A Letter from Blue Grass:  The Joyful Feast
August, 2019
Rev. Timothy Haut
Deep River Congregational Church

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Today -          Worship at 10:00 a.m. Live Stream & In-person (25 only)
Monday -       Transitions Academy, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
                      Deacons, 7:00 p.m. (Zoom)
                      EDA Meeting, 6:00 p.m. (May meet Outside or Zoom)
Tuesday -      Transitions Academy, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
                      A.A. Meeting , 7:30 p.m. (May meet Outside)
Wednesday - N.A. Meeting, 7:00 p.m. (May meet Outside)
Thursday -    Transitions Academy, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
                     Soup Kitchen Open for Curb Side Pick-up Only, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
                     A.A. Meetings, 7:00 p.m. (May meet Outside or on Zoom)
Friday -         Transitions Academy, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday -     Women’s A.A. Meeting, 8:30 a.m. (May meet Outside or on Zoom)
Sunday -       Worship at 10:00 a.m. Live Stream & In-person (25 only)

Happy Birthday!
Arlene Macmillan, Michelle Roise (Today); Kristin (Deming) Luddy, Keith Taylor, Michael Roise (23); Kyle Deming, Kevin Kruszewski (24); Acacia Bowden, Rick Morrow (25; Kathryn Hageman (26); Kathy Alsop, Roger Moore (27).

Advent is Coming . . .
Next week we begin a new Church Year with the coming of Advent.  It will be a different season this year as we live under the shadow of the pandemic.  But there will be old traditions, and perhaps new ones, to help bring light to the season.   

New Member Sunday, December 13th
We will be welcoming new members on Sunday, December 13th.  It will be done virtually, since we have discontinued in-person worship until further notice.  Please contact Kris in the church office if you would like to become an active or associate member of the Deep River Congregational Church family.  860-526-5045 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Stewardship Update
As of today, we have already received 141 pledge cards amounting to $192,615 in pledges for 2021.   There is a large number of family units or individuals who have not yet responded.  Please consider pledging for 2021.to support our beloved church.   Very important:  if you contribute online or by automatic deduction, you still need to send in your 2021 financial commitment. We do not want to just assume you’ll be giving the same.  
If you misplaced or never received a pledge card, you can download one from the homepage at www.deeprivercc.org  along with Tim’s Stewardship letter.

Shoreline Soup Kitchen Offers Thanksgiving Meals
In accordance with guidelines from health officials and for the continued safety of our guests and volunteers, our Holiday Dinner held annually on Thanksgiving Day will be offered this year as curbside take-out meals.  A traditional holiday meal with "all the fixin's" will be available for pick-up at Grace Episcopal Church, 336 Main St. in Old Saybrook from 12:00 p.m until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25th

Deep River Soup Kitchen Needs More Volunteers
Shirley Rutan needs a few volunteers to help with our Thursday night meal site.  She needs a couple people to be in charge of teams.  While we continue to deliver meals remotely, teams are only responsible for the salad and dessert.  All other food is provided by SSKP.  Teams only cook 4 times a year.  Contact Shirley at 860-767-8295 M-F, before 3 pm and at 860-227-7724 any other time.

Hello Church Family! Ye Olde English Christmas Faire News
We, the Faire committee, have decided that it is important this year to provide some sort of Faire to bring cheer into our lives, and as one of the biggest fundraisers we do, we would be remiss to not do anything! The Faire will be online.  Our online shopping will go up Dec 3 - 5th. On the 5th, which would be our usual faire weekend.
We are looking for baked goods, candies, knitted and sewn items, etc.  If you don't craft we would appreciate any donations such as wreath decorations, containers for flowers etc, ribbon, and especially auction items!
Please feel free to contact Andrea Chiappa, Jane Hamblett, Kelly Frazier and Bess Ensinger for information at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Elizabeth Root and Sybil Higgins are looking for items for baskets for the upcoming Virtual Christmas Faire.  The have put in a desperate plea for 4 and 8 ounce jelly jars, unused toiletries, and new children’s games.  Items can be dropped off at Sybil’s office door during office hours, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Attention All Knitters
We have received a request for knitted prayer squares – the small squares with a cross knitted into it.  Contact Donna Sheldon for more information.  Patterns are available in the church office.

Copies of Tim's book, A Deep River Year: People, Passages, and Promises are also availble in the office.  Thye are $19.95 each and Tim will be happy to autograph them for you!

What Can I Do?   BE A PRAYER PARTNER!
Please use these lists to hold up these individuals, whether you know them or not….and please contact Kris Lindner (860-526-5045 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if you know someone in need of prayers from the faithful.  I would also appreciate it if you would keep me informed of any changes in the prayer list (any deletions, additions, change in status, etc.

New Requests:
Our nation
Debi Ziobron (back surgery & COVID)
Steve & family (health issues)
Jessica (second time hospitalized with COVID)
Mary (health concerns)
Prayers on behalf of the veterans and their families who are affected by the steam pipe explosion today at the West Haven VA center here in Connecticut
Kathie W. (health concerns)
Family of Philip (Fern’s cousin)
Andrea (eye)
Irene Johnson-Martha’s mom (COVID)
Lori Wilson
Gail

Continued Prayers:
ALL Health Care & Essential Workers, Scientists  
Everyone affected by COVID-19
Safety for ALL who are back in school
Those experiencing grief in the loss of a loved one
Victims of Natural Disasters: fires, tornadoes, storms  
Our troops around the world &  Our National Guard                           
Dr. P. Huded                           Bobby
Jim Rankin                             Celia
Nicole Peterson                      Barbara Bruch                       
Peg                                       Scott & Amy                                              
KR, KL, & JH                         John Roberts                               
Dave Warner                          Mary Roberts                                                 
Suzette Bavolack                   Kaycee                                                                                                     
Anthony Saglimbeni               Vickie & Travis                                                                                                    
Robin’s friend, Martin              Ryan (still needs prayers)
Matthew Vallandingham          Sara (high risk pregnancy)
Debra (Knee replacement)       Monique
Linda & Bill Masterson            Louisa Rudnycky
Meredith                                Alyssa (brain surgery)
Davis (hospital)                       Richard (tests)
Wilbur (Hospice care)              Ken (Hospice care)
Lorraine                                  Bev Coulter
Family of Nan Anderson          Louis Phinney
Carrie (serious infection)          Patrick
Mary Rayner (Home)               Charlie Rayner, Jr.
Kelly LaFaille                          Ed Bushnell
Savanah Grace (brain surgery)
Nancy Peluso (continued recovery from knee surgery)
Lori & her daughter (Lori’s brother & 2 kids)
Katey Taylor(expecting twins-on bedrest)
Eric (motorcycle accident & mom Claire)

Long Term Requests:
Rev. Bill West           Bob Groth, Jr.                  
Mark Bruscoe           Ruth Woodcock                       
Carolyn Wehr           Ben T                        
Marion Beemer         Jon  
Jerry Clark, Jr.          Dottie Davis
Noah Krebs              Mary Karam
Tom Lindner             Cathy Fremut                  
Adam                       Ann & David
Darcy & Ken             S (cancer)       
Lyn & Harry              Sybil
Steve Thomas           Ed Judd
John Bach                Ed Hemmann
Carol  Zuppe             Danny H
Rev. Allen Humes      Pat Downey
Trudy Harding            Kathy & Ron
Rob Rankin
Andrew & his mom, Alicia     
Alison, Chris, & Paul Karam                                              
Mark & Lorianne Griswold   
David Johnson (aggressive chemo)
Scott Misner (awaiting heart transplant)

Middlesex Association Prayer for Nov. 22nd
As we the people of the Churches of the Middlesex Association celebrate thanksgiving in various ways and places may we be filled with gratitude for the immeasurable blessings God has lavished upon us.

Christian Service News:  Red Cross Blood Drives
There is a critical need for blood, especially during this pandemic.  The Board of Christian Service will keep you informed about local drives.  Please consider giving the gift of life.
1) East Creek Landing, Wednesday, Nov. 25; 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. 390 South Union St., Guilford,
2) American Legion, Monday, Nov. 30; 12:45-6:00 p.m.,16 York Ave., Niantic, CT
3) Lutheran Church of Madison; Tuesday Dec. 1, 8:30 a.m. -5:00 p.m., 9 Britton Lane, Madison,

Christian Service Giving Tree
Our Giving Tree for this year will be a little different.  This year we have 5 families. Traditionally we provide 3 gifts per child on our list.  This year we will be working with Gift Cards only. This would be 30 gift cards.  We are suggesting from Amazon, Target or Walmart in $25.00 or $50.00 increments.  We are encouraging the purchase of these cards from Jane or Elizabeth.  The ages of the children range from 2 months to 17 years.  We would also welcome Gift Cards from Adams for the families. Please return the purchased cards to Kris in the office by December 11th.  A Christian Service member will pick them up for distribution.
Thanking you in advance!
Board of Christian Service

Virtual Sunday School
A reminder to all Sunday School parents to log in each week to access DRCC’s virtual curriculum. Sybil uploads new lessons weekly which are put in folders (with dates) for parents and students to download the materials and watch the video. The link below never changes so bookmark it in your web browser for easy access!
Click here to access our Virtual Sunday School lessons!
All are welcome to be part of our Sunday School, near or afar. If you wish to join in our virtual lessons, contact Sybil at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

UNICEF - LAST CALL FOR DONATIONS
There is still time to donate to UNICEF! The days of the little orange collection boxes are no longer, well at least for this year. UNICEF has made it possible for on-line donations. I downloaded the link to the Church website (under Learning, Sunday School), plus Facebook, and gave three options for those who wish to participate, to include bringing in your handmade box to the church with the collection by November 15, mailing a check to the church or clicking below on the link to make a donation into DRCC’s Virtual Collection Box which will ensure DRCC’s UNICEF account will be credited. Whichever way one chooses, lets keep the spirit going by supporting one of our church's favorite and longest running mission. https://kpop.ukp.io/charities/tot/donation/form?hash=dXNlcklkPTUxMDYwMSZ0ZWFtSWQ9NTEyMTEmY2hhcml0eUlkPTEmdXNlck5hbWU9RGVlcCBSaXZlciBDb25ncmVnYXRpb25hbCBDaHVyY2g%3D&charity-app=TOT20&charity-type=DonationForm

The Great Turkey Hunt
All kids are invited to join us on Sunday, November 29 at 11:15 am for the Annual Sunday School Great Turkey Hunt at DRCC. Find a Golden Turkey and win a gift certificate!!  Rain date is set for the following Sunday.

AMAZON SMILES
IF YOU SHOP AMAZON, THEN HELP SUPPORT OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL……AND YOU’LL MAKE US SMILE!
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way to support our Sunday School program at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll still get the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to our SS program!
SIGN-UP IS SIMPLE!  Go to www.smile.amazon.com. If you have an Amazon account, sign-in. If you don’t, create an account and sign-up - it only takes a minute. Once signed in, choose your charity! Type in First Congregational Church Deep River and start shopping! Contact Sybil at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions.

GL Scrip Announcement
'Tis the Holiday Season in uncharted waters.  Still the spirit of Thanksgiving and Christmas can survive despite  COVID -19 .  It just means that all of us need to be more creative and mindful about how we celebrate.  This is a time that gift/ shopping cards might be safer since many of them can be used for online shopping. As always it does require a little bit of planning ahead.
For your convenience, Elizabeth and Jane will submit orders every week during November and December up until December 21st.  In these uncharted times, your help with the church budget is more needed than ever.  We will be submitting an order on Monday,October 26th.  If you should have questions, please don't hesitate to call Jane (860-575-1535or Elizabeth ( 203-430-1426). Thank you.

 

 

 

Support Groups at Our Church in Lower Fellowship Hall

All meetings below are able to meet outside, but may not come into the church for any reason.

Mondays at 6:00 p.m. - EDA
Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. - AA
Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. - HVN
Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. - NA
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. - AA   (Zoom Meetings)
Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. - Women’s AA (Zoom Meetings)

       Shoreline Soup Kitchen is now offering Curb-Side Pick-up Every Thursday, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.