ALL-CHURCH MEETING APPROVES PROPOSAL AND DISCUSSES LEADERSHIP TRANSITION STRATEGY

   Thank you to everyone who attended the all-church meeting on November 16.  The proposal was approved for Stanwich to provide a gift in support of the new church that former Stanwich pastor Chris Sorensen is planting in Chattanooga Tennessee.  Also at the meeting, Chuck Davis updated the congregation on the strategy for transitions in staffing, including details of the consultants SIMA International who will be helping us in the process.  The summary sheet which described the transition strategy in more detail was distributed at the meeting.  If you did not receive the summary, you can click here to read it online.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

   Children in impoverished areas throughout the world experience the joy of opening gifts and learning about God's love through Operation Christmas Child.  This year a record 918 boxes were donated by our church family!  Thank you to everyone who participated, and especially to the Gustin, Jayes and Sharp families who organized the packing party and coordinated our church's participation in this wonderful ministry. 

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

   Stanwich welcomed 15 people to our church family in November: 

   Katha Diddel-Warren

   Dick and Jackie Farrell

   Maryjo Giunta 

   Tom and Heather Gregorio

   Buzz and Jane Harris

   David and Cynthia Kim

   Ed and Paulette Lee

   Aaron LoFaro

   Ralf and Carmina Lee

Welcome everyone!

FAREWELL TO THE KIMS

   A farewell gathering was held in Emmaus Hall for Rev. Joshua Kim and his family who are moving to the Washington, D.C. area.  Joshua is pursuing ministry as a Senior Pastor, and Grace will be pursuing graduate studies in law.  As a church we are sad to say farewell but we are grateful for the time Joshua and Grace, Josiah and Karas were part of our church family.  We pray that God will bless them with favor and success in their new place of service. 

SOMA FALL STUDY ON

LIFESTYLE AND FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM

   This fall the Wednesday evening Bible study gathering, named Soma (Greek word for body, in reference to the body of Christ which is the church) explored issues of witness and lifestyle evangelism.  The study was entitled 'Passing Out Cold Cups of Water', because evangelism is not about coercion but rather giving away the drink that quenches our thirst.  His Name is Jesus and He is the Living Water.  You can download the recorded teachings and study materials for this study from the Seminars and Bible Studies page. 

VOCATIONAL NEXT STEPS

WELCOMES GUEST SPEAKER

STATE SENATOR SCOTT FRANTZ

   Vocational Next Steps was pleased to welcome special guest speaker

State Senator L. Scott Frantz on

September 15.  He discussed Connecticut's current economic status and what the local government is doing to promote economic recovery and to help those seeking employment.  Following Senator Frantz's presentation was a Q&A session. 

   VNS provides help and counsel for people who are at a transition point in their lives.  For more information about Vocational Next Steps, please see the Next Steps brochure or email vocational.nextsteps@gmail.com.