Tidings - Niantic Cmnty Church...(Tales of the Hasidim) The story may have come from the Hasidim —...

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


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


“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


“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


“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


―What‘s in God‘s Name?‖

Rich Basham

Oct. 30


―A Change of Heart‖

Carol Donovan


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.


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.


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


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.


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


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


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)

mailto:[email protected]


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

[email protected].

Books can be obtained through Amazon.com or Jan

Phillips website, www.JanPhillips.com or ask us for

help.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.JanPhillips.com


11

Niantic Community Church 170 Pennsylvania Avenue Niantic, CT 06357

(860) 739-6208

[email protected]

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

[email protected]

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