Congregational Meeting – Oct 1
As most of you are aware, our aging HVAC system is on its last legs and in need of replacement; there is concern that it might not make it through the winter. The Board of Trustees will present their proposal for replacement to the congregation for approval at a brief meeting following worship on Oct.1st. Be sure to stay and participate in this important discussion. We will also consider at that time officially joining RISC as a member congregation.
As most of you are aware, our aging HVAC system is on its last legs and in need of replacement; there is concern that it might not make it through the winter. The Board of Trustees will present their proposal for replacement to the congregation for approval at a brief meeting following worship on Oct.1st. Be sure to stay and participate in this important discussion. We will also consider at that time officially joining RISC as a member congregation.
How was your summer? Come and share some time with other women at the church on Saturday September 16th. We will begin at 9:30 a.m. with snacks and conversation, followed at 10:00 with a business meeting to plan a variety of activities for the year including the Anniversary Celebration, Holiday Bazaar, Harvest Dinner, Christmas luncheon, early preparations for our CARITAS week in February, and other projects that people may propose. Hope to see you there!
We have been invited to a joint retreat with the Women’s Fellowship from St. John’s UCC. This will be Nov 3–5, 2017 at Kiptopeke State Park, on the southern tip of the Eastern Shore. Check in on Nov 3 (Fri) will be mid to late afternoon; the retreat will conclude with Sunday morning worship on Nov 5. Program planning is still underway; anyone interested in participating in program development is invited to a planning meeting at St. John’s on Saturday, September 23 at 11 AM.
Men’s Fellowship
The Men’s Fellowship has been busy over the summer; check out the newly refurbished church office! This month’s Men’s Fellowship breakfast will be on Saturday, Sept 16th, 8:30 AM at Shoney’s, followed by setup at the church for our 30th Anniversary celebration.
We have been invited to a joint retreat with the Women’s Fellowship from St. John’s UCC. This will be Nov 3–5, 2017 at Kiptopeke State Park, on the southern tip of the Eastern Shore. Check in on Nov 3 (Fri) will be mid to late afternoon; the retreat will conclude with Sunday morning worship on Nov 5. Program planning is still underway; anyone interested in participating in program development is invited to a planning meeting at St. John’s on Saturday, September 23 at 11 AM.
Men’s Fellowship
The Men’s Fellowship has been busy over the summer; check out the newly refurbished church office! This month’s Men’s Fellowship breakfast will be on Saturday, Sept 16th, 8:30 AM at Shoney’s, followed by setup at the church for our 30th Anniversary celebration.
Want to learn more about RISC? Abbie Larink, RISC Lead Organizer, will present an orientation after church on Sept 24 to explain the unique listening and research processes that drive selection and implementation of projects, provide updates on their current initiatives (jobs training pipeline for hospital staffing positions, reading program for Henrico and Richmond schools, mental health intervention program for Chesterfield County Schools) and outline how we as individuals and a congregation can participate.
We are also looking for 1-2 volunteers from our current RISC network members (or anyone interested in joining) to serve as team leaders for our congregation, host a house meeting in the next month, and coordinate the initial steps to build a justice ministry network at First UCC. Please contact Gail Christie or Dotty Bedard if you are interested in this.
We are also looking for 1-2 volunteers from our current RISC network members (or anyone interested in joining) to serve as team leaders for our congregation, host a house meeting in the next month, and coordinate the initial steps to build a justice ministry network at First UCC. Please contact Gail Christie or Dotty Bedard if you are interested in this.
HOLIDAY BAZAAR PLANNING UNDERWAY
Our annual Holiday Craft Fair and Bazaar will be held on Saturday, Nov 11 from 9 AM – 2 PM.
The mass vendor mailing has gone out, and registrations have already started to arrive. If you know of a crafter you would like to invite, please see Gail Christie for registration materials. Volunteers will be needed for a variety of tasks, including publicity, set-up and clean-up, bake sale and food concession sales and assistance during the bazaar. We will need staff and donations for our two merchandise tables: the Olde Curiosity Shoppe, with gently used gift items, and a church craft table. Mark your calendars now – and start looking for (or making) items to contribute! Contact Gail to volunteer (or if you have ideas to contribute!).
Our annual Holiday Craft Fair and Bazaar will be held on Saturday, Nov 11 from 9 AM – 2 PM.
The mass vendor mailing has gone out, and registrations have already started to arrive. If you know of a crafter you would like to invite, please see Gail Christie for registration materials. Volunteers will be needed for a variety of tasks, including publicity, set-up and clean-up, bake sale and food concession sales and assistance during the bazaar. We will need staff and donations for our two merchandise tables: the Olde Curiosity Shoppe, with gently used gift items, and a church craft table. Mark your calendars now – and start looking for (or making) items to contribute! Contact Gail to volunteer (or if you have ideas to contribute!).
Sunday, October 29 CROP Walk
Everyone is encouraged to help us raise money for hunger action and heighten awareness of the issue by participating as a walker or sponsor in this year’s walk.
Last year First Church walkers raised an astonishing $5092 – the most we have ever raised, and by far the most of any participating congregation in the Richmond walk. Let’s see if we can’t do even better this year! You can sign up online to walk (or participate as a “spirit” walker and just collect pledges), or donate to one of our walkers or make a general donation to our team. See Gail Christie if you have questions.
www.crophungerwalk.org/richmondva
Everyone is encouraged to help us raise money for hunger action and heighten awareness of the issue by participating as a walker or sponsor in this year’s walk.
Last year First Church walkers raised an astonishing $5092 – the most we have ever raised, and by far the most of any participating congregation in the Richmond walk. Let’s see if we can’t do even better this year! You can sign up online to walk (or participate as a “spirit” walker and just collect pledges), or donate to one of our walkers or make a general donation to our team. See Gail Christie if you have questions.
www.crophungerwalk.org/richmondva
The VA PrideFest 2017 will be held Saturday, September 23rd, from 12-8pm on Brown's Island. This free day of festivities features a variety of vendors, local food, activities, and entertainment for the LBGTQ community and their straight allies. We will share a booth at this event with St. John’s UCC to make folks aware of our congregation and to promote our commitment to diversity and equality for all. Volunteers will be needed to staff shifts during the day (12-8 PM) and to prepare an updated church brochure for distribution. Please sign up on the sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Room or contact Gail Christie.
