When the song of the angels is stilled,

When the star in the sky is gone,

When the kings and the shepherds have found their way home,

The work of Christmas is begun

to find the lost,

to heal the broken,

to feed the hungry,

to release the prisoner,

to rebuild the nations,

to bring peace among brothers,

to make music in the heart.

Howard Thurman (The Work of Christmas)

The January Herald

Excerpted from the Christian Missions Christmas Letter in reply to the question of “What would Jesus do to

help the many who need our help.”

When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat Through the Open Door Shelter and the Gillespie Center When I was in prison, you visited me Through Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport When I was a stranger, you invited me in Through Pivot Ministries and Project Return When I was sick, you helped me to heal Through CLASP Homes and Positive Directions When I needed clothes, you clothed me Through Person-to-Person When I was homeless, you took me in Through Habitat for Humanity and Homes with Hope

Submitted by Christian Missions: Melissa Banks, Jack Banks, Alyssa Barone, Lois Himes, Cynthia Wallace, Sara Walsh

Caring: Building a Wheelchair Ramp & Elevator Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Saugatuck

In my favorite retelling of the story of the three magi, Barbara Brown Taylor writes,

“Once upon a time there were three – yes, three – very wise men who were all sitting in their own countries

minding their own business when a bright star lodged in the right eye of each one of them. It was so bright

that none of them could tell whether it was burning in the sky or in their own imaginations, but they were so

wise they knew it did not matter all that much. The point was, something beyond them was calling them, and it

was a tug they had been waiting for all their lives.”

There have been plenty of priests, astronomers and historians who have scoured astronomical records over the

centuries to find evidence of that fabled star. Was it a comet? A planet? Something more mystical? Although

surveying the ancient skies can be fascinating, it never mattered much to me whether we could find record of

that particular star, said to have hovered somewhere over Bethlehem in 0 A.D. I don’t think Matthew’s ac-

count was meant to be read as an historical report; it’s a story, a story that rings true to anyone who has ever

felt called by something beyond them. Have you ever felt that inexplicable tug, the urge to leave something

familiar for something unknown? Does the image of grown men kneeling before a gurgling infant tickle your

funny bone or unexpectedly move you to tears? That’s the power of story. It strikes a chord; it speaks to our

hopes and to our longing.

As we turn to face into the New Year, I wonder: What star is lodged in the corner of your eye? Whether any-

one can prove it’s there is beside the point. The question is: What longing does it stir in you? Where or how

do you feel drawn to search for the Holy One this season? What parts of you are aching to be healed? And

what aching in the world calls out to you for healing?

Some of your hopes may feel unattainable, even silly, in a world full of hostile Herods. But I take it as a reas-

suring sign that the first worshippers of God-made-flesh were star gazers bold enough to follow the light wher-

ever it led them. They didn’t let convention get in their way; they went searching for a king in a one-room

house in the backwater village of Bethlehem. And they knew that the baby they found there deserved their

allegiance far more than that palace-dwelling fox, King Herod. Sometimes, we just have to enlist our imagina-

tions and trust our dreams to show us the way.

Perhaps, this season, we could share our dreams with each other, honor the star that gleams in each eye and

encourage one another to acts of boldness. Perhaps, this season, we might step out in

new ways, to love, bless and heal. Perhaps, in so doing, we might rediscover the

power and truth of the magi’s story: that God is born among us again. Blessed be!

- Grace and Peace, Rev. Alison J. Buttrick Patton

Star Gazers “In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage…”

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Youth and Children at Saugatuck

A glance back, with an eye toward the future.

Pre K-5th grade

Our fall curriculum mirrored the scripture that was presented in the sermon each week. We used sto-rytelling, crafts, cooking and games to develop a personal understanding of the stories.

Gratitude, and why it’s important, was a theme that resonated with the kids. They enjoyed making gratitude journals for the congregation and really felt connected when they distributed the journals to you, the congregation.

During one of our storytelling classes, two boys asked, “When do we get to dress up in front of the whole church?” Ask, and you shall receive, right? “Everybody Counts”, a play written by our own Craig Patton about the census in Bethlehem, was their opportunity to shine!

In January and February, the children will continue to ask “What are the things I do when I follow Je-sus?” We’ll explore that theme in small ways and big ways, always looking toward developing faith and nurturing social-emotional health.

6-8th grade

The Middle School kids worked with Michael Hendricks and Craig Patton on stories and activities that created discussion about ways in which we love God, our neighbors and ourselves. Gratitude and re-sponsibility were intertwined in their class discussions.

Thanks to the 6-8th grade kids, the first ever production of “Everybody Counts” came off without a hitch. They were patient with the younger actors and though they might not want to admit it, they had fun!

The Middle School Youth Group is craving another meeting. Friday nights work best for this group of kids. They are smart, funny and an active group. If you’ve been missing some bonding time with kids, let me know and I’ll help plan an evening. (dana@saugatuckchurch.org)

Story Tent writing/revisions/additions are in full swing in January. Parents and kids…set your alarms each Sunday so you won’t miss a thing!

Once again, we’ll make a trip to Heifer Farm in Rutland, MA. Mark your calendars for June 2-4, 2017. Make sure Dana Johnson has your reservation, dana@saugatuckchurch.org

High School

Before I start my report, I just want to say that this group of kids is always willing to help. I mean al-ways! As a parent/caregiver, you see teenagers focused almost entirely on themselves and the bubble of space in their immediate view. As a youth group volunteer, you get to see the behind the scenes work that the families have put in, bubble to the surface in beautiful, kind, caring ways. They are a joy!

Brunch in November was a culinary, financial and teambuilding success. Thanks for your support! College students arrived home from school and the first place they wanted to stop…Youth Group. We

ate, talked, played Wiffle ball, talked, got a little teary, talked and then headed to Gillespie Center to serve the day before Thanksgiving dinner. We couldn’t have asked for a better personification of grati-tude.

High School at SCC means never giving up your angel or shepherd or “rat catcher” costume. The high school kids participated in “Everybody Counts” and they achieved “expert” status in Christmas Eve Pag-eant production. I am so proud of them!

December 21, we met to celebrate the season with a gift exchange. High school and college kids had to bring a gift with a $5 spending limit. Needless to say, the kids are creative…ask Aiden Rose how he felt about the (very cold) Chicken Nuggets that Alex Martenson brought!

A Potluck-Bingo party is in the works and we’ll be selling “Superbowl Subs” again this year.

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Thanksgiving Feast from John Walsh, Moderator

Autumn feasts were very popular with early settlers who often combined a religious observance with a civil cere-mony to give thanks for the blessings of freedom, abundant food, and the love of family and friends. The event that Americans call the "First Thanksgiving" was celebrated by the Pilgrims in 1621 after their first harvest at Plymouth Plantation.

And so it continues nearly 400 years later. Once again this year Saugatuck Church hosted the Thanksgiving Day Community Feast. Partnering with the Unitarian Church, the Methodist Church, and Temple Israel, this year's feast, the 46th, attracting more than 300 guests.

The scene around the church beginning the day before Thanksgiving was worthy of Norman Rockwell. Our beauti-ful white church stood like a quiet sentinel overlooking the Post Road. 15-20 of the Youth Group frolicked on the front lawn while they got ready to serve dinner at the Gillespie Center. In Hoskins Hall and the kitchen dozens of volunteers prepared for the feast under the watchful eye of first year Chef Raquel Rivera-Pablo.

Raquel graduated from The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) after completing her externship at the renowned Le Bernardin. Shortly thereafter, she joined Wellness in the Schools where she taught cooking and nutrition clas-ses. Currently, she operates a cooking school and catering business in New York City and Bridgeport and has been in-strumental in bringing more healthy choices to Bridgeport's community kitchens and food pantries.

Raquel, accompanied by several of her students, organized the preparation in great detail doing much of the work in a long day Wednesday making Thanksgiving Day far more efficient. Some of our own hardworking members worked into the wee hours of the morning returning at 6:00 am to greet volunteers ready to put the meal together.

Forty-two turkeys went out at 7:00 am to be cooked, arriving back at 9:30 am. Dozens of pans filled with mashed potatoes, cornbread and sausage dressing, sweet potatoes, roasted carrots, and crispy brussels sprouts were picked up at the Senior Center where they had been refrigerated overnight.

Twelve tables seating 8 each were set with fruit basket centerpieces from the Garden Club. Napkin rings made by the Saugatuck Nursery School adorned the tables. Hoskins Hall was colorfully decorated with hand drawn cards from Coleytown Elementary School students.

Guests began arriving at 10:30 am and shortly after 11:00 Reverend Alison Patton accompanied by Chef Raquel blessed the turkey and the feast was on. Over the next 3 hours, 250 guests ate, conversed, and enjoyed a joyous occa-sion. Music by Bob Cooper and Friends added to the festive feel. Dessert and coffee were served in Rooms 109-110, greatly easing congestion in Hoskins. As a parting gift, guests were given small loaves of homemade breads baked by Coleytown Middle School parents.

150 volunteers contributed to the event's success by shopping, chopping, serving, driving, cleaning, and more. First Selectman Jim Marpe and Second Selectman Avi Kaner were part of the first serving shift. This truly was a community effort. In addition, 75 meals were delivered to people unable to come to the event.

By mid-afternoon, most guests had departed, but the cleanup went on, and did so for several days. Thank you to our dedicated members who handled this unglamorous but essential task.

Events and moments like this are very special. The festive feel, the good conversation, the expressions of gratitude and thanksgiving appeared to lift everyone. Guests and volunteers alike seemed to love being part of the day with all taking away a genuine feeling of good cheer.

This is Saugatuck Church at its best, this is our community at its best! Wouldn't it be great to find ways to extend this expression of thanks, and sharing, and community beyond just a few days?

This is an addendum to e-blast on Thanksgiving Feast By John Walsh

With the cleanup from Thanksgiving barely complete, the Christmas Reception suddenly loomed large. The indomitable duo of Sara and Betsy fine-tuned and simplified the process from the Thanksgiving Feast and quickly set out to organize the Christmas Day event. Chef Raquel was back from her Thanksgiving success with a trimmed-down, but no less sumptuous mid-day meal of baked ham, two types of homemade lasagna, grilled vegetables, and winter salad. Once again, numerous volunteers from other houses of worship and the community lightened the workload.

From 11 am to 1 pm on Christmas Day, Saugatuck Church welcomed approximately 100 guests who all seemed to delight in lively conversation, good food, and good cheer. Some had been coming for years, some had been there on Thanksgiving, and some came for the first time. One guest asked “ where Santa was ?”; one woman said the vegetables weren’t hot ( they were prepared to be room temperature); another guest named Harold proclaimed the lasagna “ the best ever!”. He asked where it came from and I replied ” Raquel made it”, and he said “ no wonder it’s so good”. It reminded me of conversation around the family dinner table.

The two hours passed quickly and our guests leisurely finished their desserts and coffee as clean-up began. Many lingered as they said good by and thank you. A number sought out Raquel who was enjoying the afterglow of a job well done by entertaining her two small and very adorable boys.

You could hear it in the happy voices, the expressions of gratitude, the compliments, that evweryonel, i.e., guests, volunteers, organizers alike were leaving with a good feeling, and that this was a wonderful way to experience a welcoming community at work and share goodwill for a few hours on Christmas day.

And of course all this is made possible with the generosity of our sponsors:

A Pinch of Salt (Chef Raquel) Aux Delices Coleytown Elementary School

Coleytown Middle School First Unitarian Church Fleishers Craft Butchery

Newman’s Own Nice N Fresh Bakery Panera Bread

Patriot Bank Pepperidge Farms Saugatuck Nursery School

SoNo Baking Company Stew Leonard’s Stiles Farmers Market

Stop & Shop Tauck Temple Israel Trader Joe’s

The Fresh Market United Methodist Church Westport Garden’s Club

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From: Chad T. Pack [mailto:ctanakapack@middlechurch.org]

Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2016 3:38 PM

To: Alison Patton

Subject: Greetings from a former student intern

Dear Pastor Alison,

Greetings from New York City. We met briefly a few years ago at Saugatuck's rededication service. I was a student

intern at Saugatuck during the 2009-2010 academic year-during the last months of Dr. John Danner's service and

the first months of Rev. Howie Tabak's service.

Anyway, I'm writing with good news: I'm finally going to be ordained! I graduated in May 2010 and have spent the

last six years wrestling with my denomination, the Reformed Church in America, as an openly gay candidate.

Through the grace of God, I will be ordained on Sunday, January 15, 2017, at 4pm at Middle Collegiate Church in

New York City. I'm currently serving as an Associate at Marble Collegiate Church. Could you share this news with

anyone at Saugatuck who remembers me? Everyone is invited and very welcome to join the celebration in January!

I hope you and the church are doing well. I'm so grateful to Saugatuck for the year I shared with everyone there.

Best wishes,

Chad

......................................................................

Chad Tanaka Pack

Associate in Ministry

212 686 2770 x 210

Marble Collegiate Church

MarbleChurch.org<http://www.MarbleChurch.org

Westport Boy Scout Troop 36 held its Court of Honor at Saugatuck Congregation-al Church. Fifteen of the 17 scouts received awards or advancements for their scouting work. Another is working on his Eagle Scout project and the last received his Ea-gle Scout rank last year and is helping the other troop members advance. Craig Patton is the scoutmaster. Photo by Mark Mathias for West-portNow.com

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Advent Reflection "A Father's Kindness" - Thomas Burke, Seminary Intern

.An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said,

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your

wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She

will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save

his people from their sins.” ... When Joseph awoke from sleep,

he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her

as his wife. – Matthew 1:20-21, 24

The Gospel reading for the fourth week of Advent comes from Matthew. Matthew looks at Jesus’ birth from Joseph’s

point of view, unlike the Luke text which tells Mary’s story. Not to take away from the mother of God, but I want to

take this opportunity to focus on Joseph.

Christmas is when we celebrate the incarnation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God became human so that we

could know him. But Jesus wasn’t just born a thirty year old man with the ability to preach and perform miracles. He

had to, as Luke puts it, “grow in wisdom”. A big part of growing up is what we learn from our fathers.

When Joseph learned that the woman who was to marry him was pregnant, he was kind enough to honor the con-

tract that bound him to Mary. His faith in God allowed him to listen to the angel in his dream, who told him to stay

with Mary. Other characters in the Bible don’t always listen to the voice of God. But Joseph did.

It’s hard to raise children. I owe my parents a tremendous debt for their love and kindness which allowed me to grow

in wisdom. For Jesus to grow into the man he did, he must have had an amazing father: an exemplar for how to love

and treat others in life.

We don’t hear much about Joseph after this. During Jesus’ ministry it doesn’t seem like he’s around. All we do know is

that when God asked Joseph to have faith, he did. As an Israelite male, that meant teaching his son the Torah and

instilling an ethical code of right and wrong and justice for the oppressed.

This advent season, we should take a lesson from the Holy Family, a family that is just as complex as our own. We

should look to each and every one of those who love us and appreciate them for shaping how we interact with the

world. Joseph teaches us to be kind and understanding of those we love. Let us not forget to love those closest to us

in the year to come.

Editor’s Note: We have some very excellent writers in our church. I think the thoughts and feelings that are expressed in their

writings should be shared with the readers of the Herald. Good examples are the Reflections during Advent.

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I didn’t really know anything about Isaiah when I read this passage. And,

honestly, my first thought was that I wouldn’t have known what a crocus

was, or the joy of seeing one bloom after a long, dark winter if we hadn’t

moved from California 23 years ago. But, that’s just a distraction. Oh

yeah, a distraction, the greatest of devices in my toolkit for managing

children.

I’m sure you can relate, whether you’ve seen it in your own children or

been a witness in a random public venue. The child is on the verge of a

meltdown, and the caregiver is negotiating with the intensity of a hostage

crisis professional, offering one after the other of intriguing visions for the

child to focus on so they will let go of the desire, completely out of their reach,

that is throwing them over the edge. Once in a while, you hit on the right scenario and get immediate res-

pite. Other times, it takes 25 tries before you get it right.

The tension is intense, and the relief at finding the solution is palpable, emotional and physical. And, as

adults, we can relate to the build-up of tension and the reprieve. The only thing that differentiates us from

the 4 year old having a meltdown is our ability to conjure, on our own, that feeling of relief, of joy, that we felt

in past, uncomfortable situations of indomitable waiting. I’m starting to understand that, just like I need to

keep my senses in tune for God moments, I need to intentionally manage my impatience. I can summon im-

ages and feelings of joy that will help me get through the wait. I can tune in to God’s gifts and employ a uni-

verse full of distractions. And, I think that’s what the pink candle in the Advent Wreath is all about. In my

mind, at least, Joy is not any more special than Peace or Hope or Love. But, Joy gets it’s own color candle

during Advent to distract us and to serve as a tangible reminder of the personal and collective memory that

we can tap into.

If Isaiah was living in the 8th century BC, then it seems as if distraction has been a popular tool for a very

long time. Waiting for something that we really, really want hasn’t gotten any easier. So the goal, then, is to

figure out what we should focus on for our distraction and to make a conscious effort to choose beauty and

love, like the first crocus in spring.

Dear God, Thank you for Love, Peace, Hope and Joy and the power to focus on what’s important.

Editor’s Note: We have some very excellent writers in our church. I think the thoughts and feelings that are

expressed in their writings should be shared with the readers of the Herald. Good examples are the Reflec-

tions during Advent.

Advent Reflection: Dana Johnson, Director of Children’s Ministries

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This morning I heard that hate crimes are up 50% in New York City this month. I learned that a young transgender woman who grew up in Westport was killed in the Ghost Ship warehouse fire in Oakland, CA. I read that Black inmates are statistically much less likely to be granted parole than are white inmates in the state of NY. I spoke with a parishioner who is struggling with chronic back pain. I prayed for a man who is mentally ill. Then I read these words from the prophet Isaiah. “They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain.”

So how do I get to that mountain, I wondered? Maybe God could ping me the address to enter in my GPS? I’d post it on FB. I’d tweet it. Surely it would go viral and everyone would drop what they’re doing to head for the summit. Surely, everyone would get in line to live in a place where no one gets hurt, a place where our hearts might finally cease to break. Surely, finding such a place is more urgent than finishing the Christmas shopping, or untangling the Christmas lights, or corralling the kids for one more Christmas photo card? Just point the way, God.

Unless, of course, God has already done so, and we just aren’t ready to follow. Maybe our intentions are as tangled as those pesky Christmas lights. Here’s the rub: Isaiah isn’t just promising that we won’t be hurt. He says that on God’s holy mountain no one will cause hurt. Am I really ready to pull all my punches? To hang out with my enemies? To for-give and not to curse those who have harmed the people and communities I love?

If I’m really, really honest with myself, the answer is probably “No.” I am angry at the man who yanks a hijab off the head of a passing Muslim woman; and at the stranger who yells at the Vietnamese man to ‘go back to Mexico.’ I am angry at the system that makes safe, affordable housing inaccessible to artists and at public officials who behave like bullies. I want justice. In fact, I believe that we’re called to be justice-seekers and healers and community builders, with one eye focused clearly on the troubles of this world, and the other fixed on that peace-filled future promised by the prophet Isaiah.

However, I suspect that the fight for justice only gets us half way there. Sooner or later (and it may take us awhile), we need to trade in our justice for God’s mercy. We need to turn over all the hurt and anger to God and trust that God will transform our dismay into something life-restoring for everyone. We may never make it to that mountain on our own. The good news is: God will bring the mountain to us. That’s what I’m waiting for this Advent, and every Ad-vent. Come, Immanuel, come.

O God: Fill us with knowledge of You; teach us to heal and not to hurt. Keep our adversaries safe from harm. And save a spot for every one of us on your Holy Mountain, because we all need it. Amen

Advent Reflection "No More Hurting" - Rev. Alison J. B. Patton, Pastor

“They will not hurt or destroy on all holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” – Isaiah 11:9

Editor’s Note: We have some very excellent writers in our church. I think the thoughts and feelings that are expressed in their

writings should be shared with the readers of the Herald. Good examples are the Reflections during Advent.

9

Angel Breakfast 2016

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Advent Workshop 2016

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Everybody Counts 2016

December 18

Everybody Counts

A Dramatic Presentation

By the Children and Youth of

Saugatuck Church

Script written by Craig Patton,

directed by Craig, Michael Hen-

dricks & Dana Johnson. Photos

of rehearsal submitted by Dana

Johnson.

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2

0

1

6

13

Fun at the High School Christmas Party

14

Thank You Barones! Diane, Alyssa & Al

The Barone Family made

Candy with proceeds going to

the Youth Mission Trip.

Alyssa assembled the Angel

Tree, collected and distributed

the gifts. Photos illustrate the

work involved in completing

their work.

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Check out our Westport to Cuba: Building Bridges photography exhibit

in Hoskins Hall throughout the month of January!

Blue Christmas, A candle-lit worship service for those suffering a loss or feeling blue

Scriptures being read at the 10 am service

Christmas Pageant, 5pm Christmas Eve. Gifts presented by

the congregation were taken to Bridgeport.

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