The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn’t even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, “That’s mine; you can’t have it.” They shared everything. – Acts 4:32
Church Family News & Photos 2024
This Church Family News and Photo page is a popular feature to spotlight weddings, births, baptisms, new members, other celebrations, moves, deaths, etc. Enjoy.
2024 News & Photos
Welcome new member Lauralyn “Lynn” Blanchard, 11/24/24.
Welcome new members Greg and Christina Carnes and children Max and Salina, 11/24/24
Welcome new member Anne Jones, 11/24/24.
Welcome new member Helena Klein, 11/24/24.
Welcome new member Eric Malley, 11/24/24.
Welcome new member Mary Russell, 11/24/24.
Ten First Church members and friends were among 1,063 people who gathered for the 2024 Power Summit of GHIAA (Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance). This year’s issues are Housing Affordability, CT’s Fiscal Guardrails, and Combating Religious and Racial Hatred. Interested in GHIAA? Contact Linda Bronstein (lindadiane275@gmail.com) or Terry Schmitt (terryschmittwh@gmail.com).
Altar flowers given by Mike and Linda Dore’s children, their spouses, grandchildren and grand pets in celebration of their 60th wedding anniversary.
Mike and Linda Dore celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary with their family.
Welcome new member Gwen Jeffries, 9/29/24.
Welcome new members Jenny and Keith Guerraz and children Elle and Gavin, 9/29/24
Welcome new member Janice Olson, 9/29/24.
Welcome new member Diane Iwans, 9/29/24
Susan Izard baptized grandson Henry on Church Island on Squam Lake in New Hampshire with family gathered including both his cousins, Aida and Hugh.
Carol Carter poses with her quilt designs on exhibit at the Monastery Gallery of Art, at 303 Tunis Road in West Hartford. A group of Creative Crafters enjoyed the exhibit together, pictured are: Carol Lennig, Jeanne Warner, Nancy Ball, Carol Carter, Linda Dore and Barbara Goodwin. Celebrating 25 Years of Food, Friendship and Fiber Art is on display from July 8 through August 31, 2024. This exhibit features the work of Mickey Lawler, Pam Hardiman, Trish Hodge, Marylyn Leander, Jean Thibodeau, and Carole Carter, friends and artists who gather monthly to share their work, fiber art techniques, and catch up on life. Each of the women in this group is an accomplished fiber artist in her own right. Many have taught, sold their work, or offered interesting supplies for others to use in theirs. Together, they are more than just a collection of individuals: they inspire each other, care for each other, and feed each other in so many ways.
Pure love and joy splashes in from our Pastor Emeritus as Pam and Geordie Campbell celebrate the birth of their second grandchild. Eleanor Beatrice was born to Karen and Meredith on August 1. Her older brother, Wilder Charles, is still trying to figure out how all of this came to pass! But there is no doubt, once he gets his feet back on the ground he will be a wonderful “Big Bro” to his adorable sister. They live in Concord, MA – only 90 minutes away from Oma (Pam) and Opa (Geordie). As you have heard Geordie say many times over the years: “Life is good, and gracious, and grand!”
Enjoying the music of the Carillon, on the front lawn in July.
Julia Rosa hosted a game night with Amy & Mick Melvin and Rayda Bouma and Eleanor Wight. It was SUPER Scrabble and super fun!
Joey Carbone (3rd from left) and Connor Mayr (6th from left) were awarded scholarships as graduating high school seniors. Here they are with their families after worship on June 23, 2024.
A friend at Seabury made these doorstops for Dani to place strategically around our church building. Barbara Goodwin delivered them.
Lorey Cavanaugh, new member 4/28/24.
Kurtis and Lauren Eckard with their two children, new members 4/28/24.
Linda Isham, new member 4/28/24.
Bridgett Olszewski, new member 4/28/24.
Joel Park and Sarah Duncan-Park with their daughter, new members 4/28/24.
Wyrot Ward, new member 4/28/24.
Geordie Campbell, our Pastor Emeritus, is delighted to announce the release of his fourth book, ‘A Sabbath Stroll ~ Collected Reflections.’ It offers 42 meditations for spiritual and devotional guidance and growth.”
A copy is soon-to-be on the shelves of the JPW Library as well as one in the archives of First Church. Interested in knowing more? He would be delighted to hear from you: cgc.pastor.emeritus@gmail.com
Bob and Jane Cave with their kids and grandkids.
Alex and I welcomed our baby, Elliott Daniel Dube-Scott on 2/26/24! We are both happy and healthy. We are thrilled to be able to share this news with our friends at FCWH and are so thankful for your continued prayers and care! –Lauren Dube-Scott
Court Lewis and Al Day enjoyed a sunny day skiing at Okemo VT!
This is the Lumbruno-Wigglesworth clan on the last weekend of 2023. Anna and her boyfriend Peter DelBuono have embarked on a yearlong experience of travel nursing. Anna is an ICU nurse and Peter is an Emergency Room nurse. They left shortly after the new year to drive across the country and are currently working in hospitals in Portland, Oregon. Benjamin is serving his last year as a Marine based in New River, North Carolina. We are thrilled to share his engagement to Hannah Stephenson, a kindergarten teacher in Erwin, North Carolina. They are planning a December wedding in a beautiful chapel in the woods of Goldsboro, NC. Life is good for the Wigg-Lums!
We welcomed our newest grandchild, Henry Izard Desnoyer in October. He’s joining his sister, Aida, and cousin Hugh. –Bob and Susan Izard
Joanne and Ralph White with their gang, July 2023. Look closely and you’ll see just one grandson. Joanne says, “one day young Clive said to me, ‘JoJo do you know I’m the only boy with all these girls!’ ” All the cousins really love each other and had a great time being together for a week.