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Tidings June 2011
A Federated Church of the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church
An Open and Affirming/Reconciling Congregation
Monthly news for members & friends from Niantic Community Church June 2011
Tidings FROM THE PASTOR AND TEACHER
Dear Friends,
Greetings and grace to you, in the name of the
Human One!
A couple members of our community asked
about the Archibald MacLeish poem that from our
prayers on Memorial Day weekend. I‘m glad to
share it here, and pray you find rich meaning in it,
as I have:
The Young Dead Soldiers Do Not Speak
The young dead soldiers do not speak. Nevertheless, they are heard in the still houses: who has not heard them? They have a silence that speaks for them at night and when the clock counts. They say: We were young. We have died.
Remember us. They say: We have done what we could but until it is finished it is not done. They say: We have given our lives but until it is fin-
ished no one can know what our lives gave. They say: Our deaths are not ours: they are yours, they will mean what you make them. They say: Whether our lives and our deaths were
for peace and a new hope or for nothing we cannot
say, it is you who must say this. We leave you our deaths. Give them their meaning. We were young, they say. We have died; remember
us.
Yours on the journey of faith,
Pastor John A. Nelson
Worship in June
June 5th • Seventh Sunday of Easter
Services at 9 & 11:15am
Texts: Acts 1:6-14; Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35; 1 Peter
4:12-14; 5:6-11; John 17:1-11
Pastor Nelson, preaching: ―Inquiring Minds‖
Begin summer hours on 6/12: One Worship Service,
Sundays at 9AM
June 12th • Feast of Pentecost
Children’s Sunday
Texts: Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; 1 Corin-
thians 12:3b-13; John 7:37-39
Worship led by Sunday School classes, with a story
from Pastor Nelson
June 19th • Trinity Sunday
Texts: Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Psalm 8; 2 Corinthians
13:11-13; Matthew 28:16-20
Pastor John A. Nelson, preaching:
“The Dog in the Night”
Hymn sing before worship! •
Sermon talkback following worship
June 26th • Second Sunday after Pentecost
Texts: Genesis 22:1-14; Psalm 13
(or Jeremiah 28:5-9 and Ps 89:1-4, 15-18); Ro-
mans 6:12-23; Matthew 10:40-42
Pastor John A. Nelson, preaching:
“Is It Too Much to Ask?”
Tidings June 2011
2
A SPECIAL GREETING FROM THE ACTS DOCTOR OF MINISTRY IN PREACHING PROGRAM
On May 14th, Pastor Nelson received the degree of Doctor of Ministry in Preaching, from Chicago Theo-
logical Seminary. He completed a process begun more than three years ago, which many members of our
church family have generously supported, and which has brought rich benefits to all who have worked on and
witnessed the project. The following letter, from the dean of the program, sends greetings and congratulations
to everyone at NCC:
* we will — come to the festivities on June 11th!
*
Tidings June 2011
3
History Quiz & Trivia
Do you know when the first service was held on the Pennsylvania Ave site of the Niantic Community Church?
Get Ready for Worship!
Follow the ―Preparing for Sunday‖
link on our website homepage
(nianticcommunitychurch.org): you
will find the scripture readings for the
current week, a brief description to
set them in context, a reflection on passages, and a
prayer starter.
It‘s a great way to spend time with God‘s Word,
— and since those passages are (usually) the basis
for Sunday morning‘s services, you‘ll be adding a
new layer of richness and meaning to the experi-
ence of worship.
Graduation Celebration
Save the Date
The Pastor Parish Relations Committee invites all to
gather Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. to
celebrate Pastor John Nelson‘s graduation from Chi-
cago Theological Seminary with his Doctor of Min-
istry in Preaching. Graduation date is May 14, 2011,
but our local NCC celebration allows all of us to join
in this joyous occasion with John‘s family, friends
and colleagues. The celebration consists of a short
ceremony in the sanctuary followed by a picnic. We
will be giving John a gift on behalf of the congrega-
tion. Those wishing to contribute can do so by plac-
ing your donations in the offering labeled
―Graduation Donation‖. For those NCC history buffs
June 11, 2011 also marks the 50th anniversary of
NCC moving into our current building. Sounds like
another good reason for a celebration!
June
5
Embracing an Adult Faith
―Community‖
John Mahon
June
12
First Light
―The Matrix of Jesus‖
Cheri Meier
June
19
Sermon Talk-back
June
26
First Light
―The Advent of the Messiah‖
Keith Neilson
Adult Christian Education
Opportunities in June
You’re Invited!
Date: Tuesday, June 7th
Time: 6:00- 8:00 PM
Place: NCC Dining Hall
Event: Senior Recital/Coffee House- Sara
Boike (proceeds benefiting Simply
Smiles http://www.simplysmiles.org/)
Come join Sara for an evening of song and
sweets and Simply Smiles coffee!
Tidings June 2011
4
1st Annual NCC Golf Tournament
Spring is in full swing! Why not celebrate by joining NCC members and friends for some
fun on the golf course… No worries if you are not a golfer- give it a try or come just for
lunch after the golfers have finished swinging around the course! Volunteers welcome to
help with raffle tickets, raffle prizes, etc. Registration forms will be available in the NCC of-
fice, or by contacting Peg Herzberg ([email protected]), Lisa Aschenbrenner
([email protected]) or Kim Kalajainen for more information.
Where: Chanticlair Golf Course-Colchester, CT
When: Sat. June 25, 2011 @ 8AM (Shot-gun start)
Who: Anyone and everyone!
Benefit: Proceeds will be donated to NCC‘s Open, Affirming, Reconciling Committee
and the
Accessibility Fund
Format: 18-hole, 4-person scramble tournament (we can build teams for single players)
Price: $90 = 18-holes of golf with cart and lunch
$20 = lunch only
Lunch: Steak, chicken, or vegetarian entrée with sides (salad, potato, etc.)
Prizes: 1st place award; Closest to the pin; Closest to the line; and Longest drive
Tidings June 2011
5
News from the Acting Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministries
Amy Agles
Please recycle your used inkjet cartridges!
We are collecting used/empty inkjet cartridges. We receive $2.00 credit from Staples for
every cartridge we turn in (up to 20/month.) That extra $40.00 each month helps offset our
office expenses! (that saves up to $480.00 a year!) Recycled cartridges may be left in the
church office mailbox on the wall outside of the church office door at any time. If your of-
fice doesn‘t recycle, ask if you can collect the used cartridges at your office to recycle here.
The environment thanks you, and the Church Office thanks you!
Vacation Bible School is just
around the corner- July 11-15 from
9:00 AM -12:00 PM . We need Jun-
ior Helpers, too, 5th grade and up!
VBS will be led by Deb Fountain.
Registration Forms now available
on the NCC website, in the church office, and in the
narthex. Our theme this summer is "The Shake it Up
Cafe". Craft Supplies are in. Could you help run the
Craft Station? Please let Deb know.
Needed: Leaders or assistants for our Live
B.I.G. Summer One Room Sunday School. Hear,
See, and Live your Belief In God! Live B.I.G. is
based on three big truths- Think BIG because God is
a great BIG God. God loves us with a great BIG
love. We are part of God's great BIG world. Please
see Russ for details. Sign up sheet outside Christian
Ed office. This Summer Sunday School which be-
gins on June 19, will be available for children ages
4 through 4th grade during the Summer worship ser-
vice at 9:00 AM.
CHILDREN'S SUNDAY is June 12. This is the
first Sunday of our summer worship schedule with
one service at 9:00 a.m. Worship will be led by chil-
dren from pre-K through 8th Grade. Please join us
for a Spirit-led and Spirit-filled morning.
Season of the Church booklets are available now
for the Season after Pentecost, also known as
"ordinary time", in the narthex and the bookcase
across from Judy's office. "Keep the Faith" this sum-
mer with this rich at home guide. Bookmarks
are there, too, with Bible readings for each Sunday.
High School Fellowship June 5- Shelter Meal, St. James, New London. Meet
at the church at 4:30 PM to prepare the meal and des-
serts. Russ Kirby, our new DRE-YM will be joining
us. We will leave the church for St. James Shelter at
6:00 and we will return to the church at about 7:45
PM.
June 7- Senior Recital and Coffee House- Sara
Boike
YouthWorks Philadelphia Group We will have a get together in late June or early July
before our trip and possibly one more fundraiser. If
you have some ideas please forward them to
[email protected] THANKS!
Middle School Fellowship June 5- 12:30- 2:00PM. Meet at the church for some
games and then we will stroll to Dairy Queen. YUM.
Let's hope for a sunny day! Russ Kirby, our new
DRE-YM will be joining us, so we hope that you all
will be able to attend.
June 12- Children's Sunday- Thanks for your partici-
pation in the worship service. No MSF.
HAPPY SUMMER! Please remember that we would
love your help with Vacation Bible School from July
11-15. Please contact Deb Fountain for more details.
Summer Camp Brochures are available in the CE
office for Camp Wanakee, Aldersgate and Silver
Lake.
Tidings June 2011
6
Sue Robinson had her first Painting from the Source
painting chosen for exhibit. It was on exhibit during
the month of May in New London city hall as part of
a Tse Tse Gallery exhibit. Her work can also be
viewed at the Niantic Post Office and at the Fountain
Exhibition space in the Parish Life Office.
Some of our best lessons can be learned right at
home. I found that out over Memorial Day weekend
when the small vacant lot next door to my house be-
came a mini version of Rocky Neck. We moved in
this past January in the middle of winter so things
have been pretty quiet along the shore. We hadn‘t
even seen but one occasional die hard lobsterman
pulling traps in every so often. Those first months
you could see your breath outside but that didn‘t stop
him from revving up the motor on his little boat to
fetch his catch, just him and his lobsters. Aside from
that, it‘s been pretty quite.
Until this past Friday night. An SUV from out of
state pulled into the driveway abutting our property.
There is no house on that lot, just a very fancy dock
that was built last year. As I watched with curiosity I
saw more stuff come out of that SUV than I thought
possible. Bicycles, a tandem kayak, tent, fire pit,
wood, duffle bags, screened in canopy, foldable pic-
nic table complete with benches, coolers, camp stove
and god knows what else. The real feature was a tall
camp light so bright I thought it could have been
used to light up Wrigley field. There were two peo-
ple. They seemed well equipped but harmless
enough.
Now I know you‘re thinking, the girl‘s got too much
time on her hands….but we had been quite used to
our solitude. As time passed and they got their camp
set up, more cars arrived, more tents and with them,
more people. At some point there were four tents, six
vehicles, and we lost count of how many people. All
we knew was, our backyard was no longer the peace-
able kingdom we had enjoyed since our arrival in
January.
And the thing is, we didn‘t even realize how much
we treasured the quiet and the privacy until it was
taken away. In all fairness, most people do not look
at an empty lot of land and think, I hope no one
makes a campground there on holidays. Which,
we‘ve been told by other neighbors, is exactly what
they do. I can expect the gang back on Fourth of July
and Labor Day if not in between. I guess we‘ve all
got to play somewhere.
But I was amazed that I had not realized just how
much the undisturbed quiet of my backyard meant to
me, until it was gone. Lately I am hearing lots of re-
minders to cherish each moment. To live for today
and make the most of it. It‘s more than a cliché. It is
wisdom for embracing God‘s gift of life. Let us
never take it for granted.
Blessings to you,
Patty Chaffee
Community Minister
From the Community Minister
Tidings June 2011
7
History Quiz Answer
The first service was Children’s Day, June 3, 1956. It was held in the open lot we had just pur-chased for the site of our new Church. Rev. Paul Q. Brooks presented Bibles to 29 third graders. 74 children received attendance awards.
Dean Beebe Jenny Beaulieu
Cameron Collinge Shaye Deveau Zachary Deziel
Caroline Gonsalves Bradley King Brandon Moro Austin Toback
Members of the High School Fellowship
Group sell Fair Trade coffee and chocolate
Confirmation
Class
Tidings June 2011
8
Open, Affirming, Reconciling Committee Library Book Review: Families Like Mine:
Children of Gay Parents Tell It Like It Is
Review by Peter Heaney
For a week last summer, I was in upstate New York to celebrate the wedding of my god-
daughter, Rachel. Weddings are usually fun family gatherings and certainly have their
share of special meaning and drama. It seemed to me, however, as though I part of
something bigger than a wedding. As things drew to a close, and as Rachel kissed her new bride Laura, this
happy godfather felt like I had not only witnessed her wedding, but a small step socially.
In Families like Mine: Children of Gay Parents Tell It like It Is, Abigail Garner takes a look at such family
moments from a unique perspective – that of the sons of and daughters of the LGBT (Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/
Transgender) parents. She has interviewed the sons and daughters of LGBT in order to gather the back-
ground for her book for a unique purpose – to show that children are children regardless of the sexual iden-
tity of their parents. Some lead easy lives and some live complicated ones. Some have mental health issues
and some do not. Some are funny and some are better at analysis. Seems obvious right?
The difference is that the children of LGBT parents do not grow up in a vacuum. Instead our culture places
lots of expectations and biases on these children simply because of who their parents are. Children are
―pressured to be perfect‖ (p. 21). And if they are not perfect students, citizens, athletes, etc., too often the
question arises, is it because their parents are LGBT? The children of LGBT kids in our communities, as Ms.
Garner writes, ―lack the luxury to be as openly complicated, confusing, or dysfunctional as straight peo-
ple.‖ (p. 6)
Why is this so important to Niantic Community Church? Our Open, Affirming, Reconciling church family
needs to be a beacon to LGBT parents and their children in stark contradiction to what they are finding else-
where – especially in the larger Christian community. As an open church we have the freedom to pass along
the message that ―You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God‘s people and mem-
bers of God‘s household‖ (Ephesians 2:19)? Abigail Garner points out one devastating message some
churches have chosen instead: ―In 2003, the Vatican released a document opposing gay marriage which
stated ‗allowing children to be adopted by children living in such unions would actually mean doing violence
to these children‘‖. (p. 14)
Maybe someday, if I am very lucky, I will be able to attend the wedding of one of Rachel and Laura‘s chil-
dren (who will not incidentally have been subjected to ―violence‖). Maybe then, instead of any discomfort
about who will accompany that child down the aisle, the ceremony will be simply a celebration of love. No
small steps by a social movement, no something bigger than the wedding. Only then will there be no need
except historically for the very relevant and important book, Families Like Mine: Children of Gay Parents
Tell It Like It Is.
Spring Cleaning? We want your jewelry!
In an attempt to avoid a Jack Frost Bazaar all-nighter in November, we are asking that jewelry be donated
earlier in the year. So as you are spring cleaning, and you come across any jewelry you are ready to “move
along,” please label it for the Jack Frost Bazaar, and leave it in the church office. Thanks so much! Jeannette
Woodworth
Tidings June 2011
9
Niantic Community Church 170 Pennsylvania Avenue Niantic, CT 06357
(860) 739-6208
www.NianticCommunityChurch.org
Pastor & Teacher: John A. Nelson
Community Minister: Patty Chaffee
Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministries: Russ Kirby
Church Secretary: Judy Snitkin
Parish Nurse: Marie LaTourette Music Director:
Paul Althouse Children’s Center Director:
Kathy Tiller
Sunday Morning Schedule 8:45AM Nursery care begins
9:00AM Worship service I (Pre-K to 4th graders may leave after ~20
minutes for ―Divine Activity Time‖)
10 – 11AM “Between Hour” Café
10:15AM Sunday school for all ages
11:15AM Worship service II (Pre-K to 4th graders may leave after ~20
minutes for ―Divine Activity Time‖)
12:30PM Nursery care ends
Deadline for the July/Aug edition of Tidings is June 15th. Please e-mail submissions to
Begin summer hours on 6/12:
One Worship Service, Sundays at 9AM
