NBC Anchor - Noank Baptist Church

September, 2013
The NBC Anchor
Page 1
NBC Anchor
Newsletter of the Noank Baptist Church, Noank CT
860.536.7129
www.noankbaptistchurch.org
SEPTEMBER 2013
HOMECOMING SUNDAY
September 8
The Fall Program and Sunday School Begins!
The summer is over! The schools are open and life returns to “normal” in Noank. Our
Sunday School program begins on September 8. We have an exciting year planned with crafts, music and activities designed to fill your child’s life with the love of God.
Morning worship for all ages begins at 10:00 am, with the children and youth breaking midway through for Sunday School. Join your friends and bring along new ones to be a part of our
beloved community in Christ!
Jazz Sunday
September 15
On Sunday, September 15, our sanctuary will be filled with the upbeat sounds of
Dixieland Jazz at the 10:00 am worship service. Mark McCormick and friends
from the area are back to lift our spirits with toe-tapping sounds! Invite your
family and friends to this special annual event.
Anniversary Recognition for
Jim and Nancy Pratt
Sunday, September 29
Fifty years ago, The Rev. James Pratt came to be the Pastor of Noank
Baptist Church fresh out of seminary! Jim and Nancy moved into the
parsonage and began a tenure that would span his entire professional
career until retirement. As we all know, much was accomplished, including the founding of the Noank Baptist Group Homes, Mystic River
Homes, Church Street House, Mystic Area Ecumenical Council Choir Festival, among other highlights of his remarkable career. The Pratts will be with us on September 29, when Jim will preach
and we will have a special reception in the vestry following worship. All are welcome to come and
honor the Pratts once again for their years here in Noank.
September, 2013
The NBC Anchor
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Twenty years ago, Noank Baptist purchased the Scroggins house and property
adjacent to the church parking lot to launch yet another innovative ministry to address human need. The ministry became known as the “Church Street House,”
which provided shelter for families impacted by HIV/AIDS who were unable to secure housing elsewhere due to public fear about the condition. At the time, HIV/
AIDS was still widely viewed as a “vice-based virus,” capable of infecting anyone who
had physical contact with sufferers which, of course, was more myth than reality.
The afflicted often felt discrimination, even from those who should have known better. Frequently, they were marginalized in society and avoided like a plague.
Church Street House, however, was a rare example of a church addressing this human
need with empathy and in a serviceable way. Across the religious spectrum, moral scorn was
common—AIDS viewed as God’s “punishment” for condemnable sinners. Then, there was the
fear factor—those who, out of personal safety, disliked the idea of an “infected person” living
near them. Evident or not, Noank Baptist was taking on an enormous challenge, not only in
terms of providing housing to an at-risk population, but also with a potential loss of support
from upset neighbors in the village and from the wider religious community.
The experience for the church was nothing short of positive. During all the hard work and
investment of fixing up the property, the church, Alliance for Living, and TVCCA found suitable
residents. Michelle Diggs (Jarvis) and her family came to Noank and made it their home.
Michelle and her children, particularly Felicia, Vera, and Neariah, became a part of the church
family, which was a remarkable source of support until Michelle’s death three years later. The
Jarvis children then remained a part of Noank by joining the Reas family, who have mentored
them into young adulthood.
The Church Street House ministry continued through the turn of the century with the arrival of Dorothy Lynn Hamlin, who has been our resident over the past decade. Though the experience has been somewhat different in terms of her association with the church family, it has
continued to be a positive and important relationship. In many respects, our relationship with
Lynn has been friendly as simply landlord and tenant—our neighbor on Church St. Over the
summer, Lynn has had changes to her own health and living situation, requiring a move to
Groton Regency, where she will make her residence. With the departure of the Hamlin family,
we will begin to evaluate the use of the property as the ministry for which it was purchased will
come to a close.
A task force will be formed to lead us in the assessment of what Church Street House will
become. Ideas will be welcome, though it is important to note that state and federal regulations,
as well as potential sources of funding, have to be considered before a decision is made. The inspiration and courage of volunteers that propelled wonderful startup ministries of the past (e.g.,
Mystic River Homes, Noank Baptist Group Homes, Church Street House, etc.) are not enough to
make things happen today; the regulatory and legal standards are much more demanding for
human services and non-profits. Therefore, it may take a while for us to figure out how we will
move forward with the use of this property.
Nevertheless, as in the past, we will seek God’s guidance in how we can make a difference
in people’s lives, particularly those in need or those underserved. It may result in a new ministry, or a partnership with an existing one. That will be clear to us in time. In the meantime, we
will continue to be the same courageous church, serving with the same heart of love and mercy
that has been the legacy of this small village church with a grand vision for ministry. May we
continue to express a similar spirit that has generated all the remarkable ministries of the past.
September, 2013
The NBC Anchor
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News from around the Church Family
Our prayers and thoughts are with those who over the summer have had
surgery, been in the hospital, received treatment, in rehabilitative care, or
are recuperating at home: Jan Page, Tiffany Ott, Henrietta Spader,
Elizabeth Colson, Alicia Crossman, Sue Jennerwein, Dick & Joan
Latham, Betty Guhl, Robert Starzec, Andrew Hadden, Hansina Wright, Rudy
Piatkowski, Gloria Marshall, Arlene Stamm, Nancy Treadway, Dianna & Cecil
Miller, George O’Brien, Sandy Crouch, Gary Reas, and Dorothy Lynn Hamlin.
We also pray for Roger, Carl & Bonnie Banks’ seven-year-old grandson, who was
diagnosed with leukemia and has been in and out of the hospital.
Our condolences are extended to the family of Joseph Hanzel, who passed
away on July 10. Joe and Libby were longtime members of NBC. Libby continues
to reside in Florida.
Our prayers also continue for First Baptist Church of Essex, whose pastor,
Rev. Greg Hamby, died suddenly in late July while on vacation at Myrtle Beach, SC.
Greg was remembered as a colleague, pastor, friend and father at a memorial gathering in New London. Our prayers continue to be with his wife, Nancy, and children.
The church bells have been ringing! Weddings at the church over the summer
include: Abigail & Jaime Hudson III (June 8); Michelle Archambeau & Steven Pagella
(July 13); Mikayla Butters & Tyler Sleeter (July 26); Geri-lin Adams & Gary Calve
(August 17); and Martha Foss & Kevin Barry (August 24). Pastor Hayes will officiate
at the ceremony for Katherine French & Taylor Lynn (September 1). Vera Neuman’s son, Robin, will marry Rebecca Goldblatt on September 28 at NBC!
Congratulations to Frank & Lori Lewis, who became grandparents upon the
birth of Joseph Michael to Dan & Christine Lewis on July 9. Pictures abound!
As the fall approaches, we say farewell to Dianna & Cecil Miller, who will be
moving out to Kansas City to live nearer family. We wish them all of God’s blessings
upon them! The same holds true for the Ott family—Tim, Tiffany, William, &
Kylie—who will be leaving the area in later August, as Tim completes his service in
the Navy. Tiffany served as one of the teachers for the Nursery School over the last
few years. We will miss them all!
Please remember our homebound and those in rehab/nursing care: Dorothy
Lynn Hamlin (Regency), Rudy Piatkowski (Pendleton), Joyce Hunter (Mystic
Healthcare and Rehabilitation), Donald Steel (Regency), Millie Jensen (Fairview),
Cindy Booth (Sunny Lodge, New London), and Jan Page (Regency).
Chair-ity begins at Home!
We did it! With the help of many, we raised the funds needed to save our
seats! The new pew cushions are being made. And we have enough le over
to recover the chancel chairs! Thank you to all who contributed. We really appreciate all the support. K&J Upholstery should complete their work this fall.
September, 2013
The NBC Anchor
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August Council News
The Noank Baptist Church Council met on Wednesday, August 7 after
taking the month of July off. Thirteen members were present; five
were absent.
Minutes were approved and the church calendar was updated.
Ministry reports were presented. Work on the physical plant continues and groups are gearing up
for the beginning of the church year in September. The One Great Hour of Sharing offering that
was received in June generated $1,287. The Tag Sale held in July raised $4,241. Three thousand
dollars of the Tag Sale monies goes to the regular budget (budgeted amount); the remainder will go
towards a very successful pew cushion fund raiser. Betsey Goetsch shared that the baptistery curtain, as well as the pew cushions, needs to be replaced. A motion was made to have the Flower
Committee decide on fireproof fabric for the curtain by September 30th. There are funds remaining from the anticipated cost of the cushions to cover this cost. After much discussion, the
Council voted not to include Tag Sale income in the church’s next budget. This passed with two
abstentions. This year the weather was particularly hot and humid. This task has become an awful
lot of work for very few people. The Finance Ministry has locked in on heating oil for the
upcoming season.
Vacation Bible School was a big success with 50 children participating. A good time was had by all.
Paul shared that Sue Robinson had done a beautiful and outstanding job.
There were discussions regarding the use of Church Street House. The committee (Paul, Betsey,
Vince and Ed) met briefly after the Council meeting. Work continues on the by-laws with the goal
of presenting them at the Fall business meeting and approving them at the Annual meeting in
January.
The next Council meeting will be Wednesday, September 4th at 7 p.m. in the chapel. All are
welcome.
Respectfully Submitted
Bettie Proctor for Bonnie Banks
Another Successful
Summer Tag Sale
Thank you to all who contributed to make July’s sale a success.
We raised $4,241, of which $3000 will go to the general budget
and the remainder to the pew cushion campaign. The workers
did a fantas+c job in organizing and se.ng up. A HUGE THANK
YOU to all who helped, and to all who purchased!
September, 2013
The NBC Anchor
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Children and Family Ministries
Vacation Bible School
Our Vacation Bible School Everywhere Fun Fair was a huge success with 50
children enjoying the festivities. Children from the church and the community
made new friends and reunited with kids they hadn’t seen since last summer.
The sanctuary was transformed into a world fair theme complete with a Big Ben
clock, a Zimbabwe hut, Japanese tea houses, Mexican sombreros, and an ocean
view of Australia! The pulpit became a ticket booth and the lectern a five foot
box of popcorn! We had a special bird-friend puppet named Godwin Merrifeather
who taught the kids to “Love God with your whole heart and love your neighbor
as yourself.” Everyone had a great time!
This year we were reminded that God has a wonderful sense of humor! Our traditional Friday
Evening celebration had some unplanned excitement! Just before the program started a runaway
balloon accidentally set off the fire alarm which gave the children an opportunity to practice
being good cooperating neighbors as everyone filed out of the building for an unexpected fire
drill!
Lighthouse Cove and Church School 20132013-2014
Lighthouse Cove will resume on September 8. Homecoming Sunday is always exciting, seeing old friend and making some new friends too. We will begin worship as usual and then dismiss the children to the Vestry for some singing and fun before they go to their appropriate
age level Sunday school class. However, the nursery/pre-school room is available at the beginning of worship. Registration forms will be available that day or can be downloaded on the
church website for your convenience. http://www.noankbaptistchurch.org/ It is important
that we have updated registration forms each year.
We have a staff of dedicated volunteer Sunday school teachers ready to show your children
God’s amazing love for us and teach the stories of Jesus as they begin their journey of growing in faith and what it means to be part of a Christian community.
Nursery /Pre-school (downstairs): Dorothy Reas, Sue Robinson, & Volunteers
Primary Grades (downstairs): Marge Murdock & Mary Beth Blacker
Older Elementary (downstairs): Shannon Weigle & Charlie Anderson
Youth (upstairs): Tim Bates & Gary Reas
If you have any questions, ideas for our church programs, concerns, or just want to talk about
family life please feel free to give Sue a call at 860-536-7129.
September, 2013
The NBC Anchor
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VBS 2013 -- An Everywhere Fun Fair
September, 2013
The NBC Anchor
What a
blessing to
have back
road
access to
Bluff
Point!
Co-Op & College Grad
Kelsey joined
us for lunch!
A cooler
ocean was
refreshing
Ice
SCREAM the end to a
perfect day!
Zoooom Crew
Each thought the
other side of the glass
was FUNNY
Page 7
CoCo-Op Youth News of Poquonnock Bridge & Noank Baptist Churches
Bike to Bluff Point A
joyful small group
of us gathered along
the beach - swam,
nibbled lunch &
then hopped over
to DQ for ICE
SCREEEEAM!
THE First Baptist
Church & Roger Williams Zoo We
ZOOmed to see
fuzzy-n-cute animals
fly & climb as well as massive
& leathery animals being
washed! Together we jumped
into a WIND machine that
swirled over 90+mph! Pretty
cool on a HOT day! Our picnic lunch was restful & yummy
prior to ZOOOming to THE
FBC of USA. Beautiful, big
with a long colorful history
This is what 110 mph WIND looks like!
We loved this
cute guy! Does
anyone remember his name?
Seal(ed) with a SMILE!
Whole new meaning to BAG lunch!
September, 2013
The NBC Anchor
8
as explained by our Page
docent!
Noank FD Car Wash! While NBC
held a Tag Sale, we students
washed cars at the Noank Fire
House! Thank NFD for your hospitality! Thank You Ladies for sending
over yummy hot dogs! It was HOT
but our SPIRITS stayed cool!
Early Morning Service at NBC and Second Hour at PBBC we shared with so
many from each church (!!!) our
IMMERSE experiences; BC (Univ.
Baptist Church is where we slept
while being as tourists), DC
We all took turns on the HUGE pul(location of our ABC-USA national
The FIRST first Baptist
convention!!!), PA
A HUGE interior with a Waterford Crystal chandelier!
(where we
found
(restful
sleep)
sleep at a
Heifer Intern’tl farm,
(farm supper)
per Amish,
& (a cappella song)
song
MennonListening to the FBC doites!! As inspired by
the IMMERSE National Conventions, we created a Prayer Path for both churches to enjoy. In between services
we shared a bitter sweet breakfast at Carson’s - as Perry
& Lauren are now off to college!
What’s Next??? Fri Sept 13 Beach Bash 55-8pm at A
kick off to this school year, let’s gather at the beach to play
volley ball, badminton, hang out in the hot tub, share a meal,
good conversation and a maybe a campfire!?! Bring a friend,
your bathing suit, something for the grill & a side dish to
share!
Wed Sept 25 is 50 Questions at PBBC 33-5pm Join us
to talk about our new school year, what we hear in “the
Thank you for your support! We miss you already Perry & Lau- news”, or simply to chat and snack a little. Kristen
will pick up Fitch HS, West Side & Cutler Middle
schools as needed!
Looking Waaaay Ahead!!!
Fri Nov 1 Overnight (5:30pm Fri. until Sat.
Join Us - Won’t You?
Jo
s.
C
on
ra
dS
hip
’s
P
lan
12:30pm) at Mystic Seaport on the floating vessel… The Joseph Conrad! Invite
a friend & double the FUN!!! Let’s
enjoy a yummy supper togethReminiscing & looking forward
er, then sail over (haha) to
the Mystic Seaport for an overnight of crafts, stories, & sleeping below
deck! In the morning we will rise to breakfast in the galley, prior to
scampering about the Seaport - then off to Clyde’s Cider Mill to
taste a bit of steam driven history!
September, 2013
The NBC Anchor
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The Bible Study Group will not be mee+ng in September, but will resume their regular morning mee+ngs on Wednesday, October 2 @
10:00 am and each Wednesday thereaer at 10:00 am in the Richards Room at the Mys+c River Homes Congregate with Mary Brodhead as leader. This is a great opportunity to share faith and encouragement with one another with plenty of opportuni+es to raise ques+ons and to be inspired as we read God’s word together under the facilita+on of Mary Brodhead. All members of the NBC congrega+on are welcome—this Bible Study Group is not only
for people at the Congregate, but for everyone!!
Adult Choir
The Adult Choir will begin on Thursday, September 5 @ 7:30 pm in the Choir
Room. New members are welcome and veteran members are encouraged to return. Linda Lozis, our organist, is the director and accompanist. Contact Linda
@ 860-460-0995 if you are interested in joining this year.
Youth Choir
The Youth Choir will begin on Thursday, September 5 @ 6:30 pm in the Youth
Choir Room. We hope to see new faces this year. We will have new ideas, new
friends, new music and perhaps some surprises. If you are a student in grades from
3 to 12 and like to sing, we are looking forward to seeing you. Our choir rehearsals
are each Thursday and we sing in church each Sunday. Scott Weaver is our director.
Calling All Veteran and New Ringers!
If you are interested in joining the Handbell Choir, please contact Linda Lozis
@ 860-460-0995. She is looking for past members of this group, as well as beginners. This is for youth and adults alike. The date and time of rehearsals will
soon be announced.
September, 2013
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NBC Day Nursery School
Teachers Tina Ellis and Vera Neuman are preparing for the 2013-2014
school year. We are very excited to greet our retuning and new students to
our program. At this time we have ten children enrolled— six boys and four
girls. Others are welcome! If you know of anyone looking for a preschool
program for a three or four year old child, please have them call the church
office at 860-536-7129.
Our first day of class this year will be on Wednesday, September 11 at 9:00 am. Parent
Orientation will be held on Tuesday, September 10 at 7:00 pm in the nursery school classrooms. It is important that all parents attend this meeting to learn about several new policies
that go into effect this school year. We look forward to an excellent opportunity working with
our families this year. We are so very thankful that our program in still able to offer young children the opportunity to learn through play, encouragement, and love, as set forth when Noank
Baptist Church Day Nursery School was established over fifty years ago.
May God continue to bless this Church and all its outreach programs!"
The Day Nursery School Staff
Miss Vera and Miss Tina
We’ve been busy on property issues this summer. Dorothy Lynn Hamlin and her family are in the midst of moving out of the Church Street
House, which will be painted sometime later in the fall or spring.
There is still at least one leak on the east side of the meetinghouse,
which can only be detected when there is a strong East wind and rain.
There are on-going repair projects on two south windows and the exterior
door to the trash room. The parsonage bathroom shower/tub has been
completed, and new refrigerator plus electric stove installed.
The Property managers are considering projects for next year and later, including parsonage
bathroom floor covering, meetinghouse exterior railing repairs, painting some of the exterior, and
replacing the 3-burner furnace.
Property Ministries Coordinators
Ed Johnson & Vince Spunar
Thanks to all who provided jars, cucumbers, dill, etc. They are much appreciated! Even though we are into Fall, don't forget to think about fruits, vegetables, that can be turned into preserved goodies and also any type of herb and
flowers that can be dried and made into arrangements for the Holiday Bazaar
Herb Table! Contact Jane Templeton (860-691-2004) with any donations or
ideas!
Harvest with a Heart
Some of our church gardeners have donated their excess produce to either the Groton Food
Locker or the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center as part of the “Harvest Now” campaign of the
Mys+c Area Ecumenical Council. With gardeners from a number of churches par+cipa+ng,
many of the clients have received farm-fresh vegetables to help with their daily diet. Thanks
to all who helped out!
September, 2013
The NBC Anchor
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Building for Faith Week
“Build on the Rock” September 17-22
Please join Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Connec+cut in celebra+ng Building on
Faith Week. HFHSECT would like to invite clergy and all members of our faith community to
par+cipate in any of the events below:
First, we have three days of construc+on and then we end our Building on Faith ac+vi+es
celebra+ng a house kickoff event and par+cipa+ng in a Day of Prayer.
Our efforts will go into recrui+ng 3-5 volunteer from each congrega+on. Training will be
waived, but an important aspect will be to encourage all volunteers to arrive by 8:30 am to get
the instruc+ons for the day. In the event a volunteer cannot stay for a full shi, it is beHer to
arrive on +me and plan to leave early, telling the construc+on supervisor. To sign up as a volunteer, go to www.habitatect.org then choose the volunteer up link in the top right of the
page. You can follow the direc+ons from there. You can also e-mail [email protected] for further informa+on.
The customary Day of Pray for Habitat for Humanity will be Sunday, September 22.
Build Days
Tuesday
Sept. 17—111 Flanders Road, East Lyme—8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Thursday
Sept. 19—111 Flanders Road, East Lyme—8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Saturday
Sept. 21—111 Flanders Road, East Lyme—8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Montville Home Kickoff Celebra.on and Prayer Service
Sunday
Sept. 22—111 Flanders Road, East Lyme—12:30 to 4:30 pm
World Mission Offering
Our annual mission offering
for international ministries
will be received on
Sunday, October 6.
This offering will benefit both the International Ministries of American Baptist Churches
and the Bridges of Hope Offering for the Alliance of Baptists. Our church is a part of, and
supports, both of these organizations. We divide the proceeds from the offering between the two
mission agencies. Envelopes for this offering will be attached to the October newsletter.
Today, through International Ministries (IM), the Holy Spirit continues to work in and
through missionaries, churches and people like you to bring God’s blessing to all the families of the
earth. When you minister to an IM missionary in prayer...when you
fund a global project...when you assist a missionary as a volunteer...when
you learn at a Word Mission Conference...when you serve alongside an
international partner—you are serving as hands and feet of Jesus in mission!
The Bridges of Hope Offering goes to support the Alliance
ministries, particularly the global partnerships. The ministry partners are
located in Mexico (Chiapas!), El Salvador, Brazil, Cuba, Palestine, Morocco, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Republic of Georgia, Ghana, and throughout
the U.S. and Canada.
September, 2013
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World Mission Conference
September 27-28, 2013
Immanuel Missionary Bap.st Church, New Haven
The theme of this year’s World Mission Conference is ‘”Begin
Where You Are, Go Where You Can,” based on John 20:21.
Join Pastor Hayes in exploring new mission and ministry opportuni+es, regionally and
globally, with American Bap+st leaders and interna+onal missionaries. This major conference
will bring hundreds together to do God’s good work in and through our churches.
The conference will begin Friday with registra+on at 5:00 pm, followed by gathering
music and worship with Rev. Glynis LaBarre. Saturday will begin at 8:30 am with gathering
music, Bible study and workshops during the day and will end will a banquet dinner at 5:00 pm
with speaker, Rev. Lauran Bethell. For addi+onal informa+on and registra+on, go to
www.abcconn.org. Registra+on forms are also available in the church office.
Cultivating Compassion
The Mystic Area Ecumenical Council (MAEC) will be featuring two films during the month of
September and an on-going dialogue about conflict in Palestine and Israel. MAEC’s intention is to
educate ourselves so that we can have a more informed understanding of a major political conflict
that impacts us as citizens and as Christians. Suggested reading will be made available at all events.
All are welcome.
Sunday, September 8, 2013 @ 7:00 pm
Union Baptist Church, Mystic
“The Gatekeepers”
The Gatekeepers is a 2012 documentary film by director Dror Moreh that tells
the story of Israeli Shin Bet from the perspective of fix former heads of Israel’s internal security service. For the first time ever, six former heads of the
Shin Bet, Israel’s secret service agency, agree to share their insights and reflect
publicly on their actions and decisions. Intimately interviewed, they shed light
on the controversy surrounding the Occupation in the aftermath of the Six
Day War.
******************
Sunday, September 29, 2013 @ 7:00 pm
First United Methodist Church, Mystic
“The Gospel of John and the Jews:
A Half-Century of Rethinking”
Harold Attridge, Professor of New Testament at Yale Divinity School, will update us about the
sometimes deeply divided perspectives regarding the Jews and the Gospel of John. Charged with
being one of the sources of Christian anti-Semitism, the Gospel of John is the most “Jewish” of
gospels in its use of the symbols from the life of Israel to describe the significance of Jesus, while
showing us some of the most hostile passages toward “the Jews” in the entire New Testament.
Join us for an enlightening discussion on John and “the Jews”.
September, 2013
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The Connecticut Forum will present Being Gay on Saturday, October 5 at 8pm
at The Bushnell Theater in Hartford.
Featured speakers will be tennis great Martina Navratilova, the first active athlete to
come out, Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal
church, Dan Savage, author of Savage Love and moderated by Jonathan Capehart,.
This live, no-holds-barred and thoughtful conversation will focus on the real life
triumphs and continuing struggles of being gay.
Tickets for the Forum are available to members of the Open Hearts GLBT ministry
of St. Patrick/St. Anthony at a special discount – balcony seats are $25, mezzanine
seats are $45 and orchestra and front mezzanine are $60 (normally $36, $56 and $71
respectively). Visit www.ctforum.org/forum/being gay to get additional information
and call 860.509.0909 to purchase tickets at a discount (mention the code “Open
Hearts” when ordering).
The Association of
Welcoming & Affirming
Baptists
Coming of Age:
A Living Jubilee
October 11-14, 2013
Providence, RI
Join us for a grand celebration of our 20 years of being the Association of Welcoming &
Affirming Baptists and 40 years of the movement for inclusion of sexual and gender minorities
within Baptist traditions!
October 11 - Clergy and Seminarian's Retreat
Leaders: Cody Sanders & Sandi John
October 11 - Opening Worship
Speaker: Leslie Malachi
October 12 - Saturday Night Worship
Speaker: Jay Bakker
October 13 - Sunday Night Banquet
Celebrating 40 years of our W&A Movement
October 14 - Closing Worship
Preacher: Randle "Rick" Mixon
For more information and registration go to
www.awab20.org
September, 2013
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AN ALLIANCE OF BAPTISTS CONFERENCE
WAGING PEACE IN PALESTINE
AND ISRAEL
•
Calvary Bap.st Church - Washington, DC
•
November 8, 2013 - November 10, 2013
This community gathering will inform and inspire us to work for jus+ce in Pales+ne and Israel. This
work will benefit both Pales+nians and Israelis who are impacted by the effects of the occupa+on.
The driving force of this gathering is that all of God's children must be treated with jus+ce and human dignity - regardless of their na+onality or religion.
We will learn about the Kairos Pales+ne document, which is
the plea from Pales+nian Chris+ans for support to Chris+ans
from around the world. We will also learn about building a biblical founda+on for doing jus+ce, myths of the conflict, impediments to peace. We will be introduced to programs and resources that are available to us and our churches for this much
needed work.
We will be inspired by the story and work of Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, who will be
our keynote speaker and par+cipate in other sessions. He is the longest mission partner with the Alliance. He is pastor of the Christmas Lutheran Church
in Bethlehem and President of the Bright Stars Program, among so many other accomplishments.
The gathering will include displays of artwork and embroidery of Pales+nians. Minidocumentaries will be available for people
to see. Pales+nian oral histories of their
experiences during Nakba will also be on
display.
Calvary Bap+st Church in Washington, DC will host this gathering. It will begin with an evening
worship service on November 8th. Saturday, November 9th will include all the presenta+ons, panels, and displays. Sunday, November 10th, Rev. Raheb will deliver the sermon at Calvary's worship
service.
September, 2013
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NEWS FROM MYSTIC RIVER HOMES
We all know what sort of summer it’s been in Noank this year. It
seems that even our residents who can normally reminisce about
“the summer of …..” have found it difficult to come up with a
comparison for 2013. Instead, they’ve enjoyed the air conditioning
in the public areas of the Congregate and the cottages’ Community
Room and relished the circulating air provided by the recently installed ceiling fans in the dining room. Yesterday, when I stopped
by the Congregate, I found a gentleman resident, Ray Pelland, in his
favorite spot on a rocker in the shade by the front porch. Ray has lived the 2nd longest of all present residents at the Congregate – almost 14 years. Coincidentally, I found Ruth Slonski who has
lived at the Congregate the longest of all our residents in the lobby catching up on the latest from
The Day, as she does almost every morning. Ruth and her husband Allen moved into the Congregate in January 1994, soon after it opened. Allen is now being well taken care of at Mystic Rehabilitation Center.
We are lucky, at both facilities, that our staff are willing to multitask. Not only do they perform
their regular “official” roles, but they also turn their talents to special events for our residents. On
August 20 Wendy Hayes and Lynn Mischke provided “A Lazy Summer Picnic” for cottage
residents on the outdoor patio and in the Community Room. Earlier in the season they produced a
lunch time barbecue with all the fixings. In June, Laura Castagna, at the Congregate, with the
assistance of some newer residents, instituted a monthly Resident Breakfast in the Activity Room
with French toast, bacon, juice and, of course, the excellent MRH coffee. July’s breakfast featured
Huevos Rancheros, the traditional Mexican egg dish (with level of spice adjusted to taste!). The
August one is scheduled for the 27th – menu not yet announced.
Two cottage residents have been recognized recently in the area Arts community. For the month
of July, Steve Brit had a show of his art work in the Meeting Room at the Groton Public Library.
His strong, dramatic style generated much discussion and was well received by all who viewed it.
On July 29 four poets presented a Poetry Event. The four poets, Joanie DiMarino, Elaine, Charles
Chase and Rey Cruz showed four very different styles which were intently listened to by residents,
family, staff and three Board members. Refreshments were provided and the whole event
coordinated by Rey Cruz, assisted by Wendy Hayes. From discussions at the time, and later, it
seems that there are quite a number of aspiring poets at the cottages and it is hoped that this can
become the first of other similar gatherings.
Exercise and general wellness is an ongoing service for all our residents. A new weekly low impact
stretching and balance exercise class conducted by Erin Roberts, a certified Physical Therapist, is
receiving rave reviews from residents. The monthly yoga class continues as well. Our residents
continue their wonderful generosity with donations to Groton Human Services. Resident Joan
Winchester delivered three boxes of food, together with $75 in cash from the poker group in July.
A final amusing story—apparently turkeys have “adopted” the Congregate and have been seen and
heard tapping on the glass with their beaks in an attempt to reach the “other” turkey reflected in
the glass! Fortunately, we have unbreakable glass!
Judith Hesp
Board Secretary
September, 2013
The NBC Anchor
Page 16
Our Shoreline Community Association
P. O. Box 287
West Mystic, CT 06388-0287
(860) 271-1681 [email protected]
Gadgets for Grandparents!
The Board of OSCA is considering an ini+a+ve to help OSCA members become more comfortable with computers and their applica+ons. This ini+a+ve is intended to help OSCA members
communicate beHer with each other and with families and friends – crea+ng a virtual community of members and their extended families. It would also help the members with any research they want to undertake, any documents or photographs they wish to store, and engagement in social networking, if they wish to be a part of such networks.
Before undertaking this ini+a+ve, the Board is asking members to complete a survey to determine the level of interest and what is needed.
If the survey discloses a need for financial assistance in purchasing a computer or accessing
training sessions, the Board may use the collec+ve responses as a basis for seeking a grant to
assist members. To the extent possible, the Board will try to take advantage of publiclyoffered training programs.
For informa.on about OSCA, please contact Stephanie Panagos at (860) 271-1681 or
[email protected]. OSCA provides services to seniors but also offers a variety of social opportuni+es for seniors living along the Mys+c-Noank shoreline
Our Shoreline Community Association:
Creating a community dedicated to helping members connect to people,
activities, and services that enable them to stay in their homes, enjoy their
community, and find answers to the challenges that aging can bring.
On the Path of the Good Samaritan ...
Dear Friends at Noank Baptist Church,
Thank you most sincerely for your two recent donations ($300.00 and $800.00) to the MAEC Care
& Share fund. Bob Land and I have been able to pay our August bills for the food and gas vouchers and
plan to provide assistance again in September. We will be making a report to the member churches at
the September Mystic Area Ecumenical Council meeting.
Again, in closing, thank you for your continuing support,
Neil Kluepfel, Co-coordinator for Care & Share