Week of September 24, 2023

Stand with Ukraine/Claremont:  The Claremont - Sugar River Rotary is holding an event on Saturday Sept. 30 and borrowing our sock idea to send in time for cold weather.  Our church is contributing lightweight blankets and earplugs as well as a financial contribution to help pay for postage through our missions.  Your prayers and support are valued as the conflict drags on and toll increases on the men, women and children in Ukraine.    Our "Sunday school" kids are writing special prayer notes to include with our contribution — Victoria Levin, who is Ukrainian, will be at church this Sunday morning to help translate.  She and her son traveled to Ukraine this summer.
Click here to view the flyer for the September 30 event.  

Tech Sunday 2023:  With our migration to a new livestream platform this fall*, it's time for another Sunday morning tech session!  Join our skilled cadre of nerds and tech geeks after the Sunday morning service on October 8 for a demonstration of our livestream and tips on how to use it via your favorite device/platform.  We're also planning to include Zoom access to Tech Sunday for those who wish to join us "from away" (as they say).  Stay tuned for further information.
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* If you've ever played Buzzword BIngo, the lead sentence is probably an instant winner. 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS for Vision Weekend, coming up right around the corner!  
Saturday, Oct. 21 Trumbull Hall @ 9 am-1 pm: Breakfast treats and meeting/visioning sessions; Yummy lunch provided at 1 pm.  
Sunday, Oct. 22 @ 10 am: Service in Etna Sanctuary; 11:30 ish Pot Luck celebration, Trumbull Hall
Keep tuned - more information to follow.

Alpha:  Alpha,  a night of eating and group discussion of some of the big questions of life, gives  friends, curious visitors, church members, and regular attenders the opportuniry to ponder some of the Big Questions and to share their thoughts in a safe and judgement-free space. Alpha continues Monday evenings for another nine weeks, and you're (still!) invited, no matter your background or beliefs. It's completely free - with no pressure to come back.   We do ask folks to sign up either via the link below or via the paper sign-up sheet available in Trumbull Hall (it helps with meal planning)

Mondays @ 6:30 pm
Trumbull Hall in Etna
https://etnahanovercenterchurch.org/alpha

Fall Rummage Sale:  The Fall Etna Ladies Aid Rummage Sale will be Friday, September 29th, noon to 6 pm and Saturday, September 30th, 9 am to 1 pm in Trumbull Hall, Etna.

$5 a bag after 11 am on Saturday.

Donations of clean, seasonal clothing, jewelry, and small household items in good condition accepted at Trumbull Hall Tuesday to Thursday (September 26 - 28). Please, no books, CDs, electronics, or exercise equipment.

All the funds raised are used to serve the community.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Weekly Bible Discussions:  Our Sunday morning Bible study (9am in Trumbull Hall, Etna) is discussing Gospel of Matthew.   Our weekday Bible discussion meets at 10 am on Wednesday mornings  in Trumbull Hall at the Etna church.  The Wednesday discussions are based on the previous Sunday morning's sermon.  
We look forward to seeing you at one or both!  

Goings On at and Around Church:  Important Dates
Here's a list of important activities and dates that are on the horizon even now. As always, you can also check the church calendar for goings-on.

• Fall Fest Saturday - October 14
• Vision Weekend - October 21-22
• Joyful Bells Christmas Concert - December 10 @ 1:30 pm