Monthly news for members & friends from Niantic Community Church. From the Pastor and Teacher

Transcription

1 January 2015 TIDINGS Page Tidings Monthly news for members & friends from Niantic Community Church January 2015 From the Pastor and Teacher Dear Friends, Niantic Community Church 170 Pennsylvania Avenue Niantic, CT Phone: (860) Pastor & Teacher: The Rev. Dr. John A. Nelson Community Minister: Patty Chaffee Christian Education/ Youth Minister: Russ Kirby Music Minister: Richard Schenk Choral Minister/ Bell Choir Director: Lynne Floyd Church Secretary: Judy Snitkin The calendar we share with Christians around the world works differently from the one that usually hangs on the refrigerator or office wall. (That calendar is so newfangled, anyway: it has only been around since 1582!) In our calendar, the new year began on the first Sunday of Advent. We ve already come through two seasons Advent and Christmas and now we begin the third season of the year, Epiphany. I received a fine reflection on this rich season from our (UCC) Regional Minister, the Rev. Dr. Thomas Clough. Here it is: Matthew 2:10: When the wise men saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. Though I am well into my fourth decade of serving UCC churches in New England, I have yet to experience a congregation being so overwhelmed with joy that they displayed it in public. It may just be the New England way, much like our public display of affection when we warmly welcome one another with a heartfelt, You still here? I m not saying that overwhelming joy doesn t ever happen just that we may not pay enough homage to it when it does. In this season of Auld Lang Syne, it might be a good time for us to ask the question: When in the past year was I overwhelmed with joy? And looking ahead to the year to come we might also ask, How do we get us some more of that overwhelming joy in 2015? continued on page 2 Parish Nurses: Marie LaTourette, Donna Hathaway Lay Health Ministers: Jill Johnson, and Judi David HAPPY NEW YEAR! Children s Center Director: Kathy Tiller Inside This Issue: Worship Schedule: Sundays at 9:00 am and 11:15 am A Federated Church of the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church An Open, Affirming, Reconciling Congregation Editor: Heather Larson tiding.larsonallen@sbcglobal.net Practicing for the Christmas Cantata Pastor s Message... Christian Education.. Events... Nurturing Faith.. Parish Nurse... Inspiring Generosity.. Music News Calendar 1, ,

2 January 2015 TIDINGS Page 2 continued from page 1 The Epiphany story of the Magi s journey should give us some help here. Like them, we first need to pay close attention to what is going on in our world, and respond to those events which seem to be extraordinary. We then should confirm the wisdom and goodness of our responses by ascertaining whether or not they resonate with the revelation of God s will for us that we find in the Scriptures. And like those who followed that star to its destination, for us the third step on the journey to overwhelming joy involves making the commitment of our time and our treasure to the experiences and challenges that God has set before us. I don t pretend to know today what challenges 2015 may hold for us as individuals, congregations, or as a Conference of the United Church of Christ. But I do believe that the risen Christ will be with us in our struggles, and that in Christ s presence we shall indeed find overwhelming joy. I find that a series of insights like Tom s bears repeating, so here again are those three Epiphany steps: 1) Pay close attention: extra-ordinary things are appearing in your life. 2) Pore over the stories and wisdom of the Bible. Sometimes the Bible helps to understand extraordinary things appearing around us; sometimes those epiphanies help us understand the Bible. 3) Give yourself! God keeps appearing, and each epiphany is a chance to give the treasure in you, and let overwhelming joy enter your life. May God s joy and God s richest blessings be yours in this Epiphany season, Pastor John A. Nelson Sunday Worship at 9:00 & 11:15am January 4 th Feast of Epiphany Texts: Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8 Pastor John A. Nelson, preaching: Look to the Light January 11 th First Sunday after the Epiphany Texts: Genesis 1:1-5; Psalm 29; Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11 Pastor John A. Nelson: The Ultimate Renewable Energy January 18 th Second Sunday after the Epiphany Texts: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20); Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-51 Pastor John A. Nelson: Come and See Worship Service at 10am January 25 th Third Sunday after the Epiphany Texts: Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 62:5-12; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20 Pastor John A. Nelson: I Will Make You Get Ready for Worship! Follow the Preparing for Sunday link on our website (NianticCommunityChurch.org). You will find the scripture readings for the current week, a brief description to set them in context, a reflection on the passages, and a prayer starter. Do you have news of an upcoming program, fundraiser, or special project? Perhaps an announcement you would like to share? Let Tidings help spread the word! Please your message to tidings@nianticcommunitychurch.org.

3 January 2015 TIDINGS Page 3 News from Christian Education and Youth Minister Calling all want-to-be American Idols, dreamers of The Voice, So You Think You Can Dance hopefuls, and America's Got Talent seekers! HERE S your place in the spotlight right here at the Niantic Community Church s "Cabin Fever Review" on January 24th at 7:00 pm Can you tell a joke, do magic, tell a story, play an instrument? Mom's: here's an opportunity for your child's dance or music lessons to shine! Complete mosaic nativity scene in front of the church. 2,700 tiny photos of NCC and it's people and events make up these larger pictures of the Nativity. If you have a chance soon, come take a look! See it up close and from afar; it's a different experience each way. Christian Education Calendar: Sunday, January 4, 2015 Road To Wanakee Begins--5th graders welcome! 10:30am: Junior Youth Fellowship 6:00pm: Shelter Meal at St. James Monday, January 5, :30pm: CE Meeting Sunday, January 11, :30am: Junior Youth Fellowship Sunday, January 25, :30am: Junior Youth Fellowship Sunday, February 1, :30am: Souper Bowl of Caring Do you have a special creative talent you'd like to share? We are gathering a variety of "talents" that will come together as "The Cabin Fever Review." Preform in a relaxed coffee house setting for family and friends, or come cheer on those who do. To preview your talent please arrange to come on January 11th at 12 noon or January 14th at 5:00 pm, or let us know if you need to schedule a special time for your preview. Bring your music, props, etc. to show us your talent. Call Russ Kirby or Cricket Murphy to schedule your preview. We know Niantic Community Church has great talent...so grab your banjo, put on your tap shoes and COME ON DOWN!! This is a fundraiser for the Sr. Youth's summer mission trip to New Orleans. Tickets: adult $10/child $5 Follow us on Twitter (@NianticChurch) and like us on Facebook (facebook.com/nianticcommunitychurch).

4 January 2015 TIDINGS Page 4 NCC s Monthly Hiking Group is taking a holiday break. Stay tuned after the New Year for details on upcoming hikes. EVENTS BOOK CLUB The Women's Fellowship Book Club has selected "Songs of Willow Frost" by Jamie Ford as their next book. This is a powerful tale of two souls a boy with dreams for his future and a woman escaping her haunted past both seeking love, hope, and forgiveness. Please join in a fun discussion on January 4, 2015 at 7 pm. Any questions, contact Carol Donovan at carod3000@aol.com. Advent Labyrinth A seaside Advent Labyrinth was constructed for the holiday season on McCook s Beach, located at 8 Atlantic Street, Niantic. Headed by Joanne Moore and volunteers from NCC and the community, the construction took place on Saturday, November 29th. A candlelight labyrinth walk was held on Sunday, November 30th at 5:00 p.m. as a metaphor for a pilgrimage to Bethlehem. HISTORY QUIZ As we approach our Annual Meeting at the end of January here are some questions about that meeting. How long has the Congregational side of our church had an Annual Meeting? Three men were elected at the early meetings as a prudential committee. What did they do? How many years did that committee last? Open, Affirming, Reconciling Scholarship Opportunity The Open, Affirming and Reconciling Committee announces 8 scholarships for youth and/or adults to attend the True Colors Conference at UCONN on Friday March 21st and/or March 22nd. The True Colors organization hosts this annual event which is the largest LGBT youth conference in the country with more than 2000 attendees. NCC members often attend, volunteer and present workshops. For conference info go to For info about the scholarships or questions about the event, speak with any OAR member or norilembree@yahoo.com.

5 January 2015 TIDINGS Page 5 Nurturing Faith Sacred Source Painting Prayer/Meditation/Painting/Sharing A universal creative process that returns you to your natural state of oneness with the divine Source.many have found this process genuinely transformative. Awaken your artist s soul with painting in its most basic form. Free your creative spirit! For every ability...even if you ve never picked up a paintbrush. Materials and inspiration provided. 2 nd Friday of each month 10:00 a.m. -1:30 p.m. Bring a bag lunch. $5 materials fee (if you are able) Registration required. Call church office. Facilitated by Community Minister, Patty Chaffee (860) The Healing Art of Photography An interactive program that will require a camera, and time outside of the group session to respond to a monthly assignment. Inspired by the book, God is at Eye Level by Jan Phillips. Discover God from behind the lens No high tech skills needed A fun/supportive group Thought provoking & challenging Anything Goes minimize, simplify, organize 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. Why? 1. Because it s an opportunity to clean out, get organized. Letting go of what we no longer want/ need, makes room for what IS important to us. 2. Discover the spirituality of being organized during thoughtful reflections and discussion over lunch. 3. Break bread and enjoy fellowship with like minded souls. 4. Support the NCC emergency food pantry. 10 a.m. on the 3 rd Monday of each month January 19 February 16 (Contact Community Minister, Patty Chaffee with questions) Fellowship Room, Niantic Community Church 170 Pennsylvania Ave., Niantic (860) st Thursday of each month 7:00-8:30 p.m. FREE! Facilitated by Community Minister, Patty Chaffee (860)

6 January 2015 TIDINGS Page 6 Save the Date and join us on the 4th Tuesday of each month for the Niantic Community Church Prayer Shawl Ministry 2015 January 27 February 24 March 24 April 28 May 26 June 23 July 28 August 25 September 22 October 27 November 24 December 22 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) Use your faith to create an active, successful dating process for casual dating and/or a life mate Join Us! Wednesdays, Jan.21/Feb. 18/Mar.18 Time: 6-8pm In the Parish Life Ministry office It s FREE And all are welcome! Facilitated by Carol Vara Niantic Community Church 170 Pennsylvania Ave, Niantic, CT (860) Calling All Men Craig Holch and Ron Johnson are looking for men interested in attending a men's retreat next Spring. We need to secure a meeting place now and set a date. Please contact Craig or Ron or leave a message at the church office and we will get back to you. to our many volunteers who help to keep things at NCC operating as smooth as silk. There are too many of you to mention so we won t try, but know how very much you are appreciated. God bless you for all you did in 2014 and all you will be a part of in the new year. You can be part of the planning. Don't leave all of the fun to the women! Deadline for the February edition of Tidings is January15th. Please submissions to tidings@nianticcommunitychurch.org NCC PRAYER WALL Visit the NCC Prayer Wall at 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.

7 January 2015 TIDINGS Page 7 PARISH NURSE New Year's Resolutions to consider: Inspiring Generosity We are surrounded by those who inspire us to give, work, and live generously. Honoring the Gifts of the Blanket Drive Volunteers Hug it out...squeezing someone you love (whether human or beast) raises levels of the hormone oxytocin, which reduces stress hormones and lowers blood pressure. De-shoe at the door...this keeps all kinds of grossness out of your home including pollen in allergy season and E-coli. Silence is Golden...If you have nothing positive to say in the moment, you are angry, wounded, shocked. You need to shut your mouth and think about the big picture here, be kind and mind your manners. Top 10...Focus on goodness, clean out your house of clutter, eat better, make your doctor appointments and keep them and most of all forgiveness is #1, it will free you, I promise you this. If you are diabetic, remember to have regular foot care. Headache 15 times a month may indicate unrecognized depression. Affirmation: I am at ease within myself. I wait patiently for the divine whispers to guide me daily and they always do. ~ Joel Goldsmith Happy New Year to you and family, Marie LaTourette Big P.S. Blood Pressure Clinic between services every month on 2nd Sunday, next 1/11/15. Upcoming COFFEE HOUR hosts are: January 4, 11, 18, 25 = Diaconate (Worship Team/PLM) February 1, 8, 15, 22 = Outreach You may have noticed a collection table set up between services in November with NCC Youths, under the supervision of Amy Agles, conducting a blanket drive. Amy was kind enough to give me the details of how this project came to be. For so many years, NCC hosted (and was a large part of) the Prison Toy Project. When Laurie Etter retired, the Toy Project was discontinued. Her shoes were just too large to be filled. At an Outreach Committee meeting in the fall of 2013, we began thinking about another project that we could undertake. The Homeless Hospitality Center and Overnight Shelter had just moved into their new location. I spoke with Cathy Zall, the Executive Director of the Center, and asked if there was any way that NCC could help furnish the Shelter. During that conversation, we concluded that blankets were needed and NCC held the first blanket drive the winter of There are 42 beds at the shelter in the dorms upstairs and several respite beds downstairs. It was the hope that we could collect at least 50 blankets. With the help of middle schoolers manning the boxes for blanket donations, and accepting monetary donations for blankets that we purchased, we surpassed the goal. Russ and a group of middle school youth delivered 56 blankets in December Blankets are always needed at the shelter. Cathy let us know that there is no money in the HHC budget for blankets, so the shelter relies solely on donations. When guests leave the shelter, they often take their blankets with them. There is never a time when the shelter has too many blankets. So, we decided to hold the second blanket drive this year. We once again bought blankets in advance and had them available for "purchase" and members of the congregation also donated new or gently used twin size blankets and comforters. Again a group of middle school kids "sold" blankets, collected them, and tallied the donations for two Sundays in November. Russ and several kids made the delivery in early December. This year we collected 78 blankets! We Got Ya Covered! Last year s motto holds true this year as well. To quote Amy, NCC members are generous beyond measure and many folks in New London are cozier this winter because of their care for neighbors in need. Thank you to all involved for making this outreach opportunity such a success. Heather Larson, Communications Committee Some of the youth who participated.

8 January 2015 TIDINGS Page 8 MUSIC NEWS History Quiz Answer From the Choral Minister Thank you to all who worked to make this holiday season musical. The cantata was a great success, the bells played at two other venues, and we hosted a wonderful concert by Shoreline Ringers. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who supported these events through singing, playing, organizing, and providing food for the reception. We could not do this without all of your support and efforts. Warmest regards for the new year. Lynne Floyd From the beginning of the church in East Lyme in 1719 the three men supervised the "prudentials" or the business affairs of the church. This committee continued until the church was incorporated in The business affairs were then handled by a three man Board of Trustees. It wasn't until 1920 that a woman was elected to this board. The Methodist Church transaction were also handled under a Board of Trustees which consisted of six men elected for three years. Trivia: The Congregational minister was assisted by a Deacon. In the early church there was one Deacon who held the position for his lifetime. Later it was necessary to have more than one and they still served for a lifetime. We are a community of Christians: learning God s ways; sharing God s love; extending God s peace and healing grace to all. Liturgical dance performed during service while the choir sang Wade in the Water. Be of service. Whether you make yourself available to a friend or co-worker, or you make time every month to do volunteer work, there is nothing that harvests more of a feeling of empowerment than being of service to someone in need. ~ Gillian Anderson

9 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday New Year's Day-Church Offices closed 7:15 AM No Bible Stdy Brkfst 4 Music by Gospel Choir 9:00 AM Worship 11:15 AM Worship 6:00 PM High School Fellowship (Shelter) 7:00 PM Women's Fellowship Book Club (PLO) 11 Music by Children's Choir 9:00 AM Worship 11:15 AM Reception of New Members 11:15 AM Worship 1:00 PM E.L.Historical Society Lecture (DH) 18 Hymn Sing 9:00 AM Worship 11:15 AM Worship 25 9:00 AM Worship 10:30 AM Annual Meeting (DH) 5 6:30 PM Music & Worship Arts Comm. (O) 6:30 PM Open, Affirming, Reconciling Comm. (FR) 6:45 PM Christian Ed. Committee (TBA)) 7:00 PM Toastmasters (DH) 12 5:45 PM NCC Children's Center Board (M) 6:15 PM Church Officers (Pastor's Study) 7:00 PM Communications Committee (PLO) 7:00 PM Finance Committee (FR) 19 10:00 AM Anything Goes (FR) 7:00 PM Prudential Board (FR) 7:00 PM Toastmasters (DH) 26 7:00 PM Personnel (PLO) 7:00 PM PPRC (FR) 6 7:15 AM Bible Stdy Brkfst (Charlie's Pl) 9:30 AM A Sacred Place (FR) 5:45 PM Children's Choir (SA) 6:15 PM Gospel Choir (SA) 6:15 PM Youth Bells (M) 7:00 PM Adult Bells (M) 7:00 PM Boy Scouts (DH) 7:00 PM Men's Choir (SA) 7:00 PM Parish Life Min. (FR) 7:00 PM Worship Team (PLO) 13 7:15 AM Bible Stdy Brkfst (Charlie's Pl) 9:30 AM A Sacred Place (FR) 5:45 PM Children's Choir (SA) 6:15 PM Gospel Choir (SA) 6:15 PM Youth Bells (M) 7:00 PM Adult Bells (M) 7:00 PM Boy Scouts (DH) 7:00 PM Maintenance (O) 7:00 PM Men's Choir (SA) 20 7:15 AM Bible Stdy Brkfst (Charlie's Pl) 1:00 PM WCSA (FR/M) 5:45 PM Children's Choir (SA) 6:15 PM Gospel Choir (SA) 6:15 PM Youth Bells (M) 7:00 PM Adult Bells (M) 7:00 PM Boy Scouts (DH) 7:00 PM Men's Choir (SA) 27 7:15 AM Bible Stdy Brkfst (Charlie's Pl) 5:45 PM Children's Choir (SA) 6:15 PM Gospel Choir (SA) 6:15 PM Youth Bells (M) 7:00 PM Adult Bells (M) 7:00 PM Boy Scouts (DH) 7:00 PM Men's Choir (SA) 7:00 PM Prayer Shawl Knitting Group (FR) January :00 AM Disciple IV (Fellowship Room) 7:00 PM Finance Budge Meeting (FR) 7:30 PM NA (DH) 14 9:00 AM Disciple IV (Fellowship Room) 6:30 PM The Power of Together SECT (SA) 7:30 PM NA (DH) 21 9:00 AM Disciple IV (Fellowship Room) 6:00 PM Christian Singles & Dating (PLM)(MPR) 7:30 PM NA (DH) 28 9:00 AM Disciple IV (Fellowship Room) 7:30 PM NA (DH) 8 7:15 AM Bible Stdy Brkfst (Charlie's Pl) 7:00 PM Adult Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary) 15 7:15 AM Bible Stdy Brkfst (Charlie's Pl) 6:30 PM Confirmation Class (FR) 7:00 PM Adult Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary) 7:00 PM The Healing Art of Photography-Take II (FR) 22 7:15 AM Bible Stdy Brkfst (Charlie's Place) 7:00 PM Adult Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary) 29 7:15 AM Bible Stdy Brkfst (Charlie's Pl) 6:30 PM Confirmation Class (FR) 7:00 PM Adult Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary) 2 5:00 PM Confirmation Lock-In (FR/M/DH) 9 10:00 AM Sacred Source Painting (FR/M) 5:30 PM Preservation Pot-Luck (DH) 3 12:00 PM Confirmation Lock-In Ends :30 PM NL Soup Kitchen Meal Prep (K) 7:00 PM Drum Circle 24 9:00 AM NL Soup Kitchen Meal Prep (K) 6:00 PM Cabin Fever Review (M) January 2015 TIDINGS Page 9