Tidings April 2011

A Federated Church of the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church

An Open and Affirming/Reconciling Congregation

Monthly news for members & friends from Niantic Community Church April 2011

Tidings FROM THE PASTOR AND TEACHER

Dear Friends,

Greetings and grace to you, in the name of the

Human One!

I pray that your journey through Lent is con-

tinuing to lead you to fresh insights, or familiar re-

minders, about the present-ness of God in the midst

of the challenges of life. We have three weeks re-

maining of this rich season — and there are some

marvelous opportunities for you to draw from the

well of God’s spirit:

Bill Wernau and Tami Scace are leading the

effort to generate an ark for Heifer International.

Over the years our church has contributed over 16

arks to Heifer, each one valued at $5,000 and repre-

senting an ark-full of animals that will be given to

impoverished families all over the world. Heifer is

one of the best ways we have of stretching our pre-

cious dollars to make a real difference in the lives

of our global neighbors. If you haven’t already,

please look for Bill or Tami and help fill the ark!

Sandy Spencer has also taken on a most worthy

project during Lent: she has dedicated herself to

raising $5,000 for Charity Water, which will pro-

vide fresh drinking water for 250 persons for 20

years.

Both Heifer and Charity Water are invaluable,

faithful ways that we can do something to see Jesus

in our neighbors.

That opportunity is right here at home, as well,

and in another way. Please join me and many faith

leaders on the afternoon of April 17th for the Sec-

ond Annual Interfaith Walk: “Taking Peace to the

Streets.” We’ll meet at St. Sophia’s in New London

at 3pm and walk together for a mile, bringing a wit-

ness of peace and hope to streets that have seen too

much hurt and violence.

Yours on the journey,

Pastor John A. Nelson

Gifts & Grace IN LIFE’S FINAL DAYS Sunday, May 1st, 1–5 p.m. A Retreat on Ender’s Island, Mystic, CT

Refreshments served.

Six professionals will speak on their topics of expertise including eldercare, legal issues, living wills, long term care insurance, hospice, funeral planning and much more:

$15 per person/$25 per couple Register by April 25: call Joanne Moore (860) 739-2573 or Patty Chaffee (860) 739-6208

A program of Parish Life Ministry

•Rose Levine — Geriatric care management •Christy Pyatt — Long term care insurance/life insurance •Atty Granville Morris — Living wills/power of attorney

•Lorraine Moon, R.N.-—Hospice services

•Nick Fulton — Funeral planning •Pastor John Nelson — Memorials that celebrate life

and glorify God

Tidings April 2011

2

Worship in April

Sundays at 9 & 11:15am

Apr. 3rd • Fourth Sunday in Lent

Texts: Mark 14:1-11

Pastor Nelson, preaching: “In Remembrance of Her”

Apr. 10th • Fifth Sunday in Lent

Texts: Mark 14:12-25; 14:26-31; 14:32-42; 14:43-72

Pastor Nelson, preaching: “Revealed in the Night”

Apr. 17th • Sixth Sunday in Lent

Palm Sunday ~ Sunday of the Passion

Texts: Mark 11:1-11; 15:1-47

Pastor Nelson, preaching: “INRI”

Hymn sing before worship!

Holy Week Worship

Apr. 21st • Maundy Thursday, 7pm

A service of foot washing and communion, led by

members of the Confirmation class

Apr. 22nd • Good Friday, 7pm

Tenebrae — the Service of Shadows — led by

members of the Confirmation class

Get Ready for Worship!

Follow the “Preparing for

Sunday” link on our website home-

page (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 passages, and a prayer starter.

It’s a great way to spend time with God’s Word,

— and since those passages are (usually) the basis

for Sunday morning’s services, you’ll be adding a

new layer of richness and meaning to the experi-

ence of worship.

Easter Sunday, April 24th

6AM: Ecumenical Sunrise Service at McCook Point (rain location: Niantic Baptist church)

7:30AM: Easter Service of Holy Communion

9:00 & 11:15AM:

Celebration of the Resurrection

Texts: Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Acts 10:3443;

or Mark 16:1-8

Pastor John A. Nelson, preaching:

“The Never-Ending Story”

Christian Education for Grownups

In April, we begin to offer a new series for

grownups (of all ages): Embracing an Adult

Faith. From the publisher:

“Author and Bible scholar Marcus Borg invites

us to join him in revisiting Christianity's most

fundamental questions: Who is God? What does

salvation mean? What place does Jesus hold in

contemporary Christian faith? Each session in-

cludes a 10-minute presentation by Marcus Borg

followed by interaction with the group. The

study addresses fundamental questions that

adults struggle with as faith matures.”

Please join us between morning worship services

for this valuable, enriching conversation!

) ( There was a preacher who took pride in knowing everyone’s name. One Sunday a woman sat near the front who hadn’t been to church in a long time. The preacher couldn’t remember her name. Just before the benediction, memory returned. At the door, the preacher smiled and said, “You look like Helen Brown!” The woman looked startled, then shot back, “You don’t look so good in black yourself!”

Tidings April 2011

3

Heifer Ark Fundraiser

Niantic Community Church has raised many

arks of animals for Heifer over the years

(over 17 at last count) and, as many of us

know, bought the goat that allowed Beatrice

(of Beatrice's Goat) to go to school. Her ap-

pearance here a few years ago delighted us

all!

This year, NCC will once again strive to buy

an ark (contains two of each animal that

Heifer provides to needy families). The cost

is $5,000 and the value is immeasurable.

Heifer has designated the month of April as

"Passing on the Gift" month and we will be-

gin fundraising with the commencement of

Lent and end it on Easter Sunday. The chil-

dren in Divine Activity Time will receive

"ark banks and calendars", the older children

and adults will be offered the opportunity to

learn more about Heifer's work and to con-

tribute to the cause. Together we can make a

big difference to those who struggle daily.

If you would like to host a tea and coffee so-

cial for a dozen or so friends at your home, I

would be thrilled to attend and give a short

presentation on Heifer's work and show the

video "12 Stones" about Heifer's outstanding

work in Nepal. You can reach me at wer-

nau@ct.metrocast.net or call (860)739-4212.

Bill Wernau

Charity:Water

Fundraiser By Sandy Spencer

On February 8, 2011, I turned 50.

I saw a magazine article about Will and Jada Smith

and Charity: Water that they were promoting for

their birthdays.

In our world of abundance, imagine a world where

families walk miles to bring back dirty water to

their villages and it is the only water that is avail-

able to them. I found out that millions of people

don't live to see their 5th birthday. And why? Be-

cause they didn't have access to clean, safe water.

So I am celebrating my birthday like never before.

And most of you who know me well knows I like

to celebrate!

I'm asking for donations from everyone I know -

and every penny of the money raised will go di-

rectly to fund freshwater wells in developing na-

tions. If you can't give $50, give what you can. $20

will provide fresh drinking water for one person for

20years!

Even better, every dollar is "proved" when the pro-

jects are complete, and photos and GPS coordi-

nates are posted using Google Earth. In addition,

every dollar you give goes towards the Wells be-

cause this charity has Foundations and Sponsors

who pay all their administrative and staff costs.

My goal is to raise $5000. Please consider helping

me.

Be thankful for all the blessings in your life includ-

ing the fact that you have clean drinking water

available right from the tap.

Thanks for being a part of my life and please "pay

it forward" by being an important life of someone

else's....a village that needs clean drinking water.

Tidings April 2011

4

History Quiz & Trivia

In 1954, a year after our two churches merged, it was decided to purchase land on Pennsyl-vania Ave. as the site for our new church. My first question is: Do you know how much we paid for the 3 acres that the church is now on? Was it A) $6,000 B) $18,000 C) $36,000? Three other sites in town had also been consid-ered. The next question is do you have any idea where these were? Hint: They are all within ½ mile of the Lincoln St. Church. Tidewater Oil agreed to lease the old Methodist Church property on Main St for a gas station provided we removed the Church building. How much do you think it cost to take the building down? Was it A) $650 B) $2,500 C) $5,000?

Considering Membership???

Please join us on either Saturday, April 30

from 9-12 p.m. or April 12 & 19 from 7—

8:30 p.m. to learn more about NCC and what

it means to become a member. For more in-

formation or to register please contact Patty

Chaffee at (860) 739-6208.

The Healing Art

of Photography

An interactive conversation

about the discovery of God

from behind the lens.

“The soul should always stand

ajar, ready to welcome the

ecstatic experience.

– Emily Dickinson

Professional photographer Denton Hoyer of Niantic

will join us for the first session to talk about photog-

raphy and getting the most out of your digital cam-

era. A Q & A will follow.

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 Phillips, is

necessary for group discussion.

Register in the church office at (860)739-6208 or

email questions to

Patty@NianticCommunityChurch.org. Books can be

obtained through Amazon.com or ask us for help.

Book is $15.

Wednesdays

7:00-9:00 p.m.

6 Weeks

Beginning May 4

Tidings April 2011

5

Angels among us…

Want $60 worth of groceries for

$30? Savings like this is what

the average participant in the

Angel Food Ministries food dis-

tribution program experiences

each month. High quality fresh

and frozen foods are available to

absolutely anyone at the discounted rate. There is no

need to apply or qualify, no restrictions.

“ Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-

denominational organization dedicated to providing

food relief and financial support to communities

throughout the United States.” For more information

about ordering food at a great discount, and picking

them up at local host sites, visit

www.angelfoodministries.com or call 1-888-819-

3745. Brochures are available in the church office.

Women's Christian Service Association (WCSA) will sponsor a rummage sale on Sat., Apr 9, from 9 - 12. Items needed are clothing, linens and bedding, shoes, toys, sports equipment (except skis) household and kitchen items. Please do not bring computers, typewriters, furniture, rugs or anything heavy. More information will be forthcoming at a later date. For questions, call Doris Beebe.

ZAPATOS FOR HONDURAS

NCC and Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Gales Ferry, are once again sending a team to do God's work in Honduras. This year the team of 12 will be building desks and seats for school children in San Marcos. If you would like to help the mission with a donation, new or gen-tly used children's shoes for a tropical climate or sandals would be most appreciated. The group leaves on April 9th and will be packing the donations on Friday, April 8th. Also needed are large suitcases that you do not want returned, in which to pack the donations. If you have any questions, please contact Nori Lembree at 860-961-7056 or norilem-bree@yahoo.com

Rose Levine joined NCC

on Thursday, March 24th

to address the Caregiver

Support Group. The group

now meets the third Tues-

day of each month at

10:00 in the Fellowship

Room. Feel free to drop by

or call Joanne Moore for

more information at (860)

739-2573. Picture above are desks made on a previous mission

trip to Honduras.

Tidings April 2011

6

This past Saturday I ex-

perienced an eye opening

afternoon when I was

locked out of my house

for more than four hours.

I had stepped out of my

garage to check on

something before leaving

to do some errands and my automatic garage door

closed, with me outside, my car inside and every

other window and door secured like Fort Knox.

I tried to stop it once I saw it coming down, Aren’t

those doors supposed to stop if something blocks

them? Well this one had its own plan. I stood there

looking at it with hands on my hips in disbelief. I

wasn’t anywhere near the two controls. Very, very

strange, I thought. I gave it the squinty eye, which

is how my partner and I look at each other when

we’ve said or done something questionable, as if I

could reason with the door. I tried pulling it up and

when it wouldn’t budge, I gave it a little kick. It

made me feel better.

I scoped out the premises, circling the house, trying

other doors that I knew were dead bolted. I walked

to the back yard and sat by the water contemplating

my situation. Jim would be home soon. I was sure

of it. I kept changing my location, picnic table,

stone wall, patio. I got the mail and read every

word in the clothing catalogues that arrived. I did a

reconnaissance, and walked around the house again,

hoping that an access would reveal itself. I spied a

basement window cracked open an inch or so. De-

ciding it was an awfully small window, to an aw-

fully dark, and dusty basement, I decided that was

not an option and returned to my spot near the wa-

ter.

The day was sunny and I was grateful for that, but

as I watched the sun ever so slowly lean toward the

horizon it became increasingly cold, especially

with that ever present sea breeze. I wandered over

to the garage door and tried opening it a few more

times, turned my head a thousand times to see if

Jim was pulling into the driveway and finally saw

signs of life. Since we just moved into the

neighborhood, I didn’t know anyone. A man came

across the street and introduced himself as my

History Quiz Answer

If you guessed “A” to both of the questions you are correct. Lillian Clark sold us the property across from her house for $6,000. We paid $2,000 a year for 3 years. We were able to sell one of the furnaces from the Methodist Church for $150 so we only had to raise $500 to take the Church down. The 3 other sites were 1) The Bond property on Main St., across from the Baptist Church where Casablanca Wicker is located. 2) The Cutillo property on the corner of Pennsylvania Ave. and Hope St. 3) On Pennsylvania Ave. across from the present church where Penncove Rd. now is.

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 Bazaar, and leave it in the church office.

Thanks so much! Jeanette Woodworth

neighbor. I wasn’t sure if he thought I was casing the

joint or what, but he invited me to use his phone and

get warm in his house while I waited for Jim to ar-

rive. Ahhh, the kindness of strangers. Jim did indeed

finally arrive an hour later and built me a fire to

warm up.

While I did, I wondered what the lesson was in this

experience. I believe there is something good to learn

from all things and I wondered what purpose there

was in slowing down my usual warp speed? I won-

dered what purpose could it serve to remove access

to my car, television, telephone, computer, books,

housecleaning, errands, work, etc.? I wondered what

the purpose was to spend four hours outside, just

God and I, hangin’ out, one sunny, Saturday after-

noon.

From the Community Minister, Patty Chaffee

Tidings April 2011

7

them about Fair Trade!

Easter Egg Hunt- on Easter Sunday, April

24 between services. We will meet in the

Dining Hall at about 10:30 AM to get ready

and then head out to the grounds to start the

Egg Hunt. Please remember to bring a basket

to gather all the goodies that you find.

Got Camp? Summer Camp Brochures for Wanakee

and Silver Lake are in! Please pick up in Amy's office.

Save the Date- Vacation Bible School is July 11-15.

The Shake It Up Cafe themed week is being led by Deb

Fountain. It is going to be such a cool five days. Please

contact Deb if you have some talents that you want to

share!

After an informative and fun presentation about Heifer

International by Bill Wernau, the children in Divine

Activity Time on Sunday, March 20 were presented

with ark banks and a Heifer calendar to study during

the next 4 weeks. It is hoped that your children will be

able to assist around the house and earn some change to

put in their banks. Their suggestions included: helping

with dinner, feeding the dog, cleaning up after the dog,

vacuuming, raking the leaves, cleaning up their toys.

The list went on. Just ask them what they thought they

could do.

Middle School Fellowship Schedule

April 3 from 6:45 AM- 3:00 PM

Rock-a-Thon all day and tie dying t-shirts in the after-

noonAn all day MSF event as we rock our way to

Wanakee. MSF rocks! We will also be tie dying t-shirts

for our trip!

April 10 from 12:30-2:00 PM

Get Ready for Wanakee

Paperwork, Packing List and planning

our meal for next week!

April 17 from 12:30-2:00 PM

A Shared Meal

Making our Meal and Connecting & Sharing It.

April 24 EASTER SUNDAY—No meeting

April 29 - May 1, Meet at 3:00 PM Friday! OUR TRIP TO WANAKEE! Meet at church at 3:00

PM sharp on Friday afternoon to leave for Wanakee.

We will return Sunday afternoon between 4:00and 5:00

PM.

WOW! Thanks to your generous

support, the MSF group raised over

$360 during the Quarter Contest.

Be sure to come to the performance of our winner. Nan

Rigdon will be dressed as an Oompa Loompa and sing-

ing a song from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Fac-

tory" on Sunday, April 3rd between services in the

Dining Hall.

MSF ROCKS Sunday, April 3rd from 7:00 AM- 3:00

PM. Please support our Middle School youth as they

gather pledges for their service trip to Wanakee on

April 29, 30 and May 1. And check out the new bulle-

tin board in the dining hall to find out more about the

kids who are going this year.

Been to Wanakee and want to go again? Out of middle

school and wishing that you could still go? Never been

there, but want to see what all the hype is about? Well,

we have an opportunity for all of you. NCC has re-

served the cabin at Wanakee for the weekend of Au-

gust 12, 13 and 14. Please let Amy Agles know if you

would like to be a part of this work weekend at Arbutus

Hill Farm (Meredith, NH) owned by Jen Mayo, a for-

mer Heifer recipient.

High School Sunday School- "Textifying- New Ways

to Talk About God". Meet in Amy's office from 10:15-

11:00 AM on April 3 and 10. We will

be setting up a NCC High School

Facebook Page, a Twitter account, and

a text scripture chain. Join us on one

or both Sundays!

High School Fellowship Calendar April 3- Sunday School 10:15 "Textifying" Setting up

our Facebook Page. Shelter Meal 6:00 PM. Meet at

the church. Please bring bread or a dessert to share

with the guests at St. James Overnight Shelter, New

London. Return to the church by 7:45 PM.

April 10- Sunday School 10:15 "Textifying" Setting up

our Twitter account and Text Scripture Chain.

April 17- Meet in the Dining Hall between services to

set up and sell Fair Trade Coffee and Chocolates.

April 24- Happy Easter!

Mark your calendar- the next Fair Trade Coffee and

Chocolate (just in time for your Easter Bas-

kets!) Sale is Sunday, April 17 in the dining hall be-

tween services. Sales by High School Fellowship. Ask

News from the Acting Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministries

Tidings April 2011

8

Lenten Series

Soup & Soul

Wednesdays 5:30-6:45 p.m.

March 9 through April 20,

2011

In The Greatest Prayer, Dominic

Crossan, a Jesus scholar, ex-

plores the Lord’s Prayer line-by-

line for the richest and fullest

understanding yet of a prayer

every Christian knows by heart.

“This is quintessential Crossan

for the general market, provid-

ing just the right amount of his-

tory, scholarship, and detail to

facilitate the message of Christi-

anity's greatest prayer. Crossan

reveals the enduring meaning and

universal significance of the

only prayer Jesus ever taught.”

delicious homemade soups

and bread

All are welcome * Bring a

friend

Come for one week or all

seven

Scholarships available

Let us know in advance if

you require Child care

call (860)739-6208.

The Communications Committee is currently

working on two projects. The first undertaking in-

volves the following: (i) replacement of the existing

free standing sign at the front of the church on Penn-

sylvania Avenue; (ii) replacement of an existing sign

for the Children's Center with a new sign at the en-

trance to the lower level parking lot located in about

the same location, but with an improved sight line;

and (iii) installation of a window decal at the en-

trance to the church office, All of the signs will have

a uniform design, color and shape. These signs will

be installed around the middle of next month. The

second endeavor involves upgrading the church's

website. The committee recently met with Eric S.

Anderson, Minister of Communication & Technol-

ogy for the Ct Conference, UCC. He provided the

committee with a number insights, observations and

suggestions for improving the website. He will con-

tinue to be a resource as the committee works on this

project. The committee welcomed two new mem-

bers, Jessie Kessler and Craig Woody, to the Com-

munications Committee.

Dolores Green speaking with Judy Barnard.

Dolores gave a talk on Sunday, March 27 about

her journey from 25 years of abuse. She lived at

the Katie Blair house and is now speaking about

domestic violence and the wonderful things the

organization does. Dolores was brought to us by

Marie La Tourette.

Tidings April 2011

9

Covenants:

Bread for the World $100

Habitat for Humanity of S.E. CT $1,000

L& M Chaplancy $100 NCC Children's Center Child care Scholar-

ships $25,200

Mission Priorities:

Karen Emergency Relief Fund $0

Martin House $500

United Action of SECT $1,000

Hunger Programs:

New London Food Coalition $25

New London Soup Kitchen $1,000

Supplies for Serving Meals $500

First Church Breakfast Program $500 Homeless Hospitality (St .James Monthly

Meal) $700

Gemma Moran Food Bank $0

Prison Ministries:

Christmas Toy Project - Postage $1,000

Fellowship House $500

Katy Blair House $500

Emergency Assistance (Pastor's Fund) $2,000

Local Area Needs: $2,625

Care and Share $500

Supportive Housing (Homeless Hospitality) $1,000

Seabird Enterprises $500

Women's Center $500

Thames River Family Program $500

Interfaith Refuge Committee $0

Alliance For Living $500

MLK Scholarship $500

Youth Missions /NCC Youth $500

Overseas Schools and Missions: Honduras (St. Luke's Mission -Gales

Ferry) $500

SERRV (A Greater Gift) $500

CROSBY - Haitian Scholarship Foundation $550

Promotion of Outreach Missions $0

Total Outreach $43,300

Outreach Committee Budget

For any questions regarding Outreach Please feel free to contact anyone of us: Laurie Castronova (Chair), Amy Agles, Anne Davis, Sandy Spencer, Luane Lange, Bette Mahon, Kathy Liebel, Lisa Aschenbrenner, Carolyn Lombardo, and Jean Spranklin

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 mail-

box 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 re-

cycle here.

The environment thanks you,

and the Church Office thanks

you!

Tidings April 2011

10

Photos from Youth Sunday

Tidings April 2011

11

Niantic Community Church 170 Pennsylvania Avenue Niantic, CT 06357

(860) 739-6208

NianticCommChurch@sbcglobal.net

www.NianticCommunityChurch.org

Pastor & Teacher: John A. Nelson

Community Minister: Patty Chaffee

Acting Dir. of Religious Education and Youth Ministries: Amy Agles

Church Secretary: Judy Snitkin

Parish Nurse: Marie LaTourette

Children’s Center Director: Kathleen Tiller

Sunday Morning Schedule 8:45AM Nursery care begins

9:00AM Worship service I (Pre-K to 4th graders may leave after ~20

minutes for “Divine Activity Time”)

10 – 11AM “Between Hour” Café

10:15AM Sunday school for all ages

11:15AM Worship service II (Pre-K to 4th graders may leave after ~20

minutes for “Divine Activity Time”)

12:30PM Nursery care ends

Deadline for the May edition of Tidings is April 15th. Please e-mail submissions to Tidings@TheDatums.com