Announcements

• Soldier Boxes - Donations needed by FRIDAY, August 23

  "The Town Hall Gang" sends two boxes to military personnel stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan every week.  One box is for personal care items and the other is for food items.  They send to a variety of troops - some with connection to people in Washington and others are total strangers.

  Our Soldier for Friday August 23, 2019

  SGT Patrick M. Hogan
  Attn: Any Soldier®
  NATO ROLE 3 MMU
  APO AE 09355

  14 Aug 2019:

  Soldier's Title: Trauma 1 Team Lead
  Added here: 14 August 2019
  Expected to leave Afghanistan: 11 Mar 2020
  Contact for approx number of Males: 10, Females: 2
  Unit is from: North Carolina

  14 Aug 2019:
  Hello,
  We are an airborne unit from North Carolina. We are currently stationed in Afghanistan. We are stationed with Navy personnel in a NATO hospital. It is not my first time deploying but we have many new soldiers and anything I can do to help keep their morale high is worth it. We have electricity on this base, we have a laundry service provided from the local population, we do not have the ability to cook our own food but have military food provided (any types of food and snacks to remind us of home would be appreciated!)We do have the capability to refrigerate and freeze but items like that will most likely be spoiled by the time they get here. I am representing my squad because we are separated from the rest of the battalion and often get forgotten by them based on our location. Socks are always appreciated but the army only allows black or "coyote" green. We are a medical team so anything to help further our medical knowledge (books, flash cards, games) would be awesome. Our lieutenant is a huge cheddar munchies fan. One of the female soldiers needs a blanket. Many of the soldiers like to work out and go through protein powder fast. Thank you for all your support, anything to help these new guys out is greatly appreciated!

  ********************************
  The team normally packs for shipment on Friday evenings upstairs in Town Hall. Items can be dropped off weekdays at the Town Hall in Bryant Plaza.
  Please place items in the upstairs room next to kitchen.
  Contact Denise Arturi if you have any questions about the program or items in found on a weblist of troops requesting supplies.
  Also, for shipping purposes, any canned food should be small.

  For more information, contact Denise Arturi:  860-868-2880
• Blessing of the Backpacks, Students, Educators - Sun, Aug 25
  

  On Sunday, August 25, our 10 am service will include a Blessing of the Backpacks, Students and Educators.  For this ceremony, we ask that all children and youth bring their school backpacks to church so that they may be blessed for inspired work during the coming school year.  Educators of all sorts are included, too, so come!  And bring your friends so they can start a blessed new school year.

  The kids will be having some water balloon fun, too, so be sure to have them dress in clothes you don't mind them getting wet in.... and a towel is a good idea!
• Still need servers and fruit for Loaves and Fishes - Aug 29

  Our next Loaves & Fishes service date is Thursday, August 29.  Food drop-off is on Wednesday, Aug 28 and Thursday, Aug 29 by NOON.

  We are still in need of 12 servings of fruit (apples, oranges or bananas) and a couple of servers - including a L&F certified team captain (3:15 - 6 pm).

  The sign-up list is online.   Or... you can contact Dick Connor with any questions.
• Annual Joint Labor Day Worship Service with Salem Covenant Church

  WHEN:  Sunday, September 1 at 10:30 am
  WHERE:  River Walk Pavilion behind the Washington Primary School

  at the pavilion behind Washington Primary School - Rain or Shine! Join us as we break bread with others in the greater community. Rev. Linda Williams will lead the service along with Pastor Robyn. Again this year, we will be blessing the work we do and the tools we use for that. Bring one of yours that is lightweight and portable - either one of the primary tools you use or something that is symbolic of that work: laptop, date book, smart phone, hammer, backpack, etc.

  This year we will also share a time of fellowship with our friends at Salem after worship! If you are interested in bringing food or other items, please let Robin McHan or the Salem Church office know by Thursday, 8/29th. See the list below for options.

  3 Plates of Sandwiches, 10 to a plate, cut in halves
  Cold Cut Platter
  3 Plates of Cookies or Bars, 2 dozen per plate
  Fruit or Fruit Salad
  Pasta or Potato Salad
  Veggie Platter and dip
  Large Water Jug/Dispenser – Michael Gorra
  3 Cartons of Iced Tea or Lemonade
  Pkg of 50 Paper Plates
  Pkg of 50 Paper Cups
  Napkins
• Remember the WATER! (Sunday, Sept 8)

  Don’t Forget the Water!

  Over the summer, in whatever place you go to recharge (experience Sabbath), remember to save some water in a bottle.  From a lake, a stream, an ocean, or your kitchen tap!  Be sure to label it and save it in a safe spot to bring along on Recovenanting Sunday, September 8, for our annual “Mixing of the Waters” as we begin another year of exploring and celebrating Sabbath together.

  Mark the date on your calendar so you don’t miss the service and also the annual “Last Gasp of Summer” picnic afterward.  ENJOY!
• Last Gasp of Summer Picnic - Sunday, Sept 8

       You saved your water... or you didn't and you will be bringing tap water as a stand-in for your summer vacation location.  But have you thought about the picnic after our annual "Mixing of the Waters"? 

       Our deacons will be hosting this picnic and will have the grill fired up to cook an assortment of meat and veggie burgers and hotdogs for us.  But we all need to bring the sides, salads, snacks, and desserts for the buffet table.  So gear up for this fun event. 

  The Sunday-Schoolers will be doing their second annual mixing of the sands after they are dismissed from the Meeting House.  For those unfamiliar with this, it is some fun sand art to represent their classroom and keep on display throughout the year.
• 2019 Walk to End Alzeimer’s in Litchfield, Sunday, Sept 8

  Ceremony @12:30/ walk begins 1 pm

  http://act.alz.org/goto/WashingtonGeriatricsConsultingLLC

  Join the team of our new office tenant, Sara Guillemette and Washington Geriatrics Consulting on this walk to raise funds for Alzeimer’s research. Or you can simply make a donation online. Donations via the link above can be as low as $10.00.

  The individual donating can request confidentiality OR be detailed as either a business OR as an individual. Donation amount can be tagged “confidential”.
• A Farewell Concert for Jesse

  All are welcome at this concert to bid Jesse Ofgang farewell as he leaves for a year-long master's program in bagpipes at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. This concert will celebrate his passion for Scottish and Celtic music. It will feature Jesse with several guest musicians on a variety of instruments.
  Free admission
  Donations will be accepted at the door

  Click here to download flyer
• "Paris to Pittsburgh" Tues, Sept 17 at 6 pm
  

  Join members of First Congregational Church and Washington Environmental Council at a screening of a new National Geographic documentary, "Paris to Pittsburgh", which captures what's at stake for communities around the country due to climate change and the inspiring ways Americans are responding.

  WHEN:  Tuesday, September 17 at 6 PM
  WHERE:  Gunn Memorial Library

  This event is free and open to the public.  Please click here to download flyer.

  The film screening is generously provided by Interfaith Power and Light with sponsorship from Bloomberg and Radical Media.
   
• All are invited… to a reception to honor First Selectman Mark E. Lyon

  Mark has decided not to run again for First Selectman. A reception to honor his many years of service to the Town as First Selectman and his many other contributions to the Town in various roles is planned for…

  WHEN: Friday, September 20, 2019, 4:00pm – 6:00pm
  WHERE: Bryan Memorial Town Hall, Washington Depot, Connecticut

  Please RSVP to: Selectman's Office
• Trivia Night... Saturday, Sep 21

  

  Individuals and couples are invited to play with us on
  Saturday, September 21

  Book your table now!!  We fill up fast!

  The First Congregational Church of Washington,
  is holding a 4th annual TRIVIA NIGHT to benefit
  the Loaves and Fishes Hospitality House in New Milford.

  The game will consist of up to TWELVE TEAMS of 5-6 people.  Each team will contribute $100 to play.  That amounts to $20 or less per person for a night of fun and challenge.  There will be other opportunities to contribute, too, with a 50/50 raffle.

  Teams will bring refreshments and arrive between 5:45 and 6:15 for check-in and getting everyone seated.  The game will begin at 6:30 pm.

  We are currently accepting registrations for teams.  If you want to play but don’t have a team, contact us and if we get enough "rogues", we will make a team of it.

  Please contact Karen by email or phone 860-868-0569 as soon as possible if you are interested in participating as a contestant or if you wish to help out as volunteer.   To download the flyer, click here.
• Memorial Service for Matthew Kraft - Sept 28 at 1 pm
  

  Dear Family and Friends,

  A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 28th to honor and celebrate the life of our Matt.

  The service will take place at the First Congregational Church of Washington (6 Kirby Road, Washington, CT 06793) at 1:00 pm.

  The service will be followed by a gathering at the Bryan Memorial Town Hall (2 Bryan Plaza, Washington Depot, CT) to share memories, stories, enjoy the company of one another, and to have a bite to eat.

  We are asking for you to send us your memories, stories of and with Matt, thoughts or quotes/sayings to be included in a Memory Book we are compiling for the service. Please email to Roxanne at rkraft78@aol.com. We welcome all of your memories so they can become part of ours.

  In lieu of flowers donations in honor of Matthew Charles Kraft can be made to: the Semper Fi Fund or “The Town Hall Gang”.

  Semper Fi Fund donations aid the wounded, critically ill, and injured service members of our nation and their families (website: semperfifund.org).

  “The Town Hall Gang” is a group of dedicated individuals in Washington, CT who started a service project to support our troops. It has involved the shipment of over 1,500 care packages to 550 servicemen and women in the Marines, Army, Navy, and the Air Force serving primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan. Donations cover the cost of postage and the purchase of supplies. Checks should be made out to “The Town Hall Gang” and sent to Town Hall Gang, c/o Town Clerk, P.O. Box 383, Washington Depot, CT 06794. If you would like to be on an email list with details of weekly needs or if you have a name of a serviceman/woman deployed who could support boxes, please contact denise.arturi@charter.net.

  Please share this email with others who knew Matt and would like to join us in this special celebration of his life.

  With love and deep gratitude,

  The Kraft Family,

  Roxanne, Greg, Ashley & Eric DeVos
• Have You Completed Your SURVEY?

  The past couple of weeks, we have been asking members and attenders to complete a relatively short survey that includes feedback about all aspects of our church life.  If you have not gotten one yet, you can CLICK HERE for your copy.

  Please complete and return to the church office or Pastor Robyn by 6-30-19, if possible.  Late submissions will be accepted but please... as soon as you can.
• Path to Membership
  

  We would love to have anyone interested in becoming a member attend a luncheon after service on September 29 in the Parlor, hosted by the Deacons and Council. We will discuss the workings and structure of the church as well as Member status and expectations, so you can decide if you would like to officially join.

  On October 6th, we will have a New Member Sunday for anyone who attended the Orientation to stand up and declare Membership through a short Invitation and Response.

  It’s painless, really, so bring your questions and your curiosity and come and see what we are all about.

  Please RSVP to the office BY May 29th….  (860) 868-0569 or by email

  Trish Grinnell, Moderator