The Third Annual Float Fest will take place on Sunday, September 2nd beginning at 4 PM at Stanclift Cove, in Barkhamsted.  You’re invited to bring your kayak, canoe, or sailboat (no motors, please) and come and float awhile. We’ll gather together back on the beach at 6 PM to share a meal; each person brings their own food.  Don’t want to ‘float’? Come about 6PM and join the group for the meal and fellowship.

If you don’t have a beach sticker to the Cove, speak with Margo Fenn or John Baum so arrangements for a guest pass can be made. There will be no rain date; if the weather is poor, the event will be cancelled. For more information, contact the church office, or speak with Margo at 860-379-3874 or John at 860-379-9398.

Vacation Bible School this year will take place at the Shake It Up! Cafe, where kids will explore the Bible as a cookbook filled with recipes for living out God’s word. They will celebrate biblical festivals and discover some ingredients for being a follower of God, such as:

• Be Ready for God
• Give Happily to God
• Believe Fully in Jesus
• Remember Jesus Often
• Celebrate God Forever

The fun will take place at the church on July 18th – 22nd, from 5:45 – 8:15 PM. To register your child or for more information, contact the church office at 860-379-2157.

On Saturday, May 14th from 9AM – 2PM, our church will host a Mother’s Market, Tag Sale, Bake Sale, and Luncheon event. It’s not too late to purchase table space to help you unload some of your unused items; contact Mindy Henry at 860-738-7737 for information. The Mother’s Market will feature gently used baby and/or children’s clothes, toys, and furniture (up to current safety code) which can be purchased at drastically reduced rates. There will also be some vendors showing their wares. Or you can simply come and enjoy a nice homemade lunch with friends. All church proceeds from the event will go toward off-setting the price of a new furnace in the Parish House. Come and enjoy a fun day at the church.

What a surprise to find that the traditional Easter Sunrise Service on Beach Rock in Barkhamsted this morning was featured on Fox News!  A reporter covered the early morning service which was hosted by North Congregational Church of New Hartford, First Congregational Church of Hartland, First Congregational Church of Barkhamsted, and Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church. Following the service, the traditional Community Breakfast, hosted this year by PVUMC, was the scene of an interview with Pastor Carl Franson. To check out the video of this interview, go to http://www.ctnow.com, then click on the video link for the Sunrise Service. Great start to a wonderful Easter celebration.

On Saturday, May 14th, from 9 AM to 2 PM we will be hosting another Tag Sale and  Mother’s Market.  This event is similar to a Vendor Fair but items for sale will be gently used baby and children’s clothes, maternity clothes, baby or children’s furniture, toys, or anything else that could be recycled and useful to someone else.  Of course, tag sale items can be whatever the seller is willing to bring.  Table space will be purchased as follows:  8 foot tables inside for $20, and outside larger spaces will be available for $25.  Those choosing to set up outside must provide their own table and shelter.  There will be a bake sale table and luncheon will be available as well.  Here’s a great opportunity to clean out some of those still-in-good-condition items that someone else could use.  For more information or to reserve your table space, call the church office at 860-379-2157.

Come join Cathy and John Baum as they lead us in a Lenten Bible Study, each Sunday during Lent after Coffee Hour.