The Lamplighter February 2026
Wolcott Congregational Church UCC
185 Center Street Wolcott, CT 06716
203 879-1293
The Rev. Tammy Torelli, Pastor
wolcottcongregational@gmail.com
Dear Church Family,
We have had a busy month of snow and activities in our church. Everything comes so
quickly, sometimes we forget to take a moment to think about how our faith is sustained
in our lives. In January I gave a sermon asking the big question, “Why do you come to
church?” I wrote down a few answers and was glad to see when the answers of our
Congregation far surpassed my list. The list included insights like: To raise my family
here, to be with community, to be renewed for the week ahead, to recover from the
week that has just ended. More reasons like, to hear the word of God, to receive a
message that relates to my life, to have a closer relationship with God. And reasons
like, to share in mission work, and to understand what God wants for me.
We come to this place for many reasons and find what God has in store for us, for our
families, for our souls.
Acts 11: 22- 24 The Message Bible
22-24 When the church in Jerusalem got wind of this, they sent Barnabas to Antioch
to check on things. As soon as he arrived, he saw that God was behind and in it
all. He threw himself in with them, got behind them, urging them to stay with it the
rest of their lives. He was a good man that way, enthusiastic and confident in the
Holy Spirit’s ways. The community grew large and strong in the Master.
God knows how and why we are called. Each of us called to be a part of this family for
reasons that are our own and reasons we share. One thing is for sure, we are each
called to do the work ahead of us. We are called to share the Gospel (the good news) to
follow the light, and to walk this path learning all the way. God knows what will help our
community grow.
In the next month I challenge you to think about what our community has to offer those
in your circle of influence. Often our friends and family are looking for the same things
that we are. People are drawn to community and a shared faith experience. No
pressure (LOL), but perhaps, just maybe, this is the beginning of sharing your faith
experience and offering to others what has been offered to you. Community, fellowship,
and a closer relationship with God. This is a good time to invite someone to church.
May God Bless You and Keep You!
Rev. Tammy
PS
I have a special announcement to share- A few months ago I was put into the
running for Mother of the Year for the State of Connecticut, American Mothers. I
believed the chances of me winning were small and yet I have received news that I
have won! I am Mother of the Year for the State of Connecticut and now in the running
for National Mother of the Year. This is a tremendous honor. In the coming weeks you
will see more information about this on social media and media shared by the American
Mothers organization. I look forward to sharing about all the exciting things in store in
the coming months.
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Changing of the Keys
This is your reminder that it is time to turn in your
keys to church offices and doors if you are no longer
in a position that requires access to the rooms of
your previous position. The key long is kept in the
church office. Please sign your key back in so it can
go to the next person in that position. We appreciate
your help in keeping our costs down for creating
new keys. If you have any questions, please see Rev.
Tammy.
Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, February at 11:15 am the Annual
Congregational meeting will be held in the
sanctuary. Please do your best to attend this
meeting, either in person or on Zoom. This is when
you vote on the budget for 2026, members of the
Boards and Committees and etc.
Homeless Awareness is Almost Here!
It is just day away, Homeless Awareness is February
14 & 15 on the Green from Noon to Noon. Please
see Rev. Tammy to sign up as a volunteer with the
participants. Please see Leeann Gardner to sign up to
help in the kitchen or to donate food for the
weekend.
Homeless Awareness is a 24-Hour experience
showing what it is like to live out in the cold as our
brothers and sisters in Christ who have no permanent
home. Our goal is to increase awareness about the
challenges faced by those who are homeless, to
collect food for GWIM, to collect blankets and
sleeping bags for GWIM, and to end our time
together making lunches for people we will never
see. This is a chole church project-help where you
can.
Valentine’s Day February 14
Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 7 pm
On Ash Wednesday we celebrate the beginning of
Lent. All are welcome to come in preparation for the
season by giving God our most challenging struggles
and receiving ashes from last years Easter palms.
Nursery will be open. All are welcome & wanted.
T
President’s Day February 16, 2026
Easter Cantata
Even though we just got over Christmas it is time to
start rehearsing for our Easter Cantata to be held on
March 29 during our morning worship service. The
rehearsals will begin on Sunday, February 8 th at
11:30 am. Please see Alice Caro if you are
interested in joining us.
Special Worship in February
Join us for 2 special times of worship in February.
Rev. Tammy will be away for the last weekend in
February. The Adult Confirmation class will be
conducting worship and sharing their faith
experiences during that weekend, February 21 & 22.
This is a great time to support the members of this
class and learn more about their faith journey that
has led them to us. Saturday 2/21 will Brace and
Gratitude, 4:30 pm in Covenant Hall, Sunday, 2/22
will be at 9:30 am in our Sanctuary.
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Men’s Club:
The Men’s Club continues to meet on the second
Wednesday of each month at 7 pm in the
Church Library. Our next meeting will be on
February 11. We review completed activities and
plan for upcoming events. This month we are
looking ahead to providing breakfast to the ladies
of the church on Palm Sunday following their
worship service and beginning to think about our
annual Chicken BBQ in June. Please consider
attending a meeting – all men of the church are
considered members of the men’s club. Join us for
friendship and fellowship. New ideas are
always welcome!
Setback Tournaments:
Setback Tournaments continue to be very successful
and contribute funds to help lower the
church’s deficit. In January, over $736 was raised
with 64 players enjoying the night. Our next
tournament will be on Friday, March 13, with
registration beginning at 6 pm and games starting
promptly at 7 o’clock. Please consider helping out at
these events. We continue to desperately
need more church members who know how to play
setback and would be willing to play on
nights when we need additional players to fill a table
of four. Please talk to Chris, Janice,
Mercedes, Ken, Greg, Dick, Jim or Pastor Tammy
for more information.
Our Pastor is Mother of the Year for the State of
Connecticut
Last week during worship, Rev. Tammy announced
she has won the honor of Mother of the Year for the
State of Connecticut with American Mothers. She is
now in the running for National Mother of the Year.
She will find out if she won the National title the
weekend of April 24 th . We wish her well in this
competition. We will be taking a special collection
to support her travel expenses for the trip the
weekend of March 7 & 8. To learn more about the
award, you can visit www.americanmothers.org. If
you click on the 2026 Nominees, she is listed there
for the state of CT. 2026 Mothers of the Year®
Mission Trip Pancake Breakfast – February 28 9
am, Covenant Hall
Join us in delicious support of the youth and adults
attending our two mission trips. From 9 to 12 it is
pancake time. Bring your family, friends, and
everyone, Adults $10 Kids $5, Kids under 3 Free.
Tickets for Sale after worship and at the door.
Lord’s Prayer Weekend
Bring your favorite something with the Lord's Prayer
for the weekend of February 28 & March 1. the,
Lord's Prayer is a guiding light in our faith. Our
message will focus on how the Lord's prayer inspires
us and guides our faith. Looking forward to see
what you bring.- Rev. Tammy
Ladies Aid
There will be a meeting of the Ladies Aid on
Wednesday, March 4 at 7 pm. We will be making
arrangements for the Pasta Heaven fundraiser to be
held in April, with delivery for Mother’s Day
weekend. We hope that you all will support us in
this fundraiser.
From the Board of Deacons
We are requesting that if you have to leave or enter
during the worship service, that you not do so
during the prayer times: Prayer of Confession or
Pastoral Prayer. Please wait until the prayer is
finished before leaving or entering. Thank you!
We are looking for people to volunteer to be
Greeters at our worship services. You would come
early so you could greet those entering our worship
service and introduce yourself. This would give us a
chance to get to know each other. You would also
be in the vestibule at the end of the service to wish
them a great week. If you are interested in doing
this, there is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in
the vestibule. Sign up for either Saturday or Sunday.
Any questions please see Janice McSwyny or Dick
Burton.
Upcoming Events
March 4 Ladies Aid 7 pm
March 8 Daylight Saving Time Ends
March 13 Setback Tournament 6 pm
March 15 Scouts Sunday
Open House ABC Kid’s 12-3 pm
