The First Church of Christ, Woodbridge for June 2023
The First Church of Christ welcomes you to our Worship Service every Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. in the Meetinghouse. Kid’s Church every Sunday morning at 10:10
Interim Minister
The Rev. Susan Murtha is the Interim Minister at FCCW and has made quite an impact. Plan a visit to see what is “happening.” You can also read about her on our website.
Kid’s Church Has Begun Again at First Church!
Families meet at the church at 10:00 and at 10:10 the children are walked over to the Parish House for Kid’s Church by Forest Vandeflor, our project leader for children’s ministries, along with an adult volunteer. This is a great time for the children while their parents are at the worship service!
Weekly Bible Study
Bible Study meets at the Parish House each Wednesday, 11 am. All are invited!
Boy Scout Troop 907
Boy Scout Troop 907 is in its 55th year under the umbrella of The First Church of Christ and its Scout Master, Tom Luciani, who has been with the troop since 2004 as a leader. Serving under SM Tom are 5 assistant leaders including Ken Hulse, Nicanor Kohncke, Matt Welander, Gerry Case and our newest assistant Ryan White (an Oklahoma Eagle scout who is currently a student at University of New Haven). Other key volunteers in Robin Mooring, advancement chair, Daniel and SarahBeth DelPrete who manage accounting and camping sign ups, Kelly and Eric Orzel mum sale fundraiser coordinators, Marie Pedenski summer camp coordinator and many other parent volunteers who step in as jobs are needed to be managed.
Incredible news is the troop has doubled in size in just 18 months. In September, 2022, there were 10 boys and as of May, 2023 there are now 21. This is an excellent showing considering the BSA challenges of competing with other groups, sports, school activities and various other commitments these young boys complete. Our scout members hail from Woodbridge, Orange, Bethany, New Haven, West Haven and Milford.
The troop fundraisers over the past year included their Fall mum flower sale, Christmas tree sale in conjunction with Troop 600 out of Hamden, and the spring “spruce up sale” with flowers and fertilizer.
Notable troop events over the past year include the June family picnic, Camp Sequassen (New Hartford, CT) summer camp, November holiday party, camping locally at Camp Whiting, a local ski night, camping at Camp Way Way Tasee in Hamden, and most recently being selected to participate in the West Point Academy, Cadet-run, Camporee on the grounds of West Point Academy, New York. The troop members also enjoyed their annual trek to the Wallingford Go-Kart night in celebration of their accomplishments and will be canoeing on the Connecticut River at the end of May.
The troop has participated in a multitude of service activities in the community with local churches and other organizations. In Woodbridge alone, the members assisted with the food drive, work clean up party at Camp Whiting, Our Lady of Assumption church bazaar, flag distribution in cemeteries, Memorial Day Parade honor guard, the FCC Strawberry Festival and pie a la mode fundraisers, and Woodbridge Trail clean up. The scouts have also assisted at Cub Scout Pack events and campouts as well as working with the Town of Orange Lions Club Lobster fundraiser, BSA Order of the Arrow activities, volunteer hours at the World War II museum in West Haven and many other community related service projects.
The troop celebrated 3 Eagle recipients. Ben Rickel, Amir Faud and Jack Belfonti who are all graduates of Amity Regional High School and now finishing up their first year of college. Their projects included Ben’s new flag disposal box with community board right here in Woodbridge Center, Amir built a bridge at the Wepawaug Conservation District in Orange and Jack beautified and created a natural tree barrier to residential homes on the Alice Newton Trail right behind our church.
As a troop and as individuals, the scouts continue to work on advancement ranks, merit badges, community service activities and will celebrate their yearend at their Court of Honor here at the church on June 10th. This is a very vibrant and active group who will continue to make a great impact on our communities and we all should be proud to be associated with this fine group of young men.
Best wishes,
Rich Forselius
Committee Chair/Chartered Organization Representative
Upcoming Events
Strawberry Festival
Friday, June 9th, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. First Church of Christ, 5 Meetinghouse Lane, Woodbridge. The menu includes hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers & veggie burgers grilled by Scout Troop 907. Enjoy our traditional STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKES with fresh whipped cream. Tours of our historic church. Entertainment by Eventide. Children’s activities include face painting, lawn games, sidewalk chalk art, music, and more. Cash or check only.
Zoom Option
The option to attend Sunday Service via Zoom continues to be available. To receive an invite, please email the office or log on to our website and add your name to our church email list. All people in the community are welcome in person or via Zoom.
Office Hours
The Church office in the Parish House is open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday Wednesday Friday.
Join the FCCW Choir!
New members are always welcome. Join us for rehearsals each Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Pre-School Space Is Available
Pre-school/day care space is available in the Parish House at 5 Meetinghouse Lane. Three rooms, 1,200 sq. ft., and an outside fenced playground.
First Church of Christ
5 Meetinghouse Lane
Woodbridge, CT 06525
Phone: 203-389-2119
*Email: office@uccw.org
Website: www.uccw.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/uccwoodbridge
*For online or media related questions, please email Lisa Tartaglino at office@uccw.org.
This is an opinion not necessarily endorsed by the Woodbridge Town News.