STANWICH NEWS

NEW Next Steps PROGRAM BEGINS SEPTEMBER 17

A new adult ministry entitled Next Steps will offer vocational help and counsel to people who are at a transition point in their lives.  The program uses reflection and outside feedback to assist people on their journey in the following areas:

• Career - for people just starting out and thinking through what education or training they might need, or those who have finished their education and are wondering where to begin.
• Transition - for people leaving a job or career in search of another.
• Legacy - for people who have found a level of financial stability and are looking to transition into a Kingdom investment for their next vocational stage.

The program will run on the 2nd Wednesday of every month beginning September 17.  From 7:00 - 7:30 p.m. will be participation in the Wednesday evening praise time in the sanctuary, followed by a discussion and break-out time in Meeting Room.   Please note that this program is not intended as a job search group.  More details are available in the Next Steps brochure or by contacting Ernst Schirmer or Heather Knapp. 

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

BEGINS SEPTEMBER 28

    Stanwich will offer adult Sunday School at 9 AM and 10:45 AM beginning September 28.  Two classes will be offered at each time:

  9 AM          

• Foundations
• The Relationship of Science        and Religion

  10:45 AM  

• Foundations
• Spiritual Gifts

Classes will run through November 9.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT PRAYER

   Every Wednesday evening there will be 30 minutes of worship in the sanctuary starting at 7 PM.  Immediately following, multiple interest and ministry groups will meet until 9 PM:

• Emotional Well-Being and Healing Prayer will take place on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month
• Vocational Next Steps will be during the second week of the month (see News article above)
• Soul Care will meet on 9/10, 9/17, 10/8, 10/22, 11/5 and 11/19. 

While these special focus groups meet, the pastors would like to see people who are committed to prayer to remain in the sanctuary until 9 PM, continuing to pray for our community and our church.  Please join us at these prayer gatherings.  Holy Spirit movement historically has followed prayer initiatives of the people of God. 

MORE PRAYER - FOR YOUTH

   Our youth prayer team meets in the Prayer Chapel on Thursday mornings at 8:45.  They would love for the Stanwich family to join them in praying for our children and youth programs, and for each child who participates.  If you can't attend the prayer gatherings but would like to be part of this prayer group, you can receive an email of specific prayer needs by contacting Assistant Youth Director Danielle Kohlberger at danielle@stanwichchurch.org.

ENGLISH LESSONS AT STANWICH

    Stanwich will offer English lessons

for non-English speaking adults to help them be better prepared for interacting

in American culture.  The program,

called Alegria, will be held from

7-9 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning  September 16 and continuing through December 10.  Cost is $30, which includes books and supplies along with sandwiches and coffee. 

   Participants must register in advance for the class on either Monday , Sept. 8 or Wednesday, Sept. 10 from 7-9 PM in the children's wing of the church. 

    If you know someone who would benefit from this class, please stop by the church office to pick up an Alegria information sheet, which is written in both English and Spanish.  If you have Adobe Reader, you can also download the information sheet by clicking on the links below: 

    Alegria - English   Alegria - Spanish

REPORT ON MISSIONS TRIP TO CHINA

   Stanwich Church members Rick Watson and Bethany Johnson recently returned from a two-week trip to China with the humanitarian aid organization Global Hope Network.  Rick is chair of the Stanwich missions committee, and Bathany is Director of the Rising Group.  They participated in the trip to bring help and hope to the hidden and hurting, and to build relationships through which future humanitarian aid and community development work might be directed.  Please talk to Rick or Bethany if you would be interested in participating in trips like this in the future.  You can read a newsletter about the trip by clicking the link below.

  China 2008 (Microsoft Word required)

REPORT ON YOUTH GUATEMALA TRIP

   The group who participated in the mission trip to Guatemala have returned safely.  Rev. Chuck and Ingrid Davis, Associate Youth Director Danielle Kohlberger, and 13 members of our youth group rebuilt a home for a widow and her nine children, and worked at an orphanage to build a patio and spend time with the children.  The group brought with them donations of clothing, toys and supplies donated by the Stanwich congregation, and contributed $1100 to help two families who have been left fatherless.  To read more about the trip, please visit the group's blog at: http://stanwichguatemala08.blogspot.com. 

COLLECTIONS FOR MYANMAR

   The Stanwich family has donated over $22,000 to help an orphanage and refugee station in an area hard hit by the cyclone in Myanmar.  Member Sue Neumann has a close friend living there who runs the facility and will put the funds to good use.  Stanwich is also supporting earthquake victims in China through Global Hope Network. 

   If you missed the special donation table, there's still time to donate.  To support either cause, please make out your check to Stanwich with "China Relief" or Myanmar Relief" on the memo line.  For further information, please see the display on Myanmar in Emmaus Hall, or ask Sue Neumann.

WELCOME LEE FLETCHER

   Stanwich welcomed Lee Fletcher as Director of Youth Ministries effective

July 1.  He is taking over for Wes Roberts, who has moved to South Carolina with his wife Brianna and new baby. 

    Lee has been a well respected youth leader in the Greenwich area for many years.  Prior to coming to Stanwich, he was director of Greenwich WyldLife, and has been active in Young Life since high school.  You can learn more about Lee is his bio, or better yet, stop by his office and say hello.  He and Assistant Youth Director Danielle Kohlberger are located in the former bookstore and reception area, which are being reconfigured into offices. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

NEW WORSHIP TIMES AND MINISTRY FAIR

Sunday, September 7

Our new morning worship times will be held at 9 AM and 10:45 AM beginning Sunday, September 7.  Between the services on that Sunday will be a ministry fair in Emmaus Hall.  This annual event is

a great opportunity to learn more about the missions and ministries at Stanwich. 

VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE

beginning in October

Rev. Joshua Kim is organizing a co-ed volleyball team to participate in the Greenwich league from October through mid February.  Play will be on Tuesday or Thursday evenings depending on team preference.  First practice in Sunday, September 7 at 3 PM.  Please contact

Rev. Joshua Kim for more information or to sign up.

REGISTRATION FOR ALEGRIA

Mon. Sept. 8 and Wed. Sept 10  7-10 PM

See details in News column, left.

FALL ALPHA CLASS

Thursdays beginning Sept. 11

An Alpha course will be held in the fall at Christ Church in Greenwich and jointly hosted with St. Barnabas and Stanwich Church.  Alpha introduces the basics of Christianity and offers the opportunity to explore the relevance and validity of the Christian faith in today's world.  Each session includes a teaching followed by

a small group discussion in an informal setting.  Everyone is invited no matter what their background or viewpoint.  Please contact Genie Wells in the church office

for more information.  

SUNDAY SCHOOL INFO MEETING FOR PARENTS

Sunday, September 14  10:30 AM / 7 PM

Meet the Sunday School teachers and learn more about Stanwich's children's programs.  Please come to the children's wing immediately following each service. 

MEN'S GOLF OUTING

Tuesday, September 16  1 PM

Duffers and scratch golfers alike are invited to play a round at Greenwich Country Club.  Sign up in Emmaus Hall, or contact Morgan Mitchell for more information.  

NEXT STEPS PROGRAM

Wednesday, September 17  7 PM

See related News story, left. 

EVENSONG RECORDING SESSION

Friday, September 19  7-10 PM

The Evensong Rising band will be performing 15 songs and video recording  them for a DVD on Friday, September 19 in the sanctuary.  Free tickets are available in Emmaus Hall during coffee hour and also in the church office.  Everyone is invited, but attendees must stay for the entire performance.  Dinner will be served in Emmaus Hall before the event starting at

6 PM.

TENNIS OUTING

Friday, September 26  6-10 PM

Join us for an evening of tennis and light refreshments at Innis Arden Country Club in Old Greenwich.  $20 fee.  Please sign up in Emmaus Hall or contact John Harris for more information.

MARRIAGE COURSE

Fridays beginning Sept. 26

The marriage course led by Rev. Joan Osgood will be held in Emmaus Hall on seven Friday evenings beginning September 26.  Each evening begins with

a candlelight dinner at individual tables for each couple, followed by a short presentation of the evening's discussion and then an opportunity for each couple to talk privately about the subject.  There is no group discussion.  Cost is $150 which includes meals and materials.  For more information or to sign up, please contact Joan or Genie Wells in the church office.

DANCING UNDER THE STARS

Saturday, September 27  6-9 PM

A fun evening of live music and dance lessons in swing and foxtrot will be held in Emmaus Hall and the adjacent courtyard.  Appetizers and a chocolate fountain will be served.  Please sign up in Emmaus Hall or contact Joshua Kim for more information.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sunday, September 28  9 AM

See related News story, left.

SOUL SISTERS DINNER

Thursday, October 30  6:30 - 9 PM

All Stanwich women are invited to a "Pot Blessing" dinner at the home of Laura Cunningham, 24 Greenbriar Lane in Greenwich.  Please sign up in Emmaus Hall.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD PARTY

Saturday, November 15  3 - 5 PM

Save the date!  Meet in Emmaus Hall to stuff shoeboxes with school supplies, toys and personal items to be sent to children in impoverished countries throughout the world.  Shop now during back-to-school sales and save! 

SOUL SISTERS RETREATS

Saturday, February 21 - One day retreat

May 1-3   Weekend retreat  

Save these dates!  Both retreats will

feature Rev. Neely Towe as speaker.  Details TBA.