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 only
Monday -       Office Closed - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
                      EDA Meeting, 6:00 p.m. (Zoom)
Tuesday -       Transitions Academy, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
                      A.A. Meeting , 7:30 p.m. (Zoom)
Wednesday – Transitions Academy, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
                      N.A. Meeting, 7:00 p.m. (Zoom)
Thursday -     Transitions Academy, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
                     Soup Kitchen, (curb site pick-up only), 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
                      A.A. Meetings, 7:00 p.m. (Zoom)
Friday -         Transitions Academy, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday -     Women’s A.A. Meeting, 8:30 a.m. (Zoom)
Sunday -       Worship at 10:00 a.m. Live Stream only

Happy Birthday!
Nicholas Van Wyngaarden, Cassidy McCormick (Today); Larry Graves, Jr., Shelby Olson, Melissa Symonds-Alsback (18); Stephen Bibbiani, Charles Johnston, Wendy White, Jenna LaMonaco, Erin LaMonaco, Corallina Giuliano (19); Joe Campos, Melanie Norris, Donna Zanardi, Melina Roise, Alix Walmsley (20); Matthew Nastri, Kelly Hyatt (21); Carly Callahan, Nathan Zirlen, John Kollmer, Sr., Marion Stiehl (92 years young!) (22); Renee Curry, Travis Gahran (23).

Offering Envelopes
For those who requested offering envelopes for 2021, they are now available on a table outside the church office.  You are welcome to come and pick them up during office hours.  They are arranged alphabetically, so they are easy to locate.  There are also extra unassigned boxes available.

Volunteers Needed for February and March
The Deacons are seeking volunteers to be Lay Readers for Sunday worship.  Also, if you have a special celebration coming up, or you would like to remember a loved one, you can honor them by donating flowers to church for Sunday worship.  You can sign up on the church website, or contact Stu Palmer at 860-301-2011 or Kris in the church office at 860-526-5045 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Annual Reports from Boards and Committees Due in February!
The Annual Meeting is coming up in March, which means I will need to collect reports from all the Boards and Committees of the church to prepare the 2020 Annual Report.  If you were a Chair or Secretary of a Board or Committee, you will need to submit a report for January-December of 2020.  I have copies of  last year’s annual report if  you need an example to follow.  Reports should be submitted no later than February 26th!  Thank you, Kris  (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) Please get them in ASAP, while 2020 is still fresh in  your minds!

New 2021 Boards and Committees
Please contact the church office ASAP with information on your meeting dates for 2021, your officers, and your Council Representatives.  Thank you so much.

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.

Great Gift Idea!
Copies of Tim's book, A Deep River Year: People, Passages, and Promises are available in the church office.  They are $20.21 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
Carly
Audra & Sylvia (Audra passed away this week)
Joe & Nancy Peluso  
Clair Rider
Tom S. (Beginning radiation)
Ernie Rolfe
Tori’s friend, Jamal
Susan (recent hospitalization)
Family of Chris Christensen (Lori Gregan’s dad)
Bob (Fern’s friend) – in rehab now
Bob Santaniello (pneumonia)
Tim N. (Surgery successful-rehab in VA)
Heather (strength and hope)
Connie (Lisa Ross’s Aunt - COVID)
Devin (Carol’s grandson – COVID)
Family of Rev. David Johnson  (passed away on Monday)*
Rose’s sister Eliane is recovering at HOME!!
Janice
Tiffany Kuba (graduation from Springfield College)**
Michael Rudewicz (deployed to Washington, DC)***

*I received an email on Tuesday evening from Lyla Johnson in New Hampshire.  Sadly, she let me know that David passed away on Monday.  He had been receiving aggressive treatments for cancer.  David served here as an intern with Tim in 2011- 2012 and was hired as Minister of Visitation in 2013.  He often conducted services here when Tim had vacation time, until he moved to New Hampshire to be near family.  Prayers for strength and comfort for his wife, Lyla, and the rest of his family.  If you wish to send a card, their address is 308 Springbrook Circle, Portsmouth, NH 03801

**I heard from Pam Kuba this week and she is happy to let us know that her daughter Tiffany received her BS from Springfield College in December 2020 Cum Laude Major in Psychology and Minor in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies.  She will pursue Graduate Degree in Clinical and Mental Health at Springfield and is working PT as a Crisis Counselor.

*** Pray for Michael and all of the sons and daughters that serve our nation.

Continued Prayers:
ALL Health Care & Essential Workers, Scientists  
Everyone affected by COVID-19
Our school children (in school & remote)
Those experiencing grief in the loss of a loved one
Our troops, our Veterans &  Our National Guard                           
Dr. P. Huded                           Bobby
Jim Rankin                             Celia
Nicole Peterson                      Steve & family
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)
Sara (high risk pregnancy)      Lori Wilson
Linda & Bill Masterson           Louisa Rudnycky                                 
Davis (hospital)                      Wilbur (Hospice care)           

Ken (Hospice care)                 Sari Sherman
Lorraine  (leukemia)                Bev Coulter
Louis Phinney                         Lori Wilson
Carrie (serious infection)          Family of Gil Bartlett
Gail                                       Linda Hostetler (at home)
“S”                                         Richard (Rippy) (Heart)
Kathy Welch                           Andrea (eye)
Patrick (recovery)                    Bill & Grace                             
Ed Bushnell (Apple Rehab)      Fran Pitts (Aaron Manor)
Dick Morrow, Sr. (Rick’s dad) Carrie (blood disorder)
Lori & her daughter (Lori’s brother & 2 kids)
Eric (motorcycle accident & mom Claire)

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

Middlesex Association Prayer for January 17th    
As many of the churches of the Middlesex Association will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday on Jan. 18, the prayer request is that our congregations will work with vigor for racial justice and the end of institutional racism.

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 for parents and students to download the materials and watch the video. The following link 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 our next Sunday School Zoom Meet, contact Sybil at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request the link.

Silver Lake Summer Registration opened January 15!
Learn more about Summer 2021, camp at Silver Lake, view the summer brochure, and register for camp at www.silverlakect.org/summercamp  Brochures are also available on the table outside the church office.

The Board of Christian Service is encouraging everyone, who can, to give blood.  
There is a dire need.  Here is the latest information on local January Red Cross Blood Drives:
01/21/2021 | 08:30 AM - 05:30 PM - St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 31 Main Street, East Haddam
01/22/2021 | 12:00 PM - 05:00 PM - First Congregational Church, 26 Meetinghouse Lane, Madison
01/28/2021 | 11:00 AM - 04:00 PM, First Church of Christ, 366 Main Street, Old Saybrook

 

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
There are some changes to the GL Scrip program for the winter.  After Christmas,  one order per month  will resume.  After the holidays, shopping cards for your own personal needs will still be needed and friends and relatives will still have birthdays, anniversaries, and other celebrations.  So, remember that you can earn money for the church by ordering cards from the GL Scrip program .  For the months of January through March, Sybil Higgins will be coordinating this program.  You can call her or Elizabeth to order cards.  Be well and be safe.

Relatives in Indiana? Traveling to Indiana?
If you have relatives in or you travel to Indiana then DRCC needs you! We have two $25 Family Express Convenience Store gift cards that were shipped to us in error from GL Scrips and they can not be returned. Contact Elizabeth or Sybil if you are willing to purchase. 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.