Last year I wrote in the January newsletter that I hope I will NEVER take our in-person gatherings for granted again. Throughout the year, we have been able to work on mission programs and fundraise is while following COVID procedures. Since last May we have been able to worship in person. It was good to be around people and share our ups and downs with each other while worshipping and working. In November I was hopeful that we could take another step towards reopening as we started doing Fellowship Time after church in the Fellowship Hall.

Then the Omicron variant hit and we are back to virtual worship for now.

Can you imagine 100 years ago when the Spanish Flu hit, there were no vaccines and they did not have the technology to meet virtually. As disappointed as I am to not be meeting in-person, I am grateful for the technology that allows us to worship together virtually so we may be recharged each week, reminded that we are God’s children and have His strength get though anything. We have His strength to minister to all we meet to show God’s love and be His light in this sometimes drak world.

Just think of all the ministries we have been able to do since COVID-19 hit in March of 2020. This last year, despite COVID restrictions, we have been able to do the following:
Regular worship services
Virtual VBS program on five Sundays in July and August
Mission programs:

  • Socks and Underwear drive for Columbus House
  • Tons of Tuna drive for WHEAT
  • Diaper drive for the diaper bank
  • Sent 5 people to UMARMY (United Methodist Action Reach-Out by Youth) mission program -Stop & Shop gift cards given at Thanksgiving to some of our church families, the Hill area of New Haven and our Covenant to Care social worker, Lisa Fryer
  • Christmas gifts for 20 children for our Covenant to Care social worker to distribute too families in need
  • Forty $25 Stop and Shop gift cards given at Christmas to families in need in West Haven and the Hill area of New Haven

The above list does not include the monthly meetings and fundraisers that so many of you have attended and supported to make our church’s ministry vital. I would like to thank you for helping to make this happen:

Happy New Year!

Helen Smith, Layleader