|
A
SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE
To the New
Year BY W. S. MERWIN
With what stillness at last you appear in the valley your
first sunlight reaching down to touch the tips of a few high leaves that do not stir as
though they had not noticed and did not know you at all then the voice of a dove calls from
far away in itself to the hush of the morning
so this is the sound
of you here and now whether or not anyone hears it this is where
we have come with our age our knowledge such as it is and our hopes such as they are invisible
before us untouched and still possible
The New Heaven and Earth Revelation
21: 1-5 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first
heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride
adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice
from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle
of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” And He who sits on the throne
said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”
Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life
without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My child.
If you have skipped the poem and the scripture quotes above and looked down here just to read what I wrote then
I politely request you to reconsider. Take a moment and read through them. I’ll wait here.
Okay? So here we have two different perspectives on the time to come. William Stanley Merwin,
a local boy, writes beautiful words addressed to the coming year while John of Patmos writes his own beautiful words describing
a vision of WHO holds time in the palm of his hand. I ask you to place your year in the palm of God’s hands and try
not to take it back. When read together we get a powerful sense of where humanity has come under its own power and where
it could go if we overcome ourselves and truly allow ourselves to be children of God.
Give your year to God and don’t
take it back.
|
|
CHURCH UPDATES
Congregational Meeting to
vote on the 2013 Budget is set for Sunday, January 13, 2013 following worship.
Thank you to Rose Vars for the Christmas arrangements in the planters by the front door of church.
IN CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER Please listen on the Radio
to WICC-600 AM or WEBE-108 (107.9 FM) or watch WTNH-TV Channel 8 for church cancellation notices due to snow or go to www.ctweather.com
to be notified instantly of snow cancellation. Please note: If Trumbull
schools are closed, our office will be closed.
Please remember our homebound in your prayers or with a note: Erica Aanensen, Barbara Bailey, Hazel Berger, Anne Brignolo-Hourclé, Eleanor Dooling, Mary Hassell,
Eleanor Klimkowski, Ruth Schuler, Ruth Schwarz, Fred Taylor, and
Nellie Wirth.
NEWS FROM MINISTER OF MUSIC, CAROLE J. FANSLOW
Senior
Choir and Handbell Choir News ... Senior Choir will meet on Sundays during the winter months. Additional singers are
desperately needed. Won’t you join us? Also, the Handbell Choir is looking for additional ringers. I
will show you how to ring so why not join us if you have a passion to sing or ring.
MISSIONS COMMITTEE The money collected on Christmas Eve will go to the Veterans of the Cross as usual.
Wishing you a Blessed Merry Christmas Instead
of sending out individual Christmas cards this year, the following people chose to sign the “Blanket Fund of Church
World Service” card, and send their Christmas Blessings to you as one. Missions would like to thank the following
contributors. We raised $139. The money will be forwarded to Church World Service. Lucille Baver Bob Krakovich George,
Florence, Dawn & Lori Brezina Danielle King George,
Florence, Dawn & Lori Brezina The Pickens Family The
Buttress Family Katie & Ronnie Schneider Marian
Conklin The Robert Schneider Family Robert Coulson Marie Seavey Louise Evans Rev. Harold C. Smith, D.D. Carole & Allen Fanslow Trisha & Leo Tetreault Celebrating our Handbell & Senior Choirs Rose Vars Don &
Gail Gorlo Dot
& Courty Vars Diane, Cindy & Shari Henderson Ed
& Wally Yeager
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Christian Ed had a fun-filled and
spiritual December!! Lots of laughs , lots of fun and great memories. The highlight of the
month was Children’s Sunday. The kids were everywhere - from greeting to ushers, from singers to readers. The
performance of the day was "Christmas Letters". This play took everyday kids writing letters to people who were in Bethlehem
the night of Jesus' birth and asks them questions. Joseph, Mary, the Inn Keeper, Shepherds and Angels all discussed
with the congregation their own feelings and thoughts on that night. Amarilis and Gabby performed
a beautiful Christmas song called "Mary Did You Know" while Carole and the choir helped with the music for the day. The
day ended with a Christmas party for the kids with crafts and singing and a luncheon for the congregation hosted by Christian
Ed. But the day wouldn't have been complete without a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus (thanks to Ed Yeager and Diane
Henderson). Everyone seemed to enjoy their gifts and Mabel Buttress needs to get a big shout-out
for all the help she lent Sharon in regards to this whole day - costumes, props and shopping. Thanks
to everyone who made it such a success from Dot who bought the ham, Carole who helped play the music, all the people
who helped bring food or helped in the kitchen (both prepping and cleaning). It was all very much appreciated. This
was all possible because of the basket raffle which allowed us to get wonderful gifts for the children. Thanks
again for supporting our youth. Sunday School resumes January 6th. Happy New Year to you
and yours and God Bless us in 2013.
PARENTS’
CORNER New Year Resolutions Each year, the American
Academy of Pediatrics makes it easy by providing these 20 healthy New Year's resolutions for kids, which you might talk to
your child about trying, depending on their age: Pre-schoolers: Clean up toys, brush teeth School
Age kids: Drink milk, find a sport, wear a helmet Teens: Eat fruits and veggies, watch non-violent TV, help out
in the community Here's the link - if you get a chance take a peek - there might be a resolution
you can help your child achieve in 2013. http://pediatrics.about.com/od/parentingadvice/a/06_kid_resolutn.htm
STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE But someone will say, "You have faith; I have
deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. James 2:18 What’s
on your list of resolutions for the New Year? Many of us make promises of being healthier, more active, perhaps even
to be kinder or more patient. Have you contemplated the possibility that in every interaction you have throughout
your day you have a plethora of opportunities to show you are God’s steward? From the simplest act of kindness
like digging through your pockets or purses for a tissue when the person next to you sneezes; to making a serious effort in
recycling at home; to offering your special gifts to Unity Hill, so many actions you take reflect stewardship. The
time has passed where we have filled out our pledge cards, battled through the budget meetings, and are now entrusting that
the envelopes we put into the offering baskets will do His will. We will prayerfully be good financial stewards of our
church and continue to find ways to make those offerings multiply and do much good in our community. But, we must remember
that this is not all we are called to do. As you resolve to take better care of yourself, think of your neighbors in
need and take better care of them, too. Blessings for a happy and healthy 2013.
FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
FELLOWSHIP
OF UNITY HILL NEWS TO REPORT ... ~ Sunday, December 2nd was the Christmas
Party at the home of Rose Vars in Easton. We had a wonderful
time with good food and friends. ~ Wednesday, December 26th – Golden
Hill Community Suppers. 2pm Cook; 5pm Serve. ~ On New Year’s Day
at the Fanslow's at 3 p.m. an open house will be held for FUH members and friends. All are welcome. Bring a dessert
or appetizer to share. ~ Our next meeting will be on Sunday, January 6th after
church to discuss upcoming events. All are welcome to attend. ~ We will
be doing a Hunger Luncheon during Lent. A date hasn’t been set yet. ~
Any questions regarding FUH, just ask President Dot Pickens.
WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP OF UNITY HILL NEWS TO NOTE
… ~ Soup and Bring a Sandwich Luncheon will be on Thursday,
January 17 at 12 noon. Those
attending are asked to bring a sandwich - soup and dessert will be provided for $5.00. Hostesses are: Dorothy
Barwick and Lucille Baver. Devotions led by Louise Evans. The program will feature Paulette Shipley speaking about Nutrition. ~ The Executive Board Committee will meet at 12 noon on Thursday, January 3.
COMMUNITY GROUPS
Middlebrook Farms ~ Worship
service on Thursday, January 3 at 2:00 pm led by our Deacons Wally Yeager and Carole Fanslow.
Trumbull
Interfaith Committee Wednesday, January 9 meeting at 7:30 p.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 200 Shelton Road,
Trumbull. Golden Hill Community Suppers Program ~ Our next turn will be on
Wednesday, February 27. Our Youth Group will be providing the food and assisting that evening.
The
annual CROP Rally will be held on Sunday, March 10 at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Monroe—more details
later. The CROP Hunger Walk is set for Sunday, May 5—so please save the date.
|
