2015 Third Quarter Holy Adventures

HOLY ADVENTURES
The Newsletter of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Advent, Clinton, CT
THE PASTORAL EDGE
Peter Larom
One of the blessings of a small parish like Holy Advent is that
we share “face to face” relationships with those with which we
worship Sunday by Sunday. And Holy Advent has developed over
several years and with different clergy, a pastoral program.
It begins with the Cares Fund, which is there on a discretionary
basis to provide immediate assistance to Holy Advent folks
experiencing a temporary difficulty. (In some parishes this was
called the “Rector’s Discretionary Fund” but in these days such a
fund has undergone scrutiny, and requires an audit, so at least in
my case I feel that the Fund should better be in the hands of lay
leadership, with the priest or other lay leadership both
inaugurating or monitoring such help, but with privacy.)
The second arm of pastoral care, and I believe I am saying this
right, is the opening of the church daily, and in the use of the
church for baptisms, weddings, and funerals as the need arises.
Making the building and the Parish Hall available as widely as
possible is in itself a pastoral act.
Some members of the pastoral team have offered themselves for
home and hospital visiting. Thank you to them. And sometimes
this may involve bringing communion to those who are shut in. We
have at least 4 members of the parish who have offered, and have
been “licensed” by the Diocese to undertake such ministry. Of
course, all of our chalicists can bring the sacrament (the
consecrated bread and wine at the Sunday service) to those who
are homebound directly from the service.
The prayer list itself is a pastoral ministry…we remember those
who need, or who have asked for our prayers. We should include
each Sunday those who have visited the church and asked for our
prayers. They have signed the visitor’s book in the back of the
church.
In addition we have prayer shawls (which have been made by
parishioners with their prayers as well as their fingers) which are
blessed and then given to the infirm. Baby blankets too, are for the
tiny newcomers to our parish life and we have
taken seriously the need for newcomer
receptions, foyer groups and the lunch bunch,
so that our ties may be more meaningful than
just a Sunday Morning hello. The Coffee Hour
too is a pastoral attempt to keep in touch with
our beloved flock, week to week.
Here’s a picture of George and Betty Eccleston enjoying the
Hospitality coffee hour after the 10:00 service. We’re thankful for
those whose ministry is to provide us with warm and / or cold
beverages and refreshments that tempt our diets.
Our AA and Yoga are also ways that we organize deeper
fellowship by using our resources.
So in addition to the ministrations of the priest, here are a number
of ways that we minister to one another, and become a blessing
not just to one another but to those who need a joyful and
comforting word outside our circle.
THE PASTORAL EDGE Peter Larom continued on page 2
Fourth Quarter 2015
FROM THE WARDEN
Lisa D Scheffler MD
Welcome to Autumn and to all the
activities at Holy Advent that traditionally
start up in September! This year promises
to be busy, exciting and full of lots of
great opportunities, for fellowship and
mission.
We welcome back our wonderful Choir,
we welcome back Peter and Margaret
from their birthday celebration trip to Italy,
we welcome back our Sunday School
kids and their teachers and your Vestry is
shifting into “Drive” (none of us still drive a
“5-on-the-floor”)!
We will have celebrated Margaret and
Peter’s birthdays on Sunday, September
27 after the 10 o’clock service. The
Church School will resume participation in
the 10 am service on the first Sunday of
every month – don’t be surprised if your
usher is 3 feet tall! The Choir will enhance
the 10 am service with music and joy,
while they plan the next Sing-off Concert
on Sunday, November 1 and prepare for
a joyous Holiday Season.
The Vestry and Facilities Committee
are very busy completing some projects
that have been in the planning for some
time: A new roof for the Rectory –
shingles courtesy of an anonymous donor
via John Wagner; the last portion of the
ramp project with enclosure on the side to
assure an attractive view from the church
yard; the installation of stone tablets for
the Memorial Garden that will hold the
plaques with names of those interred in
the Garden; initiating work with a
historical architect to identify the
appropriate repair work and methods for
the walls, ceilings and interior arches of
the church and identifying and working
with the stained glass artisans who will
design and fabricate our new stained
glass window to be installed behind the
organ bench. All of these projects will not
only maintain, but also enhance our
church property and our worship
experience.
Look for an enriched church home for
the Christmas holidays!
Blessings to All
The Newsletter of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Advent, Clinton, CT
Page 2
Fourth Quarter 2015
THE PASTORAL EDGE Fr Larom continued from page 1
Our AA and Yoga are also ways that we organize deeper fellowship by using our resources.
So in addition to the ministrations of the priest, here are a number of ways that we minister to one another and
become a blessing not just to one another but to those who need a joyful and comforting word outside our circle
CLERKS’ VESTRY MEETING RECAP
Shelly DiAcri
.
The vestry met July 13 and voted to
adopt the Connecticut Diocese of the
Episcopal Church concerning alcohol
use at Holy Advent. They also
considered the optimum use of the lower
level of the parish hall after the food
pantry moves to First Church of
Christ. Following tradition, the vestry did
not meet in August. At its September 14
meeting, the vestry discussed Holy
Advent's 140th Anniversary year and
possible events to commemorate the
milestone. The Facilities Committee
presented a priority list of maintenance
and repair items on church property and
buildings, and the vestry voted to
approve $6,215 for roof repairs to the
rectory. Breakfasts between services
were discussed, and the Facilities
Committee volunteered to sponsor the
first on October 25, 2015.
FELLOWSHIP/HOSPITALITY
Margie Faulkner
. The summer has gone by like lightning.
It seems like only yesterday we were all
preparing for the beautiful Beach Service.
Of course with all the wonderful worker
bees it was again a happy spiritual
Service. Also a great barbeque was had by
all. Thank you to all that worked together
to make it happen.
I am blessed to have Gloria (a go to person) that works
tirelessly when functions have to be organized and set up. I find
the e-blast system works quite well. I’m still working to get
everyone’s phone numbers so I can contact you well in advance
for functions coming up in the future.
Since the last News Letter we have had a few funerals that
we were blessed to help with or to completely serve the families
who have lost their loved ones.
I continue looking forward to a year of organizing wonderful
events that get sent my way.
In closing I leave you with this thought from
1 Corinthians 10:24 “Let no one seek his own good, but that of
his neighbor.” I found these words and had to write them in.
Again, thank you to all that do help. Anyone interested in
helping out with this ministry can contact Maggie Faulkner at
[email protected]
HALOS Holy Advent Ladies of Spirit
Donna Gagné
Well, here it is FALL already!! So hard to believe the summer has gone
by, but that's how time works!! I, personally, love everything about the fall
- everything, that is, except the fact that it is the harbinger of winter. Such
is life here in Connecticut. Summer brings a slower pace, but also brings
more activity and less of a structured schedule - and we HALOS are no
exception to that! As such, our only gathering all summer was on a
beautiful evening by the beach at the home of Dee Mozzochi and good
food and good fun was had by all.
Now that we are back in the swing of things (well, almost) we have
made some progress and a plan! Recently, Barbara Zettergren and I spent a few hours in our parish hall
kitchen. We got rid of a bunch of old, broken and generally YUCKY pans and utensils and had ourselves a
lovely shopping day at Kohl's - coupons in hand, of course! The items in the picture were purchased with the
funds we raised at our Little Taste of Heaven back in June. Smart shoppers are we and we were able to
purchase sale items and get an additional 20% thanks to my coupon. We also received $50 in Kohl's cash
which I will use when it is valid to purchase some more (waiting for another $5.00 off coupon to pair with that
too!) - So, for the $350 or so that was raised by our little group, we will end up with somewhere in the area of
$530 worth of equipment! Everything has been opened, washed and stored for use in our kitchen. All the pans
we bought are non-stick, so we also made sure the cooking utensils are appropriate for use on such surfaces. We
also got a large electric griddle as well as a waffle maker - as I hear tell "Breakfast between the Services" will be
starting up again. In fact, we HALOS have been challenged by Ed Hartman to out-cook the men, as they will be
holding the first breakfast.
HALOS Continued on page 3
The Newsletter of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Advent, Clinton, CT
Page 3
HALOS Continued from page 2
We'll talk about that and see if we can meet the challenge. At this writing, we
have our first fall gathering scheduled for Monday, Sept 28th at Lorraine
Anderson's home. We are also discussing getting together for a lunch and a walk
around the grounds at Incarnation center one weekend in October.
As always, all Holy Advent women are welcome to join in on any of our
gatherings or events. We strive to be a social group, though we are spiritual
women, these are not religious gatherings but rather light, fun and self-directed.
If you would like to be on our email or call list, please let me know! You can
email me at [email protected] or call 860-669-5114. Looking forward to
our next get together!
Donna Gagné.
NOW HERE’S AN UPDATE
Barbara went through the books and totaled out what was donated and what
we'd already spent on kitchen stuff and found we had $46 left in the kitty...so
with that in mind, tonight I took the $50 in Kohl's cash earned on our first
shopping trip and my 30% off coupon back to Kohl’s and got another 5 qt
covered non-stick fry pan, a second Belgian waffle maker (two going at a time
will make a breakfast go faster) and 2 paring knives and one large santoko knife
- all of which have blade covers that sharpen the knife each time it's put in or
taken out (Farberware) - Peter specifically requested knives - so there you go. In
total that trip was $133.44 worth of stuff - for which (after discount and Kohl's
cash) I paid $41.65!!! (Barbara, I have the receipt for you) So - the money
raised went very far in purchasing some quality items and between discounts and
earnings, we saved a boatload!! Peter asked for a total - so, in total we
purchased $590.00 worth of items and we spent $356.47 - that's a total savings
of $233.55!!!!!
Very excited indeed!! Thanks to all who worked so hard to pull this off from
beginning to end. As I said from the beginning, women really can get stuff
done!!
Fourth Quarter 2015
MUSIC SERIES
UPCOMING EVENTS
Jackie Belmonte
Third Annual A Cappella
Sing-Off -- "Pitch Perfect"
concert on Sunday,
November 1 at 3:00 p.m.
Concert features UCONN's
Conn-Men, Yale's
Spizzwinks and The New
Blue, and Curtain Call, an
all-male quartet.
More information is on the
HA website.
Festival of Lessons and
Carols is Sunday, December
13 at 5:00. This holidaythemed concert features the
HA choir plus guest
instrumental and vocal
soloists.
Join us!
OBITUARY
Thomas Whitbread
March 12, 1953 – September 11, 2015
Thomas Whitbread, 62, of Clinton CT died at home on September 11 after a yearlong
battle with cancer. A loving and dedicated husband and father, Tom was born in Brooklyn
NY to Charlotte Markham and the late Edward Whitbread, Jr. He grew up in Fairfield, CT
where he attended Andrew Warde High School and Fairfield University. Tom had recently
retired from a 30 year career as Treatment Plant Supervisor at South Central Regional
Water Authority. He pursued his passion for martial arts as a master instructor at
Middlesex Tang Soo Do Academy.
He was a strong, honorable and compassionate man.
In addition to his mother, Tom is survived by his wife of 34 years, Kathleen; sons
Matthew and Samuel and Matthew's fiancée Rachel Reid; brothers Robert Whitbread and
Michael Whitbread; niece Allyson Currier, step-mother Robin Whitbread and goddaughter
Chelsea Barbour. He will also be sorely missed by his devoted dog, Chester.
A service was held on Sunday, September 27th at 5:30 pm in the Church of the Holy
Advent, 81 E. Main St, Clinton, CT.
Memorial donations may be made to Middlesex Tang Soo Do Academy FBO Tom
Whitbread Scholarship Fund, 1363 Boston Post Rd, Old Saybrook, CT 06475.
The Newsletter of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Advent, Clinton, CT
Page 4
Fourth Quarter 2015
OBITUARY
Christopher Keating
February 17, 1966 – August 21, 2015
Christopher C Keating, 49, of Clinton, CT, passed away peacefully on August
21, 2015. He leaves behind his loving wife, Deborah.
Chris is also survived by his step-daughters, Falynn Bristol and Lauren Voss, a
brother Michael Keating and sister Lisa Maruszewski (Douglas). His granddaughters, Tabitha and Jade Handgrove, nieces and nephews, Skylar, Daniel,
Samantha, Douglas and Miranda.
A Memorial Service was held Sunday August 30th at 5 pm at The Episcopal
Church of the Holy Advent, 81 E. Main St, Clinton, CT.
In lieu of flowers, donations were asked to The Holy Advent Church in Chris's
memory.
A note from Chad Hardin our former Choir Master
Chris was the most naturally loving guy I have ever known. I never heard him say a negative thing about
anybody, for anything. He was what I consider to be a real success in life. His success was the opposite of
what the world, so-called, considers success to be: which is all about money and power and fame. Chris’ was
the opposite of the Donald Trump kind of success. Chris was all about serving others, helping others, in
addition to looking after his wife and family—to the extent that, in certain ways, he never really learned to look
after himself. His humanity was silent, humble, authentically Christian.
Yet Chris was strong. He was no pushover, and the following story, which he told me himself, illustrates this.
About twenty years ago, Chris was driving along Route 1 in Old Saybrook when he spotted a fruit and
vegetable stand by the roadside. He thought it would be great to have fresh zucchini for dinner that night. So he
pulled over and walked into the farm stand.
There was one zucchini left in the bin, a beauty, over a foot long. He grabbed it by one end, yet as he picked
it up, a hand reached out and gripped the other end.
Chris turned to find himself face-to-face with an old lady who was doing her best to pull the zucchini away
from Chris. At that moment, he glanced to his side and saw a chauffeured limousine parked at the curb. He
realized in a flash that the woman he was in a tug-of-war with over that zucchini was Katherine Hepburn!
“I saw that zucchini fi-i-rst!” she crowed in that unmistakable, trembly Hepburn voice.
As Chris expressed it to me when he told me the story: “I don’t know what came over me at that moment. I
realized that I wasn’t going to give up that zucchini to anyone, I didn’t care who it was!”
So Chris held on with all his might. Finally, Kate let go, and with a scowl, trotted over to her limousine, got in
and drove off. Chris took his zucchini home in triumph, and made a delicious dinner out of it.
So as I said, Chris was no pushover. In fact, he was probably the only person who ever lived to go toe-to-toe
with Katherine Hepburn—and win!
A note from Michael John Valenti parish member
Chris Keating, rest his wonderful soul, knew I sang a little, as back up in a band that toured the east coast in
the early 70's. I feel I never had a strong singing voice and so I don't participate in singing groups anymore, but
every Sunday when the choir was recessing from the church, Chris would fist bump me on the way out. That
was Chris' message that there was room for another male voice in the choir. He wanted me there! He
religiously (pun intended) did it every Sunday to try to get me to join the choir. I told Chris "I don't have the
confidence to stay in key as much as I would like." He still gave me that fist bump every time we were both in
church.
Maybe one day I'll don the white and blue robe for him. He'll know I finally made it when he hears
the occasional sour note. Chris was a great guy and I hope he's looking down and smiling. I'll be looking up.
Fist bump back to you good friend.
The Newsletter of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Advent, Clinton, CT
Page 5
Fourth Quarter 2015
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
We’d like to acknowledge your birthday or anniversary. If you are missing from our list, please update an
information form (available in the back of the church) for us to maintain our records accurately.
Thanks from the office staff.
October Birthdays
01 John Mullane
06 Dori Baer
07 Bryan Archer
13 Marlayna Papacoda
16 Laura Bencivengo
17 Charles Bencivengo
20 Kelsey Cumming
22 Anna Bencivengo
22 Alicia Sturgess
24 Karen Stickney
27 Edie Nagy
28 John Wagner
31 Lisa Scheffler
November Birthdays
03 Diana Brennan
08 Rev. Bruce Shipman
10 Chukwuemeka Brian
Okeke
12 Kristin Bertier
15 Lorraine Anderson
15 Daniel Mahier
20 Jack Newsom
23 Jim Ambrogio
24 Diana Achee
28 Matthew Egan
December Birthdays
01 Gilbert Stannard
05 Ruby Asby
05 Sheila Ashley
06 Jason Bloom
07 Fruzsina Marsh
09 Jacob Luchuk
09 Melissa Sullivan
11 Eileen Kelly
14 Jennifer Daniels
17 Carrie Bloom
19 Tucker Moore
21 Shellane Gasparini
24 Kathy Archer
26 Tom Brennan
28 Robert DeGoursey
28 Paul Edman
Charlie Bencivengo had his
final Board of Review for Boy
Scouts and has now reached
the rank of Eagle Scout.
October Anniversaries
10/15/1960 Donald & Nancy Hubert 54
10/7/1959 Rufus & Fruzsina Marsh 55
10/24/1987 Jim & Deborah Ambrogio 27
November Anniversaries
11/11/2000 Rudy & Jacqui LeBel 14
11/13/1966 David & Glee Wahlquist 48
11/19/2010 Gabriel & Liz Keirstead 4
11/29/1969 Ronald & Lorraine Anderson 45
December Anniversaries
12/23/1960 Jack & Elsie Newsom 54
12/28/1972 Richard & Lisa Scheffler 42
Introducing Avery Ryan, born 09/22/15
granddaughter of Barbara Zettergren
Eagle Scout is the highest
achievement or rank
attainable in the Boy
Scouting program of
the Boy Scouts of America
(BSA).
Stop down at the town beach
to see his scenic path
project.
Attention social media experts – would you like to help manage the Holy Advent Facebook
page? We’re looking for one or two volunteers who will monitor the page daily and help post
updates as needed. If you’re checking your own page every day, maybe you can help us use
Facebook to reach out to the Parish and the greater community. Interested? Please contact
Dan Mahier on Facebook, or [email protected]. Thanks!
The Newsletter of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Advent, Clinton, CT
Page 6
Fourth Quarter 2015
HOLY ADVENT ARCHIVES
FACILITIES
We have no
report this
quarter, but
our space is
being kept in
place to
remind us all
of how
thankful we
are to have
so many treasures in our church home and to give
our thanks to both Margaret Larom & Jean Wiley
for continuing to work on the documenting of our
history and recording Clues about Our Past.
The facilities group met on September 8 and discussed
priorities and overall improvements. We selected a
contractor for replacement of the Rectory roof and this was
approved by the Vestry. Work shall commence in the next
few weeks. The two projects are repairs to the interior walls
and ceiling arch in the sanctuary area of church the repairs
and to the railing area on the ramp entrance to the church.
We are also considering a new floor in the kitchen and the
former pantry storage room. We are investing the use of
this space for use as the Rector’s office and meeting room.
The Facilities Committee meets about every six weeks.
Please contact me if you are interested in learning more
about the group or joining.
.
Watch for bulletins reporting times and dates
of these events in 4th quarter 2015
THANKSGIVING SERVICES,
CHRISTMAS IN CLINTON,
GIVING TREE,
CHILDRENS PAGEANT
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Bill Russell
The Newsletter of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Advent, Clinton, CT
Page 7
Fourth Quarter 2015
The shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries presented the following letter and symbolic
spoon to the Episcopal Church of the Holy Advent. The spoon is inscribed as follows;
The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries with heartfelt gratitude for freely providing
food and fellowship to all those who entered your doors The Episcopal Church of the
Holy Advent.
HOLY ADVENTURES
P.O. BOX 536
CLINTON, CT 06413
Worship with us on Sundays
at 8:00 or 10:00 A.M. All are welcome!
Parrish Office
860 669 2232
Parish Secretary:
Gloria McQueeney
[email protected]
Rector Peter Larom
914-282-2450
[email protected]
Mail: P.O. Box 536, Clinton, CT 06413-0536
Website:
www.holyadventclinton.org
Newsletter editor: [email protected]
Vestry meetings are held on the second
Monday of each month at 7 P.M. in the
Rectory. All are welcome to attend.
Wardens
Lisa Scheffler & Don Hubert
Treasurer:
Barbara Zettergren
Clerk:
Shelly DiAcri
Vestry:
Carol Dowd, Margie Faulkner, Bill Filanowski,
Ed Hartman, Dan Mahier and Bill Russell
Organist and Choir Director Jackie Belmonte
Deanery Representatives/Convention Delegate:
Martha Tolan-Wilbur, Art Wiley (alternate)
Nominating Committee:
Mary Luchuk, Dan Mahier and Bob Smith
Watch for bulletins reporting times and dates of these events for 2015
THANKSGIVING SERVICES,
CHRISTMAS IN CLINTON,
GIVING TREE,
CHILDRENS PAGEANT
CHRISTMAS SERVICES