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Tours available at St. Michael's
St. Michael’s Parish is participating in the 300-year celebration for the town of Litchfield by offering guided and self-guided tours of the church’s interior on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October.
Church members Peg Sullivan (pictured), Susan Pollock and Curry Walker will rotate as tour guides. Those who wish to plan ahead for a different time for a tour can do so by contacting the Parish Administrator at 860-567-9465 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. St. Michael’s Parish is a neo-Gothic cruciform building built in the English Decorated style popular c. 1250-1380, designed by acclaimed architects Rossiter and Mueller. There are several stained-glass windows created by the Tiffany studios, an organ containing 2254 pipes, a triptych mural by H. Sidons Mowbray, and elaborate woodcarvings.  Aug. 11 sermon of the Rev. Robert F. Tucker,
St. Louis de Montfort Parish, Litchfield
What and where is your treasure?
St. Luke’s Gospel states clearly this week, “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.” To be open, alert and ready for new gifts of the Lord is the challenge of each day. Yet, to be honest, don’t we spend a lot of time trying to manipulate God, self and others - that this is best as I see it! It is not by chance, fate or design that we are all rather narcissistic. This word describes a person who in his or her life and actions both mental and physical shows a significant concern for self and a minimum concern for God and neighbor. This may also be called pride which is a tricky thing.
There is a healthy pride that we should feel when we have done a good job or accomplished something significant. Jesus in the Gospel this weekend and also our other Scripture Readings wants us to become more than we are at this moment. Thus, God touches us with desires, inclinations, hopes but not for just self but to reach out heart to heart also for God and Neighbor. This is real, honest pride.
A Spanish Explorer when he landed in a new country or place deliberately burnt his ships. His goal was to conquer the new land by pushing on and by burning the ships he eliminated the possibility that his men would lose heart and try to sail back to Spain. Without the ships they had no alternative but to fight ahead and not return. Possibly the men would be willing to fight l00% to win, convinced that they could not turn back. Thus, they were better able to focus on the goal and do what had to be done to reach it. St Benedict states it in a simple way, “We are only as sick as the secrets we keep.”
The suffocating burden of going through life pretending or just holding on to the past does not give new life to each day and its promise. It is trust, love of God and Others that makes us fearless and gives us the humility to ask for forgiveness and to forgive and move ahead through all secrets. Burn the bad of the past and move ahead. Be a person of truth and know where your heart really is and move with it! For that is where your treasure is.
The words of the response can come easily, but they are not meant to be simple words. “Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be His own,” The Lord desires all of us to be His followers and open to both waiting upon Him and then channeling our time, talent and energy into Christ like action from the heart. Indeed, if we are truthful and honest, we know where our heart lies, and we need to follow it.
A simple modern day story about a family visiting the Washington Vietnam War memorial states that the eldest son with his dad noticed a man weeping uncontrollably. The two of them decided to go with their mother and sisters up to the man and offer consolation and comfort. The teenage boy said to the man, “what name is your son on the monument?” The man with his hand on the monument said, “They are all my sons”, and with that he disappeared. It is that realization that we as Americans must begin to treat each other and show that concern so as to end that violence.
New Wisdom House program director Travis Tucker. Contributed photo
Wisdom House’s board of directors and search committee has named Dr. Travis Tucker, Ph.D, as the program director of its year-round spiritual retreat and conference center that is celebrating its 70 year anniversary.
A ministry of the Daughters of Wisdom, Wisdom House is an Interfaith Spiritual Retreat and Conference Center that presents programs that celebrate the sacred in everyday life, the arts and ecology. In addition to numerous workshop and conference meeting spaces, throughout each year Wisdom House offers daily meals and overnight accommodations for academic, nonprofit, and business organizations from across the United States and around the world.
The Daughters of Wisdom originated in 18th Century France and founded the US Province in 1949 with the purchase of the former Spruce Brook Farm in East Litchfield. Originally, the Wisdom House property was utilized by the order as a Convent and Novitiate.
Dr. Tucker commented, “With my academic background, one of my numerous ambitions is to see Wisdom House become the premier destination for people seeking inter-faith programs that are not only spiritually nourishing but also intellectually stimulating."
Tucker comes to Wisdom House with nearly 30 years of experience in education, administration, and coaching. He is a former Associate Director of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture where he managed day-to-day operations of the Ethics & Spirituality in the Workplace division. He holds a Ph.D. from Yale University in philosophy and religious studies with a specialization in ethics. Additionally, he is a former philosophy professor at the University of Hartford and University of New Haven. While with the universities, he published articles on philosophical and religious ethics and was named an “Ethnic Gem” by “Ethnic Online” magazine.
Since 2014, Tucker has served as a volunteer consultant for the School for Ethical Education, regularly participating as a judge for its “Laws of Life” essay contest. Most recently, he founded two educational organizations serving Connecticut: Leadership Skills 101 is an internet-based business dedicated to introducing teens to the leadership traits encouraged by business, sports, and psychology; and Students of Character is a not-for-profit organization seeking to bring philosophically-based character education to low-income students throughout Connecticut and the mid-Atlantic region.
Tucker has also served as an assistant coach for the Yale women’s tennis team and has been a tennis instructor for the Upward Bound program at Coppin State University in Baltimore, Md., and at the Yale Junior Tennis Camp, he also regularly teaches tennis to Connecticut middle school students He lives in Connecticut with his wife and son and daughter.
"Because my primary responsibility is to develop programs that serve the needs and interests of the community, both near and far, an initial goal for me will be to encourage folks to reach out and let me know what types of programs they would like to see here," Tucker said.
Neatly Nested Again a benefit for church
Volunteers at the Neatly Nested Again shop at the First Congregational Church of Litchfield include, from left, Ruth Erickson, Tori Savage, Betty Eisenhaure and Cindy Birkins. JoAnn Jaacks photos
The First Congregational Church of Litchfield’s new consignment shop Neatly Nested Again is open for business.
High-quality and gently-used items such as antiques, décor accessories, jewelry, small furniture pieces, china, dishes, lamps, artwork and crafts are featured. Donations are welcome, but the shop will not accept clothing, kitchen appliances, books, shoes or large furniture.
Basket crafter Michelle Lusk of Lady Bug Baskets and Crafts in Greenville, S.C., is selling her work and has painted a sign for the boutique that greets visitors. Asian collectibles are on sale as is a vintage sewing chest made by Strommen Bruk Hamar,
The shop is open on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cash or checks are preferred for purchases. All proceeds benefit the church. For more informtion, contact Cindy Birkins at cindybirkins@optonline.net.
A sign greeting visitors to the boutique was painted by artist Michelle Lusk. Baskets made by Lusk, below, are on sale.
Summer concert series begins on the Green
The crowd takes in Wednesday's concert by the Renegades. BZ photo
The Litchfield Parks and Recreation Department’s summer concert series kicked off on June 12 at 7 with a concert by the Renegades on the Litchfield Green.
The 7 p.m. concerts are free to the public. There are no dogs allowed at the concerts, unless they are service dogs. No alcohol is allowed on the Green and all trash must be carried out.
Concert schedule:
Aug. 7 – The Loft
Aug. 14 – Potter’s Field
Aug. 21 – The Wool Hats
Children’s Book Department at Church Book Store
A room devoted to children’s books is open at the Litchfield Congregational Church book store. Children’s books are a real bargain – 50¢ for soft cover and $1 for hardcover books. Or, for $10, shoppers can fill a box with as many books as will fit and it’s OK if they stick out the top. A special promotion is available to area teachers to help them stock their classrooms.
 .jpg) The store is open on Saturdays from 10 to 3 and on Sunday afternoons. It is located in the basement of the church, located on the Green at 21 Torrington Road.
Litchfield Community Café
Senior Lunches ~ Monday–Friday
@ Litchfield Community Center
Over the age of 60, and live in or visiting the Litchfield area? Why not stop in and have lunch at our beautiful Litchfield Community Café located in the Litchfield Community Center? The Litchfield Community Café serves congregate lunch Mondays through Fridays! (Fridays are meatless Fridays!) For a suggested donation of only $4.00, you can enjoy a hot, delicious nutritious meal including milk, coffee or tea and dessert! Reservations required by noon the day before. For the current menu, further information, or to make a reservation, please call 860-567-5746. Hope to see you there!
The Food Pantry at St. Michael’s
needs your donations
The Food Pantry at St. Michael’s is a success: since starting this spring, an increasing number of our neighbors come to the Community House the third Saturday of each month. From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., we distribute much-needed canned and packaged food, fresh bread, eggs and vegetables, and frozen meals. In October our neighbors took away over 1200 lbs. of food.
 The good news is that the racks are empty. The bad news is that the racks are empty. People needed all the food we had. The Food Pantry is appealing to you to help fill the shelves each month. The Pantry needs your support to supply our community’s needs.
The pantry needs: peanut butter, jelly, cereal, oats, rice, tuna, pasta sauce, canned vegetables and fruit, soup, lentils, beans, granola bars, powered drink mix, pasta, juice, condiments, frozen vegetables, chicken, hamburger patties, coffee and tea, dish and clothes detergent, toilet paper and paper towels
We invite you to help provide our neighbors with the food they need. You can donate food, you can donate cash, and you can donate time. You can help with purchasing, collecting and delivering food, stocking the shelves, or assisting on the third Saturday of each month. The church is always open, and you can drop off donations any time in the north pews.
You can contact St. Michael’s at 860-567-9465, office@stmichaels-litchfield.org, and mail checks made out to St. Michael’s, with “Food Pantry” on the memo line, to PO Box 248, Litchfield, CT 06759. St. Michael's - BZ page
The Veterans of Amrican Legion Post 44
are collecting information on women veterans.
The veterans of American Legion Post 44 in Bantam are collecting names stories and photographs of women who have, or are serving, in the military. This information will be added to the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Washington, D.C. The Women’s Memorial is dedicated to all military women — past, present and future. If you would like to add yourself or a veteran from your family (deceased or living) please see Master Sergeant Linda Searles at the Saturday, December 2nd Veteran of the Month ceremony in the Bantam Borough Hall. The ceremony to honor a veteran starts at 10 am, social and light refreshments will follow. She can also email you the form. Contact Linda at lindaarmyveteran@gmail.
Warren Food Bank
Open 1st & 3rd Tuesdays
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Warren Community Center
 Warren residents should contact Missy Woodward at
860-868-7881 ext. 114. for more information.
For more information, please contact
Warren Parks and Recreation
at 860-868-7881 ext 113
or email: parkrecdirector@warrenct.org
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