For the second year, Newtown’s houses and communities of faith adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic that continued to affect so many aspects of everyday life.

Flexibility was again key, with services moved outdoors when weather and space permitted. Most faith communities also continued to offer online services, whether recorded in advance and released at specific times or livestreamed into homes.

Pandemic restrictions for houses of worship were formally loosened in February after Governor Ned Lamont announced that locations could host up to 50% capacity. Prior to that, state restrictions allowed up to 50% but no more than 100 people, with masks and social distancing also required.

As 2021 reaches its conclusion, leaders of faith communities are again facing growing numbers of COVID-19 cases — this time because of the omicron variant — and renewed challenges serving those congregants who count on them.

Newtown Interfaith Council continued to work through the pandemic, meeting virtually for much of the year.

In November, the group welcomed into its ranks the Reverend Bill Donaldson, president and executive director of Love Has A Home. In September, Donaldson formally began offering twice-monthly interfaith/interspiritual services at Sticks and Stones Farm.

Interfaith Council members also collaborated on two services toward the end of the year. In November, an Interfaith Thanksgiving Gathering was presented at Newtown United Methodist Church. A few weeks later the ninth anniversary of 12/14 was remembered through a service of remembrance at Trinity Episcopal Church. St Rose of Lima also hosted a Service of Remembrance on December 14.

Another annual event, this one presented by local supporters of The National Day of Prayer Task Force, was also presented in 2021. On May 6 a National Day of Prayer event was planned at Fairfield Hills.

Outreach Efforts

Congregation Adath Israel conducted multiple food and/or clothing drives.

Newtown United Methodist Church kept its monthly pasta dinners on hold for the calendar year, but offered occasional drive-thru dinners. All were invited to invest in corned beef and cabbage, pot roast, lasagna, and chicken dinner events presented occasionally.

NUMC also celebrated the installation of a much-needed new roof this year.

In June, Cornerstone reopened its doors following a 14-month closure. The ministry/mission thrift shop at Newtown Congregational Church (NCC) had been closed since April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It currently operates four days each week, with all shoppers wearing masks, and donations again being accepted.

A community-wide yard sale being planned by NCC members was announced, but then cancelled soon thereafter when COVID case numbers spiked during mid-summer.

For the second year, Newtown Ecumenical Workcamp Servants (NEWS) were unable to travel out of state, again due to COVID-19. While young adults and chaperones could not undertake a full service trip, 15 NEWS representatives spent some of the hottest days of the summer taking care of local projects coordinated through Community Caring Center in Bridgewater.

NEWS also conducted its annual Poinsettia Sale in late November and early December, raising funds to apply toward a workcamp trip to Puerto Rico. Following postponements in 2020 and 2021, the group is hoping the third time to get to the US territory will be the charm.

Milestones & Celebrations

The Reverend Andrea Castner Wyatt celebrated her first anniversary as rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in August.

St Rose of Lima’s Monsignor Robert Weiss also celebrated a big milestone this year. “Father Bob” was honored multiple times when he reached his 75th birthday in September.

The town’s Catholic church also welcomed a new parochial vicar. In early December, Father Karol Ksiazek joined the staff of the Church Hill Road parish.

Also this month, the parish hosted its first Live Nativity in two years, along with the return of the very popular Children’s Pageant on Christmas Eve. Both had to be canceled last year due to the pandemic.

Faith at Newtown continued a longstanding tradition in December. On the same night many gathered in Sandy Hook Center for the annual tree lighting there, members of the Riverside Road church also presented a Living Nativity.

The special presentation was offered at dusk and included llamas within the scene that reminded all guests what the real meaning of the season is.

Congregation Adath Israel also continued a special offering, that of celebrating a community Menorah Lighting. The town’s synagogue hosted its public event on December 5.

A few months earlier, Adath Israel members conducted a public hearing to formally announce their intention to take down the building at 111 Huntingtown Road, its former home. A new synagogue was constructed at 115 Huntingtown Road and has been in service to the congregation since 2007.

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Associate Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.