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Introducing Rev. Lara W. Franklin

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

Annual Theme – From Generation to Generation

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.

Welcome Getu Gebeto and Balqis Moussa to AHCC and to Hartford

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.

Call to Congregational Meeting

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

Back-to-School Backpack Drive

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!

A Message from Rev. Nina Schmid

“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

AHCC Connections

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

Report from the Garden Level Task Force

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.

Early Life Ministry Staff Update

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

The Gospel According to Broadway – Act II

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.

Thank You from Interval House

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

Thank You from Loaves and Fishes

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

Annual Meeting of the Congregation

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

From AHCC’s Climate Action Team: What to do with food scraps?

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!

Black History Month Paraments

In February 2023, one way we celebrated Black History Month was by adding to our collection of Chancel Liturgical Paraments.

Pulpit and 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 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 handweaving fabric that is usually off-white in color. The fabric is dyed with fermented mud and plant dyes, taking up to 4 days to make a length of cloth. 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 have specific meaning:

gold = Status/ serenity
silver = the 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 mostly 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. During the 1960s, Gee’s Bend played an important role in the Civil Rights movement. Martin Luther King 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 AHCC Hill Quilters
This quilt was based on an original made in 1966 by Sadie Bell Nelson (1936-1981), a Gee’s Bend quilter. Sadie’s original quilt is 85” x 77”. Kay Carver thinks most likely Sadie used very few tools such as scissors, thread, a needle, and maybe card-board hand-made templates as it was hand pieced. It is a phenomenal piece of work! The Hill Quilters were honored and humbled to plan and share this adaptation. Krystina Carver, assisted her mother Kay in making the adaptation of this quilt.

This quilt has been adjusted to fit the Communion table. There were several changes that had to occur as most of the fabrics that Sadie used are not readily 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 to 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 #1 – 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 was enlarged and used as the template.

SILHOUETTE #2 – John Lewis
Plans are in the works to have this quilt added for February 2025. Once both silhouettes are completed, they will be hung on the woodwork in the upper chancel.

AHCC would like to thank the Hill Quilters and the Music and Arts Committee 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.”

Lent 2024: Wandering Heart

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!

Mid-Year Check-In

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.

Building Community One Piece at a Time

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.

Know and Be Known House Meetings

Watch for a series of Know and Be Known House Meetings to take place throughout the program year. Together with the Member Engagement Ministry Team, the GHIAA Core Team will be hosting a series of intimate gatherings to foster meaningful connections among us. The Know and Be Known House Meetings will provide an opportunity for us to listen, share and understand each other on a deeper level. The series will kick off with some of the existing ministry teams and affinity groups, including newer members as we go. If you are eager to join an early gathering, please reach out to Sandy Wood Forand at swoodforand@gmail.com.

 Why are we planning Know and Be Known House Meetings?

We often find ourselves wondering, “How well do we really know our church friends?” Whether you have collaborated on committees for years, exchanged smiles across the pew, or are a newcomer finding your place, these House Meetings will offer a chance to share who you are as close friends. These small gatherings, centered around a single prompt, will create a safe and friendly space for us to go deeper.  Plan to join us to help create new trusting relationships, building an ever-stronger church community of connection and love.

Our first prompt: “Tell us a story about an important part of your life that people at church might not know about.”

Tips from AHCC’s Climate Action Team (CAT)

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.

Choir Brings Boar’s Head to the Atheneum

About a month ago, Director of Music & Arts, Jack Pott, was contacted by the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art as they had recently acquired a life-size Boar’s Head Tureen! This 18th century Delftware inspired them to open a dialogue with AHCC, and eventually led to an invitation for our Sanctuary Choir to perform a short program on December 1 in Avery Court as part of their Festival of Trees and Traditions.

In addition to festive songs, we also had an opportunity to bring our decorated Boar’s Head, carried by two Beefeaters, Chris Pankratz and Scott Orsey, followed by Mike and Carolyn Cass, in costume as the King and Queen of the Realm, and Paul O’Mara as the Herald, who started the festivities by singing the Boar’s Head carol after Jack’s opening remarks. With these components, and despite not having an accompaniment, the choir was able to create a “mini Boar’s Head” experience, with commentary filled in by Jack.

The event was was well attended, and there were lots of comments about attending AHCC’s Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival.

If you haven’t purchased your tickets, you can buy them here.

Bridging the Gap

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!

Advent Worship

Sunday, December 3 – First Sunday in Advent – Hope. Worship in person or livestream, 10am.

Sunday, December 10 – Second Sunday in Advent – Peace. Worship in person or livestream, 10am.

Sunday, December 17 – Third Sunday in Advent – Joy. Worship in person or livestream, 10am.
Christmas Sunday with choir and orchestra performing pieces from Handel’s Messiah.

Sunday, December 24 – Fourth Sunday in Advent – Love. Worship in person or livestream, 10am – Nativity with live animals
8 & 11pm – Christmas Eve Candle-lighting services in our beautiful, historic sanctuary.

AHCC Recognized for Contributions to Asylum Hill Neighborhood

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.

AHCC Employment Opportunity

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.

A Different Dashboard by Dr. Allen Hilton

“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 Be A Part of Boar’s Head 2024!

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/

AHCC to be Field Site for Two Students

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.

Annual Theme – To Know and Be Known

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.

Leadership Banquet to Honor AHCC Member Candace Low

17th 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.

The Power of Networking

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

Prayer Shawl Ministry

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.

Summer Series: The Gospel According to Broadway

Jesus often taught using parables – stories that helped folks understand God’s grace and love in ways that were relevant to first century hearers. Through these stories, he made clear what the Kingdom, on earth as it is in heaven, looks like. Which is to say that Christianity and storytelling are intrinsically connected.

In fact, oral tradition has always been an important way of passing on information from one generation to another. It’s our stories that matter!

Modern day musical theater can do this in much the same way. Musicals often take complex ideas and present them using stories that make sense to hearers in the 21st century. In fact, it is said that going to the theater is reminiscent of going to church without being “preachy!”

This summer, we are engaging in a 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 18 – The Color Purple
How do we persevere in the face of struggle and find the God inside ourselves?

June 25 – Kinky Boots
What does innovation look like in today’s world? It may mean challenging old assumptions and finding the courage to forge new relationships.

July 2 – Hamilton
When you die, who will tell your story? What legacy will you leave behind?

July 9 – The Sound of Music
Reflections on fascism: 1938 & 2023

July 16 – Ragtime
What is the American dream? Has the tune changed since the turn of the 20th century?

July 23 – Parade
This 2023 Tony Award Winner for Best Revival of a Musical also won the Tony Award for Best Original Score in 1999. Let’s discover why the world needed this story revived…

July 30 – Carousel
Who’s in and who’s out? A deeper dive into this classic as we see that not all communities are as they appear on the surface.

August 6 – West Side Story
Conceived as a musical update of “Romeo and Juliet,” West Side Story explores the devastating consequences of racism to people and communities.

August 13 – South Pacific
“You’ve got to be carefully taught” … how does social conditioning impact and perpetuate racism?

August 20 – Jesus Christ Superstar – 50 years later
How Andrew Lloyd Webber changed the game when it came to telling the story of Jesus.

August 27 – The Lion King
Remember who you are, the future depends upon it!

September 3 (Labor Day weekend) – Come From Away
Can the people of Gander, Newfoundland accommodate 6,800 unexpected visitors as their planes, banned from US airspace, land at Gander’s airport in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks?

May Report from the Search Committee

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.

Annual Meeting of the Congregation

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

New Member Sunday

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 21st 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!

Stewardship Season 2023

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

Job Description Posted to SNEUCC

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.

Dignity Grows Packing Party a HUGE Success!

On Saturday, March 18, AHCC partnered with Dignity Grows, an organization that provides free hygiene products to those in need.

We are so grateful to the 80+ people who gathered in AHCC’s Youth Classroom and packed 500 Tote Bags. During Sunday’s worship service, we blessed the totes and prayed for their recipients. The totes full of hygiene products are now being distributed to those in need in the greater Hartford area, offering dignity and hope.

Thank you to those who made a donation and those who came out for our church-wide Packing Party. We exceeded our $5000 fundraising goal by $1,705! Because of your generosity, we are able to fund 170 additional totes.

We has such a great time and we’re already planning our next Packing Party!

Associate Minister Search Committee Begins Work

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

Lent 2023 – Seeking: Honest Questions for a Deeper Faith

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.

Congratulations on a Job Well Done

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 youWhen the work you put in is realizedLet yourself feel the prideBut 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 Office Hours

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.

Reaching Out, Helping Out

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

Very Tiny Visitors Welcomed at AHCC

In 2020, AHCC member and Asylum Hill neighborhood resident, Paul O’Mara was approached by the Knox Parks Foundation about AHCC being one of several downtown Hartford churches to host a pollinator garden. These gardens feature native plants that are good food sources for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial flying insects – and they are hard for them to find in urban settings.

He received approval for the garden to be installed in the AHCC parking lot facing Huntington Street and enlisted Susan Fellman, a long-time gardening volunteer at AHCC, along with Master Gardeners Paul Grimmeisen and Kathye Cipes, to get the garden established. Paul Grimmeisen was instrumental in leading volunteer efforts at the Community Garden on Huntington Street.

Paul O’Mara rototilled the vacant plot and Knox Parks made the initial donation of pollinator friendly perennials.

After planting, watering, and mulching, today it’s a surprising burst of color and vitality with regular visits from bees, wasps, moths, and butterflies. Church sexton Jorge Fuentes has also been enlisted to help with mulching, and Kathye Cipes and her dog, Friday, can often be found watering the plants and weeding.

Some additional plants have been donated by the Connecticut Science Center and it’s fun to see what is blooming from week to week. At the end of the season, birds are sure to visit to take advantage of seed pods from the spent flowers and insects as they get ready for migration or the colder weather ahead.

If you haven’t seen the Pollinator Garden, please take the time to see what’s growing and blooming.

Special Request: Do you have a birdbath you could donate to the pollinator garden? It will provide food AND water to our tiny visitors. Please contact Kathye Cipes kathye-cipes@hotmail.com if you have a birdbath or pollinator-friendly perennials that you would like to add to the garden. Thank you!

Summer Update

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 JordanDavid, 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

Workshop Report: Being A Better Neighbor

The Neighborhood Vision Task Force created an incredibly thorough report, and this workshop (the first of many), held on May 16 was an opportunity to gather with AHCC members and delve into the report more fully, and discuss ways for all of us to bring it to life. The following are the highlights of what came from the discussion.

Ways of being: How can we be that would invite more relationship with our neighbors

  • Relationship Led: The ultimate byproduct of this effort is deeper and more plentiful relationships with our neighbors and each other. There may be things we do, events we host, goals we accomplish, but in the end, the measuring stick is relationships
  • Extend Hospitality: Hospitality is about offering grace to a stranger. What would happen if we simply extended that kind of hospitality to a larger population of our neighborhood? What if we extended more invitations for the things we do already?
  • Community Catalysts: If we can bring people together to talk about what matters to each other, we are destined to discover that maybe we are not alone, or as different as we might assume. We also might begin to see our differences as treasure to learn from. In fact, this happened even in this workshop

Short-term actions to take:

  • Sunday Meal – Could we do a special edition Sunday meal where we invite a broader population of the neighborhood, and encourage people to stay and engage in conversation over a meal?
  • New Members – Could we host a workshop like this with new members, or member candidates to get them involved right away?

Exciting Ideas

  • Youth Scholars/Youth Choir
  • Connecting the energy of people within the staff and with what is happening
  • Environment – what can we do within our walls, and outside of our building e.g., build a pavilion/patio/gazebo to use our outdoor space as a place to gather
  • Worship in the park, break bread with people in the neighborhood
  • Using music to heal trauma
  • Offer technical/production internships
  • Community meals expansion
  • Employment networking/job fair
  • Build a laundromat the community can use, and potentially operate

Questions for the community

  • What is the relevance of assumed issues – e.g., gun violence, homelessness, hunger?
  • How can we deepen relationships with who we already know, work with in the community?

A Note About the Texas School Shooting

Dear AHCC Family,

I am not sure I have the right words to even begin to describe how I am feeling today. When I first heard the news that there had been another mass shooting in our country, I am embarrassed to say that I wasn’t surprised. These horrifying acts of gun violence have become so commonplace that they barely register as a blip on our newsfeed. But as the reports came in explaining that this occurred at an elementary school and multiple children were dead, I fell on the floor sobbing. “What have we become?” I kept whispering to myself. I felt helpless and angry.

We have now learned that at least 19 children and 2 adults were killed. Last night, as I put my own children to bed, I stood staring at their little faces knowing that those parents in Uvalde, Texas were facing the unimaginable reality that that morning was the last time they would hold their babies. It’s heartbreaking and almost feels like too much to handle.

I want you to know that you are not alone in your grief and confusion. Each of us may feel or express it differently, but we all are affected. And it is not lost on me that for those of us who live in Connecticut, the re-traumatization of this event is very real, as not so long ago we learned of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Many of you may be wondering, “When will enough be enough?” or “What can we do to protect our kids?”

The Massai tribe of Africa have a traditional greeting: “Kasserian Ingera” which means, “And how are the children?” This greeting reflects the high value the Massai place on their children’s well-being. Even those with no children of their own respond with the traditional answer, “All the children are well.” Meaning, of course, that peace and safety prevail, that the priorities of protecting the young, the powerless, are in place. The Massai society has not forgotten its reason for being, its proper function and responsibilities. “All the children are well” means that life is good and that the daily struggles for existence do not preclude properly caring for the young.

Friends, I am asking myself this same question today – How are the children? How are the children when they can’t go to school and be safe? How are the children when they hear parents and other grownups in their lives talking about yet another school shooting? How are the children when our leaders refuse to act on gun violence legislation, leaving the door open to more events like what occurred in Texas yesterday?

The answer, I believe, is this: WE have an opportunity to make the world safer for our children AND we can talk to them about the realities of this world in a loving and hopeful way. We are never to shy away from the fact that we don’t live in the Kingdom yet, and there will be loss and pain. But we also have a responsibility to ensure our kids grow up in a better world.

If you are feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, you are not alone. I want to make sure that you know your clergy are here for you – to offer support, to talk, to pray, to sit in silence together. Additionally, if you need help finding the words to talk with your children or grandchildren, AHCC’s Youth Director Tobey Aubert and I are both available to provide guidance or refer you to resources that may help you in having age-appropriate conversations. We are in this together and your AHCC clergy and staff are holding you in prayer as we navigate the realities of this tragedy.

I truly believe that we live in community so that someday our answer to the question, “And how are the children?” can be, “All the children are well.”

Holding you in love,
Pastor Jordan Rebholz

Thrift Shop News

Over the past several years, we as a congregation have had to re-evaluate our ministries and how we connect with and serve our community. We have added and changed programs and events to work toward becoming the church we believe God is calling us to be. It’s been a difficult but important task, and we have only been able to do it with the support of our members and community partners, knowing that the Spirit is leading us to “love our neighbors” in new ways.

In the spring of 2020, when the pandemic began, so many of our ministries had to stop in the interest of safety, including in-person worship, Sunday school, and committee meetings, to name just a few. Another ministry that was affected was our Thrift Shop, which has been an important part of AHCC for decades. For many months, we stopped operations altogether to ensure we were protecting our neighbors and volunteers through an unprecedented and difficult time.

In January 2021, we began holding monthly “pop-up” thrift shops in the parking lot during the Community Meal, in an effort to continue serving our neighbors. At the same time, the newly assembled Thrift Shop Task Force took on the job of looking at how the Thrift Shop might be modified to operate in the new world we were living in. Over six months, the task force met and discussed how to respond to the pandemic, to changes in the neighborhood, and to available resources both human and monetary. At the end of their work, the task force presented a report to the Diaconate which included suggestions on how to move forward, and the formation of an ongoing Thrift Shop Advisory Committee to provide insight and support for the next phase. Led by myself and Africka Hinds, this team included AHCC members Dean Amadon, Lila Pierce, Sally Tresselt, and Karen Hewes, and worked closely with Moderator Tory Chavey, and Helena Carvalho, Director of Operations. Since the summer of 2021, the advisory committee has met regularly to discuss new possibilities for the Thrift Shop, including how to respond to a flood in the basement, locating temporary storage for Thrift Shop inventory, and looking into off-site locations. The ongoing repair and construction in the basement made it clear that the original location of the Thrift Shop would remain unusable for the foreseeable future. After exploring the idea of moving the operations of the Thrift Shop offsite and researching what that might involve, the advisory committee concluded that it would be both too costly and logistically difficult. Additionally, we recognized that the monthly Pop Up shops in the parking lot are incredibly labor intensive and not financially sustainable.

At the same time as the Thrift Shop Advisory Committee’s work was performed, the AHCC Roadmap 2024 was created and presented to the congregation, and the Neighborhood Vision Task Force completed their work of connecting with and listening to our neighbors to learn how we might better work together to improve Asylum Hill for all. The Thrift Shop Advisory Committee, taking into account the aspirations and goals of AHCC Roadmap 2024, the report from the Neighborhood Vision Task Force, and the desire to work in partnership with these guides and initiatives, presented its recommendations to the Diaconate at its April meeting.

We believe that in order to best serve our neighbors, we need to be intentional about how we move forward and take the time to reimagine the Thrift Shop ministry. It is the recommendation of the Thrift Shop Advisory Committee that the Thrift Shop stop its operations in their current form as of June 2022. For the immediate future, this means we will no longer be accepting donations of items for the Thrift Shop and will hold more frequent Pop Up Shops in the parking lot to ensure we can distribute all the inventory currently on hand. Further, the Thrift Shop Advisory Committee suggests we continue to serve our neighbors by holding seasonal clothing events, such as a school uniform drive in August and a coat drive in the late fall/early winter, etc. We see these changes as a necessary and vital shift in ministry that balances the needs of the neighborhood and the limits of resources.

At the same time, it is important that we celebrate the many people who have made the Thrift Shop such a wonderful ministry over the years, including the incredibly dedicated volunteers who spent countless hours sorting, cleaning, and displaying items, and our current Thrift Shop Coordinator, Sue Powell. We are so grateful to these wonderful individuals who have given their time and hearts in support of the Thrift Shop as well as to everyone who has donated items to this ministry. We pray that over the next several years, as we reimagine our mission, you will continue to support whatever direction we take as we find new ways to love our neighbors.

These are important and transformative times we are living in. We have always been a congregation that believes our mission is to “love God and love our neighbor” through the many ways we serve our world. While this is a change to the way we exist in the neighborhood, I believe it will allow us to step back and listen to where the Spirit is leading us so that we can continue the legacy of service and justice that is a hallmark of Asylum Hill Congregational Church. Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we look toward the future to find the ways we can love our neighbors in this new world.

In love and grace,
Pastor Jordan Rebholz

AHCC Roadmap 2024 Update

Over the last year, we have been busy planning, working, and accomplishing together, using this roadmap as a tool to guide us as we emerge from the pandemic.

AHCC Roadmap 2024 has three primary components: Nurture and Engage, Pursue Justice, and Expand Our Impact. I have to share that as I read ALL that we have accomplished together – I felt so proud! Please take a few moments to read through this summary of how we have lived into this initiative even in these trying times. I’m sure you will agree that there is much to celebrate.

But our work is not done yet, friends! You can be involved as we keep traveling this road together and make a big, bold, positive impact on the world as we strive to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly, as a compassionate church community with resources to share.

I look forward to our continued journey!

Call to the Annual Meeting

Sunday, May 22, 2022 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, May 22, 2022, immediately following the 10am worship service.

The primary purpose of the Annual Meeting is to hear reports and to elect officers, deacons, and committee and subcommittee chairs and members. Additionally, you will be asked to approve the minutes of the 2021 Annual Meeting. The meeting agenda, slate of nominees, and 2021 Annual Meeting minutes are available here.

Please note: A sign language interpreter will be present. There is no childcare, but Faith Lab will be extended.

Please plan to attend the 2022 Annual Meeting of the Congregation. Thank you!

Tory Chavey, Moderator
Rev. Erica Thompson, Sr. Minister

Summer Plans at AHCC

To our amazing AHCC community,

In anticipation of Rev. Erica Thompson’s long overdue and extremely well-deserved sabbatical coming up at the end of May, we wanted to take a few moments to let you know some of the exciting plans we have for our time together this summer.

We are honored to serve as co-pastors and sharing responsibilities during the summer of 2022. We also can’t wait for you to see some of the speakers/preachers coming in to lead worship with us, including a special time of joyfully and enthusiastically honoring the voices of the LGBTQI+ community during the month of June.

Additionally, we are planning several fun and relational events where we can come together to get to know each other (again or for the first time!). There will be many different types of programs available, and we hope you will join us for one or all of them. Be on the lookout for a big announcement with all of the event dates. Come play and eat with us!

As we look forward to this time of reflection for Erica, we invite you to see it as a time of reflection for all of us too. We as a church community have been through a lot over the past few years and have so much to be proud of and look forward to. We are incredibly honored to serve as your associate pastors and can’t wait to spend time with you this summer.

In love,
Jordan and Tracy

Investment Subcommittee Update

For the year end 2021, the balance in AHCC’s investment portfolio was $21.7M.

In 2021, the economy continued to recover. And given accommodative fiscal and monetary policies, initially put in place to help blunt the shock of the pandemic, equity markets posted strong returns. For the year ended 2021, the S&P 500 returned 28.7%.  Yet with investors’ desire to own riskier assets, returns for traditional “safe havens” lagged. The Barclays U.S. Aggregate posted returns of -1.5% for the year.

AHCC’s portfolio returned 15.2% for the calendar year end 2021, ahead of the benchmark by 160 basis points (bps). AHCC’s endowment was able to best its benchmark due to allocations to small cap stocks, U.S. corporate bonds and real estate.

When assessing future returns, the Investment Subcommittee expressed concerns about inflation and potential actions by the Federal Reserve. With the expectation that the Fed would take steps to raise rates, the Investment Subcommittee lowered, not eliminated, the allocation to fixed income. We also established two new positions in real assets, an asset class which tends to offer more consistent performance in inflationary environments.

Finally, recall that each year a sustainable draw is taken from the endowment to support the operating budget of the church. In 2021, this was 5% of the average balance over the previous 20 quarters. For an introduction and overview, members can access a replay of November’s presentation on AHCC’s endowment on the Member Portal.

David Stevenson
Chair, Investment Subcommittee

Making Our Website New!

A significant priority at the church over the past several months was refreshing the website, and I hope you have taken a look at it. The redesigned website aims to make available a huge amount of information to our members and the public at large in an easily accessible and organized way, using pictures and colors to convey AHCC’s warm and welcoming atmosphere.

What are your first impressions?

My eye is drawn to the clean lines and uncluttered page layouts, the new AHCC logo, and features such as member stories. I have navigated around the new website to see what is there and familiarize myself with where I can find the information I need.

For example, I go to the website on Sunday mornings when I attend the worship service remotely, and now the “Livestream” button at the top of every page is easy to find. I also like to use the website calendar to see what programs and events are coming up, and the calendar, too, is readily accessible through the “Calendar” link at the top of every page. Also, each page has a link to “Log In,” which I use to reach the secure area of the website when I want to look at the member directory or check my giving history. (And, yes, I can attest to the fact it is easy to reset your password for the secure part of the website if you forget it!)

I really love how the new website includes some jolts of personality. Who noticed the picture of our three ministers’ shoes? Or how about the gorgeous close-up photo of our sanctuary organ? And the numerous member stories reflect the beautiful variety in our members’ backgrounds, faith journeys, and paths to AHCC.

Finally, I want to thank the entire staff for their hard work and dedication to creating the redesigned website, and special thanks to Director of Communications Rhonda Mitchell, who spearheaded the project, and to Director of Operations Helena Carvalho, who led the data integration aspect of the project.

Tory Chavey, AHCC Moderator

Mask Optional Policy

Since (re)reopening in mid-February 2022, we’ve been intentional in our approach to our COVID-19 health and safety protocols. As has been the case over the last 2 years, we continue to consult with professionals from within our community, consider the case numbers both nationally and locally, as well as CDC recommendations. We believe we have made decisions that have ensured the health, safety, and wellbeing of members and friends.

Therefore, amid declining COVID infection rates and increasing vaccination rates, as well taking the lead from many local school districts Asylum Hill Congregational Church will transition its face mask requirement to a mask-optional policy effective immediately. The exception to this will be Faith Lab on Sunday mornings. As soon as we are ready to announce changes to Faith Lab policies another communication will be issued.

While face masks will now be optional, we strongly recommend that you wear a mask indoors if you are unvaccinated, are at high risk for illness, have tested positive, or have been close to someone who tested positive for COVID within the past 10 days. We also ask that anyone with COVID-like symptoms stay home for the safety of themselves and others.

The other note we feel compelled to share is that absolutely no one should feel shame or encounter pressure or judgement of any kind for continuing to wear a mask. This has been a long, agonizing journey for all of us, and it’s not yet completely over. As we have said throughout the pandemic, emerging from this is going to be so much messier than it was going into it. As your pastors, we expect you will treat one another with respect, grace, and love – recognizing you may know nothing at all about another person’s journey.

A Time For Every Season

Shabbat Shalom! May the peace of God dwell within you.

In Genesis, we are told that immediately after God created the universe and every living thing within it, including human beings, God rested … and commanded that it be so for all creation.

In the book of Leviticus, God’s people were instructed to allow their fields to rest fallow for one year after six years of production. This sabbath rest gave the land time to recover as well as the humans who were tending the land.

Sabbatical comes from the word Sabbath – which means “to rest” or to “cease from working,” and from the very beginning was God’s idea.

This summer, I will be taking a much-needed sabbatical! I have postponed it twice in the last several years – first because we were working on putting together AHCC’s clergy team, and then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. So, it is time! And with that, I want to be clear about what sabbatical is as well as what it isn’t.

What it is…

What it isn’t…

An extended and intentional leave/break/timeout An extended vacation or sick leave
A time for me and my family to reconnect A time to catch up on “chores”
A time to reflect (guilt-free) upon the past and present A time to respond to the daily deluge of emails and messages
A time to renew focus and vision for the future A time to pursue other ministry opportunities or an academic degree
A time to get off the treadmill and slow down
with the goal of recharging body, mind, and spirit
A miracle cure
Preventative maintenance – an investment A failing on the part of a pastor.  I am not weak nor am I doing this because I just can’t “hack” it.

In the upcoming weeks we will be sharing more with you about the specifics of my sabbatical, and you will be hearing from Jordan and Tracy regarding the scheming, dreaming, and planning they are doing to get ready for a Spirit-led summer, which will be full of joy and justice and will be a wonderful season for our community of faith to engage one another as we emerge from pandemic life.

Always,
Erica

A Prayer for Ukraine

As we move into March and celebrate women, and their contributions to history, I have been thinking about the millions of women, who right now, are courageously fighting for survival in Ukraine.

  • The grandmother who made the difficult to decision to take up arms in defense of her young grandchildren;
  • The teacher who has begun holding classes for children huddled in makeshift bomb shelters in the parking garage of an apartment building;
  • The student fleeing the bombing of her university

Women – mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, daughters … we see you, we hear you, we are praying for you.

In just 2 weeks, Jews the world over will celebrate to Festival of Purim … a festival that commemorates the defeat of an attempted genocide of the Jews of the Persian Empire in the fifth century BCE.

After a virtuous Jewish woman named Esther married King Ahasuerus of Persia, she and her Uncle Mordechai interrupted a plot by the king’s right-hand-man, Haman, who planed “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day.”

At the eleventh hour, Esther revealed to the king that she was Jewish, meaning Haman’s plan would result in her death. And the king instead sentenced his friend to be executed at the very gallows he’d prepared for the Jews.

The most well-known lines from this Old Testament story are words Esther’s uncle shared with her:

If you remain silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, but surely you will perish. Who knows maybe, just maybe you have come into this place of power, for just such a time as this? 

Beloveds, it does not escape me that the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is Jewish.

That he had family members who were killed in the Holocaust.

And that he is now fighting not only for his own life, but for the lives and future of all Ukrainians, and for the soul of democracy.

President Zelenskyy … we see you, we hear you, we are praying for you.

Prayer for Ukraine:

Good and Gracious God, we ask you to hold the people of Ukraine deep in your heart.
Protect them, we pray …
from violence,
from political gamesmanship,
from being used and abused.

Give, we pray …
the nations of the world the courage & the wisdom
to stand up for justice and the courage too,
to dare to care generously.

Lord, in your mercy, take from us all the tendencies in us that seek to lord it over others. Take from us those traits that see us pursuing our own needs and wants before those of others.

Teach us how to live in love, and dignity, and respect – following your example.

In your name and for your sake, Amen.

Lent Gone Wild

During Lent, Christians remember Jesus’ experience of being tempted in the desert for 40 days. That wilderness time was critical, as Jesus recognized more about who he was and discovered his authentic self.

This Lent, we invite you to consider the “wild” not as being a physical location, but instead consider “wild” as being untamed, authentic, and the truest versions of ourselves. What does it look like to live our most authentic and untamed lives? What is it that God is calling us to do, and who is God calling us to be? How can we discover this individually and as a community of faith?

Wild things do not settle for what is, but instead courageously reclaim what is truth.

Wild things follow an organic and not-always-predictable path.

Wild things do not apologize for who they are and are not overly accommodating at their own expense.

Wild things do not settle or blindly comply, even if it means letting go of what is familiar or safe.

Wild things dare to imagine the future, even in the face of death and loss of the familiar.

To embrace the “wild,” we must ask ourselves hard questions like, “Why am I not satisfied or happy with this?” and “Is there more than this?” and “What is real and true?”

You are invited to join this wild journey as we discover who we were made to be.

Feeling God’s Guidance

Hello AHCC Family. It is a wonderful time to be vice moderator of Asylum Hill Congregational Church. We have a dynamic diaconate, an engaged executive committee, a wise and compassionate moderator, a committed staff, and spirit-filled clergy with brilliant minds. I watch in awe as the work of God and our church gets done. I feel God’s presence and guidance. I am confident the Holy Spirit is in our midst, that we are doing right and righteous work, and that, while challenges lay ahead, we are being blessed. Most of all, I feel like the energy that is coming from AHCC is resonating more and more beyond our walls and will attract loving people that will add to the momentum.

I had a recent experience on a task force that encouraged this enthusiasm. Often when you are asked to serve on a task force, your first thought is not necessarily enthusiasm. It seems we always ask people who are already very busy to do more. Have you heard this sarcastic saying? “The reward for good work is more work.” Well, let me share my blessing. It was a tough one. The task force members shared very personal and emotional experiences, hoping the other task force members could sympathize, empathize, or better understand alternative perspectives and points of view. We also tried using logic and facts to make our case. We could not reach consensus. It was tough. We struggled to agree on the way forward. However, in the process of respectful discussion, listening, and discernment, we found so many foundational things upon which we agree. These include that we want to work against racism. We want to find ways to support justice in our communities. We want to do the work to be good neighbors and stakeholders in the Asylum Hill neighborhood.

We take on challenging issues and decisions when we try to discern God’s will, and how we can best support a mission we can never truly understand. I simply pray and have faith that God will find a way to use us – the imperfect tools that we are. I believe that when we engage, as we did on the task force, with humility, respect, good will, and positive intent, we make ourselves available for God to guide us. As the words of one of my favorite gospel songs that our choir blesses us with periodically, relays, we must let God “order our steps.”

Perhaps AHCC will serve as an example of what the world needs today – civil discourse, good will, and love for our community.

Please keep praying for AHCC, our leadership, and for me.

God bless you.

Winter Faith

Winter is a season marked by long nights and cold temperatures; the landscape is stark, barren, and seemingly dead. And truth be told, I have heard many refer to the last two years as a never-ending winter.

But did you know that ecologically speaking winter is the most active season of all? It may not look like it, because we cannot see the tremendous growth and transformation which is taking place. But it’s happening, just beyond our earthly understanding and our human perception.

It is said that faith is believing what we cannot see and trusting what we may not fully understand. For me, faith is like moving through the season of winter: believing that the Holy is at work even if I don’t have eyes to see it, ears to hear it, or the patience to be still.

The God of many names, who speaks every language, reminds us to be grateful for the innumerable ways God show up in the world and in our lives, remembering the words of the author of Ecclesiastes: “for everything there is a season, a time for every matter under heaven…” As we move through the season of winter, let’s pause to feel God’s presence in all the seasons of our own lives, as God pours out upon each one of us the strength to be grounded in justice, and mercy, and humility, and above all, love.

Blessing:

May the words you speak
May the words you hear and understand
Be holy

May your actions
May the actions of others
Be sacred

May your humanity be honored
May you honor the humanity of others
And may each one of you go forth bearing light, grace, compassion, and love out into a world so in need.

Blessings and peace be upon you all! Amen.

Connect Four

In an effort to stay connected as a church community IN SPITE of this most recent COVID surge, we are commiting to connecting with every church member during the 4 weeks of February. We’re calling it Connect Four.

The purpose of these connections: calls, emails, texts, maybe even a zoom gathering or two, is to simply reach out, connect, and check in. We hope these connections will be fun, meaningful, and maybe even lead to some new connections.

How will it happen?

We have assembled a great group of folks who have committed to making these connections happen, and over the 4 weeks of February they will be reaching out – calling, emailing, and/or texting. But please know and trust – no one wants ANYTHING from you, except to connect human being to human being!

Good Mid-Year Financial News!

December 31 marked the end of the calendar year and the midpoint in AHCC’s fiscal year which runs from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. This is the time in the year that the Administration & Finance Committee* takes a close look at not only a forecast of this year’s 12-month financial results but also how we are positioned to strengthen the church’s finances in our 3-year plan.

In line with other churches’ experience, AHCC’s contributions have trended downward consistently for the last 5 years due to external trends (e.g., demographics) as well as significant disruptions (e.g., the pandemic). As the largest component of our income, members’ and friends’ contributions are critical to our ability to sustain the missions and activities of the church. We are happy to report that this year’s forecast projects contributions to be slightly higher than our original budget and slightly higher than last year’s contributions.

It would be premature to declare this good news to be a significant turn in the tide of income decline. However, we are encouraged, we will continue to monitor closely, and we are actively collaborating with leaders across the committees of AHCC to take the steps necessary to return to income growth and sustainable financial health.

Our church community’s aspirations – to return to and exceed pre-pandemic activity levels as soon as possible and to undertake the exciting initiatives envisioned in our Strategic Roadmap – require that we address this challenge.  The charts below depict how our missions and activities will be supported this year.

We are delighted to share this first sign of good news with everyone! I welcome your observations and questions. Please contact me directly or email me at info@ahcc.org.

Claudia Lindsey
Administration & Finance Committee Chair

*This year’s Administration & Finance Committee members are Jim Bannister, Jim Carter, Jeremy Claflin, Africka Hinds, Claudia Lindsey, Tom Pringle, and Erica Thompson

See the charts here

Interval House Offers Safe Haven

Mission Statement:

Interval House is dedicated to ending domestic violence and providing services that will prevent and break the cycle of family and intimate partner abuse. They strive to reach all persons at risk and bring about social change. They are committed to empowering clients and providing a nurturing environment for victims to heal and reclaim their lives as survivors.

Program Description:

Interval House offers emergency safe housing, as well as intervention services and support for battered women and their children from Asylum Hill and the Greater Hartford area. “Victim to Survivor” provides those needing emergency shelter access to its 21-bed and 4-crib Safe House. Residents receive food, clothing and 24/7 advocate support, including information and referrals, safety planning, and domestic violence counseling. Residents receive ongoing advocacy as they develop income, employment, health, and housing goals, as well as assistance with legal advocacy, support groups, transportation, and childcare plans. Community clients (those not residing at the Safe House) are assisted just the same, and may receive crisis counseling, legal advocacy, referrals, and financial/housing assistance as they work to establish independence from abusers.

Watch this video featuring Interval House Mary Jane Foster, President and CEO of Interval House.

Rev. Tracy Mehr-Muska Accepted to Program at Princeton Theological Seminary

Iron Sharpening Iron, an executive leadership program for women clergy at Princeton Theological Seminary, equips women to embrace and build upon the capacities, agency and savvy they possess to negotiate challenging leadership contexts with a confidence born of competence. Rev. Mehr-Muska has been accepted into this program and will start in May 2022. “I applied to this executive leadership program with the hope that it will provide me with inspiration, wisdom, and practical strategies that will be of benefit to the clergy team, staff, and layleaders as we lead the church from this time of pandemic to its next exciting chapter of connection, inclusion, belonging, flourishing, impact, and joy,” said Tracy. Drawing on best practices from leaders in church, business, public service and beyond, the program’s interdisciplinary approach serves the fundamental goal of promoting capable women to thrive in God’s calling in a way that has theological integrity and a sophisticated philosophy and practice.

Each year, Iron Sharpening Iron selects women to participate in the 2-year program, at the end of which they will receive an Executive Certificate in Leadership. Intentionally gathering women at different places in their call — Associate Pastors, Solo Pastors, Senior Pastors and Heads of Staff — Iron Sharpening Iron is a commitment that leads to a credential that will open doors for longterm leadership goals. Rev. Mehr-Muska will continue in her role as Minister of Mid/later Life while participating in this program. Congratulations, Tracy!

A Note of Thanks for Those Who Work With Children and Youth

Beloved Educators, School Staff, and Daycare Workers,

This is not how it was supposed to be. We can only imagine that when you  dreamed about how your days spent with our children might look … caring for them, teaching them, empowering them … this is not what it looked like. But YOU are exactly where you are supposed to be. For you love our children so deeply that you are finding that creative spark deep within yourself. You are tired, yet you find ways to show compassion; you are confused, yet you find ways to calm their hearts and minds; you don’t know what the future holds, yet you help our little ones discover who they were called to be in this world. And so we thank you with our whole hearts.

As you continue to navigate this time, please know that we are holding you in prayer and are here for you. We know that some days are harder than others. We see you. We see how hard you are working and that when things change or plans fall through, you are the ones holding it together for our children. Thank you for being the hands and feet of God in our world, and for making things more beautiful for the little ones in your care. Your kindness, compassion, and patience will help ensure that they grow up knowing that during this time, they were protected and loved. What an incredible gift you are sharing with us all.

Our prayers are with you, and we are showering you in love and support. We are here if you need to talk, to cry, to pray, or just need someone to listen. Thank you for caring for our children. While there are no words to adequately express how much we appreciate you, we offer this prayer for you to pray when you may not be able to find the words on your own. You are never alone.

God of creative love, we pray that you would be with us as we care for the children in our communities. Strengthen our hearts so that we might be present for them when they need us. Guide our hands and feet so that we might do what is best for them. And grant us grace in the moments when we don’t quite know the next step. We know that you are with us, and as long as we show them love, they will be OK. Be with us in these days and hold us in your safety. Amen.  

Pastors Jordan Rebholz, Erica Thompson, and Tracy Mehr-Muska, Tobey Aubert, Director of Children and Youth Programs

Sunday Worship Livestream Update

Following conversations with scientists and medical personnel in our community, as well as careful and thoughtful consideration of our current circumstances in Connecticut, we have decided to extend livestream worship (ONLY) through Sunday, February 13.  We will reevaluate this decision at the beginning of February and will let you know where things stand at that time.

Please know that we remain faithful to you and one another in these difficult times. Many of you have reached out in the last several weeks letting us know that COVID has made its way into your homes and lives (as has also been the case for us, your clergy). Even if physically connecting is hard right now, as people of faith we know that prayer is one of the ways we can always connect, to one another and to God, no matter what the circumstances. So let us be in prayer for one another as we weather the Omicron surge.

Always,
Erica, Jordan, and Tracy

This means there is NO in person worship on January 23 & 30 or February 6 & 13. Worship will be via Livestream ONLY @ 10:00AM at ahcc.org

Who, Me? A Message from AHCC Moderator, Tory Chavey

“Who, me?”

This might be your reaction when you hear that AHCC is requesting volunteers to fill out the church’s many committees, subcommittees, and working groups for the upcoming year, which starts July 1, 2022.

If this is the question on your mind, my answer is: “Yes, you!” 

We all know and very much appreciate AHCC’s wonderful and dedicated staff and clergy team, who work tirelessly day in and day out.

But did you also know that AHCC has well over 100 volunteers who make up the church’s numerous committees, subcommittees, and working groups? Yes, you read that right – well over 100 volunteers who currently serve as a member of one of the groups that help make this church thrive in every facet of its work. That is a huge number of people, and we need every single one to help carry out the faith-filled work of this church.

AHCC’s committee, subcommittee, and working group participants include some of our newest church members and some of our most long-standing members; they include young members and retired members; they include members who live around the corner from the church and those who live in another state; they include members who have a specific skill to offer and those who just want to pitch in in any way they can; they include members with lots of time to share and those with limited time; they include members at all different points along their faith journey.

In other words, AHCC’s committee, subcommittee, and working group participants are widely varied and diverse, and yet they all answered the call to join in to help play a part in the work of AHCC. I have heard so many people say, and I wholeheartedly agree, that getting more involved at AHCC is a truly wonderful and meaningful way to deepen your faith and your relationship with the church and other members, while giving back to the church and the wider community in ways that speak to you.

Will you please join in? Will you say “yes, me!” to helping AHCC move forward with the key components of the AHCC 2024 Roadmap — engaging and nurturing this church community, pursuing justice, and expanding our impact? I hope you will!

And if you are a friend of AHCC, but have not become a church member, we welcome your participation, too. There are definitely roles for you, and we invite you to find out more.

For all who want to learn about opportunities to get more involved at AHCC, please contact Mary Way at the church office, mway@ahcc.org, and she will connect you to the appropriate people to get you the information you need. Thank you!

Reflections of a Hospital Chaplain by David Figliuzzi

One of the expressions of my call to ministry has been my work as a hospital chaplain at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA – a 716-bed hospital that serves a large area that includes southern VT, western MA, eastern NY and northern CT.

I was honored to join the staff of the Spiritual Care Department at Baystate to serve as an on-call chaplain at the completion of a required educational program, Clinical Pastoral Education.

This summer, the hospital had a relatively low number of COVID patients within the system (the system includes some smaller hospitals in Western Mass). In August, the number of COVID patients hovered around 25. That number began to rise in the fall and I remember feeling some shock in December when the number of COVID patients exceeded 90.

On January 10, Baystate Health reported that the number of covid patients was 284, more than ten times what it was at the end of summer. The CEO issued a statement saying that the system is “in a state of crisis,” operating at 110% of capacity with severe staff shortages. These kinds of numbers translate into long delays in the emergency room, postponed elective care, and a tremendous strain on the healthcare system.

The numbers tell part of the story, but, for me, the story is best told in the faces of my colleagues. The front-line workers are exhausted. Nurses are working overtime, environmental services staff is working around the clock to maintain hospital facility standards, and the list goes on. One nurse described it me as “feeling numb every day.” They long to be their best for each patient, but the current situation is simply unsustainable.

I am thankful that AHCC is doing all we can to keep our community safe and healthy. Please pray for our healthcare workers – doctors, nurses, all hospital staff. If you know someone working on the frontline of this pandemic wave, reach out and offer them support. If you can, offer assistance with errands, household chores, child care, meal preparation, snow removal – it will be welcome.

May we emerge from this pandemic with a true recognition of the heroes among us.