FAREWELL TO THE SCARLATA FAMILY

   The congregation gathered for a farewell picnic on September 22 to celebrate and honor Rev. Mark W. Scarlata, who is moving to England to pursue his Ph.D.

at Cambridge.  Everyone enjoyed a feast of home cookin' and listening to individuals sharing special stories

about how Mark has blessed us during his time at Stanwich.  The staff presented him with a special gift of a

first edition book from the 1800's about Moses and the Old Testament, because of his well known love of studying the Scriptures in the original Hebrew and Greek.  Also, Rev. Chuck Davis announced that from the generous donations of the congregation to the

new Leadership Development Fund,

Mark's tuition and part of his living expenses will be paid by Stanwich.  Though we are sad to say goodbye,

we rejoice in this opportunity to invest in God's Kingdom and to bless Mark and Bettina as they begin this new stage in

their life of faith. 

   To keep in touch with the Scarlatas and to view the latest news and photos of their life in Cambridge, check out their web page at web.mac.com/scarlatas.

FUN FOR ALL AT FALL FESTIVAL

   Friends and families gathered on October 27 for a day of games, crafts, pony rides, pumpkins and more.  The Wild West theme was a follow-up to this summer's Vacation Bible School.

View photos

COMMUNITY WIDE OPEN HOUSE AT GREENWICH CENTER FOR HOPE AND RENEWAL

   The Greenwich Center for Hope and Renewal held an open house on Sunday, September 30 to welcome the community and highlight the new programs being offered this fall.  GCHR is a faith-based renewal and counseling center serving individuals and families in the greater Greenwich area, located at 237 Taconic Road at the site of the former Stanwich Church.  For more information about the programs and services available at GCHR, please call them at (203) 340-9816 or visit their website at www.hopeandrenewal.org.

STANWICH AFFIRMS JOSHUA KIM AS NEW ASSOCIATE PASTOR

     At an all-church meeting on Sept. 10, the congregation voted to affirm the hiring of Joshua Kim as our new Associate Pastor beginning in January, 2008.  This opening was created by the departure of Jason Pankau, who left in June to devote full-time to his LifeSpring Network Ministry, and to the upcoming departure of Mark Scarlata to pursue his Ph.D. studies in England.

    Joshua was born in Seoul, Korea. 

He was adopted by American parents and grew up in the United States.  He has served in different church staff roles and has been a chaplain in the Air Force since 2004. 

    Joshua began his seminary studies at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.  He then completed his Masters of Divinity at Alliance Theological Seminary while serving as an English Ministry pastor for a Korean church in New York City.  Rev. Chuck Davis met Joshua when he was a student and worked in Advancement for the seminary. 

     Joshua combines a strong blend of ministry excellence and a dedicated

work ethic with a heart that enables him to build strong people relationships.   His wife, Grace, is second-generation Korean and has numerous ministry gifts.  She is a worship leader and has earned an MA in Biblical Studies.  They are in their early 30's and have a five-year-old son, Josiah.