Round Hill Community Church The News Letter April 2013 PASTOR’S MESSAGE MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Let me invite you to do a little experiment. Please We have had a very busy first quarter with the selec- read the following sentence, and as you do count the tion of our new Senior Minister, The Rev. Dr. Edward number of times the letter “f” appears: Horstmann, by unanimous vote on February 24. Since FINISHED FILES ARE THE RE- then, planning has started for his arrival on June 2, SULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIF- and the departure of our very able Interim Minister IC STUDY COMBINED WITH Rev. Douglas Miller. You will be receiving announce- THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS. ments of the various activities, including a brunch after the May 5 service to honor Rev. Miller and the Church I am writing this column on Tuesday of Holy Picnic on June 2 to welcome Dr. Horstmann. Week, a couple days before Maundy Thursday, the Key assignments have been made: Helen Dixon day the church reads the story of Jesus’ last night with is coordinating the work being done to the Parson- his disciples. The gospels tell us that after his last sup- age to make it ready for Dr. Horstmann and his fam- per with the twelve disciples, Jesus went to the garden ily. I have appointed a Welcoming Committee that of Gethsemane with three of them. Before he went is being led by Rhona Johnson, Sandy Motland, and off a little distance to pray alone he said to the three, Helen O’Malley. The committee will plan events to “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, introduce the Horstmanns to the congregation and and keep awake.” Three times that night he returned to the Greenwich community. I have also appointed to the three disciples and each time he found them Grada Herrick to chair the May 5 brunch activities. sleeping. “Could you not keep awake one hour?” he She will be assembling her committee in the coming said to them. “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weeks. weak.” That question, of course, is meant for us as All in all, the second quarter looks like it will well: Can we not keep awake for at least one hour? be very busy, too. As we go forward, let’s remember The Christian theologian Diana Eck, in her book Ralph Ahlberg’s challenge to us: “Keep Calm and Encountering God, writes: “Just being awake, alert, at- Carry On.” tentive is no easy matter. I think it is the greatest spir- – Richard Bergstresser itual challenge we face. Finally, I think it is the only one.” She tells the story of the Japanese Zen master Ikkyu who was approached by a serious student and asked about the main teaching of Zen Buddhism. In Round Hill Community Church reply he took his brush and wrote, “Attention.” When pressed by the student to say more, he wrote, “Atten- Annual Meeting tion, attention.” Still not satisfied, the student asked Sunday, April 28 for something additional. The master wrote, “Atten- tion, attention, attention.” 11:15 a.m. My years of study of Hindu sanskrit texts and Sanctuary my meditation practice have greatly informed my understanding of Christianity. In this I am not un- continued on page 11 CHURCH SCHOOL AND YOUTH “A child is not a vessel to be filled but a lamp to be lit.”

painted by 20th-century abstract artist Helen On March 17, the Church Frankenthaler. It turns out Fred knew Frankenthaler, School class was honored to who lived in Greenwich. have RHCC member and artist The children then set about painting their own Fred Mason with us to guide the pictures, following whatever style they were interested painting projects for that day. in, and experimenting with different techniques and The children first learned and discussed the Prodigal materials. The results are fabulous and will be dis- Son story in Luke 15, and then were shown a print played over the next several weeks in the hallway of The Return of the Prodigal Son, painted in 1670 by outside the classroom. Come see the work of our Bartolomé Esteban Murillo and done in the style of budding artists! the Old Masters. Many thanks to Fred for offering his time and ex- They were then shown a copy ofJacob’s Ladder, pertise. The children had a great time.

Murillo’s Elena’s Going Home The Return of the Prodigal Son

Caroline’s Untitled

Frankenthaler’s Grace’s Untitled Jacob’s Ladder

Alexander’s Nature Life 2 CHURCH SCHOOL AND YOUTH

On March 24, the Church School class learned about Youth Group Joseph and his multi-colored coat. Because Joseph eventually ended up working in Pharaoh’s court, we made molokhia soup, based on an ancient Egyptian recipe. Molokhia is a leafy green vegetable common in Egypt and at one time, only the royals were al- lowed to eat it. So Joseph likely had this on his menu. The soup was delicious!

On March 9, six middle school boys gathered for an hour of trampolining at Chelsea Piers in Stamford. Thanks to the outreach efforts of Rector Davol, eleven youth, including four girls, had originally signed up to go but last minute family obligations reduced our In April, we will be studying a unit on the apostle group to six. Nevertheless, it was good exercise and Paul. The children will learn that: fun for the boys, and even more fun when we en- joyed a pizza dinner afterwards, along with some of • Paul persecuted the followers of Jesus. the parents. • While traveling to Damascus, Paul encountered the risen Jesus and was blinded. • Ananias, a man from Damascus who was a follower of Jesus, healed Paul and baptized him. • Now, rather than persecuting the followers of Jesus, Paul became one. • God turned Paul’s life around and set him off in a new direction. • As a follower of Jesus, Paul began to preach and teach about Jesus. • God’s love helps us to change when needed and become better. On Saturday evening, March 23, nine kids helped • Sometimes when we follow Jesus, we are called to make casseroles for the Pacific House. do difficult things. –Georgette Huie • God will always be there during those times to help us.

3 CENTER FOR FAITH DEVELOPMENT

Developing Leaders of Faith for the The next speaker in this series will be: 21st Century The Rev. Dr. Serene Jones A Lecture Series with Seminary Presidents President of Union Theological Seminary Friday, April 12 Reception 6:00 p.m. Lecture 7:30 p.m.

Dr. Heidi Hadsell, President of Hartford Seminary, was with us Friday evening, March 22, to explain the importance of her institution as an educator of all faiths, including Islam. The Islamic Chaplaincy program at Hartford Seminary was begun in 2003 to prepare Muslims for chaplaincy positions in hospi- tals, prisons, universities, and the military. It remains the only accredited program of its kind in the U.S., and graduates have been placed at , Williams College, and Princeton University, among others. Dr. Hadsell discussed the challenges, joys, and What does Round Hill Community Church have in benefits of a multicultural student population and common with U.S. President Barack Obama? We told stories with great ease and humor. She also talked both have invited the Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, President about her recent trip to Iran, where she presented a of Union Theological Seminary in NYC, to be pres- paper on Christian ethics, and shared some fascinating ent with us. In January, at the request of President stories about her experiences there. Obama, Serene Jones delivered the Prayer for the Na- tion at the Inaugural Worship Service, the day after the President’s second inauguration. On April 12, she will be speaking at RHCC. The Rev. Dr. Serene Jones will talk about the past, pres- ent, and future of Union Theological Seminary, its importance in today’s world, and upcoming events of interest, including “Economics and Theology” and “Enlightenment and Liberation: Engaged Buddhists and Liberation Theologians in Dialogue.” Her talk will be preceded by a reception open to Dr. Hadsell (second from left, front row) during her recent trip to Iran all, with some time set aside for Dr. Jones to meet with Union alumnae. Dr. Edward Horstmann, our As Georgette noted, we could have listened to her newly called Senior Minister, is an alumnus of Union all night, but after a time of questions from the audi- Seminary. ence, we moved on to a reception in the Parlor.

4 CENTER FOR FAITH DEVELOPMENT

Union Theological Seminary in NYC is known for being for- ward-thinking and com- mitted to academic ex- cellence, and for putting Meditation/Stress Reduction faith into action. It is Thursdays very much independent, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. having broken with the Meeting Room Presbyterian Church in the late 1800s over issues not unlike those that led to our own church’s break with Rev. Douglas Miller leads the class every the Methodist Church in the 1970s. Thursday for an hour. Come when you can; Theological giants such as bring a friend. All are welcome. and taught at Union. A Union gradu- ate, , preached a now famous sermon in 1904 entitled “Shall the Fundamentalists Win?” in which he presented the Bible as a record of the unfolding of God’s will, not as the literal word of God. Serene Jones is herself a noted theologian, having been a well-respected and popular teacher at before becoming the first female president of Union some five years ago. Dr. Jones is regularly called upon by national me- dia (such as CBS News, PBS, and MSNBC) to discuss topics as varied as the Economy and Theology and MEN’S GROUP whether or not Jesus had a wife (based on an ancient scrap of papyrus recently discovered). She is actively involved in bringing exciting thinkers and doers to- Breakfast gether for groundbreaking conversation and work. Sunday, April 7 Immediately after her time at RHCC, Union will 8:00 a.m., Meeting Room be the site for an international conference of noted Guest speakers will be Rusty McKee and Lloyd Hull. Buddhist and Christian scholars (with an emphasis on liberation theologies). They will “compare notes” Breakfast from their respective perspectives, to see what one Sunday, May 5 stream might learn from the other, and to enhance 8:00 a.m., Meeting Room their mutual interests, such as peace and healing. It Guest speakers will be Tim Wright and Nicky Achiwa. promises to be a historic gathering. Serene Jones is a personable, articulate speaker – Lloyd Hull and Win Adkins with a delightful sense of humor. I hope you will be able to attend on April 12 to meet her and to learn how Union Theological Seminary in NYC is developing leaders of faith for the 21st century. – Georgette Huie

5 LES BEAUX ARTS GALLERY

Spring Notebook Spring is just around the corner and Les Beaux Arts “The dual process demonstrates not Gallery has the pleasure to present Heather Sandifer’s only the beauty of the leaf’s impres- new collection of botanical monotypes and assem- sion but also its inherent strength blages. The exhibition runs from March 31 through and resiliency.” April 25. Sandifer had a long career as a textile designer be- fore going into fine art botanical paintings. She holds a certificate in botanical art and illustration from the New York Botanical Garden. Her work has been fea- tured at Holly Hunt in Chicago, David Winter Works on Paper in New York, the Center for Contemporary Printmaking in Norwalk, and the Flinn and Bend- heim Galleries of Greenwich, among other venues. – Mirella Hajjar, Gallery Curator

Sandifer’s work features some color-brushed tulip blossoms and bird nests – she calls them the origi- nal Easter baskets. Her botanical monotypes include spring ferns and other plant life. The assemblages are three-dimensional elements in which construc- tion assumes major importance. The emphasis of the show is on the color green, emerging shoots, bright blooms, and bird eggs. Sandifer first used the herbarium preservation method, which consists of pressing and drying natu- ral plants, in her botanical paintings. However, the fragility of the plants forced her to create a new kind of monotype that combines her knowledge of art with the herbarium preservation methods. “It takes thirty steps to complete a single piece,” she explains, “start- ing with pressing the plant material to administering the layers of color and employing frottage to transfer the impression. The dual process demonstrates not only the beauty of the leaf’s impression but also its inherent strength and resiliency.” Each piece is one of a kind and there is no duplication.

6 BENEVOLENCE AND OUTREACH

Forum: Mission Granbois In June, Micheline Van Hautem will return to Sunday, April 7 RHCC for her second French Cabaret to support 11:15 a.m. Mission Granbois. If you missed her first perfor- Michael Sandifer will describe his recent trip to Haiti mance last year, don’t make the same mistake this to continue efforts to improve water and health care time. People who were there are still talking about it. for Granbois. He will share photos and a short film as Be a part of a great evening for a great cause! part of his presentation.

Round Hill Community Church and Alliance Francaise of Greenwich present an evening of

French Cabaret with Micheline Van Hautem

Back by popular demand! Sunday, June 23, 2013 8:00 p.m.

Seating is limited – Reserve today! Tickets $45 Cash or Checks at the door

Serving Cabaret Wines, Cheese, and Chocolates

To benefit Haiti’s Mission Granbois and its Clean Water Program with Founder and Nursing Professor Margarett Alexandre

Round Hill Community Church 395 Round Hill Road Greenwich, CT (exit 28 Merritt Parkway) Info/Reservations: 203-869-1091 roundhillcommunitychurch.org

7 BENEVOLENCE AND OUTREACH

Walking to Make a Difference

Neighbor to Neighbor CROP Hunger Walk Sunday, April 21 2:00 p.m. First Presbyterian Church, Greenwich

The 2013 Greenwich/Port Chester CROP Hunger Walk is Sunday, April 21. Rain or shine, walkers will show up to help raise funds to fight hunger and poverty. This year marks the sixth Greenwich/Port Chester walk and the second year RHCC has participated. Last year we raised more than any other local church. We Thank you to everyone who contributed had a merry troupe of over twenty adults, so generously to our goal of 100 bags of children, and pet dogs on the Round Hill food for Neighbor to Neighbor Walkers’ Team. during the 40 days of Lent.

Now’s your chance to join in for this year. Go to crophungerwalk.org/green- Please know that this is an ongoing need wichct to sign up to walk or make a con- and your donation is always very much appreciated. tribution. We already have raised $975. Help Greenwich families in need by There will be chances to sponsor walkers donating cereal, canned fruit, and contribute during the Coffee Hours pasta and sauce, peanut butter and jelly, in April. rice, dried beans, soup, and 100% juice. On Sunday, April 21, the walk starts at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church Drop off items in the wagon located in at the top of Greenwich Avenue. Regis- the RHCC Narthex. Many, many thanks! tration is at 1:15.

8 BENEVOLENCE AND OUTREACH

Putting Yourself in Their Shoes

At our last Benevolence and Outreach committee charged with allocating these funds to effective pro- meeting on March 11, Rick Reichert, from the grams that make a difference in many lives. We have Food Bank, facilitated our understanding decided to focus on Poverty, Education, and Mental of just what life on food stamps might be like. We Illness in our current round of funding. We are also each played the role of someone faced with wonder- researching ways to heighten every member of the ing where the next meal might come from. (14% of congregation’s awareness of these critical issues. people in Connecticut are in this boat.) I was an out- of-work husband and father of three. My wife’s job We have decided to focus on Poverty, had been cut back to part time. I had to deal with the Education, and Mental Illness in our bureaucracies of the federal food program, public assistance, and the local food pantry. I only had a few current round of funding. dollars a day to buy food for my family after housing, transportation, and medical bills were paid. This ex- Perhaps each of us should take on the role of perience brought each of us a little closer to walking someone in need. in another’s shoes. – Sandy Motland, Benevolence and Outreach The Board has allocated $118,000 for Benevo- lence and Outreach this year. The committee is

9 WELCOME COMMITTEE THE CHAMBER PLAYERS

Please Save Sunday, June 2 The Chamber Players of the GSO Sunday, April 7, 4:00 p.m., Sanctuary This is the first Sunday that The Reverend Dr. Edward This will be the last program of the Chamber Horstmann will lead the Church service as our new Player’s concert season. “Winds of Change – from minister. Following the service, everyone is invited to Beethoven to Gilbert” showcases the principal a celebration picnic in the Community House. Look wind players of the Greenwich Symphony as well for more news in the May newsletter. as pianist Andrew Gordon.

Rhona Johnson [email protected]

This concert joins the familiar to the unfamiliar. Sandy Motland David Gilbert, who with his family will attend this [email protected] concert, will be wearing his composer’s hat instead of his Greenwich Symphony conductor’s hat to hear a performance of his “Mythic Serenade for Flute, Clari- net and Piano,” which he completed in 2010. Beethoven’s Quintet for Piano, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, and Horn in E-flat major, Op. 16, composed in 1792, is the earliest work on the program, followed by those of 20th-century French composer Francis Helen O’Malley Poulenc, with his Sextet for Piano and Winds, and [email protected] Danish composer Carl Nielsen with his Wind Quin- tet, Op. 43. The musicians are especially eager to perform The Welcome Committee – Rhona Johnson, each one of these very exciting and challenging pieces Sandy Motland, and Helen O’Malley – is working for an audience that has known and appreciated their to make Dr. Horstmann’s arrival in Greenwich as talents for a long time, and always look forward to smooth as possible. Suggestions, questions, and vol- playing for those who may be new to the Chamber unteers are welcome! Players. A wine and cheese reception follows the Together we can make this a wonderful and concert. For more information, call Suzy Simpson at memorable time as we embrace a new chapter in the 203-622-6611. spiritual life at Round Hill Community Church. – Louise Hoffman

10 PASTOR’S MESSAGE

continued from page 1 like the theologian Paul Knitter of Union Theological to finding the peace and happiness we all desire and Seminary who recently wrote a book titled Without seek after in so many ways. It is, I hope, a reminder Buddha, I Couldn’t Be a Christian. These religious that what we seek is already at hand. Trust me when traditions share with Christianity and Judaism the I say that I know from experience that even though importance of the spiritual disciplines of prayer and the spirit may be willing, the flesh is indeed weak. We meditation, disciplines that Jesus knew well. Often, need all the encouragement we can get. scripture tells us, he went off to be alone with God, to One final note: Medical researchers now know focus his attention and listen for the voice of God. that stress is what causes many human diseases. And I know I have mentioned the importance of atten- they also know that a simple meditation practice for tion many times in sermons and in small group dis- only twenty minutes a couple of times a day can go cussions. We have a group of members of our church a long way toward reducing stress. It lowers blood and others who meet for one hour each week to study pressure, increases the effectiveness of the immune and practice meditation, practice resting in the mo- system, and relaxes the muscles. In addition, it helps ment. We encourage each other, knowing how scat- us to be more efficient and effective at other times tered our attention often is. Meditation helps us to during the day, less judgmental, more peaceful. We stop the constant conversation that we carry on with begin to see more of the wonders and miracles that ourselves much of the time, all the while missing what is are right before our eyes. right in front of us. Life is given to us one moment at Speaking of seeing what is right in front of us, a time, but we have to be present in those moments to how many “f’s” did you see? Most people see three; receive it. a few see four, some five; hardly anyone sees all 6 the I am revisiting this topic once again knowing that first few times they read the sentence at the begin- this is one of my last newsletter messages. I want to ning of this message. leave you with a reminder of what I have found to – Douglas Miller be so central to our spiritual lives, indeed, central

Save the Date Sunday, May 5

Please join us for a Celebration Brunch honoring Reverend Douglas Miller, after the worship service in the Community House.

More information to follow.

– Grada Herrick

11 The News Letter Round Hill Community Church 395 Round Hill Road Greenwich, CT 06831 203-869-1091

Visit our website, roundhillcommunitychurch.org, to view more pictures, listen to past sermons, learn about the activities and history of RHCC, and check the monthly calendar.

April 2013 at Round Hill Community Church Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 6:30 p.m. Meditation 8 p.m. 1 p.m. Choir Rehearsal 7:30 p.m. Round Hill Craft Studio Trustees Mtg. 8 p.m., RTM Mtg.

10 a.m. Worship 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 & Church School D. Miller preaching Union Seminary 1 p.m. President to speak Round Hill Craft 6:30 p.m. 11:15 a.m. Forum: Meditation 6:00 p.m. Reception Mission Granbois 6:30 p.m. Studio 7:30 p.m. Lecture Outreach Mtg. 8 p.m. 4 p.m., Chamber Players Choir Rehearsal

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 10 a.m. Worship ANNUAL & Church School REPORTS DUE Cooking for 6:30 p.m. D. Miller preaching Meditation St. Luke’s 1 p.m. RH Cemetery Assoc. Round Hill Craft 8 p.m. Annual Meeting, Studio Choir Rehearsal noon 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 10 a.m. Worship NEWS LETTER & Church School DEADLINE D. Miller preaching 6:30 p.m. 1 p.m. Meditation 2 p.m. CROP Walk Round Hill Craft 8 p.m. Studio Choir Rehearsal

28 29 30 10 a.m. Worship & Church School D. Miller preaching

11:15 a.m. Annual Meeting