Newtown Congregational Church Welcomes

Its Senior Minister Home From A Sabbatical

By Shannon Hicks

On Sunday, December 7, more than 50 members of Newtown Congregational Church made their way through a major snowstorm to their church building for that morning’s worship service. The service included the lighting of the second Advent candle of the season, and the monthly Communion service.

It also included a special welcome back for the church’s senior minister, the Reverend Steve Gordon, who had been on sabbatical for the previous six months. During Mr Gordon’s time away, the church’s services were led by associate minister Janice Touloukian, lay minister Edward Corfey, and invited guests from area churches.

Mr Gordon has spent a lot of time traveling this year, and more time contemplating his life, its path, and God’s wishes for his future.

“You can’t help but feel a sense of reflection when you have time like this,” Mr Gordon said on December 12, ten days after returning to work. “Where was I when I started? Are things still the same? What has changed?

“Some things remain priorities,” he continued. “From the beginning of my ministry I have felt that tolerance is of the utmost importance. I believe that more than ever now.”

One thing Mr Gordon says has remained the same since his graduation from Yale Divinity School is his interest in interfaith connections and understandings. Mr Gordon’s interest is understandable and deep-seeded, considering he was raised by a Christian mother and a Jewish father. He was, he says, raised in an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding.

The family’s understanding and acceptance of individual choice continues: Mr Gordon’s brother Greg is a minister at West End United Methodist Church in Thomasville, N.C. (Steve Gordon is one of six children in his family.)

 “There is a great need today to dialogue,” said Mr Gordon. “The core of so many conflicts today is basic misunderstandings. Religion needs to be taken to the streets. Everyone needs healing and understanding.”

To further explore this idea, much of his sabbatical was spent visiting a number of interfaith centers on both coasts.

While on the West Coast Mr Gordon visited The Spiritual Life Center in Sacramento and University of Creation Spirituality in Oakland.

It was while in Oakland that Mr Gordon was also able to meet and brainstorm with the theologian Matthew Fox, the author of, among other books, One River, Many Wells: Wisdom Springing from Global Faiths.

“That was amazing. Just to be able to dialogue with someone of his strength was fantastic,” said Mr Gordon.

In New York City he spent time at The Interfaith Center of New York, which works for the resolution of conflicts around religious differences.

“These were places with a different focus but the same goal of unity,” said Mr Gordon. “I liked that very much. I felt at home in that atmosphere.”

“Tolerance has been an important part of my ministry,” said Mr Gordon, who has met people who have been told they should not believe in what they choose to. “People from different backgrounds should always be affirmed. Everyone has a right to believe.”

Mr Gordon also did quite a bit of traveling outside of the country. One of the highlights of this sabbatical, he said, was being able to visit southern France –– including Carrcassone, Toulouse, and Montsegur –– where he was able to continue his personal exploration into the Cathar history.

Traveling is becoming second nature to Mr Gordon, who has been participating in an ongoing Pastors’ Pilgrimage with the Reverend Greg Wismar, the pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church, for a number of years. The two religious leaders have led trips to Israel and Jordan (1996), Greece, Turkey and Israel (1998), Germany, Switzerland, and Austria (2000), Malta (2001), and England, Scotland and Wales (2002).

Their next trip –– their sixth annual event –– will be in January, when they spend a week in Italy.

Mr Gordon’s last sabbatical was seven years ago. Part of that 1996 sabbatical included participation in a Rotary study exchange program. In 1996 Newtown/Rotary International (Southern Connecticut Rotary District 7980) sponsored Mr Gordon as he traveled in India. He spent five weeks in that country, staying with a different family each week during the Rotary-sponsored event, and then spent an additional four weeks on his own.

“I’ve been very lucky in that I’ve always found religious touches to my travels,” Mr Gordon said. “That’s my enjoyment.”

Now that he has returned from his travels and his long vacation, Mr Gordon expects to continue leading his congregation through a major transition.

Newtown Congregational Church is currently constructing an important addition to its sanctuary at 14 West Street. The new section of the building will house the church’s school and all church offices. It will allow the church to work from one location for the first time since 1949. The school and offices are now located behind Newtown Savings Bank at 41-A Main Street.

“When you are talking about buildings and construction and moving, you need to be reminded of the spirit of this,” he said. “We’re lucky in that others within this congregational have been taking care of the financial aspect of this transition. I think my gift is greatest in the areas of pastoral care and spirituality.”

Silver Anniversary

While on his sabbatical, Mr Gordon celebrated the 25th anniversary of his ordination.

Mr Gordon was among a group of ministers who were honored in October during the 2003 Annual Meeting of the Connecticut Conference, United Church of Christ. The three-day event was held at Saxe Middle School in New Canaan. On the second day, October 18, the conference hosted a predinner recognition ceremony for those celebrating 25- and 50-year anniversaries of their ordination.

After attending the University of Connecticut and graduating from Yale Divinity School, Mr Gordon’s career began with a short stint as the interim director of New Haven Alcohol Council. He began his ministry as the associate minister at First Congregational Church of Glastonbury. Working with the church’s youth, Mr Gordon led nearly 15 retreats during his two years in Glastonbury.

He then served as the associate minister for Newtown Congregational Church from 1980 to 1985, and then became the senior minister for First Church of Waterbury. In 1988 he returned to Newtown, this time as senior minister.

When he returned from his sabbatical on December 5, the deacons and associate minister of NCC presented him with a plaque to honor his silver anniversary of ordination.

Mr Gordon and his wife Karen have two children. The family lives in Sandy Hook.

“I’m a Connecticut person,” Mr Gordon said. “We have our challenges from time to time, but we’ve also been blessed. I’ve been blessed to have been called into this community. I’ve been fortunate to be able to serve this church for 90 percent of my ministry.”