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

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Meetings This Week – May 22 - 29, 2022
Today -               Worship Services, 8:30 & 10:00 a.m.
                          Sixth Sunday of Easter
                          Rev. Timothy Haut preaching
                          Sunday School, 10:00 a.m.  (Vanilla Pudding Time)
                          Teen Issues, 10:00 a.m.
Monday -           Transitions Academy, 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
                          Warriors in the Community, 8:45 – 11:45 a.m.
                          Deacons Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday -           Exercise Class with Dale, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday -     Transitions Academy, 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday -         Soup Kitchen, Curb-side Pick-up, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
                          Horseshoe League, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
                          Sr. Choir Rehearsal, 7:00 p.m.
                           A.A., 7:00 p.m.
Friday -              Transitions Academy, 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
                          Red Cross Blood Drive, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday -            Worship Services, 8:30 & 10:00 a.m.
                          Seventh Sunday of Easter
                          Memorial Day Weekend
                          Rev. Timothy Haut preaching
                          Sunday School, 10:00 a.m.  (Memorial Day Activities)
                          Teen Issues, 10:00 a.m.
                           Fun Run to honor Joe Peluso, 1:00 p.m.

Birthdays This Week
Greg Lalikos, Kaaren Palmer (Today); Matthew Haut, Jayne Mather, Terrance Moore, Adam Brooks, Courtney Brooks (23); James Nastri, Ava Cunningham, Lynn Butkus, Steve David, McKinley Proulx (24); Melissa McNeely, Tammy Rae Putnam, Jessica Richardson, Robin Stickel (25); Cindy Layton, Carly Urban, Stephanie Wyzkowski (26); Noah Bavolack, Haley Grote, Emily Robbins (27); Katie Russell, Maura Carver, Bonnie Zwernemann, Abigail Farrell, Hanna Simpson (28).

Happy Anniversary to Bill & Grace Krick (24) and John & Donna Machold (27).

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL
Join us this Sunday School for a vanilla pudding treat and lesson! Classes are available for all ages; invite your relatives, neighbors and friends! We look forward to everyone joining our weekly adventures. Lessons will take place outside unless we have inclement weather.
 
SCHEDULE
Sunday, May 22 - Vanilla Pudding Time
Sunday, May 29 - Memorial Day Activities
Sunday, June 5 - World Ocean Adventures

NURSERY
Our nursery is open! Children birth through 3 years old are welcome. Our teachers, Lisa & Tony, are ready to greet your little one. We ask you to bring one or two toys your child can play with along with marked bottles and pacifiers, if needed. Currently very few toys are in the room for they have to be cleaned each week.

Teen Issues
Teen Issues continues to meet every Sunday 10:00 -11:00 a.m. Join us for fun activities, meaningful service projects, and building each other up in faith. This group is open to anyone in 9th-12th grade. All are welcome and we look forward to seeing you on Sundays! If you have any questions please contact Chelsea Chiappa Ehmke at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Deacons on Duty for May
Stu Palmer is Deacon on Call, Jane Syme is Sanctuary Rep and Marilyn Guffey has arranged  for Lay Readers and Flowers.

Family Fellowship Time
Please consider volunteering to serve coffee following our church services.  There are openings for March and April.  You may sign up on the Volunteer sheets in Fellowship Hall, on our website, or by contacting Kris in the church office.

Please Support our Red Cross Blood Drive ThisFriday—May 27th  
The Board of Christian Service is sponsoring a Red Cross Blood Drive here this Friday, May 27, from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  The need for blood is crucial.  There are only 14 people that have signed up to donate blood, so far, and they need at least 30 to meet their hospital goal.  They will be giving away Red Cross aluminum water bottles with stickers!
Please call 1-800-RED-CROSS today to make your appointment, or you can get the FREE Red Cross Blood Donor App!  Text “BLOODAPP” to 90999 or download it from the App Store!

The Christian Service Board is also looking for baked goods to serve our donors on Friday.  Please sign up on the volunteer sheet in Fellowship Hall or contact Joy Lootsma (860-581-0524 or  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or BJ Hopkins.

LET'S CELEBRATE!!
To commemorate Rev. Tim's 50th Ordination Anniversary, DRCC will be hosting two special events in the month of June. We hope you can join us as we celebrate his many years of ministry. You are invited to send Tim a personal note or card.
 
Sunday, June 5 - A Golden Jubilee Reception complete with delectable savories and sweets, will be held on Sunday, June 5 after both worship services. Be sure to join us in Fellowship Hall for this special gathering in celebration of our minister. During the services, words of appreciation will be shared with Tim. For more information or to inquire where help is needed, contact Elizabeth (203-430-1426) or Sybil at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
 
Saturday, June 11 - A town-wide picnic will be held on Marvin Field (across from the Sanctuary) from 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm. There'll be live music (Butter Jones), games, S'mores and stories about Tim! Come one, come all for an evening of celebrating our dear Timothy. Remember to pack a picnic supper, chairs and a flashlight. If you'd like to help, please call  or email Pam Garner at 860-304-9104 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Any and all help would be appreciated and you may contact  Pam Garner as noted above.

PRAYERS ARE NEEDED:  The unity of prayers from members and friends of DRCC mean so much to the recipients.   You may not know the names, but God knows their needs and circumstances as you lift them up.   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, but do get permission from the person before asking to add their names.

New Requests:       
People of Ukraine
Phyllis Carlton (Hospice Care)
Roger Cole (upcoming back surgery)
Rose (Fern’s friend)
Bobbie McKee (Aaron Manor)
Melanie
Family of Carole Seluke
Family of Harold & Marion Sumner
Bill West (Apple Rehab-Guilford)
Prue
Donovan’s dad, Wayne
Taryn (recovery from surgery)
Jeff Hostetler (home)
Lori Staib (heart)
Patty Unan (health concerns)
Kaaren (Covid)
Melissa & Guide Dog, Aron
Ron Garner (hip surgery)

Continued Prayers:
ALL Health Care & Essential Workers, First Responders
Everyone affected by COVID-19
Our troops, Veterans & National Guard   
Residents in nursing homes
Sarah                                    Sylvia Tiezzi
Suzette Bavolack                    Scott
Joel (healing)                          Bob Santaniello (Helen Rankin                        
Jen A.  (anxiety)                      Fred
Laurie Blair                             Travis (injuries)
Bhano Keshwala                     Ana R
Brian (fall)                               Abbie
Frank (heart)                           Jake Jacobsen                  
Alicia (lung cancer)                  Elizabeth C
Paul Egan (home)                    Baby Lucy
Clare                                      Art
Sue (breast cancer)                  Mike (cancer)
Nicole (cancer has returned)     Dick Adams 

Mary Larson (broken hip)          Kim W. (heart)
James Maund (cancer)             Dick Sherman    
Hazel (Jane Vieira’s mom)       Judy Roberts
Jim Gregory (at home)             Craig Larson
Rita (amputation)                    Diane Sexton  
Pelle Emanuelsson  (safety)  
Christopher (Cancer treatment) & his son Owen (1 r. old surgery for birth defect.)
The Lighty’s niece, Kathleen (recovery from brain tumor surgery)
Mason ( 9 yr. old, diagnosed with cancer)
Sharon (caring for elderly parents)
All those families grieving the recent loss of a loved one  
All those around the world, affected by natural disasters & political unrest

Long Term Requests:
Carolyn Wehr             Claire Rider
Debra & Louis            Ed Bushnell
Mark Bruscoe             Ruth Woodcock                       
Kathy Harper              Ben T                        
Marion Beemer           Jon  
Jerry Clark, Jr.            Dottie Davis
Noah Krebs                Mary Karam
Charlie                        Rev. Allen Humes
Lyn & Harry                Sybil
Kathy & Ron               Ed Judd
Ed Hemmann              Dale
Pat Downey                Conner
Charlie & Mary            Carrie
Chick Avery                 Carly
Lori Wilson                  Paul
Zachary                       Mark & Lorianne   
Keith & Joan                Kelsey Lindner (safe travels)

Middlesex Association Prayer Request for the Week of May 22nd    
The congregation of the Middlefield Federated Church recognizes the fatigue in the churches brought on by the pandemic and asks for prayers that the resurrection power evidenced in Jesus Christ will overflow into our churches giving them the needed strength, courage, and direction

Do You Love to Garden?
If you are free on Wednesday mornings @ 9:00 a.m., our church gardeners would love to have your help and expertise.  For more information, see Diane Brooks or Lorrie Morrow.  

Do You Want to Be a Pilates Woman?
We have room for two more church members to join our Tuesday morning exercise group, which meets in Upper Fellowship Hall from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.  Dale Litalien is the instructor and she incorporates pilates, aerobics, kick box, yoga and more, to keep our classes interesting.  You are welcome to come and observe a class to see if it is something you would like to do!  Please contact Dale at 860-391-2007 to learn more.

Fun Run
Join us for a summer kick-off event organized by one of our graduating seniors, Katie Roberts. This year’s Fun Run will be in memory of Joe Peluso, in honor of all his involvement with the youth and mission work he did with them. The “run” will be happening May 29th at 1:00 p.m., beginning here at church.  All are welcome to join in by running, walking, biking, scootering, roller skating, or whatever fun way you’d like to participate in one of the 3 routes we will have. We will conclude at the church with fellowship and treats. The “run” is free to all to participate, but if anyone would like to contribute, we will be doing a book collection of new or gently used books to donate to children. We hope to see everyone there!

2022 Men’s Hike – August 5-7  23Are Signed Up So Far!
THE SIGNUP SHEET IS UP IN FELLOWSHIP HALL     Here is the plan:
1.  If you plan on going on this fun-filled adventure, please add your name, email, and cell on the list before the end of May.  The lodge has allocated 30 beds and no more.  I must confirm the number of men attending by June 1st.
2.  Get a check for $170 into the church office by July 1st.  The check can be made out to DRCC, and on the memo line, write "Men’s Hike 2022".  The mailing address is:  DRCC, P.O. Box 246, Deep River, CT 0417
3.  Let's keep it simple this year.  Get your name on the list, write a check, and show up at the church parking lot on August 5th at 7:00  a.m.!
Yours in Service,
Bill Krick

Gifts made to UCC Ukraine Relief Fund will provide shelter, food, and other care to war refugees and internally displaced people.  All donations will be deposited into the International Disasters fund designated for “Ukraine Relief.” Your generous financial support will be used by our partners in the areas of greatest need. Checks may be made out to DRCC.  Please be sure to note “Ukraine Relief Fund” on your check in the memo section.

GIFTS FOR GRADS AND DADS!!
Be sure to purchase GL Scrip cards this month to celebrate Grads and Dads! Select from a large variety of gift cards as presents (Cabela’s, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Amazon, Target, Walmart, Stop & Shop, Dunkin', Dairy Queen and more). Also remember birthdays, anniversaries, or other upcoming celebrations. You buy a gift card & get the full value; the brand gives back, nothing extra comes out of your pocket; and, DRCC earns money. Plan ahead for only one order will be sent per month.
We also have Adams Gift Cards readily available each week in $25, $50 or $100 increments for your groceries or as gifts and DRCC earns 5% of the card value. See Elizabeth in the Fellowship Hall after the worship services or email Sybil at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to place an order; we can deliver in the local area. Visit the church website for more information: https://www.deeprivercc.org/events/fundraisers.html

Summer Vacation Time
Annetta will be taking a vacation for the month of August.  We will need a substitute to provide music for summer worship.  Would you be willing to volunteer, or do you know of someone?  There will be just one service each Sunday, and the person may choose to play the organ, keyboard or piano.  Please contact Kris in the church office (860-526-5045 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Youth Mission Trip
If you are interested in participating in this year’s Summer Mission Trip to Camp Bethel in Haddam, please contact Chelsea at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Camp Bethel has started a GoFundMe to help with cost for materials we will need for the projects.  See Chelsea if you would like to contribute.

Shoreline Soup Kitchen Needs Volunteers
The Soup Kitchen that serves curb side meals here every Thursday is in desperate need of volunteers to cook.  They are down by two teams.  Please come forward if you are willing to help with a team of 3 or 4 volunteers to prepare meals here on Thursday afternoons in preparation for the 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. pick-up time.  It may be just 3 or 4 times per year, depending on the number of volunteers.  (You must be vaccinated)  Contact Shirley Rutan for further information at 860-227-7724

Ye Olde Country Delights
In search of …..
· Baskets all sizes - clean & excellent condition
· Any new toiletries
· Jewelry - gently used or new
· Canning jars - 4 & 8 oz.
· Cache pots for planters
· Oriental items
· New baby items - boy/girl (not clothing)
· New hats, scarfs, mittens/gloves
· New books, games, puzzles
· New dish/hand towels
· New teapots/cookie jars
· Unique coffee mugs/French coffee press
· Skeleton keys - large (3-5”) plastic/metal
· Collectables - i.e. Snowbabies, Nutcrackers, Byers Choice Carolers, Anna Lee Dolls, Willow Tree Figurines
 
Since we make gift baskets out of all of these items for the Christmas Faire, they must be in excellent condition and clean for resale. Also, do you have Christmas presents that you can’t use? Country Delights can make them into gift baskets! Would like small toys/games, craft kits, candlesticks, and more! Contact Elizabeth 203-430-1426 for more details or bring in items to Sybil’s office.

Deep River Historical Society News

Deep River Historical Society presents REMEMBERING OUR WORLD WAR II VETERANS: The faces and personal stories of Deep River's veterans. Deep River sent 416 men and women; 85 families sent more than one son or daughter and 14 didn't come home. This is their story.
This new exhibit will open for the summer on Saturday June 4th, 1 to 4 pm.
We will be open every Sunday throughout the summer from 1pm to 4pm.
We will also be open Thursday mornings from 10am to 12 noon. Admission is free. Current Covid protocols will be in place.   245 Main St Deep River, CT
Questions ?  Call Rhonda Forristall 860-526-5086

The Strawberry Social Is Back!
Please join us on Sunday,  June 12th at 1:00 p.m.  Tickets can be purchased at the door for $7.50
There will be outdoor seating, if weather cooperates or takeout available.
The exhibits in the Stone House will be open and there will be Berry Raffle prizes!
Deep River Historical Society in the Carriage House 245 Main St.
Questions?   Call Rhonda Forristall at 860-526-5086

Support Group at Our Church

Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. – AA

Please note that the Shoreline Soup Kitchen is serving meal again. 

Curb-side pick-up from 5:00 -6:00 p.m. every Thursday.