Noroton Presbyterian Church Reopens Renovated Buildings, Offers Events
On Sunday, Sept. 20, members of Noroton Presbyterian Church (NPC), building partners and mission partners came together to rededicate the extensively renovated NPC building complex as part of the church’s “Foundations of the Future” campaign.
Greeting members and friends that morning were strains of bagpipes, evoking the Scottish heritage of Presbyterian church. Keys were given to the congregation by Architect Dennis Kowal and General Contractor Gus Papajohn.
— This is an announcement from Noroton Presbyterian Church, which is offering a series of events open to the whole Darien community, even those outside the church.
The ribbon cutting for the new building was performed by the oldest member of the church, Maude Pettis (101 years old), one of the congregation’s most active children, Anna Keehlwetter (6 years old), Building Committee Vice Chair – Jean Ann Bollman and Senior Pastor Sam Schreiner [see the picture attached to this article].
Maude Pettus, at 101, the oldest member of the congregation, cuts the rubbon. Also pictured (from left): Jean Ann Bolman-Building Team, Anna Keehlwetter (best Sunday school first grade attendance), and Senior Pastor Sam Schreiner.
Keys (in box) Jean Ann Bollman-Building Committee and Gus Pappajohn-Contrator in foreground then Jayme Stevenson-First Selectman and Frank Mullaney-The Beacon Projects Group in backfound and Dennis Kowal-Architect at the right edge of the picture
From left: Jean Ann Bollman-Building Team, Pastor Brandi Drake, Susan Marks-Selectman, Jayme Stevenson-First Selectman, David Lee-NPC, Frank Mullaney-The Beacon Projects Group, Dennis Kowal-architect & wife Susan; 2 young girls; Pastor Sam Schreiner
Crowd view of many gathered in NEW Skylight Fellowship Lobby for Ribbon Cutting, 'tours', and fellowship on Rededication Sunday
The “Foundations for the Future” campaign kicked off May 2014 to provide new and renovated fellowship, meeting, performance, office space, improved ADA compliance and higher level security for children in the Nursery School and child care areas.
During construction 3,000 square feet of old space was demolished and 14,000 square feet of new space on two levels slowly took shape at the center of the church complex.
As a follow up to the festive rededication there will “Fifty Days of Community Events” which will include: The “Skylight Chamber Music Concert” on Oct. 17 from 7 to 9 p.m.; “Trunk or Treat” Oct. 30 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and a couple’s date night of “Map to Landscape of Love” featuring George Faller, a nationally known speaker on the subject of the languages of love. (For more information on these events, click on the links or see the descriptions below.)
Visitors are welcome to tour the renovations Monday through Friday, 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Senior Pastor Sam Schreiner says, “We were blessed to have faithful members build our church in the 1950s and it served us well through the 20th century. Now we are pleased to perform this extensive renovation to serve the church and community well into the 21st century.”
Noroton Presbyterian Church is located at 2011 Post Road, Darien. Visit the website for more details on upcoming events and to register.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The “Foundations for the Future” building project at Noroton Presbyterian Church (NPC) has provided new venues for numerous community programs. Now there will be an expanded 50-day calendar of community events including: Skylight Chamber Music Concert, Trunk or Treat and a couple’s date night of “Map to Landscape of Love”.
Skylight Chamber Music Concert
The Skylight Chamber Music Concert on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. will be held in the new two-story atrium and feature Noroton Presbyterian’s talented vocal soloists in an evening of favorites from Opera and Broadway.
The evening’s performers have been heard on motion picture and television soundtracks, and have graced local and international Opera and Musical Theater stages.
The evening will be conducted by Dwayne Condon, a nationally known conductor and pianist, and currently the Director of Music and Noroton Presbyterian Church.
Please click here for more information and to register. Enter from the rear parking area; doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
Trunk or Treat
“Trunk or Treat” had its inaugural date after Hurricane Sandy downed Darien’s power wires so severely that “Halloween Trick or Treating” in Darien was cancelled. NPC stepped up and kicked off a night of safe “Trick or Treating” by having participants tailgate Halloween Treats in their large parking lot.
Join in this Free Annual Family event: bring candy, kids in costumes and even decorated cars to the NPC parking lot on Oct. 30 from 4:30 to 6:30 p. m. (No scary costumes please.) There will be free goodie bags for all children. Click here for more information.
Exploring the Language of Love
Looking for a powerfully positive date night? Attend “A Map to the Landscape of Love” on Nov. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Whether you have been married for decades, just a few months, or are single, join George Faller at Noroton Presbyterian Church in the newly renovated Center Core for a couple’s event focused on exploring the language of love.
George will discuss the power of connection and ways for couples to maintain their positive cycle of responsiveness and improve negative patterns of interaction. Topics will include ways to foster productive communication, to notice and share your partner’s “wins”, and to find time and energy for passion.
When partners find their positive cycle of responsiveness, they fall in love all over again. The speaker, George Faller, is a retired Lieutenant of the NYC Fire Department LMFT, (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) and an Approved Supervisor for AAMFT. Light refreshments will be served. Please click here for more information and to register.
