Tidings - Niantic Community Church · 2016. 5. 1. · Tidings April 2011 2 Worship in April Sundays...
Transcript of Tidings - Niantic Community Church · 2016. 5. 1. · Tidings April 2011 2 Worship in April Sundays...
Tidings April 2011
A Federated Church of the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church
An Open and Affirming/Reconciling Congregation
Monthly news for members & friends from Niantic Community Church April 2011
Tidings FROM THE PASTOR AND TEACHER
Dear Friends,
Greetings and grace to you, in the name of the
Human One!
I pray that your journey through Lent is con-
tinuing to lead you to fresh insights, or familiar re-
minders, about the present-ness of God in the midst
of the challenges of life. We have three weeks re-
maining of this rich season — and there are some
marvelous opportunities for you to draw from the
well of God’s spirit:
Bill Wernau and Tami Scace are leading the
effort to generate an ark for Heifer International.
Over the years our church has contributed over 16
arks to Heifer, each one valued at $5,000 and repre-
senting an ark-full of animals that will be given to
impoverished families all over the world. Heifer is
one of the best ways we have of stretching our pre-
cious dollars to make a real difference in the lives
of our global neighbors. If you haven’t already,
please look for Bill or Tami and help fill the ark!
Sandy Spencer has also taken on a most worthy
project during Lent: she has dedicated herself to
raising $5,000 for Charity Water, which will pro-
vide fresh drinking water for 250 persons for 20
years.
Both Heifer and Charity Water are invaluable,
faithful ways that we can do something to see Jesus
in our neighbors.
That opportunity is right here at home, as well,
and in another way. Please join me and many faith
leaders on the afternoon of April 17th for the Sec-
ond Annual Interfaith Walk: “Taking Peace to the
Streets.” We’ll meet at St. Sophia’s in New London
at 3pm and walk together for a mile, bringing a wit-
ness of peace and hope to streets that have seen too
much hurt and violence.
Yours on the journey,
Pastor John A. Nelson
Gifts & Grace IN LIFE’S FINAL DAYS Sunday, May 1st, 1–5 p.m. A Retreat on Ender’s Island, Mystic, CT
Refreshments served.
Six professionals will speak on their topics of expertise including eldercare, legal issues, living wills, long term care insurance, hospice, funeral planning and much more:
$15 per person/$25 per couple Register by April 25: call Joanne Moore (860) 739-2573 or Patty Chaffee (860) 739-6208
A program of Parish Life Ministry
•Rose Levine — Geriatric care management •Christy Pyatt — Long term care insurance/life insurance •Atty Granville Morris — Living wills/power of attorney
•Lorraine Moon, R.N.-—Hospice services
•Nick Fulton — Funeral planning •Pastor John Nelson — Memorials that celebrate life
and glorify God
Tidings April 2011
2
Worship in April
Sundays at 9 & 11:15am
Apr. 3rd • Fourth Sunday in Lent
Texts: Mark 14:1-11
Pastor Nelson, preaching: “In Remembrance of Her”
Apr. 10th • Fifth Sunday in Lent
Texts: Mark 14:12-25; 14:26-31; 14:32-42; 14:43-72
Pastor Nelson, preaching: “Revealed in the Night”
Apr. 17th • Sixth Sunday in Lent
Palm Sunday ~ Sunday of the Passion
Texts: Mark 11:1-11; 15:1-47
Pastor Nelson, preaching: “INRI”
Hymn sing before worship!
Holy Week Worship
Apr. 21st • Maundy Thursday, 7pm
A service of foot washing and communion, led by
members of the Confirmation class
Apr. 22nd • Good Friday, 7pm
Tenebrae — the Service of Shadows — led by
members of the Confirmation class
Get Ready for Worship!
Follow the “Preparing for
Sunday” link on our website home-
page (nianticcommunitychurch.org):
you will find the scripture readings
for the current week, a brief descrip-
tion to set them in context, a reflec-
tion on passages, and a prayer starter.
It’s a great way to spend time with God’s Word,
— and since those passages are (usually) the basis
for Sunday morning’s services, you’ll be adding a
new layer of richness and meaning to the experi-
ence of worship.
Easter Sunday, April 24th
6AM: Ecumenical Sunrise Service at McCook Point (rain location: Niantic Baptist church)
7:30AM: Easter Service of Holy Communion
9:00 & 11:15AM:
Celebration of the Resurrection
Texts: Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Acts 10:3443;
or Mark 16:1-8
Pastor John A. Nelson, preaching:
“The Never-Ending Story”
Christian Education for Grownups
In April, we begin to offer a new series for
grownups (of all ages): Embracing an Adult
Faith. From the publisher:
“Author and Bible scholar Marcus Borg invites
us to join him in revisiting Christianity's most
fundamental questions: Who is God? What does
salvation mean? What place does Jesus hold in
contemporary Christian faith? Each session in-
cludes a 10-minute presentation by Marcus Borg
followed by interaction with the group. The
study addresses fundamental questions that
adults struggle with as faith matures.”
Please join us between morning worship services
for this valuable, enriching conversation!
) ( There was a preacher who took pride in knowing everyone’s name. One Sunday a woman sat near the front who hadn’t been to church in a long time. The preacher couldn’t remember her name. Just before the benediction, memory returned. At the door, the preacher smiled and said, “You look like Helen Brown!” The woman looked startled, then shot back, “You don’t look so good in black yourself!”
Tidings April 2011
3
Heifer Ark Fundraiser
Niantic Community Church has raised many
arks of animals for Heifer over the years
(over 17 at last count) and, as many of us
know, bought the goat that allowed Beatrice
(of Beatrice's Goat) to go to school. Her ap-
pearance here a few years ago delighted us
all!
This year, NCC will once again strive to buy
an ark (contains two of each animal that
Heifer provides to needy families). The cost
is $5,000 and the value is immeasurable.
Heifer has designated the month of April as
"Passing on the Gift" month and we will be-
gin fundraising with the commencement of
Lent and end it on Easter Sunday. The chil-
dren in Divine Activity Time will receive
"ark banks and calendars", the older children
and adults will be offered the opportunity to
learn more about Heifer's work and to con-
tribute to the cause. Together we can make a
big difference to those who struggle daily.
If you would like to host a tea and coffee so-
cial for a dozen or so friends at your home, I
would be thrilled to attend and give a short
presentation on Heifer's work and show the
video "12 Stones" about Heifer's outstanding
work in Nepal. You can reach me at wer-
[email protected] or call (860)739-4212.
Bill Wernau
Charity:Water
Fundraiser By Sandy Spencer
On February 8, 2011, I turned 50.
I saw a magazine article about Will and Jada Smith
and Charity: Water that they were promoting for
their birthdays.
In our world of abundance, imagine a world where
families walk miles to bring back dirty water to
their villages and it is the only water that is avail-
able to them. I found out that millions of people
don't live to see their 5th birthday. And why? Be-
cause they didn't have access to clean, safe water.
So I am celebrating my birthday like never before.
And most of you who know me well knows I like
to celebrate!
I'm asking for donations from everyone I know -
and every penny of the money raised will go di-
rectly to fund freshwater wells in developing na-
tions. If you can't give $50, give what you can. $20
will provide fresh drinking water for one person for
20years!
Even better, every dollar is "proved" when the pro-
jects are complete, and photos and GPS coordi-
nates are posted using Google Earth. In addition,
every dollar you give goes towards the Wells be-
cause this charity has Foundations and Sponsors
who pay all their administrative and staff costs.
My goal is to raise $5000. Please consider helping
me.
Be thankful for all the blessings in your life includ-
ing the fact that you have clean drinking water
available right from the tap.
Thanks for being a part of my life and please "pay
it forward" by being an important life of someone
else's....a village that needs clean drinking water.
Tidings April 2011
4
History Quiz & Trivia
In 1954, a year after our two churches merged, it was decided to purchase land on Pennsyl-vania Ave. as the site for our new church. My first question is: Do you know how much we paid for the 3 acres that the church is now on? Was it A) $6,000 B) $18,000 C) $36,000? Three other sites in town had also been consid-ered. The next question is do you have any idea where these were? Hint: They are all within ½ mile of the Lincoln St. Church. Tidewater Oil agreed to lease the old Methodist Church property on Main St for a gas station provided we removed the Church building. How much do you think it cost to take the building down? Was it A) $650 B) $2,500 C) $5,000?
Considering Membership???
Please join us on either Saturday, April 30
from 9-12 p.m. or April 12 & 19 from 7—
8:30 p.m. to learn more about NCC and what
it means to become a member. For more in-
formation or to register please contact Patty
Chaffee at (860) 739-6208.
The Healing Art
of Photography
An interactive conversation
about the discovery of God
from behind the lens.
“The soul should always stand
ajar, ready to welcome the
ecstatic experience.
– Emily Dickinson
Professional photographer Denton Hoyer of Niantic
will join us for the first session to talk about photog-
raphy and getting the most out of your digital cam-
era. A Q & A will follow.
This is an interactive program that will require use of
a camera, developing prints, and time outside of the
group session. God Is at Eye Level by Jan Phillips, is
necessary for group discussion.
Register in the church office at (860)739-6208 or
email questions to
[email protected]. Books can be
obtained through Amazon.com or ask us for help.
Book is $15.
Wednesdays
7:00-9:00 p.m.
6 Weeks
Beginning May 4
Tidings April 2011
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Angels among us…
Want $60 worth of groceries for
$30? Savings like this is what
the average participant in the
Angel Food Ministries food dis-
tribution program experiences
each month. High quality fresh
and frozen foods are available to
absolutely anyone at the discounted rate. There is no
need to apply or qualify, no restrictions.
“ Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-
denominational organization dedicated to providing
food relief and financial support to communities
throughout the United States.” For more information
about ordering food at a great discount, and picking
them up at local host sites, visit
www.angelfoodministries.com or call 1-888-819-
3745. Brochures are available in the church office.
Women's Christian Service Association (WCSA) will sponsor a rummage sale on Sat., Apr 9, from 9 - 12. Items needed are clothing, linens and bedding, shoes, toys, sports equipment (except skis) household and kitchen items. Please do not bring computers, typewriters, furniture, rugs or anything heavy. More information will be forthcoming at a later date. For questions, call Doris Beebe.
ZAPATOS FOR HONDURAS
NCC and Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Gales Ferry, are once again sending a team to do God's work in Honduras. This year the team of 12 will be building desks and seats for school children in San Marcos. If you would like to help the mission with a donation, new or gen-tly used children's shoes for a tropical climate or sandals would be most appreciated. The group leaves on April 9th and will be packing the donations on Friday, April 8th. Also needed are large suitcases that you do not want returned, in which to pack the donations. If you have any questions, please contact Nori Lembree at 860-961-7056 or [email protected]
Rose Levine joined NCC
on Thursday, March 24th
to address the Caregiver
Support Group. The group
now meets the third Tues-
day of each month at
10:00 in the Fellowship
Room. Feel free to drop by
or call Joanne Moore for
more information at (860)
739-2573. Picture above are desks made on a previous mission
trip to Honduras.
Tidings April 2011
6
This past Saturday I ex-
perienced an eye opening
afternoon when I was
locked out of my house
for more than four hours.
I had stepped out of my
garage to check on
something before leaving
to do some errands and my automatic garage door
closed, with me outside, my car inside and every
other window and door secured like Fort Knox.
I tried to stop it once I saw it coming down, Aren’t
those doors supposed to stop if something blocks
them? Well this one had its own plan. I stood there
looking at it with hands on my hips in disbelief. I
wasn’t anywhere near the two controls. Very, very
strange, I thought. I gave it the squinty eye, which
is how my partner and I look at each other when
we’ve said or done something questionable, as if I
could reason with the door. I tried pulling it up and
when it wouldn’t budge, I gave it a little kick. It
made me feel better.
I scoped out the premises, circling the house, trying
other doors that I knew were dead bolted. I walked
to the back yard and sat by the water contemplating
my situation. Jim would be home soon. I was sure
of it. I kept changing my location, picnic table,
stone wall, patio. I got the mail and read every
word in the clothing catalogues that arrived. I did a
reconnaissance, and walked around the house again,
hoping that an access would reveal itself. I spied a
basement window cracked open an inch or so. De-
ciding it was an awfully small window, to an aw-
fully dark, and dusty basement, I decided that was
not an option and returned to my spot near the wa-
ter.
The day was sunny and I was grateful for that, but
as I watched the sun ever so slowly lean toward the
horizon it became increasingly cold, especially
with that ever present sea breeze. I wandered over
to the garage door and tried opening it a few more
times, turned my head a thousand times to see if
Jim was pulling into the driveway and finally saw
signs of life. Since we just moved into the
neighborhood, I didn’t know anyone. A man came
across the street and introduced himself as my
History Quiz Answer
If you guessed “A” to both of the questions you are correct. Lillian Clark sold us the property across from her house for $6,000. We paid $2,000 a year for 3 years. We were able to sell one of the furnaces from the Methodist Church for $150 so we only had to raise $500 to take the Church down. The 3 other sites were 1) The Bond property on Main St., across from the Baptist Church where Casablanca Wicker is located. 2) The Cutillo property on the corner of Pennsylvania Ave. and Hope St. 3) On Pennsylvania Ave. across from the present church where Penncove Rd. now is.
Spring Cleaning?
We want your jewelry!
In an attempt to avoid a Jack Frost Bazaar all-
nighter in November, we are asking that jewelry be
donated earlier in the year. So as you are spring
cleaning, and you come across any jewelry you are
ready to “move along,” please label it for the Jack
Frost Bazaar, and leave it in the church office.
Thanks so much! Jeanette Woodworth
neighbor. I wasn’t sure if he thought I was casing the
joint or what, but he invited me to use his phone and
get warm in his house while I waited for Jim to ar-
rive. Ahhh, the kindness of strangers. Jim did indeed
finally arrive an hour later and built me a fire to
warm up.
While I did, I wondered what the lesson was in this
experience. I believe there is something good to learn
from all things and I wondered what purpose there
was in slowing down my usual warp speed? I won-
dered what purpose could it serve to remove access
to my car, television, telephone, computer, books,
housecleaning, errands, work, etc.? I wondered what
the purpose was to spend four hours outside, just
God and I, hangin’ out, one sunny, Saturday after-
noon.
From the Community Minister, Patty Chaffee
Tidings April 2011
7
them about Fair Trade!
Easter Egg Hunt- on Easter Sunday, April
24 between services. We will meet in the
Dining Hall at about 10:30 AM to get ready
and then head out to the grounds to start the
Egg Hunt. Please remember to bring a basket
to gather all the goodies that you find.
Got Camp? Summer Camp Brochures for Wanakee
and Silver Lake are in! Please pick up in Amy's office.
Save the Date- Vacation Bible School is July 11-15.
The Shake It Up Cafe themed week is being led by Deb
Fountain. It is going to be such a cool five days. Please
contact Deb if you have some talents that you want to
share!
After an informative and fun presentation about Heifer
International by Bill Wernau, the children in Divine
Activity Time on Sunday, March 20 were presented
with ark banks and a Heifer calendar to study during
the next 4 weeks. It is hoped that your children will be
able to assist around the house and earn some change to
put in their banks. Their suggestions included: helping
with dinner, feeding the dog, cleaning up after the dog,
vacuuming, raking the leaves, cleaning up their toys.
The list went on. Just ask them what they thought they
could do.
Middle School Fellowship Schedule
April 3 from 6:45 AM- 3:00 PM
Rock-a-Thon all day and tie dying t-shirts in the after-
noonAn all day MSF event as we rock our way to
Wanakee. MSF rocks! We will also be tie dying t-shirts
for our trip!
April 10 from 12:30-2:00 PM
Get Ready for Wanakee
Paperwork, Packing List and planning
our meal for next week!
April 17 from 12:30-2:00 PM
A Shared Meal
Making our Meal and Connecting & Sharing It.
April 24 EASTER SUNDAY—No meeting
April 29 - May 1, Meet at 3:00 PM Friday! OUR TRIP TO WANAKEE! Meet at church at 3:00
PM sharp on Friday afternoon to leave for Wanakee.
We will return Sunday afternoon between 4:00and 5:00
PM.
WOW! Thanks to your generous
support, the MSF group raised over
$360 during the Quarter Contest.
Be sure to come to the performance of our winner. Nan
Rigdon will be dressed as an Oompa Loompa and sing-
ing a song from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Fac-
tory" on Sunday, April 3rd between services in the
Dining Hall.
MSF ROCKS Sunday, April 3rd from 7:00 AM- 3:00
PM. Please support our Middle School youth as they
gather pledges for their service trip to Wanakee on
April 29, 30 and May 1. And check out the new bulle-
tin board in the dining hall to find out more about the
kids who are going this year.
Been to Wanakee and want to go again? Out of middle
school and wishing that you could still go? Never been
there, but want to see what all the hype is about? Well,
we have an opportunity for all of you. NCC has re-
served the cabin at Wanakee for the weekend of Au-
gust 12, 13 and 14. Please let Amy Agles know if you
would like to be a part of this work weekend at Arbutus
Hill Farm (Meredith, NH) owned by Jen Mayo, a for-
mer Heifer recipient.
High School Sunday School- "Textifying- New Ways
to Talk About God". Meet in Amy's office from 10:15-
11:00 AM on April 3 and 10. We will
be setting up a NCC High School
Facebook Page, a Twitter account, and
a text scripture chain. Join us on one
or both Sundays!
High School Fellowship Calendar April 3- Sunday School 10:15 "Textifying" Setting up
our Facebook Page. Shelter Meal 6:00 PM. Meet at
the church. Please bring bread or a dessert to share
with the guests at St. James Overnight Shelter, New
London. Return to the church by 7:45 PM.
April 10- Sunday School 10:15 "Textifying" Setting up
our Twitter account and Text Scripture Chain.
April 17- Meet in the Dining Hall between services to
set up and sell Fair Trade Coffee and Chocolates.
April 24- Happy Easter!
Mark your calendar- the next Fair Trade Coffee and
Chocolate (just in time for your Easter Bas-
kets!) Sale is Sunday, April 17 in the dining hall be-
tween services. Sales by High School Fellowship. Ask
News from the Acting Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministries
Tidings April 2011
8
Lenten Series
Soup & Soul
Wednesdays 5:30-6:45 p.m.
March 9 through April 20,
2011
In The Greatest Prayer, Dominic
Crossan, a Jesus scholar, ex-
plores the Lord’s Prayer line-by-
line for the richest and fullest
understanding yet of a prayer
every Christian knows by heart.
“This is quintessential Crossan
for the general market, provid-
ing just the right amount of his-
tory, scholarship, and detail to
facilitate the message of Christi-
anity's greatest prayer. Crossan
reveals the enduring meaning and
universal significance of the
only prayer Jesus ever taught.”
delicious homemade soups
and bread
All are welcome * Bring a
friend
Come for one week or all
seven
Scholarships available
Let us know in advance if
you require Child care
call (860)739-6208.
The Communications Committee is currently
working on two projects. The first undertaking in-
volves the following: (i) replacement of the existing
free standing sign at the front of the church on Penn-
sylvania Avenue; (ii) replacement of an existing sign
for the Children's Center with a new sign at the en-
trance to the lower level parking lot located in about
the same location, but with an improved sight line;
and (iii) installation of a window decal at the en-
trance to the church office, All of the signs will have
a uniform design, color and shape. These signs will
be installed around the middle of next month. The
second endeavor involves upgrading the church's
website. The committee recently met with Eric S.
Anderson, Minister of Communication & Technol-
ogy for the Ct Conference, UCC. He provided the
committee with a number insights, observations and
suggestions for improving the website. He will con-
tinue to be a resource as the committee works on this
project. The committee welcomed two new mem-
bers, Jessie Kessler and Craig Woody, to the Com-
munications Committee.
Dolores Green speaking with Judy Barnard.
Dolores gave a talk on Sunday, March 27 about
her journey from 25 years of abuse. She lived at
the Katie Blair house and is now speaking about
domestic violence and the wonderful things the
organization does. Dolores was brought to us by
Marie La Tourette.
Tidings April 2011
9
Covenants:
Bread for the World $100
Habitat for Humanity of S.E. CT $1,000
L& M Chaplancy $100 NCC Children's Center Child care Scholar-
ships $25,200
Mission Priorities:
Karen Emergency Relief Fund $0
Martin House $500
United Action of SECT $1,000
Hunger Programs:
New London Food Coalition $25
New London Soup Kitchen $1,000
Supplies for Serving Meals $500
First Church Breakfast Program $500 Homeless Hospitality (St .James Monthly
Meal) $700
Gemma Moran Food Bank $0
Prison Ministries:
Christmas Toy Project - Postage $1,000
Fellowship House $500
Katy Blair House $500
Emergency Assistance (Pastor's Fund) $2,000
Local Area Needs: $2,625
Care and Share $500
Supportive Housing (Homeless Hospitality) $1,000
Seabird Enterprises $500
Women's Center $500
Thames River Family Program $500
Interfaith Refuge Committee $0
Alliance For Living $500
MLK Scholarship $500
Youth Missions /NCC Youth $500
Overseas Schools and Missions: Honduras (St. Luke's Mission -Gales
Ferry) $500
SERRV (A Greater Gift) $500
CROSBY - Haitian Scholarship Foundation $550
Promotion of Outreach Missions $0
Total Outreach $43,300
Outreach Committee Budget
For any questions regarding Outreach Please feel free to contact anyone of us: Laurie Castronova (Chair), Amy Agles, Anne Davis, Sandy Spencer, Luane Lange, Bette Mahon, Kathy Liebel, Lisa Aschenbrenner, Carolyn Lombardo, and Jean Spranklin
Please recycle
your used inkjet
cartridges!
We are collecting used/empty
inkjet cartridges.
We receive $2.00 credit from
Staples for every cartridge we
turn in (up to 20/month.)
That extra $40.00 each month
helps offset our office ex-
penses! (that saves up to
$480.00 a year!)
Recycled cartridges may be
left in the church office mail-
box on the wall outside of the
church office door at any time.
If your office doesn’t recycle,
ask if you can collect the used
cartridges at your office to re-
cycle here.
The environment thanks you,
and the Church Office thanks
you!
Tidings April 2011
10
Photos from Youth Sunday
Tidings April 2011
11
Niantic Community Church 170 Pennsylvania Avenue Niantic, CT 06357
(860) 739-6208
www.NianticCommunityChurch.org
Pastor & Teacher: John A. Nelson
Community Minister: Patty Chaffee
Acting Dir. of Religious Education and Youth Ministries: Amy Agles
Church Secretary: Judy Snitkin
Parish Nurse: Marie LaTourette
Children’s Center Director: Kathleen Tiller
Sunday Morning Schedule 8:45AM Nursery care begins
9:00AM Worship service I (Pre-K to 4th graders may leave after ~20
minutes for “Divine Activity Time”)
10 – 11AM “Between Hour” Café
10:15AM Sunday school for all ages
11:15AM Worship service II (Pre-K to 4th graders may leave after ~20
minutes for “Divine Activity Time”)
12:30PM Nursery care ends
Deadline for the May edition of Tidings is April 15th. Please e-mail submissions to [email protected]