The Annual Blessing Of The Bikes

By Steve Bigham

Dozens of area bikers showed up at the Newtown United Methodist Church Saturday morning under sunny skies for the fourth annual “Blessing of the Bikes” event.

One by one the motorcyclists received their blessings for safety, health, happiness, and peace as they set out on a summer full of riding. The Rev Terry Pfeiffer, Mary Patterson, and Boyd Saxton provided the prayers.

As church officials point out, reaching out to others has always been a part of their church’s Anglican heritage. Helping to keep bikers safe is simply a part of the mission.

The event is the brainchild of church member Marty Maciag, who organized this year’s event along with Alice Saxton.

“Lots of people ask, what is a bike blessing. I guess one definition would be a group of like-minded people getting together for a special, spiritual bonding,” Mr Maciag said.

Mr Saxton is a biker himself and sees the value in blessing those who travel the open road with nothing but the wind and rain at their side.

“I think biking ministry is very important,” Mr Saxton said. “I’m a member of Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) and I’ve seen a lot of hard-core bikers brought to the Lord. We are taught to do what Jesus did – go out wherever we are needed.”

The 70 or so bikers who showed up Saturday also enjoyed a hearty breakfast of eggs, sausage, and pancakes before mounting their bikes and heading out on their way.

The oldest biker award went to 68-year-old Kit Hall, who was riding a 1988 FXR super glide. Bill Kolesar of Newtown, riding a 1961 BSA Super Rocket, won the award for the oldest motorcycle.

The youngest biker award went to 19-month old Adella May Dzitko, who was blessed as she sat atop her toddler trike.

The furthest distance traveled award went by default to Bruce and Renee Uluski of Ansonia, although there were people from Norwalk and North Haven who forgot to sign in.

Some people might hold the notion that because the Methodist Church originated in the 18th century, it is rigid in nature, “but we’re really open to ideas,” said Mr Maciag. “We’re willing to try new things, especially at this church.”

Other church volunteers who assisted on Saturday were Chuck Samson, Ed Dzitko, Jim Maurer, Warren Hoppmeyer, and David Brown.

As one biker point out, hardcore bikers who are involved in a life of violence and drugs often feel they are unworthy of God’s blessing; but they feel if the bike is blessed maybe they won’t die.

But most of those who showed up were far from hardcore. Rick and April Arnold, for example, are just a couple of Newtown residents who derive great joy out of tooling around on their motorcycles. The couple often enjoys taking their bikes on peaceful trips to northern New England. Rick has been riding for 51 years. When not thundering down the open road, April enjoys playing tennis.