1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

STEEPLE AND PEOPLE
First Congregational Church of Plymouth
10 Park Street
Plymouth, CT 06782
860-283-5389 fax 860-283-2342
December,2014
The Camino de Santiago Story
“When I came to the spring today, I said, ‘Lord, God of
my master Abraham, if you will, please grant success to
the journey on which I have come.
Genesis 24:42
As most of you are aware, I have just returned from
sabbatical. I am planning to do a series tying the Camino
de Santiago into Advent. I don’t know if everyone will be
at every service, so I want to use this article to talk a little
bit about the journey.
First, the Camino is a historical pilgrimage that has been
th
going on since the 9 century. Millions of “pilgrims” have
preceded us throughout the centuries. The same route
has been walked through all that time.
The numbers are easy. To the best of our calculations,
it was 490 miles as the crow flies. All totaled, we
completed 1 million, five hundred thousand steps, for a
total, according to a pedometer, of 692 miles, which
averages out to about 16 miles per day. We passed
through 4 major cities and climbed 2 mountain ranges.
My high school Spanish managed to get us through the
language barrier, and we met and got to know about a
hundred people of all nationalities. Some of them we
walked with for a few hours, some for as long as several
weeks. We spent 44 days on the trail, and took only one
rest day. We saw the running of the bulls in 2 separate
towns, and encountered 4 festivals (they seemed to
follow us around). In general, about 1,000 folks a day
start from St. Jean Pied de Port in France on any given
day, and only about 11 percent make it to Santiago.
My brother had been planning this for some time. I was
looking for something meaningful to do for sabbatical,
and this seemed like a natural fit. We had been planning
and practice hiking for months.
We tried to get ready for all of the difficulties that we
thought we might encounter. We both read about the
journey, and took the advice of those who had gone
before us. The preparation was key to us finishing the
walk.
In looking at the scripture above, this was the prayer that
we both prayed each and every day. We prayed that we
would make it through the day without injury, and that we
would embrace God’s will for the day. Instead of
beginning the day with expectations, we began with a
prayer to be open to the day, to be listening for God’s
still small voice, and to be ready to hear it from any
source. We heard it in the voices of the others on the
Camino, in the wind as it blew over the meseta, and in
the silence along the way.
One thing that I bring back is that God is always
speaking. It is up to each and every one of us to calm
our lives and to listen. The phrase used is “to turn down
the volume of life”. God was with us in Spain. There was
no parting of the seas or voice out of the clouds.
However, God did grant success to our journey. When
we took the time and had the desire to hear, God was
speaking. God quieted our hearts and helped us look at
life as we would a day on the Camino. He showed us to
put some expectations aside and to encounter the day
as it unfolds. Tomorrow will take care of itself, it is the
here and now of which we must be concerned. God is
with us yesterday, today and tomorrow, and we need to
have the confidence that He has, is, and will get us
through. Be aware that I am not saying not to plan for
the future. But I am saying that whatever the challengeexpected or unexpected-God will see us through.
This article could go on and on, but I will stop here. I will
look forward to seeing you in church, where I will be
happy to share more “Thoughts from the Camino”.
Blessings for your Advent and Christmas!!
On the Road,
Bill
Plymouth Congregational Church
Mission Statement
CHRIST WORKS THROUGH US AS WE WALK WITH
HIM
·
Grow in faith and share our faith in God with the
world around us.
·
Actively reach out and welcome all persons.
·
Provide opportunities for service, outreach and
improvement in our community as well as in the
global community.
·
Strengthen our congregation through fellowship
and care for our children and neighbors as
Jesus Christ would see fit.
D.J.Chasse 12/5
Holly Orr Mazzarella 12/5
Julie Orr Labutis 12/5
Terry Goodwin 12/14
Carol Yarrison 12/16
Becky Melancon McElwee 12/17
Ray Dupont 12/19
Bob Leroux 12/24
Peter Brown 12/25
Kathy Yale 12/26
Audrey Klimanowski 12/29
Christina Corvello 12/30
Join the Youth Group for Some
Holiday Spirit
Mary patterson
Ralph Davino
Judy Giguerre
Diana, Anne Crisenti
Janine, Frank Monsay
Family of Gloria Sugg
The people of Ferguson, Missouri
Chuck Duncan
Shawn
Pat O'Connell
Maureen
Sandy mcCann
Steven Court
Charley & Gary Krieg
Dan Austin & Austin family
Chris Colasanto & family
Wayne & Janet Waldron
Larry & Delores Kratzer
Paul Pescarmona
The Delaney family
Diana Hewitt
All of our veterans away from home
The Youth group would like to invite any Church
Members that would like to join them for a Carol Sing at
th
Cook Willow on Sunday the 7 at 2 o’clock. They will be
meeting at the church to carpool at 1:45. Come join us.
Youth group will be ringing the bell for Salvation Army
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at Adams on Sat. the 6 from 10AM to 1PM. Come by
and say hi and help them make a difference.
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On Friday, Dec. 12 , from 6pm to 9pm, the Youth
group is hosting their third annual “Parent’s Night Out”.
Parents can bring their children to the Stoughton building
to sign in at 6 pm. The children will be enjoying pizza
and refreshments before rehearsing for the Christmas
Pageant. Then we will be playing games until 9pm.
Great opportunity for Christmas Shopping or maybe a
quiet dinner out!
Carol Ferland and Gayle Konitski will be the hostesses
for our December Holiday Breakfast. Please join us on
th
Saturday, December 13 at 8:30 a.m. for a wonderful
meal and time of fellowship. We will celebrate the
accomplishments of the current year and make a
preliminary plan for 2015. You are also welcome to
bring a friend with you, whether she attends our church
or not! Please sign up in Fellowship Hall by December
th
7 so that Carol & Gayle know how much food to
prepare.
Women of Faith Conference
Twenty women from the Plymouth area attended the
Women of Faith conference in early November at the XL
Center in Hartford. Those in attendance enjoyed the
speakers and their messages of God’s work in their lives
and the lives of others. We also had many opportunities
for singing and worship.
2015 will be the last year of the Women of Faith
Conference in its current form. It will take place on
November 13 & 14 at the XL Center. If you would like to
attend the event next year, please connect with Robyn
Hawley at 860-283-2122. She can get reduced price
tickets.
‘ Tis the season of Giving and it is a good time to give
back. There are a lot of ways to do this. Next time you
leave a store, don’t walk by the kettle. Drop something
in. It doesn’t matter how much, everything helps. In
town there is a kettle at Adams that is only manned if
there are volunteers to do it. The Plymouth Food pantry
always needs food or volunteers to help out. Check out
their website for more info. Our youth group will be
collecting food at Adams the month before Easter.
Please stop by and say
“Hi”. Donate to Toys for Tots. The Polish Club sponsors
a golf tournament for Toys for Tots. Check it out. Next
time someone asks you to donate for a Walk for The
Cure or Foodshare go ahead. Help stuff a cruiser with
toys for Christmas. Donate to the Red Cross online.
There are plenty of opportunities to make a difference;
Not just for December, but for the whole year.
When you give back to your community or donate to a
charity, you will find it gives you a great feeling inside
that really warms your soul.
Tis the Season for Giving! Please Do.
Blessings,
Ray Dupont
P.S. Think about increasing your weekly Donation to the
Church by 5% or making a onetime gift. Every Church
Member received a Stewardship envelope. Please think
about how you can
help and
return the envelope
this
year. It could help
make a
difference and ‘Tis
The
Season!
Bible Quiz
‘Tis the Season
Happy Holidays to all. It is the time of the year that we
have plenty to be thankful for. The lights on the houses,
the songs on the radio and the presents under the trees
put a twinkle in your smile and a holiday skip to your
walk.
I would like to ask you to remember that there are
some people less fortunate and that they don’t get to
enjoy the holidays quite the same due to different
circumstances; whether it is lack of employment or
financial constraints that keep them from having a happy
holiday.
What’s the name of the angel who told Mary she would
give birth to God’s Son?
A. Gabriel
B. Raphael
C. Michael
D. Jonathan
Answer on Kid’s Page
Answer to Bible Quiz: A (See Luke 1:26ff.)
Honoring Our 50 Yr Members
On November 23, we had a special worship service recognizing our 50 year members of either our church or
any Christian church.
Those celebrating as 50+ yr members of the First Congregational Church of Plymouth are:
Date
1946
1948
1949
1950
1950
1952
1955
1954
1957
1957
1958
1958
1962
1963
1963
1964
1964
Member
# Years in 2014
Caroline (Blake) Sanford
68
Jeannette (Benedict) Brown
66
Margaret (Snell) Minor
65
Lois (Mitchell) (Karr) Hamel
64
Marilyn C. Mattoon
64
Tina (Curtis) Sculerati
62
Marjorie (Fowler) Maisto
59
Lorraine (Minor) Babb
58
Ruth (Fowler) Litwin
57
Kathleen (Booth) Yale
57
Thomas Suckley
56
Susan (Cook) (Armstrong) Macdonald
56
Peter Fortin
52
Helen (Brown) Tomasello
51
Bonnie (Norton) Mackiewicz
51
Eleanor (Latulipe) Barberet
50
Frances (Bennett) Maxwell
50
Those celebrating as 50+ yr members of any Christian Church are:
Arthur H. Carlstrom
Karen (Brothwell) Dayton
Carolyn (Blair) Ferland
Suzanne (Olson) Hanson
Rev William Hawley
Patricia (Ferry/Brazee) Kopcha
Larry & Delores (Krieg) Kratzer
Bob and Bonnie (MacGregor) Leroux
Lois (Carlson) Martin
Carol (Minor) Orr
Faye (Cozbey) Orvetti
Judith (Tyburski) Purney
Donald and Janice (Lyons) Rogers
June (Kirkham) Sanford
June (Johnson) Sutter
Carol (Gorham) Yarrison
George & June Cowles
Emery and Karen Austin
Helen Tomasello, Bonnie Mackiewicz, Eleanor Barberet and Frances Maxwell are our newest 50 year
members of our church. If there are any other who should be included as 50 year members of any Christian
church, please contact me at the number below to ensure our listing is updated accordingly.
Let us keep the following 50 + year members who have passed forever in our hearts. They have contributed so
much to our church:
Dat
e
193
5
194
0
194
0
195
1
Member
Betty (Hakanson) Clark
Vera (Hall/Lumpkin) Axelby
Eldah (Shanley) Johnson
Henry Arthur Strever
As a fifty year member, you made and kept a commitment to your faith for many, MANY years. You are an
example to your family, your church and to your community of living a Christian life and being committed to our
Lord and savior, Jesus Christ.
We would like to congratulate you on this accomplishment and being a part of this note-worthy group.
Sincerely Yours,
________________
John A. Williams
Co-Chair-Board of Deacons
860-283-5682
TERRYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND
. . . and the marching beat goes on ….
Our own Bradley Kozikowski, Alyssa Orr & Jessica Dupont,
along with 70+ members of the Terryville High School Marching
Band participated in the annual Band Day at the University of
Massachusetts on Saturday, October 18th. The UMASS band (400+
members stong) hosted 70 high school bands from around New
England and New York State .
3,500+ high schoolers, representing 70 high school bands,
joined with the UMASS Band – on the field at Gillette Stadium in
Foxboro, MA – to entertain the crowd at half time of the football
game between the UMASS Minutemen and the visiting Eastern Ohio
Eagles.
As Sophia (of The Golden Girls) used to say: “Picture it …;”
3,900+ musicians covering the football field, entertaining an
appreciative crowd and receiving a much-deserved standing
ovation from the fans.
Following the game, the UMASS Band performed its traditional
and famous post-game show and the high-schoolers enjoyed being
part of the large crowd in the stands to witness to this special
production .
Plymouth Congregational Church
Christmas Poinsettias
2014
Minimal donation this year is $10.00 per plant. Please complete this form and return it with
checks payable to:
Jonalyn Williams
105 Lake Plymouth Blvd
Plymouth, CT 06782
860-283-5682
[email protected]
Orders and payment must be
received by December 15th.
Ordered by
______RED (number/check)
______PINK (number/check)
Amount of Donation _________________for _______ # of plants ______WHITE (number/check)
In honor of ___________________________________________________________
In memory of __________________________________________________________
In celebration of Christmas ______________________________________________
Please pick up all plants on December 21st following the morning service.
Hands and Hearts In Harmony
(WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF OUR CHURCH FAMILY in 2014)
Pastor: Rev. Bill Hawley
Administrative Assistant: Helen B. Tomasello
Minister of Music: Marilyn C. Mattoon
Superintendent of Sunday School: Kylie Ouellet
Reminder-Helen Tomasello is Interim Pastor during Pastor Bill ‘s Sabbatical
Sunday Worship: 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary
Sunday School:
Followed by Coffee Hour in the Fellowship Room
10 a.m. in the Sanctuary and then moving to classrooms until 11:30 a.m.
Other Information you may find helpful:
Church Office:
phone: 860-283-5389
fax: 860-283-2342
Thrift Shop:
phone: 860-283-2853
Hours:
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Wednesday thru Saturday
Church Council meets monthly
Chair: Ray Dupont
Deacons meet monthly on the first Thursday at 7 p.m.
Chair: Joel Schrager
Board of Trustees meets monthly on the first Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Chair: Ed Flaherty
Religious Education Committee meets monthly on first Sunday
Chair: Angela Dorsey
Book of Remembrance Committee
Chair: Carol Ferland
Chairman of Ushers: Peter Fortin
If you wish to Usher, please sign up on list posted in the Fellowship Room
Fellowship Committee
Chair: Dan Stevenson
If you wish to host a coffee hour, please sign up on list posted in the Fellowship Room
Flower Committee Chair: Jona Williams (860-283-5682)
If you wish to give flowers, please contact Jona
Youth Group Coordinator: Tracy Dupont (860-283-0553)
Please call for information and meeting times
Treasurer: Bob Leroux
Clerk: Emery Austin
Historian: Chris Perkins
Steeple & People – published monthly
e-mail articles to Judy Russo – [email protected]
Stephen Ministers: Lorraine Babb, Helen Tomasello, Chris Lytle, Joel Schrager
***To reserve use of the Sanctuary and/or the Fellowship Room, please call the church office
Steeple & People
First Congregational Church of Plymouth
P.O. Box 293
10 Park Street
Plymouth, CT 06782
Return Service Requested
Place mailing label here
Non Profit
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Bulk Permit No.
Thomaston, CT 06787
December, 2014
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
1
2
Stephen Ministers 6:15
Trustees 7:00
8
9
10 God n’Grub
Concerned Members
Meeting 7pmfellowship hall
Potluck 6pm
Discussion 7pm
16
17 God ‘nGrub
15
3
THURSDAY
4
FRIDAY
5
Deacons 7:00
11
18
12
19
SATURDAY
6
7 Worship 10am
Men’s Breakfast 7am
Adams Bell Ring 10-1:00
Terryville Xmas Walk
3pm
13
14 Worshipm10am
Women’s Breakfast 8:30
Kid’s Xmas Pageant
Thomaston Xmas Walk
6pm
20
21 Worship 10am
Potluck 6pm
Bible Study 7pm
22
23
24
Christmas Eve Service in
the Sanctuary 10:30pm
29
30
31
SUNDAY
Council 11:30
25
26
Bill & Robyn on vacation
27
28 Worship 10am
Ellen Willert in the Pulpit