MARCH NL 2015.pub - The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme

The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme March 2015 Dear friends,
I’ve been thinking about rituals lately. I was raised in a Protestant environment, and so for most of my life I’ve
been distrustful of ritual. Often, rituals felt formulaic, dull, lacking zest and life. Only in the past decade or so
have I begun to take rituals seriously as a way that people use to orient themselves in the world. The church has
its rituals of course – Sunday worship, for one, but Christmas and Easter celebrations, along with many others –
even as other social rituals mark our lives. The Super Bowl is a conspicuous one, as are the parades on the 4th of
July or Memorial Day. Mardi Gras would be another. The more I’ve become conscious of rituals, the more I
see them everywhere I turn – performed behaviors where memory is reconstituted, where communities remind
themselves of who they are, and where new moral dimensions and directions are sometimes forged. From
family meals to national spectacles like sporting events, rituals are everywhere around us.
Bread and Puppet is an organization up in Glover, Vermont that takes the notion of ritual seriously. I first
encountered them when I was pastoring for a summer in Newport, and some friends in the area suggested that I
might be interested in the Bread and Puppet troupe just south of them. I was deeply interested. The group was
founded in the early 1960’s by Peter Schumann, an emigrant from Germany. Every Sunday afternoon in the
summers, Schumann and his troupe put on a series of performances using giant sized puppets (many of which
take several people to maneuver), performances that dramatize some of the pressing moral issues of the day,
ranging from war and debt to ecology and technological surveillance. Following every performance, the troupe
serves delicious home made bread, as a way of reminding us all that art and theater are a way of feeding the
stomach, as well as the soul.
On Tuesday, March 31st, Bread and Puppet will be in Old Lyme to help us in our own set of rituals called Holy
Week. They’ll be offering a performance at 7:00 that evening, followed by a time to eat bread, visit, and talk
about the performance. They’ll be performing a piece called “Fire,” one that dramatizes the effects of warfare
on individual lives. It was first written as a response to the Vietnam War 40 years ago, but was redesigned this
past summer to address the carnage in Gaza. Here’s what a writer named David Dudley wrote after seeing the
performance: "Fire doesn’t tell the audience what to think. It offers no answers to the complex Israeli-Palestinian
conflict [or other current conflicts]. Rather, through a series of scenes that are powerful and poignant, evocative
and enigmatic, the show encourages varying forms of wonder, and earnest demon confrontation. There is indeed
a fire in the belly of this prayer."
Bread and Puppet’s performance will be a powerfully meaningful way to engage in the set of rituals that we call
Holy Week, a time that we’re asked to reflect on the ways the world can be dark. Two days later, on Maundy
Thursday, the choir will offer a performance, which will be followed by a simple soup supper and an informal
celebration of communion. And then on Sunday morning, of course, we’ll mark the good news of Easter with
three services: a sunrise service at Griswold Point, and then our two services at 9 and 11.
Over the years, I’ve come to believe that the rituals we use to mark the days and weeks are powerfully
significant, from the smallest ones to the largest. Rituals have the power to remind us who we are, and just as
importantly, who we’re called to be. I hope you’ll join us for the rituals we’ll undergo during Holy Week. They
won’t leave you unmoved. They might even change you.
Love and blessings,
EASTER SEASON SCHEDULE
Maundy Thursday
4/2
6:30 pm Concert, Soup Supper & Informal Communion
Good Friday
4/3
Meetinghouse open for prayer and meditation. No Service.
Ecumenical Crop Walk at 10 am. We will meet at St.
Ann’s Episcopal Church and walk to FCCOL and back
again -- about 3 miles. Please join us and walk for
world hunger. All ages are welcome.
Easter Sunrise Service
4/5
6:30 am at Griswold Point
(if you need directions, call the church)
Easter Sunday
4/5
9:00 am & 11:00 am Worship Services
Join us in Fellowship for a light breakfast/coffee hour between
the 9&11 services.
No Sunday School on Easter Sunday.
No coffee hour following the 11:00 am service.
One Great Hour of Sharing
This year we will once again dedicate our Easter offering to the work of One Great Hour of Sharing, a fund
collected through the United Church of Christ and dispersed through the National Council of Churches. This
fund can be accessed for any emergencies world-wide, such as relief in times of natural disaster or critical health
or social crises. Last year we received word from the UCC that, in terms of the OGHS collection, we were
among the 100 most generous churches in the nation! That is a testimony to the generosity of our congregation,
and a real honor. We have set our goal for the 2015 collection at $10,000 once again. Please help as much as
you are able.
Easter Memorial Music
As in years past, you can make a donation to our Easter Memorial Music by calling or stopping by the church
office. Any amount would be appreciated, but it is important to call 860-434-8686, and to be specific about the
names you wish to have listed. We will need all information by Friday, March 27, in order to print the Easter
bulletins.
Easter Flowers
This year we will have a collection of Easter lilies and spring flowers as our altar arrangement (rather than all
lilies). These flowers will be distributed to those who are homebound or in nursing homes following Easter
morning. If you would like to make a contribution to this effort in honor of a loved one, please make a donation
of $10.00 and call us to let us know the name you would like in the memorial list. As with Memorial Music, we
must finalize this list of names on Friday, March 27. Thank you.
Memorials
Gladysmae Good
Church News Blanket Drive/Church World Service Some 8,000
congregations and groups across the U.S. hold CWS
Blankets events, providing funds to help people in
need around the world. For over 60 years, CWS has
worked in partnership with local communities in 30
countries to identify their needs to build the
foundation for a more viable future, including:
Blankets, tents, mosquito nets, food, tools and seeds,
wells for families to provide clean, safe water to
drink and to irrigate crops, literacy training and
microcredits for women struggling to realize their
potential.
Each blanket costs $10. Please make
checks payable to CWS, indicating in the memo
space "Blanket Drive." Special envelopes
are available in the pews and may be put in the
collection plate or sent to the Church c/o LBS."
The LADIES BENEVOLENT SOCIETY
celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Crosby Fund
for Haitian Education with a traditional Haitian
dinner on Sunday, March 8th, in the Fellowship Hall.
Dinner begins at 5 pm, and the program begins at 6
pm. Donation is $10 per person, with all proceeds
benefitting the Crosby Fund. Make reservations by
calling the church office at 860-434-8686 by
Thursday, March 5th. The Crosby Fund for Haitian
Education celebrated its 10th anniversary September
2014. Becky Crosby’s program will reviews those
ten years of growth: from 32 students to 352 students,
from one program to four programs, and she will
focus on the future: the plans for the new Educational
Center. Helene Clervius, MD, a Crosby Fund
university graduate, will be a special guest speaker
and offer her insights on the impact of the program
on her life and many other students in Haiti. There
will be an exhibition that documents these ten years,
and a sale of Haitian arts and crafts (100% supports
the artists). A bake sale provided by the Senior
Pilgrim Fellowship travelers will help earn funds for
the next youth trip in April 2015. Please call the
church office at 860-434-8686 for reservations,
seating is limited. The LBS is funding the dinner and
request a donation, minimum $10, at the door. All
donations will go to the Crosby Fund.
Late Winter Potluck Suppers
Our Board of
Deacons is planning a potluck supper event for
Saturday, March 21st. We’d like to find a number of
homes that would be willing to open their doors to a
gathering. Our hope is that folks would enjoy sharing
a meal in a personal setting where they would have a
chance to get to know one another as they share
fellowship. To do this we need two things: 1. Homes
that will host and 2. People who would like to
participate. This promises to be both fun and easy. If
you are willing to be a host home, please call the
office ASAP and give Joan your name and the
number of guests you would find ideal. It could
simply be the number that can be seated around your
kitchen or dining room table! If you would like to be
an “attendee,” please give Joan your contact
information. Both “couples” and “singles” are
welcome in either capacity! A few of our deacons,
together with Carleen, will work to match people to
host homes, perhaps based on geography or interests.
We’re still working out the details, but we look
forward to hearing from you, and starting the year on
a welcome note!
End of Life Discussion On Tuesday, March 3rd at
2:30 pm, Dr. Peter Dixon, associate of the CuniffDixon Foundation and a physician in Essex, and
Carleen Gerber will be presenting a panel discussion
about issues pertaining to end-of-life decisions and
planning. Hamilton Hall at Essex Meadows will be
the place where we gather, but anyone from our own
church fellowship is welcome to attend. All are
welcome. We expect our presentation to take place
from 2:30 to 3:30 pm, with questions and discussions
to follow, ending by 4:00 pm . Let Joan in the office
know if you’d like to attend so that we could give the
folks at Essex Meadows a “heads-up.”
Essex Meadows Hymn Sing Join us Wednesday,
March 4th at 4:00 pm for a Hymn Sing at Essex
Meadows.
Folk Concert Series MusicNow Foundation, Inc.
announces the Nightingale’s Acoustic Series,
comprised of monthly concerts featuring regional/
national folk and Americana artists with opening
aspiring local youth talent. All shows will be held at
the Sheffield Auditorium,
First Congregational
Church of Old Lyme. The next concert will be
Friday, March 20, 2015, 7-9:30pm. Desserts &
Coffee served. Tickets: $10 adult, $5 students at the
More Church News Reminder: Day Light Savings Time begins March 8 at 2:00 AM.
Don’t forget to set your clocks FORWARD 1 hour Saturday night.
door or email to reserve
gstevens@musicnowfoundation.org.
tickets.
Memorial Flowers There are 2 dates available for
Sunday Memorial Flowers, the 3rd Sunday in
January and first Sunday in February. Please call
Susan Griggs at 860-434-7660 for more information.
Prayer Shawl Ministry Whether you’re an old pro
or a first-time knitter, you’re invited to crochet or
knot shawls that can be given by our ministers to
those in hospital or needing the comforting tangible
sign of our faith community’s love and healing
prayers. See or contact Chris Solimene at
chris@fccol.org or call 860-434-8686 for more
information or to receive materials. Stay tuned for an
opportunity to have all prayer shawl creators gather
for a time of sharing ideas and fellowship. Thank
you for sharing in this special ministry.
Sewing Group Sewing began in January and we
have sewing every Monday. On Presidents Day,
February 16th we will not sew. Bring your lunch,
and enthusiasm, for we will be sewing shorts and
dresses for Haiti for a few weeks before we start up
other items. Eunice Taylor and I cleaned up and
organized all our materials so we now know where
stuff is, and what we do not need anymore. We have
tons of fabric for little dresses and shorts, so hope
we can have a lot for the kids who are going to Haiti
to take with them. New folks are welcome. Nat
Fogg
Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley is cosponsoring a health fair at the East Haddam Senior
Center on March 8th from 10-2 pm. The event will
focus on the Model of Healthy Living seven areas of
a healthy life. There will be lunch, giveaways and
lots to learn. Save The Date: On April 25th at the
Essex Town Hall 9am-12 noon there will be a
program presented by local clergy and business
members called “Looking Both Ways: Decisions of
a Lifetime.” More information will be coming soon.
Tree of Life Journey 2015 Please consider joining
the next Tree of Life Journey, scheduled for March
10-20, 2015! The theme for this journey will be,
"Rejecting Violence and Seeking Enclaves of
Beauty." On this interfaith trip we will have the
honor of visiting our respective sacred sites and
learning from a variety of voices of conscience,
Israeli and Palestinian -- Jewish, Muslim and
Christian. On this journey we will also learn about
artistic expression as a way of resisting violence.
While Palestinians and Israelis experience many
dehumanizing consequences of the Israeli
occupation of Palestine, they also find ways to
withstand and challenge a culture of violence by
creating enclaves of beauty.
From the Jenin
Freedom Theatre to the Edward Said National
Conservatory of Music, those who suffer from
injustice render their hopes and suffering visible and
audible. Beholding their art, we may better
understand their experiences and desires for a more
just world. This journey is open to all and will be
led by Rev. Dr. Steve Jungkeit, Senior Minister of
the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme
(Connecticut), and Rev. Nancy Boldt McLaren,
Minister for Faith Formation and Discipleship at
Storrs Congregational Church. For those interested,
there will also be an opportunity for an extension in
Turkey for a few days, from March 20-24, to
experience the rich Sufi tradition and also to learn
about the role that Turkey plays in the tumultuous
landscape of the Middle East. Further details can be
found on the Tree of Life Educational Fund website,
www.tolef.org. If you have questions, please feel
free to address those questions to our church's
Minister Emeritus, Rev. David W. Good, at
davidwgood@snet.net.
Tai Chi & Meditation Classes Fridays. Please call
Ahlam at (860) 447-9916.
More Church News SAVE THE
DATE!
“Bread &
Puppets”
Fire coming to FCCOL on March 31st at 7:00 pm.
Books Needed for Heifer Book Fair
The Board of Youth Education invites you to
participate in a book sale to support the Heifer
Project. What a wonderful thing it is to give a gift
that keeps on giving! Bringing in and selling our
gently used books is a great way to raise money for
Heifer International, an organization which
combats poverty by giving animals to people
around the world. These animals help provide
families with food, clothes, and extra income. In
turn, families pass on the gift of the animal's
offspring to others. We invite you to bring books in
good condition and leave them on the Sheffield
stage.
On March 8, all are invited to the Book Fair in
between worship services! Book prices will be
nominal. All left-over books will be donated to the
local library or to local literacy programs.
Questions? Email Chris at chris@fccol.org.
Palm Sunday All-Church Event,
March 29
Following the 9 am service, all are invited to
Fellowship Hall for food, drinks and activities. Try
your hand at crafting your palms into a keepsake
cross. Plant some seeds in flower-pots you can take
with you. Pick an inspirational seed for your heart’s
garden. This is a season of promise. Join your
church family for fellowship and to plant your own
seeds of hope!
CHOIRS SENIOR CHOIR
Thank you to all members of the Senior Choir for a musically uplifting February!
Here is the rehearsal and service schedule for March:
March 1 - Singing at the 11:00 am service with a rehearsal at 10:15 am
March 4 - Rehearsal at 7:30 pm
March 8 - Singing at the 9:00 am service with a rehearsal at 8:15 am
March 11 - Rehearsal at 7:30 pm
March 15 - Singing at the 11:00am service with a rehearsal at 10:15 am
March 18 - Rehearsal at 7:30 pm
March 22 - Singing at the 9:00 am service with a rehearsal at 8:15 am
March 25 - Rehearsal at 7:30 pm
March 29 - Singing at the 11:00 am service with a rehearsal at 10:15 am
ALL-AGE CHOIR
The All Age Choir rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 6:15 pm. All rehearsals will be held in the
Sheffield Auditorium. Our rehearsals are one hour long with plenty of room for fellowship. We
work mostly with 4-part music in a contemporary style. We encourage and welcome new members
to this group. Our choir membership includes young children, teenagers, families and seniors. The
ability to read music is always a plus but not a determining factor for eligibility in this group. Please
feel free to contact Joel Spineti with questions regarding the All Age Choir. Joel may be reached by
phone (860-554-5079) or e mail jspineti@aol.com.
Church Business News WHEN SENDING A CHECK
Please be sure to note on the check where the offering is to be credited (i.e. pledge, food pantry,
donation, Habitat, etc.). It is also important to note whether your contribution is for 2014 or 2015,
especially vital this time of year. Thank you for your help.
WHEN MAKING A GIFT OF STOCK
Please notify the Church of your gift, including the designated use, at the time you request your broker
to make the transfer. You may also use the Church’s broker, Smith Barney, to make the transfer if you
wish. We occasionally receive gifts from a broker without knowing the donor, or whether the gift is
intended for a 2014 or 2015 giving, or for another purpose.
If you have any questions, or need further instruction, please feel free to call me or Julie Scocozza at
434-8686. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Bob McCracken,
Treasurer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please call Julie, our bookkeeper in the office at 860-434-8686, if you have donated
24 shares of Exxon Mobil received 12/5/14, 340 shares Pfizer received 1/6/15, 37 shares Exxon
Mobil received 1/20/15 or 2 shares of 3M Company received on 12/23/14.
Offering Envelopes
If you ordered offering envelopes for 2015, they are on the table in the connector.
More Church Business News STEWARDSHIP UPDATE:
CLOSING IN ON OUR GOAL,
BUT STILL A WAY TO GO!
We are deeply grateful for the 379 of you who have sent in your gift intention cards
for 2015. With your generous help, we have received a total of $583,596 toward our
budgeted goal of $600,000.
However, we still have a way to go to reach our budgeted goal, and especially our
stretch goal of $625,000. This is the amount the Board of Trustees has estimated that
we need to accomplish the church’s important ministries, missions, programs and
ongoing property maintenance needs going forward.
Please remember that financial support is everyone’s obligation. Every organization
you belong to depends on your financial support, and our church is no exception! Our
church stands out in the Shoreline community for its vibrant and life-changing
programs, all of which are dependent on the generosity of time, talent, and spirit many
of you contribute to them. However, those programs cannot operate without the
resources to run them. Whatever you can give helps, and the fact that you give
matters a lot!
If you have not yet returned your gift card, please do so at your earliest convenience.
If you cannot locate your card or you prefer to phone in your intention, please call the
church office at 860-434-8686 and ask for the treasurer’s office. THIS YEAR’S
CAMPAIGN ENDS MARCH 15 AND WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Again, we greatly appreciate hearing from those of you who have responded, and we
thank in advance those of you who answer the call to respond before March 15.
Barbara Smith
Chair, Board of Stewardship
Members of the Board: George Clough, Emily Fisher, Sandy Long, Chuck Lynch,
Ken McGrath, Paul Stigliano, Lee Whitaker, Matt Winkler
Christian Education News CONFIRMATION MEETS MARCH 9, 7-9 PM
Confirmands and Mentors will meet in Hoag Parlor to present their Ministry Murals to each other.
These projects will creatively explain the many church ministries through the study and presentation
of the who, what, where, when and why of our committees and boards. Please note the extra time
given for this special meeting.
JPF FUN BRUNCH, MARCH 1
A Brunch and Fun Event for all youth in grades 6-8 on Sunday, March 1, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
hosted by Danny & Deanna at their home at 272 West Rd in Salem. We will carpool from the
church with our chaperone, Lisa Doggart, after Church School, and can carpool back to church if
that helps too. We will create and share a delicious brunch together and then talk about & organize
the details for all the wonderful plans you have already made and imagine some great new volunteer
& mission ideas. We'll wrap up our afternoon with some music & fun & games. What to bring ??
Yourself and a friend, An inspirational song to share, Your great ideas & smiles! In the event of
snow, we’ll host this event at the church! Please RSVP Danny & Deanna Donovan at (860) 7072597.
JPF MEETS AT NIGHTINGALE, MARCH 15
Special Lenten Fellowship Event at the Nightingale Café Sunday March 15th after Church School,
11:00 am - 1:30 pm. We'll all walk together to the Nightingale Café and warm up with some hot tea
& cocoa & share some yummy light refreshments together. In addition to creatively sharing the
concerns & the hopes & the joys we hold for our world, community, families, friends, and
ourselves, there will be time for some wonderful music, and a fun game or two. Bring a friend and,
if you want, a guitar and/or special song to share. Please RSVP to Danny & Deanna at (860)7072597.
JPF WITH FOOD PANTRY, MARCH 28
Meeting on Saturday, March 28, 9:30 – 11:00 am. The young people in JPF are partnering with the
Food Pantry Ministry of this church. Specifically, JPF will partake in efforts to help with end-of-themonth inventory and to help from time to time during the pantry hours with the retrieval of shopping
carts from outside. Want to help? Want to bring a friend? Please email Chris at chris@fccol.org.
SPF COOKS AND GOES TO HOMELESS HOSPITALITY CENTER, MARCH 28
Senior PF youth in grades 9-12 gather each last Saturday of the month to bring a meal and an
opportunity to share fellowship with the women and men at the New London Homeless Hospitality
Center. This center serves as a safe haven for the community’s homeless neighbors. The area soup
kitchen does not serve a Saturday dinner so when our youth arrive with food, they are literally
answering the call to feed the hungry for this is often the only meal some will eat that day. Meet in
the kitchen at church at 5 pm where we will cook a nutritious meal, eat ourselves and then bring the
meal to New London. We’ll return to church by 8:30 pm. Let Chris know you are on board at
chris@fccol.org.
SrPF Christian Education News Senior P.F. Trip Deschapelles, Haiti
April 10- April 17, 2015
Our next meeting will be Sunday, March 1, at 10:15 am in the church library. We have 13 travelers who
have signed up and are ready to go! We still have room for 2 more. Last years trip was so much fun. We
filled the week with many meaningful encounters: we offered arts and crafts to over 135 Haitian children;
we played a soccer game with the local team; we visited remnants of two sugar cane mills and learned
about Haiti’s history of slavery; we passed out pillow case dresses and clothing; we offered English
tutoring for teenagers and adults; we walked to the wild & crazy market; we worshiped at the Baptist
church in Les Forges, and we sang and danced with the Haitian people. Please come if you are interested
in joining us on our next trip, April 10-17 (during the Spring Break). If you have questions or concerns,
please talk with Becky Crosby at 860-434-8054.
Tentative Itinerary
Friday, April 10
Fly to Port-au-Prince from JFK (American Airlines)
Departs around 9 am ( We will arrange for a bus)
Arrives around 1 pm. We will drive to a Moulin Sur Mer in
Montrouis, Haiti (2 hours) and spend the night.
Pack a sandwich or snacks for lunch (can be purchased in the
airport – after security checks).
Saturday, April 11
Depart for Deschapelles in the morning (1 hour drive)
Tour Deschapelles in the afternoon – hospital, a dispensary,
library, grain mills, see some schools and local market.
A fun Kreyol lesson in the evening.
Sunday, April 12
Worship at the Baptist Church in the morning
Soccer game in the afternoon
Monday, April 13
Activities with children in the morning– arts and crafts
Tutoring English in the afternoon
Tuesday, April 14
Distribute Pillow case dresses in Les Forges and the Cite
Visit Estime and see his metal making
Activities with children in afternoon
Wednesday, April 15
Walk to Verrettes Market in the morning
Visit Hospital and local dispensary possibly volunteer
Thursday, April 16
Environmental Morning– visit tree reforestation projects
and see farmers working the land
Meet the artists—buying in the afternoon
Friday, April 17
Travel to Port-au-Prince (American Airlines)
Departs around 3:00 pm and arrives in JFK at 7:30 pm Should be home
around 10:30 pm.
Adult Enrichment Programs
March Adult Forums
March 1, 2015 Lisa Laing, Master InterPlay Leader, teaches the integration of body, mind, heart and spirit to
reduce stress and regain balance in our lives. This course has been offered at Yale Divinity School. She also
leads the Hope Is Power Cancer Wellness program.
March 8, 2015 Jodie Craig Atkinson, Executive Director of the Covenant Shelter will talk on: "Housing
First: Ending Homelessness in SECT."
March 15, 2015 Ashley Makar from IRIS (Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services) will speak on
"Serving Refugees in Connecticut."
March 22, 2015 Claudia Highbaugh, Dean of Religious and Spiritual life at Connecticut College, will discuss
"Good Bridges Make Good Neighbors: Reflections On Devices For Connection, Movement and
Communication."
March 29, 2015 Palm Sunday - No Forum
WINTER BIBLE STUDY WITH BECKY
A 10-week Bible Study on I & 2 Kings is on Thursdays and runs until April 2, 2015. The group meets in
the Library at 10:45 am for one hour. 1 Kings begins with the death of David and the accession of
Solomon and covers the rich history of Israel, including the division of Israel into the two separate
kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The books offer many great stories to explore and discuss. Please join us.
All are welcome!
BOOK GROUP
A discussion group for Marilynne Robinson’s latest novel, Lila, is planned to start the week after Easter.
The discussion is being led by the Rev. Dr. Scott L. Harris, a retired Lutheran minister. Groups will
meet over a three week period with two sessions each week: April 8, 15, and 22 at 10:30 am; and April
9, 16, and 23 at 7:30 pm. The daytime groups will cover the same topics as the nighttime sessions--at
least that is the plan. For each group we will meet in the Library. Besides reading Lila, we will be
exploring references to the Bible that are made in Robinson’s novel, especially the Old Testament
prophet, Ezekiel. If you are interested in participating a copy of the book is available at your local
library; or better yet, the book can be purchased. (That way you can mark it up to your heart’s content.)
Have both Lila and Bible in hand for each group.
(continued)
More Adult Enrichment Programs
CARE-GIVERS SUPPORT GROUP
There is a Honduran saying that states, “Grief shared is half grief. Joy shared is double joy.” Life brings many
forms of grief whether it is the loss of a spouse, a job, a marriage, or health. Sharing the journey decreases the
impact of grief and helps to bring us back to joy. Along the way, life can be enriched and deepened. Our next
meeting is March 27 at 10:00 a.m. Call Cynthia Robbins, (860) 608-7996, or simply show up if you would like to
attend. If you are interested in helping form an evening group, please let Cynthia know.
WRITING FROM THE SPIRIT
The writing group will begin meeting in March on alternate Wednesdays at 3:30 pm (March 4 and 18) in the Hoag
Parlor. All writers of prose or poetry are welcome. Bring something of your own to share and/or a poem or short
prose piece by an author you admire. An appreciative and supportive group! If you are interested in joining us,
please contact Vicky at (860) 526-4426. Alternate Wednesdays, 3:30 to 5:00 pm in the Hoag Room. Led by
Vicky Murphy.
POETRY READING
The poetry-reading group will begin meeting in March on alternate Wednesdays at 4:30 pm (March 11 & 25) in
the Hoag Parlor. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate in our readings. If you are interested in joining us,
please contact Alan Bradford at (860) 434-0247 or atbra@conncoll.edu or just show up; texts will be provided.
Alternate Wednesdays at 4:30 in the Hoag Room.
WHO AM I?
If you have been thinking about coming to the class to be with others in deepening our spiritual understanding, this
is a good time to do so. To sign up, please call Ruth Robins at 860.434.2999 or email her at Robinspagl@aol.com.
Thank you. Thursdays, 9:30-10:30 in the Hoag Room.
Seeking Employment:
American Craftsmen need America’s help. As a
furniture maker of 33 years, I am offering my services
to fellow church members at 25% off: $65/ hour. My
work includes restoration of antiques, work on
cherished family pieces, and general furniture repair.
As well, my passion is designing and building fine
furniture: large and small pieces include dining and
side tables, beds, benches, and chairs; religious pieces,
pet coffins, etc. Please contact Dick Humphreville at
860-442-5003 or www.humphrevillefurniture.com.
Experienced master carpenter, licensed and insured,
looking for work. Call Tom Kratzert at 860-271-9633.
Home Designer Design & drawing from concept to
construction documents for new homes, additions, and
renovations. Servicing home owners, builders, and
architects. Other services include drawings to help sell
a house, develop & present an idea. Computer aided
using DATA CAD 12 - 2 dimensional and 3
dimensional.
David S Nelson-Building Design
Services 860 434-5526 DSNdesign@comcast.net.
Handyman Service Light Carpentry, Installation
Help, Painting, Seasonal & Holiday Preparation and
Light Hauling. I have an enclosed pick-up truck, tools
and a shop. If you need something done just give me a
call. Dave Nelson 860 434-5526.
The "Pet Nanny" Carol Giuliano, an Old Lyme
resident, will provide loving care for your pets when
you are not there. Over forty years experience with all
types of animals. Call (203) 738-9932.
Paul Fitzpatrick-Nager Experienced master
carpenter. Will design and build comfort zones for
your home, indoors and out. Patios, pergolas and
more. Call me anytime at 860-304-9916 or 860-4344366.
Marcia Dean Experienced Nanny/housekeeper,
looking to get back to what I love most, working with
children...Excellent references... I live in Chester but
would relocate for the right position... good with all
ages... infants and multiples are my specialty. I am
also a seamstress and love animals. Please call for
more information at (860)-912-1037.
Caregiver - Companion
Long or short term,
reasonable rates and references. Call Marion Campo
in Old Lyme at 860-389-1872.
Weaving Classes Always wanted to learn to weave?
Start by weaving a rag rug on Stephanie Morton's
ENORMOUS loom in her Old Lyme studio. Call her
at 860/434-1188 or 917-3429.
Carolyn Randall Need a vacation? Available to stay
with your loved one for a long weekend or a week
(live in). 25 years nursing experience, 15 homecare.
Call Carolyn at 860-598-9278 or 860-343-3573.
Wendy Knight – Organizer, writer, researcher,
editor, proofreader Happy to work on any project,
big or small, update lists, prepare mailings. Also love
to sort and organize closets, cabinets, libraries, photos,
files and documents. Please contact Wendy Knight
anytime at (860) 304 – 6665 or wendyknight@gmail.
com.
Sue Mandeville Transportation and/or accompaniment
to professional or medical appointments, outpatient
surgeries and home stay following anesthesia. Airport,
train or bus transport. Livery license, insured,
references and medical training. Call Sue Mandeville
860-908-2310.
Lorelei Mitchell Mediator, Lorelei Mitchell, is
available to assist with family dilemmas, landlordtenant disputes or workplace conflict. Mediation is a
better alternative to litigation and can often transform
relationships, while giving you a say in the outcome.
Call Lorelei Mitchell at (860) 536-0260 or email
lmitchell18@comcast.net toschedule a consultation.
Guli Gvelesiani I lived in Old Lyme and have worked
for 7 years as a live-in caregiver for a local family. I
live in Essex and have worked for 2 years as a live-in
caregiver for a local family. I am seeking a new full
time, live-in position with a caring family. I do house
work, cooking and baking as well as give home care. I
can provide references. Please call Guli at 860-3915691.
Alterations I'm a professional with over 20 years
experience, from shortening jeans to restoring or
redesigning a beloved wedding gown. Estimates and
references freely given. Please call Hazella Pease at
860-434-5784
for
an
appointment.
T h e F i r s t C o n g re g a t i o n a l C h u rc h
o f O l d Ly m e
St aff
The Rev. Dr. Steven R. Jungkeit, Senior Minister (860-434-8686)
The Rev. Carleen R. Gerber, Senior Associate Minister (860-434-0058)
Christopher D. Solimene, Associate Minister (860-389-1363)
Simon D. Holt, Director of Music (860-705-3037)
The Rev. David W. Good, Minister Emeritus
The Rev. Rebecca T. Crosby, Minister for Haitian Outreach
Erin K. Grayson, Minister of the South Lyme Union Chapel
Mary Tomassetti, Church School Coordinator (860-391-5384)
Lisa Feltes, Director of Children’s Music (860-691-2226)
Joel Spineti, Director of The All Age Choir (860-554-5079)
Robert McCracken, Church Administrator
Joan Kelley, Church Office Manager
Julie Scocozza, Bookkeeper
Mark Testori, Sexton
Church Office Tel: 860-434-8686
Fax: 860-434-1135
e-mail: fccol@snet.net
Website: www.fccol.org
Sunday Worship - 9:00 & 11:00 a.m.
Sunday School - 9:00 a.m.
South Lyme Union Chapel Worship - 9:00 a.m.
Pastoral Counseling Center Tel: 860-767-0221
Candace E. Wilson-Stanberry, MSN
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF OLD LYME,
Member U.C.C.
The reproduction of our Meetinghouse on the cover is from a sketch by William Steeves.
The First Congregational Church
2 Ferry Road
Old Lyme, Connecticut 06371
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit #7
Old Saybrook, CT
Non-Profit Organization
The next FCCOL Newsletter will be in April;
the deadline will be Friday, March 20th.
If possible, please send articles by e-mail <fccol@snet.net> as a Word document.
THE FOOD PANTRY NEEDS HELP FROM ALL OF US
Whenever you come to church….worship, church events, meetings, or just to visit….
PLEASE bring some non-perishable food items each time to restock the food pantry.
Please let us know if you have some time to volunteer at the food pantry and/or with food drives.
THANKS!
Please e-mail the church office at <fccol@snet.net> if you want to be removed from the
newsletter mailing list and read it on the website. Each household that can read the newsletter
on (and print from) the website rather than receive it by mail will save the church $5.17 each and
every year. We will ask for your e-mail address so we can alert you when the new issue is
available on our web site. Thanks for your help!