This Week September 27, 2017

Dear Folks,

Prayers continue to rise for the crisis happening in Puerto Rico.  If you feel so lead, please donate.  You can do it through HCCUCC with "Puerto Rico" in the memo, both on a check as well as on our website.  You can also give directly on the UCC website, www.ucc.org.

This coming Sunday, October 1, is the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost.  We will be celebrating World Wide Communion.  The scripture is Exodus 17:1-7.  The sermon is "Among Us."

We will also be taking our month Emergency Assistance Fund this Sunday. The EAF assists people within the Shelton community and/or our church community who have an urgent, unexpected need for financial assistance. EAF yellow offering envelopes will be available in the pews.

Sunday is Shelton Day!  We will be hosting a booth.  Any help is appreciated, or just stop by and say hi!

 “LEO” (Let’s Eat Out)) is scheduled for Wednesday, October 4 at Archie Moore’s, 285 Main Street, Derby. Sign up in the alcove. For more info, see Rev Lucille.

Nieghbors in Need (NIN) offering will be collected on Sunday, October 8.  NIN is a special mission offering of the UCC that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. Envelopes will be in the alcove on October 1 and in the pews on October 8.  Donations may also be made through our website, www.huntingtonucc.org..

Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services invites all to join for a candlelight vigil honoring victims and supporting survivors of domestic violence on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 6-7 P.M. on the Huntington Green. In the event of rain, the vigil will be held in our Fellowship Hall.

Following worship on October 22, Women’s Fellowship will hold an All Church event on “Downsizing”. Watch your bulletin for more information.

We need your help to make the Pumpkin & Holly Fair (November 17 & 18) a success! Future Belfry articles will discuss the different areas of the fair where volunteers are needed, but it’s never too early to think about how you would like to contribute. Please contact the co-chairs: Terri Johnston, Jaqui Olivo, Judy Tucker, and Justine Connery.

Let us pray. O Holy One of all people, we pray for those in need this day, that your comfort and strength may be upon them.  We also pray that we would not just stop with prayer, but to act where we can to bring aid.  We can be your presence manifest.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week September 19, 2017

Dear Folks,

Prayers rising for those in the path of Maria.  What a hurricane season!

This Sunday, September 24, is the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost and our Rally Sunday.  Sunday School begins!   The scripture is Matthew 20:1-16.  The sermon is "God's Extravagance".  Children will begin in the sanctuary and then leave for Sunday School after the Bag Message.

New Members' Class will be held after worship this Sunday in the library. All potential members and even present members are invited.

Sunday, October 1 is Shelton Day!  HCCUCC will have a booth. We would love some extra help, or just stop by and say hi.  Please contact Rev. Lucille for more info.

Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services invites all to join for a candlelight vigil honoring victims and supporting survivors of domestic violence, Tuesday, October 10, 6-7 P.M. on the Huntington Green. In the event of rain, the vigil will be held in our Fellowship Hall.

Huntington Center Nursery School is sponsoring a cookie fundraiser. Deadline for orders is September 28.  See any Nursery School Committee member or the office for order envelopes and more information.

NOTICE TO ALL COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS: All budgets are due to the Budget Committee no later than Sunday, OCTOBER 29, 2017. Please leave your budget in the Treasure’s box in the alcove.

Mark the date:  Pumpkin & Holly Fair, November 17 & 18!  Watch the bulletin and the Belfry for more details!

Let us pray.  O God of all creation, may your presence be powerfully felt in all the places and in all the hearts that are in need this day.  May your healing, strength, and comfort prevail. Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week September 13, 2017

Dear Folks,

I am sitting in my office, listening to the "Highland Rovers" as I write this, hanging onto the dwindling days of summer.

My prayer day is tomorrow, Thursday, September 14.  If you have any joys or concerns for me to lift up, please let me know.

This Sunday is our Outdoor Worship and Picnic, 11 A.M. at Pemberley (the parsonage, 160 Huntington Street).  Please bring a chair and a dish to pass.  It's $5 per person or $10 per family to cover the cost of the burgers and hot dogs.  Please give the money to Kirsten Keith. 

Sunday's scripture is Matthew 18:21-35.  The sermon is "From the Heart".

Sunday, September 24 is Rally Sunday.  Sunday School begins!!

New Members' Class will be held after worship on September 24^th.  All potential members and even present members are invited!

Shelton Day is October 1.  We will have a booth!  Stop by and say hi!  Also, any help is welcome!

Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services invites all to join for a candlelight vigil honoring victims and supporting survivors of domestic violence, Tuesday, Oct.10^th 6-7pm on the Huntington Green. In the event of rain, the vigil will be held in our Fellowship Hall.

Huntington Center Nursery School is sponsoring a cookie fundraiser. Deadline for orders is September 28^th.  See any Nursery School Committee member or the office for order envelopes and more information.

The Pumpkin and Holly Fair will be here in no time, November 17^th & 18^th. We need your help to make this event a success. Future Belfry articles will discuss the different areas of the fair where volunteers are needed, but it’s never too early to think about how you would like to contribute. Please contact the co-chairs: Terri Johnston, Jaqui Olivo, Judy Tucker, Justine Connery.

NOTICE TO ALL COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS: All budgets are due to the Budget Committee no later than Sunday, OCTOBER 29, 2017. Please leave your budget in the Treasure’s box in the alcove.

Let us pray.  Grace-filled God, we come to you, trusting in your strength and comfort.  Help us to be your love in this world, living generously and faithfully.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

This Week September 5, 2017

Dear Folks,

Please continue your prayers for the folks cleaning up after Harvey and those in the way of Irma.

The emergency clean-up buckets are due by this Thursday.  I will be taking the first batch to Bridgeport on Thursday afternoon or Friday.  However, we will keep doing them as long as people want to support the cause.  With Irma looming, we will need many, many more!  The list is available at HCCUCC if you want to fill your own.  Or, you can make a donation by check or cash designated for the "Emergency Clean-up Buckets".

This Sunday, September 10 is the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost.  The scripture is Matthew 18:15-20.  The sermon is “Two Or Three” .

Our All Church Outdoor Worship and Picnic will  be held Sunday, September 17^th at 160 Huntington Street (the Parsonage). Worship will begin at 11 a.m. followed by the picnic. Bring your comfortable lawn chair, blanket, or chairs will be available. Please also bring a dish to share.  Please complete the registration form in this coming Sunday's bulletin and place, with your payment ($5 per person, $10 per family), in the offering plate.  It's a great time for young, old, and in between!!

Sunday, September 24th is Rally Sunday!  Come on back, everyone!  Sunday School begins!

New Members' Class will be held after worship on September 24^th.  All potential members and even present members are invited!

The Pumpkin & Holly Fair will be here before we know it – November 17^th & 18^th. We need your help to make this event a success. Future Belfry articles will discuss the different areas of the fair where volunteers are needed, but it’s never too early to think about how you would like to contribute. Please contact the co-chairs: Terri Johnston, Jaqui Olivo, Judy Tucker, Justine Connery.

Let us pray.  O Holy One, whatever storms we face, may we know we are held safely in your loving presence.  Amen.

In Christ's love,

Rev. Lucille

Church World Service Clean Up Buckets

Hi Folks,

The clean up following the devastating floods from Hurricane Harvey is a monumental task.  Church World Service is calling for clean up buckets to aid the folks in that task.

There are four buckets waiting to be filled at HCCUCC.  If you feel so lead, please take one.  The list of items is available with the buckets as well as separate if you want to get your own bucket.  Please have all filled buckets back to HCCUCC by Thursday, September 7, so they can be delivered to the Center Congregational Church in Meriden for distribution.  The $3 cost for processing will be covered, so don't worry about it.

For more information, check out www.cwskits.org.

If you would like to help but do not feel you can fill the bucket, you can donate $75 for a bucket and someone will do the shopping for you.  Designate CWS Buckets on your check or envelope.

Also, please remember if you would like to help in another way, write a check to HCCUCC with "Hurricane Harvey" in the memo, or go to our website, www.huntingtonucc.org, click the "Online Giving" button at the top, use the "General/Miscellaneous" category, and then put "Hurricane Harvey" in the provided box.  Or, visit  http://www.ucc.org/disaster_hurricane_harvey directly.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you in advance for your generosity.  Let's be God's hands in helping how we can.

Peace,

Rev. Lucille