ISSUE NO. 55 SEPT/OCT 2017 Happy 500th Anniversary!

I love fall. As we enter this season, the leaves will and promoted a return to sound biblical doctrine. Luther begin to change color, the temperature will cool down, believed the Word of God was the supreme authority for days will get shorter, and we all will begin to ponder the the Christian faith, rather than tradition or papal decrees. question, “Are you ready for some football?” Fall also As a part of the “Reformed Movement” Congrega- signals the start of our new “Church Year.” We have a tionalists have always agreed. At a meeting in Oberlin, lot going on at South Church which you can read about Ohio, in 1871 the Constitution of the National Council in this issue of the TorchBearer. of the Congregational Churches of the United States of Rally Day will be on Sunday, September 17 (see America was approved. It reads, “[We] agree in belief “Rally Day!”). Experiencing God! has a couple of excit- that the Holy Scriptures are the sufficient and only infal- ing new studies (see “Experiencing God!”). We are host- lible rule of religious faith and practice…their interpreta- ing a prayer event on September 28 (see “For 10 Days: tion thereof being in substantial accordance with the Hartford”). Dr. Richard Flashman from Chosen Peo- great doctrines of the Christian faith, commonly called ple Ministries is visiting again (see “Crisis in the Middle evangelical, held in our churches from the early times, East”). Kid’s Klub Afterschool kicks off. Lost & and sufficiently set forth by former General Coun- Found and The Orchard start up and we welcome back cils.” (Oberlin Declaration, Nov. 17, 1871) our Chamber Choir and organist! The event that “started” the Protestant Reformation is Along with all Protestant churches, we generally considered to be Martin Luther’s posting of his will celebrate a milestone this fall as well Ninety-five Theses on the door of the Wittenberg on Reformation Sunday. The Protestant Church on October 31, 1517. That means this October Reformation was a widespread theologi- 31 will be the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. It cal revolt in Europe against the abuses deserves to be recognized and we will do so as a part of and totalitarian control of the Roman worship on Sunday, October 29. Catholic Church. Reformers such as I do love fall. Nature may be preparing for hiberna- Martin Luther in Germany, Ulrich tion but the church just comes alive! Zwingli in Switzerland, and John Calvin in France pro- tested various unbiblical practices of the Catholic Church Pastor Adam For Everything There is a Season Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 3, “For everything there is a the best in their new life in New York City. season, a time for every activity under heaven.” His point is that Another change has happened in the South Church God has a plan for all people. Thus, He provides cycles office recently. After seventeen years of faithful service, of life, each with its work for us to do. As we searched our Church Administrator, Leslie Watkins has retired. I for a Communications Director, the gifts and talents of would be in a full panic if not for the fact that we are Guillaume Olloz blessed us. He stepped right in and blessed to be able to hire her back as an independent part filled the position, temporarily, giving us the time we -time consultant. Thank you for your years of service needed to do due diligence in our search. I want to thank Leslie…and for not leaving completely! Your season with Guillaume for sharing his professionalism and expertise South is not finished yet. Thank God! with us for a season and I wish him and his wife Kim all PAGE 2 THE TORCHBEARER Welcome Lauren! We have found our new Director of Communications. You ent choirs, bands, and community theatre groups. Lauren also may recognize her name: Lauren Pouliot. Lauren was a for- plays and sings in our Praise Team. mer Chamber Choir member and took over Another role Lauren will soon be accept- the position of Choir Director when Sheila ing is mom! Matt and Lauren just purchased Hodges moved out to Utah. their first home in Winsted, CT, and they Lauren graduated Cum Laude with a BS in look forward to welcoming their first little Music Education from Central Connecticut munchkin this month! State University where she was an Honor Pro- “I love South Church and feel so blessed gram Scholar. She taught music in Connecti- to take on the role of Communications Di- cut and Colorado elementary and middle rector!” We are blessed that Lauren is join- schools. Most recently, Lauren was an Annui- ing the South Church team! Stop by the of- ty Service Specialist at the Hartford Insurance Company. In fice and welcome our new Communications Director. You addition to her new role as Communications Director, she also cannot miss her – she’s the one always smiling. Welcome Lau- performs around the state, having participated in many differ- A New Year Over the Summer God did a lot, and He revealed some new as Epoch Arts. They are a non-profit that does theater and arts. ideas for Lost & Found, The Orchard, and the future of our God placed in my heart to think about bringing a similar oppor- youth and young adult ministries. Our youth did a lot over the tunity to South with our students. I prayed about it during the past few months, but it was God who opened doors and hearts. week of camp, and God revealed that this is a way to impact Continue to pray for the ministries as things change and as God youth. So this year is all about fixing up the stage, collecting art moves us forward. supplies, doing small art projects, LARPing (Live Action Role- playing), creating our own play (used to gain donations), and What we did: We had NERF WARS in June to start the cultivating artistic growth in our youth to use their imaginations. summer. It was a great time, and the adults whooped up on the We will still do a small study, but this is where Cultivate on Sun- youth with teamwork. During the summer our youth were in- days will be the focus of Christian Education. The hope will be volved in several opportunities. to see art projects, theater, imagination, creativity, and outreach, They started it out in The Hartford Project (THP). All stu- while bringing the arts back to South and finding ways to use dents (except Jay) were new to the experience, and we were our gifts and talents to impact Hartford and other youth—all teamed up with another youth group that fit us. The youth got a this with God as the center of the ministry. We will be able to full experience of serving and spiritual growth that hung on to Love on people, Service other people, and Equip our youth with the fire they gained through the week. opportunity and biblical guidance. Then the youth went to Lakeside Camp for a week, and there Other thoughts: We hope to take on South’s Mission to a God moved in many of them. Jay Sanchez accepted Jesus as his new (and old) way in our culture. As our Mission Statement ex- Savior, Cameron Bush and our KJ rededicated their lives to Je- plains “An Imperfect Community Loving, Equipping, and Serv- sus, and the experience that the youth gained from the services, ing an Imperfect World”, The Orchard (Youth and Young activities, and the counsellors impacted their love for God and Adult Ministries) will begin to reach more people as we go, opened their eyes. bringing more families to South, and helping our youth to im- pact their culture. The last big activity was VBS, where this year they participat- ed as students instead of helpers. They had fun, and enjoyed the If anyone feels they need to serve with any of these minis- activities in which they were involved. tries please connect with me, [email protected]. The Orchard: Ryan and I have been talking, and we believe South Church: I have also started two other Church groups we need to make the Orchard once a month (until it grows). We within South. The first, Fantasy Football, begins with a live draft want it to be a place to bring other youth groups and young Sunday, August 27 at 1:30 pm at South Church. adults together. Pray over this, as I want this to be the umbrella My second Fellowship group is an Online and Tabletop of our youth and young adult’s ministries to be able to serve and Gaming Fellowship called War Art Redemption [WAR]. Right open doors for them to meet other youth. We will still have it now we have a Dice Tabletop group meeting every other Satur- on a Friday Night at 7 pm. day to go through a story with their characters. Some of us play Lost & Found: During the week at camp, I had a talk with Overwatch on PS4, and I also play on PC. If this is of interest to God about the direction of youth group. We have had awesome you, let me know: [email protected]. talks and study time, but it felt as if something was missing. Its purpose was to teach them truth, but there was no true way to Dido Montijo express themselves. The youth group we met at THP is known THE TORCHBEARER PAGE 3 Experiencing God! The Apostle Peter writes, “...if someone asks about your sues, primarily those to do with Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.” (1 Peter 3:15) temptation and resistance to it. The That’s what we do on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 pm book comprises thirty-one letters to 8:30 pm. While this always involves studying the Bible, written by a senior demon named it will also include other things such as movies, art, book Screwtape to his nephew, Worm- studies, etc. Any experience that helps us better under- wood (named after a star in Revelation), a younger and stand our faith so we will always be ready to explain our less experienced demon, charged with guiding a man Christian hope is worth exploring. (called “the patient”) toward “Our Father Below” (Satan) We are currently studying Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount from “the Enemy” (God). in Matthew 5-7. Following that we will begin a book Join us to Experience God! No previous experience is study on C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. Many of us are necessary. familiar with C.S. Lewis from his series of books The Pastor Adam Chronicles of Narnia. In The Screwtape Letters, Lewis uses the plot and characters to address Christian theological is-

“Nah, Nah, Nah, Nah-Nah-Nah-Nah: The Letter of Jude” Check out Pastor Adam’s new four-part sermon series today need to be on guard against false doctrines that can beginning on Rally Day September 17 called, “Nah, so easily deceive us if we are not well versed in the Word. Nah, Nah, Nah-Nah-Nah-Nah: The Letter of Jude.” We need to know the Gospel. We need to protect and Jude is an important book for us today. In it, Jude warns defend it. Join us as Pastor Adam teaches what Jesus’ us about the evil that was infiltrating the first century brother Jude has to say to the church today. church in the form of false teaching. Similarly, Christian’s From This Day Forward Congratulations to the soon singing with the Praise Team and then as a member of the to be Mr. & Mrs. Ryan & Ash- Church Council (including a term as our Church Modera- ley Dafgek! Ryan and Ashley tor). He is currently our Director of Worship Arts and will be married next month on now a new husband! Ashley has joined South Church and October 14, 2017. Ryan has jumped right in serving with the Audio/Visual and Young been a long time member of Adults ministries. South Church. He first served After a ten-day honeymoon in Aruba they will be back as a member of the Chamber at South Church ready to continue serving God as Mr. & Choir. That was followed by Mrs. Dafgek. Congratulations! Girls Rule! This year they do, as all three of the journey at Manchester Community 2017 South Church scholarship recipi- College with a plan to become a vet- ents happen to be women. Jessica erinarian. She knows this is a long Sasseville is currently a student at No- road requiring seven to nine years of va Southeastern University in Fort school. She is attend- Lauderdale, Florida. She has been ac- ing MCC to com- cepted into NSU’s Bachelors Program plete her prerequi- for Diagnostic Medical Sonography. sites before transfer- Jessica Jess hopes to complete her studies in Veronica ring to UConn. August 2019, then work in a hospital setting for a few Lexxie Caceres will also be at Manches- years and save up enough money to be able to travel to ter Community College with a Criminal Haiti for six months and work at Pastor Lubin’s new Justice major. We are proud of all of you. Lexxie Mercy Hospital. Veronica Williams is beginning her Girls rule and boys drool in 2017! PAGE 4 THE TORCHBEARER Children & Family Ministry A photographic journey through our summer adventures!

July: Camp Lakeside

Above: Tuty having fun! Above: Shaving cream battle! Below: Tubing was a highlight at camp. Below: Millie and her favorite counselor, Kaela.

Delilah and messy fun!

July: The Hartford Project July: Love Wins!

Participants of The Hartford Project pose with items Above: Dido and Brit at Love Wins. that they prepared for Vacation Bible School. Below: A beautiful July sunset! THE TORCHBEARER PAGE 5 Children & Family Ministry July: Vacation Bible School

Day 1. Cool crafts! Great team! Miss Allie is ready for a great week of VBS!

August: Pool Party! August: Hartford Yard Goats

Below: Great seats!

Above: Everyone enjoyed the pool! Above: Our South Church family had fun, but the HAT? Left: Miss Mary and KJ at the grill.

What’s to come in September: Join us on Sunday, Sept 17 for Back to Church Sunday! Hot breakfast will be served at 9:30 am, with Sunday school classes at 9:55 am for all children and youth, preschool age through Grade 12. Invite your friends, new registration is welcome! Van pickups will be from 8:30-9:30 am on Sundays by request except for the last Sun- day of each month where we ask families to come together to worship. PAGE 6 THE TORCHBEARER National Association of Pilgrim Fellowship Conference From June 24-27, 2017, Lynn Robertson attended the 63rd an- ing for those most willing to do His work. We have failed God, but He nual meeting of the National Association of Congregational does not push us away. He runs to you to help you through. We can- Christian Churches (NACCC), which included an All-Conference not do something in life without His permission. God’s hopes and Mission Project with youth from the National Association of Pil- dreams for us are much better than our own hopes and dreams. We grim Fellowship (NAPF). She was kind enough to share this re- need to do the right things and be obedient to God. Two questions for port from the conference! all of us to answer: What flaws do we have that God can use? And how are we handling our business right now? Our character will carry I was able to go to Atlanta and attend the NAPF Conference at us through life, not our competency. Piedmont College this June. We had a wonderful, youthful, energetic speaker. We were privileged to have an actual band play for us this year We had two and half days of mission work. The first mission was as well. So sit down, have a cup of coffee—we were spoiled to have intergenerational. We met up with the adults and went to a meal pack- Starbucks in the next dining room—and read on… aging organization called Rise Against Hunger—an international hunger relief organization that distributes food and life-changing aid to Our first session was on the topic of stories. Our speaker talked the world’s most vulnerable, mobilizing the necessary resources to end about how we are on the losing end and we cannot do anything with- hunger by 2030. There were four stations throughout a big hall— out God and his help. Superheroes have power, but God has more. packing, weighing, sealing and counting. The food was going to Malawi We cannot make our relationship with God perfect—we are going to in Africa. Every time 1,000 boxed were packed, they would ring a exhaust ourselves trying. It is like we are climbing our way up the to- gong. We packed 20,520 meals in an hour and a half! tem pole. It is emotionally good to be struggling with issues. When we are faced with an emotion, we just try to pass through it, but we need The second was a two day mission project. We went to the Sautee to be in touch with our emotions. We should also be okay with where Nacoochee Center and it’s parent organization, Sautee Nacoochee we are on the totem pole. Romans 7:24 asks who is going to rescue Community Association. They were established in 1981 to recognize us? Where have we fallen short and why? “What a wretched man I am! the importance of saving the heritage, land, and community of this Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” exceptional place in the mountains of North Georgia. Over the last 36 years the scope of the Center’s goals in its stewardship have widened, The second session was about Mark 10:17— “As Jesus started on his and its responsibility and leadership in the community’s life have way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. ‘Good teacher,’ he strengthened. Today it offers the Northeast Georgia region many op- asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’” How will you spend eternity portunities, including a major Folk Pottery Museum with classes and with God? Who will we spend it with—God or not God? The Ten exhibits in visual arts, a performance program that provides exposure Commandments are a ladder to God and Jesus is bigger than the top to the best of national and regional musicians, dancers and actors, and rung. Our life becomes a checklist. “You see, at just the right time, when we varied educational programs for both adults and children that support were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a learning in all of these areas. The center also supports the community righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But with scheduled programs and activities which nurture and enhance the God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ lives of its seniors and other special groups. died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8). This is saying we are dead, we are power- less, and we have nothing left. This is the “Great Exchange.” God is We had several projects at the center. We weeded, trimmed and going to die for us so that we have eternal life. The “Double Amputa- mulched the trees and wooded areas. We painted and washed windows tion” is when we give God our good deeds and He gives us all His inside and out. We also did a lot of organizing and cleaning. The youth good deeds. put together several shelves, so when the room was cleared of all the clutter the supplies could be put on the shelves instead of on the floor. Tuesday night’s session was about interaction. Personal goodness One of the rooms that was cleared out was going to become an art does not impress a perfect person. We believe in morals and morality. studio. There was a room that was used as a gym and a performance Picture a cross: the horizontal line of the cross is where we put all our area on stage. This floor had to be cleared off because there was a huge effort and energy and pass it on. The vertical line is when we know hole in the back of the stage that had not been worked on for 20 years. Jesus is finished and we are able to live free. In Galatians, it talks about We were starting to put new plywood down. the fruits of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbear- ance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians The youth who were attending to the outside chores were using a 5:22-23). We need to let this mark our lives. If we have a relationship wheelbarrow with a flat tire, and the window washers were using nap- with God, then we have nothing to lose and nothing to prove. He is kins because the squeegee would not squeegee. It is always amazing to not confined to space. We crave attention, approval, and affection, but us, especially those of us who have been attending forever, how unpre- He approves of you and we do not need to be approved by others. In pared these places are. They never seem to have enough work for two Philippians 2:1-11, we read about wanting to serve or love people and days, and they do not check to see if they have enough tools—or to do so the way Jesus would want us to. He builds us up, not tears us make sure the tools on site work. down. Are we going to serve ourselves or are we going to serve God? One of the most fascinating facts that I learned came up at break- Our lives will change from selfish to selfless. fast. One of the youths informed us that coffee is processed from The session on Wednesday was about struggles. God wants to use monkey poop. So, of course, all of the adults at the table stopped eat- us to do great things in our lives. What would it look like for us to do ing, took out our phones and tried to verify it… and it was TRUE! that? Luke 5:1-11 says that God is looking for people to obey and if we That is my story. Until next year, be sure to enjoy the rest of your follow Jesus, He will have us accomplish many great things. He is look- coffee! THE TORCHBEARER PAGE 7 Pinyin The number 2 (兩 “pinyin”) is most welcomed not one but two new additions to their family on August 7! Kaitlyn often considered a good number in Chi- Laura was 7lbs 3oz and Dylan James nese culture. In fact, there is a Chinese was 6lbs 10oz. Kaitlyn is the “older sis- saying, “good things come in pairs.” ter” as she was born five minutes before Our Choir Director, Christine Dylan. Congratulations Macaluso family! Macaluso, her husband Mike, and their We can’t wait to meet them both! son Jake, know this firsthand as they

For 10 Days: Hartford

10 Days is an annual opportunity for the Body of call. To join them, DIAL 1-302-202-1108. ACCESS: Christ in your area to step away from normal routines of 230081. daily life and enter into an extended time of experiencing There will also be a Concert of Prayer in Hartford here God together through worship, at South Church on Thursday, September 28, from 6:30 prayer, fasting, and fellowship. pm to 9:30 pm. This will include praying for Awaken the It’s a way for all the believers in Dawn that is taking place in Washington D.C. October 6- your city to unite with Jesus at 9, 2017. For more information on that event go to the center. It’s rooted in the 10 www.awakenthedawn.org. Days between the biblical Feasts of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement. Go to www.10days.net for more information on the 10 Days of Prayer and join us here at South Church on Sep- 10 Days is intended to be part of the answer to Jesus’ tember 28! prayer in John 17:21, “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one – as you are in me, Father, and I am in you.” “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” The next 10 Days is from September 20-30, 2017. The (Ephesians 6:18) House of Good Hope/Hartford House of Prayer will Pastor Adam be praying 6:00 am to 8:00 am daily via prayer conference

Crisis in the Middle East Last year, we were blessed by Dr. Richard Flashman This topic is not only biblical but also of Chosen People Ministries, when he presented a relevant. You cannot listen to the radio, teaching on the Seder meal. I am pleased to announce that watch television, or read a newspaper we are welcoming him back again this year. On October without encountering the tense situa- 22, Dr. Flashman will be presenting “Israel, the Church tion in the Middle East. and the Middle East Crisis” at both the 9:30 am and 11:00 Invite a friend to join you at South Church on October am worship services. 22. You will be blessed. Shalom.

Rally Day 2017! We will kick off the “Church Year” on September 17 with a Rally Day breakfast at 9:30 am to 11:00 am. Every- one is encouraged to invite a friend and come enjoy great food, great fellowship, and great worship as South Con- gregational Church begins its 348th year of ministry in downtown Hartford. PAGE 8 THE TORCHBEARER M25 Haiti Cooking with Christ Christmas is right around the corner, right? Would you We are ready for a delicious season! Every Wednesday like to do some Christmas shopping now? We want to help evening from 6:30 –8:30 in the kitchen, we get together to you help us. The M25 Haiti team wants to make Christmas learn to cook wonderful meals and decadent desserts. special for our kids at the BEM School of Camp Perrin. We Each person cooks on their own or in a small group. We would love to provide a gift and a Christmas meal for all of cook an entire meal or dessert from start to finish, ending the kids in the school. We are looking for donations of toys, with eating our completed product. Detailed instruction is stuffed animals, school supplies, personal hygiene items, provided as you prepare your food following a recipe. Our baseball hats, new boy’s or girl’s socks, and hard candies to kitchen is fully equipped to cook anything you would like to fill up cinch sacks for the kids. We are also looking for mon- learn to cook. etary donations to provide a nice meal for all of the kids. We need to get the barrel with the gifts sent out by the mid- This group is for men or women, and children over the dle of October to ensure that the kids receive their gifts by age of 8 years of age. If this is something you would like to Christmas. participate in, please email me at [email protected]. Our church and school still needs to be finished, so we are also raising money to finish the building. As Christmas is Sewing Smiles approaching, you might consider putting our building project Sewing Smiles is working hard to get our Haiti items on your Christmas list. Any size donations will be greatly ready for the next trip. We have already started sewing our appreciated. “Freedom Bags” (feminine hygiene kits), rice and beans bags, We are still looking for team members for our 2018 trip. dresses for little girls, and other miscellaneous items. We are Dates for this trip are June 21-28, 2018. This is a life chang- meeting on the first Saturday of every month from 9-3 in the ing opportunity. Elmore Room on the lower level. We have many sewing machines and materials to make these items. All we need is If you would like to be a part of any of the above pro- your hands. We even have work for people who don’t sew grams, please email [email protected], call 207-852- 6545, or see me at church. but want to help. We will even teach you to sew if you Renée Söderberg would like to learn. We enjoy our time together while creat- ing beautiful handmade gifts for our friends in Haiti. Haiti isn’t our only focus. We are making curtains for Holy Scrap different rooms in the church and plan on update our cos- Do you have photos in boxes under your bed that you tume wardrobe for our wonderful church productions at would love to organize and put into albums? Do you have Christmas and Easter. photos from your last vacation on your phone that you Please join us for a fun, creative time of fellowship and would like to do something with? We are here for you!!!! sewing! Join us on Tuesday afternoons, and the second Saturday of the month for Holy Scrap. We have almost everything you Happy Birthday! need to create an awesome scrapbook of your memories. All you need to start is your photos. We can help you organize September October your pictures and direct you to what you need to get started 01 - Vincent Santangelo 01 - Janet Wallace on your album. 03 - Gene Beaupre 02 - Veronica Mingolelli Available for use in our scrapbooking area is a Cricut Marie LeVan (109) Pastor Adam with many cartridges, Cuttlebug embosser, Sizzix die cut ma- 04 - Michele Birbrau Söderberg chine, stamps and ink, stickers, paper, punches, etc. We love 05 - Karl Hahn 06 - Jack O’Connell to share! 14 - Peg Barles 12 - Tessa Belcastro Susan Elphick 13 - Jean Trzcinski Meet us in the Elmore room on Tuesdays from 3-8, or 15 - Alaura Howes 22 - Jeffrey Savery the second Saturday of the month from 9-3. 17 - Javon Delaine 23 - Carlos Sanchez For more information, see Maureen Gainey, Linda Porter 18 - Brittany Montijo 24 - Colleen Jenkins or Renee Soderberg. 19 - Deborah Deschenes 30 - Jessica Sasseville 23 - Madison Hammond Renée Söderberg 25 - Alana Ciarcia 28 - Pat Rossi