the meetinghouse monthly - first church preschool · the meetinghouse monthly calendar summer 2017...

THE NEWSLETTER FOR THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF GREENWICH : SUMMER 2017

The Meetinghouse Monthly

CALENDAR Summer 2017

See inside for a complete calendar.

July 9 Beach Services Begin

July 12 August 2

Deacons Committee

July 13 First Church Beach BYO Picnic

July 19 Church Council

July 23 Beach Church School with Susie Baker

July 26 August

30 Summer Sings

WORSHIP WITH US

Every Sunday at 10 AM

FCCOG declares itself to be open and affirming: open to all for

participation, membership, leadership, and employment, and affirming of all who wish to join us as children of God. We continue to give thanks for God’s

guidance in our journey of faith.

Photos from Children’s Sunday,

June 4, 2017

2 For a complete list of events, programs, and volunteer opportunities, please visit fccog.org

Fourth of July Celebration & Service

Please join us at worship on Sunday, July 2, for a very special “Patriotic Sunday” celebrating the blessings we have re-

ceived as well as the values we strive to uphold as Americans. We will sing patriotic hymns, including “America the Beauti-

ful,” “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” and the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” all accompanied by a brass ensemble. The Summer

Choir will perform stirring versions of Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America” and Oscar Peterson’s “Hymn to Freedom,” and

the music program will be capped off by “Stars and Stripes Forever,” complete with the brass ensemble and long-time

member Mary Fike playing the famous piccolo line. Richard DenUyl will preach on the topic “Sweet Land of Liberty.”

Church Officers for 2017-2018

New Church Officers for 2017-2018 were elected at the Annual Meeting on June 18, 2017. These members will comprise

the Church Council for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017:

Asset Management – Anders Ekernas Faith Formation & Education – Donna Hascher

Budget – Rick Derr Outreach – Pat Mendelsohn

Buildings & Grounds – Richard Jenkins Personnel – Chris Cantwell

Caring Ministries – Mary-Ann Assing Stewardship – Paul Ghaffari

Community Relations – Chris Hartwell Welcoming – Prill Meyer

Diaconate – Pam Grunow Treasurer – Mary Ferry

These Committee Chairs and Treasurer, together with our Senior Pastor Richard DenUyl, comprise the voting members of

the Church Council. Church Clerk Car Westbrook, Associate Pastors Patrick Collins and Avery Manchester, and Assistant

Treasurer Arthur Robinson are non-voting members of the Council.

Donna Hascher will serve as Chair of the Church Council for the coming year, and Paul Ghaffari will serve as Vice-Chair.

Save the Date for a Very Special Homecoming Sunday:

September 10, 2017!

The Church Council is eagerly anticipating a very special Homecoming Sunday on September 10. Along with our tradition-

al welcome-back picnic and festivities, we will have the great joy of celebrating the established and continuing ministry of

Richard DenUyl as our Senior Pastor. Rev. Dr. Michael Ciba, Southwest Regional Minister of the Connecticut Conference of

the United Church of Christ, will join us for this ceremony of recognition, and we will present Richard and Barbara with the

keys to the new Senior Parsonage at 15 Forest Avenue – only a short three years after they first arrived in Old Green-

wich! We are all so grateful for Richard’s leadership, and we hope that EVERYONE will be able to join us for this joyous

event.

A Few Reflections on a Great Year

The past year has clearly been a time of growth and change for First Church. We completed a very successful Capital

Campaign, enabling the many physical changes in our church buildings, parsonages and campus that have already been

partially completed and will be continued during the coming year. We are in the process of creating a more connected

space, and a more connected community. We have been blessed with a wonderful new Associate Pastor who is bringing

together our children, youth and families into new relationship-oriented programs. All around our community, people are

talking about the excellence of our preaching, our music, our events and programs, about how our church is a “vibrant”

and “happening” place. And our entire staff has been working with extraordinary dedication and teamwork under the

leadership of Richard and Steve. Our new By-Laws have fulfilled many of our hopes for better communication and more

Church Council News

The First Congregational Church of Greenwich | www.fccog.org | 203.637.1791 3

efficient decision-making, and we have set the stage for the consideration of further refinements of our governance struc-

ture in the coming year. We will be in very good hands with Donna Hascher as Chair and Paul Ghaffari as Vice-Chair for

2017-2018!

Questions or suggestions about what’s happening at First Church?

Email [email protected]

Avery’s Book Corner

This month I would like to recommend as an urgent read Rev

Dr. William J. Barber II and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove’s The

Third Reconstruction: How a Moral Movement Is Overcoming

the Politics of Division and Fear. Rev. Barber’s examines how

‘Moral Mondays’ represent the country’s Third Reconstruction,

uniting individuals both secular and religious and of all races

and creeds in a progressive grassroots movement.

—Rev. Avery C. Manchester

We Recognize Our Heritage Sunday Members

mailto:[email protected]


Health & Wellness

News from the Parish Nurse—Vital Vitamin D Vitamin D is the only vitamin ever shown to lower mortality. —Jeff Weinberger, MD

There’s a growing awareness about the benefits of vitamin D, and concern about deficiency. It has long been known that vitamin D plays a vital role in calcium absorption, but recent research shows

that the benefits may be far greater than preventing bone loss.

Vitamin D deficiency leads to bone-softening diseases - rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults which contributes to osteoporosis. Deficiency may also be linked to several chronic diseases including high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, tuberculosis, periodontal dis-

ease, chronic pain, seasonal depression, peripheral artery disease and cognitive impairment.

To phrase it more positively, vitamin D aids healthy bone formation and helps maintain bone strength, and could help prevent the above mentioned diseases. Studies also suggest it boosts the immune system, prevents or reverses heart disease and slows aging. Another study demonstrated that people with adequate vitamin D levels had more success with weight loss diets than those with

insufficient levels.

Jeff Weinberger, MD, who has an internal medicine practice in Riverside, helped me sort out the copious information now available at the touch of a keyboard. “Vitamin D is the only vitamin ever shown to lower mortality” said he, and “70% of the population is deficient.” He cited an interesting study linking obesity and vitamin D deficiency, possibly because the vitamin D gets sequestered in fat tissue. He stressed that the importance of vitamin D is very significant, but not yet well understood by scientists. He doesn’t believe most people should rush off to get a blood test; rather, it can be incorporated into their next physical exam. “The body knows how to deal with vitamin D much better than a doctor or pharmacy” states Weinberger, who is not opposed to his patients spending a brief amount of time in the sun to naturally manufacture vita-

min D (though he notes there are exceptions).

We produce vitamin D when our skin is exposed to sunlight and the UV index is greater than 3. In this region, that’s spring and summer. All that is needed is 10 to 15 minutes exposure without sunscreen twice a week to our face, arms, hands or back. Full body sunbathing without sunscreen produces way more vitamin D than we need within a few minutes. It is impos-sible to overdose from vitamin D made this way, because any excess is broken down by a natural process. (Of course,

longer exposure is not advised due to the risk of skin cancers.)

We can also get vitamin D in some foods and supplements. It is unlikely, but possible, to overdose, as vitamin D is fat-soluble and is stored in the body (as opposed to water soluble vitamins that pass quickly through the body). See the chart

below for dietary sources.

Recommended daily amounts vary but it is generally accepted that children need 400 IU (international units) of vitamin D, adults age 19-50 need 800 IU and adults over age 50 need 1200 IU. Many experts believe that more is better in order to get the added benefits such as longevity. Most agree that daily sustained intake would have to exceed 10,000 IU in

order to cause toxicity. And some believe it would take 10 times that to cause problems.

In summary: we know vitamin D helps keep bones strong. It may be instrumental to living longer and healthier. It’s pretty tough to overdose on it. Research and expert opinions vary, and each individual has to decide their own course of action.

It’s prudent to check with your doctor about any personal considerations.

Have a wonderful summer, and may the sun shine gently on your vitamin D-manufacturing face.

FOOD SOURCES OF VITAMIN D IUS PER SERVING

Cod Liver Oil, 1 tablespoon 1,360

Salmon, cooked, 4 ounces 410

Mackerel, cooked, 4 ounces 395

Tuna fish, canned in oil, 4 ounces 265

Sardines in oil, drained, 2 ounces 285

Milk (any %) Vitamin D-fortified, 1 Cup 98

Margarine, fortified, 1 tablespoon 60

—Sue Asselin, Parish Nurse, extension 21.


Music & Arts

Join in Summer Sings in July & August!

Do you miss singing with your choir during the summer months?

Come as you are from 7:30-9:30 on the Wednesday evenings listed below and, within two hours, we will have

shared in an energized rehearsal and an ‘instant performance’ of great choral music.

Music will be provided. Hospitality, refreshments, and fun are all included!

No sign-up necessary, just come ready to sing. Donation of $10 per person.

Wednesday, July 26 --- An Evening with Gilbert and Sullivan

Eric Peterson, conductor

Dorothy Kolinsky, accompanist

Wednesday, August 30 --- Saint-Saëns Christmas Oratorio

Jack A. Pott, conductor, Director of Music & Arts

Asylum Hill Congregational Church

Craig Scott Symons, accompanist

Hymn Sings Return in August!

It’s been a number of years since we’ve done our Hymn Sing at the beginning of the service, and starting August 6 they’ll be back for the month of August. Start compiling your favorite hymns and at the beginning of the ser-

vice we’ll sing 5 or 6 hymns (1 or 2 verses of each hymn) you shout out!

First Church Preschool Fall Openings

We have a limited number of openings in our programs for

children ages 3 and 4, and in our Pre-K (sometimes referred

to as a “Connecting Program”) for the 2017 – 2018 school

year. We offer a play-based curriculum steeped in helping

children connect with nature. We also offer a variety of en-

richment programs, including music, science, gymnastics, and

yoga. Our experienced, highly trained staff nurtures each

child’s growth toward independence and competency in their

physical, cognitive, creative, and social and emotional devel-

opment. If you or someone you know is looking for a quality

preschool experience for their young child, please contact us

at (203) 637-5430 or check our website at

www.firstchurchpreschool.org for more information and to arrange a tour of our facility.

http://www.firstchurchpreschool.org


Children, Youth, & Families

Summer Church School

This summer our children and youth will be invited to join us for the entire worship service at both the beach ser-

vice and the 10:00 am service in the Meetinghouse. This is a wonderful opportunity for our children and youth

to gain exposure to the important rituals, music and general life of the congregation during Sunday morning

worship. When our children are fully invited into the life of the church in this manner they will feel more comfort-

able during worship as they grow older and will be more willing to participate in church when they finish their

Church School experience. If we want our youth to understand why we feel worship is important to us, then we

must invite and engage them as much as we can during our worship. As you encounter our youngest members

during worship on Sunday this summer please extend a warm welcome and patient heart to them. Please know

that your warm embrace will make them feel important and want to come back and be part of this vibrant

community. —Peace, Patrick

SPF Mission Trip

A group of 10 Senior Pilgrim Fellowship youth ventured to Miami, Florida from Sunday June 25 to Saturday

July 1 for the annual Mission/Service Learning trip. While in Miami the youth learned about some of the issues

facing the poor and oppressed people of inner city Miami. More information about the trip will be presented

during a worship service in August and in the next edition of the monthly newsletter. Thanks to everyone who

helped make this trip possible.

Celebrating Our Teachers

It is always surprising how fast the years can accumulate when you finally decide to see how many years have

passed. Here are a few examples of long time teacher “careers” here at First Church.

Larry and Erlinda Haviland 2002 (still in the Toddler Room)

Chris Schoen 2004 and Fred Lorthioir (“retired” 2017)

Lori Romano 2005 (still teaching)

Barbara Fortunato 2005-16 (“retired” 2016) Barbara taught classes and then became an assistant for

Confirmation

Many thanks to these and others who have given so much of their time and commitment to our children!

Join a Team! Church School Teams are Forming Now

Before summer totally sets in and you cannot think of September, please prayerfully consider helping to teach

a church school class starting in September. Here are some points to consider:

Be part of a team with other Church School Parents

Work with some wonderful high school students

Learn while you teach your child and their friends

Schedule around your other weekend commitments

Almost everyone in the congregation has taught our children at some time;

See for yourself what you may have been missing!


Use a curriculum that our teachers have really liked

Get to know other parents

Spend Sunday mornings with your child

Teach one or two Sundays a month

You actually do not need to currently be a parent of a church school child

Traditionally, parents teach/volunteer two years for each of your children

Already signed up include Andrew Williams, Heather Sahrbeck, Debbie Silverthorn, Lori Romano, Abby Went-

worth, Emma Olmsted, Sarah Cleworth, Chris Collins, Christina Russell, Olga Hartwell, Maggie Lange, Virginia

Richards, Steve Kurczewski, Amanda Bomann. Our high school assistants: Yevgeniya Golodinskii, Parker Free-

man, Olivia Pfetsch, Mariel Laffan, Lauren Mickley, Sarah Mickley, Kendall Schrohe. There is still room in every

class!

If you are interested in hearing more about these opportunities please contact Rosemary, she will be very hap-

py to hear from you! There is also be a sign up board during Fellowship Hour.

We Have Child Care Every Summer Sunday

During 10 am Worship

Find us in the Preschool Orange and Blue Door Classrooms with our Baby Nursery and Toddler Room Supervi-

sor, Velma Simon, and her assistants.

God’s Creation at Tod’s Point

Sunday, July 23 at 8 am by Susie Baker

A very special beach experience led by Susie Baker, teacher of Marine Biology & Oceanography, and Keeper

of God’s Creation. Some of you may have been taught by Mrs. Baker at Greenwich High School and know how

hard it was to get into her class. Well, we do not have that problem because we are blessed to have Susie in

our congregation and to have her graciously and beautifully teach our children about God’s creation on the

beach at Tod’s Point. Looking forward to seeing your children there.


Church Life

Join Us for the First Church Beach BYO Picnic—

Thursday, July 13

Welcoming Committee is pleased to invite everyone to

the First Church Beach Bring-Your-Own Picnic! Pack a pic-

nic dinner and beverages for yourself and your family—

dessert is on us!

We will gather from 5 pm until 8 pm on Thursday, July

13 at the clambake area of Tod’s Point. At 6 pm, the

Milkcraft Truck will arrive to dispense fresh gourmet ice

cream treats made on the spot—absolutely free! (Look

right for a visual sample of their treats!)

Those who do not have park passes to Greenwich Point

Park will be able to enter the park for the festivities.

Sign-up sheets will be available at Community Hour after worship service, or you may either

call the church office or contact Ginny Breismeister ([email protected]) to let us know you’re

coming. Come beat the summer heat with great company and great ice cream!

Ladies Bridge

June 5th was the Grand Finale of the Ladies Bridge group for the 2016-2017 year. We played the last twenty of two hundred hands of

bridge!

Our group will begin again in September and would welcome more players. If you enjoy bridge, find a partner and join us. New Year’s pairings are planned over the summer, so we need to hear from you

soon.

If you have any questions or would like to sign up, please contact Pat Geismar at (203) 637-

3597 or by email at [email protected] .

Kettle Quilters News

The Kettle Quilters will meet throughout the summer on Monday mornings (except July 3). We are piecing, putting together and quilting our 2018 Irish Chain Quilt for the Women's Fellowship

raffle.




Find us on Mondays in the air-conditioned Binney Conference Room 9

am-12 noon.

Bring a friend! Find out about this vibrant group. Open a new page in

your life. See you there! —Inge Thalheim

News from the Rummage Room 191 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich (203) 637-1875

Monday, July 3: See sales items for the week at www.fccog.org/about-us/the-rummage-

room/.

Tuesday, July 4: Closed for Independence Day. Happy birthday, America! Stay safe!

Wednesday, July 5 - 8: Open for business 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Friday, July 7: The Rummage Room will begin early closings at 3:00 pm on Fridays for the re-

mainder of July.

Mgr. Leanne's Wish List for July: Men's summer blazers, records, and cutlery.

Wednesday, August 2 will be the last day for donations until Reopening day.

Monday, July 31 through Wednesday, August 2nd: 50% off everything.

The Rummage Room's Famous Bag Sales:

Thursday, August 3: All you can cram in a Bag for $12

Friday, August 4: All you can stuff in a Bag for $ 8

Saturday, August 5: All you can jam in a Bag for $1

Saturday, August 5: The Rummage Room will close for the remainder of August at 1:00 pm.

Tuesday, September 5: The Rummage Room's Grand Reopening will take place at 10:00 am.

Accepting donations 9:30 to 4:30 pm beginning Wednesday, September 6.

Thought for Reopening Day from The Rummage Room Committee, Manager Leanne, and

the many Rummage Room volunteers: "One of the great joys in our lives has been helping

others. Every time our RR customers shop or donate, they are providing comfort to those less for-

tunate. The RR will have been in existence 53 years this coming Fall, and we are extremely

proud to say that we stand taller and stronger every year."

Caregivers Support Group

Please join us for the Caregivers Support Group for those who currently are, recently have

been, or no longer are, a caregiver for a family member of friend. The group offers a confi-

dential place where participants can share experiences, learn new information, and receive

emotional support and comfort from others in similar situations. The group meets on the second

Sunday of the month from 11:15 am - 12:15 pm in the Binney Conference Room. Dorothy

Mueller, FCCOG Stephen Minister, is the group facilitator. For more information, please call

Dorothy at (203)588-9596, or email: [email protected]

http://www.fccog.org/about-us/the-rummage-room/

http://www.fccog.org/about-us/the-rummage-room/



Let's have some summer fun with "Flat Jesus"!

Who is Flat Jesus? Fashioned after a book char-

acter named Flat Stanley, Flat Jesus is a way to

have Jesus travel with you and help you find God

at work in the world. Our kids in Church School

June 18 got a little head start. But everyone can

join in!

There is a suggestion of one version of Flat Jesus

to the left. You are welcome to use him or draw

your own. It is best if you use card stock. Then col-

or him just as you might expect to see him; cut him

out and laminate him. Come to the church and I

can do it for you or go to Staples and get the

laminating sheets you can do by hand. Finally, at-

tach him to a wooden craft stick so it will be easi-

er to hold him for a picture.

Because when you are ready to look for people,

places and things that remind you of God's crea-

tion and Jesus's teachings of love, you should take

a picture of you, your "find" and Flat Jesus!

We are going to make a big display of your pho-

tos on Homecoming Sunday so if you email your photos to me ([email protected]) during

the summer, I will have them printed and ready to go. I am here almost all summer if you need

any help at all. This is a project that kids all over the country have been doing for a few years.

We are really looking forward to seeing your pictures of "Flat Jesus" and you.

Hats Off Picnic at Tod’s Point

First Church’s Hats Off book study group en-

joyed a June luncheon in Greenwich Point Park.

The group will reconvene in September with new

and exciting readings!



July 2

Worship Service 10 am

July 4

Building closed

July 9

Beach Service 8 am


July 10

Kettle Quilters 9 am

July 12

Deacons Committee

7 pm

July 16

Beach Service 8 am


July 17


July 19

Church Council 7 pm

July 23

Beach Service/Church

School with

Susie Baker 8 am


July 24


July 26

Summer Sings 7:30 pm

July 23

No Beach Service


August 2

Deacons Committee 7 pm

August 6

No Beach Service


August 7


August 13

Beach Service 8 am


August 14


August 20

Beach Service 8 am


August 21


August 27

No Beach Service


August 28


August 30

Summer Sings 7:30 pm

The First Congregational Church of Greenwich Nonprofit Organization 108 Sound Beach Avenue U.S. Postage PAID Old Greenwich, CT 06870 Stamford, CT Phone: 203-637-1791 Permit No. 7017 Fax: 203-637-1540 www.fccog.org

Ministers: The Members of The First Congregational Church of Greenwich Senior Pastor: Rev. Richard S. DenUyl, Jr., [email protected] Associate Pastor: Rev. Patrick Collins, [email protected] Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care: Rev. Avery C. Manchester, [email protected] Director of Music: Dr. Craig Scott Symons, [email protected] Director of Family Ministries: Rosemary Lamie, [email protected] Director of Church Administration & Finance: Steve Summerton, [email protected] Administrative Assistant - Operations: Donna White, [email protected] Director of Membership: Ginny Breismeister, [email protected] Parish Nurse: Susan Asselin, RN, [email protected] Director of Preschool: Darla Kohler Steiner, [email protected] Publications Coordinator: Vance Briceland, [email protected]

The First Congregational Church of Greenwich Founded in 1665

Submitting to the Meetinghouse Monthly?

Submissions to the Meetinghouse Monthly are due on the 15th of each month.

Email your notices, photos, and articles to [email protected].

http://www.fccog.org/












the meetinghouse monthly - first church preschool · the meetinghouse monthly calendar summer 2017...

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