A Word from the Congregational Church
Greetings Eastford!
Happy start of summer! As you may know, we at the Congregational Church of Eastford lost our building to a fire back in April 2023. We are rebuilding on a new site on John Perry Road, and are just about to break ground. It looks to be a bit more than a year to go before occupancy — a three-year process. I am a “git 'er done” kind of guy, so the process has felt interminable to me. That said, our time without a building has been one of great blessings. Our church family has grown substantially, and we are thriving in every way.
We are so very grateful to all of you — our Eastford community — for your kindness and generosity. We have been able to hold our Sunday worship service in the Eastford School gym, some of our meetings in the Ivy Glenn, and our brothers and sisters at Eastford Baptist have made their building available for group studies and especially for our children and youth groups. Thank you all! What a wonderful place we are privileged to call “home.”
As we step into summer, we look forward to two events that may interest you.
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Our annual Frog Jump and Band Concert will be held at Crystal Pond Park from 5-8 p.m. on Saturday, July 12. This event has been running for perhaps a century — and it is great fun for the whole family. We will have a frog-jumping contest — longest jumper wins. The best bet is for you to catch and bring your own. For the health of the amphibians, please make sure you keep your hands wet and your frogs, too. We will have some loaners for city folk. There will be swimming in the lake, a free cookout for all, premium ice cream, a bounce house and other fun. We will be treated to a concert by the East Woodstock Cornet Band. The entire event is free, our gift to you. Why? Jesus loves you — and so do we!
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Our annual Sports Camp will be held on the grounds of the Eastford School, Monday to Friday, July 21-25, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The camp is for children ages 4-12 and offers flag football, soccer, basketball, cheerleading (girls only) for kids ages 6-12 and skills development for 4- to 5-year-olds. Sports instruction is led by college age athletes. The day also includes a Bible lesson and snack. There is a fee of $60 per camper. If you need a “camper-ship,” just ask. For more information and to register, visit the church website.
A final note: In my early life, I pursued all the things that the world offers that promise to fulfill — family, friends, education, career, good food, hobbies, sports and possessions. All these can bring portions of happiness and satisfaction, but they never truly fulfill us. By the time I was in my late 30’s I had checked the blocks, and I learned this truth — the world can never satisfy. But then I was introduced to Jesus, and everything changed. It was like that scene in “The Wizard of Oz” when the house has landed on the Wicked Witch of the East and Dorothy opens the door. The movie flips from black and white to Technicolor and she says, “Toto, I don’t think we are in Kansas anymore.” I had a new life and “Wow!” Life in Jesus is, in His words, “abundant” and “eternal.” There is peace and there is joy, and there is genuine love to be had.
At the Congregational Church of Eastford, we are all about Jesus and all about people. We want you to be richly blessed. It our deepest desire that we might share the abundant and eternal life that is the free gift of our great God in Heaven in Christ Jesus.
Want to know more? Just ask. Or join us at the Eastford School on any Sunday at 10 a.m. (or Eastford Baptist at 10:30 a.m.). No pressure. Just come and see.