Litchfield Presbyterian

What Does It Mean To Be A Presbyterian?

By Pastor Steve Quinlan

Starting with this edition of the Lamplighter and continuing for the next few months I’m going to try to explain in clear language what it means to be a Presbyterian and to belong to the Presbyterian Church.

It’s common in these days, so we are told, for people to affiliate with a church not so much because the prefer a particular denomination, but because they feel welcome, at home, and comfortable in the congregation and with the pastor. For the most part I think this is true. However, the distinctiveness of particular denominations still matters, and the character of a denomination plays a large part in shaping the character and “spiritual atmosphere” of an individual church. People who feel most at home in a Presbyterian Church will often prefer the kind of organization and religious perspectives that characterize this denomination.

So what does it mean to be a Presbyterian, and what is special about the Presbyterian Church?

Before I can answer that question, I want to make it clear that there are several denominations that call themselves Presbyterian, and they are not at all the same. Some smaller Presbyterian denominations, for instance the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and the Free Presbyterian Church are very conservative, and in my view, rigid and even fundamentalist in their beliefs and practices. The Presbyterian Church in America and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church are less rigid, but also conservative denominations.

The largest Presbyterian denomination in North America is the Presbyterian Church (USA), the parent denomination of the Litchfield Presbyterian Church. (The legal name of our church is the Litchfield Community Church, Presbyterian. However our church has historically been known as the Litchfield Presbyterian Church, and in this our bicentennial year, I am using the traditional name.) The Presbyterian Church (USA), often abbreviated as PC(USA), is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, and has approximately 2.3 million members, more than 10,000 congregations and 14,000 ordained ministers, making it the 6th largest protestant denomination in the United States. The PC(USA) is often called a “mainline” denomination. These are “denominations that were brought to the United States by its historic immigrant groups; for this reason they are sometimes referred to as heritage churches.” In the case of Presbyterians, the main immigrant groups were from Scotland and Northern Ireland.

It may be surprising to learn that the word “presbyterian” does not refer to a set of religious beliefs. “Presbyterian” refers to a form or style of church organization and government; literally “government by presbyters or elders.” I’ll write more about that in a later article. In terms of beliefs about God, Jesus, the Bible and so on, the PC(USA) is a “big tent.” The PC(USA) does not have a list of “essentials;” particular things that a member must believe. There is room in this denomination for conservative and liberal believers alike. However, in general terms, members of the PC(USA) acknowledge that God is One, that Jesus the Christ is Lord, that the Bible contains a faithful witness to God’s ways with humans, and that all our relationships should be just and loving. How each of these beliefs is “unpacked” is what our faith journey is all about.

As you might imagine, on social issues like abortion and gay rights, we are also a diverse group. While labels are often not very helpful, its fair to say that some members of this denomination are conservative and others are progressive. However, most members of the PC(USA) believe that our diversity is part of our strength, and that we should show tolerance and respect for persons of differing views. Both theologically and socially, the PC(USA) cherishes unity in our diversity. This is not because we are “wishy-washy” and think that it doesn’t really matter what a person believes. Rather, “unity in diversity” is about the triumph of God’s love over human opinion, and the victory of humility over a “cock-sure” certainty.

For much more about beliefs in the PC(USA) I invite you to visit the denomination’s website at www.pcusa.org . Click on “Who We Are.” Next time I’ll write about Presbyterianism as a form of church government.

Session Notes

The session of the Litchfield Presbyterian Church met for its regular stated meeting on July 1, 2009. The Rev. Stephen Quinlan, moderator, called the meeting to order and opened with prayer.

The Clerk presented the minutes of the June stated meeting which were read and accepted. Letters from the town of Litchfield 275th Anniversary Celebration Committee and he Bedford Presbyterian Church were read.

Pastor Quinlan reported on the 2nd Annual Strawberry Festival and a new Adult Study Group that is being planned.

A new lease of the church basement to ABC Junction Preschool and Kindergarten was reviewed and approved.

The treasurer’s report was received.

Progress reports were heard from all the standing committees. Of particular interest were ideas for the Sunday church school presented by the Spiritual Life Committee.

The meeting was adjourned with prayer at 8:45PM.

Can You Help?

Pastor Quinlan and Melanie are moving to Litchfield on Saturday August 1. Their new address will be 323 Charles Bancroft Highway. Can you help with the move? Many hands make light work. Please talk to Pastor Steve or Melanie.

The Blessing of the Animals

It was a rainy day (when was the last time it wasn’t?), but our intrepid animal lovers and their four-footed friends slogged their way to our first ever Blessing of the Animals Service. Dogs and cats of all sizes and types, of all ages and colors along with their equally diverse owners gathered in the basement of the church for a joyful celebration of creation. From the tiny Yorkshire Terriers to the timid kitties to the bumptious bull mastiffs, all creatures great and small were blessed by God and appreciated by everyone. With such an enthusiastic response, even with the fowl weather, were sure that the Blessing of the Animals will become a much-anticipated annual event.

Couples Group

A new Study/Fellowship Group for couples is being planned for September and October. The group will meet on six Tuesday evenings at 7:30 and will discuss ways that love lasts. We will be reading together The Wisdom of Love: Toward a Shared Inner Search by Jacob Needleman. This book is available new and used through Amazon.com and other booksellers. Get your copy and get your partner to start reading now. Couples only (married or otherwise committed).

Message from the Worship and Faith Committee

Your Worship/Faith Committee is seeking new members with an interest in helping to make our Sunday Worship Service an uplifting, spiritual experience for all. Our tasks include coordination of seasonal decorations/flowers and music. There will be having a meeting on August 2 after our worship service in the choir room. If you would like to be a part of this committee please come to the meeting or contact Betty, 598-8027, for more information.

Pastor Steve will be taking a well-deserved vacation the first 3 weeks in July. We wish him and Melanie and safe and happy journey to Arizona. We have arranged for supply pastors for those Sundays as follows: July 12, Rev. Steve Wigall from Lawrence MA; July 19, Rev. Tom Woodward from Nashua; and July 26, Beth Richeson from Bedford. Please help welcome them to Litchfield.

The committee has also been working to secure interim organists until a permanent organist can be found. It is with a mixture of joy and sadness that we do this. We will all miss Chris and the terrific job he has done as organist here, but we are also very excited for him and his upcoming college adventure. Chris’s last Sunday with is will be on July 12. All our best wishes go with you Chris.

In His Service,
Betty

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

Thanks Chris and Pat!

The Litchfield Church has been blessed for the past few years by the music ministry of our organist, Chris Pelonzi. He has been an inspiration to those involved with the church music, and he has enriched our services with his exceptional skills at the organ. Chris conducted basic lessons in music theory and singing exercises to help our little group of choir members with varying experience levels.  It is no small feat to get all of our choir members on the same page each Thursday night, at the end of a long work day.

Chris is leaving us to study Music (of course!) and Biology at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. A party was held for Chris on June 28 after worship. There were sandwiches and cake and an abundance of good wishes. Thank you, Chris, for your service, and for your friendship.

We have been doubly blessed during this time by the presence of Chris’s mother, Pat Kulesz. Pat has been an active member of our choir. She has driven Chris to practices and services before he had his license and has even helped with the choice of music. She is a remarkable woman and her support of Chris and his ministry played a vital part in his success. Thank you, Pat!

Congratulations, Chris, on your acceptance at McGill. Congratulations, Pat, on raising such a fine and caring young man (and musician). Chris, we wish you good luck and Godspeed. May God bless both of you.

Church Fair Help Wanted

We are in need of a holiday fair chairperson. The Fair date has been set for November 9, 2009.

• Qualifications: Good organizational and interpersonal skills
• Fallacy: has to be “crafty”. This person doesn’t necessarily have to make items just encourage those who would like to and help supervise.
• Job Involves: setting up table chair persons (kitchen), bake table, “setup” crew, “cleanup” crew, “advertising”, “raffle table”, quilt ticket selling and Litchfield church craft table, also inviting vendors to have a table
• Rewards: Benefits are “out of this world”.

Please see any elder to tell us if you are interested. We have some seasoned fair chair persons who will gladly assist in training and guidance. Don’t be shy, we would love to have a new face as our chair person as well as new ideas to make the 2009 fair the best ever!

Jan Hilson – Elder
Home phone – 424-9507
Cell phone – 566-2945

Buildings and Grounds

The buildings and grounds committee is looking for “members”. Don’t be put off and think that this is a “man’s” jobs as our church has many indoor and outdoor needs!

See below for the grass mowing and gardening schedule. Many thanks to Steve our pastor who has been mowing this spring, but he leaves for vacation on July 6 so please don’t be shy!

We need:

• Mowers for lawn. This can be done any time during the week but before Sundays.
• Gardeners to tend the garden and water plants in the lower beds in front of the office and on the side of the church (if the rain ever stops)
• Someone to trim shrubs/bushes
• Person to remove old bulletins and tidy hymnals etc. each week after services.
• Persons to assist with cleanup after coffee hour: “kitchen and coffee table”.

Also, did everyone see our new handrail at the off office? Thank you, to Bob Dojny (Maria’s hubby) for engineering and constructing this much needed addition. It not only looks great, but will be a great help in winter months when the steps get slippery.

Please call me to volunteer for any of these jobs, I will set up a sign up sheet . The jobs can be shared and don’t feel as if you have to sign up every week.

Thank you!

Jan Hilson
Cell phone – 566-2945

Wayne Hilson
Cell phone – 493-2140

Grass Mowing Schedule

July 6th – 11th : Wayne Hilson

July 13th – 18th :

July 20th – 25th :

July 27th – Aug. 1st : Wayne Hilson

Gardening Schedule

July 6th: Betty Scofield

Deacon’s Yard Sale

The deacons have set August 8 as the date for their annual yard sale at the church.  If you have any home items that you no longer use, please consider donating them to the church.  All proceeds support the work of the deacons in our church and our community.   This includes running our community food pantry.  Drop off items in the church basement or contact any deacon to make arrangements.

New Ways to Communicate

In order to better get the word out about upcoming church events, we have setup an email mailing list for church announcements.  If you use email and would like use it to stay informed about happenings at the church, enter your email address on our website ( www.litchfieldchurch.org – in the box in the right-most column).  Alternatively, give your email address to Peter Dobratz and we can sign you up for the mailing list.

Additionally, some of you may be using the Facebook website ( www.facebook.com ). Our church has a page on Facebook, and you can become a “fan” of the church and get connected with other friends and members of the church.  There is a “Find us on Facebook” button in the right-most column of the church website that takes you directly to the church’s Facebook page.