Interim Pastor Called!

At a Session meeting on July 15, 2008, the Interim Pastor Nominating Committee (IPNC) recommended that the session approve the calling of the Reverend Charles Marshall Webster to be its Interim Pastor, effective August 1, 2008. The recommendation was met with unanimous approval.

Known informally as Charlie, Rev. Webster expressed to the IPNC a desire to serve “in a progressive congregation that is God-centered and mission directed, a congregation committed to making a difference in the name of and by the power of God in Jesus Christ...(in) A ‘welcoming and inclusive congregation that works well and plays well, with a ‘let’s try’ and ‘can do’ attitude.”

Melissa “Mimi” Webster, a geriatric care management consultant, will join her husband in New Canaan. The Websters have three children and one grandchild, all who reside in western & southwestern regions in the USA.

Pictured at right: Rev. Webster stopping by the church office on a sunny afternoon.

August 3: Rev. Jamie H. Martinez
August 10: Rev. Charles M. Webster
August 17: Rev. Joan W. Priest
August 24: Rev. Webster
August 31: Rev. Webster

Summer Service: 9:30-10:15

SUNDAY WORSHIP Services: June 22 - August 31, 2008
These 45-minute services are held in the “round” setting in our air-conditioned sanctuary and followed by summer refreshments provided by the church deacons.

Worship Service: 9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Refreshments and Fellowship: 10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Sermon Discussion (beginning July 6): 10:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Church OFFICE Hours: June 30-August 29, 2008
Monday-Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 pm, Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 pm

We are a community of Christians in and around New Canaan, Connecticut, who are discovering a fresh approach to God through the life and teachings of Jesus and our life together. Part of this journey is about celebrating the faithfulness and camaraderie of those who have other names for their ways into God’s realm. In fact, we are a “spiritual home” for a number of folks of other faiths (and none), and understand the sharing of bread and wine in Jesus’ name to be a representation of an ancient vision of God’s feast for all people.

As progressive Christians, we believe that God speaks to us not only through the Biblical stories and creeds, but through all of life, and especially through one another. As “a thinking person’s church,” we find more grace in the search for understanding than we do in dogmatic certainty – more value in questioning than in absolutes. From the majestic reverence of our music and liturgy to our preaching and adult forums, our youth’s spiritual pilgrimages, our children’s performing arts and our varied outreach ministries, we are discovering how to reconnect our spirits without disconnecting our minds.

We have sought to be an inclusive community of love and justice with a desire to transform the world, beginning with ourselves. We invite people of all ages, stages and backgrounds to participate with us in every aspect of our community, worship, study and service.

For a closer look at our church, check out your areas of interest on our website, or join us for worship on Sundays (Regular worship at 10 a.m; summer worship at 9:30 a.m.). At the same hour, your children will love our “Discovery Zone” Bible Learning Centers, and your young people will meet new friends at our Middle- and High-School youth groups in our Youth Barn. Please contact any of our pastors, staff or ministry leaders for more information.