Simon’s Says The second of our two candidates for the position of Music Director in our church will join us this Sunday August 30. Corbin Beisner will be on the bench (both piano and organ) providing service music for us, leading our hymns and accompanying a small sample of our church choir. A brief biography for Corbin can be found in this week’s bulletin. As with last week, we ask you arrive early to enjoy the entire prelude, and remain for the postlude. The Search Committee has put forward two fine musicians for our consideration, and we invite your feedback…
Category Archives: Alan’s Blog
The Villager Voice This Sunday we will welcome the first of two candidates for the position of Music Director at The United Church of Chester. You may read a brief biographical sketch of Chase Olson in the bulletin that accompanies this email. Chase has selected some wonderful music for both the prelude and postlude, we invite you to be at church in a timely manner this Sunday, and stay for the entire musical experience. He will also accompany a handful of choir members for the Anthem and Offertory. Following worship you’ll have an opportunity to welcome and greet Chase during…
Simon’s Says Simon’s Says Great news! The Music Director Search Committee has been working since Spring to find suitable candidates to oversee our congregation’s music ministry. The Committee, comprised of Jennifer Gill, Pat Holloway, Hilarie Clark Moore and Eileen Sypher, has selected two candidates for the position, and they will both be with us to lead worship the last two weeks of August. On Sunday August 23, and again August 30, one candidate will provide worship music for our service: prelude, hymns, anthem, offertory and postlude. Because we are asking for the full suite of music, we are also asking…
Postcard from the Edge I wrote last week about the community and civil engagement of the United Church of Christ. Just a few days ago, we saw the results of our denomination’s determination to advocate for the marginalized and voiceless: in the face of pressure brought by the UCC and other organizations, Citizen’s Bank withdrew financial support from two corporations, CoreCivic and the GEO Group, which build and operate detention centers for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Led by the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) and leadership at Boston’s Old South Church, principally Senior Minister The Rev. John Edgerton,…
Simon’s Says I read the results of a survey the other day – and I confess, since I read it on vacation, I can’t recall the source of the survey – that found the most politically engaged group among the nation’s major Christian denominations is the Episcopal Church, followed closely by our United Church of Christ. And yes, I am quite familiar with the canard that the church should stay out of politics, but even a passing familiarity with the Bible reveals the hollowness of the claim. Old Testament prophets like Isaiah and Amos called out the kings and rulers…
July 26th Worship Service Information Please welcome Rev. Joseph M. Tobin who will be leading us in worship this Sunday. Below are links to the online bulletin and service. Link to Bulletin Link to Service
Simon’s Says I want to share the latest update on the Silver Lake Conference Center and the Connecticut Missionary Society, from the SNEUCC; click here to read the details: https://www.sneucc.org/postdetail/third-way-would-allow-ct-delegates-to-vote-on-silver-lake-proposal-19846343 It looks like the voices of the historic Connecticut Conference have been heard and honored, and we are grateful to Conference leadership for their faithful response. This Sunday we will honor and celebrate our outgoing (in both senses of the word!) Music Director Karli Gilbertson. Please join us in saying thank you and Godspeed as she embarks on the next part of her journey. Karli has been a true gift…
The Villager Voice Say this for the World Cup tournament – it is one of the few things we can all talk about without fear of devolving into rank partisanship. Whether your favorite team is still in the hunt or not, the entire tournament has been an exhilarating experience, even for the fair-weather fan. I happened to be in Boston the day the Scots took over the city, and it was so fun to see folks of different cultures (and accents!) treat each other like long-lost friends. Whether you were rooting for uber-underdog Cape Verde – and it seemed like…
Simon’s Says I have fond memories of the bicentennial. I had just graduated from college, and the start of graduate school was on the near horizon. The family (grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, the whole crew) July 4th picnics were always held at our house, we had a pool in the backyard, and the adults saved all year so we could celebrate in fine fashion with steaks on the grill. The city of Meriden held a bicentennial parade, high school and college friends dropped by through the day, and the weather was perfect. Some have observed that this year’s 250th anniversary…
June 28th Worship Service Information Reminder that there is a Council Meeting following the worship service this Sunday. Below are links to the online bulletin and service. Link to Bulletin Link to Service