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April 2008 Tower Tidings
Pastor’s Column
Have you ever noticed that many churches which have a Congregational heritage call the place where they gather for worship the Meeting House? The reason for this goes back to the earliest days of New England history, when the church was the focal point of community life. Often the only space capable of accommodating large numbers of people indoors, the church building served as the meeting place for all sorts of religious and civic gatherings. Even political events were held in the Meeting House – the Constitution of the State of Connecticut, the model for the US Constitution, was signed in the Meeting House of the First Congregational Church of Hartford.
As towns grew larger, public buildings were erected and the need to use church facilities for civic gatherings decreased. Church buildings changed too; areas for worship became separate from office and social spaces. As the colonies grew and the numbers of people from other religious traditions increased, the Congregational Church’s influence on civic life decreased. But the dialogue between church and town on matters affecting the public good persisted. If you read our own church’s history, you will find numerous stories about the clergy and people of First Church serving in the community as an expression of their dual citizenship in the world and the world-to-come.
But you don’t need to look any further than the calendar of events in this newsletter to see that we are continuing to be a place of meeting. The following groups are currently using some part of our facility every week: three different churches; Alcoholics Anonymous; the Overflow Shelter; two parent advocacy training groups (English and Spanish); and three levels of English as a Second Language classes. In addition, we serve the community through the Thrift Shop and host numerous groups on an as needed basis.
We’re doing a great job of inviting the community in to use our buildings; in this we have been true to our heritage of being a place of meeting for the community. But for us, the church has been more sanctuary than meeting house. For us, it has become a safe harbor from the storms of life. As our numbers declined due to demographics and social change without and conflict within, we became less willing to risk rocking the boat. We are less likely than our ancestors to speak out as citizens of two realms.
Over the past few months, it seems that a number of opportunities to engage in reflection and dialogue about community issues and the way that faith informs contemporary life have arisen. We had a Lenten series where we learned about the beliefs and relationships among Judaism, Islam and Christianity. We hosted an interfaith prayer vigil on the night of the Common Council’s vote on a partnership with ICE and a forum about how our values inform decisions about health care. We have been invited to be the pilot site for a program that teaches participants how to engage in deep dialogue on controversial issues. We have scheduled an educational forum and panel discussion on gay marriage and a speaker from Regional Hospice.
Being faithful to this Great Commission has implications for the way we worship together, educate ourselves and our children, serve in the community and use our physical resources. Doing so provides us with a guiding principle for our efforts to revitalize our congregation. In next month’s column, I’ll reflect on what this might mean in practical terms. But I need your help. Think and pray about what I’ve shared- then let me know what you think. I believe God has answered our prayers asking for discernment about our future. What about you?
Shalom, Pastor Laura
Love Makes a Family
On April 6, Obadiah Ballinger will present a mission moment about the work of Love Makes a Family (LMF) during Sunday worship. Oby, who will be graduating from Yale Divinity School this May, was recently hired by LMF to build bridges between itself and local congregations interested in sponsoring educational forums about issues of faith relating to gay marriage. Oby will also be present during coffee hour to answer questions and provide materials to those interested in learning more or getting involved in advocacy efforts. On May 18, he will help lead a panel discussion and forum for the faith community which will be held at our church. Please save the dates. You are invited to contact Pastor Laura for more information.
Dear Friends, My father told me a story today about the wonder drug of the 1940s, penicillin. He started me thinking about this age of wonders in which we live—amazing wonders that soon become accepted facts of life. We can contact instantly those halfway around the globe; we can see pictures of distant planets in our daily papers; and we can expect to replace our worn-out joints. Yet this year of 2008 remains also an age of anxiety—a time of war, of economic uncertainty, of loneliness, of confusion, of pain. Does the fear inside us, or the anguish we witness or experience, make us yearn for (search for, pray for) a miracle beyond the merely wondrous?
As I read the scripture lessons for the Sundays during which we will worship together in Eastertide, I find myself heartened despite the shadows cast by the daily news. The readings remind me that the greatest miracle of all was and is and always will be God’s love reaching out to all people, bringing life out of death. Christ’s love has healed and transformed lives from that first Easter to this one. Divine love will continue healing and transforming lives when our present political, economic, social, and personal crises fade into the mists of history. May we open to and offer ourselves to that love!
When we sing praises to God—Source, Christ, and Spirit—our songs of joy defeat despair. When we break bread together in Jesus’ name, the chains of our fears are broken. When we continue to tell the greatest story of Easter, God’s miracle of love raises us from the tomb of our anxieties to new life and action.
God’s miracle of love encompasses other miracles: creation, forgiveness, justice, renewal. May the Easter story re-create us every day. And may we bear God’s true miracles into the empty heart of a world too often motivated by fears and jaded by a succession of wonders.
Pax Christi, Videen
New Member Growth Board Update
The New Member Growth Board has been very active and we hope you have noticed many of our activities.
A New Member Class is about to join our Congregation and several potential new members may be joining us in the Fall. If you have not met our new members or any of our frequent visitors, why not? Introduce yourself and make them feel welcome.
Speaking of welcoming, we are doing much better at making our visitors feel welcome. The Greeters program is functioning well. If you haven’t noticed, the New Member Growth Board has started to reorganize the Narthex to make it less cluttered and more welcoming. One of the coat rooms has been converted to a curtained storage area, furniture has been rearranged and there’s more in the works. If you have any suggestions let us know how we can make the Narthex more warm and welcoming.
We have added new signs to announce upcoming events. If your Board or community organization has an event planned, contact MaryAnn in the Church office. We have arranged with a local company to print announcements that fit the new hanging sign. If you have a limited engagement event or an activity on a specific Sunday, make a sign or contact Mary Ann to get one made. Then post the event sign on the new A frame stand we purchased that is stored in the Narthex behind the new curtain. Put the A frame out on the front steps.
We are also in the process of updating the Church website. It has been redesigned and new pictures have been added. It should be up and active in April.
We are also sponsoring some upcoming events in an effort to not only bring new potential members into the Congregation, but also to help fulfill one of our Church’s missions: outreach to the local community, and provide services and events that address local issues and community needs.
Any suggestions or ideas please let one of us know.
Tom O’Brien Chair New Member Growth Board
April Fellowship Luncheon Tuesday, April 8th 12:30 p.m.
Please bring a dish to share and enjoy friends and food while we celebrate Spring!!
Congratulations Annie Orr!!
Danbury advocate for the homeless honored with Good Samaritan award.
At the 14th Annual Amos House Spring Breakfast on March 20th, our Annie Orr was presented with the Amos House Good Samaritan Award for her outstanding work in the community. She also received a certificate of special Congressional recognition from U.S. Rep. Christopher Murphy, D-5th District, at the breakfast. Hooray Annie!!
Congratulations Sis Mitchell CAACE Leadership Award Winner
This award is given to individuals who have made special contributions to the field of adult education or have shown support for adult education programs in Connecticut. Sis is the Regional Director of WERACE/Danbury Adult Education. Hooray Sis!!
Thank you!
Ever since my children started scouting many years ago the members of First Church have been very generous in supporting all of our fund-raising efforts. Whether it was First Aid Kits, candy, Boy Scout popcorn, Girl Scout cookies, old cell phones, ink cartridges and even Billy’s Eagle project, your generosity has helped the programs that have given many children the opportunity to develop their full potential to become worthy citizens in today’s society.
For the past five years you have not only continued to support my scout troops, many of you have also sponsored me for the Jack Knapp Memorial Dip with your donations. The organizations that the dip supports need our contributions and without all of your kindness we could not help all of those that we do. THANK YOU members of First Congregational Church of Danbury.
Nancy Wildman
From Heavenly Delights Cookbook... Sour Cream Chocolate Chip Cake
6 T. butter 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 1/3 cup flour 1 ½ tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp cinnamon 1 cup sour cream 1 (6 oz) pkg chocolate chips
Mix butter and sugar until well blended; beat in eggs one at a time. Stir flour, powder, soda and cinnamon, then blend with creamed mixture. Mix in sour cream. Pour batter into greased, floured 9 x 13 pan. Scatter chips evenly over batter and then sprinkle 1 tablespoon sugar over the chips. Bake 30-35 min. in 350< oven.
The Sunday Lunch Group is Back!!
Our March luncheon was rescheduled to April 6th and we’re going Brazilian. We’ll go out again on our regular third Sunday (April 20th). Come join us for good food and conversation. Any questions, see Linda Wright or Penny Lovalvo.
Church World Service “Gift of the Heart” Kits
We still need some items to fill up our kits – so, when you go shopping, we could use the following....
$ nail clippers w/file $ large wide-tooth combs (approx 8") $ spiral notebooks (8 x 10 ½ or 8 ½ x 11) $ blunt-end scissors $ 12" ruler w/metric $ 2 ½" erasers
Please leave items in the collection box in Pilgrim Hall or leave in the workroom.
Thank you for all your help! Annie
Gift Cards Youth Group Fund-raiser....
Thank you to all who ordered! The up coming schedule is April 13th, May 11th, and June 8th. Get on the band wagon and place an order! We could be making at least $200 to $300 each order if you’ll join in. We still have some extra cards for immediate purchase... Stop & Shop - $25's A & P - $25's Starbucks - $10's Movie Tickets - $9.50
To purchase, see Linda Wright on Sunday mornings and MaryAnn at the church office during the week.
Questions call or e-mail: Linda Wright 746-1545 or LHW012954@aol.com.
Letter Carriers Food Drive - May 10th
The Letter Carriers will be collecting non-perishable food items like canned soups, juices, pasta, vegetables, cereal and rice on Saturday, May 10th to help families in need in our community. You can help by placing your food donation at your mailbox on May 10th before your letter carrier arrives. The food will be delivered to local food banks. Thank you!!
Saturday, April 19th at 6:30 p.m. - Game Knight at First Church
Chess will not be the only game you can play, and actually it may not be available if clergy decides it is too warlike for a venue dedicated to beating swords into plowshares. However, a variety of board and card games from the church library will be on hand, or you may bring your favorite from home. We just ask it be one that can be completed in under two hours. Our days of playing Risk until 3 a.m. are over.
All this game playing will follow a pot luck supper. Please call the church office before Thursday, April 17th, and sign up for a main course or dessert, then bring enough for 4.
Going forward we would like to do something the 3rd Saturday of every month. Some things in the hopper are a day trip to the Quaker Village, a Bridgeport Bluefish baseball game, a ferryboat ride to Port Jefferson for lunch, a picnic while watching the cars go ‘round at Limerock, and a pool party. Please see Gary Falkenthal with suggestions of other things you’d like to do. Remember, we must be able to print the suggestions in the bulletin!
Deer Hill Thrift Shop Open Friday & Saturdays - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Upcoming Event – Special ladies jeans sale on April 18 and 19th. We’re received a wonderful donation of women’s jeans – some designer, some regular jeans in a selection of styles in most sizes – all excellent quality.
Also - just arrived – SPRING FASHIONS – lots to choose from – always super low prices.
And – if you’d like to join our happy Thrift Shop volunteer family, just see me or call MaryAnn in the church office ... Jan
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