Youth Recognition Sunday Celebrated At NUMC

Newtown United Methodist Church celebrated Youth Recognition Sunday on June 7 by presenting awards to its acolytes, Cherub Choir and Junior Choir. The choirs sing under the music ministry of the Reverend E. Sue Klein and Senior Pastor Mel Kawakami.

The Cherub Choir, under direction of Barbara Gaines, is made up of 3–6-year-old singers. Members include Trevor Bottom, Corrin Bottom, Glenna Bottom, Kylie Goody, Caroline Marlin, Heidi Poarch, Olivia Steare, and Sam Steare.

The Junior Choir, a group of students in second through sixth grade under the direction of Beverly Dalstrom, each received a Choristers Guild pin after their first year of ministry of music during the school year. A ruby is added to the pin for each additional year.

Members include: Elizabeth Wolf (four years), Brianna MacDonald and Tessa Leon-Gambatta (three years), Julia Doyle, Kayla Licursi, Maddie Marlin, Kayla McClay, and Anna Steare (two years), Courtney MacDonald, Carolyn Wolf, and Claire Beiter (one year).

Coordinator Sandy Venitelli presented certificates of appreciation to 20 acolytes who have served for at least one year, including two who are retiring after several years of service. The honored retirees were Tami Corsi and Lyndsey Pearlman.

Other active acolytes include Grace Clark and Benjamin Miles (four years each), Michaela Beaudry, Christina Cistulli, Emma Gladrud, Cameron McClearly, Katherine McManus, and Claire Miles (three years), Robin Gaines, Trevor Gaines, Aspen Kraushaar, Kelsea Morshuk, Elizabeth Wolf, Katelyn Zimmerman, and Lauren Zimmerman (two years), and Sarah Greenwood, Morgan Maschino, and Kallie Maschino (one year).