Volume 10/ Number 4 / April 2009

Old Greenwich, THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH United Church

Connecticut OF GREENWICH of Christ

M EETINGHOUSE M ONTHLY

IN THIS ISSUE

Speaking Pastorally....…… 2 Music Notes/Women’s Retreat………………… 3 Church School.....………. 4 New Member Class....…... 5 Noye’s Fludde…...……… 6 Confirmation/Preschool.... 8 Quilt Raffle/R. Room….... 9 Parish Nurse……..…..….10 Birthdays……………..… 11

April 5: Palm Sunday A Violating Visit Palm procession for all children in the Meetinghouse; child care available. Remember your food offerings!

April 9: Maundy Thursday 6:00 pm Supper and 7:00 pm Tenebrae Service.

April 10: Good Friday 10:00 am Family Service for preschool and school age children.

8:00 pm Service featuring Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem.

April 12: Easter Day

From Mourning to Morning 6:00 am Sunrise Service at Greenwich Point.

The Vanishing Visitor 9:00 and 11:00 am Festive Services in the Meetinghouse with choirs, brass and timpani; child care available.

Holy Week at The First Congregational Church

The Lenten Project 2009 Now more than ever we need to share generously with those in need. Our goals for the 2009 Lenten Offering are 100% participation from the congregation with a target of $80,000 in total contributions. The contributions will be divided among H.O.M.E and three local hunger charities. More information about these worthy agencies can be found by contacting the Church Office.

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Speaking Pastorally...

“The church exists by mission as fire exists by burning.” - Swiss Theologian, Emil Brunner

As many of you know, there has been talk lately of “Mission Teams” around our church. But what are they and who are they intended for? First Congregational Church of Greenwich is an historic church with a strong legacy built upon mission and outreach. Seeking to enhance that legacy and move us forward, the church is launching a new initiative which will offer our members the opportunity of putting their Christian faith into practice by being part of a Mission Team. Two pilot projects are already off the ground: the Literacy Volunteers Mission Team and the Environmental Mission Team. Simply put, a Mission Team is a small group of people (8-20) who are organized around a common commitment to a particular area of mission. They work together, support each other and offer their hands in service beyond the walls of the church – all in the name of Christ. Each team will also share a small group life together so that relationships, friendships and faith can be deepened. The Church Committee, Trustees and Outreach Committee have been very supportive of advancing this opportunity. They, along with the steering group comprised of Pat Mendelsohn, Bill Penwell, Judy Gordon, Cyndy Anderson, Mark Montgomery and myself, truly hope this will grow our church’s heart for mission. To that end, we are having a special Second Hour on Sunday May 3 from 11:30 am to 12:15 pm in the Lounge to share more details and get your input and ideas for areas of mission emphasis, or, if you prefer, you may contact anyone on the steering committee. As many as 8-10 new teams will be available this coming Fall and it is my hope that everyone will participate after learning about the different Mission Team possibilities. Without our hands reaching out beyond the walls of our church to God’s children in need, Christ has no hands in the world. We may not change the world in huge ways, but we can be powerful symbols of hope in a dark and struggling world. When we work together as Christ’s body serving the world, we can make a difference. In his book, Mutual Ministry, James Fenhagen writes,

“Mission is the response of the people of God to the reconciling work of Christ in the world. As Paul so eloquently attests: ‘From first to last, this has been the work of God. God has reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has enlisted us in this service of reconciliation.’ (2 Cor. 5:18) Mission then, is not as much a program as it is a process, a way of life.”

We seek to make it a way of life by engaging ourselves in our Mission Teams and following the words of Christ, “As you did it to the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.” (Matt. 25:40) In that way,

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Musical Notes… from John Stansell

Music for Good Friday

On Good Friday, April 10, at 8:00 pm, our Chancel Choir, augmented by guest choristers from our congregation and the community, will perform Gabriel Fauré’s beautiful Requiem. The service will begin with a congregational hymn, readings and prayers, but the “sermon” will be the music. Hanna Golodinskii, who with her husband Vasil is part of our choir on a regular basis, will be the soprano soloist for the well-known “Pie Jesu.” The baritone soloist will be Andrew Martens, heard by many in the Three Basses concert that opened our Sunday Afternoons Live series this year. Make this solemn service part of your Holy Week and your experience of Easter Day will be all the more meaningful.

Choristers Guild Children’s Choir Festival A highlight of the year for our Children’s Choir is the Annual Children’s Choir Festival sponsored by the Central Connecticut Chapter of Choristers Guild. This year the event will be held at The First Congregational Church of Ridgefield on Saturday April 25. Children from churches all around Connecticut will rehearse in the morning to prepare for a Festival Worship Service at 2:30 pm. They will be under the skilled direction of Joanne Rodland, Minister of Music at West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, NJ, and a nationally recognized authority on children’s choirs. The congregation is encouraged to support our children by attending the Festival Service. It is guaranteed to inspire! The church address is 103 Main Street, Ridgefield.

The Spring Women’s Retreat

Saturday April 25, 2009: 8:30 am-3 :00 pm at The First Congregational Church of Greenwich

Please join us for a wonderful day of spiritual renewal, socializing, fun and

discovery! We are offering child care for busy moms, workshops on Thai Chi, Centering Prayer, Gardening and a Bible study with Dan England. Our keynote speaker will be our Association Minister, Rev. Susan Townsley.

There will be worship, singing of songs, good food and time to socialize with other women from your faith community.

Please contact Kate Forer at the church for more information.

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Church School News…

LENTEN OFFERING UPDATE Our children and families donated 128 pounds of food during the first two weeks in Lent for Neighbor to Neighbor and Pilgrim Towers. We will continue to bring food through Easter.

WALK THROUGH HOLY WEEK On April 4 our children and parents will experience firsthand some of the significant events Jesus and his disciples lived through during the last week of Jesus’ life – the Palm Parade, the Last Supper, carrying the cross and the anticipation of New Life as a symbol of Jesus’ triumph over death! Join us at 10:00 am on Saturday morning for an exciting journey you will not soon forget.

Calling Church School Teachers! Have you wondered what it might be like to play an important role in the lives of the children in this congregation? Do you feel like God might be calling you towards a teaching ministry for the year ahead? Please consider attending a Church School Teacher Info-Session 0n Wednesday, April 22 at 7:30 pm in the Youth Room. Learn about our Church School year - including teacher training dates, meet our Church School Director, Rosemary Lamie and our Associate Pastor for Christian Education, Kate Forer. Have your questions answered and your imagination sparked! We are in the process of choosing a NEW CURRICULUM for the upcoming year, so even if you have taught in the past, you may want to consider coming to this info-session. You do not need to be a parent to teach Church School. Questions, concerns or suggestions, please contact Kate Forer or Rosemary Lamie at the church.

Fifth GRADE TO PILGRIM TOWERS On April 19, our fifth graders will make a return visit to our friends at Pilgrim Towers. This time the class will prepare lunch beforehand and serve it to the residents. We will also have a sing along and renew the friendships we made at Christmas time.

SILVER LAKE SUMMER CAMP - GREAT FOR FIRST TIME SLEEPAWAY If you have never been to the UCC camp and conference center, you need to know that it is beautiful, with wonderful facilities, and nearby – less than two hours. It is the perfect setting for a first time sleep away camper. The sessions are only one week long and cover a wide range of interests. The first time a child can attend is when they are going into the fourth grade and there is even a half week mom and child session from July 12 to July 15 for fourth graders. Our pastor Mark Montgomery is leading a session the week of August 9. See the brochures on the bulletin board across from the Lounge or check out the website: www.silverlakect.org.

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Interested in Learning about Joining the Church? Our next New Member Class will be held on Sunday April 19, 2009 at 11:15 am in the Lounge. It will last approximately two hours and will include lunch. During the class, prospective new members have the opportunity to hear about the history and faith of our denomination, the United Church of Christ, and to learn more about our church and meet the clergy as well as staff. Attending does not obligate you to join but we hope that this time together will strengthen you on the journey of faith. Child care will be provided. Please feel welcome to join us. If you are planning to attend or you have questions please contact Ginny Breismeister at ginnyb@fccog.org or 637-1791 extension 26.

Easter Memorial/Honor Flowers

The Chancel Committee invites contributions for flowers in the Meetinghouse this Easter. Any amount is welcome. Please deliver the completed form with your check to the Church Office (payable to the First Church Flower Fund) on or before Sunday April 5. Thank you.

In Memory of: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ In Honor of: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Enclosed is my check in the amount of $_______________

THIRD GRADE BIBLE BREAKFAST was held on March 1

The third graders “bulk up” before winning the Bible Jeopardy contest against their parents!

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Noye’s Fludde Second Hour

After worship on Sunday, April 26, we will have a special Second Hour presentation in the Auditorium about Noye’s Fludde – The Chester Miracle Play set to music by Benjamin Britten. Our purpose is fourfold:

1. To introduce Noye’s Fludde to folks who don’t know it. 2. To share memories of past productions, including video excerpts. 3. To generate excitement for the November 14 and 15, 2009 production. 4. To get early commitments to participate. The tradition of presenting this chancel opera at First Church began over forty years ago. Many families and individuals have participated in every production! Pictured here are folks who have taken part in the past, along with some recollections, and some future participants.

Tom Woodman, our Noah since 1997.

Charlie Baird: “I was a Robin in 2001 and sang the role of Noah’s son Sem in 2005. I can’t wait for November.”

Ivan and Yevgeniya Golodinskii are looking forward to their first Fludde.

Mary Fike plays the recorder solo for the dove's dance.

Daniel Lepoutre: “I especially remember the Storm scene, ‘falling asleep’ afterwards, and then seeing the Dove return.”

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Enid Norris tries on her head.

Gillian Woodman: “My grandparents were the Giraffes in almost every production and I was a bluebird in 2005. It’s a family tradition.”

Stephanie Woodman: “I was a Toucan in 2005. My uncle who sings the role of Noah was a Toucan in 1968!”

Shaw Speer: “I was a mouse in 2001.”

William Mackay: “What part will I play?”

Lucinda Allen: “I was a Raindrop Dancer in 2001 and look forward to participating this fall.”

The older Lepoutre boys, T.J. and Michael, in 2001 and now.

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FIRST CHURCH PRESCHOOL

Program Offerings

The Preschool Program for three and four year olds offers developmentally appropriate activities in music, art, imaginative play, cooking, science, large and small motor activities and readiness concepts in math and language activities.

The Connecting Program for five year olds offers a curriculum that focuses on activities in language arts, mathematics, science, physical education and social studies.

The Summer-Fun-tastic Program serves children between the ages of three (must be three by 12/31/2009 and toilet trained) and five. The program consists of three two-week sessions: • Session 1 – June 22-July 3: Sports World. Children will participate in soccer, basketball, gym games

and golf activities. • Session 2 – July 6–17: The Arts Factory. Children will experience various art media such as acrylic

painting, mixed media, watercolor, pastel, clay and a music program. • Session 3 – July 20–July 31: Science Sleuths. The children will explore the mysteries of magnets, air

pressure, colors, sound, classification and patterns, and plants and animals. Other activities include arts and crafts, playground, sprinkler and snack.

Women’s Ministries Opportunities!

This historic and incredibly successful fundraising body of our congregation has

some wonderful opportunities for women.

First of all, The Rummage Room has openings for cashiers and merchandisers.

Have you ever thought of doing an after

school outreach project with your eighth grader or older? Could be Mom and

Daughter, Dad and Son or any

combination! Also, the Women’s

Ministries Board needs Nominating Committee members. If you would like to

explore any of these opportunities, please

contact Rosemary Lamie (WM) or Ginny Breismeister (RR) now!

Confirmation 2009

On the weekend of April 17 to 19, 25 Confirmands will journey to Silver Lake on their final

retreat for this special year. They will begin the process of writing their own statements of faith. As a group, this class of ninth graders have grown closer to

one another and learned more about their faith and their church.

They are a fun, smart, multi-talented group of kids that we are so lucky to have as part of our

congregation! We look forward to receiving them as full adult members on Confirmation Sunday, May 10.

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NEWS FROM THE RUMMAGE ROOM Spring has sprung, flowers are a bloomin’, bunnies are a hoppin’ and Easter is upon us. It’s the time of year that Mother Nature is most creative… and so is The Rummage Room. If you receive this issue of Meetinghouse Monthly in time, drop by The Rummage Room on April 1 and see the window displays that celebrate the season. Look closely and you may even see an arm or a leg move ever so slightly. If you miss seeing the windows on April Fool’s Day it is still worth a trip to see what award winning manager Maria Dreighe has created for Easter.

A recent new volunteer said, “I had no idea it would be so appreciated if I could only work an hour or so when my schedule allows it. Not only does it make me feel good to help out with such a worthwhile and productive endeavor but IT IS FUN! The other volunteers are so friendly and welcoming that you feel like a Queen for the Day!” If you have hesitated to volunteer because you thought the time you have available is insignificant, think again. It takes many hands to make The Rummage Room a success and your hands will be a blessing.

This month’s Wish List… bric-a-brac, all things Easter - especially clothing, and a parental propelled child’s metal play car (the kind that looks like a push lawn mower only with a car to hold the passenger).

Have a joyous Easter season… and remember that life isn’t about waiting for the rain to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain!

Women’s Ministries 39th Annual Quilt Raffle Once again, the Kettle Quilters have created a beautiful queen size quilt in a traditional modified log cabin pattern which will be raffled off at the Spring Luncheon on Wednesday May 13. This year, in an effort to be “green” and to economize, we ask that you use the form below to order your tickets. The form can also be found on the Church’s web site: www.fccog.org. Tickets will also be on sale at The Rummage Room, at Coffee Hour and in the Church Office in the weeks leading up to the luncheon, but please don’t delay. Fill out the form below and drop it off or mail it to the church. Your tickets will be filled out by the committee and your stubs returned to you if you prefer, or held for you at the luncheon. You need not be present to win. All proceeds from the raffle of this quilt will support charitable organizations that benefit women, children and families. We are grateful to our dedicated group of Kettle Quilters who continue the tradition of providing heirloom quilts year after year. We thank them and our faithful church community for the continued support of the mission of Women’s Ministries. If you have any questions, please contact Cynthia De Riemer at 637-9536 or deriemer@optonline.net or Laura Erickson at 698-3267or LErick29@aol.com. Thank you!

Name:____________________________________________________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________ Phone Number:_________________________ E-mail (optional):_____________________ Tickets are sold in books of 6. Each ticket costs $2.50. The cost per book is $15.00. Number of ticket books:__________ x $15.00 = Total enclosed:______________ I would like my stubs (please check one):_____Held for me at the luncheon_____Returned to me via mail.

Checks may be made out to Women’s Ministries. Please return the form and payment to the Church Office at 108 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich, CT 06870, attention: Quilt Committee

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From the Parish Nurse… Strengthening Bone Health by Sue Asselin, RN

An enthusiastic crowd gathered to glean some knowledge about preserving bone density as physiatrist Dr. Janet Freedman busted some myths and reinforced some truths about bone disease at a Second Hour on March 15. Here are some of the more surprising facts we learned:

• Hip fractures are life threatening because: victims have a 20% mortality rate, 30% never return home, 20% will have another fracture and only 30% will regain full

function. • For adults, weight bearing exercise may not necessarily improve bone density as experts once thought, though it does prevent fractures because it improves strength and balance. • Balance is just as, if not more, important as bone strength when it comes to preventing fractures. This is likely due to preventing falls. Yet another reason to try Tai Chi! • Bone reaches its maximum density at age 25, so it’s especially important for kids to get calcium, vitamin D, and weight bearing exercise. • Our bodies can only absorb 500 mg of calcium at a time. A daily total of 1500 mg of calcium (and 400 IU of vitamin D) is sufficient for most adults. Tums brand antacid is a good source of calcium. • Osteoporosis has no symptoms until a bone breaks. • Long term use of steroids and some seizure medications increases the risk of osteoporosis. • Many generic drugs are made in the same facility as the name brand and are just labeled differently. • Getting a joint replaced sooner rather than waiting until one “can’t stand it any longer” is beneficial as it enables

mobility and thus allows for exercise, which improves strength, balance and overall health.

UPDATES TO THE NEW FCCOG DIRECTORY OF MEMBERS AND FRIENDS 2009

We hope you have picked up a copy of the latest Directory of Members and Friends and if you have not, they are available in the Church Office. Please review your own listing for accuracy and let us know if any changes are needed by contacting Ginny Breismeister at the church. The following additions and corrections can be made by hand or by cutting out this page and putting it with your copy. BERMAN – add child, Olivia BREISMEISTER, CRAIG – add child, Finn BUGGY – this listing pertains to Glenn and children O’DONNELL, CHRIS and BETH – add children Lauren and Andrew WARE – add child, William

Add the following individuals and families: RODRIGUEZ, Lilliam; Aldo Jesus (AJ), Barbara, 5 Ridge Place, Stamford, CT 06901 WELCH, Larry; Avery, Thayer, 202 Soundview Avenue #53, Stamford, CT 06902, (203) 276-9868 DAVENPORT, Lee; Winding Lane, Greenwich CT 06830, (203) 869-3073 MOSS, Doris ; 136 Riverside Avenue, Riverside, CT 06878, (203) 637-4635 SAVIN, BJ and Vines, Ashton; 22 Glenbrook Road #307, Stamford, CT 06902

If your directory has a date of 02/23/09 in the upper left corner of the pages, also add VEITH, CORNELIA; (Hedwig, Pamela and Craig), Newbury Commons Ste. 437, 80 Deaconess Rd, Concord, MA 01742, (978) 369-3444 KNEEN, BARBARA; (Robert and James), 7 Quintard Avenue, Old Greenwich CT 06870, (203) 637-0595 AVERY MANCHESTER (on Staff Page), Associate Pastor, extension 12, email: amanchester@fccog.org Home phone: 595-9092

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APRIL BIRTHDAYS

04/01 Hope Leizear

04/01 Russell Pruner

04/01 Luke Crihfield

04/02 Bing Vernet

04/02 Virginia Breismeister

04/02 Ian Brash

04/03 Dana Dolloff

04/03 Paul O'Gorman

04/03 Cliff Anderson

04/03 Elizabeth Mendelsohn

Tauber

04/03 Abigail Sawyer

04/03 Virginia Stewart

04/04 James Anderson

04/04 Lori Ann Griffin

04/04 Cole Janelli

04/05 Elizabeth Seibert

04/05 Betsy Sandberg

04/05 Elizabeth Goodchild

04/05 Karl Gifford

04/05 Rachel Blandori

04/06 William Vanneman

04/06 Judith Gordon

04/06 Carole Lang

04/06 Carol Pollack

04/06 Christopher Sotzing

04/06 Genevieve Kimberlin

04/06 Kaela Buggy

04/07 Peggy Beecher

04/07 Kristin Taylor

04/07 Kimberly Pacent

04/07 John Lloyd Enquist

04/07 Caroline Jensen

04/08 Sara Anna Perelli-Minetti

04/08 Dee Robarts

04/08 Gail Bertuzzi

04/08 Chang Wachsman

04/08 Kelsey McHugh

04/09 Skyler Serenbetz

04/09 Ryerson Burdick

04/10 Bobbi Hanson

04/10 Andrea Fossum Atkins

04/10 Jeffrey Sahrbeck

04/10 Nikola Newcomer

04/11 Susan Stanley

04/11 Amy Morgan

04/11 William Dakin

04/11 Peter McHugh

04/11 Thomas Oppedisano

04/11 Monty Yort

04/11 Matthew Ryckman

04/12 Lynn O'Gorman

04/12 Christina Schoen

04/12 Meg Thomas

04/12 Jane Haviland

04/12 Nora Houseknecht

04/12 Ava Kilmurray

04/13 Marga DeNatale

04/13 Auddy Brooks

04/13 Kristina Berlin

04/13 Lauren Petrizzi

04/13 Matthew Klingner

04/14 Richard Nelli

04/14 Kate Forer

04/14 Caroline McLennan

04/14 Stephanie Woodman

04/14 Gillian Woodman

04/14 Brecky Huth

04/14 Anni Unger

04/15 Erlinda Haviland

04/15 Jonathan Ryckman

04/15 Jennifer Pratt

04/15 Suzanne McCue

04/15 Kelsey Ingraham

04/15 Sara DeFazio

04/16 John Gelb

04/16 Marion Nolan

04/16 Kara Donahue

04/16 Donald Haviland

04/17 Ryan Hoster

04/17 Jillian Fryback

04/17 Ted Davis

04/17 Jamie Crawford

04/17 Blake Newcomer

04/18 Scott Tagliarino

04/18 Margaret Dempsey

04/18 Laurence White

04/18 Elizabeth Schrohe

04/18 David Fraser

04/19 Robert Ferry

04/19 Bert Pulitzer

04/19 Steven Standish

04/19 Jeffrey Whitehilll

04/19 Anna Paskausky

04/19 Eric Schay

04/19 Sarah MacDougall

04/19 Henry Wheelock

04/20 Kenneth Bonnet

04/20 Timothy Coleman

04/20 Caroline Keller

04/21 Sylvia Roberts

04/21 Penny Lehman

04/21 Alexander Brash

04/21 Courtney Jewett

04/21 Caroline Kolb

04/21 Margo Teeters

04/21 Hannah Hoffman

04/22 Emily Hunt

04/23 Michael Bacon

04/23 Jean Bradley

04/23 Andrew O'Donnell

04/24 Mary Wyatt

04/24 Joan Torelli

04/24 Ronald Blasberg

04/24 David Bradley

04/24 James Standish

04/24 J. Q. Norrgard

04/25 Todd Ives

04/25 Eleanor Mawhinney

04/26 James Sotzing

04/26 Pamela Speer

04/26 Laura Erickson

04/26 Alan Schay

04/27 William Schmitt

04/27 Ginny Allen

04/27 Henry Hartwell

04/27 Will Grunow

04/28 Phyllis Palmer

04/28 Henry Huth

04/28 Ann Sawyer

04/28 Maura Thalheim

04/28 Kyle Kim-E

04/28 Gordon Johnson

04/29 Lynn Woodman

04/29 Patrice Anibal

04/29 John Unger

04/30 Claire Henry

04/30 David Ayres

04/30 Anna Bonnell

04/30 Jordan Liebowitz

04/30 Colin Crihfield

04/30 Cameron DelCristo

Material for the May Meetinghouse Monthly

should be submitted by April 15.

LIFE EVENTS

Deaths: Jeanette Egan—March 5

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The First Congregational Church of Greenwich Nonprofit Organization 108 Sound Beach Avenue U.S. Postage Old Greenwich, CT 06870 Bulk Rate Phone: (203) 637-1791 PAID Fax:: (203) 637-1540 Permit No. 17 www.fccog.org Old Greenwich, CT Change Service Requested

The First Congregational Church of Greenwich

Ministers: The Members of The First Congregational Church of Greenwich

Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. David D. Young, dyoung@fccog.org Minister of Communication and Adult Education: Rev. Daniel B. England, dengland@fccog.org

Minister of Pastoral Care: Rev. Avery C. Manchester, amanchester@fccog.org Associate Pastor for Christian Education: Rev. Kate S. Forer, kforer@fccog.org

Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry: Rev. Mark D. Montgomery, mmontgomery@fccog.org Director of Music/Senior Organist: Dr. John Stansell, drjohn@fccog.org

Associate Organist/Director: Terence J. Flanagan, terryf@fccog.org Director of Church School: Rosemary Lamie, rosemaryl@fccog.org Director of Membership: Ginny Breismeister, ginnyb@fccog.org

Parish Nurse: Susan Asselin, RN, susana@fccog.org Pastors Emeriti: Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Stiers and Rev. Sally Colegrove

On Sunday March 29, The First Congregational Church celebrated the restoration of its

stained glass windows with a special rededication during morning worship

followed by a reception afterward.

The church wishes to thank once again everyone who contributed to and made this

historic project a great success!

photos on front and back cover by Robert Fertitta