The Congregational Church of Plainville (UCC)

Dear Members and Friends in Christ,

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. -Isaiah 43:19

Indeed, God is doing a new thing and we must wait with trust, courage and patience in the midst of a stormy sea.  I am grateful for each and everyone of you and am in prayer all day

Though we do not know where this is going or when it will end, we are in this for the long haul together. We also realize that God sees and knows all things and where this will go so we shall not fear.

It’s important to update you periodically regarding the church. Below are the updates I have received and after meeting with leadership on a Zoom meeting:

Following the advice of the governor, medical and pastoral experts, the leadership team has decided to suspend all in person events until further notice. That said, just know that we will still worship together on Facebook live including our Wednesday prayer night in addition to our Sunday morning service. I invite you to watch as we open our spirit to the Holy Spirit now.

If you don’t know how to get on social media or having trouble with it, reach out to me and I will have someone teach you and send instructions. We will also send out instructions on how to phone in or video conference our virtual meetings.

Our goal has been and will continue to be staying in touch with our church members via email and phone calls regularly. We will organize a group of people who can help you in a number of ways, so please do not hesitate to let us know what you need in terms of pastoral care, food needs, help with technology on your computer or cell phone so that you can stay informed and connected.

If you have pastoral needs, please email Pastor Donna at revdonna@uccplainville.org.

Here is what we are working on now behind scenes:

1. A parish care team to help identify the homebound and hospitalized and reach out to them as we go along. If you would like to be on that team, please email me.
2. Music for the Soul from Pete prerecorded to bring comfort during this time. More on that to come!
3. Nicole Guglietta will continue to send weekly lessons for faith formation for children each week via email and will work with her teachers as we move along. Also encouraging lessons for youth to keep them involved!  Stay tuned!

We appreciate the work of our ministry leaders and want to continue to support our staff. If you are able to send in your pledge payments or even prepay all or a portion, we can continue ministries as best as we are able. With gratitude we accept these payments via U.S. mail or electronic payments from your banks.  

There is always light at the end of this road and God is with us every step of the way!

Though we are physically apart, God is still with us and we are connected to the Vine in spirit. Your leadership is praying for you that you may be grounded in God’s word, comforted by the Holy Spirit and the peace of Christ. We appreciate you and thank you for holding us in your prayers.

In faith, hope and love,

Pastor Donna, Kaara Koplowitz- Moderator, Nicole Guglietta-CE Director

Dear Friends
This Thursday at 7 p.m. on Facebook live we will hold our 6th bible study on the “7 Last Words of Jesus from the Cross”.  Here is the 6th Word and study questions:

The Sixth Lesson of Jesus from the Cross

John 19:30

… he said, “It is finished!” (NLT)

Jesus knew he was suffering the crucifixion for a purpose. Earlier he had said in John 10:18 of his life, “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (NIV)

These three words were packed with meaning, for what was finished here was not only Christ’s earthly life, not only his suffering and dying, not only the payment for sin and the redemption of the world—but the very reason and purpose he came to earth was finished.

His final act of obedience was complete. The Scriptures had been fulfilled.

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished!”  

Study questions:

1. What did Jesus come to accomplish?
2. What was the ‘cup’ the ‘baptism’ that he faced in order to accomplish his mission?
3. What was the significance of the word ‘finished’ written on ancient papyrus receipts?
4. Why did Jesus shout out the sixth word rather than say it quietly?
5. How is the willingness to suffer vital to fulfilling one’s mission?

Personal meditation

What did Jesus finish and what can we learn for our own lives from this sixth word “It is finished?”

~Pastor Donna

Dear beloved friends,

Tonight at 7 p.m. I will go live again on Facebook for a Psalm reading, prayer, dealing with fear and updates to keep you connected and informed.

We will cover:

1. Closings of churches and how long we can anticipate. Also what happens if social media is shut down.

2. Updates on children’s programs and church homeschooling.

3.  Pastoral care needs during a crisis.

4. Open to your questions. Email me if you have some or comment on the live video.

Stay well and protected. Our faith is stronger than any virus! And see you later!

In Christ’s love

Pastor Donna

Dear Friends in Christ,

I am so grateful for you and count my blessings to be with you as your pastor during this time. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Do not fear…”

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:6

When you fear or are anxious, turn it into a prayer. Practice this every day until it is an immediate response.

Your church still needs you as much as you need the church. There are some things I want you to do as we move through this. I am still going to need your help in several ways.

1.    Give…the ministry we have continues to need us to give as we have always given during this time. We still need to pay our bills just as you do and I don’t want us to fall behind. You can give by mailing your pledges in or give electronically and contact the office on how you can do that.

2.    Show up virtually and share videos and invite friends to watch. This is a good time to evangelize and encourage others with emails and videos from the church. I am preparing for several weeks of this to continue and know that God will lead us and be with us.

3.    Make calls and send cards to the elderly. This is a time to include the ministry of good old fashioned calls and cards to those who are shut in. Why not send them some of the scripture I will send out to you this week?

4.    Prayer. I need you to hold me up. Pray for me and my family as I pray for you. Pray for our staff who are working diligently remotely. The church is in my heart.

5.    Take care of yourselves. Use this time to be with your families and know that God has given us an opportunity to be connected in new ways. Believe. Trust God. It’s all I know.

6.    Prepare. Get enough provisions for 2 weeks. There are some hard things coming down in the next weeks. Be prepared with food and supplies. Look to see if any among us can’t get supplies and see how we might help.

I want to encourage you to stay in the hope and promises of God. These are incredibly trying days, but God has not left us. We are working to increase our virtual community and offer ways of training others to get us up to speed.  If you do not have access to social media and a family member can’t show you how…I will be sending out periodic messages of encouragement. Every day I ask that you consider being protective of your quiet time with God.

I carry you in my heart. We are still God’s community and we can and will get through this together. If you have prayer requests this week…email me and cc Teresa in the office.

Blessings to you and health to you,

Pastor Donna