round hill community church the news letter april … hill community church the news letter april...

Round Hill Community Church

The News Letter April 2014

continued on page 2

PASTOR’S MESSAGE

Possible things are easy to believe. The Glorious Impossibles are those things that bring joy to our hearts, hope to our lives, songs to our lips. – Madeline L’Engle

As I anticipate celebrating my first Easter at Round Hill Community

Church, I do so with a great sense of gratitude. These past months have been full of activity and reflection, all of which have been designed to position our con-gregation for greater compassion, growth, and vitality. We have welcomed new members, initiated new pro-grams, and experienced the joy and satisfaction that come from worshiping, learning, and serving together. Looking forward, our Benevolence and Outreach Committee is working with a plan to undertake its mission in ways that will bring even greater positive impact to our community, region, and the wider world. In the coming weeks we will complete our Strategic Planning Process, and plans are under way to offer an additional service of worship on Sunday afternoons that is designed to be intergenerational and to take ad-vantage of the extraordinary resource that we have in the Community House. Through all of these adven-tures in faith we are continuing to explore the meaning of what it means to act now for the future. I believe that the driving force in all this activity is the resurrection power of God: it is the Energy of Life at work in our midst to make all things new. The sto-ries of our faith proclaim through varied narratives and images that God acts with ceaseless passion to bring new life to individuals, communities of faith, and institutions to encourage compassion and justice at every level of human experience. God brings new life out of death, transforming bitterness into forgive-ness, hopelessness into hope, hatred into love, and apathy into action.

Palm Sunday, April 13

Maundy Thursday, April 17Service of Tenebrae

The Sacrament of Holy Communion7:30 p.m., Sanctuary

Children’s Easter WorkshopSaturday, April 19

2:00 to 3:30 p.m., Community House

Easter Sunday, April 209:30 a.m. Musical Prelude

with Choir, Soloists, and Chamber OrchestraEaster Carol Collection, Shaw/Parker

“Laudamus Te,” Vivaldi

10:00 a.m. Worship Church School with Easter Egg Hunt

Sermon: “Roll Back the Stone”

“We Know That Christ Is Raised,” EngelbergEaster Chorale, Barber

Let Thy Hand Be Strengthened, Handel“Hallelujah Chorus” from Messiah, Handel

Special Coffee Hour following the service in the Community House

HOLY WEEK

2

PASTOR’S MESSAGE

continued from page 1

I believe in the resurrection power of God, alive and at large in our lives and throughout the world. I look for-ward to seeing how that power, alive and at large in us, will direct us to embrace the Glorious Impossibles: peace on earth, good will among all people, and steward-ship of resources so that abundance for all will mean scarcity for no one. In the words of Gerard Manley Hopkins, may the life and love of God “easter in us” until as it is in heaven, so may it be on earth.

Yours in Christ,Ed

CENTER FOR FAITH DEVELOPMENT

Subversive Stories:An Introduction to the Parables of Jesus

Our Parables series concludes on April 6, when we will focus on The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) during the worship service. Following the service, we will have the last session on John Dominic Crossan’s The Power of Parable: How Fiction by Jesus Be-came Fiction about Jesus, chapters nine and ten.

Here is Charles Lee’s impression of the sessions over the past several weeks: Reverend Ed Horstmann has been leading a very engaging series of discussions after the church ser-vice about an assigned book, The Power of Parable by John Dominic Crossan (who, among many qualifica-tions, is a collaborator with Marcus Borg). The book examines the best-known parables discussed by Jesus in historical and contemporary contexts. In particu-lar, it explains the meaning of many of the terms used in the parables and makes it clear that the modern reader has probably missed the point of these para-bles entirely. Fortunately, the book and our pastor set us straight and genuinely illuminate the meaning of these stories. The book also examines the viewpoints of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, which again brings new understanding to these sacred texts. Our discussions have been particularly valuable. In a group of twenty to thirty members of our con-gregation, the level of trust is high, and people speak from their heart about the questions of faith on their minds. These sessions are another example of the re-markable opportunities for spiritual growth available in our Church.

A Reflection on theAsh Wednesday Service

This year’s Ash Wednesday service was beautifully sacred and meaningful. Held in the dimly lit Sanc-tuary, the Rev. Dr. Ed Horstmann explained the significance of the Lenten season and celebrated the Sacrament of the Holy Communion.

Accompanied by Eugene Sirotkine, Risa Renae Harman sang an inspiring arrangement of a spiri-tual and an excerpt from Handel’s Messiah.

The liturgy, which emphasized our human frailty and our yearning for a stronger relationship with God, was intensified by the Imposition of Ashes for all who wished to participate.

– Lynne Kramer

AnnouncementsTo share a pastoral concern or celebration with the congregation, contact Lynne Kramer at [email protected] or 203-869-1091. The infor-mation can be shared as an announcement on Sunday morning, in the Sunday Order of Service, and/or in The News Letter, according to your preference.

Recorded Worship ServicesIf you, or someone you know, can’t make it to a service, go to roundhillcommunitychurch.org/sermons. We also have CDs of the service. Simply call the Office at 203-869-1091 and we can put one in the mail for you.

3

Meditation/Stress Reduction

Thursdays 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Church Meeting Room

Come when you can. Bring a friend. All are welcome.

There were ten enthusiastic women present at a flow-er arranging workshop on March 15. Nancy Lane had prepared an outline to help new arrangers get a better idea of how to go about placing flowers and greens in containers. Julia Boysen was her assistant for the demonstration. The two worked side-by-side to pro-duce complementary opposites for the pedestals in the Sanctuary. A smaller arrangement was prepared for the table in the Parlor.

New members who are a little hesitant to start arranging on their own (men cheerfully welcome to join the group) may partner up with a more expe-rienced arranger. It is fun to go select a big batch of mixed greens and flowers, then work together in the Flower Room to create cheerful bursts of color for the congregation to enjoy on Sunday morning. If you would like to participate, please contact Louise Hoffman, Julia Boysen, or Heather Sandifer, or call the Church Office at 203-869-1091.


FLOWER ARRANGING WORKSHOP

RHCC ANNUAL MEETING

Annual MeetingSunday, April 2711:30 a.m., Sanctuary

Please join us after the worship service on April 27 for our annual Congregation Meeting. The Strategic Planning Task Force will begin the meeting with up-dates of its work:

•Principles forchangestotheGovernanceof theChurch will be proposed for ratification by the Con-gregation. Bylaws would then be drafted over the summer and proposed for approval by the Board of Trustees and then ratification by the Congregation in the fall; •Final recommendations for Engagement andAdult Education; •RecommendationsforMarketing.

The meeting will continue with a report from Nominating and the Chairman of the Board.

Round Hill Community Church

Annual Dinner

Now for the FutureWednesday, April 23

6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Dinner 7:00 p.m.

Presentation 8:00 p.m.Five-Year Vision for

Round Hill Community ChurchEd Horstmann, Tim Wright, Nancy Mazzoli

[email protected] or 203-869-1091

Suggested Donation $10.00

Round Hill Community House

4

“A child is not a vessel to be filled but a lamp to be lit.” CHURCH SCHOOL AND YOUTH

Have you ever gone on a retreat? Retreats are a way to escape from the normal distractions of daily life in order to focus clearly on a specific goal or topic. By retreating from one area of life, we are able to go deeper and more thoughtfully into another. We can think of Lent as a

type of personal retreat allowing us to think more in-tentionally about our own life and reflect seriously on our own faith. Central to any Lenten meditation is the story of Holy Week, so this month in Church School we are learning about twelve special symbols that help us understand the story of Holy Week. By both seeing the symbols and hearing the story we will be able to recall these important events with deeper understanding. All four Gospels recount the events of Holy Week. Although they differ in some ways, all of them tell of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey, of Peter’s denial of Jesus, the crucifixion on the cross, and the stone rolled in front of the entrance to the tomb. The symbols we are learning about are palm branches, 30 pieces of silver, the cup and bread, a towel, a heart, praying hands, a purple robe and a crown of

thorns, the Cross, nails, a stone, and an empty tomb. Each one of these represents a core piece of the story. The children have created a mural that helps them place the symbols in chronological importance. One symbol that is not included in the unit but is commonly associated with the Easter season is the egg. We will be combining the biblical symbols with this cultural symbol by creating story kits. A picture of each symbol will be placed into a plastic egg and a complete set of twelve eggs will go into an egg carton. We will distribute the egg cartons to our friends in South Dakota as a way to share with them what we are learning in Church School. If it is your practice to pray as a family, I would invite you to offer this prayer together: “Dear God, thank you for giving us symbols to help us remember the story of Jesus and Holy Week. Help us to know that Jesus loved you, trusted you, and obeyed you even when it was a terrible time for him. Just as Jesus asked you to forgive those who hurt him, help us to forgive those who hurt us. Help us to remember to love, trust, and obey you too. Amen.

– Connie Blunden

5

CHURCH SCHOOL AND YOUTH

Family Easter WorkshopSaturday, April 192:00 to 3:30 p.m., Community House

In the spirit of the Easter season there will be a vari-ety of arts and crafts activities to help us prepare for Easter Sunday. Children and their parents are invited to come and help us decorate the Community House and Church with their beautiful artwork to make our Easter service extra special. Our very own Patrick Sweeney will provide festive music!

Rehearsals for the Youth Choir are Thursdays from 6:00 to 6:45 p.m. For more information contact Eugene Sirotkine at [email protected] or the Church Office at 203-869-1091.

Volunteer OpportunitySpend time with the children on Sunday mornings! We are always happy to have you visit, and occasion-ally we need volunteers to cover classes. If you are available to volunteer please email Connie Blunden: [email protected].

– Connie Blunden

Family Game DayOur second Game Day was a huge hit with its sixteen little Olympians! The featured events included a potato sack race, an Olympic obstacle course, nerf ball toss, blindfolded drawing, and diorama art creations.

Patrick Sweeney brought his keyboard and tire-lessly sang throughout the festivities. The contestants were rewarded with ooey-gooey ice-cream sundaes (scooped by Steve Mulligan) and gold medals. Every-one was a winner! Many thanks to our enthusiastic referees: Jane Dasher, Heather Sandifer, Grada Herrick, Nancy Gray, Nancy Mazzoli, Connie Blunden, and Ed and Susan Horstmann.

– Lynne Kramer

6

BENEVOLENCE AND OUTREACH

Looking BackIn general, in the past Benevolence and Outreach has made moderate-sized grants ($3,000 to $10,000) to local, national, and global programs. Each organiza-tion completed and submitted our grant application form, which was then carefully reviewed by the com-mittee. This past year we supported 22 separate non-profit agencies. RHCC has provided ongoing support to almost all of these programs, many of which play a critical role in the life of our community.

Looking AheadRecently we have reviewed our outreach work. Our mission to make “impactful” grants, to make positive changes in people’s lives, and to engage the members of the congregation in significant ways will remain the same, but we aim to find fresh and more effec-tive ways to fulfill these goals. Our hope and expecta-tion is that members of the congregation will not just be aware of Benevolence and Outreach activities but will be a part of them.

To This EndThinking in a three-year cycle and assuming that the annual budget will continue to be the current $125,000, the plan is to allocate grants in four groups.

• Impact Grants: $60,000 in grants of $10,000 to organizations of any size and anywhere who submit proposals that best match the goal of supporting in-novative programs proven to be effective. Local pro-posals should indicate ways of integrating RHCC members in this program. • Critical Path Grants: A total of $20,000 for grants of varying sizes allocated to support proposals where the grant is vital to start up an organization or spe-cific program or to provide support for the survival of the agency. • Leadership Grant: $35,000 for initial year of a three-year total of $105,000. This major grant will be awarded after substantial research and thinking with-in the RHCC community led by the committee. The successful application will show that the grant will enable the agency, in partnership with RHCC, to ad-dress an area of critical need to a significant degree. • One Person at a Time Grants: $10,000 will be reserved to meet emergency individual and family needs, address critical community human service

needs, and cover smaller RHCC outreach expenses (shelter food programs, Beach Day, mission trips, etc.).

First Steps • GrantapplicationformswillbewrittenbyMay. • Congregation’s engagement will reflect the in-terests and abilities indicated by responses to the churchwide survey. • Solicitationofproposals:Aletterexplainingournew larger grant allocation program will be sent to current recipients who will be encouraged to sub-mit applications based on the new guidelines. After research, proposal solicitations will be submitted to local, national, and global programs deemed appro-priate. RHCC will also be open to review applications submitted by organizations approaching us directly. Proposal solicitation runs from May to June. • ApplicationsdueinAugust. • Reviewapplicationsandannouncegrantrecipi-ents by November 15, 2014.

The Committee is responsible for fulfilling these plans but will reach out to members of the congrega-tion for input every step of the way. Our first appeal is for a new committee name. Submit ideas to Sandy Motland. There will be a prize for the winning name.

– Sandy MotlandDick Bergstresser, Nancy Fuzesi, Steve Fuzesi,

Hadi Hajjar, Kerri Ann Hofer, Louise Hoffman,Roland Kistler, Libby McKee, Helen O’Malley,

Hooker O’Malley, Jenny Rye

Benevolence and OutreachNeeds a New Name

Send your ideas to Sandy Motland [email protected]

The winner of the best namegets a prize.

7

BENEVOLENCE AND OUTREACH

Guiding Eyes for the Blind

Round Hill Community Church has an impending graduate in our presence. Guiding Eyes for the Blind (GEB) Heeling Autism dog Juanita is scheduled to graduate May 1. GEB has extended three invitations to the RHCC congregation to attend a luncheon and Juanita’s graduation. The event will take place at GEB’s Yorktown Heights, New York, location at 1:00 p.m. Anyone interested in witnessing this special hon-or, please contact Libby McKee at 203-637-8723.

Each spring the Simply Smiles staff piles into our big red school bus and heads west on a journey to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation in South Dakota. For five months Simply Smiles will be hosting teams of volunteers who will be working to help transform the Reservation into a place where children, their families, and their communities can have the bright futures they deserve.!!But we can’t arrive with an empty bus! So this year we will be stuffing the bus with needed items that will help us to execute our projects and host hundreds of volunteers. Here is the list of needed items and the details. Thank you!

Fill the Simply Smiles Bus!

Stuff the Bus DaySunday, April 13th!From 1:00 to 5:00 PM!The Naugatuck Congregational Church!1 Division Street | Naugatuck CT!

Simply Smiles staff will be there with the bus to accept and load donations.

Condition of ItemsWe respectfully ask that donated items be in good, clean, working condition.!

Thank you!

For Volunteer Teams Headed to The Reservation:Each team of volunteers is designated one school bus seat to fill with items that you would like to send out to the Reservation on the bus. Summer camp supplies, sleeping mats, etc. Please bring any items you would like sent on the bus to the collection day. Doing so will help save your back in the airport as well as excess baggage fees!

Needed Items ListNew Dish Towels Baking Pans Your old iPads Extension Cords

Oven Mits Mixing Bowls Electric Piano Keyboards Electric Drills w. Chargers

New Cutting Boards New Sponges Acoustic Guitars Caulk Guns

Coffee Mugs New First Aid Supplies Ball Pumps and Needles Utility Knives and Blades

Industrial Can Opener Especially Bandaids! New Basketballs Shop Lights

Cutting/Chopping Knives Fun water toys (no guns) Baseball Gloves (used is ok) Power Strips (Splitters)

Large Frying Pans Metal Forks and Spoons Wii Games Skill Saws

Large Pots Tape Measures

Questions: Samantha Steinmetz [email protected] 203-810-4041

Walmart Gift Cards - Any Amount!

Neighbor to Neighbor Lenten Food Drive

We still have more bags to go to meet our goal of 100 by Easter.

Please help your neighbors. Pick up a shopping bag in the Narthex. It has a list of needed foods. Return your bag(s) filled with nonperishable food to the Narthex and see the number of bags grow.

Or pick up a contribution envelope and return it with a check made out to Neighbor to Neighbor. They can buy almost three times as many grocer-ies with one donated dollar, thanks to the generos-ity of their food partners. Donations go further if Neighbor to Neighbor does the buying.

Be a part of the challenge and make a difference in someone’s life. Thank you.

Simply Smiles Bus

Each spring the staff of Simply Smiles takes a bus to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation in South Dakota, where twenty members and friends of RHCC will spend a week this summer helping to transform the Reservation into a place where children, their families, and their communities can have the bright futures they deserve. On the bus there are also needed items to help with the projects this summer. Here is the list of items that are needed:

New Dish TowelsOven MittsNew Cutting BoardsCoffee MugsIndustrial Can OpenerCutting/Chopping KnivesLarge Frying PansLarge PotsBaking PansMixing BowlsNew SpongesNew First Aid SuppliesBand-AidsFun Water Toys (no guns)Metal Forks and SpoonsOld iPads

The bus is being loaded on Sunday, April 13, in Naugatuck, Connecticut. If you can donate any of the above items, please bring them to the Church Office and we will get them to the bus. Please note that do-nated items should be in good, clean, working condi-tion. If you have questions, contact the Church Office at 203-869-1091. Thank you.

Electric Piano KeyboardAcoustic GuitarBall Pumps and NeedlesNew BasketballsBaseball Gloves (used ok)Wii GamesExtension CordsElectric Drills with ChargersCaulk GunsUtility Knives and BladesShop LightsPower Strips (Splitters)Skill SawsTape MeasuresWalmart Gift Cards

8

MUSIC AT ROUND HILL

Music SundayMay 18

10:00 a.m. Worship Service

Round Hill Community Church Choir, Soloists, and Chamber Orchestra

Eugene and FriendsA Piano TrioFriday, May 30

8:00 p.m. SanctuarySchumann Prokofiev Ravel

Eugene Sirotkine, pianoCyrus Beroukhim, violin

Laura Metcalf, cello

It is not often that you get a chance to celebrate a 700th anniversary. Last week, I joined a Group of French university students as they took a guided tour through the old quarter of the Marais district, which during the Middle Ages was the headquar-

ters of the Knights Templar. The original commission of the knights was to guard both pilgrims and crusad-ers during the perilous voyage to Jerusalem. Eventu-ally their mission expanded into what may be the first truly international banking corporation after Rome. Being courageous, intelligent, and perhaps cunning, they amassed enormous wealth, and thereby attracted the envy of Philip IV. King of France, Philip, attempting to diminish the power of the Roman clergy there, initiated a cynical triple play. By destroying the Knights, Philip was able to con-fiscate their wealth, diminish the power of the Holy See in France, and eradicate a popular and potential enemy. The last Grand Master, Jacques de Molay, was impris-oned for six years before being burned at the stake on March 18, 1314, in a small park, now bursting with primroses, on a little point of land near the Pont Neuf. The most celebrated trial and execution of the time created abundant testimony, attesting to the bravery of De Molay and his ability to hurl a pointed malediction at king and pope. His last words reputedly were “Vekam Adonai,” Hebrew for “Vengeance Oh God!” Skeptics might call it coincidence, but within a little more than a year, the vicious Philip IV and the sniveling Pope Clement V were both dead. Within a few years, Philip’s sons were also buried. The Knights Templar, however, were also shattered, never regaining their former glory. On the anniversary, I grabbed a nice Chateauneuf du Pape and a few glasses, and headed with friends to the park to toast the great man. The sun was setting directly into the Seine, and the new bells of Notre Dame were announcing the evening vespers, as a procession of Maltese monks came to cover the site with flowers. It was wonderful to experience such terrible history.

– Christopher Kabala

LETTER FROM PARIS

9

Mr. Harmon has been working with sculptures for over thirty years. He used wood material when he worked in Greenwich, and bronze casting from a lost wax process when he spent time in Mexico. His forms are inspired by his interest in ancient myths, mainly the cultures of Central America.

Mr. Harmon has traveled extensively studying the art of sculpture of Africa, India, Southeast Asia, Polynesia, Central America, and Europe. In 1986, the Harmons spent a year in Italy, where Bob studied at Studio Art Centers International in Florence and worked with Sr. Marcello Guasty, a well-known Flo-rentine sculptor. Mr. Harmon also worked in the Fonderia Mariani bronze foundry in Pietra Santa.

– Mirella Hajjar, Gallery Curator


Les Beaux Arts Gallery“Psychology of Art,” an exhibition of paintings and sculptures, runs from Sunday, March 30, through April 30. The show combines two artists, husband and wife Robert and Dr. Lyn Harmon, whose aesthetics relate to emotional and spiritual perception.

Dr. Harmon is a psychotherapist who works pri-marily with artists and writers to enhance their cre-ative process. She has lectured and given workshops combining psychology, spirituality, health and heal-ing, and the creative process. At an early age, she started painting and never stopped. She works with water-based paints such as acrylics and watercolor. She also uses oil pastels with colored inks. Her early paintings have a strong Chinese influence. Later on, she evolved into a more abstract form inspired by her frequent travels to South America, Africa, Asia, and Antarctica. She listens to music while she paints, allowing the rhythm to shape her forms and colors. Her compositions are well structured and contained with vibrant hues. Dr. Harmon views the world in unique ways that reflect her experiences, knowledge, and emotions. There is an emotional attachment that drives her fo-cus on her art, allowing her to be tuned in with it. Her creative process grows and changes to acquire new meaning and new interpretation providing insight into our lives. Basically, her artwork reflects a “lived experience” not a “scrutiny of details.” Dr. Harmon studied at The Art Students League in New York City and The School of Sacred Arts with Professor Zhang. Locally, she studied at Silvermine Arts Center. Recently, she took up digital art and pho-tography, exploring its possibilities and parameters.

Ecuadorian Landscape The Silken Road

Mythic Series

Flowers for EasterSunday, April 20

If you would like to make a donation for flowers for Easter

with a dedication listed in the Order of Service,

please contact the Church Office at 203-869-1091 or

[email protected].

10

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Highlights of the March 3 Board Meeting

• EdHorstmannreportedthattheorientationforthe Simply Smiles trip to South Dakota this summer was well attended and that 58 people had signed up to attend the Food and Folk event. Lynda Kinney has been doing a superb job of handling the logistics for both Food and Folk and the trip this summer.

• TimWrightisexcitedabouttheinitiativetooffera second service on Sunday afternoons, adding a new dimension of worship for young families.

• Sundayworshipattendanceisup36%forthefirstsix weeks of 2014 vs. 2013, which is a testament to Ed and shows that we are in a rebuilding process. We still have room to grow; attendance is still lower than in the mid-2000s.

• FinancesubmittedadetailedStewardshipCam-paign analysis (2002-2014), which shows that we need to increase both the number of gifts and the median amount if we plan to keep up the personnel, programs, and outreach in place and in plans.

• Arevisedoperatingbudgetfor2014passedunan-imously (available by contacting the Church Office).

• BobFeghalireportedthatacapitalbudgetisbe-ing prepared by Buildings and Grounds. His team is in the process of prioritizing projects and getting bids.

• Randy Motland reported the summary reportsfor the Endowment and Pension accounts for 2013, which are the strongest since 2009 (detailed reports available by contacting the Church Office). Consid-ering the increase, a motion was made to transfer $40,000 from the Endowment funds to the Capital Budget to fund projects being undertaken by Buildings and Grounds. The motion passed unanimously.

• Children/YouthChristianEducationhashiredanew music teacher, Patrick Sweeney, to lead the chil-dren in singing songs during Church School while

accompanying them on keyboard, as well as provid-ing musical entertainment during family events. You can read about Patrick on the Church website under About Us.

• Communicationsislookingintoonlinepaymentby credit card for events and donations to the Church.

•CommunicationsandMusicareworkingwithasound technician to improve the quality of the audio experience in the Sanctuary.

• ThefirstYouthChoirrehearsalwasheldThurs-day, February 20, with two participants, with direc-tion from Eugene Sirotkine.

Strategic Planning ReportsA Forum was conducted in the Sanctuary on March 23 to present more of the findings of the Strategic Planning Task Force. On this day, Benevolence and Outreach outlined a plan for going forward (see page 6 of this newsletter), followed by Membership and Youth Programs (outlined below).

GROWING OUR MEMBERSHIP Five Steps to Congregational Vitality

1. Why Round Hill Community Church?Round Hill Community Church is an open and in-clusive, interdenominational Christian church, of-fering creative and thought-provoking worship and inspiring music. We have a rich history of dynamic educational opportunities for children, youth, and adults. We are a community church but our heart is for the whole world, and we have a strong tradition of caring service to those in need. Our members come from many diverse backgrounds. The congregation is large enough to sustain a full and varied program, yet small enough to find warmth and a hospitable envi-ronment. Our members, as part of our church family, identify and creatively invest their “spiritual, social and material gifts” in ways that are mutually fulfill-ing and meet the needs and address the issues in the Church and in the world.

2. Definition of Church MemberThe thinking of the Task Force is to define “Church Member” in the By-Laws in a manner that is broadly

continued on page 11

11

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

inclusive, that will underscore the mutual commit-ments between the Church and its Members, and re-sult in a governance role that is meaningful and desir-able for all Church Members. Members have certain fundamental responsibilities: election of the Pastor, Trustees, Charter Trustees, Officers, and Nominating Committee. They also have rights to a full participa-tion in the life of our Church.

We are developing a list of persons who are deemed Church Members as of January 1, 2014. Thereafter, anyone who formally joins the Church through our induction ceremony conducted periodi-cally by the Minister at Sunday Services, will be added to this list of Church Members. Individuals may re-sign from membership, but the Church otherwise will not have the power to revoke Church member-ship. Categories of Membership will be active, inac-tive, friends, and visitors. We need to be sensitive in handling these issues.

3. Membership Committee’s Tasks • Targetnewmemberprospectsforrecruitment. • Welcomeandsigninnewmembers. • InvitevisitorstoCoffeeHourandintroduce. • Supportandinvolvecurrentmembersinactivities. • Gatherinformation,organizemailinglists,directory updates, event invitations, follow-up calls, mailings. • KeepinclosecontactwiththePastortocoordinate and plan membership events. • GivethePastornewinformationaboutmembers that may be shared with congregation. • CollaboratewithcommitteesonMembershipissues. • NewMemberBrunches/Sundays/Dinners. • Attendallchurchactivitiestogreet,meet,andshow hospitality to visitors and new member prospects. • Extendpersonalinvitationstonewmembersfor small luncheons or dinners.

4. Growing Our Membership into the Future • Ittakesacongregationtogrowachurch;80% of new members are introduced by personal

invitation. The congregation must do their part in inviting friends and other possible prospects to join them at our church service and events.

• Firstimpressionsarecritical!Peopledecideinthe first four to eight minutes if they’re comfortable.

• Tocreateastrongcultureofhospitality,weneed to welcome visitors with open arms, showing that we are a loving, inclusive, and compassionate congregation. Showing generosity of spirit goes a long way in attracting new people.

• Ourwebsiteisextremelyimportant;attentionto the website must be constant – not only keeping it up to date, but determining whether it is effective.

• Weneedtoengageourmembersintoourfull church life. If they are interested, we discuss ways that they can utilize their talents by volunteering their time in our programs and activities. We ask new and current members to fill out forms in order for us to determine where their interests and strengths lie.

• OurAdultEducationprogramsarenumerous and varied, and offer many choices for meaningful study on a vast array of topics of interest. We strive to set high standards for spiritual and intellectual growth and represent ourselves as “the thinking person’s church” to the community.

• Missiontripsandcommunityserviceprojectsare a wonderful way for multigenerational experiences for children, teens, and adults, all while helping to change people’s lives for the better.

• Ourmusicprogramsandspecialmusicalevents continue to attract new people. We are unique in the quality and professionalism of our highly valued music minister, choir, soloists, and guests who provide glorious music each Sunday.

First impressions are critical! People decide in the first four to eight min-utes if they’re comfortable.

Mission trips and community service projects are a wonderful way for multi-generational experiences for children, teens, and adults, all while helping to change people’s lives for the better.


12

• WeareexcitedaboutournewYouthChoirunder the direction of Eugene Sirotkine.

• LesBeauxArtsGalleryhaswonderfulexhibitsby tri-state artists, which draw people to the beauty of the art in our gallery, and at the opening recep- tions. It is a great way to introduce new people to our church.

• Recently,ScottThummaofTheHartfordInstitute of Religious Research joined us for a discussion on Congregational Vitality. He has a national presence and is the foremost expert in this field. We are working on engaging the services of other experts as we continue the conversation with the clear goal of growing our church membership into the future.

• Thisyear,theNewcomer’sWelcomeBrunches have opened a joint conversation between our members and those new to our church by sharing thoughts and ideas in an intimate atmosphere of warmth and hospitality.

– Grada Herrick

YOUTH PROGRAMS

Enlist the help of every RHCC Committee to build/strengthen the CYCE program.

Children/Youth Christian Education • SchedulecommunityworkshopstiedtoChurch calendar, collect contact information, and follow up with interested parents.

Worship •CreateinnovativeSundayafternoonfamily/youth services in the Community House/outdoors. Incorporate appropriate music, including local young musicians. • Involvechildren/youthinworshipinnew, creative ways (as liturgists, greeters, ushers). • HostreceptionfollowingfamilyChristmasEve Service at 4:00 p.m.

Music • Youthchoirforgradesthreetoeight,whichwill periodically participate in worship service. • AddChurchSchoolmusicteacher.

Outreach •Developanongoingministryofchildrenwithin the community, such as baking, singing for RHCC homebound, etc. • Selectcharity(s)foractivechildren/youth involvement.

Center for Faith Development • Featurespeakersonfaithandmoraldevelopment in babies, children, and youth. • Whenpossible,featureartworkfromRHCC children and local youth in Les Beaux Arts Gallery.

Church Activities • AllocateaboothatChristmasonRoundHillfor the sale of crafts by our children/youth.

Communications • Coordinatescheduling,publicity,andpromotion of all events.

Membership • EncourageChurchmemberstoinvitefamiliesto RHCC services and events. • Recruitfournewmembers(withpossibilityofa young person) for CYCE.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Recently, Scott Thumma of The Hartford Institute of Religious Research joined us for a discussion on Congregational Vitality. We are working on engaging the services of other experts as we continue the conversation with the clear goal of growing our church membership into the future.


13

Long-Term Needs

• UtilizetheCommunityHouseforyoungpeople’s community theater productions.

• CreateaMiddleSchool/TeenYouthFellowship, possibly in conjunction with other churches, including mission trips and outreach activities.

• CreateaYouthRoomforchildrenandyoung people to use while their parents are in coffee hour and as a meeting room for youth gatherings.

• HireaYouthMinister.– Mary Ann Debnar

The Strategic Planning Task Force will make more recommendations to the Congregation during the Annual Congregation Meeting on Sunday, April 27, following the worship service. They will ask for ratification from the congregation on the principles for changes to the Governance of the Church, the de-tails of which will be worked on over the summer and brought before the congregation again in the fall. They will also present recommendations on Adult Education and Engagement and on Marketing. The group has met seven times since December and held two forums to date with the next one scheduled for April 27. If you have comments or questions about the work of the committee, feel free to contact any of the members.

Ken Bartels, Chairman and Governance Mary Ann Debnar, Youth Programs

Bruce Dixon, FinanceNancy Gray, Engagement and Adult Education

Grada Herrick, Growing Our MembershipManit Rye, Benevolence and Outreach

Paige Greytok, Marketing

Ed Horstmann, ex officioTim Wright, ex officio

Nancy Mazzoli, ex officio

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Board of Trustees MeetingsChurch members are welcome to attend Board of Trustees meetings. Minutes from previous meetings are available by contacting the Church Office at 203-869-1091. Here is the agenda for the April meeting.

Monday, April 77:30 p.m., Meeting Room

Opening Prayer

Approval of Minutes of March 3, 2014, Board Meeting

Trustees’ and Participants’ Sharing Moments: Talk about the Church, what you’re thinking, a spiritual thought, a personal thought, something you’d like to accomplish – in two minutes or less, with no interrup-tions or reactions from the group. Please be positive.

Pastor’s Report

Chairman’s Report

Strategic Planning Task Force Reports/Discussion: • ProposaltoapproverecommendationsonGovernance•RecommendationsonYouthPrograms• RecommendationsonBenevolenceandOutreach• RecommendationsonMarketing

Committee Reports and Discussion:• BuildingsandGrounds• CenterforFaithDevelopment• ChildrenandYouthChristianEducation• ChurchActivities• Communications• Finance• Membership• Music• Worship

Old BusinessNew Business

Important upcoming events:Annual Meeting, Sunday, April 27, 11:30 a.m.

Annual Dinner, Wednesday, April 23, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., Community House

Next Board Meeting: May 5, 2014, 7:30 p.m.

14

A CONVERSATION WITH . . .

Jenny and Manit Rye

Jenny is a member of the Music and Be-nevolence and Out-reach Committees, and Manit serves on the Center for Faith Development Com-mittee as well as the Strategic Planning Task Force, with a

concentration on Benevolence and Outreach. They have two children, Arman and Sonali, who went through the Church School program and were con-firmed as members of Round Hill Community Church.

When did you start attending services at Round Hill Community Church and what brought you here?Jenny: In the summer of 2004. We were invited by Kerri Ann Hofer. I joined the church because I found tolerance and acceptance, qualities that I had person-ally not previously experienced in Christianity.

Manit: The diversity and the openmindedness of the members.

What is it that keeps you involved with the Church?Jenny: The people. Neither of us have family mem-bers here, and the church has really become our ex-tended family.

Manit: Become more spiritually enriched, and get to know who I am as a person, the inside me.Relationships with other members and the minister. They are like my family.

How would you describe Round Hill Community Church to someone who has never visited and why would it be worth a visit?Jenny: Our church is a welcoming, warm, and in-clusive environment that encourages fellowship and spiritual development through worship, conversa-tion, and learning.

Manit: The diversity of the members, interdenomi-national, emphasis on spirituality rather than rituals, and our Pastor.

You both have a connection to the Outreach efforts of the Church. And Jenny and Sonali are making the trip to South Dakota with Simply Smiles this summer. Why are these efforts important to you?Jenny: I have been privileged and honored to serve on the Benevolence and Outreach Committee (soon to be renamed!). Learning about the incredible orga-nizations in our community and abroad that we as a church donate to has been an excellent learning ex-perience for me, and has led us both to some great volunteer opportunities. Sonali and I are looking forward to the trip to South Dakota this summer in order to give what we can to the much needed com-munity of the Lakota People, and also to enrich our own lives. I hope our church can continue to be a part of this vital organization.

Manit: Volunteer work is very dear to my heart. Out-reach efforts allow me to share my experiences and financial resources to assist people who are less for-tunate than we are.

Which other activities at the Church are meaningful to your lives?Jenny: Music. I have always looked forward to the concerts at the church, and am always grateful for our fantastic choir every Sunday.

Manit: Recently introduced “The talk back sermons.’’The programs organized by Center for Faith Devel-opment. Social events like Christmas on Round Hill and the multiple musical evenings.

How has your participation at Round Hill helped to encourage your spiritual growth and helped you to become more aware of God’s presence in your lives?Jenny: I feel my spiritual growth has increased by ob-serving the time and dedication so many members have put into the church and community. I am time and time again humbled by the works of so many of our members. My greatest hope for the church is that it continues to do even more outreach programs helping our community, and also continues the great opportunities for spiritual growth within the church.

Manit: I have learned a great deal from the sermons


15

Round Hill Community ChurchLike us on Facebook!

A CONVERSATION WITH . . .

of the pastor and discussions with other members. I use this information to be more aware of my inner feelings. And be able to manage my feelings in a more organized way. And some of the outcomes which cannot be managed I leave to the higher power to best take care of the situations as It deems fit.

What is the greatest hope you have for the future of Round Hill Community Church?Manit: We continue to help the needy at the spiritual, physical, and financial level. The more we do this, the more and more people will join our caravan.

continued from page 14 The Chamber Players Sunday, April 13, 4:00 p.m., SanctuaryCloud Nine – Winds and Strings Together

This concert program is a rarity, presenting two nonets. A nonet is a musical composition for nine instruments – five winds and four strings. Krystof Witek, violinist, characterizes the form thus: “How do you fit a symphony orchestra into a living room? You get a nonet.” He further explains, “Few nonets have been written, probably because of the tremen-dous balancing and voicing challenges inherent in the genre. If traditional chamber music is like a gath-ering of a few family members, the nonet is like a big Thanksgiving family reunion. This upcoming Chamber Players concert provides a rare opportu-nity to experience the fusion in sound of two major orchestral families.” On the program is Nonet for Wind Quintet, Vio-lin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass in F major, Op 31, written in 1813 by German composer and violinist Louis Spohr. Although chamber music for nine in-struments had previously been written, Spohr was the first to use the word nonet in a title, and the first to use this specific combination of instruments, an arrangement that was very popular and became the standard for subsequent works in the genre. The Chamber Players will also perform Bohuslav Martinů’s Nonet for Wind Quintet, Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass H.374, composed in 1959.Martinů left his native Czechoslovakia for Paris in 1923, where he absorbed the exhilarating artistic cli-mate of the city, most especially the music. In 1940, fleeing the Nazi occupation, he moved to New York, and finally became an American citizen. Strings and winds will also perform as separate entities in the concert. Boston composer Irving Fine’s beautiful Partita for Wind Quintet as well as Gioachino Rossini’s Sonata for Strings in A major are also on the program. Tickets for adults are $25; student tickets are $5. The audience is invited to a reception with the musicians after the concert. For more informa-tion, contact Suzy Simpson at 203-622-6611 or visit greenwchsymphony.org.

– Louise Hoffman

MUSIC AT ROUND HILL

APRIL 2014 AT ROUND HILL COMMUNITY CHURCHSunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30

Healing Touch

Visit our website, roundhillcommunitychurch.org, to listen to past sermons and keep up with what’s happening at RHCC.

The News LetterRound Hill Community Church395 Round Hill RoadGreenwich, CT 06831203-869-1091

10 a.m. Worship & Church SchoolL. Kramer preaching

11:30 a.m. Annual Congregation Meeting,Sanctuary

Cooking for St. Luke’s

Easter9:30 a.m. Worship & Church SchoolE. Horstmann preaching

3 p.m. RHA6 p.m. Youth Choir 6:30 p.m.Meditation8:00 p.m.Choir Rehearsal

5th Lent

10 a.m. Worship with Church School, E. HorstmannSermon Series: The Parable of the Prodigal Son11:30 a.m. Book Study, The Power of Parable

1 p.m.Round Hill Craft Studio

Palm Sunday10 a.m. Worship & Church SchoolE. Horstmann preaching

4:00 p.m.Chamber Players

6:30 p.m.Annual DinnerComm. House


7:30 p.m.Trustee Meeting


5 p.m.Center for Faith Development Meeting

1 p.m.RH Craft Studio

7:30 p.m. Outreach Meeting

6 p.m. Youth Choir

6:30 p.m.Meditation

8:00 p.m.Choir Rehearsal

Healing Touch6 p.m. Youth Choir 6:30 p.m.Meditation8:00 p.m.Choir Rehearsal

6 p.m. Youth Choir 7:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service 8:00 p.m.Choir Rehearsal

In Les Beaux Arts Gallery:“Psychology of Art”

Paintings and SculpturesRobert and Dr. Lyn Harmon

Healing Touch

8:30 a.m.Finance Meeting 2 p.m.

Children’s Easter Workshop,Community House

Good Friday

5 p.m.Center for Faith Development Meeting


round hill community church the news letter april … hill community church the news letter april...

Documents