Wheeee! 2013 Ski Trip

Written by a couple of members

For more than 15 years, youth and adults from our church have been getting up very early, driving a couple of hours, putting on warm layers, and riding up a big hill in a funny chair, all because they wanted to....

....go fast down a big hill!

This terrific fellowship event is a "youth group activity", but is also open to everyone, members and non-members both.  Amusing anecdotes can be heard by talking to those who have done this.  Come along next time and be part of an amusing anecdote yourself!   

Emmaus Youth Inspire Us

Written by Kay Lautzenheiser, youth group leader

Six of our youth participated in the Emmaus Program on a weekend in November (2012), for which I was the Rector. The Emmaus Program is a Sr. High Youth Peer Ministry Program. We have held sixteen weekends during the past eight years. Each weekend takes ten weeks of preparation and team building. The churches in the area take turns offering their facilities for the weekend.

I had the responsibility of putting together the team and the weekend. I asked two of our youth to participate by giving two of the eight talks that are given by youth throughout the weekend. There are themes that are recommended and an outline for ideas, but the youth make the talks their own using their life experiences.

I was thrilled that our church wanted them to share their talks with the congregation. This gave the congregation a chance to understand some of the program that takes place during a weekend. I have been on several weekends and they are life-changing for youth and adults alike.

[Note from Administrator:  their sermons were very well received by the congregation.  Members told me they were very inspired by their messages and the strength of their faith.  God bless our youth!]

Memorial Garden

Cemeteries have been associated with churches from their early beginnings up until very recent times. The strong connection between death and the continuing spiritual life of a church person remains fundamental to our faith. We recognize the preciousness of life and the meaning of existence after physical death.

In recent years, greater numbers of people are choosing cremation and a meaningful place for the ashes to rest. Many churches, therefore, have created memorial gardens, where the ashes of loved ones may lay in a place they have loved and been a part of.   Flowers and trees wax and wane with the seasons, speaking always of the promise of resurrection; children's laughter rings in the hallways; worship is on-going just inside the walls, with hymns of praise, songs of thanksgiving, words of hope, attitudes of love, forgiveness and compassion.   A memorial garden is a reminder of life, ongoing and eternal.

We are fortunate to have a Memorial Garden now in place. This beautiful spot was created lovingly with gifts from members and friends of Ledyard Congregational, and is tended with care and dedication by volunteers of the Church.

Read more: Memorial Garden

Be at Peace

Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life;

Rather, look to them with full hope as they arise--

God, whose very own you are,

Will lead you safely through all things;

And when you cannot stand it,

God will carry you in His arms.

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;

The same understanding Father who cares for you today

will take care of you then and every day.

He will either shield you from suffering

Or will give you unfolding strength to bear it.

Be at Peace,

And put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.

- St. Francis de Sales