Newtown Congregational Church To Hold ‘Publick Worship’

The Reverend Lee Moore, interim minister, and the Reverend Janice Touloukian, associate minister, of the Newtown Congregational Church, will be conducting Sunday morning’s “Publick Worship” service of Thanksgiving and Celebration for 300 years of Newtown’s existence.

Worshippers are encouraged, but not required, to wear Colonial dress. The worshipers are asked to meet in the circle outside the sanctuary (if it is raining, meet in the Great Room) to be “drummed” to worship.

Upon entering the sanctuary they will be divided by gender, as was the custom in Colonial times. The women and children will be seated on the West Street side and the men and older boys on the Castle Hill side of the sanctuary.

The prelude will be played and the opening of worship will be announced by the tythingmen, who will rap their sticks. The congregation will rise and remain standing for the entrance of the Deacons, who will sit on white benches facing the congregation. The tythingmen will rap three times and with the congregation still standing and the ministers will enter and lead worshipers in the opening prayer.

Colonial dress, though optional, will add to the spirit of the tercentennial event. A simple female costume is a long skirt, white blouse, shawl, and bonnet. Men can achieve a Colonial look by tucking a pair of trousers into long knee length socks.

Special music by the Senior Choir, under the direction of Dan Coffman, will be “When Jesus Wept, the Falling Tear,” “American,” and Psalm settings with Philip Crevier at the piano and organ.

December 2 will be Family Fun Night in the Great Room at 6:30 pm. There will be pizza and a video. The cost is $10 per family and RSVPs are due by November 27. Call Sheila Cole at 426-4529 with questions.

The Cornerstone thrift shop in Ricky’s Shopping Center is running a Holiday Boutique through December 23. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11 am until 4 pm and Saturday, 11 am to 1 pm.