From Our Interim Minister…

 

Dear Friends,

     Once again this past Sunday morning folks came into my office, saw the two Tinker Toy boxes on the floor behind my desk, and asked what they were for. I explained that I had used them for a program I did with our Youth Fellowship during their 30 Hour Famine on Saturday. You divide the group into two teams, give them identical boxes of Tinker Toys and then give them 15 minutes to build the tallest structure they can. The rule is that the structure must be able to stand on its own and the team that builds the tallest structure wins. 

     Now I first encountered this enjoyable and educational exercise when I was taking a course in Organizational Development at The New School in New York City. On the second night of class our professor walked in with a couple of Tinker Toy boxes and we had our little competition. When it was over we spent the rest of the class talking about the way the groups had worked together. Did one person on the team dominate the process? Did anyone on the team feel left out? Were there group members who had ideas about how to build the structure who weren’t listened to? Did the group create a plan first or go right to construction? And of course, all this discussion was to learn about the way people work together when they have a task to do.

     It should come as no surprise that the groups that listened to each other, valued each other’s opinion and worked respectfully together usually won the competition. This is the wisdom I hope the young people I do this program with begin to learn. But it is great wisdom for any group working toward a common goal. I think about this often at the church, especially when something works really well or when something sort of falls apart. But this wisdom works with any group including families, community organizations or the people you work with. To listen to each other, to value each group member and to work together are qualities of generosity and caring. To see those qualities in our young people this past weekend as they built their Tinker Toy Towers was truly inspiring.

 

                                                             JOHN   

Dear Friends,

     March is such an interesting month. It is the bridge month between the frigid hardness of winter and the soft, warming hope of springtime. It is also the month of Lent, the season of preparation in which the Christian church looks forward to the warming hope of new life symbolized by Easter. But we don’t get there before an institutionalized season of somber thoughts and penance. 

     So, a few years ago, after a particularly harsh winter, I was planning my preaching themes for the Lenten season and having a difficult time of it. Lent is traditionally a time of sacrifice and self denial, a time to reflect on your sins. Fasting is a Lenten activity as is the contemplation of your mortality. (On Ash Wednesday we in the clergy remind people that they are dust, and will become dust again as we place ashes on their foreheads.) And there I was, staring out the window of my office at the barren winter landscape, my mind filled with all these bleak themes I was supposed to talk about, when I made a decision. I decided to cancel Lent. 

     In the 15^th chapter of John, Jesus says, “I have said these things that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”  With this wonderful thought in mind, I was wondering why the church should have a special season for suffering just as we are picking ourselves up from winter. There are certainly moments in life where self denial and penance are profoundly valuable experiences. But when I saw so many people carrying such a heavy load not just for forty days, but all year through, I thought that maybe our tired and frightened world could use a season of JOY for a change.

     So this Lent you may notice that my sermon themes will be a bit brighter than the season usually requires. I won’t be canceling Lent, just softening it a little. And I will be hoping as we walk toward springtime and Easter, that joy will gather strength in your soul.

                                                                                       

JOHN

Pastor's Message

FROM OUR INTERIM MINISTER…
Dear Friends,
I greet you in deep mid-winter and in the business season here at Huntington Congregational Church. This is the time of year that we gather for our annual meeting and reorganize for another year of ministry together. As we move into a new cycle of service, I wish to express my gratitude once again for this wonderful church family. Your support and hard work continue to keep our church strong and vital and I am deeply thankful.
I also wish to thank you for all the cards and gifts given to me during the Christmas season and in particular, the Christmas Gift from the congregation. May God continue to bless this church and each of you as we walk forward together.

JOHN

Boy Scout Sunday

HCC was proud to honor the Boy Scouts a few weeks ago. We recognize what a great organization the Boy Scouts of America is and look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of the boys in our church sponsored troop. So many of our men and young boys are a part of this wonderful organization and we would like to thank them for the time, talent, and treasures that they bring to our community. May God bless all Boy Scouts!

Christmas at HCC

The Christmas season is such a joyous one at HCC. We all look forward to Pastor John's guitar sermon. It is a glorious way to celebrate the season.

We are also blessed to have other talented church members to add to the beautiful music during our services. Thank you Justine for your wonderful flute playing!

Our talented choir led by Bruce! Our services wouldn't be the same without them.

Car Wash

HCC Car Wash - A Success!

This summer the Business Committee held a car wash to raise funds for HCC. Their efforts were a success, and we thank the volunteers for all their hard work! Remember that our church survives through events like this. If you haven't volunteered recently, please consider doing so. The Pumpkin and Holly Fair is coming soon - what a perfect chance for you to lend a helping hand!

Dear Friends,

Ah summer! What could be better than to find ourselves in a season that invites us, almost forces us to relax. Warm, humid days make it nearly impossible to keep up the usual frenetic pace, and when I have cut the grass or washed the car in the hot sun, a shade tree, my cushioned wicker lounge chair and a glass of ice cold lemonade seem like a direct gift from God. In fact, the heat of this season may be God’s way of telling us that letting go of the “to do” list and simply relaxing is very healthy for the spirit.

At my old house in Stratford I used to have a wonderful spot under a large red maple tree that was my relaxing place. I would drag my lawn chair out there, get a cup of coffee and simply spend time with myself, reading, sometimes writing, but often just sitting there soaking up the world. If I stayed there long enough I would always begin to feel calmer, and the stress of the day would recede. But most importantly, I would regain the perspective of what a gift life is and I would remember just how fortunate I was to be given that gift.

When Jesus said that the Kingdom Of God is within us, I believe this was the experience he was speaking from. I love the passage from Mark’s gospel when Jesus just disappears one morning to his relaxing place and the disciples have to search for him.

If Jesus needed stillness, certainly we do too! When your mind is filled with the concerns of the day, when you are running from one thing to the next, it is very difficult to feel the wonder of being alive. But that wonder is there and you deserve to experience it. So I suggest that you let the heat of July and August lead you to your own relaxing place, a cool, quiet place that refreshes your soul.

JOHN