May Breakfast - May 1, 2013 - click photo for
details and additional photos
New members Don Szamier (L) and Jeff Cotrona (R) - April
21, 2013
Easter at First Church - click on image for additional
photos
On Sun. March 17, 2013, the Christian Outreach Committee of the
First Congregational Church of Meriden sponsored its eighth
annual food drive to help restock the food pantries at the
Meriden Soup Kitchen and at New Opportunities of Greater
Meriden. Seven years ago, a total of
173 lbs. of non-perishable food were donated by our
parishioners, six years ago 309 lbs., five years ago 419 lbs.,
four years ago 662 lbs., three years ago 790 lbs., two years ago
928 lbs., and last year, 903 lbs.
This year a total of 1078 lbs. was collected. Donated
food items were brought into the church sanctuary prior to the
worship service and placed in the chancel. Following the
service, they were weighed and then separated by appropriateness
for each of the two recipient agencies, and were then delivered
the following day. As part of the Food Drive this year, Boy
Scouts Troop 10, whose home is at the church, donated 121 lbs.
of the total.
At the Soup Kitchen (where three of our parishioners
volunteer), the number of meals provided continues to increase;
in 2011, it served 33,297 meals, and in 2012, it served 41,036
meals. On some days, well over 200 meals are served. For more
information about supporting the Meriden Soup Kitchen, go to
www.meridensoupkitchen.org
Troop 10
scouts completed a food drive on March 11, 2013 to benefit the
Meriden Soup Kitchen and the New Opportunities of Greater
Meriden Food Pantry. A total of 121 lbs. of non-perishable food
was collected. Great job!
The
Riverboat Ramblers
New Orleans jazz concert
featuring John Banker
was held on
Sunday, Feb. 17 at 3:30 pm.
Eighty-one patrons enjoyed
Mardi Gras excitement, top shelf jazz music, great eats and an
array of raffle prizes which produced a fun-filled event.
Hear them play
Boy Scout Sunday - Feb. 3, 2013 Boy Scouts Troop 10 and their leaders
participated in the church service on Feb. 3.
Scout members took up the collection, recited the scripture readings during
the worship service,
and provided refreshments following the service. Our thanks to them all for
their contributions.
New member Sunday - Jan. 27, 2013 (Left to right) Leah Wells, Meg Hamilton, Suzan Birt, Taylor Webb with
Pastor Bruce Miller
Christmas Pageant Dec. 24, 2012 - Click
on arrow to start (have your speakers on)
After the tragic shootings on December 14 at
Sandy Hook Elementary School in nearby Newtown CT,
Center Congregational Church and the First
Congregational Church of Meriden hosted a
prayer vigil on Saturday, Dec. 15 from
6:30-7:30 pm at Center Congregational Church, 474
Broad St. in Meriden. Pastor Bruce Miller and
Interim Pastor Phil Brocket presided. Everyone
was welcome - about 75 attended.
On Dec. 7, 2012, a Celtic Christmas with
the Morgans led by Tom Callinan
provided a rollicking evening of Irish music and humor to 81 attendees.
Click on photo for details.
Sixty
folks attended the annual Mercy Touch luncheon held after
worship service on Nov. 18. An update on the orphanage was
provided followed by a 13 minute video which included a
Christian video featuring several Mercy Touch girls and also
statements by most of the Mercy Touch children about their
education, career plans and what Mercy Touch has meant to them.
Then followed a delicious dinner featuring Kate’s chicken
(chicken breasts and stuffing with cheese), marinated green
beans, rolls and butter, assorted desserts and beverages. It was
a great event!
Fall Family Fun Day!
Oct. 14, 2012 - Click on apple for details
This
year promises to be full of new
traditions and activities.
I invite you all to come and be
a part of a growing program that
will be full of love, faith,
support, education and fun.
Please contact me to register or
to answer any questions.
Kristen Miller
Youth Christian Education
Director
203-314-5775
Karen selected as Counselor of the Year by
the YMCA Mountain Mist Camp.
Click for details, courtesy of the
Record-Journal.
Day of Caring - Sept. 12, 2012
Ten volunteers from Canberra Industries repair and repaint schoolrooms on
the third floor
Our thanks to them and to United Way of Meriden and Wallingford
This Sunday, Sept. 9 at 10:00 am, we welcomed back
all of our church family to the official start of a
new church year! Our music director and choirs
were back! Our Faith Formation Program for youth
got underway! There was a “Rally Day Picnic”
following worship service in Smith Hall! It
was
an exciting time to renew friendships and continue
along our faith journey at First Congregational
Church.
Ukulele Sunday - Aug. 26, 2012
The entire music for the
Aug. 26, 2012 service was performed by five ukulele players
(left to right: Mae Spooner, Roger Vandal, Peter Burch, Cindy
DeLauro and Bruce Burchsted) along with bass player Barry
Spencer.
Gathering music: This
Little Light of Mine, In the Garden, Morning Has Broken, and
He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.
Prelude: Amazing Grace
Hymn of Praise: Swing
Low, Sweet Chariot
Offertory: The Sparrow
(solo by Bruce Burchsted)
Offertory Response
Anthem: Over the
Rainbow/What a Wonderful World
Departing Hymn: The Lord
of the Dance
Postlude: When the
Saints Go Marching In (with energetic handclapping by the
congregation)
2012 Meriden Book Bag distribution on Aug. 21,
2012, sponsored in part by First Church
and Center Congregational Church. Click on photo for additional images.
The annual Music Picnic for
members of the Sanctuary Choir, Bell Choir and Music Committee
was held on Aug. 4, 2012 at the Burchsted home. Click on photo for
additional images.
Rev. John Clarke retirement worship service and
reception
June 3, 2012
You can view these photos in a larger size on our
Facebook page
