july/august from the pastor’s desk · 2012-08-27 · july/august from the pastor’s desk......

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Connections 247 Broad Street, Danielson CT 06239 860 774-3907 [email protected] www.cbcct.us July/August From the Pastor’s desk... “Are we there yet?” I think that every parent who has taken a road trip for summer vacation has heard this timeless one-liner. The phrase implies anticipation for something that is desired, some- thing that satisfies, something that is worth waiting for. Throughout the journey, conversation turns from the great treks of the past to the “I wonder what it will be like when we get there?” Mileposts and waypoints wiz past and the excitement builds. When proper planning and appropriate dreaming are at the heart of the journey, its culmination can be a remarkable mixture of edifying joy and uplifting experience. I hope your journeys this summer, whether just down to the beach or to some far away adventure spot, will be wonderful. Our church is on a journey too. No, we are not going on vacation… just the opposite. We are on a journey of ever expanding service in the name of our Master, Jesus. Over the years our church has been involved in many projects that reach out to the community in a variety of ways. The journey the church is on, unlike our summer vacations, does not have a culmination unless it is when this human experiment comes to an end. There- fore it would be frivolous to ask the question, “Are we there yet?” The really important question that the church must ask though is, “Where are we going?” With that question comes the responsibility to listen carefully, pray diligently and rely on the Spirit for guidance. We are embarking on a time of discernment; praying, listening and relying on the Spirit of God to lead us to our next great mission of service to our community. When people in our community hear the name, the Cornerstone Baptist Church, will they remark “Oh, isn’t that the brown building on Broad St.?” or will they say, “those are the folks that are leaders in helping with (you fill in the blank) in town.” We will be starting this discernment process in July, with a series of worship services that are intended to ‘prime the pump’ so to speak, with ideas of where God is calling the churches and people of faith to put their discipleship into action. Then, with the help and guidance of our church’s Advisory Council, we will be holding deeper discussions in the fall, all working toward the goal of finding exactly what God would have us involved with here in the Killingly/Brooklyn area. As we go through this process, I challenge you to think BIG! The time for band-aids to the social ills we see people experiencing in our community has to go. It is time to go be- yond picking up the pieces and move to crafting a community where people are given the tools to live whole and healthy lives, so that they may live lives of worth, dignity and joy. This is an exciting time for our church, and we need EVERYONE whether you are a mem- ber or not, to participate. In the end, we as a congregation will discover the next BIG thing God is calling us to, and together we will be a part of the breaking forth of the Realm of God here in our community. “Are we there yet?” In this life, we will never be. “Where are we going?” That is another question entirely! Peace/Shalom, Greg

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Page 1: July/August From the Pastor’s desk · 2012-08-27 · July/August From the Pastor’s desk... “Are we there yet?” I think that every parent who has taken a road trip for summer

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247 Broad Street, Danielson CT 06239

860 774-3907 [email protected] www.cbcct.us

July/August From the Pastor’s desk...

“Are we there yet?” I think that every parent who has taken a road trip for summer vacation has heard this timeless one-liner. The phrase implies anticipation for something that is desired, some-thing that satisfies, something that is worth waiting for.

Throughout the journey, conversation turns from the great treks of the past to the “I wonder what it will be like when we get there?” Mileposts and waypoints wiz past and the excitement builds. When proper planning and appropriate dreaming are at the heart of the journey, its culmination can be a remarkable mixture of edifying joy and uplifting experience. I hope your journeys this summer, whether just down to the beach or to some far away adventure spot, will be wonderful.

Our church is on a journey too. No, we are not going on vacation… just the opposite. We are on a journey of ever expanding service in the name of our Master, Jesus. Over the years our church has been involved in many projects that reach out to the community in a variety of ways. The journey the church is on, unlike our summer vacations, does not have a culmination – unless it is when this human experiment comes to an end. There-fore it would be frivolous to ask the question, “Are we there yet?”

The really important question that the church must ask though is, “Where are we going?” With that question comes the responsibility to listen carefully, pray diligently and rely on the Spirit for guidance. We are embarking on a time of discernment; praying, listening and relying on the Spirit of God to lead us to our next great mission of service to our community.

When people in our community hear the name, the Cornerstone Baptist Church, will they remark “Oh, isn’t that the brown building on Broad St.?” or will they say, “those are the folks that are leaders in helping with (you fill in the blank) in town.”

We will be starting this discernment process in July, with a series of worship services that are intended to ‘prime the pump’ so to speak, with ideas of where God is calling the churches and people of faith to put their discipleship into action.

Then, with the help and guidance of our church’s Advisory Council, we will be holding deeper discussions in the fall, all working toward the goal of finding exactly what God would have us involved with here in the Killingly/Brooklyn area. As we go through this process, I challenge you to think BIG! The time for band-aids to the social ills we see people experiencing in our community has to go. It is time to go be-yond picking up the pieces and move to crafting a community where people are given the tools to live whole and healthy lives, so that they may live lives of worth, dignity and joy.

This is an exciting time for our church, and we need EVERYONE whether you are a mem-ber or not, to participate. In the end, we as a congregation will discover the next BIG thing God is calling us to, and together we will be a part of the breaking forth of the Realm of God here in our community. “Are we there yet?” In this life, we will never be. “Where are we going?” That is another question entirely! Peace/Shalom, Greg

Page 2: July/August From the Pastor’s desk · 2012-08-27 · July/August From the Pastor’s desk... “Are we there yet?” I think that every parent who has taken a road trip for summer

Sunday, July 1 10:00 am—Worship with Communion

Sunday, July 8 10:00 am—Worship

Sunday, July 15 10:00 am—Worship

Sunday, July 22 10:00 am—Worship

Sunday, July 29 10:00 am—Worship

Sunday, August 5 10:00 am—Worship with Communion

Sunday, August 12 10:00 am—Worship

Sunday, August 19 10:00 am—Worship

Sunday, August 26 10:00 am—Outdoor Worship and Picnic– weather permitting

Remember: The last person to leave the church building should be sure that all doors and windows

are closed /locked, door alarms set. In addition, the Academy Street door into Fellowship Hall will

be kept locked during the Sunday worship service. Thank you for helping us take care of our

facilities.

Connections is published 11 times a year at The Cornerstone Baptist Church, and is put together by

a host of valuable volunteers. Please try to have articles and information to the office by the 15th of

the month, and no later than the 20th.

Pastor:

Rev. Greg Thomas

Organist/Choir Director:

Howard W. Curry

Administrative Secretary:

Kris Useted

In Worship

This Summer

Page 2

AUGUST

01, Ruth Wernicki

02, Michael Grandelski

03, Larry Hart

08, Joel Lenoir

09, Will Baxter

Mackenzie Davis

Ruth Hochstetter

11, Raymond LaRose (younger)*

14, David Rickey

16, Jeff Taranto

20, Stephen Joly

22, Jennifer Dombkowski

24, Diane Smith

27, Fred White

28, Madaline Adams

29, Michael Lagerberg

30, Marilee Morse

Summer

Birthdays

Ladies Luncheon

The Ladies Luncheon will be held July 11th at noon at the “Jalisco Mexican

Restaurant , 5 Heritage Rd. Putnam, CT—(at the “King’s Inn”)

All ladies of the church are welcome! Please sign-up in the Narthex.

JULY

02, Mary Grandelski

06, Austin Gilbert*

08, Todd Marston

11, Eleanor Marcheterre

14, Cole Davagian*

15, Judy Morse

17, Kelsey Heon

18, Phoebe Corey*

23, Missi Hilow

25, Ella Bousquet

Warren Smith

NEWS FROM EVENTS

Wow is it already the end of June? Mark your calendars for a great summer afternoon and join us at Howard Valley for a Hymn Sing Service to be held on July 22, at 4 p.m. Look for more details from Pastor Greg.

At the last advisory council meeting, the remodeling of the kitchen was discussed. As many of you know this is something that many have talked about and dreamed of for many years now. It was decided that we really needed to go forward with this project. Because of this and other contributing factors we are not going to hold the annual blueberry festival this July. This decision will allow us to put forth all of our energies into this endeavor. I know that this is a difficult decision and we can resume it again next year. We are also looking to hold a harvest dinner in the fall.

The Outdoor Worship and Church Family picnic will be held on Sunday, August 26 again at the home of Debra & Paul Grandelski in Brooklyn. Hotdogs & Hamburgers, Beverages will be supplied by the church. If your last name begins with A-G please bring a main dish or salad, H-Z dessert.

I look forward to a very busy year working with all of you! ~Debra G.

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Page 3

Sunday School News !!!

A Sincere Thank You! To Bethany Duval for her time as Sunday School Superintendent! To Rose Bertorelli for her time as Deacon of Education and Discipleship!

Welcome! Sandra Rukstella as our new Sunday School Superintendent! Gina Mills as our new Deacon of Education and Discipleship!

Volunteer Help Wanted: Cindy is looking for assistance in packing up our donated shoes; please let her know if you can help.

Children's Sunday: Was a success! After our play during church we celebrated the end of our Sun-day School year with Ice-cream Sundaes! Yum!

Area Vacation Bible Schools: “Operation Overboard” at South Woodstock Baptist Church; 860-928-9341. 9-noon, July 9-13, for children entering K-5th grade in the fall. “Amazing Wonders Aviation” at Creation Church in Thompson, CT; 860-923-9979. 9-noon; July 9-13, children aged 4-12 years old. “Adventures on Promise Island” Lighthouse Church of God in Plainfield; 860-564-9100. 9-noon; Aug. 3-7, ages unknown.

Camp Wightman: Kids! Adults! There is still time to sign up for camp this summer if you are interested! Please call the camp office to make your reservation; 860-376-2179. Our church may be able to assist with paying for a portion of your tuition due to our fund raising efforts. Please ask Cindy Marcheterre or Sandra Rukstela for details. Below is a list of the adults and kids from our church who are going at this time:

Lea Duval—June 24-30 Scott Davagian—Aug 5-11 Cole Davagian—July 22-28 Deb Tanner—Aug. 12-15 Caroline Tanner—Aug 12-15 Courtney Bellows—Aug. 12-15 Stephanie Bellows—Aug. 12-15 Shelby Bellows—Aug. 12-15 Tiffany Rosen—Aug. 12-15 Sydney Rosen—Aug. 12-15 Peyton Rosen—Aug. 12-15 Kendall Rosen—Aug. 12-15 Cindy Marcheterre—Aug. 12-15 Jordan Rukstela—July 15-21, Aug. 5-11, Aug. 12-15 Sandra Rukstela—Aug. 12-15 Greg Thomas—Aug. 12-15

Boy Scout Camp: A.J. Duval—July 16-20 Jamison Mills—July 16-20 Please keep these children in your prayers over the summer, in addition to those not attending a summer camp this year (that we know of): Isaias Bumpus, Shannon Breen, Aaron Breen, Jayden Du-rand, Pheobe Corey, Cassidey Card, Amanda Mills, Ryan LaRose.

Baptism: If you are interested, please contact Pastor Greg.

Kids love mail—Send a letter or postcard to our campers at: CampWightman 207 Coal Pit Hill Road Griswold, CT 06351 or

J.N.Webster Scout Reservation 231 Ashford Center Road Ashford, CT 06278

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Page 6: July/August From the Pastor’s desk · 2012-08-27 · July/August From the Pastor’s desk... “Are we there yet?” I think that every parent who has taken a road trip for summer

Advisory Council 2012–2013

Pastor: Rev. Greg Thomas Moderator: Roberta Davis Assistant. Moderator: Bruno Gilbert Clerk: Lois Brush Assistant Clerk: Cheryl DeFoer Treasurer: Mary Grandelski Assistant Treasurer Erin Noren Financial Secretary: Shana Heon Director of Christian Education: Cindy Marcheterre Assistant Sunday School Superintendent: Sandra Rukstela Safe Church Advocate: Kathy Hexter Education and Discipleship Deacon: Gina Mills Mission and Outreach Deacons: Anne Milliard Kathy Rickey Property and Finance Deacons: Jim Milliard Frank Brush Worship and Membership Deacons: Molly Truesdale Donna Gilbert Events and Public Relations Deacon: Debra Grandelski Floating Deacons: Nominating: Pat Rocheleau Pastoral Relations: Caroll Marston Connections: Mary Grandelski Church Librarian: Kathy Hexter For contact information, please see your church directory. To request a directory, or for contact information for the Advisory Council please call Kris in the church office. (860 774-3907)

Page 7: July/August From the Pastor’s desk · 2012-08-27 · July/August From the Pastor’s desk... “Are we there yet?” I think that every parent who has taken a road trip for summer

From: Editor’s Clip Sheets

Copyright 2012 Logos Productions Inc.

Page 8: July/August From the Pastor’s desk · 2012-08-27 · July/August From the Pastor’s desk... “Are we there yet?” I think that every parent who has taken a road trip for summer

247 Broad Street

Danielson, CT 06239

From: Editor’s Clip Sheets

Copyright 2012 Logos Productions Inc.

July/August

2012

Phone:

860.774.3907

Fax:

860.774.6878

Email:

[email protected]

Web page:

www.cbcct.us

On the back page...

Food for the body is not enough. There must be food for the soul. - Dorothy Day

O God, to those who have hunger give bread; and to us who have bread give the hunger for justice. - Latin American prayer The hunger for God can only be satisfied by a love that is face to face, person to person. It is only in the eyes of another that we can find the Icon of Christ. We must make the other person aware we love him. If we do, he will know that God loves him. He will never hunger again. - Catherine de Hueck Doherty

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in where na-ture may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul. - John Muir

It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out; it's the grain of sand in your shoe. - Robert W. Service

It's not true that you can't forgive something; it's a matter of the will, and you always have the choice. For-giveness is never dependent on what the other person does or does not do; it is always under our control. Forgive-ness is giving up the insistence on being understood . . . Jesus forgave those who crucified him. This is a radically new way of thinking. For those who accept and practice this discipline, there is a release of energy and a sense of freedom. - Pixie Koestline Hammond

Our own small stone of activism, which might not seem to measure up to the rugged boulders of heroism we have so admired, is a paltry offering toward the building of an edifice of hope . . . For we can do nothing sub-stantial toward changing our course on the planet, a destructive one, with-out rousing ourselves, individual by individual, and bringing our small, imperfect stones to the pile. - Alice Walker