Join us at a Concert!

How it works:
Check out the list below to choose which concert(s) you’d like to attend.
Contact Lara Poulios at larapoulios@gmail.com and let her know you’re coming.
On the day of the concert, meet up with other AHCC folks and enjoy the concert together.

The Board of Deacons of Asylum Hill Congregational Church hereby calls the Annual Meeting of the Congregation on Sunday, June 1, 2025, immediately following the 10am worship service in person at AHCC.

The primary purpose of the Annual Meeting is to hear reports and to affirm or elect officers and deacons. Additionally, you will be asked to approve the minutes of the 2024 Annual Meeting. If you require a mail-in ballot, please contact Denise Doran at ddoran@ahcc.org.

Note: A sign language interpreter will be present at the meeting.

Both Faith Lab and Faith Lab Kids will be extended that day.

Please plan to attend the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Congregation.

Read the Annual Reports

Thank you!
Africka Hinds, Moderator
Rev. Erica Thompson, Sr. Minister

“Agreeing to Disagree: How Jews and Christians Interpret the Same Scriptures Differently”

Asylum Hill Congregational Church is honored to partner with Hartford International University to present, “Agreeing to Disagree: How Jews and Christians Interpret the Same Scriptures Differently,” featuring renowned scholar Dr. Amy-Jill Levine. All are welcome to this program where Dr. Levine will offer a talk on the sometimes divergent ways that Jews and Christians interpret shared Bible passages, including the “suffering servant” in Isaiah, the Garden of Eden, Psalm 22, the role of the Law, and more.

This free IN PERSON ONLY program will take place on Thursday, March 6, from 6:00-8:00pm at Asylum Hill Congregational Church and is open to all who wish to engage in a respectful and thought-provoking exploration of how sacred texts are understood differently within Jewish and Christian traditions. Following the presentation there will be time for questions and fellowship.

Dr. Amy-Jill Levine is a distinguished scholar in New Testament and Jewish Studies, and will guide attendees through key theological and historical differences between Judaism and Christianity on several biblical texts and explore why and how these sacred writings have been interpreted in different ways. Key topics include:

• Isaiah 7:14: Examining the differences between the translation of “pregnant woman” versus “virgin.”
• The “Suffering Servant” in Isaiah: Does this figure refer to Israel or to Jesus Christ? How do these divergent interpretations influence the faiths?
• The Garden of Eden: Is the story one of “original sin,” as many Christians believe, or does it present an “original opportunity” for humanity’s free will, as understood in Judaism?
• The Land of Israel: How do Jewish and Christian perspectives differ on the significance of the land of Israel?
• The Role of the Law: What is the purpose of the Torah, and how is it understood differently in the two traditions?
• Psalm 22: How do Jews and Christians interpret this psalm, particularly considering the Christian belief of the crucifixion?

“We are thrilled to host Dr. Levine for this important talk,” said Rev. Erica Thompson, Senior Minister of Asylum Hill Congregational Church. “During Advent, we examined her book, Light of the World: A Beginner’s Guide to Advent, where we explored the biblical texts surrounding the story of the birth of Jesus. Dr. Levine’s ability to bridge the gap between Jewish and Christian perspectives provides a unique opportunity to better appreciate both traditions.”

This is a free event, and all are welcome to attend.

About Dr. Amy-Jill Levine:
Dr. Amy-Jill Levine is the Rabbi Stanley M. Kessler Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace. She is also the University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies Emerita, and the Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies Emerita, Professor of New Testament Studies Emerita at Vanderbilt University.

About Hartford International University for Religion and Peace:
With roots that go back to 1834, Hartford International University for Religion and Peace (HIU) is a pioneering, interreligious, international university. For more information, please visit hartfordinternational.edu

In February 2023 we added to our collection of chancel liturgical paraments to help us celebrate Black History Month.

PULPIT & LECTERN

The pulpit and lectern paraments were made from fabrics that represent four different African cloths: Ankara, Kittenge, Kente, and Bogolan Mud.

• Ankara cloth is 100% cotton and was historically sourced from Female owned small businesses in West Africa. In East Africa this cloth was called Kittenge cloth. In both cases, the fabric basically tells stories, may have hidden meanings, and the colors are very vibrant. The method of printing these fabrics is called the Dutch Wax Process, and dates from the mid-1800s.
• Bogolan Mud Cloth is made exclusively by men. The process starts by weaving handwoven fabric and is usually off-white in color. The fabric is dyed with fermented mud and plant dyes. Colors are yellow with black, red, and brown.
• Kente cloth, which is Ghana’s National fabric, is also a woven fabric, usually with very bold colors that carry specific meaning:

gold = status/serenity
silver = moon
yellow = fertility
green = renewal
blue = peace/harmony
red = passion
black = union with ancestors

COMMUNION TABLE – Adaptation of a Gee’s Bend Quilt

The quilters from Gee’s Bend were located near a geographically isolated community southeast of Selma, Alabama. The Resident’s ancestors worked the cotton plantations, first as slaves. Then for several generations, as tenant farmers living in log cabins that they built themselves. The Gee’s Bend Quilters are internationally known. Historically, during the 1960s, Gee’s Bend played an important role in the Civil Rights movement. MLK Jr. came to Gee’s Bend to preach on the eve of his march in Selma, and mules from Gee’s Bend pulled his casket after his death.

From the Hill Quilters:

Our quilt was based on a quilt made in 1966 by Sadie Bell Nelson (1936-1981), a Gee’s Bend quilter. Sadie’s original quilt is hand-pieced and measures 85” x 77”. It is a phenomenal piece of work! It was humbling to plan this adaptation to share with you. A big thank you goes to Krystina Carver, who assisted her mother, AHCC member Kay Carver, to make an adaptation of this quilt. Our quilt has been adjusted to fit the communion table. There were several changes that had to happen as most of the fabrics that Sadie used are not available. Kay chose modern 100% cotton fabrics. It is pieced with 100% cotton thread. Fabrics were chosen that follow as much as possible to Sadie’s intent. The middle of the quilt shows the Monkey Wrench quilt block. There are several variations of this block. It is thought that if there was quilt or a block shown, it meant that tools and belongings were being gathered for a long hazardous trip.

SILHOUETTE – Harriet Tubman

Kay Carver also wanted to do a silhouette piece. At the suggestion of Carol Vinick, Harriet Tubman was chosen. Carol Vinick provided a small silhouette drawing that we were able to enlarge.

We would like to thank the Hill Quilters and AHCC Music and Arts for their support. Also, Carol Vinick (Quilt Artist), Africka Hinds, and Gwen Lewis, who graciously provided her books for Kay Carver to study and gifted Kay a collection of postcards of “The Quilts of Gee’s Bend.”

Join Rev. Lara Franklin on the Journeys of Paul in Greece tour starting at $3,648* from New York on June 21, 2025. Journey to Amphipolis, Philippi, Neapoli (Kavala), Thessaloniki, Veria (Berea), Meteora, Delphi, Corinth, and much more.

All Inclusive Pricing:

• Breakfast and Dinner Daily
• Deluxe A/C Motor Coaches
• Entrance and Program Fees
• First Class Hotels
• Fuel Surcharges and Gov’t Taxes
• Guided Tours
• Hotel Gratuities
• International Airfare from NY
• Overseas Airport Transfers
• Administrative Fees

Update on the Journeys of Paul Trip to Greece with Pastor Lara:  Greetings AHCC! Feedback suggests there are folks who are interested in the trip but concerned about getting to and from JFK on their own. Fear not! I will coordinate among those who wish to do so and get everyone there safely, on time, and in an economical manner. Secondly, I realize I said that in January that there wasn’t any real hurry to get registered; however, we are now crossing into the end of February and time is passing quickly. There are currently 12 folks registered and 18 spots remaining on the trip. If you have any questions or remaining concerns, please let me know. If you do wish to register, use this link and scroll down to the word “Register” in the blue box. A $300 deposit secures your spot.  https://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/pa25062125a49779#eotours

View and download complete brochure

View and download itinerary and more information

by Moderator Africka Hinds

The blessed New Year has just begun, yet we already face challenges such as fires and fears, deferred dreams, and disappointing memories. Many of us feel overwhelmed and tend to overthink our situations. So here is your call to action: Open up to God and hold nothing back; He will do what needs to be done. He will validate your life in the clear light of day and stamp you with approval at high noon (Psalms 37:5-6).

As we embrace these first few weeks of the year, let us pour our hearts, minds, and spirits into this journey. On the first Sunday of the year, we sought a guiding word from God to carry us through, and for me, that word is TRUST. The second weekend of the year blessed us with the uplifting celebration of the 58th Boar’s Head & Yule Log Festival,  a powerful reminder of our Savior’s coming to save us. As we approach the third weekend, we are prepared to honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s memory through service to our community. It is a beautiful collective experience, fueled by a deep sense of community and supported by our dedicated clergy, staff, family, and friends who accept us just as we are.

In those moments when life’s challenges, disappointments, and feelings of being overwhelmed threaten to consume us, let us reach out and declare with conviction, “I Trust You, Lord!” Trust in the process, trust in the support around you, and, above all, trust in God’s plan for your life. This year, let’s navigate these complexities together, grounded in shared faith, courage, and validation.

With Trust in His Timing … Africka

This newsletter is packed with photos and stories from Advent through Epiphany. It highlights the rich array of programs and services we offered, from beloved traditions to new ways to connect with one another.

And as we move into the spring, be sure to stay informed and engaged by subscribing to (and reading!) our weekly e-mails.

Read the Newsletter Here

The Early Journeys of Jesus: From Babe in Bethlehem to Tween in the Temple

In the early years of Jesus’ life, we see a series of journeys—both physical and spiritual—that shape his identity and begin to reveal his purpose and the foundation for his ministry. Each journey marks a significant chapter in the life of Jesus, teaching us about faith and the depths of God’s love.

Over three weeks in January, we will journey with Jesus through three pivotal moments in his early life: from his humble birth in Bethlehem to the temple in Jerusalem; from Bethlehem to Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath; and from Nazareth to Jerusalem at age 12 where he is separated from his parents. Each journey reveals profound spiritual truths that not only shaped Jesus’ own life but also provide lessons for us today.

Part One: “Journey of Dedication – From Bethlehem to Jerusalem”
January 12 – Luke 2:22-38
From Bethlehem to Jerusalem – 6 miles

In the first Sunday of our series, we see the fulfillment of God’s promises, and we are reminded of the importance of dedication, both in our lives and in our worship. We meet Simeon and Anna who have waited their whole lives for the arrival of the Messiah.

Part Two: “Journey of Protection – From Bethlehem to Egypt”
January 19 – Matthew 2:13-23
From Bethlehem to Egyptian border – 40 miles

In week two, we will consider the escape to Egypt, as Mary and Joseph fled with the infant Jesus to protect him from the wrath of King Herod. This journey was not just one of survival, but one of divine protection, reminding us that God’s plans are not thwarted by the forces of evil, but sometimes require us to step out in faith, trusting even when the path is unclear.

Part Three: “Journey of Revelation – From Nazareth to Jerusalem”
January 26 – Luke 2:41-52
From Nazareth to Jerusalem – 90 miles (1 way)

In the final week, we will journey with twelve-year-old Jesus from Nazareth to the temple in Jerusalem where he begins to reveal his understanding of Scripture and his intimate and unique relationship with God. While in Jerusalem for Passover Jesus became separated from his parents and was unintentionally left behind. Three days later, upon returning to Jerusalem, his worried parents found him at the Temple listening to the teachers and amazing those around him with his understanding.

It’s been an active and faith-filled program year so far as we embrace our theme, “From Generation to Generation.” We are so happy to provide this recap of some of the events, programs and services at AHCC from Homecoming Sunday through Thanksgiving Sunday.

We invite you to look through this publication as we reflect on a wonderful start of our year.

Read the Newsletter

If you are one of the thousands of people who have attended the Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival, you know about this special Epiphany celebration, its glorious music, colorful costumes, dancers, and singing by our renowned choir. Our 58th performance of the pageant will take place on January 11th and 12th.

Unique to this festival is that it is presented in the format of a medieval holiday celebration: the Lord Mayor has invited both royalty and the local townspeople for the Boar’s Head Feast. Lords in elegant attire and Ladies in beautiful gowns and the King and Queen with giant lace collars. Soon the story of the visitation of the Magi is told and the Three Kings enter in their elaborate attire, complete with crowns and pages to carry their trains.

An important part of the celebration is the team of church members responsible for the creation, care and maintenance of the costumes for the more than 100 cast members. What started as a “little church pageant” using bathrobes and rudimentary costumes soon became more sophisticated and period costumes were rented from a theatre costume company in Hartford.

But as the cast grew, renting costumes became increasingly expensive. In the 1980s some costumes were purchased. But a group of women in the church decided to create our own costumes.

Margot McDermid Johns, a former church Moderator who chaired the committee, tapped Alathena Byrnes to help. She was a trained seamstress who was able to create the patterns. They convinced Marcie Sener, who is still on the committee today, to help make the camel’s coat. She had no experience and had to buy her first sewing machine, but soon they were creating the King and Queen’s costumes that are still being used. That evolved into the production of about 20 costumes each year.

Today, all costumes are owned, stored and maintained by the church and Marcie is still making costumes! Her costumes feature a unique Velcro closure system that allows them to be worn by people of different sizes. Today she admits that she created it because she had never sewn in a zipper before in her life!

There are too many other talented and dedicated members to name that have created this beautiful legacy, but they have our admiration and thanks. Carrying on the tradition this year of sewing, fitting and caring for over 100 costumes to be used in this year’s festival are Co-Chairs Sally Tresselt and Kathy Valade and their committee of Carolyn Cass, Linda Mead and Marcie Sener.

Tickets are still available for this year’s Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival. Purchase your here! 

See you there!

On November 21, approximately 80 AHCC members joined more than 1000 others from 52 faith communities as well as community and legislative leaders to launch three new initiatives to pursue justice with the Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance. Through personal stories, analysis, theology, and music we learned that over the coming year GHIAA will be taking some novel approaches to Housing Affordability, Fiscal Policy Reform, and Combating Racial and Religious Hate. Any AHCC member may join one or more of these efforts, and we will provide information as the campaigns develop. For now, see the information and links below to learn more about each issue and how you can join us, or contact Jenn Geisler, AHCC’s Core Team coordinator, at jjgeisler@comcast.net.

Members from across GHIAA’s 52 congregations will collaborate on educational outreach, public information, and legislative initiatives on the following three issues. Note that embedded links offer more details.

Housing Affordability
Just Cause Eviction Protections: GHIAA will fight to expand existing protections against no-fault evictions, which currently cover renters with disabilities and aged 62+, to protect all tenants in the state. To learn more about Just Cause, check out this fact sheet. We celebrate that all 9 legislators present committed to support Just Cause legislation in the 2025 legislative session!
Municipal Housing Action Teams: GHIAA leaders will organize in the towns where we live, work, and worship, to overcome obstacles and expand access to affordable housing in all our communities. To learn more about our Housing Action Team strategy, check out this info sheet. To connect with HAT leaders in your town, complete this quick form.

Fiscal Policy Reform
People-Centered Budgeting: GHIAA will fight to reform Connecticut’s system of fiscal guardrails (or roadblocks) to ensure adequate funding for social infrastructure to meet basic human needs for our state’s present and future. To learn more about the fiscal guardrails and how they are starving our communities of necessary resources, check out this fact sheet.
GHIAA endorsed the Connecticut For All statement of principles for fiscal reform. You can view the principles online here.
We celebrate that all 9 legislators present acknowledged that the current fiscal guardrails are withholding too much money from social infrastructure, committed to work with GHIAA and our allies to reform them, and signed on in support of the CTFA principles!

Combating Racial & Religious Hate
Right Relationship & True Solidarity: GHIAA will engage in learning, leadership development, and relationship building to ensure that we can fight racism, antisemitism, and anti-Muslim bigotry wherever these forms of hate occur. Details of the four-part series GHIAA will offer in winter-spring 2025, tentatively titled Deepening Understanding, Broadening Solidarity as well as additional opportunities related to understanding and fighting racial and religious hate, will be shared soon.
To express your commitment and make sure you receive further information and opportunity to register, complete this quick form.

AHCC has 50 tickets to the newly released film “Bonhoeffer” available FREE OF CHARGE and we invite you to take advantage of this unique opportunity! Why, might you ask?

It’s simple: your pastoral team wants you to be well-informed in a time when so many different narratives are appropriated and twisted to serve various agendas, even the life of German Lutheran pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

This event is not only for Mid and Later Life members; everyone is welcome! Even better, YOU get to choose the date, place and time that works best for you.

Members of your clergy team and other church leaders will be attending a showing at Plainville AMC on Tuesday, December 3 at 4:30 p.m. You may use the link and code below to reserve your seat for that showing or to choose a different location/showing.

What’s the catch? There isn’t one. All we ask is that you take 10 minutes to read these two articles before viewing the movie.

The first article is from Christianity Today, a publication regarded as Right-Center biased based on story selection and editorial viewpoints and graded “High” for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact check record. Christianity Today – Click here to read the article.

The second article from Religion News Service, an online news source regarded as Left-Center biased based on story selection and editorial viewpoints and graded “High” for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact check record. Religion News Source – Click here to read the article.

Be well-informed about the misappropriation of one of Christianity’s great pastoral theologians, a person who struggled to navigate faithful discipleship during the rise of Hitler in Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s homeland. This will also lay the foundation for a church-wide Lenten study using Bonhoeffer as a conversation partner.

Secure your ticket now! 

You don’t have to pay for your seats, we already paid for the first 50. To get your tickets, click here. You can choose your theater location, date and showtime, pick your seats and use this code at checkout: GWGHSJT3VL2.

Note: the code is not valid at the box office or on individual theater websites.

The group from AHCC is attending on Tuesday, December 3 at 4:30 p.m. at the AMC Plainville theater.

Click here to view the movie trailer.

Can’t wait to see you at the movies!

I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what God does for us, not by what we are and what we do for God. ~Romans 12:3

In a world often characterized by rapid change and increasing volatility, the principles of giving grace, practicing goodness, and remaining grateful can serve as powerful anchors for both personal well-being and social harmony. These virtues not only enhance the quality of our lives but also contribute to the fabric of our communities, fostering an atmosphere of understanding and collaboration.

At its core, giving grace involves extending forgiveness and understanding to others, particularly during moments of conflict or misunderstanding. It is an acknowledgment that, as human beings, we are all fallible. No one is immune to mistakes, and when we recognize that imperfection is a shared trait, we foster a more compassionate perspective toward others. The act of giving grace can transform relationships. For instance, consider a situation in which a friend has let you down. Instead of harboring resentment, choosing to approach the situation with grace allows for open dialogue and healing. Grace creates space for personal growth and accountability, both for ourselves and for others. By allowing for the possibility of forgiveness, we not only lighten our emotional load but also encourage those around us to be better versions of themselves. Moreover, in broader contexts—such as in workplaces or communities—embracing grace can help dismantle barriers and promote inclusivity. When leaders demonstrate grace in challenging times, they instill a culture of resilience and mutual respect, driving collective efforts toward common goals.

Practicing goodness is about making conscious choices to act positively towards others and ourselves. It can manifest in small everyday actions, such as offering a smile to a stranger, helping a neighbor in need, or lending an ear to a friend going through a tough time. Goodness transcends mere acts; it embodies a mindset that prioritizes empathy, kindness, and altruism. The ripple effect of practicing goodness is profound. Acts of kindness can inspire others to pay it forward, creating a chain reaction that fosters a supportive environment. Research has shown that engaging in good deeds not only benefits the recipient but also boosts the well-being of the giver. When we practice goodness, we cultivate feelings of happiness, accomplishment, and connection with others. In a professional setting, practicing goodness can enhance teamwork and productivity. Leaders who embody goodness create a sense of belonging and safety, prompting employees to thrive and collaborate more effectively. An atmosphere built on good practices can lead to innovative solutions and a more satisfied workforce, ultimately benefiting the organization as a whole.

Gratitude is often underrated in its power to transform outlook and promote well-being. Remaining grateful—acknowledging the positive aspects of life, no matter how small—can dramatically influence our perspective. In times of difficulty, focusing on what we have rather than what we lack cultivates resilience and a sense of hope. Gratitude can be cultivated through simple practices, such as keeping a gratitude journal or taking time each day to reflect on our blessings. Research has shown that intentionally recognizing what we are thankful for can improve mental health, increase life satisfaction, and even enhance physical health. It encourages us to appreciate the present moment, helping us find joy in the ordinary. Furthermore, expressing gratitude towards others strengthens relationships. When we take the time to thank someone for their support or kindness, it not only validates their efforts but also deepens the bond we share with them. A culture of gratitude fosters mutual respect and appreciation, which can significantly enhance collaboration and harmony in both personal and professional realms.

Giving grace, practicing goodness, and remaining grateful are interlinked virtues that can lead to profound personal and communal transformation. By incorporating these principles into our daily lives, we can create a more compassionate and supportive society. Each small act of grace, goodness, and gratitude has the potential to create ripples of positivity, uplifting ourselves and those around us. In a fast-paced world, these timeless values remind us that kindness, empathy, and appreciation can be our greatest assets in navigating life’s challenges and nurturing meaningful connections, especially in our Thanksgiving.

With Grace given, Goodness practiced, and Gratitude in place…

Africka S. Hinds
Moderator

We invite you to be a part of the 2024 Angel Tree Ministry! This year, we will collecting monetary donations ($5000 goal) for families in need. Your donation makes it possible for us to allocate funds local agencies to help with making the holidays just a little bit brighter. It is an honor to continue this tradition, and your contribution will help ensure a family is able to celebrate the holidays. Agencies that will benefit from your gifts include ConnectiKids, Covenant to Care, Hartford Youth Detention Center, and Trinity Academy.

Make your donation here.

The stories, scriptures, and traditions of the Christmas season have been passed down to us through the generations. Many of us enter this season with a swell of memories and emotions. Like a tapestry woven throughout time, the Christmas story weaves us in—to remember how God has shown up in the past, and to behold the presence of God in flesh and bone.

A line from Mary’s song of protest and praise resonates still today, “Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation” (Luke 1: 48b-50). Despite the challenges and vulnerability she faced, Mary could glimpse the scale and scope of the good news she was part of bringing forth. This good news transcends time and space—it was and is bigger than just her, and the promise is meant to be lived out and passed on from generation to generation.

Our theme is also a call to action: what are we being called to generate or bring forth? What have our ancestors and those who have come before us passed on for us to continue? Who are the spiritual elders in our community who planted the seeds for the things that are now blooming? What seeds are we planting for the future?

From Generation to Generation… reminds us of the ways our lives, histories, actions, and stories are interconnected and woven together. The work of God is always unfolding—in and through us.

This Advent, may you remember that you belong—to a story etched into the wrinkles of time, to generations that have come before and will come after, to a love that will not let you go.

Always,
Erica, Jordan, and Lara

To donate a poinsettia in honor or memory of a loved one, click here to order ($15.00 each). The deadline for orders is Sunday, December 1. If you would like to write a check, please fill out the form in Drew Hall and attach check/cash and deposit it in the box.

If you are interested in the joy of delivering a poinsettia to our congregation and community members in need on December 8 following worship, please contact Kristin White.

The UCC is in the midst of its second campaign called Vote for Climate Hope. AHCC and other UCC congregations are collecting between now November 1st. In our second year, we have witnessed a notable growth in the number of participating churches, and it is not too late to join!

The final phase of our campaign will be for teams of church members to visit their elected officials after Election Day. We know that voter mobilization and government accountability are strongest when they are linked together!

Take our Climate Hope Voter Pledge!

On November 20, at 7pm AHCC will invite the community to gather for a solemn service honoring the Transgender Day of Remembrance. This annual event commemorates the lives of transgender and gender-diverse individuals lost to anti-transgender violence over the past year.

The worship service will be a poignant evening of prayer, music, and reflection, culminating in the public reading of the names of those who have been lost. Each name is a reminder of the impact of transphobia and the urgent need for compassion and understanding in our society.

“We believe it is essential to honor these lives taken by violence and hate,” said Rev. Jordan Bucey. “By honoring their memories, and saying each of their names aloud, we recognize that each of these individuals was known and loved by God. AHCC continues God’s work, reaffirming our commitment to creating a world free from oppression and hatred.”

The event will be conducted in partnership with the AHCC High School Youth Group, fostering a spirit of solidarity and advocacy among young people. Together, we aim to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the transgender community and the importance of acceptance and love.

Attendees are encouraged to bring candles for the lighting ceremony, symbolizing hope and remembrance. This service serves not only as a memorial but also as a call to action for greater awareness and support for transgender individuals and their rights.

All are welcome and encouraged to join us in this significant observance. Let us come together to remember, honor, and advocate for a future where every person is valued and safe.

Growing up, many of us learned (or sensed) that certain topics were off-limits in “polite” company or even with close family and friends at gatherings like Thanksgiving dinners. Three such topics are sex, money, and politics. But why are these subjects considered taboo? Is it because they make us uncomfortable or vulnerable? Or is it because they tend to be divisive and might lead to disagreements?

This fall, we invite you to engage in holy and sacred conversations about these very topics. Some might say we’re courting trouble, but we prefer to see ourselves as brave and courageous! At AHCC, we create a space where we can bring our whole selves and discuss difficult subjects with honesty and respect. As author Glennon Doyle says, “We can do hard things.” We believe these deep and meaningful conversations are exactly what we need at this moment and what we, as people of faith, should embrace.

Join us for these enlightening evenings, which will start with a worshipful moment of prayer and music. Each session will include a brief presentation by clergy on what the Bible says about the topic at hand. Following this, participants will engage in conversation using provided questions as guidelines. The aim is not to debate or criticize but to foster active listening and respectful dialogue. We encourage you to come with an open heart and mind, ready to engage in thoughtful conversation.

This three-part, in person only series will delve into one topic per session and attendees are encouraged to come to all three sessions. Coffee and dessert will be served.

In January 2023, a Search Committee comprised of ten members with diverse talents and backgrounds was selected to recommend candidates to complete our clergy leadership team. The Search Committee worked prayerfully and faithfully to carry out the charge to recommend an associate minister to work alongside Revs. Erica Thompson and Jordan Bucey to continue the ministries of this glorious church for its members, our city, and beyond.

The candidate for Associate Minister of Mid/Later Life, Rev. Lara Whitley Franklin, comes to us with outstanding credentials and significant leadership experience. She grew up in a military family, and has served as an associate pastor, senior pastor and regional leader in ministry. Her education and experience include clinical pastoral education in a healthcare and academic settings, Master of Divinity degree and coursework completed for the Doctor of Ministry (ABD). Lara even worked as a police investigator before her calling to ministry.

We invite you to take some time looking over this brochure which contains background information and the special qualifications of this outstanding candidate we had the pleasure to get to know, and unanimously and enthusiastically recommend. She has energy, warmth, and compassion combined with diversity of thought and experience.

We are thrilled that God has called Lara to Asylum Hill Congregational Church. We thank you for your confidence in the Search Committee members and look forward to being with you in worship on Sunday, September 29 to meet Rev. Franklin. You will have an opportunity to engage in discussion with members of the Search Committee at the Congregational Meeting following the 10:00am services on that date.

Indeed, God is doing new things at AHCC!

Sincerely,
Members of the Search Committee: Lenell Kittlitz, Chair; Tory Chavey, Anderson Curtis, Connor Gallegos, Kathleen Graham, Africka Hinds, Hannah Frenette Granfield Horton, Wanda Williams McCormack Frank Virnelli, Dayl Walker

As we embark on the 2024-25 program year and our theme, From Generation to Generation, we invite you to immerse yourselves in the stories, scriptures, and traditions of the Christian faith that stretch from the past to the future. This theme is a reminder that our spiritual heritage is a dynamic force that continues to shape and define who we are and who we are called to be.

Throughout the program year, we will examine the wisdom of our ancestors and the lessons they imparted. We will explore how these sacred legacies guide us in our world today, challenging us to continue their work of liberation and justice. What aspects of their faith journey are we called to carry forward, and how can we build upon their efforts to create a more inclusive and compassionate world?

We will reflect on our current role in this unfolding story. What values, actions, and teachings do we want to pass on to those who come after us? How can we ensure that our contributions are meaningful and enduring, leaving a legacy of faith, hope, and love?

From Generation to Generation calls us to recognize the threads that connect us across time. It reminds us that our lives are part of a grand tapestry, woven together with the experiences and sacrifices of those who have gone before us and those who will come after us. It is through this understanding that we can fully embrace our role in God’s unfolding work.

As we move through this year, may we find inspiration in the stories and examples of our forebears, courage in our current endeavors, and hope in the future we are shaping. May we always remember that we are part of a greater narrative, held in the embrace of a love that transcends time and space — a love that binds us together across generations and invites us to contribute to a legacy of grace and transformation.

Please join the volunteer team (Ed Barlow, Elise Hopkins Gallegos, Kathleen Graham, Cindy McLane, Mitra Sarshuri and Linda Smith) to welcome Balqis Moussa and Getu Gebeto, two new interns from the Hartford International University’s Master of Arts Peacebuilding Program. The team will introduce them to AHCC members and activities, provide transportation, invite them to community events and hold monthly dinners. It is a privilege and an honor to get to know Getu Gebeto from Ethiopia and Belqis Moussa from Tunisia. Please welcome them during the fellowship hour following Sunday September 8 worship service.

GETU GEBETO
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: ETHIOPIA RELIGIOUS IDENTITY: CHRISTIAN
Getu is married and has four children (two boys and two girls). He has several years of work experience in various organizations (public, private, and nongovernmental) in the areas of organizational leadership and human resources management. Moreover, he has been serving as a Volunteer Strategic Partnership Director of the African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries (ALARM) in Ethiopia since April 1, 2023. Getu is highly interested in promoting interreligious dialogue to ensure peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia and beyond. To this end, he has participated in various interreligious dialogue workshops in Ethiopia that were organized by the Ministry of Peace and Interreligious Council of Ethiopia. He holds an MA in Public Administration, a BA in Management, a Postgraduate Diploma from Maastricht School of Management, and different professional certificates.

BALQIS MOUSSA
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: TUNISIA RELIGIOUS IDENTITY: MUSLIM
As an English major, Balqis pursued an intercultural academic career which has broadened her perspective on dialogue, interfaith reconciliation, and tolerance. There was no better opportunity for her to enhance her skills for peacebuilding than engaging in thought-provoking workshops that helped deepen her understanding of human interactions. Participating in local social initiatives that aimed at empowering youth has motivated her and played a significant role in her professional career as an English teacher. Her short yet inspiring teaching journey enabled her to take part, together with her students, in peace-oriented projects that have nurtured in them the fundamental human values of tolerance, love, and respect. All these life experiences shaped Balqis’ understanding of peacebuilding and motivated her to join the MAP program, which will provide her with an unparalleled chance to be part of an all-embracing intercultural community.

The Board of Deacons is calling a Congregational Meeting to vote on the recommendation of The Associate Minister Search Committee’s candidate to fill the position of Associate Minister of Mid/Later Life.

All members are encouraged to attend the candidating sermon and congregational meeting where you will have the opportunity to engage in discussion with members of the Search Committee.

The Board of Deacons of Asylum Hill Congregational Church hereby calls a Congregational Meeting in the church sanctuary following worship on Sunday, September 29, 2024 for the purpose of voting to extend a call to the candidate for the position of Associate Minister of Mid/Later Life. Members present will then vote on the Committee’s recommendation.

More information about the candidate will be shared in the coming weeks.

Search Committee members: Anderson Curtis, Dayl Walker,  Tory Chavey, Frank Virnelli, Kathleen Graham, Lenell Kittlitz, Chair;  Africka Hinds, Church Moderator; Rev. Erica Thompson, Senior Minister

Read more about the candidate, Rev. Lara Franklin

Students of Hartford Public Schools are headed back to their classrooms on Tuesday, August 27. Many children in our community lack backpacks and we can positively impact a child’s educational experience by providing them with the tools they need to succeed.

AHCC is sponsoring a backpack drive beginning this Sunday, July 28 through Sunday, August 11. Just drop off backpacks at the AHCC office and we’ll take care of the rest!

If you would like to support the students at West Middle School specifically, you can purchase a Target Gift card by clicking here (www.Target.com) and emailing it directly to West Middle School Family Support Provider Amber Bierd at Amber.Bierd@hartfordschools.org

Note: If you choose to purchase a backpack, please do not purchase one with wheels as they don’t fit in the lockers.

Together, we can make a positive difference in the lives of neighborhood children. For more information, contact Sonya Green at sgreen@ahcc.org.

Thank you for your generosity and support!

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; KJV

Beloved AHCC Family,

I am saddened to share with you that due to health issues the time has come for me to complete my ministry as Bridge Minister at Asylum Hill Congregational Church.

We all know life throws us a curve occasionally which requires us to “surrender to achieve victory” (a favorite aphorism of mine), and in this case, I hope the “victory” is good health. While my position was intended as temporary, I had hoped to see it through until the Universe sends just the right person to fill the role, for which I continue to pray. I believe it will be well worth the wait. I am disappointed as well and ask for your understanding at this time.

My ministry and life have been enriched a thousand-fold by all of you and experiencing the abundant love of God with each other, the extended community, and all the bountiful ministries offered in AHCC’s own glorious and forward-thinking way. There is something special going on here and I am blessed to have been a part of it, even if for a brief time. You have my abundant and never-ending gratitude.

We have shared God’s presence during joy, sadness, celebration and loss, conversation and silence. Now we share a good-bye, but we are forever bound by our wonderings and wanderings as disciples, and most of all by our faith in God and love of Jesus Christ. Rev. Erica has graciously invited me to attend a reception following worship on Sunday, July 28 where I hope to see as many of you as possible.

Please continue AHCC’s life-giving ministry, led by your stellar ministry team, Rev’s. Erica, Jordan, and Sonya, your incredible leadership team, staff, community partners and most of all, you! The world needs it now more than ever!

In Christian love,

Rev. Nina

The end of the program year is upon us and we are so happy to provide this recap of some of the events and happenings at AHCC since January. This year’s theme, “To Know and Be Known,” has resounded with clergy, staff, and members in ways that exceeded expectations.

We invite you to look through this publication as we reflect on a wonderful second half of our year.

End of Year Newsletter

In September 2023, Rev. Erica Thompson called together a group of ten AHCC volunteer and staff members to explore how best to re-purpose the roughly 10,000 square feet of Garden Level space (including the former Thrift Shop).

She asked the group to be creative as it planned for space that could be flexible, community-oriented, and both financially and environmentally sustainable.

Watch the report shared at the 2024 Annual Meeting.

As the school year comes to an end and we wrap up our AHCC program year, I am so hopeful about the future. Through the past several years, we have undergone many changes as a community and worked to become a church that looks more like the Kingdom of God. Today, I am excited to tell you about a few things happening at AHCC that I believe will make us a better faith community and help us grow into who God is calling us to be in this time.

· After Tobey Aubert, Director of Early Life Ministries, left in late January, Erica and I intentionally re-evaluated our programming instead of rushing to hire someone immediately, as we felt it important to take time to listen for where God was inviting us to go with our ELM department.

· In late May, we looked over our Faith Lab Kids Sunday School program, Middle & High School Youth Groups, and Confirmation to discern what our young people need and how we can provide a safe, loving, and faith-filled environment for them.

· We’ve concluded that it is in the best interest of our young people to hire two people to facilitate ELM programming and events. With eyes and hearts focused on growth and fostering faithful relationships, we believe that a Director of Children’s Ministries, to focus on our Nursery and Faith Lab Kids programming, and a Director of Youth Ministries, to focus on our Middle School and High School Youth Groups, will ensure all our young people are receiving the attention and encouragement they deserve.

· At the June meeting of the Personnel Committee, these two part-time job descriptions were presented and approved.

· The Director of Children’s Ministries job description is posted here, and the Director of Youth Ministries job description is posted here. Both job descriptions will be distributed within the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ and other networks we are connected with.

· Over the summer, I will conduct interviews with applicants and hope to begin the program year in September with two new staff members.

Friends, I must also take this opportunity to thank the AHCC staff and lay leaders, as well as the amazing members of the ELM Team who have helped volunteer and support our children and youth programming during this time of transition.

I feel blessed to be a part of the Asylum Hill Congregational Church family and I believe in our future. We have the opportunity to build upon a legacy of love, faith, and fun for our children, teens, and their families in ways that make me so excited about God’s path for us. I ask that you hold me, the staff, and our future applicants in your prayers as we move into this next season. We have so much to look forward to and I am sure that the possibilities for us in the future are endless.

In prayer and hope,

Rev. Jordan Bucey

Following rave reviews from last year, we are pleased to announce the second annual Summer Series, “The Gospel According to Broadway.” Last season’s resounding success set the stage for a second run of this much-anticipated series that promises to uplift hearts and open minds with a blend of spirituality and artistic expression.

Just as Jesus often taught using parables or stories to help people understand God’s grace and love in ways relevant to them. Modern day musical theater can convey important messages in much the same way. Last year’s inaugural series exceeded our expectations, engaging members and friends, inviting them to dig deeper into some serious and thought-provoking themes as well as be uplifted by beautiful music. This year, we are excited to build on that success to create more memorable and meaningful experiences.

This summer, we are engaging in our second summer worship series that will take us on a journey to Broadway! We will be highlighting musicals that:

• come from a variety of eras and historical perspectives;
• are culturally and geographically distinct;
• attempt to break taboos and norms;
• teach us about the importance of relationships and community.

Join us for an important summer series that will take on deep and significant topics with levity and love!

June 16 – Dream Girls
In the face of loss and struggle, how do we hold on to our dreams?

June 23 – Les Misérables is a love story. Not an “eros” kind of love, but rather an “agape” kind of love. In fact: To love another person is to see the face of God.

June 30 – Pride Sunday – Rent mirrors the early church in so many beautiful and utterly human ways.

July 7 – Miss Saigon calls into question so many hard truths about war: its cruelty, the way it shatters lives and scatters loved ones, the unspeakable sacrifices that are made, and the way we treat veterans returning from the horrors of battle.

July 14 – The Wiz
How does changing the setting of a beloved children’s story reveal more about the original themes and lessons? And how does it push us to keep analyzing our world?

July 21 – Wicked tells the story of two unlikely friends, Elphaba (later known as the Wicked Witch of the West) and Galinda (later known as Glinda the Good). The paradox is, what is deemed good is often not good at all and what is bad is often not bad all.

July 28 – Evita  is a feminine name of Latin origin that serves as a nickname for Eva. Coming from the Hebrew name Eve, it translates to “life” or “living one.” From the beginning of time, it has been both beautiful and challenging to be a woman with power.

August 4 – Fiddler on the Roof
“But, this is the way we’ve always done it!” – words that can hold sacred traditions, but hinder new ones. The  struggle with drastically changing times and mores of tradition, increasingly encroached upon by new ways of doing things, mirrors what we still struggle with today.

August 11 – The Music Man explores the themes of curiosity, imagination, expectation, and transformation. All are stirred up with the arrival of a stranger to the small town of River City.

August 18 – Dear Evan Hansen
Our mental health matters to God. How do we reconcile our struggles, the ways we want the world to see us, and ultimately, the way God sees us?   

August 25 – In the Heights
Where do we belong? How can we find and foster communities that believe in us no matter what?

September 1 – Newsies
On this Labor Day Weekend, let us take a look at the musical adaptation of the 1899 newsboys’ strike that changed the world and labor rights for all.

September 8 – The Greatest Showman
BE UNAPOLOGETICALLY YOURSELF! Never be ashamed of your perceived flaws or imperfections. You have worth and value, even if others are unable to see it.

AHCC supports Interval House for the great work they do with women in Hartford. Your generous support of AHCC in turn allows AHCC to be generous to others. Thank you.

I am writing to thank the Asylum Hill Congregational Church for the generous grant of $5,000.00. We received your check on May 28, 2024.

As we observe Women’s Health Month, I want to thank you for your commitment to addressing domestic violence in Hartford. The devastating toll that intimate partner abuse takes on a woman’s physical and mental health has a ripple effect – impacting her kids, extended family, and community at large. Your contribution mobilizes resources and intervenes to stop violence, support survivors, and promote healing.

Thank you for choosing to support Interval House.

Warm regards,

Amanda Delaura
Director of Advancement

AHCC has long been a supporter of the great work being done by local agency Loaves and Fishes. Your generous support of AHCC in turn allows AHCC to be generous to others. Thank you.

Dear Friends,

Thank you for the generous and affirming grant of $10,000 to Loaves and Fishes Ministries in support of programs which directly benefit our clients. This grant greatly impacts our ability to adapt our programs and move forward to address the constantly changing and growing client need. Our clients appreciate the quality of the meals we provide, and often remark on the obvious care that staff and volunteers take when here to serve them. Our larger Loaves & Fishes community sustains our clients with friendship, socialization, as well as with more concrete aid in the form of meals, pantry bags, backpacks for school children and holiday gifts for families, We have recently begun several new initiatives to increase the voices of stakeholders from all segments of our Loaves & Fishes larger community with the creation of both our Client and our Volunteer Advisory Boards. We are reaching those in need, volunteers are enjoying the chance to serve, and important voices are speaking up.

Our clients contribute to these supportive efforts as well, in both emotional and concrete ways. Clients often offer our daily blessing before the meal is served; many see this as a way to respect their faith as well as those present with them in the dining room. We have a regular diner who brings us her monthly contributions of salt and pepper shakers, sugar, and hot sauce for each table because her food stamp allotment has been increased and “to whom much has been given, much is expected.” 

Of course, prices are higher and supplies are lower, which underlines the importance our sustaining communities play in continuing our programs and our mission and the ongoing need for your always generous donations and other support. The simple fact is that we all need to live within a community, one that knows us, understands our needs, and helps us to meet those needs. Clients report an increase in their household food security thanks to our programs. Your donation makes all this possible.

We do better when we are connected. By working in a targeted and collaborative manner with partners in Asylum Hill and beyond, we are moving clients beyond food insecurity towards employment, housing, and more stable lives. We appreciate your commitment to our clients.

Thank you for making the difference.

Sincerely,

Allison T. Hild
Executive Director

Sunday, June 2, following worship

The primary purpose of the Annual Meeting is to hear reports and to elect officers, deacons, committee and subcommittee chairs and members. Additionally, you will be asked to approve the minutes of the 2023 Annual Meeting.

Note: A sign language interpreter will be present at the meeting.
Both the Nursery and Faith Lab Kids will be extended that day.

Please plan to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Congregation.

Thank you!

Africka Hinds, Moderator
Rev. Erica Thompson, Sr. Minister

Did you know that food waste is a huge component of landfill waste – in CT, 22% of landfill waste is made of food scraps. Food scraps give off methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to global warming.

There are things we can do to reduce the negative effects of food scraps in landfills.

· COMPOST FOOD SCRAPS (at home, at your town’s transfer station or through a service such as Blue Earth Compost https://www.blueearthcompost.com/

· Blue Earth Compost allows for composting of ALL FOOD SCRAPS of both residential and businesses and has curbside delivery. Food waste is converted to luscious bags of compost and to clean energy.

· URGE YOUR LEGISLATORS TO SUPPORT SB191, An Act Concerning Food Scrap Diversion from the Solid Waste Stream and the Redemption of Out-of-State Beverage Containers (Spring, 2024).

· To find your CT legislator: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/cgafindleg.asp

We can answer many questions about composting at home and through Blue Earth. We would love to hear from you!

This Lent, we are focusing on the life and faith of one of Jesus’ most famous disciples. In Peter, we see a person who is both steadfast and unsteady, a dear friend and a betrayer, a follower and a wanderer. In Peter, we often see ourselves. By following Peter’s journey, we watch the story of Jesus unfold through the eyes of a normal human trying to figure it all out – just like we are.

We want to affirm that faith is a constant journey of steadfast pursuit, one that ebbs and flows, seeks and wanders. We want to affirm that wandering is exploration, not necessarily distance from God. We want to affirm the ways Peter keeps going: he drops his nets, he walks on water, he runs to the empty tomb, he swims to the shore to meet the risen Christ. He keeps searching and yearning and loving, even after missteps or mistakes. Ultimately, in Peter’s story, we are reminded that God loves imperfect people – in fact, time and again, that’s precisely who God claims and calls.

As we wander together, let us tune our hearts to sing God’s grace. May we rest in streams of mercy, never ceasing.

Special Services:
February 14, 7pm, Ash Wednesday – On this rare occasion when Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day fall on the same day, Rev. Jordan Bucey will examine just how much these two holidays have in common (after all, you can’t spell VaLENTine without LENT). All are welcome in person or via livestream as we mark the beginning of Lent, the season of preparation leading us to Easter. Ash Wednesday acknowledges and emphasizes that we have come from dust and will return to dust someday. In the meantime, we take time to intentionally confront our mortality in community, reminded that at the end of Lent we remember Christ’s resurrection and victory over death. This contemplative service will include communion, music, and the imposition of ashes.

March 24, 10am, Palm Sunday – As Jesus entered Jerusalem, crowds gathered on either side of the road. As he passed, people waved palm branches and shouted, “Hosanna – blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” Palm Sunday is an opportunity for us to worship together in a festive atmosphere even as we prepare our lives and hearts for the sharp contrast that lies ahead. Rev. Jordan Bucey leads the service.

March 28, 6pm, Maundy Thursday – The Latin word mandatum means mandate and refers to the new commandment Jesus gave to his disciples on the night he shared the Last Supper with them. Please join us as we faithfully and joyfully observe Jesus’ mandate as a community. We will begin with a light meal (soup and salad) and Communion, followed by prayer stations and a meditative labyrinth walk in McKeith Hall.

March 29, 7pm, Good Friday Concert – Join us for a Good Friday concert featuring the AHCC Choir singing “St John Passion” by Bob Chilcott. Chilcott’s mighty setting of words from St John’s Gospel is a dramatic yet optimistic re-telling of the Passiontide story and combines 13th and 17th century English poetry with the King James Bible text settings. We will be taking a free-will donation to support the Music & Arts Ministry of AHCC.

Sunday, March 31, 6:15am Easter Sunrise, Elizabeth Park Overlook (corner of Prospect and Asylum Avenue). Scripture says that on the third day a group of women arrived at the tomb while it was still dark. Celebrating the resurrection of Christ we gather to watch the sunrise over the horizon and proclaim the Good News of that indeed, He Lives!

Sunday, March 31, 10am AHCC Sanctuary – This celebratory worship service, where the symbols of death are cast aside and the light of the resurrection shines forth in hymns of praise, offers words of hope, and fabulous music. Oh, and Easter lilies galore!

To Know and Be Known

Happy New Year! We’re about halfway through our program year and we invite you to see what we’ve been up to since September 2023. This “Mid-year Check-in” features highlights of some of the events, ministries, worship, and outreach experiences at AHCC.

There’s more to come! As we look forward to 2024, we hope you will find many opportunities to connect.

In an inspiring display of unity and spirit, members and friends of Asylum Hill Congregational Church are coming together to assemble a massive 60,000-piece puzzle. With winter bearing down on the Northeast, finding ways to be productive indoors can be hard, but the puzzle project is one way to live into the church’s annual theme, “To Know and Be Known.”

The project, initiated by Jack Pott, Director of Music and Arts, aims to foster a sense of togetherness and camaraderie among the church members. Filled with vibrant images of some of the globe’s most interesting places, “What a Wonderful World” is hailed by its manufacturer as the world’s largest puzzle. Putting it together is a symbol of the diverse talents and unique contributions each member brings to the congregation.

The puzzle consists of sixty 1000-piece puzzle sections, each with their own guide map. When all 60 sections are completed, the assembled puzzle will measure 8’ x 29’. “Throughout 2024, there will be a table in a main gathering space of the church with a puzzle section on it. Anyone can participate in putting the featured section together – whether it’s on a Sunday morning before or after worship, or if they are in the building for a meeting,” said Pott.

Additionally, Senior Minister Erica Thompson is hosting several “Pizza and Puzzle Nights” during Lent where folks can participate on any of several sections that will be available. “The puzzle assembly serves as a metaphor for the church’s commitment to working together, piece by piece, to build a stronger, more connected community,” said Thompson. “Lent is often thought of as a time when Christians give something up as a way of mirroring the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, alone. After the pandemic, a time when so many of us were forced into isolation, Lent is the perfect time to lean into community, a time for us to be together. And who doesn’t love pizza and puzzles?” The project provides a platform for fellowship, social interaction, and fostering new relationships within the church. Members from all age groups and backgrounds can find common ground as they work together toward a shared goal.

The completed puzzle will stand proudly at Asylum Hill Congregational Church serving as a visual representation of the unity and strength of the congregation. “We hope that this project will inspire other communities to embark on similar collaborative endeavors to strengthen their bond and build lasting connections,” added Pott.

Job Summary: The security guard ensures a safe and welcoming environment for members and visitors. In addition to maintaining the security of the property, this person will also provide facility assistance.

Complete job description and contact information here.

CAT wants to help you save money while helping the environment. Each month we’ll bring you a few suggestions on how together we can meet these goals.

Here are December’s Tips:

1. Now that most of us have the heat back on, check that your radiators and heat vents are clear of dust and free of obstacles. Blocked or clogged heat vents/radiators can cause your heating system to work harder – which translates to higher costs.

2. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, you might want to look into some of the new models, besides saving you money on utility bills they can help you fine tune your needs by adjusting the heating/cooling to help you avoid over-heating or over-cooling when you are sleeping, out for an extended period or on vacation. Additionally, many can be adjusted remotely from your phone or another electronic device.

3. As you switch on more light bulbs this season, think about replacing old lights with LED bulbs. They are more expensive to purchase, but last much longer than incandescent bulbs, saving considerable money in the long run.

We are excited to share that two part time bridge ministers are joining the staff at AHCC: Rev. Sonya Green and Rev. Nina Schmid.

What is a bridge minister?
It’s almost exactly as it sounds – a clergy person who bridges the gap while a congregation is between settled pastors. Unlike an interim minister, who is often called upon to help a congregation reflect/heal/deal with conflict/grief/etc., a bridge minister offers presence and support where it is needed most.

To that end, we have hired two fabulous bridge ministers to work alongside Revs Erica and Jordan while the Search Committee continues their faithful task of finding our next settled Mid to Later Life Minister. Each will work part-time (20 hours a week).

Rev. Sonya Green will be working with our Adult Faith Formation and Justice and Outreach Ministry Teams.

Rev. Nina Schmid will be working with our Nurture and Engage Ministry Team, focusing predominantly on congregational care and visitation.

We are thrilled to welcome both pastors to our team and we look forward to getting to know them as we move forward together. Please greet them warmly.

The Reverend Sonya Green is a native of Hartford, Connecticut. Drawn to peace-building since childhood, Sonya is certified as a Level 1 Trainer in Kingian Nonviolence and is the Board Chair of the Connecticut Center for Nonviolence. She served as an associate minister at the Union Baptist Church in Hartford.

A graduate of Trinity College in Hartford and Andover Newton Theological Seminary in Massachusetts, Sonya has been engaged in the work of building the Beloved Community by creating programs that facilitate cultural appreciation and racial reconciliation at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, in public and independent schools, and diverse community and faith-based settings in the Greater Hartford area.

Sonya is serving as the chaplain at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, having completed a chaplain residency at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center. She is the grateful mother of six adult children, and a happy mother-in-law, NaNa to two granddaughters, and mama to a cat named Nate.

Rev. Nina was raised on the Connecticut shoreline and loves all things sea and shore. She is a “cradle Congregationalist,” having grown up in the Old Lyme Congregational church. Prior to discerning her call, she worked at various and sundry undertakings, after which she resided on Fishers Island, NY, becoming a member and lay leader at Fishers Island Union Chapel UCC, where she was ordained (2016) following her graduation from Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis, MO, (MDiv) in 2015.

Nina recently completed a seven-year ministry as sole pastor at First Congregational Church of South Windsor and was one of the founders of the South Windsor Refugee Alliance in 2021.

Nina is passionate about contemplative spirituality and practices, interfaith ministry, and caring for and walking alongside all God’s children. Prior to humbly and gratefully joining the amazing AHCC team as bridge minister, she has been enjoying ‘going out’ into the world providing temporary ministerial coverage. A wide-eyed wonderer and wanderer in God’s creation, she relishes communing with nature, birdwatching, reading, cycling, walking, writing, traveling, and spending time with her 15 month-old grandson, Wesley. Thanks be to God!

Our Community Meal will be celebrating Thanksgiving on Sunday, November 26.

We invite you to provide pies (whole, ready to eat, not frozen) for us to slice up and serve to our neighbors during the noon meal. Thank you for supporting this important ministry!

Please sign up through the link below or contact Rev. Jordan Bucey.

Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084FA4A922A1F5C25-46017997-2023

On Wednesday, October 19, AHCC was recognized by the Asylum Hill Neighborhood Association (AHNA) for its long history and continued support of that organization and our Asylum Hill neighborhood. The church has been a principal and long-time backer of AHNA, providing the organization funding, meeting space, and a mailing address for most of th 25 years.

In addition, and consistent with one of AHCC’s favored phrases, to be a “church in the heart of the city with a heart for the city,” AHCC has been a driving force behind many community initiatives, including:

• the establishment of the Asylum Hill Boys & Girls Club in 2004, providing $750,000 seed money for its construction and start-up expenses.

• working with Habitat for Humanity and NINA to revitalize Huntington Street by constructing six owner-occupied homes, and with Knox Parks Foundation to create the Huntington Street Community Garden.

• inspiring members to found ConnectiKids, Loaves and Fishes, My Sisters’ Place, and Hartford Interval House that continue to serve our neighbors.

• launched and housed the School for Young Children on Asylum Hill, which outgrew the church space and became the pre-K to 5th grade Museum Academy.

Today, the church provides space to ConnectiKids and Spectrum in Motion and is currently exploring the use of its garden level to respond to other neighborhood needs. From providing free meals every Sunday to 150 Asylum Hill neighbors, raising money for local non-profits through its Music for Humanity concerts, and contributing more than $200,00 annually to community agencies, AHCC has clearly demonstrated that it is a church with a heart for the city.

Rev. Erica Thompson was at the event to accept the award.

The position of coordinator for worship and congregational care supports worship and the worship team, specifically the associate ministers, in all worship related tasks, as well as provides support in providing congregational care (identifying needs and ensuring that members are attended to accordingly).

Click here to read the full job description.

“How are we doing?” Corporations ask this question. Couples ask this question. Sports teams and opera companies and preschools and PTAs ask this question. We do and do and do, and then, every once in a while, we ask, “How are we doing?” To help AHCC address this crucial question and put some of the current AHCC metrics in context, I offer a word of wisdom from Earl Exum and a few observations related to trends in the churches around the U.S.

Two Contexts for Metrics 

Earl’s death is a heart-wrenching part of our current context at AHCC, but the legacy of his wisdom and perspective lives on. In his September response to concerns about attendance and revenue numbers, Earl wrote,

I don’t judge the health of our church by the number of new members, or the amount of pledges. These metrics are important, and I will share the actions we are taking to improve them. However, judging the health of the church based on numbers alone would be like judging each other based on how much money we make, as opposed to the good works that we do.

 With these words as a starting point, let’s look at the context and content of AHCC’s self-assessment.

Our 2020’s Context for Church

There is good reason to count noses and dollars, because how many people engage and how much people give to this church matters. But comparison across eras gets us into a bit of trouble, because the 40-year trend away from church in American culture also matters for any good current assessment of church health.

• In 1983, more than 70% of the U.S. population were members of a church or synagogue. In 2023, that number is just more than 50%. (Gallup)
• In 2000, nearly 33% of the U.S. population attended worship services weekly. In 2023, the number is down to 20%. (ChurchTrac)
• In 2000, about 13% never attended worship service, and that number is up in 2023 to 33%. (ChurchTrac)
• Additionally, a March 2023 Pew Research Center study shows that nationally 8% of people who attended religious services at least once per month pre-Covid have ceased that practice afterward.
• Zeroing in locally, although the Pacific Northwest has often been called “the none zone” for its areligious ways, a 2014 study found that 5 of the 6 least churched states in the union were New England states.

Not surprisingly, then, AHCC’s numbers have declined in recent years – especially post-Covid. It is not an easy task to search out AHCC’s attendance records from 2003, so I cannot produce them here at this time for comparison. Nonetheless, anyone who has been at the church for twenty years has noticed a fall-off. Here are current attendance and revenue numbers:

• Members  – 1487
• Households  – 869
• Weekly In-Person Attendance  – 123
• Weekly Online Attendance  – 190
• Pledging Units  – 700
• Current Committed Dollars for FY2024  – $784,271
• Contributions Received for FY2023 – $940,128

None of this should dampen AHCC’s aspirations to reach more people. But church folk who look longingly back to more plentiful population in the pews when they assess ministerial success must reckon with vast cultural changes in the place of religion in lives and priority scales.

In fact, it is time to let hope guide support. Asylum Hill Congregational Church has a long and strong tradition and place in the city of Hartford, and your pastors and leaders are adapting creatively to the new territory that is church life in 2023. This is no time to “wait and see.” This is the time for faithful folk to double down on this vibrant church’s future by resuming regular attendance and pledging financial support. Hartford needs a thriving AHCC – and so do you!

Jesus’ Vision for a Church

Of course, the more important question for any assessment of success must begin with the purpose of the church. There are huge churches that fail this test and small ones that ace it. As AHCC takes a moment to ask, “How are we doing?” we will do well to take Jesus’ restatement of the goal as our starting point.

When we ask, “How are we doing?” We often move quickly to the related question, “How are ‘they’ doing?” The ‘they’ can be another business or family or team or company or school – or it can even be our former selves, as we ask how we’re doing relative to our past performance. We tend to want context, so we bring “them” into the picture for comparison.

We do this because we humans are a competitive lot. We need only step into a corporate board room or a nursery school classroom for evidence, as power brokers in suits and tots in short pants vie for primacy or advantage. And, while some Christians have proposed that being faithful requires a sort of “competition-ectomy” – removal of our competitive instincts – Jesus does not. He treats them as a given. In Mark 10, when his disciples James and John begin (again) to one-up the rest of the disciples, Jesus does not say, “STOP COMPETING!” Instead, he tells them that their specific aspirations are worldly; but then, rather than extinguishing their competitive urges, he taps into them. “Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant,” says he. “And whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.” Then he offers himself as an example. “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many.” Jesus may as well have said, “It’s natural that you want to be ‘great’ and ‘the greatest.’ Here’s how to win the right games.”

A church can and probably should think competitively – partly because human nature makes us unable to help it. But when we are faithful, we strive to win at different games than the world around us; so, when we assess ourselves, it will be important to form “A Different Dashboard.” And as we do, we’ll need to identify what metrics or measures or qualities will be most important to track – essentially, to decide what games we want to win.

Once we’ve identified what Jesus defines as winning, numbers will matter in our assessment. But what shall we count? Of course, if we interpret the word “serve” loosely, this could lead us back to the most common metric used by churches: souls in seats. “Let’s count how many people come to our worship ‘services’!” But a better reflection on Jesus’ words would ask, “How many servants are we partnering with God to form?” Or, to go to another set of Jesus’ primary concerns, “Are we forming people who are not constantly angry or vengeful (Matthew 5.21-26, 38-42) and who are constantly striving to love their enemies?” (Matthew 5.43-48) We could continue through an array of Jesus’ other words, but you get the picture. The One we follow appears to have been much more concerned with the quality of the lives he was forming than with attendance at his events. Those transformations produced a magnetic effect, and churches grew. What would an assessment look like if the focus shifted to these markers?

Earl Exum’s reflection below caught this spirit.

I am encouraged by how the spirit is moving in the church since the pandemic. We are a different church from when I joined over two decades ago when the iPhone did not exist. We have a strong digital presence that keeps members and guests engaged from all over. Our worship services have been inspiring. The summer series – The Gospel According To Broadway – was creative, engaging, thought-provoking, and motivating. Our Homecoming Sunday service included the elements that make the AHCC worship and praise service unique – unique and inspiring music, dance, art, children, and insightful words. It also re-introduced name tags in a new way, and we’ve added the passing-of-the-peace to the worship service. These promote the fellowship and community I want for our church community.

We continue to serve and be in fellowship with our church community and neighborhood through the Sunday Community Meal.

 I review the church announcements and am encouraged by so many ways we are able to be in fellowship with God’s servants; and the many opportunities to support and encourage each other.

 I am quite encouraged about our church. Most of the discussions I have informally and during office hours reflect thankfulness for these things I’ve shared. After the worship service and my office hours discussions I leave with a sense of purpose to do better as a Christian, as God’s humble servant, and as moderator at AHCC. 

Earl’s profound words ought to matter as AHCC walks forward together into whatever is next.

A Final Thought

As I work with churches and their leaders around the U.S. in 2023, I see a clear continental divide between two ways of responding to the discouraging statistics we surveyed above.

Response #1: A Yearning for Yesteryears

Some churches’ pastors, lay leaders, and congregations spend a lot of their time yearning for the pre-pandemic glories of 2018 or, on a broader canvas, the halcyon days before our four-decade decline. Churches who think this way prize in-person participation far above online engagement, look at emptier pews with regret (and even shame), and try shoving old, square pegs into new, round holes. As a consequence, they tend toward what one pastor recently called “a collective chronic depression.” They do church, but always with the “better days” of the past in mind.

In my experience, these churches usually move quickly into a scarcity mindset and shrink both in spirit and in number.

Response #2: An Improvisational “Yes and…”

 A starkly opposite other group of churches has leaned into the changes the cultural shift and pandemic challenges present. They realize that younger generations have good reason to be skeptical when they hear a church invite them in, that Sunday worship is not the only way for new engagement to begin, and that an agile and improvisational church can build new ways of thriving. These leaders and churches live by the universal mantra of improvisational actors everywhere: “Yes and….” They recognize that we can’t always choose our prompts and circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.

These churches continue to pursue thriving lives together, evolve new ways of carrying out their mission, and tend to grow in spirit and, eventually, in number.

Friends, I’ve watched closely through these last several years, and AHCC’s pastors and leaders fit Response #2. I predict that their innovative programming, empathic leadership, and a “Yes and…” attitude will produce the right kinds of growth in these challenging times – and that the congregation would do very well to follow this lead.

It’s not too late to sign up and be part of this great event!

It’s quick and easy, sign up here:   https://www.ahcc.org/events/boars-head-2024-sign-up/  

If you wish to volunteer for the backstage crew, fill out the signup form and you’ll be contacted directly by your crew chief.

If you wish to volunteer for the cast role, the Casting Committee will contact you to schedule your photograph and costume measurement.  If you’re dying to wear a fabulous Boar’s Head costume but missed a cast role, we need costumed ushers to greet people as they arrive.  You’ll be scheduled for measurements and a photo as well.

Costume fitting dates:  November 5, 12, or 24 in McKeith Hall on the second floor of the church.

For the past 56 years, over 100 church and choir members have joined a full brass ensemble, dancers, acrobats and live animals including geese, sheep and a camel to bring the Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival  to life. Performances for 2024 will be Saturday, Jan. 6 and Sunday, Jan. 7. Find out more here https://www.ahcc.org/music-arts/boars-head-and-yule-log-festival/

This fall, AHCC will be the field site for two students studying for their MA in Peacebuilding from Hartford International University for Religion and Peace (HIU).  Christopher Atiso and Habiba Mickdad will be with us from September – May for 5 hours a week. This is an exciting new endeavor – take some time in the coming weeks to get to know them.

Country of Origin: Ghana
Religious Identity: Christian

Christopher holds a BSc in accounting from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and an MPhil in Finance from the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA). He is driven by a passion for preaching and teaching the youth the word of God. In 2017, he pursued a diploma course in ecumenical studies from the University of Geneva in collaboration with the Bossey Institute of Ecumenism (Switzerland). He is currently a pastor of Global Revival Ministry in Madina, a suburb of Accra. Christopher undertakes mission works in La Cote d’Ivoire, Benin Republic, and Togo, where he teaches and trains the youth to serve God. One of the hindrances to his work is the rising ethnic conflict in West Africa. Christopher is confident that the MAP program at HIU will empower him with the knowledge to participate in the peacebuilding process in the communities where he does his pastoral and mission work.

Country of Origin: Tanzania
Religious Identity: Muslim

Habiba, a BA graduate in History and Political Science from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, discovered her passion for leadership, peace-building, and interfaith affairs through her involvement in the Students’ Organization (DARUSO). Inspired by the Campus Interfaith Leadership Conference, she founded the University Students’ Association for Interfaith Cooperation (USAIC) to promote harmony among diverse religious backgrounds. As a co-founder of Interfaith Africa, Habiba actively works to foster collaboration among people of different faiths, aiming to mobilize Africa toward peaceful coexistence. Habiba sees the MAP program at HIU as a perfect fit for her aspirations and a path to making a positive global impact. With her rich history, unwavering commitment, and genuine desire for change, she eagerly anticipates using the program’s knowledge to advance peace-building and interfaith understanding worldwide.

Connection. As human beings we are wired for it. Jesus understood our need to connect, not on a superficial level, but deeply and authentically. Jesus spent most of his time connecting and ministering to others – many times with those society had cast aside. It is by Christ’s example that we will be guided in our ministries this year – to be vulnerable and trusting as we share our innermost thoughts and to be open to listening to those of others.

Too often we feel we must present an image that we “have it all together.” But friends, I assure you that none of us has it all together! Everyone’s journey is fraught with struggle and challenges, and I am willing to bet that every time we have overcome an obstacle, we did it with the help of others.

As a first step on our journey, we will invite folks to wear name badges on Sundays. Why? Because if you want to see someone’s eyes light up, call them by their name – especially when they don’t expect it. On Homecoming Sunday, September 10, we will worship together in the sanctuary at 10am with upbeat music and an inspiring message and introduce the theme for the program year: To Know and Be Known. Following worship, as we gather in community to connect and reconnect, I invite you to ask someone this simple question, “What is the history of your name?” I believe that by the end of that day, you will have heard some interesting stories while connecting to folks on a level that is very personal.

So come, connect, know and be known.

17^th Annual Muslim Coalition of Connecticut Leadership Banquet
Access for All: Supporting Individuals with Disabilities in our Communities.

October 1, 2023 4-7pm

Hartford Marriott Downtown, 200 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT 06103

Purchase Tickets Here

Candace Low, a member of Asylum Hill Congregational Church, is being recognized for her work in making houses of worship more accessible. She did an amazing job working with AHCC to make the community aware and as a result increase access to that establishment tremendously!

Keynote Speaker: Joohi Tahir, Co-founder and Executive Director of Muslims Understanding & Helping Special Education Needs, (MUHSEN) is a graduate of Boston University and has spent over 20 years excelling in the corporate world, speaking globally about strategies in the field of marketing and has turned her talents to become a national advocate for Muslims with Disabilities. This led to her involvement in Co-Founding and appointment as Executive Director of Muslims Understanding & Helping Special Education Needs (MUHSEN).

With her own family affected by disability, Joohi has been outspoken over the past 15 years about the need for inclusion for her daughter who is on the Autism Spectrum. She consults with masjid administrators and scholars about the need to raise awareness and provide more accessibility for people in our community with disabilities.

As a leader of this organization, Joohi advocates and markets the needs for which MUHSEN implements programs and services across North America promoting inclusion of all members of the community impacted by special needs through awareness, accommodation and acceptance. She has been a recipient of the MWA 2015 Inspiring Women’s Award and Top 7 Muslim American Women to Celebrate 2017.

We as a congregation have several things we can joyfully look forward to as we move into summer at AHCC – the Gospel According to Broadway worship series, the opportunity to gather at events through our Spotlight on Summer, and to generate increased energy to find just the right person to become our next Associate Minister of Mid to Later Life! The members of the Search Committee continue to work to identify the person with a special set of skills and passion for ministering to the Mid to Later Life members of our church family.

One of the advantages of a large, committed congregation is the vastness of our collective networks. The members of this congregation travel to a variety of places, and along the way hear sermons from ministers of other congregations – ministers and messages that are inspiring, spirit-filled, and memorable. Often, those qualities and their religious practices appealed to you on a deeper level and caused you to return to hear more when you weren’t at AHCC. It is through that kind network and communication with past search committees that several ministers have come to Asylum Hill Congregational Church – those who were not necessarily looking to make a change but were invited to look at the ministry offering at AHCC to see if it was a good fit. And several, guided by the Spirit, did make the change!

The members of the Search Committee are looking for your help in replicating this system that has worked successfully in the past by asking you to tap into your individual networks and perhaps again connect that special person to the current search. As the congregation plays an integral role in shaping the ministries of AHCC, we are confident that with a collective effort we will succeed in finding our Associate Minister of Mid to Later Life.

Prayerfully submitted on behalf of the Associate Minister Search Committee by
Wanda Williams McCormack

Knitters and crocheters from AHCC continue to create lovely shawls and lap robes for those in need of comfort. The shawls are given to mothers of victims of violence in Hartford, to people undergoing chemotherapy or dialysis, to AHCC members who are ill or struggling with difficulties, and more… Our shawls are created with prayer, and blessed when finished.

If you know of someone who would appreciate a prayer shawl, please call the office at 860.525.5696 or Diane Nattrass at 860.231.9794.

Prayer Shawl Ministry is on break for the summer, but will meet again in person in the fall. If you feel called to knit or crochet prayer shawls, please contact Diane to find out how you can participate in this ministry that provides a loving “hug” – a visible sign of God’s presence and love – with a prayer shawl.

We are pleased to report that applications for this important ministry are coming in and we are privileged to review each and every one using a discernment and evaluation process with prayer as an essential component.  As a committee, we also recognize the importance of getting to know one another and that, too, is occurring and is a privilege.

We do understand how you must feel – waiting and anticipating is both exciting and can be challenging. You are an important part of this process and we encourage you to spread the word, and if you know of someone that you think would be a good candidate, feel free to let us know. Just as a reminder: the church profile and job description for this position is on AHCC’s website here and our Facebook page here.

Please know that we will continue to keep you informed on our progress and we ask that you hold us in your prayers.  We know that God will guide us and provide us with a candidate that will bring the skills, passion, and gifts to this important part of our ministry team.  We are in this together and we are blessed to have your trust and care.

With deep appreciation, Kathleen Graham

Committee members: Lenell Kittlitz (chair), Tory Chavey, Anderson Curtis, Connor Gallegos, Kathleen Graham, Hannah Frenette Granfield-Horton, Africka Hinds, Wanda Williams-McCormack, Frank Virnelli.

Sunday, June 4, 2023, immediately following the 10am worship service; in person at AHCC.

The Board of Deacons of Asylum Hill Congregational Church hereby calls the Annual Meeting of the Congregation on Sunday, June 4, 2023, immediately following the 10am worship service.
The primary purpose of the Annual Meeting is to hear reports and to elect officers, deacons, committee and subcommittee chairs and members. Additionally, you will be asked to approve the minutes of the 2022 Annual Meeting.

Note: A sign language interpreter will be present at the meeting. Both Faith Lab and Faith labs Kids will be extended that day.

Please plan to attend the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Congregation.

Thank you!
Earl Exum, Moderator
Rev. Erica Thompson, Sr. Minister

On Sunday, May 21, during the 10am worship service, we will celebrate New Member Sunday! At AHCC, we believe that membership is grounded in an individual’s or family’s sense of call and belonging to a church community. Though you can become a member at any time throughout the year, we love to set aside a special time to celebrate our growing faith family! Please join us for worship on May 21 to welcome and acknowledge those who have made commitments to this community over the last several months. Let’s celebrate!

If you feel that you are in a season of discernment or have decided you want to join AHCC, we would love to celebrate YOU on the 21^st too! Rev. Erica or Rev. Jordan would welcome a conversation with you, or you may fill out the Member Interest Form and send to Mary Way at the church. You do not need to live in or near Hartford to join AHCC, as we welcome members who participate in the life of our community virtually as well as in person.

No matter who you are or where you are on your faith and life journey, you are always welcome at AHCC!

Thy kingdom come; thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. In this short phrase, Jesus called down God’s heavenly realm, with all the power and miracles that lie within, to dwell within our very hearts, lives, and actions.

This year at Asylum Hill Congregational Church, with Jesus’ words as our inspiration, we have been doing the work of Kingdom-building – locally, nationally, and globally. Some acts have been small, while others have been grandiose, but regardless of scale, everything has had transformational impact.

And we want to keep going. We must keep going! Our mission and ministry depend on YOU – which is why we ask you to participate in AHCC’s Annual Giving Campaign. We need your support and your financial commitment to continue the work of Kingdom-building … on earth as it is in heaven!

Thank you for being an integral part of Asylum Hill Congregational Church.

You are appreciated and loved.

Always,
Rev. Erica Thompson

The Search Committee for the Minister of Mid/Later Life is pleased to report that the job listing is complete and has been posted to the website of the Southern New England Conference of the UCC (SNEUCC) as well as to the AHCC website. The posting includes the church profile that has been updated through the combined efforts of AHCC staff and committee members working with our liaisons at the SNEUCC.

Now that the position is posted, God willing, the committee should be receiving applications soon, possibly even before you read this update! The committee has been preparing for submissions by discussing the criteria that will be used to evaluate the candidates and forming a subcommittee of three members to communicate with each applicant throughout the process.

The committee has been convening on a regular basis, gathering with SNEUCC contacts, discussing the church profile, and assigning various roles and duties to each committee member. We have scheduled upcoming weekly meeting dates for well into May, with the expectation that we will have additional meetings to discuss the applications as they come in.

Committee members, Lenell Kittlitz (Chair), Tory Chavey, Anderson Curtis, Connor Gallegos, Kathleen Graham, Hannah Frenette Granfield-Horton, Africka Hinds, Wanda Williams-McCormack, and Frank Virnelli, welcome thoughtful input from the congregation as well as prayers and patience as we seek AHCC’s Minister of Mid/Later Life.

The Search Committee for the Associate Minister of Mid/Later Life was blessed by the congregation and presented their charge on Sunday, January 29. We met after church that day to meet and greet each other and to set a meeting schedule. Our first meeting was with Isaac Lawson, Area Conference Minister, UCC Southern New England, and included a thoughtful dialog about the search process and the Committee’s voice.

Part of our agenda for each meeting is a Committee Forum, a time for each member to share, not only their own thoughts, but also dialog or feedback from within the church membership that has been relayed to them. These conversations are shared in the context of “listening,” appreciating the dialog of our church members, and grateful to hear your voices.

We continue to meet, focused on updating the Church Profile – a multipage document that outlines who we are as a congregation and the desired qualities of the candidate who will be a part of the clergy team at AHCC. Once complete, the Profile will be reviewed by our ministers, then shared with Isaac Lawson for review/feedback before posting on the UCC and AHCC websites.

Our Committee is awesome; their wisdom, experience, love for AHCC, and their voices are reflected in our process. When you see a member of the Committee, please say hello, and share a word or two. We all feel blessed to be together for this next important step in AHCC’s journey. We will keep the congregation informed of the process and our progress and each Committee member will have a chance to be the author, so you will hear from all of us.

Committee members are Tory Chavey, Hannah Frenette, Africka Hinds, Anderson Curtis, Connor Gallegos, Kathleen Graham, Wanda Williams-McCormack, and Frank Virnelli. We ask for your blessings and patience as we navigate together this Spirit-led process to bring the next associate minister to AHCC.

Blessings,
Lenell Kittlitz, Chair

Our sacred scriptures offer us many stories of Jesus encountering people who are seeking: Nicodemus comes to him in the veil of night, he approaches a Samaritan woman at a well, he heals a man born without sight. In these stories, each person is seeking a new beginning, a different life, a deeper faith. What unfolds in each of the stories is an exchange filled with questions and exploration. Often an unveiling occurs – assumptions are disrupted, a new perspective is revealed, mystery grows.

This Lent at AHCC, we invite you to journey with us on an exploration of diving deeper into who we are, where we fit in in the world, and where God is in our lives. Like the characters in each story we will read and examine this Lenten season, we are all seeking something: clarity, connection, wonder, justice, balance. We are seeking our calling, the sacred, and how to live better lives in community. Our theme for 2023 is “Seeking: Honest Questions for a Deeper Faith,” and we are excited to share opportunities for meaningful worship, reflective practices, and connection with each other.

During this season, we invite you to engage in the spiritual practice of seeking. We encourage you to stay curious, open, and nimble. We hope you will soften your assumptions and expand your perspectives. We pray that our time together will allow our questioning to create safe spaces for all of us to explore and to be drawn more deeply into the fullness of life – into the heart of God.

One of my favorite songwriters is Lori McKenna. A Massachusetts native, Lori has written songs for country music greats like Faith Hill, Little Big Town, and Tim McGraw, and even collaborated with Lady Gaga on writing for the soundtrack to the 2018 film A Star Is Born.

In 2017, McKenna won the Grammy for Best Country Song for her song Humble and Kind. Her lyrics remind listeners:

When the dreams you’re dreamin’ come to you
When the work you put in is realized
Let yourself feel the pride
But always stay humble and kind

AHCC, I want to take a moment to congratulate you on a job well done. On a job I’m not even sure you know you did. And I invite us into a moment of pride.

In the span of just four months, our church had the honor of hosting not one, but two, Services of Ordination. The first was for our beloved Minister of Early Life, the Rev. Jordan Rebholz, and the second was for church member and former vice moderator, the Rev. David Figliuzzi. Each service was beautiful, spirit filled, and unique to the individuals being ordained.

But I want you to understand that this is actually a pretty big deal and a place where we all should feel some pride! To be a community where folks can hear God’s call, have a safe space to discern that call, and then receive the support they need to say yes to God with confidence and joy is an incredible gift!

In a world that seeks to tear almost everything down, being a church that seeks to build up, bless, and send folks forth to be about the ministry and mission of Jesus Christ is countercultural, my friends. So today, take a moment to feel the pride. Be proud of who you are and who you are becoming. But as Lori McKenna reminds us, always stay humble and kind.

Always,
Rev. Erica

Moderator Earl Exum has “office hours” on Sundays after church. If you are interested in speaking with Earl about any joys or concerns, contact the church office at 860.525.5696 to schedule a time for an in-person, Zoom meeting, or phone call.

Hands on Hartford is working daily to help those in our community with a helping hand – and they’re right in our neighborhood. They serve the community in many ways from offering free meals, counseling services, a pantry, and reaching out to the homeless (those living on the street, the recently formerly incarcerated, or those who are in need) 6 nights a week.

One of their needs is toiletry kits they distribute to the homeless. Won’t you consider donating travel size toiletry items which will later be packaged into kits to be given to Hands on Hartford for distribution? Thank you.

Items to be collected:

Tooth brush, toothpaste
Comb, brush
Shampoo, conditioner
Deodorant
Wash cloth, bar soap
Disposable razor, shaving cream
Dental floss, mouthwash
Feminine care products

Additionally, full-size detergent and fabric softener are needed for their pantry. Items can be dropped off in the bins located at the back of the church, in Drew Hall, next to the office and the door leading into Drew Hall.

Any questions, call: Patti Beckett 860.633.6147

We are now officially into summer and a few weeks into Rev. Erica’s sabbatical, and wanted to take a moment to thank you for all your encouragement and support. We are having fun connecting with you, learning with you, and growing in faith and service together!

As you may have noticed, our beloved David Figliuzzi, former vice moderator, has returned to AHCC to help with sabbatical coverage following his graduation from Yale Divinity School. David has been making calls, doing pastoral visits, helping coordinate Adult Education events for the fall, and connecting with community leaders to help further our justice and community initiatives. He will also be preaching and helping lead worship. We are so grateful for David to share his many gifts with us!

As you may have seen on social media, Rev. Erica has been enjoying precious and sacred time with her family. We all miss her greatly, and are grateful for your continued prayers for her and your appreciation of her need for this well-deserved sabbatical time. We invite you to reach out to Jordan, David, or Tracy if you would like prayer or a visit, if there is anything weighing on your heart, or if you want to share a joy.

We invite you to click the button below and take a look at the all fun summer social events we have planned. You can see more information and registration in the calendar. We hope they will help deepen our connection to one another, and we encourage you to participate in as many as you can.

The summer worship series, Steps to Living our Fullest and Most Fulfilling Lives, starts July 3. The series will explore the themes behind the “Twelve Steps” and will invite us to discover ways to cultivate compassion for ourselves; to regain our agency and discover our strength; and to free ourselves from the harmful habits, toxic relationships, and burdensome dependencies that might be holding us back from living our fullest and most fulfilling lives. If you’re in town, we’d love to see you at worship in person, and if you’re traveling, we invite you to livestream Sunday worship.

With joy, enthusiasm, and prayer,

Tracy and Jordan