Lighted Tower Newsletter

The Lighted Tower

MAY 2026

Church Phone: (203) 235-1389

Church E-mail: secretary@centerchurchmeriden.org

Church Website: www.centerchurchmeriden.org

 Common Sense

         A hunter bagged a large buck and he and his friend were dragging it by the antlers back to their truck with great difficulty.  A passing hunter, seeing their struggle, said to them, “You know if you drag it by the hind legs, it’ll be easier.”  Taking his advice, they began to pull on the hind legs.  After some time, the hunter’s friend said, “You know, that guy was right.  This sure is a lot easier.”  “Yes,” replied the hunter who had shot the deer, “it is, but we’re getting an awful long way from the truck.”

         These hunters remind me of the times when Jesus shared with his disciples an important message about God’s realm, but the disciples took hold of the wrong end of his meaning.  His disciples must have been a source of frustration for Jesus.  And yet Jesus continued to be patient with them and called them his friends and his beloved ones.  I suspect that is also how Jesus looks upon us.  As willing as we may be to listen to Jesus, and as hard as we may try to understand what he wants us to be and to do, we sometimes end up choosing the easier way that takes us farther from our true destination.

         The mistake the hunters made was that although they heard the advice they were given, they did not apply common sense to the problem at hand.  Often the disciples heard what Jesus told them, but they didn’t use all his teachings to put themselves into a position to incorporate his words into useful practice.  They couldn’t let go of their thoughts and feelings as they had been before Jesus called them.  Their understanding of God and of their religion was too narrow for the wideness of God that Jesus preached.  They needed for Jesus to help them find a deeper sense of God’s nearness and a higher commitment to walk daily with God in an intimate and loving relationship.

         For instance, the disciples rebuke those who brought children to Jesus to be blessed.  All three of the gospel accounts say that “they spoke sternly [Matt. 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17].”  They were perhaps concerned that the tired Jesus would not want the press of the families and their children upon himself.  But Jesus in turn rebukes his disciples.  He tells them that the kingdom of heaven receives only those who are like these “little ones,” that is, only those who seek to be close to God and receive all God’s blessings.  Those who find the kingdom are those who have simple faith and humility.  The action of the disciples would have interfered with an opportunity for Jesus to manifest his love.

         So, if unlike the hunters, we don’t wish for the joke to be on us, let us come near to Jesus with open, listening ears to hear the good news of the kingdom.  Let us through prayer, bible study, worship, service, and fellowship seek to grasp our faith at the right end and pull in the direction that follows Jesus to our God’s realm.  Let us, by the Holy Spirit, endeavor to practice the trustful simplicity and teachable humility of the little ones.  “For to such as these belongs the kingdom.”

And the other fine things                                

When the night sky is dark,                      The flashes of lightning,
And the nightingale sings,                        And the awesome thunderings,
We think of you, O Lord,                         We sense Your great power, 
And the other fine things.                         And the other fine things.

Leaves drifting to the earth,                      A cup for the thirsty,   
And bright butterfly wings,                      Sweet charity's stirrings, 

We feel a near presence,                           We love our dear neighbors,
And the other fine things.                         And the other fine things.

The coo of a newborn,                             Beautiful thoughts abound,  
The bell's sound as it rings,                       Like ever flowing springs,   
We hear your soft whisper,                       As we follow your footsteps,
And the other fine things.                         And the other fine things.                            

Happy Anniversary to us!!!

   Do you like history?  Event planning?  We are looking for volunteers to join an anniversary committee.  The committee will be joint with members from First Church and Center Church.  The CCC (Congregational church committee & also “300” in Roman numerals) will have the pleasure of collecting ideas, planning activities and events to celebrate our 300th anniversary. 

Please let Joan Gordon know if you would like to volunteer for this celebratory committee. Never too early to start brainstorming.  2027 will be here soon!

Greetings from the Diaconate

In this season of Easter, as we watch the tree bloom in front, we are reminded of new beginnings and God’s promise of everlasting life. This season offers us the opportunity for spiritual rebirth and forgiveness.

Lenten and Easter services were a success.  The combined Lenten programs with First Church were an opportunity for fellowship with our sister church and enabled us the use of their facilities as ours was on loan to our Muslim guests so they could celebrate their holy season of Ramadan.

We enjoyed all the soups & chili prepared by Frank Covey, Susan Trella, Pastor Kent and First Church members. Thanks also to all who donated desserts. Maundy Thursday service was held at our church, jointly with First Church; both parishes having readers. The somber Tenebrae program reflected Jesus final hours, reminding us of his message of humility and service. The sanctuary filled with flowers and people on Easter Sunday provided hope and renewed purpose. After church, the egg hunt sponsored by the CE board had 15 children!  We continue to be grateful to our Christian Education & Youth for hosting the coffee hour on Communion Sundays. Thank you also to Diana & Maria Halla and Chris Tabor for their delicious coffee services.

We celebrated the baptism of baby Rose Claire, daughter to Shannon Perrin Rotaru who grew up in our church on Sunday April 26.

The Pastoral Search team (Steve Gorman, Robin Cusachs, Diane Stolting, Frank Covey & Joan Gordon) have been meeting and are busy creating our church profile. 

The Parish relation board met, members are: Frank Covey, Robin Cusachs, Robert Rochette and Mary Zysk.  Chelsea Trella reviewed the process, shared paperwork and information she had from her training sessions with Susan Murtha.  The board is a bridge between the pastor and congregation. It supports and nurtures the well-being of the pastor and ministry staff.  This is done through communication and fostering healthy work relationships.

Care Team reached out to: the Cerbie family, Barbara Carter, Donald Cusachs. Mary Zysk, and our shut-ins, Joan Halla & Colleen Stack.  We continue to pray for comfort and healing.  Please let Joan Gordon or Susan Trella know if you or someone you know could use some care.

May Communion will be prepared by Frank Covey and served by Maggie Schillberg and Susan Trella.

Next Deacons mtg is May 3 @11:30. Please see a deacon if you have something you’d like to discuss.

Peace, Susan Trella (Deacon chair) Frank Covey, Dianna Halla, Maggie Shillberg, Diane Stolting Chris Tabor and Mary Zysk

COME TO DINNER - THURSDAY, May 14, 2026

at

NOBLE JAPANESE RESTAURANT

All members and friends of Center Church are invited to come together for an evening of fun and fellowship at 6:00 on Thursday evening, May14.  This is the latest in our many years-long journey to culinary venues across the central Connecticut area.

This month, Jonathan Halla has picked as his choice of restaurant for the evening: Noble Japanese Restaurant, at 235 Queen Street, Southington.  It’s in the Walmart Plaza.  So, come and have a great time as we celebrate Jonathan’s birthday.

In April, we were at the Outback Steakhouse in Southington.  Pictured (L to R) that night in the photo are Steve Gorman, Diana & Maria Halla, Maggie Schillberg, Pat Kenney, Chelsea Trella, Tom Schillberg, Ardene Courchesne   Judy Karle, and Jim Chapman.

If you are planning to come, or if you would like to join us for the first time, please contact  Ardene Courchesne at 203-631-7307 or ardene.courchesne@yahoo.com, as she is making the reservations.  This group, informally referred to as the “Tri-C”, meets once a month on the second Thursday of each month.

Everyone in our Center Church community is most welcome!

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE

As many of you already know, Center Congregational Church serves as the Church World Service (CWS) collection depot for the northeast United States, Meaning for all six New England states plus New York and New Jersey.  The depot is overseen by our Parish Nurses office and operates from the basement of our church.

Churches from all across this eight-state region bring the health kits and other assembled goods here where they are staged for being loaded onto trucks and then brought to the CWS warehouse from distribution to families in need worldwide.  Many thanks go out to the members of our congregation who have donated health goods and helped in the assembly of the kits. 

Early on Tuesday morning, April 28th, volunteers came from Center Church and First Church to help load the CWS truck.  Although no one was able to take any photos of the activity that early after dawn activity, a photographic recording nonetheless exists thanks to the church’s security camera system.