Vol. 38 No. 2 WORSHIP SERVICE SUNDAY 10:00 AM February 2015 Top 10 List: THINGS YOU CAN TRY FOR THE LENTEN SEASON 10. Try an electronic fast. Give up TV, Guitar Hero, texting, tweeeting, email and all things electronic for one day every week. (or everyday of Lent!) Use the time to read & pray. OFFICE HOURS 9. Start a prayer rhythm. Say a prayer every time you brush your teeth, hear an ambulance, or check your e-mail. Before you text someone, pray for them. MON-THURS 8. Read one chapter in the Bible each day. (Matthew's a good book to start with. Psalms, too.) 9A-1P 860349-9881 7. Forgive someone who doesn't deserve it (maybe even yourself.) 6. Give up soft drinks, fast food, tea or coffee. Give the money you save to help folks in Haiti or others in crisis. office @mfcct.org 5. Create a daily quiet time. Spend 30 minutes a day in silence and prayer. Contact the office to update birthdays/ann., addresses, etc. 3. Be kind to someone each day. Articles for publication are due: 1. Volunteer one hour or more each week with a local shelter, tutoring program, nursing home, prison ministry or a Habitat for Humanity project. Feb 18 for the March Red Doors 4. Cultivate a life of gratitude. Write someone a thank you letter each week and be aware of how many people have helped you along the way. 2. Pray for others you see as you walk to and from classes or drive to and from work. This list can be found on http://www.upperroom.org/lent101. March 18 for the April Red Doors Wednesday for the Sunday announcements Lent begins Wednesday, 2/18 DEACONS’ CORNER Deacons God’s Light Betsy Bascom Karen Bergenholtz Paul Bergenholtz Roger Brewer Valerie Faiella Elisabeth Kennedy Bridget Melien Lori Michaud Sharon Roundtree-Brewer Millie Simonzi Our charge is to assist the pastor in spiritual matters of the church What We Do           Serve as spiritual leaders Assist with church communion Serve home communion Usher at funerals & memorials Visit members Facilitate small groups programs Write Red Doors articles Assist with Baptisms Lead worship as needed Nurture our faith Programs Sweet Hour of Prayer Living the Questions Simply Christian Unwrapping Our Gifts “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” Isaiah 9:2 I don’t know about you, but I hate getting up in the dark and getting home from work in the dark. I miss the daylight this time of the year. My mother was the same. She would start watching the sunrise and sunset times every day in the paper after the Winter Solstice, a habit I too have adopted. As I write this, we have gained about 30 minutes of daylight since that shortest day of the year. It is comforting and brings me hope. My Bible defines light as daytime, brightness, illumination, exposure to the truth. Think about it-a bright and constant Light, which will illuminate us with exposure to the truth. “You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; My God turns my darkness into light.” Psalm 18:28 No more darkness, only the hope that the Light gives us. What a wonderful promise, to arise and live each and every day in a glorious dawn. No more fear, only joy in His presence and Word. “The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 There is a Light that is ever present and can be ours for the asking if only we open our hearts and let Him in. “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” Isaiah 60:1 Wishing you the glory of the Light, Betsy Bascom Board of Deacons 2 OUR CHURCH FAMILY Happy Anniversary! 2 David & Tammy Archer 7 Elmer & Angela Chiarappa 12 Rick & Kim Mach 21 Mark & Barbara Kauffman 28 Bill & Sydney Mintz 3 Happy Birthday! 1 1 2 Fitch Spencer, IV Marguerite Busey Mike Decker 4 Steve Harris 5 Lisa Reed 8 Jack Bascom 9 Rachel Footit 10 Don Smith 10 Michael Copeland 15 John Lyman, III 16 Georgene Smith 16 Mike Ryan 16 Steve Kalber 17 Owen Lussier 18 Lori Helmedach 19 Dianne Grome 20 Dylan Quincy 21 Elizabeth Azevedo 22 Alex Nick 24 Lydia D’Amato 25 Luke Bialobrzeski 26 Alec Bandzes WORSHIP Thank you to the following leaders who have signed up. The following open dates are available for sign-up: FELLOWSHIP HOSTS Feb 1 Feb 8 FLOWERS READERS USHERS NURSERY Don Ginter 7-Plus Classes 7-Plus Classes Aleta Cromack Howard Thody Millie Simonzi David Steele Brenda Marino Malcolm Staddon Howard Thody Cloe Poisson Peter & Deb Carras Maria Chapman ANNUAL MEETING’S POT LUCK LUNCH Feb 15 Feb 22 Bob Elder Millie Simonzi VanDerzees Upcoming Worship Schedule Feb 8 Church-wide Special Meeting / Pot-luck Guest Preacher (Rev. Ken Kieffer) What is our Mission? Feb 15 Feb 22 First Sunday of Lent Giving It Up: Control Mar 1 Second Sunday of Lent Giving It Up: Expectations Mar 8 Third Sunday of Lent / OGHS Giving It Up: Superiority Mar 15 Fourth Sunday of Lent Giving It Up: Enemies LECTIONARY READINGS SUNDAY HEBREW SCRIPTURE PSALM EPISTLE GOSPEL February 1 Deuteronomy 18:15-20 Psalm 111 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Mark 1:21-28 February 8 Isaiah 40:21-31 Psalm 147:1-11,20c 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 Mark 1:29-39 February 15 2 Kings 2:1-12 Psalm 50:1-6 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Mark 9:2-9 February 22 Genesis 9:8-17 Psalm 25:1-10 1 Peter 3:18-22 Mark 1:9-15 4 HOLY CONVERSATION MFC’s Holy Conversation on Homosexuality: Last year MFC began discussing the issues surrounding homosexuality as they relate to our church. Our hope was to gain an understanding about who we are and what we believe about God, love and sexuality. We completed Phase 1 last year and are beginning Phase 2 of the conversation now. As a part of Phase 2, the HCoH Team has put together a side by side comparison of our two denominations’ stances on the issues. This comparison can be found below. Also, Pastor Dale will be leading a Bible study on the issues entitled Understanding the Bible and Homosexuality Today. This Bible study will consist of three sessions: “How relevant is the Bible in living our lives today?”; “What does the Bible say about Homosexuality?”; and “What are some other relevant passages in scripture?” The first of these sessions will take place following worship on 2/15 and last approximately an hour. A sign-up sheet is in the hub for those who are interested. Holy Conversations: A side by side comparison of UCC and UMC policies United Church of Christ United Methodist Church  The National Setting declared itself as Open and     The policies are dictated to the congregations by the Affirming in 1985. The General Synod encourages congregations to adopt an Open and Affirming policy. For a church to identify themselves as Open and Affirming, they must allow for full inclusion of a person without regard of their sexual orientation or sexual identity- this includes equality in marriage, volunteer opportunities, and hiring staff including pastors. Each congregation within the UCC denomination is responsible for their own policy on LBGT equality. This means the level of inclusion varies greatly from church to church. More than 1,100 UCC churches nationwide have formally adopted the Open and Affirming policy. General Conference, which meets every 4 years. Delegates to the General Conference are sent from conferences around the globe to discuss and amend the church law. The 2012 book of Discipline states (paraphrased):  All persons are of sacred worth and are to be included in the life of the church.  The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching (added to the doctrine in 1984), and self avowed practicing homosexuals are not candidates for ordination.(Added to the doctrine in 1984, with a footnote defining self avowed added in 1996) Ceremonies that celebrate same sex unions shall not be conducted by UMC ministers or conducted in UMC churches.(added to the doctrine in 1996) Connecticut Conference Position:  The Connecticut Conference passed a resolution to be Open and Affirming in 1989. There are currently 76 churches that have formally adopted the Open and Affirming policy out of a total of 240 churches in the Connecticut Conference. New York Annual Conference Position:  Passed a resolution that declared itself a ”Reconciling Conference, affirming the full participation of lesbians and gay men in the life of this Annual Conference” in 1987 General conference decreed that individual conferences could not “identify or label itself as an unofficial body or movement” in 1998 Sources: http://www.ucc.org/ http://ctconfucc.org/ Sources: http://umcconnections.org/2013/10/20/2016-generalconference-see-drop-delegates/ http://christianteens.about.com/od/homosexuality/f/ UCCHomosexualit.htm http://ucccoalition.org/ona http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/what-is-thedenominations-position-on-homosexuality http://ucccoalition.org/about/ http://www.umc.org/contact (infoserv) 5 MISSIONS ONGOING MISSION OUTREACH the 3rd SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH Sunday, FEBRUARY 15 is the date of our next Eddy Shelter Chili Supper We need chili, rice, bread, butter, soda, dessert, half & half, coffee. The Sign-Up Sheet and chili recipe is in the Hub. There's nothing difficult about supporting the homeless men and women who need food and shelter. Try it, you'll feel good about yourself! BAKED BEANS for AMAZING GRACE FOOD PANTRY Missions has a goal of 100 cans per month. Keep them coming! EVENTS & INFORMATION LADIES POTLUCK LUNCHEON Ladies ! - to our Valentine's Ladies Potluck Luncheon. Tuesday Feb 11th is the day. Sign up in Fellowship Hall. We would ♥love♥ to see you there. Members Needed! The church choir is looking for new members in all voice types. Anyone is welcome to join. You do not need to have a background singing in a chorus or any musical experience. Just a desire to sing with a wonderful group of people. We rehearse on Tuesdays from 7:00 PM to roughly 8:30. See Mike Meurs with any questions. 6 Back by popular demand……….. Parent’s Night Out – Friday Feb. 13th!! Yep, it’s no coincidence. That IS the day before Valentine’s Day. Drop off your little ones at 6PM, pick them up at 9PM. MFC Youth will feed and entertain them, help them brush their teeth and get into pajamas, and hopefully tire them out so they sleep late – well we’ll try anyway. All of this for only $10 each. Please sign up on the sheet in the HUB and start planning date night! Call to a Special Meeting of The Middlefield Federated Church All-Church "February Fellowship" Meeting (2/8) Last year we had a marvelous time at our special Church Meeting in February. The food was wonderful, conversation lively, and fellowship rewarding. We are doing the same thing this year for our February Church Meeting. See the "call" elsewhere for the business, but the main focus of this meeting is fellowship and celebration. The Middlefield Federated Church will meet on February 8, 2015 for the purposes of fellowship, celebration, and the reception of year-end reports. The meeting will be held in Fellowship Hall and begin shortly after the worship service has ended (approx. 11:30am). Everyone (members and friends) are invited to attend and share in this celebration of “building relationships.” - Called by Rev. Dale Azevedo (Pastor) and Bridget Melien (Moderator) Call to a Special Meeting of The Middlefield Congregational Church, UCC The Annual Meeting of the Middlefield Congregational Church, UCC will be held after worship on Sunday, February 8, 2015, for the election of delegates to the Middlesex Association, and the Connecticut Conference of the UCC, also to change the Vice Moderator to Assistant Moderator presentation of reports, and any old or other business that may come up. - Howard R Thody, Moderator There are two things to know for this meeting: 1.) It is a pot luck (A-M bring main dishes, N-S bring sides, T-Z bring dessert); 2.) We will spend a little time talking about the "new" structure (we want to know how it's working and what areas may need refinement). Come and enjoy the meal, laugh, and share with your church family! Oh...and Pastor Dale will be handing out prizes!!!!! The Book Thief The Book Thief takes us inside the lives of the German people in one town, on one street, during World War What’s that? Another book about World War Two? Two. Yup. Himmel Street. Should I read it? Heaven. Absolutely. The story begins in January of 1939, months before Why? Because there are still so many shades of it we do not the invasion of Poland. Young Leisel is journeying to her new foster parents’ home. Leisel’s parents had the understand. unfortunate desire to be Kommunists (Communists). Like what? Communists were one of the first groups on Hitler’s The German people. hit list. Oh. Leisel adapts to her new life and her new parents, The Book Thief, By Markus Zusak, was released a few Hans and Rosa Hubermann. Food and money are years ago and is a remarkable story still circulating in scarce, but life goes on. bookstores. It has also been re-made as a movie. 7 And then there is a knock at the door. A Jewish refugee stands on the threshold – the road to Munich in one direction, the road to Dachau in the other. does and we can see the shades and complexities and understand the how, even though we may never understand the why of the thing. And yes, the world does need another book about World War Two to keep the conversation going, lest we forget. There is one universal truth of World War Two. Suffering. No life was untouched by it. Zuzak makes this point subtly and brilliantly by narrating the story through the eyes of Death. Death is not the cloaked, scythe carrying being of ‘Christmas Yet to Be.’ Death is a quiet presence who slips in and carries the souls from the body. He does not chase people down. Even death is exhausted by World War Two. Join us for our next discussion on February 9, 2015, 7pm when we meet to discuss The Painted Veil, by Somerset Maughan. This is not a new-release, but rather a story that has stood the test of time. Join us as we travel back to Hong Kong in 1920 in a time of cholera and spiritual awakening. You won’t be disappointed. Many questions are asked of the German people in World War Two. How could they allow their neighbors and countrymen, two-thirds of Europe’s Jewish population, to be exterminated? Why didn’t they stop it? While The Book Thief does not and cannot answer the question directly, it does give us a window into the lives of the people. All citizens of Germany suffered under Hitler’s rule. We see this on Himmel Street in the Hubermann house and in the homes of Leisel’s neighbors. Pressure to join the Nazi party was real. Food and money was limited, even before the war began. Members of the Party were given job opportunities. Those who opted not to join were closed out. For some it became a question of putting food on the table. The progression from isolation to concentration camp was gradual. The children on Himmel Street stroll through the former Jewish section and wonder what became of their neighbors. When a thing grows slowly, we don’t notice it growing, only what it has become at the end. What we see in The Book Thief is that when opportunity presents itself people take action. Removal of the Jews from society happened in increments. By the time Kristallnacht occurred they had already been removed from the schools (and most jobs) to the ghetto, and had both travel restrictions and curfews imposed on them. Out of sight, out of mind. When a young Jewish man shows up on the doorstep of the Hubermann house, Rosa, an abrasive character, does not question the man’s arrival or hesitate to help. As readers we wondered how many other people would have done the same if they had been given the opportunity. Hans, Rosa, and Leisel risked their own lives to shelter the man in their basement. It was never a question of will we? It was only a question of how. The Book Thief only scratches the surface of the German story of World War Two. But scratch it it Until next time, The MFC Book Club (guaranteed discussion to make you think) HELO FUNDRAISERS 2015 CALENDARS are on sale now for $15 each. See Elisabeth Kennedy or reserve one on the sheet in the hub. TAG SALE, May 16 – Save the date AND YOUR STUFF! Start putting away items to donate for the sale to raise money for the children of Haiti! Stay tuned! STORM CLOSINGS In the event of a storm, your phone call to the church may not get answered (because people are either busy preparing or no one is there) so please check the following for cancellations of worship service or any other planned event: Television Station Web Channel 3 www.wfsb.com Channel 8 www.wtnh.com Channel 30 www.nbc30.com …also… FaceBook – “Middlefield Federated Church” MFC’s website – www.mfcct.org 8 9 My Faith Center 2.0 Walking On Water Matthew 14:31 “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Elizabeth Azevedo Large Group Leader Art Jerusalem Missions Galilee Sue VanDerzee February 8 K-3 4-6 February 15 Family Sunday February 22 4-6 K-3 Games Egypt Cooking Fellowship Hall Ed Holden Eileen Casey-Leonard K-3 4-6 4-6 K-3 Pre-K class will meet in the Pre-K classroom. March 1 7+ class will meet in their classroom upstairs. March 8 Classes run until approx. 11:15. If possible, please wait for the leader to dismiss the class. AROUND THE AREA Special Senior Center Lunch - The Middlefield Senior Center is Hosting a Mardi Gras Luncheon on Fat Tuesday - February 17, 2015 at Noon, with TRADITIONAL FARE: Shrimp Cocktail, Roast Beef Sliders Au Jus, Hearty Homemade Chicken Gumbo, Mixed Green Salad, Warm French Bread and Butter, & Assorted Desserts RSVP by February 10 either by calling 860-349-7121 or stop by the senior center to sign up. FREE COMMUNITY SUPPER IN DURHAM - FEBRUARY 8, 2015 The Boy Scout Troop #27 will host a free community supper on Sunday, February 8, 2015, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the church hall of the Church of the Epiphany at 196 Main Street, Durham. The meal is being prepared and sponsored by the Boy Scouts. This outreach service project is one way the Scouts keep their promise "to help other people" while also learning to work together, and with others, to do something that's good for their community. The parishioners of the Church of the Epiphany are providing desserts. All are welcome. Middlesex Hospice Needs Volunteers - At Middlesex Hospice and Palliative Care, volunteers are an integral part of our interdisciplinary team, reaching out to patients and families as they cope with the challenges of terminal illness. Volunteers can choose to work in homecare, on the Weiss Hospice Unit or in bereavement support after completing 40 hours of classes and a 12-hour mentorship. Our annual training runs from early February to mid-April 2015, and is held on four Saturdays and one evening. The program welcomes both male and female volunteers. To begin our fall application process, please contact Barbara Standke, Hospice Volunteer Coordinator, at 860-358-6955 or barbara.stanke@midhosp.org, at your earliest convenience. 10 11 THRU THE RED DOORS NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID MIDDDLETOWN CT PERMIT NO 561 Published by: THE MIDDLEFIELD FEDERATED CHURCH 402 Main Street P.O. Box 200 Middlefield, CT 06455-0200 www.mfcct.org Address Service Requested STAFF Pastor .................................................. Rev. Dr. Dale H. Azevedo Minister to Children and Youth ....................... Marilyn Keurajian Minister of Music .................................................. Michael Meurs Church Secretary ......................................................... Judi Rand Fax: 860-349-6384 860-349-9881 www.mfcct.org Church Office PASTOR Judi Rand Rev. Dr. Dale H. Azevedo Minister to Children & Youth Marilyn Keurajian Monday-Thursday 9AM -1PM Tuesday – Friday (variable hours) Wednesday, Thursday 10AM – 2PM office @mfcct.org (If necessary, home 349-8301) home 860-349-9984 pastor @mfcct.org youthminister @mfcct.org EMERGENCIES - In an emergency when the Pastor cannot be reached immediately, please call Karen Bergenholtz Chair of the Deacons at 860-349–1407, or deacon Millie Simonzi, 860-349-3027. SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE The Worship Service is celebrated every Sunday at 10:00 A.M. HOLY COMMUNION The Sacrament of Holy Communion is served on the first Sunday of every month at the Sunday Worship Service. CHURCH SCHOOL Church School is held during the Sunday Worship Service. 12 With the help of the Holy Spirit, our Mission is to build and strengthen relationships with God, one another, and our world.