“Speak up, speak out, get in the way. Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.” - John Lewis

This coming Sunday’s worship and message focus is called “Holy Envy”, a title attributed to Barbara Brown Taylor of a book she wrote a few years ago. Holy envy refers to what we can appreciate about and learn from other religions about God and a life of faith. Dr. Jay’s message will be to affirm that there is much truth in many different faith traditions and there are various pathways to God, an important moral teaching as one studies religions other than one’s own.

Dr. Jay’s message will include examples of times when Jesus crossed barriers that his society had put up, so that he could interact with people of other traditions.

Please join us this Sunday for and inspiring message and worship!

Eat a sub and transform a kids’ lives! A portion of every purchase helps support the mission of Trinity Academy and its students. Trinity Academy

Earlier this year a task force was formed to review and revise our current bylaws. The task force was led by Jesse Jones and also included John Scully, Dr. Jay and Anne Stanback. It was quickly determined that we wanted to revise our bylaws in a two-step process. The first step is what we are referring to as “provisional” bylaws, and it is these provisional bylaws we will be discussing at the Second Hour after worship on July 13th. These proposed provisional bylaws eliminate requirements that the church has never been able to comply with (e.g. numerical requirements for committees), and also clean up a variety of things including references to groups that no longer exist or whose names have changed. If approved, we will work with our new settled senior minister to look more deeply at our bylaws and decide whether there are substantive areas we would like to see changed.

The bylaws are available to read in the weekly Eblast. If you would like a paper copy, please call the church office at (860)527-8121 or email immanuel06105@gmail.com .

What if you don’t understand something or have questions or comments? Those are all welcome at this Second Hour discussion. In addition, Jesse has offered to field any questions you have. You can email him at jessecj@outlook.com.

Let Amanda know if you can sing with us!

Join us this Saturday at our Support & Action Group. We'll be in Immanuel's Fellowship Hall from 10am to 11:30am to support each other and to support the people and the laws at risk under the new federal executive orders and actions. Come at 9:45am for refreshments and conversation. Please consider inviting a friend. ALL ARE WELCOME!

And please note: we have a Resource page on our website to watch for upcoming news of meetings and rallies, and many ways to keep in touch with your legislators, and important national and local groups such as Indivisible. https://www.iccucc.org/support-new-admin.

Questions: Contact Anne Stanback at annestanback@gmail.com or Dr. Jay Terbush at jayterbush@outlook.com

In the aftermath of the passage of Thursday’s Reconciliation Budget Bill, coupled with billions of dollars halted in education funding this week (as one of many examples of the challenges that we face), we thought we would host a special meeting of the Saturday Support & Action Group this Saturday, July 5th at 10:00 a.m. at Immanuel Congregational Church. We will have the opportunities to reflect where we presently are at and potential action opportunities to fight back. Recognizing this is the 4th of July weekend, with many holiday plans, we are offering this meeting in person, with also a virtual zoom option (please see below), and supporting a hybrid format.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85218784822?pwd=nubq8Tvtp9uVMq63W2HI6pHk9EsoFa.1 

Meeting ID: 852 1878 4822     Passcode: 338743

One tap mobile: +13092053325

With today's cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other essential supports that inflict pain in many people’s lives, we continue to search for action and perspective.

 While there are challenges in front of us right now—for what is being taken and for who will be left behind, we are not powerless and need to fight back.

 Most of the positive outlets over the past several months have been connecting with many of you and others through action opportunities to fight against this administration's policies.

 Often, we have also been drawn to Substack, motivated by the writings, that speak to our capacity to come together—to respond to suffering with solidarity, and to resist injustice with hope. “The future is not yet written,” reminds Heather Cox Richardson, “but it is always shaped by those who show up.”

 We will also monitor other action opportunities that might be happening around the same time and should there be any other actions at the same time, we will notify you with the potential of rescheduling as needed.

 Thanks,

 Jim, Kristen, Nancy, Dr. Jay

Happy 4th of July!
The Church Office is CLOSED today. Have a wonderful day!

Qi Gong is a traditional Chinese practice that focuses on cultivating and circulating life force energy (Qi) through the body, aiming to improve physical and mental health. Dorothy Lovett Buckley is working with Dr. Ming Wu at the Wu Healing Center of West Hartford, CT to become a Qi Gong instructor. Dorothy notes, “since I began working with him, I have experienced greater energy and am enjoying life more than I ever have.”

Dorothy is providing anyone with the desire for more energy to come to Immanuel on Wednesdays at 10:00am on June 18th and 25th to find out more about Qi Gong and to participate in some movement exercises, if you wish. This is being offered at no charge.

For almost 5 years, Isaac has served faithfully and joyfully as the Area Conference Minister for the South Central Region. From COM meetings to walking a church through search and call to coordinating a revival, Isaac has been a blessing to so many.

Join us for a service of blessing and ritual of release followed by light refreshments at Rocky Hill Congregational Church.

Please RSVP by June 18th here:

https://sneucc-reg.brtapp.com/GatheringforCelebrationandFarewellofRevIsaacLawson

Robin McHaelen who is the founder of True Colors, that remarkable event held for two decades at UCONN and which gave such emotional and spiritual support to so many queer young people.

She will be presenting at our Second Hour.

Our church is celebrating Pride Month in a variety of ways, because this is the 25th Anniversary of the decision by our church to be Open & Affirming!

We continue our focus on Pride Month with Worship Leadership by Robin McHaelen who is the founder of True Colors, that remarkable event held for two decades at UCONN and which gave such emotional and spiritual support to so many queer young people.

Come See Us at West Hartford Pride

Thanks to Beth Martin, Sally Taylor, Faye Bond, Nancy Rion, Lisa Lettieri, Brian Donahue, David Osella and John Scully, for volunteering to be at our Immanuel Booth at West Hartford Pride!

The event is Saturday, June 21st from 12noon – 5pm in West Hartford Center.. Instead of needing volunteers, we’re looking for you to stop by and visit us! Hang out at the booth and chat with people who stop for goodies, information and to sign up for the raffle. This event is a real celebration! We’d love to see you!

Join us this Saturday at our Support & Action Group. We'll be in Immanuel's Fellowship Hall from 10am to 11:30am to support each other and to support the people and the laws at risk under the new federal executive orders and actions. Come at 9:45am for refreshments and conversation. Please consider inviting a friend. ALL ARE WELCOME!

And please note: we have a Resource page on our website to watch for upcoming news of meetings and rallies, and many ways to keep in touch with your legislators, and important national and local groups such as Indivisible. https://www.iccucc.org/support-new-admin.

Questions: Contact Anne Stanback at annestanback@gmail.com or Dr. Jay Terbush at jayterbush@outlook.com

From HIU’s website:

June 18, 2025
from 12:15 PM to 1:30 PM

Five years after the pandemic, how are churchgoers perceiving and understanding church life and what has changed in their engagement? How have their experiences of corporate worship evolved compared to pre-pandemic? What are the routines and rituals of those who worship virtually? Join us as we explore these questions and other key findings from a national survey of 24,000 church attenders conducted in fall 2024.

This online session will dive into who is attending church today, what draws them in, and how patterns of attendance and commitment differ between in-person, hybrid, and online-only worshipers. Special attention will be given to those who have joined congregations in the past five years, the growing phenomenon of multiple church loyalties, and what virtual routines and rituals look like.

Click here for more information and registration.

Qi Gong is a traditional Chinese practice that focuses on cultivating and circulating life force energy (Qi) through the body, aiming to improve physical and mental health. Dorothy Lovett Buckley is working with Dr. Ming Wu at the Wu Healing Center of West Hartford, CT to become a Qi Gong instructor. Dorothy notes, “since I began working with him, I have experienced greater energy and am enjoying life more than I ever have.”

Dorothy is providing anyone with the desire for more energy to come to Immanuel on Wednesdays at 10:00am on June 18th and 25th to find out more about Qi Gong and to participate in some movement exercises, if you wish. This is being offered at no charge.

Our church is celebrating Pride Month in a variety of ways, because this is the 25th Anniversary of the decision by our church to be Open & Affirming!

Our friends from Riverfront Family Church will be joining us as we hear their Pastor Rev. Ben Dubow lead us in worship.

Since the sale of 350 Farmington (and then the sale of 360) we have been saying we should have a discussion about the use of the proceeds from the sale of the two properties and or other unrestricted funds in our investments.   Some have put forward the idea that some of the proceeds should be available for use to fund our church's concerns for social justice programs and activities. 

Both gatherings will be to openly talk with each other about these ideas and to share perspectives about the possible use of some of these monies. No binding decisions will be made but opportunities for various perspectives to be share, disagreements to be voiced, and reasons for different priorities and values will be shared. Please make these discussions a priority! 

Since the sale of 350 Farmington (and then the sale of 360) we have been saying we should have a discussion about the use of the proceeds from the sale of the two properties and or other unrestricted funds in our investments.   Some have put forward the idea that some of the proceeds should be available for use to fund our church's concerns for social justice programs and activities.    Following the information session on the 3rd, we will hold at least two sessions for open discussion of these ideas.

Both gatherings will be to openly talk with each other about these ideas and to share perspectives about the possible use of some of these monies. No binding decisions will be made but opportunities for various perspectives to be share, disagreements to be voiced, and reasons for different priorities and values will be shared. Please make these discussions a priority!

And, on Monday evening June 9th at 7pm we will hold a zoom session.

Choir Recognition Sunday is when we celebrate the musical gifts that have inspired us to worship God.

There will be a baptism and Rev Jack Zappulla preaching on the 50th year of his ordination!

We are pleased to announce that Connecticut Senator Derek Slap will be joining our meeting on June 7th. This is an excellent opportunity for our community to engage with him and discuss important topics that affect us all. We encourage everyone to attend, ask questions, and participate in this meaningful conversation. Your voice matters, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Join us this Saturday at our Support & Action Group. We'll be in Immanuel's Fellowship Hall from 10am to 11:30am to support each other and to support the people and the laws at risk under the new federal executive orders and actions. Come at 9:45am for refreshments and conversation. Please consider inviting a friend. ALL ARE WELCOME!

And please note: we have a Resource page on our website to watch for upcoming news of meetings and rallies, and many ways to keep in touch with your legislators, and important national and local groups such as Indivisible. https://www.iccucc.org/support-new-admin.

Questions: Contact Anne Stanback at annestanback@gmail.com or Dr. Jay Terbush at jayterbush@outlook.com

The 6th Annual Meeting of the Southern New England Conference - Into the Deep: Living and Leading at the Intersections - will take place Saturday, June 7, 2025 from 9:00am - 1:00pm online via Zoom.

United Church of Christ Congregations sit at the intersections of service and justice in their local communities, and we will honor that at the Southern New England Conference’s 6th Annual Meeting. Join us for worship, church business, celebration of our work together, and a gathering of hope. Please welcome Keynote Speaker Jamar Doyle as we lift up the on-the-ground-work of our local churches and the United Church of Christ related Health and Human Services agencies. You’ll leave with inspired, Pentecostal hope for your church, and our faith. 

Business to be Conducted: 

• Vote to receive and approve the Nomination of Directors and Officers 

• Vote to receive and approve the Board’s recommendations on bylaw changes.  We will distribute these red-lined bylaws after the Board votes upon them on May 10th.  

Registration deadline is May 19th to receive a care package, and June 1st for general registration, so we can ensure time to communicate information to all attendees. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
​
Delegate Materials will be distributed electronically. There will be no automatic paper mailing of materials to any church or registrant.  

Rod Martin will present information about the endowments and investments of the church, their history, some of the restrictions on their use, and some of them being unrestricted and what that means.   Very important information to educate the congregation about these investments that total 5 million dollars.

This zoom session will be recorded and anyone can request the link to watch it.

Celebrating our 25th Anniversary of being an Open & Affirming Church!

We are so pleased to be joining with our special guests Hartford Gay Men’s Chorus in this special collaborative service!

Also. we celebrate the sacrament of holy communion with an Open Table welcoming everyone.  Our whole service is written to be inclusive of everyone, especially our LGBTQ+ friends. We are joined by our siblings from Faith Congregational Church.  Our speakers will be two people giving testimony about how important the support of others has been for their journey.

In this Second Hour, our HIU Intern Hina Khan will explore how justice lies at the heart of the Abrahamic traditions. Drawing from scripture and classical Islamic thought, she will examine the role of prophets—Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad (Peace be upon them)— as divine adjudicators and models of moral and social balance.

The session will also highlight the concept of Aql (intellect) as a sacred tool for discernment, drawing on Imam Al-Ghazali’s insights. Participants will be invited to reflect on whether we are truly repaying our religious debt with justice— to God, society, and to our own Godgiven intellect.