A day for our graduates

On Sunday, June 29th we recognized our college and high school graduates in worship. Small gifts were given to those who were present. Among the college graduates were Lindsey Adams, Adam Barber, Amanda Brown, Kristina Howe Fusari, Dale Montford, Jaclyn Vanase, Allison Walberg and Tara Wolinski.

Our high school graduates included Cami Ferguson, Jeff Goldin, Keesen Howe, Ashley Polumbo, Mike Rotholz, Sean Sullivan and Chris Vaillancourt.

The message was entitled, "Who's On First?" as we talked about making God a priority in our lives. It was a warm day in church but it was made better by the singing of our praise team.

Scholarship awarded

On Sunday, June 22nd we awarded our Annual College Scholarship to Melissa Ingoglia. Melissa is a student at Eastern Connecticut State University. She joins our former scholarship winners Adam Barber (2002), Jennifer Kane (2003), Jonathan Vanase (2004), Lindsey Adams (2005), Casey Rezendes (2006) and Becky Lord(2007).

During our service we also enjoyed some special music from our praise team and continued our series on the book of Romans. The message was entitled, "Walking in Resurrection Power."

Cal

Vacation Bible School Begins to take shape

On Wednesday afternoon I met with Pastor Michelle Madsen Bibeau and Amanda Duntz and we talked about our join Vacation Bible School that is planned for July 21-25. The theme is "God's Big Back Yard" and it looks like it is going to be a lot of fun. It is Biblically based and each day there will be a light supper, story time, crafts, games and snack. We are going to need lots of help to make it work. It should be fun though.

I will be putting out a list of supplies we need as well as the type of helpers we need during the week. But to get you thinking, we will need hot dogs, English muffins, cooks, craft helpers, actors and more. There sis something to do for every volunteer.

Cal

A ministry to our older friends

On Wednesday morning I met Len Goldberg, the President of Pierce Memorial Baptist Home in Brooklyn, Connecticut. I am currently serving as chairman of the Board of Trustees. We talked about our history and the mission of the Home and how we might share that with the churches in Eastern Connecticut.

Some of you will remember the Chicken Barbecues and the Women's Board which formed a link to each of the Baptist churches. Over the years we lost that link. My job as chair is to try and rebuild it.

Pierce Home was recently cited as one of the top ten nursing facilities in New England. It wasn't done by accident. There has long been an emphasis on patient care that goes above and beyond what most other homes give. It comes because staff is dedicated to making a difference. It comes because standards are set high. It comes because we believe our home is a mission entrusted by us by our forefathers and mothers.

If you would like to know more about the Pierce Memorial Baptist Home, talk to me. We have expanded in recent years to become a continuing care facility. We had independent living apartments at Creamery Brook and have broken ground on some stand alone cottagers as well. There are some good and innovative things happening at Pierce and you ought to know about them.

Bob Sullivan, June Deptulski and Bob Booth serve with me on the Pierce Board of Trustees. Any questions, ask them too!

Cal

An open prayer line runs through church

I went to visit Bob Booth on Tuesday afternoon. He is at Haven Health Care doing some rehabilitation. bob has been bothered by back pain for a while but on Monday he ended up losing strength in his legs and after a trip to the Backus ER he was sent to Haven Health. It was not his first choice. Afterwards it was revealed that he had a pinched nerve that was causing the problem.

I mention this whole episode because if it wasn't for a bit of luck, I wouldn't have known Bob was at either the hospital or Haven Health. Someone who ran into someone who knew Bob called me and told me. Then I called Marge and got the scoop. So Tuesday I stopped in to visit and pray with him.

Please don't hesitate to call me if you are going into the hospital or you are going to a rehabilitation center. I will be happy to visit and pray for you. Every once in a while someone says to me, "I know you are so busy and I didn't want to bother you." Well please BOTHER ME! That is why I am here. My job as pastor is to be the shepherd and to care for you with my prayers and presence in your down times.

I am blessed and I get to do a lot of fun things as I serve you and our community. But my role is to be a prayer partner with you in time of need. So don't hesitate to call. If I can't get there, one of our Deacons will. The one thing that we can offer you as a church that the world can't is the power of prayer. so take advantage of it. Call when you need it.

Cal

Eighth Grade Graduations

It was a busy day in and around Norwich. Today Kelly Middle School hosted the 8th grade graduation. Several of our young people from Church, Sunday School and Youth Group were involved. I have to admit that my daughter Rachel was graduating so I had an extra special interest in the event.

We have listed all of our high school and college graduates in our bulletins and newsletters over the last several weeks, but we also have a number of eighth grade graduates this year. They include; Tecumseh Champlain, Jared Laflamme, Amy Kutcher, Rachel Lord, Hannah Mattos, Margaret McFalls, David Miller, Hunter Molcan, Michaela Murray, Morgan Murray, Brittany Rothholz and Charmaine Velez. All of these young men and women will be going on to high school next year. We wish them the best as they enter a new chapter in their lives.

Wedding bells and blessings

Where did the week go. I guess time flies when you are having fun or when you are getting older. Yes, I had my big birthday this week. Maybe I was trying to forget about it and that seemed to erase every other event.

On Monday I met with Scott Royce and his fiance, Jessica Malinowsky, about their upcoming wedding on August 8th. This is going to be a busy season with weddings at church. We have already been host to Andrew and Erika Higgins wedding in May and and renewal of vows for Douglas & Christine Lawson Carter last week.

In the coming weeks we will host the weddings for Kevin Mariano and Lindsey Adams (July 5), Sue Kenyon and Dave Kogut (August 8), Kristy Kine and her fiance (August 22), Wayne Morse and Kim Perry (August 30), Zelda Earle and Bruce Fellows (September 5), Stephanie Saporita and her fiance (September 6) and Katie Seder and Adam Karon (September 21).

We don't have a membership policy regarding weddings. In other words we perform weddings for any who come to us and ask for God's blessing. I meet with the couples a few times and we talk about marriage and how to maximize what God wants for them. Many of the weddings come from people either directly connected to the church or through referrals or friendships. Out of the weddings I have slated for this year, only one has no connection to the church. Yet this wedding comes from a referral from someone who I have ministered to in the community.

It is funny but over the years I have met many people who were married here in the church or by the pastors. They always talk about the good memories. Maybe that is what the blessing is all about.

Cal