Tabor Newsletter TABOR LUTHERAN CHURCH 45 Tabor Drive Branford, CT 06405 (203) 488-2541 www.taborchurch.net The Rev. Bryan Myers, Pastor 1 Winter 2021 Table of Contents President’s Message p. 1 Adult Bible Study p. 2 Soup’s On Dinner p. 3 Stewardship p. 4 Messages from the past p. 5 Fall Clean up p. 6 Christmas Tree Pickup p. 7 New Trees at Tabor p. 8 Introducing Dawn p. 9 Covid-19 Vaccine info p. 9 Christmas Eve Service p. 10 Cans for a Cause p. 11 Giving Tree p. 11 Tabor Arts Music Lessons p. 12 Community Dining Room p. 13 Branford Food Pantry p. 13 Swedish Meatball p. 14 Easter Plants p. 15 Parish Records p. 16 Memorials p 16 Birthdays p. 17 Spring 2021 Tower Deadline Sunday, March 14 Please put submissions into the Tower Mailbox outside the office or email to: [email protected]A sincere THANKS to all who submit to this publication. Dear Tabor Family and Friends, Normally, Pastor Myers address you in this space. Today, however, I am writing because, as many of you know, he has been ill for awhile. After a few weeks at Yale New Haven Hospital and Smilow Cancer Center. Pastor Myers departed last week for a rehabilitation center in Chester. A while back, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and is receiving an oral therapy to combat it. Managing medication for his pain has been especially trying, but he hopes the rehab therapy will help him to stand and walk on his own, and allow him to return home. After much reflection, he informed the church council of his intention to re- tire. Over the next several Sundays, we will have the opportunity to experience different worship styles led by local ordained ministers and divinity students from Yale. As we move forward in 2021, trained lay leaders from our con- gregation may also lead worship from time to time, and the New England Synod will be recommending other pastors for us to welcome. Upon Pastor Myers’ retirement, an interim pastor will be identified to lead Tabor in a transition period of possibly several months to more than a year. That transition time will give us a chance to discern our focus and mission, and to find a compatible pastor to serve our community on a full time basis. This brief summary does not include all the details we will need to address and consider as they arise. Obviously, the pandemic makes everything more difficult. So, I request your patience, understanding, and input as we under- take the new challenges set before us. Together, embraced by a loving God, we will soon again enjoy the full worship and mission life here at Tabor. Until then, please continue to keep Bud and the Myers family in your pray- ers. If you have a special pastoral need, you can call me or the church office to accommodate your situation. Trusting in His will, Peter Harding, Tabor Council President 203-253-5748
Transcript
Tabor Newsletter TABOR LUTHERAN CHURCH
45 Tabor Drive Branford, CT 06405
(203) 488-2541 www.taborchurch.net
The Rev. Bryan Myers, Pastor
1
Winter 2021
Table of Contents
President’s Message p. 1 Adult Bible Study p. 2 Soup’s On Dinner p. 3 Stewardship p. 4 Messages from the past p. 5 Fall Clean up p. 6 Christmas Tree Pickup p. 7 New Trees at Tabor p. 8 Introducing Dawn p. 9 Covid-19 Vaccine info p. 9 Christmas Eve Service p. 10 Cans for a Cause p. 11 Giving Tree p. 11 Tabor Arts Music Lessons p. 12 Community Dining Room p. 13 Branford Food Pantry p. 13 Swedish Meatball p. 14 Easter Plants p. 15 Parish Records p. 16 Memorials p 16 Birthdays p. 17
Spring 2021 Tower Deadline
Sunday, March 14
Please put submissions into the Tower Mailbox outside the
A sincere THANKS to all who submit to this publication.
Dear Tabor Family and Friends, Normally, Pastor Myers address you in this space. Today, however, I am writing because, as many of you know, he has been ill for awhile. After a few weeks at Yale New Haven Hospital and Smilow Cancer Center. Pastor Myers departed last week for a rehabilitation center in Chester. A while back, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and is receiving an oral therapy to combat it. Managing medication for his pain has been especially trying, but he hopes the rehab therapy will help him to stand and walk on his own, and allow him to return home. After much reflection, he informed the church council of his intention to re-tire. Over the next several Sundays, we will have the opportunity to experience different worship styles led by local ordained ministers and divinity students from Yale. As we move forward in 2021, trained lay leaders from our con-gregation may also lead worship from time to time, and the New England Synod will be recommending other pastors for us to welcome. Upon Pastor Myers’ retirement, an interim pastor will be identified to lead Tabor in a transition period of possibly several months to more than a year. That transition time will give us a chance to discern our focus and mission, and to find a compatible pastor to serve our community on a full time basis. This brief summary does not include all the details we will need to address and consider as they arise. Obviously, the pandemic makes everything more difficult. So, I request your patience, understanding, and input as we under-take the new challenges set before us. Together, embraced by a loving God, we will soon again enjoy the full worship and mission life here at Tabor. Until then, please continue to keep Bud and the Myers family in your pray-ers. If you have a special pastoral need, you can call me or the church office to accommodate your situation. Trusting in His will, Peter Harding, Tabor Council President 203-253-5748
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Winter 2021 Tabor Newsletter
WEDNESDAY ADULT EDUCATION
The bible study has been switched to Wednesday evenings to hopefully accommo-date more people’s schedules. We may have special events for Ash Wednesday and during Holy Week.. The Gospel of Mark was chosen because we are follow-ing Liturgical Year B which reads from the Gospel of Mark. We will start on ZOOM and as the weather gets better, we may meet together out-side. If you are interested, please contact me via e-mail and I will send you the ZOOM link and the bible study worksheet before each Wednesday meeting. It is not necessary to attend every session! May God grant you and your family health, happiness, comfort and peace! The flyer information is noted below! The trailer for this bible study can be found on YouTube under “The Gospel of Mark with Francis Chan”. Kathy Benedict [email protected]
IT ALL BELONGS TO GOD When we think about our world, do we also think about where it came from? Everything we have, where does it come from and who owns it? Who made it and to whom does it belong? Let's take a look at this from our perspective as Christians. We believe God created it and
God continues to own it. We are given the privilege and responsibility to care for that which belongs to our heavenly Father. This is called stewardship – caring for the many and varied gifts we are given. Let's look what scripture has to say about this: Psalm 24:1-2, “The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof; the world and those who dwell therein; for he has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers.” Deuteronomy 8: 11-18 Moses talks to Israel of the temptation to take credit for our material successes. Instead, he cautions to give God the glory and thanks. Genesis 1: 27-28 Humankind shall have dominion over every living thing on earth. Even though God has delegated authority to humanity, this is not a transfer of ownership. We are still accountable to God for how we exercise our dominion. What may be the origin of the word “steward” ? It probably originates from two old English words that named the person who took care of the pigs of another person or family i.e. sty warden. Note, the steward is not the owner. Also note, the steward has a position of high authority in the owners household and is given great responsibility. Lastly note, the stew-ard cares for the possessions of the owner for the benefit of the owner and of the people who depend on the owner for their well being. Cautions: Understand correctly; everything is God's; not just the 10% suggested tithing we may put in the offering plate. Therefore the question is, “How does God want me to use EVERYTHING?” Put another way, “How much of God's money do I dare keep?” This is a huge difference and is a wholly different paradigm. Let's celebrate two ideas: Firstly: We should celebrate the fact that God has named us stewards. To be a steward is to be in a place of high esteem and responsibility. Secondly: We should celebrate the fact that our creator God promises to be with us when we go out in God's name. Therefore we know that God has already provided us with all the resources we need to accomplish the mission to which God has called us. The Stewardship Team As paraphrased from “Ask, Thank, Tell” by Charles Lane, Augsburg Fortress, 2006
"It's been a tough and maybe lonely year for many of us. So I wanted to remind
everyone at Tabor of better times when we reached out to our neighbors with
love. Understanding the impact we can have on ordinary people when
we work together for the common good brings me much joy today.
Peter Harding
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Winter 2021 Tabor Newsletter
Tabor Work Camp Responses from the residents we served when asked what the camp week meant
to them.
Wilhemina New Haven This work beautified & en-hanced my home. This is work I would have had to find the mon-ey to complete which would have been a hardship being a recent widow. I love & appreci-ate this work. God bless you all.
Phyllis ,Guilford Gratitude & appreciation for their help. To help teach the kids to understand what “happiness” is. Happiness is helping people. It makes one feel good about ones self & re-alize & be glad to have (the) ability to help. This is what work camp is about!
Pastor Kari Henkelmann Kieyl, Luther House, New Haven The house is so much more ready for us to do our ministries this fall & to start our new ministry to homeless people! It's been such a boost to me spiritually!
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We are thankful to those who participated in our Fall Clean Up at the church!
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A big thanks to all who helped out in any way with the Tabor Church and Troop 428 Christmas Tree Pick-Up this year! It was our biggest year yet, and we picked up close to 500 trees. A special thanks to my family, especially Christian who did a ton of work, for their help behind the scenes with all the organiza-tion. We were able to raise over $6,000 over the two weekends that will be split between Tabor and our Boy Scout Troop. Hopefully everyone had fun and will be willing to help again next year. Thanks again!
Christmas Tree Pickup Fundraiser
New Tree Planting on Tabor Drive A few months ago, as autumn leaves were falling around our church, our project to plant a row of trees edging the curve of Tabor Drive was fi-nally realized after several months of planning. The trees are a species native to Connecticut and the northeast: Serviceberry Autumn Brilliance. They were chosen for their early spring flowers and autumn coppery col-ored leaves and the small springtime berries that attract birds and sup-port pollinating insects. With this project, Tabor is participating in the Town of Branford “Pollinator Pathway” initiative to establish a continu-ous band of native planting and pollinator friendly trees, shrubs, and flowers stretching from the Town Green east to Guilford. Along with the new solar array providing sustainable power, this project helps to identify Tabor Lutheran Church as a congregation committed to good stewardship of God’s creation. Trees were purchased and installed with support from the Handschumacher Fund. We hope to continue to en-hance the Tabor campus with wildflower and meadow planting in the coming months. Christie Day Tabor Congregational Council Member
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COVID VACCINE INFORMATION Connecticut’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout began on Monday, January 18, 2021, and residents in the state over the age of 75 can now schedule appointments to receive the vaccine. Phase 1b will expand to include the following after those 75 and older are vaccinated:
Residents between the ages of 65 and 74 and Residents between the ages of 16 and 64 who have underlying health conditions
Make an appointment using one of the following tools: Healthcare Provider—you may be contacted by your doctor’s office. Online: A form can be accessed online at https://mychart.ynhhs.org/ which allows
you to schedule an appointment; Telephone: Those without internet access can call Connecticut’s COVID Vaccine
Appointment Assistance Line at 877-918-2224.
For those of you who I have not yet met, my name is Dawn Carafeno and I’m your new Office Administra-tor. I hope to have a chance to know each of you as things return to normal. I’m a native of the St. Louis, Missouri area, but lived in Jefferson City, Missouri for 20 years before moving to Guilford 3.5 years ago with my family. The photo to the left is my family. I’m the mom of 6, and grandma to 2 sweet kids, but now have only three of my children still at home with me. My
husband, Michael, is a talented architect; my daughter, Emilie is a recent UCONN grad and works as a lab scientist. My littles, Sophia (10) and Sebastian (9) keep me busy. My adult sons, Ben and Ethan still live in Missouri. Michael and I are primary caregivers for his father, who lives with us. I’m a very active PTO mom and activist in several causes. I love music, movies, cooking and politics. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me in the church office if you need anything.
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Though COVID-19 and forecasted in-clement weather forced us to make huge changes to our Christmas Eve pageant and service, we managed to
present a lovely program for this Holy service. Special thanks to Chuck Stack for arranging all of the beautiful musi-cal selections, provided virtually to us
by so many talented musicians.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
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Cans for a Cause is excited to announce that as of December 2020 we have donated/fundraised $20,411.90. Thank you to all that have or continue to support Cans for a Cause by donating your CT refundable bottles and cans. We greatly appreciate your dona-tions and support. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic we have fewer team members working
and had to remove the collection bin located at Tabor. We are hopeful that very soon the pan-demic will be behind us and the team members that are taking a break now will be back in full force, and the collection bin can go back. In the meantime if you would like to make a donation of clean CT refundable bottles and cans we have team members with collection bins at the following local locations. 11 Debra Lane, Branford 38 Knollwood Drive, Branford 36 Navarro Road, East Haven We hope you all are healthy and safe and remain that way. All Our Best, Katie, Ashley, & Hailey
Huge “Thanks” to the Tabor family for your partic-
ipation in the annual holiday Giving Tree Adopt-a-Family through New Reach in New Haven. Due to
your thoughtfulness and generosity, combined with other congregations in our area, more than 300 families received gifts this year, including over
500 children. Your partnership and support con-tinue to inspire and help those affected by home-
lessness and poverty.
You have provided hope and joy for families and individuals in our community
who are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. Tabor is truly a mission-oriented and love-based community.
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For more information about lessons at Tabor, please visit: https://www.taborartsbranford.com/teachers
Founded in 1985, the Community Dining Room (CDR) is a private, not-for-profit organization providing food, support and companionship to our
shoreline neighbors.
We serve the south-central Connecticut shoreline from East Haven to Old Saybrook including the towns of East Haven, Branford, North Branford,
Guilford, Madison, Clinton, Westbrook, and Old Saybrook.
Tabor has committed to prepare and serve a meal at the Branford Community Dining Room on the 1st Sunday every other month. March 7th is the next
date Tabor will serve.
We need to arrive at 10:00am and should be cleaned up by 2:00pm.
Please consider signing up and
helping with this mission.
Please contact Theresa Ferguson for more information or if you are able to volunteer.
Branford Food Pantry, Inc. The Branford Food Pantry serves the Town of Branford by providing weekly groceries to fami-
lies in need, and full turkey dinners for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The Branford Food Pantry has a constant need for routine items also, such as cereal, peanut butter, soup, stew and coffee.
Tabor will collect these items and deliver to the Food Pantry.
Feed Branford Kids (Snack Program): Each week families will receive a bag containing 5 snack items for each child to take to school. Please help to support this new
effort by donating the following: pudding/jello cups; fruit cups; raisins (small boxes); cereal/granola bars; small bags of
chips/cookies/pretzels; snack crackers; NO NUTS OR PEANUT PRODUCTS. Thanks for your help in this effort.
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EASTER PLANTS –ORDER SOON
Please fill out the order form, and mail to church office by Sunday, March 21. The plants can be picked up after the 10:30am Easter Service or delivered to a shut in.
Thank you for helping to create our beautiful Easter Garden.
EASTER PLANTS 2021 (Order Form)
Orders are now being taken for Easter Plants which will grace our Sanctuary or parking lot (where we are permitted to hold our services) on Easter Sunday. You may place your order by completing this form and returning it, along with payment, to the Church Office, by Sunday, March 21st. Checks may be made paya-ble to: Tabor Lutheran Church. We suggest that you pick up your Easter Plant to either decorate your home, plant in your garden, or to share with a friend, relative, or shut-in of your choice. Plants may not be picked up until 11:30am following the 10:30am Easter Worship Service.
Plants Available: $10 per plant for Easter Lilies $12 per plant for Daffodils or Hyacinths or Tulips
How Many
Type of Plant Please select:
In Honor Of: or In Memory Of: Given By:
Pick-Up Yes or No
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PARISH RECORDS
DEATH
Doris Gargone October 30, 2020
Tord Johnson January 16, 2021
Ken Sondergaard Ruth Johnson
Tony & Sue Kowalski
Klas Bjork Norm Andre James Boyd Christie Day
Dwaine & Bev Moon Chet Blomquist
Bill & Judy Damberg The Fales family
Betty & Paul Poverari Ed & Joyce Sax
Doris Gargone
Dottie Bjork Jane Ketterer
Tony & Sue Kowalski Bill & Pam Peterson
Jane Proto Nancy Putnam
Bob & Betty Sparks Tonis & Susan Talviste
June Turner
Ina Montelius Diane Altieri Norm Andre Dottie Bjork
Middlesex Hospital School of Nursing Class of 1960
Paul & Patricia Bruno Brian & Judy Dayton
Martin & Katherine Gehner Ruth Johnson Grace Olson
Bill & Pam Peterson Betty & Paul Polverari
Bob & Betty Sparks Tonis & Susan Talviste
Bill & June Turner Siria Volpato
Tord Johnson
Susan Aube Greg Johnson
MEMORIAL FUND
The following are acknowledged for memorial donations to Tabor Lutheran
Church in memory of:
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Erin Silvia 1/1 Laurel Moscato 1/3 Howard Warfield 1/3 Shannon Menihan 1/4 Julianna Pegnataro 1/6 Norman Benedict, Jr. 1/7 Robert Coolidge, II 1/8 Dorothy Bjork 1/10 Ashlie Forsberg 1/10 Peter Harding 1/10 Roy Knickelbein 1/10 Lynn Halovatch 1/12 Kurt Loehmann 1/12 Jenna Mayfield 1/14 Heather Loehmann 1/15 William Miller 1/20 Michael Murray 1/21 Christine Armour 1/22 Allison Palomaki 1/22 Jean Anderson 1/23 Eve Coolidge 1/23 Andrew Kendrick 1/24 Spencer Agresta 1/25 Bradley Williams 1/25 Thomas Day 1/27 Brian Dayton 1/27 Cory Onofrio 1/29 Sarah Pensanti 1/30 David Kendrick, Jr. 1/31
Jennifer Connelly 2/1 Douglas Bowden 2/2 Jaclyn Krischtschun 2/2 Megan Padden 2/2 Charlotte Tietjen 2/2 Rowan Doyle 2/3 Jane Jaegersen 2/3 Paul Shepard 2/3 Edward Esborn 2/4 Avery Clouse 2/6 Jane Proto 2/6 Kerrie Carr 2/11 Flora Cawley 2/11 Cheryl Conway 2/11 Miles Krischtschun 2/14 Carter Cox 2/16 Dennis Spaulding 2/16 Matthew Kelleher 2/18 James Kendrick 2/18 Truman Sherk 2/18 Brenda Stern 2/18 Lauren Williams 2/18 Karen Downing 2/19 Christopher Downing 2/20 Rita Smith 2/20 Abigale Agresta 2/22 Felice Didiano 2/22 Kathleen Christian 2/24 Matthew Allen 2/25 Lane Shoemaker 2/25 Gertrude Zastrow 2/26 Kelsi Putnam 2/27 Nicole Spaulding 2/27
Henry Horadan 3/1 Judith Dayton 3/3 Sandra Park 3/4 Brian Williams 3/5 Molly Zaffino 3/5 Kristin Mariano 3/7 Savannah Romblad 3/8 Kaitlin Hammond 3/9 Allison Luzzi 3/11 Maude Schmidt 3/13 Caden Dombrowski 3/16 Kaila McCabe 3/16 Rhiannon Cappetta 3/17 Barbara Colburn 3/18 Carol Auger 3/19 Sydnie Smith 3/21 Erika Krischtschun 3/22 Devin Putnam 3/22 Michael Ferguson 3/25 Dawn Carafeno 3/27 Jane Mahler 3/28 Leigh‑Ann Bayarsky 3/29 Mimi Myers 3/29 Katie Scalia 3/29 Jane Ketterer 3/30 Cynthia Fitteron 3/31
TABOR LUTHERAN CHURCH 45 Tabor Drive
Branford, Connecticut 06405-5225 (203) 488-2541
Address Service Requested
Tabor Newsletter
Sunday Worship Service
10:30am via Facebook Live Adult Bible Study—9:00am via Zoom
watch the weekly emails for links when available
Church Staff: Dawn Carafeno________________ Church Office______________________________ (203) 488-2541 Heather Loehmann _______________Bookkeeper _______________________________(203) 488-2541 Rev. Bryan L. Myers ____________ Pastor _______________Home: (203) 488-9677; Cell: (203) 214-2551 Charles Stack__________________ Organist, Music Director
