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The Concordia Chimes December 2018

Worship Schedule 9:30-10:30- Bible Study/Education Hour

10:30- Coffee Hour

11- Eucharist (Nave)

Upcoming Dates

Advent Vespers

Wednesday December 5 and 12 at 7 p.m.

Faith Lutheran in East Hartford

will have Advent Vespers using Holden Evening Prayer.

On December 19 at 7 p.m. Faith will host a Blue Christmas

/ Unfailing Light service using the Unfailing Light liturgy.

Christmas Services

Concordia Lutheran - 8:00 p.m.

Eucharist with Brass and Choir

Emanuel Lutheran – 11:00 a.m.

4::00 p.m.

9:00 p.m.

St Mary’s Episcopal - 4:00 p.m.

11:00 p.m. with Brass and Choir

Christmas Day Eucharist

St Mary’s – 10:00 a.m.

The Rev. Douglas Barclay

Pastor

pastor@concordiamanchester.org

Office:860.649.5311 Cell:410.225.3360

Kate Bozzo

Parish Administrator

office@concordiamanchester.org

Office:860.649.5311

Laura Hart

Concordia Nursery School Director

Office: 860.649.9349

concordianurseryschool@gmail.com

www.concordianurseryschool.org

The Rev. Joseph E. Bourret

Pastor Emeritus

Home: 860.633.6138

Richard Hicks

Minister of Music Emeritus

Bible Study on Sundays 9:30 am

Coffee Hour at 10:30 a.m.

Worship on Sundays at 11:00 am

Office Hours

Monday-Friday 9:00 am –2:00 pm

Concordia Lutheran Church

40 Pitkin Street

Manchester, CT 06040

office@concordiamanchester.org

www.concordiamanchester.org

Phone: 860.649.5311

Fax: 860.432.9972

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December 2018

Dear Concordians,

We gathered on Sunday afternoon, December 2, to celebrate the opening of

Concordia’s 125th Anniversary Year (1864-2019) with friends from Emanuel

Lutheran Church, Hartford, Emanuel Lutheran Church, Manchester, Faith

Lutheran Church, East Hartford, The Church of St. Mark, Glastonbury,

Ministerio Nueva Creación, New Horizons Baptist Church, St. Mary’s

Episcopal Church, Manchester and St. Bartholomew’s Roman Catholic Church.

The choir was made up mostly with Concordians, those from Faith Lutheran

and St. Mark’s.

The service of Lessons and Carols for Adventide featured readers from each of the churches and Advent carols

spanning the centuries of church music. A reading from Isaiah was read from Luther’s 1534 translation of the

Old Testament to honor Concordia’s heritage as a German-speaking congregation. The postlude a work for

organ based on the carol, “Lo! How A Rose E’er Blooming,” written by Brahms in 1896 was chosen to reflect

the date of Concordia’s founding.

Of course, there was much that happened behind the scenes. Last Wednesday, Susan Bourret and Jeannine

Barber dutifully removed the paraments from Christ the King Sunday and replaced them with the Advent Blue.

Jeannine made sure Concordia’s beautiful “Wachet Auf” banner was hung in time so that the wrinkles couldn’t

be seen. Sunday morning, 10 Concordians gathered early to green the church with fresh greens gathered from

Concordia’s property as well as Holly, Broom Pine, Junipers and others from the yards of others. The two

Carols worked on fashioning our first ever handmade Advent Wreath around our beautiful marble baptismal

font. Mark Winzler carefully scraped wax off of the paschal candle holder to ensure that everything looked

ship-shape for the evening worship. Edna and Elaine worked diligently on creating 8 fresh arrangements of

greens for the windows. Phil Stoneman continued work in the Narthex and Dan Burnett used his McIver

techniques to secure the Advent wreath with wire and the ever-helpful Duct Tape.

As if that were not enough, Pr. Kohler arrived early from Faith Lutheran to practice his chanting for the service.

Kate printed a beautiful program for the celebration. Kay and John Corl worked on preparations throughout the

week for the wine and cheese reception. David Beauregard was making Spinach Artichoke Dip and Irma

Vincens was at home making Raspberry Squares. People were busy writing cards and greetings for Tessie

Kehl’s 100th Birthday Bash. A neighbor dropped off a massive poinsettia to thank Concordia for the use of our

parking lot for guests for a house party she was having. Oh, and Elaine did some impressive pressing of

ecclesiastical garments so that all would look ship shape for the service. Piano and Organ tuners spent the day

ensuring that the instruments were in perfect shape for the performance. Jan Salvatore was quick on the help

with the reception cleanup, as usual.

Whew! What a beginning to Advent!

As your pastor, I cannot help but to stand in awe of all of the work and care that goes into our common life here

at Concordia. It is good to point out here at the beginning of our “Tempus Adventus” our Season of Advent.

Why? Because Advent is a time to notice the small things that may otherwise go unnoticed. John’s small cry

from the desert to prepare the way; the prophet’s call to us to pay attention to the dead stump…something

beautiful is blooming; Mary’s quiet meeting with the angel; Joseph’s dreams of a future; the power of the

evergreen spirit of God surging unseen throughout creation. At the beginning of this 125th year of grace here at

Concordia it is fitting that we stand up and take notice of all God is doing in our midst. After all, Love, the

guest, is on the way!

Pr. Douglas D. Barclay

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Treasurer’s Report for October 2018

Summary We were able to meet the October financial obligations due to a positive balance at the end of September. As mentioned

in previous reports, this is due in part to reduction in expenses relating to salaries and benefits, specifically the choir

director and Sunday musicians. In this month’s report I’ve included information regarding additional revenue and the

total expenses for the month. I hope you find this helpful.

As of this writing, we have received our first snow removal bill of the season ($240). We budgeted $2,500 for 2018. Not

including this latest bill, we have already paid out $4,234 in 2018. Please consider giving a donation to the “snow

removal” fund to assist in defraying costs for the remainder of the year. Additionally, we have borrowed $3,000 over the

year from the Memorial & Tributes fund to meet our payroll obligations. It is my hope that we will be able to pay this

money back to make this fund whole.

Revenue The below information represents the envelope and stretch giving for the month October as well as the percentage against

the monthly and yearly budget amounts.

Actual Recd.

(Envelope &

Other

Funding

(Stretch)

Monthly

Budget

Percent

Received

Received

Year to Date

Year to Date

Budget

Percent

Received

October 2018 $16,675.58 $18,576.00 90% $162,104.20 $185,760.00 87%

Additional Revenue:

Other Offering (Open offering/Nursery School): $1,040.00

Building Use: $1,100.00

Fuel Assistance: $110.00

Total $2,250.00

TOTAL OCTOBER REVENUES: $18,925.58

Expenses 1. Utilities (October):

Vendor October 2018 October 2017

CNG $432.60 $469.00

Eversource $583.89 $470.14

Cox $212.59 $214.79

2. Other October Expenses:

• Salaries: $9,743.48

• Benefits: $2,402.25

• Program Support Expenses: $926.86

• Facility Maintenance: $3,497.79

• Utilities: $1,646.17

• Insurance: $2,226.25

TOTAL OCTOBER EXPENSES: $20,442.80

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Special Funds (as of October 31st)

Fund Gains/Losses Market Value

Scholarship ($3,105.08)* $44,173.26

Community Cares $205.71 $45,336.96

Legacy & Memorial ($45,216.70) $606,337.07**

* $1,200 withdrawal for Christian Activities Council anti-racism training

** Includes $32,854.96 in stock deposits for For this Holy House

Fund (September) Deposits Expenditures Balance Memorials & Tributes $2661.50 $3,745.00* $72,134.35

For this Holy House $19,925.00 $630.67** $142,675.14

*$3,430 - Krach Memorial designated for furnace project transferred to For this

Holy House; $315 – transferred to Operating Checking for Organ repairs

**MIF Interest

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Carol Stoneman, Treasurer

Christmas Eve Open House - All

members and friends of Concordia are invited

to an Open House on Christmas Eve following

the 8:00 p.m. Eucharist (beginning

approximately 9:30 p.m.) at the home of Mark

Winzler.

Come and stay for as long (or as "short") as

you would like. There will be goodies to eat as

well as "cups of Christmas cheer" available.

We have lots to celebrate and be thankful for during 2018! Please come and enjoy the company

of your fellow Concordians! All are welcome!

Faith Hosts Merrimack Ringers On December 9th at 4:30 PM, Faith Lutheran in East Hartford will again host the

Merrimack Ringers, an inspiring, entertaining, and wonderful group of Christian

handbell ringers

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“UNDOING RACISM”

A training sponsored by the Christian Activities Council

In the November Chimes, Eric Heinrich shared with you his insights on the “Undoing Racism” training

we attended in October. He shared with you that he never thought of himself as a racist and I too went

into the 2½ day training feeling the same. Each day I came home emotionally exhausted after

absorbing the historical, political and systematic details which creates racism.

I cringed when individuals of color at the training told stories of being followed in stores by the staff

and seeing people cling onto their pocketbooks or briefcases if they encounter a person of color

approaching them on the sidewalk. Has this every happened to you?

What is race? Going into the training I thought I knew the meaning of this word. That however was

not the case. The definition of race shared at the training was:

“A specious classification of human beings created by Europeans – later to be known as white –

placing themselves as the model of humanity and the height of human achievement, for the

purpose of establishing and maintaining status, privilege and power.”

Does that sound just to you? Even today’s modern scholars regard race as a social construct and not

one based on physical or biological differences.

At the training (remember, Eric identified approximately 70% of the attendees were white) we were

asked to identify terms which describe “racism”. Below are just a few.

• Arrogant Intolerance based on race

• Prejudice and Power (institutional, cultural, historical)

• Stereotyping with closed minds

• Idea of superiority

• Institutional discrimination based on race

I will never be the same after going through this training. As Eric stated, we as a country and as

Christians we have a lot of work to do. There is no “silver bullet” to ending racism, but as people of

faith we need to remember that Jesus never turned anyone away or treated anyone differently because

of the color of their skin or of social status. Maybe by living through His teaching and his example, we

can all move forward to a more tolerant world and country.

Carol Stoneman

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CONCORDIA’S SOLAR PANELS

The Solar Panel Subcommittee of the “This Holy House Committee” has over

the past year been working with Tim Schneider of “Earthlight” on the

feasibility of installing solar panels on the roofs of Concordia’s Nave and

Kaiser Hall. The solar panels are not included as part of the MIF loan for

“This Holy House”, Concordia will be leasing the panels by paying

“Earthlight” for the electricity generated by the panels. The application of the

solar panels by “Earthlight” gives Concordia a benefit in the cost of

electricity. Concordia is presently paying 18 cents per KWH for the generation, transmission, and

distribution of the electricity it uses. Once the Solar panels are in place on Concordia’s roofs,

Concordia will pay “Earthlight”, the owner of the panels, 11 cents per KWH for all of the electricity

that the panels generate. It is therefore important that the panel installation be consistent with

Concordia’s electrical needs.

Because Concordia’s demand changes month to month and the production of the panels varies

depending on the amount of sunlight that strikes them the panels must be sized for Concordia’s yearly

demand. Over the past 12 months Concordia has used 41,200 KWHs of electricity. Dan Burnett has

estimated, that once all of the HVAC improvements are in place, Concordia’s yearly demand will be

64,000 KWHs per year. The panel installation will be sized based on Concordia’s, post HVAC

improvements, yearly needs. It is estimated that the savings to Concordia during the first year of

operation will be approximately $4,000.

If the panels produce more electricity than is used in a given month the excess (credits) is banked for

use possibly in a later month. In March of each year the banked excess is sold by Eversource at the

wholesale rate. If in any month Concordia’s electrical needs exceed both the production of the panels

and the previous banked credits, the excess needs would be supplied by Eversource at their current

rates. Concordia will be charged the monthly Distribution Customer Service Charge, currently $65,

every month independent of the source of the electricity.

The requirement of 64,000 KWHs will require that solar panels be placed on the roof of the Nave and

on Kaiser Hall’s west roof. “Earthlight” will be installing the Kaiser Hall panels first. They are

presently studying the Kaiser Hall plans to determine the placement of the panel brackets.

Submitted by,

John Corl

For the “This Holy House Committee” composed of:

Dan Burnett, Steve Graefe, David Smith, Phil Stoneman, and Pr.

Barclay

11/21/18

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Thank you to everyone that donated food, gave monetary donations, helped assemble baskets and

deliver the Thanksgiving food baskets to our 10 families. We also provided turkeys to Highland Park

School to assist with the needs of some of their student families.

We are now onto Christmas. We have a beautiful “Giving Tree” at the back of the nave where you can

take a tag to purchase a gift ($25 in value) for a member or members of one of our 10 families. We

also have a list of 15 children from Highland Park School. There are envelopes that include slips with

the gender of the child, age and sizes.

Below are timelines with important dates to remember for and Christmas Seasonal Sharing at

Concordia.

Christmas:

• Advent “Giving Tree” in the Nave with gift suggestions

• Sunday, December 9th – Begin sign-up for food donations, basket assembly and delivery

• Monday, December 17th - Cub Scout donation items received

• Wednesday, December 19th – CNS gloves, hats, mittens received

• Sunday, December 16th – Wrapped Christmas gifts due

• Wednesday, December 19th - Grocery shopping for hams, turkeys, etc., and other items if

necessary

• Friday, December 21st and Saturday, December 22nd – Packaging & Delivery of baskets to

“adopted” MACC families

Thank you for your support of this very important ministry of Concordia.

Outreach Committee

CONCORDIA’S 2018 SEASONAL

SHARING

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Poinsettias for Christmas

Each Christmas we invite members and friends of Concordia to purchase poinsettias for our

worship space. Please consider making a gift of flowers to Concordia this Christmas. We are

also delighted to report that a brass quartet will provide special music Christmas Eve and

Christmas Day; gifts may be made to offset that expense as well. Financial gifts to support our

ministries are also welcome.

Each poinsettia plant costs $15. Gifts for musicians and ministries are given at the giver’s

discretion. Please attach payment with this form, and return to the church office by Sunday,

December 16. Thank you.

I/We give _____ poinsettia(s) to Concordia this Christmas Eve in memory/in honor of:

I/We give $_____ to Concordia for musicians in honor/in memory of:

I/We give $_____ to support Concordia’s ministries in honor/in memory:

Name ______________________________________

Phone Number or E-mail _______________________

Poinsettias may be taken home after the Christmas Day

service

Poinsettias that remain will adorn our worship space through

the Christmas season.

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Nursery School is busy preparing for

Christmas

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Concordia Memorial Gift

Wishlist 2018

Estimates

KAISER HALL/KEHL'S

KITCHEN

12 Round Tables for Kaiser Hall- $200/table

$2,400.00

Flooring for Kaiser Hall

$20,000.00

Kehl’s Kitchen Professional

Refrigerator

$1,600.00

Small Chest Freezer

$200.00

Kehl’s Kitchen Restock with Professional Pots and Pans, Utensils $2,500.00

Moveable closure for kitchen pass-

through

$1,200.00

NARTHEX

Coat Racks, Narthex Archives and Church History Furnishings $2,500.00

Artwork for Narthex

$1,000.00

CHURCH GROUNDS

Tree Service Trimming and Cutting

$1,600.00

Tree Plantings throughout Property and Irrigation- $500/tree $4,000.00

Wide Riding Lawn

Mower

$4,000.00

Smaller Self-Propelled Mower

$350.00

OFFICE ENTRYWAY SITTING

AREA

Art for Office Entrance Area

$250.00

Window Shades

$200.00

BRANDT LOUNGE

Mounted Projector and Screen for Brandt Lounge

$750.00

Re-carpet/ new flooring

$2,200.00

Window shades/coverings in

kitchenette

$100.00

Please contact the Parish Office or Pastor Barclay if

you wish to donate towards one of these items.

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GARDEN ROOM

Mounted Projector and Screen for Garden Room

$750.00

Altar and Pulpit Movable for Garden Room

$1,500.00

Wall Crucifix for Garden Room

$500.00

(Memorial

Donation

Received)

Railing for Garden Room Patio

$1,600.00

2 Garden Room Storage Cabinets

$300.00

2 Garden Room Accordion Doors

$300.00

GENERAL

2 Shark Bagless Vacuum Cleaners for Incidental

Cleanup

$300.00

Window shades/coverings in Kaiser Hall and Hallway bathrooms $1,500.00

SANCTUARY APPOINTMENTS

Advent Paraments/Vestments

$1,500.00

Lenten Paraments/Vestments

$1,500.00

Funeral Pall to Match Easter Set

$2,000.00

Stand for Processional Cross

$250.00

Paschal Candle Stand

$800.00

CONFERENCE

ROOM

Window shades/coverings to replace broken

shades

$500.00

GIFTS TO PERMANENT FUNDS

Scholarship Fund Gift

Any

Legacy Fund Gift

Any

Gift to MACC

Any

Gift to New England Synod (Reduce Synod Mission Support

Comm)

Any

Gift to For This Holy House Capital Campaign

Any

Gift for Music

Any

Gift to Pastor's Discretionary Fund (for special

needs)

Any

Organ Repair- Reimburse Capital Improvement

Fund

$4,500.00

(Memorial

Donation

Received)

Total for All Memorial

Gifts

$62,650.00

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Thank you all for your love and support at the passing of

Mimi's mother. The warmth and sincere condolences

expressed by so many of you, along with the remembrance

of her on All Saints Sunday, helped us through a difficult

time. We'd especially like to thank: John and Kay Corl,

Clinton and Shirley Chu, Linda Lange, Mark Winzler,

Carol and Phil Stoneman, Don, Marion and Eric Slater, Jane Casserly, Susan and Steven

Bourret, Jan and Bill Salvatore, Irma and Andy Vincens, Mark and Candace Wilson, Tina and

Paul Ruggerio and especially Pastor Barclay.

God's Peace to all of our friends at Concordia.

We miss you,

Mimi, Steve, Dana and Adam

Dear Concordia Family,

Bob and I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a

blessed New year. In lieu of sending individual

Christmas cards, we decided to make a contribution

to World Hunger in your honor.

Peace,

Bob & Patti Herdic

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Interfaith Thanksgiving Worship

at Beth Sholom B'nai Israel,

Manchester

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Highland Park School

Turkey Drop Off

Filling Thanksgiving Baskets for our MACC Families

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Crafting for the Giving Tree

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Preparing for Advent

Lessons and Carols

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Advent Lessons and Carols

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Prayers of the Community

Prayer requests may be made to the parish office. The names will be held in prayer for one

month, unless otherwise requested. (*Member of Concordia) (Request by Member of

Concordia) (New Intention) Those who are sick or in any need,

*The

Homebound

*Art Hube

Kristin Ortolani

Tammy

Shirley M.

Twylar

Sis

John Henry

Szczerkowski

Rita

*Laura McKay

*Millie Scott

*Jim Noyes

*Carol Bowen

Nancy

*Ernie Scott

Richard Erickson

Robert Goodrich

Diane

Russell

Karen

Raymond Reyes

Jackie

Christopher

*Jackie Britton

*Tessie Kehl

Dee

Autumn

Christopher

Robin

Joe Arnson

*Jean Weiss

Kennedy Rose

Mayland Clark

*Angela Prasser

Rose

Ruth and Ken Heyden and the Benoit Family on the death of her nephew.

For the Warrender family on the death of Richard Warrender

For former Bishop Margaret Payne and her family on the death of her husband John.

The Intentions of this Community:

-Concordia Nursery School Students and their

families.

-The work of MACC

-For our Cub Scout Pack

-For Pra. Mendez and Ministerio Nueva Creacion

-For Pr. Simpson and the people of New

Horizons.

The Weather Outside Will Soon Be Frightful

All weather related delays and cancellations at Concordia will be posted on WFSB-TV Channel 3, or on their

website: www.wfsb.com. Sign up for text alerts from WFSB so you receive the news as soon as it happens.

Concordia’s Calendar: EVERY SUNDAY

9:30 Bible Study

10:30 - Coffee Hour

11:00 - Eucharist-

New Horizon Church 12:30

p.m.

Nueva Creación Ministry 1 p.m.

EVERY MONDAY

AA - 5:30 p.m.

EVERY TUESDAY

Clergy Text Study – 11 a.m.

EVERY THURSDAY

EVERY FRIDAY

AA - 7:30 p.m.

Saturday December 8 -

Manchester High Video

Productions Pancake Breakfast

7:30 a.m.

Monday December 10 Finance

Committee – 6:00 p.m.

Thursday December 13 –

Congregation Council 7:00 p.m.

Friday December 14 – Piano

Recital – 7:00p.m.

Saturday December 15 –

Estonian School Christmas

Party – 10:30 a.m.

Monday December 17 –

Nursery School Christmas Party

– 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday December 18 -

Nursery School Christmas Party

– 11:30 a.m.

Monday December 24 –

Christmas Eve Service with

Brass and Choir

– 8 p.m.

Christmas Eve Open House at

Mark Winzler’s – After service

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As Lutheran Christians, Concordia understands that God is calling us to be:

• A Christian community with responsibility to support each other, our neighborhood, and the larger

community

• A Gathered Assembly marked by the practices of prayer, study, reflection and worship

• Selfless Disciples who communicate and practice the faith through acts of faithful stewardship, service

and forgiveness

CONCORDIA LUTHERAN CHURCH

40 Pitkin Street

Manchester, CT 06040

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED