February Outlook Newsletter

February marks many events in American and Christian culture. February is Black History Month. President's Day occurs in February, as does Valentine's Day, Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. For a short month it is packed with significance, and I haven't even mentioned Groundhog Day and Super Bowl Sunday!

Ash Wednesday is particularly significant for followers of Christ, because it is the beginning of a season in which we endeavor to become more like Christ, called Lent. We show this intention by putting the ashes of palm on our foreheads. It is the end of a cycle that began last year when we waved palms on Palm Sunday to show that we believe Jesus is Lord. We burn them and mark ourselves to show that we realize Jesus is not an earthly king, he is our Lord because he gave up his ego and human life for our sake. We try to shrink the power of the ego by giving up something that brings us pleasure. Like New Year's resolutions sometimes we waver in this commitment.

Whether you make a commitment at all and keep it is between you and God, but I would like to invite you to enter this time of the Christian year without foreboding and with gratitude. Just as the sign above our church's door reads, "WELCOME, Enter With A Grateful Heart", let us enter the season of Lent with gratitude for God's loving hand of discipline. It is a time for study and repentance. We will be holding a Bible Study on Christian virtues and vices but that is not the only type of study that is indicated for Lent. The study of our insides and what needs to be removed to make more space for God's will is also indicated. Be thankful for this time of growth and it's potential to bring you closer to God!

Sunday, March 17, 2013 following worship

LENTEN SCHEDULE

Family Night Celebration on Tuesday, February 12 at 6:30 pm with a Mardi Gras theme.

Ash Wednesday, February 13 at Unity Hill with members of Trumbull Congregational Church ~ at 6:00 pm a Soup and Bread Supper followed by Worship Service at 7:00 pm.

Good Friday, March 29 at 12 noon Unity Hill will host the annual Good Friday service sponsored by Trumbull Interfaith Committee.

Lenten Pot Luck followed by Worship Service on Wednesdays during Lent sponsored by Trumbull Interfaith Committee. See the bulletin or call for further information.

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.

PRAYER LIST - 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.

A Tag Team Event

featuring

The Seven Vices vs The Seven Virtues

Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting a historic first, never before attempted here at Unity Hill. This bout will surely be exciting and you can have your very own ring side seat. And no, this will not be rebroadcast on Pay Per View.

Over seven consecutive weeks Unity Hill will host a Tag Team Bible Discussion. Each week Bible Bob will begin the evening discussing one of the Seven Deadly Sins (hiss, boo, “get rid of da bum”). Then, midway through, Pastor Todd will take the lead and counter with that vice’s corresponding virtue (hurray, cheers, “our hero”). Will one pin the other and get the upper hand for that evening?

This Lenten series will begin on Wednesday, February 20th at 7 PM and continues for the following seven weeks. Check your bulletins as we get closer, or Pastor Todd’s board outside his office, to see each week’s topics. Pick and choose your favorite vice or virtue to discuss, or come and discuss them all. (Side note: I just love the word “sloth”)

*Bible Bob*

Gabby Buttress, along with her honors level Mock Trial class team at Trumbull High School, successfully advanced to the semi-finals to be held in Hartford in the spring. Many hours of preparing as a prosecutor in her case paid off, and she scored high marks that helped her team win their first competition in Waterbury. We wish Gabby a lot of luck on her continued success.

Missions is overwhelmed by the generosity of our church members and our friends. We collected $190.00 for our CWS Blanket Fund and $790.00 for our “Veterans of the Cross.” Just think of it. How many people will be a little warmer this winter and our “Veterans of the Cross” can breathe a little easier because of our church’s contributions.

Missions thanks you for helping less fortunate people – You make our job much easier and we ask God’s blessing on each of you who supported Missions throughout the year.

Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 1Chronicles 29:11

We have finally passed our budget for 2013! Most everyone has collected their offering envelopes, and if you have not already done so, please call the church office to let us know if you would like them mailed to you.

Unfortunately, our pledges are substantially lower than our projected number. While some of us feel that our faith prompts us to “give back to God” a portion of what we have been blessed with, others simply have the practical perspective that, as members of a church to whose mission we are committed, we have a responsibility to underwrite our fair share of the cost. The reality is that we should try to ignore the endowments our church is blessed to have. We should be attempting to ‘live’ within our means, but that doesn’t mean let others worry about the cost or let the endowment money cover our expenses. There’s so much good that we can do and in reality, it takes money to simply run the church (employees, building maintenance, etc.).

Our membership enrollment is well over 100, yet the number of those who have pledged is only 31. If you have not yet pledged, please prayerfully consider what you can ‘give back to God’ or how much you want to underwrite your fair share of the cost of our church mission.

FELLOWSHIP OF UNITY HILL NEWS TO REPORT ...

~ Sunday, January 6th - We met after church for a brief meeting. We thanked Carole & Al Fanslow for hosting our annual New Year’s Day party.

~ We will have our Annual Hunger Luncheon on Sunday, March 24th (Palm Sunday) after church. The cost is $6 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under. We will prepare the meal on Saturday March 23rd. Monies from this luncheon help defray the costs for a meal at the community suppers program. FUH donates money and time 6 times a year, and the costs do mount up, so please come out and support this luncheon.

~ Our next turn for Community Suppers is February 27. The Youth Group is providing the meal. The Fellowship will then provide the meal in April.

~ President Dot mentioned that her Lions Club will be having their annual Valentine’s Dance on Saturday, February 9th at Oronoque Country Club and all are welcome. The cost is $50 a person.

~ Our next meeting will be on February 3rd after church to discuss upcoming events. We will have a pot luck lunch and play cards or games.

~ Thursday, February 21 Covered Dish Luncheon hostesses are Mabel Buttress and Marsha Piper. Devotions led by Rose Vars. Program to feature Dr. Kathleen Harper, speaking on “Women’s Heart Health.” Bring a covered dish or pay $7 at the door. All women and men of the church are invited to attend this meeting. Just sign up on the bulletin board in church or call the church office and say you’re coming.

Christian Ed is back in full swing after a Christmas break.

Here are some dates to remember.

February 10th at 2:00 pm there will be tryouts for the CE performance of "Footloose". There are many roles to be portrayed and if your child would like to sing - they must be prepared with a verse of a pop song at the audition. If they are going to dance or read - they too will be given a chance to show their talents. There is room for everyone in the production and we hope all will participate.

Feb 10th at 6 PM will be the kick-off meeting for our confirmation class. Parents and children who are being confirmed in June or would like to retake the class need to attend this informational meeting. The date and time of the classes is currently being determined and will be printed in the bulletin - so keep an eye out for it.

April 27th is the date set aside for our kids to put on their performance of "Footloose". Please leave your calendars open. Time to be determined and put in the bulletin.

Other info:

We would like to send a very belated thank you to John Rossi & Carol Dunn for donating a beautiful new fixture to organize all our arts and crafts in. It has been such a time saver for the teachers. Thank you again!

Silver Lake - From Connecticut Conference News - in case you didn't see this.

Online registration for Silver Lake Conference Center opened yesterday, and by the end of the business day, nearly 100 young people were already scheduled for a week of learning and growing in the love of God, neighbor, and self. This year's offerings include opportunities for families, mother and child pairs, hikers, swimmers, workers, players, and those just looking to enjoy "God's back yard." http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=177

Golden Hill Community Suppers Program ~ December 26 volunteers: Wally & Ed Yeager, Ron Finizio and daughter Christina, Steve Pickens, Hank Parker, Marsha Piper, Rose Vars, Little Eagle Piper, Renate Krakovich and Carole & Allen Fanslow. We served ham with all the trimmings to 80+ first timers. Cost was $198. Many thanks to our great bunch of people that braved the snow and cold to help that day. Our next turn will be on Wednesday, February 27. Our Youth Group will be providing the food and assisting that evening.

Trumbull Interfaith Committee Wednesday, February 6 meeting at 7:30 p.m. at St. Theresa Church, 5301 Main Street, Trumbull.

The annual CROP Rally will be held on Sunday, March 10 at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Monroe—This will be a kick off for the 39th CROP Walk on Sunday, May 5 beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the United Congregational Church in Bridgeport. Our goal is $39,000 this year—Unity Hill always does a great job. Marsha Piper will again be coordinator for the walk. At this year’s walk, Danielle King will be one of the honorees being recognized for her long-standing commitment to CROP.

Connecticut Conference of UCC ~ Saturday, March 9 is sponsoring workshops “Leadership Matters” at the Congregational Church in Glastonbury. Save the date!

Janus Center ~ Caring for Youth in Crisis Needed: HOST HOMES! A Host Home is a family, household or individual who opens their home to a youth between the ages of 11-17 years old who needs temporary shelter, board and care. They offer a stable and caring environment; the average stay is less than 10 days. Certified Host Homes will receive a monthly stipend for child care. If you would like to know more information, please contact Dale Holder, Janus Center Program Director, at 203 367-8441 x 221 or daleholder@ccgb.org .

Hunger Outreach ~ Coordinating Area Feeding Initiatives Needed: Non Perishable FOOD! H NGER ~ the problem can’t be solved without “U”!! Please consider renewed efforts in collecting non-perishable food items ~ If you’d like information on what kinds of food to collect or a list of feeding programs, call Byron Crosdale at 334.1121 x 249 or byroncrosdale@ccgb.org. To those who serve in community suppers and pantries all year long, our hearty thanks.

April 2013; CCGB’s Bridge Building Ministry will host the Annual Youth Conference for high school and college students. The centerpiece of the conference will be viewing the movie, A Raisin in the Sun, followed by dialogue and dinner. Topics to be discussed are Equity & Equality, Investing in the (your) future, Poverty – Housing, Work – Economic Opportunities and Education. Contact Richetta Joyner at richettaj@ccgb.org for more information. Time, Date and Location to be announced.