Upload
others
View
2
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Tidings October 2011
A Federated Church of the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church
An Open ,Affirming, Reconciling Congregation
Monthly news for members & friends from Niantic Community Church October 2011
Tidings FROM THE PASTOR AND TEACHER
Dear Friends,
Before beginning this month‘s letter I looked in a
book of daily reflections and stories that has accom-
panied me for many years. The page I turned to had
this story:
Before he died, Rabbi Zusya of Hanipol said,
“In the world to come, they will not ask me, ‗Why
were you not Moses?‘ They will ask me, ‗Why
were you not Zusya?‘‖
(Tales of the Hasidim)
The story may have come from the Hasidim —
whose energetic and joyful faith is sometimes cred-
ited with saving Judaism — but it has a universal
meaning. Perhaps you and I could take that story to
heart and aim to treasure God‘s idea of who we are,
rather than someone else‘s image or some adver-
tiser‘s ideal.
Another of my hopes and prayers will be more
controversial. It is that all of us will find the strength
we need to keep our hearts always opened, and never
hardened or closed. This may sound simplistic and
benign, yet it has preoccupied my thoughts for weeks
while praying that Troy Davis would be spared the
death penalty in Georgia. Mr. Davis was executed,
despite the doubt in his case. Now I follow the trial
of Joshua Komisarjevsky. Should he be found guilty
of that heart-rending, hideous crime, I pray for a just
punishment. But not death.
I am deeply opposed to the death penalty. I have
studied arguments for it: deterrence, punishment,
atonement, closure. Even scripture can be used for
justification. But in studying scripture we learn that
the often quoted ―an eye for an eye … a life for a
life‖ was meant to limit punishment, rather than en-
courage it. Moreover, that ―law of retaliation‖ has
been trumped decisively in scripture by Jesus‘ insis-
tence that no person is beyond God‘s power to re-
deem.
There is no atoning possible for a life taken. The
only real closure in the execution of Troy Davis or
Joshua Komisarjevsky would be the closing of our
hearts. God is absent from the human desire for re-
venge: there is frequent vengeance in the Bible, but it
belongs to God and not to humans. God is absent
from the decision to kill: God is present only in the
difficult decision to treasure life, to keep ourselves
from becoming hardened even in the face of evil, and
to keep finding ways to care for one another.
God‘s whole activity in our lives is to open
hearts: this is the source of blessing, and healing, and
right relationship. When we close our hearts, espe-
cially when we justify that defensive and weak posi-
tion, we close ourselves in some way to God. What
God seeks in us — every day, every moment — is a
heart that is open to pain and grieving as well as
open to joy and hope. We will never truly give
praise, we will never truly hope, as long as we be-
lieve that punishment belongs to us or that we can
remove our problems by force. Jesus knew that. Our
messiah came as a shepherd and not as a warrior.
I hope and pray these things today: that each
of us can strive to be entirely the grace-filled person
God made us to be; and that all of our hearts remain
open to God‘s ever-present, ever-healing Spirit.
God‘s richest blessings to you,
Pastor John A. Nelson
Tidings October 2011
2
Sunday Worship at 9:00 & 11:15am
October 2nd: 16th Sunday after Pentecost
Texts: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 and Psalm 19
(or Isaiah 5:1-7 and Psalm 80:7-15)
Philippians 3:4b-14
Matthew 21:33-46
Pastor John A. Nelson, preaching:
“Favorite Songs‖
October 9th: 17th Sunday after Pentecost
Exodus 32:1 (2-6), 7-14 & Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
(or Isaiah 25:1-9 and Psalm 23)
Philippians 4:1-9
Matthew 22:1-14
Pastor John A. Nelson, preaching:
“Singing Faith‖
October 16th: 18th Sunday after Pentecost
Texts: Exodus 33:12-23 and Psalm 99
(or Isaiah 45:1-7 and Psalm 96:1-9, [10-13])
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 22:15-22
Pastor John A. Nelson, preaching:
“Do You Remember?‖
October 23rd: 19th Sunday after Pentecost
Deuteronomy 34:1-12 and Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17
or Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18 and Psalm 1
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Matthew 22:34-46
Pastor John A. Nelson, preaching: “Trustworthy‖
October 30th: Reformation Sunday
Texts: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 46
Romans 3:19-28
John 8:31-36
Pastor John A. Nelson, preaching:
“Fed By Heart‖
Get Ready for Worship!
Follow the ―Preparing for Sunday‖ link on the
homepage of our website
(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 the passages, and a prayer starter.
It‘s a great way to spend time with God‘s Word
— and since those passages are the basis for ser-
vices on Sunday morning and Thursday evening,
you‘ll be adding a new layer of richness and
meaning to the experience of worship..
Worship in October
Church School for Adults
Sessions will take place between Sunday worship
services, in the Fellowship Room. Come to one,
some, or all: you are always welcome! Take part in
rich conversations about our faith — Church School
for adults helps us to better know our scripture, our
tradition, our fellow congregants, and ourselves.
Oct. 9
Questioning Capital Punishment
―Crossing the Breach‖
Paul Helvig
Oct. 16
Sermon Talk-back
Oct. 23
Questioning Capital Punishment
―What‘s in God‘s Name?‖
Rich Basham
Oct. 30
Questioning Capital Punishment
―A Change of Heart‖
Carol Donovan
Tidings October 2011
3
News from the Director of Religious
Education and Youth Ministries History Quiz & Trivia
I hope that some of you were able to attend the September program on the Nehantic Indians sponsored by the East Lyme Historical Society. This month I will ask what do you know about the Nehantics and their relationship with our first church, The Second or East Ecclesiastical Society of Lyme.
The first question is: What was the relationship of the first minister, Rev. George Griswold with the Indians?
Second: What do you know of the Indian Sam-son Occom?
Third: Did any Nehantics attend church?
The fall is getting underway in
Adult Education with a new
Sunday Church School class
covering the death penalty. We
are taking a 5-week look at many
aspects of this hot topic in light
of our faith. Class starts at 10:15
in the Fellowship Room. If you
need child care at that time,
please let Russ Kirby know so
we can make arrangements.
The fall schedule for Children’s Church School has
begun. This is for children through 5th grade. We
gather after ―Thought for Young Minds‖ in the early
service and go to the Multipurpose Room for a short,
full-group devotion time before breaking into age-
level classes. Parents may pick up their children at
10:15.
Our new Youth Fellowship has also just begun.
Youth in grades 6-12 meet Sunday Evenings at 5 PM
in the Dining Hall, where we enjoy recreation and a
snack supper, followed by small group time and end-
ing with a youth-focused worship service in the Mul-
tipurpose Room. We are done there at 7 PM. On the
first Sunday of the month, Junior Youth Fellowship
(grades 6-8) stays the same while the Senior Youth
fellowship (grades 9-12) meet in the dining hall at 6
PM to deliver and serve a meal at the homeless shel-
ter at St. James Episcopal church in New London.
They return to the church at 8 PM.
We are in need of volunteers throughout the
church to help provide a snack supper to about 20
youth each Sunday. These can be provided by
church families and groups within the church, and
it‘s a great way to get to know the youth and for the
youth to get to know you! Please sign up in the Reli-
gious Education office.
Old Stone Burial Ground Ellen Ashburn
Zachary Deziel has chosen to do his Eagle Scout
Project at the Old Stone Cemetery. Zach is a sopho-
more at East Lyme High School and a member of
Niantic Community Church. This project began in
the spring of his freshman year. To date he has
cleared trees and brush from around the perimeter
and now will be working on repairing the stone wall
that surrounds the cemetery. Talk to Zach about his
project. The OSBG committee is grateful for the
work he has done. For those of you who are new to
NCC the cemetery is located at the corner of River-
view and Society Roads. The Stone Church Burial
Ground Association deeded the cemetery to NCC in
1977 for the church ―to hold and maintain them (the
grounds) forever for the same uses and purposes as
they now are‖. Talk to Liz Kuchta about how the
history of the cemetery is part of NCC history. The
cemetery doesn‘t have any full burial space left but is
still selling cremation plots. Call Ellen Ashburn
(860-739-2518) if you have any questions about cre-
mation plots.
Tidings October 2011
4
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
mailbox 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 recycle here.
The environment thanks you, and the Church Office thanks you!
Open, Affirming, Reconciling Committee
Says, “Thanks!”
Your Open, Affirming, Reconciling Committee has had a very busy summer. Many unofficial
meetings have been held planning and decision making for our attempt at having a NCC Golf
Tournament. This tournament was to have helped raise funding for the new lighting in our
church and to also help us in planning our celebration for the 10 year decision to become an
Open, Reconciling and Affirming church. We found that there was much to be done to make
this event happen beyond the original idea for it. As a group we gathered together often and
had several ideas to think through. We ended with, what we believed, was a great event for all
who would participate.
Our first date planned was to be held at a course in a neighboring town. When that didn‘t
happen we made the decision to hold our tournament here in our town to support our local golf
course. Cedar Ridge and Chris Medeiros were more than accommodating to us.
We decided also to try to have each hole represented by a local business to both advertise for
them and to help support our efforts for NCC.
Many of us went out and asked for prizes that we could give the winners of the day‘s event.
There was such support for us that we want to, formally, thank each one who contributed to our
requests. You will find a listing of those people and businesses below. We hope that you will
remember them and say thanks by frequenting their business or saying thank you personally.
Unfortunately our attempts did not come to fruition and the tournament had to be cancelled.
We fell short of the needed number of golfers to make this a well done event. What we all
gained from the experience was a profound respect for each other. Some of us didn‘t really
know one another very well when we began this task. When we ended with the final decision
we realized that we had truly come together as a community to work toward something that
would benefit us all. Friendships were made and solidified during this process. New
understandings were arrived at and we saw the fruits of the labors of those who, ten long years
ago, helped Niantic Community Church come to the decision to become an open, affirming and
reconciling congregation. God is Good!!
Thank you to the following individuals and businesses who supported our efforts:
Body Kneadz Massage and Wellness Center (Flanders Plaza), Smarty‘s Restaurant and Pub,
Mohegan Sun, Best of Everything Country Gourmet, Two Chefs Catering in New London, The
Shack, Shoreline Physical Therapy, Fountain-Timmons Team of Prudential Real Estate, Parker
Agency and Betsy Farrugia for her donation.
Tidings October 2011
5
History Quiz Answer
Answer: Rev. Griswold was very concerned about the Nehantics. He was commissioned by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in New England to preach to the Nehantics. He did this faithfully once a week from 1741 through 1760 Samson Occom was a Mohegan Indian born in 1743. He attended an Indian school and at the age of 17 became a Christian. He studied greatly, learned 3 languages and became a minister. But, it is a long and sad story of his life. He raised money for a school to teach Indi-ans only to have it taken from him. A school was founded with that money and we now know it as Dartmouth College. He knew Rev. Gris-wold and often would preach to the Nehantics on their reservation at Black Point. During the Great Awakening from 1740-43 13 Nehantics joined our church. One Philip Oc-cuish would later become a Baptist Minister Trivia: To learn more on Samson Occom (sometimes spelled Occum) do an internet search. Also search Dartmouth College.
66th Annual
Jack Frost Bazaar Saturday, November 12, 2011
Co-chairs
Susan Brown
&
Jennifer Datum
Start early & miss the last minute rush for dona-
tions. We are looking for donations of the follow-
ing specific items:
(1) footed candy dishes or candle pedestals . Max.
6-inch diameter bowl/top. – made of wood, ce-
ramic, crystal, pewter, silver – NO PLASTIC
PLEASE. Here‘s an example of one in pewter.
(2) Talented crafter(s) to make table top wooden
easels (12-inch to 2-ft tall), a bluebird house, a
bird/squirrel feeding platform/tray
(3) Gift Cards/Certificates to area merchants/
stores, restaurants, personal care, fitness, enter-
tainment
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 Ba-
zaar, and leave it in the church office. Thanks so
much! Jeannette Woodworth
Saturday, October 15
"Songtracks: New Music and Dance."
Featuring works by Richard Schenk with Faculty,
Students and Special Guests of the Connecticut Col-
lege Music and Dance Department.
7:30 pm Evans Hall
Tickets $10, $5 student & seniors,
free to CC students, staff and faculty
Tidings October 2011
6
balloon?‖ ―Yes, that‘s pretty much it.‖
I could see where this was going. Despite several
attempts to explain the event before worship several
Sundays, no one really understood it. Miraculously
they signed up anyway. With tables nearly sold out,
Tropical Storm Irene hit in late August leaving many
of us with no water, power or modern conveniences,
just two weeks before the dinner.
Then the dinner was upon us. Tables were filled,
food was plentiful, costumes beautifully represented
different months. With little understanding about the
concept, friends gathered and completely embraced
the spirit of the event. There was laughter and sing-
ing, great food and fun. Over $1100 was raised to-
ward the purchase of a portable labyrinth. Most of all
it was an opportunity for everyone involved to just
have some fun and celebrate our loving community,
reminding us that nurturing faith comes in many,
many forms.
Thanks Marion for pursuing something you believed
in.
Respectfully,
Patty Chaffee
See photos on the next page!
One day last year I think it was, someone came to me
with an idea for an event that generated a, ―deer in
the headlights‖ sort of response from me. I kind of
pride myself on my ability to hear an idea and be
able to run with it….most of the time. But not in this
case. I couldn‘t really get my head around the con-
cept that was being presented. I might have said
something like, ―that‘s very interesting.‖ I‘m not
really certain how I responded, but we agreed to talk
again in the future but I secretly hoped the conversa-
tion was over.
But no, as Spirit would have it, that was not the case.
The persistent individual with wisdom far greater
than myself, knew better than to quit. She came to
me in the spring, and again explained the puzzling
event she had in mind. I was no clearer on the sub-
ject than before, but I could see she was not going to
let this go. With that decision made, a Calendar Din-
ner was scheduled.
Marion McKenzie recruited a partner in the escapade
and Cheri Meier hopped on board. Parish Life spon-
sored the event, a date was chosen and flyers posted.
Then came the hard part, trying to explain to every-
one else, how the event would work.
―You see there are 12 tables with captains.‖ ―No it‘s
not held over 12 months. It‘s one day.‖ ―Is it being
held at different houses? No it‘s in the church dining
hall.‖ ―Are there prizes?‖ ―Yes, you get a balloon.‖
―We bring the food, pay to attend and maybe get a
From the Community Minister
“DEMOCRACY IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT:
WITH YOUR VOICE JUSTICE CAN HAPPEN!!!”
SAVE THE DATE!!!
TUESDAY EVENING NOVEMBER 29, 2011
UNITED ACTION CONNECTICUT (UACT)
ANNOUNCES A GATHERING OF CONGREGATIONS
TO INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE US AS WE MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.
THE PLACE WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON.
MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW.
Tidings October 2011
7
Edie Watrous of the Irish Alien table celebrating March
Kay Whritner in a top hat
The December table plans their strategy for winning
Mistress of ceremonies Marion
McKenzie in her Easter bonnet Bob La Tourette, Marie‘s hubby getting into the
spirit of things
Scenes from the
Calendar Dinner
Photos by Craig Woody
Tidings October 2011
8
4th Annual
NCC Chili Cook-Off Saturday, October 15th
5:00-7:30 p.m.
Chili Cook-off and family friendly activities with celebrity guest appearance by
WFSB Channel 3 reporter Kevin Hogan. Live music with John Wood (Woody) Master of Ceremony - Chris Deveau
Support your favorite chili cook or enter your own recipe. Call to enter the competition. Rain or shine.
Menu
All you can eat chili Hot dogs
Tortilla Chips Pie
Coffee and Cider Fun, Fun, Fun
Children’s activities
provided by NCC
Children’s Center
Face Painting
Games
Prizes
Loads of fun
All Inclusive:
$ 10 Adults $ 5 Kids 12 and under $ 30 Per family (max)
This fun raiser is a Parish Life fund raiser
Tidings October 2011
9
The Road Back to Yourself
The Second Journey By Joan Anderson
Join us for sacred conversation, reflection and creative
experiences.
“The Second Journey is a lifeline for women coming of age in mid-life—a memoir
with a message that gives the reader permission to break some rules and leave behind what is
outlived in order to embrace what remains unlived. No matter how many accidental journeys
she has embarked upon which have led to counterfeit destinations the reader will eventually
garner the sustenance and inspiration to move away from the predictable and redesign her
life in her own image... to become not only her own best friend but the heroine of her life
story.”
-Joan Anderson
Program is free. Books are $6 (available in Parish Life Office)
Register at (860)739-6208 or
email [email protected] A nurturing faith ministry of Parish Life
Meet author Joan
Anderson when
she joins us by
phone.
2 sessions
Wednesdays 1-3 pm or 7-9 pm
(choose one) Oct. 19 – Nov. 16
(5 weeks)
Tidings October 2011
10
Equipping the Saints
for Ministry
The New London Association presents an
afternoon of workshops with new ideas for
all of us.
Sunday, November 6
2:00-4:30 p.m.
Federated Church of Colchester
60 Main Street, Colchester, CT
Attend two of the following three work-
shops:
Best Practices for Healthy Churches Karen Ziel, Minister of Christian
Education, CT Conference UCC
Social Networking – Promises and
Pitfalls
Eric Anderson, Minister of Commu-
nications and Technology,
CT Conference UCC
Inspiring Transformative Giving:
Joyous Annual Stewardship Cam-
paigns
Patricia (Patsy) Bjorling, Associate
Minister for Generosity Ministries,
CT Conference UCC To help with planning, an estimate of the number
of those attending from each church would be ap-
preciated. Please send to Rev. William Dunlap,
Registrar, at [email protected].
The Healing Art of
Photography - Take II A continuation of our interactive
conversation about the discovery of God
from behind the lens.
“It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a sophisti-cated camera, if you have never studied photog-raphy…what matters is that something intimate and precious and sacred is being brought to life and shared with another. That’s what healing is all about.” -Jan Phillips
1st Thursday
7:00-9:00 p.m.
Monthly
Beginning November 3
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 Phil-
lips, is necessary for group discussion.
Register in the church office at (860)739-6208 or
email questions to
Books can be obtained through Amazon.com or Jan
Phillips website, www.JanPhillips.com or ask us for
help.
Tidings October 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
Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministries: Russ Kirby
Church Secretary: Judy Snitkin
Parish Nurse: Marie LaTourette Music Director:
Paul Althouse Children’s Center Director:
Kathy Tiller
9:00 a.m.
and
11:15 a.m.
Deadline for the Nov. edition of Tidings is Oct. 15th. Please e-mail submissions to