laura H. Whitmore Associate Minister lwhitmore@southportucc.org PO Box 366 524 Pequot Avenue Southport, CT 06890 Tel: 203-255-1594 Fax: 203-255-4706 email: office@southportucc.org www.southportucc.org Office hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Carousel Thrift Shop Sally Conti, Store Manager 203-259-6629 Tuesday to Friday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday - 2 p.m.
Births: Our Church Family Charlotte June Aysseh daughter of Nick Aysseh and Christina Bodine Aysseh, born April 25 Baptisms: Alexa Rose Dembowski daughter of David and Vanessa Dembowski, on April 3 Annabelle Virginia Alessandrini, daughter of Cate Fingelly Daly and Andrew Alessandrini, on April 12 Weddings: Christine Pearl and Andrew Rattray on April 23 Condolences to: the Whitmore and Hutchinson families on the death of Laura's mother, Audrey Priscilla Hutchinson, on April 22 Please let the church office know if you have recently changed your email or phone address, or have a preference for how you would like to receive information from SCC - thank you! Kudos to: Everett Nash, one of our 9th Grade Confirmands, was chosen as a Falcon of the Month at Fairfield Ludlow High School in April. Fellow students and faculty of the school recognize Falcons who demonstrate that they work hard to successfully achieve their goals, each month. Patti Spaght, for her award winning photo, Catch Me If You Can, in the nature division of the IMAGES 2016 competition. Patti's photo, which is one of nine winners in the eighth annual competition, will be exhibited with other winning photos at the Fairfield Museum & History Center, May 15 - June 27. SPECIAL THANKS to Howard and Judy Reynolds who donated the new glass table tops for the library. Confirmation Weekend April 30 at 5 p.m. Faith Statements May 1 at Sacrament of Confirmation On April 30, our confirmands will present their faith statements to our church family. This moving and heartwarming worship service is the culmination of the Confirmation Class year of learning,when they present their 'faith statements'. These short reflections give insight into what role the church and faith plays in the life of our youth. Everyone should attend as this is an experience not to be missed. Children in 3rd grade and above will benefit from hearing the life-lessons that these youth have learned, and adults will benefit from hearing these testimonials of faith. Please come and support these youth as they take this major step in their faith journeys. During worship on Sunday, May 1, the class will receive the rite of Confirmation. Grades 5 and above will remain in the Sanctuary. The 2016 Confirmation class led the 'sunrise' beach service on Sasco Hill Beach on Easter Sunday morning.
Board of Christian Education - Youth TEACHERS NEEDED! We are looking for parents to teach church school starting in September for grades 1-8. Curriculum will be provided, with craft and materials set up each week by the church school assistant. We would like for parents to commit to a three-week block of time to build consistency. High School students will be assistants for the grades. We will have a recruitment fair on Children s Sunday, June 5, but will take sign-ups leading up to that date. No teaching experience is necessary. See the impact a couple of hours a month can make on a child! CHURCH SCHOOL Every Sunday: Infants & Toddlers (born after 10/1/13 ) Childcare will be in Room 3 from 9:40 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Tiny Tots Childcare (born between 9/30/11-9/30/13) Childcare in Room 4 from 9:40 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Fun Friends (4 years old by 10/1/15) Go to Room 5 after dismissal from the Sanctuary. May 1 FF and K: classrooms 1st - 4th Rehearsal 5th -7th Sanctuary May 8 FF and K: classrooms 1st - 8th: Rehearsals for Oh, Jonah! May 15 FF and K: classrooms Church school lessons and activities will be available for children May 22 FF and K: classrooms and youth who will not be participating in the musical. May 29 Memorial Day Sunday - no church school! Children's Sunday Musical ~ June 5: This year the Youth Choirs will present Oh, Jonah! Rehearsals will be held during choir rehearsals and on select Sundays during church school. Final dress rehearsal will be on Saturday, June 4 at 5 p.m. May 1, 7-8:30 p.m. May 8, Mother's Day - No meeting! May 15, 7-8:30 p.m. Mission trip planning SENIOR HIGH YOUTH GROUP May 22, 7-8:30 p.m. Mission trip planning May 29, Memorial Day Sunday - No meeting! Board of Christian Education - Adults MEN'S DISCUSSION GROUP Discussion & Coffee: Led by Rev. Paul Whitmore on Thursdays at 7 a.m. in the Youth Room. Please email Paul to add your name to the mailing list. Discussion topics run parallel to those covered in the Women s Faith Group. We will meet on May 5, 12 and 19 - our last meeting for the season. MONDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY We will meet May 2 and 9, at 9:15 a.m., in the Library, and will have a luncheon on the 16th - more details to follow. If you have questions, please call Sharon or email her at sharon@blackburn53.com. GENTLE YOGA WITH KELLIE PANUS Church member Kellie Panus, an experienced yoga and meditation teacher, registered with Yoga Alliance (ERYT200) leads a gentle yoga practice from 11 a.m. to noon in the Youth Room on Tuesday, May 3, 10, 17 and 24. We will then take a break for the summer and resume in the fall. Feel free to contact Kellie with any questions: kelliepanus@gmail.com. Class is $10 per session. All are welcome. Namaste! WOMEN S DISCUSSION GROUP Join us on Thursdays in the Youth Room from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., for intelligent discussion, exploration of faith and honest friendship, led by Rev. Laura Whitmore. Discussion topics run parallel to those covered in the Men s Group. We will meet on May 5, 12 and 19, our last meeting for the season which will be held at Grace Farms, 365 Luke's Wood Road, New Canaan.
Preschool & Toddler Committee PRESCHOOL & TODDLER COMMITTEE There are openings in all classes for the 2016-17 school year. Please contact Barbara Terrell (scpreschool01@gmail.com) if you have questions about enrollment. Fellowship Committee WHAT A NIGHT! Many thanks to our Progressive Dinner hosts, Debbie and John Eck, Carla and Mark Foster, Marnie and Scott Kruse, Chuck and Pat Matteson, Keith and Kate Melnick, Chris Philip and Parker Rogers, Irene and John Santa, Bridget and Rob Schulten and Patti and Peary Spaght, as well as Tish and Don Burton for hosting the cocktail party, and Hilary and Damien Breier for the dessert. The Fellowship Committee, under the leadership of Chair Lisa Doocy, did a fabulous job. If you were not able to attend, please don't miss the next Progressive Dinner in the fall. COFFEE HOUR Many thanks to Sally Conti, Anne Deware, Sharon Keiser, Joanne Lenci, Jen McArthur and Linda Murphy who provided Coffee Hour refreshments in April. SUNSET FELLOWSHIP Our next event is on Friday, May 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Library. Bring your own beverages and hors d oeuvres to share. For additional information, please contact Sharon Blackburn (sharon@blackburn53.com). FLOWER COMMITTEE Thanks to Joan and David Huntington, Carol Lasseter-Rice, Joanne Lenci and Nee Olsen who donated beautiful floral arrangements for the altar in April. If you would like to donate flowers to be placed on the altar in memory or in honor of a loved one, please contact Barbara Abbott. Consider a summer arrangement from your garden when summer services begin in the Chapel on June 19. Music Committee CHERUB CHOIR REHEARSALS: May 1, 9 a.m. - Chapel May 8, Mother's Day, 9 a.m. Robe and Rehearsal for the service May 15, 9 a.m. - Chapel May 22, 9 a.m. - Chapel May 29, Memorial Day Sunday - no rehearsal Thank you to Phillip Bettencourt and Marnie Kruse for their beautiful performance of All Good Gifts on April 24. Next Meeting: May 23, 7:30 p.m. Library SENIOR CHOIR REHEARSALS Sunday at 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. BELL CHOIR REHEARSALS Monday at 6:15 p.m. JUNIOR CHOIR REHEARSALS: May 1, 9 a.m. - Phillip's office May 8, Mother's Day 9 a.m. - Phillip's office May 15, 9 a.m. - Phillip's office May 22, 9 a.m. - Phillip's office May 29, Memorial Day Sunday - no rehearsal TEEN CHOIR REHEARSALS: May 1, 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., Phillip's office May 8, Mother's Day 11:30 a.m. - Phillip's office May 15, 11:30 a.m. - Phillip's office May 22, 11:30 a.m. - Phillip's office May 29, Memorial Day Sunday - no rehearsal
Mission Outreach Board Friday, June 10, 6 p.m. - Grace Farms, New Canaan Jeffrey Earls, church member and Director of Development for Family ReEntry, invites you to attend its annual fundraiser. Family ReEntry s programs help men, women and youth, whose lives or family members are involved in the criminal justice system, to find a way out. Their programs are located in Bridgeport, Stamford and Norwalk, as well as in three prisons in Niantic and Cheshire. Grace Farms is 80 acres of open space, welcoming visitors to experience nature, pursue justice, foster community and explore faith. It is a perfect setting to consider the socially critical work being done by Family ReEntry. Shaka Senghor, the New York Times and Washington Post best selling author of Writing My Wrongs: Life, Death and Redemption In An American Prison, is the keynote speaker. He is also the Director of Strategy for #Cut50, a national bipartisan initiative to safely and smartly reduce the prison population by 50% by 2025. To buy tickets, visit www.familyreentryevents.org/purchase-ticket/ or call Jeffrey at 203-290-0865. RECYCLE FOR RED CLOUD - BOTTLE AND CAN DRIVE Ava Pezzimenti, one of our Church School 7th graders, is conducting a bottle and can drive in support of our mission in Red Shirt Table. Please drop your clean bottles and cans in the marked box outside the office during March, April and May. Ava will redeem the bottles and cans, and donate the proceeds to a scholarship at the Red Cloud School. MARK YOUR CALENDARS: IOOBY (In Our Own Back Yard) SUMMER EVENTS Be on the look out for more information about how you can get involved with the following events: Sunday, July 17 Immediately following worship Join church volunteers to prep 300 backpacks which will be given to children from Red Shirt Table, Family ReEntry, Horizons at Greens Farms Academy and Sacred Heart University. Sunday, August 7 Immediately following worship We will prep 975 lunches for the underserved of Norwalk through the Bridgeport Rescue Mission. Thursday, July 7, Thursday, July 21, Thursday July 4, from 4-6 p.m. all days Bridgeport Rescue Mission Guest House BBQ
Carousel Recognition Sunday During worship on April 17, our congregation recognized and thanked all of the dedicated volunteers of The Carousel Thrift Shop. The Carousel opened on October 4, 1983 under the leadership and guidance of Harriet Wiswell and Tee Hawkins and their husbands, George Wiswell and Allen Hawkins, assisted by Cathy Furlong Raynor, and Frank Wendt, who continues to provide inspiration and advice today. The Carousel is a vital part of our ministry, providing a tremendous resource for those in need in neighboring communities. After accounting for operating costs, the net donation from The Carousel to the church in the 2015 fiscal year was $85,068! All of the past and present volunteers have given inspired guidance, dedication and enthusiasm to the task of building this small operation into the thriving success that it is, with an inventory that could not have been foreseen 33 years ago. OUR DEDICATED CAROUSEL VOLUNTEERS (l to r) Geno Piacentini, Karen Macdonald, Nancy Pandolfi, Joan Huntington, Alice Cecsarini, Judi Heath, Nancy Fraser and Sally Conti. Standing behind Sally (l to r) are Maureen Bachtig, Doug Goodman, Mary Vadas, Susan Kunkel and Gloria Miller. Not pictured are Alice Becker, Rae Flinn and Ilsa Hazlewood.
Church School Sunday - June 5 During the worship servic e, Church School will perform the music al, Oh Jonah! After worship, we will meet at the Parsonage for the All Church Picnic - games, cotton candy and a barbecue for all - hosted by the Board of C hristian Education.
Looking Ahead to June June 5 - Church School Sunday 8:15 a.m. Church Council 8:30 a.m. Mission Outreach Board Oh Jonah! June 12 8:15 a.m. Board of Deacons Sanctuary: Rev. Amy Forté preaching June 19 - Father's Day 8:15 a.m. Board of Trustees Chapel: Rev. Amy Forté preaching June 26 Chapel: Rev. Amy Forté preaching Southport Congregational Church United Church Of Christ PO BOX 366 524 Pequot Avenue Southport, CT 06890 Place label here
9:15 a.m. Study Group (not May 30) 12:15 p.m. OA 11:15 a.m. Senior Choir 6:30 p.m. 11:30 a.m. Teen Choir Handbells 7 p.m. SHYG (not 5/8) 8 p.m. AA MAY 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 9 a.m. Cherub, Junior and 9:30 a.m. Quilters 7 a.m. Men's 12:15 p.m. Senior Choir rehearsals 6:45 p.m. AA OA 11 a.m. Gentle Yoga (5/3,10,17 and 24 - the last class until the fall) Discussion Group (May 5, 12 and 19) 11:30 a.m. Women's Discussion Group (May 5, 12 and 19) Sunday, May 1 Mission Outreach Board 8:30 a.m.. Confirmation Sunday and Communion Worship Wednesday, May 4 RWAV Committee 7 p.m. Thursday, May 5 Staff 9:15 a.m. Sunday, May 8 Mother's Day Sunday Worship: Rev. Paul Whitmore preaching Tuesday, May 10 All Day Staff 9 a.m. Board of Christian Education 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 11 Preschool & Toddler Committee 9:20 a.m. Buildings & Grounds Committee 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 15 Board of Deacons 8:15 a.m. Fellowship Committee 9 a.m. Worship: Rev. Amy Forté preaching Monday, May 16 St. George's Meal Tuesday, May 17 Newsletter Submissions Due Thursday, May 19 Last Men's Group 7 a.m. Staff 9:15 a.m. Last Women's Group 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 20 Sunset Fellowship 5:30 p.m. Sunday, May 22 Board of Trustees 8:15 a.m. Worship: Rev. Paul Whitmore preaching Monday, May 23 Carousel Volunteers Music Committee 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 29 Monday, May 30 Memorial Day Sunday Worship: Rev. Sharon Blackburn preaching No church School Memorial Day - Office Closed