The Congregational Church of Plainville (UCC)

Dear Members & Friends,

As we look forward to welcoming you back to the Congregational Church of Plainville for in-person worship we have put together a brief video with important information and guidelines, what to expect on Sunday mornings and a cameo by some familiar faces. Please take a few minutes to view the video by clicking here.

A brief reminder of the upcoming important dates:

September 13th: In-Person Rehearsal of Worship

Worship will be broadcast Live on Facebook and YouTube. All members viewing the broadcast will be able to see the Phasing Forward Team enter the building, follow protocol, and observe what Worship will look like.

September 14th: In-Person Worship Sign-Ups Begin

It is important to remember that we will be limited to approximately 15 people. We will work to accommodate as many people as we are safely able.  

September 20th: In-Person Worship Begins  

More information will follow regarding how to sign-up for your spot. If you have any questions please reach out to a member of the Phasing Forward Team or contact the Church Office via email at churchoffice@uccplainville.org or via phone at 860-747-1901 

Thank you, Rev. Don, Kaara Koplowitz, Chris & Shelley Johnson, Nancy Landini, Jason Zakrzeweski, and Teresa Talarico. 

On September 20th C.C.P. will be celebrating the start of our programming year. In these unprecedented times Rally Sunday needs to look a little different but we still invite you to show your C.C.P. SPIRIT and join us for a

RALLY SUNDAY CAR PARADE!

At 11am on Sunday September 20th we invite you to join in our Rally Sunday Car parade. We ask all vehicles to park either in the outer back lot or along Church St. facing towards Broad St. PLEASE REMAIN IN YOUR VEHICLES!

At 11:15 am our Lead Car will lead our parade around the block and back to the church’s back parking lot. Once back in the lot all participants can open their car windows and families with children will receive a Church School on the Go packet from Nicole and all participants will be able to say a brief, socially distanced HELLO to Rev. Don all from the safety of your car!

We want to see YOUR C.C.P. SPIRIT so please decorate your car with streamers, balloons, signs, write on the windows…HAVE FUN with it!! This parade is open to ALL! We will be taking videos and   pictures of the festivities that morning and a video will be posted to share with those who can’t make it.

Parade Route: start on Church Street, take a right on Broad St, take a right on Washington St, take a right on West Main and then a right back on to Church street and into our back lot.

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