The Anchor

“Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been

promised.  We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”                                                                                                                                                      Hebrews 6:12; 19               

April, 2006   Vol. 46  Issue 4

Mystic Congregational Church

Gathered on January 20, 1852

From the Senior Pastor

   The month of April will usher us through one more week of Lent before we join in with the triumphal shouts of ‘Hosanna’ in the streets of Jerusalem. Who would not want to drop everything on that day and push their way into the crowds, to catch a glimpse of the king of kings, this humble, gentle, wise teacher, who seems so strangely undeterred by the powers that be?

That day we’ll join with anyone who was ever awed by his authority; by the boldness of his words that seem so true and yet seem to turn all that we hold true about this world upside down . That day we tell each other about the way he freed people from the captivity of their illness, the way he broke the chains of their isolation, the way he lifted the shadows of their perceived insignificance.

And yet, there will be a week of shadows before we come to know the dawn of light. We will learn of Jesus’ betrayal, and then of his own loneliness and fear. We will witness his arrest, join Peter in the courtyard during his trial, and later stand in the crowds once more, silent this time, watching him carry the cross.

Are we ever “ready,” either for the cross or for what follows? I don’t think so. And yet we are called to follow Christ along the stations of this journey, and to bring with us the world as we know it: the loneliness of fear, the pain of death, the hope for healing, for life, for peace.

We will walk together through the week, only to then, at dawn on Sunday, break the silence of night with our “Alleluia.” It will be murmurs and whispers at first, then bolder and bolder shouts and songs, shouts of life and songs of praise, as we gradually roll away the stone and find not death but life everlasting, the life of the Risen Christ, which is our life as well.

May God bless you!

Pastor Thomas

From the Interim Associate Pastor

My favorite Easter text is found in Luke's Gospel, the 24^th chapter beginning at verse 13.  It's the account of Cleopas and his unnamed companion hurrying toward Emmaus as the first day of the week drew to a close.  They were sad and confused by the events of the weekend, trying to make sense of it all when the Jesus himself drew near to them.  They didn't recognize him and journeyed on describing all that was now history and sharing their sadness.  Later on, as they broke bread together the text says, "Their eyes were opened and they recognized him".  What fascinates me most about the story comes right after that.  Jesus disappears from their sight and they say; "Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road"? 

This is a story that reminds us to take the nudging of the Spirit seriously, to pay attention to what I like to call "holy heartburn".  God uses all kinds of ways to get our attention and, often times, we are so busy that we just keep right on going, ignoring the nudge that holds possibility for new insight, new challenge, new life.  When is the last time your heart burned within you and it had nothing to do with what you ate?  Paying attention to God is the discipline (a form of the word disciple) of a lifetime.  Through studying Scripture, worship, prayer and other spiritual disciplines, we tune our hearts to hear the whispers of God in new ways.  And God is always full of surprises.

For Cleopas and his unnamed companion, their holy heartburn led to an encounter with the risen Christ.  The same is possible for us.  As people of the Resurrection who believe that Christ is raised from the dead and that he lives and moves in us through the Spirit, each person, each encounter is an opportunity to meet the risen Christ.  

In the practice of Yoga, each session ends with "namaste", the teacher saying it to the students and the students to the teacher.  Roughly translated it means "the holy in me greets the holy in you".  I think of Easter in a similar way.  The Christ in me greets the Christ in you.  On those days when the Christ light burns dimly in my being, I am encouraged by the ones whose Christ light burns bright.  In those times when I cannot readily see the Christ light in others, the promise of the Resurrection is that it is indeed there and seeking it with my heart can keep me from hurtful actions. 

Easter blessings to you.  May you have a wonder-filled case of holy heartburn.

Pastor Pat                               

HOLY WEEK WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Maundy Thursday, April 13^th, 7:00 p.m.

Good Friday, April 14^th, 7:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday, April 16^th

6:00 a.m. Sunrise Service (Memorial Garden)

9:00 a.m.

11:00 a.m.

From the Moderator: 

April is filled with the joys of Easter ... and I send earnest wishes to each of you as you celebrate this joyous season in the life of our church ....

However, there is some "business of the church" that must be addressed, and that is the need for ALL committees, special groups, ad-hoc consortiums to submit to the church office BY APRIL 30 your annual report.  I know that there are some groups who do not usually participate in the Council meetings and therefore do not receive Stacey's good minutes.  For example: Flowers, Child Study/Story Hour, Korean Partnership,  Faith In the Future Campaign, etc.

Whatever you have accomplished or tried to accomplish in the past year must be documented for distribution before our annual meeting.  I understand that last year, of the 29 reports expected, 14 were submitted AFTER THE DEADLINE.  Do you realize how difficult this is for Leni, who must eventually page and re-page the final document that we receive?  Is this fair to her?  I do believe that we all can be better stewards of whatever our mission may be.  Please ... submit your annual reports by—or even before—April 30.

Our Annual Meeting is scheduled for May 21 following the 10 a.m. service. I do hope that you will plan to attend this meeting....we are a congregation...and we are supposed to meet, discuss, and vote on issues at such a meeting....How can we do so if you do not attend and participate?

Faithfully,

Kay Janney

Book of Life

Entered Into Eternal Rest:  Leslie Bryant Anderson, on February 18, 2006.

                     Philip C. Greene, on March 10, 2006.

Story Hour Readers 

Elaine Sloan and Betty Guadliana are the new co-chairs of the Story Hour Reading Project.  Story Hour is on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 at the Norwich Family Shelter. 

Readers for the month of April are Jane Morison, Felicia Mahoney, Natalie Billing, Jody Capen, Frances Moppett, Connie Blair, Ruth Webster, and Elaine Sloan.  For more information or to volunteer, please contact Elaine at xxx-xxxx or Betty at xxx-xxxx.

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS

The Women’s Fellowship of Mystic Congregational Church has donated $12,000 to nonprofit organizations.  The disbursements are proceeds from their annual holiday bazaar and range from $250 to $3,000.  The recipients include:  the Groton Food Locker, Lighthouse VEC, Literacy Volunteers, Madonna Place, M.A.S.H., Operation Fuel, Pawcatuck Food Locker, Sharing, Inc., Sunshine Soup Kitchen, Thames River Family TVCCA Shelter, W.A.R.M., and the Women’s Center of Southeastern CT. Church-related contributions include:  Church World Service, the CT Conference, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Korean Partnership, Silver Lake, and the church’s general fund.

Creative Women in Our Midst:  Women’s Fellowship program, Tues., April 11, at 9:15 a.m. at StoneRidge Meeting Room on the lower level).  Invite friends and neighbors for this remarkable display of talents and a chance to hear some of the artists’ creative processes.

BARNES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The Barnes Memorial Scholarship Fund is now receiving applications for the 2006-2007 academic year.  It is a one-time grant to children and grandchildren of our church members.  These scholarships are offered to worthy students of high scholastic ability and character, and are for college and graduate school students.  Students may apply in any and all years of their education programs.  Please submit an application to the Trustees before April 30, 2006.

Applications may be picked up or received from the church office or by calling Julie Hartman at xxx-xxxx.  The scholarships are funded from a portion of the interest in the Barnes Memorial Library Fund, and the Scholarship Committee is under the auspices of the Board of Trustees. The total amount to be awarded is yet to be determined.

GOD IS STILL SINGING

is a concert at Park Church in Norwich on Sunday, April 30, at 4:00 p.m. presented by musicians from churches in the New London Association. We are sending our bell choir, men's quartet, and flutist Ashley Crawford playing with New London harpist Allyn Donath.

Enthusiasm is building in the eleven churches participating. Now is the time to circle the date so that YOU can enjoy it, too. With a look to the future of our churches through scholarship aid to ministerial students in the association, a $10 donation is suggested. Checks can be made out to New London Association Education Fund.

FRANK “HUCK” HOLBY

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on May 6^th, 2006, Saturday, at the Noank Baptist Church in Noank.  Everyone is welcome.  Sue Garrison and her family thank you all for your kind and loving expressions of condolence. 

ANNUAL GOOD FRIDAY PILGRIMAGE

on April 14, will follow the familiar route of 20 kilometers through Mystic and Old Mystic.  Starting time is 7 to 9 a.m. at the Parish Hall and returning by 3 p.m.  Walkers may be picked up at any time and transported back to the church so the length of your walk is optional.

SHARING, INC. receives 75% of the income to serve black communities in Alabama and Mississippi, personally identified and distributed by the director, Kay Doherty.  In this way, we are helping a group of people that society overlooks. The remainder is distributed to food agencies.  Pledge sheets are on the Mission bulletin board.  We usually have about 8 walkers.  This is the year to expand so please think about joining in.

Talk to Dick Wilson, Bob Haberman, Ashley Fuller or Gladys Reynard for information.   Marion Ferry is the M.A.E.C. Coordinator.  We walk on Good Friday in remembrance of Jesus' walk with a cross that day.

ECO-JUSTICE NOTES

by Walter Grant

I attended a workshop for Eco-Justice (an interfaith environment group) on March 15 at Hartford Seminary.  I met people of many different faiths including Jewish, UCC, Unitarian and Episcopalian, among others.  I came away with ideas and books on how we can make the earth more environment-friendly in our homes, in our church, in our state, and in our nation.

Global warming is not a fairy tale or some story based upon poor data.  Global warming is real!  Every other country with governments that understand scientists has stated that global warming is here.

I’d like to start a chapter of Eco-Justice at this church.  If anyone else is interested in a chapter of finding out what we can do, please call me at xxx-xxxx.

Chief Seattle said, “We did not inherit the earth from our forefathers.  We borrowed it from our children and grandchildren.”  During the coffee hour, is there any one of us who can look one of our children in the eyes and say, “Here’s the earth that I borrowed from you”?   I know that I couldn’t.

THE ANNUAL TAG SALE

As you fulfill your New Year’s resolutions to clean out clothing and other items that you have loved but have not used recently, please set them aside for the Annual Tag Sale, April 21^st and 22^nd.  Traditional categories include:

· children’s clothing, games, small furniture & vehicles                  

· men’s jackets, trousers & shirts                                                      

· women’s coats, suits, dresses, blouses, skirts, shoes & purses       

· jewelry for women & men                                                              

· small appliances in working condition                   

·         books and records

·         holiday decorations

·         dishware, vases, glassware, and china treasures

·         cookware, garden tools

·         linens, special buttons, yard goods, curtains, bedspreads, towels and rugs

·         paintings, mirrors, and small shelves

While we will not be able to store these until days before the event, please do your sorting now.  Questions?  Call Margot Greener (xxx-xxxx) or Betsy Van Winkle (xxx-xxxx).

BAZAAR RAW MATERIALS NEEDED

If you have special buttons or excelsior/paper scriggles that can be used for baskets, please contact Kathleen O’Beirne (xxx-xxxx).