Announcements

• Helping those in Texas in the Wake of Extreme Weather

  A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Texas after days of extreme weather, power outages and food and water shortages. These crises will exacerbate poverty and food insecurity.

  Donate now to one of the organizations below to support our neighbors in Texas.

  www.feedingtexas.org - Focusing on the current food shortage in Texas, Feeding Texas focuses on emergency food relief.

  www.austinecho.org - This organization focuses on those who are homeless.  They are also partnering with state, municipal and other non-profits to provide aid and assistance.

  www.bridgehrc.org   The Bridge is a Homeless Recovery Center for individuals without a home in Dallas County.  The Bridge offers basic needs services including hot showers, nutritious meals, and haircuts, as well as intensive services such as physical and mental health evaluations and care management services for over 800 Guests every day and night shelter for 300 Guests each night.

  CWS (Church World Services) Texas Disaster Response  The CWS Domestic Disaster Program team is closely coordinating with local partners in Houston. Our top priorities will be helping families put food on the table and pay housing costs.

• Joining Us for Worship Online

  Please join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 10 am.
  You can connect for this online via Zoom until further notice.

  Connection information is available on our Home page (see "Worship").

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

  YouTube, Recorded - View prerecorded worship services and musical features with no log-in necessary.

  YouTube, Live Streamed - Coming soon!

  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 and Bible Study use Zoom, a meeting software that allows for us to join together and see each other. To join via your computer or smart phone, you can find the connection details on our Welcome page.

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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.

• Got [old] Sneakers?

  

  Do you have old athletic shoes lying around you've been meaning to get rid of? Are they still in wearable shape and without holes? If so, you can turn them into food for folks struggling right now, and also help others have decent shoes!

  Evan Carlson, a senior at Shepaug, is collecting used sneakers for his Senior project. He sends the sneakers to GotSneakers.com, an organization which distributes the sneakers to those who need shoes here in the US, and is using the funds raised through the sneaker donations to help stock the shelves of Camella's Cupboard in New Milford.

  There are 2 ways to donate your used sneakers. There is a collection bin at the High School that says "Got Sneakers?" or, if you're local, Evan will pick them up. You can contact him at carlsone2021@region-12.org for pick-up or more information.

• Covid-19 Vaccine Registration for Those 55 and Older

  As more and more vaccines become available to new groups of people, it's important to stay up-to-date on the latest developments.  That is where registration comes in. 

  The State of CT Department of Health is offering Coronavirus vaccines through authorized locations, according to the state plan.  Click here for more information on the plan.  Here you can find the order of various groups of people prioritized to receive the vaccines first.

  Beginning Monday, March 1, people 55 and over (including previously announced age groups) are also now eligible to receive vaccines in addition to those under Phase 1a and the beginning of Phase 1b. You can click here to locate a place near you where you can schedule your vaccines.

  Or if someone you know is 55 or older and lack computer access or knowledge can also call 877-918-2224 during weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  You do not need to register if you have other options for getting the vaccine, such as through your current medical provider.

• RECYCLE Those Sensitive (and other) Documents Safely

  Save the Date -Community Shredding Event

  April 24, 2021 9am-1pm
  Rear Parking Lot, Bryan Memorial Town Hall

  A truck will be in parking lot until 1pm. Shredding helps protect agaist identity theft AND reduces volume in the waste stream.
  Open to all residents.

• Give to the Jewett Fund for Silver Lake Scholarships

  

  Silver Lake Registration Time is Here Again!  But this year to allow for an in-person experience at camp AND take safety precautions because of the pandemic, Silver Lake conferences will be 2 weeks this Summer.  While Silver Lake does what they can to make it more affordable for anyone to send their children to camp, it is still a financial hardship for some and even more this year with the 2 week program.  Please help our kids who cannot afford to grow at camp for a week this summer by contributing to our Polly and Jack Jewett Fund.  Each year, this fund helps to offset some of the cost for our kids to continue to experience God in our world through lively and engaging programs, amazing social opportunities as well as spiritual growth.

  You may send your check to First Congregational Church, attn: Polly and Jack Jewett Fund, PO Box 1285, Washington, CT 06795.  Or place a check in the Sunday offering with "Jewett Fund" in the memo line.

  To hear more about Silver Lake, visit the Silver Lake website. 

• Silver Lake Registration is Still Open

  Conference registration opened in Januaryand brochures with all camp conferences are already available online!  Those who have attended in the past have probably received their brochures already.  If you are new to Silver Lake and will be going into 4th and up, you are elible to attend.  Click here for access to the new summer camp brochure!

  Conferences include subject matter for every interest!

  Silver Lake Conference Center, 223 Low Rd., Sharon
  
  http://www.silverlakect.org
  Registration: http://www.silverlakect.org/register