Join us for worship every Sunday morning at 10 a.m. at 571 Farmington Avenue at the corner of South Whitney Street.

“Tuesday Study Group,” a monthly women’s study sponsored by our United Methodist Women, resumes October 19th at 12:30pm. “Passion, Promise & Praise” by Donald Griggs, this year’s study, deals with the Book of Psalms. We will look at the Psalms as “Prayers and Poetry,” and study psalms that relate to “Sacred History,” “Trust,” “Lament,” and “Praise.” The cost of the study book and supplies is $17.00, payable at the first session.

Our time together, in the church parlor, begins with a “bring your own” lunch. We take turns as the hostess who sets up, cleans up and provides dessert. The actual study starts at 1:00pm, finishing by 2:30pm. Newcomers are always welcome! Please speak to Dianne Antos (who begins her 19th year as the facilitator) if you are interested in attending. Materials need to be ordered by September 29!

Reading experts agree that a child who is unable to read adequately by third grade probably will not go to college. Given a reasonable amount of time and support, reading by third grade is an obtainable skill for most children. Our church has made a commitment to Noah Webster Micro-Society Magnet School to participate in a tutoring program for students in Kindergarten through grade 4. The students love the tutors and think it is a special privilege to have the full attention of a “grown-up” for 30 minutes. For those of us who tutor, we KNOW that we are the lucky ones and being with “our own” 3 children (one at a time) is the special time of our week. Each of these children brings something rich and rare into our lives…An open orientation for tutors and prospective tutors will take place at Noah Webster School from 9 to 11 AM, breakfast included, on September 14th. Tutoring begins on September 20. For more information you may call Pastor Bryan at the church office, Barbara Howard at 860-561-9830, Jackie Berg at 860-523-9807 or Alberta Elliott at 860-232-0169. Consider joining us for a giving (for the students) and rewarding (for the tutor) experience.

Our United Methodist Women’s Unit sponors a Prayer Shawl Ministry. It meets the first Tuesday of each month (October-June) for one hour in the church office. Through this ministry we have touched the lives of many during times of fear, grief, pain and joy. A donation of yarn or money to further the work of this group is welcome. If you can knit or crochet, please consider using that talent to enrich the life of someone else. Speak to Dianne Antos (or call the church office) to learn more or to get involved. For more information about Prayer Shawl Ministry, go to http://www.shawlministry.com/.

Adult Forum will resume on Sunday, September 19. The Fall season will begin with a series on the Gospel of Luke lead by Pastor Bryan. Luke’s gospel is often considered a “feminist gospel” because of its special concern for women. The parables of the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan are only found in Luke’s Gospel. Join us for an insightful study of this important book in our Bible. Newcomers are always welcome to join in for lively conversation and warm fellowship. Adult Forum meets on Sundays at 11:30 a.m. in Wesley Hall.

The West End Civic Association is sponsoring a Jane’s Walk on Saturday, October 9 to celebrate the West End. Our church will be one of the stops on the walk and will be welcoming guests to learn more about our history and mission.

The West End Walk will feature six separate activities: (more…)

Rev. Carolyn Gibson, a United Methodist pastor who served churches in Connecticut, will be leading a special fall retreat entitled “Seasons of the Spirit (A God for All Time)”. This retreat is a weekend experience for men and women based on the church’s liturgical calendar. The event will be hosted from September 24-26 at Wisdom House, 229 East Litchfield Road, Litchfield, CT. It will start on Friday, September 24, at 7:00 p.m. and conclude on Sunday after lunch. The cost for this retreat is $225 and includes the program, five meals, and your room.

For more information call 203-380-1260 or email cgibsonumc@peoplepc.com.

If you are interested in helping Hartford become a more caring place, there are numerous ways that you can get engaged in making a real change. Hands On Hartford is leading a new, technologically savvy effort to bring capable volunteers (you!) together with meaningful volunteer opportunities in Hartford. Log in to handsonhartford.org and set up a volunteer profile. Take a moment to explore the new site and get engaged!

The United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) currently send mission teams to the following countries: Biloxi, Iowa, Chile, Haiti, Ghana, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Mozambique, Youth Ambassadors, Thailand/ Cambodia. For a schedule of missions, dates, leaders and contact information click here to go to the NYAC Web site mission page and click “Volunteers in Mission Trip Opportunities 2010″ in the left column or click on the country in which you are interested.

This is a place with wonderful people, a beautiful building and good music. I have to admit to being drawn first to the sound of the organ, but you all “clinched” the deal by your singing. When you know a hymn well, there is nothing more glorious than hearing you all sing with energy and joy. One of the facets of my work with the church will be to help you all sing more confidently. To that end, I have frequently planned Chancel Choir anthems that allow the congregation to join in. The choir usually sings a verse or two and then the congregation adds their voices. Our aim is to deepen worship for everyone and involve the congregation as a bigger ‘Choir’. (more…)