February 2016 TIDINGS Page

From the Pastor and Teacher

Dear Friends

Lent comes early this year (Lent is one of the ldquomoveablerdquo seasons starting 46 days before Easter) Like other seasons in the church year you can think of Lent as a special invitation mdash to welcome a pattern of living that connects you more closely with the Holy Spirit

On Shrove Tuesday February 9th wersquoll have a pancake supper in the Dining Hall and then an introduction to Lent upstairs in the sanctuary

On the evening of Ash Wednesday wersquoll mark our foreheads with ashes (if you wish) share communion and remember the beginning of Jesusrsquo long sojourn in the wilderness Any one of those can be a good way of entering into the rhythms of a new holy season

Lent has often been used as a time to give up something mdash in order to experience more deeply how we depend on the sustaining power of God Therersquos no doubt that most of us have a few things to give up Here are a few ideas (from the Rev Craig Gates of Jackson MS) which might also prompt you to think of some of your own

GIVE UP grumbling Instead ldquoIn everything give thanksrdquo Constructive criticism is OK but ldquomoaning groaning and complainingrdquo are not Christian disciplines

GIVE UP 10 to 15 minutes in bed Instead use that time in prayer Bible study and personal devotion

GIVE UP looking at other peoples worst points Instead concentrate on their best points We all have faults It is a lot easier to have people overlook our shortcomings when we overlook theirs first

Continued on Page 2

Niantic Community Church 170 Pennsylvania Avenue

Niantic CT 06357 Phone (860) 739-6208

judynianticcommunitychurchorg wwwNianticCommunityChurchorg

Pastor amp Teacher

The Rev Dr John A Nelson

Community Minister Patty Chaffee

Interim Christian Education Youth Ministers

Pam McCauley Amy Agles

Music Minister Richard Schenk

Choral Minister Bell Choir Director

Lynne Floyd

Childrenrsquos amp Gospel Choirs Ministers

Lee Wilkerson Nikki Rollins

Church Secretary Judy Snitkin

Parish Nurses Marie LaTourette Donna Hathaway

Edie Watrous

Childrenrsquos Center Director Kathy Tiller

Worship Schedule Sundays at

900 am amp 1115 am

A Federated Church of the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church

An Open Affirming Reconciling Congregation

Editor Heather Larson

tidinglarsonallensbcglobalnet

Tidings

Monthly news for members amp friends from Niantic Community Church

February 2016

Inside This Issue

Pastorrsquos Messagehelliphelliphellip 1-2

Christian Educationhelliphellip 3-4

Noticeshelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip 5-6

Nurturing Faithhelliphelliphellip 7-11

Ministry Opportunities 12

Calendar helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip 13

The WCSA 2015 Christmas Party

February 2016 TIDINGS Page 2

Continued from Page 1

GIVE UP speaking unkindly Instead let your speech be generous and understanding It costs so little to say something kind and uplifting Why not check that sharp tongue at the door

GIVE UP your rancor toward anyone or anything Instead learn the discipline of love ldquoLove covers a multitude of sinsrdquo

GIVE UP your worries and anxieties Instead trust God with them Anxiety is spending emotional energy on something we can do nothing about mdash like tomorrow Live today and let Gods grace be sufficient

GIVE UP TV one evening a week Instead visit some lonely or sick person We have neighbors who are isolated by illness or age Why isolate yourself in front of the ldquotuberdquo Give someone a precious gift your time

GIVE UP buying anything but essentials for yourself Instead give the money to God The money you would spend on the luxuries could help someone meet basic needs We are called to be stewards of Gods riches not consumers

GIVE UP judging by appearances and by the standard of the world The gospel teaches us that there is only one who has the right to judge Jesus Christ mdash and that judgment is filled with life-giving mercy and forgiveness

What will you give up for Lent in order to live more lightly more lovingly and more joyfully

Godrsquos richest blessings to you

Pastor John A Nelson

Please welcome the newest members of NCC pictured below along with Elizabeth Boyle (not pictured)

Welcome New Members

George Kuenneke Mary Hallisey

Alan amp Elizabeth MacDougall with Kayda Syrah and Kevin

Daniel amp Lisa Lombardo with Evan and Jack

Worship services at 9am amp 1115am

Feb 7th Feast of the Transfiguration

Texts Exodus 3429-35 Psalm 99 2 Corinthians

312-42 Luke 928-36 (37-43)

Guest preacher the Rev Michael Joseph

American Baptist minister and

UCC missionary in Colombia

February 14th First Sunday in Lent

Texts Deuteronomy 261-11 Psalm 911-2 9-16

Romans 108b-13 Luke 41-13

Pastor John A Nelson preaching

February 21st Second Sunday in Lent

Texts Genesis 151-12 17-18 Psalm 27

Philippians 317-41 Luke 1331-35

Pastor John A Nelson preaching

February 28th Third Sunday in Lent

Texts Isaiah 551-9 Psalm 631-8 1 Corinthians

101-13 Luke 131-9

Youth Sunday Service designed and led by

NCC high school students

Worship in February

Ash Wednesday Worship February 10th 7pm

Lent begins with a special service on the evening of Ash Wednesday including the sign of ashes and the sharing of communion Please join us for a meaningful beginning of this rich season of the year

February 2016 TIDINGS Page 3

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AND YOUTH MINISTRY

Huge thanks to all of you who donated in various ways during our Advent of Caring We have taken bundles of blankets armloads of coats clothing and gloves and stockings filled with toiletries to the New London Homeless Hospitality Center diapers to Safe Futures and baskets of socks to Safe Futures and the NLHHC Your generosity is appreciated by so many SOUPer Bowl of Caring Food Drive will take place on Sunday February 7th from 830 am -1200 pm According to the Gemma Moran Food Center one in five children in Southeastern Connecticut is food insecure and a US Census Bureau study indicates that 19000 people in our region are living below the poverty level Please help the Middle School Youth collect food for the Gemma Moran Food Center in New London The Food Center helps local food pantries soup kitchens community meal sites shelters day programs and after-school programs in our area We are hoping to collect 1000 pounds of food this year and surpass last yearrsquos total Just look for us and the Gemma Moran Food Truck at NCC on the 7th The Christmas season was filled with many joyful events now we are looking to the Lenten Season February 9th we are hosting a Shrove Tuesday pancake supper to break up the cold winter months with something fun for all ages Join us at 530 for pancakes sausage and a Fat Tuesday atmosphere your donations will help fund our Junior Youth Wanakee mission trip in April The evening will end with a meditative walk through the sanctuary to prepare for our journey through Lent CUPCAKE SALE Get ready It is back The Senior High Youth are baking and will be selling cupcakes on Sunday February 21 Pre-orders are suggested Choose from Chocolate Lovers Chocolate Peanut Butter Coconut Almond Joy Plain Vanilla Lemon Filled Vanilla and since we are going to Boston on our Mission Trip BOSTON Cream Gluten Free Vanilla also available this year Cupcakes may be ordered in advance just look for our table in the Dining Hall during Coffee Hour on February 7 and 14 to pre-order or purchase on Sunday February 21 All proceeds help cover the costs of the 14 youth and 3 adults going this summer Vacation Bible School is fast approaching and we need your help The Galactic Blast theme this year will be sure to send our children to the moon and back with Gods love If you are retired a teacher with a flexible summer schedule or a college student who would like to get in some fun volunteering hours over the summer please consider joining us for VBS the week of July 11th-15th Its sure to be a cosmic Adventure Whether you can offer 3 hours of help or 30 whether you can paint well or are good at games no matter what your talent or skills there is a job for you Please email or see Pam McCauley or Kathy Liendecker if you would like to find out more about the program Amy Agles and Pam McCauley

L-R Pam McCauley Amy Agles

Christian Education Calendar

Monday February 1 Christian Ed Committee Meeting 700 pm Sunday February 7 SOUPer Bowl of Caring Sunday- 830- 1200 Food Collection for the Gemma Moran Food Center Shelter Meal Prep- 400 -600 pm Serve at New London Homeless Hospitality Center 600- 745 pm Tuesday February 9 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Lenten Meditation 530- 700 pm Wednesday February 10 Ash Wednesday Service 700 pm Sunday February 14 One Room Church School Sunday February 21 Junior Youth Fellowship- Youth Sunday Prep Senior Youth- Cupcake Sale to benefit Summer Mission Trip to Boston Sunday February 28 YOUTH SUNDAY

February 2016 TIDINGS Page 4

Youth Fellowship trip to the Labyrinth at McCooks Beach

with Joanne Moore on December 6th

The Cookie Event held on December 12th Despite the small group of bakers they had a good time and were able to deliver an abundance of cookies to the 3 Fire stations the Police station and our homebound church families A big pat on the back to Christy and John Pyatt Johnrsquos friend Wyatt and Kathy Leindecker for making it a success

Fat Tuesday pancake supper amp Shrove Tuesday worship

February 9 2016 530-700 pm

Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the ritual of shriving when the faithful confessed their sins to the local priest and received forgiveness before the Lenten season began Shrove Tuesday also marked the beginning of the 40-day Lenten fasting period when the faithful were forbidden to consume butter eggs or milk However if a family had a store of these foods they would certainly spoil by the time the fast ended on Easter Sunday What to do Add flour and make pancakes Hence the name Fat Tuesday

To honor these traditions we invite you to join us for a pancake supper Mardi Gras festivities and closing worship The Pancake Supper is offered by the Middle School Fellowship as a fundraiser for the Wanakee Mission Trip

First Confirmation Lock-In is complete On Friday January 15 from 500 pm - Saturday January 16 at noon 11 confirmands Pastor John and Amy were busy all over the church with faith discussions games Bible Bowl Knots Line Up Sardines and more Thanks to Mandy Panik Mary Childs and Alisa Bradley for keeping us well fed during our overnight

February 2016 TIDINGS Page 3

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AND YOUTH MINISTRY

Huge thanks to all of you who donated in various ways during our Advent of Caring We have taken bundles of blankets armloads of coats clothing and gloves and stockings filled with toiletries to the New London Homeless Hospitality Center diapers to Safe Futures and baskets of socks to Safe Futures and the NLHHC Your generosity is appreciated by so many SOUPer Bowl of Caring Food Drive will take place on Sunday February 7th from 830 am -1200 pm According to the Gemma Moran Food Center one in five children in Southeastern Connecticut is food insecure and a US Census Bureau study indicates that 19000 people in our region are living below the poverty level Please help the Middle School Youth collect food for the Gemma Moran Food Center in New London The Food Center helps local food pantries soup kitchens community meal sites shelters day programs and after-school programs in our area We are hoping to collect 1000 pounds of food this year and surpass last yearrsquos total Just look for us and the Gemma Moran Food Truck at NCC on the 7th The Christmas season was filled with many joyful events now we are looking to the Lenten Season February 9th we are hosting a Shrove Tuesday pancake supper to break up the cold winter months with something fun for all ages Join us at 530 for pancakes sausage and a Fat Tuesday atmosphere your donations will help fund our Junior Youth Wanakee mission trip in April The evening will end with a meditative walk through the sanctuary to prepare for our journey through Lent CUPCAKE SALE Get ready It is back The Senior High Youth are baking and will be selling cupcakes on Sunday February 21 Pre-orders are suggested Choose from Chocolate Lovers Chocolate Peanut Butter Coconut Almond Joy Plain Vanilla Lemon Filled Vanilla and since we are going to Boston on our Mission Trip BOSTON Cream Gluten Free Vanilla also available this year Cupcakes may be ordered in advance just look for our table in the Dining Hall during Coffee Hour on February 7 and 14 to pre-order or purchase on Sunday February 21 All proceeds help cover the costs of the 14 youth and 3 adults going this summer Vacation Bible School is fast approaching and we need your help The Galactic Blast theme this year will be sure to send our children to the moon and back with Gods love If you are retired a teacher with a flexible summer schedule or a college student who would like to get in some fun volunteering hours over the summer please consider joining us for VBS the week of July 11th-15th Its sure to be a cosmic Adventure Whether you can offer 3 hours of help or 30 whether you can paint well or are good at games no matter what your talent or skills there is a job for you Please email or see Pam McCauley or Kathy Liendecker if you would like to find out more about the program Amy Agles and Pam McCauley

L-R Pam McCauley Amy Agles

Christian Education Calendar

Monday February 1 Christian Ed Committee Meeting 700 pm Sunday February 7 SOUPer Bowl of Caring Sunday- 830- 1200 Food Collection for the Gemma Moran Food Center Shelter Meal Prep- 400 -600 pm Serve at New London Homeless Hospitality Center 600- 745 pm Tuesday February 9 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Lenten Meditation 530- 700 pm Wednesday February 10 Ash Wednesday Service 700 pm Sunday February 14 One Room Church School Sunday February 21 Junior Youth Fellowship- Youth Sunday Prep Senior Youth- Cupcake Sale to benefit Summer Mission Trip to Boston Sunday February 28 YOUTH SUNDAY

February 2016 TIDINGS Page 4

Youth Fellowship trip to the Labyrinth at McCooks Beach

with Joanne Moore on December 6th

The Cookie Event held on December 12th Despite the small group of bakers they had a good time and were able to deliver an abundance of cookies to the 3 Fire stations the Police station and our homebound church families A big pat on the back to Christy and John Pyatt Johnrsquos friend Wyatt and Kathy Leindecker for making it a success

Fat Tuesday pancake supper amp Shrove Tuesday worship

February 9 2016 530-700 pm

Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the ritual of shriving when the faithful confessed their sins to the local priest and received forgiveness before the Lenten season began Shrove Tuesday also marked the beginning of the 40-day Lenten fasting period when the faithful were forbidden to consume butter eggs or milk However if a family had a store of these foods they would certainly spoil by the time the fast ended on Easter Sunday What to do Add flour and make pancakes Hence the name Fat Tuesday

To honor these traditions we invite you to join us for a pancake supper Mardi Gras festivities and closing worship The Pancake Supper is offered by the Middle School Fellowship as a fundraiser for the Wanakee Mission Trip

First Confirmation Lock-In is complete On Friday January 15 from 500 pm - Saturday January 16 at noon 11 confirmands Pastor John and Amy were busy all over the church with faith discussions games Bible Bowl Knots Line Up Sardines and more Thanks to Mandy Panik Mary Childs and Alisa Bradley for keeping us well fed during our overnight

February 2016 TIDINGS Page 4

Youth Fellowship trip to the Labyrinth at McCooks Beach

with Joanne Moore on December 6th

The Cookie Event held on December 12th Despite the small group of bakers they had a good time and were able to deliver an abundance of cookies to the 3 Fire stations the Police station and our homebound church families A big pat on the back to Christy and John Pyatt Johnrsquos friend Wyatt and Kathy Leindecker for making it a success

Fat Tuesday pancake supper amp Shrove Tuesday worship

February 9 2016 530-700 pm

Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the ritual of shriving when the faithful confessed their sins to the local priest and received forgiveness before the Lenten season began Shrove Tuesday also marked the beginning of the 40-day Lenten fasting period when the faithful were forbidden to consume butter eggs or milk However if a family had a store of these foods they would certainly spoil by the time the fast ended on Easter Sunday What to do Add flour and make pancakes Hence the name Fat Tuesday

To honor these traditions we invite you to join us for a pancake supper Mardi Gras festivities and closing worship The Pancake Supper is offered by the Middle School Fellowship as a fundraiser for the Wanakee Mission Trip

First Confirmation Lock-In is complete On Friday January 15 from 500 pm - Saturday January 16 at noon 11 confirmands Pastor John and Amy were busy all over the church with faith discussions games Bible Bowl Knots Line Up Sardines and more Thanks to Mandy Panik Mary Childs and Alisa Bradley for keeping us well fed during our overnight

February 2016 TIDINGS Page 5

NCC PRAYER WALL

Visit the NCC Prayer Wall to review prayers indicate that you have prayed for the concerns and joys submitted by others and add your own prayer requests You may also send prayer requests to prayersnianticcommunitychurchorg All posts are automatically added to the ongoing prayer chain httpwwwnianticcommunitychurchorgprayers

NOTICES

HISTORY QUIZ

You may have noticed the collection of bibles and

Hymnals in the new display case in the Narthex

One of the books is a collection of Hymns by Isaac

Watts Have you ever heard of him

Magnets with the church closing information are still available in the church office and narthex Please be sure to stop by and grab one

Church Directory Update

The wait is almost overaccording to LifeTouch the church should be receiving the directories in the beginning of February Once in hand the Communications Committee will work quickly to pass them out to those who participated Thank you for your continued patience

The Communications Committee

SPEAKING OF STEWARDSHIP

The Stewardship Committee would like to thank everybody who pledged for the year 2016 Your pledges were enough to allow the Finance Committee to fully fund its proposed budget The Prudential Board has approved the budget and it will be presented at the Annual Meeting on January 31

If you havenrsquot pledged yet it is never too late

Although the Pledge Campaign is over our Stewardship continues Stay tuned as the Stewardship Committee unveils exciting new initiatives

In honor of Valentinersquos Dayherersquos a sweet video titled Finding Love httpsvimeocom65097808

11th Commandment

Thou shalt not run over the

new parking signs

Support NCC When You Shop - Simply go to smileamazoncom - its the same as the regular site with the option of choosing to support Niantic Community Church Look just under the search bar for the link to choose your charity Without any additional cost to you NCC will receive 05 of your purchase price

Do you have news of an upcoming program or fundraiser Or perhaps an announcement to share Let Tidings help spread the word

Please email your message to tidingsnianticcommunitychurchorg

February 2016 TIDINGS Page 6

Dear Niantic Community Church Patterson Dental Supply and I personally would like to thank you for your help with raising money to send goody boxes to the troops in Afghanistan We collected items to fill 95 boxes filled with miscellaneous items of comfort We sent socks amp foot powder unscented wipes full hygiene kits of toothbrush paste anti-cavity rise floss and toothbrush cover gum mints and powdered drink mix for their water word puzzle books and mechanical pencils and lip balm with sunscreen Some boxes even had cookies All boxes had a Christmas card with a thank you note in it Each box cost between 6-8 dollars for postage so it cost us well over $600 to send which we could not have done without your help and generosity They were all sent to an Army Infantry camp in Afghanistan They should have received them by now and should I hear back from them I will certainly pass on any correspondence Thank you so much for helping me with such a large task I am very proud of our efforts and you should be too

God Bless

Camille Harrington Customer Service Connecticut Branch 710 Patterson Dental Supply

Operation Love in Action

On the Saturday before Christmas the funeral of a long time member of our church was held Mrs Lamb was well loved and made great contributions to the congregation for many years We wanted to support her family with a warm reception after the service It was perfectly understandable that many of our members were travelling for the holidays or busy with arriving family members But God works even over the holidays Eva Menon a member of the Toastmaster club that meets in our dining hall regularly heard my request for kitchen help She commented that shed like to give back to our church and she showed up to help She brought a huge tray of Jewish Romanian pastries that represented her heritage and helped me to set up tables I want to share this story with you to let you know that our guests who use the church do appreciate our hospitality

Joanne Moore Parish Life Ministry Co-Chair

To Our Anonymous Donor The members of The WCSA wish to thank you for your very generous gift to our group We are considering how best to use this gift to maximize our ability not only to continue our outreach work but to increase what we are able to do and your gift will certainly go a long way to making this possible Again -- our most sincere thank you for your generosity God Bless WCSA Membership

The Red Cross has invited Niantic Community Church to partner with them to set up an emergency shelter at the East Lyme Community center during times of power outages If we accept this invitation at least 10 of us will attend a training at the church to describe how to set up the shelter Our role would be to get the place set up and then we could go home Please contact Joanne Moore if you would be able to help with this outreach 860460-0248 or joannezmooregmailcom

Interested in church membership The next considering membership Session will be held Saturday March 12 from 9-12 Call Community Minister Patty Chaffee if interested (860)739-6208

The NCC Annual Meeting held on January 31st signaled the change in Presidency from Al Larson to Carole Glenn with Bob Castronova as the new Vice President and concluded the term of service for many committee members THANK YOU to all those that served on committees last year and to all those that will serve in 2016 Every member truly is a minister

February 2016 TIDINGS Page 7

~ SAVE THE DATE ~

The Bluegrass Gospel Project will be performing at NCC on Saturday April 2 730 pm A reception will follow Please plan to support this churchwide fundraising event Stay tuned for more details as they become available If you are interested in helping with this event call Jane Barth at (860)739-6002

For a sneak peakgive a listen at httpwwwbluegrassgospelprojectcom

Thursday March 10 1000 am - 12 pm

Using therapeutic coloring we will explore creativity peacefulness and tranquility

Meditation with guided imagery and journal

writing will be part of the experience

Materials fee is $12 Class size limited to 10 people Facilitated by Carol Vara MSW Register in the church office (860)739-6208

Nurturing Faith

Niantic Community Church has been awarded a $500 grant from The Rotary Club of Niantic for the purchase of a Defibrillator Kit The grant application was submitted by Don Campbell who has long been a strong supporter of the NCC Parish Nurse Ministries and is a gifted grant writer Parish Nurse Marie LaTourette will attend the club meeting on March 2nd to accept the check and share a little about her ministry here at NCC Many thanks to Marie for her ongoing work to Don for reaching out to fund the needs of our church and the to The Rotary Club of Niantic for recognizing both

Contemplative Photography

Discovering God from behind the lens

An interactive program that requires use of a camera

and time outside of the group session Each session

will include prayer reflection and discussion as well

as sharing photos taken over previous weeks All

levels of ability are welcome to explore this creative

path to the discovery that God is at eye level A free

nurturing faith program

ldquoIt doesnrsquot matter if you donrsquot have a sophisticated

camera if you have never studied photographyhellipwhat

matters is that something intimate and precious and

sacred is being brought to life and shared with another

Thatrsquos what healing is all aboutrdquo-Jan Phillip

Facilitated by Community Minister Patty Chaffee Register in the Church office (860)739-6208

Niantic Community Church

Thursdays 7-9 pm (4 Sessions)

March 31 April 21 May 5 May 26 PARISH NURSE

NEWS

February 2016 TIDINGS Page 8

Greetings The month of love is almost upon us

We were discussing 1 Corinthians 13 during a

recent gathering Everyone knows that scripture

ldquoLove is patient Love is kindrdquo You know the one

I was asked to read it from the pulpit at my

brotherrsquos wedding so many years ago And

February is also a month of Lent which is a

season of love and sacrifice One of my favorite

quotes that I look to often is ldquoWhere there is great

love there are always miraclesrdquo

I am a believer in miracles The more we love the

more miracles we encounter What do you think of

that Is that true for you

This year during Soup amp Soul we will share in a

Lenten reflection about a love story of Brother

Lawrence whose entire purpose in life was to

grow in intimacy with his God

The program will be offered in an

interdenominational way as we share the five

week experience with St Johnrsquos Episcopal

Church We will alternate hosting the event with

St Johnrsquos and soup and bread will be served at

each gathering as we dive into the words of this

Christian classic The Practice of the Presence of

God What better way to honor the Lenten season

than with practicing the presencehellipto be truly

present to our God Wersquoll see what Br Lawrence

has to say and if it resonates with us

So herersquos what it will look likehellipAs you know

NCC is a Federated church part Methodist and

part UCC St Johnrsquos is Episcopal And the book

that will be used for discussion each week is the

work of a lay brother from a Carmelite

monastery one of many Roman Catholic

Religious orders A melting pot of religious

tradition sure to inspire thought filled discussion

Registration is requested in the church office

Books are on their way ($8) Join us Wednesday

Feb 17 through March 16 530-645 pm

Abundant blessings to you

Patty

Pattyrsquos Corner Thoughts from your Community Minister

Is Your Fiddle Out of Tune

A former pastor here at NCC the Rev Jon Almond wrote the following message that appeared many years ago in this same newsletter

ldquoA long time ago when the broadcasting industry was still new a letter was sent to the National Broadcasting Company from a prospector in the hills of Montana He wrote lsquoI am a regular listener to your programs and as a friend I want to ask you for a favor It gets lonely up here and besides my radio and my dog I have not much else for company I do have a violin that I used to play but now it is badly out of tune Would you be kind enough at seven orsquoclock next Sunday night to strike me an ldquoArdquo so I can put that fiddle back in tunersquo

ldquoSeveral of the station officials smiled at the request and were about to discard it when the manger thought better of it So the following Sunday night the network interrupted its scheduled programming to sound an lsquoArsquo and give their lsquofriendrsquo his pitch

ldquoYou and I are not much different than that prospector for our lives are always in danger of getting out of tune That is out of tune with the spirit of God and with the songs of our faith At those times we need to get the pitch again The best way I know of getting ourselves back in tune is meeting and sharing with friends of faith In such settings we can share our experiences of a loving and empowering God In such moments we begin getting ourselves in tunerdquo

That story pretty much sums up what the adult Sunday morning class is all aboutmdashgetting our pitch and staying in tune The bell ringing during Coffee Hour is the signal that itrsquos time for us to tune our faith Please plan to join us in the Fellowship Room

Submitted by Paul Helvig

NCC in the NEWS The Mystic Area Ecumenical Council presented the Neil and Pat Kluepfel Community Service Award to Mary Brodhead on January 22nd at the Noank Baptist Church

The award is presented to a member of the Mystic area who exemplifies community service with an ecumenical spirit Brodhead was chosen based on her contributions to the Mystic Area Ecumenical Council Mystic Area Shelter and Hospitality the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut and Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut

Read more at httpwwwnianticcommunitychurchorgblogindexphpmary-brodhead-to-receive-2016-maec-community-service-award

February 2016 TIDINGS Page 9

Soup amp Soul 2016

Join members and friends of St John Episcopal Church and Niantic Community Church as we

share an interdenominational Lenten reflection on

The Practice of the Presence of God

By Brother Lawrence

Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection (c 1614 ndash 12 February 1691) served as a lay brother in a Carmelite monastery in Paris Christians commonly remember him for the intimacy he expressed concerning his relationship to God as recorded in a book compiled after his death the classic Christian text The Practice of the Presence of God

Wednesdays 530-645 pm

February 17 ndash March 16 Program meets at alternating church locations for 5 weeks as follows February 17 NCC

February 24 St Johnrsquos

March 2 NCC

March 9 St Johnrsquos

March 16 NCC

A simple meal of soup amp bread will be served

Books available in both church offices $800

Let us know in advance if you require child care

Volunteers needed to bring soup amp bread and facilitate discussions

Call your church office if interested

Registration Requested by calling your church office

Niantic Community Church 170 Pennsylvania Ave Niantic (860)739-6208 wwwNianticCommunityChurchorg

St Johnrsquos Episcopal Church 400 Main Street Niantic

(860)739-2324 wwwSt JohnsNianticorg

NCC Menrsquos Spring Weekend Outing

Friday April 22-24 2016

Trip includes Saturday rafting trip on the Indian RiverHudson

Gorge with Beaver Brook Outfitters on Class III and IV

rapids wwwbeaverbrooknet Or an alternate Saturday Hike

Two nights accommodations in the Main House at

Adirondack Cabins at Mill Creek in Johnsbury NY

wwwadirondackscabinscom

Saturday evening and Sunday morning spiritual

program in Main House

Meals included but bring your own snacks

Rafting Cost $190 at registrationfirst come first

served

Hiking Cost $125 at registrationfirst come first

served

Wait list will form after first group of 15 paid registers

Deadline to register is March 1st

For more information contact Ron Deziel rdezielsbcglobalnet (860) 739-8063

Ron Johnson ronjohnson3121attnet (860) 287-0759

Craig Holch cholchearthlinknet (860) 451-8711

February 2016 TIDINGS Page 10

Donrsquot know how to knit Wersquoll teach you Donrsquot have any yarn Wersquoll provide it

Need a pattern We have em Prefer to crochet Thatrsquos okay

Bring a friend to the Fellowship Room at NCC located at 170 Pennsylvania Ave Niantic CT (860)739-6208

Save the Date and join us on the 4th Tuesday of each month for the Niantic Community Church

Prayer Shawl Ministry 2015

February 23 March 22

Use your faith to create an active successful dating process for

casual dating andor a life mate

Join Us

Wednesdays February 17 March 16 Time 6-8pm In the Parish Life Ministry office Register in the church office Itrsquos FREE ndash And all are welcome Facilitated by Carol Vara

Niantic Community Church 170 Pennsylvania Ave Niantic CT 06357

(860)739-6208

Follow us on Twitter (NianticChurch) and like us on Facebook (facebookcomNianticCommunityChurch)

Sacred Source Painting

Join us as we meander through The Artistrsquos

Way by Julia Cameron while experiencing the

process of Sacred Source Painting Awaken

your artistrsquos soul with this mini-creativity

retreat for every ability Call to see if itrsquos right

for you

February 12th March 11th

945 am - 130 pm

Bring a bag lunch

All art materials provided

$5 materials fee (if you are able)

Call Patty Chaffee (860) 739-6208

Registration is Required

Each month we have

MusicPrayerMeditation

Discussion about The Artistrsquos Way

Painting in total silence for an hour

Sharing the SSP experience

Free Your Creative Spirit

with Carol Vara

600 ndash 730 pm Wednesdays

Embrace this ancient practice of meditation to create a sense of inner peace solitude and tranquility through guided imagery and music Dress comfortably Bring towel or yoga mat or meditate in a chair Suitable for all ages amp abilities Join us in the Multipurpose Room for this free Nurturing Faith activity

(Registration not required)

(Feb 10=Canceled)

February 24 March 9 amp 23

February 2016 TIDINGS Page 11

Anything Goes hellipminimize simplify organize

How it works 1 Bring unwanted items that you

want to give away If you can carry it you can bring it Bring as much as you want

2 Bring one non-perishable food item for the NCC Food Pantry and a brown bag lunch to enjoy following the exchange

3 Each participant offers their items in turn See what others have to give away and claim all you want Any unclaimed items will be donated to charity immediately following our gathering

10 am on the 3rd Monday of each month

February 15 March 21

(Contact Community Minister Patty Chaffee with questions)

Fellowship Room Niantic Community Church 170 Pennsylvania Ave Niantic (860)739-6208

Treasures from the last gathering of Anything Goes

BOOK CLUB

The Womens Fellowship Book Club has selected Housekeeping A Novel by Marilynne Robinson as their next book

A modern classic Housekeeping is the story of Ruth and her younger sister

Lucille who grow up haphazardly first under the care of their competent grandmother then of two comically bumbling great-aunts and finally of Sylvie their eccentric and remote aunt

Please join in a fun discussion on March 6th at 7 pm Any questions contact Carol Donovan at carod3000aolcom

History Quiz Answer

Isaac Watts was born in 1674 and lived in England

dying in 1748 At a young age he began writing verse

and then hymns He wrote over 600 hymns including

Joy to the World O God Our Help in Ages Past and

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Look him up and

learn about his amazing life

700-800 pm

February 26st March TBD

A free nurturing faith opportunity facilitated by Kate Brodaski

Bring a drum if you have one All are welcome and

no experience or drum needed

Call the church office (860) 739-6208 to confirm dates or visit the church calendar at

wwwNianticCommunityChurchorg

Join us amp bring a friend

Upcoming COFFEE HOUR hosts are February 7 14 21 28 ndash Outreach March 6 13 20 27 ndash Music amp Worship Arts

February 2016 TIDINGS Page 12

Ministry Opportunities

Can you help

Kitchen Keeper needed to maintain

the little kitchen off the Fellowship Room

Bulletin Board Ministry helps keep

people informed amp updated in style

Community Drum Circle host is

needed once a month to unlock church set

up for program and sometimes stay

through til about 815 No particular skill

needed just a desire to be involved You

can be a part of the drum circle or just the

host its up to you Program meets the 4th

Friday of each month from 7-8 with

occasional changes due to holidays If this

sounds like a 1-2 hour offering per month

that you can make contact Patty Chaffee

at PattyNianticCommunityChurchorg or

call the church office at (860)739-6208 I

look forward to hearing from you

Deadline for the next edition of Tidings is

February 15th Please e-mail submissions to tidingsnianticcommunitychurchorg

Calling All Techies

Are you knowledgeable or enthusiastic about technology

Niantic Community Church could use your help An ad hoc committee is being formed to develop a proposal for the creation of a technology committee for next year If you are interested in joining this ad hoc committee please contact Emily Mills at 978-758-7082 or Emilymills4gmailcom

Everyone can make the world a little bit better Do something unexpected for someone else - itrsquoll brighten your day as well as theirs

Special thanks to Ernie and Betsy West who have taken on

the ministry of delivering sanctuary flowers each week (when they are available) Previously when the sponsoring individual doesnt take them home the altar flowers would sit on the rail outside the church office and wither away But now Ernie and Betsy check in with the church to see if the flowers are available and receive the name of someone we think might enjoy them that week Recipients of the flower arrangements sometimes call the church to express their gratitude and we hear about how that delivery just made their day often a pick me up that came at just the right time Those beautiful flowers are being admired and appreciated during worship and then again in someones home Who would have thought this simple ministry could be so meaningful

Have you found your niche

February 2016 TIDINGS Page 11

Anything Goes hellipminimize simplify organize

How it works 1 Bring unwanted items that you

want to give away If you can carry it you can bring it Bring as much as you want

2 Bring one non-perishable food item for the NCC Food Pantry and a brown bag lunch to enjoy following the exchange

3 Each participant offers their items in turn See what others have to give away and claim all you want Any unclaimed items will be donated to charity immediately following our gathering

10 am on the 3rd Monday of each month

February 15 March 21

(Contact Community Minister Patty Chaffee with questions)

Fellowship Room Niantic Community Church 170 Pennsylvania Ave Niantic (860)739-6208

Treasures from the last gathering of Anything Goes

BOOK CLUB

The Womens Fellowship Book Club has selected Housekeeping A Novel by Marilynne Robinson as their next book

A modern classic Housekeeping is the story of Ruth and her younger sister

Lucille who grow up haphazardly first under the care of their competent grandmother then of two comically bumbling great-aunts and finally of Sylvie their eccentric and remote aunt

Please join in a fun discussion on March 6th at 7 pm Any questions contact Carol Donovan at carod3000aolcom

History Quiz Answer

Isaac Watts was born in 1674 and lived in England

dying in 1748 At a young age he began writing verse

and then hymns He wrote over 600 hymns including

Joy to the World O God Our Help in Ages Past and

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Look him up and

learn about his amazing life

700-800 pm

February 26st March TBD

A free nurturing faith opportunity facilitated by Kate Brodaski

Bring a drum if you have one All are welcome and

no experience or drum needed

Call the church office (860) 739-6208 to confirm dates or visit the church calendar at

wwwNianticCommunityChurchorg

Join us amp bring a friend

Upcoming COFFEE HOUR hosts are February 7 14 21 28 ndash Outreach March 6 13 20 27 ndash Music amp Worship Arts

February 2016 TIDINGS Page 12

Ministry Opportunities

Can you help

Kitchen Keeper needed to maintain

the little kitchen off the Fellowship Room

Bulletin Board Ministry helps keep

people informed amp updated in style

Community Drum Circle host is

needed once a month to unlock church set

up for program and sometimes stay

through til about 815 No particular skill

needed just a desire to be involved You

can be a part of the drum circle or just the

host its up to you Program meets the 4th

Friday of each month from 7-8 with

occasional changes due to holidays If this

sounds like a 1-2 hour offering per month

that you can make contact Patty Chaffee

at PattyNianticCommunityChurchorg or

call the church office at (860)739-6208 I

look forward to hearing from you

Deadline for the next edition of Tidings is

February 15th Please e-mail submissions to tidingsnianticcommunitychurchorg

Calling All Techies

Are you knowledgeable or enthusiastic about technology

Niantic Community Church could use your help An ad hoc committee is being formed to develop a proposal for the creation of a technology committee for next year If you are interested in joining this ad hoc committee please contact Emily Mills at 978-758-7082 or Emilymills4gmailcom

Everyone can make the world a little bit better Do something unexpected for someone else - itrsquoll brighten your day as well as theirs

Special thanks to Ernie and Betsy West who have taken on

the ministry of delivering sanctuary flowers each week (when they are available) Previously when the sponsoring individual doesnt take them home the altar flowers would sit on the rail outside the church office and wither away But now Ernie and Betsy check in with the church to see if the flowers are available and receive the name of someone we think might enjoy them that week Recipients of the flower arrangements sometimes call the church to express their gratitude and we hear about how that delivery just made their day often a pick me up that came at just the right time Those beautiful flowers are being admired and appreciated during worship and then again in someones home Who would have thought this simple ministry could be so meaningful

Have you found your niche

February 2016 TIDINGS Page 12

Ministry Opportunities

Can you help

Kitchen Keeper needed to maintain

the little kitchen off the Fellowship Room

Bulletin Board Ministry helps keep

people informed amp updated in style

Community Drum Circle host is

needed once a month to unlock church set

up for program and sometimes stay

through til about 815 No particular skill

needed just a desire to be involved You

can be a part of the drum circle or just the

host its up to you Program meets the 4th

Friday of each month from 7-8 with

occasional changes due to holidays If this

sounds like a 1-2 hour offering per month

that you can make contact Patty Chaffee

at PattyNianticCommunityChurchorg or

call the church office at (860)739-6208 I

look forward to hearing from you

Deadline for the next edition of Tidings is

February 15th Please e-mail submissions to tidingsnianticcommunitychurchorg

Calling All Techies

Are you knowledgeable or enthusiastic about technology

Niantic Community Church could use your help An ad hoc committee is being formed to develop a proposal for the creation of a technology committee for next year If you are interested in joining this ad hoc committee please contact Emily Mills at 978-758-7082 or Emilymills4gmailcom

Everyone can make the world a little bit better Do something unexpected for someone else - itrsquoll brighten your day as well as theirs

Special thanks to Ernie and Betsy West who have taken on

the ministry of delivering sanctuary flowers each week (when they are available) Previously when the sponsoring individual doesnt take them home the altar flowers would sit on the rail outside the church office and wither away But now Ernie and Betsy check in with the church to see if the flowers are available and receive the name of someone we think might enjoy them that week Recipients of the flower arrangements sometimes call the church to express their gratitude and we hear about how that delivery just made their day often a pick me up that came at just the right time Those beautiful flowers are being admired and appreciated during worship and then again in someones home Who would have thought this simple ministry could be so meaningful

Have you found your niche

February 2016 TIDINGS Page 13

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