Reaching Out

More than a little A proud dimension in the ministry of South Church is the generosity of our members and friends in reaching out to others through our Board of Christian Concern. Each year percent of our operating budget is extended to those in need in a variety of ways; through the United Church of Christ’s Wider Mission Giving, special offerings such as Neighbors in Need, Christmas Fund Special Mission Offering, and One Great Hour of Sharing.

The Board of Christian Concern also broadens our giving through financial aid offered to other local, national and international efforts to combat poverty and to work for peace and justice. The Board works carefully and prayerfully to discern how best to spend our mission money.

The Board extends South Church’s mission efforts as well by supporting and coordinating more “hands on” efforts such as Holiday Food Baskets, providing meals to shelters in Hartford and the Knitting and Crocheting Ministry (makes prayer shawls, lap robes and baby blankets, hats and booties). The Board is consistently seeking to serve those who are most in need here in our own community as well as away from home.

Contact: Lynne Clark .................................. 653-4989

Mission Trip Mission trips are a part of our community/world service. They include both adults and youth in proactive efforts to bridge and bond with people who have fewer advantages than us. In July 2008, 35 young people and adults, volunteered with the Appalachian Service Project (ASP) and traveled to West Virginia for a ten-day trip of work, fellowship, and worship. We will continue to do ASP in 2009 – July 10th – 19th. The mission group shares its experiences with our church, and the mission trip benefits those we serve, those who take part in the trips, and the wider church as a whole.

Contact: Sarah Annis .................................. 653-7289

Special Music Programs Music in the church includes four focuses of church life: worship, education, fellowship and outreach. The following is a list of this year’s programs:

w Christmas Cantatas & Traditional Worship: Sunday morning, Dec. 21. Includes choirs and handbells; and guest instrumentalists, Mostly Baroque, an ensemble from Glastonbury.

w Benefit Concert for the Save Our Steinway fund: Sunday, Feb. 1, at 4:00 PM. Featuring all musical resources of South Church.

w Music Appreciation Sunday, May 17, in 10:30 worship. Special music by choirs, handbells and soloists.

Contact: Bruce Porter .................................. 653-2765

Spiritual Nurture and Enrichment

What is South Church and what is the united church of christ (ucc)?

South Church was founded on November 20, 1872. The church offers the word of God, family and fellowship to all who choose to worship here. South Church has been an active and contributing member of the community since that first day. Today our statement of mission reads, “Centered in God, as revealed in Jesus Christ, we are South Congregational Church.”

The UCC was founded in 1957 as the union of several different Christian traditions: the Congregational Christian Churches and the Evangelical and Reformed Church. The UCC is one of the most diverse Christian Churches in the United States.

Sunday Worship Our week begins as we gather for worship. Sunday services are at 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM from September through May (with some exception noted in advance) and at 9:30 AM during the summer months. Communion is offered on the first Sunday of each month, as well as on Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, and Maundy Thursday.

The Gathered Community On several occasions each year, special town-wide services are offered by the Granby Area Clergy Group. Among these are services on Thanksgiving Eve, Good Friday, and Easter Sunrise. In addition, services are offered as needs arise, such as Community Prayer Services and Services of Memorial.

Chancel Choir A hallmark of South Church, the adult choir, enhances weekly worship service while bringing together those interested in music and singing. Open to 10th graders and above, or by audition. Rehearsals are on Thursdays from 7:30 to 9PM.

Contact: Bruce Porter ................................. 653-2765

HANDBell Ringers Handbell ringing provides an interesting and challenging musical outlet enabling members to participate in leading worship and to extend outreach to the community. South Church belongs to the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, and rings 4 ½ octaves of handbells and 3 octaves of chimes. Rehearsals are on Saturdays from 9 AM to 10:45 AM.

Contact: Bruce Porter ................................. 653-2765

Youth HanDBELL Band This band introduces youth to the unique experience of bell ringing using our four and a half octaves of bells and three octaves of chimes. Bell ringing offers solid musical learning and an opportunity to serve the church. Open to children 4th grade and up. Rehearsals are held Sundays after worship from 11:45 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.

Contact: Kaye Imbt……………………………. 653-2631

CHRISTMAS CHILDREN’S CHOIR This choir gives our younger children the opportunity to participate in worship.

Contacts: Carolyn Taylor………………………… 844-8948

Bruce Porter ................................. 653-2765

Adult Faith Formation

Community Bible Study An opportunity for Bible Study is offered most Tuesdays at 10:30 AM in the Teale Room. Leadership is shared between South Church and First Church. Sessions begin in September in the parish building and continue through mid-May, and people may attend at any time.

Contacts: Denny Moon ................................. 653-7289

Bridget Hughes ............................. 653-4537

men’s ministry A renewed season for the Men’s Ministry begins in September as the group meets to choose the resource book that will guide their discussions on faith development and applying Bible teachings to daily life. Twice-monthly meetings are held on the 1st and 4th Tuesdays of each month in the Library, in the parish building.

Contact: Steve Lacey ................................. 683-2391

The Caring Ministry Our Caring Ministry engages individuals in person-to-person caring within our community. Participants are trained in caring skills following the model of the Stephen Ministry program. Supervision and continuing education are provided.

Contact: Della Pandolfi ................................ 653-3615

wednesday sermon workshop The movement from scripture to sermon is one that moves from understanding the Biblical text, through the life of the preacher, with an eye to the context of the congregation, community and the world, ending with a dialogical presentation on Sunday morning. Come, walk in the shoes of the preacher and let the text run through the filter of your life as we chew on it together. It will be a participatory, discussion oriented workshop that help shape Sunday’s sermon. It will include prayer.  7:00-8:30PM on Nov. 5, 12, 19, and Dec. 3 & 10

Contact: Denny Moon ................................. 653-7289

The Artist’s Way The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron is a guide to discover your Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity. Whether that creativity is shown through artistic, personal, professional, or family pursuits is up to each individual. Julia Cameron’s book offers a 12 week guide to help open your soul to God and your inner creativity. The group will meet weekly and work through the 12 week program together, supporting each other and guiding each other as we discover our own inner creativity. Interested but not sure? We will have an informational meeting on Sunday November 9th at 12:00 PM.

Contact: Denny Moon ................................. 653-7289

Adult Fellowship

Coffee Hour Following both worship services each Sunday is a coffee hour in the Fellowship Hall. Come share in conversation and get acquainted with fellow church members and visitors. Many persons take a turn in hosting the coffee hour, with a contact person providing information and help. Put your name on the sign-up list in Fellowship Hall.

Contacts: Lee French ................................... 653-7138

Candy Miltimore ............................. 653-2325

FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEONs Continue a conversation from coffee hour or break bread with a new friend at this monthly gathering. Our potluck luncheons, held directly after the second service coffee hour, provide great opportunities to greet old friends and make new ones. Simply bring a main dish or salad to share. The beverages and desserts are provided. Come, eat, and enjoy!

Contact: Rowena York ................................ 658-2153

Sow & Reap garden club We offer a bounty of opportunities for people who share a love of gardening. Meetings are held monthly for planned activities in gardening, craft programs, trips, and garden tours. We come together for enjoyable potluck suppers. We design and make May Day baskets, and we offer visits to shut-ins. Contributions of time and financial support to community projects and maintenance of the church grounds are always welcome. Be sure to join us for our annual May Plant Sale and stock up on a variety of perennials, annuals, and houseplants.

Contact: Debbie Finney ............................. 653-4877

quilting Group Those with an interest in quilting will be challenged and rewarded by the work that the Quilting Group completes to benefit South Church. Those who sew and do needle-work are welcome also. The group meets every Wednesday from 10 AM to 2 PM in the parish building.

Contact: Polly Hall ...................................... 653-2189

crafter’s Group Handcrafted items, including Christmas ornaments and decorations, are made to sell at the Pumpkin Patch. All crafters are welcome.

Contact: Betty Hart .................................... 653-3636

Scrap booking and more We meet once a month for an evening of fellowship and a chance to spread out projects on large tables and share scrap booking tools and craft materials.

Contact: Rowena York 658-2153

Children and Youth

Nursery Care During the weekly 10:30 AM worship, infants and children up to 3 years old are welcome to join other children in the church nursery for supervised play. Reservations are not required. We have a primary care giver as well as student volunteers providing care each week.

Contact: Maggie Burnett .................................... 653-7289

KALEIDOSCOPE CORNER Our Sunday School program provides Christian Education for children in grades Pre-K through Grade 8. Classes are held Sunday mornings during our 10:30 AM service, from September to June. Kaleidoscope Corner is a rotational model in which the children explore a variety of bible stories and topics through art, music, drama, games, science, computers, history, geography, cooking, and mission projects. Our Puppet program allows the older children to learn through the art of puppetry and perform their shows for the younger children. Find out how you can be a part of this exciting program!

Contacts: Maggie Burnett .................................... 844-8384

Kathy Pidgeon .................................... 844-8468

Youth Groups Youth groups are offered for young people in the sixth grade through senior high school. The groups meet on a regular basis. They also take part in Farmington Valley United Church of Christ and statewide opportunities. The focus of the groups is on fellowship, service, and community building in a safe and welcoming atmosphere.

Contacts: Sarah Annis (Senior High) ..................... 653-7289

Sandy & Bill Salazar (6th-8th) ………....... 653-0671

Children's Pageant Each year the children of South Church create and share a special Christmas program performed for the congregation. Some years they reenact the story of the birth of Christ with a traditional Christmas Pageant; other years a more modern look is taken by sharing the Christmas spirit through song and stories. It always proves to be most enjoyable!

December 14, 2008.

Contact: Maggie Burnett .................................... 653-7289

Confirmation Class Confirmation is offered annually for students presently in the 9th grade. The class welcomes older teens not yet confirmed as well. Confirmands are mentored by church members and take part in regular meetings from fall through spring. Confirmation runs from the end of September through May and includes a statewide retreat in November, at the Silver Lake Conference Center.

Contacts: Sarah Annis ........................................ 653-7289

Denny Moon.................................... 653-7289

Parenting Teens: We’re Not In Kansas Anymore Often, as we turn the corner from playground parenting to college bound parenting, it seems as if our barnyard of warm and smiling farm animals has been replaced by a herd of flying monkeys, and sweet Auntie Em by the Wicked Witch of the West. There is a shift that happens which often makes parenting teens as different as the Land of Oz. Let’s get together to think about parenting, remember the goals of this great quest, and to share some tricks of the trade. Nov. 9th, 6:00-8:00 PM.

Contact: Denny Moon ................................. 653-7289

Listening is Loving Would you like to be able to respond to people in such a way that stress is reduced, problems get solved, a sense of well being is deepened and healing is promoted? The way of listening is a powerful presence that can change the way we feel about ourselves and respond to others. South Church’s Caring Ministry is holding a workshop on The Way of Listening led by Rev. Denny Moon, based, for the most part, on the ideas and exercises in “Why Good Things Happen to Good People” by Stephen Post, Ph.D. and Jill Neimark. It is a participatory workshop. January 10th, from 9:00-11:30 AM.

Contact: Denny Moon ................................. 653-7289

Jars of Clay – Fired or Unfired? . Do you ever feel as if you are an unwritten book, an unsung song, or even a “jar of clay” that still hasn’t been fired? And if we are “jars of clay” are we still in the potter’s hands, or are we a collection of “cracked pots”? Who is the potter anyway? Join in for any one or all three explorations:

February 4th, 7-9:00 PM: Living with Uncertainty will delve into what science and faith have had to say about asking questions.

February 11th, 7-9:00 PM: Living with Plasticity will peek at some of the new research being done on brain plasticity – the theory that brains can be changed and rewired.

February 18th, 7-9:00 PM: Superhero Café. How can we as sacred vessels be harnessing our super-powers for the Good? Bring your favorite action toy, poster, or cartoon. In a café atmosphere we will celebrate our champion’s virtues (and talk a bit about their vices too).

Contact: Gale Grayson ................................. 653-7289

Interfaith Lenten Bible Study Building on our successful introduction to Islam and Judaism last year, we will be studying particular texts with members of these two faiths who share our Old Testament. As we learn how other faiths interpret scripture, we will understand more clearly how we, ourselves, go about interpreting our ancient texts. We will also have time for questions, answers and dialogue. March 1, 8, 15, 29 (between services).

Contact: Denny Moon ................................. 653-7289

Family Activities

The PUMPKIN PATCH Throughout the month of October, South Church hosts an annual event …the Pumpkin Patch. This wonderful event includes pumpkin galore, photo opportunities, and a luncheon. Bring the whole family to shop, socialize, and enjoy delicious food. This is a great way to support South Church and to experience the changing of the seasons. The Pumpkin Patch will be open 7 days a week from 12 PM until dark (opens at 10:00 AM on Saturdays and Sundays). October 1-31, 2008.

Contact: Dick Mullen ................................. 653-6232

Progressive Dinner Host a group for appetizers, an entrée or desserts. During this social evening, you’ll progress to and from a few homes and enjoy good food and good conversation. October 8, 2008.

Contacts: Lee French ........................................ 653-7138

Candy Miltimore.................................... 653-2325

THANKSGIVING DINNER This dinner has been a tradition at South Church for many, many years. Join us as we gather together to give thanks and enjoy each other’s company over turkey with all the traditional fixings and desserts. Saturday, November 15, 2008.

Contacts: Lee French ........................................ 653-7138

Candy Miltimore.................................... 653-2325

TOWN WIDE CAROL SING Join us for Christmas Caroling!! Sponsored by the Music Committee, this will be a community event to which all are invited. Bring your whole family and join us on the front steps of our portico to sing the familiar carols and songs of the Christmas season. Refreshments will follow in the Fellowship Hall. December 21, 2008.

Contact: Pat Van Inwagen ................................. 653-7322

Mardi Gras Brunch To kick off our Lenten season, join us for a pancake brunch, between services. We’ll enjoy festive decorations and terrific jazz music while sharing this delicious brunch cooked up by our Fellowship Committee. Saturday, February 22, 2008.

Contacts: Lee French ........................................ 653-7138

Candy Miltimore.................................... 653-2325

Once Along the Way

SPIRIT WEEKEND This is a weekend long celebration of the Spirit at South Church. It is the kind of event you can drop into and out of and back into again. It begins with a breakfast and large group time in which we get to know each other better and explore our faith together. We then break up into different classes and workshops and gather again as a whole group for a meal and celebrative event. Some people go off campus and do mission work together. There is child care available. On Sunday we gather together for a celebrative worship service. Content is still being determined. March 21 and 22, 2009.

Contact: John Stevenson ................................. 653-7289

SPIRIT BUILDING GROUP To build your spirit is to strengthen yourself for stormy times and to find a way to rise above the non-essential busyness that can easily drain us. How do we build spirit? We discover that we are a part of something much larger than ourselves, the movement of God in the world, and begin to discern its daily presence. We will use scriptural texts as windows to the Spirit and applying them to our own lives to understand how God has been at work in us and through us. April 19, 26, May 3, 10—4:00-5:30

Contact: Denny Moon ................................. 653-7289

ASP SILENT AUCTION This annual event has been an enjoyable and successful fund-raiser over the last few years. Come browse the numerous items donated by many generous people, businesses and organizations in our community. Every item has a bid sheet with a description of the item, a dollar value of the donation and a starting bid to get things started. There is also a tea cup auction for the children. Proceeds benefit our Appalachian Service Project (ASP).Friday, April 3, 2009.

Contact: Sarah Annis ................................. 653-7289

special one-time events may be added during the year. The SouthWind will announce the details as the dates draw near.

Note: To receive regular issues of our newsletter, the SouthWind, call or e-mail the church office, or fill out a pew card during worship.

About South Church

Minister

Senior Minister ......................................... The Rev. Dennis P. Moon

Church Staff

Director of Music ..................................................... Bruce Porter

Director of Christian Education ..................................... Maggie Burnett

Director of Sr. High Ministry .......................................... Sarah Annis

Office Administrator ..................................................... Linda Calder

Church Office Hours

Monday through Friday ~ 8 AM to 3:30PM

Denny’s day off each week is Friday. Office closings announced in Sunday Bulletin and SouthWind.

How to Contact Us

Telephone .......................... (860) 653-7289

Fax ..................................... (860) 653-7952

Website: ...... www.southchurchgranby.org

Email Addresses

Denny .............................. denny @southchurch.necoxmail.com

Bruce ............................... pegville@cox.net

Maggie .............................. maggie @southchurch.necoxmail.com

Sarah ................................ sarah @thepcwiz.net

Linda …………………………. office@southchurch.necoxmail.com

Sunday Worship Services

We are looking to provide a variety of worship services to give opportunity for different ways of coming to God. Here are the special services that have been identified so far, and there may be others added:

October

w 19th: Whole Church Worship – Children and Adults worshipping together.

November

w 9th: Celebration Sunday - We bring our pledges and faith promises to church and have

a Dixieland band.

w 23rd: New Members join

w 30th: First Sunday in Advent

December

w 21st: One service at 10:30 AM

w 24th: 7:00 & 9:00 PM worship services

w 28th: One service at 10:30 AM and Whole Church Worship

January

w 11th: 6:00 p.m. An Affirmation of the Baptismal Covenant service, for all church

members but pointed to the confirmation students, mentors and families.

February

w 8th: Whole Church Worship

w 22nd: Mardi Gras and Blues Sunday. Enjoy a pancake breakfast and a blues band.

March

w 1st: First Sunday in Lent

April

w 5th: Palm/Passion Sunday, with dramatic reading and tableau of scenes read.

w 12th: Easter Sunday

May

w 3rd: New Members join.

w 17th: Music Appreciation Sunday.

June

w 7th: Confirmation Sunday.

South Congregational Church

United Church of Christ

242 Salmon Brook Street Ÿ PO Box 779

Granby, Connecticut 06035