Ecumenical Service Marked The Beginning

Of The End Of Tercentennial Events

By Shannon Hicks

As the celebration of Newtown’s Tercentennial begins to wind down, final celebratory events are being played out to say good-bye to a year that offered special events for residents of all ages. On November 20, an ecumenical service was hosted by St Rose of Lima Church to celebrate one of the town’s most historic years in recent memory.

What made the service additionally important was that while it was hosted by St Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, the service itself included representatives from many of the town’s churches.

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal opened the hour by thanking the clergy who were presenting the worship. Many of those who participated in an ecumenical tercentennial year-opening service in January were also on hand for Sunday’s event including Father Bob Weiss, the pastor of St Rose, and Reverend Milan Dimic and Reverend John Inserra, parochial vicars at St Rose; Reverend Kathleen Adams-Shepherd, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church; Rabbi Shaul Praver, Congregation Adath Israel; and Reverend Jack Tanner, pastor of Newtown Christian Church.

Also participating in this closing service were Margo Deselin, representing Baha’i Faith; Reverend Lee Moore, interim minister, Newtown Congregational Church; and Reverend Richard Yerrington, associate pastor, Newtown United Methodist Church.

“The founding people of this town were of tremendous faith,” Mr Rosenthal observed. “This is a great way to honor them. I think it’s only fitting that we began the year with an ecumenical prayer service, and we are now ending it the same way.”

Town Historian Dan Cruson was also a participant on Sunday afternoon. Echoing remarks he had made during the tercentennial opening service in January, Mr Cruson reminded participants that while there were many rifts and splits during the 19th and early 20th Centuries between religious groups, families and other groups, “it is fitting that most of those conflicts have been outgrown or forgiven at this point.

“I hope you appreciate,” he continued, “what a rare and wonderful thing it is to have Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant clergy gathering together under the same roof this afternoon. It’s rare, and it’s something that makes this a wonderful community to live in.”

Unfortunately, only about 30 people turned out for what was a succinct and enjoyable service of giving thanks for what Father Robert Weiss called “a wonderful year of grace and celebration in this 300th year [of Newtown’s founding].

“We have come together of one spirit, of one heart and of one mind,” he continued. “For those who have died, including the founders of this town, may they find peace as we pray.”

The service included a pair of hymns, “We Gather Together” and “Come Ye Thankful People Come.” Maria Coffin served as the organist for the afternoon.

Ms Desselin, from Baha’i Faith, offered an opening prayer, followed by a reading by Rabbi Praver, who selected The First Book of Kings (8:55–61) from the Hebrew Scriptures.

Pastor Adams-Shepherd led the Litany of Thanksgiving, and then Father Inserra led the second reading, The Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians (3:12–17), from The New Testament.

Following time for silent reflection and the second hymn, Reverend Moore led the Prayers of Intersession.

Pastor Tanner followed with a concluding prayer, and then three blessings were offered. Rabbi Praver reminded attendees that “the hand of God is extended to all who seek it.” Reverend Yerrington shared his favorite blessing from John Henry Newman, and Reverend Dimic’s blessing was a thank you “for the favors that You have given to us.”

The clergy then filed out of the sanctuary while attendees joined them in singing “We Plow the Fields and Scatter.”