CONNECTICUT DISTRICT NEWS
SUMMER 2016
The Connecticut District Office of the United MethodistChurch
20 Broadfield Road, Hamden, CT 06517
Resident Bishop:Jane Allen Middleton Editor: Dorothy Chamberlain
Superintendent: Reverend Kenneth KiefferVolume 32, Issue 7/8
E-mail: Web: 203-288-0286
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KEEPING THE WORLD “WEIRD”
In China, this is the year of the monkey. In Methodism, this must be the year of the conference. In addition to the 70 something Church Conferences over which I presided, 2016 saw the General Conference in May and our Annual Conference in June. On deck is the Jurisdictional Conference in July and the World Conference in August.
If nothing else, these gatherings are good for a blog/newsletter article or two. (Actually, this is my FOURTH related to the General Conference in Portland, but I promise it’ll be my last. Probably…)
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The official slogan of Portland, Oregon, is “The City That Works” - but the UNofficial and UNabashed slogan is “Keep Portland Weird”.
Granted, I was there only once, for a grand total of 12 days, but based on that one visit lastmonth, I believe that Portland’s populace is doing a pretty good job of living into their UNstated weirdness. So, what’s so weird about Portland? Glad you asked…
MY TOP 5 REASONS WHY PORTLAND IS WEIRD
#1) Driving – First of all, Portland drivers stop their cars not only at red lights, but at yellow lights as well! (Where I’m from, people not only don’t stop at yellow lights – they speed up at reds!)
Secondly, drivers in Portland will also stop their cars when pedestrians have entered the crosswalk. Actually, it’s worse than that. Portlanders will stop their cars if a pedestrian intends to enter a crosswalk. (Again, where I’m from, drivers speed up if they see a pedestrian enter a crosswalk!)
Lastly, drivers don’t/won’t use their horns. During my dozen-day stay in busy downtown Portland, I heard a car horn honk only once - and according to the license plate, the offending driver was from New Jersey!
Moral to the story - It’s as if folks in the City of Roses enjoy where they are so much that they’re in no hurry to be somewhere else, or beat someone else. They actually take the time to stop and smell the roses. Weird, right?
KEEPING THE WORLD “WEIRD” continued------
#2) - Umbrellas – Portlanders are philosophically opposed to umbrellas. Now, everybody knows that it rains a lot in the Pacific Northwest, but the locals refuse to use umbrellas. Weird, right?
Moral to the story - Portlanders seem to handle whatever befalls them. If it’s rainy, they accept it. If it’s sunny, they accept it. They just deal with whatever life throws at them. So the umbrellas stay at home in an oversized flower vase in the foyer, as God intended. Perhaps Portlanders should be honest and just call them UNbrellas.
#3) - Train tickets – Speaking of being honest, Portlanders are also philosophically opposed to checking train tickets as well. I rode the light-rail train all the way from the outskirts to the center of the city and back again every day and night for 12 straight days and nights, and no one ever checked to see if I had bought a ticket. Ever!
Of course, I didn’t know this on day one, so I cluelessly plunked down $51 for a 2-week rail pass. Silly tourist. In hindsight, that money would actually have been better spent if I had bought a reconditioned 8-track player with it!
Moral to the story - The trains may run on a light rail, but the entire city transit system runs on the honor system. Weird, right?
#4) - The factses about taxes - Portlanders pay no sales tax. None! Zero! Nada! So there’s no need to try and figure out what 6.75% of $14.99 is. Stuff simply costs only and exactly what the price tag reads, or what the shopkeeper says.
Moral to the story - In Portland, you can actually believe what you read, and you can actually take people at their word. Weird, right?
#5) - What’s REALLY weird about Portland - I save the best for last. Perhaps the weirdest thing about Portland is that an American city that values, celebrates, promotes and models civility, courtesy, honesty and truthfulness is considered by the rest of us to be weird. Weird, right?
Ken
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DS VACATION/JURISDICTION SCHEDULE:
July 3-10
July 11-15
July 28 – Aug. 5
NOTE: If you need a DS while Ken is away, please contact:
July 3-10 Denise Smartt Sears (MET) 212-870-2045
July 11-15 Sungchan Kim ( LIW) 516-333-9868
July 28-31 Betsy Ott (NY/CT) 203-348-9181
August 1-5 Tim Riss (CAT/HUD)845-679-6450
Hofstra Happenings
As They Related to Connecticut District
Glocal GOLD Mission Awards
UMC CLINTON
NICHOLS UMC, TRUMBULL
ST. ANDREWS UMC, NEW HAVEN
SIMSBURY UMC
Glocal SILVER Mission Awards
KENSINGTON UMC
PROSPECT UMC, BRISTOL
GEORGETOWN UMC
NEW MILFORD UMC
TRINITY UMC, WINDSOR
WESTPORT-WESTON UMC
Elected New York Annual Conference Lay Leader
Roena Littlejohn (Bridgeport: Golden Hill UMC)
New York Annual Conference Endorsed For The Episcopacy
Our District Superintendent, Ken Kieffer
Hofstra Happenings As They Related to Connecticut District continued ….
Retirees
Eric Henderson
Mel Kawakami
Robert Sorozan
Virginia Wilcox
New Appointments
Congratulations to our pastors in new appointments and a hearty welcome to those new to our District.
Bethel UMC: John ParilleNewtown: Lori Miller
Bristol: Prospect UMC, Yontae KimNorth Canton: Karen Cook
Canaan: Fern Blair HartNorth Haven: Wayne Lavender
Derby: James MidgleySeymour: Lisa Bosworth
Durham: Jeanette Cooper HicksThomaston: David Mantz
East Berlin: Sun Yong Lee Trumbull: Long Hill: Ed Dayton
Gaylordsville: Peter BrownWaterbury: Sandra Mantz
Litchfield: Kathleen ReynoldsWatertown: David Mantz
Meriden First: Ric HanseWest Hartford: Bob Knebel
Ordained
Roslyn Lee
Won Tack Lee
Alex Souto
Commissioned
Kathleen Reynolds
Hofstra Happenings As They Related to Connecticut District continued ….
Connecticut Breakfast Reminders
- Mission U is scheduled for July 22-24 in Stamford, CT
- Ideas for upcoming District Mission project should be e-mailed to the district office.
- The one and only e-mail address for our district is:
- All CT clergy should contact the office with theirone and only e-mail address they would like the district office to use.
- All CT churches should send their newsletters, either electronic or hard copy, to the district office.
- DS cell phone number is 203-428-7379. Use with discretion please.
- Schedules for church conferences will be sent out to pastors the first week of July via Doodle.
- Schedules for one-to-one with pastors and DS will be sent out the first week of August via Doodle.
- Fall clergy meeting is tentatively scheduled for September 22 at Waterbury UMC, from 9:30 – Noon. “Rain Date” is scheduled for September 20, in case our new Bishop changes Cabinet meeting schedule.
- Our new Bishop (TBD) begins work in NYAC on September 1.
“CLEAN WATER FOR NICARAGUANS UPDATE”
The Connecticut District has done an outstanding job in raising money for water filters for Nicaragua. Since the last newsletter, we received additional money so that our total number of water filters for Nicaragua is:
345
Here is a message that was sent to us by Cindy Iorfino from the Shelton Girl Scout Brownie Troop with a donation of $100enclosed:
Dear Rev. Ken and the NYAC,
We spent part of our year learning about water – the water cycle, pollution, conservation, etc. One of the surprising things we learned was the earth is 75% water. Out of that less than 3% is safe to drink. Miss Cindy told us about this project for clean water in Nicaragua. We wanted to help. We decided to donate some of our cookie proceeds to help others have clean water.
Girl Scout Brownie Troop 60829, Shelton, CT.
AdiaSara
AlinaMaggie
AngelinaAudrey
AnnabellaNaomi
Kylie Lily
MARY TAYLOR UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
IS SEEKING
AN OUTREACH PASTOR
POSITION OPENING:
Mary Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church, 168 Broad Street, Milford, CT 06460, () a 550 member progressive congregation and member of the Reconciling Ministries Network, seeks an Outreach Pastor.
This 15-20 hour per week position will develop and implement plans in Christian education, youth ministry, evangelism and member care, and worship. Sundays, at least one weekday and some evenings required. The ideal candidate works well with volunteers and staff and will demonstrate proven ability to work as a team to build relationships and achieve shared goals. Ordination preferred but not required; for non-ordained, undergraduate degree required. Computer and electronic messaging skills required; social media and electronic worship communication skills preferred. Worship leadership experience preferred.
For a full position description, interested candidates should e-mail (no calls) resume and cover letter (one page each) to .
Application deadline: July 5, 2016.
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PART-TIME YOUTH MINISTER OPENING
AT
NICHOLS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
35 SHELTON ROAD, TRUMBULL, CT 06611
Qualifications: A qualified candidate will be able to demonstrate being grounded in their personal faith-walk, passion for youth ministry, creative ability to connect with youth, and experienced in working with Jr. & Sr. high school teens.
Objective: The primary responsibility of the Youth Minister is to develop a positive, trusting, relationship with our youth and encourage them to walk with Christ. The Youth Minister will be responsible for designing, planning, and implementinga comprehensive, vibrant, and engaging program to develop and cultivate a Christian discipleship in our youth.
Responsibilities:
- Lead theweekly Youth Group programs.
- Plan and attend youth retreats.
- Attend worship at Nichols Methodist Church.
- Attend annual ASP mission trip.
- Other administrative duties
Compensation: This part-time position will require applicant to work 10 to 15 hours a week.
Salary is $8,000 per year.
E-mail resume to Nichols United Methodist Church --
New York Annual Conference
Local Pastor’s Licensing School 2016
Four Modules:
Sept. 8-10 Oct. 5-8 Nov. 3-5 Dec. 1-3
at
St. Thomas Seminary
467 Bloomfield Ave, Bloomfield, CT 06002
WHO ATTENDS?Persons in the candidacy process who, prior to ordination, want to be considered for an appointment, once they have obtained the certificate for candidacy, MAY attend this year’s school to prepare for a future appointment with the recommendation of their District Committee on Ministry and District Superintendent.
If a person has not already completed the Disciplinary requirements, Check with your District Superintendent, the District Committee on Ordained Ministry and the Local Pastor Registrar for any possible exceptions.
WHY ?The Division of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry requires80 contact hours with 30 basic minimum competencies that are essential for beginning the practice of ministry. These competencies are divided into four modules.
ATTENDANCE AT ALL FOR MODULES IS NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION.
- Module 1 “Worship, Sacraments and Preaching”
- Module 2 “The Pastor as Educator, Stewardship, Methodist History and a touch of
Safe Sanctuary’s and Boundaries”
- Module 3 “Pastoral Care, Special Services and Spirituality”
- Module 4 “Evangelism/Outreach/Mission and Leadership & Administration”
Each competency is treated in two ways: First, there is a body of knowledge which can be communicated by reading, lecture, group experience, and other methods. Second, there is a skill or ability which comes out of the knowledge and is demonstrable within the group.Written assignments may be made during each module. Students will be expected to return those assignments prior to the following module. Persons attending the LPLS will be evaluated in each area with a written report. The report may or may not recommend that the license be granted. It should be noted that the granting of the license is not done by the Licensing School, but by the Bishop on the recommendation of the Board of Ordained Ministry and confirmed by Clergy Session of Annual Conference. Successful completion of the school is only one aspect of the process of receiving the license.
COST?Students who are planning to complete all four modules within a 12 month period will need to make a single payment of $1,100. Students who are planning to complete less than four modules will pay $300.00 per module.The cost includes room for 2 nights and 5 meals.
Who do I contact to inquire or ask questions?The DistrictSuperintendent,the Local Pastor Registrar, Co-Directors of the LPLS in that order. (DS Ken Kieffer at , LP Registrar Eileen Daunt at , then the Co-Directors at )
Condolences and Prayers for:
The family of Reverend Donald O. Rackliffe who died on June 1, 2016. His wife, Lucille, predeceased him in 2009. He is survived by his son, Scott and daughter, Claudia Rackliffe Wittenseliner. Don’s son, Tim predeceased him in 2008. In our District, Don served the following churches: West Side Hill UMC in Waterbury, Mary Taylor UMC in Milford, Asbury UMC in Forestville, and West Harford UMC. Don retired in 1994. In retirement he served as Interim pastor at Middlefield Federated Church in Middlefield and Chaplain at Bristol Hospital. Don was a U.S. Coast Guard veteran who served in World War II.
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RETIREE’S BREAKFAST
JULY 21, 2016
All retirees are invited to meet on July 21st for breakfast at Denny's, 631 Queen St. (Route 10) in Southington, just off I-84, exit 32. We meet on the third Thursday of each month. Next breakfast is scheduled for August 18. It helpsto know about how many to expect. Kindlycontact Ralph Roy at or call 860-620-1711. Call too, if the weather is questionable in case it is cancelled. Please come prepared to share information on any illness, bereavement or other circumstances that should engage the group’s attention.
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JURISDICTIONAL CONFERENCE
July 11-15
FALL CLERGY MEETING
SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
(“RAIN DATE”: SEPTEMBER 20, 2016)
WATERBURY UMC
BISHOP’S RETREAT
SEPTEMBER 27-28, 2016
STONY POINT, NY
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CONNECTICUT DISTRICT IS ON FACEBOOK!
CHECK US OUT AT: nyacconnecticut district
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DEADLINE FOR THE SEPTEMBER DISTRICT NEWS:
AUGUST 22nd
Have a great summer!
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