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St. Luke's Church St. Luke's Parish

Saint Luke’s Church Resumes Full Schedule of Worship Services This Sunday, Sept 20

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Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church is resuming a full lineup of worship services beginning Sunday, Sept. 20. Rev. Ryan Fleenor, the new pastor, said care has been taken to keep the services safe for parishioners. — an announcement from St. Luke’s Church

“Throughout the summer we had wonderful outdoor services,” Fleenor said, “and we also researched, prayed and prepared diligently to safely resume indoor worship once summer’s over, in addition to enriching our online programs.
Worship Services and Formats
“Sept.

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Monsignor Tom Powers St. John vicar general

New Pastor Starting September 1 at St. John Roman Catholic Church

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The Rev. Frank Hoffmann announced Monday that, starting Sept. 1, he will be succeeded as pastor of St. John Roman Catholic Church in Darien by Monsignor Tom Powers, the vicar general of the Diocese of Bridgeport. “I am filled with joy to announce to you that the new pastor of St. John Church will be Monsignor Tom Powers,” Hoffman wrote in an announcement emailed to parishioners on Monday.

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Tom McElroy Darien Christian Science Church speaker

Darien Christian Science Church Sponsors Free Webinar May 28 on How Spiritual Discovery Leads to Healing

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The Darien Christian Science Church is sponsoring a free, online talk via Zoom, given by Tom McElroy, CSB, on Thursday, May 28 at 7 p.m.

The talk, entitled “Spiritual Discovery: How you can better the world,” can be accessed at zoom.us/webinar ID 933 238 675. — an announcement from the Darien Christian Science Church

You can also listen in by phone by dialing 301-715-8592 or 646-876-9923 and using the same webinar ID. The talk will focus on universal healing precepts found in the Holy Bible, especially in Christ Jesus’ life and teachings, and show how they are available for anyone to understand and experience through the lens of Christian Science. “Spiritual discovery is about understanding more of what God is and learning to see our lives and the world through God’s all-good nature,” McElroy says. “It’s about stripping away surface-level appearances in order to discern what actually IS.

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The Rev.

New Rector Announced for St Luke’s Church: He Starts This Summer

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The St. Luke’s Church vestry on Monday announced that a new rector has been named for the Darien Episcopal church: He is currently a vicar at St. James’ Church on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The Rev. Ryan Fleenor is a “gifted spiritual leader, as is abundantly clear in both his preaching and teaching,” said an announcement from the church’s vestry (lay members elected by the parish to run it with the rector). The gay, married clergyman has “an impressive track record of bringing young families into the church” and for organizing, the announcement added.

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Church empty pews Coronavirus Covid-19

COVID-19 Changes Darien Church Services: Some Livestreams, No Catholic Mass Obligation Next 3 Sundays

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To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, changes have been announced at St. Luke’s Parish and Noroton Presbyterian Church, which will each only have livestream, online church services, and at Darien’s two Catholic churches — and all of Fairfield County — the obligation to attend Mass has been suspended for Catholics for the upcoming three Sundays. Darienite.com found no announcements about changes in services or meetings on the websites of the Darien churches United Methodist Church, First Church of Christ Scientist or St. Paul’s Church in Darien. This article will be updated when more is known.

Churches
St. Paul's Church Episcopal Church

Episcopal Diocese Says Fight For Control of St. Paul’s Church in Darien Now Over: Diocese and Rector Win, Former Parish Officers Lose

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A conclusion has been reached in the legal fight for control of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Darien, involving on one side various local officers of the parish and on the other the rector and the Epsicopal diocese. The rector — the Rev. Canon George Kovoor — and the diocese won, the Episcopal Church of Connecticut announced on Monday. According to the announcement, the former wardens and vestry members of the church are founding their own Christian community, called the New St. Paul’s Church.

Churches
Christian Science Church Darien First Church of Christ Scientist 11-15-17

All Invited to Thanksgiving Day Service at Christian Science Church in Darien

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The Christian Science church in Darien will again be hosting its annual Thanksgiving Day service on Thursday, Nov. 28, at 10:30 a.m.  This event is open to the public, and no collection will be taken. — an announcement from the First Church of Christ Scientist in Darien

This service, in the church auditorium, at 2331 Post Road, at the corner of Salt Box Lane,  is held in Christian Science churches worldwide, continues an annual tradition that began in 1902. It includes the singing of hymns, the reading of the Thanksgiving Proclamation of the President of the United States or the governor of the state, or both, readings from the “Pastor” of the church — The Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy — a solo, and testimonies by Christian Scientists appropriate for the occasion. The public is also welcome to attend the regular church services, which are held weekly throughout the year on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m.

Another option available to the public is the Christian Science Reading Room, which is a spiritual resource center and a quiet place for study and prayer.

Churches
Lapham Lloyd estate parcel

Talmadge Hill Church Might Move Across the Street, Putting It Into New Canaan

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Talmadge Hill Community Church, which sits just south of Darien’s border with New Canaan, might move across the street into the other town if New Canaan town government decides to sell a parcel there, according to the New Canaan first selectman. — This article is adapted from reports here and here originally published by New Canaanite.com. Saying revenues would go toward the renovation of Waveny House, New Canaan’s highest elected official said he’s discussed the possible  sale of a disused and disconnected portion of the former of Lapham estate for residential development. The approximately 6.25 acres located below the Merritt Parkway and on the west side of Lapham Road could be sold for as much as $2 million for two residential building lots, according to First Selectman Kevin Moynihan. One of the parties that contacted Moynihan last month to express interest in acquiring a piece of town-owned property at Lapham and Talmadge Hill Roads was the Talmadge Hill Community Church, located catty-corner (in Darien).

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Enrique Smeke

‘Are You Ready to Take the First Step?’ Lecture by Christian Science Teacher on Turning to God

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Enrique Smeke, a Christian Science teacher, will give a talk titled “Are You Ready to Take the First Step,” on Saturday, April 27 at Norwalk Community College. — an announcement from the First Church of Christ Scientist in Darien

His lecture focusses on how to turn to God and choose the best approach to handling every challenge that confronts us in our daily experience. How can we take that first step towards a more harmonious relationship with friends or relatives? And what is that connection with God that enables us to enjoy better, more stable health? Where can we turn when faced with a financial crisis or lack of employment?

Charity Events and Opportunities
Maxim Pakhomov

Classical Pianist Maxim Pakhomov Performs Saturday at First Congregational Church

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The renowned classical pianist Maxim Pakhomov will perform a program of Chopin, Bach, Debussy and Arensky in the First Congregational Church of Darien meetinghouse at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 6. 

— an announcement from the First Congregational Church of Darien

The program is also supported by Cesco’s Trattoria, of Goodwives Shopping Center.  Concert goers will receive a 10% discount on their meal after the concert. Pakhomov is the principal pianist with the Bronx Orchestra, performs with the Westchester Chorale and has performed in Europe, Russia and the United States. He is a graduate of the Moscow State Conservatory and has been the lead organist at the First Congregational Church since 2008. He will be joined by special guests violinist Akiko Silver and cellist Andrew Borkowski. A suggested donation of $10 per person supports the cost of the program and benefits The Carver Foundation of Norwalk.

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Boys candid St Thomas Choir for facebook

St Thomas Boys Choir to Sing in Concert at St Luke’s in Darien on Feb 8

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The Friends of Music of Saint Luke’s Parish, Darien, are excited to welcome the boys of the esteemed Choir of St. Thomas Church, Fifth Ave., on Friday, Feb 8, at 7 p.m.

The concert, featuring a variety of music and held in the historic nave of Saint Luke’s, will be conducted by Daniel Hyde and accompanied by Ben Sheen. The concert is free and open to the public. — an announcement from St. Luke’s Parish

“We are elated and honored to have a choir as revered as the boys of St.

Art Exhibits
Saint John's Bible page illuninated hand-written

St Luke’s Presents Lecture Series on Religious Art; Displays Handwritten, Illuminated Bible

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With the invention of the printing press, so went the practice of writing the bible by hand — until Saint John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, produced a 1,165-page handwritten, gold-illuminated bible in 2011. A limited edition of one of the seven volumes of The Saint John’s Bible is on display at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Parish for all to view for one year. St. Luke’s is also hosting a three-part lecture series this month on Bible art. — This announcement from St.

Charity Events and Opportunities
Katharine Hedlund publicity photo

Jazz Vocalist and Pianist Katharine Hedlund Performs Friday in Darien

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Noted jazz vocalist and pianist Katharine Hedlund, who grew up in Darien, will return to town Friday night for a benefit concert at the First Congregational Church of Darien. Katharine, who grew up in Darien, is often compared to Norah Jones and Diana Krall but is a unique and captivating jazz/soul singer in her own right. She will be accompanied by two other former Darien residents: drummer Willie Bruno and bassist Nick Trautmann. — an announcement from the First Congregational Church of Darien

The concert takes place Friday, Dec. 28 at 7 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Darien, 14 Brookside Road.

Churches

Rev. Dale Paulsen, Former Noroton Presbyterian Church Youth Minister, Dies in Car Accident in California

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The Rev. Dale Paulsen, 67, pastor of a California Church and former youth pastor at Noroton Presbyterian Church, died in a car accident on Sunday evening, hours after he had announced his retirement after 23 years at the Morro Bay Presbyterian Church. Paulsen, who had been youth minister at the Noroton Church from 1977 to 1980, was walking in a nearby community when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver and killed, the San Luis Obispo County Tribune reported, citing a California Highway Patrol report. Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo County are on the Pacific coast, about half-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Tribune. Although the driver fled, California authorities later charged a 24-year-old woman who they said was driving a Toyota pickup truck while intoxicated.