“THE

             BELFRY”

Huntington Congregational Church

19 Church Street

Shelton, Connecticut 06484

Phone - (203) 929-1223                              Fax - (203) 944-9448

Website: www.huntingtonucc.org                     E-mail:   hcc@snet.net

The Rev. Lucille L. Fritz, Minister

Bruce E. Hartel, Organist/Choir Director                                                                  

Kirsten E. Keith, Christian Ed Associate

Karen S. Boroski, Editor/Office Manager

Grace MacDonald        Seth Dallaire

Vicky Schoennagel      Andy Mahard

Barbara Supernaw       Shirley Brisch

Scarlett Taylor             Betty Ann Cea

Peggy Drotos               Gary

Harry Minot                 David

Jean Dalaker                Joe Caputo

Sal Tuttlolmundo         Karen Coté

David Yoder                Doris Roscoe

Bob & Ruth Johnston              Al Waters

Grant Petrosky                         Ralph Gainer

Fred BelBuono                        Jack Alessi      

Bob                              Tim Leonard

Herb Sullivan               Doug Henry

Dorothy Wilson                       Debra

Rose Carcova              Kim McCaw

Eugene Martin             Edward Carbo

Robert Nicodemus       Jacquie Mari

John Corsano               Tom Marrison

George Higgins                        Ann Verrilli

Kaden Mills                 Mary Glynn

Kate D’Alessio                        Penny Zaback

Rob VonGorton

Joe Sr. & Joe Jr. Casablanco              

Congratulations to the following couples who will celebrate wedding anniversaries in June:  

1        Marge & Ed Brighindi, Rob & Stacy Boroski

2        Suzanne & Mark Bracchi

3    Trish & Brad Wells

4    Joan & Joe Bloemen, Debbie & Ray Oppel,                            Amy & Schuyler Wells

6    Sheri & Mark Hatfield

7    Nancy & Emil Faber, Sheila & Bob Moseley       

9    Mary Jane & Bob Liddel

10    Barbara & Jim Connery, Sarah & AJ Bordos

12       Kim & Steven Adler

14    Karen & Bob Boroski

24    Patty & Win Oppel, Eleanor & Richard Warren

30    Priscilla & Fred Kunesch

The MAY Belfry Mailing fee was donated by the Parrelli Family in celebration of Lisa’s birthday (April 27^th) and her recent engagement.  CONGRATULATIONS!

Birthday Greetings to the following who will celebrate during the month of June:

1    Max Bracchi, Kaitlyn Kozlowski, Linda Rogers

2    Gary Morrison

   3    Rick Heiden, Walter Hempel, Mike Crawford

   4    Cynthia Viadella           

5       Rich Steinis, Samantha Bailey

8    Allyssa Verdicchio

10        Margie Mingrone, Terri Johnston                                           

11      Kevin Sands, Thomas Ryder

12    Judy Tucker

13    Jason Mitchell, Gordon Bauer

 14    Andrew Fassbender

 15    David Ferris

 16    Rob Liddel, Roland Wehger

 17    Donna Bacchiocchi

 20    Rebecca Adler, John Krystopowicz

 21    Daniel Wells

 22    Kaitlin Patchkofsky, Joshua Wells,                                                     Matthew Zelanin, Eva House

 23    Suzanne Bracchi

 25    Suzanne Schlump

 27    Sandra Chandler, Ruth Stewart

 28    Nancy Passaro

30        Barbara Glynn, Lily Banks

Our Belfry workers numbers were small last month but faithfull! Those who prepared your issue for the mail were: Joan & Joe Bloemen and Fran DeLand.

If you can spare an hour or so, come and join our loyal workers in the library. The Summer Belfry will be mailed on June 24^th. We hope to see you there.

Church Council Highlights

 May 11, 2010                                                                       Sue Lindley

DIACONATE: Set for Confirmation Class.  Lucille’s vacation coverage is set. Lucille has formed a Caring Callers group. More are welcome. 

WOMAN'S FELLOWSHIP: The Vendor Fair made just over $800.

STEWARDSHIP: Stewardship doing Spooner House Meal in June.  Sending out pledge statements in May. We are about $10,000 behind on collections. CTCC Annual spring conference – Soren attended.  June 5^th will attend Stewardship Meeting in Hebron. Of the $1600 requested for payment of dues, so far we have collected $1391.

MUSIC: 6/6-Music Appreciation Sunday. Last time choir will sing until fall. Budget discussed.

MISSION: Olive Odell Blanket drive has started.  Sold cookies and cut-outs on Sunday - $21. In June the Strengthen the Church funding envelopes will be available.

BUSINESS: Hard look at budget. June 5^th clean-up day – rain date is 6/12. Rental properties discussed. More interest in using FH – Karen negotiating with the necessary parties. Barry Skinner continues to work on small projects around church. Barbara Parrelli & Rev. Lucille working on Karen’s contract. 

AUCTION: On schedule for donations. Working hard on registrations – 71 people have signed up thus far. 

CHRISTIAN ED: $177 from pancake breakfast.  Teacher Appreciation breakfast Sunday 5/16.  Mother’s Day the dad’s covered the classes. Sunday September 19^th will be all-church picnic. Vacation Bible School --6/28 through 7/1.  A friend of the church donated $450 for VBS. 

NOMINATING: Openings in Christian Ed, Business and Music.  – however, they still need 10 people to join in or they will have to cancel.  Rev. Lucille, Bob Sember and Amy Ricker volunteered to help.

SHYG: Car wash Sat. for mission trip. End of 2011 Gordon & Linda Harris will step down as leaders – effective June, 2011.  They are seeking replacements now to hopefully learn and be ready by June, 2011.

MODERATOR: Sheri will lead lay bible study class after church from 10:30 to 11:00 beginning in the fall. McLean Scholarship Fund discussed.

MINISTER: Confirmation set for 5/23. Robes are  paid for. 2 baptisms this week and baptism  June 27^th along with receiving new members. There are about 8 shut-ins at this time.  Rev. Lucille starting a divorce support group – it was requested. First meeting will be 6/3 at 7:30.  Will now be having 9^th grade for Confirmation so there will be no class next year.  Hopes in the spring to tie them into the SHYG for projects.

From Our Minister…

Hi Folks!

It’s that time of year again:  SUMMER!  Can you believe it?  Time goes by so quickly!

Now, I know we have a lot going on in our lives, and, in summer, we seem to take a lot of time away from our homes. Even I will be away from July 20 through August 16! But, even when I’m away, I always make sure to keep my pledge up to date and to keep the congregation in my thoughts and prayers.  Do you think you could do the same?

Just because summer is here doesn’t mean that HCCUCC closes down. Just because summer is here doesn’t mean we don’t have church bills to pay.  Just because summer is here doesn’t mean people aren’t still in need of our thoughts and prayers. Just because summer is here doesn’t mean we can forget God. God never takes a vacation, and neither should we take one from God’s presence.

See you in worship this summer!

Peace,

Rev. Lucille

CARING CALLERS:  OUTREACH TO OUR SHUT-INS

The Caring Callers is a group of folks who have volunteered to call and/or visit our HCCUCC shut-ins.  If you would like to become a Caring Caller, or would like more information about this outreach, please contact Rev. Lucille.

Emergency Assistance Fund (EAF)

The Missions Committee would like to expand mission work within our community. With the assistance of Pastor Lucille, we developed the idea of the Emergency Assistance Fund. The purpose of this fund is to assist people within the Shelton community and/or our church community who have an urgent, unexpected need for financial assistance.

A candidate for emergency assistance can be referred by a church member to the Pastor. The Pastor and Missions Committee Chair-person will make a decision regarding the assistance requested.  Financial assistance will have an upper limit of $250. A designated check or gift card will be distributed in lieu of cash.  Monies for the fund will be collected monthly. The fund would have the ability to accumulate in a special account and roll-over into the following fiscal year. 

 EAF offering envelopes (yellow) will be available in the pews for collection on the first Sunday of the month, Communion Sunday.  The collection will begin the first Sunday of September. Please watch the bulletins for further information. We thank you in advance for your generosity in supporting this outreach effort.

Strengthen The Church Offering:  June 6
This special mission offering of the United Church of Christ supports these and other programs:
-Funding new church starts and invigorating existing congregations
-Nurturing lay and pastoral leadership
-Building youth and young adult ministries
-Supporting the God is Stillspeaking Ministry and its extravagant welcome for all within the United Church of Christ.
Please be generous!

~ MARK YOUR CALENDARS ~

RALLY SUNDAY BBQ

On Sunday, September 19^th the Christian Education Committee will hold an all-church BBQ to be held on church grounds and kick off the new church year. Keep an eye out for more information in our summer worship bulletins and Belfry.

Graduate Sunday

Graduate Recognition Sunday is scheduled for June 20^th during the morning worship service.

We would like to hear from graduates of high school, vocational school, and colleges (both under-graduate and graduate degrees). These adults & young adults will be recognized at the worship service. We will need the names for the Graduate Sunday bulletin and the summer issue of The Belfry.

Please call the office (203.929.1223) by June 7^th if you are/know of a graduate from our church.

Congratulations to Rob & Stacy Boroski on the birth of their son, Robert Aaron Boroski, Jr., who was born at 4:02 p.m. on April 26, 2010. Robert Aaron weighed 8 lbs 9 oz., 20 1/2 inches long. He has a big sister, Jocelyn, who is 3 yrs. old. His grandparents are Karen & Bob Boroski.

Congratulations to Tom & Jane Ryder on the birth of their son, Nicholas Daniel Ryder, who was born May 1, 2010. Nicholas weighed in at 8 lbs. 7 oz., 20 ¼ inches long. His big brothers are Matthew & Jonathan.

REV. LUCILLE’S PRAYER DAYS

Rev. Lucille’s prayer days will be Thursdays, June 10, July 8, and September 9.  Please let her know it you have any joys or concerns you would like her to lift up.

PLEASE NOTE CONFIRMATION CHANGES

In consultation with the Diaconate and our Christian Education Associate, Kirsten Keith, Rev. Lucille has decided that Confirmation will be changed from 8^th grade to 9^th grade.  Thus, the next class will officially start in the fall of 2011. However, preliminary activities will be held in the spring of 2011 for 8^th graders.   If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Lucille. 

Divorce Support Group

Interest has been expressed in the formation of a Divorce Support Group. The organizational meeting will be held on Thursday, June 3 at 7:30 P.M. This group is open to church members and non-members alike and is for both men and women. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Rev. Lucille.

 

4^TH GRADE REMINDER

COMMUNION TRAINING

Communion Training class will be held Sunday, September 12^th after worship service to all 4^th graders. Students who have completed communion training will join the congregation in a celebration of the Lord’s Supper on October 3^rd during the worship service.

If you have not taken this class and are interested, please see Rev. Lucille or call the church office at 203-929-1223.

MANY  THANKS

Many, many thanks to all those who helped out on the Women’s Fellowship Spring Vendor Fair! To all the women who baked, helped out that day, and/or came to show their support, we could not have done it without you. Thank you also to Merle Chase and Soren Ibsen for borrowing the sign from the firehouse and delivering/returning it and to Jim and Donna Bacchiochi for pitching in as well as being a vendor, too. The vendors who participated were pleased, and it all made for a great fundraiser!

                                                     Denise Melsenti

Our HCC Clerk, Barbara Parrelli, will be retiring at the end of 2010. If you are interested in filling this position, please speak with Barbara or Gordon Harris.

Thank You…

The Wells Family would like to thank our church family for their condolences, memorial gifts and moral support at the time of the passing of Gertrude Fair, mother and grandmother. Also, special thanks go to the kitchen crew, Rev. Lucille and Rev. Elliot Fair.

Sincerely,

Arlene and Royal Wells

PRICE INCREASE

Sunday Service flowers will now be ordered from City Line Florist with only a $10 increase and free delivery. The new rate is a flat $40 only. All flowers will be delivered on Saturday so they are fresh and can be enjoyed at home.

Judy Tucker, Flower Chairperson

VBS Sponsor a Meal:

OK, maybe being an astronaut isn't your thing but you like to cook.  We are looking for some volunteers to sponsor a meal for VBS.  This would entail preparing all or part of a meal for the children of VBS for one night.  That would be a huge help in our efforts to run a fun and God based program.

Children’s Sunday Rehearsal

Date:    Sunday, June 6^th

Time:    10:40 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

This will allow us to do a quick run through in the sanctuary.

Children’s Sunday will be celebrated on June 13^th and it is always such a special event in our church. Not only is each class responsible for the writing and presentation of some portion of the service, but the 7^th graders are presented with a New Revised Standard Bible, the children are presented with a pin/wreath/bar based on their attendance, and the Sunday School volunteers are recognized for their service. As an added bonus, it is also Robert Wilson Sunday.

Please join us on June 13th as we end another successful year of our children learning and growing in their faith.

Robert Wilson Sunday

Join us in Fellowship Hall after worship on Sunday, June 13th for an ice cream social celebrating Robert Wilson Sunday!!

As many of you know, each year, Gertrude Wilson generously donates an ice cream snack after service on Children’s Sunday. This tradition began in loving memory of Gertrude’s husband, Robert, who loved ice cream and children. Prior to Robert’s passing, Gertrude and Robert welcomed our entire congregation in June 1973 and 1974 to worship together on their farm and then have a picnic afterwards. Members even had the opportunity to learn how to milk the cows!

Summer Sunday School

  Class will be held in the church library every Sunday from June 27^th through August 29^th. 

 This program is open to 4 year olds through 5^th grade with older children always welcome as helpers. We are looking for teachers to teach this exciting program.  Please see the sign up in the alcove and/or speak to Kirsten Keith at 929-4225.

2010/2011 Sunday School Teachers

Please see Kirsten Keith, Mim Ferris or Christie Bailey to sign up to teach our amazing children. Teaching is a blessing to you and our children. Signups are for a one month commitment where you will focus on crafts, science or a surprise based on the weeks scripture lessons.

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP NEWS

GIFTS OF THE HEART

The Circles have completed and packed our “Gifts of the Heart” kits which will be brought to the pick-up station and then they will be delivered to Church World Service distribution center in Maryland.

Our grateful thanks to our members and friends who donated the much needed items that go into these kits. We know the folks that will receive them, either here in the United States or around the world when a disaster strikes, will be ever so grateful that you cared.

Thanks again from Material Aids Chairperson Shirley Bleston.

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE

Our Women’s Fellowship Gifts of the Heart mission project has been completed for this year.

The Circles with the support of our congregation and friends were able to complete the following –

            60 baby kits, 49 school bags, 198 hygiene kits

Thanks to Pat Tober for helping me transport these to the pick-up station at United Congregational Church in Bridgeport and again thanks to all for helping so many people and to know others really do care.

                                             Shirley Bleston,

Material Aids

From Our Parish Nurse…

LYME DISEASE

Most people who have Lyme Disease get over it quickly when put on a regiment of antibiotics.

The symptoms are vague and can be missed. They range from feeling of lethargy, fever, joint pain, terrible headaches and can mimic the flu.

The tell-tale red bulls-eye rash that indicates Lyme disease may or may not be present. It isn’t until other health problems occur that doctors tie it to Lyme disease.

For me this doesn’t seem good enough and recently a doctor from Milford CT has come up with ways to determine a more accurate way to test for Lyme disease in your blood.

It is extremely important to determine if you have been re-infected after you have had Lyme disease and were treated fro the disease a year or more ago. Human clinical trials are ongoing for possible Lyme disease vaccines for humans. There is a vaccine in use for animals.

So what is Lyme Disease? It is an illness caused by a bacteria. The bacteria is introduced to us by the bite of a tick. Deer ticks are one of the only kinds to transmit Lyme disease after a Lyme disease test. If it’s positive antibiotics will be prescribed. These are quite affective if the disease is caught early on.

If a tick is attached to you grasp it close to its head or mouth with tweezers. Roll the tick out slowly and steadily without twisting. Don’t squeeze the tick or use petroleum jelly or a match to kill it, these measures may cause it to burrow into the skin more deeply. Clean the area with soap and water. If some parts of the tick cannot be removed get medical help. And wait for the next week or 2 for signs of Lyme disease.

There are serious health issues related to Lyme disease. Neurological damage can appear as loss of balance, lack of muscle control. It can hasten and worsen dementia, blindness may also result in extreme cases. Lyme disease can interfere with nerve signals and make you see double or feel dizzy, and also cause arthritic conditions.

There is a major advance in detecting Lyme disease. Ticks that have been brought to a team of doctors over the years to sequence the

DNA of the specific bacteria that infects the bodies of Lyme patients. If the DNA matches, it is positive proof that the bacteria is in the body. The standard blood test looks for antibodies in a persons blood that usually indicate Lyme disease infections. But it takes 4-8 weeks for those antibodies to develop, and the test produces many false results.

The test is available now and is covered by all major health insurance providers except Aetna. The cost to the patient is the same as the co-pay for lab tests. Milford medical laboratories affiliated with the hospital, performs the test but so can any hospital or commercial lab that has DNA equipment.

Steps can be taken to reduce infestation on your property. Clear wood piles and debris. Use deer repellents. Prune for sunlight. Use barrier treatments around the perimeter of your property. Remove leaves at the end of the growing season.

Common mistakes like planting too deep and excessive mulch or roots can cause future issues. Check yourself at night if you have been in an area known to have deer.

Barbara Grisgraber, P.N.

t     t     t     t     t

    Stewardship Report

April                                              YTD

Church Expenses $14,562          Church Expenses   $96,039

Pledged Income:    $14,866          Pledged Income:    $63,181

Collected Income:  $14,020          Collected Income:  $65,635*

* Note:  YTD Collected Income includes $13,036 in 2010 pledges prepaid in Dec. 2009. 

Thank-you for your generous pledging and giving. 

If you are not up to date with your pledge, please try to catch up as we may soon be falling behind with collected income.

Your timely giving is needed so the church can pay its expenses on time.

CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS

~ LOOK AHEAD ~

June 4                 -Outdoor Movie night

June 13               - Children's Sunday

June 28-July 1  - Vacation Bible School

July 4                  - NO Summer Sunday School

July 11                - Summer Sunday School begins in library

August 29           - Last Summer Sunday School class

September 12    - Rally Sunday - 1st day of Sunday School

September 19    - All-church BBQ on church grounds

HCC will again be hosting VBS at our church from June 28^th - July 1^st  from 5:30-7:30 pm. This year’s theme is Galactic Blast.  We will go on a galactic ride to see all that God have created, all He has done, all that God is doing, and all that God promises to do.  Please be on the look out to sign up friends and family. If you have any questions please see Kirsten Keith—we'd love to go into outer space with you!!  Prices for VBS will also be less due to a very generous donation from a anonymous donation from a person who does not belong to our church.

VBS Helpers Needed:

Have you always wanted to be an astronaut? Then march on over and help out with VBS. We will need teachers and helpers. There will be fun for all ages. Please contact Kirsten Keith (929-4225) to join in the fun.

June 2010: Climate Changes

Written by Gloria Vicente

 

For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. II Corinthians 1: 5

There are a few "commodities" and "luxuries" our family had in Chicago which we no longer have, relatively speaking, here in El Quiche, Guatemala. For example, having access to potable water is not only a national problem, but for our area has been a years-long problem. The water truck drives down our street as early as 6 am every day of the week honking the horn and selling water. We buy our water this way. It is then stored in cisterns where the already murky water gets even murkier. Some days I wish I could submerge myself in Lake Michigan to bathe - and to be honest, I have never been interested in Lake Michigan, but now I miss it!  

Having access to potable water is not only a social problem but also an environmental one. There have been mild droughts each of the recent years, but in the past year throughout most of Guatemala and much of Central America, there was no rainfall whatsoever. Now the government has officially announced a severe drought. The drought destroyed most of next year's subsistence maize (corn) crops, and the cost of maize has increased astronomically. Not only is there a lack of food for the upcoming year, but this has created a serious economic hardship for most families. While historically, many rural residents have been internally displaced, or uprooted from their communities due to colonialism, the 36 year old armed conflict and the recent mining business, now many are being displaced due to grave environmental changes. Yet there is something impressive about an organization like Guatemalan Cultural Action (ACG) which has a staff so committed and dedicated to improving the lives of each person in the community, even while living with their own economic hardships.

Pray with me, giving thanks to God for the Guatemalan Cultural Action (ACG). May God bless you and your family in everything you do to support me and my family and the ACG.  I humbly ask for your continued prayers.

Gloria Vicente serves through Global Ministries with Guatemalan Culture Action (ACG) as a youth and communication worker.