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Tidings March 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 March 2011
Tidings
A Lenten Quiet Day &
Labyrinth WaLk….. With Wendy Lyons
Saturday, March 26 from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
What is a quiet day? A time to discover what God has to offer us in times of silence. No preparation
or spiritual “expertise” required. It is not necessary to bring anything, but a notebook and pencil are
useful if you want to record some of your thoughts. Some people bring their own Bible, or even some
knitting if keeping their hands busy makes them more relaxed. Between brief reflections guided by
Wendy, will be silence. In several areas throughout the church, small altar areas will be set up along
with spiritual reading material, mandalas for meditation and a labyrinth for walking. Light refresh-
ments and beverages will be available in the kitchen throughout the day, and at 1:00 everyone is in-
vited to stay for a non-silent „brown-bag‟ lunch (brought from home). It is recommended that partici-
pants stay for the entire program in order to get the most out of the experience, but if you must leave
early, please depart in silence. This program is free and is sponsored by a grant from the Culpepper
Foundation.
Tidings March 2011
2
Get Ready for Worship!
Follow the “Preparing for Sunday”
link on our website homepage
(nianticcommunitychurch.org):
you will find the scripture readings
for the current week, a brief de-
scription to set them in context, a reflection 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
experience of worship.
Can’t get to NCC
on Sunday morning?
Most weeks we record the sermon and post it
online; check the church‟s website (click on
“Sermons and Sunday Bulletins” from the home
page).
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
Tidings March 2011
3
Spirited Pens – a writer’s group
Meeting the third Thursday of each month from 12:00-2:00 p.m. Bring a bag
lunch and writing to share, or arrive at 11:30 and get your creative
juices flowing with a writing prompt. All genres and levels off ability
are welcome. Please call Parish Life Ministry for more information. Fa-
cilitated by Community Minister, Patty Chaffee.
History Quiz & Trivia
On January 16th 2011, Ruth Watrous Beckwith passed away. Ruth was not only our church’s oldest member at 104, but held the longest membership. She joined the Niantic Methodist Church January 16th 1921…exactly 90 years a member. Some people have asked who have the honor of the longest church Membership. Christian Bayreuther joined the Methodist church in 1942. Wilbur Beckwith joined the Methodist Church in 1944. There are many people who have attended our church for 50 or more years, but some did not actually join the church until later. The question this month is: How many people can you name that joined the church in 1961 or earlier. (There are 13 of us).
From the Parish Nurse Marie LaTourette
Pistachios - It might seem surprising that a little pistachio contains phytosterols - a substance that blocks your body from absorbing choles-terol. A small handful of pistachios daily may help your arteries from clogging, keep your blood vessels clean, your heart healthy and strong. Good fats like olive oil can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Save the Date: Parish Nurse Symposium, Wednesday - April 27, 2011 in Derby, Connecti-cut. The keynote speaker is Thomas Moore. Everyone is welcome, last year it was $60 pp including lunch. Call Marie 860-739-0733 if in-terested. Patty and I will go. Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could have been different. Oprah Happy St. Pat's Marie
Tidings March 2011
4
Parish Life Ministries Committee NED RUETE
Soup and Soul is coming up. Dominic Crossan's The
Greatest Prayer falls neatly into 7 parts, so Soup and
Soul this year will start on Ash Wednesday and
run through Wednesday of Holy Week. Books are
available in the Church Office. For $22 you get 7
meals and 7 conversations – a real bargain, espe-
cially if a couple shares one book!
After a five-year hiatus, we are once again hosting a
workshop on Gifts and Grace at the End of Life.
Check out the ads for Gifts and Grace and Soup and
Soul elsewhere in Tidings.
We are also planning to have a quiet day featuring a
labyrinth walk, meditative opportunities, and other
forms of Sabbath. It is planned for Saturday, March
26.
Opportunities to Serve: We are looking for co-
chairs for Operation Love/Funeral Receptions. There
is a lot of good information on how to do this, and a
lot of talent to help out, we just need a couple of peo-
ple to coordinate. Congratulations to our former co-
ordinator, Cindy King, who was promoted to Vice
President! We want to send goody packages to mili-
tary units that include folks from the Niantic Com-
munity Church family – members, extended family,
and friends. If you know someone serving in harms
way, please let us know. And we are always looking
for people to bake, cook, organize, and help out with
our activities. Call any member of PLM or the
church office.
Women's Retreat is almost here. The
retreat will be April 1 - 3 at Camp
Wightman. Please join us for fun, re-
laxation and renewal. See Carol Dono-
van, Ocean Pellett or Ellen Ashburn to
sign up. The cost for the weekend in
$120.00 ($60.00 for Saturday
only). Scholarships are available,
please talk to Pastor John.
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.
Save the Date
Sunday, May 1 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm
Enders Island in Mystic
Gifts and Grace in Life's Final Days an opportunity to prepare for end of life issues
Purpose: to begin a plan that will help us "get our
affairs in order"
Stay tuned for more information. This retreat is spon-
sored by the Parish Life Ministries Team
Contact person: Joanne Moore
Tidings March 2011
5
From the Community Minister
One Tuesday toward the end of each month
around 7:00 p.m., I pack up a white handled
basket lined with blue and white striped fabric
and head toward the Fellowship Room. I pass
brass bells and young people, parents and
teachers along my way. I hear activity in the sanctuary as peo-
ple practice singing to our Lord and others, conversing about
what they‟ve been up to.
But when I get to the Fellowship Room with that special basket
everything going on outside, is forgotten. It‟s time to work on
my prayer shawl. For more than two years I have knitted, not
purled, but knitted regularly with the help of a delightful group
of women. Judy S. even provided me with the yarn and needles.
I should preface this by saying, I don‟t really know how to knit
and I certainly can‟t purl, but they make me feel like I can. So I
go there with my basket, begin with a prayer led by Jane Barth,
and I knit something that will one day comfort someone in
need. I‟m not sure when my prayer shawl will be complete, but
I‟m shooting for some time in 2011. One thing I know for sure,
is that it will have been created with lots of love, prayers and
good intentions.
While I‟m there each month, I learn a lot about what is going on
in the lives of the other ladies in the group, and the lives of
those who couldn‟t make it. They are with us in spirit. If you
care to join the prayer shawl ministry at NCC, they welcome
anyone….I‟m a perfect example. And they will even teach you
to knit and fix your mistakes when you inevitably make them.
In the end when you‟ve knitted your first shawl, you will have
made a blessed gift for someone who one day, may need to feel
God‟s warmth wrapped around their shoulders. And your shawl
might be just the thing that gives it to them.
If you can‟t join us, but would like to knit at home and send a
shawl in, that‟s okay too. The Prayer Shawl group meets the
fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Please join us.
Peace & Blessings,
Patty Chaffee
Community Minister
History Quiz Answer
Here are the members:
Ellen Ashburn Florence Barth
Sara Bayreuther Doris Beebe
Catherine Daboll Helen Dey
Linda Helvig Liz Kuchta
Jeanne McNeil Bob and Marie Pierce
Judy Sleights and
Iva Thomas
Member News
A message from Diane Blair: "It is with sadness and joy that I am
writing to have my membership at Nian-
tic Community Church transferred to the
First Congregational Church of Sharon
MA. Over the past year, I have been
finding myself attending church and
church activities here in Sharon more
often and feel that it is time to join this
church to continue on my faith journey.
NCC will always have a special place in
my heart as the people there helped me
through some of the most difficult times
of my life including the death of my
mother, and the loss of my job. As well
as helping me grow in my faith. This
does not mean that I will be ending all
ties with NCC as I will still
be participating in the book discussions,
worship on occasion and attending the
Women's retreat. I want to thank the
members of Niantic Community Church
for the love and support that has been
shown to me. I love all of you and al-
ways will."
Tidings March 2011
6
What is DAT? Well D.A.T. is the time during wor-
ship when children younger than 5th grade are in-
vited to join a group in the multi-purpose room for
multi-age activities including music, art, drama,
and games generally coinciding with the lectionary
scripture for the day. Children and youth 5th
grade and above are invited to stay for the dura-
tion of worship and participate, however, arrange-
ments can be made for older children to help vol-
unteer with the younger children as needed. If you
have questions please contact Amy Agles, Acting
Director of Religious Education and Youth Minis-
tries via phone- 860-739-6208 or email
amy.agles@nianticcommunitychurch.org
Huge Thank Yous to everyone who helped make
our 3rd annual "SOUP"er bowl canned food drive
such a wonderful success. Our Middle School
Youth collected over 700 POUNDS of food for the
Gemma Moran Food Bank.
Many thanks from all of our high schoolers who
are going on the July mission trip to Philadelphia
from July 24-29 for your generous support of the
Valentine's Day Cake Auction and Cupcake Sale.
We raised over $700!! We really appreciate our
awesome congregation. There might be a few
spots left on the trip. If you are interested, please
see Amy Agles, Acting DRE-YM.
Calling all Wanakee alumni- kids, young adults,
adults. If you have ever been to Wanakee, we
want to know. We are compiling a Master List and
we want you on it. Please email Deb Fountain
(debfountain@prudentialct.com) with the details -
name and the year(s) you were there (if you can
remember), and anyone's name and contact infor-
mation that you have if they are no longer part of
the NCC church home. Thank you!
Lent/Easter At Home Family Bible Study Guides &
Daily Lenten Meditations Booklets available in the
Narthex and on the bookshelf across from Judy's
Office. Teen Lent Calendars are in. Please stop by
the Christian Ed office and get one. They offer a
fun and great Lenten daily devotional.
Fat Tuesday Pancake Dinner
Tuesday, March 8, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
All money raised will be used to help fund
the Middle School Youth Mission trip to
Wanakee.
Mark your calendar- Youth Worship
Sunday, March 13. All kids in Middle
School and High School are encouraged to
participate. We need ushers, lay readers,
actors, artists, musicians, photographers
and any who are great at PowerPoint pres-
entations. Planning for the Service is on Sunday,
March 6 from 12:30-2:30. We invite you all to
share your gifts!
SAVE the DATES Wanakee Middle School Youth
Mission Trip- April 29, 30, and May 1
Wanakee Quarter Contests are underway. All $$$
raised will be used toward our trip. Who do you
want to win? Paul Althouse who will play the key-
board and sing a silly song... Nan Rigdon who will
sing a song from Willy Wonka while dressed in an
Oompa Loompa Costume... Kayla Castronova who
will wear a chicken costume and wave at traffic on
Pennsylvania Avenue... or Pastor John who will do
something funny and no doubt embarrassing as
soon as we can think of what that funny some-
thing should be....
Middle School Fellowship
March 6- Youth Worship Service Rehearsal 12:30-
2:30
March 13- Youth Worship Sunday No Middle
School Fellowship
March 20- Planning our trip to Wanakee and
GAMES 12:30-2:00
March 27- GAMES, Challenges, and MORE GAMES
12:30-2:00
High School Fellowship
March 6- Youth Worship Service Rehearsal 12:30-
2:30, Shelter Meal at St. James, New London.
Meet at church at 6:00PM.
March 13- Youth Worship Sunday No High School
Fellowship
March 20- Fair Market Coffee and Chocolate Sale
between services
March 27- Make Pizzas and Cards and Game Night
5:00-7:00
Did you hear something? Perhaps you are being
called to teach a Sunday School class or lead Di-
vine Activity Time. No previous experience re-
quired. Please call Amy Agles, Acting DRE-YM.
It's Official! Vacation Bible School is
set for July 11-15. Thank you to Deb
Fountain who will be leading the kids
this summer. Information to follow
on ways that you can help.
News from the Acting Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministries
Tidings March 2011
7
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
Books ( $22) are available in the
Church Office
or call (860)739-6208.
Howard Christensen thanks our Pastor John and the congregation for the cards, phone calls, flowers, and visits that he received during his recent hospitalization and recuperation. Your prayers and thoughtful acts of kindness are ap-preciated.
Help Needed!
The Communications Committee is
looking to recruit some creative and
tech-savvy person to help with our
church website update and revitaliza-
tion. The importance of this form of
communication cannot be overstated since the web-
site is often an introduction to who we are as a
church. Our website needs to be user friendly, at-
tractive and inviting in order to help people realize
how important it is for them to be members at NCC.
Creatively, we would like to see a uniformity of mes-
sages that would tie the website in with the colors
and design theme of our newly approved church
signs and other appropriate images of life in our
church. We have ideas but we need your help with
implementation. Maybe this is work you can apply
toward a college credit or internship. If you are in-
terested or know someone who might be, please call
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
Tidings March 2011
8
Church youth collect canned goods
on “Soup-er Bowl” Sunday.
New Acting Director of Religious Educa-
tion and Youth Ministry, Amy Agles,
prepares to update the bulletin board.
Sue Basham fills in for church secretary
Judy Snitkin, who was not feeling well on
this day.
Tidings March 2011
9
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 April edition of Tidings is March 15th. Please e-mail submissions to Tidings@TheDatums.com
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