From the Transitional Pastor

Transcription

1 TIDINGS Page Tidings Monthly news for members & friends from Niantic Community Church From the Transitional Pastor Dear Friends, Niantic Community Church 170 Pennsylvania Avenue Niantic, CT Phone: (860) Transitional Pastor: Reverend Dianne Arakawa Community Minister: Patty Chaffee Christian Education & Youth Minister: Julia Manners Music Minister: Richard Schenk Choral Minister/ Bell Choir Director: Lynne Floyd Children s & Gospel Choirs Ministers: Lee Wilkerson, Nikki Rollins Office Manager: Judy Snitkin October is a golden month filled with the possibility of deep and rich religious conversations. It begins with World Communion Sunday when Christians around the world are invited to share Holy Communion on the first Sunday. That means, all continents; from seacoasts (us), plains, forests to mountaintops; and English-, Spanish-. Chinese-speaking and more. And it ends with All Hollow s Eve, Halloween, when we remember our ancestors and spiritual forebears. We in New England, of course, are blessed with that golden time of autumn when leaves glow. Conversations abound about the transcendent beauty of God s creation with its apples ready to be plucked and pumpkins, waiting to be carried home for carving. At the same time, we stand back in disbelief at the awesome power and resultant devastation wrought by Hurricanes Irma, Jose and Maria, and what we can do to offer aid. We church people continue to witness to violence committed against those of other faiths and life styles; be it, Muslims, Jews, LGBTQs, the poor, disabled, immigrant and refugee. Let us continue to condemn white supremacy, neo-nazism, Islamophobia, anti-semitism, homophobia and all ideologies that threaten our Golden Rule of love of self and of neighbor as of self. Continued on Page 2 Parish Nurses: Marie LaTourette, Donna Hathaway, Edie Watrous Inside This Issue: Children s Center Director: Kathy Tiller Pastor s Message Worship Schedule: Sundays at 9:30 am Christian Education Notices 4-5 Nurturing Faith A Federated Church of the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church An Open, Affirming, Reconciling Congregation Editor: Heather Lar son tiding.larsonallen@sbcglobal.net 3 Mercy by the Sea Women s Retreat September 30, 2017 Photo by Patty Chaffee

2 TIDINGS Page 2 Continued from Page 1 Recently, I saw a few of you at the Peace Rally at sunset on the beach after the death of Heather Heyer in Charlottesville, Virginia, when the racial and cultural divide in our nation showed itself to the world. That muscle truck with its American flags, which has become identified in our region with our town, was parked in the nearby lot, but the police were present and no incident occurred. Opportunities for conversation and witness continue. As clergy I signed the Hartford Courant letter calling for interfaith unity. It was based on our respective Scriptures Christian/ Hebrews 13:1-3: Keep on loving one another. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Muslim/ Qur an, Surah Hujarat 49:13: O people! We have created you all out of a male and female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another. Jewish/ Leviticus 19:34: When strangers reside with you in your land, you shall not wrong them. The strangers, who reside with you, shall be to you as your citizens; you shall love each one as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. On October 29 th Protestants and Roman Catholics will celebrate the 500 th anniversary of Martin Luther s 95 Theses, which distinguished Protestants from Catholics, and defined many of our reforming tenants. We will recognize this day in our church, appropriately with the Dedication of our Pledges -- for pledging is a protesting act. There will also be a Reformation Unity Celebration: An Interdenominational Concert, sponsored by the UCC Connecticut Conference, on Sunday, October 22 nd at 4 pm at the Asylum Hill Congregational Church, UCC, in Hartford. Anyone wish to join me? Let us be in conversation with our church members, religious neighbors, and global faith partners to make this month even more fulfilling and golden than we might have expected. God be with you. Faithfully yours, Pastor Dianne Stewardship Stewardship is everything a church does in response to the Good News of God in Jesus Christ. It includes the combined and varied ministries of our members, friends, pastor and staff. And it requires all our resources namely, our time, talents and money. Pledges are key to insuring our health and reach as well as our ability to plan for the coming year. The initial proposed budget for 2018 is $550,321 allocated as shown in the above pie chart. Please consider increasing your pledge from last year or making a pledge this year if you didn t last year to insure our success in extending our gospel of diversity and unity. By this time, you should have received a pledge packet. In this packet, you will find information about the ways your giving is used through our church programs, information about last year s pledges, a Percentage Giving Guide to help you think about your pledge as a portion of your income, Frequently Asked Questions about giving to Niantic Community Church by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), an EFT form and your pledge card. If you have not received the package, it is available in the church office. Pledge Sunday will be October 29th. Stewardship 2018 Committee

3 TIDINGS Page 3 It s a wrap! CHRISTIAN EDUCATION & YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS I do not like change, as many people don t, but to everything there is a season, turn, turn, turn. I have enjoyed working with the staff, the Christian Education committee, the volunteer teachers and especially the children and youth who all have enriched my life these last 6 months or so. My future includes finishing my degree as well as visits to colleges, on Sundays maybe, with my twin seniors, and I will cherish those times. I will continue to serve on the Safe Church Committee and help where I am needed after a little break. I will enjoy worshiping and hearing the sermons with all our members. Help me welcome Julia Manners to our church. I am eager to meet her and see the new ideas she will bring to our youth and children. She will be working here all day most Sundays and will welcome visits with families in the afternoons. Wearing our nametags will be very helpful for her I m sure. Middle School Youth Fellowship will continue to meet after the service until 12:00 and High School Youth will meet on Sunday evenings at 7:00. Confirmation classes have resumed with 9 youth attending on Wed evenings. Our youth members will be volunteering for the Jack Frost Bazaar on November 11th as well as continuing the Shelter meal service on the first Sunday of each month. Our Church School year is well under way. The children and youth seem to like our new curriculum as well as the teachers. We are learning about the seasons of the Church Year and Christian character. Although we have welcomed a few new teachers to our program, church school could always use a couple more teachers to volunteer every couple weeks. Classes will conclude at 10:45, parents are invited to go to coffee hour after service while waiting for their children. Middle School and High School classes will remain in the service on Communion Sundays. We are proud to offer classes for our High school youth with new curriculum this year and have had a good number in attendance. Please remember to register your children if you have not done so. The link for registration is on our website, Nianticcommunitychurch.org or forms are in the CE office. The summer Church school program collected and donated $ to the Heifer Project, which surpassed our goal of $ The children chose to purchase a llama and we added 3 bee hives. Great job everyone! As a new chapter begins in our church life, one begins in mine as well. Remember that the emphasis on accomplishing our to do lists should not be greater the emphasis on our relationships with one another. Thank God for his unconditional love, because God thinks we are great, no matter what. Pam McCauley THANK YOU On Friendship Sunday, Sept. 10, the Christian Education Committee celebrated Beth Lambert's ministry as the Interim Youth Minister and recognized her important role and support in the Senior Youth and Middle School Youth programs at NCC. We wish Beth much success in her new position with the Groton Public Schools and will remember her time here fondly. KINDNESS ROCKS Will Manganis, 8 years old, lost his best friend Joey two years ago to cardiomyopathy. Kindness rocks are colorful rocks painted with kind designs that Will sells to keep the memory of his friend alive. He has used much of the proceeds to donate to the foundation established in the name of his best friend, and also to buy buddy benches for local schools. Just when you think the small things you do don't matter...check this out

4 TIDINGS Page 4 Do you feel called to Home Communion ministry? It's easy. It's purposeful. It's once a month. And it makes a difference in the lives of folks who can't get to church. Join us in this soulful ministry. We are offering a simple training now. Call Rich Morrill at (860) Drum Circle Host Opportunity Notices Settled Pastor Search Committee The members of the Search Committee are Eric Yale, Kathy Kern, Peg Herzberg, Ron Johnson, Rob Walworth, Terry McCarthy, Holly Thomen, Keith Neilson, and John Whritner. They were appointed by the Church Officers and have been working diligently in the early steps of finding a new Settled Pastor. The committee recognizes that NCC is an exceptional Church and will do all it takes to find an exceptional Pastor. Feel free to express your views to any committee member. The 4th Friday of each month, our Community Drum Circle gathers members and friends of NCC from 7-8 p.m. for an hour of soulful, ancient rhythms. A host is needed to set up our circle and guide folks in breaking it down and restoring the space and locking the church. If this volunteer opportunity speaks to you and you have 90 minutes a month to spare, call Patty at (860) or at Patty@NianticCommunityChurch.org. Deadline for the next edition of Tidings is October15th. Please submissions to tidings@nianticcommunitychurch.org Jewelry donations are now being accepted for the Jewelry Room at the Jack Frost Bazaar. Early donations are very much appreciated. Questions, please call Jeannette Woodworth , Edie Watrous , or Laureen Pierandi McCarthy Membership Audit The last time NCC fully updated our membership rolls, it was the turn of the century!!! Now that our Search Committee is underway, and we will be updating our membership software. It is past time to reach out to all of our members to get an accurate accounting. According to our constitution, our membership is made up of people who join our church as members, whether by letter of transfer, affirmation, or confirmation. Members elect to affiliate with the United Methodist Church (UMC), the United Church of Christ (UCC), or Community Church. We also have a process for removing members. We will be sending out letters to some members that have not attended for a number of years, asking them to give us an update. If you know of someone friend, neighbor, family member that you haven t seen at church for a while, please reach out to them. Encourage them to attend services. Ask them to check out our new website. See if they want to be involved in our many ministries. We want to do our very best to engage them. - Jen Datum

5 TIDINGS Come do your holiday shopping with us! Niantic Community Church 72nd Annual Jack Frost Bazaar 170 Pennsylvania Avenue Niantic, CT Saturday November 11, 2017 Open 9:00 am until 2:00 pm Come early for best selection One-of-a-kind Christmas gifts Handmade knitted/ crocheted items and quilts Yummy baked goods.tons of new and gently used items Christmas décor.books.jewelry (fine and costume)...boutique items toys...tools furniture antiques Fabulous silent auction items! Free cooking demonstrations! Free kid s activities! Face painting! Meet with Mrs. Santa! Snacks and lunch served all day! Veterans Please come to our cookie booth to get a free cookie on us! Shoppers: Bring this flyer on 11/11/2017 to get $1.00 off any purchase of $5.00 or more (one per customer) ~ WORSHIP TIME CHANGE ~ The Prudential Board voted for Niantic Community Church to continue offering only one service on Sundays at 9:30 am with 6 other Sundays offering an additional service at 11:15 am (Friendship Sunday, All Saints Day, Thanksgiving, the Sunday before Christmas, Easter and Confirmation Sunday). This decision will be reevaluated after 6 months. Page 5 INTRODUCING Julia Manners Christian Education and Youth Minister On Tuesday, October 3rd, Niantic Community Church will welcome Julia Manners of Clinton as our new Christian Education and Youth Minister. Julia grew up in Branford, CT, where her father was minister of the First Congregational Church. Julia served at the First Congregational Church in Westbrook for 17 years. Although not looking for another posting, while on a mission trip to a Navaho reservation, she prayed to be called to serve wherever she could be most useful. Very soon after came the call from our Church, which she answered. She is looking forward to getting to know the families, young people and congregation of our Church and our traditions. "Each church has it's own traditions and I want to be respectful of them" Julia said. She is eager to get to know the people of the Church and find a shared vision. Julia lives with her 23 year old son, a recent college graduate who is embarking on his own journey through life, and her Daisy, a Bichon who she rescued from an abusive situation. One of her hobbies is needle felting, and she is an avid reader. Julia is looking forward to becoming a member of the Church family, which she found very energetic and organized. Karen Thissell Communications Committee HISTORY QUIZ With our 300th Anniversary coming up here are a couple of questions for you. Why did the people living here want to leave the Lyme church and start their own church? What does it say in the first recorded meeting of this Ecclesiastical Society?

6 TIDINGS PRAYER FOR THE AGED Author Unknown Lord, Thou knowest better than I know myself that I am growing older, and will some day be old. Keep me from getting talkative, and particularly from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every occasion. Release me from craving to try to straighten out everybody s affairs. Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details give me wings to get to the point. I ask for grace enough to listen to the tales of others pains. Help me to endure them with patience. But seal my lips on my own aches and pains they are increasing and my love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally it is possible that I may be mistaken. Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a saint - some of them are so hard to live with but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil. Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful, but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all but Thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end. Submitted by Pat Doran FLU CLINIC Flu Clinic to be offered by Central Valley Visiting Nurse Association Tuesday, October 17th at NCC from 1:30 to 3:00pm in the Multipurpose Room. Most insurances accepted and an insurance card is required. Care Givers Support Group Date: Time: Place: Contact: Phone: First Tuesday of month = Oct 3rd 4:00pm - 5:30pm Wave Café at L&M Hospital Carol Vara, MSW or Mary Sweeney , ext 2483 or 2078 Hope you can come! Do spread the word! Page 6 THINKING ABOUT JOINING NCC If you are interested in learning more about and joining Niantic Community Church, please make an appointment to meet with Pastor Dianne. Reserve Wednesday, November 1st, at 6 pm for a New Members' supper and information session at the church, and Sunday, November 19th, at 9:30 am to, if you choose, be formally received into church membership. If you have questions, please call the church office at WANTED... FOR JACK FROST BAZAAR Items to Donate This Year: Jewelry.toys video games tools lawn and garden...furniture appliances (small and large) sporting goods everything else!!! Items will be accepted at any time No need to hold on to them. Call for pickup of large items or items you do not have room to store. June Kozak or junekozak2014@gmail.com Volunteers are needed! Contact June Kozak to sign up to help make this the best year ever! BOOK CLUB The Women's Fellowship Book Club has selected "Olive Kitteridge" by Elizabeth Strout as their next book. Olive Kitteridge is a novel by American author Elizabeth Strout. It presents a portrait of the title character and a number of recurring characters in the coastal town of Crosby, Maine. Please join in a fun discussion on October 15th at 7 pm in the Fellowship Room. Any questions, contact Carol Donovan at carod3000@aol.com.

7 TIDINGS Page 7 Nurturing Faith Greetings friends. Patty s Corner Thoughts from your Community Minister This past weekend I had the honor and privilege to spend a day with an extraordinary group of women, when I facilitated the annual NCC Women s Retreat at Mercy By the Sea. It was a spirit-filled day and I felt so grateful to have been a part of it. Gatherings like these are so very important not only for our spiritual lives but for nourishing us in a holistic way. When we set time aside to nourish ourselves, our whole being is affected in a positive way. Whether we have only a few minutes for a meditation, an hour for a yoga class, a day off from work, or a weekend away at a retreat center, being mindful of our need to care for ourselves is essential to our well being. Go on retreat, or just take a few minutes out of your day to be still. 1 Corinthians 3:16 God s temple is holy and you are that temple. Abundant blessings to you, Patty Seeking inner peace? The Path To Real And Lasting Inner Peace is a book study program being presented by author and marriage and family therapist, Jane Milardo, at Niantic Community Church. The program will guide participants in how to let go of old negative feelings, and find peace and serenity in life. The six week program is free and being offered Saturdays from 12:00-1:30 p.m. beginning Saturday, October 7th. Registration is required by calling the church office at (860) Books ($10) are available there as well and all are welcome. Upcoming Sessions Oct. 27th, no session in Nov., and Dec. 15th at 7 p.m. Resuming 4th Friday again in January A free nurturing faith opportunity, facilitated by Kate Brodaski. Bring a drum if you have one. All are welcome and no experience or drum needed. Call the church office to confirm dates or visit the church calendar at Join us & bring a friend!!! Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult for the entire session. Save the Date and join us on the 4th Tuesday of each month for the Niantic Community Church Prayer Shawl Ministry October 24 November 28 Don t know how to knit? We ll teach you! Don t have any yarn? We ll provide it! Need a pattern? We have em! Prefer to crochet? That s okay! Bring a friend to the Fellowship Room at NCC located at 170 Pennsylvania Ave., Niantic, CT. (860)

8 TIDINGS Page 8 Wednesdays Oct0ber 4th 6:00-8:00 p.m. Use faith to create an active, successful dating process for casual dating and/or finding a life mate. Learn tools to feel empowered, identify goals, share fellowship, facilitated by Relationship Coach, Carol Vara, MSW. All Are Welcome! FREE Program 6:30-8:00 p.m. Yes you can meditate! Come embrace the peace and inner tranquility of guided meditation. No experience or registration necessary. Wear comfortable clothing; bring water and experience calm and beauty. Light stretching done. This free program is held in the multipurpose room at Niantic Community Church and is suitable for all ages/abilities. Facilitated by Carol Vara, MSW, Meditation Certified. For more information call (860) or reach Carol at or her at varavarac@gmail.com. Register in Church office or contact Carol at or varavarac@gmail.com Oct 11th minimize, simplify, organize October 6, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. Presented by Donna Hathaway, RN Reiki and Healing Touch Practitioner Discover Meditation with Sound Vibration Therapy. Come hear how the enchanting sounds and vibrations of Crystal Singing Bowls enhance meditation and nourishes your body. All are welcome to this Nurturing Faith opportunity. Free will offering suggested. How it works: 1. Bring unwanted items that you want to give away. If you can carry it, you can bring it. Bring as much as you want. 2. Bring one non-perishable food item for the NCC Food Pantry and a brown bag lunch to enjoy following the exchange. 3. Each participant offers their items in turn. See what others have to give away and claim all you want. Any unclaimed items will be donated to charity immediately following our gathering. 4. Discover the spirituality of being organized during thoughtful reflections and discussion over lunch. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on 3rd Monday: Oct 16 (Contact Community Minister, Patty Chaffee with questions) Follow us on Twitter (@NianticChurch) and like us on Facebook (facebook.com/nianticcommunitychurch).

9 TIDINGS Contemplative Photography Page 9 NCC Children s Center Discovering God from behind the lens An interactive program that requires use of a camera, and time outside of the group session. Each session will include prayer, reflection and discussion as well as sharing photos taken over previous weeks. All levels of ability are welcome to explore this creative path to discovering God is at eye level. Facilitated by Community Minister Patty Chaffee. Fall Thursdays 7-9 p.m. (4 Sessions) 9/14 10/19 11/16 12/14 Register in the Church office Niantic Community Church Children s Center children waving goodbye to Mom and Dad from our new "Good-Bye Bench." HISTORY ANSWER (860) Patty to get your first photography challenge prior to the first session. Patty@NianticcommunityChurch.org Knowing Your Camera The Camera as a spiritual tool Join us for a monthly journey through aperture, shutter speed, portraiture/still life, facilitated by professional photographer Craig Woody. A free nurturing faith program where all are welcome. Bring your camera. They wanted their own Ecclesiastical Society since they were tired of the long walk to the church in Lyme. Here is the first recorded meeting: "February ye 15th day At a meeting of ye Society of ye East part of Lyme warned for the calling of a minister into ye Society it was voted that Mr. George Griswold should be a minister for that Society to preach ye Gospel." Trivia: Mr. George Griswold became our first minister and continued until his death in If you attended before there s lots more to learn. Upcoming hosts are: Fall Thursdays 7-9 p.m. (4 Sessions) 9/21 10/12 11/30 12/7 (new date) Register in the Church office (860) Oct 1, 8, 15, 22 PPRC Oct 29, Nov 5, 12, 19 - Nominating/NCCCC Board NCC PRAYER WALL Visit the NCC Prayer Wall to review prayers, indicate that you have prayed for the concerns and joys submitted by others, and add your own prayer requests. You may also send prayer requests to prayers@nianticcommunitychurch.org. All posts are automatically added to the ongoing prayer chain.