__________________________________________________________________________
JUNE 2015
I count my blessings already received and pray that I am thankful with every passing day.
I hope you are finding now or have plans to slow down in the season before us. Whether you are a family of one
or many, old or young, or set your daily schedule far in advance or as you wake- take time to relax. Being in
constant motion is not a prerequisite for success or popularity. I hope you find in your self the image of success
and the self-satisfaction of popularity in the mirror each time you glance at your self. ((hugs))
Last Summer I scheduled porch picnics through the summer. I was so happy to see many of you drop in for a
visit. I want to welcome you into our home yet again this Summer but have yet to decide in what manner.
Watch for your “Flash” in email or announcements on Sunday mornings for alerts to when an event will
happen. I hope to see you then.
We meet once a month to discover who we are and where we might go as a community of faith in the “Sing
New Songs” series. Please consider joining the next meeting on June 17 at 5:30 pm or the one after that- we
need to define who we are as a church and present to the greater Essex community an attractive prospect with
which to become involved. As always a warm heart and easy smile will go a long way when greeting guests
whenever they appear at our door, so, please remember that you are the church and you are what guests are
using to make decisions where they might attend.
Please take some time when you see Jane Haeni to thank her for the 11 years of service as Christian Education
Chair and Sunday School coordinator. Jane has faithfully and caringly served our children and us in matters of
faith and education. Pray for the CE Committee as it embarks upon a new era without her guidance.
Have you recommended our church to someone lately? Please do! When was the last time you reviewed your
estate planning? Have you included a gift to the church in the event of your death? Have you prayed for the
welfare of the church as of late? Can you say that you are a faithful attendee of worship? I hope you answer in
the affirmative to all these questions and that your faith community is one that deserves your attention and
consideration and generosity.
Until September, we will forgo Newsletters. Please stay in touch, come to 35 minute Summer, 9am worship
services starting June 21, and say your prayers for peace.
Blessings,
Rev. Ken
At the recent Spring Meeting of the Middlesex Association of the UCC, Rev. Ken was elected Moderator of the
Association. The Moderator presides over Business Meetings of the Association and Executive Committee, serves
on the Church and Ministry Committee of the Association, and as needed assists at Ordinations and Installations
within this Association.
Church Word Services Blankets and Tools Offering (Father’s Day Cards)
Some 8,000 congregations and groups across the U.S. hold CWS Blankets events, providing funds to help
people in need around the world. For more than 60 years, CWS has worked in partnership with local
communities to identify their needs and access the resources they need to build the foundation for a more viable
future. Cards for Father's Day will be sold during Coffee Hour in June for $5 each.
FCC IN ESSEX MISSION TRIP TO CHEYENNE RIVER SIOUX
TRIBE RESERVATION I N SOUTH DAKOTA:
AUGUST 15-22, 2015
Congratulations and good luck to the 13 participants representing FCC in Essex on
the mission trip this summer, under the auspices of the Simply Smiles organization. As stated on the Simply
Smile website, our volunteers will bring "hope to people whose lives are dominated by an all-consuming daily
effort just to survive. You will create smiles when there would be no other reason to smile. You will ease the
burden and alleviate the suffering. You will allow an adult to forget their worries and for a child to just be a
child." During a typical day, our volunteers will spend the mornings on work projects, the afternoons helping to
run summer camp for the kids and the evenings hosting town-wide meals, bingo nights, movie nights and more!
We will look forward to reporting on the trip in one of our Fall editions of Passages. Have a safe and gratifying
week of volunteerism!
REVISIONING OUR FOCUS - JUSTICE & WITNESS MEETING JUNE 10
As you may know, we did not receive any applications for the Antibullying Scholarship, this year. At
our last meeting, we began a conversation about exploring ideas and resources which would help us expand our
thinking about the topic... The focus of our next meeting will be to continue the conversation and hopefully,
identify some ways in which we might change our approach or applicant pool to attract candidates. Please give
it some thought before our June 10 meeting at 5:30 p.m.. New members are always welcome!
--- The Justice & Witness Committee
BOOK CLUB
Monday, June 8, 1:30 pm
"The Rosie Project" by Graeme Simsion
New readers are always welcome! Contact Celia Francis for more information
The "What's New" news group meets June 10. Discuss issues of local, state or national
interest at the What's New group, meeting on Wednesday, June 10 at 3:00 p.m. in the Cove
View Room. All are welcome.
See Bob Johnson or Dud Bickford for tickets to one of the following Men's Capella concerts: Sun. June
7th, 3:00PM St Paul's Lutheran church, Old Saybrook; Sat. June 13th, 7:30 PM Christ Episcopal
Church, Guilford or Sun. July 12th, 3:00PM Deep River Town Hall
Gifts that Provide Income to You and Others
Did you know that it is possible to make a gift for the eventual benefit of one or more charitable interests
while first retaining income for you, your spouse, and/or other loved ones? In fact, you can choose from
among a number of ways to give that feature income for life or other period of time you choose.
Through the use of these gift plans it can be possible to make gifts you may have never thought possible as
a result of income, gift, and estate tax savings, tax-free asset growth, professional asset management, and
other financial and estate planning benefits.
Many have found they can make significant gifts while enhancing their own or their loved ones' financial
security. In fact, giving in this way can help a number of goals including:

Increased spendable income from low-yielding stocks, bonds, or other assets.

A welcome source of income to help cover expenses in pre-retirement years.

Retirement income from sources that are permanently set apart from your other assets.

Income for yourself, a spouse, or other loved ones in the future if needed.

Assistance for parents or other loved ones in their later years.

Providing funds to cover education or other expenses for children or grandchildren.
Exploring the Options
For more information, you may wish to explore one or more of the following options:

Charitable Gift Annuities that feature generous fixed payments for life.

Charitable Remainder Trusts that offer a choice of fixed income or income that can fluctuate
with investment returns.

Pooled Income Funds allow you to make gifts that are invested with those of others and pay what
is earned on your share of the fund.

Gift of a Remainder Interest in a home that features tax and other benefits, while allowing you to
enjoy the use of the property for a period of time you determine or for the remainder of your
lifetime and/or that of your spouse or other loved one.
Donations Now Being Accepted!
Rummage
ON THE HILL
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
First Congregational Church in Essex, UCC
6 Methodist Hill, Essex, CT
Early Sales Night - October 2 - 6 to 8 pm
$5 admission
Home Goods □ Better Men’s, Women’s and Children’s Clothing □
“Boutiques and Antiques” Room □ Jewelry □ Accessories □ Books
Lamps, Frames, Paintings □ Small Furniture
Toys and Games
Saturday Bake Sale and Food and Beverages
Need a Rummage Pick Up? Call 860/767-8097
Please sign up in the Narthex to volunteer
It's never too early to collect items for our biggest
fundraiser of the year!
RUMMAGE ON THE HILL
Saturday, October 3, 2015
9 am – 2 pm
Early Sales Evening Friday, October 2: 6-8 PM $5 admission
Drop off your donated items at church:
September 28 to October 1
We have limited storage space, so please keep your rummage at home until the collection
days. If this is not possible, please call the church office at (860) 767-8097 and we will make
other arrangements. WE DO WANT YOUR RUMMAGE THIS SUMMER!
What to donate? A good rule of thumb to help you decide whether or not to donate an item is this: If you
wouldn't buy the item to use in your home, or if you wouldn't wear it, probably no one else would either.
The following items do NOT sell – so please do not donate:
Anything damaged, not working or soiled
Air conditioners
Televisions
Freezers, washers, dryers
Children’s car seats
Chemicals
Computer monitors
Luggage
Linens
Tools (House and Garden)
Encyclopedias or Text Books
Appliances
Gas cans with gasoline/kerosene
Guns, knives, weapons of any kind
Magazines and newspapers
Paint
Tires
Treadmills
Mattresses
Electronics
Cassette Tapes
The following items DO sell – if they are clean, in good condition, in working order,
and are not damaged or broken
Antiques: China, glassware, silver, dolls
Antiques: Cameras (no Polaroids), small clocks
Iron antiques, tools
Art, sculpture, posters, frames, lamps
Baskets – small and medium size
Books: fiction, non-fiction, children’s books
CDs, DVDs, Blu-Ray Discs, Games
Clothes: men’s, women’s, children’s, including fine fashion
and vintage
Clothing accessories: purses, scarves, belts, hats
Children's Toys
Furniture – SMALL PIECES ONLY
Gifts, Knick-knacks
Jewelry: Fine jewelry and good costume
Kitchen items; utensils and cookware
Dishes and glassware
Vases and plant containers
Rugs
Shoes and boots – gently worn
Collections: stamp, coin and other
Need a rummage pick up this summer? Call the church office at 860/767-8097
The First Congregational Church in Essex
United Church of Christ
presents
THE BIG BAND
With
Bob Hughes
Saturday, July 25
6:30 – 8:00 pm
(Rain date: July 26)
Essex
Town Park
Bring lawn chairs for seating
Free admission
NEWS FROM CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
It is June and our Sunday school program has ended for this year BUT we are already looking ahead to the fall.
The new school year will be kicked off with a Rally Day on September 20th. After worship, there will be
carnival type booths that the children have designed, a pot luck picnic and a special presentation with an animal
theme. Sign up sheets for food contributions will be in the narthex later in the summer..
On May 31st during the Sunday School time, the children and parents will begin planning for this
special day.
On June 7th, we will honor our teachers from this year. We will also be bidding a fond farewell to the
Mosley family with a goodbye celebration during coffee hour. Molly and Claudia have been faithful attendees
at our Sunday School for many years. We shall miss them all and wish them well in their new home near
Chicago.
Cathy Bishop will lead a scavenger hunt and nature walk through the Falls River Preserve after church on
September 13th. Save the date!
The CE committee sponsors partial scholarships to Silver Lake Camp for 4-12 graders. Last call for
applications. Please send letter of interest to the committee at the office or email [email protected].
Hands and Hearts
Hands & Hearts recently held a craft session at the
church to make these cheerful mosaic vases with
paper flowers. The arrangements are going to be
gifted to the residents of Essex Court who attend
our ice cream social at the Essex Court
Community Center on June 10th. We will also be
giving arrangements to those residents of Essex
Court who are “shut-ins”. Last year this event
was a huge success. The residents were so
touched to have a flock of children ring their bell
and give them a “Happy Spring” gift. The
children too recognized the joy they were
spreading which made their faces beam with pride. This is an awesome way to end the Hands & Hearts’
agenda for the school year.
Saluting Our Graduates!
Leah Harger, daughter of Cheryl and Scott Harger, will be graduating from
Valley Regional High School. She will be attending Western Connecticut
State University to major in psychology.
Chapter VII continued
Church Special Items
Chapter VII research, narrative, and some photos: Ginny Bliss.
Other photos from the Sanctuary Rededication program
Names of the contributors to each of the Church Special items are listed in the narthex show case.
Austin Pipe Organ
In April 1991 the First Congregational Church in Essex entered into agreement with the Austin Organs,
Incorporated, of Hartford, CT to have an Austin Organ built and installed. The organ is a Two-Manual Stockey
Console with Tracker-Touch keyboards. It has an oak and walnut console wood case. It has a Swell Organ
expression pedal with indicator light and a music rack with built-in light. The final cost was $170,000. The
new, custom-built 18 rank Austin organ was delivered and installed in 1993. A brass plaque on the organ reads:
#2752 Austin Organs, Inc. Hartford, Connecticut - Built in our 100th year 1993.
(Since 1996, Marsha Birch has been the organist. In 1993, when she moved to Essex, she was looking for a
place to practice and came to the First Congregational Church in Essex. She saw organ pipes and other parts
scattered everywhere, as the organ was being installed. She became organist at Ivoryton Congregational
Church and practiced in Ivoryton at All Saints Episcopal Church. In 1996 she became organist at the First
Congregational Church in Essex.)
Photo by Ginny Bliss
Organ Pipe Display
The Organ Pipe Screen was designed by George Penniman Architects, Inc. Bogaert Construction Company in
Essex, CT built and installed the Organ Pipe Display in the Sanctuary in the early fall of 2011. The finish
carpentry of cove and bed moldings for the organ display was done by New England Joinery in Essex, CT. The
paint applied to the organ pipes was done by R.A. Torre Painting in Branford, CT.
Photo by Ginny Bliss
The Cove View Room
The Cove View Room was redone by a group of dedicated volunteers in 2013. The work included painting,
floor refinishing, window treatment, and furnishings.
Photo by Ginny Bliss
Windows in the Sanctuary
John Bogaert worked with George Penniman on the specifics of the project of replacing the sanctuary windows.
Rick McGrath, co-chair of House and Grounds, coordinated communications with John Bogaert. Six Marvin
Integrity SDL windows were installed in the fall of 2013.
Photo by Ginny Bliss
Carpeting and Cushions
Pew cushions and carpeting in the Sanctuary and the Narthex were replaced in August 2013.
Rev. Kenneth Peterkin led the Sanctuary Rededication on April 27, 2014.
Part I - The Interior: Painting and Carpeting, Part II - The Organ Pipes,
Part III - The Roof, Part IV - The Windows.
Look for Chapter VIII in the September edition of “Passages.”
Chapter VIII will have a short biography by Joanne Kottke of the ministers who served the
First Congregational Church in Essex.
Celebrating Our Seniors!
Our young people have been interviewing some of our seniors who are 85 or older.
Our interviewers were:
Abe Peterkin, an 8th grader at John Winthrop Junior High School, who enjoys
playing the piano and being outdoors;
Linda Nelson, a 7th grader from Westbrook, who is a member of our Bell Choir
Abby Grace, a sophomore at Valley Regional High School, who plays field hockey
and enjoys watching Red Sox baseball.
Here are the stories of our seniors, based on those interviews:
KENNETH BENJAMIN - Kenneth Benjamin was born in Ohio and moved to Little Falls, NY in fifth grade where
he first met his wife, Augusta. He says that he doesn't recall the Great Depression to have been a great
devastation to him and his family as his father always remained employed. He finished his senior year at
boarding school and then was off to college at MIT. He turned 18 while at MIT and was drafted. He went into
the Navy where he worked with radios and radar on carriers. When he returned in 1946, he finished his college
career at MIT, graduating in 1950. After college, he started work in the field of electrical engineering. Over the
years, he had many jobs in this field and moved, with his family, to many different places including Cleveland,
Norwalk, Stamford and North Carolina. Some of the projects he worked on included designing machines from
scratch that automated sewing machines. When asked, Ken said he would consider himself an inventor. With
many years of work behind him, he eventually decided to retire. In retirement, he played lots of tennis and did
much wood-working; two hobbies he quite enjoyed. Ken is a very talented woodworker, a trait he believes he
inherited from his grandfather, who was a cabinet maker. In his retirement, he and Augusta moved to Essex, a
place they both had always desired to live. They are still here to this day. They have four kids, six grandchildren,
and three great grandchildren. His advice for young people is to get as much education as you possibly can so
that you can lead a successful life.
AUGUSTA BENJAMIN - Augusta was raised in a small town in upstate New York called Little Falls. A few of
her fondest childhood memories include visiting the Cooperstown Inn with her family, and bringing her father's
supper pail to him at the YMCA while she enjoyed watching all of the men bowl. As a young teenager, she
worked at a girl scout camp where she made $15 for six weeks. She spent the money she earned to hire a
driving instructor, as she was very eager to begin driving. She also remembers being very conscious of shortages
during war-times: Even simple things such as shoes were rationed and gas coupons were saved for important
events such as going to the prom. She recalls that all her male friends from high school (including her husband
Kenneth) being drafted to go to war immediately after high school graduation. After high school. she spent one
year at Dana Hall and then went off to Mount Holyoke, as she was expected to go to college. In her junior year,
she had the pleasure of being one of the only American students to study abroad at Saint Andrews in Scotland.
Then it was back to Mount Holyoke, where her favorite teacher, Professor Mills, taught the course in AngloSaxon for just one student, Augusta; a memory that fills her with warm feelings and pride. Once she finished her
schooling, she and her high school sweetheart Kenneth Benjamin married, had four children, and she became a
stay-at-home Mom. Today, the Benjamins have six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and have
recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Augusta shared that it was fun for her to meet with a
young person and reminisce about memories she hadn't thought about in years.
DUDLEY BICKFORD - Dud grew up in Manchester, Ct. He attended both Exeter and Trinity College.
During World War II, Dud's father worked making parachutes and was an air raid warden. He remembers gas
shortages and the rationing of meat. His first car was a 1934 Ford. Later, Dud's participation in ROTC led to his
commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force during the Korean War. After the war, his engineering work
took him to numerous companies: New Britain Machine, Fafnir Bearing Co., Landis Tool and Stanley Works.
Fafnir, alone, made parts that allowed the trip to the moon. While at Stanley, he patented a re-design of their
famous 25' rule that permitted them to be automatically assembled. He's Dad to four boys. He remembers the
early TVs which were huge and had grainy pictures. He sees dramatic changes in the attitudes of company
managements. The now "feel special" and thee is less emphasis on making a good product. He's hoping our
politicians will be more "conscious of humanity," and more honest. His advice to young people: Have fun, have
faith, be kind and you'll get there.
WILLIAM HAWKE - Bill grew up in Westerly, Rhode Island. During WWII, his brother, who returned safely was
in the Navy. Bill went to Loomis Chaffee, then on to Bryant College in Providence. After graduation, he worked
for GMAC doing financial work, which he didn't like. He drove to Florida where he worked for a Buick agency.
He enlisted in the US Navy when the Korean War broke out. He served on a cruiser and an LST. He'd hoped to
fly for the Navy, but that didn't work out. After the war, he found a job at B. Altman & Co. in New York City,
where he met Mellicent. There, he worked as a buyer for linens. That job led to one for Fieldcrest in Cleveland.
Later, the Hawkes returned to Basking Ridge, NJ, owning a hardware store there for 18 years. He's most proud
of his children, a son and a daughter. He and Mellicent have been married for 60 years. He's seen so many
changes over the years. Right now. women's progress is going too slowly. He's delighted to meet with energetic
kids and has this advice for them: Have direction and a passion and follow it!
JEAN LEUCHTENBURG- Jean remembers quiet early days. Her two sisters were much older than she. She had
a dog and spent lots of time outdoors, making mud pies, when she was little. She began driving when she was
just 11 or 12, practicing in the driveway and around the house. Her Dad was highly in favor of women driving.
She was at boarding school when the news of Pearl Harbor arrived. She entered the living room and found
students from Hawaii weeping as they listened. Those were tearful times, but everyone worked together to
help the war effort. During the war, she helped at the hospital, and in the mail room. She remembers collecting
silk stockings for parachutes. Before her children were born, Jean worked for three years for a student political
organization engaged in the Civil Rights movement. She traveled often, working on the problem of racial
discrimination. She remembers many happy years when she worked hard making a happy home for her family.
Now she knows that political leadership is difficult. It's unpleasant for those who try because everyone comes
after them. She loves talking with young people. She knows they're doing a great deal of thinking!
Would you like to work with youth?
Do you like working with teenagers but don’t think you’d make a good Youth Group
volunteer? Let’s dispel some myths surrounding “the Perfect Youth Ministry Volunteer”
and hopefully change your mind.
Myth #1 “You’ve got to be cool.”
Let’s face it, we probably weren’t that cool in high school and we’re certainly not cool as adults. Students don’t need
someone to be cool, they need authenticity. If you are willing to be yourself around teenagers, you’re a great candidate
for volunteering in the youth ministry.
Myth #2 “You’ve got to be young.”
Sometimes we think that the 20-somethings “relate better” to teenagers because of their age. Most teenagers have a
hard time telling the difference between a 25 year-old who is married and a 37 year-old who is married (they are both
“old”). Research shows that teenagers are actually drawn to the oldest person in the room who will listen to them and
take them seriously. If you are willing to listen to teenagers and take their problems seriously, you’re a great candidate
for volunteering in the youth ministry.
Myth #3 “You’ve got to act like a teenager.”
There is a difference between being child-like and being childish. One of my youth ministry heroes, Duffy Robbins says,
“Teenagers don’t need adults who act like teenagers. They need adults who don’t freak out when teenagers act like
teenagers.” If you can act like an adult and not “freak out” when teenagers act like teenagers, then you’re a great
candidate for volunteering in the youth ministry.
Myth #4 “You’ve got to be a Bible scholar.”
Sure, we want you to know something about the Bible, but we don’t expect you to have all of the answers. In John 9, the
man born blind gives us a great example of how to respond to questions we don’t know the answers to, “Whether Jesus
was a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know, I once was blind but now I can see!” If you are willing to help
students discover answers to their questions, you’re a great candidate for volunteering in the youth ministry.
Myth #5 “You’ve got to know everything in teen culture.”
It’s okay if you don’t listen to Justin Bieber and you still listen to Abba on vinyl. Students want you to be you. Many of
them would even love to hear stories about the time you were in a KISS cover band! If you don’t know who Justin Bieber
is, you’re the perfect candidate for volunteering in the youth ministry.
If after reading this, you think you’d like to give it a try, please contact Cheryl Harger or Rev. Ken for
more information. The role entails planning a couple of events a year for our group plus being the Giv2
liaison between our church and the other member churches to get our group involved in another 3-4
service projects/year. As of September 1, Cheryl Harger will be filling the position of Church Treasurer
and must find a replacement for her Youth Group and Giv 2 activities.
Originally posted on the Christ Community Church (Huntersville, NC) blog
Tips for a Safe and Healthy Summer
Summer is quickly coming. The sea, the sun, and the sand are calling us to spend time outdoors. Fun
with family and friends, picnics, hikes, and lazy days at the beach renew and revitalize the spirit. Summer also
brings high temperatures, sunburns, insects, and hurricane season. Are you prepared? June is National Safety
Month. It’s time to make sure you are ready to stay safe and healthy.
Make sure everyone drinks plenty of water as the temperatures rise to prevent heat stroke. Remember
the inside of the car can reach 140-190 degrees within half an hour on a hot sunny day. Never leave children or
pets unattended in a closed vehicle.
Stock up on sun block with a UVA/UVB rating of 30 or higher to protect yourself from those harmful
ultraviolet rays. A teaspoon of sun block is recommended for each arm or leg. Remember to apply sunblock to
your ears and the tops of the feet, these areas are often forgotten. Hiking, picnicking and outdoor activities in
brushy or wooded areas increases the risk of Lyme disease transmitted by ticks. To prevent tick bites, wear light
colored clothing on your legs so you can spot any ticks quickly. Use insect repellent containing at least 20%
DEET, or wear permethrin-treated clothing. Check your body daily for ticks. Remove ticks with tweezers
grasping close to the skin surface and pull up with steady, even pressure. Clean the area with rubbing alcohol, or
soap and water. See your doctor if you develop a red ringed rash, fever, chills or flu like symptoms.
Now is the time to check your emergency kits so you will be ready to evacuate should a hurricane hit.
Make sure to have plenty of water, nonperishable food, medications and first aid supplies. Keep a battery
powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries on hand. Know the evacuation route and make a plan to follow so
all family members will know what to do.
Above all enjoy the summer, and be safe!
Deborah Ringen MSN, RN-BC Faith Community Nurse,
Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley 860-767-0186
Resources:
www.cdc.gov/lyme/resources/TickborneDiseases.pdf
www.nsc.org
www.ct.gov/hurricaine or call 211 for more information.
Those In Service in JUNE
Those In Our Thoughts and Prayers
USHERS
June 7 - Teacher Appreciation/
Graduation Sunday
Mellicent Hawke (communion)
Bill Hawke
Celia Francis
Mary Lawrence Bickford
Susan Nilsen
Paula Merrick; Ron and Denise Lavoie; The
family and friends of Tom Marston, upon his
passing; The Nord family; Wendy Mosley; Eric
Nelson; Andrea Nord Tankin; Hobie Kraner;
Judy Kells; Kristin Coombs; Lynn Thornwall;
Brenda Nelson, Scott and Linda's grandmother;
Pat and Del Peterkin, Rev. Ken's mother and
father; Chrissy Lyons; Rod and Joyce Wilcox. All
families of and victims of violence, terrorism and
war; Members and veterans of the Armed
Services, and their families.
June 14 - New Member Sunday
Susan Christopher
Celia Francis
Judy Bibbiani
June 21 - Summer Service at 9 am
Pat Reed
Deb Boutilier-Minor
June 28 - Summer Service at 9 am
Mellicent Hawke
Bill Hawke
ALTAR FLOWERS
June 7
Susan Christopher and Bob
Johnson
June 14
Please sign up!
COFFEE HOUR
June 7
Christian Education Committee
We will also be saluting Tom and Wendy Mosley
and their family, as they prepare to relocate to
Chicago.
June 14
The Diaconate for New Members
READERS
June 7
June 14
Sheryl Serviss
Celia Francis
SOUP KITCHEN
June 8 Mellicent and Bill Hawke; Jane Piro;
Judy Kelsey
June 22 Susan Kaufmann, Judy McCauley,
Marv Blakesley, Nancy Loader
Food provider: Susan Nilsen
CHURCH OFFICE SUMMER HOURS
The church office will be open MondayThursday from 9 am to 1 pm for the summer.
Beginning on June 19, the office will be closed
on Fridays through September 11.
SUMMER PUBLICATIONS
This is the last edition of Passages until
September.
FLASH FROM CHURCH will continue to be
published every Thursday, throughout the
summer. Please send Nancy news for inclusion
in Flash at [email protected].
The First Congregational Church in
Essex, United Church of Christ
6 Methodist Hill, Essex, CT 06426
860-767-8097 □ [email protected]
www.essexucc.org
Reverend Kenneth D. Peterkin, Pastor
Nancy Loader, Office Administrator
Marsha Birch, Organist
Shari Wilcox, Music Director
Cheryl Harger, Bell Choir Director
Shelley Cretella, Sexton
Each week's sermon is available on the home page
of our website, www.essexucc.org, and on You
Tube. Past sermons are available from the last
several years on You Tube.
Be sure to visit our website, www.essexucc.org!
And, visit us on Facebook to keep up with activities this summer!
The First Congregational Church in Essex, United Church of Christ
6 Methodist Hill ▫ Essex, CT 06426 ▫ 860/767-8097 ▫ Fax 860/767-7855 ▫ [email protected]
www.essexucc.org
Rev. Kenneth Peterkin, Pastor
WORSHIP AND SPECIAL DATES IN JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST
Sunday, June 7
TEACHER APPRECIATION SUNDAY/ GRADUATION SUNDAY
10AM Family Worship / Communion
Monday, June 8
1:30 PM BOOK CLUB
Sunday, June 14
NEW MEMBER SUNDAY/ Last Regular Worship Until the Fall
8:00 am Chapel Worship
10:00 am Family Worship
Wednesday, June 10
3:00 PM What's New News Group
5:30 PM Justice & Witness Committee
Wednesday, June 17
5:30 PM SING NEW SONGS MEETING
Sunday, June 21
Summer Worship at 9 am
Sunday, June 28
Summer Worship at 9 am
Sunday, July 5
Summer Worship and Communion at 9 am
Sunday, July 12
Summer Worship at 9 am
Sunday, July 19
Summer Worship at 9 am
4 pm Mission Trip Planning Meeting for Participants
Saturday, July 25
BIG BAND CONCERT ON ESSEX TOWN GREEN at 6:30 pm
(Sunday, July 26 - Rain Date)
Sunday, July 26
Summer Worship at 9 am
Saturday, August 1
Grinder Sale at Church for Town-Wide Tag Sale
Sunday, August 2
Summer Worship and Communion at 9 am
Sunday, August 9
Summer Worship at 9 am
Sunday, August 16
Summer Worship at 9 am
Sunday, August 23
Summer Worship at 9 am
Sunday, August 30
Summer Worship at 9 am
Have a happy and healthy
summer! Enjoy! We'll welcome
you to 30 minute, casual worship
each Sunday at 9 am.