Pastor's Page & Other Messages

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Yes, it is December, a month of preparation. A month of cooling temperatures, lighting the fireplace, cuddling up with a blanket, and a cup of chocolate, and putting the tractor and other implements to bed for the winter. 

This month we will be looking at preparation. Time to prepare for the Christ Child's arrival here at Westchester CC.

We begin our celebration with the four Sundays in Advent, to help us in our journey to Bethlehem. Advent begins on December 1st. Through prayer, music, messages, and Scripture we learn the story of our Savior’s birth and the impact it has on our lives.

December is a busy month for our church:  the children preparing for the Pageant, the Choir practicing for their musical presentation, and the church decorating for the Christmas season. It is indeed, “a wonderful time of the year”.

This year the Children’s program will be held on the 15th, and the Choir will present their program on the 22nd, at which service we will celebrate Christmas at church. We will, of course, have the Christmas Eve service at 5:00pm. I hope you can join us for some or all of these services.

I pray this Christmas season may bring you hope and peace. Please keep those  less fortunate in your prayers and have a very Merry Christmas.

Yours in Christ’s service, 

RevRon

And the dead leaves lie huddled and still, No longer blown hither and thither;
The last lone aster is gone;
The flowers of the witch-hazel wither ... –Robert Frost (1874-1963)

Hello Everyone:

With those words from our beloved Poet, we begin another month of our lives.
The month of November’s name has remained unchanged since the ancient Roman calendar, which was in use until 45 BC. This first Roman calendar was only made up of ten months, with November being the ninth month. November actually translates rather appropriately into “ninth month” in Latin. When the Julian calendar was adopted in 45 BC, two new months were added, which pushed November back to the 11th month. Despite its change in position, November was never renamed.

Ah! November, the unpredictable month, when we can have snow storms, heavy rains, and lots of leaves. A time when nature takes an extended nap. Time to rake the leaves, close up the fences, put away the garden til spring.

Also, November gives us a few of our important holidays and happenings. The election of a new President, Veteran’s Day, Marine Corps birthday, and of course the Thanksgiving celebration. We also begin our annual trek to Bethlehem for the celebration of the birth of our beloved Savoir, Jesus Christ, with our Advent and Christmas celebration.

It’s a busy time for our church as well, with the annual Snow Flake Bazaar.We hope you were able to join us for this fun time at Markham Meadows Camp Ground.

Hope you can join us for Sunday morning worship and other fun times.

Many Blessings to all, 

RevRon

OFFICE HOURS: Tuesdays, 10am-Noon, by appointment

Members and Friends of WCC:

It is hard to believe, but fall is just around the corner. Kids will be heading back to school, Halloween candy and decorations are already on display as business owners are gearing up for the season. The latest fall decorations are going up in windows, and people are moseying back to church. Time to get in the new mindset of harbingers to come.

The concept of time reminds us of our own life, how it changes, sometimes from moment to moment. We have periods of joy that then turn to sorrow, and times of despair that turn to hope. As the writer of Ecclesiastes says, “nothing is ever the same."

But there is one constant: Our Heavenly Father. God is the same now as He was since the beginning of time. He still cares for his children, even though we have strayed. He is our one constant in life. All else will change, but not our God.

Please join us for worship. The church misses you when you are not with us.

RevRon

Friends,

Well, the year is moving right along and here we are in the month of August, the eight month of the year. Back in the days of the Anglo-Saxons, the month was called Weod Monath. Its translation of “weed month” is quite literal – in this month weeds and other plants grow the fastest in the northern hemisphere. Just a little trivia to share.

I remember too, that August on the farm meant harvesting in the fields and, canning and preparing the larder for the winter months that lay ahead. It was a very busy time of year.

It is also a time when we look forward to children returning to school, winding up vacations, and churches looking forward to a new year for our church and Sunday School programs.

August can also be a time for reflection. What lies ahead for us at our church, what challenges do we face, and need to overcome? What programs are important for our growth? What does our future at WCC look like? These are all things to look at as we start a new year in September.

I hope you will spend time reflecting and ask yourself, “what can I do to make my church more inviting, more warm and friendly. How can I support my church, both spiritually and financially? How can I be an instrument of Christs’ love, and live as Jesus would have us live?

Happy August! 

RevRon

Fellow Travelers:

I trust you are enjoying the wonderful summer months. They go by quickly for sure. July ushers in the beginning of our leisure times for picnics, travel, and family vacations, a time to set aside all the worries of life and enjoy time together.

It is also a time to think of our freedoms that we as Americans enjoy. I wonder, though, if we think of those who gave so much that we might be able to enjoy the wonderful place we call home.

Since the beginning of our great nation men and women have sacrificed families, fortunes, and some their very lives, that we might enjoy the freedoms we possess.
We also should take time to thank our Almighty God for holding up America as an example of freedom to the world.

We are not a perfect nation, we have lots of growing pains, but I wouldn’t trade for any other nation.

Let us give thanks to our God for the bounty that God has given us and give back to the nation that has given so much to us.

Happy Independence Day.

RevRon

To My Friends at WCC: 

As I share these words with you, we are celebrating Memorial Day weekend, a time set aside to honor the 

fallen men and women who gave their lives for a cause greater than themselves, It is a time to reflect on the 

enormous sacrifice the men and women who went off to war and never returned, a time to reflect on the 

sacrifice their families have made as well. 

Our nation, committed to freedom and peace, has a long history of sacrificing for the good of humankind. It has 

come at a cost of the lives of our brave men and women. We have been blessed by a beneficent God who has 

watched over this great nation, and has guided us through countless challenges and crisis.  

The very church we worship in has sent many of our men and women to protect those freedoms we hold dear. 

We will never forget the sacrifices they made for our freedoms. 

On our church grounds there is a Memorial plaque and flag honoring one of our hero’s, CWO Robert Joseph 

Hughes, killed in action in Afghanistan in March 1991. May his soul rest in peace, and may we never forget him, or all his comrades in arms that gave their all.

Rev. Ron

“May the sun in his course visit no land more free, more happy, more lovely, than this our own country”! 

-Sen. Daniel Webster

As you read these Pastor’s notes we are already past the Easter celebration. I wish to thank everyone who worked to make our Easter journey to Jerusalem meaningful for all of us.

Easter is more than a few weeks of taking inventory of our faith, it is a time of reflection, a time for us to renew our commitment to Christ. Easter is a full-time experience, one that we renew every Sunday morning as we participate in our worship, so Happy Easter Year Around to you.

We have a lot of balls in the air at WCC; looks like we’ll need a new furnace after the boiler nearly caught fire. Praise God we were spared a catastrophe of losing our beautiful sanctuary. Thanks to all who cleaned up, and replaced stuff that needed to be replaced, and cleaned up that which needed to be cleaned up after the firefighters were finished.

Spring is here, and with it comes the wonder of God’s awesome gift of creation. Spring gives a renewal of life all around us, the tree buds, the flowers in bloom, and the creatures scurrying about to start new families. It really is a great time to be alive in God’s wonderful world. Hope you can spend some time appreciating it and enjoying it.

Til next time, RevRon

As I write these words with the anticipation of spring in our hearts, we look forward to the warming of the soil, the sounds of the birds looking for mates and a place to raise their young, and the warming of soil that we might begin the planting of our gardens; all signs of new hope, new life. The beauty of Spring brings with it the newness of life all around us.

The spring of year brings to us at WCC the beauty of the Easter journey to Jerusalem. Together, we make our trek each year on our journey through Lent and finally get to the celebration of new life in Jesus Christ. It is a time of hope.

What is it that we hope for? For some it’s getting through another day, week, or month. Some hope our lives, our faith, our families can be healed. Some looking to renew their faith on our Savior, all looking for peace in this crazy, mixed-up world.

Whatever it is you hope for, you can find it in your living the Easter experience each day. We can find hope in a relationship with our Savior, a belief in a God who created us to have hope, and to love one another.

Whatever Easter means to you, it is a time of hope and healing.

RevRon

Well, here we are once again bumping up on the Lenten/Easter season. It’s a great time of the year, with the anticipation of trees budding, birds nesting, and a general all around good feeling of rejuvenation. The word “Lent” comes from an old English word for springtime, (yes springtime is on the way. I saw buds already on my pear tree.) I like to think of Lent as a form of spring cleaning for the soul.

In the early years of the Church, it was confined to a few days before Easter. But by the fourth century it was extended to forty days before Easter, a period associated with the forty days and nights that Jesus spent in the desert, tempted in the wilderness, just after his baptism (Matthew 4:1-11). “Forty days before Easter” may be somewhat misleading. The Church doesn’t count Sundays among the forty days, so the period of Lent, lasting from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday, actually covers 46 days. Whether 40 days or 46 days, in the great scope of things Lent is a momentary pause to rethink the fundamental purpose of our lives. But it can also be the occasion of a momentous transformation, a time to rethink our relationship with our God.

So welcome to Lent, I hope you will join us on the journey.

Sunday, February 4 we will celebrate Church Membership Sunday. If you wish to join the family, please see RevRon or one of our deacons. Our deacons wear pins, so you’ll be able to identify them. Hope life is going well for you, and look forward to seeing you at worship.

RevRon

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland”. Isaiah 43:18-19

This passage is a message of hope and encouragement from God to the Israelites. It reminds them that God is always with them and will make a way for them even in the most difficult of circumstances. The passage encourages them to look forward to the future with hope and trust in God’s promises.

As we put 2023 in our rearview mirror, we are reminded that neither can we dwell on the past. It is great to respect the past and the lessons learned, but we cannot move forward living there. Our church has a great past, full of history and traditions that we must honor, but we also have a future that requires us to move forward so future generations will have a place to worship God.

We have, I believe, a healthy church, because of past and present members that were willing to make sacrifices and decisions to move us forward. I also believe that we must be willing to make sacrifices so that we might leave a healthy and viable church for future generations.

I think if we look at our accomplishments this year, we can be satisfied that what did has moved us forward and made us a more healthy church.

Thanks to everyone who labored and gave of their time, gifts, and talents to move us into 2024. 

Happy New Year.

RevRon

To My Friends at WCC:

Welcome to Advent 2021, a time of waiting and reflections. A time to prepare ourselves for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ, as we celebrate, once again, His birth. I invite you to be a part of our preparation. We will be lighting the Advent Candle, each one of them reminding us of the Hope we have in our Savoir. We invite you to join us at Sunday worship, and our Christmas-Eve service. Hope you will be with us.

We are rapidly winding down the year 2021, a rather challenging one. We were able, at least so far, to stay free of the Covid, at least for our members. Some of our church family lost loved ones, and we are holding them in prayer. Please continue to be vigilant as we move forward.

We had a rather good year at WCC, we have grown, both in numbers, and I think, in our faith journey as well. I’m so glad you have been a part of it. I pray we can continue on our trek of serving our Master at our church and community.

As I end my third year at WCC. I’m humbled by the support that I have received. I look forward to serving our church in days to come.

Thanks to all who work so hard to make our church experience possible. 

RevRon

Hi Everyone,

As I sat on my back deck, in my rocking chair today, I could feel, and smell summer ebbing away, and Autumn seeping in.

The changing seasons remind me of life; we can compare it to the seasons. We bloom and ebb away. Like spring, summer, and fall we cannot stay in one season, and winter will come as it always does. And as the poet says. “If we are blessed, we have experienced the seasons at their best”. I hope you are enjoying the beautiful days, given by our maker.

We will soon be entering our busy season at church. Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas is always a great time to be involved in worship. Our children will be performing a Nativity program, our choir will do the Cantata, and we will be enjoying singing Christmas Carols, and once again relive the story of our Savior’s birth. I hope you will be a part of our church family Christmas experience.

Stay safe and be well, In Christ,

RevRon

Thanksgiving Basket opportunity – RevRon is proposing we fill a basket to give to a  family in need. Please see information on the Bulletin Board to see what is needed.

To My Friends at WCC:

Hope this letter finds you healthy and in good spirits. It is the first day of Autumn as I share this correspondence with you. It is a time of year that brings back fond memories of my growing up in NY on the farm.

This time of year was a very busy one. My mom’s canning was ending and we were putting in the winter vegetables for the long winter season, the final cutting of hay was being put in, and the barn was being prepared for winter. There was a sense of gladness, and relief, that the hard labors of summer were behind us, and winter gave us a little bit of rest, a respite from the heat and hard work of summer.

Times have changed dramatically, but our memories still exist. It reminds me a bit about life as we grow older. Those of us who are getting into the “older” years might find a laugh in this poem:

“Old” by Catherine Pulsifier

I'm too young to be this old

It is like catching a cold

It happens before you know

The years fly by and then you're old.

But life is to be lived each day

Never stop learning

Keep busy

Find a laugh

And life will be the best.

Hope you have a wonderful Autumn, enjoying the beautiful colors of God’s wonderful creation here in NE.

In Christ,
RevRon

The familiar rhythm of the cricket's chirps 

Create the soundtrack for each day, 

Echoing Summer's end
And that Autumn's on her way.

By Patricia A. Fleming

Hi Everyone:

As I present this letter this morning I’m reminded that our summer season is rapidly winding down. I like summer, but autumn is my favorite time of year. The beauty of God’s creation seems to shine much brighter in autumn. My wish that we could all stop for a moment and enjoy it.

Now that summer things are winding down, and we get back to the “routine” of our church life, I look forward to getting back to a sense of normalcy, whatever that means. Our Sunday school will, once again, begin it’s children’s studies, and our church will begin it’s new year. I hope you will join us in worship and involve yourself in making our church, and worship a great experience for all.

We continue to encourage those who wish to mask up to do so. We are all aware of the dangers of Covid, and we all can make our own decisions as to our comfort level, while respecting others feelings about it. Thanks to all for your patience during these trying times.

Let’s enjoy the remaining days of summer and look forward to the beauty of God’s wonderful creation.

In Christ, 

RevRon

Hello Fellow Travelers:

It seems to me that once July is over and done, that we begin to move very quickly toward the ending of summer. I really like the Autumn of the year, but it ends all too soon. I hope your summer has been a good one.

Things at WCC are going rather well; we had a very successful Chicken Barbecue, so the chickens did not die in vain. Thanks to all who worked countless hours to make it successful. Covid is still with us, unfortunately, but we’ve been diligent in keeping ourselves safe at worship. Masks are optional, and we all are doing our best for sure. We still offer Zoom to those unable or, simply wish to join us on that platform.

August brings with it a rather busy month. We will celebrate Communion on August 8th, as well as a Baptism, and a Church Membership Sunday during the month.
I’m delighted that our morning worship is seemingly picking up, as folks return to worship. I’m confident that we will return to normal when all this uncertainty is behind us.

This month we said our farewells to one of our members, Ethel DePaola. Ethel joined us on Zoom and was with us every Sunday on Zoom. We will miss her, and send the Leitkowski family our condolences.

Finally, thanks to all who support their church, working diligently, and supporting it financially.

In Christ,

Pastor Ron L

Dear Friends,

We at WCC certainly have gotten good at adapting to change! Recent months have brought relaxation to our COVID safety protocols, both “out there” in the world and “in here” at church. And while we’re enjoying a bit more “normal” in our lives, it does take some getting used to.

Currently we have done away with wearing masks. Of course, some of us may still elect to wear a mask regardless of our vaccination status. You are encouraged to do whatever helps you to feel comfortable and safe during worship.

We will be returning to our regular practices for Communion. We will still offer Communion “kits,” for those wishing to use them, and will begin our regular Communion on July 4. We will also be back to singing our hymns together on July 4th.

Don’t forget our Church picnic on July 4th directly following worship. It will be a time for fellowship and celebrating our Nations birthday. Please do try to join us.

Hopefully we’re coming to a point in time when we can focus on something other than the pandemic (won’t that be nice?!). In the meantime, we will continue to worship and serve together as children of the Living God, whose son, Jesus, walks with us on every step of our life’s journey.

In Christ’s name, 

RevRon

To My Friends At WCC:

As I share these few notes with you, the Sun is shing brightly and Summer is just around the corner. I pray you will stay safe and remember your church as we enjoy the nice days.

I’m very excited about getting back to some semblance of regular worship. Folks are beginning to come back and we are, once again, enjoying each other’s company. We are also, of course on Zoom, if you wish to join us there. I’m hoping to begin congregation singing in the near future. I’m sure I speak for all of us and, we thank the choir for their steadfastness in bringing us our hymns and special music each week. Thanks to Dan, our choir director for his hard work and encouragement.

The return of our Sunday School is presently being discussed, It is my prayer that we will soon be able to get our children back with us.

This weekend is our Memorial Day celebration. Please remember all those who have served and continue to serve in our Armed Forces. Some of us have served, and many of us have relatives and friends who have served as well.

Have a great June and please remember your church as you travel about. 

RevRon

To My Friends At WCC:

“O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures”. Psalm 104:24

Whenever I gaze at the Planets, the Stars, or the constellations, I am reminded of the awesomeness of our creator, God. Especially this time of year when all creation is renewed and unfolds before us. What wonderful gifts from our Heavenly Father.

I hope you are enjoying the spring weather, and perhaps looking forward to getting your hands dirty in the

garden. It’s amazing to watch the plants as they reach for the sun and begin to produce their progeny. Each

spring as I look at my flower garden, I wonder where the new plants came from. I suspect the Squirrels, or some

other critter work their magic.

So great to see each of you at church or on Zoom on Sunday morning. Stay safe and well and give thanks to our God for His marvelous works,

Blessings,

RevRon

To My Friends At WCC:

Hope this message finds you in good health and enjoying these days leading up to spring. It’s been a rather tough winter, for sure.

Well, we have a year of hindsight with the Covid 19 virus, and it’s been tough on most of us. It seems like we are all in a holding pattern, waiting for the plane to land, so to speak. I’m confident that soon the Vaccine will be more available to all and Herd Immunity will help us get back to some kind of normal.

Our church has been doing well with the with the virus by being cautious, wearing masks, social distancing, and reaching out to those, unable to join in person, by using Zoom. It’s a great way for all of us to be together.

We are excited to having six new folks join our church as members. I believe their names will be published somewhere in our newsletter. Welcome aboard to all.

Our Easter services and times will be published on line and will be available through email. We haven’t solidified plans yet, so stay tuned for further information.

Until next time, stay safe and enjoy the coming of Spring.

Many Blessings to all, 

Pastor Ron

 To My Friends At WCC: 

Hope this message finds you in good health and enjoying these days leading up to spring. It’s been a rather tough winter, for sure.

Well, we have a year of hindsight with the Covid 19 virus, and it’s been tough on most of us. It seems like we are all in a holding pattern, waiting for the plane to land, so to speak. I’m confident that soon the Vaccine will be more available to all and Herd Immunity will help us get back to some kind of normal. 

Our church has been doing well with the with the virus by being cautious, wearing masks, social distancing, and reaching out to those, unable to join in person, by using Zoom. It’s a great way for all of us to be together. 

We are excited to having six new folks join our church as members. I believe their names will be published somewhere in our newsletter. Welcome aboard to all. 

Our Easter services and times will be published on line and will be available through email. We haven’t solidified plans yet, so stay tuned for further information. Until next time, stay safe and enjoy the coming of Spring. 

Many Blessings to all, 

Pastor Ron 

To My Friends at WCC: 

Today marks a full week since my surgery and I’m doing quite well. No pain, but I do get a bit fatigued if I overdo it. I’m getting outside for sunshine when the weather begins to warm in the afternoon. By the time I return to the pulpit on January 31, I will be close to 100%. 

I am really impressed with WCC and the folks who have gone the extra mile to keep things going in the absence of the Pastor. It is a great sign of a healthy church. I wish to thank all those who worked diligently to accomplish this. 

Now our covenant together as pastor and congregation begins, and I’m really excited about our new beginnings. We face enormous challenges of getting through this pandemic and keeping our flock together. These are truly uncertain times for churches. Our church has a history of meeting challenges and moving forward. I am both honored and humbled that you have chosen me to be your pastor. 

We don’t know what the future will bring for us or what stumbling blocks lay ahead, but we do know that with God’s help we will meet – and hopefully exceed – our expectations. 

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday at worship. 

Your Pastor, 

Rev. Ron 

Dear Friends, 

It's official: 2020 - undoubtedly one of the worst years on record - is OVER. Hallelujah!! It's definitely time to celebrate a new beginning. At the same time, we can't let our guard down just yet. We begin the new year here in Connecticut with a 9.14% infection rate, which is a huge increase given that just a few days ago we were under 6%. I urge you all to keep vigilant about your personal safety and that of the people around you. You know the drill: masks, hand washing, social distancing, stay away from crowds. And, of course, get vaccinated when your turn comes around. 

At church, we will continue to work together to keep everyone safe. Remember, if you feel uncomfortable coming out for worship, you can join us via Zoom or by telephone. If you're not sure how to do that, give me a call. I will be happy to talk you through the process, which is really quite easy. 

On this New Year's Day, I leave you with the words of Paul (1 Corinthians 5:17): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" Let us look forward with hope to the New Year ahead, for Christ is already present in all our tomorrows. 

Pastor Ron