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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"Built On A Foundation Of Life"
June 17, 2009
Stanley Israelite and Sister Maryanne Guertin were honored at Beth Jacob
Synagogue last Sunday night. These two special people were recognized for
their outstanding contributions to the community. This came as part of the
synagogue's 80th Anniversary celebration.
Rabbi Charles Arian put it this way; "Instead of putting on a big dinner to
boast about our accomplishments we decided to honor someone who
embodied what we have been teaching all these years." When they began to
look for someone worthy of this distinction, two names surfaced. It wasn't
a surprise that both of them had strong ties to communities of faith.
Sister Maryanne has been a teacher, an advocate and a community servant.
She has lived her life according to the teaching of her Lord and God.
Stanley Israelite grew up in the synagogue and fashioned a life of integrity
and honor based upon what he learned in the tenets of his faith. Both of
them put their faith into practice and became world changers.
The truth is that we are all capable of rising to this noble calling. God has
put it in each of our hearts to reach beyond ourselves and to think of our
neighbors. There is no greater gift you can give that to dedicate yourself to
the good of the community in which you live.
The prophet Jeremiah said "seek the peace and prosperity of the city to
which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it
prospers, you too will prosper." Both Stanley and Sister Maryanne have
embodied this scripture. The good news is that they are not the first ones to
have done so in our fair city.
Norwich is celebrating its Semiseptcentennial anniversary this summer. It is
a time to look back and remember. I am so pleased we will get to do that
together on Wednesday, June 24. The Norwich Area Clergy Association is
planning an Interfaith Worship Celebration for 7:00 p.m. on the
Norwichtown green.
At the service there will be music and proclamations. There will be prayers
and a very short address. The focus of the service will be a recognition and
celebration of the contributions of the faith community over the years.
United Community and Family Services, W.W. Backus Hospital, Otis
Library, Norwich Free Academy, St. Vincent de Paul Place, the Y.M.C.A.,
Thames River Family Place, Katie Blair House and so many other prominent
institutions in our city can trace their origins to people like you and me who
had a vision that was born out of their faith.
Today the torch has been passed to you and me. It is time to roll up our
sleeves and put our faith into action. In this anniversary year, let's make a
commitment to build upon the foundation we have been given and continue
to seek the welfare of our beloved community. I hope to see you on the
green and then in the streets following the example of those who have gone
before.
God Bless. See you in church. Cal.
June 17, 2009
Stanley Israelite and Sister Maryanne Guertin were honored at Beth Jacob
Synagogue last Sunday night. These two special people were recognized for
their outstanding contributions to the community. This came as part of the
synagogue's 80th Anniversary celebration.
Rabbi Charles Arian put it this way; "Instead of putting on a big dinner to
boast about our accomplishments we decided to honor someone who
embodied what we have been teaching all these years." When they began to
look for someone worthy of this distinction, two names surfaced. It wasn't
a surprise that both of them had strong ties to communities of faith.
Sister Maryanne has been a teacher, an advocate and a community servant.
She has lived her life according to the teaching of her Lord and God.
Stanley Israelite grew up in the synagogue and fashioned a life of integrity
and honor based upon what he learned in the tenets of his faith. Both of
them put their faith into practice and became world changers.
The truth is that we are all capable of rising to this noble calling. God has
put it in each of our hearts to reach beyond ourselves and to think of our
neighbors. There is no greater gift you can give that to dedicate yourself to
the good of the community in which you live.
The prophet Jeremiah said "seek the peace and prosperity of the city to
which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it
prospers, you too will prosper." Both Stanley and Sister Maryanne have
embodied this scripture. The good news is that they are not the first ones to
have done so in our fair city.
Norwich is celebrating its Semiseptcentennial anniversary this summer. It is
a time to look back and remember. I am so pleased we will get to do that
together on Wednesday, June 24. The Norwich Area Clergy Association is
planning an Interfaith Worship Celebration for 7:00 p.m. on the
Norwichtown green.
At the service there will be music and proclamations. There will be prayers
and a very short address. The focus of the service will be a recognition and
celebration of the contributions of the faith community over the years.
United Community and Family Services, W.W. Backus Hospital, Otis
Library, Norwich Free Academy, St. Vincent de Paul Place, the Y.M.C.A.,
Thames River Family Place, Katie Blair House and so many other prominent
institutions in our city can trace their origins to people like you and me who
had a vision that was born out of their faith.
Today the torch has been passed to you and me. It is time to roll up our
sleeves and put our faith into action. In this anniversary year, let's make a
commitment to build upon the foundation we have been given and continue
to seek the welfare of our beloved community. I hope to see you on the
green and then in the streets following the example of those who have gone
before.
God Bless. See you in church. Cal.
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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