United Methodist Church of Hartford

Save the Date! Cooperative School of Christian Mission will take place this year from July 19-21 at Western Connecticut State University. Open to women, men, children and youth, this event is filled with spirituality, fellowship, study, music, laughter, worship. For more information, including links to this year's study topics, please check out the article in the Education section of this web page.

Our United Methodist Women’s “Tuesday Study Group” will resume March 20, the third Tuesday of each month through June. We will focus on the book Wesley: A Heart Transformed Can Change the World. It takes a look at how John Wesley “changed the world and became the spiritual leader for millions.” Each session contains prayer, study questions, music, plus background information on John Wesley’s life and times....  Our time together in the church parlor begins with a “bring your own” lunch at 12:30 p.m. We take turns serving as the hostess who sets up, cleans up and provides dessert. The study starts at 1:00pm, finishing by 2:30pm. The cost of the study book and supplies is $9.00, payable at the first session. Newcomers are most welcome!  Books must be ordered, so please speak to Dianne Antos (dianne@umcofhartford.org) by February 26 if you are interested in attending.

Adult Forum Bible Study meets Sundays at 1130 A.M. for an hour in Wesley Hall. The group is working its way through the New Testament, with a current focus on the book of Matthew. We read and discuss the writings, considering the theological and historical contexts as well as what the writings mean to each of us. We come from such varied backgrounds and faith understandings that our interchanges and views enlighten, enrich and stimulate us all... Newcomers are always welcome to join in for lively conversation and warm fellowship.

Upon her death, Pat Coombs, a long-time member of our church, established a scholarship fund to help people of all ages to enhance their lives through higher education. This fund is administered by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving through their scholarship program. While there is a preference for members of our church, others will be considered as well. A church committee will work with the Hartford Foundation to provide input into the selection process. If you are interested in this scholarship, you may download an application here. The deadline for applications this year is March 30, 2012. We are grateful to Pat Coombs for remembering her church in her will, and we encourage you to consider your church as you plan your estate. A gift such as this can make a real difference for years to come.

With the difficult economy, basic financial needs have been tough to meet for many. As folks have challenges, our discretionary fund empowers our pastor to make immediate and confidential financial disbursements to people in need. You can support this work by writing a check to support the pastor’s discretionary fund.

The Chancel Choir does a wonderful job leading all of us in singing. New members may join us at any time. We have fun rehearsing on Thursday evenings from 7:30-9PM. We also share a prayer, a reading, or a favorite hymn at the end of each rehearsal and truly do as St Augustine said: “Those who sing, pray twice.” If you cannot commit to every week, we still would love you to be with us when you can. Speak with or email music Director Cheryl Wadsworth, or speak with any choir  member, to learn more.

Don’t forget to bring your canned and dry goods to church on Sundays. We collect the goods in the wheelbarrow in the narthex at the back of the sanctuary each week for our West End Food Pantry. The pantry provides food to over 100 families each month.

Our sanctuary is enhanced by flowers on the altar during worship on Sunday mornings. You can sign up now for an upcoming date on which you would like to honor or remember an event or loved one. The cost is $35, and you should note “flowers” on the memo line of your check. You can sign up on the bulletin board outside the church office, or by phoning (860-523-5132) or emailing the church (staff@umcofhartford.org).

The new medical privacy laws (HIPPA) restrict hospitals and nursing homes from alerting churches of admissions of its members. Patient rosters are no longer available to us either. So please notify the church office whenever you or a family member is admitted to a healthcare facility. This will allow the pastor to know the information and make a pastoral care visit.

Our various Feeding Ministries rely on contributions to keep serving hungry people. As a result, there are coin jars kept where we can drop spare change as we come to church service on Sunday mornings. One is at the back of the sanctuary as you enter; another is in the hallway heading toward the office. Over time this change adds up to amounts that help support our Loaves & Fishes and South Park Inn meals, and our West End Food Pantry.