Thameside Thinking

May & June 2016 The Magazine of Christ Episcopal Church Norwich, Connecticut

From the Rector Dear Friends,

My friend, Alexandra Wright, is Senior Rabbi at the

Liberal Jewish Synagogue in St John’s Wood, London.

Her family moved to England during the 19th Century

from Germany. She also had extensive family in

Lithuania. She once described to me how she had stood

looking over a Lithuanian wood knowing that many of

her relatives were buried there; knowing too that not a

single one had survived the holocaust.

In the years following World War Two, many British

Jews were afraid that what had happened in Germany

could happen in Britain also. They merged into British

society and did little to attract attention to themselves

as Jews: attending the synagogue on high and holy days

and on the Sabbath, but not standing out at work or

socially.

Alex’s decision to become a Rabbi , however, meant

that her family could no longer dwell in the background.

They would always be Rabbi Wright’s parents, brother,

sister or nephew. Perhaps they are now less reticent as

the holocaust becomes more a part of history, and less

the personal memories of those who survived it.

I have known Alex for over 40 years. We have shared

our experience of being religious leaders. I have

attended her synagogue and she has been to my

churches, and we have studied the scriptures together.

We live and work in very different faith communities.

We know God in different ways, but I have seen that

the faith of each of us is as real as the other’s.

My prayer is that all people may see and respect

difference; and realise that the holocaust has affected

people in ways we do not always understand: I

remember a meeting of the Council of Christians and

Jews. We were discussing the book, “Hitler’s Willing

Executioners”. A Christian minister suddenly declared,

that, as a child in the blitz, he had been in the same

danger as Jews in Germany and nazi-occupied countries.

He could not see that all of Britain’s anti-aircraft

defences, the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy and the

English Channel had defended him. The SS could not

walk into his home, and take him to a concentration

camp and his death.

May God preserve us too from apathy: In her book, “On

Being Jewish”, Rabbi Julia Neuberger points out that

Germany was one of the most civilised of European

countries: the land that produced Bach, Beethoven,

Brahms and Mendelssohn; that celebrated Leibnitz,

Kant, Nietsche and Wittgenstein. If the holocaust could

happen in Germany, she wrote, it could happen

anywhere, to anyone.

May I conclude with a quotation from the 18th century

Irish philosopher and politician, Edmund Burke: “All that

is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do

nothing”.

With all best wishes, Hugh James hughjames1784@att.net

(Based on a talk to be given by Hugh at Yom Ha’Shoah,

Holocaust Commemoration 2016 at Beth Jacob

Synagogue in Norwich, CT on Sunday May 1st)

Young activist, raised locally, thinks globally and finds her place at Christ Episcopal Church by Janet Koch Jourdan Johnson might look like a kid to some of us, but she is quite the adult - with two degrees in social work and a history of gutsy ecumenicalism. Jourdan, 28, is also a warrior for saving the Earth from the ravages of fossil fuels - and a quiet campaigner for LGBT issues. She also has an admirable Greater Norwich pedigree. Her mother, Judy, is a Glenney - daughter of Dr. Christopher Glenney and now a obstetrical nurse at Backus Hospital. Judy Glenney, raised as a Lee Memorial Methodist, was studying at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury (she also attended St. Paul's Bible College

in Minnesota) when friends introduced her to a Midwestern fundamentalist Baptist named Mark Johnson. Their courtship continued while he attended a seminary in Grand Rapids, Mich. - which is where Jourdan was born after they married. The Johnsons ended up returning to Connecticut, where they joined the Groton Bible Chapel. Jourdan describes her childhood church as non-denominational and "Quakerish" - with no pastor. (She is the oldest of four Johnson offspring - Josh is two years younger, Micah four years younger and Jenny seven years Jourdan's junior.) Jourdan herself majored in social work and Spanish at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, graduating in 2010. Then she earned a master's degree in social work at the University of Puerto Rico. Right now she lives with her folks in the Gales Ferry section of Ledyard, and works for the Russell Mercer Senior Center in Hebron, conducting home visits and counseling, and at the Waterford Country School on Clinic Drive in Norwich, where her specialty is "intensive family preservation" - she helps people keep their kids. She likes her challenging work - "I'm pretty chill with it" - because there is a lot of room for creativity, she says. Jourdan is an activist at heart - a spiritual fire ignited by a Mennonite friend, Kelly, in Puerto Rico. But upon her return to Connecticut it occurred to Jourdan that she didn't know anybody else who was really an activist. She tried quite a few different churches while striving to pay off student loans, but most of the congregants were older and very conservative, struggling to "work through the Scriptures" in the 21st century. Jourdan says she realized she was "not feeling it." "Let me try that one Episcopal church in Norwich," she thought, remembering the sign, "We Are An Open And Inclusive Church." She recalls that on her first visit Louise Lillpopp sat with her, guiding her through the service, which seemed quite unfamiliar. Then Father Hugh James' wife, Susan, sat with her through another service. Jourdan mentioned her quest for activism and discovered that Susan had been an anti-GMO activist when the

Do you know of some sure-fire quick-turn-around fund-raising ideas? Our Jourdan Johnson is a candidate for the Episcopal Church's Young Adult Service Corps, and when she receives her global assignment soon she'll need to raise $10,000 as her share of her year-long mission. She certainly qualifies. "Applicants must have a high degree of maturity and possess a faith commitment, the willingness to be a humble guest, and the ability to be an authentic companion. The Young Adult Service Corps brings young adults into the life of the worldwide Anglican Communion and into the daily work of a local community. At the same time, it brings the gifts and resources of the church into the lives of young adults as they explore their own faith journeys." Find out more at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/young-adult-service-corps. Jourdan's e-mail address is beijos88@gmail.com

Jameses lived in Wales. They talked about Greenpeace and the bond was forged. Jourdan's been ours ever since and is a founding member of the Social Action Group that meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Back to that illustrious family of hers. Her dad is a therapist at the veterans' center in Norwich and a chaplain in the National Guard Reserves, among other local ministering duties. Brother Josh is a doctor. Brother Micah works in social services. Sister Jenny is a homemaker who studied as a medical secretary. They're all dealing in different ways with Jourdan's decision to "come out" last December - Jenny is OK with it and Judy is "having a hard time," but it's clear this is a close loving family. Next challenge - Jourdan has applied to serve for a year in the Episcopal Church's Young Adult Service Corps - and as soon as she receives confirmation of her assignment somewhere in the world, she must start some intensive fund-raising for her contribution. There's no question that this hardworking woman will excel at this mission, too - and Christ Episcopal Church will be the richer for it.

Craft Group The craft group meets in the pine room on Monday nights at 7:00pm. All are invited to join us for fun and companionship. Bring your ideas along with you. We are always looking for new fun things to do. Hope to see you there.

Christ Episcopal Church Food Pantry

New Hours 11:00am to 12:15 Schedule for March & April: May 6 Closed June 3 Closed May 13 Open June 10 Open May 20 Open June 17 Open May 27 Open June 24 Open

Church Lift The lift at Christ Church is still out of action. It needs some more extensive repairs than we had expected. We are waiting for the company that maintain it to give us a quotation, and we apologise for the inconvenience to all those who rely on it. Thank you too to those people who are helping with rides from the Sanctuary to the Pine Room during this period.

Come & Hear about Jourdan’s Experience On Sunday May 1st Jourdan will be talking about the Young Adult Service Corps during the sermons at both services. There will be an opportunity then and on the following Sunday for members of the congregation to maek a financial contribution to support her fundraising for the YASC program.

ALL ARE INVITED TO OUR

LADIES TEA & PURSE RAFFLE

CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 78 Washington Street, Norwich, CT

TICKETS $6.00 PAYABLE AT THE DOOR

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED RSVP TO CHURCH OFFICE

AT 860-887-4249 TO RESERVE SEATS

Fundraiser for Christ Episcopal Church Food Pantry

Downtown Mic @ CEC : Spring 2015 Downtown Mic at CEC is an Open Mic for local musicians hosted at Christ Episcopal Church in Norwich, CT on the 4th Saturday of most months.

No Downtown Mic in May June 25

Come join us for a musician-friendly open Mic where people are there to listen to you perform. Donations of food or cash welcome to help support our food pantry for the local Norwich Community. Burgers, Dogs and Soda available Doors open at 6:45. Hope to see you then.

Congratulations Congratulations to Dr Larry and Elaine Coletti on receiving the Backus Heritage Award for their support of Backus Hospital. They are shown here receiving the award on April 1st, at the 5th Annual Backus Bennies, held at the East Region System Support Office in Norwich. The “Hospitell” newsletter describes the Coletti family as “synonymous with Backus for two generations”.

You can download a Pledge Form on our website

http://cecnorwichct.org/walk-for-music-2016.html

Episcopal Clergy Exchange In October we held the first of our clergy exchanges. The next will be on Sunday May 22nd. Hugh will be going to St David’s, Gales Ferry at 8am, and to Grace Church in Yantic for their 9:30am service. Ron Kolanowski from St James, Poquetanuck will be at Christ Church for both of our services. The following table shows how the pattern will run over the rest of the year.

Service Times

October 2105

January 17 2016

March 13 2016

May 22 2016

July/August still to be decided

October 25

2016

Christ Church Norwich

8:00 10:00

Ron Rachel 8:00 Rachel 10:00 Peter

Ron Rachel

8:00 Rachel 10:00 Peter

Grace Yantic 9:30 Hugh Ron Rachel Hugh Ron Rachel

St David’s Gales Ferry

8:00 10:15

8.00 Hugh 10.15 Peter

Hugh Ron 8.00 Hugh

10.15 Peter

Hugh Ron

St James Poquetanuck

8:00 10:00

Rachel 8:00 Ron

10:00 Peter Hugh Rachel

8:00 Ron 10:00 Peter

Hugh

The Clergy involved are: Rev Ron Kolanowski (St James, Poquetanuck); Rev Rachel Thomas (St David’s, Gales Ferry); Fr Peter d’Alesandre (Grace, Yantic); and Rev Hugh James (Christ Church, Norwich).

On Sundays May 29, and June 5 and 12, our services will be taken by the Rev’d Joan Phelps.

May 2016 Sunday Schedule Date: May 1 May 8 May 15 May 22 May 29

8:00 am

Acolyte David Anderson Rose Anderson Ron Crouch Irene Landis Kayla Mills

Lector Ron Crouch Dale Eichholz Joan Good Ron Crouch Dale Eichholz

Euch.Min. Chuck K. Norris Peter Sepowitz Ron Crouch Peter Sepowitz Chuck K. Norris

Coffee Hour Gloria Luth Andersons Sepowitz Dale Eichholz Dale Eichholz

Gloria Luth

10:00 am

Ushers Judy Huntley

Christine Murtha Mary E. Lang

Rozanne Sobieski Terri Nash

David Norman Judy Huntley Mary E. Lang

Christine Murtha Terri Nash

Crucifer Will Schramm Stu Cosby Rozanne Sobieski Will Schramm Stephen Kimball

Torchbearers Meghan Gallivan

Server Will Schramm Stu Cosby Rozanne Sobieski Will Schramm Stephen Kimball

Eucharistic Ministers

Dawn Erardy Stu Cosby

Steve Kimball Alice Harding

Stu Cosby Dawn Erardy

Sarah Vertefeuille Stephen Kimball

Alice Harding Judy Huntley

Lectors Eilleen Akers

Valerie Matters Cathy Cosby

Stu Cosby Betty Hinsch

David Norman Patty Russell Ruth Stanley

Eilleen Akers Janet Koch

Intercessor Judy Huntley Patty Russell Eilleen Akers Judy Huntley Rose Lillpopp

Altar Guild

Dot Briggs Valerie Matters

Alice Harding Janet Koch

Pam Jaxheimer Judy Huntley

Debbie Kimball Dawn Erardy

Pam Jaxheimer Judy Huntley

Carol Sepowitz Cathy Molocko Alvina Williams Elaine Coletti

Counters Debbie Baltzell Jay Deming (DI)

Lisa Carr Judy Huntley (DI)

Cal Edgar Jay Deming (DI)

Bruce Jaxheimer Dawn Erardy (DI)

Stephen Kimball Will Schramm (DI)

Coffee Hour Debbie Baltzell Terri Nash Janet Koch Christine Murtha Sarah Vertefeuille

Electrical Work We recently received a Maintenance and Repair Grant of $10,000, from the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, towards electrical system upgrades. We have to match this with $10,000 from our own funds, but the cost of the whole project will be about $32,000 when completed. At the end of 2014 GNCB Engineering conducted an assessment of our roof. Other systems were examined at the same time, revealing the serious state of our electrical system. “The electrical power distribution is old, not in good condition and in some cases not safe.” The report recommended that we urgently replace the service entrance, then the main distribution panels, followed by the subpanels and branch circuits. We consider that this repair work is essential in order to preserve this historic building from the risk of fire. Prime Electric of Norwich provided the most competitive estimate to replace and update the main electrical service with new breaker-protected equipment where the supply enters the church behind the old organ loft, replace an electrical panel in the basement below the narthex, and replace old panels in the “lair” next to the pine room. The first part of this, in the organ loft, was completed at the end of 2015 and the rest is being completed now. Organ loft electrics after update

Organ Loft electrics before replacement

Bare cables inside cupboards in organ loft (now removed)

The Narthex

Recently part of the ceiling in the main entrance to the church collapsed. This led us to advance our plans for renewing this part of the church, which had not been high on our agenda. But it is important as the Narthex is the first impression that most of our visitors get when they come into the church. And, let’s be honest, it looked tired and weary. So the ceiling has been replaced. Insulation has been installed, where previously there had been none. New, and more, light fittings are in place. The walls are being sanded down and repainted and electrical outlets installed. A “new look” is being prepared by Sarah Vertefeuille. A chandelier has been provided by Rozeanne Sobieski. All the labor has been provided by volunteers and we are grateful to Bob Luppert, Steve Dufilie, Jim Baltzell, Jay Deming, Dave Anderson, Sarah Vertefeuille and others who have made this possible. Thank you to them all.

A Welcome Change How we welcome people to church is always important, and at its March meeting the Vestry considered a recommendation from the Church Development Committee that we should establish a group especially concerned about how we welcome people. The vestry decided to do this, and appointed Rozeanne Sobieski as chair of the new group. We look forward to finding discovering ways of making visitors and newcomers welcome, and hope that we will see more of our visitors becoming committed and active members of our church community. We are blessed to have as many visitors as we do, and be the envy of many other churches in this respect. What we are not so good at is keeping them.

Shepherd’s Pie Dinner The Shepherd’s Pie Dinner held on Saturday the 16th of April at Christ Episcopal Church was a great success, and those who came enjoyed a wonderful meal in congenial surroundings. Many take-away meals were also sold, and the evening raised $674.76 (net) for church funds. Many thanks to everyone who made this evening so successful. There are two questions which the organizers are asking. How can we get more of our church members to support our fundraisers? And how much difference will our new digital sign make in attracting passing trade?

Sign of the Times

The long-awaited digital sign has now been installed

facing eastbound traffic on Washington Street, and is

already attracting a lot of comments from people who

pass. Our hope is that it will make our church much more

visible to those who live and work in Norwich, and be a

clear sign that our church is alive and active. It is possible

to programme it with all sorts of continuously changing

messages, announcing events at the church, and

messages to those who pass us by. Over the next few

weeks, you will notice a great variety of styles as we

experiment with how this new technology works.

There are some restrictions on what we can do with it because of local laws. For example, we cannot put up

flashing messages, as they might distract drivers. But we can put up simple pictures and, and the static display

can be in full colour. Many thanks to Will Schramm, and his team of helpers who made this possible.

South East Convocation

The Episcopal Church in Connecticut is inviting us to join in the first gathering of the Southeast Region of

the Episcopal Church in Connecticut! With 20 parishes in our region, we expect that we could easily

have a gathering of 200 people, making this an exciting and energetic weekend.

We have work to do together as we decide how we want to meet as a region in the future, how we

want to select our two members of the Mission Council, and what we want from a missionary that we

have yet to hire. And this is going to be a fun weekend! Located at the rural "My Father's House"

Retreat Center in Moodus, CT, we will enjoy each other’s fellowship over meals, a campfire,

conversations, and worship.

On Friday, our schedule runs from 6-9pm (although you can come early if you want to enjoy more

social time in the warm spring weather!) and on Saturday we will gather from 8-3pm. Overnight

accomodations are available if you would like them and can be reserved by visiting: https://southeast-

overnight.eventbrite.com

We ask you to register so that we can plan sufficiently for our meals together, being sure to indicate

which meals you will be attending. Registration is free, and you will have the opportunity to make a

free-will offering at the gathering to help defray the costs of the meals.

We will be in touch as more details come--we look forward to seeing you soon!

WHEN

Friday, May 20, 2016 at 6:00pm - Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 4:00pm

WHERE

My Father's House - 39 North Moodus Road, Moodus, CT 06469

SAVE

THE

DATE

Tuesday, June 26th

6 pm

Seabury Deanery

Celebration and Picnic

Saint David’s Episcopal Church Rts 12 & 214, Gales Ferry

Join us for a celebration of the Ministries of Seabury Deanery

as we hold our final meeting.

All members of Deanery parishes are welcome.

For additional information please contact Deanery Secretary,

Ann Cady, 860 608 3835 or revmrskd@aol.com

May & June Calendars

Sunday, May 1, 6th Sunday of Easter 8:00am Holy Eucharist

9:00am Adult Book Study & Choir Practice 10:00am Sung Eucharist

Altar Guild Meeting following 10am service 3:00pm Folk in the Chapel

Tuesday, May 3

9:00am Morning Prayer 6:00pm Lions Club Meeting

Wednesday, May 4 6:00pm Tops

7:00pm CCSArts Board Thursday, May 5

6:00pm Bible Study 7:00pm choir practice

Sunday, May 8, 7th Sunday of Easter

8:00am Holy Eucharist 9:00am Adult Book Study & Choir Practice

10:00am Sung Eucharist

Tuesday, May 10 9:00am Morning Prayer

6:00pm Social Action Group 6:00pm Lions Club Meeting

Wednesday, May 11 10:30am Eucharist at Norwichtown Conv. Home

6:00pm Tops Thursday, May 12

6:00pm Bible Study 7:00pm choir practice

Saturday, May 14 10am Walk for Music

Sunday, May 15, Day of Pentecost

8:00am Holy Eucharist 9:00am Adult Book Study & Choir Practice

10:00am Sung Eucharist 3:00pm Ladies’ Tea & Purse Raffle

Tuesday, May 16 9:00am Morning Prayer

6:30pm Vestry Wednesday, May 17

10:30am Eliza Huntington Communion Service 6:00pm Tops

Thursday, May 18 6:00pm Bible Study

7:00pm Church Development Committee 7:00pm choir practice

Friday, May 20 SE Regional Convention

Saturday May 21 SE Regional Convention

Sunday, May 22, Trinity Sunday Clergy Exchange Today 8:00am Holy Eucharist 9:00am Choir Practice

10:00am Sung Eucharist

Tuesday, May 23 9:00am Morning Prayer & Eucharist 6:45pm Deanery Meeting, Niantic

Thursday, May 26 7:00pm Choir Practice

Sunday, May 29, 2nd Sunday after Pentecost

8:00am Holy Eucharist 9:00am Choir Practice

10:00am Sung Eucharist

Tuesday, May 31 9:00am Morning Prayer

Wednesday, June 1 6:00pm Tops

Thursday, June 2 7:00pm Choir Practice

Sunday, June 5, 3rd Sunday after Pentecost

8:00am Holy Eucharist 9:00am Choir Practice

10:00am Sung Eucharist 3:00pm Piano Studio Recital

Tuesday, June7 9:00am Morning Prayer

Wednesday, June 8 6:00pm Tops

Thursday, June 9 7:00pm Choir Practice

Sunday, June 12, 4th Sunday after Pentecost 8:00am Holy Eucharist 9:00am Choir Practice

10:00am Sung Eucharist Tuesday, June 14

9:00am Morning Prayer & Eucharist 6:00pm Social Action Group 6:00pm Lions Club Meeting

Wednesday, June 15 6:00pm Tops

Thursday, June 16 7:00pm Choir Practice

Sunday, June 19, 5th Sunday after Pentecost

8:00am Holy Eucharist 9:00am Adult Book Study & Choir Practice

10:00am Sung Eucharist Tuesday, June 21

9:00am Morning Prayer 6:30pm Vestry

Thursday, June 23 6:00pm Bible Study

7:00pm Choir Practice Saturday, June 25

7:00pm Downtown Mic Sunday, June 26, 6th Sunday after Pentecost

8:00am Holy Eucharist 9:00am Adult Book Study & Choir Practice

10:00am Sung Eucharist 1:00pm CCSArts Hors d’Oeuvres Reception

Tuesday, June 28 9:00am Morning Prayer & Eucharist

6:00pm Lions Club Meeting 6:00pm Seabury Deanery Celebration

@ St David’s, Gales Ferry Thursday, June 30 6:00pm Bible Study

7:00pm Choir Practice

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Birthdays May 3 Bud Burk-Buckley 4 Eileen Akers Lynn Stanley Tyler Russell 5 Richard Matters Thomas Aromin 6 Pat Jennings 7 Tyler Pagnotta 8 Terri Nash Gloria Luth 9 Mia Vittucci 10 Kent Ingves Robert Deckert 12 Jessica Banning 13 Donald Becotte Susan Wiggins 14 Krista Prokop 15 Ryan Kyle 18 Bruce Stanley 21 John Sepowitz 22 Fred Molocko

24 Betty Hinsch 25 Cliff Brautigam Julia Stanley Cox 29 Louis Beldecos 30 Evelyn Fletcher June 5 Joan Good 7 Peter Labenski 8 Lisa Aichele 12 Ian Buckley 13 Emily Nash 14 Nelson Sheehan Jillian Kyle 16 Nicole Smith 18 Marcus Maulucci 19 Bob Duplessis 22 Stan Stanley 24 John A. Coletti 26 Elaine Andrews 27 Mia Garstka

Anniversaries May 10. Linda & Salvador Aromin 21. Lisa & Bruce Stanley June 2 Bob & Charlotte Manfredi 6 Mary & Bob Babcock Lynn & Charles Norris Deb & Steve Kimball 12 Ruth & Bud Sanders 17 Elaine & Larry Coletti 22 Bernadette & Chad Exley 24 Pam & Craig Babcock 30 Ruth & Stan Stanley Mary & Call Edgar

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