Second Congregational holds Vacation Bible Spectacular
WINSTED – The Second Congregational Church in Winsted is holding its annual Vacation Bible Spectacular from Monday until July 29, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., allowing children to share their faith through bible stories, games, crafts, videos, songs, snacks and various lab activities.
Dan Cote, associate pastor of the church, runs the VBS. Arriving at the church in 2005, this will be his 18th program.
“Our Christ-centered program focuses on sharing the gospel with children from neighboring churches and towns,” he said. “Attendance has ranged from 40 to over 100 children and is staffed by over a dozen seasoned and dedicated volunteers who return year in and year out.”
The children are assigned to a small group and rotate through stations, making each day a different experience.
Due to the pandemic, the program is now held outside. “The kids like being outside and it’s a lot of fun,” Cote said. “It’s a great environment for them.”
Donations are optional. “If money is an issue, we still want children to attend, and won’t let that stop them,” Cote said.
The program ranges from children as young as 4 to teenagers.
“We get alot of repeat customers until they grow out of the program,” Cote said. “And when they do grow out of it, they come to help out with the younger kids.”
The VBS ends with a family picnic on July 29 at 6 p.m. to give parents the opportunity to see what their child has learned and to watch them perform an array of songs.
Children interested in attending do not have to be a member of the church. For more information, contact Cote at 203-217-7498.
WATERBURY – The Mobile Ultra Sound van, sponsored by Carolyn’s Place Pregnancy Care Center, will resume service on Tuesday following scheduled maintenance.
The van offers free pregnancy testing and diagnostic ultrasounds. It parks along the Waterbury Green on West Main Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesdays and Fridays. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins typically can be accommodated.
Carolyn’s Place, 137 Grandview Ave., has been serving Greater Waterbury since 1992, providing life-affirming support to women through counseling, education classes, testing services and material assistance.
Call 203-597-9050 or visit carolynsplace.org for information.
Vacation Bible school at Basilica
WATERBURY – The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Parish, 74 W. Main St., will conduct its vacation Bible school from Aug. 1-5, from 9 a.m. to noon daily.
“It is Totally Monumental” will be the theme for celebrating God’s greatness for children ages 4 and up. Participation is free.
Registration can be made by scanning a QR code from the parish bulletin, or calling the parish office at 203-574-0017. For information, call Jackie Tiul, Bible school coordinator, at 860-733-9200 or email to jtiul@icloud.net.
Middle schoolers are needed for roles as crew leaders, and teenagers as activity leaders. To volunteer, email GraceAnne at genassist@waterburybasilica.org.
Next event Saturday for Basilica’s hikers
WATERBURY – The St. John Paul II Hiking Club at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception will conduct its next event on Saturday.
The club will take a 5-mile hike through the Steep Rock Preserve at 2 Tunnel Road, Washington Depot, at 8:30 a.m. The trek is best for experienced hikers.
To register or for information, email Suzi Porter at suzip@snet.net, call 203-574-0017 or visit waterburybasilica.org.
Pulled chicken, pork at Hopeville
WATERBURY – The annual pulled pork and pulled chicken supper will be served on July 30 from 5-7 p.m. at Hopeville Church, 160 Piedmont St.
The menu will include pulled pork, pulled chicken, potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans, rolls, dessert and beverage for $15 per person. Meals will be available to go or for eating in.
To preorder or reserve a meal, call 203-754-8154, ext. 14.
Catholic men’s conference held at Northwest Catholic
WEST HARTFORD – The 15th annual Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference will take place Saturday, Sept. 24, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Northwest Catholic High School, 20 Wampanoag Road.
“The Most Holy Eucharist” will be the theme for the event that will feature guest speakers, exhibitors, confession, adoration, food and fellowship. A 4 p.m. vigil Mass will be celebrated by the Most Rev. Leonard P. Blair, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Hartford.
Speakers include the Rev. Chris Alar, MIC; the Rev. Wade Menezes, CPM; the Rev. Larry Richards from the Diocese of Erie, Pa.; and Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of the Diocese of Bridgeport.
Early bird tickets, which include lunch, are $45 each, or $30 for ages 13 to 19. Priests, deacons and seminarians will be admitted free. Tickets can be bought online in advance at ctcatholicmen.org, or call 860-484-7950; they also will be available at the door.
The Rev. Jim Sullivan, rector at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and administrator at St. Francis Xavier Parish, both in Waterbury, is the chaplain for the CCMC.
Chicken barbecue meal at All Saints
WATERTOWN – All Saints with Christ Episcopal Church will have its annual chicken barbecue Friday, Aug. 26, with takeouts only from 5 to 7 p.m. at 262 Main St., Oakville.
The adult meal includes a quarter chicken (white or dark meat), coleslaw, beans, dinner rolls and dessert for $15 each. Children’s meals of one chicken leg, sides and dessert are $5 each.
Orders can be picked up any time within the two-hour time frame. Call in orders with a convenient pickup time at 203-910-5517. Payment can be made at pickup via cash or check, payable to All Saints with Christ Episcopal Church.
PRINCE OF PEACE CLOTHING BANK 3-5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Price of Peace Parish at Church of the Nativity lower level, 48 East St., Bethlehem. Free clothing and footwear for people in need. Info at 203-263-2008, princeofpeace@aohct.org, princeofpeaceparish-aohct.org.
MEAT LOAF DROP-OFF 9 a.m., Holy Disciples Parish at St. John the Evangelist Church front steps, 574 Main St., Watertown. Bring two-pound cooked meatloaf and/or two cans of vegetables for St. Vincent dePaul Soup Kitchen in Waterbury. 860-274-8836, stjohn.wtnct@gmail.com, stjohn.weconnect.com.
ST. VINCENT DEPAUL SANDWICH MINISTRY 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. drop-off, Sacred Heart Church, 910 Main St. South, Southbury. Make and deliver sandwiches with safety and prevention guidelines in mind. 203-262-0599, cb06488@gmail.com.
TERRIFIC TUESDAYS 6 p.m., First Congregational Church, 222 W. Main St., Waterbury. Free summer concert series concludes with Back & Forth performing. Sponsors: First Church Outreach and Waterbury Baptist Ministries. Volunteers needed, plus beef hot dog donations. 203-757-0331, firstchurch-wtby.org.
BLOOD DRIVE noon-5 p.m., Praise Christian Fellowship, 52 New Hartford Road, Barkhamsted. Register to donate at 1-800-733-2767, visit redcrossblood.org or download the Red Cross App.
CROSSROADS 4 CHRIST 7 p.m., Holy Disciples Parish Faith Formation Center, 9 Academy Hill, Watertown. Greater Waterbury chapter of C4C young adult ministry open to all (Zoom access ID 944 3817 3896). Session followed by adoration (open to public) 8 to 8:30 p.m. in St. John the Evangelist Church sanctuary. Free. 860-274-8836, c4cgreaterwaterbury@gmail.com.
MEN’S ASSOCIATION SUMMER PICNIC 5-8 p.m., St. Leo the Great Church of Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, 14 Bentwood Lane, Waterbury. Bring own snacks or sides to share, seating inside or out. 203-756-7919, mmcwaterbury@gmail.com, mmcparish.com.
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE 1 p.m., Jewish Federation of Western CT, 444 Main St. North, Southbury. “Daybreak” pop rock duo cover with Gina and Paul in performance following noon lunch. $10. RSVP. 203-267-3177, cconti@jfed.net, jfed.net.
MUSIC AND MEDITATION noon-12:30 p.m., Congregational Church of Salisbury UCC, 30 Main St., Salisbury. Organ and violin performances by Samuel Lord Kalcheim open to public first Fridays of the month. Free. 860-435-2442.
SETBACK TOURNAMENT 7 p.m., St. Leo the Great Church hall, 14 Bentwood Drive, Waterbury. Doors open 6 p.m. $15 entry fee; 50/50 raffle. 203-756-7919, mmcwaterbury@gmail.com, mmcparish.com.
ST. VINCENT DEPAUL SANDWICH MINISTRY 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. drop-off, Sacred Heart Church, 910 Main St. South, Southbury. Make and deliver sandwiches with safety and prevention guidelines in mind. 203-262-0599, cb06488@gmail.com.
MEN’S ASSOCIATION 7 p.m., Mary, Mother of the Church Parish at St. Leo the Great Church campus, 14 Bentwood Lane, Waterbury. All men of the parish invited. 203-756-7919, mmcwaterbury@gmail.com, mmcparish.com.
WOMEN’S COFFEE AND CONVERSATION 9:30-11 a.m., Panera Bread, 920 Wolcott St., Waterbury. Women of Walnut Hill Community Church, Waterbury campus, invited for coffee, tea and conversation. 203-796-7373, walnuthillcc.org.
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