Announcements

• Joining Us for Worship - In person or online!

  We WILL be meeting in person on the Green this Sunday. 
  Click here for current guidelines.

  Please join us for worship Sunday at 10 am in Person*, on the Green, or online via Zoom or YouTube. 
  No matter who you are - or where you are - you are welcome here!

  Download the 10 am Worship Guide to follow along during the service.  It includes the order of service, reading, etc.

  * In person: Please bring a chair or blanket and separate family units by 6 ft.  And check our website, the Judea Weekly (Thursdays), or on Facebook for weather annoouncements that will move us indoors to the Meeting House.  Current guidelines apply.

  To join via your computer or smart phone:

  via Zoom
  https://zoom.us/j/598785427
  Meeting ID: 598 785 427
  Password: 572708

  To phone in (audio only): (646) 558-8656
  Meeting ID: 598785427#
  Password: 572708

  via YouTube, Live-streamed and recorded - Now you can attend our Sunday morning worship service via YouTube if you find that easier.  No log-in required to watch, but you'll need a Google account log-in if you want to post prayer requests.  Posted on our YouTube channel are also prerecorded worship services and musical features for viewing anytime.

  DAILY DEVOTIONAL - Daily at 9 am (Facebook)
  Pastor Robyn offers an online daily prayer/devotional via Facebook that includes a reading, a short reflection and song, and a prayer.  The devotional of the day can be viewed at 9 am on our Facebook feed.  Past recordings can be found in the videos section.

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  CONNECTION DETAILS

  Our worship services, Sunday School and Bible Study use Zoom, a meeting software that allows for us to join together and see each other. All connection details are also on our Welcome page.

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• Art in the Roxbury Meeting House - to benefit Simply Smiles

  

• Did you borrow any of these?

  Or maybe you happen to know where they are?

  Al has done an inventory in preparation for the Green Fair and we are currently missing:

  • Al's 4-wheel dolly used to move heavy items (especially the very heavy banquet tables)
  • 8-9 gold tablecloths (are they sitting on your laundry table?)

  
  Please return this week, or let us know when you can get them back, if you have them.  If you know where they may be hiding in the Parish House, please call or email with that intel as soon as possible.  Time is of the essence!

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  First Congregational Church | (860-868-0569  | admin@firstchurchwashingtonct.org

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• Green Fair Donations Now Being Accepted

  Our Green Fair is BACK!  Save the date: Saturday, July 10, from 9 am - 2 pm. 

  Donations are now being accepted, including items for tag sale, nicer things that can go into the boutique or silent auction, small furniture (except no upholstery, bed frames, mattresses, computer desks, entertainment centers or large exercise equipment), women’s accessories (includes scarves, jewelry, pocketbooks and hats), and books published in the past 10 yrs, preferably. The books go into the entryway of the church building and all other items can be left in designated area of the church hall between 8 am and 4 pm, M-F. We ask that all items be in good or great condition and no electronic items be donated, please.  Nothing broken or missing pieces.  Click here to download a flyer.

  If you have something and not sure if it falls into any of these categories, give the church a call at 860-868-0569, or email us.

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• Music on the Green - begins Fri 6/11, 6:30 pm

  Beginning 11 June, we’ll be co-hosting a weekly summer music series with our wonderful neighbor, The PO restaurant.

  If you enjoy a variety of live music in an outdoor setting, this series is for you! The PO will be offering pre-packaged sandwiches, salads, treats, and soft drinks for sale. Look for the list of artists to be released soon, then mark your calendars for Fridays and meet us at the PO.

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• Memorial for Hansel Sterling Crosswell Collins - 6/27, 2 pm

  Hansel Sterling Crosswell Collins

  August 31, 1921 – April 23, 2021

  On April 23rd, 2021, Hansel Sterling Crosswell Collins, loving husband and father of nine, passed away at the age of 99.

  Hansel was born on August 31, 1921, in New Works, Westmoreland, Jamaica. Hansel came to the United States during WWII, under the Farm Workers Program to help large growers who were experiencing a shortage of farm labor. He went back to Jamaica when the program ended in 1947. He returned to the United States in 1948, settling in New York City where he lived with his aunt.

  Hansel was introduced to his future wife, Alicia, by his aunt and her mother. At the time Alicia was still living in Jamaica, so they started writing to each other in the spring of 1954. Hansel returned to Jamaica and they were married on October 31, 1954. In 1955, Alicia came to the United States, they settled in Bridgeport, Connecticut and started their family; Leater, Hansel, Norman, Marie, Tracy, and Tony (adopted). During that time, they also participated in the foster parenting program.

  With a growing family, they needed more room, so they moved to New Preston, Connecticut in June 1968. Hansel got a job working as a night father at Glenholme school. He left the school and started working for Arthur Potter, a local dairy farmer. He sang in the choir at The First Congregational Church of Washington on the Green. Joseph was the last child born to the family, and two other foster children, Lloyd and Linda, were adopted shortly after that.

  Hansel retired, but later enrolled in and completed a program at the Carroll Center for the Blind, in Newton, Massachusetts. There he learned to work with woodworking power tools. He set up a woodworking shop in his basement and started making wooden utensils and bowls. Hansel and Alicia also ran an organic herb and vegetable farm and a bed and breakfast.

  Hansel is preceded in death by his parents David and Rachel, his three siblings Percy, Estel and Delcie, niece Jennifer, nephew Danny and son Lloyd. He is survived by his wife of 66 years Alicia, 8 children, 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

  In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Hansel’s name to:

  Carroll Center for the Blind
  770 Center Street
  Newton, Massachusetts 02458

  or:

  The First Congregational Church of Washington
  6 Kirby Road
  Washington, Connecticut 06793

  A memorial service/celebration of life will be held on Sunday, June 27, at 2:00 PM
  at the River Walk Pavilion in Washington, CT.

  Download PDF version of announcement.

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• Latest Newsletter - Judea Journal June Issue

  The June Issue of the Judea Journal is out!  Click here to download the current issue.  If the direct link does not work for you, you can go to www.firstchurchwashingtonct.org/resource_center Judea Journal archive.  The current issue will be at the top of the list

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• How we decide if weather will move us us into the Meeting House

  Here’s how we'll decide if the weather will move us into the Meeting House for in-person worship.

  On Thursdays, Pastor Robyn will check the National Weather Service forecast for that Sunday.
  Plans for where we will gather will be posted as announcements in/ on:

  • That week’s electronic Judea Journal and to the church’s website at www.firstchurchwashingtonct.org
  • Facebook (a notification pinned to the top of the news feed) at www.facebook.com/First-Congregational-Church-of-Washington-118422114837684

  In any case, if you prefer, you can join us any Sunday via Zoom or YouTube. See the next announcement or our welcome page for connection info.

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• Food Collections - Ongoing in the Parish House

  We know there has been a lot of requests for food donations lately but the need is real and continues at a much higher rate than in the past.  We appreciate the continued stream of donations that fill our shopping cart!  You can always drop off at our Parish House on weekdays.

  Ongoing Non-Perishable Food Bank Donations
  WHERE:  Parish House grocery cart at main entrance or bin outside if that door is locked.  Building open hours are 8 am - 4 pm, M-F.

  Drop off your MUCH NEEDED offerings of non-perishables such as lunch snacks, canned meats, gluten free foods, personal care items, etc.  Think good, healthy food (please check "use by" dates to be sure they are not expired).  Click here for more ideas.

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• Soldier Boxes for Friday, 6/18

  Thank you for supporting our Troops!
  There is a bin on the front steps of Town Hall marked for donations to the Town Hall Gang. Though they like to tailor our boxes to the individual recipients, there are certain items that are always popular. Click here for a list to assist you in shopping, if you decide to do so and in whatever way works best for you. If you would like to send a letter of support, please leave that in the box or email it to Denise Arturi.
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  Our Soldier for Friday June 18, 2021

  Jeffrey Johnson-Dean
  Attn: Any Airman®
  443 AES/SF
  APO AE 09333

  Added here: 10 April 2021
  Expected to leave Iraq: 01 Oct 2021
  Contact for approx number of Males: 11, Females: 4
  Unit is from: Colorado

  10 Apr 2021:
  Good Day everyone!
  My team of 19 are coming from a small Guard base, where it is a Space Mission. With the limited funds our unit receives from the installation, and they had to provide for another non-deploying mission. The Airmen I am leading was pushed to the wayside due to this mission and they were not provided with the necessary items.

  Many of our Airmen are first time deployers, and it's hard on them and their families. I am trying to do everything I can to give them the best experience and to show that we have people who care and have love for us.

  My biggest concern for my troops were adequate boots: https://extremeoutfitters.com/shop/footwear/boots/hiking-boots/zephyr-gtx-mid-tf-coyote-op-32207/ 5 size 8’s, 9, 9.5, 10, and 2 size 10.5’s.

  Eye protection: Gatorz Magnum Black Frame Smoked Polarized Lens | extreme outfitters, Gatorz Wraptor Blackout Frame Smoked Polarized Lens | Extreme Outfitters, Wiley X Twisted Captivate Matte Grey Frame Polarized Blue Mirror Lens | Extreme Outfitters,

  Knives: Benchmade 551BK-S30V Griptilian | Extreme Outfitters (THG Note: These are mini version )

  Bags: H.A.W.G.® 100oz Mil Spec Crux - Coyote | Extreme Outfitters (Town Hall Gang Note: I could not find at Extreme Outfitters. Here is another link.

  Gloves: Vibe Impact Glove on Sale | Extreme Outfitters

  Garmin: fenix® 6 - Pro Solar Edition - Slate Gray with Black Band | Extreme Outfitters.

  I have used this site in the past and it was great seeing all the support we received in care packages and the joy it brought to my troops. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
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  "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.
  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
  Thank you!

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