Adult Study Opportunities:

Monday AM Women’s Study – from 9:30-11am on Zoom.

Monday PM Adult Study from 5-6:30pm on Zoom.

Thursday AM Bible Study – 10:30-11:30am in person in the Youth Room & on Zoom

Men’s Fellowship – Saturday at 8:00-9:00am in person in Fellowship Hall

Women’s Fellowship – Saturday at 8:30-9:30am in person in the Youth Room & on Zoom

**If you are interested in more information about any of these opportunities, please be in touch with the Church Office at office@uccb.org or 203-775-1259.

Monday Adult Book Studies

Adult Book Studies are held on Zoom Monday morning from 9:30 am to 11 am and Monday evening from 5 pm to 6:30 pm. Email Pastor Jen at Jennifer@uccb.org for the Zoom link to the Monday morning study group or Pastor Bryn at Bryn@uccb.org for the Zoom link to the Monday evening study group. 

Saturday AM Men's Fellowship - 8-9 am

Our lively and growing church school program is attended by approximately 40 children in classes ranging from nursery care through middle school. We offer classes during the regular school year at the 10:30 am service. We encourage all children to participate in person, however, if you are interested in a hybrid option, please contact our Church School Coordinator, Barbara Crandell at barb@uccb.org.  For more detailed information, including a description of our curriculum, please visit our Church School page.

All children aged two and younger are welcome in our nursery.  Miss Debbie is our nursery care provider and takes wonderful care of our smallest children.  Children may be entrusted to the nursery staff before the service begins or brought down at any time during the service.  Nursery care is available at all church services and generally during other church functions.

Sunday Worship

Worship is the central act of our congregation, and we continue to offer two Sunday services  -- one designed specifically for children and the other for adults.  When we are able to meet inside the Meetinghouse, children of pre-school age and older begin their worship in the sanctuary, remaining with their families until the second hymn, when children are invited to process to their church school class.  During their time in the sanctuary the children participate in the Time for Children where they come up to the front and join in a message focused on developing their faith. 

Special Programs

We have many programs for children and their families to share in the life of the church.  Church school registration kicks off each September with a pancake breakfast attended by children and their teachers, all dressed in their pajamas.  Throughout the year, we offer programs including the Great Pumpkin Challenge, an Advent Wreath workshop, an Instant Christmas Pageant, an Easter egg hunt and many more fun activities as a way for children and their families to gather together in fellowship.

Youth Groups

Junior Youth Fellowship (JYF) 6th grade through 8th grade

The JYF focuses on working together and playing together as a group.  During the school year, we help out in worship.  We reach out to the community through projects.  We play together, and have fun relating our lives to Bible stories through skits, games, and outreach projects. Email Jennifer@uccb.org for ways to stay connected through our electronic social media platforms.

Senior Youth Fellowship (SYF) 9th grade through 12th grade

The SYF seeks to make a difference - in their own lives as well as the lives of others by helping out in worship, offering their time to help church members and pitching in on church projects.  We also spend time together in conversation and play surrounding contemporary issues and fellowship. Email Jennifer@uccb.org for ways to stay connected through our electronic social media platforms.

Baptism

Baptism is a sacred celebration, promise and new beginning shared in the midst of the gathered community.  Baptism is a mark of being a part of God's family.  We are blessed to be able to welcome all those who see Christian Baptism for themselves or their children.  Scheduling of Baptisms should be arranged with the ministers of the church.

Confirmation

Our youth in the ninth grade and above are invited to participate in our confirmation program, an opportunity to confirm Baptismal vows.

Our program is a multi-faceted opportunity to become a known and confessed follower of Jesus Christ.  Along with their participation in regular class sessions each confirmand works one on one with an adult mentor following a self-guided program with studies in the following areas:  Worship and Spiritual Growth, Study and Learning, Service and Caring, Friendship and Fellowship

Let the children come

 February, 2023

Our music ministry offers a variety of opportunities for members to express and share their faith through music.

From NewsTimes.com 

Ringing a heavenly sound

BROOKFIELD -- If you happen to be walking near the Congregational Church of Brookfield on Sunday evening, you may wonder what's making the beautiful sound coming from inside.

Could it be a violin?

What about a harp?

Perhaps an accordion?

It's none of those, and probably nothing else you're thinking of either.

It's the sound of English hand bells being played at the church's bell choir concert, which begins at 7 p.m. at the church on Whisconier Road. The event is free and open to the public.

A hand bell is a bronze instrument that ranges in size from 2 to 12 inches. The larger the bell, the deeper the sound it produces. The bells are designed to be played in an ensemble with others.

Although the first hand bells were developed in 17th century England, they didn't become popular in the United States until the late 1960s.

The 250-year-old church has had a hand bell choir for the past 40 years, and this is the second concert they're performing in at the church.

"We have a total of 31 members and four separate choirs," said Toni Sullivan, 58, of Newtown, church music director and organist. "We have a leveled program that allows people with whatever knowledge they have to join it."

The choir is intergenerational, with members ranging from 9 years old to those in their late-60s. Several of the ringers are married couples and others are sets of parents and children.

Aside from playing in church concerts and services, the choir performs throughout the year at a variety of assisted living facilities and town events. Members have also traveled to college campuses across the east coast to take part in area festivals that have about 900 hand bell players performing in them.

"Hand bells produce a sound that's unlike anything most people have ever heard before," Sullivan said.

This is due to the large diversity of musical sounds the bells can produce, such as African, meditative and chimes, as well as marching and hymn tunes and music box notes, she said.

Of the 13 songs the bell choirs are playing at the concert, listeners will be able to hum along to some tunes they may recognize, such as "Jesus Loves Me" and "He's got the whole world in his hands."

According to hand bell director Jean Dorrell, 49, what makes the bells so unique is that it requires a team effort to play them.

"You need at least nine people to play a song," she said. "Each ringer is only responsible for making a few notes."

All choir members must therefore work together to coordinate the exact timing of each person's rings, she said.

"That's what makes it so challenging," said Dorrell, a Brookfield resident.

Another reason hand bells are not as commonly used as other musical instruments is because they're very expensive. Based upon the size of the bells, prices range from $150 all the way to $950. A five-octave set costs $19,500.

The bell choir provides a great social outlet for its members.

"From all the time we spend throughout the year practicing and performing, we've all really become close," Dorrell said.

Church member Michael Anastas, a New Milford resident whose wife plays in the choir, said the music completely captivates anyone listening to it.

"It produces such an ethereal and heavenly sound," he said. "The resonance of it plays in your mind long after each song has ended."

Oasis Alliance of Greater Danbury 

MISSION: We extend extravagant welcome and respect for LGBTQA people.

  This group is currently on hiatus.  We will let you know of any future meeting plans through this website or the following Twitter or Facebook links.

From the Refugee Resettlement Ministry…

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so, some have entertained angels unawares."   
The Letter to the Hebrews 13:2

It's hard to imagine a more urgent time for our church to reach out to show holy hospitality to our brothers and sisters in need than right now.  Each day, it seems the international refugee crisis gets worse -- most recently, with war in Syria driving thousands of frightened families to flee their homes, and their home country.

During worship each Sunday last October, we heard some powerful testimonials (see videos below) from former leaders of our Refugee Resettlement Ministry who have helped to offer our UCC "extravagant welcome" to a wide variety of refugee families -- from our first West African couple, Annie and Lloyd, more than a decade ago, to our most recent Iraqi family, Ahmed and Wedyan, in 2013.

By March 2016, we had a new Syrian family living in our Cottage.  Although it was but a temporary stay by a family being resettled by another group in Bethel, it energized and excited our growing team -- which now includes partners in ministry from Valley Presbyterian Church in Brookfield. By May that family was able to find other housing in the area. Also, we had recruited enough volunteers to be able to host our own new family. They arrived safety in New Haven on June 2, and in 24 hours (just on the eve of Ramadan), they were settled into our Cottage with the chance to make a fresh start in this free country.

What a joy it has been over the past weeks to get to know this family -- especially to play with their small children and to see the eldest start Kindergarten across the street at Center School. On so many sunny days, I hear their laughter outside my office window as they play on our swing set with child care volunteers as their parents study English down the hall in the Church School Wing with our faithful ESL volunteer tutors.

This year, we will mark our October 2 World Communion Sunday with a special "in between" program to Greet Our Refugees at 9:30am in Fellowship Hall where the entire church community can welcome and get to know our current Syrian family and hear their stories. (Their English gets better and better each day, as does our Arabic!)

Over the years, some of the most faithful acts of Christian service to others that I have had the privilege to observe here at the Congregational Church of Brookfield have been through our Refugee Resettlement Ministry. But more than that, I consider them impressive acts of patriotism as well. One of our Vietnam Veterans donated to their house a brand new American flag, in a spirit of our United Church of Christ "extravagant welcome."

After all, when our Pilgrim ancestors first came to the shores of New England in 1620, they were also refugees -- fleeing religious and political oppression in their homeland in England.  It is in deep in our Congregational DNA to do this kind of work -- it is a powerful testimony to our faith heritage.

I hope you will also be inspired, and feel called, to join in this important ministry with us.

Blessings,

Rev. Bryn Smallwood-Garcia,  Senior Pastor  Summer 2016

Video Testimonials

An update from Refugee Resettlement Ministry…

MSNBC LIVE WITH TAMRON HALL 11/18/15

Refugee screening: ‘US has the most rigorous process in the...
Chris George, Executive Director of ‘Integrated Refugees and Immigrant Services’ of New Haven, Connecticut talks to Tamron Hall about concerns over the refugee screening process. Duration: 3:51 Click here to view.

Where Ahmed and family are now, in 2015.

Wedyan became a Certified Nurses Aide in 2014, and is currently working at Danbury Hospital. She has also been taking courses at Naugatuck Community College, in order to prepare her for higher education in this country. Most recently, she got accepted to the Nursing program offered by the hospital to become a full-fledged nurse! She is well on her way to achieving her dream, and of using her God-given talents to help others in the way that seems right to her. This is something that has always been important to her.

Ahmed is working for Praxair in Danbury. He started out in their credit and collections department, and has recently been promoted to Business Analyst dealing with marketing and strategy. On his free time, he enjoys taking care of his chickens and his expansive yard.

Both Nail and Rahmah are doing well at Huckleberry Hill. Nail enjoys Cub Scouts and learning about the outdoors, and Rahmah is also involved in scouting, and also loves to draw.

Ahmed’s mother arrived to live with them in 2013. She helps out by taking care of the children when both their parents are at work, and by providing sumptuous meals for the entire family!

Wedyan’s cousin came to this country in 2014, and is also living with them. The rather spacious house they purchased here in Brookfield has been a blessing to the whole family! He worked for Macy’s as a seasonal employee when he first arrived here, and now works for Danbury Hospital. He is also taking courses at Naugatuck Community College, in an effort to move himself up in the working world in this country. When he can, he is Ahmed’s right-hand man, helping out with yard work and tree work.

They have all found ways to give back to their new community, and are working on becoming all that they were meant to be, enjoying the freedom to grow and learn that is such a blessing of living in our wonderful country!

2013 Refugee Resettlement Ministry

Ahmed began this update for me when he said, “We’ve been here just about a month, and so much has happened since then!” How true it is, thanks to the generosity of our volunteers, and to Ahmed and his family’s willingness to embrace their new lives in this country.

Wedyan has been working hard to perfect her English, and is hoping to be a Certified Nurses Aide and eventually a nurse someday. However, she wisely wants to work somewhere first in order to improve her English, before taking a certification course that may require her to have a greater command of the language. She is an excellent cook, an avid gardener (stop by sometime to see the new vegetable garden next to the cottage!), and a wonderful hostess to all who come to visit.

Ahmed passed his road test, and is looking for a car. He has put together a very impressive resume, with input from some members of the church who have knowledge in this area. He has been to an interviewing workshop, and several interviews. Both he and Wedyan are excited to find jobs, and we are still pursuing a variety of options for them.

The children are enjoying their new school, with Nail in Kindergarten and his sister Rahmah in pre-school. They were tutored in English over the summer, and are now using their new language with each other, and with friends on the playground! How fun it is to see children learning by leaps and bounds, and enjoying their time with anyone who will communicate and play with them!!

The biggest hurdle they had to overcome was Wedyan’s medical situation. In early August, they were told that she has a carcinoid tumor in her bronchial tubes, and that it is cancerous. Thankfully, it is a slow-growing tumor that will not spread, but it needs to be removed. Although it is quite scary to have to face such a serious medical issue in a new country far away from their friends and family, both Wedyan and Ahmed are being very brave and positive. They are happy that she will now be able to get the medical care she needs. Wedyan is home now, recovering from her surgery. Our volunteers have gone above and beyond the call of duty to be their new friends and family, spending countless hours at the hospital in New Haven and showing them all the love and support that they need and deserve in order to help them through this difficult time.

One thing that I am continually amazed at as I work with this ministry is how truly special and amazing our volunteers are! From babysitting at 6:30 am at the last minute, to spending three hours at a health clinic waiting for all of them to see the doctor, our volunteers continue to go above and beyond to help this wonderful family get what they need as they go about starting new lives in a foreign country. I feel so proud of this church, and blessed to be able to work with so many unbelievably special people….people from both Connecticut and Iraq!

A special thanks to all the volunteers for all you are doing, and to Ahmed, Wedyan, Nail and Rahmah for sharing their warmth and hearts with all of us! Please continue to pray for the employment needs of this family, and for their beautiful children as they continue to adapt to their new home in a new country.

In His love,
Sue Waschak,
2013 Refugee Resettlement Coordinator
 

2010 Refugee Resettlement Ministry

When IRIS (Integrated Refugee and Immigration Services) asked our church for emergency help in January, our congregation responded immediately.  Our Cottage became a temporary home for a mother and her three children from West Africa.  Within hours of our request, many donated enough staples and canned goods to see the family through the worst January weather in Connecticut history - and way beyond.  Even more important for the family is the support and sanctuary given by our church.  We would like to thank you for your help with childcare and transportation. Our volunteers enjoyed getting to know this lively, delightful family over the months that they were with us, and we can celebrate that we were able to get them a fresh start in the United States.

 Thank you -

Jen Wurst & Patty Buchan,
2010 Refugee Resettlement Coordinators

WHAT IS STEPHEN MINISTRY?

HOW DOES THE STEPHEN MINISTRY WORK AT OUR CHURCH?

• Feelings
• Listening
• Assertiveness
• Confidentiality
• Crisis theory and intervention
• Telecare
• Use of prayer and the Bible
• Specialized topics such as: grief, divorce, hospitalization, etc.

STEPHEN MINISTERS ARE:

• Lay men and women from our congregation who have developed their gifts for bringing the concern and care of Christ's community to people in need.
• Dedicated Christians commissioned by our church to confidential, in-depth caring.
• People who come from all walks of life, age ranges, and backgrounds.
• Caring Christians who have a desire to be with you in a time of need, grief or crisis.
• Committed Christians who pray with and for you seeking to share Christ's love and support.

STEPHEN MINISTERS ARE NOT:

• Professional counselors or psychologists.
• Social workers.
• Experts in law, finance, church doctrine, etc.
• Free babysitters or housekeepers.
• Superficial visitors.

WHAT KINDS OF NEEDS DOES STEPHEN MINISTRY ADDRESS?

• People who are hospitalized.
• People who are grieving the loss of a loved one.
• People who are depressed.
• People who are separated or in the process of divorce.
• People who are terminally ill, along with their families.
• People who have lost their job.
• People in the process of moving.
• People experiencing the birth of a child.
• People who are in trouble with the law.
• People who are shut-in, or lonely.
• People with sick or handicapped children.
• People who are experiencing a life crisis.

DOES THE STEPHEN MINISTRY REPLACE PASTORAL MINISTRY?

Cindy’s Ministry Share 7/26 and 8/2

Stephen Ministry “equips and empowers lay caregivers--Stephen Ministers--to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting.” That is the definition.

But this ministry is so much more transformative than I ever imagined.

Previously, I have shared how I was very reluctant and almost laughed at God for calling me, but earthly-angel Marion Miller had confidence in me that I did not see.

First, the training helped me learn how to express compassion without owning another person’s journey. This has strengthened me as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, teacher, friend, and as a perceived enemy.

God is the cure-giver and we are sent as spiritual companions to others as well as ourselves.

And that spiritual companionship—hard work at times—is full of blessings. I have felt nothing but deep, humble honor to journey with those the leaders/pastors have prayerfully placed in my care.

And every one-to-one care relationship is different. Through mine, I have learned to broaden my definition of spirituality and spiritual strength.

Each person receiving care is unique and their steps to healing are in their time and their choice as we caregivers practice the ministry of prayerful, listening presence.

This has led me to keep up my own spiritual strength (that seems to go up and down like a rollercoaster) through personal devotions, adult study, Women’s Fellowship, choir, and regular Stephen Ministry meetings.

At our safe-confidential meetings we support each other not only in our own care-giving ministry, but also for the challenges that arise in our own lives.

Prayers are one phone call/email away.

I have been involved with many programs/ministries at this church—all blessings.

And at the heart of my growth here as been Stephen Ministry.

I have repeatedly found through my fellow ministers the strength to quiet that ever-loud daily voice telling me to “Pull myself up by my own bootstraps” and replace it with God loved us (even me) so much that God sent Jesus and earthly spiritual companions. God created us to be in community through the good and hard times.

Finally, I’ve learned that healing spiritually is the KING PIN that helps all other healing (emotional/mental/physical) to take place. Sometimes we need to take the time to heal and dust off the fruits of the Spirit already inside and allowed be allowed to grow so we can give generously of ourselves again.

Please support the ministry by keeping the Stephen Ministers and their care-receivers in prayer; consider becoming a Stephen Minister; and most importantly, accept care when we need it.

WHAT IS STEPHEN MINISTRY?

HOW DOES THE STEPHEN MINISTRY WORK AT OUR CHURCH?

•  Feelings
•  listening
•  assertiveness
•  confidentiality
•  crisis theory and intervention
•  telecare
•  use of prayer and the Bible
•  specialized topics such as: grief, divorce, hospitalization, etc.

STEPHEN MINISTERS ARE:

•  Lay men and women from our congregation who have developed their gifts for bringing the concern and care of Christ's community to people in need.
•  Dedicated Christians commissioned by our church to confidential, in-depth caring.
•  People who come from all walks of life, age ranges, and backgrounds.
•  Caring Christians who have a desire to be with you in a time of need, grief or crisis.
•  Committed Christians who pray with and for you seeking to share Christ's love and support.

STEPHEN MINISTERS ARE NOT:

•  Professional counselors or psychologists.
•  Social workers.
  
•  Experts in law, finance, church doctrine, etc.
  
•  Free babysitters or housekeepers.
•  Superficial visitors.

WHAT KINDS OF NEEDS DOES STEPHEN MINISTRY ADDRESS?

•  People who are hospitalized.
•  People who are grieving the loss of a loved one.
•  People who are depressed.
•  People who are separated or in the process of divorce.
•  People who are terminally ill, along with their families.
•  People who have lost their job.
•  People in the process of moving.
•  People experiencing the birth of a child.
•  People who are in trouble with the law.
•  People who are shut-in, or lonely.
•  People with sick or handicapped children.
•  People who are experiencing a life crisis.

DOES THE STEPHEN MINISTRY REPLACE PASTORAL MINISTRY?

Cindy’s Ministry Share 7/26 and 8/2

Stephen Ministry “equips and empowers lay caregivers--Stephen Ministers--to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting.” That is the definition.

But this ministry is so much more transformative than I ever imagined.

Previously, I have shared how I was very reluctant and almost laughed at God for calling me, but earthly-angel Marion Miller had confidence in me that I did not see.

First, the training helped me learn how to express compassion without owning another person’s journey. This has strengthened me as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, teacher, friend, and as a perceived enemy.

God is the cure-giver and we are sent as spiritual companions to others as well as ourselves.

And that spiritual companionship—hard work at times—is full of blessings. I have felt nothing but deep, humble honor to journey with those the leaders/pastors have prayerfully placed in my care.

And every one-to-one care relationship is different. Through mine, I have learned to broaden my definition of spirituality and spiritual strength.

Each person receiving care is unique and their steps to healing are in their time and their choice as we caregivers practice the ministry of prayerful, listening presence.

This has led me to keep up my own spiritual strength (that seems to go up and down like a rollercoaster) through personal devotions, adult study, Women’s Fellowship, choir, and regular Stephen Ministry meetings.

At our safe-confidential meetings we support each other not only in our own care-giving ministry, but also for the challenges that arise in our own lives.

Prayers are one phone call/email away.

I have been involved with many programs/ministries at this church—all blessings.

And at the heart of my growth here as been Stephen Ministry.

I have repeatedly found through my fellow ministers the strength to quiet that ever-loud daily voice telling me to “Pull myself up by my own bootstraps” and replace it with God loved us (even me) so much that God sent Jesus and earthly spiritual companions. God created us to be in community through the good and hard times.

Finally, I’ve learned that healing spiritually is the KING PIN that helps all other healing (emotional/mental/physical) to take place. Sometimes we need to take the time to heal and dust off the fruits of the Spirit already inside and allowed be allowed to grow so we can give generously of ourselves again.

Please support the ministry by keeping the Stephen Ministers and their care-receivers in prayer; consider becoming a Stephen Minister; and most importantly, accept care when we need it.