Our 2018 Mission Trip

I'd like to share with everyone that we will be taking 55 participants on a youth mission trip to Neon Kentucky from June 30th to July 8th of this year. When we take the youth on these trips, we encourage them to step out of their comfort zones. This venue provides a safe environment for that to happen. They are encouraged each day on the trip to look at what makes them uncomfortable and how they might be able to challenge themselves to face some of their fears. The climate will be hot, the days will be long, and there will be a lot of physical labor. Our goal for these trips is that our youth will have an experience that will transform their lives.

These mission trip experiences expand their limited perspective about life. We all know there is a beautiful world out there full of diversity. These trips give our youth an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the many different cultures right here in our own country.

I read once that going on a mission trip can be a good attitude adjustment. There is nothing like immersing yourself in a world where people have less than you. I truly believe many of our youth come home from these trips with a greater appreciation for what they have in their own lives.

One of my favorite parts of the day is when we have our town meeting after dinner. A town meeting is when each work group gets up and talks about their day on the worksite. They are so proud of the work they have accomplished and are especially proud when they talk about the problems they encountered and ways they worked through their problems. I find it uplifting to see their self-esteem and confidence grow throughout the week.

I know on the outside it looks as if these trips are about building homes. However, they are about so much more. They are about building relationships, building bridges with different cultures, building self-esteem, and building faith. Words from the book of Joshua come to mind: "Take good care to observe the commandment and instruction that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you to love the Lord your God, to walk in all God's ways, to keep God's commandment to hold fast to God and serve God with all your heart and with all your soul." Joshua 22: 5

On youth mission trips, all of us seek to walk and serve.
Peace,
Theresa

Ponderings…..a street church service

5:00 AM is an early time for me to start serving the Lord by way of feeding God’s people. But that is how it works on a Breakfast Midnight Run. First you scramble the eggs, layer them on tortilla shells along with ham and cheese, bake the potato cakes, bag the donuts, brew the coffee and assemble other nutritional (or not) items. Then you load them into the van and head off to Manhattan.

Steve does a masterful job of hitting the potholes (unavoidable), steering clear of city drivers and pedestrians (almost as crazy and reckless as the drivers), and getting us to our destination on West 33rd street. Our neighbors and new friends are waiting for us, nicely lined up in the chilly showery morning. We set up the tables quickly and the serving begins. I am in charge of bananas….and also oranges (your choice, not one of each). Next to me are the potatoes, and so it goes. The queue is fed, seconds offered, trays depleted, health kits and tee shirts distributed, and in less than an hour we start packing up. 45 people in 45 minutes. And we head home.

We’ve done a good deed, a “mitzvah” as Jewish folk call it. And it was a good deed, very good. Something we can do for others. A fine generous act. And then we went home, deservedly pleased with our morning’s work. We had missed worshipping in church, with its prayers and music in a traditional service….but we felt we had done a service.

I want to thank Barb Tedeschi, Paula Harrington, Julia Novaco and Noelle, Nancy Errante, Lil Sakai, Steve Cudgma, and Theresa for all their efforts and dedication – and even cheerfulness – in this mission project. I want to thank FCCB for its continued commitment to reaching out to people less fortunate than ourselves as part of our understanding of what it means to be disciples of Jesus. I urge more of us to do more of these kinds of things. And it was fun!

We served breakfast to 45 folks. And then we returned home. BUT I wonder about the people we left behind us on the streets of New York with no home to return to. I wonder what else I/we are called to do to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, release the captive, protect the widow and the orphan. I ponder that from the comfort and security of my lovely home with all its amenities, conveniences, and luxuries. What else, O Lord, would you have us do?

Peace and blessings,

Susan PT
Susan Power Trucksess, Associate Minister

P.S. My heart especially went out to the mother-daughter team, ragged but elegant in their colorful African dress, who assured me, as they picked up their many tote bags and headed down the sidewalk, that they would be alright. "Alright,” they said. Lord, have mercy.

Report of the Refugee Welcome Committee

The Refugee Welcome Committee (RWC) completed the Six Month Review meeting with the Co-sponsor Coordinator from the Immigrant and Refugee Services (IRIS) at our refugee family’s apartment in June , earning a “Well done!”. This is essentially the wrap up meeting which marks the near completion of the process of achieving independence for our Afghan couple. Hamidullah has a steady full-time job at Medtronics in North Haven, and Khurshida is in the process of setting up her own Embroidery/ Mending/Alterations cottage industry. They have full responsibility for their living expenses.

Members of the RWC continue to enjoy the friendship of the couple, and stand ready to assist them in any way possible as they move toward complete independence on the road to being productive, responsible, tax-paying Americans.

The process of welcoming and sponsoring a refugee family is immensely rewarding. It also requires a lot of energy and time. The current members of the committee strongly hope that a younger cadre of church members and other volunteers will take up the banner of this quintessential American and Christian endeavor. We will be delighted to act as advisors, and pass along the lessons we have learned in working with the three refugee families who are now making their way in this nation.

Respectfully submitted,
Bill Hall, Chair

Bridge Club

Bridge Club has ended for the summer. It will resume again in September.

Book Group

The Book group will meet again in September. Enjoy the summer to read our upcoming selections.
The books chosen for the fall are as follows:
September 5-Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner
October 3-The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
November 7-Ethan Frome by Elizabeth Wharton
December 5-Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
January 8-Biography or memoir of your choice

Can you help the Hospitality Committee?

Even if you don’t serve coffee/tea on Sunday or bake the cookies, you can greatly help – buy a $25 Shop Rite gift card to donate to the Committee. This money would buy milk, drinks for the kids, and possibly snacks. Here’s another win-win situation. You are not only giving needed support to Hospitality but buying the gift card helps support the church. Just ask Julia or the members who sell on Sunday to give to the appropriate people. Thank you for your support.

Amazon Smiles Donations

PLEASE shop at smile.amazon.com, and First Congregational Church can receive donations from AmazonSmile.

StartWithaSmile at smile.amazon.com/ch/06-6042800 for your purchases and Amazon donates to First Congregational Church.