In The News

Steeple Painting - October 2011

A team of painters are working hard to give our steeple
it's regular maintenance before winter.

BLUE BACK SQUARE AND FIRST CHURCH

With the opening of Blue Back Square, First Church finds itself not only in the center of West Hartford, but also in the center of West Hartford Center. From almost every spot in Blue Back Square one can see the towering steeple of First Church tipped with its chi rho letters, symbolizing Christ above the world.

A challenge for the church is to find ways of interacting with and serving the commercial, retail and resident communities in this new "lifestyle" district. The renovated Public Library, the renovated Police Station and the newly incorporated Board of Education in the Town Hall building are all our old neighbors with new orientations.

Our new East Entrance is a new focal point to our church and we hope to show the Blue Back neighborhood that whoever you are, wherever you are on your life's journey, you are welcome at First Church.

Picture: Leslie Day and Genny Kubica hold the ribbon while West Hartford Mayor Scott Slifka, cut the ribbon dedicating the Elevator Plus Project assisted by Rev Geordie Campbell, Moderator Anne Stone, Dick Hoff, and Dale Wolfe.

Press Release:

From West Hartford News, Thursday, May 10, p. 9

"A Dream Come True" for First Church: New elevator long overdue.

The First Church, Congregational, United Church of Christ in West Hartford has needed an elevator ever since its four-story Parish House was built 66 years ago. Last Sunday, April 29th, the congregation celebrated the successful completion of the "Elevator Plus" project which includes not only a new elevator tower but also other additions and renovations.

The morning worship program called "A Dream Come True" recalled the church's long held dream that the First Church would become a welcoming and accessible place for all people. Beginning in the 50's, the congregation saw the need for nurturing the physically challenged children in our community with its Wednesday Program. Later, special headsets were supplied for the hearing impaired and ramps were built at the front of the building and to the Library.

Last year the congregation voted for a resolution to become an "Open and Affirming Church". Grounded in the Biblical mandates that "God shows no partiality" and "love your neighbor as yourself", this statement welcomes and affirms each person regardless of age, disabling condition, economic standing, gender, nationality, race or sexual orientation. Joining with 36 other United Church of Christ churches in Connecticut, this statement extends all the rights and privileges of the church to all its members.

The dream came true after a successful Capital Campaign raised over 1.6 million dollars which supplemented with Endowment funds totaled over $2 million dollars. Among the improvements made was a state-of-the-art "playscape" for the First Church Nursery School in the former upper parking lot. This nondenominational private school for 66 years has been serving children of West Hartford, some who have handicapping conditions. The new elevator stands on the site of the former play yard.

Sunday's celebration demonstrated the difficulties that the membership had been operating under for years. Gathering to cut a ribbon were those on wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, pushing baby strollers, carrying babies, and building staff who had to move heavy furniture and AV equipment up and down four flights of stairs.

The worship service broke off in the middle and recessed down two flights of steps or the elevator to continue in the newly renovated Auditorium. There, once again, a ribbon was cut by Mayor Scott Slifka to celebrate bringing the building into compliance with the town fire codes and the addition of an elegant new front entrance facing the Blue Back Square community.

One long-time member, Carolyn Groff, commented, "As an older member I am so very happy not to have to pull myself up the stairs by the railing - and now I hope to be using the elevator for the rest of my years - who knows how long!" The Director of the John P. Webster Library, Patti Malahan commented, "The new elevator will make moving audio-visual equipment and books from the library to other parts of the building with ease. The new entrance is a bright, warm, welcoming addition to a wonderful historic landmark." Membership Chair, Anne Streeter, liked the welcoming aspect of the building. "We finally did it after all these years! We now are presenting a welcoming face to the community of West Hartford both from the Main Street and the East Entrance sides. Hats off to our leaders who had the vision and courage to undertake this daunting task." Past Moderator and former official of the UCC denomination, Marjorie Weed, summed it up, "A Dream Come True! Cheers! Safety improved! Auditorium a delight. Thanks be to God."

During construction the foundation of the old Greystone church was found, .reminding the congregation of how the past blends with the future. The Palladian windows in the Auditorium are echoed in the new east entry way. The simplicity of the Meeting House in Congregational tradition blends with the simplicity of the new construction. As a lover of the arts Margery Bishop observed, "It is such a joy to walk into our historic church and revel in its entry into the present with its bright and beautiful renovation".

Press Release Oct. 15, 2006

First Church Shows Film "An Inconvenient Truth"

One hundred and forty-seven members, friends and visitors gathered on February 11th to see the Al Gore film, "An Inconvenient Truth". Because of the church construction, they first crowded into the Choir Room to eat pizza, beverages and dessert provided by the Library Ministry.

Then they proceeded to the Meeting House where they saw the 95 minute film sponsored by the Service and Outreach Ministry and presented as part of series of activities emphasizing the responsibility of everyone, and especially Christians, to care for God's creation.

The movie explained that it is easy to move from disbelief about global warming to despair and miss feeling empowered to do anything about it. In fact, there are a lot of things that can be done about it. One step is as easy as changing light bulbs. It is claimed that a billion light bulbs create as much pollution as the annual emissions of millions of cars. If Americans changed their light bulbs to the new energy-efficience compact fluorescent bulbs, it would reduce pollution significantly.

Bob Izard let a brief discussion followed the movie on these questions. How do we as individuals and a church community respond to the issues of global arming? Since creation is God's gift to us, how do we honor God's gift.? He then displayed the progress of home lighting from the lowly candle, the oil lamp, to the latest CFL bulbs now being sold in local stores. He handed out a sheet showing many ways to save energy. These ideas will be highlighted in the church newsletter "Tidings" each month.
Since this meeting the film has received an Oscar for the best documentary film in 2006.