The Church in the Wildwood

 
 
 

The foyer and the rope to the bell.
The winding staircase to the loft.
The edited version of "The Church in the Wildwood".

From the program:

"This Little "Church in the Wildwood" has proven
to be a source of comfort and inspiration,
away form the rush and bustle of our every day life.
come and join in a new, yet old fellowhship
as we worship in this house of God.
Hark: the church bell is calling, calling to you and to me."

Every Sunday evening
7 p.m.
Route 183
North Colebrook, CT
About 7 miles from Rt. 44 in Winsted

(See next post)

The Church in the Wildwood

 
 
 
 

This evening we went to the Church in the Wildwood in North Colebrook, CT. It wasn't our first visit and it won't be our last. Every summer for over 55 years, this historic little church bordered by a stone wall out in the middle of nowhere opens it doors for ecumenical summer vesper services.
A different clergy person mostly from small surrounding towns is the guest speaker every Sunday evening. For a unique back-in-time experience and away from all hustle and bustle and cares of the day, come to the Church in the Wildwood.
Traditionally they always begin with the singing of their namesake hymn. As you can see from one of the pictures they have painstakingly crossed out "brown" church in every hymnal and replaced that with "white" and "morning" has been crossed out and "evening" is inked in. Finally as you sing, "to list to the clear ringing bell", perfectly timed someone rings the church bell. (You can see the rope to the bell in the foyer in one of the pictures). The personalization of these little features makes this a truly unique experience.
This is followed by a traditional hymn sing where anyone can shout out a favorite hymn to sing. There are some wonderful contemporary religious songs out now, but it is so enjoyable to go back to so many of the traditional hymns that many younger people now will never know. "A Mighty Fortress", "Just a closer walk", "It is well", even "Noel" and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic", "May the Good Lord bless and keep you". There is something about singing those oldies but goodies.
The scripture lesson, offering and evening message follow next. Each week there is a different "flavor" in the lesson and sermon as a variety of guest ministers from various denominations, backgrounds and ages, present their message.
I recommend that you try this just once for the experience--you can be away from your worldly cares for a little while in a truly unique environment. For an hour you can get away from it all and who now doesn't need that opportunity?

For me this evening I reflected again upon the hymn, "It is Well with my Soul". Written by Horatio Spafford in 1873. Two years prior his only son had died and in 1873 he lost all four of his daughters as the ship they were on sunk. Only his wife survived. As he was on a ship to meet his wife, he wrote this song as he passed near where his daughters had died. Such a strong faith! "Whatever my lot, you have taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul." I am always saddened when I think of the events that caused him to write that song, but I am reminded that I need to have that faith and that outlook in my life. It was a good reminder tonight. I hope in the week to come whenever I feel the "oh woe is me blues" come along, that I will be reminded and that I can say, "it is well with my soul".

Desserted Island

Lately I've been having that fantasy of living on a desserted island--It's been raining, raining, raining on the outside and raining problems on the inside. Who, at one time or another hasn't fantasized of getting away?

I would love to be on a desserted island--just imagine: all you can eat cakes, cookies, ice cream, candy--a desserted island would be heaven!

Sweet!

How not to leave an rental

 
 
 
 

These are pictures taken after our tenant moved out (after being asked due to nonpayment). We have to be thankful it's just debris and clutter and dirt. The damage appears to be pretty minimal. Just damage to what little free time we have that has to be filled with cleaning the mess up so we can try and find another renter.

I would love to post the name of this former tenant, but I won't.

 
 
 
 

It's almost like they didn't think we were serious when we told them they had to leave. Where was their mind? They thought we could let them live there for free?

Tell me again, why are we landlords?

 
 
 
 

These are pictures of a house we own in Winsted. We were happy to have a nice place for someone to call home who can't afford to buy their own. Well, when they can't afford the rent (however, from the bottles and cans we removed, can afford booze), they have to be asked to moved. Well, this is what we were left with. Can you believe it? Adding insult to injury, someone came by and offered to take everything away for $500. Thank you, but we have the first truck load ready to go to the landfill and there will be at least two more. We'll do it bit by bit.

George & Irene Washington Scholarship 2009

 

This is the latest recipient of the George and Irene Washington Scholarship. Her name is Jennifer Nevers. She is pictured here with George's sister, Barbara.

We are very pleased to say that every person who has been awarded this scholarship by Northwestern Community College have seemed to be very worthy and we are pleased to say that they all are promising assets to society. We are glad that we have been able to help them in a little way to achieve that goal.

The lesson in lilacs

 

This year was a tremendous year for my favorite flower, lilacs. I enviously watched as I saw some towns bloom before us as they always do. Then my neighbors' all came out. Mine did not. I have three bushes. I used to have another but it died and I learned that they needed more sun. We placed these bushes as best we could to maximize their sun availability but also in a location where we would enjoy them.
I was quite envious as I see a bumper crop of the tiny delicate flowers in various shades of white and purple (my favorite) bless all the other people.

Interestingly when everyone else's had past blossoming, out came my gorgeous bushes. They had the best year ever. The fragrance was so strong and beautiful. Day after day I was in awe. I was able to bring mine into my office to share with people who no longer were enjoying theirs.

Mine are a delicate white with only a trace of possible purple. Someone said they may have bloomed late because they are a different type and that they may be a short bush variety. I don't know, but I did notice that a neighbor that has an unusual and gorgeous pink variety is out now too.

If anything, this was a lesson in not being envious of my neighbor or other people. God has a plan and he will bless us in his time--not mine. Don't worry about your neighbor. Be patient and wait. Have faith.

I've had a couple of wonderful weeks of enjoying them. They are fading now. Seasons of life and blessings come and go. I wonder what will be in store for us next.