Stanwich Affirms Chuck Davis III

As New Senior Pastor

       At an All-Church meeting on

Monday night, the congregation voted unanimously to affirm Chuck Davis as our next Senior Pastor.  Chuck will begin in January after Neely Towe retires.  He will work part-time until May when he finishes his term as professor at Alliance Theological Seminary.

   After the vote, Neely spoke to the congregation about change.  She noted that change is always difficult, but that it is also good, like a breath of fresh air.  She expressed her confidence in Chuck as a wonderful man of God, and that under his leadership Stanwich will continue to grow and minister to others in ways that we cannot even imagine right now.  She urged the congregation to welcome Chuck and his wife Ingrid, to encourage them, to pray for them, and to work out differences with grace and love and in the knowledge that we are all servants of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

  We thank God for providing us with such a wonderful successor to our beloved Neely.  Thanks also to the Search Committee, the Deacons and Trustees, the prayer team, the staff, and others whose hard work, fervent prayers and faithful reliance on the Lord's direction over the past 18 months have led us to this unanimous decision.  We look forward to welcoming Chuck and Ingrid, and to beginning an exciting new chapter in the life of our church.

   If you missed hearing Chuck's sermon on Sunday entitled Your Life Matters,

you can listen online.

Evensong Sermon Series on Addiction 

   Evensong featured a special sermon series entitled “From Bondage to Freedom: Breaking the Deadly Cycles

in Our Lives,” which addressed many different types of addictive behaviors that keep us from experiencing the full life of joy that God wants for us.  For a list of specific topics addressed each week and to listen online, please visit the 2006 Sermon Series page. 

A Tree Honors Gina Higbie

      During morning worship on Sunday, November 12, the congregation gave  thanks for Gina Higbie.  Gina's countless hours of service over the past several

years as Project Manager made possible the completion of our new church home.  After the service, the congregation gathered outside to dedicate in her honor a beautiful red maple tree to be planted in the circle at the entrance of the administrative wing.  A sign on the tree reads:  "Because of the service by which you have proved yourself, people will praise God.  (2 Corinthinians 9:13)" 

Stanwich Rocks! on PIVOT Sunday

   The Stanwich Rocks! children's dance team performed a spirited dance for the congregation on PIVOT Sunday.  The men from PIVOT Ministries, a Bible-based addiction rehabilitation program in Bridgeport and Norwalk, were our special guests.  Their choir treated the congregation to their joy-filled voices raised in worship. The director of the Pivot Minsitries, Rev. David Smith, was guest preacher.  After the service, the congregation hosted a bountiful Thanksgiving feast for our guests.  In addition, the hallway was filled with groceries and supplies donated by the congregation to support Pivot. 

   Thanks to all the volunteers who danced, donated, cooked, served, and welcomed these wonderful men. 

THE POWER OF A SIMPLE GIFT: 

      A Record 599 Boxes for

Operation Christmas Child

   Operation Christmas Child provides shoeboxes filled with gifts to children living in extreme poverty throughout the world. 

The Stanwich family generously donated 599 boxes this year, far surpassing last year's 461 total and 288 the year before.  Thanks to the Gustin, Jayes and McDivitt families for spearheading this effort, and

to everyone who participated by donating boxes and by enthusiastically participating

in the box stuffing party.