Spaghetti Dinner - 2nd Saturday of every month from September to June ...more

Youth News/Schedule ...more

SUMMER NEWS/QUESTER

Congratulations!!!
The best wishes of the Fairfield Grace family to go two families who recently expanded their circles of love and life!

• To Sue and Matt Rush on the birth of their daughter, and fourth child, Grayson Virginia, born June 14. Sue, Matt, and their three older children, Mason, Carson, and Addison, live at 224 Old Post Road, 06824.
• To Dottie and Scott Wells on the birth of their second child, Ellie Donna, born August 4. Dottie, Scott, and their older child, Trevor, live at 134 Wilson Street, 06825.

A “Bridge” to Fun
If you enjoy playing bridge in a low-pressure situation, consider joining the friendly group of bridge players at Fairfield Grace. We play monthly from October through June, though we skip December due to the busy holiday time. If you have questions or want to sign-up, see Al or Jean Oneto in church or phone them at 255-1331. Leave a message if we’re not home.

To be included in the 2004 – 2005 season, please sign-up by September 15.

Our winners for the 2003-2004 season were the pair of Gloria Hanson and Dot McLean. The winner of our annual individual bridge event was Maralyn Abbott. This is the second time Maralyn has been the winner of this special year-end activity.

Organization News…

Council Approves Pastoral Priorities –

Endorsing and advising the staff-Parish Relations Committee, the Church Council affirmed a series of pastoral priorities for the next 12 months.

The Staff-Parish Relations Committee is the one Committee of the Congregation that sets the goals and priorities; advises, supports, and counsels; and constructively evaluates the staff of the church.

Goals for the coming year include: “membership growth and retention” working with the Membership & Evangelism Committee to attract new members and keep current members actively engaged; “worship” working with the Worship Committee to include acolytes each week, offer a regular “Children’s Time” message, and monitor the worship experiences so that they are stimulating, challenging, and meaningful; and “financial management” along with the Finance Committee to be “faithful stewards” and interpret our “wider mission opportunities” through our Annual Conference apportionment giving.

Of course, Dr. McClanahan will also be engaged in, along with others, pastoral and CareGiving ministries and be a teaching participant in some of the educational offerings.

As always, if you have a need or want to offer a helpful suggestion, please let Dr. McClanahan know directly.

The Chairperson of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee is Craig Leppla. The Co-chairperson is Maggie Harrison.

Photo Directories Available

Your photo directory is available, right now! If you’re waiting to pick up your own copy, please call (374-6528) or e-mail the Office (fairfieldgrace@sbcglobal.net). You’re copy will be set aside, ready for you to pick it up at your earliest convenience.

The directories were produced by talented members of the congregation and printed by the Olin Mills staff. While the printing process took longer than was anticipated the directories are now here in ample quantity for each family to have its own copy.

The director includes images of recent activities, photographs of individuals, groups, and families, and a telephone/address listing. You’ll enjoy the spring image of the church building, with the color of the season reflecting our belief in the new life that’s available to us through Jesus Christ.

Remember the Church

A simple, brief act can make a difference for generations to come.

That act? Remember the church in your will.

It’s true that there’s a significant turnover in the members and friends of the church every year. Some move away. Some join the congregation. Who the Fairfield Grace community is today is very different than it was just five years ago. Nevertheless, an intentional decision, now, will strengthen the witness of the church in the future.

An example: One of our former members set aside a gift to support the worship experiences and educational programs. In the years since her death the “Polly Parsons Fund” has provided new carpeting in the sanctuary, the brass Advent wreath, and the banners that hang on the sanctuary walls, just to mention a few items…and the Fund continues to provide - through the gain of interest and dividends, and will likely do so for many years to come.

So…if you don’t have a will, by all means, draw one up, directing key decisions for your family. And then, add a simple measure, designating a gift to the church. That will surely be a gift that will keep on giving…giving for generations to come!

Community Bulletin Board

There’s a new bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. It’s for you…your notices and your needs!

The Community Bulletin Board is a perfect spot to post notices of services or items wanted. It’s also a great place to “advertise” your tag sale or let the congregation and community know about your professional services.

Take up to an 8 1/2 by 11” space…make a pouch for your business cards…describe your needs…let others know what you can do and/or what you want done.

We’ll refresh the board periodically to keep things current…so stop by frequently to see what’s new.

The Community Bulletin Board is on the right-side wall as you enter Fellowship Hall from the hallway.

E-mail List Saves Many Dimes!

Does the Church have your e-mail address? Would you like to receive the newsletter electronically? How about the Week’s End Notes that give you a jump-start on Sundays and let you know vital information and prayer concerns?

You, too, could be included in this confidential list that won’t appear in the “to” section of e-mail correspondence. Simply send the church (fairfieldgrace@sbcglobal.net) a note to let us know you’d like to be included in the e-mailings and we’ll add you right away!

And about the dimes? Compare the cost of an e-mail…free…to a notice (first class=$.37) With even the list we now have the savings is over $34 (and that doesn’t include the paper, toner, and staff time) per communication, which, by the way is instantaneous…instead of the 5 day to 2 week delay that some zip codes experience.

Help us to serve and connect to each other better, faster, and “free-er.”

Missions News…

Missions Team Heads to Mexico

A team of 14 youth and adults headed to Juarez, Mexico, in the early hours of August 7. Phil and Lydia Greiner, Sylvia Blackburn, and Jim Wood accompanied ten youth – Caylin and Jillian Cheney, Mallory and Ethan Dutton, Jake and Katie Greiner, Carrie Blackburn, Nora Gibson, Alex Masanotti, and Lindsay Wood. While their time included some cultural orientation, for four solid days they engaged in dedicated mission service in Juarez.

Earmark Sunday, September 19 on your calendar. On that day the team will share the highlights of their experience with the congregation during the 10 am worship service.

Covenant to Care Backpacks…

A special thanks to all who were generous in filling a new backpack with back-to-school items for children cared for by Covenant to Care.

Worship News…

Sermon “Themes to Strengthen My Faith”

Earlier in the summer Dr. McClanahan invited worshippers to suggest topics for future sermons. Several responded with biblical themes and “today’s issues.”

If you weren’t in worship that day and would like to suggest a “Theme to Strengthen My Faith” please feel free to forward your preferences to our Pastor by dropping them in the offering plate or sending an e-mail (fairfieldgrace@sbcglobal.net).

In a few weeks the fall preaching schedule will be published, and many submitted ideas will be included.

Pastoral News…

Student Pastor Begins September 12

Fairfield Grace will have a Student Pastor during the 2004 – 2005 academic year. Roy Grubbs will be with us on weekends from September until next April.

Roy is entering his second year at the Drew Theological School in New Jersey. Roy and his wife, Gina, and their son, RJ who is ten years old and is going into 6th grade in the fall, live in Shelton, CT and have attended the First United Methodist Church of Shelton (Pastor Diane’s church) for 6 years.

He says, “I am really excited about this opportunity at Fairfield Grace and look forward to meeting and getting to know you.”

Come and meet Roy on “Rally Day,” September 12 and hear him as he brings his first sermon to us on September 26.

Children’s Time in Worship Resumes

Children join in worship time with the congregation. Nursery age children and two-three year olds are free to go to their classrooms before service begins. We will have a Children’s Time before the students leave the morning service. Children’s Time will take place every Sunday with the exception of Communion Sundays, traditionally the Sunday of the month.

• Two to Five Year Olds - Learning about God’s Love through story and music . . . Our 2/3 year olds and 4/5 year old class will be embarking on a new way of learning during Sunday School. The kids will meet in their classrooms as in past years; they can also be picked up in their classrooms after snack as usual. However, in between attendance time and snack, the classes will join together in Tremayne Hall to participate in interactive storytelling, music, and motion. This opportunity creatively engages the children on their level to communicate faith values and demonstrate the lives of major biblical figures.
• Bible Sunday for Second Graders – Oct. 3 Bible Sunday for 2nd graders will be October 3rd. Please plan on attending service that day to receive your individually inscribed children’s bible.
• Fifth to Seventh Graders - The middle school youth will share a classroom this year.
• Confirmation has been postponed to next year when our, then, 7th-8th graders will join in the experience together. Due to this unique situation, this Sunday School class will deal with faith issues faced by pre-teens and teens as they move through adolescence in today’s culture. Topics will include: What’s a Christian?, How to Make Great Choices?, Peer Pressure?, and God in My Life. This variation on traditional Sunday School allows this group to grow in what their faith means to them and how to live it out more concretely. It is Bible Study based and will be an exciting addition to our program.

Music Ministries for Youth

Do you play an instrument? Singing is only one way to share your musical talent. Playing an instrument during service is another great way to contribute to the music ministries of Fairfield Grace. In addition, Youth Choir practices Sunday morning after service. The youth choir leads signing during Children’s Sunday, the Christmas Pageant, and Children’s Day in June. Cherubs (non-readers) practice seasonally. Join anytime! See Jeanne Millett with any questions you may have.

Covenant Groups

Learn about, join, or re-establish a covenant group on Sunday, September 26th in the Parlor after church. Covenant Groups are a small group of five to twelve individuals who meet for 11/2 hours on a regular basis (usually weekly or bi-weekly) for the purpose of encouraging and supporting each other. Groups provide a setting for deepening relationships, exploring the application of the bible to everyday situations, and finding spiritual direction.

Covenant Groups are a great way to “get connected” to other people who sit in the pews on Sunday morning. In a Covenant Group, you have the opportunity to get to know, and be known by, others in the church fellowship. These groups provide you with a chance to deepen and grow in your faith while helping others to do the same.

New groups begin every October. Former groups renew and grow at that time as well. You may join an existing group or begin anew.

Bulletin Boards

Have you noticed the festive and informative boards in Fellowship Hall? Please, if you belong to a church group such as MOPs, Caregivers, Naomi’s, Rebecca’s, UMM, UMW, and so on, use the space provided to tell the church community what your group is doing. It is a great way to keep each other up to date on church events. Even just adding a note that describes your group and the usual meeting times would be beneficial to our congregation’s awareness and active participation.

“Hot Topics” Adult Forum Begins September 19

What’s hot in United Methodism? What issues spark the most debate? What “two cents” would you like to contribute to the conversation?

That’s all a part of the richness of the Sunday morning Adult class & discussion for the fall. Beginning on Sunday, September 19, some of the most controversial perspectives of the Church will be discussed. The wide-ranging interaction will include the current perspective of The United Methodist Church, at least one solid scriptural base for the issue, and, as available, input from leaders of the Church.

Topics included in the fall forum include: war and peace, racial justice, capital punishment, and human sexuality.

Dr. McClanahan will resource many of the discussions, along with leadership from our Student Pastor, Roy Grubbs, and Andrei Ragoza.

Each Sunday morning the conversations will begin at 9. The dates of the series, after the “orientation,” are September 26; October 3, 10 and 24; November 7, 14, and 21.

Communication with your Child or Teen

A four session follow-up to Parenting 101, “Communicating with Your Child or Teen” is open to church members and community participants.

1. Session one: Recognizing the Barriers We Build
2. Session two: Understanding Ages and Stages
3. Session three: Learning Your Child’s Communication “Style”
4. Session four: Improving Communication in Your Home

“Communicating” will be held on Wednesday evenings, beginning in mid-October and running through mid-November.

Child care will be provided, as needed.

Contact Kate Ott for more information or to express your interest.

Parenting 101 - The Basics of Becoming a Proactive Parent

Wednesdays, September 15 – October 6

Meeting from 7:30pm – 8:45pm

According to Stephen Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People/ we have a choice: We can live either in a circle of concern or a circle of influence. When we live in a circle of concern, we're always reacting to events and circumstances. We fail to plan or prepare or look ahead. Often we end up "putting out fires" and racing from one crisis to another. When we live in a circle of influence, on the other hand, we're always one step ahead. Planning and preparation are part of our everyday lives. We know our desired goal, and we plan accordingly in order to achieve it…to live in a circle of influence-with God in the center. Simply put, it is about learning how to parent with a plan so that you can become the kind of parent that God wants you to be.

Parenting 101 is intended to help you learn the basics of becoming a proactive parent-a parent who keeps your family headed in the direction God wants you to take.

Each session will include:

• A video segment, looking at the focus from a child’s perspective
• A video segment, and discussion, from a parent’s perspective
• A video summary
• A focus for after session, at-home reflection

The Dates:

• September 15 – Navigating Through Troubled Waters
• September 22 – Developing a Parenting Plan
• September 29 – Managing the Balancing Act
• October 7 – Keeping Your Family Strong

The Location:

• Each session will be held in the Hood Parlor. Light refreshments will be served.

October Emphasis: Strengthening Our Faith

October will be a “journey” month…an adventure right here at home.

The focus of the pilgrimage: strengthening our faith.

Ben Campbell Johnson’s book, “A Seeker’s Guide to Christian Faith,” is published by the Upper Room, which also distributes the devotional guide that many members of the Fairfield Grace community use daily. “A Seeker’s Guide…” “leads the reader through the basics of Christian faith,” according to the author. It “alerts readers to signs fo God’s presence in their lives (which they may have overlooked), and helps readers understand the language of faith.”

Thirty-one brief “Guidances” offer “tools for spiritual growth” on such themes as: “Sensing a Direction for Your Life,” “Seeking Answers,” “Considering Jesus Christ,” “Using Old Words in New Ways,” “Hearing God Speak.”

Together the Fairfield Grace community will be guided by Johnson as we wonder “about the mysteries of life”.

New York Conference News...

Conference to Welcome New Bishop

The New York Annual Conference will welcome Bishop Jeremiah J. Park as its new leader in September. Park was one of six bishops elected by the 288 delegates attending the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference of the United Methodist Church. The Northeastern Jurisdiction is home to 1.5 million United Methodists in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia. It also includes the District of Columbia.

A worship service marking the beginning of Bishop Park’s tenure with the New York Annual Conference will be held on Sunday, September 26, at 4 pm, at the Memorial United Methodist Church in White Plains.

United Methodists vying for vice president seat
By United Methodist News Service

In November 2004, regardless of who wins the presidential election, the next vice president of the United States will be a United Methodist.

Senator John Edwards who has just been named as Senator John Kerry’s running mate is a member of Edenton Street United Methodist Church, Raleigh, N.C. Vice president Richard B. Cheney and President George W. Bush are also United Methodists.

Edwards joined the United Methodist Church in September 1996. Elected to the U. S. Senate in 1999, he served as co-chair of the Senate Prayer Breakfast.

In a 2001 speech to the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education he spoke of his faith, “I believe very deeply in the separation of church and state. And I understand why some in public life are reluctant to even talk about their faith. But I'm not. And I'll tell you something right now: my faith and my religious values – my belief in the power of good to change the world – makes me a far better senator.”

Edwards is married to Elizabeth Anania. His oldest son Wade died in a car accident in 1996. He has three other children, Catharine, Emma Claire and Jack.

Recordings of Recent Sermons are Available
Audio recordings or recent sermons are now available in CD format. A rack, containing the messages from recent weeks, is located on the wall adjacent to the hallway entrance into the sanctuary. Please feel free to take one, or more, and then, after you've listened to the sermon, pass the CD on to a friend or neighbor, as you extend an invitation to worship at the Church.