Author: Caroline

We are delighted to extend a heartfelt invitation to each one of you to join our Church Choir. We believe that music has the power to uplift spirits, inspire worship, and bring our community closer together. We welcome individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and singing abilities to join us in this joyous endeavor.
 
Whether you have a trained voice or simply a passion for singing, we invite you to come and lend your unique voice to our choir. No matter where you are in your musical journey, we promise a nurturing and supportive environment where you can grow and develop your talents.

Rehearsals for the Church Choir take place every Wednesday at 7:00 pm in the Dimon Room and Sunday mornings at 9:15 am in our church sanctuary. These sessions provide dedicated time for us to come together, learn new songs, and practice as a unified choir. We understand that everyone has different commitments, so we encourage you to attend the rehearsals that best fit your schedule.
 
By joining the Church Choir, you will not only have the opportunity to deepen your connection to our church community but also form lasting friendships with fellow choir members.
 
If you have any questions or would like more information about joining the Church Choir, please feel free to contact me at nzabinski@gmail.com.

Much progress is being made this week with the Window Preservation Project. On the left, below, is a sash that was removed on July 31, 2023. You can see the deplorable condition of the sash. When the sash is removed in this shape it is very wobbly and unstable. The glass and the glazing is what give the sash stability and rigidity.  It appears that many years ago, during the replacement of some of the glass panes, the fancy decorative wooden moldings were cut out and replaced with solid wood.

The photo on the right shows one of our fully restored windows demonstrating how New Outlook Historic Preservation, the Swansea firm that is preserving our sanctuary windows, has fully repaired the decorative moldings of our original windows. This skillful improvement, along with the beads and jambs, makes for a stunning window.

Can you help us complete the windows project?

Many people have generously donated toward the preservation of the sanctuary windows. But we are still in need of some funding to complete all of the windows on the North and West facades of the sanctuary. A donation in any amount will be gratefully received. Some have chosen to fund the restoration of a sash through the donation of $7,500 toward a Named Memorial Window. Perhaps you and some others would like to consider jointly funding one of the remaining windows. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Caroline Jacobus or Sally Evans.

Long-time member of First Congregational Church in Bristol, Pat Pires, celebrated a century of birthdays on July 31, 2023 at Silver Creek Manor Rehab and Healthcare Center in Bristol. Beverly Larson, Sue Moreira, Sally Evans and Sandy Patterson attended the celebration and brought Pat the congregation’s wishes for health and happiness.

This year’s FCC Annual Craft Fair was a lot of fun and a huge success! The weather was absolutely the best that could be. Balloons and buntings were waving in the breeze. Every inch of space on the church lawns was filled with crafters and vendors who brought beautiful — and delicious — items for sale. This one-day only event — on Saturday, July 1 from 10am to 3pm — attracted a large turnout from both the wider community and the congregation. Those who were not working at the church’s plant, baking, and craft booths, or at the lunch-time grill, were coming in to have a look-see and buy. New friends and repeat customers stopped by for a chat and a lunch-time snack. Many, many thanks to all the hard-working volunteers who donated their time, their baked goods and craft items, their set-up and take-down efforts, their cooking skills, and their hours manning the booths. See you next year!

Birthdays are such happy occasions. When someone is so loved by the whole congregation, it is a joyous occasion. This past Sunday, July 2, 2023, was Marina’s birthday and everyone gathered in the DeWolf Chapel after morning worship to let her know how much we love her and appreciate her never-failing embrace of everyone she meets, whether she is serving the church or serving the wider community during the week at her job with a local nonprofit that cares for vulnerable populations. We hope you have a wonderful celebration and a year ahead full of adventure, curiosity, and loving relationships.

On June 8, 2023, Deacon Chair Bob Evans presented Thalyta Pereira with a scholarship award from the Deacons’ Fund. Thalyta is this year’s recipient of the FCC Mt. Hope Scholarship. Heartfelt congratulations!

Thalyta grew up in Brazil and moved to the USA with her family in the hopes of finding a better life and a better education. She has adapted to new cultures and languages, worked hard in school and volunteered with several community groups to show kindness, respect and a willingness to help those in need. While taking Honors courses, she has maintained an A average.

She has a passion to become a physician which started with a family diagnosis which challenged the entire family. She is determined to improve the healthcare system and to find more effective treatments and earlier ways to detect those who suffer from the disease which so affected her family. In addition to finding new treatments, she is focused on issues of equity in care and the many factors that prevent some people from accessing good and compassionate health care.

Thalyta plans on attending college with a major in biology in preparation for medical school and a career as an oncology physician. During college, she plans to participate in mission trips to support vulnerable patients, especially children, and hopes to work with Doctors Without Borders after completing her medical degree. FCC Bristol is honored to be able to help Thalyta fulfill her dream of becoming a physician and helping others.

June 4 was FCC Bristol’s annual celebration of the wonderful children in our church and in our Sunday School, as well as our appreciation for the many adults who serve as their teachers, for Lindsey Harrington who has coordinated the children’s spiritual studies all year long, and the seniors who are graduating. Ruth Fisher presented Andrew Damiano with a shawl from the Prayer Shawl Ministry, whose members knitted or crocheted a shawl for every graduating senior in the church.

It was the occasion, as well, for a Church Picnic with lots of balloons and terrific food — and cake, too! Members took the opportunity to catch up on all the news and to hear about summer plans.

In a stellar group effort, the members of the FCC Bristol Facilities Committee have replaced the deteriorating wood picket fence in front of the historic stone Guiteras House that serves as the church office and manse. Many hands made light work as some bought and cut the 76 wooden pickets and panels for the hefty posts. Others painted each piece — twice! — in the original forest green. Still others came to screw and nail all the pieces together. The only task remaining is to renew the railing along the steps.

Many thanks to Jim, Peter, John, Michael, Chuck, Ron and Caroline. Let me know if I left anyone out.