Redeemer News. Church of the Redeemer. From the Pastor

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1 Church of the Redeemer Redeemer News Inside this issue: Joint Worship in November Time Change! Election Eve Prayer Service Coordinating Team Update Children s Faith Formation Adult Faith Formation Help Wanted Caregiver Conference Book Groups 7 New Haven/ Sister Cities Products Sale Congregational Meeting Candy for the Troops Yale Camerata Concert Brahms concert by Yale Schola Cantorum Ushers/Hospitality 12 Calendar 13 Happy Thanksgiving!! 14 From the Pastor Four Program Teams plus the Coordinating Team are hard at work imagining a new church into being. Wow! How cool is it that we get to build a congregation s life from the very beginning! We can put in some old things, some new things, some borrowed things, maybe even a Blue Christmas service? Okay, that metaphor was pushed too far, perhaps, but what is happening between Redeemer and United has analogs with marriage. For example, we can imagine and plan for some things (like where we will live and what our name will be), but for much of the new congregation s early life we will be on a daily dance of discovery, compromise, learning and loving, just like a couple making a new family together. So if you could design a congregation for yourself, what would it be like? Really, take a moment and make a brainstorm list of what worship would be like, how children would be raised, how mission might happen, what kind of space would be perfect for all the parts of the life of a congregation. Fun, right? Share your ideas with the work teams when they invite us to meet with them on Nov. 6 after worship. But, of course, you will not be the only person in the new congregation! In fact, we dearly hope that all of those who are members of Redeemer and United will not be the only persons there! One reason for doing what we are doing instead of just merging and doing all the same things with more people is that religious life in America is changing November 2016 profoundly. The vast majority of Gen X (the generation after Baby Boomers) and Millennials are not part of faith communities. Yet they regularly tell media types that they are seeking for meaning and connection in their lives. How can we, as a new congregation, reach out to those folk and, at the same time, enliven our own faith journeys? That means that before Nov. 6 the next conversation you need to have is with a neighbor, child, grandchild, or friend who is not involved in a faith community and ask them why. Ask them what they would create if they could imagine a faith community where they would connect with God and other seekers, where they could join others in working on the big issues of our time and the deep needs of our city. Bring those ideas to share with the work teams as well. And if you will not be here on the 6 th, contact the church office where we can put you in touch with the people from Redeemer who are part of work teams concerning Worship and Music, Faith Formation for all ages, Mission and Evangelism, and Community Life. Soon teams will be formed looking at our buildings, property, resources and staff needs. They also want to hear from you. God said to the prophet Isaiah: Behold I am doing a new thing; don t you feel it? As we move forward, let us hold each other in love as we deal with all the emotions we feel around change. Let us also open our arms to those who are not here, those who might be part of a lively congregation in the future, and imagine ourselves into something faithful and wonderful. Shelly

2 Page 2 Redeemer News JOINT WORSHIP IN NOVEMBER Our monthly common worship with United Church on the Green will be November 6th in Redeemer s sanctuary. We will celebrate a baptism for a child of United Church, receive Holy Communion together, and, as this is the first Sunday in November, we will celebrate All Saint s Day remembering those who have died in the past year. Our next Common Worship will be December 4 at United s Meetinghouse. If someone you love has died in the past year, please bring a picture to be placed on a display by the Communion Table. TIME CHANGE! BEFORE YOU GO TO BED ON NOV. 5, MOVE YOUR CLOCKS BACK ONE HOUR! ELECTION EVE PRAYER SERVICE November 7 at 7pm, join friends from various congregations in New Haven as we gather together at Redeemer s Sanctuary for a prayer service in anticipation of the Nov. 8 national Election. This non-partisan service will feature music by the Salt and Pepper Gospel Singers as well as readings and spoken and silent prayer. Come as we re-imagine an old Puritan practice of Election services. Feel free to invite friends.

3 Page 3 COORDINATING TEAM UPDATE Beloved members and friends of Church of the Redeemer and United Church on the Green: Last month, we reported on the September 17 th retreat that formally launched the next phase of our planning for a new congregation: in responding to God s call to serve New Haven for this and the next generations, what do we need to include for our worship and music, faith formation, social action, service and evangelism, and community of Christian fellowship. How will we both honor our traditions in these areas, and also create the capacity for the new things that God is calling us to do? Rev. Shelly has spoken often of the no longer but not yet space we find ourselves in at times, and the next few months is one of those times. We are not yet ready to make collective decisions about the specific forms of worship, types of music, programs, mission or fellowship activities we will engage in should we agree to form a new congregation. These will, of course, include both familiar patterns and new options. If and when we decide to form a new congregation, these specific decisions will grow out of our communal life, the vision of the clergy we call, and the skills and interests of the staff. The work now underway in the four work teams is to do research and make recommendations about What are the new directions we need to consider for inclusion How should we organize our life together and make decisions, and What are the generalized resources (space, people, and money) needed to support the range of activities we have envisioned. These recommendations will be presented to the congregations for comment, revisions, and approval early in the new year. We need to agree on who we want to be as a faith community before we can tackle the challenging decisions about what combinations of buildings and staffing will best serve this vision, and what financial resources will be needed to sustain it. During this period of intense activity, we invite all friends and members to pay attention, to ask questions, and to make your concerns known, both informally with members of the work teams and coordinating team, and at the more formal progress reports and dialogues after our joint worship services on November 6 at Redeemer and December 4 at United. Please reach out to us in person, and look for informative from newchurchnewhaven@gmail.com. From the Coordinating Team: Roger Adams, David Carter, Caryne Eskridge, Tony Forman, Peter Halsey, Beth Pellegrino, John Schneider, Matt Taylor, Kathryn Thomas, and Janyss Vocasek

4 Page 4 Redeemer News Children s Faith Formation It is hard to believe that November is already here and that we are almost finished with our first unit of Sunday School! I am so incredibly proud of the work that our Sunday School teachers have done and I want to officially lift them up to you and offer thanksgiving for their commitments. Grace Halsey, who has been leading the kids in "Bible Action," has worked with them on what their hopes and dreams are for the year ahead, as well as laying out the "rules" and guidelines for their groups throughout the program year. If you want to see some of the hopes and dreams that the kids have for the year, I have posted them on the bulletin board in the hallway. Take a look and see what our children are hoping for: it's pretty amazing! The foundation that Grace has laid with the kids is one that will benefit us all for many units (and years) to come. I have no idea what I would do without Grace! Tony Pellegrino, who has been working with the kids in "Bible Art," has gone above and beyond his job description. Whether it's helping them make houses out of toilet paper rolls and construction paper, or decorating peace doves, Tony has found a way to really talk and connect with each of the kids. They have become so comfortable with sharing their thoughts and ideas on the various themes each week, and I know that they will never forget how important Tony has made them feel. What a gift Tony has, and what a gift we have in Tony! John Bradley, who has been working with the kids in "Bible Story," has absolutely blown me away in the past few weeks. John's calming spirit is contagious and the kids have gravitated towards him. Watching John read stories to the kids, and talk to them about their school and hobbies, is an honor that I wish everyone could experience. There are no words to explain how happy I am that John has been a part of this first unit of Sunday School, and no way to properly thank him. His commitment to our children is beautiful and I will never forget it. It is such an honor and a privilege to work with the children of this church and I am constantly blown away by your commitment to their spiritual journey and faith formation. If you are interested in being a Sunday School teacher for one of the upcoming units, please let me know! I promise it will be an incredibly fulfilling and formative experience. Remember, the children are not the FUTURE of the church... They ARE the church. It's up to us to help nurture and encourage them, and we as a congregation continue on in this year of talking about transition, let us not forget how vital it is to work with the youngest members of the Body of Christ. Please continue to keep us all in your prayers as we continue to grow and learn together in Sunday School. Jordan Rebholz, Minister for Faith Formation

5 Page 5 Adult Faith Formation Wednesday, November 2 at 7:00 Dessert & Discussion Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church By Rachel Held Evans Join us for sweets, coffee, and conversation. Jordan and Kathy will lead a discussion reflecting on the questions raised by Rachel Held Evans in her compelling book Searching for Sunday. Whether or not you read the book - Please come and share your thoughts. SAVE THE DATE Wednesday, December 7th Being Single, Creating Community Potluck and Roundtable Conversation Adult Faith Formation Team invites anyone who is single to join us for food and conversation. Gather and share the joys and challenges of being single - whether you are never married, widowed or divorced, How do you deal with Noah's Ark syndrome? What can the Redeemer community do to support you? Come listen and share your insights and experiences.

6 Page 6 Redeemer News HELP WANTED! Redeemer s Mission Team and Building Team each are seeking a new member! Both teams meet on an as needed basis at a time mutually convenient to members and as often as possible using . Talk to Lorraine Morrissey or Roz Hamilton about Missions and Ken Minkema about Building. One person is needed to coordinate the delivery of Poinsettias to our elder members who cannot attend worship. You don t need to deliver them all, just find people who will. We have approximately 8 folks who receive plants as a way to connect them with us over the holidays. CAREGIVER CONFERENCE Are you a caregiver for someone who is aging or chronically ill? The South Central CT Agency on Aging is sponsoring a Caregivers Conference on Nov. 3 from 8:30-2:30 at the Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford. For more info, go to caregiver.com or Cathy@caregiver.com or call

7 Page 7 The Noon Book Group The Noon Book Group meets in the Phillips Room on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 12:30 pm in the Phillips Room to discuss works of non-fiction. The group will next meet on Tuesday, November 8th to discuss Glorify by Emily Heath. Bring your lunch and join in the discussion. New members are always welcome. The Evening Book Group The Evening Book Group will next meet on the evening of Monday, November 28th at 7:30 at the home of Fran Giffin. They will be discussing The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen. In lieu of their December meeting the Evening Book Group will meet on December 12th to have their annual Christmas book swap at the home of Carol Nardini. Looking ahead the Group plans to discuss The Commonwealth by Ann Patchett in January and Colson Whitehead s The Underground Railroad at their February meeting. The Evening Book Group normally meets on the fourth Monday of the month to discuss works of fiction. All are welcome!

8 Page 8 Redeemer News New Haven/Leon Sister City Project FAIR TRADE AND LOCAL PRODUCTS SALE Once again the New Haven/Leon Sister City Project will be at Church of the Redeemer December 11 after Sunday worship to sell their beautiful fair trade crafts and locally produced products. Fair trade items from Nicaragua and beyond include: woven goods; hand crafted purses; bowls crafted from recycled wire; bird houses, and planters. Locally produced Swords into Plowshares Honey and beeswax candles, fruit and vegetable themed candles; lovely scented CT produced soaps, Syracuse Cultural calendars, and much more. All proceeds support the programs of the NH/LSCP: They include a Women's Program, and Environmental Brigade of youth; scholarships for secondary and university students; preschool and after school programs; a clean efficient cookstove project and more in two rural villages in Leon, Goyena and Troilo. In New Haven the focus is on climate change education and activism including street theater and a collaboration with the Mayor's office to revise the Climate Change Response for our city and, of course, delegations (group travel) to Leon as well as internships for individuals for longer stays of a month to a year working on special projects.

9 Page 9 CALL TO CONGREGATIONAL MEETING November 20, 2016 all members of the Church of the Redeemer UCC are invited to remain after worship for a meeting to discuss and vote on a budget for the 2017 fiscal year which begins in January. An important discussion concerning the budget will take place on November 13 following worship and you are encouraged to attend that meeting and ask questions or share concerns. Post-Halloween Candy Drive for the Troops Bring your excess Halloween Candy to the Church or the church office Donations from both United and Redeemer will be sent to CarePacks, an organization that sends care packages to American Troops

10 Page 10 Redeemer News Yale Camerata Concert November 13th at Redeemer You are cordially invited to a concert by the Yale Camerata and its Chamber Chorus, joined by the Morse Chorale, an ensemble sponsored by the Yale School of Music as part of the Music In Our Schools initiative, on Sunday, November 13th at 5pm at Redeemer The repertoire includes Two unaccompanied pieces: Johannes Brahms Warum ist das Licht gegeben Natalie Dietterich Conversations With Strangers Ola Gjielo Dark Night of the Soul, for string quartet and piano Alfred Schnittke Requiem, for organ, piano, trumpet, trombone, electric guitars, timpani and percussion Selections from The Book of Rounds produced by the October Project Redeemer s Sarah Reed, Julia Blue Raspe, Catherine Miller and Dayna Lee Drake will be singing!

11 Page 11 Brahms performance by Yale Schola Cantorum at St. Joseph s Church The Yale Institute of Sacred Music is proud to present the Yale Schola Cantorum in a special performance of Brahms choral masterpiece, Ein deutsches Requiem. David Hill directs this German requiem in an arrangement for chamber orchestra and chorus, an intimate and transparent orchestration of this usually lush work, by Iaian Farrington. The concert takes place at Saint Joseph Church on Sunday, November 6, at 5pm. Admission is FREE; no tickets are required. For more information, please contact the Institute of Sacred Music at (203) , or visit ism.yale.edu

12 Page 12 Page 12 Redeemer News Ushers and Hospitality Servers For November and December Thank you so much to all who serve as Ushers and Hospitality Servers each Sunday! Ushers and Hospitality Servers are assigned by their respective teams to serve on a given Sunday. Under Redeemer s hospitality plan two individuals or couples are assigned as hosts and hostesses for a given Sunday. One provides a savory food item and the other a sweet treat. While our office administrator Please let Barbara know by ing her at redeemer@uccredeemer.org when you have made these arrangements so that she can acknowledge the correct ushers or hosts in the bulletin. Ushers November 6 November 13 November 20 November 27 December 4 December 11 December 18 December 25 January 1 Bob Parker Marilyn Toland Charles McEnally Doby Hall Courtney Mason Brad and Kathy Czepiel Meggie Czepiel Bill and Julie Moore Alan Kendrix Worship at United Peter and Grace Halsey Babz Rawls-Ivy Briana Ivy Gregory Ivy Ken Minkema Lori Minkema Worship at United Hospitality Servers November 6 Cheryl Bergman Peggy Strickler November 13 Ian Skoggard Julie Nelson November 20 Charles McEnally Tony and Beth Pellegrino November 27 Victor Bolden Mark and Sara Dixon December 4 Worship at United December 11 Doby Hall Julie and Bill Moore December 18 Silver Tea December 25 Nancy Carrington TBD January 1 Worship at United

13 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat :30 Leadership Council, Phillips 2 7:00 Dessert and Discussion, Sterling 3 7:45 Senior Choir, sanctuary Page 13 6 All Saints Sunday 20 Thanksgiving/ Veteran s Thanksgiving November :55 Senior Choir, sanctuary 10:00 Joint Worship and Holy Communion 11:15 Children s Choirs 13 8:55 Senior Choir, sanctuary 10:00 Worship and CS 4:00 Columbus House 11:15 Children s Choirs 5:00 Yale Camerata Concert, sanctuary 6:00 OWL, Youth rm Christ the King 8:55 Senior Choir, sanctuary 10:00 Worship and CS 11:15 Children s Choirs 11:30 Budget mtg, Sterling 27 Advent I 8:55 Senior Choir, sanctuary 10:00 Worship and CS 11:15 Children s Choirs 6:00 OWL, Youth rm 7 4:30 Building Team, Phillips 7:00 Election Eve Prayer Service 8 12:30 Noon Book Group, Phillips 9 7:45 Senior Choir, Sterling :30 Knitting grp, Sterling 7:45 Senior Choir, sanctuary 21 7:00 Deacons, Parlor 28 7:30 Evening Book Group, home of Fran Giffin 22 12:30 Noon Book Group, Phillips :45 Senior Choir, Sterling Day Church Office Closed Day Church Office Closed

14 Church of the Redeemer UCC 185 Cold Spring Street New Haven, CT (203) Rev. Dr. Rochelle A. Stackhouse, Senior Minister Jordan Rebholz, Minister for Faith Formation Robert Parker, Moderator of the Church Henry Sykes, Treasurer Kristen Forman, Clerk Marguerite Brooks, Director of Music Julia Blue Raspe, Chancel Choir Director and Alto Section Leader Paul Berry, Boys Choir Director and Tenor Section Leader Sarah Reed, Soprano Section Leader Brian Robinson, Bass Section Leader Larry Bishop, Organist Barbara Repetsky, Office Administrator and Financial Secretary Collin Morrissey, Security Lou and Valarie Fanelli, Sextons "O give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good, for the Lord's steadfast love endures forever." Psalm 136:1