February 2016

The Cross & Flame
“Where the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and the Power of the Holy Spirit
converge to change hearts and lives.”
Monthly Newsletter of The United Methodist Church, Branford
PRAYER
“Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
– Romans 12:12
In This Issue:
From Pastor Kent
Worship Stewards
B-Days & Anniversaries
Happenings
Advisories
Sewing for God
Men’s Breakfast
United Methodist Women
Learn & Play
Special Messages
February Calendar
Just For Kids
Upcoming Events
So Much More…..
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Fall/Winter
Worship Schedule
Services are at
9:00 AM & 10:30 AM
every Sunday morning.
Church Office Hours
The Church Office is open
Monday through Friday
from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Next Cross & Flame Deadline
February 15 for March issue to get the
Cross & Flame out on time.
Romans 12:12 is one of the first Bible passages I memorized by my own
choice. In its simplicity it really encourages me to have a more complete
perspective on my relationship with the Lord.
I will confess that historically my prayer time quickly got to the “I need”
stage. But this verse encourages me to start with celebration. I make a
conscious choice to thank God and celebrate the hope that I see around
me and in the world. I also need the middle part of this verse. So often
when I see a need I want to fix it by doing something. I quickly want to
become active and involved. This verse reminds me to “wait upon the
Lord.” When I am patient I can see the real need and quite often I can
join the Lord in the solution which He is already working out. And then
there is that word “constant.” My prayer life needs to be continuous,
not momentary or sporadic.
How is your prayer life? Have you spent time working on your
relationship with the Lord to find a deeper connection? I encourage you
to memorize this verse and claim its truth for your life today.
And speaking of prayer … it is good for brothers & sisters in Christ to
join together. Please mark your calendars and plan to regularly attend
one of our monthly prayer meetings either on the 2nd Monday of each
month at 2 PM or on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7 PM.
Blessings, Pastor Kent
Weekly Sermons Now On Our Website
Thanks to the technology expertise of Roger Gagné and Bud Cochran, you
can go to UMC’s website to see Pastor Kent’s weekly sermons. Check out
the videos on www.umcbranford.org - follow the link.
Keeping God’s Time – Worship Stewards February 2016
Sanctuary Steward: Heather Mazzucco
(Early Worship Stewards Listed in Italics)
February 7__Fifth Sunday After Epiphany
Transfiguration Sunday
9 & 10:30 am
February 21-Second Sunday in Lent
9 & 10:30 am
Call to Worship: (Anne Jackson) Diane Komp
Lay Readers: (Daniel Gagné) Earl Lind
Greeters: (Adam Jackson) Rosemary Luzzi
Ushers: (Daniel Gagné) Adam Jackson, Don Robinson
Acolyte: Haley Mazzucco
Prayer Partners: Ken Schneider Don Robinson
Flowers: To the Glory of God
Fellowship Hosts: (Ruby Lawrence)
Diane & Bob Nerkowski, Gus VanDerMaelen
Call to Worship: (Emily Mazzucco) Bill Beagle
Lay Readers: (Haley Mazzucco) Linda Beagle
Communion Servers:
(Laurie Gagné) Jean & Bob Massage
Greeters: (Molly Mazzucco) Larry Appleton
Ushers: (Adam Jackson)
Molly Mazzucco, Benjamin Mazzucco
Acolyte: Hannah Jackson
Prayer Partners: Ken Schneider Ro Robinson
Flowers: To the Glory of God
Fellowship Hosts: (Ruby Lawrence)
Souper Bowl Luncheon
February 28-Third Sunday in Lent
9 & 10:30 am
Call to Worship: (Laurie Gagné) Anne Jackson
Lay Readers: (Anne Jackson) Rosemary Luzzi
Greeters: (Janet Viets) Don Robinson
Ushers: (Rosemary Luzzi) Cyrus Kapadia, Larry Appleton
Acolyte: Emily Mazzucco
Prayer Partners: Ken Schneider Linda Beagle
Flowers: To the Glory of God
Fellowship Hosts: (Ruby Lawrence) Michelle Ritter
February 14-First Sunday in Lent
9 & 10:30 am
Call to Worship: (Ken Schneider) Mike Cartwright
Lay Readers: (Ruby Lawrence) Lori Cartwright
Greeters: (Rosemary Luzzi) Pam Johnson
Ushers: (Laurie Gagné) M.E. Solomon, Monya Zurkus
Acolyte: William Gagné
Prayer Partners: Ken Schneider M.E. Solomon
Flowers: To the Glory of God
Fellowship Hosts: (Ruby Lawrence) Doris Handy
Lectionary Readings:
During 2016 we will not be printing the readings from the Revised Common Lectionary. Instead, you may ask
for a copy of the One Year Chronological Bible. The weekly sermons will be based on these readings. We have
copies available in 3 translations. Please let us know if you would prefer The New International Version, The
New Living Translation or the New King James Version. A donation of $15 per copy is appreciated.
The Cross & Flame
Published 11 times a year by The United Methodist Church, Branford, 811 East Main Street, Branford, Connecticut 06405,
(203) 488-0549, umcbranford@snet.net, Pastor: Rev. Kent Fredric Jackson. Deadline for copy: The fifteenth day of the month prior
to publication. Brenda Prunty, Editor, reserves the right to edit for content and space. ©2016 UMC, Branford.
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2016 DISTRICT RESOURCE DAYS
Jennifer Sygiel
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Sam Appleton
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Jim Lee
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Len Dunican
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Rick Gregoire
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Dick Robinson
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Maurine Cornelius
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Joan Dunican
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Lori Cartwright
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Raymond Nickou
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Charlotte Rispoli
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Madelyn Caruso
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Pam Johnson
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Paige Machnicz
20
Anne Carpenter-Smith 23
Heather Mazzucco
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Ruth Moon
Hannah Jackson
Kaylee Roberts
Jean Sunny
Gabriel Maggay
Helen Werns
Judy Loukides
Sean Deveau
Joan Gerlach
Erin Marszalek
Julie Guckin
June Ann Greeley
Sterwin Maggay
David Simon
Madison Ballard
Bob Nerkowski
Kylie James
Ginny Busca
Aubrey Simon
All lay people and clergy are invited and
encouraged to attend. SUNDAY, JANUARY
31, 2016-WESTPORT UNITED METHODIST
CHURCH 2 TO 4:45 PM and SATURDAY,
FEBRUARY 6, 2016-WOODBURY UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH 9 TO 11:45 AM
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WORKSHOPS:
Role of the Trustees
Staff Parish Relations Committee
“Who, What, When & How of Prayer”
Disaster Preparedness
Church Finances
Facebook in Ministry
Church Finances
Telling Our Stories
Worship Design
Older Adult Ministries
Conversations With Your Muslim Neighbor
Technology In Worship
Godly Play-Guiding Children in Worship
Immigration
SPECIAL DATES
John & Carolyn Flynn 13
Ro & Dick Robinson 19
Charlie & Pat Steeves 27
John & Connie Nickou 26
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Transfiguration of Our Lord February 7, 2016
Ash Wednesday February 10, 2016
First Sunday in Lent February 14, 2016
Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2016
President’s Day February 15, 2016
Second Sunday in Lent February 21, 2016
Third Sunday in Lent February 28, 2016
The season of preparation for
Easter comes early this year. The
40 days of Lent begin Wednesday,
February 10th.
Everyone is encouraged to set aside a time for worship
on ASH WEDNESDAY at 12 noon or 7 pm. Both services
at UMC, Branford will include an opportunity to receive
ashes as a sign of repentance.
The evening service will also
double as the opening session
for our LENTEN BIBLE STUDY,
“When God’s People Pray.”
This 6-session study by Jim
Cymbala, Pastor of the
Brooklyn Tabernacle, will guide
us through a discussion of the
transforming power of prayer.
We are initiating a monthly youth night for the
purpose of fun & fellowship. All youth from our
church (6th-12th grade) are encouraged to attend
and bring their friends.
We will meet in the church basement from 7-9:30
PM. Snacks will be provided. Air Hockey and
Foosball will be available for the first gathering and
we’ll add other activities in the future.
We plan to begin each evening with a light supper at 6
pm and the study time concluding no later than 8 pm.
Child care will be provided.
We will have 2 signup sheets available, one to register
your intention to participate and the other to volunteer
to prepare one of our meals. (All expenses will be
reimbursed.)
If anyone would like to donate a flat screen
television, DVD player, ping pong table, etc. we
would be happy to accept your donations.
The Movie RISEN (PG-13) is
being released in midFebruary and we would like
to make it a church event.
We plan to view the movie at Regal Cinema in
Branford and come back to the church for
discussion and pizza. We will purchase group
tickets for about $10 each.
Those who would like an evening showing are
invited to sign up for Friday, February 19th.
Movie time 7:15 pm. A daytime showing is
scheduled for Saturday, February 20th. Movie
time 2:00 pm.
Please sign-up in Connector Hall so we know how
many tickets to order.
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Would you like to learn more
about United Methodist beliefs?
Are you interested in how United
Methodists are organized?
As we roll into 2016, the 50th Anniversary of our
Church is scheduled for the first weekend in October.
The planning committee already has been at work, and
we have a role for you to play now.
Have you thought about
becoming a member of UMC,
Branford?
This is another reminder that we are looking for
photographs of YOU from 50 years ago. This will
obviously leave out our younger members...but don’t
feel bad, there will be more later.
If you answered, “Yes” to any of these questions, then
the Pastor’s “Inquirer’s Class” is for you. I encourage
our current members as well as those who have
recently begun attending UMC, Branford to consider
attending the upcoming Inquirer’s Class.
If you’re willing to share a photo of you from
1966, please put your name on the back (or a post it
note) and add any information you’d like to include.
Then put it in an envelope and drop it off at the office or
give it to M.E. Solomon, Dick Robinson, Ken Schneider or
Jan Viets. All photos will be returned.
I will set meeting dates based upon the schedules of
those who are interested in attending. Please call the
church office and let us know of your interest.
Pastor Kent
If you have any memories, recollections or short
stories about our church, you can also include them.
If you’d like to be on the planning committee,
please talk to Ro Robinson.
Thanks!
M.E.
LOOKING FOR
YOUR TABS !!
NEXT FILLUP DATE IS:
March 31st
Collecting pop tabs is a fun and easy way to support the
Ronald McDonald House New Haven. All of the money
is used for the Ronald McDonald Houses to support
families staying there while their children are
undergoing medical treatment .
It’s easy! All you need to do is remove the pop tab from
each can before you put the can in your recycle bin. It’s
fun! You can involve community groups and your family
in supporting the cause without a lot of effort.
Check all your cans for tabs, they add up quickly. Put a
small jar on your counter and you will be surprised how
fast is will fill up.
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UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
February 7th - SOUPER BOWL SUPPER
11:30 – 2:00pm or until we run out
SEWING FOR
GOD
Will resume gathering on the
2 & 4th Wednesday starting in March.
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Our goal is to fill our shelves with more quilts
than fabric. For those who need our comfort
through the layers of fabric stitched together with
love and God’s prayers. If you know of someone
who needs a quilt, please let me know.
NOTE: If you would like to get together
on a Wednesday afternoon if I’m
available, we can SEW, just give me a call.
Rosemary 203-589-1620
It’s that time again. Our Annual
Souper Bowl Supper will be held
immediately after the 10:30 service.
Assorted soups / breads will be
available. The public is invited to
attend to help support our women’s
shelters as all proceeds will be split
between them. $5 Donation
requested.
VOLUNTEERS needed to make soup & provide bread.
Signup sheet is located on the connector hall table.
UMW Announces the 2016 Programs
February 7th
MEN’S BREAKFAST
Our monthly Men’s Breakfasts group will
meet on February 20 at 8:00 AM. After a
time of good food and fellowship we will
view one of Pastor Rob Bell’s Nooma videos.
All men of our church are encouraged to put
this date on their calendars and to invite
friends to join them each month.
March 4th
March TBA
April 20th
May 18th
June 6-13th
July/August
Sept 21st
October 19th
Nov 16th
Dec 5-12th
Souper Bowl Sunday - Fund Raiser for
Local Women’s Shelters
World Day of Prayer – St. Mary’s Church
Fudge Fund Raiser for “Kimberly”
“Days for Girls” Program
“Becoming a Woman of ?” – Mini Bible Study
Annual Summer Luncheon – LaLuna
No Meeting
Pot Luck Dinner – “Becoming a Woman of ?”
– Mini Bible Study
Afternoon at the Movies
“Becoming a Woman who loves”
– Mini Bible Study
Annual Winter Luncheon – LaLuna
Meetings will be held in the small conference room from 1pm
to 3pm unless otherwise noted. January through March, we’ll
meet on a Sunday after services, dates to be announced.
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Learn & Play News
Learn & Play’s annual Soup-er bowl collection will be taking place the week of February 15th. Our goal is to collect 100 cans of soup for our UMCB food closet. Sport activities are
planned for Friday, February 5th as well as a “wear your favorite sport shirt” day. Go team
Learn & Play!
During the month of February we will be talking about Nursery Rhymes. Our Bible theme
will be the Parables of Jesus. We will talk about the Sower and the Seed, the Good
Samaritan, the two builders and the Lost Coin. The faith point that we will emphasis this
month is that Jesus’ stories teach us about God’s love. February will be a busy month as
we will also touch on Ground Hog Day and Valentine’s Day.
Children have really enjoyed our January theme of arctic and Jonah and the big fish. We
have painted with ice, made “snow”, played penguin bean bag toss, had a whale made
from a tablecloth in dramatic play, had floating boats in the water table along with a milk
jug whale and “Jonah”, learned how penguins stay warm with an ice and “blubber”
experiment and sorted and counted “snowballs” by size.
Learn & Play will be out and about on two road trips this month. We will be participating
in two preschool information events. The first one will be held at the Guilford Library on
Friday, February 5th from 10:30-12 noon. The second one will held at the Trinity Church in
Branford and sponsored by the Willoughby Wallace Library and Branford Early Childhood
Council on Saturday, February 27th from 10am-12 noon. If you know of anyone that may
be looking for childcare, refer them to one of these events for more information.
Looking ahead…………save the date!!! Learn & Play and UMCB will team up to offer a joint
Easter Egg Hunt and Resurrection Egg story on Saturday, March 12th. Watch for details and
more information in next month’s Cross & Flame.
Robin Costa
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Message From Don Robinson
Feeling lonely on a hot summer’s night in July, sitting on the
banks of Young’s Pond in Branford, I wrote the following. I
would like to share it with you this wintery month.
Listen To and Hear the Warm!
The fickle moon looked down the shadowed earth,
a lone bright lantern hanging in the sky.
While in the pond another moon was mirrored in
the water and was suspended between the two, free from
the restraints of earth while yet a stranger to the sky.
I watched a traveling cloud erase the moon above
and tremble in the darkness until it reappeared, and I saw
the ruffled waters shatter the reflection on the surface of
the pond while golden pieces danced and danced upon the
ripples.
Image was restored as the wind vanished in the
night.
Even as faith is sometimes dimmed by life’s shadow
and shattered by life’s storms and restored when the winds
subside—faith intercedes and takes over with our awesome
God leading the way.
I never felt so close to God as I did that night. If you are
feeling down just call out for God and He’ll come.
God surely will bless you.
Don Robinson
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Nursing Home Ministry
Don Robinson is dedicated to providing
this important ministry.
He visits a number of
nursing
homes
and
would LOVE to have
others join this ministry.
He would be happy to talk with anyone interested and help
them get started. Call Don at 203-488-6111 or see him in
church.
On Valentine’s Day, we remember that God is the source of all love in
the world. His perfect love for us has made all human love possible.
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2016
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
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10a Monday Morning
Quarterbacking
7p Power of Praise
10a L&P Chapel
10:30a Prayer Shawl
Ministry
6p Monday Study:
The War Room
7:30p AA Meeting
Thursday
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Friday
Saturday
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7p Al-Anon
7p AA Meeting
7p Church Council
7:30p Choir Rehearsal
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9a Early Worship
10a Monday Morning
Quarterbacking
7:30p AA Meeting
ASH WEDNESDAY
7p Al-Anon
7p Jubal’s Latte
7p AA Meeting
10:30a Worship
11:30a Souper
2p Prayer Meeting
Bowl Supper
7:30p Choir Rehearsal
10a L&P Chapel
10:30a Prayer Shawl
Ministry
7:30 Devotional Bible
Study-Shoreline
Cafe
12p Worship
7p Worship
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9a Early Worship
PRESIDENTS DAY
Church Office Closed
7p Power of Praise
10a L&P Chapel
10:30a Prayer Shawl
Ministry
5:30 L&P Board
7:15 Movie: ”Risen”
8a Men’s Breakfast
10:30a Worship
7:30p AA Meeting
10a Monday Morning
Quarterbacking
7p Al-Anon
2p Movie: ”Risen”
6p Lenten Dinner/Study 7:30 Devotional Bible
Study-Shoreline
Cafe
7p Trustees
7p AA Meeting
7:30p Choir Rehearsal
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9a Early Worship
10a Monday Morning
Quarterbacking
7p Prayer Meeting
10a L&P Chapel
7p Faithful Stewards
6p Community Dinner
7p AA Meeting
10:30a Prayer Shawl
7p Al-Anon
10:30a Worship
7:30p AA Meeting
7:30p Choir Rehearsal
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9a Early Worship
10a Monday Morning
Quarterbacking
Ministry
7:30 Devotional Bible
Study-Shoreline
6p Lenten Dinner/Study
Cafe
10:30a Worship
7:30p Choir Rehearsal
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7p Youth Night
JUST FOR KIDS
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The United Methodist Church, Branford
811 East Main Street
Branford, CT 06405
203.488.0549
203.488.9952 Fax
umcbranford@snet.net
www.umcbranford.org
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Upcoming Events - February
February 12
February 26
Jubal’s Latte Open Mike
Community Dinner
Committee & Board Meetings
February 3—Church Council
February 15—Trustees
February 18—L&P Board
February 25—Faithful Stewards
Regular Groups
Tuesdays 7:30 pm—AA
Wednesdays 10:30 am—Prayer Shawl Ministry
2nd & 4th Wednesdays 4pm—Sewing for God
Resumes in March
Thursdays 7:30 pm – Al Anon (7:00 pm new attendees)
Saturdays 7 pm – AA
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