The Church Mouse

Weekly Newsletter

Rocky Hill Congregational Church

United Church of Christ

Rocky Hill, CT

RockyHillucc.org

May 9, 2024

No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey,

you are welcome here!

Sunday morning Worship Service begins at

10:00am in the sanctuary.

Monday evening Bible Study begins at

6:30pm on Zoom

This Mother's Day, in honor of the Great Grandmothers in our congregation, we would like to give special recognition to: 

Lois G., Pat HW., Marge M., Mary S., and Joan T.  

We hope you enjoy your special day!

Notes from the Pastor

Summer is Coming!

Beginning Sunday, June 30^th we will begin worship at 9am. We will return to a 10am start time after Labor Day. We hope to utilize the building in the cool of the morning and allow you to have a longer day filled with summer activities.

And... on Sunday, May 19^th I will announce the first of our Summer Book Club Reading Selections! If you miss worship, it will be in the Church Mouse. I hope you can join us for our summer reading.

YouTube Reminder

Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube page! With summer fast approaching, you can keep up with services you may not be able to attend by subscribing to our YouTube page. 

https://www.youtube.com/@rhccuccyoutube103

Bible Study 

2 weeks left for Monday Bible Study! Join us this Monday as we look at 1 Corinthians 15 and consider Paul's words on resurrection. Monday, 6:30pm - 7:15pm, Zoom link: here

Worship Committee

We celebrate Pentecost next Sunday, May 19th, which is the birthday of the church. Red is the traditional color for Pentecost and the communion table will have red paraments. Please plan to wear something red to church next Sunday to add to the celebration! ~ Bill H., Chair

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO BAKERS:

The Bake Sale portion of this event is now under regulation of the local Health Department, so there are some restrictions and requirements that are different from past events. We are limited to traditional baked items, such as brownies, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, muffins, breads and fruit pies; nothing that requires refrigeration. These items can be made in your home, or can be purchased commercially pre-made. In addition, any of the below mentioned major allergens that may be contained in your baked item, must be prominently displayed in front of the item on the display table, or labeled on the package. These allergens are as follows:

*Milk (dairy)*Eggs*Fish*Crustacean Shellfish*

*Tree Nuts*Peanuts*Wheat*Soybeans*Sesame*

I am going to meet the Health Inspector at the Church for an inspection of the kitchen. The inspector would like to have an exact list of the items that will be offered for sale. Please let me know by today, Thursday, May 9th what baked goods you'll be providing. Please mail me at: JohnBowers156@comcast.net . I can also be reached by cell at: 203-996-7396 (please leave a voicemail).  

I am happy to answer any questions folks have on these new procedures. ~John B.

From the Office

Changing of the Guard

On May 1st, with the start of the new church year, there has been a few changes! After four years of diligent service, Ruth F. has retired from the Church Moderator position. The new Moderator is Heather WT . Sue C. is now vice-moderator. Heather C. remains church clerk, and Dave H. remains church treasurer.

Council

Administrative Professionals' Day



A beautiful bouquet of flowers was recently given to our Office Manager, Laura, for Administrative Professionals’ Day. 

The administrative work Laura does “behind the scenes”

helps keep us organized and moving forward! ~Ruth F.

Minutes from the March 2024 Council meeting can be found HERE. ~ Heather C.

The Green Team

Green Expo ‘24

Mark your calendars!

June 8th 10am-1pm on the church grounds

around the newly planted trees.

Blue Earth will be one of the vendors

present to answer questions about

the many ways to compost and recycle.

To combat Fast Fashion:

Consignment Originals will display

retro, and classic fashions.

&

Jennifer Duff of Wildwood Mending will

show off clothing that is re-purposed and artfully mended.

&

Anita Hawkins will bring her creative

re-knitted and repaired items

Stay tuned, more to come next week!

Faith Formation

Calling All Graduates

It’s not too early to be thinking of Baccalaureate Sunday, June 2nd!

If you are an upcoming graduate, (or the parent of a graduate), from high school, college, a technical program or graduate school, please contact the church office at: office@rhccucc.org with name of the graduate and the school/program

they are graduating from.

Sunday School Calendar

• Sunday, May 12th - The story of Lydia, one of the founding mothers of the church.
• Sunday, May 19th - Enlivening the gifts of God's spirit, Act 2: 1-4.

Thank you Ed C 

Many thanks to Ed C. for taking our confirmands up into the bell tower to historically document their confirmation. Last weekend, Bella S. and Max G. bravely climbed the bell tower's steep stairs to view prior confirmation classes signatures and added their names to this rich history of documenting this important event in the life of this church.

Outreach and Witness

Walk Against Hunger

On Saturday, May 4^th, 6 of us braved the 60 degree, sunny, not-a-cloud-in-the-sky weather to participate in Foodshare’s Annual Walk Against Hunger. It was a hardship but someone had to endure the picture perfect day for a walk! O&W wants to thank the participants: Gael C., Jackie L., Wendy C., Steve S., Deb C. and Carolyn S., (friend of Deb & Steve’s), for taking part in this wonderful event that benefits all of the people that are food insecure, (1 in 10 people in CT struggle with hunger, more than 83,000 are food insecure). 

We do want to remind you that May’s monthly abundance gift benefits CT Foodshare. They “support individuals and families, from one end of the state to the other, by addressing root causes, creating long-term solutions and distributing nutritious food through local partner programs in an effort to alleviate hunger”. One of our own congregants, Tom K., solicited donations from his co-workers and raised $6,000 to benefit CT Foodshare’s Walk Against Hunger. Amazing! I am hopeful that we at RHCC can meet or achieve that goal. 

Contributions to CT Foodshare can be made directly to RHCC online, by sending a check to the church office or by placing your donation in the orange envelope on Sunday mornings when the offering plate is passed. We as a congregation are so generous in so many ways. We thank you in advance for supporting this very worthwhile cause and for doing our part in alleviating hunger in our state. ~O&W Ministry

Facilities

Have you seen our new trees?



Five beautiful Bowhill Columnar Red Maples were planted this past Saturday. Our arborist, Jason Luby, who selected and planted the trees, is pictured here admiring them.

Many thanks to Gail Schaefer Fu for purchasing the trees with a memorial gift in loving memory of her cousin, June Mutch Dinunzio. 

As the trees grow, so will we, together. ~ Ed C.

WISE

Our WISE, (Welcome, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged around issues of mental health), team is working on some projects to lay the groundwork for becoming a truly WISE church. Some members of the team are working on a survey to determine the needs of the congregation. Once it is ready, we will make sure it reaches everyone. Another group is working on a WISE covenant, which will be presented to the congregation for a vote, likely in late 2024 or early next year. ~ Heather WT. and Jim D.

Fellowship of the Grape

I want to thank Ruth and Dave for, once again, hosting our May 4^th FoG. We were able to celebrate Julie’s 50^th birthday and Cinco de Mayo, (one day early!), and to watch one of the closest Kentucky Derby’s in decades! But most importantly, we were able to spend time with each other talking, laughing and noshing, and we have photos to prove it!

 On June 15^th, 5:00pm, Sue & Frank C. will be hosting at 256 Coppermill Road, Wethersfield. We hope to see all of you there. Mary Ann L. has agreed to host our September FoG. We will once again get to enjoy her lovely home and gardens!

Thank you to everyone who has hosted! I know summertime is difficult with a lot of people planning time away with family and friends. If you are interested in hosting a FoG in July/August, please let me know. If you'd prefer to co-host, and I can connect you with others. I can be reached at 860-729-6541 deb.copes@gmail.com. Thank you- Deb C.

Wednesday Morning Fellowship

Our first Ferry Park coffee hour was rained out, but we're hoping for good weather next week. On May 15th, we’ll meet at 10am at Ferry Park. Just follow Glastonbury Ave. east from Silas Deane Hwy. and you’ll be at the ferry. There’s a large parking lot and lovely green space next to the parking lot where we can gather. Bring your lawn chair and favorite beverage.

In the event of rain or questionable weather, we’ll return to Bob’s. Watch Facebook for an update if needed.

Important Dates

Community Announcements

For more information on RHCC worship, activism, and happenings, visit:

OUR WEBSITE: RockyHillucc.org

OUR FACEBOOK PAGE: Facebook.com/rhccucc

WELCOME GUESTS!

If you have been joining us for our online worship services or keeping in touch on Facebook, we’d love to say hello and get to know you better! If you’d like to learn more about our church community, please email us at: office@rhccucc.org with your contact information!

We are an Open and Affirming Christian community, actively expressing Jesus’ inclusive embrace of all people.