A Note from the Moderator.......

I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8)

The first thing I want to do is say a heartfelt, “Thank You!” to my entire church family.  I feel your support and strength as I embark on a new journey here at First Church.  I was born into this Church Family and throughout my entire life have been blessed by the great leaders, teachers and nurturing congregation here at First Church.  There are some awfully big shoes to fill from our past Moderators, and I pray that God will guide me to fill those shoes.

We have had many challenges lately, mostly financial ones.  One change that has started the change in the direction of our outlook is Pat Quinnett has volunteered to be our Treasurer.  She has been working very hard to bring clarity to our financial situation.  Another amazing event has been the support of several individuals (you know who you are J) stepping up and giving money when we have been desperate.  Between Pat, Marsha, Dennis, myself and our church office, we are attempting to increase the communication and knowledge available to the whole congregation.  Please let us know if you have any suggestions to help with this process.

I am so blessed to be part of such a inspirational group of people.  It appears that we are all looking forward to an exciting Fall and Christmas season.  This is one of our most active and eventful seasons of Faith.  I am sure looking forward to what the future brings.

God Bless, and thank you all!

Kristin

PS…HAVE YOU THANKED A COUNSIL MEMBER TODAY?  ;-)

Welcome New Members!

Betty Jean Reid

James Wappler

 Remember in our Prayers:

Greg Pohl

Pastor Pamela

Missions

YOU can help with ihelp!

Jean Behrens

IHELP! is a traveling homeless shelter supported by many churches in our area. On the second and fourth Monday of each month the members of First Congregational Church of Tempe act as hosts and provide a safe place to sleep for thirty five men and women.  Some of the people have part time jobs or are students at ASU, MCC or a culinary school.  All of them are appreciative of the safe place to stay.  Many of them need help with basic hygiene items:

Underwear/socks

Deodorant

Shaving cream/razors

Tooth paste/brush/floss

Foot/body powder

Combs

Lip balm/sun block

Other items that make their life easier:

Heavy duty back packs

Heavy duty duffle bags

Belts and Hats

Shirts/Pants/Shorts

Large Cotton Handkerchiefs

Hand Towels and wash cloths

Cases of Water / flavor sticks

Items we need as hosts:

13 and 39 gallon trash bags

Soft soap refills

Toilet paper and paper towels

You can help out by bringing any of these items in with you to church on Sunday or drop them off at the office.  If you would rather donate cash and we do the shopping just look for Jean Behrens after church.  You are also invited to join us on one of these Mondays to help set up and distribute items and if you like sit down and visit with some of our guests.

      Vincentian Fresh Perspectives

Pat Quinnett

We have been very active with our First Church Mission’s St. Vincent de Paul volunteer project.  Our fearless leader Gabrielle (Gabby) Bova finds us about two families a month to work with.  In August though, we were cranked up to hyper drive with four families, three in one week.  They were smaller groups though so we managed just fine.  I want to give a huge thanks to Jean Behrens and Ellen Power, my shopping buddies.  You would think that we were having a competition to see who could find the best finds.  There isn’t a thrift store in Pinetop that Ellen and I did not scour.  Talk about great hunting in the mountains. J  Also, a special thanks to Betty Patton for all the decorative hanging pocket tapestries that she assembled.  I am so happy Dorothy and Jean Hall are back from vacation.  Just in the nick of time to add doo-dads to the tapestries.

We would love to have you join us.  We have an official meeting the third Friday of every month at Pat Quinnett’s house at 3:30pm.  After the meeting we usually go out someplace fun for supper.  We have several unofficial get together during the month as needed to cut, sew, assemble or just come up with new ideas.  This way we can always get together whenever two or more folks want to make something.  If you are interested just send Pat an email at patquinnett@yahoo.com and she will organize a get together.  If the project interests you and you want to help but just don’t have time we are always looking for donations of curtain rods, hardware, new/used bed pillows (for their stuffing) and cash for supplies.

See you in church on Sunday

FOOD BAG SUPPLIES

For the September Packing of food bags, these items are especially needed: meat/protein type of food, peanut butter, pudding snacks, crackers and plastic knives, forks and spoons. If you have some of the plastic wear from fast food places that maybe you brought home and didn’t use, or if you want to just donate some that would be great.  

 COMING UP:

 Women's Fellowship

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP will be meeting on September 15^th, in Prior Hall at 10:00am.  This meeting is the Planning Meeting for the year so bring all ideas and suggestions for programs, events etc. to this meeting.  It will be a Salad Pot Luck so bring your favorite salad to share.  Drinks and rolls will be provided.  The  Women’s Fellowship meetings are held monthly on the 2^nd Thursday and ALL women of the Church are invited to attend and enjoy fellowship with fellow members.  On August 9^th, over 50 lunch bags were packed for distribution to the homeless people of Tempe.  This is an ongoing project of the Women’s Fellowship and the Missions Board.  Bags are usually packed on a monthly basis.  All are invited to join in the project.  It is not too early to get your reservation in for the THEATER PARTY at BROADWAY PALMS DINNER THEATER in Mesa on November 26^th, the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  We have twenty seats reserved and need at least 15 attendee’s in order to get the group rate.  The production is Charles Dickens’, “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”.  The cost is $49 per person and includes tax and gratuity.  This is one of the 120 years anniversary celebration events, and the Church will receive about $5.00 per ticket provided we cover the group minimum.  Please let Dorothy Elkins know as soon as possible if you are planning to attend this event.  Reservations need to be finalized and paid by October 23^rd.

120th Anniversary Celebration/Christian Education

Pizza Party

Sunday, September 11th

Noon (or immediately following church service) until 2:00pm

Fun and Games for EVERYONE

Donation is appreciated

Snacks will be served while the tables are rolled out for the games. Pizza will arrive at 1pm. Exercise your voices! There will be singing led by our illustrious music director and if you’re brave, maybe you will sing some Karaoke! There will be lots of board games and a cake walk.

 LINKS...

Even though we at the United Church of Christ embrace our independence, it is nice to keep in mind that we are part of a large UCC family.

Are you interested in receiving information about what is happening in our Southwest Conference?  In the Loop with the Southwest Conference is available at uccsws.org.  Contact office@uccswc.org to be added to the email list. 

Did you subscribe to the free United Church News? An e-version is on line.  KYP or Keeping You e-Posted is accessible at webmaster@ucc.org.

The God is Still Speaking initiative offers a daily email devotional dailydevotional@ucc.org.