Search Committee Update

   The Senior Pastor Search Committee discussed 14 candidates in January

as it continues to seek a successor to Rev. Neely Towe, who plans to retire in 2007.  Six of the candidates are being actively considered at this time.  The candidates are being asked to respond

to five essay questions which allow them to discuss their faith walk, strengths, passions, and leadership style.  In addition, the committee is working with the candidates to plan visits to their churches to observe preaching style,

gain an appreciation of the character

of the candidate’s current church, and meet the candidate and his/her spouse informally in a non-interviewing context.

The Great Chili Cookoff

   A team of volunteers arrived at the Stanwich kitchen on January 14 to cook

chili to serve  at the New Covenant House homeless shelter in Stamford.  Under the guidance of team leader Barbara Dalto, the group combined 33 pounds of ground beef, 36 onions, 24 tablespoons of chili powder, 9 teaspoons and 9 cloves of garlic, and 6 cans each of kidney beans and tomatoes to prepare enough chili to feed 125 people.  The next day a dedicated group of volunteers served

the chili at the shelter, undeterred by the snow, ice, wind and power outages from the severe winter storm the night before.  Thanks to everyone who cooked and donated provisions for this opportunity to serve in our local community. 

Confirmation Class Retreat

   Twenty one members of our current confirmation class enjoyed a wonderful

time of study, friendship, and fun at their retreat to Pease Farm in Stephentown,

New York.  They were accompanied by

Rev. Chris Sorensen, Wes Roberts, Genie Wells, Beth Chapman, and Kim Burton

(the high-school leader).  Chris led the teaching, which was supplemented by

lively discussions, engaging games, and exciting snow tubing on Saturday night. 

The class will continue their studies on Sunday nights in preparation for Confirmation Sunday on April 9.

View photos>>

New CD:  Searching for the Light

   Sue Neumann, a member of Stanwich who performs in our choir and as a frequent soloist, has recorded a new CD entitled “Searching for the Light.”  The CD includes sacred music Sue has sung at Stanwich over the years, plus other spiritual songs, Italian arias, and Korean songs.  The CD

is available for purchase at the Stanwich bookstore, and proceeds from the sales

will be used to develop a prayer garden at our new church site.